The Lost Semester

I believe the Japanese refer to the 90's as their "lost decade," when the economy was especially stagnant. Our "lost semester" could have benefitted from a swap of upheaval for stagnation. In any event, our "lost semester" saw us become blogging recluses. Beat-up, and perhaps even more beat-down than we'd like to admit, nevertheless we once again boldly, although not without a tinge of timorousness, re-emerge into the blogosphere.

Before our head-first descent into the lost semester, I mentioned Vyda's search for a clunker. The search concluded in Vyda handing over $2200 for a 1995 Toyota Camry that didn't have functioning brakes. Just like anything else I suppose, you don't really appreciate brakes until you don't really have them! $400 of over-priced labor later, Vyda finally felt confident and qualified toting around two small children and offering others rides.

Warning: this post lacks any semblance of appropriate transitions.

Vyda found a great friend named Marlise who just happened to have a 4 yr. old son who became a great friend to 4 yr. old Arielle.

Vyda swore off the beach in late September after--despite a genrous lathering of sun-screen-- a sun-burn tatooted her swimsuit onto her back. However, parks, look-out points, Polynesian Cultural Centers, libraries, trips to WIC and the food stamps office, play-groups at the church, and visits to Marlise's house filled the void just fine.

When Arielle's not quibbling with Vyda, or blithely disregarding what Vyda just asked her to do--which she does fairly regularly-- she's a joy to be around. She makes us laugh a lot and is for the most part, a very helpful big-sister. Nothing melts your heart like a four year-old walking over to you, slinging their arms around you, and saying, "Don't be stressed, Daddy."

Ryosei, our now eleven month old son, finally about two months ago routinely began sleeping through the night. Living in a cramped apartment and being woken up predictably by a cry we came to know all too well isn't the "feel-good" type of topic I'd like to elaborate on in this blog! I'm sure most babies are like this but he's a bonafide "cheerio monster." I never cease to be amazed by the immense greed of innocent infants! We're still trying to communicate somehow that a cheerio is a "sometimes food." But Ryousei, too, just like Arielle, has become an indispensable part of our family that we'd be heart-broken without. I give Vyda all the respect in the world for the kind of Mom she is and how devoted she is to her kids and their well-being.

As for me, I'm just glad I only have one semester left in Hawaii before we head off to Korea for the internship-based year two of the program. The year-one coursework based portion has felt like I walked into the ring with Mike Tyson in his prime (pre Buster Douglass fight) and have been pummeled mercilessly and furiuosly from the onset of the bell. Everytime I collapse rather than the referee humanely ending the fight, however, he pulls me up for more and "consoles" me by saying, "it will help me professionally in the future."

Pictures coming soon!

no longer homeless

I probably should've written this update 12 days ago when we ceased being homeless. Needless to say we're grateful for a roof over our heads, even if one of the neighbors across the hall cooks very pungent southeast asian food. Vyda is slowly accumulating the things she needs to make her life easier and happier in Hawaii. The happier she is, the happier I am, if anyone out there with a wife can empathize with what I'm saying. Last week we got internet and basic cable so Arielle can watch 90 min. a day or so of PBS kids to give Vyda a much-deserved rest. Besides that, the t.v. won't be on in our home unless I find a way to get the Japanese NHK channel so all my hard work in Japanese this past year isn't for naught. Today Vyda also got a stroller. Later on we're going to buy some more futons so Ryosei can play by himself sometimes in his room without us constantly having to be within arms length, for fear he'll bang his head on a basically cement floor. Vyda still hasn't been able to secure a clunker we can drive around for 8 months but that's at the top of her list. We haven't had a car for four years so I'm really happy Vyda can finally enjoy what most people now days have no idea what it's like to live without. I got an almost $5500 stipend from my program this week which was a nice surprise, to say the least.
I better stop procrastinating my homework. Just wanted to chime in before someone thought we fell off the face off the earth--not that anyone reading this still believes the earth is flat or anything...............

Hawaii bound

I just posted six pictures I believe so I'm already at 6000 words according to the a picture is worth a thousand words theory. Consequently, at the risk of rambling on I'll keep this post nice and concise (I thought "nice and concise" sounded less trite than "short and sweet").
Tomorrow I depart for Hawaii. We're still homeless there. Vyda and the kids will arrive Friday night so I have two days--Thursday and Friday--after my all day orientation on Wednesday to find and sign on an apt. lease. All I have at this point in time is faith. Recently anytime Vyda has expressed doubts and concern about the still unresolved important details of our fast approaching Hawaii life I tell her, "please don't shake my faith. It's the only thing I have right now." For reasons we don't fully understand, despite our seemingly best efforts, things we need in Hawaii--like a place to live--haven't been easy to secure. Hopefully it's a proverbial test of faith and we'll pass. Once we're settled we'll post pictures from Hawaii.

Vyda thoroughly enjoying herself

three generations of Colemans

enjoying Grandpa Kevin's self-proclaimed "alligator" act. As a side-note, Grandpa Kevin also demonstrated the "beaver," and the "shark," during the course of our thirty minute swim--although the distinction between the shark and the alligator was fuzzy at best.

a pause in the action with Grandpa Kevin and Grandma Jennifer