High School Baseball

This is one of my favorite images from the High School Baseball tournament that ended last week. When a team loses, they scoop up dirt and put it in a bag as a memento from the tournament. Joanna wondered if they add dirt just so they can scoop it up at the end.

Crepe

Who doesn't like a good crepe? Ice cream, whip cream, chocolate sauce, and...well, he have some alternatives here.

Macaroni Graten or Frank Pizza Cheese. Can't decide!

Relay for Life

   Relay for Life is happening in Numazu and I would love to put a team together.  We will be meeting at Ashitaka/Momozawa and registering at 4:00  (Japan is still on military time?!?!) and we will donate money for cancer research.  We can hike up a mountain and there will be a candle light service around 6:00 p.m.  Those that want to keep hiking can, we can work out a schedule or we can show up the next day for the ending.
   Januck and I are looking at getting more involved in community events AND exercising (walking, hiking because we don't like running!)  We also want to volunteer more in our community.  Most of the posters/events in our city are in Japanese and we can't read them until we ask a friend about the information or put the Japanese through GOOGLE Translate.
   Looking forward to the event!  Anyone can join our team!  Who is up for it?

Gyoza

There is a gyoza shop near our apartment that we pass by a lot but we have never gone in and tried the gyoza. They even have a small take out window and Joanna suggested we stop in and try some. We did take out and when we brought them home, we couldn't believe how big they were and how delicious they were. I think this will be one of those once a week places.

Summer vacation

   I was talking with a Japanese staff member at school and he had five days off from work.  He said that he moved so with his wife and new baby it took them 4 days to pack and move.  He was down to one day of vacation and went out with friends for 4 hours of drinking and partying.  We were laughing because he was equating his summer vacation down to four hours!!!

  This is why at times I think the Japanese school schedule and normal business work schedule is insane!  The only times off are when other schools or businesses have off so it gets super crowded visiting anyplace in Japan.  The best plan is to stay home and that is what Januck and I are slowly learning.

Tater Tots

I never thought that I would find tater tots here in Japan. It turns out that our local supermarket has tater tots!

Shimane Wine

   Many years ago, we visited a Shimane winery.  It was on a tour bus and many people were stopping to try different wines.  It was NOT savory- it was the sweetest wine I had tasted and was not impressed.  Since then, Japan has imported so many more wines from Chile, Australia, Spain, France and even South Africa.  Some give me headaches the next day and others do not.  I have to say California wines are always the best tasting and the best, the next day but then I think I am biased.
   Don't quite understand what the "Myth of the grape" is and probably will never get it because I am not in the wine business.  I am simply a teacher that enjoys a glass of wine at the end of the week. :)

Dragonfly

Our school repainted the rooftop where the students go to play. I had P.E. with some students today and noticed something in the newly painted area. Can you see it?

Alex's New Song!

Fall allergy season?!

    I was at the Ear, Nose and Throat doctor yesterday because I was thinking I might have an ear infection because I have been experiencing jaw joint (TMJ) pain.  Then I saw this poster in the waiting area.  We will have these many plants that will cause allergies this fall?!  Hopefully not but it is nice the doctor has alerted us to them anyways!
   I have an appointment to see my dentist about my TMJ next week... how many of you think he will put me in a mouth guard?  More to come....

Japanese Dance

Okay. So every year there is a HUGE high school baseball tournament in Japan where every prefecture (like a state in the U.S.) is represented and it is a single elimination tournament. It is so emotional and when a team loses then there are many tears shed because for many, it is the end of their baseball playing days. It is such an honor even playing in the tournament let alone winning. This is the 99th year of the tournament and I stumbled across the promotional video. If you ever come to Japan and watch a sports event, then you will understand. The whole game, no matter the sport, is a never-ending challenge between the cheering sections. This video kind of highlights that and I certainly didn't expect breakdancing!

Three kinds of salmon sushi

   I never really knew that there were many kinds of the same fish.  Apparently, at the revolving sushi restaurant that we go to know that there are three kinds of salmon.  Each one tastes a little different than the other.
   We enjoy trying new fish as well.  The other night, I tried Ark shell and it is a type of clam.  Januck warned me that it would be chewy but it wasn't so bad.  I really liked the taste of that clam!

Cute Kid Photobomb

We decided to go out for sushi tonight and found ourselves surrounded by the cutest kids. Admittedly, we kind of set up the photobombs!

So cute!

Couldn't resist!

Pre-Field Trip

At our school, before we go to camp we go on a pre-field trip. This one is about 3 hours away so we had to meet at our school at 7:05 AM on a Saturday morning. We had a nice drive and the company was excellent. After looking over the camp and hiking the obstacle course, we went to a dairy where we will go with the kids and our vice principal bought us all soft cream ice cream. It was so delicious!

This little guy showed us the way.

Hiking through the forest.

So pretty.

Cute mushroom on the path.

Beautiful!

The sign showing us where things are including Mt. Fuji. Bummer it was cloudy.

The field where you yell and hear your echo.

The camp.

Luckily we don't tent it.

My female check-ups

   

   The other day I went to get a mammogram, sonogram and a pap at the hospital.  In Japan, they are able to schedule them all in one afternoon.  The procedure is such where you check in and the hospital staff gives you a robe, a locker key and a lanyard with a # on it.  You change and then proceed to different parts of the hospital for a questionnaire with a nurse, the mammogram (of which the technician was so short she couldn't reach my breasts) which made it more than amusing.  She said I leaned forward so much that two photos had to be redone because my shoulder blade was in them.  Really?  I didn't know I was so flexible during times of pain and uncomfortableness.

   The next station that I was summoned to was the sonogram room.  Giving birth twice in Japan I have had multiple sonograms of my babies but never of my breasts.   I was consumed with the thought of how many "fat" cells would appear on the screen.  Sorry if I am showing my ignorance!

    After 20 minutes of that,  I was shown to another room where my # was called and I was asked to drop my robe but to have a towel wrapped around my shoulders as I proceeded to see a doctor.  I laid down on a bed too short (I adjusted the pillow to the end of the bed) and mentioned to the nurse how tall I was.  The doctor completed a breast check with his eyes closed and mentioning all the teachers, including his son that worked at the high school where we share grounds with our school.  I laughed and played along.

   Soon after, was the pap smear room where you sit in this amazing chair and it magically moves you up and out to the doctor behind a curtain.  It reminded me of the Wizard in the "Wizard of Oz".  Afterwards, I met the doctor and she mentioned there will be a postcard in the mail with the results sent to my house.  I was DONE!

   Two hours later but feeling very relieved I walked back to my locker and changed back into my clothes.  Downstairs, I paid less than $100 with my social health insurance helping to cover some of the cost.

My robe to wear during the check ups.

The locker, where slippers were optional to wear throughout the hospital-

An Old Friend

We were out tonight and was alerted to an old friend of ours that was sitting nearby. He helped us so much when we were in Japan the first time and Joanna even called him from Munich after her purse was stolen. He gave us such great advice. Thanks Ted!!!!!

Alex in Los Angeles!

    Figuring out what you want to grow up to be can be tough especially when you are as creative as Alex.  He can draw, paint, build, make music videos and create music.  His sound is changing and I am so excited to hear his new stuff.  Love his "old songs too!" (All Believers and MAMA)

   Alex is studying Music Composition at the LA Recording Studio and lives in Hollywood Hills.  Being 20 and living in L.A. can be sooooo tough- I can't imagine the daily challenges- even something as simple as parking :)

What I DO know is he is becoming a wonderful young man!

Sumo?!?!

We had to go to the U.S. Embassy today to get something notarized and on our way back we saw some sumo wrestlers ready to get on the bullet train. I thought I was being sly but I think the wrestler knew I was taking a selfie with him even though I was a little ways back.

Rachel moves to Denver

   Rachel drove to Denver, CO this weekend to start on her student teaching experience.  She will be living with her friend, Kat and a host family.  So proud of her that she was adventurous in leaving Grand Rapids, MI and moved to a new city.  She packed all of her things that she pretty much owns and put  them in her used car she recently purchased.  Another step in growing up and wishing her the best!

   This is a photo of her and I at our favorite BBQ restaurant here in Numazu last month 

when she was visiting for two weeks.

Moose Hills Burger

This is still the best hamburger we've had while in Japan. Yes we fought traffic going there during the holiday time (my fault because I slept in and drinking was not involved ;-) ) and yes we fought traffic on the way home but it was totally worth it! As our students say...it was Yummy!

 It poured rain on the way. I had to put on the fast windshield wipers (how embarrassing!)

I took a bite because it was an hour wait and then I took the picture!

Immigration

   Going and getting our Residence cards renewed is not an easy task.  This time we are off work, so we could take the hour trip to Shizuoka (less by bullet train) and file the paperwork.  Then wait until they send a postcard, about a week later that says "Come back and bring a 4000 yen (about $40) stamp back with you to process your card".  It is a money making scheme like most credentials, visas, applications with online services, etc.
  So, I went to get a the photo for my residence card (we are told not to smile here in Japan for an official document).  My passport photo is disastrous but my residence card photo is not too bad because the photo booth had a tan or whitening option on the photo.  I paid extra by accident :)

Awful Passport photo that my family laughs at!

Decent photo! (option- with a tan)

Yes or No?

A tattoo? Did we or didn't we?

Jerry?

How can you not love the Blueberry Jerry? Jelly?

You See the Strangest Things

When we were in Hokkaido, we saw a girl that dressed like she was Britney Spears and wore a Britney Spears t-shirt.

On our way back before we got on the bullet train. We saw this guy waiting on the platform. Simba?

Eco-Rafting

We went river rafting while we were in Niseko, Hokkaido (the northern most island of Japan).

We chose an early time of 9:00 in the morning.  We got our life vests, helmets and oars

and we were ready!

Lion Adventures had a photographer that took these photos along the way.

The rafts held about nine people and the guide, who spoke some English.

 We stopped after going down some rapids to look for baby catfish in the water and also skipped some flat rocks on the river.  Januck got up to five skips and impressed everyone!

We had two river rafting boats in our group, two families and us.

About to go down some rapids and the photographer asked us to wave.  I'm glad 

we didn't get soaked!

 Our boat got stuck on two rocks and we had to shimmy ourselves off of them.

The beautiful Shiribetsu river with a yellow bridge.  Januck had rafted down the Colorado river when he was younger and he said it had a much different scenery.

We made it and it was a lot of fun- not too strenuous :)  

Heading Home

 This was our cabin. I had such a good time with this lady!

These are artificial sunflowers at Narita Airport. They are actually misters!?!? Not sure how to spell it but it was so hot that they try to cool you down with mist. I think you get the gist of it.

The SkyTree tower in Tokyo is still quite impressive!

On the bullet train heading home. 

We...had...so...much...fun!!!!!!!!!!!

Quick Stop...Well Maybe Two...and Dinner

We decided to stop and get ONE MORE soft cream before heading back to the cabin. This was Joanna's idea, not mine but I didn't argue at all!

Oh my gosh. YES! When we stopped for soft cream, we looked for corn but they were out. Joanna knew that I wanted the corn again and suggested (knowing that I would say yes) going back to the vegetable stand where we bought all of our vegetables before. Maybe it was my sad looking face that convinced her!

After Our Hike

After our hike we decided to follow another path that was a short distance away and it turned out to be a beautiful overlook It even had a bell.

Beautiful!

Selfie time

Ring that bell!