Since we often don't make it to bed until after midnight these days (thanks to Nick's very late dinner on workdays), I was able to see in his birthday before we retired.
Emily was at Ui again because she can't go on Friday due to our Nara trip. Over breakfast, she said many times 'I don't want to go to nursery' but I managed to eventually get it out of her that it is only because Isy is away. That's the problem with them being at the same daycare, as they have become so reliant on each other's attendance to the exclusion of all other kids there. It will be very hard on Isy if Emily leaves.
I popped up to meet Nick for lunch briefly, then went home to pack. I also squeezed in a 50 minute run since I will miss my usual Friday aerobics. I loath running in daylight as I am so self-concious, so I really had to psyche myself up to do it. It felt like a real plod most of the way, but I finished very strongly and was pleased with myself for not skiving off it. I would have been very disappointed in myself later if I had let myself off, especially since my clothes feel rather tight lately.
I was very pleased that Nick managed to get out of work early, so that he was able to see Emily briefly on his birthday before she turned in. She dished out his cards and present and was very sweet to him.
When Nick came home he was full of gloom for the future of the Japan office as so many people seem to be planning to leave after bonus payday on Tuesday. I have gone from being about 80% sure of the transfer happening to only about 50%. The main problem is that both of the SAs are unhappy and if they both leave then Nick may well be drafted in to cover their work, given that he is qualified, albeit without practical experience. And who knows if his boss is happy - if he goes then his only real sponsor for the move is no longer pushing for it to happen. Oh well, we can but wait a week or so and see what the future holds. One way or another Nick's replacement is starting in a month so not sure where that leaves him if the move is cancelled.
The forecast is for heavy snow in western Japan, which is where we are supposed to be heading in the morning. Even Tokyo is due to get 5cms. This could put paid to our Nara trip. I do hope not, as Nick desperately needs this break.
Thursday, 10 February 2011
Wednesday, 9 February 2011
9 February 2011
A hectic day, as we first had a playdate at Bettina's then went straight to ballet class, with Emily walking all the time (her idea to leave the buggy at home). At ballet, she was a changed child. The first time she clung to me and would not try anything without me alongside her. This time she was very confident and the few times I went to join in with her she told me she could do it on her own. She managed to skip better this time too, which was a relief as she was very one-sided last time. I am glad that she enjoys it as it is hideously expensive. We've yet to splash out on a tutu and pumps, which she says she wants in her favourite colours: blue, green and purple (I've tried to explain that by its nature the word favourite means only one but she can't decide between them). What sticks in your throat too is knowing that in a few months you have to go and buy a whole new outfit. I think we'll have to go the secondhand route or her new hobby will bankrupt us.
Monday, 7 February 2011
7 February 2011
For the last few days, Emily has been asking 'why' a lot more. It's the obvious progression from 'how' and 'what' and certainly good for my mental faculties, trying to explain , however mundane the subject. She can partially dress herself now, insisting on putting on her own pants and trousers.
Sunday, 6 February 2011
6 February 2011
It was a bit cloudy but quite mild, so we decided to go to kodomo no kuni (Kids' Kingdom) for a day out. It is a bit of a schlep, taking an hour and a half door to door, but now that Emily is older travel is easier to deal with, and several people had recommended that we give it a try.
This place is a fantastic destination for those with children aged about two to six, and well worth the journey. We stayed four hours but could easily have been there much longer. Immediately inside the entrance was a tarmac slope and children could use coloured chalks from a large box provided to draw whatever they wanted on the ground. A short walk brought us down into a little valley filled with fun things to try. First we had a little ride in an elevated, pedal-powered helicopter. Running underneath it was a mini-rollercoaster, also propelled via pedals, though the initial incline was motorised. It really looked very tame and within even my limited nerve, but I let Nick take Emily on as each car was only for two people anyway. It did look good fun and a gentle introduction for Emily to white-knuckle rides.
In the same area was a course laid out for unusual and inventive bikes and trikes. We tried out several of the novelty vehicles, to Emily's delight. She even managed to pedal now and again. The one she liked the most was where she stood in a rotating cage with Nick seated behind pedalling.
By now it was getting late for lunch, so we walked back to the entrance where the only cafeteria on site was located (in future we will just take a picnic). After we'd filled up on noodles we went back across to the bicycle rental and had a spin round the one mile course. Emily rode behind Nick on a tandem and I had a regular cycle. It was quite hard work in parts as it was not flat, and I had trouble controlling my heavy mount at times. When we'd finished we walked through the centre of the park, stopping at several play areas along the way.
We had run out of time for a pony ride or the small zoo or the boating lake, but will surely go again soon. There is also a great outdoor water park for warmer weather and a seasonal skating rink. The 110m roller slide was a bit disappointing due to the sheer numbers using it and also some parents were very annoying as they were going down backwards slowly so they could film their offspring. Emily was grinning nonetheless. We ended on a climbing frame then shared an icecream, made from milk obtained from cows in a small farm on site.
Back home, I went out for my weekly run and managed 80 minutes. It came on to rain from the 30 minute mark and continued for the rest of the run. It was pleasant to smell the negative ions on the air. I can't recall the last time it rained. The final quarter hour was tough but I dug in. I have to confess that I can't imagine doing that three times more. Maybe I had better stick to half marathons after all - less intrusive into one's life too.
This place is a fantastic destination for those with children aged about two to six, and well worth the journey. We stayed four hours but could easily have been there much longer. Immediately inside the entrance was a tarmac slope and children could use coloured chalks from a large box provided to draw whatever they wanted on the ground. A short walk brought us down into a little valley filled with fun things to try. First we had a little ride in an elevated, pedal-powered helicopter. Running underneath it was a mini-rollercoaster, also propelled via pedals, though the initial incline was motorised. It really looked very tame and within even my limited nerve, but I let Nick take Emily on as each car was only for two people anyway. It did look good fun and a gentle introduction for Emily to white-knuckle rides.
In the same area was a course laid out for unusual and inventive bikes and trikes. We tried out several of the novelty vehicles, to Emily's delight. She even managed to pedal now and again. The one she liked the most was where she stood in a rotating cage with Nick seated behind pedalling.
By now it was getting late for lunch, so we walked back to the entrance where the only cafeteria on site was located (in future we will just take a picnic). After we'd filled up on noodles we went back across to the bicycle rental and had a spin round the one mile course. Emily rode behind Nick on a tandem and I had a regular cycle. It was quite hard work in parts as it was not flat, and I had trouble controlling my heavy mount at times. When we'd finished we walked through the centre of the park, stopping at several play areas along the way.
We had run out of time for a pony ride or the small zoo or the boating lake, but will surely go again soon. There is also a great outdoor water park for warmer weather and a seasonal skating rink. The 110m roller slide was a bit disappointing due to the sheer numbers using it and also some parents were very annoying as they were going down backwards slowly so they could film their offspring. Emily was grinning nonetheless. We ended on a climbing frame then shared an icecream, made from milk obtained from cows in a small farm on site.
Back home, I went out for my weekly run and managed 80 minutes. It came on to rain from the 30 minute mark and continued for the rest of the run. It was pleasant to smell the negative ions on the air. I can't recall the last time it rained. The final quarter hour was tough but I dug in. I have to confess that I can't imagine doing that three times more. Maybe I had better stick to half marathons after all - less intrusive into one's life too.
Thursday, 3 February 2011
4 February 2011
Spring seems to have arrived! It was a gorgeous day with temperatures hitting about 15C by lunchtime. Winter seems to be getting shorter and shorter here as it has not even been down to zero in Tokyo yet (the rest of the country has had record snowfall though). I'm sure it will cool down again but it is nice to get a taste of what is to come.
Nick's erstwhile replacement dropped by the office to hand in his signed offer letter, so things are looking probable for a move back by May. I almost didn't want to write this as I am a strong believer in putting a jinx on things. I couldn't help myself having a quick look at house prices too, and was heartened to find that we might be able to afford a three or even four bedroom house around Blackheath.
Nick's erstwhile replacement dropped by the office to hand in his signed offer letter, so things are looking probable for a move back by May. I almost didn't want to write this as I am a strong believer in putting a jinx on things. I couldn't help myself having a quick look at house prices too, and was heartened to find that we might be able to afford a three or even four bedroom house around Blackheath.
Wednesday, 2 February 2011
2 February 2011
Julia has been coaxing us to try out Charlize's ballet class for ages and we finally relented. Emily seems very keen on dancing about at the moment, and likes Angelina Ballerina, so I thought she would get a lot out of it. Julia assured me that there was no future in it for her as she will be too tall for it one day, so maybe I can get her to switch to martial arts down the line!
At the start of the 45 minute class, Emily was very nervous and kept looking beseechingly at me to join her in the warming up circle, which I eventually did. There were two other girls trying out a trial class, plus about half a dozen regulars, all of a similar age to Emily. I explained to her why it was necessary to do the seated stretching exercises, as I think she was surprised not to just begin dancing about the studio and was impatient with sitting. When the teacher got them skipping, Emily could only do it on one leg so she looked a bit comical. I am very one-sided so she obviously takes after me.
I was quite pleased with her behaviour in the class; most of the other kids broke ranks repeatedly and did not attend to what Rosie was trying to teach them but Emily was very compliant. I think that she enjoyed the lesson once she relaxed into it, and was talking about what colour tutu she could have on the way home (we borrowed one of Charlize's but it was too small), so looks like this is a fixture from now on.
Shinmoedake, a volcano on Kyushu, continues to erupt magnificently. So far the fallout (pardon the awful pun) has only been heavy ash coverage, the odd projectile rock and a few cancelled trains and planes, plus tremor damage. But who knows whether this is the beginning or the end of this phase of activity? We are booked to go to Nagasaki in Kyushu in a month's time but will be far enough away to be unaffected.
At the start of the 45 minute class, Emily was very nervous and kept looking beseechingly at me to join her in the warming up circle, which I eventually did. There were two other girls trying out a trial class, plus about half a dozen regulars, all of a similar age to Emily. I explained to her why it was necessary to do the seated stretching exercises, as I think she was surprised not to just begin dancing about the studio and was impatient with sitting. When the teacher got them skipping, Emily could only do it on one leg so she looked a bit comical. I am very one-sided so she obviously takes after me.
I was quite pleased with her behaviour in the class; most of the other kids broke ranks repeatedly and did not attend to what Rosie was trying to teach them but Emily was very compliant. I think that she enjoyed the lesson once she relaxed into it, and was talking about what colour tutu she could have on the way home (we borrowed one of Charlize's but it was too small), so looks like this is a fixture from now on.
Shinmoedake, a volcano on Kyushu, continues to erupt magnificently. So far the fallout (pardon the awful pun) has only been heavy ash coverage, the odd projectile rock and a few cancelled trains and planes, plus tremor damage. But who knows whether this is the beginning or the end of this phase of activity? We are booked to go to Nagasaki in Kyushu in a month's time but will be far enough away to be unaffected.
Monday, 31 January 2011
31 January 2011
After a morning playdate with Mia at Akabanebashi jidokan, I took Emily to Kyu Shiba Rikyu in the afternoon. On the way in there was a display of huge peonies, some in little straw shelters, and I wished I had taken the camera. Light from the lake was dappling on the underside of trees like nature's mirrorball. There was ice on the surface in places and Emily really enjoyed throwing stones onto it and seeing them scatter across the frozen water with a clatter.
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