This morning before I even opened my eyes I asked Rick if it was raining. He told me it wasn’t and it was probably the only day this week it wouldn’t be raining. I was up and out on my bike. The sky was gorgeous!
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Kiddy Land was a toy store on Omotesando Dori. Now it’s a toy store on Cat Street. I went by to check out a few things and discovered that it had moved. A store employee was out front giving directions in Japanese. I did find the store but I think I liked the old one better.
As I make my way around Tokyo I am intrigued by the old houses. My thought is always the same, “I wouldn’t want to be in there during an earthquake.”
There is only one yokozuna in sumo since Asashoryu retired. It has been rather boring without his colorful personality. Adding interest this tournament is the record that Hakyho is closing in on. The record for the most consecutive wins is 69. After today’s match he will have 62 consecutive wins. Usually I cheer for his opponents, but now I want him to win and break the record. Today is the last day of the tournament so the record will have to wait until the next tournament in November.
Going for 62 wins today
I have been trying to figure out why my right foot is hurting and swelling. I have seen two doctors, two orthopedic specialists, a physical therapist and had an MRI here in Japan. I have also seen two doctors in Houston. I still don’t have a diagnosis from anyone I’ve seen. The doctor reading the MRI and the physical therapist seem to have the best idea about what is wrong. Yesterday I went back to one of the orthopedic specialists and he has given up. He told me to wait three months and if it didn’t get better I could then return to see him.
I do not want to wait three months because it won’t get better unless I have a plan. Based on what the physical therapist told me and the results of the MRI I am using the internet as my doctor. The plan is R.I.C.E for three weeks. I am going to stay off of it and much as I can and do the exercises the physical therapist gave me to gently stretch and strengthen the tendons. If this doesn’t help then I will try to determine who I should see when I am in the US in December.
When I had the MRI I went to the Yotsuya Medical Cube (a very funny name for a clinic). It’s just a regular building, nothing “cubish” about it.
One of my earlier posts had photos of sculptures that line the Azabu Juban shopping street near my house. Lately, I have noticed many similar statues around the city. I will post them from time to time. I loved this one of a boy and a girl I saw in Yotsuya today.
Last Monday I went to the embassy to submit my application for a new passport. I was told it would take 2 weeks. It came back today! Impressive. My old one is a bit sad, though. They punched holes all over the front cover. The back cover and any pages that were unused are perforated with the word “Cancelled.”
The new one needs to go somewhere soon. I just need to get the re-entry stamps moved into it from my old one and I am ready to go. In fact, I am, going that is. We will be getting a way for a weekend next month to Taipei.
Tokyo American Club
I have been going to the club 3 times a week lately to spend time on the elliptical machine. It gets easier each time I go. I don’t try and talk myself out of it anymore. The club is just temporary at this location. They took down the old club and are building a new one to replace it. I am glad it will be finished in January, it’s closer to my house. However, I have cut the biking time to the club from 25 minutes down to 18.
Yesterday I was asked to be a judge at a speech contest for Japanese high school students. They give their speeches in English and their topic is strengthening families. The contest is being held in the Nakano ward building which is next to the Tokyo Mission offices. Rick and I took the train out there so it would be easier for me to find it on Saturday. It will take about an hour to get there.
Missionary Parking Lot