I had every intention of sending an update before we returned to the US in June, but we secretly arranged to arrive a several days early to surprise family. It worked. Everyone was surprised. However, it didn’t allow me time between my friend’s visit and home leave preparation to write.
Laura, my childhood friend, came at the end of May and stayed for a week. It was awesome! We went to Kyoto, Osaka, Harborland, and shopping in Sannomiya. We crammed a lot in just a week. Good times.
The day Laura left, we had a birthday/year end party with our wonderful group of friends. It was difficult knowing that was the last time that particular group of people would be together. Two good friends returned to the states this summer. We miss you!
Debbie and Bob, my sister and her husband returned to Japan with us in July. After a few days of jet lag we managed to brave the extreme heat and humidity. We went to Nara where the wild deer nibbled on a few behinds and stole a few tourists’ maps then proceeded to consume them. (The maps, not the tourists.) We also made it to the Osaka castle, Harborland, Mt. Rokko, Hiroshima and Miyajima. And, discovered summer is NOT the season to visit the Bird and Flower Park. The flowers weren’t full with blooms and the most beautiful, colorful ducks in the world had molted leaving them with skinny brown bodies. The rest of the birds looked half dead because of the heat.
Darin was able to hook us up with a tour of the CAT facility in Akashi. Interesting, but HOT. It was difficult to hear the tour guide over the factory noise, but the assembly process was an awesome sight. Darin and Bob went golfing and Debbie and I frequented the 100 yen shops.
Before Debbie and Bob returned home our friend Larry Rodda and his wife Masami invited us to dinner. We met Larry at church when we first arrived in Kobe. Turns out, for a few years, he lived in our hometown of Bushnell. Seriously. We came over six thousand miles from home to meet someone whose picture is in my mom’s yearbook. You can’t go anywhere in this world without finding a connection to home.
Darin had four days off of work for Obon, one of the biggest Japanese holidays. We took that time to reconnect as a family. We went to Universal Studios, Osaka Kaiyukan (aquarium), viewed an impressionist/modern art exhibit (I love Monet. The kids…not so much) and watched a great IMAX 3-D movie on the Hubble Telescope. We chose the Hubble Telescope over the Sea Monsters because we thought it would be less scary. I’m sure it was. But before the movie started they showed previews of…Sea Monsters, of course. Caden was so funny. He kept moving his legs up and sideways so the sea monsters couldn’t get him. Shortly thereafter, his glasses came off. Took a while before he would wear them again.
Probably the most significant thing we experienced this summer was baptism. Darin, I and Nathan all made the decision to be baptized at Kobe Union Church this summer. The best part was Debbie and Bob were able to be here for it. When living so far from home not many occasions can be shared with loved ones. But this one could, and it was special.
Nathan started school and seems very excited about the 5th grade. He really likes his teacher. And, at this point is proactive about homework. Always a good thing. Caden has returned to preschool four days a week. Yea! It has been much easier this year slipping back in to our routine. We have definitely established this as our home. The kids are happy to be back.
Darin continues to be busy with work. Not sure there is another option in the life of an international employee. He also recently accepted the role as a council member at church. It isn’t too time consuming, just a monthly meeting. I’m keeping busy with the normal mom and wife responsibilities along with doing publicity for the women’s group at our church…flyers, membership directory, etc. And of course my awesome friends keep me occupied with coffee in the mornings at Tully’s, group dinners, mom’s nights out, and shopping.
Last weekend was Rokko Island’s Natsu Matsuri (Summer Festival). We donned the traditional Japanese summer festival attire. I was in a yukata and all the boys were in happi coats. There were lots of food vendors, entertainment and people. It was extremely hot and humid, but worth it! Just love a Japanese matsuri!
Just read a news article stating this summer is officially the hottest summer in Japan since weather records began in 1898. “On Wednesday, temperatures set or equaled record highs for the month of September at 242 locations across the country.” Interesting that our spring was unseasonably cold when my parents visited and our summer exceptionally hot when my sister and her husband visited. Wonder what will happen when Darin’s parents arrive in December?
Found this amusing…Drove past a restaurant the other night. The sign in front read “Japanese Restaurant”. Really? Here? In Japan?
Updated picture website: www.mccleerysinjapan.smugmug.com
