Julian in Japan -- Not a Hoax, Not a Dream, Not an Imaginary Story!

Julian's been gone just over a week now, and due back on this coming Thursday morning (the 22nd). His teacher (Ms. Valentine) was kind enough to e-mail this picture to us, which Julian sent the accompanying comment:

"I have better pictures than this of me."

What a chatterbox, eh?






Ms. Valentine was also kind enough to set up a makeshift web page for the families to see what was going on. (Click on the Title of this post or the words "makeshift webpage" to see the web page itself, and watch for further updates.) In this picture Julian is the second from left in Shadow. Considering that Julian and the first kid there (his buddy Austin) are the two musicians in the gang, this photo reminds me of a lost cover to some Rock Group's album or something.

The kid in the back digging for gold (His name is Diego) is the class clown of the group. I'm fairly certain that photo op was staged.




And this is The Lineup; the moment the American Exchange Students meeet the preschoolers they are teaching English to. Just give THAT moment a thought: in Japan, they start teaching English to their Pre-K Students.

Did I mention Julian is 6'2" this year?

You can select the appropriate caption here, or make up your own:

"AAAIIIIEEEEE!!!!! Giant Gaijin Americans!!!!!

"Oh Look -- they're remaking Gulliver's Travels."

"Does anyone else here feel like Godzilla?"




This is my favorite, which I call "Noodle-Boy." Notice how the pre-schooler next to him looks very relaxed and a bit happy. Julian has always had a way with kids, and it shows. (Some of the other pre-schoolers look positively terrified in the other pictures!)

And Julian is only helping with his mastery of chopsticks, which must make him seem less scary. This kid has had his own custom pair of chopsticks for 8 years, and uses them well.

~~JD~~