The book (part 3)

... I finished it and I LOVED it!!


Now I can finally read all those things online written about the book.

For my husband...

Happy Birthday Danny!!

Wow

Wow, wow, wow. They chose me!! Hehe.
FYI: my nights will be a little busy starting next week.

Oh, and Harry Potter is starting to get really interesting. I am in Chapter 30! Gotta go to bed soon...

Interviews are depressing

And the sad thing is that it wasn't even a real interview.
I was called by this English teaching gal to come meet a bunch of her female students at her house. They asked me a bunch of questions, including my age which sadly caries a "unqualified" stigma to it, and generally wanted to know about me and my teaching style. Then, she whisks me out the door so another teacher, a slightly older man with a Japanese wife along side (major brownie points), can get the same kind of questioning. I am doomed.
Now, to avoid depression, I will immerse myself into my Harry Potter book although it isn't exactly a happy book and I'll be depressed when it is done and I see who dies. :( Someone cheer me up. Maybe I could get a nice care package... hehehe.

Even more about my lessons

So, just about everything was screwed up today. I was supposed to have a lesson at 1:30 but she sent me an email last night after I went to bed to say she wanted to cancel. I was waiting this morning for the gal who is giving me the new lessons to call me. Of course she never did. I called her at noon and she told me this group of students were going to go to lunch, but not all the students were going to be there (because she told them I couldn't come become of my lesson) and now I have to wait until next week -after this gal has already left for the states and I have no idea what is going on- to meet them. Now she wants me to meet some women at 9 tonight. I have a feeling that if students want to meet me at nine o'clock at night, they are going to want lessons at unreasonable times of the night.
Sigh... at least I have my Harry Potter book. What am I going to do when I finish it?!
Probably read it again!

The book (pt 2)

I got it in the mail today!!! I've had it for 3 hours and I've finished 5 chapters (85 pages). I could hardly stop to eat dinner (but didn't want to get food on my new book). I promise not to give anything away... :)
I should be finished by Saturday. Don't expect to hear from me much until then!!

UPDATE: It's almost 10 o'clock and I just finished chapter 9. I am taking it to bed with me and I'll finish at least one more chapter before I fall asleep.

Update on lessons

I am tired of being underpaid....
I thought I could start getting a decent paycheck by taking on some groups and new students. All is not lost, but things are getting progressively more difficult. That group in Kamakura (the one about an hour from our house that is twice a week) was supposed to work out. I was really excited about it. The guy who owns the school called the woman who passed the group on to me and said that his students said they didn't think they could learn from me. What is that supposed to mean?! I am a perfectly good teacher and their lessons wouldn't change. I am upset about this, does it show?
Someone explain this to me. Oh, and while you're at it please tell me what it is about my personality that makes people walk all over me. I won't get into that now though.

English teaching

I may have mentioned to you before that I was offered a job teaching a group of adults in Tokyo (Ebisu to be exact). I have been told by my boss that the company was looking for a discount and that the lesson may be canceled. Right now they are paying 3500 yen and hour, which is dirt cheap. I was supposed to have the trial lesson as early as tomorrow, so if it happens it will be a while. All I can say is that it would make for a long day. The lesson would start at 8 or 8:30 in the morning for an hour and I would have to travel for about an hour to get there.
Last week I attended and English teacher's networking group in Yokosuka. It is a group offered through the Fleet and Family Support center. The moderator of the group gave me information about a woman who is leaving Japan and has tons of students she needs to give to other women. Last night I went with her to Kamakura (about an hour away from Yokohama) to see a class of about 9 to 19 year olds. There are four groups and the lesson lasts one hour each. It is a lot of work, but I really enjoyed it last night and I look forward to taking it on. There are tons of other groups and private students that I still have to make a decision on. I'll keep you updated.

Harry Potter!

DISCLAIMER: I am not responsible for any information you will read here, even if I did write. It is not guaranteed that I will not give away any information about the newest Harry Potter movie. If you don't want me to spoil anything for you then stop reading! I hope that anyone as obsessed as me will already know what happened in the movie because they've already read the book and/or seen the movie. In case I never mentioned it before, I am one of the many nearly insane Harry Potter fans.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Okay, I (literally) just got home from seeing the 5th Harry Potter movie and I have to say that it was the most amazing movie I have ever seen. Sure I've got small complaints, but all-in-all AMAZING!! I loved the special effects, especially the fight scene in the end first with the Death Eaters and then the fight between Dumbledore and Voldemort. The part where Fred and George set off fireworks was especially good too. I believe there was a new director for this movie and I wholeheartedly approve. The visuals were amazing. Oh, forgot to mention that I really loved the night shots of London. Very beautiful. My only complaint is that I really like the original Harry Potter song (mainly the music from the first movie) and I would have liked to see that more (or rather, hear).
So, for the important part... All I have to say about Daniel Radcliffe (aka Harry Potter) is wow! There is something about the character that has always pulled on my heart and to me, Radcliffe is Harry Potter. There are times I just want to reach into the screen, or book, and just kiss him. He really has changed a lot since the first movie and in a totally good way.
Sorry Danny, you know how it is. Don't take it personally! :) Oh, I could go on forever...
Maybe I should just leave it at that because I may ruin the movie for anyone who hasn't seen it yet. J.K. Rowling is so talented and I am amazed at her ability to create a world out of a book that people never want to leave. I can't count the number of times I've just wanted to be sucked into the story and be a part of it forever. So, some people may think I am crazy, but I know there is someone out there who understands what I mean.
By the end of next few weeks I will be able to read the last book. It feels so daunting and I just don't know if I can take it. Sure, I can read the stories over again as many times as I like, but its just not the same when you already know what happened. I am sad it is the end. I will say how I feel about the book when I am done, but I promise not to say what happens. Someone might get mad at me...
After I finish the book then I've got to wait until November of 2008 before the next movie comes out. Darn it. Why did they have to put the movie and book release dates so close together?!

So cute

Now I want to learn to crochet just so I can make this. You can't tell me it's not cute.

The book!

Now I get to start checking my mailbox everyday!

Dear Lori Kohlbeck,

Thank you for shopping with us.

Your order is now packed and ready to leave our warehouse. The details of your order appear below.
For further assistance, please email us at service@barnesandnoble.com.

We appreciate your business and look forward to you visiting us again soon at http://www.bn.com

-- Barnes&Noble.com
------------------------------------------------------------------------

The following is packed and ready to leave our warehouse:

Bill To: Lori Kohlbeck
Ship To: Lori Kohlbeck, PSC 472 Box 136, FPO, AP 96348

QTY PRICE TITLE SHIP DATE
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 $20.99 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Harry Potter #7)
ISBN:0545010225 Jul 19, 2007
------------------------------------------------------------------------
$20.99 Net Product
$4.98 Shipping & Handling
--------
$25.97 Total Shipment
$0.97 Credit Card
$25.00 Gift Card

Carrier: USPS


Don't anyone think about ruining it for me. It will probably take over a week to get here. They should have sent it a few days ago...

Nothing happening

Just because it's been a few days since the blog has been updated, I just wanted to say that nothing is really happening around here.
I did feel the earthquake earlier this week. Since it was on the west coast, it wasn't nearly as strong here but it did last for quite a while and shook differently than others I've felt. It was rocking side ways and felt like the house was on a shallow pool of water. Anyway, no damage here and I didn't even get up from the couch while it was happening. Does that totally make me sound lazy?
As you know, the typhoon didn't really happen here, but the weather has been pretty mediocre ever since. Very little rain, just constantly overcast. Blah!
I spent majority of my day yesterday babysitting a three month old boy. His twin sister, mother and a friend with her one year old went to Tokyo to the embassy so Aidan was with me from 930 til 7 pm. I hardly even found time to eat. It was a lot of work.
Gotta drive to Yokosuka today. The Fleet and Family Support Center offers an English teacher's networking group every month and I am available to go for the first time since I started teaching last December.
I got a call from Danny a few days ago. Unfortunately, I did most the talking but it was really great to hear from him anyway. I'll be happy when he is home again.

Japan Extension

Hey Everyone,

Since Lori posted about the extension, I figured that I should explain a little more since I'm the one actually doing the job onboard. What I've talked to my CO about is call the Division Officer's Sequencing Program, or DOSP. What it basically means is that when I’m done with my first tour (October of 2008) I’ll move onto a second tour job onboard. The biggest benefit (other than rolling to shore duty 6 months early) is that there will be no re-qualification period. This means my current qualifications will remain in place and I’ll be able to progress to new qualifications more quickly. In the end, there’s a good possibility that this will help in career progression (assuming the Navy becomes a career). Nevertheless, it’s basically the best of both worlds. We get to stay in Japan a little longer (what I want to do) and I get to roll to shore duty earlier and spend more time with Lori (what she and I both want). Anyway, if you have any questions that are more specific that what I’ve posted, please let me know.

Lame

That was the most pathetic storm I have ever seen. If they hadn't have told us it was coming, I wouldn't have even noticed it was here. I was actually kinda looking forward to a storm... :(
My weekend would have been better if Danny were here.
My life is boring.

Man-yi

My grumbling gets louder as the rain continues to fall outside and the storm moves closer to Yokohama. We've gotten about 3" of rain today, which is just less than half the rain we've gotten so far this month.
I had to spend a lot of my day out in the rain today. Had to move my plants and other things inside because they were "potential projectiles". I stood outside with one of the dogs I am watching this month because he refuses to do his business in the rain. I took him out about 6 times and he'd never go. Hate to see what I'll find tomorrow morning...
The NEX, Commissary, and other things including the on-base chapel will all be closed tomorrow. Lucky for me I went out in the rain today to get groceries and gas for the car!
I honestly just hope that the weather is nice where ever my husband is!

Japan extension

This isn't official yet, but I want to let everyone else know that Danny is extending in Japan for an extra year. He will stay on his ship, but get a second job at the end of his original 27 month tour. We will leave Japan in the October of 2009 instead of 2008. This also means that we get to go to his shore duty 6 months earlier than most other people since this second tour is 12 months instead of 18 months.
We really like it here in Japan and am excited about staying a little longer.
Have questions? Ask away.

'Tis the season

Its that time of year again.... grrr.






















Typhoon Man-Yi Strengthens as It Heads Toward Japan

Mt Fuji Pictures (pt. 2)

When we stated out the climb, I believe it was about 5 am. We got up at 1 and left Yokosuka before 2. The weather was clear but cloudy. By the time we started climbing, it was pouring rain and windy. Of course, my jacket is not waterproof and Danny's "goretex" from Korea didn't work so well either. We didn't make it to the top top because it was close due to bad weather (sleet coming down sideways) and snow buildup. It was also -25 degrees Celsius. We didn't have the right gear to take that on.
Our group was supposed to stop climbing at 1 (1300) no matter where we were, but I think Danny and I were already back down where we started by then. They say it takes 4-5 hour to get to the top and 2-3 hours to get back down. We took a lot of rests near the top. Most of the other people from the ship were up there so we stayed around and chatted for a while. Thats when we made our decision to go back down and think that was just before 11.
The bus wasn't supposed to leave until 5 or 6, but we left by 3:45. After a quick rest stop we were back in Yokosuka by 6:30 or so. I really have a hard time saying for sure because I didn't look at my watch much.
Well anyway, here are Danny's pictures.

Mt Fuji Pictures (pt. 1)

Here they are! Danny and I climbed Fuji yesterday and had a blast. It was certainly hard and the high altitude and rain made things difficult. The pictures say alot. Here are my pictures. I've got Danny's too that I'll put in a later post.
P.S. I am sorry that so many are sideways. I rotated them but they still posted wrong. Can't say I understand why. If you click on the slide show, the slide.com show will open and all the photos will be correct.

Happy 4th

It may be a little early for all of you, but it is tomorrow in Japan (does that count, should we celebrate it when it is the 4th in the states?!) so I wanted to wish you all a happy fourth of July.



Myspace Graphics at WishAFriend.com

Our bad cat

So, funny story...
Danny and I were in the kitchen and Mocha came in meowing and whining as usual. Instead of telling her to be quiet, I decided to pick her up. I was standing there and I heard this squeaky farting sound. The second time I looked at Danny and I said "is that you?!" and he looked at me and said "no, its her" and pointed at Mocha. At that moment I smelled the air and it smelled like cat fart (not that I know if it smells different than any other). So I dropped her pretty quick!
My mischievous little brat.
I told Danny if he was a cat, he'd do the same thing. I know he would!

I forgot to tell you

For a few weeks I would feel sick (upset stomach) if I had to get up in the middle of the night, usually about 3 am to yell at the cat or use the bathroom. Honestly, I thought I was pregnant. Yes, I am still on birth control. Anyway, I went to the doctor last week and he put me on some medication to reduce the acid in my stomach. I wasn't diagnosed with anything and it is only a 30 day trial and I don't think it is a big deal, but since most of you are my family I thought I better let you know. I have been feeling better and I'll let you know if anything changes. For now I am just waiting for my sickle-cell test back to see if I can climb Mt. Fuji on the 10th.

More complaint about Grey's Anatomy

This show gives me a lot to say, but my gripe this time is about Isaiah Washington. I know there was the whole deal where he made some anti-gay remark and had to apologize and go through counseling. I agree that he probably said something he shouldn't, especially considering he is on a very popular show and in he spot light more than other people. Things people say can be misunderstood and made to be bigger than they are, so I was a little bit unhappy when I heard that ABC fired him. I don't like it when the actor of a character changes. It just isn't the same.

I was unhappy about this, until today. I read an article online where Isaiah is claiming that he was fired because he as black and didn't act like a slave. His direct quote was, "Well, it didn't help me on the set that I was a black man who wasn't a mush-mouth Negro walking around with his head in his hands all the time. I didn't speak like I'd just left the plantation and that can be a problem for people sometime". There is something about this comment that really peeves me. There is racism in this world, but I like to believe many people in this world don't think blacks should talk and act like they "just left the plantation".

I've decided that Isaiah Washington is just too egotistical and after these comments I wouldn't want him on the show anymore anyway.

If you want to read the article I read, go here: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20070629/D8Q268OG0.html

Phone

Between 8 and 11 in the morning our new land line (dsn) phone service will be working. Now you can call us and be able to hear us!
From the states, our number will be 011-81-45-281-4475. If you can't connect with that number for any reason, try 011-81-6160-242-4475. I know that looks like a lot of numbers. I can't explain the second number, but I know 011 is the international access code from the states, 45 is the area code, 281 is the Negishi prefix and 4475 is the last four of our phone number.
Please, please, please make sure you know what time it is here before you call us!!!

Its coming!!

Funny picture

43 Things

I came across this website that lets you browse ideas and choose 43 things you'd like to do. I have put together my list.

Seriously!!

Okay, so I know that many of you that read our blog don't watch Grey's Anatomy, but I have got to rant for just a quick second. Don't give me any idea about all that I have missed, considering that we are 5 months behind here and the season is already over in the states. 

I know that Merideth can't die because, well, she is the main character. I am just so peeved (so they are good actors...) because I just watched the second of the three part series "Drowning on Dry Land" and at the very end she is in a hospital room with Denny and the guy from the bomb disposal unit (who are both dead). She then asks if she is dead, I can't remember what Denny says, and then she says "Holy...". 

SERIOUSLY!! What is that all about?!

Okay, glad I got that off my chest. I can go to bed now. Its only 10 o'clock, but Danny's been out for hours. I guess not having to go to work at 530 am has its perks.

Pictures

Finally, pictures from the states! Danny has many better ones, but these are the only I have now. We went to a Mariners game while we were there to celebrate our anniversary. (It was against the Yankees and we won!!) The weekend before we left our families got together for a picnic. Danny and I cut and ate our year-old cake. It was pretty darn good. I honestly don't remember what it tasted like on our wedding, but I think it was better after being frozen for a year.
Enjoy our pictures!

Hanabi (fireworks)

Danny and I went back to Yokohama in the evening of the festival to see the fireworks. Here is another video I took of the finale. People say that Japanese fireworks are different than American ones, but I don't see much of a difference. During the show they would stop every few minutes to take a break. I am not sure what that was about.
Anyway.... Karera wa utsukushii desu (they are beautiful).

Catching up on videos and pictures...

The following video is from a few weeks ago when Danny and I went to Yokohama open port festival. Near Yamashita park there were dragon boat races all day long. I think many of the teams are affiliated with Chinatown, "chukagai" in Japanese, which is very close by.
Danny thought it would be cool if they could get a Navy team together. It certainly would get them lots of exercise.

Sorry that it is so jumpy. I guess I have a problem standing still!



There is more to come...

Happy Father's Day

I just wanted to say Happy Father's Day to my dad and father-in-law. Sorry you aren't even getting a card. (One is in a box we sent to ourselves in May and don't expect to get for another 2-4 weeks!)
We miss you guys and hope you have a good Sunday.

This weekend

I just want to let everyone know that Danny and I are leaving within the next hour or so and we are going to Tokyo to stay for the weekend since our anniversary is on sunday. We'll talk to you again when we get back.

Sorry

Hey, I know. We just had a weekend and I didn't post anything. Don't worry, we didn't do anything this weekend. Anyway, I am really too tired to post pictures right now. I am so exhausted from work.
Maybe later.
I'll take my computer downstairs and start working on them (at least download them onto my computer), okay?
Again, we're okay so don't be surprised if you don't hear from us too often. We aren't that busy, but at the same time there is too much to do. Chores are never done and spending hours on the computer just doesn't sound appealing to me. I'd rather read my book or take a nap.
If you wanna talk to us, just call. I know it is difficult to contact us. I have been working a little longer than normal. (This seems to be the time of year the kids keep hurting themselves.) Thursday is the schools last day, so you will be able to reach me almost any day after that. We hope to get a landline soon.

Where have we been?

No where really. I am just super busy and don't have time to write on the blog now. Most of my evenings are taken up with English lessons and my days are spent at the school or cleaning the house. Mocha (and Danny's) inventions for making a bigger and better mess are just getting more creative. The cat has a thing for dunking all her toys in her water dish and then fishing them back out. The most recent toy is a mouse that has a tail that is dyed blue. When she took it out of the water, she splashed blue dye all over the wall and floor. She also has this thing with the box of kitty litter. Not only did she drag it halfway across the dining room floor, but she also ripped the pour spout off. Ugh, she is driving me crazy.
We're alive so don't worry. I know I am about 2 weeks late on pictures of the states and now I have this last weekend to post as well. Danny won't be home tonight, so maybe I'll have time to work on them after I get home from my lesson at 9.

Yesterday

There was a festival in Yokohama friday and yesterday. We didn't do much during the day, but I made Danny go back last night and we watched fireworks (hanabi, or flower fire, in Japanese). I have some video and pictures I will post soon.

Another decision of mine

After talking to many of my friends, I have to say I've decided that many navy wives have a way of sucking every last bit of happiness out of you. I guess it must be because most of us are bored, jobless, and spend most of our time locked up in our houses. Okay, I just started including myself in that statement and I don't feel like I am part of this group
Anyway, my assumption is that they get a sort of cabin fever. They make themselves somewhat crazy and invite ideas in their head of things that don't exist and also apparently loose all judgment.
Of course I am not going into details, but I am definitely tired of this already. I've heard of too many times when "friends" get mad about something minor and go berserk attaching the person they've decided they don't like.
I can't wait to go back to the states and get normal friends (and by normal I mean weren't crazy enough to marry and navy guy and won't go crazy anytime soon). I am also sad that a few screwy people mess up the image of us all.
Don't even get me started on the officer's wives that mess it up for the rest of us too...

Flowers

I took some new pictures today of my garden & I'm including some older pictures too.

The truth

Okay, after all those cute pictures, here is a real truthful picture of Mocha.

The girls goofing around

So, FINALLY, here are the pictures from the girls getting together in the states. Sorry it took so long.
I had a GREAT time with you gals. I am so glad we had time to get together.

I have an addiction

... to taking cute pictures of Mocha and sharing them for everyone to see.

http://www.slide.com/r/QFtGBkPYwz-GUMctkAftJT7cyvSO6tAp?
previous_view=mscd_embedded_url

I seem to have a lot to say

Okay, so I've probably been writing posts faster than you can read them. If that is the case, then just look to the list of previous posts to the right -------->>> and click on the one you want to read.
Yes, I am also aware that I haven't talked about our trip to the states or posted the pictures. Give me time; I'm getting to it.

My decision

I've realized today that I really need a hobby. Yesterday, a woman that I work with was selling a lot of StampingUp stuff for really cheap and I bought a bunch for scrapbooking. (I don't do card making, sorry). When we were back in the states I realized that I should get back into painting too. I really enjoy painting all those little wooden things. Who knows what I'd do with them when I was done, but I just need something to do. Knitting is fun, but it just isn't that exciting to me and not something I can spend a large amount of time doing. My project now was started last July!!
Step one- get a dining room table. THEN I can work on collecting craft stuff.
Anyone have some craft stuff they want to donate to me? :)

New layout

I am sorry if you don't like our new layout. I am playing with new things. There is a new option that lets us put our own image in the titlebar, but no matter how small I make it keeps stretching out and driving me crazy. I hope they will come up with a fix for it soon. For now, you just have to deal with it!!

Here is the deal with the car

When we bought the skyline we knew it wasn't in the best shape, but it was cheap ($700) and we needed a car. Of course, we didn't think that the new tires were going to be so expensive. It doesn't shock me that it is broken now. It is nearly 15 years old and has had more owners than the average American vehicle. Cars owned by Americans in Japan get quite a beating. It really sucks that we are loosing that money, but that is the way things go. Lucky for us, we already bought the new car.
The deal we've been going through now is that we were told the Japanese inspection (done every two years) had already expired. There is a whole long process attached to renewing it. Well, I found out today that was not true, but it does expire very soon so we will just finish the process on Monday after the brake pads are replaced (tomorrow). The new car was $1500 and in MUCH better shape. The funny things is that we bought it from the lemon lot, but it is not a lemon. That s just what they call the used car lot in Yokosuka. Weird, huh?
Anyway, a lot of details were made clear to me today and everything is pretty much sorted out. If we want to drive the Toyota starting tomorrow, we can!!

Oh, I forgot to tell you

We are junking the Skyline. The autoport told us that the radiator needed to be overhauled (whatever that means), the waterpump needed to be replaced and it needed new hoses too, I think. Anyway, it was going to cost us over $1000. We only spent $700 on it and were going to sell it for that much. The woman (an ET3 I think) that was gong to buy it is married with a very young daughter. Plus, the inspection was going to expire in October and it would never pass! Fortunately it won't cost us much, but we are loosing a lot of money on it.
We get our new car back on friday but can't drive it until monday when we take it to get the Japanese inspection. Then we will FINALLY have a car to drive.

Blah

Sometimes when I come home from work I just want to nap even though I am not tired. Then I don't want to get up when my alarm goes off and then I don't do anything the rest of the day even though I know I have to. This is an issue I noticed after we moved here, especially when Danny wasn't home (he has to take the home-to-work bus tonight, won't be home until 1830 and I leave shortly before then because I have a lesson at 1915 and won't be home until 2100). What do I do about this?
I've willingly joined a women's bible study, but it starts to feel like an obligation rather than a fun activity (especially when I won't see Danny AGAIN until I get home at 930 and he has duty the next day). This is why I don't do activities and it sucks. I have issues...

Awww...

How cute is this?

Well,

... replacing the thermostat and washing the radiator out didn't solve the problem. Great.

More about the car

Danny drove the Skyline into work today and dropped off at the autoport during his lunch break. After he explained what has been happening(the water boiling right out of the reserve) they think the thermostat is broken. He authorized them to fix that, but nothing more until talk to them again. Hopefully that is all it takes.

Japan for the uninvited

There is a toolbar that I downloaded for the internet called Stumble-upon. You have an account and it remembers your preferences and interests. Anyway, I found this page called Japan for the Uninvited. It has a collection of interesting things about Japan. Pretty cool! Find the box about Japanese pizza and you'll see all the weird things they put on 'em.

Kyodo-no-mori Ajisai Matsuri

I've got to go to one of these places: Hydrangea Festival

Our poor cat

So, anyone want to hear a story about how I accidentally almost seriously hurt, if not killed, our cat last night? It is a pretty short story...
I was doing laundry last night. I had just taken a load out of the dryer and put it in the living room. Then I went back and put the wet clothes in the dryer, grabbed a dryer sheet and started it up. As soon as I did there was this terrible sound coming from the dryer. It sounded like I had put a pair of shoes in. My load was very small, so I was really worried. I opened the dryer door and guess who shot out of the dryer and upstairs! Yup, Mocha. She probably jumped in before I put the wet clothes in the dryer. Danny was standing right next to me and he didn't know she was there either.
Mocha used to like climbing in the dryer, but I don't think she will anymore!
So, it wasn't a near death story, but I was really afraid I hurt her (she went around a few times before I turned it off) before I thought it was funny. Don't worry though, she is okay. Just not very bright.

Update on car

After the car cooled down I went to go check it out. Turns out the radiator was completely empty!!! There is a bunch of dried brown goo inside the reserve and the radiator cap looks rusted. On the reserve tank it was obvious that water had been coming out the top of the tank. Danny will have to take the home-to-work for the next few days and I will have the autoport check if there is any cracks in the radiator or holes in a tube.
I learned from my honda and carrying a half gallon of water in my trunk at all times!

Car problems

I drove the car to the grocery store just an hour ago. Danny had the ac on when he was driving it home this morning and when I drove it I noticed a strange smell. I didn't think anything of it until the way back. I turned the air off and still noticed a smell. When I was stopped at a light I saw steam or smoke coming out of the engine. Not very much, but it doesn't look good and smells terrible. I checked the temp of the car and it was normal, but the oil gauge looked low. We just had the oil changed a few months ago (not long enough ago to warrant an oil change, but I think it may be leaking.) Danny has been driving it, so I haven't even seen the car long enough to notice anything. If it is leaking, where would it be leaking from? How much is that going to cost?! ... we are trying to sell the crappy thing...
If its not the oil, anyone else want to take a guess at what it could be? I am waiting a few hours and then I'll go look at it once it cools down.

Too much to say

I am two weeks behind in posting on the blog. Luckily for me, majority of our readers already know everything we did while we were in the states, but I know I'll have to post a lot of details for anyone else who doesn't know or just for journaling purposes. Mostly I guess you're all waiting for pictures. Most of the time I am at the computer is during work and although I have my camera here with me, I don't have the cables to hook it up. I also want to review them and edit them before I make them into a slideshow.
Suppose I could start with yesterday and last night. Danny was the one that was really worked up and beyond peeved so I guess I could try to make him write about it, but I don't think that would work. Checking in at Narita (Tokyo) was so easy, but the United desk in SeaTac is messed up. Their self check-in counters are a waste of time and the people don't act like they know what they're doing. All we wanted was to check our bags and get our tickets, but it couldn't be that simple. I guess the United representatives were looking for something special in Danny's passport (which I thought was a job for customs)and assumed that we had our tickets already. Checking our bags in shouldn't have been hard, but somehome it became that way. Danny and I just didn't understand what they were doing wrong and he was ready to scream at them.
It tooks us a little while to get through security and they moved the boarding gate without us knowing (no big deal, it was only 3 gates down). They guy in front of Danny on the plane kept reclining his seat too far and almost broke his computer a few times. Once we got back to Japan we had to wait about an hour for the Narita express which was about $40 each and took about 1.5 hrs to get to Yokohama. Then we had to switch trains and then grab a taxi back to the house. This prooved to be fairly difficult for me, but we were sure happy to walk in the front door. I got a nice bath last night and we finally got to sleep in our own bed. Didn't get to ask Danny this morning, but I think we both slept pretty hard.
That was majority of the bad stuff that happened to us over the last two weeks. I'll get to the good stuff when I have pics.

our return to Japan

We finally made it home! It was a VERY long day, but are now at home trying to relax. I'll fill you all in about the excitement later. For now, I am going to go take a bath.
We'll miss everyone. Thank you for being there for us.
Love, Lori and Danny

Hello :)

We are still in the states until wednesday (we'll be bck in Japan on thursday evening), but I wanted to take a moment to say hello to everyone we haven't seen recently. We are having a great time visiting. The return to Japan will come with mixed feelings. Vacation has been nice. We'll have so much to tell when we return. Please remember to check the blog often after thursday.
Happy mothers day to all the mothers out there.

yup, we made it

Well, if you haven't figured it out... we are here!!
Contact us before the 17th. Thats when we leave.

Countdown

Get your Countdown @ MyMackSpace.com

Last day of April

First, I want to take a moment say Happy Birthday to everyone who has/had a birthday this week. Grandpa, Jennifer, Dad and Amber. I am sorry if I left anyone out. I promise I'll have birthday cards for everyone when we get to the states, which will be in just a few days. Both Danny and I are very excited to come home even if it is for a short time.
Still not much going on here. We spent a ton of money on food and other things to have a barbeque on saturday with a bunch of people Danny works with. It was a complete bust; not one single person showed up. Now we are stuck eating macaroni salad, fruit salad, chips, hamburgers, hot dogs and beer all the time. I am really peeved and disapointed that people said they were going to come and just didn't bother to come with any comment at all. And of course that we spent the money on it. Well, I guess thats the last time we try to do something nice.
Today, and the rest of this week, is a national holiday time in Japan which is also known as Golden Week. Yesterday was Showa No Hi (Showa's Day) celebrating the birthday of the late emperor, who died in 1989. Thursday is Kenpo Kinenbi- or constitution day. Just what it sound like. Friday, May 4th, is Midori No Hi (Greenery Day). It is the equivilent of Earth Day. Saturday is Kodomo No Hi which is Children's Day. This day is to wish wealth and hapiness to children although it was originally the Chinese Dragon Boat Festival.
During the week many businesses are closed and many Japanese travel. For Americans, it is advised that we don't plan on driving anywhere or go to town much because it is so busy. I wish we could be here for Childrens' Day because it looks like fun. I believe many adults decorate for the festivities and have many activities for children. I'd just like to see what its all about.
Well, I suppose you got your Japanese history lesson for the day.

You may want to know...

Yes, we are still alive. Nothing to write about really. Danny sits on the couch all day playing video games and I am planning my English lesson thats in a hour. We'll be home in less than two weeks, so I am sure there will be plenty of stories to tell then.

More Japan pictures

I just found another site that has great pictures of Japan, mostly around the Yokohama area.
wallpaper.neonsight.com/

Japanese vending machines

Once in a while I check the Japanese news on the Japan Times Online. This morning I found pictures of Japanese vending machines which, like the article says, are everywhere. (You can find them while waking through a residential neighborhood.) Apperently they sell everything. Here is a like to the story: Vending Machines Click to learn a little more about (the sometimes strange) Japanese culture.

sigh...

I'm still waiting.......

And I think I am going to be waiting for a long time.

Grrr

I have nothing more to say than I am really frustrated right now. I don't think I need to explain to be understood, but do I even really need a reason? When I think about my life right now, I can see so many possibilities for frustration...
Thanks. Had to vent. Don't really have anyone to talk to. And even if I did I can't divulge any details! Maybe that is why I am frustrated!

Dr.s appointment

I just got back from my annual poking and prodding and I had something funny to share with everyone. The doctor looked at my cholesterol, hdl & ldl levels and could tell that women in my family live to be an old age. I thought it was pretty funny. So anyway, I have a low risk of heart disease and will live to be as old and feisty as the rest of my family! But of course I have to watch my calcium intake because I don't want to spend the last 20-30 years of my life looking at my shoes. (or with a fake knee!)

Busy!

I feel like it has been a while since I've written anything. I guess it hasn't been that long (2 days) but I feel like it has been. The reason I don't write is because there isn't much to say. Danny and I are getting anxious for our trip home. Seems like it is coming up so quickly. I am also anxious for him to come home. I feel like he's been gone forever! Just knowing it makes it harder to wait.
I am still on Spring Break until the end of the week. Trying to get things done and I have been pretty busy. Today I went to Yokosuka. I don't feel like I did a lot but I left at 930 and didn't get home until almost 3. Of course I would have been home sooner if traffic didn't suck! I had to do new fingerprints for the school, pay our 6-month insurance premium, change Mocha's record since we officially adopted her last week after her spay surgery (I was so glad to do this because PAWS named her Sandy and I hated that name), and get groceries to prepare for Danny's return (he's like a bottomless pit sometimes- not that I should complain. I worry when he doesn't eat much!) The reason this all took so long is because I had to wait an hour and a half for the fingerprints. Then I had to get air in the tire because it was going flat. Of course, by the time I made it to the vet, they were out for lunch. This is why I hate going to Yokosuka- it takes so much out of you. My poor husband has to go down there everyday. Yuck.
I've recently got more students. At the end of this week I will have three trial lessons and two regular lessons. Thank God its spring break. Thursday will be a very busy day. Total I will have 6 if my new students decide to continue lessons. Tomorrow is a free day for me, so I think I will be planning lessons!
Okay, well just wanted everyone to know we're still alive. Things are going well and I'll update you again soon.

A holiday wish

More Funny Myspace Comments

Nothing to say really...

There isn't much going on here, but I decided I better write a blog anyway.
I'm still sick. Its not a big deal though, I'm just kinda tired and got the nose and throat thing going on. Tomorrow, hopefully should be better. Since I am on Spring Break I am excited about relaxing, but I gotta get something done too. There is so much to do around the house.
Mocha is doing well. The vet clinic says it went very well and she seems to be getting better. I've got a cat on my lap just about 24/7, but I am just concerned about her healing. She definitely doesn't have that sweet kitten sparkle to her, which I'm afraid she won't get back. Maybe I've just got to give her time. Anyway, I've been keeping a close on her and know just about everything has done. Danny told me that he's glad he's not here just so I can devote 100% of my time to caring for the cat and not have to worry about him too (and trust me, taking care of Danny is a lot of work!!)
Not much else to say. I don't have any big things planned for the next week. We'll just see what happens. I'll try to keep in touch, but I am afraid there won't be too much to write about. Don't be surprised if you don't hear from me for a few days. I always accept telephone calls though. We will be back in the states soon enough, but that doesn't mean you can't call me now. Just don't hope to talk to Danny any time soon. :)
P.S. He tells me that he is still busy and insanely stressed, so just keep him in your thoughts.

Spring Break

I jut wanna let everyone know I am on Spring Break right now. I don't go back to work until April 16th. Of course I still have to teach English lessons, but I will probably be home most of the time. Sometimes I gotta leave just to warm up again. They turned the heat off last Friday and the temperature has dipped back down again to about 50. Our house is about 14 C now and no way to heat it back up except wait for the sun to come back out! Brr. I am getting a cold now too and I could go on forever about all the sick children at school yesterday. They all had high fevers.
I go down to Yokosuka twice tomorrow to drop Mocha off and pick her up again. That is about 4 hrs driving total, but I guarantee that there nothing for me to do if I chose to stay all day. Sure I'll find something to do the rest of the week...

Finally, Tokyo Tower!

A few weeks ago Danny and I went to the Tokyo Tower. We went to the first observation deck, the wax museum, Guinness World Records, and a few other places within the building. There is not much to say about the pictures just that we had a good day and a lot of fun.
Have questions? Ask away.

Tokyo Tower Slideshow

Oh, here is the website for the Tokyo Tower. tokyotower.co/jp

More Sakura!

So, you may know that cherry blossom viewing is a BIG DEAL in Japan. People will fight huge crowds and sometime show up in the park at all hours of the night just to get a good place to sit. Let me tell you, everywhere I went Sunday was crazy. There are two large parks near our house, so there were more people than ever. Kana thinks that Japanese people make too big of a deal about cherry blossoms. Usually they just sit around and get drunk anyway! There many sayings and images of cherry blossoms that are important to Japanese culture. For example, they have a saying that says that the sweets (eaten during viewing) are better than the cherry blossoms or it was considered honorable for a samurai to die on a field of sakura petals.

I love them anyway. The widest variety in at least the Tokyo area is lighter than the pink in the states and they remind me of snow. The feeling I get when looking at them is a lot like my feeling of looking outside and seeing snow. Its magical and takes your breath away. It is also so beautiful when the wind blows and the petals are blowing everywhere.

On Sunday I met Kana and Yuichi in Tokyo to go to Ueno park. The first pictures in the slide show are from there. We talked about going to a night viewing, but decided not to because we all had to work the next morning. (Kana had her first day of work teaching!!) Today I took some pictures at school. There is a large sakura tree in the courtyard. After work I walked to the park and took some of the most beautiful ones there. I really wanted some closeups.

Okay, enough talk. Here is the pictures: More cherry blossom pics

Cool pic

Some of you already got this, but I got permission to share it. :)

More students!

So, you may remember I've been going back and forth over how many students I have. My first student hasn't had a lesson with me since January and my second student just moved away. Our last lesson was Sunday. My third student has been busy all month and unable to meet with me. She even had to cancel her last scheduled lesson. I've had a few weeks between lessons for my forth student.
Tuesday I had a trial lesson with a new student at her place. I didn't go like I wanted it to, but she wants to continue and I now have a better understanding of what she wants. My boss called me today to say I have ANOTHER new student. I will meet her in Yokohama on the 9th. My third student will restart lesson on the 15th and I will have semi-regular lessons with my others, except the first who I am still waiting to hear from. Sounds like I am going to be busy. As long as they don't want to schedule lessons for Lori-Danny time, then I am okay.
As for my other job, I have been working half days, but there really isn't much for me to do. I will work full days Monday and Tuesday next week. Right now it is just twiddle my thumbs or stare at the ceiling so I hope the principal finds something for me soon. I like structure in my life...

UPDATE: I guess I have too many students because I am loosing my mind. My schedule is all scribbled and messy and my brain feels the same way. It is hard for me to keep track of what student I have when. I used to have it all organized inside my head. I kept thinking I had a lesson on Sunday. Kana and I are trying to meet in Tokyo and so I was trying to reschedule my lesson through my boss. This morning I've had to write to him twice to say I made a mistake. The first was the time (I thought it was originally scheduled for 4:30, but it was at 4) and then I had to admit that I thought the lesson was on Sunday and that is why I was trying to schedule it earlier. Now I don't have to reschedule, but I feel like I've lost my brain. When Kana was studying at Western she said she was a squid. I told her I am turning into an American one!

Cherry Blossom pictures

Here are the ones I took at the park yesterday. I hope to get more eventually.

Sakura slideshow

Mocha pictures!

Shinrin Koen video

I took a very short (and terrible quality) video yesterday of people in the park. Enjoy.
Cherry Blossom Viewing

Add to My Profile | More Videos

Soon

I know I am way overdue to post pictures. I have some from the last weekend Danny was here, just some cute ones of Mocha, and some I took at the park today.
The cherry blossoms are starting to bloom and the weather was nice and warm (topped off near 70) so I had to get outside. I took pictures of the budding trees and people just lounging and enjoying the sunshine. Kana and I are talking about meeting sometime this weekend and going to a large park in Tokyo that is popular for cherry blossom viewing. If we can meet there I will take lots of pictures. Unfortunately Danny is gone through this short blooming season, so we may travel north when he gets back. There may still be some in bloom there.
I also wanted to say that I have been surrounded by babies lately. It's terrible. The school nurse is back and brought her son with her today because the woman who was going to watch him volunteers at the school. He is a month old and he fell asleep in my lap. I also got to feed and burp him (no, I didn't get spit up on!)
My friend, Amy, and her husband, Brian, just had their twins on Saturday. I haven't seen them yet, but they just got home today. I hope to go by sometime.
Through all this, I've had moments where I thought it was a good thing Danny wasn't home and knew I would need him to re-convince me that we aren't ready. Babies are cute and I do want children someday, but that someday is not today. Yes, I know there is crying, and wakeups at all hours, stinky diapers, and constant care, but I don't think I needed to remember all that to know we aren't ready. Someday. Maybe in a few years...

Mocha

Just some info in case anyone asks. Although Mocha's appointment was supposed to be this Thursday and I was going to take her to Yokosuka tomorrow afternoon, it was canceled. The woman from PAWS called me today to reschedule for next Thursday the 5th. Luckily I wasn't too surprised because a friend had told me she needed to take her cat to Yokota because the vets in Yokosuka were going to be in meetings or something all week. I am a little frustrated they made the appointment without knowing that, but its just another week that Mocha doesn't have to be cut. Soon her day will come....
(wow, that sounds evil!)

Anniversary

Danny and I are planning on celebrating our anniversary when we come back to the states even though it will be a month early. (So get the frozen cake ready!)
Anyway, I am trying to get him to stick to the traditional anniversary gift ideas. For example, the first year is paper. I am buying tickets to an M's game. (Its okay, he already knows this.) Of course, although we had talked about this earlier and I gave him some very concrete ideas, he seems to have forgotten. If he can't remember, would anyone out there be willing to help him out. I was hoping that the paper idea would help.
What made me post is that I was searching Google for the list of gift by year and I came across a UK website has a popular folklore rhyme based on the month you were married in. Its says for June: "Marry when June roses grow and over land and sea you'll go". Ain't that the truth!!

Details

Okay everyone, here are the details of our flight back to the states. Please mark it in your calendars!
UA 876
Tokyo/Narita 04 May 2007 1700
Seattle 04 May 2007 0943
(Sorry I told people before that we landed on the 3rd. I don't know where I got that crazy idea. It doesn't even make sense.)
UA 875
Seattle 16 May 2007 1256
Tokyo/Narita 17 May 1455
This isn't final until I make the payment this week, either Wednesday or Thursday.

Leave

Danny was approved for leave and we are allowed to go to the states. We leave May 4th. I will give you details later.
P.S. It will be the 3rd in Seattle when we land!

Beware of the yowl

----------------------------
UPDATE on Mocha:
She is getting a little better. She still is making that sound but doesn't do it as often and I found out this evening that the neighbors can't even hear it. Thank God! I am hoping this won't last much longer and there will be no issues at her appointment. I drop her off Wednesday night so it will be a quiet and lonely night for me.
Most importantly, I am learning how to deal with her. She is quiet when I am petting her or she is on my lap (and she has been super affectionate) so if I can't handle her I just go pick her up!
---------------------------

WARNING: turn down your volume!!
I didn't want to post anything for a few days because I just wanted to give Karamel that respect. I know she is a rabbit and can't understand that concept, but if you are like me you'll understand.
So now my life moves onto my other animal, Mocha. The animal shelter called me yesterday to make an appointment for her to be fixed. Thank God, she is only 9 months old now! They told me if she went into heat before the appointment then they couldn't do it. Well, yesterday morning she started yowling and has succeeded in making my life a living hell. If you've ever experienced it you'll understand. Think of a drowning cat trying to meow- but louder and more ear piercing. Hey, I've got video! Lucky you!
She really isn't interested in playing either- sad.
So, I lock her away at night and hope that she doesn't keep the neighbor's son up all night. I know I can't sleep listening to that!
I called PAWS twice today, but got a real person the second time. They told me to go ahead and take her to the vet because they may do it. It just depends on how swollen her uterus is. (I am sorry if this to visual for anyone).
I hope this doesn't last long. If it does, one of us is not going to make it to the end of next week.
Here is the video. Yipee. Please turn down the volume. Lucky for you I accidentally was covering the microphone. It could be A LOT worse.
Yowling



Add to My Profile | More Videos

Farewell, Karamel

I got very sad news today that my pet bunny was killed. I got her as a graduation gift in 2003 from my best friend. Karamel was my second pet bunny and she was back in the states being taken care of by my grandparents. My grandfather called her his livestock and my great-grandmother couldn't remember her name so it was always Esmeralda. She was a really great pet and became very socialable because I would hold her ever day, even take her for "walks". When I had to go to college and then move to Japan she had to stay home, but I built her a bigger cage by my grandfather's workshop. I loved her a lot and am very sad she is gone.
Here are some pictures of her.

My job... again

I hate telling you all about my job because it keeps changing. The nurse came back yesterday, but doesn't want to work full time. She only wants 4 hours a day instead of six. The principal asked me if I wanted to work the 2 hours in the morning and I said yes. He looked into it more and said if I wanted to work a half day as a substitute, I would have to work 4 hours so he is trying to find someplace to put me. I thought I may get to work in the library, but the librarian said she didn't need any help. Now they are trying to find a new place to put me, maybe in the office or helping out a little in the classroom. Who knows what will happen. I'm still waiting.

A little update

I know, I haven't posted the pictures yet. I've been a little busy lately, but I can hopefully get them up by Monday or Tuesday.
So, I just wanted to let you all know how my job is going. Today is supposed to be my last day. Key word: supposed to. The regular school nurse is still at home with her baby and is trying to discover if the "babysitter" is compatible with her son. This, of course, means that I could be here a little while longer. She should be contacting the principal today and may submit a request for more time off, which means I'll still be here.
If she does come back on Monday, I will still need to come in for at least the first two days of next week to make sure she is up-to-date on everything that has changed since she left. Like the boy who twisted his ankle on my watch and is now using the school's wheelchair. That definitely makes me feel guilty. Not like I pushed him over or anything, but it is a long story.
Not much more to say about the job.
Danny and I are still waiting to hear if his leave will be approved for May. He said he was supposed to know this week, but here is Friday and the only thing I know is that he had to resubmit his leave papers. Danny told me it is looking good, but nothing is for sure until we are on that plane. Even then...
Our tickets were supposed to be paid-in-full by today, but I called the travel agency yesterday and they gave us until the 31st. They said if we need longer we can call again, but they don't know if they'll be able to give us more time or not. Hopefully I can make a deal with them. I really like the agency though and I know they have an office in Seattle, so if we ever come back to Japan in the future I know who I am going through. (They are a Japanese & American company with offices all over both countries.) If anyone is interested, they are called IACE.
I think that is enough for now. We'll keep in touch.

Ideas?

I have two final lessons with a student of mine before she moves away. The last two lessons we have been working out of a work book and I am afraid it is getting a little boring. I want to make the last two, especially the last one, a great one. I know most of you have little, if any, experience teaching esl students, but I want to know if you have any ideas. I am kinda dead in the water and need some ideas to get me moving in one direction or the other. Thanks for your help everyone.

How to use Blogger

I know all of you aren't familiar with how to use blogger or just aren't very technologically gifted :), so I wanted to help by posting a how to for Blogger. I hope this helps.

How to use Blogger…

1. You don’t need an account to read or post comments on our blog. Each is different. I’ve decided to make it available to all family and friends, but also control the right to delete comments or access to anyone.

2. Blogger automatically shows the last five posts on the main page. If you wish to see previous ones, please look at the “blog archive” on the right side. The black triangles will expand or compress a list of all the blogs for that month. If you click on a post, that post will open in the same page as well as comments left by readers. To go back to the main page, click on the title of the blog on the top; “Dan and Lori’s Adventures in Japan”.

3. To leave a comment, go to the bottom of the blog you want to comment on. There is a bar that says “Created by.. (either dlkjapan or kiitana) at (time in military format and Japan time)”. Then you will see a little speech bubble and the number of replies that post has gotten. Clicking either will take you to the page to leave comments.
The leave a comment page is fairly straight forward. Write your comment in the big box. Below that you can choose if you comment with your Blogger account – if you have one - , as other – which will let you put in your name or alias - or as anonymous. Then choose publish or preview. Preview will show you what other readers will see once you publish the comment. Once you are finished, choose publish. You’re done! I should get a message to my email that someone has left a comment.

4 To read comments, click the text that says the number of replies and the comments will be in a new page. This is the same place you leave comments.

5. If you have any more questions please feel free to ask. I will post a “how to…” do that as well.

6. If you want to contact us but don’t want to leave a public message, I will create a link that will allow you to send us an email.
UPDATE: tried to do that but couldn't. You can click here: Email us

Funny quote

This is just one of those things that people say that are really dumb. I got the quote from a story on the king5 news website.
"I don't like to blame a lot of stuff on weather. We get weather around here all the time."
Yes, we do get weather all the time. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can't escape it!
Nothing beats the all-time best forecast I've ever heard -- light, followed by dark, followed by light again. Can't got wrong there. Who said meteorologists can't be accurate?

Our weekend

Danny and I had a great weekend. On saturday we went to the Tokyo tower and took lots of pictures. I will include the story and the pictures all in one post. There really isn't a whole lot to say, but the pictures say it all.
Yesterday (Sunday) we did our regular church thing then I had choir practice later (I am singing in the Easter choir- Danny won't be here..) After that we decided to drive to Yokota. I didn't have Sierra's number and the computers in information weren't working. Amazingly we found their tower and their apartment without any trouble. (PS. Hi Sierra, I know you are reading!) We hung out at their place for a while then drove over to the Subway to get something to eat on the road. At this point it was almost 8 and we had a two hour drive back! Danny has to get up at 430 am. We wanted to stay longer, but we just didn't have the time. Next time we'll go up on a Saturday so we have more time. But now I have Sierra's number so we don't just drop in. Our decisions to drive up there always seem so last minute.
Hehehe, I got to try the Wii for the first time too. That was fun!
Usually when we are driving home we can't figure out which exit off the expressway to take, but this time we got the right one and it only took up 5 minutes to get home once we got off, rather that 20 or more. I was so happy I just about threw a party in the car.
Okay, so maybe not an insanely exciting weekend, but it was great for us.
Pictures to come later...
I have a lesson today and since Danny is home I don't want to spend my time sitting at the computer, it may take a while.

Oh, I forgot to mention something I found very funny. Danny bought a drill at the BXtra yesterday. When we got home he said he was a real man becuase he had bought his first powertool. Too funny - I had to share it!

Garden

Here is my garden. I know its not great, but I am not landscape architect. Trust me, it is better than what was there before (grass).

I Love Egg

I know its Korean, but still incredibly cute and irresistible. Does it make you wanna go eat an egg?
I Love Egg song
Oh, here is the Korean version: Korean I Love Egg song

Japanese train

Every wondered what it is like when we ride the train? Some wonderful, brave people have already recorded it for me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-hmSvZM3So
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXmOdy0aM4c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySnL9Mcv1-8

Things you may never have learned about Japan

I hope to make this a reoccurring topic with things you may never have learned unless I told you!

*Every half hour, nice music followed by a message reminding you that bike riding, golf, baseball, and other activities are forbidden in the park and that you must remove your own garbage and clean up after your dog is played in both Japanese and English. (This is in Negishi Shinrin Koen)

*Small trucks will drive slowly through residential neighborhoods with loud speakers that play a recorded message of someone talking or singing. I believe these are related to political candidates and issues.

*Some garbage trucks will play nice music while they're doing their rounds.

If you want to know anything else about Japan, please leave me a message.
(I feel like I should be writing a syndicated newspaper article!)

That Japanese wind

The weather is crazy! We have wind gusts tonight up to 33 mph. My poor plants... You might have to wait longer to get a picture 'cause I may have no garden left in the morning. All my soil is blowing away!
The wind makes the house shake sometimes. Please pray our house doesn't fall over!

UPDATE 9PM: If it doesn't stop out there, and it doesn't sound like it is going to, the Navy will be able to anchor their ships in our yard and my garden will float away. I know, I can't stop thinking about my poor garden. Where its positioned, it gets the water pouring off the roof of the house. I guess I'll be busy tomorrow fixing it.
We've seen a little lightening and the television service keeps going out. Suppose that is a clue I should go to bed!

UPDATE TUESDAY MORNING: It made it! I was sure that I would go outside this morning and see a large pond next to our house. If I would have, I think I might have put some koi in it! Some of the plants fell over and the soil had shifted, but it made it fairly well. I found one litte petunia laying in the grass. All I can say is that although they seemed bent over because of the wind yesterday, the daffodils really liked the rain. In fact, one of them bloomed! Maybe with all this rain, the plants will grow faster- I wish! It is bright and sunny today and hopefully my plants will pop back up.
Well, I am sure you are all tired about hearing about my garden...

Garden

I've had all this gardening stuff (soil, plants, fertilizer, etc.) sitting on our porch for at least a month. I found some grass and weed killer at the Japanese home store and sprayed it. It took me over two weeks to get the grass out. Finally yesterday after church I got to dedicate my whole afternoon to it. I pulled out the last of the grass, layed down the plastic-like stuff that keeps weeds from growing up into your garden, dumped out the soil and planted my flowers. It took me four hours, but I really enjoyed it. My butt was sore from sitting on the ground all day. :) Despite that... it was about 65 yesterday with a light breeze and perfect for gardening. I forgot how much I missed it.
Today it is very windy and supposed to rain so I am glad it is done. I just hope my poor little plants don't take too much of a beating. I can't post a picture yet because Danny has to see it in person first. So, once I do you'll know he has!
Anyone want me to do their garden? Give me the supplies and I'll be happy to, but if you win yard of the month (in Negishi) I am taking credit for it!

News

Here it is. It isn't final. Danny and I are still planning on traveling to the states soon. It may or may not happen. Here's why.
Only so many people from the ship can be out of the country at one time. During the period Danny will take leave, there are schools going on in the states. They haven't decided for sure who is going so our chance to leave Japan is up in the air. That being said...
I went to the travel agency office today and bought some awesomely affordable tickets back to Seattle from May 4th to May 16th. I have the times, but that isn't important right now. I just wanted to let you all know what is going on. Hopefully it works out. We haven't been home in a while and would like to see everyone. I will keep you updated on how it is working out on our end and you can let me know when you want to see me (this is mostly referring to my friends)

Wow

I saw this picture when I was checking local Seattle news and all I can say is "holy cow!"















I know most of you have seen it because it in on the news there, but I am so amazed by it (and I barely missed something similar about a year ago north of Marysville) that I had to post it on here for other people to see. This is what happens when people don't know how to drive properly in the snow. It is just a miracle that no one was killed.
Washington surely is being slammed with bad weather this year. Hopefully this is the end of it. If it continues next year, the DOT is going to have to change how they do things...
I feel bad for those kids who don't get out of school until the end of June.

Repair

Does anyone know of a place in the states where I can send a camera that needs to be repaired? I'm having a hard time finding a place that will accept mailing to/from an FPO address.
Any help will be greatly appreciated!