"Xmas Cards"

I received many amazing Christmas cards from some of my 5th grade students. Here are a few pics that show the skill of their craftsmanship. I was inspired when the kids lined up to give me something they had worked so hard on. I am lucky to have such kind and thoughtful students.

Kabuki

Tonight I experienced Kabuki Theater. I went with two friends one of whom is an avid fan of traditional theater. The building was beautiful and located in a nice area of the city. The "play" started slow and honestly it was hard to stay awake at first. The actors are phenomenally skilled, but at times use extremely slow and subtle movements that require a great deal of attention to follow. The night proceeded in three acts, each of which was just a portion of a larger story. So, we saw three parts of three different plays. You usually won't see a whole story while attending Kabuki, its about the stories within the story. By the third play, I was very much drawn into the play. I have never seen such quiet intensity in acting. Photos are not allowed, so if you are interested you can google for pictures. I wouldn't recommend Kabuki for anyone with ADD or anyone who can't sit still for extended periods of time. However, if you love the art of theater, you would very much appreciate Kabuki. I'm posting pictures of the outside of the theater as well as of the street. The Ginza area of Tokyo has a clean and modern feel that I really like.

Ueno Park

Ueno is known for having one of the most popular parks in Tokyo. There are many museums, exhibits, gardens and even a zoo. It would take several days to see the entire park. I only saw the zoo and one temple this day. Here are a few photos from different areas near the temple.