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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Elena's World Vol. 6 Part 1

Here we are, embarking on the sixth installment of our periodic interviews. I am once again capturing my eldest daughter's evolving world in her own words. These conversations stand as snapshots, summing up her thoughts, feelings, activities, and ever-unfolding perspectives on life. 

Join me as we delve into the chaos and beauty of her present. Lady E.'s fantastic NOW. 

Can you tell me a little bit about yourself these days?

School summer break just ended. I started going to school again last week and I have just been hanging out with friends lately. I'm doing pretty good, I think. 

What's your favorite subject in school? Tell me about the best project or activity you've ever done in that subject.

Probably a subject called "Kokusai Shokubunka" which basically means "international foods." We make foods from different countries. Every single time I have to read a report about it, and then we make foods from different places. We're doing Asia right now. And we have done Thailand, China, Korea and places like that. There's not a specific food preparation project, but it's different countries every time we make food, and that's pretty fun. 

If you could outlaw one thing at school, what would it be?

Probably the exams that I have four times a year. I don't think we need them for the first semester and the second semester. Only two exams are enough! I don't think we need four in a year. I think that's a bit too much. So kill it.

If you could wake up tomorrow, fluent in two other languages, which languages would you choose? And why?

I'd probably choose French. I don't really have any other one that I want to learn to speak. So maybe French only because you can use it in a lot of countries, and I studied French last year. I quit it this year, but I studied it a little bit. So I think it'd be cool to speak French.

Not Spanish or Chinese? No. 

What do you think is the most important personal quality in a teacher and why?

If a teacher cares about the student, I think being nice is important. Each student has different problems, and their own life, so I think every teacher could just be nice and adjust to each student. And like, you know, think more about the students. That's a good thing in a teacher.

What's something you're really good at in school?

English class, because I lived abroad and I speak better English than most of the other students. And I'm also in the advanced class for the two English classes that I have which is essay writing and just English debate. And there's about 150 students. I'm like top I'm at the top 18 people in that subject.

Besides English. What is the second thing you think that you're really good at?

I guess the international foods class because I get to cook. Yeah, I can use a knife. Because some people aren't good at that. It's true.

What makes you a good friend?

I think I care a lot about my friends. That's a good thing.

Do you think social media helps make or maintain friendships?

Yeah, cuz you get to text them a lot when it's summer or winter break. You can talk to them even when you're not around in person during long breaks, so I think it helps you maintain friendships. But I mean I think social media helps some people make friends online. But I personally…I don't make friends online. Instead, I maintain friendships that I already have.

How would you describe yourself in five words or fewer?

I think I'm energetic. I talk a lot--I'm talkative. And sometimes I'm pretty negative. I am in the middle between introvert and extrovert. There's a word for that… (Ambivert - Ed.)  I think I'm like in the middle. Also I think I'm pretty emotional whenever it comes to studying and stuff. Also, when I have to move to new places--I don't really want to leave the place I am living in because I don't want to leave my comfort zone.

Who is your personal hero? And why?

I don't really have a personal hero. I respect many people, but I don't think they're heroes. Okay?

Stay tuned for Part 2...

The future is…hot. Al Gore was right.

The summer sun blazes on as I write this. I'm compelled to reflect on the heat that has enveloped us. It's not just any heat – it's record-breaking, unprecedented heat. Why dedicate a post to this scorching topic? Let me offer two reasons:

Credit @Eric Lee / Paramount Classics

1. Al Gore was right. The 2006 documentary An Inconvenient Truth featured Gore detailing the threat that global warming poses to the Earth, and the scientific consensus on its future effects on our lives.
2. July was Earth’s hottest month on record.

Gore's warnings about the impending threat of global warming were no mere speculations. Scientific consensus supported his assertions about the dire consequences of climate change. The reality is here, and it's demanding our attention.

July 2023 was steaming. In fact, this past July was the hottest month ever documented across the globe. Climate scientists reveal that it might stand as the hottest month in over 120,000 years. 

Credit: Matt Palmer

Extreme weather events – from scorching heatwaves to devastating floods and wildfires – disrupted lives worldwide. July holds the title of the hottest month in the northern hemisphere. When coupled with the re-emergence of El Niño warming of the Pacific Ocean, temperatures soared to unprecedented levels. The impact of human-induced climate change unquestionably compounded the problem, resulting in more frequent, intense, and enduring heatwaves like we've seen this summer.

Here in Japan, Tokyo experienced its hottest July on record, featuring an extraordinary 13 days of temperatures surpassing 35 degrees Celsius. August 5 witnessed temperatures soaring to 40 degrees in Fukushima Prefecture, marking Japan's hottest day this year. This alarming data paints a clear picture – our world seems to be turning into an oven.

Yet, even in the face of such depressing challenges, there's room for optimism. Recall the ozone layer crisis of the 1990s. A hole in the ozone layer, created by chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), prompted international cooperation. The Montreal Protocol successfully halted CFC production, showing that if we use our heads we can combat environmental threats collectively.

Yes, the world was a hot mess this summer. Yet we possess the potential to rewrite this narrative.

I think we can. I hope we will.

More on M, Episode 6: Part 2

Presenting Part 2 of the interview with our recently minted teenager, who is eager to discover more about...everything.

What makes you happy about the way the world is now?

It's changing a lot. And there's more technology so it's easier to do things.

Are you worried about climate change--you know, the Earth is overheating, too much plastic in the oceans, that kind of thing?
Not really. Like, I'll probably die by the time the Earth melts.

Do you believe there are aliens that live on planets beyond Earth?
Yes.
Why?
Well, first of all, I think that the Earth is just like a small snow globe. You know, the one you shake with snowflakes in it. Yeah, that's us, a toy for aliens, in a snow globe sitting on a cabinet. Okay, so like there's lots of aliens that keep us in a small snow globe. [Smiles mischievously] So we're some alien’s pets. We entertain them. We're like hamsters.

That's an interesting way of looking at it. All right. Next, sort of a serious question: what makes you sad about the way the world is now?
There's still animal testing for makeup and skincare products. I'm sad because animals die because of me.

Okay, so will that make you want to give up using makeup or eating meat?
No, I'll just use cruelty-free makeup.

What goals are you trying to achieve these days?
Getting better grades at school.

And how are you doing that?
I'm studying a lot. I go to a study group at cram school. Almost every day. Even though I'm busy with track. So, I'm studying hard.

And why, all of a sudden, do you want to study harder than before?
Because I realized that middle school is a lot different than elementary school. And the tests are a lot harder. And your grades will get you into a good school, or not, in the future.

What are your favorite social media sites?

I like TikTok and YouTube.

You've got an Android phone--what apps do you like?
Line. Because I can use it to message with my friends. I also like Shein for online shopping. It's really cheap, and there's a lot of cute clothes in it. You can get anything.

Do you have a favorite historical person or celebrity that inspires you?
Not really.

So who is the coolest celebrity for you?
Doja Cat. She's a really good rapper.

What about a sports star or politician?
I don't know any politicians. No favorite sports stars. I don't care. Okay?

When you compare basketball and track & field, which one is more difficult?

Basketball is more difficult because there's a lot of running. A lot more running. And it's also more fun. Track is good, too, but I just started, and I haven't gone into any competitions yet. But with basketball, you work together as a team and it's really fun when you get a basket and you win. Yeah--it's satisfying. So basically I like the teamwork.

Is there teamwork actually in track and field?
No. You basically just fight within yourself. Sometimes it's good though…

Maybe that's one reason why you're studying harder, because you're more disciplined? You push yourself.
Yeah, I guess so.

Do you think you're a good person?
Um, I guess so. Yeah.

And what makes you interesting for other people? Why do you have friends?
I've been to lots of other countries before age 10. My friends ask me about it.

And what about your experiences or language? Do they ever ask you about English?
Well, like they don't really ask me because they know I can speak it.

Overall, do you think you are nice or mean?
It depends on the person. My attitude depends on the person. I’m normally nice but mean when necessary. Yeah.

How many people do you consider real friends? Truly, really good friends?

Most of my friends. But the closest ones I have are four or five really close friends.

Are they mostly at school or on your track team?
They're mostly from my old school or on the track team.

Are you getting along with your sister these days?
She's kind of like in a bad mood because of exam season, but I tried to avoid her. So normally yeah, it's fine.

This question is how would you describe your relationship with your big sister? Is it's okay, or you avoid each other? Or maybe in the future you'll get along better or what? How do you feel?

As far as I know, after listening to my friends and their little sisters and their conversations, Elena and I are honestly not that bad. I see my friends and how they act with their little sister or brother, they can be super mean. So, compared to them we’re like, no problem. Parents overreact.

How about your relationship with your mom and me?

These days, you're really annoying. You always ask me to do stuff when I'm busy. But I guess you’re fine.

Do "they" give you an allowance?
Yeah, they do. But "they" make me work hard for it.

So they're pretty nasty parents then!
Yeah, yeah.

And these days, what do you want to be, when you grow up to be an adult?
It changes a lot. In the past two years, it's changed to two different things. I started with flight attendant. And then I wanted to become an independent businesswoman. And then it changed again. And now I'm back on being a flight attendant.

Anything else you want to say to yourself? That do you want to say to your future self?
No. I mean, "I'm good. "

The End

The Big Diverse: Celebrating Canada Day

I tend to be extra patriotic on Canada Day because I've spent so many of them outside the Great White North. Doing so does lends perspective. Nowadays, I have been thinking about the country's great experiment with immigration and how the resulting diversity is building a stronger country. And, I think, there is an aspirational element that is truly optimistic and could become a beacon to the world of what the collective future can look like. So don't muck it up, Canucks!

In a world grappling with declining birth rates and aging workforces, Canada stands tall as a pioneer, boldly betting on a massive new wave of immigration to fuel its economic prosperity. During the 2021 Census, nearly 1 in 4 people counted were or had been a landed immigrant or permanent resident in Canada, the highest proportion since Confederation. With the population recently surpassing 40 million for the first time ever largely thanks to immigration, growth shows no signs of abating. This immigration-positive approach allows us to establish a distinct international presence, independent of the shadow cast by our larger neighbor below the 49th parallel,  a.k.a. "South Canada."

One of Canada's defining characteristics lies in its vastness and its welcoming nature. Except for the Indigenous peoples, we all come from somewhere else. We are a young country, bursting with potential and untapped possibilities.

While our geography may suggest a diverse nation, the overwhelming public support for immigration is striking, especially from my overseas viewpoint. Most Canadians understand that embracing newcomers not only strengthens our economy but also enriches the very fabric of society. We cherish our core values of inclusivity and acceptance. I believe diversity is not just a checkbox to complete, but a source of strength to be celebrated. And it makes Canada more interesting.

Credit: Global TV or CBC TV?

Canada is opening its arms wide. We have space. And the right attitude that recognizes contributions from new Canadians enrich our lives and pave the way for a brighter future. And that recipe could be an example that influences the way the world evolves in the years to come. All this makes me proud to be Canadian.

Happy Canada Day!

More on M, Episode 6: Part 1

Nearly two years have passed since our last check-in with the younger Rising Daughter, the mighty M., who recently entered her teens. Teens develop profoundly over the course of two years, and that can be stressful. In this latest Q&A, we delve into the changes in the life of this spirited young lady. For more on her thoughts, trials, and triumphs, read on.

Marina's elementary school graduation ceremony

How have you changed in the last two years?

I want to grow my hair longer. I had it cut short two times; it's short again, which is good when it's hot weather. I like it the way it is, but I also want it longer.
I am now in middle school. That means I had to stop playing basketball for the local team, but I am now on the school's track and field team for distance running. I wanted to try a new thing, and it's fun and healthy.
My school subjects are a lot harder now and I need to study more. Plus, I have some different friends I hang out with at my new school. I also have a new morning routine because the time when I need to leave home for school and classes and stuff is later.

What are your favorite clothes these days?

I like big, oversized clothes. And I also like overalls with longer jeans.
I really want Nike Dunks but they're really expensive. So I think I'm gonna save up for it.

Why do you like the word "supercalifragilisticexpialidocious"? How did you learn it?
I like it because it's very long and it's the song from Mary Poppins. No--I just I saw it on TikTok…not TikTok. I just like, I don't know where I saw it first, but I really like that word.

Any new hobbies or sports?
Like I said before, I am doing long runs during track practice. I wanted to try something new. And I like it. But I think I might go back to basketball when I get to high school.

What's your favorite ice cream/or candy?
I like Super Cup Banana Chocolate. And I still like Green Tea flavored ice cream. And then for candy--chocolate. Small chocolates. And gum.

Who is more fun to hang out with, boys or girls?
Really, Dad? This question again? Okay…it's still girls.

What's your average day like?

I study.
[Editor's remark: I think that's bull****.]
OK, it depends on the day. Yesterday, I studied for four hours. And I didn't do anything else because I had a test today.

Okay, so you're studying. If you have big tests, you study a lot, but if you don't have big tests, what is your opinion about studying?
I don't think you really need to study. Why do it? Because most of the stuff you learn at school you're not going to use in the future.

Tell us about the new middle school experience. What have you learned?
The first big tests were really hard. I didn't get good grades because I didn't know how to study the right way. In elementary school, it wasn't that hard. So I studied hard for the recent tests, but the way I studied didn't work well and I got bad grades. Not "bad", but not good, either. It was harder than I expected, and that's the tough thing. One good thing is I joined track, and I got to try something new and it's fun.

What books are you reading lately?
I'm re-reading Geronimo Stilton. But I want to get more new books because that one was boring.

Classic "self-care" pose in springtime

What’s your favorite thing to do these days?

I am into self-care time. And I like to FaceTime with my friends on the Line app.

What would you like to say to your future self when you’re 21?
Learn how to study, then study hard to get into a good college.

In what place are you happiest?

In my room in my bed, because it's where I sleep, and I like sleeping.

What is your greatest challenge now?
Finding a new way to study for tests.

-- Stay tuned for Part 2 --

Smackdown Sisters

The Rising Daughters™ are squarely in the Teenage Girl bracket now. The telltale signs are surging hormones, evident young womanhood, experimental makeup sessions, and helter-skelter moods. A side effect of this stage of life is…sibling rivalry and sister smackdown fights. I'm talking about psychological drama, people.

Lately, Lady E. and the M. often antagonize each other for various reasons. One cause of conflict is their diverging taste in music. The younger teen has developed a fondness for pop music choices heavily influenced by TikTok memes. The older, more urbane sister is obsessed with brooding Billie Eilish and Lana Del Ray tunes. Competing for airtime when we're together as a family creates some strife. Invariably, I invoke some form of democratic compromise in what music we all hear--and enforce it. The aftereffect of that is nasty words muttered with disdain between the sisters. Then everyone whips out individual smartphones, earphones inserted, and peace ensues. Everyone does their own thing. Sad, but at least it's music without rancor.

Another battleground is selecting what TV shows to watch. In bygone days the girls could enjoy some common shows, laughing at silly sitcoms with wholesome, PG-rated life lessons. My teens have detected that scam and their viewing preferences have evolved. The remote control has become a coveted prize, with both of them vying for dominance over the living room entertainment center. The remote control sparks more grousing and competing for screen time. Often a Parental Peacekeeping Force (PPF) will invoke a ceasefire and police the remote, and keep the two warring factions apart.

Same thing with clothes, which have provoked fashion fights. The Rising Daughters are almost the same size now. You'd think two closets would yield some sharing options. Yet closets are a minefield. Daughter #2 leans toward colorful and quirky ensembles, while Daughter #1 prefers a sophisticated and demure fashion sense. Yet they both tend to want to borrow my T-shirts and ratty old pullovers. Usually at the same time. Competition and scarcity equals danger.

Privacy is a foreign concept to Marina. Except when it's her privacy. She *had* a habit of barging into her older sister's room unannounced. Whether it's to "borrow" a favorite top without permission, or to seek a missing pair of socks, her disdain for boundaries sparks epic feuds. And many slammed doors. Preceded by sharp words and warnings, Lady E. counters with commando raids to get her clothes back when M. isn't there.

Food is sustenance, but snacks are more important than life. Both daughters have a stash of snacks we tolerate but try to moderate. In general, meals must be almost the same for each daughter. Otherwise, their sense of natural law triggers fierce cries of injustice such as "why does she get a bigger piece than me?" or "if she doesn't have to eat broccoli, then why do I?" Desserts, offered as a pleasant way to end a family meal, often devolve into low intensity invective. Who gets first pick at the dessert – which is usually the same treat – is coveted. Any minor difference in the size or appearance of the dessert creates strife.

Amid these frequent conflicts, their war of words usually holds a hidden undercurrent of affection. As adults and parents, we get annoyed, but we understand they are navigating the uncharted waters of teenage sisterhood. They will test boundaries, hopefully learn to coexist better while keeping their individuality, and find moments of connection during the chaos.
We hope.

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