by Jen Costanzo | Mar 17, 2007 | Culture, Day-to-Day, Jen
This past Wednesday was a monumental day for a big portion of the Japanese population. It was the day that most of the 3rd year junior high-schoolers found out the results of their high-school entrance exams. These test results determine whether or not they can get...
by Jen Costanzo | Mar 14, 2007 | Cooking, Jen
Have you ever bought one of those knobby roots of raw ginger to use a bit for a recipe, but then despaired of ever being able to finish it? The ugly root usually sits in the back of my produce drawer for a few weeks before I give up and toss it in the trash. Just a...
by Jen Costanzo | Mar 1, 2007 | Devotion, Jen
Have you ever read a book that felt like it was written just for you? By someone who was looking over your shoulder and penning words just as you needed to read them? I am finishing up a book just like this. I started reading it over Christmas vacation, and it has...
by Jen Costanzo | Feb 28, 2007 | Cooking, Japanese Food
This week I’ve had a cold and just felt sort of “blah.” That’s why today for lunch, I decided I was in the mood for some comfort food. Normally, back home, I opt for Macaroni & Cheese with Tomatoes and Ground Beef. I don’t know if...
by Jen Costanzo | Feb 4, 2007 | Day-to-Day, Friends, Travel
Last weekend, we went ice-skating and ended up taking lots of pictures. Here are some of the highlights! Candid moment with Jen… The rink was really crowded at times. It was a little freaky with so many people, but a lot of fun. This was only Mike’s...
by Jen Costanzo | Feb 1, 2007 | Cooking, Jen, Teaching
This month, I’ve been singing the song “Peanut… Peanut Butter… and JELLY” with my 6th grade students. So, on Monday we made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches together. The kids did great spreading the peanut butter. And of course the...
by Jen Costanzo | Dec 17, 2006 | Cooking, Holidays/Special Events, Teaching
THE LAST OF THE BIG PARTIES This afternoon, our house was filled with the sounds of kid’s laughter, and the smell of melted marshmallows. Mike and I had my fourth grade students over for a Christmas party, and we kept them busy from start to finish. We played...
by Jen Costanzo | Dec 2, 2006 | Day-to-Day, Jen
Some of you have asked us if there are things from America that we miss having here in Japan. There are a lot of things that we can find here — especially since there is a foreign-food store in a nearby city. However, there are still a few things we...
by Jen Costanzo | Nov 29, 2006 | Cooking, Jen
When you picture a harvest cornucopia, what’s inside? Apples, grapes, bananas, pumpkins, corn, wheat? That’s what I used to think too — until experiencing harvest in Funehiki! This year, we’ve been blessed with an abundance of… You...
by Jen Costanzo | Nov 3, 2006 | Friends
Elijah Emily Talitha David Since we’ve arrived here in Japan, we’ve had the pleasure of congratulating four different couples back home on the birth of their new little ones! Praise God for the miracle of new birth! A prayer written by Sarah & Derick...
by Jen Costanzo | Oct 30, 2006 | Day-to-Day, Jen
Hi Friends! Thanks to a great suggestion from Kara L., you are about to be treated to a virtual tour of our apartment! We’ve swept the floor, dusted, made our bed, and even done a few dishes, just for you! Welcome! Come on in! You’ll want to leave your...
by Jen Costanzo | Oct 10, 2006 | Cooking, Jen
Guess what holiday yesterday was?! It was actually “Health and Fitness Day” here in Japan. It was also “Thanksgiving” in Canada (as Cristy, our Canadian teammate here in Japan so aptly taught us). Mike and I celebrated both holidays with...
by Jen Costanzo | Oct 6, 2006 | Jen, Teaching, Wakakusa
Hey there! It’s Jen — I’m finally getting a chance to write a little bit about my new job here in Japan! I teach 10 English classes to kids of all different ages. Shown here is one of my second grade classes. They are a fun bunch! I use a...
by Jen Costanzo | Sep 10, 2006 | Cooking, Jen
Hi all! Last week, I tried out a recipe from the CPC church cookbook called “Saltine Candy”, and it was a big hit with everyone. It uses ingredients that are readily available both in America and in Japan, so it’s a versatile and very easy...
by Jen Costanzo | Aug 19, 2006 | Day-to-Day, Wakakusa
We’re here! Yay! We arrived safe and sound on Wednesday afternoon. We were greeted at the airport by our employer and his wife. We stopped for our first official Japanese meal on the way home from the airport, and then were greeted at the school by the entire...
by Jen Costanzo | Jul 6, 2006 | Devotion, Friends
Mike introduced me to a Chris Rice song this spring that I can’t get out of my mind. We usually listen to it while we’re driving (granted, usually 55) — but it captures the craziness that we’re about to embrace in the soon-coming future....
