Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Just a quick note to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! I admit that it is a bit strange to be in Japan.. today was just a "regular" day at work but tonight has been filled with notes flying back and forth across the globe sharing our love and prayers with those we love.

It's a unique year for our family in that even the kids aren't going to be together- a Killmer family first. Not sure we want to make this a new tradition, but thankful that the Lord has provided special people for our kids to spend the day with. Amberly will spend the day working but will have dinner with a friend's family (complete with Japanese guests!). Kristin is celebrating with her Americorps team in CA and Andrew is with a fellow RA's family from Gordon.

Oh, give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good!

A walk around campus

Although J and I live just around the corner from Osaka University, we rarely get onto campus. We took advantage of another beautiful day and decided it was time to take a walk through the campus- which by the way is huge... and strange that there are no dorms, just lots of buildings. The entrance right next door
Mr. Osaka??
Lots of labs for research...
an interesting way to keep out bikes and scooters, but not wheelchairs!
J pretending to fall into one of these ditches, which I swear will really happen some day! Whenever we go on a walk, J seems to gravitate to walking right on the edge of these gutters... not sure if it is a true act of gravitational pull or if he just does it to bug me (and make me hold his hand?!!) IF you ever hear that J broke his ankle, you can safely assume this is how it happened!

Toji Temple

Had another fun adventure in Kyoto with my dear friend, Denise. We visited the Toji Temple for their monthly market sale which takes place on the 21st of every month- rain or shine. It was fun that this month, it landed on a Sunday AND was a beautiful day!

Here's D sporting some fun Harry Potter glasses that we found-
someone important, but I have no idea who.. maybe Mr. Toji?
lots of treasures to be found...

a parade of monks

and a beautiful temple entrance/garden

D and I spent a day in Kyoto last month too (to celebrate her birthday)and I am thinking we need to make this a monthly event!

catching up

Wow, I have no idea where these weeks and months seem to go, but they certainly pass quickly! It seems that I write a zillion blog entries in my head as I go about my day and am always disappointed that I rarely get them posted!
Although the past weeks haven't held any earthshattering events, we've had some fun times in addition to the crazy days of working at an international school! Here are a few pics of life on this side of the world.
The math department for Halloween.... as Greek mathematicians, of course!

Some fireworks as seen from our balcony. I LOVE fireworks and these were great!

Here I am with a few of the 3rd graders that I get to work with.

Finally, the fall colors have peaked. Osaka is especially beautiful this time of year!

This year's Advent wreath... looking forward to this special season!

Things that make me laugh

I had a few extra minutes at the train station the other day and oh, the fun I had just observing people....
Firstly, men with purses. There are better examples of this that I see on a daily basis, but these were a few that caught my eye while I had my camera handy.

And then there are the shoes that don't fit (same thing as the murses-men with purses- I could have taken ALOT of pics!)

And then it appeared to be "twin" day. I never saw the official memo, but...

Notice the boots-the backpacks-

the tops, shorts, shoes, and bag.. this was serious!

And $50.00 for a pumpkin?? I don't think I will be bringing one home, but it does make me laugh!

Hope you all have a fun-filled day!

an act of kindness

I just thought I would share this really sweet act of kindness that i was the recipient of the other day.

I needed to get my hair cut and knew that Sunday is the day that Shiho works at this hair salon on the top floor of the store by the train station. It's not a fancy salon- in fact, it reminds me of Hair Cutters where I go when in NC for a $10 hair cut. Here in Osaka, the same kind of place offers a $20 no frill hair cut. But the best thing about this particular salon is Shiho... an English speaking hair dresser... so... up to the 5th floor I went.

When I arrived, I noticed her picture wasn't on the board of those working but.. i pulled out my little card with her name on it and asked if she was available. They looked at the card, said something in Japanese and soon, there were four people gathered around. One guy went running one way and another went dashing the other direction. I had NO idea what was going on. A minute later, one of the guys returned with a small note card. It was a note from Shiho telling me that she has gone to a different salon and was sorry she wasn't there for me and how she was sad that she didn't get a chance to say goodbye.

One of the workers asked if I still wanted to get my hair cut. I did. I was then escorted to the waiting chair and as i sat looking through a book trying to figure out how I was going to explain how to cut my hair, one of the guys came and showed me a book that had a picture of how I like my hair cut, circled with my name on it. Shiho had prepared that for them just in case I ever showed up! (I can only imagine how she explained this weird American lady who likes her hair cut really short!) I was so touched by her thoughtfulness and special care. I had to laugh though when I considered that it has been several months since i was last there... I had no way of knowing how long she was gone and how long her note and this book with my hair cut circled had been waiting for me... and how many times the workers may have wondered if someone was me?

There are so many days when one little thing can make a difference- and this was certainly one of them! Thanks, Shiho. I wish I knew how to tell you how much your thoughtfulness meant!

August- a quick recap

August seemed to come quickly. Here's Andrew, with a bunch of his buddies, on his last night in NC. This is such a special group of friends....

Jeph, Andrew and I then headed up to Boston where we got Andrew settled into his dorm. He'll be an RA again and is looking forward to his third year at Gordon!

Once we got Andrew all settled, it was time to hang out with Amberly. While we were there, she was packing up and getting ready to move from Cambridge to downtown Boston. We had a great time!

Here we are at a Revolution soccer game!

Here's Jeph and Ambie outside of what is now her old apartment in Cambridge And here she is in front of her new apartment with roommies Laura and Sonya!

Amberly showing off her new sapphire earrings- a gift from Andrew and J's trip to Thailand!

And because, sometimes you really do have to go where...

(Cheers is a few blocks from A's new apartment!)

Jeph and I (Karen) then flew out of Boston and headed back to Osaka where we are back to work, teaching and counseling at Osaka International School. These past few weeks have been crazy.. we haven't figured out why exactly, but it feels like school has been back in session for months. Summer break feels like another lifetime ago, but... we are excited about the year ahead and in the words of our good friend, Mark- "it's all good" and indeed it is.

The boys' adventures

Andrew started his summer off by spending a month in NY working on my brother's farm. From there, he flew in Osaka and spent a few weeks with us before he and Jeph headed to Thailand. The purpose of the trip to Thailand was for Jeph to get some work done on his knees at the Bumrungrad Hospital. The thought was that he might need a total knee replacement so we were thrilled to have Andrew on hand to serve as J's private murse.

While in Thailand, they did get to do some sightseeing- mostly temples. They did do a little shopping, with the highlight purchase being a custom made suit for Andrew! They also enjoyed watching the last World Cup games during their stay.

Here is the patient preparing for surgery- which thankfully only involved an intensive cleaning of both knees-

The almost-like-new knees! J has a DVD of the procedure if anyone is interested!

From Thailand, the guys flew back to Osaka, spent the night and went back to the airport the next morning to fly home! It made for a few very L O N G days of travel!

Karen's July

What an incredible month. It began with a trip to London to attend a weeklong training for International School Counselors. It was a great course and the highlights included: getting to know my colleagues (truly amazing people), touring the city, and getting to see two plays- Wicked AND Blood Brothers. Both shows were incredible.


I got back to the States and two days later, flew up to OH for a truly magnificent Jubilee celebration. Three of us joined the ranks of AARP (Andi had a head start and showed us how to 'do' a Jubilee year)and we were treated to Andi's over-the-top hospitality! She made us feel like queens and our time together was filled with so many special memories- hours of talking, laughing, relaxing, eating and making sweet memories that will last well beyond our Jubilee year-

Enjoying our Phi Beta Chi sisterhood- Go Beta's!!!!It still amazes me that this all worked out. Judi flew in from CT, Sheryl drove in from MI, I flew up from NC via London and Andi hosted us in OH. When Andi first posed the idea, we all submitted dates and somehow.... there were four days that could work! Andi took it from there and wow.... what fun!!

Here are the ladies with Kokeshi dolls- tokens of love from Japan!

From OH, I drove to Pittsburgh to spend a few days with Kristin!! What a treat that was. Here she is being loved (and squished)by two friends after church! And as much as I loved seeing Kristin, it was fun to see Kobi too! I have missed them both!

Here is my attempt at being artsy. These are K's earrings- I loved her display.

I have to admit, it's fun being back in the US- and it's especially wonderful being literate, enjoying some favorite foods/restaurants and seeing family and friends.

While I was having all kinds of fun, the boys (Jeph and Andrew) were on an adventure of their own...

A few days with Momsidoodle

Yeah, I can post pics again! There's a bit of catching up to do, so here goes a quickie update. I (Karen) ran up to NY to spend a few days with my mom and thankfully, was able to see my brother and his family which is a huge treat. What a blessing it was to share in their lives-

Me and momsidoodle (I feel tall!) My brother, Keith, who may in fact be the world's greatest grandpa! (he is amazing!)

Keith, Lori and momsidoodle at a restaurant on one of the Finger Lakes- gorgeous view and great food too. We were tempted to stay a little longer and catch a wedding that was to take place later that afternoon!

Great nephews Micah and Nathan on G'pa's IPad. Think this would make for a great advertisement! These two little guys are a riot and a little brother will soon be joining the party!

And here's Lori- behind the wheel of their maybe new car?! What fun to not only be friends, but sister-in-laws as well. Thanks for your wonderful hospitality!