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!

Mother's Day 2011

May 8 2011: Mother's Day....my pick of outings. Well, a bike ride was ruled out due to the clouds promising rain. So a drive it was. We didn't go far, just down to the Misawa Fishery Port. Above is the bustle of a year ago. Below....the heartbreak of today. This is the first time that we have been able to get down to the port. It was hard to see.
But at the same time, progress is being made. Piles of bricks, netting, and other salvage items sit and wait to be sorted. Misawa Port may have been destroyed, but only 2 lives were lost. As far as I know, no homes were destroyed by the tsunami.

http://www.stripes.com/news/pacific/earthquake-disaster-in-japan/misawa-busily-repairing-port-but-long-ago-planning-helped-minimize-damage-1.142021

Above, some of the rubble from the pavement being pushed up by the wave. Last time I was here there were about 20 boats tied up.

Below: That ditch used to be a road leading out to one of the piers.

Above: This is as close to the beach that we can get. The lifeguard station still stands, though it is missing a few windows. It is unsure when the beach will reopen. Probably not this year, the priority is the port. (as it should be)
If you recall, just February 26 (or there abouts) we went to Momishi beach. We went back, though like Ms Veedol Beach, we weren't allowed in. The good news is the sea wall held! And since clean up efforts have been ongoing, there is actually less sand on this side of the wall. When we went yesterday, we could see the wall, the steps built into the wall, and behind where we are standing is an access ramp! (go figure!)
It's a barricade that one could very easily ignore. But not wanting to become part of the problem...we obeyed. (though as always the renegade in me wanted to go to top of the sea wall and see what the beach itself looks like!)

For this part of the country, business has pretty much returned to normal. Volunteer missions have come to an end (there will be some here and there) as the Japanese government has made a budget to pay crews to do clean up.

We're glad to be back in Japan! (there are still aftershocks....just to keep you on your toes!)