We Wish You A Happy Holiday Season!
Time flies, doesn't it? Shota is 11 years old (5th grade) and Kenta is 7 (2nd). They both enjoy their school life, playing the piano, and sports. They were both blessed with many friends in Japan during summer, and their short school life there seemed to be quite enjoyable, too.
The biggest event of 1998 in our family must have been the summer trip to Korea. Shota, Kenta, and I took advantage of AkikoĽ×s early return to the U.S. and went to Seoul. What a good idea, we first thought....
We barely got on board to Seoul after I forgot to reconfirm our reservation. Korea was hit hard by a record rain storm. Another flight from Tokyo on the same day skidded in the same airport, leaving quite a few people injured! Once in the hotel room, TV programs were full of special reports on the torrential rain; flooded rivers and subways. It was a major disaster. What a start!
Undaunted by the rainstorm, we ventured to the city of Seoul. We played bowling (God knows why), tried to get on trains of every subway route, etc. We shopped yoyos, racing car kits, and fishing gears, which were all much cheaper than in Japan. Oh yes, we also bought some colorful Korean fans. Our favorite snack was seasoned seaweed Korean style (seasoned with sesame oil and salt). Delicious!
Our sons seemed to enjoy that exotic place despite the weather. Shota said, "Unlike Japan and the U.S., Korea still retains the flavor of old times," indicating the different development stages of these countries. We also liked sales persons entertaining us in subway trains, trying to sell combs, photo albums, ponchos, etc.
The highlight of our trip filled with mishaps was its last day. Getting off the subway from a morning venture to the market, the rain became unbearable. A short walk to the hotel made us completely soaked. Having changed the clothes, put sandals on, and ridden on the airport bus for a while, I noticed something absolutely disastrous. I screamed, "I LEFT OUR PASSPORTS AND TICKETS AT THE HOTEL!" We all got off the bus, got soaked again, and took a taxicab. On our return to the airport, the traffic wouldn't move due to storm. We gave up on the taxi, got soaked again, and got on subway.
We arrived at the airport 10 minutes before the departure. Missed flight, of course. I negotiated hard to get on the next flight, but was stopped again at the immigration at the LA Airport. We missed the connecting flight, of course. Trying to stand-by for a 2 am flight, we decided to "camp" in the airport for a long 8 hours. Finally the plane came, with ONLY ONE SEAT available.... We checked in a hotel and finally came home 24 hours late. With all kinds of troubles, my kids behaved pretty well, tending the baggages, etc.
After the trip, my kids completely lost their faith in me. They said, "We wouldn't go on a trip without Mom." I don't blame them. We three, however, went to an over-night fishing trip after that, so that I guess I'm forgiven, if not forgotten.
The other highlight of this past year was my working as an editor of "International Broadcasting Center News" at the Nagano Winter Olympics for 40+ days. Though bad weathers gave us scares with our job to notify broadcasting crews of any scheduling changes, etc., we managed it with the help of excellent volunteers under a slogan of "Work with fun, play serious." Upon speaking with me over the phone, Akiko said, "You sound too cheerful. Do you really work there?" I sure did, though getting up at 11:00 (Hey, I was on the late shift), partying every night, and going to bed at 4 am reminded me of great days in college. We threw a big party during the closing ceremony and, with lots of alcohol, tossed the body of a famous Japanese ski jumper into the air (a Japanese way to celebrate a winner). I have decided myself that I will work for 2002 World Cup Soccer in Japan and Korea.
Another news for me is that I started writing a regular column, "Family Sociology for Daddies" in a Japanese magazine for fathers called "Let's! DADDY" (What a name, huh?). Though it is published only every three months, I have had a good time with it, playing a role of photographer at the same time.
Akiko is still brushing up her teaching skills in Japanese, attending a summer workshop in Oregon for a week and a fall workshop/conference in Chicago for 10 days. She is receiving a grant for a teachers' workshop in Louisiana and is now very well connected. The Japanese program in the Episcopal School where she teaches is growing well also.
Well, this was our 1998. We hope your 1999 is as exciting and fruitful as ever.
Kamo, Akiko, Shota, and Kenta