Giving thanks always...: August 2010

August 31, 2010

Let's learn to count!

1- Ichi
2- Ni
3- San
4- Yon or Shi
5- Go
6- Roku
7- Nana or Shichi
8- Hachi
9- Kyu
10- Jyu
11- Jyu Ichi
12- Jyu Ni
13- Jyu San
14- Jyu Yon or Jyu Shi
15- Jyu Go
16- Jyu Roku
17- Jyu Nana or Jyu Shichi
18- Jyu Hachi
19- Jyu Kyu
20- Ni Jyu
21- Ni Jyu Ichi
22- Ni Jyu Ni
23- Ni Jyu San
24- Ni Jyu Yon (Shi)
25- Ni Jyu Go
26- Ni Jyu Roku
27- Ni Jyu Nana (Shichi)
28- Ni Jyu Hachi
29- Ni Jyu Kyu
30- San Jyu

and so on so forth...

100- Hyaku
1000- Sen
10000- Ichi Mon

Counting in Japanese!

August 30, 2010

Chicken Shack

Saturday night we took our friend Amanda and her little boy Connor out to the Chicken Shack. It's a restaurant out in the mountains that is pretty popular with the Americans and Japanese alike. I had been once before and Peter had been several times. From what I remembered it was awesome and I talked it up big time to Amanda. So off we go! What should have been a lovely evening turned out to be quite a nightmare. Let's just make a list of what all went wrong. First, Cora woke up early from a much needed nap and was in a bad mood. Second, we had to take two cars because our vehicles are tonka toys. Third, we got a little turned around on the trip there and when people are following, that's never an easy fix. Next, it was Saturday so the place was extremely busy. It was extremely hot and humid. Mind you they had misters blowing more water into the air. Like it wasn't already 99% humidity outside. And on top of all that, most of the seating is outside. Would have been wonderful in the fall perhaps. There is way too much going on for children to sit still for very long. The service was super slow. The water cups (in all of Japan) are sooo tiny. You literally get like 2 maybe 3 drinks out of it. We got no refills. The children decided to both get upset at the same time causing all the other patrons to stare. I decided Cora was hungry and hot. I tried to get her super cute dress off but it was stuck to her skin. Picture the awkward baby undressing. Hands up in the air, crying as her face was stuck inside the dress, me struggling to get it off without hurting her or making her even more upset, people staring, me jerking harder and harder.... By the time we finally got our food we were so sweaty and ready to leave we ate in about 7 minutes flat and got the heck outta dodge. Cora then cried about 15 minutes out of the 20 minute drive. Good times. That was a lot of complaining. But Peter told me to be truthful. I could have just said we went to the Chicken Shack and it was amazing but what's the fun in that! We've been before and it was a pleasant experience. We know for next time that you don't go during the weekend and you don't sit outside unless it is any other season than SUMMER. But hey the company was great and the chicken on the stick and the gyoza were delicious!

In front of the restaurant.

Most Japanese back into their parking spots. Can you guess who the odd ball is there??

Sky high decorations.

Peter and pieces of Amanda at the table. Notice how happy Peter looks! haha. The people inside are snug as a bug in their air conditioning! ahhh!!!!

More pretty decor around the Chicken Shack

The evil mister....seriously. Not needed at all. Amanda ran from it all night from fear of ruining the hair do!

Lanterns.

Posing as samurais.

Baby samurai

August 28, 2010

Random Pictures of Japan

Here are some random photos for ya'll to look at. They are from the last time we were here. We've been so bad about taking pictures. We are going to be here for three years...so I don't feel like I need to be the picture hungry tourist...This is just my life! BUT I'm going to be better because I know there are people interested in seeing these things. We have a couple of trips up our sleeves...so better posts to come soon! Promise!

You see a version of this guy everywhere.

How Peter feels most of the time!

McDonald's. They wear uniforms are serious about their jobs and the food actually looks like the pictures. I was showcasing the shrimp burger.

Train rides. Always good people watching!

More of this guy.

Bike parking lots.

Vending machines for everything you can think of.

soups...

Hot and cold drinks...

Pachinkos...if you like to gamble. There's one around every corner.

August 26, 2010

Who am I?

I recently filled out a voting absentee registration. We did it way in advance this time. Our votes didn't get counted last time. Even though I have a hunch it wouldn't have mattered. But since I didn't get to vote, I feel like I don't have a right to make comments about where our country is going. Anyways, on the registration it asks what political party I follow...hmmm.... lets see. Green Party? nah...Communist? Nope...Democratic Party? No way man!... Socialist? Not so much... Republican? Getting closer....Ah...Libertarian? That's it!!! I've decided as much as I thought I was a Republican, I'm really not...too broad, too wishy washy. They have some good stands but they really aren't fighting for what I want...or really for what any of us should want. Now the Libertarian party has some bad stereotypes associated with it. Even ones that I had placed on them before really thinking about what it means to be Libertarian. For example the platform on abortion. They are pro choice. And some people would be completely turned off by the whole party because of that. But the truth of the matter is that they believe in smaller government that can't tell us what we can and can't do. It's not just about our choice of life or death...but our choice of everything we do. The government has a say about the smallest things concerning our day to day being and that should make you mad! This is my life. I want to do with it as I please and I take full responsibility for whatever consequences that may follow. It's pretty exciting. And their platform is so much more than just individual freedoms. Take a look sometime.

August 25, 2010

No one panic!!

It's been brought to my attnetion that I needed to make myself more clear about the toliet situation. haha! No one panic.

This is a typical Japanese toilet.

This is similar to the toilet in our home! haha.... just in case anyone was confused. The Japanese refer to this as a "western style" toilet.

August 19, 2010

"I wanna learn"

Fun times with my sweet Cora. I'm trying to do a little crocheting. You know, picking up a new skill and here she comes!

"Uhoh! I'm caught!!!"

Puts on her sweet face...
"What are you going to do about it mommy??"

August 18, 2010

For Mother Earth

The Japanese are very strict about their recycling. So for the next three years it is mandatory that we are too. Not a big deal. I'll do my share for saving the earth, cut down on my carbon footprint to control "global warming" (don't get me started) and all that goodness. It's not that hard to separate your plastic, glass, and aluminum from all your combustible items. Besides who wouldn't want FOUR different trash cans in your kitchen! What gets me is having to wash everything you put in the trash. All complaining aside, it hasn't been too much of a hassle. It really is for a good purpose. We will probably bring this habit back with us to Texas. Ask me again in three years!

My fun colored recycling bins!

my little naked hippie baby! if she could make a peace sign, she would!

August 15, 2010

Creativity. Where are you?

I have this creative person inside me just dying to get out. But I can't seem to find that thing that I want to do. I sold jewelry for a while and I even tinkered with making jewelry with my friend Jen. I got some of my jewelry making tools in the mail this past week but haven't had much luck finding any beads. The craft store I found here was tiny and didn't carry anything that caught my eye. And it's really hard to buy beads online. I want to touch them and really see what they look like. Even if I did get beads though...I don't think i'd even know where to start. So what else could I do? I'd love to make something that people would want. For now i'll be thankful that I actually have the time to do whatever it is I might like to do.

August 12, 2010

Learning Japanese

A little Japanese lesson!

How to say:

Yes- Hai (Hi)
No- Lie (E-A)
Good morning- Ohayou (Ohio)
Good afternoon- Konnichiwa
Good evening- Konbanwa
Good night- O yasumi nasai
Good bye- Sayonara
See ya- Ja ne/Mata ne
Nice to meet you- Hajimemashite
Have a nice day- Yoi ichinichi wo
How are you?- Genki desu ka?
I am fine- Genki desu
Please- Onegai shimasu
Thank you- Arigatou (domo arigatou mr. roboto)
You are welcome- Dou itashimashite
I am really sorry- Gomen nasai
Go ahead/After you- Dozo
Excuse me/Pardon- Sumimasen
Are you ok?- Daijoubu?
How much is it?- Ikura desu ka?
Which way is it?- Dochira desu ka
I don't understand Japanese- Nihongo ga wakarimasen
Where is the toilet?- O tearai wa dochiera desu ka?
Just a moment- Chotto matte kudasai (the only phrase i remembered from last time)
Cheers!- Kanpai!

August 11, 2010

Everyone needs a goal

As of today I have 33 pounds that I would love to lose. Once those are gone I could even go farther but I'm not going to be greedy. 33 pounds will be plenty! That will bring me to my lowest weight of adulthood and back to a time when I felt the happiest about myself. Luckily there is a co-op group at the gym which is a few ladies that meet at the same time and watch each others kids. This has been very helpful because someone is depending on me to show up Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Getting to the gym is always the hardest part for me. So now that I have been going and starting to feel good again, I have encouraged a few of the ladies to add yet another day. If I want to lose 33 pounds I am going to need more than 3 days a week at the gym. Anyways, been searching through old photos trying to find some of my skinny days to motivate me...... I'm just not built to be SUPER skinny. But these were the days I felt best! A hello to all the lovely ladies in the photos with me. Love you!

August 9, 2010

The Nishiki River Water Festival

This past Saturday we went to the Nishiki River Water Festival down by the Kintai Bridge. Everyone just kept calling it the Fireworks Festival because of the two hour fireworks display at the conclusion of the day. Come to find out, it actually has a more formal name. We went with our Japanese friend Masa that Peter had met the last time he was stationed in Japan. He took us to his home for dinner with his parents, cousins, his brother and his sister-in-law. They live just 5 minutes walking from the bridge. We got to beat all the road traffic!

Out near the water all the vendors behind us.

Group photo!

Cora watching the fireworks on daddy's shoulders. She loved it!

All the yummy food we were snacking on beforehand.

Some of Masa's family we got to meet. They had a little boy. Too cute!

Cora beating up Masa. No worries. They are good buddies!!

August 8, 2010

Our New Home

Our initial intentions for a home here in Japan was to live off base. We thought, since we are going to be here for three years why not really immerse ourselves in the culture and get into a traditional Japanese house. It's very easy when you are living on base to never leave base. Everything I could possibly want or need is right here, within walking distance. We didn't want three years to go by and us realize we never got out and really experienced all that Japan had to offer. Anyways, a traditional Japanese home means hard floors throughout, lots of doors, multilevel living spaces, steep staircases, special toilets, tiny kitchens-no doubt without a dish washer, not so wonderful insulation, and neighbors that you could reach out and touch. It could have been exciting, but we got offered a town home on base much quicker than we expected. So we got that instead. Living on base is much more convenient and most people that I have talked to tried living off base and then came on base. We made the right choice. And we won't let living on base stop us from making the best of this opportunity.

The view off our balcony...we are surrounded by mountains.

My favorite part of the house. The white kitchen. I actually like being in there. All the white is clean feeling and somehow peaceful. I've been cooking more!

The toilet I was talking about. The first time I came to Japan Peter didn't warn me about these things...i'm not much of a squatter. Anyways. Makes sense for public bathrooms but inside your home???? Maybe that is another reason why most Japanese people are so skinny. They work out every time they go to the bathroom!

A funny little "how to"! Just in case ya'll weren't sure what to do with that hole in the ground!