Tuesday 10: Wedding Fare

 1. Pre-ceremony coffee and juice

 2. Table Setting

 3. Lunch time cocktail time

4. Appetizer and salad

 5. Scallops

 6. Mushroom soup

7. Lobster Tail

 8. Yummy beef

 9. Fruit custard dessert

10. Wedding Cake

Congrats Ken and Yuki!

On November 7th, 2010 Glenn and I were honored to attend the wedding my my English student, Yuki and her fiancee, Ken. I was so excited to attend a Japanese wedding and even more excited that Glenn got to experience it with me! It was very western in style with a few distinct differences.

Here is a picture of Ken and Yuki after the ceremony ringing the church bell! Beautiful!

We started the day on the 6th floor of the reception hall with juice and coffee. We signed the guest book, gave our gift to the attendants (cash in odd quantities only) and looked at the picture books of the couple. A few minutes before 11 am, we were ushered downstairs and around to the backside of the hotel/reception/chapel to the chapel entrance.

The ceremony was in Japanese, but was traditional enough in style that Glenn and I could figure out what was going on. We just hummed along with the hymns since we didn't know the words in Japanese.

The minister was Dutch or from somewhere in Europe so he even said a few lines in English. Thanks!

The ceremony was held at an Episcopalian church that looked very much like a wedding back home. Except for the lilies. You don't see too many lilies at weddings in America. This was the only picture I got inside the church though til I got a "baby x" to stop taking pictures inside. I guess only the professional photographer gets to take pictures inside.  After the ceremony there were scheduled photo-ops where they posed and we could take pictures (like the bell ringing above, cake cutting, etc).

After the ceremony, we were escorted up to the 3rd floor to the party room. It was beautiful and pink and very elegant.

After everyone was settled, the couple made their entrance complete with spot light and Disney music. They entire day was very theatrical and show like. So fun to watch!

What's this? Deja vous? Nope! Costume change! About half way through the party and 7 amazing courses of food, they changed to their party clothes!

The entire affair was very scheduled. Salad course, entrance. Fish course, video montage. More food, gift giving ceremony. More food, toasts from the most important guests (bosses, no FOB toast here). After their costume change they came around and lit the centerpieces on each table and then a giant candle up front.

Next on the agenda? Group photos with each table.

Yoko-san, the MOB, is also my student in another class. We received another gift from the Bride and Groom as we exited the party. In addition to the pastries and dishes we received on our seats at the beginning of the party!

Thank you for inviting us to such a wonderful party! A memory from our time in Japan that I will never forget.

Minnesota in January? What were we thinking?

Glenn and I bought tickets to come back to Minnesota for a few weeks in January. After seeing the pictures that my sister-in-law sent me, I'm not sure January was an ideal choice!

We haven't had more than a dusting of snow in two years with the exception of ski trips to Nagano. I'm not sure I'm looking forward to all that snow!

Not America Safe: Propane Pipe

I'm sure my father would tell you that this wouldn't pass code in America. Plastic gas tubing? Next to a hot burning stove? I don't think that's America safe.

JAFG Halloween Lunch

I hosted a lunch at my house for my Japanese American Friendship Group. I was a little worried about fitting so many people in my house, but it worked out! Too bad my new Balinese table still isn't here. :)

Each of the Americans brought a dish to share with the Japanese ladies and for our activity we made caramel apples. Japanese people don't usually eat the skin of fruit (including grapes) so I wasn't sure what they would think of the caramel apples, but they seemed to enjoy making them!

We enjoyed lunch and chatting and catching up with eachother.

 

 Sarah, Cassie and Courtney.

 Baby Levi got a special gift because he is almost 100 days old. In Japan, this is the time when there is a ceremony for the baby to have his first bite of food, a single grain of rice. Special dishes are used to mark the occassion.

 I was pretty exhausted after cleaning and preparing everything for the ladies, but it was a great turnout. Thanks for coming!

Merry Birthday Glenn!

Happy Birthday Glenn! Last week, we bought Glenn's birthday/Christmas present. He's been wanting a giant TV for a couple years and we finally decided to buy one while he is home for a little while. He's a happy guy! Although my eyes are still dilating every time I walk in to the room cause the thing is so big and bright compared to our old one. I hope we have room in our next house for this TV!

Merry Christmas/Happy Birthday Mr. I hope 27 is a good year for you like it was for me! I love you!

What's for Dinner? BBQ Chicken Pizza

I had some leftover bbq chicken and cooked bacon in the fridge from a chef salad I made the other day, so I decided to make a BBQ chicken pizza with it. So easy and fast! I made it again for Glenn and he was a big fan!

I only used half the roll of pre-made pizza dough and put the other half back in the fridge. Spread some BBQ sauce, slice some red onions and cover the bacon and chicken with cheese. Before I ate it, I also put some chopped cilantro on top. Other recipes call for gouda cheese, but I didn't have any so I just used a mozz/provolone mixture.

Definitely will be making this again!

Onsen Party

 A few weeks ago I attended an AOSA event with our Japanese counterparts. We got naked together at the onsen and then had a drinking party. I'd call that bonding.

 During lunch, we played a few "drinking" games. For example, above, Ann has just won a game of paper, rock, scissors which means that Sato-san must redeem herself by making Ann laugh.

 In the next game, the person in back is blindfolded and must feed the person in front. I was not very good at picking up the beans with chopsticks.

 And of course, it's not a party without karaoke and dancing!

Trick-or-Treating

I invited a few of my former students and one of my current students to come to Atsugi base to go Trick-or-Treating. They were a little hesitant at first but figured out the game plan rather quickly. They really seemed to enjoy it until the rain started coming down. Good thing we started right at 4 pm!

They weren't so sure about the scary people. I got a kick out of it though!

Glenn borrowed his skippers CO hat and Auburn polo and went as Skipper for Halloween. Skipper got a good kick out it.

Thailand: Day 7

Our last day in Thailand, we took a one day boat trip to Phi Phi island. Phi Phi is famous for being the location of the Leo Dicaprio movie, The Beach.  It is absolutely the most beautiful place I have ever seen. The water was so green and the mountains came straight out of the water. Breathtaking.

Our boat trip took us to the island. We went snorkeling, swimming, had lunch and then went to a small island for some relaxing and sun. Sounds nice until you factor in the 15 people puking off the back of the boat because the waves were so rough. Oh well, good thing Christina and I don't get sea sick!

There was one spot where you could feed the monkeys. Someone got a little too close with their Pepsi I think.

Our last stop, Khai Nai island. A teeny, tiny island perfect for a beer, snorkeling and sunbathing.

Thailand! So beautiful and sketchy. I definitely want to make a trip back some day!