tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59021267842209031552024-03-05T02:43:16.278-08:00Konichiwa, Iwakuni!Hello, Iwakuni! My life in Japan.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15186838286658668036noreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5902126784220903155.post-48628131175655880292014-01-30T19:21:00.001-08:002014-01-30T19:21:25.150-08:00Sayonara, Iwakuni!A quick run-down of our three years in Japan:<br />
<br />
The Bad:<br />
<ul>
<li> A combination tsunami-earthquake-nuclear disaster leak during my husband's first deployment away. </li>
<li>Living in an industrial/farming town surrounded by chemical factories, paper product factories, and a crematorium. </li>
<li>The lack of non-Japanese food in the area. A girl wants soup, salad, or a sandwich once in a while!</li>
<li>Medical care: Who decided to send families to a base where there is no hospital? </li>
<li>The lack of people who shared our demographic: northern, college educated, married, no kids.</li>
<li>The expense! We arrived in Japan when the yen rate was somewhere around 75 yen per dollar. This is on top of Japan just being expensive in general. Trains, planes, and highway access are outrageously expensive. This was awful because I'm painfully thrifty even when I have money!</li>
<li>We alone kept Amazon.com in business because of my addiction to Amazon Prime and need for American goods. The frustration from comparison shopping and, upon checkout, discovering an item will not ship may warrant it's own post.</li>
</ul>
<div>
The Good:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>We had a healthy, beautiful pregnancy and birth of our baby girl on the island of Okinawa. We waited six long weeks for her in tropical paradise!</li>
<li>Australia: I visited Joe in Australia for a few weeks and had the opportunity to pet koalas and kangaroos, stay on a dive boat and scuba dive on the Great Barrier Reef, check out Australian racing, and meet interesting RAF officers.</li>
<li>Philippines: I visited my friend Shea in the Philippines where she was teaching with the Peace Corps and experienced unparalleled hospitality and kindness! I also got a reality check on how people live in other countries without the luxuries we often take for granted. We swam with the whale sharks, saw the world's most perfect volcano, hiked a mountain and camped on top in a rainstorm with wild cows and Norwegian missionaries, helped out at a summer camp for kids, and ate delicious and fresh food!</li>
<li>Tokyo: We saw met up with our friend Liam to see the nightlife and stayed up until we got to see the fishermen unloading their giant tunas at Tsukiji Fish Market, frolicked around Disneyland Tokyo with my Minnie Mouse ears, stayed at the New Sanno, dined at an Alice in Wonderland-themed restaurant, shopped in Harajuku, crossed the street at Shibuya Station, and saw the Hachi dog statue.</li>
<li>Kyoto/Nara: We had a chance during the fall colors to take our little girl to see the Kyoto Imperial Palace, Nijo Castle, the Golden Pavilion, Kitano-Tenmangu Shrine, the giant buddha (toddlers can crawl through his nostril), and see the beautiful Kasuga Taisha lanterns at twilight. We even received a favorable fortune while at the shrine.</li>
<li>Cambodia: At about 2/3rds of the way through my pregnancy, we decided to go exploring Cambodia and Thailand! I felt like a pregnant Indiana Jones for the first adventurous week in Angkor Wat, and then sick as a dog for the remainder of our supposedly relaxing trip at a resort on the beach on Koh Samui in Thailand. </li>
<li>Guam: I loved the two short trips I made to Guam to visit Joe. The weather was warm, the water was perfect, and the people were friendly. The food was recognizable and comforting, the language was usually English, the shopping was cheap and life was good. Did I mention Joe stayed in nice hotels?</li>
<li>Fukuoka: We really liked checking out our first-and-only sumo wrestling match. We had the crackview of the tournament and had to resist laughing like maniacs the entire time. We ordered food up to our eyeballs when we went to the Hard Rock Cafe and saw the American food on the menu.</li>
<li>Okinawa: On our first trip, we got our dive certifications, saw some wonderful friends from our last duty station, and enjoyed walking on the sea wall. On our last trip, we went to the amazing aquarium to see the ocean life, saw great friends, and I forced myself to walk on the sea wall to bring on labor!</li>
<li>Working as a Readiness and Deployment Support Trainer in Iwakuni taught me that I could present information to groups of hundreds of Marines! What do I have to be intimidated by now?</li>
<li>THE FOOD. Nice Japanese restaurants have the most intricate menus with many tiny portions of beautiful and often delicious food. The cheap comfort food featured fried and carb-heavy noodle dishes.</li>
<li>Safety. Japanese people are outrageously polite and kind. People joke that you only need to lock your car doors on base because no one in town would even think of going in your car except to roll up your windows in the rain or turn off your headlights. I would routinely take my dog for walks at night and never encountered anything suspicious except an embarrassed drunk man urinating in a parking lot's grassy area once. </li>
<li>The relationships. The framily we built in Japan is amazing. I hope our relationships last forever and I know our paths will cross again. </li>
</ul>
<div>
As they say, it's not over 'til it's over! Right now we are waiting for Joe to finish work in Thailand and then hop on a plane to return to the USA! Say a little prayer for us that everything goes smoothly and the next chapter of our life comes quickly! </div>
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Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15186838286658668036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5902126784220903155.post-46150357087135383982013-10-05T20:13:00.002-07:002013-10-05T20:39:46.114-07:00Grandpa's Service Record<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Living here in Japan has made me very curious about my grandfather's experience during WWII. I'd seen pictures of him in his handsome Marine Corps uniform, but he never talked about his experiences. My grandpa passed away years ago, but he remains one of my most favorite and most influential people that I've ever met. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQIMkiY4v-yfqPdanedwR5BGJz8q3C-gh1nwpr1-T-UnpuCULC_mYqdIqTS4o4mptwFy8Umgm9kQn9xnGmemWG44BWfLjswsLM62Y1SaAInoGLJnPR_qVMZitb703L2p_QzGeMrQIesX0/s1600/010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQIMkiY4v-yfqPdanedwR5BGJz8q3C-gh1nwpr1-T-UnpuCULC_mYqdIqTS4o4mptwFy8Umgm9kQn9xnGmemWG44BWfLjswsLM62Y1SaAInoGLJnPR_qVMZitb703L2p_QzGeMrQIesX0/s640/010.jpg" width="456" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My aunt recently sent me his service record and my husband (a Marine) helped me decipher what the acronyms and shorthand meant. He was only 17 years old when he enlisted in the Marine Corps, but told the recruiter that he was 21. I can only imagine that the recruiter needed more men and didn't ask any more questions (note that he was included in the <b>82nd</b> replacement draft).</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrGeO9OXWFc515tZTkAijjs1w4a9TUPpT5fDRZquvAh5JSGt5aGk0xDxmQIZF0ej213pcT_P8_AO3-8TCpwrpWL9_6ZdODtpbhOLVMKjiJ8zWaagjXsPDjGqqKR2uSF8YWapYg3vEi4UU/s1600/Grandpa's+Service+Record.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrGeO9OXWFc515tZTkAijjs1w4a9TUPpT5fDRZquvAh5JSGt5aGk0xDxmQIZF0ej213pcT_P8_AO3-8TCpwrpWL9_6ZdODtpbhOLVMKjiJ8zWaagjXsPDjGqqKR2uSF8YWapYg3vEi4UU/s320/Grandpa's+Service+Record.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This is what I've been able to glean from the service record: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Robert J. Wolfe enlisted on 16 May 1945 and went to boot camp just three days later on 9 May 1945 as part of the 82nd Replacement Draft. On 4 October 1945, he joined the 89th Draft, Marine Training Command, Command Post, possibly after graduating and spending time at the HQ element waiting to leave.<br /><br />The entry for 5 December 1945 is illegible, but I assume it was more training for his deployment.<br /><br />On 21 Mar 1946, he joined <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2nd_Battalion_6th_Marines" target="_blank">2/6</a> (Golf Co, 2nd Bat, 6th Marines, 2nd Marine Div) with responsibility for general duty. Wikipedia reports,"Following the end of the war, 2/6 landed at Nagasaki to take part in the Occupation of Japan from September 1945 until July 1946." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Before 2/6 returned to the states, my grandpa joined <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1st_Battalion_4th_Marines" target="_blank">1/4</a> again on general duty on 19 June 1946 (Charlie Co, 1st Bat, 4th Marines) and went to China. From the <a href="http://www.1stmardiv.marines.mil/About/History.aspx" target="_blank">official history page </a>of 1/4, "Three weeks after Japan surrendered, the Division was dispatched to
North China for occupation duty. While in China, the Division had
numerous encounters with the Chinese Communists." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">On 12 July 1946, he was transferred to the HQ company of 1/4 and was a radio man. Just a month later, on 13 August 1946, he transferred to Weapons Co in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1st_Battalion_7th_Marines" target="_blank">1/7 </a>(7th Marines, 1st Marine Division) and was responsible for communication security, possibly working with cryptographic keys.<br /><br />By 11 Feb 1947, he returned to 2/6 on general duty (2nd Bat, 6th Marines, 3rd brigade) and on 3 March 1947, he joined 1/6 as a rifleman, an infantry position. On 1 October 1947, he joined Bravo Co, at a command post, still as a rifleman. He returned to San Diego soon after. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">At some point in his time with the Marine Corps, he received a court martial </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="null">for being AWOL for 4 days and 16 hours! I'm assuming it was while in China because I read there was a lot of misbehavior during the occupation. Check out the Wikipedia entry for the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China_Marine_%28memoir%29" target="_blank">book</a> <u>China Marine</u> by EB Sledge or the group known as "China Marines". The dates match for a time of insubordination and high stress.</span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />The next entry is unclear. On 17 November 1947, he was assigned to an unknown position at the Marine Barracks at the Naval Training Center in Great Lakes, IL, possibly doing recruit training. He changed his principal duty with the NTC on 1 Dec 1947.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It appears that he had another major change on 24 July 1948 by being assigned to the famous <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marine_Barracks,_Washington,_D.C." target="_blank">8th & I</a> Barracks Detachment in Washington, D.C. Soon after his move, on 1 August 1948, he was promoted to Corporal Wolfe in the Marine Corps Instructor Detachment. On 15 May 1949, he was discharged from the Marine Corps with four years of service.<br /><br />After his time in the service, he moved to Detroit, Michigan and started a family with my beautiful grandma and had five children, one of them being my mother.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Where's Aunt Emily?</span></td></tr>
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<br />Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15186838286658668036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5902126784220903155.post-42381953835725830702013-09-10T05:30:00.002-07:002013-09-10T05:37:24.091-07:00Iwakuni to Detroit: Traveling Internationally with a Three-Month-Old Baby<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miri's Travel Outfit</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The time had come. Our hearts
were breaking that our little bitty baby had only met one family member outside
of her mom and dad! Miri is the <b>first grandchild</b> on both sides of the family
and we were excited to pass her around and let her charm everyone with her
sweet coos and smiles.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">But then the anxiety set in.
I was going to voluntarily be <b>THAT WOMAN</b> on the plane with the screeching,
inconsolable child who ruined twelve hours of everyone else's lives trapped on
that plane.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I put those thoughts aside
and decided to think positively because I know Miri is too young for tantrums
and any crying can be resolved through nursing, diaper changes, or being rocked
to sleep. It worked! We had compliments from at least three people about how
well she behaved.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I think a major part of our
"good luck" is my <b>awesome network </b>of experienced mamas offering
advice about how to make the trip as painless as possible. Here is a <b>detailed
list</b> of things I packed, things I wish I'd packed, why I packed them, and how I
packed them.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miri fresh off 24 hours of travel. Joe asked, "How was breakfast?" and Miri replied, "A little plane."</td></tr>
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</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">First step: make
sure you have all the <b>proper documentation</b>. This can take weeks to secure, so make
it the first thing you consider. If you</span> are a military family like us,
apply for your baby’s <b>passport</b> as soon as you are out of the hospital.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Second step: <b>Create a Golden Folder.</b> Our family uses a
folder to organize all passports, leave papers, print-outs of our itinerary,
rental car reservation, hotel reservations, and boarding passes. We keep our
military IDs and driver’s licenses on ourselves. The folder makes it easy for
one person to contain the chaos of baby, baby gear, and luggage while the other
knows where ALL the <b>paperwork</b> is and easily manages it.</div>
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Third step: If you’re <b>breastfeeding</b>, plan ahead. You’ll want
to either pack a pump or set up a rental for when you arrive. I chose the
latter and rented a Medela Symphony through a local Detroit hospital. I packed
all the tubing and flanges, two bottles to pump into, and one bottle nipple. If
you’re not planning on leaving your baby with a sitter, still bring a manual
pump just in case baby has a problem with latch and you are engorged. I was a
huge Boppy user until recently, so pack that if you think it will help with
nursing on the plane. We packed the Boppy as a personal item and it was great just for a place for our baby to nap snuggled up to us.</div>
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<b>These were our essentials.</b> We could get to Michigan and buy
everything else we needed but had these items on hand at all times:</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Passports</li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Military ID</li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Wallets</li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Leave Papers</li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>iPhones & Chargers</li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Daily Medicine (I need to remember to take
thyroid medication daily)</li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Clothes for Traveling (Summer):</b></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Japanese airports and planes tend to be
extremely warm in all seasons, so prepare for that. American airports and
planes are very cold.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> <b>
</b></span></span></span><b>For mom:</b> Black socks (you’ll take off your shoes
at security, yuck), black slip-on shoes (you don’t want to be lacing or zipping
shoes when you have gear to pack at security), yoga pants (ahh), nursing tank
top (easy access, discrete, also counts as a bra), and a colorful cardigan
(also acts as a nursing cover in a pinch). Skip the jewelry or pants with
belts. You have enough to worry about going through security and you don’t need
baby pulling on your jewelry. I started the trip with my hair down but brought
an elastic and clips for when I inevitably became a greasy mess. Black is nice because spit-up or spills don't show.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><b>For baby: </b>The best outfit was a
short-sleeved onesie with footie pants. The footie pants kept her feet warm
(crucial for sleep comfort!) and were easy to whip off to change the diaper in
disgusting airplane/airport bathrooms. I packed a little cardigan too, but
never used it since the weather was warm.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><b>For dad:</b> pants and a shirt. Joe ended up
changing into shorts while in the Japanese airport because it was so warm. Keep
the shorts in your carry-on.</li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>These were our diaper bag essentials</b>, a list I created from
input from my well-traveled friends:</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><b>Large zip-lock bags</b> (4) – I didn’t end up using
a single one, thank goodness! But when diaper blow-outs or vomit happens, you
will not be happy about throwing away that onesie or keeping that stinky thing
in your bag for the remaining 23 hours of traveling.</li>
<li>Sandwich bag full of <b>Clorox wipes</b>. You’ll be
allowed to gate check your stroller and car seat on most flights, but the
Japanese domestic flights forced us to check them as luggage and use an ANA-provided
stroller. I wiped that sucker down using about four Clorox wipes and was
disgusted at how much grime came off. I put Miri in the stroller and still
covered any parts her hands touched with the blanket we brought. These are also
good for cleaning the bassinet if you are lucky enough to get one, or the
stowaway table if the baby will be touching it.<span style="mso-list: Ignore;"></span> </li>
<li><b>Diapers</b> for the length of the trip + emergency stash. I’m a worry
wart so I assumed the worst. I packed diapers to last for 36 hours. I had about
ten in my diaper bag and another ten or so in my carry-on.</li>
<li>Wipes</li>
<li>Disposable <b>changing pads</b> – You’re not going to
want to put your precious baby down on the gross changing tables in the airport
or on the plane. Or maybe you do! And in that case, I don’t want to share that
changing table with you.</li>
<li><b>Pacifiers </b>– Miri usually doesn’t use pacifiers,
but I brought two in plastic baggies to give her just in case. The baggies are
important because you can stow them away again and know they are clean.<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Two <b>changes of clothes for baby</b> – Just in case! I brought
a onesie and a zip-up sleep-and-play outfit so I wouldn’t be hunting for socks
and coordinating items on a dark plane or in a rush at the airport.<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b>Nursing cover</b> – I love my Bebe au Lait nursing
cover. It’s enormous, light, covers everything, and has a little hoop at the
top so I can check the baby’s latch and positioning without flashing everyone.
I actually used it as a little tent on a few flights so Miri could have a dark
place to sleep at the breast.</li>
<li><b>Toy</b> for baby to play with. We have some colorful rings that kept Miri busy. </li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><b>Blanket</b> – Good for everything. If baby is
squirmy and needs tummy time, put it on a carpeted surface at the terminal.
Make sure you and your husband know which side is the floor side so you fold it
gross-side-in each time.<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><b>Energy bars for mom</b> (and dad!) – You might not
be into whatever they are serving on the flight or miss it because you’re
exhausted. Pack some protein bars because a hungry mommy is a VERY CRANKY mommy
in my personal experience.<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>First aid kit – I always have a tiny one in my
diaper bag, but I added baby Tylenol just in case. Friends recommended Benadryl
just in case Miri was inconsolable, but I decided against drugging her for my
fellow passenger’s comfort. Sorry!<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>A pocket for your <b>water bottle</b>. You will be
buying water bottles left and right, especially if you’re a nursing mother. You’re
hydrating for two! Don’t bring your own water bottle. And don’t buy a water
bottle right before going through security (newb!). </li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgchorUuBPxpoHkQg90y43fUJBEHhDMprKBX3Rl42GL3qqT22dV0JaWz-q-2LBGy5nfnqP2T2sHUhD-VQWfFLtgtRw-M8EWc-AoaSJN2VCiFXtqFyCZyK5F6_lmsyk-JlwZ6j0Ct48APsA/s1600/IMG_2929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgchorUuBPxpoHkQg90y43fUJBEHhDMprKBX3Rl42GL3qqT22dV0JaWz-q-2LBGy5nfnqP2T2sHUhD-VQWfFLtgtRw-M8EWc-AoaSJN2VCiFXtqFyCZyK5F6_lmsyk-JlwZ6j0Ct48APsA/s320/IMG_2929.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miri in Tokyo on the way to Iwakuni: "Can't we just get home already?" This is the stroller ANA will lend you.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Getting Baby Around:</b></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>After polling my friends, I couldn’t decide
between just a <b>baby carrier</b> or just my <b>car seat/stroller system</b>. We needed a
car seat for our rental car anyway, so that helped us make up our minds. We
have a Britax B-Safe car seat and B-Agile stroller and an Infantino baby
carrier. We just tucked the carrier under the stroller when not in use. A nice
thing about the stroller is that you can attach all your carry-ons to it.<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>The baby carrier is helpful when you need to
calm the baby down with a soothing bounce. Miri stays so calm in the baby carrier!
Also note that you can go through security wearing the baby in a carrier.<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></li>
<li><b><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Mommy Hoo</b>k – Look it up! I’m so thankful that I
got a Mommy Hook as a baby shower gift. It’s a huge carabiner that you can
easily hook bags on. I brought my Boppy in its plastic case and hung that on
the Mommy Hook whenever we were in the airport.<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>On the advice of a friend, we bought <b>Childress
Gate Check bags</b> on Amazon and they were amazing for saving our gate-checked
stroller and car seat. The bags came back greasy, ripped, and wet, but
everything inside was fine. Make this investment!</li>
<li><b>Umbrella</b> in stroller. As long as you have the
gate check bags, stuff an umbrella in your stroller too. You don’t know what
the weather will be like when you arrive at your destination.</li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<b>Flying out of Iwakuni:</b></div>
<ul>
<li>Ask for a <b>bulkhead row</b> when booking your ticket or at check-in if you would like to use a <b>bassinet</b>. The bassinet was only available on the flight across the ocean for us, but it was a saving grace on my aching back to set Miri down for a nap instead of holding her. </li>
<li>Awesome tip from a friend: <b>parking is free at
the Iwakuni airport!</b> The only catch is that you have to get your parking
validated at the little booth after you go through security if you’ll be away
for more than two weeks.</li>
<li>There is no food available (just drinks at a
vending machine) at the Iwakuni airport after you go through security, and
there is no food on the flight from Iwakuni to Tokyo. Have dinner first or
prepare to eat the protein bars you packed! </li>
</ul>
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><i>What did I miss? What would you add or leave behind? What do you pack for babies or kids of different ages?</i></span></b>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15186838286658668036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5902126784220903155.post-45297210843140383182013-07-05T20:56:00.000-07:002013-07-05T20:56:24.011-07:00Costco Hiroshima!<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">We were so excited </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to find out a Costco was built in Hiroshima! We went out on the first day it was open to check out the store and see how it was different from our beloved Costco back in the states. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was surprised to find out that it was incredibly similar. The layout was the same and the products were similar too. There were a number of special Japanese products but great prices and American products with English labels. It was amazing to shop at a store where we could read!</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The highlight of the trip to Costco, however, was meeting a new friend! I used to attend and work at Lawrence Tech University and had a work-study program as a lab proctor. I worked long hours with some great guys and we would share crazy videos with each other. One of the favorites was "Will it Blend?" where the demonstrator would blend electronics, a broom, just about anything that would fit with this industrial BlendTec blender!</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is similar to one of the phones I had in college: </span></span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/8Sbizs-qAwY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Imagine my surprise when I saw Tom Dickson himself doing a demonstration in our fair city of Hiroshima, Japan! I watched the demonstration and was surprised it was in English. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had a chat with Mr. Dickson after I tried a sample and he was incredibly friendly! He told me to try the blender but I explained that it was a big purchase and I'd have to think about it. The more I thought about it, it seemed like a good idea because it could destroy ice and make baby food really easily. After giving me a sales pitch, we chatted all about Japan and our new baby on the way. Mr. Dickson eventually told me that he would give us a blender!</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We love it and use it all the time now. If you're in the market for a serious blender, I would definitely recommend it! We make smoothies, almond butter, soups, or whatever else sounds good. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are some pictures from our first Costco trip: </span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYNNou2k08LoBYwdBiJUDrNwc8aiL-wIWdgsSRtCDZPqTYo9RAv5LuSoqXFTxz4g4G5GgXw44NCPN2jJa6I8mmnEiWATIb5wPkyIRqYwOKzZLnNNTyQWGdqsa6BZcCAG7KJwUWVE92RRQ/s1600/IMG_1537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYNNou2k08LoBYwdBiJUDrNwc8aiL-wIWdgsSRtCDZPqTYo9RAv5LuSoqXFTxz4g4G5GgXw44NCPN2jJa6I8mmnEiWATIb5wPkyIRqYwOKzZLnNNTyQWGdqsa6BZcCAG7KJwUWVE92RRQ/s400/IMG_1537.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Costco is right next to the baseball stadium in Hiroshima. You can't miss it if you're in the area. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbeqewDZXn24q7uQlH_fgqVoxrAPtpmlcF8iNLiZOXJbERWWKeA52ygOHeIrpITtA1G9n9a0EA0V0dydtwFATcB1ex6-OshnrbUr36jBTDgpdCUYTYKx_wihkUwHql5kpPlpt3M5vghdQ/s1600/IMG_1538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbeqewDZXn24q7uQlH_fgqVoxrAPtpmlcF8iNLiZOXJbERWWKeA52ygOHeIrpITtA1G9n9a0EA0V0dydtwFATcB1ex6-OshnrbUr36jBTDgpdCUYTYKx_wihkUwHql5kpPlpt3M5vghdQ/s400/IMG_1538.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Real estate is at a premium in Japan, so there is a parking garage next to Costco. Parking is about $40 if you don't have a receipt! They have this cool escalator that the shopping carts lock into. Isn't Joe a handsome escalator model?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh72p-5n5LTBLKqaLXm9kMk3HpSN4Oj17CxJE2N7hjeUAk5tfP__qigRt26aTDzTkP8K_ODHmgs64zSY43hfJzy5yE6JT2sOm6Voyi9IuXL_gnYL2xyaab2FE1NxIgu_Uec8JB8uj-i1K4/s1600/IMG_1539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh72p-5n5LTBLKqaLXm9kMk3HpSN4Oj17CxJE2N7hjeUAk5tfP__qigRt26aTDzTkP8K_ODHmgs64zSY43hfJzy5yE6JT2sOm6Voyi9IuXL_gnYL2xyaab2FE1NxIgu_Uec8JB8uj-i1K4/s400/IMG_1539.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The entrance is just like back in the states.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZsQLHdOVxS4oY75IhgwA1xWRPuoc1Wjh247242j9KM6WKuSFUQ8ZC8E7oHbvXgewEvN5u5pqXGOY2TRx205fr3LqRRH2G7UFtvqItSUNwTek8dtqtTfyzcjB9jhxT7ADVmdDYnWxn_0/s1600/IMG_1540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZsQLHdOVxS4oY75IhgwA1xWRPuoc1Wjh247242j9KM6WKuSFUQ8ZC8E7oHbvXgewEvN5u5pqXGOY2TRx205fr3LqRRH2G7UFtvqItSUNwTek8dtqtTfyzcjB9jhxT7ADVmdDYnWxn_0/s640/IMG_1540.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The specials were similar to the states too!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGqPnC49AJBPgkgmrC8_CbtpjQVJ5V8cSKk_xwPX5hy1bCRXuHPF1jG9VC27lmXSRuXE7OoJyKXVB6UsErCssLYwPft-D4WFjQrdDiMiLE944VsvLGaYhtywmaSUmZZNNqAbio_TsvF1M/s1600/IMG_1541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGqPnC49AJBPgkgmrC8_CbtpjQVJ5V8cSKk_xwPX5hy1bCRXuHPF1jG9VC27lmXSRuXE7OoJyKXVB6UsErCssLYwPft-D4WFjQrdDiMiLE944VsvLGaYhtywmaSUmZZNNqAbio_TsvF1M/s400/IMG_1541.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Japanese diapers are great!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG4t7j7k_twpUYRniZFh_wLiLPdL1RyvzgAZ2q_IEgg9gDGhiaNB1fvQpQpr9TyoZi4m_9UxpxchqFeJ-GgLW-_N7JCPO1x2RxFgCrWPK1pMI2F7BCX3J5mJWsli8GdvzbIsbQrdjCEdQ/s1600/IMG_1543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG4t7j7k_twpUYRniZFh_wLiLPdL1RyvzgAZ2q_IEgg9gDGhiaNB1fvQpQpr9TyoZi4m_9UxpxchqFeJ-GgLW-_N7JCPO1x2RxFgCrWPK1pMI2F7BCX3J5mJWsli8GdvzbIsbQrdjCEdQ/s400/IMG_1543.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">EVOO at a great price!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQS1dGgNKkVrRXhjTiYBbHVuqRwOTfUeDQ_k3CNcyEhoTWREuZKBgM3VNMLRNMovIXiuw3TzOwnU73zqCR33U615Exc8wdxQKQmTDSHYrbpvCtZq9p60GbOg9xnhCdbpXybXI8NtypHBQ/s1600/IMG_1544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQS1dGgNKkVrRXhjTiYBbHVuqRwOTfUeDQ_k3CNcyEhoTWREuZKBgM3VNMLRNMovIXiuw3TzOwnU73zqCR33U615Exc8wdxQKQmTDSHYrbpvCtZq9p60GbOg9xnhCdbpXybXI8NtypHBQ/s400/IMG_1544.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I wonder who in Japan has a yard big enough for these outdoor toys?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoc8sigZvVRqIStXZOoqsi1LsPq4zoo3dHjSc6z9BDEtqD-Pwv1JL8X4jvtnYJMxx7ssmAjjgEHehTu8AF-q_gu5XBEMgdPjW5V2VT3Qhv-VXXDzumLJyBi-0TB_ecpbpWLBNdc04YrBA/s1600/IMG_1545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoc8sigZvVRqIStXZOoqsi1LsPq4zoo3dHjSc6z9BDEtqD-Pwv1JL8X4jvtnYJMxx7ssmAjjgEHehTu8AF-q_gu5XBEMgdPjW5V2VT3Qhv-VXXDzumLJyBi-0TB_ecpbpWLBNdc04YrBA/s400/IMG_1545.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh good, a special on octopus! (Eek!)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJc-jB0SQ-MK7H50Zt7Dw5-5F4vVPX-2nHeXL5YpcDiytVq80gyJERP2viMeJZ43Yl_Cc2fhhKj4Ccslu7G2Ttq5oVanN0o5RffdrTLy-QvKzqQDgpuBRHBc1FglAZJL5ahqMJo-Leo0k/s1600/IMG_1548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJc-jB0SQ-MK7H50Zt7Dw5-5F4vVPX-2nHeXL5YpcDiytVq80gyJERP2viMeJZ43Yl_Cc2fhhKj4Ccslu7G2Ttq5oVanN0o5RffdrTLy-QvKzqQDgpuBRHBc1FglAZJL5ahqMJo-Leo0k/s400/IMG_1548.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good prices on detergent.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIxaBGXR5shk2XGfa_4luLxZc03ofctg6br34taQLEm-NvxzktUAysPMoxzwfurMOc0R_ySvZ3mdlkYcRPai1hzsdzx0DSRB2Ostofm4W8HZLxpTmv5kesrjsZHjnwz0JVPvvL4KRfL70/s1600/IMG_1549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIxaBGXR5shk2XGfa_4luLxZc03ofctg6br34taQLEm-NvxzktUAysPMoxzwfurMOc0R_ySvZ3mdlkYcRPai1hzsdzx0DSRB2Ostofm4W8HZLxpTmv5kesrjsZHjnwz0JVPvvL4KRfL70/s400/IMG_1549.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We bought a five pack of lint rollers. This is clearly a necessity with a super furry dog.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD8C30inHxSxmPLrkuLgzB-qXFGCkW7VGMT5e40ho8inmaP9sgSW0yFs6-TlPYlK6jdnlCM5uLp3M67PwszfhdsCm0oHhk2IZFjXKWVhLUuhJTT7gnlCmNB17ImAmgTjevJrt9m_tDmik/s1600/IMG_1551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD8C30inHxSxmPLrkuLgzB-qXFGCkW7VGMT5e40ho8inmaP9sgSW0yFs6-TlPYlK6jdnlCM5uLp3M67PwszfhdsCm0oHhk2IZFjXKWVhLUuhJTT7gnlCmNB17ImAmgTjevJrt9m_tDmik/s400/IMG_1551.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My new friend, Tom Dickson!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxBbjgrLvOzBMxxW5Hh3CHAi6onfFEdND1IYmb40VMm4JTnYMQdWQavVUJqCi9oYsKRZ9iXLGMVdoLh_ZddFTg2WRJiiluoQ21jcVfGe9p_77RwZ_SF0Mo1ohie-RZjdaXNc1D9LdM9Go/s1600/IMG_1564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxBbjgrLvOzBMxxW5Hh3CHAi6onfFEdND1IYmb40VMm4JTnYMQdWQavVUJqCi9oYsKRZ9iXLGMVdoLh_ZddFTg2WRJiiluoQ21jcVfGe9p_77RwZ_SF0Mo1ohie-RZjdaXNc1D9LdM9Go/s320/IMG_1564.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We got home and made a super tasty smoothie with spinach and frozen fruit!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you're wondering about how to get to Costco and the details about the place, head over to Iwakuni Explorer! The article is here: <a href="http://www.iwakuniexplorer.com/costco-in-hiroshima-shi-hiroshima-prefecture/">Costco in Hiroshima</a></span>.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15186838286658668036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5902126784220903155.post-35306633729216211612013-03-19T19:11:00.000-07:002013-03-19T19:11:57.171-07:00Baby Update!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's getting real! The baby will be here in about a month and a half, and we will be heading to Okinawa to wait for her birth in just a few weeks! My mom has her ticket to come visit and my wonderful friends in Iwakuni gave me a beautiful cherry blossom baby shower! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've been so lucky to have a great support system here in Iwakuni and the opportunity to go to Okinawa for our daughter's birth. We don't have a birthing facility in Iwakuni, so most people go to Yokosuka about three weeks before their due date for childbirth. With babies being the unpredictable, schedule-free creatures they are, many daddies miss their babies' births because they have to work in Iwakuni until five days before the due date. Luckily, Joe will be working in Okinawa the whole time I'm there and he should be available! Keep your fingers crossed for us anyway!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I found the adorable blog, <a href="http://wadeupdate.blogspot.jp/">Wades of 108</a>, a few days ago and got a lot of great ideas about how to remember this special time. It really is flying by even with all my attempts to slow down and enjoy the pregnancy. So, for the people asking and for my future self to remember, I give you a peek into my experience:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2f; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;">1. How far along? </b><span style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2f; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;">I'm officially at 33 weeks today and starting to feel the baby rolling and getting bigger instead of just little kicks here and there. It's amazing!</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2f; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;"></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2f; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2f; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;" /><b style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2f; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;">2. How big is baby? </b><span style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2f; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;">She should be a little over four pounds and about 17 inches long. I've only had a 10 week and 20 week ultrasound, so we don't have an updated weight right now. My fundal height (belly circumference) has been measuring normal for the entire pregnancy.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2f; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2f; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;" /><b style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2f; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;">3. Weight gain? </b><span style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2f; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;">I gained 17 lbs as of my last appointment. The little girl has been making me very hungry for sweets lately, and my lovely mother sent me a package of girl scout cookies that may have waylaid my healthy eating for a while. I'm trying to eat more protein (80g per day is the goal!) to help the baby get all the nutrients she needs.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2f; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2f; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;" /><b style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2f; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;">4. Stretch marks? </b><span style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2f; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;">I'm happy to report I haven't noticed any stretch marks. Hooray! My Aunt Nancy sent me some Burt's Bee's Mama Bee Belly Butter that I've used quite a few times, but not every single day.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2f; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;"></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2f; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2f; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;" /><b style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2f; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;">5. Maternity clothes? </b><span style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2f; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;">I have a few pairs of maternity jeans that I've been rocking, but sometimes I want to just hang out in my yoga pants and watch TV. I found great jeans at the exchange in Sasebo and lots of ruched t-shirts at our exchange in Iwakuni and from the Old Navy website. I didn't realize that I would need new bras for my pregnancy too! My band has gotten so tight over the last few weeks - maybe baby is stretching my ribs apart?</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2f; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2f; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;" /><b style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2f; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;">6. Sleep? </b><span style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2f; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;">I've always been a side sleeper, so I'm still comfortable sleeping. The major discomfort is having to wake up 1-3 times per night to use the bathroom! Baby puts a lot of pressure on my bladder and needs to be watered constantly. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2f; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2f; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;" /><b style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2f; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;">7. Best moment last week? </b><span style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2f; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;">The best moment of the last week was absolutely, hands down, the baby shower that my friend Leydi hosted for me! My friends absolutely spoiled me. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2f; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2f; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;" /><b style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2f; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;">8. Cravings? </b><span style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2f; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;">My main craving has been Greek or Caesar salads with chicken, but the restaurant on base just changed the menu and took their Greek salad off the menu! I'm crushed. Luckily, we can make a good Greek salad at home. I've been wanting lots of sweets lately but have been trying to eat protein (nuts, meat, seeds) when I have a craving for something sugary. I want a strong baby, not a fat one! </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2f; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2f; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;" /><b style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2f; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;">9. Symptoms? </b><span style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2f; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;">Well, all the symptoms that come from having a baby growing where I once enjoyed a relatively flat (from time to time) stomach! Crossing my legs is getting more awkward and indigestion has been a problem a few times. I thought I saw some swelling in my hands, but it was when we were in Thailand and it was 95 degrees! I took my rings off just in case it was real swelling.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2f; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;"></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2f; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2f; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;" /><b style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2f; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;">10. Exercise? </b><span style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2f; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;">I try to take our dog for a walk once per day. We've had to shorten our walks because I have to use the bathroom halfway through now! I am trying to adhere to the Bradley Method and do pelvic rocking, thigh abductors, "tailor sitting" (sitting Indian-style), and lots of squats instead of bending at the waist.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2f; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;"></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2f; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2f; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;" /><b style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2f; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;">11. Gender? </b><span style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2f; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;">A girl! We found out in December and I've had so much fun with her cherry blossom theme nursery and washing her itty bitty ruffly clothes.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2f; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2f; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;" /><b style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2f; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;">12. Movement? </b><span style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2f; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;">I'm feeling more movement as the pregnancy progresses, but her most active time is between 8-10pm when I'm relaxing or going to sleep. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2f; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;"></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2f; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2f; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;" /><b style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2f; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;">13. Belly button? </b><span style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2f; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;">My innie is still an innie! I was dreading having an outie but it doesn't look like it will pop out. It's getting more and more shallow with all the space our baby girl is taking up, but I hope it stays flat.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2f; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2f; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;" /><b style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2f; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;">14. What I miss? </b><span style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2f; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;">I really thought I would miss alcohol more than I do! I love beer and wine, but I've really been craving a margarita for a while. I miss eating sashimi, but I can always find something at our local sushi places that I can have. California rolls are delicious. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2f; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2f; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;" /><b style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2f; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;">15. What I'm looking forward to? </b><span style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2f; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;">I'm really looking forward to our crib arriving from the U.S. and painting a bookshelf white so that it will match our baby's nursery. We don't have any closet space for the little girl, so we have to find creative ways to organize all her baby necessities. I'm also really looking forward to going to Okinawa, seeing my friends on the island, and for my mom to visit! I haven't seen her since January of 2012, so it's been way too long! She's going to be an amazing help in coaxing this sweet baby out of her latest digs. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2f; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;"></span> </span>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15186838286658668036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5902126784220903155.post-8305867366691840292013-02-04T22:29:00.001-08:002013-02-04T22:30:38.270-08:00Farewell Lunch at Primavera Restaurant<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had the pleasure of spending almost a year working at the Marine Corps Family Team Building office in Iwakuni and just recently left the position to recharge my batteries and get my life ready for the new baby. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the best parts of working at MCFTB was the women I worked with. I learned so much from the big personalities in my office and am so grateful to them for helping me learn the ropes quickly. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As a farewell, the ladies took
me out to lunch and our director stopped by to say farewell too. They
took me to my favorite restaurant in Iwakuni: Primavera! </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHLz0vKowHDUt3u8Fr7j9vfD-xr_zAD51GPR8W2UUWaCYaxR9LJ8sZ4Aae78ZZjCxTSxWSRNOZ7oMIFlIHjyWcEQvpdI-KAgpWVT_roLSXw_c-KVncxCxE6_Ovezun32rxs4WBJizN528/s1600/IMG_1183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHLz0vKowHDUt3u8Fr7j9vfD-xr_zAD51GPR8W2UUWaCYaxR9LJ8sZ4Aae78ZZjCxTSxWSRNOZ7oMIFlIHjyWcEQvpdI-KAgpWVT_roLSXw_c-KVncxCxE6_Ovezun32rxs4WBJizN528/s400/IMG_1183.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They just don't get any cuter!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiayEBff_cQLtidJAII9tfg7JdmUfDGYWorN4-ZyNT2o_vp4vG5Ui-_fpvSXzJEKxdZczLHOBRY0saXHzr5rGycDuFsM2sCn-kNlna4hooN9UBtB2Y1BkLAdblgEOyp4FfNEF4sz573A-w/s1600/IMG_1182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiayEBff_cQLtidJAII9tfg7JdmUfDGYWorN4-ZyNT2o_vp4vG5Ui-_fpvSXzJEKxdZczLHOBRY0saXHzr5rGycDuFsM2sCn-kNlna4hooN9UBtB2Y1BkLAdblgEOyp4FfNEF4sz573A-w/s400/IMG_1182.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My lunch: salmon & squash, chicken roulade, fried pork, and a shrimp croquette. You also receive a tiny soup and salad with lunch.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz2qCfjJdg8e44eIYb4mxfVnH4SR8b6WK78_W51HEJrVRKU3gNkEk6wqqnb2OIYh3QrlGhQTCLKQgQxTiF5rzkqphT-L5ytssSBBhzTfhNfgzRltSRDFQY6EwM__ss64p-8ZNOx2HCtEY/s1600/IMG_1184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz2qCfjJdg8e44eIYb4mxfVnH4SR8b6WK78_W51HEJrVRKU3gNkEk6wqqnb2OIYh3QrlGhQTCLKQgQxTiF5rzkqphT-L5ytssSBBhzTfhNfgzRltSRDFQY6EwM__ss64p-8ZNOx2HCtEY/s400/IMG_1184.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A friend's set menu came with dessert - AND a New Year's Samurai!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCSLlpgy8eHUaybtWjoChrn5Oeb37bD0SAMXA6rG7PLHiBvwZC7obG362i1CxSH2QGAbYQyq6VM0-cwLER92dG8SMjrgQ8LAC20rAXvn96LvIfiu00u7H5Yf-jCgNvAHLgKgwrSCy2qng/s1600/IMG_1188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCSLlpgy8eHUaybtWjoChrn5Oeb37bD0SAMXA6rG7PLHiBvwZC7obG362i1CxSH2QGAbYQyq6VM0-cwLER92dG8SMjrgQ8LAC20rAXvn96LvIfiu00u7H5Yf-jCgNvAHLgKgwrSCy2qng/s400/IMG_1188.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ladies who work at Primavera are very talented artists.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you'd like to try Primavera, check out the directions in the free base magazine, the Preview. If you have an iPhone, you can go to the Maps app and type in Primavera:</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM5vHtOGSkcdTtW7X8IqO-SkGfEITMrnUBWKFNKAJYJ0O3JnKc6Ilp0t8ja9lyd3NTlGVqN_XO19r-UHboDUxlRgy8qPeqN9Mv2NIAT5uVso2k2MDbEUi8NU_RGYyBEZo8duGfuiLfOuY/s1600/map.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM5vHtOGSkcdTtW7X8IqO-SkGfEITMrnUBWKFNKAJYJ0O3JnKc6Ilp0t8ja9lyd3NTlGVqN_XO19r-UHboDUxlRgy8qPeqN9Mv2NIAT5uVso2k2MDbEUi8NU_RGYyBEZo8duGfuiLfOuY/s1600/map.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The red pin marks the spot.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> It's located in a residential area and does not have a lot of parking, but you can usually find a place nearby. A good landmark is the Iwakuni train station. Look for the symbol on your map to help guide yourself to the restaurant. </span></div>
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Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15186838286658668036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5902126784220903155.post-91084251033639775802013-02-04T21:56:00.002-08:002013-02-04T21:56:44.757-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My favorite day trip while living in Iwakuni is Miyajima Island. We try to go anytime we have a free weekend and the weather is clear because it's so magical and scenic unlike the very industrial city of Iwakuni. The bonus is that we get to bring our little friend Eddie with us! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eddie is a sucker for attention. This doesn't bother us because it's the only way we have any interaction with Japanese people. People of all ages love to hang out with Eddie! We know just enough Japanese to tell people he's a mameshiba, his name is Eddie, short for Edamame, and that he is almost two years old. People usually laugh at his name, but he doesn't mind. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh60-PZItS2YPOvRkd6LjSSyWNcfzi9nosVhJ_iOJo4Gb-c5Mej-tRtqgZHLG4QsC6SX4wU-0rwsOBbYV4Z3zLk1F1vlYSYkzs39E813p_NnIIhSMvWONel-K-MzOM0EbBrIFC7nYoyzT0/s1600/IMG_1189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh60-PZItS2YPOvRkd6LjSSyWNcfzi9nosVhJ_iOJo4Gb-c5Mej-tRtqgZHLG4QsC6SX4wU-0rwsOBbYV4Z3zLk1F1vlYSYkzs39E813p_NnIIhSMvWONel-K-MzOM0EbBrIFC7nYoyzT0/s400/IMG_1189.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joe is holding Eddie for a picture with the famous floating torii gate in the distance.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivK9Y8-thOmmHj7AMarmROd9oM3-1mxfCYccfvOzfkf3_VhCxatJhrzuwRWqBWuaXUdf6_RHixLuNGo2Xn48NobYYf8S4AXYKdpvVNJ6os0RdScrjpA93qAHX9bThyphenhyphenxoOHkY30zR8KTVU/s1600/IMG_1190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivK9Y8-thOmmHj7AMarmROd9oM3-1mxfCYccfvOzfkf3_VhCxatJhrzuwRWqBWuaXUdf6_RHixLuNGo2Xn48NobYYf8S4AXYKdpvVNJ6os0RdScrjpA93qAHX9bThyphenhyphenxoOHkY30zR8KTVU/s400/IMG_1190.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These little girls couldn't get enough of Eddie! Kids always go straight for his curly little tail.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAVAcZYuSxHnl-g1nfX-usf1zDIlex8eBk-JLxtT-b6lvQSmLdOO_CeZurzwT4L7i76cR47FkvUwWQUTAoTDH5Bp6d9VL7YhN0tEtgKd1TVSfkCXzoum0fbKiltuGvanCN-lnCcEsyDhM/s1600/IMG_1194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAVAcZYuSxHnl-g1nfX-usf1zDIlex8eBk-JLxtT-b6lvQSmLdOO_CeZurzwT4L7i76cR47FkvUwWQUTAoTDH5Bp6d9VL7YhN0tEtgKd1TVSfkCXzoum0fbKiltuGvanCN-lnCcEsyDhM/s400/IMG_1194.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eddie participates in all the tourist photo opportunities with no shame.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-0fwRmafz3wE1cloaCfAq8ooiNtGNmAQvEt0oVtj8R05k0gH1Ebc-nRs-LrO4fJfZNLVMnqBGdKdRuzxqOF0WSNJoAJwdIwkovkawvyYjbZqxpFJO0S2rfWSsjNVF2yyINTz6tfMSKXY/s1600/IMG_1196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-0fwRmafz3wE1cloaCfAq8ooiNtGNmAQvEt0oVtj8R05k0gH1Ebc-nRs-LrO4fJfZNLVMnqBGdKdRuzxqOF0WSNJoAJwdIwkovkawvyYjbZqxpFJO0S2rfWSsjNVF2yyINTz6tfMSKXY/s400/IMG_1196.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joe and a bridge near a hiking area. He called these deer "troll deer" because they live under the bridge. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAc4XtbejpuoMuRrfVuD3dW9-HCODUIfzLdkmbRb1QzDnc6Fg_b5DZzJDN49jZebRynhYkTZ9TWGij20q9kbo-Tz6BQT5qzDaWCftUuKZW4EHV6FZTuN3ZX37vtq-zMgCHq73OhzZUmC8/s1600/IMG_1197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAc4XtbejpuoMuRrfVuD3dW9-HCODUIfzLdkmbRb1QzDnc6Fg_b5DZzJDN49jZebRynhYkTZ9TWGij20q9kbo-Tz6BQT5qzDaWCftUuKZW4EHV6FZTuN3ZX37vtq-zMgCHq73OhzZUmC8/s400/IMG_1197.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miyajima has a lovely new coffee shop called Miyajima Coffee. We stopped for drinks and read our books on a park bench with a view of the water and the gentle deer. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ8NMH2iy5EORc6qGq3B__AL73cKrHgtWSY9wc7jUWO1WAbRPP2y9RodPVAJhWmccCf1s5a5oGt7YsFbSRmoE_jeQltHE1nflyMK6dz6V2xZ6zxVGuoWrOLH2KafmS14iPiV3_yRmIdTA/s1600/IMG_1204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ8NMH2iy5EORc6qGq3B__AL73cKrHgtWSY9wc7jUWO1WAbRPP2y9RodPVAJhWmccCf1s5a5oGt7YsFbSRmoE_jeQltHE1nflyMK6dz6V2xZ6zxVGuoWrOLH2KafmS14iPiV3_yRmIdTA/s400/IMG_1204.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This guy was sitting right next to me the whole time.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Miyajima is a must for anyone passing through the Iwakuni/Hiroshima area. It's easy to find your way around, the hiking trails are beautiful in every season, there are great places to find lunch or dinner, and you can bring your favorite four-legged friend!</span>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15186838286658668036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5902126784220903155.post-56211103817521358392013-02-04T19:56:00.000-08:002013-02-04T19:56:25.986-08:00Yamaguchi City<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We just went to <a href="http://yamaguchi-city.jp/w/en/" target="_blank">Yamaguchi City</a> for the first time on Sunday and tried to see our fair share of sites in the area. The big event on Sunday was the monthly Flea Market. It happens on the first Sunday of the month from sunrise to 3pm. We got on the road around 8:30am and it took about two hours with a few wrong turns mixed in. Beware if driving: the tolls added up to about $40! Parking was free.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As we are preparing our house for a new baby in May, we don't have a lot of space to share with antiques. It was really fun looking around at gorgeous wooden boxes, old tools, those hilarious garden-gnome-style beavers wearing hats, kimonos, sake barrels, and crafts, but we didn't find anything that needed to stay in our house. We found a few things for our taste buds though: apple cider and fresh apple pastries from a local apple orchard! </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwvTItfTTwtjHCv1R1y92U9Lb33ELiu8oxrPZ8-6CKGsY4aAgmksstlt0fPbl8k3TMu0qOy8au_-NsE868mf6JPHjTjJelAVOtaEzp-6IO95iah7em74cKdZu_PTilZZnUbLo0cI25358/s1600/IMG_1227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwvTItfTTwtjHCv1R1y92U9Lb33ELiu8oxrPZ8-6CKGsY4aAgmksstlt0fPbl8k3TMu0qOy8au_-NsE868mf6JPHjTjJelAVOtaEzp-6IO95iah7em74cKdZu_PTilZZnUbLo0cI25358/s400/IMG_1227.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Five-Storied Pagoda</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After our shopping trip, we headed over to one of the most famous pagodas in Japan: the Five-Storied Pagoda. It was a beautiful day and we took Eddie for a walk along the grounds. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLUhebibrpUGuqeNWbI6HPLWcRKUPb5oKDuzptkQKvDZKJs_VULiW2Jwh9VALTrwiDd9jV2dJXRJx4Tsg8mZcG863wWmdxr4BQCeGRCD-5_UhtpbrRBgVEaDokSAlIliFdWuY82iEI8fs/s1600/IMG_1230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLUhebibrpUGuqeNWbI6HPLWcRKUPb5oKDuzptkQKvDZKJs_VULiW2Jwh9VALTrwiDd9jV2dJXRJx4Tsg8mZcG863wWmdxr4BQCeGRCD-5_UhtpbrRBgVEaDokSAlIliFdWuY82iEI8fs/s400/IMG_1230.JPG" width="341" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A nice stranger offered to take our picture. Why not?</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After relaxing in the sun and doing a little hiking around the pagoda, we got back in the car and went over to Xavier Memorial Church. It was built in 1998 but memorializes St. Francis Xavier's work in Japan 400 years ago. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Catholic church in Japan</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsm_vx0Z06wl8m1PDB4-O2G3EJPrMneuKnQhF4r5mCLrpemCqiPRoSNbGDofAMjDNXD2dtQyDChlVAXHP0HUo3IdBRCMrvmlsjmyvRW9PTsYC4qt-tns-oMc00qKjbwN60Dxr4z_owCP0/s1600/IMG_1235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsm_vx0Z06wl8m1PDB4-O2G3EJPrMneuKnQhF4r5mCLrpemCqiPRoSNbGDofAMjDNXD2dtQyDChlVAXHP0HUo3IdBRCMrvmlsjmyvRW9PTsYC4qt-tns-oMc00qKjbwN60Dxr4z_owCP0/s400/IMG_1235.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks for bringing Christmas over here, St. Francis Xavier!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We usually try to go somewhere that looks interesting for lunch on day trips but there weren't too many places in Yamaguchi with English signs. We ended up going to a little place called "Organic Delicatessen" but found that it was more of a grocery store and buffet. Nothing was freshly cooked or very exciting. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On our way back to the highway, we made a few more stops. When we saw the sign "Fresh and Half-Price Bakery", how could we refuse? We stopped in at the little store that looks like a gatekeeper's house and bought a loaf of white bread and 4 various rolls for under 200 yen. What a great deal!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We hopped back in the car and I had to see what the "Dog Cafe Hanegawa" was all about. Were dogs allowed in? Was it dog themed? We brought Eddie in and everyone fawned over him. </span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxQM-L_PePGYX67ak2QTPrnLfwIAIf5F-3tIH3ZhII25O2gBYbb1VLxLqY0wA1OGASLXcybnRafM5a_yQZMEw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not only did they have a Dog Cafe, but they also had a dog hotel, dog salon, dog park, and a small shop with dog accessories. We loved it! Eddie had never been to a dog park before so he didn't really know how to behave with the wild pack he encountered. He eventually warmed up and played with a friendly black poodle and a tiny Italian Greyhound. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While we were there, we thought Eddie might like to get cleaned up. We try to shampoo him regularly but it's a wet and time-consuming process! It's also a big season for shedding for the little guy, and the pros know how to brush him enough to minimize his shedding. We heard a few little yelps while sitting in the dog cafe reading and eating sandwiches, but I think they treated him very well overall. When he was done, it was almost dinner time, so we treated him to a special meaty meal for being so brave:</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYAq6NF5zpw61Dlid6UKmfr07dCQ2H0nvvdWJxkt0u1if4-kiNz23NFPYLb4KgpaRh8gT76LC27phhYUVDu7ZgGQqof2m5DOc5a0kUQy95h44XHnnZ0tWwTT84bRnLHfAruea1FfBf6JI/s1600/IMG_1239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYAq6NF5zpw61Dlid6UKmfr07dCQ2H0nvvdWJxkt0u1if4-kiNz23NFPYLb4KgpaRh8gT76LC27phhYUVDu7ZgGQqof2m5DOc5a0kUQy95h44XHnnZ0tWwTT84bRnLHfAruea1FfBf6JI/s400/IMG_1239.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eddie at Dog Cafe Hanegawa with a fresh shampoo <i>and</i> blow dry!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Joe smooshed the treat for Eddie's convenience and Eddie really enjoyed it! After a long day of adventures, Eddie and I slept for the ride back and gave Joe a chance to catch up on his Diane Rehm podcasts. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What a great day! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next day, Monday, the Superbowl was on at 8am here in Japan and the III MEF Marines had the day off to enjoy this wonderful American institution! We ate pizza and wings for breakfast, bought a game pass to watch the game and commercials on our TV, and had the Puppy Bowl streaming for me and Eddie. Thanks for the long weekend, Marine Corps! Ooh-rah!</span>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15186838286658668036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5902126784220903155.post-35572207734787523062012-06-19T05:24:00.002-07:002012-06-19T05:24:25.607-07:00Kawaii Cappuccino<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This next subject, cappuccino, hardly makes up for the fact that there are no cafes on base or near base. However, there are places in the surrounding area where you can commission a beautiful piece of artwork in your froth. </span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjB0hnrbq_YqG2U0_VafpcFE9TklLQBoxNk_iYnlYT4leQdFzW3F9Vgg6j33mQpvP9EOJa4XyVmXGQmuCDfHLWt7cagYxPOnfRbhhY23VXHzeHeBx4D7p22IST1qN6ZkU1WuPSpQiM_Lo/s1600/IMG_0195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjB0hnrbq_YqG2U0_VafpcFE9TklLQBoxNk_iYnlYT4leQdFzW3F9Vgg6j33mQpvP9EOJa4XyVmXGQmuCDfHLWt7cagYxPOnfRbhhY23VXHzeHeBx4D7p22IST1qN6ZkU1WuPSpQiM_Lo/s320/IMG_0195.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"I'm a cat that snuck into your coffee!"</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzGZLjYd1UeGbhHD0_0vJxtGGpv6pd2Spvs3AgsuMeNGesFjLOVzzrG2_p9MBo9dg2RMgsI_3r-gb1N0svCTbBWj2JnZqiaiFqIuepaUEc9kYQRAnCQ07ho3QZRSeAH2x5u6YCttlf_44/s1600/IMG_0196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzGZLjYd1UeGbhHD0_0vJxtGGpv6pd2Spvs3AgsuMeNGesFjLOVzzrG2_p9MBo9dg2RMgsI_3r-gb1N0svCTbBWj2JnZqiaiFqIuepaUEc9kYQRAnCQ07ho3QZRSeAH2x5u6YCttlf_44/s320/IMG_0196.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"I'm just a bear!"</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The two places that are best are L Style Cafe by the train station and Primavera which is hidden away past Mike's Tex-Mex down a side street by the Eneos gas station over the bridge. I've had a chance to go by myself, with Joe, and with a fabulous group of girlfriends/co-workers. A bonus of going with a group is being able to take pictures of everyone's cappuccino! </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZo3uEToW8Wjf7ju4Aaiy3aHJhm5ufyoWe21lRzO-iWDdMaJAXT7EZ-eo08SVcgwPhDewFOqM64c8aq4KhVqCMdSSiAvWuph0adNTq6vRK923eNBH7D-hF4w682jMMbUitequslf4btpE/s1600/IMG_0195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGeyerfuLfrnS9E8j41wVB6bAaxj9M-nprKUHseH3dRWnw2-1lLixWy8e5RfoG62_bfGp84h-6vPOSahGV_k6OCJUfPvkcO4JFaSLDRb1YaZTc8JWUMVYd8yn-c3mrL8UkoaY2A34-cq0/s1600/IMG_0358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGeyerfuLfrnS9E8j41wVB6bAaxj9M-nprKUHseH3dRWnw2-1lLixWy8e5RfoG62_bfGp84h-6vPOSahGV_k6OCJUfPvkcO4JFaSLDRb1YaZTc8JWUMVYd8yn-c3mrL8UkoaY2A34-cq0/s320/IMG_0358.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sleeping bunny! Just turn your head :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5YU2em8aTBu-a-zftQ1N_WOHVo-UxtxCKuf6reGdlgEa7oRyZmaTnqhKzs-e7ILrNMBAHV84ZpazmwSRLVLJLLFV3iS0wAyL8XWJc0C_IOBMtqimghK3X3Rf6V5LKQ6kP08KP62fdHBU/s1600/IMG_0359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5YU2em8aTBu-a-zftQ1N_WOHVo-UxtxCKuf6reGdlgEa7oRyZmaTnqhKzs-e7ILrNMBAHV84ZpazmwSRLVLJLLFV3iS0wAyL8XWJc0C_IOBMtqimghK3X3Rf6V5LKQ6kP08KP62fdHBU/s320/IMG_0359.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The coffee below was for my friend Chaplain Skelton. We were celebrating her birthday and this was definitely the most appropriate one for her!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTdjz05j5IyMlnEVJLH05qNLpJshX_O4oCfgvj61fua_UwOPMLkV-MFemAmUXHk-HSzVkD4TurPwvPIw6u0yZ7cg5iobdAXyR36rudZHxwZO5BOGztnxGGpaeAJKKZjjocsvPa6mE10Z8/s1600/IMG_0361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTdjz05j5IyMlnEVJLH05qNLpJshX_O4oCfgvj61fua_UwOPMLkV-MFemAmUXHk-HSzVkD4TurPwvPIw6u0yZ7cg5iobdAXyR36rudZHxwZO5BOGztnxGGpaeAJKKZjjocsvPa6mE10Z8/s320/IMG_0361.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bear friends</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI4aK5skX4cKLXpL6xvsFx19qFR0vLKJsSpQqSaILNqEDu3uOjxpjiBw1X4VZb0oBiIvxg6SJ8sqebSvyzLs0ZQ0A4DeWPh8hbZ1giMIFPw497cm_ryJooEyiKiR_EWZe_YVhFzJ5alys/s1600/IMG_0362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI4aK5skX4cKLXpL6xvsFx19qFR0vLKJsSpQqSaILNqEDu3uOjxpjiBw1X4VZb0oBiIvxg6SJ8sqebSvyzLs0ZQ0A4DeWPh8hbZ1giMIFPw497cm_ryJooEyiKiR_EWZe_YVhFzJ5alys/s320/IMG_0362.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moon & Star</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I hope people in the states like these pictures! If you're thinking about how unjust the world is for not letting you have the cutest coffee in existence, it's just a plane ride (or two or three) away!</span><br />
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</div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15186838286658668036noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5902126784220903155.post-70863645748889787582012-06-19T04:56:00.004-07:002012-06-19T04:56:55.879-07:00Eddie's Big Day Out<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>"Kawaii"</b> is one of my favorite words that I've learned in Japanese. It is translated as meaning "cute" but really encompasses a lot more than that. People get really emotional over things that are kawaii, so I guess it can also mean precious, adorable, special, detailed, or whatever else gets the point across. The only reason I know it is because people constantly will stop me on the street when I'm walking <b>Eddie</b> and cry out "kawaii!!!" as if expressing their deepest emotion or despair.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So that you know what I'm working with here, this is Eddie on his <b>first birthday</b>. The poor thing didn't get any presents or a cake, but he did get his favorite thing: a <b>hike</b> up a very long hill and a treat at the top! We even made stops for belly rubs from strangers! Woohoo!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">He did get a pretty snazzy birthday hat:</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3OCZimNhTrGJTHEosJTfYPv2lJpFOXm4P_hGumwQr4wUAP5tkkLv3Y-Wp2_o4p89TWVO_YbtmRnzMl17hXzxeiju92XXYMMVzAD5B6YJioBBluxnzF2Q4oigJScs1I2Ju2k9ojcF6NKU/s1600/eddie's+bday1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3OCZimNhTrGJTHEosJTfYPv2lJpFOXm4P_hGumwQr4wUAP5tkkLv3Y-Wp2_o4p89TWVO_YbtmRnzMl17hXzxeiju92XXYMMVzAD5B6YJioBBluxnzF2Q4oigJScs1I2Ju2k9ojcF6NKU/s640/eddie's+bday1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family picture pre-hike</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm3J6UpKWKeyJqxLV2Vmh_03gz4ZGBBp-79LIWM_ImGEd5uveSNfXxcbunVnvvl7M5PG6DRGkchPgB_6DKcQXEkFG4MF73R_1NzFvNOwEh9V-mGmki9IMfj1cZPuSoA3FRdEECKDt-v3s/s1600/cute+eddie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm3J6UpKWKeyJqxLV2Vmh_03gz4ZGBBp-79LIWM_ImGEd5uveSNfXxcbunVnvvl7M5PG6DRGkchPgB_6DKcQXEkFG4MF73R_1NzFvNOwEh9V-mGmki9IMfj1cZPuSoA3FRdEECKDt-v3s/s640/cute+eddie.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby dog picture on our way across the bridge</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsFlOteOjZ-cPJf0w8f6Opf4VP6hzIvN9pusR2KHfRS8MrMpV6GsvmLjdU2AY1ux-OUhz3ZKsNEeCJeSDQecxobiLbBTrdMg8p5E0GD394A_jX0EsYLi91vW6nZgMVspVbDkbJm1DoPbM/s1600/bday2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsFlOteOjZ-cPJf0w8f6Opf4VP6hzIvN9pusR2KHfRS8MrMpV6GsvmLjdU2AY1ux-OUhz3ZKsNEeCJeSDQecxobiLbBTrdMg8p5E0GD394A_jX0EsYLi91vW6nZgMVspVbDkbJm1DoPbM/s640/bday2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The whole family got to the top of the mountain! </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> As you can see, Joe and I are celebrating the special day by wearing our Shiba Inu shirts from Eddie's Grandma Anna. We rarely get to wear them together, but it was the perfect opportunity. I think Eddie appreciated the extra attention to detail, but did not particularly care for the birthday hat. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We had an ulterior motive for this hike as well: we're thinking about hiking Mt. Fuji next year. It's time to get these hiking muscles into shape! </span>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15186838286658668036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5902126784220903155.post-7508042370781100122012-06-19T04:33:00.004-07:002012-06-19T05:28:44.742-07:00Here today, Guam tomorrow<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It's really <b>been a while</b> since I updated my blog! Isn't it ironic how we don't have time to record our lives when we're the busiest and our lives are changing the most dramatically?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">One of the biggest reasons I haven't been posting is because I'm working on base now! I work with a great team of women and I really like my <b>new job</b>. It definitely has its ups and downs, like the huge confidence boost from doing back-to-back trainings in one day for large groups of Marines and Sailors, or a recent event that I planned for weeks and had to cancel because of low participation. The last one made me feel a little like this guy:<a href="http://thehairpin.com/2011/01/seven-second-cat-video-also-represents-the-human-experience/"> 7 Seconds to Explain. </a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Joe was in <b>Guam</b> for over a month and I successfully managed life without him! Well, not quite: I snuck in a quick weekender to see him during the first few weeks. What can I say? Guam was magical! I never thought about Guam until I started hearing about Joe going there every so often. I learned that it is part of America and abides by the same rules and laws that we have in America. This means people are allowed to stay out past midnight! Woohoo! The Marines were all pretty excited about that one.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It's also incredibly picturesque in Guam. It's like a smaller, less developed Hawaii with a lot more military presence. We had a chance to go scuba diving in two different locations and saw an amazing array of sea creatures: different starfish, sea cucumbers, coral of every color, and fish of just about every size. On our way to another dive site we actually had to stop the boat FOR DOLPHIN! There was a whole school of them playing in the displaced water off the bow of our boat. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Aside from that magic (I swear I had to catch my breath from gasping so many times!), we also got to stay at the Westin. Usually when you think about guys on deployment, you're thinking about barracks rooms, nasty showers, and a sea bag's worth of personal belongings to get you through a few weeks. Oh no. The Japanese government paid for these guys to stay at the Westin for weeks on end with luxurious rooms, a gorgeous white sand beach, generous wifi and beach bar in front. I just fainted thinking about it. Oh, then they stuck all the guys in the barracks for a few weeks at the end for a reality check. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmJpG4W-xoNS5M6alF3O3J119coJlHlazc8WXgqFxeKUx2EDGOUTpoqY4Po6KsGYQMH6pn4VLC3FVwzMWCVLC2t_RvgmgUgZxBKNY39_ijDEpzRYG3SGeVklIwqm9Wn8DUdM6TcDcatVM/s1600/two+lovers+point.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmJpG4W-xoNS5M6alF3O3J119coJlHlazc8WXgqFxeKUx2EDGOUTpoqY4Po6KsGYQMH6pn4VLC3FVwzMWCVLC2t_RvgmgUgZxBKNY39_ijDEpzRYG3SGeVklIwqm9Wn8DUdM6TcDcatVM/s400/two+lovers+point.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had to make an emergency exit at Two Lovers Point. What a beautiful view and appropriate name!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I really didn't take many pictures, but let me assure you: we had an amazing time! I really enjoyed going to a Macy's (I would have run out screaming if I was comparing it to the same store in Michigan), shopping around souvenir shops, getting burnt to a crisp, and going on evening walks with Joe. And the food! I've discovered that I'm very much over Japanese food after being here for a year and a half. I don't especially dislike it, but most of it is overpriced, bland, or has a face. The food in Guam was fabulous. Joe picked me up from the airport and took me to a gross/awesome (depends on your taste?) Denny's-style diner where we shared some midnight snacks when I first arrived. We went to the hotel's Starbucks, a Ruby Tuesdays, California Pizza Kitchen (which I always pronounce California Chicken Pizza for some reason), and a Hard Rock Cafe. I also had a chance to write a post card to my mom at Port of Mocha coffee house. A coffee house! We don't have those here in Iwakuni, so it was truly like having a weight lifted from my shoulders. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The trip was really over just as fast as it began. I wanted to stay longer or forever, but real life (and Eddie!) were calling. Hopefully I'll be able to go back again next time!</span>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15186838286658668036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5902126784220903155.post-23868976475047884102012-04-01T03:06:00.000-07:002012-04-01T03:06:35.278-07:00Safari Land and Akiyoshido Caves<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Joe and I went on a little day trip</span></span> through Information, Tours, & Travel (ITT) on base. I don't use their services nearly enough, but they are wonderfully helpful, bilingual employees. We've looked to ITT to find dog-friendly <i>ryokans</i> - Japanese B&Bs and to make restaurant reservations. </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For our trip to northern Yamaguchi prefecture, we went on an organized trip. I normally would rather travel alone to allow for more spontaneity and fewer crying babies, but being able to just hop on a bus and doze off takes away an extra headache and is much cheaper. Win-win!</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Our first stop were the prehistoric caves. These reminded me of the Mammoth Caves in Kentucky! I wonder if my sister and cousins (Mike and Jimmy) remember that trip? Great memories. Anyway, here is a quick glimpse of what we were able to capture:</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entering the unknown underground world....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbIuWZyZmU-ncoMUUqvWWgUWK2Rl0AemDUmwdpcK0At4_pwlgE-wGmkhRCAg5ZLDwApDyTVKJj6nMF-AODLvlj4geuZKnp-aShyphenhyphenR-VjC5dIFp-DLhgQR5P-wzMbHcLbN75YxSdhtCfxNc/s1600/DSCN2930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbIuWZyZmU-ncoMUUqvWWgUWK2Rl0AemDUmwdpcK0At4_pwlgE-wGmkhRCAg5ZLDwApDyTVKJj6nMF-AODLvlj4geuZKnp-aShyphenhyphenR-VjC5dIFp-DLhgQR5P-wzMbHcLbN75YxSdhtCfxNc/s640/DSCN2930.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Obviously Japan gives you informational sideboards with kawaii cavemen.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5XZ5oZNpH15n33Uzq4ERpmF4styEqJftA7iCoXE4IE82cJ_PTRm1CQ7lP6AKUQdIY7m6rOPuFba6Gfw9TeumNE-nbQAytamVqPYzhb9nxkA0aUmD3UO1KSUEBp4JQJGsyeZvwjFqBXNA/s1600/DSCN2934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5XZ5oZNpH15n33Uzq4ERpmF4styEqJftA7iCoXE4IE82cJ_PTRm1CQ7lP6AKUQdIY7m6rOPuFba6Gfw9TeumNE-nbQAytamVqPYzhb9nxkA0aUmD3UO1KSUEBp4JQJGsyeZvwjFqBXNA/s640/DSCN2934.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stalagmites, Stalagtites.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip8AwPujJpeoqC1rHok0sAnPGWiYurS7z9VKusz9h7TuKn9-h1SgO2x0Ds0xDPPNHZ-O-E4f6YnrwNu8BDpr_702_mA5Zk0mQcNbl4jPf0MdkO3pVGL8ntArmc7MTKrDS1jXQGKWn8UhE/s1600/DSCN2939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip8AwPujJpeoqC1rHok0sAnPGWiYurS7z9VKusz9h7TuKn9-h1SgO2x0Ds0xDPPNHZ-O-E4f6YnrwNu8BDpr_702_mA5Zk0mQcNbl4jPf0MdkO3pVGL8ntArmc7MTKrDS1jXQGKWn8UhE/s640/DSCN2939.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Goddess of Mercy"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie7lomlOMNcbCTDYc767MIMJ17Zvw1frdJVPNFvLwNn0nfSydvtE-oN8xEzj_zlNXjqPJjHYDDqfIA1MDuNWsGIsvvhjCMEG630UXnLnvABFA3vU5_ce9uCh8daWaLhBTZ75jcuYhfQzg/s1600/DSCN2942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie7lomlOMNcbCTDYc767MIMJ17Zvw1frdJVPNFvLwNn0nfSydvtE-oN8xEzj_zlNXjqPJjHYDDqfIA1MDuNWsGIsvvhjCMEG630UXnLnvABFA3vU5_ce9uCh8daWaLhBTZ75jcuYhfQzg/s640/DSCN2942.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scary!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHUqnvCSpUTvjIRmnd1Qhoi-a1h3ycpLgLSkpiTBImIABhh3qsYavlfYzLTpGIF71Hn7iNcXnAlu7vb6c5jDMK7FROlJfERtHgo-hUi3RLnnCHbDR7FXD-1F1vSro5baecd-JNjq-vXps/s1600/DSCN2965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHUqnvCSpUTvjIRmnd1Qhoi-a1h3ycpLgLSkpiTBImIABhh3qsYavlfYzLTpGIF71Hn7iNcXnAlu7vb6c5jDMK7FROlJfERtHgo-hUi3RLnnCHbDR7FXD-1F1vSro5baecd-JNjq-vXps/s640/DSCN2965.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cave's claim to fame: the largest limestone deposit ever discovered. Woop-de-doo!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFXrPVynNHuo4_DyYhW8l7hcdaImCWzQHdX2Emoittga9mARnrjURSbB-dKAemUpCzF_Kuu5W61S6PAgQizrtGJD3ZjXG9uNwV8TJPWBjIkaID1YN6AxRYNCNe5tYeBEHybeQSGVz2wo8/s1600/DSCN2960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFXrPVynNHuo4_DyYhW8l7hcdaImCWzQHdX2Emoittga9mARnrjURSbB-dKAemUpCzF_Kuu5W61S6PAgQizrtGJD3ZjXG9uNwV8TJPWBjIkaID1YN6AxRYNCNe5tYeBEHybeQSGVz2wo8/s640/DSCN2960.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I thought the middle one looked like garlic cloves packaged together.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMV3Mc9nQUjpl7CX3XdFt-Kpv2SyIArpVego9t7c31NWIwuAvv9ihCrbB82uyztCcicijVg3g6V9_CWcyUezbuL2FZ3PWE-Kpfxwy2edY_513n5tHV_ezXclDIHWnMhzQw2gF4jAuBL3c/s1600/DSCN2952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMV3Mc9nQUjpl7CX3XdFt-Kpv2SyIArpVego9t7c31NWIwuAvv9ihCrbB82uyztCcicijVg3g6V9_CWcyUezbuL2FZ3PWE-Kpfxwy2edY_513n5tHV_ezXclDIHWnMhzQw2gF4jAuBL3c/s640/DSCN2952.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These caves were once underwater and were coral reefs. The lines you see are from jelly fish climbing up and down and eroding the limestone.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMYoJ8pfJrLk8G6i6yZ_1Qi7pl-S96WQP958v1R4HkASABTdt8RlFzt-wxSCrwCfRJyy7suncMxXoVQ3F1bb0H3b5wRt3CHDnUgmH8DOEyi1DdUSN9Uit9Y1OsWek18R4xLpbcF0vznC0/s1600/DSCN2986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMYoJ8pfJrLk8G6i6yZ_1Qi7pl-S96WQP958v1R4HkASABTdt8RlFzt-wxSCrwCfRJyy7suncMxXoVQ3F1bb0H3b5wRt3CHDnUgmH8DOEyi1DdUSN9Uit9Y1OsWek18R4xLpbcF0vznC0/s640/DSCN2986.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"The Thousand Rice Fields": Do you like how we tried to include the signs so we could remember the names?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC4DEaLy4GfCpBxhjCCtEDD_r-vxcgJC5GKD5Bpa4RSJtDyvM1rjBUHm4TOPF-U0hyphenhyphen9fGviEDN84hRw6RaNWWpOodenjb_IW5FZkQDg_bnlV860FRWR8vkFNtCOwfWYrgbt56KnJ4uODA/s1600/DSCN2988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC4DEaLy4GfCpBxhjCCtEDD_r-vxcgJC5GKD5Bpa4RSJtDyvM1rjBUHm4TOPF-U0hyphenhyphen9fGviEDN84hRw6RaNWWpOodenjb_IW5FZkQDg_bnlV860FRWR8vkFNtCOwfWYrgbt56KnJ4uODA/s640/DSCN2988.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shaped like Mt. Fuji</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH4h9PEN0eCFRRrJKDsz1HnKfJPmfxcNB4fFmlNIaXpGs5V3l77hfw8ZRhqiEsVTag0gSOSXsty_ieUuI3HMY0HfWM7yJAkVYS4Po4W6o8GqXFTs2aAeDA8APe2bMETEcsWklKO2NVDCM/s1600/DSCN2982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH4h9PEN0eCFRRrJKDsz1HnKfJPmfxcNB4fFmlNIaXpGs5V3l77hfw8ZRhqiEsVTag0gSOSXsty_ieUuI3HMY0HfWM7yJAkVYS4Po4W6o8GqXFTs2aAeDA8APe2bMETEcsWklKO2NVDCM/s640/DSCN2982.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cavewoman Heather</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH8WnFxxwX1yx-YS-UGYWXimCjzn5CWXjjf4TQ1p_Umsw_HMK5v8Hp3Rg1ZjfCaBHksSkL6saIdBrO4sVQWZ-LBMJpDOjLGhfELv17KPtDmt8bD5Q6nEr-AltTi40xrvJvnR6A2cMIHnU/s1600/DSCN2987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH8WnFxxwX1yx-YS-UGYWXimCjzn5CWXjjf4TQ1p_Umsw_HMK5v8Hp3Rg1ZjfCaBHksSkL6saIdBrO4sVQWZ-LBMJpDOjLGhfELv17KPtDmt8bD5Q6nEr-AltTi40xrvJvnR6A2cMIHnU/s640/DSCN2987.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just some underground rapids, NBD.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEvKfKA-esDxq2RdgUcYaGc7uINLM2Diodp1Fp5B8hGzQHiJAP-XLJhe_gI6Cqq0F4WRYHhYq-NKj7NY2RQqJJKznZMRGxErx2lihxE0yTxmXuYFBbuh61tF4ZPSB6N2vb-APEfMiyv9Q/s1600/DSCN2999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEvKfKA-esDxq2RdgUcYaGc7uINLM2Diodp1Fp5B8hGzQHiJAP-XLJhe_gI6Cqq0F4WRYHhYq-NKj7NY2RQqJJKznZMRGxErx2lihxE0yTxmXuYFBbuh61tF4ZPSB6N2vb-APEfMiyv9Q/s640/DSCN2999.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We made it out alive! It was really cool to see this cathedral-esque opening after being in a cave all day.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUl1Dxs6k97oPoprOdJBZEGJgFmXvzvqStCtHNZVBv7uqOi6lboAvra5D-dG3taLDtK65ixiXpcBwD7ZzE8T8aHgHPjkXzy59DDBhZg1lBStcKPKHVY7KTcNWZsa45yIDBBmLwd2NN4c/s1600/DSCN3000.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUl1Dxs6k97oPoprOdJBZEGJgFmXvzvqStCtHNZVBv7uqOi6lboAvra5D-dG3taLDtK65ixiXpcBwD7ZzE8T8aHgHPjkXzy59DDBhZg1lBStcKPKHVY7KTcNWZsa45yIDBBmLwd2NN4c/s640/DSCN3000.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We made a quick stop to take in the limestone fields on top of the caves. This is a "quasi-national park".</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitxQawDjaxiLyzqo8ZjoQom8xivBG6tk_KJ2qE3qFyceyKluFKRXrGC0EzY_hlo79tILG_PkKwrd8teP3n4zVfsakHJN-jwtqLc7XhpOWDhyQhO5S9oAf_tTQrto8E-aNZIZ6_YLGGpEc/s1600/DSCN3005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitxQawDjaxiLyzqo8ZjoQom8xivBG6tk_KJ2qE3qFyceyKluFKRXrGC0EzY_hlo79tILG_PkKwrd8teP3n4zVfsakHJN-jwtqLc7XhpOWDhyQhO5S9oAf_tTQrto8E-aNZIZ6_YLGGpEc/s640/DSCN3005.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More of the quasi-national park.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlOC2Q76iqB6aoj5diS_CIfifn5YjKycawuWwIpvAbgsnP7JRVnXTXphXLPbllJTj1sh_hNJJspdhb-CFA9hAq9yAlade43Yvos4TcfUOqyqYHQKZ_BCrqdyCZ9gErdRK7gOKBKQ5aWa8/s1600/DSCN3009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlOC2Q76iqB6aoj5diS_CIfifn5YjKycawuWwIpvAbgsnP7JRVnXTXphXLPbllJTj1sh_hNJJspdhb-CFA9hAq9yAlade43Yvos4TcfUOqyqYHQKZ_BCrqdyCZ9gErdRK7gOKBKQ5aWa8/s640/DSCN3009.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The end of Akiyoshido Caves and Quasi-National Park.</td></tr>
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</div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">After this stop, we got to see the animals! Check out my post about Safari Land coming up soon. </span>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15186838286658668036noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5902126784220903155.post-24797820718075314082012-03-19T02:30:00.003-07:002012-03-23T00:27:49.456-07:00Late February in Tokyo<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tokyo. I'd been waiting<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> for years</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> to experience Tokyo! It absolutely did not disappoint. I spent a few days looking over all my Japan tour guides (it's verging on collection-status) and my bucket list for things to see and do during just two days in the big city. Here's a rundown of some Tokyo highlights:</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4UEXXQzqGpgm85wcvQ648yf4jOiRGUEg6oSfHqdb7Dblsk5fFTfo8SMpAzh-loUmTUW85WpFCSJB8sFXBL-XhJRtrQtqVvxju-_DxZ9FzqTbn1Cnlxk9EiPzmz4vN1dORLFLZdAY2sHU/s1600/DSCN2908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4UEXXQzqGpgm85wcvQ648yf4jOiRGUEg6oSfHqdb7Dblsk5fFTfo8SMpAzh-loUmTUW85WpFCSJB8sFXBL-XhJRtrQtqVvxju-_DxZ9FzqTbn1Cnlxk9EiPzmz4vN1dORLFLZdAY2sHU/s400/DSCN2908.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love this picture! We arrived just before Hinamatsuri, a festival for Hina dolls. These dolls are a very old tradition: made by hand and very expensive. The first daughter in a family traditionally is given a set of Hina dolls by the maternal grandparents.</td></tr>
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</div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Visiting a bar called "GasPanic!" didn't sit so well with me after growing up down the street from a Holocaust Museum, but we had a drink there and kept moving:</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjerIeaek5BHry-Xvmi_InBJ6fowrdGDcyPkb06cQVwLMv7yRu2jeBZlqiL5oiYv3WQuNIlDox1H4uQ7TNlkQoihlvabyDhL0_pTWzrU3u0lk1XF_n-xf95s8KIjRw1tPnXoIIhVhQsfdY/s1600/IMG_0380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjerIeaek5BHry-Xvmi_InBJ6fowrdGDcyPkb06cQVwLMv7yRu2jeBZlqiL5oiYv3WQuNIlDox1H4uQ7TNlkQoihlvabyDhL0_pTWzrU3u0lk1XF_n-xf95s8KIjRw1tPnXoIIhVhQsfdY/s640/IMG_0380.JPG" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"If you use the VIP room, you will need to purchase a bottle of champagne." Thank you for the warning!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It was pouring down rain during our time in Tokyo! I promise this isn't a Liam-sized cardboard cutout!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8NuJfuJRGp7Gm9wdnHd0jrvF5uFGuJgycVQMyUNPjF1SlrX64_aka0v3VL-JIsSyTKOCSKXm34mBsk-X-2ObL4-SWoTnhqnrfRBiMVgymljEmCaNCGBOLoAyE9to90rTWytKld_0CWbQ/s1600/IMG_0382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8NuJfuJRGp7Gm9wdnHd0jrvF5uFGuJgycVQMyUNPjF1SlrX64_aka0v3VL-JIsSyTKOCSKXm34mBsk-X-2ObL4-SWoTnhqnrfRBiMVgymljEmCaNCGBOLoAyE9to90rTWytKld_0CWbQ/s400/IMG_0382.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I promise he was there, even though Liam looks like a cardboard cutout.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In the morning, it was time to head to the fish market! The <b>Tsukiji Fish Market</b> is one of the biggest attractions in Tokyo, but we didn't know that it was almost completely shut-off to visitors. Research fail. As we were wandering around ooh-ing and ahh-ing over the massive <b>tuna</b> and other seafood I couldn't even recognize, we kept getting stink-eyed and asked to move out of the way. Later we found out that it's closed to visitors until 9am. We got a few pictures and videos, so we are a part of an elite group now!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/cPJ8gzydt7M?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wheelbarrow with tuna on top</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKWpBheVVark9BjgzUdfwSnCjmPNOYTIY9-OLLVDXSPYGjgyhSBz41HwLSll4_Sl6kh8h3dpGBwlMuf9bk6mubJ0NQawlrweHVpkD0vNfHpItiRSDLNOY22IDvm1z9u5TYIOJJrqToKVo/s1600/IMG_0399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKWpBheVVark9BjgzUdfwSnCjmPNOYTIY9-OLLVDXSPYGjgyhSBz41HwLSll4_Sl6kh8h3dpGBwlMuf9bk6mubJ0NQawlrweHVpkD0vNfHpItiRSDLNOY22IDvm1z9u5TYIOJJrqToKVo/s400/IMG_0399.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tuna at the end of the auction</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG5CcRPpQzeDcAu5ac1DjQPu-iB4-7e8OZxP3g813DHW_up6vJFNuhoXyifO0wzktRCkco7sN-i-AKXoU36bztD9BvopYnupShfoTUJZ6LsuP35lxT3MOToU8sAxoWssS-tD0ZwVh5kMM/s1600/IMG_0400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG5CcRPpQzeDcAu5ac1DjQPu-iB4-7e8OZxP3g813DHW_up6vJFNuhoXyifO0wzktRCkco7sN-i-AKXoU36bztD9BvopYnupShfoTUJZ6LsuP35lxT3MOToU8sAxoWssS-tD0ZwVh5kMM/s400/IMG_0400.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Action shot of tuna being carried away.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We also had a chance to experience a Japanese<b> capsule hotel</b>: </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtHPSRuw1SEwqtNyBSyFeURs2fx8H4nXNhUcgr77d-N2SiWW4tYufCOUuupAUe1iyC34e6dFBa84wKuEgczDqGHWtgpczu3AiBGTTMqvNaXl5_NJc66CGhL-TWw6o-ji9XtPEV-1AjiBI/s1600/IMG_0403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtHPSRuw1SEwqtNyBSyFeURs2fx8H4nXNhUcgr77d-N2SiWW4tYufCOUuupAUe1iyC34e6dFBa84wKuEgczDqGHWtgpczu3AiBGTTMqvNaXl5_NJc66CGhL-TWw6o-ji9XtPEV-1AjiBI/s320/IMG_0403.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gain +1 for checking off a bucket list item, even at the expense of group bathing with Japanese ladies.</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We also saw the famous <b>Hatchi</b> statue (go see the movie if you haven't already!) outside Shibuya Station:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib1YtOQmMtfryg3Htjtu5v7AVQIejr5Zil5ElQmETj3fvN189C0Y5KHxnkol501XRq0rYVJbQmwc2SQd8DDADzvG6ikmCRfycaTlBUcbA3WVKcvLXu5SJvi-MlLxwPfyuDXiKAtI66M6I/s1600/DSCN2922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib1YtOQmMtfryg3Htjtu5v7AVQIejr5Zil5ElQmETj3fvN189C0Y5KHxnkol501XRq0rYVJbQmwc2SQd8DDADzvG6ikmCRfycaTlBUcbA3WVKcvLXu5SJvi-MlLxwPfyuDXiKAtI66M6I/s400/DSCN2922.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A big version of our little Eddie!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEjeZlmLWEFayy0-FqnJHkTEmU9HcUV4jUS33QBKRnctxmGgesEhRpkQ9MOOzlEwib-zsevEAj1givB4p7GInc6UrnS01_Znj6vcluPFJJeclA0294iiQ_uzEnlPu7fNd3GWBN9Bg2N7E/s1600/DSCN2919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEjeZlmLWEFayy0-FqnJHkTEmU9HcUV4jUS33QBKRnctxmGgesEhRpkQ9MOOzlEwib-zsevEAj1givB4p7GInc6UrnS01_Znj6vcluPFJJeclA0294iiQ_uzEnlPu7fNd3GWBN9Bg2N7E/s320/DSCN2919.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just another example of the animal craziness in Japan</td></tr>
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We headed over to Starbucks and got this great, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koyaanisqatsi">Koyaanisqatsi</a>-esque video of the world's largest crossing on a slow day:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/nom-vtZwZdQ?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We also needed to see <b>Harajuku</b>, so we headed over and sat down at a <b>Maid Cafe</b> for a little while for beer and snacks. I think this (very unflattering) video perfectly encapsulates how I feel about Japanese food: "Oh, chicken cartilage? That <i>really</i> sounds delicious, maybe another time.." Just to clarify, at the Maid Cafe, the waitresses are paid to act as though you are a princess and master. It is bizarre and awkward, like lots of things in Japan.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi/-rbEHG2B_6c/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/-rbEHG2B_6c?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/-rbEHG2B_6c?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We wandered through cute vintage shops and played games in the arcades like this one: </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi/ghw3cuq_lfw/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ghw3cuq_lfw?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ghw3cuq_lfw?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Then we needed another caffeine fix. We, sadly, do not have any cafes here at MCAS Iwakuni, so I get inordinately excited when we have the chance to visit places with even a Starbucks. We get stale Seattle's Best here at our coffee bar so I mostly don't bother. We visited <b>City Country City</b> while walking around in Harajuku and indulged in freshly brewed espresso and chocolate cake. Look at these beauties! The whole menu was in Japanese aside from the headings and no one around us spoke English, so I pointed at "Cake Set" on the menu, said, "kohi" and then said "chocolate?" while tilting my head. This is how I ask for coffee and chocolate cake. HA.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YX9ZSC3Uz1WerlF0WmreUto3D3N59bbSN5oHscp7JGCxBP0Bh2t0gwNYzr_yzOWOXojivdBoEx40xZTtgySZGA_958xA0MIyWfslMIwWGptu-kFZXpDyHzUEiMkJ5cwV1LXYYIWE4Gc/s1600/IMG_0407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YX9ZSC3Uz1WerlF0WmreUto3D3N59bbSN5oHscp7JGCxBP0Bh2t0gwNYzr_yzOWOXojivdBoEx40xZTtgySZGA_958xA0MIyWfslMIwWGptu-kFZXpDyHzUEiMkJ5cwV1LXYYIWE4Gc/s640/IMG_0407.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Be still!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Other notable happenings: we had dinner in a treehouse in Harajuku and just hung out that night checking out all the great fashion. Earlier in the day I also stopped at <b>H&M</b> and <b>Forever 21</b>! I really miss shopping, so that was fun. Here's a quick example of a girl dressed like Strawberry Shortcake with faux eyelashes just hanging out on the train: </span></span></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe9Z0QtKlRyhqoRpn4gEpN6LmGzbshANDk7MiWpN2sr0jeAU3PLvi1t9lm0Du5QgGXmZXs_61jb2W5Rn86RUClt0cUWep7DZUe6KWUKI5m2_AwEO7JOUHqKLPXkVMneMNbQR3FQN96bW4/s1600/IMG_0418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe9Z0QtKlRyhqoRpn4gEpN6LmGzbshANDk7MiWpN2sr0jeAU3PLvi1t9lm0Du5QgGXmZXs_61jb2W5Rn86RUClt0cUWep7DZUe6KWUKI5m2_AwEO7JOUHqKLPXkVMneMNbQR3FQN96bW4/s400/IMG_0418.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Check out the girl in the striped tights.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So this was the first, awesome half of our trip to the Tokyo area. The next post will be the *other* half :)</span></span></div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15186838286658668036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5902126784220903155.post-31193004859775948022012-02-05T05:48:00.000-08:002012-02-05T05:48:26.063-08:00Day Two in Nagasaki<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">Konichiwa!</span> On our second day in <b>Nagasaki, </b>we had big plans for a birthday lunch. To make the most of the day, we walked through a covered shopping area, checked out the Chinese New Year decorations in the light of day, went to a famous shrine, and then had a famous <b>shippoku </b>lunch at Kagetsu, toured the gardens, and then headed back to the bus for a long bus ride home.</span></div><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More fun new year's decorations!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Stained glass for my mom! A cultural gift from the dutch:</span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A nice covered shopping area decorated for the new year. Lots of western influence in the architecture.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We walked to <b>Sofukuji Temple</b> in Nagasaki through the covered shopping areas shown above. This temple is interesting because it actually survived the bombing in 1945. The shrines in this area were routinely inspected over the years to make sure people weren't secretly becoming Christian or any other sects of Buddhism. Japan thought it was very important to maintain the status quo.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arrival at the shrine</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joe at the shrine</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Approaching the first sun-dappled shrine</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Japanese love their stairs</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguIKrtCnOGOoYjKPLnlRIIJlGKKOIaGnmRlBeqi8jlbz059UNec9J6U4VK4MANVDPqFUran5Ceu1wao7D795L8QPeF8gjKp-DCC1b9O89praDLsnDkkmBuPlzns8ZspYAFYwJ0Ec3yNB4/s1600/DSCN2718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguIKrtCnOGOoYjKPLnlRIIJlGKKOIaGnmRlBeqi8jlbz059UNec9J6U4VK4MANVDPqFUran5Ceu1wao7D795L8QPeF8gjKp-DCC1b9O89praDLsnDkkmBuPlzns8ZspYAFYwJ0Ec3yNB4/s640/DSCN2718.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautifully painted lotus on the woodwork supporting the roof on one of the temples. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gorgeous shrine with Buddhist apostles along the sides. Some date back to the 1300s.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRYkgA0HHtoTlrhyllonypMsbhDLbo9jGuRTXo7T5EfTLM8njh_TzYSrRmYy0a0Eh0JDkycpJgvvFt6C-7PH-OAKaqJO_Ak1pWV6NSTDUgcWwzKBdQ6TFIFXGBp6MBYSAURlZdy6hxHDA/s1600/DSCN2725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRYkgA0HHtoTlrhyllonypMsbhDLbo9jGuRTXo7T5EfTLM8njh_TzYSrRmYy0a0Eh0JDkycpJgvvFt6C-7PH-OAKaqJO_Ak1pWV6NSTDUgcWwzKBdQ6TFIFXGBp6MBYSAURlZdy6hxHDA/s640/DSCN2725.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I really don't know enough about Buddhism to explain temples. They are quite amazing to see though.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVe3xtspBR0rqKO25zdvsxt9IY9JihHwz95CXuX8OBPWg4kTqVnDMEatjDN-cvFf-zefjlxcfbLl1ehpzzPeSJMxkOThR7Z_qA3ad7r1WVIt9ICj47o_uGsMuJDfYxW5b97HuIyG_i9tA/s1600/DSCN2727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVe3xtspBR0rqKO25zdvsxt9IY9JihHwz95CXuX8OBPWg4kTqVnDMEatjDN-cvFf-zefjlxcfbLl1ehpzzPeSJMxkOThR7Z_qA3ad7r1WVIt9ICj47o_uGsMuJDfYxW5b97HuIyG_i9tA/s640/DSCN2727.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These guys were terrifying.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh84u8pxcEHmWRZmh4b_aSrvP8xjXhezpUsXBhN2xCddFiKJjmT_2TLXL-thRo3aua3Om5CVsrJuZ3WdsH2ZgURnwPYDqYBJHWJEDdvSadY0h4tgpH8DZjhQTJeNCNLFuW03T00s09HL8g/s1600/DSCN2731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh84u8pxcEHmWRZmh4b_aSrvP8xjXhezpUsXBhN2xCddFiKJjmT_2TLXL-thRo3aua3Om5CVsrJuZ3WdsH2ZgURnwPYDqYBJHWJEDdvSadY0h4tgpH8DZjhQTJeNCNLFuW03T00s09HL8g/s640/DSCN2731.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This looked like a cemetery but was incredibly gorgeous with the sunlight and shadows.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1inOHjj8uBGeUldHtbnIhoush35UWH6y1LpcTDBs3Hup4x4npJ4Zu_zd11sKzFzrdzohk61PtAA69DlvYAnjyNvIChzxg-j_krDtvOwBHVExCrXcVznH4gv3PXnoOGOg4AueKa8wRKJ4/s1600/DSCN2722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1inOHjj8uBGeUldHtbnIhoush35UWH6y1LpcTDBs3Hup4x4npJ4Zu_zd11sKzFzrdzohk61PtAA69DlvYAnjyNvIChzxg-j_krDtvOwBHVExCrXcVznH4gv3PXnoOGOg4AueKa8wRKJ4/s640/DSCN2722.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This massive cauldron was cast to make porridge for the townspeople during a WWII famine. One of the monks would make porridge and dish it out until there was nothing left. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Unfortunately, I'm not very knowledgeable about Eastern spirituality, so I don't think I got the full experience. Sofukuji was beautiful to walk around, but I think I've had enough temples. To be fair, I also realized I'd had enough churches when we were living and traveling in Europe. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The big moment had finally come: my shippoku birthday lunch at Kagetsu! This is how Fodor's describes Kagetsu: </span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"This quiet hilltop retreat is Nagasaki's most prestigious restaurant. Dishes are served <i>kaiseki</i> (Kyoto-style multicourse meals) or <i>shippoku</i>, an elaborate course blending Asian and European elements. The interior wooden beams date to 1618, when Kagetsu was reputedly a high-class brothel. According to another local legend, Meiji Restoration leader Ryoma Sakamoto once took a chunk out of a wooden pillar with his sword during a brawl, leaving a still visible gash."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We had an entire tatami room to ourselves and had a grand tour of the restaurant, including visiting the room with the famous sword gash. Our waitress/hostess/new best friend didn't speak any English but encouraged us to take lots of pictures. I wouldn't want the pictures to languish on my hard drive forever, so please enjoy!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All pictures courtesy of my lovely and talented husband. Here I am opening the lid on my green tea as we began our marathon meal.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbThf6QZ1ysCHGbHYKoJuH3J2YkrHv-36yizSj9BC-fl-86GJDF-SzKSBvQ8SAGEPbbQDrWcdsh31NkGdfcR_S2DKMkLOessPs9RPXX_pifVorQhbLmbI0K2Pn6818kQTaQWCHNURFXuQ/s1600/DSCN2745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbThf6QZ1ysCHGbHYKoJuH3J2YkrHv-36yizSj9BC-fl-86GJDF-SzKSBvQ8SAGEPbbQDrWcdsh31NkGdfcR_S2DKMkLOessPs9RPXX_pifVorQhbLmbI0K2Pn6818kQTaQWCHNURFXuQ/s640/DSCN2745.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our hostess took us on a tour of the historic restaurant. This room has the famous sword marks in a wooden beam! The table is set for diplomats.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking out a glass window, you can see another part of the restaurant, the gorgeous gardens, and a peek of our hostess' obi (belt).</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5DQ_cAGrEoFKFN8-9jx49yDtbtzNxdutx-RROVGzx3u53TT5lxjRR6ErPeblHIZ2o9pVEJtd34EcTyRvMMcu61-bFQ9nh5c3fwYB7GI5bWCPA7u9d3uI5rK3vZnXPaTaXpe_dgc3f30g/s1600/DSCN2751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5DQ_cAGrEoFKFN8-9jx49yDtbtzNxdutx-RROVGzx3u53TT5lxjRR6ErPeblHIZ2o9pVEJtd34EcTyRvMMcu61-bFQ9nh5c3fwYB7GI5bWCPA7u9d3uI5rK3vZnXPaTaXpe_dgc3f30g/s640/DSCN2751.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A torii gate in the garden. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ofIEyyC1IrSV_LhsDz6E5Y6fd8PpetQ9M0U5pkA76jTUygiRzK8wRat1JBeYoR7Ko-K67VdEDpOCVb2KwOd8OBWjyrOI2do7AC0qEcfOcylMFnfWJNpE8FXGptMyG3bxF2CPhYkIar8/s1600/DSCN2752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ofIEyyC1IrSV_LhsDz6E5Y6fd8PpetQ9M0U5pkA76jTUygiRzK8wRat1JBeYoR7Ko-K67VdEDpOCVb2KwOd8OBWjyrOI2do7AC0qEcfOcylMFnfWJNpE8FXGptMyG3bxF2CPhYkIar8/s640/DSCN2752.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view looking down</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaJ60r8h7nPFUCsMTMEjsylT7BhrzcwzG_B09aVe-TvxG83_fUAMgciBwhcrPhGdqqYo3wcAL95ssihW6DR5DP6ylyAJIkZ5f43HXd-Dzltvsri0xC7PE1YVDBuJ78fwecYuJVNSwKWUU/s1600/DSCN2755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaJ60r8h7nPFUCsMTMEjsylT7BhrzcwzG_B09aVe-TvxG83_fUAMgciBwhcrPhGdqqYo3wcAL95ssihW6DR5DP6ylyAJIkZ5f43HXd-Dzltvsri0xC7PE1YVDBuJ78fwecYuJVNSwKWUU/s640/DSCN2755.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Joe back in Lilliput</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3acPbBngClkUKyUTDIzHQay9w6GZ8IbL-OshulaGw8AJOnP-Vt78S8oAQvzPN6wNRnbRXqmPAGp0N8WFumqLZVOD-7EYjaYImdvYcOOc7664QodXsCHr391NxPoCiK5ICK6_vUiGePpw/s1600/DSCN2756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3acPbBngClkUKyUTDIzHQay9w6GZ8IbL-OshulaGw8AJOnP-Vt78S8oAQvzPN6wNRnbRXqmPAGp0N8WFumqLZVOD-7EYjaYImdvYcOOc7664QodXsCHr391NxPoCiK5ICK6_vUiGePpw/s640/DSCN2756.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gorgeous scroll work in the museum-like area of the restaurant</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit_nyZAash0kobdVch36ynD04qaG5TGvN0qIDbUcQBvl8D3-IAmJggX48U_BnrnTkomvlsAqDAZKgRYmKHtP4w-VPdwZnzlqeSwEauyU-I99z-6vzyySQLZZroBBeU9d0HwgQaKqi74JY/s1600/DSCN2757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit_nyZAash0kobdVch36ynD04qaG5TGvN0qIDbUcQBvl8D3-IAmJggX48U_BnrnTkomvlsAqDAZKgRYmKHtP4w-VPdwZnzlqeSwEauyU-I99z-6vzyySQLZZroBBeU9d0HwgQaKqi74JY/s640/DSCN2757.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The famous wooden beam where Sakamoto left a gash. New goal: I want to be famous enough to accidentally ruin peoples' things and have them become famous for it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaFt1R-yeEc8eq8wqgWBu_n9hkiXAAUgonr6EvSJCwOOmeGGNCEYmQLm_tlr57542vnMSjbXKRJsQo1hpZgDoI48R_4Rv6quKXX8aPQ6xHiiYVHsxKHXD5NG7deIpL0yfi5gJB6rG1z1s/s1600/DSCN2762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaFt1R-yeEc8eq8wqgWBu_n9hkiXAAUgonr6EvSJCwOOmeGGNCEYmQLm_tlr57542vnMSjbXKRJsQo1hpZgDoI48R_4Rv6quKXX8aPQ6xHiiYVHsxKHXD5NG7deIpL0yfi5gJB6rG1z1s/s640/DSCN2762.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A parody of Dutch and Portuguese traders with their wares.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg69TbZX6M94t4DdGtaH0tBTFTSK3wrmuOMwE2x8TX57T-jL_HfHaA9AN1RHQ6QnSQ-1pvhbfaG9PwRW-5Npn7SAY4GIvEhdyV-gRD_ET4ViwcIqIVU3FW-RAvwjOYymPyoXjCNel5VAbs/s1600/DSCN2765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg69TbZX6M94t4DdGtaH0tBTFTSK3wrmuOMwE2x8TX57T-jL_HfHaA9AN1RHQ6QnSQ-1pvhbfaG9PwRW-5Npn7SAY4GIvEhdyV-gRD_ET4ViwcIqIVU3FW-RAvwjOYymPyoXjCNel5VAbs/s640/DSCN2765.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Geisha tools of the trade</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz3Yda0IMPrnwhVH17Hu1lRQzx7dn0eT7mKE2tAmY60di4QVtBj-AVWAKp2ff9v_66bgWj6Kl1RvMLFp2bMDOVdbAqh7ByEcMLaJ2To_jyD8d5UK84haXiYaikTiPOppH0NYI2nmKGRaM/s1600/DSCN2768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz3Yda0IMPrnwhVH17Hu1lRQzx7dn0eT7mKE2tAmY60di4QVtBj-AVWAKp2ff9v_66bgWj6Kl1RvMLFp2bMDOVdbAqh7ByEcMLaJ2To_jyD8d5UK84haXiYaikTiPOppH0NYI2nmKGRaM/s640/DSCN2768.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I saw a horse from this. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWlmnzNRivfcYF8l7SsTJoJzWQNlCmcWHP2cy-xIr7mtds99SbarntLdeRxi1JGU0Tf7gxjrg7NqjV9CjLkudZXBlgKX4Kz9yiLD1BYpGm1rhUUgLRmo4iCoz37VYWvX2GyiNkg22X6Yo/s1600/DSCN2770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWlmnzNRivfcYF8l7SsTJoJzWQNlCmcWHP2cy-xIr7mtds99SbarntLdeRxi1JGU0Tf7gxjrg7NqjV9CjLkudZXBlgKX4Kz9yiLD1BYpGm1rhUUgLRmo4iCoz37VYWvX2GyiNkg22X6Yo/s640/DSCN2770.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Women traditionally play this two-string guitar.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicV7O-N1iugvM1QXL2P44M28_smoRJ8ThOC1mAgqu6dOMROfZryczxorFtC3YqWooF-I947DV3W9I34HFeicgZiEyA5kRl7FMUO3xmxlOc5NyExxZ5NQ-_Mcv64Xo3-Lb6kKgE4ME2aHA/s1600/DSCN2772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicV7O-N1iugvM1QXL2P44M28_smoRJ8ThOC1mAgqu6dOMROfZryczxorFtC3YqWooF-I947DV3W9I34HFeicgZiEyA5kRl7FMUO3xmxlOc5NyExxZ5NQ-_Mcv64Xo3-Lb6kKgE4ME2aHA/s640/DSCN2772.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another nice scroll. All these ancient frames sit on little cushions. Adorable.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyxzT37ywfxspWzGVuinY_xqzOClE3_JDYn8KRfA2XsecPq_AvG43R0_Ujmx-Igir3LCO-_dePpnLLtonBDE4oJbQ4jiVfvShmw35JRX4X7fHqYhKPrJ9eeEotBesRrLe3egGE9fJMz6g/s1600/DSCN2773.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyxzT37ywfxspWzGVuinY_xqzOClE3_JDYn8KRfA2XsecPq_AvG43R0_Ujmx-Igir3LCO-_dePpnLLtonBDE4oJbQ4jiVfvShmw35JRX4X7fHqYhKPrJ9eeEotBesRrLe3egGE9fJMz6g/s640/DSCN2773.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The stairs were so steep!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2yMarAb24Zs3q7nOzwdv1U7Ad3UJhYMduC96JIObCB_paBHiqiC7hvcMagMwKqtiNK3TXGpxQVydQHMGBfOx1gPNJtXWYxVUd-uBCng_ZaiyxpglvGMp30HlM6GbR2oKjx6Y_QHbO1TM/s1600/DSCN2774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2yMarAb24Zs3q7nOzwdv1U7Ad3UJhYMduC96JIObCB_paBHiqiC7hvcMagMwKqtiNK3TXGpxQVydQHMGBfOx1gPNJtXWYxVUd-uBCng_ZaiyxpglvGMp30HlM6GbR2oKjx6Y_QHbO1TM/s640/DSCN2774.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We arrived back at our tatami room for a tapas-style meal.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsT7-bl-43zyjZtswdBnp1Fn3uPuBcLao8Ah_xbkENpNB9uAQLuu86WwskNBL5UGVtfaXaxqKhzAXE2mmXbFpw7YzL5kGqKbkm8OrCSpIariZpSqB35N2YDLK2zrzWFk9kLuogPdLQoOU/s1600/DSCN2775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsT7-bl-43zyjZtswdBnp1Fn3uPuBcLao8Ah_xbkENpNB9uAQLuu86WwskNBL5UGVtfaXaxqKhzAXE2mmXbFpw7YzL5kGqKbkm8OrCSpIariZpSqB35N2YDLK2zrzWFk9kLuogPdLQoOU/s640/DSCN2775.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delicious! We didn't eat the dandelion.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIQ3E2vE-9hVZeKH2kNqGmmQG1RvyQpVIpzAMj678uDbiNDTQrKNdrTp7iUsqkNid0x1CSpvJAHXxtkTypfRkzAOewIaV352ot3UII7p41yaW_LNB2f2GfaGVuM3IH4Pg7a4Bq9bRZSEU/s1600/DSCN2776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIQ3E2vE-9hVZeKH2kNqGmmQG1RvyQpVIpzAMj678uDbiNDTQrKNdrTp7iUsqkNid0x1CSpvJAHXxtkTypfRkzAOewIaV352ot3UII7p41yaW_LNB2f2GfaGVuM3IH4Pg7a4Bq9bRZSEU/s640/DSCN2776.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nagasaki is famous for their braised pork belly. I'm not a big fan of it or the green gelatin.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvgar1-giXc-BVFFmXrvvvNA2QkoNpk4kJpv2YhhcefeIChRW67LObLNud-SkKZ1bP3tjwhrbZ3uA1HlkAe0EjiMdOMfB1OwPUD1T9FNa_YObu54xP2Gn_3q4fuyRp8mHXvM_dquY2rYk/s1600/DSCN2777.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvgar1-giXc-BVFFmXrvvvNA2QkoNpk4kJpv2YhhcefeIChRW67LObLNud-SkKZ1bP3tjwhrbZ3uA1HlkAe0EjiMdOMfB1OwPUD1T9FNa_YObu54xP2Gn_3q4fuyRp8mHXvM_dquY2rYk/s640/DSCN2777.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pickled vegetables in delightful jars.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJX0o99mOifADczaGhIP55EyTi9VHzUBwcdnGS9LQV9NK0XD3R-bkniW1ywaNrvAupTPaREBNfTHChaRgqbcgwmBCtPKdt2qC6H3ZtsBolvzI0vk5_PAuTLl6LZ0wk39MysJyRCQaC9Uo/s1600/DSCN2778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJX0o99mOifADczaGhIP55EyTi9VHzUBwcdnGS9LQV9NK0XD3R-bkniW1ywaNrvAupTPaREBNfTHChaRgqbcgwmBCtPKdt2qC6H3ZtsBolvzI0vk5_PAuTLl6LZ0wk39MysJyRCQaC9Uo/s640/DSCN2778.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adzuki beans in syrup</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixA_aHTtC2qIuRz4iGQyu_MJQSegwxzdKiRQgrCb4HYSiaF3SXBddwcmYzTuuWsCIDbecqYXDcrwuFdfGb1WSDs_hAUOIM6oM3tZYSra6riqu439obHGasnaBfwmQA-ay8uEHHExlGstk/s1600/DSCN2779.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixA_aHTtC2qIuRz4iGQyu_MJQSegwxzdKiRQgrCb4HYSiaF3SXBddwcmYzTuuWsCIDbecqYXDcrwuFdfGb1WSDs_hAUOIM6oM3tZYSra6riqu439obHGasnaBfwmQA-ay8uEHHExlGstk/s640/DSCN2779.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was possibly my favorite course. We each had one little basket full of tiny pieces of vegetables and the baskets were edible!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiYW1DE3ubDXzZvGcTt9OJM349P-CpfZdTonjTZzlh2ohziPXaABN3OLyDwSkK-MihRkSHkdBaOieuQ9d9U_KYV8ZjrchEk8n-sfVeDtsx-NuJzl1sdWwrMsfP_TRONpa8aqVk_3bkH90/s1600/DSCN2780.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiYW1DE3ubDXzZvGcTt9OJM349P-CpfZdTonjTZzlh2ohziPXaABN3OLyDwSkK-MihRkSHkdBaOieuQ9d9U_KYV8ZjrchEk8n-sfVeDtsx-NuJzl1sdWwrMsfP_TRONpa8aqVk_3bkH90/s640/DSCN2780.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our hostess stayed in the hall almost the entire time. I know it's weird that Joe took a picture, but she was the most darling lady.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUuGGoQ77Ded9DJ2sBHUKl7mBr_UGS4wCOtSv_x11Mb9mJ8FpAtY1F1Go57wQ_pTcZDZyX39TJoh6cEj2qLfnneEeiEiqKGfPZYwaUz-sqGXMJGeUHGVjvctidrROpQYYrODDCJDUtYfI/s1600/DSCN2781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUuGGoQ77Ded9DJ2sBHUKl7mBr_UGS4wCOtSv_x11Mb9mJ8FpAtY1F1Go57wQ_pTcZDZyX39TJoh6cEj2qLfnneEeiEiqKGfPZYwaUz-sqGXMJGeUHGVjvctidrROpQYYrODDCJDUtYfI/s640/DSCN2781.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I changed my mind! This was my favorite! Egg + Mushroom bite or the tiny wedge of a grilled cheese sandwich with mushroom inside?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAcYuL2CY0X5KFqiOht6_B6cIcKhmMdEvee1vy4m_AFl48TDRaAmBn-3nFOf4t76CY56Aj25YUgyeJAK2aq2MHRIjqFLvlV_k8lbmvn0TtBrqGpvP552Oonbx0-nzWYSp25AQo5Px3Cyo/s1600/DSCN2782.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAcYuL2CY0X5KFqiOht6_B6cIcKhmMdEvee1vy4m_AFl48TDRaAmBn-3nFOf4t76CY56Aj25YUgyeJAK2aq2MHRIjqFLvlV_k8lbmvn0TtBrqGpvP552Oonbx0-nzWYSp25AQo5Px3Cyo/s640/DSCN2782.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The carrots are cut into cherry blossom shapes and another vegetable (rolled kale?) acts as a branch. The only other thing I can identify is the brussel sprout.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu7i5QEHRrlvzMp3Ul7PrF2kUHMq3FBE2KDr9d5_3ZUbjonkuXTz26BnXn9f6FOx4EUWCvsEM4owhjHqkioOXqwMQN6eeD_vfUS7VIk9zDK3V21qhH_U9RWddigrTZRAXkv_2B_CGb-V8/s1600/DSCN2783.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu7i5QEHRrlvzMp3Ul7PrF2kUHMq3FBE2KDr9d5_3ZUbjonkuXTz26BnXn9f6FOx4EUWCvsEM4owhjHqkioOXqwMQN6eeD_vfUS7VIk9zDK3V21qhH_U9RWddigrTZRAXkv_2B_CGb-V8/s640/DSCN2783.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More braised pork belly plus peppers! The peppers weren't spicy at all, but the pork belly was too fatty for my taste.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihYhSwT3idFc74agqFdDBmR7ndQeDq2KUfoX5U_bQWHH8uOrS2R75GA1q0yKWh-0LSQFVhmMvnkEcgg7oTkoIUQfvNM-983i9W-d7R6q-WeM94Lfuy5x9JwerDZTTeaLRmUiEXqTNOefM/s1600/DSCN2784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihYhSwT3idFc74agqFdDBmR7ndQeDq2KUfoX5U_bQWHH8uOrS2R75GA1q0yKWh-0LSQFVhmMvnkEcgg7oTkoIUQfvNM-983i9W-d7R6q-WeM94Lfuy5x9JwerDZTTeaLRmUiEXqTNOefM/s640/DSCN2784.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soup and pickled vegetables to cleanse our palettes</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7IMKVBPSFX6RfOc_1H0X_-yyJwTnXhjOT4xnLNlIZ4lScbWynEXwDRTnpInAD2t8M9udcNGcuF6NrbMdqP10P_1O0s-v1nK7fmPVadLS9B-xoIOG4NTYY8Z1Qzv3aM4Z4KoFOTgnh-kQ/s1600/DSCN2788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7IMKVBPSFX6RfOc_1H0X_-yyJwTnXhjOT4xnLNlIZ4lScbWynEXwDRTnpInAD2t8M9udcNGcuF6NrbMdqP10P_1O0s-v1nK7fmPVadLS9B-xoIOG4NTYY8Z1Qzv3aM4Z4KoFOTgnh-kQ/s640/DSCN2788.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Of course, mashed adzuki bean with a dumpling for dessert!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXxaRlJKpqv7gPhOeqTc3QbLKQuFum86Su722O9wAWcZ3PAgLXL9eSvvrye3S3I5xVCR9YOMTabpUl4vpIYtifs0wzYCywQ6YiClEevzS5YVk2BOTnj7W40b5juQbWSJSP-fQSN2OB12Y/s1600/DSCN2789.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXxaRlJKpqv7gPhOeqTc3QbLKQuFum86Su722O9wAWcZ3PAgLXL9eSvvrye3S3I5xVCR9YOMTabpUl4vpIYtifs0wzYCywQ6YiClEevzS5YVk2BOTnj7W40b5juQbWSJSP-fQSN2OB12Y/s640/DSCN2789.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This lady was so incredibly sweet! I told her it was my birthday (it was! in Michigan) and she was nice enough to pose for a picture with me.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHEQkQDT1wibfihlRkIxoV6yNVMoZvqY-3pI-NhkhEBgVzgXajJV0rOzsdSsoqCK_wYyCvaND8RAUVdZfDPXSDzIFZoqVhLOI6P3Cn3U-92BoZk1_QMOWQcDwC5Np8blJRnMX17AyWrTU/s1600/DSCN2785.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHEQkQDT1wibfihlRkIxoV6yNVMoZvqY-3pI-NhkhEBgVzgXajJV0rOzsdSsoqCK_wYyCvaND8RAUVdZfDPXSDzIFZoqVhLOI6P3Cn3U-92BoZk1_QMOWQcDwC5Np8blJRnMX17AyWrTU/s640/DSCN2785.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More tea and a custard dessert with a melon ball, two pieces of strawberry, and a mint leaf.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9kloJMEXPLJ9rkdxFnICkTQUuLYMM44GriUbygEBYUj54HwYV5XOQ2iJMuJFhduCOayIcB_rwsvhptwzWd9mqUQ1xGCyygFrfsPFZDsf-mSyxLNVcqLB4zTL_iLTrPzpQPuB0MRbJzRc/s1600/DSCN2793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9kloJMEXPLJ9rkdxFnICkTQUuLYMM44GriUbygEBYUj54HwYV5XOQ2iJMuJFhduCOayIcB_rwsvhptwzWd9mqUQ1xGCyygFrfsPFZDsf-mSyxLNVcqLB4zTL_iLTrPzpQPuB0MRbJzRc/s640/DSCN2793.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving Kagetsu with my birthday date!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGt7PaqEU1mH3Ue_ES_satnGFQvR56WSFhFw-t9l94bMsoP49dK11pefGNvlqZbZuv7KXVQXmDq-SF_Nh4ZIh09zBEx7T1ajKGXu7eggIRHfPAix0YJVPL6orJDPH8enh9EK7VhJt8Dh4/s1600/DSCN2794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGt7PaqEU1mH3Ue_ES_satnGFQvR56WSFhFw-t9l94bMsoP49dK11pefGNvlqZbZuv7KXVQXmDq-SF_Nh4ZIh09zBEx7T1ajKGXu7eggIRHfPAix0YJVPL6orJDPH8enh9EK7VhJt8Dh4/s640/DSCN2794.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Immediately outside the restaurant</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5K3dzuH5ZexYLH3UEetfCCJcXzPFVls5obqaLMVaBnA1AfzPWggWLFzLj4nLMflZDTs73YKv-8ePmMfmHjEf0JHWd2dc2UO3A56CypLxf5jz60Uk5YYiCmh6ghwdTqKNRSdI2OmDHbos/s1600/DSCN2797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5K3dzuH5ZexYLH3UEetfCCJcXzPFVls5obqaLMVaBnA1AfzPWggWLFzLj4nLMflZDTs73YKv-8ePmMfmHjEf0JHWd2dc2UO3A56CypLxf5jz60Uk5YYiCmh6ghwdTqKNRSdI2OmDHbos/s640/DSCN2797.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Japanese gardens are so beautiful!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdnPo0xFL-kHRRQPp0QGRiELw1MU-Slu7VSf1GwYYMswnt7DKzEqgR9PrM1OYa4LvbuRG1mgYiLDQ7K6Bv6NOMhO6qjufnBjVt5hvtkNdsDA27USklghcqb3BCcMjWjBCpPZWPyhtFL3E/s1600/DSCN2799.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdnPo0xFL-kHRRQPp0QGRiELw1MU-Slu7VSf1GwYYMswnt7DKzEqgR9PrM1OYa4LvbuRG1mgYiLDQ7K6Bv6NOMhO6qjufnBjVt5hvtkNdsDA27USklghcqb3BCcMjWjBCpPZWPyhtFL3E/s640/DSCN2799.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Koi pond!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJG-0xraDGqfcnexCrLL5OS6xK6MFzJoUa6WNdMzfz5FZH871JES3flSAmyYeQLn-GE-jRxVVZ2n_e7_F9qDvIxcsrG3tspU0CYvYDu90LKAn0N5mEbFwQPHAHvrErvhlMyoinENbfkik/s1600/DSCN2801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJG-0xraDGqfcnexCrLL5OS6xK6MFzJoUa6WNdMzfz5FZH871JES3flSAmyYeQLn-GE-jRxVVZ2n_e7_F9qDvIxcsrG3tspU0CYvYDu90LKAn0N5mEbFwQPHAHvrErvhlMyoinENbfkik/s640/DSCN2801.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Torii gate</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj711Z7QCFq_tyf_NLOAkdvfwP35wERtQXvgbpzWWdYJIVld3d3ktOep3vHO8eBvFGJxVvhpj4sChxc3cftvwmaLKXJ6WZHeON-l86OsscEvG3xO6Gb3c3Cmkp7hXQcu7oGUNGjLODmFv8/s1600/DSCN2807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj711Z7QCFq_tyf_NLOAkdvfwP35wERtQXvgbpzWWdYJIVld3d3ktOep3vHO8eBvFGJxVvhpj4sChxc3cftvwmaLKXJ6WZHeON-l86OsscEvG3xO6Gb3c3Cmkp7hXQcu7oGUNGjLODmFv8/s640/DSCN2807.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You should know something about me: I can't resist a good topiary.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDe2FNsrkKNHf0CWaDgpFo6Rb6By3R9g9AUcSd5HJDaUlis-NAnbcXK7g_KyTSVo39DZUi2Izl7OxmdoxoB6zTG5AvheBVlIB5n2KQx-5fXde-iM3JP9T9EqYPPaB4skQDTwHGWBVF38Y/s1600/DSCN2809.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDe2FNsrkKNHf0CWaDgpFo6Rb6By3R9g9AUcSd5HJDaUlis-NAnbcXK7g_KyTSVo39DZUi2Izl7OxmdoxoB6zTG5AvheBVlIB5n2KQx-5fXde-iM3JP9T9EqYPPaB4skQDTwHGWBVF38Y/s640/DSCN2809.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You should know something else about me: I *know* stairs like these lead to secret gardens!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfJ8FzDmKn34ltAg9xpoEVL-WPJfzV0ZJpTcNP_8RTivlyTKyp8EiMv5rWVOadqQGsMTz5RGgT3OfuGDDGXk7UHZme2fXgTan0dCxK_o4_PSXaXsJ9JnmupVte-StYWfMlFLG81eWbzj0/s1600/DSCN2810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfJ8FzDmKn34ltAg9xpoEVL-WPJfzV0ZJpTcNP_8RTivlyTKyp8EiMv5rWVOadqQGsMTz5RGgT3OfuGDDGXk7UHZme2fXgTan0dCxK_o4_PSXaXsJ9JnmupVte-StYWfMlFLG81eWbzj0/s640/DSCN2810.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A white dragon! Oooh! This one is in the display case for some reason. I learned that dragons are considered very lucky and a sign of purity in Japanese culture, unlike how they are terrifying in my culture.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thanks for joining me on my photography tour of Nagasaki! Thanks so much to everyone who sent me birthday greetings too! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Looking forward to two more birthdays in Japan,</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Heather </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div><span id="goog_1431168091"></span><span id="goog_1431168092"></span>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15186838286658668036noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5902126784220903155.post-72833000296676408072012-02-02T23:24:00.000-08:002012-02-02T23:50:32.511-08:00My Birthday! - Day One in Nagasaki<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">We're finally calming down after<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> lots of traveling in January. Over the weekend, we went to <b>Nagasaki</b> on an <b>ITT</b> (Information, Tours, and Travel) trip through the base. It was about a seven-hour trip by bus but they showed movies and I am pretty talented at falling asleep anywhere, anytime. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">One very unexpected highlight was that a lady sitting behind me recognized me from this blog! How thrilling! <b>Hi, Melinda!</b></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">People unfamiliar with Japan's geography (me) might find it interesting that Japan is comprised of a few very large islands. We live on the biggest one - Honshu - and we were traveling south to Kyushu. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimyjV1-UrXkC9LjdMc9qtiq3vs7iULSW_A4zMlDnHKxSAUVyNoOmgVtwph2LrRoek9HCXoRZAF_dtGzOsO-_jxR80jTCyXGcQHQSuXR-OFbAlC8jFNgYoFgZAlFhq_W6E_JUEORYpzh8o/s1600/IMG_1495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimyjV1-UrXkC9LjdMc9qtiq3vs7iULSW_A4zMlDnHKxSAUVyNoOmgVtwph2LrRoek9HCXoRZAF_dtGzOsO-_jxR80jTCyXGcQHQSuXR-OFbAlC8jFNgYoFgZAlFhq_W6E_JUEORYpzh8o/s400/IMG_1495.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A mom and baby looking over the bridge to Kyushu at a rest stop.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu0M6bD-OE_JRBf6IugxF2ndR2K9jjNzCZmDtklxj14Tq3edzOXK-cGqlIsZtUo3yZGummzscU9bQ1lO441opL37JLcmeA131m1ItcM34YYrWUDZaPGf42EHIXLZLnvi-2aBVb4_FbBn0/s1600/IMG_1496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu0M6bD-OE_JRBf6IugxF2ndR2K9jjNzCZmDtklxj14Tq3edzOXK-cGqlIsZtUo3yZGummzscU9bQ1lO441opL37JLcmeA131m1ItcM34YYrWUDZaPGf42EHIXLZLnvi-2aBVb4_FbBn0/s400/IMG_1496.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Iwakuni bus and a hotel with a fun graphic behind it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our first stop on the trip was to see the <b>Nagasaki Peace Park and Museum</b>. As most people know from history class, America bombed both <b>Hiroshima </b>and <b>Nagasaki</b> in 1945 with <b>atomic bombs</b>. This led to the end of the war with Japan, saving countless American lives, but these bombs devastated entire cities leaving almost no survivors at all. The stories we read in the Peace Museum were incredibly moving and brought many ethics debates into question. The most emotional artifact I saw was a <b>clock</b> that must have been in a basement because it had not caught on fire or simply melted from the heat of the blast. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEiT64bYv3wJQ1A_8N_szgh5bSzfGtVKvum1q3F_ouaxJZmTnv-B1PC6WfO3k4y-NzIw7eYHVESfOY0eNHU-ihnxQYuvtfHDC8t_Lghl0gA0zmTaoeldTtuXnoaMAbU0zreyk23Q2fxWQ/s1600/nagasaki+clock.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEiT64bYv3wJQ1A_8N_szgh5bSzfGtVKvum1q3F_ouaxJZmTnv-B1PC6WfO3k4y-NzIw7eYHVESfOY0eNHU-ihnxQYuvtfHDC8t_Lghl0gA0zmTaoeldTtuXnoaMAbU0zreyk23Q2fxWQ/s400/nagasaki+clock.JPG" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image from <a href="http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-photo/rob-danielle/1/1291903500/clock-stopped-at-11-02-at-atomic-bomb-museum.jpg/tpod.html">this site</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I think it symbolizes how time and life as Japanese knew it stopped and could never be the same again. There were other artifacts like a helmet with skull matter in it, melted glass bottles, Christian church remains, and more that were also horrifying to see and think about. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwuzJG2P4Q1mwCNOyXCGe5aLGZI6OfrEM3mgd_2Q9QRQVseDS8B-p2qCbzzUizi11ULteXqA4xSNWjnq2WL_mtYcnPVhgfd_WiSrOGbFpuSOF6qD4NsDvFhNaxm87oBtsihhsea2WAip0/s1600/IMG_1497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwuzJG2P4Q1mwCNOyXCGe5aLGZI6OfrEM3mgd_2Q9QRQVseDS8B-p2qCbzzUizi11ULteXqA4xSNWjnq2WL_mtYcnPVhgfd_WiSrOGbFpuSOF6qD4NsDvFhNaxm87oBtsihhsea2WAip0/s640/IMG_1497.JPG" width="476" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Standing in the Peace Park with Peace Statue. The statue's right hand points to the threat of nuclear weapons while the extended left hand symbolizes eternal peace. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>All in all,</b> very informative, guilt-inducing, and not a great way to begin celebrating a birthday. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So, the bus finally took us to our rooms at the <a href="http://www.comfortinn.com/hotel-nagasaki-japan-JP036">Comfort Hotel Nagasaki</a>. *Quick review: Tiny room with a hard bed and even tinier bathroom. Clean, comfortable, within walking distance to the train station even with luggage.* </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We changed out of our bus clothes and got ready to hit the town for the Chinese New Year festival in Chinatown. Since I can't read Chinese, I told Joe it was for my birthday party. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIgEi-eqSPHVXSIL94JF5wdGy4ZFYw8y0kps6xfgkqY2hCkW9-AFIDG22pd2CSkrMZurSTDOJrCzzRw2I_53RfbxaDgH1f9jg1TQPhITHjEe7iZ8gFajbCmRHNfOwTbkdAzUE0m2b5ppQ/s1600/IMG_1500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIgEi-eqSPHVXSIL94JF5wdGy4ZFYw8y0kps6xfgkqY2hCkW9-AFIDG22pd2CSkrMZurSTDOJrCzzRw2I_53RfbxaDgH1f9jg1TQPhITHjEe7iZ8gFajbCmRHNfOwTbkdAzUE0m2b5ppQ/s400/IMG_1500.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Much better! Chinatown is looking festive for my birthday!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW2fIDjiDVF6iSWXg2W7vtgyVx8o-VTVq2lmAMeG6XHOm4JEDn0PcDOy-WMPq4HSIjbcxs2SxdUfobwiJXPF-Fu_G_ZD9S9ZXCsSZzu2KY1ZJ78O3l3w55fdGxPiMy_kFcfhzLqVM2EUc/s1600/IMG_1499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW2fIDjiDVF6iSWXg2W7vtgyVx8o-VTVq2lmAMeG6XHOm4JEDn0PcDOy-WMPq4HSIjbcxs2SxdUfobwiJXPF-Fu_G_ZD9S9ZXCsSZzu2KY1ZJ78O3l3w55fdGxPiMy_kFcfhzLqVM2EUc/s400/IMG_1499.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very pretty paper lanterns!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjswmstDyIrcntbFcUXeM0cZj33o3dbZn8WhyQcEEKcLWglg5_YH49SLXj7R6DxGKMyJfbxwh8xwisVDssM50gTn0FbiisY0TMJSADhyAYgMx7HhyphenhyphenZZ_bKhaeKmTosG1R22Wx4tUw3xcAU/s1600/IMG_1501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjswmstDyIrcntbFcUXeM0cZj33o3dbZn8WhyQcEEKcLWglg5_YH49SLXj7R6DxGKMyJfbxwh8xwisVDssM50gTn0FbiisY0TMJSADhyAYgMx7HhyphenhyphenZZ_bKhaeKmTosG1R22Wx4tUw3xcAU/s400/IMG_1501.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite dude at the entrance to Chinatown</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_VBB6i3jpCldAkr47H35F12OicM3lSJHLCgvNOyQ93_6ShBKbjOVLoObtJ5BUCgAGIueei10014f9LPjpuaQQ6xzGcPAognI6ny3ijrOv-qzkLY4bEKvd98f7NOMACDtkZedyIPhSrZ4/s1600/IMG_1502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_VBB6i3jpCldAkr47H35F12OicM3lSJHLCgvNOyQ93_6ShBKbjOVLoObtJ5BUCgAGIueei10014f9LPjpuaQQ6xzGcPAognI6ny3ijrOv-qzkLY4bEKvd98f7NOMACDtkZedyIPhSrZ4/s640/IMG_1502.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love these lanterns!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrby7t6ttwmWNjREYQVJmsPegmfswnrnvVqT5g7np-vQkbNHjFSi2pGsLfxzzCYO0zRDvuZDhScOqWu2eylb2PBnc8Ewi4NoMPbAJ8fr4ztQjE16YRmuDiO0pSo1Vxmp5g2StDOU4B5No/s1600/IMG_1503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrby7t6ttwmWNjREYQVJmsPegmfswnrnvVqT5g7np-vQkbNHjFSi2pGsLfxzzCYO0zRDvuZDhScOqWu2eylb2PBnc8Ewi4NoMPbAJ8fr4ztQjE16YRmuDiO0pSo1Vxmp5g2StDOU4B5No/s640/IMG_1503.JPG" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We tried some steak on a stick, yum</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMqsbNhNfLGMlOxV5DRPkZQwCMhumg0h88T9YNz4829_o_2lhIuNFxRRDpZWBx-BRBpyZuCvl-Mgc8Mp4APJSG1elHzLnLdFkIBJaM-ZY-hYJlm1kH6QeMJHf0ptDBOtEhhIG4u98mPQA/s1600/IMG_1504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMqsbNhNfLGMlOxV5DRPkZQwCMhumg0h88T9YNz4829_o_2lhIuNFxRRDpZWBx-BRBpyZuCvl-Mgc8Mp4APJSG1elHzLnLdFkIBJaM-ZY-hYJlm1kH6QeMJHf0ptDBOtEhhIG4u98mPQA/s400/IMG_1504.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfnDV7aD6w_kAIcK-VWEakwgws0DF3jNO9dzjTv3-_DDjnKlVQVih4fVvrbLrggRoMCjUi_oXU2ZZVhALQY82eJsdylvkRqLm8395cimHsiSnf9G-kPpfmH7u2QUsVU10hZ6-JgUVb_Js/s1600/IMG_1505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfnDV7aD6w_kAIcK-VWEakwgws0DF3jNO9dzjTv3-_DDjnKlVQVih4fVvrbLrggRoMCjUi_oXU2ZZVhALQY82eJsdylvkRqLm8395cimHsiSnf9G-kPpfmH7u2QUsVU10hZ6-JgUVb_Js/s400/IMG_1505.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stacks of slightly sweetened pretzel-like treats</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUSDcmJ0emgxlHUDc9MAV_pMhbQji3mFM8lBokMrX9kYKYXq80a2pQkhtiDazQoBvZa73R_7PHGtAdov4Xw0HUmsh9uWLWyt0jV3ppBmnm7FgwRS1jOXYnMg_3i2tO6iPF6HYSbfbsZ1Y/s1600/IMG_1507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUSDcmJ0emgxlHUDc9MAV_pMhbQji3mFM8lBokMrX9kYKYXq80a2pQkhtiDazQoBvZa73R_7PHGtAdov4Xw0HUmsh9uWLWyt0jV3ppBmnm7FgwRS1jOXYnMg_3i2tO6iPF6HYSbfbsZ1Y/s400/IMG_1507.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Possibly zero sugar in this steamed marble cake</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkWLZfeTIebReVvDAhiUaDWRfYC-2ELkVf1KJ8Gsv8NDnqnKw6v8A2DgXk8FN2uE9y6qqSNRDNU8C62UT2Jjbk3-9Fq3SAArxhFP8neHo4EgO75-dD191FikZfnZHnHMEwRhEoyeOcFco/s1600/IMG_1508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkWLZfeTIebReVvDAhiUaDWRfYC-2ELkVf1KJ8Gsv8NDnqnKw6v8A2DgXk8FN2uE9y6qqSNRDNU8C62UT2Jjbk3-9Fq3SAArxhFP8neHo4EgO75-dD191FikZfnZHnHMEwRhEoyeOcFco/s400/IMG_1508.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice lanterns under the tent</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx99rlbkSV7aKQqiuZm93qiRVa3hFRUhYkygoD2sQPbLIfJ88GE20jzhMjCM09zxszkX3V83UxaKicZZ22rzt3uxoeYVmBo7Gs_goFgeehyphenhyphenUuVeoAbI1NJeML72J_L0NWauqHVi4aXrII/s1600/IMG_1510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx99rlbkSV7aKQqiuZm93qiRVa3hFRUhYkygoD2sQPbLIfJ88GE20jzhMjCM09zxszkX3V83UxaKicZZ22rzt3uxoeYVmBo7Gs_goFgeehyphenhyphenUuVeoAbI1NJeML72J_L0NWauqHVi4aXrII/s400/IMG_1510.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Welcome to the year of the dragon!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object class="BLOGGER-picasa-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNaHjrTMQ-dXt3S3i2Ju6-QIqjxwYXf0ylH5reJFKv_Ws6w2TDU_YKrhCfz5VjRhxm0wTaoImePpFhC1Xw1JnH-bYajNq1YImWl4yZED5E-PkC-H_kGoPGJAtBZVFfTSVpeYnTRcoe0-I/s1600/IMG_1511.MOV" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fv1.nonxt8.googlevideo.com%2Fvideoplayback%3Fid%3Dbd044321303a5e19%26itag%3D18%26source%3Dpicasa%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1328185753%26sparams%3Did%2Citag%2Csource%2Cip%2Cipbits%2Cexpire%26signature%3D91DBF793D892426CA5AD8D724F1B109031D9919D.DD68F159362F8071C285226A9566809D64B0FF8B%26key%3Dlh1" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fv1.nonxt8.googlevideo.com%2Fvideoplayback%3Fid%3Dbd044321303a5e19%26itag%3D18%26source%3Dpicasa%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1328185753%26sparams%3Did%2Citag%2Csource%2Cip%2Cipbits%2Cexpire%26signature%3D91DBF793D892426CA5AD8D724F1B109031D9919D.DD68F159362F8071C285226A9566809D64B0FF8B%26key%3Dlh1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqO5AyH6GrpvxCoD7E7HP8xcRK6wNtgcBOVt-N7dDrsdnHfJq6XwO0V9AF9h3AXWdoZHRDIwqV-usTv9gMu3Zh4Zh4BicZ_Vp_ZRrXdH01H8B_7Oy4qs8vJ2TR4BRYSKt7pw4T2r_ZtZM/s1600/IMG_1512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqO5AyH6GrpvxCoD7E7HP8xcRK6wNtgcBOVt-N7dDrsdnHfJq6XwO0V9AF9h3AXWdoZHRDIwqV-usTv9gMu3Zh4Zh4BicZ_Vp_ZRrXdH01H8B_7Oy4qs8vJ2TR4BRYSKt7pw4T2r_ZtZM/s400/IMG_1512.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice light display made of ramen spoons</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG9cZ2Djcc-oPpWBDw57q6KbE7FcY-EpTQsQLYQy-OBkkr4SMXw2A91QCtGUO4pK2m56PuGpH8rgU-w7FQ3TZBlzUEkGIsvuvle8dMc8P3VpWhymSrdK8wagQsXWd2sl4lRJXpRAza3_Q/s1600/IMG_1514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG9cZ2Djcc-oPpWBDw57q6KbE7FcY-EpTQsQLYQy-OBkkr4SMXw2A91QCtGUO4pK2m56PuGpH8rgU-w7FQ3TZBlzUEkGIsvuvle8dMc8P3VpWhymSrdK8wagQsXWd2sl4lRJXpRAza3_Q/s400/IMG_1514.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Disgusting display of pig heads with candle sticks everywhere. Perhaps a sign of thanks for all the pork belly sandwiches being sold?</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqcY6UUb22mrLHDuJq0fKr-1TpNNySjsire_Glqpxor6KqLGW7jZdjAxpwvBhZ4w-CKxJzZl24Lx68FIn19-rh9notJ6Ef9DzjNwA3Pi7iTO0ZPGcXU4inixXtd8S_6cq6DabiHLbPUCk/s1600/IMG_1517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqcY6UUb22mrLHDuJq0fKr-1TpNNySjsire_Glqpxor6KqLGW7jZdjAxpwvBhZ4w-CKxJzZl24Lx68FIn19-rh9notJ6Ef9DzjNwA3Pi7iTO0ZPGcXU4inixXtd8S_6cq6DabiHLbPUCk/s640/IMG_1517.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love these lanterns!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidOWKd19NfuDZtsU3iuTvd_JNouiEbNtmi6ouIg3RYGkOsZ7uqQ1MHz48xugVkGuK89MZwqIfbDPUze9vA3Rj02z1lkVVqUQz76pTmmhIynrdmXWJt8EkzpbZxkCmKrqNuWJdwK-cdAVA/s1600/IMG_1519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidOWKd19NfuDZtsU3iuTvd_JNouiEbNtmi6ouIg3RYGkOsZ7uqQ1MHz48xugVkGuK89MZwqIfbDPUze9vA3Rj02z1lkVVqUQz76pTmmhIynrdmXWJt8EkzpbZxkCmKrqNuWJdwK-cdAVA/s640/IMG_1519.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traditional dragon dance</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span id="goog_213161298"></span><span id="goog_213161299"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object class="BLOGGER-picasa-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0lVmnjVSdPeuDGzCLT4GUDc0YzsojbNxgHyEm2kN0IcdSSOUUI3YTBdvSZ1EuTMgtLOOoGwg-itq2JreKgTEKiMVHU0zhLaxDBuIZoOa_rMLIEIyId_pQYcksGGThhKZmZ2GB5sIO1FY/s1600/DSCN2645.MOV" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http://v2.nonxt1.googlevideo.com/videoplayback?id%3Da8688caf2cf03c30%26itag%3D5%26source%3Dpicasa%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1328270771%26sparams%3Did,itag,source,ip,ipbits,expire%26signature%3DCDFB8B3681A7683C8695F33CA9E1AC014E672D2B.4D01A23FB120ABF96DE0501C48100786A8A75AEA%26key%3Dlh1" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http://v2.nonxt1.googlevideo.com/videoplayback?id%3Da8688caf2cf03c30%26itag%3D5%26source%3Dpicasa%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1328270771%26sparams%3Did,itag,source,ip,ipbits,expire%26signature%3DCDFB8B3681A7683C8695F33CA9E1AC014E672D2B.4D01A23FB120ABF96DE0501C48100786A8A75AEA%26key%3Dlh1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A dragon dance in the festival square!</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object class="BLOGGER-picasa-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoNiTPBx0LK46wlnhO50hWtGKWHDI0Um2e2ESF3uCjgj54e2YULQkmYTIFy5LrcCiJrvnQcaoV1ruquCXRKQZnkES_Xmy918EbvmRWbj8Lb0ku7vFs9x7w4MTK_x8-OR6S7_olZdlD4gM/s1600/DSCN2648.MOV" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http://v4.nonxt2.googlevideo.com/videoplayback?id%3D561369ea0d52d562%26itag%3D5%26source%3Dpicasa%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1328270771%26sparams%3Did,itag,source,ip,ipbits,expire%26signature%3D9DC5D3EA78D8F9D7AD67966E81F76EE8C1E75E51.4A2F13B01125AF07DD3B59D3F33C00E84F1BEBE5%26key%3Dlh1" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http://v4.nonxt2.googlevideo.com/videoplayback?id%3D561369ea0d52d562%26itag%3D5%26source%3Dpicasa%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1328270771%26sparams%3Did,itag,source,ip,ipbits,expire%26signature%3D9DC5D3EA78D8F9D7AD67966E81F76EE8C1E75E51.4A2F13B01125AF07DD3B59D3F33C00E84F1BEBE5%26key%3Dlh1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivqulxLlNN2HVsaU_e7tkwRzI7oF5ufoEzUQiqxfyG2h0v2_PBd-SAs-ulPJJPNOp0Yb-t4JnHQ3xArq_6-5x1OjYaTdWPO1vY6WHb5f_j9W74FXeIBLfR7x0gcwOGiuh7QHgd9WjqYWU/s1600/DSCN2651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivqulxLlNN2HVsaU_e7tkwRzI7oF5ufoEzUQiqxfyG2h0v2_PBd-SAs-ulPJJPNOp0Yb-t4JnHQ3xArq_6-5x1OjYaTdWPO1vY6WHb5f_j9W74FXeIBLfR7x0gcwOGiuh7QHgd9WjqYWU/s640/DSCN2651.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Festive panda: fun for kids, disconcerting for me and Joe.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A quick zoom around the square:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object class="BLOGGER-picasa-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOrKi8qQgD310Wbo7DPbYvWwRm6KjCE0a3JP_Eq2OydJby8Nm5SMhuFDt8ZV-AIJymRQlrg3XjBNyN6SE7FGAsFUA-erN9p71AWj7FHVoj_VdtCu7XfyYvtaaWafT7-PWohAe3AFv8ApE/s1600/DSCN2652.MOV" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http://v23.nonxt3.googlevideo.com/videoplayback?id%3Dd1e5634fc38669ce%26itag%3D5%26source%3Dpicasa%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1328270771%26sparams%3Did,itag,source,ip,ipbits,expire%26signature%3D2DBE45DD5F4E2D57FB5581A73557DA9DA8738D26.7DAD6AA29C59E844118A52C174FBF23AF35FFD1E%26key%3Dlh1" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http://v23.nonxt3.googlevideo.com/videoplayback?id%3Dd1e5634fc38669ce%26itag%3D5%26source%3Dpicasa%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1328270771%26sparams%3Did,itag,source,ip,ipbits,expire%26signature%3D2DBE45DD5F4E2D57FB5581A73557DA9DA8738D26.7DAD6AA29C59E844118A52C174FBF23AF35FFD1E%26key%3Dlh1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt1iUfW2mHMI_nJSxyBpjnlH1X4Xa1pWPUhX2Gs4poJ-SNYx8oklrdzlQxiFmjRVsA19ROulLoLh8U5x5vTGqr2rQKbLbUQQ75L-hPZwt2uCiWVnIZwYBl_e-ChIvywjtXXwn6gcvOuA8/s1600/DSCN2658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt1iUfW2mHMI_nJSxyBpjnlH1X4Xa1pWPUhX2Gs4poJ-SNYx8oklrdzlQxiFmjRVsA19ROulLoLh8U5x5vTGqr2rQKbLbUQQ75L-hPZwt2uCiWVnIZwYBl_e-ChIvywjtXXwn6gcvOuA8/s320/DSCN2658.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tilt your head to see a lantern</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Nagasaki has a rich history as the only port in Japan to allow foreigners to trade. British, Portuguese, and Dutch traders brought bits of culture over as you can see in the next video:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object class="BLOGGER-picasa-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-G6CIos19dyFcOZz_2WhWyMoxbfZHpOKGaKiUejk_Iy2iXa9HldRMdPxrbF35_ytFg3uwreflDIAJXtYrctKOnFXQX4yfg0jLr3XR2lgVa33LzqcNYyjkNSDBEn1LRXuq6OjU7OCU5t0/s1600/DSCN2664.MOV" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fv8.nonxt2.googlevideo.com%2Fvideoplayback%3Fid%3D33413ef3cfb3af0e%26itag%3D18%26source%3Dpicasa%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1328271047%26sparams%3Did%2Citag%2Csource%2Cip%2Cipbits%2Cexpire%26signature%3D3E7AF27F915E87FA7CE9B9D4206468C1EDFC8C0F.93F79AC237D608DAF8BBC9443019E21C76B3AD2D%26key%3Dlh1" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fv8.nonxt2.googlevideo.com%2Fvideoplayback%3Fid%3D33413ef3cfb3af0e%26itag%3D18%26source%3Dpicasa%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1328271047%26sparams%3Did%2Citag%2Csource%2Cip%2Cipbits%2Cexpire%26signature%3D3E7AF27F915E87FA7CE9B9D4206468C1EDFC8C0F.93F79AC237D608DAF8BBC9443019E21C76B3AD2D%26key%3Dlh1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">These acrobats were incredibly talented! I kept bracing myself every time this young man would throw a pot in the air.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object class="BLOGGER-picasa-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfOhYoCr83ZP9LnUF_x6JMe5hRNe7_LZZEfjWdgdXNCDOkdOVExjtSG9TUoHrYVk6nKiTxdguTEDCcRG2cjQjUr6kn_udQqOzbpd1deF996TH0BzT3_R-S6T-j34-09-WKyr_wGG-7n20/s1600/DSCN2666.MOV" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fv18.nonxt7.googlevideo.com%2Fvideoplayback%3Fid%3Dafc95bc563eb21c7%26itag%3D18%26source%3Dpicasa%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1328271436%26sparams%3Did%2Citag%2Csource%2Cip%2Cipbits%2Cexpire%26signature%3D462F70FF189129DC0AA961766490C5178ECFEB08.9F29BDA74C63BF4E75129FC3A7F8B3772C6FEBC8%26key%3Dlh1" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fv18.nonxt7.googlevideo.com%2Fvideoplayback%3Fid%3Dafc95bc563eb21c7%26itag%3D18%26source%3Dpicasa%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1328271436%26sparams%3Did%2Citag%2Csource%2Cip%2Cipbits%2Cexpire%26signature%3D462F70FF189129DC0AA961766490C5178ECFEB08.9F29BDA74C63BF4E75129FC3A7F8B3772C6FEBC8%26key%3Dlh1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Adorable:</span> <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object class="BLOGGER-picasa-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjJL0iyYDCujXQSTAe26394kmGxaThwZW4Kg7T73d1O_SoLZ574MhGdInROsFeXZGXYhldIPRo9B-j9q2KeRz4UXhQ_-OSHqCOIfAcGCOEn6jIliUzxY9q0T3FO76nDjyHO2a8Q_PhLJE/s1600/DSCN2669.MOV" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fv13.nonxt5.googlevideo.com%2Fvideoplayback%3Fid%3Df24cad70eeedf10a%26itag%3D18%26source%3Dpicasa%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1328273050%26sparams%3Did%2Citag%2Csource%2Cip%2Cipbits%2Cexpire%26signature%3DB48A0610ECCDA83C160DA410598227B9E63D5C8A.D862E8E18F2391CD7B59AC26CEB19155D7107855%26key%3Dlh1" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fv13.nonxt5.googlevideo.com%2Fvideoplayback%3Fid%3Df24cad70eeedf10a%26itag%3D18%26source%3Dpicasa%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1328273050%26sparams%3Did%2Citag%2Csource%2Cip%2Cipbits%2Cexpire%26signature%3DB48A0610ECCDA83C160DA410598227B9E63D5C8A.D862E8E18F2391CD7B59AC26CEB19155D7107855%26key%3Dlh1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I loved this Asian Jimmy Kimmel look-alike!</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Jimmy Kimmel-san adds more nonsense to balance on top of:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object class="BLOGGER-picasa-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizeAGtAz_FCJWjQaXSLOhqIk0Up5KoDsqsCchk_6fhS3OvM6FusKm7YIHoWnt4NPSWA_InNCaG4BoNX6EZ5pyDMkBKG_jNVC4fQ01iI0ktiiMuIvC8SqAJS0Y86C0DtXHs2qYPJVcvqKs/s1600/DSCN2671.MOV" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fv18.nonxt1.googlevideo.com%2Fvideoplayback%3Fid%3D0fdb43b799e17fd5%26itag%3D18%26source%3Dpicasa%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1328275971%26sparams%3Did%2Citag%2Csource%2Cip%2Cipbits%2Cexpire%26signature%3D927A1CB84B975BC447CD92647D0CB7BCEF4730FC.6A722B086E12BAA473172EEB149663CF65FE085%26key%3Dlh1" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fv18.nonxt1.googlevideo.com%2Fvideoplayback%3Fid%3D0fdb43b799e17fd5%26itag%3D18%26source%3Dpicasa%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1328275971%26sparams%3Did%2Citag%2Csource%2Cip%2Cipbits%2Cexpire%26signature%3D927A1CB84B975BC447CD92647D0CB7BCEF4730FC.6A722B086E12BAA473172EEB149663CF65FE085%26key%3Dlh1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"Oh, I'm just standing on my friend's head, wearing a leotard, doing the splits in the air, and balancing a pot on my head. What are you up to?"</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Putting your one-armed push-up to shame. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiHO_cZ4QEOgH6goS2TrehJTeAmii7baNhMukx-Znos4VNrgaaoEfecy1Iwaq-dQcCoY9xvdNuHf-AqnlSQks4og-ORmXuGyt8RwRDJG8RR7F8MBBuPrA9Btqk8drn84HXN9jHy_XqlEA/s1600/DSCN2677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiHO_cZ4QEOgH6goS2TrehJTeAmii7baNhMukx-Znos4VNrgaaoEfecy1Iwaq-dQcCoY9xvdNuHf-AqnlSQks4og-ORmXuGyt8RwRDJG8RR7F8MBBuPrA9Btqk8drn84HXN9jHy_XqlEA/s320/DSCN2677.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We tried so many crazy <b>Chinese</b> foods (potstickers, pork belly, "bacon" sandwiches, and more) and saw so many great parts of Chinese culture on our trip to Chinatown in Nagasaki! It was very cold but braving the weather was worth it to see all the sights. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">When we got back to the hotel, Joe even surprised me with a bottle of <b>Layer Cake Shiraz</b> since I'm trying to stay away from sugars (even in birthday cakes!). This effort was made so much more special by the fact that you can't just go to a specialty shop for wine in Japan. He brought it all the way from his training exercise in <b>North Carolina</b>! What a sweetheart!<br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15186838286658668036noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5902126784220903155.post-66271448300720677642012-02-01T17:47:00.000-08:002012-02-01T17:47:21.130-08:00Toys R Us<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">On a recent Hiroshima adventure<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> with my friends Jackie and Malania, we shopped in "thrift stores" that have designer handbag sections! Jackie and Malania are connoisseurs of quality leather and taught me how to inspect a bag to ensure it's authenticity and how to appreciate a good bag! I was thinking the designer bags would be under $100 since they're used and in a thrift store, but I was surprised to find them in glass display cases with price tags of up to $1000! Wow!</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We found so many cute shops on this adventure and tried some real Hiroshima <b>okonomiyaki</b> (layers of egg, cabbage, and other veggies grilled in front of you) for lunch. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The only picture I thought to take was at Toys R Us. I'm really interested in games kids play and the cultural significance of them. I didn't see any dollhouses in the store, but did see these: </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx20o6x0Mq8Zs5VitmeL3KXxkAjJa_2dxdLEISwI3ehTROE08-P2KtU8_pXz812K6v6n6LEtsQKUFioTbikorIlw4kJUrVwojH2R8fcngF2D_kU3kKMq6IPhl-mAokeVzh57tkPfOtuLg/s1600/IMG_1485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx20o6x0Mq8Zs5VitmeL3KXxkAjJa_2dxdLEISwI3ehTROE08-P2KtU8_pXz812K6v6n6LEtsQKUFioTbikorIlw4kJUrVwojH2R8fcngF2D_kU3kKMq6IPhl-mAokeVzh57tkPfOtuLg/s400/IMG_1485.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The pricetags on these were in the $500-700 range, so don't expect any as souvenirs. :) Isn't that a strange doll house though? I'm not sure how to play with them, but I did notice that the flowers are removable, maybe for kids to practice <i>ikebana</i> (flower arranging)?</span>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15186838286658668036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5902126784220903155.post-48193394359878456122012-02-01T17:35:00.000-08:002012-02-01T17:35:05.393-08:00MCCS Spouse Meet & Greet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">A great part of being<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> a military wife is that you keep making friends even though you're out of school and oftentimes, not working. One way I've met some great people in Iwakuni is by attending the Spouse Meet & Greet events. Last week, MCCS (Marine Corps Community Services) hosted a sushi class for us and I had a great time making California rolls and spicy tuna rolls. </span></span></span></span></div><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lay out your bamboo mat, measure your seaweed, pat down your sticky rice</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roll it up and press hard on the sushi roll. Also, smile for a picture :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5o8P4EqD_qd4ejSFl5Ft6-UFkXvx0StSX960UKfDpjNqmXVeTM7Ek-FHRu8iKLuAt4QcyHT9OlR2Bc3f5w_WqIIupKHzgDE0_AooxYfZl9sYqGKJtysz3zCaMgsueEo54QhXbq9N4nP8/s1600/IMG_1489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5o8P4EqD_qd4ejSFl5Ft6-UFkXvx0StSX960UKfDpjNqmXVeTM7Ek-FHRu8iKLuAt4QcyHT9OlR2Bc3f5w_WqIIupKHzgDE0_AooxYfZl9sYqGKJtysz3zCaMgsueEo54QhXbq9N4nP8/s320/IMG_1489.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">California rolls have seaweed inside because Americans typically don't like seaweed. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuPDotsPKV-e5Y-J_t8Zdmyt568rVyxwxeE5Han3iOeC-gWJOUh2hEPvyxIeFcyF_EkOYb4Hwmq9sHW4ZqPIqJcHlQDbsRXUCEjsWSsu2uTSyHC232FfNh0QhoDCG2RM7ez708bxDXuGE/s1600/IMG_1490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuPDotsPKV-e5Y-J_t8Zdmyt568rVyxwxeE5Han3iOeC-gWJOUh2hEPvyxIeFcyF_EkOYb4Hwmq9sHW4ZqPIqJcHlQDbsRXUCEjsWSsu2uTSyHC232FfNh0QhoDCG2RM7ez708bxDXuGE/s320/IMG_1490.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My finished California roll! The saran wrap over the bamboo keeps the rice from sticking.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'm excited to start making sushi at home now! I think Joe will be excited too.</span></span>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15186838286658668036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5902126784220903155.post-88525247412090536942012-02-01T17:26:00.000-08:002012-02-01T17:26:04.241-08:00L Style Cafe<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">One of my favorite dates<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> in Iwakuni is going to L Style Cafe with Joe to chat, have a cappuccino, and be surprised by what kind of design will show up in my coffee. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tilt your head to the right to see a sleeping bear</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Joe got a fun design too: </span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Classic latte art</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'm always on the lookout for cafes in within driving distance of Iwakuni. If you're reading this and have found a good one, please leave a comment so I can visit too!</span>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15186838286658668036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5902126784220903155.post-47784945734141810032012-02-01T17:17:00.000-08:002012-02-01T17:17:07.197-08:00Back in Iwakuni<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">We've made a few resolutions<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> for the new year and one of them includes taking trips every other week - even just day trips! It's too easy to stay in Iwakuni all the time and feel trapped when you're accustomed to being a short trip from a thriving metropolis. Anyway, we've been seeking out more day trips and enjoying the mild winter here.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We had a chance to check out the Otake Oyster Festival two weeks ago, but got a late start that Saturday morning. The festival was advertised as being held from 10am to 3pm, so we arrived at about 2pm hoping to catch the tail end. Well, we showed up and all the fried food was cold and every other vendor was packing up. The oysters had run out already! Lesson learned: show up early or on time even for Japanese festivals!</span></span></span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLSnVDEQfOh_v07-uEFcY1XcwMtXcjx8gIh18Bv85zt-JNbe32UcIYvHHIM4yjv8vgEUn_HGCDZMIJZCwplvleDEs0E1hVqdIi9WVnqN4eFLPBWqwDIa3yUpIb_OUN3ES-bImfQR9HJAI/s1600/IMG_1480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLSnVDEQfOh_v07-uEFcY1XcwMtXcjx8gIh18Bv85zt-JNbe32UcIYvHHIM4yjv8vgEUn_HGCDZMIJZCwplvleDEs0E1hVqdIi9WVnqN4eFLPBWqwDIa3yUpIb_OUN3ES-bImfQR9HJAI/s400/IMG_1480.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I think this is an interesting Japanese festival food. From what I understand (PLEASE correct me if I'm wrong!), these little white blobs over the fire pit are <b>mashed sticky rice</b> that is shaped into balls, skewered, and then roasted. I've seen colorful balls in the summertime, but just plain ones at this festival. Personally, I'm not a huge fan. They taste bland and somehow dry and too sticky at the same time. I'd recommend trying it once because it's a big Japanese tradition, but I've never been too thrilled with them.</span>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15186838286658668036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5902126784220903155.post-75350045255761942972012-02-01T17:00:00.000-08:002012-02-01T17:00:32.866-08:00Russians!<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was so happy to see two<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">of my favorite Russians! Jenya and Kathy met me at another one of my favorite hometown bars, Uptown, and it was the first time I felt 100% okay to drive home after spending time with them. :) It was so good catching up with them and seeing Jenya for the first time since she got married! Congrats again, Jenya and Ryan!</span></span></span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioWBeBHMGco5CVUl0Ik_3UsZ2zrs_LD1s9cuoTLJJYv85GxLSIWKq0haB3fkeyFEiIfsC3qzylH7wWprXpzK3PEI7fuCU0ne0stSZCvCQl7ulYmKRTd86h8HQ-26aJ5PSLxV9SoyyIEeE/s1600/IMG_1456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioWBeBHMGco5CVUl0Ik_3UsZ2zrs_LD1s9cuoTLJJYv85GxLSIWKq0haB3fkeyFEiIfsC3qzylH7wWprXpzK3PEI7fuCU0ne0stSZCvCQl7ulYmKRTd86h8HQ-26aJ5PSLxV9SoyyIEeE/s400/IMG_1456.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Love you girls! </span>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15186838286658668036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5902126784220903155.post-15328121396039714262012-02-01T16:54:00.000-08:002012-02-01T16:54:19.950-08:00JDs Key Club in Pontiac<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Somehow JDs has become a ritual experience<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> for my friends back in Michigan. The appeal is not just for a great bar; it's for drunken debauchery and sing-alongs. All you have to do is tip the singers/pianists with a few dollars and a song request, and they will belt it out for you. You might also be insulted/embarrassed/forced to sit on the stage, but that's part of the fun. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It was awesome to see this group at JDs right before Gloria (and Josh!) left for Minnesota. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katie, Katy, and Glo!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Josh astounding us with his vocal skills right before his British Turret's outburst</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizRa4_xYG3OBAYeuUmB6U9YP089rutMXEy8d4HAJjetAba71Iv81TpqhaHze6pWdRgC6Iz7vw3u1kcRD8Q422l6NbllEcUbXmYMoBzXJtvzYzUY68W7QDnVlN7jKYCtrOhTzxV8JuHNpQ/s1600/mi.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizRa4_xYG3OBAYeuUmB6U9YP089rutMXEy8d4HAJjetAba71Iv81TpqhaHze6pWdRgC6Iz7vw3u1kcRD8Q422l6NbllEcUbXmYMoBzXJtvzYzUY68W7QDnVlN7jKYCtrOhTzxV8JuHNpQ/s400/mi.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joe was there too!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I also got to see Danielle and hear lots of juicy stories! Thanks for making it such a fun night!</span>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15186838286658668036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5902126784220903155.post-86275145145002137252012-02-01T16:42:00.000-08:002012-02-01T16:42:13.287-08:00Cookies!<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Shea was leaving <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">just after I arrived, so we squeezed in one more date: cookie decorating! Shea's family has a tradition of decorating cookies and was so sweet to let me join! We were decorating them after the New Year because their Christmas stash had already been eaten and they wanted to send some beautiful and fresh treats to the Philippines with Shea!</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here we are being incredibly goofy: </span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not posed. At all.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas in America!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I miss you already, Shea!! I hope we don't have to wait too long before our next big adventure.</span>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15186838286658668036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5902126784220903155.post-60489981681008792532012-02-01T16:33:00.000-08:002012-02-01T16:33:14.351-08:00New Year's Eve in Detroit<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">I had an amazing time back in Detroit.<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> It was fantastic to catch up with old friends, make new ones, and have an amazing time in the process! I missed so much about America and was in shock almost the entire time I was back. Thank you to everyone who took time out to see me!</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'll try to keep this post abbreviated since it's not a <i>really</i> blog about America. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We were tagging <b>leave</b> (military jargon for vacation time) on to the beginning of a work trip for Joe, so making it home for Christmas just didn't happen. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We arrived just in time for New Year's Eve and had big plans at the <b>Fillmore</b> with one of my best friends, <b>Shea</b>, and her cousin, <b>Syd</b>! We had dinner at my favorite Thai restaurant (<b>Sawasdee Thai</b> on Haggerty Road) and reminisced on all the high school dinners we shared in that same spot. Then, we proceeded to Detroit and set up shop at the Ren Cen to primp and catch a shuttle to the NYE party. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All dressed up with the girls!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6dsTsBDoR39jgPrUiJomMjZ9k2OWxK0T_2vodkrbSE2zZMot2ixfTXl5VOMuV7Iyo1SKXi4pP7GgFhWIVaBA38JEdj62n-L2352OhOq3TU-5ZpLRS_pljw9WJbJZTxQCZ98GCCNWrITc/s1600/DSC07090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6dsTsBDoR39jgPrUiJomMjZ9k2OWxK0T_2vodkrbSE2zZMot2ixfTXl5VOMuV7Iyo1SKXi4pP7GgFhWIVaBA38JEdj62n-L2352OhOq3TU-5ZpLRS_pljw9WJbJZTxQCZ98GCCNWrITc/s320/DSC07090.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shea, Sydney, me, and Joe at the Ren Cen pre-partying for NYE</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The party was amazing! They had fire dancers, acrobats, rope dancers, live DJs, great drinks....more than I could have asked for!</span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very inviting!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHT3Zns6YbpiUSluxh3-yNJYdRLo69UYn-ug75rCtkSxfJwygG-zLZ6zzic99Xb5PADuRhhLDcaVk5Zq3JoLSYMEZZpd1PfjM-Vcnit1VkgsZYa7xJC6JZwUsP1AJypBAFm7vdjVEybuI/s1600/DSC07120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHT3Zns6YbpiUSluxh3-yNJYdRLo69UYn-ug75rCtkSxfJwygG-zLZ6zzic99Xb5PADuRhhLDcaVk5Zq3JoLSYMEZZpd1PfjM-Vcnit1VkgsZYa7xJC6JZwUsP1AJypBAFm7vdjVEybuI/s640/DSC07120.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They are hanging by ribbons, no big deal.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Needless to say, much fun was had by all! I would love to go next year if we have a chance to be in Michigan. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15186838286658668036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5902126784220903155.post-52026684073323265412011-12-29T00:14:00.000-08:002011-12-29T00:14:29.136-08:00Shunan Orphanage<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">While Joe was in Guam,<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> I had the chance to go to a <b>local orphanage</b> with our Family Readiness Officer, Chaplain, a great group of caring Marines, and unit families. This visit really put me in the holiday spirit. The kids who live at this orphanage do everything with each other, share everything with each other, and care for one another as they grow up. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A few interesting things I learned about how Japanese care for children with no home:</span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A parent without the means to support their child can give up their child to an orphanage, but retain rights to the child until he or she is <b>six years old</b>. A young mother, for example, can be back on her feet in six years and care for her child on her own again.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Unwed mothers and unplanned pregnancies are still very <b>taboo</b> in Japan.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There is no foster care system in Japan (from what I understand).</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The same schooling system still applies for kids in orphanages: <b>they must study constantly to test into high school</b>. If they don't score well, they can study more and take a test equivalent to a G.E.D., but can only qualify for jobs like manual labor or working in convenience stores. </span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thanks so much to <b>Becky V.</b> for taking these pictures at the orphanage!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vIrSGjD5VJ8/Tvvm5BnZV4I/AAAAAAAAA0s/Ed8mStDTp7k/s1600/group+shot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vIrSGjD5VJ8/Tvvm5BnZV4I/AAAAAAAAA0s/Ed8mStDTp7k/s640/group+shot.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This was our amazing group and a few of the older kids from Shunan Orphanage:</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Ixe6H4s5QiXFeK9hQJwUNCg79lWDcIbJEiSRFmsl50pSNPcVsXg8PM8o4g4ytCZqFLVduySZLG9XhD70v4eMsAq8L409G_H2nb-0V3pMJeolStX-rLXiA9qsnZuoXx_I9cXhuNN98bs/s1600/heather+with+girls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Ixe6H4s5QiXFeK9hQJwUNCg79lWDcIbJEiSRFmsl50pSNPcVsXg8PM8o4g4ytCZqFLVduySZLG9XhD70v4eMsAq8L409G_H2nb-0V3pMJeolStX-rLXiA9qsnZuoXx_I9cXhuNN98bs/s640/heather+with+girls.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few of my new friends with their gifts from Santa</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iXLqKwVVWaU/Tvvm6A9vt2I/AAAAAAAAA1E/4TZ-IwFTafE/s1600/Rion+and+gift.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iXLqKwVVWaU/Tvvm6A9vt2I/AAAAAAAAA1E/4TZ-IwFTafE/s640/Rion+and+gift.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As hard as I tried to treat all the kids equally, little Rion (?) and her brother were my favorites.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xiRaWpvh-Ho/Tvvm448udBI/AAAAAAAAA0k/Vt4Xs1QR9OQ/s1600/elf+and+girls.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xiRaWpvh-Ho/Tvvm448udBI/AAAAAAAAA0k/Vt4Xs1QR9OQ/s640/elf+and+girls.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Santa's elf and two of the cutest kids in Iwakuni. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsUoZ2lpVZnFTnrBEY2Ba5NitwFKNe6o64W-cy-BFmcMFG_h2xQicYjpU9nrBQDH135OG82WQh-6wH9nKI7WvtDIxTMfEF4K8A3CUc2oEE7JaZDFBXySlgkJ_BUgfpT0rXVvB8uO7kKfY/s1600/santa+and+Rion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsUoZ2lpVZnFTnrBEY2Ba5NitwFKNe6o64W-cy-BFmcMFG_h2xQicYjpU9nrBQDH135OG82WQh-6wH9nKI7WvtDIxTMfEF4K8A3CUc2oEE7JaZDFBXySlgkJ_BUgfpT0rXVvB8uO7kKfY/s640/santa+and+Rion.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Santa introducing himself to all the kids</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">After <b>Santa</b> and his <b>elf </b>handed out all the gifts and the children opened and played with them for a while, the kids went back to their regular schedule and one of our guides <b>showed us around</b> to get a feel for how the kids live day-to-day. </span></span></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5U-GoKaJ7nU/Tvvm60PdDwI/AAAAAAAAA1U/jlAcaebgUOs/s1600/where+babies+sleep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5U-GoKaJ7nU/Tvvm60PdDwI/AAAAAAAAA1U/jlAcaebgUOs/s640/where+babies+sleep.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the room where all the toddlers sleep. There is a wall of cabinets that fit futon mattresses in them when not in use. Sleeping on the tatami mats is a Japanese tradition.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ8vX3rSWk9nqmxZTmbC41LjNJn4jiXJme4JmxVwmb6dDC0urps7xsFr8dqV13O6p__7-wq3yVKn9Lo7zaSAu7_Hdl1cpcQ48yDZrcRDJPjAJ2PAhAsAEul1pF6UD-8g_EQWYcaY1sclo/s1600/older+kids+bunkbeds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ8vX3rSWk9nqmxZTmbC41LjNJn4jiXJme4JmxVwmb6dDC0urps7xsFr8dqV13O6p__7-wq3yVKn9Lo7zaSAu7_Hdl1cpcQ48yDZrcRDJPjAJ2PAhAsAEul1pF6UD-8g_EQWYcaY1sclo/s640/older+kids+bunkbeds.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The older kids sleep and study in the same areas. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xiRaWpvh-Ho/Tvvm448udBI/AAAAAAAAA0k/Vt4Xs1QR9OQ/s1600/elf+and+girls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLZ9da5u6j87l98X4Zc1OboDp78jWDE43K5nGb9veNY7V4PTj18LriAQRdnhkil8Ivdz8SJef7BQUKcyvMTaKJabqUaJ85r1R86Jf8nO8UnGyQWUykBl9xskhJ9sZyvQLp7HBZ0gyxYlg/s1600/kids+playroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLZ9da5u6j87l98X4Zc1OboDp78jWDE43K5nGb9veNY7V4PTj18LriAQRdnhkil8Ivdz8SJef7BQUKcyvMTaKJabqUaJ85r1R86Jf8nO8UnGyQWUykBl9xskhJ9sZyvQLp7HBZ0gyxYlg/s640/kids+playroom.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coloring time in the playroom! </td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We are making plans to do <b>another trip</b> before next Christmas so the kids know they have our attention throughout the year, and not just near the holidays. They really are great kids and I hope they are reunited with their parents or find loving families soon. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If anyone in the Iwakuni area is reading this and wants to get involved, contact your FRO or Chaplain about organizing a visit to the <b>Shunan Orphanage</b>. It was well worth the quick drive down the Sanyo Expressway. </span>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15186838286658668036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5902126784220903155.post-89998999675956973242011-12-28T19:59:00.000-08:002011-12-28T19:59:12.460-08:00Christmastime in Iwakuni<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Joe was deployed in Guam<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> for the majority of the holiday season, but finally made it back with a few days to spare before Christmas. It was sad to decorate the house with no one to enjoy the twinkly lights with, but I'm thankful that Joe's deployments are as short as they are. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">On Joe's first full day back in Iwakuni, we bundled up and drove to Hiroshima to check out the <b>Dreamination</b> display along the Peace Boulevard, or <i>Heiwa Odori</i>. We hit Starbucks for fancy dessert drinks and used the heat to warm our hands as we checked out the crazy displays. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XpgAMrC7AMw/TvvdoM3pEjI/AAAAAAAAAyo/0Hb42w97xXk/s1600/IMG_1381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XpgAMrC7AMw/TvvdoM3pEjI/AAAAAAAAAyo/0Hb42w97xXk/s400/IMG_1381.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hearts all over the tree!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKsmfmMQM0WO3rm_EU-2xxwusv7IUT8EbhfuiNKwd7GvcFeiUrvFbSK9hdBMdbuoBwQhut__dUOJfZKse2DBNFuRKcWVD2tBIwDg55xbbsIlEEqx-CtAVyZvj10LaNzM6z0DecQDSjo70/s1600/IMG_1384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKsmfmMQM0WO3rm_EU-2xxwusv7IUT8EbhfuiNKwd7GvcFeiUrvFbSK9hdBMdbuoBwQhut__dUOJfZKse2DBNFuRKcWVD2tBIwDg55xbbsIlEEqx-CtAVyZvj10LaNzM6z0DecQDSjo70/s640/IMG_1384.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A kiss under the light tunnel :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JFzSC3gNESQ/TvvdxIJuX4I/AAAAAAAAAzI/wnVFs9wVLag/s1600/IMG_1387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="475" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JFzSC3gNESQ/TvvdxIJuX4I/AAAAAAAAAzI/wnVFs9wVLag/s640/IMG_1387.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cinderella's Slipper</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKpaR_lrj02VywPBPTxN40R0M6_l81OcjJBn0DmzQcYzpCLTJHvDGIYVDXbZebyKC1hayNYFmT8q-5hYjqhc7JcMozSCdTodf0i3eBw0arRpk4Wf7vSmjzq9YSVstMHVruHbdA_417CYE/s1600/IMG_1396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKpaR_lrj02VywPBPTxN40R0M6_l81OcjJBn0DmzQcYzpCLTJHvDGIYVDXbZebyKC1hayNYFmT8q-5hYjqhc7JcMozSCdTodf0i3eBw0arRpk4Wf7vSmjzq9YSVstMHVruHbdA_417CYE/s640/IMG_1396.JPG" width="476" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pretty tree/teepee with an entrance gate and peek into the inner-workings.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EekDfOMs8OY/Tvvdzmb1SzI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/0oCPxxEAobw/s1600/IMG_1393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EekDfOMs8OY/Tvvdzmb1SzI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/0oCPxxEAobw/s640/IMG_1393.JPG" width="476" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yours truly and my favorite Marine reunited at last!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It was a gorgeous display and fascinating to see. Strangely, </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">only <a href="https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ja.html">2% of Japanese label themselves as Christian</a>, so </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> I didn't see any nativity scenes or anything of religious significance. It's interesting to see how Christmas has been appropriated as an almost purely commercial spectacle in Japan. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Check out the next blog for another holiday highlight: My trip to <b>Shunan Orphanage</b> with a few of the Marines and families from our unit. </span>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15186838286658668036noreply@blogger.com1