Has it been year already?!

Well it's official, we've been in Japan for a whole year, to date. Unbelievable how time flies!

Recently, Rodney and I have enjoyed looking back at our previous blog posts to see all we've done since we arrived (Refer to slide strip on side bar). It's especially incredible to see how much Markus has grown since last April 14. He was such a little squirt who could barely communicate. Wow, what a big difference a year can make! We've done several activities and seen some pretty impressive places. There were also some frightening experiences including a couple of hospital emergency visits. Once I sliced the tip of my left index finger while chopping onions. Follow up visits continued for over two weeks thereafter, which was well worth it now that my finger is completely healed.

The second ER visit was for an allergic reaction that Markus had after eating a cookie with cashew nuts. That evening, we were actually transported by ambulance. Prior to leaving for the hospital, Markus was freaked right out by the sight of the paramedics . To him, they were complete strangers who wore blue uniforms and hardhats invading his space. It was in an intense situation for us all. Thank God both incidents were not life threatening. In addition, I've also had surgery done in Tokyo. Under the circumstances, we were fortunate to have good care and good communication. Thanks Mihoko and Keiko for all your invaluable help with our medical traumas. You have been my angels and I am forever in debt of you both.

We've had the time of our lives in our adventures including the Mt. Fuji climb; the summer vacation to Okinawa; visits to Kyoto, Nikko, Kamakura, Hakone, and the ski trips, to name only a few. Not to mention the many attractions within Tokyo that we frequent each time visitors arrive. In short, it's been a productive year thus far and we consider ourselves blessed with this wonderful opportunity to live in Japan.

To think, if we hadn't decided on taking Rodney's offer of extension at work, we'd be home by now. Of course we have no regrets and look forward to the next six months with total excitement as our Japan adventures continue.

We're especially excited to welcome to our next visitors from our hometown, my sister Liza and her best friend, Loredana. They arrive next Friday, April 20. I can't wait!