Tsunami

March 1 2010: Well, yesterday we were under tsunami warnings. Our impact time was for around 1:30pm local time. As much as I wanted to go to a vantage point to watch, common sense prevailed. Though a friend of mine went. She said there was nothing to see. The waves looked the same, couldn't even see a change in the water level....so no pictures. Except these pictures, which were taken last year. (Just wanted you all to have a visual of what it may have looked like yesterday)
I think that was the biggest excitement of the week! If today were a warmer day, I would head down to the beach to see if anything neat washed ashore. But it's cold and a bit breezy and there is far to much housework to be done. I must get everything all caught up, as Wednesday I have to have a dental procedure (boo hiss). And that will be the big excitement for this week.
But all safe here, didn't even get our toes wet.

Movie outing

February 20 2010
Well, not a lot this week. Unless you count a visit to the dentist, to schedule multiple future visits! Always a blast to get yet another round of teeth repair.
We went out today to the mall, to the Japanese movie theater. Took the neighbor and her little one as well, as we all had cabin fever.
Saw "Oceans" WOW! That was a good movie. Andi went in thinking it would be a boring couple of hours. Some it a little slow (some a little brutal, had to cover her eyes, but since it was in Japanese, she didn't understand what was going on. the brutal part only lasted about 5 minutes) Anyway, I know it doesn't come out 'til April in the states. But I'd say go see it on the big screen. Creatures in the ocean that I never knew were there.

http://disney.com/oceans

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXLbQrK6cXw

Anyway, a movie a highly recommend! Even if you have Japanese dialog! (yes, we saw it in Japanese....so, some of the creatures, don't know what they are in any language)

Lake Towada Snow Festibal

February 14 2010: I know, what a shock! We did it, we got out of the house! Wonders never cease! A beautiful day to get out and go exploring. I'd heard here and there a little about the winter festibal. So with a full weekend off, Shane had a day to get fully rested, then off to adventure!

Of course, nothing is ever where I expect it to be. Being called the Lake Towada winter festibal, I thought for sure it would be near Towada City. Forgetting the obvious that the lake and the city are actually about 30 miles apart from one another....silly me. So past Towada-Shi out to Oriase Gorge (of which there are extensive summer and fall pics already on this blog), up the Gorge and around to the South side of the Lake, to a little town/village called Yasumiya.

Well, ok, first a couple of "in the car, take it fast" pictures of the gorge.

Weren't those spectacular! Really wasn't a lot of room to pull of and take pictures. The road is narrow in dry conditions, really narrow with snow on both shoulders that come up to the trucks side mirrors.

In order to get to the south side of the lake, there are of course mountains....so through the tunnel. A pretty long tunnel actually...Andi thought it must be as long as the HRBT in Norfolk. Quiet possible I said, but this is through a mountain and not under water.....her eyes got really BIG. I guess water is one thing, but a MOUNTAIN! Who would've thought? Obviously she spent some very formative years surrounded by watery tunnels.

Into the village of Yasumiya.

The festibal was really easy to find. This town has like a whole section set aside for their entertainment area. Truckloads of snow brought in. Ice sculptures and igloos. And of course a food tent! We came during the day. But if we had stayed til night fall, would've see the sculptures lit up, as well as the igloos. We opted for the daylight hours, as we just aren't much for the night life rowdiness. But daylight was just as good.

The main performing stage. Packed snow, sprayed over with water, and of course carved. The signs on the stage are warning people to stay off the carvings.

A unicorn in process of being sculpted. This was Andi's favorite. "Mom, why don't WE ever do stuff like this????" Has she seen my snowmen? What could possibly make her think I could ever do something like this?

Inside one of the igloos. This one had a very high ceiling. Probably about 10 degrees warmer in there than outside, and no wind.

Some of the doorways were a little low. Well, ok, all of them Shane had to duck. The tallest doorway, he only had to duck about an inch....this wasn't it.

Inside another igloo.

Lots of ducking for this one! But as you can see below, was just about right for Andi.

Ok, this one was a tad short on the inside! Even I was hunched over a bit.

This was the shortest doorway. Andi had to do a scrunch along. But the inside had about 15 foot high ceiling. I think it was the warmest of all of them.

Above: Andi bellies up to the igloo bar. The glass on the counter, next to the red thing, is made of ice.

Sculpture inside the bar.

A nice sized snow blower for making those huge piles to carve fun things out of. Also for clearing the parking lot. At the end of the parking lot was a pile that the kids would just climb on. Andi had a great time on that. It was probably about 4 feet shy of being as tall as the light post it was burying. Andi on top of the pile (below).

Around town were various carvings as well. Two of my favorites.

Andi and Shane demonstrating an ice glass. We didn't take it home with us....where would we keep it?

Next we went for a little walk about town. There is supposed to be a statue somewhere there in bronze of two maidens. We followed the signs....which I think are just suggestions, not really the definite way to go....but that's ok, there's always fun being the accidental tourist. So, a Tori gate, which means a shrine somewhere down the path.

Dogs guarding the gate.

The temple. Beautiful wood carvings. Such detail. We really wish we knew how old these places are. Such love and care go into the making and upkeep.

Detail above the doorway.

It is common for prayers to be written and hung. These were done on wood plaques. Just seeing them seems to bring a sense of serenity. I can't read a word on them, but the whispers of prayers can be understood no matter the language or religion.

Next we walked down by the lake. Pretty sure we're not allowed to take home those fishing balls. To bad. There were some colors I had never seen before. Various shades of blue and green, but also a few reds.

Icicles on a tree on the shore line.

Well, ok, I won't pick the flowers....Can't wait to go back in growing season to see what is blooming there.

The cold waters of Lake Towada.

http://www.jref.com/practical/towada_lake_oirase_valley.shtml

Just some info about the crater....Andi was pretty impressed to be within a crater...a little worried as well.

A pair of swans out in the water. I guess they like the cold weather. We saw another set on our drive back on the other side of the lake.

A little rock island a few yards from shore. On it, a little shrine.

It was a wonderful day! Love it when we get to get out, eat good food, explore, and appreciate all that is around us. This is on the list of places to bring family and friends when they come to visit. Of course, there is still the matter of finding the statue....never did find it.

Dull Moments

February 9 2010: Yee Gads! Another slow week. Shane ended up working the whole weekend, days, so not much to do. Yes, I know I am capable of going out and exploring on my own. For heaven's sake I learned to drive in the snow in Michigan. But there is something very intimidating about getting into an accident in a country where you don't quiet speak the language. I don't know if I've mentioned it before, but in Japan, you are automatically at fault 50% regardless of who was the cause of the accident. The theory is, if you weren't out driving this never would've happened. So, I prefer the buddy system. Shane has noticed I don't back seat drive as much in the winter....I'd hate to be blamed for an accident...I'll hold my tongue. (this is what he says to Andi and I "hold your tongue" she and I being totally irreverent will promptly reach into our mouths and grab our tongues, and keep talking....there is no hope for us)
Anyway, the above photo is the ice gathered on the roof of the house. As soon as the sun hits it, off it goes.

Big puffy clouds. I tried to get them without power lines, but not an easy feat in this neck of the woods. Power lines are everywhere, part of the landscape.

We got 4 inches of fresh snow this weekend. So Andi had a blast playing on her freshly packed snow piles. But it has warmed up again, so the roads are mostly cleared again. I'm not sure why Washington DC panics, just wait a day or two....it'll melt right off. I have seen a few plows here, but only 3. And that's through almost 2 winters now. There are a LOT of plows on base, but that's where all the crazy drivers are....all right, there are more than a few out here in town, just no plows.

Hard to believe that in just a few months this field will be flooded with water, and little rice starts will be out there making the world all nice and green again.

Well, here's to an adventure this weekend. Shane is off, there are "festibals" in nearby towns. I'm hoping for at least one day of being out!

Living Vicariously!

February 2 2010: Alas....no field trips again this week. Has been dull gray clouds, and dull gray ground. Just a few tracings of snow, sometimes enough to cover up the ugly dirty stuff. This is nothing compared to last weekend. So in an effort to make up for no outings, we shall live vicariously through others. Pictures are courtesy of a cousin of my mothers, who makes ventures to Panama! It looks warm and refreshing there....though we might all could use a swimming hole.

Not sure what this next weekend holds for us. Shane is working both days....he had nights last week. I hear there is an ice festival in the next town. Providing there is no snow, Andi and I might have to go out on our own. The tricky part is finding a parking spot.....we'll see how adventurous we feel!

A slow week this past week. Was called a "tired all leady" by an acquaintance.....really, just a mix up with "r"'s and "l"'s. She was asking if I was "tired all ready.....but it sound more like "tired ol' lady" We had a great laugh over it.....after my initial su'plise (yes it is happening to me as well). Actually, Shane and Andi seem to take great delight in seeing how many times I can loose my r's in everyday conversation. It is becoming more frequent. Just last night I told Andi how "ploud" I was of her swimming (it is coming right along, and that's "proud" in case you wonder)

Now if I could just speak it properly (Japanese) and understand it, then there would be much more adventure in store I'm sure.

So, now that you are thoroughly bored with this week (winters are long and gray here), we shall hope that something more grand comes our way this next week.