Phillip had spent 10 days in the U.S. The children and I were expecting him home around 10:30pm on Tuesday, November 1. Arriving home this trip, he had to fly into Nagoya, take a train to catch the Shinkansen bullet train, to take a bus to Rokko Island. Whew. I noticed on the Delta website that the plane had landed quite a bit early. I waited for his call. Indeed, it looked like he might make it home around 9:40pm. OK, this makes it very difficult to get 3 kids in bed to sleep! So, we agreed that everyone could read until Dad came home. Then, we would need to try and go right to sleep. I told the children that Dad had hurt his back and needed help with bags, so I went over to meet the bus at the Sheraton to help him roll the bags to our apartment. The kids did not know that I left a camera in the foyer on my way out. The kids did not know that Dad’s back was fine or that he needed help with more than just his bags. They also did not know that Grandma was making a surprise visit! We made our way home and left the bags in the hallway to walk into the apartment. Phillip went first into the kitchen. Jacob came out to give him a hug. Then, Jacob said he noticed a shadow peeking around the door from the family room. (He later said that he thought he was hallucinating!) He raced over to find GRANDMA! They shared a big hug. Matthew ran over for a hug with HUGE eyes and a smile just as big. Then, Jessica realized what was going on and screamed. We all had tears in our eyes. Yes, we had kept the secret for several weeks, and now the wonderful secret was revealed. Grandma is here!
Grandma was a trooper and got up early to see the kids off to school. She had told me on the phone that she did not want to do a lot of tourist attractions like we did last year. Rather, she wanted to spend 2.5 weeks just hanging out with our family. So, she and I went to the fitness center where she got a temporary membership. We decided to go the “water world” as Phillip has so named it. (The part of the gym with pool, hot & cold tubs, and saunas.) I swam laps while Grandma did the walking belt. This belt is made of material like a life jacket. It allows you to walk in the water and do laps for cardio exercise. After our laps, we sat in the hot tub and enjoyed the sauna. Grandma decided to try the Japanese process of hot sauna – cold tub – hot sauna – cold tub. This is supposed to increase muscle recovery and strengthen your heart. We had a great time, and then headed back to the apartment for lunch and to start baking. The next day, of course, was Jessica’s birthday!
We started Jessica’s birthday celebration on Thursday morning with coffee cake and presents.
November 3 is Culture Day in Japan, so Phillip had the day off. We took the train to Sannomiya to look around in shops and met friends at a French restaurant for lunch. We were looking for outfits for our Halloween costume party on Saturday. (Note most of the expats were gone the week before Halloween because of school fall break. So, the party was planned for November 5.) We decided to go as players on the new Hyogo Storks professional basketball team, which a friend coaches. Grandma was to be our official. We found team shirts and decided we would make something for her to wear.
On Friday, Grandma and I spent the morning at the fitness center again. (This will be a theme for the visit.) This time, we went into the equipment part of the gym. While I was on the elliptical, Grandma walked for a while and then rode the bike. We did a few of the nautilus machines and some stretches. Fun workout! We visited the stores that Grandma remembered … Gourmet City, Kobe Grocers, and her favorite 100 yen, which is similar to US dollar stores only with more selection. (With today’s exchange rate, that would be more like the $1.25 store!) We also visited the Costco outlet store on the island.
On Saturday, we took the train to Jacob’s basketball games at Marist International School in Suma. Grandma laughed when she saw the official and said, “I wonder if he has an extra shirt I could wear.” I said, “Ask him.” Well, she did! Amazingly, he went into his office and brought out 2 shirts from which she could choose! He said that I could return it when I come back to Marist in December. Only in Japan! Then, he told her to wait one more minute. He returned with a new whistle and told her it was a gift from him. Unbelievable. Needless to say, Grandma looked the best of any of us that night at the party!
Over the next 2 weeks....
We celebrated Christmas (complete with a small Christmas tree and Christmas music) and Matthew’s birthday (complete with ribs and coffee cake).
We watched Jessica play soccer and then win 4th place in a Japanese gymnastics league tournament.
Opening Ceremony
Jessica with her friend Isabella at the gymnastics tournament
Jessica won 4th place in her age group.
We cheered on Matthew as he played in a rugby tournament. We watched Jacob play basketball and perform in the middle school play “Murder in the Knife Room”. Yes, he actually got to play the part of "Diehard Alabama Fan." The wardrobe was easy, and I think he also found it easy to stay in character! :)
We spent lots of time hanging out as a family, having dinner on the balcony, and playing Euchre and Pictionary. Jessica and Grandma did lots of baking, too. Grandma and I spent tons of time in the fitness center – the gym and the “water world”. I think my favorite day was when Grandma raced a very nice Japanese woman wearing the walking belts. She said, “I just had to beat her.” True Maloney spirit! Most of all, we just enjoyed spending time with Grandma. We are so very blessed to have such a wonderful mother (to Phillip and to me too) and grandmother. I often say that I pray that one day my grandchildren will love me as much as my kids love her.
Thanks for making the long journey again Grandma!
Peace and Love,
Tina