Parking Garages and Japan Trips

We were in a parking garage the other day, and I told John that underground parking garages always remind me of going to Japan, because we would stay in the Hilton and leave our car in the garage. The only other parking garage I ever went to when we were little was the one at the mall, but it didn't have that same echo and parking garage smell.

Other memories of Japan trips? Leave comments!

Obaachan Advice

I found a list I made of items of advice that Obaachan gave me one summer when I was staying with her.

• It is better to have friends that don't live too close. Neighbors can snoop and know your doings, so they don't make good friends.
• Don't lend money. If someone is asking for money, it's because they don't have any, so they won't pay you back.
• Don't marry someone too tall. It looks funny. Better someone about the same height.
• Don't marry someone with a long face. A little face is better.
• Half-Chinese, half-Japanese children are the smartest.
• Don't cut your nails too short; they'll bleed and they are hard to heal.
• Roll your clothes up to pack them. More will fit. That's what Motoyuki does.
• Fold your clothes up and hit them before you hang them to dry. They won't wrinkle that way.
• Run clothes through the washer one or two extra times to get all of the detergent out.
• Don't go for the #1 guy in class, because he'll have a big ego. Go for the #2, because he's still smart but won't think too much of himself.
• Marriage isn't fun. Don't look forward to it.
• Save money. Then you will be happy.
• It is best when the whole family lives close by.
• When you are a big lawyer, hire your mom to run the office. Give Eimi and KJ jobs too.
• Don't let animals sleep in your room. Their hair will get stuck in your throat and lungs.
• Don't eat greasy foods. They'll make you fat, and they'll raise your cholesterol.
• Don't go for handsome guys, because they think they're good-looking. Better one that is a little bit homely.
• Don't tell a guy that you like him. Just find a chance to pay him a compliment.
• Don't walk around barefoot in the house. It will make childbirth more difficult. If you always wear your slippers or socks, the baby will come right out.
• If you go on a trip, always bring back presents to your teachers. They may not show it, but they will like you for it.
• Be polite. People will like you if you learn to be polite, and will be offended if you don't.

Words to live by...

Bored on a Flight.

Since people will be heading to Japan soon, I thought I would share a boredom buster, compliments of my 15-year-old self. I give you, crusty bun man (distant relative of An Pan Man).

When Keishi was born, picture version.

You can read Keishi's blurb here. In this edition, we actually get to see Mom in labor! She is looking rather perky, don't you think?

Mr. Kermit himself.

And these pictures are labeled as being later the same day. Is that true mom? He is looking a little too big and too awake in those bottom photos to be less than a day old...

When Meg was born, picture version.

Mom's description is in this post. There is all of one picture of Mom expecting me, and she is not showing her belly =)

Brand new:

I might look a little like Daddy in this one.

August 4, before being discharged:

Ramada Inn

Mom and Kathy's adventure at the super-trashy Vallejo Ramada this week reminded me of staying in the Ramada and other local hotels when we were little. I remember at least once when Mom and Dad picked us up from school with our bags packed and we went on "vacation" to the Motel 6 or Solvang or some such place. It was always really exciting to get to go swimming and hang out in the "fancy" hotel room.

Anything to add?

Three million...

Remember Mom and Dad used to promise that they would pay us each a million dollars if they ever got divorced, and that they would never be able to afford it? I am curious as to how that came up. It always made me really happy though; I'm grateful for the security I always had in their marriage, even when everything else was crazy.

Aunt Wilma's Chair

The other day I was pretty worn out, and was rocking Luke in my Aunt Wilma recliner that Kathy passed on to me.

I got thinking about how much Aunt Wilma would have liked to know that I was rocking my babies to sleep in her chair, how she would have held them and cooed over them and loved them. And then I felt like I was getting a big hug from Aunt Wilma.

Special memories or stories from Aunt Wilma? Add a comment or write a new post!

When Meg was born.

For baby number 2, Meggy, Daddy and Obaachan ordered me to stay at Obaachan's house starting a week before I was due. It was a broiling hot summer, with little or no air conditioning, and rain every day, so I was prickly heat from head to toe.

The Saturday before my due date, I had an appointment with the OB where I was told it would be at least two weeks before I had Meg. After a really good cry, Eimi and I headed back to the Shinjuku area, and I called Daddy, who met us and took us out for a nice bowl of hot curry and to see the new movie, The Empire Strikes Back. We took the long way home via bus, and the instant I entered the house I happily went into labor.

3's Company

Being a sibling trio worked out well for certain things. Our dance, for example, cannot be replicated with two or four. Also, our system of laying on each other's backs in the back seat on road trips. Remember that? 

Down-sides to being a trio? Somehow I was always the one in the middle with two people laying on me =).

Does this trigger any random memories for you guys?

Playing on Polk Street

Okay, I really want to get this started, so help me out here. When I think of Eimi, KJ, and myself on Polk Street, I mostly think of playing outside while Grandpa watched TV. And, for some reason, I always think of summer when I think of Polk Street. A few things that come to mind (additions please!):

-Splashing in the plastic pool and laying out in the back yard.
-Riding bikes all the time (also, the month I wasn't allowed to ride after my appendectomy; torture!). We were always trying to do tricks like standing up on the seat.
-Roller skating (also trying to do tricks).
-The one time a cherry grew on the cherry tree, and KJ ate it, then later Mom said no one should eat it because who knows what they had sprayed on that tree.
-Lots of "prunes" from the "prune trees."
-You never wandered into Muffin's corner of the back yard if you wanted to keep your shoes clean.
-One time I secretly planted some pumpkin seeds back by the shed and was super excited when they started to grow. I don't think we got any pumpkins though.
-When the house was for sale, Mom made us put up the tent in the back yard and play out there so that we wouldn't mess up the house.
-Running from the living room into the TV room and flipping over the back of the sofa.
-Lots of judo throws onto the couch.
-Setting up a "car wash" in the front yard, which meant two of us crawled along the walkway, and the other sprayed them different ways with the hose.
-Lots of running through the sprinklers and washing the car.
-Going for walks with Grandpa and Muffin.
-Jumping off the triple bunk beds in Rosie's room.
-Summers at Paul Nelson Pool.
-Listening to reruns of All in the Family, I Love Lucy, and other Nick at Nite shows emanating from Grandpa's room.
-Playing hide-and-seek with Muffin.
-The ice cream man.
-Being excited about getting to mow the lawn with Grandpa.