J'en ai marre !

I have always enjoyed packing and moving, looking for the new adventures ahead. Well, not this time apparently. The boxes in our living room are still in random "miscellaneous" status and I even started knitting instead of packing in this hot weather! This weekend, we were visiting our friends in Toulouse to pay a visit to their 7months old baby, and my knitting instinct kicked in. It was so good to see them again one last time before we leave France for good...

As they said Chana was welcome as well, we decided to drive instead of taking a train or a plane. It was a long drive but it was worth it. On the way, we simply took the toll road, but for our return trip we drove the  national road which took us through small towns and mountains. In fact, our dear friend from Oregon took me on this trip last year around the same time. So it was great to share that experience with Nathan this time. The conclusion is, France you won my heart.

Between Rodez and Mende, we stopped for a picture break in Chanac. Close enough, right Chana? Here is a great photo of Chana saying "J'en ai marre!" meaning I am fed up or I am sick of it. Our Namesake photo shoot continues. Live it up poochkin!

C'est parti !

It is June 30, 2012 and our living room is again filled with cardboard boxes. Sadly, our stay in Grenoble is finally coming to an end. I will miss every bit of it, from the beauty of nature and the depth of culture to the filthy side walk and the ruleless drivers. I think I can say that I lived this city, and I am glad that I feel linked to this place.

Starting September, we are starting our new life in Vancouver, where we first met as two master's students. We love Vancouver dearly, and it is another place to which I find a personal link. I am very much looking forward to rediscovering this old neighbourhood together with Nathan and this time with Chana.

The month of May and June were full of events. At the beginning of May, Nathan and I were very close to the top of the world at Mont Blanc, and then went very close to the heaven in Andalusia with my dearest friend Miranda. I dragged them to flamenco performances and she dragged us to delicious tapas bars. The Alhambra Palace took us with awe, where Nathan did his happy math tourism. I rediscovered travelling with friends enjoyable, and I hope she enjoyed it as much as I did.

In June, Nathan's brother came for a visit and then came Nathan's family. Thanks to them, we got to redo a lot of sightseeing in Grenoble and we were amazed how much this little city can offer. Chana kept us busy with two more agility trials, but she did not do so well due to lack of practices. We do not know if we get to do this much agility in Vancouver, so we are going to enjoy as much as we can in July.

We have a month left to go in France. We are trying to see as many friends as possible before we leave. The calendar is almost full and the time is running out! The only wish is that we had more money :D! Well, I guess this is the time we should become really French. Enjoy the moment and you think about tomorrow day after tomorrow. Or is it more Spanish? Que sera sera? Carpe diem? Who knows what is ahead of you, so make sure you don't regret not doing something :).

Happy Canada Day!

Chocolate overload

I am very sensitive to the word "THE BEST." I cannot remember how many times I have been disappointed after a great introduction such as, "Try this---! It is the BEST!" Sometime they add the regional boundary at the end of the sentence, but the regional boundary means nothing when that person has never left that geographical area. Or, it might be the best in town, but if that is the only one that exists, what can you say? Every time I hear the word, I cannot help but remember the scene from Elf. 

Having said that, Nathan and I are currently experiencing chocolate overload trying to find THE BEST chocolate in town. It is truly a chocolate season in France right now which started with the Poisson d'avril (April Fool's Day) to Pâques (Easter). Grenoble is a small town yet it offers many chocolatiers. La Caraque, Bonnat, Zugmeyer, L'amandine, Voisin, La Déesse, Bochard... This is just the north eastern part of Grenoble and if I added the boulangeries that sell chocolate, the list goes on. The verdict is that they are all SO GOOD!

Nathan was never a big chocolate fan, but this year he is actively participating in our hunt for good chocolate. Today he came home with a doggy shaped chocolate from Bourbon. He is THE BEST husband that I have ever had and will ever have! That is the correct usage of the term THE BEST. 

Bonnes vacances à tous !

The mighty five

Today was my last day at L'école complementaire des japonais. I feel very content and relieved, but at the same time I am sad to leave my students. I never felt this way before in my seventeen years of teaching career. I do not remember how many times I scolded them and yelled at them, but they were just so sweet and fun to hang out with!

I taught five second graders who spoke Japanese as a second language. At the complementary school, which is partially funded by the Japanese government, the curriculum used is the one prepared for Japanese kids in Japan. So you can imagine it was not an easy chore to keep the students interested in learning, not to mention the material, as their exposure to the language is limited.

Luckily, my students and their parents were all enthusiastic about learning. Thanks to their effort, the class finished in the positive tone where students are all willing to continue onto the next grade (as the new school year begins in April). I hope I was able to give them joy in learning and in succeeding. Even though it may be a bit painful now, they will one day appreciate so much that their parents let them attend the complementary school. In fact, I have faith in all of them, that they have the strength and courage to keep on learning whatever may come.

As I am quite possessive, I am reluctant to let my students go to someone else. I wish I could teach them until they graduate from the elementary school. However, as we are leaving France this year, I now have to take up a position as their life-long supporter. Work hard, the mighty five, and I wish you all the best in your future. Always remember that what you do is for your own sake and be responsible for your act! I love you guys dearly even though I usually do not like kids :D. You touched the special part of my heart and you will be remembered.

In honour of Dad: March 23rd, 2012

Nathan and I were back in Japan to attend Dad's Sankaiki memorial (counting 3rd year/two full year) which was held on March 18th. It happened to be Grandma's 10th memorial, so I am sure she was quite happy to see lots of familiar faces as well.

Mom and Dad were paying visits to the family tombstone every 18th day of the month after Grandma passed away, and now Mom does so on the 23rd for Dad. It is all symbolic and ancestry worshipping may sound quite bizzarre to some. However, comparing to the daily visits when Grandma was in the hospital, and to the 24hour care that Mom, my brother, and Nathan and I provided for Dad by staying in the hospital room with him for one month and a half, once a month visit to the tombstone is nothing.

As Mom serves three cups of green tea to the family alter at home every morning, Nathan and I serve coffee to Dad every morning together with incense. On Dad's anniversary, I am reminded once again to dedicate my life to those who gave so much to me.

Oingt (Beaujolais) March 3, 2012

As we were heading toward north of Lyon for Chana's agility trial, we decided to visit a small town called Oingt, in the heart of Beaujolais, recommended by our Lyonnaise friends.

The village is known for "pierre dorée," and as you can see (thanks iPhone), all the buildings are made of golden yellow stones. The village is surrounded by vineyards and I cannot wait to visit there again in the summer time.

France is full of beauty especially in the countryside.

Agility in France No. 5: Chana's 2nd agility trial

This past sunday, Nathan and I took Chana to the 2nd agility trial of the season in our region (Rhone-Alpes). We were blessed with a warm weather, and the first outdoor trial experience was nothing but positive.

Chana brought home two trophies this time, one for Jumping (1st place out of 9 dogs) and the other for Open (2nd place out of 9 dogs). She ended up on the 2nd because she committed a fault by touching the long jump. We should have trained with that more often! For the third run (GPF), I made a mistake by running to fast at the end of the dog walk. As a result, she missed the contact zone. Had it not been for this fault, she would have been the 3rd. 

As the weather gets better, I assume there would be more dogs in our category. I believe it was a good idea to register for the two early competitions to make Chana get gused to the environment.

You may be wondering why we are doing this? I think it all comes down to the fact that I love taking tests, exams, or any kind of evaluations. It helps me find the weakness and helps to improve. Although it is quite tiring, I will continue to aim higher with a hope to run like a ballerina one day :).

Jumping

Open

GPF