4th of July

American holidays are always strange to celebrate in Japan because, unless you are with other foreigners, you are more than likely the only one celebrating. This year we decided to have a bonfire on the beach...

Very impressive, right? I thought so too. But this is what our bonfire looked like. 

We decided to walk out to a popular fishing spot to take some pictures. 

The rest of the evening was spent talking, eating hot dogs and s'mores,  playing sports and being serenaded by Allen Thompson.

And then there was the fireworks show. It was nothing spectacular since all of the fireworks were from the Japanese equivalent of a dollar store (yes, they sell fireworks in the dollar store...year round) but it was a good showing.

ハッピーバースデーアメリカ!

When you wish upon a star

A couple of weeks ago my Thursday school (meaning I visit there once a week) told me if it was not raining next week then I should wear a suit so we could take a faculty picture.

The next week it was not raining so I wore the suit. I arrive to find that the schedule has been changed. We are still taking the picture at 8:30 and at 9:00 we are going to get potatoes...

I don’t understand...

We bypassed the store and dug them out with gloved hands. I thought my first Japanese field trip might be to a park or store or museum. Maybe we would drive instead of walk and I always imagined less manure. I mean, some manure, just... less.

Last weekend we piled 7 people into 2 cars and drove down to Tokyo for Chelsea’s birthday. It was a sluggish 4-hour trip that was mostly bumper-to-bumper, but then we made it to Disney Sea.

Chelsea, Staci, and Emily

Just went through Italy and on our way to the center of the earth.

Under the sea.

Port, Chelsea, Emily and Staci

On the train heading to the Ginza district for the ICEBAR.

Everything was made of ice!

Chelsea, Emily, Staci, Daniel, Luke, Cole and Port

One last picture before the hypothermia sets in...

Then it was back to Disney Sea.

We just had to have some ears.

The park is closing...Some of us take the news better than others.

Cole, Luke, Emily, Chelsea, Staci, Port and Daniel

Next stop...Disneyland!