Diplomas!
Paul and Fad Sensei.
The ceremony, other than being in Japanese, was very similar to an American high school graduation ceremony. There were bunches of speeches and students were handed their diplomas. The stage was loaded with flowers and the entire gymnasium was decorated with red and white, the colors of celebration.
The underclassmen looked on from above.
Instead of throwing caps, the students at Okisho have developed the "buleza nage" or "blazer throw" where they toss up their school uniform blazer at the end of the ceremony.
The art club whipped this up in a couple of days before the ceremony. It's humongous and was hanging beside the stage.
Here are some of my students who graduated, each wearing the traditional parent-made corsage.
Later that evening, there was a very fancy party for all of the students and teacher to attend. It's like prom without the dancing and with more expensive clothes. This is the young people's first chance to express themselves through their hair and wardrobe in front of their teacher and peers and many of them go all out. This is one of my students, Shyunji. Neat guy.
Some students and my coworker, Yukiko.
Kenny got a haircut for the celebration. The stage at the front of the room was later used for student performances.
Haha. Funny story....
Aaron taught at Okisho the preceding two years in my position. He also happened to go to the same college and high school as me. Strange coincidences. Anyway, he came back from Tokyo for graduation. It was good to see him again.
While walking around Kinjo Dam in Naha, we noticed a wonderfully unusual occurrence. Some kids grass-sledding.
Watch them go!!!
Some flowers along the Stone Pathway in the Shuri area.
Some friends and I ventured up to Yaedake, in the northern part of Okinawa Island, for Cherry Blossom (sakura) viewing or "hanami" (flower-looking).
My hanami-mates, Kesuke, Trevor, and Narumi. We had a great game on the way up. I'd talk in English, Narumi would speak in Japanese, Trevor would speak in French, and Kesuke would speak in Chinese. Try it sometime, It works pretty well. And it sounds amazing.
Churaumi Aquarium in the foreground and Iejima Island in the background.
Shark and fishies.
I love these guys! Garden Eels! I might have one as a pet.....
The enormously huge Whale Shark, the largest shark in the world.
The winter is pretty wet and cold. It was nice to see the bow at the end of the rain. A student spotted it outside the office window.
Mary made Paul and I a delicious Valentine's Day breakfast.
The local Art University's Senior Exhibition.
A pond I walked by.
The entire Junior High School at the city sports center performing karate.
Paul and Sera at karate practice.
A WHALE!
The Okinawa Peace Memorial.
Okisho students playing the traditional stringed instrument of the Ryukyu Islands.
And dancing.
Some of the visiting Vietnamese students.
All of the students who took part in the Okinawa/Vietnam exchange.
ESL CAMP. This is after we climbed a big hill/small mountain. Almost everyone enjoyed it. Some people thought it was punishment.
One afternoon we went kayaking in the mangroves.
Paul and I resting in the shade after biking around Zamami island.
Andy is obviously enjoying the ferry ride.
The Botanical Garden entrance at the Expo Park, near Churaumi.
Koi and turltes!
These are the types of gifts I find on my desk after class. Apples? No thank you. Not here.
Hahaha.
Cape Hedo.
The ryokan.
The view from my window in Hoteru Tanew.
A concert at a restaurant on Kokusai-dori, where Mary and I had dinner with some friends visiting from Tokyo.
Atsumi and Yuko!
Naminoe Beach, the only beach in Naha, Okinawa's major and capital city. Isn't it beautiful?
Fukushuen Garden, in Naha, a symbol of Okinawa's close relationship with China.
