The beginning of spring

Here in Morioka we are anxiously awaiting the "sakura" (cherry blossoms). The weather has been warmer, and it seems like people are coming out of hibernation.

The new school and fiscal year starts in April here, so at the end of March there was a "haruyasumi" (spring break) for students - but no break for English classes! Rina, the girl from the family I stayed with on my college band tour in Japan three years ago, visited Morioka with two of her friends from college. It was so fun to see her after so long! We have kept in touch through letters and emails, and I'm so glad I got the chance to see her again.

Here we are in Tsukigaoka Church (their first time in a church). Nana, Rina, me, and Nozomi:

Here we are with Morioka's rock-splitting cherry tree!

And here we are in Iwate park, next to the old castle walls, trying to be Mount Iwate :-D

On Easter Sunday our church had an Easter concert open to the public. Many of the church members performed, as well as a few students from the university and Kay, the niece of one of the church members, who was visiting on spring break from L.A. where she grew up and goes to college. I played trumpet, and Kay and Keiko played flute. About 80 people came, and we filled the sanctuary! Afterwards we had a cake buffet with lots of different desserts to try.

That night we all went out to a restaurant to celebrate and say farewell to two of the girls from church who were moving away for college. The food was served as many dishes that we all shared, beautifully arranged. Here's the dessert:

Then, at the end of March, Hannah and Kirsten visited from Akita, and we packed a lot of fun into the couple days they were here.

Sushi, puri-kura (photo booth), shopping, eating jajamen (Morioka's specialty noodles), karaoke... so many great memories!