Konnichiwa
Well is it almost 4pm and the rain finally stopped for a bit anyway. I should probably make my way to the veggie market quick before it is time to make supper for CJ and I.
I have had a heck of a day right here on my computer and haven't left my seat but to use the restroom a few times and to grab a much needed bite to eat.
I have been in touch with so many old and new friends, talked on the phone to my dad, on skype with a few other friends, sent and received numerous emails and Facebook notes from new folks just getting used to the Facebook stuff:-)Yahoo! I was hoping once you got our family newsletter I would be in touch with more via the web.
Thanks again mom and ad for folding, stuffing and mailing.
Yesterday I did in fact brave the rainy and wet elements and made my way down the back yard stairmaster and slope, past the busy shopping street which was a colorful rainbow of umbrellas as many a hearty and serious shopper were out taking advantage of yet another sale week. I have been in the house so much with all the rain. I was actually surprised to see how many people were out and about in the driving rain. It was cool and windy too. Burr... I noticed two new shoipe had opened up in Chinatown too since I was last there for tall the NEw YEar festivities. You can tell when a shop or business is new as they have big floral arrangements on either side of the door way. Can you beleive it i catuallymissed two photos ops. The beautiful flower arrangements and in teh rainbow of umbrellas. I wish I could have been up on the 2nd floor of a building looking down, I bet it was a pretty sight. It was colorful view just from my vantage point a head or so above the rest. :-)
Yuki the tall guy we met with the ex monk that one day a few weeks ago, was there and he did my shiatsu massage. It was great. He has very strong fingers and the harder the pressure the better for me. I was a little concerned how much pain I was gonna have when he hit the big knots in my shoulders, but it wasn't as bad as I thought. So I had an hour massage for $50 + tax. They do not take tips here in Japan, but I insisted and of course he was a bit nervous, but excited too I think? That was way higher than the $10 in China, but less expensive than the $80 dollar Thai one they want a few blocks futher into Chinatown. It was well worth the pampering though and I will defintely be getting back to my monthly treatments.
We talked a bit after and I asked what other types of services they have there and he told me about accupressure and QU. When I go next time I am going to try 10 minutes of QU accupuncture as well before my masssage. Qu is little cardboad looking like tubes with some herbal medicine in one end, that they set on different parts of your body like the needles and then they light them. My "guess" is that the heat part of it is similar to how ear candling draws out the wax and that this draws out the toxins and loosens up meridan points to chi flows freely once more?? I will find outmore down the road.
I then hurried back home to my warm house and did some more computer work before meeting CJ later at the cleaners where we dropped his dirty shrits of for laundering. We then made our way to the Ramen Noodle shop down the slope form our house for dinner. Nothing is better than a hot bowl of ramen on a cool, breezy and rainy night. We saw too they had potstickers and next time we will order some of them as well.
We then took a walk down Motomachi shopping street to Pamapdour Bakery for our dessert. CJ found a chocolate covered chocolate cream filled flaky horn like dessert and I had some cream cheese cranberry filled delight between two layers of sugar coated filo dough. YUM! Of course another loaf of fresh bread was in order as we both can't seem to get enough of that. Were hoping warm weather comes soon so that craving falls by the wayside sooner than later. Can nightly helpings of fresh bread and butter be good for a person. I know right now it is soothing to my soul.Comfort food I guess.
Then CJ said there was a record shop he wanted to check out and so we walked further along the way and he stopped to look at a sweater shop I guess he has been eyeing as well since we moved here. The man took us downstairs and to our delight and surpise he actually found some 2LL sizes that were long enough in the arms for him.So he got a casual sweater like jacket and a dressier outer vest for springtime. Cool! The lady even threw in a black purse for me as a gift that was in a box I was looking through? Nice!
We finally made it to the record shop that was upstairs on the other side of the street down a few blocks and what a find that was as well. Banana Records is a 2nd hand record resale shop and it was fully loaded with CDs, many an old vinyl record both in 33 and 45 rpms sizes.WOW! I felt kind of like I walked back in time. Beatles, Led Zepplin.... COOL!! My brother Mark would love this place and I told CJ I hope it didn't become my new best friend. haha You know me and how I love my music. Of course the first CD we see is David Cooks...last years American Idol.. and already it is in a 2nd hand store :-( Didn't it just come out in the last month or two? Yikes! CJ said maybe they just buy them dowload them and resell? Heck they should then just go to the store where they rent them and do that.
I am always looking to find local flavor and so I asked the kid what he recommended and he pointed me to the progressive rock artist AJICO. It is alright.
We then quickly made our way home with bags in hand to a warm house. While walking along I told CJ maybe we were better off not having weekly date night, as it looks like it is gonna cost us some money each week. haha
Back home we savored our tasty treats while watching a bit of TV,and checking for any last Emails...remember you do not eat while walking along the streets here. Was happy to hear from our new friend Shohei and he wants to get to together with us this weekend. So I sent a note off inviting him to our house on Sunday to visit for the day and maybe check out some of the local sights or festivals that I see are to take place? Maybe I will make him an american type meal too if he is interested..
So that was yesterday and today I have been stuck to this chair all day and now the sun is shining just in time for it to set on another day here in Japan and so I am going to sign off and run to the market quickly and then back home to make some eats for tonights supper
sayonara....keep in touch I LOVE hearing from you all :-)
Karla
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
FEB 23, 2009 HAPPY 22nd BIRTHDAY GRAHAM !!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRAMBO !!!
I am enjoying looking at old photos of you over the years and thankful to have you as a son. Lots of fun memories....Pops and I feel so fortunate to have shared our lives with you and Kalen and we look forward to many more years together. Hope you get one of your favorite iced donuts to celebrate. Cheers Grambo!! We love you !!!
It is actually the morn of the 24th here in Japan on another overcast, cloudy, cool and rainy day here in Japan. Looks like a week of wet weather here, how is it where you are? I have been busy reading and researching places to go and see in Thailand and today after CJ makes the plane arrangements I will try to firm up hotels and any tours we want to take. We are planning to be in Bangkok for a few days and to take a river cruise and see the Wats, maybe the floating market, the old city..? Then we will head north to Chaing Mai and go on an elephant trek and hopefully see some hill tribes..maybe the long necks?
After we are there for a few days we will fly way south to Phuket Island on the end of the elephants trunk where CJ has a work trip and I get to hang out my last 2 days at a 5 star resort on a 17 mile stretch of white sand beach. I don't know if I will get out of the 27 acre resort to see the sights as we are very far north of the tourist area and I may just like to be pampered a bit...I will wait and see?
On Saturday I went to Costco and the Outlet Mall with Yumi and her parents my Chinese/Japanese friends. It was nice to get out of the house and to talk with people again. Yeah!
CJ then came back that night and Sunday he and I went back to Sankeien Gardens. I thought he better go see what blossoms there were now, as with all the rain and wind I did not know if they would all blow away. We had a nice day leisurely walking through the park looking at the white plum blossoms shimmering in the sunlight. It was cool and breezy though. We then meandered back through new neighborhood streets and I took many a photo of different container gardens in bloom with tulips, hyacinth, cyclamen, kale, pansies,daffodils. Many bushes were in bloom with pink, fushia, white, R & W candy cane looking camillas and lots of oranges were hanging on fully loaded branches of many a citrus tree.
As we walked down one street I saw fancy tiled roofs and white plum blossoms over the high brick wall fence, but a small wooden gate was open and so I poked my head in what looked like some kind of temple or garden area. I saw nooone around so I started to walk to catch up with CJ, but then I just had to go back and see what it was.
I said "Konnichiwa", but no one answered and so I stepped inside, took a quick walk around and a few pics of the fish pond, tea house, shrine,colorful kale garden. I saw a bunch of shoes by the door and could hear bells but noone in sight or to tell me to get out? It was so pretty and a very tranquil area. I will have to go back there another day, to see what it is all about.
I then ran to catch up with CJ and we continued our walk back home zig zagging our way through the tiny narrow neighborhood streets. On our way to Sancho Park we passed a teen age boy doing bike tricks in a plaza and then we walked past a new shrine where there was some kind of ceremony going on with a bunch of men standing under a tent. A tent like we have at graveyards ceremonies back home in the USA for funerals. I thought perhaps it was a funeral ritual of some kind, but I really have no idea. The 4 or 5 priests were all in their colorful robes of maroon, orange, blue,green bowing and clapping before the decorated alter with fruits and branches of some kind? One played a flute like instrument as well. It was very windy and the mens overcoats which they laid on the base of a lion statue actually blew off and onto the gravel as they all stood under the canopy in silence.
We then made our way up the long metal staircase where I then ran into a young couple who were out for a walk and trying to get the wife Yoko to go into Labor. She was very big and due NOW. David and she had English accents but she was Japanese. That was odd to hear her speak with such a strong British accent. He is a 4th grade teacher at the Int'l School just down the street. I asked him about volunteer work and hopefully he will get back to me with some possible opportunities? He said they may need someone to do the Scholastic Book orders and I said I have lots of experience with that as I did the Club Leo Books for the Hogar in Honduras the last 5years. So hopeully...I am keeping my fingers crossed? They were having their first baby... a Boy. I asked if they had names and they said if it was a girl they wanted to name her "Sakura' as that is cherry and it's that time of year. I told them maybe they could have S as his middle intial or call him Sak? We exchanged numbers and names and I bid them good luck and farewell and then ran again to catch up with CJ as he can not stop all the time like I do. (I guess it is good I go wandering by myself during the week)
We then passed by a fully loaded fushia blossom colored tree before making our way across the park and down the other side of the slope which path was lined with plum trees covered in white flowers. We walked through the mom and pop shops with a stop for a fresh loaf of bread and then up the last slope before reaching home. CJ then prepared a nice salmon steak dinner for supper with some rice, salad and green beans. Yum!
Last night CJ and I watched Dream Girls on TV after dinner and it was nice to see a movie again. We celebrated Graham's BDAY by having our favorite Jumbo-cho for dessert :-) I was hoping to see the Academy Awards, but it was not on here in Japan.:-(
I think I am finally going to make my way down to Chinatown today and get that looooong over due massage from the ex monk. I am sure I am loaded with toxins and need to relieve my sinuses, get some feeling back into my hands, feet, shoulders.. I actually had two big bumps in the roof of my mouth last night, slightly swollen glands and my jaw has been popping lately? A good head massage would feel wonderful I am sure.
Take care and keep warm ....sorry to hear you all got more snow in MN....Do you feel like winter is dragging on and on . Like enough already?
CJ and I are thinking of going north to Tokyo this weekend if the weather is nice and to check out the Fish Market and some other areas we have not yet seen
More soon
Karla
I am enjoying looking at old photos of you over the years and thankful to have you as a son. Lots of fun memories....Pops and I feel so fortunate to have shared our lives with you and Kalen and we look forward to many more years together. Hope you get one of your favorite iced donuts to celebrate. Cheers Grambo!! We love you !!!
It is actually the morn of the 24th here in Japan on another overcast, cloudy, cool and rainy day here in Japan. Looks like a week of wet weather here, how is it where you are? I have been busy reading and researching places to go and see in Thailand and today after CJ makes the plane arrangements I will try to firm up hotels and any tours we want to take. We are planning to be in Bangkok for a few days and to take a river cruise and see the Wats, maybe the floating market, the old city..? Then we will head north to Chaing Mai and go on an elephant trek and hopefully see some hill tribes..maybe the long necks?
After we are there for a few days we will fly way south to Phuket Island on the end of the elephants trunk where CJ has a work trip and I get to hang out my last 2 days at a 5 star resort on a 17 mile stretch of white sand beach. I don't know if I will get out of the 27 acre resort to see the sights as we are very far north of the tourist area and I may just like to be pampered a bit...I will wait and see?
On Saturday I went to Costco and the Outlet Mall with Yumi and her parents my Chinese/Japanese friends. It was nice to get out of the house and to talk with people again. Yeah!
CJ then came back that night and Sunday he and I went back to Sankeien Gardens. I thought he better go see what blossoms there were now, as with all the rain and wind I did not know if they would all blow away. We had a nice day leisurely walking through the park looking at the white plum blossoms shimmering in the sunlight. It was cool and breezy though. We then meandered back through new neighborhood streets and I took many a photo of different container gardens in bloom with tulips, hyacinth, cyclamen, kale, pansies,daffodils. Many bushes were in bloom with pink, fushia, white, R & W candy cane looking camillas and lots of oranges were hanging on fully loaded branches of many a citrus tree.
As we walked down one street I saw fancy tiled roofs and white plum blossoms over the high brick wall fence, but a small wooden gate was open and so I poked my head in what looked like some kind of temple or garden area. I saw nooone around so I started to walk to catch up with CJ, but then I just had to go back and see what it was.
I said "Konnichiwa", but no one answered and so I stepped inside, took a quick walk around and a few pics of the fish pond, tea house, shrine,colorful kale garden. I saw a bunch of shoes by the door and could hear bells but noone in sight or to tell me to get out? It was so pretty and a very tranquil area. I will have to go back there another day, to see what it is all about.
I then ran to catch up with CJ and we continued our walk back home zig zagging our way through the tiny narrow neighborhood streets. On our way to Sancho Park we passed a teen age boy doing bike tricks in a plaza and then we walked past a new shrine where there was some kind of ceremony going on with a bunch of men standing under a tent. A tent like we have at graveyards ceremonies back home in the USA for funerals. I thought perhaps it was a funeral ritual of some kind, but I really have no idea. The 4 or 5 priests were all in their colorful robes of maroon, orange, blue,green bowing and clapping before the decorated alter with fruits and branches of some kind? One played a flute like instrument as well. It was very windy and the mens overcoats which they laid on the base of a lion statue actually blew off and onto the gravel as they all stood under the canopy in silence.
We then made our way up the long metal staircase where I then ran into a young couple who were out for a walk and trying to get the wife Yoko to go into Labor. She was very big and due NOW. David and she had English accents but she was Japanese. That was odd to hear her speak with such a strong British accent. He is a 4th grade teacher at the Int'l School just down the street. I asked him about volunteer work and hopefully he will get back to me with some possible opportunities? He said they may need someone to do the Scholastic Book orders and I said I have lots of experience with that as I did the Club Leo Books for the Hogar in Honduras the last 5years. So hopeully...I am keeping my fingers crossed? They were having their first baby... a Boy. I asked if they had names and they said if it was a girl they wanted to name her "Sakura' as that is cherry and it's that time of year. I told them maybe they could have S as his middle intial or call him Sak? We exchanged numbers and names and I bid them good luck and farewell and then ran again to catch up with CJ as he can not stop all the time like I do. (I guess it is good I go wandering by myself during the week)
We then passed by a fully loaded fushia blossom colored tree before making our way across the park and down the other side of the slope which path was lined with plum trees covered in white flowers. We walked through the mom and pop shops with a stop for a fresh loaf of bread and then up the last slope before reaching home. CJ then prepared a nice salmon steak dinner for supper with some rice, salad and green beans. Yum!
Last night CJ and I watched Dream Girls on TV after dinner and it was nice to see a movie again. We celebrated Graham's BDAY by having our favorite Jumbo-cho for dessert :-) I was hoping to see the Academy Awards, but it was not on here in Japan.:-(
I think I am finally going to make my way down to Chinatown today and get that looooong over due massage from the ex monk. I am sure I am loaded with toxins and need to relieve my sinuses, get some feeling back into my hands, feet, shoulders.. I actually had two big bumps in the roof of my mouth last night, slightly swollen glands and my jaw has been popping lately? A good head massage would feel wonderful I am sure.
Take care and keep warm ....sorry to hear you all got more snow in MN....Do you feel like winter is dragging on and on . Like enough already?
CJ and I are thinking of going north to Tokyo this weekend if the weather is nice and to check out the Fish Market and some other areas we have not yet seen
More soon
Karla
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Thurs Feb 19, 2009 Bernie is back in Rehab
Ohayogozaimous
Just talked with my dad and he is now back in the rehab center and they are working on more physical therapy with him for his right foot and arm strength. They have taken him off a few of his meds and he already sounds more upbeat and enjoying socialization with friends also at the rehab and those that are visiting. YEA!
Mom has been at home the last few days resting up and enjoying some time to herself. She too fell when she went to get her haricut the other night and so is a bit bruised from that (she tripped over the rug).
Mom and I had a nice 2 hour phone conversation last night on the phone and it was good to let her just talk and be the center of attention for a bit. She has been feeling a bit left out I think as all the focus is on dad. I am hoping this break will be good for both of them. I am curious to see how dad does now that he is around people. I think that seeing others far worse off than you,always puts some perspective to your own situation, and who knows a little peer pressure may motivate him as well. He always likes to give the perception he is in control of his world so, it will be interesting to see how motivated and responsible he becomes while he has an "audience watching" so to speak.
I have been in the house the last few days and been busy reading about Thailand. Today I am going to clean this place as soon as I am done with this post and then I'll be off to the fruit and veggie market to restock the refrigerator. CJ is back in MN and had dinner with the neighbors next door and the ones who are now living in/renting our house while theirs is being rebuilt after the fire. They hope to be back in their home by April? Booms dad just died the other day too,so they continue to deal with more sad events.:-(
Our kids are doing well I think and must be very busy with school, work,... as we don't hear too much from them these days. Trust no news is good news. Hopefully CJ is printing off our annual letter today and then giving it to my mom who is ready and waiting to begin the fold and stuffing process.
Hope all is well with you and yours
Karla
Just talked with my dad and he is now back in the rehab center and they are working on more physical therapy with him for his right foot and arm strength. They have taken him off a few of his meds and he already sounds more upbeat and enjoying socialization with friends also at the rehab and those that are visiting. YEA!
Mom has been at home the last few days resting up and enjoying some time to herself. She too fell when she went to get her haricut the other night and so is a bit bruised from that (she tripped over the rug).
Mom and I had a nice 2 hour phone conversation last night on the phone and it was good to let her just talk and be the center of attention for a bit. She has been feeling a bit left out I think as all the focus is on dad. I am hoping this break will be good for both of them. I am curious to see how dad does now that he is around people. I think that seeing others far worse off than you,always puts some perspective to your own situation, and who knows a little peer pressure may motivate him as well. He always likes to give the perception he is in control of his world so, it will be interesting to see how motivated and responsible he becomes while he has an "audience watching" so to speak.
I have been in the house the last few days and been busy reading about Thailand. Today I am going to clean this place as soon as I am done with this post and then I'll be off to the fruit and veggie market to restock the refrigerator. CJ is back in MN and had dinner with the neighbors next door and the ones who are now living in/renting our house while theirs is being rebuilt after the fire. They hope to be back in their home by April? Booms dad just died the other day too,so they continue to deal with more sad events.:-(
Our kids are doing well I think and must be very busy with school, work,... as we don't hear too much from them these days. Trust no news is good news. Hopefully CJ is printing off our annual letter today and then giving it to my mom who is ready and waiting to begin the fold and stuffing process.
Hope all is well with you and yours
Karla
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Monday Feb 16, 2009 Bernie is back in Hospital :-(
Hey all
Yesterday I had another day of roaming the streets and even ran into a rugby game to watch. Was fun exploring parts of town I had not been in before and making my way up and down bluffs, stairs , paths and roads to see where they all ended up. One could really get turned around in this town very easily I know that for a fact.
Today,I guess I'm feeling a bit sorry for myself and my family and I need to vent a bit as I sit here on a very dark and dreary Japan day. Then to add to the grayness I just got word from my brother that my dad is back in the hospital. Cancer sucks !!! So if you don't want to hear me try and make sense of what is happening in my life (this is my journal remember)... read no further.
I guess dad has been eating very small amounts of food lately and is getting weaker and more frail. Mark said he lost 14lbs in the last 2 weeks. WOW! He just had appts last week and all vital signs were good and tests showed nothing more was growing in his brain? Yeah! He also, was again told by the docs he could not drive ever again and so that I'm sure was probably the hardest thing for him to hear...he is not letting that go easily as you can see. He is obviously hoping they will change their minds one day? :-) Gotta give him effort for trying at least and keeping his hope alive. I just hope that isn't his only reason for wanting his life to continue on? Perhaps he might be a bit depressed as well and so my guess is that makes things all the worse.:-(
Dad also commented to my mom how it's been 4 months now since he was told he was terminal on Oct 6th and without treatment may have 4-6 months to live...so as a man of control and statistics I am GUESSING that weighs heavily on his mind too? He has always made such a big deal over the years about passing the milestone and living longer than his dad who died at 79yrs old?
Yikes..it is so hard to hear all this and yet be able to do nothing but try and stay positive myself and keep giving them positive feedback to keep up the fight. I have not talked with dad since last week and will try to call him when he wakes tomorrow.
I often feel sad and confused as I sit here enjoying each day and trying to live my life, yet always wondering if I "should" be back home and helping to care for him/them more. I often feel stuck between a rock and a hard place as I don't want to go back home, yet I find I am not wanting to get too involved here either? Sometimes I feel like I am wasting time here and yet other times it feels good just to be me, more relaxed and to do what I want to do when I feel like it. No shoulds, have to's...I know more people would love to have that option and yet, I often find myself feeling guilty I have it and not knowing at times what the "RIGHT" thing is to do. I still can't seem to let go of all those should, would, could, right, wrong answers, but I think I am getting better ?? Hopefully I am anyway.
I know I am getting lots of life lesson opportunities while being far away from home and family, and it will be interesting to see how it all plays itself out down the road? I am trying to live one day at a time and really enjoy it while I am out and about exploring, learning, and hopefully meeting people...I have been learning to spend alot of time alone and most days I do NOT talk to anyone but CJ all day. Oh I do write lots of emails and letters, but no one on one face to face conversation with real live people. Most days I LOVE it, but it can also be very lonely at times as well.
I just wish somedays every person I walked past would say Hi back and even chat a sentence or two. If that ever happens I will CELEBRATE big time!!! Yesterday I think I passed like 30 people on my walk and only 5 commented back Konnichiwa with a smile when I greeted them:-(... otherwise, they pass you by and most look down at the ground or off in the distance past you. This for me is probably one of the hardest things to adjust to, yet I will not give up though as those few words and smiles I did get made it worth my effort.:-)
Ok sorry I got off track..so dad fell I am guessing on Valentines night and after 5 hours of laying on the floor trying to get up with no luck...he finally gave mom permission to call and get some help when he needed to go to the bathroom. She wanted to call much earlier but dad said "NO, we will figure this out"!! (he is a stubborn man that likes to be in control). When I talked with her today she asked why he was punishing himself so and that she felt like she was treating him like an animal and it stressed her out so she went into the bathroom and starting cutting her hair for something to keep herself occupied. Uff da!
So as you can see, we are in the midst of having to make some new choices on how best to care for these two. Dad is in the hospital and having some more tests done to see if he has internal bleeding anywhere, or if he has any liver or kidney disfunction? So I will let you know more as I find out myself? I hope I can keep things in perspective and try to continue to help and support them the best I know how from afar.
Peace
Karla
Yesterday I had another day of roaming the streets and even ran into a rugby game to watch. Was fun exploring parts of town I had not been in before and making my way up and down bluffs, stairs , paths and roads to see where they all ended up. One could really get turned around in this town very easily I know that for a fact.
Today,I guess I'm feeling a bit sorry for myself and my family and I need to vent a bit as I sit here on a very dark and dreary Japan day. Then to add to the grayness I just got word from my brother that my dad is back in the hospital. Cancer sucks !!! So if you don't want to hear me try and make sense of what is happening in my life (this is my journal remember)... read no further.
I guess dad has been eating very small amounts of food lately and is getting weaker and more frail. Mark said he lost 14lbs in the last 2 weeks. WOW! He just had appts last week and all vital signs were good and tests showed nothing more was growing in his brain? Yeah! He also, was again told by the docs he could not drive ever again and so that I'm sure was probably the hardest thing for him to hear...he is not letting that go easily as you can see. He is obviously hoping they will change their minds one day? :-) Gotta give him effort for trying at least and keeping his hope alive. I just hope that isn't his only reason for wanting his life to continue on? Perhaps he might be a bit depressed as well and so my guess is that makes things all the worse.:-(
Dad also commented to my mom how it's been 4 months now since he was told he was terminal on Oct 6th and without treatment may have 4-6 months to live...so as a man of control and statistics I am GUESSING that weighs heavily on his mind too? He has always made such a big deal over the years about passing the milestone and living longer than his dad who died at 79yrs old?
Yikes..it is so hard to hear all this and yet be able to do nothing but try and stay positive myself and keep giving them positive feedback to keep up the fight. I have not talked with dad since last week and will try to call him when he wakes tomorrow.
I often feel sad and confused as I sit here enjoying each day and trying to live my life, yet always wondering if I "should" be back home and helping to care for him/them more. I often feel stuck between a rock and a hard place as I don't want to go back home, yet I find I am not wanting to get too involved here either? Sometimes I feel like I am wasting time here and yet other times it feels good just to be me, more relaxed and to do what I want to do when I feel like it. No shoulds, have to's...I know more people would love to have that option and yet, I often find myself feeling guilty I have it and not knowing at times what the "RIGHT" thing is to do. I still can't seem to let go of all those should, would, could, right, wrong answers, but I think I am getting better ?? Hopefully I am anyway.
I know I am getting lots of life lesson opportunities while being far away from home and family, and it will be interesting to see how it all plays itself out down the road? I am trying to live one day at a time and really enjoy it while I am out and about exploring, learning, and hopefully meeting people...I have been learning to spend alot of time alone and most days I do NOT talk to anyone but CJ all day. Oh I do write lots of emails and letters, but no one on one face to face conversation with real live people. Most days I LOVE it, but it can also be very lonely at times as well.
I just wish somedays every person I walked past would say Hi back and even chat a sentence or two. If that ever happens I will CELEBRATE big time!!! Yesterday I think I passed like 30 people on my walk and only 5 commented back Konnichiwa with a smile when I greeted them:-(... otherwise, they pass you by and most look down at the ground or off in the distance past you. This for me is probably one of the hardest things to adjust to, yet I will not give up though as those few words and smiles I did get made it worth my effort.:-)
Ok sorry I got off track..so dad fell I am guessing on Valentines night and after 5 hours of laying on the floor trying to get up with no luck...he finally gave mom permission to call and get some help when he needed to go to the bathroom. She wanted to call much earlier but dad said "NO, we will figure this out"!! (he is a stubborn man that likes to be in control). When I talked with her today she asked why he was punishing himself so and that she felt like she was treating him like an animal and it stressed her out so she went into the bathroom and starting cutting her hair for something to keep herself occupied. Uff da!
So as you can see, we are in the midst of having to make some new choices on how best to care for these two. Dad is in the hospital and having some more tests done to see if he has internal bleeding anywhere, or if he has any liver or kidney disfunction? So I will let you know more as I find out myself? I hope I can keep things in perspective and try to continue to help and support them the best I know how from afar.
Peace
Karla
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Feb 14, 2009 HAPPY VALENTINES DAY from Japan
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY !!
It is actually Sunday Feb 15th and I will soon be leaving for another walk in the spring sunshine. Yesterday I had a lovely day enjoying all the sights, sounds, colors and love floating in the air here in Japan. Let me share with you my Valentines Day Solo adventures.
CJ packed his bags and was off to MN but before he left we tried to get a quick lunch of ramen, but the restaurant was not yet open so we had a sandwich,mango smoothie and chocolate heart sucker at Starbucks instead. We kissed goodbye and then he headed to the train & Narita airport and I headed up the slope to the Western mansions to view the art work I heard was on display. On the way I past a chapel with a wedding just finishing as I could peek through the gate and caught a little glimpse of them walking down an aisle and people were throwing yellow rose petals and it was only 10:30am WOW! ...they have early weddings here. It made me wonder how early that bride had to get up and get ready with a ceremony that early in the day?
At Bluff 111 I saw my friend Takeuchi and all the colorful art work made by the local children with "Down's Syndrome". We had fun trying to figure out with her dictionary what she was trying to tell me about their disabilities. They made lovely plaster castles with colorful mosaic tiles and wine bottle corks, hot air balloons, stain glass looking window decorations, clay name plates, ocean floor 3D plaster sculptures, the high school kids made colorful hats, others did weaving and clay figurines. She had a lovely heart shaped rose centerpiece on the front room table which greeted all when entering the home.
I bid her farewell and as I passed the church I saw a bride and her father standing in the doorway ready to walk down the aisle. I then stopped at the other 2 houses to see beautiful paintings of Fuji-san in the 4 seasons by kids at an Int'l school and then at the Berrick Hall just down the street from our house the Ferris Int'l high school had wonderful art on display. There I saw great photographs, wooden carved boxes, colorful and shiny foil artwork, paintings, and 3D paper sculptures which were very, very detailed.
I then headed home to pack a lunch, changed my shirt as it was getting very warm and then I was off for Sankeien Garden. When I arrived there was a dance show about to begin and so I of course went to see that first. There were many an older lady dressed in their colorful kimonos and they each performed a different dance. Some had fans, scarves, masks...It was very interesting,relaxing and it felt good to sit in the sunshine with the white blossoms illuminated next to the stage by the warm and very bright sunlight.
After the show I looked at the lovely exhibit of bonsai trees and was surprised to see one Ex Pat even had a very nice one with multi-colored blossoms of white pink and orange.
I then walked around the garden with many others. This place all of a sudden had a ton of people out enjoying the first really nice day of spring weather here in Japan. The plum blossoms were sparkling in sunlight on the trees and the white daffodils below, almost made it look a bit like it had snowed here.:-) I wonder what it will look like when the trees are all in full bloom, as today was really the first day they just started to pop. Cool...I'm EXCITED!
I of course bought an annual pass today so I can come here when ever I want. It is a about 45 minute walk from my house, but well worth it and so relaxing. A nice get wasy form the city scape.
As I made my way around the garden, many people were busy feeding bread to the ducks in the pond, others having picnics on the bank, benches, everyone trying to snap the perfect up close shot of the pretty flowers...and there was even another wedding in one of the old buildings. Thankfully right before I left they came out for some photos and so I of course snapped a few myself and gave the bride a thumbs up and domo arigato. I told her she was beautiful in her white dress with pearl and bead encrusted bodice and long train. There was a gal in a purple kimona carrying her long train as she moved about to take her portraits.
I sat the last few minutes as the sun was setting over the pond and watched a big bird sitting on a boat flapping his wings and taking cool reflections of trees in water. I love how water ripples make interesting effects on things reflected in the canal,pond...
With the sun setting and the gates closing I walked back home and stopped to rent a few music CD's I had seen on MTVjapan. I found two of them. One I call the piano girl that I love yet do not know her name as it's in Japanese and the other called Dragon Ash which sounds like spanish ballads to me. They did not have the Bolero CD I wanted, but I think when the full albums do come out I might have to purchase them. This renting is a nice way to see if it is what you like or want, before having to buy.
Back home I ate some lefteovers and then watched American Idol reruns on TV. Was disappointed it was the San Fran auditions, as they said it was going to be Kansas City and I was looking forward to seeing Eden Prairie's own Casey Carlson do her thang? :-( I read some more information out of my Japanese Picture Dictionary and worked a bit with my Valentine day pics before calling it a night. Check out my Facebook page for a Valentine Day Photo Album of allthings I meantioned above.
Heard CJ made it safely to Graham's in Duluth, MN and they were headed to see his sister Cindy at Colt's Hockey Tournament there. I am now off to pack another lunch and then am going to roam the sunny streets looking for more adventure?
HUGS and Chocolate kisses to all. Hope you had a SWEET day with those you LOVE!
Karla
It is actually Sunday Feb 15th and I will soon be leaving for another walk in the spring sunshine. Yesterday I had a lovely day enjoying all the sights, sounds, colors and love floating in the air here in Japan. Let me share with you my Valentines Day Solo adventures.
CJ packed his bags and was off to MN but before he left we tried to get a quick lunch of ramen, but the restaurant was not yet open so we had a sandwich,mango smoothie and chocolate heart sucker at Starbucks instead. We kissed goodbye and then he headed to the train & Narita airport and I headed up the slope to the Western mansions to view the art work I heard was on display. On the way I past a chapel with a wedding just finishing as I could peek through the gate and caught a little glimpse of them walking down an aisle and people were throwing yellow rose petals and it was only 10:30am WOW! ...they have early weddings here. It made me wonder how early that bride had to get up and get ready with a ceremony that early in the day?
At Bluff 111 I saw my friend Takeuchi and all the colorful art work made by the local children with "Down's Syndrome". We had fun trying to figure out with her dictionary what she was trying to tell me about their disabilities. They made lovely plaster castles with colorful mosaic tiles and wine bottle corks, hot air balloons, stain glass looking window decorations, clay name plates, ocean floor 3D plaster sculptures, the high school kids made colorful hats, others did weaving and clay figurines. She had a lovely heart shaped rose centerpiece on the front room table which greeted all when entering the home.
I bid her farewell and as I passed the church I saw a bride and her father standing in the doorway ready to walk down the aisle. I then stopped at the other 2 houses to see beautiful paintings of Fuji-san in the 4 seasons by kids at an Int'l school and then at the Berrick Hall just down the street from our house the Ferris Int'l high school had wonderful art on display. There I saw great photographs, wooden carved boxes, colorful and shiny foil artwork, paintings, and 3D paper sculptures which were very, very detailed.
I then headed home to pack a lunch, changed my shirt as it was getting very warm and then I was off for Sankeien Garden. When I arrived there was a dance show about to begin and so I of course went to see that first. There were many an older lady dressed in their colorful kimonos and they each performed a different dance. Some had fans, scarves, masks...It was very interesting,relaxing and it felt good to sit in the sunshine with the white blossoms illuminated next to the stage by the warm and very bright sunlight.
After the show I looked at the lovely exhibit of bonsai trees and was surprised to see one Ex Pat even had a very nice one with multi-colored blossoms of white pink and orange.
I then walked around the garden with many others. This place all of a sudden had a ton of people out enjoying the first really nice day of spring weather here in Japan. The plum blossoms were sparkling in sunlight on the trees and the white daffodils below, almost made it look a bit like it had snowed here.:-) I wonder what it will look like when the trees are all in full bloom, as today was really the first day they just started to pop. Cool...I'm EXCITED!
I of course bought an annual pass today so I can come here when ever I want. It is a about 45 minute walk from my house, but well worth it and so relaxing. A nice get wasy form the city scape.
As I made my way around the garden, many people were busy feeding bread to the ducks in the pond, others having picnics on the bank, benches, everyone trying to snap the perfect up close shot of the pretty flowers...and there was even another wedding in one of the old buildings. Thankfully right before I left they came out for some photos and so I of course snapped a few myself and gave the bride a thumbs up and domo arigato. I told her she was beautiful in her white dress with pearl and bead encrusted bodice and long train. There was a gal in a purple kimona carrying her long train as she moved about to take her portraits.
I sat the last few minutes as the sun was setting over the pond and watched a big bird sitting on a boat flapping his wings and taking cool reflections of trees in water. I love how water ripples make interesting effects on things reflected in the canal,pond...
With the sun setting and the gates closing I walked back home and stopped to rent a few music CD's I had seen on MTVjapan. I found two of them. One I call the piano girl that I love yet do not know her name as it's in Japanese and the other called Dragon Ash which sounds like spanish ballads to me. They did not have the Bolero CD I wanted, but I think when the full albums do come out I might have to purchase them. This renting is a nice way to see if it is what you like or want, before having to buy.
Back home I ate some lefteovers and then watched American Idol reruns on TV. Was disappointed it was the San Fran auditions, as they said it was going to be Kansas City and I was looking forward to seeing Eden Prairie's own Casey Carlson do her thang? :-( I read some more information out of my Japanese Picture Dictionary and worked a bit with my Valentine day pics before calling it a night. Check out my Facebook page for a Valentine Day Photo Album of allthings I meantioned above.
Heard CJ made it safely to Graham's in Duluth, MN and they were headed to see his sister Cindy at Colt's Hockey Tournament there. I am now off to pack another lunch and then am going to roam the sunny streets looking for more adventure?
HUGS and Chocolate kisses to all. Hope you had a SWEET day with those you LOVE!
Karla
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Lantern Festival ends and Dreaming of Thailand Begins
Tuesday evening was the last hurrah of Chinatown 2009 New Year celebrations and I went down to the shrine to see what was going on. They had candles and clear plastic boxes you could buy to write your wish, prayer, thought or greeting on and then they placed them all in a heart shape on the ground. This is to send the spirits of your ancestors back to the heavens until next year. It was a very quiet and respectful gathering of people...way different than this weekend at the parade.
The local dance troupe came back and did 2 more dances on the steps but as soon as they sarted dancing I got a coughing jag and could not quit. So I had to give up my good photo spot and go find a drink of some kind. When I got my water out of the vending machine down the street and came back the last dancer was just finishing. No biggie as I saw them do the same dances the last couple of days. So I didn't really miss anything and I know the short people behind me were probably very happy when I left so they had a clear unobstructed view of things :-)
I am glad to have my days back again as I was spending lots of time down there. Feels good to get my letter written and now these blogs caught up. The next thing on my agenda is to research and plan my trip to THAILAND in late March. Yep, I get to go explore some of Bangkok with CJ and then his meeting will be on the southern part of the elephant trunk on the island of Phuket. So once again as he slaves away at work I will be wandering, exploring and taking many a photo I am sure. Hope to go on an elephant ride and who knows what else I know NOTHING right now about the country, but I hope to read lots in the next few days and make up an itinerary of things to see.
I talked with my mom and dad the other day too and dad is doing about the same, though he did lose 6 lbs in the last week (2 different scale at docs so who knows for sure?) He has not had much of an appetite except for when he gets to leave the house and go out to eat. My guess is just the thought of going someplace gets the blood flowing. I sure can't wait for spring to come so that can at least get out and hopefully walk down to the mailbox and around the block a few times. They need more activity and socialization that is for sure. My mom wants to talk non stop when I call. I told her she needed to get on her computer like I do and rant, then whomever wants to read it can and those that don't don't log on. I feel goos as I get to get it off my chest so it benefits all involved I guess.
Well that is about all for now. CJ had the day off to day (another Nat'l Shopping day) and he is busy downstairs on his phone and having tele conference calls. Business hours are almost over I guess and so we are going to go run on a few errands and then hope to catch American Idol if it is on TV here tonight? I did finally find it one night last week and I think Kansas City Auditions are this week and so I wanted to see Casey Carlson from Eden Prairie do her thing?
Take care and hope all is well with everyone and your enjoying your teaser days of spring in MN. Actually while you were getting some warmer and sunny days, it was cool, windy and cold here.
More soon from Sankeien Gardens and the plum bloosom bansai tree exhibit and some Chinese students art works that is supposed to be on display in Chinatown I think.
Sayonara
Karla
The local dance troupe came back and did 2 more dances on the steps but as soon as they sarted dancing I got a coughing jag and could not quit. So I had to give up my good photo spot and go find a drink of some kind. When I got my water out of the vending machine down the street and came back the last dancer was just finishing. No biggie as I saw them do the same dances the last couple of days. So I didn't really miss anything and I know the short people behind me were probably very happy when I left so they had a clear unobstructed view of things :-)
I am glad to have my days back again as I was spending lots of time down there. Feels good to get my letter written and now these blogs caught up. The next thing on my agenda is to research and plan my trip to THAILAND in late March. Yep, I get to go explore some of Bangkok with CJ and then his meeting will be on the southern part of the elephant trunk on the island of Phuket. So once again as he slaves away at work I will be wandering, exploring and taking many a photo I am sure. Hope to go on an elephant ride and who knows what else I know NOTHING right now about the country, but I hope to read lots in the next few days and make up an itinerary of things to see.
I talked with my mom and dad the other day too and dad is doing about the same, though he did lose 6 lbs in the last week (2 different scale at docs so who knows for sure?) He has not had much of an appetite except for when he gets to leave the house and go out to eat. My guess is just the thought of going someplace gets the blood flowing. I sure can't wait for spring to come so that can at least get out and hopefully walk down to the mailbox and around the block a few times. They need more activity and socialization that is for sure. My mom wants to talk non stop when I call. I told her she needed to get on her computer like I do and rant, then whomever wants to read it can and those that don't don't log on. I feel goos as I get to get it off my chest so it benefits all involved I guess.
Well that is about all for now. CJ had the day off to day (another Nat'l Shopping day) and he is busy downstairs on his phone and having tele conference calls. Business hours are almost over I guess and so we are going to go run on a few errands and then hope to catch American Idol if it is on TV here tonight? I did finally find it one night last week and I think Kansas City Auditions are this week and so I wanted to see Casey Carlson from Eden Prairie do her thing?
Take care and hope all is well with everyone and your enjoying your teaser days of spring in MN. Actually while you were getting some warmer and sunny days, it was cool, windy and cold here.
More soon from Sankeien Gardens and the plum bloosom bansai tree exhibit and some Chinese students art works that is supposed to be on display in Chinatown I think.
Sayonara
Karla
Feb 11, 2009 Finally finished Annual Holiday Letter Yahoo!
Hey all
It is your long lost friend Karla in Japan. I am sorry I have not been on here lately to update my latest adventures, but I was trying hard to stay focused and get my very belated Holiday Newsletter done. Am glad to say I DID IT..and finally finished it this am. CJ will now take it to MN this weekend, run it off and get it to my folks to fold, stuff and mail out to all of you ...soon I hope. They wanted to help me out and this will give them something to do while they are homebound in the ice and snow of MN.
Last weekend CJ and I spent some time at the Chinatown festivities where we saw more dancing,acrobats,lions dancing and made a new friend as well. His name is Shohei and he is a 31 yr old law student from Kamakura going to school in Tokyo. He LOVES to practice speaking English and so we are now new Email friends and he will help me with my Japanese and I with his English. He does VERY well already, but will have a very big job with me. I sadly have not doen a thing with my Japanese since I went back in October. I do HOPE to get going on it again soon. Shohei (showhay)has also invited us to his home in Kamakura, so we may go see him one day soon and we hope he too will come to our house as well.
After the shows in Chinatown on Saturday we bought some steamed pork dumplings and chatted somemore with Shohei down by the temple. Then we bid him farewellas he wanted to do some souvenir shopping and we went up to a local International High School St Maur just through the park here on our street. They were doing the Play Romeo and Juliet with a Bollywood and Buddhist influence. It was very interesting and fun to see actors from all parts of the world on stage at once. China, Korea, India, France, America, England, Taiwan.... They all did very well speaking in English, but a few newbies I assume some spoke a wee bit too fast and their projection was a bit weak. Overall it was a fun night out and it was fun to be in the theater again. As we sat there watchin, CJ kept asking when Kalen was coming out? Haha... We had fun thinking back to all the plays we had sat through over the years...lots of good memories of times with our 2 kids and the EPHS drama tech gang
.
Sunday I went back for the last of the shows, and then the big dragon parade through town with dances, tumblers, the Emperor and his court all dressed in their silk brocade gowns, more lions of course and LOTS of VERY LOUD firecrackers. There were masses of people everywhere as Monday is the last day of the celebration and so many people will be at work then, so I assumed they came to see the last big day on the weekend.
While waiting for the parade to beginI went the parking garage to see the dragon and samurai display and to get out of the cold wind a bit. When there I met a family who was visiting with a friend in the lobby. They were there for the day from Chiba Prefecture and were going to attend a wedding of a friend later in the day. I was so taken with their 3 little kids. The two little girls were all dressed in their pretty pink and red kimonos, white tabi socks and zori flip flops sandals. The little boy was so full of energy and would not sit still for a photo with the girls. I then talked with the dad a bit and I shared some rice crackers I had along with them as they drank their juice. It was so fun to be around little ones and to chat in english as well. YEAH!
Then I made my way back to the park. On the way I had a tasty pastry that looked like a mouse filled with rich cream. Yum! Back at the park watched as all the different groups came out on the stage and took a group photo. Then the parade began and I ran down a side street and over to the other main drag so to see it when it came past. It was so crowded and people were actually pushing a bit. I was very glad I stood next to a cement pillar of sorts as I just leaned against that and wass able to keep my position. It was fun watcing all the colors, sights, sounds, music, ...as it past by. I then ran back to the park and got inpostion for more pics as the goups returned at the end of the parade.
Back in the park they passed out wind up toys to all the big and little kids in attendance. They aslo were going to call of a bunch of door prizes again, but I did not put a form in the box and so I left as the sun was setting and it was starting to get cold. Another fun day out in the cold and I still had my sore throat to prove it.
It is your long lost friend Karla in Japan. I am sorry I have not been on here lately to update my latest adventures, but I was trying hard to stay focused and get my very belated Holiday Newsletter done. Am glad to say I DID IT..and finally finished it this am. CJ will now take it to MN this weekend, run it off and get it to my folks to fold, stuff and mail out to all of you ...soon I hope. They wanted to help me out and this will give them something to do while they are homebound in the ice and snow of MN.
Last weekend CJ and I spent some time at the Chinatown festivities where we saw more dancing,acrobats,lions dancing and made a new friend as well. His name is Shohei and he is a 31 yr old law student from Kamakura going to school in Tokyo. He LOVES to practice speaking English and so we are now new Email friends and he will help me with my Japanese and I with his English. He does VERY well already, but will have a very big job with me. I sadly have not doen a thing with my Japanese since I went back in October. I do HOPE to get going on it again soon. Shohei (showhay)has also invited us to his home in Kamakura, so we may go see him one day soon and we hope he too will come to our house as well.
After the shows in Chinatown on Saturday we bought some steamed pork dumplings and chatted somemore with Shohei down by the temple. Then we bid him farewellas he wanted to do some souvenir shopping and we went up to a local International High School St Maur just through the park here on our street. They were doing the Play Romeo and Juliet with a Bollywood and Buddhist influence. It was very interesting and fun to see actors from all parts of the world on stage at once. China, Korea, India, France, America, England, Taiwan.... They all did very well speaking in English, but a few newbies I assume some spoke a wee bit too fast and their projection was a bit weak. Overall it was a fun night out and it was fun to be in the theater again. As we sat there watchin, CJ kept asking when Kalen was coming out? Haha... We had fun thinking back to all the plays we had sat through over the years...lots of good memories of times with our 2 kids and the EPHS drama tech gang
.
Sunday I went back for the last of the shows, and then the big dragon parade through town with dances, tumblers, the Emperor and his court all dressed in their silk brocade gowns, more lions of course and LOTS of VERY LOUD firecrackers. There were masses of people everywhere as Monday is the last day of the celebration and so many people will be at work then, so I assumed they came to see the last big day on the weekend.
While waiting for the parade to beginI went the parking garage to see the dragon and samurai display and to get out of the cold wind a bit. When there I met a family who was visiting with a friend in the lobby. They were there for the day from Chiba Prefecture and were going to attend a wedding of a friend later in the day. I was so taken with their 3 little kids. The two little girls were all dressed in their pretty pink and red kimonos, white tabi socks and zori flip flops sandals. The little boy was so full of energy and would not sit still for a photo with the girls. I then talked with the dad a bit and I shared some rice crackers I had along with them as they drank their juice. It was so fun to be around little ones and to chat in english as well. YEAH!
Then I made my way back to the park. On the way I had a tasty pastry that looked like a mouse filled with rich cream. Yum! Back at the park watched as all the different groups came out on the stage and took a group photo. Then the parade began and I ran down a side street and over to the other main drag so to see it when it came past. It was so crowded and people were actually pushing a bit. I was very glad I stood next to a cement pillar of sorts as I just leaned against that and wass able to keep my position. It was fun watcing all the colors, sights, sounds, music, ...as it past by. I then ran back to the park and got inpostion for more pics as the goups returned at the end of the parade.
Back in the park they passed out wind up toys to all the big and little kids in attendance. They aslo were going to call of a bunch of door prizes again, but I did not put a form in the box and so I left as the sun was setting and it was starting to get cold. Another fun day out in the cold and I still had my sore throat to prove it.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Wed Feb 4, 2009 Niece Sarah Slick modeled on CBS Early .....:-)
Well it has been another housebound day for me, but glad to say I got through my piles of papers and things sorted once again for the moment anyway. I too was happy to find a video of my niece Sarah Slick modeling on the CBS Early Show yesterday.
Check it out and see how Sarah's slimming outfit makes her clavicle stand out more than her bust? http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4772432n
It is SO EXCITING to see Sarah doing what she loves and having lots of new experiences in New York City. Way to go Sarah, we are proud of you.
Yesterday as I walked down the road past the 3 International Schools on my way to the market I passed 3 very sad girls who were stopped at different locations along the way and were talking with/being consoled it looked like by their moms. They were all crying and sniffling behind their white germ masks and dabbing at their moist eyes and runny noses with white tissues. :-( I wondered if they were sad because they had just found out that they failed the entrance exams for the school of their choice next year or that they passed but their name did not get picked in the lottery?
It is very hard to get into private schools here and a couple of the schools switched the exam date this year to Feb 2nd and it became known as the "Sunday Shock". It used to only be on Feb 1 and so now this gave girls the opportunity to take exams for more than one of the big 3 schools. For those that don't excel and are not above average students, this make it very hard for them to get in. Parents also stand in long lines to get the admission applications, yet they say it doesn't matter as it is all by lottery, but they still do it to show the love for their kids. My guess is there may be lots of soul soothing going on in many houses around here this week.
There was no sadness, only big smiles and lots of "arigato gozaimous" from Charlie the produce guy and the little lady at the corner market when I gave each of them a 2009 New Year Calendar from the states. They were most appreciative and it was nice to share a little something with them for how nice and friendly they are everyday to this Gajin when I stop by and load up on my veggies and fruits for the week.
I too was happy to see the neighbor lady had a setsan mask hanging on her door when I returned. So I was right it really was the soybean tossing day. I looked for random beans laying out in the streets by other houses as I walked along, but these ladies are good sweepers and so I am guessing they got them all cleaned up or those crazy BIG black birds ate them all up. I ate my 52 soy beans on my salad last night so hopefully my health is good for 2009. It did not clear up my sore throat yet though. HAHA CJ did not have his 50 beans last night as he was out to dinner instead and having some kind of nasty body parts of fish "Boiled fish lung (texture of cream cheese) and baked fish spine. (Kind of crunchy like a pretzel".that I still can't figure out how he can stomach? :-O Perhaps it's the beer that makes it go down easier? UGH! Sorry to say, but I will stick to my salad, chicken and rice thank you very much.
Well I had better go get some of the above made before my man gets home.
Take care and look for more on on the Chinese New Year this weekend and next week I hope to go to Sankeien Garden to see the plum blossom bonsai trees.
Konbonwa
Karla or "Sachiko"
So I guess my name in Japanese "Sachiko" means happiness and child ...so even if I am not a kid I sometimes tend to act like one but that is one of my best features so they say...I think I kind of like that "Happy Child", maybe I'll start going by that form now on? I wonder what kinds of looks I will get form people if they ask my name and I say Sachiko...we shall see
Check it out and see how Sarah's slimming outfit makes her clavicle stand out more than her bust? http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4772432n
It is SO EXCITING to see Sarah doing what she loves and having lots of new experiences in New York City. Way to go Sarah, we are proud of you.
Yesterday as I walked down the road past the 3 International Schools on my way to the market I passed 3 very sad girls who were stopped at different locations along the way and were talking with/being consoled it looked like by their moms. They were all crying and sniffling behind their white germ masks and dabbing at their moist eyes and runny noses with white tissues. :-( I wondered if they were sad because they had just found out that they failed the entrance exams for the school of their choice next year or that they passed but their name did not get picked in the lottery?
It is very hard to get into private schools here and a couple of the schools switched the exam date this year to Feb 2nd and it became known as the "Sunday Shock". It used to only be on Feb 1 and so now this gave girls the opportunity to take exams for more than one of the big 3 schools. For those that don't excel and are not above average students, this make it very hard for them to get in. Parents also stand in long lines to get the admission applications, yet they say it doesn't matter as it is all by lottery, but they still do it to show the love for their kids. My guess is there may be lots of soul soothing going on in many houses around here this week.
There was no sadness, only big smiles and lots of "arigato gozaimous" from Charlie the produce guy and the little lady at the corner market when I gave each of them a 2009 New Year Calendar from the states. They were most appreciative and it was nice to share a little something with them for how nice and friendly they are everyday to this Gajin when I stop by and load up on my veggies and fruits for the week.
I too was happy to see the neighbor lady had a setsan mask hanging on her door when I returned. So I was right it really was the soybean tossing day. I looked for random beans laying out in the streets by other houses as I walked along, but these ladies are good sweepers and so I am guessing they got them all cleaned up or those crazy BIG black birds ate them all up. I ate my 52 soy beans on my salad last night so hopefully my health is good for 2009. It did not clear up my sore throat yet though. HAHA CJ did not have his 50 beans last night as he was out to dinner instead and having some kind of nasty body parts of fish "Boiled fish lung (texture of cream cheese) and baked fish spine. (Kind of crunchy like a pretzel".that I still can't figure out how he can stomach? :-O Perhaps it's the beer that makes it go down easier? UGH! Sorry to say, but I will stick to my salad, chicken and rice thank you very much.
Well I had better go get some of the above made before my man gets home.
Take care and look for more on on the Chinese New Year this weekend and next week I hope to go to Sankeien Garden to see the plum blossom bonsai trees.
Konbonwa
Karla or "Sachiko"
So I guess my name in Japanese "Sachiko" means happiness and child ...so even if I am not a kid I sometimes tend to act like one but that is one of my best features so they say...I think I kind of like that "Happy Child", maybe I'll start going by that form now on? I wonder what kinds of looks I will get form people if they ask my name and I say Sachiko...we shall see
Monday, February 2, 2009
Feb 3 2009 "Setsuban"....parting of the seasons
Ohaiogozaimous
It is the morning of "Setsuban" here in Japan and according to the old calendar it is the last day of winter. Today's calendar indicates the eve of the first day of spring and by the old calendar it was the end of the year. On this day people in Japan scatter roasted soy beans inside and outside their homes yelling "Out with the demons! In with the happiness!" I heard it is usually the father in the family who wears a mask and runs about scattering the soybeans as a purification ritual for starting the new year and the demons represent troubles and disease. They say that after scattering the soybeans it is then customary to eat the number of soy beans equal to the same age you are as prayer for perfect health. So yes I did buy some beans for CJ and I and we will hopefully be of good health in 2009 after eating our 50 something beans later tonight at supper.
I am off to clean my house and hopefully get rid of the dust bunnies on the hardwood floors and lint caterpillars on the carpeted steps and rugs.
Happy First day of Spring from Japan
Karla
It is the morning of "Setsuban" here in Japan and according to the old calendar it is the last day of winter. Today's calendar indicates the eve of the first day of spring and by the old calendar it was the end of the year. On this day people in Japan scatter roasted soy beans inside and outside their homes yelling "Out with the demons! In with the happiness!" I heard it is usually the father in the family who wears a mask and runs about scattering the soybeans as a purification ritual for starting the new year and the demons represent troubles and disease. They say that after scattering the soybeans it is then customary to eat the number of soy beans equal to the same age you are as prayer for perfect health. So yes I did buy some beans for CJ and I and we will hopefully be of good health in 2009 after eating our 50 something beans later tonight at supper.
I am off to clean my house and hopefully get rid of the dust bunnies on the hardwood floors and lint caterpillars on the carpeted steps and rugs.
Happy First day of Spring from Japan
Karla
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Feb 2 2009 Too much cold and wind leaves me feeling sick :-(
Well it is Feb 2nd and the second week of Chinese New Year is underway. I don't see anything going on during the week, but next weekend there are more shows scheduled, so I will be sure to make my way there then. Hopefully I will have time this week to get busy on our annual family letter if I can stay focused? I woke today with a stuffed head and swollen neck. Feels like a brick and hurts when I swallow so perhaps I had too much cold gusty air the last few days.
CJ and I went down to Chinatown on Saturday to see the shows, but sadly they were all cancelled due to the heavy rain that morning even thought it was now clear and sunny. We then walked through Chinatown shared a big steamed Bun with Pork filling and then made our way over to the Harbor area. We hadn't been that way since the kids were here on Christmas day.
On our way we passed the massage place I came upon the other day and a young man was outside trying to lure us in for a massage. We stopped to talk with him and I told him I have plans to come next week and that I wanted to set up a monthly appointment. He then went inside to get someone that could speak better English. So out came Asaka and the 4 of us had a nice chat. Come to find out the 1st guy Ando was a former Zen Buddhist and now he was in his new life as a massuse. You can bet I was very interested in that and hope I get to ask more questions of him in the future. I asked him if he had done the pilgrim walk around Japan and he said, "NO, all we do is sit! " Haha.. CJ and I thought that was so funny. He said he was 37 years old, yet it looked to me like he was 20 something. I guess the life of a monk suited him well. I was very curious as to how it is to massage women now when women are not even supposed to touch monks when presenting alms to them. Hum ? He went on to tell us he lived in Obama City and how they had a big celebration there in the day of Obama's inauguration. :-)
Asaka was a tall thin man and spoke very good english. He had lived in Hawaii for 3 years and learned alot of it there. I teased him that he learned it at the beach talking to all the women in their bikinis. Then a group of people came and so we bid them farewell so they could get back to work and make some money. I am looking forward to chat more when I go there for massages. They are the cheapest I found so far $50.00 for an hour. Other places are $80.
At the harbor the wind was blowing pretty good, yet many people were out and walking their little dogs. Some young girls were even dressed in shorts. These folks are quite hardy I'd say. I was all bundled up in 3 layers of clothes and still cold and they were bare legged. Crazy!
We then decided to go take a tour of the big ship that is docked here in the harbor. It was first a cruise ship, then a hospital ship after World War II and a cruise ship once again before being doocked here back in the 1960s. It was very interesting for me to see the engine room as I know nothing about big ships and how they work. Of course CJ had alot of explaining to do.
We then started to head home and ran into my animator friend Kosouke and family. I had not seen them since early October when his wife was still pregnant and now here they were with their 2 sons and the new baby was already 3 months old. They were doing very well and he was very busy making a new animated DVD video for kids. He is to complete that the end of February and then he wants to get together with us at their house. That should be fun. We talked for quite awhile in the cold blustery wind and I am now hoping they did not get sick as well. We stopped at my favorite Don Quioxte's for a few snack items,beer and some more incense sticks Eucalyptus and some other name I can not make out and then back home to warm up. I have come to love incense and burn some everyday. It is so relaxing and makes me feel cozy. I love all the different smells they have to try too.
Back home CJ and I had leftovers for supper and then we both fell alseep on the couch from all the fresh air. We woke later to find Memoirs of a Geisha on TV and I actually stayed awake through the whole thing. Amazing! I had seen it before, but it took on a while new meaning for me, since I have seen real live Geikos now in Kyoto.
It was a fun day and so nice to actually have some conversation with people again.
Sunday we slept in and hung out around the house till 2pm when the shows were to start. We got down to the park and it was very full of people and concession stands were busy as well. What a difference a day and the now sunny weather makes. There were people everywhere in Chinatown. It was sunny but a very cold, damp wind was still blowing and so we tried to stand in the sun as much as we could.
They started out with the same acrobat wielding his whip and then rolling on the tubes on top of the table. He had a different girl with him this time and she was a contortionist too and could put herself in those crazy over the head positions while she spun velvet red circles of fabric from her feet and hands. Unbelieveable. The Chinese folks here sure do get into the acrobats and they ooh and ahh and clap when they pose. Fun! Then the same dancer ladies came back and the girl in the purple from the other day did a new dance in a pink dress too. I hade seen it all before, but still enjoyed it again. CJ was a bit bored and wanted to go for a run so he went home and I stayed till the last hurrah..of course. So after the dancers they had a lady play a guitar like instrument while a man and women painted a chinese painting.
At the end of the shows they had door prize drawings for gift certificates from numerous restaurants and/or stores in Chinatown I am assuming? So I stood around and watched as their names were called off and then they would yell "Hei" for yes I am here. If the person was not there they did not get the gift. They were so cute as they quickly ran to the stage, covering their mouths like they do when smiling or excited. At the stage they showed their indentification cards and then claimed their money envelope while bowing to all around them. It reminded me of the little old German lady in The Sound of Music movie who kept on bowing after she got her flower bouquet...do you know what I mean? Haha
It was very interesting too, as the group of 4 people and 1 baby who were standing next to me all got called up there for a prize. First one girl and then she came back and about 3 people later her friend and right after that the guy that was with them. Then I looked at the girl and said "Maybe your next" and about 2 people later guess what?...yep she too got called. Now what are the odds of that happening? It was fun to watch them celebrate and laugh and giggle about their winning and good fortune. As I was getting ready to leave I saw a man walking his rabbit on a leash. Now that was a first for me. Cute though and the little kids in the park were very interested in it too.
As I left the park they were closing down the concession stands and were hawking the last of the chocolate covered banana people, cowboys they had so intricately made...It was a fun day despite the cold gusty winds, but I was very glad to get back home and warm up and relax in my incense filled house. Ahhh....
CJ and I went down to Chinatown on Saturday to see the shows, but sadly they were all cancelled due to the heavy rain that morning even thought it was now clear and sunny. We then walked through Chinatown shared a big steamed Bun with Pork filling and then made our way over to the Harbor area. We hadn't been that way since the kids were here on Christmas day.
On our way we passed the massage place I came upon the other day and a young man was outside trying to lure us in for a massage. We stopped to talk with him and I told him I have plans to come next week and that I wanted to set up a monthly appointment. He then went inside to get someone that could speak better English. So out came Asaka and the 4 of us had a nice chat. Come to find out the 1st guy Ando was a former Zen Buddhist and now he was in his new life as a massuse. You can bet I was very interested in that and hope I get to ask more questions of him in the future. I asked him if he had done the pilgrim walk around Japan and he said, "NO, all we do is sit! " Haha.. CJ and I thought that was so funny. He said he was 37 years old, yet it looked to me like he was 20 something. I guess the life of a monk suited him well. I was very curious as to how it is to massage women now when women are not even supposed to touch monks when presenting alms to them. Hum ? He went on to tell us he lived in Obama City and how they had a big celebration there in the day of Obama's inauguration. :-)
Asaka was a tall thin man and spoke very good english. He had lived in Hawaii for 3 years and learned alot of it there. I teased him that he learned it at the beach talking to all the women in their bikinis. Then a group of people came and so we bid them farewell so they could get back to work and make some money. I am looking forward to chat more when I go there for massages. They are the cheapest I found so far $50.00 for an hour. Other places are $80.
At the harbor the wind was blowing pretty good, yet many people were out and walking their little dogs. Some young girls were even dressed in shorts. These folks are quite hardy I'd say. I was all bundled up in 3 layers of clothes and still cold and they were bare legged. Crazy!
We then decided to go take a tour of the big ship that is docked here in the harbor. It was first a cruise ship, then a hospital ship after World War II and a cruise ship once again before being doocked here back in the 1960s. It was very interesting for me to see the engine room as I know nothing about big ships and how they work. Of course CJ had alot of explaining to do.
We then started to head home and ran into my animator friend Kosouke and family. I had not seen them since early October when his wife was still pregnant and now here they were with their 2 sons and the new baby was already 3 months old. They were doing very well and he was very busy making a new animated DVD video for kids. He is to complete that the end of February and then he wants to get together with us at their house. That should be fun. We talked for quite awhile in the cold blustery wind and I am now hoping they did not get sick as well. We stopped at my favorite Don Quioxte's for a few snack items,beer and some more incense sticks Eucalyptus and some other name I can not make out and then back home to warm up. I have come to love incense and burn some everyday. It is so relaxing and makes me feel cozy. I love all the different smells they have to try too.
Back home CJ and I had leftovers for supper and then we both fell alseep on the couch from all the fresh air. We woke later to find Memoirs of a Geisha on TV and I actually stayed awake through the whole thing. Amazing! I had seen it before, but it took on a while new meaning for me, since I have seen real live Geikos now in Kyoto.
It was a fun day and so nice to actually have some conversation with people again.
Sunday we slept in and hung out around the house till 2pm when the shows were to start. We got down to the park and it was very full of people and concession stands were busy as well. What a difference a day and the now sunny weather makes. There were people everywhere in Chinatown. It was sunny but a very cold, damp wind was still blowing and so we tried to stand in the sun as much as we could.
They started out with the same acrobat wielding his whip and then rolling on the tubes on top of the table. He had a different girl with him this time and she was a contortionist too and could put herself in those crazy over the head positions while she spun velvet red circles of fabric from her feet and hands. Unbelieveable. The Chinese folks here sure do get into the acrobats and they ooh and ahh and clap when they pose. Fun! Then the same dancer ladies came back and the girl in the purple from the other day did a new dance in a pink dress too. I hade seen it all before, but still enjoyed it again. CJ was a bit bored and wanted to go for a run so he went home and I stayed till the last hurrah..of course. So after the dancers they had a lady play a guitar like instrument while a man and women painted a chinese painting.
At the end of the shows they had door prize drawings for gift certificates from numerous restaurants and/or stores in Chinatown I am assuming? So I stood around and watched as their names were called off and then they would yell "Hei" for yes I am here. If the person was not there they did not get the gift. They were so cute as they quickly ran to the stage, covering their mouths like they do when smiling or excited. At the stage they showed their indentification cards and then claimed their money envelope while bowing to all around them. It reminded me of the little old German lady in The Sound of Music movie who kept on bowing after she got her flower bouquet...do you know what I mean? Haha
It was very interesting too, as the group of 4 people and 1 baby who were standing next to me all got called up there for a prize. First one girl and then she came back and about 3 people later her friend and right after that the guy that was with them. Then I looked at the girl and said "Maybe your next" and about 2 people later guess what?...yep she too got called. Now what are the odds of that happening? It was fun to watch them celebrate and laugh and giggle about their winning and good fortune. As I was getting ready to leave I saw a man walking his rabbit on a leash. Now that was a first for me. Cute though and the little kids in the park were very interested in it too.
As I left the park they were closing down the concession stands and were hawking the last of the chocolate covered banana people, cowboys they had so intricately made...It was a fun day despite the cold gusty winds, but I was very glad to get back home and warm up and relax in my incense filled house. Ahhh....
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