Satoko's wedding

Satoko had a great wedding party here in Chiba today. She looked really happy and was so beautiful in her traditional kimono, white dress and then the last ocean blue dress. Congratulations, Satoko. I wish you all the very best!

With her JIU seminar classmates--a great reunion.

Her colleagues from ANA.

Hitomi and Azusa came visit on March 11

They arrived at JIU really early and because there was nobody around I heard-- from the 3rd floor--their voices when they were entering the building. I'm not saying they were loud. I'm saying it was an extremely quiet Sunday morning. It was really nice of them to come from Tokyo to see me.

Chiho and Yuko: what a surprise!

Look at who showed up in my office at 3 today: Yuko and Chiho. They didn't come together--it was a coincidence, a nice one.

Wakui-kun's visit

Wakui-san came visit on Thursday. I was so glad to hear he is now working for the Mandarin Oriental Hotel not because I use the hotel but especially because he is now back in Tokyo. Considering it's a six-star hotel, unfortunately I don't think I'll ever be staying there, but now I have a good excuse to go there for a good French or Cantonese meal. I initially told students who showed up in my office that he graduated five years ago, but he quickly corrected me and said he graduated almost ten years ago!

The sweets he brought were just superb! Definitely six-star quality. Thank you, Wakui-kun! Welcome back to Kanto and good luck at your new job.

Yuto talking to his juniors

On Wednesday Yuto came to talk to our first and second year students about his professional career. He worked for five years at JAL Cargo and this year he started working for the German company DHL. We thank him for taking time off work to come talk to us on a Wednesday afternoon and hope he was an inspiration to all students.

Ishiwatari-kun at JIU

What a nice surprise. Ishiwatari-kun showed up with great snacks from Gunma Prefecture where he is now working. We had some "gobo" chips and "negi karinto." Many thanks!

Congratulations, Chiaki!

I attended Chiaki's wedding party in Tokyo on Sunday. Look at how beautiful she was in the two different kimono and then the white dress she wore the same afternoon. It was great to see some other former students at the party as well. They all looked great!

Sushi with Saito-san

About ten days ago Saito-san came visit and we went out for sushi. I ran into two elementary school teachers at the restaurant and ended up talking to them, too, all night.

Ryuto came visit!

It was nice seeing how Ryuto is growing so fast and so healthy! Unfortunately Mikuni-san is moving to Ibaraki so we won't be able to see each other that often anymore, but I was so happy the whole family came to say good bye.

Tsukasa made me two shirts

Tsukasa made me two shirts that I plan to wear when the temperatures go down a bit. They are very stylish and I love them!

ANA Crown Plaza in Narita

On Thursday, faculty members from the Center for Language Education and some JIU graduates met for dinner at the ANA Crown Plaza in Narita where a former student works at the front desk. Because of the heavy rain we were not able to enjoy the evening in the garden, but still it was good to have a meal together in the end of the semester--and it was good to see Yuko.

Chiho

Chiho came visit on Tuesday but I felt bad as I barely had time to talk to her. I had other appointments and also a guest that day besides having to teach my regular classes. Chiho: please come again and thanks for the delicious pudding! Thanks also for talking to my first-year students. I was so glad you are flying all over the world and that you are well.

Takikawa-kun's visit

On Saturday Takikawa-kun came to JIU despite the heat and all. I was here for two TOEIC courses in the morning and Open Campus in the afternoon, so we were not actually able to spend much time together, but we did eat lunch and were able to catch up a little. I was glad to hear he's been working hard and more importantly that he is enjoying his work and the new environment in Osaka.

ANA at JIU

Today Satoko and Kaoru came to JIU to talk to students about their work as ground staff at Narita Airport. It was great seeing them and I was especially happy to hear Satoko is now a married woman. Congratulations, Satoko! (I'm sorry I forgot to take photos.)

Takanori and Yukari's beautiful wedding

Too big!

Takanori and Yukari had a beautiful wedding in Tokyo on Saturday. Their parents looked so happy, the bride so beautiful in all three dresses, and the groom so handsome! It was an honor to give a short speech during the party and it was a pleasure to see some of my former students, too. With this group of seminar students there seems to be a wedding every year. We are now wondering who's going to be next.... Takanori-kun, Yukari-san: We wish you happiness together!

Great Friday

Tsukasa and Hitomi visited us!

Takahito also visited a little later and brought beautiful flowers.

We all had Indian food--again....

Surprise! Hideyuki showed up on Friday.

I hadn't seen and heard from Hideyuki since he graduated and moved to Osaka, but he surprised us by showing up in my office on Friday. He had taken a few days off and came all the way to Chiba by motorcycle--another surprise.

Yuko's visit

I am glad to say that Yuko came to JIU today and I was able to introduce to her a new student from the same high school in Fukushima (next to each other in the photo). We all went out for dinner after my evening class. You might be thinking, "Indian food again?" and I have to tell you that we've been concerned about the lack of business in the restaurant lately and therefore have been going there as often as possible.

Yuko: Thank you for the visit. I hope you'll be able to go to Fukushima next month and that you'll come see us again soon!

Orchids

What a wonderful surprise. A former student called to say she wanted to share some of the flowers her husband had received upon his promotion, and she came to my office yesterday not only with the most beautiful orchids but also with her two sons! It's hard to believe that Seichiro is already nine!

Good company & good chocolate

Yuka and Ayako came visit today, and when they were in my office Tashima-sensei showed up with a box of my favorite See's Candies chocolates: coconut and almond clusters!