David's Birthday

 Yesterday was David's birthday.  We couldn't really celebrate because of work schedules.  Hope to do him a nice lunch next week.  I got him a few more T-shirts that he needed.  He never asks for anything which makes buying things difficult.  Also since he has been working he buys what he needs, which is good.  He is also very  generous.  He paid for Hannah's new phone and bought a TV for the family.  He buys the cat food and litter, plus puts money into my bank for the rent.  I keep telling him to save money, which he does, but if he sees a need he has no problem using his money!

He is working nights, better money.  But it's a long shift, midnight to 9am.  He said that most nights aren't too busy, it's an internet cafe.  Serving food and drink, making sure the rooms are clean and that the computers and karaoke machines are working.  Of course he comes home with interesting stories. Last week a group of young men got kicked out and banned (there is a membership system), they were rude to other customers wanting to use the billiard table, trying to push the other customers off instead of waiting.  The other night there was the hour long argument with a man who wouldn't wear a mask,  finally one of the staff called the head office and somebody told the man to wear a mask or leave.  One thing that David doesn't understand is the amount of money people spend there, he thinks it's waste, I tell him that the money they spend pays his wages!

Selfie practice

with our three oldest cats

I am wondering what this next year will bring for him!

The Yard

 Before the rainy season we managed to cut down the weeds.  Having a very short rainy season meant that the weeds didn't grow back.  I was so happy!  But the middle of July we got a load of rain.  Which means the weeds are back.  The yard looks more like a jungle.

Back yard, the weeds are at least 3 feet high!

The walk way from the gate to the door

By the steps

I really want to get it done.  I decided to try and get out early but even at 7am it's already 29C with a real feel of 32C.  Christopher did a bit but needs a lot more.  Maybe on Sunday we can get out there!

Lizard

These are the lizards that get on the windows in the evening.  The cats keep trying to get to them.  Fun to watch the cats jumping up and hitting the windows but not getting their prey!

Summer Festivals

 The past couple of years the summer festivals were canceled because of the corona virus.  The media dubbed those years the summers of silence, no festivals and no fireworks.  This year things are back to normal, well almost!  

I love the idea of the festivals but don't go.  Standing outside in the heat (today it's 34C) is not for me!  Many of my students were excited that the festivals were back.  Especially junior high and high school kids it's a nice escape from the load of homework and self study that they have in the summer.

The next city has a festival from August 3rd to 5th, it's a water festival, giving thanks to the largest river in the area.  There are parades, marching bands and a traditional dance called soroban so odori, dance of the abacus.  The last day is a massive fireworks display.  It got so big that the event is now in two locations.  

One thing my students love at the festival is the street food.  Takoyaki, bit of octopus baked in a savory batter, yaki soba, stir fried noodles.  Kakigoori, shaved ice with flavored syrup and cotton candy.  Mikey goes to a lot of these festival selling cotton candy.

Mikey practicing making cotton candy

Even though I'm not going to the festivals I will get to see the fireworks from our balcony.

What A Life ...Continued

 I should of guessed that things were going to keep being crazy!

Sam recovered from his nose bleed.  I'm figuring how to cook without my oven.  So I thought things would start to look up.  But of course not.

Monday night we had an awful thunderstorm.  I went down to check on the cats, especially Mama and Fluffy, they freak out!  Mama had found a corner to curl up in. Looked for Fluffy but couldn't find her, checked the boxes I had put out for her but no Fluffy,  Heard scratching in the massive TV box, curled in the bottom corner was Fluffy.  Massive box, tiny cat!

Fluffy in the box

The next day I felt sick but put it down to being tired.  Went to bed early Wednesday but felt worse.  My symptoms were rather weird.  Constant hunger, even after eating I felt hungry.  I felt that my satiety switch had been turned off.  This caused me to feel nauseous, which led to dry heaving.  Also I couldn't stop burping.  The only thing I could think of was a side effect of drinking too much sports drinks.  I sweat a lot so am always drinking water and sports drinks but I think I over did the sports drinks and dumped to much sugar into my body.  Friday night was awful. I stayed downstairs to be near the bathroom.  I was throwing up stomach acid until 4am.  Saturday I canceled my lessons and just slept.  Feel okay no but realize that I can't eat or drink sugar.   A little bit, occasionally maybe okay but not large quantities.  

Also the past week a lot of students have being absent.  Covid is making the rounds here again!  Everyone has said that it was mild but annoying as can't go out!  I feel sorry for the kids as summer holidays have just started!

What A Life

 Sam, one of my ginger cats, got a nose bleed yesterday. Hannah and I managed to get to him and stop the bleeding but couldn't figure out why. He wouldn't let us look so couldn't tell if it was a cut or from inside. Hannah and I had hairdressers appointment so had to go out but the boys were at home so I asked them to keep an eye on Sam. Got back couple of hours later and Sam was not happy. He is a love bug, even when sleeping he will purr and respond but no response at all, not even for his favorite treat! Decided it's better to go to the vets. Took Sam in. The vet thinks he smashed into something, maybe when zooming! Got a shot to stop the bleeding. Still miserable when he came home but a few hours later he ate and drank. I think you can see on the photo his nose looks swollen. I was so stressed by this that my English escaped me, Fluffy was having a big stretch, I said "Wow what a big mouth stretch. Hannah, rolling her eyes "Mom that's a yawn."

Poor Sam

Last night David told me that my birthday present was coming today, he ordered it from Amazon when they had a sale last week. I thought it would be a book or kindle. It arrived this morning, a new TV! I couldn't believe it, I just stood looking at the box. So I left David and Hannah to set up the TV. I had these love pork chops for lunch, put them in the oven and slow roast. Guess what? The oven wouldn't work. On my oven you choose the mode you want, microwave, oven or gill, then on the oven the temperature and the how long you want to cook. I set up everything, pressed start and nothing happened. Tried a few more times, unplugged it, plugged it in again, nothing! I didn't know whether to laugh or cry! Lovely new TV but broken oven. I don't use the oven much in the summer so I'm thinking of getting a microwave for now and save for an oven in the autumn!

Christopher just sent me this photo.

This is outside a shop.  Christopher said it's a loyal soy bottle waiting for it's master!  Rather strange to have a half a bottle of soy sauce left by the store's door!  Must be a story there!

Fluffy

 Something a bit lighter.

One of our cats, Fluffy finds the most interesting places to sleep.  

For example 

on the toilet.

On the kitchen sink, good excuse not to do the dishes.

Always on the edge of the table, then she falls off!

The kitchen counter is a favorite.

In an old tomato pack.

Not sleeping but riding on Mikey's shoulder.  There was a lizard on the window and she wanted a closer look!

What A Week

 I don't usually write about the news but this week has been rather extra ordinary.

Started with a typhoon that wasn't a typhoon when it reached here.  We got lots of rain and incredible thunderstorms.  Cooled things down for a couple days but we are now back to mid 30's celsius.

On July 7th it was reported that 2 junior high school girls were stabbed in the back as they walked to school. Both were injured, but not life threatening.  A suspect was arrested, he didn't know these girls but wanted to kill.

Then the creator of Yu Gi Oh was found dead in the sea.  This hit home for my kids as they grew up reading and watching Yu Gi Oh.  It is also one of the best trading card games, popular world wide.

Then yesterday was the assassination of Mr Abe.  I'm still in shock.  Japan is one of the safest countries, gun crime is almost non existent.  I don't know about politics, I'm not sure I understood what Mr Abe did as prime minister but he seemed like a good man.  To be gunned down for doing his job is just wrong.  

I feel like things were really crazy this week.  I hope the rest of the summer is calmer!