Update on Houston-Chiba exchange program, among others

Though I passed on my involvement with the Houston-Chiba Sister City Committee (with Sister Cities of Houston) and the board of Japan-America Society of Houston (JASH) at the close of 2012, last year's chaperone, Japanese teacher Mrs. Fang Ji of Johnston Middle School, did a couple write-ups about the JMS students two-week trip.  Since the HISD link might expire, I'll take the liberty of reproducing the text as well.  I never really got any pictures from last year's trip, or else I would share some.

Texas Foreign Language Association Journal, Spring 2013

HISD Community News:

Johnston MS student ambassadors receive commendations from city

On Dec. 6, four students from Johnston Middle School received commendations as from the City of Houston for their service to the Bayou City.
Isabel MacDonough, Ariel Miranda, Hannah Reeves, and Ethan Yang, who are learning Japanese, served as student ambassadors to our sister city in Chiba, Japan, a city northeast of Tokyo. They spent two weeks there in June 2012 with host families, touring the schools, as well as the sites of Chiba City and Tokyo.
They were chaperoned by their Japanese language teacher at Johnston, Fang Ji.
Johnston MS has participated in this exchange program for five years and has offered Japanese language classes for more than 15 years. It also hosts four middle-school students from Chiba every other summer.
The students are pictured with Japan America Society of Houston President Gary Nakamura (far left), City Council member Jack Christie (center, who appeared on the mayor’s behalf), and Johnston alumnus and exchange program committee member Daniel Morgan (far right), who served as a chaperone during the summer of 2010.



Not exactly news since it was last December, but recently I was informed that Johnston Middle School has decided to close down their Japanese/Chinese program.  Bummer.  Well, it was a good run.  I worked with the SCH/JASH/HCSCC program from 2009-12.  I look forward to the new ideas and fresh spirit that the next committee chair brings to the program with the next lucky Houston middle school. 

Oh, by the way, my friend Miyuki Kobayashi is bringing in not one, but two, batches of high school and college students from Tokyo this year with her own JAMSRY program.  Just in time for the rodeo.  Can't wait to meet their smiling faces.  It's so rewarding to get to share the joy of hospitality with new friends.

HMNS World Trekkers Program, Featuring Japan

Did anyone get to hear the Japanese astronaut speak at NASA this morning?  I missed it.

Thought you might like to know that next Friday there you can take the whole family to go hear Dr. Dinosaur speak about Japan at the Museum of Natural Science's World Trekkers program.  Food, games, performances, the whole shebang for only like 10 bucks.

Just kidding.  I mean, everyone knows Dr. Dinosaur is crazy.  Not to mention extremely dangerous.  Kids would not be safe around him.

See?

I doubt he even knows much about Japanese history and culture.  Nevertheless, it is the Museum of Natural Science, so it's sure to be interesting...

Japanese Astronaut to Address Rumors of Secret Nazi Moon Base*

"Thrilling Science Presents..."

It's always a struggle not to simply turn this blog into a personal shrine to ninjas, space cowboys, retro-futurism, and other pulp interests (as I've done in some essays here), but in this case I do have actual cultural news to share of the sort that SHJN is all about (which you can also find out from websites like JASH, JAGH, the Consulate, etc.).

I hate to be redundant, but from the Consulate:

JAXA Astronaut, Dr. Satoshi Furukawa lived on the International Space Station (ISS) for five and a half months in 2011.  Dr. Furukawa will share some of the scientific experiments carried out on the expedition and a glimpse into life onboard the ISS.  The lecture will be followed by a short video of footage from the ISS.

Please RSVP by Feb. 7^th noon.  To RSVP and for more information contact the Consulate-General of Japan in Houston: info@ho.mofa.go.jp (713) 652-2977 X2115

 

Dr. Furukawa and his fantastic team of intrepid scientists have been keeping our spaceways safe for years now.  I think it'll be fascinating to hear just what the future holds in terms of atomic-powered galactic exploration.  

Dr. Furukawa pictured below in spacesuit.

Getting prepped for a mission in his versatile Incom T-65 starfighter.

 

*If only I had some cool, Nazi or retro Soviet-era space propaganda to heighten the sense of conflict.  That would surely amp up NASA's budget.

Houston homes with a slight Asian accent

Here's a post without a home.  I guess I'll just stick it here.

Sometimes when cruising through a neighborhood I will chance upon some oriental-inspired architecture or randscaping - ah, I mean, landscaping.  I don't imagine other people care all that much, but I find it different and appealing, especially as I jot down ideas and sketches for something that I would like to see designed someday for myself if I had a tub of money.  Maybe you'll find these refreshing as well.

If you had any others to add, drop me a line.  I don't know much about architecture, so feel free to correct me.

Houston certainly has some gorgeous homes, that is, some ridiculously massive mansions/palaces which I idly wish the people who own them might invite me inside someday.  These are not them.

Bunker Hill Village, I think on Bayou Glen Rd.

 

I'm not entirely sure if this was even consciously meant to be Asian in style.  I think the steps take away from the effect, which should be as smooth and relaxing as possible.  Also, maybe if the eaves were curved a bit, like the upturned point on elf shoes.

All in all, this is probably the best of the lot.  It's downhill from here.

The Japanese Supplementary School hosted at Westchester Academy.

This garden(?) is actually quite ugly, especially compared to what it could be.  I wonder if it was an Eagle scout project or something.  The torii strikes me as particularly fragile-looking.

Over by Montrose and UST.

A metal security gate inside of the inviting torii - kind of a contradiction in terms if you ask me.  Probably some pot-smoking Buddhist-wannabes judging by the stone pagodas/stupas. 

S. Braeswood near Buffalo Speedway or so.

A beautiful little bridge in a tiny little yard that goes nowhere.  Well, at least the willow tree and such help accentuate it.  Theoretically there is a place for some water beneath it for a ripply pool.  And the view across the street is of Braes Bayou, which could also use a facelift.

Near W. Bellfort and Chimney Rock.

A bridge for Hobbits?  Hobbits who use ADT Security apparently.

Off of Nairn St. by the Brae Burn Country Club.

Simple and austere, though a bit threadbare.  Maybe it's a Zen monastery by night.  Could use a dwarf cypress or bamboo or one of those curvy, gnarly, ornamental juniper shrubs in the lawn.  I love ornamental juniper.  Or a pond with koi and a footbridge and a little hedge enclosure to one side.  Why not?

Stella Link, south of 610.

Not a residence, but a trophy store.  The owner told me it used to be a Chinese restaurant a long time ago.  Went on about the still beam structure (steel?) supporting the place, but I didn't really understand.  Anyway, nice digs.  Would make a cool dojo.

P.S. - If you ever wondered what Shinto gates have to do with Texas and the American West, look no further.

Add another cross-beam and you're almost there.

 Wonder if I should call them up and claim to be a long-lost cousin?