During the first weekend while Markus and I were away abroad, Rodney attended the 40th Annual Tokyo Motor Show on October 28. Since it was opening weekend of the show, he expected it to be much more crowded than it actually was. Over the course of the 17 days of public viewing, the show attracted a total of 1,425,800 visitors. The Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) published online articles about the Tokyo Motor Show, if you're interested in reading further.
“Catch the News, Touch the Future” - was the theme for the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show
Honda Civic Type R
2007 Moto GP World Champion, Ducati's Casey Stoner's bike
Crowds flocking toward the highly anticipated Nissan GTR. This was manufactured to compete with the Porsche GT3.
The closest view Rodney could get of the Nissan GTR.
This concept baby stroller is equipped with brake lights...only in Japan!
Rodney was accompanied by friend/co-worker, Monma-san and his girlfriend,Takako-san.
During the early morning hours of October 16, 2007, one my nearest and dearest friends here in Tokyo, Mihoko Hemmi gave birth to her second child, a beautiful baby girl named Chiyo.
Onnanoko desu!
It's a Girl!
I was overjoyed to have the opportunity to visit Mihoko-san at the hospital a few days after Chiyo-chan's birth. Of course, I was ready with my camera to capture moments of her first few days. Full of energy, Mihoko recovered beautifully after her super-quick delivery!
Mihoko and husband Takeshi also have a two-and-a-half year-old son Chihiro, who has been a good helper and older brother to baby Chiyo.
At birth, Chiyo-chan weighed a tiny 2980 grams (6.6 lbs)
OmedetouGozaimasu!
Congratulations!
My two great friends and their baby girls! Sayaka with Sora-chan and Mihoko holding Chiyo-chan.
Our Thanksgiving weekend here in Tokyo was quaint...sans turkey. I might have mentioned it before, but turkey meat is not prevalent in Japan, nor are the average homes with ovens large enough to bake a decent sized turkey, otherwise I wouldn't have minded slaving in our kitchen for the occasion. Generally, turkey is available at most international supas. Indeed we missed out on great home cooking with family.
What a smile!
Online, I found several restaurants serving turkey dinners. I randomly chose one restaurant named Farm Grill located in Ginza. Based on the review, it sounded great. So we ventured out to Ginza to the location, and much to our surprise we couldn't find it anywhere. We even went to the Koban (police box) for some assistance. I tried calling the phone number, which I had written down, only to get a busy signal. So I assumed that they were just simply busy. But to no avail, it turned out that the restaurant closed down two years ago. What a bummer! When I got home that night, I checked the listing once again online...I found out that I was reading a back issue of a magazine dated in 2005. Lesson learned!
Taking a stroll down the main street in Ginza.
Friday, November 23 was also a national holiday in Japan - Labour Thanksgiving Day. The purpose is to commemorate labour and production, as well as giving thanks to one another for hard work and accomplishments. Government-related offices and most businesses had the day off. However, like most national holidays, Honda employees were hard at work; at least we can say it was a short day.
On Thanksgiving weekend, we did some bulk shopping at Costco and headed to TOKYO MIDTOWNin Roppongi to see the wonderful holiday light displays, commonly known throughout Japan as "Winter illuminations". Tokyo Midtown is like a little town in itself right in the heart of Tokyo. This new attraction comprises six buildings, one of which is now the tallest building in the Tokyo Prefecture at the astounding height of 248 metres. After three years of construction, the complex first opened its doors early this year in March. Crowds upon crowds showed up for the Grand Opening. During that time, I remember us heading to church one Sunday morning, which is located just a few blocks away, and being swarmed by the hundreds of people making their way to the new site. Within it's commercial property, it houses several restaurants, Japan's first Ritz-Carlton Hotel, many retail shops and museums, including the Suntory Museum of Art.
Views of inside the Galleria of Tokyo Midtown
Tokyo Midtown Plaza area, by day
The Plaza, by night
Markus was compelled by the changing colours of hanging fibre optic streams of lights
The view looking up into the fibre optic streams
The weather was gorgeous last weekend, perfect for walking outdoors, so of course there were hundreds of people out and about trying to capture the perfect picture.
Glass Christmas Tree in the Garden Terrace
Just a side note, Japanese are predominately Buddhist and Shinto, and since Christmas is a Christian holiday, it is not considered a national holiday in Japan. In fact, Rodney is scheduled to work on the 25Th of December. However, these days it seems that Christmas has become more of a "Hallmark" holiday in that it gives people reasons to exchange Christmas gifts with each other. Traditionally, most of my Japanese friends buy their children gifts, but not their spouses or parents. Though we'll be here in Japan for the holidays, we intend on continuing our own family traditions. Yes, Rodney and I have already exchanged wishlists!
A closer look of the Milky Way display in the Garden Terrace consists of rows of brilliant blue and white LED lights.
Another spectacular view overlooking the Garden Terrace from the crosswalk
is the largest structure in all of Japan standing at 333 metres high. The illuminations display consists of 15,000 lights. Based on what I can recall, the set up is very similar, if not exactly the same, as last year's. Joanna and Giancarlo were in town when we toured the Tokyo Tower and holiday display last year.
Taking a breather from all the running around!
This theme is perfect for the toddler who loves trains, Markus included. He enjoyed popping in and out of the train cars and posing for the camera.
We plan to visit several more of the illumination displays all over Tokyo. I just love this time of year and it was so nice coming back to the Tokyo city scene adorned with plenty of beautiful holiday decor.
All unpacked and back into the swing of things. Markus is finally on a tolerable sleeping pattern and I'm back to my insomniac self. It's been a busy week for Rodney catching up on his workload. It was so great to have him around all day and all night for a week while in Windsor.
Besides all the new Rexall Pharmacies being erected throughout the city, not much else seemed to change in Windsor since our visit last Christmas holiday. Although one of the first things I thought about when we first crossed the Canadian border was my Lola who passed aways last February. When I visited her place of rest, I was overcome with a sense of peace and happiness seeing that both my grandparents were laid to rest adjacent to each other...reunited once again. They will be forever missed.
On a lighter note, I was humoured by how much Markus communicated in Japanese. Often times while babysitting for Markus, my parents as well as Rodney's parents, would wonder what in the world he was saying. Interestingly enough, our families learned some of his usual Japanese phrases. Each morning he greeted everyone in the house by saying "O-ha-yo go-zai-masu". And when he felt in a mannerly mood, his requests would follow with "o-ne-gai-shi-masu" (please). One of his favourite phrases were, "cho-tto-mat-te ku-da-sai-ne". Translated, it means, "Please wait (a while)". Just like in Japan, before and after meals he would say, "I-ta-da-ki-masu" and, "Go-chi-so-sama-desh-ita". It was funny hearing my parents say "a-bu-nai", which means "dangerous", which they said when Markus would begin playing near the treadmill or, try to carry large objects as he walked down the stairs. Markus had an incredible time with his family and new friends. Since we've been back he's constantly referring to his trip to Canada. He was excited to show Keiko-san all his new toys and was able to remember who gave him what. Hopefully he'll retain the memories for a long, long time.
Below, I put together a compilation of more photos. Markus loves looking through the albums over and over again. Honestly, this child enjoys reminiscing as much as I do.
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!
It's been over 4 months since I last blogged. What can I say, I've been busy. But I definitely want to make time to post some of our final adventures from our journey in Japan. I can hardly believe it's been nearly half a year since we moved back home. I still frequently think about our life in Japan - the food, the trains, the crowds, the shopping, the apartment, and especially our friends. It's been wonderful keeping in touch through video, thanks to Skype.
While adjusted back to reality, our new home and our new addition to the family, we know we'll always keep Japan close to our hearts.
Perfection...
Honda Civic Type R 
