Living Without School: Daybook in Japan

Monday, December 08, 2008

Daybook in Japan

Seeing....the Japanese Gardens at sunset, as the sun sets at 4.30 pm here in the Tokyo winter. Trees, water, the tea house and night lights and music and evening Christmas decorations gradually being added to the scene.

Hearing....people talking quietly in Japanese, the sing song almost musical sound of voices, surrounded by the gentle quiet tones of the music being played with the nght lights. Notes, not chords.

Wearing....my Pippi Longstocking tshirt and matching yellow stockings,bought in Japan, of course! With a black skirt and black converse...and a coat and hat ready to be rugged up for the cold outside.

Thinking about....returning to my family tomorrow..Yay! ..the conference - Kumon, borne out of the love of a afther for his child, how we try to nurture our students, to grow and learn and to build both academics and character....Tokyo, a city I find I love - the people, the clothes, the buildings, the shops, the trains, the bustle, the busyness, the gardens...Our Lady, on the feast of the Immaculate Conception, finishing the novena, keeping Mary in my mind as a model for me, for me as a woman/wife/mother/teacher..Akihabara, Shinjuko, Shinagowa, Asakabasa, the Ginza shopping district, Shibuya, Ebisu, Rippongi and all the other places I`ve seen here in Tokyo...

Enjoying...the coffee and the cocktails here at the hotel...but better not look at the cost!...loving the shopping, too...

Reading....a guidebook about the history of Japan...a biography of Mary Makillop, with some interesting pics...information about helping children reach their potential with Kumon....

Working out with....the 10 Minute Solution Carb and Calorie Burner, using the laptop in my hotel room.....and lots of walking!

Some plans...Wollongong tomorrow and Wednesday...French and my Kumon centre Thursday..ice skating and grocery shopping Friday...and Mass...St Lucy!....Kumon lunch and work on the parish newsletter and do lolly bags for the Xmas Carols Saturday...Carols on Sunday!

5 comments:

Anonymous said...: Hello Leonie, Happy Feast Day and Our Lady's smile upon You.I am enjoying the details about Japan. Look forward to hearing more . God bless and safe trip home- br louis; 11:00 pm
Chris said...: Japan sounds exquisite in its blending of culture, history, technology and education. Wow. When you get back to Australia you hit the ground running and it appears that you won't be slowing down. You are living life to the full
"I went into the woods because I wanted to live deliberately. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life...to put to rout all that was not life; and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived."
~Henry David Thoreau; 12:14 am
Hopewell said...: It all sounds marvelous. Have a safe trip home.; 5:42 am
Anonymous said...: Lol, I can't believe your schedule - fly home from Japan and head to Wollongong?? I'm impressed.

I liked the writing and the imagery too, I could almost picture it.

And I'm not surprised you loved Tokyo... :); 3:48 pm
Leonie said...: Hi everyone! Thanks for comments = can't wait you see you all! :=); 10:33 pm

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Prayer of Consecration of St. Maximilian Kolbe

O Immaculata, Queen of Heaven and earth, refuge of sinners and our most loving Mother, God has willed to entrust the entire order of mercy to thee. I, N___, a repentant sinner, cast myself at thy feet humbly imploring thee to take me with all that I am and have, wholly to thyself as thy possession and property. Please make of me, of all my powers of soul and body, of my whole life, death and eternity, whatever most pleases thee. If it pleases thee, use all that I am and have without reserve, wholly to accomplish what was said of thee: "She will crush your head," and, "Thou alone have destroyed all heresies in the whole world."

Let me be a fit instrument in thine Immaculate and merciful hands for introducing and increasing the maximum in all the many strayed and indifferent souls, and thus help extend as far as possible the blessed Kingdom of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus. For wherever thou enters, one obtains the grace of conversion and growth in holiness, since it is through thy hands that all graces come to us from the most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

V. Allow me to praise thee O Sacred Virgin.
R. Give me strength against thy enemies.

Prayer of St Bonaventure

Pierce, O most Sweet Lord Jesus, my inmost soul with the most joyous and healthful wound of Thy love, with true, serene, and most holy apostolic charity, that my soul may ever languish and melt with love and longing for Thee, that it may yearn for Thee and faint for Thy courts, and long to be dissolved and to be with Thee.Grant that my soul may hunger after Thee, the bread of angels, the refreshment of holy souls, our daily and supersubstantial bread, having all sweetness and savor and every delight of taste; let my heart ever hunger after and feed upon Thee, upon whom the angels desire to look, and may my inmost soul be filled with the sweetness of Thy savor; may it ever thirst after Thee, the fountain of life, the fountain of wisdom and knowledge, the fountain of eternal light, the torrent of pleasure, the richness of the house of God.May it ever compass Thee, seek Thee, find Thee, run to Thee, attain Thee, meditate upon Thee, speak of Thee, and do all things to the praise and glory of Thy name, with humility and discretion, with love and delight, with ease and affection, and with perseverance unto the end.May Thou alone be ever my hope, my entire assurance, my riches, my delight, my pleasure, my joy, my rest and tranquility, my peace, my sweetness, my fragrance, my sweet savor, my food, my refreshment, my refuge, my help, my wisdom, my portion, my possession and my treasure, in whom may my mind and my heart be fixed and firmly rooted immovably henceforth and for ever. Amen.