Church at Home

We decided that once a week that we would watch a video sermon and tried Crossroads today. Everyone looks so nice...except the person taking the picture who hadn't showered yet!

Exploring More of Numazu

This is our local train station and it is about 15 minutes from our house.  We live in Ooka which is a town in the city of Numazu.

Here comes our train!

The local coffee shop has a Swirkle for sale. What the heck is a Swirkle?  I have a feeling that we'll have to go find out soon.

I had to go to the bathroom during dinner and there it was...the Japanese toilet. Hey, nice shoes Januck!

~ Januck

Another Day in Numazu

Alex in front of his new school.

We went up to Alex's new school to try on clothes and check out the new school that he'll be attending in a few weeks.

Dang! Alex's PE shorts are really short!

When walking in Numazu, there isn't much space between you and the cars.

This is our local post office and you can tell by the orange T with a line on which is the post office symbol.

-Januck

The doctor's office

Well, went to the doctor today to get a renewal on my thyroid medication.  In Japan, the doctor stays in the examination room and the patients are called in to see him.  I had paperwork to fill out and then about two nurses, a pharmacist and the doctor discussed the type of medicine and the dosage.  Instead of one pill before breakfast, now I will take 2 1/2 pills at breakfast.

We also visited the kid's school and they tried on second hand uniforms.  The summer and winter uniforms could cost about $1000 each.  They found some pieces that worked.  Photos to follow :)

Joanna

Orientation at our new school

First, we had to take our shoes off and put them in shoe cubbies and then put on slippers.  We can bring indoor shoes to wear to our classrooms.  Then, we met with the Immersion Director and his assistant for a few hours going over school rules and cultural gaffs.
Here are some:　Do not walk and eat.
                            Do not chew gum.
                            Don't tear up student's tests.    etc.
Then, we had a tour around the school.  My room is across from my foreign teacher's room, and next to my Japanese teacher's room.  I will teach English (Language Arts) and Theme (Science/Social Studies) to 2nd graders.
Joanna

A Few More Pics

It's really cool because they have these school lines painted so kids can follow the line to their school.

That is Mount Kanuki that I climbed yesterday. Oh no! That car is driving on the wrong side of the road! :-)

They have their own version of Caution Falling Rocks sign.

Whaaaaaaaa!!!!!! Be careful!

-Januck

My Hike to Mt. Kanuki

I decided to hike to the pagoda on Mt. Kanuki and maybe to the top to find one of the few geocaches in Numazu.  I'd already found the cache at Numazu Station so I set out early to TRY to beat the heat.

This is the street in front of our house.

I love walking past the rice fields because they are so green.

I finally found the hiking trail.  It turns out that you can drive up to the pagoda but since I didn't have a car...I hoofed it.

I made it to the pagoda!

What an amazing view from the top of Mt. Kanuki! It's too bad though that Mt. Fuji is covered by clouds.  I'll have to come back when it is cooler and clearer.  Oh...couldn't find the geocache...bummer!

-Januck