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This is a story about an
international couple raising and home educating three
young boys on a small island in Japan, half living in
buses, engaged in organic, self-sufficient farming in
the middle of a mountain forest while dealing with
climate, cultural, and personal challenges. These pages
are about pretty much anything and everything all guided
by our family motto, Taking Chances, Making Changes,
Being Happy. Thank you very much for joining us on our
ongoing crazy adventure.
Comments or questions about this blog?....message me at
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June 7, 2004 - "Email
Message" - This is an email to Scott Schoeller of California Trust
explaining why I was entrusting my accounts to my very close friend Rie Fukumoto.
My story includes both the good and bad times over the years for my kids to
learn from. The date shown is the date of the word file.
Dear Mr. Schoeller,
I decided to type the letter instead of handwriting it. My handwriting really is
illegible. If you really need a handwritten copy then let me know okay. Thank
you.
Howard S. Hayman
Dear Mr. Schoeller,
I want to give you some background about my family situation so you can better
understand my decision. My family came from a very poor background. I spent many
years working so that my parents could have a better situation. About eight
years ago my mom passed away. I had been making the payments on my parents
condominium for many years. I had also been looking after their finances and
paperwork. My mom was capable of doing the paperwork but it became more
difficult for her as the years went on. My Dad had no idea about finances and
could not even make out a check. I was devastated after my mom passed away. I
tried to continue working as a self-employed real estate appraiser. Many other
problems followed including three car accidents within a few months and a house
fire which destroyed most of my business files. I tried to continue working but
my strength had all but gone. My fiancee could no longer deal with the situation
and she left and went back to Japan in January 2000. That was all I could take.
I could no longer work. I stayed in the house for three months and contacted no
one other than my Dad. My weight dropped from about 180 pounds to 135 pounds. I
had completely lost myself. Because I was not working, I could no longer to
continue to make loan payments on the house and on the condominium. I really
wanted to keep my house. My house and garden were the only outlets that I had to
keep my sanity but my Dad wanted to stay in the condominium. He said the
condominium was close to the bus line and he had many friends there. He said
that he would not be happy at the house. My house was the only thing that I had
to make me happy but I sold it for him. Then I took the proceeds of the sale of
my house and paid off the condominium and put the balance into two new accounts,
the market rate and retirement account. I wanted to make things easy for him.
Then I tried desperately to get myself back to normal. After the three months
alone in my house, I spent another five months going hiking and being alone. I
was not able to be sociable. I eventually enrolled in college again, took
Japanese classes and eventually graduated with an AA degree in Japanese studies.
I became much stronger but I was not happy. Much of my strength was gone. I
decided the best thing was to really change my situation and surroundings. I had
been living with my friend Rie Fukumoto. She had always been there for me and
she gave me the strength to finish my studies in Japanese. She knew I was
unhappy and told me to go to Japan and stay with her family. I went there for
three months towards the end of 2002. The trip changed everything for me. I made
many new friends and was happy for the first time in many years. I decided at
that time to put all my assets in my dad’s name so he would have money if
something happened to me. I came back from Japan to finish a few classes
required for graduation. During the past year I watched the condition of my dad
deteriorate quickly. I really wanted to go back to Japan but I stayed because I
knew he needed me. Rie knew how much I wanted to go back and she said not to
worry because she would be there for him. I went back to Japan during August
2003. Then, in March 2004 Rie called me and said that the condition of my dad
was not good and to come home. I decided to come back but knew that I really
wanted to go back to Japan. I no longer wanted the condominium and I decided to
give the money to Rie so that she could do back to school and get a four-year
degree. Rie has had a very difficult time over the years. Her family has had
many awful problems. Rie was always good to me and my family. Her dream is to
stay in the United States. My dream is to stay in Japan. I am giving her the
condominium and money in the bank accounts so that she can realize her dream.
Because of Rie I was able to get the strength to learn a new language and to
find happiness in her country. I owe her everything for that. The most important
thing for me now is to see her happy. I do not have family now other than my
Dad. The nice thing is that Rie and her family have become my family. I can stay
with her family in Japan now. Anyway, these are the reasons for the bank account
transfers. If any more information is required, please do not hesitate to
contact me. Thank you.
Howard S. Hayman |
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New Years Card to Okaachan Fukumoto
December 27, 2004 - "Email
Message" - This is a New Years card from
an old word file written to Riechan's mom. She owed the okonomiyaki restaurant
where I stayed during the Summer of xxxx, the same year I met Akiko at the
library. The date shown is the date of the word file.
Japanese -
昨年は大変お世話になり有難うございました。本年もどうぞよろしくお願いします。皆様もご健康をお祈り申し上げます。
おかあちゃんへ
あけましておめでとうございます。日本滞在中は色々とお世話になりありがとうございました。おかあちゃんとの外出は本当に楽しかったです。特に百均に行ったり、きれいな花を見に出かけたりしたことを懐かしく思い出します。おかあちゃんの家で暮らし、お好み焼きやおいしい手料理を食べられて本当に良かったです。一緒にテレビを見たり、草履を作ったりしたのも楽しい思い出のひとつです。草履の作り方を忘れてしまったので、いつかまた教えて下さい。是非いつかサンディエゴに遊びにきて下さい。私は今年日本に行く予定ですが、次期や滞在場所は未定です。早くおかあちゃんに会えればいいなと思っています。ご家族や私が大好きだったお客さんたちにも宜しくお伝え下さい。本年がおかあちゃんに
とって素晴らしい年となりますように。
ハウイ より
English - Thank you very much for your help last
year. We also would appreciate your favor this year. I wish you all good health.
To mom
Happy new year Thank you for taking care of me during my stay in Japan. It was
really fun to go out with mom. I especially have fond memories of going to Hyaku-yen
store and going out to look at beautiful flowers. I'm really glad I was able to
live at my mom's house and eat okonomiyaki and delicious home-cooked meals. I
also have fond memories of watching TV and making zori sandals together. I have
forgotten how to make zori sandals, so please teach me again someday. Please
come visit us in San Diego sometime. I'm planning to go to Japan this year, but
I haven't decided on my next trip or where I'll be staying. I hope I can meet my
mom soon. Please give my best regards to my family and all the customers I loved
so much. This year is for mom
I hope you have a wonderful year.
From Howie |
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New Years Card to Yokohama Master
December 27, 2004 - "Email
Message" - This is a New Years card from
an old word file written to the owner of the curry shop a few buildings away
from the place I stayed during the Summer. I used to go there for breakfast
almost every day and ate buttered toast with egg and a salad with some special
side dish and a cup of coffee with ice cream for dessert. The master would often
give me some unusual side dish to try. This was actually the first place where I
tried goya juice....really didn't like such a bitter drink. The date shown is
the date of the word file.
Japanese -
昨年は大変お世話になり有難うございました。本年もどうぞよろしくお願いします。皆様もご健康をお祈り申し上げます。
マスターへ
あけましておめでとうございます。日本滞在中は色々とお世話になりありがとうございました。マスターとお話しするのは本当に楽しかったです。横浜喫茶店で過ごす時間は本当に楽しいものでした。日本でリラックスできる場所といえば、横浜喫茶店が思い浮かびます。誰かが私と会って一緒に食事をしたいと言えば、いつもマスターの店に連れていったものです。マスターの作る料理はいつもおいしく、私は特に朝マスターの店に行くのが好きでした。マスターの料理を食べると、気分良く一日を始めることができたのです。いつも特別な料理をサービスしていただいたことをありがたく思っています。マスターの料理はいつも本当においしかったので、私が日本の話をする時には必ずマスターとマスターの店のことが話題にのぼります。マスターは私の良き友です。是非いつかサンディエゴに遊びに来て下さい。私は今年日本に行く予定ですが、次期や滞在場所は未定です。私がサンディエゴにいるうちに是非おいでください。早くマスターにお会いしたいと思っています。従業員の女の子たちやお客さんたちにも宜しくお伝えください。本年がマスターにとって素晴らしい年となりますように。
ハウイ より
English - Thank you very much for your help last
year. We also would appreciate your favor this year. I wish you all good health.
To Master
Happy new year Thank you for taking care of me during my stay in Japan. I really
enjoyed talking with the master. I really enjoyed my time at Yokohama Cafe. When
you think of a relaxing place in Japan, Yokohama Coffee Shop comes to mind.
Whenever someone wanted to meet me and have dinner with me, I would always take
them to Master's restaurant. The food that Master cooked was always delicious,
and I especially liked going to his restaurant in the morning. Eating Master's
cooking helped me start my day in a good mood. I would like to thank you for
always serving me special dishes. Master's food was always really delicious, so
whenever I talk about Japan, Master and Master's restaurant always come up.
Master is my good friend. Please come visit us in San Diego sometime. I'm
planning to go to Japan this year, but I haven't decided on my next trip or
where I'll be staying. Please come visit me while I'm in San Diego. I hope to
meet the master soon. Please give my regards to the female employees and
customers as well. May this year be a great year for Master.
From Howie |
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New Years Card to Junsan
December 27, 2004 - "Email
Message" - This is a New Years card from
an old word file written to Jun Nakata. Actually I stayed at his home in Nara
for awhile to teach him English and became really good friends with him and his
wife Norikosan. The date shown is the date of the word file.
Japanese -
昨年は大変お世話になり有難うございました。本年もどうぞよろしくお願いします。皆様もご健康をお祈り申し上げます。
じゅん様
あけましておめでとうございます。日本滞在中は色々とお世話になりありがとうございました。じゅんさん、のりこさん、おじいちゃん、おばあちゃんとお話しするのは本当に楽しかったです。素晴らしい家族と一緒に暮らし、日本の文化や食生活を実際に体験できて本当に良かったと思っています。のりこさんはとても料理が上手なので、手料理を食べるのがいつも楽しみでした。是非いつかサンディエゴに遊びに来て下さい。私は今年日本に行く予定ですが、次期や滞在場所は未定です。私がサンディエゴにいるうちに是非おいでください。
早くじゅんさんにお会いしたいと思っています。ご家族にも宜しくお伝えください。本年がじゅんさんにとって素晴らしい年となりますように。
ハウイ より
English - Thank you very much for your help last
year. We also would appreciate your favor this year. I wish you all good health.
Mr. Jun
Happy new year Thank you for taking care of me during my stay in Japan. I really
enjoyed talking with Jun-san, Noriko-san, grandpa, and grandma. I am so glad
that I was able to live with such a wonderful family and experience Japanese
culture and food. Noriko is a very good cook, so I always looked forward to
eating her home-cooked meals. Please come visit us in San Diego sometime. I'm
planning to go to Japan this year, but I haven't decided on my next trip or
where I'll be staying. Please come visit me while I'm in San Diego. I hope to
meet Jun soon. Please give my best wishes to your family as well. I hope this
year will be a wonderful year for you.
From Howie |
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New Years Card to Nobumitsusan
December 27, 2004 - "Email
Message" - This is a New Years card from
an old word file written to Nobumitsusan. He was my Japanese teacher at a local
community center in Nara the same Summer I met Akiko, and then we became good
friends. The date shown is the date of the word file.
Japanese -
昨年は大変お世話になり有難うございました。本年もどうぞよろしくお願いします。皆様もご健康をお祈り申し上げます。
のぶみつ様
あけましておめでとうございます。日本滞在中は色々とお世話になりありがとうございました。のぶみつさんとお話しするのは本当に楽しかったです。のぶみつさんとお会いでき、日本語の先生以上の存在を得ることができたことを本当に嬉しく思っています。良き友となっていただきありがとうございました。これから昨年のぶみつさんが送ってくれたおせち料理のビデオを見る予定です。日本語の良い勉強になると思います。中田さん宅に滞在できるよう取り計らっていただき本当にありがとうございました。あんなに素晴らしい家族とともに暮らし、日本の文化や食生活を実際に体験できたことはとても貴重な経験でした。時折、中田さん宅での生活を懐かしく思い出しています。是非いつかサンディエゴに遊びに来て下さい。私は今年日本に行く予定ですが、次期や滞在場所は未定です。私がサンディエゴにいるうちに是非おいでください。早くのぶみつさんにお会いしたいと思っています。
みなさまにも宜しくお伝えください。本年がのぶみつさんにとって素晴らしい年となりますように。
ハウイ より
English - Thank you very much for your help last
year. We also would appreciate your favor this year. I wish you all good health.
Nobumitsu-sama
Happy new year Thank you for taking care of me during my stay in Japan. I really
enjoyed talking with Nobumitsu. I am really happy that I was able to meet
Nobumitsu and have her become more than just a Japanese teacher. Thank you for
being a good friend. From now on, I'm going to watch the video of New Year's
cooking that Bumitsu sent me last year. I think it will be a good way to study
Japanese. Thank you very much for arranging for me to stay at Mr. Nakata's
house. It was a very valuable experience to live with such a wonderful family
and to be able to experience Japanese culture and food first-hand. Sometimes I
think fondly of my life at Mr. Nakata's house. Please come visit us in San Diego
sometime. I'm planning to go to Japan this year, but I haven't decided on my
next trip or where I'll be staying. Please come visit me while I'm in San Diego.
I hope to meet Nobumitsu soon. Please give my best regards to everyone. I hope
this year will be a great year for Nobumitsu.
From Howie |
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Message" - |
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