Springtime in Kobe - May 9, 2011

Springtime in Kobe brings beautiful sunny days (before the rainy season) and gorgeous cherry blossoms. It also brings a very important set of holidays for Japan called Golden Week. Japan celebrates the Emperor’s birthday, Constitutional Memorial Day, Greenery Day, and Children’s Day all in a week. Many people travel so tourist areas are very crowded. Matthew had a rugby tournament scheduled, so we decided to stay home and take a couple of day trips. Unfortunately, Matthew’s rugby tournament got rained out. However, our day trips turned out to be fantastic adventures!

On Saturday, April 30, we decided to go to the Hanshin Tigers baseball game. We are fortunate to live in the same building as some of the players, including the starting pitcher for that game. He and his wife were kind enough to help us get 5 tickets. This was critical as the home games are typically sold out. We took the train about 20 minutes to the stadium in Koshien. The train literally stops in front of the stadium. Our seats were along the first base line (closer to home plate), and we had a sweet family sitting in front of us: Mom, 3 kids, and Grandpa. The fans were absolutely fantastic. They were dressed in yellow and black, wearing jerseys, hats, ponchos,… you name it... as long as it said "Tigers". There was a band and a cheering squad (mascots) that kept chants and cheers going throughout the game. Everyone had these “clackers” to keep the beats. We cheered and sang and clapped and laughed. I did have a few interesting observations. First, the stadium serves sushi and sake along with your American corn dogs! Next, the beer vendors were all pretty young Japanese women with Asahi “kegs” on their backs. No cans or bottles. Just kegs and cups! I also thought it was interesting that the relief pitchers were brought out onto the field in carts.

Then, in the beginning of the 7th inning, we saw people start to blow up their balloons. Luckily, we were informed and bought the special balloons from a vendor on the way into the stadium. 7th inning stretch…the band plays the Tigers’ fight song… the mascots lead the chants… and then everyone lets go of the balloons which not only looked cool but also made a cool whistling sound. Imagine thousands of balloons flying in the air! We won the game, and at the end, everyone let go of another set of balloons. The players of the game were interviewed on the field. Most everyone stayed. They cheered and waved big flags. Unbelievable. Phillip and I both thought this felt more like a college football game than a baseball game. What a great experience!

On Monday, May 2, we took a bus to Universal Studios Japan. One word: patience. We had a great time. We just had to learn to enjoy ourselves while standing in line! Some lines were anywhere from 30 minutes up to 115 minutes. Yikes! We got to ride most everything though. Phillip, Jacob, and Matthew discovered the "singles" line which did not have much of a wait at all. Jessica just was not ready to ride alone, so she and I endured the lines. The boys rode the “Hollywood Dream” roller coaster 10 times as compared to the 3 times for the girls. Oh well. Jessica was like a movie star the way everyone stared at her. (We only saw one other couple that was not Japanese, so we must have stuck out in the crowd!) The people would point, giggle, wave, and say “kawaii” which means “cute”. I teased Jess by saying, “They think you are Hannah Montana!” ☺ We finished the day with an evening parade and bus ride back to our apartment.

We celebrated Mother’s Day on Friday, May 6, by going to our favorite restaurant called Kochan. Again, we were able to take the bus and then a 2 minute walk. The chef cooks right in front of you. We had soup, salad, fish, tofu, vegetables, and beef. YUM!

One of the things that we really enjoy in Japan is the public transportation system. It is just amazing to be able to take the train or a bus almost anywhere. For this reason, we actually decided not to buy a car. Procter and Gamble and the Canadian Academy are on Rokko Island, along with grocery stores, hair salon, family doctor, orthopedic, restaurants, … It is really wonderful to walk or bike most of the time, and then to take the train or bus when we go off the island.

We are enjoying springtime in Kobe and also looking forward to summer in Cincinnati.

Peace and Love,

Tina

Family update - May 6, 2011

As I write this, my heart aches for Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and all of the people who were affected by the tornado. I grew up about 90 miles northeast of Tuscaloosa, and spent 4 awesome years of college at the University of Alabama. I watched video in horror to see the huge tornado rip through the town. I saw how close the tornado came to Bryant Denny Stadium and to the AOPi House where I lived for 3 years. I thought about how scared the students must have been and wondered where they went to take cover. It is truly hard to comprehend the devastation. My thoughts and prayers continue to be with the people of Tuscaloosa, as well as the other areas in Missouri and the South that were hit by tornadoes.

As for us here in Kobe ....Time is going by very quickly. It is hard for us to believe that we have been in Japan for almost 10 months. The weather is nice, and we enjoy sitting out on our balcony overlooking beautiful Rokko Island.

The children continue to grow up before our eyes.A big highlight of our spring is that we now have a teenager in the house. Yes, it has happened. Jacob turned 13 on April 23. Thirteen years ago, Jacob was born and changed our lives forever. It is hard to say who has learned more - Jacob or me! We continue to share so many wonderful memories together .... from his first smile and first step to his first soccer goal and first touchdown to his first day of middle school and playing the lead in the MS play ... We are very proud of Jacob for his accomplishments in school as well as in sports. But we are more proud of him for following God and for being a kind and caring young man. Phillip and I are excited to continue to grow together with Jacob through the teenage years to adulthood. We're honored to have this opportunity.

I am reading a great book called Age of Opportunity - A Biblical Guide to Parenting Teens. It is just fantastic. It really helps parents to look at themselves first and then the child. There are many sections that make me stop and really think. Here is one of my favorites. "These are the moments God made parents for. You are God's agents on the watch. You have been given an incredibly high calling. You are God's instrument of help and preparation as this child makes his final steps out of the home and into God's world. These moments make your life worthwhile. Here you will make a contribution that is worth infinitely more than any career or financial accomplishment." Wow. Now that is a mission. I am thankful that we still have 5 years with Jacob at home. Jacob stays very busy: Monday- basketball clinic, Tuesday- MS volleyball, Wed - basketball clinic, Thursday- MS volleyball and Young Life, Friday- soccer clinic, Sat - MS volleyball games. Oh yeah, then he has school. Whew! Thank goodness for a day of rest on Sunday!

Matthew is really enjoying his time here. He said last week, "I love school, Mom." Wow. This is the same child that cried for weeks and told us how much he did not want to move. We are blessed that Matthew has a wonderful teacher, Mr. Wilson. He also has a great group of friends. They are smart and kind, and of course, many of them love to play soccer! Matthew has finished his after school leadership club. He is now working on the 4th grade play, playing piano, doing a soccer clinic on Fridays, and playing rugby. Unfortunately, he has had 2 rugby tournaments rained out. We hope to get one in before we leave for the US! Matthew's class recently completed "animotos". His was for pollution. He created a video of words and pictures. Then, he put it to music. He chose "Amazing Grace, My Chains are Gone." It was really emotional to watch the ugly pollution and then the beautiful "cleaned up" water and animals while listening to that song. He then wrote and performed his own song, "Pollution is Bad". The 4th grade teachers chose Matthew's animoto to share at the school assembly. I was very proud! Matthew also just won the Motomachi Art Show Mayor's award for his artwork. Way to go Matthew!

Jessica continues to live up to the saying "7 going on 17". She is full of energy and always quick to help keep things in order, especially her brothers! She is reading, reading, reading. Jessica is enjoying piano, science club, and hanging out with friends. She seems to always have a play date or a party! She is looking forward to doing gymnastics in Cincinnati this summer as we were unable to find a program here with openings. We recently had a student-led conference at school. I think she could teach the class!

Phillip has not had to travel much the past couple of months, and it has been wonderful. Although, he does spend many evenings on conference calls. Oh well, the time zone is what it is! Phillip still finds time to play baseball and soccer with the kids. I know that I am very blessed to have a husband who spends time with his children. He is headed to Cincinnati on May 8. He may want to check his suitcase for extra baggage (children)! Everyone is getting excited for our trip home.

I am enjoying my time here as well, and I am very blessed to have found such wonderful friends. The expat community is just fantastic...moms supporting moms. I have really enjoyed subbing at school. I have subbed in Jessica's class several times, but I also got to sub for Matthew's class once. This was just terrific. I was proud that Matthew was happy to see me, and he even sat with me at lunch. He told me after school that he wished I could sub again. I am cherishing the moment! Phillip and I are also excited to join the Young Life parent committee. We are thrilled for the opportunity to work with other concerned parents, the Young Life leaders, and the young people ages 6th grade through 12th.

We have all certainly had our ups and downs, but we are doing great. We are thankful for our family, health, safety, home, work, friends, and so many blessings that God continues to provide to us.

Peace and Love,

Tina