Sunday, September 16, 2012

Alex's Basketball Game

Last weekend Alex's high school basketball team played in a tournament and did really well winning their first three games but losing their last.  They played again on Saturday against a really good team with two tall players.  His team jumped out to an early lead and kept it through the first half leading by nine. Then came the third quarter when their team imploded. Their lead vanished especially when a member from the other team hit four three pointers in a row. Suddenly they were down by twelve and things were looking grim. They battled back and were sparked by Alex's drive to the basket and scoring while being fouled and completing a three point play. They made some great adjustments and outscored the other team 26-4 in the fourth quarter winning the game. Alex was told that he scored 26 points in that game and I would like to find out how many rebounds and blocked shots he had.


This is a view of Mt. Fuji from the gym from last weekend.

Alex was a beast!

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Kagura and the Centipede

After we had dinner, our friends took us to watch Kagura which is a famous play with music. We used to watch it when we lived in Gotsu and it is very cool. 



After we got back to our friend's house, we chatted a bit and then went to bed. Alex and Rachel were having a hard time settling down but we finally started to fall asleep. Suddenly, Alex jumped up from his futon and yelled, "Something just bit me!" We thought, yeah yeah go back to sleep. He kept complaining and we turned the light on and sure enough, under his arm was starting to swell up with a big welt. We looked on his futon and we saw a small centipede. Alex said if felt like his arm was on fire but he thought it was cool because now he could tell everyone that he's been bit by a centipede!

Sorry for the blurry picture.


After the Mine

After we went to the silver mine, our friends took us on a beautiful sunset boat ride. I guess they are only offering the ride this year only so we felt lucky to go on it.

They're ready!

The beautiful Japan Sea.

So pretty.

The Shimane coastline.

Having fun on the cruise with our friend's daughter.

I'm having fun!


Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Heading to Oda

After our wonderful stay in Gotsu, we traveled to Oda to visit a friend of Joanna's. They were so nice and had a whole day planned for us. Our first stop was a very famous silver mine.

Wow! Who would have thought that there would be a foreigner discount!

Okay, can we or can't we take pictures?

On our way to the silver mine.

Our trail to the mine.

So green!

Sorry, I didn't get any pictures of the mine. Why? I'm not sure.

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Going to Shimane

We had such a great time with my sisters and nieces, but then we headed for Gotsu which is where we first stayed when we came to Japan.

Sunset on the Gonogawa river in Gotsu. So beautiful!

This was the street where the Gonogawa festival is held. So much good food! Alex kept getting checked out by all of the ...GUYS! They kept walking by and staring at him because they couldn't believe how tall he was!

Alex riding the mechanical exercise horse at our friend's house where we stayed.

Oh my goodness...the Green Mall! This was our main shopping place.  It hasn't changed much.

Rachel and Alex playing a drumming game at the Green Mall.

We went to the Aquarium while we were there.  Who's that in the bubble ring?

Very cool sand sculptures!

Cool!

Beluga whale.

Eating lunch at the Waco Hotel with our friends!

Anpan man and Totoro!

Genius! If you look closely, there is a urinal in the women's bathroom. Why? Because in case you have a child that needs to go in with you, they have a urinal for him (I'm assuming it is for a boy.)

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Pre-field Trip

Yesterday, on a Saturday the third and fourth grade teachers went on a Pre-field Trip.  We are going to this camp in two weeks for three days and two nights with about 100 students.  This is one of the rope bridges we will have to cross on the obstacle course in the woods (with my co-worker, Tom).  The mosquitoes were out, so we used lots of bug spray.

The camp is about 2 1/2 hours away and we drove to the rest stop where we will be stopping with the students, pre-viewed the camp rooms ((8 students to a room and teachers sleep in two rooms- male, female) and public bath rooms, the camp site, and the ice cream spot at a local dairy we will walk to on the last day of camp.  It will be an exciting camp for all of us.