Kudoyama Afternoon

Saturday, August 9 2008

Atsuko & Bill

in

Kudoyama

There were big Dragonflies

There was beautiful scenery
The beetles made an appearance
We enjoyed the cool, crystal clear river
There were many good photo opportunities

Atsuko chilled out,.......
.... played games,.....
..... ate snacks,.....
......caught some Z's,.....

.....and then repeated the process again!



Moss covered rocks

tranquility
Green, green, green



Damselflies like delicately crafted jewelry Mountains Lovers and friends
Looking back

Narrow roads leading homeward

Mr. Lee and Me

This is Mr. lee

He's from Korea.
Mr. Lee is married to a Japanese woman and has been living in Japan for about 10 years.
He's 41 year old and teaches Korean at Wakayama University and privately in his own school. The two of us became friends quickly after we met about 4 months ago. Mr. Lee is a very nice man, and very smart as too!
He speaks Korean of course, but also Japanese fluently and English quite well.
Last Friday (August 8) we had a buffet lunch at アーバン　(Aavan ???) Hotel.
I look forward to having those cold beers with you before I go Mr. lee!
Thank you for everything my friend.

今日の深いぃ話

私たちのブログアクセサリーとして載せてる（ブログの右の方にあるコラム）の中の「今日のエコ」が良かったので、ここに更に載せておきます。明日になると新しいコラムに変わってるし・・・。

*☆*――*☆*――*☆*――*☆*――*☆*――*☆*――*☆*――*☆* ――*☆

今日のエコ

ゴミのリサイクルより前にリユース(再利用)、その前にリデュース(減らす)、その前にリフューズ(ゴミになるものは買わない、もらわない)ことが大切です。また、ポイ捨てするのは自分が社会のゴミだと言っているようなものです。

*☆*――*☆*――*☆*――*☆*――*☆*――*☆*――*☆*――*☆*――*☆

なかなかありがちやけど、いい言葉やなぁ～と思いました・・・。

Good-bye, Jake 。・ﾟﾟ･(≧д≦)･ﾟﾟ･｡ｴｰﾝ!!

８月４日（月）にビルが軽い手術をしました。と言ってもま～～～ったく大変なものではなく。
ビルには、１６歳くらいの時から背中の真ん中にポッコリと２ｃｍくらいの脂肪の固まりがあって、それが段々成長していって、大きなふくらみになっていたジェイク（命名ビルの妹）・・・。
５年ほど前には破裂して家中に異臭を放ちました。破裂後は中の膿が出きったので、皮膚が陥没していてこれで一件落着～・・・かと思いきや、またまた再成長していって、２ｃｍにふくらみ始めました。　ヽ(´o｀； ｵｲｵｲ


Boremoto語でジェイク、正式名・粥腫｛カユシュ｝は、遺伝で発生し、どうやら白人に多いらしい。
つまりは・・・・　通常は皮膚上には程よいアブラが分泌されていて、肌のかさつきを防ぐもの。それが、アブラ分泌の親玉？みたいな皮脂腺の毛穴が閉じてしまって、アブラの逃げ場所がなくなった状態になってしまい・・・　皮下ではアブラが分泌されていってるのに、出口がないもんだからブクブクと膨らんでいく！っていうわけなんですね～。放っておいても人体には問題はなく、５，６ｃｍくらいにまで大きくなることもあるらしい。ビルの場合は背中に粥腫があり、寝てる時とかに擦れることも多く、ばい菌が入り込みやすかったので、５年前の大破裂事件・・・と至ったわけです。


場所が背骨の上だったので、万が一オペの最中に背骨を傷つけて一生半身麻痺なんてなってしまったら取り返しがつかないと思い、決心がつかなかったのですが、私の同僚である堀越さんのダンナさんの寿ちゃんが全く同じ粥腫の手術を少し前にしていて、問題なく成功していたので、同じ まとばクリニックでみごと切ってもらいました。


中の膿を搾り取るだけではまた再発してしまうので、根こそぎ（皮下の脂肪の袋ごと）取ってもらい、４針縫って、無事１０分くらいの簡単手術は終わりました・・・。抜糸まではあと数日ありますが、また後日キモカワ・ジェイクのビフォー＆アフターの写真を載せたいと思いますので、乞うご期待！！　
ｵﾒﾃﾞｯﾎﾟｳ!☆(/ﾟｰ^)♂ﾊﾟｰﾝ‥‥…━━━━☆◎大当り

Taking a Drive With Enomoto San

Last Monday (August 4) after having a fatty cyst on my back (which my sister named Jake) removed, I went for a ride with Enomoto San. Enomoto San has been my student, teacher, and great friend for just about as long as I've been in Japan. On Monday we drove to Katsuragi Mountain. It's about an hour drive to Katsuragi San from Wakayama City, and on the way we stopped at Mekkemon Ichiba Market where we had some Matcha (Green Tea) Ice Cream, and Fresh -ice cold- Peach Juice! I also picked up some fresh figs for my mother in law while there which she has since made into jam!

It's noticeably cooler atop Katsuragi San.
From the observation tower we can see incredible vistas
If not for the hazy heat, we'd be able to see Kansai Airport from here!


Ajisai (Hydrangea)

Backyard BBQ At Keiko's

Yurika & Noriyuki Suzuki

with OHINASAMA (Japanese Dolls)

made by Yurika's 88 year old Grandmother

Yurika's Grandmother made these beautiful dolls and lanterns for Atsuko and I.

It is a going away present from Yurika and her Grandmother.

Thank you so much for these very special hand made crafts ladies.

They will be our treasures for many years to come. We will decorate our own home with them someday soon!

Last Sunday (August 3) Keiko Yoshimura had Atsuko and I as well as a few other former students of mine, to her lovely home in Wakayama City for a summer BBQ. The Yoshimura's yard is filled with ornamental shrubbery, wood crafts made by Keiko's handy husband, and a big brick BBQ designed by Yoshimura san. The atmosphere is wonderful here. We all enjoyed BBQed delicacies over warm conversation with each other!

LEFT to RIGHT;

Back Row: Setsuko, Bill, Noriyuki, Yoshimura san (Keiko's husband)

Middle Row: Atsuko, Yurika, Keiko's Daughter, Tomo chan (Yurika & Noriyuki's son)

Bottom Row: Chie, Atsumi's mom, Keiko, Tai chan (Atsumi's son), Atsumi

Thank you for everything EVERYONE!!

It was a special night which we shall not forget.

Big Spider On Bill

Funky shot huh!

NOTE: There were no computer manipulations used here

I took the picture myself - and without any timer.

I pushed the shutter release button with my finger!

Jose & Ikuyo Sanchez and Bundara

Jose & Ikuyo Sanchez

from Sacramento, California USA

I met Jose and his Japanese wife back in November of 2007

at a bookstore in Wakayama City. Ikuyo san comes back to Wakayama to visit and take care of her elderly parents every year. This time their stay together in Japan is for 6 weeks - Jose's longest time here! They are slowly acclimating themselves to life in Wakayama, as next year Jose and Ikuyo plan to move in for an undetermined length of time as care takers for Ikuyo san's parents. The couple have been living together in California for over 35 years. In Sacramento they raised three children, all of whom have grown up and branched out on their own.

Last Saturday Jose and Ikuyo joined Atsuko and I for lunch at our favorite Italian restaurant, Vabene (TEL 073-471-4618). Together we enjoyed some delicious pasta dishes. Jose's pasta was Shrimp based, while the rest of us had Salmon and Potato Cream Sauce!

For DESERT we all had Brownie pie, Mango Pudding, and Sherbet!

It was REALLY YUMMY

和歌山市黒田にある私たちのお気に入りレストラン・バベーネへ行ってきました。場所は高速インターのそばで和歌山駅の裏あたりです（詳しくはこちら）　アットホームでかわいいお手ごろカジュアルイタリアンです。週末の昼は混むので予約をしておいた方がいいかも。店の雰囲気・価格・サービス・・・どれをとっても１００点満点！　ディナーは豪華でよかったですよ。オススメです　(ﾟ∇^*) ♪

In the evening, we went over to Wakayama Castle where the annual

BUNDARA Festival

was being held.

Bundara involves many people dressed in an assortment of brightly colored outfits dancing, singing, and parading around the Castle!

There are several different Bundara "Teams".

Each has their own dress and dance style.

Those who take part in the festivities range from tots to seniors.

All ages welcome!




Atsuko and Ikuyo san waiting on line at one of the many food booths where they will buy OMUSOBA.
This is simply Japanese Soba Noodles fried with egg - hence the OMU "omelet". It's a simple festival food, but a delicious one!
Atsuko is excited about the noodles she'll soon be devouring!

Kani Doraku with the Girls!

Today after another great lesson with my student and great friend

Shigenobu Enomoto,

I met up with two former students and friends!

My "18-year-old girlfriends"

Yuko san & Chikako san

The last time we were all out together was for karaoke with Greg (Jonny)

a few months ago.

It was great to see my two beautiful friends again and catch up!

The lovely ladies treated me to a CRAB FEAST

at a Kani Doraku ("Crab Mania") restaurant!

We ate crab sashimi, crab custard, crab soup, crab tempura, and crab sushi!

It was AWESOME!!!!!

Thank you so much Yuko & Chikako!

It was a delightful afternoon.

I look forward to seeing you again before I leave!