Mini Pot Pies

Cooking is not my forte.  Especially when I've only got one burner and a microwave to work with.  My excuse for the past year has been, "If only I had an oven. . ."  But, I can't use that excuse anymore, since a good friend passed her oven on to me before she returned to the US in August.  Now I have an oven, so I should be cooking more, right?  Well, it turns out that the real reason I don't cook has nothing to do with the equipment I have or don't have.  What it really "boils" down to is that I just don't like to do it!

However, sometimes, I start craving foods that I can't just go out and buy in Japan.  So far that has mainly been biscuits.  That is, Southern American biscuits (not cookies!).  But, the other day, I took it a step further.  I thought, "I want chicken pot pie".  But I came across a vegan recipe first, so I decided to try simply "pot pie".  So I took Minimalist Baker's 1-Hour Vegan Pot Pies recipe, divided everything in half (I was cooking for one) changed a few things and: voila!

I had never considered cooking in a mug before, and the result was so cute!  It made a great single serving pot pie.  

I also used a jar as the other serving dish, which worked nice because to store it I just had to screw the lid on.  

The taste was really good too.  Some things I did differently: no onion (I don't like to chop onions), no vegan friendly broth (I just used regular consume which probably has chicken), regular milk not almond, my all-purpose flour was most definitely bleached, and I used a different biscuit recipe all together.

Exam Week - a Teacher's Perspective

June, the first month of summer, is commonly the first month of summer vacation in the USA. In Japan, however it is merely the third month of the school year and the start of rainy season.

As a team teacher and elective course teacher, it has been my month of exams--giving them that is. This is the third exam period I've given since working at this school. Personally, I think that the exam time is just as difficult for teachers as it is for students. I had to create 13 different tests which would sufficiently reflect the students' progress. I also have to administer these tests and deal with problems. Ten of these tests were using the computer lab to record. Out of 46 computers only 34 run and are properly equipped with headphones and mice. Everyday last week I had to recheck the computers. 2 headsets went missing mid-week. Luckily I managed to find replacements, but I can't help but be suspicious that some of the students disrespected the property enough to steal.

The most rewarding test experience was with the 3rd year (senior) students who had been assigned to give a speech. Their topics were so diverse and a real reflection of their personalities. They talked about themselves, best friends, holiday vacations, dreams, favorite movies, and one person described life at an airport because she likes airplanes. It was fun for me.

Well, I can put the tests behind me now, almost. I will spend this next week with red ink dripping down my fingers and finish with giving makeup exams next Saturday for the dozen or so students who were absent for the tests.

(Picture: relaxing in Kenrokuen)

Enchanting Entrances

Kanmon Tunnel, Fukuoka, Japan - Photo by A.J. Randall

Tunnels.  Seriously, who doesn't like the mysteriousness of tunnels?  The unknown dark depth one must venture through in order to reach your destination.  Of course, it's the entrances that give them so much appeal.  Once you enter, however, tunnels have a tendency to resemble one another. . . with occasional exception.  Now, I've been through many tunnels -- the Smokey Mountains are full of them; the Japanese use them all over the place; and when I took the train across the English Channel, well, that was a tunnel, too.  Here are some tunnel entrances that look absolutely thrilling.

Clayton Tunnel, England
 Looking at this photo gives me the feeling that this tunnel is the entry way into the Medieval past!

Mont Blanc Tunnel, Italy

Portage Tunnel, Anchorage, Alaska
I like this winter photo of Portage Tunnel, because it makes me feel cool looking at it, and I kind of needed a chill to cool off in this warm weather.  Definitely check out some of the greener photos of this tunnel though, because it's absolutely beautiful.
It's apparently the longest tunnel in North America.

Taft Tunnel, Hiawatha Trail

Allegheny Mountain Tunnel
Love the old black and white photo!

Hope you enjoyed this visual trip to different tunnels around the world.  Be sure to click on the subtitles of each and check out the blogs and websites they're from.

Knee Deep in the Job Market Swamp

You've been told there's an economic recession occurring and that jobs are tough to find. If you're currently a full-time student, this probably doesn't bother you too much. That's because it's a good time to be a student. If you've even remotely considered your future job, you are probably thinking this recession will be over by then. Well, don't count on it.

When I was in college I expected to find a job when I got out. And I did--in Japan. When my job ended I returned state-side with the high expectation of finding another job ASAP. I didn't bother too much with job searching while I was overseas because I figured no one would be interested if my address said Japan. But then, I didn't realize how BAD the job market is.

I was blessed to be given the part-time Administrative Assistant job at my local church. And further grateful to my parents for allowing me free room and board. Now I'm on edge as I try to map out the next step in my life. I'm hoping for graduate school, but if that falls through, then what?

On Saturday, I went to the library to return one book and left having checked out six more! One of them was enticingly entitled Get the Job You Want Even When No One's Hiring by Ford R. Myers. Myers gives a lot of good tips that can apply to various stages of one's career life. His book is divided into 5 main categories:

1. The Psychology of Job Hunting in a Down Market
2. From Desperation to Career Strategies for Tough Times
3. Leveraging Your Core Job Seeker Materials
4. Job Search Tactics to Use When No One's Hiring
5. Bulletproof Your Career, Once and for All

If you're like me, you just read those titles and thought, "Is this for real?" Let me share with you the most encouraging tip I read in this book: "Every company is hiring all the time--as long as you have what they need" (page 120). Myers provides some worksheets as a part of a book bonus free newsletter.

Event Prep for the Fourth

So, let me think, what have I been up to? Well, if you looked at the pictures in the previous post I'm sure you have an idea. So, I suppose I should talk about what's not in the pictures.

We had to cancel the Kids' Party that was to be held this past Sunday. We only had 2 kids RSVP, so we thought it would be best to reschedule when we could have a better turn out.

Well, with that on hold, we've been finalizing details for the Fourth of July party. We have decorations, plates, and napkins. We have a list of the food we need and tomorrow I'm going to try my hand at baking a cake from scratch -- erm, later today, I guess. Haha. On a serious note, though, please be praying that this event will work out. We've heard there might be a festival this weekend at the park we're holding it at (next Monday is some sort of "Wish Upon a Star" holiday) so we may not be able to find available tables. Also, we're in the rainy season here. So, basically, that means rain at any moment. You're welcome to pray for good weather (I am).

My dear friend Rachel is getting married in 11 days (or 12, maybe, the International Dateline confuses me). I'm a bit sad I'll be missing it, but I'm so happy for her and I know that her wedding will be everything she hopes it will be.

Oh, and I've tried writing again. Not getting very far, but I know that, someday, I will figure out the right words to weave the right tale.

Well, my small band of readers, thank you for your faithfulness in remembering me and praying for me. Please feel free to leave questions in your comments (that'll help me think of more to say).

XOXO

Safe Landing

I have arrived safely in Tomashima, Japan. I slept 10 hours last night. I have decided that I hate flights (of course, I knew this from the first time I ever went on one, I'm just stating it here). I was awake for about 30 hours straight! I dozed a bit on the bus between the airports, but I didn't sleep.

This afternoon, I went with Cindy (the lady who is here for two months to help me get acclimated) and walked about the town. She showed me where everything was. There is a tall grocery store right next to our apartment building with a big "H" on it that can be seen far away, which is good, because otherwise I'd never find the apartment. I also went with Cindy to a lesson this afternoon. It was a free speech lesson, which meant we just talked for 45 minutes.

I'm tired and constantly thirsty (but that's okay, because we can get purified water for free from the grocery store if we bring this special jug). This morning I woke up and felt hungover. . . not that I really know what that feels like, but I imagine it would feel the way I felt.

Well, America, as you wake up in the next two to five hours I hope you have a great morning and a wonderful Saturday -- mine has been relaxing so far.

God Has a Plan For You

This wonderful lady who works with my dad gave me a journal with the phrase "God has a plan for you" on the cover. My great aunt echoed this idea when she told me tonight that when I get homesick to remember I am placed there, in Japan, for a purpose. Pete Cannon, who preached at Grace Point (my home church) yesterday, said that we are here for a purpose now, not a hundred years ago, and not a hundred years from now. Often I wished I had been born in a different time, yet any other time would have never given me the life I have now--a life filled with wonderful friends and opportunities, a journey that I should never give up.

At this moment, I am uplifted. The disheartened thoughts that ran through my mind yesterday are past. I am not afraid of the adventure anymore. "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear. . ." (1 John 4:18).

Christmas In May

It is the eve of my sister's high school graduation (or, rather, the wee hours of the morning the day of). The relatives are in town. Earlier this evening, my grandmother gave us all huge bags of gifts calling it "Christmas in May." It really felt like Christmas--except that the bags were floral, there was no Christmas tree, it was 90 degree weather outside, and, well, it wasn't Christmas--which was nice since I'm not sure I'll be home for Christmas.

Last Saturday I graduated from Anderson University with a B.A. in English. I'm soaking up memories with family and friends in these last few days before heading on my next adventure: 14 months in Japan. I will be teaching English to adults and kindergarteners. This blog I've specifically created to post my discoveries during this new, exciting, and slightly nerve-racking experience.

Enjoy!