- It was with great joy to receive an email in the morning from our YKK contact person who finally got through to the little town of Sanbongi, part of Osaki City.
- In July of 2007 I had the honor being one of two chaperons with six students from Dublin, Georgia to Japan.
- We have already contact since October 1998 and every other year we send students there or we receive students form our sister city Osaki.
- It is such a great cultural exchange and after a stay in Tokyo we went to the north east for a stay with our host families.
- That is so unique, far different from a hotel stay.
- We did lots of sight seeing in the north east area, visiting gardens, shrines etc. etc.
- The usual things one can enjoy in this great country.
- Their courtesy and respect for others, for nature and for life in general is something we all can learn from.
- They are an example to the world. Some negative news by the leftist media in regard to nuclear power plants should be put to rest too.
- If all those people that talk about it and help spread those rumors, would do their own homework, they would soon learn that those levels are not life threatening.
- On a transatlantic flight you get quite some radiation and nobody talks about that.
- Nuclear energy is still by far the cleanest and safest energy there is!
- This is the Miyagi Prefecture (State) with Sendai being the hardest hit.
- Our stay was in Osaki, more inland and that's precisely why there was not much damage compared to the areas near the coast.
- They did not have electricity for one week; that's why they couldn't send or receive emails prior to yesterday.
- View from the Tokyo Tower where we first went on our city tour and harbor cruise. It was rather hazy that day but nevertheless quite impressive.
- Here I am in front of Tokyo's Hard Rock Cafe, with a lady from YKK research.
- We had dinner there and the group had a blast.
- On the roof of the YKK research center in Tokyo before departure by train to the north to our host families.
- Reading from Romaji and my co-chaperon doing the English version, that's how I presented the gifts for the mayor, the chairman of their International Association and later to the manager of the Tohoku YKK plant.
- A dear friend who has worked and lived in Japan, provided me with this text and he did over-hear me before I went to Japan.
- As I'm used to speaking for groups, having been an international consultant and giving training seminars, I didn't need a microphone.
- Here I present the gifts, that I'd purchased at our flagship department store Neiman Marcus.
- They did provide me with their signature gift boxes as well.
- Japanese do appreciate high quality items.
- Meeting my host. By the way, I got introduced as an energetic Mama...
- The Chef from a traditional Japanese restaurant in Furukuwa. I ate whale for the very first time.
- With our boss, my husband and I have eaten several times Japanese at Sumire Restaurant in the Grand Hyatt Jakarta Hotel in Indonesia.
- We both love it very much.
- Eating with chopsticks is no problem for me either as I did that for years in Indonesia, while doing consulting work and living there for about 3 years.
- Japanese chopsticks are only shorter.
- Each of us had to say something about our stay and our experiences, or highlights, at the Sayonara party.
- Also the host family got to say something about their guest(s) as some had two students and even three.
- One last photo with my host family and off we went in the morning, by train back to Tokyo.
- Another adventure was that a Typhoon was striking Japan and our Delta flight was delayed by one day and the hotels in Tokyo were overbooked, so we had to split up our group.
- During the train ride I made up my mind though, that we would depart that very day instead.
- Delta airlines handled it great as we got it done over the phone and by mentioning that I had to get my six minors back home safely.
- The problem was that there were two holidays in Japan, thus flights already overbooked.
- Also the fact that the group would be split up was not something I liked.
- We got out, running to the gate and having to skip lunch but that was okay.
- The Typhoon hit and there was an earthquake with a mini Tsunami.
- Nothing compared with this monster Tsunami... but who would know in advance?
- Parents were all pleased to see their son/daughter back safe.
- I'd emailed my husband Pieter and our YKK contact person who organized everything in the US as far as informing the families.
- My last email read: 'If you don't hear from me anymore; that means we are in the air' and also forwarding our flight numbers to them...
- Back home in Dublin I could present our mayor with the new flag from Osaki as several towns had merged into Osaki City.
- Only one year later, in 2008, we could welcome a Japanese delegation back to Dublin. Under Police escort they are being met at the Interstate (Autobahn/Autostrada) and a big welcome sign is on the overpass.
- Here we are with our house guest; one of the chaperons.
- Together with two other members of the International Committee I did join these Japanese students on a trip to Savannah and to the beach... HAPPY TIMES!
- Let me end this post with this nobel act by Nissan as they donated $ 1,000,000 and will match again the next $ 500,000 in contributions. Here is (was) the link for donating and I hope that many of you will join me! Thank you! ありがとうございます on behalf of our Japanese friends that need us more than ever...
It was such a lovely sunny day and the violets in our wood garden were blooming at its best. So I did snip off several to create some lovely images for you all to share. Not quite the symbol for St. Patrick's day but nevertheless worthwhile to show.
On the balcony, on top of my hand crocheted table cloth for you to enjoy... The French Country Style wooden tableau with violets is for sale at
Spectrenoir ←(click it). Pensez a moi means Think of me...
I've penned a handwritten note to Celeste for
Celestina Marie Desings ←(click it) who has been in the hospital with symptoms that looked very much like a heart attack but the diagnostic was she's cleared now for 95%. Let's pray that it stays that way and that she continues to enjoy good health. Celeste is such an extraordinary artist. See my previous blog about her
here ←click it.
The
925/000 silver Card/Letter/Napkin Holder with 2 Angels ←(click it) is from Giovanni Raspini, Italy. Just click here:
Spectrenoir for buying info.
It is some ten years ago that we got our Exochorda 'Pearlbush' macrantha The Bride from Caroll Gardens in Westminster, MD but they have suspended their business... We do have many garden gems from that nursery. BUT for those of you that will like what you see here; you can get another variety Pearlbush
Exochorda racemosa from
Woodlanders, Inc in Aiken, SC.
- To love a pearlbush takes a special person. One with a beating heart. Yet for some strange reason, few gardeners grow pearlbush or even know it exists. You almost never see it for sale...
- Round white buds, resembling pearls, expand into pendulous clusters of 1" size, dogwood-like blooms. Pearlbush Exochorda ranks among early spring's showiest bloomers. This compact hybrid called macrantha The Bride remains 4 till 5 feet tall. The Exochorda racemosa grows taller.
- This is our compact Pearlbush shrub. To the left you still can see the beech tree with all its leaves still on it. They fill up our woodgarden in winter time as they never get bare! We have added lots of evergreen trees and shrubs but this is a nice color mix.
- As I LOVE pearls, shown here are my Majorica pearls together with the buds from the Pearlbush. There was some wind today so we had a hard time to take these shots with pearls next to the buds... So I did put them on my tea tray for some closeup still life shots. Pieter had this idea to break a few branches off.
- For those of you in the area; Book and Event for a Garden Tour.
