Bummer.

Asian Tigers came this morning and packed our mouse house. It is amazing how enormous 485 square feet feels once all your personal touches and baby toys are removed. I remember when we first checked in and saw our room, I mean apartment. I started crying, "I can't live like this! We made a mistake!" As it usually works, by morning our perspectives had softened a little. Seven months later it is time to say Sayonara, and the tears again come in an instant.

It was my dream to come to Japan, to visit Tokyo, and to absorb all the fascinating culture, old and new. I have loved nearly every moment of it, with the exception of certain allowable frustrations and times of loneliness. The customer service reps at our apartment have become friends, the engineer a playmate for Jackson-kun, and the housekeepers an inspiration. I have no regrets as we prepare to leave, only a twinge in my heart and throat as I see the conclusion of this chapter. We are so fortunate for the opportunities we have had, and for Jackson to share them with us.

Life is a wonderful journey.

Wa Wa at the Westin, Langkwai, Malaysia

Pool on the left, the child pool. Pool on the right, the infinity pool with the pool bar. Guess where we spent our time...


Some pool pics...

Beach Monkeys

Eric and Jackson in the Andaman Sea in Langkawi, Malaysia. Jackson thought he was pretty funny trying to swipe Daddy's sunnies!


Jackson's First time on the beach, and he had it all to himself!


He found a gogeous little shell, and inside - a hermit crab. D'oh!


We left our picnic near the water, but those damn monkeys were too fast. Here is one with Eric's Coke. "MINE!"


Oh wait, that IS Eric hahaha

Shhhpeed boat...

We hired a private boat to take us island hopping on our last day in Malaysia. Below is Jackson cruisin', even with strawberry jam on his chin.


Clearly, we were having a helluva good time!

Beach Babies

I'm in the room while Jackson is napping in his "Westin Heavenly Crib" - Eric is at the spa. In a few minutes he will return while I go for a treatment. Yep, we're all pretty damn spoiled! Here are a few pics from this week at the pool, etc. to tide you over (no pun intended).

Jackson walking in the lobby on Halloween, chasing the lights that spun around on the floor.


Jackson kickin' it, relaxing on the lobby sofa... No idea where he picked this up!


Cutest Beach Baby Ever!


He LOVES watermelon - don't go near his watermelon...


More later - time for massage... :]

Bring It!!

I know, I know - Where are the updates?! Well, I'm busy. I'm in Langkawi, Malaysia (it's "Truly Asia"), and I'm having a helluva big time. Jackson is a little fish in the pools here, and a major hit with all the staff. He is duly spoiled with a special hat, backpack, and even a rubber duckie which were all gifts from various employees. The swim-up pool bar team make him banana smoothies in pina colada glasses to sip in his crab shaped floatie, and he has made fast friends with some MUCH older German ladies! He especially likes their beach towels, which have a cat, a horse, a tiger, and some sea life on them. He toddles from towel to towel pointing and trying to make animal sounds etc. They of course are falling all over themselves trying to interact with him! He is a ham for sure. One guest said he is like a little Pop Star! Ha ha.

I am totally impressed with this resort (Westin Langkawi), and can't tell you how fabulous the food is, and the service. Amazing vacation and I would very highly recommend this site to anyone looking to relax and get lost in the harmony of the island. So, since I can't locate my damn camera cable, pics will have to wait. But suffice it to say that this place is gorgeous, and we are having a dream of a time. It's been "broughten"!

...

I haven't posted in a while. We've been traveling to Hakone, Nara, Kyoto... I have heaps of pics and updates to share, but I am also currently swamped preparing for our trip to Malaysia and then our repatriation to Texas - oh, and taking care of a 16 month old in this tiny space!!! So I will do what I can when I can, no promises, no pressure. Hugs.

Anpanman!

Jackson is in LOVE with Anpanman - a delightful Japanese character that you too can discover here. Those of you who don't like to follow links, the short of it is:

"He is the main character of the anime, whose head is a bun made by Jam Ojisan. His name comes from the fact that he is a man with a head made of bread (Japanese: pan, a loanword from the Portuguese word meaning "bread") that is filled with bean jam (Japanese: an) called an anpan. His weakness is water or anything that makes his head dirty. He regains his health and strength when Jam Ojisan bakes him a new head and it is placed on his shoulders. Anpanman's damaged head, with Xs in his eyes, flies off his shoulders once a new baked head lands. He was created when a shooting star landed in Jam Ojisan's oven while he was baking.

He has two special attacks called: An-punch and An-kick (with stronger variations of both). When Anpanman comes across a starving creature or person, he lets the unfortunate creature or person eat part of his head. He also has super hearing in that he can respond to anyone that calls his name out in distress from anywhere in the world." Thank You Wikipedia!

What's not to like? Near our Mouse House is an Anpanman Museum Shop, with a play area for young patrons to get acquainted and test out toys while mom and dads shop. Jackson LOVES it, especially the little Japanese kiddies who are waiting for him. Here are two, okay three pics from our last visit, two inside, one outside, clearly... AN-PAN!!!







Here he is chatting to Anpanman on his An-Pan Phone, discussing (I'm sure) his new Anpanman socks and shoes. Shoes in Jackson-speak somehow has an extra syllable, "Shoe-zuh!"
(ps/ Doesn't he look like his cousin Lucas in this pic? So cute!)

Say "Damn"!

Slight panic - I thought I lost my point and shoot camera. Serves me right for cursing it so many times as I pressed the shoot button and nothing happened! But when I thought my little friend and I were forever separated, I was crushed. Not because I am attached to this little gem, but because I still had photos on it yet to upload to my laptop! Karma. That's what I get for being an absent blogger. I found it under the stroller. But I am still going to replace it! (Have any of you experienced a "worn-out" camera? I've had this one for less than a year but it just seems to be getting geriatric on me. it doesn't have fast reactions, and sometimes it just can't get going...)

So the pics are coming... Please hold.

Okay - wow that was fast, huh?
Here is Jackson after he had dumped his toy buckets and sat in one of them...


Jackson wearing his new vest and sunnies from Aunt Lisa (duh). And by the way, don't we all know by now that it is Jackson? Do I really need to name him in all these pics?

Quack!

This is pretty funny. When we were at Tokyo Disney Sea, Jackson was nuts about Donal Duck. Unfortunately, they didn't have any plush Donalds that were cute and safe for those little visitors under age three. Yesterday we stumbled upon a giant toy store in Ueno. Low and behold, a sea of plush Disney friends, and ONE Donald Duck. Of course he now has the lone Duck in his possession. Since last night we have been quacking, not as in a "quack", but as in the way the real Donald sounds. Now Jackson is trying to mimic our squeaks, and it is a riot! He will toddle over to DD and give him a hug, and then make the most peculiar noises. So funny!!

Tatami Yakitori Y'all

In case you find yourself in Japan - in the loo - and in need of instruction, here you go (click to enlarge):


Here is a pic of Eric-san and Jackson-kun having Yakitori (BBQ Chicken on a Stick) on Tatami Mats (woven floor mats) in a restaurant in Mitako. Oishii!!! Thank goodness it was only AFTER we ate that the roach cralled across the floor!! EW!! Needless to say, my rendition of "La Coocaracha" was lost on the other diners...


Japanese diners (and Ben!) fleeing the speedy roach:


Captured, at long last. Phew!!!

Fish Fotos

Even in a convenience store, you can find festive fall decorations surrounding fresh hot Japanese food. You first.


Here are some photos from our trip the the Fish Market.
First is the 5:30 am Tuna Auction.


"That poor dead kitty..."


Slaughter table:


Next to the fish market is the produce market, aka "Farm Market".
Beautiful Bumms! (aka peaches)


A lovely sunset at the park (sorry I don't remember the name of it!)

Lime-a-licious!

Jackson likes lemons, but he LOVES limes!! We need to get this child to Sonic tout de suite!! (ps/ thanks to Rebec for the Austin tee!)

"Irrasshaimase!"

In order to obtain the maximum enjoyment of the following video clip, you really must read the following FIRST...

As you may have read in earlier posts (or not, Rebecca!), "Irrasshaimase" is something you will hear in Japan when entering a shop or restaurant. It means "Welcome" (as in: "Yes, we see you. We're glad you are here. Please feel free to enjoy yourself and I'm here if you need assistance. I acknowledge your presence although I am not going to be too in-your-face about it. Or am I?" - see previous post regarding "Quit yelling at me!")

Now this is where Jackson comes in. In addition to bowing any time he hears anything remotely similar to "Domo Arigato Gozaimasu" (a complete "Thank You" in Japanese), Jackson likes to also repeat other Japanese customs. Such as the aforementioned holler (sometimes in stereo) of Irrashaimase! So a few nights ago we found ourselves in Shibuya after a fantastic evening out with friends and then not with friends. We popped into a pretty famous and quite large and efficient ramen shop. As Eric ate his noodles, I was thoroughly entertained by Master Jackson. Every time a patron would enter the shop, they were greeted not only by the staff (complete with Secret Serice style earpieces), but also with little Van Sciver toddler tribal callings. Don't believe me? Just watch:

Ah-huh, Ah-huh

Here is a short video of Eric and Jackson on the train in Tokyo, fake coughing and clicking tonques, of course! (Click on the small "play-arrow" in the bottom left corner of photo box...)

Mini-Sofa King

I was folding laundry on the sofa this evening. I stepped away for a second and when I turned around Jackson had gone from toddling around to sitting on the sofa. Earlier he was trying to climb onto the cofee table (keep in mind it is Japanese size, and only a foot high...) I can not take my eye off of him for a second! See for yourself!

Chop Suey!

For starters, here is a pic of Jackson having his first encounter with string cheese, taken yesterday. I think he's enjoying it, don't you?

On to more important things...

You guys!! Jackson had his first (professional) haircut!! He loved it! He didn't even cry, until we had to leave! It was awesome.

We went to Zusso Kids at Takashimaya Times Square (fancy-shmancy dept. store) in Shinjuku. They ushered us in with smiles and bows, and showed Jackson to a little elevated Audi car. It was just his size and I do believe it is the first toy car he has ever "driven". Our assigned hairdresser asked me if he would prefer a train or car dvd, and I selected trains (you know, Japanese Shinkansen, etc!). They had baskets of small toys for him to handle; although he was mostly interested in the steering wheel and all the action going on around him! He was having a blast!!

It was quite an experience. The attendant spoke almost no English, and I speak VERY little Japanese. Fortunately, she had a laminated translated script to describe our options and the process. She was wonderful (I didn't get her name as her name tag was in Kanji, so let's call her Sally). Sally was quick and precise, sweet and gentle. Jackson was tethered to his play car and was sitting and then standing, shouting "Beep, Beep" and squealing. He was so animated and happy, I'm not sure if he even realized that he was aquiring a new 'do. We chose his new style from a catalogue of hairstyles, the Japanese boys' section to be precise. Eric was admittedly unsure of my selection, but I assured him it would grow and need future cutting, and therefore opportunities for a change of style. We ARE in Japan afterall.

The result was just darling! Sally gave Jackson a very fine haircut, and despite all of his Audi-shenanigans, he remained unscathed by her rapid scissors! He looks handsome and like a real boy, and his hair is certainly even (which I could never manage with his high chair trims at the mouse house!). She offered to give him a shampoo and I conceded. Sally took us to the shampoo area and asked me to "sleep" Jackson on a padded table. I laid him down and he looked a little unsure. I said, "Bath!" and he perked right back up! He enjoyed a quick and thorough pint-sized head massage with designer child products and was back in his Audi in no time.

Sally gave Jackson's hair a gentle blow dry and then trimmed a few more hairs. She asked, "Gel?" I again conceded and she gave him a cross between what his Aley cousins call "Spikey Guy" and a look from There's Something About Mary. Ha!!


Sally saved some of Jackson's hair for a souvenir of his "First Cut". We declined the US$360 keepsake calligraphy pen they could have made using his hair, and just accepted his shorn locks in a free envelope. As we reclaimed our little driver from his perch the mini-drama unfolded. Jackson was not at all ready to leave this amusement park experience! He was quickly distracted with the pretty girls at the counter, and as we checked out they offered him a present. I chose for him from the three options (most of which looked like they just might not pass the safety standards for children under 3!). He waved bye-bye and left with his new Chip 'n Dale mouse pad, his new 'do and a smile. We were so relieved and so proud. What a trooper!

The final look, with "Sally," and obviously with the gel. The tears came when he had to "share"
(aka return) the ball with Sally. The kid loves toy balls, what can I say...

More Hair Shots...

"Now, just a little off the top..."


"Hey, that's the BACK!"


"Dad, are you watchin'?"


New 'do with new mouse pad...


Jackson with a giant Anpanman! "And PUNCH!"


Finally, one last pic for today...

Not a hair cutting photo, but pretty darn cute! Oyasumi!

"Malaysia's Truly Asia"

Jackson has two favorite commercials in Japan, neither of which are truly Japanese. The first is actually the infomercial for Billy Banks work out dvds, as previously discussed. The second is the ad from the Malaysia Board of Tourism. He loves it! I think it is the theme song. Recently there is a second version of the ad with a cartoon Malaysian girl flitting about amongst actual photography of Malaysia. The irony here is that Eric just told me we might be going to Malaysia near the end of our life in Japan! I'll be singing the theme song for weeks! Check out the resort where we would stay. I can't wait to hear the thump of another stamp in our passports! ;) Ah it is good to be a RIM wifelette haha.

Cluck cluck little chick!

I don't think I have mentioned yet, but Jackson has learned how to click his tongue, and it is a riot! Ha also likes to perform "air snaps," (snapping his fingers with out actually making any snapping noise...). He is very happy and grinning a lot, with the shrug I mentioned a few posts ago. He has started to walk to us and grab fistfuls of clothing and pull as if to plead, "Pick me up!!" We have also taught him to "be strong", and he will flex his little baby arms and make an intense face. (Which would have been great to see at the sumo tourney, although it didn't happen then...) Priceless! He likes to walk in a very tight circle, and he likes to make surprised faces. He is just actually pretty freakin' incredible and we are just eating him up and squeezing him to pieces!!

I have a bajillion (and that's a lot) pics to sort through but I really will post more this weekend. Ben is going to Kyoto and it will be lonely and quiet with out him. But he will be back in a few days and we will be glad to have him!

Holy Cow Fat Man!

Wow - Sumo was amazing!! Beneath the rotund exterior their is a lot of muscle, and force! We had a blast! Jackson was a peach; we were so impressed with him and he earned several good-baby-credits! i will post pics when Eric and Ben return from Akiba. They're getting their "geek" on... Muah!!!!!!

Sumo!

We are so excited! Tomorrow we are going to a Sumo Tournament! This is Japan's national sport. Six tournaments are held each year; Tokyo hosts three tournaments annually (January, May, September) at the Kokugikan Stadium. Ben is going with us, and Jackson is free. ;) We will get to explore the Sumo Museum as well as the gift shop - yippee hahaha. Expect personal photos after, but in the mean time here is a pic from their website:

Taste of Tokyo Disney, Takao-ow-ow...

Okay, here is a pic to wet your appetite for more! This is Eric and Jackson at Tokyo Disney Sea Tuesday. I will post more and update this weekend. Suffice it to say, we all had a blast, and Jackson LOVED it! I thought he would be a bit too young to enjoy it, but he was laughing and clapping and dancing and squealing...

Here is Jackson with yet another group of admirers! These girls were wearing "Green Man" hats ;)


Too cute not to post - Eric and Jackson safe and sound and content back in the Mouse Pad...


Okay one more! Here is Jackson at dinner after our day at Mt. Takao. This restaurant was traditional Japanese style, and Jackson loved the tatami mats. Check out those mean little choppers!! (He has four now, two up top, two below...)

And finally, Luke and Jackson having a phone conversation after our gorgeous meal (Ukai Toriyama, Takao)...