Congratulations Hannah

 Hannah passed her road test!  Next week she has to go to the drivers license center to take her written test, then she will have her drivers license!  Finally!  She should have finished this in the middle of September but between a typhoon and being sick the test date kept being put back!

One of my friends was asking about driving schools here in Japan.  There are two ways to get a license, one is by going to the driving school for lessons when you have time, these can take a few months depending on your schedule.  The other is an intense residential course, which takes two weeks.  Both Mikey and David did it that way, so Hannah decided to do the same.  I feel it's easier as you are focused on driving and nothing else.  The first few days you learn how to drive on a course belonging to the school.  This is off road but has the same basic lay out as roads, with the road signs and crosswalks to navigate through.  Once you have got the hang of it you take a test on there and a written test to get a drivers permit to go on the streets.  You are then allowed on the streets basically practicing every day.  I think Hannah had between two to three hours of practice a day.  Also, there are videos to watch about road safety.  Just before the road test you get to drive on the highway.  Hannah enjoyed that, zipping along at 100KPH!   It's expensive, especially the residential course.  I think Hannah paid just over 2000 pounds.  This was her money from working at the local cram school.  Now she is saving to get a car! 

Hannah with another cat that followed her home!

Sorry

 I haven't felt like writing recently.  Too many thoughts in my head, to many things happening.  But I will try to get things down now.

Queen Elizabeth's death really shocked me.  I know she was 96 and looking rather frail in the latest photos but I never thought she would pass away.  She was always around, always in the news or magazines.  Just always there!  When the news first broke about her being under medical supervision and that her family were all arriving at Balmoral Castle it was oblivious that something important was happening.  When her death was announced I sat and cried.  When the Prime Minister spoke and called Prince Charles King Charles, I actually had to think who it was.  It has always been Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles.  Now we have a king.  I was also amazed the Royal Family and the love they showed for the Queen.  The time of public mourning must have been difficult for them.  To go out and greet people when one is grieving is difficult.  

One thing from all this is the ability for news anchors to waffle.  From the time the statement was given that the Queen was under medical supervision to her death was a few hours.  Because of the time difference it was the middle of the night here.  I stayed up watching Sky News and BBC News.  I was amazed at the way the news reporters found things to fill in the no news time.  Basically, saying the same thing in different ways!  

In our little world things have been ticking along.  In my last post I said about Hannah going to driving school.  The course is 2 weeks long.  She passed the first test to get her driving permit but hasn't taken the final test.  Because of yet another typhoon.  Her test was supposed to be on September 19th.  From September 17th we were under a typhoon warning.  At first, I thought Hannah could just stay at the hotel and follow the driving schools schedule, as they would schedule things around the storm.  A couple of things happen that changed my mind.  One was Hannah sent me a link for the hotel she was in.  I thought it would be a big building that could withstand a strong typhoon, but the building was small, no shutters on the windows and the area was in a basin, meaning that flooding would be possible.  Also, as I was checking this typhoon, I realized that it wasn't a small storm and that we wouldn't get just the edge of it (which is what usually happens) no this was a super typhoon.  The Japan Times stated that it was as strong as a category 5 hurricane.  So, Saturday evening Mikey and I drove 90 minuets to get Hannah.  I'm glad that we got her back.  She would have been okay at the hotel, but the typhoon was scary and being alone makes things worse, at least for me. Again, we got lucky as there was no damage to the house, but we lost a good part of one of the trees out front.  

Because of the typhoon David bought an animal cage for our outside cat, who has been named Ten.  I know that cats can find shelter when the weather gets bad, but we worried about this cat, he had an awful open cut on his cheek and he looked rather weak.  He spent three days inside.  When our cats were out of the room, we let him out to roam about.  He is such a lovely cat!

Ten in his cage

Hannah will be going back this weekend to finish her driving course!  Hope she passes her test!

I will try to write more!

Why?

 At the end of July, beginning of August Hannah spent time researching the best driving school.  She read a lot of reviews, compared pricing and accommodation.  She finally settled on one just outside the city.  She made her reservation, paid for it, even got a discount because she paid early.  This week we went shopping for a few things that she might need.  She should leave early Tuesday morning!  I say should because that is the day a typhoon is supposed to sweep through here. If the typhoon doesn't get any weaker it is going to be very bad, maybe no trains, possible floods and landslides.  The driving school is going to call this morning, if they think it is going to be bad then they will ask that Hannah goes earlier, either Sunday or Monday.  I don't understand that, going a day later would be better!  If she goes early, she will have to stay in the hotel, by herself, through a bad storm.  Not the best thing.  If she goes early, I'll tell her to take her kindle, she can watch movies on it!  There's a TV in the room but Japanese TV isn't that good!

So, I want to know why this always seems to happen.  I've spent the past month convincing myself that Hannah will be okay going by herself.  She's 20 and rather grown up, it's just an hour's drive from here.  She has promised to message me every day, I have to send cat photos to her.  We can face time and if things go bad either Mikey or David will drive to pick her up. So, I wasn't overly worried, a little worried but I could cope with that.  But now a massive typhoon is coming on the day she leaves.  Why couldn't it come earlier or later?  I keep telling myself not to worry but that isn't working!

And of course, the cats are up to no good.  Found Fred on my kindle the other day, he had his paws on the screen.  Somehow, he downloaded the Peter Pan movie!

Fred with my kindle!

August

 Tomorrow is the last day of August and I'll be glad to say goodbye to it!

This year has been hard.  Money is tight (I know some people have it harder and I really shouldn't complain) but paying about 125 pounds for electric was hard. Luckily the weather is changing and the past few nights I haven't needed the air conditioner.  A lot of students have taken the month off, this is the first year in two years that traveling was allowed so a lot of people took advantage of the summer holidays to visit relatives that live far away. 

 We are still under corona conditions, movement isn't restricted but wearing masks is normal and expected. This is one reason we didn't go anywhere this summer, just going into a shop wearing a mask makes me ill.  I'll be glad when wearing masks is not required.  We are now in the 7th wave and the media constantly saying how many new cases there are makes people panic.  We need more information on this virus, people need to understand that it is still bad but not as lethal as the first wave.  

Looking forward to cooler weather.  I want to start cooking more, not just cold noodles or salad.  Need to get a new oven so I can start baking and making roasts, miss my yorkshire puds.

Next month Hannah is going away for two weeks.  She is going to driving school.  She'll stay at the place and have lessons everyday.  This is how Mikey and David got their licenses.  She has saved the money from her part time job to pay for this.  She wants ( and will need) her own car in the future.  As a teacher she will be sent to a school,  you don't get to choose where you teach or what grade to teach.  If her first school is in the countryside she will need a car, even in the city, with public transport, teachers carry so much stuff that a car is necessary.  

Sixty

 I turned sixty yesterday. I guess that is old.  I saw this meme the other day that said "My minds thinks I'm 25, my body thinks my mind is an idiot".  That about sums it up for me.  

Didn't celebrate.  Just couldn't be bothered.  Spent the afternoon looking at photos with Hannah.  She scanned some so I could put them on here.

Five years old.

I remember having this photo taken.  I'm sitting on Mom's trolley and the edge was biting into my legs.  The sweater was one Mom made.  I think there is another photo of me and Steven but not sure!

school photo, maybe 14

Maybe 16

On holiday with Mom, Steve and Alan.

The last photo was taken on a beach, maybe Wales.  

With me bros!

first time in Japan (in my 20's)

with Mikey and David (in my 30's)

In England (in my 40's)

The last photo was taken on the last trip before Mom died.  It was a nice trip but emotionally exhausting.

Playing with filters!(and 50's)

Holiday

 This week is my summer holiday. No classes until Saturday then free until next Wednesday.  Sounds great but I'm having a hard time.  We aren't going anywhere, even shopping I get sick and dizzy. Went to the mall Monday evening with David, after 10 minutes I was soaking wet with sweat. My face was the worst because of wearing a mask!  So I've decided that I don't have the energy to deal with that.  I can't explain how uncomfortable it is, just one breath and sweat is dripping off my face. I use the gel I bought, it helps, a bit!  So staying home, which is okay but I feel like I should do something, clean, prepare for classes, study Japanese but I really don't want to!  Today was awful. Woke up with a bad headache because of a thunderstorm.  It has rained all day, more forecast for tonight.  I slept late, didn't make lunch, then watched TV all afternoon.  I always feel that I should do something useful.  Is it wrong to not want to do anything?

One problem is cooking.  It's hard when it's hot!  In Japan cold noodles are popular, so I've been trying out a few.

These are somen noodles.  They are very fine and cook up in 2 minutes.  Served with minced chicken cooked with soy sauce, mirin (Japanese wine) and grated ginger, omelet, cucumber, tomato, steamed asparagus and corn.  There is a dipping sauce to give the noodles taste, we usually just pour it on.

This is cold ramen.  Again easy to make!  With chicken, boiled eggs and tomato.

I'll be glad when it is cool enough to make soup and stews again!

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!