June 6 2011

June 6 2011- All right, let's not have a freak out about the spider! This is our door pet. No name for her yet, but she is reliable. Every night at dusk she comes out and builds her web in the same spot under the mailbox, right by the front door. The eatings must be good, because I think she has grown since I took this picture, she must be the size of a quarter now. (the picture was taken about 2 weeks ago). She's off to bed by the time we head out for our day. The rule of the house is...all spiders must live outside. By doing so they are guaranteed a long and happy life. Come inside, and you'll meet the bottom of my shoe! Every night for the last month and a half....what a good pet spider. Of course you'll hear me shriek to the ends of the earth if she does come inside!
Anyway, more pleasant things. Ate at a restaurant on base that we hadn't been to before. Not that it's that big of a base, with an abundance of eating places (not counting the food court, I can't count the restaurants on one hand, minus a finger or two). It has a great view of Lake Ogawara. http://www.ilec.or.jp/database/asi/asi-40.html There is a path that leads down to lakeside access for base use. (our own secured beach, I guess) I took a picture of it, as Shane on a day of energy road his bike UP this rather steep incline. Just looking at it makes my heart pound and legs burn (does this count as a workout?) Too bad we didn't get to eat enjoying the view...but the food was good anyway.

Above: Andi receiving her Citizenship Award. She was totally floored...not expecting it at all.
Saturday the 4th, and it's time for another bike ride. Andi asked for lunch at her favorite restaurant..."Viking" (I'll explain in a few minutes) It turned out to be a great day for signs as well!

The sign below is for a day care center. Take a good look at the picture of the kid on the sign. Not sure that's what excitement is supposed to look like (?)
Below...The Dolphin Vet. Because, yes, even dolphins catch colds. Really, it's just the name of the veterinary clinic that treats dogs, cats, birds and rabbits. It just struck Andi and I as silly. Perhaps it was just hunger getting to us.

Above: The sign we were looking for. Yes, I know, it doesn't say "Viking" anywhere on the sign. It is the style of eating. There is a grill in the middle of your table. Go to a buffet line, pick your various meats (a wide range, chicken, chicken parts, beef, beef tongue, squid, pork, pork parts....I usually stick to the chicken and beef....the parts...not so much) Anyway, grill those up at your table, along with whatever veggies, grab a bowl of rice (already cooked) and whatever else you can imagine and eat to your hearts content for about 90 minutes. (go back for more as much as you want) It's tasty good!

Then when done, bicycle your bloated belly back home....nah, we didn't over stuff to badly, it was a pleasant pedal home (about 5-6 miles)
Above: Now, if I can remember where I saw this sign....we'll have to go back and give it a try!
Above: Paver tiles in the pathway.

Below: Found a really nice bike path off the road, through one of the neighborhoods. Went past about 4 or 5 neighborhood park/playgrounds. I love these parks!

Pretty flowers in bloom. I think they are peonies. I could be wrong....I'm sure someone will let me know.

And ducks (?) in the rice paddies. We're pretty sure they are ducks, just not sure what variety. There's something to find out....what does a duck say? Dogs say "won won"...(pronounced "juan juan"...like the Latino name) I'll get back to you on that.

Above: This gave us a double take. Really shouldn't be anything unusual about see a deer rack of some kind. Except we've never seen deer, or anything else of the species in this area. One can only assume, perhaps the Northern island has some sort of creature...

Below: Had to make a quick stop at our neighborhood park (as we cut through it on the way home). Andi had to demonstrate her new found skill of going down the slide crouched on her feet. I hope she doesn't hit a bump and take a chunk out of her tongue. (she is blessed with the family trait of "tongue concentration" from both sides of the family)
I'm sure her next goal will be to do this standing. I wouldn't put it past her. A lot of the kids go down standing....oh to be coordinated...

Out and about May 28 2011

June 3 2011- Good heaven's! Two updates in a week's time! Can we handle the excitement. Though really, it's probably not the most exciting of postings.

On Saturday (May 28) we took our bikes out for a ride. (they were looking lonely in the garage, begging to go outside) Anyway, we rode up to one of the local elementary school to find they were putting on a "sports day". Best described kind of like an American elementary field day. But here, they keep score! And the whole school does a choreographed routine. (and note in this area because of the long winters, there is no grass on their field....it's hard packed dirt, which gets really mucky in the rain)
Above: Families come out to watch. This is some serious spectating. I'm not sure how long the program runs, several hours judging by the amount of gear brought out. But all those ground covers didn't have a speck of dirt on them. Just so orderly!

Below: Andi showing off a pretty cherry blossom.

Notice that the kids are barefoot for this part of the competition/program....you'll see why in a moment.
Oh, they're just getting started (above)

(above and below) Can you imagine doing this in the states? It would be nice if everyone wasn't so worried about lawsuits to be able to encourage kids to this level of activity and teamwork. And there are no mats below them, just the ground.

Above: Andi was given permission to go and play on the playground, she's off in a flash!

Below: The thing about public bathrooms in Japan....the urinals in the men's bathrooms, are right at the front....just a well placed board gives some privacy!

Above: It looks like a house (and part of it very well may be) but it is also a cafe/bakery. On my list of places to go! Just gotta earn those pastries!

Below: Wisteria

The "Seussical" rice planting machine at work. (My friend, Jenell, has said that the rice planting machine looks like something Dr Seuss would've created in one of his books).

It was a cloudy day with a few rain sprinkles, for this bike ride. But not bad. It turned out to be a wonderful day for a bike ride, since it did nothing but rain for the next two days.

A little flashback

May 30 2011 - Ready to do a little time travel? Well, like all good procrastinators, I finally got around to unloading the pictures off my iTouch (such a cool gadget! Many thanks to my wonderful husband for indulging me...of course I so very rarely ask for a techie toy, he just couldn't say no!) Anyway, finally unloaded the pictures from the camera that is built into this handy toy.

Above is the Wasatch Mountain Range, leaving Salt Lake City, bound for Michigan. And of course above the cloud cover.

I can't remember if I put this picture on of Andi monkeying around. (it wasn't taken with the iTouch, in case you wonder...) But this is how she spent the majority of our evacuation, upside down at any playground we could find.

During car trips and plane rides I would let Andi play around with the iTouch. This is her view of the Mackinack Bridge. There were also lots of pictures of the roadside whizzing by, and self portraits with the tongue sticking out. sigh

Ok, back in the air again. I think on our way to Salt Lake. At a certain point all cloud cover looks the same, from above and below.

And speaking of below, Andi and the camera again. I guess this is how she sees the world. I know that she has missed 7-eleven's (home of the world's best slushies, according to her).

On our way from Salt Lake to Seattle to head home to Japan. Wonderfully clear skies and picture perfect views of Mt Rainier ("what, there are volcano's HERE TOO!!!" ummm, wonder who said that!)

And below, our last view of the states. No picture of our first view of Japan, as well, it was pitch dark when we arrived. Oh, the time travel thing....we left Seattle around 8pm Saturday, arrived in Japan around 9pm Sunday evening, yet the flight was only 11 hours....where does the time go!
And, flash forward to the semi-present. (May 24 2011) This week Andi's class, and a few others went on a field trip. The Towada Art Center and the giant roller slide at Towada Horseland.
I still get a kick out of the tiny firetrucks. Which, as a side note, their sirens aren't sirens, but bells clanging. Just kind of brings a smile to your face.
Andi up on the cast iron saddle, riding off to parts unknown.

And with some of her classmates, the group I was assigned to for the days adventures.

A little perspective, above, of how big the ant is.

And just how neat does a construction site need to be? I understand the principals for the metal sheets to keep the tractor from sinking in the mud (which really wasn't that mucky) but tarps as well??? And look at just how clean it all is! A lot of times the fellows out directing traffic in construction areas will have brooms with them. When traffic is non-existent, they will sweep the mud and debris from the roadway. I don't think we've suffered a rock chip in the windshield since living here.

Up at Horseland. Andi showing one of her classmates the technique for feeding the carrots to the horse without getting your fingers nibbled on. I'm wondering just how far out that neck can stretch!

And spring has sprung here in Northern Japan. Flowers are blooming, and being planted. Rice is going into the paddies, and the surest sign of spring....the cuckoo bird has returned. Though it has been a bit silent the last few days while we endure the outer edges of a Typhoon. There is actually frost warning up for tonight. Here's hoping that the crops do ok!

Check back later in the week, as we did get out on Saturday, so there are more pictures to be had. But, you know, I must go back to procrastination....though somehow naps never get procrastinated, they take precedence!

May 16 2011

May 11 2011 was a field trip to the Air and Space Museum with Andi's class. Always a fun trip. This one a little more interesting with the visitor from the states known as "Flat Stanley", or by his Japlish name of "Flatu Stanrey". For those who don't know who or what a Flat Stanley is...he is a boy who suffered the misfortune of a bulletin board falling on him...ending up flat. But he discovered this was a wonderful thing, as now he can be slipped into envelopes and sent around the world. The recipient hangs out with him for a few weeks, shows him the sights and then sends him back home, with pictures and a letter of what he did.

So, on this field trip, Andi's teacher told me about a English misprint on one of the planes. She had only heard of it, and was in search of it. Great, now there are two adults looking for the misprinted Engrish label. Did we find it? Yes we did!
Look at the red switch, and for an additional laugh...look at the yellow lamp.

And then "Flatu Stanrey" had to get into the spirit. (don't worry, I won't send this one to the class!)

And as a double bonus (or are we at triple now) on the same plane one can find a "handole". Though really, that spelling makes a little more sense! (especially for those of us who rely HEAVILY on spell check!)
On Sunday the 15th the weather was bright and warm. A perfect day for a bike ride. Nothing to far, just into base....get reacquainted of getting around on a bicycle. Much to our surprise we could see the mountains/volcanoes perfectly. Usually there is a bit of overcast blocking the view. It's not often that they are this clear. They are about 70 Kilometers away (as the crow flies) and are the Hokkado range.

Above: Andi, Mykah and Shane

Below: Andi, Mykah, Flatu Stanrey and Marnie enjoying a refreshment before hitting the road back home.

And thank goodness, one last tree in bloom. I kept forgetting my camera when coming on base. There are a lot of trees, and the blooms were fabulous this year. And since we didn't get off to and festivals....this will have to do.
And, as an added bonus...In the Stars and Stripes newspaper was a fluff article about a Japanese shipbuilder. His family has been building ships for 230 years. His dream was to build bicycles. Since traditional wood boat business isn't what it used to be, he parlayed his craft to his dream. Bikes made of wood! They are amazing looking!

http://sanomagic.world.coocan.jp/englishindex.html

click on the link for Mahogany bikes....amazing!