Michiko and Jun: The Family We Met When Eric was 8




Eric attended Amami Montesssori School from 1st grade until 6th grade. There were a lot of families that came and went thru that school but one family has stayed in our hearts and minds since then. That is Michiko and Jun and their 3 children: Takashi, Mari, and Lisa. We got to know Takaski the most because he and Eric were about the same age, Mari 5 years younger and Melanie 2 years younger then her, then Michiko had Lisa while they lived in Charlotte. When they moved out of North Carolina, her children were about 10,5, and 2. They moved to California for 10 more years and then back to Japan. Eric got back in touch with Michiko about 1 year ago to tell her he is living here. He tried to contact her before but they didn't connect. I am glad they finally got reconnected because she is like his Japanese mother. I know she looks out for her and Monica and they see each other some even when I am not here.

We went out to dinner with them last night at a traditional Japanese restaruant near where Jun works. Jun has since changed job a few times and now travels to Singapore, Germany and Manila. Takashi graduated college in Japan and goes back and forth to Korea (his girlfriend lives there), Mari is in medical school in Saitama, and Lisa is finishing her last year of high school and going to go to Art School. I am as proud of them as Michiko is! It is amazing how even though years went by, our friendship picked up where it left off years ago. I had a great time with Michiko the other day, last night and we have a few more things we are going to do before I leave. I think this family is the reason that Eric has been so interested in Japan his whole life. He couldn't have picked a better family for that journey! As far as my family goes: Eric is at the university in Japan and working, Melanie is in her last year at Wake Forest, soon to go to Grad School. Go kids Go!!!



Pictures are of us cooking and eating Japanese style.











And other random pictures:











Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Nothing Ventured, nothing gained

Image
Thursday May 27 4:35pm. As you will notice, I am in a totally different time zone. You guys are like back to the future for me. I am doing things when you haven't even gotten to the time and day yet. Today's venture: As you know I am pretty jet lagged. I am feeling it real bad right now. My back is killing me from who knows what, but I feel my back and my leg pain that I did NOT want in Japan. So I took a few IB profun and will go to sleep at 9pm and tomorrow, it will be better. (I hope). I waited and walked to work with Monica, she works at that craft store with bunches and bunches and bunches of fabric. I spent about an hour wandering around the store and bought nothing. I was window shopping! Because I have such a terrible sense of direction, Suzanne (The French Suzanne) told me to take pictures of how I got there. So poor Monica, we had to stop every few feet so that I could take a picture of where I was and where i was going. We went to her store and on the wa
Read more

Hachiko / Shibuya / Sushi /and pronouncing Japanese words quiz

Image
Last night, we met Eric's friend Jeffery and Monica's friend, Chester for conveyor belt sushi. Jeffery is from London and he taught English for 2 years over here and now attends the same University that Eric does. His mother is Japanese and father is British. Chester went to college with Monica in California. He is over here for a few months studying Japanese. He is full Chinese and wants to stay in Japan longer. We were going for conveyor belt sushi. I love sushi and when Eric lived in Miyazaki, I had it there. It is fun to watch all the food go by and then to pick what you want. The only downfall is sometimes it goes around alot and when you pick it, it is not hot. Still good, just not hot. We met in Shibuya, which is the largest "meet up" place in Tokyo. For those of you who have been to London Leicester Square is the big meet up place. Shibuya is famous for Hachiko also. "Shibuya (渋谷区 Shibuya-ku?) is one of the 23 special wards of Tokyo, Japan. A
Read more

Thank you Priceline!!!

Image
A few weeks ago, I decided I had to spend my first night in a hotel before meeting my life here in Anchorage.  The cheap me, bid on Priceline for a room that  normally starts at  $199.  I got it for $105. Look at what they gave me:
Read more