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!
Sunday, October 26, 2008
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?
Monday, October 6, 2008
The Internet is Truly a Wonderful Thing!
The last 24 hours have been so great! Can you even begin to imagine how nuts I'd be by now if I had to wait for the regular mail to arrive with a letter or pictures from Japan! We've been checking for his posts every morning and are so disappointed when there's no news, but we understand that he's had to use someone else's internet access and there is a limit to how much anyone wants to impose on other people's generosity! Colin finally got internet and not only were we able to msn messenger in real time last night but he also posted great pictures (on facebook) so that now we have a good concept of how he lives. The computer will be a good link for him to his other friends as well!
His apt (room) is definitely small, but the flooring is nice and it appears that he's settled quite well. 2 doors and a window bring in lots of sunshine! We'd also be interested in seeing pictures of Mana and Mio and the exterior of his builidng and how it's situated in relation to the street. He overlooks greenspace and a road and stores...something to look at...it makes you feel connected to the world when you can always see people....it's a good thing. I don't want Colin to be lonely...he's never lived alone before. It's usually fun at first!
My good friend Sandy noticed a book in her son, Marc's apt. that she thought might interest me and she was right! Marc is a doctor who did a brief intern stint in Japan earlier this year. She went out of her way to find the book for me at the library and I laughed til I cried on Saturday evening when I read it. A really funny book that I have to try and find for Colin...Dave Barry Does Japan...an American's view of Japan.
13 days gone and I can finally make it through a day without tears. I'm growing up, but not exactly getting used to the fact that Colin is gone for a year. With every passing day, the gulf just gets easier to handle. In fact I realized late last week that I'm no longer worrrying about Colin ( well ok, small white lie- I did worry when he went to Fukuoka for a concert). He's safe, school has started, he has a regular routine, is familiarizing himself with Saga and has friends. Our life goes on here without him. Milk in our fridge is lasting longer and I haven't had to clean the microwave because no one else seems to use it. But...those very miniscule advantages to his absence don't make up for the fact that my boy is gone and I do miss him. Love you my boy, take lots of pictures and enjoy every second!!!
His apt (room) is definitely small, but the flooring is nice and it appears that he's settled quite well. 2 doors and a window bring in lots of sunshine! We'd also be interested in seeing pictures of Mana and Mio and the exterior of his builidng and how it's situated in relation to the street. He overlooks greenspace and a road and stores...something to look at...it makes you feel connected to the world when you can always see people....it's a good thing. I don't want Colin to be lonely...he's never lived alone before. It's usually fun at first!
My good friend Sandy noticed a book in her son, Marc's apt. that she thought might interest me and she was right! Marc is a doctor who did a brief intern stint in Japan earlier this year. She went out of her way to find the book for me at the library and I laughed til I cried on Saturday evening when I read it. A really funny book that I have to try and find for Colin...Dave Barry Does Japan...an American's view of Japan.
13 days gone and I can finally make it through a day without tears. I'm growing up, but not exactly getting used to the fact that Colin is gone for a year. With every passing day, the gulf just gets easier to handle. In fact I realized late last week that I'm no longer worrrying about Colin ( well ok, small white lie- I did worry when he went to Fukuoka for a concert). He's safe, school has started, he has a regular routine, is familiarizing himself with Saga and has friends. Our life goes on here without him. Milk in our fridge is lasting longer and I haven't had to clean the microwave because no one else seems to use it. But...those very miniscule advantages to his absence don't make up for the fact that my boy is gone and I do miss him. Love you my boy, take lots of pictures and enjoy every second!!!
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Will Wonders Never Cease????
I'm in stunned awe...my boy owns a vacuum cleaner. Those Japanese girls must be having a wonderful influence on him! If the Japanese can get him to vacuum then I have failed as a mother and that's ok.
Of course Colin's latest post brings so many more questions! After a few tries I was able to email him directly on his new phone, which apparently doesn't cost him anything so that's great. (turn it on silent at night C cuz we're all up now and dying to talk to you!) I hope he asked if long distance costs via email. Guess it doesn't if it's working like the internet. At least now we have instant contact. I'm so happy!!!!!!! For the first time in a week.
What will he do with all the stuff he's bought when he leaves? Do the Japanese resell stuff? I know that they don't do that kind of thing in Europe. Claire read his post and is now dying to visit, but Colin is still in the glory days and not ready to have visitors yet. (as if we'd have the money to do that anyway!!!)
I finally found time to start reorganizing his room at home yesterday...threw out a bag of old math papers etc. and saved all the Japanese language class notes. Found the aeroplan card we've been looking for and pizza hut and movie cards...do they still have money on them I wonder? I also found 2 summer housecoats...should I send one or did C. buy a kimono of some sort? Does his apt have heat? Did he buy sheets for his futon?
More questions...is the yen /dollar chart still on his computer and if so what is the rate now with the US economy going to pot? 1.2 trillion dollars vaporized on Monday...how will that affect his meagre money supply? Did he apply for the extra scholarship before he left...I'm not sure.
School has started...he has an early class. What excitement...learning in a foreign country. We're all learning with him. Good luck today! Love you so much!
Of course Colin's latest post brings so many more questions! After a few tries I was able to email him directly on his new phone, which apparently doesn't cost him anything so that's great. (turn it on silent at night C cuz we're all up now and dying to talk to you!) I hope he asked if long distance costs via email. Guess it doesn't if it's working like the internet. At least now we have instant contact. I'm so happy!!!!!!! For the first time in a week.
What will he do with all the stuff he's bought when he leaves? Do the Japanese resell stuff? I know that they don't do that kind of thing in Europe. Claire read his post and is now dying to visit, but Colin is still in the glory days and not ready to have visitors yet. (as if we'd have the money to do that anyway!!!)
I finally found time to start reorganizing his room at home yesterday...threw out a bag of old math papers etc. and saved all the Japanese language class notes. Found the aeroplan card we've been looking for and pizza hut and movie cards...do they still have money on them I wonder? I also found 2 summer housecoats...should I send one or did C. buy a kimono of some sort? Does his apt have heat? Did he buy sheets for his futon?
More questions...is the yen /dollar chart still on his computer and if so what is the rate now with the US economy going to pot? 1.2 trillion dollars vaporized on Monday...how will that affect his meagre money supply? Did he apply for the extra scholarship before he left...I'm not sure.
School has started...he has an early class. What excitement...learning in a foreign country. We're all learning with him. Good luck today! Love you so much!
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