From the Heart of Tokyo 東京の中心から

Fun Photos; Invago, The Arch

楽しい写真、インバゴやアーチ

   

日本語の要約を下に書きました。The above picture is Monica serving the Riverboat Special near the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, from this summer's visit with family.   Elsewhere on this page are pictures of the very fun time we and friends had recently here in Tokyo, at an Invago concert at What the Dickens in Ebisu.  What does Invago and the Arch have in common?  Well, let's think.  Both are famous.  Maybe the Arch is still a little more famous than Invago, but not for long.  We discovered this Tokyo based Alternative Rock band three years ago in Roppongi.  Since then, we've seen them perform several times at various venues, listen to their CD constantly, introduced lots of friends to their music, and even made friends with the guys in the band.  This was their last concert before they left on a working tour of several European cities.  Now they're safely back in Tokyo finishing their second CD, and hopefully planning another concert soon.

Since he got his Canon D40, Martin's photography hobby has really ramped up.  He takes way more pictures, they are higher quality and more artistic.  Toting the camera bag and lens around is a bit of a commitment, as it's heavy, and you wouldn't want to forget and leave it somewhere, but there's always something interesting going on, and having those pictures later is part of the fun.  Only trouble is, it does take time to process all those photos.   Thus, here we are in December and I'm showing you pictures from July and November.  But that brings up another commonality between Invago and the St. Louis Arch.  Both are very photogenic.  Invago certainly is.  At this most recent Invago Concert, Martin took lots of pictures, but we only put up the best ones.  Seems that Alexis (the French guitar player called "The Count" ) is in almost every picture.  So fine.  But Italian/English Luca, Japanese Koyu, Italian Stefano and Japanese/Italian Sasha aren't hard on the eyes either.  Together, making music, there's chance for lots of good pix.  To see Martin's pictures from their Emergenza Finals, link from the sidebar picture on this blog.   With regard to the arch, there are many different ways to view this massive structure, though it looks rather thin in these pictures.  It is always graceful and smooth.  An ideal shape, the arch was constructed from blueprints reflecting the geometric form of a complicated mathematical equation.  I don't understand it, but I think it's cool.

Even with all that space inside, the Gateway Arch is considered the largest US National Monument due to its height and base width.  Since being completed in 1965, it's a national treasure and besides Budweiser Beer and the Cardinals baseball team, it's the symbol of the great city of St. Louis, Gateway to the West, located as it is on the Mississippi River, a formidable landmark to the westward expansion in America's history.  Two or three times in the past I've actually gone up inside the arch.  It's very interesting, but this time, with us four plus my Mom, Uncle Chris (not my uncle, Monica and Jonah's), Matt and Robin, we didn't want to stand in line for a long time and then ride the claustrophobic tram cars to the observation deck at the top.  So instead, we had all kinds of fun using the arch as a prop in Martin's photos.  Below is Chris propping up the arch with both hands.  See Martin's other Arch Pictures.

So, there's another thing that Invago and the Arch have in common: FUN.   Going to their concerts is really fun.  The song lyrics are lovely, often very heartfelt and clever, so when I'm home listening to the CD, (over and over) I can imagine  Luca writing these meaningful words.  But when we get to watch them LIVE, the way the five guys interact to perform the music, the way the fans respond, the energy is heightened and we just have to dance.  And you know, its a great joyful feeling when you just have to dance.  My friend Luis, an excellent dancer, showed up at What the Dickens that night with a painful looking limp.  He'd overdone it with training and didn't think he could dance.  But he was wrong.  When the Count  struck the first few chords of "Freedom" on the acoustic guitar, and I gave Luis the sign, he hobbled right over, because their music is just so fun.  Here's Koyu on base.

Oh, I just thought of another thing that Invago and the Arch have in common.  When folks come from out of town, as we did to St. Louis, it's fun to take them to the arch.  And when folks come to Tokyo, as Dermot happened to do when Invago was playing in Ebisu, it was fun for us to take him to see the band play.  You know your guest will have a good time, Invago never ever let's us down.  Here's their website:  INVAGO 

この日本語は要約だけです。上の大きい写真はモニカは川船のスペシェルを出します。 それは夏の旅行でセントルイスのアーチの近くです。このポストで他の話題の写真は私の気に入るの音楽のバンドに友達たちと見に、行きました。それはＩｎｖａｇｏです。What the Dickensと言う恵比寿のバーである。そして、アーチとインバゴは共通してもっているものであは何ですか？じゃ、考える。あった！両方は有名です。たぶん、今まで、アーチはインバゴより、有名だけど、もう次ぐにインバゴはもっと有名になると思います。見たコンセト後にバンドはヨーロッパに行って、ツアーをしました。

マーティンはカノンのＤ４０を買ったから、写真術の趣味はよくなりました。たくさん写真を撮って、芸術的な質は前よりよくなると思います。いつもカメラを持って行きます。たくさん写真 を撮って、経過事は長い時間かかります。そして、今は12月ので、写真は7月から、11月も撮りました。インバゴとアーチについて、もうひとつ共通性は両方は写真に適するなです。特にフランス人のＡｌｅｘｉｓがたくさんいい写真があります。そして、イギリス・イタリア人のＬｕｃａ，と日本人のこや、とイタリア人のＳｔｅｆａｎｏと日本・イタリア人のサーシャもきれいです。もっとＩｎｖａｇｏの写真は前のＥｍｅｒｇｅｎｚａのはこのブログのサイドバーでリンクに行ってみてください。もちろんアーチは写真に適するなです。アーチはとてもきれいくて、優美的なです。それは完璧な形です。数学の方程式から作りました。私は分からないけど、それは面白いと思います。

ゲイトウェイアーチは一番大きいのアメリカの国定史跡です。1965年に終わったから、 国民の宝物です。セイントルイスの有名な象徴です。ミシシッピー川の岸で建ったので、西への膨張ことの象徴です。二回三回前に私はアーチの上の中に行ってけど、今度私たちはアーチの下に遊びました。そのときに私の母とマーティンの二人兄弟と弟の奥さんと楽しました。

そして、もうひとつ共通性は両方は楽しいです。Ｉｎｖａｇｏのコンセトはとても楽しいです。いつも友達と家族と行って、音楽を聞いて、バンドを見て、ダンスをします。そのときに、ルイスとダンスをしました。

まあ、最後の共通性は両方はいつも友達は来て、一緒に行きます。セントルイスに行って、一緒にアーチに行って、母の初めてみました。東京にＤｅｒｍｏｔと言うマーティンの友達は来て、Ｉｎｖａｇｏに見に行きました。Ｉｎｖａｇｏのコンセトははいつもいい間過ごすことです。

すみません、この日本語は要約だけです。たくさん間違いと思ってので、英語を読む事ができれば、それも読んでください。

 

So far, so good.

ここまで、大丈夫です。

下に日本語の大要を書きました。 Hey there.  Maybe you think I dropped off the face of the earth.  No, just went back to my home country a few weeks ago and haven't had the opportunity to use the internet to post here.  Have spent a lot of good times with friends and family.  Let's see, right now we're in St. Louis, Missouri, but let's go back to mid-June to when Monica and Jonah left Tokyo, and just the two of them flew to Washington, D.C. to visit some school chums who moved there last year from Japan.  The kids had a great time, Jonah seeing many interesting historical sites and national monuments, and Monica, shopping with her girlfriend.  That was such a wonderful opportunity for them, a golden week to treasure forever.

  During that time, Martin was already in the US working, and I was back in Tokyo preparing for the long homeleave, such as taking Toby to Kusacchi's, taking the turtles to Justin's, cleaning out the fridge, etc.  Soon, I flew to Detroit, where we all four met up.  The first big fun event was a baseball game at Coamerica Park between Jonah's Cardinals and the Detroit Tigers.  We met Shin and his family and had a great time, but the Cardinals lost with a walk-off walk in the 10th inning.

Then we went to visit my family in Michigan for a few days.  We did lots of interesting things, Martin had a little time to relax, but he also worked quite a bit while we were there.  One day, the whole extended family got together for a potluck, and my Mom had us play a game of Egg Toss.  It was hilarious, and my Dad and Larry won.  I always enjoy going back to my family home, where I can walk in the forest and enjoy my childhood scenery.

  We left Michigan via ferry boat across Lake Michigan to Wisconsin and then via car down to our friend's home on a lake north of Chicago.  The kids always have a good time with these friends who we've known since they used to live in Tokyo.  We enjoyed the boat and jet-ski together, and twice went to McDonalds on the boat for breakfast.  The highlight was watching the 4th of July Fireworks from the boat.  What a cool experience.  The last day, some of us took a roadtrip to Notre Dame University, for a tour of that impressive school, and then enjoyed amazing pizza at Rocko's. 

Next was a very short stay in the city of Chicago, where we met my older two sons, Jay and Steve and their friends, who each traveled there from their homes in Iowa and Nebraska.  Even though it was a short visit, we enjoyed the Field Museum of Natural History, some good meals together, and frisbee on the beach.  Martin was even able to make it back from Detroit where he'd been working in time to see them before we had to be back on the road, this time to St. Louis.

We are enjoying our visit with Martin's family.  Together, we toured the Anheiser-Busch Brewery, among several other interesting activities.  Tonight we will watch the Cardinals vs the Padres at Busch Stadium.  Jonah is really looking forward to this game, the tickets are a birthday gift from his Uncle Chris.

最近まさどんと話しながら、“so far, so good”と言いました。彼は意味が聞いたので、ええと、ここまでは大丈夫と思います。アメリカの旅行はここまで大丈夫です。3週間以上前に、モニカとジョナは二人で飛行機でワシントンディシに行きました。その所で友達の家族に遊びに会いました。その友達は前に日本に住んだが、 去年あそこに引っ越しました。モニカとジョナは殆ど一週間DCに泊まったはとても楽しかっただと言いました。色々有名な史跡にみました。例えばアメリカのナショナルの保管所とか、飛行と宇宙の博物館とか、ジェファソン史跡を行ったので、 遠いからホワイトハウスも見ました。でも、一番の気に入る部分は友達達と時を過ごしたと言いました。  

次ぐにデトロイトに行きました。マーティンはあそこに働いたので、私は東京から直接に行って、空港に会いました。次ぐの日にデトロイトで野球の試合に見に行きました。（Tigers　対　Cardinals）勿論、ジョナの気に入 るのチームはCardinalsがTigers も好きです。ところで、タイゲルスはイニング１０回で勝ちました。 試合は面白かったです。

 

次ぐに、私の生まれ故郷の町はミシガン州であるので、家族に訪問しました。 一週間ぐらいであそこに泊まったので、フェリーボートでシカゴに来ました。暴風からその船の旅行は荒天をついたけど、よかったです。

 

次ぐにチカゴの近くの友達の家族の家に泊まりました。 この友達も日本に会ってので、三年間夏で、チカゴで遊びました。家はお水の近くだので、子供達はたくさん楽しかったです。次ぐ後で、チカゴの町中に行って、二人大人息子に会いました。久しぶりでした。良かった。短い時間があったけど、一緒に自然博物館行って、食事を食べて、浜でフリスビーを投げました。

 

今、セントルイスにいるので、主人の家族とあります。色々面白いしたことをしたので、Budweiserの醸造所のツアーができました。今夜も野球の試合に行って、Cardinals　対　Padres)である。楽しみにしています。

 

（この日本語での部分は短いので、大要だけです。それから、上の英語の書きことを訳したら、面白いと思います。）

 

Thanksgiving Day Cooks

感謝祭の料理人々

今度日記は英語だけで書きました。That's our Thanksgiving Turkey, before cooking, but after Martin applied the "rub" that he concocted out of various interesting kitchen herbs and spices.  Usually I roast the turkey in the oven, but this year Martin decided he wanted to try to make it on the grill for the first time.  Actually, correct that... this being a four day holiday from school for the kids, usually we take the opportunity to travel somewhere, taking advantage of living in an interesting place which is close to other interesting places, so we haven't had a Thanksgiving at home for a few years.  But this year we decided to stay home, do a turkey and enjoy the leftovers. Besides, there were some other neat things going on later in the weekend, which I'll get to in a bit. 

A week before the big day, I went to my favorite international grocery store, Nissen, and ordered the turkey, which would cost over 5000 yen.  That's around 50 US dollars.  Expensive, true, but everything's expensive here, and as you will see, we made good use of that 50 bucks.  Wednesday night, picked up the thawed turkey, along with lots of other items that aren't readily available in a Japanese grocery store, like evaporated milk, shortning and canned pumpkin for the pies, poultry seasoning for the stuffing and cranberry jelly.  Jonah's main request was for mashed potatoes and lots of savory turkey gravy, while Monica was looking forward to the stuffing, which I made in the crockpot because it wouldn't have worked on the grill.

Monica made a lemon meringue pie with only a teensy bit of help from me.  It's a very complicated pie, and it turned out beautifully.  Jonah mixed up the pumpkin pie, and together they made the lattice crust for the apple pie while I was busy with something else.  Since we were going on a hike to visit a cave the next day with several friends, we decided to try to make some little bite-size pumpkin pies to take along to share, and that was a good idea.  I'm really happy that we can give the kids some experiences of our own culture.  A day of baking pies, cooking and hanging out together at home with just the family, it's something to treasure, I think, and very unusual for us these days with people coming and going all the time.  And while we're on the subject of tradition, I'll skip ahead and mention that on Thanksgiving Day, as on some other special days, we always hold hands around the table and share with each other what we're thankful for.  We have many blessings.  Now, back to the menu. 

I started the crockpot stuffing the night before, and we all enjoyed sampling it throughout the day.  "We could have this more often, you know." Martin said.  Yes, it's really good, but full of butter and carbs along with celery, mushrooms and fresh parsley.  Once a year is enough, I think.  Now we get to the Turkey.  Martin did his research, and I won't give away any secrets here, but even though it was the first time he's grilled a turkey on the Weber, the result was far from amateur.  He brined it the night before, applied a rub before cooking it, and also used wooden smoking chips on the grill.  Plus, if you look at the picture, you'll see a big beer can centrally located.  As a result, the meat was moist and flavorful.  Thanksgiving Day Pictures. 

Besides the Grilled Turkey with all the fixins' on Thanksgiving, we had turkey sandwiches on our hike on Friday, plates of turkey and leftovers throughout the busy weekend, and on Sunday I made my version of Turkey Tetrazzini (which is a really yummy baked pasta casserole) and on Monday night I made turkey noodle soup from rich and flavorful broth I'd prepared Thanksgiving night after cleaning everything else up.  In the large pot, I had boiled the turkey frame (carcass) for a couple of hours and that broth, together with the last of the turkey meat and a few vegetables and my Mom's recipe for homemade egg noodles made a wonderful homestyle soup. 

The day after Thanksgiving was a national holiday, and 13 of us traveled to the countryside for a hiking adventure that included exploring a very interesting limestone cave.  Here are the Cave Hike pictures.

Saturday, Martin and I participated in Papa-san's Saturday Night Skate from Tokyo to Odaiba.  My endurance is up, as I did much better with the 18 km this time.  I think the yoga is helping.  And Sunday, all four participated in City Run.    I'm thankful for being blessed with a four-day weekend full of pleasant family interaction and good times with friends. 

   

Colorado Adventures

コロラドの冒険

Homeleave, part 3

３人は東京に帰ったので、マーティンも来ています。 今私は時差ぼけが会ったので、３時午前から、起きているけど、正常ですよね。トビは純子さんの犬のトレニングのカンプから帰りました。彼はインディと草だの家族を恋しいだけど、私たちは大丈夫と思います。後でそれについてポーストを書きます。寝ることができないから、コロラドにいるの一週間の写真を見ました。コロラドで、マーティンの家族とたくさんいい冒険をしました。訪問はとてもよかったです。後で、時間がある時に、スマッグマッグに写真を乗せます。今にはいくつかどうぞ。時差ぼけなので、一ヶ月日本不在ので、私の頭が悪くなりました。それで、残りのポーストは英語です。

3 of us are home in Tokyo now, and Martin is on his way.  I've got jetlag, and have been awake since 3am, but that's normal.  Toby's back home from his stay at Junko-san's doggy training camp.  I think he misses Indy and the Kusada's but he'll put up with us.  I'll post about that later.  Unable to sleep, I've looked at some of the pictures taken during our week in Colorado.  We had so many adventures with Martin's family.  It was really a great visit.  I'll process the pictures later and put them on smugmug.  Here's just a few for now.  And, because of jetlag and being away from Japan for a month, my brain is not working for Japanese, so the rest of this post will be in English.

It was the first time for most of us to go White Water Rafting, and we totally enjoyed our trip down a section of the Arkansas River with our guide, Andy from Buffalo Joe's.  The left side of the boat, which included Chris, Robin, Monica and Jonah was very efficient in their use of the paddles.  The rowers on the right side left something to be desired.  However, we made the best of it, and taught Andy how to count to five in Japanese, as that's the most strokes in a row that he would call out.

Hiking is another important activity that we took advantage of while in Colorado. You can see Pike's Peak very clearly from their home, and the surrounding area is lush with a variety of trails offering various degrees of ruggedness, altititude, vistas and hiking environments from deep mountain forest with rushing waterfalls, to meadows of wildflowers to lofty outcropped formations such as "Pancake Rocks" where you can see Monica and Jonah perched upon here.  The seven of us packed our lunchs and cameras and each carried two bottles of water.  The weather cooperated to a point.  It wasn't too warm up in the mountains, and there was just a little rain spitting while we enjoyed our lunch of sandwiches, yougart and fruit and trailmix.  Jonah, who might grow up to be a meoterologiest, especially enjoyed watching the sky change as the clouds gathered and darkened and then dispersed.  Hiking offers the chance for the adults to introduce nature to the children.  Two kids growing up in Tokyo don't often see this kind of raw nature, and Monica and Jonah really enjoyed being with their Uncles and Aunt out there in the wilderness, as well as their wonderful parents....  On our return back down the mountain, we chose a different route, which went through an old pine forest towards a falls.  Along the way, we started seeing Colorado Columbine, the state flower.  It is really beautiful and has a very interesting shape.  We would just see one at a time, growing alone, then a few more, a few more after that.  It intriqued me, this wildflower with the splayed tails and the bicolored face, and its more recently acquired notorious name.  I took this picture of Robin, above.  She's so intent.  Martin took some nice columbine closeups.  

This is what I'm talking about.  Hiking along until you come upon water, following a stream down, watching it grow,  or sometimes disappear back into the mountan.  Often growing to something so lovely as these falls where Monica and Uncle Chris enjoy the view and a cool sense of tranquility with nature.  We, like all hikers we know, are very careful not to disturb the nature we find.  Anything we take in, we carry back out, such as trash, and we don't pick wildflowers or other pieces of nature, other than an occasional small rock.  Taking pictures is the best way to keep and share the experiences.  Here's a happy couple, Martin's little brother Matt, and his wonderful bride Robin enjoying a little rest near the summit of Pancake Rocks.  Of course, a week is only seven days, so on Sunday we had to pack up and drive to the airport for the next leg of the adventure.  Uncles and Aunt returned to St. Louis, we returned to Tokyo via a short stay in MSP, while Grandma and Grandpa waved good bye, and hopefully not, "good riddance" from their front porch.  Don't worry, despite the comic picture below, the "After the Hike" wearies, we'll be back!        

 

My Ninja Bike

私の忍者のバイク

HomeLeave, part 2

今コロラド州にいるが先週にテネシイ州に３日半間に過ごしました。 その間はとても忙しかったです。 憶えて、私のモーターバイクは置いています。去年、腕が折ったから、バイクに乗れませんでした。それで、２年間から、乗ります。私は下手なライダーだから、乗る前に怖かったです。 でも、大切だと思います。しっぱいしたくないです。　クラッチの操作も慣れなければなりませんでした。マーティンと ニールの助けをくれてから、びっくりよかったです。とても楽しかったです。テネシー州はいいバイクを乗るの所です。

テネシイにいる間にNeilとGinaの息子というダーグはバイクの飛び越すのイベントを見ました。すごい、すごい。

ところで、３回目、Harley's Angel　というアマンダに会いました。 友達のためにポースターが貰いました。

The pretty girl there is Amanda, one of the Harley's Angels who I met again for the third time the other day at the Harley Davidson Dealership in Cool Springs, in Tennessee.  She gave me two posters, one for Jonah and one for my friend back in Tokyo. 

The big deal was our friends' Neil and Gina's son, Doug Cossey stunt jumping his motorcycle with a couple of other great athletes.  What a special event.  Actually, the whole family is involved.  We've watched these kids grow up, such good kids of our best friends.  We were so glad that we had the chance to be there in Tennessee during that time, because Doug is a professional and  jumps in events all over the world and to watch him there, working with his Dad and brothers, Mom ever the supporter, right there in our old hometown is a real treat.  It's such a thrill to see Doug jump.  I'll share his website here as soon as I get the right link. 

Now we're in Colorado, but last week we spent three and a half days in Tennessee, where we used to live.  It was a very busy time.  Remember, we store our bikes there.  Last year, because of my broken arm, I couldn't ride my Ninja, so it was really important to me that I successfully ride my bike.  For several weeks prior, whenever I thought about riding my bike after two years without doing so, I would  be scared as well as excited.  I'm not a very good rider to begin with, and haven't had much practice since moving to Tokyo so I am appropriately concerned, I think.  I had to get used to the clutch all over again.  With Neil and Martin's help, I picked it back up surprisingly fast.  What a good feeling... it really boosted my self confidence.  And it was really fun.  Tennessee is a great place to ride motorcycles. 

Paris, Michigan

HomeLeave, part 1

７月の最初の二週間は私の両親が住んでいるミシガン州で家族と一緒に過ごしました。　 そこでは色々な事をしました。　今はチガゴの友達の家にいます。下に書いてあることをしました。英語で書きます。

For the first two weeks of July, we visited my parents and family who live in Michigan.  By "we" I mean me and the kids.  Martin was there for awhile, but mostly had to work.  Besides visiting with Mom and Dad, I also saw my 3 sisters, 1 brother, 1 grown son, 4 in-laws, 3 nieces, 4 nephews, their partners, 1 great niece.. just 7 weeks old, my Uncle Bud and his wife, and other assorted aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Some of the things we did during those 12 days were: 

Tubed and kayaked down the Muskegon River, watched the 4th of July Parade in Big Rapids and the fireworks.  Visited my sister Char's flower garden.  Went to the Hospital.  Attended niece Amber's wedding shower.  Attended the first extended family reunion on the Wachter side of the family in several decades (there were nearly 60 people there and they're already planning next year's.)  Went to the Mecosta County Agricultural Fair with cousins Jackie and Tyler and also saw the Truck Pull (LOUD!)  Took Monica shopping at a mall in Grand Rapids where we met up with Rachel, Monica's friend from Tokyo who just moved to GR.  Kids went to a movie called Ratatoville, said it was really good.  Swung on the rope swing into the river.  Jonah read "Hachiko" in Japanese to his Grandma and brother, Jay.  Went on a family skate with the four of us plus Tyler in Northland Park.  Skipped stones in the river.  Enjoyed the wildflowers of my childhood.  Saw deer every morning and evening, lots of fawns.  Stayed in a cabin near the river.  Had bonfires with friends till two in the morning.  Roasted corn, brats and ate s'mores by the fire.  Demonstrated ikebana to my Mom and sisters (Mom really has the knack!)  Played lots of frisbee.  Jonah played baseball catch with his Dad.  Drove Dads Yukon.  Kids drove Grandpa's Kubota and Uncle Mike's 4 wheeler.  Ate many a breakfast and lunch at sister Mary's PDQ (best restaurant around... had corn beef hash, reuben sandwich, yummy curly fries, burgers, taco salad) but also ate at Taco Bell and Burger King.  Went to Jimmy John's subshop with Jay.  Jumped on the trampoline.  Played "Spill and Spell" with Jay... He is amazing at it.  And... and... and... 

Had to fit a whole year's worth of family time into just a few days. 

It was a very good time.   よかったのに、疲れた。

これは私の父と母と私と妹。後ろは弟と二人妹です。

The family that skates together...

家族が一緒にスケートするのは一緒にいることね。

(Expanded English version follows.)

最近のCRは初めて家族の４人は一緒に滑りました。前々に５年間半、子供にスケートを買いました。両方はすべて安い。直ぐ後で私もスケートを買いました。それから、子供たちは滑りましたが、あまり熱心家になりませんでした。主人はスケートしたくなかった。たぶん、怖くて、忙しかったから練習をできませんでした。過去に、ときどきモニカとジョナはCRに参加しますが、今度いつも日曜日の朝に教会の学校に行かなければなりません。ジョナの足は大きくなった。モニカの足も大きくなった。それで、だんだん無理になりました。でも、１１月から、パパはスケートを習っています。たびたび毎週葛西臨海公園で練習します。準備ができたので、１月の上野CRに初めて参加しました。最近５月のSNSに初めて参加しました。良かったです。今教会の学校は終わりますので、私は考えがありました。 モニカのスケートを試してみました。オケイです。ジョナね。私の古いスケートが適当と思います。よかった。それで、もちろん私の努力から、子供たちも上野から東京駅までCRに参加しました。とてもよかったです。滑ることは生活の大きい分になりましたので、嬉しくなりました。

上の４年前の撮った写真はこふじさんから、CRとSNSの写真はIwaさんからです。

Last Sunday, for the very first time, all four of us in the family participated in the Ueno City Run.  This was a landmark moment for me, because skating has become  such a big part of my life.  The children haven't been skating much at all lately, but 5 1/2 years ago, when Santa brought them roller blades for Christmas, they were really into it.  Soon after they got their skates, I got some for myself.  Masuda-san taught me how to skate, introduced me to lots of nice skaters, and got me started with the City Run.  For awhile, Monica and Jonah would occasionally participate, but they weren't that enthusiastic, probably because doing stuff with Mom, even fun stuff, is taboo as you get closer to the teen years.  Martin, though, did not want to learn to skate, even though he is quite athletic.  Perhaps he was a little afraid of getting hurt, because an injury would certainly set him back with regard to his business travel and work, (and he has seen through my two broken bones that skating injuries can be quite troublesome) and also, just taking the time to learn, and all that falling down that accompanies those early weeks of practice... it just wasn't worth it to him.  However, late last year he changed his tune.  While on a business trip to the U.S. in November, he bought some skates and met with a skating instructor, Dan Tripp, for a very basic lesson in a roller rink.  It really got him off to a good start, thanks Dan, and he's glad he did it.  He practices as often as possible at Kasai Rinkai Koen, doing about 10 kilometers, with the goal of improving his skill and endurance while getting fun exercise.  I go along if my schedule allows.  In January he participated in his first City Run, starting from Tokyo and going to Tameike Sanno Starbucks with the group.  The next week, he started at Ueno and went to SB, then rode the train to goal where he practiced and got some tips from fellow skaters.  The third time, he started at the beginning and went all the way to Gaienne.  In May, he participated in his first Saturday Night Skate.  Good Job, Martin!                                           Take a look at Papa-san's SNS site.  

Now that Martin had become a skater, I was hoping to get Monica and Jonah back into it, but they always had Sunday School on Sunday mornings, the time of City Run, and besides, both children had outgrown their skates, so it was impossible.  Recently though, with the school year winding down, Sunday School has finished for the summer so that meant they are available.  The only problem was the skates.  I had bought Monica some skates about a year ago, and got her a slightly bigger size.  Good news, they still fit.  In the meantime, Jonah had grown into my old skates, so problem solved.  YES!!  Last Sunday, for the first time ever, the four of us skated together from Ueno to Tokyo Station.  At the Tokyo Station resting/meeting point, the kids took off their skates, and rode the subway home, while Martin and I accompanied the rest of the group to Odaiba, which was another very fun and interesting route.  We will try to make this "Family Skate" a habit, and hopefully the children will become more enthusiastic about my favorite sport.  Maybe even pick up some Japanese practice along the way.

Most SNS and CR photos by Iwa-san (see his skating site) .

 

Mother's Day was...

母の日は。。。

As usual, life is so very busy.  And since it's not quite the popular holiday in Japan as it is in the States, Mother's Day almost snuck up on me.  Just in time, I realized it was coming up in a few days, and, through the magic of the internet, ordered some flowers on-line for both our mothers.  (He calls his "Mother" and sometimes "Mother Dear", I call mine Mom.) 

Well, I received a note from my Mom, and I was very pleased that she liked her flowers.  It really makes me happy to hear the pleasure in her words.  Here's what my Mom wrote:  "Thank you very much for the flowers.  It is the most beautiful bouquet I have ever received.  It has dark purple tulips, some fern and some small purple flower clusters in a see through glass vase.   It is absolutely beautiful. "

Jonah helped me decide what to send, and we chose tulips for my mother because she recently took a tour of the Holland Michigan Tulip Festival and commented how much she enjoyed it.  I'm really glad she was feeling well enough to go.  There was much walking involved, and it was a long day.  It included an hour and a half long parade!  Martin and I found that very interesting indeed, because we also recently toured a Holland Tulip Festival, this one in the Netherlands.  Mom, I think you'll enjoy these tulip pictures taken by Martin.

The picture above is of my parents last year.  The reason Dad has such a s*** eating grin is because he goosed Mom just as the shutter clicked.  Well, I'm sure glad they're still having fun together after all these years.  And this other pix is of Mom with some of her grandchildren.  She has... let's see... 5 children, 12 grand-children, and one great-grandchild on the way.  I know, I know... she looks so young.  Well she is.  She's always been very active.  So I guess hard work is the key to youthful looks.  Thanks for always being such a wonderful Mother, Mom!  Thanks for making clothes for my barbie dolls, and the little canopy doll beds you made from cigar boxes and clothespins, thanks for teaching me how to make cookies and cassaroles and how to can tomatoes, thanks for instilling a love of gardening, even though it meant snipping tons of green beans, thanks for dealing with me during my teenage years, (like on the first day when I had my learners permit, and you let me drive your car, and I drove it into such a deep ditch that we had to crawl out the windows and call a tow truck to get it out...)etc. etc. etc., thank you for coming to Tokyo a few years back, I know it is a difficult trip, but we had such a nice time together.  I'll always treasure those memories.  Thank you forever.  Here's a few pictures from my Mom's visit to Tokyo in October, 2002.

For Martin's Mother, Jonah and I chose a bouquet of roses that also came with chocolates because we know she has a passion for both.  Here is the nice note she wrote: "Yesterday FTD delivered a giant box to me filled with a dozen roses and a box of Godiva truffles.  The enclosed card said "we hope you have a lovely day.  Love the Tokyo Murrays".  How could I not have a lovely day after receiving such a wonderful Mother's Day surprise!  Thank you so very much.  I snipped off the ends, put the varied-colored roses in a vase with the greenery and special packet of food in the water.  We put the dozen roses on our porch and this morning the buds are opening and smell so fragrant.  What a thoughtful gift!"

Well, she is a very thoughtful person herself.  She sends cards for every special occasion and she is very good at keeping in touch via frequent email updates.  When we visit Colorado, like we will this summer, she always plans fun outings and makes nice meals.  The picture above is of my beautiful mother-in-law, Martin's father and the four grown children.  What a nice set of smiles.  The other picture is of her with her singing group.  She is furthest to the left.  On this particular occasion, they were performing for the opening ceremony of the Blind Olympics held in Colorado Springs a couple of years ago.  She has a lovely voice and we always enjoy hearing her sing whether it be in church, on stage, or around the house.  And here's an extra special treat for you, Mary Kay.  I heard about it from Miyuki-san and I just have to share it with you.  IRONING a Japanese shirt

Both these wonderful mothers have taught us by their example to work hard, deal with sometimes very significant difficulties while maintaining a sense of humor, and always, always love the children.  I very much look forward to seeing them both again this July.  We will see Mom in Michigan, and then Mother Dear in Colorado.

この物語は母とマーティンの母についてです。６年間前に日本に来たから、今度あまり会わないので、毎夏でアメリカに行ったときに一つずつ家族に一週間、二週間ぐらい滞在します。今度少しい日本語を書いたので、次のは違いますね。

Happy Birthday Monica

おめでとう１４歳の誕生日モニカ

今日、１２月２２日はモニカの１４歳誕生日でした。モニカは新しい携帯電話（カメラの）を欲しいだから、皆はビックカメラに行きました。まだドコモの家族のプラ－ンだので、いい携帯を選んだできました。 後で、皆はペーパランチに行きました。今週で私の英語の生徒、ひろこさんからモニカの手を特別なマニキュアをしました。モニカはいい短曜日をしたと思いました。　モニカの一番のスポツはバレーボールです。マティんはたくさん写真を撮っただけど、乗せる事はとても難しかったです。私は下手ので、忙しい。　でも。。。短曜日のために終わりました。モニカはチームメートを見たいと思ったから、私はたくさんを写真を乗せました。どうぞ。

次の話はモニカで書きました。ちょっと複雑だけど、１４歳の話し方が大体です。

Today, December 22nd, was Monica's 14th birthday.  All she wanted for her birthday was a new keitai with a camera. (mobile phone) So, we all went to BIC camera.  We have the Docomo family plan, so she chose a good phone.  After that, we all went to Pepper Lunch, which is one of our favorites. This week, my English student, Hiroko-san, gave Monica a very nice manicure (with sparkly rhinestones) so I think that Monica had a very nice birthday. 

Her favorite sport is volleyball.  During the season, Martin took many volleyball pictures, but getting them up was very difficult due to time constraints and the number of pictures to process.  But Monica thought that her teammates would want to see these pix, so I processed them, and put them up.  Here's the link to the VOLLEYBALL PIX.   And here's what Monica wrote about VOLLEYBALL using normal 14 year old English: "This is our volleyball team. Most of us have been playing volleyball since 7^th grade, when we played on the b-team, but for some, it was their first time to play on a school team. Our teams quote is “you have to realize we are a strange team, get over it” because our team is the strangest mix of people, and of types of people, but amazingly, we all get along fantastically, and play as a real team. Our coach is also a huge part of our team, the one that puts us all together, and copes with how weird we are. She taught us how to do a hard rotation, and after some difficult games, we finally learned how to “Switch!!”, get “Off the net!!” and “Set me 53!!” until we could in our dreams. Our accomplishments were many, but so were our defeats. In our tournament, we beat a team that was supposedly much better than us, and almost beat the best one. All of us agree that if it hadn’t been for volleyball, we would not be playing volleyball today. "

最近、家族の忘年会をしました。とても楽しかったです。マティんはおいしい食べ物を作りました。友達たちと楽しいゲームを遊びました。モニカの友達は誕生日のケーキを持ってきました。皆さんはモニカに誕生日の歌を歌いました。

A few days ago, we had a family friends "end of the year" party (In Japanese it is Bou-nen-kai) and at that time, Martin made his delicous barbeque ribs and veggie kababs, and I made yummy shrimp corn chowder.  Monica's friend brought a birthday cake, and everyone sang happy birthday to Monica. 

パーティの写真はここに。  The Party Pictures are here.   

Additionally, there is this.  Recently, we went to listen to and watch our friend's son perform his music in a rock band.  It is like Monica and her volleyball.  We are happy that our children are involved in various extracurricular activities. (this boy is also an expert at Taiko Drumming.)  We are really glad to see this diverse interest.  We support it wholeheartedly.  Martin took a few pix, and here they are.

Home is where...

Home is where your heart is.  Home is where your stuff is.  Home is where you hang your hat. Home Sweet Home.  It's 5 am, and we're all up with jet-lag.  Everyone is cheerful.  Happy to be home.

この物語はホームについてです。最近日本に帰った、６週間でアメリカに離れました。今ジェットラーグをあるので、頭が弱くなった、少し日本語を使うことができます。（笑）

This summer's "homeleave" was more ambitious than usual.  6 weeks away, renting the mini-van and driving over 3000 miles (which doesn't count the ferry ride across Lake Michigan) significant time in 5 different locals, family traveling to meet us, great visits with special friends, my broken arm, Dr. visits with 3 different orthopods in 3 different states, Martin's work...  I'm still amazed that it mostly went off as planned.

Before leaving, Martin moved most of our plants to one area on the porch and engineered a kind of watering reservoir which collected the rain and kept them thriving all summer.  It was a nice welcome home.

This is our old house.  While we were in Tennessee, we drove by  where we used to live.  We lived there for seven years.  Then five years ago, in order to move to Japan, we sold the house.  It was really difficult to leave there.  It was a special home.  We did so much work to that house.  No kidding, Martin actually put a basement in under the house, later, reconfigured the walls and roof to make a Great Room from the kitchen and LR.  I had amazing huge and productive vegetable and flower gardens.  We planted an orchard, and many other trees.  Martin worked and worked on improving the lawn.  He cut several holes in the house and installed various windows, doors and skylights.  I learned how to cut and lay ceramic tile and tiled the kitchen, 2 bathrooms, floors, fireplaces. During this time, I worked at the Hospital in ER and CCU.  Martin worked at Saturn.  We raised four kids in that house, as Jay was 13, Steve 11, and Monica an infant when we first moved to Tennessee.

Now, when we see that house, it is a bittersweet feeling. The new owners haven't changed it at all.  The trees have grown.  The fruit trees are bearing, loads of apples, peaches, pears.  We planted them as whips, Martin, Jay, Steve and I, on Thanksgiving, 1994 and nurtured them along, but the fruit didn't start until after we moved, naturally.  Every year we would buy a root-ball Christmas tree and then would plant it in the yard after Christmas, so there's several lovely tall pines that hold special memories only to us.

So now we consider Tokyo our home.  That seems strange in some ways.  Here is a place where we don't own a house, we can barely speak the language, we know it is temporary... and yet, it is home.