This is from one of our monthly AET meetings. Here is our group. Each individual AET is working at one Junior High or, recently, Elementary School in Mito City schools. Rachel is at Yonchu Gakko (Mito Fourth Junior High) and Tsunezumichu Gakko (Tsunezumi Junior High).

Thursday, June 24th, 2004 Rachel's kendo students get ready to go 'Jedi Knight' on their opponents. These two girls are a force to be reckoned with.

Thursday, June 24th, 2004 Tsunezumi's (Rusty's school) Basketball Club plays hard at the Mito wide sports tournament. This was a big deal for them. They practiced for two and a half years for this event. Rusty got to practice with them from time to time so it was cool to share their experience. Good times, neh?!

Wednesday June 23rd, 2004 Today I had a really cool time hanging out with the Shimoono Yoochien (kindergarten) students. Fully decked out in uniforms that could pass for Halloween candy, these students studied fruits like with all there five year old might.

Sunday June 20th, 2004 To Dad Openshaw and Dad Woods: HAPPY FATHERS DAY from Mito, Japan. We're just finishing your Father's Day as you are beginning it but we wanted you to know we are thinking of you. We love you. -Rusty and Rachel

Thursday, June 17th, 2004 Amy spent an evening trekking across Mito finding clues to lead her to her birthday prize. She was shocked (and possibly lost equilibrium) as she walked into a room full of friends at the end of her birthday journey. This is one of those pics that captures life's really cool moments.

Little Luke Huddleston partied hard at Amy's b-day party.

This is Rusty's ride. The 'two wheel lock' method is inspired by a scooter that has been stolen and replaced once, pushed over twice, and not washed at all since he got it.

Rachel's stylish-yet economical-ride. This Toyota Corsa is about 10 years old, 70 in dog years, and double that in Japanese car years. Most folks here like to stay very up to date with their cars.

Rachel hanging out with some girls form Mito Yon Chu Gakko (Mito 4th Junior High School) hoping we'll give peace a chance.

Tuesday, June 15th This is Tsunezumi Chu Gakko's (Rusty's Junior High School) basketball club training to kick some fanny at the Mito-wide sports tournament next week.

This is my first-hands down. What is that thing?

This one is my second fave.

Saturday, June 12, 2004 This is from a Hydrangea Festival in Mito Rachel and I went to with some friends. People from the area made some lamp covers which are pretty festive.

Greg and Tara echo the question asked by Black Eyed Peas: "Where is the Love, Ya'll". 

June 5, 2004. Rachel (middle) passionately sings karaoke "Come What May" while Amy (right) expresses Girl Scout giddiness and Tara (left)-well-we're not really sure what she's doing. 

Damon's goodbye party at Saizeriya. There is no better way to send someone off than Meat Sauce Doria, Green Melon Cola, and all the Saizeriya dressing you can muster. 

Keep in Touch

Welcome to our new 'blog' site. I don't know how I feel about the 'blog' lingo. The word sounds a bit like a name for a mutated swamp monster. Nonetheless, it is the easiest, most convenient, and 'free-ist', way for us to get some pictures out to folks who are interested. Don't worry, this page won't be so much about our pondering life so much as a public photo album for friends and family. So check with us anytime and we'll try to keep you up to date about life in Mito and life in general.