January 8, 2013: Akemi’s unique perspective!

“I am going to be toilet paper Santa!”announced Akemi and then, econo-size package of bathroom tissue tucked under her arm, she scurried off to distribute the rolls around the house.

Yep, my girlfriend is mighty unique.  She has an interesting way of looking at things that, at first, I chalked up to her being Japanese but, eventually, realized was something specific to her.  Being Japanese had nothing to do with it.  Being Akemi did!

Take our last breakfast in Montreal for example.  Akemi ordered the freshly squeezed orange juice.  ”Small or large?”asked the waitress.  Akemi seemed perplexed by the question.

“Small or large?”I repeated.

Akemi gave it some more thought.  And then: “Small?”.  It was more of a question than an answer.

The waitress headed off to relay our order to the kitchen.  I asked Akemi why the question had proved so challenged.  She shrugged and informed me that it had simply taken her by surprise.  It was, in her opinion an odd thing to ask.  Ultimately, however, she chose “small” because “Smaller oranges are sweeter.”

Akemi’s special way of looking at the world make her endlessly amusing and endearing – and, to no one’s surprise, particularly fascinating to kids.  Children love her!  Our friends Jodi and Steve, for instance, have a daughter who considers Akemi a best friend of sorts.  The other night, she invited us over so that she could play Kinect Games with her on the Xbox.  And Akemi, of course, was more than happy to oblige…

I get in on the action.

Steve’s fists of fury!

And feet fury!

BFF’s

After working up an appetite, we headed over to Minami’s for sushi -

And a styling.

This morning, I dropped off Akemi at the airport.  She’ll be spending the rest of the week with friends in Yellowknife where she’ll be taking in the Northern Lights, dog-sledding, and no doubt regretting her decision to submit herself to -30 degree (celsius/-22 Fahrenheit!) average temperatures during the day (and about -5 degrees colder at night).

Akemi and co. Yellowknife-bound. Akemi is the one hiding behind the red mitts.

Despite her insistence that she was well prepared for the sub-zero conditions and that she could simply rent whatever equipment she needed once she got there, I made sure to send her off with at least a fighting chance at survival: proper winter boots, thermal undies, and a hat that, while admittedly not fashion, would certainly keep her ears from frosting over.

Anyway, I look forward to the pics.  And my “I told you so’s”.

Touchdown in Yellowknife! C-c-c-c-c-cold!