Zen's Class Graduation from Nishio Jr. High

This was our other reason to return. To see Zen's "mates" graduate from their Jr. High School!!

We weren't allowed to join the ceremony in the freezing gymnasium (which really isn't any "Pomp" at all) but we waited a couple of hours outside- while it was still really wintry cold as wekk!



It was so cool though, not only to be seeing his friends glad to see Zen there, but even other kids he didn't know yelling hellos to him, as well as parents and teachers!

















Zen's not been able to spread himself out to do everything we hoped for in these eleven days, but I think he's getting almost enough of the food.

This was graduation lunch with his basketball team mates, the far table the moms, and you can just make out Taka's head- if you look carefully!






(Zen's in this photo too- head down, he's back there with the peace sign)