Video Updates & Twitter

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http://twitter.com/STC8180

This is a video from the Teruhime festival I went to last weekend. When we were approaching the park where the actual festival was held, these dancers crowded the street. Quite risque compared to the rest of Japanese Society. Really, quite risque regardless of whatever society it is in.

A brief introduction to the Teruhime Festival.

Rachel's Uncle performing the Traditional Japanese Drum. He tried to teach us. But I guess we are really slow learners. AKA - Those videos will not be put up on this blog.

MORE VIDEOS TO COME SOON!!!

Updates and Pics

Updates and Pictures from Tokyo
April 25th


This is the street right in front of the dorm. What a rainy mess it has been lately. The rain is somewhat refreshing, but we have had so much lately that it almost becomes a hindrance on daily activities (aka - actually leaving the dorm). You can see the 'Tokyo 2016' Banner hanging out front of our dorm. They are all over the city promoting the expected vote for the 2016 Olympics.


A rainy night in Tokyo. Color effect on the street in front of the dorm.

My room.

Wall next to my bed.

Color effect. View from 3rd floor of school.

The Chapel. This is part of the entrance. I walk past this every morning when I come to school. On the left (the stairs) is Meiji Gakuin High School. Then there is the Chapel. And in the far back, you can see one of the buildings of Meiji Gakuin University.

The Guest House

Hello, All,

Another day has gone by in the beautiful and busy Tokyo. I keep thinking about the first day that I had here and think of where I am today. It is so crazy to think that it has been almost an entire month.

I hope that everything is going well in the States. I miss you all so much. I really regret not being around for end of year celebrations, graduations, and kick-off events to the summer. I feel bad for not being there for everyone. But I also know this is something that I had to do. And I know that everyone understands.

Class are in full swing now. Only meeting once a week is a little bit different than what I am used to, but we are most definitely using the time we have to the fullest. I am really enjoying my Japanese course and feel that I am learning a lot. I am really glad that I have this over the summer and then I jump right back into it in August. It is still crazy to think that I will only have one more semester while at Hope College.

Besides classes, everything is so wonderful. I am walking EVERYWHERE, which I love. I forgot how nice it is to walk. And think. And take time to appreciate my surroundings. The trains are interesting. Shopping is always a new adventure. I am always gawked at. I feel so awkward being big here. I have been asked to be on a basketball team AND a volleyball team. The students that asked me said that I looked stronger than anyone on the other teams. Valid reason for picking me I guess; "Big, strong, American". Now, my skill level is up for debate.

I had a wonderful friend send me a letter that had the following poem in it, by Rumi:

The Guest House
This begin human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

Life is beautiful. Everything happens for a reason. Even the pain. The sorrow. The joy.

Love and Peace from Tokyo,

Seth

Tokyo Baptist Church

What a busy day! My feet are definitely hurting.

I woke up this morning and met Rachel and Mariko at Shibuya Station. The trains weren't especially busy this morning and Shibuya, what some people compare to NY Times Square, was actually rather docile compared to most days. I even had time to go grab a frappacino from Starbucks. Always a great way to start your day.

We hopped on a local bus to take us to the Tokyo Baptist Church and as soon as we arrived, I knew we were in Baptist Country. People were singing and clapping at the doors and it looked more like a festival outside in the parking lot than a church gathering. We were greeted and immediately escorted to the front of the church (the last place I wanted to be). It was obvious that there were many foreigners in the crowd and as soon as I saw the Pastor, I knew we were in for a treat. He was about 5'6", 50 or 60 y/o, with strawberry red hair. He was a little spitfire with a southern accent and a heart and soul for rejoicing. "AMEN!" "ALLELULIA!"

After singing some 'engrish' soul songs, we were immediately veiwing TWO baptisms. "PRAISE JESUS!" All I could do was sit. And watch. The preacher that followed up on the baptisms immediately talked about how we are to be disciples and "CONVERT!"

He lost me at disciple. I love me some good soul hymnals and dancing, but evangelism...not so much. I was anticipating the sermon to be...interesting. And I really enjoyed it, though I was a bit gaurded at first. There were, of course, some points/opinions stated on behalf of the pastor that I disagreed with and questioned, but I figured that since it was my first time in their church, I would keep my mouth shut. Not to mention, I really didn't want to hear their answer. It is always the same. Someone begins to preach about what you have to do to live a good life and what is good and bad and what we should and should not do.... All the answers. "Because the Bible says so..."

Check out the Church Website @:

http://www.tokyobaptist.org/news/

You can even listen to the sermon for 4/19/2009.

Enjoy!

Afterwards, we made our way back to Shibuya Station where we met some of the students. We ventured to a park where a phtographer from the French Embassy was waiting for us. I am not sure why they wanted to take our pictures. Maybe and Anti-American ad? HAHA. No, but really, they took all of our pictures for something that the Embassy is creating. It was all very nice. Free. Loving. Peaceful. They said that they would send us some of the pictures soon. So, be looking for them on the blog.

Love and Peace from Tokyo,

Seth

Video Update and Other

Hey, all,

Below is a video update from me. I am working on week 3 in Tokyo and things are going well thus far. I hope that you enjoy the video.

Also below is a link to Google Maps. It shows exactly where I am in Tokyo. I hope that you have fun exploring.

Miss you all!

Love and Peace,
Seth

LINK TO MY NEIGHBORHOOD:

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Copy and paste the link into your address bar.
2. Let the image load - it will be a picture of the street
3. My Dorm will be on the left of the picture. (A White/Gray Building directly across the street from a two-story, red house with white stairs leading up to the door.)
4. Zoom out to explore the area.
5. Every Morning, I walk to Ookayama to hop on the train. The train takes me to Shirokanedai. It is in Shirokanedai that Meiji Gakuin University is located.
6. HAVE FUN EXPLORING!!!
7. You now know what route I take everyday and can relate to my experiences a little better.

Love, Peace, and Google Maps.



http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&ie=UTF8&layer=xc&g=%E3%80%92158-0083&ll=35.603967,139.679865&spn=0.001862,0.004131&z=19&cbll=35.603552,139.679686&panoid=HTNLBYgIhi4fDKgwKWQjfg&cbp=12,263.49186602830065,,0,-4.409090909090927