Crabu Gasu

You'll have to stick with me or scroll to the end to understand the title. 


As Michael was having breakfast he commented, "I wasn't sure I'd ever see this place again." AND that's what we've lived with for the past few weeks. If the re-tests in OR had confirmed the Hachinohe tests it was very likely I would come back to pack us out. We are very grateful to have another year in Japan. 


It is with a sense of gratitude that we decided to go exploring. Michael suggested we head over to Mutsu Bay/Shipwreck Beach early this a.m. We were all up and ready to go by about 07:30. LOL 


First, a true confession. We've wanted to train Yuuki to ride in the car....she always sits up front with the passenger (or in the driver's seat on occasion).  She was sort of getting it...but she slobbers on the window as she tries to climb out...and she tap dances on my lap the whole trip. When Richard and Susi brought her home last night I noted she was in the BACK of the car - and doing just fine. DUH! Why didn't we THINK to ask them how she rode in the car. Today we put her in the back of the car...she did great. I have no bruises....and NOTE - we are now a family of 6 and a dog and we fit in the small car just fine. 

 We have found a new spot to park on the bay and so we parked, and explored. We never did make it back to Shipwreck today. We walked the other way.

We found handfuls of sea glass at a time. 

Sea caves are the best

We've been nervous to let Yuuki off the leash as she's a RUNNER....but today with no where for her to really run off, we let her loose.Great time. 

 Above Stacia is sampling "caramel corn" - Krista it's PUFFED like Cosmos corn.

Have I said someone will sleep anywhere????? I missed the shot of her on the picnic table at Noheji Beach and with her FACE in her dinner plate (out of battery). 

Yuuki was content to be a pillow but checked out all noises while Arielle slept. 

We reclaimed a coca cola case for the girl's apartment...Stacia thinks this would work for the bathroom. See the piles of trash in the background? The battery compartment is still sealed and dry...so....

Digging dams from the Smith River to Mutsu Bay

 I continually kick my flip flops off at the beach and REGRET it. I was SO happy to finally make it back to my shoes at the end of our hike. LOL

We didn't find any floats today. We found lots of sea-glass and BIG agates. We also found a NEW SWIM BEACH - Noheji Beach. Love it.....not very crowded even on Saturday. Yen showers....and Japanese toilets...picnic tables. You can even camp here, we think. We asked and thought they told us yes. LOL  Our plan had been to run to Lawsons, use the toilet and buy some lunch and then head back to the ships......We decided to picnic and maybe swim a bit.....

 Zander and Stacia took the next two shots...yes, the authentic Mu-mu from Hawaii is ever so perfect for this heat and humidity. LOL

 I never know what will happen when I smile and say Konichiwa. Today it led to CRABBING on Mutsu Bay with a Japanese Family enjoying a reunion. Great fun! I don't have photos of Arielle - she joined us later and also caught some.  They tie fishing line to chopsticks, attach a hook and a slice of fish....and here along the sea wall they were "fishing" for crabu. If you look closely: Zander is in the red shirt, Mike in the brown up front, Nolan in blue across from him, and the blond Japanese gal is Stacia. 

I heard Michael let out a big laugh, saw people jumping and then our new friend yelled, "Wonderful!" It turns out Zander had caught this one - the biggest of the day.  They offered it to him, but we offered it back to them.

We set off for that swim feeling very good about the experience. Here Michael instructs Zander on how to use a mask and snorkel. They lose me at the "spit in the mask" phase. ::snort::

Nolan used the flippers...had a bit of time getting them ON. 

 Stacia wanted to go swimming.  I reverted back to the Philippines and told her we used to swim in dresses. She laughed at the novelty of it all and had a great time.

Our friends invited us to dinner. Those of you who know me in person know that I'm allergic to shell-fish. HOWEVER, I was NOT about to be rude...and loved the fact that they invited us to share the pot....I decided to just do broth...which was miso based....good - a bit strong.

The boys all shared a ladle...sometimes you just have to go with it. 

And go with it - Michael did. We had wondered how they'd get all the meat off the small crabs. They put them in the pot with the broth....and well....ate them shell and all. They don't spit out the shells...and several of their men did it to show us how.

And the title? It seems broth with crabu in it is not a great option for me either. I'm having cramps and such....and we've titled my ailment...you got it....crabu gasu.


Tonight at dinner Stacia was scared and so Zander said, "I'll talk in Japanese" and went on to talk about "crabus"....Stacia looked at him and said, "Serious Zander? You don't think I know what crabu means?" ::snort::  


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

I LOVE JET LAG

I was up at 2:30 - before anyone else. I had solitude. I had a cup of tea and read some blogs I haven't been able to get to for quite some time.

Then? I went for an 05:30 walk at our beach.  I took Yuuki with me and it was WONDERFUL.

Folks used to leave their boats on this beach....and then we had the Tsunami...and the boats were in trees......there haven't been boats left on the beach for some time....and now there is one...it's tied up...but it's there. 

I walked from our beach down to the surfer beach. I had hoped to walk on the "pier"....

Yuuki had other thoughts. ::snort:: 

We did find lots of early morning surfers. 

If I hadn't of had jet lag, I wouldn't have been at the beach at 05:30. I love it.


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

Yuuki's Home

Richard and Susi brought Yuuki home tonight. We planned to drive over but it turns out really good they came over....we were all having trouble staying awake. LOL 


We've worried that Yuuki may not remember us....but we could see her running back and forth in the back and barking when she saw the kids.

She's sporting her new OREGON DUCKS collar and dog tag.....we'll have to try to get better shots when she's not QUITE so excited. 

Michael and Nolan finished this really cool puzzle the kids got Michael for Father's Day.

It's 8:02 p.m. and we MADE IT - we're all still up. Not for long....maybe we'll kick jet lag quickly. I guess we'll know by 3 a.m. LOL 

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

Still Traveling

3:20 a.m. - We were asked to leave the Haneda domestic airport at about 12:30 a.m.  Kicked right to the curb. ::snort:: The guards told us to wait at stop 16 and a free shuttle would take us back to Haneda International. We should have stayed her to start with - but I thought we'd find more comfortable waiting areas at the domestic. We did - but the guards close the airport down at midnight. LOL 

We have discovered some of us can sleep ANYWHERE....OUTSIDE...one the concrete at the bus stop. 

We are back in the waiting area of the International airport - rows and rows of little black chairs. Michael, Nolan and Arielle have slept for the past two hours. Stacia and Zander are playing Angry Birds on my ipad. I've been reading Intercessory Prayer (as all my other reading is on my ipad). I suspect my sleep problem is the constant looped message "Please watch your step" - first in Japanese; then English. LOL 

Look carefully and you'll find two or three Gherkins in this shot

There are  30 min shower rooms here - but I don't want to spend $12 for a shower. I may open my luggage, find a change of clothes and shampoo and go use the sink in the bathroom. I've not seen anyone else do this - so it may not be culturally acceptable....I know loitering in the airport lobby isn't. ::snort:: 


I wish I could sleep - or I wish the younger two could sleep.  I've about reached my limit of chatter.....but then again I understand their need to process as they speak. ::snort:: I have a feeling the other three will be on a normal scheduled in the a.m. when we fly and the three of us are going to want to sleep at 0900 when we get home.


Traveling Tip:  I observed a group of HARD CORE travelers...a pink power strip.....I need to get one like this - only 3 outlets but hugely helpful when traveling and plug ins are at a premium. 


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

Sleeping Upgrade

It's nearly midnight at Haneda airport and we've moved up to a padded bench like structure! The last flight arrives in 30 min and then we'll see if they'll kick us out or let us sleep here until our flight tomorrow.

I did take Zander and we explored the rest of the airport. I found a "compact hotel" - pay by the hour, per person....so if need be...we'll beg for a few bunks. No, there is not an USO at Haneda.

The flight was fine - once again we got the last two middle rows of the plane...makes it easy for bathroom runs. ::snort::  I kept thinking of the old Mark Lowry routine where he said he "put his tail on the tail of the plane" because in a crash the tail is always in piece in the midst of the wreckage. ::grin:: 

This is not the flight we'd book if we had been paying for it....because it requires hotels in Tokyo and those are simply too expensive per person for our family. LOL I figure sleeping in airports around the world builds character in the kids. ::snort::

HUMID in Tokyo....humid....wet and sticky. LOL 

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

Japanese is like music!

There it is, proof we were in California. LOL  We made it here in fairly good time. We THOUGHT we were going to have a couple of hours to sight-see, and THEN we hit the Bay Bridge.  So.....we have extra time at the airport but not enough time to really explore. LOL

We stopped at this "road side stop" - Nut Tree in Vacaville, CA.  I was drawn to it as this is the town my ship it APO address uses....Michael remembers flying into the small airport here....a whole mall has grown up around it now.....

Strange - traveling with only four  children.....and so we'll leave five in the states.  Below - in the ticket line an hour early and waiting. I love the moment you begin to hear Japanese being spoken again. I must not be the only one as Stacia looked at me and commented, "Japanese is like music!"  Agreed.

Waiting for a couple of hours to board our flight to Tokyo.....Michael is working on chapel stuff already, Zander is starting at the bay and planes flying over it, Arielle is reading...not sure what Nolan is doing....

Stacia is people watching....

I'm debating if I should take the kids for a dinner before we get on the plane. It's hard to tell....and several of us have motion sickness so I don't want to stuff them before take off. They all have crackers and snacks in their bags.....I'm sure they'll feed us SOMETHING on the flight....Plane meals are like living in the twilight zone.....breakfast at midnight. ::snort::

Ah - a game of trash has won out over sitting....good idea.....

And for those who were with me in Korea as I debated getting another "LeadSportSac" purse or a bag.....I made the right choice. ::snort::  I've managed to convince all it's a really big purse.....laptop and purse. I'm good to go. 

One more hour until we board. I think I'll close and think...about life and travel without Jared. I miss my conversationalist; though Stacia is more than willing to chat.

Wonder if anyone will want to go to the Onsen this weekend......


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

A Milestone for Nolan

Michael told me to bring my camera...what could this mean? Ah - the milestone....

I knew it was just a matter of time.....I had some laundry quarters left so sent them all to the vending machine to choose a celebratory snack.

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