When we were at the Red Brick Warehouse the other day we saw this sign. It took us a minute to figure out what they were even trying to sell. Can you figure it out?
It's a coat hanger. :)
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Engrish
We often see signs that don't make any sense in Japan. T-shirts or signs where the English is just not quite right. Many people have told me about www.engrish.com. Seriously though, all that stuff is true. It makes me realize though, what a difficult language English actually is. Just changing a preposition can completely change the meaning of a sentence.
When we were at the Red Brick Warehouse the other day we saw this sign. It took us a minute to figure out what they were even trying to sell. Can you figure it out?
It's a coat hanger. :)
When we were at the Red Brick Warehouse the other day we saw this sign. It took us a minute to figure out what they were even trying to sell. Can you figure it out?
It's a coat hanger. :)
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Kelly and Laura's Adventure Days - Yokohama Edition
On Sunday, Annie, Gizelle, Laura and I headed to Yokohama for a little adventure in preparation for our trip this week. We did some shopping, got a few things for our trip this week and went to an early dinner at an awesome restaurant in the Red Brick Warehouse in Yokohama.
The Red Brick Warehouse used to be the Customs Buildings for the Port of Yokohama, but are now a collection of fun stores and restaurants.
The weather was pretty yucky out but we all brought our umbrellas and trekked out in the rain.
Here are the girls in front of the Yokohama Ferris wheel. At night it is lit up in a rainbow of colors, it is really pretty. I'm waiting for a clear night to ride the ferris wheel. It seems like it is always cloudy and rainy when I am in Yokohama, but then again, it is rainy season.
If any of you have watched Sex & the City, do you remember the bar they go to called Bed? The restaurant we went to, Chano-ma, was just like that! They had beds that you could lounge on and order food from! Chano-ma means "living room" or "tea room" in Japanese. Since there were 4 of us, we sat at a table, but next time I go, I want a bed! Maybe when Glenn comes home. :)
Here is Gizelle in front of the "bed section".
Here we are at our fun table.
Our cute waiter took two pictures because he said we needed "no flash, more beautiful. No flash is beauty shot." Ok waiter man, here's our beauty shot.
The Red Brick Warehouse used to be the Customs Buildings for the Port of Yokohama, but are now a collection of fun stores and restaurants.
The weather was pretty yucky out but we all brought our umbrellas and trekked out in the rain.Here are the girls in front of the Yokohama Ferris wheel. At night it is lit up in a rainbow of colors, it is really pretty. I'm waiting for a clear night to ride the ferris wheel. It seems like it is always cloudy and rainy when I am in Yokohama, but then again, it is rainy season.
If any of you have watched Sex & the City, do you remember the bar they go to called Bed? The restaurant we went to, Chano-ma, was just like that! They had beds that you could lounge on and order food from! Chano-ma means "living room" or "tea room" in Japanese. Since there were 4 of us, we sat at a table, but next time I go, I want a bed! Maybe when Glenn comes home. :)Here is Gizelle in front of the "bed section".
Here we are at our fun table.
Our cute waiter took two pictures because he said we needed "no flash, more beautiful. No flash is beauty shot." Ok waiter man, here's our beauty shot.
Wog Day
Glenn is officially a Shellback now and no longer a Pollywog!
Let me explain. One of the oldest traditions in the Navy is the Line-Crossing ceremony where they celebrate a sailor crossing the equator for the first time. Before you cross the equator you are a Pollywog and once you have crossed the line you become a Shellback. The "ceremony" isn't so much a ceremony but a day of hazing in which the Shellbacks get to pick on the new guys.
In the past from what I have heard, it was a much more arduous day full of true old fashioned hazing. Of course in this day and age though, and a world of whistle blowers and sexual harassment it is much more mild.
I got to talk to Glenn on Saturday after his Wog Day (two phones this week, I know!) and he said it was fun, but somewhat nonchalant about the whole matter. Lots of chanting and singing and doing stupid things (I'm a little teapot for example) and crawling around the flight deck and getting hosed down, but a Navy tradition none the less.
I'm hoping someone took pictures of the event. Perhaps the Public Affairs Officer for the squadron so maybe I'll get some pictures when I see him this week! This week!
Here's a link to a friends blog with pics from the 2007 Wog Day to give you an idea of what it's like. The neon green stuff is water died with sea dye (the stuff in their flight gear so planes can find you in the water if you crash into the ocean).
Let me explain. One of the oldest traditions in the Navy is the Line-Crossing ceremony where they celebrate a sailor crossing the equator for the first time. Before you cross the equator you are a Pollywog and once you have crossed the line you become a Shellback. The "ceremony" isn't so much a ceremony but a day of hazing in which the Shellbacks get to pick on the new guys.
In the past from what I have heard, it was a much more arduous day full of true old fashioned hazing. Of course in this day and age though, and a world of whistle blowers and sexual harassment it is much more mild.
I got to talk to Glenn on Saturday after his Wog Day (two phones this week, I know!) and he said it was fun, but somewhat nonchalant about the whole matter. Lots of chanting and singing and doing stupid things (I'm a little teapot for example) and crawling around the flight deck and getting hosed down, but a Navy tradition none the less.
I'm hoping someone took pictures of the event. Perhaps the Public Affairs Officer for the squadron so maybe I'll get some pictures when I see him this week! This week!
Here's a link to a friends blog with pics from the 2007 Wog Day to give you an idea of what it's like. The neon green stuff is water died with sea dye (the stuff in their flight gear so planes can find you in the water if you crash into the ocean).
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Arizonians? Arizonites?
Glenn's parents officially closed on their house in Arizona this week. Congrats.
Good luck with the job search Cheryl and Blair!
Good luck with the job search Cheryl and Blair!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Only a few
Only a few more days til I feel the way I felt on this night:
The night I met Glenn. I wonder what I'm whispering?
Only a few more days til I get to hear this laugh again:
Isn't he cute?
Our "first" (/second) anniversary. We recreated the dinner from our wedding.
Only a few more days til I get butterflies in my stomach I'm so excited:
The butterflies are kind of already here. April 14, 2007.
The night I met Glenn. I wonder what I'm whispering?Only a few more days til I get to hear this laugh again:
Isn't he cute?Only a few more days til I get to kiss this face whenever I want:
Our "first" (/second) anniversary. We recreated the dinner from our wedding.
The butterflies are kind of already here. April 14, 2007.Rainy Season
It is officially rainy season in Japan now. I learned in Japanese class this week that "tsuyu" means rainy season in Japanese.When I asked my student, Mariko, the other day if this was rainy season she said, "Yes, meet summer." Thanks, Mariko. I'm happy to know the heat and humidity is here to stay.
Rainy season usually lasts until about the middle of July so I'll be missing some of it, but it makes me appreciate the sunny days. I'm getting a lot of use out of my cute rain boots though. Thanks for mailing them to me, Jen.
I've also purchased a clear plastic umbrella seen here because for whatever reason the Japanese always have clear plastic umbrellas. I guess perhaps so they can see where they are going in the mass of people on the train or on the street or everywhere. Plus, I suppose, it matches almost every outfit. Except mine is yellow. Oh well.Time to get back to packing! Getting ready for country #1 of July's round-the-world tour... well 3 countries at least.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Korea?
In case anyone saw or heard about this article which says:
To which my response was: Phew!
Yokosuka, Japan (TRN)-- The United States has deployed the aircraft carrier George Washington and its Strike Group to take up station near North Korea in advance of a planned ballistic missile launch by that nation toward Hawaii. The missile launch is scheduled for July 4.
The aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) with its crew of approximately 5,500 Sailors is the United States’ only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier. The George Washington will be joined by Carrier Battle Force 70, Carrier Air Wing 5, Surface Combatant Force Seventh Fleet (CTF-75), Carrier Strike Force Seventh Fleet (CTF-77) and Destroyer Squadron 15 in a massive show of force.
North Korea has stated they will respond with military attacks against South Korea and Japan if any of their missiles are shot down by an outside country.
To which my response was: Phew!
Monday, June 22, 2009
Fuji Safari Park
Sorry Laura, but you were replaced this week for Adventure Day. This week Catherine, Gizelle, Mike, Lauren and I headed about 90 minutes away to Fuji Safari Park. This is a jurassic park inspired zoo where you drive through to see the animals. There is also a petting zoo, cat house, dog house and other animals you can see up close as well as the walking safari where you walk through underground tunnels to see the animals up close through look outs. This place was really neat.
You can ride in your own car or you can ride in their fun animal shaped buses.
We drove through the Safari Park first in our own car. This is what made me think it was Jurassic Park:
There are lots of warning signs to keep your windows rolled up and stay in your car- especially in the bear, lion and tiger sections. One of my students said a couple years ago someone was killed by the lions when he got out of his car to check on his grandson in the car behind them. So they aren't kidding.
The sign says "NEVER GET OUT OF YOUR CAR! NEVER OPEN THE WINDOWS!"
This time of year was neat because there were many baby animals. You could even get your picture taken with a baby lion but the line was really long so we decided not to. We saw baby giraffes, zebras and cheetahs. Even a few animals making those babies :).
We were able to get really close to some of the animals. At one point we even had to stop the car because a giraffe was going to run in to us.
During the walking safari, you could pay 200 yen to feed the lions. I forgot to take a video of Gizelle doing it, but here is a Japanese person feeding the lions.
One of my favorite parts was feeding the animals. We fed the monkeys and the kangaroos. The little monkey hands were just like people hands. So cute.
If I ever go back to the Safari Park it will be for the night time safari. You can go after 7 pm and see the lions and tigers hunting at night!
You can ride in your own car or you can ride in their fun animal shaped buses.We drove through the Safari Park first in our own car. This is what made me think it was Jurassic Park:
There are lots of warning signs to keep your windows rolled up and stay in your car- especially in the bear, lion and tiger sections. One of my students said a couple years ago someone was killed by the lions when he got out of his car to check on his grandson in the car behind them. So they aren't kidding.
The sign says "NEVER GET OUT OF YOUR CAR! NEVER OPEN THE WINDOWS!"This time of year was neat because there were many baby animals. You could even get your picture taken with a baby lion but the line was really long so we decided not to. We saw baby giraffes, zebras and cheetahs. Even a few animals making those babies :).
We were able to get really close to some of the animals. At one point we even had to stop the car because a giraffe was going to run in to us.
During the walking safari, you could pay 200 yen to feed the lions. I forgot to take a video of Gizelle doing it, but here is a Japanese person feeding the lions.One of my favorite parts was feeding the animals. We fed the monkeys and the kangaroos. The little monkey hands were just like people hands. So cute.
If I ever go back to the Safari Park it will be for the night time safari. You can go after 7 pm and see the lions and tigers hunting at night!
Where in the world is Glenn?
I guess this article gives me an idea where they were at least. Glenn can't tell me where he is or where they are going, but I can find out where they have been!
Looks like they visited the island country of Palau which is south of here somewhere east of the Phillipines and NE of Malaysia.
View Larger Map
I miss him so much. Yesterday I did get to talk to him for about 5 minutes. It was so good to hear his voice. It always makes me sad though. Not talking to him makes it easier to forget that he is gone, but it's still worth it. I'll see him soon though!
Looks like they visited the island country of Palau which is south of here somewhere east of the Phillipines and NE of Malaysia.
View Larger Map
I miss him so much. Yesterday I did get to talk to him for about 5 minutes. It was so good to hear his voice. It always makes me sad though. Not talking to him makes it easier to forget that he is gone, but it's still worth it. I'll see him soon though!
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Stella Bear
Since Glenn has been gone, Stella likes stay in bed extra long for some reason. I guess she just doesn't have Glenn waiting her up at 5:30 am to take her out. I've woken up many times and found her laying on my pillow and me on the other side of the bed. How does that happen?
The other day I even made the bed most of the way with her still in it. I guess she's a night dog and not a morning dog.
She finally came out and gave me this evil look. I'm so sorry your highness. I didn't mean to disturb your sleep!
The other day I even made the bed most of the way with her still in it. I guess she's a night dog and not a morning dog.
She finally came out and gave me this evil look. I'm so sorry your highness. I didn't mean to disturb your sleep!
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Happy Father's Day!
Happy Father's Day, Dad. Since I'm 14 hours ahead of you, you get a day and a half to celebrate this year. I hope my card and gift made it in time.
I miss you lots and can't wait to see you next month and again in September! I love you!
I miss you lots and can't wait to see you next month and again in September! I love you!
Swine Flu Hits Home (not me though)
Glenn sent me this today:
On Jun 17, it became known that a military person at U.S. Naval Air Facility Atsugi (Yamato and Ayase cities) has been infected with H1N1 flu. The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare decided to report the case to World Health Organization.
According to the ministry, Atsugi’s is the first case that has been found H1N1 positive inside U.S. Forces installations in Japan. The military patient has already recovered and his family members have had no symptoms. The quarantine period for him ended on Jun. 16.
Awesome. Glenn told me not to die so I'm going to work on that.
On Jun 17, it became known that a military person at U.S. Naval Air Facility Atsugi (Yamato and Ayase cities) has been infected with H1N1 flu. The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare decided to report the case to World Health Organization.
According to the ministry, Atsugi’s is the first case that has been found H1N1 positive inside U.S. Forces installations in Japan. The military patient has already recovered and his family members have had no symptoms. The quarantine period for him ended on Jun. 16.
Awesome. Glenn told me not to die so I'm going to work on that.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Hairspray
Last week, Gizelle and I went to Tokyo on Friday night for a date night. Since our hubbies are gone, we don't have to stop going to dinner and a show do we? Of course not, so we headed on the train to Shinjuku for dinner and then went to Hairspray!
The show was awesome and in English in case you were wondering. There were screens set up with "subtitles" for the Japanese speakers to read. I was curious how people in Japan would react to the show since it is about segregation in the 1960s since 99.9% of Japan is Japanese, they've never really had as many race issues as America has. I have learned since though, that the Japanese do have race issues against the Koreans. In fact, a few thousand of the people killed in Hiroshima were actually Korean forced labor.
Of course, there were many jokes that Gizelle and I were the only ones laughing at, but that is to be expected. I'm not so sure how "acne of the heart" translates in to Japanese. :)
Cheers to date night! We went to a fun asian fusion restaurant near Shinjuku station before the show called Ken's Chanto dining which was so good! We left a little late so we had to rush through dinner to make it to the show on time, but the waitress understood so we zoomed in and out in 45 minutes. I had a scallop and grapefruit salad that was amazing and we shared a octopus gratin. For my main course I had couscous stuffed chicken. Yummy!
During intermission Gizelle and I expected a bar or drink or something, but in true Japanese style, all they had were vending machines. The Japanese put everything in vending machines- I've seen soup and fresh vegetables for example. We we found a coffee machine and the ice cream machine and enjoyed dessert before the second half of the show. I'm eating a waffle filled with chocolate ice cream in case you can't tell.
Maybe I'll have another real date night with Glenn when he gets home, but Gizelle is a pretty good substitute! :)
The show was awesome and in English in case you were wondering. There were screens set up with "subtitles" for the Japanese speakers to read. I was curious how people in Japan would react to the show since it is about segregation in the 1960s since 99.9% of Japan is Japanese, they've never really had as many race issues as America has. I have learned since though, that the Japanese do have race issues against the Koreans. In fact, a few thousand of the people killed in Hiroshima were actually Korean forced labor.Of course, there were many jokes that Gizelle and I were the only ones laughing at, but that is to be expected. I'm not so sure how "acne of the heart" translates in to Japanese. :)
Cheers to date night! We went to a fun asian fusion restaurant near Shinjuku station before the show called Ken's Chanto dining which was so good! We left a little late so we had to rush through dinner to make it to the show on time, but the waitress understood so we zoomed in and out in 45 minutes. I had a scallop and grapefruit salad that was amazing and we shared a octopus gratin. For my main course I had couscous stuffed chicken. Yummy!
During intermission Gizelle and I expected a bar or drink or something, but in true Japanese style, all they had were vending machines. The Japanese put everything in vending machines- I've seen soup and fresh vegetables for example. We we found a coffee machine and the ice cream machine and enjoyed dessert before the second half of the show. I'm eating a waffle filled with chocolate ice cream in case you can't tell.Maybe I'll have another real date night with Glenn when he gets home, but Gizelle is a pretty good substitute! :)
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Engrish
My friend, Mari, posted this on her blog and it was just too funny to not pass on. Mari lives off-base and her landlord needed to check the windows before rainy season starts to make sure they are waterproof. Here is the note they left on her door:
"The request Mr. Krueger, Christopher
I become caring.
There is request.
As for 1 nail, I want to exchange an old pope in the place of the water supply meter from this pipe part at the water supply.
This construction can do construction when absent.
I report later what time to construct if it is possible to get a permission.
2 nails be able to point to the confirmation indoors because they do the soundproof construction to do at the Defense Agency in Japan and I want to get it on Friday or Saturday of this week.
As for the construction fo this time, I plan to exchange a window and a shutter at the 2nd floor big rooms.
I think whether or not that it is possible to enter construction is completed next year probably.
Decide Metoki if it is possible to have gotten a permission.
I request cooperation.
Make not injure physical condition because the day of rain on about 40 days increases from now.
June 9th
Sanyu Housing"
She was thoroughly confused as well. Japan is so fun sometimes. This is similar to the emails I get from my students when they need to cancel or change class. One of my students kept saying they could not meet for 27 days when really she meant the 27th. I had to explain the difference to her. I probably sound the same when I try to speak Japanese though.
Japanese classes are going well though, we started verbs this week! There is no such thing as conjugating verbs in Japanese, awesome! Just a different ending for the tense of the verb, but the verb stays the same all the time. Here is a short lesson for you:
Watashi wa 7-ji ni oki-masu.
I wake up/will wake up at 7:00.
(present/future)
Watashi wa 7-ji ni oki-mashita.
I woke up at 7:00.
(past tense)
Watashi wa 7-ji ni oki-masen.
I won't wake up at 7:00.
(present future negative)
Watashi wa 7-ji ni oki-masen-deshita.
I didn't wake up at 7:00.
(past tense negative)
Hopefully I'll still remember all my Japanese after I take the month of July off. I'll have to keep practicing!
"The request Mr. Krueger, Christopher
I become caring.
There is request.
As for 1 nail, I want to exchange an old pope in the place of the water supply meter from this pipe part at the water supply.
This construction can do construction when absent.
I report later what time to construct if it is possible to get a permission.
2 nails be able to point to the confirmation indoors because they do the soundproof construction to do at the Defense Agency in Japan and I want to get it on Friday or Saturday of this week.
As for the construction fo this time, I plan to exchange a window and a shutter at the 2nd floor big rooms.
I think whether or not that it is possible to enter construction is completed next year probably.
Decide Metoki if it is possible to have gotten a permission.
I request cooperation.
Make not injure physical condition because the day of rain on about 40 days increases from now.
June 9th
Sanyu Housing"
She was thoroughly confused as well. Japan is so fun sometimes. This is similar to the emails I get from my students when they need to cancel or change class. One of my students kept saying they could not meet for 27 days when really she meant the 27th. I had to explain the difference to her. I probably sound the same when I try to speak Japanese though.
Japanese classes are going well though, we started verbs this week! There is no such thing as conjugating verbs in Japanese, awesome! Just a different ending for the tense of the verb, but the verb stays the same all the time. Here is a short lesson for you:
Watashi wa 7-ji ni oki-masu.
I wake up/will wake up at 7:00.
(present/future)
Watashi wa 7-ji ni oki-mashita.
I woke up at 7:00.
(past tense)
Watashi wa 7-ji ni oki-masen.
I won't wake up at 7:00.
(present future negative)
Watashi wa 7-ji ni oki-masen-deshita.
I didn't wake up at 7:00.
(past tense negative)
Hopefully I'll still remember all my Japanese after I take the month of July off. I'll have to keep practicing!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
3113 Delta
I realized today that I've never posted pics of the outside of our house. Here she is in all her government-issued beauty. We live in the top right unit (this is a 4-unit "garden" apartment) and that is our yard on the far right side of the building. Super-functional, huh? My friend Heather took this pic so our cars (we own two) are not in the picture.
So if you're ever curious why I am uber jealous of my friends who own their own homes and get to decorate and have gardens, etc. This is why. I would just like an outdoor space/patio and I would be so happy! If Glenn and I get on it and have two kids asap, we could move in to a house with a backyard AND a patio, but then I think I'd have even bigger problems then.
So if you're ever curious why I am uber jealous of my friends who own their own homes and get to decorate and have gardens, etc. This is why. I would just like an outdoor space/patio and I would be so happy! If Glenn and I get on it and have two kids asap, we could move in to a house with a backyard AND a patio, but then I think I'd have even bigger problems then.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Congrats Amanda & Justin!
My cousin, Amanda (my mom's sister's daughter) got married on Saturday! I missed the wedding of course, but wanted to wish her congrats anyways. Here is the bride and groom with my cousins and brother and sister-in-law. Thanks for filling me in all the details, Jen! I felt like I was there.
PS. Good work color coordinating for the photo!
Dave, Mom, Grandma, Grandpa and Dad
PS. Good work color coordinating for the photo!
Dave, Mom, Grandma, Grandpa and Dad
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Glenn Update 2
Here's an email I got from Glenn tonight:
Not the most exciting update, but good to hear from him always. The Polsons are our friends from Kingsville and Norfolk. I miss you, Marcy if you're reading this!
Hey babe. I had a good day. Finally got my night trap, made some progress on the turnover stuff. I got an email from Chris Polson, though. That’s kind of neat. He said to say hi.
Sorry I don’t have near as much to talk about. Tough to come up with stuff when it’s like groundhog day. I’m gonna try to get some sleep. I love and miss you.
G
Not the most exciting update, but good to hear from him always. The Polsons are our friends from Kingsville and Norfolk. I miss you, Marcy if you're reading this!
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Animals
I really enjoy going to zoos and aquariums in Japan (or any other country for that matter) because there are so many different creatures that you don't see in the States.
Japanese Giant Crab
In case you couldn't tell how big it is, here it is with some kids in front. I want one of those crab legs for dinner!
More Jellyfish
On Friday some girls from the squadron are headed to Fuji Safari park - a drive thru zoo (think Jurassic Park, but no dinosaurs). I'm really excited!
Here are just a few from our trip to Enoshima last week. Sadly, Laura is back in the States for a few weeks so Kelly & Laura's Adventure Days are on hold or I may just have to find a subsitute.
Fried Egg Jellyfish (seriously, that's what it's called)
Fried Egg Jellyfish (seriously, that's what it's called)
Japanese Giant Crab
In case you couldn't tell how big it is, here it is with some kids in front. I want one of those crab legs for dinner!
More JellyfishThursday, June 11, 2009
Milestones
June 10th: 6 months ago I moved to Japan- I can't believe it's been 6 months already! Only 2 years and 3 months left in Japan...
June 11th: 4 years ago Glenn proposed on a bench by the river in Des Moines, IA. Sorry I ruined your original plan baby, but I would have said yes, wherever you asked me.
Time is really flying and I hope it keeps going by fast until Glenn returns!
June 11th: 4 years ago Glenn proposed on a bench by the river in Des Moines, IA. Sorry I ruined your original plan baby, but I would have said yes, wherever you asked me.
Time is really flying and I hope it keeps going by fast until Glenn returns!
What's for Dinner? Roasted Butternut squash and bacon pasta
I only made one homemade meal for Glenn while he was home (I know, bad wife) but it seemed we were always going out or meeting people...or ordering pizza like we did on Friday night...but regardless I made a recipe from Cookinglight.com that I got from Laura. It was delicious- Roasted Butternut squash and bacon pasta. Since I totally botched the last butternut squash recipe, I thought I would try again. And don't worry, this time I definitely got the right squash.
I would give this recipe a 8.5/10. My only critiques were that the cheese (provolone) was a little plain. I think a sharper cheese would taste better because the provolone gets over powered by the bacon. Maybe a provolone, white cheddar mix would be good. If only we had white cheddar cheese in Japan. That's a big ol' negative. Laura said she uses half a butternut squash, but I used the whole thing- probably more than the 3 cups the recipe calls for but the more the better I thought. I also used more bacon (8 strips instead of 6) because, well, it's bacon and my husband is Glenn. The only other bad part was the time the recipe took. Roasting the squash takes about 45 minutes and the other prep and cooking took about an hour (but can be done while the squash is roasting). I hope you enjoy it!
I would give this recipe a 8.5/10. My only critiques were that the cheese (provolone) was a little plain. I think a sharper cheese would taste better because the provolone gets over powered by the bacon. Maybe a provolone, white cheddar mix would be good. If only we had white cheddar cheese in Japan. That's a big ol' negative. Laura said she uses half a butternut squash, but I used the whole thing- probably more than the 3 cups the recipe calls for but the more the better I thought. I also used more bacon (8 strips instead of 6) because, well, it's bacon and my husband is Glenn. The only other bad part was the time the recipe took. Roasting the squash takes about 45 minutes and the other prep and cooking took about an hour (but can be done while the squash is roasting). I hope you enjoy it!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
USS George Washington
I made the drive to Yokosuka 3 times this weekend so I think I am done for awhile, but while I was there on Monday, Glenn showed me around the ship more. When I've seen the ship before, the planes were gone and people weren't living there so it was nice to see how Glenn actually works.
Glenn had duty on Monday so I went after my classes to have dinner and hang out with him. I got to see my calendar looking all pretty in the ready room too!
Then I made Glenn have a photo shoot at every locale on the boat. He was such a good sport.
Glenn's call sign is now SLAP (Sweats like a pig). What can I say? He's a sweaty guy. Here's his helmet in the room where they store all their flight gear, whatever that is called? PR shop? I forget.
I made my last trip on Tuesday night to drop Glenn off at the boat. He didn't have to be on board until 1 am so we had dinner at home and then drove down to Yokosuka (about an hour away) and saw Angels & Demons and then I said good-bye, again. It was really nice to have him home for a few days, but saying good-bye again is always hard. So Stella and I are getting back in to the groove of just the two of us. At least she is eating this time. Last time when Glenn left she didn't eat for a few days. If Stella gets this worked up, I can't imagine going through deployments with children.
At least I know when I will see Glenn next (hopefully, knock on wood) and it's not too far away. I understand now what people mean about the deployment groove. Time to get going I suppose.
Glenn had duty on Monday so I went after my classes to have dinner and hang out with him. I got to see my calendar looking all pretty in the ready room too!
Then I made Glenn have a photo shoot at every locale on the boat. He was such a good sport.
Glenn's call sign is now SLAP (Sweats like a pig). What can I say? He's a sweaty guy. Here's his helmet in the room where they store all their flight gear, whatever that is called? PR shop? I forget.
I made my last trip on Tuesday night to drop Glenn off at the boat. He didn't have to be on board until 1 am so we had dinner at home and then drove down to Yokosuka (about an hour away) and saw Angels & Demons and then I said good-bye, again. It was really nice to have him home for a few days, but saying good-bye again is always hard. So Stella and I are getting back in to the groove of just the two of us. At least she is eating this time. Last time when Glenn left she didn't eat for a few days. If Stella gets this worked up, I can't imagine going through deployments with children.
At least I know when I will see Glenn next (hopefully, knock on wood) and it's not too far away. I understand now what people mean about the deployment groove. Time to get going I suppose.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Glenn's Address
Glenn is gone for the long haul this time so I thought I would post his address again in case you want to send him letters, cards or snacks. Getting mail always brightens my day, and I think when you live it a big metal box with 6000 other people and work 7 days a week every week, it really brightens your day.
LT Glenn J. Smith
VAW-115 Unit 25428
FPO AP 96601-6403
Stella and I miss you already baby! Come home soon!
PS. Don't forget that cards/letters are ok as regular mail but packages should be mailed USPS Priority Mail (they have special (free) military boxes and rates)!
VAW-115 Unit 25428
FPO AP 96601-6403
Stella and I miss you already baby! Come home soon!
PS. Don't forget that cards/letters are ok as regular mail but packages should be mailed USPS Priority Mail (they have special (free) military boxes and rates)!
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Kelly and Laura's Adventure Days - Enoshima
On Thursday, Laura and I headed to the beach town of Enoshima. It is about an hour train ride away, very near Kamakura which I visited in February. It's not quite summer here yet so it was still pretty quiet, but a great place to have lunch and walk around.
We had lunch at an Italian restaurant, El Chianti, I think it was some of the best Italian food I've had in Japan so far. I think we'll have to go back and enjoy a bottle of wine and the ocean views.
After lunch we went to the Enoshima Aquarium. It was small, but very well done. They even had a dolphin show. We couldn't understand what they were saying, but dolphins are always fun to see. Even better, this was Laura's first ever dolphin show. She has never been to Sea World. Crazy girl. We also enjoyed the Sagami Bay exhibit which had all of the fish that live off the cost of Enoshima. They had a huge school of fish which was amazing to watch.
I think another highlight of the aquarium was the Dr. Fish exhibit. Apparently there are spas in which you can stick your feet in these pools and let the fish eat away the dead skin on your feet! Well here you could stick your hands in the shallow pools and let them do the same. It tickled too much to let them do it for too long, I don't think I could let them eat my feet!
After the aquarium we went to Enoshima island and went up and down about a million stairs. We took in the views, saw the shrine and walked some more stairs. Next time we're going to go to the caves and maybe the light house/observatory. We couldn't do anymore stairs today!
An excellent adventure day with my friend Laura!
We had lunch at an Italian restaurant, El Chianti, I think it was some of the best Italian food I've had in Japan so far. I think we'll have to go back and enjoy a bottle of wine and the ocean views.After lunch we went to the Enoshima Aquarium. It was small, but very well done. They even had a dolphin show. We couldn't understand what they were saying, but dolphins are always fun to see. Even better, this was Laura's first ever dolphin show. She has never been to Sea World. Crazy girl. We also enjoyed the Sagami Bay exhibit which had all of the fish that live off the cost of Enoshima. They had a huge school of fish which was amazing to watch.
I think another highlight of the aquarium was the Dr. Fish exhibit. Apparently there are spas in which you can stick your feet in these pools and let the fish eat away the dead skin on your feet! Well here you could stick your hands in the shallow pools and let them do the same. It tickled too much to let them do it for too long, I don't think I could let them eat my feet!
After the aquarium we went to Enoshima island and went up and down about a million stairs. We took in the views, saw the shrine and walked some more stairs. Next time we're going to go to the caves and maybe the light house/observatory. We couldn't do anymore stairs today!
An excellent adventure day with my friend Laura!
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Glenn is back for a little while at least!
I went down to Yokosuka yesterday to pick up Glenn! They are back in Japan for a few days for a port call. It was wonderful to be there waiting for them when they got off of the ship!
I'm off to enjoy my weekend with my hubby!
I'm off to enjoy my weekend with my hubby!
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Exciting Day
Today is a day that being stationed in Japan is a great thing. We deal with annual deployments, but today makes it somewhat worth it.
Stay tuned for more this weekend!
Stay tuned for more this weekend!
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Feeling Nostalgic
For my Wednesday English class today, I brought my Iowa State University alumni calendar to show them pictures of campus and to talk about what college is like in America. I haven't sat and talked about Iowa State and told stories of Lake Laverne, the zodiac, the campanile, Polar Bear plunge, and Elaine & Lancelot in a really long time and wow do I miss it! My students loved the stories about campaniling (kissing at midnight under the clock tower) and mass campaniling during Homecoming.
I guess you never know how great something is until it's gone. It's really hard to believe that it has been 4 years since we graduated. What a happy and carefree time college was. Not that I'm stressed out now, but things are different. I worry that Glenn is safe, not about doing my homework.
Most of my students in these two classes are 60 or 70 (or 80) years old and they all made comments about how beautiful Iowa is, especially the flowers, but the Japanese have a thing about all the different flower seasons, but I never really thought about it until today. Iowa was a spacious and beautiful place to study for 4 years.
College was a great time and I feel very lucky to have enjoyed it as much as I did. I think the best things I got from ISU though were these gals:
And of course this wonderful man:
And of course this wonderful man:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
