From the Heart of Tokyo 東京の中心から

Active body, active mind

活動的な体、意欲的な精神

今度日本語を書くなかったです。次のとき。It's been so cold here in Tokyo lately, often as low as 2°C. (36°F), about normal for January.  But if it's not raining when Sunday rolls around, of course we join City Run.  Last Sunday, there were only a few participants at Ueno, but more arrived (including Monica and Jonah) at Tokyo Station.  Here's a few pix from that fun event.  Thanks to ShigeShige for taking the above gathering photo, but I took most of them.  Somehow, we managed without Iwa-san. 

The night before was the monthly Tokyo Saturday Night Skate, but this time Papa-san changed the route so that we could end up in Roppongi and go see my favorite rock band, Invago, play live at the Rock Factory.  Just a few pix from the skate and the fun afterwards, but no pix of the band because we were too busy dancing!

So, they say that the secret to dealing well with aging is to stay active, and hopefully yoga and skating will be enough because I enjoy both.  But what about keeping the mind active?  My bet is on LEARNING. 

Though I've been studying Japanese for several years, and my writing is getting better, I'm still barely able to have a conversation.  When I write in Japanese on the computer, I can take my time, use my dictionary and internet resources, and check the grammar in my reference books.  But speaking has to come straight out of my head, and the vocabulary in that small space is inadequate.  What I've decided to do, with the help of my teacher, is to seriously study Kanji.  I think this will help me improve my vocabulary by discovering what I already know and applying it to learn more.  Each Kanji has at least two readings, so that when one kanji is paired with another kanji to make a word, the kanji will be read one way, and with another kanji it will be read another way, but if you see it by itself it's something else.  I actually know more than I am using, and I just have to make the connections and grow the vocabulary that way.  For example, 火山、KAZAN, volcano, is 火 KA fire, (as in KAYOUBI, Tuesday, or fire day) and 山, read YAMA by itself, but SAN when put with the name of a mountain, such as Fujiisan, and the san changes to zan in the middle of the word.  Or how about the word progress, JYOUTATSU, 上達、which is hard for me to remember, but looking at the kanji, the first one, 上, which means up, is pronounced UE by itself.  But I know the word 上手、JYOUZU, which means fluent, or skill, with the second kanji 手、(pronounced TE by itself and meaning hand), so I can make that connection, and learn more words that way.  My method is to write the kanji many times, all the while thinking of the words that can be made with that character, some of which I already recognize when I hear them. I'm using some smart kanji flashcards made by White Rabbit Press, then build on that with my teacher at the lessons.

Also putting my brain through a work-out is my new class at Temple University.  It's been 20 years since I last sat in a college classroom, but after sleeping with Dreamweaver under my pillow for a few months I realized it wasn't seeping in, so I signed up for this class on website design which began last week.  The instructor is knowledgable and personable, and the HTML textbook is interesting, taking a complex subject and making it learner friendly.  We'll see how that goes as the weeks pass.

THIS and THAT:  

One day recently, we visited the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography and enjoyed the innovative exhibits called Still/Life by four contemporary Japanese artists.  After we left the museum and walked into the Ebisu Garden Place square, we happened upon one of the featured artists creating a collaborative project of whirling people.

Monday of last week was a holiday, Coming of Age Day, and I accompanied Martin to Meiji Jingu so he could take pictures.  On this day, called Seijin-no-hi, anyone who will turn 20 years of age that year celebrates their arrival to adulthood.  Though we only saw a couple of young men in the traditional dress, there were many pretty young ladies in kimono, some with a parent, some with a boyfriend, but mostly with their girlfriends.  Please see Martin's 成人の日photos album.　I didn't get the connection, but there were dozens of magnificent ice sculptures lining the way the Meiji Shrine.  My favorite was the ice skater above. 

Sunday, we had a few friends over, including Toby's surrogate brother, Indy.  Here's Martin posing with both doggies.  My good friend, Junko-san was kind enough to give me some tips on dog care.  Remember, she's the creator of Toby's journal from last summer.

And, surprise, surprise.  It actually snowed yesterday.  It was so pretty.  School wasn't called off, the snow stopped falling mid-morning and turned to rain, but it was nice while it lasted.

    

Whether Baseball or Weather...

野球かどか天気か、ジョナは興味がある。

Jonah's friend, Lauren, is holding Toby.  Jonah is holding a baseball.  The baseball was signed by St. Louis Cardinals Pitcher Braden Looper.  Lauren and her Mom know Braden, a rising star in the Cardinals Pitcher line-up, and since Jonah is maybe the Cardinals Biggest Fan here in Tokyo, they arranged to get him this ball.  Wow!  He talked about it all summer, how Lauren would get him Braden's ball.  I told him not to get his hopes up, anything could happen.  But Lauren came through!  When everyone returned to Tokyo from summer Homeleave, Jonah got his ball.  Thanks Braden, and good luck next year.  We'll be watching.  (Now if someone could just arrange for Jonah to meet Albert...)

This post is about Jonah in all his 12 year old glory.  What a nice age.  He's got a lot going on, but strikes a nice balance, I think.  Baseball is number one.  He plays catch now and then, and is on the school team in the spring, but primarily he's an active fan.  Jonah has learned all about stats, which is actually good for his math skills.  He's quite knowledgeable about the various teams and players, especially the Cardinals.  He checks MLB.com every morning before school as there's a 12 hour or more time zone difference, and games are often played in the US while he's sleeping in Tokyo.  He pays attention to standings throughout the season.  Right now he's following Post Season games.  Last night, Jonah and I and Toby went to the Roppongi Sports Bar, where we could sit outside (because of Toby) and watch the Rockies beat the Diamondbacks.  Jonah's still undecided who he'll support in the World Series.  Since none of his favorites, the Cardinals, Tigers, or Twins will be playing, he's leaning toward the Rockies.  Jonah used to watch Kazu Matsui play with the Seibu Lions (Jonah's favorite Japanese team) before he moved to the Yankees and then the Rockies. ジョナの一番興味は野球ですよね。夏で彼の友達は特別ボールをくれました。ジョナはとても喜んでいます。

  Jonah's other major interest is weather.  He's thinking about meteorology as a career option.  Living here in Japan has given him the chance to learn about Typhoons first-hand, and during a recent typhoon he frequently referred to the weather channel website to watch the progress of the storm, often going outside to check his rain gauge and look at the sky.  For his birthday, his Dad got him an electronic weather guage that has a sensor outside on the porch and various measurements and readings on the computerized screen inside, like temperature, barometric preasure, and humidity.  Here's how the guage looked when the typhoon was approaching. 天気はジョナには興味津津たります。東京に住んでいるので、台風について知って来るこたができます。彼の誕生日のために父から天気の電気測定事を貰いました。それ使ってながら、台風はとても面白かったそうです。

But it doesn't stop there.  When you're 12 years old, the world is full of all sorts of possibilities.  I'm glad that Jonah is exploring many different interests.  He's involved in ASIJ Cross Country, practices three times a week and then has meets with other international schools on Saturdays.  He's working hard to improve his times, but I think that the main benefit is that he's finding pleasure in improving his own fitness.  This will be a life long benefit.  Another interest he's developing is in-line skating.  Since August, Jonah has been attending Tokyo City Run almost every Sunday.  (We go to church on Saturday night.) Now that Sunday school has started up again for him, he takes his skates when he walks to church school, and then gets on the subway when it's finished and goes to Tokyo station to join the City Run in progress.  I'm seeing some real improvement in his skating skills.  He does like to go fast.  Skating Pix from Iwa-san.

Music's another big interest.  Did I say BIG?  Yes, after working with the trumpet all last year in rookie band, Jonah decided to switch this year to the TUBA.  At first I was quietly opposed.  The instrument is bigger than he is.  I was worried it would be too loud when he practiced, and how would he get it back and forth?  The school provided another Tuba for him to keep at home, and he practices for 10 minutes every day, plus class on alternate school days, plus practices during study hall.  It's not that loud, it's actually kind of a nice sound.  The best part is that Jonah likes it, wants to practice, and is excited about playing the instrument.

Lately, Jonah's been taking an interest in cooking.  For math class he had to do an excel project focusing on fractions and needed a family recipe.  He chose Grandma's Zesty Baked Chicken and created this project.  It sounded so good he decided to try to make it.  Turned out really delicious, just like Grandma's.    He's also been helping his Dad out with his church ministry, training the new altar servers.

So.  This week, I got a call from school.  Jonah had been injured at play and was going by ambulance to the hospital with a suspected head injury.  Of course, as a former trauma nurse, I had good reason to worry, as I've seen too much.  My prayers were answered and he was fine.  Now he's got the experience of an ambulance ride, a CT scan, and getting an IV.  I'm just a thankful Mom. 

そう。今週学校から電話を貰いました。ジョナは遊んでいるときに 頭は危害があ宝、病院に行かなければなりませんでした。もちろん、私は前に救急の看護婦だから、心配しました。見て過ぎましたから。神は祈りを聞いたので、彼は大丈夫です。そして、ジョナは救急車に乗って、コンピューター援用テストをして、IVもしたことがありました。私はただ感謝の心があります。