Singing with Saori...

宇都宮

宇都宮

宇都宮

宇都宮

シカゴもカラオケがある

この写真は　John　Her　の誕生日パーチのです。すごく楽しかった！弟とだいすけーくんとぜにやーさんたちもいました。John Her's birthday party in Chicago-- Japanese karaoke at a Korean restaurant! Daisuke, Takeshi and Tomoko were able to join us, and Takeshi's incredibly fast Japanese rap was the highlight of the evening;) Tomoko has been a great friend to me, always patient with my Japanese questions and always making time to hang out!

Update

Hi everyone (at least, anyone who is still checking this blog). . .

I wanted to give an update regarding plans for 2008. As of right now, I plan to be back in Japan by August 2008, involved in the Cafe Coen ministry in Sapporo, Hokkaido (check out our website www.cafecoen.com)! God has worked His timing yet again, presenting me with this ministry opportunity when I wasn't even searching for it. I'm ridiculously excited to be in Japan again, building friendships and living out my faith in a way that will touch people's lives and make Christ known.

アメリカの乗馬の写真。。。

アメリカの乗馬大会の写真です。

友達。。。

日本の友達がいなくて寂しいです。

The Road to Chuzenjiko (Lined with...monkeys?)

Last Friday was a national holiday, so I took off to the mountains again, this time with my mountain bike jammed in the back of my ridiculously small K-car. I drove up a new way (the other side of the mountain) which took twice as long, but with spectacular views! I found two waterfalls, and two monkeys (ugly buggers—I’ve always held the delusion that monkeys are cute, but Japanese Snow Monkeys are quite ugly and evil too. They mug tourists!) Anyway, I got some good mountain-biking in before retreating to my mountain onsen for a few hours. . . after which I amused many people in the parking lot by battling to get the bike back into the car. . .

More Kerifuri, Chuzenjiko. . .

Kerifuri, Chuzenjiko ctd.

Can you spy the waterfall?

Surprised by Beauty

Lately I've been restless, tired of traffic and crowds, wishing I was in the backwoods of Wisconsin or the old Lumberjack Trail in the Thumb of Michigan (even if just for an hour!). . . but this morning, God gave me a great gift. I went running in the morning rather than the usual 10pm, and the small iron gate I usually run past was actually open. I entered. . . and was surprised by beauty! I stumbled upon Utsunomiya Prefecture Museum and Central Park, which includes a Japanese Garden, a Western Garden, a Rock Garden, a lake, many trails and many carp. . . and it's all within 2 minutes' walk from my current home. I can't believe I've lived in Utsunomiya for over a year and never knew of this place! Enjoy the photos. . . and Heidi, if you're reading, it was "so beautiful it made me want to cry ;))" ha! You and Jane will never get over that comment, but it was true. . .