sechan19 | Nasushiobara: Breakfast and Other Sundries.

I went down to breakfast a little after six in the morning. Given that I was planning to leave on the eight-thirty train, I wanted to make sure that I had plenty of time for a final chat with Takako and Paul. Breakfast was cereal and a danish for me and French Toast for Takako and Paul. When Paul asked how I took my French Toast, I laughed a little and explained that I don’t take it at all. He laughed heartily at that (and at my turn of phrase, too, I think). Paul is one of those delightful folks who always responds to a person’s expression of dislike not with indignation, but with relief… more food for him. He ate well of the French Toast!

We chatted over the events of the weekend and of our plans to meet for dinner in August, when we are all in California together. A particular point of interest was the current standings of competitors in the Sumo Championship in Nagoya. Takako and Paul are big fans of Sumo, and consequently I had the chance to watch a good deal of it during my stay. The microcosmic world of Sumo is truly fascinating, and I enjoyed puzzling out the little quirks of etiquette and rule that dominate this traditional sport. I liked it very much, and I hope that at some point in the future I’ll have a chance to become a real Sumo buff.

The whole visit was delightful, just as my last had been. I really love spending time with Takako and Paul, and they--for some wonderful reason--enjoy spending time with me. They’re like my Japanese family and parent me with the loveliest care and attention. Over the course of the weekend, Paul quizzed me on my first year of grad school and worried over my future career prospects because he knows that academia is a rough field. He also speculated on which of his English students he could fix me up with when I come back next fall for a full year of study!

Takako mothered me quite indulgently, at one point even laughingly proclaiming herself my Japanese mother (responsible for my etiquette and comportment). This tickled me immensely and is, as I had pointed out to me, quite true. Parents are responsible for instructing their children in the rules of manner and appropriate public conduct. Not being raised within Japanese society, and not having parents thus raised, I’m occasionally in need of someone to set me straight here and there on the finer points of civil discourse. Takako was like a mother to me in other respects as well, making sure that I was well-fed, comfortable, and always in possession of a coat when I went out--in case it turned cold.

I’ll be back to see them next year, of course, and I hope more than once since my stay will be of a longer duration. I’m under orders not to bring any more omiyage (souvenirs), however. They appreciated the California wine I took them but worried it was much too heavy for me to be hauling around the country. Instead, Takako wants sandwich baggies, and I will do as “Mother” says. ;)