Harry Potter and the Half-Blooded Prince Discussion

Just finished reading the sixth installment of the Harry Potter books. I refused to go to sleep until I got it done. Anyway, I just wanted to throw a question out there for discussion. Which Harry Potter book do you think is the best? Why?

My own resolve lies with book 5. I think the story is the most developed and layered with character development. I also have to admit that the more difficult life gets for Harry, the more the story captivates me. Book 5 definitely doesn't hold back in life lessons and difficulty for Harry. I think also at this point we are all interested to see what the characters will be fleshed out as in the movies. This book has set the stage for the most interesting cinematic possibilities. Okay, friends, what do you think? Book 1-6? What's the best Ms. Rowling has produced?

Rachel got to go to Tokyo Disney with her 7th graders. How can you not smile at the happiest place on Earth.

So last Saturday night Rachel, Greg, Arianne and I went to this park in Kunita (way out in the sticks around Mito) to this park with an ancient Roman-esque courtyard area. We prepared the place for Damon to bring his unsuspecting girlfriend Amy to pop the big question. Within 30 minutes of starting, we transformed the place into quite possibly the most romantic place on Earth. We then quickly ran off and hid in the park to give time for Damon to bring Amy there after dinner and sweep Amy off her feet. After their mushy-gushy time was up and the proposal was accepted, they gave us a call on my cell phone telling us to join them for a toast to celebrate. Congratulations guys. I guess no one can resist a down-home boy from Wyoming.

We lit about 300 candles all around the place to set the mood. I must say we did an excellent job.

Rachel's 3rd graders at the Forum- Yuki and Mutsumi.

Rachel with her 7th graders at the Forum: Kyonson and Keiko. Keiko place in the top 10 for this round and goes on to the next level in a couple of weeks.

This is my crew for this years first level of the Interactive English Forum. From left to right: Saki, Aya, Kotoha, Takafumi and Kan. Five great kids who have excellent English ability. Good job and Omedetou!!!

On the 5 Yen coin in Japan is wheat bowing. When Japanese wheat has grown to maturity it bows to the ground. This is a sign to the Japanese that the higher you become the more you should bow yourself in respect and service to others. Good idea for all I suppose.

One of the great things about spring and summer here is watching the rice grow. Its really just beautiful and a lush green all the time. Our little suburb is surounded by fields that stretch to the coast.

This is Satomi Fukuya, one of my EBC (English Bible Class) students who decided after about a year of study she wanted to become a Christian. Welcome to the family. The guy to the right is Yuki Obata, our preacher. He baptized her about a month ago. Thanks to all who were encouraging and a teacher to her and her family.

This hopsital has a traditional celebratory fish for the happy new parents. Probably the most interesting way to celebrate new life I've seen in a while. Eat up Kari.

Nice to Meet You Stone.

Welcome to our world Stone Littlejohn. This is our good friend's first child here in Japan. Omedetou!!!!

Front view.

Japanese Junior High classroom.

Another one.

These are taken at a play area at Hitachi Sea Side Park. They are just interesting to look at for me.

Here is another shot. The cacti in the bottom right corner are my idea. Everything else is all Rachel's stroke of brilliance.

Rachel has gone flower crazy. I had no idea she had the green thumb until this spring. What started off as a mild flower growth project above our kitchen sink has turned into a a kudzu(sp?)-like over taking of our window and sink area. They really are pretty beautiful though.

A truly Japanese culrural phenomenon. The 'kancho'. Our students, especially in their younger hears (kindergarten, elementary schools) take great delight in this, the greatest expression of adolescent jest. The credit card swipe, while always humurous, pales in comparison. I have often tried to verbally paint a picture of the 'kancho' but fortunately a picture is worth a thousand words.

Getting the welcome baskets ready for the Newbie Nami (wave of new AETs). Great to have you here.

Our fearless leaders last walk from Soken as sempai. Natsukashii omoide!

This is an incredible memory quilt made for our sempai (leaders) Lj and Kari. School shoes, uniforms, lunch, tests, AETs. What a life. Otsukaresama deshita Lj sama.

Holly and I scrubbed in to serve up the grub for our departing friends. This is the typical attire for students serving lunch. There are no lunch ladies serving food at the schools. The students have that responsibility.

Often, our wits are challenged to unearth the meaning of the vague Jenglish we encouter. Jessica stayed consistent while building on the 'Let's Eat Runch' theme.

Okay, at the very end of last semester we had a crazy fun send off party at our place for some AET buds of ours. The theme was a last school lunch-or as Jessica so eloquently entitled it: 'Last School Runch'.

Okay, I'll be the first to admit this blog has been somewhat neglected over the last few months. The Woods family in Mito has weathered many storms since our last post with the Jesthetic Super Powered Arm Pit Lady: an insane amount of new AETs (love you guys though) hopping off the bus April 1st, many changes in the format of our teaching schedules at our school(s), as well as changes at Mito church. However, that just means there are more adventures coming at us more rapidly. Anyway, with out further ado, Blog O Shimashoo (Let's get blogging!!!). This is from a Mito Hollyhock soccer game I (Rusty) went to recently. Not exactly my motto for life, but enough to get me pumped for our team-no matter how lousy they perform on the field. Thanks to 'Den-ba' for the ticket hook up.