Camps

Ok, this on the left is Norikura peak （乗鞍岳）. It's about 3026M and still had snow on it right at the top when we were there in July. The snow was not powdery and nice. It was packed, hard and dirty. We took a group of guests up 'cos they wanted to climb a rock. So we took the van up to a point and walked up the slopes, while die-hard skiers were skiing past. It was hard to walk up the slope with just regular sneakers. Actually I was quite freaking out becos the slope wasn't exactly gentle...it was pretty steep on some parts and of course it was slippery. Imagine walking upslope on ice. But I had to pretend to be composed and steady for the guests' sake! Ha!

The guests did their climb, we had our obento(lunch-box) up there right on top, and I have to say, the view was great!

But coming down was even more freaky. We had to slide down either on our bums or walk sideways slowly... I decided to slide... with a basketful of empty obento boxes on my lap, 2 mats, my day pack and sheer terror. That was the fastest way to end my ordeal.

It was a very bumpy ride...and it felt like forever! Some moments I felt I was going too fast and possibly out of control and had to use my hand as a brake. Ouch! What I was most afraid of was smashing my head or some other parts of my body into a rock or something. Well, my head was ok and intact, but the ride ended with my bum crashing into a rock. I brought home with me many souveniors from this mountain... on my body...(the black and blue patches, u know?), all in good fun and adventure! I dunno if I would ever want to attempt that stunt ever again...it's insane! Hmm...maybe I would...maybe...

Alright, we don't always do krazy stunts like this in all our camps. We do have more regular programs like river hikes, initiatives, mountain biking(another ordeal for me), wall climbing, etc...

I would say that my favourite activity would be the river hikes. We would do boat races, bridge-building and usually end with a plunge and swim. The water is freezing cold all the time.

(Makoto and Tyler start the boat race)

(Martina and Sabrina pretending to surf)

I like river hike 'cos it always reminds me of the importance of Individuality and Inter-dependence! (Yup, that's the theme of Presbyterian High School this year!) There is no rock or pebble that is alike. Each piece is different in shape, colour, grain and size. It reminds me of how each one of us are uniquely created by God. None of us are alike. Thank God He didn't made us clones! Life would be so boring.

During the hikes, it was always so cool to see how people help each other walk upstream against rushing waters or when having to step on slippery rocks. At certain parts of the river, it might be hard to walk it alone. Especially when the waters are rushing, they look intimidating even though it may not be deep. But when someone stretches out his/her hand to help you get across, there is a sense of assurance. Thus the lesson of Inter-dependence. We need one another. Better to work as a team, than alone.

Kids from SOAI: Natsumi, Rinako & Haruka

Fishing at NorthStar Creek（魚つかむ大会）

Plunge at Zengoro Taki

Dr Kim's Chinese Medicine

Introducing the wonder medicine from China. It's actually got a name - Lin Cho Oil. Mom bought tonnes of these from China. It's good for lots of stuff - headaches, muscle aches, athritis, rhematism aches, bruise, insect bites, etc. But don't try to drink it or you'll kill yourself.

Out of kindness, I offered it to some Northstar staff who were suffering from bruises and nasty rashes or insect bites. Well, not everyone could appreciate my kindness and the wonder of Lin Cho Oil, except for a few good men and women.

At least I know now that Lin Cho Oil is not to the German taste...and the Japanese think it's stinky.

Candanians and Swedish think it's awesome. They're good people.

Mama and Papa would be oh so proud of me cos I'm using the medical skills they imparted to me! :)

Steph's advertisment for my wonder oil! It says "Its very smelly but gives out a nice aroma~"

Birthday - 3rd Aug

For those of you who forgot, it was my birthday on 3rd August. Yup, I turn thirtee-ahem<*cough cough*> this year. I spent my birthday in Tokyo, with my sis, Serene, Ow and their gals - Amanda and Shannon. They got me a cake from Isetan in Shinjuku. It was chocolate mousse with gold flakes on top. Was sedaap!!

Northstar staff celebrated when I returned from Tokyo. Mie and I were both born on the same day and same year!! So we celebrated together. Sabrina made this yummy german cake - layer cake, something like Kueh lapis.

Sabrina and Kayo's attempt to eat the cake without us.

NorthStar Staff

It's been 1 and half months since I arrived at NorthStar and things are rocking here! I'm enjoying every single day of my stay here. It's nice to be in the cool mountains... while the rest of Japan is sizzling in the summer heat!

This waterfall is called Zengoro Taki and the mountains behind it is called Norikura dake. This site here is about 15min walk from Northstar and some days I do my quiet time there.

It took me about 2 weeks to really adjust to the place and people. But all is cool now.

My Summer team at NorthStar is made of up really awesome individuals and I love working with them. Seth and Tyler are missionaries from Oregon, USA and according to them, everything good originated from Oregon! Makoto is Japanese but his mom is American. He sleeps in the NorthStar closet. The rest of us are here only for summer. Troy and his wife, Martina(not in picture) are from Canada. Martina is a Swede and very sweet. They are staff with YWAM. Sabrina, the German gal is finishing her last year in college. She also does not fail to haunt me every night after 10pm with "I'm bored! Play wif me!". Steph is the teenage English gal who loves to sing and is practically a walking jukebox!

From left : Troy, Steph, Sabrina, Tyler, Me

Bottom Left : Seth, Makoto

Kayo, Michie and Berndette are Kitchen staff. Kayo's a pro chef and every meal's REALLY GOOD!

Sabrina, Michie and Kayo crawled into my bed uninvited, refusing to let me sleep....

Martina, Michie and Me