Sunday, August 10, 2008

Time flies...

Well, I left the States almost a week ago...I feel like I've been here for longer then 5 days though - I think because EVERYTHING is new and unfamiliar it's been overwhelming and tiring. I think I expected it to be more out of my comfort zone, but driving on the wrong side isn't so bad, there's more things from home then I expected, the people are VERY nice, and Adrienne and I have been getting along well (at least I'm getting along with her...we'll see if she wants to kill me or not!) We did say that we weren't going to let it fester like Lester (we're making up stories about all the military bases here to help us remember landmarks and one of the Marine bases is Lester and the hospital is there and Lester is an unfortunate little boy that is very accident prone) so that should be a good rule to have when we've been here awhile. We spent the last couple of days on our own for the most part - Saturday we accomplished errands on our own and went to the beach in the evening...it rained during the day (again) The sunset was beautiful and I know I promised pictures of the other side of the Pacific, but I only have the East China Sea so far...
I made her take a picture and ended up almost running someone down...it was kind of strange because all the women in the water were fully clothed...wondering how our bathing suits are going to go over!
Ok, this is like where's Waldo...anyone see the creature? I was excited :)


At the beach we saw this drumming group?? Not sure what it was for - but fun to watch all the same!


Super amused by this sign, who rents an ashtray??

These are EVERYWHERE! You can buy just about anything in a vending machine!
So the beach was fun - we got Starbucks afterwards - my tall chai was more then a venti at home...and I can't figure out what was wrong with it...might need to become a coffee drinker for my Starbucks treat! We got up on Sunday and went to church - the service was nice, we're going to try the 10:30 service next week. We went to lunch and I had macaroni and cheese...it was more of a cream sauce with a little cheese...it also had shrimp and squid in it...kinda random, but it was yummy! Mr. Elofson then gave us a tour of another part of the island...we weren't retaining much of it by that time so it was time to go home...we were in need of a touch of home so we decided to hunt down some internet...we tried 2 Starucks, a McDonalds, an A & W, and drove around for this mystery internet cafe...can't find ANYTHING when you can't speak the language...by the end of it we were both hot, tired, and CRANKY...so we came to the school and sat in our car...sweated while we talked to some of you from home and returned emails :) Today we got up yet again at 6:30am...the sleep thing hasn't been happening enough... :) We're at school doing emails, blogs, and trying to get our slingplayer to work properly and then we're off to set up my classroom - tomorrow is Adrienne's and then on Wednesday we go to pick up Rachael at the airport - it's good to be busy! I think the thing I'm missing most is being able to go do stuff with my friends if I actually have down time...plenty of that and only one friend - that might be our biggest prayer request right now - a place and opportunity to meet some people!

5 comments:

rachel.pentecost said...

well you'll be gaining another friend in a couple days! :) i'm excited to finally meet you girls and hang out in japan!!!

Anonymous said...

A place to meet people... well that is a easy one... can you say "karaoke!!!!" Get your own "building" and sing away... wait perhaps you singing isn't the best way to keep new friends!!!! :) I know you could start your own dance class at the local rec. center! You'd have to teach with a translator... could be way fun! (te he)But all joking aside, I'll keep that in prayer... "God can supply all your needs according to His riches!"Love you and miss you so much!

Anonymous said...

ok the anonymous is me, Sarah, having trouble with this whole thing... are we surprised!!! LOL!!!

Aimee said...

One week down....Culture shock will comem in phases.

Cheryl said...

Jamie is glad you can rent ashtrays there! :)

Background