It's Halloween!

Ok, so in Japan they do not celebrate Halloween, but that doesn't mean we can't have a Halloween party! So for English time this week, we carved a pumpkin, and played some Halloween games. As you can see, we didn't make costumes. There is actually a costume party in the summer that takes that privilege. But none of the students had ever carved a pumpkin before, so it was a fun first experience for them. And actually a Japanese pumpkin is totally different than a pumpkin that you are probably used to. Quite delicious, but not the same.

And some of you may not know Mandy, she is the non Japanese looking one on my right. We were on the same flight here together, and we were on the same summer team two years ago, so we know each other pretty well. We will also both be here for two years. And the tall guy in the back is Brian. He is here in Japan long term, and has been in Shizuoka for about two years, I think, and has been in Japan for much longer than that. Technically speaking, he would be my Navigators superior here in Japan, but in actuality, our relationship is a lot more casual than his title would presume. But he is the guy that is in charge of most of the activities, and we get to spend a lot of time together, since he is the only other American, Christian guy here in Shizuoka. So, you'll probably hear about him a lot. And I'll point out Aileen when she shows up in a photo. She is the other midtermer here in Japan. She has been here for over one year.