Category: News (Page 24 of 29)

So do you remember that song from the Mr Roger’s show?  It was definitely not a favorite show of mine.  I preferred Sesame Street or Reading Rainbow.  That aside here is the reason for the title of this post.

Sometimes, I wonder what people who have never been to Japan imagine when I make a comment about my house, my church, the grocery store or my neighborhood.  I decided to take you on a tour to see the things I see everyday.  Now that seminary is over I have my favorite part of the day to myself.  Seminary conditioned me to wake up at five and I am still doing it.  Tokyo at 5:00am is a wonderful place to be.

First, my house, well it isn’t exactly a house, it’s an apartment.  I like where I live.  I live on the third floor of this building. You will notice in the following pictures that Tokyo does not have underground utilities, thus the power lines in all the pictures.

When I look out my living room window I can see the Angel Moroni on the Tokyo Temple.  I like being able to walk to the temple in five minutes and I am blessed to be able to spend time there each week.

This is an interesting view of the temple.  One day while walking home from the station I looked up and saw this.  While standing on a certain corner, about two blocks from the temple, it appears that the Angel Moroni is part of Mori Tower in Roppongi Hills. 

We don’t have a car in Tokyo so we take public transportation when something is not in walking distance.  This means we ride the metro, JR trains, buses, or take a taxi.  My favorite is bus or taxi, but I actually use these the least.  Here is a view of inside the train station.

Platform at my neighborhood metro station

There are all kinds of shops nearby.  I can walk to a little shopping street just 7 minutes from my house.  This is where my bank, drugstore, stationery shop, restaurants and chopstick shop are.

Hiroo Nakamise

There are several grocery stores nearby.  The one I go to the most is National Azabu.  It caters to foreigners and has food from all over the world.  They have excellent and expensive fish and produce.  It is a tiny store with just 5 aisles. Most of the food in Japan is expensive.  The other store I like is a Japanese grocery store about 15 minutes away in the other direction, Peacock.  They have great store brands of instant miso soup and Japanese crackers. They also have a good selection of Japanese sweets.  I bought the little pink pancakes wrapped in leaves here (see my Hina Matsuri post).

National Azabu Supermarket

Peacock

The next pictures views on my street and the Tokyo Lawn Tennis Club just half a block away.

My street

Tokyo Lawn Tennis Club

Tucked back in off the main street just two doors down is Azabu High School.  This high school is the top all boys high school in Tokyo.  Boys attending this school have uniforms-black neru collar jacket with gold buttons and black slacks.  It is rare to see them wear them unless something special is happening.  On a daily basis they wear jeans and t-shirts.  All of the students pass by our building several times each day as they go between the school and the metro station and the convenience store on the corner.

Arisugawa Koen

I have been too slow in posting pictures and thoughts about our recent trip to Egypt.  Our granddaughter Madeleine gets two weeks of spring break and we planned to spend part of that time with Allyson, Luke, Maddie and Isabelle.  Ally called to let us know that they had decided to take a beach “holiday” to Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt and invited us along.  Rick got busy finding flights and I got busy booking tours.

We left Tokyo in April 3 and flew to Cairo, arriving quite late that night.  We were up early the next morning to meet our tour guide Colin and his driver Wael.  Colin is Australian and Wael is Egyptian.  He found Wael driving a taxi and hired him to be his driver and peronal assistant.  We enjoyed the day we spent with them very much.  Initially, I had just scheduled a trip to the Giza pyramids and Coptic Cairo (Christian).  Colin convinced us that we needed to visit the City of the Dead and the Nilometer, as well.  So off we went!

The pyramids at Giza are incredible.  It is impossible to comprehend how these were built so long ago and without the technology we have today.  Rick went inside one of the smaller ones,  but the entry felt a bit too claustrophobic for me so I backed out.   Here are some photos of the pyramids.  It was quite foggy and hazy.

After walking around the pyramids, we went into the solar boat museum.  This is a boat that the excavated from the area around the pyramids and then assembled.  It is called a solar boat because it’s purpose was to take the Pharoah to the sun in the next life.

Next we saw the Sphinx, it is much smaller than I thought it would be from seeing it in photographs.

We left Giza and drove back into the heart of Cairo.  We loved looking out the windows at the neighborhoods, shops and Egyptian people.  It reminded us of Saudi Arabia in many ways.  Lunch was funny.  Although we would have loved a schwarma or kebab as it is called in some parts of the world, Colin was worried about us getting sick.  We pulled into an Exxon and got lunch at the “On the Run” convenience store.  our second stop was Coptic (or Christian Cairo0  We saw the site (alleged) of where May and Joseph with Jesus fled to when they left Jerusalem.

Egyptian School Children in Coptic Cairo

After Coptic Cairo we headed to the City of the Dead to see what Colin says is the best mosque in Cairo.  The City of the Dead is a huge collection of cemeteries that stretch for miles.  Five million people have come to live here because they cannot find suitable, affordable housing.  These people are among Egypt’s poorest.  The people who live here have made the tombs their homes.  They have also set up businesses and shops.  They are grateful for a place to live, but there are disadvantages to living here.  There are problems with insects, rodents, rubbish and sewage.  The residents are living there illegally and so they live with the uncertainty of whether the government will let them stay.  The government does not like foreigners to the see the city.  They think its existence reflects poorly on the country.  Colin uses some diplomatic association that he has with the British Embassy to get in.  Also, everywhere we went he had friends.  He and Wael were constantly doing the magic handshake or offering what Egyptians call “baksheesh” (giving tips).  It was because of this that we were relatively unbothered as we made out way around all the sites.

On our second day in Cairo we met Mustafa in the lobby and he was both Egyptoligist and driver.  He took us to the Egyptian museum.  When I lived in London I spent a lot of time in the museums.  I often thought that the British should return the artifacts it had taken from other countries.  Take the Rosetta Stone for example, I used to think that it belonged back in Egypt.  When we entered the musuem the first thing our guide did was take us to a wall with a replica of the Rosetta Stone and told us how it said that the British should give the original back to Egypt.  As I walked throughout the museum I began to understand why the British Museum is hanging on to it; and I have resigned myself to the fact that it is better off in England, for now.  The Egyptian Museum was built in 1901 and by all appearances no improvements have been made since then.  On the things that have descriptions they are in an ancient wooden frame and are typed (Yes!!! Typed as in 3X5 card on a typewriter typed!)  It appears that many things were put in glass cases many, many years ago and have not been touched since.  The exhibits that were closest to being up to modern museum standards were the King Tut exhibit and the Royal Mummy Rooms.  Mustafa told us that a new grand museum is in the works and if that is the case and if it is state of the art then maybe they should have the Rosetta Stone and other items that were taken returned.  After our visit to the museum we loaded up and headed to the airport for our 1 hour flight to Sharm el Sheikh and the “Beach Holiday.”  Here are some photos of our fun in the sun, Ally’s birthday and our day trip to Mount Sinai.

Nap Time at the Pool

In the Red Sea

Izzie Loves Papa

Maddie and Allyson

Maddie and "Dolphiny"

Maddie and I

Papa and Izzie

Mt Sinai

Luke and Girls at Mt Sinai

The "Alleged" Burning Bush

Allyson's Interesting Birthday Cake

We were able to see many interesting things we had studied about in the Bible and history units on Egypt in school.  The best part by far was spending time with each other and Luke, Ally, Maddie and Izzie

Nope, it wasn’t popcorn!  I love Friday and Saturday mornings.  I teach seminary Monday-Thursday at 6:00am and this prevents me from getting out to exercise as early as I like.   That is actually the only sacrifice I make by teaching early morning seminary because I love every member of my fabulous class and love being with them at 6:00am.   I look forward to Friday and Saturday so I can get out before everyone starts out to go to school and work.  Remember I live in the heart of a city of 12 million people!  This time of year early is 6:30am.  During the months then when it gets light earlier and it’s hotter, early is 5:00am.  So today when I looked out the window this is what I saw:

My Street

 

I saw this too and thought my grandaughter, Aimee, would like it because of the color.  I am sure Bob the Builder would be envious of this purple and pink digger!  I have no idea why they are digging up the parking lot next door.  I hope its not to build an apartment building to block my already limited view.

 

The Digger

It has been dreary and rainy all week and I truly was hoping for a beautiful day since I have to be out a lot today.  I thought about staying in and doing the Beach Body DVD, but then read something in an email about making excuses for not getting out and exercising.  (doing Beach Body is always a half- hearted attempt at working out for me).  So I put on yoga pants, my Boston University hoodie with the hood up and topped it with a fleece and gloves and headed out.  It was just a light rain and so I enjoyed my walk around my neighborhood.  I love early morning in Tokyo.  Mostly, I don’t see many people; a few shopkeepers sweeping their sidewalks, delivery men and a few other early risers.  I love smelling the wonderful aroma coming from the many bakeries.  Walking in the rain was exhilarating.  I am glad I didn’t use the rain as an excuse today because now it’s snowing!

It seems that I often go a long time between posts. Most of the time it’s because I don’t think anyone would be interested in what I have to say. Then I think I shouldn’t worry about whether anyone is interested. So today I think I will just post some pictures of Japan.

Bride and Groom At Meiji

Japanese Girls-New Year's Day

Imperial Palace for the Emperor's Birthday

Kris and Ally- Harajuku

Tokyo Disney with our friend Mickey

Hanami- Cherry Blossom Viewing

Fum with Daibutsu (Big Buddha)

More fun with Daibutsu

Can you guess which one is not like the others?

Hachiko Statue at Shibuya Station- Miss Maddie and I

Golden Pavillion Kyoto- James and Ruth

Geisha

Tskiji Fish Market

Arisugawa Park

The Shinkansen

Tokyo Edo Museum-Andrew and Leigh

I LOVE TOKYO!

Who does this remind you of???

Last night, we all planned to stay up and welcome the new year.  After watching a Japanese variety show  totally in Japanese for hours everyone was falling asleep.  At midnight Rick and I were the only ones awake.  We didn’t drink our sparking juice or even use our confetti poppers.  So, this morning we decided to celebrate.   We ate waffles and decided to watch a movie.  Hopefully, family members will know exactly what movie we watched by seeing the picture of Allyson and Kristina (unfortunately it didn’t come in Izzie’s size).

When our family lived in Saudi Arabia my mom recorded the movie “Better Off Dead” and mailed it to us.  For some reason our family really enjoyed it and has watched often over the years.  It stars John Cusack and is just a pretty stupid movie.  Over the years, lines from the movie have become part of our conversation, “You’re a fine little helper, what’s your name?”  In the movie the mother wears a reindeer hat on Christmas morning. 

A few weeks ago I was shopping for items for my seminary auction at a huge store called Don Quixote.  This store is mostly full of junk with a few useful items.  I saw the reindeer hats right off and bought one for the auction.  The Bishop who acted as our auctioneer even modeled it.  It was the hottest item.  Johnnie, the young man with the most money at the auction didn’t bid on anything until the hat came up.  I think he was worried that he might need to use all his money to buy it.  Rick suggested that the girls might enjoy them and so i went back and bought two more.  They wore them for the whole movie.   Family traditions live on and become enhanced.  I am sure that we have not seen the last of the reindeer hats.

Happy New Year!

P.S. We did watch another family favorite on Christmas Eve, just like we have for years, “Muppet Christmas Carol”.

Yesterday I felt impressed to send an email to my Relief Society president and her husband.  I cut and pasted the preceeding post, including the photos into the email.  In her reply she told me her version of the same experience.  She said that she was too busy that night to try and understand what he was doing.  She got upset with him for touching the nativity, something I didn’t see.  Finally, as she was pulling him away Jacob said, “But Mom, that is wrong, Jesus will be sad.  Everyone wants to see the Baby Jesus!”  She said she didn’t understand what he was talking about at the time.  She was glad that I shared my experience and plans to tell him my version followed by her apology for not seeking to understand his intention.   All my nativities are set up like Jacob would do it.  Everyone wants to see the Baby Jesus!

Last week, I was asked to bring a nativity to display at the Relief Society dinner.  I chose the unique one that my daughter-in-law, Leigh, chose for me last year (her wonderful parents provided the funding).  On the grounds of the church office building in Salt Lake City, large nativities from different countries are displayed during December.  Last year, Leigh saw this small replica of the Japanese nativity and knew she had to get it for me.

When I arrived at the dinner I asked where I should set it up.  I was directed to the end of the serving table and proceeded to arrange each figure in the same way I always do.  Notice how I place all the figures facing outward so everyone can see their faces and the details of their beautifully painted clothing.

When I was finished I crossed the room and to visit with some friends.  Out of the corner of my eye, I watched as our Relief Society president’s son, Jacob, approached the end of the table.  He looked at my arrangement for only a second before he got busy re-arranging it.  My first thought was, “Why is he touching my nativity?”  I became intrigued and then grateful as I watched him work.  This is how it looked when he finished.  Notice how he placed each figure, including the animals, facing the baby Jesus.  They were in a tight little circle, close around the newborn King.  I was humbled.  Of course, each figure should be facing the baby Jesus!  How silly I had been to think that everyone should admire the beauty of my nativity.  How wise Jacob is.  His focus is on the Savior and His importance in our lives.

I am grateful for Jacob and the lesson he taught me about setting up a nativity, but more importantly for reminding me of where my focus should be everyday and not just during the Christmas season.

I have a slight (well possibly severe) obsession with dishes!!!  When we lived in London we made two trips to the potteries at Stoke-On-Trent.  I bought 30 Spode Christmas plates for about $2.50 each and 12 Spode Blue Willow Plates for about $5.00 each, a fraction of the cost if purchased in a department store or china shop.  I have a set of modern square white plates from Germany that I got from the rental company when we moved here.  I also have an assortment of Japanese bowls and serving dishes.  Many of my Japanese dishes have been acquired as parting gifts at the sumo tournaments we attend 3 times a year.  The point is I never spend much on the dishes I have, but I love them and love having a variety that I can use together.  I really like dishes, looking at them, shopping for them and using them.  I love eating my cold cereal out of this bowl:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last night, I got an email from my good friend Nori suggesting we go shopping in addition to our plan to have lunch today.  Although, she lives a long way from here by car it only takes 20 minutes on the the train.  This morning at 11:00 Nori picked me up at this quaint station by her house.

 

Denenchofu Eki

 

We drove right to the Dirty Dish Shop.  We heard that some friends were headed there too and we didn’t want them to buy all the good stuff.  Everything in this place is 40% off everyday.  They have great Japanese dishes, teapots, cups… The shop is really a small warehouse with shelves everywhere.  It is not really named the Dirty Dish Shop, but  the foreigners started calling it that because everything is covered by a thin coating of dust and you can get pretty dirty looking around.  I am not sure if anyone knows the real name of the shop.  Well, maybe, my friend Rika does since she is Japanese.  This is what it looks like inside (I borrowed the picture from a Tokyo friend’s blog:

"Dirty Dish" Shop

Nori and I started talking the minute I hopped in her car and didn’t stop until she dropped me off at the station 6 hours later.  We didn’t stay at the shop that long!  We stopped at a little deli and picked up lunch and then went back to her house and continued our visit.  She delivered my purchases when brought her boys in to the church for scouts.  I didn’t really need new dishes, but sometimes one just needs a change to brighten things up.

 

So I bought 8 plates, 8 pasta dishes, 8 small square salad plates and 8 medium ramen bowls.  All for around $30.  It will be a fun change for us.  This is what they look like:

Then I bought two medium ramen bowls in my favorite rabbit pattern.  They are the same as my favorite rabbit cereal bowl, just bigger.  I’ll use this size for my oatmeal and ramen, of course!

 

Finally, my favorite purchase was a very high quality lidded Japanese box.  I love all things blue and white, as you can see from my purchases.  This box was not cheap at full price but a bargain at 40% off.  I plan to wrap it up and put it under the Christmas tree! So you’ll have to wait until then to see it!

Happy Birthday To You!

Our baby girl, Kristina, celebrates her birthday today.  We even lit the candles on these cupcakes, blew them out and made a wish for you.  We wish we could be with you to celebrate today! (Oh, well I do wish that, but that’s not what I wished for when I blew out the candles.  That’s a secret and you know if I tell my wish it won’t come true :)  So..from birth to Boston we have loved you everyday.  We hope you have a wonderful day and know that we will always love you.

Welcome to the World Baby Girl

Boston!!!!!!