March
Entry#120. 3/31/2023.
When I went to Chicago, I had a chunk of time for a morning walk even though it was freezing cold outside with wind. I walked around the Navy Pier from the hotel. Chicago has a unique road structure at downtown area (with 2 or 3 layers of ground areas). Until my husband pointed it out, I didn’t think about it much. There are stairs at several points that people can access to any level of grounds. I did that to access to the Navy Pier. Around the stairs area, I looked for any elevator just in case. I didn’t have any luck though. I wondered “where and which way would be the accessible route for wheelchair users?” It is tricky to find a way sometimes, but we could use a map app searching for “cycle” and we would be ok with wheelchair.
There is a Ferris wheel at Navy Pier called “Centennial Wheel” where I walked by. I didn’t check the entrance this time, it was too cold outside plus my husband didn’t have much free time during the conference. If you know my husband, you can guess easily he is a kind of person who picks roller coaster than ferries wheel. But you know, it would be nice if we ride a Ferris wheel with his wheelchair, just in case. I’d love that. So I did my homework for looking up information about Ferris wheels around the world. (I know you are now chuckling, aren’t you?)
3/30/2023.
I am so late to watch/listen to his speech. But I can watch this again and again and again. Mr. Ichiro Suzuki is the legend indeed.
My favorite part of his speech:
"Of course you will face struggles and frustrations. I know, because I faced them every year. Without imposing limits on yourself, you must find the desire and the passion to overcome those daily challenges. That is the way to maximize your potential. Then you can achieve the unimaginable."
3/29/2023.
I'm getting used to it. Every time my husband decides to go handcycling, I have a routine to be ready for biking/handcycling.
3/28/2023.
When the Sun is shining, it makes me feel "Ohhhh I gotta clean my yards!". Then the next thing in my mind would be "I need mulch!" However it's still chilly outside here in my town. Hopefully we will get more warmer days soon. Photos: my backyard!
3/26/2023.
The Sun is up. The sky is blue. My eggs are hung up!! It was perfect for biking/handcycling today. So perfect!
3/25/2023.
When a young college boy seems to be interested in "biology field", my husband would love to give a lab tour to show everything related to his research. It's always fun to watch their interactions. Plus wandering around Pearson Hall is fun as well.
3/24/2023.
I just saw a news about this and it made me smile and wonder. I want to be a human being just like this lady at age 90. How about you?
3/23/2023.
I think I call my Christmas cactus as "Easter cactus" during March. (I know there is a real Easter cactus and it looks different flowers blooming.) Fun!
photo: love the contrast between cactus and daffodils (background)
Entry#119. 3/22/2023.
Title: Fun “google” search for flight tickets.
If your son says he is going to Mongolia by himself, you would love to know how long it takes to Mongolia from US. Would you?
It’s nice to know about a tiny information even it’s not so accurate and not so useful yet. Yes, I googled about flight tickets from Chicago to Mongolia (the capital city is Ulaanbaatar and Ulaanbaatar has an international airport). You would love this info, I’m pretty sure.
I just checked the cheapest flights to see which means “these are not fastest” for sure.
Chicago to San Francisco (4h 41m)
Layover 10h 41m in San Francisco!!
San Francisco to Seoul (11h 5m)
Layover 10h 51m in Seoul!!
Seoul to Ulaanbaatar (3h 40m)
Total; 40h 57m, 2 stops
It’s more interesting for the way back to US from Mongolia.
Ulaanbaatar to Istanbul (9h 25m)
Layover 17h 35m in Istanbul!!!
Istanbul to Chicago (12h 15m)
Total; 39h 15m, 1 stop
My eyes are wide open to think about the trip to Mongolia. How about yours? Look at those Layover time!!!! I’d be curious how our son finalizes the flight schedule to Mongolia. It’s a long way to travel for sure. Did you like the fun fact about Mongolia trip?
3/21/2023.
School systems are different between Japan and US. Both curriculum-stuffs and school-rules. There is PTA in Japan, however the idea/concept is a bit different than US. When I started parenting, it was in Kansas. Then I learned US school systems and rules in Ohio throughout 1-12 grade levels. The most surprising part was bringing birthday treats into a classroom. You know? In Japan, that never happens. Never. Interesting?
When my son visited Japan at age 5, he was lucky enough to attend local elementary school for several days. I was so excited about his experience and wanted to share some candies with his classmates. Then I realized that Japanese school kids were not so familiar with "sharing candies in classroom" at all. Even to teachers. Well, I love American ways about sharing snacks, anyway. Of course, we need to be careful about food allergies seriously especially recently. Still I love that good old memories of bringing birthday treats to classrooms.
3/20/2023.
Yesterday was the last 20sF degree day, I believe. I wore a winter hat all day long. Happy Spring! Give us more sunshine.
Entry#118. 3/19/2023.
There are many handcycle runners who competed big races in the world. I didn’t know much before (not at all), I’ve never watched their races before. Now I noticed there are many videos available to watch on YouTube. Boston, Chicago, New York City Marathons have Handcycle programs. It’s good and nice to know there are opportunities to handcyclers (it’s good to know to myself). However each marathons have different rules and eligibility which is very complicated to me to understand (so far). It’s not so easy to enter/register a race, not at all, especially for a first-timer. (We don’t think we could register for these big 3 races in near future. Not so soon. For the reality.)
Even to myself, it seems that a very latest model of handcycle is required. Those 3 big marathons set a qualifying time. Seems it has to be a fast runner. (Strong enough for any uphills)
There are interesting notes on the websites, too.
It says:
The handcycle division is considered an exhibition event. No awards or prize money will be given for this division. (Chicago Marathon)
The Handcycle Exhibition is a non-competitive participatory event, with no awards or prize money. (NYC Marathon)
The top male and female finishers in the Handcycle Program will receive an award and a $1,500 stipend of recognition. (Boston Marathon)
———
There is an important rule for handcycle runners, too. It’s about e-assist (electric assist) handcycle.
Handcycles with motors or pedals are not permitted. (NYC)
No handcycles with motors or pedals are permitted. No other gear, crank, or chain powered cycling equipment is permitted for use by athletes in the Boston Marathon including foot-powered recumbent bikes, tricycles, or bicycles. (Boston)
3/18/2023.
I think it’s safe to say I am a “Musical Theatre Geek” officially because I went to Union County high school to watch the show “Something Rotten! A very new Musical” this afternoon alone. It was so much fun and I enjoyed entire time smiling huge. Cast members were 42! I finished up my Musical theatre season wonderfully, until next season.
photo #2: My pink Christmas cactus still keep blooming surprisingly.
3/17/2023.
I have a wonderful "baker/chef" friend in town. We met at the local public library, we both used to work there. She is about to start her own "bakery" business pretty soon (so I believe). She often shares her creations with me and my family. We love them very much. After Pi day, she brought here "hand pie" which I've not heard about before. I loved the name and it was super scrumptious. It was the best of the best. Mmmmm.
I put them on my favorite plates. I love unique plates/cups/bowls/pottery very much. I used to collect some in Japan a long ago. Then it was just a wonderful timing that my son brought in several his pottery pieces in my house. (He made all of them by himself in college class.) This time he added "plates" to his collection. His first try. I love all of them. His skill gets better and better.
Big Announcement #2.
Our son is going to Mongolia!!!
3/16/2023.
Our son announced his big news to us. He is going to Mongolia! this summer.
I’m so happy and proud of him. It’s gonna be his SOLO travel abroad and it’s gonna be a huge one! We now have a son age 21!!! (We both are age 49.)
Big Announcement #1.
51 more days till PIG!!
Have you done "Flying Pig" races (5K, 10K, Half, Full Marathon) in Cincinnati? Well, it's very famous and popular event around here. However I've never run in this race before. My husband will "run" 10K with his handcycle in May!! Ta-da! There are still unknown details to us. So I'll write more later.
3/15/2023.
12 mile biking!! It's my husband's "training", a serious one.
3/14/2023.
It's so cold here. It was snowing today again. We need more sunshine in March. Putting some photos and a video on here to cheer me up.
Entry#117. 3/13/2023.
My husband has found the wonderful massage therapist in town. Finally he made it to visit her office/massage room. Since he started keeping seated-position in a wheelchair most of the time during the day, it seems he has hard time to “stretch shoulders” because of less-core strength. I tried to massage his shoulders but it was too tight to loosen. I was useless.
So it’s so wonderful to connect with the professional massage therapist. She is the best.
When we entered her massage room, it was so lovely calm soothing atmosphere, there was a massage bed in the middle. She adjusted the height of the bed to the lowest level. We were thankful. Transferring from a wheelchair to a bed, from a bed to a wheelchair is the first thing to think at any hospital/hotel to my husband (and me as well). It worked well this time.
Then I realized another thing. During the massage session, you lie on your back then lie on your stomach. Have you ever thought about “turn in bed” (turn over or roll over) seriously? In my husband’s case, he is paralyzes from the waist down. Unfortunately he cannot turn in bed by himself easily. He has his own trick to roll over his body with extra effort on his bed at home. Usually he needs a double space of his body width on a bed to turn. (or bigger space is better)
Then I thought “oh no” seeing the width of the massage bed. The width was a just one person size. (If you lay down there, there is no extra space in your both sides.) So in my head, I had to think quickly how we make him turn on this width’s bed. Thankfully with “two” persons‘ assisting, he made it to be on his tummy on the bed. I didn’t think about “on tummy” position on narrow bed beforehand. I was glad it all worked out well. Yes, there is always something to learn. True.
P.S. This massage would help to loosen his shoulders muscle tightness. We are grateful for that.
photo#2: See? There is no extra space in his sides.
3/12/2023.
I had a “bitter, bitter, bitter” experience this afternoon at the uptown on-street angle-parking. In fact, I was burst into tears badly in our van. I cried horribly with raging tears. It was that bad. This kind of tears haven’t happened recently for a long time.
I was about to drive off from a disabled parking spot because my husband parked in the disabled spot and we have a placard for the permit, hanging it up for display. He stayed in the cafe, I needed to drive home using our van. I always realize that I should be really careful with this disabled placard because it belongs to my husband, not me legally. Many times I start driving from a disabled parking spot displaying the placard. However, as you can see here, my appearance in a disabled spot would obviously look strange and suspicious. I get it. That’s why I always feel I should be very careful for this situation. I know it’s my responsibility kind of.
Today a car parked right next to me. The man stepped out and approached my passenger window, signaled me open the window. I did. He started talking “You know? I could park your spot, I’m a senior citizen. Luckily I was able to park here next to you, but.” I apologized him explained that my husband uses a wheelchair and pointed to my placard. He continued “That doesn’t matter, you know? Sometime people park this spot, but you know.” At that point I didn’t notice that this man didn’t see my placard at all. However to me his words meant “you aren’t allowed to use this spot, you are not a disabled person!” It stung me very hard. I know I am an able-bodied person but my van is ok to park with the placard in a disabled spot (my husband parked in). At the time he saw my placard in his eyes, it was too late, I was crying telling him “I’m going. Let me go. May I go? Please May I go?” I understand that the man wanted to lecture me about the importance of a disabled spot to senior citizens. But I cried horribly, miserably and helplessly with a tiny bit of rage. I’ve been tired (with extra-care-time for our post-surgery dog) in these 3 days. I guess I was just too tired and it just burst off.
It was cold and snowing this morning. I needed sunshine at that moment really. Well, there is always a lesson to learn, correct? Yes, I always need to be careful. It’s not too much to say that, I guess.
It was a bitter experience. Well, gotta cheer me up by myself.
Photo; our Ranger, healing more day by day.
3/10/2023. Ranger updates;
He is settled and has been calm, sleeping because of the medication (pain medicine). Peanut butter "power" is great. We cannot manage this kind of hard time without the Peanut butter.
3/09/2023.
Our boy-dog (age 13) Ranger came home from the surgery (small bump removal). You know? He is both blind and deaf. Vet doctor and staffs did take good care of him. It went well. We are thankful and grateful. However post-surgery phase is not so easy especially when he cannot see and cannot hear. It's gonna be a long sleepless night. We will survive. (We need to survive.)
3/09/2023.
I'm going to watch Talawanda high school Spring Musical show "Ruthless the Musical" this weekend with my 2 sweet friends (my neighbor). It's not Opening night this time, but I wanted to celebrate the big Opening night for three big casts (one is a stage manager!) So guess what I did?? I delivered tiny flowers to their doorways beforehand. You smiling? Yay.
3/08/2023.
My husband and I were back on the road. (whew finally. It's been super busy.) We skipped a warm 70s day and tried a windy-50s day instead. Oh, boy, I was too cold and wimpy funnily. 7.5 mile biking.
3/06/2023.
Before we were off to Chicago 5 days ago, there was just one blooming of Daffodil in my front yard. When we arrived home from a long driving, vivid yellow color caught my eye and made me smile huge. They welcomed us very cheerfully. Spring is so good to get going! How are your early bloomers doing??
Entry#116. 3/05/2023.
My husband and I have been getting comfortable with traveling gradually. He attended the drosophila research conference in Chicago, it was a 4 nights staying which was the longest trip for us ever since the injury. (July 2021) I needed to make sure that everything was in the van. My husband took his 3 grad students with us this time. Our van was full of stuffs indeed. I was glad that all fitted in including his wheelchair and shower chair. I added extra bag of catheter (25 in a bag) just in case if we are stuck somewhere because of the storm. It’s very critical if he doesn’t have enough numbers of the catheter. I don’t want to think about that situation though. Scary. We need to carry them with us no matter what, wherever we go literally.
I put his “standing-set” in our van also, basically a walker, knee pad + knee cushion and a bungee cord. He needed chunk of “standing time” during the conference staying. Keeping seating position the longest time a day, for 4-5 days long, would not be good for his entire body system.
There are “paraplegic” things he must think constantly when he travels away from home. When you are focus on exciting discussion about research stuffs with other great researchers in the world, you’d forget these “paraplegic things”. But my husband tried to keep up everything and I believe his brain worked harder than ever in these 5 days.
It was great, wonderful and exciting to watch how much my husband enjoyed being at the conference. I did see how much research-world-people loved my husband very much and cared about him so much. I was grateful and happy that we made it (!) to attend the big conference in Chicago.
It was his one of big milestones indeed. I could sleep for two days straight. Good exhaustion. Yes!
photo#2: Do you see "fly pin"???!
Entry#115. 3/04/2023.
Big city is fun and great to visit. Chicago is a good distance to drive from my town (about 5 hours) and has several sightseeing spots and good food. Visiting a big city always make me excited. Then I have to say “it’s very interesting now” because I have now “different my perspective” about my life.
Did you know about the relationship between Chicago and “revolving doors”?? Did you know? I even didn’t think about it before. It’s good to know that each buildings have revolving doors because Chicago is famous as “Windy City” and city people want to keep inside the building warm. Yes, it’s good to know. (Yes, it’s one of cool facts about Chicago.) Revolving doors would help keeping warm air inside efficiently better than usual doors. That sounds making sense. However imagine “Wheelchair vs revolving door.” Can my husband get through revolving door on wheelchair?? Noooo.
So we use the door next to revolving door to enter the building. Yes, of course. That’s no problem. I’m grateful for “the door” existing there that we can use.
One evening, we tried a new eatery place and arrived at the entrance. I saw revolving door in the middle and two plain doors side by side. We wanted to use THE door. However it was locked and obviously they don’t use it at all for customers. I was shocked. It gave me the feeling of “exclusive”. Wow, I didn’t imagine there was only option of revolving door at the restaurant. I didn’t think about it at all.
I understand the idea of “importance of using revolving door”, but I just wished that they kept the exception + just-in-case necessity of usage of the plain doors.
We really appreciate inclusive atmosphere wherever we go….. It was an interesting experience in Chicago to myself. You could feel me, maybe? Still love being in Chicago though. I can learn more.
Here. Interesting articles about Chicago revolving doors.
https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/chicago/news/2-investigators-chicago-pedway-laden-with-obstacles-for-the-disabled/
https://www.architecture.org/news/happening-caf/the-swinging-times-of-chicagos-revolving-doors/
photo: #1; this restaurant was disappointing. Sad.
#2; New hotels are great about the accessibility. This wall decor is my favorite.
3/03/2023.
It's Girls' Day in Japan today.
https://www.google.com/doodles/hinamatsuri-2023
I was thinking of my niece in Japan. Found her photos from past. (She is going to high school starting in April.) (Intereting fact: there isn't Boys' Day in Japan. Instead, there is Children's Day in May 5th.)
3/03/2023.
A quick note in Chicago.
The big city is sometimes tough/difficult to explore on wheelchair (bad sidewalks). But the hotel accepted our changing-room offer (to a room with a roll-in shower). I was grateful for that.
3/02/2023.
I'm "attending" 64th Annual Drosophila Research Conference in Chicago!
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