Drolet Jean

Who? Apparently it's me. The other day a note arrived from my mobile phone company, addressed to Drolet Jean. In the past, I've received mail sporting my name not quite right; Dorla, Durla, Daria. This, by far, wins the prize! Even our surname registered as Paulfm in the computer at Dominoes isn't this funny. I applied for my mobile phone the day after arriving in Japan and the token English speaking girl behind the counter had the task of figuring out how to write my name phonetically in Japanese since I had no idea what she was talking about. The same girl tried to sell me more texting minutes. She really couln't fathom when I explained "seriously, the only person I know is my husband". Bless her sweet heart for giving us this good laugh.

Dinosaur Land

What to do with old branches from ikebana? Hmm... I know, use them for trees in Dinosaur Land! Right now our living room floor is covered with a green picnic tarp. It is the landscape for Dinosaur Land. Our paper mache' volcano from a previous project occupies the center, a brachiosaurus eats from branches, and Playmobil people discharge their tranquilizer guns to break up a dinosaur fight. The Saturday project of an imaginative and busy five year old!

The Glue Gun

The topic of discussion in our home this week has been about the glue gun. This first week of school, Roo’s class used this tool for a project. Needless to say, it pumped him full of pride to be trusted with the responsibility of using this, in his words, “dangerous” tool. His class is the eldest in the school. Based on how much he’s talked about this point in the previous four days, I’d say he’s enthused about playing the role of The Big Kids. In a factual tone, he explained that when you’re in preschool you learn how to be nice to one another. When you’re in kindergarten, you learn how to use dangerous things (e.g. the glue gun).

First Day of School

Today I started kindergarten,
Mommy says I’m growing up.
I ate my favorite breakfast,
pumpkin pancakes with syrup.

Working with my teacher Beth,
this year I’ll learn to read,
Jolly Phonics in preschool,
planted my literacy seed.

I think I’ll miss my toys at home,
but school too can be fun.
I like my friends best of all,
Diego, Taiyo, Alex, and Callum.

Obon Festival at Hibiya Park

Yesterday we attended one of Tokyo’s biggest festivals, Marunouchi Ondo in Hibiya park. We observed the rhythmical dance of Bon Odori. Originally, “Obon” or “Day of the Dead” was a celebration to honor one’s deceased ancestors. The dancing was a display of gratefulness. Synonymous with summer, this sort of festival occurs in July and August throughout Japan. Mostly middle aged or elderly women lead the dances from the interior of the circle. Quite the accomplishment especially when you consider they’re doing so in hard to balance wooden sandals. The only parallel Ryan and I could think of was line dancing, only with catchier music and the always cool taiko drums. The traditional attire is the summer cotton kimono called a yukata. All generations seemed to be dancing, moving between the circle and the grassy area where onlookers enjoyed beer, sake and festival foods including some of the meatiest hot dogs we’ve ever seen. Seriously, they make the foot long at the Minnesota state fair look chintzy. Like the state fair, the evening carried that end of summer feeling, as tomorrow or the following week, many children head back to school.

Roo enjoying a big yo-yo in the children's activity area.

We saw many young girls and their mothers wearing a summer yukata.

The taiko stage.

One of the dances. Roo's impressed he gets to keep the fan.

Trip to U.S.A

We're back in Japan after a full two and half weeks in America. It was a busy but good trip. Roo and Ryan spent many evenings at the ball diamond where Ryan used to play as a boy, I took a solo trip to Colorado, and we all had fun seeing friends and family. We have a few days to get over our jet lag before Roo heads back to school to start the equivalent of American kindergarten. My baby is getting big!

knfb Reader

This is Roo with his great aunt and uncle, Bonnie and Bob. Bonnie, my aunt, lost her eyesight in her 20’s. She does amazingly well and exemplifies the meaning of the words positive outlook and glass half full. As a sighted person, she enjoyed reading. Technology has progressed such that now she’s learning to use a souped up cell phone to scan and listen to what she wants, when she wants. This tool offers easy access to everyday life components such as magazine articles, books, currency, recipes, or restaurant menus. Here she is showing how clearly the device processed a poem.

It’s quick and surprisingly accurate. The device is called the KNFB Reader Mobile. Their most well known client is Stevie Wonder. Oh, and now Aunt Bonnie.

MN Zoo

Today was beautiful! Roo and I spent the afternoon at the Minnesota Zoo, which is located on 500 wooded acres of land. I’ve always liked this zoo because I can give patronage with a clear conscience. Except for one encounter, during an off peak visit, with what seemed to be a very lonely moose, I rarely feel sad for the animals. For the most part, this zoo doesn’t have exhibits that mirror the stir-crazy-tiger-pacing-on-the-small-concrete-slab image that is so often the case at urban zoos. While recreation and the funds received for this purpose are likely an important part of the zoo’s operation, what is somewhat unique and wonderful about the MN Zoo is the very apparent focus on conservation. The zoo participates in many national programs that monitor the breeding and conservation of endangered species. And, recent renovations ensure a top quality and up to date atmosphere. In the past, I recall hearing in conversation, complaints about how difficult it was to see the tigers because they were too far back in the exhibit under a shady tree in the tall grass, or that you can barely see the wolves because they blend in with the nature and don’t move during the day. Personally, I’d rather strain a bit to see the tiger in the grass than have a close up view on concrete. I’ll admit I’m hoping to instill this same preference in Roo. Recently at a circus that was mostly acrobatics but did have a few animal acts, Roo turned to me during the bear’s performance and asked skeptically “mommy, do you think those bears are having fun?” I asked him what he thought; did it look like they were having fun? I was delighted and relieved when he responded “no, I don’t think they look like they’re having much fun.” We agreed they'd be happier living in the woods.

On the Minnesota Trail, the children can measure their wingspan. Roo matched the horned owl.

My favorite was the giraffes in the African exhibit (only open during the summer months for obvious reasons).
Roo is his 3D goggles for Dinosaurs Alive IMAX show.
Only in Minnesota is the ride on toy at the park a Walleye (the state fish...I think).

Friends

Gwen, Trisha, Darla & Megan

Today I met friends from my hometown that I’ve known forever (since kindergarten). A group of girls that may know me better than anyone ever will. While our lives after high school went different directions and our interests diverged, we’ve managed to stay connected. Amazingly we find the opportunity to visit together every couple of years. Each time it seems we pick up where we left off and ensuingly cover a lot of ground in conversation. And there’s plenty of laughing. The type that makes your vocals silent and your stomach hurt from laughing so hard. It was a great day!

Day One

On our first full day back in Minnesota Ryan went into work at the Minneapolis office, I went to a yoga class at the studio where my practice started, TaraNa, and Roo accomplished the promised and much anticipated trip to Toys R Us to purchase Ben10 aliens. It was a fun active day.

Roo playing with the Ben 10 Alien Creation Chamber.

Sleepy Traveler

We've arrived in Minnesota. All things went smoothly. Roo slept peacefully for most of the flight. Leaving the airport he declared "I'm genki". He's been having a blast playing at Grandma and Grandpas, discovering new toys and becoming reacquainted with some. Ryan's on bedtime duty because I'm about to crash. I haven't achieved the genki feeling yet, but hopefully after a good night of rest I"ll be ready to go tomorrow. Good Night!

Sayonara

This afternoon we leave Japan to visit Minnesota. Roo is excited to get to his grandparent's home and play with toys he remembers, with amazing detail, from last year. Between visits with friends & family, shopping for items difficult to buy in Tokyo (e.g. Children's Motrin, Ben 10 figures, shoes for Ryan), and activities evoking nostalgia (Lake Calhoun, Sebastian Joe's oreo ice cream, the old neighborhood), it should be a busy month!