So much else in those 14 days in Japan!!!

Japan. A country I love so much tears come to my eyes when I let myself think about it.

Autumn in Japan. Persimmons abound. If I can't have a persimmon-well, half a persimmon- for breakfast everyday in Autumn, I feel something's missing

I didn't need to leave our hometown Nishio far to get a city-like feel. Sheon and I drove less than an hour away to the immigration office. Sheon had to apply for her Japanese passport.

They told us, when applying for the visa, that since Sheon was born in Japan she had to chose which nationality she would be. Would she choose to be Japanese or American.

As if she could tear out half of herself!

Really, all that needs be said, though it's supposedly the law in Japan, she just has to say: "I choose to be Japanese...." and leave out the rest of the sentence..."AND American".

The U.S. doesn't expect you to pretend you're not also another Nationality.

Naomi, Sheon and I went to one very nice restaurant. Taka had gone there with the girls last trip too. The decor...so very cool! "Rob's" is the name of the place! smirk- "Rob's" in Japan!

Not Japansey- yet still somehow Japanesey~

Halloween in NIPPON...is now BIG TIME! Japanese don't know how to Trick or Treat, and most may still not know how Trick or Treating works- which can be just as well. But the PRODUCTS are making for quite the business now. Even the workers wore shirts saying: "Welcome to Halloween LOFT" (the name of the department store)

.........Naomi and Sheon..............and Ischin ...having to stop and take a look.

THEN we got to go to Starbucks...where Coldstone Ice cream was close by...AND SUBWAY!

Did I feel like I was in Japan still...yeah~ and I love walking around with my kids. People check us out...whereas usually Japanese will never stare much, people look a bit longer than usual. Wondering about our relationship...related? Or am I a homestay Mother??

Twice I got to play tennis with Ischin...and here was with Yaari, Sayoko, and Ruth.

Sayoko-chan!!! She so totally doesn't look her age, nor ACTS her age!!! And she's older than I...so got me to thinking...about that!

Yes, Sayoko bicycled half an hour or so, from Ishiki, to play tennis with us. And after tennis we went to Louisianna Mama's for pizza, and salad buffet~where Kahori joined us. Never did we have to go long for want of good food!

Often Ischin cooked at home for us, and Naomi came over sometimes when she could (and Sheon)...Naomi below was showing her yogic abilities. Stood stock still...and cute ol' big bro Ischin stood one legged for a while...wobbling quite a bit, but held it, as I loved it and had to photograph my kiddos!!!


Ischin has done three years of Kyoto University, as a literature student. Guess we could say Ischin AND kitty Sylvester~

This may be one of Sylvester's favorite spots with Ischin.

I loved how Sylester buried his eyes into Ischin's tatooed arm, as if to block out the sunlight.

Sheon splurged on an iPhone cover! How long will it stay two eared?

We got to have Yuya come through town! He's moved out of Tokyo (thank goodness) and along with a new friend from San Francisco, Armando, spent a night.

Trying to set the timer on the camera... and the next morning outside our school-house.

We left Nishio for Cafe Ocean in Hazu-gun, of course we had to turn them onto one of the most fantastic restaurants~ and it's not just cause Naomi and Ischin works there, but Sayoko and her husband have created one of the best spots to reconnect- to wind, water and sun!


Naomi's the vegan baker...above had an adzuki desert.

And all of us with our cameras, to get this pic of the SHADOW in the herb tea of Armando's!

What a day!!!

Back in Nishio, in front of Naomi and Sheon's house, "Parlor Shine" where I lived for 11 years from '86-'97...

Nature doing it's stuff!

Inside... what used to be the coffee shop...and even my english school for the 11 years I was there...still stands the piano~ and Naomi showed me how she can still play...

...even as she exercised!!!
not Sheon-chan tho! xoxox

One wonderful class I used to teach...with the Lion's Club~ we met at this Izakaya I love~

and when I admired the waitresses aprons~ next thing you know, they presented me with two aprons for myself!!! How COOL!

My "last meal" at one other of my favorite restaurants...KOHAZAMA...with other favorite people JULIE...and Sayoko...Yaari....Naomi, Ischin, Kahori~missing Sheon

Below, Julie- questioning the color of the ADE!

Ahhh, Yaari!!

And the next morning...off again into the wild blue yonder.

I think in 4.5 years I've made 13 round trips.  Kinda tired of that, but it's so worth it~

Nearing landing in San Fran...what is this? A penninsula off S.F.? Looked like the wing of the plane...moreso just moments before~

Capitola~...and seeing this grass..with Taka-my-hero

It reminded me of Japan..."no, it's different" and Taka informed me, not very well liked by landscapers such as himself!

But for me....I think of Japan