Things are feeling a bit more normal here. We are fitting into daily routines and schedules. I figured you may be curious what our days look like here.
4-6 days a week Caleb and I have been getting up at 5:45 am to go to 6:15 am crossfit class at Chikara Crossfit. Our bikes help us get there much more quickly! We are enjoying this time together and building some skill and strength. Recently I set a new PR (Personal Record) for unbroken double-unders. I got 26 unbroken! Yeah! The programming is different here than what we were used to at our old gym and they use the metric system so that has taken some time to get used to. We have been focusing a lot on tempo training and endurance training but this week we got to try for some one rep max oly lifts so that was fun. This week Caleb hit TWO new PRs for Hang Clean @109 kilo and Power Snatch @ 76 kilo! Way to go Caleb! I almost got a video but someone walked right in front of me before i could get it! 🙁 Here is a picture of us during one of our first Crossfit classes in Tokyo!
I also joined a group of girls at the gym for a challenge event. We had 2 hours to complete a set of 10 challenges through the city. We followed clues and ran from location to location. We may not have won the event but we had lots of fun dressing up, (even though we were the only ones in costume) working out, and laughing together.
I cannot believe I am willingly getting up early to go workout but it is going surprisingly well. To make our morning work outs possible the kids wake up to alarms on their phones at 7 am and get up, get dressed for school and eat breakfast that I have prepared ahead of time for them. We are back home by 7:30 and I pack lunches, while Caleb showers and gets ready for work. The kids are out of the house by 7:45 to walk to their bus. They have about a 5 minute walk to the bus stop. We run a tight ship to get everything done in the mornings but it seems to be going fine for all of us!
Here is a sneak peak into some of my make ahead “overnight oats” and of course a pic of the cute kids!
Caleb heads out the door around 8:15 and I spend some time doing chores before I shower and get ready for my day. I am adjusting to being a housewife (“sufu” in Japanese). I enjoy having my own space during the day. I try to keep up with housework, laundry, scheduling, grocery shopping and meal planning. I also have a Japanese lesson every other week and will be taking a photography class starting next week. I have attended multiple social events at the kids school and the Tokyo American club. These 2 networks will be very important to keep me connected.
I recently made (another) trip to Ikea to get some household goods and artwork to liven up our walls. You will be happy to know that I successfully make it home via subway with my purchases. After making my purchases I spent 30-45 minutes trying to figure out the best, most efficient way for me to cart my purchases home. The biggest item (and biggest problem) was a large chalkboard map that I couldn’t resist! We do not have access to a car yet. I took this challenge on with my little cart, bungee straps, rope and elastic cargo nets. I got lots of strange looks as I carried them up and down stairs getting to the train on the way home. . It wasn’t until I was walking home from the station and it began to RAIN that I almost lost it. I stood there, both hands full and tried to figure out how I was going to hold an umbrella while rolling a cart and carrying a large map. My efforts proved unsuccessful after I attempted rearranging my load to potentially hold the umbrella. As I was trying to rearrange things I was getting frustrated. I was finally getting tired of people staring. I lost my patience at one point in which I stared back and gave an exaggerated smirk to a man staring at me. I ended up walking home in the rain occasionally standing under an awning for shelter.
I guess my hard work paid off, as I like my (almost) finished product! 
The kids are involved a couple after school clubs: Zeke is taking a Medieval Combat Fighting class in which they build weapons out of foam and other materials and learn how battles were fought in Medieval times. Both kids are taking a rock climbing class. These are great opportunities for them to meet more friends. Annabelle was quick to make friends with a girl named Lauren from day one. They already enjoy texting and facetiming after school! Zeke is keeping an open mind but has not quite found his niche yet. We know these things take time. Over the summer Zeke has developed a big interest in art. He spends lots of time sketching, tracing, and trying out new art techniques. He even got some alcohol based markers. These Copic markers are unique because you can blend colors with them!
Caleb often arrives home around 6 pm and we often have dinner and do a family activity. We have recently enjoyed watching old episodes of the Simpsons, playing pictionary, Peanuts, or video games. We have all been spending more time reading. Here is our book list: Zeke is rereading the Percy Jackson Series, Anna is on Book 2 of Harry Potter, Jenny is on book 6 of Harry Potter and Caleb is reading Game of Thrones.
Anna has also been reading to our new friend.
As you may have guessed after our last post we recently adopted a sweet little turtle. I visited multiple aquatic pet shops, and did some research online to find out what would be needed to care for a turtle. We ended up getting a “Stinkpot Musk” turtle. Her shell is only about 1 inch big now, and full grown she will be about 4-5 inches. We named her Suki , it means beloved in Japanese. She has already brought excitement and joy to our family as we all enjoy watching her swim, climb, eat and sleep.
To read more about this breed of turtles go here.
In October our sweet kitty Sawyer will be able to join us!
Our weekends are pretty open and we will sometimes find a festival or event around Tokyo to do. We are still hopping between churches and are not sure where we will land. We may try to get involved in small groups soon to see what community life is like outside of the church walls.
That’s all for now, but look for more updates coming soon. Thanks for reading!
September 25, 2016 at 3:27 am
I’m picturing how it must have looked when you smirked at the gawkers. That would’ve been like a scene from a movie. The moments we look back on. Stretched thin but strengthened too I’m sure. How great that the kids have a neat school and activities to involve themselves in. I hope you’ll continue to find your nitch Jenny. (Wish I would’ve read this before our family hangout tonight but glad I read it now.) Maybe we can talk again just us soon. luv you guys!
September 28, 2016 at 4:45 pm
That wall looks awesome, Jenny! I can relate to figuring out how to get home from ikea. We’ve turned our Wrangler into a clown car more than once :).
That turtle, adorable.