Kana passed her pre-1 English test the other week so now just has to get through the interview part. Because I'm British, most people think that it's a given that they'll speak English but the fact is, we only ever speak Japanese in the house and their achievements come from mostly hard work on their parts. They do have a bit of an advantage in that they get to use their English when family meet up but in fact those times are few and far between so well done Kana!
Lisa is off to Tokyo tomorrow for work seminars. Now that she is coming up to her final year of University, she'll have to attend a lot of them, but hopefully they'll not all be in far off places or it'll cost a fortune! I think she is going to meet up with friends from her NZ days so will no doubt have fun at the same time.
Last week, a reporter from the Sports Houchi newspaper (same newspaper as last time) phoned the house to interview Keita and said that he'll run it with a photo in this week's edition. The previous Sunday, one of the other mothers said that someone was taking Keita's photo but I just presumed it was someone from the other team and dismissed it but it turned out it was from the paper. They'd also been talking to the coach/team owner too so it'll be interesting to see what they write about - if it's based on the conversation they had with Keita, there won't be much to write about!!
We've also finally got an appointment with one of the Sports Doctors from a big hospital for March 17th so hopefully he'll be able to advise about how much he should be playing until the bone knits back. He doesn't have any pain just now which is good but it also means that he wants to play and the coaches are starting to use him again albeit for only 2 or 3 rounds at a time.
His new spikes finally arrived last week too (whenever he needs a bigger size, it takes at least a month for the company to make them) and they've said that until he goes into the Sen High School, they'll make his shoes for free. They also gave me a 'ground' coat as a present and gave him a catalogue to choose a style of baseball mitt that he likes and they'll make him one. He of course is delighted with all the attention he is getting and I've been nicely surprised at how cool he's been with it all. He has a lot more confidence but doesn't seem to be big-headed or boastful. Apart from family, this blog and non-baseball friends, I can't really tell anyone either - there is enough competition between some of the mothers as it is without adding any more.
Monday, 16 February 2009
Monday, 26 January 2009
My new year resolution was to stop posting so much about Keita and baseball (maybe that's why the posts have dried up, my life seems to revolve around baseball these days) but I'm going to break it to have another 'oyabaka' moment so please bear with me!
On Saturday, because I was having all the first year mothers and players back to the house for a party, I intended to have another mother take over from me at lunch time so I could get home and organised but around 11am Setsuo phoned to say that one of the owners from a company he uses had phoned to say that his friend had contacted him to see if he would arrange for him and another man to go and see Keita play and could they go that day around 1.30. It turned out that the 'friend' was a scout from the Yomiuri Giants!! (For those of you not in Japan, the Giants are one of the Major Baseball Teams (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yomiuri_Giants) so it was both a shock and really exciting! After they had been to the ground, watched Keita (and also Riku) then spoken to the coaches they came back to the office for a coffee. They stayed for about 40 minutes and we had quite a good chat and he said that he'll come back now and again when he's in this area. So, things are really looking good for the pair of them - now we just have to hope they'll continue to improve and be injury-free.
At night, there were about 29 of us for the party and a lot of eating and drinking went on. The majority left around 11pm but there were still 4 of us until just before 3am! The next morning I had to force myself to get up at 7am to get Keita out the door and although I intended going back to bed for a couple of hours, managed to stay awake. By night time I was shattered and I think we were all in bed by about 10.
Kana had her Eiken test on Sunday too - she hadn't really studied for it so I don't know how she'll have got on but I'm keeping my fingers crossed for her.
Other than that, it's really cold just now and we had snow showers both Sat and Sun. Here's hoping it gets a bit warmer!
On Saturday, because I was having all the first year mothers and players back to the house for a party, I intended to have another mother take over from me at lunch time so I could get home and organised but around 11am Setsuo phoned to say that one of the owners from a company he uses had phoned to say that his friend had contacted him to see if he would arrange for him and another man to go and see Keita play and could they go that day around 1.30. It turned out that the 'friend' was a scout from the Yomiuri Giants!! (For those of you not in Japan, the Giants are one of the Major Baseball Teams (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yomiuri_Giants) so it was both a shock and really exciting! After they had been to the ground, watched Keita (and also Riku) then spoken to the coaches they came back to the office for a coffee. They stayed for about 40 minutes and we had quite a good chat and he said that he'll come back now and again when he's in this area. So, things are really looking good for the pair of them - now we just have to hope they'll continue to improve and be injury-free.
At night, there were about 29 of us for the party and a lot of eating and drinking went on. The majority left around 11pm but there were still 4 of us until just before 3am! The next morning I had to force myself to get up at 7am to get Keita out the door and although I intended going back to bed for a couple of hours, managed to stay awake. By night time I was shattered and I think we were all in bed by about 10.
Kana had her Eiken test on Sunday too - she hadn't really studied for it so I don't know how she'll have got on but I'm keeping my fingers crossed for her.
Other than that, it's really cold just now and we had snow showers both Sat and Sun. Here's hoping it gets a bit warmer!
Thursday, 22 January 2009
All the photos have come out in the wrong order but I can't be bothered to changed them all around!
My birthday - Lisa cooked all the food but we forgot to take a photo of the spread so there is only a plateful of the left overs!!
At the noodle museum
At the bowling alley
At Kobe bird park
Fooling around in new pajamas - Granny in Keita's!
Daisuke, Aya, Lisa, Kana, Keita under the tree
My birthday - Lisa cooked all the food but we forgot to take a photo of the spread so there is only a plateful of the left overs!!
At the noodle museum
At the bowling alley
At Kobe bird park
Fooling around in new pajamas - Granny in Keita's!
Daisuke, Aya, Lisa, Kana, Keita under the tree
We had a great Christmas and even though some of us caught the cold over the New Year, that was good too. Every Christmas we have an unwritten rule that no matter how busy we are, we have to make time to go out for dinner together on the 25th and this year was no exception (even though Aya and Setsuo were working, Kana had school and Keita baseball) and we also had Mum and Dad and Daisuke (Aya's boyfriend) with us so we were a party of 9. We booked the restaurant for 7.45pm so it meant Aya had to come straight from work but it gave the rest of us time to get ready. Having Daisuke there brought home the fact that it will never be just the 6 of us again which is nice in a way but at the same time a bit sad that the kids are no longer kids!
After the meal and a change of clothes for some (we'd eaten too much and they were starting to be uncomfortable!) we went down to my classroom where the presents were under the tree. Again because of work and school, we have always opened brithday and Christmas presents in the evening when everyone can be together and it no longer feels 'strange' although I think M & D found it a bit odd.
At New Year we had intended to go out to the Temple in the evening but because M and I were suffering with the cold, we scrapped that idea and just stayed at home with our bowl of noodles. This is the first year that there has been no need to make 'proper' New Year food which meant I could sleep a bit later. I did make the special soup and some of the dishes but only the things that we all like. In the afternoon, we left M&D and while Setsuo went to Kyoto to his mother's grave, Aya, Kana, Keita and I went to see Oji-chan (Lisa couldn't get out of her bed). I'd worried about him being in the home over the NY period but he didn't seem fazed and was delighted to see the kids.
While M&D were over, we didn't manage any big trips but it was nice to see them again and hopefully they enjoyed their days out even if most were just to shopping malls, restaurants etc. One good day was at the Noodle museum nearby - we all decorated out noodle pots and then chose what flavours and toppings to put in them - all for the grand sum of 300 yen each! There was also a floor where you could make your own noodles but we we got there too late.
This is my 2nd week back at work but I'm taking most of the days slower than usual and trying to stay out of the office most of the morning.
Photos on the next post.
After the meal and a change of clothes for some (we'd eaten too much and they were starting to be uncomfortable!) we went down to my classroom where the presents were under the tree. Again because of work and school, we have always opened brithday and Christmas presents in the evening when everyone can be together and it no longer feels 'strange' although I think M & D found it a bit odd.
At New Year we had intended to go out to the Temple in the evening but because M and I were suffering with the cold, we scrapped that idea and just stayed at home with our bowl of noodles. This is the first year that there has been no need to make 'proper' New Year food which meant I could sleep a bit later. I did make the special soup and some of the dishes but only the things that we all like. In the afternoon, we left M&D and while Setsuo went to Kyoto to his mother's grave, Aya, Kana, Keita and I went to see Oji-chan (Lisa couldn't get out of her bed). I'd worried about him being in the home over the NY period but he didn't seem fazed and was delighted to see the kids.
While M&D were over, we didn't manage any big trips but it was nice to see them again and hopefully they enjoyed their days out even if most were just to shopping malls, restaurants etc. One good day was at the Noodle museum nearby - we all decorated out noodle pots and then chose what flavours and toppings to put in them - all for the grand sum of 300 yen each! There was also a floor where you could make your own noodles but we we got there too late.
This is my 2nd week back at work but I'm taking most of the days slower than usual and trying to stay out of the office most of the morning.
Photos on the next post.
Monday, 15 December 2008
I finally managed to clear out the spare room and it is now ready for Mum and Dad arriving tomorrow! The new futons arrived on Friday night and the bedding I bought a couple of weeks ago looks lovely in there. The boxes are mostly in our bedroom but out of the way and at the top of Keita's cupboard (which he wasn't using anyway). This morning Kana helped me with the classroom decorations so although there isn't as much as last year, it looks a bit more festive. I still need to get the hanging santas hooked into the ceiling but apart from that it's finished. Now I just need to tidy the house a bit and hopefully that's it.
Sunday was MY last day at the BB for the year - hurray! The other mothers have to go on the 23rd for the year end clean up and ceremony but I have my Xmas party that day so can avoid it. The boys have practice until Dec 28th and then it starts again with a big party for past players on the 3rd January. I have to be there to help out - we need to provide food for around 200 - but might enjoy being out of the house by then!
On Sunday there were 4 matches (2 each for both 1st and 2nd years) and Keita was in the 2nd years 2nd match but got hit just below the knee from a return ball so didn't pitch for long. Both teams won both games. Although he hates Aya, Lisa or Kana coming to see him play, Kana and Setsuo sneaked in once he got started. It was so funny seeing all the boys walking past Kana just to get a look at her! When I asked Keita if his team mates had said anything, he said all the 1st and 2nd years had kept on about how pretty she was. I think he must have enjoyed all the comments because it's the first time he's been happy about anyone going! Since Riku's mum had said how pretty Aya and Lisa were (she's never seen Kana) the coaches and other mothers have been trying to get me to bring them so Kana was the centre of attention all the time she was there!
After bb, it was off to my friends restaurant (not the same one that opened last week) for our year end party. I ended up drinking too much - and am paying for it today - but we managed to get home before midnight at least.
Now it's just one more week of lessons, the Xmas party on the 23rd, the family Xmas dinner on the 25th and then the office year end party on the 27th and that's me until January 12th.
Sunday was MY last day at the BB for the year - hurray! The other mothers have to go on the 23rd for the year end clean up and ceremony but I have my Xmas party that day so can avoid it. The boys have practice until Dec 28th and then it starts again with a big party for past players on the 3rd January. I have to be there to help out - we need to provide food for around 200 - but might enjoy being out of the house by then!
On Sunday there were 4 matches (2 each for both 1st and 2nd years) and Keita was in the 2nd years 2nd match but got hit just below the knee from a return ball so didn't pitch for long. Both teams won both games. Although he hates Aya, Lisa or Kana coming to see him play, Kana and Setsuo sneaked in once he got started. It was so funny seeing all the boys walking past Kana just to get a look at her! When I asked Keita if his team mates had said anything, he said all the 1st and 2nd years had kept on about how pretty she was. I think he must have enjoyed all the comments because it's the first time he's been happy about anyone going! Since Riku's mum had said how pretty Aya and Lisa were (she's never seen Kana) the coaches and other mothers have been trying to get me to bring them so Kana was the centre of attention all the time she was there!
After bb, it was off to my friends restaurant (not the same one that opened last week) for our year end party. I ended up drinking too much - and am paying for it today - but we managed to get home before midnight at least.
Now it's just one more week of lessons, the Xmas party on the 23rd, the family Xmas dinner on the 25th and then the office year end party on the 27th and that's me until January 12th.
Thursday, 11 December 2008
Kana is home!
When I got back from BB, she was in the classroom with 3 of her friends who'd also gone to the airport to meet her (Setsuo brought them all home). Aya didn't go to the airport but she came over to the house when they got back. At night we all went out for dinner to our next door neighbours (from the last house) new restuarant. It had opened the night before and even though I'd gone with my friend the previous night, we decided to go again. It was the first time we'd all been together since last Christmas so it was nice and rowdy! It really feels that Kana has never been away.
The new restaurant (Izakaya) is quite near and I think it's going to be a regular watering hole for me! Her husband is a good cook and the food is much better than the average chain-style Izakaya. Aya and Lisa have also arranged that when they go, their bills will come to us - ouch!
Before Kana arrived, I managed to get all the boxes in her room tidied up but couldn't really do much since she has to go through it all to see what she wants to keep. At the moment, it's a shambles but knowing Kana, she'll have it tidy in no time. Even though they are just home, they had school two days later and now she'll have club practice until the end of the year too. She seems quite happy about it though.
The spare room is still a mass of boxes so that's what I'm going to have to do from now until Monday. With a bit of luck I'll get it finished on Saturday although lord only knows where the boxes are going to be moved to.
I've also finally sent off for the Xmas presents for the party on the 23rd but still have no decorations up. That's something else that needs to be done over the weekend or there'll be no point - I only have one more week of classes and then the party. Poor kids - everyone elses decorations have been up since the end of November!
When I got back from BB, she was in the classroom with 3 of her friends who'd also gone to the airport to meet her (Setsuo brought them all home). Aya didn't go to the airport but she came over to the house when they got back. At night we all went out for dinner to our next door neighbours (from the last house) new restuarant. It had opened the night before and even though I'd gone with my friend the previous night, we decided to go again. It was the first time we'd all been together since last Christmas so it was nice and rowdy! It really feels that Kana has never been away.
The new restaurant (Izakaya) is quite near and I think it's going to be a regular watering hole for me! Her husband is a good cook and the food is much better than the average chain-style Izakaya. Aya and Lisa have also arranged that when they go, their bills will come to us - ouch!
Before Kana arrived, I managed to get all the boxes in her room tidied up but couldn't really do much since she has to go through it all to see what she wants to keep. At the moment, it's a shambles but knowing Kana, she'll have it tidy in no time. Even though they are just home, they had school two days later and now she'll have club practice until the end of the year too. She seems quite happy about it though.
The spare room is still a mass of boxes so that's what I'm going to have to do from now until Monday. With a bit of luck I'll get it finished on Saturday although lord only knows where the boxes are going to be moved to.
I've also finally sent off for the Xmas presents for the party on the 23rd but still have no decorations up. That's something else that needs to be done over the weekend or there'll be no point - I only have one more week of classes and then the party. Poor kids - everyone elses decorations have been up since the end of November!
Monday, 1 December 2008
Saturday I was up bright and breezy to get Keita out of the house by 5.45 and then I cleaned up until my class at 9.30. It was such a happy feeling going in there knowing that from now on, all my Saturdays are free! The 2nd year team lost their morning match (Keita was to play in the afternoon) so got knocked out of the tournament. It was good in a way though because it meant they got home with an hour to spare before needing to be at the hotel for the ceremony. I'd ordered Keita a pair of shoes a few weeks ago and because this ceremony was coming up, I'd kept them in the cupboard. Mistake - they are now too small for him. Wouldn't be so bad if I could pass them on to someone else but no-one else has feet that size! He did wear them on Saturday night but says they are too tight for running in.
The ceremony went smoothly and it was a good night. Three of my friends went on to another pub afterwards and although I was tempted, I knew I had to be at the BB ground by 6.30am the next morning so was a good girl and came straight home. Two boys who used to be in the same team and have now gone on to play professionally (Seattle Mariners and Seibu Lions) were also there.
Seibu Lions player
Seattle Mariners player
The Seibu Lions player sitting next to Keita - you can see how tense Keita was!!
Yesterday it was the two final matches of the 1st year team tournament. They won the first one and when Keita starting warming up for the 2nd match, there were loads of coaches, and boys all lined up watching him. He went in as starting pitcher but didn't have such a great game and ended up being pulled out half way through (they were tied 4-4 at that point). They finally won the game and tournament 6-4 so at least he didn't have to feel too bad about it although he did say he'd got a telling off from the coach!! I felt a bit sorry for him because he must have been under quite a bit of pressure with so many waiting for a replay of last weeks match but at least it means too much success won't be going to his head!
Keita was in bed and asleep by 7.30 and I followed not long after at 9.
The first year team after winning the tournament (and before they were properly posed for the photographer)
Spike and Daisy have started sleeping on two cushions that I put out for them. Spike was trying his hardest to push Daisy off the one lying in the sunshine!!
The ceremony went smoothly and it was a good night. Three of my friends went on to another pub afterwards and although I was tempted, I knew I had to be at the BB ground by 6.30am the next morning so was a good girl and came straight home. Two boys who used to be in the same team and have now gone on to play professionally (Seattle Mariners and Seibu Lions) were also there.
Seibu Lions player
Seattle Mariners player
The Seibu Lions player sitting next to Keita - you can see how tense Keita was!!
Yesterday it was the two final matches of the 1st year team tournament. They won the first one and when Keita starting warming up for the 2nd match, there were loads of coaches, and boys all lined up watching him. He went in as starting pitcher but didn't have such a great game and ended up being pulled out half way through (they were tied 4-4 at that point). They finally won the game and tournament 6-4 so at least he didn't have to feel too bad about it although he did say he'd got a telling off from the coach!! I felt a bit sorry for him because he must have been under quite a bit of pressure with so many waiting for a replay of last weeks match but at least it means too much success won't be going to his head!
Keita was in bed and asleep by 7.30 and I followed not long after at 9.
The first year team after winning the tournament (and before they were properly posed for the photographer)
Spike and Daisy have started sleeping on two cushions that I put out for them. Spike was trying his hardest to push Daisy off the one lying in the sunshine!!
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