small post. (please see the post below for the update on my life)

the past 20 minutes.........
--
My lovely package givers forgot to send me reese cups..
..it's not like they are fattening/high in sugar or anything..
but they did bless me with peanut butter.
And a few days ago, I got a delicious bar of dark chocolate,
and I had about 2/5ths of that beloved snack left.
But tonight,

while jumping up and down in circles

singing with Peter, Paul and Mary
"I'm leaving on a Jet Plane,"
I dunked the rest of my chocolate bar

into the peanut butter that my beloved package giver gave me.

Bad idea for 9:30pm on a Monday night,
the night before I start teaching again,

30 minutes until >my<>

The end!

**below this post is the real update!! PLEASE read =]

Hello 40-50 degree weather!

Konichiwa!

---
This weekend was the best!
On Saturday I got a love package.
"What is a love package?" you may be wondering.
Well, it is when one gathers things with love and puts it into a box,
and then sends that box to somebody who is in need of some good'ol lovin.
Thank you <3
(shout out*** Ah, how shall I do it? Oh, I know. I'll turn him into a flea, a harmless, little flea, and then I'll put that flea in a box, and then I'll put that box inside of another box, and then I'll mail that box to myself, and when it arrives... I'll smash it with a hammer! It's brilliant, brilliant, brilliant, I tell you! Genius, I say!)

---
We went to Swan Lake!
To really see its beauty,
Please go on my facebook and check out my album:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=240557&id=682719992&page=7

---
On Saturday night we had
"throw your favorite Japanese food into a pot, and cook it."

(Mr.Tobi's picture)

Let me tell you,
It was delicious!
And that hot dog thing you see,
although it wasn't a hotdog,

lessened my desire for one.

---

I ate nato tonight.

Probably will never eat that again.

I ate eel tonight.

Probably would eat that again.

---

So I found some objects to make Stacey and I's room more homey.

I'll take picture when my camera is alive again.

---

Pronunciation class tomorrow!

---

I am currently babysitting Ponta (see picture at top of blog).

He's eating something peculiar,

so I must go rescue him.
Have a wonderful Monday!
OH! That reminds me!
Today I ate at a real ramen shop.

No English.

We had to take our shoes off,

and we sat on the floor.
It was awesome!
And so good.
When somebody posts a picture,
I'll let you know!
Okay..
<3>

the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom!

Sorry..

Tokyo was great!
I had so much fun with Amy.
I wish I could go back soon =]
I am now addicted to Seaweed and Salt Chips! YUM!
And while in Tokyo, I went to the busiest intersection in the world due to people, and drank at the most-served Starbucks in the world (which was at a corner of the intersection).
Cool =]
But her and Kazu are the best!
The ministry the are doing is amazing.
And they are great host's!
I'm so lucky to have spent more time with them!
---
This week is the last week of the 1st semester!
WOW!
Time if flying!
I can't believe it.
---
Today in class we are going to play
"who wants to be a millionaire"
And the prize will be food--
but the secret is,
they all get food =]
---
I've started my 4th book.
It's good so far..
It takes me some time to get into a book,
and once I'm 50-70 pages in,
I'm addicted.
---
My mom sent me a package,
and a letter from a friend.
I haven't gotten them yet,
but hopefully soon!
I can't wait =]
It keeps me goin.
---
Sorry this post is weird,
and late.
I've been trying to get organized.
Eek! Speaking of organized.
I have a list of what I need to do every day,
and I just remembered I need to do my list!
Gotta go =]
Have a wonderful Friday! Mine has been awesome.

3rd week of classes...

I love conversation class!
By far, it is my favorite.
Every day we laugh,
and it's just simply fun.
---
4. Did you know that fish can make noises? There are many ways for them to do this. For example some kinds of fis use their teeth to
a. move around
b. bite people
c. get food
d. make noises.

Now, correct answer is D...
but Noah
(who makes me laugh ALL THE TIME)
put answer b....
hahaa, still makes me laugh =]
---
I'm heading to Tokyo today to hang out with Amy until Sunday.
excited! <3
---
There are "3 semesters" in this term of SYME
(that is what I call them...)
4 weeks
4 weeks
4 weeks..
Next week is the last week of the first semester!
Crazy!!
---
New favorite snack:
Rice ball
(basically, rice from the previous meal in a ball surrounded by saran wrap)


...no I'm not kidding.
I love it.
---
The weather is getting so much cooler!
I love it!
(*shout out to my mom* layering is my fav)
---
Oh! Oh! Oh!
I made chocolate chip banana cookies!
It was my first time ever (obviously :/) to bake in another country.
Now, if you know me well, baking is my favorite thing to do.
There was no kitchen aid, hand mixer, measuring cups, measuring spoons...
I had a scale, a bowl, and tea spoon (literally).
I thought "How am I supposed to cream my butter and sugar?"
I thought "How am I supposed to get 180g (or 250g..i forget) of butter?"
But! It was an AMAZING success!
It was such a fun adventure!
And everybody LOVED them!
Which makes me so happy- I bake so other people can enjoy!
<3
---
Alright, I have to pack for Tokyo.
Have a wonderful Thursday!



The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord!!



=]

What is the date today?

Ever since I arrived in Japan,

It seems that I have neglected to find out what the date is!
Not purposefully, but it just.. happened!

Today, in family time, Julie asked for the date.
When Mrs.Kari told her,
I was shocked.

SEPTEMBER 14th!
Seriously?

In 4 days I will have finished my 1st month in Japan!
AMAZING!

---

"I have been the SYME about 3 months"
"Noah, something is wrong with that sentence."
"..what.."
"Well, when did YOU become The SYME?"
His face expression hadn't changed,
nor his monotoned voice,
and said,
"..3 months ago..I am The SYME."
Ohhhh my word! He makes me laugh every single day!
(Then we figured out he meant:
I have been at SYME for about 3 months)
(cute cute cute!)

---

I love these people!
---

The bell rang about 40 minutes ago,

and an announcement was made.
Stacey and I were in our room,
the dehumidifier was going,
and Enya was singing,

so we didn't quite hear it.
"What did it say?"-S
"Something about Peach Pie..."-N
"Peach Pie?"-S
"Yes. I think so. And when you go upstairs, call me if there really is any."-N
Stacey walks out the door,
and then turns and says "Are you sure he didn't say free time?"
"Mmm, maybe?"-N
20 seconds later...
"There was announcement for Bible Club #2..that's it"-S
:/ I'm still a litte disappointed that there was no Peach Pie
and perhaps we both need our hearing checked.

---

There is a zoo in our room.

(*shout out to my love-a-ly sister Ashley)
There is:
pretty stink bugs,

A Moth (that I thought was a slug),
Another moth (but Stacey claims it is the same one),
Big black spiders,
Baby black spiders,
Dead tiny, minuscule spiders,
Dead baby knats..

Mmm, It's an adventure.
(Kinda like Sunny Sunday)
---

What do you get with:
a clothes line in the middle of your room,
a nice roommate who makes your table/desk experience more enjoyable,
a tall Australian who is now unable to get out of her bed,
and a short American who hung her clothes on the higher end of the rope?
This picture:

<3 We have fun.
---
have a wonderful Tuesday!
Mine was awesome,
So yours will be too!

Something Refreshing..

Today was my day off.

It was Wonderful!
I relaxed, ate, painted my nails, prepped for classes, babysat Ponta (see picture on the right for reference), and just meditated on the Lord =]
I wasn't going to post tonight, but I really wanted to share this!

In quiet time I personally have been learning about joy in the Lord.

Just singing praises to Him in the midst of a storm, in the heart of the storm, or on the tailgate of the storm.

And tonight, as I was brushing my teeth,

this song popped in my head!
Please, read!
Or at the end, is a youtube clip of the song!!
May this song be stuck in your head today =]
---

Weak and wounded sinner
Lost and left to die
O, raise your head, for love is passing by
Come to Jesus
Come to Jesus
Come to Jesus and live!

Now your burden's lifted
And carried far away
And precious blood has washed away the stain, so
Sing to Jesus
Sing to Jesus
Sing to Jesus and live!

And like a newborn baby
Don't be afraid to crawl
And remember when you walk
Sometimes we fall...so
Fall on Jesus
Fall on Jesus
Fall on Jesus and live!

Sometimes the way is lonely
And steep and filled with pain
So if your sky is dark and pours the rain, then
Cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus and live!

O, and when the love spills over
And music fills the night
And when you can't contain your joy inside, then
Dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus and live!

And with your final heartbeat
Kiss the world goodbye
Then go in peace, and laugh on Glory's side, and
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus

Fly to Jesus and live!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_4g8_e16dc

Sunny Sunday.

What did I do today?

Wait,

I have to involve Stacey (roommate).

What did we do today?
Stood outside with flags,

big, tall flags,

advertising the grand opening of the English school behind us.

---

It was cool at first (weather).

Then Mr.Sun had some fun.

I currently have been laughing for about 7 minutes.

Stacey and I are sunburnt.

My poor, red-headed roommate wasn't as lucky as me.

She is the color of her hair...or redder.

I hurt, but my daddy gave me some good, good skin.

---

We signed up for this modeling gig,

without knowing too much about it.

Hey, it does look good.

Japanese people seeing 2 American (good) looking girls.

Who wouldn't want to learn English!

(even though Stacey is an Aussie)

(that's besides the point)

---

10am-6pm shift with breaks here and there

The job was fun.

The people were SUPER SUPER nice!
They fed us well!

And they had 3 adorable boys.

(*shout out to gramma. The people who asked us to do this are friends of staff at SYME.. don't be nervous, we were in good hands :)

---

All of the Japanase kids LOVED to wave to us,

the parents even got their kids attention to look our way.

We felt popular.

We felt like great models.

People were so happy waving at us,

rolling down windows,

saying hello..

---
An Aussie came to visit Stacey.
They didn't know each other.

But the kangaroo inside them two,

brought them both together somehow.

*cue twilight music
Anyways...

He was REALLY nice.

Came back and brought us juice.

100% juice.
"I wonder how many apples are in here.."
"Inside your juice box?"
"...yes..."

---

Some elderly man pulled over on his motorbike

and asked Mrs.Brown for some information.

When she was inside, he came up to me and started talking.

"How many in Japan"
He asked.

"3 months"

I answered

"wow" he said smiling.

Then Mrs.Brown came out and gave him information.

He stood there, looking at us (Stacey and I)

Then drove away.

A little later Mrs.Brown told us:
"He was more interested in taking to you two,

then our school."

---

Stacey just came in.

Must say,
She is sporting some pretty good tan lines.
Advertising a new look.
I think the model life might work out after all.

Or....Let me teach you a Japanese word.

Ko-y-e
That is sounded out for "scary"

------The rest of this blog is just funny moments, read if you want.

.... Sorry if they are silly to you!!

What time is it?-N

3:00. -S
Now what time is it?-N
3:04-S
.....Noooow what times is it?-N
3:07-S

mmmm-N
Now what time is it?-N
3:15-S
Better than before-N

How long have we been sitting in here?
(guess who asked that question)
Uhm about 20 minutes.

Really?
Yes, at least we are in here instead of out there.

Mmm..agreed.
What are the chances that we leave in the next 10 mins?
........what movies do they have?

"clurk-de-booble-clunk-sprrrrrrt"
WHAT is that sound??!?-N
My metal water bottle....-S
....strange...-N

Want some chocolate?-S
NO! I just brushed my teeth...
Wait! Didn't you say brushing my teeth with chocolate was okay???-N
Uhm......no.......Josh said something about Cocoa toothpaste..-S
..........oh..........-N

I handed stacey my "Melt away stress lotion".
(*shout out* Ashley, do you remember owning this lotion? haha)

"I hope this melts away my sunburn"-S

---

Hope you have a less burnt-ful day than we did!!

:)

"Oh. My. Word. Stacey. Try these crackers, they are my new favorite!"
-Stacey tries Cracker-

-all I hear is a slow *crunch* *crunch* *crunch*-

"I expected it to be sweeter....."
and I simply replied,
"Hmmmm... Try again."

---

Did I mention there are wild monkeys here?

---

Stacey and I are models on Sunday.

No, I'm not joking.

No, It's not a scam.

No, it's not for my Hollywood figure (hahahaa...)
But, Yes, it is for my face.

...only because I have an American looking face.

Still counts for something, right?

---

So I used to be kind of picky with the food I ate.

Not anymore.

I eat bean paste in my dessert now.

I eat rice for almost every meal.

I love the taste of seaweed.

Cabbage soup = favorite.

Melon bread is so good.

Spicy spicy chips are Ahhhhmazing

---

I had a lot of fun today!
I love Conversation class!
It's teaching grammar and such.

But today, we were learning present perfect tense..
and asking questions like "Have you ever..."
SO guess what we played?
=D the have you ever game!
It was so fun!
We were laughing basically the whole time.

Ugggggh I love it!

Then we had a quiz...
And their answers always make me crack up!
It's my fav.

Then 3 girl students, 3 staff members, and I played dominos tonight for...

mmm...

maybe 2 hours?
haha, it was fun.

I love it that game now!
---

I am on my 3rd book in 1 week!
1) North of Tomorrow--- Highly recommended

2) Uncharted--- Mmm, Highly recommended if you want to be reflect on the opportunity we have being alive and a follower of Jesus Christ!! I was speechless at the end.

3) Presumed Guilty--- just started it, but really good so far!
**All of these books are Christian! So they are clean and just super good!
Get your nose in a book =]

---

That's it for now!
Have a wonderful weekend!

Once upon a time...

there was a short, young, American girl,

changing her sheets from her bed.

The first sheet was a pillow case,

The second sheet was a square,

And the third sheet was just right.

However, there was a problem.

It seemed as if a man had sewn 2 top sheets together,

leaving a hopeless small hold on the side.

The American adventured into the sheet,
to try and see how the angles worked.

Was this American girl now supposed to stuff her mattress in the hole?

Yes. Yes she was.

She tried,

and tried,

and tried.

Until her mattress got her blankies in a bunch....

Instead of a nice, flat mattress,

This little American had succeeded to twist her mattress into a mountain with miles of sheet around.
Then, her friendly Australian friend came to help.
With her smarts and the American's smarts,

They brought the distressed mattress into the hallway.

Slowly BUT surely, the mattress became horizontal again.

I tied up the the hole with the strings that closed the poor sheets, the poor American girl cried into the atmosphere, "I am never changing my bedding again! If there was only 1 thing I miss about America, it would be the simplicity of it's bed sheets!!"
The American Dean came in, and quietly said, "...I think a man must have made them."
Funny thing that the Dean did not know, was the American's friend the Australian had said the same thing prior to the American crying into the atmosphere.
After that little escapade, the Australian and the American needed some place to dry their wet clothes. The American began to hang her clothes around the room while the Australian decided to go find a rope.
And find a rope she did!
A ginormous rope,

to be exact.
First, they untangled it.
Second, they started stringing the rope around the room,
as if they were pretending to decorate a Christmas tree.
Third, the re-untangled it.
Fourth, some more un-tangling.
And finally, The Big Tie Off.
And it was finished!

They hung up their clothes, and looked at their creation as if they were Picasso himself!

Trouble laid ahead though.

The 5'1 American has only a little trouble getting to and fro in her room,
Yet her 6'2 Australian friend had a little more trouble.
The story ends with the rumor that the rope was never taken down again.
Truth or fiction?
Too soon to tell.

---

have a good day!

Sorry!

My apologizes to my faithful readers,
because I have not been faithful this weekend,
to my beloved blog.
---
Story 1:
I am a big sister!
No, my mom is not pregnant.
And, no, my parents are not adopting.
The church we SYME'ers attend has a program where the kids in the church get a "big brother" or a "big sister".
Yay!
Super excited.
I think I get to meet her this coming Sunday.
I can't wait!!
---
RIP.
To my beloved, cherished, and well-fed sweet tooth.
You have been spoiled to the brink of death the past few days.
I fear to announce,
you have lost your sugar eating privileges for some time
---
I went to a super market on Saturday.
I forgot I was in Asia.
Isle 1: fish
Isle 2: fish things
Isle 3: fish things
Isle 15: fish things
Isle 30: fish
Mmm, now...
Where would I find peanut butter?
Conclusion: I didn't.
But the trip was successful when I found blueberry bread
(and I realized blueberry bread has nothing to do with peanut butter,
but it made me forget why I was there)
(and later I found out there was a foreign Isle)
(probably between Fishy Isle 5 and Fishy Isle 7)
(Don't get me wrong,
the grocery store is AMAZING,)
(I love fish and things)
(but when a foreigner wants her peanut butter,
a foreigner wants her peanut butter.)
(I will post the pictures of the blueberry bread when I find my camera)
(....heh)
---
>>>"Is God happy with your thoughts?"
has been my meditation for the past week<<<

---

Who thinks climbing an active volcano in Japan would be super amazing?

Oh, wow, Look at that!!

(looks out my window)

Conveniently, there seems to be a volcano in my town!

(**shout out** don't worry gramma metthe, gramma peterson, mom, ashley, and other relatives... I won't go alone)

---

Cute story:

Since I look like a total English-speaking American

I often get stopped by random Japanese people

and have the most adorable little English conversations.

Saturday, I was crossing the road.

And this elderly man was driving his cute baby truck.

He looks at me, slows down, got the THE BIGGEST smile on his face,

and says to me (rather loud and super confident),

"HELLO!"

And I smiled, waved, and said, "hello!"

And he nodded his head (having nothing more to say)

and smiled as he drove away.

Hah! Super random, yet SUPER cute!

---

I am blessed to be in this country.

Thank you!!!

A special post.

I have 2 things to say in this post.

Bring a helmet..

Buckle up..

and have oxygen tank ready...

---

I'll start with the news that almost made me....up-chuck.

Did you know that..

Australians eat KANGAROOS?!?!?!??!

YES!

THOSE CUTE ANIMALS WE SEE IN THE ZOO

INNOCENTLY HOPPING AROUND

WITH CUTE LITTLE BABIES IN THIER POUCHES?

And......the Japanese eat horse.

I seriously might be come a vegetarian.

---

Really Australia?

Kangaroos?

---

I am obsessed with nature!

These photos were taken from tonight's sunset.

(look at fb for a better quality maybe?

Enjoy =]

Have a wonderful day!

How much traffic is there?

So yesterday, my first day of teaching,
was...harder than I thought.
It was stretching for me!
Which is super good!
And it pushed me to work even harder on prepping my classes for the next day.
---
And today was wonderful!
My Bible class was over 20 minutes early.. again
But we had a really good discussion about Japanese culture!
We were reading about Pilate today, and I brought up the fact that he was experiencing the fear of man (because he was scared that a riot would occur if he didn't let Barabas go instead of Jesus). I went to Galatians 1:10 and after we talked about the correlation of the fear of Pilate and the verse, Japanese culture was brought up. It was so intriguing.
---
You can't walk up to a Japanese person and ask about faith, the gospel, or anything.
You just can't.
The best way is to have friendship.
The Japanese people want peace--
they would never do something to interrupt one's peace.
They are so polite...
I think America could use a little politeness.
---
During class, sometimes it would get quiet and I was thought maybe I was being boring or they didn't understand... but at end of class I asked how I did, and they told me that Japanese don't show expression- so for me not to worry :)
---
I missed lunch today :(
---
In due to this 93 degree weather,
I made up (changed words to) a song.
Oh Frosty the snowman,
Can you hurry up this way?
Can you wave hello saying,
"Don't you cry,
I told you I'd be back someday."
(alternative ending: I will never leave your side)
---
I don't think I've ever slept as good in my whole life as I do here!
I haven't dreamt every night in a long time...
---!
AHhhh,oh yes!
I have a challenge for you:
For one week, write down 1 thing that God has blessed you with THAT day.
After that one week, try to do another week.
=] Even in the hard times, there is still something to be thankful for!
<3 bbbye