ENJOYED THE BLOG I have not told you that I am one of your faithful readers. I have so enjoyed your adventures in Japan. I know you are ready to come home and have made sooo many memroies that will nourish you for years to come. Thanks for taking the time to write and upload pictures. Kate
Little Things Marla,
It won't be long now! You're right--noticing and appreciating the little things in life is wonderful.
Thanks for sharing all the travel blogs and pictures. I've loved getting them.
Enjoy the rest of your time and see you soon!!
Mary Lynn
The San Marla Marla... now are you and the girls coming up to see the three day besuboru fest in Hiroshima, celebrate nikina's b-day, get some more quality dancing in, and eat, eat, and eat??? I hope so now.
What a Year! What a great year and experience you have had in Japan! What helps making leaving not so sad is that in today's world you can expect to visit every once in a while. I was in Japan twice in just six months. Love. Dad
Fish, and your hair! That is the biggest fish I've ever seen, the one that Craig is standing by. HOly moly. And your hair, it's getting so long! So what are we now, t-minus three/four weeks until you are home to us??
Happy Birthday!!! Marla, I've been reading your journals. I love them. So glad Craig was able to visit--looks like you had a great time.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY---See you soon. Love. Mary Lynn
oh man, I want that food! De-lish! And your hair Mar, has it really been that long since you've been away?? Craig looks like he had a blast, and I love the questions from the kids...I can just see the blank look on Craig's face in response. Can't wait for you to be home again, keep up the fun there and love the kimono. It suits you!
Oh, Mikey! Hey Mar - Sorry to hear that Mike had to head back stateside, but knowing you, you little poptart you, making the most of the rest of your time there will be no sweat. And I will make a grand effort to write you much more, to help pass the time eh? I will actually write you right now, as there is new news...
from Palm Springs Hi Marla we are having a good time here in California, the weather is 90 plus degrees. Thank you for the tam you made me! I will were it when we get home. I brought the calendar you sent for Christmas and we have it hanging up. We are going to play golf today even though it is pretty warm (Grandpa, your dad, Omar). Then Mary Ellen and Oakly are coming to visit later today. Love , Gramdma and Grandpa
... Beppu was quite the place. Next time I have to chose a weekend that doesn't coincide with my birthday... I seem to still be recovering. And i will remember to bring a bike next time as well... quality weekend though and it was good seeing you two again!
Yay for mama and papa Nelson! Hey Mar! So glad to hear that your parents made it alright and that you are all enjoying your time. How long are they staying? A couple weeks? And love the pics, as usual, especially the one over-looking the city with the tower shadow - very cool, my dear! Love and miss you! Alls well here...no snow, thanks to el nino apparently. Booya.
Merry Merry! Hey Mar - Loved the pictures, and hope that you are enjoying a bit of holiday cheer over there. I would have loved to see the looks on those kids faces when you explained mistletoe...then that little glimmer, like 'hmmm, that actually sounds pretty sweet..." Jenna and I had a Christmas party here in Rochester last Saturday, and at the last minute we realized we had not mistletoe - gasp! - so cut a branch off of our Christmas tree and strung it in the doorway. It looked ridiculous, but did the job! Love you, miss you!
I hate you. Just kidding. But I can't believe you teach 7th 8th and 9th graders and they LISTEN to you! If I can get my kids to stop talking for 4 minutes I consider it a good day.
Its funny because my roommate and I were talking about teaching in Japan--his sister was visiting and It made me remember you were there--and we joked that the kids would be silent and say things like "lets have fun learning english." I got a letter from one of my kids the other day that said "Dear Mr. Horst, I know it is your first year teaching at this school and I think you are doing the worst job a human being could possibly act like."
Anyways, though, if you had any interest, we should have our kids be penpals. jesselhorst@gmail.com
Best!
Jesse
Love the couch! hey mar -
loved all the pics, especially the one of the new furniture and the one of you with all of your gifts and goodies! what a great fam you have, never leaving you to entertain without cheese and crackers. so true! miss you, take care,
aubs
gorgeous sunsets! hey mar - what a gorgeous sunset from your apartment! wow, lucky girl. and sounds like you are both mastering the language and being appreciated all over the place, being the guest of honor and such. the tea ceremony sounds fascinating too. i have seen that as well, of video or tv or something, and i always thought it would be such fun to see how much of the steps i would remember. i am sure you wowed them! enjoy that warm weather - it's getting chillier every day here! love you, miss you.
Change of seasons Looking forward to Skypeing with you, have to figure if the change from daylight time here makes it 13 hours difference of 11 hours. Weather in Minnesota is cooler than there as we have had a number of hard frosts on the pumkin. Dad
I thought Britney, too... Hey Mars - I totally thought Britney Spears too, sadly, but of course until you mentioned the brown nose. That is so funny. Glad to hear that you are not missing a beat of the Halloween festivities. Jenna and I have Halloween day and night off, so we are planning on throwing a little costume dinner party, complete with handing out to trick-or-treaters from the neighborhood. Keep up the fun, love and miss you,
Aubs
shrines and octopus hey mar - sounds like yet another wonderful excursion. these fall festivals that you describe sound like such fun, why don't we celebrate more like that here in the states? if some group of americans started demonishing shrines and statues they would most likely be arrested on the spot. haha, that's culture differences for you. but so glad to hear that you are getting your hands into all kinds of experiences over there - that's my girl! love you, miss you like always,
aubs
rough and tumble hey mar - sounds like some rough playing over there. i can picture you, right in the mix...taking a bit longer than i am sure i would to get a safer distance away. that's what i love about you - fearless! and baking the biscuits, love it. again, so you. miss you, and so happy to have seen another travel blog email in my inbox! keep em coming, my love.
The island people Yes, you island people. Always hard to reach. And for good reason, I presume. I plan to be out on Oshima (I think that's the name) to visit Stephanie on Saturday night of this coming weekend. We will be doing some fishing, painting, and late night sake at her ocean home. I am sure you are more than welcome if you are able to visit.
Having never visited Japan before, making the move for an entire year was very intimidating. I had no idea what to expect, much less an understanding of the language or culture. These barriers have been slowly fading, and I have found the Japanese people to be amazingly accomodating. The term *Minnesota nice* must now be applied to an entire country!... full info
Kate christopher
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ENJOYED THE BLOG
I have not told you that I am one of your faithful readers. I have so enjoyed your adventures in Japan. I know you are ready to come home and have made sooo many memroies that will nourish you for years to come. Thanks for taking the time to write and upload pictures. Kate