Travel Diary 3 - Night Terror on Board

My youngest has had night terrors several times. Not frequent enough to bother us on daily basis or even weekly basis, but when it occurs, it seems to happen in the most inconvenient places.

Two of the times were on the plane.

The first time was on the plane coming back from Japan. Though most of the recent long distance travels have been just three of us (the girls and I), the first time of her night terror on board was when we were flying with my husband. She was 18 months old.

We took turns to console her toward the back of the aircraft where it seemed less bothersome to have a crying baby. A lot of people threw us sympathetic look as if it must be a typical thing to fly with a baby. It was unusual for her to have a night terror since she only had maybe 10 total in her short life time so far. This was about the time when we began to see the tendency of her night terror: it happens when she is extremely tired.

The second time was more difficult yet shorter. I was flying with the girls from Atlanta to Portland, and when the plane started to decent and prepare for landing, she started having a night terror. We had figured by then that her favorite tune/dvd sound seemed to break her free from night terror, however, all the electronics had to be put away for landing. We all had to be strapped in our seat, no electronics allowed, and a screaming 3-year-old. One young guy sitting in front of me kept turning as if he was checking to see if I was torturing her!!

So, she kept screaming and crying with her eyes shut for the rest of the flight about 20 minutes, and then as soon as the lights were turned back on after landing, she was broken free from the spell like nothing happened. The passengers looked pretty relieved to arrive the destination safely, but more relieved to have relief from the screaming child.

When I went through this, I felt like I can get through any incident on board. Once, I was vomited on by my oldest daughter when she was a little over a year old. Well, traveling with kids can be very eventful, but later in life, we can always tell those stories as a fond memory.

(Positive thinking in effect!!!)

New Avid Reader

I was not much of a book reader in high school though I remember I went to library weekly with my mom and borrowed a few books at a time.

When I finished college here in US and I no longer had to read textbooks which took a lot longer than most native speakers would, I started reading books mostly on my commute in the bus. I love fiction mostly, but also tried biography, history etc.

Another break from reading after having babies. Just too tired to read something long enough to remember story and characters. Now the youngest is 3, I started reading again about a year ago when I realized that I had more time to myself.

My Japanese friends who come and visit our place are surprised to see my books because those are in English. Most of my Japanese friends still read books in Japanese though they live here in US. For some reasons, I feel more comfortable reading in English though I still pick some books and read them in Japanese occasionally. I would say 95% of my books are in English.

I even read English books translated in English. One of my favorite authors is Haruki Murakami, but I have not yet read his book in Japanese!

So, I realized this is something I should try: Read my favorite Japanese authors in Japanese and see how I feel different about them.

The first to try is a book called "Out" by Natsuo Kirino. I recently got hooked on another book of hers called "Grotesque", wanted to read another one, and bought "Out" in English at Powell's. Then, my friend who saw "Grotesque" in English at my place lend me "Out" in Japanese thinking I might be interested.

Now I have two "Out", US version and Japanese version. I will be curious to see what I feel about the books when I read them.
Soon, I will try Murakami, too.

Traveling Diary 2 - missing daughter on board

Missing 22 months old at 35,000 feet?!

My daughters have always been good sleeper. I have heard some of my friends' kids never sleeping on the plane, but that was never been the case for my girls.

When my youngest was 22 months old and the oldest was 4, we went to Japan.

The oldest was already potty trained, and the youngest was still in diaper. So, whenever the oldest has to go to bathroom on the plane, we all went. When I had to change the youngest daughter's diaper or I had to go to the bathroom, I either left the oldest at her seat occupied with something or took with us to bathroom.

There was a time both of them were asleep and I had to go to the bathroom. I held it for a while which I am used to now a days after having kids, but could not wait any more. Noticed the both of the girls were asleep and the lavatory was vacant, I decided to leave them where they were and and just to to the lavatory 10 feet away without asking flight attendants for assistance. I thought, "It will be only a minute. They are good sleeper, so it should be fine."

One minute later when I came back refreshed, the youngest daughter who was asleep flat on two seat were GONE. The oldest was still asleep leaning against the back and arm rest, and had not move a bit. I began to panic a little, and moved a little forward on aisle to get closer to our seat in the dark.

Then, I found the youngest still asleep on the floor right in front of our seats. She must have fallen from the seats and still remained asleep. I knew there was no way she would be able to go missing in the plane.

Since then, even if they are both asleep, I decide to ask flight attendant to watch them while I go to lavatory. Even when I know I will be back in a minute.

Travel Diary - Story from my success (so far)

I have traveled with my two kids to Japan and across the US several times now.

Now I have many experiences under my belt, I am not so worried about the long trip with the kids alone.

We have scheduled the next trip in late June, and are looking forward to spending early (humid) summer in Japan... Seriously!

Here are some tips from me and why my trips have been successful so far!

1. Thanks goodness for the oldest who is a morning person.

She does not mind being woken up at the end of the long flights usually middle of the night Oregon time. With her sleepy eyes half open, she pulls her own carry-on suitcase full of toys, books, change of clothes (for accident) and blanket for herself and her little sister without much of complaining.

She is a trooper and awesome traveler.

2. Bathroom trips can be tough but can be done.

At airports, three of us all get in the wheelchair stall and take turns. "Taking turns" mean just the oldest and me. Then, we change the youngest diaper (until she is potty trained whenever that would be....)

We used to use stroller for traveling but now it is actually easier without.

On the plane, bathroom trip can be case by case. If I have to go and the kids are asleep, ask a flight attendant to watch them for a few minutes. If they are awake, we all usually end up going together or the oldest might stay at her seat entertain herself. But, the youngest has to come with me as long as she is awake. If the oldest have to go, we all go. NO QUESTION ABOUT THIS ONE.

3. Food (planning ahead for the 10+ hour trip)

I always bring some snack/fruit etc. Fruit always have to be disposed before entering another country, but still sounds healthier than junk food that comes in plastic bag. Rice balls have been very filling and good traveling food.

4. Last resort - Portable DVD player

The NW flight used to be equipped with on demand system. However, since they are aquired by Delta, the aircraft they use for the Portland-Narita does not have on demand system. We are stuck to watch the same movie at the same time with the rest of the passengers in the coach cabin. So, when the kids are just restless and bored, the portable DVD player has been a hero. It is better to have quiet kids on the plane without surrounding passengers giving you dirty looks and you are going crazy than worried about how much they are watching TV. My own sanity to last the whole trip is more important.

These are MY own secrets for success.

Soon, I think I will write funny stories from our experiences...

Portland Food Carts

The last three days, I have visited food carts on SW Alder and 10th. Full of great food at great price! I became a fan of Food Carts Portland on Facebook recently to get updates.

The last Tuesday, I tried Chicken and Rice from Nong's Khao Man Gai. The long line was good indication, so it must be good. $6 for that was not expensive at all. What a wonderful meal! The spicy sauce on chicken and rice.... Yum!

Yesterday, I wanted to try Thai food, so my choice was Sawasdee Thai Food. I have been a HUGE fan of green curry, so I decided to give a try here.

I must say the curry was great but it would have been even better if it was on jasmine rice instead of steamed short grain rice. Slightly on the spicy side even ordered as mild, but great flavor.

Today's choice was Vietnamese food. Forgot the name of the cart, but the line was moderate. I translate that as neither good or bad, just average maybe?

Ordered chicken noodle pho. Quantity was more than enough. Again, never been disappointed with food carts when you are only paying so little.

We walked to a new park area west of Fox Tower and ate there the last two days.

AND, we found a food cart that we should try there.

The name is Violetta; only use local (Washington and Oregon) organic food to make their things on menu! I got to try a potato chip and it was delicious.

There are countless food carts here in this city, and I am just getting started!

Out at the Tulip Festival

Tulip is one of my favorite flowers.

I have known about the tulip festival for a while and have not missed since my oldest daughter "Big H" was 1 year old.
The last year was one of the unforgettable: Visited with three old Japanese ladies (my mom and two aunts) and it was definitely a different experience than the others. More time in gift shop than out looking at flowers because 1. it was "too cold", 2. they LOVE nik-naks sold at gift shops. I know for the fact their houses are full of nik-naks.



It was a cool but the only dry day in this week. Taking advantage on weekday (less crowded and less expensive parking) and enjoyed the visit. "Little H" seemed more interested in playing in mud, and entertained us a lot. Something "Big H" would have never have done at that age.

And, only when we were leaving, we realized her favorite toy "Sponge Bob" had vanished from her hand, somewhere in the huge tulip field. I searched while "little H" was distracted by ice cream, but no luck. The Sponge Bob was long gone...

"Little H" cried herself to sleep longing for her tiny yellow friend...

Home

We moved into a high rise near downtown a few weeks ago. Having lived in suburb and been tired of it, this was a perfect move for us. Looking at the river and even steady stream of cars on I5 is so soothing. All these cars and trucks, they are trying to get someplace.

I lived in the south for a little while. We lived in a small house not too far from downtown, but the city itself was not that big from my standard, there was not much to downtown. After living in Portland so many years and being spoiled here, it was really hard to fit in the small city in the south. I was the one to move to the US away from Japan, but still enjoyed Japanese connection that I can maintain in Portland. Community, school, and food. There was close to nothing in the southern city for me. I missed it very much. And, the city living. I grew up in a big city and lived in Portland for many years. I missed that too.

Nothing wrong with the south. It's just that it was not for me. It did not provide what I needed. I did not feel invited or welcomed. Maybe because it was the small town, or maybe because that is the southern culture. Who knows? Could be my state of mind. Just that it was not for me.

I feel very much home here in Portland. This is my home. No matter wherever we move, I know I will be back here.

Who am I?

Well, I am hybrid. I was born and raised in Japan, but now have lived in US for over 15 years. Have two kids who are "hybrid" and I drive hybrid cars. I am not quite a 100% Japanese any more and I will never been a 100% American. (What is 100% American, anyway?) If I try to describe myself that way, I must be floating somewhere near Hawaii (geographically between Japan and mainland US). What a great place to be, right? Well not always and that can be confusing.

As much as it is confusing, I thought I should enjoy being a "hybrid."

I recently bought two t-shirts saying "Octagon, Hexagon, Oregon" and "Tree Hugger" at Saturday Market. Have you seen a Japanese hippie? I love recycling! I have not made my own compost, but that might be next.

You know how funky Japanese people dress? Well, I don't do that, but my kids started to. Have to love those "hybrid" kids.

Those are the reason, I chose the title. I thought I share my life as a hybrid mom with whoever might be interested in. Welcome to my world!