tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68421975896065034702024-02-21T08:09:51.730-05:00Cearying OnFollow along on our adventure...we're new parents and we just moved to Tokyo!Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18424379058599713640noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842197589606503470.post-3961081630377061852011-06-30T05:11:00.000-04:002011-06-30T05:11:36.840-04:00June in PicturesAfter the excitement (and tremendous helpfulness) of my mom's visit during May, June had fewer outings and more stress, especially related to Philip's work and our future plans. The month flew by, but the main things I will remember are watching my little guy get bigger, more adorable, and more mobile. I can't believe he is eight months old. I love him so much my heart could burst!<br />
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</div>He tried lots of new foods this month, including sauteed spinach, shredded apple, and mashed potatoes to name a few:<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJSZOuk4tjULZlFQcnwb9Tg5uQZs5QMDhGqJEMSsM88krpmC44C4rIGDnix7VPll-UjdPx85O56JJMVSu8FtTtktIZwrLzFoLIxT70oy9W3wX7RUALP7ZQUNV0pf-bnqMWTFJn7as7db_G/s1600/IMG_2489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJSZOuk4tjULZlFQcnwb9Tg5uQZs5QMDhGqJEMSsM88krpmC44C4rIGDnix7VPll-UjdPx85O56JJMVSu8FtTtktIZwrLzFoLIxT70oy9W3wX7RUALP7ZQUNV0pf-bnqMWTFJn7as7db_G/s400/IMG_2489.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">He played with his best buddies, S and E at our small group BBQ (sorry the photo is out of focus - I still think it's cute!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Three adorable babies and one handsome man!</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">He lets us chew a bit more when we go to restaurants now that he is eating some solids:</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Yes, he is strapped in with his Ergo carrier. We have to be creative because highchairs here rarely have straps.</span> </td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">He even let Mommy slip away to the salon to get a long overdue haircut. That was an adventure including pictures, lots of hand gestures, and drawings. In the end, I think my stylist, Kumiko, did a great job giving me a new look. </div><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">No more ponytail for this mommy! I even blowdry it most days!</span></td></tr>
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</div> He went from reaching, to lunging, to <i>almost</i> crawling...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This week's favorite pastime is "helping" Mommy with laundry:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwPy2IbIfUFN6y93AJcdFvE15nDbYoHQjVUbrphZg2CJC11HTaB308tHNyhbFv5MM3PeV2qOxRJcOQNHxunj_le8emsBN4pudsFJYlAgBNhFPMdzJlmOI-joMTNvIPOyubGdHE7PnP_FC5/s1600/IMG_2332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwPy2IbIfUFN6y93AJcdFvE15nDbYoHQjVUbrphZg2CJC11HTaB308tHNyhbFv5MM3PeV2qOxRJcOQNHxunj_le8emsBN4pudsFJYlAgBNhFPMdzJlmOI-joMTNvIPOyubGdHE7PnP_FC5/s400/IMG_2332.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Now, if he could just learn how to put the insert in the diaper... :c)</span></td></tr>
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<div>He usually looks like this:<div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBEG_IhvXkC2PsaOw23gL4h3fwBO1Frh33i_t3NWdtgyL7DtnRUyWVCeU2-YaGVtWaN_XMEFslgxjE7XomMGVb8asbExjDnUx_F7FyjTvoZUTlfPizMkVIS8O7LfWzJLr968aH8Wv2ZSRK/s1600/IMG_2339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBEG_IhvXkC2PsaOw23gL4h3fwBO1Frh33i_t3NWdtgyL7DtnRUyWVCeU2-YaGVtWaN_XMEFslgxjE7XomMGVb8asbExjDnUx_F7FyjTvoZUTlfPizMkVIS8O7LfWzJLr968aH8Wv2ZSRK/s400/IMG_2339.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Peekaboo!<br />
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>But every now and then, he looks like this:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSBxXBiL96gWOzUusLZ0ELTktqE8h_hP1VjyDKnBM4h0aBQZyiENTUj4n6xcpk06NLfYNc5IKko5Wpu8UUDZKuBARNtgF9j07CAXNp0CHNoy9RA3PAnHhqPtt1qwBS8WgNjRR9bIeimmP6/s1600/IMG_2476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSBxXBiL96gWOzUusLZ0ELTktqE8h_hP1VjyDKnBM4h0aBQZyiENTUj4n6xcpk06NLfYNc5IKko5Wpu8UUDZKuBARNtgF9j07CAXNp0CHNoy9RA3PAnHhqPtt1qwBS8WgNjRR9bIeimmP6/s400/IMG_2476.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Fuss Face!</span></td></tr>
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That's June, folks! Less than a month until we return home for a visit. We are so excited!<br />
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</div></div></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18424379058599713640noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842197589606503470.post-9433083310744043662011-06-25T08:33:00.000-04:002011-06-25T08:33:51.650-04:00Saturday Morning Scene: Raspberries with Daddy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Linking up with <a href="http://katieballa.blogspot.com/">Katie</a> for Saturday Morning Scene!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://lovesoflife.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Saturday Morning Scene" height="195" src="http://i702.photobucket.com/albums/ww29/katieballa/Blog%20sutff/saturdaymorningscenebutton.jpg" width="200" /><br />
</a></div><br />
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We had a crazy, exhausting week with Philip working extra late and Matthias teething <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(I can see 8 teeth </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">just</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> below the surface and Matthias decided that my collarbone is his favorite teether)</span>, and we needed a relaxing day at home. Time to drink coffee and eat oatmeal pancakes, time to talk and listen to music, time to blow raspberries and watch our little guy laugh. The simple, wonderful things of our life right now.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie2deSaXk3EPibTgPl5hwXlta7-7JQ7BrlPYLyXjspdYzNA3s5z1b7OvlM1zHVQQmVaM5_EYOjw-CoNT_BaaTGyQBwkfHXdPcHhc-6RIg_3NoogtsEy6HVrl0cULmwadWmDOOH2jwFu-KI/s1600/IMG_2318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie2deSaXk3EPibTgPl5hwXlta7-7JQ7BrlPYLyXjspdYzNA3s5z1b7OvlM1zHVQQmVaM5_EYOjw-CoNT_BaaTGyQBwkfHXdPcHhc-6RIg_3NoogtsEy6HVrl0cULmwadWmDOOH2jwFu-KI/s400/IMG_2318.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I love these guys!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18424379058599713640noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842197589606503470.post-59183813651447816852011-06-24T07:15:00.001-04:002011-06-24T07:21:48.713-04:00May Highlights<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I realize that I didn't post for the <i>entire month</i> of May and I'm not doing so well with June so far... let's try and resuscitate this blog! Philip had four days off for the Golden Week holidays in Japan, and decided to take two vacation days, giving him 10 days off in a row from April 29th to May 8th. Bliss! We rested as much as possible the first few days and did little outings. Then my Mom came halfway through the first week of May and we started being a bit more adventurous. Mom was in town for the majority of the month, and I decided to focus on spending time with her rather than hanging out on the interwebs in my free time. We got out of the apartment and around Tokyo as much as possible, which was<i> infinitely</i> easier with her help. I considered doing several posts to chronicle the month, but I decided that I'd just get more behind on blogging the here and now. So here is a photo recap of May:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCVYhIc5aljlT6fI57fWAG2_Tpx8RaV0NViwRvZf9ge-zE1q0-tEc7yHuRbf8OWGQZe9g3kpAaa9fRnKLoh0NLRiurcN2Pj9sp-rkszyBi_heTcMe_jUUaBOqC2oP7lbcolMMkNgUJwcLd/s1600/IMG_2443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCVYhIc5aljlT6fI57fWAG2_Tpx8RaV0NViwRvZf9ge-zE1q0-tEc7yHuRbf8OWGQZe9g3kpAaa9fRnKLoh0NLRiurcN2Pj9sp-rkszyBi_heTcMe_jUUaBOqC2oP7lbcolMMkNgUJwcLd/s400/IMG_2443.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Just an old VW Bus? Nope.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirInm80cgVYYq0GokREbBg2P52DOwQDBP0kj0uXbYulQVr8NoZWYyYvP8kNmmNgHVqIocyIiZzY3ayDx6Cl9qKnMLYdhkpT9sJ8qZxZMqag6ClVsbz2FnGqccemL-kJWsYhdGE_6_IShMy/s1600/IMG_2446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirInm80cgVYYq0GokREbBg2P52DOwQDBP0kj0uXbYulQVr8NoZWYyYvP8kNmmNgHVqIocyIiZzY3ayDx6Cl9qKnMLYdhkpT9sJ8qZxZMqag6ClVsbz2FnGqccemL-kJWsYhdGE_6_IShMy/s400/IMG_2446.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">An adorable coffee shop on wheels. Awesome cafe lattes!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj66V5-LjcluyftEUE0iXzgJHWBYcU7N4_xy1IwIoHh32YsF4GS1fZfDDP62f4UIArZ7RePMwnjjK8QQH3fIsmcwkcX2X8ikHvC1TAd-xTVYuVK0Arf4ctMcfxbafvXXjlKp5rMTTIj4tAg/s1600/IMG_2453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj66V5-LjcluyftEUE0iXzgJHWBYcU7N4_xy1IwIoHh32YsF4GS1fZfDDP62f4UIArZ7RePMwnjjK8QQH3fIsmcwkcX2X8ikHvC1TAd-xTVYuVK0Arf4ctMcfxbafvXXjlKp5rMTTIj4tAg/s400/IMG_2453.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">My favorite boys at our favorite Mexican place in Tokyo. Killer fish tacos!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRif43CKwyaVphyphenhyphenWfotXqCakZ-pnbT7MHOBxn2Cpo8bZ5ND5bGHltFltyWsBf3oWlIyjCBAgQoPtAOsESrELKo38e9HA4JQ74Fr0C0ySwKd-cQkIXGNCiaGdXBY6QJWGRWTk8WXyWYOg4I/s1600/IMG_2074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRif43CKwyaVphyphenhyphenWfotXqCakZ-pnbT7MHOBxn2Cpo8bZ5ND5bGHltFltyWsBf3oWlIyjCBAgQoPtAOsESrELKo38e9HA4JQ74Fr0C0ySwKd-cQkIXGNCiaGdXBY6QJWGRWTk8WXyWYOg4I/s400/IMG_2074.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Mom, Matthias, and I at Meiji Jingu, a Shinto shrine in a beautiful park-like setting.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSmMhkq2f2bz-_T3GqJmLe9ub0zGZRs1FyK4vzkADqRD7_uYB7CVIybNCWBpPsCaqppg_i3zMmTkX626iWg61wOY9EhB5EAZFIssjuu2JilFoP7dexQj1XHY1q0n1FzGEqNANJOrUJta35/s1600/IMG_2087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSmMhkq2f2bz-_T3GqJmLe9ub0zGZRs1FyK4vzkADqRD7_uYB7CVIybNCWBpPsCaqppg_i3zMmTkX626iWg61wOY9EhB5EAZFIssjuu2JilFoP7dexQj1XHY1q0n1FzGEqNANJOrUJta35/s400/IMG_2087.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Yoyogi Park, one of Tokyo's largest parks.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidV6l6gxORNAMSuw0rqpXrGyvLEVlUXsqf2dPRT14RZ3n_L9gBzieV4KInfeIhqEhx1N1S2mppY7Cy-3RGsuv_dKPhs-mTXc54AdQin4I3kQASZXXmo-pVQhN3-PXQ59jCIVLXQawTi7r1/s1600/IMG_2085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidV6l6gxORNAMSuw0rqpXrGyvLEVlUXsqf2dPRT14RZ3n_L9gBzieV4KInfeIhqEhx1N1S2mppY7Cy-3RGsuv_dKPhs-mTXc54AdQin4I3kQASZXXmo-pVQhN3-PXQ59jCIVLXQawTi7r1/s400/IMG_2085.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Extreme hacky sack in the park. Check out the muscle definition!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz8THK9rBCqhXahE3Zl2fu1ItLV4S4L2VEUOR2RTHBmi00uFdl027oVC0et8yjtLlFH7mfZxSZ__C3usUMbbfYy3c-J4-r2vhVbOIB3EHkM8Z9rLevH-crUZalSIj_wluk1RaQkdX48M3v/s1600/IMG_2079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz8THK9rBCqhXahE3Zl2fu1ItLV4S4L2VEUOR2RTHBmi00uFdl027oVC0et8yjtLlFH7mfZxSZ__C3usUMbbfYy3c-J4-r2vhVbOIB3EHkM8Z9rLevH-crUZalSIj_wluk1RaQkdX48M3v/s400/IMG_2079.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">One of the many arts/hobbies being practiced at the park.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLedDvVC98psvNyrUhOkUMakPsT51ARkyRcPpiV_vEHOncAkZBAKqP_bJVtnXZxRfnkzVww8wpX7sBlwDomgpKe56Q4ziTyIjF8Lfi1ZSb8yYzl_-EVd2Gseo2K_ZRxLsrMpxLErmu6r6B/s1600/IMG_2097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLedDvVC98psvNyrUhOkUMakPsT51ARkyRcPpiV_vEHOncAkZBAKqP_bJVtnXZxRfnkzVww8wpX7sBlwDomgpKe56Q4ziTyIjF8Lfi1ZSb8yYzl_-EVd2Gseo2K_ZRxLsrMpxLErmu6r6B/s400/IMG_2097.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">My loves!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWtnqhWyeOr_3Ai_e00-rQyxdjJW6DIokkVPQ6RSBnBj6LZ0LR2KM-5v_oDSxMnFOZQ-h6KN2wbyRyMPzpmiOVGZB_qKr6EAX3J6GthumWWQg08eyLgVFqJ0Lzkwqt0cGybyxyxp9dVdL3/s1600/IMG_2098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWtnqhWyeOr_3Ai_e00-rQyxdjJW6DIokkVPQ6RSBnBj6LZ0LR2KM-5v_oDSxMnFOZQ-h6KN2wbyRyMPzpmiOVGZB_qKr6EAX3J6GthumWWQg08eyLgVFqJ0Lzkwqt0cGybyxyxp9dVdL3/s400/IMG_2098.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Park bench diaper change. No changing tables that we could find!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ31EVPghKaT7mNNaTYIx9oB-X7kkkbuHCfyOk0KI2OxnyM4R0ra5l67bCiE2UTdotHPA5AaHy-Agpz3ZgvXp5VtHyM0SGzeu8b96AtmalBERXj9bOev3uLSHQdtk-WoBQvugHsOHvu8k5/s1600/IMG_2104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ31EVPghKaT7mNNaTYIx9oB-X7kkkbuHCfyOk0KI2OxnyM4R0ra5l67bCiE2UTdotHPA5AaHy-Agpz3ZgvXp5VtHyM0SGzeu8b96AtmalBERXj9bOev3uLSHQdtk-WoBQvugHsOHvu8k5/s400/IMG_2104.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Strolling in Shibuya.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdLEl_VSYm1aoLbF4oE3qM0Ju3GL8mn0xKuhJoRqxhUyGT1W0e7qJpIUWczGpdL_sm22YrP8K8WCsJibuULkqPvFPxWF_qN5anvrGa_qYnzuBw5nz-Gw5xAExCoyUEkvw-IwStNYFzHJKZ/s1600/IMG_2129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdLEl_VSYm1aoLbF4oE3qM0Ju3GL8mn0xKuhJoRqxhUyGT1W0e7qJpIUWczGpdL_sm22YrP8K8WCsJibuULkqPvFPxWF_qN5anvrGa_qYnzuBw5nz-Gw5xAExCoyUEkvw-IwStNYFzHJKZ/s320/IMG_2129.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Waterfront at Odaiba, a manmade island on Tokyo Bay.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidyuwfqCyFR9Kx7FWDLSI8QgZGY9wMSPgxwT9ksoOaupSIzGIHIB46sjveCMl6pfESwD5haZBmxQlsmUDSMjadGEJLzC_uDTPGyo7kU0ns2BIDWHZ-9_XHclUP8sKrvs6L2KpdVruuMZJ2/s1600/IMG_2123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidyuwfqCyFR9Kx7FWDLSI8QgZGY9wMSPgxwT9ksoOaupSIzGIHIB46sjveCMl6pfESwD5haZBmxQlsmUDSMjadGEJLzC_uDTPGyo7kU0ns2BIDWHZ-9_XHclUP8sKrvs6L2KpdVruuMZJ2/s320/IMG_2123.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Waterfront shot with the ferris wheel.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1sVS0I45E2EPyi6Xp4YhXcYmtYPP5rt2hyy0JO_DtzrMKkk6g_A7X6aEDI-pw8c0Q7EgVpTQkPCPp5yRZwTIxzFva20QeWTDugJ5gb9mcWvEP2tMZ68H6Gdydyy7jc-z5xgusWDNJF2M6/s1600/IMG_2139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1sVS0I45E2EPyi6Xp4YhXcYmtYPP5rt2hyy0JO_DtzrMKkk6g_A7X6aEDI-pw8c0Q7EgVpTQkPCPp5yRZwTIxzFva20QeWTDugJ5gb9mcWvEP2tMZ68H6Gdydyy7jc-z5xgusWDNJF2M6/s400/IMG_2139.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Matthias started with solids on Mother's Day.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh80EH07XcO97wmwnbNtZu7246y1uCuMuhoaX_bDB2vUlfHeEt0vUgdUDlEAqtwikQ7j3HnmmWYmQjg7NliTIN1khpUD10-ssyKtwmHooU1Oi_DeQzWAkd1Efe-j8sjRieaKpKiXaPUm3E7/s1600/IMG_2145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh80EH07XcO97wmwnbNtZu7246y1uCuMuhoaX_bDB2vUlfHeEt0vUgdUDlEAqtwikQ7j3HnmmWYmQjg7NliTIN1khpUD10-ssyKtwmHooU1Oi_DeQzWAkd1Efe-j8sjRieaKpKiXaPUm3E7/s320/IMG_2145.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Avocado slices were a big hit!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEmMK-lk-TJBpL9pa7cbnB6L6EsR2c5cAKAxDPeAu63wNW-g7DPmgipyLS6iIv81n7yboj80-LaWp2ijYFLPfBcDRpz4avDQmZtqHFzMRk4YcwmL0PySiHbqkMhqJmPytkhp_Rpm307IsZ/s1600/IMG_2221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEmMK-lk-TJBpL9pa7cbnB6L6EsR2c5cAKAxDPeAu63wNW-g7DPmgipyLS6iIv81n7yboj80-LaWp2ijYFLPfBcDRpz4avDQmZtqHFzMRk4YcwmL0PySiHbqkMhqJmPytkhp_Rpm307IsZ/s400/IMG_2221.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Matthias loved learning to drink water from his straw cup.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifPjMjpNmA9Lh8hupK7QOtxroumA1otaBS9ieyEHje5fTFDz4hsZgiHIfqF2-7Xr2SkQpnIeXe3sMFJcmRw27izV4CRm1z1f2qdKkRwgi_weukNRERkrO-Kc-6V0Uerju54YvLAGlO4R2z/s1600/IMG_2154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifPjMjpNmA9Lh8hupK7QOtxroumA1otaBS9ieyEHje5fTFDz4hsZgiHIfqF2-7Xr2SkQpnIeXe3sMFJcmRw27izV4CRm1z1f2qdKkRwgi_weukNRERkrO-Kc-6V0Uerju54YvLAGlO4R2z/s400/IMG_2154.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">He got more confident with sitting up each day!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-OxgNk63KqigK1SGPrvmQMZeyphjzyreBbx4TIhDPQtqB0vGVMclmlFMzLn_v1vt6YpMbKHSyAdkZ668P4XvAQhesuPiLJfM2D5ArF3PU46J92GEEP_2QyIcprlJEqtxzFw3ikGHwjLbZ/s1600/IMG_2155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-OxgNk63KqigK1SGPrvmQMZeyphjzyreBbx4TIhDPQtqB0vGVMclmlFMzLn_v1vt6YpMbKHSyAdkZ668P4XvAQhesuPiLJfM2D5ArF3PU46J92GEEP_2QyIcprlJEqtxzFw3ikGHwjLbZ/s400/IMG_2155.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Baby at work!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcQXsT38q2mY67RYtNbnjI1vKngyn2s0z2W-DcYMndKXYvKgYAtj36YXjfDRMiXl338-mVm73_6EZ2FtZnsLZ5NIqzUFBCBopaMa_yA-nOLI2VQa0sIuBmswsXbG6t2EhHPJBpQLq5-I8G/s1600/IMG_2161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcQXsT38q2mY67RYtNbnjI1vKngyn2s0z2W-DcYMndKXYvKgYAtj36YXjfDRMiXl338-mVm73_6EZ2FtZnsLZ5NIqzUFBCBopaMa_yA-nOLI2VQa0sIuBmswsXbG6t2EhHPJBpQLq5-I8G/s400/IMG_2161.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Engakuji temple in Kamakura, a quaint seaside town.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRQPlEJga4ymZgKhVAiM4mLlDaiSSF462vHeEsGwygQgHf-KR9J3iVmo4M3poNGi8yDPdxZ7wFHqvZMom_KgT9HgOEUvTXybTYCyqcPOF4YHOQQJJTigENwrl8_UlunvzjSaJ7nJH_2GeN/s1600/IMG_2172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRQPlEJga4ymZgKhVAiM4mLlDaiSSF462vHeEsGwygQgHf-KR9J3iVmo4M3poNGi8yDPdxZ7wFHqvZMom_KgT9HgOEUvTXybTYCyqcPOF4YHOQQJJTigENwrl8_UlunvzjSaJ7nJH_2GeN/s400/IMG_2172.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">My pretty Mom and I.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Incredible carvings on the temple doors.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"Ringing" the temple bell.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">M's first ocean experience.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">My guys in their natural habitat.</span></td></tr>
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<span id="goog_1779440002"></span><span id="goog_1779440003"></span>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18424379058599713640noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842197589606503470.post-20556587298752699442011-04-30T07:47:00.001-04:002011-04-30T08:06:23.738-04:00Saturday Morning Scene: Glitzy Ginza<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I'm linking up with Katie at <a href="http://katieballa.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #6fa8dc;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;">L</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;">oves of</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;"> Life</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"> </span></span>for this week's Saturday Morning Scene. </div><a href="http://lovesoflife.com/" target="_blank"><br />
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<a href="http://lovesoflife.com/" target="_blank"></a><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://lovesoflife.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Saturday Morning Scene" src="http://i702.photobucket.com/albums/ww29/katieballa/Blog%20sutff/saturdaymorningscenebutton.jpg" /><br />
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Technically, this post will feature our Saturday afternoon, but since afternoon Tokyo time is actually early morning in the US, I think I can cheat just this once!<br />
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We were invited to an art exhibit featuring landscapes by Yoshio, our new friend Yuko's uncle.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrCpPxFInqrxTty-sVDJs6wip4N0843I3eol3Ici9mUnQuVIeORG7wve7KZl0h3aaq56_A5NnyFYH1ALReVJZiDcbp_iwCYVipdopLnefACKG8rTomYvXaIiuK5No_cCJWM3_igOJUiGnj/s1600/IMG_2028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrCpPxFInqrxTty-sVDJs6wip4N0843I3eol3Ici9mUnQuVIeORG7wve7KZl0h3aaq56_A5NnyFYH1ALReVJZiDcbp_iwCYVipdopLnefACKG8rTomYvXaIiuK5No_cCJWM3_igOJUiGnj/s400/IMG_2028.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Some members of our small group decided to meet for lunch and then go to the gallery to show our support. Philip and I have been sick this week, but we felt we had recovered enough this morning to venture out. We took the subway to Ginza, one of the most luxurious shopping and entertainment areas in Tokyo. Many upscale western brands, such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Chanel, as well as more accessible ones, like H&M, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Gap, are concentrated there. Ginza is also known for its emphasis on the arts.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Our group got a private room at a Japanese restaurant known for their oyakodon, or chicken, egg, and rice bowl. I ate my oyakodon VERY quickly and did not get photos at the restaurant, because Matthias loudly refused to sit on our laps, so Philip and I took turns eating, while the other walked circles around the restaurant. As my parents always say, the boy needs to move it, move it. Philip's quote of the day was "you know, I used to chew before I was a parent." Sad, but true. (And we wouldn't trade it for the world!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">After lunch, we walked to the gallery, and admired Yoshio's gorgeous European and Japanese landscapes rendered in watercolors, charcoal, oils, and mixed media. We also met Yoshio and his wife, who doted on Matthias. The exhibit was small, perfect for the attention span of a six-month-old. We didn't take pictures of the art, because we were concerned it would be impolite, but we did get a shot of Matthias and his buddy S, the same sweetie that accompanied us on last week's infamous <a href="http://cearyingon.blogspot.com/2011/04/mommy-date.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;">mommy date.</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRZorLyfwhIM-LxVumdTXX5UEmHexvZ2QTpVHtP_tGRy9g6lZZOdcTMG-kbzg0nv6d15WhJvwJA6t4CimiyqBBLTFFCmXF7JWN192TNnva0oT2gO86qmub65xuAIpyZYWTga_oFRVg90W_/s1600/IMG_2024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRZorLyfwhIM-LxVumdTXX5UEmHexvZ2QTpVHtP_tGRy9g6lZZOdcTMG-kbzg0nv6d15WhJvwJA6t4CimiyqBBLTFFCmXF7JWN192TNnva0oT2gO86qmub65xuAIpyZYWTga_oFRVg90W_/s400/IMG_2024.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Non-chewing aside, it was a great afternoon!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18424379058599713640noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842197589606503470.post-70938817520916400892011-04-29T21:11:00.000-04:002011-04-29T21:11:29.213-04:00Earthquake Experience: Part 3To read the first two parts of the story click here: <a href="http://cearyingon.blogspot.com/2011/04/im-alive-i-promise.html">Part 1</a> <a href="http://cearyingon.blogspot.com/2011/04/earthquake-experience-part-2.html">Part 2</a><br />
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We slept restlessly the night after the earthquake, waking up with several aftershocks. Some shook us awake, and some made us feel as if we were rocking gently on a boat. The next day, we watched the news coverage on TV and were astounded at the the extent of the damage in the Northeast and the mounting death toll. We prayed that many would be rescued from the rubble. We heard about the first explosion at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant and wondered what impact it would have on the people and facilities there, as well as our life in Tokyo. We watched correspondents in Tokyo give their reports right through the same aftershocks we were feeling, which was a very surreal experience. The Japanese news had more extensive footage and a more intimate view of the events, but we could not understand the commentary, so we switched back and forth between English and Japanese stations. Despite the number of English speaking expatriates in Tokyo, there was very little local news or information available in English, which made us feel isolated and unsure of whether we were missing out on vital instructions. We have lived in proximity to several major hurricanes in the the US, and we recognize now how much we relied on the news in those situations. <br />
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We decided to tear ourselves away from the TV and computer and get something done, so we worked on organizing and decorating our apartment. Because of Matthias's difficult sleeping patterns and Philip's long work days, we had made slow progress with putting away all our belongings that arrived from the states a few weeks before. When I had the chance to reflect on it, I realized how ironic our weekend projects seemed. We had just gone through a very stressful experience, and watched others going through an infinitely more stressful and devastating one, yet instead of talking about wanting to leave Japan, we were hanging our pictures and putting our baby's blankets and toys away. Somehow God has given us peace about what we experienced and we began to feel a sense of purpose that had been lacking until that weekend. We (especially I) struggled with a good deal of anxiety the day (and many days) after the earthquake, but we kept feeling reassured that God had a plan for us in Tokyo.<br />
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We wondered how long it would take to get the trains back online, whether Philip would return to work on Monday, and whether food and other important resources would become scarce. We heard news reports about empty shelves in grocery stores. Later in the evening, Philip went to the store to check things out. He reported that although there were many empty shelves and some basic foods, such as milk, rice, and bread were gone, he was not concerned about a food shortage at the time.<br />
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After sleeping somewhat better Saturday night, we woke up Sunday to more bad news from Fukushima, questions of how far radiation might spread in a worse-case scenario, and concerns regarding the power supply to our region. Again, we tried to stay busy and pray for those still missing and injured, and those working in the nuclear facility and living close to the danger zone. Because I hadn't left the house on Saturday, I had the impression that the streets would be empty. In the afternoon, we took a walk before church, and I found it reassuring to see that people were out and about, and that grocery shelves were filling back up. We took a few photos of the normal looking streets and the always amusing advertising:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">People were shopping, eating out, and just strolling.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Pancakes shaped like...people. But "made of happy."</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98LQ2gp8n6miZbCqqDzmw1lSZgydqcZLQ4tUmDtHBvS-0T08Y2Km-lb5sB5Vu7Nvs-twKbQobtjNTBzOjway_XsBcRdpvlqUOUPq5fDxpNdTaZGUWHs7loNm60VjNFjrQdRBGubrlQNAo/s1600/IMG_2390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98LQ2gp8n6miZbCqqDzmw1lSZgydqcZLQ4tUmDtHBvS-0T08Y2Km-lb5sB5Vu7Nvs-twKbQobtjNTBzOjway_XsBcRdpvlqUOUPq5fDxpNdTaZGUWHs7loNm60VjNFjrQdRBGubrlQNAo/s400/IMG_2390.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Many stores in Tokyo have love and peace themes.</span></td></tr>
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We went to church, and found the service to be so full of hope and true joy even in the wake of such a disaster that we were greatly encouraged to be a part of Tokyo Baptist Church. At the end of the service, our Pastor announced that Tepco, our electricity provider, had reported that rolling blackouts would be necessary to conserve power because of the damage to the nuclear reactors. The schedule and extent of the blackouts was to be determined, and so again we felt unsure of what to expect. Philip did receive word that he was to return to work on Monday and that the trains were running at a reduced schedule, but that the blackouts may affect the office and/or the trains. We went to bed with limited information, unsure of how much our comforting routines would be impacted.Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18424379058599713640noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842197589606503470.post-44639343075833702372011-04-25T09:47:00.000-04:002011-04-25T09:47:23.764-04:00Matthias's First Easter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We had a really nice Easter Sunday. After a very late night, Matthias surprised us and took a great morning nap, allowing us to enjoy a quiet breakfast on the balcony. (In case you were wondering, this breakfast included donuts - chocolate ones!) After he woke up, we started getting ready for church. I realized that the cute Ralph Lauren polo onesie I snagged at the outlets for his first Easter was already too small. The little munchkin is so chubby! Since it was a warm day, I opted to dress him in his navy blue romper and the adorable newsboy cap I bought him the day we found out he was a boy. We headed to church, where a wonderful Easter cantata had been prepared. The choir sparkled in sequined robes, the teens danced in brightly-colored costumes, and actors in first century garb portrayed Jesus' disciples. Our pastor Dennis Folds, delivered the sermon as Thomas, known as the doubtful disciple. The service was joyful, energetic, and uplifting. It was a bit over the top, just as celebrating the resurrection of Jesus should be! I really wish I had gotten a few photos, but we left the camera in the stroller, which had to be stowed away because the auditorium was packed. I did get a shot of the front of the church:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After the service, we stopped at a park near the church to take pictures. We were excited to see that a few cherry blossom trees still had their beautiful blooms! The wind blew my hair and dress all over the place and we forgot our tripod, but we still got some great shots:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4hO00EgbnywEaATrzlobPdP4jYq1XaUfAjqwdb50DWj_ZMsa9lcTUwH-NJNiNlV3_3qHb234icFGss58J4rXov7SH_TgCwd46QvHOSnLhcW-V5OswWomQg_NjTQtdp6ORUZDDJrMe4N0/s1600/IMG_1939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4hO00EgbnywEaATrzlobPdP4jYq1XaUfAjqwdb50DWj_ZMsa9lcTUwH-NJNiNlV3_3qHb234icFGss58J4rXov7SH_TgCwd46QvHOSnLhcW-V5OswWomQg_NjTQtdp6ORUZDDJrMe4N0/s400/IMG_1939.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And some outtakes:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_UUQuDAnjqqGnOkCWAak0Vo59y301wmpbDieJiqDflprGBaAq6T79MSqK-3bXj-w4ojmHv0nXavZT9qZFBgxALyGHXLtXPeMa88qe5LdtyFmwHRVld4Fp2iiI2C0PcA5dJy9mgIuZyNo/s1600/IMG_1944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_UUQuDAnjqqGnOkCWAak0Vo59y301wmpbDieJiqDflprGBaAq6T79MSqK-3bXj-w4ojmHv0nXavZT9qZFBgxALyGHXLtXPeMa88qe5LdtyFmwHRVld4Fp2iiI2C0PcA5dJy9mgIuZyNo/s400/IMG_1944.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Matthias decided to put a death grip on Mommy's necklace!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7tx8K55A_ugDKl9QL4pSCPPejIuWwsKbFWf3mUs_sDenSR6FAfU8_T1gQ5ADxMllnHZVe4bJjtMFnsHJucbjbK0TOGSqp4XYldxKOM1fn9KMBM6zcOuUNo67IAk97qy3fC3bbixpju8j8/s1600/IMG_1999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7tx8K55A_ugDKl9QL4pSCPPejIuWwsKbFWf3mUs_sDenSR6FAfU8_T1gQ5ADxMllnHZVe4bJjtMFnsHJucbjbK0TOGSqp4XYldxKOM1fn9KMBM6zcOuUNo67IAk97qy3fC3bbixpju8j8/s400/IMG_1999.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Forget these pictures, I just want to eat my blanket!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixCBn9oBKgCYieBT0vtGCGsi-k2BbXCT4Fs2v4K-VD6CDvIoO1ZYcGvvntvDixcBGawqJv7KodaCbsWJpVjG9zP47oeKqwyhIABq9YBfEcHWI4ncvXFJaBmvgln46iK8vT19doG5RRAfT4/s1600/IMG_2000.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixCBn9oBKgCYieBT0vtGCGsi-k2BbXCT4Fs2v4K-VD6CDvIoO1ZYcGvvntvDixcBGawqJv7KodaCbsWJpVjG9zP47oeKqwyhIABq9YBfEcHWI4ncvXFJaBmvgln46iK8vT19doG5RRAfT4/s400/IMG_2000.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">See! It's yummy!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZpYZ6whQKJuvzgk2ogecY2LeJq1DrBPRS07WWcBmHdTZpsUGISFqbmBinW87XmD6W7Ef_TlgQcvbFx35LC9n2XeGbaDxbkTr-fgS9uK9P_D9qkvvZMKgtwqQoP45KQx44sqRDw3wUwrWM/s1600/IMG_1937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZpYZ6whQKJuvzgk2ogecY2LeJq1DrBPRS07WWcBmHdTZpsUGISFqbmBinW87XmD6W7Ef_TlgQcvbFx35LC9n2XeGbaDxbkTr-fgS9uK9P_D9qkvvZMKgtwqQoP45KQx44sqRDw3wUwrWM/s400/IMG_1937.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Mom, who is that guy?</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I hope you all had a wonderful Easter!<br />
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</div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18424379058599713640noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842197589606503470.post-23163538816973433572011-04-22T20:54:00.000-04:002011-04-22T20:54:20.847-04:00Earthquake Experience: Part 2Last week I began writing about the March 11th earthquake. If you missed it, you can read it <a href="http://cearyingon.blogspot.com/2011/04/im-alive-i-promise.html">here</a>.<br />
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Philip told me that the shaking had been strong at his office and that he realized how serious it was when his Japanese co-workers demonstrated intense fear. The office had been evacuated to a middle school, but the ironic thing was that the team had to walk through alley ways between shaking buildings to get to "safety." He heard that the trains would likely be shut down and that he might need to walk home. We discussed where I had gone during the quake and decided it had been a good choice, one I would make again if we had another major tremor. We exchanged "I love yous" as we always do when we say goodbye on the phone, but with the aftershocks, I knew I wouldn't really rest easy until he got home. I updated Facebook and emailed our families to let them know that we were both ok, in case they happened to be up and watching the news.<br />
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For the rest of the day, I kept Matthias within arm's reach at all times, usually strapped to me in his beloved Baby Bjorn. I removed all hard items from the tops of shelves and furniture and made sure all cabinets were closed. It's strange how benign-looking, beloved items can become dangerous in an emergency. As I read and watched the news, I began to realize how ill-prepared we had been had the earthquake had been worse in Tokyo. I pulled out the earthquake information we had received from our relocation consultants and gathered supplies that we had on hand, just in case Matthias and I needed to make a quick exit. I filled a bag with our backup disposable diapers and wipes, some non-perishable food, our important paperwork, blankets and clothes for M, and Nalgene bottles filled with water. I filled the remainder of our water bottles and sat them in different places around the apartment. I hoped that those affected by the quake and tsunami had been better prepared than we had been, that they had food and supplies for their babies. I kept thinking of and praying for the families that had been separated and held Matthias even closer. I wanted to talk to someone, but didn't want to wake up our families in the middle of the night. <br />
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We continued to have aftershocks, and each time, I wondered if they would get worse, whether I should go to our "safe spot," but I stayed calm. It is amazing how being a mom brings greater cause for anxiety on one hand, but more reasons to stay calm on the other. I tried to do mundane tasks like laundry and cleaning to stay busy as I waited to hear again from Philip. I was ravenously hungry, as I always seem to be after a stressful event.<br />
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Later in the evening, I received a text from Philip telling me he was walking home 31 km (over 19 miles) from Kamiooka. Later I was able to get a call through to him and found out he was with three of his co-workers, including Tanaka-san, his kind Japanese friend. I was glad to know he was with someone who spoke Japanese and knew his way around. Philip said that traffic was at a standstill and that the trains were suspended. Thousands, or more likely millions, of people were making their way home on foot. He told me they had tried to buy bikes, but there were none to be had. He continued to text me to tell me his progress and I would find each location on the map. I kept updating Facebook with news from Philip and with details about the quake and tsunami as I learned them. Dozens of friends and family members wrote, checked on us, and prayed for Philip's safe return. Finally it was late enough to call home, and I talked with my relieved mom and mom-in-law. Unfortunately, my mom found out about the quake (via a phone call from a friend) before she heard from me, but quickly found out that I was ok. My mom-in-law got my message before she heard the news. My dear friend and college roommate called and wonderfully distracted me for the remainder of the time until Philip got home. <br />
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Philip got home after midnight, and I was so happy to see him! He was exhausted and sore, but completely safe and I was very thankful. He had walked over 17 miles in his dress clothes and shoes before getting on one of the few trains back in service. He jokes now that he should do a testimonial commercial for his Bruno Magli shoes, fancy ones we snagged for a bargain at Nordstrom Rack back in VA. After lots of hugs, a little stress eating, sharing about our days, and updating loved ones, we slipped into bed for a restless night's sleep.<br />
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To be continued...Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18424379058599713640noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842197589606503470.post-79819380948155987422011-04-22T11:19:00.000-04:002011-04-22T11:19:38.627-04:00A Mommy Date!On Wednesday, Matthias and I joined our friend Cat and her sweet baby S on a lunch date. It was my first mommy date since moving to Tokyo and I was very excited. We walked over the ridiculously steep pedestrian bridge to Shibuya (Tokyo is not very stroller/wheelchair friendly, but that's another post) and met our friends at Shibuya Mark City, a hotel, restaurant, and shopping complex. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The steep pedestrian stairway and ramp. It takes all my strength to maintain control on the stroller going down, and going up is quite the workout. You'd have to be a paralympian to control a wheelchair on such a grade!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggWvzjKhdxrQC2oKsJSzoXurrC7GPlMFODSHI3k-eElN-JpSFOEwsOwetzYkHVpTNOwXrpnoBuOLVkIxdLL8Pv3AiupNTs0S2sPLXS5YALTenptNv9YqCKwVNcJ1J6YsNXK4JObJ-N_wmM/s1600/IMG_1689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggWvzjKhdxrQC2oKsJSzoXurrC7GPlMFODSHI3k-eElN-JpSFOEwsOwetzYkHVpTNOwXrpnoBuOLVkIxdLL8Pv3AiupNTs0S2sPLXS5YALTenptNv9YqCKwVNcJ1J6YsNXK4JObJ-N_wmM/s400/IMG_1689.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A glimpse of Shibuya's famous intersection, or "scramble crossing." When it's crowded, there are thousands of people crossing at the same time.</span></td></tr>
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I planned on taking pictures during lunch expressly for this blog post, but Matthias had other plans. He kept Mommy's hands VERY full. We chose to get Chinese food and can I just tell you how hard it is to eat with chopsticks while holding an <span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: line-through;">octopus</span> infant? Even though Cat is Chinese and I am proficient with chopsticks, we ended up asking for forks, because S was nursing and Matthias was wiggling, fussing, finger-painting with my food, and otherwise causing a ruckus. Thankfully, it was past peak lunch time and the restaurant was almost empty. Also, the host, server, and cooks loved babies, and kept distracting Matthias just when he was ready for a major meltdown. Overall, we only lost one sock and splashed one sweater in the fray, so I'd say it was a success!Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18424379058599713640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842197589606503470.post-59862023359011603372011-04-19T00:14:00.000-04:002011-04-19T00:14:58.262-04:00Matthias This Monday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Matthias is getting so big! I am in shock that my baby is growing SO fast. C</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">liché</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">, I know, but it seems only the other day he looked like this:</span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdLmepxJJIFXk4s4CCUdPfcI9dO9OzR0JL1f_5C4Fywe3n7JF-AMdZEQywYMejw7KhLU-PgXJLGVer-GDWRUB4PDkzJeBSyolYT-PXZpgtIjQCz29Fuz3Y21SkUbKI38XvICJvvrtLWvCP/s1600/IMG_1080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdLmepxJJIFXk4s4CCUdPfcI9dO9OzR0JL1f_5C4Fywe3n7JF-AMdZEQywYMejw7KhLU-PgXJLGVer-GDWRUB4PDkzJeBSyolYT-PXZpgtIjQCz29Fuz3Y21SkUbKI38XvICJvvrtLWvCP/s400/IMG_1080.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">4 days old - just over 7 pounds - newborn-sized sleeper - sleeping like an angel</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And now, he looks like this:</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha8d8m7D7FFJUqPao1Z04r3NxX_iGdyRPD2VMBz_SbJakUrBZpLmuok23r634V4XYNTR2pIHSgausoSwCF1dYsr2hcYvB9ke_Y6QgXUsy2TSkbKANgjbdnMDk0geOWcD2Ps5_ZqZLh6IDl/s1600/IMG_1921.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha8d8m7D7FFJUqPao1Z04r3NxX_iGdyRPD2VMBz_SbJakUrBZpLmuok23r634V4XYNTR2pIHSgausoSwCF1dYsr2hcYvB9ke_Y6QgXUsy2TSkbKANgjbdnMDk0geOWcD2Ps5_ZqZLh6IDl/s400/IMG_1921.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">5 3/4 months old-18 pounds-9 month sleeper-lying still for a rare moment!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizKCOujOwWWKA_TDBSMN_4g0SaPPIKLnruHIlbv9jWSMNxCZX4hGyRcXgWJ9yUIx_9g6qTn_2HtSH_bBfKCW2Blb02a53uM7Io_6qYvd4Ub2ekAGin5Bhucf2zkNRbE1cSVdbO1VvffHEE/s1600/IMG_1920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizKCOujOwWWKA_TDBSMN_4g0SaPPIKLnruHIlbv9jWSMNxCZX4hGyRcXgWJ9yUIx_9g6qTn_2HtSH_bBfKCW2Blb02a53uM7Io_6qYvd4Ub2ekAGin5Bhucf2zkNRbE1cSVdbO1VvffHEE/s400/IMG_1920.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">This one better represents his personality! </td></tr>
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</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">He is long and chubby and learning so many new things each day. For example, today he started saying the "d" sound during one of his babbling sessions and he pushed up on almost straight arms while on his tummy. He wants to propel himself so badly. I can just see his mind puzzling over how he can get from point A to point B as he "swims" in place on his tummy. It is such an amazing gift to have the opportunity to watch him grow day by day.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</tbody></table>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18424379058599713640noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842197589606503470.post-8592756439585654032011-04-17T21:48:00.000-04:002011-04-17T21:48:11.890-04:00Sakura, Strolling, and Shopping<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>We have thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful cherry blossoms, or sakura, that have graced Japan this spring.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy6vfiKAj6qrHegqdjawz8QPGTc-ioU_ZTPVSaNcJrcA7r2SPUTzMyzKzX3uPNlnYFpFMgOEAiZbCpdNpOewtaX_QkZMUoPAkQQBQGxMZo-B5n9704RY41C_XH-s2tjl_1Jbmf1JSCBS3y/s1600/IMG_1867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy6vfiKAj6qrHegqdjawz8QPGTc-ioU_ZTPVSaNcJrcA7r2SPUTzMyzKzX3uPNlnYFpFMgOEAiZbCpdNpOewtaX_QkZMUoPAkQQBQGxMZo-B5n9704RY41C_XH-s2tjl_1Jbmf1JSCBS3y/s400/IMG_1867.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><br />
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Like millions of other Tokyo residents, we have spent afternoons and evenings walking along streets and waterways lined with the ethereal blooms.<br />
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This Sunday, we decided to take a walk to Gotanda (about 2.5 miles away) and check out a baby store called Akachan Honpo. We could have taken the train, but the weather was comfortable, so we decided to walk there along the Meguro River where the cherry blossoms are past peak, but still gorgeous.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirSwB77mwEA-Wm6TN9y_Oz4MUEbX3U0LS63lnIVf8hCcBdw6TIL8F9WjhEddQ-STSzIU8lS1N6YhFjjGswxC56noZqupQTBSNya4d5iRSTd_Xb46w_ol7zuZfQKRtzDszfQI2T1WXhtbzn/s1600/IMG_1910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirSwB77mwEA-Wm6TN9y_Oz4MUEbX3U0LS63lnIVf8hCcBdw6TIL8F9WjhEddQ-STSzIU8lS1N6YhFjjGswxC56noZqupQTBSNya4d5iRSTd_Xb46w_ol7zuZfQKRtzDszfQI2T1WXhtbzn/s400/IMG_1910.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">During sakura season, people enjoy eating under the cherry blossoms, a picnicking tradition called hanami. In this grass-starved city, we have seen groups of people feasting on blankets laid on sidewalks, closed streets and empty flower beds, having the time of their lives. Here are a couple hanami parties we witnessed on our walk:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwqy3HHQBm6N7esgLG2-x9dDEm9wW12H8TTvErLvazDcW0DTKJhU1uW1oGA1ioED3vGouERZL8LqMi1Lr4ZM-_vQTz9JjWYhUQhhx63XqHWwaWqPmb_lOzKj41IFobE3BGiVsjsxPKlqPT/s1600/IMG_1911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwqy3HHQBm6N7esgLG2-x9dDEm9wW12H8TTvErLvazDcW0DTKJhU1uW1oGA1ioED3vGouERZL8LqMi1Lr4ZM-_vQTz9JjWYhUQhhx63XqHWwaWqPmb_lOzKj41IFobE3BGiVsjsxPKlqPT/s400/IMG_1911.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When we arrived at Akachan Honpo, we were on a mission to find a "johnny jump-up" or "jumperoo" type toy for Matthias to burn up some of his incredible energy. I was hoping to find a simple one that would attach to the doorway or ceiling, and avoid getting anything huge and bright-colored that would take up lots of floor space. Unfortunately for my decorating and parenting tastes, this sensory overload-inducing, plastic monstrosity was the only thing we found.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCc4Nv9Dt67Qw-dM17Yqhb5Sw8XnHahRLgLd3UU0hmB4nKJstWBtKgJvvab85udHlpspAMsMboYpTKPdeBZ3q1cclmMya-k5m9WPiakSvGYCPXvBBPGrZE2aJ1Qnpta2MyaTz_faPfTSBN/s1600/IMG_1916.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCc4Nv9Dt67Qw-dM17Yqhb5Sw8XnHahRLgLd3UU0hmB4nKJstWBtKgJvvab85udHlpspAMsMboYpTKPdeBZ3q1cclmMya-k5m9WPiakSvGYCPXvBBPGrZE2aJ1Qnpta2MyaTz_faPfTSBN/s400/IMG_1916.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And of course, Matthias absolutely loved it and went to town bouncing. We didn't buy it, because we would have to get such a large box delivered rather than carrying it all the way home, so there was no advantage to buying it on the spot. However, I think Philip was tempted to lug the thing home, just to see if it helped the little guy sleep. I'm still determined to find a better option online, but I keep remembering how much he laughed and bounced with glee, then stared and smiled at the ugly thing every time we passed by it on our search for new clothes for his ever growing body. My little M gets to me every time!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18424379058599713640noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842197589606503470.post-81724963577458525492011-04-16T10:26:00.000-04:002011-04-16T10:26:46.418-04:00Saturday Scene - Tokyo EditionI am so excited to link up with Katie at Loves of Life for our Saturday Morning Scene!<br />
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We woke up late this morning after an exhausting week and a late night with Matthias. Philip said those three little words I love to hear on a weekend morning..."I'm getting donuts." And since we live in the middle of a sprawling metropolis and don't own cars, Philip hopped on his trusty bike and headed off to get some deliciousness!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeI9EPjSOzrpLRheVXnbdDyQA0zIGdNirl0jVIufYig33hmnYszJHAkux4cgAcizxJgjltqwg5y9dAAmd65ZYUdaq9_2s4vF9NTjJfGKNBE2vZK7TFnu4w_0SkH8LYHVV_NJRBymgGliOi/s1600/IMG_2420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeI9EPjSOzrpLRheVXnbdDyQA0zIGdNirl0jVIufYig33hmnYszJHAkux4cgAcizxJgjltqwg5y9dAAmd65ZYUdaq9_2s4vF9NTjJfGKNBE2vZK7TFnu4w_0SkH8LYHVV_NJRBymgGliOi/s320/IMG_2420.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One of the things that surprised me about Tokyo was the number of French-themed bakeries and patisseries scattered around town. We get our bread (and sometimes our baked goods) at this little spot.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Chez Lui</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Mmm...donuts! Many baked goods in Japan are green because they are made with green tea.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3rX7vOOB2RwTWD-yTXvlaSvELm2bUb9ZuawMxdPkMpYxhqnTwbMux0hyphenhyphenOxyoMfFkxAY6UPop78IJ2CFsWdOgyAhsWeEaCLl91vN_ndWqa0IHWt-ym4Fa6yFqW4cwDOkziXjr5BG2127R0/s1600/IMG_2426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3rX7vOOB2RwTWD-yTXvlaSvELm2bUb9ZuawMxdPkMpYxhqnTwbMux0hyphenhyphenOxyoMfFkxAY6UPop78IJ2CFsWdOgyAhsWeEaCLl91vN_ndWqa0IHWt-ym4Fa6yFqW4cwDOkziXjr5BG2127R0/s320/IMG_2426.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I'm sure it was difficult for Philip to stay focused with all the yumminess here!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAY2guW6ywODyB9Yi9aUspDenraCe9cxuqb_gBu9i5_P4X8Pr7g-R4iqAkj___7cR55hMAB4DDTJb5YYLpmIkDoDKnlNkOhK8Zg1REKs6yDoAP99FxMeNBEcRZ66tbw6uMW-V0tcqfXeJZ/s1600/IMG_2430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAY2guW6ywODyB9Yi9aUspDenraCe9cxuqb_gBu9i5_P4X8Pr7g-R4iqAkj___7cR55hMAB4DDTJb5YYLpmIkDoDKnlNkOhK8Zg1REKs6yDoAP99FxMeNBEcRZ66tbw6uMW-V0tcqfXeJZ/s320/IMG_2430.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">My hunky guy bringing home the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: line-through;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">bacon</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> donuts!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>When Philip came home, I was just finishing giving Matthias his "breakfast." Philip put together a lovely meal highlighting delicious cinnamon donuts and we headed out to our balcony, because the weather was absolutely GORGEOUS.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUvO_qlJp6sC6FAt0PAdUrfCDX1oas6L4fijP6u8WBJe_QB2Iq87XCGGz0cg7Dtx19jgv7_mMqPpI-9Kx0b6Ld3QXERLW4PMsb6RXuTlepg7GKC5cwr0nqdjTB_TL7TauNOJhETJI5LCkb/s1600/IMG_2435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUvO_qlJp6sC6FAt0PAdUrfCDX1oas6L4fijP6u8WBJe_QB2Iq87XCGGz0cg7Dtx19jgv7_mMqPpI-9Kx0b6Ld3QXERLW4PMsb6RXuTlepg7GKC5cwr0nqdjTB_TL7TauNOJhETJI5LCkb/s320/IMG_2435.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The breakfast and the baby are so NOM-able!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQQWdwihaIThyOzJ4GyLCxHY6sZK0nvnWJsM9EluMG722SBHIex48EcS0Ya3RmO2ASzajPKZz4ABiU6YghVi9_0oeu3zWGni5QJ8t6llhUGADp4OtnK864u_J4zGo1onu91UH1BcM4w5CZ/s1600/IMG_2436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQQWdwihaIThyOzJ4GyLCxHY6sZK0nvnWJsM9EluMG722SBHIex48EcS0Ya3RmO2ASzajPKZz4ABiU6YghVi9_0oeu3zWGni5QJ8t6llhUGADp4OtnK864u_J4zGo1onu91UH1BcM4w5CZ/s320/IMG_2436.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Adoring my sweet boy.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimAkCz9zGcoeQAV4sDhXe10YmsMZH0PNgFeuDt7BsB6sFj58EwdMlZ6mOkSh0cBSwFJtlJy6bB6DuiVkHSw67ivRZNO8XDhQ5jbBjMG_JoNOa_eEgM6pF20RMDyT-6NwkDQOdLREf4BCWR/s1600/IMG_2437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimAkCz9zGcoeQAV4sDhXe10YmsMZH0PNgFeuDt7BsB6sFj58EwdMlZ6mOkSh0cBSwFJtlJy6bB6DuiVkHSw67ivRZNO8XDhQ5jbBjMG_JoNOa_eEgM6pF20RMDyT-6NwkDQOdLREf4BCWR/s320/IMG_2437.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Come to Mama!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxrSlHarOvJvtkYEPQFufLDe_d9Ez8pQELK5hI__xgg6Jh76mvwDHjKR6gisL0_w-EFD8HClKTGbfY_P_G_W0PvoCY3BOBrOy6m9D7oCKQe1EnIa8yF_mtqFtZN3-T0EPfCPnrEXoL4-gW/s1600/IMG_2438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxrSlHarOvJvtkYEPQFufLDe_d9Ez8pQELK5hI__xgg6Jh76mvwDHjKR6gisL0_w-EFD8HClKTGbfY_P_G_W0PvoCY3BOBrOy6m9D7oCKQe1EnIa8yF_mtqFtZN3-T0EPfCPnrEXoL4-gW/s320/IMG_2438.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Looks like he enjoyed his breakfast.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6QTTkyYcAQVXJDXP8yQl6nO09sQPWNmFHcGprMiRTEisZTzWPkyh1Ey8MfuSsJWQ1TmgHvJVRVRdAhoSkIV3Zcwmo-c4hBxdh9KUWO5JIAcoCDTUJ-O-wTOl3r5vR0WlD3FQ7gqooRpW0/s1600/IMG_2439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6QTTkyYcAQVXJDXP8yQl6nO09sQPWNmFHcGprMiRTEisZTzWPkyh1Ey8MfuSsJWQ1TmgHvJVRVRdAhoSkIV3Zcwmo-c4hBxdh9KUWO5JIAcoCDTUJ-O-wTOl3r5vR0WlD3FQ7gqooRpW0/s320/IMG_2439.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Pretty soon he'll be wanting to share my donut.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Like so many moments these days, our blissful little time was suddenly interrupted by an aftershock. My chair started quivering and my coffee sloshed in my mug. This aftershock wasn't very big, but each one is a reminder of what happened in Tohoku and what could happen here in Tokyo. We have to cling to the words of Psalm 62:1-2 (NIV): <i>Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Truly He is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.</i><br />
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</div></span>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18424379058599713640noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842197589606503470.post-34351597254261744362011-04-15T00:01:00.000-04:002011-04-15T00:01:25.568-04:00I'm alive, I promise!Well, I've been a bad, bad blogger. But I have really good excuses, including:<br />
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Teething: Let's just say that if teething were a competitive sport, Matthias would be a world class athlete. Poor guy. Sleep has been elusive for all of us and I have lived in survival mode many days, feeling productive if I fit in eating and showering, let alone blogging. Except one week of bliss in mid-March, the little dude has been hurting. I just wish those little teeth would "come on down," Price is Right style...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_rs2dDzhUQsV1kkeDjcQ_O0QEGmdBmxAJDNFmuffJmZOWHdk8_jzM-Yo5VQmFO6yNV7xvr5VfGczDp7MBfuN5vhE7mcSdPXhH8zNF3dXYHUrusOyoevHmdW3Cm9EUEpewVaMC2s2lvH7o/s1600/IMG_1759.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_rs2dDzhUQsV1kkeDjcQ_O0QEGmdBmxAJDNFmuffJmZOWHdk8_jzM-Yo5VQmFO6yNV7xvr5VfGczDp7MBfuN5vhE7mcSdPXhH8zNF3dXYHUrusOyoevHmdW3Cm9EUEpewVaMC2s2lvH7o/s320/IMG_1759.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">His favorite teether...our fingers!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Perfectionism: I am so perfectionistic and I have struggled with the following bogus thoughts: 1) Because I have such a large gap between posts, the blog is "ruined," 2) Each post has to be comprehensive or exhaustive, and 3) I need a really cool layout or design that requires significant time and training to create. I am learning to get past those feelings, and just share my thoughts and experiences a little at a time in this much needed creative outlet.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
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The 2011 Tohoku Earthquake: Our world was shaken, literally and figuratively, on March 11th. Even though the impact on us was miniscule in comparison to those suffering tremendous loss in the Northeast, the earthquake and its aftermath have had a major effect on our life. I kept trying to blog about it, but had such a hard time summarizing it during a naptime, that I just gave up. But I need to share about it. So, I will try to share a bit at a time each Friday, because I don't want to forget what I felt or what I learned.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, verdana, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Map showing effects of Japanese earthquake" height="412" src="http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/51670000/gif/_51670746_japan_quake_464x412_v3.gif" width="464" /></span></div><br />
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Here's a bit of what I experienced five Fridays ago:<br />
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Part 1<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
I had just changed M's diaper, when I thought someone was banging very loudly on the door. Which was weird, because guests and delivery people have to be beeped in and I wasn't expecting anyone. It also sounded suddenly windy outside. As the noise continued, the apartment began to shake and rock. I thought, "an earthquake," scooped up Matthias, and tried to recall what I had read about how to react. Oh yes, we should get under a table. I looked as our dining room table, which has a center pedestal rather than legs. It was wobbling around and looked anything but secure. I looked around at all the objects that might fall over on us, including pieces of furniture, books, picture frames, and candlesticks. I thought about getting under couch cushions, another suggestion from our Japan guide, but then I thought about the fact that we have an emergency escape hatch (kind of like a fire escape) in the balcony off our bedroom and a fire retardant door that can be closed to protect against a spreading fire, which can be common after a quake. So I decided to make a move for the bedroom as the shaking kept getting worse. I had to work hard to stay steady on my feet. I walked/ran as fast as I could into the bedroom and huddled between the two walls in the entry way, hoping that I chose the right spot in case things got really bad. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> The shaking just kept going and my heart was racing, but Matthias just smiled and giggled in my arms. It was amazing to me how he could feel completely unconcerned in such a moment. I couldn't believe the furniture was still standing with such a forceful shaking. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">After a few minutes that seemed like hours, the shaking stopped. I thanked God that we were ok and began to wonder how big of a quake it had been. I figured that it had felt much worse to me, a earthquake novice, than it had felt to my Japanese neighbors. It wasn't until I heard the magnitude later on that I knew how serious it had been. I looked around the apartment to see if we had any damage, and we had none besides several items that fell down and a few gashes in the floor caused by those items. Our building is new and has many features that minimize damage, from the way its foundation and walls are built, to the fact that we have special locks on the cabinets that engage during a tremor to prevent a rainstorm of dishes and plates. I wondered if it had been worse or better for Philip, who works closer to the coast. I tried to call his cell phone from mine, but the call failed. I tried his office line, but got no answer. I was really worried that things had been worse on his side of town. I kept trying with no avail, but did my best to stay calm for M's sake. The front desk staff at our apartment came over the intercom to tell us that the earthquake had been centered off the Miyagi prefecture and that the maintenance staff would begin checking our building for damage. We had a few aftershocks while I waited to hear from Philip, including one major one that caused our framed photos to sway violently on their hanging wires. I checked the news online and realized that the quake had indeed been massive and had caused a major tsunami. After about 45 minutes, I got a call on our Vonage phone from Philip, who was calling me via Skype on his co-worker's iPhone. Thank God for technology! I breathed so much easier knowing he was ok, but felt tremendous survivor's guilt knowing that thousands of people may never get that call.</span></span><br />
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</span></span>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18424379058599713640noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842197589606503470.post-71703351110473240532011-02-25T01:51:00.001-05:002011-02-25T08:10:42.430-05:00Aliens, Divine Appointments, and Growing PainsLast Friday, Matthias and I went to the Ward Office in Shibuya to register as aliens.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3EEi6Ineq5YueK8t8PSV3TgCK3x6DbtNIH0RAffMZGkwKz3uT4e80VINw2WtrQoygsSMzctznoMEuDM00iK9ISUigPvH53QV7STycvrlxkltx945DUoUS2LaSWfDiyX-_BnXmTEq0DYjK/s1600/Alian+Baby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3EEi6Ineq5YueK8t8PSV3TgCK3x6DbtNIH0RAffMZGkwKz3uT4e80VINw2WtrQoygsSMzctznoMEuDM00iK9ISUigPvH53QV7STycvrlxkltx945DUoUS2LaSWfDiyX-_BnXmTEq0DYjK/s320/Alian+Baby.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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No, not those kind of aliens!<br />
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According to japan-guide.com, <i>All foreigners, who stay in Japan for more than 90 days, need to apply for an alien registration card within the first 90 days of their stay. Applications are to be made at the local municipal office (e.g. city hall). The alien registration card is an important document required for opening a bank account, obtaining a cell phone and similar activities. Foreign residents are required to carry their alien registration card with them at all times.</i><br />
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Philip's company works with a relocation company to help with our transition to Japan. They scheduled a relocation specialist to accompany M and I to the ward office last Friday and translate for us. I had a really hard day last Thursday. Everything difficult about this transition seemed to be hitting me. Matthias was (and is) going through a fussy time, making it hard to predict when would be a good time to go out without a meltdown. I was really missing family, friends, English speakers, and familiar American things. Philip has been absolutely swamped at work, working about 11 hours a day plus commuting an hour each way. I knew that I had an appointment to go to the ward office the next morning and I was in tears walking Matthias to sleep that night, dreading having to get myself together in the morning and do a bunch of bureaucratic stuff. I kept thinking that I would be met by a single Japanese woman with impeccable clothes, hair, and makeup, who might feel uncomfortable with me needing to nurse Matthias in public. Little did I know that God had a divine appointment to encourage me...<br />
<br />
He sent a German woman, married to a Japanese man (hence her Japanese last name), who was not only a mother of SIX, but also a follower of Christ who described English as the language of her heart (of the three languages she speaks). She was kind and compassionate, understood Matthias's needs, and talked freely about her experiences as a foreigner in Japan, as a mom, and as a believer. To top it off, she has a son who has some special needs and was eager to talk about occupational therapy! Resources for children with special needs are seemingly more difficult to obtain here in Japan, so not only was she a blessing to me, but I had the privilege to be a blessing to her by lending an understanding ear to her concerns and offering a few suggestions. It was such a refreshing time. She helped us get registered, showed me where to find a good pediatrician for Matthias, and introduced me to the paradise called Azabu National, the international grocery store.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;"><br />
</div>On Monday, our sea shipment arrived! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpyWFNw_AfEA5AhnhLNhcnNJzmWBHMmBtoeAkwYdsT1zHKZn-8nNPZT31JlTcCIdUsvEEOPD4WRRsUX0Vk1cpbrwoo5KqNypsAHAzUxO1NyalXAxXRrOxv57kSHLcfZ_3S2uyxJBNcAeBl/s1600/IMG_1770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpyWFNw_AfEA5AhnhLNhcnNJzmWBHMmBtoeAkwYdsT1zHKZn-8nNPZT31JlTcCIdUsvEEOPD4WRRsUX0Vk1cpbrwoo5KqNypsAHAzUxO1NyalXAxXRrOxv57kSHLcfZ_3S2uyxJBNcAeBl/s320/IMG_1770.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a portion of our many boxes and wrapped furnishings</td></tr>
</tbody></table>It was so exciting to see our stuff arrive, and Matthias really enjoyed supervising the movers.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYm9quhD-JcYGjTwZ2cG3Qa33Ij2bAY1N860InAqfLE24YXIl4QxnG_gY5v1Nnv1MlpUn2gDMDpu9SgZx1rQekTeHsSoon8K07jmbF9_sRg7BW_nT2y3v3MsH7N1dbj9pMKhOKgFk4rFie/s1600/IMG_1763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYm9quhD-JcYGjTwZ2cG3Qa33Ij2bAY1N860InAqfLE24YXIl4QxnG_gY5v1Nnv1MlpUn2gDMDpu9SgZx1rQekTeHsSoon8K07jmbF9_sRg7BW_nT2y3v3MsH7N1dbj9pMKhOKgFk4rFie/s320/IMG_1763.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Supervising with Mommy</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilU5HBjsqlBeXwmx7mNKLKuJ-ma337i4FN3kTHJb2izdSeEWnTKoZT2V0tOEsBPfwcw4hqCK52b65vcGBR_T-g0FPxE5tt2AfvG7fdTF0VaXm87H_wSlwjXXywDpECWQfOEESYnpXtzERC/s1600/IMG_1772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilU5HBjsqlBeXwmx7mNKLKuJ-ma337i4FN3kTHJb2izdSeEWnTKoZT2V0tOEsBPfwcw4hqCK52b65vcGBR_T-g0FPxE5tt2AfvG7fdTF0VaXm87H_wSlwjXXywDpECWQfOEESYnpXtzERC/s320/IMG_1772.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Supervising with Daddy<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvhKpZVip6FVtOy9bbsjhMG4DadDsnvGM7UHS5EBjop1YmqmiTW1TOSo4Hce47kCs5oQuXhW1fCYc3-2Lkj_kRyISFWRdofRRZPEaRsBXW3SrOlipNyINRtYgxmTcS030hX0eJzMFrxpur/s1600/IMG_1774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvhKpZVip6FVtOy9bbsjhMG4DadDsnvGM7UHS5EBjop1YmqmiTW1TOSo4Hce47kCs5oQuXhW1fCYc3-2Lkj_kRyISFWRdofRRZPEaRsBXW3SrOlipNyINRtYgxmTcS030hX0eJzMFrxpur/s320/IMG_1774.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Perched atop the boxes for a better view!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div>On Tuesday, the movers continued helping us unpack the boxes and assemble furniture, leaving us with many piles around the apartment. I am hoping they will disappear soon, but a certain almost four-month-old has been keeping his mommy pretty busy and rather sleepy! He seems to be going through a growth spurt, eating frequently and prolifically, in addition to dealing with some teething pain/discomfort. It's been a tough week or two, but he's worth it! Seriously, who could resist this face?</div><div><br />
</div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGuBS4ljvKX8QgGFoj3Dz96_n0Dwu3S8jc2zIBGEYij9Hij_1JWTMLa8Wh0-Gf0EBbwV0EUe9j71vFW_88T58XVp6RnSDvMF-XIht8QeUuyJeffnOek6mDNt9kWOWvSmNjjSBtPF56QX_Z/s1600/IMG_1759.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGuBS4ljvKX8QgGFoj3Dz96_n0Dwu3S8jc2zIBGEYij9Hij_1JWTMLa8Wh0-Gf0EBbwV0EUe9j71vFW_88T58XVp6RnSDvMF-XIht8QeUuyJeffnOek6mDNt9kWOWvSmNjjSBtPF56QX_Z/s320/IMG_1759.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chewing on his favorite teether...Daddy's finger!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I hope to add some posts soon with pictures of our neighborhood, our furnished apartment, and our little cutie!</div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18424379058599713640noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842197589606503470.post-15169582196242668502011-02-18T18:16:00.000-05:002011-02-18T04:16:32.687-05:00Our Tokyo Apartment<div style="text-align: left;">Again I've been terribly negligent about keeping up with the blog. I have been feeling very overwhelmed the last week or so, and have had difficulty getting my thoughts organized and into blog format. I realize that I probably need to keep the entries a little shorter, so that I can keep my content more current. However, I have been working on this sizable post with lots of photos whenever life (and Matthias) would allow. Several people have asked for pics of our apartment here in Tokyo, so here we go...</div><div><br /></div><div>When you enter the front door, there is an entry way with shoe closets. Very important since shoes are generally not worn in Japanese homes. You can't tell from the pic, but the open closet is full of shelves from left to right and the closed closet on the right side of the picture is also full of shelves. I think we would need a LOT more shoes to fill these babies up! </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimZWGTQqExbylZCRUOVwcoqW-6sj5JifgxtpkNF8YnrNTR9y3UOFsgYeyirIBiq0OxHeYLt3iz2nfPjCrG4YpvxvOZMaDuXghV5k9NMuTc2NEYWcc1CC04aOsARt6lMT0aQiXbfbN-Gd5d/s320/IMG_1777.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574588519796539426" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div>If you go through one door off the entryway, you will enter our amazing living/dining room: It is VERY spacious and has hardwood floors and windows galore! </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ZrBHo9l2yF91z4K1OLKeuWlT5-JsYS8GUIZ8SUexvIebzaAkpDEaS2MozfZ0SEIJbBnq1nj1LNMWUAgB8MmF2K_eR3zvE2KUgB0kfTPllRv-SKQR47K6uL0ngI1vwNnja7aSSIsXQlHV/s320/IMG_1791.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574589301344407842" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR_z3R_wkf5Ol4Wh0G2oEQVdwiUqt2_6DgBVJqJiRyK-qeGI8QEl_VUQJ4aO4SkwPPj6rTEgrObWvDedC_JC606YF0xqzLzRvZhyphenhyphenV1RSj6jblKjfwrA5evq-59L1WkApUyFNdxV7yO2oYW/s320/IMG_1774.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574574029965071490" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div>We actually figured out that this room alone is bigger than our entire beloved apartment in the Clarendon neighborhood of Arlington, VA. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQfQWSxNtHJ2yvixlcd2Q35zJHLCC1gMVaLKJEZqMMZXhbnRxngSo-pt7PefXEXjYt-MGAspSFSWQAXyB0hLd3Pqg3UERvShGwRZeDnrZjfWrHA4px7I0pPiVxsOF5TUH7X9TAa7UgvO2/s320/IMG_1769.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574541627494786530" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div>One of the best things about this room for the winter season is that the room can be warmed via radiant heat in the floor. It is wonderful to step on such warm floors when your feet are cold! Matthias likes to play on the cozy floors, too.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKE9AdQzOaHcA33UMpsrZEMjnlhCQGINPdMRJ7vhTo28KNF_mfo310rrmhMM0rVIsoLYPJBISMMnBn5EeThqYXvwCwh3w9nBbtmTc5_H5uXlB110tyDBY-nUzcMjDyQRT8lfd8xvpWGujc/s320/IMG_1666.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574593682440544434" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>The kitchen is open to the living and dining area and has a very nice island. The cabinets and countertops are not my style at all (too contemporary!), but the kitchen is very functional and attractive, nonetheless.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9HbPReglCkfAfYY9OAs9ojtuXILZLzakv5eqYIKuCrRHaZaqz-u4X7tPD7f4TrsjsNFB1DTOvxrxpwPY8rwr0muiRG2IwdBTX44hqEFLlx_36-TT34MoY96GyORWzhylWdlFd3whyphenhyphenMPuF/s320/IMG_1775.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574541641659550482" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitPQ9xdGtvh4Fo91Jq3u7O6o6f_P1Tc4tPaINR1-1OKn_35eCSXhs_DBHozSbTbUIv82rmicj0qyds8HfhduqGr6eXtKHPFcfUYVcA26WeMt6g1TyHDUe4ngUzGxEkCRCsPhenjSU7z6k8/s320/IMG_1773.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574541631655022354" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>Our guest room/office is also off the living room. We are hoping it is utilized many times by our family members and friends (HINT, HINT). It will soon have furniture when our sea shipment with the majority of our belongings arrives.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV9sRV11HVNBs4FVpneLy6OqWNMEvOYh6aE2RRIT_7tUf22B6vjpQsHzg1SNyDQTD8F1Z92wxKZxBDAJ8dquOASMQ5OPe5B8-vHr8bfh-_i5J7aC3Aks_ZAp_JPrYEUg0Z95zeoQf7IzcU/s320/IMG_1776.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574574035733900178" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>When you step of the sliding door in living room, there is a lovely deck with a view of other balconies and decks, as well as the outdoor paths and gardens. We bought some wicker chairs for enjoying this outdoor space, but are using them in the living room until our sea shipment arrives.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHtEsBLto3O2t7SFg-858HviWeJzj975Y4Nor6bzrJqgDzbw0eZUBn3iWAlNGHtA7rbMOU9-Lxb_J2ZvpXMki6s4hOtLRnN5upCWcNE3kOXKna3R360nOZiOAcjLH_LEfvzrSmaA8oWd3_/s320/IMG_1767.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574541621305565378" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfqJru1CGe3OOhgDVnmPvuy1gkkdyBrCzI6hpx_pGjufZuHEt9oeq46lavIr21TzxS3lItUwn_decvx7g4H9wiWRxkXqQEAHqL70pK628RzFHC5ccFYqwqwuNEVI8NtyPLk9ZVS_GAgXK5/s320/IMG_1768.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574541624502698914" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div>There is a powder room off the entryway with the first of our three high-tech toilets. These things crack me up. When you enter the bathroom, the lid lifts, a nightlight turns on, and the seat is WARMED. </div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNkZSbpUiZbF3zVHYNyAScx7Uyvr5u47VfHuNkzG0o555NuEGve8iNZWU-1veyN30CYnfKryEWHOVoz3IVeIFIdYdB6JWecyjLyxz2oThyJiKvfi1OjPhN3z1L4q-09_rYjS-lwAwIHuyu/s320/IMG_1753.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574949825671508610" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></span><div>After you do your business, you have multiple cleansing and drying options, and then the toilet flushes and cleans its own bowl. Here is the control panel for the <i>toilet. </i>More buttons than your average cell phone!</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5lcs3R15m4em0GHe7CkJHN0GyRxD85vZkaftwa2OFEt8s9_Ai0bIRezxsamKrBRRWW1N4J67_IBJLsZZWoeXwdX5jIR6EVnWHGO7KTXF9-iDHwTiYKMZeD223MH8vhXFLF3DFO1fg3YuH/s320/IMG_1756.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574949835663416802" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Ridiculous, huh? Philip calls them our robo-toilets.</div><div><br /></div><div>Also off the entryway is a hallway leading to 2 bedrooms and 2 full baths.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyzhhSDmFmzn8fdaZMLuyU1rOpCF4Dyjfxz2iGSqb9MHipHOAaGRyMT8swXzOX-_X22d4IWcAHFecw3U7iNg1fhXUza2r8eHSTBAoxDK2u19HG2U7jrOgSJxVcmocxdB5W43HPQQlTd7ac/s320/IMG_1782.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574600115515115378" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div>Here is the master bedroom. </div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOAmnJTa5l_p1J06ipltCRItLG2oBRNrpfE72tjmBFAcQeLK3HXcIm4yLvmTOa6EjC31pqOh_0NSo_WGxcyb6SLTCO1g2oOUTPjd7zUAQUYNJfmQVuSGMs1lbxhUwsf5SaLekoC-GR4yMp/s320/IMG_1785.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574600103332511314" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div> It is quite roomy with a nice-sized walk-in closet.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKeoA6sVZPuwPdMtPDC_m4mVXGxAEuNg4tFQzCyqGHApDlEr1ZShJsuRvcawy6pZGB5ZbXCwiddKKzsQKaMhmcKOMsO12CQw_DrTqeW-cYdsbtbCVLJ5hSYz9Re0DR-OxWhMrHrgn-AseA/s320/IMG_1787.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574600095752340450" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div> The view on this side of the apartment is not as picturesque as the one from the living room due to construction of another apartment complex. However, the construction has not been very noisy or disruptive to our lives thus far. I'm not sure if the walls are more soundproofed or whether this is just a quiet stage of the building process.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp4-dcvkibd8ORThEoZ9DxuPxpHhFs8NOIsvg90A8nEicZr45quwBV3bW3IJckeI0OHIsqglK2ixhE5Gf-NQAXw9HaahcOQr8xfCHkboo_JhtE_2yI17r3sBmjWU1yKpu47gBwm3U6A6oY/s320/IMG_1786.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574589300166672034" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Here is Matthias's bedroom. I am so excited for our sea shipment to arrive so that I can recreate the nursery we set up back in Fairfax.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmBHNeqxEJepwHQw917lGhph6gZ9usApa2lhTmCxkklsA9AEoLSJ98GgZTmeWt5CvyNH-yfs1KB5zTD3ahAXFD9vvqnl_3mgjmXO-wvgUt4q7axH6PcpUUu-JyJAknkLeBd60SOluYl0kE/s320/IMG_1784.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574588536965218898" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Here is the master bathroom. It is quite luxurious, with a wetroom with a shower and bathtub, double sinks, and another robo-toilet. The wetroom has controls to heat, dry, and vent itself so that you never get cold while showering, can dry out the room as well as dry hanging clothes (and diapers in our case!), and prevent any mildew from forming.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN2cOSj-G_PZwTYQ4YIlU3B4hP157Lo9AM7oxMBoMKUvSz4B1TJfsggunR8iScB7cWfTElAjbayjzkYG4wgcjDMXj6yXPcuG42Ii3vvBCAj4ItNdMDlyrtf6IGlQxPtLPbiX1w3pYJRz4V/s320/IMG_1788.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574600084619172258" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5aCzbZb2R9p2o5Htm_Vbzay2pp_dG6JsLTNvdHc0jll4Wgbo8wjjU93YQjd5WRLyCuDxGHUpJXs23120nGzlEZOIRJbm584axgYdzJlx4upHLaS-qWULhYiGhvVYhHHCQNrsmpgqKGWEq/s320/IMG_1789.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574600092121763074" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>The second full restroom is very similar to the master bath, just a little smaller with different flooring. A sliding door leads to the laundry room, where we have two washer/dryers. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigWehpG0GjzKQvT8vdrO3JJhXdVVt1_78yjX5rUnp2dCzhv7ExPgXAwVpczXXo1P6IqJl2qJipTqKGJb7OBQkC1sjQQcEmsaRe-_vSYrgl9dNLJaV3eUvSR20gyjS4HCZmb_6S02MOnS6l/s320/IMG_1778.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574588524262469122" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Yes, the same machine can do both jobs, but since Westerners are used to side by side washers and dryers, they gave us two. Having two is very helpful because the capacity is smaller and drying takes much longer. And let's face it, with a three month old I'm doing a bunch of laundry!</div><div><br /></div><div>And that, ladies and gentlemen, wraps up the tour of our apartment. Right now we are sort of "camping out" with the bare minimum of stuff (basically whatever fit in our suitcases and air shipment boxes). We rented a couch, a coffee table, and a bed. We are becoming very creative during this process, doing things like ironing clothes on a towel on the floor, drinking out of plastic measuring cups, and using a Nalgene bottle as a vase for my Valentine's Day bouquet from Philip.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFxGos5jOLfYLGSjN-MRqHmDh9ynAckoVyuoReuM_fZk71VxEVvLOINSZhhkChcsjbUDWcW660ixVEJlFLTDqW6-BgyQFwA-3x_tRp9Rwey7o9y9d5qC6hPmlz03UoDiSKdsXcqRlNJKxA/s320/IMG_1748.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574898553496963970" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Living simply in the midst of our uber-luxurious apartment has been quite ironic and has made us realize how little we really need to get by. That being said, I am really looking forward to getting our sea shipment so that I can make this neutral, sterile-feeling place a lot more cozy and colorful. I am also looking forward to having more toys and books for Matthias. I only kept a few with us, because at the time we packed, he really wasn't very interested in toys. But now he loves to shake his rattles, look at and listen to stories, and chew on pretty much everything in sight. So, it's going feel like Christmas when we crack open all the wonderful toys and books we got for shower gifts. I hope you enjoyed getting a glimpse of our life here and I look forward to posting pics of the place when it has all our homey touches.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18424379058599713640noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842197589606503470.post-9138726063849995752011-02-06T18:01:00.007-05:002011-02-08T00:35:13.698-05:00Coming Out of the Fog: First Impressions of JapanI feel that we are coming out of a fog of jetlag. Matthias turned the corner on Saturday night and started to sleep much better at night. He still isn't sleeping in longer stretches like he was before we left. But he's sleeping at night, waking up to eat, and then going back to sleep. I'll take it! Coming out of the fog has good and bad aspects. I feel much better physically, but now I have enough brain cells functioning to feel homesick. And that's completely natural and normal, but still sad. I definitely miss my family and friends. And the English language (see number 4 below).<div><br /></div><div>So, here are my first main impressions. I'm sure I will elaborate on these later and start putting up more pics, but here's a start.</div><div><br /></div><div>1. Everything is smaller.<div><br /></div><div>Spaces: Restaurants, cafes, shops, aisles at the grocery store, elevators, sidewalks, washing machines, you name it. Exception: Our apartment is huge! It is the largest one we have ever lived in, thanks to the company's generous housing policy.</div><div><br /></div><div>Packages: Milk and juice come in liters, bread in packs of 8 slices, meat in 150 g packages (about 1/3 pound) Exception: Rice is available in HUGE bags.</div><div><br /></div><div>People: Almost everyone is thin (probably partially due to those small packages and portion sizes) and most women have dainty feet. My usually average shoe size (8 in the US, 24 in Japan) is now the next to largest commonly available. Exception: People on Japanese TV commercials, who are marginally overweight, yet seem to be marketing every diet fad imaginable and using tortuous looking e-stim devices to flatten their abs.</div><div><br /><div>2. Everyone seems polite.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have yet to see someone acting rude or even remotely annoyed. The salespeople at stores constantly remind you they are at your service, crowds of people walk in an orderly fashion, and everyone makes way for the baby stroller. Men and women open doors for one another, people attempt to help even if they don't speak English, and everyone bows. ALL the time.</div><div><br /></div><div>3. Women are very fashionable.</div><div><br /></div><div>This ranges from the classy ensembles of working women, to the date night clothes of sweethearts, to the wild get-ups of teenagers and 20-somethings. Jeans are rare, and if spotted, are definitely skinny and paired with tall boots, not sneakers or flats. Sneakers are almost non-existent. Skirts and dresses are much more common here among all ages and are paired with tights or leggings and boots or high heels. There are girls dressed in Harajuku style with bleached or streaked hair, dramatic makeup, and brightly colored, stare-at-me outfits. I'll have to get some good photos to share.</div><div><br /></div><div>4. I really, really wish I spoke and/or read Japanese.</div><div><br /></div><div>It is harder than I thought it would be to shop for basic items, use appliances, read maps, order food, the whole nine yards. There are English words smattered here and there and many pictures on packaging, but still, trying to figure out ingredients, cooking directions, or washing cycles is tough. I've gotta squeeze in some more Rosetta Stone!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18424379058599713640noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842197589606503470.post-52011714425987250222011-02-03T20:49:00.003-05:002011-02-03T21:00:19.855-05:00Blogging from Tokyo: Our Trip<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I have been quite deficient in the blogging area this week due to travel and jetlag. Baby jetlag is no joke! But I am hoping to catch up and share what has been happening the last few days (other than lots of naps). So, here goes:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We left early Monday morning after bittersweet farewells to our families over the weekend. On Sunday night, I felt like it was the night before a big exam - full of butterflies. But we all slept well and got up at 6 to get ready to leave. Mom made us homemade egg mcmuffins and we packed the car. Amazingly, we had minimal traffic on the way to Dulles. Philip dropped off Matthias and I and our luggage off at the terminal and then returned our rental car. He quickly reconnected with us and we got our boarding passes and checked four suitcases and the carseat base without a hitch. Now for security! It was quite a process going through the security line with a baby, a carseat on a stroller base, a diaper bag, a boppy pillow, two backpacks (containing 3 laptops), and two winter coats, but we made it. I think we used 8 of the little gray bins! Unfortunately, I had to wake M up and carry him through the scanner, but he didn't even fuss. Because we traveled business class (thanks to the company's >8 hour travel policy!), we got to hang out in the red carpet lounge, which doesn't actually have red carpet, but does have snacks, drinks, nice bathrooms, and comfortable chairs for nursing! So we chilled out a bit and Matthias nursed and then charmed everyone around him.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">When we boarded the flight, I was amazed to see how much room we had! I nursed M through takeoff and he didn't even fuss. He played with us, walked with Philip around the cabin, charmed more ladies, got his first diaper change at 36,000 feet, then ate again and fell asleep.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Here are cute pics of M playing:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBr0H72vNKCUFgQywlI0Hu8DvQgdGOjvWqiclEVkJT3cxTgT7YEf7-p1D4E59UvuEpkQ2cgIB94wxOhrJSOLe09B-r_UhJkxbVoHNjRZ0n3ZEqs3odM4QPLX6UGmJOpkUnfYem03dqORVQ/s320/IMG_1647.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569621740732117794" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEFKj0EA3b3gIhKuntBcPCB3EeUuc4kOx1tXL7AYbVnb48W27hkhujPW1WXDXI-cJPXWljuZ6sMHnf7R9Wz4moVmEdmdEOvXaXIttF9iddGyh2T5-bL6x_JlnCqDCMGuduNFVED0-EMNGD/s320/IMG_1651.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569642295647810034" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> He slept for 3 hours in his carseat at our feet, then woke up midflight. I changed him again, and then tried to feed him. He got super fussy (I think his tummy was hurting) so Philip tried to walk him, but was told to sit down because we were having some turbulence. What timing! I started to worry he was going to have a major meltdown and disturb all the passengers around us. But he did "bicycle legs" on Philip's lap, I gave him a paci (which he usually won't take), and he calmed down. When the fasten seatbelt sign turned off, Philip walked him for a bit and then brought him back to me to nurse. He ate and then played and walked with Philip until he fell asleep again, giving Philip and I some time to rest. He slept until we had to pick him up for the landing, at which time he fussed as if to say, "my ride is over?" He only fussed for a total of 10 minutes out of our fourteen hour flight. What a good little traveler and what an answer to prayer! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrmfajdTS7ojcrOLfsBVPocV4htTwWSXA4FleoCbDktPZ_AGv9UaQnepZny9KISxUsENcABHPgt6CCRRufuiQSIxFQWZWEXEa-LxZgQ4bW6s3U1j4oHyTwGj_RaAEPyL_XHNDL_yMNSfzO/s1600/IMG_1655.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrmfajdTS7ojcrOLfsBVPocV4htTwWSXA4FleoCbDktPZ_AGv9UaQnepZny9KISxUsENcABHPgt6CCRRufuiQSIxFQWZWEXEa-LxZgQ4bW6s3U1j4oHyTwGj_RaAEPyL_XHNDL_yMNSfzO/s320/IMG_1655.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569642302572348834" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">When we walked into the airport in Tokyo, we found a nursery room that was well equipped with two changing tables, comfortable seats for nursing/feeding, and a big sink for washing up or preparing bottles. What a nice place for moms! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJLnduRUaIS58OJxcXp3Nzxg-a5iUh3fZxt0l9CMlHLbsw45zCQDJm9MCN4s8R3T8338t6raEVZnIR07qv1BUNIg09lBafc7a9amK01m3MbBjxu8zKrDIm95laX6B-9XJ1BWj6FBnaHCS8/s320/IMG_1660.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569642314104872290" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfyCoCuwJzYDy1QkSM_vxvwEl08F0MyDuYxLLhBf8LYVStM5YOfzoWFk4G-NNYa1hpKAqEJ0rNUYoD6f0rUWrxqtHgqV9cb1gfSFEY5wGGqpq3TTp94GvzllJ6-fmxi8RmLlzShoD8FNCv/s320/IMG_1658.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569642307615396306" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuzAjQHTe7EukptV02Ppjn9kzsrAgR-vaiRZZlhqpWpTorKmOEypPVPp2osizRCw31UFfHHqJ5-QqCtzeiMWuk4oxikphh5DLIK4Le8rNdm6cepJO4fADnQl_XrLd0O12EHNTAaFnRv8L0/s320/IMG_1661.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569642320097836322" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Matthias got changed again and got a full tummy. We claimed our baggage, went through customs without a hitch, sent most of our bags home with a delivery service, and bought tickets for the express train into town. We rushed down to the platform only to realize that we bought tickets for the wrong time and would have to wait an hour unless we could change them. A woman on staff who thankfully spoke perfect English saw us trying to figure out what to do and was incredibly helpful. She escorted us back to the counter, explained our situation to the clerk in Japanese, and even got us a refund for M's ticket, which was unnecessary due to his age. We got on the correct train and got settled. It was set up like a nice coach bus in the US, with places for luggage and comfortable seats. At this point, my measly 1.5 hours of sleep during the flight was catching up with me, but I couldn't fall asleep because I was too excited to be almost there. A lady on staff brought a cooler cart full of snacks through our car, and I bought a riceball, which was basically sushi rice surrounding smoked salmon. It was really tasty! </span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">After about an hour and 15 minutes, we arrived in Shibuya station, one of the busiest subway stations in Tokyo. This is where I really caught a glimpse of the hustle and bustle of the city. The station was full of people on a mission, mostly on their way home from work. It was pretty noisy, but Matthias had fallen asleep on the express train and slept peacefully through the whole experience. We had to buy a farecard for me and get on a train headed to Daikanyama, our new neighborhood, just one stop away. This proved a little tougher than we thought when we had to go down a steep flight of stairs with the stroller, carseat base, one small suitcase, and our backpacks. I waited at the top with Matthias while Philip took a load down to the bottom, trusting that no one would steal our stuff! Two people saw me waiting and gestured to help me carry the stroller down. Very kind, but I thanked them with one of the few Japanese words I know and pointed to Philip, waiting for him to help me with our precious cargo! He picked up M in the carseat and I carried the stroller, and we were almost home. The train was pretty crowded, similar to Boston at rush hour, but soon we were getting off to begin our new life. We had a short walk through our new neighborhood and saw several stores with names in English, which was very comforting amidst all the unfamiliar Japanese characters. I have so much to learn! In just a few minutes, we arrived at our new place, safe and sound. During my next post, I will share about our new apartment and my first impressions of Japan.</span></div><!--StartFragment--> <!--EndFragment-->Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18424379058599713640noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842197589606503470.post-39246115356168127722011-01-25T23:00:00.005-05:002011-01-26T07:21:55.129-05:00It's for real ya'll!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The move is getting more and more real as the days go by. I just talked to Philip, who moved into our apartment in Tokyo on his Wednesday morning (Tokyo is 14 hours ahead of EST). He called from our fabulous three bedroom place which now contains a whopping three pieces of rental furniture, a sleeping bag, some clothes, his laptop, our Vonage phone, and a ragtag band of kitchen necessities that he managed to squeeze into his suitcase. Our fancy new Japanese TV will be delivered in the afternoon as well as our IKEA Japan chairs for the balcony. The majority of our belongings and furniture are en route to the port of Yokohama via sea shipment and are scheduled to arrive in Tokyo in mid- to late-February. We will send four 10-cubic-foot boxes of more immediate necessities, mostly kitchen and baby items, by air shipment on Friday. Soon all of our familiar things will be in a very unfamiliar place.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It's just </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">unreal</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> that we have an address in Tokyo. I know we will make so many memories there, which makes me both happy and sad. I'm happy to think of the place where Matthias may (Lord willing) learn to sit, crawl, talk, and walk depending on how long we are there, and where we will welcome new friends and old ones <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">(hint-hint-please come visit, old friends!)</span>. But I am sad to think that we will be so very far away from our families and friends; much too far to spontaneously grab lunch, play a game, or give a hug. It will be hard not to share holidays, birthdays, baby milestones, and ordinary afternoons with the ones that we love. However, I am so thankful for modern technology like Vonage phones, Skype, and Facebook that will help bridge the gap at least a little. Also, Philip has already found a vibrant church in Tokyo and started to connect with a small group composed of English-speaking expats and Japanese people who either speak English as a second language or are learning to do so. I am in awe of how God provides exactly what we need exactly when we need it. When I was in labor with Matthias, I had the song </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Jehovah Jireh</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> in my head for days and I find myself focusing on it once again:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(68, 68, 68); line-height: 22px; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline- vertical-align: baseline; color:initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;">Jehovah Jireh, my provider<br />His grace is sufficient for me<br />For me, for me<br />Jehovah Jireh, my provider<br />His grace is sufficient for me</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline- vertical-align: baseline; color:initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;">My God shall provide all my needs<br />According to His riches in Glory<br />He will give his angels charge over me<br />Jehovah Jireh cares for me<br />For me, for me</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline- vertical-align: baseline; color:initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;">(Lyrics by Don Moen)</span></span></p></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span><div><br /></div></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18424379058599713640noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842197589606503470.post-17528703340611235492011-01-18T11:51:00.013-05:002011-01-19T23:47:29.960-05:00Baby Passport Outtakes<div style="text-align: left;">When Matthias was three weeks old, Philip and I had to take him to the post office to apply for his passport. We decided to take our own photos to avoid any meltdowns at CVS or the like. We knew we would need a picture that would satisfy the following criteria from the state department website:</div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">1. Frame subject with full face, front view, <b>eyes open</b>.</span></span></span></div></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyGPsv5b8xkgT_WgG9y48jnqMzHHtXxycTTZMEUGF3LtwD9RKzEICJhyylFuI_mRYjZ5mnCxwEdWAESSzLrZnH_u9aBzcQw_D14zVuteznzUeNVRCGpbB6JSucagSMMRsRAYMMDmgJIwUe/s1600/IMG_1224.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyGPsv5b8xkgT_WgG9y48jnqMzHHtXxycTTZMEUGF3LtwD9RKzEICJhyylFuI_mRYjZ5mnCxwEdWAESSzLrZnH_u9aBzcQw_D14zVuteznzUeNVRCGpbB6JSucagSMMRsRAYMMDmgJIwUe/s320/IMG_1224.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564094409586676418" /></a><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">2. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Make sure photo presents <b>full head</b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> from <b>top of hair to bottom of chin</b>; height of head should measure 1 inch to 1-3/8 inches (25 mm to 35 mm).</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:-webkit-xxx-large;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMEx_L1TtqKXJRxIAMB_htmTHODZMgOJi92tG9rrDvOsnWCS-7w4bMd4hTleOZJedlJi6gV-PTbFoawQJ6Bat-ZvoUj4WOFDgub4VxO5A6qC1TVofPH9hLd7IAsQuoEMQ-oenA-KSoCjXZ/s320/IMG_1205.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564096176396454578" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#404040;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">3. <b>Center</b> head within frame. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">4. T</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">he minor child must be the <b>only</b> subject in the photo. <b>Nothing</b> used to support the minor child should be in the camera's frame, including the arms or <b>hands of a parent</b> holding the child. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#404040;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); line-height: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqvwplaffWUmRBjFXKTcJIaPRWI8fVQs93bBdYfkKLOtx9u7jfzo5RXuFWtT1WMfbsqqN80c_5RadsBbTXDyvSlM0RhIJlpEUFGcIcVA46sn28asNFsHW9LHcTZEgQwa4X-P9V5EGyue7y/s320/IMG_1213.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564098107914821058" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#404040;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 20px;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">4.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Encourage subject to have a <b>natural expression.</b></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzhv_pVrEV6mfUpIbpWrcirug7pwd-9GV0bszh8cbiIrbe-tYCFFelMojqg-rLb1tjPaKBy9BZlGrkLFU4x4SExE3uGAjW4Ala9vXTz0V3RgTLUicgauAzQhOY8ytb83lwTkEG6m-4hnnb/s320/IMG_1207.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564099329645674066" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So, here's what we ended up with:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm9tiSEqM7IQXy-8wPGlSDpc1mSU9kl9ygTCXfQSUW4KKvFl6thvLN_23HlCIotbypsTYlFJYiCtwinFx9AR7ohJ2NNKidsxjIxGkSg0mCjLGk94WAkysRkipzl3_xl1PKiX55dQ_4SzQe/s320/IMG_1211.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564122393719873570" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 288px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">I can't believe how much bigger he's gotten since then. At not quite three months, he's already trying to commandeer the remote control!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSgmN3fM00yN-k8UqH9gH_U5thcKrVqo9rdaZlZKU8J1D9Oco5xwo5Ir7x_GjGu0w92YdGHfDU18RVnM2QA4h6TcKQxskbBNFB0wUjkgVFuqt9hHUjOU8HClMkX0osogaVTZLAbnh-rBhY/s320/IMG_1596.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564122399571123218" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18424379058599713640noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842197589606503470.post-39760386468126514202011-01-17T13:58:00.002-05:002011-01-19T23:51:34.077-05:00Two Weeks 'til TokyoI think I am in denial that in two weeks, I will get onto a plane with my little family of three and move to Tokyo. As in Japan. As in Asia. As in 14 hours ahead of EST. As in I can't read the signs. As in I don't even know the letters (characters). And I am moving there sight unseen, except for some photos on my husband's Facebook. Moving there. Not just for a weeklong visit, or even a month. At least six months. Probably a year. And did I mention that I am a new mom? Yep. I will be traveling with an infant on a plane for 14 hours. I am praying that the little guy will nurse and sleep and relax and not fuss and freak out and demonstrate to an airplane full of folks just how unsure I feel about this transition process. <div><br /></div><div>I know that it will be ok. I'm going with the love of my life, the dynamic adventurer, the caring husband, the involved daddy. And I have my dream of a baby boy, the answer to my prayers, all I ever wanted in a son. And most importantly, I'm going with my God, who loves me relentlessly and is not fazed by cultural changes, or language barriers, or screaming babies on planes.</div><div><br /></div><div>But still, I'm scared. Scared that I will get lost. Scared that I'll isolate myself during the week, only venturing out with my hubby because it's less intimidating that way. Scared that I can't handle all the physical and emotional changes of new motherhood along with those of changing continents. So as I keep busy caring for Matthias, buying necessities like luggage, diapers, and peanut butter, and paying those last few bills in dollars before entering the world of yen, I am praying that this transition brings new purpose, new courage, and new hope. I would love to have you follow along as I step out in faith and believe that something amazing is about to happen.</div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18424379058599713640noreply@blogger.com5