Oha yo gozaimazu

After school and swim lessons today, Rynn, on her own accord, sat in front of the refrigerator to practice writing her Japanese letters. Since Christmas, the Japanese seems to have really clicked with her and she is enjoying both writing and recognizing the Japanese characters. I'm still trying to figure out how many alphabets are in Japanese. I do know that in the early grades the children learn the phonetic alphabet (Hiragana, I think), and in the later grades they learn Kanji which has symbols closer to the Chinese characters.
The Japanese/Sesame Street alphabet
Below, Eleanor works on her shapes and gives me the hand.
And for some more daily updates...

Oha yo gozaimazu! And so ends the extent of my Japanese. Four months of struggle and I finally have "Oha yo!" (which translates as a polite way to say Good Morning). I realize that my kindergartner Rynn has quite passed my foreign language skills as she giggles at my attempts to speak Japanese. "No, mommy, that's not how you say it." At a birthday party last Saturday for a classmate she thanked the mother in Japanese! The Japanese mother smiled and responded to Rynn and Rynn understood her. I'm so jealous.

Eleanor is thriving at preschool. My only wish was that it was more than two mornings/week. She loves it. They are studying puppets now, and her favorite activity is putting on a puppet show. After making a monkey mask and a cap, my little thespian acted out the old classic CAPS FOR SALE. I don't know what we would have done without preschool for Eleanor this year. Her social energy is endless. Everyday she asks, "Who can come over and play today?."

Inauguration Thoughts

So, like most, I thought yesterday was a pretty amazing day. I'm stunned that over a million people descended upon DC. Wow. There is so much to say, so much to process, and so much to hope for. One of the things which stood out to me the most (and was pointed out to me by an NPR correspondent) was the 'peaceful transfer of power.' I got to thinking about how amazing this aspect of our country's government really is, and suddenly I'm back in the fifth grade learning about the balance of power! But, truly, it really is remarkable that two men with such different views can shake hands and within minutes a new leader is at the helm of one of the most powerful nations on earth. Throughout history and even today wars are fought in order for another to take power. That it can be done peacefully and gracefully is an awesome thing. I remember why I wanted to be a history major, why I am thankful to live here, and what I hope for my children's future.

To my family living in DC...post a comment and tell me what it was like being there yesterday (or did you wisely escape town?).

Hope Presbyterian's First Membership Class!

For my friends and family who are faithfully supporting and praying for us out here in Portland, I thought you might enjoy seeing some pictures of Hope's first membership class which was held yesterday in our living room. It was an exciting step in the life of our church.

Below is Pat Roach, head pastor of Hope, walking folks through some of the basic cornerstones of belief for Hope.

All those random chairs we've accumulated from garage sales along the way came in handy!


Afterwards, a few people journeyed up to Rocky Butte- a highpoint in the city about two miles from our house- where on a clear day you can see Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Hood, and downtown Portland. Brrrrr...it was sunny but cold.

Hanging together and enjoying some Portland SUNSHINE.

Rynn sporting my first ever Ebay purchase- a brand new Land's End coat I found for $15. I'm feeling pretty proud of myself. That little white bump in the distance is Mt. St. Helens, missing its top after exploding in the eighties (I think?).

Eleanor says, "Brrrrrrrrrrr. Good thing I'm still wearing my PJs."

Muddy Boots and Green Sidewalks

Oregon winters and the things I:

LOVE

the rain

moss growing on the sidewalks & trees

quiet evenings to read, write, or cuddle

the moist smell of the forest in our local park

hot yoga

DON'T SO MUCH LOVE

the rain

mud everywhere

dog poop on my sidewalk that isn't Jake's (OK..I'm a hypocrite)

dark at 4:45pm

the funky smell in my car

BUT BEST OF ALL...(for today anyway)

And the award winner for today for things I love in this city we call Portland is my library. I've always loved libraries, but my love affair has gotten steamier since living in Multnomah County. Today, Eleanor and I returned a stack of books and movies, got a new stack of books and movies, ate free apples, AND I picked up a brand new fresh copy of THE STUBBORN TWIG by Lauren Kessler. This book is the 2009 "Everybody Reads" book for our city. Free copies are stacked in the library for the taking (and keeping) as well as book clubs, discussions, etc...all over the city. And what makes it more fun is it is a book about three generations in the life of a Japanese American Family, so there are lots of other activities for kids surrounding Japanese culture. All this is sort of exciting since our almost six year old is speaking Japanese every night at dinner, and I'm feeling a bit out of the loop! So, anyway, I love my library.

Rynn ponders a new building toy from Grampa Bix. Tis the season for indoor activities in the evenings.

Our neighbor Gabriella reaches for a card in a cutthroat game of Memory while I finished dinner upstairs. Even Jake got in on the fun in the basement....he is also enjoying his only piece of furniture on which he is allowed in the house. I knew that floral print wing back would be good for something!

Jake says, "man, I'm tuckered out from watching these guys play cards...oh, and chasing my tennis ball about four million times."

January, 2009 TO DO LIST

-finish those thank you notes
-finish the gingerbread cookies and green and red icing that is still in the fridge
-organize my desk
-play on the floor more and color more pictures
-walk Jake
-GET MY BLOGGGGINGGG MOJO BACK!!! I've lost it and I need to find it. Maybe tomorrow. The camera is coming on our mundane Monday errands. Maybe some grand thoughts will too.
Adieu.