Branden's High School Cultural Day...

Saturday, September 30th. The last day of September was Branden's high school's Bunkasai Day. Which means Cultural Day/Culture Day. Most JHS's and high schools in Japan have some form of bunkasai event. Our local JHS one was/is pretty lame. Absolutely no food. And basically we just sit in nice cushy seats in an auditorium for the entire day and watch program after program. Some play instruments. Some sing. But high school bunkasai's are super fun. They sell food. It's more like a fair or festival. Booths selling lots of food, cotton candy, caramel popcorn. They sold farmer fresh veggies in the morning. There was a haunted house. All sorts of cool stuff happens at high school Cultural Day. This is also a time for final year JHS students to get one last look at the high school they are hoping to be accepted to. So many JHS kids wearing different uniforms attended too. And parents with them. We remember that last year this time...it was us visiting this high school...feeling very hopeful that Branden would be accepted. And he was. This year however.,...the pressure was off. And we could just attend the Culture Day feeling relaxed and just enjoyed it. They sold Indian chicken curry, which was delicious. Noboru and I each had a small bowl. They sold a small or large. The small was 50 yen and the large was 100 yen. The choco bananas were 50 yen. All the money goes back to the school and the specific club and/or course of kids were selling whatever it is you bought. The 1st year "English kids", which is Branden's course. Sold Light bulb drinks pictured here. Noah bought one, Branden bought one and I bought one. They glowed and had blinking lights on these. The 1st year English course kids light bulb drinks were a hit and everyone wanted one! Good job Branden and rest of his class. You guys picked a great thing to sell. And no, in that picture of a girl sitting down, that's not what the high school girls uniform looks like, at all. You can tell by the longer length, that's a JHS skirt. I was very careful, not to show any high school uniforms from my son's high school.

This is the English course kids wing/part of the building. You hear English chatter as you walk down these halls.  I am so happy my son is getting the education that he's getting by attending this high school. It's a very pro American feel but...it's very pro foreigner friendly *regardless* of the country you come from. The kids at this school are really different. They're very open minded. There are so many foreigners attending this school as well as the teachers too. The teachers here are special. They're good teachers. All of them.

In our town at the local elementary school and JHS...they like Japanese singers. Japanese idols, nothing wrong with that. But at this school... it's hard not to notice the difference...they seem to have strong preferences to western singers. The Beatles (England) I see American singers Ariana Grande, Charlie Puth, The Strokes, Katy Perry. Canadian singers Justin Bieber and Avril Lavigne. There is a Russian 2nd year girl, who speaks 3 languages at this school, which is so amazing. A half Japanese half Brazilian who is stunningly gorgeous (looks a little bit like Noah) who fluently speaks Portuguese and Japanese and is in the English course...granted her English is so so. But she basically speaks 3 languages. A hafu boy who speaks Japanese and Thai. Oh yeah....the day of Culture Day...other hafu from other high school's who have a friend who go here and got an invitation... also showed up because this is a school known for lots of hafu. And a boy showed up on bunkasai day. Noboru noticed him. He was hafu but looked more Asian, but he was hafu. Anyway...he was wearing a different high school uniform. He went ahead and introduced himself to Branden and said..."you're Branden,  I heard you're half Japanese and American, nice to meet you." He said that he was half French and half Japanese. Another hafu girl. Who graduated last year. She looks 100% white, but she's hafu, she also came to speak with Branden too, she was very nice to Bran. People attending the bunkasai could only enter with an invitation.  Now these high school hafu know each other now...and are friends...and are networking. And that's very fascinating and very cool. I'm glad that this high school...makes it a safe place...to be a hafu. A safe place where it's considered... an actual good thing to be able to speak 2 and 3 languages. It's a very safe and fun environment for kids like Branden to be going to school. There's a 2nd year girl who is half Canadian and half Japanese. And her brother is trying to enter here, next year. She and Branden are extremely good friends. They're totally buddies.

Like the sign says in the English Wing...World Food Court. And the sign in white on the floor says...This way...with an arrow pointing. We popped our heads in there...Noboru, Noah and I. And there were 10 girls selling...and I think out of all 10...9 of them were hafu or mixed. And 1 was 100% foreign. Really super cute beautiful girls. All super friendly. So kind. And they just gushed over Noah. "He's so cute!!!!!" OMG...look at him!!!!" And you could hear them say..."that's Branden's brother" Or a whisper..."this must be Branden's family."  Branden was selling in the 1st grade English room. This was the 2nd grade English room. These girls were selling cinnamon rolls and muffins. These girls were such sweetie pies! Nicest girls ever!

Us 3 taking a break. Noboru about to eat a hot dog. 

Noboru and Noah taking a break, we 3 sat down for a bit. We were so happy to be there and support Branden! And all the other kids too.

The goodies we brought back from Branden's Culture Day. We left around 12:30pm. Got back home via the car about 1:30pm. Branden had to stay at school until 4pm. And he caught the train back home, which Noboru went and picked him up from the train station. Long story short. Cultural Day was awesome. The kids who attend this school rock! They're bilingual and trilingual, how amazing is that. And they just put me in awe. They're truly such amazing kids!!! The teachers are having fun teaching here. They're smiling. They look happy. Again...we love this school so much. Anyway...that's the long and short of Branden's 1st year/10th grade high school Cultural Day. 

Branden’s 10th grade class trip to British Hills in Fukushima, Japan...

This summer Branden had his class trip to a place called British Hills. This trip was only for the "English Course kids" not for the regular course (general studies kids) 10th graders or even the genius/smart course kids either.The English course kids are kids who prefer take their curriculum in English at our high school. Meaning gym is in English and all other normal regular classes are also in English versus being in Japanese. There are other hafu. There are kids who attended international elementary schools and international JHS too or returnees (kids who came back to Japan after living in an English speaking country). But these 'English course" kids are in this course because they are serious about English. And it just so happens to be best suited for my kids, because while my kids are 100% bilingual, they both have *strong* preferences for English over speaking Japanese. They can of course speak Japanese duh... but prefer English. It's their comfort language. Next Summer the English course kids, will be going to spend a week in California. Doing a couple nights in a home stay experience. Doing half their trip in a hotel. Visiting their sister school in California and also going to Universal Studios. I have seen the pictures from last year. It looks amazing. This year however it was a 3 day/ 2 night trip to British Hills. This school really wants to create an environment where the kids are surrounded in a little English speaking cocoon. Which is why Bran's teachers are either westerners/American or Canadian primarily. Or Japanese teachers who speak in English. So yes...they headed off to a 3 day English cocoon in British Hills. Look how gorgeous the place is. 

Going over some rules. Again it's all 100% completely in English. British Hills was made aware that one of the kids coming was a native speaker. Because throughout his entire trip. The staff/teachers, people at the buffet etc etc would ask, which one of you is the one who was born in America or which one of you is the native speaker. And Branden would raise his hand. Poor Bran for being called out like that. @_@ I wish our school would have not said. But on a positive note. Perhaps the school asked. "Anyone a native?" So not sure how the staff was made aware. But seems the whole of British Hills knew...that one of them was a fluent native speaker of English. Poor Branden. He just wanted to quietly enjoy his trip. Hahaha. 

The eating area was *very* cool. Very Harry Potter!!! Branden ate 3 square meals here a day. He said it was very cool eating here. : ) He also said, he loved the food. It was western food. So he loved it. Not sure about some of his classmates though. Hahaha. 

The buffet is on the left. And like it says on the tables  "welcome group 4" and "welcome group 2" All signs in English. 

Fried chicken (yum) spicy fries (double yum) Branden said these spicy fries were delicious! They had fish (fried and baked) everything even mini pizzas. Western people. Hafu kids would love coming here and food will be no problem at all. You will enjoy the food. 

Inside one of the libraries.

This picture made me smile because in my house growing up. One of our bathrooms had an old style tub with claw feet. The other bathroom we had growing up... had a regular American modern shower and tub. But yep, it made me remember seeing this tub. : ) 

Living room. One girl in Branden's class, said that the couch was taller in height and the coffee table was so tall too. Branden said he just stood quiet, but told me later at home, our couch at home and coffee table at home is this tall too. I said, I know. And our kitchen table at home is tall/standard sized height too. It was eye opening for my son to hear what his classmates thought. Or things they thought were unusual. Because for my son they were normal and not unusual. So yes a little eye opening for Bran. : )

Beautiful staircase.

Beautiful stained glass window and chandelier.

One of their teachers talking about the intricate carvings and fine details.

So beautiful.

Branden is so lucky to be able to go and spend 3 days here. And be in such a fun environment. And be around other people from around the world. 

His class went for a night stroll. Keep in mind most of Branden's classmates come from the super crowded packed cities. From bustling cities with tons of people. Branden comes from rural Japan. A quiet town of under 5,000 people. So even though Branden loved going for this stroll and taking in...just how gorgeous British Hills was. The city kids were even more surprised because it was quiet. No huge bustling cities with city noise. 

So quiet. Sun is going to be setting soon. 

So gorgeous. What a beautiful place for a walk.

It was so hard to find pics that didn't contain a classmate of Branden's or Branden. I did black out the color of her skirt and blacked out her bow and pinked out her face. His classmates identity is kept safe, lol. Anyway, there were a few British women waiting the next day for the kids to learn how to bake some scones homemade from scratch. Yes they also asked. Which one of you is the the native speaker. Seriously, poor Branden. Branden again raised his hand. And one of the lady's said which one of your parents is the American one. He said, "my mom"...they asked "have you ever baked with her?" He said, "oh yes, many many times since I was in kindergarten. They said, "perfect, get over here!" Hahaha. And so Branden and 2 British women and his class all baked away. And they chatted the morning away. Cracking jokes. And talking a mile a minute. Branden said the ladies were absolutely lovely! And they liked him a lot. And they just got on so well. And talked each other ears off. Branden and the entire staff got along so well. By the end of the morning everyone knew it was Branden. And the whole mood was fun and light. Sincerely, thank you... kind ladies for being absolutely amazing with my son!!! As a fellow western woman living in Japan. I appreciate it *very* much. 

Each of the kids came back to their rooms with their own hot fresh baked scones that they made!!! 

Sleeping quarters for the kids. Each set of 2 girls shared a room. So 2 girls per room. However there are only 3 boys in the English speaking course. So they lumped the 3 boys together and pulled out a bed in the middle. Branden slept in the bed far right. J slept in the middle bed. And S slept in the bed nearest the window. 

Branden brought home 3 scones. 

Souvenirs. 

More souvenirs. All in all Branden had a total blast. So many of Bran's former JHS/elementary school classmates mom's run into me at the one and only grocery store in town and will ask me in Japanese, "how's Branden-kun liking his school?" Honestly he freaking loves it! I mean he *loves* it *so* much. That I have to tone it down, as to... not sound like I am showing off. But I mean. He's so happy every single day, going to his high school. An English speaking high school, was the best possible choice we have ever made. If...if we are still in Japan when Noah is at the high school age...he will most certainly be attending this same high school. It's super expensive to attend this high school. But it's so worth it for Branden. I have heard from the grapevine of a few from our town JHS of a few kids who are very sad with their high school choice. Branden's bestie since yochien days... hates his high school choice for example. And for that, I'm so sorry. So yeah when people ask me about "how does Branden like his school? I want to start twirling like Julie Andrews in the Sound of Music on the top of that mountain. Instead...I have to stop myself. Take it down a few notches. And say..."oh, umm, he likes it" And stop it right there. But between you and me. What a fun high school. They learn so much. Best high school ever. Anyway...Branden really enjoyed his time at British Hills. 

Branden's High School Taiikusai...

Tuesday, May 2nd was Branden's first ever high school Taiikusai, which basically just means Sports Day. It's basically an undokai, but you apparently can't call it that in high school. @_@ But, in Japan we called it undokai in yochien and we called it undokai in elementary school. At our local JHS we called it an undokai. But at the high school level, it's called something completely different. But it's the same thing really. Which is just Sports Day. To even confuse you further, I have a friend who lives in Tsukuba and her daughter's JHS they call it taiikusai. So to be safe, just check and see how your child's JHS calls it. It could go either way. But high school it should all be switched to taiikusai. This is why in America it's easier Field Day can be any grade and so can Sports Day. But here...apparently not the case, lol. : )  Anyway this was 1 day before Golden Week would begin for us. And after this 1 Sports Day, we were off for the next 6 days. So Sports Day was going to be awesome and just something for us to sit and enjoy and watch. And then 6 days off in a row. I asked B, a week before...what he would like for me to prepare for lunch for his first ever Sports Day in high school. I usually always make karaage obento, rice balls, fruit, a garden salad. I pack some lemonade. Anyway...this time he requested sandwiches. It caught me a little off guard. Since I usually make karaage obento for Sports Day. But with **so** many foreigners at his school now. So many hafu at his school now. There are 2 sisters with red hair, now you know in Japan you can't dye/color your hair so this is 100% natural as in...naturally red hair as in Nicole Kidman red as in Anne Of Green Gables red. 1 is a 12th grader and her little sis in a 10th grader, new student same grade as B. It's so multicultural. Kids from all sorts of countries. Many from so many different western countries. Like there are families from seriously... everywhere. It's like..."It's a Small World After All" this school. You walk and you hear English as you walk down the hall. And with living in rural Japan and sending my kids to regular Japanese school before now. It's sorta an adjustment for us all. In rural Japan... when I go to observation day for example... I was always that 1 western face in the crowd. That 1 western/American mama at observation day. That 1 mama whose native language was English and not Japanese. Here....so many foreigners. So many westerners. So many hafu. So many different religions. And I love it! I love not sticking out. My kids love not sticking out. It's a welcome change. It's just such a new different thing for us. And so...5 days after school started for Branden. He asked me to just make him American lunch for his school lunch from then on. I used to make him sandwich twice a week in JHS and Japanese 3 times a week. Western-ized Japanese...like chicken teriyaki obento. Not traditional Japanese obento. But since high school started. He asked for just 100% American lunches now. And I do "get it" ....because now he's with others like himself. And he wants to have American lunch. The 2 Chinese students bring traditional lunches from their country. The hafu Thai boy brings Thai lunches. The westerners bring western lunch. Here everyone can be what they want and bring what they want. There is no huge pressure to conform to Japanese traditional ways at this school. Individuality is really respected here. And other cultures are also respected. One of Bran's best friends is Muslim and that's so totally cool and fantastic. The diversity here is so good. And so yeah...if Branden feels for "right now" he wants to bring American lunches or more western style lunches okay. Not a problem. Besides sandwiches are way easier anyways. So that's fine. But yeah...he asked for sammy's for Sports Day. And I didn't mind. Because #1...do you know how time consuming it is to make a karaage obento from scratch? So a sandwich obento is 10 times easier. And since that's what he asked for. No problem. Oh also there's an 11th grade girl who looks like Noah so much, it's funny! She's hafu but she's really western looking... just like Noah is and she has soft medium brown colored hair just like Noah does and she has long girly hair but yeah she looks exactly like Noah. And every time she sees Noah she just stares at him, lol. @_@ So anyways...I bought 3 fresh loaves of baguette from the bakery in the small city nearest us the day before. 

I made a huge baguette sandwich for Branden, Noah and Noboru. I had a salad instead. 

The kids like their ham skillet fried a bit in a pan. Noboru likes his ham cold right out of the package. That's okay I can make both ways. : )

We were in a huge gymnasium with stadium seating. Branden had a pounding headache around 10am. But I did give him 2 Advil and he took them and he was back to normal by lunch. He enjoyed his lunch. And we enjoyed ours. This was my salad. It had lettuce, cucumbers, mini tomatoes avocado, cheese and a few pieces of chicken on it. This is the chicken you can buy at Mini Stop it's called "crunky chicken" not crunchy chicken. lol. It's a very filling salad. It's a whole meal. I thought the sandwich would be a bit too carb heavy for me. And the sandwich was so delicious and filling like I said, I didn't feel deprived or anything. I enjoyed my lunch very much. 

Macaroni salad and potato salad. Branden had his very own little mini container of it and it looked just like this only smaller. This one, Noboru, Noah and I enjoyed. Branden ate with his male classmates. 

I also baked a nice American dessert. I baked brownies with walnuts. I gave Branden a nice big brownie. And we were seated right next to the English course kids. All in all it was a really nice Sports Day. Branden came home with us as soon as Sports Day ended. We went out to dinner after Sports Day was finished. We went to the Ohsho (a delicious Chinese restaurant that's a chain throughout Japan) for dinner along the way from the school to home.

What did I learn about high school sports day? And again I only speak about our *particular specific* high school. So just keep that in mind.

The seating for us parents and families sucked. Everyone sat on the hardest metal seats on the planet. I was fine. But Noboru complained so much about the seats. "They're so uncomfortable" he said. He said that about 20 times during the day. Noah said it like 2 times. And at that point, I snapped at the both of them and said..."look we are here for SUPPORT of a family member, not for plush comfy seats. Yes, the seats are uncomfortable, but whining won't fix it. It just aggravates me to no end" I rarely get snappy. So, after I said my peace. I heard not a peep about the seats again. So seating...eh not fantastic. But to me...acceptable. And besides how picky can a person be, really?

Lack of parents or families. You have to sign in to enter the facility. They don't want just a random person with no affiliation to this school to enter. So they have a sign in. We signed in. And Noboru and Noah have teeny tiny bladders so they went to pee often. Super often. I am meanwhile a camel bladder and I didn't pee the entire day. Not something to be proud about...just saying tho! So around 2pm-ish they went to pee again and this Sports thing was set to end at 3:30pm. Noboru apparently went to see the sign up sheet for the English course with Noah. The girl who looks like Noah was standing there. Anyways Noboru said only 5 parents in the English course grade 1/the 10th grade showed up and signed in. @_@ Only 5. That number is incredibly low. Granted to be fair... it was a weekday maybe folks were working? But yeah...out of 37  tenth grade English kids, only 5 families showed. Ours being 1 of the 5. And no..we're not saints or angels. It's just...you know how I feel about family. Family to me is my *everything*. And if you have something an event or whatnot and you're my family...rest assured, I will be there to support you...to show up for you...and to cheer you on. That's just how I roll. We sat in the 10th grade parents section. And out of 216... 10th grade kids, there was maybe 20 parents and I am being fair and generous by saying 20. I did look across the stadium and could see about...50 parents on the other side...for 11th and 12th grade. So no...not huge amounts of parents show up to these? I am still learning, still trying to learn the ropes.

Another observation. Don't expect to talk to your high school kid often during high school Sports Day. The kids are quite busy. And when they're not doing something they're on the sidelines cheering for their classmates. At undokai in rural Japan, for example at elementary school and at JHS, the kids come to their parents picnic spot. And the student enjoys lunch with their family. And the kids come by and visit or wave a few times during the day. Branden and the other boys had a specific boy place to eat their lunch at during the taiikusai.  Girls could eat anywhere. But since there are so few boys they made a special room aside just for the boys to eat their lunch in private. Spoiled boys!!! Hahaha. And though we were sitting right smack dab right next to the English course kids. I could see Branden was really enjoying hanging with his friends. And I don't want to overdose "mom" him...ykwim... so I waited until he came to talk to us. I didn't want to baby him or anything. I let him have his space and if he needed something or wanted to talk, I was right there.  Yes he did come and talk to us about 5 times during the day. And he smiled and stuff and his friends were so polite and greeted us and spoke with us in English of course, lol. And one of his classmates told Branden.."your brother looks *really* good" LOL. And yes Noah was beyond weird-ed out hearing that. The non-stop gaggle of girls who passed Noah all throughout the day saying how kawaii or kakkoii Noah was..was fine...he gets that often anyways... but the whole..."you're brother looks *so* good" comment completely weird-ed out my 11 year old. Noah was like. "What a weirdo, whoever said that!!!" LOL. So while everyone was really nice and respectful. I would say...the entire day...we spoke to Branden maybe a grand total of 7 minutes all the times we saw him that day combined. It did give me pause and wonder..."do I need to show up for this next year?" Hmm. Maybe...maybe not though. Oh and fwiw, 2 mom's absolutely loved my picnic basket and said what a fantastic picnic basket it was. Fwiw...I bought it at Cainz Home for 800 yen like 10 years ago or something like that. I remember it was at Cainz Home and I know I was in Ibaraki and it is fully lined.

Another observation. There are no parent races and no parent participation required like at elementary school and JHS. So parents at high school sports day...you are totally off the hook.

My last thing I learned and probably the best thing I learned is. High School Sports day is actually fun for the kids! The kids are not mindless robots. If your kid has ever experienced elementary in Japan or JHS then you'll know exactly what I am talking about. In elementary school and JHS for example. By the time you parents actually go to undokai day and watch it. Your child has already had practice for the undokai for about 45 school days straight. They have sat out in the sun. I know of 2 girls who have literally fainted flat on the floor during undokai practice because they were kept outside for hours under harsh Japanese summer heat in our town. Coupled with lots of activity and few and far between times to get a drink of a thermos and you're just asking for kids to be fainting away. Also...the races have all been run...the kids already know after running against one another 45 days in a row who will be coming in 1st, 2nd and 3rd. They have practiced the songs on their recorders or pianica for the umpteenth time. Branden has told me in elementary school and JHS..."I hate the undokai it's so fake." "We are not having fun. And we already know who will win the races." And Noah agrees. However...Branden's high school Sports Day. It's not practiced at all. They tell you. Boys you will play basketball against each other. On that day good luck. The girls were told they will be playing volleyball. They did not practice it not even 1 time. Kids wore crazy funky zany hats, some wore wigs or costumes. 1 girl was Mario, another girl was Luigi. There was a Studio Ghibli ghost. Nobody had any idea who would win. Nobody cared about winning at all either. The entire point of this high school sports day was for the kids to have fun. @_@ I snapped over 300 pics of the kids all smiling. Genuine laughter. There's no strict robot style, like how it is in elementary school and JHS where you must be in neat straight little rows and lines. Kids were laughing. Kids brought their cell phones and were taking selfies. Half of the kids brought packed lunches from home, but half brought conbini obento or bought bakery breads. The kids were just kickin' it. And having a ton of fun. This *greatly* reminded me of my sports day experience in America. I mean..it's no big deal. There's no pressure. This is so funny but...they had a "race" where they pitted club against club. Branden did join a high school club. He's in the English club because it's only 1 day a week and is only 1 hour long. And they watch American movies, play American board games, they sang karaoke last week, all of their songs had to be in English, and Branden said everyone had so much fun. LOL. And no English club over Summer break,  no English club over Christmas break,  and not over Spring break. Because their club teacher is Canadian and he actually has a good life outside of school and would actually like to enjoy it. And believe me...I get it! And it's so refreshing. So anyways...It was an "osoji race" where everyone had a cleaning rag and it was a relay race. The girl who looks like Noah is also in the English club. So J ran with the rag and he pushed it across the floor and then passed it to Branden. And Branden rubbed that rag against the floor as fast as he could. And then passed it to the girl who looks exactly like Noah. And then to another western girl and it went right down the row. Club versus club. This looked so fun... kids were going crazy laughing and the whole gym was screaming and shouting and cheering. Noah was laughing so hard! It was *not* a Sports Day that they practiced 45 times beforehand. It was just a real Sports Day. Where the focus was on...are the kids enjoying themselves? Are the kids having fun? Again...having lived in Japan for 14 years and having observed regular "Japan style" Sports Day. This is very surprising for us.

Noboru said during Bran's Sports Day. I am so glad we found this school for Branden. He looks *so* completely happy going here.  And I agree. This school does give me a slight case of reverse culture shock! LOL! But, I'm sure I'll get used to it soon. But other then that. It's a high school dream and he's so happy going here! Anyway, that's the long and short of Bran's Sports Day.

Branden's high school trip to Tokyo Disney Sea...

Hi you guys! I have about 3 posts that are getting super old. As in... happened way before Golden Week. And before they are outrageously superly out of date, I would like to post them. I hope to get all 3 posted today. But heck...I'd be just happy if I could get 2 of them up. So...either 1 or 2 today. Just letting ya'll know now. I'm just posting 2 (hope for 3 though... that would be the best) because like I said, they're getting pretty old, but I do want them up for memory purposes. : ) Anyways, so on Friday April 21st. Branden and all of the new high school students went to spend a day at Tokyo Disney Sea. All 10th graders went. All the regular kids in the regular program. All the English course kids. And the genius kids went too. Basically everyone who belongs to this high school and who is in the 10th grade went. The regular class kids and genius kids took the same limousine buses to Disney Sea. And they study in the same part of the school too. However the English course kids had their own bus, that only English course kids could be in. And I just add that... because while all the kids get along really well. They really do. They do separate the kids that way, because they want the English course kids in an English speaking environment and that's why they are separated from the rest of the 10th graders. Which is fine though and they all do get along. : ) Also as you know there are only 4 boys total in the 10th grade... Branden being 1 of the 4 in the 10th grade class. So even though there are 3 English (course) kids and 1 genius boy (remember boys are not allowed in the regular course. So...even though the genius boy had to ride on the regular bus to Disney. He did have a plan to ride the rides with the other 3 boys. So those four 10th grader boys hung around together the whole time at Tokyo Disney Sea. And the genius (super smart) boy is super nice. And gets along super well with the 3 English course boys. So this picture is of, Branden's lunch at the NY Deli inside Tokyo Disney Sea. And the other 3 lunches or trays you see belong to 2 of the English (course) boys and the 1 lone genius course boy. Branden ordered a Reuben (sandwich), fries and a soda. 

His school was smart to have the freshman class go to Disney on a weekday. Also it was a gray overcast day, so the weather was comfortable to walk around. It never rained. Though I did pack a tiny folding umbrella in Bran's school bag. Also uniforms were mandatory for all high school kids to wear at Disney, since they were on a field trip which is understandable. And even though carrying a backpack would have been easier to lug around Disney all day long, the school sent a letter that stated all kids must use the school appointed high school bag. It was fine, but just not as easy to lug around if it would have been a backpack. If it would have been a backpack it would have been super easy to carry around Disney. So...if you do ever go to Tokyo Disneyland or Sea and wonder...why do all those high schoolers wear their uniforms? It's because they're more than likely on a class field trip there. And the uniforms and carrying the bags are indeed mandatory. And there were 2 head teachers/officials that went and they walked around all day long making sure everyone was behaving right and using the school appointed bag etc. : )

The kids tickets were bought as part of our school fees. So we didn't have to pay for Branden's entrance into the park. However, we do always give Bran around $100 US. 10,000 yen that way, he can buy lunch or souvenirs or popcorn that sort of thing. He brought back these cookies. I love this tin, it's so cute! Inside were strawberry cookies, butter cookies, banana cookies and chocolate cookies. : )

Easter chocolates...

These were delicious too. All the kids went from like 8am. And they all met up at 4:30pm. To get on the buses and head back to the train station near the school. From there... the kids all got off the bus and they all went their separate ways to catch trains back to wherever everyone lives. : ) I was waiting at the train station in my town with Noah in the car and we were happy to pick up Branden. : ) We came home and he told us all his fun stories from that day. I meanwhile had his supper ready. The rest of us already ate. All in all, Branden had a wonderful time getting to spend the day at Tokyo Disney Sea with his new classmates!!! : )