japan highlights

I finally finished it.

Welcome to the Japan highlights reel! Last September I went on a 13 day odyssey to Japan with my family. We had a blast! After sorting through 1,000+ pictures, I have narrowed it down to the few that depict our trip the best. Hang tight. Here we go.

On Friday, September 11, 2009, we left for Narita, Tokyo. And stayed 'til Sunday.








Next went went to Hiroshima and stayed at a ryokan, kind of like a bed and breakfast.



We had food ready for us every morning and evening. Good home cooking.


We took a ferry to Miyajima, a nearby island.








Got attacked by deer.


Miyajima is famous for making these pastries called momiji (maple leaf) manju.

Then we headed back to Hiroshima to visit the Peace Memorial Park to remember the victims in the bombing of Hiroshima.

This is the Hiroshima Prefectural Commercial Exhibition Hall. One of the original buildings still remaining after the bombing.

This model shows approximately where the bomb dropped on Hiroshima.

And this is the Memorial Monument for Hiroshima, City of Peace, for the A-bomb victims. The stone chest in the center holds the registry of the names of persons who died from the bombing, regardless of nationality. In 2001, total victims were 221,893.

Children's Peace Monument.


We took a break from mourning.

Choco Cro. Probably the best chocolate croissant I've had in my life.



This was the ryokan's dog, Luna. He greeted us whenever we came back to the hotel.

NEXT we went to Kochi and met up with my grandparents. This is where my grandpa's family is from.

Kochi Castle.

Harimaya Bridge, the scene of Kochi’s most famous love-affair, and is the city’s most recognizable landmark.

We were fortunate enough to meet up with distant relatives and see the Higaki grave site and learn more about the Higaki family line. They rented a tour van and even made detailed schedule of our day together!

This sign is on the plot of land that my great grandfather grew up on.



Then our van broke down. In the middle of no where. But we got a new one in an hour. MLIA.

My grandpa's cousin's gravestone.

I like how over every door or in front of peoples' homes they put up plaques with their family name.

Then it was off to Osaka, my grandma's hometown, and home of Glico man.

My grandma's friends took us out for dinner at this shabu shabu place. It was about a 6 course meal. Probably the best dinner I had on the whole trip.




The next morning we went to see my grandmother's side of the family.

Mitsyo, and me with Unknown Named Dog, Tim Tam, and Goma. I loved these dogs.

My grandma's cousin.


The street we think my grandmother might have grew up on...

The sisters got tired of J-food and ordered McDonald's.

The following day we went to a place in Osaka call Matsumushi, where my mom taught Japan for 2 years...

...and where my parents first kissed.

Okonomiyaki! A must try in Osaka.

My mom's friend took us around Osaka. We went to Shitennō-ji temple, the first Buddhist and oldest officially administered temple in Japan.





I had kare (curry) udon for dinner. Heaven in a bowl.

That day was also Lauren's birthday, so Megan and I put together a little surprise party for her. Dad picked out a cake for her.

Lauren and Megan departed Japan the following day, and I continued with my parents to Kiryu for a business meeting with a flower grower, the Sakamotos.

Kiryu sounds like "kill you".

The grower's kid seriously did not smile for the first hour he played with me. He finally smiled when he started chasing me around with that truck thing he's holding onto. He was freakishly fast. I was deathly afraid for my life.

Next stop, Nikkooooooo. We were just a couple months shy of seeing the trees turn vibrant orange. It was still beautiful nonetheless.

My grandpa told me to take this picture of him. So I did.

Then we went to another temple. I believe the famous hear no evil, say no evil, see no evil monkeys originate from this wood carving...that is on a horse stable.


Prayers on paper.


Sweet advertising.

And finally, back to Shinagawa in Tokyo. PHEW.

On our last full day in Tokyo, my dad's old grad school friend, Aki took us to Asakusa which used to be one of the cool touristy places to visit. It was still bustling.



Aki introduced us to dojo or Japanese loach. They look and taste like baby eels. Delicious and super expensive. Mmmm.

Later that night, we experienced the most frustrating and yet most satisfying part of the whole trip. After walking in circles around Shinagawa for about an hour we found a kaiten sushi place where they sold sushi plates for 100 yen. That's just a little over a dollar, people. We ate like kings and queens for about $60.
I ate toro to my hearts content. *Drool*

Can't leave Japan without seeing some good engrish.

And like the saying goes, all good things must come to an end. But boy, did it end well. Ever had oyster katsu and kuri gohan? Holy cow. A most excellent last meal.

Good bye, Japan. It was a true pleasure meeting you.

I'll definitely be back!

rusty

It's been a while since I shared about Jesus with someone. And I'm not saying this out of guilt nor because I need to meet some Jesus-sharing quota. It's because when I met Annie after yoga class on Monday night I was speechless when she asked me, "Are you religious?". She must have asked because she saw the Crazy Love book I was carrying. My mouth refused to move. My mind grasped for words to explain my relationship with God. I wanted to overflow with words of the majesty and awesomeness of the Father. I wanted to convey that I was not religious - I was not chained by rules and regulations, but that I had full satisfaction and freedom in Christ. That I had an amazing Lord and Savior that loved and accepted me even though my fallen nature was to reject Him over and over again. I desired for Annie to know the amazing love that God had for her. My thoughts further tangled as I struggled for a way to share all of this without sounding like a self righteous, hypocritical prick that so many people associate Christians with.

As I processed all of this, it felt like time had stopped. Annie searched my face, waiting for a response. I finally mumbled, "I don't like the word religious because it....connotes obligation." Good one, Lisa. Way to start out by dissing her words. You are so awesome. "I...grew up in church, and I'm a Christian. I'm really involved now...you could say it's my way of life." Oh...Lisa, you are an idiot. Annie tried to follow my train of thought and responded, "You must really like it because it grounds you." I managed to say, yes. And then she walked out the door.

I was so consumed with explaining Christianity the right way. In a way that Annie wouldn't be offended. In a way where she would see Jesus in a way that she had never heard before. In a way that would obliterate all negative stereotypes she ever had about Christianity. As a result, I was left with garbage. I was rusty, yes. That was obvious. But upon reflection, I was reminded that God is greater than my piddly, rambling words. Next time I hope I simply share...Jesus. And not be so concerned about what the other person may think. And let God say the rest.

favs of 2009

I've been meaning to put up this post for a while.

Here are my favorite photos from 2009. Better late than never. I suppose. Crossing my fingers that I will get around to posting my Japan pics!

leonard

Happy New Year! A little late. I know. Things have been a little busy in Lisa Land! This entry is not characteristic of what I have posted before, but I was inspired to write it. Hopefully that is reason enough.

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On Monday night I met Leonard.

He started talking to me while I was on the phone with a friend and asked for $2 to get a burger. My knee jerk reaction was to say, "no". What would he really do with the $2? Then a wave of guilt followed, knowing I had just exited a planning meeting with an organization to help homeless families regain housing and jobs. I was ashamed at how quick I was to reject the person I just said I was committed to helping. As a compromise, I told him I would buy him a burger just up the street at Johnny Rockets. He politely refused and said if I just gave him $5, he could get a burger, fries and a drink at a place near his area. By this point I was dead set on knowing where my money was going and I continued walking fast toward Johnny Rockets.

"Leonard," I said, "I'm going to get you something better! And it will probably cost even more!" He tried to reason with me and repeated, "Baby, please, I want to go to the place down the street, a burger, fries and drink for $5! I know it's good." A couple walked quickly past me, uncomfortable at the scene was starting to make. I didn't budge. "Have you even tried Johnny Rockets? It's good...come on, follow me. I'll get you some food." Leonard was not convinced, but continued to follow me, bumbling and fumbling, trying to reason that his place was better. I was agitated. "I'm doing you a FAVOR, Leonard!" Eventually he settled on Subway. He was giddy and asked if he could get chips and a soda too. I fought past my annoyance at Leonard, and asked about his life. How long has he been this way? Did he have a job? If he wasn't on disability what would he be doing? I felt peoples' eyes staring at me in the restaurant. They seemed to say, you are perpetuating the cycle of homelessness in Downtown LA by giving this man a hand out. I knew it was true. And as I learned about Leonard's current situation, I knew that he wasn't trying to get back on his feet again any time soon.

But what was I supposed to do? Leave him to starve? Leonard would have gone around asking for food or money until he got some anyway. When I encounter homelessness I am filled with frustration. I've come to understand that there are a lot of systems and cycles that knock people down push them to live on the streets. But that knowledge leaves me feeling even more powerless. I want to love those that are less fortunate and do something more than hand out food. I desire to see past my prejudices and not see homelessness as just another problem we have to clean up.

So what do I do?

Lord, help me with the powerlessness I feel, give me a heart of compassion and wisdom to make a difference.

recyclables for good update

Ok, so it's taken me awhile, but I finally would like to report that we have raised $60.20 total for International Justice Mission (IJM) and Seattle Urban Academy (SUA)! Thanks to Auntie Joy, Charissa, Eric L., Grandma, Gus, the Hung family, Jen J. K., Sam Y., Shin, and Tinz for all of your goods. If you are impressed by the fact that I earned $60.20 in cans and bottles alone, you shouldn't be. I was only able to raise that much because my college friend, Tracy T. generously offered to match whatever I raised in September. SO THANK YOU, TRACY. YOU ROCK. Here is a picture of Tracy and me in college. Left to right: Jeannie, Me, Tracy, Krisi. Man, do we look like babies:


Now, here is a quick snap shot of each organization and why I support them.

IJM
A human rights agency that secures justice for victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and other forms of violent oppression. IJM lawyers, investigators and aftercare professionals work with local governments to ensure victim rescue, to prosecute perpetrators and to strengthen the community and civic factors that promote functioning public justice systems.

IJM's justice professionals work in their communities in 12 countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America to secure tangible and sustainable protection of national laws through local court systems.

Why I support them: I believe it is central to God's heart to protect those that are oppressed and victims of slavery. I like how IJM works with the local governments and "continues to build networks with aftercare and other social service and government providers to ensure long-term care of clients." They aren't just about rescuing people, but seeing their lives permanently transformed.

If you feel led to contribute to this org, click here.

SUA
SUA is a non-profit, alternative high school school located in Seattle, Washington that provides a safe haven for struggling students, where they can learn community values and be nurtured in the academic, spiritual, and social arenas of their lives. Through vital partnerships with community service organizations, SUA has helped its students attain a high graduation success rate. From 2001-2009, the graduation rate for SUA seniors was 94% and 90% of SUA graduating seniors went on to a 2-year or 4-year college.

Why I support them: First of all, because my aunt has been the executive director and principal for the past 13 years. This is a picture of her and her grandson.

Moreover, I am inspired by her very clear calling to reach out to at-risk youth who have lost hope for themselves. I love how she finds deep joy through experiencing "Christ's grace and power to call forth life in all of us" and through her commitment to "building up academic excellence and sending young people out to pursue higher education with vision and purpose". I also find it awesome that 66% of her staff have advanced degrees and have chosen to serve students through this non-profit program rather than through public or private education.

Here's a video that highlight some of the teachers and students from the program:



And, if you are interested in supporting SUA, click here.

I lagged big time on collecting recyclables from everyone for November. I'll probably collect through December and split the money for each month. November is for Kiva, and December is for Blood:Water Mission. If anyone wants to match what I get by the end of this year, let me know!!