Mom and Son

I felt so strange without Isaiah in South Korea with me. It makes my day to see him smile...to read a book to him. I am so happy to have such a beautiful, loving child. It's amazing to be able to sit back and watch his personality develop. His sense of humor is more apparant these days...and anytime he hears music he starts dancing.

Squat Like A Tiger

Does a Tiger actually squat?? If not, which animal does?

Well, you have to in Japan if you want to use a public toilet. This was one of the first cultural difficulties I had to face:

How on Earth am I supposed to pee all the way down there and not wet my clothes??



So, thank goodness, the toilet in our apartment is just the opposite. It's this super high-tech butt warmer, butt sprayer, along with a host of other butt luxuries that you can't possibly imagine. And it's eco-friendly. It was made so that you can wash your hands in the water that will refill the toilet in a tiny sink above the tank! Now, I never do this... but it's kinda of cool to see the water squirting out of the spout ready for me to use:

Mike's Subway Shout Out

There was the coolest poster of Mike on all the subway cars in Sendai about a month ago. It looked like this (minus the yellow blanket in the background):



Everytime Isaiah saw it on the train he'd yell out "DAH-Dee" "DAH-Dee" while pointing frantically non-stop. Needless to say... it attracted lots of attention since the subway cars are always so quiet. How this child knew this was his Daddy's back I have no idea.... but he knew. LOL

Photos of Our Trip to Sendai Zoo

We had such a great time with Iku's family last month at Sendai Zoo. Here are some photos from our first Japanese Zoo Trip! Simply click on the photo to view the entire slideshow. Enjoy :)

Sendai Zoo

Our Japanese Halloween (Intended for posting on October 27, 2006)

Japanese Halloween

Here are some photos from our Halloween Party in October. We had Soooooooo much fun! :) Click on the photo below to view the entire set.

Our Neighborhood in Sendai

Japanese Autumn

Join Isaiah as he takes you on a tour of our neighborhood in Izumi Chuo, Sendai City, Japan. You will see the same things we see each day. Click on the picture below to view the set. Enjoy the slideshow!

Black Hair Care in Japan

I've recently receive a lot of emails from other black women asking me about my experience in Japan. They especially want to know how I manage my hair here. Here are some of the things I've said:

I've personally have had wonderful experiences here in Japan as a black woman... now, South Korea... that was a whole nother story.

In terms of hair care, I am on the lucky side. I learned how to do my own hair (perms, styling, the works) while I was in college... so I always am able to still look like I am getting my hair done while we are abroad. Plus, half the time when you go to the beauty shop people don't style your hair like you want it. I usually bring a 4-pack of Vitale perm and large bottles of Creme of Nature Moisturizing Shampoo from the beauty supply store and that will last me several months. If I run out, I just ask someone who is coming over to bring more.



My flat-irons (Helen of Troy) are absolutely wonderful. Luckily the electrical ports are the same as the U.S. here... in Portugal I ended up frying my flat irons in an outlet!

I am very afraid to get my hair done in the salons here. In Lebanon and Portugal I could go to the salons... they have thicker hair and know how to blow dry so good it looks like your hair has been pressed :)

I had one horrible beauty salon experience in New Zealand... enough said. I don't even want to revisit what happened.

Maybe I will try to go get a wet set soon... I will keep you all posted on how that turns out. Hopefully I won't come home with a jeri-curl instead!! If someone reading this knows where a good salon for Black women in Japan is located, please shoot me an email or a post.

I'm still not mentally ready to write about my trip to South Korea. All I can say is boy is it good to be back in Japan!!

Mai

Cross Cultural Contamination

I just returned from S.Korea yesterday. I am still in such cultural shock that I don't even know where to begin in describing my trip.




I need a minute...

I have to figure out how to write on this without seeming completely jaded and offensive.


I'll be back...

Freezing My Buns Off in Japan

Okay. It's so freakin COLD in our apartment in Japan!!!

Now... I must say that I have experienced different types of cold in various countries on different continents but the cold that i experience here in Japan is the kind that can make you go crazy!!

It's not that it's so cold outside... but it is so freaking cold inside of our apartment. We have an air conditioning unit that is supposed to function sufficiently as a heating system... but it only stays on for 5 minutes at a time.. in which it turns off. And you have to go walk over to it and double click in order for it to come back on again.

So, if you can imagine. This gets to be very cumbersome when you are trying to go to sleep. But, if you don't continue to get up and double click you run the risk of waking up with a cold!

Poor Mike, he has to wear super warm socks to bed because his feet and legs hang off the edge of our Japanese bed.

Shoot... I wish I could find one of those pajamas like Isaiah's. You know the one-piece pajamas with the enclosed feet that are made of fleece.

Hold please. I must double-click now.

What are we going to do when it begins snowing outside??

Tonight it's 39 degrees.... but I swear I can see my breath and I don't mean it stinks either.

Someone please email me an electric heater!!!

Freezin My Buns Off In Japan,

Mai

Crazy 88's Thanksgiving

Were you a Kill Bill fan?

Wait till you get a load of these photos.

The restaurant where we ate Thanksgiving was like the scene from Kill Bill Vol1 Crazy 88's. When we arrived it was liked walking onto a movie set! There was a river running throughout the bottom of the restaurant with bridges and fish swimming in it.

We ate upstairs in a private room... with about 25 of Mike's teammates and wives/girlfriends. The woman sat together and all of the men sat at the other tables.

When we first got there Isaiah screamed when he saw Andrew Ecker's coat because it has fur all around the hood like a polar bear. It took a while for Mike to calm him down. But... once he was calm he was very happy to see everyone.

We ate Sukiyaki and Syabu Syabu together... and it was very VERY Oishii de su ne! (Delicious)

It was all you can eat and we were stuffed by the time we left there.

We are very grateful to have such an amazing group of friends around us here in Sendai.

Domo Arigato!

Mai

Free Gmail Invites

Hi,

I have about 90 Gmail invites, for anyone who wants a Google email account. Most of my friends already have gmail accounts.... so if you need one send me a message!

The Taxi From Hell

Today I had to go to the mall to pick up some things for Isaiah. Before I knew it... it was 2:55, and Mike's game started at 3pm online. So, I decided to take a taxi home.

Bad move.

I put the bags and Isaiah into the taxt... then the stroller...then finally I sat down. Before I could get in all the way "BAMMMMM"! I could feel the tears begin to well up in my eyes as the pain radiated in my ankle. I told myself "Don't cry... Don't cry. Be strong." The driver looked at me with his mouth dropped open. He began to speak in Japanese. I just put my hand up and politely asked him to stop. I needed a moment. I looked at my ankle... already beginning to bruise and swell.

I said, "Please... take me home" (in Japanese)

If you see an American limping down the street pushing a stroller in the freezing cold thats me.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR KHARI

Dear Khari,

We wanted to wish you a VERY Happy Birthday on Skype earlier today... but I think you were still at school when we called and talked to your mom. So, this is our official Japanese shout out to a very special "young man" who is celebrating his birthday (with class) in China this year.

We love you Khari. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Love,

Auntie Mai & Zaiah too!

What the CRAP??!?! Everything is in Japanese

Okay... this is SO not funny.

Somehow I have triggered our computer to only show webpages in Japanese... which of course creates a heck of a problem for me when I am trying to write a new blog post and can figure out which buttons mean what and the website.

I must figure this out soon..

Yes, I am a habitual blog neglecter. I have had my hands full with lots of work (The Gift and The Curse Pt.2). And Mike's season officially began this week so we had events to attend here in Sendai.

Crazy stalker person is sending me crazy messages to my cellphone once again... even more out of control than before.

And I made the nastiest Udon ever... and I mean EVER. I tried everything to make it taste better... miso paste, seasonings... nothing worked. I will stick to making things I know how to cook... like chicken and okra.

~Mai

Mai the superhero

If I were a superhero, I supposed I'd look like this:

But.... I suppose I am a bit of a superhero on days when I am in family mode and I actually look like this:

Fire Beneath My Rear End

I almost got fired by one of my important clients today.

I've been a bit behind on my work lately, and missed some of my deadlines. He is running an important corporation, so he was not happy about this... to say the least.

So, I tried to resolve the situation and sent him some work. I could tell he was still upset with me, cause he only sent one sentence in response.

"I have read your work and I must admit it is very impressive." end of email

Whew, that was a close one.

Isaiah has been sick nonstop the past couple of weeks. That daycare is like a setup. They must have a thing going with the medical system here. Some kind of kickback based on the amount of kids you send there from your school. So, I have been running a bed and breakfast and an infirmary here at the apartment 24-7. Hence, my work has suffered.

anyway, that's why there have been no updates. But I will scare my japanese scary story soon.

Mai

Fire In My Belly

The Indian food burned, like no other... I sat in the restuarant , tears in my eyes and sinuses wide open, wondering why on earth I had decided to order the daily special...

First of all, I broke rule #1 of dining abroad while extremely hungry. I order something that was written in another language that I don't speak, that was not accompanied by a photo, and was listed as a "daily special".

Now, I happen to have eaten a great deal of Indian food in my lifetime... but never ever was the menu written in Japanese.

But, hey... I figured I was out with my friend... having a great time... why not take a chance. So, we both did. Then stared at each other across the table with tears brimming in our eyes from the heat that was beginning to also make our lips swell... until we burst out laughing.

Unfortunately I don't have a photo of what we looked like... but I guarantee you, I won't be ordering that dish ever again!

Whew!
Mai

A Walk Along Cloud 9- Japanese Hot Springs

Have you ever taken a walk along Cloud 9? Well, two weeks ago I did when I made my first visit to the Japanese hot springs.

Picture yourself stress free and completely relaxed... surrounded by pure serenity and natures most precious scenery. Now, imagine your body submerged in natural, healing, hot water... clean and clear. And one more thing... you are completely butt naked.

I swear I have never felt so at ease in my life. The hot springs made me feel like a pampered goddess. Once I got there, all of my inhibitions were left behind. I felt so comfortable with myself, my body, and the experience that I was about to have. As I peeled away my clothes, I felt like I was taking away layers of stress and preoccupation. I didn't care about anything... all I could do is feel the tension melting away from my muscles.

There is a process that must be followed at the hot springs in order to ensure the natural beauty and effects are preserved. Cleanliness is first, and you are required to shower before entering the hot springs and you are prohibited from taking bathing suits and other items of clothing in with you.

During our visit, the women all went to the outdoor hot springs first. I had no idea of the amazing scenery that I was about to witness. The outdoor japanese hot springs are set in the middle of the forest, and there are lights that illuminate the natural setting. It was a cool evening so you could see the steam rising from your body and the springs. Each area has a different temperature and you can switch springs at your leisure. If you lean against the natural stone you can see fish swimming in the clear river that runs below the edge of the rocks. If you are lucky, you may even spot a deer lapping water nearby. My friend told me about a visit where she saw a monkey in the trees above. (I am not sure if that was so relaxing)

After spending a half hour in the outdoor hot springs, the women were informed that it was almost time for the men's slot to begin. So, we headed indoors to go to the other hot springs.

Just as I thought it couldn't get any better, Part 2 began. This time the area was not as large, but the water was just as relaxing. They had areas where you could just lay back and watch the stars as you soaked and immersed your skin in the minerals. I layed back and thought about the women that had been doing this for hundreds of years...I thought about how I would never go again without the onsens.

After we exited the second set of japanese springs we went inside to the womens room to sit and shower, shampoo, cleanse, and pamper ourselves. Then, just when you think it is over... you go into another set of indoor hot springs for one last good soak. Upon exiting, you don't rinse the minerals... as they are good for your body and well being. You towel down, dress, and leave as radiant and rejuvinated as you could possibly be.

Above you will see a photo of the whole group before entering the hot springs that evening!

Ah... such pleasure and serenity. I will never go without the hot springs again!

A song comes to mind as I reflect on this experience... (smile)

"At first I was afraid, I was petrified,

Thinking everyone would be looking at my backside.

I spent all those lonely nights

Thinking how I'd do it wrong

Then, I grew strong

I let go and went along..."

("I Will Survive Remix by Mai Campbell")

One Happy Toddler.

There is nothing that will bring a smile to my face faster than seeing my baby boy laughing. This picture is a perfect example of what it feels like to be happy!

Isaiah & Iku (and if you look closely you can get a glimpse of mom in the background!)

And yes, I know I am a bit behind on my blogs. Don't worry I have about 10 coming back to back for ya!

Mai

Wind in my face

By the way,

It was extremely windy in Sendai yesterday. Iku says there is a Typhoon coming.

Isaiah doesn't like the wind blowing in his face, so he scrunches his nose up and tries to cover his body from it each time. You can see him scrunching in action on this photo that Iku took! I thought it was funny. :)

Mai