Christmas lunch at Quilting Class

We had a carry in lunch with two classes combined at Quilting today. 5 Japanese ladies and me from 11 to 4. Think Japanese Immersion. I felt a bit waterlogged by the end of the afternoon. I did learn how to turn a sharper corner on my applique pieces today. We discussed Obama bowing to the Emperor and his wife. We talked about Emiko-san's son the "Food Fighter." And, they talked about a lot of things while I did some applique.

The lunch was wonderful, as usual and we all were sighing "Ippai" at the end.

Pictures of the quilt-in-progress are on Picasa in an album titled Japanese Memory Quilt. Just double-click on one of the slide shows to the left and the click on "My Photos."

Welcome to My Neighborhood

Where can you find a garage full of Minis next to a Harley shop? In my neighhborhood - Osu Ichikawa Japan. Visit new pictures in my Picasa Albums by double clicking on the slideshow running at the left.

Anniversary

I arrived in Japan for my fourth time one year ago. It looks as if I may be able to stay for about one more year, thanks to the generosity and prayers of many of you, my friends and supporters.

I must say that I would like to push thoughts of packing and moving as far into the future as possible, just on general principles. Ugh!

I have been able to re-establish relationships with most of my friends from past visits as well as making some new ones. I've learned how to do some new things - mostly with computers. have honed some skills, mostly in sewing and have even learned some Japanese, though woefully little compared to the vastness of the language.

I ride a bike now instead of jumping in the car, use yen instead of dollars, call people using my computer and eat cold rice for lunch by choice.

It's a different way of life, but one that I enjoy most of the time.

So, for a while longer you can check in on me here. Thanks for following even when I haven't had much to say. Write a comment - I read them all and answer most. Mata neh - till next time.

Never go into a toilet without a camera

That's usually my rule here in Japan. The toilets are clean, but can come in such a great variety of configurations. Then there are sometimes printed instructions on their proper use. Unfortunately on Saturday, I broke my own rule and went into a toilet that was attached to the storefront where I was taking a lesson in weaving. The toilet unit was a variation of the hole in the floor type that I hadn't seen before, raised up to about half of the height of a "Western" toilet
but no seat, so you clearly weren't meant to get comfortable. The really unique feature was that the pipes, that you sometimes can hold on to for balance, had pieces of barbed wire attached to them to discourage such behavior! And there was me with no camera. You'll just have to imagine.

PS Toilets in Japan are never called bathrooms, because that is the separate room with the tub in it. Rest Room is also an American euphemism. The Japanese polite term is "Washing Hands Room".

Mrs S.'s Sunday School Class

Isn't this a great looking bunch? Their Class supports me in prayer, and asks questions about what I'm doing via email. On occasion when I'm home I have the distinct pleasure of leading their meeting. It's a great age.

Internet Connection

Pookie Jr. and I are connected to the internet in my apartment at last! I won't tell you how many months and how many people this has taken to accomplish. Now I will be able to Skype all of those parts of the world that are best Skyped after reasonable office hours. I can spend half the night chasing stuff on the web. WooHoo!

The Positive Side of Typhoons

The one good thing about typhoons that I can think of is that if they come near Tokyo, the winds blow all the smoke, pollution and clouds away. So, after the typhoon of last Thursday, just at sunset, I walked against the wind that was still very strong to the riverside. Up the stairs on the side of the levee and there it was:

That distinctive pyramidal shape in the distance - everyone in Japan recognizes, Mt. Fuji