Monday, June 29, 2009


















Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Monday Aug 4, 2008 Farewell Osaka YMCA Boys






























































Group Hug

Sunday August 3, 2008 Shinzen 2008 Day 7 Another Free Day

Decided to let Hiroya sleep in as he seemed to be getting a little worn out from the non stop activities during the week.
If Shinzen was truly meant to show what a typical JA family does, he did not get the real feel for our family as it was not in the midst of baseball or basketball season.

So Timmy and Hiroya ended up goofing around with each other and Thomas












The highlight of his day was going to get some gum for his sister Yukimi to take home to Japan. We did not find the gum, Timmy wanted to get but ended up with giving him Bubble yum to bring home and some trident. Hiroya did not seem like he wanted to go sightseeing.









Timmy and him then had a typical lunch for Timmy, instant ramen noodles, they both agreed that Sapporo Ichi Ban Chicken was the best.






Tonight was the farewell Matsuri Reception to be hosted at the JCCCNC Gym. We once again purchased Chicken Wings and for Kara, Singapore Chow mein. The singapore chow mein was a big hit at the last potluck, so we ordered it again.















Listening to the speeches from the various speakers















This is Timmy doing the combined Soran Bushi with the Osaka YMCA Boys













Start of the farewell Dance


















Closing speech


















Parting for the night



































Takumi ended his meeting with Timmy the same way he greeted him by picking him up



























Mr Nakamura, head of YMCA

















Coach Shinya

















new friends, Ryu, Sho, Timmy and Takumi

















Old Friends











more new friends Shoichiro Tomohide and Yuto








Old opponents = New teammates















Ended the trip with a night out for Ice Cream at G Square











One last picture with the ballers from the East with the Ballers from the West
Takashi,Timmy, Max, KGlappy,Yosuke, Kara

Sunday, August 3, 2008

Saturday Aug 2, 2008 Shinzen 2008 Day 6 Free Day with Host Family

As listed before, Hiroya's dream was to see a Professional Basketball Stadium, so you can call Timmy the dream teamer. We took Hiroya to Oracle Arena. and here are the pictures.






Hiroya in the parking lot of Oracle Arena













Hiroya in front of the Coliseum












Hiroya at the entrance to Oakland Coliseum













Picture of Golden State Warriors Plaque of Championship Season







After that it was off to Bay Fair Mall to go to Kids Footlocker as Hiroya is only a size 4.5 or 5 American shoe size.
Hiroya spent most of his money on some Nike Jordans






After that we went onto Mariner's square to look for Jordan Shirts and shorts at Nordstrom Rack but unfortunately we did not find any
We ate lunch at Panda Express, Hiroya ate the goyza but did not especially like the Beijing Beef but ate the Orange Chicken





After lunch it was onto the Great Mall of San Jose to visit the Nike outlet and Burlington Coat Factory that Timmy guaranteed would have Jordan Shirts. We found a couple of shirts and a hat for his friend back home. It was at Marshall's that Hiroya spent the remainer of his money. HIroya found a Jordan sweat shirt, two jordan sweat pants and a Jordan training shirt. This was to replace the two Jordan T-shirts that he wanted to buy at Niketown in SF that were Men's mediums that he swam in and we had him return. Hiroya kept the men's small Jordan shorts in red that he purchased from Niketown.



After a tiring walk thru the mall and finding nothing at Nike outlet, we decide to head to Irene's brothers place where Hiroya could meet Daryl and Deanna from the other side of the family.










After having a nice BBQ dinner of Chicken, sausage, steak, salad, rice and two different cakes for dessert at Peter and Tency's house, in which Hiroya kept saying Big House, Big House (and not Smokey Gaines big house) we headed home. Interesting part of the day was that according to the homestay information, Hiroya is suppose to be alergic to animal hair and dust among other things. But he told Jerome that he loves dogs and that it was okay to let DeeDee into the house. so in the immortal words of Max "what's up with that"



Before heading home, we took him to Krispy Kreme in Union City and had him sample a fresh made doughnut and purchased some for breakfast on Sunday.












">Not sure if this link works but this is a funny video of the other Shinzen homestay day on Saturday called Hey Max