A Triathlon Weekend

And it didn't even include me. Cole and Kaori each completed their inaugural triathlons last Saturday. After I had done mine I told them that there were some for kids and they each wanted to do it too. I was pretty sure Cole would follow through with it but less sure about Dodi. She was all for it up until the morning of the event but then had a change of heart. I told her she didn't have to do it but we'd go to the park and see what it looked like.

Well Kaori changed her mind but she sure wasn't happy about it. She was in tears and I kept telling her she didn't have to do it but she just kept wanting to. Then we went out to the water and parents could help the younger kids so I went with. The "swim" for both was so short and crowded and shallow that we just ended up running through the water. I probably wouldn't even get sick if my triathlons were like that. Probably. Anyway she kept running and crying through the transition to the biking stage but then she got more comfortable on the bike and started smiling. By the time we hit the running portion she was all fired up and ready to go. She was running fast; so fast that before it was over I couldn't get out in front far enough to snap a decent picture. After that she was in the best mood and so happy she did it.

I got back from Kaori's triathlon just in time to see Cole in the bike transition and to watch him take off. He seemed to be doing great and enjoying himself. He got back from the bike and took off on the run and he was working so hard! He later said the run portion was the most difficult part. I tend to agree. I'm so proud.

Okay, for the sake of the kids, let's get some comments on this post.

America The Large

When moving from a country with an approximate land area of 377,000 square kilometers to one with over 9.5 million square kilometers it becomes obvious that size does matter. The Japanese, as a people are small compared to their American counterparts; shorter and thinner. They drive smaller cars and live in smaller apartments. Public spaces are smaller, restaurants, bars and stores. Food portions are definitely smaller. I've been known to order two entrees. (Or two desserts but that was in the U.S.) Finally something very noticeable to me, airplane seats on Japanese airlines are smaller.

In contrast, Americans are large. We live large, eat large, play large and drive large things. Not that it's bad. I enjoy being able to live in a nice house with a big yard without having to sever two appendages and hand them over to the man. I definitely get plenty to eat from just one entree. Also it is nice to be able to drive a vehicle and to be able to throw anything you want in the back. But that comes at a price and with the cost of gasoline, that price is rising. It also seems to be taking a toll on the environment.

Speaking of transportation, that is a mixed bag of good and bad. The freedom of a car is nice but the mind numbing ease of the trains had the allure of simplicity. I don't like constantly changing radio stations from one unsatisfying song to the mindless drivel of talk radio and back. People watching (or snoozing) on the trains was better. I didn't really care for taking 4 different trains though and changing at several stations just to get somewhere. It's nice just to drive and park.

So this, as with all other things, I find is both a good and bad adjustment.

Finally on another note I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that Robyn has gone back to Tokyo for a few weeks. We'll miss her, already do. If you watch closely I'll be changing "This Month's Countdown" to her return as soon as possible after the current one is done.

First Observations

My first observations after being back in the U.S. for a week or so is that it is like I never left. It honestly feels like I'm living here like I always have been. That we lived in Japan for three years is just amazing to me; it went so fast.

Additionally when I got my haircut in Tokyo the stylists usually didn't try to make much small talk. That was good for me, I could just sit there and relax. I'm not much for talking just to talk. Like when the phone rings I don't want to answer it because I'm afraid somebody else will be on the other end. So when I recently got my hair cut here and the stylist was trying her darnedest to start up a conversation it was all lost on me. Which is more rude, to mutter monosyllabic responses or to come right out and tell them to save it because I'd rather not talk?