Texas burger, a family reunion and Hana-Uta

i didn`t get to see them during my short February visit but finally we got to have a reunion today. Akemi and her husband Tsutomu and two cute kids Daigo (5) and Misa (3) and Akemi`s Mother (Noriko`s aunt. she is Noriko`s Father`s younger sister) drove from Suma (Kobe) this afternoon. it was also the first time for them to see Noriko`s Father since last November. he seemed very happy to see everyone. of course i took many photos and video of this family reunion in Minoo but it is late so i am only adding this one. more tomorrow. i am not going to mention why we finished dinner last night around 10pm but i will say tonite went much smoother. i am watching the Hana-Uta music special on NHK and getting ready for bed. oh, before the family reunion Noriko and i ran a few errands and then stopped my Makudo (McDonald`s) for a quick lunch. she had the Happy Set-o and i had the new Texas burger. it was pretty good but i really wanted the new Zenmai Zamurai omocha (toy).

Daigo and Misa

ok, a few more . . .

the newest in Misa fashion

Daigo and i went for an osanpo (walk).

neko neko. Daigo and i saw these cats in a window on our walk. he thought the black one looked a little kowai not kawaii (scary not cute).

for Nana and Alice . . . and Misa too

finally finished watching the Iwai Shunji film, Hana and Alice late last night. i am glad i finally made it thru the whole movie on the 3rd try. i did find out if you are having problems falling asleep trying watching a foreign film with subtitles while laying down. the movie is a little over 2 hours long and not a lot of action but it is a wonderful movie about . . . Hana and Alice. it's on Netflix. check it out. there are a few very touching scenes and quite a few funny ones. i think my favorite scene is when Alice is at an audition for a cover photo for a magazine and is asked if she has any special talents. she says ballet. i think it is on youtube. if i can, i will add it later. now it is time to go to the gym.

i took this little ballerina photo a couple of years ago but can't find the original. i think it was in in color. i scanned in this black and white photo.

___________________________ 8pm

and here is Misa again. i found these photos today while talking with the nice clerk at the camera shop. he says he thinks my Canon dslr is fine. anyways, back to Misa and her "pose".

on my last visit to Suma (near Kobe, Japan) to see Daigo and Misa we went to the beach. for some reason, for some cute reason every time you asked Misa to pose she would bend her right leg in and kind of twist her hip (and of course give the "peace sign"). very cute. i think i have it on video to somewhere.

Misa posing

one more pose before leaving the beach area

and one more pose by a Suma manhole

and why are manholes round?

Daigo-kun and Misa-chan

Daigo in his special yochien (kindergarten) uniform. Misa just being cute as always. i went to Suma this morning and will return to Minoo on tuesday. today was Daigo`s "first day of kindegarten" ceremony. i didn`t get to see the ceremony but he kept his uniform on for me to see when i arrived at his home. Tsutomu-san (Daigo and Misa`s father) picked me up at the subway station just after noon. Akemi (mother) and the kids were waiting at home. more later on the rest of the day, Akashi Park, Uonotana Street and Akashiyaki, curry nabe and of course more photos of the kids and maybe a sakura or two.

Daigo posing for a few more photos for me and his Papa ( for his Tottori relatives).

last days for the cherry blossoms at Akashi Koen.

Daigo and Misa on Uontana Street

Misa and Tony in the car after a long walk to, thru and back around the big park in Akashi. and after walking to and down and back up again the famous shotengai (shopping street). it is amazing how far she can walk and never complains. and most of the time, she and Daigo were holding my hand(s).

kevin no uta (kevin's song)

not sure if this will work but i received a nice "music video" in my email yesterday from my friend Akemi's keitai (cell phone) in Kobe.  the song was written and sung by her 5 year old son Daigo and his 2 year old sister Misa.  you may have to turn down the volume.  very cute!  ありがとうDai-chan and Misa-chan!  ahh, the wonders of technology, the sweetness of youth.

Happy Birthday to . . .

DAIGO turns 4 today.  well, yesterday for him in Suma (Kobe).

this is Daigo and his two year old sister Misa. Dai-chan is pointing to the license plate on the family car . . . his birthday.  i guess they will have to get another car to put Misa-chan's birthday on it.  we had just finished playing in a park near their home on a sunny but quite cool (some  would say cold) morning. i will be adding more photos of them as the days go by.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ! ! ! ! 

Misa-chan and Dai-chan

Kevin, Kevin, Kevin, Kevin, Kevin, Kevin, Kevin, Kevin. i don`t think i have ever heard my name said so many times. Kevin, Kevin, Kevin. i spent most of tuesday going to Suma (near Kobe) and spending the day with Noriko`s cousin Akemi and her almost 4 year old Daigo and his 2 year old sister Misa, and then returning around 11pm. Akemi and the kids met me at Myohoji Station. it was a big surprise for Daigo who has been waiting for me to come to his home. he has called twice to say "hello, how are you? and when are you coming to visit?" both kids were shy for a few minutes and then Daigo took my hand as we had to do some shopping for lunch and dinner (both delicious).
Misa was pushing the cart and had the cutest squeaky pink shoes on. and that is how my fun day began in Kobe. more later. and of course, i took many photos and videos. we also went to Daigo`s swiming lesson. today`s goal was 10 meters. Daigo looked kind of like a fish out of water (in water) but he made it. later at dinner he was so tired from playing with me (and on me) and swimming that he fell asleep (again) at the table holding his chopsticks. very cute (well, until he woke up).

now it is a sunny wednesday morning but much cooler (some would say cold). i think i will stay "local" and check on the autumn colors along the trail to the waterfall. i may try to make it the Minoo Nature Visitor`s Center as they have many momiji (maple) trees there. i will definately watch out for that one particular monkey.

on monday, i stayed home most of the morning after seeing Noriko`s Father off to his Senior Day Care. Noriko and her Mother went out for a few errands. and later Noriko and i went to buy her new laptop. it is complicated (or at least to me) buying a computer here but mainlybecause of internet providers and "protection plans". we actually had to leave the store (PC Depot) to go pick up her Father from home to take him to the dentist and return to complete the transaction later. hopefully it will be available to be picked up on thursday or friday as now she is having some data transferred from her old laptop to her new one. and i am still not sure about how she will access the internet.

Wednesday Update:
Brrrrrr, it`s cold. i just got back from my long walk and finally made it to the Minoh Nature Center after my 5th walk to the waterfall. lots of photos. blue sky and autumn red, orange and yellow. some of my favorite photos will be off the Shiba-chan. he was tied up to the red bridge by the waterfall while his owner painted the waterfall and autumn colors. i took a cute photo of a nice couple with their 4 month old baby. many momiji photos. one monkey photo. and did i mention it is cold. time to get ready for dinner.