Ichiro away overnight to hot springs with grandparents – our 1st day/night alone, together.
So, I wrote letters and compiled packages with books, magazines & treasures (9 total).
While Ryoko fired up a new sewing machine, starting with a bento bag.
What a wonderful life!
He hugged us on his way out the door with his dinosaur backpack, (legendary) red trucker hat & lil mtn boots – patting us on the back as though saying “you’ll be OK without me for a little bit” – and headed off on his adventure like a trooper. I’m only crying a little bit.
Projects ahoy!
}I should note it’s always a bit of a conundrum/puzzle which manner of correspondence to “catch up” on first between the email inboxes, the phone calls, the 37 different erstwhile ‘social’ platforms / but tactility always wins for me. Hooray for postal mail!}
Postal conundrums
Although I was disheartened but hardly surprised to learn international postal rates gone up a notch.
From Japan, international postcards cost ¥70 for about 30 years as i recall, but bounced up to ¥100. And aerogrammes are discontinued entirely.
I have a significant emotional connection with #aerogrammes (1 foldable pre-stamped sheet) were my go to in ‘Japan 1.0’ days.
Subsequently, I’ve acquired a little bit of a collection and often remix into my postal art. I still have a few now obsolete in Japan aerogrammes on hand for the archive.
Note: in Canada, same rate $2.80 CAD for postcard or a card/letter as well. It definitely cramped my routine!
While I understand the price raise, wishing would’ve waited a few more months as I go a little heavy on the Christmas/New Year’s cards and running a little lean on ¥¥ these days. #ManifestMoreMagicPapers
In general though, the postal rates are quite reasonable even for sending small packets internationally (are not heart attack inducing anyway)
The new required web/printed customs declaration form is a little cumbersome but again not really surprising is this has become an international standard for advanced customs clearing (allegedly/evidently).
Yeah, while postcards and letters are still straightforward to send, I have a couple of A4 sized packets with a single magazine/book each (pictured above) inside ready to mail so I’m gonna see what the “demarcation line” is between what needs a declaration and what goes unhindered.
Chit-chat message catch-up
Update / today (the next day): folded laundry, put away the grocery delivery, loaded/unloaded/loaded the dishwasher, lunch with darling wife and caught up on a few years worth of FB “Page” (not “Profile”) messages as well as various IG messages that are somehow intertwined.
It’s always so complicated. Also noticed that some of the videos I had uploaded to the aforementioned “page” went up in “reels” format which sucks and others somehow misplaced their titles. I don’t know why I try. Maybe I will stop trying.
Also telephone talked to two friends, one I haven’t seen in probably 30+ years in BC and another maybe not seen for 20+ years in New Jersey. Now I’m trying to connect with a friend in Dubai. So, bye.