Kofu, Japan: BIG and EVEN BIGGER NEWS

Here's some BIG NEWS: Our 4-year trip has reached its end and we're now back in Japan staying with Son's mom here in Kofu, not that far from Mt. Fuji, which we can see from here. We're having a good time visiting not only with Son's family, but also with all of our friends. On December 9th we fly back to Canada - to Toronto - just in time for my mom's 60th birthday bash on December 15th. And then, after a few weeks of visiting with her, her husband David and my sister Liz over X'mas and New Years, we'll be heading out west to B.C. No date for that yet and no idea exactly where we'll live in B.C., but that's all part of the Great New Adventure.

And now for the EVEN BIGGER NEWS: Son is now 5 months pregnant with our Made In Istanbul baby, whose due date is March 20th. Yes, we're going to be parents: Big Mama Son and Big Daddy Oredakedo. We've been to the doctor and have seen the baby on the ultrasound a number of times now - the first time was in Turkey - which is always pretty damn exciting! The doctor says it (don't know - and don't want to know - the sex yet) is looking healthy and active; everything is perfect so far.

Everything else is great over here too. I've been enjoying the amazing food, especially Son's mom Hatsuko's wonderful home-cooked meals. Been drinking lots of beer too, of course. And I've been playing basketball a couple of times a week. I even played in a tournament one weekend, which was a blast.

So, yeah, we're having lots of fun here in Japan, but look out Canada - and parenthood - because here we come!

And that's our BIG and EVEN BIGGER NEWS. Gotta go now to watch sumo.

Big Daddy Oredakedo (Mike Cowie)
Saturday, November 27th, 2004