Funny Julia"isms" this week

Friday night, January 23rd

Rebekkah, if you keep kissing me, I'm not going to invite you to my birthday party.

Friday Afternoon in the car to pick up the kids

Julia: I know everything

Mom: You do? Wow! I don't know anyone who knows everything but Heavenly Father.

Julia: I'm just kidding. I don't know everything!

I just know a lot about purses, food, and Kung Fu

Mom: You do? 

Julia: Yeah. You know, about black purses--like that one right there. And, food-- like the kind you cook--like pumpkin bread, and Kung Fu!

Wednesday after preschool, January 21st

"Mom, guess what? Julia, Jordan, and Jesus all start with J!!!"

Here is Julia's Song she sang while coloring 

(I was writing it down madly after I heard the first  2 lines):

Tears are coming to my eyes

Because I ate too much bananas

And then I watched Pink Panther!

My Ears are cold,

My Eyes are cold,

My head is cold ,

My eyes are watering. 

Everybody loves their family!

Everybody loves their cats!

Everbody loves their waterguns!

Everyone that's boys loves Spore! (A computer game we have)

Everyone loves the swingset to be on. 

Everyone jumps high in the air!

Everybody loves each other.

Everybody loves Jesus.

Timmy's Special Day

Finally! We are writing about Timmy's Baptism day. He was baptized on December 8th, 2008.  He was so excited that he could hardly wait for the day to finally come. On the lower left he is pictured with his Gus (Dad) and his cousin Ethan Black (who was baptized by his dad, Uncle Bob). Timmy waited a month so that he could do it with his cousin up in Ogden, Utah. One the far left is a picture of our family before the meeting. 

It was a great experience!

 

The Hart Aunts, Uncles, and Grandparents from Idaho came and so did the Levitre cousins & Grandparents from Utah. After the baptism, Timmy said he "felt good" and was happy. After that, he received a Priesthood blessing & was given the gift of the Holy Ghost to guide him through his life.  The Grand kids sang a beautiful song & the Grandmas gave the opening and closing prayers. To the left is Timmy after his Baptism. 

After the Baptism, we went over to Aunt Lisa & Uncle Bob Black's house. They made delicious BBQ pork sandwiches with lots of trimmings, salad, and chips with soda. It was an inside picnic. The day was beautiful and warm for December. 

We appreciate all the driving, cooking, and effort that everyone contributed to make this a wonderful occasion. 

We love Timmy! We all love his gentleness, eagerness, enthusiasm, good heart. We are pleased that he wanted to be a witness for Jesus Christ & follow him by being baptized. We have great hope his choice will bring him happiness!

 

My Very Important Japanese Presentation!

Today was my turn to do the Japanese presentation. I didn't speak to university and government officials. Instead, I presented to another important group of people--Julia's preschool class. I was asked to introduce them to Japan. 

They learned how to count to five, make Japanese animal sounds, and sing "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" in Japanese. They loved to sing in Japanese and make frog and dog sounds (gero gero and wan wan)! We also read the story "The Funny Little Woman" which is about a Japanese lady who gets into a predicament with monsters (oni), Shinto Gods, and a magic shamoji or rice paddle. After the book we talked about how to make our own rice dumplings by putting salt on your hands and then patting and squishing the leftover rice into a ball. 

Next, we tried on a yugata or summer kimono with the wooden shoes that men and women wear during the summer holidays. Finally, after looking at some beautiful pictures of Mount Fuji, Sakura (cherry blossom trees), waterfalls, and forests, we ate! The kids tried ebi (shrimp) flavored chips (most of them wanted seconds). Ms. Martha, our teacher/neighbor, said they tasted like fishstick crackers. We also ate chocolate covered cracker sticks and rice paper candy. They were thrilled about when the rice paper wrapper melted in their mouths. 

I had a great time introducing the kids to Japan. 

My favorite moment was when one little girl, Annie, said "I can't eat those, I'm allergic" 

I said, "Oh, you are allergic to rice? Are you sure, because these taste like jelly beans!"

She decided maybe she wasn't allergic.

She tried the candy anyhow and then wanted more!

Next time, maybe I'll bring squid jerky or seaweed! What do you think?

I'll bet they'll all be allergic!

To come later.... TJ's special Baptism day.   

How To Top The Last Blog Entry?

Well, it's not possible.

I can't type in Japanese or translate it or read it. So, this is really short.

Isn't Gus an interesting guy? We had the best time in Japan. It was a great way to start our life together. I'm glad to be married to someone who has taken me on so many adventures.

Read Gus's entry. It's more interesting than my commentary.

Trip down memory lane...

Going through the boxes of mementoes in my closet and the garage, I came across some things from 1990 when Cindy and I were newlyweds and living in Shizuoka Japan.

Here's a picture of where we lived. We lived in the lower left of the map, just to the left of the mountain right on the coast. At the top right, you can see Mt Fuji, which we could see from where we lived.

In one of the boxes, I came a across a talk I wrote for the commencement ceremony for the foreign students at Shizuoka University. It was a very formal affair. I was selected to represent all of the foreign students, and I had to read the speech in front of the University president and other big wigs and somebody from the Ministry of Education (the Japanese government agency that funded our year in Japan). Probably nobody but me will find it interesting but I had fun typing it in and trying to translate it. Translation follows the original.

答辞

夏休みに、日本最高の山であり、日本のシン
ボールでもある富士山に登りました。四時間
以上も苦労して、やっと山頂に到着しました。
とても疲れました。もう二度と登りたくはあ
りません。しかし、ご来光は感動的でした。
日の出は僅か十秒ほどで終ってしまいました
が、ぞれは深い印象を与えました。

静岡大学での留学の体験もあっという間にお
わてしまったように感じます。けれども、振
り返てみますと、一年という短い時間でした
が、すばらしい思い出がたくさん出来ました。
この思い出は私の宝物です。けっして、忘れ
たり、捨てたりはいたしません。

ホラ、外人だ、と小学生にいわれたと、静岡
から見た富士山、留学生のスキー旅行、先生
とのマンツーマンの勉強とお話、千代の富士
と大乃国の引退、唯一人のアメリカ人として
全くわからない和製英語を先生に聞いて笑わ
れた授業、一階の電気屋さんに洗濯の排水を
流してしまった時に笑って済ましてくれたこ
と、鈍行で広島まで行た旅行、妻のシンディ
と浴衣を着て揃って安部川の花火大会に行た
夜、雪がなくて少しい淋しかった静岡の冬、
クイズ番組が多くて面白い日本のテレビ、ド
ラマが馬鹿らしくて日本のつまらないテレビ、
いつもとても親切に助けて下さった教務係の
方々、日本人のやさしい心、相手を考える日
本の習慣と言葉使い、などなどは私の思い出
あります。

こんなにためになる勉強と、経験をさせてい
ただいたことを心より感謝しています。また、
文部省の研修生として勉強できたこと光栄に
思っております。研修生を代表してお礼を申
し上げたいと思います。

わざか一年間だけでしたが、おもいで豊かな
一年だったといえるでしょう。まだまだ未熟
な私たちですが、日本の習慣、日本の文化、
そして日本人の心を少しは理解できるように
なったと思います。そして、自分のことも理
解していただけるようになったと感じます。

帰国しても心は日本に残るでしょう。帰った
らホームシクになるかもしれません。

このすばらしい機会を与えて下さった文部省、
静岡大学ならびに静岡県民、そして日本の皆
様に心から感謝したいと思います。

最後に、皆様の御健勝と、静岡大学の一層の
御発展をお祈りいたします。ありがとうござ
います。

一九九一年九月十七日
ガス・ハート

Formal Reply

During summer break, I climbed Mt. Fuji, Japan's tallest mountain and a symbol of Japan
itself. After more than four grueling hours, I finally reached the summit. I was so tired. I don't
ever want to do it again. But the sunrise was impressive; it only lasted about ten secounds, but it
left a deep impression.

My experience as an exchange student at Shizuoka University feels like it lasted just a moment
too. But when I look back, even though the time was so short, I made lots of wondeful
memories. These memories are treasures. I'll never forget them.

Gradeschoolers yelling "Hey, a gaijin!", the view of Mt. Fuji from Shizuoka, the ski
trip with the other exchange students, studying and talking one-on-one with my advisor, the retirement of
Chiyonofuji and Onokuni (famous sumo wrestlers), the class period when everyone laughed at me, the lone
American, because I was completely baffled by their "Made in Japan" English, the time when we flooded
the electronics store below our apartment with our laundry water and the owners just laughed it off,
riding the "slow train" all the way to Hiroshima, getting dressed up in yukata and going with my
wife to the fireworks show at Abegawa, the snowless, and so slightly lonely, winter in Shizuoka,
Japan's interesting television with all kinds of quiz shows, Japan's boring television with
ridiculous dramas, the people in the department office who were always so kind, the kind heart
of the Japanese people---these are my memories.

I am truly grateful that I was given this opportunity for such useful study and experiences. Moreover,
I feel honored to be selected as an exchange student for the Ministry of Education. Let me express
thanks on behalf of all of the exchange students.

It was just one short year, but a year filled with memories. We are still inexperienced, but I think
we have come to understand, at least a little, the customs of Japan, its culture, and the heart of
the Japanese themselves. And, in turn, we too feel that we have been understood.

After we go home, our hearts will still be in Japan. Perhaps we'll feel a little homesick.

I would like to express my sincere thanks to the Ministry of Education, Shizuoka University, as well as the
citizens of Shizuoka prefecture for providing this wonderful experience.

Finally, I pray for everyone's health and the continued development of Shizuoka University. Thank
You.

Sept. 17, 1991

Gus Hart

Our Mixed-up Holidays!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

This year we are doing things all mixed-up! Today, we took some family pictures. Then, we decided to decorate the tree because Gus and Rebekkah will be in Boston after our Thanksgiving trip. Rebby looked devastated when I suggested we decorate while they were gone next week so we did it early. Last night, after we put up the tree, I was tempted to sleep by it in the glow of the lights, but my bed called to me. Rebby did though! In the end, we managed to get the ornaments on with only breaking 4 of them-- 2 before any were even hung. Julia put all of her ornaments in one spot on the tree. It was fabulously dense and sparkly. My favorite ornaments are the ones the children made at school and church, usually wrapped in a brown bag and delivered to us on Christmas day! Aren't those the best? After we decorated, the children insisted that the cats were photographed with them too. 

Before decorating, we decided to get some family pictures. The last decent ones we had are 2 years old. Since I haven't been good about scheduling professional pictures, we opted for the tripod, timer and the backyard. We have a great one of me running to my spot and arranging bodies. I also didn't add the photo of when Tim pinched Sam and he flipped out and then, I flipped out! Some memories aren't worth preserving. Why does this always seem to happen during family photo shoots? For a few minutes, we all felt too sad (or mad!) to smile until Katherine (our oldest) started making silly jokes and getting everyone to lighten up! Then, the real smiles returned. Thanks to Katherine for turning a tense moment into a humorous one. Back inside, everyone was happy when the ornaments were pulled out. Our evening just got better and better.

Happy Thanksgiving to our dear Family and Friends.

We are so thankful to have you in our lives. We love you and appreciate your friendship, encouragement, company, and support.

During this season, I just wanted to mention a few of the things I am grateful for.

-Thank you, family and friends!

-I am deeply thankful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am grateful for what Christ did for me and all of God's children, for his love, example, and sacrifice. 

-I am thankful for an encouraging and loving husband who is a great friend and father.

-I am thankful for our children. I appreciate their unique personalities and talents and enjoy the wonderful company that they are to me

-I am grateful to have a home, food to eat, electricity, a vehicle, and plumbing!!! (I'd be a lousy pioneer). These are amazing gifts.

-I am grateful to live in a free country

-I am grateful that my children can receive and education.

-I am grateful for books, computers, medical care and even dentists!

There is so much more to say! 

Life is great!

Have a great week. 

Love, 

Cynthia

The Animal Guessing Game

Tonight we had a good hour in the car to "kill" on the way home from Bountiful, so Julia suggested we play "The Animal Guessing Game". It's like 20 Questions except that it's usually 60 questions and the person who is "it" has to think of an animal that we guess. 

Here were some of the questions that someone in the family invariably asked each time.

-Is it a Cuttlefish?

-Is it a Giant Squid? 

- (Julia) Is it a really really big, huge, giant squid?

-Is it an Echidna?

-Is it a Marsupial?

-(Mom) Is it a Chicken?

-(Timmy) Is it nocturnal?

-(Timmy's turn) What's a mammal again?

-We said no imaginary animals, but one time Sam picked Sasquatch, because he's a "mystery" animal and not imaginary. (IE: no one one has found him yet, but they have "seen tracks")

-One time, I was thinking of guessing a Tasmanian Devil for the fun of it when Timmy was "it", but I didn't. Then, no one could guess what his animal was. When he revealed the answer, it was........ a Tasmanian Devil! I think we are on the same wave length!

-One time, Gus was "it" and so was I!!!! After the kids guessed, Katherine asked some "afterthought" questions to make me feel better: Does she sing? Is she beautiful? Is she funny?

Thanks Kath. 

-Julia kept telling everyone to be quiet.

-Gus kept saying he "had a really good one" and wanted an extra turn.

-Sam kept saying, "My turn! I called it!"

-Katherine said, "I'm not guessing anymore!"

By the time we were to the house, no one was asking questions that made sense. Rebby asks, "Is it a mammal?" Timmy says "Yes!" Then, Rebby asks, "Is is a Shark?" Timmy says "NO!"

Mom asks," Is it a Basilisk?" Kath asks, "Is it Julia?"

It just kept going downhill. No logic whatsoever.

We recommend that you do not play this game for more than thirty minutes. Especially if you are tired or playing with strange people or have seen National Geographic specials on the Giant Squid or the Cuttlefish.