We are very glad to be back home again even though the house is overcrowded with 38 boxes of books, things to be unpacked and other things to be packed. We've had a whirlwind trip to New York City where I gave a book talk to mostly relatives and old friends and neighbors of my mother's. I was terribly nervous for days before as I always am before talks. Of course, as usual (thankfully), once I started talking and made eye contact with everyone, things were fine. My heart stopped pounding as if it wanted to tear a hole in my chest, and my guts stopped churning and feeling like they were about to empty at any moment.
We had some wonderful meals (Japanese and French in particular) and good company with old friends, new friends and family. And Toshi was able to get his visa from the consulate of Belarus for his upcoming trip. He'll be speaking about life in Japan and America at the state university located in the city of Gomel which will be hosting a conference of all the Belarusian universities.
Three years ago Toshi gave a similar talk on a smaller scale to three English classes in the Gomel state university. Unfortunately, Belarus is a poor country, and he has to pay his own airfare. But he is always invited to stay at the home of friends there, which is a very special experience. They are very welcoming and generous hosts.
The same day Toshi leaves for Belarus, my sister Miriam will be coming to visit. We hope to have some fun.
Yesterday, I enjoyed a three-hour-long "chat"about my book, my mother, poetry, writing, publishing and just about everything else, with a small writing group at the St. Albans Free Library. I think we all had a good time, though I did notice Toshi dozing in a corner. Since he did almost all the driving from New York the night before, I can't blame him.
Enough for today. I'm off to join the real world.
We had some wonderful meals (Japanese and French in particular) and good company with old friends, new friends and family. And Toshi was able to get his visa from the consulate of Belarus for his upcoming trip. He'll be speaking about life in Japan and America at the state university located in the city of Gomel which will be hosting a conference of all the Belarusian universities.
Three years ago Toshi gave a similar talk on a smaller scale to three English classes in the Gomel state university. Unfortunately, Belarus is a poor country, and he has to pay his own airfare. But he is always invited to stay at the home of friends there, which is a very special experience. They are very welcoming and generous hosts.
The same day Toshi leaves for Belarus, my sister Miriam will be coming to visit. We hope to have some fun.
Yesterday, I enjoyed a three-hour-long "chat"about my book, my mother, poetry, writing, publishing and just about everything else, with a small writing group at the St. Albans Free Library. I think we all had a good time, though I did notice Toshi dozing in a corner. Since he did almost all the driving from New York the night before, I can't blame him.
Enough for today. I'm off to join the real world.