Aquarium Visit

I have been looking forward to getting out and exploring Japan with Kaiya for awhile now. I chose to visit Enoshima as it has plenty of attractions to include an aquarium--perfect for Kaiya. It's roughly 2o miles West from the house, but if anyone knows Japan you don't drive a car long distances but take mass transit as it is easier and often times faster. Reason: no freeways and parking is limited or non-existent (there are few toll roads but can be costly). So we drove the 25 minutes to base to drop off the car in a designated spot, then took a 30 minute walk to the front side gate, which was closed. Had to head to the main gate and by this time I was exhausted and took a 7 minute taxi ride to the train station (otherwise it would be another 20-30 minute walk). We boarded the train for a 15-20 minute ride in Kamakura, got off so we could transfer to an Electric Train to take us to Enoshima.

As we were headed to the other platform Kaiya found ice cream and naturally wanted some. It was noon by now and we hadn't eaten lunch so I said no. Meltdown #1 commenced. She stomped her little foot, cried very loudly as I removed her from the plastic 3 foot ice cream she was clutching and dragged her toward the platform to where the rest of the Japanese passengers were staring at us. For the next 10 minutes I tried to blend in and pretend nothing was wrong as Kaiya was practically screaming.

15 minutes later we arrive at Enoshima and walk for another 10 minutes toward the beach. I make my way to Enoshima Island as I'm under the pretense that the aquarium is on the island. We walk for another 7 minutes, while I'm coaxing Kaiya to walk too (she's not listening at this point). When we make it to the other side of the bridge she sees ice cream again--you know where this is going. Meltdown #2 commences. I'm a bit frazzled and tired at this point and thinking where is this freakin' aquarium. I drag her up a crowded street where the people are now parting like the Red Sea to make way for me and obnoxious Kaiya. I spot a map and cannot find the aquarium. I ask a woman and show her my handout for Enoshima Aquarium she shakes her head indicating it is not on the island and starts using hand gestures to where this place is located. She has me follow her back over that bridge and hands Kaiya candy (I'm assuming to shut her up). By the way, only in Japan can you take candy from a stranger. You just have to be here to understand. The kind lady points to the left of the bridge and I say thank you in Japanese.

It's been about 10-15 minutes now--Kaiya is still crying but it's teetered off to a whine. We finally FINALLY make it to the aquarium and Kaiya is now an angel. I feel like I can relax and enjoy the reason why I came out here--to do something fun with Kaiya and bond with her. We had a great time seeing fishes, jellyfish, crabs, penguins, seals etc. She was having a ball and I was enjoying watching her be so excited. She listened very well and was genuinely interested in Marine life as I am. We finally sat down and had a snack (ice cream), since she was being good. We still didn't have lunch at this point--the snack bar ran out of sandwiches. Oh well...there was another snack bar at the end of this aquarium.

After eating our ice cream, we headed over to the dolphins to watch the show. It was another hour until it started and I thought we better get seats now or else we won't be able to sit down. I sat in the 4th row toward the right middle and let Kaiya run around the stadium. 40 minutes into waiting Kaiya is at the top of the stadium (10 more rows up) yelling down: MAMA! I pooped my pants!!! Oh my God! I'm mortified but thankful that pretty much everyone who was seated at this point didn't understand her. Then there was--do I get up and lose my spot that I waited so long for? How do I save this seat? I did the desperate--I left my purse on the seat--Once again-only in Japan can you do this--and headed up to get Kaiya and head toward the bathroom. So she pooped her pants--I'll just put the pellets in the toilet and it will be fine. Until the big surprise was that she had the runs! Can this day get any worse. I did the best that I could to get her panties off without spilling--but of course a little dripped down the back of her pants. I took them off and threw the panties away, cleaned her up, cleaned the spill on the back and walked right back to our seat to watch this stupid show. I was more determined than ever to enjoy this aquarium! So she smelled a bit, but whatever...I didn't come this far to be driven back home in tears of frustration. I should mention that prior to us sitting down we did finally eat...I think I ate a hot dog in a tortilla but the picture of this food was next to a dolphin---you know at this point, I didn't really care if I was eating Flipper. I was sunburned, tired, frazzled and in much need of a sedative, so I ate the hotdog without question. I have to say it was delicious. Kaiya loved it too.

The show was worth it and Kaiya was mesmorized. Now it was about 4:30 pm--time to go home. We did well getting out until we hit the Aquarium store, which is conveniently located right before the exit. I let Kaiya look around for 5 minutes and started corralling her toward the door. The minute she stepped out of the store Meltdown #3 commenced. At this point I want to drop her off at the local CPS. We walk, she cries back to the train station. Another woman with two kids stops me to give me candy for Kaiya. Do you have anything for me I'm thinking? Tequila?? Aspirin?? Kaiya asks me why people are giving her candy. I told her flatly that it's because she's crying and they feel sorry for me. So now Kaiya is calm...that is until we actually arrive at the station.

Normally we let her put the ticket in the machine, but this train was about to leave and I had to run to it, so I put the ticket in the machine: Meltdown #4. OMG I'm never going to get home in one piece!!!! Thank God, the lady we were sitting next to started playing with Kaiya. She reached in her purse and retrieved shells for her. As she's going through her purse my eyes were scanning for a little bottle of alcohol....I was seriously looking forward to a glass of wine when I got home. Kaiya's happy again while this woman spends the next 15 minutes playing shadow puppets with her. And I was able to chill out for a bit.

We get off at Kamakura to get a transfer to Yokosuka--I forgot about that damn 3 foot ice cream-Meltdown #5. I have no patience left and silently drag her to the train platform. We take the train to Yokosuka, a taxi to our car, and make the drive home where she is finally asleep. It's about 6:30pm now and I just can't wait for that glass of wine. I pull into our driveway and hear the most disturbing sound of metal ripping. I reverse the car and pull back in. It wasn't until the next day I saw what happened. I put a dent in the left side of my white car and had a six inch scrape above it. I didn't care---the half bottle of red wine soothed all my aches and stress the night before.

I'm sure you are all thinking that I will never venture off again with Kaiya on my own, but no---I will not be so easily defeated. We are going to a Street Fair in Yokohama (30 minute train ride) this Saturday. I will destroy any 3 foot plastic ice creams along the way.

Athletic Kaiya and daycare

Kaiya is showing athletic talent but her attention span is nil. She's signed up for soccer, and to her defense I do find the 45 minute session a bit beyond what 3-5 years can do. I mean asking these kids to do soccer drills like throw-ins, kicking, dribbling in and out of cones, kicking on goal for 10 minutes at a time is asking a lot. She just recently stopped peeing her pants and I'm trying to get her to stop picking her nose--you want her to dribble in and out of cones and then shoot at the goal? Good luck! Basically, Kaiya will do the drill for maybe two minutes and then she's bored or refuses to continue. They don't even scrimmage, which I know she would love. She just loves to be free to do what she wants--running, kicking the ball, playing with the kids and not being told how to do it or when to do it. I guess she's like me.

I really don't get the need to make little children practice sports professionally at such an early age. I was hoping that it would be a bit more--fun. We'll dabble in every sport--basketball is next, then T-Ball. Whatever interests her we'll try to participate. Dancing for now is a no-go--too structured for her and I spend most my time yelling at her to pay attention. If they had Bohemian dance I'd be the first in line to sign her up--but they don't.

Kaiya started at her new daycare this past Wednesday. She was there for about 3 hours when I went to pick her up. As I walked into the room, she caught my presence and starting yelling, "NO!!! I don't want to go!!" and then proceeded to run away and hide. I was mortified. I'm trying to greet the teacher, sign her out, while keeping an eye on her whereabouts. The layout of the room is partitioned in rooms and as a result creates many places to hide-thus blocking my view. As I'm running around the room, calling out her name, little children come out from what seems nowhere to let me know that Kaiya is gone--that she already went outside. It's like a scene from "Children of the Corn", except these kids were cute and you know, I didn't have that creepy 'I'm in danger' vibe. WHAT?! She's outside! Then I look up as I see another little boy trying to help stuff Kaiya into a closet. Oh my God! She's enlisted the aid of her friends to create diversions and aid in her escape. How does she rally up these tots on her first day and in less than three hours?! I have a devious mastermind for a child! At that point, my embarrassment turned into laughter--this was beyond hilarious. You know most parents have children that cry when you leave them. Mine cries when I pick her up. Where did I go wrong?

Happy Grandparents' Day!

Happy Grandparents' Day to Didi, Grandmommy, Great-Grandma, GP, Meemaw, Omi and Poppy. Thank you for all your support and being the best Grandparents to Kaiya. I just want you all to know that it took me an entire day to get this video to work....had to learn how to cut, edit, save, add movie clips to get it to size. Glad I'm stubborn!

Adjusting to Japan

Wanted to give you all a visual on our home. We are truly blessed to live in a lovely house. As you will see I still have a ways to go with cleaning up. Our Tatami room (room with all the boxes) will be used as our storage room and guest room for any of you who would like to visit--hint hint ; ). I promise that all the boxes will be removed! Upstairs I'm still organizing Kaiya's playroom and our office. Need to find shelves to put away her toys (as well as being sneaky and getting rid of them!). Don't worry--I'm getting rid of my things too. It's a family affair this downsizing business!

Living in Japan has taught me to live simply because if you don't you won't have a place to store your things nor will you be able to throw away what you bought because they have a strict trash code here. Unpacking our stuff I quickly realized how much "junk" we own or things we thought we needed but don't. We don't have a garage, we don't have utility closets, we don't even have counter space in the bathrooms or kitchen. Living within your means, having things you really need is how they live here, and I really like that approach and am trying to embrace that life style.

Japan is very good about their trash--you don't waste. There are limited to no trash cans in public places like you find in America, because they are trying to conserve the wastefulness. At home I have to categorize my trash into four bins: Burnables, plastics, recyclables, and junk. Trash is taken out five days a week according to the category (burnables get twice a week). The categories can get tricky at times, I'm still trying to figure out how to throw away razors and which bin it goes into--so usually those items I can't "throw" away goes into the base trash. They have only two categories or there are trash cans at the park that are a free for all. We're not suppose to bring in outside trash, but I sneak it anyway--I feel like such a criminal!

I'm trying to start a garden outside with Rosemary, onions, and garlic along with an assortment of colored tulips that should bloom in April. I have my basil and parsley indoors due to the change of season. I'm praying my garden works as I don't have the green thumb like my mom and sister. I seem to have the knack to kill plants vice keep them alive as you will notice my orchids in the living room are dying. Anyway, if it all works it will give us fresh herbs and vegetables for cooking and give me the chance to expose Kaiya to gardening (even if I'm not good at it). She loves donning on her Dora gloves, digging in the dirt, and helping me water the plants but her attention span lasts for about 10 minutes if that.

Getting around the city, basically outside of base, is becoming easier for me. Yet, I still find myself trying to get use to the culture. Even trying to park your car at the grocery store can be daunting. Take for instance my recent trip to the store, I bypassed a row of cars "parked" on the street and turned into the parking lot when a loud honk blasted behind me. I turned around and realized my mistake instantly. In America it's a free for all, everyone goes in and drives around until you find a spot. Not in Japan. You wait in line and when there is a free spot you drive into the parking lot--and that's why I was honked at--for not knowing this courteous rule. I felt so embarrassed and backed out immediately---I still don't have a grasp on the Japanese language but I'm very familiar with Sumimasen or translated as "Excuse me"---I use it all the time. In fact, I plan on getting a shirt with that phrase on the front and back because I'm getting tired of saying it. I could resort to a tattoo on my forehead but my vanity and the Japanese culture prevent me from doing so. The Japanese culture sees the tattoo as taboo (a sign of being in a gang)---they will kick you out of a waterpark/public swimming pool if you have one visible--so the shirt seems most productive and viable.

Well, one day I'll learn more suitable Japanese and hopefully won't make a spectacle of myself, but then again my partner in crime (Kaiya) won't exactly make that easy for me. Until then I will be able to entertain you with even more embarrassing stories.

Tokyo Disneyland

Kaiya took some time to dance to "Let's Go Fly a Kite" from Mary Poppins.

Tokyo Disneyland

Count Kaiya the luckiest girl on Earth as she's been to Disney World, Disneyland Anaheim and Disneyland Tokyo all within a three month time span. Her luck was more out of coincidental opportunity vice overzealous parenting.

We wanted to get away, spend some quality time together as a family, as well as do something fun for Kaiya. That's how Disneyland came to mind. We were very fortunate to go on a day where it wasn't crowded and where a three year old was not in a cranky mood.

Due to low volume of people Kaiya was able to visit and take pictures with Cinderella and Prince Charming (who was rather cute and I wanted a picture with him), Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, The Fairy Godmother, and one of Cinderella's Mouse friends. The line for Winnie-the-Pooh and Mickey Mouse was ridiculous, so we skipped seeing those characters. The Japanese love Stitch, Mickey, and Winnie-the-Pooh, so anything associated with those characters we avoided.

Disneyland Tokyo is pretty much like Disneyland Anaheim, except they do have a few less rides. Kaiya loved Toon Town a lot, and we were able to ride the roller coaster there. She also enjoyed Tom Sawyer's Adventure Island where we pretty much let her loose to run around anywhere she wanted. The great thing about Japan is that you don't have to worry about kidnappings or unscrupulous individuals. Children at the age of five will ride the trains to school by themselves. It's an amazing sight to see. Plus, Kaiya sticks out so I'm not worried about losing her.

At the Toon Town playground she made a friend and I watched amused that even though she didn't know the language she could still influence this Japanese kid to follow her around and do what she wanted. Matt and I call her the "Politician" for three reasons: 1) her ability to try to negotiate out of things Matt and I instruct her to do, 2) her creativity to "blame" her imaginary friends for things she did and 3) her influence over other children. She is something else and she knows it. During a short snack break at Tokyo's Train Station some Japanese adults were smiling at Kaiya and saying how cute she was in Japanese (I know some words and could figure out what they were saying). Without missing a beat, empty of emotion she flatly states, "Mom, they like me.". That's our Kaiya.

Needless to say, Disneyland was a great escape for all of us considering what we went through--escaping reality and delving into a world of childlike wonder is good for the soul every once in a while.