Willy Mendoza Family in Kagoshima City

Trip to Kagoshima

One day the international families had the chance to meet together at Tano Chou, because we had our Sunday recreation for a men softball. During the break we talked about what is good to do during Golden Week. Ernie has suggested a trip somewhere the nearby prefecture. Then the other family proposed to go to Kagoshima. It was finally closed by the four families, Dell family, Ernie family, Dino family, Imamura family, and set the time schedule of departure and what are to bring there. Then we get home with this plan.

The following day, I got a call from Ernie and e-mail from Dino, telling me that they back out to the plan. Of course they have their own reasons and we can’t force them to join with us. I also invited other international families like Addie Kukita and Marlon Eidjic family, but they have also another appointment to go.

I phoned to our dear family in Kagoshima (Willy Mendoza). I asked him if they can meet us to their famous park as we are planning to go there on the 3rd day of May. To my surprise he was very happy upon learning our plans. Then he asked me what are they going to prepare. Just knowing they are happy to accommodate us is already enough.

May 3, 2008 (Saturday) our families embarked for Kagoshima We preferred to pass on the secondary road so we can just relax and drive slowly. On this picture, this is the junction going to expressway in Miyakonojo Town. The road is very free and no traffic at all. Not so many cars on the road. So we can freely drive slowly.

Our pilot is Ernie Lina and I am the conductor. While our wives just at the back seat and Megumi is our navigator, she is the one reading the map and just telling to Ernie what are the direction to go. Etsuko is our flight attendant taking care the 4 kids with us. I tell you our trip is lot of fun. Very noisy children and hard to control them, they want to stop and just to take relax for a minute along the way.

Junior Karate Tournament

Last April 26, 2008, there was a Junior Karate Tournament here at Miyazaki Budokan. The participants comes from Miyazaki Jingu, Sumiyoshi Town, Tano Town and Kushima.









These are Akinori Lina and Kenji Villareal. Akun is one year older than Kenji, now Akun is 8 years old while Kenji is 7 years old.










Kenji and his papa posed together after lunch.


Ernie Lina and Dell Villareal

Grade II Sankambi (April 25, 2008)

Today is Kenji's Class sankambi. I and his mother had went to their school to witness their class. We arrived there at almost 2:00 p.m. Kenji had noticed our arrival and I feel he is a bit concious if we are looking at him. He knows that in the afternoon when we meet I'm going to tell him my observation during their class. That is why in everytime the teacher raise question he also participate in raising his hand. Once his name was also called, he got the right answer but my comment was his voice is a little bit little and cannot be hear clearly around the class.

Right after the sankambi I brought my wife back to her job. The I went back to school for Kenji to take him to their bus going to swimming club. I go straight to Izumiya for my books at amigo store then to Deo Deo and bought there a set of Printer ink.

This is our day!!!

2008 Katei Home

I am now on my second grade at elementary school. Yesterday, April 21st, 2008, my teacher visited our house, and she met my mother only because my father was in his job. My teacher talk with my mama and ask things about me. According to mum, I have my asthma last year and it is now fine yet I don't require to drink medicine daily. About my school standing, my teacher told me that I'm doing fine but a little bit slow pace compare to other. She reason out that It is because I am a single son, that is usally the same with the others situation.

Thank you sensei for giving your honest impression about me.

Gambarimasu!!! Mata.

Little Kenji In His Karate Uniform

This is Kenji now in his uniform for Karate Club. Taken before the training begin in the gymn. There are about 20 students with him on different age level. But for grade one they are only four and the youngest is 4 years old. His schedule is only during Saturday afternoon at 5:30 pm until 7:00pm. The actual training begins at 6:00 pm. The first 30 minutes is for cleaning the gymn. It is supposedly twice in a week but he can't make it since no one can take him to the gymn. Their master is Saito San and the assistant is another man and the son of the master.

Since Kenji cannot come by himself, I always take him there. I also help him to change his clothes because he don't yet familiarise the sequence on how to put on everything. Then their master will offer me a sit on one corner for watching them. In the beginning I can sit on the whole hours waiting their training to finish. I'm doing it due to the request of our son to sit and watch them. In fact the reality is he isn't feel comforted without me. I understand his feelings and yet eventhough it is really hard for me to sit and just wait them, I bear it for the sake of my son. I know with my presence I can give him more courage to go on in his training. But then later after three months I ask him if I can wait him in the car. I explained my difficulties and situation. And finally, he allowed me to skip on watching them.

Domeki Kindergarten Graduation Day

Please take a look to our souvenir photo. This was taken when our son have graduated to Hoikuen at Domeki Oaza Tsunehisa, Miyazaki City-April 2007.

We're very proud of him because he's a smart boy.