"Tadaima!"

"I'm home!"

After nearly a month away in our hometown of Windsor, Canada, we're happy to be back in Tokyo. The purpose of this home leave was to have my fingerprints taken for my US resident visa. My wonderful Rodney took some vacation time to meet up with Markus and I to accompany us on our return flight back to Japan. During the 13 hour flights, Markus did a fantastic job both directions. No motion sickness episodes...thank heavens! Even the "scary and loud" flushing sound of the airplane toilet didn't stop him from using it. He was even commended on his good behaviour by a fellow passenger...how cool! He made us very proud parents.

We would have been home nearly a week earlier had it not been for the "panic" email Rodney received at the eleventh hour (as Giancarlo said it best), on November 13th the night before our return flight to Tokyo. Our immigration lawyer emailed Rodney with the bad news indicating that my first set of biometrics (fingerprints) taken on October 27 at the USCIS Ohio office, were "unclassifiable", and I was required to have them re-done on November 28. At the time, the lawyer perceived we had returned to Japan, thus his main mode of communication was via email. He would've phoned us had he known we were still in Windsor. Several reasons could have considered the fingerprints unclassifiable, such as an unclear reading or even a glitch in the transfer of information. As a result, this meant another three-hour road trip back to Columbus, Ohio; still better than a 13-hour flight back to US. That evening at 10:30 P.M., we were immediately on the phone returning calls to the lawyer to figure out our options. I really wasn't for leaving for Japan then coming back two weeks later. The next morning, we were told the earliest appointment for reschedule was Saturday, November 17th. Thus, we rescheduled our flights to depart on Sunday the 18th. The second time around, the USCIS government clerk was very thorough in taking my fingerprints. She ensured that each digital print was readable and precise. The US government sure doesn't make it easy to be a permanent resident in the USA. There are very few, if any, acceptions to the rules. No matter where I was situated in the world, it was mandatory to be back in Ohio to have my biometrics completed. With that feat accomplished, let's hope the results return adequate.

On the upside of things, we were at least able to make a nice visit out of it with family and friends. Markus was ecstatic to see all of his relatives. There was much anticipation leading up to playing with cousins Raeya, Jaeden and Maddox. They were overjoyed!

Rolling around the floor with Maddox

Raeya, Markus and Jaeden on a nonstop chase around the house!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

As expected, the time flew by. Among the many get togethers, we celebrated Markus' first official Halloween trick-or-treat outing. Weather-wise, it was a nice night to be out. My sister Lysa chaperoned Markus, Bea and Bianca door-to-door, while I took photos and walked along with Aileen and her pup, Maggie.

We also we attended birthday parties, poker nights and nights out in the city. In addition, we shared in the beautiful wedding celebration of my deareast friend Grace and her husband Willie.

With the dazzling bride, Mrs. Grace Maker

It's been a week since we've arrived, and I can honestly say that it's been tough this time around re-adjusting (Tokyo is 14 hours ahead of Windsor's time). Rodney seems to be back on his regular schedule. He returned to work the next morning after we arrived. However, both Markus and I are up before the sunrise each morning, which is just before 6:30 A.M. While Markus plays with his many new toys, I've been trying to sort through the hundreds of photos I took during our visit. In the meantime, here are a few random snapshots...more to come!

Markus reuniting with Rodney after two and a half weeks.

With sisters Lysa, Rose and Jenna

L-R: Ivana, me, Erica, Michelle, Rochelle, Jessica, Zendy, Joanna, Andrea and Maria

Dinner party with all the gals and guys at the Keg Steakhouse...great meal, great company! Thanks Joanna and Giancarlo for planning the dinner...you guys are super friends!

L-R: Jay, John, Paul, Percy, Dave, Rodney, Giancarlo, Mike, Raffi and Ritchie

Assumption High School alumni

L-R: Scott, Don, Gino, Rodney, Reg and Wassim

Chillin' out at Stars of the Game for the Assumption High School Reunion Party with Giancarlo and Joanna.

Markus playing with his new Mr. Potato head, one of the many gifts from Tita Lynne and Tito Keith

I never realized how much I missed home until I was actually there. Reuniting felt so good!