Thanks to all my family and friends for their help and support during the last couple of months! I am taking off my hat for you all! My hair is growing back all curly! We had a wonderful time in Israel. Really an incredible country with so much his ... Continue Reading
I am still in the US or returned to the US from Holland after all the family celebrations. We had a wonderful time being together with our small family and big family especially to celebrate the MSc graduation of my son Maarten in Holland. (from left to right: Arjan, Maarten, R ... Continue Reading
On April the 3rd in The Netherlands, I attended and participated in the exposition of “Rudie Arens” (a brother of my mother): “A family of artists and goldsmiths”. The exposition is open until June the 6th, 2010. My uncle is 91 years old, still working (f ... Continue Reading
After New Years I went to Stockholm with my son Maarten to see where he lives. He does cancer research at the Karolinska Institutet for his Masters for 8 months. He lives again in one room after living in a bigger apartment, but it is still quite big. It also snowed in Stockholm ... Continue Reading
New Years Eve celebrations in Holland are as divers as the people, but with the recent economical situation a lot of people go back to old traditions like having the party at home, watching TV or playing boardgames together. My sister-in-law Inge, my son Roland and niece Esmee. ... Continue Reading
Yesterday, I arrived in the Netherlands. I will spend the Holiday Season here with my family. And it was snowing! What a beautiful way to start the Holiday Season! Continue Reading
It is evening and I hear the frogs croak really loud like a whole orchestra! I arrived here in Miharu, Fukushima last Tuesday to work, throw some pots, at Kusakabe-san’s place and fire a kiln. Miharu means “Three spring”: the first 3 blossoms in spring are: plum ... Continue Reading
Coming-of-Age is a young person’s transition from adolescence to adulthood. Since 1948, the age of majority in Japan has been 20; persons under 20 are not permitted to smoke, drink, or vote. Coming-of-age ceremonies, known as “seijin shiki”, are held on the sec ... Continue Reading
Odawara Castle is a landmark in the city of Odawara in Kanagawa Prefecture. It was the stronghold of various daimyo, powerful territorial lords during the Muromachi period of Japanese history. Odawara Castle had very strong defenses, because it was situated on a hill, surrounded ... Continue Reading
The Tsukiji fish market is the biggest wholesale fish and seafood market in the world and also one of the largest wholesale food markets of any kind. The market is located in Tsukiji in central Tokyo, and is a major attraction for foreign visitors. On the picture, where you see t ... Continue Reading
