December
Here is a year ago December 2022
Entry#197. 12/30/2023.
You might ask me “What’s like New Year’s Eve Countdown in Japan?” I will write about it sometime. This time, I want to tell you about Spanish New Year’s Eve Tradition. Why Spanish? Because my husband had a student from Spain in 2013-2015 in his lab. He taught me a Spanish dish “Tortilla de Patatas”. He cooked it and shared it with us. It was delicious. In fact I cooked it this month. It was fun to re-create the old good memory. (See a photo)
At that time, he taught us about Spanish New Year’s Eve tradition: Twelve Grapes!! Have you heard about it??
https://www.spain.info/en/discover-spain/new-years-eve-spain/
It was very interesting and fun to learn about it. Of course, we wanted to TRY Spanish tradition in our house. Twelve grapes!! However there was the funniest and surprising moment, you should laugh.
I prepared 12 grapes in a tall wine glass for each of us. Since grapes’ number was 12, it was really natural that we thought “we have to start eating grapes 12 seconds before the clock hit midnight, 0:00 on New Year’s Day.” Just like a Countdown starting at 11:59:48. So we did.
Now you see what was wrong with this “game”?
According to “Our way”, we had to munch one grape per a second, for 12 seconds!! See? It’s impossible. It was impossible to eat up 12 grapes for 12 seconds, it was too short. We laughed hard. We shouted “Happy New Year!!” with messy grapes in our mouths.
This year, we googled again to make sure we do the right thing about 12 grapes. I prepared grapes for us. We are ready. Are you ready for Countdown?
We will start 36 seconds before midnight to eat a grape, one at a time for 3 seconds each, 12 grapes total! Wish us luck!
12/30/2023.
Mural updates: It's been a while since I posed in front of big murals. We celebrated my husband's big 50th birthday and found a nice mural. Especially the color is so vivid. You like it?
12/29/2023.
Look! I found a puppy!
12/29/2023.
I'm originally from Japan. But I do love Christmas spirit, holiday cheer and all atmosphere around this season. Yesterday was a part of Christmas magic to myself. My husband and I did meet up with our one of great barista-friend and his girlfriend who is also a rock climber. We chaught up about latest updates of our life. He talked about his parents before, we haven't had a chance to meet them. Then suddenly a sweet petite lady showed up with my wonderful music-teacher-friend who is a fantastic pianist in town. You can imagine easily how much my eyes were wide open with the highest excitement. It's all connected around me and everyone made me so smile. It feels like everything around me cheers me up! Wooo hooo.
Entry#196. 12/27/2023.
It's so sunshiny today. It made me so happy and smile. After this warmth, it looks like the usual coldness is coming. We need to be ready. On the other hand, yes, ski season is on at the Perfect North slope. The nearest ski slope for us. I need to refresh my brain about mono-ski (sit-ski). How to prepare winter wear for my husband. How to ride on it. How to adjust a seat setting and foot setting. So on. On the snow surface, it is hard to roll (move) around with a wheelchair. Can you imagine? It will still take more time for my husband to "master" mono-ski. At least he needs "snow time" more and more, just like hockey kids need "ice time" as much as possible. Are you smiling? (Our son used to be a tiny hockey boy, I learned a little bit about hockey world. wink wink)
Here are videos that I found on Paralympian Andrew Kurka (his injury level is T10, paraplegic. My husband is about same level, T10.).
https://usskiandsnowboard.org/athletes/andrew-kurka
I learned that I need to think carefully about paraplegic people's injury levels, about how much their core muscles are capable. Each individual is very different, even if they have a similar injury level.
However, as my understanding, if I see T10 paraplegic person does mono-ski turns, I can think there is a possibility that my husband can do the same! That's exciting to myself, as well. I will learn more and more.
I believe it's not that easy at all, but I can keep cheering on him.
This photo is from February 2023! at Perfect North ski slope.
12/26/2023.
Merry Christmas! We are working on taking a fun family photo. Well, not happening yet. We will see. Oh, our son's request for Christmas dinner, Beef stew brought us smile and satisfaction. I was happy that I cooked it right.
Here are photos for you. One is our son's handmade tea-ceramic-sets. I love the shapes, colors, ideas and everything. The other is reuniting with my forever mentor-librarians! You know? They are the best to me.
12/23/2023.
I'm so behind on writing greeting cards to relatives in Japan. I should have done it sooner because it always takes over 10 days to reach them by airmail. Well, I will take time to "complete my mission" anyway. Holiday music from radio stations tells me "take it easy", so I will do that. Funny. I have Christmas readings, 3 books with me, too. One is new to me. Two are re-reading books, my favorites.
Being Heumann by Judith Heumann.
The Mistletoe Promise by Richard Paul Evan's.
Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom.
(So far, I'm loving "Being Heumann" a lot. I do recommend it!!).
I got a Christmas card from my old wonderful sweet strong lady in Kansas City (she used to live in Manhattan, KS). She is like my bonus mother in the States since 2001. She taught me lots of things when I moved in Manhattan, KS, gave birth to our son, raised him and more. She shared her updates and her family stories with us in the Christmas card. I really want to share one of them here with you all. One of her granddaughters, she is a professional Tightwire artist!!!
https://www.haywirecircus.com/portfolio-1
It's eye opening! You would love it when you check her YouTube videos. We remember her from old memories, she was tiny sweet girl back then. I'm impressed very much and I'd love to keep cheering her on in future. If you know our son, you might smile more. His eyes were wide open and said "Wow. Ohhh!" He is a kind of "juggling/ circus" man and has an eyes for the movements. (May I say that?) She is something, isn't she?
12/21/2023.
When the town got into a white world, the excitement kicked in really. I love it even though it all melted away for now.
We are grateful for pedaling outside in the winter. We take an advantage of the warm temperature and try to go pedaling as much as we can. You know? Last year around this time, we couldn't go biking much. We will see how much we can this winter.
P.S. I love these kinds of quizzes. Below. Do you?
12/19/2023.
Before Christmas, I give you another set of quizzes, to biology lovers. Are these “nouns” really common?? I am embarrassed because I cannot answer any of these.
Collective nouns “insects” version
Fill out the blank.
1. A ________ of grasshoppers
2. A ________ of ants
3. A ________ of butterflies
4. A ________ of bees
5. A ________ of spiders
6. A ________ of ladybugs
7. AN ________ of cockroaches
8. A ________ of mosquitoes
9. AN ________ of crickets
10. AN ________ of caterpillars
11. A ________ of worms
12/18/2023.
I am so grateful. Ranger's Doctor called us. Ranger's vet made his ClayPaw (even it has his name on it) for us. I got a phone call from my wonderful neighbor (they have a sweet boy-dog named Bear!) to check on us. I got special cards from my sweet friends. One has a paw print on the front. One has a dog with rainbow on the front. We are lucky to have these people who care about us, who cared about Ranger very very much. Thank you!
We were lucky to meet Ranger at the shelter at the very first time.
January 2023. (Almost one year ago)
May 2021.
12/17/2023.
Our son's insect-box update:
You like it? I love it.
(Yes, it was his class assignment. He collected (caught) many insects at several different places. Pinned them, dried them up and organized them with labels.) Neat??!
Entry#194. 12/17/2023.
I’ve lived in the States since 2001. Sometimes I realize that I totally forgot something “Japanese”. Yes, I’m forgetting. I think I’ve lived here too long. This time, it’s about “Eye vision scale/test/chart”. I had no idea about meaning of 20/20. Funny. Because Japan has different scales and charts. Did you know that?
https://japaneveryday.jp/2020/12/eye-chart/
You would enjoy taking an eye exam using this “C” chart. Don’t you think?
My eye vision is very bad, very very bad. You would be surprised and shocked if you see how I see without glasses. In Japan, my eye vision is 0.03. I learned about 20/20 scales, so according to the USA scale, my eye vision is 20/600!!!! Do you believe it?
Then I want you to experience my eye sight in the night (night driving). I found some images on the internet. No doubt that I never be able to do night drive without my glasses. Scary.
On the other hand, it looks kind of beautiful, maybe. (It does for as an art.) I wished I had a better eye vision. But this is the one I got. So I try to stick with it. I can tell 20/600 is awful and that’s true. At least I’m liking my new glasses. Are you smiling?
P.S. Yes, these photo images are really similar with my vision.
12/17/2023.
I think back often closing my eyes. photos: October 2019
12/16/2023.
Sometimes I want to post like this "Caption this!!!"
Entry#193. 12/16/2023.
I’d love to add this for yesterday’s entry. I have several paraplegic advocates/activists in my mind always to think of and admire. I’m thankful and grateful that they live strong out there for SCI community and accessible world. I am truly thankful for them. I don’t have any personal connection with them at all (except for Dr. Rabchevsky. He is my husband’s mentor), but I would love to support their efforts and missions forever.
Speaking of “disability rights on flights”, I keep hoping the world would get better for everyone, including “no damaging wheelchairs”.
Here are four my inspirations.
Justin Levene.
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/paraplegic-athlete-justin-levene-who-dragged-himself-through-luton-airport-drops-legal-challenge-a3984371.html
Sophie Morgan.
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/accessible-air-travel-disabled-passengers
Quinn Brett.
https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/climbing/quinn-brett-is-gonna-be-loud-2/
Sasha Rabchevsky.
https://unitedspinal.org/sci-researcher-sasha-rabchevsky/
After the final exam week, it was a nice outing with our son.
Entry#192. 12/15/2023.
After my husband became a paraplegic, we’ve talked about air travel/ plane trip/ flight sometimes. You know? We are originally from Japan and we are familiar with long flights (usually 13-14 hours flight between Japan and America). Each of us had own travel style and we managed long flights pretty well. Of course, as an able-bodied person, there is not much problem for being in an airplane. Now things are different for us. There are many concerns and many things we need to think ahead and be prepare.
One of our concerns is “whether my husband’s manual wheelchair can be handled properly if we cannot carry it into airplane nearby our seats.”
Did you watch the news video recently?
https://abc7chicago.com/amp/american-airlines-wheelchair-video-tiktok-viral-videos-miami-international-airport/14093143/
https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2023/11/21/travel/american-airlines-wheelchair-tarmac-video/index.html
If my husband’s manual wheelchair is handled like this, it’d be terrifying. We still need to search and learn more. And at some point, we need to try flying with some good courage, just go for it. Because many people with disabilities do air travels, so I’ve seen (on internet).
Lastly I attached the infographic. It says “31 Wheelchairs are broken by airlines EACH DAY!” Can you believe it?
Here is a good resource which I need to read deeply.
Entry#191. 12/15/2023.
My husband gave his students the final exam this morning and it's officially the winter break for Miami University. Hurray! (Sheeee, professors are working hard on grading still, I know.) At least we felt good with sunshine and my husband and I went for cycling/handcycling to the bike trail in town. It's been a while because of the busy schedule plus coldness. It was so much fun for outside pedaling. Loved it.
I wanna yell to the world "Happy holidays!!!"
Entry#190. 12/13/2023.
It's Final exam week in Miami U. Of course, the fabulous local coffee shop in town, Kofenya is full house with students AND professors (they are grading seriously). I stopped by to get my husband's cappuccino "to go". I was lucky to see one of greatest baristas (and she knows us pretty well). She brightened my day and made me happy. I was giggling when she told me "what she drew on the cup today". Do you see it?
It says "Snowman in a snowstorm". (See? No snowman there because you cannot see a snowman because of the snowstorm!!). I LOVE her cute humor and "holiday cheer".
P.S. Our son brought several his ceramic creations into our house. It was eye opening when I see how he created "mountains with clouds" on the surface using special effects and techniques. Ohhhh you need to see it with your own eyes.I love it. I love them all.
Entry#189. 12/11/2023.
It was the time of my husband’s lab tradition: Lab gathering in our house. It usually happens during the final week to celebrate the achievement of the semester. We had to cancel this time because of Ranger’s passing.
I always enjoy the preparation process for it thinking about decorations and games. This time was no exception for me (I had a bit of time the week before). I was about to make a quiz/question-board.
Part1: Pick the correct spelling of names
Mathematics
A; Pythagoras
B; Pythagorus
Theoretical physics
A; Stephen Hawking
B; Steven Hawking
Vaccination
A; Louis Pastor
B; Louis Pastuer
C; Louis Pasture
D; Louis Pasteur
Mathematics
A; Fibonacce
B; Fibonnacci
C; Fibbonacci
D; Fibonacci
Easy for you??
Then I learned the term “collective noun” this time. (Please tease me because I’ve not used this word before. Bad me.) Is it easy for you to answer questions below?? It’s not for me.
Part2: Collective nouns
The collective noun congregation refers to a group of:
A. peacocks
B. eaglets
C. bees
Select the collective noun for a group of octopi.
A. cast
B. class
C. congratulation
D. smack
E. consortium
Select the collective noun for a group of crows.
A. murder
B. realm
C. blush
D. pod
E. battery
The collective noun host refers to a group of:
A. sticks
B. sparrows
C. octopi
Select the collective noun for a group of emus.
A. company
B. mob
C. troupe
D. congratulation
E. clew
The collective noun muster refers to a group of:
A. finches
B. peacocks
C. islands
I might be able to put up a board of these questions for my husband’s lab crews next time. wink wink
Answers: (Did you get all correct answers?)
Part1: A A D D
Part2: B E A B B B
I finally put up another board of group pictures from the past.
Entry#188. 12/10/2023.
Our son is pursuing a degree in biology with art minor. He is in his senior year now. Sometimes he entertains me showing off his art projects. Did you know there was no “minor system” in Japanese colleges? There is no pre-med system neither. (For medical schools, law schools and nursing schools, they need to pass entrance exams to attend directly after graduating high schools.)
Sometimes I feel that our son is lucky to have this American college experience instead of being in Japanese systems. (Well, I might be wrong in some ways.)
I can tell that he has been loving art classes (sheeesh, more than his major, biology classes). He showed me his photography class project. Black and white “film” photography. Yes, you are correct, it’s not a digital photography, it’s a manual film photography. It’s amazing to hear from him about what he learns in the class. I remember the old days before digital cameras invented. (Funny?)
Seems he put up 10 photographs on the wall with his own display theme. I just love seeing it even though I don’t have any knowledge about photography. I’m jealous how fortunate college students nowadays are. They should know that. And I’m fortunate that our son shares with us whatever he is into and whatever he loves.
12/10/2023.
My puffy eyes subside. I think I can write about this here. Our boy-dog, Ranger died here in front of my husband and me. 14 years old. I bursted into tears badly. Sad. Sad. He showed us his lovable personality until the last moment. It was just quick, sooner than we expected. The last three days were hard, tough times for all of us. Our son gave his hands whenever I yelled for help. He was helpful very much. After Ranger showed not wanting to go outside, (his hind legs weren't so functional much), my husband ordered reusable-dog-cloth-diaper right away. Also he ordered dog-harness/sling, it was for me. Because I was struggling to carry Ranger with my arms. He was just heavy for myself. I needed to manage his peeing/pooping either inside or outside. I needed to plan “when” he needed to pee/poop. Until the last moment, he showed great appetite. Surprisingly he ate energetically, made us smile. The diaper and the sling arrived here next day, just on time, I put them on him. It worked pretty well. I did bring him outside, let him pee/poop. That made me feel like “Okay, I’m ready. I can handle whatever he needs. We can do it together several weeks or so.” I was grateful that my husband took an action (shopping for very necessary items for me) asap. You know? I was ready even though it was tiring.
However my tiny hope was crushed sadly. He passed away……. It was quick. (We guessed it was related with heart or lungs problems, probably.)
Our house is so quiet now. Too quiet. Ranger kept calling/barking us more often in these days because of his blind/deaf condition. We got used to it, like his voice was constant “comfort” sounds. Now it’s just too quiet here.
Miss him so much. We talk about him, lots of fun memories and our adventures together….. I put photos of him on the wall and table. I can smile at him everyday. I think I can be myself tomorrow. We need to go forward anyway with our precious memories. Miss you, Ranger.
November 2023.
October 2021.
Now, this "Ranger sweater" is so meaningful.....
12/07/2023.
I'll write more later sometime. For now, I put this video which is one of my favorites and I can endlessly keep watching.
12/06/2023.
I'm learning something new and something so hard. It's my first time to know "how to live with a senior dog". We need to manage each day, this is a real "one day at a time". But I wanted to tell this. Tonight was simply joy. Our son was finishing up his project. My husband joined in looking through a microscope. Our boy-dog Ranger was next to my husband. I was all smiling even it was another tiring day.
12/05/2023.
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, finally, here in our house.
However, unfortunately, a bit difficult time has come here in our household for our boy-dog Ranger..... I need to watch him often more than ever. I will try to do my best. Let's see how we can do together.
I might need a dog-rescue-sling, like in this article.
https://doggearreview.com/article/rescueharness/
There might be a time I need to carry him by myself.
Entry#187. 12/03/2023.
My husband used to wear glasses with “transition lenses”. Transition lenses are:
“As you move into bright light, they automatically darken — and the more light there is, the darker they become. When you return to normal light conditions, the tint lightens again until the lenses are almost clear.”
Unfortunately he lost these glasses into a lake when he did kayaking. That was sad. He will make another pair with transition lenses next time. He recommended these lenses to me because it was time to make my new glasses.
I learned something. Here are some articles about transition lenses.
THE PROS AND CONS OF TRANSITION LENSES
https://www.spindeleye.com/blog/2018/04/the-pros-and-cons-of-transition-lenses/
This was my very first time to wear “sunglasses with prescription”. My eye sight is very very bad. You’d be shocked if you experienced my eye sight. I’m liking them. The only problem to me is “it takes too long to get clear from dark color when I enter inside a building”. It is too long. So I decided to get my glasses without transition function. (They do remake lenses without extra fee.) It was really nice experience to me after all.
Photos: Previous frame (2 photos). New frame with transition lenses. (3 photos)
Entry#186. 12/02/2023.
"The Elf on the shelf" isn't familiar with me. But thanks to the social media, I learned a bit and got the idea of it from the internet. I wasn't sure about the history of it. It looks fun, doesn't it? When I saw this sign (below) at one of coffee shops, it made me smile. I love their holiday spirit very much.
I'm reading an article about the Elf on the shelf.
https://www.today.com/today/amp/rcna44019
It started in 2005??! I thought it had a long long history. Interesting. That's after my son was born. (He was born in 2002.) I need to look up if there is something similar in Japan lately.
Oh, wait, there is an official site as well?!
https://elfontheshelf.com/christmas-tradition/
I found out something about Japan. They translate "The elf on the shelf" into "Santa's Spy" in Japanese in Japan! Ha!
This elf photo's title is "Beam me up, Santa!"
Aaaaaaand, LOOK!!!! I found him at the coffee shop!!
12/01/2023.
I love a cappella group "Pentatonix" (PTX) very much. Do you know them? Have you listened to their songs? They are formed in 2011. They now do tours including in Japan!! I still love watching their TV performance from Sing-off 2011. My favorites are #1: Video killed the Radio Star. #2: Dog days are over. #3: Forget you/Since U been gone.
Also I love this "Evolution of Music" as well. It's so amazing that they have kept "being popular" over 12 years!!
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