This past week has been a busy week for us. Jake's unit is being "inspected" (basically like an audit). He has spent much time preparing for it and working with the inspectors this week going over the operations of his shop. I have been busy with Japanese Language III class this week as well as some volunteer work at the USO and our Church and curriculum preparations for an upcoming trip. The language class offered on our base is probably one of my favorite things I have done while on the island. Our sensei Michiko has taught us so much about the culture here in Okinawa while teaching us the language. Each of the three levels was 6 hours of class time, 18 hours in total. She said the full Japanese curriculum is 500 hours, so while I have 'graduated' from her class I am still only a beginner and basically have graduated kindergarten! In the mean time I am also trying to learn a little Chinese and Thai for our upcoming trip. One night this week, Jake noticed how tongue tied I got talking to him as my brain was trying to think how to speak correctly in English!
I have been asked to join a church group going on a mission trip to Thailand the beginning of June. During the trip we will be doing several work projects, including spending time at an orphanage. The orphanage houses 9 abandoned children age ranges from 7-15 years old. One of the things they have specifically asked us for is English books for the children to learn some basic English. More specifically they are looking for toddler to third grade reading level books of a "classic" nature - i.e. not pop culture. They also said they would love "Read-Along" type books too -where someone can "record" the book in English so they can hear how it sounds and as the person flips the page, it is said first by someone else and then they can repeat it. They of course are open to monetary donations as well. It costs $150 per child per month, so any money our group raises, will off-set this cost. I share this with you in case you are led to make a donation towards this trip either in the form of books, financially or through prayers. We are paying my expenses for the trip, so all money raised will go directly to the orphanage. If you want to make a financial donation, please write the check to "All Souls Church" and write "Thailand Orphans" in the note line. The cheapest way to ship things to us is with the flat rate boxes at USPS, military addresses receive a discounted price and regular postage applies to letters/cards. Our address here is :
1st LT Fackler, Jacob P.
1 MAW MWHS-1 Supply
Unit 37121
FPO AP 96603
GOLDEN WEEK
Japanese Golden Week is kicking off this coming weekend. Golden Week is a collection of four national holidays within seven days. Golden Week is one of Japan's three busiest holiday seasons, besides New Year and the Obon week. The national holidays making up the Golden Week are:
- Showa Day - April 29th is the birthday of former Emperor Showa, who died in the year 1989.
- Constitution Day - May 3rd is the day in 1947, the new post war constitution was put into effect.
- Greenery Day - May 4th is dedicated to the environment and nature, because the emperor loved plants and nature.
- Children's Day - May 5th was originally the Boy's Festival (Tango no Sekku). Families pray for the health and future success of their sons by hanging up carp streamers and displaying samurai dolls, both symbolizing strength, power and success in life. The Girl's Festival, by the way, is celebrated on March 3. In 1948, the government decreed this day to be a national holiday to celebrate the happiness of all children and to express gratitude toward mothers.
This week's Japanese (in honor of Golden week and all of the local festivities)
"Let's have fun!"
Tanoshimimasho!
Until next week,
Jake and Natasha
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