Darma Is Learning Touch

Darma's Favorite Toy

This toy used to belong to Lappu, the Shiba that we had in Tokyo. After his passing, my mother sent this toy for Darma. Ever since, it has been her favorite toy. We call it Dango, which is Japanese for dumplings. We name all the toys she owns, and she seems to identify each one of them. When we ask her "where is Dango?" , she brings Dango. If we ask her "Where is squeaky?", she will being candy cane shaped toy that we call squeaky. 

Anyhow, Dango has a squeaky ball in the middle dumpling. See how it is squished and holey?  Well it's because that's the only part she chews. I have mended it twice, and I discovered two more holes today.  I took it away from her so she won't make the holes bigger, and put it on the mantel. Now she sits in front of the fireplace and stares at it. Dango is absolutely her favorite toy! I really think she can smell Lappu on Dango.

このおもちゃは、東京で飼っていた柴犬のラップのものでした。ラップが天国に行ってしまった後、母が母がダーマのためにアメリカに送ってくれました。それ以来、ダーマの大のお気に入りのおもちゃが”団子”です。ダーマが持っているおもちゃはすべてに名前があるけど、ダーマはそれぞれを認識している様子。団子はどこ？ってダーマに聞くと、団子を持ってきてくれる。スクイーキーはどこ？って聞くと、お菓子の形をしたおもちゃを持ってきてくれます。

ともかく、団子は、真ん中にキュッキュなるボールが入ってます。どれだけ潰れてて破けてるか分かるでしょ？なぜなら、ダーマはそこをいっつも咬んでキュッキュ鳴らせてるから。すでに２回も破けたのを直したけど、今日また穴が開いてるのを見つけたので、団子を取り上げて暖炉の上に乗っけました。そしたらダーマは暖炉の前に座ってジーっと団子を見つめてます。団子はダーマの一番のお気に入り。きっと、ラップのにおいがするからだと思う！

Summer Quarter Starts Monday

I start Intensive English Grammar tomorrow and have class 6 hours a day for the next week.  It's only one week but, it will be long.  Next week, I start my other two courses for the summer.  Those will last a total of 4 weeks.  Nothing to bad from the sound of it.  I won't have my grades for my last two courses for another week or so.  I wish they would get put up sooner.  I don't think I did bad or anything like that, I would just feel better knowing they are posted.

Atsuko Made A Wonderful Dinner

One Class Down

I turned in the final for Teaching ESL Writing this morning.  That means one class down, one to go.  I have my History of English Language final next Thursday, with the final class today.  I am looking forward to it, since it has been an interesting class.  I am expecting good grades for both, but will still keep my fingers crossed.