It has been one month since we left Japan and came to the US.  We spent two and a half weeks in Hawaii, and then two weeks ago came to L.A.  For most of this time, we have been without a computer (the main reason is because I dropped our laptop.  Ouch).  Finally, we are settling into our missionary housing apartment, and remembering how to use our computer again.  Thanks for your patience — I will begin catching up.

Impressions about America:  yes, pretty much everyone has a VERY big tv;  We love the cable tv show, “What Not to Wear” (and I want to get on it!); we have some amazing friends in the U.S.!;  there is something that feels like coming home when I walk across Fuller’s campus;  drink portions are so huge– the large Slurpee at 7-11 would easily satisfy twelve thirsty Japanese;  everything seems much more expensive than when we were back three years ago!;  Starbucks really are just about everywhere (gotta’ like that);   the 50 or 60-so staff who work at the Apple stores around here — there are a LOT of staff at all times!–most of them  don’t look like the type who would be working at a computer store (It’s hard to describe – you just need to go and see for yourself);  it’s the little things that sort of discombobulate me as I try and settle back in;  McDonalds in the US has much better healthy options than the McDonalds in  Japan;  by far the best invention of the year is the portable GPS that Eric’s brothers gave us;  our kids help us see joy and adventure in every day;  Eric’s mom is really an amazing cook and I don’t think she has ever messed up a meal!;  K-Mart is way overpriced- Target is still the way to go;  even though I don’t like crowds Disneyland is worth it.  And we have some great family and friends here for whom we are daily thankful.