Hajimemashite mina-san:
First let me introduce myself. My name is Tom O'Brien and I am married to Keiko K. O'Brien (more than 40 years). I have 3 sons (2 are married). Unmarried son is 28 years old. Yes I am a Grandfather!!! My 2 oldest sons attended St Mary's International School from 1968-71. I truly support your efforts to enlighten more people as to the different attitudes of people. It is alright to take a different path in life. All though my early years of marriage with my wife's family was a little unsettled, it has really become a great relationship. Much of my free time is now spent on my great interest things related to Japan and the Japanese culture. I am a late starter. I am beginning again to study Japanese. We always spoke English home. I am planning to go to Shikoku and attempt the pilgrimage of Hachi-ju Hachi. I am a realtor and also we operate a Bed & Breakfast here in Fairbanks Alaska. We have many Japanese tourists in the winter who come to view the AURORA BOREALIS and our many winter activities. We have a small population of Japanese (permanent) and Japanese who study at UAF. I think more Japanese should come to Fairbanks and maybe immigrate to Alaska. Well enough for now. Please visit our home pages. They are in both Japanese and English. Sign my guest book.
http://web.acsalaska.net/~shin.kato/japanese/index.html
Yoroshiku, onegai shimasu
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I just wanted to say that I've been browsing your site and was very impressed. My 3 year old son has a Japanese mother and a weird gaijin for a father, is growing up speaking mostly Japanese, and will face many complexities in years ahead. I personally attended ICU in the mid- seventies, where many of my friends were recent returnees. One of them committed suicide after completing our final Japanese assignment: to write a term paper on amae no kozo. So I have some idea of how high the stakes are. People can really get caught in the crossfire.
Please keep up the good work. Nothing raises consciousness like being conscious of what's happening, recording it, sharing it, bouncing it off people.
Bravo, gambatte.
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