Sunday, November 30, 2008

dinner at Ayaki's house- Benjamin classmate

I was looking forward to see my Japanese friends. Ayaki Mama is going to prepare a typical Japanese food. I got curious on what their house look like. If it is a typical Japanese home or mixed with Western style of home. Well their house is mixed with Western style.

I am so excited to see them and have fun.

We were talking a lot of stuff. Ayaki Mama cook okonomiyaki- it is a just like a pancake but they put some meat on it and some vegetables and then sprinkled with sauce, mayonaise and fish flakes with some green powdery thing.

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Mikan/Orange Picking here at Miura Japan

Miura is one of the place where they planted their produce here in Japan. They are serving here in Yokosuka area. There are also other farms from other community but we choose to come here because it is near where we live. I was really impressed how the farmers tilled their land. Even it is on the hillside, you can see green. It is really amazing that the place which is so small. But there is production of food. 

Mikan picking is a famous to dos here in Japan. Families love to visit orange orchard and pick oranges. Of course there is a fee in getting on to the field. 

My Japanese friends visited here at home last month. We were enjoying talking and wanted to do some stuff together with our kids. They only speak little english but we were trying to understand each other by looking up dictionary. It is kinda hard for us but our friendship kept us going together because they wanted to learn english. 

Today, we met up here at home around 10AM. All kids were riding with us and almost all of the adults ride the second car.  When we got to Ayaki Mama's mother-in-law apartment, they let us park in their own lot. Then, we walk for about 15 minutes to get to the orange orchard. On our way there,  we were enjoying watching the green fields around the mountain. It is really good for the eyes.

When we got there, the lady entertained us and we pay 800 yen each and the kids were free. We headed down to the orchard after we paid. We brought our lunch bag. The kids were running and asked their scissor so they can pick mikan. They were so excited and it is really a joy to hear them giggling and calling their names where they at. 

I have few photos of us and I am so excited to upload to my computer.... I hope you enjoyed it.




Thursday, November 27, 2008

Thanksgiving Dinner 2008

I was talking to my Japanese friend to come here at home. I was not sure if she will come until Thursday. My friend Chinatsu promised me to come with her husband and kids. They were Japanese and some of them never tried to eat turkey. They were very curious how the American celebrate Thanksgiving. 

I just remember when my friend Ayaki-Mama invited us in their home and prepare a typical Japanese food. I don't know on how to eat. 

My friends were enjoying our conversations and even the food. They really like turkey. My Japanese came were Izumi and her son Zen, Chinatsu with her husband Masaki and kids Daiki and Kodai. 

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Chibikko Bazaar at Seika Youchien/kindergarten

Today we went to the church with our new friend Mark Bench. We asked him that we will be leaving after church and would not stay for a potluck lunch.  Because we like to come to Ben's school for the Bazaar. Giving them an attendance made the school principal happy. It is Saturday but we cannot say no of not buying any food or toys to the kids. We were enjoying for the last hour of the bazaar. Benjamin and Mary got a chance to ride a shinkansen many times. Mary was really enjoying.  

I find Chinatsu right away because I was asking her to buy brown sweater and tights for Benjamin. I never got a chance to look around. 

We have photos of them riding shinkansen at school 

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

PCS to Yokosuka Japan

Moving is not fun!

There are so many things to think. "I wish I had known......". I will post a list of items that newcomers most often stated they wish they had known about before their arrival. Or else send me an email at cmcbeaskelly@yahoo.com if you want to get a copy.

When we moved last Feb 2008, boy! Everything is quick. I don't think it is fun packing in a winter weather with a two toddlers roaming around the house.  We were stressed by our move  

First thing you do: Get an official passport for your family if they are all citizen. If not! then.. The SOFA personnel will stamp your spouse/dependent passport .   

Second Arrange your travel- your stay when you got here. You better have a great sponsor or else you will be lost. It is hard to start to a new place or to a foreign place. 

Third- Pls coordinate to the sponsor coordinator. Ask some info from your command of what to expect to your new home for the next three years. 

Pls let me know if you want to get an information about Yokosuka base on how to expect of living here in Japan....

Tuesday, November 04, 2008

It is Autumn here in Yokosuka Japan

Autumn is here in Japan. It is really amazing that this country is 4 hours away from the Philippines and the weather is different. This time, it is chilly now. Japanese changed their fashion to fall. Wearing sweater and a little bit heavy jacket.  I took my son to the bus stop this morning and it is chilly outside. My son does not want to wear my jacket serve as a protection from wind chill. But he did not argued with me while we were walking because it is really cold. Oh boy! I think we are pretty much they same weather in Virginia right now. Starting to get chilled.

Monday, November 03, 2008

Got colds and cough for so long

I just could not imagine it when we came back from the Philippines. Me and the kids caught a colds and even right now, we are still suffering with this horrible viruses. It seemed that the virus does not want to go away.

Benjamin had a fever today and Mary had fever two nights ago. But she did not get any today oh I am glad and thanks to God. Benjamin had still fever today but I am praying that this thing will go away. The nice thing is that he did not go to school today so it was kind of a bonus. Tomorrow- oh no school and I don't need to be in a hurry. I am hoping I feel better tomorrow and have lots of energy. I was planning to pick up my friend and here at home for  a visit. She never be here at home before. Her son does not go to school every Tuesday and Thursday so it is a good time tomorrow. Common colds- go away!