Snow and Festivals

December 21 2009: Well, it finally happened....we got a decent amount of snow! I know, I feel as though we have been living in paradise compared to the amounts of snow falling in the states. In talking to some of the locals, getting snow this late in December is more normal....last year it started at Thanksgiving. All I know is that when we got here Jan 4, there was lots of snow and it didn't stop til April.
So today a walk in the snow, followed up by some pictures from a couple of weeks ago. We are over our illness...not sure if it was an oinking flu, or really bad colds, either way, it's done. Andi is on winter break. No mercy was shown however, as I dragged her out of bed to join my friend Carol and I on our daily walk.
Above is one of the roads I walk down to get to Carol's house. They don't plow in Misawa, so this is what the roads will look like on a good day. Then melting, freezing and yuckiness will take over.

Above, the road into our subdivision. It's paved now, but the snow pack will be a fixture til Spring (unless the sun gets to it)

Andi taking a break from all the walking! Actually, we hadn't gone to far...well, about quarter of a mile, but really, just the beginning of my daily walk.

While we waited for our friend to finish "layering" Andi made snow angels. It was perfect snow for angel making.

Took some little side dirt roads that border the now frozen rice fields. Pretty peaceful. Did hear one "flying pig". Not sure why it was by itself...but I'm still not good at tracking geese. We thought this one was in the shrubs somewhere, so when the noise disappeared overhead, we were all a little surprised. "There went a flying pig" I said....I'm not sure anyone really heard me but the woods. (Flying pigs....I'll have to digress a bit here. When we first moved to Michigan I had to wait for the school bus. Out in the bitter cold (first winter there, didn't know what cold was) anyway, out in the bitter cold, lots of cloud cover. I could hear pigs. I asked Pop where the pig farm was. He looked puzzled and said no pig farm around....(by the way we were living out in the country). Next day, same thing....really, I said there are pigs around somewhere. Finally on the third day, yet again I heard the things. This time I happened to look up (there was a break in the clouds and the sun broke through, unusual at that time of year to see the sun). And lo and behold, there went some Canada Geese......those darn flying pigs. Perhaps I should mention as was about 15 at the time...one would think I knew what pigs sound like.)

Just some scenic shots of what was around this morning.

OK, so a bit of backtracking here. On Dec 6 we went to a "festibal" of sorts. A new "mall" opened. Sort of a mall, kind of like a market/bizarre indoor retail area. And use the word "open" loosely as well. It was actually outdoors, as the indoors wasn't finished. But here in Misawa, if they say a grand opening is happening on a certain day, and the contractor hasn't finished....to bad, the event happens anyway.

But first, to get there we had to have a little walk. Just a short one, from the main gates, out to "American Park", which is right outside. Along the way, I noticed things hadn't seen on previous jaunts. I'm sure the plant is the only thing that could comfortable sit in this chair...

The elephant above and the dog below were both doing duty at the same entry way for one of the massage parlors. Andi liked that the dog had a "collar" on.

American Park is decorated with various shapes of Christmas trees. They are all built using plastic water bottles of different shapes and sizes. I'll have to come back up some evening and get pictures of them all lit up. But hey, now you know, another use for all those bottles sitting around at home waiting for the recycles to be picked up.

It was a nice day (way back at the beginning of December) The festival went way up "White Pole Way" (lots of poles once painted white....though I think it is supposed to be Main street now) Anyway, as always, mostly food. But we decided to "eat our way through" this time. But once I have food in my hands, I can't take pictures....so no pictures of the delicious "rice on a stick" I had (soooo goooood!) or Shane's potato. Just trust me...some of this food is great...ok, the sort of tempura sardine left a little to be desired....just not a cold fish person...ok, not a fish person...

Did indulge Andi at the "bounce house". I was intrigued as the attendant, after the kids were all in and bouncing around, carefully paired and lined up there shoes. He had hand puppets as well, that he stuck through the door to entertain the kids with. Andi was the only American, but had a good time....bounce has no language barrier.

Above: I guess every mini pincher dreams of being a Tiger....

Andi's favorite thing to eat at any festival.....chocolate covered banana's. It's my favorite too, but usually she won't share....unless I pull the "but I gave birth to you" card.

One of the food tents. I would have to say that there was only about 10 food tents this time. But that would probably be due to the fact that it is December. Usually at some of these festival there'll be about 30-40......all smelling oh so good. Even the things that stare back at you, smell good, just not sure about eating something that is staring back at me....that'll be for another festival.

And finally, what all the well dressed bottles are wearing. They actually sell these fancy little cozy's now and then. I've seen them a couple of times...but never have the "mad money" to spend do dress my bottles up. Some day....

All right then. Hopefully with school out for the week we get some adventuring in. Will depend on Shane's work schedule and just how much adventuring I feel up to. Andi and I are supposed to bake some Christmas cookies today (as long as we don't eat too much batter) and take them to neighbors....again, as long as we don't eat to much of the finished product either. Otherwise our morning walks are going to have to get a lot longer.

Dec 17 2009

Just a note....apparently in my sickness (that I've had an abundance of this week) somehow the posting that I was doing, got put into the wrong slot. Look down below the "Everywhere a sign" post, for a another walking around.
I'm over being ill, just in case you are wondering. As is the rest of the crew. Nothing like all three of us being down at once. Now I just have to get the house back to some semblance of order....how I wish we had an automatic dishwasher.....and of course a clothes folder of some kind, not to mention a sock matcher....
ah well.

Everywhere a sign

December 8 2009: Now, just because it's been awhile...let's take a look at signs that are found around. For the above...perhaps the persons name is Bar Ber and it's his shop.....just a thought.

The Koara bear is found on one of the local preschools. It's not really spelled wrong....spelled phonetically, the way it is pronounced here...it's perfectly correct. Though I find it harder to say now....but as my language skill progress it might be harder to say it with an "l".

As it is, I am finding it very difficult to keep up with my spelling. Ok, it was never the best to begin with, but has rapidly gone down hill lately. Thank goodness spell check works for most of my words...

Now, when out walking where we live...it's always nice to know that gun hunting is prohibited. Though I don't know about arrows.... Still it is a rural area, so I'm glad to find the sign.

Above: DON'T ENTER HERE!!! Pretty much, that's what it says. It's all in Japanese, but a picture is worth a thousand words.


Below: At the beach the signs are very direct, but polite. The odd thing is that no matter where you go in this region, it is hard to find trash cans. That is because you are expected to pack out what you bring in....the way it should be.

Below: self explanatory......

Above: ahhh there it is. The part about taking your garbage back with you. The great part is the beach is clean....except for what washes up in the ocean. But the parks have the same regulations as well....and they are clean to. Why is that so hard for us to do in the States? I don't know how other countries operate, but Japan does set a pretty good example of keeping areas clean. (burn barrels around the farming area are another issue....especially when they are burning plastics....putrid smell)

Above: We have seen this picture before. But those darn crows...one can never be to careful. They scope out garbage day as well. Gotta have your garbage secured in your can....anything outside the can had better be nothing but paper...the slightest hint of food and they rip the bags open 'til they find the goods. I can put a bag of nothing but plastic bottles out, and they'll leave it alone. But have one candy wrapper in there, and your picking up garbage for a week.

A common sign to see when out walking. Basically just a gentle reminder to clean up after your dog.

At the airport observation deck. What ever you do....don't over a fence. Ok, it's just the tarmac on the other side...

This one is in a park. Perhaps they need some of these in California. Nothing like a picture of an evil flame to remind you not to flick your butt or match stick.

oh, and one more dog one. This one is another gentle reminder....you may walk your dog, but on a leash, and clean up after it. Personally I like the "no poop" one better.

More walking

Dec 15 2009: This shall be a bit of a short entry today. Andi and I have both been sick since Sunday. Well, she was actually starting on Saturday, but was still in the bouncy stage. Sunday she was quiet....and even took a nap! Kept her home from school Monday and again today. Though I'm not sure why, it's from there that she got this, and was kind enough to bring home and share. My fever seems to be gone finally. Just left with a sore throat from drainage (I'm sure this is just TMI for some folks....I shan't tell you the color however....we'll leave some things a mystery)

So in exchange for a few sick days, I shall give you more houses from another walk last week. The only one of great mystery is the one above....It is just packed....well, the windows are, one can only assume the rest of the house is in the same shape. It is unfortunate that we also use it as a landmark...."you know, go past the messy blue house and take a left" We once saw a car packed to the ceiling with stuff, decided they must be from this house.

A funeral hearse. I don't know, I think it's a grand way for a send off. There are also some very ornate flower displays that happen outside the funeral home. This was outside a funeral home (I assume) but no other cars about, so assuming it's not in use at the moment....if it is, please forgive the photographer.....

A happy cheerful sign. I asked my friend to translate thinking it might be food......nope, it's for a rest home just around the corner. I'm hoping it's as cheerful as its sign makes it out to be.

Apparently I was walking in Oirase Town....which blends in nicely with Misawa, I never really know where I am.

The red house I like. It reminds me of my grandmother's red house. Of course hers was out in the country, nearest neighbor a good stones throw away, not right out the back stoop as this one is. But I could just picture it out away from everything else and all would be right.

Nope, not a real dog. Just "his master's voice". I see them round about in this area.

Going to go lay down now....see, I ramble no matter how I feel.

Mystery Solved!

December 9 2009: Remember awhile back when we went to the old grand hotel? That weird looking creature that I couldn't figure out what he was, but was sure he must have some sort of significance in Japanese story telling? Well, my friend Bree (I shall give her the credit, as really I looked a little and got frustrated...but Bree found the info, though I think it may have been accidental.....I doubt she spent hours searching the Internet to find the info....though when she was not working she did claim to be VERY bored, so anything is possible.) Anyway... a link, and a few photos of the past(above) to freshen up your mind as to what on earth it is that I ramble about.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kappa_(folklore)

And hopefully later today I will get some more photos put up. Really, I don't have that much to do today, so it shouldn't be a problem....just that darn procrastination sydrome seems to be taking over again....

Thanksgiving weekend

December 2 2009: I know, it's almost Christmas, and I'm just finally getting around to posting Thanksgiving... Nope, as usual life got me off schedule which, I guess, is what keeps me on my toes....no wonder my feet hurt so much.
Anyway, the flower has nothing to do with Thanksgiving. But I see it everyday walking Andi down to the bus stop. It is the last flower the whole way. I felt that since it was doing such a good job at hanging around then this hana (flower) deserved some official recognition.

Now, off to Thanksgiving...well, sort of. This was the day before Thanksgiving. But Thursday looked pretty much the same, so no surprise. Never mind the old appliance in the foreground. I'm wondering how much longer that'll be there. It's been there ever since I started walking that route (back when the snows thawed and we realized there really was a road there)

So a green Thanksgiving dawned upon us. Andi was really hoping for snow, but then I think she hopes for snow year round sometimes....that'll change after we get snowed in for a few days.

We went to the house of Martin's for the meal. That's where Jolie lives....so, it was the Martin's plus the Ahola's (oddly, that's "Aloha" backwards.....a good Finnish name I've been assured) who are Milt and Carol. Carol is my walking buddy....so I behaved as I didn't want her to feel compelled to make us go for an evening walk. Plus our geo-graphical bachelor Kevin. (His wife and child are off traveling, but will be home soon)

Anyway, Bree (Jolie's mom) did great at decorating.....my contribution was to "ooooohhh, and ahhhhh" at the appropriate moments....it was hard work. But it was great of them to open up their house and host the festivities.

Above is the grown-ups table and below the kids table.

Andi was rather excited. She kept calling this her "first REAL Thanksgiving" I guess all her T-days have been rather transient. Last year we were in the midst of moving. The year before Shane was on duty, so I cheated and just slow cooked a chicken. One year we ate on the ship...the first year we moved to Virginia, and hadn't gotten myself together yet. So, in a way this is her FIRST stable Thanksgiving. (complete with turkey and mashed potatoes)

Below: Andi, Jolie and Ethan getting ready to dig in! Though in the end, I think they mostly ate pie....I know it became a staple for breakfast and lunch over the weekend for Andi

The grownups get settled. What? You can't see Bree and I? How odd....neither one of us wanted to sit for pictures.....on the left are Shane and Garrett, on the right Milt and Carol...Kevin is there, just behind Carol....I think he must show up better in the pictures Bree took.

So, Thanksgiving ended. Friday I did something I never do.....I put up the Christmas tree!!!!! Good heavens! the things I do for my child! We had to go buy a new tree this year (if I'm renting...it's a fake tree, I don't want to burn down a house I can't pay for) Anyway...in Virginia I dutifully sold the tree we had thinking we wouldn't have room for a large tree....silly me. Ended up getting one slightly bigger....and pre-lit.

I quickly lost control of the box it came in....Andi commandeered it for a boat and used it all weekend. It's finally out in the garage....though it may be a bit worse for the wear. It did look like a great box to imagine in....wished it could've been mine

Oh no, not horses again! We finally got out on Saturday. Shane, Andi and I went to the horseland thing that Andi and I had gone to last week with friends. But, we didn't go to the museum last time, so did that on Saturday.

It is really a nice museum. It cost all of 300 Yen a piece for Shane and I...so about 6$, and Andi was free. (I have noticed that at a lot of museum's here the elementary age kids are free) Anyway, a lot of history in there. Some things were labeled in English and their dates, so that you could get an idea of age.

There were writings...documentations of horses and their appraisals going back to the 1400's. It was pretty impressive the amount of detail....couldn't read a word of it, but a lot of detail.

A drawing depicting a fair. From about 1834.

A horse mask. I don't think the horses wear these....

Ahhh, who knew horses were a religion....no, just the dedication to them.

Ok, a rather gruesome shrine. It is a "stable monkey". As shown below they are apparently the guardian's of horses. I did not know this.

http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/monkey-india-china-p2.html in case you want the whole overview of monkeys in Buddhism... about three quarters of a way down the page there is a blurb about the stable monkeys.


anyway, back to our adventure.

I'm not real sure that the monkey is providing any comfort to the horse in this drawing....



Below: Some miniatures found in a display case. They had figurines from all over the world. The different cultural depictions were some what intriguing. I do like horses.....I just don't really care to ride them.....unless they are old...

Andi found a cozy fire to get warmed up....not really it was fake as it all gets. It didn't even put out any heat. I guess it's the thought that counts.

Now, that's the kind of horse ride I could deal with! Calm, slow, and simulated.

We took time to feed the ponies, though bad weather was starting to move in. Since this place is located in the foothills, we decided to hasten our trip along...but first Shane had something to do.

A ride on the roller slide! Shane barely fit...he said he was just about to big for it, but he had a great time anyway. I think he wants one put in on our "fantasty our land our house" property.