David's Birthday

Last week was David's birthday!  He is now 20.  How did that happen, it feels as if he was a baby just yesterday and now he is an adult.
He really helps out a lot.  He has no problem jumping on his bike buying what ever we need, he knows where the cheap supermarkets are.  He is also becoming a rather good cook.  The other day he wanted naan bread, so he found a recipe, asked me to buy the stuff and made naan bread with curried liver and roasted veggies!  Nice dinner.

Mixing the dough, nice sticky mess

putting the dough to rise

the finished result, very nice.
 

I like to get photos with the birthday kid but David hates having his photo taken.  But I got one!

Days Out

The kids and I managed to get out for a couple of day trips.  Nothing really special but I think everybody had a good time.
On Monday we took the train into Fukuoka, I wanted to go up Fukuoka Tower.  We have been to the tower a few times but never up it.
Monday Christopher had school in the morning, so after a quick lunch we took off.   Train then bus to the tower.
The bus went over the urban express way.  I really don't like this high way, it feels more like a roller coaster than a bus ride. But the view was good!

Communications tower for the port

I have no idea what these are!!!

The bus stop is right in front of Fukuoka Tower.  We crossed the road and saw some more interesting statues.  Indian Gods and Goddesses!  In Japan!

Fukuoka Tower

Indian Gods

The name of this road is Sazaen Road. It's named after a famous cartoon character

We went up the tower.  It takes 70 seconds to get to the top. It was a lot higher than I thought it would be.  I'm scared of hights but the veiws from the top were incredibile!

Looking up in the lift

England is that way

On the way back we stopped in the lobby of one of the TV stations.  They had Subway so we got a sandwich each, that was nice.

Hannah with Sazaen characters

On the way back we found this sign on the train!

Nice day out but I paid for it the next day.  Talk about tired!

Today we went bowling.  There's a nice bowling alley in the next city, not too noisy and reasonable price.  The kids boweled two games.  Christopher managed to drop the ball backwards, fall on his backside and hit his face with the ball.  Mikey somehow hit his leg with the ball and fell over himself.  I at least had a good laugh!

After bowling we went to an all you can eat resturant.  We spent an hour and half eating, talking and laughing.

We came home after a stop to rent some DVD's.  I'm exhausted but happy.  I'm not sure if we will go out anywhere else this summer but I'm glad we could have a couple of fun days!!

Our First Summer Event

I've been wanting to write this up for a few days but I got hit by the same bug as the kids!  Not nice at all!
Last Monday, July 28th we held a summer event for 1st to 4th grade kids.  One other lady who teaches near here wanted to do an event with other teachers.  It really helped to work together with others, especially I had to leave after the first hour, Christopher was still sick!
The day started at 10am, first off with games, using verbs for run, jump, walk etc.  We hired the local community center, they have a big room with air conditioners!  The kids then learnt colors, listened to a story and did a craft.  All the time trying to use English.  After an obento lunch there was singing in English, the kids learnt the chorus to "Let it Go" in English.  They then made dessert and had a magic show from Mikey.  the kids really enjoyed that.  The last hour was a chance to write their picture diary, it's part of the summer homework!  From the photos I saw it looked like a good time was had by all.  Mikey worked really hard to make this work, Hannah stayed and helped out as well!
Here are some photos from the day.

Hannah and the girls who were helping out taking a break

Mikey teaching colors

 

We had about 10 kids altogether.  For a first time it was quite good. we learnt a few things and will be doing something for the winter holiday as well!

And then Christopher

Of course this stomach bug is working it's way round the family.
Last night, 3am, Christopher woke me up.  Poor boy had thrown up on the way to the bathroom.  He was in tears because he couldn't figure out how to clean up and had to wake me!!  So I cleaned up, took his temperature, 38.5C and got him settled on the sofa.  this is really not a good start to the summer holidays.
One thing that I realized is that I live in fear a lot!
Before hubby died when the kids got sick I would worry.  That is only natural, seeing your kids miserable because of some bug, not being able to anything about it, wondering what is going on, how long they will be sick. That is normal.  What I am going through is not.  I go into panic mode, when David got sick I moved his matress into my room, his room doesn't have air conditioner.  He slept on the floor next to my bed, everytime his breathing pattern changed I would check on him!  The same with Hannah and Christopher.  I was so afraid.  I am so afraid all the time.  Every month I worry about paying the bills and the rent.  I'm afraid of messing the kids lives up.  I'm afraid of growing old alone, of not being able to take of myself and having to rely on the kids for everything.  The list of my fears is endless!  Not a good place to be!

Hannah's Turn

David recovered from whatever it was that made him sick.
Last night it was Hannah's turn.  Her temperature was up to 38.5 at one point.  She couldn't keep anything down at all, even sips of water she had to take away the bad taste in her mouth.
Also it's easier to take care downstairs, nearer to the bathroom.  So I dozed sitting up on the sofa.  Needless to say I feel awful this morning as well, I ache all over and am exhausted.  Every time I dozed off Hannah would ask for the bowl! 
I am getting worried about Monday.  We have a one day event planned for 1at to 4th grade kids.  An English adventure day.  I really hope Hannah is better by then and that neither Mikey or I get sick!

Summer Holidays, Summer Sickness

The kids started the holidays on the 18th here, almost one week.  Christopher and Hannah have spent most of that time doing homework.  Most of it  is a waste of time, writing out 160 English words for Christopher, 20 pages of kanji drill for Hannah.  Plus a workbook to do, the teachers don't even mark these, the kids mark it themselves.  I can undertand not wanting the kids to back slide during the holidays but most of the homework is mind numbing.  Also I know that a lot of time the parents end up doing a lot of the work, kind of defeats the purpose. 
At junior high school and high school level kids have to attend club activities almost everyday.  So where is the holiday?  Christopher went 3 times this week and has a full day of regular school next week!  Hannah has four days that she has to attend school.  I really don't understand this system.   All I can think of is it's training for work. Japanese almost never take a holiday, most companies give the national holidays because they have to but other than that there are no holidays.  I've had students who go abroad for 3 days because that is all the holiday they can get! 

I really want to do things with the younger kids but I have no energy at all.  I have headaches and feel sick all the time.  I just want to watch daft TV or sleep.  Poor David got really sick yesterday.  He couldn't keep anything down and had a fever of 38.6C at one point.  Mikey took him to the doctors, he had some virus and heat stroke.  I am so glad that Mikey can drive and is willing to help out like that.  Our doctor is less than 5 minuetes walk from here but the state David was in he wouldn't be able to make it!  He is much better now, up to his usual tricks and jokes!  Just some 24 hour bug but not nice when it is so hot!

I treated myself to a new blender.  I burnt the motor out of my old one, about 4 years ago.  I've been thinking of getting one since then but always put it off.  The other day I was cleaning out some more of my husband's stuff and I found some gift certificates from the local electrical shop.  I had 4000yen in certificates and the blender was 4500yen.  So I am very happy!

my new blender and miller

 

These are some photos of the kids up to their daftness!

Typhoon

The past few days I have been watching the news and weather reports, there was a massive typhoon creeping our way.  I like to be prepared, especially our garden is a mess with lots of pots, broken sticks and other things that could become missiles if the winds get too strong.  Spent two or three days cleaning outside, rather David cleaned. I directed!  Bought extra food and filled water bottles. made sure that all the flashlights worked, all prepared.  And no typhoon, bit of rain, nice breeze but nothing!  The kids got a day off school, so they are happy to stay home and just hang out.  Some places got hit really bad, and to make things worse the seasonal rain front is hanging over prefectures to the north.  In one place a stream flooded, bringing down trees, rocks and mud.  Houses were destroyed, and there have been fatalities, one was a young boy, just 12 years old. that hit me hard!
I'm grateful that this storm has passed us by.  It really is worrying!  I always say that typhoons are easier to deal with because there are warnings.  But no matter how prepared one is the destructive force of nature is not something to be taken lightly.
Of course the heat and humidity have started.  It makes it very difficult for me to function.  I get exhausted just doing a few things around the house.  But I want to challenge myself this summer and do more.  Summers a rather long here, from the end of June until the end of October, 4 months.  I feel like a loose a lot of time in those months, just no energy or desire to move from the air conditioning.  But I realise how precious each second of our lives are, I don't want to waste time.  I want to do things, be productive, spend time with the kids.   Enjoy the time I have now, not wait for the perfect time to do things, that will never come!