Wild Things on Festive Eve

This, dear fans, is Mummy's interpretation of the instructions for a costume which came home from school with a week's notice.
The theme of the evening was variations on Where the Wild Things Are, by Maurice Sendak. Mummy was freaked out enough at the idea of trying to recreate one of those monsters, but no, I had to be, and I quote, a "girly monster with a 1920's Jazz theme".
!!
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Well this was me.

Lisa's new sister Marika seemed impressed by the whole thing.

The Dream Catcher chorus rang out.

And soon it was our class' turn.

Me and Moto made quite a couple, don't you think?

Mummy's friend Aunty B came to visit us for a week, and she came to watch my show too. Thanks Aunty B for coming, and for making these great cakes to share with everyone!!! Haha!

A Weekend with Fluffy

Our class has an extra member. He is Fluffy the dog. Everyone takes it in turn to bring Fluffy home with them, and then report back to the class what Fluffy did during the weekend.
This weeked he came to Koi. We decided that Fluffy might like to join us on a walk around our neighbourhood.

He liked the fake flowers near our house, and the fried egg outside a local restaurant looked tasty too.

We hope he enjoyed our hospitality.

The Spirit of Christmas

On the weekend between visitors, we went to Diamond City for the long awaited Wall-e, at he pictures. It really was quite enjoyable, even for the big kids in the audience!!
As luck would have it, we just happened to be there on the day that the Saniku High School kids from Miyoshi were there doing their annual Carol singing in the mall. Now you know I'm the biggest heathen out, but I do love Christmas, and always was one for the Carol service on Christmas Eve, albeit with a few cocktails inside to warm me up! Japan's Christmas spirit has improved over the years, but this is one of the few events that actually manages to bring a homesick tear to my eye. Not only does it take me back to my own high school Christmas Carol singing for charity days, but the collection for poor kids in Tibet at the end is one of the rare acts of charity that I see here. Mairi definitely benefits from at least one chance to think about people other than her good self at this time of year, so I'm glad we happened to be there.
Not only that, they put on a damn good show!

More farewells....

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Well, so far the current worldwide economic slump has not affected me too badly personally - let's face it, I never had any capital to lose... However we are feeling it's indirect effects here in Hiroshima. Hiroshima is home to the headquarters of Mazda, and as such we have had a few friends who have been here as part of the Ford/Mazda partnership, particularly at Weechan's school. Unfortunately, with Ford selling all its interests in Mazda at the end of last year to try and keep afloat, a few families we were just getting to know better, suddenly had to depart. Thankfully they still had jobs to go back to, so are better off than some, it seems, but we were sad to see them go just the same.
So it was, on a particularly beautiful Autumn day, that we headed off for a Sunday walk around Mitaki temple for a final outing with the Darwicks, who to my eternal shame, I still owe a dinner. In this small world, I doubt it will be the last I hear of them, rather the biggest shock of the day was that I had never before been to this haven of beauty in the city I have lived in for 8 years, until they invited us along. What a gorgeous place!
Thanks D Family, and good luck back in the new land of promise!?

Illuminations, Thanksgiving and Farewells

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November also sees the start of the annual illuminations on Peace Boulevard here in Hiroshima. Every year they seem to be laying out a little more on the display and it really is becoming impressive.
The 3rd week in November brings American Thanksgiving, and we were lucky to be invited to the Mangham house again this year for Turkey and a lot of people to be thankful for knowing.
The very next day, Ganny and Fi left us, and the fashion show headed to Osaka for the final farewells. It was all too much for us, and we spent the next morning passed out in the airport hotel room before heading back to a lonely Hiroshima.

The Advent of Fi, and Autumn Beauty in Hiroshima

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Well as an "unexpected" birthday bonus, I was pleased to entertain my sister for a couple of weeks in November. It is never as relaxing and "sit about in cafes" as we'd like, but it was great to have her here for the ups and downs of that couple of weeks. We did manage a nice facial and lunch; and Shukkeien and Miyajima were in their full glory for her viewing pleasure. Sorry for the endless slideshows, but there realy are too many to upload one by one in a oner. Oh well, less scrolling for those who don't want to see them.

A day in Onomichi- Betcha 2008

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Speaking of Culture, the 3rd of November is always the Betcha Festival in Onomichi. Bring your small child and have them bashed on the head for good luck, and bitten by a lion-dragon for good health, and generally scared sh****** by the whole experience. No seriously the whole town is overrun with screaming children and laughing parents. Definitely worth a visit under the seeing is believing heading.
This year we took the lovely G with us, who was utterly traumatised by the whole experience, and refused to even get into the melee. Weechan, this being her 3rd time, declared she was not going to cry and was actively going to molest the four demons until they banged and bit her to her satisfaction. This she achieved with flying colours for the first time. Don't worry G, everyone is terrified the first time.
The gelato from Dona and feeding the horses went some way to making up for it I hope!

Fun on the Veranda with Granny

Now just why were they all laughing?????!!!!

It seems a long time ago now, but when Granny was here it was still warm enough to go out on the veranda for afternoon tea.

Weechan found her new hobby as Family photographer, taking all our best sides.

(We miss Granny's washing skills...)

Not be left out of any photo shoot...

What's the caption for this one then.....?

School Culture Festival

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The beginning of November is culture time in Japan. November 3rd is a national holiday called Culture Day, and schools all showcase their cultural activities for the year, open wide their doors and let the world in for a couple of days. My school is no exception and it is always worth dropping by if you're in the city centre.
My girls really are la creme de la creme, and if their choirs, bands, orchestras and dance performances aren't enough for you, the food is definitely reason enough for a visit, cheap, delicious and served with a smile!
This year I took my Mum along, and she had a great time singing along with the bands and trying weird and wonderful new foods.
Well done girls! It's always a pleasure to see how talented you all are, even if it's not at English for some of you!!

Cafe Ponte

Just a meaningless aside amidst all the catching up. Me and Weechan went out for an Italian breakfast this morning. You have to love a place where you get a bunny with your free extra cappuccino! We love Cafe Ponte! All you Hiroshima people, get down to Peace Park and try it out!