One by one, we saw the faith healthier and she said, "no -- no evil spirits". Umm, that was nice to hear. I asked our guide if any tourists ever have evil spirits when they see the faith healer and he said, "Oh yes ma'am they do". Such an interesting process to learn about and experience. Ever since speaking to a Mexican faith healer in my nursing grad school class, I've been a bit obsessed with faith healers.
We so loved visiting this island. Rather amazed at life there also. The island was roaming with turkey, chickens, geese and dogs. We also saw a goat and a pet monkey, which the kids loved.
I've never experienced an airport quite like the one in El Nido, Philippines. Let's just say that it's pure magic -- from the red carpet airplane exit to the Love-Dream-Adventure airport pickup to being greeted by a guitar player and four ladies singing to the food buffet while waiting for your luggage to the open-air baggage area that features a small wooden sign to the stunning landscape. Yep, pure magic.
I so love her birth marks. She has the beautiful mole that graces her collarbone and the purple birthmark, which we thought was a stork bite at birth, but then it never went away. It will always be Sky's unique and special purple birthmark.
She is beautiful, strong, hard-headed and wise. She has skipped all the (public school) middle school years being home schooled and my friends often comment on how mature she is. I think it's because she's been mostly drama free these past few years. I know how lucky she is, to have avoided middle school, and I think she does too. As tough as some home school days are, we are both uber grateful for the opportunity.
With only 1-1/2 months remaining in Japan and only being home two of those weeks, I'm getting pretty damn emotional at the thought of leaving this country. And well, I can't help but think that seeing this rainbow on our drive home from Osaka, after spending the weekend with our dear friends Chie and Ritsy, was such a gift. Luckily, I had Sky in the car to take the photo through the windshied as I drove on the toll way.
Translation:
Work is work
Every day is a cheerful day
There is nothing I cannot do
I am willing to do it even if I do not like it
All I know is to move forward
I am so amazingly powerful
There is nothing that I do not know
I will teach you whatever you want
I will give you anything you want
My favorite thing is work
To suffer
leave the suffering to me
Let's enjoy ourselves
-- Kan Kawai
Just a very small few of the Torii gates at the Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto. Even though we weren't able to hike to the top, due to the cold, rain and having no umbrellas, I was absolutely blown away by this historic wonder. Typically there is one Torii gate at the entrance of a Shrine. Here, there is an estimated 10,000 donated Torii gates, in all different sizes, dating all the way back to 711 A.D.
The view of Takatsuki, Osaka, from the 20th floor apartment window.
Seeing Mt Fuji will never grow old. I'm still in awe that we climbed Mt. Fuji last year. I'm so grateful for the photos and video that I have to remember the experience. And of course, our stamped climbing sticks and the frame that Steve cut and will put together once we are back in the U.S.
The Japanese take their dogs very seriously. The temperature drops a bit and they are in sweaters. It sprinkles and they are in rain coats. We see some folks in our neighborhood religiously walk their dog daily, no matter what the weather. Some people walk their dog by carrying their dog. And there's pride in the type of dog you own with statues, stickers, signs, etc. proudly displayed around the house. But the Japanese also are meticulous about picking up their dog's poop and spraying the area, where the dog peed, with water (yes, they carry little water bottles with them). Most Japanese have a dog tote bag that accompanies them on their dog walks.
She saw a loom project on Pinterest and remembered that she had a loom; however, she did not have the needle for the loom. So she got creative and made her own needle with a straw. So damn clever, if you ask me.
"One second, that's all you get."
- Ryder
How have I not photographed his room in the 2-1/2 years we have lived here? In my defense, we don't really spend any time upstairs other than to sleep. So yea, today I photographed his room and I'm happy.
P.S. Steve made Ryder this bed and book shelf, from scratch, when Ryder was 18 months. Pretty sure I'm going to send Ryder off to his first home with this same bed. Partner beware.
Being on the brink of our move back to the US, I'm getting quite sentimental about documenting our surroundings and all we have come to appreciate about living in Japan. Our house, in the city of Zushi, is one of those things. While living off of base had it's fair share of challenges, honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way. I so have appreciated living within the Japanese community and I adore our neighborhood.
