Wishing you a Merry Christmas and Tremendous 2024

The Rising Family™ had a delightful hybrid holiday season, blending tradition with a touch of travel adventure.

Our home in Yokohama sparkled with outdoor festive lights, and this radiant Christmas tree flanked by Santa's two resident helpers set the stage for our traditional photo moment. However, this year, we craved more than just the familiar festivities. We longed for the twinkle of Yuletide lights and warmer outdoor temperatures. We snapped this photo early before we took our Christmas holiday on the road. Our greatest gift this year was the chance to explore southern Vietnam, bask in its warmth, and connect with its generous and welcoming people.

Although our location changed, the holiday spirit was paramount. We engaged in online calls with family in the Great White North and experienced the joy of Christmas Day at the beautiful and renowned Tan Dinh Church in Ho Chi Minh City.

Wishing everyone peace, joy, and a heartfelt Joyeux Noel. Here's to an amazing 2024 ahead!

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Seasonal Serenity: My pen pal Rob

In 2023, a year filled with an overdose of unfortunate events and bad news in the world, I'd like to share a partial antidote through a heartwarming personal story. Let me take you back two decades when I worked as a contract employee in a government office in Hiroshima, handling inbound phone calls from English-speaking foreigners. Despite the language and cultural barriers, these calls often led to fascinating and unexpected conversations.

One such encounter was with Rob A., a retired gentleman from California deeply passionate about Japanese culture and peace promotion. Although Rob is a pseudonym, the events recounted here are entirely true. Our first telephone conversation was spurred by his inquiry about his city's peace promotion delegation visit to Hiroshima which also revealed Rob's captivating storytelling and genuine interest in diverse subjects.

As a retired businessman with a rich background in multinational companies and stints in Latin America and Asia, as well as membership in the Adventurers’ Club, Rob had a remarkable ability to share his life experience. Our first call, lasting about two hours, ignited my interest in his fervent opinions on life, peace, and squeezing the most out of life.

After that first chat, our sporadic correspondence through email led to exchanges of opinion, occasional disagreements, and an evolving pen pal friendship. Despite having no direct connection to my work or personal life, Rob offered insightful comments based on whatever I’d been writing about in the Rising Daughters blog or about international affairs in emails, and he expressed genuine interest in my family's endeavors.

A few years passed and our exchanges touched on various aspects of life — from his overseas work experiences to my adventures in new fatherhood. Rob, an unrepentant Baby Boomer, occasionally hinted at feeling too old to travel outside the U.S. At one point, he shared plans for what he considered his "last trip" to Japan. Seizing the opportunity, I offered to take him on a personalized tour of Hiroshima, an offer he accepted.

Our virtual friendship came to life during his visit. Meeting Rob face-to-face felt surprisingly familiar, like reuniting with an old friend. The photo above captures a moment at one of my favorite viewpoints of Miyajima, overlooking the Seto Inland Sea. It was a fine day, and I knew he genuinely appreciated the hospitality and the view.

I hope Rob reads this. (As far as I know, he is still alive.) He is a good human being with a thirst for life that is infectious. When I was considering how to bring a bit of holiday cheer to this blog, I thought that an account of this pen pal exchange across time zones and generations would be fun. I suppose the recipe of folksy advice and common interests were what left me smiling whenever I read one of his pointed questions or while crafting my responses to him. It was a kind of gift of knowledge and experience. It is a nice memory for me and reflects the spirit of Christmas in many ways.

Keep on keepin’ on, Rob!

Scenes of the season

Sometimes it's fun to capture the normal activity that happens during the seasons with simple, everyday pics. Here are two...

September

Last year, at Lady E's Culture Day at her high school, Naomi and I weren't given license to do very much (like meet her friends, or enter her classroom!) due to teenage angst about potentially embarrassing parental behaviors.

One year later, her attitude toward her parents magically changed, and I was even allowed to snap a photo with her!

October

I was able to see more pro baseball games this year than in recent years. The Summer Game extended well into the autumn months for me. This photo comes from a game between the Yokohama DENA BayStars and the Hanshin Tigers. The Tigers won that game and went on to win their first Japan Series championship in 38 years. It was still hot under the sun!

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Family Flicks: My Movie Musings

The Rising Daughters™ are growing up and becoming more independent, as it should be. I marvel at the unique individuals they're becoming. Naturally, as teenagers they are developing their own interests and personalities. As parents, Naomi and I've learned to respect their choices. (Or, in my case, not ladle out too much “old people” scorn.) I am glad they’ve discovered hobbies and tendencies that make their heart sing. But it's easy to miss those days when the kids would just go along with whatever activity we thought was the right thing for them and their social development. 

This is especially true when it comes to movies. Long gone are Disney flicks and Dr. Seuss videos. Our Netflix personalized recommendations are all very different and reflect our personality quirks. So how to choose a movie to see at the movie theater becomes an issue—and an opportunity for family time. Family movie nights are a tradition that keeps us close, a ritual that has become even more cherished as the kids grow up.

Choosing which movie can sometimes be a challenge, but it is also part of the fun. We attempt to take turns, and it's interesting to observe Lady E. or the M. debate the merits of a particular movie and try and persuade the rest of us to see it. Would they rather see these movies with their friends? Probably. But their friends won’t provide transport and buy the snacks.

Thus, we have developed a habit of family night at the movies where we choose the movie through compromise, common purpose and restraint. This preserves our mini-civil society.

Early last summer we saw “Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning.” It was a no brainer because a blockbuster starring Tom Cruise rarely disappoints. There’s something for everyone there but nothing too naughty for teens. 

Later, during the relentless heat and humidity of July, I convinced Elena to come with me to see “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” by bribing her with window shopping time before the movie, paying for her ticket, and lunch of her choice with the option of popcorn. However, we’d neglected to carefully check the movie showing date and time and we were thwarted by not paying enough attention. Zoinks! Ultimately, Lady E. still got her lunch and shopping, but I went to see the movie by myself a week later. What will be, will be.

Here's the thing: “The family that goes to the cinema together stays together." There's truth in that statement. The laughter, shared snacks, and post-movie chats about the plots or startling scenes have entertained us and helped sustain us as a family. As my daughters continue to develop and explore their interests, I'll cherish these family movie outings. It's a reminder that even as the Rising Daughters™ become more independent, our family will always have a special place for stories, visual spectacle and togetherness.

Fini

Blue Jay Way

Screen grab credit: TSN

The MLB postseason is one of my favorite times of the year. This time around, I was glued to the showdown between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Minnesota Twins in the American League East Wild Card Series. This is the third time in four years that the Jays have made the WCS. Each time the Jays were swept by the opposing team. In Game 2 of this WCS, the Blue Birds pitcher, José Berrios, was tossing a great game with no runs given up against his former team, the Twins. Then he was yanked for no apparent reason and departed the mound with little visible emotion. Why take him out? The Jays ended up losing the game, 0-2, and the series. Déjà vu.

Screen grab credit: TSN

They say numbers don’t lie but what about the intangible qualities of players? Moneyball-type performance analytics deep dive into statistics for players’ strengths and weaknesses. But can you rely solely on mathematical models designed for a 162-game season when the pressure is on, and it is do-or-die? Computer models can’t measure courage, emotion, gut checks, or a person’s character. A manager’s instinct, intuition and experience still matter when it’s crunch time.

Credit: Blue Jays Today

The postgame controversy got me thinking. Sure, José Berrios should have stayed in. He was pitching very well, and no runs scored against him. Why pull a pitcher who is clearly dealing bullets against his former team and who knows their strengths and weaknesses? What was the psychological impact on the Blue Jays players...likely bewilderment and surprise which no doubt impacted their focus. Pulling Berrios also might have emboldened the Twins because they know how skilled and competitive he is. How do you measure that?

Out of the blue, I had a random thought: what would Bob Ross think of this situation? The frustration from fans and commentators is understandable. Blue Jays management and supporters want to see the team advance and win, right? But then it hit me: some perspective. Do I see this WCS as a glass half-full or half-empty? Am I an optimist or a pessimist? In this case, I was neither. I channeled my inner Bob Ross and thought of his “happy little accidents” that happen while painting. For him, the process of creating art was just as important as the outcome. He encouraged his viewers to find joy in the creative process and derive happiness from the entire experience rather than only the outcome.

I’m not a philosopher, and baseball is just a game. I decided to filter my reaction not by the Blue Jays’ loss in the WCS, but by how much I have enjoyed the baseball season so far in 2023. I saw four very good Japanese pro baseball games this year at ballparks with friends, family and co-workers in Saitama, Hiroshima, and Yokohama. I viewed a few Jays games on MLB.TV. I am happy.

Photo credit: The Japan Times

What’s more, the Hiroshima Carp are still in the playoffs.
For the Jays, there’s always a new season to look forward to.
In this moment in time that’s enough for me.

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SuikaMan's Summer Lament

Summer is officially done. Over with. Kaput! Autumnal Equinox Day in Japan was on September 23, 2023. Locally known as "Shubun no Hi," this day signifies the sun's southern crossing of the celestial equator, signaling the transition from summer to autumn. So be it. Still, in spite of this astronomical milestone, often the thermometer in Yokohama stubbornly reads 30 degrees at midday, though the air feels less humid. Howzat?!

Even as the warmth lingers, I can't deny that the hardcore, intense summer heat is finally behind us for the year. As the autumn leaves start to dabble the Yokohama cityscape with vibrant color, I find myself bidding it farewell. And so goes my honorary title--SuikaMan. My daughters semi-sarcastically dubbed me SuikaMan because of my watermelon obsession. "Suika" means watermelon in Japanese. It isn't uncommon for me to devour watermelon for breakfast or indulge in multiple suika popsicle treats. 

Credit: Starbucks Corporation

I even succumbed to the temptation of Starbuck's overpriced watermelon-flavored Frappuccino--which, I must admit, was quite tasty.

There were the annual unmistakable signs that summer was fading.
First, the symphony of cicadas serenading me to sleep in August faded into the distance, marking the end of the Sound of Summer.

Then, weeks ago, convenience stores stopped sales of Suica Bars, those sugar-fruity ice bar delights shaped like a slice of watermelon. I have earned a reputation among local convenience store owners as the crazy foreigner who would buy their remaining stock of Suica Bars at the first hint of the seasonal end of sales of these magnificent creations.

Thus, it is that time of the year when I take off my watermelon crown and contemplate wearing pants again on weekends.

I had one last hurrah during a recent trip that enabled me to savor the steamy heat and the luscious tastes of summer. One more fruity feast before the chill of fall clutches me in her chilly embrace.

Lucky me!

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Elena's World Vol. 6 Part 2

Welcome to Part 2. Let's continue our peek into the mind and the world of Lady E.

Silhouette from The Beaches in Toronto

Can you recommend any TV shows or YouTube videos that you like right now?

I like listening to Billie Eilish songs. So I'd recommend her music videos on YouTube because they are entertaining as well. Lana Del Ray, too.

What's your first memory? What can you remember? 

Maybe not my first memory but a memory from long back when I think we went to Guam. We were waiting for a bus at a bus stop. And there were lots of ants and then Marina squashed one of them and started crying. I remember that. And we went to a convenience store after that. I think we bought hairbrushes with Disney princesses on them, and Marina got Arial. I bought Cinderella. Later we switched hairbrushes.

What is the best gift you have ever received?
The best gift came from my two friends; they gave me the same type of box and when I opened them. There's another box inside and in each box there's like different gifts. It was trending.
And then from my parents… maybe the gift is moving to other countries. Because I got to experience a lot of things. Yeah, that's not a physical gift, but it's a lifelong gift. I got to travel a lot.

What's the worst food in the world? In your opinion?

Fried scorpions? In Thailand there's was a dude selling bugs. All five bugs were narrow like grasshoppers. Mommy ate one.

If you could time travel to any year in the past or in the future, which year would you choose? And why?
Maybe to the 18th century in Europe because all the buildings are nice and beautiful. And I like it that the people are wearing dresses and nice clothes now…it's the culture. Like in France or even like Spain or Germany. Somewhere in Europe. Even London where Sherlock Holmes maybe supposedly lived.

If you could keep any animal, real or imaginary as a pet, which animal would you choose?
A dog because I really like dogs, especially golden retrievers, and great pyrenees. But they're both really big dogs. So I don't know if I'll ever get to have them as a pet. But if I could, I'd probably like to have a dog.

Do you think aliens exist? And how if they did, how would you explain Earth to them?
At first I didn't think aliens were real. But there's a lot of galaxies out there, stuff like that. Space goes on forever, apparently. So I mean, there must be some other species, I think. And if I could explain Earth, I just say I mean it's a place where people were born and they made it into a place that they can live and just enjoy the lifespan that they have, which lasts about 100 years.

What five items would you bring with you to a deserted island and why?
A pot so I could boil water and maybe matches or a lighter. Maybe some of those astronaut foods. Or food pills or whatever, like the ones that have all protein. So I can live. Also, pocket WiFi and an iPhone so I could call for help.

If you could create any law that everyone on Earth had to follow, what would it be?

Doesn't apply to everyone? Because only powerful people in politics can make laws. Anyway, don't make war? Because that's stupid. Countries have wars over oil. We need oil, but I think it's stupid to have a war over it. So I think let's stop wars.

Now that you're in high school, what is one thing that is different from your junior high school experience?

In junior high school, I had to take all the classes with no choice on which classes I took. I had to take math and science and just every subject with the people in my assigned homeroom class. But now that I'm in high school, my homeroom class and each class are different people. Now, I can choose the classes I want to take and I'm not gonna take math or science. I'll take classes that are more like international relations, kind of so like the international foods class last year. This coming year, I'm gonna take a class where we talk and discuss contemporary world problems. You get to take whatever class you want, based on what you want to do in your future. And I think it's more flexible now compared to junior high school. And we get to wear makeup and dye our hair and wear normal clothes, no uniforms, at my high school. It's kind of an unusual school.

What kind of music will you listen to in the future?
Right now, I listen to Billie Eilish, Doja Cat, Conan Gray, people like that. I listened to some Japanese groups before when I was in junior high school, but they didn't really suit me. So I don't think I'll be listening to those in the future. I think I'm still a huge Billie Eilish fan because I've been listening to her music for like four years now. And I still like Taylor Swift because I've been listening to her since my childhood. And, I don't know…I think I'll discover more artists. I like pop music. Maybe I'll grow to like different genres like rap. Or new pop music like more new artists that I discover when listening to the artists that I like.

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