Lunch at Shirokiya in Ala Moana Shopping Center

Mom heard on the radio that Shirokiya, a Japanese store and restaurant had revamped their food area to make it just like Japan.

"Would you like to go?" asked Art. We thought she'd say no because she hates imposing on us for anything.

"OK," she said.

"Would you like to invite the aunties and uncle?" asked Art.

"OK, I'll call them now." she answered happily.

Now we were really surprised. It sounded like she really wanted to try this place. Auntie Grace said she wasn't very interested because she didn't like the food there very much.

Mom told her it was supposed to have improved with more varieties. Auntie Dorothy said she and uncle were willing to give it a try. Auntie Grace said if Auntie Dorothy was going, she'd love to join her sisters.


There were a lot of little food booths to choose from. They'd added what looked like an artificial wisteria arbor.

But you know what? The food was still so-so. Art's dish might have been the best of what we all chose. I wouldn't go there again.


It was still great to have the three sisters together and we always love seeing uncle.

Art is now excitedly planning our 2012 trip to Japan so mom can have some much better tasting Japanese food in a real Japanese setting.

Mom, who told us she didn't want to travel anymore is giving him lots of ideas for places to see. Mom, who said she can't stand the cold is saying it'll be OK to go in spring because it would be nice to see some cherry blossoms. Mom, who said she prefers staying at home is saying it'll be nice to see her family in Japan again.

"It'll be my last trip," says Mom. As I recall, she said that after our 1st trip to Japan, our trip to the Northwest, our 2nd trip to Japan, and our trip to the National Parks. She'll probably say it again after our trip to Alaska later this year.

We'll see...