July 11th

This is a real estate ad we got in our mailbox -it was in English so I thought Dan might like to see it. Here is what it says: Thinking about moving within Tokyo? Then, you got to call me! I have worked as a real estate agent over past 10+ years exclusively on high-end rental properties in upscale residential area. My property expertise help you find the right accommodation, and get the best deal possible. Most of all, with this flier you can get the discount 75% off the commission*. My principle is to provide professional agent service by reasonable price. *commission is 25% of one month rent. Then he lists his name, license, education, language- English, Chinese and (Ilove this one) Family: Me, my wife, and Toy Poodle drawn above is "him"! We had the sisters over for dinner again - here is Sister Wells' new companion - Sister Yakata who is brand new. Sister Wells goes home in a month.

We still love to look up and see how tall the buildings are. The staircases are almost like art!

Most Japanese do not show PDA (public display of affection) and so I caught this couple holding hands and snapped their picture. Also, note her high heels!

Dogs are a big part of people's lives. You see people out with their dogs in all sorts of outfits and with little doggie strollers. There are lots of shops devoted exclusively to dog items. Here is one.

Today's Tidbit -

Until 1868, education was limited to males of the upper class. Today, all Japanese children must complete ninth grade, the final year of junior high school. After age 15, school is no longer compulsory - yet more than 95 percent of students complete high school, because without a diploma, job opportions are severly limited. Boys and girls take all their classes together, from science and language to home economics and shop, and they learn starting in the first grade to clean their classrooms and their school every day in teams. The school year begins in April and ends the following March, with 220 school days divided into three terms. Summer vacation is the longest, lasting from July 20 (OceanDay) to the end of August, with some variations. The national government has always been a strong presence in Japanese education, as indicated by the Ministry of Education, Sports, and Culture, which screens school textbooks and establishes a uniform curriculum. When students move to another part of Japan, they may very well continue using the same textbook on the same page where they left off.

One key notion is minna issho (everyone together/the same). Rather than praising a child's innate ability or I.Q., teachers repeatedly reinforce the idea of ganbaru (trying hard). Before high school, students are not tracked by ability level into different reading or math levels; instead, each class represents a heterogeneous mix of talent and interests. All student are expected to put great effort in their studies, as well as in mandatory after-school clubs that commence in junior high. Students who move on to high school must call fort strenuous effort - most are coached on passing the stiff subject-based entrance exams at an after-school juku ("cram school") that they attend on a daily basis. Almost half of Japanese young seek a university degree, many with the goal of interviewing for jobs with prestigious firms.

Everyone in Japan studies English from grades 7-12 and in university. However, the primary goal of English class is to pass the problems on the entrance exams for high school and university - and since the students are so busy, they don't have much opportunity to learn to speak English. In addition, most Japanese teachers of English rarely have the chance to speak the language. Teaching methods still involve translation and memorization of vocabulary, again in preparation for exams.

SO - be thankful for your education in the States! Here the idea is to work together and not be different - there, you can be an individual and "do your own thing"! Enjoy your long summer vacation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!