Ray's INCREDIBLE handiwork...!

As if his sewing project with the jinbei wasnt enough (check out past post...), Ray has gotten quite saavy on the sewing machine, and just finished for me this outstanding skirt!  He didn't use a pattern or anything!  He let me choose my colors and fabrics, and then I left him to his skill.  Two days later, he surprised me with my new favorite article of clothing!  He's now working on a pair of pants for me.  Honestly, how cool is that!  (I'm such a blessed girl....)

AND1 tour...

Ray and I were given tickets to see an AND1 game last week.  If you aren't familiar with AND1, it's an American touring basketball team who plays a streetball, no rules, modern-type globetrotters type of basketball.  They travel around the world, taking on any team that will come up against them.  They usually put on a big show/act and pull in sold out crowds.  They are on tour in Japan, so we travelled to Osaka to see them play a Japanese team.

The coolest part was that two of Ray's teammates were asked to play on the Japanese team, and Ray's coach, Bob Pierce, was asked to coach!  Even though they ended up getting horribly beaten, dunked on and juked on, it was a fun night.

(Notice AND1's "Professor", from SALEM, OREGON!!!)

Japan's unashamed advertising.  Haha...

Notice how incredibly annoying the announcer is!  He actually walks up and down the court as the teams play!

WOW- One year....

I can't even believe that ONE YEAR has come and gone.  We celebrated by going out... to our balcony.  I had prepared a beautiful dinner spread to surprise Ray when he got home from practice.  He surprised me with a gorgeous double strand of freshwater pearls that he himself had made, with matching earrings.  We toasted to a bottle of wine that Ray's brother, Luke and Amanda, had given us for our wedding last year.  This year has been so full of God's grace and love on us, and He has taught us so much about how to cherish and honor each other better.  We are so excited to embark upon year two with so much respect and trust in our foundation. 

the Imperial Palace...

On the days that I teach, I often have huge breaks between classes.  Last week, the Japanese teacher that I was teaching with signed us up to tour the Ancient Imperial Villa during our break.  It's over 400 years old, all original construction, and was used by the emperor and his family to entertain guests.  The 17 acre plot is mostly beautifully designed tea houses used to view the moon and relax guests.  Notice the very modern design on the interior of one of the tea houses!

Getting Domestic...

I've been getting in to beading quite a lot lately, experimenting with new designs of necklaces, bracelets and earrings.  Kyoto offers several shops that sell only incredibly stones at really reasonable prices.  SO, I decided to offer a beading class to some other teachers and SIX ladies signed up!  We spent an entire Sunday afternoon in beading delirium, and everyone went home happy!

Ray's been getting crafty on his own time.... and how impressed I am!  He put his mind to making his own "jinbei"- a traditional wear for men that looks sort of like a combo between a kimono and a karate outfit.  WELL, after borrowing a sewing machine from a friend, choosing fabrics and supplies and a pattern all in Japanese, he finally finished his project: a jinbei that is actually his size!  Way to go baby!!

To market, to market...

Our upstairs musician neighbor took us to the largest market in Kyoto.  I have never seen anything like it!  HUGE!!  Apparently it runs on the 21st of every month on one of the biggest temple grounds in Kyoto.  You can find anything from ancient antiques, to tools and collectors items, to artisan crafts, to... for cheap!

We had so much fun!  It is a must see for visitors!

The video is of a group of women, of the Shinto Buddhist faith, singing and praying, while the market's bustle goes on around them.  Quite showy.  So interesting...

to Kyoto with Brayden

One of Ray's teammates, Brayden Billbe from Seattle, came with us to Kyoto for the day.  We had a great time checking out some temples and markets.  To his delight, we even saw two geishas!