What we've been up to lately (catchup post)

Today we said goodbye to MM and her friend G, who have been visiting for about a week. GP and GD left a week ago, and they had been here two weeks. We have enjoyed showing all these guests around Kyoto. And today, we have been quite happy to sit inside our house and rock back and forth.

Here are some things we have been doing the past few weeks.

Three of us finally visited the inside of the Imperial Palace, which is only a few hundred meters away, but which we had never seen. This is a kind of throne.

Here's the emperor's garden.

Some orange parts.

Here's my favorite form of translation help. See? This is the "kemarinoniwa."

Mum mum and I made sure we matched the trees.

Last-last Friday night we went out for dinner.

These three fellows all have birthdays a few days apart.
We ate shabu-shabu.
Darrin took MM and G to see Maruyama Park, a famous place for cherry trees. This may or may not be the "big famous one."

About 10am, people were reserving spots for their hanami. Still lots of good spots open! But this guy must have been there earrrrrly; he's taking a nap.
We're getting toward the end of the blossoms here.
MM and G were ready for their hanami.

For Max's actual birthday last week, we ordered two chou cream cakes.

Max is just growing up so fast. I swear he looks different every day.

Max got an e-reader for a birthday present.

Today we went to school for "student led conferences." I took a few shots of the stuff on the walls.

In Japanese schools, including this one, kids clean their own classrooms.

And today, Alek ran through a cloud of falling sakura.

Some tidbits

A big week for Max.

First, he ran for Student Council president. Here he is giving his speech. Memorized!

He found out this week that he won! Now he has to deliver on that pizza party promise.

Second, today he met his class in front of the main Kyoto station for a field trip to Kobe's earthquake museum. For the first time, Max took the subway all by himself and found his way to the meeting spot!

I'm not sure which one I am prouder of.

Of course, any Japanese-born kid can--and will--take the subway from here to Osaka, changing trains two or three times as needed, by the time they turn six years old. But still, as Max told me, "they can read the signs."

We saw a lot of these this past weekend. I'll post about it later. I just wanted to put a pretty picture at the end here....

Xtreme Action Shots (Another Blog by Max)

Just a little fun on the train.....

Zoo Land, Ta Dah. (Photos and Text by Max)

You are about to see pictures of a zoo.

For those who have high blood pressure, heart problems, or are currently pregnant, please switch to another blogger.

That is a zebra. That is my finger to the bottom left.

You could saute those chicken feet.

Can you see why Alek is soooooo interested?

There was real monkey business in here. I mean, real.

Another reminder: They're monkeys, not hamsters. Their treadwheel is bigger by about a meter.

Wow.

Peek. A. Boo.

Who needs giraffes?

Rock? Or hippo?

"The last one needed salt."

"Those pink birds have a bone to pick with me."

Notice this was before, not after, I went on a business trip.

My mum mum says I'm bigger than when I left.

I sure feel bigger.

I am holding back giggles at my presentation.

Shout-outs:

Hi Ian! Hi Shane! Hi Mira!

Jordan, I have hippos.

Health care...

Some of you know that Max needs to get an IV medicine every 6 to 8 weeks. Last week we went in for the first Japanese installment. The entry area of this hospital is massive..... can we catch a train to Nagoya, too?

At checkin you receive a digital messenger that tells you when the doctor is ready to see you. (Oh! and there is a convenience store in the basement!)

We had to wait a few minutes. Just like home. Cute seasonal decorations for kids, just like home.

Some things were different ...here, the doctor set the IV. Max said it didn't hurt at all. We love our new doctor. He speaks great English and answers all my pesky questions. See Max's hand below? It's wrapped up like one of the peaches in the supermarket!

Like this....

At home, Max sits in a big comfy bed for the 4-5 hours it takes. Here it was a little less cozy. But a good movie never hurts.

At home, if sick people get government-subsidized health care, some folks call it socialism. In Japan , they have this crazy idea that if you or your kid has a chronic illness whose medicine costs thousands of dollars, it's not really your fault. They'll help you pay for it. If the doc fills out the right forms, the most you'd owe per month is about 10,000 yen, depending on your income. (That's $120 or so). Yes, even if you are only living here for one year. Does it make you feel like crying, too? I still can't quite believe it.

Of course, it can be more exciting to go bankrupt trying to cover health expenses, like some people have to do back home. But doing it the Japanese way is rather nice. They don't even make you salute Lenin or anything.