August 27 and 29 2010

Friday August 27 2010- The weekend started off with Andi's birthday party. Ok, so it is a couple weeks early, but it's Andi's choice. She likes it before school starts so that she can get in one last sleepover before school starts.

Andi and the rest of the gang. Thanks to my friend Bree for making the cake, and pretty much planning the party. (things have been a little stressful in the rest of my life, so having help was a great relief!)

In true Scooby Doo fashion a birthday villain stole the presents....a scavenger hunt ensued, with the task of appropriately wrapping up Andi's "Mummy".

Settling in for the night....

August 29 Andi has been taking Koto lessons for a couple of months. Today was the big recital. She had to wear a traditional Japanese yukata (summer kimono). Needless to say, I don't know how to assemble it properly. Andi's is a bit long. They don't hem them, there is a series of folds and tucks and tying to get the robe to the right length.

Success!

The students who will be playing. The instructor is kneeling in the front row, in the dark kimono, 6th from the left. The older gentlemen were playing a type of flute for accompaniment with a few of the students.

A variety of kimonos were worn. I don't think I saw two of the same. This one (below) was one of my favorites (besides Andi's)....it had sparkles....

This was flipped for each performance. It has the names of the songs being played. Andi's are the bottom, and the middle. No, I don't know what they are. I'm sure the instructor said it many times during lessons, but I'm just not sure what was being said half the time.

Andi and her Sensei played together. The kimono sleeves are very big, probably should have practiced while wearing it a few times. She did great!

One of Andi's songs. And one of the other students.

Misawa End of Summer Festival

August 21 2010: Well, you knew this day would come. The day we finally get back out of the house. It had been two weeks of absolutely nothing happening, then in one week, everything goes at once. At the end of a stress filled week, we took an hour or two to go downtown for the annual End of Summer Festival. As much as we usually like to walk around and see what fried goodies are to be had, tonight we only went as far as out the main gates to our first view of the parade. Andi has 8 stitches across the top of her foot, limiting our walking distance. Must stay close enough to the car that we can carry her without injuring ourselves.

Tonight's parade is the Mikoshi float. Last year Andi and Shane marched in it. If you delve deep into the archived blogs, you'll find it. The kids were having a great time running in circles, how they stay upright, I'll never know.

Above and Below are part of the same float. I was at the wrong angle to get the full view. There are lights on the inside so that it can bee seen at night.

Summer Kimono's are common, also known as a Yukata.

These floats are very heavy, and the guys really get into throwing them in the air and running in circles. They are also a bit drunk. The party starts before the parade with a BBQ and drink. Access to drink the entire parade route. But they have a great time!

Below: They are a blur as they are running in circles.

Below: The top of the above shrine.

Sunday August 22 2010: Today we repeated last nights maneuvers. Parking on base, and hobbling slowly out to the parade. Although today Andi could move a little faster....not much, but it's better.

Shane was wondering who would want to march in a parade during the heat of the day. It was hot just watching. The floats are hand pulled down the street. They are BIG! there must be a little motor action underneath, but they are so heavy that hand pulling is a must.

Above: The back view of one of the floats (all sides are heavily decorated)

Below: The front of a float.

"Funky Big News"

Below: The back of another float. I had a lot of great views of the backs of the floats. We were standing at a corner, so the floats had to be maneuvered to take the turn, making it hard to get the fronts and sides.

Hot parade marchers.

Floats

Above: Helping to pull the float.

Below: Drummers on the floats. The beat just keeps going.

The real reason Andi likes to come out during the summer. The Italian Ice vendors. Though is it Italian Ice when you're in Japan? They put them on ice cream cones. Some make very elaborate works, others just slap on a variety of flavors. All cones have multiple flavors, it's just the way they do it.

Above: A float coming down the street. In the middle there are water hoses being sprayed on the participants. By the time they got a little over a 100 yards down the road, they were dry again.

Below: Making the big turn on a narrow street.

Above: Andi watching the float go by.

Below: A hot little girl.

Below: A couple of videos of the parade. Looks like the layout has changed.....the play buttons are down a little further.....hopefully they work!

August 9 2010

August 9 2010: I confess....I really have nothing new for the week. It has been VERY hot here in Japan, worst heat wave in 100 years. Though I see the states has been hot as well. Lots of places in the world. So I shan't complain to much. We at least have a/c in two rooms. The privilege of living off base. On base housing....no a/c :(.
So just a few pics. The above is from the Tanabata Festival, one of the lanterns. And Andi in her crown. She fell asleep at home with that on....I have pictures, but will save them for later years when I need to bribe/blackmail her.

The water looks really cool and refreshing. To bad that's where the all the big fish are. We'll stick to the garden hose.

But like I said, did nothing all week. I don't think you really want to look at pictures of us lying like blobs with sweat puddles pooling around us.

I just remember, that fall is just around the corner....with all the snow, two weeks of heat can be dealt with.

August 2 2010

August 2 2010- Didn't do much this weekend. No trips to festivals of food....just laid around and wondered who was going to cook. It finally started to rain this weekend as well. Has been rather dry of late. Well, not to dry, the humidity has been right up there doing weird things to my hair. And no, you will never see a picture of my humidified hair, not by my hand at least....my sisters are another story.

The hydrangeas are out in full bloom. They have been for a couple of weeks now. In truth, I've just been a tad lax in taking pictures. But at long last....I got motivated.

Hopefully I'll be back on track as far as getting interesting pictures.

So ends another exciting week (that was steeped in sarcasm), hopefully this week will be a bit more adventurous.