A snapshot of my memories with Mom

Ok, well there's no way that I can recount all the different adventures that my mother and I had....so I'll just let you enjoy a part of our days during her trip here. She mastered the "doomo" or thanks in Japanese. So much in fact that she kindly told a little girl at the park "doomo" instead of "konnichiwa". But regardless of that....she moved onto the more formal thank you, "arigatou". However, this one never came out so well...it was always "aribato". This caused many chuckles by me and probably some confusion to the receiver of the thanks. We then tried to move on the very formal thank you very much, "arigatou gozaimasu". This one never went down. But I love my mum and all the great memories we had together...she was definitely a up for doing anything and everything. I think what she enjoyed most, though, was just being my mom (and I treasured up being her daughter ^_^)!!

Mamà さん arrives...

I spent Thursday running down to pick up my mum from Tokyo... it began at 5:00am with a one-hour drive to Aomori City. Then a 4-hour train ride to Tokyo Station. As recommended by Steph, I diverted my time there cruising around the grounds of the Imperial Palace. As the gates and bridges were well-guarded and closed to the public, there was no means for me to scale the rock walls and cross the moat...but it was amusing never-the-less.

God blessed me with a wonderful mother and she arrived safe and sound with luggage in tow. We also had many more miracles in the travel back home...besides lugging 2 massive suitcases (not what I would recommend in Japan), we made a 10-minute transfer in Tokyo Station to the shinkansen. I would have loved to get the look on our faces when we spied the 2-stories of steps we had to carry her luggage up...but the happy ride back up north made it all worth it. She's one brave traveler...and so cute when she says "どうも" or "thanks" with her little practiced bow ^_^! To be continued....

Sports day...HOORAY!

For the second year running, I attended Minami Elementary School's Sports Day (南小学校の運動会). Besides watching all the kids run their hearts out, the day was filled with lots of cheering, a couple traditional dances, some random relays, and (I think the best part) the special bento lunch. Granted I didn't take as many pictures as I would have wished...maybe you can enjoy a few moments. Having laryngitis over the past few days diminished my abilities to participate much (not that I would be expected to under normal conditions), BUT I did get out there and do a relay with my 4th grade class teacher and one of the dances with the kids where we hold origami flowers. And a newly discovered favorite...lychee (or lichi, a type of fruit from a Chinese tree) throat lozenges...I wish I could tell the old man who gave them to me how much I love them! I will have to stock up for my trip home!

(This guy had the right idea on his back even though he wasn't out there running.)

(Two of my favorite 4th graders...so sweet!)

Bowling is NOT boring

When I looked up the correct Japanese translation for "bowling", I found it had the same pronunciation as "boring" (ボーリング). However this can easily be clarified with a few pictures that show not only a brilliant time, but also a very Happy Birthday to Niqie on May 31st! So here's to my first ボーリング experience in Japan...

(Steph inevitably with the best Japanese out of us gurls had the most amusing misspelling of her name as "Stella", she's also appearing quite serious at this whole bowling thing ^_^. We were digging the 80's velcro shoes. Niqie enjoying her balloon surprise in the car.)

(The cutiest ballgirl ever....that would be Yukie of course in the striped socks! Aaron gives his thumbs up approval...as does the rest of the gang.)

(What more can I say?)