Killing Time

We were exhausted after our three days in Tokyo, but we still found time to goof around.

Forgetting Something?

Right... Got my keys, wallet, cell phone.... what am I missing?

Tokyo Max

Note to Self: Travelling through Tokyo by yourself and travelling through Tokyo with a baby are TWO TOTALLY DIFFERENT THINGS.

Goodbye Tokyo

I have never been a true fan of any Big City, yet I must admit that in our 2.5 years together, Tokyo won our hearts. This is from our hotel in Ryogoku (Sumo Mecca).

Let's go to Canada!!!

Kotomi is super-genki to go. Max thinks its lunchtime.

Thank You Mikiko...

When she isn't trying to run a household or keep wild bears from eating her crops, I hope Maxwell's Grandma Mikiko can find time to check out this blog. Thank you for everything, Mikiko. I promise to bring your Grandson back to you someday, and I promise your reunion will be in Japanese.

Everybody was Kung Fu Fightin'

Wow! That was a wild first half of October!! Kotomi and I busted our humps trying to get everything bought, booked and packed for our big trip home. We had a few hurdles along the way, but we eventually made it all the way to Tokyo, then Canada. This pic was take after I mistakenly tried to pack my son into the suitcase. Enjoy the next batch of pictures chronicling "The Immigration"!

Coming Home

Just a few quick things... First, I felt compelled to change the title of Blog... as my many entries would attest to, the extraordinary amount of good fortune I have recieved over the last few years leaves me feeling anything but "Lost". "Life in Translation" also serves well as a title for our transition from life in Japan to life in Canada. By the way, we have an exact day of that transition for you. October 20th. Now if you will excuse me, Max is begging me to take him for a stroll...

Momotaro the Peach Boy

This is the second best picture you will see on this blog. Just in case the Sumo career doesn't work out, I am thinking Max will grow up to have a small gang consisting of a parrot, a monkey, and a dog. Once he has his gang assembled, Max will take them to Demon Island, where they will conquer the Demon King and his subjects. Victorious Max will then return home, bringing with him the confiscated treasure of the Demon King for his loving parents. How is that for a retirement plan?

My Little Yokozuna

By far, this is the BEST picture you will ever see on this blog. I have waited six years for the outside chance that I would be lucky enough to marry a beautiful Japanese woman and have a strong, chubby baby boy who would do this portrait justice. There is nothing more for him to do now except eat, grow big, and claim his rightful spot as one of Sumo's all-time great champions. I can already feel the tears of pride streaking down my face...

Print Club goes Digital

Not only can you get half a dozen colorful snapshots for under 5 bucks, but you can also get the photo booth to e-mail you the pictures to your mobile for an additional $2.50! The Japanese definitely have the rest of the world beat when it comes to devising clever little ways to seperate you from your money.

Dual Citizen Pike

This is an older picture, but an important one. I don't know why I was so excited when we got his passports. Maybe it was having Max officially recognized as a member of The Planet Earth Club: Japan and Canada Divisions. I was itching to get a hold of this Japanese passport since Japan started including microchips embedded in one of the passport pages. The chip contains all the information shown on this page. Compare that to the Canadian passport we got. With all of their rules and fussing over taking a simple passport photograph, they still managed to make this same picture of Max turn out 5 shades darker.

Aomori Nebuta Festival

I couldn't boast my love for Aomori Prefecture without at least showing a picture of one of the famous Nebuta Festival floats. Massive, colorful scenes from Japanese (and sometimes Chinese) folklore, constructed with wire, paper, lights and paint. This one was used in our little town festival, but the most famous version of the Nebuta festival takes place in Aomori City the beginning of each August. There, don't ever say this blog doesn't teach you anything. RaSe Ra!!!

Pike Family Update

Hi Gang,

Well, here it is.... September. Yes, we are still in Japan. No, we do not have the green light to go to Canada. In fact, the Canadian Embassy in Manila has decided to draw out the procedure (with Kotomi's passport in their possession) to the very limits of endurance and common sense. Why would they need paperwork regarding Max, this was a Visa for Kotomi we were applying for? And why are they waiting over two months to ask us for it? Anyways, I believe this is one of those moments where you just gotta suck it up and BLB...... Be Like Buddha. I believe if he were in my shoes, his mind would effortlessly slip through the Cosmos, find its way to the telephone line of the reception desk at the Canadian Embassy in Manila (a place unreachable by mere mortals), and after ringing up the secretary, with all the Compassionate Loving Kindness that his eternal being possesses, plainly tell them to get their ass in gear.

The bad news is I don't know when we are coming home. I won't speculate, I will merely post as soon as we have the tickets in our hot little hands. The good news is my son is loving the Northern Japanese Festival season. Look at him! He is so cute!! And fat!! He is so fat!!! That hasn't stopped him from practicing to roll over. We love him sooooo!!!!

Maxwell: Week Two - Beware of This Face

Hi Everyone!! Thank you so much for all of your e-mails, calls, and postings. Kotomi and I have been giving it our best in the Parenting Department, and so far the results have been spectacularly cute. Of report-worthy news, Max is now 4070 grams, and is getting ready to meet his Canadian Grandma and Grandad next week. But by far the most significant finding my wife / colleague and I have made is the isolation and identification of this face to the left. It is the chief indicator that the person who is changing the diaper at the time this face is made will be peed on. We are currently in the process of publishing our findings, but consider yourselves all forewarned.

Maxwell: Week One - Homecoming

After 7 days in the hospital, we are all ready to go home (the Japanese home, that is). It has been 3 days since this picture was taken, but honestly it feels like 3 months. I guess being on-call 24 hours a day will have that effect on you.

Maxwell: Week One - Dad and Max

Sleeping on a old plastic couch in a hospital room for a week isn't as glamorous as the brochure would have you believe. Yet somehow it was all worthwhile. :-)

Maxwell: Week One - Mom and Max

One advantage to 3:00 am feedings: you are up to snap shots like this.

Maxwell: Week One - Nursery Life

Can you guess who the cutest baby in the nursery is? My little man is soooooo good, flexing his baby muscles and posing for Daddy.

Maxwell Zen Pike - May 15, 2006

Ladies and Gentelmen, Friends and Family, this is my baby son, Maxwell Zen Pike. He was born on May 15, 2006, weighing 3702 grams. Kotomi fought with a purple face and wild roars, but after about 24 hours of labour, our beautiful son arrived. Since then, Max has returned home from the hospital and is learning to suck a nipple properly, and NOT to kick Daddy when he is trying to change diapers.

How can I decribe the feeling of finally becoming a Dad? I liken it to finding the lost city of Atlantis. Until the moment of discovery, we are only aware of the possibility of such a treasure existing. To finally see that such a beautiful thing is everything you thought it would be, it is both the realization of an old dream and the beginning of a new one.

Scott

April 2, 2006

Ahhhh!! Kotomi and I just got back from our LAST date in Tokyo. We still have a lot to do in the next 16 hrs., but for now I think this family is going to get some shut-eye. Once I shut this computer off I don't know when I will turn it back on, OR if I will be able to get to use my e-mail. If you need to reach me, just send me an e-mail and let's hope for the best.

Because moving to Aomori and waiting for Max would be too easy, I have decided to take a substitute teaching position in TOYAMA prefecture from April 10 until May 12. Gotta support the family somehow. Hopefully after this Sub gig I will get back to the computer and update the blog in time for our big day. Until then, we hope you all are genki, and we can't wait to show you all our boy. Take care!!!

Scott

Jigga Whut?

.


So much for the semi- "retirement" from the blog. But just like Jay-Z, you can't keep a Jigga down when he's got to get the message out to his peeps. This item is brought to you from a very perceptive and pregnant Kotomi, who saw these guys above rocking the Japanese equivalent of the Today Show or Canada AM. They are also making an appearance on SMAP x SMAP next week (Mar. 6th)

I only mention that this band is about to blow up because the frontman is Canadian and the band started out working little bars that me and my JET friends frequented in Aomori all those years ago. While I couldn't name one song of theirs (apparently they are set to release their BEST of 2000-2005 album - do you really need one after only 5 years?), I know there are people out there who were digging on the sounds, and it is for you that I bring this update.

A big Thank You to Tokyo

Well, it is almost time to bid a fond farewell to Saitama and Tokyo. Our two years here have been unforgettable, and I leave this urban paradise 99.9% convinced that Tokyo, in fact, just might be the coolest city on this planet.

With school finishing up and moving preparations yet to start, I honestly can't say when the next blog entry will be. If I don't send you anything in the next couple of months, you can BET that from the end of May this site will be flooded with entries on everything from the color of the falling cherry blossoms, to the color of my newborn son's poop.

Till then, Kotomi, Max and I leave you with this shot of Tokyo Tower we took from Roppongi Hills. Arigatou Tokyo!

The 50 Minute Ice Cream

Kotomi and I waited in line for 50 minutes at the Cold Stone Creamery in Roppongi Hills yesterday. The gimmick is that they "prepare" your ice cream desert on a slab of super-cold stone before serving it to you. I was led to believe that this meant them dumping a bunch of sweetened cream onto a rock and then stirring it till you had something that looked cold and creamy and good. Turns out all they did was scoop out some gelato(sp?) and mashed it up with some toppings for a rather small 6 dollar treat. It was good, mind you, but I could get my mommy to mash my food for me and NOT pay the premium, Roppongi Hills shop price.

Sumo Fun - Part 1

Kotomi and I were lucky enough to be invited to a Sumo Pep Rally/Dinner at our local Chanko Nabe Restaurant. We dined and chatted with Sumo wrestlers from the Dewanoumi Beya (a particular school or stable of wrestlers) and in the end the evening's proceeds went to help out the Big Boys as they prepared for their March tournament in Osaka. Good luck, Guys!!!

P.S. A big thank you to the Hasegawa Family at Hasegawa Chanko for inviting us.

Sumo Fun - Part 2

Remeber this Bad Boy? Kotomi and I enjoyed his company at dinner in December of 2004. Dewaotori continues to be the darling of the Dewanoumi Beya (stable) and is poised to crack into the Juryou division (lowest level of the top class of wrestlers) this year. Good luck, we are cheering for ya!!

Sumo Fun - Part 3

Scott receives the venerable "Fun Juice" of the Sumo Gods.

Sumo Fun - Part 4

Kotomi and Mongolian up-and-comer Dewahikari.

Baby Update - Week 26

Back from the hospital today and thought it was time for another update. Things are still good. Max weighed in at a hefty 1300 grams (which is about the size he should be at 30 weeks !) In other baby news, Kotomi and I hit up the Babies 'R' Us last week. Picked up some very stylish attire for our dashing son (I got him a camoflage sleeper, how cool is that?). Max continues to kick, but so far he hasn't been too demanding of his Mom. For Valentine's Day Kotomi bought him some delicious truffles which could only be enjoyed by Max through his Mom's totally selfless act of chewing and digesting the chocolate for him. I tell ya, there is NOTHING she won't do for her family! And finally, Takara Kaley Orange decided to completely surprise her Mom and Dad and make her debut a few weeks early. Although I am not the definitive authority on West Coast Baby news, I have heard that Mom, Dad and Daughter are doing good. A very big Congratulations to Jenn and Tom and wee Takara!

My Trip to Kawauchi

So last week I had this Observation Lesson at my new school. Lots of Big Wigs from the School Board came to watch Karube Sensei and I work the "Perfect Lesson" for our third graders. Part of the lesson had us reading this story I made for the occasion. The purpose of the book was really to have the kids read along with me and shout out the words that are represented as pictures (transportation for this lesson), but being the Attention Jezebel that I am, I used this time to announce to the kids that Kotomi and I were pregnant... and that I was carrying the baby... some of my kids thought I was telling the truth... I am a monster to abuse their trust like that. Anyhoo, I am now using the wonders of modern technology to publish, free of charge, my very FIRST piece of fiction: a present to my son. Enjoy!

Scott

My Trip to Kawauchi - Part 1

Well, a nice beginning so far. Establishment of plot, character and atmoshpere. The hooded albino and secret message hidden in the painting are still a few pages away though...

My Trip to Kawauchi - Part 2

Oh dear, trouble is certainly brewing for our young Protagonist. The kanji at the bottom is Sapporo, and YES, I do realize that to fall asleep on your train and end up in Sapporo you have to either a) buy an even more expensive ticket for a train that takes you in the wrong direction, or b) sleepwalk OFF your original train in Hachinohe, transfer onto a local train (asleep) to Aomori city, then transfer again (asleep) onto another train bound for Hokkaido. Luckily for me, none of my students ever had to take a train to Aomori before.

My Trip to Kawauchi - Part 3

Oh GOD!! I can't read anymore! Scott is finished... DOOMED I say! If the Sapporo weather doesn't kill him, I am POSITIVE he will lose his way, wander into the Sapporo BEER Factory, and then we will NEVER see him again. MERCY!!!

P.S. That's a SUBWAY in the last line.

My Trip to Kawauchi - Part 4

Whew!! For a moment there I thought Scott was really in trouble! Those Kuro Neko men really are this friendly!

My Trip to Kawauchi - Part 5

Will our Hero EVER make it home?! Just so you know, the fish at the bottom is supposed to be a MAGURO or tuna. The town of Oma is famous for the men who haul in these monsters from the Tsugaru Straight (the area of ocean between Honshu and Hokkaido).

My Trip to Kawauchi - Part 6

A tense narrative until the very end! I almost feel like I am RIGHT there with Scott as he makes his pilgrimage!

My Trip to Kawauchi - Part 7

WOW!! What a surprise ending!! I would have never seen that one coming! Harry Potter has nothing on this 7 part epic!

Our Son

Good news, everyone! We are going to have a baby boy! The trip to the hospital yesterday was MORE than exciting; we found out that the forceful kicks coming from inside Kotomi's tummy are fueled by BOY POWER!! Kotomi and I are thrilled, and we figured since we finally know who is making their debut in May, we should share his name with all of you. After all, he is already a part of the family, isn't he? So, I am pleased to announce that the name of our son will be:

Maxwell Zen Pike

In honor of my late Grandmother's suggestion that our boy have an English first name and Japanese middle name, we thought long and hard over a good combination of simplicity, meaning, and style. Zen is not the Buddhist Zen, but rather a Japanese word meaning "good" or "virtuous". For the first name, we wanted something that was easily pronounceable by both sides of the family and in both accents. Max is a good name for our boy's younger years, while Maxwell, we feel, has a certain respectably cool factor to it for when he grows up. Please help us welcome wee Max as he nears the end / beginning of his big journey this May. In honor of my son, I present to you a series of significant "Maxes" below. If anyone has a good jpeg of Homer's MAX POWER, please send it to me and I will gladly post it. Stay tuned for more MAX News, and as the Japanese say, on behalf of my son, yoroshiku onegaishimasu.

Love,

Scott, Kotomi and Max

Max = Fun

Max from Where The Wild Things Are. Does anyone remember this kids book?

Max = Style

The best shoe ever? AIR MAX 95

Max = Speed

The Shinkansen MAX Yamabiko, serving northern Japan (Tohoku) as far as Sendai.

Max = Hero

Ultraman MAX This year's Ultraman variation. F.Y.I : In the 80's there was an American version of Ultraman called ULTRAMAN SCOTT. Can you guess what our Halloween costumes will be for the next 10 years?

Baby Update - Week 21

As you can see by the image to the right, my wife's stomach has grown considerably since last August. As is usual with expecting mothers, there is hair growth and the appearance of stretch marks on the abdomen. The one thing that is concering us right now is the underdevelopment of the breasts. If Kotomi's breasts remain this small at the time of birth, we may have to consider alternatives to breast feeding. For now, we look forward to our next check-up this week, and the possibility of learning whether we will have a Son or a Daugther. Check back here soon!!!

Scott, Kotomi and Hama-chan

P.S. The baby started kicking last month. Just a little a first, but he/she is a virtual Disco Inferno / Dancing Queen right now.

Strange Love indeed.

My Little Piggy

Kotomi steps into the role of Momma Pig in her Pre-School class' rendition of 3 Little Pigs during their annual Christmas Pageant. I do believe that is the brick house they just finished making.

Snow Giant

One of the many things I am proud of: a MASSIVE snowman made from the collective paper snowflakes designed and cut by my 1st and 2nd Graders at Ashihara Elementary School. A pity I will have to destroy him next week, but my heart will go on.

Happy 30th, Kotomi !!

This year we spent Kotomi's 30th Birthday in the posh getaway town of Karuizawa. We browsed the jam shops, perused the Factory Outlet Mall, dined where the Imperial Family has dined, and almost soiled ourselves driving back through a mountain pass in a snowstorm. Thank you again to that kind Eneos attendant who hooked us up with chains for the car!

So THAT'S how they get so big!!!

A Sumo Wrestler prepares himself for his mid-day meal..... er, I mean training.

More to Love...

Sumo Great, Yokozuna Asashoryu demonstrates his posing prowess at a Fan Appreciation Day in December. Kotomi maintains that she could see his Aura of Greatness. I was brought to tears just to be close to his presence.

The Fall / Winter in Pictures - 2005

Here are a select few of the pics we have take this fall and winter. Morning Sickness took up quite a lot of our time and energy, but we did manage to have some fun. Among our highlights for the Twilight of '05... Sumo, Karuizawa, and an abundance of hard work put in at our schools. Enjoy!!

Christmas Illumination in Shinjuku

For Winter 2005, Caramel was the flavor of choice, Razor Ramon was the best Hard Gay comedian, and the unofficial color of Christmas Illumination was blue. Once the manic desire and trendy breeze hits them, the Japanese can do anything better than any other people. Case in point, Christmas Illumination.