It's A Clark's Life

Making New Friends

This evening we had some friends of ours over who have a lovely 3 year old daughter.  You never know exactly how the kids are going to get along, so boy were we pleasantly surprised tonight.  Emma and Dylan started playing together from the moment Emma came through the door, and the evening ended with a cool down viewing of Caillou.  They seemed to have a lot in common - a love of cars, music, cupcakes and the over-emphasized "Cheeeeese" smiles.  It was really a lot of fun to have them play together while we visited with Thom and Mami.

What was the only toy to cause a riff between the two?  A nasty looking rubber chicken that poops out a disgusting egg that Grandma Clark gave him for Christmas.  Thanks Grandma.  :-)

Smoke'n Max

Grandpa and Grandma, what are you teaching our dog while he's at your house?

Christmas Eve Video Clip

Christmas Eve Video Clip -Click here

Merry Christmas!

Our first Christmas in Tokyo together as a family turned out to be a really great day. Of course we missed being with our families and we knew to make up for feeling the distance on such a big day we had to come up with a plan. Dylan woke up at 4:55am - did he really know it was Christmas morning and there would be "surprises" under the tree for him???? The plan was to open stockings first, then eat a pancake breakfast, then open presents, nap, and Christmas dinner. Well the 4:55 wake up call, speeded up all of the days activities. Greg and I were feeling a bit homesick and didn't want to sit around the apartment all day and panicked with all the extra time on our hands (compliments of Dylan) ...so on a whim we decided to go to Tokyo Disneyland. We had such a wonderful time there. Dylan was pleased with the Christmas parade, thrilled to see "Pooh Bear" and get his picture taken with Donald the Duck. We rode the race cars and Dylan (and I think Greg as well) experienced their first roller coaster ride. I was a bit concerned he would be tormented for the rest of his life but it ended up, he could have rode that "train" (Dylan's term) all day long. The fireplace was made by Grandma Clark. It added so much to the feel of Christmas, just being able to hang our stockings up was so meaningful. I have caught myself a couple of times wanting to rest a book or something in my hands on the "mantle". I have to remind myself it's not real. She is super creative!!! Thank you! Oh and the fireplace has real twinkling lights on it so even the fire looks real! We also ended the evening with a 6.0 earthquake (off the coast of Japan) We felt it here in our apartment but just a little rattle. Here are some more pictures of Christmas. Christmas 2007 Pictures (click)

Sierra Resort Hakuba - The Japan Alps

Skiing - after a long hiatus from the sport (thank you college sports) we decided it was about time to hit the slopes again.  The Japan Alps were drawing us in.  Greg craved the mountains and I just wanted to see something other than concrete.  British friends of ours, Daniel and Claire - who are avid skiers, came along with us.  Greg skied the first day while Dylan and I played around in the snow.  We reversed roles the second day, and I got to see just how long it had been since I skied last.  It turned out Greg got better snow, but I got the better weather.  The Alps were stunning.  So different than the hills in MIchigan.

We stayed at a reasonably nice resort not far from the lodge that sat back in the woods called the Sierra Resort - Hakuba.  It's billed as a luxury resort, but don't get your hopes up.  The place is in need of renovation.  The pictures on their website are very gracious to say the least. Don't get me wrong, it's not bad, but it aint "Luxury" either, as the Japanese reviews will have you believe.  We had dinner there one evening, and the food was very nice, and better than expected.  Despite the facilities not quite being at a luxury level yet, the setting back in the woods is very serene, and a wonderful escape from Tokyo. There is an American who started working at the hotel this summer who recognizes what this place could be, and is swimming the upstream battle to make it that.   My guess is that we'll see some kaizan, but not the transformational change the place will need to really reach its potential.  Enough of the hotel review.

We had a great time and can't wait to get back up in the mountains again to strap on our skis and let Dylan explore something other than the back streets of Tokyo.

Fight Fires in Yotsuya

Field trip to a fire museum! - (what every boy loves)  Alex and Dylan and Chris and I bared the morning rush hour on the subways and found a great museum.  The boys climbed aboard a couple of fire trucks and a rescue helicopter.  Together they even managed to lock themselves in the bathroom.  Thank goodness we were very close to people who knew a thing or two about emergencies!   The moms even learned a lot about how the samurai used to fight fires, the tore down the surrounding wooden buildings to stop the fire from spreading, then let the building that was on fire, burn out.

Tummy Hurts

The stomach virus has run it's course through our house. Greg, Kath and now Dylan. Even though he is sick, he still can muster up some energy for playdough.

An American Express Workout

Greg is in the US right now for work.  I sent with him a list.  A reasonable "must have" list with a few extras for Dylan considering it's Christmas time.  I should have been sleeping but my excitement kept me from doing just that.  Greg was shopping picking up the "listed" items.  Well, as soon as I heard he was at this store and that store (he was texting me all along), that list grew immensley.  I would be laying in bed and a new item would pop in to my head - another must have!  You have to understand Tokyo shopping, one word and greatly emphasized, EXPENSIVE!  Same item in the USA, would be at least 2x's if not 3x's the cost here.  I'm my mother's daughter, frugual.  In the last 5 months, we have only bought the essentials and so all of a sudden I feel like I have an outlet of all this pent-up shopping energy and I'm channeling it through Greg.  I'm waiting for the American Express phone call to verify all the charges. 

Hiding Out

The Toyota History Museum began with a cool go-cart!

Dylan loves to read.  He came home with an umbrella from Gymboree and opened it up and found a great, quiet place to hide and read.  Daddy joined in on the fun. 

Costco style ride'em cowboy!

Christmas Cards

Many of you have asked for an address in which to send Christmas cards.  You may send it with a $.41 USA stamp to the following address:

The Clark Family

c/o Alticor Inc.

7575 Fulton St. East  78-1X

Ada, MI  49355

All letters will be forwarded to us twice a week.  We look forward to hearing from you!