Japanese Baths - Part 1

One of the first things we noticed were these delightfully deep tubs in the TLF. They are common to Japan. I'd read up on the country and was expecting deep tubs in off base homes, but was pleasantly surprised to find a deep tub in TLF.

In the homes we've seen, the bathrooms are divided into at least two rooms. There is a room with a toilet and sink.....then there is the shower room.

It's hard to see in this photo...but the entire room is tiled with shower board. There is a drain in the floor outside of the tub. The shower hose is for you to take a shower in the room, BEFORE you get into the tub. In homes without shower hoses, there is a small scoop/bucket dipper for the same purpose. Only when you are CLEAN and all soap has been removed do you enter the tub. I think the hook IN the tub is a concession for "American Style" homes. There is also a mirror in our tub?????

From our reading we've learned that the tubs are usually filled with very HOT water. The tubs come with a cover to keep the water warm between baths. In homes with big enough tubs several members of a family will soak at the same time. The purpose for a bath here is to relax, to calm down, to get warm, to be refreshed...showers are to get clean.

I was thrilled to find that our tub is deep (though a bit short for the taller folks among us) and has a cover.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~ Coram Deo ~
Living all of life before the face of God...

INSIDE the house!

We were able to go inside the house yesterday. I talked with our rental agent and they've moved the base's home inspection up to Friday, 25 September. We are praying that all goes as planned and that the home is approved Friday a.m. We plan to be at housing Friday afternoon to sign a lease. Then we can pick up a key and schedule TMO. This move may really end soon. ::snort::

The home is beautiful. It WILL require some creativity. I'm sure I'll find some before we move in or shortly thereafter....or I'll post room photos and beg for YOUR ideas. ::snort:: Windy and I have been tossing ideas back and forth.

Mike reports there are wrapped pipes under this space in the laundry room. We are hoping that means that our understanding of floor heat is the same as the builder's understanding. ::snort::

The laundry room is big. I am thinking a wall shelving unit would give us some linen storage or such.....Windy's home does have much more closet space than ours (in the entry way, the master bedroom and the bathroom). This is something you can't tell from floor plans...or at least we couldn't....but there were quite a few Japanese notations. ::snort:: These are STEEP! One of the kids commented that it was like climbing a ladder. ::snort:: The steps themselves are taller and narrower than in the states....and the incline is steep.


Our kitchen is a great size. We'll need to figure out more pantry/cupboard space...there are cupboards, but they are not as deep as in America. We do have a wonderful closet/pantry in the dining room....we also have an extra wide kitchen. Maybe a desk, or pantry shelves, or a rocking chair will fit in that spot.....

Jared thinks the height of the sink should get him out of doing dishes....what do you think?
We had been told there would be storage under the stairs. I envisioned a lot of space for boxes, like homes we've had before. However, THIS is our storage space under the stairs. ::snort::

The views are going to be beautiful. Every house has a few surprises and this one is no different. We'll be very happy here.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~ Coram Deo ~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Skype

OK - we have Skype now. I used my name. If you know my name, feel free to add me to your contacts. ::snort:: Nate....I can't find you but I found Heather's old stateside one. Are you listed in MO or Japan? There is NO ONE in the computer room, Mike tested the sound, we're dying to try this out and none of you are online. ::snort::

Let's see what else did I do? I attended a PWOC related meeting. I sent in my registration for Hawaii. I played with the young ones on the playground. I met a new lady there who had a ton of fun info for me about Japan. We made cookies. We went on a long walk.

I bought stuff for tomorrow's Onsen Adventure.

Still waiting for Skype to ring. ::snort::

Rodney and Windy went over to see their home today. They were told by Koishi that it is o.k. to go inside when the workers are there. They did. They also went inside ours and said that it looks nearly done. We're going to go look tomorrow. I'm really going to have a home...soon...honestly. THEN what will I write about? ::snort::

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~ Coram Deo ~
Living all of life before the face of God...

LAZY Wednesday

Wednesday morning confirmed many things for us. We couldn't get moving. We don't do well with evening outings. I know in AK, where we had Bible Study and Youth activities on Tuesday night, Wednesdays were ALWAYS tough for school. We didn't have mid-week activities in TX. I have opted out of the chapel mid-week evening activities because of the drive (I thought I could catch rides to the Language class) ...but after one night of language class....I realize that just being out in the evening does something to us. Hats off to all of you who faithfully pull this off, it's not something we HAVE to do, so we're content to stay home, read and play games in the evenings. LOL

SO...since we weren't motivated to get anything done, we decided to try to hook with the S family (Rodney and Windy's family). We visited.

After lunch I took Windy out to show her the house. They were inside working on their house. As we peeked in an older women said, "Dozo"..... Yeah? ALRIGHT. We got to go inside. As we took off our shoes she said "Dijobo!" Which means "ok". I wanted to be sure and wanted to ask "It's o.k.?" which came out sounding like "Dejavu des ka?" but she laughed and said to come on in, and leave our shoes on (the floor is covered with padded paper). The wall paper is up, the .....we were very concerned about tears and broken drywall all over the house...and in the ceilings!!!! VERY concerned. Last night, as we talked with Mike, we figured out that those must be the spots for the light switches! ::snort::

Dorothy - its us together - I remember praying for Windy as she had their youngest baby and her dh went to Korea for a year - how surreal that we are meeting in real life. I love how God orchestrates our lives!

AND....guess what? If Windy has one, we're sure to have one....

A Techno Potty!

I wonder if the plug means the seat will be heated...maybe it's just for the spraying gadgets.... Winter is so much more livable with heated feet and buns. LOL

Back on base, we grabbed kids and went to the Weasel's Den for a bit of time. They headed for Awana and we continued dragging our lazy way through Wednesday.

OH YES - and Windy is going to Hawaii with me. We filled out registration forms.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~ Coram Deo ~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Japanese Trucks

Jamin - this is just for you! We think of you and your desire for a pick up every time we see one of these. ::snort::

Look at the tiny tires.... The boys report the backs ARE fun to ride in. We've not seen ONE "full sized Texas truck" over here.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~ Coram Deo ~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Tuesday

No photos - but I'll take a minute to update....because I LOVE that family and friends like to know what we are up to.

School...the only one who HAS to do school would be Jared's math/science...but the younger ones and I are enjoying a bit of structure and routine to our explorations. LOL

PWOC - I met with the PWOC selection committee for a final time. I think we have an exec board for 2009/10 and I'm EXCITED for some sister fellowship, awesome Bible studies and outreach in the upcoming PWOC year. PRAYING we get into the new chapel by Oct.

Drinking from a fire hydrant - Jared and I joined the B family on a drive to Hachinohe to attend Japanese Language school. I enjoyed myself. I really did. However, about 30 min into the class I began to question our plan, which was for Jared and I to attend the class and later teach the others. I talked to the teacher and asked if she'd be willing to teach one on one in our home. I explained that I have a big family and would love for them to all be able to meet her and receive her instruction. She gave me a quote, and while it is far more than attending in Hachinohe, it is cheaper than any of the other tutors I've looked into. She agreed that she would take us places we want to see and teach us language along the way from time to time. We'd be sure to learn Japanese Culture as we hosted her weekly....and I think she liked the idea of having an inside view of an American family. Hachinohe is a 45 - 60 min drive at night during rush hour.... 20 - 30 min home. The class is 6:30 - 8:30. I jealously guard our nights home.....so the private class may work better. It would be during school time. I wouldn't have to leave the house and all the kids could meet Akiko and learn from her first hand. There is no class next week as it is a national holiday...I have two weeks to consider the angles. It was FUN and I'm easily swayed by fun....but honestly....I do strive to watch the boundaries. LOL

Hawaii - Mike had also been doing some thinking while I was gone last night. He's decided I should go to Hawaii for the PWOC Pacific Region conference. I've spent a couple of weeks convincing myself not to go. Mike is really sure I SHOULD go and WANTS me to go; so I am. At this point, I'll be alone, which stretches me greatly...if I'm going to be lost, I'd like to be lost WITH someone....but it will be good for me. Many of you know that I've worked diligently to hear the voice of God about my schedule/ministry after the insane AK season of our ministry. I've set boundaries, I honestly DO see things as God, Family (In the Home Ministry), Outside Ministry. I am torn because the family isn't settled and this seems awfully quick to go on a trip after receiving our belongings....but Mike says it's for a weekend and I need to have some time to relax....and be refreshed.... AND now I find that two ladies from our first assignment in Montana will be attending...Julie B from Guam and Sarah H from Okinawa. I'm going to have *TWO* "PWOC MOMENTS". ::snort:: I'll get the registration worked out and then figure out how to book the tickets.

CINDY - setting this apart so you are sure to read it, as you'll think it is funny. Mike says I need to get CINDY to plan my trip as she's the pro at this sort of thing. ::snort::

That's the day. The kids are exhausted and I can't seem to get them moving..but it's time. ::snort::

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~ Coram Deo ~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Finishing up Monday

We spent some time deciding what we wanted to do to welcome Windy and friends. The front desk was rather confusing and for a time it looked like they'd added their two room charges to OUR room charges. ::snort:: We settled on some quick breakfast foods, baked muffins to go with, got some fun balloons and left them. Are you ready for irony?????? They are in the rooms across the hall and down a door from us!!! We briefly met, but they are exhausted and we'll have lots of time to get acquainted.

I made a yummy dinner.

Mike and Jared went running....and met Rodney, Windy and kids when they came back in the lobby. They grabbed Nolan and played basketball.

I've been sent down to check email.

Tomorrow, Jared and I are going to Hachinhohe for Japanese class.

Still looking for prices for the conference trip.

Several have emailed to ask...yes, I did say I was going to go to a Japanese Bath. I'm determined to experience the culture and this is a big part of the culture up here. The familia won't come with me.....but I found some ladies who know what they are doing and I'm going with them. Check back Saturday to see how it went. LOL

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~ Coram Deo ~
Living all of life before the face of God...