Old Stomping Grounds

 I figured it was high time to cruise around the old neighborhood.  We did take a squick spin through it over a year ago, but I wanted to mosey around at my leisure, so I did.  Here is the neighborhood where I lived for 3 years when I last lived in Okinawa..... a very very long time ago.

The AFN building is still there on the corner and looks exactly the same.

Apparently some of the houses have been renovated already.  Check it out, a GARAGE!!

 And my old house.  I totally do not recall there being a giant thing there in the yard.  Was it always there?!

Oh, my poor little house.  It is in the throes of renovations.  I do not know what is happening to it, but I hope it is nice.

One of my best friends houses.  I use to walk over here to go hang out.  It also is undergoing some changes.

 You can't see very well in the photo, but the houses in lower Plaza are abandoned and boarded up and derelict. It is so sad.

 Okay, you can't see it much better here either. But it is lonely down there.  It was interesting to see the place I spent way too much time being an angsty, moody teenager.  It has changed a lot.

Marian's Portfolio

 Marian took Ceramics as an elective this year.  I thought she would love it, and I think she would have, except the teacher made it less fun.  At the end of the semester, the teacher wanted a portfolio of her projects.  Since I had to take pictures of all the things she brought home, I wanted to share them with you as well.  And let me mention that Marian is proud of her work, but not emotionally attached to most of it.  She really would have liked more artistic freedom. She does not like being told what to make and was rather bitter that the teacher gave specific instructions on some of the projects.  Still, Marian did a lovely job and made some beautiful things.

Stepping Up.... from 5th Grade

Delaney's school only goes up to 5th grade.  6th grade is in the middle school here.  Since Delaney just completed 5th grade this year, she had a "Stepping Up" ceremony this week, to signify the graduating of elementary school.  It was nicely done.  I thought it was awesome that they had an 8th grader from the middle school come and give the commencement speech.  The kid did an amazing job.

It was short and sweet. 

They called up each kid and they got their certificate of passing, plus whatever honor roll award they achieved.

 They got a handshake,

 And a used photo with the principal.

And Delaney got to go back up for a super-special award.

She managed to snag the Presidential Award for consistent good grades.

 I was a little proud of her.  She did have a good year with a great teacher.

That's my girl!

Josh, Marian, and Winning the Internet

 As part of his Drama final grade, Josh had to perform at "Kubi-Fest".  Dan was able to take time off work to go and watch.

Dan was quite impressed how well the kids did and said Josh was really in his element and did a great job.

Marian caught the largest grasshopper I have seen!

 And she wanted a picture of it.  

Someone here on Okinawa posted the best thing I have read in a very long time. The greatest thing about it is that it is true.  And Random.  And awesome.  Please enjoy, and I hope you find it as amusing as I did.

A Days Activity: Daddy Daughter Olympics

 The Activity Day Girls had a Daddy Daughter Olympics for their activity. Rylee was excited about it, but Delaney was not.  We convinced her to go and she did have a good time.  It sounded like they had a lot of fun.