31 Months in Japan: The Building of a Theme Park

by Larry K. Collins, Lorna Collins

Overview

31 Months in Japan--the Building of a Theme Park is the story of two Southern Californians embarking on the adventure of a lifetime--moving to Japan to participate in the construction of the Universal Studios Japan® theme park.
Join authors Larry K. & Lorna Collins on an odyssey into a foreign culture where they are often misunderstood and frequently confused. Discover the challenges and frustrations of building a world-class entertainment venue outside the United States. Enjoy the adventure as they discover the beauty and the people of Japan. Share their laughter, tears, surprise and final triumph as the park is completed ahead of schedule and under budget. Meet fascinating characters like Jurassic Jack, the Nihon Cowboy and Dote-san through their eyes.
31 Months in Japan--the Building of a Theme Park combines interesting details and behind-the-scenes descriptions of how magic is made in the entertainment industry with funny and touching personal remembrances. The stories will be of particular interest to those visiting or intending to live or work in Japan, people doing business with the Japanese, theme park aficionados and anyone with a sense of adventure.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940012776853
Publisher:	iUniverse, Incorporated
Publication date:	04/13/2005
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	234
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Lorna Lund and Larry Collins were raised in Alhambra, California. They attended grammar school and high school together. Larry went to California Polytechnic College in Pomona, and Lorna attended California State College at Los Angeles. They have been married for over forty-five years and have one daughter, Kimberly.
Larry worked as an engineer and spent many years working on various projects throughout the United States and around the world. Lorna was employed in Document Control, IT, Data Management and Technical Writing.
They both worked in Osaka on the Universal Studios Japan theme park. Larry was a Project Engineer, responsible for the Jurassic Park, JAWS and WaterWorld attractions. Lorna was the Document control Supervisor in the Osaka field office.
Their memoir of that experience, "31 Months in Japan: The Building of a Theme Park" was a 2006 EPPIE finalist, named as one of Rebeccas Reads Best nonfiction books of 2005, and is available in ebook, paperback and hardbound formats.
Their mysteries, "Murder…They Wrote" and "Murder in Paradise" were published by Whiskey Creek Press. They plan several more in this series.
Lorna has also written anthologies with friends Christie Shary, Luanna Rugh and Sherry Derr-Wille, also published by Whiskey Creek Press. "Snowflake Secrets" was a finalist for the Dream Realm and Eric Hofffner awards. "Seasons of Lov"e was published on Valentine’s Day 2009. "Directions of Love" won the 2011 EPIC eBook Award for best romance anthology. "An Aspen Grove Christmas" was published on December 1, 2011 with the debut of new author, Cheryl Gardarian. They are currently working on several more anthologies.
Lorna has also written a fantasy/mystery/romance called "Ghost Writer" and is awaiting publication.
Larry is working on a collection of short stories entitled, "Lakeview Park."
Lorna & Larry now reside in Dana Point, CA where Larry enjoys surfing as often as he can and Lorna spends time with family and friends.

Editorial Reviews

5 Teapots
31 Months in Japan is an elegantly presented & charming account of two childhood sweethearts working in the world of theme parks, who chose the road to Japan, thrived there & returned to tell us their tales, with photographs of the team included.
...31 Months in Japan is a must for anyone planning on traveling to or working in Japan...

Rebeccas Reads - Rebecca Brown

5/5
Come along as Larry and Lorna Collins spend time living in Japan while building the Universal Studios theme park there. Having no prior interest in either the Japanese country or culture, I surprisingly found this book quite entertaining. I liked the way different chapters were alternated between the authors, the inclusion of Japanese words and definitions and the personal experiences they had. They story had a very real and honest feel to it that I think all readers would appreciate

Lighthouse Reviews - Ramona Smith

How do you prepare a traditional Thanksgiving dinner in Japan? Every step is a challenge, from procuring the turkey to making the pumpkin pie. But Larry and Lorna Collins of California thrive on such adventures, and they've written an enthralling account of the joys and frustrations of their "31 Months in Japan."

...Highly Recommended by Reviewer: Julie Falkner, Allbooks Reviews.

AllBooks Review - Julie Falkner

...The Collins eagerly and enthusiastically share with us their experiences of Japan. ...The Collins came back changed individuals but only for the better. It is obvious of the great love they felt for the many special friendships solidified by their times in Japan. The Collin's book is a tribute to the great number of colorful personalities that came together to make the building of Universal Studios Japan a success!

All Books reviews - Kelli Glesige