July 30, 2008 - First Day
Yuri and I left home for the airport around 9:AM. We saw a wicked fat-guy on a BMW motorcycle on I-5. I was amazed that he could lift his leg over the motorcycle to mount it. Maybe he has a small crane at home that lowers him down on it. Anyway, traffic was light and we were at the airport at 9:45.
UA 876 had already landed, but because SeaTac is the slowest airport on the planet we had to wait another hour before he was released. The woman who was wrangling the international arrivals was an amazing person. She is Chinese, but was born in Japan and can speak English, Japanese, Cantonese and Mandarin. We had a good time talking to her while waiting. By the way, she agreed in Japanese that Seatac is very slow compared to other airports.
On the ride home Kazuki told us that he didn't sleep during the flight and that he was wide awake. That would change quickly.
Once home we set him up in his sleeping area in the master bedroom next to Hiroko and I. There's only a divider between us, but it should give him a place to retreat to when he wants some privacy.
I decided to work from home the rest of the day instead of driving into my office. I had to go to the hardware store so I asked Kazuki if he wanted to ride with me on the Moto Guzzi. He seemed more than happy to go. So I got him geared up and off we went. When we arrived at the hardware store Kazuki easily slipped the helmet off his head without untying the strap! That wasn't good so when we returned I made sure the helmet was tight and safe. He doesn't have a big head like Aki and Yuri (and Jim and Hiroko).
I started working while Kazuki and Yuri played the wii. I don't know what game they were playing but they were very lively.
Hiroko made lunch for Kazuki, Aki and Yuri after Aki returned from her driving test (she passed). Kazuki only ate a half a bowl of instant udon.
Hiroko took the girls to guitar and drums lessons around 3:15. When Hiroko returned Kazuki was showing her his homework. Within 10 minutes he was sleeping. So I took the opportunity to take some pictures of him sleeping.
He moved to his sleeping place around 5:PM. It is now 10:PM and he is still sleeping. I hope he doesn't wake in the middle of the night and then can't go back to sleep. He needs to eat something first thing in the morning.
July 31, 2008 - Second Day
Kazuki woke up at 3:AM and he was hungry. He ate dinner from last night. He wasn't able to go back to sleep. So he wandered around the house until we woke up at 6:30AM.
Hiroko made him study. Kazuki did Kanji practice, read a book for a book report and studied the capitols of world countries until Aki and Yuri woke up.
The girls and Kazuki took Sugar for a walk. It was cool but they found some blackberries to eat along the way. They then went to play tennis. Kazuki ran about 2km at the track. The girls spoke mostly English to Kazuki. They can still communicate very well.
Kazuki took a shower in the afternoon and then watched some TV. I returned home around 5:30PM. I wanted to take Kazuki for a motorcycle ride but it started raining around 4:30PM. Hopefully, tomorrow will be a better day for riding.
Yuki called and talked to Kazuki and Hiroko. We had dinner around 7PM (can you see Sugar's feet under the table?). I made an Indian dish named "Butter Chicken". Kazuki ate some of it and some fruit salad, but not much else. He is too skinny. Hopefully we can make Kazuki fat before he returns to Japan.
Kazuki fell asleep on the couch around 8:30PM. We will wake him soon to go to bed. Hopefully he will sleep later tomorrow. And eat more!!!
August 1, 2008 - Third Day
Woke up at 6:30AM. I made breakfast for Kazuki. A butter chicken omelet, fruit salad and 4 mini-weiners. He ate like a horse.
He studied for a while with Hiroko and then played the wii with the girls.
Hiroko took them shopping and then Kazuki finished reading "Igaku no tamago". He chose this book as the one to write the report about.
Kazuki went running with Sugar for about 15 minutes. He was very proud that Sugar couldn't catch him at the end of the run.
I came home about 5PM. Kazuki helped me to put new saddle bags on the Guzzi. After dinner he and I rode to a hot rod show in Tacoma.
Kazuki and Yuri played cards. Hiroko enjoyed watching them. I just farted.
August 2, 2008 - Fourth Day
Today we went to Snoqualmie Falls in the Cascade Mountains near our home. We got up around 7:AM (Hiroko at 5:AM). Aki is staying at her friend's vacation home this weekend so there was only Hiroko, Kazuki, Yuri, Sugar and myself.
Of course Kazuki and Yuri played the wii. That is their favorite activity. Sorry about that.
We left at 8:AM for North Bend City. This is where they filmed the Twin Peaks television show (I've never seen the show but I've seen the city.)
We met our friends Rob and Satomi in North Bend at 9:AM. We went to a small diner for breakfast. Kazuki ate all of his breakfast and half of Yuri's. He eats like a horse, very good!
It was a 20 minute drive to Snoqualmie Falls. It is very beautiful. There is an old lodge that is very famous right above the falls. You can see it in the photos.
We walked down a trail to the river's edge. There was a sign that said don't go off the trail to the river, but everyone was jumping over the rail. So Kazuki, Yuri and I jumped over the rail and walked down to where the pool at the base of the falls is. We felt the spray from the falls blowing against our faces. Very nice.
We stayed at the falls maybe an hour or so and then headed home. Kazuki slept on the way.
Kazuki and Yuri played around the house the rest of the day. Dinner was leftovers, but Kazuki didn't eat too much. Maybe he was still full from the big greasey breakfast.
Kazuki finished up his evening reading a book. Today was a break from homework but tomorrow Hiroko wants to continue with memorizing national capitols.
He went to bed around 10:30PM so I think he's on a regular sleep schedule.
August 3, 2008 - Fifth Day
We slept in after 9:AM today. The morning was cloudy so we stayed in the house most of the day (lazy day).
Hiroko and Kazuki finished all the pages for reading and writing Kanji. After that Hiroko helped Kazuki memorized African and North American countries and their capitols.
The weather became sunny in the afternoon. We decided to walk across the Narrows Bridge. Kazuki was amazed at the size of the huge American trucks and trailers. He didn't say anything about the huge Americans driving them. It was a beautiful walk and everybody enjoyed it.
By the way, Yuri and Kazuki have been playing cards. Yuri usually wins but recently Kazuki has won some games. He is trying very hard to beat her.
We had a barbeque dinner with hamburgers, hotdogs and a giant prime rib steak. We ate most everything. Sugar ate the steak bone.
Kazuki and Yuri played cards until 10PM. Kazuki is still reading in bed. I will tell him to go to bed soon.
August 4, 2008 - Sixth Day
We got up around 7:30AM and then went back to sleep on the couch until 9:30AM. Hiroko made breakfast.
Hiroko took Aki, Yuri and Kazuki to Tacoma for shopping and play. At Toys-R-Us Kazuki bought omiage for Yuma. Kazuki and Yuri then tried to ride the coin operated car but they were too big for it.
They went to Tacoma Mall after that. They looked at a couple of shops but didn't buy anything (uncle Jim was happy about that). Aki met two of her friends by chance.
Hiroko bought some chocolates and they had lunch. The left the Mall to visit an arcade named Odyssey1. It is very popular with kids because they get to play games and spend lots of their parent's money.
Unfortunately Hiroko didn't take any photos of the fun time at Odyssey1. Please see the photo of her saying "gomen nasai".
Came home around 4PM. Kazuki and Yuri played the wii until dinner. Hiroko made burritos for dinner. Kazuki is quite skilled at making a burrito.
After dinner Hiroko and Kazuki were studying (brainstorming ideas) about his book report until 9PM. Kazuki's brain became tired and he stopped studying and started reading manga.
August 5, 2008 - Seventh Day
Nothing day today. Kids laid around playing the wii and reading manga. Hiroko did some shopping and cooking. I came home from work early to go to a massage session.
Before dinner Kazuki and I played a great game of Mario Kart on the wii. He beat me most of the time. However, I made him work hard for his victories. I will practice for the next visit.
The weather was hot today (not as hot as Japan though). So we waited until after dinner to take a walk. We had iced coffees and cocoa at a local coffee shop. It was a beautiful summer evening. The girls and Kazuki had a good time. We are already missing Kazuki.
August 6, 2008 - Last Day
Kazuki got up late around 8:30. Hiroko, Aki, Yuri and Kazuki came to my office at 10:30. We went to the airport.
Aki, Yuri and I said goodbye to Kazuki at the security check. It was very quick, but we were sad to see him go. Hiroko escorted Kazuki to the gate and waited with him until he boarded. Aki, Yuri and I watched his jet take off. Everything was smooth and easy.
He is such a happy and kind boy. He and Aki and Yuri had a lot of fun. I don't think Kazuki's English is much better, but his friendship with our family is much better. Kazuki is always welcome to visit us. Thank you for sending him to our home.