Episode 7: Driving Drama...the saga continues...

ARRRGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!! Third time's the charm, right??? Test #3 is scheduled for November 12.

All in all driving test #2 went pretty well. I wasn't nervous. I was confident. I made it through the S and L curves again. I was making all my mirror checks and hugging the lines where I needed to. (NOTE: In Japan, you MUST hug the line when you are turning either direction to prevent motorcycles and motorbikes from stopping along side of the car. Yes, it's legal here for motorcycles to zip around cars. And they do! A big reason I don't like driving here. The unfortunate thing happens when a car hasn't hugged the line allowing a motorcycle room to stop next to it. When the car then turns and the motorcycle goes straight, well...you can imagine what results. Hence this rule is very important here and is the reason for many failed driving tests.)

Like I said, I was doing really well until...at one blind intersection there was a car that came out of no where. The guy hit the chicken brake a split second before I hit the brake. Imagine trying to brake when the brake is already down. Strange feeling. I was really frustrated. I remember thinking, "Why don't you let ME drive! I wasn't going to pull out in front of that car! It's my test!" Nonetheless, having the chicken brake used, for whatever the reason, during a test results in automatic failure. He did say that everything else I did was correct which makes me hopeful for next time.

One benefit of test #2...I discovered they have very yummy Japanese curry and rice (my favorite Japanese dish) in the cafeteria. One should be wary of any driver's license facility that houses a cafeteria. That is a good indication that their processes aren't streamlined. I was at the driver's license facility for four hours, ironically my food was ready in a minute. At least the cafeteria is efficient.

I experienced my first kimono wearing the other day followed by a tea ceremony. I have participated in two other tea ceremonies, but NEVER while wearing a kimono. My, they are restrictive! Just a tad tight, but a very unique experience. Our teacher said that a formal kimono costs the same as a car. That explains why we see so many kimono wearing women using the train! Pictures of the kimono dressing and tea ceremony on the website...www.mccleerysinjapan.smugmug.com. (There are also a few miscellaneous new pics/videos in "NEW Pictures" under "new". On my facebook page there are also photos of the kimono dressing.)

Caden has been wearing "big boys", as he calls them. Potty training has not been successful yet. He is doing pretty well I guess. He tells us...usually...after the fact. We try to get him to go often, but as any parent knows that doesn't prevent accidents. I forgot how annoying poop in the "big boys" is. I keep thinking he'll be potty trained before college...right?

I had my first "I know I've been in Japan too long" moment. I was looking at children's socks for Caden the other night at Costco. I couldn't remember what shoe size he wears in American sizes!!! All I could think was, "Why aren't these sizes in centimeters?!" I eventually figured it out, but it was interesting to realize that, at some point (not sure when), I converted to metric. Not much of a choice if you need shoes, or any other article of clothing. Nathan wears 140 pants and 24.0 shoes. Caden wears 120 in shirts and 16.0 shoes. Yep. Somewhat confusing. All part of the adventure.

Episode 6: CLARIFICATION

It has come to my attention (thanks, Bob) that having a "joint" party for three year olds does not make me a "cool mom." Please let me clarify...there were NO recreational drugs present at this party. Otherwise, there would have been much less stress and the kids would have been way more mellow.

Episode 6: Typhoon, Birthday, New Pepsi, Oh my...

I guess the most newsworthy event we have recently encountered was Typhoon Melor..."one of the biggest to hit Japan in ten years". Video clips are on our website www.mccleerysinjapan.smugmug.com. The video isn't anything great, but the audio give a little insight into what our ENTIRE night involved. It was crazy! It started getting bad about 11pm and didn't settle until after 5am. The building was swaying so much...even got motion sickness while using the computer. Lost my balance a few times too. (Truthfully that isn't saying much. I can lose my balance during the nicest weather.)

The noise was more disturbing than the motion. It sounded like the building was going to snap. Freaky, freaky, freaky. The boys (all three) slept very soundly. I was the only one up ALL night. Many mothers I talked to the following day said they were up the entire night as well. Even chatted with a few on facebook during the storm. I could do without experiencing another typhoon. Now I know how Gilligan must have felt. At least we don't live in a hut. To my knowledge there was no real damage anywhere (still can't understand what the news reporters are saying). We had leaves on our balcony. Thought that was funny since there are no trees 16 stories tall.

Caden had his third birthday Sunday, October 4. We had a joint party with one of his friends who is approximately seven hours older than him. It was a blast. We invited all the "playground" friends and parents. Thankfully my friend Gloria, hosted it at their apartment. There were a lot of kids ranging in age from 4 months to nine years (pictures on the website). I would have gone mad.

Nathan started a shodo class once a week. Shodo is Japanese calligraphy. His teacher said he did very well at his first class and that he should continue because he is definitely skilled. (pictures on the website) Guessshodo is not easy to do. I plan to start a shodo class in January. Hopefully it comes as easy to me as it does Nathan.

Discovered a new Pepsi product...Pepsi Shiso, with "refreshing Japanese flavor". (pictures on the website) It is very green, but very tasty. Wonder if it would "Play in Peoria"? Shiso is the Japanese name for perilla, an annual herb from the mint family. According to Wikipedia, "The leaves resemble stinging nettle leaves, being slightly rounder in shape. It is also widely known as the Beefsteak plant. Its essential oils provide for a strong taste whose intensity might be compared to that of mint or fennel. It is considered rich in minerals and vitamins, has anti-inflammatory properties and is thought to help preserve and sterilize other foods."

Also on the website are pictures of a RAFE photo shoot. RAFE is the Rokko Island Lifestyle Magazine. Nathan and Caden and my friend, Andrea's two children, John and Abby, were asked to be models for the cover. They specifically wanted foreign children. The photo shoot was a hoot. The four kids were running around like crazed lunatics...through the sprinkler, in opposite directions. I don't know how photographer was even able to get the photo they used. The magazine is distributed around the island. No big break for any of their modeling careers, but a great Japanese memento nonetheless.

I take driving test #2 this week. Not seriously hopeful. People I know who have recently taken it get the response, "Good driver, you fail." Makes absolutely NO sense. We'll see. I will, however, be sure to NOT wear my birkenstocks. Driving drama to be continued...