Lots of fun memories

Friends and family are always a huge focus when we are back in Kumamoto. Even if we only had an hour or two together, we always tried to take the time to re-connect.

Masako and Manami, Michiyo's former co-workers, loved Hiro!

Quick story: Michiyo finished high school, then graduated from Japanese junior college, and started working at an insurance company. These two women, Masako on the left, and Manami on the right, were two of her co-workers. Manami had kids and a family, continued working and has moved on from the insurane company. Masako and Michiyo were not happy with their jobs. They talked to each other about their dreams. Michiyo wanted to live abroad studying English, and eventually be a Mom. Michiyo ended up studying for two years in Eugene, Oregon, before returning to Kumamoto with very good English, eventually became a Fingerhut, and now lives in St. Louis, Missouri. Masako quit, and worked in a cafe for a while, then decided she wanted to open her own dessert shop. Within a few years, she OPENED UP HER OWN CAKE SHOP. She actually made the cake for our Japanese wedding on 11/20/04.

This picture was taken in 2006 when we visited. I love the name: Please cake shop

Masako and Michiyo: two girls who pursued and captured their dreams!

Michiyo's sister, Masae, works at a company in Kumamoto that provides cleaning kits for offices. She had told her co-workers about her new nephew, and they all wanted to see him, so we went by for lunch one day.

Hiroki was like a magnet in Japan. After the weekend spent in Nagasaki with Michiyo's relatives, one of Grandpa Minoru's brother's decided to visit us in Kumamoto (that's about 3 hours, one way). Uncle Hitoshi is Minoru's younger brother, and lives in Nagasaki city with his wife Yoshiko and two daughters, Mikki and Akiko. When they joined us on the orange farm two weekends before, Miki did not join them. So they wanted Miki to meet Hiro and me, plus they all wanted a little more Hiro time. Uncle Hitoshi likes to fish for squid, and every time we have a barbecue, he provides the most incredible, fresh, deluctible squid, and I always let him know I enjoy and appreciate it. I cannot believe this, but they visited us on a Saturday--Uncle Hitoshi TOOK FRIDAY OFF WORK so he could catch squid and bring it because he knew I like it. Unbelievable.

Miki (big sister, in white) and Akiko (holding Pooh-chan, the Pomeranian) are Michiyo's cousins; the last time Michioy saw them before this trip was more than 10 years ago. Akiko met Hiroki in Nagasaki, and Miki got a kick out of him on this day.

Big Lebowski, anyone (PG-13)?

Dude: You brought a Pomeranian to Kumamoto?

Walter: What do you mean, "I brought a Pomeranian to Kumamoto? He's not taking your turn, he's not eating your basashi, he's not holding your Hiroki."

Back to the blog. . .

Happy times. Who's that tall guy?

Most of my friends from JET and my time in Japan are gone. One good friend who remains is Jason Wians. He runs his own English school, teaches classes at a high school, runs his own wedding business, and has a brother who sings the blues. Jason and I spent the same three years in Kumamoto, and shared lots of good times. Jason is your prototypical, larger-than-life Texan, and Minoru LOVES him! We spent a lot of time together during this trip, and right before we left, the Wians family joined the Ishizuka's for another special dinner of Sukiyaki.
Jason married Maki last year, and they recently welcomed Randihma Ryou into the world. She is adorable, and has a Texas-size voice all ready.

Clockwise from bottom left: Keito (Maki's daughter), Satomi (Michiyo's old friend), Jason holding Randi-chan, Minoru, the Fingerhuts, Chieko, and Maki (Jason's wife).

Let's enjoy the happy time with each self!