Back on our “stomping grounds” and suddenly what was once our comfort zone has become a constant reminder of the first part of our time here. And to be honest it’s a little over whelming! But like I said in my last blog, this is about change. Nothing will take our memories of the Northeast, and our home at Hotel Kanyo, this is for certain… however being back with our “mamas” and families that know us feels great. Even with the chaos that comes with a big city starts to feel normal again, and very quickly it becomes easy to find time to nap in a subway car. Also this leg of the tour isn’t completely in Tokyo, so our journey through Japan continues to grow. We traveled 1st to Sendai, then Nagano (we saw the Olympic Arena!), and back up to the Tohoku area for 2 workshops. And soon we will be traveling south to Osaka. The beauty we pass during our bus rides makes it hard to believe we are in such a small section of this tiny country! However, what stays the common thread through all these places is the wonderful kids we are working with. So far we have mostly been with a project called “With Us”. These are schools are designed for students who for whatever reasons can no longer attend what we think if as a “normal” high school. Maybe they have a small learning disability, or maybe they really have a hard time being surrounded by a large group, or maybe they just really weren’t diggin’ the school system. Either way they have ended up at the “With Us” program and are taking a YA workshop. The kids ages are from 15-21 and the group size anywhere from 20-50. Sometimes they are more out going and willing to learn, sometimes they are a little more cautious around us and nervous to break through their walls. But even with the differences, by the end of the 2-3 hours we have connected for sure and saying goodbye suddenly becomes minutes of photo taking and hugging, laughing, and hi-fiving. Also in this second part of our journey we have gotten to see YA friends like Jane Yamano (who’s self named beauty school graciously lends us their theater for the final “tribute” shows at the end of each outreach tour) and Julie O’Connor, who some got to see as Snow White when they went to visit Tokyo Disney. As if that wasn’t great enough the weather has been BEAUTIFUL! On our day off some of us traveled into Shibuya, Harajuku, and even Asakusa, home of a famous Buddhist Temple! Some of our cast even found themselves in Yoyogi Park, right by our other home the Olympic Center (hostel) playing cards and soaking up the sun! Needless to say, even though the transition is still hard at times, everyday we are constantly reminded of how lucky this time is. When you have moments in your life that change you, it’s up to you to use them to shape who you become, I think we all are doing that everyday. And no matter if it’s that perfectly round face of a 6 year old looking up to you in Ishinomaki, or a middle aged teacher being able to cry in your arms in Tokyo, everyday here has it’s part of making those moments. Tomorrow we are off the the mountains to work with students who will be able to take a workshop during this next spring tour, and hopefully help pave the way for a future of YA’s in different parts of Japan! Can’t wait to see what happens

• YA Blogger