Vroom, vroom

I have now mowed two lawns since being back, my dad's and my brother/sister-in-law's. And I have two observations.

First of all, I didn't really miss mowing lawns. Not at all. Not a bit. Not in the least. Call me lazy. Yardwork isn't high on my list anyway, but then neither is housework or workwork. So it is something that I didn't really notice was gone but now that it's back I want it gone again.

Secondly, I seem to be out of top lawnmowing form. I've been smashing into things, running over stuff, barely able to keep up with the self-propelled lawnmowers, spilling gas on myself, etc. I guess this isn't a skill that gets lost over the winter months but definitely atrophies over 3 years. I'd go without it again though if I had the opportunity.

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?

Homeward Bound

Well it couldn't be more true that the days are long but the years are short. It has been three very short years that went by in a flash and now as many of you might already know, we are moving back to the U.S. We will be leaving and arriving on Tuesday, July 1st.


So many things to think about, all the memories and places visited, the people and friends that we now have scattered all over the globe, looking forward to life in the U.S., what to do with this blog?, etc. When Robyn first started looking into a new position with Northwest back in the Twin Cities, we both said that either way it turned out we'd be disappointed. Sad but true, so it is a bittersweet ending for us. Makes me think the title of this post would more aptly be named "Leaving home to go home"


It will likely take the benefit of time and adjustment to life back in the U.S. to really provide perspective on our adventure here and what it has meant to us. A list of things I'll miss could go on forever and I would still leave out a few things that will likely pop into my mind at odd times during everyday life. First and foremost would have to be the people, my mom's siblings and their kids and my running club, Namban Rengo. It's always about the people.


As for this blog, well what will become of it? It was originally started as a way to keep everybody updated on our progress without having to send the same email to 12 different people. Life in Japan isn't something everybody readily knows about so this blog served as a small window to learn about it through my eyes. But I dare say all of my readers know about life in the U.S. Will the interest level still be there if it is just our family adventures and my writing? At that point it becomes just another blog on an already overcrowded internet. Please feel free to vote at left and give me your opinions and comments.


So another chapter in our life ends and a fresh, new one begins. What will it hold for us?

Washing Machine

Well, I guess I did tell Cole that the washing machine would be done when it stopped. I didn't count on the soak cycle though. So while Cole was anxiously awaiting his favorite shirt to be done washing the machine did indeed stop and so in his mind, it was done. A few minutes later I entered the laundry and Cole says to me "These clothes sure are wet." There he was with Kaori, taking clothes out of a full basin of water and putting them in the dryer. Yes indeed, those clothes sure were wet. I admire his attitude though and willingness to work through the wet, dripping, soaking, sopping conditions. Kaori's willingness ended when I instructed them that the clothes were going to have to be put back in the washer but Cole kept right at it. He really wanted that favorite shirt. And he got it.

Our creative kids

School is out so we are spending a little time filing some of the kids' work from the year. In doing so I came across some poems that Cole wrote during his poetry session last year, first grade. Here are his poems.

blue
blue skie wae up hie.
a blue buloon for a blue sterring.
a blue clip borde for blue paper.

black!!!
black clipbords.
black papor.
black craons.
black dogs.
black baskits.
black Pencells.

my Dogs
one of my dogs died at a vet
my hart almost broke.
My othor dog I had to give away
so we could come to Japan.
My hart was bleeding

Kaori doesn't have any poetry but a little while ago Robyn sent an email back to me that I had sent to her 3 or 4 years ago. These were some of Kaori's words at that time.
1. Oh-ee = Horsey
2. Blah-lah = Mikata
3. Lah-thu = Love you
4. Blah = Banana
5. Di-di = Blankie
6. Deese = Cheese
7. Roni = Macaroni and Cheese
8. Doosh = Shoes
9. Da-da = Cracker
10. Mow = Cat

Congratulations Kaori!

Yesterday Kaori graduated from Willowbrook international school. Beforehand she said she was a little scared but she performed admirably. She did a great job singing, receiving her diploma and posing for the camera. We are so proud of her. On to kindergarten!



This is my Father's Day present, a bike for me to use for triathlons. It's name is Ao, pronounced like the "ou" sound in ouch. Ao in Japanese means blue. Ow in English is what I say after I crash. Nice double entendre don't you think?

Oshima!

For pictures click here. They are of all my teammates who did the race so you won't recognize people in a lot of the pictures.

We had great weather on Saturday. Warm enough for the spectators but not too warm for the competitors. It didn't seem to help the ocean though because that water was cold! First of all, I'll get to the question that you are all wondering. Yes, I did hurl after the swim. I don't know why. I felt fine running up the beach. Then we had to head up a long concrete ramp and it just hit me. I stopped once and dry heaved a little and then again a little later to empty my stomach. Not pleasant. But really, the swim went very well. I could see the fish and rocks and scuba divers at the bottom of the ocean.

Next I'd have to say the bike went well because I beat my goal time but after I think about it a bit I'm wondering if it really did. We did four laps of a 10k route but halfway through the first lap I went in the ditch and flew over the handlebars and then the bike flew back over me. I smacked my head hard; good thing helmets are mandatory. I was left bruised and bloody but able to continue. The handlebars on the bike were bent down and to the right, good thing we were going in clockwise loops. After that I dropped some gels I was going to take and lost my water bottle. Maybe it wasn't so good.

Finally to the run, which is supposed to be my best part. Unfortunately it was the only one that I didn't beat my goal time. I think after emptying my stomach and misplacing an energy gel (it was hiding in my bag) I just ran out of gas. Still I beat my goal of 2:45 by 90 seconds. I guess that means I'll be back. I mean, fix a few of those little things and just think how much faster I could go.

In the end we all had a great time. Cole and Kaori say they are excited to do some kids triathlons with me and I think Robyn just might have a new job (unpaid) as team photographer. We even enjoyed the traditional Japanese dinner and breakfast. Well, maybe not the kids so much.

Ready, set, Go!

Robyn has finally returned home after a week of working in Minnesota and she brought her friend Kathleen with her who stayed with us for a couple nights which was a nice change of pace and we were able to take her to our favorite Vietnamese restaurant but what she neglected to bring with her was some nice weather because I'm definitely getting sick of all this rain we've been having. How's that for an opening sentence? Pretty much sums up all that has been happening.

I must add that my first triathlon is this Saturday. I think the worst part will be the swim which is in the ocean. A couple weeks ago I did an ocean swim with some friends just to see what it was all about and to try out my new wetsuit. Most of it seemed to go pretty well except that as soon as I got done swimming I had to hurl. That is not a good sign. Seasick? Maybe but it wasn't so wavy. Drinking too much saltwater? Wetsuit compressing my stomach? (I tell you what, those things are tight!) Probably all of it played a part. I just hope it doesn't happen during the triathlon because, and I'm just guessing here, I'm pretty sure that would slow me down. Maybe all these typhoons we've been having give us a reprieve for the weekend too.

Kyoto

Kyoto is home to a few hundred shrines and temples and we managed to visit a handful of them during our weekend visit. First was the Fushini Inari Shrine, pictured left. I read that there were over 5,000 of the orange gates, some big and some small. They are donated to the shrine by families and companies. It offers a nice walk through the gate lined trail that winds through a forest and up the hills surrounding the city. This was one of my favorite shrines.



Next was the Kiyomizu Temple. This is a very popular temple that is situated in the hills overlooking Kyoto. It's central building is built somewhat on stilts on the hillside. Several other buildings and paths are also located in the hills and it has a kind of a waterfall fountain that is used for cleansing. Great views of the beautiful mountains.

The next temple we visited was the Ginkakuji, or Silver pavilion. This was quite a contrast to the Golden pavilion as seen below. Mostly it is a garden of sand sculpted to hint of Mt. Fuji (see left) or groomed to look like water. It is a peaceful reflective place.

The Kinkakuji or Golden pavilion, was a very impressive building, set beside a reflecting pond. It is a very popular tourist attraction so the crowds were thick with picture takers. Still the gold flecked paint on the building shone brightly in the morning sun and made for a striking vista.

Finally we visited Nijo Castle. As we toured the main building the wooden floor squeaked beneath our feet. This was by design so any spies sneaking around the castle could be caught by the guards. Four hundred year old paintings lined the walls where pictures were forbidden and the odor of feet was tangible. Not because of anything from the castle but because everybody was required to take their shoes off and shuffle about in stocking feet. Outside, the castle had notable walls, gardens and ponds.

In all Kyoto was a fun place to visit although different than we expected. It is a modern city dotted with many, many historical, noteworthy locales.

May's Going's On (is that right?)

Sorry the blog has become a little stale the last couple weeks. I'll try to do better. School year is winding down now, picnics, field trips etc are filling up the calendar. Last week Cole went to the Tama Zoo with his class and Kaori's school had Sports Day. That involved the teachers putting on games for the students (and parents). The kids got stamps and once they filled up their card, a gold medal. The parents got nothin'. Then on Saturday night Robyn and I went out with parents from Cole's class and his teacher to thank him for his efforts for the year. Next week Kaori will be on an outing to Children's Castle here in Tokyo and then conferences the week after that. Cole will be having portfolio sharing day where Robyn and I'll be going out to his school so he can show us the work he's done this year. I'm sure there's more but I can't remember it all.

Big earthquake just off the coast last week. I felt the first shock at about 1 AM as it woke me up and just kept shaking and rattling the apartment. About 45 minutes later the second wave came through and Robyn and I both woke up. She said "That was a big one" but of course I had to tell her the first one was bigger. It registered 6.8, pretty big indeed. No damage though, just loss of sleep.

This weekend we are going to try to go to Kyoto. Shouldn't be a problem, just if we can make all the arrangements in the next few days. We'll go on the Shinkansen, the high speed train. Kyoto has many old temples and castles and is close to Osaka. Robyn has wanted to visit there since we've moved. Finally.

Next month we are going to Oshima, an island just south of Tokyo. We'll have to take a jet boat to get there. I've been wanting to visit one of the southern islands. Actually I'll be doing my very first triathlon on the island. Probably going to be nerve wracking until that is over and then fun.