Cherry Blossoms

 Yesterday Hannah and I walked to the little park on the next block.  The cherry blossoms were in full bloom but with rain and high winds forecast I thought it best to go and see them.  This year is very early.  My image of cherry blossoms is to do with the entrance ceremonies that start at the beginning of April.  From kindergarten up to university there are ceremonies to welcome the new students.   It's a chance to dress up and the cherry blossoms make a nice back drop for photos.

Managed to get a few photos of the park.  It's a nice little space, we use to run Lucky over there.

Very little park but always clean

David keeps putting ties on the cats.  They hate it but it's fun!

Frodo

Steve

Spring

 I'm amazed at how quickly things change. Last week was dull, cloudy and rather cold. No flowers out, the ground was bare, no color anywhere.  The past couple of days things have bloomed,  cherry blossoms are out, 10 days earlier than last year.  There is a calendar that shows the best time to see the cherry blossoms in each area of Japan. Traditionally people would have picnic under the cherry blossoms, in the famous parks and riversides people put down picnic sheets to reserve a spot.  But because of covid 19 these picnics have been banned again.  I don't really enjoy the picnics, it is still rather chilly, especially when the wind picks up.  Also seems to be an excuse for people to get drunk.  

A few photos 

Today I made a massive bowl of pasta salad.  Nice for a change!

As much as I'm enjoying spring I'm also suffering from hay fever.  This year seems to be really bad.  I'm drugged up with meds, they make me sleepy and give me headaches.  

BUSY

 Who knew that getting a kid ready for university would be this crazy?

I don't remember being this busy getting Christopher ready for college.  I think Hannah just likes shopping.  We went to a couple of malls to buy clothes, she basically lived in her uniform or pajamas for 6 years so she needed a whole new wardrobe. I usually enjoy shopping but at the moment it is hard.  My knee is very painful so walking far is hard, also I get over heated because of having to wear a mask.  She also decided to buy make up. Schools in Japan are very strict about make up, hair styles and uniforms.  Graduating from high school is a mark of freedom, a chance to change hair styles, to dye hair, wear make up and even get ears pierced.  So Hannah went mad and bought a load of make up.  She then had a make up session when she got home.

First experiment with make up

With me, looking totally wiped out!

Hannah has managed to find a little part time job at a local cram school.  Cram schools are a big part of Japanese schooling.  Especially in junior high school kids go to school after school to get a jump on entrance tests for high school.  Some cram schools focus on different stages of the Japanese school system.  The place Hannah is working at s for the last couple of years of elementary school and junior high school.  She starts tomorrow with  two hours of training.  She is nervous but I think she'll be okay.  She has been teaching here for the past year or so.  

Two weeks ago was the 10th year since the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear power plant disaster.  It's hard to believe that so much time has passed.  Last night the same area was hit by yet another large earthquake.  Seems that these are after shocks from 10 years ago.  Must be rather scary to live there!  I know I would want to move out!!

Congratulations Hannah

 Hannah has graduated from High School.  There was a shortened ceremony because of coronavirus worries, but it was nice somehow.  I usually don't enjoy these days but this is the last one for public school, just Hannah's university to go.

One thing I don't understand is the choice of music.  As the graduates enter Land of Hope and Glory was played.  This year using a sound track, other times the schools brass band would play, corona worries again.  The graduating students sang a Japanese version of Auld Lang Syne.  When I asked Hannah about this she said it was a Japanese song about saying goodbye.  I think Robert Burns was turning in his grave!

I'm happy to be finished with school.  No more worries about tests, uniforms or hair length.  One problem is that Hannah doesn't have many clothes to start university, she lived in uniforms or pajamas for the past 6 years.  Hopefully we can go shopping soon and get her sorted!

Few photos from the day.  Hannah put filter on hers!

Hannah with her homeroom teacher

with other teachers

Early morning