Fujiiyama Mama

Photo: Ayana Wyse A few months before Yoshi arrived, I threw out this question on Instagram and Facebook and got a lot of questions in return. I answered them all individually at the time but thought I would compile a bunch of them here on my blog as well. Q: How is the health care? A: Really good! Apparently, it’s among the best in the world. This chair is next-level scary, though. Q: Are doctor’s appointments conducted in Japanese or English? A: 90% Japanese. My doctor speaks some English but the midwives do not so it’s been a combo of my Japanese comprehension, occasionally my husband translating or the helpful hospital translator when he is available. Q: What’s the hospital/birthing centre like? Have you gone on a tour of it yet? A: The hospital is new and really nice! So far I’ve only seen pictures of the delivery room and hospital rooms but they are fancy! (*and fancy they were!) Q: Are you going to raise your child mostly in Japan? A: Yes! Q: Are you worried about disc...

  We both sighed heavily. We were next in line but the senior woman ahead of us and the cashier were having a lively chat, disregarding the time it was taking to finish checking out. My husband, Yasu and I weren’t in any particular rush ourselves, but waiting was frustrating. Yasu mumbled something about them needing to hurry up before catching himself. “Wait.” He said, “they aren’t wrong. We’re wrong. We need to slow down, like them. That’s inaka life.” I nodded in wise agreement. It was the first of many times we’d been reminded to slow down since moving out to the Japanese countryside.  It’s been two months since moving to Eiheiji, Japan; famous for its temple and the slogan “Zen: Do you feel it?”. We arrived from Osaka without an ounce of zen in our bones and made the decision that needed to change. That wasn’t the only thing due to change though; two city folks moving out to the country meant a lot of adjustments were going to have to be made.  Our local train statio...

Missfit the Pug September 6, 2005 - June 18, 2022 She was at home, comfortable and I couldn't have asked for anything more from the Best Girl. She spent a very significant part of my life with me; most of my 20's and 30's including my move to Japan. In Japan, she got to spend her retirement in Osaka, eating delicious food and taking luxurious naps. She stuck around long enough to comfort me during my pregnancy, meet Yoshitora and bless him with her love. She was only a couple of months shy of turning 17 - quite the life for a pug.  Thank you, Missfit. I'll love you forever. Our last nap, about an hour before she passed Three of my greatest loves; Missfit, Yoshitora and Green Day Missfit at her Sweet 16 Birthday Party With Phil Spector our wonderful chihuahua girl who passed away the year before