Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Visitation Vacation
Where do I begin in recapping such a momentous week, especially as I face my final week in the United States?
From the moment Mako arrived I was again stunned at how totally at ease I felt in her presence. For all the crazy stuff I put myself through mentally while worrying about her, the second I get to hold her in my arms it all disappears. Some questioned why she would go through the trouble of coming all the way here when I'll be moving to Japan so soon. From my standpoint, I go through so much stress when we're apart that I'm grateful for any time we get to spend together. I hadn't seen Mako since February so this was the end of a five-month wait - an intolerable absence!
Mako and I share a passion for food, so in describing our "vacation" together it is necessary to review some of the things we ate together. In no particular order: Sichuan mapo doufu, Mexican burritos, Belgian fries, Carnegie pastrami (and cheesecake), Korean mandoo, bagels, brie, burgers, pancakes, Yankee Stadium hot dogs, dim sum, pierogi, potato pancakes, blintzes and Buffalo Wings (in Buffalo, natch).
Why were we in Buffalo? Mako wanted to see Niagara Falls so I made it happen. We flew up last Sunday, rented a car, and drove to the Falls. The good side, of course, across the border. As we crossed the bridge I spotted the new ferris wheel that overlooks the river. This serendipitous discovery was the final piece in a plan I had developed over the past few months: how to propose to Mako.
I had decided to ask her earlier this year as the information regarding my job gradually pointed to the two of us being together in Japan. If I had been placed far away, I would have waited rather than apply pressure on her to relocate to my area. But with my job and my apartment less than an hour away from her, I knew that this would be a good time to ask her to marry me. So with a ring from my Mom wedged into my pocket, I realized the ferris wheel was the perfect place to be alone with her for such a moment.
The conversation was nearly entirely in Japanese and relatively improvised. I had tried to plan out a speech of sorts but never got anything on paper worth remembering. Basically, I told her that meeting her changed my life for the better and how I wanted to build a home and a family with her in Japan. I popped out the ring and asked her if she would marry me, being extra humble for good measure.* She replied with an immediate yes, as in "Hai." We embraced, spending the rest of the ride (which took several revolutions) discussing the possibilities. There's no date yet, but considering that once we are wed her parents will let her move in with me, I suspect this may go down sooner (e.g. this year) rather than later.
Speaking of gifts, earlier in the week she was shocked as hell when I gave her that Wii I bought for her in Florida. While she did figure out that I had bought one, she thought I had bought it for myself! I wonder how she could believe I would be so selfish, considering how often she has told me she wants one? She has since hooked it up in Japan and has begun playing tennis. Meanwhile, I correctly guessed her gift for me as well - an iPod - but much to my surprised the back of the device is engraved with both our names! I suppose that means she wants to borrow it; either that, or I have to get one similarly personalized for her someday.
The only problem we encountered last week was the thunderstorm on Wednesday which led to her flight getting canceled. However, she was able to notify her employers in Japan and they understood that the delay was out of her hands. In the end, we got an extra day together which was as pleasant as problems can get.
I took a fair number of pictures, as did she, so at some point I'll get them all gathered together for you.
In the meantime, I am here in New York and I am running out of free time. A recent trip to the dentist brought nothing but bad news so I've had to commit to several days of drillin' and fillin'. Nothing life threatening, mind you, but nobody likes that feeling. I'll do my best to write as much as possible this week to offer some kind of perspective on this huge life-altering transition.
*結婚して下さいませんか？ - literally, "Would you please marry me [who is beneath you]?"
From the moment Mako arrived I was again stunned at how totally at ease I felt in her presence. For all the crazy stuff I put myself through mentally while worrying about her, the second I get to hold her in my arms it all disappears. Some questioned why she would go through the trouble of coming all the way here when I'll be moving to Japan so soon. From my standpoint, I go through so much stress when we're apart that I'm grateful for any time we get to spend together. I hadn't seen Mako since February so this was the end of a five-month wait - an intolerable absence!
Mako and I share a passion for food, so in describing our "vacation" together it is necessary to review some of the things we ate together. In no particular order: Sichuan mapo doufu, Mexican burritos, Belgian fries, Carnegie pastrami (and cheesecake), Korean mandoo, bagels, brie, burgers, pancakes, Yankee Stadium hot dogs, dim sum, pierogi, potato pancakes, blintzes and Buffalo Wings (in Buffalo, natch).
Why were we in Buffalo? Mako wanted to see Niagara Falls so I made it happen. We flew up last Sunday, rented a car, and drove to the Falls. The good side, of course, across the border. As we crossed the bridge I spotted the new ferris wheel that overlooks the river. This serendipitous discovery was the final piece in a plan I had developed over the past few months: how to propose to Mako.
I had decided to ask her earlier this year as the information regarding my job gradually pointed to the two of us being together in Japan. If I had been placed far away, I would have waited rather than apply pressure on her to relocate to my area. But with my job and my apartment less than an hour away from her, I knew that this would be a good time to ask her to marry me. So with a ring from my Mom wedged into my pocket, I realized the ferris wheel was the perfect place to be alone with her for such a moment.
The conversation was nearly entirely in Japanese and relatively improvised. I had tried to plan out a speech of sorts but never got anything on paper worth remembering. Basically, I told her that meeting her changed my life for the better and how I wanted to build a home and a family with her in Japan. I popped out the ring and asked her if she would marry me, being extra humble for good measure.* She replied with an immediate yes, as in "Hai." We embraced, spending the rest of the ride (which took several revolutions) discussing the possibilities. There's no date yet, but considering that once we are wed her parents will let her move in with me, I suspect this may go down sooner (e.g. this year) rather than later.
Speaking of gifts, earlier in the week she was shocked as hell when I gave her that Wii I bought for her in Florida. While she did figure out that I had bought one, she thought I had bought it for myself! I wonder how she could believe I would be so selfish, considering how often she has told me she wants one? She has since hooked it up in Japan and has begun playing tennis. Meanwhile, I correctly guessed her gift for me as well - an iPod - but much to my surprised the back of the device is engraved with both our names! I suppose that means she wants to borrow it; either that, or I have to get one similarly personalized for her someday.
The only problem we encountered last week was the thunderstorm on Wednesday which led to her flight getting canceled. However, she was able to notify her employers in Japan and they understood that the delay was out of her hands. In the end, we got an extra day together which was as pleasant as problems can get.
I took a fair number of pictures, as did she, so at some point I'll get them all gathered together for you.
In the meantime, I am here in New York and I am running out of free time. A recent trip to the dentist brought nothing but bad news so I've had to commit to several days of drillin' and fillin'. Nothing life threatening, mind you, but nobody likes that feeling. I'll do my best to write as much as possible this week to offer some kind of perspective on this huge life-altering transition.
*結婚して下さいませんか？ - literally, "Would you please marry me [who is beneath you]?"
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Congrats!!! Hopefully I'll get to see you once more before you leave NY and you can tell me more about it... It's good to hear you so happy. :)
love,
h
love,
h
Way to go--that is wonderful news! We wish you both a very happy life together:-)
コメントがあるちゃう？ Type something, please. It's less work for me.# posted by 
: 26 July, 2007 21:46
: 26 July, 2007 21:46When leaving comments, please don't remain Anonymous. Click on "Other" and pick a name!
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