Takumi has lived in California now for... 9 years? Wow! Already that long! I see him once a year in the summer when I visit my mother but I think he has only been back to Japan once in that time. He must feel that he fits pretty well into American society.
After the tiring (on my part) teenage years, Takumi settled down to American education in a community college. He spent the first year polishing up his English skills. As he became bolder he transferred to another community college and then another trying to finish up his general education requirements and get the REAL American experience. (He spent a year living in Hollywood and he lived in someone's living room for awhile...) Finally he transferred to Cal State University Long Beach as a Mathematics major and he happily and diligently pursued his studies and worked as a waiter.
And then about two years ago Takumi approached us with the plan to go on to graduate school. He thought we might be getting a bit tired of supporting him (um... true) but he felt he needed his Masters if I wanted to stay in the States and get a job.
(As a motorcycle rider in Takumi's late teen years.)
So Takumi has studied (and Tetsu has asked me periodically when he might be finishing) and finally this week we got a picture of smiling Takumi holding his diploma. My son has graduated with a Master's Degree in Computer Science. (A great big grin on my face right now!)
Takumi, we think you are GREAT!!!!
Now... he is looking for a job.....
39 comments:
Congratulations to Takumi and to you, his parents! It feels so good when our children succeed!
Congratulations Tanya, Tetsu and Takumi. What a precious smile. Very well done Takumi.
May our Lord bless you in your job hunt.
Grace
With a Masters in Computer Science a job should not take long to find. You are very patient parents and Takumi is a good son to apply himself to his studies. Go Takumi !!
Yahooo...and hooray and Hallelujah for Takhumi's hard work!!!!! And Tetsu and Tanya, you must be so very proud of him!!! Congratulations to all the Watanabe family on Takhumi's accomplishments....big hugs, Pat in IN
Congrats to Takumi...and you and Tetsu too. I wish him well in his job search.
That is wonderful news! Congratulations to the new graduate and his proud parents!!
Yea! Every child has to find their spot in the puzzle of life. My oldest had a terrible time in grade school and high school. He studied constantly to maintain a C or B to pass his classes. College was a piece of cake for him, but he was finally studing stuff he wanted to study. Maked a big difference.
"Studying" "Made" typo night!
That was a long and winding road for your family but Takumi's success is definitely a reason to shout and celebrate! I'll add my congratulations too :) With that degree he is likely to be in demand and in California especially!
Hearty congrats to you all, much study,lots and lots, parent that encourage, help in all sorts of ways, and now a "masters".Well done. A job, well I hope that is the easiest part. Tanya, you can relax, and be so very proud, both you and Tetsu. as a parent, all we want for our family is for them to achieve to their ability and to be happy in whatever they do. Greetings from Jean
Not every kid does it the same way. I still remember telling #1 son to "take the GED and get on with your life". Community college did the best for him and success breeds success. (He just returned in November after 16 years, with his bride, to show her around) Congratulations to you all!
Congratulations to Takumi and to you and Tetsu for raising a great son! :) It feels wonderful to see your kids do well, doesn't it! :)
Congratulations to you all, you must be so proud! It's lovely when one of your kids has big win.
Congratulations to Takumi and the whole family!! This is such good news.
Congratulations to Takumi! What a great accomplishment!! Wishing him much luck as he pursues a job and a new path for his life. Congrats to the proud parents also!!
Congratulations. Takumi's perserverence and dedication are testimony to your (and Tetsu's) parenting...you may not think so, but it is true. Be proud! God has surely blessed you all.
Hooray to you all! My son (why is it almost always sons?) put me through all sorts of hell educationally, but he sorted himself out at college, is now bilingual and biliterate like your Takumi, and working on his masters' thesis, in both English and Japanese. You see, everything worked out fine in the end! All we had to do was have faith.
Well done! Good luck in your job hunt, Takumi.
Congratulations to you all!!! I went back to college in my 30's and I know too well how much hard work has gone into Takumi's diploma. Way to go! Wishing him the best of luck in the job market. Woo Hoo!!!
Isn't it amazing if we can just grit our teeth and hold on through those teenage years, almost all the time they turn out to be really wonderful people.
Congratulations!!! He looks so happy!!! :o)))
Congratulations Takumi! This is wonderful news.
Congratulations!! That's wonderful!!
So happy for you, Tanya :)
Congratualtions! That is great...Computer Science should allow him to get a great job.
It's always rewarding when children finally find their way. You should be very proud.
Congratulations! A handsome son with a very good degree under his belt: you can be VERY proud.
His smile says it all.
Congratulations from Gail in Wa State.
Congrats to the Graduate....hard work pays off...:)
Congratulations Takumi!
Congratulations! Hard work and a big reward!
Maybe the high school struggles are what made Takumi strong. That strength and sense of self have served him well! I love hearing the stories of your children. It couldn't have been easy coming to America, struggling with the language, and going to school. You've given both of your children wings and permission to find their own way in life and that is the greatest gift parents give to their children! Congratulations to all of you!
Melissa in Chula Vista CA
How very exciting? You both must be so very proud. Congratulations!
you must be so proud of him, what an achievement.It must have been hard for you all being so far apart, but great to hear it has all worked out so well.
Congratulations to Takumi!! What an accomplishment!!
A giant CONGRATULATIONS to Takumi, that is a major accomplishment - well done, young man!!!!!
Congratulations to Takumi!! Quite an achievemen!!
Well done, Takumi! Good luck with the job hunting :)
What a lovely post to read on a dreary winter's evening in the UK.
Caroline
CONGRATULATIONS!
Hi, I've been away from the computer for a while!! Just saw this...CONGRATULATIONS Takumi!!! And Congratulations to you and Tetsu, too! We are very proud of you Takumi and wish you the best of luck in finding a job.
Marlene and KY
Congratulations to Takumi! "And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns." Philippians 1:6
Wow, a new and exciting season ahead...
Bessie
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