Go Go Party, or how I am Speed Limit

Color Affection

Color Affection Shawl from Sedona Knits.

I'm working on this fun little number. My colors are denim blue, raspberry pink and indecision gray. I will post a picture when I finish it. I am nearly to the last part of the stripes. It is very rhythmic and easy to follow. I especially like the short row work.

Going On

What's going on? These three words can have multiple meanings.
What's happening: Negative...yelled in a reactionary voice
Inquisitive: just catching up with someone...said in a hey, I really missed you voice
Moving forward: becoming unstuck...strong voice...can't believe in the change of situations
Totally clueless: living in a foreign country...bewilderment state of being...can't even say it.

I like it.
Steve is experiencing "What's going on?" moments.  He has waited and worried about getting a job for two summers. Now, in an instant, he's heading to teach in China. This question will be repeated many, many times. Hopefully, the answers will be gentle and he'll experience some grand things.

My son is off to see the World for himself and ask: Hey, what's going on?

Fujisan, (which is a term of endearment for the Mt. Fuji in Japan), only is visible on occasions because of clouds, haze, etc. When he comes out, it is considered to be lucky. I was blessed to see Fujisan today as I was waiting on the train platform. I had just put in a long day at school, and worried about my son, still not getting a job. Amazing how the Lord sends down signs to let us know he's still there. Then, when I got home, my dear friend since we were in the 8th grade together, (Farrer Jr. High in Provo!) sent me a care package full of wonderful things impossible to find here. She is a gem! So, thanks to the small things, and the kindness of a great friend. Go out and smile at someone today. Even if that's all you can manage to give away, do it, it could be someone's Fujisan for the day.

Wrapping up summer, well almost.
It has been a blissful summer, not too hot and steamy, just enough to warm my soul.
I taught Summer School for 3 weeks, then tutored 3 students most of the summer. It's nice enough, it gets me out of the apartment and moving about the city by bus or train. I am usually home by 1. It's enjoyable to veg out on my new couch in front of the AC and watching the computer. The Olympics have been sort of enjoyable, only sort of, because when I watch them, it's by tape-delay and I already know the winners. Due to the modern advances of technology, we already know the winners wether we want to or not. Ho hum, it takes the excitement, anticipation and collective enjoyment of experiences in real time the events.

I have met a nice lady on my bus ride to tutor one of my students. She is about my age, neither one of us speaks the other's language well, she's better at English than I am at Japanese. But, we've struck up a friendship, and it's quite lovely. She works for her brother who is a dentist. I don't know her name, but will figure it out next time I see her.

I am about finished with my tutoring for the summer. It has been great. I have earned a great deal of money and have set it aside and will not have to withdraw funds from my bank account this Fall. I am planning on living well though, as far as getting my hair done and getting a massage monthly. 

I am gearing up to go back to school next Friday. Pat should arrive Tues. and it will be good to have her next door. I also will be teaching early morning Seminary this year. It's at 6 a.m. in my tiny apt. Heaven help me, you know I am not an early riser! Oh well, I'll give it a go. (I also prefer smaller children to teenagers).

I have been knitting quite a bit, and have gotten quite a few projects done before school takes up all my time. 

I also managed to keep two hamsters alive this summer for a friend. She returns next week, and gladly, I will return them to her. They are nocturnal and run on a wheel all night. Thank heavens for earplugs!  Pat's plant that I was also tending, hasn't faired as well. It's looks half dead. She said it would be okay to kill it. She's prophetic, it's nearly dead.  I never did have much of a green thumb. 

Well, that's all of my musings for one night. 

Boy, oh Boy!!

What's new on my needles? I will be a Grandma in early December. What? It takes me a minute to digest this. Don't get me wrong. Grandma's are wonderful. I have many friends my age who tell me how wonderful it is. They've been at it quite awhile. I just found out I'll be a Grandma to a little boy. So, stash of yarn... look out for the boy colors. Here we go.

Tokyo's Trains and angels

I just spent 5 hours on the train system of Tokyo going to and from tutoring a little girl for an hour lesson. Something definitely wrong with that ratio. The good thing was, I am so proud of my tech savy skills. I got lost a number of times and used my google map to locate myself and which train line to connect with. I also happened upon several very sweet Japanese girls who helped me in their broken English. Lesson learned: we are all in this world to touch each other's lives, we can help others no matter where or in what language. A smile and a look of "where am I" and a silent prayer is answered immediately by a loving Father who really cared about me today. Life's journey is a series of missed connections and going the wrong way, either by choice or accident. There are throngs of angels out there willing to gently nudge us back onto the right train. Lovely lesson learned today.

Mac's demise

My Mac met it's demise yesterday. Sad, but true. The journey to buy a new computer started at 6:30 p.m. and ended at 10:00 p.m. I had to take the train to Shibuya. Only 5 stops from Yoga. Okay. No biggie. Getting lost in Shibuya! Ha, I took the Hacthiko exit and came out right where I wanted to be, and I headed in the direction I was sure was right. It wasn't exactly...but after wondering around for about half and hour, I finally used my cell-phone's GPS and tracked down the store. I had been oh, so close. I met a friendly salesman that knew English!! (God bless Apple Employees that speak my language). I picked out my new MacBook Pro, got an Educator's discount (score another Apple point) and then I went to pay for it. I had informed my Credit Card company of my impending purchase, but alas, they didn't believe me. So, I had to transfer funds from my savings acct. to my checking and was able to use my acct. to purchase this marvelous invention.  It only took 3 phone calls, waiting on hold with lovely music for about an hour. The salesman was very courteous and patient. Finally, success. Then another employee, a sweet girl (who also speaks English) helped me set up my computer. I walked happily out of the store, back to the station and rode the train home. I nice guy let me sit on the train, (not easily done) and then I stayed up til about 2 a.m. fiddling around with my new toy, er, I mean work laptop. I desperately needed it, for tutoring my 3 students and then for Teaching Seminary and for producing the weekly Sunday Bulletin. Yay for me, Yay for Apple!!!

Time is a funny thing. It sometimes passes so quickly, you can hardly catch your breath and often comment, "where did the time go?' Other times, it drags it's feet as if stuck in a quagmire. You think, "wow, will this day ever end?" As a teacher, I mark time by school years. I break that down into events that happen within a given time frame. When I taught First Grade, I marked time by major holidays or seasonal happenings. Now, teaching 4th Graders, it's different. More like from Unit test to Unit test, report card grading period. But, still, overall, it's by the school year. This one has passed very quickly, yet it seems like an age ago I landed in Tokyo to start my new life. It's kind of an puzzlement. Here it is, only 6.5 weeks left 'til June 9 when the school year officially ends. Only that much time left to cram everything in that I wanted to cover. Only that much time until my fabulous brother leaves for the States for good, he's retiring. It has been such a blessing to be spending this time with him. He's always been a huge fan of mine. He's always cheered me on and was there for me during some pretty rough years after John died. He would call me every Friday night without fail for 5 years. We landed in Tokyo in August. He showed me around my new neighborhood of Yoga. He showed me the train system, where to find food, shop, how to figure out Yen. We went on great weekend outings to Kamakura, Yokahama, a million (almost) Buddhist Shrines and Temples. He showed me the Hard Rock Cafe, Hobgobblins, Roppongi, Shabuya, and a bunch of other sites every tourist must see. We have traveled either by train or on foot to school and home daily. We've dashed into 7-11 or Fuji for a snack, or for lunch or for a Diet Pepsi. We have stopped at McDonald's and eaten an ice cream cone and watched the people passing by. We have eaten a whole dinner and claimed we just stopped in for snack. We have gone to Ali Babba's for yummy curry. At school, he has introduced me to so many people who adore him. He always has a smile on his face, the boys will yell, "Hey, Mr. Johnson" as we go down the hill to catch the train at the Eki. He showed me where to eat lunch, how to find things and tricks to make my life easier at St. Mary's. He's let the missionaries come to my apt. and he's sat in and listen to their message. He'll always listen to me, when I am happy, sad, angry, frustrated, whatever. He'll give me words of encouragement, cheer me on and let me know he believes in me. He'll tell me endless stories, give me morsels of advice, or just entertain me with pearls of wisdom. He'll advise me, to always have an umbrella or two at school and the same at home. You never know. So, as time winds down, and he gets ready to leave, I will miss him terribly. I couldn't have made it here without him. Sure, I could have, but not nearly as easily, it wouldn't have been nearly as much fun. Looking down the road, as I continue living here, a part of him will remain. I'll conjure up a memory or two at unexpected moments and smile. He gets to go home. He gets to retire and enjoy McCall and Dad and Kent and look forward to more adventures. I'll get to go visit and catch up with him. I'll get to listen to his laugh and his great words of advice, mingled in with his stories. Time, it's getting away from me, yet it's here and now. I don't want to miss a minute of it.

A Difference a Year Makes!

Wow, I forgot, or more honestly, neglected this blog because I was distracted by life. I ended my teaching career in Idaho, spent the summer getting ready for Kasen and Jenn's wedding, and my move to Japan to teach in August. Thus is goes. My life here is so simple. I have a tiny, yet efficient apt. 2 doors down from my brother Mike and Pat. It is in a quiet part of Tokyo called Yoga, in Setagaya-ku. It is one train stop away from my school, sans a 10 minute walk up a monster hill. Teaching in an all boys school is a delight. No, really, I love it. They are great boys, try hard, work hard, well behaved, a Teacher's dream. My transition to this new life has been seamless, with Mikes'help. My experience with the Branch has been sweet, just what I needed. The Lord has put people in my path that have been helpful, caring and nurturing. I love those who are in my life. Pres. Nagano has listened to me and my story and has been with me every step of the way. May 13 will be my date of renewal. My Temple recommend renewal. It's been a long year, but worth the journey and wait. I have come to know my Savoir well. I have cried a mighty river of tears. I have felt the Savior wrap his arms around me. I have felt the comfort of the Holy Ghost. I have felt the understanding of a Loving Father in Heaven. Blessings abound. Life is sweet. I am at peace.