Lois in Japan and other stories....

I've just met our younger daughter Lois. Or at least a Japanese version.

Having had a week and a half of Dim Sum and Tofu, I decided a real meal was needed and called in at the Tokyo branch of TGI Fridays. (I know, it's a soft choice- just think how naff it will look on my expenses!). And there at the door was Lois Japanese style. She looked the same in a Japanese kind of way. Dangling earrings, wavy arms, big smile, bouncing steps. I was sort of shown to my place and sort of gave an order. Others in the restaurant then did the work while Lois v2 hung around the door, chatting away, being incredibly charming and doing little or no actual work. If ever TGI Fridays opens in Peterborough, our daughter is guaranteed a job!

Funny thing is, Lois actually has been to Japan, on a school exchange trip a couple of years ago. Maybe she gave some lessons....

Went on to find the best jacket ever. It was a denim but so light to the touch, with a wonderful lining and looked fantastic. It was from Paris and was retailing at around £600 original Yen price. It was reduced to £200. And allowing for the strength of the pound right now, the original price was nearer £700. I was spared the agony of purchase, thank goodness; it was too small! Close call that one- nearly spent some real money on clothes. Bought a lightweight shirt for £2 instead and felt much better after the fright.

The Japanese are soooo organised. If you get a train ticket with a reserved seat, you WILL sit in that place. There is no argument about it. That's what you do. You are organised. And if you are not organised, someone organises you. It's actually a great country character trait- though a part of me just wants to sit in the wrong seat for the sake of it! Life would be a bit boring without a bit of disorganisation....

Bryson and Shanghai

I enjoy reading. In fact I get through quite a few books in an average year, with usually 3 or 4 on the go at the same time. A lot of them are Christian books, in hope of understanding at least something more of the amazing God who created me. There are a few novels as well. And I've just started reading my first Bill Bryson book- 'Notes from a small island.' I know- I'm a bit late in getting to Bryson. He's been around for years. But I've only just discovered him- and may not have done that had not Roh (or was it the twins?) bought it for my birthday.

Bryson can be a bit rude, but oh so funny. I found I was laughing out loud, which was rather embarrasing as I was on a flight to Shanghai at the time. Never mind, the guy next to me probably won't see me again. Probably wont want to!

Here's a classic bit of Bryson on age: 'I used to think sex was something more than a welcome chance for a lie down'. Trouble is, I'm not sure I'm laughing at the joke or laughing with the joke! And his chapter on travelling through Oxford is just hilarious. Anyway, I'm now in a hotel in Shanghai. I hope the walls screen out the laughter....

Interesting: Shanghai is so big and new. Hardly an old building in sight. The airport has only been open 7 years and already they are building more terminals and runways.

Dissapointing: Singapore Airlines is a good carrier but have gone a bit far with advertising. I enjoy looking at the air map as we travel, to see what countries and cities we are going over. But Singapore Air have taken to inserting adverts every few minutes for worthy institutions like HSBC. I'm sure they are getting paid well for it, but it's an advertising intrusion too far. Maybe they break in to their films in the same way?!

The night before the day

Ever stayed up, knowing the next day that something significant is going to happen? That's me right now. Tomorrow I fly out to the Far East for 2 weeks. I've been to Singapore before but my trips to Shanghai and Tokyo will be new territory. It's business of course, so mainly flights and hotels, but I hope to see a bit of the cities.

So it's the night before being away for 2 weeks. Roh and the twins have gone to bed, but I don't feel tired. Never do when there's a big adventure the next day.

But why not live like that every day? Why not get excited about tomorrow, whatever it may bring? Even on a Monday! We only have one life- let's enjoy it day by day.

In between the rain and the clouds

What amazing weather we've been having in the UK. Our two older children who live in Sheffield have nearly been washed away. And wherever you go, you are in between the rain and the clouds. This is June and the sun has taken a holiday.

I don't know if it's global warming or God shouting at us, but the weather is certainly different. Maybe it will make some of us think. Maybe we need to consider that there is something more than work, home, holidays, tv.... Maybe we need to think about the 'what if'...

Hello Gordon Brown

Yesterday, Gordon Brown became leader of the Labour Party. In two days time he will be Prime Minister. In some ways he is similar to Tony Blair, in other ways very different.

Whereas Tony Blair was very much a head and heart politician, Brown seems to be much more cerebral. He will lead with his head. So we are probably in for a less interesting time, but maybe more manegable, with a reasoned, logical approach.

I expect there will be a lessening of ties with the United States, especially while Bush is still in office. But perhaps not much warmth towards Europe either- Brown is instinctively less trusting of Europe than Blair.

The son of a Scottish pastor, he shares a Christian faith with Blair, though his expression of it seems somehow more solid and measured. And also not as noticeable. I hope it is real. He will need that faith in God for what is the most difficult job in the UK.

20 Quadrillion Years

How big is God?

Is He able to meet my needs?

Consider the universe. I travel to the States a lot. It takes about 6 to 7 hours on a 747 at about 500 mph to get there. If I travelled at the same speed, nonstop to the moon, it would take 3 weeks to arrive. The Sun? 21 years of constant travel. The edge of our solar system? 900 years!

And if we were to travel on a 747 jet at 500 miles per hour to the farthest star discovered by our telescopes, it would take 20 Quadrillion years. That's a 20 with 15 noughts after it!

Is God big enough to meet my needs? The Bible says he made the stars. The God of 20 quadrillion years worth of stars is the God who cares for me.

The sea and the mountains

There is something about sitting by the sea. Preferably on rocks, watching the waves crash in. Or on hills and mountains, watching the sun set on God's creation.

I'm just back from treating Roh to a week in Wales, visiting some of our favourite locations. It was a bit of a surprise for Roh, to celebrate her birthday, and included some friends joining us for the weekend in Dolgellau. Roh had no idea they were coming! Kevin & Kate and Colin & Carolyn are 'old' friends from our days in Crawley. Zan & Annelle are 'new' friends from Peterborough. It was a great time. The look on Roh's face as all these people turned up unexpectedly!

There will be lots of memories of good times, meals together, walking in the hills, sitting on the beach....

And as for the sea and the mountains.... Every wave is different. Every view changes the landscape in front of you. How can you not praise God for such amazing creation?