Zenrinkan's Blog

Zenrinkan International Festival and Bazaar 2011!!

zenrinkan — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 04:47:23 +0000

It’s time again for the Zenrinkan International Festival and Bazaar!

Date: 9-10-2011 (Saturday)

Time: 10:00 – 15:00

Please join us for a great day of food and fun! Taste food from around the world, and enjoy shopping local crafts at the bazaar!

Please drop in and enjoy our festival!

Let’s Welcome KJ-sensei!

zenrinkan — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 00:21:06 +0000

Zenrinkan has a new English teacher, KJ-sensei!

KJ-sensei and her husband came to Morioka about three weeks ago from America. She lived near the Great Lakes in Wisconsin state. KJ-sensei enjoys playing video games, cooking, and going for long walks. She is very interested in learning Japanese cooking, so please share your favorite recipes with her!

Make sure to stop by Zenrinkan and say hello to KJ-sensei!

March Cooking- Homemade Pizza

zenrinkan — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 08:36:33 +0000

The march cooking class was a small one– many students couldn’t come due to transportation issues, but we had a great time making homemade pizza! You just mix up the dough, let it rise for one hour, add your favorite toppings and then enjoy!: We got to make a floury mess all over the kitchen tables. Yaay!

Kneading was a much-needed stress reliever

Pizza Sauce

The finished product! Usually pizzas are round, but you can also use your oven pans to make square pizzas!

Updates concerning 3/11/11 earthquake

zenrinkan — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 04:14:46 +0000

Dear Zenrinkan Friends,

We are ok!! Zenrinkan’s electricity is up and running, and we will commence classes from Monday, March 14, though we anticipate that many students won’t be able to make it today. All the teachers and staff are safe and accounted for. There hasn’t been much damage to buildings in Morioka, but almost all transportation is halted due to gasoline shortages and road closings, so some staff won’t be in the office for a few days, at least.

Thank you to everyone who sent messages and prayers to the people in Morioka and Zenrinkan. It means so much to us that you keep us in your thoughts!

*****************************************************************

We would like to keep you updated on the situation in Morioka following the big earthquake on Friday, March 3.

Zenrinkan was holding flower sketch classes when quake occured — English lessons weren’t in session for the day, so the Native-Speaking teachers ED and PF were not here. NS, HM, and MK were in the building, and waited for all the students to go home before driving back themselves. No one was injured, and there was no damage to the Zenrinkan building. (Phew!)

The strong earthquake shut off the power to Morioka city for about 26 hours. Zenrinkan did not hold Saturday classes.

Classes have resumed as of Monday, March 14. Some classes will be rescheduled due to the lack of transportation, including Ogama.

Thanks again for all of your thoughts and well-wishes. We will keep you updated if the situation changes

Kids Festival

zenrinkan — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 06:37:21 +0000

On Saturday, February 19, Zenrinkan hosted the annual Kids Festival, this time with a fresh new twist. Instead of having students prepare presentations for their parents, the students and parents worked together, speaking nothing but English for the whole day. It was fun! Students had to go to eight different corners and perform a task in English. From reading a story with PF-sensei to buying food in a grocery store to solving a treasure hunt puzzle, the kids loved the English atmosphere and the chance to meet new Native Speakers. Thanks to all the volunteers who helped make it a great day!

February Cooking and Fudge sale

zenrinkan — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 06:12:37 +0000

Pre-made fudge gave students a sample of the right texture (creamy and soft!)The strawberry fudge was very finnicky-- we had to use a candy thermometer to get it to the perfect temperature (114 degrees celcius)

The strawberry fudge was very finnicky-- we had to use a candy thermometer to get it to the perfect temperature (114 degrees celcius)

Everyone enjoyed tasting this American treat!

The fudge was so popular, ED-sensei cooked extra batches and sold them for Valentines Day. I'm sure many people were happy to recieve delicious fudge on February 14.

Christmas Party 2010

zenrinkan — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 05:00:29 +0000

The Let's Sing group serenaded everyone with Christmas carols-- Rockin Around the Christmas Tree, Let it Snow, and We Wish You a Merry Christmas! (Everyone loved joining in on the last one!)

HM's delicious gingerbread men were very popular-- and too cute to eat!

The Sign Circle performed a beautiful piece that put us all in the holiday spirit.

PF's students did a live reading of "The Selfish Giant" by Oscar Wilde. It's the story of a mean, selfish giant who learns to love a little boy. And Jesus. The students did a great job, and really acted out their roles enthusiastically.

Thanksgiving Cooking

zenrinkan — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 09:43:08 +0000

The Zenrinkan cooking class had a very special Thanksgiving this year. ED and HM cooked a real, whole turkey in celebration of the special day! We ordered the 7 kilo turkey online, and had to defrost it for 8 hours, then cook it for 4. While we were waiting on the bird, we basted it every half hour, and the cooking class made some delicious side dishes, including homemade apple sauce, cranberry sauce, and mashed potatoes with gravy. We had to wait a little longer than anticipated for the turkey’s pop-up thermometer to pop, but it was well worth the wait. Because we used lemon and onion halves in the turkey instead of stuffing, the meat was juicy and tender. Yummy!

Halloween Party

zenrinkan — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 09:26:16 +0000

ED and PF greet all the ghouls and goblins at the 2010 Zenrinkan Halloween Party

Zenrinkan’s annual Halloween party was a big success this year. There was no flu epidemic, and plenty of activities kept about 105 kids and even more volunteers entertained and busy. The fun included ED’s dance corner, where the kids learned Michael Jackson’s Thriller Dance, and the super-scary Haunted House, where PF dressed as a vampire and scared the passers-by. In the Witch’s Kitchen, HM served up caramel apples, which the kids could decorate, and YN dared kids to try to match the coins of the world… underwater! From flying witch slingshot crafts to a plushy, safe kids’ corner for toddlers, the Zenrinkan Halloween Party had something for everyone.

September Cooking- Cafe Lunch!

zenrinkan — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 04:27:05 +0000

You can get this type of set at many American restaurants.

Today Zenrinkan’s cooking class made a French-style Cafe Lunch. We used ham and salami for the sandwiches, red onion and crumbled crackers in teh salad, and we made a french onion soup using cooking sherry and lots of butter. The best part was the Emmental and Gryel cheese we layered on top of the soup with bread. It melted to make a wonderful layer of gooey deliciousness!

Be sure to join us next month for our special Halloween Sweets Cooking Class. It’s on Friday, October 22 at 10:30 am!