January- where did you go??!!??!!

   Don't know what happen to my month it went so fast its crazy! I know that it seems like I always say that huh? It just seems that once this year started, time went way way to fast! 
I have been so incredibly busy, I didn't realize it was February and I had not posted anything in a while. 

   I started started studying again and that has just completed my already crazy schedule. I am really happy and feel so blessed to be able to start my MBS in Management and Leadership this month. I had a very good opportunity and great support from my parents. In Japan?? Yes, but I am doing it online with Liberty University. I knew that it was going to be an intense course, but man it is so different from college stuff. I am only taking one class for now, and all I can say is that I admire those people who not only work and study, but are also married and with children. I am learning a lot and really enjoy what I am studying. For the last five weeks I have come to the apartment from teaching and sat at the kitchen table and spent my afternoons writing papers, researching, taking quizzes, and a lot of reading. As much as I love going out, (even if it is to look around the mall) I have stayed in and study.  

Ok, ok most of the time! I did make time to spend some time with my Japanese little sister, Mayu. I am also taking advantage of the few months I have left here. My friend Emi also has been coming on Thursdays to spend time with Dim and I. We laugh and have a nice time eating. 

Sometimes there is no time to cook for our Thursday's guest, so we order pizza or chinese from the restaurant around the corner. FYI they asked us to repeat the address since we were ordering for delivery lol...
  If you know me well enough, you also know that no matter how busy or tired, I always have time for friends,  and food. Off course I also have to take time to cook or bake something...

Strawberry Stuffed Pancakes

Guacamole/Chips

  There is no doubt I'm blessed and spoiled way beyond I deserve... But not complaining at all!! 

December- Is the Most Wonderful Time of the YEAR!!!!

   December was the craziest months of all this quarter! Seems like i didn't realized it was here and then just gone! There were many exciting events coming up and some mixed feelings about the holidays as well. After all the planning and practice for the different RA activities, Church programs, and celebration parties, started happening. First weekend we had our ESL (Saturday's class) Christmas Potluck party. Since many of our students are not christians, this is avery good opportunity to invite them to Church and to tell me the real Christmas story.

After we all enjoyed the delicious dishes, the students do a small presentation showing what we have been working on for the last quarter and then we all eat. I shared experiences about our Christmas when I was younger and Dim shared the real Christmas story.

 RA students and teachers were all ready for Christmas break we well! We had almost three weeks off school, and had very nice Christmas program too. 

A major highlight was the visit of one of my best friends EVER! It was so great to have Ette here for a week which seem more like a couple days. We had a great time together and took advantage of everyday. we have been friends for 5 years now and been great/best friends since the we met. I love this girl and always a party and laughter when we are together. It was like early Christmas present for me, and one of the BEST!

By the Pacific Ocean

Yokohama/ Minatomirai

Tokyo Tower

Bingo winners! 

Hanging out in Kamakura

Even baked cookies with some girls from church

And the Christmas activities at church continue...The third Sunday of December, there were a Christmas Cantata, puppet's show, and a picture/video story telling, prepared by the Sunday School children and teens. They had all been practicing and did a great job! The youngest kids were so cute singing loud only the parts they remember of the songs. 

Every year, a group of people from different churches come together to do carolling together by the train station. It's a great opportunity for witnessing and it's only allowed during Christmas season. 

After that, my "swimming friend" invited us for dinner

On Christmas Eve, we had a very nice candle service, where Pastor Kenji shared the Christmas story. The church was full with many visitors, and it was a special time. 

Some Christmas presents:D

Seems like the days between Christmas and New Year go by so fast! It was very relaxing time, and got to catch up with paying visits to some of my new friends. Tasawa San, (swimming friend), introduced me to an older couple a could weeks ago. Kanan and her husband had been inviting us over and now was the time to do it. They are very nice people, and really enjoyed cooking and having guest. They also showed me tons of pictures from their trips all over the world! I was glad that they came to the Christmas Caroling at the station and hope they will agree to come to church with me too. 

This year I got to experience a very traditional celebration for the occasion. We started since the 30th, that nigh we went out to a steak restaurant and have a very nice time with my Japanese family. On the 31st, I made mexican fajitas, refried beens, and even home made flour tortillas! It was a bit of taste like home!!! On January 1st after church, we had lunch together with my Japanese grandparents and granduncles. Delicious Japanese dishes were served and it was all very very delicious! 

  

No, we don't eat steak raw, but you cook at the table as you eat

  God really watches over me and has been blessing me greatly! Holidays like Christmas are times I remember spending with family and friends, eating good food, playing games, sleeping on and yet not sleeping much, watching movies, talking, eating again, coffee, visiting family, going to church, and lots of music! It was hard spending the last two years away from home specially during these days. I am really excited about spending them at home on 2012! I won't deny that I felt a bit homesick and even tear a little a few nights, but even then God surrounded me with wonderful people and filled my homesickness with reminding me that no matter where I am, or with who, He is ALWAYS there! I can't complain of being pampered and well-taken care, besides it's not about me at all or who I feel, but about remembering and celebrating the birth of Who can to save me and unconditionally loves me. 

" For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder : and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. " Isaiah 9:6