Hi all
Well it has been a few weeks since I got back to Japan and CJ and I have been busy as usual.
I have been to the Kofu orphanage here on Mondays with my friend Lynn. We are enjoying playing card games, coloring and trying to teach them English and learn some Japanese with the kids. They are so cute and seem to enjoy our time with them, and we of course love being there.:-) Last week we left them in a monsoon rain storm and by the time we got to the end of the 100yard long driveway we were soaked from head to toe --even under our umbrellas. It was actually quite fun to walk across town in the rain and when I got home I could actually ring out my dress which became quite heavy from all the water it absorbed:-)
CJ and I then went to Singapore for 5 days and had fun roaming the streets there and different neighborhoods-Chinatown, Lil India, Kampung Glam, Arab Street, Burgis Street, Orchard Road, Esplanade, Marina Bay..... It is a concrete shopping jungle and I happily got away without buying alot of things. :-) Did get a few scarves, incense and T-shirts for the kids and folks. We had a nice dinner out with Lian from CJ's work and enjoyed the FISH HEAD curry soup and eating off of banana leaves. Most folks eat with their fingers, but I used my fork so as not to wear all of my food. CJ and I also went to the Singapore Food Festival two nights in a row as we could not get enough of the chicken satay and PEANUT SAUCE..Oh my it is SO TASTY.:-P We of course tried a Singapore Sling and I also enjoyed mango in various forms dessert, fresh, lassi, margarita...YUM! Also found I liked mangosteens and lychee fruits..weird looking, but delicious.
We stayed on Orchard Road the first few nights and then moved over to Lil India. We really enjoyed the indian curry, nan, veggies, coconut desserts... We also went on a nice river cruise and it was fun to see the city sights from the water view point. Singapore has so many colorful buildings with a rainbow of colored shutters. We were there for my 53rd Birthday and CJ and I escaped to Pulau Ubin island and rented a tandem bike for an island tour. It is so hot (90 +) and humid in Singapore and especially in the thick lush jungle. We were sure to have released many a toxin as we sweat sweat and sweat some more.
We are now back in Japan and planning a trip next week to the southern island of Kyushu where CJ will go for work and I will meet him for the weekend so we can explore Nagaski and Fukuoka. We are having a tough time getting hotel reservations in Nagasaki as it is the anniversary on August 9th of the atomic bomb dropped there in 1945 and they have an annual memorial service there on Sunday. We got our China visas renewed for another year and I hope to visit there again sometime soon with CJ.
In a few hours we will make our way down to the harbor for the BIG FIREWORKS display. I wonder if it will be bigger than last years as it is the 150th anniverasry of the Yokohama Harbor this year...we shall see
Hope all is well with you and yours
Karla
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
July 17, 2009 Japan, MN, WI, Honduras, IL, IA, MN Japan
Hi all
WOW has it really been 2 months since I last wrote. Life has been pretty crazy and a bit stressful as of late. :-(
Let me try to replay the last few months (I began this post on July 8th and am now back in Japan and finishing it up on July 17th)
I came back to MN on May 23rd and a few days before that I was going on a hike with some ladies I had met from the Yokohama International Womens Club and while we were waiting for a train we witnessed a man being run over and killed by a oil tanker train. It came to an unsual screeching halt and then the engines began to smoke. One of the ladies with us, lived near by and she said that it was not a normal stop. So we waited and watched and all of a sudden we saw men looking under the train and our worst fear suddenly came true. We don't know if he threw himself in front of it, but I did see his dismembered body parts lying in several locations under the train wheels. Sad! The other sad part I learned, was that many people do this I guess and so they have made a new rule that the family is responsible for paying all the expenses while the tracks have to be shut down for the investigation and clean up:-( Needless to say we had a pretty somber hike that day and it left me with not the happiest of thoughts as I left Japan for a few month visit back to the USA.
CJ and I then arrived in MN and then we went over to WI for niece AJ's HS graduation party. We stopped and took my mom and dad with us as well so they could get out and see all of CJ's family again. Kalen and Graham both came home and so we had a crowded fan ride there and back. It was fun to all be together for a few days and we enjoyed playing the "I went on a trip to WI and I took"... as we road along the country roads from MN to WI. We enjoyed lots of laughs and it was a good memeory test for us all. :-)
AJ had a nice outdoor party in the woods behind the log cabin. It was nice to meet her friends and to see most of the family for the day. Back in MN CJ I and the kids had a day together before we all had to seperate and go back to MN, WI and Japan. I stayed in MN for the week and was busy getting things ready for my annual trip to Honduras.
I ended up going on Sunday June 7th but got stuck in Miami overnight due to 3 previous days of bad weather and a snowball effect to cancelled flights. They told me I would not be able to get another flight out till Wednesday and I said you have got to be kidding. Finally after waiting for 2 standby flights that day and not getting on I checked one last time before heading to the hotel for the night and they had then made another new flight for Monday am and so thankfully I was able to get out the next morning. To bad for the man who was picking me up as he had to drive for 3 hours to get me and then I did not even show up. The next day I told him to stay put and I would take the bus from San Pedro..a first for me alone, but it ended up being just fine. Yeah!
I too had been told not to go to the Hogar as there was an investigation going on and I would be flying into a wasps nest and so I stayed my first week with Margarita. Margarita is a girl who lived at the Hogar and then got the great opportunity to go to El Alba Bilingual school. She had been there for the past 6 years and was now going to graduate. She asked me to be her madrina (sponsor) at her graduation and I was so thrilled and honored. We had a really nice week together getting to know one another better and having lots of girl talks. We went shopping one day for her graduation dress, shoes and jewelry. It was very interesting for me as Margarita is just the opposite of me. She is under 5 feet tall and very shapely. She has a hard time finding clothes to fit her that are not little kid styles and everything is either too long and too BIG. She kept apologizing that she was being so picky and I told her no worries as I go through the same things when I shop, but for me everything is either to small or too short or to matronly. We luckily found 2 cute dresses a pretty necklace and a pair of shoes that fit her like Cinderella when she slipped them on. I felt very lucky and she looked beautiful.
We enjoyed walks, senior photo day around the school grounds which is surrounded by a beautiful pine forest and I took more bug pictures in the garden outside her front door. One night we went and saw a movie together and another night sat in the park and talked for 4 hours. It was a most enjoyable and realxing week for me and it was such a nice opportunity to get to know her better as well as Dr C.
Margara is so fortunate to have had this wonderful opportunity and now I am crossing my fingers she will be able to go to college in the state of Washington. Many wonderful people are trying to help make that dream come true for her?
I then went to the Hogar on Saturday June 14th and had a fun time with Michelle who also joined me from MN. It was great to have her there as things, we soon found out were quite confusing and tension filled. I can only say at this point that there is an ongoing investigation at the home and we hope things are rectified soon. It was a bit too unnerving for the volunteers and so we sadly all ended up leaving early. It was a trip cut way too short and it was a very hard goodbye on June 22nd when I came back home. I hope was not my last. It left Michelle and I wondering if this might be our last trip to the hogar...I hope not.
I will tell you more when I can, but at this time I ask for your patience and understanding.
Well it was not much longer and we quickly realized we were actually glad we left as the coup then took over Honduras and I guess it was like a war zone there within days. YIKES. I was very sorry my early departure made me miss Margaritas Graduation day :-( Darn!
I then came home to MN and decided to take advantage of the extended time I had here in MN and to go and see Kalen in Chicago. I had hoped to see my friend Randee and family in Milwaukee on the way, but she too was having some more severe health issues again (now thhe cancer is in her lungs) and so we were sadly unable to connect this time. I hope she is doing better now. She called me before my return to Japan and we had a nice long conversation.
Kalen and I had an enjoyable time together hanging out at the park and beach one day laying in the shade of a tree and catching up with each other. We attended a concert in Millinnieum Park one eve, had fun taking reflection pictures in the Bean, found cousin Sarah Slick's HER catalog cover in Macys downtown Chicago store. CJ came in from Japan the next day and the 3 of us enjoyed a day walking around Chicago along the river walk went to the Lincoln Zoo and botabical gardens, had a Portillo Hot Dog...Then Sunday we went up to Evanston to see Kalens work before bidding her farewell and then we were off on a road trip to Iowa City. There we saw Mikey P in A Mid Summer Nights Dream. He was Snug and a very brave lion. I took pics and then got caught by the stage manager and had to delete them all. Oops!:-( We had a nice dinner and visit and the next morning enjoyed breakfast at the local diner and I had sweet potatoe pancakes and a pie shake. It was actually very good when they blended a piece of raspberry pie and ice cream together. Yum! We then visited a location outside of Iowa City that had fossils from long long ago unearthed a few years back when the river flooded. It was interesting and hot as we lwalked amongst many layers of rocks as deer were running past.
WE bid Mikey P goodbye and then another road trip for Cj and I back to MN. As we entered the Twin cities area we got a call form my brother Mark and my mom Solvei was in the ER up in Blaine. So we headed directly there. Mom had gone to a new doctor for a check up and when she had chest pains the docotr did an EKG which came back abnormal. He told her he was very concerned with the results and he wanted her to go right to the ER at Mercy hospital. That is where we met up with them as she was waiting of the table to open up for an angiogram. When they did a Cat scan they found mom had blockage in her heart. We waited in the ER for about an hour or so and then they took her in to do the angiogram and tried to place a stint in her artery. While they were doing that it was in the back of her heart in a difficult location and so the doc came out and told us it was going to take longer due to the location.
Later he came back out to tell us they ran into some problems. When they were putting the ballon in and getting ready to insert the stint they found her aorta to be very brittle like a rusty old lead pipe and something actually caught and tore her artery. They immediately pulled the stint back out and hoped that her blood would seal itself off and the blood flow would re route itself to the 2 other arteries. He told us the risk factors for him to try and put the stint in were far greater for death or major problems with the rare conditon of her aorta. WOW!. So she went in with a bad heart and I guess will leave with a even worse situation. They had her stay in the hosptial fomr Monday to friday to see if it would close and heal itself anf it seemed to work as she came home on Friday. Now we will wait and see what happens. let nature takes it course I guess. So I stayed with Mom and Dad that week while Mark and Lisa went on their annual scuba diving vacation. They dive in old pit mines up in northern MN and Mark showed us some very cool videos of life down under in the water. I was glad he was able to get away for a few days as this taking care of elderly folks can be an exhausting responsibility. CJ too worked in MN and then came and stayed at the Slick's at night. He then went back to Japan , India and I will meet up with him next week for a mini vacation in Singapore.
I stayed a week longer and also got to go to WI on the weekend to see CJ's aunt Sheri get married. Fun too, to see many cousins I had not seen in about 10 years and actually met some of their teenage kids who I had either never met or they were vey small the last time our paths crossed.
Back in MN I decided to have an open house one day in EP as the week before I was busy with mom and dad and was glad to see 15 or so pals that stopped by to say Hi. It was nice to see so many and to also get emails and phone calls from others that could not make it.
Graham came home for a day and we had fun eating, watching movies, chatting, taking pics, and I always enjoy his guitar playing. He took me to the airport for my return flight to Japan and that is where I am now.
We are now starting our 2nd year here in Japan. Hard to believe a whole year has gone by already. CJ is in the southern part of India this week and dodging rain puddles in monsoon season. I spent the day unpacking and cleaning the house here on top of the bluff. Tommorrow I will do a bunch of bookwork I think and make my way out for a few food items. I wonder if there are fireworks for Ocean Day this weekend? I remember when we came back home last year after the big fireworks display only to find out the sad news that CJ's dad had passed away. It has been a crazy year of health issues for our 4 parents and we are fortunate we still have 3 of them left. They all have had life threatening issues that could have left them dead as well. We are very grateful they have recovered, and are still fighting so to have more time here with their families.
Well I guess that is about it for now. Hopefully I will have lots more adventures to share this year with you all from Nippon. I will meet up with CJ next week for some fun in the sun and humidity of Singapore. I am trying to read up quickly in my travel books, so I know what not to miss when there. Any one been there and have any suggestions?
Take care and hope to share more with you soon. Thanks to all for your caring, concern and prayers for me, our folks, family and friends. It is really nice to know I have so many wonderful and supportive people in my life. LOve you all
HUGS
Karlita and family
WOW has it really been 2 months since I last wrote. Life has been pretty crazy and a bit stressful as of late. :-(
Let me try to replay the last few months (I began this post on July 8th and am now back in Japan and finishing it up on July 17th)
I came back to MN on May 23rd and a few days before that I was going on a hike with some ladies I had met from the Yokohama International Womens Club and while we were waiting for a train we witnessed a man being run over and killed by a oil tanker train. It came to an unsual screeching halt and then the engines began to smoke. One of the ladies with us, lived near by and she said that it was not a normal stop. So we waited and watched and all of a sudden we saw men looking under the train and our worst fear suddenly came true. We don't know if he threw himself in front of it, but I did see his dismembered body parts lying in several locations under the train wheels. Sad! The other sad part I learned, was that many people do this I guess and so they have made a new rule that the family is responsible for paying all the expenses while the tracks have to be shut down for the investigation and clean up:-( Needless to say we had a pretty somber hike that day and it left me with not the happiest of thoughts as I left Japan for a few month visit back to the USA.
CJ and I then arrived in MN and then we went over to WI for niece AJ's HS graduation party. We stopped and took my mom and dad with us as well so they could get out and see all of CJ's family again. Kalen and Graham both came home and so we had a crowded fan ride there and back. It was fun to all be together for a few days and we enjoyed playing the "I went on a trip to WI and I took"... as we road along the country roads from MN to WI. We enjoyed lots of laughs and it was a good memeory test for us all. :-)
AJ had a nice outdoor party in the woods behind the log cabin. It was nice to meet her friends and to see most of the family for the day. Back in MN CJ I and the kids had a day together before we all had to seperate and go back to MN, WI and Japan. I stayed in MN for the week and was busy getting things ready for my annual trip to Honduras.
I ended up going on Sunday June 7th but got stuck in Miami overnight due to 3 previous days of bad weather and a snowball effect to cancelled flights. They told me I would not be able to get another flight out till Wednesday and I said you have got to be kidding. Finally after waiting for 2 standby flights that day and not getting on I checked one last time before heading to the hotel for the night and they had then made another new flight for Monday am and so thankfully I was able to get out the next morning. To bad for the man who was picking me up as he had to drive for 3 hours to get me and then I did not even show up. The next day I told him to stay put and I would take the bus from San Pedro..a first for me alone, but it ended up being just fine. Yeah!
I too had been told not to go to the Hogar as there was an investigation going on and I would be flying into a wasps nest and so I stayed my first week with Margarita. Margarita is a girl who lived at the Hogar and then got the great opportunity to go to El Alba Bilingual school. She had been there for the past 6 years and was now going to graduate. She asked me to be her madrina (sponsor) at her graduation and I was so thrilled and honored. We had a really nice week together getting to know one another better and having lots of girl talks. We went shopping one day for her graduation dress, shoes and jewelry. It was very interesting for me as Margarita is just the opposite of me. She is under 5 feet tall and very shapely. She has a hard time finding clothes to fit her that are not little kid styles and everything is either too long and too BIG. She kept apologizing that she was being so picky and I told her no worries as I go through the same things when I shop, but for me everything is either to small or too short or to matronly. We luckily found 2 cute dresses a pretty necklace and a pair of shoes that fit her like Cinderella when she slipped them on. I felt very lucky and she looked beautiful.
We enjoyed walks, senior photo day around the school grounds which is surrounded by a beautiful pine forest and I took more bug pictures in the garden outside her front door. One night we went and saw a movie together and another night sat in the park and talked for 4 hours. It was a most enjoyable and realxing week for me and it was such a nice opportunity to get to know her better as well as Dr C.
Margara is so fortunate to have had this wonderful opportunity and now I am crossing my fingers she will be able to go to college in the state of Washington. Many wonderful people are trying to help make that dream come true for her?
I then went to the Hogar on Saturday June 14th and had a fun time with Michelle who also joined me from MN. It was great to have her there as things, we soon found out were quite confusing and tension filled. I can only say at this point that there is an ongoing investigation at the home and we hope things are rectified soon. It was a bit too unnerving for the volunteers and so we sadly all ended up leaving early. It was a trip cut way too short and it was a very hard goodbye on June 22nd when I came back home. I hope was not my last. It left Michelle and I wondering if this might be our last trip to the hogar...I hope not.
I will tell you more when I can, but at this time I ask for your patience and understanding.
Well it was not much longer and we quickly realized we were actually glad we left as the coup then took over Honduras and I guess it was like a war zone there within days. YIKES. I was very sorry my early departure made me miss Margaritas Graduation day :-( Darn!
I then came home to MN and decided to take advantage of the extended time I had here in MN and to go and see Kalen in Chicago. I had hoped to see my friend Randee and family in Milwaukee on the way, but she too was having some more severe health issues again (now thhe cancer is in her lungs) and so we were sadly unable to connect this time. I hope she is doing better now. She called me before my return to Japan and we had a nice long conversation.
Kalen and I had an enjoyable time together hanging out at the park and beach one day laying in the shade of a tree and catching up with each other. We attended a concert in Millinnieum Park one eve, had fun taking reflection pictures in the Bean, found cousin Sarah Slick's HER catalog cover in Macys downtown Chicago store. CJ came in from Japan the next day and the 3 of us enjoyed a day walking around Chicago along the river walk went to the Lincoln Zoo and botabical gardens, had a Portillo Hot Dog...Then Sunday we went up to Evanston to see Kalens work before bidding her farewell and then we were off on a road trip to Iowa City. There we saw Mikey P in A Mid Summer Nights Dream. He was Snug and a very brave lion. I took pics and then got caught by the stage manager and had to delete them all. Oops!:-( We had a nice dinner and visit and the next morning enjoyed breakfast at the local diner and I had sweet potatoe pancakes and a pie shake. It was actually very good when they blended a piece of raspberry pie and ice cream together. Yum! We then visited a location outside of Iowa City that had fossils from long long ago unearthed a few years back when the river flooded. It was interesting and hot as we lwalked amongst many layers of rocks as deer were running past.
WE bid Mikey P goodbye and then another road trip for Cj and I back to MN. As we entered the Twin cities area we got a call form my brother Mark and my mom Solvei was in the ER up in Blaine. So we headed directly there. Mom had gone to a new doctor for a check up and when she had chest pains the docotr did an EKG which came back abnormal. He told her he was very concerned with the results and he wanted her to go right to the ER at Mercy hospital. That is where we met up with them as she was waiting of the table to open up for an angiogram. When they did a Cat scan they found mom had blockage in her heart. We waited in the ER for about an hour or so and then they took her in to do the angiogram and tried to place a stint in her artery. While they were doing that it was in the back of her heart in a difficult location and so the doc came out and told us it was going to take longer due to the location.
Later he came back out to tell us they ran into some problems. When they were putting the ballon in and getting ready to insert the stint they found her aorta to be very brittle like a rusty old lead pipe and something actually caught and tore her artery. They immediately pulled the stint back out and hoped that her blood would seal itself off and the blood flow would re route itself to the 2 other arteries. He told us the risk factors for him to try and put the stint in were far greater for death or major problems with the rare conditon of her aorta. WOW!. So she went in with a bad heart and I guess will leave with a even worse situation. They had her stay in the hosptial fomr Monday to friday to see if it would close and heal itself anf it seemed to work as she came home on Friday. Now we will wait and see what happens. let nature takes it course I guess. So I stayed with Mom and Dad that week while Mark and Lisa went on their annual scuba diving vacation. They dive in old pit mines up in northern MN and Mark showed us some very cool videos of life down under in the water. I was glad he was able to get away for a few days as this taking care of elderly folks can be an exhausting responsibility. CJ too worked in MN and then came and stayed at the Slick's at night. He then went back to Japan , India and I will meet up with him next week for a mini vacation in Singapore.
I stayed a week longer and also got to go to WI on the weekend to see CJ's aunt Sheri get married. Fun too, to see many cousins I had not seen in about 10 years and actually met some of their teenage kids who I had either never met or they were vey small the last time our paths crossed.
Back in MN I decided to have an open house one day in EP as the week before I was busy with mom and dad and was glad to see 15 or so pals that stopped by to say Hi. It was nice to see so many and to also get emails and phone calls from others that could not make it.
Graham came home for a day and we had fun eating, watching movies, chatting, taking pics, and I always enjoy his guitar playing. He took me to the airport for my return flight to Japan and that is where I am now.
We are now starting our 2nd year here in Japan. Hard to believe a whole year has gone by already. CJ is in the southern part of India this week and dodging rain puddles in monsoon season. I spent the day unpacking and cleaning the house here on top of the bluff. Tommorrow I will do a bunch of bookwork I think and make my way out for a few food items. I wonder if there are fireworks for Ocean Day this weekend? I remember when we came back home last year after the big fireworks display only to find out the sad news that CJ's dad had passed away. It has been a crazy year of health issues for our 4 parents and we are fortunate we still have 3 of them left. They all have had life threatening issues that could have left them dead as well. We are very grateful they have recovered, and are still fighting so to have more time here with their families.
Well I guess that is about it for now. Hopefully I will have lots more adventures to share this year with you all from Nippon. I will meet up with CJ next week for some fun in the sun and humidity of Singapore. I am trying to read up quickly in my travel books, so I know what not to miss when there. Any one been there and have any suggestions?
Take care and hope to share more with you soon. Thanks to all for your caring, concern and prayers for me, our folks, family and friends. It is really nice to know I have so many wonderful and supportive people in my life. LOve you all
HUGS
Karlita and family
Friday, May 15, 2009
May 16, 2009 Birthday wishes and bugs galore
Hi all
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to sis in law Dina, niece Jessica and nephews Jacob and Chandler who all celebrated birthdays in the past 2 weeks. Hope you all enjoyed your special days.
Today CJ and I are hanging out at the house and regrouping after a busy week. CJ had the BIG product launch at work this past week and it went well, but late night dinners and outings with the guys left him pooped and ready for a day to hang out and play catch up at home. So we slept in this am and then when we woke to cloudy skies and cooler weather we decided to skip the Thai festival in Tokyo and do bookwork, packing, phone calls.... and such here at home. Maybe if it is nice we will venture north for the 2ND day of the festivities.
I should be packing for my trip back to MN and Honduras next Friday but as usual I am procrastinating on that chore. :-( Had a few days in the house this week and then a fun day taking pics of the rainbow assortment of roses in bloom at Harbor View Park...WOW...what a colorful display it was. Then as I made my way down the slope to the grocery store, I saw lots and lots of bugs, blossoms, butterflies... I was taking pics of a butterfly flitting about and then saw a bee busy gathering nectar from some white blossoms and then all of a sudden I started seeing with tunnel vision so to speak. My world then took on a very narrow perspective and I began seeing things in miniature. I sat down on the steps and just looked at a bunch of weeds in front of me along the cement wall and what to my wondering eyes did I see but all kinds of little insects, ants, ladybugs, moths, butterflies,and insects of all varieties. It was a rather magical time and lots of fun. The longer I sat and looked the more little creatures I saw moving to and fro along stems, leaves, stamens of flowers...Needless to say my getting to the store took longer than I thought and even my walk back with an armful of goods didn't keep me from stopping to snap some more on the way home as the sun was setting for another day here in Japan.
I am still enjoying my explorations here in Japan and now I am getting excited to get back to MN and Honduras and hopefully see those places with a different eye as well and capture some nice photos of people, places, bugs .... there as well. Yesterday I thought I was going to Sankeien Garden to check out the Iris with Jenny and Janice, but our plans changed and I had another exciting and fun filled day meeting many new people. Janice had to cancel out of our walk due to repairman spending another day redoing her closets which got mildewed over the winter months. A very common thing here in Japan when houses are closed up and there is lots of humidity and rain. We did stop by her House to drop her some fresh pastry treats and to at least say HI and then of course she invited us and we had a nice chat with her as she was replacing all her clothes back in the closets. I found she is a hippo lover as well and has a collection of her very own back home in the UK. She had a few little ones to remind her of her love for them, that she brought along with her to Asia from home.
We then went off to Chinatown and met up with some of Jenny's lady friends. It ended up being a very odd and rare situation here in Japan but I got in the middle of a outward verbal display of confrontation in a public restaurant. It all ended quickly but to actually witness it with my own eyes and ears was indeed something very unusual. :-(
As we made our way through Chinatown we must have looked kind of funny to some as we ended up being dressed in the exact same salmon color. I actually said to her we look like twins today and I bet other people will think that's pretty funny given the size and personal style we both have. I am like a foot taller than Jenny even with her high heel wedge shoes on and she is always all dolled up from head to toe in a monochromatic color scheme, head band, jewels, and a made up face. We even had some young Japanese men run up to us and ask for our photo together. Jenny was actually quite shocked by it I think and said usually we are the ones asking to take their pics and now they are taking them of us.I am sure were gabbing much louder than we probably should of been and so that and our color display amongst the black suits and white shirts must have been a sight for sore eyes. Oh how I would love to see that photo:-) ha ha
Jenny and I then made our way to the Yamashita Park where we sat next to the fountain in the cool breeze and sunshine while enjoying our curry filled and cream cheese/cranberry filled pastries. Yum! We often got refreshed as the wind blew and the fountain water mist sprayed us a bit with some refreshing and cool water droplets. Ahhh!
Then the junior high boys from Osaka gathered around the fountain railing and as they waited for all the students to gather and regroup for the return trip home. We started to chat with a few of them and the next thing we were taking pics of Me with Hitashi, Mao, Toro....They were very surprised when I stood up, that I was even taller than Hitashi who was actually quite tall for a 14yr old. We bid them farewell and were headed to St Maur school to pick up her son Yuki. On the way out of the park we met up with another new Korean lady for me from Houston. She and her dog Sarah a Shiatzu who could have been Jenny's dog with all her red hair bows keeping tufts of hair out of her eyes and on her rump. It still cracks me up how the people love and dress up their dogs here. I suppose if I didn't have kids I might do the same, but then I don't really like the little rat dogs as I call them and I am not too sure how bigger dogs look good in clothes, bandannas around their necks maybe or a winter vest in the snow..but come on I have a tough time paying $20 for a dress for myself let alone a dog.
Anyhoo, after a nice long conversation with Sarah's mom(? can't remember her name) we made it up to the school and never did get to walk through the rose garden. We did see a few roses in Yamashita though and enjoyed our visits there. At the St Maur Int'l school I was meeting folks left and right. It was the end of the day and all the parents gathered on the playground and had chats with one another as their kids played on the jungle gym. Jenny introduced me to so many new ladies I had a headache when I was done trying to quickly write all their names in my little pocket notebook. Yes I carry that with me here, just like I do in Honduras or whenever I am traveling. It really helps when I get home and can look back and see just what it was they said to me.I met ladies from UK, Holland, France, Hawaii, Korea...and my dear friend Gracia from Honduras via Texas was there too. I always love seeing her as she and I hug and kiss like we are old friends and yet, I really have only talked with her 2 or 3 times for very brief periods. There is just something about the Latin culture and its people. Their warmth and love just seeps from them with no problem. It makes me so happy and relaxed. I told her that too, and how it makes me even more excited for my upcoming trip and the one month of hugs and love I am sure to give/receive at the hogar. To love and be loved is the greatest joy on earth Right?
After we left the playground Jenny I and her son Yuki stood on the street corner and chatted some more. It was fun for me to talk with Yuki and ask him questions about kids his age and what they like to do. He speaks very good English at 10yrs old. Perfect actually. I did not hear one word or sentence that was not grammatically correct. Cool. He was born here in Japan but has lived in Switzerland and Singapore already in his young life. He asked me if I was going to come to his house but I said not today, but I will have to have him and Jenny over when I get back here in July. They are fun folks and they are home alone allot as the dad is often not home before midnight everyday of the week. When we were talking on the playground with other moms many of them said the same thing. WOW...I am glad CJ is not doing that. Most nights he is home at 7pm at the latest. This week of course it was like most other families live on a regular basis. It reconfirmed for me that is NOT how I want to live my life and I guess I feel fortunate it has worked out like we want it,so far.
It made me sad to think many of these kids never see there dad's except on weekends. CJ said well I never saw my dad either as he drove truck all week, but I said it seems a bit different as he is gone and out of town. These guys are home and coming and go each day and night to the same house yet the kids never get quality time with their daddies till the weekends and sometimes not that either as many companies have golf outings then. Uff da!
May 16, 2009
Today CJ and I slept in as he was pooped from his week of late nights out. It catches up with you and I wonder sometimes how the men can even function when that is the norm. Can't be too healthy, I wouldn't think.
We have been doing book work,going through papers, this blog, and I've been "thinking" about packing. We also enjoyed a looooong chat and lots of laughs and a few tears for me with Kalen and a short hello with Mike on Skype as well. Mike is now in Iowa City and enjoying that town and its coffee shops. I guess each of the actors is staying with a different family. That is fun and something I did not know. I think he said he lives with a older retired couple. Mike said it has been raining alot and he was concerned about possible flooding. I guess last year they had quite a problem there. Hope the rain stops and things dry up so hopefully massive crowds can make their way to see him perform in his Shakespeare plays next month.Sumo is on now and so I will close this up and head down to see what is going on. I forget all this week to check, or I was not home when it was telecast.
We may head to Thai festival tomorrow and then I have a very busy week next week before we go home to Mn on the 22ND. Monday I will go to the orphanage again with Janice and Lynn. Tuesday for a hike in Kita-kamakura along the seacoast or hills with the Janice and the "Jwalkers or maybe Jaywalkers". Wednesday the YIWC goes on a block printing exhibition outing and then on Thursday its the final monthly luncheon till it resumes in the fall after summer break. We are having a social dance demonstration as out entertainment I think. Then Friday we leave for MN and WI for niece AJ's High School graduation party in Chetek with the Harriman gang. I think Bernie and Solvei will ride along with us after we pick Kalen up from the airport. Graham may have to work in Duluth, but we are hopeful he can catch up with us in EP on Memorial Day for a family bike ride and and hour or two for the 4 of us to hang out and catch up.
Then I will have two weeks in MN before I head to Honduras for the month of June. I need to make my annual trip for new kid photos, to get new information and to meet the 6 new children that arrived at the hogar since my visit last year. So who knows when I will get to this blog again. My guess is,it will not be until after Memorial Day? I most likely will get pics on Face book as the days go by...that seems to be easier for some reason.
Take care and hope I get to see some of you when I am back in the area.
Love ya
Karla, CJ and family
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to sis in law Dina, niece Jessica and nephews Jacob and Chandler who all celebrated birthdays in the past 2 weeks. Hope you all enjoyed your special days.
Today CJ and I are hanging out at the house and regrouping after a busy week. CJ had the BIG product launch at work this past week and it went well, but late night dinners and outings with the guys left him pooped and ready for a day to hang out and play catch up at home. So we slept in this am and then when we woke to cloudy skies and cooler weather we decided to skip the Thai festival in Tokyo and do bookwork, packing, phone calls.... and such here at home. Maybe if it is nice we will venture north for the 2ND day of the festivities.
I should be packing for my trip back to MN and Honduras next Friday but as usual I am procrastinating on that chore. :-( Had a few days in the house this week and then a fun day taking pics of the rainbow assortment of roses in bloom at Harbor View Park...WOW...what a colorful display it was. Then as I made my way down the slope to the grocery store, I saw lots and lots of bugs, blossoms, butterflies... I was taking pics of a butterfly flitting about and then saw a bee busy gathering nectar from some white blossoms and then all of a sudden I started seeing with tunnel vision so to speak. My world then took on a very narrow perspective and I began seeing things in miniature. I sat down on the steps and just looked at a bunch of weeds in front of me along the cement wall and what to my wondering eyes did I see but all kinds of little insects, ants, ladybugs, moths, butterflies,and insects of all varieties. It was a rather magical time and lots of fun. The longer I sat and looked the more little creatures I saw moving to and fro along stems, leaves, stamens of flowers...Needless to say my getting to the store took longer than I thought and even my walk back with an armful of goods didn't keep me from stopping to snap some more on the way home as the sun was setting for another day here in Japan.
I am still enjoying my explorations here in Japan and now I am getting excited to get back to MN and Honduras and hopefully see those places with a different eye as well and capture some nice photos of people, places, bugs .... there as well. Yesterday I thought I was going to Sankeien Garden to check out the Iris with Jenny and Janice, but our plans changed and I had another exciting and fun filled day meeting many new people. Janice had to cancel out of our walk due to repairman spending another day redoing her closets which got mildewed over the winter months. A very common thing here in Japan when houses are closed up and there is lots of humidity and rain. We did stop by her House to drop her some fresh pastry treats and to at least say HI and then of course she invited us and we had a nice chat with her as she was replacing all her clothes back in the closets. I found she is a hippo lover as well and has a collection of her very own back home in the UK. She had a few little ones to remind her of her love for them, that she brought along with her to Asia from home.
We then went off to Chinatown and met up with some of Jenny's lady friends. It ended up being a very odd and rare situation here in Japan but I got in the middle of a outward verbal display of confrontation in a public restaurant. It all ended quickly but to actually witness it with my own eyes and ears was indeed something very unusual. :-(
As we made our way through Chinatown we must have looked kind of funny to some as we ended up being dressed in the exact same salmon color. I actually said to her we look like twins today and I bet other people will think that's pretty funny given the size and personal style we both have. I am like a foot taller than Jenny even with her high heel wedge shoes on and she is always all dolled up from head to toe in a monochromatic color scheme, head band, jewels, and a made up face. We even had some young Japanese men run up to us and ask for our photo together. Jenny was actually quite shocked by it I think and said usually we are the ones asking to take their pics and now they are taking them of us.I am sure were gabbing much louder than we probably should of been and so that and our color display amongst the black suits and white shirts must have been a sight for sore eyes. Oh how I would love to see that photo:-) ha ha
Jenny and I then made our way to the Yamashita Park where we sat next to the fountain in the cool breeze and sunshine while enjoying our curry filled and cream cheese/cranberry filled pastries. Yum! We often got refreshed as the wind blew and the fountain water mist sprayed us a bit with some refreshing and cool water droplets. Ahhh!
Then the junior high boys from Osaka gathered around the fountain railing and as they waited for all the students to gather and regroup for the return trip home. We started to chat with a few of them and the next thing we were taking pics of Me with Hitashi, Mao, Toro....They were very surprised when I stood up, that I was even taller than Hitashi who was actually quite tall for a 14yr old. We bid them farewell and were headed to St Maur school to pick up her son Yuki. On the way out of the park we met up with another new Korean lady for me from Houston. She and her dog Sarah a Shiatzu who could have been Jenny's dog with all her red hair bows keeping tufts of hair out of her eyes and on her rump. It still cracks me up how the people love and dress up their dogs here. I suppose if I didn't have kids I might do the same, but then I don't really like the little rat dogs as I call them and I am not too sure how bigger dogs look good in clothes, bandannas around their necks maybe or a winter vest in the snow..but come on I have a tough time paying $20 for a dress for myself let alone a dog.
Anyhoo, after a nice long conversation with Sarah's mom(? can't remember her name) we made it up to the school and never did get to walk through the rose garden. We did see a few roses in Yamashita though and enjoyed our visits there. At the St Maur Int'l school I was meeting folks left and right. It was the end of the day and all the parents gathered on the playground and had chats with one another as their kids played on the jungle gym. Jenny introduced me to so many new ladies I had a headache when I was done trying to quickly write all their names in my little pocket notebook. Yes I carry that with me here, just like I do in Honduras or whenever I am traveling. It really helps when I get home and can look back and see just what it was they said to me.I met ladies from UK, Holland, France, Hawaii, Korea...and my dear friend Gracia from Honduras via Texas was there too. I always love seeing her as she and I hug and kiss like we are old friends and yet, I really have only talked with her 2 or 3 times for very brief periods. There is just something about the Latin culture and its people. Their warmth and love just seeps from them with no problem. It makes me so happy and relaxed. I told her that too, and how it makes me even more excited for my upcoming trip and the one month of hugs and love I am sure to give/receive at the hogar. To love and be loved is the greatest joy on earth Right?
After we left the playground Jenny I and her son Yuki stood on the street corner and chatted some more. It was fun for me to talk with Yuki and ask him questions about kids his age and what they like to do. He speaks very good English at 10yrs old. Perfect actually. I did not hear one word or sentence that was not grammatically correct. Cool. He was born here in Japan but has lived in Switzerland and Singapore already in his young life. He asked me if I was going to come to his house but I said not today, but I will have to have him and Jenny over when I get back here in July. They are fun folks and they are home alone allot as the dad is often not home before midnight everyday of the week. When we were talking on the playground with other moms many of them said the same thing. WOW...I am glad CJ is not doing that. Most nights he is home at 7pm at the latest. This week of course it was like most other families live on a regular basis. It reconfirmed for me that is NOT how I want to live my life and I guess I feel fortunate it has worked out like we want it,so far.
It made me sad to think many of these kids never see there dad's except on weekends. CJ said well I never saw my dad either as he drove truck all week, but I said it seems a bit different as he is gone and out of town. These guys are home and coming and go each day and night to the same house yet the kids never get quality time with their daddies till the weekends and sometimes not that either as many companies have golf outings then. Uff da!
May 16, 2009
Today CJ and I slept in as he was pooped from his week of late nights out. It catches up with you and I wonder sometimes how the men can even function when that is the norm. Can't be too healthy, I wouldn't think.
We have been doing book work,going through papers, this blog, and I've been "thinking" about packing. We also enjoyed a looooong chat and lots of laughs and a few tears for me with Kalen and a short hello with Mike on Skype as well. Mike is now in Iowa City and enjoying that town and its coffee shops. I guess each of the actors is staying with a different family. That is fun and something I did not know. I think he said he lives with a older retired couple. Mike said it has been raining alot and he was concerned about possible flooding. I guess last year they had quite a problem there. Hope the rain stops and things dry up so hopefully massive crowds can make their way to see him perform in his Shakespeare plays next month.Sumo is on now and so I will close this up and head down to see what is going on. I forget all this week to check, or I was not home when it was telecast.
We may head to Thai festival tomorrow and then I have a very busy week next week before we go home to Mn on the 22ND. Monday I will go to the orphanage again with Janice and Lynn. Tuesday for a hike in Kita-kamakura along the seacoast or hills with the Janice and the "Jwalkers or maybe Jaywalkers". Wednesday the YIWC goes on a block printing exhibition outing and then on Thursday its the final monthly luncheon till it resumes in the fall after summer break. We are having a social dance demonstration as out entertainment I think. Then Friday we leave for MN and WI for niece AJ's High School graduation party in Chetek with the Harriman gang. I think Bernie and Solvei will ride along with us after we pick Kalen up from the airport. Graham may have to work in Duluth, but we are hopeful he can catch up with us in EP on Memorial Day for a family bike ride and and hour or two for the 4 of us to hang out and catch up.
Then I will have two weeks in MN before I head to Honduras for the month of June. I need to make my annual trip for new kid photos, to get new information and to meet the 6 new children that arrived at the hogar since my visit last year. So who knows when I will get to this blog again. My guess is,it will not be until after Memorial Day? I most likely will get pics on Face book as the days go by...that seems to be easier for some reason.
Take care and hope I get to see some of you when I am back in the area.
Love ya
Karla, CJ and family
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
May 12, 2009 Fun at the Kofu Orphanage
Konbanwa
CJ is busy all week at work with a BIG product launch and dinner meetings so I have some time to get this blog updated, pack for my upcoming trip to MN and Honduras and have been trying to line up some volunteer work here for the fall. CJ and I had a great weekend and I actually went to work with him on Saturday morning to help put some binders together for the sales and marketing meeting. You know me always like shuffling papers around. We were so surprised and delighted while we were waiting for the train when our friend Shoehi tapped us on the shoulder. WOW..if that is not CRAZY. In this BIG city we have now ran into him 2 different times. Fun..we had a nice chat and visit on the train as he went up to Tokyo for his Toefl English class and we headed towards work. He showed us a few good books he was reading about The Japanese and International issues. He is going to school to be an International lawyer.
We bid him farewell and then enjoyed a walk along the wooded path and duck pond on the way to and from Graco KK. It sure looked alot different there now, than when I went at cherry season in late March. No more pink trees and now everything was green and full of leaves. There were quite a few yellow iris and 3 or 4 purple ones on the bank of the pond, and lots of pink and white lilly pads making a tarp over much of the water. Only a few ducks were swimming about and I saw about 6 or 7 turtles poking their heads above the water to see who was out there.
After the binders were completed I stopped for a haircut when I found a place for 980yen. Yahoo that is the cheapest I have seen here, most charge 5000yen and I refuse to pay that every 5 weeks. So I went in and said I wanted a cut and thinning and the girl was a bit nervous I think as I told her in English. She tried to talk with me in Japanese, but no such luck. I told her whatever she would do, will be better than what I had. No worries. So then she led me first to the locker where I locked my bags in and took the key and then when I sat down she gave me an eye glass case to hold my glasses in while she cut my hair. WOW...such service:-) She did a great job and it feels so nice to not look like GUMBY head.
We then went out for lunch and after we made our way to the book store Shohei told us about in Yokohama Station. There we found the two books he was talking about and also I got my first Manga cartoon book in English so I can see what this rage is all about. I got Volumne one of Fruit Basket which is a teen romance story I guess? It is actually rather odd and I am not exactly sure I am reading it correctly either. The books all open opposite of ours and then I am not sure if I am to go down and up left to right or just right to left and back and forth down the page...
CJ finished the book on Internationalization on the train and then when we got home I read it and now he has taken it to share with guys and gals at work.
Sunday we slept in and then enjoyed a chat with Kalen via Skype for Mom's Day. Mikey left Monday for Iowa and his summer of Shakespeare. Got nice note from Graham and had a good long chat with him a few days earlier in the week. They are both well and keeping busy. Looking forward to seeing them both next weekend in MN. Yea!
CJ and I then made our way up to Tokyo's Yoyoji park for the Jamaican ONE LOVE festival. It was a beautiful day and lots of people were there to rock to the reggae rhythms. It was interesting to see some alternative looking Japanese folks and not so reserved in their black suits and white shirts. We even saw a few exposed tattoos which is not a real accepted thing here in Japan. We enjoyed some good jerk chicken tacos and I kept my fingers crossed that the spanish folks and one white guy who all had a bit too much to drink kept themselves in line. It was actually a bit awkward and felt quite subdued for a concert. We hung around a bit and enjoyed the many different artists coming out to sing one song with the band. Some were pretty good, but the pronounciation of some words sounded a bit funny and were not even close I don't think to what Bob Marley wrote them as. They are entertainers though and do get into their singing.
We then made our way back through Yoyoji park where tons more people were just hanging out on theri little plastic tarps and having picnics, some samuari couples were doing sai battles, the lone guy was jumping around to his boom box. The Elvis wannebee twisters were there and dancing up a storm like all other Sunday's. Across the way on the plaza only a few Harajuku girls were out strutting theri stuff and actually more boys were there holding there FREE HUGS signs and waiting for soem takers.
We made our way home for some dinner and the next episode of American Idol. We were so happy when Matt got saved. He reminds me of Kalen's man friend Michael. I know you in the USA are down to the last 3, but we still have 8 here in Japan. Sumo started again this weekend and so if I am around the next 15 days I can watch the top 2 divisons wrestle each day at 4-6pm.
Monday May 11, 2009 I had another long chat with my mom for Mothers Day and also found out my dad got himself a new 3 wheel bike to ride. He is so happy to now have some freedom to move about and go to the grocery store. I am hoping my mom might try it out and get one for herself as well? They are doing well and enjoyed seeing their grandson Stafford graduate with his Masters Degree in Psychology last week. Mark's daughter Sarah also left for NYC with her man friend Cameron in toe this time around. She is doing well with her modeling out there and he is going to try and find some tech work I think.
Today Tuesday May 12 I had two meetings one at St Maur International school acrtoss the street and it looks like I will have many different volunteer opportunities available to help with in the fall.:-) Also my two new pals Janice and Lynnn from YIWC joined me today and we went to the Kofu orphanage to work with the preschool kids there. We will go back next Monday and then we hopefully will get to go weekly and help/play and teach them some English through songs and games? There is about 10 kids and they are so cute with their jet black stick straight hair, big almond eyes and cute little smiles. Reina and Noboru were two kids that stood out for me just in our 1 hour meeting. I sadly can not put pics of them up on the web if their face is showing, but I can show pics of their surroundings and the backs of their head ro blur their faces. So guess there will be more stories than pics of those days.
So now I need to pack my stuff and get things in order for my 1 month trip to Honduras. Will be busy there taking new pics of all the children,and having them write letters, answer new profile questions...We will be in MN for a few weeks too and looks as if the neighbors house will be ready after the fire and they get to move back into their new fireproof house.
I am getting all kinds of letters from my new found Japanese friends I have been meeting in the parks and along the streets. Yesterday I got a nice letter from Miyuki-san the man who sang to us on the Boardwalk. It was all in Japanese but two lines and so I had my friend Futakami-san help me out today with the translation. I also got another cute art decorated letter from Yojiro-san that is his 4th already sincne we met April 5th. Today I came home to a note and photos from Riye and her papa Aiko who I met in the Park. Shohei and Maggie from China write me emails as well, so I am finally making some native friends her and it is so fun. Now I really need to wrok on my Japanese.
Well I am pooped after the long walk today, being in the hot room with the kids. I am going to have to take my sweat rag with me there, that is for sure. It isn't even hot here yet, and I was already sweating like a SWINE..geez I hope that doesn't make me more susceptible to the flu? ha-ha
Looks like I will miss my black and white painting classes in the next week, but I hope to go again next fall when they start up again? I did enjoy that. I may have calligraphy this Thursday and who knows CJ and I may go back up to Yoyoji this weekend for the Thai festival. We will see how tired he is after being out late every night this week. They are sure to have some good food there, don't you think.
Or perhaps I need to go check Sankeien Gardens out and see what their Iris display looks like. The Jasmine vines were in bloom here the last 2 weeks and it smelt so good as you walked down the street. I can not tell what the fragrance is from now that fills the air, but something else is giving off a great natural perfume smell.
Looks like strawberry season is coming to an end here :-( and watermelons and bing cherries, tiny grapes are starting to show up at the fruit markets. I have enjoyed a few very ripe, tasty and juicy mangoes as well.
Well I guess that's enough for now....I am off to bed to rest my head and hope you all have a great day or night
Karla
CJ is busy all week at work with a BIG product launch and dinner meetings so I have some time to get this blog updated, pack for my upcoming trip to MN and Honduras and have been trying to line up some volunteer work here for the fall. CJ and I had a great weekend and I actually went to work with him on Saturday morning to help put some binders together for the sales and marketing meeting. You know me always like shuffling papers around. We were so surprised and delighted while we were waiting for the train when our friend Shoehi tapped us on the shoulder. WOW..if that is not CRAZY. In this BIG city we have now ran into him 2 different times. Fun..we had a nice chat and visit on the train as he went up to Tokyo for his Toefl English class and we headed towards work. He showed us a few good books he was reading about The Japanese and International issues. He is going to school to be an International lawyer.
We bid him farewell and then enjoyed a walk along the wooded path and duck pond on the way to and from Graco KK. It sure looked alot different there now, than when I went at cherry season in late March. No more pink trees and now everything was green and full of leaves. There were quite a few yellow iris and 3 or 4 purple ones on the bank of the pond, and lots of pink and white lilly pads making a tarp over much of the water. Only a few ducks were swimming about and I saw about 6 or 7 turtles poking their heads above the water to see who was out there.
After the binders were completed I stopped for a haircut when I found a place for 980yen. Yahoo that is the cheapest I have seen here, most charge 5000yen and I refuse to pay that every 5 weeks. So I went in and said I wanted a cut and thinning and the girl was a bit nervous I think as I told her in English. She tried to talk with me in Japanese, but no such luck. I told her whatever she would do, will be better than what I had. No worries. So then she led me first to the locker where I locked my bags in and took the key and then when I sat down she gave me an eye glass case to hold my glasses in while she cut my hair. WOW...such service:-) She did a great job and it feels so nice to not look like GUMBY head.
We then went out for lunch and after we made our way to the book store Shohei told us about in Yokohama Station. There we found the two books he was talking about and also I got my first Manga cartoon book in English so I can see what this rage is all about. I got Volumne one of Fruit Basket which is a teen romance story I guess? It is actually rather odd and I am not exactly sure I am reading it correctly either. The books all open opposite of ours and then I am not sure if I am to go down and up left to right or just right to left and back and forth down the page...
CJ finished the book on Internationalization on the train and then when we got home I read it and now he has taken it to share with guys and gals at work.
Sunday we slept in and then enjoyed a chat with Kalen via Skype for Mom's Day. Mikey left Monday for Iowa and his summer of Shakespeare. Got nice note from Graham and had a good long chat with him a few days earlier in the week. They are both well and keeping busy. Looking forward to seeing them both next weekend in MN. Yea!
CJ and I then made our way up to Tokyo's Yoyoji park for the Jamaican ONE LOVE festival. It was a beautiful day and lots of people were there to rock to the reggae rhythms. It was interesting to see some alternative looking Japanese folks and not so reserved in their black suits and white shirts. We even saw a few exposed tattoos which is not a real accepted thing here in Japan. We enjoyed some good jerk chicken tacos and I kept my fingers crossed that the spanish folks and one white guy who all had a bit too much to drink kept themselves in line. It was actually a bit awkward and felt quite subdued for a concert. We hung around a bit and enjoyed the many different artists coming out to sing one song with the band. Some were pretty good, but the pronounciation of some words sounded a bit funny and were not even close I don't think to what Bob Marley wrote them as. They are entertainers though and do get into their singing.
We then made our way back through Yoyoji park where tons more people were just hanging out on theri little plastic tarps and having picnics, some samuari couples were doing sai battles, the lone guy was jumping around to his boom box. The Elvis wannebee twisters were there and dancing up a storm like all other Sunday's. Across the way on the plaza only a few Harajuku girls were out strutting theri stuff and actually more boys were there holding there FREE HUGS signs and waiting for soem takers.
We made our way home for some dinner and the next episode of American Idol. We were so happy when Matt got saved. He reminds me of Kalen's man friend Michael. I know you in the USA are down to the last 3, but we still have 8 here in Japan. Sumo started again this weekend and so if I am around the next 15 days I can watch the top 2 divisons wrestle each day at 4-6pm.
Monday May 11, 2009 I had another long chat with my mom for Mothers Day and also found out my dad got himself a new 3 wheel bike to ride. He is so happy to now have some freedom to move about and go to the grocery store. I am hoping my mom might try it out and get one for herself as well? They are doing well and enjoyed seeing their grandson Stafford graduate with his Masters Degree in Psychology last week. Mark's daughter Sarah also left for NYC with her man friend Cameron in toe this time around. She is doing well with her modeling out there and he is going to try and find some tech work I think.
Today Tuesday May 12 I had two meetings one at St Maur International school acrtoss the street and it looks like I will have many different volunteer opportunities available to help with in the fall.:-) Also my two new pals Janice and Lynnn from YIWC joined me today and we went to the Kofu orphanage to work with the preschool kids there. We will go back next Monday and then we hopefully will get to go weekly and help/play and teach them some English through songs and games? There is about 10 kids and they are so cute with their jet black stick straight hair, big almond eyes and cute little smiles. Reina and Noboru were two kids that stood out for me just in our 1 hour meeting. I sadly can not put pics of them up on the web if their face is showing, but I can show pics of their surroundings and the backs of their head ro blur their faces. So guess there will be more stories than pics of those days.
So now I need to pack my stuff and get things in order for my 1 month trip to Honduras. Will be busy there taking new pics of all the children,and having them write letters, answer new profile questions...We will be in MN for a few weeks too and looks as if the neighbors house will be ready after the fire and they get to move back into their new fireproof house.
I am getting all kinds of letters from my new found Japanese friends I have been meeting in the parks and along the streets. Yesterday I got a nice letter from Miyuki-san the man who sang to us on the Boardwalk. It was all in Japanese but two lines and so I had my friend Futakami-san help me out today with the translation. I also got another cute art decorated letter from Yojiro-san that is his 4th already sincne we met April 5th. Today I came home to a note and photos from Riye and her papa Aiko who I met in the Park. Shohei and Maggie from China write me emails as well, so I am finally making some native friends her and it is so fun. Now I really need to wrok on my Japanese.
Well I am pooped after the long walk today, being in the hot room with the kids. I am going to have to take my sweat rag with me there, that is for sure. It isn't even hot here yet, and I was already sweating like a SWINE..geez I hope that doesn't make me more susceptible to the flu? ha-ha
Looks like I will miss my black and white painting classes in the next week, but I hope to go again next fall when they start up again? I did enjoy that. I may have calligraphy this Thursday and who knows CJ and I may go back up to Yoyoji this weekend for the Thai festival. We will see how tired he is after being out late every night this week. They are sure to have some good food there, don't you think.
Or perhaps I need to go check Sankeien Gardens out and see what their Iris display looks like. The Jasmine vines were in bloom here the last 2 weeks and it smelt so good as you walked down the street. I can not tell what the fragrance is from now that fills the air, but something else is giving off a great natural perfume smell.
Looks like strawberry season is coming to an end here :-( and watermelons and bing cherries, tiny grapes are starting to show up at the fruit markets. I have enjoyed a few very ripe, tasty and juicy mangoes as well.
Well I guess that's enough for now....I am off to bed to rest my head and hope you all have a great day or night
Karla
Thursday, May 7, 2009
May 7, 2009 A very busy GOLDEN WEEK was had here in Japan
Konnichiwa
Well it was a beautiful Golden Week and the sun shone brightly all but the last day day of it. Too bad too, as it put a damper on Boys Day Festivities for many I am sure. It has been raining non stop since mid day on Tuesday. WOW!! My cupboards are getting very bare, but I don't even want to venture out in the driving rain to walk to the market to replenish the food supply. Guess I will scrounge around for some instant Ramen soup and salad for supper and hope that will satisfy my man?
CJ and I had a FUN and VERY BUSY week. We did go to Enoshima Island on Friday and had a nice day hanging out on the coastline and watching the waves crash, tickled the sea anemones in the tide pools and then watched a beautiful sunset to close the day over Mt Fuji-san. It felt like we were back in California again and it brought back lots of good memories for us of times with our kids. We too rang the LOVE bell in honor of our 30 years together come May 26th. There is a monument area on the island where lovers come and lock a padlock to the fence and then ring the bell. We did not have a lock, but we did ring the bell and it echoed very loudly. CJ told me I was to do it gently, but you know me. Everything I seem to do is hard and fast no gentle or delicate for this gal I guess. Oops!
Saturday May 2nd
We slept in till 7 and then made our way down to Nihon-odori street to watch the flower carpets being made. There were a TON of people participating and yet, like all events here in Japan...it ran like clock work. The littlest of kids are so respectful, well behaved and capable of things you might not see kids twice their age do in other countries. It was amazing. The carpets were made kind of like we do the sawdust alfombras at Easter for Semana Santa week in Honduras. I of course, had all I could do not to jump in and help.
They had a central area that passed out the needed supplies of glue brushes, glue bottles, buckets full of colored blue, green and black sand. They too had sprayers with glue to seal or dampen the flowers and sand so to hold them in place from the wind that was blowing around all day. They had big sheets of white paper taped to the street with the designs drawn on with black marker. Each area within the black lines was marked with a color name and flower. They first had a group huddle and my guess is that they explained the procedure to the group gathered which almost covered the entire working surface...and I then wondered how they were going to work with so many people? So once they parted, the first kid painted on some glue with a brush and then the next kid or adult poured from a cup the black sand to make the borders and blue sand for the sky in their drawings and green sand for the leaves and grass. All the rest was done with red, yellow, orange, purple, pink...tulip and rose petals. Young and old worked hard, fast and with much precision. Most everyone had a hat on, to protect themselves from the hot sun. As I walked past one carpet a little girl was squatting on the ground behind a big box and trying to clean up her own pool of vomit. I bent down to help her and to try to get someones attention to see if they even knew she was ill and the minute I started to talk to her, some Japanese lady came by and then she ran away and minutes later there was a nurse with a first aid kit at her side helping her. WOW...that was very surprising and fast. I thought it was so interesting how she must not have told anyone and it seemed as if she was trying to deal with the whole situation on her own..so as not to disturb anyone? She must have been 10 yrs old if that.
There was also some exhibit tents set up on either side of the carpet area and a few garden companies were allowing folks to make up their own floral centerpieces. I had fun watching two little preschool age girls working alongside with their mom and grandma I assumed, to make a pretty pink flower centerpiece. Wow.. they start teaching them at a very young age to do many things and the thing is, the kids seem so very capable to actually do the stuff with ease?
So CJ and I walked around the 29 carpets for an hour or so and watched the progress. Then we took a break and went to Yodobashi Camera. CJ had to return a couple things and he wanted to buy me some computer pads so I hopefully can avoid carpel tunnel. Who knows I may have already done the damage. My hand was actually purple the other night after I was done typing. I seem to rest my wrists very heavily on the keyboard and have actually formed quite a callus on both wrist bones. Not good I suspect:-(My shoulders seem to be in knots allot too, so when he was wandering in electronics heaven I went up to the 5Th floor for another massage chair massage. I saw the same guy we met when Donna, Michelle and I enjoyed a 20 minute chair massage and I had another nice body massage and visit with him again this time. I told him perhaps I can talk CJ into buying one of those chairs instead of the $1,000.00 rice cooker he keeps talking about. I really would like one, but the best one that does 737 movements is $5,000.00 and that is a little more than I want to spend. Also if it has troubles back in states...how will I get it fixed ? He did agree that might be a major problem. So I was safe and didn't have to buy one, after that question. :-)
So after my massage and CJ's bag full of toys we made our way past Cozy Corner Bakery for our favorite Jumbo Cho and then back on the train to see the progress made and opening ceremony of the carpets. Everything was cleaned up, guard ropes were up, lights were hooked up to illuminate them at dusk and the ceremony was under way. As we strolled up, they were giving out certificates to the artists who drew each of the carpet designs. They were all women and one young girl who was a junior high or late elementary student. Cool!
They were very nice, colorful and it was fun to view them being made as you could hear the roar of the crowd from the baseball game in the stadium at the end of the street. It was a perfect summer day outing.
Sunday May 3rd was Yokohama's 150Th Harbor Festival kickoff Parade. It was another lovely spring day and actually the sun got a bit warm and left me with a little sunburn after standing for 3 looooong hours in the same spot. I had a great view though as it was right where the parade started and the grand Marshall ceremony took place. Minne and Mickey Mouse from Tokyo Disney were there as was Donald ,Daisy , Pluto and Goofy and you can't imagine how excited young and old alike got when they saw them high above the crowd in a fancy Disney Float.The Japanese really get into mascots and characters. It was a colorful and lively event with many precision marching bands, baton twirlers, Boy Scouts, dance troupes of all sorts, elementary school bands playing portable keyboards and piano like recorders. Some of the kids looked like they were in kindergarten and perhaps they were or else it is just the small stature of the Japanese that makes them look even younger than they really are...kind of like my Honduran pals. There were lots of different folks dressed in historical costumes of the past years and many different countries were shown in clothing as well as it was the opening of the harbor to the western world.
After the parade we made our way up to another Int'l school food fair. We caught the last hour or so of this one and enjoyed some Korean Beef, Chicken Yakatori, French crepes, Norske organic sandwich and of course a few beers for CJ and an Indian Margarita for me? They had already sold all their samosas:-(We too enjoyed some salsa dancing, Indian dancers and a young school band called Make Me a Sandwich. They were quite good and a crowd favorite. This group had a bit more of a party atmosphere here than the Catholic School last week.
We then made our way home and sat out on the back porch and enjoyed the beautiful night air as we ate some chips and salsa. I dropped a chip and then we noticed a bunch of ants carrying it to their ant hill. It was so fun and I of course sat there and watched it much longer than CJ could. I kept thinking they were getting ready for Cinco de Mayo on the 5Th and they were all celebrating with their big taco chip. So of course I dropped another chip scrap and we then timed how long it took them to carry it from about 18 inches away. It took only 10 minutes and what team work we saw. I told CJ it was like us carrying our house across the state of MN..so crazy. The best part was when they got it to the step wall and had to turn it on end vertically to slide it down along the wall and into the front door of their house. Oh what I would give to have been able to see down in there and to see the celebration I pictured was taking place. I wonder what they were thinking. I wanted to drop a hunk of green pepper from the salsa bowl too, but CJ told me to quit messing with their universe. So...you see, we do take out time to smell the roses and watch the ants once in awhile. I know your probably thinking what was in that Indian margarita she drank...and I am too it was very good actually. :-) Ha-ha
Monday May 4Th Garden Day
This is a day where you get into the Tokyo Gardens for free. I have been to 2 different ones, but many I have not seen so when CJ flew off to China for 3 days, I made my way on the train north to check out some new ones. It was a very relaxing and tranquil day. I saw roses of all colors and varieties. Some very BIG. It is Iris season now as well and so many of those in purple, lavender, yellow, peach were blooming. All the cherry blossoms are gone as are the wisteria. One garden had a big patch of poppies and daisies and many of the azaleas were already gone or just starting. I could not tell for sure? I really think though, that some of what I have been told are azaleas are really actually rhododendrons. Anyhow it was beautiful and of course I enjoyed taking way too many fotos at different angles. I love the reflection in the water fotos of trees and flowers and each park had many a stone pagoda that make it so Japanese. Their were many older folks about and enjoying another nice day and all were donning their little white or blue boat hats. I love that whole look. I might even buy myself one, if I did not look so silly in hats.
I road on a local town shuttle bus from one park to another instead of going to the train station or taking a city bus and I felt like I got many a look as to what are you doing in here? Three little ladies that I waited in line next to were literally up to my bust level...they were probably scared by the mere SIZE of me :-)
The last park I could not find as I went to the end of the name with the star on the map instead of the dot end and so I was about 3 blocks away and it was getting near closing time, and so I by passed the last one and went and walked around the Tokyo University campus instead. I had fun taking pics of the old stone arch buildings and big old nearly trees. I then found a big pond and of course found some more shots of yellow iris's reflecting in the water. I too met a little Japanese lady that was relaxing under an arbor and she said something to me and I asked her if she spoke English and she said no only Japanese and Spanish.:-) Well that was an open door if ya know what I mean. So I sat down and we talked in Spanish/Spanglish for about 1/2 hour. She had lived in Buenos Aries for the past 30 years and I think if I understood her correctly she was back here visiting family. We exchanged address cards and hopefully she will write me as well. Her daughter is a lawyer in Argentina and and so I will write her Email there or send common mail to her other address. Well I am sure you can imagine that was very fun for me. I even remembered more than I thought I would. Speaking of Spanish.When I called the lady from the orphanage here today I totally started rambling in Spanglish to her and I said about 2 sentences before I even realized I was talking in a a language she has no idea what I am saying. :-) YEAH..I was afraid I was going to lose it as I learn more Japanese.It should be very interesting to see just what comes out of my mouth when I am in Honduras next month or better yet what comes out of my mouth when I get back here to Japan after a month speaking Spanish?
I amn already confused just thinking about it.
So we bid farewell and as I was walking back to the gate I ran into a young alumni student who was busy pr acting his archery and so I asked him a bit about it and if it was a sport or mediation and he said he does it as a sport.It was very interesting to see him in his fancy pants and shooting into straw bales. On the way home I grabbed a curry filled bun and some Boy day treats at the bakery and enjoyed that and some carrots and apples back at home.
Tuesday May 5, 2009 Boys Day
Well it was the last day of Golden Week and I woke to very cloudy and dark skies. I was glad the event I chose to attend today was an indoor exhibition, but for many I am sure, they were sad it was not a sunny day. Usually many folks go to parks and fly kites and have fun playing outdoors with their boys. They hang carp like wind sock pinwheels in front of their homes if they have a son. Yes I have one here for you Grambo and I even bought some of the special rice balls filled with sweet red beans wrapped in maple leaf last night to eat today in your honor. Some folks also have a samurai figure and the special warrior hat they put on display as well. This is a day to honor male children and to wish them strength, happiness and good health.
So I woke up and after chatting with some family members on Skype I made my way back up to Tokyo BIG Sight for Dream Party 2009 and Cos-Day. This was a day for dress up and many were doing just that. It was a people watching day masterpiece and photo opportunity of the best kind. You had to pay $5.00 to take pics and you know I was in for that. So I paid my fee to get in and then my photo fee and I was happy to freely roam and snap away, or so I thought. I did just that most all afternoon downstairs, which was the Cos Day area and where 1000's of Manga Fan wannabee artists , cartoonists and writers were all selling their homemade books, pins, posters,figurines...at least that is what I think the girl struggled hard to tell me in her English.
I had just talked to AJ my niece before I left and she is into Mange and so I asked her some names of characters and what they looked like so I could try and get some photos she might like when I am there. Also, I wanted to know a little something of this whole new world before I entered unknown territory. I did not want to totally look out of place, yet my guess is that I still did. I mean I was the only 50 + white women in the whole area I think. I did see some younger European looking girls and boys. There were older Japanese men taking pics of the scantily cals girls of course, but I did not see too many women over 30 yrs if that.
I bought a few books that looked interesting by their covers and if the kid behind the table was willing to talk and try to communicate with me, I figured that was worth a $2-$4 dollar book at least for their effort.
So i walked around the huge hall and looked at the different tables where many were busy with their sketch pads and drawing more manga characters as they sat and waited for folks to buy their goods. Boy was I surprised when one book with a bright pink cover and 4 cute characters grabbed my attention. As I sat paging through the book I suddenly realized I was looking at a manga porn cartoon book. I could feel the young girl and boy who was sitting next to her get a bit uncomfortable and when I said I would buy it and wanted her to sign her name and then take a photo her with it she got a bit embarrassed. I explained how in American if you buy a book from the live author they always sign their name and the date to it. So she did and she did end up letting me take a very shy looking photo of her. When I got home and showed CJ what it was and as we looked closer we realized at the end of the book, it was actually two boys dressed like girls who were having sex. Odd and very interesting at the same time. I really would love to know what it says in Japanese, except I am not sure who is the right person for me to ask to help translate it? ha-ha Perhaps I had wait till I get to know some of my Japanese friends a bit better.
So with books in my bag, I went outside on the plaza to take and watch the kids take pics of each other in their costumes. I think if I understand the girl correctly they were to dress in costumes of characters from these 4 manga stories. Debone. Gintama. Paytareea and Pop'n. I am sure that is not the correct spelling, but that is what it sounded like to me if I spelt it with our alpahabet. It will be very interesting one day if I learn more about this,and what exactly she did say and who some of the characters are that I took pics of. Then the rain started to fall and all moved inside. I was hot in my sweater and skirt so I can imagine how hot they must of been with their big wigs on, tall platform shoes, layers of costumes, fake fur...I actually did not feel so tall with many of them wearing 4 inch clunky shoes. and even looked a few of them eye to eye. It was very hard to tell who was actually a girl dressed like a boy or vice verse. I know when I first looked at couples I assumed right away it was male and female, but then upon closer inspection as I got more comfortable as the day went on I noticed some were actually girls that I thought were boys. I am sure there were some boys dressed as girls as well, but I don't know that for fact. The bottom floor sales and photos party ended at 3 and so then I went upstairs and there was a whole other party going on there.
This was now more anime video sales and an introduction of new games and video cartoons. It too, was more of an adult playground if you will type of an atmosphere and there were a few rather scantly clad girls posing in their costumes or lack there of. They had to check my ID to enter this adult world and I also had to buy yet another $5.00 pass. Here many men I noticed were all standing in line waiting patiently to get their turn at making the lady pout, twist and turn in all the ways he so desired her to. Some guys even laid on the floor to get angled shots from below. It felt pretty hard core, and I thought these guys are very serious about this and it too was sort of weird in a way. I only wanted one straight on shot of some and some of the pics I snapped were actually more fun when I got the photographer in as well and how he was so into it. I did that for about 1/2 hour walking through the room snapping shots over people's shoulders and above their heads, cause I still had a pretty good view and not many obstructions. I kept my flash off, so not to distract the ones that were taking their all important up close and personal shots, but then late in the day, a young girl came over and stopped me and said I could not take pictures. Well of course I pointed to my $5.00 badge I had bought and said I was under the impression I can take all the pics I want as I purchased a pass. But then she tried to tell me more and what I finally understood after 3 different people tried to find some kind of English and to explain to me the Japan way of going about this. What I learned is, that I had to wait in line and get permission first, and then she would pose for me and only me. I told them I did not want to take 20 shots I only wanted one, but they said I could not take more without waiting in line and getting their permission first.
So feeling a bit frustrated and wishing I knew Jaanese and could of communicated better or at least a little.. I saw there were a few more girls I wanted pics of that I did not get earlier in the day and so I went and stood in line. I literally waited for 3 guys to take their turns in front of me. Each guy I would say took between 20 and 40 shots of the black dominatrix looking girl. I actually felt a bit foolish and told her so when I finally got up to her that I was sorry I only wanted 1straight on photo of her and not 45 like the others took. She smiled and then posed for me and only me. So off I went to the next line and got a pic of two girls with flowers in their hair and then I decided I had had enough. I was exhausted after trying to understand what it was they were saying to me,felt bad that I was going against the rule so to speak and not knwing that I was, did not understand who or what it was I was looking at, and it then all felt a bit awkward when I had to ask for a photo and I was not as into it as all the men around me were.
It had peeked my curiosty though in learning a bit about the story lines of some of the stories. Sadly all the stories that AJ knows about and likes such as Inuasha, Fruit Basket, Narootoe, Full Metal Alchemist, Death Note and Bleach were not ones that they were dressing like today and so I saw nothing that her and I talked about.:-( Needless to say I entered a whole new and very different world and one that leaves me questioning many things I saw and wanting to know more. This was another perfect example of organization. All the kids went to a certain room to get their costumes on and off and then brought their little pull along suitcase to a coat check like area where they left their bags in neatly stacked rows and rows of luggage, only to be returned to the rightful owner when they showed a pass. I too was surprised how so many kids had really nice digital Nikon and or Canon cameras while many others just use their digital phones.
It makes me wonder what kind of allowance these kids get to buy all these elaborate costumes, cameras and many do not have jobs or if they do they only work 1-2 weeks a year on spring break and over the New Year holiday. Most kids I am told don't work while going to school as they have school and then cram school and after that some even go to 2 cram schools. I wonder when they have a life?
So back home I went that night and have been in the house ever since as the rain has not stopped since 1:30 pm on Tuesday.
I am getting caught up on computer and photos, but do need to get out tomorrow to buy some food. Well that is about it for now..if the weather ever clears up, there is a ONE LOVE Jamaican party at Yoyoji park this weekend, so that is where you might find me on Mothers Day?
Konbanwa
Karla
.
Well it was a beautiful Golden Week and the sun shone brightly all but the last day day of it. Too bad too, as it put a damper on Boys Day Festivities for many I am sure. It has been raining non stop since mid day on Tuesday. WOW!! My cupboards are getting very bare, but I don't even want to venture out in the driving rain to walk to the market to replenish the food supply. Guess I will scrounge around for some instant Ramen soup and salad for supper and hope that will satisfy my man?
CJ and I had a FUN and VERY BUSY week. We did go to Enoshima Island on Friday and had a nice day hanging out on the coastline and watching the waves crash, tickled the sea anemones in the tide pools and then watched a beautiful sunset to close the day over Mt Fuji-san. It felt like we were back in California again and it brought back lots of good memories for us of times with our kids. We too rang the LOVE bell in honor of our 30 years together come May 26th. There is a monument area on the island where lovers come and lock a padlock to the fence and then ring the bell. We did not have a lock, but we did ring the bell and it echoed very loudly. CJ told me I was to do it gently, but you know me. Everything I seem to do is hard and fast no gentle or delicate for this gal I guess. Oops!
Saturday May 2nd
We slept in till 7 and then made our way down to Nihon-odori street to watch the flower carpets being made. There were a TON of people participating and yet, like all events here in Japan...it ran like clock work. The littlest of kids are so respectful, well behaved and capable of things you might not see kids twice their age do in other countries. It was amazing. The carpets were made kind of like we do the sawdust alfombras at Easter for Semana Santa week in Honduras. I of course, had all I could do not to jump in and help.
They had a central area that passed out the needed supplies of glue brushes, glue bottles, buckets full of colored blue, green and black sand. They too had sprayers with glue to seal or dampen the flowers and sand so to hold them in place from the wind that was blowing around all day. They had big sheets of white paper taped to the street with the designs drawn on with black marker. Each area within the black lines was marked with a color name and flower. They first had a group huddle and my guess is that they explained the procedure to the group gathered which almost covered the entire working surface...and I then wondered how they were going to work with so many people? So once they parted, the first kid painted on some glue with a brush and then the next kid or adult poured from a cup the black sand to make the borders and blue sand for the sky in their drawings and green sand for the leaves and grass. All the rest was done with red, yellow, orange, purple, pink...tulip and rose petals. Young and old worked hard, fast and with much precision. Most everyone had a hat on, to protect themselves from the hot sun. As I walked past one carpet a little girl was squatting on the ground behind a big box and trying to clean up her own pool of vomit. I bent down to help her and to try to get someones attention to see if they even knew she was ill and the minute I started to talk to her, some Japanese lady came by and then she ran away and minutes later there was a nurse with a first aid kit at her side helping her. WOW...that was very surprising and fast. I thought it was so interesting how she must not have told anyone and it seemed as if she was trying to deal with the whole situation on her own..so as not to disturb anyone? She must have been 10 yrs old if that.
There was also some exhibit tents set up on either side of the carpet area and a few garden companies were allowing folks to make up their own floral centerpieces. I had fun watching two little preschool age girls working alongside with their mom and grandma I assumed, to make a pretty pink flower centerpiece. Wow.. they start teaching them at a very young age to do many things and the thing is, the kids seem so very capable to actually do the stuff with ease?
So CJ and I walked around the 29 carpets for an hour or so and watched the progress. Then we took a break and went to Yodobashi Camera. CJ had to return a couple things and he wanted to buy me some computer pads so I hopefully can avoid carpel tunnel. Who knows I may have already done the damage. My hand was actually purple the other night after I was done typing. I seem to rest my wrists very heavily on the keyboard and have actually formed quite a callus on both wrist bones. Not good I suspect:-(My shoulders seem to be in knots allot too, so when he was wandering in electronics heaven I went up to the 5Th floor for another massage chair massage. I saw the same guy we met when Donna, Michelle and I enjoyed a 20 minute chair massage and I had another nice body massage and visit with him again this time. I told him perhaps I can talk CJ into buying one of those chairs instead of the $1,000.00 rice cooker he keeps talking about. I really would like one, but the best one that does 737 movements is $5,000.00 and that is a little more than I want to spend. Also if it has troubles back in states...how will I get it fixed ? He did agree that might be a major problem. So I was safe and didn't have to buy one, after that question. :-)
So after my massage and CJ's bag full of toys we made our way past Cozy Corner Bakery for our favorite Jumbo Cho and then back on the train to see the progress made and opening ceremony of the carpets. Everything was cleaned up, guard ropes were up, lights were hooked up to illuminate them at dusk and the ceremony was under way. As we strolled up, they were giving out certificates to the artists who drew each of the carpet designs. They were all women and one young girl who was a junior high or late elementary student. Cool!
They were very nice, colorful and it was fun to view them being made as you could hear the roar of the crowd from the baseball game in the stadium at the end of the street. It was a perfect summer day outing.
Sunday May 3rd was Yokohama's 150Th Harbor Festival kickoff Parade. It was another lovely spring day and actually the sun got a bit warm and left me with a little sunburn after standing for 3 looooong hours in the same spot. I had a great view though as it was right where the parade started and the grand Marshall ceremony took place. Minne and Mickey Mouse from Tokyo Disney were there as was Donald ,Daisy , Pluto and Goofy and you can't imagine how excited young and old alike got when they saw them high above the crowd in a fancy Disney Float.The Japanese really get into mascots and characters. It was a colorful and lively event with many precision marching bands, baton twirlers, Boy Scouts, dance troupes of all sorts, elementary school bands playing portable keyboards and piano like recorders. Some of the kids looked like they were in kindergarten and perhaps they were or else it is just the small stature of the Japanese that makes them look even younger than they really are...kind of like my Honduran pals. There were lots of different folks dressed in historical costumes of the past years and many different countries were shown in clothing as well as it was the opening of the harbor to the western world.
After the parade we made our way up to another Int'l school food fair. We caught the last hour or so of this one and enjoyed some Korean Beef, Chicken Yakatori, French crepes, Norske organic sandwich and of course a few beers for CJ and an Indian Margarita for me? They had already sold all their samosas:-(We too enjoyed some salsa dancing, Indian dancers and a young school band called Make Me a Sandwich. They were quite good and a crowd favorite. This group had a bit more of a party atmosphere here than the Catholic School last week.
We then made our way home and sat out on the back porch and enjoyed the beautiful night air as we ate some chips and salsa. I dropped a chip and then we noticed a bunch of ants carrying it to their ant hill. It was so fun and I of course sat there and watched it much longer than CJ could. I kept thinking they were getting ready for Cinco de Mayo on the 5Th and they were all celebrating with their big taco chip. So of course I dropped another chip scrap and we then timed how long it took them to carry it from about 18 inches away. It took only 10 minutes and what team work we saw. I told CJ it was like us carrying our house across the state of MN..so crazy. The best part was when they got it to the step wall and had to turn it on end vertically to slide it down along the wall and into the front door of their house. Oh what I would give to have been able to see down in there and to see the celebration I pictured was taking place. I wonder what they were thinking. I wanted to drop a hunk of green pepper from the salsa bowl too, but CJ told me to quit messing with their universe. So...you see, we do take out time to smell the roses and watch the ants once in awhile. I know your probably thinking what was in that Indian margarita she drank...and I am too it was very good actually. :-) Ha-ha
Monday May 4Th Garden Day
This is a day where you get into the Tokyo Gardens for free. I have been to 2 different ones, but many I have not seen so when CJ flew off to China for 3 days, I made my way on the train north to check out some new ones. It was a very relaxing and tranquil day. I saw roses of all colors and varieties. Some very BIG. It is Iris season now as well and so many of those in purple, lavender, yellow, peach were blooming. All the cherry blossoms are gone as are the wisteria. One garden had a big patch of poppies and daisies and many of the azaleas were already gone or just starting. I could not tell for sure? I really think though, that some of what I have been told are azaleas are really actually rhododendrons. Anyhow it was beautiful and of course I enjoyed taking way too many fotos at different angles. I love the reflection in the water fotos of trees and flowers and each park had many a stone pagoda that make it so Japanese. Their were many older folks about and enjoying another nice day and all were donning their little white or blue boat hats. I love that whole look. I might even buy myself one, if I did not look so silly in hats.
I road on a local town shuttle bus from one park to another instead of going to the train station or taking a city bus and I felt like I got many a look as to what are you doing in here? Three little ladies that I waited in line next to were literally up to my bust level...they were probably scared by the mere SIZE of me :-)
The last park I could not find as I went to the end of the name with the star on the map instead of the dot end and so I was about 3 blocks away and it was getting near closing time, and so I by passed the last one and went and walked around the Tokyo University campus instead. I had fun taking pics of the old stone arch buildings and big old nearly trees. I then found a big pond and of course found some more shots of yellow iris's reflecting in the water. I too met a little Japanese lady that was relaxing under an arbor and she said something to me and I asked her if she spoke English and she said no only Japanese and Spanish.:-) Well that was an open door if ya know what I mean. So I sat down and we talked in Spanish/Spanglish for about 1/2 hour. She had lived in Buenos Aries for the past 30 years and I think if I understood her correctly she was back here visiting family. We exchanged address cards and hopefully she will write me as well. Her daughter is a lawyer in Argentina and and so I will write her Email there or send common mail to her other address. Well I am sure you can imagine that was very fun for me. I even remembered more than I thought I would. Speaking of Spanish.When I called the lady from the orphanage here today I totally started rambling in Spanglish to her and I said about 2 sentences before I even realized I was talking in a a language she has no idea what I am saying. :-) YEAH..I was afraid I was going to lose it as I learn more Japanese.It should be very interesting to see just what comes out of my mouth when I am in Honduras next month or better yet what comes out of my mouth when I get back here to Japan after a month speaking Spanish?
I amn already confused just thinking about it.
So we bid farewell and as I was walking back to the gate I ran into a young alumni student who was busy pr acting his archery and so I asked him a bit about it and if it was a sport or mediation and he said he does it as a sport.It was very interesting to see him in his fancy pants and shooting into straw bales. On the way home I grabbed a curry filled bun and some Boy day treats at the bakery and enjoyed that and some carrots and apples back at home.
Tuesday May 5, 2009 Boys Day
Well it was the last day of Golden Week and I woke to very cloudy and dark skies. I was glad the event I chose to attend today was an indoor exhibition, but for many I am sure, they were sad it was not a sunny day. Usually many folks go to parks and fly kites and have fun playing outdoors with their boys. They hang carp like wind sock pinwheels in front of their homes if they have a son. Yes I have one here for you Grambo and I even bought some of the special rice balls filled with sweet red beans wrapped in maple leaf last night to eat today in your honor. Some folks also have a samurai figure and the special warrior hat they put on display as well. This is a day to honor male children and to wish them strength, happiness and good health.
So I woke up and after chatting with some family members on Skype I made my way back up to Tokyo BIG Sight for Dream Party 2009 and Cos-Day. This was a day for dress up and many were doing just that. It was a people watching day masterpiece and photo opportunity of the best kind. You had to pay $5.00 to take pics and you know I was in for that. So I paid my fee to get in and then my photo fee and I was happy to freely roam and snap away, or so I thought. I did just that most all afternoon downstairs, which was the Cos Day area and where 1000's of Manga Fan wannabee artists , cartoonists and writers were all selling their homemade books, pins, posters,figurines...at least that is what I think the girl struggled hard to tell me in her English.
I had just talked to AJ my niece before I left and she is into Mange and so I asked her some names of characters and what they looked like so I could try and get some photos she might like when I am there. Also, I wanted to know a little something of this whole new world before I entered unknown territory. I did not want to totally look out of place, yet my guess is that I still did. I mean I was the only 50 + white women in the whole area I think. I did see some younger European looking girls and boys. There were older Japanese men taking pics of the scantily cals girls of course, but I did not see too many women over 30 yrs if that.
I bought a few books that looked interesting by their covers and if the kid behind the table was willing to talk and try to communicate with me, I figured that was worth a $2-$4 dollar book at least for their effort.
So i walked around the huge hall and looked at the different tables where many were busy with their sketch pads and drawing more manga characters as they sat and waited for folks to buy their goods. Boy was I surprised when one book with a bright pink cover and 4 cute characters grabbed my attention. As I sat paging through the book I suddenly realized I was looking at a manga porn cartoon book. I could feel the young girl and boy who was sitting next to her get a bit uncomfortable and when I said I would buy it and wanted her to sign her name and then take a photo her with it she got a bit embarrassed. I explained how in American if you buy a book from the live author they always sign their name and the date to it. So she did and she did end up letting me take a very shy looking photo of her. When I got home and showed CJ what it was and as we looked closer we realized at the end of the book, it was actually two boys dressed like girls who were having sex. Odd and very interesting at the same time. I really would love to know what it says in Japanese, except I am not sure who is the right person for me to ask to help translate it? ha-ha Perhaps I had wait till I get to know some of my Japanese friends a bit better.
So with books in my bag, I went outside on the plaza to take and watch the kids take pics of each other in their costumes. I think if I understand the girl correctly they were to dress in costumes of characters from these 4 manga stories. Debone. Gintama. Paytareea and Pop'n. I am sure that is not the correct spelling, but that is what it sounded like to me if I spelt it with our alpahabet. It will be very interesting one day if I learn more about this,and what exactly she did say and who some of the characters are that I took pics of. Then the rain started to fall and all moved inside. I was hot in my sweater and skirt so I can imagine how hot they must of been with their big wigs on, tall platform shoes, layers of costumes, fake fur...I actually did not feel so tall with many of them wearing 4 inch clunky shoes. and even looked a few of them eye to eye. It was very hard to tell who was actually a girl dressed like a boy or vice verse. I know when I first looked at couples I assumed right away it was male and female, but then upon closer inspection as I got more comfortable as the day went on I noticed some were actually girls that I thought were boys. I am sure there were some boys dressed as girls as well, but I don't know that for fact. The bottom floor sales and photos party ended at 3 and so then I went upstairs and there was a whole other party going on there.
This was now more anime video sales and an introduction of new games and video cartoons. It too, was more of an adult playground if you will type of an atmosphere and there were a few rather scantly clad girls posing in their costumes or lack there of. They had to check my ID to enter this adult world and I also had to buy yet another $5.00 pass. Here many men I noticed were all standing in line waiting patiently to get their turn at making the lady pout, twist and turn in all the ways he so desired her to. Some guys even laid on the floor to get angled shots from below. It felt pretty hard core, and I thought these guys are very serious about this and it too was sort of weird in a way. I only wanted one straight on shot of some and some of the pics I snapped were actually more fun when I got the photographer in as well and how he was so into it. I did that for about 1/2 hour walking through the room snapping shots over people's shoulders and above their heads, cause I still had a pretty good view and not many obstructions. I kept my flash off, so not to distract the ones that were taking their all important up close and personal shots, but then late in the day, a young girl came over and stopped me and said I could not take pictures. Well of course I pointed to my $5.00 badge I had bought and said I was under the impression I can take all the pics I want as I purchased a pass. But then she tried to tell me more and what I finally understood after 3 different people tried to find some kind of English and to explain to me the Japan way of going about this. What I learned is, that I had to wait in line and get permission first, and then she would pose for me and only me. I told them I did not want to take 20 shots I only wanted one, but they said I could not take more without waiting in line and getting their permission first.
So feeling a bit frustrated and wishing I knew Jaanese and could of communicated better or at least a little.. I saw there were a few more girls I wanted pics of that I did not get earlier in the day and so I went and stood in line. I literally waited for 3 guys to take their turns in front of me. Each guy I would say took between 20 and 40 shots of the black dominatrix looking girl. I actually felt a bit foolish and told her so when I finally got up to her that I was sorry I only wanted 1straight on photo of her and not 45 like the others took. She smiled and then posed for me and only me. So off I went to the next line and got a pic of two girls with flowers in their hair and then I decided I had had enough. I was exhausted after trying to understand what it was they were saying to me,felt bad that I was going against the rule so to speak and not knwing that I was, did not understand who or what it was I was looking at, and it then all felt a bit awkward when I had to ask for a photo and I was not as into it as all the men around me were.
It had peeked my curiosty though in learning a bit about the story lines of some of the stories. Sadly all the stories that AJ knows about and likes such as Inuasha, Fruit Basket, Narootoe, Full Metal Alchemist, Death Note and Bleach were not ones that they were dressing like today and so I saw nothing that her and I talked about.:-( Needless to say I entered a whole new and very different world and one that leaves me questioning many things I saw and wanting to know more. This was another perfect example of organization. All the kids went to a certain room to get their costumes on and off and then brought their little pull along suitcase to a coat check like area where they left their bags in neatly stacked rows and rows of luggage, only to be returned to the rightful owner when they showed a pass. I too was surprised how so many kids had really nice digital Nikon and or Canon cameras while many others just use their digital phones.
It makes me wonder what kind of allowance these kids get to buy all these elaborate costumes, cameras and many do not have jobs or if they do they only work 1-2 weeks a year on spring break and over the New Year holiday. Most kids I am told don't work while going to school as they have school and then cram school and after that some even go to 2 cram schools. I wonder when they have a life?
So back home I went that night and have been in the house ever since as the rain has not stopped since 1:30 pm on Tuesday.
I am getting caught up on computer and photos, but do need to get out tomorrow to buy some food. Well that is about it for now..if the weather ever clears up, there is a ONE LOVE Jamaican party at Yoyoji park this weekend, so that is where you might find me on Mothers Day?
Konbanwa
Karla
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Thursday, April 30, 2009
May 1 2009 Happy May Day from Japan
Ohayo
Well it is May 1 and that means a HAPPY May Day to those of you in the USA, Labor Day in Norway (I noticed that, as I changed over my calendar) and we are in the midst of GOLDEN WEEK here in Japan.
As you can tell I continue to be busy exploring and have left no time to write all I want to here on the Blog. Being that all or nothing person that I am, I guess I have left it to nothing.:-( Sorry about that for those who look here everyday to find the latest happenings.
The beginning of the week I took a black and white painting class and tried my hand at a painting a bamboo root and some strawberries. It was fun and I met 3 more new ladies from Canada, Wales and TX.
Then the next day, I enjoyed a walk with Jenny and 2 new friends Lynn from Seattle and Janice from Wales. We had a great time meandering along the harbor area and then met a wonderful and funny man Miyuki on the promenade. He was so knowledgeable about US history and could recite many a date I did not even know myself (History was never my thing). He sang the US National anthem to us and the UK anthem as well. Quite impressive. I got a great video of him, but who knows why I failed to scan over and get the girls laughing and listening to him as he chatted away. He really loves to practice his English and was very enthusiastic about it. I got his name and address, so I am hoping he will write to me as does my other pensioner friend Jojiro whom I met on APril 5th wehn we went to see the chery blossom tunnel of trees in Kamakura. I find it interesting, that five of the Japanese folks I have befriended here, are all from areas close to Kamakura, so I am beginning to think that is the place to live. Lots of outgoing and fun folks come from those parts. I don[t think I told you the sory about Jojiro,. We had just arrived back fomr Thailand and dropped our bags and went south to Kamakura to catch FULLL blossoms. As we exited the white tunnel of trees I ran into this cute little old man who tapped me on the shoulder and asked if I would be his pen pal. Well of course I said "YES" and so now we are writing and sending hand written snail mail or common mail as he calls it letters back and forth. Most of the retirees I have met, do not have computer access so I type mine out on the computer and then mail them. I want to be sure they can at least read what it is I wrote and you know how my hand writing is? :-)
So this sweet little man sends me the cutest letters with pictures of Japanese things cut from magazines or travel brochures to decorate the paper. It is so fun and already in one month he has written me 3 times. He also told me I have made a dream come true for him, so who wouldn't want to write. FUN!!!
Today CJ is working 1/2 a day and then we plan to take the train south to Enoshima and explore tht island and hillside full of temples. Tomorrow they are supposed to be building floral carpets on the Nihon-odori street of tulip and rose petals. Sunday there is to be a parade at Yamashita Park.
Wednesday was the Last Emperoor's BDay and a National Holiday. CJ had the day off an so we spent the morning at the local St Maur Int'l School Annual Food Fair. We invited our friend Shohei to join us and he had fun tasting various different foods from Indonesia (chicken satay), India lentil paddies, samosas stuffed with potatoes and chick peas, chicken curry and rice. CJ of course was craving an all American hamburger and BUD. Shohei resorted to more familair fare and he had a Korean omlet call "CHEEMEEGEE" and his favorite Chinese Steamed dumplings. I tried some Tapicoa bubble tea and a shaved ice with mango juice on it. Shohei got one with a brown liquid and CJ asked him if it was soysauce. He chuckled and said "No it is root beer".
We then walked past the western mansion Yamate 111 and peeked inside to see my manager friend Takeuchi. She had it all decorated with floral arrangements for a wedding. It was so pretty. She was not working that day though, so I did not get to introduce her to Shohei. When Shohei entered the house there was large boquet of very fragrent Calla Lillies and he got a bit choked up as he told me they are called Yuri here and that was his mom's name. She died 2 years ago and he commented how it made his heart ache to see them. I said that is your momma from above to let you know she is here with you :-)He said yes I think so and that she watches over me.
We then made our way to Harbor View Park where many couples were sitting on the park benches enjoying the sunshine. Shohei commented on how this must be the "Love Park" as so many pairs of people were here together. I told when he finds a girlfriend, he can bring her here one day but to be careful she may want to get married then. He laughed and blushed a bit as well. He enjoyed the view over the Harbor and kept telling us these are all new places he has never seen before. I was a bit surprised by that as he only lives about 20 minutes from here by train, but then again people are so busy with work and then playing catch up on the weekends, that they probably don't venture too far?
We went down by Yamashita Park and walked all along the harbor area where lots of people were enjoying the sunshine, flower displays, a street performer who could juggle, unravel Rubiks cubes, balanced on rolling cylinders while jumping rope and sqeezing his body through a little ring. He was quite the entertainer and had attracted a rather large crowd as he very quickly moved from one trick to another.
Down at the Red Brick Warehouse area we saw a Harley Motorcycle display and also the big mechanical spider. Then we took the ferry back to Yamashita park as the sunset over Yokohama Bay. When we bid Shohei farewell at the train station he said thanks for the journey. It was a fun day and always enjoyable showing people new things they have not seen or experienced before.
I had better wrap this up and get a few phone calls off to family.I have not talked with my folks for more than a week as I have been so busy running to and fro. Graham is busy as ever with his RUGBY and is on his way today to the Maggotfest in Montana. I am NOT exactly sure what that entails, but I will be anxious to hear the stories next week.
Kalen and Michael I would guess are enjoying there last few days together in Chicago, before Michael heads to Iowa and more Shakespeare Shows until July. Kalen continues to massage folks in Evanston, do Yoga, and I hope she is finally able to enjoy some spring like temps?
Check out the pics on Facebook, as I seem to be able to get those up easier than I can get my long drwan out stories down here
Love ya all
Karla and CJ too
Well it is May 1 and that means a HAPPY May Day to those of you in the USA, Labor Day in Norway (I noticed that, as I changed over my calendar) and we are in the midst of GOLDEN WEEK here in Japan.
As you can tell I continue to be busy exploring and have left no time to write all I want to here on the Blog. Being that all or nothing person that I am, I guess I have left it to nothing.:-( Sorry about that for those who look here everyday to find the latest happenings.
The beginning of the week I took a black and white painting class and tried my hand at a painting a bamboo root and some strawberries. It was fun and I met 3 more new ladies from Canada, Wales and TX.
Then the next day, I enjoyed a walk with Jenny and 2 new friends Lynn from Seattle and Janice from Wales. We had a great time meandering along the harbor area and then met a wonderful and funny man Miyuki on the promenade. He was so knowledgeable about US history and could recite many a date I did not even know myself (History was never my thing). He sang the US National anthem to us and the UK anthem as well. Quite impressive. I got a great video of him, but who knows why I failed to scan over and get the girls laughing and listening to him as he chatted away. He really loves to practice his English and was very enthusiastic about it. I got his name and address, so I am hoping he will write to me as does my other pensioner friend Jojiro whom I met on APril 5th wehn we went to see the chery blossom tunnel of trees in Kamakura. I find it interesting, that five of the Japanese folks I have befriended here, are all from areas close to Kamakura, so I am beginning to think that is the place to live. Lots of outgoing and fun folks come from those parts. I don[t think I told you the sory about Jojiro,. We had just arrived back fomr Thailand and dropped our bags and went south to Kamakura to catch FULLL blossoms. As we exited the white tunnel of trees I ran into this cute little old man who tapped me on the shoulder and asked if I would be his pen pal. Well of course I said "YES" and so now we are writing and sending hand written snail mail or common mail as he calls it letters back and forth. Most of the retirees I have met, do not have computer access so I type mine out on the computer and then mail them. I want to be sure they can at least read what it is I wrote and you know how my hand writing is? :-)
So this sweet little man sends me the cutest letters with pictures of Japanese things cut from magazines or travel brochures to decorate the paper. It is so fun and already in one month he has written me 3 times. He also told me I have made a dream come true for him, so who wouldn't want to write. FUN!!!
Today CJ is working 1/2 a day and then we plan to take the train south to Enoshima and explore tht island and hillside full of temples. Tomorrow they are supposed to be building floral carpets on the Nihon-odori street of tulip and rose petals. Sunday there is to be a parade at Yamashita Park.
Wednesday was the Last Emperoor's BDay and a National Holiday. CJ had the day off an so we spent the morning at the local St Maur Int'l School Annual Food Fair. We invited our friend Shohei to join us and he had fun tasting various different foods from Indonesia (chicken satay), India lentil paddies, samosas stuffed with potatoes and chick peas, chicken curry and rice. CJ of course was craving an all American hamburger and BUD. Shohei resorted to more familair fare and he had a Korean omlet call "CHEEMEEGEE" and his favorite Chinese Steamed dumplings. I tried some Tapicoa bubble tea and a shaved ice with mango juice on it. Shohei got one with a brown liquid and CJ asked him if it was soysauce. He chuckled and said "No it is root beer".
We then walked past the western mansion Yamate 111 and peeked inside to see my manager friend Takeuchi. She had it all decorated with floral arrangements for a wedding. It was so pretty. She was not working that day though, so I did not get to introduce her to Shohei. When Shohei entered the house there was large boquet of very fragrent Calla Lillies and he got a bit choked up as he told me they are called Yuri here and that was his mom's name. She died 2 years ago and he commented how it made his heart ache to see them. I said that is your momma from above to let you know she is here with you :-)He said yes I think so and that she watches over me.
We then made our way to Harbor View Park where many couples were sitting on the park benches enjoying the sunshine. Shohei commented on how this must be the "Love Park" as so many pairs of people were here together. I told when he finds a girlfriend, he can bring her here one day but to be careful she may want to get married then. He laughed and blushed a bit as well. He enjoyed the view over the Harbor and kept telling us these are all new places he has never seen before. I was a bit surprised by that as he only lives about 20 minutes from here by train, but then again people are so busy with work and then playing catch up on the weekends, that they probably don't venture too far?
We went down by Yamashita Park and walked all along the harbor area where lots of people were enjoying the sunshine, flower displays, a street performer who could juggle, unravel Rubiks cubes, balanced on rolling cylinders while jumping rope and sqeezing his body through a little ring. He was quite the entertainer and had attracted a rather large crowd as he very quickly moved from one trick to another.
Down at the Red Brick Warehouse area we saw a Harley Motorcycle display and also the big mechanical spider. Then we took the ferry back to Yamashita park as the sunset over Yokohama Bay. When we bid Shohei farewell at the train station he said thanks for the journey. It was a fun day and always enjoyable showing people new things they have not seen or experienced before.
I had better wrap this up and get a few phone calls off to family.I have not talked with my folks for more than a week as I have been so busy running to and fro. Graham is busy as ever with his RUGBY and is on his way today to the Maggotfest in Montana. I am NOT exactly sure what that entails, but I will be anxious to hear the stories next week.
Kalen and Michael I would guess are enjoying there last few days together in Chicago, before Michael heads to Iowa and more Shakespeare Shows until July. Kalen continues to massage folks in Evanston, do Yoga, and I hope she is finally able to enjoy some spring like temps?
Check out the pics on Facebook, as I seem to be able to get those up easier than I can get my long drwan out stories down here
Love ya all
Karla and CJ too
Monday, April 20, 2009
April 20, 2009 WOW... how time flies when your having fun
Kon bon wa
Well I can hardly believe it has been almost a month since I last wrote on here. WOW! I guess you could say we have been very, very busy. We have been to Thailand and back and are very thankful we were NOT there when all the troubles broke out. We too, got back in time to see the SAKURA cherry blossoms in FULL BLOOM. WOW...what an AMAZING sight that was. Now the cherry blossoms are pretty much gone and the tulips are blooming, wisteria and azaleas. There is always something new blooming and coloring the streets.
A week after we got back from Thailand, my 2 girlfriends from Minnesota came for 10 days. They just left today after I walked them all over Yokohama, Tokyo, Hakone, Mt and the Mt. Fuji area. We had a delightful time and lots of laughs and then today I spent cleaning and downloading photos. Please check out my Facebook Pics of Cherry blossoms, Thailand, and adventures the girls CJ and I had while they were here.
We too met up with a few others this past month for lunch OR dinner, that were from CJ's work who were in town and also some new friends I met through Face book and the Honduras orphanage.
Before the girls came CJ and I went on a Zoorasia field trip with some local orphans here in Japan. I hope to do some volunteering there later this summer and fall once I return from my trip back to the USA and Honduras.
This next weekend starts the BIG 150Th Anniversary celebrations of Yokohama Harbor, so you can be sure I will probably have more stories to share in the coming weeks.
I am home for a month before I make my way back to the states May 23rd.
In between all the above, CJ's mom was very ill and in the hospital with UTI that ended up being quite serious when it went into her kidneys. With her diabetes, she was told she is very lucky she is alive and recovering slowly. We are happy with that report form the doc.
My folks are doing well I think (as I have not talked with them in 10 days-hope to catch up with them tomorrow) and they enjoyed many visits and dinner with all 4 of their grand kids popping by for dinners and visits this past month. Mom's sister Esther and some of her family, along with Stafford and Paige were also over Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday Sarah and Cameron stopped by as well. Sarah too, is on page 98 of the May 2009 Glamour Magazine modeling plus size swimsuits Do's and Don'ts. Kalen Mike and Graham were with Bernie and Solvei over Easter weekend.
Now my mom's brother Joe in Texas is hospitalized and suffering from a seizure and pneumonia. We are sending get well wishes, good thoughts and prayers his way and to his family as well .
Well, I think that about wraps it up for now. Hope you and yours are well and enjoying spring temps finally. It has been a lovely 70 degrees and sunny here of late, It is so nice to have the windows open and all the fresh air blowing in
Keep happy and in touch
Karla and CJ
Well I can hardly believe it has been almost a month since I last wrote on here. WOW! I guess you could say we have been very, very busy. We have been to Thailand and back and are very thankful we were NOT there when all the troubles broke out. We too, got back in time to see the SAKURA cherry blossoms in FULL BLOOM. WOW...what an AMAZING sight that was. Now the cherry blossoms are pretty much gone and the tulips are blooming, wisteria and azaleas. There is always something new blooming and coloring the streets.
A week after we got back from Thailand, my 2 girlfriends from Minnesota came for 10 days. They just left today after I walked them all over Yokohama, Tokyo, Hakone, Mt and the Mt. Fuji area. We had a delightful time and lots of laughs and then today I spent cleaning and downloading photos. Please check out my Facebook Pics of Cherry blossoms, Thailand, and adventures the girls CJ and I had while they were here.
We too met up with a few others this past month for lunch OR dinner, that were from CJ's work who were in town and also some new friends I met through Face book and the Honduras orphanage.
Before the girls came CJ and I went on a Zoorasia field trip with some local orphans here in Japan. I hope to do some volunteering there later this summer and fall once I return from my trip back to the USA and Honduras.
This next weekend starts the BIG 150Th Anniversary celebrations of Yokohama Harbor, so you can be sure I will probably have more stories to share in the coming weeks.
I am home for a month before I make my way back to the states May 23rd.
In between all the above, CJ's mom was very ill and in the hospital with UTI that ended up being quite serious when it went into her kidneys. With her diabetes, she was told she is very lucky she is alive and recovering slowly. We are happy with that report form the doc.
My folks are doing well I think (as I have not talked with them in 10 days-hope to catch up with them tomorrow) and they enjoyed many visits and dinner with all 4 of their grand kids popping by for dinners and visits this past month. Mom's sister Esther and some of her family, along with Stafford and Paige were also over Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday Sarah and Cameron stopped by as well. Sarah too, is on page 98 of the May 2009 Glamour Magazine modeling plus size swimsuits Do's and Don'ts. Kalen Mike and Graham were with Bernie and Solvei over Easter weekend.
Now my mom's brother Joe in Texas is hospitalized and suffering from a seizure and pneumonia. We are sending get well wishes, good thoughts and prayers his way and to his family as well .
Well, I think that about wraps it up for now. Hope you and yours are well and enjoying spring temps finally. It has been a lovely 70 degrees and sunny here of late, It is so nice to have the windows open and all the fresh air blowing in
Keep happy and in touch
Karla and CJ
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