Saturday, April 28, 2012

I'm staying in Japan forever

Stacia grabbed my hand several times today and told me, "I want to live forever in Japan. I'm staying here forever." I know, sweetie, I know.  


She then decided...."Tokyo would be o.k. because you won't get hit by snowballs down there." 


She isn't sure about all the flying it takes to live in Japan....of course if we weren't in the Air Force we wouldn't be taking all the space A flights home. LOL 


Added note as I'm not sure I ever blogged it. About a year ago (after our visit to the states), Stacia began telling all who will listen, "I'm mostly Japanese with a bit of American."   She was born in San Angelo, TX....arrived in Japan when she was 3....the thing is *I* feel some the same. LOL 


Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Veedol Beach

We decided to re-visit some of our favorite beaches. You can click here to see photos of the picnic area, swim beach and Veedol beach soon after 3-11. Continuing North on 338 we came to Veedol Beach. When we were by here the last time the turn off from the start was roped off. Today we could drive right now to the parking lot and were happy to see there is a new Miss Veedol on the beach. 

Then 
Now


We walked on down to the beach and had our lunch...then stayed to play a couple of hours. 

I was walking down the beach in search of glass and turned to see all sorts of strange things going on. Zander was shirtless, they were wrestling.....I discovered they were playing Sumo Wrestlers on the beach. LOL





We thought this might be a small float - but it was a light bulb. 



I bought this cheery sweatshirt on the Oregon Coast when we were there for Bre and Krista's graduation. It makes me happy to wear it at the Japanese coast. It also makes me feel very happy to have a young one still at home when I am-not-so-young any longer. LOL

We saw a glass shape bobbing up and down in the waves. We headed to retrieve it - hoping for a glass float. Stacia ran on ahead....she was so excited to get it....and as she ran back I saw what it was....

A really BIG light bulb from a ship - now in my living room.

Stacia made "Japanese Sand Writing"


So many treasures


Jared wrote, I "heart" you....Zander changed the heart so that it looks like, "I moon you!" These are the sorts of things which make us laugh. What can I say?  We left the beach WORN out.... so worn out that Arielle thought someone was being hung at the rest area. 


Michael wasn't ready for us to come home so we drove to the nearest Lawson for a treat and slowly made our way home. 

I picked up all the garbage from the fields around our house. All the garbage from the neighborhood blows down to our end of the street.  The kids played with friends. I helped Michael put together a power point for tomorrow.  Then we headed for dinner. Full day! 

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Dog Run

We left the Harbor and headed towards a little picnic area up 338. The table sits in a gazebo on a hill overlooking the ocean.

We discovered dogs aren't allowed on the lawn...and we didn't want to leave Yuuki in the car.....BUT they DID have a dog park. She loved it, the kids tossed a frisbee around for a bit.....Yuuki was very happy to see this was a fully equipped Dog Run.



Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Misawa Fishing Harbor

Michael is preaching tomorrow. He's been really tired and not had the stamina he is used to having. He needed to spend today finishing for tomorrow. 



Jared had his first Saturday off in months.....so we packed a lunch, grabbed Yuuki and got in the car to search for adventure while Michael studied. 

Our first stop of the day was the Misawa Fishing Harbor. You can click here for an earlier post which showed the damage done to this area.  The kids are standing on a road that was a giant chasm after the earthquake. There were piles of debris and parts of ships all over in this area last year at this time. Directly behind the kids is the entrance to the only swimming spot where Americans are supposed to swim in North of Hachinohe. It was closed last year, but I think they may have it ready to open by July. 

 The restrooms look like they are near ready....and there were construction workers all over.


Remember these bulbs.....


 This is on the pier looking back at the harbor. The building to the left of the tower in the center was full of water after the tsunami. It looked so peaceful today.


There were signs from the past here and there as we beach combed today...........



This monument should be standing up in the braces on the pedestal.




Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...