Kimono Karen

Ssayounara

2011-10-30T21:17:52.041+09:00

Ssayounara

I just checked and it was forty years, just a coup...

2011-04-02T16:10:55.931+09:00

I just checked and it was forty years, just a couple of weeks ago when we left Japan. I still yearn to go back, but know it never will be. You are a wonderful writer and your words brought back many happy memories of the years I spent in Japan, I want to thank you for that.

I've been reading your blog on and off for several years. When I changed computers I lost you altogether, but a search of Kofu school of Ikebana brought up your your blog again. You see I also studied Kofu, under Yamamoto Saigetsu and her sister, and also took lessons with Mr Mori, head of the Enshu Ryu.

Good luck in Washington DC, I hope you have time to enjoy some of the galleries, museums, and other interesting places to see, and there are many things to do in the city and surrounding areas. We lived there many years ago and now I'm not too far away - in Maryland.

Thanks, Nadia! You never know when we might take ...

2010-12-13T00:03:37.911+09:00

Thanks, Nadia! You never know when we might take you up on that. :)

Ginny - It is so true that you don't understand it until you lived it. Thanks for your very kind words! And thanks for reading!

Oh poor Karen, I hate to tell you but I left Japa...

2010-12-12T23:44:34.121+09:00

Oh poor Karen, I hate to tell you but I left Japan 24 years ago and I still miss it terribly. My husband and I lived there for 3 years and I loved every minute. I remember walking from the airport bus onto my plane crying, feeling like my heart was broken. And the challenge of adjusting back to the states was horrible. It's a difficult mourning process but you'll get through it. Nobody understands unless they've lived it. I have enjoyed your blog and will miss your Japanese adventures but keep posting!

You have a home here, so you and your family are w...

2010-12-10T23:52:21.156+09:00

You have a home here, so you and your family are welcome anytime.

Oh, Heather, I wish that you get the chance to vis...

2010-12-09T04:25:52.742+09:00

Oh, Heather, I wish that you get the chance to visit again or live there too! That place just gets into your blood. And with your knowledge, you would be such an amazing fit.

My heart goes out to you, Rachel. I've been there where you are. I promise it will get better. I hope you will find a love for it as I did. Most do, honestly. Even if you don't, I hope you find peace and joy with the experience. The hardest part is missing family, but you will find a family there too, just in a different sense of the word. I am sure without your husband at your side as you try new things makes it even harder, but hang in there and know that one stranger in this world is sending you good thoughts. I do love to read your blog as it reminds me of my first uncertain days. You seem like you are embracing the experience and that is all anyone asks of you. My best to you... every step of the way.

I'm still struggling, still asjusting, and sti...

2010-12-08T17:33:40.441+09:00

I'm still struggling, still asjusting, and still having plenty of tough days as I slog through this process, alone but for the 7 weeks Chris has actually spent in this country.

Your post gives me hope that not only will it maybe not always feel like this, but that maybe, just maybe, I'll reach a point where I feel like I am doing more than just treading water and biding my time here.

Thank you for that.

What a beautiful goodbye. You made me miss Japan t...

2010-12-08T06:54:04.969+09:00

What a beautiful goodbye. You made me miss Japan too! I hope I can live there someday...maybe not permanently, but at least for a couple of years.

Best wishes for your new life in DC (and elsewhere) and to your growing family :)

Hello, I found your blog by clicking on "Nex...

2010-09-21T11:58:21.167+09:00

Hello,

I found your blog by clicking on "Next Blog". I must say I was very impressed with your writing! :o) Hope you don't mind - but I am now following you, in the most non-stalker sense. :)

Tokyo sounds amazing. A land of such rich culture and excitement. I hope to travel there one day! Thanks for sharing.

perhaps...

2010-09-11T10:19:54.999+09:00

perhaps...

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2010-08-14T00:09:47.684+09:00

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I'm thinking I might have found my calling... ...

2010-06-29T07:26:26.945+09:00

I'm thinking I might have found my calling... open tons of wacky theme bars in Japanese style in the states! I could be famous!

So ready for Eclipse!

Definitely join us! Want to plan a trip for next ...

2010-06-29T07:24:55.914+09:00

Definitely join us! Want to plan a trip for next spring? I'm ready to come back already and I haven't even left!

It's in a box on a boat somewhere on the Pacif...

2010-06-29T07:23:55.801+09:00

It's in a box on a boat somewhere on the Pacific right now. Will have to get to that in the future.

Karen; What about your favorite Aunt. You know t...

2010-06-29T03:09:10.995+09:00

Karen; What about your favorite Aunt. You know that I enjoyed all the gardens we saw while visiting with you and Greg. There was so much more to see and so little time to do it all in but maybe some year in the future we will get back to beautiful Japan. Can't wait to visit you here in USA. Aunt Carolyn

Wow, what interesting bars they have there!?! Sorr...

2010-06-28T22:53:01.837+09:00

Wow, what interesting bars they have there!?! Sorry, we don't have any of them back here. I am glad you were getting ready for the new Twilight movie :(

BB

Too cute! I'd like to see some photos of sea p...

2010-06-27T08:16:29.602+09:00

Too cute! I'd like to see some photos of sea pottery :)

Dear karen, I am the Content and Community Manage...

2010-06-18T23:48:41.638+09:00

Dear karen,

I am the Content and Community Manager of Travelavenue.com, the new community travel guide.

I am very happy to tell you that our editorial team has selected your blog to be a part of our program “Travelavenue favorite blog 2010”.

How can I contact you? I would like to present you our program.

See you soon on Travelavenue,

Laure
lh@travelavenue.com
www.travelavenue.com

Tremendously hard!!! But we are looking forward t...

2010-06-10T13:21:22.746+09:00

Tremendously hard!!! But we are looking forward to being with old friends again!

I'm sure it's going to be hard for you guy...

2010-06-09T21:43:03.218+09:00

I'm sure it's going to be hard for you guys to leave Japan! You've created such wonderful memories there. :) We are certainly looking forward to having you guys back in the US!

I've been twice--for six weeks in 2001 with sc...

2010-06-02T01:11:35.138+09:00

I've been twice--for six weeks in 2001 with school, and for ten days in 2003 for our honeymoon--and I have been dying to get back. I'd love to live in Japan, at least for awhile.

Thanks for the help, Heather! I know you are the ...

2010-06-01T13:50:40.255+09:00

Thanks for the help, Heather! I know you are the expert on anime! I really want to get myself into a program or two, but I just so rarely sit down in front of the TV lately. It will be one of the things I will fall in love with once I get back and need Japanese reminders. :)

Trust me, there are days I feel like moping! But then I force myself to make plans as I know it will be gone too soon and I won't have the chance anymore. It's going to be so hard to leave this country. You really must come visit some day. With your love of Japanese culture, I know you will enjoy every single minute of your time here!

I figured out who the characters are, thanks to th...

2010-05-26T21:58:56.202+09:00

I figured out who the characters are, thanks to the fact that the banner behind them says what show they're from! It's HeartCatch Pretty Cure, a magical girl anime like Sailor Moon. The pink one is "Cure Blossom" and the blue one is "Cure Marine". The bad guys appear to be Kobraj (the guy in white and blue) and a Desertrian (monster of the week).

Your Aburatsubo Marine Park trip sounds like so much fun! Love the pictures :)

So sorry KP was ill :( But it sounds like he's okay now...that's good.

Love the line about the "Vampire Killers" :D

I can definitely sense how bittersweet your last bit of time in Japan is for you, especially in the last paragraph. I'm glad you're getting out there and experiencing as much as you can! Such a move would be really hard for me, too, and I might be apt to just sit at home moping :>

Just one?? Haha!

2010-05-24T21:37:44.940+09:00

Just one?? Haha!

Wembley - It rains so much here that it drives me ...

2010-05-24T21:37:04.895+09:00

Wembley - It rains so much here that it drives me crazy. I can't imagine living in another place (like London or Seattle) where it rains so much. It just gets depressing to me. I guess you overcome it, though in four years, I still have not. And we have 8 umbrellas! Doesn't it drive you up a wall after awhile??

Heather - didn't snap the figurines. Guess I should do that!

Thanks, Jill c!