July 1, 2009 -
A Bunch of Sardines, a Smelt, and
No House Pictures.
We decided to go fishing again this morning since we were
told the sardines were around. We brought home 18 and a
little bitty smelt. The sardines are the safest fish for
Akiko to eat and very good for you. Anyway, we returned home
and apparently the listing agent tried to send about 30
pictures which were not received. Now waiting once again.
July 1, 2009 - Email
Message -
Howie.
I sent you about 30 pictures yesterday at about 6pm my time. Did you get them?
Joan.
July 1, 2009 - Email
Message - Joan.
Hi. No, we did not receive the pictures. They were not in the junk mail folder
either. We are leaving for fishing now but will return in a few hours. Please
send the pictures again. Your email has been added to the safe list. It should
not be a problem this time. Thank you again.
Howie.
July 1, 2009 - Email
Message -
I will resend the photo's . I will not be at the office until later in the day
but will resend them as soon asI am there. Joan.
July 1, 2009 -
Facebook Post -
Hey, I went fishing with Akiko today and she caught a 16” bass. It was really
good on the BBQ. More information about the fish and our possible property
purchase on my site.
Hey, my Japanese studies continue on, this time with a semi-popular movie called
"Cyborg She", starring Haruka Ayase. |
July 2, 2009 -
Grand Island, New York, Total
Fixer - Pictures. The listing agent was finally able to
send the interior pictures of the house we want in Grand Island,
New York. The house seems to have quite a few issues. It also
turns out the tenants are planning to move at the end of August
which is a problem for us since we were planning on someone
being in the house until Spring which is when we planned to move
there. Kind of not looking good for purchasing this property but
still hanging in there.
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July 2, 2009 - Email
Message - Joan.
Hi. I would like the answer to the following question before you write the
offer.
Will there be room for negotiation of the price with the lender if the home
inspection turns up quite a few costly repairs?
Akiko and I will be going out for coffee this morning to discuss this one last
time while awaiting your answer.
Thank you again.
Howie.
July 2, 2009 - Email
Message -
Howie. I would assume if the bank accepts your offer that they would be willing
to negotiate any serious home inspection issue. I will need
the following information to prepare the contract.
Full spelling of your names.
current address.
name of an attorney you would like to use to handle the closing. If you do not
know of one locally I can send you a few referrals.
how much deposit you would like to put down. It will be refunded if the bank
does not accept your offer. Joan.
July 2, 2009 - Email
Message - Joan.
Hi. My wife and I would prefer all communication via email or online as we did
not sign up for a long distance plan for our phone. We communicate with all our
long distance family and friends via MSN Chat or other communication service.
I would like you to wait to write the purchase agreement until we return from
the bagel shop today. The new information of the tenant moving out is a sticky
point for us and we need to do more thinking.
I am assuming the need for an attorney means escrow companies are not used in
New York State.
The tenant moving out is an issue for us now. Akiko is unwilling to move to the
house with a baby during the cooler months which is why we wanted to wait until
Spring. Akiko has not been in a climate similar to Western New York before and
is nervous about moving to the property and immediately going through a season
of snow and freezing temperatures. Knowing there was a tenant in the house gave
us comfort since someone would be keeping the house warm and in at least average
condition. Keeping a house vacant in San Diego is quite different than keeping a
house vacant in Western New York. Many things can happen because of the
excessive amount of snow and rain. Because of this we would need to know the
intentions of the tenant before moving forward.
If the tenant is not going to stay, then I would need to go to the property at
the end of this Summer to begin repairs. As a result, I would want to then
submit a much lower purchase price to the lender to offset travel costs and the
costs of obvious repairs such as roof, gutters, flooring, etc. The willingness
originally to put in a full price offer was predicated on the fact the property
would be producing positive cash flow due to the rental income as was indicated
in one of my previous emails.
Do you think the tenant would be willing to stay for awhile?
Would the tenant be willing to stay at the property with a rent reduction?
Would it be possible to open an online dialogue with the tenant?
Please get back to us with this information and, again, wait to write the
purchase agreement until we return today as we plan to discuss this and then
make a final decision.
Talk to you again.
Howie and Akiko. |
|
|
 July
3, 2009 - We Painted My Balls. Yup, today we finally got around to painting my balls….um,
bonito balls. The bonito season is quickly approaching and
we decided to get ready. A couple years ago we caught a lot
using bonito balls but last year we caught nothing since the
temperatures were not warm enough for the fish to migrate up
North. Anyway, for those of you interested in fishing using
this method, I plan to post more in the upcoming week. |
July 3, 2009 - Email
Message - Valerie.
Hi. I am going to the park with Akiko tomorrow. You can come for dinner if you
want at 4:00 pm. We plan to go to the park after. You can check my site for more
details. Send email as soon as you can. Until then.
Dad.
July 3, 2009 -
Facebook Post -
Hey. We are going to be at the Mission Trails Music Fest and Fireworks again
this year. Akiko and I plan to be there close to 7:00 pm until the fireworks end
sometime around 9:45 pm. More information on my site. |
|
July 4, 2009 - Fishing, Food, Friends, Fireworks. Akiko
and I spent some time fishing along the shores of Lake
Murray in Mission Trails Regional Park. Akiko
caught a sunfish, one of many caught during our few hours of
fishing. Akiko
and I made an early dinner of teriyaki chicken, edamame, and
BBQ onions. Masako brought potato salad. We
met our neighbors Marilyn and Mike at the park. We
spent the evening hanging out with long time friends Arlene,
Linda, and Jim. Jim
brought these cool 3-D glasses. |
 This turned out to be a pretty fun day. It was free fishing
day in California today. Akiko and I went to Mission Trails
Park and
fished for a few hours. We caught a bunch of small sunfish
and threw them all back. In the afternoon, our friend Masako
came over for a teriyaki chicken BBQ. Around 6:30 pm we
headed to the park again to meet friends, listen to the
bands, and watch the fireworks. |
 Akiko
caught a sunfish, one of many caught during our few hours of
fishing. |
 Akiko
and I made an early dinner of teriyaki chicken, edamame, and
BBQ onions. Masako, on the left, brought potato salad. We
met our neighbors Marilyn and Mike at the park. |
 We
spent the evening hanging out with long time friends Arlene,
Linda, and Jim. |
 Jim
brought these cool 3-D glasses. |
 A
picture of the band taken through the glasses. |
 A
picture of the band. |
 Fireworks. |
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July 5, 2009
- Nothing Special Today. Akiko and I planned a quiet BBQ
today, just the two of us.
July 5 2009 - Email
Message -
Hi Howie.
I just looked at a calendar and the 24th is a Friday. Could we have the shower
on the 25th? I work until 7pm and would be difficult to host on a Friday.
Linda.
Hi again.
Sounds great. Looking forward to it. Let me know the names and numbers of people
to invite.
Linda. |
|
July 6, 2009 -
OBGYN and Tour.
Today Akiko and I went for her appointment with the OBGYN.
Everything is coming along normally. After the appointment,
we went across the street and took the tour of the
facilities where the baby will be born. We were lucky to get
a private tour which normally is scheduled for 60 people.
The lady who gave us the tour was really nice and gave us
the raffle prize which contained a backpack filled with all
kinds of good stuff. We filled out all the paperwork and are
ready now. |
July 6, 2009 - Email
Message - Jim.
Hey, Akiko and I actually got around to registering as teachers on the
Edufire.com site.
http://edufire.com/FunEasyEnglish
Pretty cool. We took a free Thai class today and I taught a practice class. You
should join as a student and take some of their free classes. We plan to be at
the bagel store from about 7:15 until who knows. Try to come if you can.
Howie.
July 6, 2009 - Email
Message - Kathy.
Hi. I need to ask you a favor. Akiko seems to really want to stay in SD for
awhile and is looking for a job. She found a job opening at ALI in the housing
department. I normally would not ask for any special consideration but any help
would be appreciated. I want Akiko to find something close to home. If she can
take a bus to work it would be much better, as quite honestly, she is not a good
driver and I worry about her on the freeways. She is worried too. Anyway, the
pay is not an issue at all. She would be happy to work for any wage as long as
the job is full time with benefits. Through COBRA, and thanks to President
Obama, our benefits are extended through the end of next Summer, at which time
we would probably end up in Japan if no job opportunities come up. Again, I know
this is asking a lot but if this job or anything else at SDSU should come up,
please let me know.
I can forward a copy of her resume for your review. I can only tell you, ALI
would be getting one of the hardest workers in the world. Akiko is a very
dedicated employee. Please send email as soon as you can since the job opening
will be closed as of 7/10/09.
On another note a bit of site news. I know we talked many times about ALI
possibly advertising on my English site. Fun Easy English is now over 2000 pages
including the recent partnership with Amazon.com and the addition of an online
English language products store which should be completed sometime in August.
Even more exciting, I am going to be teaching online, also beginning next month.
The teaching platform allows me to set my own class prices, schedules, and
curriculum. I already added information about ALI to my profile. I could easily
refer new students to ALI through my site, the online classes, and through other
online communities. My Internet presence has grown substantially within the last
few months. I know there must be many ways for ALI to use this to their
advantage.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. Send email when you can.
Howie.
July 6, 2009 - Email
Message - Joe.
Hi. I wanted to let you know Akiko is still unlicensed. It should be only me on
the policy for the truck.
I am looking at properties back in Buffalo now and was wondering if Farmers can
provide homeowners insurance in New York State.
Please send email when you can. Thanks.
Howie.
July 6, 2009 - Email
Message - Bjorn.
Hey, Akiko and I actually got around to registering as teachers on the
Edufire.com site.
http://edufire.com/FunEasyEnglish
Pretty cool. We took a free Thai class today and I taught a practice class. You
should join as a student and take some of their free classes. We plan to be at
the bagel store from about 7:15 until who knows. Try to come if you can.
Howie.
July 6, 2009 - Email
Message -
Howie.
Have you ruled out Huth Road? Joan.
July 6, 2009 - Email
Message - Joan.Hi. Actually we are still very interested pending your answers to our questions
in our previous email about the tenant.
Do you think the tenant would be willing to stay for awhile?
Would the tenant be willing to stay at the property with a rent reduction?
Would it be possible to open an online dialogue with the tenant?
We would also like to know if your company provides property management
services.
Please get back to us with this information when you can. Thanks.
Howie and Akiko. |
 July
7, 2009 -
Updated Pregnancy Pictures. Yup, only a few more weeks from today before the baby is
due. Akiko is looking really pregnant now and very happy. We
spend a lot of time now outside relaxing and meeting
friends. |
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July 7, 2009 - Email
Message - Kathy.
Hi. I really want to thank you for the information. Would like more information
about the temp thing for Akiko though.
It would definitely be a good idea for ALI to take advantage of my online work
but we would need a better way to track referrals. Although Google Analytics is
a wonderful tool, the data is not specific enough for ALI to know which students
actually register for classes as a result of visiting my sites.
Either way, if you could send the specifics of your referral program, I can
think of a few other options. Send email when you can. Thanks again.
Howie. |
|
July 8, 2009 -
Bagels, Shopping and a New Room.
Today we met our friend Larry for coffee and bagels. We
talked for a few hours and then went shopping. Came home and
built a make shift room in the living room to be used for
teaching and making videos. Going to try and finish it up
this week. |
July 9, 2009 - Email
Message - Bjorn.
Hey, We really enjoyed the pictures. I think and chance of Akiko moving to the
mountains is pretty much finished now. hehehehe. Anyway, working on my own
little project now. Went out and bought some wood to make a kind of a room in
the living room for teaching online. Going to put canvas around the framing.
Turning out good. Seems like everyone is too busy to meet. Kinda sucks. Send
email when you can.
Howie.
July 9, 2009 - Email
Message -
Hi Howie.
Below is the email address for the tenant at 1921 Huth Rd. He was planning on
leaving in August but might consider staying at a reduced rent. He is paying
650.00 but honestly for the condition of the property , it is not worth more
than 500.00 a month. anyway, Let me know how you make out. We did get one offer
but the bank won't even look at the offer until they have an appraisal doen.
Hopefully that will be done net week. Joan.
Dennis Huff.
July 9, 2009 - Email
Message - Joan. Hi. I sent email to the
tenant a few minutes ago. Hopefully this all works out. Akiko seems much better
about the idea of moving to the property next Spring. With the other offer
pending, seems like everything is up to chance now. Please send updates if
anything changes. Talk to you again. Howie.
July 9, 2009 - Email
Message - Dennis.
Hi. My name is Howie Hayman and my wife is Akiko Hayman. We are currently
negotiating through a Grand Island real estate agent, Joan Dlugokinski, to
purchase the 1921 Huth Road property. Joan made us aware you were currently
renting the property and I wanted to send you an email and tell you about our
situation.
I was born and raised in Kenmore, New York. I spent 20 years in Western New
York. I moved to San Diego, California many years ago. Much has changed in this
city over the years and my wife and I were looking for a nice community to raise
our kids and pretty much settled to moving back to Western New York. My wife has
not experienced the extreme climate of the region before and is reluctant to
move back there now. She would prefer to move back in the Spring, either next
year, or possibly even a few years later.
I understand you are currently renting the Huth Road property for $700 per
month. If we purchased the property we would like you to stay for at least 6
months after the purchase goes through if this works for you. We would prefer
you sign a 6 month lease. As an incentive, we would be happy to reduce the rent
to $600 per month.
You are welcome to send email to this address which is my personal address.
xxxx@hotmail.com
We could also chat online if this is better for you of if your computer is
connected to a camera. Anyway, we would like your thoughts about all this.
Please send email when you can. Thanks.
Howie and Akiko Hayman.
July 10, 2009 - Email
Message -
Howie, I was just married this past January to a Jamaican her name is Jaycent.
She will be arriving in the states sometime this within the next three months.
She too will be in fpr a severe cilmate change. I wanted her to have access to
public transportation and I did not want her first stay in the U.S. an isolated
one. I have been very active in the search for employment out of New York state.
Currently I'm still employed at Niagara Generation. However I may have the
opurtuniy totransfer to a power plant in the state of Arkensa. Currently I'm
paying $650 not 700. Althought my wife is looking forward in being with me soon
she will have a difficult adjustment here with the difference in culture and
weather. So I want my wife to be as comfortable as possible during the
adjustment process. I have already found a 2 bedoom apartment for $595 in
Niagara Falls. Althought the cttage needs work the location and neighbors make
this place worth will. Still Ineed to get more for my $$ since I'm no longer
alone. Would I be able to get out of the lease if I have a job oppurtunity out
of state also I would be willing to cover the monthly mortgage and pay the water
bill which I currently do not pay for.
Dennis.
July 10, 2009 - Email
Message - Dennis.
Hi. I really want to thank you for sending email. My wife and I would like to
congratulate you on your recent marriage. We totally understand your concerns
about your wife moving to the Western New York climate. My wife Akiko does not
drive and we wanted to be in a more central location and close to buses as well.
We picked Grand Island to purchase a home because it is the most beautiful and
safest location in Western New York. Back when I was in Kenmore, I thought about
purchasing a home there someday. I know you would probably be happy to stay in
that house and location because of the neighbors and the community even if the
condition of the house is not good.
Anyway, I would like you to send a little more information if you do not mind. I
know you must be busy but any time you can take to answer a few questions would
be greatly appreciated.
What is your monthly utility cost at the house, including heating, cooking,
etc.?
What do you use for heating, electric or wood?
What is the monthly water and sewer bill?
Does the roof leak?
Why is some of the ceiling tile coming off?
Why is the floor in the utility room wet?
Any structural or foundation problems?
Any termite or drywall problems?
Please explain any problems with the house.
About the rent and lease. We would be purchasing the house cash. We already
calculated the minimum amount we would need to get in order for us to purchase
the property in the present condition. We could rent to you for $500 with you
paying for all the utilities. We would like you to sign a 6 month lease but no
problem putting in a provision for you to leave early due to a job transfer
without being obligated to continue the lease. Any idea when you might move or
your chances of getting the transfer? We would still want 30 days notice at
least before you move out.
Anyway, I know this is a lot of information and many questions. It would make us
a bit more confident purchasing a property from thousands of miles away if you
could take some time for all this. Again, we really appreciate it.
Another thing, any information you want to tell us about the island itself would
also be appreciated. We like fishing and outside stuff and want to know about
the facilities.
Please send email when you can. Thank you again.
Howie.
July 10, 2009 - Email
Message - Bjorn.
Hi. Actually we already saw these pictures. You sent them twice. Quite a project
indeed. If we do get the house in New York, there will be plenty of trees to cut
down. Maybe the trip to Japan will turn into a trip to New York instead. Anyway,
spent the last few days working on the house and doing a mega cleaning of this
place. Really looking forward to spending a few hours fishing tomorrow. Let us
know when you guys can make it this way. Send email when you can.
Howie.
July 12, 2009 - Email
Message - Jim and Linda.
Hi. Akiko and I really want to thank you guys for making the shower. With Akiko
being away from home, Japan, it makes her feel much better to know she has a lot
of friends and support. She is sleeping now but we will add our names to the
evite after she is up and we eat and stuff.
Many of my friends from the last few years are Japanese. A lot of them went back
home over the years. A few of them who are still in town I was in a relationship
with and obviously not a good idea to invite to the shower. My friends from
years ago all moved away from SD. Many of the friends we put on the list are
people we met at the bagel shop and now see on a regular basis, both there and
socially. Many of them are really close with Akiko now.
Larry, is retired, about 62 years old, with a 10 year old son who is half thai.
They went fishing with us and his kid is extremely well behaved. Larry being
older, is very direct anytime, sometimes too much, but I am able to handle all
types of people. He is a really nice guy though. I believe his house is in Del
Cerro pretty close to you guys.
Akiko and I read his post and were not happy about it but needed to consider the
source. This is probably his first evite, and he is now getting used to the
Internet. Things do come across much more strongly online than in person.
Anyway, no worries, this is a really good group who meet often and all get along
with each other. A few other people at the bagel shop, we made sure they were
not aware of the shower as we do not consider them to be our friends.
Anyway, hopefully you enjoyed this little novel. hehehehe. Anyway, apologies for
making you concerned but all will be good. Incidentally we caught 6 different
kinds of fish. You guys really should go one time. We figure maybe two more
weeks we can go. Send email when you can.
Howie and Akiko.
July 12, 2009 - Email
Message - Joan.
Hi. I sent several email back and forth with the tenant. We agreed if Akiko and
I purchase the property, he would continue to rent at $500 per month. I want to
make you aware of a few things you may want to disclose to the bank and
prospective buyers. The tenant stated the following.
“The bedroom needs a new window and the back door frame needs to be replaced.”
“Gutters may need to be replaced.”
“You'll want to get a new rug.”
“Pipes coming from the hot water heater going underneath the house ruptured at
the elbow before going beneath the house.”
“Since there is no drainage the backyard historically gets water build up.”
I would like to know the process for submitting an offer as things are different
in New York State and California.
Assuming you write and present the offer and the attorney is only needed for
closing.
We would like to write an offer ASAP.
Please send email when you can.
Howie.
July 12, 2009 - Email
Message -
Howie.
I will need the following information in order to prepare a contract for you.
Full names of the purchaser(s).
your current address.
how much you are offering
proof of funds.
how much deposit you are putting down.
Do you want to do a home inspection or waive it?
What do you want to ask the seller to include(there is a stove, fridge and
lawnmower on premises that are owned by the seller).
Do you have an attorney in the Buffalo are or do you want a referral for one?
The process is as follows.
I will email you the contract, you sign it and fax it back to me. I then get it
approved by the seller and the bank(This could take up to 3 weeks).
If your offer is accepted I then forward the contract to an attorney here. They
will take care of all the legal things from there.
We do have one other offer but the bank does not want to hear anything until the
appraisal is completed.The appraisal is scheduled to be done tomorrow and will
be available in a few days. Let me know if you have any other questions. Joan.
July 13, 2009 - Email
Message - Jim and Linda.
Hi. I asked Akiko about this stuff and these were her answers pretty much.
Favorite color – Green.
Food – Japanese.
Music – Classical.
Flowers – Good smelling.
Drink – Wine.
Pleeeeeeeease do not worry about anything. You probably already know we are
really easy people. Anything is good. We are happy to be spending this time with
you guys and friends. Thank you again.
Howie and Akiko.
July 13, 2009 - Email
Message - Joan.
Hi. I am sending the information you requested.
Full names of the purchaser(s).
Howard Steven Hayman
Akiko Iwamoto Hayman.
your current address.
6840 Hyde Park Drive, Unit C
San Diego, California 92119.
how much you are offering.
$48,000 Cash.
proof of funds.
Will send a copy of an actual bank statement or online copy this week.
how much deposit you are putting down.
$500.
Do you want to do a home inspection or waive it?
Yes, we want a home inspection, offer to be contingent on satisfactory review of
same with the option to renegotiate the price depending on the contents of the
insepction. Cost not to exceed $275. Inspection to be ordered after bank accepts
our offer.
What do you want to ask the seller to include(there is a stove, fridge and
lawnmower on premises that are owned by the seller).
All personal property including, but not limited to: stove, refrigerator,
lawnmower, etc.
Do you have an attorney in the Buffalo are or do you want a referral for one?
Please give us a referral. You indicated the cost to complete this purchase
would be about $500.
The process is as follows.
I will email you the contract, you sign it and fax it back to me. I then get it
approved by the seller and the bank(This could take up to 3 weeks).
If possible, please send the agreement as a word attachment. We can print it
out, sign it, and send it back.
Please send us the agreement when you can. Thanks.
Howie.
July 13, 2009 - Email
Message -
Howie.
As you can see by the multiple pages, New york state is big on forms and
disclosures! .Please read over the contract and date, sign and/or initial ever
where that calls for them as the purchaser. Please feel free to call or email
with questions. Joan.
July 13, 2009 - Email
Message - Joan.
Hi. I read through the numerous pages you sent. Incredible really compared to
California real estate law which requires considerably less paperwork. Quite
honestly, all the disclosures along with the fact the owner was not able to
adequately disclose many items related to the condition of the property, and the
information about problems obtained from the tenant, prompted us to reduce the
amount of our offer.
We really want a cushion in the event things do not go as planned or if the
property is even in worse condition than anticipated. There is also no guarantee
the tenant will stay which would mean we would need to go to the property before
we are ready. We originally based our full price offer on the fact the property
was in better condition and the tenant would stay at $700 per month. The tenant
has stated his job might be transferred to another state soon.
Based on all this, we are changing the purchase price to $42,000. We really feel
this is more reasonable based on the condition of the property and our
situation. In addition, there is no bathtub, no basement, no garage, and it
looks like there is no 220 outlets in the kitchen since extension cords are
laying all over the interior floor.
Anyway, we can write in the new price and initial it or you can send the page of
the agreement with the price on it. Please let us know which is better.
In addition, we need to know who the deposit check needs to be made out to and
if a personal check is acceptable. It seems only a cashiers check or something
similar would be accepted.
We know at $42,000 there is a chance the bank will not accept our offer. This is
the best we can do based on the situation. Leave it up to chance at this point.
Please send email when you can. Thanks.
Howie and Akiko.
July 14, 2009 - Email
Message -
Howie.
Yes, please just cross out the price, make the correction and initial it. Aren't
the contracts here unbelievable?? Last time I was in Cali they were 3 pages!
Welcome to New York!!
Joan.
July 14, 2009 - Email
Message - Joan.
Hi. No kidding. I could not believe all the pages required. The last property I
sold in California was a few years ago and the purchase agreement was 8 pages.
It used to be 4 pages back when I was an appraiser.
Anyway, I am going to
Print out the agreement.
Akiko and I will sign it.
Get it rescanned as a PDF.
Send it back as an email attachment tonight.
Please answer these questions when you can.
Do you need an original copy of the agreement now?
When do we need to send the deposit check?
Where do we send the deposit check?
Who do we make the deposit check out to?
Anyway, thank you for everything. We are really hoping to get the house. Suppose
it will be pretty much waiting from today. Please send email with the answers to
my questions and any updates when you can. Thank you again.
Howie
July 16, 2009 - Email
Message - Jim.
Hey, Akiko and I plan to go fishing tomorrow, Friday, from about 6:00 am until
noon. The conditions look really good. Supposed to be in the nineties inland.
Come and hang out if you want. Talk again. |
July 21, 2009 -
Update.
Kind of been awhile to write an update. Quite honestly with
many things seemingly stuck in the middle, really was not
feeling like writing anymore. After weeks of getting excited
about moving to Grand Island, we finally needed to throw in
the towel. It seems the bank is going to take several weeks
to make a decision, even on a cash offer. We probably would
be able to hang in there and wait but events from yesterday
finally made the decision obvious.
While driving on the freeway, our truck totally crapped out
on us. The truck is now in the shop and could cost thousands
to repair. More importantly, we found out our benefits
coverage only lasts until the end of November which we
thought was good until next Summer. This changes the entire
dynamics of our situation now.
The Grand Island move was not supposed to happen for another
five years. We pushed the move because of all the family
problems and discrimination (Buraku) issues….read the June
24, 2009 post. Anyway, we now are about 90 percent certain
to move to Japan and simply purchase the house we want
without listening to family thinking. More about this within
the next few weeks. |
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July 23, 2009 - 5:54 AM - Email
Message - Jim.
Hi. Akiko is in labor now. I am taking her now. I am going to call you from
there. Enjoy the shower. Talk to you again.
Howie. |
 July
27, 2009 -
New Baby Boy. Hi.
I am happy to announce Akiko and I became the proud parents
of a new baby boy, who was 6 lbs, 8 oz and 20 in long, born
July 23, 2009. His name is um, well, Baby Boy Hayman until
tomorrow. This is the story about the name. We wanted to be
surprised about the sex of the baby. The last ultrasound
where we could find out was a few months ago. During the
first few months of pregnancy, we were told the baby would
be a girl, guesses from us and our friends. As the months
went on, everyone changed to thinking it was a boy. We still
were pretty sure it would be a girl. We already picked out a
girl’s name. Then the baby was born and it turned out to be
a boy. We want to incorporate my Jewish heritage in the name
and combine with the Japanese culture for Akiko. Since we
needed more time, we were unable to sign the birth
certificate, much to the dismay of the staff who came to our
room after the delivery. Anyway, we are close to a name
which will be revealed tomorrow. |
 I
really want to thank my wonderful daughter Valerie for her
support and for hanging out with us much of the time after
the delivery. I am extremely happy she has a new baby
brother.
I also want to thank my family in Japan, Okaachan, Otouchan,
and Maikochan for showing so much excitement and happy faces
when we did video chat the other night.
I want to thank our wonderful friends Jim and Linda for
coming to visit us a couple times after the delivery and for
coming to our home and bringing food and really nice and
much needed gifts. Although our families go back well over
50 years, from the days in Buffalo, it was only over the
last few years all of us became really close. The time Akiko
and I spend with them is extremely important to us and their
support, advice, and friendship has really helped us through
many times. Thank you guys again for all your support. You
made the last few days much easier for us. |
 I
want to thank Masako for coming over and spending a few
moments with us before she goes to Japan later this week. We
can get back to getting together for dinner when you return.
I want to thank Peggy and Mike, who are good friends of Jim
and Linda for the wonderful gifts. We also want to thank
Paula, one of our new friends from Einstein bagels for
adopting us into her family and showing us tons of kindness.
Really looking forward to getting back to the bagel shop in
the next few weeks.
Much more about us and the baby coming soon. |
July 27, 2009 - Email
Message - Jim, Linda.
Hi. We wanna thank you guys again for all of your kindness during the last few
days. You really made things much easier for us. We are still working on the
food. Used the bathtub today and talk about easy. Things sure improved over the
years. Looking forward to seeing you guys. Thank you again.
Howie, Akiko.
|
 July
28, 2009 -
Baby Boy
Hayman Now
Has A Name. Yup,
we finally settled on a name. His American name is Steven
Maxwell Hayman, with the names being derivations
from my Dad
and my Grandpa. His Hebrew and Japanese names will be
determined at a later date. |
July 28, 2009 - Email
Message - Jim.
Hey, Akiko and I actually gave the baby a name. Information is on this page.
http://howiehayman.com/
Send email when you can. |
 July
29, 2009 -
A Few Hours
Out Today. Today
we went to see my long time friend of over 29 years,
physician, and now pediatrician for our baby, Dr. Edward
Brantz. He was extremely happy to see all of us. Everything
checked out good and the baby is due to be seen again in a
couple months. Then we ran into our friends at Marukai and
talked for awhile. |
 July
30, 2009 -
What's in a
Name. Yup,
our baby has a new name:
Shai Maxwell Hayman
This is the story. Although we like the name Steven, both
Akiko and myself were not comfortable with it for some
reason. We still kept calling the baby….um….baby instead of
his name. Then this morning I was doing more reading about
names and realized it totally went against tradition to give
the baby any part of my name.
The following is an excerpt from a Jewish website:
One of the most common practices is to name a child to honor
a relative. Sephardic Jews name their children freely after
both living and deceased relatives. However, Ashkenazim
rarely name children after living relatives, based on the
belief that this will bring bad luck to both the child and
the relative. Traditional superstition held that the Angel
of Death may take the child instead of the older family
member. For this reason, it's very uncommon to name a child
after his living father. You won't find many Juniors among
Ashkenazic Jews!
After reading this I realized the name was not suitable for
the baby. We found a name a few days ago which we liked. I
went back and researched the name and found some really cool
information.
The name Shai is an actual Hebrew name which negates the
need for us to give the baby both a secular and a Hebrew
name. The meaning of Shai in Hebrew is “gift”
which he certainly is. The name also translates very easily
into Japanese since it ends in a vowel sound. Yup, the baby
is going to be called three different names depending on the
country and the situation.
Shai (also spelt Sai, occasionally Shay, and in Greek, Psais)
was the deification of the concept of fate in Egyptian
mythology. As the god of fate, it was said that he
determined the span of each man's life, and was present at
the judgment of the soul of the deceased.
Anyway, We are very happy with the name. |
 July
31, 2009 -
The
Difference Between Boys and Girls. I really cannot remember my daughter ever peeing on me when
she way a baby. Knew baby boys pee and last night was
treated to a small spray which traveled quite a distance and
landed on my shirt. I was really impressed. Akiko
experienced the same thing the other day. Ahhhh, the small
things parents can be proud of. Anyway, in the evening Jim
and Linda came to see us and we all talked for awhile. |
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