Note to File. return home.

Date:  Oct 9, 2009

Subject: Birth Story

Dear Lisa Ann ( 梨 紗   杏 )

Many people whom are interested in the story of your birth seem equally interested in the story of me riding the bicycle to the hospital at 2:30 AM to get to the hospital.  The bike ride really sound more dramatic than it actually is, but I probably important for you to know the entire story. 

As background, for me, riding my bike to many of my favorite places in and around Kobe is almost as fast as taking the train, particularly if we are talking just a few stop.  Sannomiya is a bit of a hike, but really no big.  I will parenthetically mention that before the local police became familiar with me, they pulled me over no less that 5 or 6 times.  Not for traffic violations - it's just that I looked like I was always running from the scene of a crime.  I did help.  If I could see that they were in pursuit, I would, without being too obvious, be evasive in choice of pathway and side street.  One time I actually dropped then but the other times they caught up to me.  (stories for another time).  Anyway, since I usually waste lots of there time and use the incidents as opportunities to practice my Japanese, I no longer get pulled over, but that is not because I am not cruising. 

Back to the story.  Mom had checked in to the hospital the night before your birth.  I was schedule to come by in the morning to check on progress.  I need to review my notes again, but I believe the call came in at 2:00 AM with Yuko stating "it would be a good idea" for me to come tot he hospital.  In understated Japanese way of talking, this generally means I need to get there right away.  Trains weren't running so anyway, so I jumped on my trusty bike ($100 at Ito Yokado in Chigasaki) and motored the 25 minutes or so to the hospital - no big. 

When I arrived, the hospital door was locked so I had to get "rung in".  A few minutes late I found you and your Mom.  You were still not born.  Every so often you mom would go into contractions....nurse got on top of your mom and push (I believe) will all her weight.  I was shocked.  My job wa holding down the flank so to speak and to hold moms hand when when was pushing.  .   anyway..... water broke at 4:40 AM ....... the tone of all nurses change and I could tell than it would not be long. 

Comparing the clock to the rapid progress you were making in the birth canal and the pace of activity in the room,  I was thinking that perhaps you would be born at 4:44 AM, a time that has serious numerological implications, but was delighted with the 4:50 arrival.  Anyway, when you came out you cried a little. (Note: since then you have learned to cry much louder).  Anyway, to the right is a picture of you and mom with me just about to cut your cord.  My hair was out of control that day - sorry I look sort of crazy.  Anyway, you and mom hung out for a bit, and I think had a drink from mom boinge boingue but soon thereafter, went off to get take a bath.  You came back some time  later, and I was real surprise of how red you were.  There are more picture of you.  It was quite and amazing day.  Grandma and grandpa Ichihara came by that day to see you.  You are there first grandchild.  They were very happy to see and meet you.  It was a very busy day.  Yuko was very tired and her body hurt.

You and mom spent another week in the hospital.  I visited everyday.  Other people visited you because they all wanted to see you.  At the Hospital, Mom took classes and watch video tapes to learn how to take care of you.  That week the people at the hospital were very nice to you.  We all were very lucky. 

Dad

Note to File.  return home.

Date:  Oct 22, 2009

Subject: The History of Your Name

Dear Lisa Ann ( 梨 紗   杏 )

This is a short story which describes how your name was chosen.  We of course wanted a name that works well in both cultures.  The initial hurtle is that western names are not normally spelled with Kanji.  In addition, Kanji selection for names isn’t that simple, because the total number strokes it takes to spell a person’s given name (relative to the family name) has some significance that goes beyond by my comprehension.   It was an accident that Yuko’s mom actually came up with the name (and kanji) for Lisa, because she didn't know it was also a western name.   There are numerous combinations of kanji that can be used to spell “Lisa”, which is spelled with two kanji - a kanji for "Li" and a kanji for "Sa".   Yuko and her mom again found and picked the combination 梨 紗.   The first kanji 梨 is the kanji meaning pear.  The second kanji 紗 meaning silk or silk threads.   Japanese don't ever use middle names, but what is great about the name Lisa is that easily flows into the the western middle name Ann, as fate would have it, can be pronounced in Japanese あん or "Ann" and use the kanji  杏 meaning apricot. Hence you name:

梨 紗 (Lisa) 杏 (Ann).

It's a little embarrassing, but in the months leading up to your birth, I wasn't all that concerned about what your name would be.  You see, before we knew you were a girl and after a tough negotiation, your mom and I entered into a reciprocal naming rights agreement.  In order words, I traded the naming rights (and responsibility) for naming a girl baby to Yuko in exchange for being able to name a boy baby Walter Arthur Barker IV, a name which I still some day hope to give to a brother, in honor of all the people whom have come before him. 

This summer, when we learned that you would most likely be a girl, we looked to Yuko for a decision, but she still had not made up her mind.  In the vacuum created by the knowledge that you were a girl, you were granted the honorary title “Wallina” – and name affectionately chosen in passing by our good friend Devan Beck - whom you someday meet an me able to get even.  While this name, Wallina, is of course outrageous, the name had traction.  And I am sorry, but we laughed a lot about it in the months prior to your birth.  Particularly, when Devan and Lynn's two young children started asking your mom “How’s Wallina?”   It was all in good fun really.  I hope you didn't overhear us and think we were being disrespectful.  As an aside I would mention that this summer's vacation with "the Beck" and "the Malik" family, you and your mom together went on a hike in the Sierra Mountains of California.  She climbed with you to some high mountain lake at around 10,000 feet.  You were not born yet but you moved around a lot.  It was fun.  Anyway, the longer Yuko did not decide, the growing fonder and fonder we all became of the name “Wallina”.  Ultimately I knew this name would never work, so I agreed to take a larger role with this important parental duty.

I saw your naming like a mathematic problem of optimizing a set of  non linear equations with too many degrees of freedom.  What was needed was a name that a) feminine, of course, b) could be pronounced and spelled properly in both languages, s) would retain a bicultural identity and integrity, d) sound like and roll like music, e) have a kanji spelling and meaning that evokes beautiful imagery, f) pass the kanji stoke test referred to above, and g) perhaps incorporate as a middle name, the first name of my mom - who you will come to learn was an amazing woman and a great role model for any a young woman.  I think we did a good job.  Mom and I hope you like your name.

Lots of love. 

Dad

Note to File:  return home.

Date:  December 3, 2009

Subject: Your First Big Adventure

Dear Lisa Ann ( 梨 紗   杏 )

Today you went out on your first big outdoor adventure:  you were almost 2 months old.  For the record, because of the recent serious influenza epidemic in Japan, your exposure to the outside has been less than I would prefer.  That said you have out walking to nearby park as well as out on a few assorted adventures by car, taxi and JR.  Generally, short trips in a controlled or predictable environment. 

However, today you and I traveled from our home in Rokko Michi to grandma and grandpa Ichihara's house in Mikage maybe 25 minutes on foot.  What made today's trip noteworthy that it was November, cold and raining!!!!.  You were strapped inside the car traveling seat, that was strapped into the "baby cart", that was covered by a built on tent like cover, that was also covered in a raincoat.  I piloted the craft with one hand while the other hand held the umbrella.  You were busy inside doing baby things, so might might have understood the difficulties involve in negotiating curbs.  Because foot and motor traffic was light, I did not feel rushed in negotiating these hazards and thus kept the bumping to a minimum.  Nothing really eventful to note other than you were very brave, and I think you had fun.

You and made made the return trip later that day in better weather. 

Dad.

Note to File:  return home.

Date:  February 05, 2010

Subject:  Okuihajime

Dear Lisa Ann ( 梨 紗   杏 )

Today was another dress up day.  Here you are in a beautiful traditional clothes looking like a princess.  In Japan, parents traditionally have a ceremony to celebrate when babies first start eating for themselves.  It is called Okuihajime (first meal) and occurs on either day 100 or 120.  Mom says 120 is a rural thing; city folk do 100,.  I the old days, perhaps this is when people actually began eating but these days it doesn't work that way.  Therefore you don't really get a chance to "chow down".  The ceremony (these days) is just a "photo opportunity" and a chance for parents and relatives to pray for the a newborn like you.

The traditional menu is sekihan, sea bream,  sumashi soup, umeboshi, and pebbles (yes, pebbles!) 

• Sekihan. steamed rice cooked with azuki red beans which gives it a lightly red color. Eating this food is very popular most at celebration special occasions in Japan.

• Sea bream is also a popular fish as a symbol of happiness.

• Sumashi (clear) soup   Soup is very watery (clear) but seasoned with the miso (fermented soy paste).  There there are many version with different ingredients like tofu (soy curd), small fish, daikon (Japanese radish), wheat or rice noodle etc. The most popular version in Japan is misoshiru with tofu and sea weed.

• Umeboshi, Japanese pickled plum ,which is very wrinkled.  We serve this food and prayed that you will grow old grow old - full of wrinkles.   

• Pebbles, not very tasty (joke).  No one eats the pebble, we just pray your teeth will be strong enough to bite food as hard as pebbles.
   

Dad

story