-better luck next time-

The Asian Invasion takes to the Metrodome:

Had we spelled out "circle us Bert" - we could have made the big screen. We were a hit with everyone in our section --- curious about the magic marker 'scribbles' on our poster--- but unfortunatley, the camera guy didn't think so. Our sign was for cheering on a Japanese player on the White Sox (who, as it turns out, wasn't playing tonite). We were sitting directly out in front of the dugout though, so he MUST have recognized our posters from afar!
From left: Mio, Ryo, me and Shinobu
I have no sense of direction and got us horribly lost going to the Metrodome. Yes, it's true, some 6 years driving in Minneapolis and I still haven't figured it out. A couple hours later, we made it to the Dome and while I needed 4 beers to quell my frustration from the drive, I fought temptation so I could bring my friends back safely and more 'timely'. PS: Dome to St. Cloud = 62 minutes flat.
I thought this was the CUTEST, or at least MOST unique, poster at the game. Next time, to get recognized, we must provide the translation ;) AND we must come back to see the Twins WIN! tonite was a nail biter at the end, but we lost in the ninth with the bases loaded....sigh. No real harm done however, Kansas City beat Detroit---so we are still tied for first!

thanks girls

This morning, I awoke to a day brightener. Kyoko (right) emailed me this picture with a nice note from her volleyball friends (Saki-left and Yuki-center). It was such a nice surprise. Hope you ladies are having a great season!

I miss YOU! Keep working hard! :)

i miss friends: part 1

i warned about the reminiscing... while i can not post pictures of all special friends in japan,...here is a sampling of some local favorites. i miss Taneichi and look forward to visiting soon!

sapporo

cheers from minnesota!

thinking of you -

wishing we could enjoy a few drinks together!

i miss students: part 1

This is the first in a series of postings on why I can't stop thinking about Japan, my responsibilities over there and the incredible experiences that abound. NUMBER ONE: I miss the students. Terribly. Aside from their cuteness, willingness to offer respectful pleasantries and exhuberance of love for me AND learning English...they kept me smiling and engaged in japanese culture and lifestyle. they were infectious, contagious and such quality people that will always leave such a lasting impression with me.

Here are a few of the most memorable:

Youchien (Kindergarten) The most precious humans I've ever met.
My sassy san-nenseis @ Taneichi-chu. They left my cupboards bare, but it was a fair exchange in that I gained a dose in japanesehormonalspazzy teenagers!
The ni-nenseis at Shukunohe-chu. The highlight of my experience at this ultra-reserved school. My first thoughts of them are the engaging classes I got to teach them...solo, yep NO translation provided! But my second thoughts are of teary goodbyes and bear hugs...thanks ladies!
And the baseball-ers @ Taneichi-chu. My absolute favorite favorite favorite students. Yeah, how many times have you heard me say THOSE words in the last year....sorry for the redundancy, but I mean it this time. Not only did I hone my skills, but I made great friends. So many of these guys are still emailing me right now...awesome. Sometimes, it feels like I haven't even left.... ;)

Part 2: to be cont'd, when my sleeping pills wear off.

dehydro-ed

Wanted to show some of my new Japanese friends from SCSU a good time, so off to the Red Carpet we went. Well, the Carpet might not be so fine, but the tunes more than made up for it as Hydrophonics (my favorite local hip-hop group) took to the stage for a sweet show. It was my friends' first time hearing this kind of music & they loved it. Chronologically, they are new friends...but there is this familiarity amongst us that feels like 'the ol' gang'. Looking forward to many many more hangouts with these folks!

Ryo & I & MGD
sweet Shinobu
...Me, Mio & Ryo...

i miss japan

so my friend Saori uses a blog that i set up for her before i returned to the States. originally, i thought this would be a great way to keep in touch with her family, via photos, and a bunch of semi-legible japanese text to help retain whatever little japanese i was able to acquire (albeit accidentally!) anyways, her site rocks. here is a picture from one of her latest postings. seeing shyou and ryou (who i SWEAR have grown in the last 3 weeks!!!) makes me want to do another month long homestay with her family.

taneichi, iwate. what an incredible place to visit...and remember.

9.11.01

Japan Nite Part 1

My Mom & Dad hosted Japan Nite @ our home last nite. I invited a few friends I hadn't seen since returning (and many more that couldn't attend--hence the Part 2 in the coming month....). Many international students from SCSU made an appearance and we spent the evening enjoying Japanese-y cuisine & tunes.
I missed you Keith! It has been WAAAAAAAY too long! ;)

Hope to see you next weekend! This is Mitch. We've been friends since Kindergarten! She is a forever friend & presently a neighbor! Small world...
One of my friends from the undergrad days...Muriah and I were finally reaquainted after almost 2 years! Muriah is due in a few weeks ---"Lily" is on the way! Here's hoping the rest of your pregnancy is healthy! So nice to meet Jake as well. He is a really chill guy -

I'm happy for you both! :)

The China Connection: Loved meeting Chen Yu (at left) and seeing my classmates Yuanyuan & Tingting once more. Also nice to have some experts on hand to help me translate some of my stories and experiences in China. See you ladies soon! After several drinks, game time is a must. We tried CatchPhrase -- a challenging game for native speakers of English! The international students above, most of whom are Japanese, really enjoyed this vocabulary building game. Lots of fun - such a teacher I am.

I can't resist the opportunity for learning!

Thanks for coming everyone! I enjoyed sharing my experiences with you!

eternity..?

One of the biggest changes in coming back here is realizing how much everyone has grown in ONE year's time! So many weddings, engagements and bridal showers that I missed out on cos I was away. Bad timing on my part. Guess no one really knows when and where true love awaits. Here are JUST A FEW of the many pictures I have received from friends displaying their proposals, ceremonies and marriages. Good luck everyone! Congratulations!

Lisa & GreggSheila & Joe
Sara & Joel
Kels & Gabe
Cassie & Kyle
Serena & Adam

ok so some of these aren't NEW marriages, but the idea of marriage is so foreign to me right now that it might as well have happened just a year ago! xoxoxoxoxxoox love to you couples! don't forget your single and searching friend over here! ;) take care folks!

reminiscing...

My favorite image of Japan. This famous painting of a disastrous tsunami reminds me of several things. 1. A few weeks ago, I was living along the ocean (fearing for my life as the tsunami-prevention-wall was built 60 years ago ---after a tsunami destroyed most of Taneichi!) 2. Japanese art is beautiful...minimal yet powerful & expressive. and 3. I would take my chances on the aforementioned wall and do it all over again...another year in Taneichi! Someday soon. Hugs & Squeezes to my special friends in Japan who are checking this site often!

I MISS YOU! xooxox ~anne.

labor day @ the lake

Hello from Crosslake, Minnesota

Finally, I made my return to our cabin.

i've spent the last year near the ocean, but the previous 24 years have been spent at the lake. and it felt SO good to be back up here.

This is my little cousin, Priscilla (3 yrs). Mom & Dad: kudos to Dave for letting us crash at his place
The ladies: Mom, Priscilla & Grandma
Love these sunsets...but I love my Mom more!

the old gang

meet the oldies but goodies: tbird, nick & rustin
my worldly traveling buddy rustin. so great to see you again in person!
we've got a long history going...almost a decade! love you guys!

new co-workers

Here are some of my new pals in the ESL Master's program @ SCSU. From left: Adelle, Yuanyuan & Shinobu. We are all TA's in the ESL department on campus. Should be some good times with these ladies...and such a wealth of information and knowledge and life experience! I LOVE it!