I’m at my sister’s big comfortable house this week working and keeping my two nephews company. Been pretty busy on my computer, though, so they are getting bored with me. My big idea was that Ra*** should build a robot out of poster board. Despite his initial protests, he actually started doing it! He ran into some engineering problems — how to attach the top and bottom panels of the body without using double-sided tape. Now he’s set on making a stop-motion movie with my camera.
Talked to Mari on the phone today. I didn’t expect, being up here with family and familiar places and being used to having a long-distance relationship, that I’d miss her during the first week of my trip here. But I do miss her and the life we’re building in Kyoto. She was worried about something coming up this weekend, and I wish I could be there to comfort her in person.
Not sure if it has the right meaning in this context, but gambatte kudasai, Mari!