Saturday Morning

Come hang out with us on Saturday morning.

We're having our first Japanese bagels!

This one is black sesame with sweet potato chunks inside. It was delicious. We also had a "cheese and raisin" bagel but it wasn't that good. There were two plain and a shinnamon, too.

What are we putting on them? Cream cheese of course.

Now, after breakfast, we are playing beyblades in the tatami room.

...and watching an anime about baseball. The tension runs high.

Stop by if you're in the neighborhood!

Comparative Literature....

As many of you know, Darrin and I share a love of fine literature. So you can imagine how excited we were to introduce our boys to the nuances of Japanese writing. Our boys have embraced several Japanese texts, many of which come beautifully illustrated. (That helps, because their Japanese reading skills aren't yet fluent).

Max's most recent purchase was a "Korokoro comiku" which came with a bonus poster.

One side had Pokemon pals.

The other side featured this cheerful character:

And his many, many friends. I'm sorry you have to tilt your head to get the full effect of BeanMan, Fish man and Ge-chan (gecko-chan), below.

And here's Mukimukiunko. He is a deep character, that one. He's friends with Supah-Unchikun and Chinchinkun.

We were gratified that our boys wouldn't be too homesick for the quality short stories they like to read at home--which are also beautifully illustrated....

...and which resonate with many of the same, classic literary themes.

Perhaps someday, Supah-unchikun can join forces with Fred and Harold, and take a ride in Poopsie. Whew, would that be a smelly ride or what! Ha ha ha aaaaaahhhhh....

Back to the manga museum

We're guessing that you all are busy Christmas shopping, baking, and going to parties. Our presents are mailed, we don't have an oven, and there are not many Christmas parties here. We do have Christmas tunes playing and Yankee candles burning, and that makes us all feel cozy.

Meanwhile, we took a second trip to the manga museum on Saturday. (Why so soon? Cold, rainy-ish Saturday-good reason to go and read comics.)

Much to our surprise, we got to see "Cosplay" (costume play). These kids (mostly gals) were sooooo cute. So over the top. And really, truly, adorable. They loved posing in character for the pictures.

So sweet.....

The universal language

We went out to get a quick bite to eat last night at a local diner.

The owner's 9 year old son, K-kun, was there hanging out. He saw our boys. They hit it off, because they all speak the universal language.

What language is that?

You know.

Armpit farts.

Next time you're in a foreign country, you should try it. It breaks down all diplomatic barriers.

Hugo also settled in to a classic Japanese meal...sitting at the bar by the window, accompanied by a thick manga book. What kills me is how fast he learned that the books get turned "backwards" (i.e., right to left)