Lovin Japan ~ Brazier

There are  many features of traditional Japanese homes which we'd love to have in a new home. A brazier is one of the best. Can you imagine? Here we were cooking mochi and trying to get warm. 

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Lovin Japan ~ Escalators

We will miss high pitch talking escalators.

Escalators which are interesting to ride at the train station....BTW the gal in the center is sporting a look known as Yamanba or Ganguro. Note the expressions of the other gals....and that I've only seen this in big cities.

alexdecarvalho via photopin cc

I truly will miss riding the escalators in Japan. Many fun memories of luggage carts, shopping carts, two way foot traffic on various escalators.

Ryu, Kim's husband, taking our luggage down @ Narita

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Shiriya on Saturday

Today we drove up to Cape Shiriya - the Northeastern tip of Honshu - with dear family friends. Due to Mr.'s employment we will not mention names and have carefully cropped photos to make it look like we were all alone. ::snort:: 

We were disappointed NOT to see horses wandering all around the coastline....we even went looking for them in the trees...

It WAS WINDY today....and that made for a beautiful Ocean...though our picnic had to be in cars instead of beach side as planned and Mrs. and I look like Ninjas in all our photos. ::wink::

 Mr. found two glass floats. These were the first his family has found on their assignment. It began to hit today that we'll all be moving soon. They'll move mid-June; we'll move mid-July. It's also great to spend time with Mr. G out exploring together.  (Note Arielle has confirmed this coat puts 50 lbs on me.)

For Driving Directions complete with geo-coordinates click here; to see lots of photos of this area  with horses and lighthouse type "Cape Shiriya" or "Shiriya Lighthouse" into the search box at the top left corner. 

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Lovin Japan ~ Onsens (Public Baths)

I had to move to Japan to learn the correct way to take a bath! I'm truly thankful I did. I can't imagine bathing any other way.

First, one should always thoroughly clean oneself BEFORE entering a bath.  Even at home - get CLEAN before you soak. Seriously. Baths should be relaxing, renewing, leisurely....baths can be in solitude or in the company of dear friends.

The girls and I discovered  Friday afternoon - right after we finish school - is the perfect time to visit an onsen (public bath). It's an amazing way to celebrate the end of a work week and the start of the weekend.  It seems we are not alone in this conclusion as the onsens are FULL of obasans and moms with preschoolers on  Friday afternoons.

My very first trip to an onsen was just 2 weeks after arriving....with these lovely ladies. Little did I realize how special each would become to me during our shared time in Japan. I'm so thankful Deb came off the platform during the meet and greet at chapel and asked me if I'd go to the onsen with her....It would have been a shame if I'd missed out on this experience, and these relationships, by clinging to my cultural norms.  It WAS a huge stretch for me. See that long handled brush I'm holding behind Twyla's head? I bought it as I'd heard strangers will sometimes scrub your back and "Thank you very much, I can handle this myself." I now welcome strangers who desire to scrub the hard to reach areas. ::snort::

Twyla, myself and Deb 

It was Renee's first onsen trip too.....a very fun shared memory! 

Renee, Twyla and Deb

Since that first trip I've had many wonderful talks, with many amazing women in an onsen. I've visited in all seasons. My very favorite is any outside onsen in the winter - with snow all around and preferably falling as well.

A photo of my dolls yesterday at the onsen closest to us (which is not our favorite).  I'm so glad they both learned to enjoy onsens...I believe it's healthy.  As we sat and soaked my mind went to the first time I visited...with the first Bible study group I led in Japan. Jan commented,  "I  was wondering if we'd like to celebrate the birth of Jesus by going to the onsen together".....and they introduced me to the onsen closest to our house....I smiled big as I remembered that precious outing with Erika, Jan, Susi,  and Twyla. I know I've been here before with Mary too - though I'm not sure it was that first time. 

The menfolk have still not agreed to try an onsen...and I quit trying to convince them after about six months. I let the boys know if they WANT the experience I will take them - but I know they aren't going with Michael. ::snort:: 

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Conversation with Stacia

"When we come back I'll be 10 years old and can ride in the front of the car."

"Stacia, we are moving to CA."

"Yes, we'll rent six acres and live there for two years; but they we'll be moving home."

I wanted to hear what she was thinking as far as home.....

"Home? In Oregon? We don't know where we'll move in two years, Stacia."

"We're coming home - to Japan!" She said with great certainty and a touch of disdain that I wouldn't know this obvious fact.

New hair bow which she thinks needs to be posted more than her face. 

She's not in simple denial. Stacia was 3, almost 4 when we moved to Japan. Her first memory is the hotel in SEA where the kid and I stayed during the "van incident".  Yes, she thinks we lived at Double Tree. It is inconceivable to her we'd move from home for good...she's heard the stories of moves every 2 - 4 years, but evidently, in her mind, you move and then go back home.

She also knows we ARE praying about our future after we retire in 2015, we all love Japan. She has a rock-solid belief God will open the doors for our us to move back to Japan in two years. Personally, I'm praying she's prophetic...praying right along with her.

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

As the Week Ends...

I thought I'd share a couple of things we saw today while out and about in the Oirase area...

I've said it before - "Every thing's cuter in Japan!" But....seriously....isn't this a darling little RV? It's about the size of a mini-van.  It's a "Tent Mushi"  or Tentomushi which I hear means Ladybug! 

This tiny broom and dustpan are a "Tabletop broom," for crumbs on your table. I do think I must buy one before the move...maybe they kids would like the novelty better than ye old kitchen sponge...maybe the table would get cleaned without me asking....maybe.....

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Lovin Japan ~ Feeling of Safety

Photocapy via photopin cc

We saw a sign like this in Osaka and it stood out to us. It is the only place we've traveled in Japan where crime seemed to be a big enough deal to post a warning. The nation as a whole feels very safe. The crime rate is low. That doesn't mean it's non-existent, but for the most part I feel safe walking alone at night (even in Tokyo and Osaka), the kids are safe to go out alone etc.

It's never good to be lulled into a sense of false security. I do know two personal friends who have had their ipods taken from their cars in front of their homes....but then again in America I would never have left the ipod in the car.

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...