Last Thursday I presented my life in Japan - "A Stranger in a Stranger Land" - through words and images at Ohavi Zedek Synagogue's "Lunch and Learn." There was good food to be eaten and an enthusiastic and attentive audience. There was so much to talk about, and I prepared too much as I often do. Time ran over and I was disappointed with the number of people who checked out the table with artifacts from daily life in Japan. This often happens, in spite of my urging people to look at the display. I've finally learned my lesson and have decided that I will no longer take the time and expend the necessary energy to set up such a display to complement my talks.
That evening Toshi did a lecture in Shelburne about Japanese pottery. I was too exhausted to attend. I needed to relax for the next day.
Friday we drove to Boston where, at the invitation of the Japanese Consul, we attended a forum at the JFK Library and Museum. The main panelist, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, RFK's eldest daughter, was joined by two historians, one from Dartmouth (an American) and one retired from Harvard (a Japanese). They discussed RFK's little known trip to Japan in 1962. We were treated to some video footage which made it come alive. JFK asked his brother and sister-in-law to make an advance trip before he took one there himself. He was never able to make his own trip since he was assassinated.
During the Q&A period I took the mic and spoke a little about my mother's 1960 experience and my marriage to a Japanese. I was very flattered later when about eight people approached me during the reception to say that my story was very interesting.
With the Lunch and Learn on Thursday, I completed all my speaking engagements and must begin making arrangements for a new series. I actually can use a little break right now. I have some medical appointments coming up, Passover is rapidly approaching and Ricky will be coming home to take his life in a different direction. It will be so nice to have him close for a while.
Read any good books lately? As for me, In order to escape from some of the stresses in my life, I'm on a fantasy kick, re-reading some oldies-but-goodies my sister introduced me to years ago.
That evening Toshi did a lecture in Shelburne about Japanese pottery. I was too exhausted to attend. I needed to relax for the next day.
Friday we drove to Boston where, at the invitation of the Japanese Consul, we attended a forum at the JFK Library and Museum. The main panelist, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, RFK's eldest daughter, was joined by two historians, one from Dartmouth (an American) and one retired from Harvard (a Japanese). They discussed RFK's little known trip to Japan in 1962. We were treated to some video footage which made it come alive. JFK asked his brother and sister-in-law to make an advance trip before he took one there himself. He was never able to make his own trip since he was assassinated.
During the Q&A period I took the mic and spoke a little about my mother's 1960 experience and my marriage to a Japanese. I was very flattered later when about eight people approached me during the reception to say that my story was very interesting.
With the Lunch and Learn on Thursday, I completed all my speaking engagements and must begin making arrangements for a new series. I actually can use a little break right now. I have some medical appointments coming up, Passover is rapidly approaching and Ricky will be coming home to take his life in a different direction. It will be so nice to have him close for a while.
Read any good books lately? As for me, In order to escape from some of the stresses in my life, I'm on a fantasy kick, re-reading some oldies-but-goodies my sister introduced me to years ago.