Christmas in Thailand

Sea Canoeing

This year we celebrated Christmas in Phuket, Thailand. We stayed at the Laguna Beach Resort, on recommendation of our friends Bill and Karen Pond. We had a fantastic time. The resort had a baby elephant named Meena that roamed the resort all day- the girls got hugs and kisses from her, got to ride her, high five her and swim with her in the ocean. Santa even rode in on Meena on Christmas day! This year, we went on one tour to Phang-Na, which is a set of Islands, that include the "James Bond" island (that was actually in a James Bond movie), a hike into sea caves, sea canoeing and a trip to the Floating Village (for those Amazing Race fans, it was the same floating village that was the "pit stop" for the Amazing Race this season)!

Girls at Sunset

With Meena on the beach

We did a lot of swimming, the girls went to Quest and attended a Little Chef's cooking afternoon, enjoyed the kids club, and made friends with a few expat families from the States living in China, as well as one from England. The weather was beautiful everyday we were there and we enjoyed it as much as possible. We celebrated Christmas Eve with dinner at Tom Yang Goon's, and came home to a Christmas Stocking hanging from our door, filled with candy and treats- the girls were thrilled! What a wonderful "last" trip in Asia. We have been so fortunate to visit Phuket and all of the other countries/cities that we have seen over the past two years!

Christmas Eve

Hanna's Kindergarten Gingerbread party

On Wednesday, the 14th, I was invited to go help Hanna's class make Gingerbread cookies. 

Korean Town

Tami and I in our Bibs!!

My Friend Tamie took me out to lunch in Korean Town. The food was great, and the company even better!

Maya's 3R Christmas Party!

Maya had her Christmas Party on Friday, December 9th! PJ's. Gingerbread, Secret Santa and Elf- what more could a third grade class ask for??

Maya's Class- Mr. Rolls 

With her Gingerbread

Blue and White Yukata Quilt

This fall I signed up, with my friend Kim, for a Blue and White Yukata Quilting class. I had no concept of what it would be. I naively though we would go to class each week, so some quilting, and at the end, I would walk out with a marvelous quilt! I didn't have any idea that I would have weekly homework (and LOTS of it!), and that this quilt would consume every spare minute of my life! I am so glad that I took the class- I have finally finished and am very happy with the results!!

Christmas Cookie Exchange with a Holiday twist!

On Monday, December 5th, Karen Pond and I hosted a Christmas cookie/gift exchange, with a Washi Egg class to start, for our friends at LaTour as well as some of our neighborhood friends. The day started with 5 of us meeting with Karen for a Washi Egg lesson. Washi eggs are something I have been wanting to learn since we moved here, and Karen has done several classes, all of which I missed.  I asked her if she could do one more, so I could learn before I left and she graciously agreed! Washi Eggs are a process-you first have to poke a hole in the egg and drain all the yolk and inside "stuff". They need to dry for 4-5 days prior to putting the washi paper on them. Washi paper is a traditional Japanese paper that is thin and used to cover boxes, eggs and a lot of other things, and it is beautiful!

Some of our Washi Eggs!

We had 14 ladies show up with delicious cookies and wonderful gifts to exchange! A truly fantastic day!!

Katie, Megumi, Colleen, Jenny, Denise, Daisy, Karen, Signe
Yuko, Kim, Miyuki, Linda, Teresa and I

Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood at the Budokan

Last Saturday night Scott and I went to see Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood at the Budokan with our friends Bill and Karen Pond. The concert started at 5pm, and we could not figure out why it was so early...until we arrived, and realized that a grand majority of those in attendance were our parents ages! The concert was fantastic (my favorite- Wonderful Tonight- LOVE that song)- they played a range of everything from Blind Faith to the Spencer Davis Group to Traffic to a mix of  both of their solo songs. They even performed a Jimi Hendrix cover!

Scott outside the Budokan

Taiko Performance, Winterfest 2011

This is the practice before the concert!

This years Winterfest was rainy and cold, unlike last years, which was 70+ degrees and sunny out. The highlight of the day was the Taiko performance that both of my girls were in! They have been attending Taiko practice every Monday after school since September- working really hard and really enjoying it. Moko, their Taiko instructor, is the most energetic Japanese woman I have ever met, and made it a TON of fun for the girls each week. Hanna is technically too young to participate, by Moko let her try it and said she definitely had enough energy to do it, so she let her.

Day Trip to Hakone

Tozan Railway- Oldest Railway in Japan

Saturday, November 26th we headed out for a day trip to Hakone. Hakone is near Mt. Fuji, up in the mountains, and known for its natural hot springs (Onsens). We originally planned to stay overnight and make it a 2 day trip, but an unexpected work trip to the States for Scott changed our plans to one day. We didn't have nearly enough time to do all we wanted out there, but we did get to ride the Tozan Railway (the oldest railway in Japan, with multiple switchbacks and great scenery), as well as go to the Open Air Museum. The kids LOVED the Open Air Museum- full of sculptures you can climb on and in, as well as Hand and Foot Onsens, and Koi ponds where they were able to feed the Koi.

Hanna says "Ahhh...this is the life!"

Wood of Net Sculpture

Diamond Sculpture

Kobe Beef with Friends

On Tuesday, November 22nd, Scott and I were invited by his friend Yoshi, to a night of Kobe Beef at Little Lima, in Aoyama. Friends of Yoshi's own this restaurant, and they closed it down just for the 5 of us. It was our first time trying Kobe beef, and I am hoping, it is not the last.

Kobe Beef...Delicious! 

Dessert- Marinated pear- unbelievable!

Our group with the Chef's/Owner's of Little Lima  

The restaurant was set up similar to a smaller hibachi grill- the grill was right in front of us, and they did all the cooking right there where we could watch. We started with raw kobe beef. I tried a little of Scott's but did not have my own- the thought of having raw beef really didn't sound appealing or safe...that being said, everyone else loved it, which intrigued me to try a little myself- it was delicious! After the raw beef, we had oysters that were smothered in Lemon- they were absolutely to die for. I am not an oyster eater, but could not say no to these for two reasons- first, I already turned down the raw beef, and I didn't want to be offensive to the cook (hard to divert his attention with only 5 people in the restaurant, and the fact that he was cooking and serving each of us everything!). Secondly, the oysters and lemon smelled delicious and I just had to try them. Our third portion was grilled onion, beans and Hokkaido potatoes, then on to the Kobe beef- all different cuts. It was mouth watering!!! By the time we were done with that, I didn't think I could stuff one more thing into my mouth....until they brought over the marinated pear for dessert. Oh My God- it was the best tasting dessert I have ever had- so good, I took a photo so I could remember it! The meal was fantastic, and the night was just as wonderful!!

Trip to Hiroshima

One of the main things I wanted to do while we lived in Japan was to go to Hiroshima. I felt that it was an opportunity for a History lesson from a different perspective (definitely different), as well as what the citizens (innocent citizens- which is typically the case in war, isn't it?) went through and pay homage to a city that suffered so much during the drop and its aftermath. The city, which was completely demolished almost immediately, has rebuilt itself into a hustling, bustling, beautiful city, honoring those who suffered, and with a steadfastness to No Nukes. This was the girls first time to take a Shinkansen (Bullet Train) ride, and according to Hanna "it doesn't go that fast, and it has wings" so she thought we were actually flying during part of the trip. Oh, to be a 5 year old!

Girls on first Shinkansen ride

We were able to see the Shukkeien Gardens (traditional Japanese gardens- beautiful!), and visit the Hiroshima Castle on Friday (we had a complete downpour for a good part of the day- very wet, and a bit cold).

Shukkeien Gardens

That night after a forgettable dinner at Molly Malone's, we ventured out and accidentally wandered into the Tori-No-Ichi (Rake Fair). This fair is quite unique, in that it sells Rakes to rake in good fortune while people throw money into barrels and pray for good success in business. It takes place on the days of the Tori (or Rooster) in November at various Otori-jinja shrines found in all parts of Japan. Otori-sama is the patron Deity of good fortune and successful business and is enshrined at Otori-jinja shrines. Days of the rooster occur every 12 days in November, which means that there are at least 2-3 days of the Rooster in the month. This fare sets up tons of booths, with the main and most important sale being that of a Kumade rake for "raking in wealth and good fortune".

Tori-No-Ichi (Rake) Fair

On Saturday, we spent the morning in Miyajima Island, about a 30 minute train ride, and a 15 minute Ferry from Hiroshima. Again, the weather was a little rainy, but warmer than the day before. We had the opportunity to see the Itsukushima Shrines Tori-i Gate (3rd most picturesque site in Japan), as well as visit the shrine, the parks on the Island, eat some good Yakatori and visit with all the wild deer that freely roam the Island (the Girls favorite part!). From there, we took a Ferry ride from the Island right to the Memorial Peace Park.

Itsukushima Shrine Tori-i Gate

Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park is a large area, very close to where the bomb hit, in which everything/everyone around it was completely and immediately destroyed. It was decided four years after the bomb dropping that the area would not be rebuilt, but would instead serve as a memorial to all of those who suffered at the hands of the atomic bomb. Within the Peace Park, there is the main attraction- the Peace Memorial Museum. I went in by myself, as we were warned in advance that the photos and detailed information is very graphic,and not suitable for young kids. It covered the bombing, the decision making process on choosing Hiroshima as the place to drop the bomb, as well as what a nuclear bomb can do, and most importantly, and sadly, the aftermath. There were many very sad pictures, stories and information told regarding the citizens of Hiroshima and what they had to endure. I could not spend a lot of in depth time reading, as it was so sad, I would have had a hard time snapping out of it- I did a lot of browsing and skimming, and that was sad enough. I truly hope that the world has learned a lesson, and will never, ever drop a nuclear bomb again.

A-Dome

The A-dome (also known as the Hiroshima Peace Memorial) is the remains of the former Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall. When the bomb exploded, it was one of the few buildings to remain standing, and has been names a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Centopath- see the A-dome through it?

Between the Museum and the A-bomb Dome is the Cenotaph for the A-bomb victims. It is an arched tomb for those who died due to either the initial blast of exposure to radiation. Below the arch is a stone chest holding a register of those names, which there are over 220,000. Looking through the arch, you can see the eternal flame for world peace, as well as the A-dome.

With the Peace Bell

The Peace Bell was also located in the Peace Park, and Maya could not wait to see it. Last year, in 2nd grade, the author of the book The Peace Bell, Margi Preus, came to ASIJ for a workshop with the Elementary students. They had the opportunity to learn the amazing story of the Peace Bell, which now resides in the Peace Memorial Park. We all had an opportunity to ring the bell for all the world to hear!

http://www.margipreus.com/

Children's Peace Monument

We also got to see the Children's Peace Monument, dedicated to  Sadako Sasaki, a two year old girl at the time of the Atomic bombing, who died of cancer, directly related to the Nuclear bombing. It is a Japanese legend that if you fold 1000 paper cranes, you will receive your wish and she thought it would make her illness go away. She worked very hard to fold her paper cranes, eventually reaching more than 1000. Unfortunately, it did not cure her,and she passed away at the age of 12. Her friends raised money to resurrect a peace monument, dedicated to Sadako, in which a gold crane bell hangs in the middle to be rung for World Peace. There are also several small buildings surrounding the kids museum filled from top to bottom with paper cranes made by people from around the world.

http://gimundo.com/news/article/one-thousand-paper-cranes-for-peace-the-story-of-sadako-sasaki/

That night, after visiting the Peace Park, we went to dinner at Mario's, and Italian Restaurant with some good food and delicious wine, we headed down Peace Memorial Blvd to view the crazy Christmas lights. Because the Japanese aren't, for the most part, Christian, the entire Blvd was lit up with castles, fruit, stars, pirate ships and pretty much anything and everything you could think of. It was quite amazing, and the girls had a blast going from lit up area to lit up area- it was a nice way to end a great visit to Hiroshima.

Girls with all the lights!

Shichi-Go-San (7-5-3 festival)

Shichi-Go-San (7-5-3) is a traditional rite of passage and festival day in Japan for 3 & 7 year old girls and 3 & 5 year old boys. In Asian numerology, odd numbers are considered lucky. This festival is held annually on November 15th (or the surrounding Saturdays if it doesn't fall on a weekend) to celebrate the passage of the children into middle childhood.


We ended up at the Meiji Shrine the weekend before November 15th, and at a shrine in Kamakura the following weekend and had a chance to see all these little kids dressed up!!

Isn't she beautiful?

A Friend comes to Tokyo!

Our friend Aaron, one of Scott's closest friends from grade school, came to visit us for 8 days in November. We had a wonderful visit, and did a few things that we haven't done before (and a few that we have!). We did a lot of eating out, visiting shrines, viewing views and walking around the city. I think Aaron was amazed at how different it was here, and a bit overwhelmed as well. He was up for dong whatever we wanted and seeing as much as he could while he was in town. I was impressed by the fact that he biked all around with me- Tokyo is a HUGE biking city, but definitely dangerous to bike in as well. The streets are windy and narrow, crossing over many a train track, lots of hills, and a lot to watch out for. He did great and it was so much better than hoping on the train every time we wanted to go anywhere. He also loves to shop! He says he doesn't, but he ended up finding a lot of things to buy and take home with him. We introduced him to Fuku Yakatori, Kaiten-Zushi (converyor belt sushi), Andy's (Izakaya), gyoza's and real Ramen!

Meiji Shrine

Sky Deck- Mori Tower

Asakusa- Sensoji Temple

We also had the opportunity to go to see G. Love and the Special Sauce at the Liquid Room in Ebisu while he was here. It was my first time seeing G. Love and I have to say, he wasn't as good as I was hoping he would be. Great music, not so great lyrics....I think the Japanese/British band playing a ton of AC/DC at What the Dickens bar in Ebisu after was just as good (and I don't like AC/DC!). It was a fun night though, and great to do something completely normal with him here in Tokyo.

ASIJ Tohoku Hallween Party- October 29, 2011

On Saturday, October 29th, I had the opportunity to join some ASIJ Teachers and High school Students in putting on a large scale Halloween Party for the kids in Ishinomaki City. Ishinomaki city is about a 7 hour drive north from Tokyo, so we left at 3am, and didn't return until about 11pm that night.

The city was among the most seriously affected by the earthquake and tsunami. A tsunami about 10 meters high traveled 600 meters inland and destroyed about 80% of the houses in the coastal areas, with about 46% of the city inundated by the tsunami.Ishinomaki city was the first city that allowed the ASIJ community to help after March 11th- delivering over 400 desks, school supplies, food, care packages, clothing, etc, and ASIJ has kept continuing its help over the past 7 months. The roads we drove on were covered by the tsunami, but most of the cleanup, at least in the areas we were in, has been done. The Tohoku Halloween party was a way that the ASIJ community could help bring a little bit of happiness to these kids and families that have experienced so very much since March 11th. I was so grateful to get the opportunity to help- it really was a phenomenal experience for me. I had the chance to play photographer all day, which was quite a treat. Many of the people that attended (over 600) lost everything- photos, possessions, valuables, family members. I was given a Polaroid camera and took photos of families, kids, grandparents- everyone and anyone that I could. They were so happy to have pictures to take home with them, which made my day completely worth it!!

The Bag Decorating Table. All the kids in the Elementary, middle and some a few from the  high school decorated one side of the trick or treat bags, and the kids who came got to decorate the other.

This past Friday ASIJ celebrated Halloween with a Parade, All-school carnival and class parties. Both of my girls were beautiful Bumblebees. It was a wonderful day!

Girls at the ASIJ Halloween Carnival

Birthday Breakfast at Viron!

Leigh, Jenny, Emi, Kim, Denise and Katie!

My friend Kim surprised me by organizing a birthday breakfast with some of my closest friends here at a French restaurant called Viron in Shibuya! What a great way to start off the morning! I will miss my friends dearly when we move back! :(

DisneySea Tokyo

ASIJ had a four day weekend surrounding a Japanese Holiday, so I took the girls, along with my friend Katie Vaughn and her two daughters, Lauren and Amanda, down to DisneySea. We had not been there and were really interested in going before we move back in 2012. DisneySea is a one of a kind park with a lot of the popular Disney World park attractions put together in this one park. They had Tower of Terror, Journey to the Center of the Earth, Indiana Jones, Gondola Rides in Venice, a roller coaster similar to the Barn Stormer....

I did not tell the girls where we were going before we met up with Katie and her girls at the Hatchobori station- just that they needed to wear walking shoes and be well rested. They were really excited when they found out, and they were absolutely excellent all day long. DisneySea was very crowded (I am talking 20 minute lines to get drinks and ice cream), which was a bit frustrating. We got to go on 8 rides total, and see one show, but the girls didn't mind at all. We waited for 2 hours for the Indiana Jones ride and at least 40 minutes for every other ride. The girls were very popular once again with the teenage Japanese girls- Kawaii, Kawaii (cute) they kept saying. One group kept trying to talk to me, and ask me about Maya's hair (they wanted to know if she had a permanent!)- very kawaii!!

Beginning of the day with my girls!

Girls looking mad because of the 2 hour Indiana Jones line

Girls at night in front of the world

Hanna, Amanda, Maya and Lauren with Goofy

With the guitar playing skeletons

This group of Japanese girls LOVED the 4 kiddos. 

Blue Man Group in Roppongi for my Birthday!

We bought Blue Man Group tickets for my birthday on October 9th. The theater is in Roppongi, so we trained down and went to lunch then to the 1pm show. Scott and I had seen the Blue Man group in NYC about 10 years ago, so we knew we would like it, but the girls had no idea what they were. The girls LOVED the show, with Maya asking if she could go again for her birthday! I will say, the show is much more technologically advanced than when we saw it the first time, and it was also different than the first time as well. It turned out to be a fantastic way to spend the afternoon!

In front of the sign- the girls were very nervous and excited!

With our Blue Man!

Scott and the Girls

Scott and Maya with their blue friends!

World Gymnastics Championships Tokyo 2011

On Saturday, October 8th, I brought Maya and her friend Ainsley to the World Gymnastics Championships at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium. The top 8 teams qualify for the 2012 London Olympics. The gymnast that recently won the U.S. Gymnastics Championship, Jordyn Wieber, is 16 and  from DeWitt, Michigan, which is about 100 miles away from Kalamazoo. We had the chance to watch the U.S. team, which won the qualifying round by over 3 pts (ahead of the nearest country, Russia), and Jordyn came in 2nd overall. The entire team was fantastic!

Maya with Ainsley George 

Team USA

Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium