This past week was a series of Japanese National holidays, added all together they are dubbed, “Golden Week.” Families enjoy their 7-10 days off from work and school to go back to their hometowns, spend lots of time at the park, go to the malls, work in their gardens, etc. Nick had two days off from school, while I had a whole week off as my language teacher went with her husband and children to visit their elderly parents in their hometown. (Interestingly my teacher and her husband grew up in the same small town; they’ve known one another since grade school). Given the high-pressure, long hour jobs that many parents hold, it has been fun to see so many families out and about, getting good time together.

The highlight of our little “Golden Week” was mine and Nick’s very belated anniversary get-away. Our teammates, Jay and Caitlin Greer, kept the kids while we went into the nearby city, Nagoya, and spent one night. (Its the first time since we were in the hospital for Owen’s birth that we have been away from the kids overnight. That doesn’t really count as a get-away.) It was great fun to be there and get a taste of the crowds and sights and atmosphere of the city. Knowing we will eventually be making our home in the huge city of Tokyo made it even more significant to be out together, exploring unfamiliar surroundings, finding new favorite spots. It reminded me that while “our future in Tokyo” can be so intimidating to me sometimes, we will be able to make our home there too. And we will love being on the adventure together.