Festival Of Fireworks 2012

Every year in Gifu city near the Nagara river  they hold two huge firework festivals. Unfortunately last year it was cancelled due to the huge earth quake that happened the spring before. Fortunately it was held this year and I was able to attend both the August 4th one being the biggest.

 Held on the bank of the river the festival grounds stretch out far into the distance filled with people and food stands selling traditional Japanese festival food like Yakisoba, Takoyaki, and Kakigori.
People from many nearby cities such as Nagoya also come to Gifu City to take part in these popular festivals.

We all dressed up in the Yukata a popular traditional festival fashion.

So many people come out to enjoy the fireworks.

Various festival foods.

If you are near the Gifu area near the end of July beginning of August time frame I suggest checking out this very popular festival.

Enjoy some of the show.

Children Summer Festival

I helped with Gifu Chapel, the church I attend annual Children's Summer Festival this past month. It was the first one for me. It's starting to be a summer thing for me to help with some church children event which is fine with me as I love both church and children.

 

I was surprised at how professional it all looked. Lots of decorations along with games and food for the dozens of kids that came. There was also time for sharing about Jesus and singing some worship songs before starting activities.

 

Learning more about our awesome God.

Try and catch as many super balls as you can using a rice paper net catcher. A very popular game at Japanese festivals often played by catching real gold fish.

Shooting gallery.

Dance game.

Sensei teaching how to make special multicolored Christian bracelets.

Wearing my Yukata with the kids.

It was a really blessed time for me. I loved seeing all the children have a great time in the name of the Lord. Praying for more opportunities to serve in these kind of ways.

Raps, Raps And More Raps

Ive mentioned before on this blog my hobby of rapping and even posted some songs. We'll here are a collection of the songs all in one post. These are all songs that were made with my brother for his mixtape "2 Dope Boyz". He's a more serious and accomplished rapper than I am and you can check him out here. Rockey Washington

This first song "Critically Insane" features all me rapping while Rockey provides the hook.

"The Life" starts with Rockey's verse. I come in for the second verse and Rockey finishes the song. It's one my favorite of the songs we've done together.

"Dekiruyo/I can do it" is my first rap completely in Japanese which explains its short length as I am not a fluently Japanese speaker yet. Rockey is in the introduction and I'm the only rapper on this one.

"Dough" Another track with Rockey going first me taking the second verse and my big bro finishing it off.

久しぶり It's been awhile

It's been way too long actually. My last post was around 4 months ago. I apologize for that. I was pretty low on motivation for awhile.  There just wasn't really anything I felt interesting enough to blog about couple with the irritation of being back at the same wild school this year. As predicted the trouble making 2nd year students of last year are still pretty annoying 3rd year students this year though I must say their in class behavior has gotten better. Anyway, enough about work.  In other news summer vacation has begun which means about 2 weeks of relaxation and travel. Trying to outdo the awesomeness of last summer I've planned on going to Hong Kong, Korea and Malaysia this year.  Along with some summer festivals here's hoping to a quite eventful summer and the return to frequent blogging that will extend past vacation.

I'll do my best to provide content weekly.

I think I'm going to puke.

Farewell to the 3rd year students

Last Friday March 9th was graduation day for the 3rd year students at my Jr.High School. I've worked in other Jr.High schools before but this was the first time my work contract extended through graduation and thus the first time I saw a Japanese Jr.High graduation ceremony. It began with various speeches from teachers and the principal which led into each of the student's name being called out as they walk to the front to receive their diploma and then bowed to the audience before returning to their seats. All the teachers and staff were present as well as many parents and all the students from the lower grades gathered in the school gym. After a lot more talking and some speeches from the class leaders all of the students at the school stood up and sang a song. The singing went back and forth between the graduating 3rd year students and the 1st and 2nd year students finally ending with the 1st and 2nd year students singing farewell as the 3rd year students one by one walked out of the gym. The 3rd year students then went back to their classes and spent some last time with each other and their home room teachers sharing memories and thanking each other. It was sad to watch as I really enjoyed the 3rd year's and watching them say goodbye to each other in tears made it impossible for me to keep a dry eye. Finally the 1st and 2nd year students went home early and the 3rd year students went back to the gym for the final goodbye to the teachers. During this time many of the students I grew close to came to me and had me sign their year books and took pictures with each other. Those kids were the best thing about my job and now that they are gone I feel a little empty but I'm happy to see them moving on to their next step in life.

If their behavior the past school year is any indication the 2nd year students who will soon be 3rd year students will never be able to compare to the students I lost last Friday. It's gonna be a different year indeed but all good things must come to an end.

Each class made a little booklet for me and each student wrote a message inside.