September 27, 2010

Early Morning Running

For years I did what I had to do to get in a run--push a single jogger, push a double jogger, run in the evening, swap with friends, or hire a babysitter. It wasn't always the most ideal situation but I always made it work somehow. There was always this hope in the back of my mind that someday I would be able to run without swapping and without pushing a jogger even before all of my kids were in school full time. Before we moved I sold the double jogger which I used faithfully for 7 years. I have to admit I was a little sad to see it go but I knew that I would have little use for it anymore. Life after residency has brought about so many wonderful changes. My favorite change and probably the biggest change has been Mike's work schedule. For the first time in my life I have been able to wake up early to go running...no kids and no jogger to push. I am not sure there was much faith that I would actually get up early to run because I am NOT a morning person. However, I knew that this would be the only time that I could run kid free and free from after school schedules and dinner time. So, every morning between 5:15-5:30am I wake up to my iPhone playing the coolest little guitar diddy, roll out of bed, and put on my running clothes that I have laid out the night before. I grab my tunes and my fuel belt and head out the door quietly so I don't wake up anyone. I never thought I would be able to hold such a schedule but for the last 2 months I have faithfully gotten up early every week to run. Some weeks I have only run a couple of days and others the entire week. Running in the mornings has been such a blessing for me. Mike has been super supportive and has gotten the boys out of bed and ready for school on those days where I am not back until right before we head to the bus stop. There is no way I would be able to do all of this without such great support from him. Lately on my runs I have enjoyed watching the sun rise. On one particularly BEAUTIFUL morning I just happened to have my iPhone with me so I dedicated my long run to taking lots of fun pictures of where I was running. The funny thing about where we live is the only way to go is up or down. Our little town is located up on a big hillside. When I leave on my runs I am usually heading downhill which makes for an interesting end to my run as I huff and puff back uphill towards my house. One thing is for sure, my backside is definitely getting the workout its needed all these years.

I am always amazed at how many people are up and going when I am running that early in the morning. I typically greet those I pass with an "Ohaiyogozaimasu" and they politely respond with the same. The people I see out and about are usually doing one of three things--walking their dogs, sweeping up the leaves in front of their house, or hurrying to the train station. No matter where I go, though, I always feel like I am on some adventure. That is just how it is here. There are new sights, sounds, and smells everywhere!!!

For those interested in some running ideas or something to add to your running routine, visit my RUNNING BLOG. I will be updating weekly with my running and other exercise routines.










September 26, 2010

New Routine

A couple of months ago I would have said that Emma was for sure going to be in preschool this fall. Although I still have plans to send her to Japanese preschool (Yochien) starting with the new year I have really enjoyed doing school with her at home. The base preschool was nothing more than a day care and I knew that I could do so much more with her at home. Since the last two months were so busy with running to and from activities for the boys we kind of hung low and now that soccer season is over we are finally starting to be more consistent with our at-home preschool. We still have a few things to get like a rug for circle time and the calendar still needs to be completed and laminated but we are managing with the things we have. Abby especially enjoys being able to be part of school time.

Our schedule is not complicated or intense. It is merely a little something to help Emma practice the things she needs to know before Kindergarten and a way to spend quality time with both of the girls. We have already had so much fun reading new books together, singing songs and dancing, learning how to read and write, learning about nature on our Nature Walk Field trip, spending time being creative during arts and crafts time, being outside together, and playing games together. Of course the girls look forward to their ballet day on Fridays. It is such a joy to have the girls at home with me. It will feel strange to send Emma to school for real next year. Thank goodness I have more time with her and Abby before they grow up too fast.

art time







story time





field trip . nature walk and park







learning to read







music time



Here is what our school schedule looks like:


Monday

Cleaning and laundry morning. The girls help me sort the laundry, clean the windows, and dust the furniture. They love to take turns spraying the Windex and the dusting spray. Then they have free play time while I finish up the morning chores.

Snack time

Reading time with Emma. She is currently reading the Dick and Jane series. She has just finished the first book in the series. Way to go Emma!

Coloring and art time

Lunch

Day Care for the girls while I meet Mike at the gym


Tuesday

Circle time. Calendar. Weather. Story time.

Field trip or other activity outside

Snack time

Art project

Lunch

Music time

Reading time with Emma

Writing practice and games

Free play


Wednesday

Circle time. Calendar. Weather. Story time.

Music time

Reading time with Emma

Snack time

Coloring

Writing practice and games

Free play

Lunch

Day care for the girls while I meet Mike at the gym


Thursday

Circle time. Calendar. Weather. Story time

Music time

Reading time with Emma

Snack time

Coloring

Writing practice and games

Free play

Lunch

Arts and Crafts


Friday

Free play

Snack time

Ballet

Lunch

Free Play


It's nothing fancy but it will do!

September 20, 2010

Enoshima Island



With the weather continuing to be so warm we decided to head up to Enoshima Island with some of our friends. The traffic getting there was a bit heavy but we didn't really care because we drove along the coast and enjoyed the beautiful views. My favorite section of the coast was along the beach at Kamakura. It was fun watching the many surfers out there riding the waves.

We were the last ones to arrive which wouldn't have been the case had I not taken the wrong turn onto the Yoko Yoko Expressway instead of the Zuyo Toll Road. Oh well. That is the way it is here. Driving is confusing and not always straight forward but I continue to drive anyways. Everyone was kind to wait for us. Our first stop was at the bottom of the main shrine. We stopped to take pictures and then bought our tickets for the escalator ride to the gardens and observatory tower at the top. On a clear day you are suppossed to be able to see Mt. Fuji. Even though it was a nice warm day it was not that clear so there was no sign of Mt. Fuji for us today. After each set of elevators we got to see something interesting. The first set of escalators landed us at the traditional water purification fountain area and then the entrance to the main shrine. With each set of escalators we undoubtedly found another shrine. One area had a large tree with pink wooden cards hanging all over the tree. Apparently those were prayer cards. We even got to walk through a flower garden, smell the flowers, and see the spectacular views of the Bay. When we finally made it to the top we stopped to enjoy the entertainer doing tricks for the crowd. The kids sat there in amazement as he juggled and did magic tricks. We finally decided to enter the gardens and go up to see the views from the tower. The breeze at the top of the observatory was so nice and I personally could have stayed there much longer than we did but it was lunch time and the kids were starting to show signs of hunger. We all sat and ate our lunches and then we got our $4 ice-cream cones. It just doesn't seem like that much money when you pay with 3 silver coins!! On the way back down we took the stairs as the escalators were only for going up the mountain. It was a good thing my stroller was light and Abby was excited to go down the stairs. We had so much fun hanging out with our friends and enjoying the beautiful day seeing a new place. I will have to bring the boys back here. I am sure they will love it!





















A little history about Enoshima Island:

Enoshima Island is a small island at the mouth of the Katase River, which flows into Sagami Bay in Japan. Benzaiten, the goddess of music and entertainment, is enshrined on the island. The island in its entirety is dedicated to the goddess, who is said to have made it rise from the bottom of the sea in sixth century. Enoshima is the center of Shōnan, a resort area along the coast of Sagami Bay. Enoshima was the Olympic harbor for the 1964 Summer Olympics.