A Foreign Experience

Larissa at Mitake posing for a picture-

On the train from Mitake today-

Happy To Be On Base

Larissa anxiously waiting for Atilano and Melba at the train station
Well, I started the weekend with a nervous stomach. Melba and I talked Thursday evening and she assured me they would be fine on their train adventure towards Yokota AB. She said, if we could do it in Italy, we can do it anywhere. I had my doubts given the fact that they had never used the train system before and could not speak a word of Japanese, but I new Atilano was a bright man and that one way or another they would be fine. At around 9:30am Melba call that they are one stop away from Fussa, so we head out to the train station and wait patiently. A few minutes later my cell phone rings that they are at a train station we are not familar with. Rene and I head back to the house where we have our train map. It turns out they are way off course. My husband did such a great job guiding them into Fussa and they did finally get here. Today we went out to Mitake and did some sightseeing. Tomorrow they head back to Yokosuka with some better directions.

Off To A Good Start

Well it continues to rain in Yokota. We are so tired of the constant rain. Yesterday we finally had a nice looking day, but again today the rain returned. The kids got off to a good start this week. Renie did seem a bit overwhelmed with high school on the first day, but he is doing much better. Renie is a great kid, but he is not the most organized child. Rene and I helped him get organized since they have A and B days here, kind of like a college schedule. We are looking forward to our holiday weekend and a visit from Melba and Atilano. They will take the train for the first time from Yokosuka which is a 2 1/2 hour train trip. It will given them a chance to get to know the train system which for many can be very confusing and also see Tokyo on the way over. Japan has a very sophisticated train system. The picture from my camera shows how crowded the train can get, sometimes to close for comfort. As I have mentioned before, Japan is the safest country in the world. It is gun free, but two things people have to be carefull with are being stabbed by some severly depressed Japanese man or getting thrown into the tracks while you wait for the train. Tomorrow night we head to Mt. Takao with the dental group. Mt. Takao is the highest beer garden in Tokyo. Beer Garden season runs from July 1 to Sept. 20th.

First Day of School 2008

Boy how the kids are growing up. Renie is now a 9th grader and Larissa a 4th grader. Today like everyone else was our first day of school. It was a soggy day, rain, rain, rain. Renie will have a busy year with honors courses. Overall, we prayed for a good year.

Friendship Festival 2008

Ready to begin our shift
The Friendship Festival is Yokota's yearly festival. It is the one time all Japanese Nationals are invited into the base to see our planes, eat good food and listen to good music. Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate. The temperature today was 64 degress and rain all day. Rene and I volunteered to work a booth for Larissa's school. Rene was in charge of the cotton candy machine. I have to say the cotton candy was a hit. He worked two hours straight just making cotton candy sticks as the orders came through. Tomorrow he will work with the Med group as a medic. Hopefully the weather will improve for tomorrow. This is a great fundraiser event. We capped off the night with fireworks.

Last week of Fun

Well, the kids are gearing up for school. They continue to spend their days swimming, bowling, and going to the movies. Renie has met a new friend who just arrived from Germany. I was caught by surprise when someone said hello to me as I walked out the door yesterday. It seems we have new neighbors. She is a middle school teacher who just like Melba left everything behind to join the DODS family. The neighborly thing to do is bake something and arrange your baked goodies on a Japanese plate. I thought this is a great opportunity to practice my Japanese gift wrapping. End result, well you judge by the picture (LOL). This weekend we have our yearly Friendship Festival. Both Rene and I will have to work a booth this weekend. It should be fun.

Feeling Better

Today the kids and I traveled to Yokosuka Naval Base. This was the first time I had ever traveled so far alone. We got there just fine and spent some quality time with The Salas Family. The look on their faces indicated they were happy to see familar faces. We had lunch at Chili's, drove them around, and spent some time at their lodge. They are in happier spirits and their jet lag is improving. Unfortunately, we were not able to go off base due to Atilano not having his ID yet. All in all, I think they will do just fine.

Newcommers

Tomorrow the kids and I will head to Yokosuka to see Melba and Atilano. Rene is on call, so he will not be able to go. They seem somewhat frustrated with military bureaucracy. Yes, the military can be pretty bureaucratic when it comes to getting stuff done. There are sometimes long waits to get ID's, housing, and just doing in-processing stuff. With no military experience, it can be a rude awakening. We are used to it and it seems as if it is worse in Japan. I will go and show them around and try to lift their spirits.

Dance Girl

In The Land Of Oz

Anyone up for squid on a stick (LOL)

After Larissa's Performance, we walked right outside the base

to attend a festival.  

This evening we attended Larissa'a Summer Camp Performance.  If you remember Suessical, it was the same production staff, but on a much smaller scale.  The kids had one week to prepare a musical and dance perfermance.  

Back To Vivace

This week Larissa has been attending Vivace Camp.  They will perform the Wizard of Oz today.  Picures will be posted soon.  Renie is back to swim conditioning.  He has decided to put off football until next year which is fine with us.  Although he continues to grow, he is still considered small in relation to other kids his age.  Yesterday, we felt out first earthquake here at Yokota.  It lasted all but about 3 seconds.  It was enough for us to say, is that an earthquake?  What an interesting moment.  Well enough for now, I will post pictures soon.  

Fireworks at Ome

Festivals in Japan are starting up again.  With festivals comes fireworks.  You will see fireworks light up the skies of Fussa almost every night.  Today we headed to Ome for a huge spectacular display of fireworks.  About 30 people from the dental group all went together. Here are the boys relaxing before the big show starts.

Dr. Chung and his wife (new arrivals to Yokota).  This is home for them.  Dr. Chung just

finished his residency in San Antonio.  He will help ease some of the load for Rene.

Some of the group posing for a picture.  Rene's new commander in Burgundy.  He is

a really nice person.  What a difference a change in command makes in morale.  

Thanks for the back support Hun-

Larissa & her friend Isabel.  Notice the folks behind them.  Most Japanese will

wear Kimono's during festival weeks. 

Ok, now it is getting crowded

Picking our spot.  Lucky for us, one of the dental lab workers heads out early to save a spot for the group.  Lots of food, beer, and fun!

Wow!  The show will go on for about 1 1/2 hours.  It is a sight to see.