Welcome back Thank you for doing such a great job with your blog. We have applied to go next year, and we hope that we are granted the opportunity. We travel a lot, even just four days in MN, CA, WI, OR... can sometimes bring us back to IA feeling that sense of home sickness for what we've enjoyed so much during our trips and that are hard to find in this area. We would love to get together sometime, if you would have an evening to share some more stories and pictures. So glad you had a transformative time and returned safely. Many blessings, sarah and john whitehead and kids 754-1757
Great Blog Thanks for taking the time to put together such a wonderful blog this past year. I have enjoyed each and every one. I'm glad you had a good experience and hope you are adjusting to the good old American ways. If you're ever in our area, please let us know. We'll put the short legs on the dining room table and sit around listening to your stories.
Until then,
Les Coulter
welcome ?home? Thank you so very much for your wonderful blog, Greg and Jessie. We enjoyed reliving Japan through you. We hope and pray for the very best for you two - and look forward to hearing of future adventures! Please keep in touch and remember, if you are ever in the area, you are always welcome here!
The Coulters
Hiroshima Trip Hey guys, I read this one awhile back, but I noticed today that you don't have any comments for it yet (geez, your blog readers are a bunch of slackers...). Anyways, very cool pics, I like the shrine gate especially, and the nuclear clock and the Albert Einstein quote are neat too.
It's a shame that so little research and effort has gone into understanding how to build a more peaceful and happy society. I was reading recently about Bhutan, and how it is one of the most isolated and least-developed countries in the world, but is rated as one of the happiest.
Anyways, I hope things are going well for you guys, and that packing and saying goodbye to everyone is going alright. I'm sure there will be a bit of culture shock when you two get back here, but I'm sure you'll readjust yourselves to the apathy and nonchalance of American life.
Jap-Tex-Mex Very cool photos. The shrine looks like it's a Buddhist one, from the dharma wheel motifs on the front.
I've been hearing more about nationalism in Japan over the last few years. I really prefer the more modern and peaceful culture.
I guess it's similar to what has been going on in the United States, though, where attitudes got pretty nationalistic after the World Trade Center attacks.
It's funny that there are restaurants in Japan that serve a Texas version of Mexican food...
Tex-Mex Great pics! I couldn't help notice how clean the train looked! Someone must be ready to sweep at every station!! Look forward to seeing you this summer. Are you sad or happy to be leaving Japan???
HEY! I just went to a Girl Scout conference, we ran into your mom and she gave us your blog site - this is pretty cool! It sounds like you guys are learning a lot and having a great time (I'm so jealous :).
Keep it up!
Wow - you got to meet Andrea Bocelli? Amazing! He has a voice like no other. I'm glad that both of your families were able to visit, even though we missed your (Greg's) family at Gary's wedding!
Hello! I enjoyed catching up with your blog this afternoon. I didn't realize your family visited, but it looks like it was an amazing time. I love looking at all your pictures ... you guys look so happy!! What an awesome adventure you're having. Enjoy the rest of your time ... I look forward to reading the next entry! :)
I think we found that shrine, too When you talked about the hidden shrine, it brought back memories of our drive in the mountains around Kushigata. I bet it is the same shrine we came upon. Very secluded. Glad you are enjoying your family!
cliping finger nails is classified as private In child care we are not allowed to clip a child's nails because it is private and we would be over stepping the parents. I do carry a clipper in my back pocket just incase I break my nail and need to do a repair job.
This wont help you while your in Japan but.... you can be happy to know I have treated your bike like my own child (if I had one) and it will be in wonderful condition for you when you return home. :)
Wow 40's and 50's would be nice. We were at -14 in La Crosse two nights ago (not even windchill).
It must be pretty nice being a local celebrity, spending your time at shrine celebrations and hunting monkeys.
I wish I had a group of monkeys for myself. I'd start up a street gang with them.
You look just like Bruce Willis???? ;-D
Happy New Year It is really wonderful to read about your adventures. What you are making here in these pictures looks interesting, would love to try some of it, it looks like it took alot of muscle to prepare. Happy New Year to you, Gary and Cathie
Happy New Year As always, it is great to read your blog. You bring back many memories. Both of you look and sound like you're having a great time. Enjoy...
merry christmas! merry christmas to you too! looking forward to seeing you via computer for christmas festivities this weekend! miss you! bringing in the new year can't possibly stand up to last year in marshalltown... ha... big hug (from shaun of course)...
Holiday greetings Jessie and Greg, I want to say it looks and sounds like you are having a fun and educational time while in Japan. I very much enjoy reading your blogs.
We all wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Terri Polt
Newsroom Clerk
Times-Republican
Wishing you a Merry Christmas It really looks like your having a wonderful experience in Japan. I enjoy reading about your adventures and looking at the pics that your send. We want to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a happy new year.
Your best ever get-away What fun to read about your trip to Kyoto. Sounds like you really enjoyed yourselves! Keep those blogs and pictures coming! It's almost like being there and going on these adventures with you!
Merry Christmas Hello!! Ok, so it's not really Christmas yet, but with the snow and cold we're having it really feels like Christmas. Although, we hear you guys are having some cold weather too. We hope you're finding creating ways to stay warm. We loved the Thanksgiving blog. You guys will never want for anecdotes. We can't wait to hear more about the challenges of cooking in Japan.
We think of you guys often. We hope you are enjoying your daily adventures. We wish you a very special Christmas together!!!
Thanks for that geography lesson. It helps to know where you are. There's nothing like leaving your own country and coming back and appreciating it! We take so much for granted!! I have visions of us being campers in Africa. You know we're hoping to go to Swaziland, right? We'll tell you all about it when you get home.
Happy [very] Belated Birthday! Gary's birthday is the 29th too! Now I'll think about you on that day as well! I'm glad to hear you had a meaningful b-day away from home!
We're Greg and Jessie Pierquet. We're 25 years old and natives of Iowa and Wisconsin living in Minami-Alps City, Yamanashi Prefecture in Japan.
We are spending a year in the Land of the Rising Sun thanks to the Minami-Alps City/Marshalltown sister cities relationship, which sends a teacher from Marshalltown, Iowa each year to teach conversational English at Kushigata Junior High School.
Check back and share in our adventures!... full info
Sarah Whitehead
non-member comment
Welcome back
Thank you for doing such a great job with your blog. We have applied to go next year, and we hope that we are granted the opportunity. We travel a lot, even just four days in MN, CA, WI, OR... can sometimes bring us back to IA feeling that sense of home sickness for what we've enjoyed so much during our trips and that are hard to find in this area. We would love to get together sometime, if you would have an evening to share some more stories and pictures. So glad you had a transformative time and returned safely. Many blessings, sarah and john whitehead and kids 754-1757