2003 Winter Greetings from the Tatsuki Family!

The year 2003 went by fast and was filled with memories and milestones. The whole family gathered in Nojiri to welcome the New Year. This photo shows us behind our cabin after close to 2 meters of snow had fallen during one week.

Maika’s life has changed dramatically in this past year. Since January 2002 she has been attending Hawaii Preparatory Academy (on the big island) in their intensive English program. She now communicates with her mother entirely in English and hopes to attend an international high school when she returns. Art is still her favorite subject.

Satoshi is in high school and spends his extra time preparing for college entrance exams. He is not sure what he wants to major in but has expressed an interest in counseling and working with young people. He started snowboarding last year and continued working on his downhill technique this winter. He enjoys being tallest in the family.

Donna is almost finished her first full academic year at Kobe City University of Foreign Studies in the Anglo American Studies Department. She enjoys working with the talented teachers she has met there and is inspired by the creativity of the students. She became editor of a refereed academic journal so finds it difficult to find time for her own writing and research. She continues to study Japanese language.

Shigeo is enjoying his second year at Doshisha University and has finally become accustomed to the hour and a half commute. Between his trips to Asia and the US he does a lot of consulting work with the government, organizes workshops with community groups and gives numerous public lectures on civil society and family. To reduce stress he goes for brisk walks on the greenbelt that surrounds Rokko Island City.

As we enter 2003, our thoughts go out to family, friends and colleagues around the world.

Peace and love to all of you.

Shigeo, Donna, Satoshi and Maika Tatsuki