COVID-19
Yes, it’s time I write about the coronavirus that is in every news headline as of late. When we first heard about it at the end of December last year, it made news here, albeit international news. News about another country. News that was remote from where we are. Then, in January, there was news […]
Read MoreHealthcare in Japan, Part 1
This is a topic I have wanted to blog about for awhile. It just didn’t seem like I knew enough about the system here to compare it to the States. Well, that’s all changed now. But let me start at the beginning. In order for the kids to be enrolled in their respective schools, we […]
Read MoreFlavors from home
In this culinary mecca of sushi, takoyaki (fried balls of chopped-up octopus) and the quintessential umami, I’m afraid to admit that at times, I long for some more familiar tastes and sights from home. We came across this Krispy Kreme Doughnuts soon after we arrived and we chuckled at seeing something familiar. Then came the […]
Read MoreAutumn Leaves
People say the most beautiful season in Japan is spring, with all the cherry blossoms in full bloom. I agree it’s quite a sight, but I also think there’s awe-inspiring beauty in seeing autumn leaves transform the landscape. We decided to head to one of the most famous places to see this year’s autumn colors: […]
Read MoreThanksgiving
Thanksgiving–a time to reflect on the countless blessings we have, gather around a dinner table with family and friends, drink too much and pig out. Strangely, we’ve acclimated to the holidays in Japan and had it not been the messages of “Happy Thanksgiving” sent from friends back in the States, we probably would have never […]
Read MoreSports Festival-undoukai
In October there is a national holiday called “taiiku no hi”体育の日: sports and health day. It commemorates the 1964 Tokyo Summer Olympic Games. In recognition of this holiday, schools hold an 運動会 or sports festival. Zachary started school the day after undoukai finished last year, so this was our first sports day experience. The entire […]
Read MoreHappy 1 Year Anniversary!
September 13, 2018. That was the day we landed at Nagoya Chubu Airport and began our new life in Osaka. As we left Honolulu Airport on September 12th, Hurricane Olivia was on her way to the islands. Flights were cancelled and delayed. Our flight was delayed to accommodate a flight coming in that was also […]
Read MoreFirst Summer in Osaka
Can it really be the end of August? From what the locals tell me, we have passed the peak of summer in Osaka…maybe. The reason for the hesitation is that last year’s Osaka summer was one of the worst in recent memory. There was a really strong earthquake, record-breaking heat and a terrible typhoon that […]
Read MoreKindergarten
There is so much to admire about daycare/preschool facilities and caregivers in every country. They provide a safe, educational and social setting for infants and toddlers to explore at their own pace. The caregivers have endless diapers to change, noses and tears to wipe not to mention a huge responsibility in caring for our little […]
Read MoreJapan Brickfest
We’ve been busy living it seems. Between Lori starting a new (several) jobs, Zachary being in 3rd grade and getting a lot of homework, and my work staying busy, we haven’t seemed to have had a lot of time to explore like they way we were doing before. One of the things Lori and I […]
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