J-GIRLS
In 1997 I took two Japanese exchange students under my care at the school, helping them with using computers and their English.
 We went on several long trips to tourist areas.
We had them over for meals, brought them surfing and camping. Yukiko went to Minnesota and stayed with our friends and my father. She also came back to NZ for a visit before she became a teacher in Japan.
Through the girls I met a couple of their teachers who also became friends who stay in touch with us over the years.
Hikaru came to NZ twice and we got her out surfing and playing miniature golf.
Noriyo went to a New York university and speaks English with an American accent. She is married with three kids and I wonder about their English accent.
 At the pump:
$1.99/litre
$7.66/gal |
It took me seven years to do the A-Z MalleyGrams. In some cases I had to leave things out due to space restrictions. I also reckon I have accumulated a few more items during that time. So I bring you J 2.0 The orignal "J" has been updated read it
TURNING JAPANESE - A 1980 song by the Vapors.
 While I have never been to Nippon, I have had many encounters with those of Japanese heritage. Growing up, “Made In Japan” meant poor quality and therefore cheap. Eventually it would mean top of the line electronic, computer and vehicles. We have owned four Toyotas and a Mitsubishi.
In the 1950’s we lived in Richfield, Minnesota and it was a working class white suburb. I remember the hub-bub that ran through the gossip lines when a Japanese family moved into a house a block away from us. The boy wasn’t in my classes, so I never really met him. My mother worked at a Japanese restaurant in downtown Minneapolis and I met some of her Japanese co-workers.
In 1963 I sang along to Kyu Sakamotos’ hit, “Sukiyaki” - not be confused with the Japanese dish. I always smile at the irony of it becoming a big hit in the States
because it is a protest song calling for the US troops to get out of Japan.
In 1965, while working at a Holiday Inn we had two Japanese fellows, Mitsuyasu Yanagisawa and Satoru Yamagami stay at there while being trained at Control Data. Satoru left and Mitsu was left on his own. We became friends and I took him ten pin bowling. He would invite me to his room whenever a “Care” package arrived from home filled with Japanese snacks and treats for me to try. He couldn’t stand American meals.
In 1969 I was stationed in a small community, Ookala, on the Big Island of Hawaii. There were several nationalities working in the sugar cane fields and the mill. I got to know the Japanese group the best and was welcomed into the homes of the Kobayashis, Satos,
 Hasagawas (Christmas) and Fujuiokas (New Year’s Eve). Jane F and her family became my best friends and we have been back to visit them a few times. She and Asaichi managed to make a short visit to us in NZ. We lost Asaichi to cancer, but I am happy to say that each year I get a Hawaiian calendar from Jane.
Judge Judy - Juke Box Jury - James Joyce - Jaffas - Jetsons
The Joker - Jambalaya
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