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.

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Home - Story - 2009
STORY 2009
A year of change. Almost bought a house in New York State. Then permanently moved to Japan.
May 2009

This was a pretty quiet and nice month. We went to the annual Food Fair in Balboa park. We went fishing a bunch of times. Basically we were hanging out and relaxing.
June 2009

This was a crazy month. We tried to purchase a house in Japan and ended up fighting with relatives because of discrimination, specifically buraku issues.We went fishing a lot. We celebrated our wedding anniversary. Another couple months before the baby is born.
July 2009

Shai was born on the 23th of this month. Akiko was relieved to be finished with pregnancy and to begin looking after our baby. Jim and Linda were incredibly helpful and kind over the last few months. A name for Shai was finally decided on. We went fishing and decided to purchase a house in Grand Island, New York.
August 2009

This was a really busy month. It was pretty hot for awhile and we spent a lot of time on the coast fishing. Jim and Linda hosted a wonderful baby shower for us. Shai was able to experience a meteor shower and a Buffalo Bills football game.
November 2009 Parties

We spent the month saying goodbye for now to our friends in San Diego. We made many fun dinner parties since this was our last month in San Diego before moving to Japan.
December 2009

This month we put in an offer on the house which was accepted. Thus began something more or less equivalent to escrow. We hung out with friends and went out for sushi. We celebrated Hanukah with Shai. We went to Nara Park and visited some old temples.
  • January 2009 - No posts.
  • February 2009 - No posts.
  • March 2009 - No posts.
  • April 2009 - No posts.
  • May 2009 - Tons of posts while residing in San Diego, California including the 30th Annual Ethnic Food Fair at Balboa Park, San Diego, California.
  • June 2009 - Possible home purchase in Horyuji, Nara, Japan.
  • July 2009 - Possible home purchase in Grand Island, New York and posts from San Diego, California including Independence Day at Mission Trails Park. And most importantly the arrival of our new baby.
  • August 2009 - Spending time with our new son and friends.
  • September 2009 - No posts.
  • October 2009 - No posts.
  • November 2009 - Meeting friends before moving to Japan.
  • December 2009 - The beginning of our Japanese adventures.