Great Expecations

When I took U home for Christmas many friends asked if he was going to be asking for my dad's permission for my hand. I got pretty tired of coming up with responses as nothing I said seemed to satisfy anybody. But apparently that was only a trial run, small fry to the expectations awaiting us on our return...

When U and I arrived at his parent's place a few weeks ago (a week or so after getting back) for a large family gathering his father's first words were "So do you have a big announcent to make?"

After meeting me his female cousins (of 8 in their generation only 2 are male and the other guy was the only member if the clan not at the gathering) started discussing good locations for weddings. The result was that Nara would be nice.

U's father couldn't keep his eyes off me when I demonstrated proper baby-holding skills while holding the youngest member of the family so her grandma could actually eat.

U has apparently been told by multiple members of his family to "make things official" before I have te chance to "run away."

.....

And, before anybody asks, no, there are no plans to live up to those expectations quite yet. One step at a time, and our next step is moving in together over the next couple of months. Somehow I think that's only going to ratchet up the expectations and comments, however!

Wordless Wednesday - Canadian Forest

When I asked U for his favourite memory from the trip he immediately chose the hockey game we went to. Buy when asked for his strongest memory, or what would stay with him the longest, he chose a short walk we went on through an old-growth forest right by the ocean. Looking back at my photos I can see why!

Wordless Wednesday

What I'm doing instead of blogging...

Promise

I left work today and noticed something odd. It took me a few minutes to figure out what was wrong, and by then I had almost missed it already.

It was light out.

Sure the sun had set by the time I reached the station, but those few fleeting minutes of light... they represent the promise of longer and warmer days to come. Days when it isn't dark and cold when I leave work, when I can enjoy walking through the park to the train station. Days when I don't arrive home to a bitterly cold apartment that makes me play the how-badly-do-I-really-need-to-go game and wear a toque to bed.

Little by little the days are getting longer. Someday soon spring will come.

Tadaima

Back in Tokyo. Back to real life and work and all.

Sigh.

U met me at the airport, and Mt Fuji was on display to welcome me back but still I wish I were back in Vancouver!

A last Canadian TILT

- lunch with an old friend
- baking for my dad (cornbread, blueberry cornbread, turkey pie, spanokopita, strawberry-rhubarb pastries, cranberry bread, eggnog scones, rye bread)
- shopping dates with my cousin
- movie dates with my dad (3 days and 3 movies)

Although unfortunately after a pathetic third period collapse by the Canadians in the gold medal game of the World Junior Championship, I can't say I'm loving hockey, although I am loving watching hockey games with my dad and aunt. 

I have one full day left in Canada and then I'm heading back. I've had a really good visit and am wishing it would last just a little longer... sigh!