GSE to Japan.

Kyoto

2007-10-15T02:30:00.000-07:00

Sorry we haven't posted in a while. We were in a smaller village where internet connection wasn't available in our host families, but we are now done with the Rotary trip; we went yesterday to the district conference and had a good time. We even spoke a little on stage, in Japanese in front of 1000 people. Rome, they open the district conference with a Taiko show, I am sorry you weren't there to see. Mike taped it.
We took the bullet train this morning to Kyoto and are now just regular tourists. Kyoto is a different pace but wonderful to discover.
3 more days and we are back home!

El Capitan is shown the correct way to wear his yucata.

2007-10-07T17:27:00.000-07:00

We also toured Koriyama's water facility.

2007-10-07T17:25:00.000-07:00

2007-10-07T17:20:00.000-07:00

In Koriyama, we also toured the "cleaning center" which turned out to be the city's

recycling/garbage facility. They have no land fills and either burn or recycle everything!! Very impressive.

The fine art of making soba noodles

2007-10-07T04:58:00.000-07:00

The Mayer Report: An Update (SLW)

2007-10-07T02:30:00.000-07:00

Day 24: over three weeks in and Joel is still laughing. Forecast for next week: more sun.

Back for more karaoke

2007-10-07T02:23:00.000-07:00

Cecile drew quite a crowd for her traditional Japanese interpretive fan dance while we karaoked (not an actual Scrabble worthy word) the night away.

typical Japanese bike with built in hand protectors

2007-10-07T02:22:00.000-07:00

Nihonmatsu Lantern Festival

2007-10-07T02:14:00.000-07:00

On Thursday night, my host family (the Takahashi's) took me to the nearby town of Nihonmatsu to celebrate with what seemed like the entire town of 100,000 at their 350 year old lantern festival. It was a night I will never forget. SLW

Don't quit your day jobs.

2007-10-07T02:07:00.000-07:00

After being blessed by a Buddhist monk, his daughter attempted to teach Joel, Mike, and Sarah how to dance to the song "Sakura" while Cecile played koto music. Joel and Mike were naturals.

2007-10-07T02:04:00.000-07:00

One highlight of our incredible week three in Koriyama was being blessed by a Buddhist monk. It was a truly moving afternoon.

2007-10-07T02:01:00.000-07:00

We gave our sixth presentation (in Japanese) this week for the largest rotary club in Koriyama.

Rome this is for you (by Seshiru)

2007-10-02T01:45:00.001-07:00

This one was at the entrance of the samourai village in Aizuwakamatsu

Rome, I am sorry but I am not sure we went to the Taiko shop you said. However one day we were driving and suddenly I saw a Taiko shop in Aizu. So I screamed to the driver to stop so that I could take pictures.
I am also putting pictures of other "drums" (pardon me if I am not using the proper word), that we saw in front of shrines and temples and even close to a samourai village.

Fun in the Outback. (Finally one by Joel)

2007-10-02T01:21:00.000-07:00

We stayed at a Japanese Ryokan, which is a Japanese style room where you sit on the floor and sleep on a futon and no shower in the room. That’s right, no shower in the room. Everyone bathes in a central bath where you have a shower first and then climb into a hot spring tub for a soak. Of course the genders are separated.

The Ryokan is located in Kitakata at the foot of a dam. The scenery in this area is absolutely beautiful. I took a hike up the face of the dam to be met by a technician that seamed upset that I climbed the face of the dam instead of walking up the paved road adjacent to the mountains. I crossed over the dam to the opposite side of the valley and found a small canyon. While hiking up the canyon, I could hear a scratching and cracking sound. I hiked up the canyon in the direction of the sound and after rounding a small bend came to face a small heard of Japanese goats called Sorrow. Before I could get my camera up, three of the four goats disappeared into the brush. I managed to get a photo of the one remaining, but could still hear what sounded like eight in the brush. I decided to leave with the photos I had and hike down the mountain and across dam to the paved road that the technician pointed out.

El Capitan

2007-09-30T05:21:00.000-07:00

We got our hike on near Mt. Bandai.

2007-09-30T05:18:00.000-07:00

2007-09-30T05:15:00.000-07:00

This photo made today's paper in Kitakata! We were attending a tea ceremony and got to listen to traditional Japanese koto music (see instrument in front).

We meet the mayor of Kitakata

2007-09-30T05:13:00.000-07:00

Aizu Wakamatsu City Rotary Meeting

2007-09-30T05:11:00.000-07:00

The Shoe Valet

2007-09-30T05:08:00.000-07:00

I think Cecile and Mike may have different feelings towards their breakfast of fermented soy beans ("natto") ......

2007-09-30T04:57:00.000-07:00

The girls enjoy a traditional Japanese style breakfast sans chairs after a relaxing hot springs bath.

2007-09-30T04:53:00.000-07:00

The Mayer Report

2007-09-30T04:24:00.000-07:00

The Update: Day 17 and Joel is still laughing. Five Day Forecast- sunny.

Ummm, Joel- is that you on the floor???? Waiter- can I have what he's having? SLW

Rotary Clubs (by Michael)

2007-09-30T04:16:00.000-07:00

Although Fukushima prefecture (state) is the third largest of the 43 prefectures in Japan, it is rural and relatively sparsely populated. Consequently the clubs are modest size, 20-50 members. Our schedule is arranged for us to spend one week in four different regions of the District. The first was Fukushima City, population 200,000, with five clubs. This is where we had the elaborate Welcome Party. (I also played golf one day with three Rotarians). We just had our Farewell Party in the Aizu region with a very nice dinner. Aizu is further north and more mountainous. We stayed in Aizu-Wakamatsu and Kitakata. My host in Kitakata was a Past District Governor and classmate of PDG Val. He is an M.D. and owns a hospital and has everyone recite the Four-Way-Test at the morning staff meeting. We now go to the Chuo (Central) Region and Koriyama City, the largest city and most commercial. The last week is in the Kenchu Region. We attend the District Conference in Tamura City October 13-14.

We have attended four official club meetings and two very nice parties in our honor. The meetings are punctual and follow a prescribed format. Dress is coat and tie. Nevertheless, there is a lot of laughter and fellowship. The clubs seem to focus on community service projects.

We have been treated like royalty. The schedule has been full but not hectic. We each have stayed with four wonderful host families, but have also stayed at some very first rate hotels and hot spring spas.

The team is in good spirits and having fun. We have painted our own lacquer ware art; tasted lots of sake; tried on expensive kimonos; taken a hike in the mountains; and given several presentations in Japanese that were well received; and eaten all kinds of Japanese food that is new to us. So far, it has been a priceless experience.

Just Pictures

2007-09-29T23:48:00.000-07:00

Hiking day.

Mike wearing the Yukata after the hot spring bath.

Sake Tasting!
10 am in Japan...
But we decided it was 5pm somewhere (actually it was 5pm in Tucson. Good enough for us.)

Oh yeah, thirty something years old just play like little girls. (swing and dress up).

In the country side

2007-09-27T23:58:00.000-07:00

Everyone! We are staying in a very nice area in the country side, the city is called Kitakata. I (Cecile or as they say here "Seshiru") am staying in a farm; the family is absolutely wonderful and I get to take care of the chickens in the morning, eat fresh eggs and perfectly organic vegetables from the garden. The pace in this city is very different from the one before and it is perfect, it feels like a break, we are enjoying our time very very much all together though. Tonight will be the 3rd time we will be doing our presentation in Japanese and we are becoming quiet pros with our pronunciation.

We have seen so much we can't believe there is still 3 weeks left.

We miss you all.

Meeting with the mayor of Aizu Wakamatsu City

2007-09-26T05:29:00.001-07:00

Special note for Yosei.

2007-09-26T04:58:00.001-07:00

Yosei you would be so proud of us speaking Japanese here. And I would like to note that Mike is pronouncing "Go Hyaku" very well every time. People seem to understand our presentation very well and we are getting compliments. Also, you are getting famous here because everyone is asking us who taught us to speak and we always talk about you.

On September 25th we were treated to a tea ceremony with Keiko.

2007-09-26T01:10:00.000-07:00

Sarah is outfitted in her first kimono!

2007-09-26T01:08:00.000-07:00

We visit our first castle in Aizu Wakmatsu City.

2007-09-26T01:06:00.000-07:00

Cecile gets wiggie with it at the Samurai House.

2007-09-26T01:02:00.000-07:00

It's 5:00 somewhere. Sake time.

2007-09-26T00:54:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday, September 25th, we visited a very famous sake factory in Aizu Wakamatsu City. The smell of the shoshu was comparable to having an ammonia facial.

The Birthday Boy!! From The Team

2007-09-26T00:48:00.001-07:00

HAPPY 20TH BIRTHDAY JOEL!! (Just being here in Japan takes a few years off).

The Mayer Report

2007-09-23T06:22:00.001-07:00

I have decided to use Joel's infectious

laugh as a gauge of how much fun we are all

still having together in Japan.

Today's report: Day 9 and Joel is still laughing.

I will update "The Mayer Report" along the way so you know how we are doing. SLW

Mt. Bandai and the Aizu region in the distance

2007-09-23T06:09:00.000-07:00

Midori tries unsuccessfully to teach me to play the contrabass!!

2007-09-23T06:07:00.001-07:00

Traditional Japanese Style dinner at the Ohtori Spa followed by traditional Japanese entertainment

2007-09-23T05:59:00.000-07:00

The karaoke rookies only wanted to sing one song and go to bed, but their tune quickly changed to "just one more song....." SLW

The Fountain of Youth

2007-09-23T04:44:00.000-07:00

I am sure most of you know that the Japanese have close to the longest life span of any other country's citizens (79 and 86 for men and women respectively). The United States, on the other hand, is ranked 43rd in life expectancy compared to other countries. With this incredible opportunity through Rotary International to travel in Japan for five weeks, I made it a mission to help my fellow Americans live longer by discovering the secret(s) to Japanese longevity.

From my observations of Japanese lifestyle and culture over nine days, I have made some very important scientific discoveries never before revealed to Americans (footnotes omitted). I have asked many Japanese why they think they live so long. Their response is typically first, surprise and denial, but this is usually followed up by some variation of "diet". These responses were confirmed by the following scientific findings. First, vegetables are a MAJOR food group here. Try corn on the cob, followed by a salad with fresh tomatoes and broccoli, rounded out by pickled pickles and other pickled vegetables with a side dish of no less than six kinds of mushrooms. This is your breakfast. *It should be noted that pickled vegetables are a hot item in Japan (about as popular as pizza is in America). They make an appearance at just about every meal (I literally cannot think of a meal I have had so far in which it was not served). Because of that, all things pickled are at the top of my list for what Americans must start eating more of. A very close second is white steamed rice. Rice is also present for every meal in some form or another. It is mixed with natto (more on that later), raw eggs, fish, vegetables, tofu, anything and everything under the red sun. Third would be natto, or fermented soy beans. This stuff sells like hot cakes in the supermarkets - entire rows upon rows of shelves are dedicated to this mysterious substance. It is definitely an acquired taste and not one that I plan to acquire anytime soon. Just the sight of the fermented soy beans dripping their strangely gooey fermented juices from your chopsticks is enough to stop most Americans in their tracks from actually putting it into their mouth. However, the smell will stop those who are not dissuaded by the sight. Being the intrepid traveler that I am, however, I was not dissuaded by either. In traveling, I try to live by the philosophy that what does not kill you will likely cause some needed growth. After trying natto on several occasions, I must unfortunately admit that I did not grow anything but nauseas from the experience. Your experience will hopefully be different than mine and you will live much longer than I. I am happy for you. The last and most surprising dietary finding I made is that years will be added to your life by eating many foods raw (fish, eggs, tofu and the like), rather than good old fashioned country fried style.

On a non-dietary note, I have a few brief observations. You will be shocked to hear that the expensive potions and lotions that we buy because it was made with fresh water and dried sand that came from the depths of the ocean in Kerala, India or acacia fruit picked by flying tree monkeys in Brazil is actually not necessary. In Japan, simply being clean tops the list of non-dietary recommendations for living to a spry 85 (my studies confirm that being clean will also keep you looking at least 20 years younger). In Japan, Americans time honed "tradition" of using our hands or a loofah to wash oneself is about as helpful as not washing at all. Bathing is a serious business here. You may have to call on your parents or grandparents for help on this, but the Japanese use these things called washcloths that you can apparently clean yourself quite well with. I admit that I always thought a washcloth was of no real use and was just something dainty to set out for guests. In Japan, however, a "washcloth" can be over two feet long and is used in a very detailed minute scrubbing of every body part as if it was covered in invisible dirt. This part can take an hour or more. Then you are ready for a bath in hot, hot water. Then, off to work or to bed, depending on whether it is morning or evening. As I said, the Japanese do not joke about their bathing rituals. For some this ritual occurs on that large of or a slightly smaller scale every time they come home.

Also, another significant non-dietary finding regarding longevity (although this one was not at all surprising) is that leaving your shoes by the door and then wearing slippers that stay in the bathroom and other pair for other parts of the home is essential. Obviously the same holds true for the office. See herein at 2, footnotes omitted. Finally, putting rocks in your pillow to sleep on at night is good in the summer and can add many years to your life. Sleeping directly on the floor is recommended year round. *However, I must note that many of the Japanese I have met indicate that "all Japanese" have neck and back pain. I doubt there is any correlation between the two.

My final words of wisdom of the topic of longevity: drinking beer does not have a negative impact. Neither does smoking. Sleep is not necessary. You will be happy to hear that not exercising has no effect whatsoever. Laughing does wonders, as does smiling, being polite and respectful of your elders, and singing large quantities of karaoke. Surprisingly, public displays of affection are not necessary to live to 85, but kindness and generosity are. SLW

(Cecile finally let me write a blog). :)

Happy happy...

2007-09-23T04:37:00.000-07:00

We don't remember why... But it seems it was a big laugh.

Second host family

2007-09-21T03:38:00.000-07:00

After staying in one of the most wonderful resort, with traditional tatami rooms with futons, we are now each with our second host family for the next couple of days.

We are all doing very well and getting along perfectly, it is very nice.

Today we visited a courthouse and went shopping in the afternoon. Yesterday was a long day with a visit of a Dam, the pears, then a little walk in the mountains and back at the hotel.

After dinner some rotarians joined us at the hotel to sing Karaoke. You should have seen and heard Michael sing "New York, New York", Joel rock and roll singing "Hound Dog" (Elvis), and Sarah and Cecile dancing and jumping around the room. We had so much fun. But the best is that Michael video taped it all.

It is harder for us to post pictures while we are using our host familie's computers but in 2 days when we are back at the hotel, we will give you a lot of new infos and pictures.

Tomorrow and the day after are 2 whole days off where we are only with our host families. We probably won't be doing the same activities. Mike is already scheduled for golfing. But the rest of us don't know about the plans.

Always thinking of you.

The team.

Rotary in Japan (by Michael)

2007-09-20T02:54:00.000-07:00

Our first official Rotary event was attending the meeting of Nihonmatsu Wednesday noon. There were about 30 in attendance. We were introduced and I said a few words, some in Japanese and the rest in English. It was the official visit to the club of District Governor Kosuke Maki, so his speech was the program. He speaks excellent English, and told us he would give his next speech to us in English. He was very businesslike, but you could tell his comments were very heartfelt, particularly when he spoke about the Polio immuni8zation he did in Nigeria. The lunch was traditional Japanese food in a bento box. We were treated very cordially and enjoyed the visit.

On Wednesday night we were hosted by the seven Fukushima clubs at a Welcome Banquet especially in our honor... What an affair! It was held in a very lavish ballroom at a hotel. About 100 Rotarians and spouses attended. After everyone was at their tables promptly at 6 pm, we made a grand entrance to applause and The Battle Hymn of the Republic. We were then seated. The US, Japanese, and Rotary anthems were played. Several Rotary VIPs made comments and then we were formally introduced. Governor Maki then addressed the group, first in English. He said how honored they were to have us and wished us a successful exchange. We then gave our program from the dias. I think were all quite nervous, but we each did very well giving our presentation in Japanese. At least they told us so. I think they appreciated very much our efforts to speak in Japanese.

We then had a seven course dinner with champagne and beer. During the dinner, everyone milled around socializing and periodically return to their table to eat something. After dinner, they all lined up, we waked out of the room as we shook hands with everyone. They were truly sincere, gracious and very generous.

We then went to stay in an unbelievably lavish hot springs spas hotel One of the Rotarians manages it. We each have our own room, with the traditional tatami mats, teak interiors, and paper interior windows. We slept on a futon. Earlier we all went in the hot spring.

We all have having the time of our lives. We are all healthy and active, and it seems we are laughing all the time. It is a very compatible and fun group. We have experienced some serious, traditional Rotary, but also are having a great time. This afternoon we went to an orchard and picked and ate Japanese pears. Delicious. Saturday is a free day, and my first host Rotarian and next host and a third are taking me to play golf. I can’t wait.

Did you say "HOT" Spring ?? (by Cecile)

2007-09-19T06:58:00.000-07:00

So I would like to tell you my first Hot spring experience. My host family is taking me to a very nice private hot spring. My host sister Madoka announces me that the "Onsen" we are going to is a little stinky like volcano because it is natural from the mountain and it will be milky looking, but it is good for our health and skin. I can’t wait. Oh and she also warns me that we have to be naked and asks me if that is ok with me. Well..., I think so...; I mean I am always naked walking around at home, why not in front of tons of other women in a hot bathtub in a foreign country? They won't remember me, they won't put me in the paper right?
Masahiko (my host dad) goes to the men’s side, good..., I didn't dare asking if we would be separate because that would have made me uncomfortable.
After taking our shoes off at the entrance of the spa hotel we are now getting undressed on tatamis and putting our clothes into a basket. So here I am, all naked, like Madoka warned me. I am ok with this but I still will put my towel in front of me to hide my breasts because I feel different than when I am dancing naked in my living room on sunday morning.
We have to rinse our body first, and we are now sitting on a tiny little wooden bench showering and rinsing. Then off we go into the steaming hot water outside. It is beautiful! I am the only westerner here and the women are looking at me but I don’t feel they are wondering or judging, I only feel they are looking at me and thinking, "oh a tourist, let’s watch her getting her “derriere” burned!" So I step in with just one foot and ... ahhhhh.... it is soooooo Hooooooot, I already have to step out. I explain to Madoka and her mom that I really enjoy this but I will take my time getting into the bath because it is a little hot for me.
Everyone is deep in the hot spring up to their neck but I still have water up to my ankles only. Darn! I look like a fool standing here with my towel in front of me, everybody is watching the blond girl with the short hair who looks that she is not from here, hiding her breast like it's something different than theirs (they probably really want to see under my towel now that I made it so secret). Ok let’s go! 1, 2, 3… Nope, too hot! But I now have water up to my knees. Oh! That is too hot, I am getting out again, and oh great, now they can see my bottom of course because I turned around to go up the little stairs. Oh this is ridiculous, I have to get in. Madoka’s mom tells me that the water is cooler on the other side, away from the fountain source. "Ok, that sound’s good mommy, let’s go there Madoka!"... Ahhhhh, What do you mean it is cooler? Yeah like one degree, that’s all!. But here I have to go because I looked enough like a fool dancing around from one foot to an other with water only to my knees.
1…,2…, 3…. This time I’m in, Awwwwwwww, this feels great, ...and too hot, burning,... and great again and... awwwwww,... what a relaxing way of spending the afternoon. Cool (I mean... hot!), I like it! But I already have to take a little break from this lobster cooking water, so I sit on the rocks on the edge and keep my feet inside, and I feel ok doing that because other women are doing it too. Madoka reassures me by saying that this water is very very good for our health and our skin and it helps us to live longer. OK! I get back in I want to live longer. This magic steaming burning hot water better make me live at least up to a healthy 100 years old, i am telling you.

Little personal messages

2007-09-18T02:02:00.000-07:00

Rome, we will do our best to check out the taiko factory, it is in Aizu region and that is where we are going next week. Hopefully we will be close to that town.

Patti W., it is so good to hear that you are checking our blog, I hope you enjoy the reading. Say hello to everyone for me at Body Basics next time you go exercise.

Patti S., Mike is doing so well as our team leader, he is very patient with all our craziness, and he is so funny when he uses his video camera. We wish you were here to see him. The slippers everywhere seem to be ok, they have many sizes, however the clothing is difficult for all of us, everything is too small. Exept the kimonos.

Chris, we are going to an area of samourai next week, maybe we will find tanto knives there.

Rebecca, Joel hasn`t stopped laughing yet, he is such a sweet heart and an easy person.

Everyone. We have so much stories already, it has been only 3 days, it is absolutely overwhelming. We miss you though. It is hard to be so far and not be able to communicate with our loved ones at anytime we`d like. It has been raining all day but it`s ok because it was a very formal day with visits to the mayor, newspapers and attorney`s office (for Sarah and Mike).
Tomorrow is going to be our first time doing our presentation in Japanese here in front of everybody at a meeting, we are nervous. We are also going back to a hotel for two days and that should make it easier for us to update the blog and make phone calls.
We love you all, and we miss you very much.
Cecile

First lesson learned... (by Cecile)

2007-09-16T17:38:00.000-07:00

So we are in a shopping mall and I see that cute top I’d like to try and I ask the vendor if I can try it on (me asking meant: Me making gestures showing this and that). She shows me into the fitting room. So I step in right away without thinking and that is when she starts saying things politely but very fast while she is pointing at my feet. So I am thinking: oh you like my shoes? Yeah I bought then in the US, they are “Tevas”, aren’t they cool! ? But then I realize she is just trying to tell me that I can’t go into the fitting room just like that and I have to take my shoes off. Ooooh my gosh! I am soooooo sorry and sooooooo embarrassed! I say: “Sumimasen” at least 5 times and she says “sumimasen” 3 times (I beat her, I said it 2 more times than her, I must be more sorry than she is). Well I am sooooooooo sorry, I feel like a freaking fat, fool French American that I am. So now I am in the fitting room without my shoes and she is showing me a piece of cloth that looks like a pillow case open on 2 sides, and she points at my head and shoulders; I am just thinking, now what? Does she want me to put this over my head so that I can’t see how I look like with my top on? Oooooohhh, I have to put this over my head to protect the clothing from my dirty hair and all the make up I don’t put on my face in the morning! This is so smart and respectful for the clothing, I like it. So here I am, half naked, without my shoes and with a pillowcase over my head, in the smallest fitting room on earth, banging my elbows on the door and mirror. Of course the top is way too small for me, even though I chose a large size. I get out of the room and say “sumimasen” one more time to excuse myself from being such a big fat ugly stupid American; and she seems to be ok with my apologies (or maybe she is sorry for me also). And anyway I feel that we are good, I can go away now. Pfffffeww, I made it!

Our first sushi experience

2007-09-16T14:41:00.000-07:00

That was such a cool experience! Yesterday we were in a typical sushi bar.
We sit around the sushi bar and there is a track rolling around with little plates on it and as it goes we just help ourselves and take whatever we want. If we miss it, it's ok, it will come back within 30 secs. Then we keep our plates and pile them up so that they know how much we ate and how much we owe. It was great and the sushi were so fine and delicious.
Rebecca, we just want you to know that Joel ate everything that was offered to him by the GSE chairman Nobuhiro Sato. You said he doesn't like fish! Well a few times, he was chewing on the pieces of sushi like he was chewing on his own tongue but he did eat raw fish, you can be proud of him.

Here in Japan

2007-09-15T17:57:00.000-07:00

We safely arrived last night, exhausted and we had the surprise to have 2 rotarians waiting for us at the airport, the GSE chairman Nobuhiro Sato, and the next team leader that will come with his team in april Saito san. They were wonderful and welcomed us warmly.
We were so exhausted, next thing I remember is waking up this morning and going for breakfast. The perfect traditional Japanese breakfast was presented to us and it was so delicious. It has been one night and I am thinking of moving to Japan already. Here is a picture of my breakfast tray this morning.Green tea, salmon, rice, miso soup, fermented soy bean (mmm... delicious), tofu, pickeled
veggies and something else we didn't know what it was (in the middle of the photo).
Sarah and I's room are facing the Japanese traditional garden, it is absolutely lovely to see, with a Buddha and a fountain. We love it.

Cecile

Bon Voyage party

2007-09-02T11:54:00.000-07:00

We are having a Bon Voyage party on Saturday September 8th from 5 to 7pm at El Parador Restaurant in Tucson (on Broadway).
Everyone is invited, please come and meet the team and watch our presentation. Cost is $12 at the door for hors d'oeuvres.
Please RSVP to Michael Drake at (520) 624-2488.

Preparing and studying

2007-08-29T16:54:00.000-07:00

We have been preparing our program and studying Japanese for several months now.
Our teacher Yosei is very patient with us, and we thank him very much for all the help he provides us. Yosei is translating a lot of things for our presentation. We couldn't do it without him.

Meet The Team.

2007-07-11T08:20:00.000-07:00

Michael, Sarah, Joel and Cecile.

Michael Drake

2007-07-10T14:29:00.000-07:00

Team Leader
59 years old
Attorney
Tucson Sunset Rotary Club

Mike lives in Tucson, Arizona. He is not married and has no children. He has been an attorney for 34 years. He has no partners nor associates. He has a civil trial practice. The work involves representing individuals in claims in court against insurance companies. Michael has been very involved with the local bar association. He is responsible for all aspects of managing his office. He meets with clients, does legal research, prepares court pleadings, and attends court hearings and jury trials.
Michael has been a Rotarian 24 years. He has been president of the Tucson Sunset Rotary Club and has served in many district positions. He is a Paul Harris Fellow.

Wish-List while in Fukushima
- Meeting with attorneys in private practice
- Meet judges, and observe a trial in court
- Michael is interested in learning about the Japanese legal and judicial systems.

Joel Mayer

2007-07-10T14:28:00.002-07:00

38 years old
Team Member
Civil Engineer
Sponsored by Sierra Vista West RC.

Joel is married to Rebecca and has one 15 year old son. He lives in Sierra Vista, Arizona. Joel is a civil engineer. He works primarily designing sites for residential and commercial building development and is interested in hydrology and flood management. Joel is also the firm’s information technology manager.

Wish-List while in Fukushima
- visit civil engineering firms
- visit some sites being developed for residential or commercial use
- learn how Japanese engineers are trying to improve city infrastructure and deal with environmental issues.

Sarah Wright

2007-07-10T14:24:00.001-07:00

33 years old
Team Member
Attorney- Law Office of Sarah Wright
Sponsored by Tucson Sunrise Rotary Club

Sarah grew up in the Midwest, living in Illinois, Missouri, and Wisconsin, before moving to Tucson, Arizona in 1987 when she began high school. She attended the University of Arizona and earned her Bachelor of Arts in American Literature with a minor in sociology in 1996. Her first year of law school was in San Francisco, before returning to the University of Arizona, where she graduated with a Juris Doctor decree in 1999. After graduating from law school, Sarah worked at two large law firms in Tucson, Snell & Wilmer and DeConcini McDonald Yetwin & Lacy where she worked as a civil litigator, handling commercial, real estate, tort, employment, and family law matters. Sarah met her husband Nate, a corporate attorney, while working at Snell & Wilmer in 1999. In 2003, Sarah and Nate, took a sabbatical from the practice of law to pursue a life long dream of traveling around the world for one year. They traveled by airplane, train, bus, car, boat, and camel, staying in countries such as Canada, Portugal, Morocco, Turkey, Singapore, Australia, and the Cook Islands. This experience was amazing and life changing. Sarah and Nate were married in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico in April 2005. They have a red Boston Terrier named Ruby Dee whom they adore.

In August, 2006, Sarah opened up her own law firm, the Law Office of Sarah Wright, where she focuses her practice on commercial litigation, family law, and employment defense. Sarah also enjoys photography and writing. She is current in the process of writing a travelogue and a satire based on her life experiences. Sarah's immediate family all live in Tucson, along with an aunt and uncle and they spend time together as frequently as possible.
Sarah enjoys many outdoor activities, including running, hiking, biking, swimming, skiing, and scuba diving. She also loves to read and garden.

Wish List while in Fukushima
- Visit a Japanese tea garden
- See a festival
- Observe nightlife in Tokyo
- Visit an attorney or judge
- Visit a courtroom

Cecile Brown

2007-07-10T14:02:00.001-07:00

33 years old
Team Member
Personal Fitness Trainer
Sponsored by the Pantano Rotary Club in Tucson.

Cecile was born in France and moved to the US when she was 26 after meeting her husband Chris in Tucson while on vacation. Cecile graduated from Paris University of Nanterre with a degree in Sports Sciences. She was an avid gymnast for over 15 years and became then a gymnastic coach in France. While in the US, after learning the language, she became a personal trainer. However her dream is to become a Firefighter, and she recently obtained state and national certifications of Emergency Medical Technician and State certification of Firefighter.
On her free time, Cecile likes to train for triathlons, run, swim, ride her bicycle. Her and her husband recently started to play golf and enjoy their new hobby very much. They also have a dog, an Akita named Nikita. Cecile likes arts and specifically the art of photography and would love to develop her photographic skills. She also loves to cook because she loves to eat. Her favorite is fish and seafood and more specifically Japanese food. She can't wait to visit Fukushima.

Wish-List while in Fukushima
- Go to a Natural hot spring bath.
- Visit a Firefighter Station.
- Eat authentic authentic Japanese food everyday.
- Visit a fitness gym or a gymnastic club.
- Assist to an authentic tea ceremony.
- Dress in traditional Japanese clothing and have picture taken.

Fukushima here we come!

2007-07-09T15:50:00.000-07:00