September 28th, 2006

• Vocal practices: I train on the R&B/Hip Hop song, Power With: I don’t know if I’ll be able to sing it as well as Omer, or with the same confidence I sing Unspoken Words, but it’s nice to have a change of pace.
• Visiting a local Junior High School (my round as team leader):
• Folk dancing
• Lunch without English translation: For lunch I was all alone with a classroom filled with 12 and 13 year olds who spoke almost as much English as I speak Japanese. I was told that I’m a cool guy and that I have a big face….I’m not quite sure how to take that J I knew I was gaining weight, but I’m not round just yet! After about 15 minutes of trying to communicate by finding phrases in my English-Japanese dictionary, I resorted to making pictures on a piece of paper. THAT made for better communication. Note to self: bring note-pad everywhere. Where’s a magnadoodle when I need one?
• Tonbo house: This is a great concept. This is a working space for residence in the area who have physical or mental disabilities. The workers build wooden toys, organize cleaning towels (for use in factories to clean their machinery), flatten packaging material, and remove unwanted perforated pieces out of cardboard sheets. Though these tasks seem simple, the workers there appeared enthusiastic about their work and I was informed that each worker has a salary. I think this is a fantastic idea. Here is a place where people of limited ability can contribute, feel the satisfaction of doing work, AND earn some cash for living WHILE having the guidance and support of staff and peers. I know we have similar programs in the U.S., but it always seems that the work the people do is just “busy work”. The workers here are performing functions that these larger organizations would rather not handle themselves. If I haven’t said it yet, the Japanese people just have EVERYTHING figured out.
• Getting back to the enthusiasm, we had an opportunity to meet all of the workers. One of them really worked his way into our hearts. He was a young man, who appeared to have cognitive delays. This certainly did not stop him from using every ounce of English he knew (which was surprisingly extensive)! I like the word enthusiasm for him. If there were a picture beside the word in the dictionary, he would be there. He cheered us on when we sang. He jumped into my arms after we learned one of their dances. I truly believe that much can be learned from those who inherently experience more challenges than the majority of us.
• Tea Ceremony with the host family
• Cold Sake! “Kampai”
• Trouble at home: Reading through my emails, I learned that my Dad has been attempting to contact me. Apparently my Grampy Toivo has not been doing well. He had a stroke a few days ago, I think (the whole time difference really throws things off), and has been on a steady decline. I tried calling Dad via Skype, but it isn’t working right now. I’d call from here, but I don’t know how to call outside Japan. I’m going to have to wait until tomorrow to get in touch with anyone. What an aweful feeling. I can’t do anything from here. I hope he’s not in pain. It’s strange, he indicated to me in his own way just, before I left for UWP, that he may not be around when I return. Thankfully, I took that opportunity to say a good goodbye to him, just in case.

I know he’s lonely. He greatly misses Nan. I hate to see him go, but if it’s his time, then I hope he goes peacefully. Let’s hope I can get in touch with Dad tomorrow.