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December
1, 2010 - UnHappy
Anniversary.
Today is the one year anniversary since arriving in Japan.
This is my fifth time in Japan, and at one year, the longest
of all the trips. Things certainly did not work out as
planned with the house turning out to be much more of a mess
than anticipated. Working alone for one year now repairing
and replacing almost everything and still not finished.
Aside from a few projects, including the finish floor
coverings on the first floor, the house is mostly complete.
All I can say is I am extremely tired and do not ever want
to go through this again. |
December
1, 2010 - Email
Message - Valerie.
Hi. I totally forgot it was Hanukkah early this year. I want to say Happy
Hanukkah to you. Really not sure about chat today. I was up the whole night
doing laundry because Shai threw up on everything. Akiko is taking the day off
to take him in to find out the problem. He has been sick for a couple weeks now.
Send email when you can.
Love, Dad.
December 1, 2010 - Email
Message - Jim, Linda.
Hi. I trust you guys enjoyed Thanksgiving as usual. Really thought about you a
lot and wanted to be with you for the holiday. Akiko really put in some effort
and made as close to a traditional Thanksgiving dinner as was possible in Japan.
Needed to substitute chicken for turkey though. Could purchase turkey online but
mega expensive and way outside the budget. We made a party a couple days later
with the usual crowd and a few new additions. It was lots of fun. Planning
another party at the end of this month. Kind of an end of the year party which
is traditional and companies in Japan. Should be quite a turnout.
Shai caught the flu a couple weeks ago. Akiko was sick for her usual couple
hours only the other day. Now I am in with the flu this week. This climate
really sucks but at least the house is comfortable this year from all the house
repairs. Last night Shai threw up all over the blankets. I was doing laundry
until 6 am to let Akiko sleep. It turns out she is taking the day off to take
Shai and find out about his problem.
Anyway, we did not realize I can only use my international drivers license for a
year in Japan. We thought it can be renewed indefinitely but the rules changed.
Now good for only a year. Usually takes a few times to pass the written and
driving tests. My license is good until the beginning of next month. Might be
back to using the train until this all is straightened out.
Keep thinking about you guys visiting Japan. It really would be loads of fun.
Send email when you can.
Howie, Akiko. |
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December 3, 2010 - Driving Test.
Yup the rules changed and Americans can no longer renew
their international drivers license as residents in Japan. I
needed to take a written test today and scored 100 percent
on what turned out to be 10 pretty easy questions. |
December 8, 2010 - Email
Message -
Timlin Family.
Hi guys. I wanted to send a Happy Hanukah email on the last day of the holiday.
Akiko is sleeping. Shai is complaining. Candles are dwindling down in the
kitchen. Needed to light the candles twice tonight to catch up. No idea it was
Hanukah until I received email from Valerie informing me about the beginning of
the holiday. Sure is early this year. Japan continues to be quite a struggle.
Things are getting better but now the temperatures are hovering around 32 at
night. Really looking forward to the day we are financially in the position to
move back to SD again. Hopefully all is well with you guys. Send email when you
can.
Hayman Family.
December 20, 2010 - Email
Message -
Timlinz.
Hey. I am looking into many marketing possibilities on the Internet for my sites
now. I think a lot of them would be good for your business. I made a couple
pages on my site to file all this information and to keep track of all the
groups I plan to join.
http://howiehayman.com/
http://howiehayman.com/resources.htm
http://howiehayman.com/resources-work-communities.htm
Pages kind of a mess since the sorting process is beginning now. You can visit
these pages and get some ideas. Akiko continues to work. Shai is finally getting
better. Really not warm these days and pretty much staying in the house. Send
email when you can.
Haymanz. |
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December 23, 2010
- Trip To Nara
Park.
I
was trying to figure out what to do today and finally
settled on going to Nara Park. It turned out to be a pretty
interesting day. This was the first time for Shai to
actually play with the deer instead of looking at them from
the stroller. Aside from him falling several times including
once hitting his head on the concrete, it was a lot of fun.
We bought some senbei (rice crackers) which are sold
especially for the deer to eat. Shai received a pretty
decent head butt from one deer. Then we met a girl who had
the same first and last name as Akiko. She introduced us to
her friend who is Swiss and traveling around the world on a
recumbent bike. Pretty cool stuff. |
 December
25, 2010 - Holiday Party. Well
with the holiday season winding down, it was time for our
end of the year holiday party. We woke up to temperatures
hovering around 32 degrees F and were happy to see it
snowing outside of our house for the first time. Was not
enough for any accumulation but it was nice nonetheless.
This party began at 1:00 pm and lasted until late into the
evening. Many friends came and returned home during the
course of the day. We took a bunch of group pictures hoping to
get everyone in at least one picture. |
December 31, 2010 - Email
Message - Jim, Linda, Adam, Jason.
Happy New Year at least in Japan. I spent a quiet evening at home watching TV
with Akiko and Shai. Maybe can chat this afternoon Japan time. It would be late
evening in SD. We are going out for awhile. Going to look for your email in the
afternoon. Send email when you can.
Howie, Akiko, Shai.
December 31, 2010 - Email
Message - Jim.
Hey we need to go to family house tonight. Probably leave at 4pm Japan time.
Going to try and find time for a few minutes chat in late evening your time. Let
me know if this works. Send email when you can.
December 31, 2010 - Email
Message -
Hi Howie.
Good to hear from you. How's little Shai doing?? Hopefully you and your family
are all doing good!
I am getting lazy to check hotmail often now...so sometimes i will reply the
mail a little bit late!
However, it is good that i check the mail today and it is still not too late to
say HAPPY NEW YEAR to you!!
Wish you a happy new year! Takecare!!
Winona. |
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