Stories from Sendai, Issue #9, May 22, 2002

We're late with this issue - life just sometimes gets in the way! Our website was down for several days, as well, so we had to postpone sending this.  We had a really busy month, but not much on the leisure side.  There is only one month left in the regular school year, and of course, it will be action packed.  Then we will stay for summer school as well!

On April 24th, Barbara's class took their first field trip to Michinoku Park.  Michinoku Park is a national regional park south of Sendai.  The park is huge and filled with beautiful flowers, and many things for families to do together.  Since the K-4 day only officially runs until 12:30, the mothers and Barbara decided to drive in separate cars rather than renting a bus.  This way the mothers who came could stay later with the kids, instead of returning to school so soon.  Barbara drove as well, with three kids in child seats in the car.  We decided to take the Tohoku Expressway - an expensive but uncrowded way of getting around here.  Since she had never driven on the expressway, she followed a parent.  Barbara quickly learned firsthand several things - 1) the posted speed is 80 kph, and everyone drives more than 100 kph; 2) the Suzuki Alto does not have a buzzer installed when one drives faster than 100 kph (some cars do); 3) small cars pay a lower toll than mid-size cars; 4) there is quite a lot of English/romaji on the signs.  Nevertheless, we got lost once and were the last ones to arrive at the park.

Once we got there, the class wandered through the large flower garden, looking at tulips and pansies.  We sat down to read a book in the grass, amid the flower display.  But the fun part came next.  In one of the many play areas, there is an area called the "Jumping Donuts."  Difficult to explain (see the picture below) but somehow they have built big, rolling rubber hills that are meant for jumping and sliding.  We all, adults included, kicked off our shoes and merrily bounced up and down for at least a half-hour.  We decided to leave when a group of middle schoolers (without a teacher in sight) invaded the "donuts."

We ended the official part of the day with a picnic under pink-flowering trees.  Afterward, the three children Barbara was transporting had to be taken back to school for their parents to pick up later.  It was really nice that the other kids could stay with their parents at the park and play in the other areas (water games, ball pool, etc.)

During the end of April and beginning of May, the Japanese celebrate a series of holidays called Golden Week. (For an explanation click on the link.)  Many years these holidays are grouped together for a week off, but this year, they created two four-day weeks and a 3-day week.  One would think that this would be a time for resting and getting a spring-time recharge - but we mostly spent it doing spring cleaning and errands.  Next year we hope to travel a little, even though Golden Week is one of the three busiest -- and most expensive -- travel times of the year (New Year's and Obon are the others). But Golden Week did afford Todd the chance to brave the streets of Sendai in Barbara's car. He was wanted at the other campus to help with the yearbook, and having few other alternatives he decided to try his luck on the "wrong" side of the road. Turns out his nervousness about it was unfounded. Though strange and different, driving on the left isn't all that different from driving on the right. But making the blinker turn on instead of the windshield wipers -- that will take some getting used to!

Strangely enough, this holiday time partially gives rise to the Gogatsu-byo (May sickness).  This is a time of year when many people feel depressed and ill.  There are many explanations: the Japanese school year starts in April, and by May the students are beginning to feel the pressure, many new employees start careers about the same time, and are feeling doubts.  People are tired from the holidays and the changing weather, as well.  Gogatsu-byo hit TIS in a big way!  The older students and teachers were passing around a terrible cold from who-knows-where, and we all got the stomach flu!  Barbara was basically out of commission for 4 days - and almost every class in the school had less than 50% attendance. The only Komatsushima Campus teachers to "survive" the onslaught were Todd and the second grade teacher! And even they were feeling some "stomach queasiness" this week.

Amid the sickness, we had our school's annual bazaar on May 11th.  It rained all day, so most of the festivities -- a children's play area, the second-hand goods sale, ceramics sales, etc. -- were held inside.  Food sales and the raffle were held under awnings and tents.  But the games were in the cold, wet rain. Todd got soaking wet, as his kids ran a "coconut shy" game in the rain. As the campus is rather small, there wasn't room enough indoors to accommodate the games! You should have used an umbrella, you say? It wasn't raining THAT hard, says Todd. And besides, it was character building! For a few pictures, see Tohoku International School's website.

All this to say - we have been forced to delay celebrating a big milestone in our lives.  On May 10th, we celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary.  May 9th, Barbara was in bed all day, and May 10th, Todd went to the doctor for a big physical exam which required him to eat strange food and take laxatives.  On our anniversary night, one person with little appetite, and another weak from hunger, went to a tabehodai (all-you-can-eat) restaurant called Stamina.  It is VERY well-named. Barbara managed to get enough protein, and Todd made up for two days in one.  Not very romantic, but good food nonetheless.  We are trying to plan a trip out of town in the next couple weeks to celebrate in style.

Take care,

Barbara and Todd

PICTURES:

Barbara and her class exploring the flower gardens at Michinoku Park

The Jumping Donuts!

Our picnic under the trees.