Jack’s First Day
The first day of a new school is an emotional roller coaster for not just the student, but for the entire family. I received a call from the Child Welfare Department (it sounds like CPS, but it’s not–daycare centers are government run, so that department handles enrollment) at the Ward Office in November stating that […]
Read MoreWinter-izing
That was fast: the fall-like weather was short lived and it is definitely winter in Japan. The temperatures have fallen to the SINGLE digits–BRR! Well, single digits in Celsius, which I guess is like the mid-high forties in Fahrenheit. But still, it’s frigid and it seems colder than the temperature reading. Time to pull out […]
Read MoreIt’s Beginning to Look a lot Like…Autumn!
It’s finally here. The chill is in the air and it feels crisp in the morning. Yes, fall is finally here. Well, I should back up a little. Over the past few weeks, it’s gotten cooler, for sure, but not to the degree of what late November/early December is like back at home. In the […]
Read MoreImo Party
Yesterday, Zachary’s 2nd grade class had an “imo party”. When I told Michael about it 2 weeks ago, he felt it was much too young for the kids to turn “imo”, and wouldn’t these kids reject a party that celebrates being “imo”? Zachary explained that an “imo” is a potato, much to Michael’s relief. Earlier […]
Read MoreHappy Halloween
Here it is, our first American holiday overseas: Halloween. When we arrived mid-September, we already saw the decorations up at the post office. Then, on our very frequent trips to Yodobashi Camera, the kids would always beg to take photos at this display. Mister Donut started selling Halloween themed donuts soon after we arrived too. […]
Read MoreGoodbye コインランドリー
Oh, laundry. How did you get so complicated? As a family of 4, it’s amazing how much laundry needs to be washed…daily…in Japan. Back in the States, we averaged about a load a day, but there were days where a day or 2 would go by and I wouldn’t sweat it. Here, the washing machines […]
Read MoreGarbage and Recycling
Every morning, after Michael leaves for work, and after we walk Zachary partly to school (I was advised by Zachary’s teacher that he should be walking to and from school on his own after the 1st week. I replied that it’s a tradition for Jack and I to walk Zachary to school. But in Japan, […]
Read MoreSettling in
It was time to say goodbye to the Airbnb. We were glad to have stayed, but thrilled to begin our lives in the mansion. Did I mention how tiny the Airbnb was? Here are some photos. None of them were edited in any way. You walk into to a narrow hallway with the bathroom on […]
Read MoreMy new ride
I celebrated my birthday over the weekend and it was quite surreal to be in Japan turning another year older. I’ve been so focused on getting us settled over here that I’m sure it could have come and gone and I wouldn’t have noticed had it not been for the boys counting down the days […]
Read MoreTo Costco, with love
I’m a huge fan of Costco. I’ve known Costco for most of my life. I knew Costco before it was Costco. My parents were members of Price Club in California, the first big discount warehouse. I remember going there as a kid and being in awe of all the possibilities. Today, I’m still in awe […]
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