Finally Nicholas's turn

At TIS the kids had their spring concert. This is really more for Judy-gram who requested that Nicholas be in the spotlight on the blog as the other two have had their chance. Poor middle child. He really did surprise us with his somewhat enthusiastic performance. Kate's class performed a few traditional Japanese dances - and I should probably post those as Nicholas's class focuses on water - not really anything Japanese...but it's his turn. It's a long one and I don't expect anyone to watch all of it. It's hard enough to sit through your own child's performance.

Connor is narrating.
This one's for you mom.

Fish heads fish heads rolly polly fish heads

One thing on everyone's list when they visit Tokyo is the Tsukjij Wholesale Fish Market. It is recommended to hit it around 5am to see the most action. So the best time to visit the market is the first or second day you are here as you will be waking up early enough due to jet lag. All of our visitors have been there, done that. Finally it's my turn. The highlight is the Tuna Auction from 5AM-6AM. I wasn't there for the early show - but there was still plenty to see at 9AM. And the earlier the better as the market closes up around 10am. I was on a tour with 6 other women. We walked by so many unknown things from the sea, it was nice that our guide could do a little explaining. I have never been a big seafood eater and what I saw today pretty much reinforced that. I really tried not to look disgusted at times, but I am not sure I hid my reactions very well.

These are the guys to watch out for - the ones on the trolleys - they have the right of way, they WILL run you over. Things are tight and fast moving, you have to be very aware.

Just a little smoke while he sells his goods. The smell of smoke actually overpowered the smell of the fish. There is no way this place would pass any inspections in the states.

Octopus eggs - about 4 inches wide and very squishy

I didn't touch them, someone else in our group did - I was surprised no one hollered at her.

the whale stall...hmm...is this really possible today?

vacuum packaged whale

these were moving - baby eel? not sure, but plenty of the buckets of these squirmy things around

lobster covered in sawdust to keep them moist

blood and guts - everywhere

turtles - alive - this guy was trying to get out of the bag - made me very sad

swordfish, this guy was tearing off pieces and putting a piece in his mouth and then offering a piece to us - I took their word for it that it was tasty

this place is not recommended for small children - for obvious reasons

this was also moving, a bit hard to get in the bag

some very large shellfish

I was informed today that the Japanese carve out the eyeball and eat the jelly like substance

it's a delicacy, my friend's husband was offered this at a work dinner, but he just couldn't do it

so cheap! that's 2,000 yen for the entire tray

Fish heads fish heads

Rolly polly fish heads

Fish heads fish heads

Eat 'em up Yum!

Sunday in the Park/ Meiji Shrine and Harajuku

Ah...another lovely day seeing the sights in Tokyo with our 3 well-behaved children. At least the sights were enjoyable. Such torture for the boys until they had ice cream in their hands. We headed over to Meiji Shrine, in Harajuku, one of the best known shrines in Tokyo. I specifically wanted to go on a Sunday in hopes that we would witness a wedding, but I guess weddings are common there any day of the week. We were able to see two processions, but no actual ceremonies. Entrance to the Meiji Shrine


The grounds are enormous. This is the place that packs in 3 million people to ring in the New Year.

The first wedding procession. This couple was surprisingly a bit older.

The guards telling us to get out of the way - in the nice sort of Japanese way.

#2

She was beautiful. Didn't crack a smile.

Outside of the shrine - Harajuku girls

Looked good. Smelled good, but tasted more like the dough they put the red bean paste in. We didn't finish the bag.

Some 50's group that hung out, drank beer and danced - drew a good crowd

Serious hair

and outfits

quick clip of 'the show'

Even the dogs are well dressed in Tokyo

Dogs are everywhere here, and people usually have more than one. And they are usually dressed well - for a dog. The outfits change with the seasons. Down coats for winter, raincoats for the rainy season, light shirts for spring. It makes me a bit crazy as I miss our dog terribly, but most of the dogs I see are small dogs and the big dogs typically don't have frilly outfits on or a pair of jeans on either - just a large t-shirt, you know like the way we would dress up our dogs when we were kids.

Here is a sample of what one can expect to see walking down the streets of Tokyo, but I missed shots of so many more outrageous outfits.

At one point the owner took off the outfit -- someone we were with suggested that was because they didn't want it to get dirty

fairy dog?

so many dogs in bike baskets, strollers and handbags







notice the matching hair(fur) accessories

and sometimes the dog matches it's owner

And these 4 dogs just hung out letting everyone take their picture.

Freshman 15

A few weeks ago we had another parent's night out for Connor's preschool class, which then led to a pool hall and I believe Jack ended the night at his favorite hangout - Heaven. Sometimes it feels like I am on a really long vacation. Sometimes it feels like college or my 20's in Chicago (except I am now trying to do the same things in a 40 year-old body). Everything is new and exciting. We go out more often than back home, eat out more, drink more and stay out later. Last night when we came home at 10, the sitter was quite surprised. It was an unusually early night.

I must keep things in check or I just might roll home this summer with a few extra pounds -my Japanese version of the freshman 15. You would think that all the walking should make a difference and it does probably help. It certainly doesn't help one's self-esteem that the Japanese are so tiny. There was a paragraph in the expat bible stating that, 'one might feel self-conscious of their size and it will take some getting used to.' They weren't kidding. You certainly notice when someone is not so tiny. My clothes still fit - check. It doesn't matter that the Japanese portions are smaller, that the food is healthier, the celebrations are many.

Sakura

Cherry Blossom Forecast for Japan

The Sakura, or Cherry Blossom season is forecasted by the Japanese Meteorological Agency similar to the tracking of the changing of leaves in the states. Apparently March 28th was the day for Tokyo. But Tokyo can't control Mother Nature and as much as they would like everything to be ON TIME the forecast was off. Fortunately for us the peak wasn't until after our return from Thailand. When the trees bloom, spring has arrived and every single Japanese is out with their family and friends celebrating under a tree with some sake and food on a good ol' plastic mat. This is Hanami. We decided to partake in a Hanami picnic with 5 other families at Shinjuku Gyoen. Interestingly enough, I was trying to spot our group in a sea of Japanese in this enormous grassy (well, not quite grassy yet) park and I couldn't see them for some time! I am not sure how we didn't see them as there were almost 20 of them, including several kids and no other gaijin around! As usual we drew plenty of attention with the children running about, screaming, yelling, and a couple of knock-down drag outs (those were between Nick and Kate). I probably should have consumed some Sake myself, but I was the designated (bike) driver responsible for getting Connor home safely. And from past experience drinking and riding don't mix(this happened just once). In any case, it really was spectacular and a sight to see everyone celebrate this season and taking pictures under the trees, holding the flowers, pointing to the blossoms. It seemed as if this was the first time they had every witnessed this beauty in nature.



The photos below are from my quiet stroll to Naka-Meguro the following day, which I personally enjoyed more. Maybe that's because I was alone. The trees lined this waterway. The breeze blew. It began to snow - cherry blossoms. Girls giggled and ran after the petals, little kids collected the fallen flowers from the ground. People took their sushi and grabbed a spot on the curb. It really was a sight to see.

I get it now.

What just happened?

I am walking through the train station today on the way to the gym and a Japanese guy stops me and starts asking me questions I can't understand. Then of course I forgot my phrase to tell him I only spoke a little, so I just stood there. He then pulled out a police badge and some sort of ID. He was wearing street clothes and about 25, maybe 30? Who knows. My first thought, is this a joke? He is trying to scam me? Is he really a police officer? (I chalk my paranoia up to watching too much TV and reading too many warnings on the Internet about people posing as police officers. But come on! We are in Japan.)

Then he says passoporto something...
I said, "I don't have my passport. "
He says, "Sorry, passoporto carry/require" ( not really sure )
I said, "I am an American?"
He says, sorry, passoporto thing....again
I said, "I have my alien registration card?"
He just looks at me and apparently he isn't leaving until I produce something for some reason I have no clue. I look around, I don't see any officers. I pull out my alien registration card and show it to him.
He says, "Oh, sorry, sorry!" All the while smiling and giving me a little bow.
I said/motioned, "Can I go now?" I was clearly annoyed.

And apparently I was free. What just happened? Seriously, did he think I was a criminal in my gym clothes, spring coat and YMCA bag on my shoulder?

Kate's turn - again

One of the hardest parts for me about leaving Mpls was giving up Kate's gymnastics. Okay, so Kate was giving up her gymnastics, not me. In any case we found a program here that allows her to have fun and make some progress, but it's not as challenging as it was back home. She was going to begin competing last fall just before we moved. And although the program here isn't about competing, but about building self-esteem, she is still enjoying herself and we have said as long as she wants to go we'll keep signing her up. The coach recognizes Kate's strength and always feels badly that he doesn't have a team she can participate in, instead he gives her a little extra time and pushes her where he can. She has definitely made some progress and it was great to see her tumble on the special 'watching day.' This happens only one time per session.

Connor's Turn

Just wanted to post some of Connor in action at Willowbrook International Preschool. He has a fantastic time and I am impressed with all that they do. Tracing some kanji, katakana or hirigana (not sure which one)

...remember my lessons haven't begun

Working with one of the three teachers for 16 kids - nice ratio


These are used for Japanese ball games, although not so good with the superballs in the apartment




A bit of Yoga with Miss Yoko

...and close your eyes and stretch

Practicing mochi making for the New Year

This is the sushi roll I believe? Playdo and paper version

Finished product

Looks a bit disturbed.

Waiting for his turn

Connor and his buddy Leo, apparently telling him something important

Inventions and vaporizors

Connor and Aiden

Arisugawa Park Play - they are identified by their smocks as there are often several preschools playing here. The younger Japanese preschools outfit their kids in matching hats instead of smocks - really cute

Learning about South America

In the month of February the parents came in on various days to share information about their home country

Pinata making - which then they broke open at the park with those paddles from above

USA day - I asked Connor later (at home) how he liked those weiners. He looks at me shaking his head and says, "Mom, don't you know a weiner is a penis?"














Below is a clip from the Spring Show. One of the songs Connor's class performed was We are the World (in case you can't tell). Of course tears just started streaming down my face. It was really sweet looking at all the kids from 'all over the world' singing this song along with the sign language. The costume directions were basically whatever they wanted as long as they had their flag somewhere on their body. Connor is in red. This is not the best footage, but I don't have a cable to download from the actual video camera. Kate took this with our picture camera.