Play-Doh

My first homemade Play-Doh. It's probablly easier and cheeper to buy them, but on this kind of snowy day, this kind of things make me happier. The earthy colored dough is cute, too.
小麦粉でプレイドウを作ってみました。買った方が手っ取り早いのだろうけれど、雪の降る日にお家でヌクヌクとこんな事をしているのも至福な時間です。淡い色もかわいい。

So, since we have the new ones, I was tossing old ones away.
Here is the very upset monster. I guess I needed to wait until she goes to sleep.....
新しいのが出来たので古いのをさっさと捨てていたら、背後から殺気が。とてもお怒りな海璃。まるでモンスター。母に言わせると、見ていないところで捨てなきゃ、との事。

In just two minutes later, she was happily making a pink cake. This is the pink and purple flower cake, which she screamed about in her dream a few days ago. In her dream, she said she wanted to make a purple flower cake by herself, but I yelled at her for not to do it. Am I that evil???

２分後にはジングルベルを歌いながら、ピンクのケーキを作る彼女。この間夢に出てきたらしい、ピンクとパープルのお花のケーキを二人で作りました。どうやら、一人で作りたかったのに私が阻止したらしく、明け方寝言で大暴れ。そんなにママは鬼かしら？？？

By the way, does anyone know how I can make homemade play-doh anti-bacterial?

Mental Health Dinner

土曜日はお迎えさんのマイク&ジュリー、子供達のアーデンとペリーが家に来てくれてご飯でした。

メニューは、ポークのジンジャーロースト、アボカド・トマト・ひよこまめ・オリーブ・りんごのサラダ、ジャガイモとパルメジャンチーズの薄焼き、レタスサラダ、白アスパラガスのレモンバター、ターメリックライス、デザートは洋ナシのことこと煮・キャラメルソース添えでした。普段のご飯を多めに作るつもりが次から次へと作ってしまった。飲んで、食べて、しゃべって笑って、なんだかすっきり。

大人達はげらげら笑って大騒ぎな晩餐でしたが、もの静かなアーデンと世界一静かな海璃もおしゃべり（といっても、アーデン９歳、海璃３歳ですが。）して楽しかったのだと、後日聞きました。不思議。

We finally had a dinner with our new neighbor, Mike, Julie, Arden and Perry. We had such a blessed moment. We had so much fun, and I don't know why we couldn't have them sooner. I guess our house was a gorgeous construction site for a long time. (It still is...) I was just going to make a little bigger dinner, but somehow, I kept cooking, and cooking...The menu was:

• Roast ginger pork
• Avocado, tomato, chickpeas, olive and apple salad
• Thin potato slice roast with Parmesan cheese and thyme
• White asparagus with lemon butter
• Iceberg lettuce salad
• Turmeric rice
• Poached pears with caramel sauce as desert

Cooking, eating and laughing with friends with a little wine is my mental health necessity item. I don't know why, but it just reminded me of my college life tonight.

New President

I don't know anything about politics, but I am excited about the fact we have the first African American President. Where I live, I am very much in the minority. There are many people that respect or are at least curious about my race, but there are just as many people that needlessly and negatively judge me based on their limited views of other cultures. In my very short workforce experience, someone didn't want to count my Japanese high school and college diploma, because she thought Japan is still an undeveloped country. Someone yelled at me why I, as a foreigner, had a job, but him as a citizen did not. Now, people still look down on me because of my skin color. Many of you guys don't know, because it wouldn't happen if I were with you. When I am out and about by myself or with Amalie, I get treated very differently, than when I am with a white person. I know it is hard to believe, because you probably don't know anyone that is racist towards Asians, but that could be because like-minded people tend to find each other. Well, my point is President Obama won through all the small things against him. I admire his intelligence and guts. I just hope Amalie's life will be a little easier in the future from many aspects.

アメリカで初めてアフリカンアメリカンの大統領が誕生しました。今日は、朝から夕方までテレビに釘付けでした。政治のことはあまり分からないし選挙権もないのだけれど、多くの白人の人たちがオバマ大統領を選んで支えている事がとてもうれしいのです。毎日の生活の中で差別を感じる事は日常で、しかも、ライアンやお友達と共に行動しているときには普通の対応でも、海璃と私でお出かけな日には本当に嫌な事はたくさんあります。それはなかったことにしながら生きていけばいいのですが、学校やお仕事の世界では出る杭は打たれるどころかチャンスも与えてもらえない事もあるのです。どんなにがんばっても凡人の私には無理とあきらめてしまった事もたくさん。オバマ大統領がそんなたくさんの向かい風に打ち勝って今日があることってなんてすばらしいのでしょう。これからのアメリカが政治的にも、経済的にも、社会的にも良い方向に向かっていくことを切に願うばかりであります。海璃の将来が少しでも彼女にとって優しいものでありますように。

BOB

Our great neighbour, Bob came for the dinner. Ryan used to run in the early morning, and Bob walks every morning at the same time. Ryan had never seen him before, and he was very curious about him, and he wanted to talk to him. Then, one day, they met each other just across the street. I still remember how it made Ryan happy. Ever since, Bob is a part of our lives, and our addition of the house is not here without his support. So, it is supposed to be a 'Thank you dinner', but of course, super nice Bob brought us a cute bouquet of flowers as well as a perfect red rose for Amalie. We can't pay him back forever! I just think we are so blessed to have lots of nice and cool neighbors.

斜めお迎えさんのボブが夜ご飯に来てくれました。ライアンがその昔早朝ジョギングをしていた時に、「毎朝会う丸っこいおじさんがいて・・・話しかけたいんだけど、どうしよう・・・」とウジウジしていた矢先、なんと道の向こうに住んでいたのがボブで、それ以来５年半、ものすごくたくさんの事でお世話になっているので伸び伸びになっていたサンキューご飯でした。それにもかかわらず、かわいいお花のブーケと海璃にはなんと赤いバラをお土産にいただいてしまい、いつまでたっても借り帰せず・・・。ご年配なので程ほどでいいのかしらん、と甘えつつ公園の行き帰りに毎日井戸端会議的に話をする不思議なご近所関係でございます。私達、本当にご近所さん達には恵まれております。

Artist

I know that it sounds stupid to say Amalie is an fantastic artist. However, look at these.
As an artist myself, I get great inspiration again in my life.

'baby monkey and rain'

'papa, mama, amalie on piano and two babies'

'girl'

'amalie'

'grass, water, sun and octopus'

'mama with big purse, amalie and papa'

'monkey'

'papa, mama and amalie'

'flower' - Play-Doh and scissors

親ばかなのは十重に承知で、海璃画伯の作品です。

余りにすばらしすぎて、創造魂を掻き立てられるこのごろでございます。

ちなみに最近は針と糸を使う３歳児であります。

Azuki-Japanese Sweet Red Beens

小豆を煮てみました。

最後にドバッと入ってしまったお砂糖のおかげで胃がもたれる位甘いのです。

クッキーやチョコレートをいただくよりは、ダイエットになるのかな。

Happy New Year!

明けましておめでとうございます。
昨日は、一日中山のような荷物をかたづけ、洗濯し、食料品のお買い物。３人ともあまり体調が良くないので、今年の年越しは煮込みうどん。夜は、スカイプで一足早くお正月の東京の家族や親戚と新年のご挨拶をしました。おせちやお家のにおいまで漂ってきそうなスカイプってすごい。そんなこんなで、オデガード家の新年はおうちにあった乾物をかき集めて食べ切り夜ご飯的なへんてこりんなおせちでございました。あぁ、ゆっくりお豆でも煮たい。
海璃はすこしずつ回復しています。

Happy New Year!
Skype is awesome. My dad brought his lap top to my family’s new year’s party, so we could see everyone, and they saw us. Amalie was dressed up in her princess dress, and she was putting make up on her face the whole entire time. Through the computer screen, I almost can smell the house and food. What wonderful technology! I used to pay soooooo much for the international phone bill. Now, it’s free with video phone.

Well, I made Osechi (Japanese New Year’s food) with what I had here without going Japanese market. I miss my family’s recipe, everyone, going to temples, TV shows, and big sale, especially around this time of the year.

12/30/2008 Tue

車に詰め込めないほどのプレゼントや、荷物を抱えて、帰ってきました。走行距離２３００マイル、３７００kmの旅でありました。海璃といっしょにお風呂に入って、冷凍保存してあったお豆のチリカレーとご飯でディナー、ほっとする我が家。海璃、帰ってくるなりオモチャの掃除機で家中お掃除でございます。こんなにもすばらしい時を過ごせた事を感謝します。ジョン、ジャッキー、マムジー、シャノン、圭香、大ちゃん、そしてちびっ子達、ありがとう！

We came back home to the mountain of new toys and laundry. It was 2300 miles total. After Amalie and I took a bath, we had leftover chili curry and rice. It’s so good to be home. Amalie vacuumed whole entire house as soon as she opened a door.

I just wanted to THANK YOU for John, Jacque, Mumsy, Shannon, Tamaka and Dai-chan and all the children for such a great hospitality. I don’t know how we can thank you enough. Thank you for having us. We had a wonderful time there.

12/29/2008 Mon

ライアンの母のお宅で一日休憩。海璃は彼女度50％位復活してきたので、バギーで近所の公園に。相変らず、私は周辺をグルグルジョギング。新しく飲み始めたお薬の副作用でブクブクしてきて、コンプレックス。東京のおばさんに「デブは慣れる！」と言い切られ、げらげら笑えたものの何かいい方法はないのだろうか・・・
海璃はすっかりマムジー独占でいっしょに遊び、夜は疲れ果ててソファで眠ってしまいました。

Amalie is definitely getting well. We had a really nice and relaxed day at Mumsy’s house. Amalie played at the park, and I ran around the park as usual. It’s so nice to see that her terrible threes and evil smiles are back. However, I’m not really happy about gaining weight recently. I exercise everyday, and eat right. I think its side effect from the new medication. Mumsy had more presents for us. Amalie was just glued to her, and played until she passed out on the sofa.
PS: It's very new wave, isn't it?

12/28/2008 Sun

たまかの膝に自らノシノシ入って、際どい顔でポーズのあまり。

移しては悪いと思いつつも、またまた帰り道に大ちゃん＆圭香ファミリーのお宅にお邪魔させていただきました。今度は、BBQでちゃんちゃん焼きをごちそうになりました。そして、圭香特製のおにぎり＆焼きおにぎり。お米のおいしいこと！！！いっしょにいる間ずうっと、そばに住めたらと切実に願ってばかりの幸せ時間でありました。何年会えていなくても、会った瞬間にふっと必ずそこにある大切な関係。おもしろすぎて、かわいすぎるボーイズにライアンも終始ニタツイテておりました。今度は北上してきてね！

I felt guilty about bringing our sick little Amalie, but we stopped by Tamaka’s again on the way back to Ryan’s mom’s house. They made an amazing lunch, again. While we were there, I couldn’t stop wishing we could live close by. It is one of my most very precious relationships. Even when we haven’t seen for long time, nothing has changed since high school. Her two boys are super funny and cute. It’s rare that Ryan keeps saying how cute other children are ever since Amalie was born. They need to come to the North up someday. Come on~, you guys!

12/27/2008 Sat.

海璃の病状また悪化。本人がずうっと前から楽しみにしていたビーチに行こうと支度しては戻しての繰り返しで、でも「I want to go to the beach!」と泣き叫ぶので夕方少しだけどうにかビーチにたどり着き、遊ぶ。夕日も落ちそうな夕方で少し切ない。

Amalie went back to being sick again. I was heartbroken when she threw up all over her clothes and the car seat on a way to the beach. We had to go back home to clean up. She cried, cried, and cried, “I want to go to the BEACH!!!” After a shower and short nap, we tried again. She kept well. She played with sand until beautiful sunset. Oh, get well, Amalie~.

12/26/2008 Fri

とっても早朝に起きてしまい、ジョンと犬のジャックとお散歩。
太陽が輝き始めるころにこうして義父と歩いたりできるのって、すごく幸せな事なのかもしれない。

海璃が少し落ち着いてきたので、日系のスーパーへ行ってみました。三省堂、風月堂、パン屋さん・・・なんでもかんでもありました。ちなみに物価が低い。思いっきりジャンキーにお寿司とおうどんを買ってフードコートで頂きました。日が暮れる頃、バルボアアイランドの家々のライトアップを拝観。かわいらしくて、夢のようでした。

I woke up early, and had a crisp walk with John. It is very happy thing that I can walk and talk with my father-in-law when the sun started shining.

Amalie must have started feeling well. She discovered the vacuum (toy) that Santa gave her. She was cleaning for easily 2 hours going back and force and using all the attachments. She also found all the millions of princess items chosen by Shannon. When I came back to kitchen, she just finished to painting her toe nails on the kitchen table. She also had purple lips, cheeks, and hands.

We had a little trip to the Japanese market in Costa Mesa. Oh, my god, it has everything that I need to live with a much lower cost than Uwajimaya here in Portland. Ah, I want this store near me. Amalie still kept doing well, so we walked along the boardwalk on Balboa Island to view the beach houses decorated with Christmas lights. They are so dreamy and cute. I LOVE Newport Beach!

12/25/2008 Thu

夜中の２時から海璃が病気。５時まで何度着替えても、何度シーツを替えても、コントロールできないほど吐いてしまい、本人も「ごめんねぇ。」と、なんとも切ない。ダッコして座ったまま少しうとうとしてくれたので、私は一睡もせず。朝７時半にはシャノンのお家でプレゼントを開けるので、キャンセルしようかと迷いつつも、あれだけ楽しみにしていたのだからとどうにか支度をして行ったものの、山の様なプレゼントにも反応できず帰宅。シャノンやジョンとジャッキーに申し訳ない。シャノンのガールズなつぼを押さえたプレゼント達に感謝。開けども、開けども、プリンセスでありました。

ディナーはジョン特製のプライムリブのローストとジャッキー特製のお野菜数々。そして、ものすごくおいしいワイン。ポートランドで一番の高級レストランなぞよりもとびっきりおいしいご馳走でした。ありがとう。
..............Are we awake?　/　目は開いているのか私達？...............

Amalie started throwing up 2 am. It was uncontrollable and non-stop action until 5:30am. We almost cried---well, cried---when she kept saying “I’m sorry”. She fell asleep on me, so I just held her, and I didn’t get any sleep. Although she wanted to open presents, she couldn’t even react for any WOW-presents. We postponed opening, since she was not enjoying anything. We had the most delicious dinner while carrying Amalie and a bowl. Sorry, guys. It was a wonderful prime rib with vegetables better than any restaurant I’ve eaten at.

12/24/2008 Wed

朝からジョージが来ていて、海璃も何気なくいっしょに遊ぶ。二人のやり取りはコメディみたいで面白い。私はジャッキーといっしょにワインやら食器やらケーキやらのお買い物。夕方、イブの御ミサへ。カトリックでもない、ルーサランでもない、宗派の決まっていない教会は聖書そのもので、お話も分かりやすい。海璃のためにも自分のためにも、きちんと教会に通いたい。
ディナーはシャノンのお家でなんともパーフェクトなセッティング＆お料理でした。蟹ももちろんおいしかったけど、ジョン（父）の作ったグリーンピースのスープもとろけるお味でした。素敵なクリスマスを送らせていただいております。

George came to John and Jacque’s in the morning. It is almost a comedy to watch how George and Amalie play together. I ran errands with Jacque. It’s very fun to do something with both John and Jacque.

In the evening, we went to Christmas Eve mass at their church. It’s nondenominational, and I found out that it is so easy to understand for me. It feels like I went back to kid’s Sunday school that I went to (Please, no offence). Both Ryan and I grew up going to church, so we would like Amalie to know there is God with her always. However, at the local church we go sometimes, I have felt disconnected with my lack of bible knowledge and difficult to understand almost archaic language--I should have studied hard when I was a student. I really wish we could take Amalie every week to this church. Well, one of Amalie’s Christmas gift from grandparents was a kid’s bible, so I can re-study with Amalie every night.

We had a very fine dinner at Shannon’s. She made it a perfect night with perfect setting. How does she do this with a busy boy and twins??? We are having very nice Christmas!

12/23/2008 Tue

クリスマスを満喫するならここ！というジャッキー（ライアンのステップママ）の提案でシャノン（ライアンのステップシスター）と海璃の従妹のジョージといっしょにディズニーランドへ。とてもクリスマスティックでかわいい世界。パレードもみたし、花火までみれたし、やっぱり行って良かった。子供達はカーシートに乗るなりバタンキュー。
午前中は青空＆太陽の下念願のジョギングへ。素敵なお家や景色を眺めながらのエクササイズは感無量。あぁ、なんて居心地がいいんだ。

We went to Disneyland with Shannon and George in the late afternoon; Jacque says it is the best place to get the feel of Christmas. George and Amalie were so cute together. It was so Christmassy, and beautiful! We were there pretty late (and maybe stayed one ride too many). We enjoyed the parade as well as fireworks. The kids went down as soon as they hopped into their car seats. I’m glad that we went there with Shannon and George. It probably was way more fun than we were by ourselves.
I also jogged in the morning under blue sky and shiny sun as well as nice view of valley and ocean. This was what I wished for. What a heaven it is there.

12/22/2008 Mon

更に南下。ライアンの父の住むニューポートビーチへ。
通り道に大好きな小関ファミリーのお宅に急きょ寄らせていただく事に。相変らず素敵な圭香にうれしくなる。家族４人本当に幸せいっぱいが滲み出ていて、そんな家族を作り出している大ちゃんと圭香に感動。いたれりつくせりのおもてなしで、爪の垢を煎じていただきたいほど。たくさん食べて、たくさん笑って、心から楽しいひとときでありました。マイペースな子供３人衆がうれしそうな笑い声を上げながら遊んでいるのを見るとポッと幸せになれます。

We drove more to the south to Newport Coast where Ryan’s dad, John and stepmom, Jacque lives. On the way, we stopped by Tamaka’s (one of my best friends) house. She looked so cute as always. It is impressive to see both Dai-chan (her husband) and Tamaka have created this really happy family with two young boys. They treated us very well. I would like them to have a workshop on ‘how to host sudden guests’. We ate a lot, and we laughed a lot. It was really nice to see all three kids play together with lots of crazy laughter.

12/21/2008 Sun

電車でサンフランシスコの街へ。あいにくの雨でずぶぬれに。おまけに海璃は旅の疲れか眠り続け、起きたのは帰りの電車のホーム。雨のせいなのだろうか、サンフランシスコに期待はずれでありました。有名なのに・・・
アマリはマムジー（ライアン母の‘おばあちゃん‘がわりの呼び名）から頂いたクリスマスのプレゼントで遊ぶのに夢中。夜、寝る前にはきちんとしまってマムジーのお部屋におかたずけ。プレイデートだと思っているのかな。

We went to the city of San Francisco by train. Unfortunately, we brought rain (a lot of it), and Amalie was sleeping whole entire time. Back at Mumsy’s house, Amalie was fascinated by all toys that Mumsy got for her as Christmas presents. Funny thing was Amalie put everything back into the bag, and she put it in Mumsy’s office. She probably thought they were Mumsy’s toys that Amalie was borrowing them for a play date.

12/20/2008 Sat.

早朝から雪の降りしきる中、天然クリスマスツリーを眺めながらオレゴンを脱出。カリフォルニアのだだっ広い大地にただただ驚き。オリーブ畑、オレンジ畑、ましてや石油の採掘ポンプ畑、サンタクルーズを通り抜け、今日の終点サンフランシスコの郊外、ライアンの母の家へ。
It was already snowing crazily. We escaped Oregon in time, and we headed for California. We heard it snowed over 2 feet and lost power for 36 hours. We passed olive fields, orange fields, and oil pumps, and then came to Judy’s house (Ryan’s mom/ grandkids call her Mumsy) outside of San Francisco. I was surprised how big the fields and sky are in California.