Summer is done

Uta is back to school, which means we are all back to days dictated by the clock. Each day already feels scheduled down to the minute. I am trying in earnest to draw despite the demands of daily life. In Japan I did a lot of drawing. Without the burden of home, a happy traveling gypsy, I had the luxury of time with nothing pressing to do. So I drew. I drew everywhere and anywhere. But back in NYC, life does not offer up free time without a bit of a fight. I am currently fighting for my time, fiercely protecting it from the kitchen sink, and other inane activities that seem to drain away my life. Uta told me that if I want to get any drawings done I have to draw all the time. It sounds extreme, but he is right. If I try to draw a little every day I will most likely not draw at all. But if I try to draw all day long, I will end up drawing a little. A little is not just a little better than nothing. A little is huge. It puts me on the positive side. A little makes me very happy.

Uta's Birthday

We are all still too bleary eyed with jet lag to host a proper party just yet, so Uta had a pretty low key birthday today. But he still had fun. We made a watermelon cake from sorbet and ice cream, and just spent the day together doing more or less nothing. But it was his birthday after all, and me and Papa found ourselves saying yes to things we normally say no to. Candy from the corner store? Well, it is your birthday... And Pop definitely surpassed his normal quotient of time spent playing with Uta, which is ultimately the best gift anyone can give him.

Going home

What's cooking?

This is a family favorite, called Okonomi-yaki, or what we affectionately refer to as Tachibana pancake. It is a sort of pancake, but savory, and chock full of veggies and meat. In years past Uta was not such a big fan, this time around, however, he ate with gusto.

You only turn eight once...

But, you can celebrate turning eight as much as you like. We had a special dinner to honor Uta's upcoming birthday, since on the actual day we will no longer be in Japan. Baba and Jiji grilled a whole fish and bought a strawberry cake. Uta also received the Kamen Rider belt he has been pining for since our arrival.

More from Nara

In Nara we visited the world's largest wooden building which is home to the largest Bronze statue of the Buddha. I forgot to take a picture of the Buddha, but here is everyone in front of the Great Buddha Hall. Uta crawled through a tiny tunnel at the foot of an enormous column inside. The passage through is said to be very beneficial, if you are small enough to fit. 

Momo-kiki

The peaches are in season now in Japan. Big and sweet and full of flavor. Good enough for the gods. Baba has them lined up on the ancestor's shrine (along with beer, rice, tea, and sake). The peaches are Kizuki's favorite food. She eats them every day. I think she is even beginning to look like a peach!

Karate