First Days of Schools

 The boys started school last week. Here is John on his VERY first day of school (K-4)

 Ah, bunny ears, they never get old.

 More fun.

The three of us together. Tomorrow the semester begins at Lander so I probably won't be able to post as much (and there won't be as much to post since half of our household will be in school!

Fun Before School

 David and John enjoying television.

 At the new donut shop, Crispy Yummy's

 At the "AgriCulture" festival, celebrating farming and culture. David is having his face painted.

 David playing with a weaving puzzle. John doesn't like the live music.

 The live music that John didn't like was excellent.

 David, John, and another boy having a good time.

 Bowling with gourds.

The Connie Maxwell House had a horse-drawn carriage taking people around. Here are John and David from the carriage.

Twelfth Anniversary

Celebrating twelve years with the love of my life

 Anniversary dinner at Red Lobster. One of of my former students was the server.

The hugging mugs Sophie gave us for our anniversary

Enjoying being back with the family

Some random pictures from since when I returned home.

 David showing the Super Mario 3d puzzle I got him in Japan to Apah

 A closeup of David with his Mario

 Arlene and the boys at the mini golf at Skateaway

 David spinning air hockey paddles

 Apah showing off his puppet

 John likes the puppet

David and John enjoying Pokemon

Some More Pictures from Japan

 Me in front of the famous Hachiko Statue at Shibuya Station. Hachiko was a dog that always waited for his master's train, continuing to do so for years after he died, thus becoming a symbol of loyalty.

 Before I left from Japan I had lunch with Akiko and Atsuko. It was a really nice restaurant. Here is Akiko and her meal.

 Here I am with my meal.

 Akiko and Atsuko.

Meeting Friends in Korea

On the way to Japan I stopped in Korea for a week to do research. I was also able to meet with some friends.

 My friend Rupeena and Lander colleague Jeff Hollifield, a chemistry instructor.

 Former friendship family students Jong-won and Yiseul with Jeff

 Former friendship family student Jisoo pours a drink for former student Sujin.

 Jisoo, Minwook, and Sujin.

 My college Jieun who I do a lot of work with and my adviser in Korea during my dissertation, Professor Cho.

 Me with former friendship family daughter Sophie

 Sophie and Boyoung. Boyoung gave us a wonderful tour of Pusan.

 Boyoung and I by the ocean.

 Sophie and I by the ocean

I stopped off in Daegu for a short time to meet some KNU students. On the left is Hee-seon, a former friendship family student. The man in the back is a KNU student who will come to Lander soon. The woman in front of him is Yaerin, a former friendship family daughter. In front is Minji, a former friendship family daughter. We had a good time together.

Akiko and Family

Before the conference I stayed a few days with my friend Akiko and her husband Toshiya and their daughter Ruri. They were very kind and I had a great time with them.

 Their neighborhood.

 Akiko reading to Ruri.

 A selfie with Ruri

 Ruri and her dad

 Ruri enjoying her castle

 Ruri and me. Ruri was feeling ill this day so I bought her a Anpan Man doll (you can see her holding it). It doesn't get much better than this!

 Akiko reading to Ruri

 Toshiya and Akiko

 The three of us together

Ruri reading a book

Conference in Japan

I just returned from my trip to Korea and Japan. As I'm fighting jet lag I'll try and post a few simple blog entries on the trip.

 The room where our conference on Christian missionaries and Japanese culture took place.

 The organizer, Nanyan Guo, introducing the conference.

Nanyan introducing me. I had a good time and the audience seemed interested in Korean Catholicism so I was happy.

 As part of our project Nanyan took us on a tour of important Christian sites. She took us to one church in Kamakura located near the site of some martyrdoms. It had an image of "Our Lady of Perpetual Help" outside and another inside. This picture is of another such image inside, with an origami crane in front of it as an offering for a prayer for peace.

 A local Catholic artist and her moving paintings of the nearby martyrs.

 Enjoying coffee with conference presenters and the artist.

 Saint Ignatius Church at Sophie University

 A Jesuit gave us a tour of the church.

 A statue of Mary pregnant with Jesus

 The church helps Filipinos who are facing difficulties.

 A chapel in the Jesuit residence.

A poster announcing the upcoming beatification of Takayama Ukon.

 Sawada Miki, pictured here, was an Anglican who helped orphans. She also collected a huge amount of early Catholic historical relics.

 

 When Catholicism was persecuted Japanese Catholics hid images of Jesus in regular statues so they could worship while avoiding persecution.

 An image of Mary with the Christ child carved by the confessor Takayama Ukon from a piece of drift wood as he journey from Japan into his place of exile to the Philippines. I thought this Mary looked very sad.

The guide of the museum and one of our conference presenters.