I think she's nervous...

So Stella only eats when we are home. I leave a full bowl of food out all day long while I'm gone and she waits til I get home at 4 pm to eat breakfast. What's up with that? Is she nervous she is going to choke and needs us home to perform doggy CPR? I have no idea, but it's funny to me. She's a querky dog I guess, but sometimes I feel bad that she hasn't eaten all day even though there is food there.

Glenn gets home tomorrow and I cannot wait! I think I've missed him so much this week because this det is the beginning of the end. Soon CQ dets and deployment preparations will start and he will be gone for months at a time before I know it. I'm not looking forward to it. I'm just excited for him to be home tomorrow though...

On a totally different note, Happy Birthday, Sarah! It's one of my BFF's ( I know that makes me sound twelve, but whatev...haha) birthday today! Love you lots and have a great day!

Karaoke!

We had a Spouse's Club Farewell for two members last night. One is headed to Norfolk and another to Fallon, Nevada. We went out for Indian food which I have discovered is one of my favorites and then karaoke-ing. What a blast!
In Japan, karaoke is huge but it is not like the states. You don't sing in front of strangers in a bar. You rent a room at a karaoke bar and sing with just the people you brought with you! There were about 15 of us in our room. You pay per person per hour. One price if you are not drinking and one if you are. The best part is your room has a phone in it and you just call to place you drink orders and it is all you can drink while you are there! Here is Rona, Gizelle and Catherine pouring a little sugar on it: Even I sang and I rarely sing karaoke, but since you are not making an idiot of yourself in front of strangers, it's not that bad. You're among friends so it's pretty fun!
Oh and you get marracas and tamborines to jam with too! Here is Kristin and Laura rocking out! If only there was a cow bell too. :)

Coffee Table

My coffee table leaves Virginia today and I'm uber excited to see it in a few months! When companies only ship FedEx you have to get a little creative- like getting your friends to bring it with them to Japan. I've been wanting a coffee table like this for a year or so now ever since I saw Candice Olson (of Divine Design, my favorite expensive HGTV show) and in Domino magazine.
This is what my gorgeous table will look like but with different dimensions. Oh yeah and in a different house. I wanted an acrylic table because then it won't take up as much visual space in the room. Our apartment in Japan is small enough that I don't need a giant wooden table. And anything will do better than the old trunk (I almost typed drunk there...haha) we are using now.

I ordered a custom sized table from a company in New York call Plexi-Craft. Usually they take 3-4 weeks to make a table but they made me one in a week so that it could get to Norfolk in time. Thank you! I'll post pics when it gets here (in hopefully one piece) in April or May!

Kimono Luncheon

Every few months AOSA and AWA do a joint event. AOSA is the Atsugi Officer Spouses Association which is open to all of the commands and squadrons and AWA is the Japanese equivalent. Since we are on a joint base, the Japanese Self-Defense military is also located here. This event was hosted by AWA and was the annual Kimono luncheon. The AWA ladies brought their Kimonos for us to try on and wear. It was so much fun! I can't believe all the garments and time it takes to get dressed. It took two ladies about 20 minutes to get me all tied up and dressed.
We then had a fashion show and a demonstration of the different types of knots the obi (belt part) can be tied in toto show the different types of Kimonos people were wearing. Mine was a casual style kimono because it did not have a fancy pattern, it just had a repetative pattern.
We had a to change before we had lunch because Kimonos are very expensive. So we changed back in to our clothes and had a great lunch. It was such a neat experience. I'm glad I got to be a part of it! Here is a picture of the fancier kimono during the fashion show. These guys cost thousands of dollars!

Strawberries!

Gizelle and I went on an MWR tour together on Saturday. The guys were suppose to have left for Guam that morning, but because of weather they didn't end up leaving, but we went on the tour anyways. The tour had 3 parts. First we went to a neighboring prefecture (can't remember the name right now) that is famous for growing strawberries and got to pick all the strawberries we could eat. They were so good! Then we went to a gorgeous shrine. Probably the prettiest shrine I have been to yet. And lastly we went to a shopping/amusement park area for lunch and walked around. Glenn wouldn't have really liked the tour anyways so it was probably good that he didn't sign up for this one.
This giant thing was at the shopping mall we went to- giant molar? mattress? whale? Your guess is as good as mine, but we had to have a picture with it!Also, god forbid, scrunchies are coming back in style in Japan. What are they thinking???

Bucket List

I've been getting a lot of these list kind of things via email so I thought it would be fun to post them here. I'm not sure this is an all encompassing bucket list, but fun none the less. What would you add to your bucket list???

( ) Gone on a blind date...
(X) Skipped school
(X) Been to Mexico
(X) Been to Florida
(X) Been to Jamaica
(X) Been to Europe
( ) Been to South America --
( ) Been to Central America
(X) Been to Asia
( ) Been to Hawaii
(X) Been on a plane
(X) Been on a Cruise
( ) Visited All 50 States
(X) Been lost
(X) Been on the opposite side of the country
(X) Gone to Washington , DC
(X) Swam in the ocean
(X) Sang Karaoke
(X) Paid for a meal with coins only
(X) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't
(X) Made prank phone calls....
(X) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose
(X) Caught a snowflake on your tongue
(X} Danced in the rain
(X) Written a letter to Santa Claus
(X) Been kissed under the mistletoe
(X) Watched the sunrise with someone
(X) Gone ice-skating
(X) Been skinny dipping outdoors
( ) Gone to the drive in theater
(X) Tried something you were afraid to try
( ) Been hang gliding
(X) Been water skiing
( ) Rode in a helicopter
(X) Lived outside of the country
( ) Rode a bull
(X) Rode a horse
( ) Rode an elephant
( ) Touched a shark
(X) Voted in a presidential election
( ) Shook hands with a president
(X) Graduated college
( ) Visited all 7 continents
(X) Volunteered in a way that you had to really work to help
( ) Learned another language fluently
( ) Visited Venice for Carnival
(X) Been on a train
(X) Been diving
( ) Been surfing
( ) Attended the Olympic games
( ) Attended Oktoberfest in Germany
( ) Stood at the North or South Pole
( ) Been to Australia
( ) Met a major celebrity
( ) Watched a live space shuttle launch
( ) Been an audience member in a TV show
( ) Learned to ballroom dance
( ) Sat on a jury
(X) Drove on the Autobahn
( ) Scuba dive off Australia 's Great Barrier Reef
( ) Gambled in Vegas
(X) Truly forgave someone
( ) Kissed the Blarney stone in Ireland
( ) Visited the Pyramids of Egypt
(X) Gotten a tattoo
( ) Watched a real tornado
(X) Stood on the Great Wall of China

My Hubby

Glenn left this morning for Guam for the next week. They were suppose to leave yesterday, but the weather didn't cooperate. So here is a post to him, see you in a week Mister.

What are your middle names?
His middle name is Jameson. Mine is Diane. Neither of us is named after anyone in particular. Well, Glenn's came from the credits of a TV show.

How long have you been together?
We've been married for almost 3 years, together for over 4.

How long did you know each other before you started dating?
We had met a few years before we started dating, but neither of us really remember that. I'd say we knew eachother about 5 minutes before we started dating.

Who asked whom out?
Difficult to say, but I'll give Glenn the credit here. I think he asked for my number.

How old are each of you?
I'm 26, he's 25.

Whose siblings do you see the most?
Living in Japan, I'd say we see neither right now, but when we're home we see both, except my brother in Louisiana.

Which situation is the hardest on you as a couple?
I think deployments are probably the hardest. Only communicating via email or 10 minute conversations once a week or less is hard on any relationship.

Did you go to the same school?
We both graduated from Iowa State University in 2005. Me with a degree in Materials Engineering, him in Political Science.

Are you from the same home town?
No. We both grew up in multiple towns, but call Minnesota home. He in Eagan and me in Rochester.

Who is smarter?
Depends on the topic I would say. Glenn is much smarter in current events and useless trivia. I would win if the Jeopardy category were French phrases or math/science.

Who is the most sensitive?
That would be me. Have you ever said goodbye to me? Then you know.

Where do you eat out most as a couple?
We are wanna-be foodies and love going out to eat. We love to experiment and living in Japan offers that opportunity quite often. It's just a matter of whether or not you know what you just ordered.

Where is the furthest you two have traveled together as a couple?
Japan, but I guess we didn't really travel together. St. Lucia was probably the farthest together.

Who has the craziest exes?
Craziest? Difficult to say. Tie game, I'd say.

Who has the worst temper?
Worst temper, but still makes sense? Glenn. Irrational when angry? Me.

Who does the cooking?
Glenn. I try and succeed at times, and I am starting to cook more now that I am a housewife, but Glenn cooks much more often. When he's home that is.

Who is the neat-freak?
We both are. I am obsessive about cleaning countertops off and putting things away, but he definitely likes things picked up as well.

Who is more stubborn?
Glenn.

Who hogs the bed?
I hog the covers to the point where sometimes when I come back from from letting Stella out in the middle of the night, I notice him curled up in the fetal position trying to stay warm. Sorry, baby!

Who wakes up earlier?
Glenn, but only because of work. If we are able to sleep in til we feel like getting up, I am usually the first awake.

Where was your first date?
Our actual first date and not hanging out at the bar was bowling and dinner in Ames, IA.

Who is more jealous?
I'd say neither of us is really the jealous type.

How long did it take to get serious?
About 10 minutes. We were together from the night we met.

Who eats more?
Glenn wins this game.

Who does the laundry?
I do. I'm a housewife now, but sometimes I still make Glenn match the socks. I hate doing it.

Who's better with the computer?
Glenn. Especially since we switched to Macs. I still don't get how to do stuff. Why can't I right click?!

Who drives when you are together?
Always Glenn. I still stink at this left hand side of the road business. I am a better navigator anyways.

ProFlowers.com

Last May for Mother's Day I ordered flowers online from ProFlowers.com and for some reason a related company has been charging me $14.95/month for unknown services. Glenn and I just noticed last night and called our credit card company right away to cancel the card and get it taken care of. We Googled the charge and noticed that many people had the same problem.

Don't ever order flowers from ProFlower.com and if you have, see if you have been charged by a company called Easy Saver.

I just wanted to pass along the info!

Nagano

Nagano was fantastic! I've posted a few pics/videos from other events of the weekend, but not of skiing. We stayed at a cute place we simply call "The Captains" because that is what the guys who runs it calls himself. It is a family run joint, I would compare it more to a hostel than a hotel though. In Japan, it is called a Ryokan. We had two twin beds in our room and a tatami mat area with a short table and cushions on the floor. The most distinguishing thing about a Ryokan are the public baths. Our room had a sink and toilet, but no shower. The shower is downstairs in the basement, but it's not a shower at all I should say. It is more of a public bath. Think health club with showers along one wall and a hot tub on the other side. No swim suits or towels allowed. So I saw all the gals on the trip naked which is interesting, but I just think of it as a cultural experience, right? Other nicer hotels often have private onsens (hot tub/spring) for each room or sometimes you reserve a time slot to use the onsen in private. This place was just a communal onsen. The captain was nice enough to provide english instructions so we didn't em-bare-ass (haha!) ourselves more than necessary :).
The skiing conditions weren't the greatest all weekend, but we still had lots of fun. Here are a few of us skiing the first day in the clouds. Going down black diamonds is interesting when you can only see 15 feet in front of you!When the clouds lifted though, it was beautiful:At Ryokan, your meals are often included. The captain provided breakfast and dinner each day. The dinners were fabulous and pretty elaborate. Here is Gizelle and Nikki enjoying shabu shabu (beef hot pot) where you cook it at the table. Yum!The Captains also had a bar where we hung out and played Uno and Cranium at night. We also had a wine tasting one night. Glenn and I thought we were doing so well.. and we only got 1/8 right!

Snow Monkey Park

On our way back from Nagano on Monday we stopped at the snow monkey park. It was very cool. It was like being at the zoo without any fences. The monkeys hang out around here cause they can sit in their own private hot tub all day long. Actually its a natural hotspring, but it looks like a monkey hot tub to me. My camera doesn't have a very big zoom so you can see how close we actually were to them. At times they would just run right by your feet or crawl around. They don't seem humans as a friend or an enemy so they pretty much just ignored us.

Here are a few more pictures of the monkeys. We probably could have stayed there for much longer taking pictures, but it was very cold and windy as you can see in the video and it was a 25 minute hike back to the car. Very cool though. I'm glad we made a stop.

This is what happens...

This is what happens when you mix a bunch of 20-somethings, booze, navy determination, innertubes and a giant ski hill. It took 20 minutes to climb up the icy slope (which by the way was about a 30-40 degree incline) but it was so worth it! Bailing out of your innertube was necessary if you didn't want to run in to the hotel or lift ticket hut.

Since it was night time and you can't really see where we are coming from- this is the hill we climbed up. We climbed up the right hand slope til just above the center clump of trees. Just below where the ski lift lets out.

Nagano

Today we are off to Nagano for the 3 day weekend to go skiing. There are over 30 of us from the squadron or friends of the squadron headed up there. It's about a 5 hour drive north northwest of Tokyo. (Something I don't miss about the states are the cheap toll roads. It is going to cost $65 each way in tolls, yuck!) We've rented a couple vans so there are 6 of us riding together. It should be a good time! We're all staying at the same little hotel run by "the captain" as everyone calls him. On our way back we're stopping at the Snow Monkey park which is a national park that is home to monkeys that stay warm in the winter by hanging out in the onsens (hotsprings). I'll be posting pictures when we get back. I can't wait! Have a happy holiday weekend everyone!

National Foundation Day

Yesterday was Japan's National Foundation Day. The day Japan was founded. I asked one of my student's how old Japan is and she said Edo Period. The fact that she couldn't name a date makes me think it's pretty darn old.

So Gizelle, Mike and I decided to head to Kamakura, a nearby must-see area of Japan, to check out the festivities there, which were few in the way of parades and festivals, but we still had a great time. Japan doesn't quite celebrate holidays like Americans. Where are the fireworks and beer stands?? Oh well, everything can't be great, right?

So we visited several stops along the scenic Enoden train line. We stopped in Kamakura and saw the city, stopped in Hase and saw the Hasedera Temple and the Kotokuin Temple (aka Big Buddha) and lastly in Enoshima and saw the Ryukoji Temple. The Enoden Line train line is a great trip because it runs right along the southern coast, right along the ocean/bay.

Here we are in Kamakura. Glenn and I are definitely going to have to go back here in the spring. All the trees behind us are cherry blossoms and will be blooming bright pink in a few more weeks.Here is the group of us at the big buddha. It's about 40 ft tall in case you were wondering.

Here I am being a grown-up at the big buddha. Also, I look somewhat pregnant I realize in this picture, but it's just the wind/coat, I promise.
The Ryukoji temple was pretty neat because it had lots of stairs and hiking trails behind the temple that went up a hill where you could overlook the city and see the ocean. I'm giving the peace sign because for whatever reason, the Japanese do this in every picture they take. It sounds stereotypical, but it's so true!Here are a few more of my favorites from our busy day!

Busy Weekend

Glenn and I went shopping on Saturday in an area near by called Macheda. It is just a little shopping district right around the train stations. We mostly just walked around and had lunch and bought a few things. We tried (lacking the Japanese translation) Octopus balls. Which pretty much resemble stuffing balls or a corn fritter but after octopus on the inside. Glenn took this lovely picture of me eating one. I look like I'm sick, but really I'm just trying to get the whole thing in my mouth because if you have ever had Octopus (taco ala japanese) you will know that it is extremely chewey so holding on to it with chopsticks and biting it in half is not really an option. At the 5-story 100 Yen store we bought a few things we have been needing, but also one of our favorite things is to look at how the Japanese attempt to translate things into english and and laugh at what they end up with. For example, a lady on the train yesterday had a purse that read "I love Glass Grow." Hmmm.. Or things like this. In case you can't read it in the picture "Pig: cochon. pink animal with short legs" "Hedgehog small & brown animal with spikes". Not sure who would want these boxes, but we thought they were funny.

On Saturday night I went out to dinner with 3 other girls at what is now my favorite restaurant around here. It was pretty much like a Japanese tapas restaurant so we got to try lots of yummy foods. Here we are (sorry Nicole!).

On Sunday, Glenn and I went to Yokohama and finally made it to the Chinese New Year celebration. We have been trying for a few weeks, but the weather or duty got in the way. On Sunday we saw the parade and the dragon dance. We got pretty good seats up front so Glenn got some good pictures. We also like to try the random street foods cause they are usually delicious.

Congrats Jenny & BJ

My cousin, Jenny, had her baby girl last night!

Alyssa Renee Massey
Born February 5th, 2009 at 10:55 pm
9 lb 2 oz. and 22 inches.

Congrats!!!

Being Domestic is Exhausting

When Glenn has duty, I often bring him lunch at the squadron because he cannot leave the SDO desk during the day. Last time, I got him Taco Bell. This time, I decided to be a little more domestic. And honestly, I don't have any classes or babysitting today, so I figured it would keep me busy.
I found this recipe awhile ago for gnocchi that looked good, but of course, the commissary in Japan does not even know what gnocchi is. So, I attempted to make it myself. I used this recipe I found on one of my favorite recipe website: Allrecipes.com. Actually, I used a combo of Gnocchi I and Gnocchi II cause I added an egg to the recipe above. The dough didn't seem to be sticking together very well. I impressed myself because it actually turned out really well! Even Glenn was impressed with my domestic abilities. I made gnocchi from scratch (pat, pat, pat) :).
So after 3 hours of boiling potatoes, ricing potatoes, rolling dough, boiling dough and finally making the sauce- you get this:And of course, this:

Crazy Stella

After we give Stella a bath, she turns in to crazy Stella. It's rather entertaining. Although, it was more entertaining when we had more carpet and stairs that she could run on.

We assume she is trying to dry herself off. Not really sure, but it's funny to us.

Yay Americable!

I just had to spread the word that Americable in Japan now offers digital service and DVRs which means I can watch HGTV and record my favorite shows! I am so happy! I was missing my HGTV badly, but now I am confident I can make it through 4 or 5 months without Glenn each year because I have my favorite channel to keep me company :).

It's the little things, right?

February and Happy Birthday Dad!

It's hard to believe that I've been here for almost 2 months already. I guess it will be 2 months next Monday. Time has really flown by for the most part. People here always say these times are the easiest because Glenn is home and the ship isn't going anywhere. It's a nice feeling to have Glenn home but of course I know deployment is looming over our heads for the rest of the year. We have a Spouse's club meeting on Thursday where we are going to find out dates of the departure as well as all of their port calls (subject to change of course) and I'm super excited. I plan on attending as many of the port calls as I can. From the rumors I have heard, this includes Australia, Singapore, maybe Hong Kong, Guam and maybe Malaysia. We'll find out more officially soon though!

I think what has made the transition here the easiest is the squadron that we joined. They are a great group of people and Glenn and I have found great friends in our neighbors, Chris and Gizelle. They have been beyond helpful in helping us become accustomed to our new country and become great friends in the process.

Japan is an interesting country and I think America has a lot to learn from our hosts over here. They are a much more professional and efficient society. It doesn't matter what your job is here, you do it with passion and professionalism and to the best of your ability. Even if you are the guy who makes burgers at MacuDonaldu's :) you take pride in that burger. Even the guys who wave the lightsticks to help you find your way in the parking lot. They wave those lightwands with gusto. Seriously, they are proud of the jobs they have. I think Americans could learn a little from that.

I'm also amazed and how bilingual this country is. English is their second official language, but it is spoken by far more people than a single second language in America. Foreign language education really should start younger.

I think Glenn and I are really going to like it in Japan. We hope more of our friends will be stationed out here so they can see what a great country it is. We found out that the Moore's are coming here in early 2009 but will be leaving by December. They happen to be joining a squadron that is trasitioning to super hornets so they'll be moving to LaMoore, CA and a squadron from there will be coming to Japan. What a bummer, but at least they'll get 9 months out here and 9 months of traveling!

Also, I wanted to wish my dad a Happy Birthday. He is down in Florida this week with his buddies for their "Boot Camp Tennis". Imagine a bunch of middle-aged men on spring break, but playing tennis everyday and I think you'll get the general idea. They always sound like they have a good time. My dad turned 56 today and I don't think he's ever look better. Have a good one, Dad! I love you! (I guess it's still another 7 hours til your birthday in Florida, p.s.)