Work Your Magic

Rene will be at his destination by midnight.  We were sad to see him leave.  Larissa was especially emotional.  Overall, she always has been an emotional kid.  I am not sure how we would cope if this was a long deployment, but we feel really fortunate that we have not had such an experience.  My neighbors husband has been gone for four months and she has a one year old.  It can't be easy.  So we look forward to Rene's homecoming.  Thanks to all the friends and colleague's who came out to say goodbye.  The people he will be helping will be in great hands.

Dog Tags Required

Our base Theater.

Today was a soggy day here at Yokota.  It was a great day for a movie.  We spent the day watching Mall Cop then helping Rene prepare for his trip tomorrow.  Tomorrow Rene leaves for a humanitarian deployment to a location I cannot devulge on my blog due to security reasons.  He will be meeting a group of Army doctors and dentists.  This will be a true survivor experience for him.  Meals for the day will be MRE's and water.  Sleeping quarters will be in a tent.  Needless to say, I did purchase power bars for him.  They will meet in one location, then fly to a remote location to provide needed care.  I am a bit nervous about this trip, but I know he will be Ok.  

Tokyo Dome City

This place was beaming with lights.

We discovered a California Pizza Kitchen, our favorite pizza place.  At 1900 Yen a pizza, we will save it for next time.

Renie enjoyed the Dolphin Coaster.  Larissa barely met the height limit, but I refused to let her ride.

Yup, that is Renie up there.

Renie, Larissa, and Ernie

We spent the day at Tokyo Dome City.  When we left Fussa, it was snowing.  Tokyo tends to be a bit warmer than Fussa, so we ventured out on our trip by train with the Carrasco family.  Tokyo Dome is home to the Tokyo Giants.  This stadium is one of the leading stadiums in the world, hosting many American baseball games and concerts.  There was lots to do in this place.  The park has an amusement park, shops, restaurants, spa with onsen and more.  We enjoyed eating at Bubby Gumps Shrimp House.  

Beer House of Fussa

An old metal sake pot-
After a busy day working the run, it was time for a nice evening of beer, sake, and good food. We went to a charming restaurant/brewery tonight.  I can't believe it took us a year and a half to find this place.  As you walk into the courtyard you get the feeling of an old German flare. There are two massive 400 year old Zelkova trees in the middle of the courtyard surrounded by Japanese gardens.  The walls and ceilings depict the making of beer 112 years ago.  The food was excellent serving mostly Italian gourmet meals.  Rene had the lamb and I had the eggplant dish and yes some very good beer.  Atilano, you would have loved this place.  I get the feeling this will be a regular spot for us, especially in the spring.  

Frostbite Fun

Colddddddddddd

Here comes Obama (LOL)

This has been an eventful weekend to say the least.  Today, Yokota had its annual Frostbite Run (half  marathon) with 8,700 Japanese runners.  At $60.00 a head, that is alot of money.  This run really helps organizations around the base.  All you  need to do is provide the volunteers.  Saturday, I packed bags for the swimteam organization.  Today I worked at the water station for the elementary booster club.  It was so much fun, however both my feet and fingers went numb.   They don't call it a Frosbite run for nothing.  I enjoyed the funny looking costumes the runners wore.  This is one of the few times Japanese nationals are able to come on base, but only to run the race.  All they ever said was, arigato, arigato.  Thank You, Thank You.

NFL suprise

San Diego Chargers

Oakland Raiders

Philadelphia Eagles

San Francisco 49ers

Today we had special visitors on base.  Several cheerleaders from the NFL were in town to say hi.  They performed then signed autographs.  We were able to chat and take pictures.  Larissa thought they were cool.

The Exculsive Side of Tokyo

Ryoko playing the Koto, a Japanese classical musical instrument that goes way back.

Our Tempura chef, we had everything from Shrimp (Ebi), Fish, mushrooms, corn, and more fish.  YUM!  The impressive experience about Tokyo is how the people dress.  Wow!  Even our chef wore a tie.

These are the live shrimp about to go into my mouth.

My waitress, she was a jewel.

Today, our culture group was invited to Ryoko's very upscale apartment in Tokyo.  We were all so impressed with how the more affluent people live.  The apartment was highly secure and upscale to say the least.  It was also rather big in size compared to how most Japanese live.  However, the kitchen was small, but effecient.  The ladies treated us to a very upscale Tempura meal.  We had our own chef and two beautiful waitress's dressed in Kimono's.  The meal was the best with fresh shrimp pulled right out of the tank, still alive.  We then headed back to the apartment for some entertainment and dessert.  What a great experience we had.  These ladies treat us like royalty.   They are absolutely the sweetest people you can ever meet.  Ok people, we only have a year and a half here in Japan, so if you are planning to come visit, you need to start planning soon. (LOL)

Good Game

Rene and our Friend Ernie-Watch out everyone

We took home the smaller one.  There is always next year.

Five for five interseptions (LOL)

Well tonight was the championship game and our team took the runner up title.  It was a close game all the way.  Rene had a bad night with five interceptions, but I am still proud of him for taking the team to the top.  They did not expect to go this far.  Way to Go team.  I am glad it is over, it is too coldddddd.

Go Team Go

Larissa and I went out to cheer the Med Group flag football Team tonight.  It was a cold evening with temperatures in the low 30's.  Rene has been playing quarterback and the team is now in the playoffs.  They won with a tie breaker.  We will be out there to cheer the team on tomorrow night. Go Team Go!

The Gothic side of Japan

Borrowed picture of a Harajuko girl

Borrowed picture of Harajuko girls

Well, we are into 2009 and I hope everyone has started off on a good note. Today was a cold, rainy, snowy day at Yokota. Rene and I enjoyed another evening at the O'Club followed by a movie (7 pounds with Will Smith). I would recommend this movie to anyone and do take Kleenex. Larissa is off to a sleep over tonight. We had hoped to head to Harajuko tomorrow. Larissa has been very interested in seeing the Harajuko girls. However, due to the weather, we will have to delay our trip.  The Harajuko girls are goth girls who walk the streets with very interesting goth attire.  

Wrapping up 2008

Happy New Year 2009

Wishing everyone back home A Happy New Year. It was nice talking to everyone today-