adekun’s japan blog

Enjoying the sights, sounds and smells of first-time parenthood. Progress on the organic vegetable garden and other ramblings of a gaijin in Japan’s least populous prefecture.

Raining cucumbers

Written by: adekun on 20 June, 2008 9:32 pm - Filed under: blog2 Comments »

Kento has had quite a temperature over the past two days; just as it has become really humid. It’s been quite difficult through day and night as he has been uncomfortable. The rainy season arrived but it still remains horribly sticky. Once the rain has passed we can look forward to some drier but super hot weather. Outside I collected the first cucumber with a better feeling Kento.

Does my bum look big in this?

Written by: adekun on 19 February, 2008 1:49 pm - Filed under: blog5 Comments »

Plenty of snow fell over the weekend. On Sunday I started heaping some on the half buried snowman. The carrot nose and hair we gave him was nowhere to be seen. Despite a late start, it was still light as my fingers grew purple. Maybe with a wooden handle and the warmth from shovelling I could have continued into the evening. Anyhow the mound was complete enough so I headed in. Curry and rice for dinner.
Quinze

After padding out the top further the next day and a break to let it refreeze, the fun bit started. It was warm and sunny mid morning and I found the carrot.

Quinze

Kento had woken up. We spent some time together inside peering out, as the snow tumbled like those small polystyrene balls. Inside the quinze (quinzee, quinzhee etc.) it was snug.

Yuki Wonderland

Written by: adekun on 25 January, 2008 10:35 am - Filed under: blogNo Comments »

I thought I would be uploading a photo of a pristine snowfall taken from an upstairs window. I must have been awakened a dozen times as a slab of snow slid off the roof and landed with a weighty thud on the veranda. Returning back with some milk, Kento bore the brunt of an earlier flurry. Sitting behind the handlebars on the bike, he got most of it in the face as I peddled hell for leather with my own kind of snow blindness. The milk was soon put to use, and he was soon jigging about like Michael Flatley cum Stevie Wonder spinning out mudrās.
By the time I lumbered out of bed this morning there wasn’t much left outside but a wet mess. It is still cold.

Dad

Written by: adekun on 29 November, 2007 8:34 pm - Filed under: blog3 Comments »

Kento seemed to have been saying Dadda months back, but it soon stopped in favour of Mamma, which could mean anything; of late, chiefly food. However, this has changed. Whilst upstairs yesterday I heard a little voice down below, behind the stair-guard calling Dad over and over again. Here are some photos from last month.

Kento

Playing peekaboo

Kento

Playing peekaboo

Kento

Ready to brave the cold.

Aside from running around everywhere, he’s in the habit of climbing onto anything he can.

Bring on the autumn

Written by: adekun on 20 September, 2007 3:33 pm - Filed under: blog4 Comments »

I first noticed the autumn beers were out on the shelves in the third week in August. A month on, summer is still to give way. It seems any ounce of creativity or drive I had has been wicked away by the unrelenting humidity (it’s back). Somewhat untimely, as the previous week I started a little teaching and have to dream up engaging lesson plans.
Miho’s wedding broke the monotony of the month. During the reception, I enjoyed watching people rushing around with bottle of beer, introducing themselves, filling glasses and hurrying back to grab another bottle. It was rather like one of those Japanese endurance games, but in suits and kimonos. Rather surprisingly, I felt bright as button the following day.
The garden is much the same, if a little tidier, still waiting for the strong sun to fade. Kento continues to stumble about and is keen on pulling himself onto anything head height.

Summer is back

Written by: adekun on 12 September, 2007 11:02 pm - Filed under: blog5 Comments »

I’m quite fortunate in that my sister-in-law (pictured) is getting married on Sunday. As a result, places that hadn’t been weeded for a long time have been picked over and the compost bin is now brimming.

Earlier in the week, my wife announced “summer is back” as the heavy rain gave way to cloudless sun. There is a cooling breeze and it’s a lot less humid than previously. I’m looking forward to digging the garden and getting things prepared for the winter veg.
Kento is having his first piece of dragon fruit. He’s been taking his first steps too. Although the gravity of the achievement soon sets him down.

Kento no tanjōbi

Written by: adekun on 23 August, 2007 11:31 pm - Filed under: blog4 Comments »

A few hours before my wife’s contractions started, a yamori (house gecko) visited. They are considered to bring good things and to watch over the house. A year on and perhaps by coincidence, we had one appear at about the same time. Last year’s on the left and this year’s on the right.

In the morning Kento opened (with some help), his birthday cards and presents. He got a little excited and was sick on his Thomas The Tank Engine card, it wiped off though.

After a few photos, I had to leave, to conclude securing my first job over here. In the afternoon, I set about making a couple of chocolate sponge cakes. The whisked sponge wasn’t helped with the layer of nashi pear that was stuck on half way through cooking. The other a bit heavier, with butter, managed to rise.

When I was burning myself getting the second out of the oven, the phone rang. It was a school offering a days work. It’s been eighteen months without as much as a whiff.


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