Successful?
A recent acquaintance invited me over for lunch today. Yoko-san picked me up at 11 am and we walked to her apartment. The meal was great and we had a good time. Yoko lived in America for a year so her English is good. I had a wonderful time and believe that a good foundation for a friendship was formed.
After two hours I was ready to go home. It was 1:30 pm when I began to feel antsy. I had a strong sense that lunch should be over and I must to go "do things". Only the normal cues of closure never came, she actually brought out more green tea. So there was more food and talking. I relaxed and enjoyed Yoko’s company. The strong restless feeling returned at 3 pm yet again there was no ending. Again she brought out more green tea. It was not till after meeting her children, playing a weird non-violent video game, two more cups of tea the lunch was over…I arrived back at my place at 5 pm.
As I walked into my room a small voice asked, "was it a productive day"? The task-driven "to do list" part of me replied "No". I could only check off one item, how could that be considered productive? Reality reminds me that I was with a real person, listening, learning, being a part of her world, and forming a friendship. It was a successful day! People matter more than my to do list.
After two hours I was ready to go home. It was 1:30 pm when I began to feel antsy. I had a strong sense that lunch should be over and I must to go "do things". Only the normal cues of closure never came, she actually brought out more green tea. So there was more food and talking. I relaxed and enjoyed Yoko’s company. The strong restless feeling returned at 3 pm yet again there was no ending. Again she brought out more green tea. It was not till after meeting her children, playing a weird non-violent video game, two more cups of tea the lunch was over…I arrived back at my place at 5 pm.
As I walked into my room a small voice asked, "was it a productive day"? The task-driven "to do list" part of me replied "No". I could only check off one item, how could that be considered productive? Reality reminds me that I was with a real person, listening, learning, being a part of her world, and forming a friendship. It was a successful day! People matter more than my to do list.
Comments
Liz... sounds like a good day to me. And a very Japanese dinner party, too. Many courses, lots of talking time, long lunch. Mmm.
Ohoshi-sama, Ogenki?
Kore wa meushi.
Kuma-san, anata no namae wa?
hana wa doko?
Boko wa Coady desu.
Ressha-san, sayounara.
Robin it was very Japanese, and i had guilt because I forgot to bring a gift. And she sent me home with more food!
Coady -Nice Japanese, Kayoko translated for me, thanks for calling me a duck and a few other animals. my nose is on my face. Kayoko says the last line doesn't make sense (guess Baby Einstein messed up). And isn't "Chan" the title for little girls? Is there something about your gender your not telling us?
As you may or may not have heard I brought the japanese car to Canada as well as the chinese car- hence my title Coady Chan meaning bringer of all good things auto (more or less). Maybe they'll give me the Name Coady Saikou...
I also helped resolve problems with the island of Etorofu and helped with the memory pegs for the japanese alphabet (you know- I've gotta ichy Knee son. She goes rock... blah blah blah...)
Chan is still the title for little girls, if you want to be known as a boy go with "Coady-kun"
As for "ichi, ni, son, shi, go, roku...." are numbers not letters but thats a minor detail