Happy Burrito Day #2!

Glenn and I ventured in to Tokyo again on Christmas Eve this year to (also) celebrate Burrito Day!

And 12 minutes after we arrived, it was over. I wish it lasted longer, but it's just too good! Check out Frijoles yourself!

Happy New Year 2011!

Glenn and I hope you have a wonderful start to 2011! I'm looking forward to starting and ending 2011 in America with a few more trips and adventures in between! We hope you have a wonderful year ahead of you as well!

Happy New Year!

A few New Year's Eve pictures from the past!

 2005-2006

 2007-2008

 2008-2009

 2009-2010

2010-2011 (ok, so this is an old picture, but we'll be on an airplane this year on NYE)

Christmas Morning

Usually, Christmas lasts all day. If my dad is around and we are with our family, that usually means til 2 or 3 pm. Since it was just Glenn and I and most of our presents are waiting for us in the States, it only lasted about 2 hours plus several more of skyping with our families.

After her first present, Stella assumed every present was for her. Hence the licking or her lips I think. She would get a present, put it in the corner and come back for more. Then she just laid in front of her gift pile for awhile.

 Thanks for the ski socks, Mr! I think I'm gonna need them in Minnesota!

We finished Christmas morning with the usual fare- eggs Portugal and pecan sticky buns. My favorites! My family makes this egg casserole for most holidays, get-togethers and special occassions. It wouldn't be Christmas without it! It was a wonderful day with our little family and I can't wait to have Christmas parts II and III with our entire families!

Snow in Yokohama Station

I guess the week of Christmas was pretty busy because I still have more days of Christmas posts. When Glenn and I were coming through Yokohama station last week we saw Santa with a snow machine! Sometimes, Japan just makes me smile.

More Merriment

 My Thursday morning class had our annual Christmas party a few weeks ago. We had lunch and a gift exchange at the Officer's Club.

My favorite part of Japanese parties is the schedule. I haven't been to a party yet where there wasn't a schedule. At this particular lunch the schedule was as follows:
              11:15-12:15 or so: Lunch time ("and of course, talking and talking, that's most important")
              12:15-12:30: Introductions
              12:30-1:10: Gift Exchange
              1:10: Sing Christmas Carols
              1:20: Group Photo

The schedule was explained when everyone arrived and the class leader was keeping track of the schedule. I love it! I guess it makes it easy and no one has time to be bored.

They are a fun class and a few friends got to come as well, including Glenn. That's new!

Happy Birthday Laura!

Today is my wonderful sister-in-law, Laura's, birthday!

I hope you have a wonderful day and stay inside away from all the snow! Can't wait to see you soon!

A winter fairy is melting a snowman

In my Tuesday night class last week, my students asked me about a Docomo cellphone commercial they saw on tv. They said, "she is singing English but I don't understand what."

So, I got out the laptop and found it on YouTube. Once, I heard it, I just started laughing and wrote it down. I required a few explanations and this lovely drawing for them to fully understand what I was talking about.

It's a fairy with a hairdryer or a snowman in a microwave, your choice. By the end, they were laughing too. 

"Who is a winter fairy?"

"Good question," I said.

Yunessun Onsen

The weekend before Christmas, Glenn and I joined an MWR tour where we went to the Yunessen Onsen. Onsens are very popular in Japan. Think of it as a naked hot spring. I've described them before. This place was a little different though. It was more of a swimsuit friendly water park hot spring.

You wear your swim suit and then they also give you a towel and small jacket. Since there are spa rooms, restaurants and rest/relaxing areas you can wear your jacket everywhere.


Inside there were hot tubs, a large child-friendly water park and Dr. Fish (you put your feet in a pool and these small fish eat your dead skin and it tickles!).

Outside was the best part. It was only about 40 degrees so it was cold going from pool to pool, but once you were in the water, it felt great!

It wasn't just water though, the outside pools were filled with coffee, wine, green tea, sake and charcoal water!

Glenn in the coffee pool that they brew right next to it.

 

Me in the red wine pool.

Glenn and I in the green tea (/ectocooler) bath.

We had a great day relaxing and enjoying all the goofy people at the spa. I would definitely recommend you make a trip!

Thanks Best Buy

Glenn ordered a few things from Best Buy and stuck to his video game was this note. 'Tis the season! Merry Christmas!