Month: October 2018

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Happy 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.  […]

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Goodbye 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 […]

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Garbage 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, […]

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Settling 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 […]

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Typhoon Trami Part II

So, Typhoon Trami is barreling down on Osaka. I need to get to Tokyo for work. The winds are projected at 160Kph.   I have no idea how fast that is but it sounds fast.  Like Lori, my mind is going back to the images we saw of the Typhoon Jebi that hit Osaka while we were […]

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My 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 […]

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To 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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Zachary’s 1st Day of School (Part II)

Here we go….again!  Zachary is starting a new school–this time in Japan!  We’ve been prepping him on first day jitters and how things will be different just like how Mauka Lani Elementary is different from Spiritridge Elementary.  He’s excited, yet very nervous to start.  There were so many procedures to get him enrolled.  Back at […]

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