Tokyo

Little Buddhas. Maya said they are for babies that have died. And they get dressed by a family who has lost a baby.




Shrine outside of Tokyo Tower




Really Pretty at night.




Our view down! Were were about halfway up - not all the way at the top - didn't feel like spending $24 for that.... Maya was tentative to stand on it! It was pretty intense. After this picture was taken, several Japanese school girls came up to us and stood in front of us. Finally one of them said "HELLO!" They were dying to practice their English! I was the first person they'd spoken to in English (outside their classroom). Yeah, I'm pretty popular.... ;)



Me and the Tower - whilst I act very Japanese and do the Peace-Sign for my picture.





Maya and I in front of the tower at night.



Last Thursday, Dave was flying until 10pm. So I arranged to take the train to Tokyo and meet the friend of a family friend - who is now my friend. Maya met me outside of the central gate at Kamata, about 1.5 hours from my home station, Zama. We had lunch - and talked for two hours! Well, there was a lot of drawing, spelling, looking up of words, in order to get around out language barrier. I taught her some new English, and she expanded my vocabulary of Japanese. We took the train to Downtown Tokyo, and walked around the Imperial Palace Gardens. Then we took the train to farther in to town and walked to Tokyo Tower. It is a model of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. We spent almost 6 hours together. It was a really wonderful afternoon evening. Maya is so friendly and warm. I already feel like I have known her for a long time. She and I are both looking forward to meeting up again soon.

Side note: I was very close to getting shoved in to the train by the men with pushing sticks... In case you haven't heard, rush hour in Tokyo is crazy. There are men stationed at each door to the car, usually with big sticks. They use the sticks to push passengers in to the train to make sure every car it to it's capacity. There are also Women Only cars because there are some perverts that enjoy being shoved so close to women and therefore grow wondering hands... As a result, most men use both hands to hold on to the rails so they cannot be accused of wondering hands.

My first English class

While in Japan, most wives teach English to Japanese students. Students can be anywhere from 3years old to 70 years old! Last Wednesday and this Wednesday I am subbing for one of the wives in my squadron for two of her classes. The first class is an hour and a half with a lead teacher and 6 women, aging 35-65. It is a beginner's class. It impresses me sooo much that they are looking to learn English! I got paid 4000 Yen ($40) to read aloud conversations from a book, and then practice it with each student, as well as asking what they did over their weekend. They are such sweet women, and think I'm very posh and a big gift to them. I had sooo much fun.

The second class is with Asami-san. He is about 45 years old and has been to America many times and goes to New York at least once a year. We talk for an hour about anything and everything. Last week, we talked about where I have lived, the Somali Pirate issue, Japan's emperor and his succession. And then he paid me 5000Yen ($50). What! Easiest money I've ever made.

Since we've been here, we feel like we've been hemorrhaging money. Between fronting money to pay for living in the Navy Lodge, fronting money to move in to Casa Jardin Room C... And then whenever we eat out, we have to withdraw Yen. Oiy, our bank cards are still steaming from all this use! So having classes that bring in Yen helps us from withdrawing from our own account. Living out on the economy we will be using more Yen than Dollars. For instance, last night I went to the Fish Store to pick up some salmon and lemons and a few fresh veggies. No cards accepted, so I had to fish through my yen purse and pray I had 1340 Yen ($13.40), which I did. Plus, the Yen is stronger than the dollar currently so every 5000Yen I earn, is saving us $3.

Just a list

A list of random things:
1. I almost died today driving Dave to work because someone came speeding around a blind corner on a sharp hill. And with pedestrians on either side the road is even more narrow. We all slammed our brakes and there was much "gomenasai" - "I'm sorry" or "I'm sorry, here's some money, don't be upset with me." Unfortunately, no money was involved, only across-the-street-bowing-while-in-the-car.

2. I discovered the "Fish Store" - so named for the Swordfish on the front, as it's Japanese name is not known to us "gaijin" - foreigners - does not accept cards - only cash. So i was forced to count out all my change... at least I had enough!

3. The chances are, if you need something on base, that location will be closed for an undisclosed reason/no reason. Hence why it's been a week and we still have no TV.

4 It will be very hard to go back to the states after being here for only 8 months! When we were setting up our internet: a) the English speaker called me at 8pm on a Thursday and b) was generally sorry to have to charge a cancellation fee if necessary. Genuinely sorry! For a $36 fee! In the states it would be $75-$100 and they would openly hope you'd be charged it...

5. I have learned the Zama Zag well enough to veer off it's narrow path, in an attempt to find alternate routes.

6. The girl who works at the front desk of the Navy Lodge was so excited to see me today. It made me feel very special. She asked for my phone number - awe :)

7. I really miss Sliderboo-san. He would have scared everyone here, but he always means well...

8. I CANNOT WAIT TO HAVE MY OWN COUCH AGAIN! This stick furniture sucks hardcore.

9. NPR Podcasts have saved my sanity. I have subscribed to Talk of the Nation, The Diane Rehms Show, Car Talk, and Wait Wait Don't Tell Me. And the 5minute news of the day (the one that's played at the top of every hour). The only bummer is that Morning Edition and All Things Considered don't have podcasts - boo. But I realized last night that I can listen to Morning Edition while I cook dinner! Which is kind of like listening to All Things Considered while cooking, like i did in VA.

le sigh. How i love NPR. (Dave will laugh at me for this...)

Fuji Safari!

Last weekend, Dave and I drove to a place called Fuji-Safari! It was the most awesome place I've ever been! It was like a Jurassic Park, except no dinosaurs. That's about the only thing this place was missing, though! It is located at the base of Mt. Fuji, about 45 km away, but 2 hours by car due to traffic. We drove our car through the park, taking time to stop for pictures. Then we were able to park and do a petting-zoo type of experience. The interesting thing, apart from the fact that I was three feet from a full grown lion, was that there was also a House of Cats and a House of Dogs. It wasn't like the zoos in the states where house of cats means lions, cheetahs, and panthers. No, this was a house. Like a cottage. It was full of cats. Like house cats. Except each breed of house cat was labeled. The house had about 20 cats just hanging out. For 500Yen, or roughly $5, one can spend as much time as you'd like just hanging out with these house cats. The sad part was, they were so bombarded with human affection all the time that it no longer phased them. And they were super skinny. So between their lank bodies and their hatred of humans, I was thoroughly depressed after entering.

Casa Jardin, Room C: The New Abode,

Well Dave and I finally moved in to our "permanent" residence...at least for the next 7 months. After another trip or two to Ikea (pronounced E-kay-ah japan) and it will feel more complete. Oh and our House Hold Goods (HHG) shipment with all of our furniture will help too. Right now we are living on "stick furniture," furniture that is loaned to us from the military. It is like rejected dental office furniture.


Our drive to base takes anywhere between 12 and 30 minutes. Dave and I are learning the "Zama Zag," a complex route of twists and turns that bypasses most of the congested areas. Dave and I believe that driving in Japan is like driving through Arlington or Tyson's corner. It took me 2 hours to go 7 km yesterday! UGH.


The Downstairs:

Our entry way. We have tot ake off our shoes before we come into the house. The cabinets in this room are for your shoes! Dave and I had to purchase 'house shoes', basically slippers. Mine are pink booties, fuzzy on the inside. I enjoy them.




The Dining Room... not very exciting. YET!




Kitchen. It has the most ginormous sink i've ever seen!!! lacking in counter space... and the stove's "low" setting isn't very low... i foresee many burned meals....:-/ Also, notice how high the cabinets are!??! Most Japanese people are shorter than I am... I am pretty sure that they builders/installers had their measurements off by 6-12 inches... I have to get a stool to reach the top shelves!




The living room. Very large... i'm hoping it's smaller when we have our furniture in here. I have big Ikea plans for this room....




This is the living room before stick furniture. You couldn't see the windows in thr front in the other shot. I won't ever need to have lights on during the day because these windows let in so much light! Woot for natural light!

The Upstairs:


Bathroom. Negative counter space. Washer and "Dryer"... the Japanese only have washers.. the washers have an "air fluff" cycle. And then they put them outside to dry. The Dryer barely works. It would probably take me two hours to dry a single pair of jeans... blah. Hence air drying them makes more sense and a better use of resources and electricity.




Shower room!!! With severe water pressure to the point that if the shower head falls off the wall it will twist like a snake. It's like something from a movie. It happened to me yesterday.



Our bedroom. Behind the curtains is our balcony. It's beautious.


The Outdoors:



Our play area. For grilling, hanging out, and for Bryce (next door neighbor's 3 year old son) to play in.

Dental Woes

Part of the Overseas Screening process for me to come to Japan was a dental review. In this review, the dentist said I have two small cavities, but i could get them filled here before I leave, or there, when I arrive. Me, wanting to join Dave in Japan as soon as possible, opted for getting them filled here in Japan.

And then this week happened.

1) One of Dave's squadron-mates went in for a filling last week. This week, his upper right molar tooth that was filled had been hurting him. So he went back in to have it looked at. The technicians thought he'd had his *lower left* molar worked on, according to their records. So he wasn't about to let them touch his mouth since they couldn't even agree on which tooth had been filled.

2) A similar situation to the above: a different one of Dave's squadron-mates had work done last week. He was in so much pain post filling/rootcanal/whatever that he was med-down and unable to fly all of this week. Then last night, I got an email saying he'd been rushed to Yokuska Naval Hospital to have emergency surgery preformed - a direct result from his dental work last week.

So by now you all probably realize my hesitation in going to have my teeth filled. They aren't hurting me at all, it would have been more of a preventative action, take care of them before they get bad. However, now I am worried! I have heard other Navy dental horror stories - Sarah's boyfriend was a prime example: routine wisdom teeth removal gone sorely wrong to the point he'd lost some feeling in his tongue.

Today's poll should be no surprise. Should I:
A) Take the chance and get them filled here,
B) Wait 7 months and get it filled as soon as I return to the states,
C) Wait and see if they get worse, and then get them filled here

Lots going on today!

1) Happy birthday, Diane! My big sister's birthday is today! I wish I could be there to celebrate with you and allllll of your boys. Enjoy a good bottle of wine for me!

2) I am going to the housing office in 10 minutes to find out when we can move in to Casa Jardin Room C! Maybe as soon as tomorrow! YESSSSSSSS!

3) Laura and I are taking a trip to Ikea today, also VERY exciting. Dave is believing that the size of our car will prevent us from buying much... He obviously hasn't been to Ikea often, because then he would know how well they pack things so that it's easy to fit into a small car!

4) We are petsitting/house-sitting for our friends, the Smiths, this weekend. They have a small rat-terrier-mix dog, Stella, who is very adorable. We are looking forward to: a dog, an oven, a bed, no house keepers waking us up....!

5) I made pancakes this morning and managed NOT to burn them! Small victories.

6) Dave and I got to talk to his parents this morning. We are SOOOOOO excited for them to visit!!!! :) :) :)

7) I took lots of photos of sukura (cherry blossoms) yesterday, as today or tomorrow will be the last days of the famous flowers. Unfortunately, due to the afore-posted technology hangups, the photos are on dave's computer, which cannot connect to the internet for an unknown reason.

All for now!

Noritake China

This week, in the midst of Badman Week, we had a spouse's meeting at Noritake China! Woot! We arrived an hour early to browse and shop. Then we had lunch, which was very good. Most of us got the "mystery plate," knowing only that it had meat, and shrimp. (It ended up being small portions of different things, all on one plate.)



Michelle, Noriko's daughter, 18months, soooo cute. She's being obstinate here, not smiling at me.



Our group!



Tea set that laura and I were in love with. But we decided not to get it because we bought so many other things.



I did buy a set of china. 8place settings for $275. A very good deal. This was not the pattern I bought, but I liked it. But knew dave wouldn't because it's too pink. This set was also full price, and the set I bought was on clearance, booya!



This is where we shopped till we dropped :)

From two weeks ago....

Two weeks ago, Tyler, Laura, Kelly, Glenn, Dave and I all adventured out to find OK Yakitori - in American, we call it Meat-on-a-Stick. Very technical.


The Boys at the train station. After some Chu-Hi's we took a cab from base to the train station.


Taking the Train. I was the only one aware this photo was being taken.



Our collection of sticks.

Luckily, the restaurant had someone who spoke very good english, and he was able to tell us what the menu selections were. As usual in Japan, the menu is full of pictures. But our waiter was able to actually tell us what part of chicken was pictured.

Things we learned:
1. I'm not a fan of chicken neck.
2. Chicken heart isn't so bad, once Glenn stops telling you it's still beating.
3. Anything wrapped in bacon is delish.
4. Dave likes liver. Annie doesn't.



Tyler and Laura



Bollywood and I.

Oh, Technology...

Technology is a wonderful thing. Except when it doesn't work right. Then it's an undwonderful thing. Here's my example.

So Dave and I, in February, decide we will help stimulate the economy by purchasing a semi-high-end camera, the glorious Nikon d80. After being here for about 5 days, it is apparent we will also need some kind of editing software (And filters, and wide angle lens.......!) So I manage to purchase Photoshop Elements 7 off of Amazon (which in and of itself was a feat because apparently most Amazon sellers won't ship to APO/FPO...).

So, now we've got this awesome camera, and awesome software to go with it. Enter technology.

My computer doesn't have enough RAM for the Photoshop. So we've gotta put it on Dave's computer. The problem here is that I've downloaded all the photos we've taken on to my compuer. All the photos are on one computer, and the editing software on the other. Bah. The other issue with Photoshop being on Dave's computer is that his screen is on the way out and has yellow, pink, blue and green lines running down it. Only about 12, but still. When editing photos, trying to gauge the photo is difficult with yellow lines.

Dave's soluition to Technology: System Mechanic Professional. This little program is supposed to make your computer run like new again, in the mystical way that it should. So if we get my computer running like new again, maybe we can ignore the fact my computer is .01RAM short and still put Elements on my computer, with all said photos. We decide to run this program on Dave's computer first. But wait! Dave's computer has decided it no longer wants to connect to the internet! After 2 hours of trying different avenues to make this work, we give up and run the Super System on my computer.

Last night, I went to open Microsoft Word. And now I need that 18 letter-digit code to use Word.

Which is in the pack out.

Which will get here mid-May.

Thank you, Technology, for making my life so much easier.

Badman Week

The best way to describe Badman week is to compare it to Greek Week in college. All the squardons compete against each other in events such as softball, dodgeball, and basketball. Each event has a point value and there will be a overall winner at the end of the week. The week is closed out with the Badman Ball on Saturday. Sound familiar, greeks?

Pictures to follow.

Cherry Blossom Festival

On Saturday, Atsugi hosted a Cherry Blossom Festival - unfortunately, the blossoms were not blossoming. But luckily there were pilots and planes to keep the Japanese entertained. It is the one day each year that the base is open to the public. We had about 30,000 people on base. All of the aircraft and squadrons were set up on the flight line. Our squadron sold about $15,000 of memorabilia. It was cold and blustery day, very un-spring like. The most surprising thing was the line for pizza. The on-base pizza restaurant set up several ovens outside, and had a line 500+ people deep. For the Japanese, it's a luxury, as is Dunkin' Donuts. Japanese were walking around with boxes upon boxes of pizza and doughnuts.

Dave, as he new guy, had the first shift at the plane. He dressed in full flight gear, stood by the plane, was photographed and signed autographs. He was like a movie star It earned him a new call sign: Bollywood. Hollywood would be too cool, and since he his a foreign superstar, he's Bollywood. He's enjoying it, but believes it's an interim call sign.