Page 4 - 09.19 Excursions

Did you know… Japan is suffering from a ninja shortage?

If you ever dreamed of being a ninja, now might be the

time to make it a reality! The Japanese city of Iga has a rich

history of martial arts masters and claims to be the birthplace of
the ninja! They are suffering from a ninja shortage, even though

they’re willing to pay salaries as high as $85,000 for the

performative ninjas willing to take on the job of staffing their

annual ninja festival! Sign me UP!

One of the most meaningful times as a child was when our family
would prepare meals together. Even at a very young age, we were
always given small tasks so that we could contribute: shucking corn,

stirring the sauce, peeling a potato, kneading some dough; even the
slightest role was so rewarding when everyone would sit down

together to enjoy the meal. In the National Geographic article The
Joy of Food, author Victoria Pope speaks of the power of a meal to
forge relationships: from the evidence of ancient meals 300,000
years ago in Qesem Cave to bread scored for sharing at Vesuvias,

people gathering together to break bread in celebration, as part of
their belief system, or in remembrance has been an important part of

every culture. The next time we break bread together here, take a
moment to smile, visit, and think about how grateful you can be to
have these moments together.