The Adventure Continues -

View from Sanuki Fuji (Mt.Iino)

Yuuup, that’s my daughter….climbing a mountain…

In Japan.

Let’s just take a moment, take this all in, and appreciate this, shall we?

These stunning views come to you from Sanuki Fuji, or Fuji of Sanuki (City on the island of Shikoku), the same island Sakaide is on, is 1,350+ miles to the top. It is likened to Mt. Fuji, the treasure of Japan, but it’s proper name is Mt. Iino. Mt. Fuji, of course is an active volcano, and Sanuki Fuji is actually created from the run-off of some lava. Once on the top, hikers are treated to views of the landscape and a Buddhist temple. As with most things in Japan there is folklore surrounding this mountain, complete with a "footprint" in the giant that was rumored to have created the mountain...

Anyway, she’s come a long way and we're crazy proud.

So, she’s settled into her place in Japan. In the three weeks that she’s been gone (I know this, because I have folded exactly 22 origami cranes since she left), she’s taught preschoolers (Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes, anybody?), kindergarteners (Let's do the Hokey-Pokey!), middle schoolers and junior high schoolers – visited a private island along the Great Seto Bridge where she joined in the local

                                                

Aaaalllllmmmooossst!

sport (archery) and almost made a bullseye-met a kid who told her he could catch an octopus with his bare hands (!!), and yes, she has plan to go back and watch this kid in action. She has been highlighted in the local media (TV & newspaper) to her embarrassment and the sheer delight of her grandparents back home (I only regret I didn’t take a picture of Grandpa absolutely beaming while watching Lauren on Sakaide local TV).

Weekends have been filled with concerts with the Mayor (!) and shopping excursions, food & fun with co-workers.

Checking out the local eats in Sakaide!
Must be good, there's nothing left!

And today, she’s climbing mountains!

I have to say, she’s come a long way. In her own apartment, she’s making her own meals

                                                            

Salmon accented with red peppers & broccoli
accompanied by rice! A Chiyoko Original!

– getting herself up for work (riding a bike) and feeling comfortable enough to call into work when the weather is inclement to have someone come pick her up.

And to top it off, the head of the Sister City project that sent her on this opportunity of a lifetime, contacted me yesterday and told me everyone, from Sausalito to Sakaide are just thrilled with her contribution to the program.

So I would say that things, for Chiyoko, are going swimmingly. We are pleased and proud she has taken the reigns and is running with this opportunity. This experience, besides being something she will hold dear to her for the rest of her life, will surely lead to more opportunities! I’m so excited that this has been a good experience for her. Physically and metaphorically, these majestic mountains she’s climbing will surely serve her well in the future.

Us, We’ve been doing well. Truthfully, Father’s Day celebrated at a very popular local Japanese restaurant, Kirala, was good, but not the same without the person that actually makes hubby a Father. And of course, we are licking our wounds after that wicked loss by the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals. Attention now turns to the Giants and their 19 game lead in the NL West – next up – Arizona Diamondbacks. Me, I miss her, some days more than others. We “Skype” (which is a wonderful thing, I don’t know how people got by on a postcard every two and a half weeks in the “olden days”) about once a week with texts sprinkled in several times a week. Truthfully, I haven’t done much – after getting her off to Japan (which was a chore), since things slowed down (almost to a screeching halt), I took a “mini-staycation” cleaning/organizing the kitchen, cooking a bit more conquering a couple of video games and enjoying the peace and quiet. So far, I’ve learned that I am absolutely someone who values the shine of silver-plated silverware. One concrete thing I did was polish all our silver. And I feel good.

Slowly I’m getting back to me. I did myself the disservice of not working out and/or running for three weeks. Although I sort of think it helped to make me feel a bit more settled in my body, getting back has been tough. But I will do it - just give me some time. :D

You can check out Chiyoko’s blog here - Chiyoko's Sausalito to Sakaide Blog