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Just called my Nana back in Australia to check up on her - she’s 76 and going strong, although she mentioned that she’s just got a walking stick to give her a bit of support when she’s walking. Couldn’t talk for very long as one of her friends was over and they were planning their next Pokie trip, probably to Ballarat. They’ve been on 3 Pokie trips already this year - and I’m ashamed to admit my Nana travels around more than I do.

Her friend, who I also had a quick chat with, is 93 years old. Aunty Dot, who I haven’t seen for years, probably still dresses in leopard print and paints in her eyebrows (something that had always fascinated me when I was a kid). She’s having a bit of a rough time at the moment, as she’s just had her teeth removed and is waiting for her new dentures. Couldn’t tell from talking to her on the phone - she seems as chirpy as ever.

Well that phone call certainly nipped my pre-Birthday woes in the bud. Giggling on the phone to them both made me realize just how much we are centred on the Cult of Youth. Succeed and accomplish everything by the time we hit 35. Wow isn’t that person amazing they managed to do that by such-and-such an age…it all pales when listening to my Nana and her friend gossiping and chuckling.

My Nana now is the happiest she’s ever been. She has her independence, friends and her hobbies. And luckily her health. She still goes to the hairdresser to have her hair set about once a week. She doesn’t understand all of this interweb thing going on and has no idea what I do, but is happy for me that I’m doing OK. She’s slowly overcoming a lifetime of prejudice against Asians, but has tried her best to remember the Boys name, age and occupation, and always asks how he is. She also demanded some Greatgrandkids - but I told her she’ll just have to hang on a bit longer for that (besides she has some already since my cousin followed in family tradition and got knocked up at a young age).

Hopefully I’m going to make it back to Australia for Xmas. I’ve been pretty homesick lately - it’s been 3+ years since I’ve been back and I’m scared about leaving it too long to see everyone. Mas is supposed to be back for Xmas too - and while I know that our family get-togethers on my Dad’s side have not always been the most fun, I would really regret it if I didn’t go to this one.

Just in case.

.....

Hang on I can’t leave this entry with a feeling of doom hanging over it…

I was thinking last night about what it’s going to be like to go back with the Boy in tow. (That probably prompted me to call Nana actually). I’m a bit nervous about it. I’ve been trying to encouraging the Boy to study English a bit more - just so that I won’t spend the trip as an interpreter and also so that he won’t feel left out. Which he sometimes feels here when a group of English speakers are together. If he feels a bit more confident about speaking English it’ll make things easier.

On the other hand I think it’s important for him to experience what I do on a daily basis here - living in a world in which you don’t understand everything that is going on around you. While I think my Japanese is OK, when I’m tired or stressed I easily get confused. And I still panic a bit when an official looking 3 page letter all in Japanese arrives - especially if it has something highlighted demanding some immediate action from me…

Aw crap now have a sense of doom and a case of nerves - that’s it I’m having a glass of wine and getting back to work…it’s obviously dangerous for my mental health to let my brain wander…

• If the language is difficult for him, I’d definitly encourage him to be very helpful (which he maybe naturally is?) around the family home… I remember a sibling’s partner getting slightly bad press for not only saying very little (bearing in mind there was no culture difference here and we are talking about ignoring questions beginning with “would you like…?”), which would have been ok had he not sat on his arse the entire time… I’m sure it’ll be cool.

  Meenoo
  03/07/20 05:03 AM