We've arrived in Perth

Yesterday was a full day spent in the sky. We left our home at 6:20am to make our way to Narita airport. Roo worked his legs by running in the airport at Kuala lumpar.Next, we flew on brightly colored Malaysian Air to Perth, Australia, arriving to our hotel at 1:30am. Things went smoothly. We all were a little grumpy on the first flight, but slept well on the second. Roo played & watched Speedracer television, Ryan listened to music while reviewing documents, and I finished a book and watched Julie & Julia. Today we catch up on our rest!

Mesclun Update

The baby leaf mixed greens continue to grow! Unfortunately for us, we'll miss out on eating the first clipping because of holiday travel. This morning they are going to a neighbors for safe keeping. I'm just happy to see something grow.

"Shin" or "New"

Despite a financial scandal within the organizing body that coordinates the decision process, Japan has once again chosen The Kanji of the Year. "Shin" means "New" and symbolizes 2009 for various reasons. Most interesting, the new type of flu virus that has us parents checking our child's temperature daily, has caused school classes to close here and there, and has caused more people than usual to don a white surgical mask before stepping onto the public bus. What "new" things happened for us in 2009? Let's see...

• We started the year by vacationing in a state we hadn't been, Hawaii.


• Our country inaugurated a new President.


• Ryan got a hearing aid.


• I got an espresso machine.


• Roo can wash his own hair.


• My heels (sometimes) reach the floor in down dog.


• I had my eyelashes permed.


• Roo had his first sleepover at a friends.


• Ryan switched to a Mac .


• I learned to hula hoop.


• Ryan started Pilates.


• Roo had his first trip to the dentist and had a cavity filled.


• Roo lost two baby teeth and two new teeth came in their place.


• I finally made it to Kyoto.


• I have a new camera that I haven't managed to take out of the box yet.

And the most amazing "new" thing for our family .....

• Roo started kindergarten and is learning to read, do math, and ask amazing questions!

Leg warmers

This weekend I heard a visiting American comment that she loved that in Japan she can wear leg warmers, something she hasn’t done since Flashdance. It got me thinking that a revival of this tubular knit hasn’t happened yet in the States. Here, where there are pantyhose, there are leg warmers. A few weeks ago while on a quick trip to the shopping area of Shibuya, I snuck into a stocking shop to replenish my own toe sock, ankle warmer and leg warmer collection. Like leggings, I go for the basic variety in either brown or black. Leggings? Of course! What else do you wear with leg warmers?

Teacher Appreciation

Thursday was Teacher Appreciation Day at Roo's school. The parents managed to surprise the entire staff with a buffet feast fit for this hardworking ambitious bunch. The food covered flavors from around the world. The display was splendid!

Spa Resort Hawaiians

This past weekend we traveled with two other families from school to the town of Iwaki in Fukushima prefecture. Our destination, the Spa Resort Hawaiians theme park. Built in the mid 1960’s to bring economic vitality to this previously prospering coal town, the resort is a massive indoor complex. It was two warm days filled with pools, water slides, raft rides, and hot springs. Dressed in the hotel issued attire, we attended the evening show which featured amazing dancers, beautiful costumes, flame throwers and a live Hawaiian band. The kids, two boys and two girls, played great together. They kept us parents busy going from area to area. As one parent put it, “it was the most tiring relaxing weekend I’ve ever had”. Despite the required effort to take it all in, it is a fun get away for families.

This is the European style family hot bath. There is a separate area containing the traditional Japanese hot bath that replicates the style from the edo period, however, since men and women are separated, we opted for the "swim suits on" family option.

Our group dressed in the hotel issued evening attire.

Roo loved the current pool that moves your float along.
Ryan entertained the kids for most of the 2 1/2 hour train ride home.

Fa la la la la, la la la la

In preparation for today's program at school, Roo has been practicing his "fa la la la la". However, instead of Deck the Halls, Roo's class sang a more knightly version in tune with this month's theme study of the country of England.

Girls: A princess lives in the tall tower,

Boys: Fa la la la la, la la la la,

Girls: I always drop down lots of flowers,

Boys: Fa la la la la, la la la la

Girls: I need a Prince to break the spell,

Boys: Fa la la la la, la la la la

Girls: Who will save me time will tell,

Boys: Fa la la la la, la la la la

Girls: Is there a brave Prince in these lands,

Boys: Fa la la la la, la la la la

Girls: I wish he'd take me by my hand,

Boys: Fa la la la la, la la la la

Boys: I will save you Princess fair

Boys: Fa la la la la, la la la la

Girls: Not right now I gotta wash my hair,

Boys: Fa la la la la, la la la la .