Last week I decided to treat myself to some books from The Book Depository (free shipping no matter where you live) and ended up ordering 15!! I'm always happy when I know there are books on their way, but that happiness is 10-fold when they actually arrive. Not only do I have some books to read but Setsuo has agreed to leave me at home and go to one of the big tournaments with Keita this week - they'll be away for 3 days - so not only do I get to read until late, I ALSO GET TO SLEEP AS LONG AS I LIKE!!! It's going to be heaven! Can't tell you how ecstatic that makes me feel!
Another good thing is that we have decided to take down the batting cage that was up on the 4th floor. Keita wasn't really using it that much and I since he's not going to be here to use it after March, we decided it could come down (although both Keita and Setsuo are now having second thoughts). Saturday is the firework display so we would have had to take down the netting anyway but once it's totally dismantled and taken away, I'll get the verandah cleaned and we'll have a huge space again.
**I've just gone upstairs to check on the progress and it's down! The carpenters are just clearing up the last of the bolts and joints. I'd forgotten just how big the area is and am now excited about having all that space again. (It's pathetic how easily pleased I am!!)
Aya had a good time in China (although Daisuke wasn't happy that she went as it was 'boy' friends she was meeting. I can understand his feelings but I know they are just friends so understand Aya wanting to meet up with them as she'll have few chances in the future. She should have kept quiet or said it was girls she was meeting! Being Miss Honesty doesn't always pay!
Tuesday, 3 August 2010
Thursday, 29 July 2010
For most of June we had nothing but rain and coldish days but then it changed drastically and for the past few weeks we've had temperatures of over 35 so it was a pleasant surprise to wake up to not only a coolish breeze, but also rain. For most of the day it's been pouring down although right at this moment it looks like it's tapering off and the forecast for tomorrow onwards says it's to be hot again. Not exactly pleasant when you have to be out in it all day.
Last month we had another meeting with the owner/head coach to discuss what High school Keita will go to. He got quite a few 'offers' from the top baseball schools in different parts of the country, and 3 weeks ago we went to look at one of the ones in Osaka. It was one I'd never have thought he'd choose to go to but after seeing it, talking to the coaches and also to the parents of one of the boys who is 2 years ahead of him, it's very likely that he's going to choose that one. Wherever he goes, he's opted to board so the fact that it's less than an hour away and we can go and see him play (many don't allow phones or visits) means we can see how he's doing. Also, 3 boys from a different but local team that he knows through playing matches are also going so he won't be totally 'alone'. Nothing has been decided but it's looking more and more likely to be the one. His friend who he's been with since elementary school has opted to go to a school outside of Osaka as there is more chance of getting to play at Koshien that way (to play at Koshien is what they all dream of but Keita says he's not that bothered. He's set his sights even higher - to go professional!).
Aya left for China this morning to meet a couple of her old Uni friends who are already there. I think she comes home either Sat or Sun morning so isn't there for long but at least has the chance to see them again.
After next weeks lessons, I'm on holiday for 2 weeks and really looking forward to the break. Most likely we won't be going anywhere but knowing that I don't have a schedule to keep is going to be bliss - I bet next week drags by!
Last month we had another meeting with the owner/head coach to discuss what High school Keita will go to. He got quite a few 'offers' from the top baseball schools in different parts of the country, and 3 weeks ago we went to look at one of the ones in Osaka. It was one I'd never have thought he'd choose to go to but after seeing it, talking to the coaches and also to the parents of one of the boys who is 2 years ahead of him, it's very likely that he's going to choose that one. Wherever he goes, he's opted to board so the fact that it's less than an hour away and we can go and see him play (many don't allow phones or visits) means we can see how he's doing. Also, 3 boys from a different but local team that he knows through playing matches are also going so he won't be totally 'alone'. Nothing has been decided but it's looking more and more likely to be the one. His friend who he's been with since elementary school has opted to go to a school outside of Osaka as there is more chance of getting to play at Koshien that way (to play at Koshien is what they all dream of but Keita says he's not that bothered. He's set his sights even higher - to go professional!).
Aya left for China this morning to meet a couple of her old Uni friends who are already there. I think she comes home either Sat or Sun morning so isn't there for long but at least has the chance to see them again.
After next weeks lessons, I'm on holiday for 2 weeks and really looking forward to the break. Most likely we won't be going anywhere but knowing that I don't have a schedule to keep is going to be bliss - I bet next week drags by!
Tuesday, 8 June 2010
Well, well, well, I've finally found my way back here! It's been a mixture of nothing much to write about and having no time to write even the mundane things.
Getting my classes organised for the start of the school year is always a headache but especially so this year. Most of the classes were okay but I needed to find a later time for one class that was going into the 2nd year and that was hard. I had two classes of the same age running back to back and needed the 2nd class to start an hour later which the mothers weren't happy about but I finally got the mothers of the boys to agree so the girls are in the first class, the boys the second. It's actually working out well with them split that way and I have the threat that if they don't behave, they'll be put into the girls (or boys) class! This year I could only find the time to add one new class so my numbers are mostly the same (I could have added one on a Tues but I've been trying to keep that day the way it is since I don't need to start until 4.30).
Other news, Daisuke came round a couple of weeks ago to have a 'chat' with Setsuo. He was all rigged out in a suit, shirt and tie - all specially bought for the occasion - and asked if Setsuo would 'allow' him and Aya to get married. It was quite sweet really and also quite amusing watching the pair of them, I don't know who was the most nervous! I think if they can find a place that's not already booked they'll get married sometime this year but so far there's no date set.
Lisa seems to have settled into her new job and having to get up early hasn't stopped here from going out wining and dining a couple of days a week. Kana is enjoying uni life and also has a part time job so I don't see that much of her.
Keita is busy as always and their team has just won a tournament (over 40 teams) so I expect there'll be another write up in the Sports Houchi newspaper again tomorrow. Keita, Riku and another boy were interviewed and the guy even cornered me to ask what mine and Setsuo's names were! After the tournament ended on Sunday, there was a night out and I suffered the next morning because of it!
Here's a few photos from the last two days of the tournament, all in the wrong order as usual!
The coach being thrown in the air!
Newspaper interview (note the height difference!)
Pitching
Happy boys!
Keita with Riku to the left
Getting my classes organised for the start of the school year is always a headache but especially so this year. Most of the classes were okay but I needed to find a later time for one class that was going into the 2nd year and that was hard. I had two classes of the same age running back to back and needed the 2nd class to start an hour later which the mothers weren't happy about but I finally got the mothers of the boys to agree so the girls are in the first class, the boys the second. It's actually working out well with them split that way and I have the threat that if they don't behave, they'll be put into the girls (or boys) class! This year I could only find the time to add one new class so my numbers are mostly the same (I could have added one on a Tues but I've been trying to keep that day the way it is since I don't need to start until 4.30).
Other news, Daisuke came round a couple of weeks ago to have a 'chat' with Setsuo. He was all rigged out in a suit, shirt and tie - all specially bought for the occasion - and asked if Setsuo would 'allow' him and Aya to get married. It was quite sweet really and also quite amusing watching the pair of them, I don't know who was the most nervous! I think if they can find a place that's not already booked they'll get married sometime this year but so far there's no date set.
Lisa seems to have settled into her new job and having to get up early hasn't stopped here from going out wining and dining a couple of days a week. Kana is enjoying uni life and also has a part time job so I don't see that much of her.
Keita is busy as always and their team has just won a tournament (over 40 teams) so I expect there'll be another write up in the Sports Houchi newspaper again tomorrow. Keita, Riku and another boy were interviewed and the guy even cornered me to ask what mine and Setsuo's names were! After the tournament ended on Sunday, there was a night out and I suffered the next morning because of it!
Here's a few photos from the last two days of the tournament, all in the wrong order as usual!
The coach being thrown in the air!
Newspaper interview (note the height difference!)
Pitching
Happy boys!
Keita with Riku to the left
Tuesday, 20 April 2010
We've had a busy couple of months with Kana's (can't find the photos) and Lisa's graduation and then Kana's entrance ceremony
Lisa and her friend Nami
Lisa at the entrance to her University
Kana and Lisa in the University grounds
On both days it was really cold and raining slightly for Lisa but pouring down for Kana. Although the ceremonies were held at the main campus in Nishinomiya, their campus is in Sanda which is actually much prettier although smaller and even colder!
Kana seems to be enjoying herself so far and already has a group of friends that she mainly hangs out with (1 other girl and 3 boys). I thinks she was getting fed up at the beginning with everyone asking if she was Lisa's sister but seems to have got over that now.
Lisa came back home at the end of February after living alone for 3 years and to be quite honest I wasn't really looking forward to it, thinking it would be stressful for everyone but surprisingly, it's been really good to have her back home and she's fitted back like she's never been away. She's still living a life of leisure with a couple of days here and there where she has to go for exams for her company but she starts working properly from the 2nd week of May although the first week they have an 'orientation' program staying at a hotel. I think she's quite looking forward to it.
Keita is now in his 3rd and final year of junior high school and has the school baseball coach for his homeroom teacher. (I was just relieved that he stayed in class '3' which means I didn't have to sew on new labels for his sports clothes!) Baseball wise things are going okay although they haven't done that great in any of the tournaments so far this year. For players like Keita or his friend Riku, it doesn't really matter that much because they have already been 'spotted' but for the other boys, they really need to get good results in the tournaments. The last tournament looked promising - Keita pitched really well for the first two stages (and got another write up and his photo in the paper again) which got them into the main part but the following week they got beaten in the first of two matches. The coach had wanted to play Keita in the 2nd match since it looked like the first team would be an easy win but because of errors, we lost! There are still a few more tournaments though so hopefully they'll do better.
We've also had the first 'meeting' to talk about what senior high school they kids want to go to but we've been told not to make any decisions before the summer. Although I haven't been formally told, I know there are a few schools who have asked for him and there is one or two schools I'D like him to go to but we'll just have to wait and see.
Aya and Daisuke now have 2 dogs - one they bought themselves and one I bought as a surprise for Aya's birthday.
The female, Mocha
The male, Rex
We'd bought Rex planning to give him to Aya 4 days later but because Mocha (who was really small) caught bronchitis, the vet said we should keep them apart for about 3 weeks so I ended up keeping him in my office for that time since we couldn't let him come upstairs without having all his injections plus I didn't fancy his chances with Spike and Daisy! They are now 4 months old and have grown a lot, especially Rex. It was nice having a pup again but also nice to be able to hand him over. Aya was just about demented with them at one point and I'm sure regretted getting them more than once but they've settled down a bit now.
And that's basically it! English lessons are a headache at the moment trying to reschedule classes and make room for another new one but hopefully that's going to get resolved this week. Until it does, I have combined two classes so now have 14 x 8/9 year olds in one class. Last week Lisa helped and hopefully she will again this week too - if not, it'll be pretty stressful as they aren't the most well behaved class to start with!
Lisa and her friend Nami
Lisa at the entrance to her University
Kana and Lisa in the University grounds
On both days it was really cold and raining slightly for Lisa but pouring down for Kana. Although the ceremonies were held at the main campus in Nishinomiya, their campus is in Sanda which is actually much prettier although smaller and even colder!
Kana seems to be enjoying herself so far and already has a group of friends that she mainly hangs out with (1 other girl and 3 boys). I thinks she was getting fed up at the beginning with everyone asking if she was Lisa's sister but seems to have got over that now.
Lisa came back home at the end of February after living alone for 3 years and to be quite honest I wasn't really looking forward to it, thinking it would be stressful for everyone but surprisingly, it's been really good to have her back home and she's fitted back like she's never been away. She's still living a life of leisure with a couple of days here and there where she has to go for exams for her company but she starts working properly from the 2nd week of May although the first week they have an 'orientation' program staying at a hotel. I think she's quite looking forward to it.
Keita is now in his 3rd and final year of junior high school and has the school baseball coach for his homeroom teacher. (I was just relieved that he stayed in class '3' which means I didn't have to sew on new labels for his sports clothes!) Baseball wise things are going okay although they haven't done that great in any of the tournaments so far this year. For players like Keita or his friend Riku, it doesn't really matter that much because they have already been 'spotted' but for the other boys, they really need to get good results in the tournaments. The last tournament looked promising - Keita pitched really well for the first two stages (and got another write up and his photo in the paper again) which got them into the main part but the following week they got beaten in the first of two matches. The coach had wanted to play Keita in the 2nd match since it looked like the first team would be an easy win but because of errors, we lost! There are still a few more tournaments though so hopefully they'll do better.
We've also had the first 'meeting' to talk about what senior high school they kids want to go to but we've been told not to make any decisions before the summer. Although I haven't been formally told, I know there are a few schools who have asked for him and there is one or two schools I'D like him to go to but we'll just have to wait and see.
Aya and Daisuke now have 2 dogs - one they bought themselves and one I bought as a surprise for Aya's birthday.
The female, Mocha
The male, Rex
We'd bought Rex planning to give him to Aya 4 days later but because Mocha (who was really small) caught bronchitis, the vet said we should keep them apart for about 3 weeks so I ended up keeping him in my office for that time since we couldn't let him come upstairs without having all his injections plus I didn't fancy his chances with Spike and Daisy! They are now 4 months old and have grown a lot, especially Rex. It was nice having a pup again but also nice to be able to hand him over. Aya was just about demented with them at one point and I'm sure regretted getting them more than once but they've settled down a bit now.
And that's basically it! English lessons are a headache at the moment trying to reschedule classes and make room for another new one but hopefully that's going to get resolved this week. Until it does, I have combined two classes so now have 14 x 8/9 year olds in one class. Last week Lisa helped and hopefully she will again this week too - if not, it'll be pretty stressful as they aren't the most well behaved class to start with!
Monday, 18 January 2010
A pretty uneventful weekend.
It's been nice not having to go to BB every Sat/Sun apart from the duty days and means I have time to relax and do whatever I like. It also means that I'm finally able to meet up with some friends from the English group and have some great English conversation for a change!
On Sunday we went to the home since they were having a 'rice cake eating' party. It was quite funny seeing all the men and women pounding the rice (they are all at different levels of senility). Setsuo's father had his turn too but wasn't really that interested! They made the rice cakes and those that could, got to eat it. It was a shame for Setsuo's father because he really loves it but because of the choking hazard, wasn't allowed any (he did get zenzai which is red bean soup with small bits of mochi in it) and he kept pointing to the rice cakes and motioning that he wanted some.
And that was the weekend!
It's been nice not having to go to BB every Sat/Sun apart from the duty days and means I have time to relax and do whatever I like. It also means that I'm finally able to meet up with some friends from the English group and have some great English conversation for a change!
On Sunday we went to the home since they were having a 'rice cake eating' party. It was quite funny seeing all the men and women pounding the rice (they are all at different levels of senility). Setsuo's father had his turn too but wasn't really that interested! They made the rice cakes and those that could, got to eat it. It was a shame for Setsuo's father because he really loves it but because of the choking hazard, wasn't allowed any (he did get zenzai which is red bean soup with small bits of mochi in it) and he kept pointing to the rice cakes and motioning that he wanted some.
And that was the weekend!
Thursday, 14 January 2010
So far, we've still managed to escape all the snow that's going about the country (world?) but it sure is cold these days. This morning when I did the usual ritual of wiping down the window frames, the condensation that had gathered had actual frozen in both Keita's and our bedrooms (Kana is lucky enough to have a her bedroom on a different side of the house). Even though there was ice on the frames, the rooms themselves are quite warm once we get over the initial shock of going from warm living room but I think it really is time to get the blankets out again. The pond where the turtles are in is also covered in ice but I reckon it's warmer with that layer - or do they need it broken to breathe? They haven't been appearing for a while so I think they must be sleeping for the winter (either that or dead from lack of air - now that I've typed that, I'm going to have to go and check after work!)
Because I had a 'New Year' party to go to on my birthday, we had the family one a day earlier. We intended going out for a Chinese meal but because it was so cold, we ended up going to a pub restaurant in Juso instead and then came back here for presents and cake. The NY party was for the mothers and boys in the school baseball club and although Keita is only there for training practice ie he can't use those balls so doesn't play in any matches (in fact doesn't even have the uniform other than the cap!) we were both invited too. All but one of the mothers I know either from Keita's last BB club or the kindergarten he used to go to so it was a good boozy night! Luckily next day was also a school day so we all got home at a reasonable time.
Other than that, not a great deal else has been happening.
Because I had a 'New Year' party to go to on my birthday, we had the family one a day earlier. We intended going out for a Chinese meal but because it was so cold, we ended up going to a pub restaurant in Juso instead and then came back here for presents and cake. The NY party was for the mothers and boys in the school baseball club and although Keita is only there for training practice ie he can't use those balls so doesn't play in any matches (in fact doesn't even have the uniform other than the cap!) we were both invited too. All but one of the mothers I know either from Keita's last BB club or the kindergarten he used to go to so it was a good boozy night! Luckily next day was also a school day so we all got home at a reasonable time.
Other than that, not a great deal else has been happening.
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