Weekend visit to the Bikan area, Kurashiki:

Lilica likes the 耳 or ears on these masks

This new home is beyond the expectations I could have hoped for, this peaceful, magical place called Kurashiki. Our family has settled in very well and we're branching out into our local community, one person at a time. Katsumi and Lilica took a trip yesterday to a local community center which has a children's program. It's a small place, with a few children and parents, but it's a new place my ladies can visit anytime they like and its not too far from our apartment.

Last Sunday, we visited a park in the neighborhood, too. It had a swing, a very tall slide and a rickety see-saw, but it was very fun for Lilica and a nice walk to and from for Katsumi and me. It, like some other things around here, has so much potential. I hope to take my family there often and maybe play some kind of ball game in the adjacent field.

We've come a long way and, again, the future is very bright. Our future is limitless and our passion and drive for making a better life is stronger than ever. I hope we do well here, too.