Author Archives: ScottBreen

After our long flight from the east coast of America to Japan, when we finally arrived in Japan we were both very tired.  I was tired but looking forward to the excitement of our trip to Japan.  I remember the feeling of walking out of customs and into a different world.  We took a bus from Narita airport to the Yokohama station when Kiyoko-san was there to meet us. We had dinner at a family style Japanese restaurant.  After two days of travel all I wanted to do was bath and go sleep.  I feel asleep and remember Patricia waking me up saying " Did you feel that earthquake?".

The next day was chilly but sunny, we packed up the van and header for Atagawa heights. One of the best parts about going to Atagawa heights ryookan is the trip.  From Yokohama to Izu takes about 3 and half hours. It is a beautiful drive along the Pacific coast to Izu.   We always have to stop at a rest area along the way because Patricia’s father is always hungry. From the rest stop Patricia’s mother drove.  I was very happy because I like Kiyoko-san’s driving better.  within 5 minutes Otoosan was asleep in the passenger seat.  Along the way we stopped at a tourist attraction to look at the flowers and beautiful bonsai trees. Continue reading →

For my mothers 87th birthday present, my brother and sisters and I decided all met in Myrtle beach South Carolina.  My 2 sisters and brother all live close to my mother in Canton, Ohio.  My two sisters, my brothers wife, and my mother flew from Ohio to South Carolina.  My Brother and my sisters boy friend drove.  After all the storms in Florida we were all a little reluctant to go.  We were all pleasantly surprised that the weather was very nice.  The days were warm and the nights cool.  My family likes to eat.  When they are not eating they are talking about cooking or buying food.  We all had a very good time.  Myrtle beach is famous for golf courses.  For the first time my wife, Patricia and I palyed golf together. We both really en Continue reading →

Every time I go to Japan, I’ve been impressed with the transportation system. I think that everything is Japan is expensive, but I think the trains, subways, and busses in Japan are especially expensive. Most of the train stations route maps are in roomaji or English, but some are in Kanji only. My wife went to an international school in Japan, but she can’t read kanji very well, and I can only read hiragana. This is always a problem when we travel in Japan. Every time we wanted to go somewhere we would just guess what the fare was going to be. After having several embarrassing moments at the train station exit, we just started going straight to the fare adjustment window. Continue reading →

At my house, I get a lot of annoying calls from various companies. These are calls from people selling various things, credit card companies, and invitations to change my telephone service. I had a good idea and decided to take action immediately. I decided to answer in Japanese, "I don’t understand English." The caller said, "I’m sorry," and quickly hung up. The success rate is 100%. However, if a Japanese person heard my English-accented Japanese, he would probably burst out laughing. Continue reading →

On my last trip to Japan, my wife’s parents took us to an onsen. After about a two hour drive and a day of sight seeing we finally arrived at the Onsen. I could tell that my wife’s father was disappointed with the hotel. The hotel was nice but it was old. I didn’t really care because I was just happy to enjoy the bath and the atmosphere at an Onsen. After resting for about a half an hour. I decided to go to the bath. When I arrived there were 10 people in the bath including my father in law. I felt a little funny because I felt that they were staring at me. I didn’t really think a whole lot about it. I spent about 5 minutes washing the days dirt from my body. When I turned around to enter the bath there was only my father in law. I wasn’t sure if they all left because I was there or if it just time for them to leave. Continue reading →

When we go the Onsen I always have problems finding a Yukata that is big enough. The first Yukata that I tried on only came to my knees.  My wife’s mother called the front desk and had them bring a larger one. That one came to half past my knee. Wife’s mother kiyoku-san called the front desk again. They finally found a XXX large yukata that fit. I guess they don’t see many tall americans at that Izu onsen.

温泉に行った時のお話です。聞いてください！

　温泉に行くと、私に合った大きさのゆかたを探すのに、いつも苦労します。私 がはじめて着たゆかたの丈は、私の膝までしかありませんでした。そこで、義理の母、きよ子さんがフロントに電話をしてくれました。そして、もっと大きい ゆかたを持ってくるようにと言いました。次のものは、膝とかかとの中間まででした。母は、また、フロントに電話をしました。旅館の人は、ついに、私に合う 超特大のゆかたを探して来てくれたのでした。恐らく、あの伊豆温泉の旅館では、背の高いアメリカ人は、そんなに多く見かけないのでしょう。 Continue reading →

God Grant me the Serenity to Accept the things
I cannot change, The courage to change the things
I can, and the Wisdom to know the difference.

ちいさな おいのり

かみさま　 わたし  に おあたえ ください。
じぶん に かえられない もの を うけいれる
おちつきを！
かえられる もの は  かえてゆく  ゆうき を！
そして、ふたつ の もの を みわける  かしこさを！

小さなお祈り

神様 私にお与えください。
自分に変えられないものを受け入れる落ち着きを！
変えられるものは変えてゆく勇気を！
そして、二つのものを見分ける賢さを！ Continue reading →