Hardy's Anime

For several of the 32 area high-school students traveling with us through the People to People Student Ambassador Program, Japan represented a dream destination, in part because of their love for Japanese anime and manga. We adults on the trip were less familiar with these artforms, but we too partipated in an anime seminar on our second day in Tokyo, where our journey began.

After some discussion and demonstrations on a dry-erase board, we each were provided a chin-and-nose template and markers on which to create our own anime character. As a non-artist, I was unsure of myself and intimidated by the assignment, but ultimately, I jumped in and produced my own creation.



One of the other adults told me that my creation reminded him of the Joker. I still haven't come up with a name for my character, so if you have any suggestions, please let me know.

Mouths Wide Open in Japan

As I prepared to enter a store in Japan, I saw a nest of baby birds above what I believe was a light fixture. Not long after I first saw them, the mother bird flew over, and the babies' mouths excitedly flew open as they anticipated receiving food.

My camera wasn't ready to capture that moment, but hoping for a second chance, I waited with camera ready and was lucky enough to witness an encore performance soon after.

That experience was one of many pleasures while visiting Japan for two weeks with thirty-two high school students and three fellow adult leaders.