Well it has been a very rainy last couple of days here in Japan and with that I have been house bound. Am getting caught up on some more of my Honduras stuff,practicing some Japanese language words and phrases, enjoying time with CJ,...but I am ready to get out of the house today, and to see what if anything is happening in Chinatown? The sun as I write this is trying to peek it's way through the think clouds overhead and it sounds like the blustery winds that have been blowing all morning are starting to die down as well. Yea!
There is supposed to be another show in the park where I was earlier this week at 2pm show and so when CJ gets back from his run we will venture down the bluff and over the canal to see what's going on under the red paper lanterned pagoda.
More soon ...
Karla
Friday, January 30, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Wednesday Jan 28, 09 Colorful and Graceful Chinese Dancers
I did a bunch of book work in the am and then made my down to Chinatown to catch the daily 2pm show. What would the program be today I wondered? I arrived to an almost empty pavilion area, but there were a few moms and their kids in the park enjoying some time on the jungle gym and swings while waiting for the show to begin. It was a cloudy and cooler day today, so I guess the older folks were staying inside to keep warm. They did show up later as show time neared. Eric Clapton songs once again filled the air while we waited. They also moved the stage back further into the drit area and so more people would be able to crowd around this time.
I was also entertained for about 20 minutes by a very horny dog who would NOT leave this poor little boy alone. He was at the park and playing on the jungle gym and this dog would NOT leave him alone and kept trying to hump his leg. It was funny at first, but then it went on and on for like 20 minutes. I felt kind of bad for the kid and thought it a bit odd, that none of the adults with him seemed to take any notice of it or try and stop it. Weird? anyhoo....
The dance show started with some ladies in turquoise and purple with flowing chiffon sleeves and belts and maroon belled boots on their feet. Then a young lady in red came out and did some type of dance that seemed to have a bit of India influence to it I thought. I wish I understood what they were saying before each dance number, as I assumed each dance was representative of a certain region of China or at least I thought so?
Next,a very slim,and petite young lady came out in purple and did a lovely authentic chinese dance. My guess is this might be the kind a geisha girl might do for a party she is working at. She was so delicate and soft with her movements and her fingers and hands flowed like honey when she moved them about. Very Cool!
Last dance was performed by the first 3 ladies with an additional older women who joined them. She had lots of character to her face and really seemed to enjoy dancing about. They were all dressed in green and pink and had the tradtional long sleeved costumes. It was very pretty and reminded me of spring time as they danced amongst the lotus blossoms which were placed around the edge of the makeshift stage.
I once again waited around for the next show and to get pics from a different angle. this time around. While sitting there out of the wind which now kicked up as the clouds above began to roll in thicker and thicker, the park guys moved the fenced in area ouot further and left a big dirt area in front of the stage. Then two of the park employee guys raked the whole dirt area and made a circle pattern in the dirt like they were getting it ready for some thing special or else they were just bored and occupying time while waiting?
It got even colder as the time neared 2 pm and not that many people came to watch as they had yesterday. This second show was different and it began with two of the park employees dressing up in some BIG paper mache headand body type costumes and they ran around in the circle and then passed ouot candy to the aduience members. Everytone was reaching theri hand out to get some sweet goodies. I was too busy taking pics of people and the kids reactions that I di not get any, but a kind gentelman next to me shared two of his with me. Arigato Gozamois!
Then a young lady came out and sang two songs. One about Chinatown and another one with sort of jazzy ballad type feel to it where a girl danced in the background behind her while she sang. I liked her sound and after she was done and as she passed me to go I asked if she had a CD. Yes she did and so I bought one from her Ku-aimi is her name and she personally signed it for me as well and I did not even ask her to. :) Then the showed continued on as it did earlier in the day. Sadly the raindrops began to fall when the girl in purple was dancing and by the time the ladies in green and pink withh the long sleeves were on the crowd had pretty much dispersed. Good for me as I could move all over and get shots form 101 different angles. It was another fun day and one that left me chilled for the rest of the night and tired too,from all the fresh air.
I made my way back home, threw some spaghetti and salad together for supper and then quickly ran down the other side of the bluff for a few groceries before CJ got home. We are surely enjoying all the fresh loaves of bread with sweet Hakkaido butter from the numerous bakeries around here. When we went to Costco on Sunday I stocked up on fresh blueberries and blackberries too, to go with the strawberries that have been so tasty and sweet. YUM!! So last night for dessert we savored our fresh fruit with the baked coconut tarts I picked up in Chinatown.
Tomorrow and Friday there are no shows, but they have more again on Saturday and Sunday so you know where we will be. If the weather cooperates CJ and I are thinking of going south on the pennisula here for a hike as well, to see what we can see by the oceanside and beaches?
more later this week
Karla
I was also entertained for about 20 minutes by a very horny dog who would NOT leave this poor little boy alone. He was at the park and playing on the jungle gym and this dog would NOT leave him alone and kept trying to hump his leg. It was funny at first, but then it went on and on for like 20 minutes. I felt kind of bad for the kid and thought it a bit odd, that none of the adults with him seemed to take any notice of it or try and stop it. Weird? anyhoo....
The dance show started with some ladies in turquoise and purple with flowing chiffon sleeves and belts and maroon belled boots on their feet. Then a young lady in red came out and did some type of dance that seemed to have a bit of India influence to it I thought. I wish I understood what they were saying before each dance number, as I assumed each dance was representative of a certain region of China or at least I thought so?
Next,a very slim,and petite young lady came out in purple and did a lovely authentic chinese dance. My guess is this might be the kind a geisha girl might do for a party she is working at. She was so delicate and soft with her movements and her fingers and hands flowed like honey when she moved them about. Very Cool!
Last dance was performed by the first 3 ladies with an additional older women who joined them. She had lots of character to her face and really seemed to enjoy dancing about. They were all dressed in green and pink and had the tradtional long sleeved costumes. It was very pretty and reminded me of spring time as they danced amongst the lotus blossoms which were placed around the edge of the makeshift stage.
I once again waited around for the next show and to get pics from a different angle. this time around. While sitting there out of the wind which now kicked up as the clouds above began to roll in thicker and thicker, the park guys moved the fenced in area ouot further and left a big dirt area in front of the stage. Then two of the park employee guys raked the whole dirt area and made a circle pattern in the dirt like they were getting it ready for some thing special or else they were just bored and occupying time while waiting?
It got even colder as the time neared 2 pm and not that many people came to watch as they had yesterday. This second show was different and it began with two of the park employees dressing up in some BIG paper mache headand body type costumes and they ran around in the circle and then passed ouot candy to the aduience members. Everytone was reaching theri hand out to get some sweet goodies. I was too busy taking pics of people and the kids reactions that I di not get any, but a kind gentelman next to me shared two of his with me. Arigato Gozamois!
Then a young lady came out and sang two songs. One about Chinatown and another one with sort of jazzy ballad type feel to it where a girl danced in the background behind her while she sang. I liked her sound and after she was done and as she passed me to go I asked if she had a CD. Yes she did and so I bought one from her Ku-aimi is her name and she personally signed it for me as well and I did not even ask her to. :) Then the showed continued on as it did earlier in the day. Sadly the raindrops began to fall when the girl in purple was dancing and by the time the ladies in green and pink withh the long sleeves were on the crowd had pretty much dispersed. Good for me as I could move all over and get shots form 101 different angles. It was another fun day and one that left me chilled for the rest of the night and tired too,from all the fresh air.
I made my way back home, threw some spaghetti and salad together for supper and then quickly ran down the other side of the bluff for a few groceries before CJ got home. We are surely enjoying all the fresh loaves of bread with sweet Hakkaido butter from the numerous bakeries around here. When we went to Costco on Sunday I stocked up on fresh blueberries and blackberries too, to go with the strawberries that have been so tasty and sweet. YUM!! So last night for dessert we savored our fresh fruit with the baked coconut tarts I picked up in Chinatown.
Tomorrow and Friday there are no shows, but they have more again on Saturday and Sunday so you know where we will be. If the weather cooperates CJ and I are thinking of going south on the pennisula here for a hike as well, to see what we can see by the oceanside and beaches?
more later this week
Karla
Tuesday Jan 27, 09 Amazing Chinese Acrobats
Hallo
Ni Hao? How are you? I hope you are all well. I am home today after 3 funfilled days spent in Chinatown. Monday of course I saw the Lions doing there thing about town and on Tuesday afternoon I made my way to Yamashita Park to see what the "secret" prgram was about. Secret to me, as I can NOT read conji and so all I knew was the time and place.
I arrived to find many older chinese folks sitting on the park benches and under the red lantern decorated pagoda, waiting in the sunshine as Eric Clapton serended us in the background. The MC yelled out to the folks passing on the street to come in and see the show at 2pm. At least that is what I thought his charades meant. He did well, as by the time 2pm rolled around the park plaza was full of folks young and old ready to watch the show.
It was to be an acrobat show. Cool! The first guy out was masked and all dressed in black with a long cape holding a folding fan. Everytime he would flash his fan the mask would change colors. It was actually pretty amazing to me. He changed it about 5or 6 times and then made it disappear all together.
The second act was a guy in purple with a long whip who cracked it and tore a two page newspapre in half, then quaters, 8ths.... He then got a guy from the crowd and him out stretch his arms and hold two fake flowers. He then blindfoled himslef anf cracked the whip so to snap off the blossom at the end. It was fun to wtch the guys face as the whip snapped loudly in the air.
Then a pretty young lady dressed in bright Fushia came out and she freaked me out as she contorted her very slim and flexible body into some crazy ass positions. WOW!! I can't seem to figure out how they can do that and often have wondered if they have some bones removed or something? Does anyone know how they can move like that? She made me feel stiff as a board and very old just watching her.
Next another beautiful lady came out riding high above us on a unicycle with a bowl on top of her head. She then went on to put bowls on her 1 foot and while pedaling with the other foot she kicked and tossed the bowls into the other bowl on top od her head. She did 2 bowls at once, then 3 bowls at once , next a small cylinder into that and then a spoon into the narrow cup like cylinder. Pretty impressive and good "foot-head" coordination and balance I'd say.
When she was done the masked man and the contotionist gil came back oout and did some double acrobatics. He was so string and moved her up and about like she wass a feather. She stood on his head with 1 foot and then put more bowls on her head with her other foot. He also lifted her from sitting oin the ground to standing by holidign her with his one hand in hers and no other body parts touching. WOW what strength and balance.
The whip boy came back out for the finale and this he put a cylinder on top of a table and then place a board on top of that cylinder and then stood on it and rocked back and forth. While rolling on the board he roated all the way around in a circle. Then he added more cylinders till he was up to 5 stacked opposite one another and then got up on top of that and turned in a circle again. AS you can imagine it left many of us in the audience breathless.
They took a 1/2 hour break and did it all again. Of course I stayed and watched and this time I saw that they were human as wellas very talented young people.The guy had lots of trouble with his masks and the girls both dropped some of their bowls. But it was still a very fun and entertaing afternoon.
A nice older gentleman form some place north of here in Japan even tried to talk with me a bit before the 2nd show started and so that was nice to try and converse a bit with another human being. :-)
I then made my way back down the main street which was all lit now with the red paper lanterns lining the street glowing brightly above. Got home and had some soup to warm me up, as it got a bit cold when the sun went down. I too enjoyed looking at all the pics I got and to see what postions I was able to capture them in. CJ and I are going to have to have a slide show night one day so he can see all the things he is missing while at work each day. I know it's a toufgh job, but someone has to do it.
More tomorrow
Karla
Ni Hao? How are you? I hope you are all well. I am home today after 3 funfilled days spent in Chinatown. Monday of course I saw the Lions doing there thing about town and on Tuesday afternoon I made my way to Yamashita Park to see what the "secret" prgram was about. Secret to me, as I can NOT read conji and so all I knew was the time and place.
I arrived to find many older chinese folks sitting on the park benches and under the red lantern decorated pagoda, waiting in the sunshine as Eric Clapton serended us in the background. The MC yelled out to the folks passing on the street to come in and see the show at 2pm. At least that is what I thought his charades meant. He did well, as by the time 2pm rolled around the park plaza was full of folks young and old ready to watch the show.
It was to be an acrobat show. Cool! The first guy out was masked and all dressed in black with a long cape holding a folding fan. Everytime he would flash his fan the mask would change colors. It was actually pretty amazing to me. He changed it about 5or 6 times and then made it disappear all together.
The second act was a guy in purple with a long whip who cracked it and tore a two page newspapre in half, then quaters, 8ths.... He then got a guy from the crowd and him out stretch his arms and hold two fake flowers. He then blindfoled himslef anf cracked the whip so to snap off the blossom at the end. It was fun to wtch the guys face as the whip snapped loudly in the air.
Then a pretty young lady dressed in bright Fushia came out and she freaked me out as she contorted her very slim and flexible body into some crazy ass positions. WOW!! I can't seem to figure out how they can do that and often have wondered if they have some bones removed or something? Does anyone know how they can move like that? She made me feel stiff as a board and very old just watching her.
Next another beautiful lady came out riding high above us on a unicycle with a bowl on top of her head. She then went on to put bowls on her 1 foot and while pedaling with the other foot she kicked and tossed the bowls into the other bowl on top od her head. She did 2 bowls at once, then 3 bowls at once , next a small cylinder into that and then a spoon into the narrow cup like cylinder. Pretty impressive and good "foot-head" coordination and balance I'd say.
When she was done the masked man and the contotionist gil came back oout and did some double acrobatics. He was so string and moved her up and about like she wass a feather. She stood on his head with 1 foot and then put more bowls on her head with her other foot. He also lifted her from sitting oin the ground to standing by holidign her with his one hand in hers and no other body parts touching. WOW what strength and balance.
The whip boy came back out for the finale and this he put a cylinder on top of a table and then place a board on top of that cylinder and then stood on it and rocked back and forth. While rolling on the board he roated all the way around in a circle. Then he added more cylinders till he was up to 5 stacked opposite one another and then got up on top of that and turned in a circle again. AS you can imagine it left many of us in the audience breathless.
They took a 1/2 hour break and did it all again. Of course I stayed and watched and this time I saw that they were human as wellas very talented young people.The guy had lots of trouble with his masks and the girls both dropped some of their bowls. But it was still a very fun and entertaing afternoon.
A nice older gentleman form some place north of here in Japan even tried to talk with me a bit before the 2nd show started and so that was nice to try and converse a bit with another human being. :-)
I then made my way back down the main street which was all lit now with the red paper lanterns lining the street glowing brightly above. Got home and had some soup to warm me up, as it got a bit cold when the sun went down. I too enjoyed looking at all the pics I got and to see what postions I was able to capture them in. CJ and I are going to have to have a slide show night one day so he can see all the things he is missing while at work each day. I know it's a toufgh job, but someone has to do it.
More tomorrow
Karla
Monday, January 26, 2009
January 26, 2009 Happy CHINESE NEW YEAR "Guo Nian Hao"
Hello
WOW..I didn't realize it had been so long since I last wrote on here. I guess I really was into my reading, watching TV and just hanging out last week.
I did capture THE MOMENT and got to see all the details and events of the Historical Inauguration day on January 20, 2009 when Barack H Obama was sworn in as the 44th and 1st ever African American President of the USofA. Thanks to CNNj here in Japan I was able to see it all LIVE and so I even pulled an all nighter and stayed up to watch every last bloody detail. Ok I do confess, I guess must have dozed off on the couch as I missed the whole parade. Oh well!
I of course was taking pics of the event off the flatscreen TV and I have only one of the Obama family coming into the reviewing stand and then the next thing I have is them dancing the 1st of their 10 Last Dances.. It was an exciting day.
I then got caught up in the New Years Grand Sumo Tournament and tried to watch as many days of that 15 day event as I could on TV from 4-6 pm each day. It was a very exciting ending this past Sunday when Asa beat Hakuho in a playoff match. Asa had been out for the last 3 tourneys with a shoulder injury and he was 14-0 at the final match against Hakuho who was 14-1. Hakuho won their match and so a playoff was then needed to break the 14-1 tie for the championship. In the end Asa came back to beat Hakuho and regain his crown. Asa has won 23 tournaments and Hakuho 8.
It struck me funny though, as they went into their seperate locker rooms to prepare for the sudden death playoff match....the network showed pics of Hakuho sitting with eyes closed and a pink towel over his shoulders getting his hair redone and in the other room Asa was beating his hands and body up against a wood pillar and body slamming with another wrestler. TOO funny! Perhaps Hakuho takes more of a ZEN-like approach to the sport :-)
So now that 15 day event is over and we are now onto the next one. THese folks like to celebrate lots of different things. Good for me too as it gives me things to do, explore and learn about. Plus I get to take pictures and you know how much I like to do that? :-)
Chinese New Years started yesterday 1/26 with lion dances throughout Chinatown. Four different groups of boys and girls made their way to different sections of the city and first lit very loud fire crackers and then played drums and cymbals in front of different stores, shops,and restaurants while a 2 person lion danced in front of and then entered into the establishments to greet and wink at audience members. At the end of the dance the lion would grap some kind of food or treat left out for them to eat and then more firecrackers were lit before they moved on to the next building. My "GUESS" from what I have read, is the lion comes to give a blessing of prosperity and hope for good sales and business for the New Year and then he is given a treat at the end of his perfomance as a thanks ?
There were masses of people following the lions up and down the different streets, eating steamed dumplings, roasted chestnuts, and stopping to pay their respects by lighting incense sticks, candles, and giving offerings of money and flowers at the 2 different temples and shrines.
The city was a glow with red paper lanterns and gold and red banners which lined the 2 main streets. Ladies in silk and fur capes with flowered and beaded head ornaments were busy passing out some kind of flyers about an upcoming theater production of sorts and many people were of course trying to get the best angle they could for a photo of the shrine with it's BIG lantern decorations hanging on the entrance gate.
I read on a China website that today the 2nd day is some special day about feeding their dogs and also here in Yokohama they are scheduled to have some kind of traditonal music event. I am not sure all the same things will be done here as they would be in China, but I am still interested to see how they celebrate here.
The 3rd and 4th day is about Son in Laws, 5th day Po Woo they stay home and don't visit, 6-10th days they visit with friends,family and go to temples. On the 7th day Feb 1 they supposedly have a big produce market and then some kind of special noodle soup with 7 veggies. The 9th day Feb 3rd is about Jade Emperor who brings good luck, health and riches. On days 11 and 12 they invite folks to dinner with them. On the 1 they then purify their bodies by eating "Chi som" rice congee with mustard and greens. Day 14 they prepare for the lantern festival on day 15, which is the last day Feb 9th. Then they have the Yuanxiao Dragon and Lantern Parade. Should be fun, exciting, noisy and colorful.
I have posted some photos on my Facebook profile page http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/profile.php?id=1026932101
so go check them out there if you want to see more. Looks like I am at the photo limit :-(on this blog and as you can see I have had no time to delete some of the earlier ones so to make room for the latest and current events
More stories coming soon I hope
Guo Nian Hao
Karla
WOW..I didn't realize it had been so long since I last wrote on here. I guess I really was into my reading, watching TV and just hanging out last week.
I did capture THE MOMENT and got to see all the details and events of the Historical Inauguration day on January 20, 2009 when Barack H Obama was sworn in as the 44th and 1st ever African American President of the USofA. Thanks to CNNj here in Japan I was able to see it all LIVE and so I even pulled an all nighter and stayed up to watch every last bloody detail. Ok I do confess, I guess must have dozed off on the couch as I missed the whole parade. Oh well!
I of course was taking pics of the event off the flatscreen TV and I have only one of the Obama family coming into the reviewing stand and then the next thing I have is them dancing the 1st of their 10 Last Dances.. It was an exciting day.
I then got caught up in the New Years Grand Sumo Tournament and tried to watch as many days of that 15 day event as I could on TV from 4-6 pm each day. It was a very exciting ending this past Sunday when Asa beat Hakuho in a playoff match. Asa had been out for the last 3 tourneys with a shoulder injury and he was 14-0 at the final match against Hakuho who was 14-1. Hakuho won their match and so a playoff was then needed to break the 14-1 tie for the championship. In the end Asa came back to beat Hakuho and regain his crown. Asa has won 23 tournaments and Hakuho 8.
It struck me funny though, as they went into their seperate locker rooms to prepare for the sudden death playoff match....the network showed pics of Hakuho sitting with eyes closed and a pink towel over his shoulders getting his hair redone and in the other room Asa was beating his hands and body up against a wood pillar and body slamming with another wrestler. TOO funny! Perhaps Hakuho takes more of a ZEN-like approach to the sport :-)
So now that 15 day event is over and we are now onto the next one. THese folks like to celebrate lots of different things. Good for me too as it gives me things to do, explore and learn about. Plus I get to take pictures and you know how much I like to do that? :-)
Chinese New Years started yesterday 1/26 with lion dances throughout Chinatown. Four different groups of boys and girls made their way to different sections of the city and first lit very loud fire crackers and then played drums and cymbals in front of different stores, shops,and restaurants while a 2 person lion danced in front of and then entered into the establishments to greet and wink at audience members. At the end of the dance the lion would grap some kind of food or treat left out for them to eat and then more firecrackers were lit before they moved on to the next building. My "GUESS" from what I have read, is the lion comes to give a blessing of prosperity and hope for good sales and business for the New Year and then he is given a treat at the end of his perfomance as a thanks ?
There were masses of people following the lions up and down the different streets, eating steamed dumplings, roasted chestnuts, and stopping to pay their respects by lighting incense sticks, candles, and giving offerings of money and flowers at the 2 different temples and shrines.
The city was a glow with red paper lanterns and gold and red banners which lined the 2 main streets. Ladies in silk and fur capes with flowered and beaded head ornaments were busy passing out some kind of flyers about an upcoming theater production of sorts and many people were of course trying to get the best angle they could for a photo of the shrine with it's BIG lantern decorations hanging on the entrance gate.
I read on a China website that today the 2nd day is some special day about feeding their dogs and also here in Yokohama they are scheduled to have some kind of traditonal music event. I am not sure all the same things will be done here as they would be in China, but I am still interested to see how they celebrate here.
The 3rd and 4th day is about Son in Laws, 5th day Po Woo they stay home and don't visit, 6-10th days they visit with friends,family and go to temples. On the 7th day Feb 1 they supposedly have a big produce market and then some kind of special noodle soup with 7 veggies. The 9th day Feb 3rd is about Jade Emperor who brings good luck, health and riches. On days 11 and 12 they invite folks to dinner with them. On the 1 they then purify their bodies by eating "Chi som" rice congee with mustard and greens. Day 14 they prepare for the lantern festival on day 15, which is the last day Feb 9th. Then they have the Yuanxiao Dragon and Lantern Parade. Should be fun, exciting, noisy and colorful.
I have posted some photos on my Facebook profile page http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/profile.php?id=1026932101
so go check them out there if you want to see more. Looks like I am at the photo limit :-(on this blog and as you can see I have had no time to delete some of the earlier ones so to make room for the latest and current events
More stories coming soon I hope
Guo Nian Hao
Karla
Monday, January 19, 2009
Jan 19 , 2009 Things are heating up in Yokohamas Chinatown and Washington DC
Konbonwa...Good Evening
Well another day is almost past here in Japan and you all in the USA are just waking to it and will soon begin to celebrate Martin Luther King Day amongst many other festivities leading up to the BIG HISTORICAL Inaguration of America's First Africa American President Barrack Obama tomorrow on Jan 20th. Yahoo !
What exciting times for the USA and the world. I have been watching Larry King Live here this past week and some CNN and BBC news too, so I am keeping a little bit informed of the goings on. I will have to have CJ bring home a newspaper as well, so we can read more about all that is taking place back home.
Here in Japan the Chinese across the canal are gearing up for Chinese New Year starting Jan 26th of this week. It is a 15 day celebration and so CJ and I have been reading about it on the website to figure out what all the traditions are and also so we hopefully won't miss any of the big parades and events. We hope to make the lion parade on the 26 and then on Feb 9th the final lantern dragon parade. We walked through some of the streets which are all decorated with red paper lanterns on Sunday night and saw too they have hung red and white colored lights and some mini red lanterns and gold ornaments in the central park tree.
A few stores had 2009 calendars for sale, posters and one man had a New Years Decoration stand where he was selling gold foil couplets, and circular red paper cut window decals too. We bought two small ones that I think might look nice framed and hanging on a wall after the celebration. One has 2 Chinese lanterns and the other 2 coi fish. They are very intricate and lacy looking...very pretty I think.
We found another massage place for me to try out when I get around to that and we had fun trying to talk in English to the 3 little Chinese ladies about making reservations and what hours they are open.
As we walked further along, we then found what looked to be like the New Years Info center and went inside to take some pics of the lion and dragon heads which I am assuming might be used in the parade later this week. On each side of the door as we entered were fake trees with pink cherry blossoms and they looked so pretty. Many families were in there and taking pics of their kids in front of the very colorful display of mini orange trees, red, yellow, white and orange lions heads. They even had a few yoou could put on youor head and be a lion yourself, so of course I had to do that.
It was a very colorful room and had all kinds of fish kites and large versions of the numerous amulets, firecrackers, red peppers... hanging from the ceiling. Waist high bamboo plants decorated with littel amulets. As we left and passed by the cherry trees on the way out it made me excited for late March when all the cherry trees will be blooming. Already a few trees are starting to blossom around the neighborhood but I think they are plum trees. Pretty little yellow fragrant flowers I saw today and another tree with some dark orange blossoms too. It seems so odd for them to be talking of spring when it is the middle of January. It was nice though to only need my fleece hooded jacket when out grocery shopping late this afternoon. Sure beats the -17+ degree craziness you all in MN are having. Burrr..
CJ and I too, are really enjoying orange and fresh strawberry season right now. Seems every two or three days I have to go back and replenish the fruit and veggie drawer with ripe strawberries, crispy Fuji apples, juicy mandarin oranges, butternut squash, chinese cabbage, bok choy, sweet potatoes, cukes, carrots, green peppers, onions.... YUM it is all so fresh and good. Seems odd too, to still be buying it all at the open air stands. I keep wondering if one day I will go there and they will be closed because of the time of year and cold weather, but I am guessing now it will probably stay open year around which is awesome. I guess we might see a little bit of snow in February but that supposedly is all? I do love the mandarin oranges as they are so easy to peel and sweet. Too easy to open maybe, as I seem to go through very many sometimes 2-3 maybe even 4 a day. I guess it's better than eating candy or cookies or pastries...right ? :-)
So now I am thinking I will probably make my way down through Chinatown everyday for my daily walk next week, just to see what might be happening. Each day they seem to celebrate something else according to the handout she gave us. We can at least tell the dayes and times, but the explanation in kangi characters is way beyond me. I am still not even getting into Japanese.
Supposedly you are to wear red to ward off evil and avoid white and black as those are colors of mourning. Red also stands for happiness and gold for wealth and lots of decorations are in those 2 colors as well.This is the year of the Ox or Cow and I did see a few cow ornaments hanging on the mini trees in front of the temple. To my surprise there were many more around for the Japanese or world New Year on January
1st. Who knows, maybe more stuff will be out later this week as the big day gets closer.
Well I had best wrap this up so I can hit the hay and get up for another day here tomorrow. CJ brought home a big bag of mail today, that Bob sent over, with lots of cards from the kids in Honduras. Now I need to fold them and put them in envelopes to be sent out to their sponsors back in the states.
Take care, keep happy and enjoy the DC extravaganza
Here's to CHANGE and all that is coming...hope it leaves us all in a more positive light?
Karla and CJ
Well another day is almost past here in Japan and you all in the USA are just waking to it and will soon begin to celebrate Martin Luther King Day amongst many other festivities leading up to the BIG HISTORICAL Inaguration of America's First Africa American President Barrack Obama tomorrow on Jan 20th. Yahoo !
What exciting times for the USA and the world. I have been watching Larry King Live here this past week and some CNN and BBC news too, so I am keeping a little bit informed of the goings on. I will have to have CJ bring home a newspaper as well, so we can read more about all that is taking place back home.
Here in Japan the Chinese across the canal are gearing up for Chinese New Year starting Jan 26th of this week. It is a 15 day celebration and so CJ and I have been reading about it on the website to figure out what all the traditions are and also so we hopefully won't miss any of the big parades and events. We hope to make the lion parade on the 26 and then on Feb 9th the final lantern dragon parade. We walked through some of the streets which are all decorated with red paper lanterns on Sunday night and saw too they have hung red and white colored lights and some mini red lanterns and gold ornaments in the central park tree.
A few stores had 2009 calendars for sale, posters and one man had a New Years Decoration stand where he was selling gold foil couplets, and circular red paper cut window decals too. We bought two small ones that I think might look nice framed and hanging on a wall after the celebration. One has 2 Chinese lanterns and the other 2 coi fish. They are very intricate and lacy looking...very pretty I think.
We found another massage place for me to try out when I get around to that and we had fun trying to talk in English to the 3 little Chinese ladies about making reservations and what hours they are open.
As we walked further along, we then found what looked to be like the New Years Info center and went inside to take some pics of the lion and dragon heads which I am assuming might be used in the parade later this week. On each side of the door as we entered were fake trees with pink cherry blossoms and they looked so pretty. Many families were in there and taking pics of their kids in front of the very colorful display of mini orange trees, red, yellow, white and orange lions heads. They even had a few yoou could put on youor head and be a lion yourself, so of course I had to do that.
It was a very colorful room and had all kinds of fish kites and large versions of the numerous amulets, firecrackers, red peppers... hanging from the ceiling. Waist high bamboo plants decorated with littel amulets. As we left and passed by the cherry trees on the way out it made me excited for late March when all the cherry trees will be blooming. Already a few trees are starting to blossom around the neighborhood but I think they are plum trees. Pretty little yellow fragrant flowers I saw today and another tree with some dark orange blossoms too. It seems so odd for them to be talking of spring when it is the middle of January. It was nice though to only need my fleece hooded jacket when out grocery shopping late this afternoon. Sure beats the -17+ degree craziness you all in MN are having. Burrr..
CJ and I too, are really enjoying orange and fresh strawberry season right now. Seems every two or three days I have to go back and replenish the fruit and veggie drawer with ripe strawberries, crispy Fuji apples, juicy mandarin oranges, butternut squash, chinese cabbage, bok choy, sweet potatoes, cukes, carrots, green peppers, onions.... YUM it is all so fresh and good. Seems odd too, to still be buying it all at the open air stands. I keep wondering if one day I will go there and they will be closed because of the time of year and cold weather, but I am guessing now it will probably stay open year around which is awesome. I guess we might see a little bit of snow in February but that supposedly is all? I do love the mandarin oranges as they are so easy to peel and sweet. Too easy to open maybe, as I seem to go through very many sometimes 2-3 maybe even 4 a day. I guess it's better than eating candy or cookies or pastries...right ? :-)
So now I am thinking I will probably make my way down through Chinatown everyday for my daily walk next week, just to see what might be happening. Each day they seem to celebrate something else according to the handout she gave us. We can at least tell the dayes and times, but the explanation in kangi characters is way beyond me. I am still not even getting into Japanese.
Supposedly you are to wear red to ward off evil and avoid white and black as those are colors of mourning. Red also stands for happiness and gold for wealth and lots of decorations are in those 2 colors as well.This is the year of the Ox or Cow and I did see a few cow ornaments hanging on the mini trees in front of the temple. To my surprise there were many more around for the Japanese or world New Year on January
1st. Who knows, maybe more stuff will be out later this week as the big day gets closer.
Well I had best wrap this up so I can hit the hay and get up for another day here tomorrow. CJ brought home a big bag of mail today, that Bob sent over, with lots of cards from the kids in Honduras. Now I need to fold them and put them in envelopes to be sent out to their sponsors back in the states.
Take care, keep happy and enjoy the DC extravaganza
Here's to CHANGE and all that is coming...hope it leaves us all in a more positive light?
Karla and CJ
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Jan 15, 2009 EPHS Casey Carlson is on American Idol 8
Hi all
Well it's another sunny and cool day here in Japan and I was going to go out for my daily walk, but of course I once again got side tracked here on the computer with Facebook, Emails and house stuff.
I just got an Email from a friend with the VERY EXCITING NEWS that one of Eden Prairie's own --Casey Carlson is a semi finalist I think on AMERICAN IDOL 8 TV show. COOL!
Yes, I am a fan of sorts and have bought many a CD of the different finalists over the years. I never have really seen a whole season of the show though, as the auditions are right before I usually make my annual trip to Honduras and then I usually get home after my 2 to 3 month stay there and might get to see a few episodes before it ends. I do enjoy the CD's I buy though and I'm hoping I will soon be buying one of Casey's as well. How FUN that would be?!
Casey was in EPHS theater with Graham and Kalen and her older sister were aquaintances as well. Years ago I took some adult educational classes that Casey's mom taught, and so it will be fun to root on someone we kind of know. Make sure you all call in and vote for her now ya here :-)
I think CJ said we might even get a delayed broadcasting of it here in Japan, so you can be sure I will try and look for that, so to keep up to date on all the happenings. FUN!!
I enjoyed a nice walk in Yamate yesterday and even found a little bamboo and wicker night stand for only 840 yen. Then it was marked down 20 percent and so I figured I got a great deal and it goes nicely with our futons too. On my way back home I stopped to rest while carrying it and then stood and watched as the sunset over Yokohama and Mt Fuji-san. It was so beautiful and peaceful until my fingers started to get cold.
I then made my way back home to warm up and snuggled under the comforter to watch Larry King Live while he did the exit interview with President and Mrs Bush. Interesting. I suppose there is all kinds of stuff going on back in the states in preparation for Obamas BIG DAY next week? I think I will get to see a bit of it on CNN if I turn on the TV. I am usually stuck on my computer or doing something with photos, so haven't really watched all that much TV since I have been here. Now that the weather is cooler I am finding I am home more and need a break from typing and so have been checking out more of the music channels as well, so to get to know the local Japanese artists. MTV Japan has some English so I do get bits and pieces.
The last few mornings I also have been enjoying reading before I get out of bed. Right now I am into the book Naomi. It is a love story of sorts by one of Japan's finest modern writers Junichiro Tanizaki. It is very interesting and I like his style of writing too, so maybe I will try to find more of his works when I am done with this one.
CJ called last night from China and he had just gotten back to the hotel, after watching a hockey game in Shanghai. A guy he works with over there plays on an international adult league and he went to his game. It seems odd to me that they even have Hockey in China?
I too got pics from Michael today of Kalen's Massage school Graduation and so I will post one of her here as well. She looks so Happy and we are of course proud of her latest accomplishment.
Well I had best close this for now. I am off to get CJ's laundry from the White House Cleaners. That is such a funny name to me and every time I see it I think of Monica Lewinsky's Blue Dress and all the trouble her and Bill Clinton had in the White House. haha
Anyhoo.. enjoy your selves and all the hub bub that is sure to take place up to the Historical Inaugeration Day. Jeez, I hope the weather cooperates and it is not -0 degrees for the outdoor ceremony. Burrr.
More soon from Nipon
Karla
Well it's another sunny and cool day here in Japan and I was going to go out for my daily walk, but of course I once again got side tracked here on the computer with Facebook, Emails and house stuff.
I just got an Email from a friend with the VERY EXCITING NEWS that one of Eden Prairie's own --Casey Carlson is a semi finalist I think on AMERICAN IDOL 8 TV show. COOL!
Yes, I am a fan of sorts and have bought many a CD of the different finalists over the years. I never have really seen a whole season of the show though, as the auditions are right before I usually make my annual trip to Honduras and then I usually get home after my 2 to 3 month stay there and might get to see a few episodes before it ends. I do enjoy the CD's I buy though and I'm hoping I will soon be buying one of Casey's as well. How FUN that would be?!
Casey was in EPHS theater with Graham and Kalen and her older sister were aquaintances as well. Years ago I took some adult educational classes that Casey's mom taught, and so it will be fun to root on someone we kind of know. Make sure you all call in and vote for her now ya here :-)
I think CJ said we might even get a delayed broadcasting of it here in Japan, so you can be sure I will try and look for that, so to keep up to date on all the happenings. FUN!!
I enjoyed a nice walk in Yamate yesterday and even found a little bamboo and wicker night stand for only 840 yen. Then it was marked down 20 percent and so I figured I got a great deal and it goes nicely with our futons too. On my way back home I stopped to rest while carrying it and then stood and watched as the sunset over Yokohama and Mt Fuji-san. It was so beautiful and peaceful until my fingers started to get cold.
I then made my way back home to warm up and snuggled under the comforter to watch Larry King Live while he did the exit interview with President and Mrs Bush. Interesting. I suppose there is all kinds of stuff going on back in the states in preparation for Obamas BIG DAY next week? I think I will get to see a bit of it on CNN if I turn on the TV. I am usually stuck on my computer or doing something with photos, so haven't really watched all that much TV since I have been here. Now that the weather is cooler I am finding I am home more and need a break from typing and so have been checking out more of the music channels as well, so to get to know the local Japanese artists. MTV Japan has some English so I do get bits and pieces.
The last few mornings I also have been enjoying reading before I get out of bed. Right now I am into the book Naomi. It is a love story of sorts by one of Japan's finest modern writers Junichiro Tanizaki. It is very interesting and I like his style of writing too, so maybe I will try to find more of his works when I am done with this one.
CJ called last night from China and he had just gotten back to the hotel, after watching a hockey game in Shanghai. A guy he works with over there plays on an international adult league and he went to his game. It seems odd to me that they even have Hockey in China?
I too got pics from Michael today of Kalen's Massage school Graduation and so I will post one of her here as well. She looks so Happy and we are of course proud of her latest accomplishment.
Well I had best close this for now. I am off to get CJ's laundry from the White House Cleaners. That is such a funny name to me and every time I see it I think of Monica Lewinsky's Blue Dress and all the trouble her and Bill Clinton had in the White House. haha
Anyhoo.. enjoy your selves and all the hub bub that is sure to take place up to the Historical Inaugeration Day. Jeez, I hope the weather cooperates and it is not -0 degrees for the outdoor ceremony. Burrr.
More soon from Nipon
Karla
Monday, January 12, 2009
Jan 13, 2009 It's warmer than MN , but colder than CA here in Japan
Hi All
Well I have not seemed to make much headway here this last week I guess. As I glance over my last post it seems to be pretty much the same around here this week. I am getting quite a bit of information taken care of for Honduras, but seem to be hung up on getting my thoughts together for our family update on paper. :-(
I bought a few more books about Japan the other day at the books store and so I made the mistake of peeking in one and then started reading it and well, it seems to have gotten me even more side tracked.
The January Sumo tournament started on Saturday as well and so now every day I am going to have to tune into see the top ranked guys wrestle on TV from 4-6pm. I think I am hooked.
CJ and I had a nice weekend together here at the house just chillin and hanging out watching a few movies on TV, updating our home files and bookeeping paperwork. We talked with MN neighbor PJ and to see how they are fairing after their house fire on New Years night. They have now officially moved in to our house and are busy over at theirs most days trying to pack up and get out all their belongings so the rebuilding can take place. They seem to be adjusting as well as can be expected from this sad turn of events.
Dad and I want to Thank you again Graham for helping move our things down stairs, so to give PJ and family more space. Hope your having fun with all the rellies you have been seeing in Mpls and St Paul as of late. We miss everyone there, but not the cold and snowy weather we here you all are having.
CJ and I did have fun the other night when Tad from work invited us over for cakes and to meet his family. Boy were we ever surprised when we got there and his wife Yuko had made a full meal for us. We had a lovely traditional Japanese rice dish "Chi rache sushi" , some homemade spring rolls,and a delicious tomatoe and onion salad along with some special "Yuko Maki" cheese and sausage rolls that the kids loved and devoured very quickly.
They have two young kids Kito 4 and 1/2 and Eyna almost 2. They were so CUTE and of course I was down on the floor and playing with them as soon as I got my shoes off. They were so busy with the new toys I brought them and also watching a cartoon DVD on the large screen TV. Kito got mad and even yelled at us 4 adults who were talking too loud at the table and he was very disturbed he couldn't hear his show. It was too funny, but Tad and Yuko were a bit embarrassed I think and made him come over and apologize to CJ and I. Heck CJ and I did NOT have a clue what he said in Japanese, but it must not have been too nice as the parents both blushed a bit. We told them Mandi nai...no problem.
Today it is supposed to be 48 degrees and the sun is shining here as well, and so when I get this blog typed up I will head to the veggie stand for some more delicous and juicy Fuji apples,fresh mandarine oranges and some more salda fixins. I too have found some more new delicious cream filled granola bar like snacks and also am baking the sweet potatoes and then keep them to slice thin the next day and fry with some onion and salt/pepper. My own style of potatoe chip.I seem to be really craving carbs when the weather is colder now and can't get enough bread and cracker type treats. I better keep on walking daily so it doesn't end up staying on my hips and belly. haha
CJ is off today for Nagoya and then tomorrow he heads over to China for the rest of the week.I hope to stay home and continue my personal battle it seems with what to write to tell you all about out life this past year. For those of you reading this blog page,it will all be old newsfor you...but for those whose Emails I don't have I want to let them know we are over here and enjoying life and our adventures in Asia. Not many know that fact I am quite sure, as we knew NOTHING about the move here when we wrote the 2007 letter.
So I guess that is about all for now. I am NOT sure what I will do about showing you more photos on here..perhaps I will have to take the time to delete some of the old ones to make room for the new? You can alwasys sign up on Facebook and see my many photo albums I have there under Karlita Harriman. It really is a GREAT way to keep in touch and more and more of my Grandma aged friends are logging in and now in touch with their kids and grandkids. How fun is that.:-) Perhaps this is the new way for generations to connect with one another in the 21st century. It is fun and a bit addictive too, so be forewarned. I of course love seeing and commenting on all the photos people post of their times with friends and family, vacations,and to learn a bit more and to reconnect with many of our long distance relatives ahas been fun too....Give it a consideration and a try, you can write and participate, play games, maybe find old high school and college friends perhaps...or you can just make an account to only see my photos..heck you might even like it...but don't tell you I told you so :-) haha
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/profile.php?id=1026932101&v=info&viewas=1026932101
More soon
Sayonara from Karla and CJ too
Well I have not seemed to make much headway here this last week I guess. As I glance over my last post it seems to be pretty much the same around here this week. I am getting quite a bit of information taken care of for Honduras, but seem to be hung up on getting my thoughts together for our family update on paper. :-(
I bought a few more books about Japan the other day at the books store and so I made the mistake of peeking in one and then started reading it and well, it seems to have gotten me even more side tracked.
The January Sumo tournament started on Saturday as well and so now every day I am going to have to tune into see the top ranked guys wrestle on TV from 4-6pm. I think I am hooked.
CJ and I had a nice weekend together here at the house just chillin and hanging out watching a few movies on TV, updating our home files and bookeeping paperwork. We talked with MN neighbor PJ and to see how they are fairing after their house fire on New Years night. They have now officially moved in to our house and are busy over at theirs most days trying to pack up and get out all their belongings so the rebuilding can take place. They seem to be adjusting as well as can be expected from this sad turn of events.
Dad and I want to Thank you again Graham for helping move our things down stairs, so to give PJ and family more space. Hope your having fun with all the rellies you have been seeing in Mpls and St Paul as of late. We miss everyone there, but not the cold and snowy weather we here you all are having.
CJ and I did have fun the other night when Tad from work invited us over for cakes and to meet his family. Boy were we ever surprised when we got there and his wife Yuko had made a full meal for us. We had a lovely traditional Japanese rice dish "Chi rache sushi" , some homemade spring rolls,and a delicious tomatoe and onion salad along with some special "Yuko Maki" cheese and sausage rolls that the kids loved and devoured very quickly.
They have two young kids Kito 4 and 1/2 and Eyna almost 2. They were so CUTE and of course I was down on the floor and playing with them as soon as I got my shoes off. They were so busy with the new toys I brought them and also watching a cartoon DVD on the large screen TV. Kito got mad and even yelled at us 4 adults who were talking too loud at the table and he was very disturbed he couldn't hear his show. It was too funny, but Tad and Yuko were a bit embarrassed I think and made him come over and apologize to CJ and I. Heck CJ and I did NOT have a clue what he said in Japanese, but it must not have been too nice as the parents both blushed a bit. We told them Mandi nai...no problem.
Today it is supposed to be 48 degrees and the sun is shining here as well, and so when I get this blog typed up I will head to the veggie stand for some more delicous and juicy Fuji apples,fresh mandarine oranges and some more salda fixins. I too have found some more new delicious cream filled granola bar like snacks and also am baking the sweet potatoes and then keep them to slice thin the next day and fry with some onion and salt/pepper. My own style of potatoe chip.I seem to be really craving carbs when the weather is colder now and can't get enough bread and cracker type treats. I better keep on walking daily so it doesn't end up staying on my hips and belly. haha
CJ is off today for Nagoya and then tomorrow he heads over to China for the rest of the week.I hope to stay home and continue my personal battle it seems with what to write to tell you all about out life this past year. For those of you reading this blog page,it will all be old newsfor you...but for those whose Emails I don't have I want to let them know we are over here and enjoying life and our adventures in Asia. Not many know that fact I am quite sure, as we knew NOTHING about the move here when we wrote the 2007 letter.
So I guess that is about all for now. I am NOT sure what I will do about showing you more photos on here..perhaps I will have to take the time to delete some of the old ones to make room for the new? You can alwasys sign up on Facebook and see my many photo albums I have there under Karlita Harriman. It really is a GREAT way to keep in touch and more and more of my Grandma aged friends are logging in and now in touch with their kids and grandkids. How fun is that.:-) Perhaps this is the new way for generations to connect with one another in the 21st century. It is fun and a bit addictive too, so be forewarned. I of course love seeing and commenting on all the photos people post of their times with friends and family, vacations,and to learn a bit more and to reconnect with many of our long distance relatives ahas been fun too....Give it a consideration and a try, you can write and participate, play games, maybe find old high school and college friends perhaps...or you can just make an account to only see my photos..heck you might even like it...but don't tell you I told you so :-) haha
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/profile.php?id=1026932101&v=info&viewas=1026932101
More soon
Sayonara from Karla and CJ too
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Jan 7, 2009 Kalen's Graduation Day in Chicago !!!
Hi all
Well it is actually the morning of Jan 8th here in sunny Japan, while it is night time in Chicago on Jan 7th and my guess Kalen and friends arenow busy celebrating their GRADUATION from Cortiva Institute's School of Massage. YAHOO..WAY TO GO SCOOP!! We are PROUD of you and wish we were physically there with you to join in the festivities.......we are in our hearts and minds. Do send pics please and hope Mikey is feeling better soon as well.
We had a great time with the kids while they were here and we covered alot of territory and saw many things. We sure hope they felt like they saw and experienced many things Japanese in their short stay here. I was going to tell you more about our adventures between Christmas and New Years while they were here, but that seems so long ago now, and I too am having trouble putting photos on here as well. I guess I've hit the limit. I know your NOT surprised by that! So I guess, I will just cover that in our annual news post.
Today it is sunny here in Japan and supposed to get near 50 degrees. YES!! I know that is much warmer than most of you are experiencing these days and let me tell you it does feel good. Ok, sorry to rub it in. Anyhoo, I will soon make my way out of the house and down to the store for a few more food items and then back home and to work again.
I have been holed up in the house the last few days trying hard to make sense of the piles of paper and back logged info I need to make current. I am slowly making my way through it, and soon hope to start on our BELATED annual holiday letter. I know many of you are looking for more exciting adventures from me, but right now I must stay focused so I can get things in order here for 2009. Remember I told you I like to hibernate like a bear in winter and regroup, so things may be short and sweet to nil here for awhile on this blog.
It sure has been fun to get all your Christmas cards and letters/photos about your families. You all have been very busy as well. Glad to hear most everyone we know is in fairly good health and life is treating them well in these tough times.
Cheers to 2009 and better days ahead
karla
Well it is actually the morning of Jan 8th here in sunny Japan, while it is night time in Chicago on Jan 7th and my guess Kalen and friends arenow busy celebrating their GRADUATION from Cortiva Institute's School of Massage. YAHOO..WAY TO GO SCOOP!! We are PROUD of you and wish we were physically there with you to join in the festivities.......we are in our hearts and minds. Do send pics please and hope Mikey is feeling better soon as well.
We had a great time with the kids while they were here and we covered alot of territory and saw many things. We sure hope they felt like they saw and experienced many things Japanese in their short stay here. I was going to tell you more about our adventures between Christmas and New Years while they were here, but that seems so long ago now, and I too am having trouble putting photos on here as well. I guess I've hit the limit. I know your NOT surprised by that! So I guess, I will just cover that in our annual news post.
Today it is sunny here in Japan and supposed to get near 50 degrees. YES!! I know that is much warmer than most of you are experiencing these days and let me tell you it does feel good. Ok, sorry to rub it in. Anyhoo, I will soon make my way out of the house and down to the store for a few more food items and then back home and to work again.
I have been holed up in the house the last few days trying hard to make sense of the piles of paper and back logged info I need to make current. I am slowly making my way through it, and soon hope to start on our BELATED annual holiday letter. I know many of you are looking for more exciting adventures from me, but right now I must stay focused so I can get things in order here for 2009. Remember I told you I like to hibernate like a bear in winter and regroup, so things may be short and sweet to nil here for awhile on this blog.
It sure has been fun to get all your Christmas cards and letters/photos about your families. You all have been very busy as well. Glad to hear most everyone we know is in fairly good health and life is treating them well in these tough times.
Cheers to 2009 and better days ahead
karla
Friday, January 2, 2009
Saturday Jan 3rd, 2009 New Years Day Fire in EP
Well......... all I can say right now, is the last few hours, weeks and months have been a bit crazy, draining and more out of control than I like...and they seem to get crazier by the minute. UGH! My head is spinning, my body aches and I feel pretty well "burnt out". I feel like I have been surrounded by people for the last 3 months, in some rather stressful situations at times and have not really had any time to just sit and be alone. I like and need that, especially in the winter months. I find I like to hibernate like a bear and sleep, read, relax and reflect, but have'nt really had much time to do any of that since October.
I know I need rest and time to chill...and I will try to make time for that on Sunday and next week, when the house will once again be very, very quiet and all my dear family will be faraway across the oceans and back home again. :-( CJ and I are so grateful to have had the 3 kids here for the holidays and for the opportunity to share with them a little slice of our life here in Japan.
Kalen and Michael took the last day here in Japan to themselves and they went back up to Tokyo to see some more of the sights. Graham is back in the states and being very helpful holding things together on the homefront while sneaking in some fun times with his friends. CJ and I are doing a bit of bookwork this AM and trying to get some kind of schedule in place for the New Year here and what we would like to accomplish, see and do while we have still have some time here in Asia.
I stayed up late last night when Kalen, Mike and CJ went to bed, as I just wanted to work with my MANY photos on the computer and have some alone time. Of course as usual,I had trouble with my computer programs and so that did not get done like I had hoped, but I did enjoy touching base with many of you on Facebook and also checking my various Emails. It is always good to hear from you. Thanks for keeping in touch.
I too wanted to update my blogs here and to tell you some more of our Japanese family adventures between Christmas and New Years but that fell by the wayside when my eyes began to fall shut and I then received a very disturbing note from one EP neighbor. The note told of a New Years Day fire at another one of the houses on the culd-de-sac and the thought that perhaps the family might need to rent our house if possible. WOW .....so sad and scary, but we are thankful Boomer and family are all ok and safe. We too, hope we can help them out in any way we can.
So now,from far across the oceans we are in the midst of working things out with Boomer/PJ, Graham and both insurance companies so they can rent our house out for 3-4months while their house is being rebuilt. We are once again grateful to Graham who has stepped up to help out in our absence and that he is able to be the mediator for a few weeks before he heads back to Duluth. Thanks Mr Wood.
It feels so good to just sit here this morning with CJ on the couch in the warmth of my living room looking out at the stone pagoda in my backyard garden and to feel the bright warm sunshine melt my stiff, rigid and tired body. Ahhhhhh....I hope I have many more days like this in the weeks to come.
Some of you have asked where my " Holiday Book" is, and I am still hoping to get some of my random and crazy thoughts down on paper at some point and to hopefully compile our annual holiday letter. Don't hold your breath as to when it will arrive though, as the creative juices have not started flowing as yet. Who knows what the theme will end up being,as each daily event, or crisis that occurs, seems to change my thought pattern and possible ideas.
Anyhoo..that is what's "heating up" here in Japan ...Do know your all thought of often and I truly enjoy your being in contact while we are far apart
more soon
Karla
I know I need rest and time to chill...and I will try to make time for that on Sunday and next week, when the house will once again be very, very quiet and all my dear family will be faraway across the oceans and back home again. :-( CJ and I are so grateful to have had the 3 kids here for the holidays and for the opportunity to share with them a little slice of our life here in Japan.
Kalen and Michael took the last day here in Japan to themselves and they went back up to Tokyo to see some more of the sights. Graham is back in the states and being very helpful holding things together on the homefront while sneaking in some fun times with his friends. CJ and I are doing a bit of bookwork this AM and trying to get some kind of schedule in place for the New Year here and what we would like to accomplish, see and do while we have still have some time here in Asia.
I stayed up late last night when Kalen, Mike and CJ went to bed, as I just wanted to work with my MANY photos on the computer and have some alone time. Of course as usual,I had trouble with my computer programs and so that did not get done like I had hoped, but I did enjoy touching base with many of you on Facebook and also checking my various Emails. It is always good to hear from you. Thanks for keeping in touch.
I too wanted to update my blogs here and to tell you some more of our Japanese family adventures between Christmas and New Years but that fell by the wayside when my eyes began to fall shut and I then received a very disturbing note from one EP neighbor. The note told of a New Years Day fire at another one of the houses on the culd-de-sac and the thought that perhaps the family might need to rent our house if possible. WOW .....so sad and scary, but we are thankful Boomer and family are all ok and safe. We too, hope we can help them out in any way we can.
So now,from far across the oceans we are in the midst of working things out with Boomer/PJ, Graham and both insurance companies so they can rent our house out for 3-4months while their house is being rebuilt. We are once again grateful to Graham who has stepped up to help out in our absence and that he is able to be the mediator for a few weeks before he heads back to Duluth. Thanks Mr Wood.
It feels so good to just sit here this morning with CJ on the couch in the warmth of my living room looking out at the stone pagoda in my backyard garden and to feel the bright warm sunshine melt my stiff, rigid and tired body. Ahhhhhh....I hope I have many more days like this in the weeks to come.
Some of you have asked where my " Holiday Book" is, and I am still hoping to get some of my random and crazy thoughts down on paper at some point and to hopefully compile our annual holiday letter. Don't hold your breath as to when it will arrive though, as the creative juices have not started flowing as yet. Who knows what the theme will end up being,as each daily event, or crisis that occurs, seems to change my thought pattern and possible ideas.
Anyhoo..that is what's "heating up" here in Japan ...Do know your all thought of often and I truly enjoy your being in contact while we are far apart
more soon
Karla
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