Birthdays are Good for You...

Our friend Trisha's birthday was on Monday (March 24th). We decided that we wanted to celebrate with her, so RJ invited her up for dinner and Mitch made Chicken Parmesan with spaghetti (I think RJ had something to do with that choice because he often requests spaghetti when Ms. Trisha comes over).

Before dinner, RJ presented Ms. Trisha with her presents. He had made her a bookmark for all the books she reads. Trisha was very excited to receive a hand made bookmark form RJ. He even wrote on it for her (To Trisha, Happy Birthday, Love RJ - he is getting very good at writing his letters). Then, before she opened the other gift, she held it above her head and said something about guessing what she would do with what was inside. It was quite funny to watch.

After we finished dinner, we had cupcakes, but not before Sara sang Happy Birthday to Trisha.

It was a great evening. I think everyone was happy to celebrate Ms. Trisha's birthday!! Thanks for being such a great friend to us all!

Haishya-san Visit

We decided that there was no way we were going to last till September to get our teeth cleaned. I have been going to the dentist (haishya-san) twice a year since I was 5 years old. I missed my December appointment due to being in Japan and I was going crazy. So was Mitch.



RJ was a real trooper. He let Daddy go first so he could watch and see what was going to happen, but then he wanted to go next so he wasn't last.



It was a different experience. They don't use the metal scraper much. They used high powered water to remove the plague from the teeth and below the gum line. It was interesting. And the toothpaste was yellow and did not have much flavor (which was good since I was worried it would taste like fish). Then she applied fluoride.





But we all survived and our teeth feel a bit cleaner. I think we will last till we return home this summer...



And don't worry Carol, we won't replace you...

Package from Home

Recently the children received a package from our friends Toy and Tessa back in Buckeye, AZ. RJ was very excited to open it because he had recently sent a pack of Japanese sweets and treats to Tessa for her birthday so he was curious to see what she sent back. When he looked in the box, he could have cared less that there was chocolate and candy inside, he only saw the BUBBLES!!!




Lots of bubbles.....

and noise....

Thanks for the whistle, Toy...just remember, 2 of your children are younger than mine which means I get to buy them gifts long after you stop buying mine gifts....

March's 12 on 12

Opps, I forgot to do my monthly 12 on 12 blog...here it is.
Umbrella lockers in Kyoto.
A sign on a building in Kyoto

In the teachers work room at school. This is the month calender of events that will take place. It is updated around the 1st of the month by a teacher whose job it is to do. We also have this schedule on paper, but it is nice to be able to look up and see it (if you can read Japanese, that is)
Here is an open gate (I am still working on getting a video for you Jack so you can see how the gate opens...give me some more time)
A box of chocolates Mitch received from one of his English conversation students. I just love the things they write in English!!
This was a postcard that was used to advertise the Through Each Other's Eyes photo exhibit that was held here in Himeji. Any idea why I took a picture of it to show you? (Hint: I am not from Alizona)
This is another way the Japanese education system insures that students learn...they have to purchase their books for class...several times a year. This is the 1st graders (who will become 2nd graders in April) purchasing their books for next year. They will spend about $100 for textbooks and workbooks.

Something else here in Japan with my name on it (OK so it is in plural form, but it is still my name and it is not Christmas stuff!!)
This is my hanko. In Japan your signature is a stamp that is registered with the city or bank. I use this everyday for the attendance book at school.
This is the case for my hanko. I found this at the 100 yen store ($1 store). You can go cheap like me, or you can spend hundreds of dollars on fancy cases and even get matching cases if you like.
This is the teachers schedule board. From what I can figure out, the color blocks are the classes the teacher is teaching. The empty brown ones are times went eh teacher is not available for teaching (or trading). Those are mainly used for part time teachers.
Mine is the 4th from the bottom (6th if you are counting the blocks). The red dot on the #7 indicates that it is the English conversation class (I think). Mine all have red dots and the teachers who teach with me only have red dots on the class I teach with them.

I hope you enjoyed another month of 12 on 12. Please let me know if there is anything else you would like to learn about here in Japan. I only have 4 more months left, so tell me soon. And I am still upset that I went to all that trouble to create the sign test (back in January) and not one single person has told me how they did. I can see that many people are reading my blog (from all over the world), but hardly anyone comments....

Vending Machine Lunch and Crepes

Maybe this has something to do with the fact that I am no longer losing weight....

Sunday March 2, 2008
After we visited the Through Each Other's Eyes photo exhibit (photographers from Himeji and Phoenix "trade" places and take photos of each other's home town and area), we decided to try a new lunch place. We had seen this shop before and decided it was time to venture it.

When you enter the restaurant, you are greeted by two of these machines.

You look at the pictures on top (unless you can read Japanese, then you just read) and when you have decided, you purchase your meal ticket in the vending machine. Then you find a table and the waitress takes your ticket and then shortly later she brings you your food. The food was pretty good.
Sara enjoyed it.

After we finished lunch, we headed over to the crepe shop. These are everywhere in Japan and I am sad to admit, I have become obsessed with them....wanting to try them everywhere. Good thing we walk and bike for exercise when we go to them.

You can choose from many different fruits and treats as well as salads and sandwich fixing. I of course always go for the sweets. When Aunt Mary was in town, I took her to one in Hiroshima and she tried a ham & cheese and liked it. Not sure if I will give up my dessert crepes thought, but it sure looked good.
Strawberry, chocolate syrup and chocolate chunks with cream....OISHI!!!

Bus Trip to Nara

Saturday, March 1, 2008

I guess I didn't realize how behind I had gotten. I have a whole month to make up for....

That Saturday morning, our friends Miho, Kouhei and Akiko picked us up and we went south of the station to pick up our bus. It was going to be a 3 hour ride to our first stop, so we had plenty of snacks, drinks and entertainment for RJ and Sara.

Our first stop was a mountain side in Nara. Usually this time of the year the plum trees blossoms are in full bloom. However, this year, the winter weather lasted a bit longer than normal, so there were very few ume (plum) the day we visited this famous place for ume viewing.

We thought this look out was beautiful. From left to right:Miho, Mitch, RJ, Sara, Kouhei, Akiko.

One thing we have learned is that whenever there is a festival, that means there will be vendors. This vendor was too good to pass up

RJ has figured out that he can ring the bell at the shrines if he stops to clap, bow and pray...does this mean he can convert?

A few more ume blossoms. Thanks for posing RJ!!

After we spent about an hour on the mountain, we went to the Nara Hotel. This a a very famous and old hotel. When I have mentioned to other Japanese friends that we had dinner there, they are very surprised.
RJ was a gentleman at the table.

First course was a sashami salad. Mitch really hasn't grown to love sashami (raw fish) so Kouhei lucked out and got a second serving!!
Second course was soup. We think it was creamed asparagus with tapioca in it. It was good.
The soup bowl did not come to you filled, the wait staff came by and ladled your soup for you.
The menu...it is a French restaurant.
Main dish was a excellent cut of beef with onions and mushrooms atop. Sides were carrots, green beans and mashed potato. OISHI!

Dessert was cake with fresh fruit.
Then you could have coffee or tea.
RJ had tea too!!
We took a few pictures of the Nara Hotel. This was inside by the fireplace.
This was outside the hotel. I am still amazed at how large the old wooden buildings are here...they were built many years ago before large machinery was here.

More of Nara Hotel

Our last stop was Nara Park to visit a temple (I am hoping Miho will remind me the name of the temple we visited). Before we got to the temple, we were able to visit with the free roaming deer in the park.
Sara was very nervous at first, but she warmed up quickly.

I have since learned that this is the Great Buddha Hall. I liked the reflection in the pond.

More deer "Hi deer" says Sara.
RJ is convinced that this sign says "be careful the deer might bump into you". I think he got "bumped"
Sara going for a ride with daddy!!

Then we made it to the temple. The main attraction was to see the burning at this temple. From March 1st - 14th every night the keepers of this temple will burn 11 sticks. This was the 1st stick being carried to the temple

Here you can see how large the fire is becoming.

Each time the fire stick makes it to the right side of the temple, a new fire stick is brought up. This picture shows the new fire stick (the left side), another one about to appear just to the right of the big tree, and another one at the end of the temple on the right side. I know the picture is blurry. I had Sara crying on my shoulders because RJ was crying on daddy's shoulders. They were convinced that we were all going to get burned. Eventually the both calmed down and enjoyed the show.

When they move the fire stick from the 2nd position to the 3rd position they run and spin it. By the time it reaches its final spot, it is large.

This shows the ashed that are created while the fire stick is being turned while running across the temple.

more ash as the fire stick burns out.

Here are a couple short videos to try to show you what was happening.

Ume covered peanuts. They kind of taste like Boston baked beans.
snacks for the ride home!!

We really enjoyed our day. Thanks to Miho for finding the bus tour and for still going with us even though none of our other Japanese friends could go. We had a great time!!!