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.)