My Japanese Visitors

8.21.09

For the past few weeks, two of my students from Japan have been attending summer camp at Camp Onyasa located on Lake Chatauqua. I wouldn't have known this if Hiroko, my old supervisor at Hands on English, had not emailed me several weeks ago. She said she had plans to stay a week in the United States before returning to Japan with the children on August 22nd.

Since I have been working at Cornell since July 13th, I haven't had time to go home until this past Friday, August 21st. I took the bus home on Thursday night and picked up Hiroko and Kayoko (an assistant at Hands on English) to take them with me to Lake Chatauqua. We enjoyed talking to one another as we drove through the countryside. When we finally made it to the camp, we were told that the children were off site for the day and wouldn't be back until 6pm. Therefore, because of dinner reservations at 7:30pm, I wouldn't be able to see my students until the following morning when I dropped Hiroko and Kayoko off at the airport. I wanted to see them but wasn't all that disappointed because I would have another chance.

My family and Japanese guests all went out to dinner at Tratoria Aroma, one of my favorite restaurants in Buffalo. I wouldn't have wanted to spend my 24th birthday any other way.

Dinner at Tratoria Aroma
(From left to right: Aunt Rita, Sarah Jane, Papa, Mama, Mom Hensen, and me.)

Me, Hiroko, and Kayoko (Sakai-san)

From left to right: Aunt Rita, Hiroko, Mom Hensen, and Kayoko.

Sarah and I

Papa and I

From left to right: Sakai-san, ?, Sayano, Me, Momoe, and Hiroko.

Weddings! (x2)

Over the last few weeks, two of my good friends have tied the knot. I enjoyed both of these weddings very much despite their differences. It was great to reconnect with old friends that I hadn't seen in over two years. I was amazed by the maturity of my friends; their ability to decide so early on in their lives that they truly wished to enter into a committed, life-long friendship with another person.

8.8.09

Nate & Amanda's Wedding

I've known Nate since he first started coming to LCLC but it wasn't until this past fall that I met his bride, Amanda. The wedding took place in Lake City, Michigan at Amanda's grandmother's cottage. As you walked down the cottage steps to the sandy beach, you could see the wedding tent. Luckily, it stopped raining just in time for the ceremony, which was performed by Amanda's uncle with help from Nate's father and grandfather--they both gave shorts sermons for the occasion.

Tony, Shelley, and Bill

Bagpiper

Tom (Amanda's father) and Amanda

Pastor Preisinger's Sermon

Bride/Groom Dance

KC and Jake

Alyssa, Bill, and Jake

The wedding was right on the beach.

Alyssa and I

Shelley

I also enjoyed spending time with Buffalo friends like Alyssa, Shelley, Tony, and Bill. We had ample driving time to talk about life and listen to good music.

8.16.09

Ada & Tom's Wedding

I've known Ada since our fun-filled days in the Binghamton University dorms. I also spent a lot of time with her at the Binghamton University Food Coop where we both volunteered. Tom often came to visit Ada at Binghamton, as they had been dating since the end of high school. I was amazed at the strength of their relationship. They were able to keep it going throughout college despite the difficulties of being far apart. The wedding took place in Altamont, NY (nearSkaneateles, NY) at the Apple Inn. The short ceremony was performed by a judge and accompanied by a trio of musicians.

I spent the remainder of the wedding talking to Binghamton friends, some of which I hadn't seen since graduation two years ago.

The wedding took in a little clearing outside of the Apple Inn. There was a tree shading part of the seating area and a quiet creek meandering directly behind this picture. Weston, Kate's date, called the clearing the "shire" and I definitely agree with this nickname.

From left to right: Weston, Kate, Donna, Mark, and me.

From left to right: Katherine, Kerry, Stephanie, Pat, and Katie.

Vows

Kate Devoe was chosen to be a witness.

From left to right: me, Stephanie, Ali, and Katherine.

This picture was taken by Ali.

Instead of having a cake, a family friend gave these delicious cupcakes to Ada and Tom as her wedding gift. Per Tom's request there was also a make your own sundae bar.

Ada's Bouquet

Mark and I

Banquet Hall
(This picture was taken by Ali.)

Ada and Kate are silly.

Binghamton Friends Meet High School Friends

On the way home, Mark and I noticed this brilliant sunset. This picture didn't turn out as wonderful as I would've liked it to. The sunset was completely red, the outlining glow filled in the entire sphere.

Both weddings were beautiful and I was so honored to be invited to both! Congratulations to my friends! I would also like to thank Shelley and Mark for all their driving. ;)