I was taking out plates for dinner last night and took out 5...did the same thing the night before. So, my question is...why the heck would I do that 5 months after Colin has left? Certainly we've fallen into a routine as a family..we cook less, our water bill is less, we've made some changes to the basement decor, which was previously Colin's domain. But, I still check facebook and his blog many times a day starting right after breakfast in the hopes that I'll catch him live and be able to exchange a few words. Any contact with my boy is so precious!
Right now he's in Sri Lanka with Steve on a mini vacation. Yesterday he stayed in the sun too long with his lilly-white skin and is suffering as a result according to this blog. A Sri Lankan cricket team was attacked in India overnight...of course I worry that uprisings will occur in Sri Lanka again as a spin-off. Out of sight is not out of mind in my case. I relish the fact that he can travel and really enjoy every minute of this year long experience, but I will never stop worrying! A mother's perogative I think. His year long trip reminds me so much of my stint with Canada World Youth in 1972-73...a life altering experience! I wish I could be a fly on his shoulder and take it all in for myself and not just get fleeting glimpses from photos on facebook. I will never stop missing my boy!
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Our First Taste of Japan
Colin's Christmas parcel arrived late yesterday afternoon in record time! We were surprised thinking that he'd sent it by surface mail which would then arrive in Feb. It was only mailed last Monday! We waited until this morning to open it so that we'd all be able to take part in the ceremonial unveiling of items as the girls had a late school concert last night.
The girls received beautiful pencil cases which they promptly filled and took to school. I have the most gorgeous pair of blue chopsticks I've ever seen! And Garry received a cup with Japanese engraved on it. As well there was a very lovely flowered calendar, chocolate, toothpaste, chips and a bath soap and many pamphlets and newspapers to look at! What a thrill...Christmas in January! The newspaper is especially daunting...very small print everywhere...they waste no space! I'm looking forward to trying to decipher the very colourful magazine. As Claire said, 'we're basking in the glory of gifts from Japan today!' Thanks my boy!!
The girls received beautiful pencil cases which they promptly filled and took to school. I have the most gorgeous pair of blue chopsticks I've ever seen! And Garry received a cup with Japanese engraved on it. As well there was a very lovely flowered calendar, chocolate, toothpaste, chips and a bath soap and many pamphlets and newspapers to look at! What a thrill...Christmas in January! The newspaper is especially daunting...very small print everywhere...they waste no space! I'm looking forward to trying to decipher the very colourful magazine. As Claire said, 'we're basking in the glory of gifts from Japan today!' Thanks my boy!!
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Happy Holidays My Boy!
It was a somewhat different Christmas in the Tennese household this year. One son was away in Japan and another joined us for the first time ever. Garry's son, Michael and his wife, Alysa came from Edmonton so the table was still full with 9 diners! Claire proposed a toast and I welcomed M and A and was about to add something for Colin when my throat caught and I needed to stop. Uncle Wayne added 'and a toast to Colin in Japan'! With the family dynamics changed we also varied the menu a bit. I tried a recipe from Oprah and marinated the turkey in soy sauce, lemon juice and dijon mustard. The turkey itself didn't taste much different, (altho it was very moist) but the gravy sure did! I liked it, but found it a little heavy on the mustard side. Dessert was my lemon forest cake with icing sugar sprinkled for snow. No trifle this year. Colin has never been a big fan of turkey so didn't miss much.
We checked our computer several times thruout the evening to see if Colin was awake yet and were finally able to speak with him via Skype once he woke up around 11am, which was 8pm our time. He opened presents while we listened. I had sent some Christmas dishes, a very funny book on Japan by Dave Barry and a Samurai nutcracker holding a $500 cheque. Angie and Claire bought him a camp Wasaga t-shirt. Most of the goodies we sent were donated to 2 parties he attended. After a 20 minute chat we returned to our guests and opened some family gifts. Colin will mail us a parcel next week when he gets back from his trip to Tokyo.
I was struck with the realization that this Christmas is the beginning of a different future...that soon our Christmases will change with my kids getting older and perhaps the addition of in-laws and grandchildren at the table someday. It's not an unpleasant thought and although we miss Colin always we do know that he's having fun., learning lots and that this a Christmas he'll always remember as well because of his stay in Japan, where it's not really a big holiday. We tried to bring a little of our tradition to his small apartment, but maybe we should just let him experience a new culture in their way. I don't think he's feeling any nostalgia for what he missed with us.
We checked our computer several times thruout the evening to see if Colin was awake yet and were finally able to speak with him via Skype once he woke up around 11am, which was 8pm our time. He opened presents while we listened. I had sent some Christmas dishes, a very funny book on Japan by Dave Barry and a Samurai nutcracker holding a $500 cheque. Angie and Claire bought him a camp Wasaga t-shirt. Most of the goodies we sent were donated to 2 parties he attended. After a 20 minute chat we returned to our guests and opened some family gifts. Colin will mail us a parcel next week when he gets back from his trip to Tokyo.
I was struck with the realization that this Christmas is the beginning of a different future...that soon our Christmases will change with my kids getting older and perhaps the addition of in-laws and grandchildren at the table someday. It's not an unpleasant thought and although we miss Colin always we do know that he's having fun., learning lots and that this a Christmas he'll always remember as well because of his stay in Japan, where it's not really a big holiday. We tried to bring a little of our tradition to his small apartment, but maybe we should just let him experience a new culture in their way. I don't think he's feeling any nostalgia for what he missed with us.
Friday, December 12, 2008
I Cried Today - I Miss My Boy!
Last night we finally had time to put lights on the tree, which has been standing ready since Sunday and the girls started to decorate it. All breakables are close to the top and the ones that kittens can swat are of course sensibly near the bottom.
No one loves Christmas more than me and I decorate extensively! I've always enjoyed doing it and am finishing the job in the daylight with Christmas music blaring. I found myself with mixed feelings when I brought out all the special 'Colin' decorations..of which there are many. Happy to see them all again and sad that I'm putting them up myself.
I've collected special ornaments since the kids were born..many have their names on them, some have pictures of when they were little with missing teeth. Every year we add more. Even tho Colin wasn't that eager in the latter years to help decorate the tree (video games always more important) I always left his out so that he was forced to put them on. After all, tradition is tradition! Well, this year it's my job and the reality that he'll be away for Christmas for the first time ever really affected me as I brought out his engraved ornaments and listened to jazz carols in the background!
I've tried to make his Japanese Christmas special and sent 2 parcels loaded with goodies he's fond of and some Christmasy things to decorate his small apt. including a very small tabletop tree. Omi sent him one too.
This is one Christmas that none of us will ever forget! I look forward to speaking with him on the 24th and sharing stories!
No one loves Christmas more than me and I decorate extensively! I've always enjoyed doing it and am finishing the job in the daylight with Christmas music blaring. I found myself with mixed feelings when I brought out all the special 'Colin' decorations..of which there are many. Happy to see them all again and sad that I'm putting them up myself.
I've collected special ornaments since the kids were born..many have their names on them, some have pictures of when they were little with missing teeth. Every year we add more. Even tho Colin wasn't that eager in the latter years to help decorate the tree (video games always more important) I always left his out so that he was forced to put them on. After all, tradition is tradition! Well, this year it's my job and the reality that he'll be away for Christmas for the first time ever really affected me as I brought out his engraved ornaments and listened to jazz carols in the background!
I've tried to make his Japanese Christmas special and sent 2 parcels loaded with goodies he's fond of and some Christmasy things to decorate his small apt. including a very small tabletop tree. Omi sent him one too.
This is one Christmas that none of us will ever forget! I look forward to speaking with him on the 24th and sharing stories!
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
A DAY TO REMEMBER
We spoke to Colin for the first time since he left on Sept. 24th. Of course I instantly burst into tears when I heard his voice and he thought I was dumb. Colin asked me to google skype and then we simultaneously downloaded it and spoke for about an hour. Sooo good to hear his voice...a little like being in a cave, but quite clear. It was so much easier getting some answers verbally rather than writing them on msn. Once again I herald technology!
The parcel was mailed on the 30th of Oct. and he received it last Saturday so just over 8 days at a cost of $142 express post! It was a 6+ kg. package in a fairly big box. We'll try to make the next one smaller. The peanut butter cups were a big hit with his friends and there has been a request for more. It will have to be mailed this week before our 2 week trip to the Dominican because the next one is going surface, which the post office says takes 6 weeks. He doesn't seem to want much so we'll send mostly Christmas treats that would be hard if not impossible to find in Japan. Of course we'd be thrilled to receive a parcel back with some Japanese goodies of some sort.
I feel completely at peace with his being in another country. I know he's doing well and really enjoying it. He has a huge circle of friends there and loves his independence. That doesn't stop me from looking to see if there have been earthquakes in Japan every time I go on a news website though! I worry about his safety constantly so the frequent contact thru msn and now skype is reassuring to a dumb mother.
The parcel was mailed on the 30th of Oct. and he received it last Saturday so just over 8 days at a cost of $142 express post! It was a 6+ kg. package in a fairly big box. We'll try to make the next one smaller. The peanut butter cups were a big hit with his friends and there has been a request for more. It will have to be mailed this week before our 2 week trip to the Dominican because the next one is going surface, which the post office says takes 6 weeks. He doesn't seem to want much so we'll send mostly Christmas treats that would be hard if not impossible to find in Japan. Of course we'd be thrilled to receive a parcel back with some Japanese goodies of some sort.
I feel completely at peace with his being in another country. I know he's doing well and really enjoying it. He has a huge circle of friends there and loves his independence. That doesn't stop me from looking to see if there have been earthquakes in Japan every time I go on a news website though! I worry about his safety constantly so the frequent contact thru msn and now skype is reassuring to a dumb mother.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
He remembers Canada!
I thought I would try a postal experiment and send a small package to Colin to see how long it would take to arrive. That way we'll have a good idea of how soon to send the Christmas parcel. I asked him what he'd like me to send...2 books he'd left behind and peanut butter...a commodity apparently not available in Japan. This morning the request for hot sauce and a recipe of mine came...he'd like to make chili. All that ramen must be getting old by now! But, can you buy canned kidney beans in Japan? I was very surprised to hear that he hasn't eaten any sushi yet...maybe not as common as we would believe!
It's now officially a month since Colin left and the verdict is that his experience so far rates an 11.5 out of 10. I smiled when I read that as it was exactly what I thought he'd say! He's having fun, studying hard, meeting a lot of people and speaking mostly Japanese. He's well settled and loving it! That's all a mother wants to hear!
Thanks to msn messenger we usually speak twice a day. It's still a struggle to get a full description out of him, but I'm slowly learning more about his daily life and potential romantic conquests. I'm no longer getting teary at the thought of him so I'm adjusting too.
As it gets colder here I'm reminded (and a little jealous) that his climate is so much warmer than ours. It is apparently similar to San Diego's temperatures. As we get out our winter coats, he's wearing shorts and biking everywhere. My ice scraper is now in my car. Worlds apart, but it feels close thanks to technology. I found our webcam in his closet the other day. Now if I can find the other one in the girl's room perhaps we can see him too! That would be perfect!
It's now officially a month since Colin left and the verdict is that his experience so far rates an 11.5 out of 10. I smiled when I read that as it was exactly what I thought he'd say! He's having fun, studying hard, meeting a lot of people and speaking mostly Japanese. He's well settled and loving it! That's all a mother wants to hear!
Thanks to msn messenger we usually speak twice a day. It's still a struggle to get a full description out of him, but I'm slowly learning more about his daily life and potential romantic conquests. I'm no longer getting teary at the thought of him so I'm adjusting too.
As it gets colder here I'm reminded (and a little jealous) that his climate is so much warmer than ours. It is apparently similar to San Diego's temperatures. As we get out our winter coats, he's wearing shorts and biking everywhere. My ice scraper is now in my car. Worlds apart, but it feels close thanks to technology. I found our webcam in his closet the other day. Now if I can find the other one in the girl's room perhaps we can see him too! That would be perfect!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Who Will Eat The Leg?
Not a question ordinarily asked, but let's face it...we don't like dark turkey meat and the leg always goes to Colin. And as I asked it I realized that I do miss my boy and that this Thanksgiving is only the first of the special meals that he'll miss in the next year! He's not fond of turkey to start with and didn't even realize that it was Thanksgiving this past weekend...a zillion miles away from here and his meal no doubt consisted of rice of some sort.
We msn messenger every day now and it feels as if he's in the next room as I bombard him with questions, which he answers succinctly as if they're a bother. But the daily contact is welcomed on this side anyway and the main reason why I haven't had a need to blog in the last week. As one friend asked me..is it out of sight out of mind or absence makes the heart grow fonder? No doubt a little of both on my part...my heart couldn't grow any fonder for Colin and it's a bit easier to accept his being away with every passing day. We're already talking about how much he'll be changed when he returns. For his part, he's busy with a new life and probably not thinking too much about Canada at all at this stage. I try to keep him abreast of daily happenings in our house as well as Winnipeg and Canada. The girls anxiously await every new blog and love talking to him live on msn. We look at the pictures over and over noticing something new every time! The Winnipeg Free Press is on strike as of today so news will have to come from tv or the internet and it's election day in Canada. Will Harper grab a majority this time? How did Colin spend his weekend?
We msn messenger every day now and it feels as if he's in the next room as I bombard him with questions, which he answers succinctly as if they're a bother. But the daily contact is welcomed on this side anyway and the main reason why I haven't had a need to blog in the last week. As one friend asked me..is it out of sight out of mind or absence makes the heart grow fonder? No doubt a little of both on my part...my heart couldn't grow any fonder for Colin and it's a bit easier to accept his being away with every passing day. We're already talking about how much he'll be changed when he returns. For his part, he's busy with a new life and probably not thinking too much about Canada at all at this stage. I try to keep him abreast of daily happenings in our house as well as Winnipeg and Canada. The girls anxiously await every new blog and love talking to him live on msn. We look at the pictures over and over noticing something new every time! The Winnipeg Free Press is on strike as of today so news will have to come from tv or the internet and it's election day in Canada. Will Harper grab a majority this time? How did Colin spend his weekend?
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