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!!!

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!

Always Wondering

We haven't heard from Colin in over 36 hours and in our house we have a long-standing joke....are you dead in a ditch? When we don't hear from our children it's a natural reaction from concerned parents. (or helicopter Moms..those who hover over their children. Dr. Phil did a show on them yesterday) Of course our fears are alleviated when we hear the key in the door or we receive the comical text message 'dead in a ditch. Home soon.' I imagine that using Mana's computer is getting old for her and Colin is very busy with his first day of school and getting to know Steve. Yesterday should have been his language proficiency test...I'm sure that he did well.

I see that no money has been withdrawn from his account so either he hasn't started a Japanese account yet or hasn't been able to withdraw any or hasn't needed to. Or he's dead in a ditch. Do they even have ditches in Saga? I wonder...once a cellphone is purchased in Saga will it cost him to receive a long distance call? I downloaded google earth yesterday to try and get a sense of what Saga looks like. Either I'm doing it incorrectly or it's very flat, small and surrounded by rice fields.

The Canadian Blood Service called yesterday to ask Colin to donate. I was actually able to talk to her without my throat catching and proudly told her that he'll be away for a year in Japan. Oh Wow, was the reaction.

Garry had to eat the leftover egg slop (don't call it that!!!!) on Saturday because Colin wasn't here to finish it off. I drove Garry to the airport at 530am this morning to go to Toronto...early to the airport in the dark twice in one week to drop off the men I love.

So...it's girls only in our house for the next 3 days. On Thursday the girls are getting awards from their high school (Claire is working and will miss the ceremony) and Friday is Martin's wedding. (they're both going) I get to be the keeper of the fish. I'm busy with work and getting ready for Saturday's garage sale and waiting to hear more tales from the boy...

Settling In

It was a big relief for us to hear that things are being purchased, that Colin isn't sleeping on the floor and that he can eat. Of course though, the more we hear the more we want to know. Darn my journalist training...I could ask questions all day!

The girls think my little sentimental outbursts are funny and I guess in a few months I might feel that way too. For now I'm still missing my kid and worrying about him just a little. Mana and Mio seem to be doing a phenomenal job acclimatizing him, but now they have Steve to worry about as well.

It's all a gigantic learning curve..for everyone, the tutors, the boys and the families left behind!

The major request now from everyone is for photos...we want to see what you see Colin! Get that internet hook-up so that you're not relying on Mana's computer!

One more thing...what would you like me to do with the box of cigarillos on your dresser? Shall I give them to the girls?

It Was Good, It Was Fun. I Like It!

Colin, honestly. I now have some answers to my questions (posted under comments in Colin's blog yesterday), but the details are somewhat lacking and reminds me of his earlier English journals in grade school. Do I need to bring Mrs. Macintosh in here to teach you how to fluff it out? Also, it's apparent that Colin is not reading my blog...no response to anything I've said.

I started to wash his bedding in hot water on Thursday and it's sad for me to be getting rid of his smell...even if it is a bad one. Yesterday I picked up enough money on his floor and dresser to buy a lottery ticket so I used his pertinent numbers...birth date, age, leaving date, returning date and his weird magical number '37'. I haven't checked the results....maybe I'm a winner. Would he want his mother to visit next year if I was? Did Sebastien take the Smash Brothers Cutout?

The time change is frustrating me...when we're awake, he's asleep so I know I have to wait 14 hours to hear anything new and yesterday's info was sparing. How hard is the surface of the floor? I've heard that some are tatami and soft. How good a futon could it be if they got it from Mana's house to his place? I remember futons being cumbersome. At least he's not sleeping on the floor!

Random Thoughts

-I passed a red van with the personalized plate reading 'sagapo' on Wed....aother break down moment for me...Saga is the city he's in
-my computer wallpaper is a beautiful picture of Colin sitting in a gondola in Venice so I see him every time I sit down here smiling back at me

I'm really happy for my son. I really am. This year is the fruition of a lot of hard work and dreams. When do I stop being such a sentimental mush bag.? I'll bet he never thought I'd be so weepy. I never thought I would be. Anyway, I have a busy day showing houses, clipping the kitty's nails (again) and maybe take in a quick bike ride to see the rapidly turning leaves later this afternoon. Have a great day Honey. I can't wait to hear about all the things you bought for your apt! Tell us what things cost there please!

Not Enough Answers Coming from Japan

Of course the boy is dead tired and obviously culture shocking as observed from his "So Much Japanese' comment (which I found really funny btw)....but...we have so many questions. His apt. is described as small, which we were expecting, but just how small exactly? Does it have an address? How is the food, what is he eating, can Colin understand people, can they understand him? What is the climate like, what does Japan look like? Are there many trees? What was the busride like? Tell us everything Colin!!!!

News From Home in Wpg.

-the cats have discovered toilet paper in the girl's bathroom...no need to add anything else to that
-the girls' Europe trip will be $1,000 each more than Colin's trip 2 years ago
-I was elected to the board of Directors at my Remax office on Wed.

Random Thoughts

-I'm distressed to learn that internet may not be available in his apt...that will really limit communication especially when school is out
-my good friend Sandy is helping me cope having had 2 sons leave home-she's becoming my mentor on the path to rational thought
-there really is no rational thought at this early stage- I still really miss my kid and yes, the tears still flow
-I trust him implicitly to make good judgement calls and know that he is safe now that he's in Saga

The journey begins!

Colin's First Real Day in Japan and not in Canada

Whew! I woke up at 6:00am to find a nice email from Mana, Colin's tutor (mentor) to say that she'd heard from him when he arrived in Tokyo. So I checked his blogspot (Japanfromuphere.blogspot.com) to find the very briefest of descriptions. I'm incredibly relieved to hear that the planeride (flight?) went safely and now can't wait to hear the details. Can they understand him? Is his Japanese ok? Did he sleep on the plane or was he too hyped? What kind of food does Jesus cook? What does his room at the Hyatt look like? I hope there are lots of photos being taken!!!!!

Meanwhile we had our first reality check last night...Colin, can you go pick up Angie from work? Oops...guess not. Funny thing...this morning we were all more tired than yesterday morning when we'd had no sleep!

And the real question...can I talk about Colin without getting teary? Darn, not so far.