Terry's Weekly Email Newsletter; 2 Aug 09

Hi all,

On Tuesday, 29 June, Joe, Jenn, and I spent the day at Ueno Park. It
reminded me a lot of Central Park in NYC - there are several museums,
ponds, and temples, and Japan's oldest and best zoo is there. We went
to the Tokyo National Museum, stopped at a tea garden for tea and
green tea ice cream, and saw several performers, including two
guitarists from Peru singing "La Bamba" and a bagpiper (4th picture).
We saw the Great Buddhist Pagoda, where formerly stood a Buddha statue
- now only it's head remains (1st picture). We also spent time in the
Gojo shrine, which has several Inari fox statues and a series of red
torii (gates) (2nd & 3rd pictures). That evening we went with Mike to
Roppongi Hills to see the Mori Tower where the law firm that he would
be interning is. We were going to go to a modern art museum in the
Mori Tower, but they were closed on Tuesdays, so we decided to do that
Wednesday evening. We went back to Akasaka (our "home" base) and ate
a restaurant nearby - Pier 246 - that had really good pictures on the
menu and excellent food!

Everything here is going well. Mike got back to Santa Clara last
night - he's happy to be back! Jenn is working 38-40 hours/week at
Target. She's getting tired of it, but she's getting excited for
Spain, and she is happy to be making some money for the trip. She's
going to work to the end of August, and then have 9 days off before
she takes off to Madrid.

Work is pretty much the same for Joe and me. The weather has been
cool and very rainy - not much summer weather here in Rochester this
year. This year was the second coldest July on record for Rochester.

Grace is still in the nursing home at the hospital, but she is doing
well - walking around and getting stronger.

We are starting to plan our vacation in Madrid - it is looking like we
will be there December 20-28. So, my question to all: how about New
Year's here at the Sardina's again this year?! I've been thinking of
ways to have the food situation more under control, and we have been
collecting shot glasses for Shotzee! We would love to have everyone
here again starting December 30 - what does everyone think?

Hope everyone is well.
Kind regards,
Terry