Cherry Blossoms!

Well, it is that time of year and the cherry blossoms are starting to bloom. They are so beautiful and I have a tree outside my classroom that is in full bloom. This past weekend we went to our local park and had a "hanami" which is cherry blossom viewing. We brought lunch and sat under the cherry trees and enjoyed our lunch and the view.

Approaching the park.

One of the walking paths in the park.

Cherry blossoms.

 This is the tree we were eating lunch under. Actually, we weren't quite under it but the view was still spectacular!

Osaka-Kobe

This week we decided to spend our break in Osaka and then travel to Kobe to see the church that Joanna's parents started and see where she grew up. We had a fantastic time and it turns out that the house that Joanna grew up in has been torn down and replaced with what looks like condos. We had a terrific time and wish we could have stayed longer.

I think this is a famous sign in Osaka. Everybody was getting their picture in front of it.

This is the church that Joanna's parents started in Kobe.

Us with some of the church members.

This is where Joanna's father's ashes are kept.

We were so excited to find an Outback Restaurant in Osaka. It was just like home except the potatoes were a bit smaller.

We went to Universal Studios and had a blast!

Shouldn't it say 30 miles per hour?

Yes, that's right! Six and a half hours wait for one ride!

Very cool!

They had a takoyaki museum. This is a sampler of them and they were delicious. They are a breaded ball with octopus inside.

We always know that we are almost home when we see this majestic volcano.

What's next???

I finally GRADUATED high school!!! On March 9th I graduated from Gyoshu High School. This experience has been amazing and I have made so many close friends while living here. 

Alex and I on my graduation day.

My amazing class that I will miss so much.

Walking out after the ceremony.

Takoyaki Nation. I will miss them the most. Mayumi, Rieko, Erika, and Chika are my best friends and the ones who made living in Japan so much fun and a great experience.

Our craziness now that we graduated.

My friends and I decided to go to Disney Sea in Tokyo to celebrate our graduation.

We had an awesome time!

Now that I have graduated... What's next for me? Well, I have decided to attend Calvin College in the fall. Calvin College is a christian college in Michigan. I am really looking forward to it and will be majoring in Elementary Education. Also, I got a summer camp counselor job at a christian camp in Wisconsin. I will be leaving Japan at the end of May and it is very bittersweet for me. I am very excited for what God has planned for me but I will also miss all my amazing friends and Japan.