This summer, we spent time in the US visiting friends and supporters and forging new connections with those with a heart for ministry in Japan. It was a wonderful time and a great experience for our kids. While we were there, the subject of language was a topic in nearly every conversation. Do I speak… Continue reading TCKs and Education: When the Flow Doesn’t Go
Category: Japan
Sugar Bugs
A long time ago, while I was still in college, I worked as a professional nanny in the summers. There was one family I spent a summer with and the mother of a very all-American family had an interesting way to stress the importance of brushing one’s teeth to her 3 year old and 18… Continue reading Sugar Bugs
Noises in the Night
A few weeks ago, we heard a startling cry in the middle of the night. I instantly knew it wasn’t my children. My husband had comically tumbled out of bed to a standing position, ready for action. I told him it wasn’t the kids and he peeked outside our curtains to see where the noise… Continue reading Noises in the Night
City Sounds
There are lots of sounds I’ve become accustomed to after years of living in Japan. The nasally, high-pitched calls of Irasshaimase! when you enter a store. The sounds of crosswalk signals, train crossings, and buzzers for people who are cutting it too close. The almost silent sound of approaching cars with their noiseless engines. There’s… Continue reading City Sounds
Where do we begin?
Last week, my primary work goal was to send out thank you cards to our supporters who graciously donate, which allows us to be able to work and live here. I don’t get to send them out nearly enough as I want to, nor as many times as I actually do give thanks to God… Continue reading Where do we begin?
MB and XYZ…
I find personality tests and differences fascinating. I’ve heard people say that it puts people into boxes and then people feel compelled to behave a certain way or excuse or promote behaviors based on it. Well, I disagree with the first, but can see the second happening. I think we all know that these tests… Continue reading MB and XYZ…
First Day at a New Job
Last week I wrote about Trash talk and our Neighborhood Group… and this group theme has been on my mind. Honestly, it’s been a new world since we started school a month ago, which has kinda shifted our local network and how we move within it. For example, there’s a family that lives in our… Continue reading First Day at a New Job
Legalities: Babies in Tokyo
This post is intended to outline what an American parent will need to do in Japan to get their newborn baby legal here. It’s for future reference for myself (I’m rather doubtful of the need at this moment) and for anyone other applicable person who stumbles across this page. (As a disclaimer, though Tokyo is… Continue reading Legalities: Babies in Tokyo
30 foot High Bonfires
A couple of weeks ago, I was at the local elementary school, the scene of some of my recent posts. As I prepped with the teacher, she asked me to finish my second class 5 minutes early. Something about everyone going outside for dondoyaki. Dondoyaki… hmm… what’s that?? I started processing it to try to… Continue reading 30 foot High Bonfires
Dakara…
The Japanese language can be ambiguous at times. Maybe many times. Often, the subject is left unsaid, because people get the gist (hm… didn’t know that was spelt with a “g”) of who is doing what. Unlike Spanish, the conjugated verb doesn’t tell who’s doing it. So, if you miss the beginning of the conversation,… Continue reading Dakara…
Ninja Mom 