Monster Mash

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This weekend initiated the holiday spirit for upcoming Halloween! Two Halloween parties with the kiddies. After a night out downtown Ehime and 4 hours of LOST with my 2 main squeezes, Ziggy and Stephanie, I headed down south to Yoshida with Chris on the Shikoku Expressway. Much more efficient the trains, if you happen to have a car (or a good friend who will pick you up). In Yoshida, Brian had organized with people from his town a Halloween bash for all the area youngsters. About 20 other JETs showed up to volunteer working the various booths and show off our Halloween flair with inventive costumes. Many of the kids at this party were also dressed up, since it was not the first party of its kind.
After the kids went home the organizers provided us JETs with an enkai and feast! And tons of food in goody bags to take home! They also compensated for all of our travel costs. Pretty amazing. The enkai got pretty loud but all in good spirits and afterwards a small group of us headed to karoke (don't ask me why, especially after the "incident" in Tokyo...). We all, and I mean ALL 20 JETs, crashed at Brian's house in Yoshida. Thankfully it was pretty spacious. I didn't spot the phantom ghosts that the second floor is said to be haunted with, so I may have to return some other night to catch the shadows.
Sunday morning I was lucky enough to catch a ride back to Hojo with some friends heading to Imabari. A quick nap at home and then my friend Sayoko sensei picked me up for the second Halloween party at her house with my students from elementary and junior high, who happen to be her private English students. More food, bingo and prizes. One more nap and a beach run later, I am ready to hit the hay! So much for a relaxing weekend...

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Photos

2 Creepy Bears
The bear on the right is a Japanese cartoon character. I am attempting Pooh San (pooh bear) but every JET saw my tummy and screamed "Britney Spears!" Don't ask how they explained the black nose...

Sugar...always a good idea
Decorating sugar cookies

potluck party
Sayoko sensei and 2 of our students. She served tacos, which most of the students had never eaten before in their life (I gave a demonstration on how to make and eat one). She is holding a bamboo shoot with homeade bread one of the students made for the potluck section. mmmmmm...

Comments

[Aubrey]

I thought Britney, too...
Hey Mars - I totally thought Britney Spears too, sadly, but of course until you mentioned the brown nose. That is so funny. Glad to hear that you are not missing a beat of the Halloween festivities. Jenna and I have Halloween day and night off, so we are planning on throwing a little costume dinner party, complete with handing out to trick-or-treaters from the neighborhood. Keep up the fun, love and miss you, Aubs