The Incredible Journey: Way to Japan: October 2014

Sunday, October 26, 2014

Visiting a Japanese Church

Okayama Joyful Noise Church

http://church.ne.jp/joyful-praise/?page_id=20

Shari and I went to our first Japanese church service today. We had a mini adventure trying to find it and we were positively intrigued when it turned out to be a small house church. We actually couldn't find it at first, and we parked near the general location and called them. The pastor's wife actually walked out of church and found us on the side of the road. The church community members were so welcoming. They waited for us, and began service once we sat down. The pastor's mother was kind enough to translate the entire message to us. After service we all had a big lunch and before we left they gave us some home grown persimmons. It was such a special time. Shari and I were incredibly blessed and we can't wait to see them next week!

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Friday, October 17, 2014

Japanese Elementary Kids Have the Cutest Uniforms

These pictures don't do these uniforms justice. These outfits are so much cuter in real life. The first time I saw the kids walking into school wearing these, I was like, "They are all so darn cute! How is this possible?" It's the uniforms, and Asian kids really are just so darn cute, I must admit. There, I said it. I know it might be slightly controversial but it's the truth.

Look at those hats! They are these kiddie reversible paper boy caps and then those other ones (I don't know what they are called.) that go all the way around are just as cute! And the white shoes with the high socks! And those overalls! I can not stand the cuteness of these uniforms!

BTW, students in Japanese schools all have 3 pairs of shoes, sometimes even 4, one for outside play and walking to and from school in, one for indoors, one for the gym and sometimes one for the restroom. AND Japanese staff and kids are constantly changing clothes throughout the entire day. It's like every time I turn around someone has done a wardrobe change.

(None of these are my kids in these pics. Just random images off the internet.)

And all the kids have these snazzy backpacks! I mean everyone. I think they only get one to last them their school-age career (Please let me know if I'm wrong.), because they cost like $300.00 (Around ¥30,000) each.

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Wednesday, October 15, 2014

The Soaring Little Life

Today, I asked a co-worker how to write my Japanese name, Shōsei, in Kanji. I found out that there are two different possible ways it can be written.

翔生

Soaring Life

小生

Little Life

As I thought about the meanings of these possibilities, I felt that I connected closely with both of them.

"Soaring Life," because for all my life I have been moving from place to place; never settling and never stopping to take root. I actually hate being in one place for too long, there comes a point where I can't stand it and I just need to get up and go. But this kanji for soaring means more than just "flying," it's flying with power and majesty!

"Little Life," not because I think my life will be "short," but I interpret it more as "a little living being." Maybe my name is the reason why I'm so small. We will never know.

That being said, I believe that when I write it I'll be using 翔生 even though I connect with both. I hear it's the more common kanji used in names with "shō," so most likely that's the correct way to write it.

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Sunday, October 12, 2014

At the Japanese Gas Pump

Not understanding the Japanese language makes getting gas very difficult. I've filled up gas thrice since this first occurrence and I still don't know how to put gas in a car!

Thank you for coming with me on this incredible journey!

- TJ

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