Going to a Wedding

We recently attended a wedding for one of Terry's friends from graduate school. Japanese weddings are very glamorous, to say the least. This wedding was at the Miracosta hotel at Disney Sea. The hotel is a 5 star hotel.

In Japan, all adults wear black and white to weddings. Men wear a black suite and a white tie. For funerals, the same suits are worn, but with a black tie. Many men buy a special black suit, kind of like a tuxedo, to wear at these occasions, and then keep a black tie and a white tie in the closet for the appropriate occasion. It is very easy to tell when someone is going to a wedding or a funeral.

Before the ceremony, we were escorted to a waiting room for the bride and groom's friends. There we met several guys from graduate school. There was a separate waiting room for the bride and groom’s family. When it was time for the ceremony, we were escorted into the chapel. The exchange of vows was very Western with an American pastor performing a traditional Christian ceremony, in Japanese. We even sang a traditional Christian hymn during the ceremony, "What a Friend We Have in Jesus."

The ceremony lasted about 20 minutes. Only the bride and groom stood up front with the pastor. They don't use bridesmaids and groomsmen here. They had a small choir singing some parts of the ceremony. After every part where someone should say "Amen," the choir sang it, a capella. After the exchange of vows we were escorted back to the waiting room until the reception room was ready. During this time the bride and groom went to an outside balcony to be introduced to the public enjoying the Disney Sea attractions. They were introduced to the public with an enthusiastic applause from the public.

When the reception room was ready, we went in to look for our names at one of the tables. The meal was superb. There were at least 5 or 6 courses served. The kids had special meals and really enjoyed them. One of the pictures is of Michael's appetizer plate. The reception was very organized. The hotel provided the emcee services. A friend for the groom gave a speech about the groom. This is kind of like the best man at an American wedding, but his only duty is giving a speech. When he was done, the bride's friend gave a similar speech. It was more of a biographical speech.

For the majority of the reception, people sit at their tables as speeches are given by family members, the bride and groom cut the cake, travel to each table to greet/thank their guests, and so on. It's not a big dancing/drinking party. It is much more subdued and orderly. At one point during the reception, the bride and groom came around and handed out small gifts to everyone. Tommy and Michael got a bag with some candy in it.

In Japan, people don't give gifts to the bride and groom. The custom here is to give money. You go to the bank and get new bills. You give a set amount based on the relationship with the bride and/or groom, according to etiquette. A single person going to a not so close friend's wedding would give about $200. It goes up from there, in $100 dollar increments, depending on the relationship, if you bring your spouse or children, etc.

On the way home Tommy was beat and took a cat nap next to Mio.

How to Prepare a Hamburger Bun

As the 4th of July rolled around, we thought about having a traditional 4th of July meal with hamburgers and hotdogs, potato chips, watermelon, etc. Mio found some hamburger buns in the store, so we were set for our American feast. While preparing the hamburger buns, I noticed that the back of the package had instructions on how to prepare the hamburger buns. Whew! What a relief. I almost forgot how to do it. I can save these instructions for the future! We're saved.

Mio's Latest Flower Arrangement

Here's Mio's latest flower arrangement, ikebana. Enjoy. This one was done for Tanabata. Here's an explanation of Tanabata from the web:

Tanabata, also known as the "star festival", takes place on the 7th day of the 7th month of the year, when, according to a Chinese legend, the two stars Altair and Vega, which are usually separated from each other by the Milky Way, are able to meet.

Because the 7th month of the year roughly coincides with August rather than July according to the formerly used lunar calendar, Tanabata is still celebrated on August 7th in some regions of Japan, while it is celebrated on July 7th in other regions.

One popular Tanabata custom is to write one's wishes on a piece of paper, and hang that piece of paper on a specially erected bamboo tree, in the hope that the wishes become true.

Colorful Tanabata festivals are held across Japan in early July and August. Among the biggest and most famous ones are the Tanabata Festivals of Sendai in August and Hiratsuka near Tokyo in July

Have Bicycle, Will Go Shopping

We have discovered that except for refrigerators and very large things, most of what we buy can by tied to our bicycles and carted home. Many people we know don't have a car, so they either get creative in carting the goods home, or they pay for a home delivery service. Almost any store that sells consumer items offers a home delivery service, but unless it is a large item, most people prefer to tie it onto their bicycle and ride home.
Here we have our baskets full, and then we have tied additional items to the baskets. I never thought a bicycle could hold so much weight.

Bugs

Tommy is especially interested in bugs. Since it is humid in Japan for at least 6 months of the year, and since it doesn't freeze much here, there are lots and lots of bugs. Tommy is especially good at catching, examining, identifying, and growing bugs. Among other bugs, Tommy is raising dragon flies. Here is a before and after of a dragon fly.

The picture of the smaller bug is the baby Dragon Fly that Tommy caught. He raised it until it turned into a Dragon Fly. He has several more in the process. What a bug zoo we have on our balcony!!!!

Tommy's Summer School Festival

Tommy's school had their summer festival recently. They played traditional Japanese festival games and won little prizes. They had a great time. Tommy had a blast with his buddies!!

Michael's First Football Game

Michael has joined an American Football team. They play flag football and it seems to be pretty popular. Michael's team practices on awesome artificial turf at Nihon University, which is home to the Phoenix. They have a good team. Michael loves to wear his Oregon Ducks jersey and cap during practice.

Last weekend they had their first football game. We traveled 2 hours on trains to the opposite side of Tokyo. There were hundreds of kids from all over Tokyo at the tournament. Michael's former classmate Jumpei from Richmond Elementary in Portland was there for the tournament as well. Jumpei lives in Tokyo and his team was sponsored by Fujitsu.

It was Michael's team's first year of play, so they are still getting their timing down. Michael plays quarterback. Michael's team was not successful in their first game. It was amazing how serious these teams of 1st-3rd graders were.

Michael's Karate Test

Michael recently had a Karate test. Here, they have level tests every 6 months, so the kids study pretty hard for the next level. In the USA, they had mid-level tests every 3 months, so here, they have much more that they have to learn and be tested on for each test. Michael passed and is now a green belt. He has Karate camp during the summer vacation.

The Great Potato Dig of 2006

Michael recently had a potato dig day on a Saturday with his class. Not sure what the purpose was. (Tommy's class had a potato dig as well.) As far as we can tell, a local farmer, (3 acres about 3 blocks from school), and the school have some type of relationship where the kids and the farmer dig potatoes together and then the kids take them home. I think it's a community relations experience, or some type of lesson to teach the kids that potatoes don't just come from the store. Not really sure, but the result is that kids get to dig in the dirt and parents get free potatoes, so everyone seems to be happy.

Tommy's Fieldtrip

Tommy recently had a kindergarten fieldtrip. They went to a park and searched for bugs, rocks, leaves, and other creepy/crawly things. At this age, the kids really like bugs. Tokyo is full of bugs since it doesn't freeze much and it is hot and humid from May through October. Lots of bugs, everywhere. We commonly see flying cockroaches, dragon flies, beetles, and lots of other common bugs. Tommy can already identify more bugs than I have seen in my whole life. And he is growing lots of them at home in cages!!!!!