Like Defrosted Ginger

I've decided I don't like defrosted ginger root.

Generally speaking, I'm not a great cook. I'm not awful either, since no one's died yet after my meals, but I have a lot to learn about cooking:

Lesson 56

Ginger root does not defrost gracefully. 

In fact, it kind of looks like how I felt after getting back from Japan--that is, six legs and one tail away from clinging to your face to lay eggs in your stomach. (I almost put in a picture but it was too gruesome. I kindly decided to spare you.)

Seriously, though? Reentry sucks. I love traveling so much but I could definitely do without the jet lag, being reminded how rude Americans are, and being confined to one language in normal, polite settings.

Bright side, it's good to home. At the end of the day I love my city, my apartment, and, above all, my friends. Yeah, summer is awesome in Saint Louis. (Place love-sick sigh here.)

And now for something completely different:

じゃまたね!

Chiba: Day... Last

So, yeah. So much for daily posts. So much has happened since we left Tokyo. Constant travel, spotty Internet, interesting hotels, new MTW teams, sickness, exhaustion, marathon teaching days, and one happy, heartsick, young girl who is coming home today.

I need to get to packing but please stick with me as I continue to process this trip and catch you up on everything that has happened in the weeks of silence from this blog. I also think I might continue this blog to keep friends and family updated as I pray and consider my future. Only one year left at Covenant Seminary before "the rest of my life!" (Hear that with dramatic music and a loud booming voice.)

Much affection!

Katie Seay

ケイテイー シー

Tokyo: Day 5

Ohayo gozaimasu! おはよおございます！

We survived the kids' camp! Yesterday was so awesome as we taught the kids about American culture using pictures and games while learning basic English words. I think their favorite was the Hokie Pokie when they learned right, left, hand, and foot. They also loved Duck-Duck-Goose!

Q

The kids were soo cute かわいい！

On a side note, the food has been amazing. I don't think there's been a single thing I haven't like!

This was our obento べんと lunch, which is kind of like a brown-bag lunch or takeout, while getting ready for the kids' camp.

And this was my breakfast, juicy hotdog じゅしほtどぐ from the neighborhood 7/11.

Don't judge--I ate yogurt beforehand so I got something healthy!

Today we have a picnic and I get to do my "pro" photo shoot. Please pray that I do a good job and provide these families with quality photos, a happy experience, and new friends!

Until next time! じゃまた！

Tokyo: Day 4

Good morning! Ohayoo gozaimasu 尾羽よおございます！

Phew, I'm getting tired! Yesterday we walked all around Tokyo, seeing Shibuya、Harajuku, Tokyo Tower, and Ginza. Each place is unique, showing how eclectic and beautiful Tokyo is.

Last night was also the first of Diane's teaching time in Tokyo. The room was filled to the brim as Diane spoke on faith, hope and love while working through Dan Allendar's Healing Path.

Sorry, I could go into pages and pages of details of what happened yesterday. However, today is also our main push during this trip. Diane will be leading a marriage and parenting seminar, with Tomoko translating, while the rest of the team teaches and English camp to the children of the parents attending the seminar.

I need to scoot to get ready for a busy day!

Keep praying for us as we greatly need it, and also pray for the families that we will meet today.

Ja mata! じゃまた！

Tokyo: Day 3

Japan, Day 3

Yesturday was just, ohmigosh すごい！

I stared the day around 4:30 thanks to the time change. It was lovely. The apartment we are staying in has a balcony where I spent much of the morning watching Tokyo wake up.

When the whole team was up and ready, we went to the Edo-Tokyo museum in order to learn more about the history of Japan and of Tokyo city. We met up with Atsushi, an intern of the MTW team in Tokyo. We also met Edwardo, a Brazilian-Canadian who is touring Japan for two weeks for vacation, and he stayed with us for the rest of the day!

The team plus Atsushi and Edwardo (has a Canadian flag on his shirt) sitting at a traditional Japanese dinning room table.

After that we went to lunch a at sumo wrestling... venue? It's near the only sumo arena in Tokyo and serves traditional sumo wrestling fare, as well as being home to a mini sumo arena:

Ryan and Edwardo wrestling at the restaurant. No women allowed! (For real, there was a sign that said this!)

Next we met up with Seima, who leads the team in Tokyo, and toured part of the city where the Tokyo team wants to plant a church. Then we took a boat across Tokyo bay. 

I'm still hazy on where we were exactly, just another section of Tokyo. That happened to have a miniature Statue of Liberty.

Our day ended with a trip to the onsen (オンセ). Let me tell you, there's nothing quite like team building like going to a public bathhouse together. Onsen are bathhouses built on natural hot springs. The Odiaba Onsen is kind of like the theme park of all onsen--for roughly $17 you can enjoy an outside foot bath, eat dinner (sold seperate), before splitting off between men and women and taking a relaxing shower then bathing in any of 10 or so different hot spring pools.

Between you and me? I was terrified of this part of the trip. However, it turned out to be a wonderful experience and helped ease any shyness, shame, or embarrassment that might be within the team. And it felt wonderful, a perfect way to relax after a long trip!

Me in a yukata ゆかた at the onsen foot bath! 

And the team at the foot baths! Don't we look so Japanese?!

Until next time! Jan mata! じゃまた！

From the Thistle: http://www.covenantseminary.edu/the-thistle/partner-in-prayer-with-see-japan/

Friday, May 24:

• Where we are: Tokyo
• What we're doing: Japanese cultural engagement; the Healing Path workshop at Grace City Church Tokyo.
• Prayer Requests: For appreciation/understanding of Japanese culture, for strength for Diane and her ability to connect with participants, and open reception of the material for the Healing Path workshop.

Tokyo: Day 1

We made it. We made it!! Diane, our resident counselor and teacher for this trip, asked at least seven times if we were really here last night after we left the plane. By the way, we boarded the plane at 9:45 am Tuesday and arrived at 4:30 pm Wednesday. (It's now a quarter to 7 am on Thursday.) How's that for trippy? With the daze of traveling, I'm in agreement with Diane, are we really here, or is this some kind of finals-induced coma-dream?

Things I've noticed thus far:

- Everything is green and vibrant with life in the countryside, where rice paddies are as common as cornfields and cows in America.

-there are A LOT of bikes

- crows sound different here

- people are kind and help us carry our suitcases up the subway stairs

- 711s here are awesome! They have fruits and veggies, hardboiled eggs that are tasty, yummy yogurt, and I look forward to trying the rice balls.

Thank you for your prayers and I'll try to keep you updated!

All joy,

Katie

Prayer Calendar for Japan

Hey all!

Covenant Seminary has made a day-by-day prayer calendar that you can check out! It gives a little detail of what we're doing that day and how you can be praying for the team as we go!

The Thistle's SEE Japan Prayer Calendar

For now, jut be praying as the team prepares to leave and those in Japan prepare to receive us.
Arigato, ja mata! ありがと、じゃまた！Thank you and talk to you soon!