Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Little Changes

I received both e-mails from Jekka and Chris, and they're both learning the language (Nihongo) very well. They have both been receiving massive ammounts of e-mails at dearelder.com and they thank you. The enjoy the e-mails and will try to write back, but sometimes they really don't have the time to write to anyone, but family.

New words you maybe didn't know:
Kawaii - Cute
Kowai - Scary
Anata no kawaii desu - You're cute!
Anata no kawaii - Informal way of saying "You're cute"

Already I am causing mayhem to the blog as I change a word list into a Japanese list for all to know the words. So instead of posting new blogs everytime I see a new word, I'll just update the list on the right. As you can see, I've also changed a few things on the side bar. DON'T WORRY I DIDN'T LOSE IT! I'm not an irresponsible minion (sometimes) and I've filed it away in my programming for a later day when Jekka wishes to have it back. For now I will keep these files hidden from the Mastah, but hopefully she won't reprogram me.... >.>

Other than that no really new news right now. I'm sure that a letter will come soon or something. The posts will most likely slow down also when October comes around being that they will probably be busy with everything. ^_^ So until another new word comes around, Ja ne!

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Goats

I just received a letter on the how to goats were doing! So I thought I would update again....

Jekka doesn't get to see the goats much really. Right now they are just in the room where the only time she sees them is when she goes to bed. They haven't gotten into any trouble (Thank Heavens) and Rupert took a shower the other day in the bathroom sink! Yay! We're all so proud of him. Francis enjoys cleaning and has been keeping the place tidy or so he says. Jekka thinks he just lounges around, being lazy. Windston has memorized every word in Japanese from the Japanese-English dictionary and we think he is somehow miraculously fluent in Nihongo. She can't understand a word he is saying, but then again, having a goat speak Japanese can be rather difficult to understand.

Here are some new phrases!!!
Matsujitsu seito Iesu Kirisuto Kyokai - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Shimai - Sister Choro - Elder To make either of these plural add -tachi to the end of it. (Chorotachi and Shimaitachi)

So far, she can say prayers and bear her testimony in Japanese. She's learning how to have a conversation and though it's a little harder, she's working at it. She has two companions instead of just one and their little threesome are always together! How cute. So far that's all the news. Don't forget to send her some mail at dearelder.com

Be happy and don't let the platypus steal your apple!

Thursday, July 24, 2008

First E-mail!

Well, Jekka can only e-mail her parents, but her mother was kind enough to e-mail me with some wonderful news! I believe Mastah received it as well? Anyways, she has already had her first P-day! As she says:

"Already, my douryou (companions) and I can teach Lesson 1: The Restoration comfortably, and on Thursday we have a teaching evaluation so we get to see how well our lessons plans are coming and what we can do to improve our lesson and ourselves. The gospel is true! Fukuin wa shinjitsu desu yo."

She's certainly learning the language because it's hard to follow sometimes with her engrish. XD Shimaitachi means sisters and chouroutachi means elders, I've learned that! Also fukuin means Gospel! That's the Japanese lesson for today!

She tells an amusing tale of when she was sitting with some of the other sisters from her district that one of the sisters was shocked that the elders did not stand up when they approached the table to sit, get their glasses of milk, open the doors for them, etc. and was so flabberghasted that she went to the Elders and chewed them out for not being "respectful" like so. Then Jekka got the guts to go stand and apologize for what the other sister had said and that it was uncalled for! (Go Jess!!) She said that she and her other sisters didn't feel like they should be treated as they are delicate saying that they appreciate them already and love them for who they are, that treating them like such would only make them embarrassed. She's awesome to do that!!

After this however, the Elders started to joke around with the sisters and after going to get a drink, two of the elders got on their knees and started bowing saying "Oh wonderful Shimai! You are so wonderful!" (Sounds like she made quite the impression! lol) Then just the other day Jones Chourou (CB) interrupted her and said, "Wait Jones shimai, let me get you a glass of milk!" Of course, being that it was CB, Jekka almost wailed on him saying, "Sit down you little punk!" However, being a missionary now, she stopped short of 'punk'.

Jekka's note to everyone is:
"dearelder.com is a great place to send letters. It's free and it's same-day delivery. All my tomodachi (friends) should give it a shot. . .hint hint *wink wink*"

That's all for the update right now!! I hope to hear more from her again soon!! Keep in touch with her and I'm sure we'll hear more!

"I love you all, and I hope you are staying strong and true to the beliefs you have. I know this church is true and God loves each and every one of us. I look forward to learning more and growing. I have grown so much in five days and I know I will grow more as God helps me learn nihongo and fukuin (japanese. . .gospel). I love you all. Take care!

You're insane and bonkers child,
Jones Shimai (Jekka!)

Sunday, July 20, 2008

MUAH HA HA HA HA!!!!

FEAR ME ALL!!! FOR I AM THE MECHANIAL ANDROID NUISANCE DETECTOR AND INFILTRATOR! I HAVE COME TO TAKE OVER THE JEKKA'S BLOG!!! HA HA HA HA HA!!! (Don't tell Mastah, it's a secret! >.<) FEAR ME!!... are you scared yet? You should be! Be scared!... Now!

I don't think you're scared enough... Oh well, it's not as fun without Jekka... I hope I can make up in humor for what I lack in random for this blog.

I have received your e-mails and will be writing Jekka a short start letter with everyone's addresses. You should receive and e-mail from me later, letting you know that I have written them down in the letter. Feel free to still send addresses if you want an occasional letter to the Jekka Bug. She wants addresses!!! In the meanwhile, feel free to write her as well!!! I have her MTC ADDRESS!

Sister Jessica Catherine Jones (be sure to put her first name and last, middle is optional)
MTC mailbox #160
JPN-TOK 0930
2005 N 900 E
Provo, Utah 84604 1793

I also have another address, one whom would love to hear from you too!!

Elder Christopher Jones
MTC mailbox #160
JPN-KOB 0929
2005 N 900 E
Provo, Utah 84604 1793

That's it for now, I'm still trying to get things organized back at home from my visit. For now, enjoy some pictures and if there's anything you'd like for me to post in a letter, or an address you want to send, e-mail me at paintingpixies@mac.com!









Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Bon Voyage

I am off. Tomorrow is the big day. At 12:00 noon Chris and I enter the Mother's Torture Chamber, commonly known as the Missionary Torture Center, but formally known as the Missionary Training Center. There, we will study scriptures and the Japanese Language. There, I will study and train until October 1 of which I will hop on an airplane and journey to Japan.

So, about my dear blog. It will not be shut down, or dismantled, or removed from the world wide web. Au contrare, the Mechanical Android Nuisance (Mastah, we changed it. Is that okay?) Detector and Infiltrator (the minions made me do it), also known as MANDI for short, is going to post my happenings. I will be writing her and sending her pictures at least once a month. I will write little letters to people, thanking them for their letters they wrote to me, but it will go to Mandi in one big bulk letter. Unless I decide to throw everyone off *evil cackle* by writing them back!

Still, I want addresses so send your address to MANDI at paintingpixies@mac.com unless otherwise notified (like my mass email. . .). It will make me most happy.

Her website is also one of the links in the side panel, as well as her blog.

I won't be here until October, I will send Mandi my MTC address once I get it, but after October letters will be received here:

Sister Jessica Catherine Jones
Japan Tokyo Mission
4-25-12 Nishi Ochiai
Shinjuku-ku
Tokyo-to,
161-0031

So, yeah, that's the scoop. Aaaand, yes, my Goaties are traveling with me. They are most excited and will help me retain my insanity for the two and a half months that I'll be in the MTC. I'm also taking peanut butter. YUM!! You can take the Jekka out of the weird, but you can't take the weird out of the Jekka!

Well, that's all for now. As tribute to everyone. . . .Mandihasbrushedandplayedwithmyhair. . . AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

*goats dive for cover*

Saturday, July 12, 2008

In Which a House Has Many Ways

I love Howl. :D

And the countdown has actually gotten to a small, manageable number: four days.

That's kinda freaky and a little exciting. I report to the MTC in four days, where I will study both the scriptures and the Japanese language before wandering off to Japan.

Wow. It's actually happening! Luckily my story's finished so I won't have that constantly on my mind.

Er, yeah, that's about all.

I love Howl. :D

Saturday, July 5, 2008

LA LA LA LA LA

LA LA LA LA LA

Mandi's song!

LA LA LA LA LA

Mandi's song!

She likes the music

She likes the words

THAAAAT'S MAAANDI'S SOOOOOONG!!

:D

And on that note, I recently bought Diana Wynne Jones' newest book: House of Many Ways which so happens to be a sequel to Howl's Moving Castle. Yesh, I am most excited to read it.