From the Heart of Tokyo 東京の中心から

ASIJ High School Football

日本のアメリカンスクールのフットボール

 

When Jonah came home from school and told me he planned to play football,  my automatic reaction as a mother was concern.  But then I realized that, as the smallest kid on the Junior Varsity team, he'd have to try very hard, the practices would be good for fitness, and then there's the camaraderie of belonging to the team.  Well, Saturday was the last game, and it has been an excellent season for Jonah.  As it turns out, this football season has been great for the whole family.  ところで、日本語は下に書きます。

During our many years at ASIJ (American School In Japan), we've attended many sporting events, plays, musical concerts, and basically any event that the kids were involved or interested in.  We've watched a few football games over the years, but this is the first time that we've gone to almost every game, even those that were away at military bases.  We'd go to watch Jonah's games, the High School Junior Varsity team, and then we'd stay for the Varsity games which were always very exciting.  As I sat in the stands, cheering for our team, I enjoyed mingling with the other parents.  The Team Moms, Kelli and Lisa, each gave me a program, so I could look at the jersey number and know the players names, most of whom I know as friends and classmates of Jonah and Monica.

Some of the boys on each team are exceptional athletes, it is such a pleasure to watch them perform, running, catching, throwing, kicking, blocking and tackling. A few are so aware, it's quite amazing to see them look around at the other players on the field and understand exactly what they need to do.  I think this is a characteristic that will serve them well in life, no matter what they do.  Some are not exceptional, but are trying very hard to do their best, getting better every time.  The coaches have the respect of all the players and parents as they consistently work the students hard in practice, but they are fair and kind.  Jonah learned so much during football practice from the coaches and other players, and I was impressed by his organization and responsibility, even down to taking care of his equipment, watching his nutrition and sleep, and making sure that his jersey got washed.

The players from the other teams were also admirable, even though they hardly ever beat us.  Most are from military bases, but we also played some Japanese High Schools, in fact, last weekend, the JV played two Japanese HS's at once, that's why there are three different colored jerseys on the field.  The cheerleaders were always fun to watch, they really take their role seriously but with a smile, and you could see their skill progressing through the season.  Every home game, two students from ASIJ would sing the National anthems, first the Japanese one, then the American one, while everyone stood silent and respectful.  One of the Varsity parents announced the games, he sounds very professional.  Of course, there are many other unsung heroes, such as the officials of ASIJ who had to make the very difficult decision of forfeiting a distant away game during the flu season.  It was disappointing, but surely the right decision.

Monica fully supported the team as a student athletic training.  Besides games, she would usually attend practices during the week after school to help Iku with taping, icing, and stretching the players and all manner of injury prevention and care.  Iku is quite a role model for Monica and the other trainers, this is such a good opportunity to be exposed to the medical field while still in High School, and she appreciates it very much.

Martin had a wonderful time during the games.  He attended as many as he could with his busy travel schedule, and took hundreds of photos.  After each game, he would rush home to his computer and spend many hours going through the photos, discarding the blurry and duplicate ones, cropping a few, and then would put them on my photo sharing site for all the parents and players to see as soon as possible.  Martin's hobby is action photography, and football is an excellent chance to practice and improve this skill.  Actually, he's an advanced propulsion engineer, working in the automotive industry, but with things the way they are in that field, he needs to keep his options open. 

Saturday, November 7th was the end of the season, the photos from those games are here:

  JUNIOR VARSITY       and   VARSITY

If you missed them, photos from the other games are here in this folder:     

ASIJ FOOTBALL 2009 Season   

Martin's  Pro Photography Site is here: PIXBYMARTIN.COM   

今度、全体のブログを日本語で書けないので、これは要約です。 ジョナは初めてアメリカンフットボールを遊びました。彼はチームの中に一番小さい人だから、私は心配でした。でも彼はとてもよかったです。毎日学校の後に練習をした、いつもがんばりました。練習から強くなったので、チームの関係から、友情はよかったです。家族もフットボールを楽しかったです。

８年間に、ASIJと参加したけれど、今年は初めてたくさんフットボールの試合に見に行きました。時々調布であるので、時々軍の基地に見に行きました。  ジョナはJVので、高校の若いチームです。そして、JVの試合後に、Varsityの試合を見ます。Varsityの選手は１１～１２年生だので、その試合はもっと興奮させる。私は他の両親と見て、いつも面白いです。選手のジャーシーの何番を見て、紙は名前を分かります。その人人はモニカのジョナの仲間だから、知っています。

いくつ選手は上手なスポーツマンだので、みなはがんばります。試合を遊びながら、いろいろ手腕を使って、毎週だんだんよくなります。二つチームがあるので、４人コーチがあります。選手はコーチに尊敬します。練習、試合、ジョナはたくさんいいことを貰いました。自制とか、頭の中が整理させたとか、 自分の物のため信頼できったもなります。

チアリーダーもがんばります。愛学校心は大会です。いつも、試合前に生徒は日本の国家を歌います。それ後に、アメリカンの国家を歌います。皆は立って、静かなって、敬意を表します。いろいろも手伝い人はあります。 いくさんは学校のスポーツトレーナだので、モニカはいつも彼女を手伝います。いくさんは鼓舞させる人から、モニカは医者のようになりたいです。モニカと他の学生のスポーツトレーナは選手にいろいろスポートをしました。仕事はときどき大変だけど、モニカはよく感謝します。

マーティンもフットボール季節を楽しかったです。出張から急がしだけど、よくできれば、試合に行きました。たくさん写真を撮りました。試合後にペソコンを使って、悪い写真を捨てて、長い時間かかります。早くのほうが写真がウエブに載せるので、選手の両親に教えます。最近からの仕事は大変なったので、たぶんカメラマンになりたいです。笑。上のリンクを行って、写真を見てください。

Far East, Here We Come

ァーイーストへ、行こう

 

下に日本語を書きます。When Monica tried out for Varsity Soccer this spring as a Sophomore, she knew it was a bit of a long shot.  ASIJ (American School in Japan) has had a strong team, and many of the previous year's players were returning, as well as several skilled players upcoming.  But she gave it her best in try-outs and was very happy to make it onto the Varsity team of 18 players.  So, given that starting point, the season has gone pretty well for Monica.  Coach Aranda is a former professional soccer player, and the girls highly respect him.  He works them hard in practice, which is almost every day after school.  It's not just about developing soccer skills, but also physical capability, endurance, and team play.

After the season started, I was disappointed to note that Monica wasn't playing that much.  She would often sit out nearly the whole game on the sidelines, or get in during the last few minutes of the game.  Monica was much more understanding of this.  "Mom, I'm just not as good as the others.  This is Varsity.  The better players need to play.  It's what's best for the team." 

Oh, I see.  I never played Varsity sports in High School.  Neither did Martin or any of our siblings.  This was a new experience and Monica seemed to be handling it well, doing her best at practice, then watching and waiting for a chance to play.  For my part, I attended as many of the games as I could, cheered for ASIJ, and sent subliminal messages to the coach to put my daughter in the game.  Sometimes he would tell a couple of the regulars who were resting from play to stand at the sidelines and call for subs.  Then, as if receiving one of my messages, he would glance over at the bench and call "Monica!" and up she'd pop to join the game. 

Martin went to several of the games and took some very good pictures.  He's growing his "Action Photography" skill, and his pictures actually got better as the soccer season progressed, I think.  HERE are the soccer pictures.  ASIJ is usually in yellow, sometimes in grey uniforms.  Monica is #21. 

ASIJ has dominated the Kanto Plains division, with 14 wins and 0 losses this season.  Monica has improved her skills, though has a distance to go, and has mostly enjoyed the rigorous practices and games.  That said, it was a bit tense here as we waited for the decision about which 15 of the 18 players would be chosen to go to the week long Far East Tournament in Okinawa in Mid-May.  (Okinawa is the largest of the southern islands of Japan.)  Teams from English speaking International and American Military High Schools from various parts of Japan, Korea, and some other nearby countries will be there.  Monica spent the last several weeks trying not to get her hopes up about being chosen, just tried to do her very best, playing on a team full of strong players.  Last Friday, Coach Aranda announced his decision.  Monica is on the Far East tournament team and she's going to Okinawa!  Go Mustangs!

この日本語で書くことは要約だけです。モニカは１０年生だので、バセティー女の子のサッカーのチームになったはぎりぎりと思います。去年の選手は戻るし、いくつの選手はよくなるし、ASIJのチームは強いです。 でも、モニカはがんばったので、１８人のバセティーチームになったけど、最初の試合の間にたくさんベンチで座りました。コーチアランダは前にプローサッカー選手だので、練習で少し厳しいけど、生徒は彼に尊敬します。殆ど毎日に学校後に、練習か試合があるので、チームはいろいろ事がよくなります。

両親は試合を見に、行ってみます。マーティンはいくつ試合に行って、たくさん面白い写真を撮りました。それはここにある。時間があったら、見てください。私は試合に行って、いつもチームをかっさいします。そして、考えてながら、非話しながら、コーチの頭にメセギは”モニカが試合に入れてください”と送ります。ときどき、試合で、コーチは普通の選手を入れて、あとからの思いつきのような、”モニカ、行こう！”と言いました。私はほほえます。

時期は過ごしたながら、モニカはだんだんもっと遊びました。 そして、最近試合が四半分か半分は遊びました。でも、心配間過ごしました。仲間の５月にチームは沖縄に行って、大試合をします。問題は１８人チームから１５人選手だけ行くことができます。モニカはそれについて考えなくみていまったが、もちろん無理です。その大試合は一週間です。モニカの学校、ASIJは関東地方で、一番いいだけど、たくさんチームは参加します。チームはインターナショナルの英語を使うの高校です。そして、軍用の基地からも来ます。（その女の子は強いです！）それは日本から、韓国から、色々近い国も来ます。大試合の名前はファーイストですね。昨日は普通の時季の最後の試合です。もちろん、勝ちました。時季は１４試合勝った、０試合負けた。

ついに、コーチは決定は発表しました。モニカは沖縄に行きます！ゴオオ　マスタングス！

It's not sumo

それは相撲じゃな

 

日本語を下に書きました    There are many opportunities for   interscholastic athletics available at ASIJ.  (American School in Japan). MS and HS.  These are sports that the students practice three times a week after school, then generally compete with other Kanto Plains International schools on Saturdays.  Besides athletics, there are so many other options, such as putting on a school play, chess club, yearbook, jazz band, etc. etc.  All these activities are led by excellent teachers and coaches.  It is a fine opportunity for the young people to try out new activities, some which may develop into life long interests. 

Last year, Monica did volleyball and soccer.  This year, she has been doing athletic training (medical) and scorekeeping for the boys football, basketball and soccer teams, but on Sundays she attends a soccer clinic.  When the next season starts, she'll try out for girl's soccer, and hopes to get a spot on the Varsity Team.  Good luck, Monica.

During his stint in Middle School, Jonah has been in the school play once, cross country three times, baseball, and now wrestling.  Yes, wrestling.  When he first came home and told me he planned to do wrestling, I groaned inside.  Wrestling!  Oh, no, he might get hurt!  He's smaller than the average boy in his class, but in wrestling, with the different weight classes, that doesn't matter, as he'd be wrestling boys his own size.  The training is intense.  Really, the sport is all about becoming stronger and healthier.  His coaches give very good advice and the boys really listen.  They run, they do exercises, they learn safe moves, and they watch their diet and get enough sleep.  They want to do their best individually and as a team.  Here's photos of Jonah wrestling.

 Of course, they think about the competition.  In cross country, Jonah was always essentially competing against himself, trying to improve his own time each week as he ran the 2.1 mile course.  With wrestling, they generally have three matches at an all-day tournament.  Other international schools attend the tournament, but since ASIJ is such a big school, our boys are often paired with wrestlers from their own school.  No problem.  There is a healthy competition between the students and the schools, but there is no animosity.  Everyone is just trying to do their best.

This week, Jonah went on a a ski trip to Naeba, Japan, with his entire class, returned Friday night, only to get up bright and early today, Saturday morning, for his fourth and final wrestling tournament of the season at one of the US military bases.  So far, he has come in second, first and third place, respectively.  He was very excited when he won the gold medal the week he got first place, but whenever he loses a match he doesn't berate himself.  He just tries to think about what he can learn from it.  What a great attitude.  I think a lot of that comes from the coaches, Coach Loveman and Coach O'Brien.  They are just super.  Thanks for everything.  BTW, today, he went 2 and 1, and came in second in his weight class for another silver medal.  Good job, Jonah.

Martin has really enjoyed taking photos at the wrestling tournaments.  It's a chance to improve his technique because indoor sports photography is quite challenging.  I think his photos are getting better and better.  I've put a few of them up on SMUGMUG.  These are photos from the 1st tournament and from the 3rd tournament.

これは要約です。物語るはジョナのレスリングについてです。 子供の学校で、対校試のスポーツをすることの機会があるので、毎学校年に三つの時季です。いろいろスポツがあるので、スポーツの外にもの活動もある。大体、子供は決め手あとで、毎週、三回学校の後で、スポーツのトレインイングをして、土曜日に他の関東の国際の学生と試合があります。

去年、モニカはバレボールとサーカーをしました。今年に、いつも学校の後で、スポーツの練習と試合に出席をして、プレイアーの医療ことをします。あれもバスケとボールとサーカーのスコーアキーパーもします。でも、次の時季に、モニカは女の子のサーカーをしたいですが、バセティチームを上げたいけど、難しいです。今度、毎週の日曜日にサーカーのクリニクに行って、練習をして、改良をやってみます。がんばって、モニカ。

今ジョナは８年生の中学生だので、この３年間に一回学校の劇をしてので、それは面白い経験でした。その以外毎時季に、スポーツをしました。クロスカントリーは毎年の秋に参加して、毎年の春は野球をして、今彼はレスリングをしています。初めて彼は私にレスリングをするつもりと言ったときに、私は心配だから、オーノーと言いました。でも、いつも同じサイズの生徒とレスリングをしてから、大丈夫です。コンデイチョンイングはとてもいいです。二人のコーチもいいです。ジョナは強くなって、楽します。この写真のグルプは全部はジョナが参加するです。

もちろん、競争も大切のポイントです。クロスカントリをしてながら、   毎週3.5キロメートルのコースを走りながら彼は自分の一番の短い時間はゴールです。そして、自分の競争でした。レスリングには、ちょっと違います。毎週三回学校の後に、チームはコーチとトレイニングをします。土曜日に他の学校と会って、トーナメントは一日中がかかります。各自の生徒は３番のマッチをします。ＡＳＩＪは大きい学校ので、時々自分のチームの人は相手です。問題じゃないだから、皆は一生懸命です。

今週ジョナは学校のクラスと苗場にスキーをしに行きました。金曜日の夜に帰ってけど、今朝すごく早いに起きて、最後のレスリングのタノメントを参加しに、アメリカの軍の所に行きました。ここまでに三つのタノメントで、最初は２位、次は１位、次は３位に入れた。勝ったら、負けたら、ジョナはいつもいい態度があります。今日二つを勝った、一つを負けたので、も一回２位があるので、も一つの銀メダルをもたらしました。

マーティンはレスリングの写真を撮ることを楽しました。彼の趣味だので、屋内のスポーツの写真を撮る事は特別チャレンジです。これは最初のタノメントから、これは３番のタノメントからです。見たら、多分あなたも面白いと考えると思います。

Jonah's Izu Experience

ジョナの伊豆の経験

  

One of the many things we love about living in Japan, is the international school our kids attend, American School in Japan, or ASIJ.  One of the many programs in the Middle School is the 7th Grade Outdoor Education Program, which involves a weeklong class-trip to Izu.  This is a multi-faceted program, integrated into the science curriculum with the theme "Man and His Environment", but also emphasizes social relationships, reflecting the developmental status of the students at this age, and Japanese History and Culture of that area.  In the above picture, Jonah and Andrew are swimming with dolphins.  Besides spending alot of time learning about marine life this school year, they had swimming in PE class, and learned how to snorkel in preparation for this event.


 

 

<Jonah's Izu booklet          

Monica's Izu booklet (from 2 years ago)>

                              

 Izu is a large mountainous peninsula southwest of Tokyo.  With its jagged coastline and a combination of temperature and currents, it's ecosystem supports a vast diversity of marine life, birds and plants.  The week they are actually in Izu is only a part of this program, and the Izu booklet helps to reinforce the  learning before, during and after the trip.  The booklet contains lots of important information such as rules, plans, schedules, and procedures specific to this group, this trip.  There are also maps of the Izu area and a Field Guide that is actually made by the students as they study science before the trip.  Jonah was responsible for researching and writing the field guide cards on the Little Egret (bird), Sea Cucumber, and Feather Duster Worm (marine invertibrates).  Other students did other creatures, and the teachers assembled the result as individual field guides which the students referred to during field research at Izu, including inspecting tidepools, hiking and snorkeling.  Other aspects of the Izu booklet include in-depth coverage of special activities they do such as beach clean-up and algae pressing, taking compass readings, songs, poem writing, and extensive note taking for the culture day at Shimoda.

Sure, that's all fine.  Lot's of learning, but the best part was that Izu was really fun!  Jonah's hands-down favorite activity was sea kayaking.  He said it was so awesome!  He really enjoyed maneuvering the kayak along the beach, going fast around the rocks and risking tipping over in the waves of the open sea.  He said there was a very long training session for safety before the students actually got into the boats.  He also really liked the dolphin swim, when he wore a wet suit, snorkel and flippers, which happened at the Aquarium, as well as the seal show which was "really cool" and seeing this huge blue crab.

Jonah enjoyed seeing the black kites at the cliffs over the sea.  These large birds would fly up very high, looking like an eagle, and then swoop down in a swirling corkscrew manner diving for food which they would catch with their feet.  When the students went to the cliffs, it was after the "Trust Hike", where they were all blindfolded except the student in front, and they held the shoulders of the person in front of them, a team building activity.

The students slept in minshuku, on futon with sleeping bags.  The meals were all interesting.  One night, they made a community meal of spagetti and salad.  Jonah got an extra oreo for saying "thank you". (that's my boy).  Another night they went to a local Japanese restaurant, and Jonah had Tonkatsudon, which is a breaded chicken filet on a bed of rice with sauce.  Once they went to an onsen, and another night was the bonfire and cook-out.  Half the 7th grade class went Jonah's week, and half went the second week.  They were further divided for activities, so there was always a managable group.  Often the day's activities would keep them away from camp all day, and they would go into the kitchen after breakfast and pack their own lunch.  Jonah always made himself a ham sandwich because the ham was so delicious, he said. 

For several weeks before the Izu trip, the 7th grade had been studying about the the arrival of Commodore Perry and his Black Ships during the mid-1800's.  The students went by cable car to the mountain top where the lookout first saw the ships, and later rode a replica ship, 1/3 the size.   From it's deck, they tossed shrimp senbei for the black kites.  It was thrilling.   They also got the chance to view some very old scrolls which he found fascinating. 

Understated but very true, the 7th grade class trip to Izu was a unique and unforgetable experience for our 12 year old. 

  Dear My Japanese Friends,  最近の生活はとても忙しくなりました。色々理由から、そのブログにあまり書きません。未来に良くなりたいですが、今後ろに遅れたです。それで、私の日本語は下手なので、翻訳を作ることは長い時間かかります。今度、英語を読んで、写真見て、翻訳のサイトを使ってもいいですか？ごめんね。

Izu PPT made by Science Teacher is Download 2008_izu_test_review.ppt

それは科学先生を作ったの面白いパーワーポイントです。

Making Music

音楽を作っている。

 

It was Spirit Day at the American School in Japan which is like an all school festival day, centered around sports, including the HS Homecoming football game, girls volleyball, a swim-meet, cross-country, and more, including Taiko drumming, food booths, bazaar, etc.  Students, teachers, parents, the whole ASIJ community was there, including most of their dogs.  Of course we brought our frisbee and played a couple of strong rounds on the football field before the game started.  Whew.  That was good exercise.  I do love frisbee.  Then, sitting on the grass, slugging down green tea, people watching...   What's this?  Seemingly out of nowhere come these five Japanese strolling minstrels.  I say strolling, but they were much more playful, highly energetic and making the kind of music that has you wanting to get up and follow them in the dance.  Oh, look... a bunch of kids are doing just that... and who's that taking the lead?  Jonah?!  I wish you could have heard it.  Such a boisterous joyful sound.  Even without sound, the pictures give you the idea of the energy.  The smiles tell it all, I think.  JAPANESE MUSICIANS PIX

Those musicians were very entertaining, in their whimsical bright costumes, the way they danced around, their eyes smiling while they played their instruments on the run.  But it wasn't all show. Certainly untold hours of practice came before.  Enthusiasm will take you a long way, but you've got to practice to get that kind of talent. 

Jonah is in Rookie Band with several other 6th graders.  They play various instruments, which they began to learn a couple of months ago when school started.  Jonah's choice was the trumpet.  He considered the trombone, but his arms weren't long enough.  He's very good about remembering to bring his trumpet home and practice every night.  At first I let him practice in the living room, but after a couple of sessions I decided that maybe his bedroom would be a better place for all concerned.  Last week, his Dad and I attended the first concert of the Rookie Band.  Later I talked with Jonah and his friend Alan (who's arms are long enough for the trombone) about the experience.  Both agreed that practicing is hard, and made the point that it seems like you can play better when you are playing with other students.  I must admit it was a surprise to me.  I actually recognized a couple of the tunes... Three Blind Mice, Camptown Races.  ROOKIE BAND PIX

最近私たちは子供の学校でかっこいい音楽のグループを合いました。あの五人はとても上手で、愉快かったです。マティンと私はよくフリスビーを投げただから、疲れた。その時に日本人のミンストレルは突然に出席した。楽しかったです。

そして二月前にジョナはトランペットを吹く始めました。毎日彼は練習をしてが、まだ下手です。先週で、最初のコンサトをありました。とても面白かったです。一人で、毎学生はちょっとですが、一緒にでよりよくなります。

"Be The Change"

Challenge Day at ASIJ Middle School

日本でアメリカの学校の中学校のチャレンジの日

Recently, when Challenge Day came to ASIJ, I was lucky to be chosen as an adult facilitator and I wish I could describe what a special experience it was for me to work with the students, teachers and the two special program leaders, Pam and Vinny.  This one day course was offered several times, so that all the 7th and 8th graders attended one week, and High School students attended the next.  The program is geared toward adolescent and young adults with the goal of decreasing social isolation and enhancing personal success through empowering individuals to change the world into a more positive place.  The message is simply to see others in a more understanding light and to commit to making one positive change per day.  What a difference that will make. 

Here is what my 8th grade daughter had to say:  "It really changed how I think about other people.  I'm more tolerant of others and more understanding about what they've been through.  I learned that teasing might mean nothing to you, if you laugh at someone just to make a joke, but now I realize that the littlest things can be really big to the people that it happens to and they can be hurt by it and think about it long after you've forgotten all about it."

Be the Change inspires people to notice what's happening in the world around them, to choose actions that create positive change, and to act as a living example of the power of contribution and compassion.    Visit the Challenge Day Website.

And here's the best part.  Even though the target audience is middle and high school students, as an adult volunteer, I came away with such a positive impact, that Martin decided to participate.  The politics of International Business is every bit as rough as the toughest teenage clique.  It's too bad there isn't a Challenge Day for them.

最近私は特別な機会がありました。大人のボランティアで娘の学校のチャレンジの日に参加しました。　このプログラムはとても面白かったです。皆さんは外の人の感情についてよく習っていました。目標は世界を変化をする。ごめなさい。この説明はあまりよくない。　毎日勉強しているがゆっくりして来ます。

Rice Project

ライスのプロジェクト

Today I'll tell you about the Rice Project for the Homeless at ASIJ.  Then we'll chat about onigiri.  But first, a little Japanese practice for me. 

５年の間にモニカとジョナがASIJと言う子供の学校に通っている、私達はライスプロジェクトに数回係わりました。毎週別の学級はします。それぞれクラスは毎年一回します。そして私はよく参加しました。 　

最近ジョナのクラスの順番がでした。月曜日に先生と学生はホームレスについて話しました。米を買うために子供は約一門円を寄付する。　そして金を稼いで家で雑用をしました。　金曜日に子供全員はおにぎりを作りました。　何人か親は手伝って行きました。マティンは仕事のよていを変わって、写真を撮ることができました。　

土曜日の朝に多少の学生と親はホームレスにおにぎりをあげて新宿公園に行きました。　ASIJのライスプロジェクトは色々教会と米国の軍隊と新宿公園で参加します。　次の月曜日におにぎりを配った子供達は同級に経験について教えました。

For the five years that Monica and Jonah have been at ASIJ we've been involved with the Rice Project.  Every week a different classroom does it, and each class does the project once a year, so I've participated several times.  Recently, it was Jonah's class's turn.  On Monday, the children and the teacher talk about the homeless.  They need about $100 to buy the rice, so the children do chores at home to earn money to contribute.  Then, on Friday, all the students make rice balls (onigiri).  Several parents come to help.  Martin rearranged his work schedule so that he could come and take photos.  On Saturday, some of the children and parents go to Shinjuku Park to distribute the onigiri.  (We've done that in previous years.) ASIJ joins with various churches and the American military in this project.  Then, the following Monday, the children who distributed the onigiri share their experience with their classmates. LOOK AT THESE PHOTOS FROM THE RICE PROJECT>

So, what is onigiri?  It is a ball of cooked rice with something in the middle (in this case, umiboshi, which is a sour plum) and wrapped in nori (seaweed.)  Onigiri are a wonderful portable food.  I discovered them early in our time in Tokyo and I eat them several times per week.  I don't make them myself, though. I buy them at the convenience store.  My favorites are shake (salmon) and tuna mayo, and umeboshi.  The kids like shake and also chicken mayo.  Japanese people make them in their home, my friend, Yumiko-san, tried to teach me.  "Make a mountain with your hands" she'd say, but my hands are too clumsy.  My rice ball falls apart.  With the students, we used a mold.  It worked pretty well.  I should try it that way.  Haru was the champ.  He helps his Mom at home, you can tell.

HERE's an easy recipe for ONIGIRI with pictures.

HERE's an interesting post with some great photos of Convenience store ONIGIRI

AND here's another recipe for Onigiri--- I like this lady's way with words, please enjoy.

Mustang Mural

マスタングの壁飾り

何ですか。日本語で説明しにくいですよ。子供の学校の演劇館は古くなりました。そして、今週新劇場を建てっています。それから古いビールが取り壊します。学生は１９６３に壁飾りを作りました。特別です。全部の保存するできなかったですが、新しいのは作りました。一年中たくさん学校の皆さんは努力が注がれた。　自分でいくつかの日に努力をしました。最近これは終わりました。

This year, ASIJ is replacing the school theater.  They've been working on the project for months, tearing it down and building the new one.  (Seusical was performed in the multipurpose room, an amazing transformation into a stage and audience space)  On an outside wall of the theater hung the Mustang Mural, since it was created in 1963 by a high school student.  This mural seems to represent more than the arts to the campus, as the Mustang is the school mascot, and the mural itself is very beautiful.  So an effort was made to preserve and replace the mural.  The art teachers and others did a lot of work to lay out the scene for those of us who helped.  Photos were taken of the mural, and on plywood boards they drew the exact rendition of the picture.  They made ceramic pieces in all the right colors and set everything up on tables in an unused room.  Then, every chance we got, we'd go in there and lay a few tiles.  Like a jigsaw puzzle, everyone helped.  As Room Mom for Jonah's class, I organized some of the Moms to work on it with me.  Other times, I went by myself.  I do have some experience laying ceramic tile, (but that's another story) so I chose a difficult part.  In the center, where its hard to reach, there are these tiny spaces, ORANGE in the horse's mane.  I laid all that.  It's cool to be even a small part of such a broad minded project in preserving the history of this fine school.

Here's links to ASIJ's Campus Artwork page,   and a page about the Ricketson Theater Project.

And... drumroll　。　。　。　。　the finished mural ただ！

You are LUCKY when your system fails and you can get it all back up in 5 days. 

Lately, I've had some major computer internet issues, but they are resolved for the moment, thanks to a lot of hard work and some luck.  The LUCK was that Martin was in the U.S. when our EOS wireless router fried, (we could get one here, but its so much harder and so much more expensive.) And, the other luck was that I could figure out what was wrong and he trusted me and bought the thing.  The hard work was in understanding how to make it all work with the new part.  Took several days, but I did it!!!  Martin would have, but he was sooo busy working and traveling, so I got to learn something new.  That puts it in such a rosy light, doesn't it.

To celebrate, I revamped my MAIN Homepage and put a nice photo of the city that Martin took with his new camera from the top of the tallest building in Tokyo.

To IZU

モニカは伊豆に行く。

この物語はモニカの学校の旅行についてです。今日彼女と沢山学生は伊豆に行きました。金曜日に帰る。

Every Spring, the 7th Graders at ASIJ take a class trip to the Izu Pennisula of Japan.  Monica and her classmates have been looking forward to this adventure all year. 

During the last several weeks she has been very busy in Science Class learning about the Ecosystem of that area.  The waters off Izu abound in a rich variety of marine life, making it a singularly special place on earth.  Every student was assigned three marine animals to write a Field Guide Card on, and she definitely did her research, as well as making a powerpoint presentation for the class.  Then, the science teacher collected all the students' offerings and had them printed in a special book which each of the students received, so that they all have each of the entries, like a real Field Guide.

The Izu area was also the place where Admiral Perry first appeared, back in 1853 (according to Monica) so the students have been learning about that section of History in their LASS class (Language Arts and Social Studies). They had a test on Friday about it, as well as the Japanese culture in the area.

They will each have their IZU book with them at all times, as it has indispensible info about their various activities and schedule, who they will share a cabin with, and data that they must record as they make their way through the week of activities. 

There is even a section about how to behave in an onsen, to reinforce what they talked about in class.  Of course, there are lots of Japanese kids at the school, and they are familiar with onsens, but with children from more than 40 countries from around the world represented at ASIJ, there are also plenty of children who haven't had the onsen experience.  Monica told me that some students were very nervous about going into the onsen and asked if it was required, because they didn't want to go.  But she reassured them.  She said, "I mean, onsens are Great!  Who wouldn't want to go!"  Though I remember how shy she was at first, (me too) when our family ventured to a Hakone onsen early on.  Now, we take every opportunity, though it's not often enough.

Some of the other activities she will get to experience are:  Aquarium, Snorkel, Tidepool, Culture day at Shimada, Kayak, Hiking, Beach and algae, Games, Friendship bracelets, and sandsculping.

_______I hope she has a wonderful time._______

SPEAKING of trips, I discovered a new photo sharing site, and I spent a good part of the day learning how to use it by putting the photos there.  I chose a one day hike in Colorado in August and a one day boat trip in Phuket in March.  There's too many pictures, I know, I know... The site is Smugmug and here is the link:  http://pamelask8s.smugmug.com/

プレーについて

Martin's review of the High School Play "Seussical"

  先週に家族と子供の学校でこうこうのプレーを行て見ました。　 プレーはミュージカルだから、歌う人が多かったです。　学生のパフォーマンスはとてもすごかったです。　百人の学生も参加しましたから、調整の努力はとてもすばらしかったです。　このアメリカの学校（ASIJ)の先生はいつも一生懸命子供に手伝ていますから、とてもいい学校だと思います。

Last week I went with my family to a high school play at the kids' school.   Since it  was a musical, there were so many singing parts.  The performance of the students was amazing!  Since about 100 students participated, the coordination effort was enormous.  Because the teachers at the American School put all their effort into helping students, I think it is a great school.                     

Follow This Link to see more photos from the play.

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-    -    -    -    Thank you, Martin.  Speaking of Dr. Seuss.  I was talking to one of my Japanese friends recently, and, mind you, this is a very sophisticated guy, who is fluent in at least three languages, and he's "been around."  BUT, he's never heard of Dr. Seuss!  Since my parents read the Dr. Seuss books to me when I was a small child many decades ago, and since I've read them to my own children many, many times, I was surprised.  I would say that Dr. Seuss is an American Icon.  The Cat in the Hat, Green Eggs and Ham, Hop on Pop... etc. And of course, there's the GRINCH who stole Christmas.

I have been reading to my kids at bedtime from the very beginning of their lives, so that goes back over 25 years when Jay was a baby.  Long before they could understand, I would read stories at bedtime, lay in bed with them and let them hear the words and feel the emotion wash over them, lulling them to sleep with my voice.  It helped inspire a love of books from early on.  Of course, they can all read to themselves now, but at bedtime Jonah still lets us read to him.  Here is Daddy reading a special book, The Lorax, by Dr. Seuss.  His Mom used to read it to him, and now he reads it to his own kids.