This morning when I was almost back home from the school bus stop, I saw one neighbor boy walking toward the bus stop. He missed the bus. Recently he missed the bus many times. Every time when I asked him if he needed a ride to school, he politely answered he would be fine.

His house is three doors down from our house. When I passed by his house, I saw his mom standing on the street.

The mom asked if her boy missed the bus. I said yes.

The mom told me a quick story. After she saw her boy got ready to leave the house this morning, she went back to her choirs. She is a busy mom with her four children including a new born. When the mom came back to the living room, she was astonished finding her son sleeping on the couch.

While the mom went back to her room to get ready in order to give him a ride, her boy already took off.

By the time she finished telling me the quick story, the boy was walking on the street around 100 meters (330 feet) away from us.

Now, it was my turn to be astonished.

The mom called her boy’s name at the top of her lungs. Her voice was really loud. It followed by her finger whistling, which was also clear high pitch tone, and very loud.

I thought it cool of her to be able to finger-whistle in such a clear high pitch tone.

While I lived in Japan, I hardly ever heard anybody finger-whistling in the daily life. Here in America on the other hand, I heard many people did so in the daily life, even in my daughter’s school. Even small kids can finger whistle.

Finger-whistling is one of my favorite abilities of Americans that I admire.   

♬ Any feedback? (^^♪

In today’s news letter from Hay House, the CEO wrote down about a bucket list. He recommended the readers to think about their bucket list.

I thought about it. I sat down quietly in front of a blank paper to write down my bucket list.

— Nothing particular came out. —

I thought it interesting.

Contrary with my current age, my bucket list in my younger days was a very long list. Most of my bucket list items happened naturally. And I learned from my personal experiences that everything happened in their right and best timing.  

So now I know, all my desires will happen in their right and best timing.

It is good to be aged. We learn from our own experiences and see things from a bigger and wider perspective, comprehensively.

I think I am at the best place with the best people in my life. I appreciate everything I have provided.

***

This evening we had Zui-un. There was rainbow colored lights in the thin-layered clouds. It was beautiful.

♬ Any feedback? (^^♪

My family and I went to the Asian market in Tucson.

Their parking lot was almost full, which was very rare. When we entered the store, we were welcomed lots of colorful new year’s decorations. Chinese New Year is coming closer.

Later on, I learned Chinese New Year ranges from January 21 to February 20. For this year 2019, it is set on February 5th.

I recall my days in Japan. My office was close to China town. I liked to see their celebration performances such as Dragon Dance.

I have acrophobia, fear of heights, since I was very small. Every time I see somebody who can go up very high, like in a circus show or a dragon dance, I admire them for their brave action.

I look forward to seeing their performances next month.            

♬ Any feedback? (^^♪

My daughter told me they had a minor lockout at school today.

My heart started pounding. Lockout for what?

My daughter gave a cute smile and continued explaining.

In the playground at school, one javelina showed up. My daughter’s teacher kept the students in the classroom. She went to the playground alone to chase the javelina out. She called it a minor lockout.

She reported her brave action proudly to the class. I am glad to know the lockout was really a minor one, not a serious one.

My daughter told me the teacher discussed with the class about a real lockout. They discussed about what they should do in case a bad guy comes into the classroom.

The students brainstormed about how to protect themselves. They mentioned to throw something heavy to a bad guy whatever they can find, to scream at the top of their lungs for help, to scratch a bad guy’ face, or to swiftly run away from a bad guy. Somebody mentioned he would unplug the microwave and throw it to a bad guy. Their classroom has a microwave.

In my childhood, we never discussed this kind of topic in school. I am glad the teacher gave the class the opportunity to think about what-if scenario. It encouraged students to escape and survive from any kinds of disasters.

We parents want our kids to stay safe all the time.

♬ Any feedback? (^^♪

Three mornings straight I had the same dream. In the dream I was with somebody. I was holding hands with the person.

When I work up, I thought of the person. The person seems to me has a male energy. The person could be my dad in Japan, or my son-in-spirit. It could be both.

I felt the person is thinking of me, missing me, and loving me. I feel the same way.

It always good to know somebody is there for me. I appreciate the thoughts and love.

♬ Any feedback? (^^♪

My daughter participated to Toyota Dream Car Art Contest. The winners will be invited to Japan for 3 nights trip and enjoy some sightseeing including Toyota factory. I think this award trip will be one of the unforgettable life events for the winners and their guardians. It will be great to make friends with kids from other different counties.  

I really hope my daughter will become one of the winners.

That being said, I know winning is not everything. We can learn a lot from the process of participating.

This is her third participation to art contests. I will keep an eye on any other art contests and encourage my daughter to participate.

♬ Any feedback? (^^♪

I attended at the school tour again. This was my second attendance. This time I brought my husband and daughter with me.

This time the tour group included a Taiwanese dad, a couple of a Caucasian mom and a Mexican dad, and us, a family of a Navajo dad and a Japanese mom. It was pretty International.

The students too are International. I have seen a variety of races. I like this diversity environment.

During the school tour, one dad asked the school a straightforward question. He asked if they have bullies in school.

I liked the vice principal’s answer.

Her answer was honest. She said yes. She admitted they are not the perfect school yet. But they are working on it and taking a bullying situation very seriously. They have a protocol to deal with a bully. The teachers will work on a bully based on the protocol. After the school make all the efforts on the bully, if the bully still refuses to change his/her attitude, the school will ask the bully to leave the school for other students’ safety.

My husband and I agreed to apply our daughter to this charter school. On last Friday we applied online. And this morning our application was approved. Everything was set.

My daughter still somewhat hesitates for this change. I understand her hesitation. Going to a new school is a huge transition for her. It is a huge transition for my husband and me as well.

The current school has lots of benefits. It is located to close to our house. It is within walking distance. We have gotten to know all the faculties and teachers. There are some downsides too. They will have a combination class with the lower grade for all the way to the 8th grade. The classmates will be the same.

The new school has possibilities for improvements in learning environment. I really hope this new school will serve great for my daughter.   

It worth to give it a try anyway. In case my daughter does not like the new school, she still has some other options. She can go back to the old school, or she can take a homeschooling program with the online school. I believe everything will go well for my daughter and us.

♬ Any feedback? (^^♪

This morning I woke up with dull head ache.

It was a nice and warm day. The highest temperature went up to 22 Centigrade. The temperature in this area fluctuates up and down. From my experience, within one or two weeks later, we will get back to low temperature again.

My headache started from the morning continued to the evening. I was sick all day.

After I took a bath around 5 pm, I went to bed and slept through the next morning.

Maybe I was dehydrated. I forgot to drink enough water throughout the day. I might be lacking water even from the previous night.  

Here in this area, we will have hot sunny days starting from next month, February. I will need to remind me throughout the day to keep drinking water to get myself hydrated.

Every time when I get sick, my husband and daughter take good care of me. I feel myself being happy and well protected.

Every time when I get sick, I appreciate for my good health and hope to live longer in the healthy state with my family.

Every time when I get sick, it is time for me to appreciate everything I have.  

♬ Any feedback? (^^♪