Carolling
Yesterday, Zach and I joined a group of JETs and went carolling to raise money for UNICEF. It was actually a lot of fun! First we sang at a shopping mall in Matto (a nearby town), where we had a surprisingly warm reception!! I think this was helped because we were joined by a local kindergarten class who sang with (not only were they exceptionally cute, but they brough parents). We then went to a International Christmas Party celebration at the Matto Grand Hotel, and sang for the mayor and other people (as well as eating an amazing lunch). It was really neat! One JET had the role of Santa and another was a winner to wear a kimono for the day, so it was a really fun lunch! Also, our kindergarten companions came too, so we were saved from being the centre of attention. It was especially funny, as the kids started losing interest they would just walk off the stage!!!! It was fun, as to travel from one location to another we each had a bus buddy! I was excited, as I could actually have a conversation with mine (in Japanese!!), and Zach was happy as he spent the time rough-housing with five boys!!! We then returned to Kanazawa, where Zach continued to sing in front of the department store downtown, while I went to ikebana. It is starting to feel a little more like Christmas here!!!
Zach Meditates
These pictures are of our a temple near our house. Yesterday, Zach and his friend attended a meditation service that they hold at the temple each week. Apparently for the first half hour, sitting half-lotus really hurts. But, after that, meditation becomes enjoyable. I think that they both had a great time, and are excited to go back again!
Kenroku-en
This past weekend, the light-up of Kenroku-en, our favourite top three garden in Japan, was held. Zach and I walked through the garden while it poured rain, and it was absolutely beautiful-- it felt like an entirely different garden. People carried lanterns with them through the garden, and a woman, dressed in full kimono, played the flute from inside a 200-yr old teahouse in the middle of the lake. It was a really special night.
Zach's New Haircut
Zach has stumbled into the 21st century - this is his first ever attempt at "blogging". Please be kind. Comments are welcome, but, of course, only if they are complimentary (I don't take criticism well...)
At any rate, read on MacDuff.
Having heard quite enough "innocent" questions from his co-workers (and his wife, for that matter) about potential barbers, Zach finally decided to brave his first haircut in Japan. Now, many of you already know that for Zach a haircut, even in Canada, is a difficult task, one which inevitably requires weeks (or months) of pre-cut deliberation. In Japan, the anxiety is heightened by the fact that Zach can barely communicate "short" or "long" to anyone here, what with his Japanese skills being embarassingly poor and most hairstylists not having chosen English as their major at beauty school. Imagine, then, the dread Zach felt when his loyal and well-meaning wife shepherded him downtown to one of the ridiculously expensive and pitifully trendy salons here in Kanazawa. The day was ill-fated from the beginning: a rain poured down all day, as if mourning the impending loss; Zach was unable to shake the sense of doom which had come over him. But with a brave face Zach faced his worst fears. An hour and a half later (!) the worst of it was over. Though he had only narrowly avoided a terrible 'hipster mullet' (thanks to Jane's not-so-subtle suggestions to the hairdresser), in the end all seems to have turned out well. I suppose, though, we can let you judge that. Either way, it has to be better than before (I offer as evidence any of the previous photos on this page in which I feature).
