tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7913087103125659592011-09-27T04:03:38.520+09:00I am who I am because of where I have been and who has been there with me.mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.comBlogger1711100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-49557383109480800772011-04-17T14:00:00.004+09:002011-04-17T14:08:45.142+09:00

Lucy and I at school on an ARFF Friday, where any student or staff who would share what made them feel good this week at school got a lovely whipped cream moustache. My ARFF for the day?Achievement: Having successfully planned and carried out this crazy morning event.Respect: Students that thanked us when we sprayed them.Freedom: An awesome book club discussion tonight!Fun: Good food and

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-82755182582289136142011-04-17T13:58:00.003+09:002011-04-17T13:59:54.650+09:00

Lucy has been sporting new glasses since January. Isn't she adorable, and doesn't she look so smart and mature? Her proud Mom thinks so!

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-74286420493530678712011-04-17T13:46:00.002+09:002011-04-17T13:53:12.167+09:00

Last month, Lucy and I posed as pirate teacher and tortured pirate child in our American stage debut. Bigfork's annual COWABUNGA variety show and fundraiser offered up the theme of pirates this year, so a group of teachers from our school jumped aboard. We sang and danced a revised version of "What Do You Do With A Drunken Sailor" (Which we rewrote as "What Do You Do With A Lazy Student"), and

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-39744745258198901482010-12-28T12:04:00.007+09:002010-12-28T12:25:28.293+09:00

Christmas with the Kaneys was AMAZING FUN! Sledding, then downhill skiing, then cross-country skiing, building snow forts, then touring Yellowstone in a snow coach. Memories for a lifetime! 今年のクリスマスはとても楽しかった！雪の遊びは雪車にして、alpineスキーにして、nordicスキーして、鎌倉を作って、そしてYellowstone国立公園でスノーバスを乗って。。。思い出たっぷり！

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-87933018532573862042010-12-22T01:20:00.007+09:002010-12-22T01:24:58.972+09:00

Ski and Skating Photos. Skiing at Blacktail Mountain, and Skating at Swan Lake by bonfire and moonlight.

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-1151472004895156732010-12-17T14:06:00.002+09:002010-12-17T14:08:38.511+09:00

Happy Birthday to Lucy. Growing up so fast!

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-26263879016023488692010-11-22T11:38:00.003+09:002010-11-22T11:46:13.850+09:00

Our first real snow of the season. Can't wait for skiing! Went outside to shovel the driveway, and Lucy was throwing herself onto the ground making this series of snow angels. Thank gosh we now live on a road with no traffic, because she was right out in the middle of the road! やった！冬がやって来た！本格的に雪が降った。もう直ぐスキが出来るのは楽しみ〜！今日は外に庭の整理をした時、知らない内にLucyが路で『雪天使』を次次に作り出した。ほとんど車が通らない路でよかった。

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-422204387201094192010-09-26T04:35:00.003+09:002010-09-26T05:14:00.461+09:00

TGIF! We were exhausted and planned to just go home and crash on the couch, but at the last minute, I talked Lucy into going up to our high school`s football game. Since Bigfork is class B in sports, I think the football team is filled by almost every young man who they can stuff into a uniform. Lucy has never experienced watching a football game, nor a small-town sporting event. Didn't take

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-69978140867079593622010-09-24T13:15:00.006+09:002010-09-24T13:37:41.695+09:00

Nights are quiet now after Lucy has gone to bed. Got all my creature comforts though...Ready for some self-induced cabin fever pretty soon! Lucyが寝た後が静か。何となく心も静かです。。。もう直ぐは自分で「cabin fever」季節に入りたい。一日が少し短くなると同じ程度に段々どこでも行きない、家にのんびりしかない季節が始まる。気持よさそう。

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-78115894711455705052010-09-13T01:29:00.006+09:002010-09-30T13:18:22.310+09:00

School started this week with new faces, a crazy mix of personalities, talents, and smiling faces. I'm still in 3rd grade, and Lucy is in 2nd. She is trying out our school's Montessori-style class, which combines 1st and 2nd graders. One young gal in her class has Type 1 Diabetes, and has to get her blood sugar tested before lunch every day. And on Wednesday, the class had a visit from a

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-1604498940771080222010-09-05T13:37:00.004+09:002010-09-05T13:56:29.858+09:00

Got baggage? No, not the carry-on vs. checked baggage question. Got a history of gunk you carry with you from your past, present, or virtual life? Yep, we all do. A wonderful passage in a book I happened to open at a friend's house the other day has been my ray of hope these past couple months. When I can find a copy of the book to quote it properly, I will, but what it gently told me was

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-25864613255785767622010-09-05T12:58:00.008+09:002010-09-05T13:23:43.442+09:00

先週は私のばあちゃん、Lucyのひおばあちゃん、がモンタナに遊びに来ました。その時の写真です。最後の写真は４世代の写真です。皆は似ていますか？

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-33400555416598167672010-09-05T12:39:00.006+09:002010-09-05T12:58:09.788+09:00

今週はLucyは５日間を自家でGrandmaとGrandpaと過ごしました。今週はIllinois州からのJohnおじさんも自家に遊びに来ました。それと今週は町の農業際の週でした。農業際の始まりはParadeだ。びっくりの事で、paradeの中はコンクリート車がコンクリートの代わりに飴が入って、回りながら飴がだらだら出って来ました。前歳にparadeに参加しているみたい。傘か箱を用意している人がいたらしい。すごいね。

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-30461326470799052242010-08-08T23:34:00.005+09:002010-08-08T23:46:18.263+09:00

今週はまた泳ぎが楽しかった。　知らんうちにLucyは泳ぎが出来た！湖で少しずつ飛ぶ自信が出来て、それと段々深くまで泳ぎに行けた。そしたら、昨日は町のプールで『泳ぎテスト」受けた。大きいプールと水滑り台は１人で入りたいなら、１０メートルぐらいの泳ぎをプールの兄さんに見せないといけたい。年下の友達は先週受けて合格したから『今日は受けたい』って。正直に私は本人はまだ出来ないと思った。でも、一発できれいな泳ぎで合格。おめでとう！その後はずっとこの笑顔。

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-62115503441054873102010-08-08T23:27:00.004+09:002010-08-08T23:34:21.056+09:00

先週は両親とGlacierとCanadaにドライブしました。一泊２日でCanadaのPrince of Wales HotelでLucyはこの兄ちゃんに気にいた。写真は携帯からので質は良くないけど。。

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-26938871607054545292010-07-31T22:45:00.004+09:002010-07-31T22:50:45.236+09:00

川のかっぱ昨日は友達の家で子供たちが小川で遊んだ。川の中は草はいっぱいので、泳ぎよりその草と遊ぶのは楽しかったみたい。かっぱのポーズです。

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-36131317816873114932010-07-14T04:12:00.004+09:002010-07-14T04:15:19.512+09:00

A few photos of our summer playtime with cousins Daniel and Nathan.

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-44182085429510153112010-02-16T01:07:00.007+09:002010-02-16T13:48:57.871+09:00

Many people have politely reminded me how lazy I have gotten about keeping up on my blog, or how much better Eiji is at keeping his going. I have excuses galore for my laziness, but really, every time I sit down to write, our humdrum days don't seem very post-worthy. For the sake of our Japanese friends and family that wonder how our life here is, this is our typical day:5:30a.m. I get up6:

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-17243640319824902562009-11-15T18:22:00.005+09:002009-11-15T19:03:29.844+09:00

I thank the great powers that be that...I am growing older, not younger,I can force myself to stay awake and allow myself to sleep in,That Montana has 4 seasons, even though they are disproportionate in length,That my husband and the car mechanic forgive my automotive ignorance as I translate for a tune up,That ice cream has a tad of calcium and it is too late for coffee to stunt my growth,That I

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-61047505441819662852009-11-09T02:12:00.002+09:002009-11-09T02:26:32.256+09:00

特に用件なしですけど。。。日本の友達へ。。。連絡は少なくてゴメンね！今日は日本に出てちょうど一年になりました。早かったか長かったか。分からない。ただ色々あった一年でした。今も落ち着いてないけど少しづつアメリカの生活に慣れて来た。何よりも日本の友達に寂しい！日本にいる時に気付てないけど、けっこう格好付けないままで過しまして、楽に楽しかった！友達のおかげだと思う！こちらには同じようなすばらしい友達を作るのは時間かかるかな〜。がんばります！また連絡がんばります！皆は元気？教えてね！

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-69281061367375945032009-06-27T13:54:00.002+09:002009-06-28T06:05:52.567+09:00

Can't help but be reminiscent about Michael Jackson. My family didn't have cable tv, so the only MTV fix I could get was at a friends house. My mother's generation asks the historical question, "Where were you when you heard the news that JFK was shot?" Just last month, a friend and I were asking our own historic 80's questions of, "What was the first cassette tape you ever owned?" (mine was

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-52209658521632754082009-06-18T13:42:00.003+09:002009-06-18T13:51:24.913+09:00

Great news on my lucky number 17 day! I will finally be gainfully employed! And we will be moving to the gorgeous, quaint community of Bigfork, Montana. We are looking for a house that has space for a few guests...so y'all are welcome! 今日は私のラーキーナンバー１７の日でイイ知らせあった。仕事が決めた！９月から小学校の３年生の先生になります。引っ越しになりますけど、可愛い景色が最高な町に住み始まります。お客さんが泊まりに来れる家を探すね。ホッとした。

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-21309194746301862752009-06-08T08:12:00.007+09:002009-06-08T08:27:14.071+09:00

Mark, George and Henry say: Sanity and happiness are an impossible combination.Sanity is madness put to good uses.No man is sane who does not know how to be insane on proper occasions.このネコちゃんは近所のガーラジーセールで見つけた。何か日本に似ている物があた。リオンか牛の似た者があるね。これも日本製みたい。日本はこれ風な人形の名前は誰かしている？気に入りになるかも。仕事のニューズがないので、なかなか話題は出てこないので、モノから話題になっちゃう。上の英語は訳す出来ないけど。。。ストレスは何だ．．．いいもんか悪もんか？

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-85395963620724984062009-05-20T12:46:00.004+09:002009-05-20T13:28:48.689+09:00

I received email yesterday saying that I would get official news today about whether I got the job I interviewed for last week or not. I had told my family that I wanted to celebrate or soak my sorrows with chocolate and wine tonight after I heard the news. Both my husband and father took heed and separately picked up a supermarket cake and bottle of red wine, and the fixings for a full steak

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-47047493488227213522009-05-08T05:37:00.001+09:002009-05-08T05:39:18.683+09:00

今から栄二を迎えに行きます。後で空港の写真を載せるね。

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-22112750004890675752009-05-07T00:30:00.008+09:002009-05-07T00:37:27.169+09:00

Eiji will be here tomorrow! Finally our 6 months apart is done. Safe travels, Eiji!明日は栄二が来ます！６ヶ月ぶりになる。気を付けて来てね。

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-49754670686059927232009-04-12T22:55:00.007+09:002009-04-13T22:13:04.782+09:00

Sometimes, if you stand on the bottom rail of a bridge and lean over to watch the river slipping slowly away beneath you, you will suddenly know everything there is to be know. Rivers know this: there is no hurry. We shall get there some day. Even Winnie the Pooh knows change is good. Change is good. Amen.くまのプーさんの言葉２つです。日本語の訳は下手かもけど。。。「たまに橋の一番下の横木で立って、下を見て、ゆっくり流れって行っている川を見たら、思いがけなく全ての事が分かって来る

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-56066802988162080382009-04-10T23:08:00.004+09:002009-04-10T23:36:29.788+09:00

Some of the commercial and church holidays I choose to avoid these days, but dyeing eggs is just too much fun! We tried to be neat, but both Lucy and I have pink, green, and blue stained fingers that will likely last through the weekend. どう？かわいいでしょう？教会の祭り（キリストの復活際イースター）の習慣です。ゆで卵を食紅と酢で色を付ける。自分の子供頃で大好きだたから、なつかしかった。

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-44961174360937300662009-04-06T07:40:00.003+09:002009-04-06T07:43:59.686+09:00

Can't wait for you to be here, Daddy! Took this shot myself! Whatcha think?

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-20243100664138784032009-04-06T07:25:00.005+09:002009-04-06T07:40:09.020+09:00

Trying not to get too stressed thinking about Eiji's interview at the embassy today, Mother Nature made it easier. We spent most of the day doing Spring Cleaning in the garage and garden...and found signs of new life in the flower beds. Now, I am sitting and waiting for Eiji to email me or call me and say, "I'm good to go!"金曜日から栄二が東京にいます。金曜日は東京の病院で健康診断と今日（月曜日）は大使館で最後の面接です。うまく行くなら、今日でアメリカに来てOK が

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-88888105262993102282009-04-03T21:58:00.002+09:002009-04-03T22:11:04.595+09:00

Today, Eiji left to for Tokyo to do the last two steps of his immigration procedures. First step, a physical and series of shots. The embassy has only a handful of "approved" hospitals where you can go to get an official physical. All these "approved" hospitals are at least an airplane flight away, and cost about $500 plus fees for any extra shots he needs. It doesn't help that he lost his

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-81450511560332607382009-03-15T04:21:00.007+09:002009-03-15T04:26:18.370+09:00

Punked up for a rock and roll birthday party today. Oh, I wish I was a punk rocker with flowers in my hair! 今日Lucyの友達の誕生会。アメリダでは良くテーマの誕生会をする。今日はROCK STARのテーマのパーティので、この風になりました。

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-71848483629669227572009-03-15T00:22:00.005+09:002009-03-15T02:56:43.639+09:00

With a kindergardener in the house, our imagination is always challenged. My six year old likes to pretend, and we can often be caught "playing" shop, playing day care, playing fashion show, playing school....etc. It gets tiring, but it does keep her imagination alive and vocabulary expanding. Teaching all the folklore and (sometimes commercial or borderline religious) stories in school

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-52624145423237882902009-03-01T05:57:00.004+09:002009-03-01T06:05:30.439+09:00

I have casually added these terms in conversation lately, and so wondered, to my hundreds of followers, are you suffering from one or more of the following PC ailments:1. compassion fatigue2. passion fatigue3. fashion fatigueFrom day to day, I suffer from a combination of the three.

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-20716809509350554352009-02-22T03:47:00.002+09:002009-02-22T03:49:00.176+09:00

Do people really care about Brad and Jenny? This stumps me every time I go through the check out at the grocery store!

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-90031858351308992192009-02-22T02:22:00.003+09:002009-02-22T03:47:48.992+09:00

なつかしい、けど何か違う。Lucy and I went into Missoula for some shopping, and decided to try out the Japanese-Korean restaurant that was so highly recommended to us by several people. On the restaurant 5-star scale, I gave it 3 stars, Lucy 2, and I would venture to say Eiji would have trouble giving it 1. Here is our critique:1. The rice. Japan has made me a bit of a rice snob, and after just one bite,

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-26305592678374881762009-02-15T16:12:00.003+09:002009-02-15T16:29:01.317+09:00

Visited Helena this weekend, the town I did some really fun, and really stupid things. Going over McDonald pass, my head was spinning with flashbacks. I think I WOULD actually go back to that part of my life. 週末は久しぶりHelena市に行きました。大学時代はそこで４年間を過しました。町に入った瞬間に色な思い出が頭に出て来た。なつかしい！また２０歳だたら楽しいな〜。今日はリサイクル店とAntique店に行った。これは気に入りはこの物だった。日本製みたい。かわいいでしょう？

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-22648854242341096862009-02-15T16:10:00.002+09:002009-02-15T16:29:46.225+09:00

ほかはblueの物が多かった。安く見つけたワクワクします！

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-19070265119687612692009-02-15T16:08:00.002+09:002009-02-15T16:30:35.828+09:00

Lucy's class on Valentine's Day. Can you find her? Valentineの日。Lucyのクラスです。皆かわいいいいい！

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-50579378996463647262009-02-14T02:00:00.003+09:002009-02-14T02:33:07.392+09:00

I actually am taking the day off to go to a kindergarten Valentine's party today. Ya, I'm not sure that makes sense either... I'll report back later about any inspiration found there. Being away from Eiji My Love (which is how I've typed him into all my email and phone address books...), and watching my daughter get excited about delivering her High School Musical Valentines (now with little

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-25627291896483552332009-02-09T07:20:00.002+09:002009-02-09T07:23:36.235+09:00

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-29831710769743998382009-02-09T06:15:00.007+09:002009-02-09T07:20:43.646+09:00

I've heard too many sad stories from real people around me lately. These honestly are scary times for many of us. I cling to the hope that rings from every tick of the clock. Time shall be the test. 最近は悲しい話はたくさん聞いている。今は本当に色な人に大変な時期だね。私も時計の音に聞こえる希望を期待している。時間は答えになる。

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-43066431773724194512009-02-05T15:22:00.005+09:002009-02-05T15:32:45.749+09:00

I woke up having dreamt of her, super-sized and fluorescent green. So, when I saw her again this morning, I drew up the courage and touched her. It wasn't so bad after all...and I think I will grow to like her. See below!夜の夢の中出て来た。大きいくてまぶしい緑色ではっきり覚えている。だから、朝から触ってみた。恐がり気持ちを押さえて触った。そうなに悪くなかった。好きになるかも。。。。次の見て。

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-89324084658138678042009-02-04T09:21:00.002+09:002009-02-04T09:39:11.935+09:00

I've been playing science teacher all week. The kids are great, but I keep getting wigged out every time I turn around and am greeted by creatures big and small, dead and alive. Meet the biggest of the live creatures, Peaches. You can only see a bit of her here, but when she stretches across her cage, from head to tail she is a yard long. The kids pet and play with her, and she apparently

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-32845986698056756902009-02-04T09:15:00.001+09:002009-02-04T09:19:50.163+09:00

Skulls of every shape and size fill every nook and cranny of the shelves and counter space. この教室は 何でもかんでもの骸骨があちこちに飾ってあります。

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-201971269754815932009-02-04T09:06:00.004+09:002009-02-04T09:20:49.757+09:00

One of the smaller, foot-long creatures. もう一個／ 一匹／一頭？この子なただの３０cmくらい。

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-1800633261523292602009-02-02T13:35:00.003+09:002009-02-02T14:25:13.411+09:00

I've been back in the states almost 2 months now. I wish I could say that time flies, but it has been a terribly long two months. Friends who have made the same move have asked me if I am experiencing reverse culture shock yet, but I honestly can't tell. I am happy with where I am, physically and mentally, but a little anxious to taking the next jump forward into a full time job, house hunting

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-24883101989242171622009-02-02T13:28:00.006+09:002009-02-02T13:35:22.688+09:00

Ice skating at Glacier Rink. After this first attempt, her friend is going to be out-skating Lucy after a few more tries. Little Miss Competitive is already in a huffy! 初めて友達を誘ってICE SKATINGしに行きました。友達は初めてだたのに、後一回ぐらいLucyより上手になりそう。負けづらいLucyにちっと大変だ。SMILE!

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-5835822457176944422009-01-21T03:10:00.004+09:002009-01-21T05:46:34.981+09:00

Last night, instead of our daily prayer before bed, I talked to Lucy about Martin Luther King and the new President Obama. I just happened to by substituting in Lucy's kindergarten classroom yesterday, and had to try and make Martin Luther King's message real to 5 and 6 year olds. After reading a book about his life story, we talked about what ifs. For example, what if only girls could drink

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-30193895715218258952009-01-21T01:41:00.001+09:002009-01-21T03:08:30.941+09:00

My father, who often brings home found treasures from his daily walks, picked up this Inauguration 2009 bottle opener yesterday. Its noon, but I toast to this moment.Proud to be American again more than everLet freedom ring ...What a beautiful, colorful, country we live in...The pomp and circumstance never felt so fitting

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-23834859409859989552009-01-21T01:12:00.003+09:002009-01-21T01:19:37.321+09:00

A school just called to see if I would come in at the last minute today. SORRY! I am planted in front of the television watching the inauguration, and not moving, thank you.

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-43621667134568779392009-01-19T14:02:00.005+09:002009-01-19T14:14:51.010+09:00

Thank God It's Finished! I can't believe that the Bush administration will finally be booted out! What a happy thought! I've got everything riding on the hope that Obama will prove a lot of us right, and a lot of others wrong. あと２日！もうすぐBushは追い出せる！嬉しい！

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-12008294905265774772009-01-11T06:52:00.006+09:002009-01-11T07:07:00.486+09:00

I got called into work last week. Finally! Trying to get my feet wet in the schools here, so I have myself on the list to substitute in the 4 school districts near our house. Kindergarten and junior high school so far. Same mentality, different age and height. I probably am guilty of letting the kids talk more than they should in the classroom, but I enjoy listening to their chatter. Such

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-64545311289630257402009-01-09T13:47:00.006+09:002009-01-09T13:59:09.721+09:00

Happy New Year 2009 in Kalispell. I don't remember seeing so much snow since I was a young kid.写真は良くないけど、これは１月２日の朝。友達の家を泊まった時。朝から、友達が「ちょっと買い物に行く」と言った時、外を見たらびっくりした。「ちょっと待て。車庫から、出れないかも。」たしかそうだた。２時間かけて、３人でシャベルINGして,やっと車庫から道まで車を出せた。久しぶりこの雪。やっぱすごい！

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-48390484007513710272009-01-09T13:11:00.007+09:002009-01-09T13:46:18.574+09:00

Lucy hasn't quite figured it out yet, but when we shop, if she can find something that I think might actually lead to some sincere physical or mind activity, I'm pretty willing to dish out a few bucks. Books are my greatest weakness, and Lucy's collection of books can attest to that. Luckily we have made the library here our new favorite hangout in town, so a few pennies saved there. Over the

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-46087761241190228752009-01-01T18:07:00.004+09:002009-01-01T18:09:34.966+09:00

This was what the roads looked like when we hit the road to go visit our friends. 出かけに道の風景！

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-49188786783277147392009-01-01T18:03:00.008+09:002009-01-01T18:07:18.123+09:00

大晦日は日本の友達の家でPARTYをして。懐かしいので、この小さいテレビで日本の紅白をみた！

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-3218701252604400102009-01-01T17:54:00.006+09:002009-01-01T18:01:17.475+09:00

Lucy and her friend, braving the cold to take a dip in the outdoor hot tub! 大晦日のPartyで、外は寒いなのに、Lucyと友達は水着で外のjacuzziに入った。

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-13227770386875049702008-12-26T07:07:00.004+09:002008-12-26T07:09:24.962+09:00

Dancin' around the house in our new fancy clothes...thanks Auntie Sue and Grandma!

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-9147262910267794592008-12-26T07:04:00.003+09:002008-12-26T07:07:44.562+09:00

Showin' off our new Christmas gifts!

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-84525386488419996722008-12-26T07:03:00.002+09:002008-12-26T07:04:40.426+09:00

Getting ready to glaze the Christmas ham, and we are STYLIN' in our new aprons from Auntie Marilyn!

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-61755206045058714792008-12-26T07:01:00.003+09:002008-12-26T07:02:48.373+09:00

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-72406130201300582062008-12-23T10:35:00.006+09:002008-12-23T10:37:44.934+09:00

Happy Anniversary, Eiji!

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-5872270747450557792008-12-22T04:38:00.002+09:002008-12-22T04:44:42.974+09:00

Grandma Lanor made Lucy an apron (whipped it up in an hour!) so she could be stylin' for the cookie decorating event at the Daly Mansion. Loved every minute of it, and has had the apron on all day! 昨日、こちらのばあちゃんがLucyにかわいいapronを作った（１時間で出来上がり！）。今日はばあちゃんがVolunteerしている所で、クリスマスcookie作りに行った。楽しかったみたい。そしてそのapronは１日中に着た。

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-39622399696213031482008-12-22T03:52:00.004+09:002008-12-22T04:37:48.352+09:00

Do you remember when you found about the truth about Santa? Mine was a hot summer day when I went out bragging to my neighbor friend that I had gotten 35cents from the tooth fairy. I think I was six. This is when I got the devastating news that my parents were actually traitors...they had been faking not only the tooth fairy, but the Easter Bunny and Santa. More than having been fooled by them

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-8025200964340867912008-12-19T14:45:00.004+09:002008-12-19T14:53:52.589+09:00

Can you find Lucy? This is their Christmas concert. The music teacher explained, that at this age, they don't all sing perfectly, but what they do do, we don't call shouting, but "projecting." Lucyのクリスマス＊コンサートです。皆は５ー６歳の子。歌っているより叫んでいる子が多いけど、皆は超かわいい！

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-87527246026507447642008-12-19T14:40:00.003+09:002008-12-19T14:42:12.307+09:00

Ivory top details. Only Eiji will care... I hope!

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-34385476558252836322008-12-19T14:37:00.003+09:002008-12-19T14:40:33.223+09:00

Found this for you, Eiji. Ivory...you will like it! Can we call this your Christmas present?

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-74054276880700499982008-12-14T07:10:00.002+09:002008-12-14T07:21:12.657+09:00

Today, even more snow fell, so I let Lucy run around on the deck. That way, I could watch her and not have to get cold myself!今日はまた雪がいっぱ降った！土曜日だし、本人の誕生日だし、家の前で（私が中から見える所で）遊ばせた。心配しないで、この後直ぐ暖かいお風呂に入れた。

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-46897994018948202942008-12-14T07:08:00.001+09:002008-12-14T07:10:52.531+09:00

Today was Lucy's Birthday. We decorated cupcakes....entertainment for the snowy day!

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-58507340848151416672008-12-14T07:04:00.003+09:002008-12-14T07:21:53.876+09:00

The Lite Brite Set was a winner! Thank you, Daddy.ありがとうパパ！

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-71259069051270937232008-12-09T12:48:00.005+09:002008-12-09T13:05:54.165+09:00

Lucy was so excited when she woke up to see snow on the ground. When she came home, she wanted to make a snowman. I couldn't tell her that the tiny layer of snow covering the yard is nothing compared to what will come later in the winter. Alas, we made her first snowman/creature.初雪だ！朝起きたら、外は真っ白だた。Lucyは大喜び！学校から帰って来たら、「雪だるま作りたい」って。本当に庭には残りが少ないし、もう少し待ってたら、もといっぱい降る日が来ると言ったかたけど本人のやる気に何も言えなかった。出来

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-68840824283703877162008-12-08T15:16:00.007+09:002008-12-08T16:11:23.408+09:00

週末は「いとこパーティ」に行ってきました。アメリカでも珍しいけど、３ヶ月一回ぐらい、私のお母さんと同じ世代のいとこ達の集まり会がある。私の祖父は兄弟９人で、その９人は子供５人ごとぐらいので、お母さんのいとこはいっぱい！ちょど１０年前に誰かが「いとこ会を作ろう」と言って、それから、年４か５回ぐらいに誰かの家でパーティをする。毎回は何人が集まるか分からないけど、今週末の「Christmasテーマ」のパーチィは１６人が来ました！私と私のいとこ一人がその次の世代のメンバーで、そしてLucyといとこの子供３人が３代目もメンバーとして入れてもらった。一番遠いの人は４時間かけて来ました。ただのランチとおしゃべり（今回は特別Christmasプレゼント交換）けど、皆は昔話か家族の話をしてギャーギャー笑って嬉しいそうだだ。女と家族のパーワーを感じた。Lucyも新しいいとこが発見して喜んだ。自分たちの世代

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-82064695772757438392008-12-06T14:43:00.006+09:002008-12-06T23:57:28.246+09:00

I've been getting into my new online education course, titled: Meeting the Needs of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners. I was hoping this course would give me insight into what life for Lucy would be like in the classroom after moving here. In reading the text's own attempt to clarify its labels for people (Latino/Chino/Hispanic? Oriental/Asian? etc), I was reminded of a dilemma I

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-9373250122577546222008-12-02T13:48:00.003+09:002008-12-02T14:27:35.642+09:00

Lovin' every minute of the classic Thanksgiving dinner dishes and the leftovers that go with the long, lazy weekend, but not so sure what to do with myself when the rush to go out and shop hit. Could be that I am successfully managing to keep the purse strings held tight until Eiji's visa procedures (including financial checks) go through (Especially with new that my IRAs and mutual funds

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-29420346675967885862008-12-02T13:36:00.005+09:002008-12-02T13:48:13.823+09:00

Lucy playing in the yard with Big K and Little K! Had a refreshing, relaxing, and rehabilitating weekend! Thanks Kim and Yuji! Great Kimuchi Nabe at Tim and Koari's too! Keep your fingers crossed for us that we can be within babysitting/kid-swapping distance within the next year!週末は友達の家へ。４泊５日！食べて、飲んで、久しぶりのおしゃべり、また食べて、寝て、起きたらまた食べて。。。５日間そればっかりを繰り返して。楽しかった。Lucyはほとんど男の遊びに入って頑張った。パパがいなくて寂しいけど、パパが来

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-23361067362433655012008-11-26T14:08:00.004+09:002008-11-26T14:52:24.928+09:00

I have had a crazy year, so I need to say thanks...for family near and farfor friends who have helped me laugh and stand tallfor colorfor boldnessfor today and tomorrowsfor days when someone else is cooking!for the message in songsfor a new president that isn't agonizing to listen to!for Lucy's quick transition into schoolfor our decision to NOT do presents@Christmasfor my first Thanksgiving

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-38099787292011233452008-11-22T15:14:00.002+09:002008-11-22T15:20:55.065+09:00

You must always be intoxicated.That sums it all up: it's the only question. In order not to feel the horrible burden of Time which breaks your back and bends you down to earth, you must be unremittingly intoxicated.But on what? Wine, poetry, virtue, as you please. But never be sober.And if it should chance that sometimes, on the steps of a palace, on the green grass of a ditch, in the bleak

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-49377187406893237192008-11-22T15:02:00.003+09:002008-11-22T15:07:53.909+09:00

My my space

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-57962345207256908182008-11-22T14:46:00.003+09:002008-11-22T15:02:00.403+09:00

My food for thought.

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-42355551375348455502008-11-18T15:52:00.004+09:002008-11-18T16:13:38.231+09:00

First day of kindergarten...a breeze! What was I worried about? Best part of her day? "We had 4 recesses today!" Ok, I think she's running at normal speed and wavelength! And her choice of toys during our day of shopping the other day? This girly bat and ball. She's a decent little hitter too! Learned it all from High School Musical 2, she says! 小学校の初日？楽勝！「外で４回もあそんだ！」勉強は？「した。」終わり。「明日は何回に外

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-2943489234340672292008-11-18T15:38:00.002+09:002008-11-18T15:52:32.034+09:00

For those of you who know one of our passions, retro vintage dishes, you will know how hard it was for me to control my itching to go and check out the local antique and thrift shops in town. After a week, had to do it. Can't wait to serve y'all a meal in our all-retro kitchen, now in the making! 我慢は出来なかった！今日はちょっとFireking探しに行った。手前の皿は珍しい子供用の皿！夢はもっと広くなった！今度の家はfirekingばっかりのkitchenにする。皆は遊びに来る時は美味しい

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-11766799730771340982008-11-15T13:39:00.002+09:002008-11-15T15:01:20.844+09:00

This is the blue sky and amazing view that greeted us this morning. Just as the fog of jet lag is finally wearing off, the sunshine decided to bless us with a beautiful day! We spent a couple more hours at kindergarten this afternoon "adjusting." It is fun for me to be back in an American classroom again too. Its so much fun and and cozy with play areas, story time carpets and endless hugs

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-42378388512075598322008-11-13T14:45:00.005+09:002008-11-13T15:15:35.219+09:00

Not a great photo, but this was our lil' splurge on our 24 hour jaunt through airports and airplanes from Japan to Montana. Neither Lucy nor I have ever had a manicure, and I thought I would let her get one to kill some time in Seoul. She talked me into joining her, so we got matching spotted nails for much much too much wan, but she was thrilled. Showed every person who came within 5 feet of

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-70335391903077343202008-11-12T16:11:00.003+09:002008-11-12T16:21:47.938+09:00

Finally we are connected and I can write in Japanese. Next, I have to figure out the photo stuff!やっと自分のPCがinternetにつなげった！また写真の付け方はちょっと分かりませんですが。。。アメリカに着いて３日しか立てない。時差ぼけが大変。月曜日から、LUCYは新しい小学校に行き始めるので、どうに頑張ります。またここでNEWSを教えます！

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-1651977266814326792008-11-12T12:17:00.002+09:002008-11-12T12:27:53.239+09:00

Sorry, no photos!We are in Montana.Slow computer!Montana is cold!There is snow on the mountains.We are trying to recover from jet lag.We just eat and sleep.Lucy will start school on Monday.Michelle will start looking for work soon.Lucy keeps noticing how big the people are here.She is still speaking more Japanese than English.Grandma is starting to decipher our Japanese.Miss our Japanese

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-87209491653011848382008-10-29T10:28:00.005+09:002008-10-29T10:41:47.027+09:00

最近は送別会が次々にありまして、本当に寂しなりました。久しぶりの友達を会って、色々な事を思い出して、やっぱり日本は深く心に残ります。必ずまた遊びに来ます。そして、皆さんは是非、是非、是非モンタナに遊びに来てください！My last few weeks have been filled with farewell parties one after the other. Seeing old friends and meeting close friends for the last time, I really am sad to be leaving. Memories of Japan will be with me forever! We promise to come back and visit, and our home in Montana will always

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-36370107258077221382008-10-16T13:15:00.005+09:002008-10-16T13:31:40.052+09:00

With just 3 weeks to go before we leave Japan, it is starting to feel real. We have already had to say last goodbyes or hopeful "See you agains" to several friends. We know we will miss a lot of things, big and little, from this place we now call home. So, the 3 of us all have our own, "must do before we leave Japan" lists. Lucy's first was to eat lots of sushi, mine was to pass some of my

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-27516021182855167272008-10-12T06:47:00.005+09:002008-10-12T06:54:35.688+09:00

Last week was Lucy's Day Care's Sports Day Festival. Different than at home, Sports Day in Japan means that everyone (parents, grandparents, friends, whoever!) is welcome to come and watch the day of races, dancing and games. This year, at her new school, it was incredibly organized and Lucy was all smiles! The last couple years, she suddenly decided she didn't want to run or dance in some

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-60024607588742387252008-10-12T06:38:00.006+09:002008-10-12T06:55:32.863+09:00

When we told Lucy that we were moving home to Montana, the only thing she cried about was having to leave her friends. She quickly chose a small box full of toys she wanted to bring, and is fervently encouraging everyone who steps in our house now to buy some of the "unwanted" so she can have money to buy new ones in Montana. We talk excitedly about the new adventure awaiting her...riding on

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-87926220437416225632008-10-05T13:23:00.003+09:002008-10-05T13:33:59.225+09:00

I am crazy busy because, WE ARE MOVING BACK TO MONTANA IN NOVEMBER!!!!!! Can't wait to get in touch with everyone back home, but I have to get everything on this side of the Pacific settled and sent off in the next month. Hope to see you soon!１１月から、アメリカへ引っ越します！！！！楽しみですけど、こちらの友達との別れはちょっと寂しい。アメリカの新しい生活が始まったら、このblogに写真とNEWSをのせるつもりです。こちらにも連絡してね！

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-62154279074681183472008-08-21T12:01:00.004+09:002008-08-21T12:49:22.274+09:00

In a vacuum of my own creative thoughts, I offer some foods for thought from a movie, radio guest, and Vincent:Its not how much you love a person, but who you are when you are with that person.If you believe you are lucky, you will be.If this life is a losing battle, I want to fight the battle worth winning. The best way to know God is to love many things.For my part, I know nothing with any

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-27351204191654677252008-08-08T10:31:00.007+09:002008-08-08T10:37:16.291+09:00

Finally, school is out. I still have loads of papers to check and grades to turn in by the end of the month, but we get to sleep in an extra hour and I can spend the day in my shorts and t-shirt! After camping, our next summer venture was a road trip and stay in Miyazaki with Eiji's family. We rented a car, stopped and played along the way, then relaxed in a cool condo by the beach! The

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-67178304936965107322008-08-08T10:22:00.008+09:002008-08-08T10:41:28.888+09:00

(Sorry about the fuzzy picture, but the puppy is in his doggy-years terrible twos and wouldn't sit still!) Next adventure was to visit cousin Amanda in Fukuoka last weekend. I was impressed with her new, huge apartment, but Lucy was taken by her new puppy, UNME (which means "Fate"). She was afraid of him at first, but after I threw him on her lap enough times, she realized he as just a living,

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-27160088988075011142008-08-08T10:19:00.009+09:002008-08-08T10:22:47.871+09:00

Its not very often that Ai-chan lets us take her photo, but for Lucy, she is quite vulnerable, or gullible! We fininshed dinner with friends the other night, but it was still early, so we decided to see if the local karaoke had Lucy's favorite High School Musical songs. They had just one, but she sang it twice!

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-26052276728504927122008-08-08T10:15:00.005+09:002008-08-08T10:19:07.737+09:00

Most of Lucy's photos at karaoke where in-your-face photos of everyone singing. This was everyone's favorite though, the screen showing lyrics AAAAAAAA!

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-87841555560197469162008-07-31T19:53:00.005+09:002008-07-31T20:18:18.986+09:00

Today, three beautiful English babes left Kumamoto to return to England. Tyler, Sophia and Millie, we already miss you dearly! This past few weeks, I can't count the number of times Lucy and I have been to the house, sometimes to help clear out some of the excess belongings, but mostly to hang out and stock up on the positive energy that fills their house. As we mingled with the countless

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-24151527985178847572008-07-24T13:40:00.002+09:002008-07-24T13:48:37.961+09:00

We managed to escape the heat and paperwork this past weekend. We joined 2 of our friends' families for a weekend camp-out. We drove far enough into the country to feel like we were going camping, but the campground itself so beautiful, well equipped and crowded, that you almost forgot you weren't just out in your own backyard. Each campsite was on plush grass, with a sink and running water at

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-39745795215771574472008-07-24T13:29:00.004+09:002008-07-24T13:51:26.171+09:00

There were never any waterslides at the campsites my father used to take me to. Maybe just an ice cold lake that he would have to bribe us into getting in. Lucy and the other kids managed to get in this pool 3 times in our 12 hour stay! I don't know all of the hydro-dynamics of it all, but the pool was somehow connected to the nearby river, with cool water (warm in comparison to the Montana

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791308710312565959.post-77026664735479961992008-06-30T16:26:00.005+09:002008-06-30T16:39:18.579+09:00

There is light at the end of the tunnel! Just one more month of university classes! BUT, what is ahead for this next month and the first couple weeks of summer holiday is countless hours of reading through the endless pile of essays and tests. AND, the heat and humidity keep on rising! Last year, I spent too many hours at different coffee shops reading papers over a cup of coffee ( and one

mgmywayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06686287142827775055noreply@blogger.com1