Kyoto & Tokyo

While the kids are in their last month of Japanese school, it happened that I also turned 40 this month. I had been pretty bitter at Seung for not traveling much here in Japan. I had gone up to Tokyo couple times already, but Seung hadn't gone up to mainland and Tokyo, so for my 40th, we took a week off to head to Tokyo then ride the shinkansen (nozumi train-the fastest one!) down to Kyoto, and here we are in front of the Golden Pagoda. Where are the kids? My dear friend, Heather, a mother of 5 watched my three children for one week!  We loved our time in Kyoto. The palaces, temples, and the food was simply amazing and unique.. Who would have thought Japan for my 40th year? Only God knew. Notice I am wearing the same cardigan and scarf my entire week there! heehee.

In Asakusa

Park near our hotel at Hiroo

Asakusa

Golden Pagoda

Kodak Place

Shibuya, the busiest intersection in the world.

Kyoto Station

Tsukji Market Sushi-Best sushi in the entire planet.

Kyoto Night Life

Kyoto, Bamboo groves

Kyoto

Kyoto

Ginza

Last night before we head home to see the kids! Love the sake!

Some Moments with Mom & Dad in Japan

Mom & Dad's visit to Okinawa

My parents, after much hemming and hawing, finally visited us in Japan, and even though it was a short 8 day visit, it was a sweet time, because the kids finally got one on one time with them, away from the busyness of travels, and being bounced back and forth from house to house when we see them in Chicago. They love the simplicity, and the serene beauty of Okinawa, especially the green ocean side, and even though February is a winter month in Okinawa, it was still very mild and bearable to be outside. 

My new re-discovery was Okinawa soba, I love them with pork! I never thought I would ever say that, but it really is a taste that grows on you if you live here long enough! We did a lot of sightseeing, and took short trips to the north of the island. Below is my mother, Ellie and I at Hedo Point. This is the most northerly point in Okinawa, a very historical site, Hedo Point is the northern tip of Okinawa Island. The tempestuous waves of the Pacific Ocean and East China Sea dash against its cliffs, throwing spray high into the air. On a clear day you can see Yoron Island off on the horizon. During the campaign for reversion to Japan, people used to light bonfires at this cape. A marker commemorating their struggle to return to the Mother Country is erected here now. Along with a lineup of restaurants, snack shops and souvenir stands, there is a museum with a collection of photos and documents relating to the reversion.

Spring Play in Japan

Every year they do a spring play in February at the Japanese school. It's quite a production and this year was very special, because my mother was able to come and visit the kids' school and see the play! All the costumes and props are all handmade by the faculty and students. One thing I realize about the Japanese, they recycle everything and create beautiful things with anything, for instance, a trash bag? Look at their dresses and tutus all made out of trash bags. The play, musical and skit was a huge production that the children work on for months. They perform it on a Sunday morning, because typically, Sunday is the day which the parents have off from work, unfortunately, this is probably the worst time for us, because it's our sabbath day, but once a year, we miss church to attend the school play. This is held in their gymnasium, and here they are performing by each grade level. My only feedback would be that the parents would show more enthusiasm for the work the kids have put forth each week for 4 months! Japanese culture is certainly not an expressive culture, so even the applause of the parents is very weak. You can hear Seung shouting and cheering them on. I guess that's all that matters!

Etsy, Taipei and Japan

(Kids and daddy happy to be out of Japan for a little bit, and enjoy Taipei)
So between school, work and supporting my husband as the commander's wife, I finally figured out how to use Etsy, and posted some of my products on the site. Please see here to see our collection on Etsy.

For the holidays, (yes, kids got out for one week) we visited my sister and brother in law in Taipei. It was such a relaxing break for the kids, even though all we really did was eat and window shopped. (Too expensive to buy, but always nice to look!) What I was really surprised was seeing some of my products at the uppity bookstore, Eslite in Taipei.

In the meantime, kids are wrapping up school in mid-March! I can't believe the school year is through, but don't fret, the new year starts up again the first week of April, so I do get a small break. I've been so busy getting them adjusted with the school, that their music, and sport activities have been seriously neglected, and I feel so guilty. Samuel wants to play baseball, but the Japanese school team meets Tuesdays, Sat, and Sundays, and they play for at least 3 hours. I don't know if I can handle that kind of commitment. This is on top of his piano, English schooling and Japanese tutoring. The other sports'schedules are worse: practice every other day, including weekends. As a parent, you seriously have to commit to your entire free time in kids' activities. I don't know if I am up for that challenge after hollering all week to study and practice. As the mother, I feel I need the break. These days, I've been enlisting my husband to administer discipline in kids' organization at home. I admit, I am administratively-challenged.

This past semester, kids have been late couple times, or have forgotten to take their towel, jump rope, etc.. to school (forgetful mother who doesn't read Japanese when all their school papers come in), and the teachers really take it out on the kids. They strongly believe in personal (student's) responsibility, and it actually stresses my laid-back, free-spirited daughter out. As a result, both my kindergarten son and daughter have been better about remembering things and getting everything ready the night before.

Japanese schooling and mothering have been a challenge, but it's fun, and definitely rewarding!

Post-Holiday Thoughts

Happy New Year!

It's too way too long since I've written. During the holidays, I pretty much hibernate to work on my biz, and getting ready for Christmas fesitivies. However, this Christmas, I couldn't get my act together, and didn't even send my holiday cards out, especially since I'm in Japan, I thought it would be a special treat to send cards out from Japan, but as usual, I love to relax and horse around then sitting in front of my computer during my down time, and never got around to it....

Well, there has been so much that's been going on, and the kids are in throes of the Japanese school here. Already, Micah will be going to first grade in March, even though he started Kindergarten in September! I feel as if he ended up getting the short end of the stick. It's so hard for me to see him grow up. I still love the fact he sucks his thumb in the middle of the night. (Shh! don't tell him that when you see him, it's a big secret for him!)

Well, ironically, Japan celebrates Christmas, not extensive like America, but Yochien (Kindergarten) did throw on a Christmas play (although it had nothing to do with Jesus' birth). His class acted the story on the "Big Turnip" Well, here is the video, and my son is one of the Mario Brothers doing tricks with the jump rope. Each group of children did some type of act, and they would all try to pull the giant turnip out of the ground.

Some thoughts: I cannot believe the costume, and all the props the kids and the children designed and made. His Mario hat was made out of a garbage red bag with red duck tape, and cotton. It is so cute and sturdy. The whole performance just blew me away. They are so creative and so serious about their education. Please see these 2 clips:

Part I of 4

Part II of 4