ESL volunteering

Today I went to a church that provides free English tutoring for internationals. It is ran by volunteers who are all over 50 (I was the youngest by far. Usually there are people from many different countries who go there to learn english. Today, they were all chinese. I did try to speak Japanese a couple of times. But, it was so much fun and I even got invited over to one couple's house to eat joudza (gyoza in Japanese, pot stickers in English). It was good to be surrounded once again by asians.

E-da-ma-me

Today I found edamame in Spokane!!! What a glorious day!
This tasty treat is actually soy beans and are a popular snack in Japan. Eating them today was like taking a trip home :)

Language-o-meter

I saw this on Katie's blog and thought I'd take it to see how different our way of speaking is. As I thought, I do have a bit of Yankee in me. I hope we can still be friends.

Your Linguistic Profile:

70% General American English

15% Upper Midwestern

5% Midwestern

5% Yankee

0% Dixie

What Kind of American English Do You Speak?

The Faithfulness of God

About 2 and a half years ago, I applied to come to Japan and got a letter sent to me saying that I was not accepted for that program. Three weeks later I got a phone call from another organization, asking me to come work in Japan for two years. Totally unexpected. A total provision of God.
This week I got a phone call from the bank I interviewed at and I in fact did not get the job. While I was disappointed, God brought to my mind that time two years ago when I was discouraged because I thought my dreams of going to Japan were impossible. And yet, He was faithful and provided in His way and timing. I am so thankful that I serve a God who is trustworthy, even when circumstances look bleak.
My God is faithful.

A far better education

Okay, so what's been going on in my life? Let me tell ya'
I am finally moved into lovely Spokane. I am living in my college pastor's grandmother's basement. It's actually a really nice setup and only $125 a month. That's awesome right! It is rainy today. Typical Washington weather it seems.
Last Wednesday I helped out with the 4 and 5 year olds at church. It has been awhile since I have worked with such little kids and I am used to being funny with my Junior High school kids. Well, during our craft time, one of the girls was taking the covering off her color crayons. For no particular reason she was just tearing it off and putting it on the table. So, thinking this was funny, I said to her, "Why are you doing that to the crayons? They're gonna be naked and cold." Well, everyone at the table thought that was pretty funny (because I had said the word 'naked') So, the rest of the evening, when we were supposed to be reciting the memory verse and concentrating on far more spiritual things, I would hear from the table, "naked (ha,ha,ha) naked crayon..."
That was my contribution to the 4 and 5 year olds at my church. It's good to be back.

Just another day in paradise

Well, things are looking up in my oh-so-bored-not-sure-what-to-do life. I had a job interview today with a bank and I think it went pretty well. I will find out this week whether or not I got the job. And, I am moving in to my new home this Sunday. Actually it's not just "my" home; I'm living with my college pastor's grandmother, in her basement actually. But it is a huge praise, cheap rent, she's a very sweet lady and I get my own bathroom-"it's a good deal." I am still actively trying to make Japanese friends here :) I met a Korean girl at my church who was very excited when I told her I knew who Yonsama was. Tomorrow I am in charge or 4 and 5 year olds at church with Grayden and then Thursday I'm gettin' my hair cut. Fun times.

Totally Addicted

Okay, I have to admit first that I have been very bored being at home so I have had to find ways to entertain myself. I found this game of my brothers and I have not been able to stop playing it. I am addicted. It is not bloody or confusing like his Super Smash Brothers (I have no idea how to play that). It is a strategy game where you have to rescue the princess and take her safely back to her people. It is REALLY fun.
My name is Shiona. I am 24 years old. I don't have a job and I am addicted to Fire Emblem. True story.

Okay, today I am making Curry for my sister and her husband. So, I wanted to be as Japanese as I could and wear my "nandeinen" shirt. But, when I went down to the laundry room to get it, I discovered it was all covered with fuzz. So, I walked upstairs and I said to my mom" dang it, I wanted to wear it today because today is Japanese day (because I am making curry)"

But my mom suffers from bad hearing, so this is what she heard "dang it, I have to wash my underwear today because today is Japanese day."

We had a good laugh about that. Apparently Japanese day is so special that I can only wash my underwear on that day :)

Good ole' Idaho

Saturday, Grayden and I drove 30 minutes, crossed the state line (woo-hoo) and found ourselves in a cute town called Couer'd lene, Idaho. Actually, I used to live there when I was really little, but I don't remember it at all. It is a really nice town, right on the lake with a big park and lots of grass. I missed grass in Japan. It also had a lot of Americans in all shapes and sizes and swimsuits, which I hadn't seen for awhile. But it was fun. Grayden and I just walked around, tried not to look too much like tourists, ate lunch and played cards in the park. It was a beautiful day!

You know you've been in Japan too long...

You know you've been in Japan too long when you return to America and go to Bible study for the first time and start pronouncing the names of biblical places and people in Japanese just because they were foriegn. Yep, did that today.

But...I found Curry mix!!!! and Octopus...so it made everything better :)