Akemashite Omedeto Gozaimasu

January 1 2012: Akemashite Omedeto Gozaimasu! (Happy New Year)

We went to the local grocery store the other day. Usually not something I take pictures about, after all, it is just the grocery store. But, it turns out I was glad I had my iTouch with me, so I could take some pictures.
These wonderfully delicious (and expensive) creations are made out of a rice paste. Kind of like marzipan in a way...but rice flour as the base. They are sooooo good. Sweet, but not to sweet. Usually they are just balls of dough. Some with some slight flavoring added in. Like pink balls would be strawberry. Some are just a plain sweet taste. These were done up special in preparation for the New Year's celebrations.
They do look good. That's as far as we got though. Just looking.

Below is a shot of the grocery store, main aisle in front of the registers. (I realized that after 3 years of living here....I had never put up a shot of what the grocery stores look like....I'll have to record the noise of a grocery store next)
Oh, and a last picture from the old year! I was cleaning off my desk (which is a feat unto itself) and came across this from this past summer (2011) while mom was out visiting. We decided to try one of the photo booths at the aquarium. Once you are done doing your spastic poses, then you pick your favorite and decorate with bubbles, dolphins, whatever aquatic sea life you desire. But there is a timer on there, so a bit of pressure to get things done. And it's all in Japanese, so just a little more pressure. (hence the bubble across mom's eye, the dolphin fin cutting down my forehead....not to mention my disembodied head (somehow my shirt, which was a different color than the blue screen, became absorbed into the blue screen color...but Andi's didn't...go figure)
Anyway, Happy New Year to all!

Oh, the official Japanese New Year starts the 23rd of this month (though they also celebrate with the rest of the world on the 31/1). This year is the year of the Dragon!

Christmas 2011

December 25 2011: Well, Christmas Break is a week in. I'm only slightly crazy. (well, just slightly more than usual) There has been some snow so Andi has been able to entertain herself a bit in the yard. Building a "snow recliner" was much easier than a snowman.

The little neighbor girl is finally old enough to come out and play for a little bit with Andi. Andi takes her big sister responsibilities very seriously. So far no unnecessary snowballs in anybodies faces.

Of course with all the question as to whether we would still be here at Christmas....it is once again time for a move and other major life changes (which as soon as we know details, I'll give more details....some already know the challenges we are facing, for the rest....all will be revealed soon) Anyway, with not knowing which way is up, we decided not to unpack the Christmas ornament trunk or get out the big tree. This way ensuring for sure we would be here for Christmas. (Murphy's law dictates that had I unpacked and set up for Christmas in full fashion, we would've been packing out this week) But let's remember we are dealing with the military/government, so any snafu that can be encountered, rest be assured, we are the ones to find it!
As a result, we got a small artificial tree from a local store. Andi got to have full charge of decorating it with items found around the house and a few things from the 100 Yen store. We, her parents, think she did a fabulous job, but we do tend to be a bit prejudiced.

The tree topper she made herself using flowers from the 100Yen store, and the various decorations are home made, or re-purposed decorations from her room. I may put her in charge every year!

Christmas morning: And it was dark o'clock! She opted to get up around midnight to open gifts, so as to play through the night, and sleep all day. We tried to keep things simple for the impending move....hence she asked Santa for a "rolly" suitcase. (carry on suitcase that rotates 360 degrees...I think I want one) A few arts and crafts projects to keep her busy during break, and her most surprising request....to adopt a critter from the National Wildlife Foundation. Wish granted!

I went to bed at the semi-reasonable hour of 2 a.m. Shane stayed "up" with Andi. (he snoozed in his chair) while Andi played and watched movies. At 9 I came out to find this lump that would remain in the middle of the floor til around noon. She had a great time, and loved the "first" part of her Christmas. "Second" part is to come when we get re-settled.
Around 3pm she decided she had recovered enough to go out "ice skating". The road in front of our house, and the road we drive in on have been a solid sheet of ice since Wednesday. The ice is probably about 2-3 inches thick. Even in the sunniest part of the day it's not thawing much. It's not all that cold out, well obviously it's below freezing, but I didn't think it all that bad!
Rosy cheeks though are the order of the day when playing outside.

Below: demonstrating one of her "moves". The girl can barely walk a straight line on a good day, but can spin around and around on the ice without falling. (granted she is in boots and not on actual skates....but still, her dad and I can't walk 10 feet without planting some part of our body on the ice)
So that's our Christmas vacation so far. With the minor detail of me catching one heck of a winter cold, complete with high fever and trip to the ER (what's a Curtis Christmas without one of us going to the ER?). Now we set in for the second week of vacation. I don't foresee a lot going on. I'm not one to drive on roads that are that icy....plus Shane has to work. Andi has a few activities at the youth center to keep her busy. I know, I'll stay in and see if I can get over this "crud"!

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!

Andi's pick

December 10 2011: It was Andi's turn to pick the outing for this weekend. Those are usually relatively safe picks, as she really doesn't like road trips. (something about car sickness....) Anyway, went and picked up one of her friends and went to the base bowling alley. This has also been one of the things Andi's wanted to do for a long time, but due to renovations, the alley was closed all summer, and just reopened in November. I was a little worried when I realized Santa was going to be there. I thought for sure there would be a lot of chaos....but I guess kids who go bowling, are really more interested in the bowling.

Andi's friend wasn't to sure about this Santa. Andi said there was something wrong with him. "He's a bit to skinny!" I said perhaps it was his pre-Christmas weight....gets more bloated when visiting all those houses....
Andi helping direct her ball towards the pin. Because we all know leaning to the side and waving our arms creates a breeze that will alter the course of the ball. Thank goodness I had the clerk put up the bumpers, or it would've been a very depressing day bowling.
Andi had a very action packed Saturday. After bowling and a little recovery time, she went out with the neighbor and her daughter for an evening of bingo. She didn't win, but she said that was ok, she had fun, so it didn't matter.

Then to top off the night, we stayed up to watch the Lunar eclipse.

The shadow started around 10:30pm Japan time (which is around 5:30 am Saturday morning in Salt Lake City....I put this in just mainly for my reference years down the road when time travel becomes a question again)
It was a tad chilly out. We started out with going outside, looking, then going back in for 5 or 10 minutes. As the eclipse progressed, I brought out blankets to sit on on the deck. If it had been summer, this would've been a great time to just sit out under the stars. The one advantage of sitting out star/moon gazing at this time of year....no mosquitoes!

We made it to full coverage, though all my photos always show a little piece yet to go. With the naked eye, we made it to full coverage (is there an oxymoron in there?) but with the camera, always just a little more. We didn't stick around to watch the un-eclipsing. By this point we were very tired and cold. Andi took great delight in jumping into her warm bed.
There are no pictures of Sunday's event. That's because we went swimming. And if I can help it, there will never be a picture of me in my swim-cap! We went to the Misawa City pool, which has the regulation of everybody must wear swim-caps. But it's a great pool, so it's well worth it. It was even better to be inside the building swimming away, while snow and wind gusted around outside! We spent a little over an hour swimming. Shane and I attempting to do some laps, while Andi played with us. We went from being a family of sharks, piranhas, salamanders, and various other sea creatures....it's no wonder I'm so exhausted and confused when we leave the pool....Just how do you pretend to be a salamander anyway?

November 26 2011

November 26- After recovering from overeating on Thanksgiving, Saturday dawned a somewhat almost sunny day. Exploration day! (if you listen carefully in the background is the whine: "but when is it going to be MY turn to choose what to do?" I told her the next rainy weekend was her pick....if it fit my needs. Now, listen more, can you hear the eyes rolling?) We have heard of the Kuji Cliffs. After the last cliff adventure, we thought this would be great!

So, down the East coast of Japan we went. Made our way to the actual coast in Hachinohe, and right away another great day started!

We stopped at a little pull out (just up the road from the actual observatory) and found a path down to the ocean. Climbing out croppings and looking for tidal pools and hidden treasures are one of the best things!
As Shane was helping Andi negotiate the rocks, I realized the shoes that were on her feet....really crocs? Never mind the sneakers that I know are in the car....But she did fine.


Down the road....all of about 200meters was the observatory. I loved listening to Andi. Immediately the imagination kicked in. This must be some ancient outpost, watched over by the Samurai. The steps hand carved for easy access. (the steps were really made of concrete and no more than 20 years old....but the story she got going....)
A map to give you an idea of where we are. Though keep in mind, we are on the East coast of Japan, headed South, the map makes it look like we looking northward....
Andi at the observatory. Just seeing her look out over the ocean like this makes me happy. She is still very afraid of the ocean and potential tsunami's, so her going down to the seaside and climbing up observation decks is a big deal!

Looking down the coast from the observatory. There is a nice pathway that leads to our next stop....but being on a slight agenda, we drove down the road, all of about a kilometer.
See how far! (look at the map below....not that far at all before the next stop)
But we had to check out the beach. This is one of the most popular beaches in the area. It suffered a little damage in the tsunami, but not enough that we could even pinpoint what it might be.

There was a overlook area here as well. Andi went on down to the beach. If you look at the photo below very carefully, in the middle of the rock is a purple dot....that would be our child, off exploring. (oh, but this time she had on her sneakers...)




I think climbing about on those rocks is one of the funnest things to do! It's like a puzzle to see if you can get to a certain point, and keep an eye on the waves at the same time! (though we do try hard to not be the people you see on the news....you know the ones)

We finally made it to the city of Kuji. But let me clarify...this is Kuji, Iwate Prefecture. There is another Kuji that is close to Fukushima....not that one!

But as you can see, some how we are inland, not out on the cliffs.

On the bright side, we did find a city park to roam around in.

I love these benches!

I had to look at the statue closely....they are cuddling a little bunny rabbit.
Views of the city of Kuji.

Above: The wavy building with the cone in front of it is Amber Hall (thank goodness for English road signs)

http://jet.wikia.com/wiki/Kuji

We didn't go in...just admired from afar.

I love that at a lot of the temples is the above sign. I think I should like to have one in my yard someday...

The temple dogs were dressed with festive scarves.
The Kuji Harbor. At first glance you don't really notice the damage. But if you look closer, there were many floating cranes out there. The "jacks" that are usually stacked so neatly are all in a jumble. There is an impressive 14 foot high seawall surrounding the harbor, it appeared to work well, as there seemed to be little damage to the houses. The processing areas inside the wall though seemed heavily damaged.
Along the wall are tile mosaics. The above representing the Ama diving for sea urchins.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuji,_Iwate

Now, one of the most disconcerting things about driving in some of the coastal areas are the warning signs! But, I'd rather know to pay close attention than to be caught completely off guard!

On the way home, noticed a skinny house! Loved the color and design....just a little to thin for my taste.
Dr. Drive....

Oh, my favorite sign of the day is below. I saw it as we were headed down the coast, and on the way back up....is it wine, or some kind of elixir? What is "natural DNA collagen?
Oh, what? Are you waiting to see pictures of the Kuji cliffs? Yeah, so am I! Remember those stunning city views of Kuji....umm, yeah, just a little of course there. We went inland somehow (roadsigns do not say East, West, North, South). We were able to sort of see where we wanted to end up, but to far away for a good camera shot. Daylight is in short supply at this time of year. And since it is winter, we prefer to try to get home before pitch black sets in and all the roads freeze. It had been a dry day with just a few raindrops, but hilly roads aren't as fun when you aren't familiar with them! We are hoping for one more sunny weekend, with a direct drive to Kuji...no side stops (with no side stops, it's really not that bad of a drive) so that we can find those cliffs! (of course the stiff breezes blowing off the ocean will make it so much more pleasant.....)