We're Back in Japan and Greener Than Ever...Literally and Figuratively

Sydney and I arrived back in Japan on Thursday and although the trip was long, Sydney was an angel on the flights. And surprisingly we haven't had jet lag too bad! Sydney didn't miss a beat and is sleeping at night and her normal nap time. I'm the one who's up at 5am. But otherwise, I'm feeling fine...and it gives me this alone time to blog and upload photos. Take a look at the photos from our trip in the photo gallery.

Anyway, while I was gone, Brian used his (very limited) free time productively to watch Live Earth and make sure we are being as kind to the earth as I will allow. (I love the earth as much as the next person, I just hate to make life too much more difficult for myself.) Yesterday we tried out his new "sun oven," which uses solar power to cook foods outside (on sunny days only, of course). He made his famous chili, which some of you may get nostalgic about. It was tasty as usual, didn't heat up the house, and I didn't have to cook, so I'm on board with that...

And also with the typically elaborate Japanese outside laundry drying equipment he installed on our balcony. (The dryer can take up to four hours to dry clothes completely!) And I'm okay with reusing Sydney's fancy washable cloth diapers (called Fuzzi Bunz) for the new baby. And I also have no choice but to recycle in Japan.

But even though I affectionately call Brian "Mr. Green," he gave new meaning to this nickname while we were away. Mostly I should blame the Japanese rainy season for this. (Although he probably blames my being away.) I was lucky enough to miss the rain this year, but we are still trying to recover from the literal green mold that ensued as a result of the humidity and lack of air circulation through the house while he was at work. There was green fuzzy mold covering my dining table placemats, Sydney's highchair straps, some shoes, the diaper bag, and our backpack carrier for Sydney, just to name a few. Thankfully, he discovered the problem two days before I came home and cleaned most of it up without any major damage (or effort on my part!) But I'm still searching for (and finding a few) hidden areas, which may also be tending towards green.

So, I agree to the sun oven and other such environmental eccentricities...as long as the dehumidifiers/AC can be run as consistently as necessary to deal with the 80+% humidity that lingers even with sunny days ahead. Much as I loathe fuzzy green stuff in my personal space (and the cleaning of it even more), I consider this humidity/lack of central AC one of the only down sides to living in Japan. In addition to the excessive recycling, of course! Just call me Mrs. Chartreuse...

Hello From Boston Now!
Well, the North Shore and New Hampshire, technically. Sydney and I have been having a nice visit with Brian's family for the 2nd week of our trip home. For four days over the weekend, we headed up to the Norwood cabin on a lake in Wakefield, New Hampshire. For those who don't know, this is affectionately known as "camp," but don't think we were roughing it! We played with the aunts, uncles and cousins, who were happy to make Sydney the center of attention. We ate a lot of tasty foods we've been missing in Japan (no Brigham's whoopie pie ice cream though, much to my dismay). And we slept very comfortably, especially since Sydney and I were given the VIP suite downstairs even though Brian wasn't with us...but I guess we already knew it is Sydney who is the VIP.

Now we're back in Danvers at Brian's parents and winding down our visit. Hopefully Dave and Danielle will be able to visit tomorrow evening, although it's true I didn't give them much notice...but at least I did call. Then we'll be heading back to NC on Wednesday for a bit longer before we get back to Japan on the 25th. I hear it's rained nearly every day in Yokosuka since we left. And of course there's the typhoon we just avoided! Hate to go back to weather like that...and to make the trans-Pacific flight yet again...but I guess we will make it! Stay tuned for more photos when I can upload them.

Hello From North Carolina...

Sydney and I have been in the States since July 4th, which by the way, was literally the longest day of our lives. But we made it and are enjoying the relatively cool weather (90's, 30% humidity) of North Carolina. (Never thought I'd be saying that NC felt "cool" in July. But now I live in Japan...)



Otherwise, we are enjoying the pools, the parks and family. Oh, and the shopping! Not much else to report...so, as I bore you with this entry, I can just hear Brian's thoughts: we only have an interesting blog because we live in Japan. But I blab from the States nonetheless since it is naptime and we are finally over the jet lag (meaning I don't need a nap, too!) On to Boston in two days...

First Salute

Another shameless plug for baby #2.

I think Brian might be wrong...with three cameras now, I seriously doubt we won't take as many photos of this child as we have of Sydney.

Here baby Norwood salutes as we take a photo. (Otherwise he/she just has a headache at the thought of entering this family!) Happy belated 4th of July!