So Jaded.......

An earthquake hit this morning as I was having my coffee. As I watched the lampshades sway and the cord bolting the television to the ceiling strain again the movement, I wondered if I should get up. I didn't and it passed.

It was only a 1 on the scale here in Tokyo, but apparently quite strong where in originated up north.

This is one thing I won't miss about Tokyo when I leave, which is exactly 29 days from today.

Yikes!!!!

Economics, 4 year old style

We were in a park last week which has a view of baba-san's office building. Ariana pointed at it and says 'there's baba". We then went on the discuss what baba does in the building. Ariana chimed in with her opinion "Baba goes to the money shop".

Yesterday in the mail, we received a flier for Acachan Hompo, a popular children's store here in Tokyo. There were lots of pictures on the large page and Ariana started pointing at things saying "I need this". "This" included Mickey Mouse and Winnie the Pooh chopsticks, Anpanman pajamas and band aids and Lightning McQueen pajamas. I replied that perhaps she needed to make some money to go buy these things and she replied "we need to get it from Baba's magic box (actually my change box that baba-san routinely scrounges through). I told her to ask Baba and she went to him and said "baba, can you share?".

You see, sharing is a big thing in school and at home. I think she has learned the lesson well, particularly when someone has something she wants. She needs a little more studying when it's the other way around.

This morning, she again stated a list of things she wanted and I said we have no money. She quickly replied, "we have to share baba's money".

Baba san and I had a brief conversation about 1) what the proper age to start an allowance is, and 2) can we give Ariana little jobs to do and if so, what? Since she is interested in money now, we figured this was a good time. Any thoughts???

Enlightened Sumo

On Friday, Ariana's school had their annual picnic in one of the many parks in Tokyo. It was the perfect day, with the cherry blossoms in full blown pink with petals falling like snow. Each class had their spot under the trees and the kids played as the moms watched. Our class, learning about Sumo wrestling, set up a ring and the kids took turns. Ariana held back at first and finally decided to take the plunge. She lost her first round but came back to win the second:




After her big win, she played again and this time, lost the match. She was not happy and started to cry "I won, I won" she cried. "Honey, you won the last time, not this time". The little boys in the class heard this and set up several other matches with one of them standing behind Ariana and helping her "push" the other player out of the ring. They were all announcing "Ariana won" over and over.

It was the sweetest thing - all these little boys taking turns "losing" so she could win. She was happy and I was very proud of the kids in her class - they have learned well the spirit of kindness and generosity.

They made one very little girl feel very big.

What I Will Miss - The Courtesy

I went to pick Ariana up at school yesterday. She was in the playroom in the basement of the school, reachable only by elevator. There was another woman waiting there as I approached. The elevator doors opened and she motioned for me to enter first. The elevator was going up, so I told her I would wait as I had to go down to the basement. She said "oh, it's ok. You take it - I can walk" and away she went, up the stairs, leaving me the elevator all to myself.

This.
Would.
Never.
Happen.
In.
New.
York.

In the Pink...random pictures of spring

Violette, Ariana and Ulysse making faces...
Ariana, the photographer, takes a picture of her friend Riku....

cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms, look and see........
still life of shoes in park........taken by Ariana
the Hanami (cherry blossom) party in Shinjuku goen - yes, Ariana took this one too. She is turning into quite the photographer. It started in Bali and now whenever I pull out the camera, she wants her turn.

But, getting back to the party - every year when the trees start to bloom, people everywhere gather in parks, beside rivers, anywhere where there are trees, and celebrate. This year we met up with friends in Shinjuku park, one of the larger ones here in Tokyo.

there is a lot of taking pictures...................
yes, Ariana was getting creative in this one........
reminds me of central park during an Philharmonic concert, minus the blossoms of course.
there are even lines to get into the park, because you must buy your ticket (a big 200 yen - about 2 dollars US) before entering.

They say there is no alcohol allowed, but everyone brings, because that is what you do. Sit and sip and wonder at the beauty of it all.