loads of kindness

Sean's birthday cake.

Kotoko breaks the ice with Mirah.

Good times at the kid table.


Around 5 o'clock this Friday evening, Mirah and I went to the train station in order to make our way down to Shake Station and Proto Labs. We got there with no problem and met up with Brian and Khing-san. We also wished Takamura-san a safe voyage to the United States (he leaves on Sunday) where he will be training at Proto Labs US.

We visited the Proto Labs 'bachelor pad', met up with Sean and Matt, and then headed out to dinner at the restaurant that Ishikawa-san runs. Ishikawa-san is a part-timer at Proto Labs and runs the restaurant, called "Kyu Style", in the evenings along with his wife, Setsu.

I was excited to be out on the town in the evening, and I was also looking forward to seeing this restaurant and meeting Setsu, who had expressed interest in befriending this American (me).

The restaurant is small, with about four tables and a four-seat bar eating area, which only enhances its coziness. Also, when we walked in the door, The Ishikawas greeted us and Setsu presented me with a bag of some very cute clothes for Mirah. Super sweet.

We began our meal with drinks and then started up the grill in the middle of the table. We had various small bites, sausages, cabbage, and potato, and later chicken, mushrooms, liver, and okonomiyaki. The food was delicious and so tasty fresh off the grill. Khing-san was our food tour guide, identifying things that we couldn't have otherwise. Mirah had an orange drink that came in an awesome glass bottle that looked vintage. She didn't eat much during our meal, but later, when she was playing with two of the Ishikawa children, she had some onigiri. She had eaten an early supper back at the apartment so I wasn't too concerned about her getting a full meal at the restaurant.

So the Ishikawa kids. We met two of four. A girl, Kotoko, 6 years old, and a boy, Taichi (sp?), 5 years old. They were super friendly to Mirah in just the right way. Not too overbearing, but welcoming. Mirah eventually went over to the table where they were playing and joined in. They had all kinds of kid fun.

Meanwhile the other two tables at the restaurant had been filled and all of a sudden the atmosphere was just totally convivial and everyone was taking pictures and having a good time. We were celebrating Sean's birthday and Setsu even had a cake and candles for the occasion. Everyone in the restaurant shared the cake. The kids were playing. My head was spinning thinking how nice it was to be in such a welcoming place.

I was grateful for the evening out. And what's more, I'm astonished at the kindness of new friends and strangers alike!