Last night, right before bed, I was reading CNN.com. (I try to read news sites so that I can keep up with what is going on in the world.) I saw an article about a boat sinking in Vietnam, killing 12. My heart pounded. I clicked on the article to read that a junk boat sank during the night in Halong Bay. The boat trapped the people inside, and all 12 died. While I don't know which company's boat this was, I do know that it was just like the other 40 boats that dock in the same area of Halong Bay every day. I also know that this is just like the junk boat that we stayed on in October in this very same location. This 2 day, 1 night junk boat trip, in fact, was our family's favorite part of our stay in Vietnam. (I remember fondly the night on the top deck, laying under the moon and stars, talking to Matthew about how fortunate we are.) I felt shocked... these tourists came there to vacation, to enjoy family....This made me very sad. I also felt thankful to be sitting in my breakfast room in Kobe, Japan.
Late this morning, I was leaving our fitness center and walked by the TV in the lobby. CNN had breaking news about the major earthquake that just hit Christchurch New Zealand. Our dear friend Andrew McCormick is from New Zealand and is actually visiting his family there right now. I raced up to our apartment to get my cell phone to call his wife who is still here in Kobe. Her husband was in a cafe at the time and is ok. He said the city looks like a "war zone". This same location had a major earthquake in September. They have been experiencing "after shocks" ever since. Now this earthquake is even worse - 65 confirmed fatalities and major damage. We must keep the folks of New Zealand in our prayers.
So now... life here in Japan.
After a miserably hot July, August, and September, I must say that October, November, and December were just gorgeous. Then, January had some wicked wind which kept us pretty cold, but now February has been sunny and upper 40s / low 50s. Ok, we did have the one "snow day". It was in the 30s and snowed lightly all day. It was pretty cold with the wind, but nothing really stuck to the ground. School and business carried on as usual. The next day, we were back up to 42 degrees again. So, no complaints.
We are in the groove with school and work, just like we would be living anywhere, I guess. It is pretty funny, though, that last week (after 7 months here), I had one of those "Wow, we are really in Japan" moments. I took the train to Sports Depo. On my way back, I was walking along the street, listening to Asian music, looking at all the signs in Japanese and trying make out some of the words. I boarded the train, listening to people speaking in Japanese, and noticed that I was the only non-Japanese person on board. I got the usual stares. I guess I don't notice it too much any more, but on this day, I was somehow more aware.
Yesterday, I went with friends to a "temple sale". This is like a big flea market that is held monthly with different booths of "treasures". You can negotiate with some more than others. I have become very fond of kokeshi dolls and became the proud owner of a few more of those, but could not bring myself to make any major purchases (like a gong, or a temple bell). Kokeshi dolls are Japanese dolls handmade of wood, with a simple trunk and an enlarged head. They are really quite cute, and you can find some with the artist's signature on the bottom. Jessica, of course, loved my treasures, but the boys asked, "Is that it?"
Quick update on the children....
Jacob was away on a middle school ski trip last week. They met at the school at 4:45am on Wednesday, took a bus to the Itami airport, flew to the Sendai airport, and then took a bus another 90 minutes to Shizukuishi. They went skiing and sledding for 3 days, and returned to the school Friday night at 9:40pm. No phones. No contact. Well, we did have a friend who chaperoned that kept us up to speed on important things, like "Everyone is healthy and no major injuries." This was all that I needed to know. I was a bit worried about Jacob since he had only skiied twice before this trip. It was a long way away...no contact... I missed my son! I think I hugged him a hundred times Friday night and Saturday!
Matthew continues to do well is school, sports, and social life. His teacher just asked him to play one of the lead roles in a 4th grade play in May. He was thrilled. He is also excited to start leadership club next week. Matthew continues to play piano and is already excited about the next rugby season which starts April 3. We just filled out the application and health report. Well, I should say that one of the ladies at our front reception filled them out. Some of the translations were hilarious. The health report asked about immunizations, and current status of things like his mental health, his circulatory system, and his digestive organs. Funny.
Jessica also continues to do well is school, dance, and social life. Her dance club had a performance last Friday. Very cute. Jessica is also still taking piano lessons.
Phillip has been in Seoul, Korea, for the past 2 days, and I am looking forward to having him home the rest of the week. He stays very busy with work. When he is not traveling, he often has late night conference calls or work dinners somewhere around Kobe or Osaka. With the time difference between US and Japan, it feels like the Japanese folks are always on call. We have determined that it is just the way it is.
While I do miss my Procter and Gamble friends in Cincinnati and the work that we did together, I am still enjoying being at home right now. I love being here when the kids get home from school, helping them with homework, and meeting their friends who come over to play. I am still taking Japanese language lessons, and can read Hiragana and Katakana ... well, for the most part. I also enjoy spending time at the school, and with friends I have met here. The network of expat moms here is amazing. Everyone is so kind and helpful. It is funny; living in the apartment building is like living in a dorm. Someone may send a text, needing something like a spice or can of chicken broth... Within seconds, a child has been sent on delivery of the needed item. Everyone is also very supportive of each other as we all have those "blah" days and need an understanding smile. This network of families has made a world of difference for me and for our family.
We are beginning to experience one of the tough parts of expat life. Friends are leaving. This goes on pretty much consistently. Folks are here for a year, or 2 years, or 3 years. You make a connection. A friendship. Then, they leave. We have learned that a few of our new friends are leaving to go back home or on to another international assignment. It is an emotional roller coaster. As with anything, we just have to enjoy the time we have together.
May your days be filled with gratitude, joy, and lots of hugs.
Peace and Love (and big hugs from Japan),
Tina
