Ian in his urban camo rain coat

Yesterday, while on the way home, it began to drizzle. I knew my son didn't have a raincoat, so I stopped by the shop Workman and got him what is called an Urban Camoflage jacket. Since it's designed for an adult, it fits him fine, right over top of his school bag. He liked the color. Now he's all set for the rainy season. I just have to get myself a second DPM waterproof suit.

I`m calm, I`m at peace, I`m enlightened

  

Dominos pizza comes to town

Kamagaya has been without a decent pizza shot since Pizza Hut closed shop about 3 years ago. This branch opened just last weekend. I guess I know where I'll be getting my birthday feed this year.

 

  

Ian in karate

Ian has now joined a Karate class geared for children. It's a good way for him to make friends, have more confidence, as well as getting rid of stress.

 

  

Flesh meat

Ah yes, part of live in Japan is the joy of finding signs that use English without proof reading. Gives a whole new meaning to the phrase "Baby back ribs".

  

Ians first day of school

In Japan, the first day of school when you join the first grade is a big ceremony. Children wear their best suits, parents also wear suits, sometimes kimonos and take their children to the school. The school our son goes to was the same one my wife attended!

Ian's backpack is called a Landsale, one of the ideas the Prussian army gave to Japan. All elementary school students from the first to sixth grade have one, usually the same for their entire elementary career.

   

Colonials attempt to hold the fort

The local frontier militia attempt to hold the farm against the horde of Canadiens and Hurons.

 

   

My vacation solo battle

This scenario is a what if situation whereby the French, flush with success from their attack on Fort William Henry continue down the frontier towards Albany, New York. The colonial militia sufferend a complete meltdown when faced with a large Canadien milice and Indian party.

  

Japanese deer, The Shika

The closest I will get to a deer in Japan.

There is bit of a story behind this shot. It reminds me of a situation I had back in Nova Scotia with my Korean friends. In 1997, the Korean host family I stayed with visited my family in Canada. Outside, my father had left a set of deer antlers lying on the ground. The Koreans were immediately surprised and shocked that we had them just lying around. Koreans, like the Chinese will use deer antler for traditional medicines. My friend was trying to figure out how we could take them back to Korea. His wife asked me what we were going to do with them, to which I replied that he would make them into buttons, knife handles or other tools.

When we got back to Korea and my friends were talking to the other staff, they were aghast that we'd have something so valuable lying on the ground.

This deer in Japan had his antlers sawn off to prevent him from ramming kids.

 
 

   

Japanese meat &potato

I think the meat was actually cow tongue! Not bad, but a little tough. The potatoes were almost like Roti, with lots of butter. Just some standard fare one can find at Japanese festivals

 
 

   

Happy Easter with a pink banana

This years Sakura festival happened to fall on Easter. My kids wanted Easter Bunnys but they are hard to come by in Japan. We did get Choco Bananas. Leena wanted a pink one.