~catching up on our old friends was ever so good.
By shinkansen we went to Nagoya where our daughter from another mother, Kahori, met us and drove us and all our four suitcases to Yoshizaki's, where got one of the best rooms with a view of the Temple next door. A very special place...also cause it's where I think of Julie and Prabhu always
staying. This was another very moving part of this trip. To get to have Julie with us, but to be coming together at Cafe Ocean to say good byes to Prabhu. I'm so grateful Julie has all she does, spiritually, and friendship-wise. That we got to be there at this time together was quite serendipitous. Ischin, Masumi and Halle had time to take a little TRIP with us. Four hours away in YAMANASHI
This one restaurant an elderly couple run. Funny how in the middle of a regular ol' neighborhood, their home's a popular restaurant. Only 8 customers at a time will be served. Artist, the cook is.
along the way to the wine country area Ischin wanted to visit, we stopped at restaurants he'd read
about.
He is quite the researcher!
Halle was all patient while we ate~enough time in car seats made her happy to be on her back a bit
We stayed at Suzuki En, where grapes are still grown.
I loved how even the parking area was totally covered with grapes. I had to say, if Zen were there he could walk around with his mouth open and take bites!
A visit to ERINJI Temple
Masumi&Halle caught
up with us & Ischin walked through again with her while Taka and I hung out with Halle.
At a winery (we missed going to the whisky making place Ischin'd wanted to see~ but personally I'm glad he didn't have whisky on top of wine on top of more wine!) Ischin, I didn't know he was a serious wine connoisseur as well!
I have to admit, the long drive to and from Yamanashi was worrisome for me. Not like in the old days as it was for me with my kids, car seats now are where kids HAVE to stay whether they like it or not. Me, if I'm driving and a child is screaming in misery, it's worse than~ well, if they aren't in a car seat in my opinion for me! This Yamanashi trip, we had one other predicament. The car we drove in didn't have a seatbelt for the person sitting in the middle back seat. It was obvious to me, if we were in a car accident losing me- who sat without a belt- was better than for Halle to lose either of her parents. So that's where I was scrunched in, between Halle and her mama. Because I was right there next to Halle, I was her entertainer. And guess what? A child could not have had a been entertainer than me. Halle, shed one single tear five minutes from reaching her home on our return drive!
From Aichi-ken we went to Hokkaido. As planned. Levangas first home games were going to be played. At least, I thought, trying to be positive, Zen would have time to spend with us and not busy having to be mentally prepared for their opening games, though he'd be there court side.
And Taka figuring out our next movesBy Subway we got to see again, the posters on almost every train of Levanga and Zen's face.
Then, with a little free time went to see a movie Taka wanted to watch. No subtitles of course. Later he filled me in on all the parts I'd not understood, helping it make MUCH better sense!
(The movie was IKARI "ANGER" suspense... beer and the popcorn helped!)
foodFoOdfOod
Sheon and David came too! We had reserved a hot springs place to stay only 45 minutes from Zen's. Unfortunately, Zen's girl's papa was in an awful accident so plans to go all together had to change. (He did live, thank goodness, yeah, it was that bad!)
On the way toJOZANKEI ONSEN we found a "PARK GOLF" course! Using a ball about the size of a croquet ball and the one club we used was like a driver. It-was-SO-fun!
Zen was going to catch up later. We checked in and had baths before dinner was served. I sigh big time, course after course after course. How much did all of this cost? Taka found our "regular" room (we got to go to private gorgeous baths) but had an incredible breakfast too for $100. each!
Sheon and David were too late reserving to get the cheaper rooms, but their room was SO extreme! Massage chairs and... well, we hung out in that room for sure. We were comparing how to get our fingers through our toes.
It was a rainy evening. Later Zen, David and Sheon got out for a walk through the puddles
Here was a bit of the morning buffet to eat. It was like lunch of dinner to me. Not my kind of light breakfast at all! David and Sheon were adorable in their lounging wear. It's what guests walk around it, or go to the baths in.
After checkout we got a free pass to a "foot bath" right by our hotel. The huge breakfast, and no time to walk that off, meant we didn't indulge in the yummy snacks that were free too. The hanten I'm wearing was available to keep warm with...made me think about getting one again!
Back into Sapporo.
Below was some news a week or so earlier. I used to LOVE ice hockey, seeing Zen do a media stint with the Sapporo team was the best!
We got to all go~ and watch Levanga all together.
And even though Zen didn't play, with the kids with us cheering the team on, and with that awesome fan with Zen's face on it, was so excellent!
Taka's pointing out how Zen said Gene Cotter was a Coach most influential to his career.
Our last days, back in Aichi-ken.
Cafe Ocean, and meeting another dear old friend Kaorico. Oh the circles!
Amazing women, together with my amazing husband, outside Cafe Ocean.
Those two women are some of the BEST women in our lives in Japan! Hiromi and Kahori!!!
And we got Ischin's pizza and beer a friend in the town over brews and...
Sheon's best friend Mari there, and...there's Ryo Motoshiromizu behind me, since he was a little boy, friends of Zen's
Ahhh, and Sayoko, can we ever thank you enough for all your love, kindness and help!!!
Oh my gosh and the Sugisaki family... and Hiroaki! In Zen's MPC sweats (looks great!) AKIRA!
Midori, Mihoko!!! ANITA, JENNIFER!!!!!!
MOTOHIKO!!! And, the New Age Connection CAKES!
We had fantastic music by Umpei Yokoe
I actually prepared a speech, in case! Between the wind and threat of rain, music food and fun, we were to busy. Instead I've sent this to everyone I spoke of, here goes:
30 years ago, in the Autumn of 1986, N.A.C. was started. Now we are getting to celebrate N.A.C.’s beginning!
Motohiko, Maki, Maki-san, we got to move into Parlor Shine. Your dear parents Obaa-chan and Ojii-chan took care of all of us. Our family, friends and students. Without you and your parents, we all wouldn’t be here to celebrate New Age Connection English Conversation School. You and I have so very many people to thank!
Sayoko, Shinji. We met you when we had BABIES! At a Flea Market. At Furukawa Koen, maybe 29 years ago?! We have all come a LONG WAY! You, Yoshizaki’s, you have created these Welcoming Places here at Cafe Ocean, but also your home. All these years. Probably THOUSANDS of times friends have gotten to ENJOY LIFE with you in your gorgeous spaces. None of us can thank you enough! Your hearts and welcoming arms, home, is something most of us can’t find anywhere else. Much love!
One day when I was a new teacher with N.A.C., a young man came into Parlor Shine. He spoke to Obaa-chan, but I was in the coffee shop, and I noticed him, impressed with his hairdo. Half of his hair was bleached and it was long! I was so interested to know you, Hiroaki. That day though, when Obaa-chan told him to “go ahead” and speak with me, instead of coming to me, he turned and ran away. He got up nerve to return to “Shine, and since then your family and ours has had a very long amazing history, together.You have been helping us celebrate N.A.C. all of these years. We thank you very, very much for all your love!
And then if it wasn’t for Hiroaki, we wouldn’t have gotten to meet HIROMI! Oh my gosh Hiromi! You helped make my life SO MUCH BETTER. You have been an amazing blessing to me, my whole family AND friends, and N.A.C. You helped our school as Manager for years. So many times over the years, working for N.A.C. was NOT easy. But you kept positive. Hiromi, you helped me also try to keep positive. I can NEVER thank you enough. Your doing your best while also taking care of your family. I am forever indebted to you!
Another dear Young Woman, Kahori. You too have been a very big part of our lives! Over and over again, we get to have you care and love us too. You continue to do so many such LOVELY things for so many of us. We always thank you for all you do, and your positivity as well. I feel incredibly blessed that you continue to be a part of our family!
Then…there are my KIDS! Ischin and Sheon are here, Naomi and Zen, we miss you tonight, but in spirit you are with us. If it weren’t for you four kids, I wouldn’t have worked as I did. Thanks to you I wanted to do my best. My life, it got better and better with the birth of each of you. I have incredible deep love for how Japan helped you grow up, with the loving care of Obaa-chan and Ojii-chan, not to mention the wonderful people around us. Thanks to N.A.C., and our students, we all could live BETTER lives.
Amazingly, also, we got to have my husband now, Taka in our lives. I really couldn’t have done so very many things without you, Taka. Your support, love, and generosity leaves me almost speechless. It’s hard to begin to thank you. Your unwavering strength and kindness has helped me carry on without losing hope that every thing will be all right! Your are a Man Angel!
Finally, N.A.C. is like one of my children really. It’s half a year younger than Naomi at 30! But, right, children grow up and begin their own lives. When Zen started school in California in 2007, Hiromi and I tried to continue to run the school with me flying back and forth. One teacher came and needed to leave, then another. Naomi and Sheon began their moves out of Japan and to Santa Cruz. Taka was doing well, actually better, working in the U.S.. I came to the heartbreaking realization that I couldn't stand to live away from Taka so much of the time, or the girls either, who were adjusting to living away from Japan. To let go of N.A.C. was similar to how hard it felt seeing my children go off, and make their own lives. However, two more special angels stepped forth: Anita and Jennifer. Since they came to run N.A.C., the school has moved on, and grown. New life has been breathed into the school!
It’s been five years since Anita and Jennifer took over. They’ve grown the school into a cleaned up version (in more ways than one!) with a new logo, all bright and promising. Over the years I get to return, and I get to see old students who remain students, I meet new students that I love to get to introduce myself to. I totally love seeing “old stuff” (minus the really old stuff) and the new. It’s seriously the best feeling. New Age Connection gets to feel “new” again! And New Age Connection thrives. Thanks to you two awesome people. Anita and Jennifer. For as long as I live, you two will feel like saviors! And we thank you from the very bottom of our hearts. You have helped our family, friends and students. All of your time, and caring to carry on, means more than I can put into words! And believe me… I’ve tried to write and rewrite and put this into words for many days now! MUCH love!
LONG LIVE NEW AGE CONNECTION! : )
