We're All in This Together

Sadly as a mother of a child who was obsessed with everything High School Musical, I can't help but think of one of the movie's theme songs lately when I look at the school my kids attend.

It has been amazing to watch the relief efforts that have been put forth by our school, Canadian Academy. I have always been very happy with the school on an educational level, but what has really wowed me the past month is how the whole school -- students, staff, administration, parents, and even alum-- has come together to help with the crisis. Everyone is on the same page with the same goal in mind and the students especially, have come up with some creative ways to help raise money and get supplies.

The students have been busy collecting rice, which as we all know is a staple in the Japanese diet. They also have been busy preparing Tasuki Bags, which are gifts bags put together on a more personal level. These bags include clothes for someone the same age and size, toiletries, a personal note, and some goodies. Something small that one can keep by their "bedside". 

The students have also been creative in how they are raising financial donations. Sport clinics where the registration fee all goes to the earthquake fund, 3-on-3 basketball tournaments with teachers versus students, walk-a-thons, bake sales, selling of wristbands, t-shirts, and crafts. Kids giving their allowance money or offering to sell their own items just to send money up North. The most recent idea is an auction, where students and teachers are offering services or goods. A teacher offering to shave his head, students donating their senior privileges or being errand boy for a week, teachers delivering smoothies and lunch daily, are just a few of the items up for auction. 

This past Saturday the school held their annual International Food Day, where the PTA sponsored a relief booth, which was manned by high school students. At this booth free water was passed out, people were given the opportunity to write messages to the victims, wristbands, t-shirts and crafts were for sale, and straight donations were accepted. In three hours, ¥215,000 was raised. (Over $2500 USD) The PTA then matched this amount, sending almost ¥500,000 to the earthquake fund (Over $5000 USD).

Alumni have also stepped up with some ideas of their own. Music being sold on itunes, jewelry being made in Arizona, and classrooms folding paper cranes, are just a few of the things being done. Teachers are collecting and repairing bikes to be taken up North. Everyone wants to help in some way.

At the end of our assignment and we pack our bags to leave Japan, it isn't the educational things, like trigonometry or the ability to create podcasts, that will have made the most impact on my children. It will be my kids learning that no matter where you are from, how smart you are, or what your background may be, everyone can come together and make a difference. That things don't have to have huge "wow factors", rather every little thing counts. People matter and they can make a difference, whether they think so or not.

Affect Technology Has on Basic Schooling

As a mom of a teenage daughter, I found this very funny. She is constantly talking to Matt and I in "acronym form".

School Days, School Days

Today was the kids first day of school here in Japan. I think all three kids were holding their breath in anticipation of this day.

There are two ways the kids can get to school –– via train and via bus. Typically the older kids all ride the train and the younger kids ride the bus, unless they live on Rokko Island where the school is located. All three kids go to the same school.

Our neighbor's daughter picked Emily up and they rode the train in together. Matt and I took the other two and then we met Emily at the school. Tomorrow Chris and Sami will start riding the bus and Emily will continue going with the neighbor.

Emily and Maggie this am leaving for school. They are the same age and grade.

Sami & Chris before heading to school.

The kids are going to Canadian Academy, an international school based on the US school system. It is an amazing school, both educationally and activity wise. All three kids will take daily Japanese lessons at school. There are kids from all over the world attending this school. Our kids will have friends from Japan, China, Korea, India, Europe, Australia, and the US.

Sami has 14 kids in her class and two teachers. There are eight boys and six girls and five of them are from the US. Her main teacher is from the US and she already loves him and the assistant is from India. When I came to pick her up the teacher said she did wonderful and jumped right in with everything in the classroom.

Chris also has 14 kids in his class, however he is the only American in his class. His teacher is from Canada. He said that everyone seems nice and he likes his teacher. Since Chris isn't a boy of many words who really knows.

Emily was really worried before she left for school this morning, however tonight she was all smiles. She said everyone was real friendly, she met several kids and she thinks she will enjoy her classes. She already has homework tonight so it is like she never left school at all. Tomorrow she starts gymnastics at the new gym. That itself should be an adventure.

So another milestone down here in Japan. Shew...

It's an Honor!

Emily came home from school today all excited because she was invited into the honor club. There is a breakfast tomorrow morning and then something else at school. She said people are invited once a quarter and it starts in 7th grade.

I am very proud of my baby. (Is almost 13 too old to consider my baby?)

Walking with Sami to school

Sami standing at our front door before heading to the bus stop.


Sami walking down our house sidewalk


Sami and Chris before heading to the bus stop


Sami walking down our street to the bus stop


Sami and daddy walking to the bus stop together


Sami at the bus stop


Chris being the awesome big brother and helping Sami across the street. Good thing because otherwise she would have made a run for home.


Almost home!


Sami had an awesome day and couldn't wait to get home and tell mommy all about it.

School and sadness

Monday my kids head back to school. It is always bittersweet at the beginning of the school year knowing that each school year brings more independence and one less year until my children leave the nest and head out to tackle life on their own. For those with small children and thinking to themselves "what is she thinking" believe me. One day you will be changing their diaper and reading them Goodnight Moon and the next you will be watching them load the bus off for **gulp** middle school. (can you tell I have an issue with this whole middle school thing?)

But this school year is extra bittersweet. I should be buying three sets of colored pencils. Three pairs of scissors. Three sets of notebooks, binders and filler paper. As this is the year Allison would be starting kindergarten. It is milestones as such starting school that are a blatant reminder of the harsh reality that is my life. That 5 years ago all my thoughts and dreams of kindergarten, middle school, prom, graduation and college will never happen.

So Monday I will watch with a heavy heart as my kids get on the bus for another year of math, reading, homework and making new friends and I will allow myself for a moment, just a small moment, to wonder "what if".

Taking God Out of the Chistmas

Today I was in charge of Lunch Bunch in Chris's classroom. For Lunch Bunch a parent comes in and takes a small group of kids and spends lunchtime reading to them while the kids eat. Chris loves when I am the lunch bunch mom for the day.

I always let Chris choose a group of books for me to read. It is like his special assignment for when I am on duty. He loves books almost as much as I do so he gets a kick out of choosing the books for the day.

This morning I quickly browsed through the books before Chris put them in his bag. He had three books that were the story of Jesus' birth and the "meaning of Christmas". As a Christian and someone who believes that "Jesus is the reason for the season" I should have let him take them to school and for me to read them at lunch. But as a school volunteer I am to abide by the school policy, and that is God isn't allowed in school. Chris was questioning why he couldn't take them to school, and I honestly had no answer for him. How do I explain to him that something Matt and I value and teach our children are not allowed Monday through Friday, 9 am - 4 pm, 180 days out of the year.

Yesterday I was getting food from the deli at Kroger's. I am a frequent shopper there so the people know me. The worker told me that if she didn't see me, to have a Happy Holiday. I told her to have a Merry Christmas and she looked at me and said she wasn't allowed to tell us the same, so Happy Holiday would have to do. I told her that nothing stops me from telling her Merry Christmas, so have a Merry Christmas. She smiled and said thank you, and Merry Christmas to you too and God Bless.

I don't care if people tell me happy Hanukkah (granted I do look like my Jewish roots), Happy Kwanzaa or whatever. But I wish the government and society would stop telling me to wishing a Merry Christmas. Sometimes I think it is easier to tell people Happy Hanukkah or Happy Kwanzaa than to wish them a Merry Christmas.

What made society so against God? We are already trying to take the pledge out of the school. What is next? Redesigning American Currency? Having Holiday Trees in December? Banning youth groups from selling donuts on the corner because they are selling on behalf of a Godly organization? Arrest people who say "God Bless You" when someone sneezes? Maybe I am thinking overboard, but the matter of the fact is that I fully believe it will happen. It is only a matter of time.

Going Back to School

I have several friends who have talked about wanting to go back to college for one thing or another. But they are SAHMs and don't know when they could find the time to go back. I have been looking into several online learning programs and this one looks pretty good and thought I would pass it along to all my friends who are looking at expanding their educational horizons, but just aren't sure how.

Founded in 1993, Capella University is an accredited* online university that offers graduate degree programs in business, information technology, education, human services, and psychology, and bachelor’s degree programs in business and information technology. Within those areas, Capella offers 76 graduate and undergraduate specializations and 16 certificate specializations. The online university currently serves 16,000 students from all 50 states and 63 countries. It is a national leader in online education, committed to providing high-caliber academic excellence and pursuing balanced business growth. Capella University is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Capella Education Company, headquartered in Minneapolis. For more information, please visit www.capella.edu or call 1-888-CAPELLA (227-3552). *Capella University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, located at 30 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60602-2504, (312) 263-0456, www.ncahigherlearningcommission.org.

And the report cards are in...

I was so nervous for report cards this time around. Not only were the kids having to adjust to a new school and the move, but the curriculum is like nothing I have ever seen before. Em's teacher was telling me that alot of the work they are doing is at a 6 and 7th grade level. But the report cards came home and both kids had straight 3s. That would be equivalent to straight A's on a grading scale.

I am so proud of my kiddos. WTG Em and Chris!!!