August 4, 2010 - Email
Message - Jim, Linda.
Hi. I wanted to give you an update. Akiko is working full time at an NPO in Nara
Japan. She works from 9-5 Monday thru Friday. There is no weekend work and not
any overtime which is unusual in Japan. She takes the bike to the train station
which is about a 15 minute ride each way. Then she takes the train for about 15
minutes and then walks another 15 minutes to the job. We all get up around 5:30
and eat breakfast together. Now I am working out a couple hours in the morning.
Akiko leaves at 8:00 am and I take Shai for a long walk in the farms. Then we
spend the day together. In the afternoon I take him to a mountain where I used
to go hiking a lot when I stayed in Japan for three months many years ago. It
takes about 20 minutes to drive to the mountain. I usually go to the top a
couple times which takes about an hour and a half. The trail is all asphalt and
concrete and through the middle of a forest which means it is shaded and since
it is pretty much the tallest mountain locally the breeze is incredible.
Probably about 20 degrees cooler at the top. Anyway it is good for me and Akiko
to be away from each other a lot now. It is also nice we are on a more normal
schedule now. I am working on the school site and will be teaching in the house
and online in the evenings and on the weekends. When the money is good enough
then Akiko will quit her job. Anyway kinda need a few things when you send the
package if not already sent. Can send you the money for the items I need. Really
not much. Anyway hopefully you are all doing well. Should be online much more
now since much of the house is finished. Send email when you can.
Howie, Akiko.
August 8, 2010 - Email
Message - Jim.
Hi. I am going to send the exact details of the things I would like you to send.
Gonna look them up online. Maybe sending pictures is better. Anyway a typhoon is
headed towards the other side of Japan. It looks like we might get a bit of
rain. Planning to put a new wall around the garden in the next few weeks. The
school site is getting better. Last night me and Akiko decided to take Shai to
this candle event in famous Nara Park. We took the train. It was really nice.
Hopefully you guys are doing well. Really wanna watch football. Send email when
you can.
Howie. |
|
August 10-12, 2010 - Tropical Storm Dianmu.
Tropical Storm Dianmu, which passed on the
western side of Japan over the last few days, brought a few
inches of torrential rains and a few awesome thunderstorms
to this humble little farming community. The much needed
rain was definitely welcome by the local farmers. |
August 16, 2010 - Email
Message - Valerie.
Hi. I was absolutely thrilled to get your email. I am very happy you decided to
go into business. I graduated in the finance department but looking back
probably would choose marketing. It would be nice to chat someday and do your
homework with you. Been awhile but can probably remember much of the college
materials.
The condo is still available for you. Actually you can pick from a couple
options. The other room is rented until 9/25/2010 and the small room in the
living room is vacant of course. Let me know if you are interested in either.
Probably going to advertise the other room within the next week if you are not
interested. This is good chance for you to be in a quiet stable place. Really
hoping you move in.
Japan is really warm and very humid. Continuing to work on the house and getting
the school ready. Your stinky little brother is now walking and getting into
everything. Akiko is working Monday through Friday at a nonprofit. The money
sucks but the job is really easy.
Hey I love you and miss you very much. Send email about all this when you can.
Love,
Dad.
August 19, 2010 - Email
Message - Jim, Linda .
Hi. Me and Akiko were thinking about chatting with you guys but it is way too
hot this week. The temperatures are in the nineties and combining the humidity
the index is 105 and higher. Using lots of bamboo and opening windows at the
appropriate times has kept the inside of the house pretty comfortable. Anyway
was waiting to tell you about the stuff to send until I was sure everything was
included. I was able to download the new security program for the computer but
still need to get turbotax to file for 2009. If it works online then only a
couple things I need from the states. Anyway things are basically going good.
Shai is walking now. Planning to go camping in a couple weeks. Hopefully you
guys are doing fantastic. Hey the SD baseball team is pretty incredible this
year. Send email when you can.
Howie, Akiko. |
 August 28-29, 2010 - Yoshino, Shimokita
Mountain for some camping, fishing, and hiking, Shimokitayama
(Village) Mura, Yoshino-gun, Nara, Japan. Hanging
out in a small town before heading up the mountain. |
 Eating
a snack. |
 Sitting
in a hotel for a few minutes. |
 Souvenir
store on the way. |
 Tons
of tunnels on the way. |
 Another
souvenir store. |
 Playing
in the river. |
 Playing
in the river. |
 Playing
in the river. |
 Playing
in the river. |
 Same
river. |
 Dam
it. This formed a lake on the top of the mountain which was
really close to the campsite. |
 We
made it to the one room, really small cottage. Everyone
relaxing and drinking beer except for Shai who is sleeping. |
 Really
beautiful place. |
 Hiking
and drinking beer in this beautiful place. |
 Hiking
and drinking beer in this beautiful place. |
 Found
a really secluded spot and was fishing alone. |
 Pretty
much no people both times fishing |
 Caught
a small sunfish. |
 Fish
with Shai. |
 Akiko
cooked the fish for dinner. |
 Shai
was fascinated. |
 Went
to the hot springs in the afternoon before going back for
dinner. This was the first time for Shai to experience the
Japanese hot springs known as onsen. |
 Yeah
dinner, beer, and wine. |
 Really
fun time. |
 Shai
wide awake now. |
 Shai
doing a beer advertisement. |
 Shai,
the king of beers. |
 Really
small cottage. |
 Cottage
entry. |
 Walking
around at night. |
 This
was the only crappy, excuse the pun, part of the trip.
Japanese style toilet, yuk. Really not meant for someone
with lousy knees. |
 View
of the dam from close to the campsite. |
 Us. |
 Us. |
 Akiko
with the little dude. |
 Me
with the little dude. |
 Fishing
again. |
 Fishing
again. |
 Caught
a bass. |
 We
let it go back. |
 Cottage. |
 Cottage. |
 View
of the dam from the registration place. |
Odaigahara Mountain Hiking
August 29, 2010 - Hiking at Odaigahara
Mountain, Kamikitayama (Village) Mura, Yoshino-gun,
Nara-Mie, Japan. |
 Us
at the top of the mountain. |
 Us
at the top of the mountain. |
 Getting
ready for the hike. |
 Getting
ready for the hike. |
 Shai
playing with rocks. |
 Shai
playing with rocks. |
 Trail
map. |
 In
the parking lot before the hike. |
 In
the parking lot before the hike. |
 Now
on the trail. Carried the little dude all the way up to the
top of the mountain. |
 Trail. |
 Uprooted
tree. |
 Stairs
leading up to the top of the mountain. |
 More
stairs. |
 More
stairs. |
 More
stairs. |
 More
stairs. This was crazy. |
 Fog
at the top of the mountain |
 Us
at the top of the mountain. |
 Us
at the top of the mountain. |
 Watch
out for any lightning. |
 Explanation
of why this is the rainiest spot in Japan. |
 Trail
map. |
 Stairs
going back. |
 More
stairs. |
 More
stairs. |
 More
stairs. This is nuts. |
 Trail. |
 Trees
changing colors. |
 Almost
finished hiking. |