From the Heart of Tokyo 東京の中心から

English Teacher

英語の先生

Please see below the Japanese text for the English text.　このもの語足りは私の英語のクラスについてです。たぶん、全部の友達はまだ分かることはアメリカから日本来た前に緊急の看護婦で働きました。それは殆ど９年間前に。日本に来たときに、子供二人は小学生ので、私はいろいろことを忙しかったです。 日本語をできないので、ここに看護婦のようをできません。そして、子供たちは大きくなったから、新しいキャリアを探しました。自分の手腕とか興味とかを考察をしたと、あら！もちろん、英語の先生なりたいです。それは３年間前にので、熱心でなりました。プライベットなレッスンはよいだので、改良をしに東京のテンペル大学区に出席もしました。そして、一年間で専門学校で英語を教えています。３月から、日曜日の午後に、友達たちのグルプのレッスンをします。それはZoomUPです。みなはいろいろレベルをしてので、クラスは楽しくて、面白いと思います。それについて前のポストがここである。いくつの生徒はもっとチャレンジなクラスを欲しいから（例えば、TOEICをとる人）、ZoomUPProを作りました。

そして、ZoomUPProのクラスは略毎週火曜日の夜である、７時半から９時まで起こります。  生徒の予定の場合は参加して、おのおののレッスンは独立のスタイルです。Mixiを作るので、コミュネティーを参加する後に、レッスンを参加したかったら、MixiのZoomUPProのコミュネティーで、イベントをサインアップすること方法。標的の生徒は中級レベル以上理想なであります。自分で資料を作るから、参加するつもりの生徒場合は作れます。考えることは、私の近所で働いているの人は仕事の後に、参加します。（近所は六本木一丁目だので、オクラホテルとか、アルクヒルズなど）

昨日は初めのクラスでした。一人だけ生徒は来たが、彼女は勇敢なので、成功したと思います。たくさん準備をしました。私の考えはクラスの方を決めて、レッスンを作ったら、後に続きやすいなります。 オリジナルのZoomUPのような、最初にWarmUPBookを読みました。この本の目的は耳を英語を慣れています。その本は子供の絵本だけど、面白いくて、たくさんいい言葉はあります。本のテームは子犬は風が引きます。次ぐに一緒に作ったクロスワードパズルを解答しました。そのパズルの言葉はWarmUPBookからや次の書いた物語からです。パズルは物語読むこと前には故意です。難しい言葉ので、それは勉強することです。次に、書いた物語を読んで、言葉とか文法とか発音とか意味も勉強しました。その物語はインフルエンザについて。９０分のクラスで英語を話しました。クラスは終わりに、生徒は全部の資料を持って帰りました。（絵本以外）そして、生徒は強化できます。将来のクラスのためいろいろ方法を使うつもりです。

ZoomUPProを参加したかったら、Mixiのコミュネティーを見てください。私に連絡をしてください。 将来の予定クラスは１２月１日や１２月１５日であります。９０分のクラスの値段は２０００円だけど、毎の４回目の参加したクラスはおきに半額をします。このポストは広告のようだけど、英語を勉強したい人は私の近所で働いたら、たぶんZoomUPProを見つけたら、喜んでいます。　日本語の間違いをごめなさいね。

This post is about my group English classes.  Probably most of my friends know that I spent many years working as an Emergency and Intensive Care nurse.  But when I came to Japan, I found that I couldn't work as a nurse because I couldn't speak Japanese.  The kids were young then, so I was very busy anyway, volunteering at school and whatnot.  But as they got older, I started casting about for another career.  I considered my skills and my interests, and realized that I wanted to teach English.  So over three years ago, I started teaching English in private lessons.  I found that I really liked it, and (bragging here) I'm good at it.  So I got a part time job teaching English in a vocational school and a hotel.  I also started a casual group class for my friends called Zoom UP, where Japanese people of all ages and levels can gather for a fun English conversation class .   Here's a prior post about Zoom UP.  Some of my friends told me that they like Zoom UP, but they'd like a more challenging class, for example, people who are studying for the TOEIC exam for work, so I decided to create Zoom UP Pro.

Zoom UP Pro will be held on Tuesday evenings, from 7:30 to 9 pm.  This class is for Intermediate level and above English learners.  Because the classes are independent of each other, in other words, free standing, the student can attend the class depending on his or her schedule.  I've made a community on Mixi, which is like a Japanese Facebook, and once the student joins the community, she can sign up for any class she plans to attend by joining the "event".  My thought is that people who work in my neighborhood may want to join after work.  That would be Roppongi-itchome, Okura Hotel, Ark Hills area.

Last night, I held the first ever class of Zoom UP Pro.  I only had one brave student, but I consider it a success.  Like with the original Zoom UP, I started with a Warm UP Book.  The purpose of the Warm UP Book is to get used to listening to English, to warm up the ears.  I use children's books for this, but the words are not overly simple, and the concepts are advanced enough to make it interesting.  This also enhances the student's self confidence.  This particular book was about a puppy who catches a cold.  Next, we worked together to try to solve a crossword puzzle that I had made up.  I took the words from the Warm UP Book and also from the Main Story, a one-pager which I wrote.  I intentionally presented the words in the crossword puzzle before the Main Story to give my student a chance to understand them better when we encountered them in the Main Story.  The story's theme was influenza.  When we read this story, we not only worked on vocabulary, but also sentence structure, idioms, pronunciation, and of course, meaning.  During the entire 90 minute class, we spoke mostly English.  When the class is finished, the student gets to take the material home so that she can reinforce what she learned in class.

If you think you might like to join the class, please take a look at the Mixi Zoom UP Pro Community, and contact me.  The next scheduled classes will be December 1st and December 15th.  The cost of the 90 minute class is 2000 yen, and every fourth lesson attended is half price.  Yes, this post is an advertisement to try to get more students for my class.  Group dynamics will make it even more fun if more people join.  If people who work convenient to my neighborhood are looking for a way to improve their English, I think they'll be happy to find out about Zoom UP Pro.

Switching topics now.  Just for fun, see the photo below.  Nissen International Market in Azabu Juban has some beautiful real Christmas trees for sale, but we won't be buying one.  FYI 29,715 yen is $338.31 USD.  Nissen is a really great store, it has lots of things that I can't find in the Japanese grocery store, such as turkeys.  This week, I bought our 14 pound Thanksgiving turkey (Norbest brand) for 4418 yen, which is $50.13.  Expensive, but there's no other choice, and we'll make the best of it.  I'll be glad when the exchange rate gets back to normal.

ASIJ High School Football

日本のアメリカンスクールのフットボール

 

When Jonah came home from school and told me he planned to play football,  my automatic reaction as a mother was concern.  But then I realized that, as the smallest kid on the Junior Varsity team, he'd have to try very hard, the practices would be good for fitness, and then there's the camaraderie of belonging to the team.  Well, Saturday was the last game, and it has been an excellent season for Jonah.  As it turns out, this football season has been great for the whole family.  ところで、日本語は下に書きます。

During our many years at ASIJ (American School In Japan), we've attended many sporting events, plays, musical concerts, and basically any event that the kids were involved or interested in.  We've watched a few football games over the years, but this is the first time that we've gone to almost every game, even those that were away at military bases.  We'd go to watch Jonah's games, the High School Junior Varsity team, and then we'd stay for the Varsity games which were always very exciting.  As I sat in the stands, cheering for our team, I enjoyed mingling with the other parents.  The Team Moms, Kelli and Lisa, each gave me a program, so I could look at the jersey number and know the players names, most of whom I know as friends and classmates of Jonah and Monica.

Some of the boys on each team are exceptional athletes, it is such a pleasure to watch them perform, running, catching, throwing, kicking, blocking and tackling. A few are so aware, it's quite amazing to see them look around at the other players on the field and understand exactly what they need to do.  I think this is a characteristic that will serve them well in life, no matter what they do.  Some are not exceptional, but are trying very hard to do their best, getting better every time.  The coaches have the respect of all the players and parents as they consistently work the students hard in practice, but they are fair and kind.  Jonah learned so much during football practice from the coaches and other players, and I was impressed by his organization and responsibility, even down to taking care of his equipment, watching his nutrition and sleep, and making sure that his jersey got washed.

The players from the other teams were also admirable, even though they hardly ever beat us.  Most are from military bases, but we also played some Japanese High Schools, in fact, last weekend, the JV played two Japanese HS's at once, that's why there are three different colored jerseys on the field.  The cheerleaders were always fun to watch, they really take their role seriously but with a smile, and you could see their skill progressing through the season.  Every home game, two students from ASIJ would sing the National anthems, first the Japanese one, then the American one, while everyone stood silent and respectful.  One of the Varsity parents announced the games, he sounds very professional.  Of course, there are many other unsung heroes, such as the officials of ASIJ who had to make the very difficult decision of forfeiting a distant away game during the flu season.  It was disappointing, but surely the right decision.

Monica fully supported the team as a student athletic training.  Besides games, she would usually attend practices during the week after school to help Iku with taping, icing, and stretching the players and all manner of injury prevention and care.  Iku is quite a role model for Monica and the other trainers, this is such a good opportunity to be exposed to the medical field while still in High School, and she appreciates it very much.

Martin had a wonderful time during the games.  He attended as many as he could with his busy travel schedule, and took hundreds of photos.  After each game, he would rush home to his computer and spend many hours going through the photos, discarding the blurry and duplicate ones, cropping a few, and then would put them on my photo sharing site for all the parents and players to see as soon as possible.  Martin's hobby is action photography, and football is an excellent chance to practice and improve this skill.  Actually, he's an advanced propulsion engineer, working in the automotive industry, but with things the way they are in that field, he needs to keep his options open. 

Saturday, November 7th was the end of the season, the photos from those games are here:

  JUNIOR VARSITY       and   VARSITY

If you missed them, photos from the other games are here in this folder:     

ASIJ FOOTBALL 2009 Season   

Martin's  Pro Photography Site is here: PIXBYMARTIN.COM   

今度、全体のブログを日本語で書けないので、これは要約です。 ジョナは初めてアメリカンフットボールを遊びました。彼はチームの中に一番小さい人だから、私は心配でした。でも彼はとてもよかったです。毎日学校の後に練習をした、いつもがんばりました。練習から強くなったので、チームの関係から、友情はよかったです。家族もフットボールを楽しかったです。

８年間に、ASIJと参加したけれど、今年は初めてたくさんフットボールの試合に見に行きました。時々調布であるので、時々軍の基地に見に行きました。  ジョナはJVので、高校の若いチームです。そして、JVの試合後に、Varsityの試合を見ます。Varsityの選手は１１～１２年生だので、その試合はもっと興奮させる。私は他の両親と見て、いつも面白いです。選手のジャーシーの何番を見て、紙は名前を分かります。その人人はモニカのジョナの仲間だから、知っています。

いくつ選手は上手なスポーツマンだので、みなはがんばります。試合を遊びながら、いろいろ手腕を使って、毎週だんだんよくなります。二つチームがあるので、４人コーチがあります。選手はコーチに尊敬します。練習、試合、ジョナはたくさんいいことを貰いました。自制とか、頭の中が整理させたとか、 自分の物のため信頼できったもなります。

チアリーダーもがんばります。愛学校心は大会です。いつも、試合前に生徒は日本の国家を歌います。それ後に、アメリカンの国家を歌います。皆は立って、静かなって、敬意を表します。いろいろも手伝い人はあります。 いくさんは学校のスポーツトレーナだので、モニカはいつも彼女を手伝います。いくさんは鼓舞させる人から、モニカは医者のようになりたいです。モニカと他の学生のスポーツトレーナは選手にいろいろスポートをしました。仕事はときどき大変だけど、モニカはよく感謝します。

マーティンもフットボール季節を楽しかったです。出張から急がしだけど、よくできれば、試合に行きました。たくさん写真を撮りました。試合後にペソコンを使って、悪い写真を捨てて、長い時間かかります。早くのほうが写真がウエブに載せるので、選手の両親に教えます。最近からの仕事は大変なったので、たぶんカメラマンになりたいです。笑。上のリンクを行って、写真を見てください。

Skating Fun, Fitness, Friends and Food

スケートの楽しみ、健康、友達、食べ物

Recently, we joined a group of friends for a special skating event organized by Yagami-san.  Usually, on  Sunday mornings, we participate in the Tokyo City Run, starting from Ueno and ending at Gaienne/Jingu, but this time we took a much more rural tour from Shounandai to Fujisawa, Kamakura and finally Chigasaki.  On the way, we met up with our friends who have traded in their skates for bicycles since their twin boys came along.  ところで、日本語は下に書きます。

The gathering point was Shounandai, which for us is a little over an hour by train from our home.  Jonah hadn't skated for about a month, and when he put his skates on, he found that his feet had grown since he wore them last, but he toughed it out, giving that pair one last use.  Just a short skate through the town, and we came to a long bike trail that winds along the side of a river through the agricultural and bedroom communities west and south of Yokohama.

Actually this event was called the Jerato Run, because our first stop was a dairy farm where they make and sell this delicious Italian ice cream in many interesting flavors, like green tea, plum, choko, and of course vanilla and strawberry.  I've been here a few times, but this was the first for Monica, Jonah and Martin.  We reached the farm on the trail, took off our skates and walked between rice paddies and vegetable fields to get to the dairy store where we enjoyed looking at the cows while our cones dripped.

Back on skates again, we traveled for about 10 kilometers before reaching Fujisawa, said goodbye to one family and then boarded a train called the Enoden.  I really enjoyed riding this little train, while my friends showed me a map of the route and explained the various stops, many of them famous sightseeing spots around Kamakura.  The area is packed with interesting sites, including the Great Buddha and many temples and shrines.  On one side of the train you could see the ocean, while on the other was lush rolling hills and quaint buildings.  When we reached Kamakura proper, we walked to a bakery which had a wide selection of homemade yeast breads and rolls which we ate standing around outside the shop.

From there, Monica and Jonah, who have busy social lives, said goodbye and took the train back to Tokyo.  The rest of us walked a little further into Kamakura where we found, guess what!  another Jerato shop.  Finally, strapping on the skates again, we headed for the ocean.  Oh, my!  That was the difficult part of the trip.  I've skated along here before, towards Enoshima, and it is always interesting, but this time the wind was soooo strong, the blowing black sand stung like little needles, and the tile surface of the sidewalk next to the ocean was super slippery from the waves crashing.  It was a really challenging 4 or 5 kilometers, and then Yagami-san called a halt and we got back on the train.

Eventually, we came to goal, which was a Pizza and Beer Hall named Mokichi.  Here we had a delicious and fun banquet of pizza and pasta before picking up the train for the late evening ride back to Tokyo.

I love to participate in the Tokyo City Run every Sunday, and the Saturday Night Skate once a month, but once in awhile it's a nice change of scene to see other interesting areas of Japan, touring on skates with my friends, especially if my family also participates.  Here are links to Iwa-san's City Run site, and to Papa-san's SNS site.  If you like to in-line skate, you are welcome to join us whether you live in Japan or are just visiting.  Remember to bring your gear, especially wrist guards, and if you join the night skate, you must wear a helmet and lights.

Other pictures from this event are HERE.  このイベントのマーティンと私の写真はここにある。

Iwa-san's Tokyo City Run site is HERE.  Iwaさんの東京CRサイトはここにある。

Papa-san's Saturday Night Skate site is HERE.  パパさんのSNSのサイトはここにある。

最近、特別ななやがみさんは作ったスケートのイベントに参加しました。 つうれい日曜日の 朝に東京シーティランに参加するので、上野から神宮に滑ります。でも、今度いなかのツアーは湘南台から始まって、藤沢とか、鎌倉とか、茅ヶ崎に滑りました。途中で家族に会いました。その家族は前にスケートが使ったので、赤ちゃん二人はいるから、自転車を乗ります。

家から湘南台に電車で一時間以上かかってので、あそこに友達たちは集まりました。ジョナは一ヶ月間はスケートしなかったので、スケートははいたときに、足は大きくなったと発見しまったが、がんばりました。町からトレールに滑って、トレールは小さい川のとなりです。

実はジェラードランというこのイベントです。最初の止まったのきれいな場所は酪農牧場ですので、店はおいしいイラリアのアイスクリームを買えます。そのジェラードは面白い味だので、抹茶、チョーコー、梅干し、イチゴ、バニラなどです。ジェラードを食べながら、牛を見ました。

その後、１０キロぐらい藤沢に着いたので、自転車の家族にさやならと言いたので、江ノ電車に乗りました。その電車の乗ることはとても楽しかったです。友達たちは地図を見ながら、地方についていろいろ面白い情報を教えました。鎌倉はたくさん神社やお寺があるので、込みで大仏です。 電車から海を見えたので、他の方向は緑の山腹や風変わり建築も見えました。鎌倉に着いたときにパン屋に行って、店の外に立ちながら、おいしいパンを
食べました。

あそこから、忙しいモニカとジョナとさよならと言ったので、二人は東京に帰りました。 残りグループは鎌倉の町を通って歩きました。びっくりだので、ジェラードの店を見つけました。それ後に、梅向かい滑って、江ノ島へ行くつもりでした。それはちょっと大変な部分でした。風がとても強いです。前にそのところに滑ったけど、今度風から、吹いた黒い砂は痛いさせました。表面もつるつるしたので、４～５キロはチャレンジをさせました。それから、やがみさんは立ち止まると決しまいましたので、電車に乗りました。

結局にゴールに着いたので、Mokichiのレストランです。あそこにおいしいパスタとピザとビールも楽しんだから、夜の電車で東京に帰りました。

たいてい毎週の東京シティーランに参加して楽します。そして、毎月の土曜日のナイットランも参加したいです。でも、時々違うの景色を見たいので、やがみさんと参加みなさんに感謝の感情があります。友達たち一緒に特に家族は参加したら、とてもいいです。スケートをしたかったら、上のリンクを見て、もちろんよこうそ。ギアーを忘れないで、とりわけ手首のガードも、夜のスケートを参加したら、ヘルメットが必要です。

Bus Poster

バスのポースター

 

今度日本語は少しです。Toby and I were out walking, and passed a bus stop with an interesting poster.  Displayed were several photos of various well known districts within Tokyo, with the photos cut to the shape of butterflies.  The poster said (in Japanese, of course), "Gathered while running around Tokyo".  The above photo shows a night scene of the Rainbow Bridge, including many party boats. 

Under each photo is the Kanji for the name of the place, as well as the associated bus routes.  I was able to figure out almost all of the place names fairly quickly by looking at the photo and the kanji.  Roppongi 六本木　was obvious, of course, Tokyo Tower東京ターワー, Asakusa浅草, Shibuya渋谷 Ginza銀座and Tokyo Dome東京ドーム.

I have visited several of these places by skate with my City Run friends, starting at Ueno Park上野公園, which is depicted at springtime with the lovely cherry trees, Akihabara秋葉原, also known as Electric Town, and the area around Tokyo Station with the Metropolitan Government buildings東京都庁.  Our City Run Goal, Jingu Gaienne神宮外苑, is depicted in autumn with the fabulous golden ginko trees, and we've skated to Tsukishima月島 several times to enjoy making and eating monja together. 

Omotesandou表参道 took me awhile, but the lovely tree lined boulevard was an excellent tip, so finally there was only one place name that had me stumped.  I had to spend a long time using my computer and electronic translater to finally sort it out.  It's not a name I had ever heard before, Kabukichou 歌舞伎町 in Shinjuku.  Now that I recall, besides   being a rather sleezy part of town, it is famous for interesting little ally side yakitori places.  I wouldn't want to go there by myself, but it is surely interesting.

Even after several years here in Tokyo, the city bus is still a mystery to me.  I can go to Shibuya on the #1 bus, that's pretty straight forward, but when I tried to take that same bus back from Shibuya once, it stopped at Roppongi Hills and the driver said that was the end of the line, so I took the train home the rest of the way, and still don't understand why it works this way.  The kids sometimes ride the bus to Shinagawa,   but that doesn't involve any transfers.  I'd like to ride the bus more, it's actually more convenient   than the train sometimes, but figuring out the routes is really tough.  For the train routes, we use this handy website, but to my knowledge, there is no such thing for the bus. The bus website has some English, but not enough to help me navigate, and the Japanese bus site, which shows the routes, is just too intense for me.  Japanese people don't seem to have any trouble, though.  Ha!  Being able to read is such a benefit!  The buses are always well maintained, on time, and well utilized.  Such an efficient city.

 

Taiko Family

太鼓の家族

 
  
下に日本語で書くことがあります。 If you spend any time at all in Japan, you will hear and see TAIKO.  Taiko is traditional Japanese drumming, especially popular around neighborhood festival (matsuri) season.  Taiko is essential for Bon Odori, the lovely Japanese group dance done around a raised platform on which a taiko drummer keeps the beat, and you will often hear taiko resounding from deep within a temple or shrine. 

When I think of taiko, I can hear the deep, loud, full beat of the nagado daiko (the most popular kind of taiko drum), the way it starts slow, don.., don.., don.., and gradually increases in volume and speed, joined and joined again by other rhythms, becoming something I feel to the core, something wonderful and moving.  And when I think of watching taiko, I think of my best friend and her two handsome sons performing with their group.  Yes, they are truly a "Taiko Family" along with Dad who supports their taiko habit and takes pictures. 

When I first met Rebecca, nearly nine years ago, she was already into Taiko.  At that time, she was taking beginner taiko classes at the Tokyo American Club from Moko Igarashi, who is still her teacher today.  Rebecca had attended the TAC orientation program for people new in town, "Tokyo Here and Now" and had watched Moko-sensei and some of her more advanced students perform a couple of pieces.  She instantly fell under the spell of taiko and signed up for classes that very day.  Her boys were very young then, preschool and second grade, but soon they were taking classes too.

A tiny woman of unbelievable energy and talent, Moko Igarashi runs the taiko school, Miyabi Arashi, which means "Beautiful Storm".  She teaches children and adults in various Tokyo locations, such as ASIJ, the American Embassy Compound, the British School, Nishimachi and Tokyo American Club.  Moko teaches in English and in Japanese, often both.  She has quite a personality, is friendly and outgoing and seems to have an endless supply of personal energy, and boundless enthusiasm for taiko.  For a couple of years, Jonah took taiko classes, so I would drop him off and pick him up, and it was always thrilling to hear the taiko drums, which, though covered in towels to muffle the sounds during practice, were still thunderous and thrilling, partnered with Moko's instructive yells and whoops.  I even took classes myself for awhile, but I really don't have the endurance (or the rhythm) that taiko requires.  I'm glad I tried it, though, as I can appreciate a performance so much more having held the bachi (sticks) in my own hands.  It is much, much more difficult than it looks, but oh so fun, from the very first day.

Which brings me back to my friend and her "Taiko Family".  For years, Alexander and Ellis, along with their mom, have attended a two hour class every week, and then would have additional extended practice sessions twice a month.  Like with any other musical instrument, practice is essential, but taiko is really loud, so neighbors don't appreciate it if you practice at home with a real taiko drum.  As the boys grew older and stronger and taller, they became more and more skilled.  Some years ago, Moko asked Alexander, the oldest boy, to join her advanced troup.  He continued to put out his best effort and enjoyed performing with this select ensemble in many special venues throughout highschool.  He's performed in the ballrooms of fancy hotels at parties for famous people and to huge audiences in major auditoriums.  The whole family has traveled to far off places in Japan to attend taiko events such as Kanezawa in Ishikawa Prefecture, Kofu in Yamanashi Prefecture and to the Sato Island Earth Celebration, as well as places closer to home such as Yokohama and Yoyogi Olympic Stadium.

When it came time for Alexander to compose his university application essay, he wrote quite eloquently about going to taiko practice when he would rather play with his friends, getting up on stage even though he's quiet and reserved, and all the ways he felt that taiko had impacted his development.  Alexander was accepted into the college of his choice, and now it looks like Ellis will be following a similar path.  Moko has asked him to join her elite troupe.

Taiko's range is broad.  Moko teaches small children, and she perfoms with her own teacher, the master Sen Amano, who has been playing taiko for more than fifty years.  The performers play various types of drum, using their sticks not only on the tops, but on the sides, against each other, and in the air, as well as other instruments such as mokkin, a kind of xylophone, shinobue, a bamboo flute, and chan chiki which are small cymbols.  Generally the heavy drums remain stationary and the players move among them, such as in "River Piece".  Other popular pieces are "Running Horse", "Chichibu", and "Edo no Hana". 

Please take a look at these photos taken by Zhongmin (also known as Dad.)

上の物語を要約してみます。すみませんですが、私の日本語は上手じゃないから、多い間違いをしたので、英語の物語を訳してながら、たくさんのを失います。でも、英語の物語を読まなかったら、意味を分かれると思います。それで、私の日本語の勉強することです。

日本に来たら、時間が過ごしたら、太鼓を見て、聞きます。太鼓は伝説の日本のドラムすることです。人気があるだので、とくに近所の祭りで、盆踊 りのため必須です。神社や寺院から太鼓の音響が聞こえます。

私は太鼓について考えたら、長胴太鼓が聞きます。先ず、ゆっくりのビットはだんだんもっと大声になります。だんだん速くなります。他の韻律は参加してので、私の体野中にすばらしいことが感じれます。太鼓を見ることについて考えたら、いつも一番の友達の家族を考えます。レベカという友達と二人のハンソムの息子は太鼓をすることができるので、レベカのご主人はスポートして、写真を撮ります。

昔の８年以上にレベカと会ったときに、彼女はすでに太鼓をしています。いがらしもこ先生から東京のアメリカのクラブで初心のクラスをするので、今まだもこさんは先生です。レベカは初めてにもこさんに見たときに、もこさんはアメリカンクラブで特別な太鼓のパフォーマンスをして、レベカは直ちにクラスをサインアップをしました。その間に、二人の息子さんはとても若いけど、もう直ぐに二人も太鼓を始まりました。

いがらしもこさんは雅嵐の太鼓の学校を創立をしたので、もこさんはとても面白い人です。彼女の精力と才能も凄いです。いろいろ東京のところに事もたちと大人たちも教えます。たとえば、東京アメリカンクラブとか、西町学校とか、アメリカンの大使館の住宅とか、ブリトシの学校とか、ASIJ（モニカとジョナの学校）。日本語で、英語も教えますので、たびたびに両方使います。もかさんの個性は自身で好意的なですので、太鼓の熱中症は高いです。二年間ぐらいジョナも太鼓のクラスをするときに、私は連れて行って、連れって着てながら、わくわくさせたの音を聞こえました。練習ながら、タオルが太鼓をおおったけど、音は雷のようなあります。もこさんの教えたの大声で叫ぶことも聞こえたので、面白いクラスだと思います。私もしばらくにクラスをとったけど、残念ながら、太鼓の必要な我慢とリズムがありません。でも、やってみたことがうれしいなので、パフォーマンスを見たら、もっと分かります。

たくさん年間で、レベカとアレグザンダーとエリスも毎週２時間のクラスを参加したので、毎月に延ばしたの練習もしました。他の楽器を学ぶことのような、練習は要るけど、太鼓は煩いだから、家でできません。そして、二人の男の子は背高くなって、強くなって、上手になります。そして、もくさんはアレグザンダーに精鋭な太鼓のグルプに参加し招待をしました。高校生で、よく努力をしてので、たくさん面白いパフォーマンスをしました。いいホテルで、有名な人のためパーティで巨 大聴衆席も太鼓をしました。家族はいろいろ日本のところにパフォーマンスをしに行きました。たとえば、石川県のかねざわとか、山梨県のこふなど、さと島の地球の祝賀も、横浜と代々木オリーピクステージアムもパフォームしました。

大学に適用するときに、アレグザンダーは雄弁なイッセーを書きました。もちろん、太鼓について書いたので、子供のごろに練習をしたくなったなど、ステージの上に行かなかったなど、いろいろ方法太鼓は生活を影響させました。よかったですので、アレグザンダーは一番欲しいの大学に受け入れました！たぶん、エリスも同じコースであるので、最近もくさんは彼に特別なグルプに招待をしました。

太鼓の範囲を広いです。もくさんは小さい子供たちと大人も教えます。時々、もくさんは自分の先生とパフォームして、せんあまの様は５０年間に太鼓をしっています。いろいろ太鼓の種類だので、他の楽器も使います。たとえば、篠笛とか、ちゃんちきなど、木琴、フルートも使います。パフォーマンスの間にばちは太鼓の上段とか、側とか、空気も使います。大体重い太鼓は動かないので、皆はダンスをします。人気がある歌はチチブとか、走馬とか、内川太鼓とか、江戸の花などです。

ジョンミンという父親は撮ったの写真を見てください。
 

 

61/2 Hours, 16 Friends, 26 Kilometers

六つ時間半、十六人の友達、二十六のキロ

 

下に日本語で書き事です。もっと写真はここにある。More pix HERE.

Wednesday was a holiday, so many of my skater friends didn't have to

work.  Yagami-san took the opportunity to organize another of his adventure skates, and this one was just exactly what I like.  I will list the things I liked about this skating event.

• It was far enough to give us plenty of exercise, 26 kilometers. 
• The route passed through many different areas of Tokyo, special sections like Akihabara, Nihonbashi, and Ginza, each with their own flavor.  Skating near the bay, seeing the Rainbow Bridge and Odaiba across the water, crossing bridges spanning canals, the hub at Shinagawa, the interesting old timey areas of Oimachi and Omori, then the bedroom communities southwest of Tokyo and finally a lovely, tall bridge over the Tamagawa River before reaching Kawasaki City. 
• The route was smooth for the most part, which is more enjoyable for skating.  I don't prefer skating over rough terrain.  I can stand it for awhile, but I don't like to do it for long periods.
• The route didn't include any dangerous areas, such as long downstairs, or steep downhills, or heavy pedestrian or bike traffic or long distances on busy streets.
• The route was always within reach of vending machines, so I didn't have to carry extra tea.
• The weather was perfect.  It wasn't too hot and it wasn't too cold, so I didn't have to carry extra layers, and there was no chance of rain.
• The other participants were all very pleasant people, 15 friends who I enjoy spending time with.  It was really nice that Nobu-san joined, it's been a long time since we've skated together.  He's one of my "oldest" skating friends, he was there the day I broke my shoulder on the Rin Rin Road 7 years ago.
• Everyone knows how to skate well, so there weren't any dangerous newbies in the group who could inadvertently make you fall. (I resemble that remark, see previous comment:)

  

• The food was fun and tasty. Yagami-san choose a fine place for lunch.  The soba was very good, not overfilling.  Then, soon after, we skated to a couple of shops to buy bean paste snacks for a dessert to enjoy in a park further along the route.
• The pace was perfect.  Yagami-san planned very well and made sure we rested here and there along the way for short intervals, and for a long time at the park in Shinagawa-ku.
• The goal was sufficiently grand.  The name of the temple is Kawasaki Daishi, which means Big Teacher, and its an amazing place.  I realized I had been there before, maybe five years ago with a different skating group. 

  

  Here's the website for the temple.   I'd like to go and explore it again with my family.
• To top it off, we enjoyed a Japanese sweet called Kuzumochi.  Mochi is a kind of pounded steamed rice cake, and the light brown kuzu powder comes from a starchy mountain root vegetable, like arrowroot.  I had an ice cream sundae that incorporated these and sweet red beans in a shell.  It was pretty good.
• And finally, getting to the start point, and getting back home were both quite easy, start to finish took about 8 hours.  A really wonderful day.  
• Here are all my best pix of the Fall Kawaski Daishi Kuzumochi Run

先週の水曜日は休日から、スケータ友達たちは仕事に行きません。それから、やがみさんは冒険のスケートを作りました。今度のは私には丁度いいです。そして、下にこのスケートの好きものをリストをしました。（でも、上の英語より、ちょっと短いです。

• ２６キロから、運動は十分です。
• 新しいルートから、たくさん面白いことを見えます。上野から始まったので、違い所に通り抜けた、たとえば秋葉原、日本橋、銀座です。湾の隣滑ったので、レインボーブリジとお台場も見えます。品川は中枢ですので、多い町と大森も面白い近所だので、遠くてきれい橋を渡った後に、川崎に着きました。
• ルートは大部分のすべすべしたので、楽しかったです。
• ルートは危ないじゃない。階段や険しい坂や忙しい道もないだので、安心しました。
• ルートはいつも自動販売機があるので、重いバックパックがありません。
• 天気は完璧でした。すごく厚いじゃなくて、すごく寒いじゃないので、

  

  雨が降らなかったです。
• 参加した人人はとてもいい人です。全部は私の友達です。お久しぶりにのぶさんは参加したので、長い時間前に会いました。７年前に、りんりんロードで角の骨を折ったときに、のぶさんはいました。
• みなは上手なスケータから、危ない新人がありません。
• 食べ物はおいしかったです。やがみさんのランチのレストランはいい選択でした。蕎麦はおいしかったので、うんと食べたの感情じゃなかったです。そして、ランチの後に甘えデザートを買えました。公園で食べました。
• ペースは完璧です。やがみさん上手な計画を作ったので、時々短い休憩を取って、品川の公園でもっと長い休憩を取りました。

  

• ゴールはとても雄大でした。のぶさんは川崎大師の意味は大きい先生と言いました。とても面白いところです。あそこにいるながら、前に来たと気づいていました。たぶん、５年前に、まっちさんとスケータイベントで行ったことがありました。家族とも一回行きたいんです。
• 最後のすばらしいことは、川崎のくず餅です。私はアイスクリムのサンディーを食べたので、くず餅と餡もありました。おいしかったです。
• 最後に、私には、スタートポイントとゴールも大体やさしいです。家から出たときから、家に帰ったときは８時間です。とてもよかった一日でした。
• これは私の秋の川崎大師くず餅ランの写真です。 

  

   

Jetlag Blues and Festive Kimono

時差ボケのブルースと快活着物

下に日本語で書きます。 This is a post about jet lag, which everyone in this family has recently suffered through.  First, you might ask, What does jet lag have to do with all these  pictures of girls (and guys) in summer kimono?  Not a lot, except that I had just returned from the states when Martin and I took Toby and attended the annual Azabu Juban Festival.  We walked all the way there and back, as exercise is good for jet lag, and I told him to take lots of pictures of the yukata clad girls (and guys) to which he readily agreed.  It was nice weather that night, unlike last year which had an entirely different ambiance with the downpour and all the umbrellas, so he got lots of good pictures.  The other reason I'm glad to show these kimono pictures is that, as Jonah says, "jet lag sucks" so let's try to balance that with some attractive people who are clearly having a good time.

All ex-pat's and international business folk routinely deal with jet lag, but even though experience may help a traveler cope, everyone still has to somehow get through the process.  There's plenty of information out there about the condition, most of which focuses on the phenomenon of time zone adjustment, generally noting that it takes one entire day to adjust to each hour of time zone difference, which is 13 days for us.  It is also noted that going West to East is harder than going East to West because you are losing time.  In my experience, the worst is to go West to East and then turn around and go East to West just a few days later. 

In July, M&J went to Michigan for three weeks and reported these symptoms both ways:  fatigue, insomnia and confusion, but they are young and they got through it okay while traveling, and dug in and slept as much as they needed to when they returned home.  When I went there in August, there was a problem with the connecting flight so I stayed part of the night in a Detroit hotel after arriving from Tokyo and wasting several hours waiting in the airport, so it actually took about 40 hours door to door, and I ended up with a migraine for the first two days of my visit with my parents and siblings.  Coming back a week later, there was no migraine, no pressure or issues, but it still took at least two weeks before I didn't feel tired all the time.

The one who really has it bad is Martin, who, after traveling all the way to the other side of the globe, has to "hit the ground running"  and go straight to work, and do the same on his return.  I just could not do that.  Maybe being an international businessman sounds glamorous, but it takes huge effort.

On the other hand, when friends and family come to visit us here in Tokyo, the excitement and uniqueness of the trip somehow compensates for the jet lag, and they seem to do pretty well.  So, please, don't let the fear of jet lag keep you grounded.

この物語は時差ボケについてです。最近家族は時差ボケを何とか忍びました。でも、まず、どしてこのトッピクと一緒に夏の着物の写真を載せたと聞きますか？そうそう、どしてね。時差ボケはとても悪い感情ので、このきれい写真はいい釣り合いと思います。私はアメリカから帰ったときにトビとマーティンも麻布十番の祭りに行きました。全部の写真はここにあります。その夜の天気はよかったので、去年よりとてもよかったです。去年は強い雨が降ったので、その写真はたくさん傘の写真でした。祭りへ歩いて行って来ました。時差ボケのために運動はいいです。

全部のエクスパットや国際のビジネスマンは時差ボケを処理しなければなりません。経験は役に立つけれど、皆はそれを一所懸命です。インタネットで、たくさん情報であるので、ときに時間帯の調整する方です。毎時間帯に旅行してので、一日をかかるすべきだろうと言います。私たちには、それは１３時間だので、１３日間がかかると思います。そして、西から東までは東から西までより難しいです。私の経験は西から東までに行くことと一週間後にずっと戻すことはとても難しいです。　 　

７月にモニカとジョナはミシガン州に行って、三週間で泊まりました。二人は疲労や不眠症や困惑も訴えたけど、若いだので、旅行するながら、大丈夫に過ごしました。帰った時間で、家でのんびりして、たくさん寝たから、ゆっくり普通な生活に戻しました。でも、私は８月に同じ所に行ったときに、最初の二日はひどい偏頭痛があったので、両親と兄弟の会うことは容易でわない。一週間後に、帰ったの時差ボケは頭が痛いじゃなくて、問題がないけど、まだ２週間でとても疲れました。

でも、マーティンは一番難しいことがあるので、いつも旅行して、仕事からので、目的地に着いてずっとに仕事にしなければなりません。そして、帰るときも同じ状態です。私は時差ボケがあるときに、考えられません。そして、それをできませんよ。インタナシナルのビシネスマンの生活は魅力的のような仕事そうだけど、たくさん努力を要ります。

他方に友達たちと家族たちも私たちに会いに日本に来る時に、それでもなんとか面白くて特別な旅行は償うと思います。そすると、時差ボケの恐れを忘れてください。旅行をしましょう！

Festival Season

祭りの季節

 

This time, I'll write in Japanese first, and then in English below. 昨晩に東京に帰ったので、うれしいです。私には、豊かな生活には旅行は大切です。生まれた町はとても小さいだので、あそこの皆の見方も小さいと思います。 でも、毎年拡大家族に会って、関係の持続します。今年の訪問は本当にチャレンジでした。両親と３人妹と一人弟とたくさん他の親類など会いました。父はとても元気だので、彼とたくさん話しました。でも、ハハは皆をコントロールをしてみるので、前より難しくなったと思います。たぶん、老化から、よくストレスがあります。私は一番年上の子供ので、手伝いたいです。でも、ハハは手伝いが欲しいじゃないので、自尊心の強いです。もちろんそれを分かります。そして、旅行はいいですが、自分の家族に帰ったうれしいです。ここから、下に英語も書きます。

夏は日本も祭りの季節です。旅行の前に、 モニカとマーティンも自転車で月島に行って東京湾大華火祭にみました。たくさん人も行って、その所の観覧者数は約70万人でしたよ。そして、その日に４時半に家から出ました。近くないので、３０分以上かかりました。近くなった時に、自転車を錠おいたので、大群と歩きました。たくさんきれいな浴衣を見ました。とても夏の祭りの感情でした。ところで、モニカは浴衣を着たことがないので、たぶん探します。お花火は７時から始めるので、一時間半前に、所はいっぱいなったと思います。早く行ったことはよかったです。　マットを持って行ってので、飲み物も持って行って、歩きながら、食べ物を買いました。その花火はすごいです。すごい！とてもよかったです。終る時に、三人は大群と自転車へ歩いて、夜の自転車で乗りました。私には、夜のスケートより、夜の自転車は難しいです。マーティンは花火の写真を撮りました。ここに見てください。

そして、ちょっどアメリカから帰ったので、日本に不在の間に、マーティンと子供二人は近所の祭りに行きました。神谷町は殆ど全部会社ので、祭りは小さいです。でも、毎年面白いです。私はたくさん近所の友達が知っているので、いつも楽しいです。今度行くことがないけれど、家族とトビは楽しかったと言いました。この祭りは切符を売ります。切符は１０つものがあるので、それは焼きそばとか、魚釣りとか、射的所などです。もちろんビールもありますね。皆はトビと挨拶をしました。マーティンは写真を撮ったので、ここに見てください。

今週末麻布十番の祭りは催しています。その祭りは神谷町待つよりとても違います。いつも本当に込んでいます。たくさん店とか露店があるので、色々面白い料理を食べられます。大きい音楽の余興もあるので、私の気に入るのは太鼓です。今日３時から、９時までだけど、マーティンは日本の中の出張から遅い帰るので、明日にトビと行きます。（トビを連れて行くことができるけど、込んでいるときに、持って行きます。）天気はいいと思います。去年は雨が降りました。マーティンは写真を撮ったので、ここに見てください。

Summer is festival time here in Japan.  Matsuri is the Japanese word for festival, and the kanji looks like this:  祭り.  It seems that every neighborhood has it's own matsuri, and though some aspects are similar, they are all different, so you never get tired of going to festivals.  One common aspect is the portable shrine, or mikoshi, 神輿, the first kanji means God and the second means stretcher (carrier).  I've heard that they take the shrine out once a year to shake it up a bit, air it out, or something like that.  It's really quite energetic, a slow procession of people dressed in festival clothes, shaking the mikoshi while carrying it around the street, singing and shouting the whole time.  After that, there's usually some kind of entertainment, which, depending on the size of the matsuri, can be quite elaborate, and there's always lots of different foods offered, as well as beer and other drinks. 

Just before I left to visit my family in America, Martin, Monica and I rode our bikes over to Tsukishima to watch the fireworks celebration on Tokyo Bay.  This gathering was not technically a matsuri, but was very festive, and many people, men, women and children wore the traditional light summer kimono called yukata.  The fireworks were to start at 7pm, so we left our place at 4:30 for the 30 minute ride.  We thought we should get there early so that we could find a place to lay out our mat to sit on to see the show.  When it got too crowded to ride, we locked up our bikes and walked with the crowd.  It was really something.  I found out later that just in that one place, they estimated an attendance of 70 thousand people, and of course there were people in many other areas watching the show over the water.  After a fabulous 1 hour and 20 minute show, we walked back to our bikes with the crowd, then rode home.  It was so crowded it took two hours to get home, but it was worth it.  Martin took some pictures, please have a look.

While I was gone, our little neighborhood Matsuri was held.  I enjoy going to this festival because it's so close, Toby can walk there with us, and I always see people I know.  Martin took the kids, and they bought the pages of tickets which entitled them to one each of several things, from yakisoba (fried noodles) to a turn at the shooting gallery and the goldfish pond.  Martin took some pictures, so you can see them here.

I'm lucky that I came back in time to attend the Azubu Juban Matsuri, which starts today.  This is a very big festival, and goes on for three days with many different kinds of musical entertainment, including jazz, rock, and traditional taiko drumming, which is my favorite.  Last year, it rained, but it was still fun.  Here are those photos.  It doesn't look like rain this weekend, so it will be especially crowded.  We will take Toby, but I'll carry him in the crowds so he doesn't get stepped on.

 

Nephew Homestay

甥のホームステイー

 

今度英語だけ書きます。 今旅行をしてので、帰った後のポーストは日本語で書くつもりです。いろいろリンクがあるので、写真を見てください。　When third culture kids spend large chunks of their formative years out of their home country, the summers are an excellent opportunity for these young people to reconnect with their home culture and their extended families.  This summer, it worked out that our two teenagers took a three week trip to my hometown in MIchigan without me.  Part of that time, Monica attended soccer camp at nearby Hope College, which was a tremendous learning experience for her, as she had a chance to meet lots of American girls her age and stay on the campus of a typical small university, while improving her soccer skills.

Meanwhile, Jonah had the opportunity to strengthen his relationships with his grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins, while enjoying normal American life.  Thanks to my family, there were excursions to Lake Michigan, a dairy farm, rock climbing, working in Grandpa's store and fishing with Grandma.  They went to the mall, they went to a baseball game, and they ate lots of delicious American food, much of it at Aunt Mary's restaurant.

Both the children thoroughly enjoyed and appreciate my family's hospitality.  Then, just two days after returning to Japan, the tables were turned, and Monica and Jonah got to host their 20 year old cousin from Texas on his first international trip.   After his first year of college, Willy worked hard for several weeks at his summer job, and then came to Tokyo for one short, very busy week.  Willy was a very good guest.  He has such a nice attitude, an excellent mixture of openness to our explanations and guidance, and a tendency and capability towards independence.  This while showing lots of interest and energy, as well as a willingness to at least try any food item offered.

Generally, a "homestay" involves staying in the home of a family of another culture while visiting their country.  Though not technically a homestay, Willy's visit was exposure to two different cultures.  Ours as well as the natives. We're certainly not Japanese, and though we're American through and through, we've had different experiences than many of our peers due to living in Japan for nearly a decade.  Thus, the term, "third culture kids" is applicable.  Here I'll try to explain most of what Willy did while he was here.  Here's my pictures.

Day 1  Monica and I drove the car to Narita Airport to pick up Willy.  Takes about an hour and a half each way.  I won't try to detail costs here, but just trust me that this is an expensive place to visit and live.  Tolls for a round trip to the airport are over 50 USD.  Willy was tired, but excited.  After he met Toby and we oriented him to the apartment, we took a subway train one stop and walked around Roppongi Hills.  This was a way to gently introduce Willy to the subway system and the extended neighborhood.  We all ate at Pepper Lunch, then walked around Tokyo Midtown, and got lost in Akasaka on the way home.  Martin came home from his business trip so we three took Toby for a late night walk around the neighborhood.

Day 2  We all five went by car to TAC (Tokyo American Club) to work out.  (exercise is good for jet-lag).  Later, Jonah took Willy to a konbini (convenience store) and bought onigiri (rice balls with tuna inside) for a snack.  Later yet, we all took a train to Jingu Stadium where we watched the Yakult Swallows beat the Chinuchi Dragons at Willy's first Japanese baseball game.  On the way, we picked up some Edomame and Yakisoba to snack on during the game.  After returning from the game, Willy took a walk and found his way to Roppongi Hills via a different route, walking.  I thought that was very clever of him.

Day 3 Monica, Jonah and Willy went to Tokyo Dome Amusement Park for the better part of the day.   I guess the roller coasters are pretty fun.  Since it was Saturday night, we all rode our bikes to church at the Franciscan Chapel Center.  At the end, Willy stood up and was welcomed and applauded by everyone present.  Then, we went to a birthday dinner for Jonah.  We had made a reservation at a restaurant which we liked, Korean Barbeque, but it turns out the restaurant had changed (this happens often, and somehow we missed it).  Anyway, both Jonah and Willy were gracious about not getting Korean BBQ as expected, and enjoyed the delicious Japanese Izakaya food.  There are pictures.

Day 4 was the Annual Skater Barbeque, as planned.  The day before, I had helped the skaters buy the meat, and Martin prepared the ribs the night before.  The morning of, everyone except me rode bikes to Shinagawa station, then met up with the skaters, and they rode bikes with the skaters to Jonan Island where the 80+ person BBQ was held.  I drove the car with the ribs, tarps, tables, etc.  There are lots of pictures of this BBQ here  and here.  Later on, the three kids (including Willy) rode their bikes back to the apartment (what excellent honing instinct!)  Later that evening, most of us went to Kaiten Sushi in Yurakucho. 

Day 5 Willy and I took the train to Tsukiji Fish Market where we explored the warehouse and market, then enjoyed a yummy raw tuna and rice bowl snack.  Then straight to Omotesando to the Oriental Bazaar so that Willy could pick up some omiyage *souvenirs.  I left Willy to find his own way to Meiji Shrine and home, which he did...smart kid.  Jonah took him to Yoshinoya for Gyudon *pork or beef rice bowl, and he liked it so much he went back there the next day for breakfast.

Day 6 Monica and I accompanied Willy to the Edo Museum, which I enjoyed for the third time.  This is a museum dedicated to the history of Tokyo, and it's very interesting.  While there, I spotted a group of kimono clad girls assembled for a picture, and got Willy involved.  Turns out, they are all 20 years old, like Willy, and everyone smiled while Willy blushed.  It was pretty cute.  We went for Katsudon lunch, and then Monica and I let Willy find his way to the famous Sensoji Temple at Asakusa.  So now he was well aquainted with subways, JR trains, and making transfers.  The kids took him to Curry House, for traditional Japanese Curry. Martin and Jonah went with him to the Tokyo Tower.  See Martin's pictures.  Later that night, Willy found his own way to Shibuya, which is quite a sight at night. 

Day 7 was Willy's last day.  Still so much to see.  Jonah took him on a long walk part way around the Imperial Palace, then on to the Yasukuni Shrine, which is a controversial political/ historical museum which  Willy wanted to see.  Came back in time for a quick shower before catching the Friendly Limousine Bus to the airport, with some onigiri *rice balls packed for the trip since there hadn't been time for lunch. 

What a good guest Willy was.  Because of his trip, we all appreciate the adventure that is our current situation that much more.  Now I begin a short trip to visit my family in Michigan.  I hope I can be a good guest to them as I experience their culture which was once my own. 

Kawaii Toby

トビはかわいい！

 
英語の下にこの物語は日本語で書きました。Unlike usual, I'm still in Tokyo this far into the summer.  I do plan a short visit to my roots in the near future, but it's definitely a different pattern this summer.  Recently, everyone else in the family was out of Japan at the same time.  Jonah spent three weeks visiting family, Monica went to soccer camp as well, and Martin took a business trip to the same area.  Because of my job, I stayed here, the first time I have ever been in Tokyo alone.  Not really alone, though, because Toby kept me company.   We took long walks around the neighborhood every day, and watched two episodes of Desperate Housewives from season one every night.  I thought it would be a good time to do a blog about Toby, and how nice it is having a dog in Tokyo.

Having a dog in a big city like Tokyo is really a lot of trouble and expense.  I won't quote the prices here, but just assume that everything from the initial purchase of the pet will cost more, sometimes a lot more than you expect.  Vet costs, supplies, grooming, boarding, etc. will all set you back in yen.  Then there's the hassle.  Walking your dog on a nice day is so fun, but it's not always nice out.  Sometimes it's raining, or cold, or terribly hot.  Then there's the little bags you need to carry with you to take care of the "business".  And of course, if you travel, you need to consider your dog's care while you're gone, which can get rather complicated. 

Even with all that, having a dog here has been really good for this family.  We got lucky with Toby, he's very well behaved, barks only if absolutely necessary, is clean and friendly.  And SO CUTE!  Toby is so cute that every time we go for a walk, we hear "kawaii, kawaii", as people notice him.  We've met quite a lot of nice people through Toby. 

So, here's a gallery of pictures that illustrates some of the aspects of having a dog in Tokyo.  The gallery is arranged by topic:  Toby's Neighborhood friends, Taking the train, Taking a walk and meeting cute girls, Toby enjoying nature, Family, and Zoo (the store).　このガレリーはブログのポーストと似合います。東京で犬を育っていることです。いろいろテームです。店というズー、近所の友達、電車を使うこと、 散歩を撮って、かわい女性に会うこと、自然を楽しいている、家族。

布津のような違い、まだ夏に東京に泊まります。８月に短い間に生まれた家に行くつもりです。最近、家族は私以外日本から出ました。仕事から、私は東京に泊まりました。モニカとジョナは私の生まれた町に行ってので、その時にモニカはサーカーカンプに参加してので、ジョナは家族といろいろ事をしました。マーティンもその州に行って、出張をして、家族も会いました。 その時に、私とトビは楽しかったです。毎日に長い散歩をして、毎夜にテレビのドラマという”デスパレートな妻たちを見て、楽しかったです。そして、東京に犬を育てることの利益を見せます。

東京のような大きい都市に、犬があることは面倒くさいので、高いです。最初の費やすことは犬を買うので、後は獣医とか、供給とか、グルミングとか下宿することです。そして、毎日の少なくとも二回の散歩してので、天気はいいだったら、とても楽しいだけど、雨とか寒いとか蒸し暑いなどだったら、犬は散歩を要ります。そして、いつも小さい袋を待っていかなければなりません。もちろん、旅行に行きたかったら、犬の世話も考えなければなりません。

それでも、東京に犬を飼っていることは私の家族には、いいです。トビは特にいい犬だので、私たちは喜んでいます。あまりほえないし、きれいだし、人なつっこいもあります。そして、とてもかわいです。いつも散歩をしたら、皆はかわい、かわいと言います。トビから、たくさんすばらしい人人に会いました。