The base is filled with American Sponsored Japanese kids during Yokota's yearly Halloween night.  They love coming on base and eating our candies.

Larissa was dressed as a Monster Bride this year

My neighbors-Joy and Jen with their kids

Tomorrow our adventure will take us to Tokyo to visit the Imperial Palace-

OctoberFest

Yesterday the base celebrated Octoberfest.  It was a nice gathering for Yokota Families.  We enjoyed the free food, gifts, beer, and music.  This is a yearly event where everyone comes together for a great time.

German music by Japanese musicians

Larissa in line for a ride

Experiencing American Culture

Our three Japanese guests this month.  They are older ladies, but they are so much fun.  They take the train from Tokyo.  We check them into the base as our guests for the evening.  It is a simple process.  

The ladies trying my homeade salsa and Pico De Gallo.

Yuhko rolling out tortillas.  She did a perfect job.  They have this rolling business down pretty well since they have to roll out soba noodles.

To Jen's house for Sopapillas (they were yummy!)

My neighbor Joy making hot cocoa

To Joy's house for Chalupa and more drinks.  

Last night we hosted our Japanese Culture Group.  These ladies, six in all have been part of the Yokota Culture group for 20 years.  They have cycled through meeting new friends every year and learning all they can about American culture.  They are so interested in how Americans live, dress, and eat.  Since five of us live on the same housing area we thought it would be fun to have a Progressive Party (going from house to house to eat and drink).  This month being Hispanic Heritage month, we themed our party and foods around the Mexican culture.  The ladies had fun making guacamole salad, tortillas, sopapillas, and Sangria.  This is the second group I have hosted for Mexican food, and they sure do love it.  We ended the evening with Chalupa.  Next month they will host us at their homes and teach us how to cook Japanese food.

I was suppose to meet the Striders this morning (6am) for a 6 mile run, but after 2 Margaritas, and 2 Sangria's, it did not happen.  The striders are a group of runners I have been running with in the morning.  They are training for the Tokyo marathon.  They actually motivate me to run longer distances.  As we run, we discuss politics, our jobs, and etc....They are a fun group of people.

Story of ZED

A High Tech Circus-  This show was very impressive.  The colorful array of unique costumes, acts, the stage, ect...Great!  The show follows the journey of a character who ultimately brings two completely opposing worlds, heaven and earth, together in reconciliation and harmony.  The perfomance center is located by Disneyland and Disney Sea.  It takes 1 1/2 hours to arrive.

A coke and popcorn set (1300 yen=13.00 dollars)

I spotted a Boat house on our adventure through Tokyo.

Larissa posed for a picture with the seating ladies.  Today is Sunday and we will have a relaxing day watching Texas play (Hook'em Horns!).  Rene will be busy this week with a base exercise.  Friday we will host our Japanese Culture group with a Progressive Mexican Party.  Yes, you guessed it, I am in charge of the main course and having them make tortillas.  We will also play Chalupa.

Golfing at Tama Hills

The course overlooks Tokyo-The government puts quite a bit of money upkeeping this course.  It is breathtaking.

Out to Tama for a game of Golf-Tee Time-7:00 am (coldddd)

Kings and Queens

Oh my, Renie's first homecoming dance is tonight.  This is a moment a mom accepts the fact that her son is slowly turning into a young man.  Renie was so handsome tonight as I dropped him off at the Officers club for Yokota's High School Homecoming dance.  As I watched him go in, he turned around and said, "Ok mom you can leave now".  This dance was dressy attire only. All the girls looked so nice with their glittery dresses as they strutted pass my car.  I am sure Renie will have a great time.

Panther Spirit

Tonight we attended the football game here at Yokota AB.  It was homecoming night for the Yokota Panthers.  Yokota football is very much like Texas football.  Team spirit fills the stadium, the concession runs at full capacity, the cheerleaders keep the fans awake, and the band plays throughout the game.   As I sat there, I couldn't help think of our own Friday night games back home.  So many years have passed, but the memories of cheering on my home team are still very much alive.  The game is the same, but the atmosphere here is different. Nevertheless, this is our home for now and we must support our team.  Go Panthers Go!

Relaxing Weekend

This weekend was pretty uneventful.  Renie was off to Iwakuni, a marine base 10 hours away from Yokota.  Yesterday, we attended Yokota's yearly Sweepstakes Drawing, but unfortunately, we did not win a thing.  We were hoping to win 2 rounds trip airline tickets.  No such luck.  Last night, we attended a BBQ in honor of a new female dentist who arrived Friday.  We all had a great time filling her in on Air Force life.  Today, it is back to cleaning, washing, and catching up on household chores.  We look forward to a great week.  

The Pinning Ceremony