From the Heart of Tokyo 東京の中心から

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。

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。 

  

   

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. 

Nonbiri Tsukiji Run

のんびり築地ラン

 

上の写真はささきさんから。ありがとう。日本語は下に書きます。 Thanks to Sasaki-san for the above photo. Look below for my version of this story in Japanese. 

Here's a little story about a recent pleasant Saturday morning in Tokyo.  Nonbiri means "take it easy, or carefree" in Japanese, and we often do Nonbiri Runs in various places nearby, as opposed to the more challenging speed and training skates that Papa-san heads up.  This skating event was organized by Yagami-san, who, along with his family, are skilled and experienced slalom and long run skaters, and he appreciates the value of combining exercise, friendship and good Japanese food in the form of a little Saturday morning tour of Tokyo by skate.  It was a small group, so it worked well for our mission of having sashimi donburi (raw fish rice bowl) for breakfast in Tsukiji.

It wasn't a rigorous skate, but we did work up a sweat.  The five guys I was skating with that day are all younger than me, and we skated right along at a good clip, plus it's true that summer has suddenly come to Tokyo.  We started at Shinagawa train station just after 9am, and skated around by the harbor, enjoyed seeing the Rainbow Bridge and looking across to Odaiba, the man-made island, over bridges that spanned canals, and into Tsukiji's famous fish market. 

It was really crowded, as usual, Tsukiji's a very popular place.  The awning in the top photo says:  まぐろどんぶり、maguro donburi.  Maguro is tuna, Donburi is a bowl of rice topped by something, in this case, raw tuna, onion, ginger, and nori and, of course, wasabi.  When we first skated up to the restaurant, all seven stools were full so we took a little tour of the famous fish market, skating slowly and carefully in the crowd, and came back.  Then, four of us plopped down and ordered the same thing, the delicious maguro donburi, for 800 yen (just over $8.00) which also included Tsukemono (Japanese pickles) and tea.  The other two guys went off and had guts, or something like that, acting like it was a treat.  I enjoyed chatting with the proprietess  while she made the food.  My spoken Japanese isn't very good, but we had a nice conversation.

Tsukiji Fish Market is a main tourist target, and though most of the people who work in the market don't speak English, they are foreigner friendly and can communicate just fine.  Tourists are told that they need to get there super early in the morning for the auctions, which are interesting, yes, I went there once, but there's plenty of action in the warehouse till noon at least, if you don't make it for the auction and the market is open all day.  It's a very interesting place to visit, a wonderful place to take photos and buy the freshest fish, seafood and produce.  I go there often.

After Tsukiji, we skated towards Ueno, but I peeled off at Tokyo Station to go home.  It was a very fun skate, and I'm glad I got to go.  Thanks A LOT to Yagami-san.  And Thank You Very Much to Mocchi-san for the replacement skate brake for Monica.  The old one was worn to a nub.  She's just starting to learn how to do a T-Stop. 

There's a few more pictures of this event, please go here to view them:  HERE

この短い物語は最近の楽しい土曜日の朝のスケートイベントについてです。のんびりの意味は（take it easy かcarefree）です。パパさんのスピードとトレーニングのスケートイベントと比較すればのんびりのランのほうがゆっくりです。イベントの作ったやがみさんはもーと難しいスケートができるけど、このイベントは運動と友情とおいしい日本料理も結合したはとても完璧な東京のスケートでツアーなりました。

厳しいじゃないけれど、汗はかいた。他の５人の友達スケータは私より若いので、早く滑りました。そして、夏は東京に着きました。９時ごろに品川駅から始まりました。浜のとなりに、レインボーブリジとお台場も見て、滑って回りました。いろいろ小さい橋とか、運河も渡って、築地の有名な魚市に着きました。私たちはマグロどんぶりをたべるつもりだけど、着いた時に、全部の７つの椅子はいっぱいです。そして、スケートで、市のツアーをして、戻った。その後、４人はまぐろどんぶりを注文して、値段は８００円だので、つけものとお茶も貰いました。２人は他の店に行って、ガツを食べました。店の女の人と話して、楽しかったです。私の口頭の日本語はあまり上手じゃないけど、大丈夫と思います。

築地魚市はとても有名なところです。いつも外国人は日本に来て、マーケトを見たいです。たぶん、築地に働いての人はあまり英語で話さないけど、外国人に好意的なし、英語でなくても、伝達できます。観光者はいつもツナの競売のために、早い朝に行かなければならないと思ったが、築地は一日中で面白い所と思います。色々面白いものを見えて、写真を撮ってできる、魚とかシーフードとかは一番新鮮です。よく行きます。

そして、築地の後に、上野に向かえたが、私は東京駅で、離れまったので、家に帰りました。スケートはとても楽しかったので、私は行ったことから、うれしかったです。やがみさん、どうもありがとうございます！もっちぃさんへモニカのためのブレーキがくれてありがとう！モニカのブレーキはちっちゃななったすりきれたので、安心しました。次に、モニカはT-ストープを練習します。

実は、英語と日本語の物語は違うので、できれば両方を読んでください。

写真は殆ど全部は私は撮ったけど、悪いです。すみません。ささきさんとやがみさんからも、写真を使いました。I took most of these pix, but I borrowed a few from Sasaki-san and Yagami-san.　　このリンクに行って、全部を見えます。GO HERE for all the pix of the skate.

Zoom UP

ズームアップ

  

今度日本語と英語は一緒に書きました。This time, I'm writing the Japanese along with the English.

You could say that this story began six or seven years ago when I first started in-line skating every Sunday with the Tokyo City Run.  At that time, even though I was taking Japanese lessons and studying diligently, my Japanese language skill was practically non-existent.  My skating instuctor, Masuda-san, introduced me to the skaters, and they let me join, and weren't unfriendly, but as Japanese people are, by nature, shy, I only gradually made a few friends, those brave few who could speak a little English, and didn't mind dealing with me.  Papa-san, Yoliko-san, and Kofuji-san, were among my earliest friends, besides Rudy from the Netherlands who was also trying to learn Japanese.  They were patient and let me practice speaking Japanese, and slowly... excruciatingly slowly... I improved a little, made a few more friends, and could speak about mundane matters such as "Yesterday, I went by train to the childrens' school." or "No, I've never been to Osaka."

この物語は６日７年間前に始まりました。その時に、毎週日曜日にインラインスケートで東京シテイランに参加して始まりました。たとえよく勉強していたが、その時に私の日本語は無理です。ますださんというスケートの先生はCRのグルプに招待をした後に、だんだんいくつの友達に会いました。その最小の友達たちは英語が持ったので,　日本語を練習して、対し慣用である人はパパさん、よりこさん、こふじさんと日本語を勉強しているのネーデルランド人というルティもいつも話しました。だんだん、すごくゆっくりで、ちょっとよくよりなったので、もっと友達たちに会いました。簡単の文を話せた、例えば、”昨日、電車で子供たちの学校に行きました。”及び　”大阪に行ったことがありません。”

A lot has changed since then, but I'm still studying Japanese and enjoying the Tokyo City Run as well as many other events with my skater friends, including ski trips, parties and other adventures.  Over these many years, the CR has grown very popular, and I've been fortunate to meet and make friends with many skaters who join, as well as improve my Japanese enough to speak with people like Iwa-san, who has no interest in learning English.  More and more, I can understand their Japanese, and usually, skater friends are willing to let me speak to them in Japanese.  Sometimes, when someone first joins, they will be speaking Japanese to everyone else, and then turn to me and speak English.  Though this feels a little insulting to me, I try to deal with it maturely, and answer them in Japanese if I know the words.  If they persist in speaking English to me, I find someone else to talk to.     Don't get me wrong, I am more then willing to help friends practice their English, but it is an effort, and should be considered an exchange sort of thing, a privilege among friends.

あそこから、たくさんは変えたけれど、まだ日本語を勉強しているので、東京のCRも参加しています。もう、スケートの友達といろいろイベントも参加している、例えば、スキー旅行とか、パーティなど。CRはとても人気があるなったので、たくさん新しいスケータの友達に会いました。および、いわさんのようなという英語を興味がない友達も話せてなりました。もっと日本語を分かれるので、友達は私の日本語を努力を使って、分かれます。時々、新しいスケータは初めて、CRに参加して、みなに日本語で話してが、私に回して、英語で話します。それはちょっと無礼なが、私は分別深くみっているけど、日本語の言葉が分からなかったら、日本語で返事をします。英語で固執したら、他の友達に話せます。実は、友達の英語の練習を手伝いたいけど、それは努力だので、友達と友達の交換です。

So, that brings me to Zoom UP.  Since the Skaters have kindly practiced Japanese with me for several years, and many individuals within the group want to improve their English, I'm a willing and capable Language Exchange Partner.  After a nearly two decade history of Emergency and Critical Care Nursing Experience in the states, during my time in Japan, I've gone back to college and gained a certain expertise in the realm of teaching English.  Actually, nursing and teaching are closely related, sister professions, you might say.  I've been teaching private English lessons for several years, and I teach group English lessons in a vocational school as well as a hotel.  But a few months ago, I decided to start Zoom UP, to give something back to my skater friends who have been allowing me to practice Japanese with them all this time.

それから、ズームアップについて話したいです。CRのグルプの会員は親切で私に日本語を勉強しました。もちろん、色々人は英語を上手をなりたいので、私はよく言語の交換のパートナーはやります。殆ど２０年間で、救急の看護婦で働いたので、日本に来たから、大学に戻した、英語の先生になりました。実は、看護婦の職業と先生の職業は同じです。４年間で、プライベトのレッスンを教えているので、専門学校も、ホテルでも教えます。そして、今年にズームアップを始まりました。それは私のスケータの友達に何か返します。

About twice a month, we do Zoom UP on Sunday afternoons after skating is finished.  Tokyo City Run starts at Ueno at 9:30 and reaches Goal at Gaienne at noon.  Since that street is closed on Sundays, we all congregate there afterwards, usually eating bento lunch, visiting and practicing slalom skating, and sometimes playing frisbee on skates or other crazy things.  On days that Zoom UP is scheduled, I leave Gaienne before 2pm and skate home, because class starts at 2:30 and goes until 4pm.  I've held Zoom UP six times so far, and I've had anywhere from 4 to 14 participants.  Skaters and other friends of all ages and all levels of English ability are welcome.

大体月間で、日曜日の午後にスケットした後に、ZoomUPは二回起こります。 CRは上野から９時半に始まってので、１２時ころに外苑のゴールに着きます。日曜日に、道は閉まったので、あそこにランチを食べて、遊びます。そして、ズームアップの日に、私は２時前に、家に帰ります。レッスンは２時半から、４時までです。今まで、６回目ZoomUPを起こったので、４人から１４人までの参加した人が来ました。スケータと他の友達も来てので、色々年齢と英語の能力も人は大丈夫です。

When I make a plan to do Zoom UP on a certain day, I always communicate it through my Zoom UP community on Mixi.  If a student plans to attend the lesson, he or she will sign up on the community, so that I can plan better, though last minute particants are welcome as long as there is space.  When I decide the themes, I communicate that on the community as well.  There are always three themes.  The next lesson, which will be held this coming Sunday, June 28th, will use the themes of Baseball, Describing Japanese food, and Making a plan to go somewhere with a friend.  We use various methods during the lesson, such as reading children's books, games, songs, and Powerpoint dialogs and prompts that I make to encourage creative conversation.  There is a LOT of preparation involved, and the cost is only 500 yen per student, but profit is not the point.  This is a great way to help my friends improve their English, it's good practice for me as a teacher, (I'm getting really good at making powerpoint presentations), it lets me be totally creative, and its FUN!

ズームアップのクラスの日を決める時に、MixiでZoomUPのコミュニティーで書きます。 生徒はレッスンに参加するつもりだったら、コミュニティーでサインアップをします。それは私の準備を手伝ってけど、空があったら、最後の分の参加して人は大丈夫です。Mixiで、テームも発表してので、いつも三つのテームが使います。例えば、次のレッスンは今週末の日曜日に、テームは野球と日本の料理を記述と友達とどこかに手はず方です。色々方法を使ってので、子供の絵本とかゲームとか歌を使います。いつもパーワーポイントを作ります。そして、作ったスクリプトを使って、みなは英語を話してがんばります。 ズームアップはたくさんの準備を要るけど、５００円だけは値段です。私の理由は友達に英語を上手になる手伝いとか、私に先生の練習とか、例えば、パーワーポイントを使い事は上手なっていますので、とても創造的な機会とか、楽しいです。

If Zoom UP continues to be successful, I've been thinking that I might start a Zoom UP Pro, which would be after work one evening a week.  I was just talking about this with Monica, and brainstorming whether or not it would be a good idea, and how to manage getting the word out, because it wouldn't necessarily be just for skaters, but more for people who work near my home who want to Zoom UP their English. 

ズームアップの成功は続けたら、ズームアッププローを始まると思います。それは毎週一回の夕方で起こると思います。モニカと話したながら、ブレインストーミングをして、いい考えがまで分かりません。どうやって広告しても分からないです。ズームアッププローの標的な生徒はたぶん必ずしもスケータじゃないので、私の近所で働く人は英語をズームアップをしたいです。

My cookie recipes are in English

私のクッキーのレシピは英語であるよ。

このポストは最近のスケータのポーチパーティについてです。ポストは英語であるので、 英語の後に日本語で別のノートを書きます。その日本語は家族の計画についてです。　　Once or twice a year, Spring and/or Fall, we have a big gathering of Skater Friends at our home in Roppongi.  If the weather is nice, we can make effective use of the porch, and it's wonderful.  If the skies don't cooperate, like last spring's heavy winds and cold rain, it's still fun, but not as easy with the wet tarps, trapsing out to the coolers in soaking wet slippers, dealing with the grill in the rain, and it ends up being pretty crowded in our little Tokyo apartment.  We really got lucky last Saturday.  The 2009 Spring Skater Porch Party will be remembered as a successful outdoor party with a lovely gentle warm breeze at night.  Martin thinks it was our best party ever.

Certainly planning a party like this is a complicated project, with issues such as   how to have as many skaters as possible while keeping the total to less than 70 people, including kids.  My good friend, Kusacchi, made a website for the party with a forum that came in very useful for people to volunteer for the shopping, the cooking and to discuss important issues such as how much fish to buy for the temakizushi, and who's going to bring the wasabi. 

Weeks ago, the five cookie makers were chosen, as well as the small shopping crew who would go with Martin over to Nissen International Market for most of the goods.  An additional crew, The Tsukiji Gang, went straight to the famous Tokyo fish market to pick up the freshest seafood and fish for our handrolled sushi and seared tuna.  Scheduled to come later in the afternoon was the rest of the crew, who would prepare the balance of the food and have it ready by five when the main party would start.  At which time, Mat and Kaorin, doing accounts with their new baby girl nearby, would collect the fee from all the participants as they came in.

A few years ago, before the first Skater Porch Party, Kay-chan came over the day before, and with her developing English, and my much worse Japanese, we made a pile of delicious chocolate chip cookies for the party.  It was the first time she'd had a chance to bake like this, and it was a very interesting experience for both of us, working from an English recipe with typical ingredients, measuring devices and methods.  Since then, we've made cookie baking a regular part of the party prep.  Of the five people who would make cookies, I chose some with experience, and some without, and all who will speak to me in Japanese, but are willing to deal with English to some extent. 

Before the big day, I put all five cookie recipes up on my site, along with a picture of the person who would be in charge of that cookie.  See here and follow the flashing arrow.  Then, I notified the friends to check the site, read his or her recipe, and become somewhat familiar with it.  Each handled this differently.  Junko-san printed the English recipe out for chocolate sheet cake, then, using a translation site and dictionary, wrote out the Japanese translation under the English.  Naomi-san was able to assemble an accurate  Japanese recipe complete with pictures to help I-san make his snickerdoodles.  Yotte-san even went to the store and tried to get all the ingredients, which was very difficult, as he was assigned to make 7 Layer Magic Cookie Bars, containing butterscotch morsels and sweetened condensed milk.  Keiko-san pulled a switch and went shopping and left P-papa wearing a frilly pink apron to make the Cut-out cookies with Peach.  Naomi-san also helped Shigeshige with his Oatmeal cookies with raisons, dates and cranberries, and boy were they delicious.  Here's a few COOKING PIX. from Martin's camera. 

In addition to the five kinds of cookies, we made handrolled sushi, okinomiyaki, quesadillas, vegetable cabobs, Martin's steak, grilled tuna, brats, quacamole, cheese, fruit, salad, baked beans and deviled eggs. For me, it is tremendous Japanese practice, very challenging, but just what I need to make progress.  It's also a good chance to share some English practice with these friends.  This time, I was very careful not to allow too many volunteers.  It really is amazing to see what we can accomplish.  I was very pleased that Touma-san brought her wonderful home baked breads, and Luis came with 3 pans of yummy quiche, and thrilled that Yagami-mama brought those delightful quail eggs she makes. The skaters took turns cleaning up the kitchen, washing dishes and carrying things back and forth, as well as creative Piyo-san who just keeps bringing new delicacies out of the kitchen throughout the party.  Seems that everyone feels comfortable, and that's a good situation.   Here's a few PARTY PIX. by Martin.  And here are Masa-don's pictures.

Martin carefully planned what he would do with the grill, used well practiced methods and set a timer every time he'd flip a steak.  He enjoys holding court at his grill, and the delicious morsels that he produces attest to his skill. Fun little video made by Shigeshige.    In addition to enjoying the preparation all day long, I had a good time at the party itself.  I sampled everything, but didn't overeat or overdrink.  I got a chance to talk to everyone who came, enjoying friends with whom I skate regularly, as well as catching up with long-time friends who don't come skating as much any more.  And making connections... introducing this one to that one, mentioning that they have something in common that they might not have discovered...  just enjoying this time together as a gift like the good weather that day.  At this point we don't have plans to move, but one never knows.  In this environment, any moment, everything could change.  So if that wasn't our last porch party in Tokyo, great!  If it was, well, it was a good one!  BTW, here's Iwa-san's City Run Photo Website, for frequent photos of this group skating.

上は英語で、今年の春のスケータのポーチパーティの説明です。いろいろ事を喋るので、とくにクッキーを準備と料理を準備も話します。そうすると、時間があったら、英語を読んでみてください。それは無理だったら、翻訳を使ってもいいですか？それをしたくなかったら、写真を見てくださいね。

別のことを話したいです。最近、彼の会社の難事があるから、友達たちは不思議します。私たちも、何が予期分からない。そして、友達たちは分からないので、それは最後のポーチパーティですかと聞きます。

じゃ、今、引っ越しの計画がないよ。モニカとジョナの学校はとてもいいだので、 彼の会社は何もと言いない、彼の毎日の仕事は忙しい続いたら、たぶん大丈夫です。でも、今週、破産は来ると思います。それの結果が分からないので、待って、見て、聞いて、後に分かってくると思います。　忍耐強いしたいです。

今の計画は日本に住んで続きます。計画は８月に普通のように、子供はちょふの学校に新しい年生に行きます。いつも夏でアメリカに行って、長い複雑な旅行に行くけど、今年私は一週間だけに、両親に訪れます。全部は突然に変わったら、家族はがんばります。

そして、みなは将来が分からないね。最後のポーチパーティですが？分からない。最後のパーティがなかったら、いいですね。最後のパーティがあるだったら、とても楽しいパーティでしたね。笑泣。

 

To see this picture large size, Follow THIS LINK.  大きい写真を見たら、リンクに行ってください。

Arakawa Nonbiri Run

荒川のんびりラン

  

下に日本語で書きます。Well, it's been a long time since I've posted.  Plenty going on here.  Monica's soccer is a big deal, she practices every day after school and plays games once or twice a week which we often attend.  (ASIJ Girls Varsity Soccer is in 1st place with a 12-0 record!) Martin's brother Chris visited us for Jonah's confirmation recently.  It was great having Chris here again even for just a few days.  My teaching jobs, including my innovative new class, Zoom UP, Martin's extensive travel, social events, and lots of skating events have kept us all very busy, as well as practicing Japanese every chance I get.  Now trying to sort out summer plans.  Monica will attend soccer camp in Michigan in July, I will visit my parents in August, but what about Jonah?  Haven't sorted that out yet.  He might want to do a homestay here in Japan to improve his Japanese, which may be difficult to arrange, but he is also considering a trip to the states to visit family and friends if we can work that out. 

Yesterday was a holiday here in Japan.  As it was a Wednesday, it meant that most Japanese people did not use it for travel, but instead found fun things to do in the area.  Monica and Jonah went to school, as they are on the American system, and Martin was traveling.  So I took the opportunity to join the Arakawa Nonbiri Run.  Arakawa 荒川   荒 Ara means wild or rough,  川 kawa is river, of course, and nonbiri refers to a type of skating that is not too fast, but carefree and fun.  That's my type of skating, and I really enjoyed the 20 kilometer skate along the Arakawa River with several skating buddies.  Those pictured above are just the folks that were there at the start.  About a dozen others started earlier with Papa-san for training (non-nonbiri style) and they traversed the 20 km section twice or even three times at much higher speed.  See all the pix from the Arakawa Nonbiri Run here.

The area along the river has a nice cycling (skating) road and also space for baseball, soccer and other recreation.  I saw all ages playing baseball in organized games with uniformed teams, and plenty of spectators picnicking.  I saw people fishing on the riverbank, and of course many joggers, bicyclers and skaters.  It was beautiful weather, and while skating, I had the chance to practice my Japanese extensively, while sometimes speaking English to give my friends practice.  Thank you to Yagami-san for organizing this event.

久しぶりのポーストです。最近の生活はとても忙しいですが、いいです。いろいろすることをします。モニカのサッカーのバセティーチームはよくできます。今度まで１２試合をしたので、１２試合を勝ちました！そして、殆ど毎日練習して、毎週１－２試合をします。私はいつも試合に見て、行ってみます。そして、クリスという、マーティンの兄はジョナの教会の大切エベントのために、日本に来ました。それはよかったです。そして、マーティンはよく旅行をして、私のいろいろ英語の仕事も忙しいです。二ヶ月前の作ったの英語のクラス、ZoomUPも面白いです。 いろいろ社交的なイベントも参加して、もちろんスケートをしています。今、家族の夏の計画を作ってみます。モニカは７月にミシガン州のサッカーカンプに参加して、私は８月に両親に訪問をして行くつもりです。でも、ジョナの夏の計画はまだ決心がついていません。彼は日本でホームステイを欲しいだので、日本語の練習をしたいです。たぶん、彼も友達、家族も訪問をしたいけど、まだぜんぜん分かりません。

昨日は日本の休日だので、水曜日だから、みなは旅行しないので、いろいろ楽しいことをしました。子供二人はアメリカンの学校から、学校に行って、マーティンは旅行して、私は一人で、荒川のんびりランに参加しました。昨日の天気はとても完璧です。たくさんスケータは行きました。それは２０キロだので、パパさんのトレーニングのチームはもっとを滑りました。４０キロか６０キロをしました！私には、のんびりランはとてもいいペースです。

荒川のサイクリングロードは広い所です。滑りながら、いろいろ面白い事を見ました。制服を着ての野球のチームは子供か大人も見ました。サッカーも見ました。釣りも見ました。もちろんたくさん自転車を乗っての人も走っての人々も、スケータもみました。表面は滑りやすいだので、ペースはやさしいです。そして、友達と日本語で、英語で話しました。いつも日本語を練習したいので、友達は英語も練習したかったら、相互の話すできます。昨日の荒川のんびりランはともよかったです。やがみさんへ、どうもありがとうございます。全部の荒川のんびりランの写真はここに見てください。

Tokyo Christmas Run

東京のクリスマスラン

 

日本語で要約を下に書きました。Yes, yes... I know.  Christmas is over.  The time leading up to Christmas has expanded to several weeks, but as soon as the day has passed, it's old news.  Let's revisit the Christmas theme for a moment here on this third day of the New Year. 

Our family usually enjoys a ski trip to Niseko in Hokkaido in December each year.  Generally, we go to Christmas mass at our parish church here in Tokyo, then take the trip after that, but this year we actually traveled to the northern isle on the 24th.  Working with Ski Japan for our accomodation in Niseko, I got a line on a Catholic Church in Kutchan where we could attend Christmas Eve Mass.  It was cold and snowy, and the bus transportation a bit confusing, but it worked out fine.  Christmas Eve mass was conducted in a fine mixture of Japanese and English.  The American priest was very sincere and kind, and spoke in Japanese about going home for Christmas and the gift he would give his father.  In English, he talked about his work as a missionary in Japan.  I found it all very welcoming, and was intrigued when he invited us to leave our various burdens at the altar.  With that done, I can now make my New Years Resolutions with a fresh start.

When we returned to the ski lodge, we watched a movie we had brought, "The Polar Express."  This is a fun family movie to watch on Christmas Eve with good narration, graphics, sound effects, and a TRAIN that morphs into a Roller Coaster!  However, due to political correctness, I suppose,  this movie about Christmas is quite notably devoid of any mention of Christ.  And the characters, while repeatedly referring to the spirit and meaning of Christmas, apparently are talking about friendship and gift giving and believing in Santa Claus, because the "reason for the season" never came up.  Just a movie, but a good way for the family to pass a peaceful Christmas Eve with the cold wind piling up snow outside.  I'll share some pictures of the ski trip later.

The day before we flew to Hokkaido, we four participated in the Tokyo Christmas Run.  Oh, what a fun time that was.  The spirit of the Tokyo Christmas Run is reaching across barriers of culture, age and familiarity, while having fun on skates dressed as Santa Claus with friends old and new.  Please see these pictures taken by Martin and I on the December 23rd, 2008 Christmas Run. 

I've attended the Tokyo Christmas Run for several years.   Now the whole family participates and I've helped Yagami-san these last two years with the event organization.  Actually, he does all the work, sets up a website, communicates the details, figures out a route, leads it.  All I do is work with the restaurant, Zest in Roppongi, to organize the party for the skaters at goal.  This year, instead of collecting the money at the end, Yagami-mama (Junko-san) and Kaorin-san and Don-san went to the restaurant early and set up a receiving line to check us in for payment as they do with a Japanese wedding party.  It was very efficient and kind of them to take that on.  Unbeknownst to me, they were having everyone sign a birthday card for Monica.  When I asked Junko-san about it, though my Japanese isn't very good, I understood her to say, "never mind what it's for, just sign it."  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  It was a very special day for all of us, especially Monica who had turned 16 just the day before.

We had almost 60 people participate, including kids, though some only attended the skate, and some only attended the lunch.  Besides fitness and fun, one of the outcomes of our involvement with the skating activity is to do language exchange, practice our Japanese and assist friends practicing their English.  Doing Language Exchange is not easy, even if you are really motivated.  Fear of making a mistake can prevent someone from taking the opportunity to practice even when it is quite convenient.  Developing friends in the group helps overcome that barrier.  As Monica and Jonah become more comfortable with the other kids and adults in the group, they try harder to communicate.  In-line Skating every week in the City Run (without the Santa suit), means we can and do make lots of friends and find those who are good language exchange partners. 

Unless its raining, we can skate all year round in Tokyo, as snow is rare, and cold can be managed.  We four will be out there tomorrow, meeting at Ueno before the 9:30 start.  You are welcome to join us any time, as long as you are an adequate skater and come prepared with the right gear and be personally responsible for your own behavior.  It's not necessary that you speak Japanese, as there is always someone who can speak some English.  Please let me know if you need more information, or see Iwa-san's City Run Website.  Currently, Iwa-san has up a retrospective of the 2008 skate pictures.  Just two pictures, the gathering shot and one other, from each City Run that he attended, plus Saturday Night Skates and a couple of Long Runs.  I very much enjoyed looking through these photos and remembering the various people who joined throughout the year and all the fun we had. 

この日本語は要約だけです。そうそう、クリスマスは終わったけど、ちょっと話したいです。毎年、12月に北海道に行って、ニセコにスキーをします。いつも前に、家族はクリスマスに六本木の教会に行って、後で旅行をしてけど、今度24日にニセコに行ってので、クリスマスイーブに倶知安の教会にミサに参列しに行きました。倶知安へのバスはちょっと難しいだけど、できました。そのときも、スーパーに行って、週間の食べ物の買い物をしました。倶知安の教会で、アメリカ人の司祭は優しくて、正直な人と思います。ミサは日本語と英語で混ぜたので、  歓迎な感情と思います。

スキーロージに帰ったときに、映画を見ました。それはポーラーエクスプレスという映画です。それはクリスマスについてが、政治的正当性から、神は全然ちょっと言わなかった！でも、それ以外に、映画はいい家族がクリスマスイーブを過ごすの映画です。グラフェックスとか、ナレーションと顔ともいいだので、一番いいものは電車はローラーコースターをなりました。見ながら、窓外に雪が降った、寒い風邪は吹き込んでいました。　　後で、スキーの写真を見せます。

北海道に行った前の日に、4人家族は東京のクリスマスランを参加しました。それはとても楽しかったです。皆はサンタスツを着て、滑って、新しいと前の友達も楽しかったです。そのクリスマスランの写真はここにある。たくさんクリスマスランに参加してので、今度全体家族は行って、もっともっと友達も参加します。 

 やがみさんはオーガーナイザーだので、私は手伝い人です。やがみさんはウエブサイトを作って、皆に連絡をして、ルートを作って、スケートをリードをします。私はレストランと話して、パーティーの準備をしました。そのときに、やがみママと、カオリンさんと、どんさんも早くレストランに行って、お金を集金をしました。日本の結婚のようなと思います。それはとてもいい考えと思います。皆は入れて、一人ずつはカードをサインをしました。私はじゅんこさんに、何ですかと聞きました。私の日本語は悪いだけど、”いいのよ、サインをしてください”と分かりました。笑。それはモニカの誕生日のカードです。とてもよかったです。彼女は前の日に16歳になって、ケーキとカードと歌を貰った、喜んでいました。

殆ど60人はスケートかランチか両方に参加しました。スケートは楽しくて、いい運動をしても、いい言語の交換の方法だと思います。言語交換（ＬＥ）はとても満足を与えられるので、始めにくいです。友情があってなったら、練習はよくなると思います。モニカとジョナはだんだんグルプと話せる安心します。学校で日本語を勉強しますので、話す練習は要ります。必要です。日本人の友達もＬＥから利益を貰います。英語を話す練習をできるので、英語を聞くことを慣れています。そして、内気な感じを負かします。

雨が降らなかったら、一年中に東京に滑ることができます。毎週の日曜日の朝に皆は上野に集めて、一緒に滑ります。グルプはオーペンだので、いい振る舞いとか自分の責任を取ってのスケータは歓迎られます。そして、参加したい人は十分なすべてできったら、連絡をしてかどうか、上野に会いましょう。今ＩＷＡさんのサイトで２００８年のスケートの写真の回顧展があります。それは毎参加したスケートイベントに二つずつ写真を載せたので、私は見て、たくさんいい友達の会うことを覚えて、楽しむを覚えました。

 

Fall Skating

秋のスケートする事

 

Ordinarily, I don't like to use the words "fall" and "skating" in the same sentence, but in this case I'm talking about the skating we've done this Autumn in Japan.  (I'll have fun trying to explain that pun in Japanese.)  With this post, because it lists several events with corresponding pictures, I've decided to write the Japanese for each paragraph together with the English so all the pix for that particular event will be together. 最初に、小さいジョークです。通常に両方「ファール」や「すけーと」を一緒に文を使いたくないけれど、この場合は「ファール」の意味は転ぶじゃなくて、秋です。今度普通じゃないで、各自の分は日本語や英語で書くと、写真は調和します。一生懸命しても、日本語の分は梗概です。両方英語や日本語が分かれられたら、やってみてください。

Seems like it's been a particularly good season this year for us to participate in many skating events in Tokyo as well as one Long Run out in the country.  Recently, there's been a little more rain and the temperature has dropped a little, but us skaters don't really mind.  We dress in layers anyway, and when you're moving, the cooler air is a lovely feeling.  Since we skate all year round here in Tokyo, Fall's cooler weather is much preferable to sweltering Summer or frigid Winter.  Each season brings it's own scenic wonders, and when you're skating in the Fall you can enjoy changes in the leaves, attractive harvest fruits like persimmon trees ("kaki" in Japanese) and vivid colored flowers.  Recently it's been so clear that we've even been able to see Mount Fuji, though not while skating because we're down on the streets where the buildings obstruct the view.  Recently, I reorganized the skating photos we've taken.  Please look here.　　この秋はとてもいいスケートの季節でした。家族はたくさんスケートのイベントに参加したので、東京だけでなく地方にに滑りました。最近雨が降って、寒くなったが、スケータは気にしない。滑るながら、涼しい微風を楽します。一年中滑られるから、うだるほど夏や極寒の冬より秋のほうが快適な滑るの季節です。毎季節は違うので、秋の景色はとてもきれいです。紅葉とか、秋の果物（たとえば柿とか明るい色の花を見えます。最近晴れた空がよくあるので、富士さんを見えるけど、滑るながらいつも町でいるから、ビルは邪魔だから、見えない。最近主人や私のとったのスケートの写真を再編成したので、新しいのを見てください。

Due to Jonah's Confirmation preparation on Sundays, he hasn't participated in City Run much lately, but he did accompany us on the 40 kilometer (25 mile) Rin Rin Road.  Last Spring, Jonah and Martin made their Rin Rin Road debut, but we only did half way that time, as Jonah wasn't yet ready for the long haul.  This time, however, we went all the way to goal with about 40 other skaters, almost all of whom I know from Tokyo City Run, Saturday Night Skate, and other Long Runs I've done over the last several years.  The Rin Rin is an old railroad which has been paved for biking, running, and of course, skating.  It cuts through interesting agricultural countryside.  There are some rough surfaces, but for the most part, it's very pleasant and easy skating, and goal arrives with energy to spare.  This time, the Leader was Oume-san, who set the date early, made a good plan, and even enlisted Iwa-san's support, so on that Sunday almost everyone from the usual Tokyo City Run group joined the Rin Rin Road adventure.  At goal, Mat-san was very kind to make sure Jonah got on the right trains so he could return right away to Tokyo to watch a televised baseball game, and many of the rest of us went to an onsen, which is the way I want to finish up every Long Run from now on.  Aaahh!!　 　最近特別な教会の日曜日の朝のクラスから、ジョナはＣＲにあまり参加しません。でも、11月の2日にジョナは40キロのりんりんランに一緒に滑りました。秋の景色は面白くて、きれいです。青梅さんはリーダーだので、彼は早く前に年月日を決して、皆に教えて、いい計画を作ってだけけなく、Ｉｗａさんのスポートとこの日のＣＲをなりました。40人以上所も行きました。それはとても楽しいイベントでした。後で、ジョンはテレビの野球の試合を見てから、東京に帰りたかったので、マットさんという友達と一緒に東京に帰りました。私やマーティンも皆さんと温泉に入りました。すごいリラクスをしました。その時から、いつもロングランに行って、終わったときに温泉に入りたいです。

Monica debuted in her first Saturday Night Skate recently, not the usual once a month SNS done by Papa-san, but a special event which I organized because Cyrille was visiting Tokyo from France.  Thankfully, Mat-san, with Kaorin-san's encouragement, agreed to plan and lead the route, which started at Tokyo Station and ended at a restaurant in Roppongi.  Very fun.  Night skating is a little challenging the first time, but this was an easy, social skate, only just over an hour long, and after our very fun skate we all had a yummy and cheap meal at Saizeriya.　モニカの夜の滑ることのデビューは10月にありました。シリルはフランスからの出張に日本に行ったとき、私はスペシェルのＳＮＳをアレンジをしました。マットさんはルートを計画をして、リーダーでしてくれました。かおりんさんもアドバイスをありがとう。ルートはモニカの始めの夜のスケートがとても完璧と思います。ところで、シリルはシリルです。変わりませんでした。皆の友達です。

She's often participated in City Run recently, which may be partially due to the fact that she's in a strenuous fitness class at school and is thus feeling quite athletic, and also because she's making friends within the group, and enjoys the chance to practice her Japanese while sharing language exchange with skaters interested in improving their English.  This is one of the reasons I so much enjoy this skating group.  After a recent City Run, Oume-san led a small group to Yoyogi Park and a festival (matsuri) celebrating the foods etc. of one of the southern prefectures, and Monica joined that too. Pix are HERE 最近モニカはよく東京ＣＲに参加してので、学校で奮闘の運動のクラスがあるので、元気そうです。そして、もっと友達になるし、日本語の練習し、英語でだけなく話します。一つの日曜日に青梅さんと小さいグルプは代々木公園に滑って、祭りに行きました。

A few weeks ago, due to a marathon or some event being held at our City Run goal place, Jingu, Iwa-san decided that the destination would change for that day to Odaiba instead.  Well, I grumbled.  It's farther, and we often skate there in the SNS, which is fast and challenging.  But Iwa-san was firm.  So to Odaiba we went.  Oh, my.  I hadn't skated there in the daytime for awhile, and I was quite overwhelmed by the beauty of the big sky over the water when we were crossing the many bridges.  I am borrowing a picture of Monica that Iwa-san took, it really captures that point.  I'm so glad we had that experience.　Pix are HERE 一ヶ月前に、神宮はマラソーンのようなイベントがあるから、皆は東京駅から、お台場まで滑りました。Ｉｗａさんの決定だけど、私はちょっとしぶしぶの感情だので、遠いです、難しいと思いました。でも、違いますよ。その日の天気はよかったです。橋から空や川の景色はとてもきれいでした。時々ＳＮＳにお台場に行って、昼間ではとても違います。両方は楽しいです。

The most recent City Run was to our usual goal place at Jingu, which is currently alive with brilliant yellow Ginko Trees.  Last Sunday, the empty road where we usually skate around, practice slolom and play frisbee, was packed with strolling people of all ages enjoying the Fall Colors.  I assume this weekend will be the same, especially if the weather is nice.  Martin and I took some photos. Please see Masa-don's photos also.  先週のＣＲは神宮という普通のゴールのたくさん銀杏の木はすごく黄色になりました。そして、とても込んでいた。天気はよかったから、皆は銀杏を楽します。たぶん次の週末も同じだけど、もちろん行くつもりです。友達マサドンさんの写真を見てください。　マーティンや私のはここにある。

Even just one or two skaters can enjoy a skating event, as Martin and I took advantage of a weekday Japanese holiday recently when the streets in Central Tokyo were very quiet.  We skated from home over to Tsukiji to get some sushi, but due to the holiday, the lines at the kaiten sushi places were very long.  So we headed for home and on the way stopped at a little kaiten in Yurakucho which worked out just fine for an afternoon sushi snack, before skating back home quite satisfied.  ときどき、二人だけも滑ります。日本の休日で、東京の中心は込むなくなるので、築地に行って、お寿司を食べたかったけど、全部の築地の回転寿司は込んでいたので、有楽町に滑って、お寿司を食べて、家に帰りました。楽しかったです。

And finally, next month, after Fall is replaced by Winter, we will hold our annual Christmas Run which will start at Tokyo Eki at 11am on Tuesday, December 23rd (a Japanese holiday).  Everyone will wear a Santa suit, or some other festive Christmas costume and skate through Ginza, over to Akasaka, then on to Roppongi.  The Leader is Yagami-san, a family man, who together will his wife and two daughters has participated for many years, and led it last year.  Like last year, I am in charge of the party afterwards at the restaurant Zest.  We expect to have a good turn-out as word gets around what a blast it was last year.  Here's a few pictures of previous Christmas Runs.  Look HERE for Photos from previous years.　　最後のポイントは来るべきのクリスマスランについてです。今年は12月の23日です。今年もやがみさんはリーダーです。彼はいい家族の男性と思って、順子さんという奥様は私のいい友達です。去年のような、私はレストランをアレンジな人です。たぶんたくさんスケータはサンタクロースになる、銀座の道で滑って、楽します。後で、六本木に滑って、レストランでもっと楽します。皆はやがみさんのサイトに見て、参加するつもりと思ったら、書いてください。

Remember, please look here for the reorganized skating pictures.  最近主人や私のとったのスケートの写真を再編成したので、新しいのを見てください。

One weird week

非常に異様な一週間

日本語は下にあるけど、要約です。Looks like a bird, doesn't it.  This is one of those found things that my oldest son, Jay, the artist, would enjoy.  This is the wall in the hallway near my apartment, where the wallpaper, and in this case down to the primer, has been ripped off in preparation for the changes.  Well, that's how it looked when I last saw it, but since we've been banished from our home for a week due to this necessary and extensive renovation, I'm sure it's changed now. 

This has been one weird week, living in a five star hotel near our home and not being able to go in.  Don't get me wrong.  It's a very nice hotel.  We've often wondered about it, this local landmark, and now's the chance to investigate close up.  The staff is very kind and efficient and the rooms are surprisingly QUIET,   which is a big plus. We're on the 9th floor, so our view of this part of Tokyo is interesting, and they gave us adjourning rooms which is important for a family.  Also, they worked it out so we could use the fitness center, so that's been a great thing since the kids couldn't bring their Wii or their dog, etc.  And, surprise, surprise... I'm sticking with my efforts to improve fitness despite the hip problem.  So I hit the gym almost every day.

We took a walk around the hotel and looked at all the amazing menus outside of each restaurant.  The chefs here are the cream of culinary creatures, the creations oh, so interesting sounding, but out of our price range, and we usually bought something from the convenience store, or a less expensive nearby restaurant, and sometimes one of our usual neighborhood favorites.   Which is fine for awhile... but I do miss my kitchen.  School starts next week, and this week Monica's been going out to school for training every day with Iku to be a physical trainer.  So she's been helping with the Boys' Football Practices.  Martin's been on a business trip to another part of Japan since mid-week, and every day, Jonah and I go to the pet hotel ZOO, and "check-out" Toby and take him for a walk and have lunch somewhere that has outdoor dining so dogs are allowed.

So, tomorrow we'll return home, then, instead of complaining about being in a hotel, I'll be complaining about having to do all the housework, cooking, laundry, etc. 

Another thing I did this week, a very important event indeed, was to have another meeting with my prospective employer.  This time we talked at length about curriculum and teaching methods and I got to meet the lady who is starting the new English School where I might work.  She's very interesting, and has many good ideas.  More on that later. 

Last weekend, while still living in the apartment, I changed my wheels on my skates.  Thanks Martin for the advice about the bearings.  I'd used those wheels for a year, every week, and though I'd rotated them frequently, they'd taken a lot of wear.  So I asked Papa-san if he had my size, (78mm) and he gave me a good price and brought them to City Run.  That's Service!  Here's a link to Papa-san's Palotora site for various skating products including custom frames and clothing.  These wheels aren't fancy, just regular wheels, but they're a real pretty bluish-green color and look and work fine on my K2's which I've had for years and prefer to wear every Sunday to the Ueno City Run.  I have another set of skates with 90mm wheels, which aren't as comfortable on my feet, but work better for the longer runs and Saturday Night Skate, so I switch off.  Last Sunday, when I debuted these wheels, it was misty raining part of the time, and since I've been skating without a brake on these skates since starting to use  them for slalom in the spring, I felt a little uncertain on the new hard wheels, but it was fine.  Looking forward to Sunday's City Run if the weather holds.

これは上の要約だので、ちょっと短いです。　実はちょっと違います。　でも、やってみるね。

　非常に一週間だったよ。皆は家の近くの5つの星のホテルにとどまることはいいと思っているので、ちょっと異様なです。間違わないで、このホテルはとてもいいですよ。部屋はすばらしいだし、９階窓からの景色もすばらしいです。ホテルの職員もとても親切です。でも、家に入れないことは残念です。ホテルのレストランはとてもいいだので、すごく高いです。それで、コンビにで食べ物を買って、近くの安いレストランで食べて、近所の気に入れるレストランも食べます。もちろんホテルの部屋は台所がないので、マイクロレンジがない。でも、ジムを使うことができるから、よかったです。 私は殆ど毎日にジムに行きます。ジョナとマーティンもジムを楽しました。　不平を言いたくないけど、自分の所をさびします。

来週、学校は始まりますので、今週毎日モニカは学校に行って、いくさんと言う学校のスポーツ医学人とトレーニングをします。特に今週モニカは男の子のフットボールチームを手伝いました。マーティンは水曜日から、出張に行って、毎日ジョナと私はトビがペットホテルから取って、犬は大丈夫のレストランにランチを食べに行きました。皆は明日に家に帰って楽しむと思います。

今遅くなったので、短い説明です。ホテルと近所の料理について。そして、私の新しい仕事について。そして、スケートのWHEELSをパパさんから買った、おきました。 英語は難しいだったら、翻訳のサイトを使って、分かってようにと思います。