Hello Steve & Momo,

I haven't heard from you for a while.
Have you forgotten about me already?

Guess what? I made a new song.
I did the music and my friend Sean sang the lyrics.

You can listen to it here. What do you think?




Bye for now,

Dad in the UK x

9. The things we still do...

These things we still do since you left here. (Steve, Momo, and I)

• When I arrive at the station, look for our car parked in front.
• When I come back from work, check your office back window to see if there is a light on.
• When I got out of our car, look through the office window to see if you are there.
• When I listen to our favourite music in the car, sing together over and over.
• When I go to sleep, make the space on the right side of the bed for you. 

It's been barely over a month, many things still make me sad... I miss you.

What Happened to Summer?

Hi Steve and Momo,

Thank you for all your letters. They cheered me up a lot! Sorry I haven't written for a while. I've been busy with work. Just when we meet one deadline, another one seems to come along!

I know rainy season has started in Shizuoka but I seem to have brought it with me to Bristol. Apart from the first few days the weather has been terrible - cold (14-16°C) and very wet. It seems to have rained at least half the time I've been here. Today has been quite sunny for  change. Unfortunately, I have to stay in because I have some work to finish. I might walk down to the village later to buy some food for dinner.

It's really nice here in Westbury, I think you'll like it here. Canford Park is just ten minutes walk from our house. We can walk there along the River Trym. I'm starting to settle here now so I will look for some more places that I can take you. Maybe we can even walk to Blaise Castle if you're feeling energetic!

By the way, I forgot to tell you about Granddad's 70th birthday party. Lots of friends and family came and he really enjoyed himself. It was even warm enough to sit in the garden that day.

Oh, and one more thing. How come you two refuse to look at me when I call by Skype?

Bye for now,

Dad x

Grandma' with Granddad's birthday cake!

8-2. I'm better than him

Hi Daddy,

This is Momo writing. Steve was so of proud  himself about killing that cockroach  yesterday. What you don't know is that he also missed several times!What was he going on about "One byte, One kill. No exceptions"? I laughed my head off when he wrote that!

I'm much better than Steve at everything but the one thing I don't do is cockroach hunting!! I refuse to put that horrible thing in my mouth!! It's disgusting!!!

What I don't understand is that when Steve does it, Mummy's so pleased and encourage him to do it... Why????? I wish I was Steve, sometimes...

I miss you so much Daddy!! Never mind I'll tease and bully him now because I'm much better than him.

See you and Love you!


Your number one girl, Momo. xxx

8-1. Like a Sniper

Dear Daddy

Hi, it's Steve! I just wanted tell you that I killed my first cockroach of the season yesterday.


Mummy was preparing dinner for us and it came close to mummy's feet. I noticed it when she screamed. I shot over there as fast as lightning and, with a cool aim, killed it without mercy... like a sniper! Mummy was so pleased she gave me extra meat for dinner!


I wanted to take a picture and send it to you but Mummy said too gross... shame, huh?

"One shot. One kill. No exceptions" quote -Sniper-

"One bite. One kill. No exceptions." quote -Steve-

7. The Mad Dog

Dear Daddy,

I've just been to see a doctor again. He checked my eye and told me that my it's getting better. Steve had to come too because we both have to have some mad dog shots today. We have to get a certificate for a proof that we're not mad dogs otherwise we can't enter to ENGLAND!

As usual, the doctor had a lot of trouble trying to examine Steve! Poor doctor... (He told me I was good girl though!) Mummy looked so tired from carrying him, holding him, while trying to talk and write at the same time. Poor mummy, she had to go to work after that. 

To be honest with you, Daddy, I think Steve is actually a mad dog. The test will show that he's positive for it. That means he can't come to England with us, doesn't it? Poor him...

Anyway daddy, I'm going to be a good girl as always and help mummy so don't worry about us. Speak to you soon!

LOVE From Momo

The Mad Dog

6. My Project

Dear Darling,

Hi, how are you? This is your lovely wife!

Thank you for calling me everyday and thank God for Skype...technology is great, isn't it? But don't worry about me too much. You have lots to do there, especially now, and I'm doing fine here. That was my choice too, for you to go there first...

After you left, I asked myself many times. "Is finishing this project worth not being with you?"... I have been a bit depressed and getting weak. (It wasn't the only reason, as you know, but a big part of it.)

Today, I had a half-way inspection at the site. (They check that everything is built to specification.) After that, somehow I realized I really love my Job. I have to see it through till the end of this project. I don't know if it's going to be exactly how I wanted or not but the important thing is that I complete it before I leave. I still have so many troubles and difficulties at the moment but if I don't finish it and just quit, I'll regret that.

Sorry about moaning and being unhappy recently... I almost gave up. I want to try again if it's not too late. I'll finish this and come to you with my head held high. Is that okay with you? I'm going to tell my company that I will quit after this project, then maybe they will fire me! Untill then I would like to see it through to completion!

Speak soon!

N xxx

Inside of the building

View from the top roof

5. I Don't Like Her...

Dear Daddy,


I just had walk and had a fight with mummy.
I just wanted go a bit further.
I just wanted take my time slowly.
She hit my ass and didn't talk to me at all.
Okay, I'm going to sleep alone tonight.
I don't like her! I hate her!! I miss you daddy!!!


Steve

4. Two Great Things

Dear Daddy,

Hello, it's Steve again. Today's Sunday, that means mummy's day off!! I've been so excited since I got up in this morning. I monitored her every movement and followed her everywhere she went because sometimes she forgets and goes out without me! In the morning she did some house work... I waited so patiently. Then Aunty S came. They talked, talked and talked... but I waited calmly. Finally, they took us to S-Pulse Dream Plaza for the second week in a row! It was worth waiting for.

It wasn't only great thing today, Mummy took us for a second long walk to the beach in the evening, too! Now, I'm so happy and a bit tired... bit sleepy... Zzzzzzzzz...

Okitsu wharf

3-2. Granddaddy's birthday

By the way, you are having my granddaddy's birthday party, aren't you? Are there lot of people? Is there lot of delicious food? I wish I was there with you guys...
I remember my granddaddy and grandma'. They came to our house few years ago. They took me for a walk! They're so nice and good with me. Please tell him I wish him a happy birthday too! I'm looking forward to seeing the pictures!
Love you so much! 
Steve

Nov 2005

3-1. Who's on the diet?

Dear Daddy,
It was so nice talking to you on the phone last night. We'd just had a walk when you called and so it was really good timing! Why? I'll explain why...

Mummy looked exhausted when she came back from work. She fed us but after we'd eaten there was no sign of going for our 'after dinner walk'. So I nagged her and begged her to go... Finally she took us.(thank God!) On our walking route, there is a Lawson convenience store, right? She went there and bought bunch of snacks! She is supposed to be on a diet, isn't she? 
I don't care if she is fat or skinny, in fact I prefer women who have a bit of meat on them. What I can't stand is when she is over weight, because she gets so negative and moans about her self! (You know exactly how I feel, don't you?) Then... you called us! After that she decided she wouldn't eat all snacks she bought. That's the story I wanted tell you.

"...but some of them have to be eaten otherwise they're going to go bad,aren't they !? " She ate some roll cake and éclair after all...

Can I help you?

Get well soon!

Hi Momo,

Sorry to hear about your eye. Hope it gets better soon! I like your idea about the desktop picture, but it's probably better if you don't tell Steve. You know how he is!

This weekend is your Granddad's 70th birthday party. I'll send you photos!

Wish you were here!

Dad xxx

2-2. Azalea

We've just went for an 'after dinner walk'. We decided upon this routine before you left. Mummy's trying hard to keep to it. She even bought herself a rain poncho for rainy days. (We'll have rainy season soon in JAPAN) I don't care if we go or not because I don't like getting wet! It was a lovely evening tonight. There were some beautiful pink azalea flowers in bloom at the apartment close to us.

Ａｚａｌｅａ

Mummy read your letter to me. You're so poor, alone in the empty house. I have a good idea. You should put my picture (only me!) on your desk top then you won't be so lonely. About furniture, you take your time slowly, no hurry but don't forget to buy a comfortable soft cushion for me! (I don't think Steve wants one...)


I'll write soon. Take care! From Momo

2-1. Veterinarian

Dear Daddy,


Momo here! Yesterday, Mummy took me to the vet because my eye hasn't got better. Steve came with us, of course. He pretended to be really miserable and sick so Mummy couldn't leave him home alone. I wish it was only Mummy and I...The doctor gave me two kinds of eye drops and I have to have that more than three times a day. I hope that makes my eye better soon.

My right eye

What A Surprise!

Hi Steve,


I was quite surprised when I turned my computer on this morning and found that I had received several letters from you both! Sorry I had to go away, but I'm busy making a new home for you here in England. I think you'll like it here, there are lots of trees to mark!


It cheered me up when I read your letters this morning. I spent the night alone in our empty house and woke up feeling a bit lonely. And when I say empty, I mean EMPTY! I haven't bought any furniture yet. Fortunately, my best friend lent me an air mattress to sleep on and your grandma' and granddad lent me some deck chairs which I put in the conservatory!

The sun is shining!

Anyway, Steve, I'll send you some more news from England as soon as I can. Please take care of Mum and Aunty S. You're the man in the house now! And don't fight with Momo!

Bye for now,

Dad x

1-2. Rosemary

When we were eating, Aunty S (your sister-in-law) called. We went to pick her up and then went to S-Pulse Dream Plaza, which I love second best in the world. She seemed sad too but while she was talking to mummy, she seemed to cheer up. I think since you left, everybody is a bit strange... but don't worry about it because Momo (who's useless) and I'll take care of them!

Rosemary

<P.S> Do you remember the tree in front of the park, It's a rosemary!! Did you Know?  I didn't Know until I really marked there. That is a huge,enormous,gigantic rosemary. You don't have to worry about cooking if we have that.
Take care! I'll write a letter soon. See ya!
From Steve

1-1. My Most Favorite Place

Dear Daddy,


Today, Mummy took us to my most favorite place in the world. You know where, don't you? It was so hot, like summer, but really comfortable in the pine tree woods.

Miho no Matsubara

After that, we went for a long walk in the pine tree woods. We went to our usual shop in front of the beach. Mummy ordered your favorite ramen. The shop lady asked us where you were? Mummy answered. "Today, it's only us." She was smiling but looked sad...

The usual shop

Ramen

-Prologue-

Yesterday, my Daddy left Japan to go to England. I'll see him again in October, so mummy told me. I can't imagine how long I have to wait till October...  more than 150days...

I complained to her and blamed her for him not being around... then she said "Why don't we write letters for Daddy? He'll be so happy and we can also study English! Doing that will make the time fly by so quickly."

I don't quite understand what her logic is but I decided to do it anyway. I can speak Japanese fluently but I'm not so good with English. If I try hard, though, maybe he will  understand what I want to tell him.

He doesn't have Internet yet so I don't know when he can read my letters. I'm looking forward to having a letter from him!