Today’s skype date with the sister also included mom. They had a not-so-traditional Thanksgiving dinner, but I have to admit, I drooled a bit when they said they had Buca di Beppo’s. Nummy pasta…
We talked for quite a while, then I went to book club. We read Anisha Lakhani’s Schooled. It was a really interesting look at what it’s like to teach at a private school and tutor on the side. We were able to draw some really interesting comparisons to our school and the tutoring situation here. As a tutor here, you have to draw very clear lines with the parents. For the most part, they are respected, but there are those who don’t. That is when you need to get out of the situation. The book was a quick easy read, that I really enjoyed. Let me know if you read it!
I went home and decided to be a bum, so I crawled into my pj’s and was considering what I wanted to watch, when Rina sent me a text asking if I wanted to go to the Japanese Festival at the Shark Souk. She had asked the night before, but I had forgotten. It was quite the interesting experience! When I heard Souk I figured it would be an outdoorsy-ish type of event. Well, the Shark Souk is a mall, and a very nice one at that, and the event was outside, so at least I was partially right! We watched a Japanese fashion show where modeled Kimono’s and explained the different types, patterns, colors and styles. It was really interesting! There was also some music played on this really large drum that starts with a ‘t’…a tiffin maybe?
A view of the kimono fashion show.
A choir composed of kids - adults sang Japanese songs.
There was a little carnival where you could play games, buy crafts and have some traditional Japanese food. It was a fundraiser for the Tsunami victims. I played a few games and won a few prizes! One was a rubber-band gun made out of chopsticks. You had to hit the cup and knock it over. I did it on my first try! It was funny, because the kid working in that booth goes to my school. I don’t have him, but he recognized me.
Brad playing
Stephanie playing
The other game I played involved taking a hook on the edge of some light-weight paper and pulling a balloon out of the water. I did not win, but the guy gave me my balloon-yoyo anyways!
I bought a little bag of Japanese treats. They were breaded with some sort of seasoning on them. I did not love them, but they were not terrible and I was hungry!
Brad, Stephanie (a fellow Minnesotan!), Rina and I went into the mall to get something to eat. I had Great Steak and Potato Company. I was really excited, because the one in Mankato has closed, so it had been awhile since I had it. It was good, but just not the same as back home. I don’t know what it is about American fast-food over here, but I think I am over it (not that I’m a huge fast-food eater anyways). After my Hardees experience and now this, I think I am done. Maybe I’ll still try Papa John’s :)
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