Kazuna and Aki's Baby Shower

On Wednesday I had the privilege to take part in my first baby shower in Japan. I was amazed to know that Japanese people don't have baby showers because they love everything that is cute, and what could be cuter than a baby shower!!

An eikaiwa (English conversation) student of Jen's is due to have her baby next month and being the nice girl that Jen is, she decided to undertake the arduous but fun task of planning a baby shower. We had food, games, and plenty of people! We also made a diaper cake. Don't worry, it sounded strange to me too at first. A diaper cake is just rolled diapers that are placed in a cake shape and given the the mom-to-be. It is a very practical gift if you think about it. The mom-to-be doesn't really need cake but what she will need is diapers and plenty of them for that pooping machine that is about to arrive! As for the games, we had a relay race to diaper a winnie the pooh doll as fast as we could. I am not bragging, but my team won! Then we also guessed the flavor of baby foods. I can't believe babies eat that stuff!! Then at the end we each blew out a candle and made a wish for the baby. There was a memory book and we also made a patch work blanket. Everyone just signed a square and then I sewed them together. It was really easy which means I might be making one of my own in the future!! Jen and I also crocheted a couple baby hats, baby booties, and a blanket. I was so pleased with the blanket. And it was all due to my friend at home, Suzanne, who sent me great yarn and lots of it! :) She must be physic cause she sent me blue yarn and it turns out that Kazuna is having a boy!!

Anyway, it was a really good time. I am looking forward to planning baby showers in the future! So you know what that means friends! Start having babies! I know, we'll make it a race, first one to have a baby gets a surprise (other than a creature growing inside of you!). Ready? Set! Go!!!!!!!! (This means you Sara!)

Open Mic Nite

On Saturday the musically talented JETs and some Japanese friends showed their skills at open mic nite. This time it took place at Hydro. Hydro is a small, dirty, fire trap, but they managed to set up a stage and not kill anyone (not that they have killed people but it could happen is all I am saying). Lots of people performed and it was a good night to see everyone. Also Cleve debuted some t-shirts from his new shop Argo with a mini fashion show. It was cute.

Well here are some pictures I took with my sexy, new camera! Enjoy

Golden Week In Tokyo

This year's Golden Week was probably the best vacation I have ever had. I didn't realize at the time of Fiona's invitation to accompany her that I would be in for such a good time. I had already been to Tokyo before so my expectations were not so high. I mostly wanted to go so that I could hang out with Fiona. I also knew that whatever we did would be fun so it didn't matter where we were at. With these thought I embarked upon my journey with the illustrious night bus! The night bus was not so bad. I slept pretty well and arrived in Shibuya excited to see the city. Fiona and I were also lucky because Maddy happened to be taking the same bus to Tokyo and decided to spend the first few days of her trip with us. A very happy coincidence. Also, Fiona's friends in Tokyo came to the bus station to pick us up and that is when all the goodness began to happen. Fiona's Japanese friends used to live in Oda (where she met them) but recently they moved to Tokyo. I have always said Fiona is a great judge of character and she has probably met the best two people in Japan! They destroyed all the stereotypes I had held about Japanese people. First of all, Yuko is strong, outspoken, intelligent, and is so friendly. Her husband, Shu, is kind, caring, likes to cook, and looks after Yuko at every turn. They spend a lot of time together and love to drink. Perhaps this is not a surprise to other people but it was a breath of fresh air for me. Yuko and Shu let us stay with them for a whole week. They showed us all the interesting sites in Tokyo and even drove us to see Mt. Fuji in busy Golden Week traffic. It was fantastic.

Not only did Yuko and Shu make this holiday great but it was also the first girl's vacation I have been on. Fiona and I shopped, drank good coffee, slept in, and just did whatever we wanted. In the past I went to a place and did as much as I could everyday until I was exhausted. This time it was completely different because there was no pressure to see everything. Thank you so much Fiona, Yuko, Shu, and Maddy for such a wonderful vacation!