How about a Japanese lesson today?Remember last week when I said that our family takes a long time to make any decisions? Well, Tetsu finally decided to join the swimming center not too far from us. He took the "plunge" and enrolled on Saturday and since then has gone Saturday night, Sunday night and Monday night (yesterday.)
Tetsu is very happy! He expounds on the wonderful benefits of water training. He explains how he is walking around the pool and moving his arms and taking long steps and enjoying the scenery (a small part of the pool is outside, the rest indoors). He discourses about how the center should set up a rewards system so that members might reach their goals with more enthusiasm. He raves about how great this place is and how he looks forward to stopping in after work. He even talked with his convalescent home's doctor, got some advice and then gave me the low down on what is the best swimming schedule for getting and staying in shape. This morning he flexed his muscles and asked me if didn't he look slimmer, more fit.
This is after three days!
I gave a less than enthusiastic response to his new physique (if there is one).
"Tetsu, three days? Can you really expect any great changes in three days? I'm so glad you're enjoying yourself but you know that place has been there 10 years and you always pooh-poohed the amount of training one could get there. Ask me again in a month, and don't give up after three days."
That's the Japanese lesson. In Japanese we have a phrase called "mikka bouzu" which means; "a person with no perseverance; a person who cannot stick to anything." Literally it translates as "a three day Buddhist priest". It has been three days and Tetsu has gone off this morning with his swimming gear over his shoulder so hopefully he'll make it to the fourth!
My wonderful, excited husband. I really should have a better attitude...
6 comments:
Oh Tanya, I love your writing!! Even if we were not communicating for other reasons, I would want to read your writing!! Blessings, Pat
LOL...Tetsu sounds like a typical man!!!
Hugs
the long haul is always the challenge....
Yep, sticking with it is the challenge - I hope he goes through with it! And if he makes it a month, I would celebrate, do something special together.
Sounds like Tetsu is off to a good start. I love to swim, too, and I hope he continues with it. By the way, I mentioned your Prayers & Squares group to the group here. They were impressed and amazed!
"A three day Buddhist priest"! What a great image! Expressions like that are why I found learning German in college so hard. The professor would try to use everyday idiomatic language while conducting the clases, and after we painstakingly figured out the literal translation of what he said the students would still be going "Wha?"
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