Wellness is in the Air

At the Terminal Path for our 5 a.m. run

As a Registered Dietitian, I am well aware of the importance of exercise and healthy eating. Recently, Rene and I have taken a healthier approach towards cleaning up our meal plan. We have given up Diet cokes, increased our fish intake, decreased fat, and are cutting back on refined carbs. Exercise here at Yokota is easy when you have running buddies to help motivate you. They depend on you to show up at 5 a.m. to run and the conversation is great. Running adds purpose to my day. It energizes me at work and helps me to destress, decompress, and refocus. As a fan of the Oprah show, I was always intrigued by what Dr. Oz had to say about heart disease and obesity. I am so happy he now has his own show that focuses on health and prevention. So blog fans, there is wellness in the air. Don't hibernate like a bear this winter, get out there and move.

Cinderella For A Day

The traditional cake cutting ceremony

We posed as we were waiting for the bus. It was great, there was bus transportation to and from your home so no one drove drunk.

Captain Carrasco

Shelly, and Christina, my running buddy

Japanese wife's of important dignitaries having some dancing fun

Rene and I attended the Air Force Ball last night. It was a celebration of 60 years of service. I was intrigued by the traditional customs and prestigious guest list both from the military and Japanese dignitaries. Dress Attire: Semi-formal dress and Mess Dress for active duty. Getting Rene's Mess Dress together was quite a task this week. Everything had to be just right from the cuffs, to the medals. Unfortunately, when you live overseas the military clothing store items do go fast. We had decided just two weeks ago we were going, so getting medals, alterations, etc... was cutting it really close. At the end of the day, we did it. Rene looked so handsome in his Mess Dress. We had a great time as we celebrated with friends and great music entertainment. It was interesting to see Japanese ladies in their Kimonos dancing Western pop music. I was glad I was able to experience such a traditional celebration. All I can say to describe the night was glam, glam, and more glam.

My Cadet

Inspection Day-Grade 100, keep it up kid.

The Fisherman

Yesterday we went fishing for the day with some folks from the dental group.  We had such a fun day.  I love the concept for this fishing area.  Every four hours they throw hungry fish (trout) into the water, so you are pretty much guaranteed to catch a fish.  It was relaxing and the company was great. We BBQ the fish we caught, Korean BBQ, and of course South Texas fajitas.  The fishing area is up on the mountains and just a beautiful river area close to base.  By the way, I caught seven fish.  This week we will be busy preparing for the Air Force Ball on Saturday.  I am getting pretty excited since this will be the first AF Ball I attend.  I am looking forward to being Cinderella for a day.

Like Father Like Son

Today was Renie's first BDU inspection. The JROTC program here is very strong. There are approximately 80 students signed up for JROTC and it plays a very vital role in both the school and community. It is all about discipline, leadership, respect and learning the importance of community service and personal responsibility. The mission is "To Motivate Young People to be Better Citizens." This is something that I feel has diminished with this new generation of kids. Renie seems to be enjoying his service and wants to make rank quickly. He has also been nominated as sophomore class Treasurer. Academic importance should be instilled in these kids each and every day so that one day they grow up to be great leaders.

A Blog Block

Shibuya

Rene's lunch of Japanese Ramen, looks so good!

The bride and her groom under the umbrella

My apologies, I have hit some kind of a bloggers block. I had no motivation to write this weekend. I am not sure if it was because I simply did nothing, or just had no motivation to open my blog. Last weekend was a time for me just to catch up. Renie was in Misawa for the weekend with the football team, and Larissa was busy working on a school project. Rene took a new dentist to Tokyo and I simply just did nothing but clean and catch up with my Facebook friends. We did buy a new old car. That phrase is funny to me. A new car for us, but not exactly new for the average American family. Rene's car was on its last leg. The speedometer was not working, the bumper was about to fall out, and the air condition was not cooling. Since JCI was going to be up next March, we figured it would be a good idea to buy a car now, since we knew the car would not pass the JCI inspection. We junked the car off base and got $100.00.  The only good part to the car was the new tires the owner gave to us.  We had only purchased the car for $600.00.  My co-worker just happened to be selling her car for a steal of $800.00. It is a 1995 Honda wagon in mint condition. So far the car runs well and I hope to get our money back when we sell next summer. I have posted some pictures of a wedding Rene came across of in Tokyo. Most brides in Japan prefer to have a traditional Japanese wedding followed by a westernized wedding. A father who married his daughter not long ago told Rene it was very expensive.

Shimoda

Izu Peninsula

Breathtaking!

A great fiber source I found at the hotel.  

Downtown Shimoda

Sushi is cheap, but not for the Saenz family.  Renie freaks out the waiters with all his plates.  $$$$

Beautiful Coastline, that is our hotel in the distance

Look out Point Overlooking Shimoda

The Onsens, our room is to the left of the Onsen.  Girls on top, men at the bottom.  I really enjoyed overlooking the Pacific as I sat relaxing in the hotspring.

Commodore Perry's blackship replica offered rides to tourists.

We are back from our Labor Day Vacation to the Izu Peninsula.  What a wonderful vacation and another must see area of Japan.  I was told Okinawa had the best beaches in Japan.  That might be true, but Izu must follow a close second.  Izu (faces the Pacific Ocean) is a popular tourist destination about 100 miles away from Yokota.  However, as we all know 100 miles can take 4-5 hours of driving time.  This place is also known for its onsens or hotsprings, and historic spots, sophisticated art museums, and towering coastline clifts.  Our destination was the city of Shimoda, a nice quite coastline area of historic importance for Japan.  The kids had a great time on the beach and enjoyed the sightseeing.  We had a beach front room, buffet syle dinner just for the Yokota group, and a nice onsen overlooking the ocean.  

The Big Win

Renie is #66

The team taking the traditional bow after the game.

Lining up for the bow

➘

Just got back from the game tonight against Camp Zama, a nearby army base.  Our JV team made quite a turn around from last Friday.  The coach made a few adjustments and what a difference it made.  Our JV team won 38-0.  Renie played both offense and defense tonight. Rene is not home yet to help me on the name of his position.  It was a another perfect evening for football aside from some rain drops from time to time.  Since Renie was out sick with the flu when the team got their uniforms, all that was left was #66.  He does not like his number and was really upset.  But I think he has just gotten used to the fact that the school football team has a very low budget for uniforms, and what you get is what you get.  Most of the funds are spent on the varsity team.  Overall, he seems to really enjoy playing football this year.

Back To School

Larissa's first day of school.  Poor Larissa she is still eagerly awaiting her school clothes which we ordered more than a month ago.  

Hard to believe this is our last year here at Yokota.  A new school year has fast approached us and the kids are already talking about who is leaving and who is staying.  Renie has made many friends here, so adjusting to a new school next year will be challenging.  As we know, it is all part of military life and these kids are resilient enough to handle such challenges.  Renie's attire today was for dress up Thursdays.  Tradition here at Yokota is that all football players have to dress in their Sunday's best every Thursday.  They wear their jersey's on Fridays.  He looked so handsome this morning, I just had to take a picture.  He has grown so much this year and is has become a grounded fine young man.  My neighbor complemented on how he offered to assist her with her groceries one afternoon.  Raising teenagers these days is not easy.  We are truely blessed.  Tomorrow our JV and Varsity team will play Camp Zama here at home.  Go Panthers!

More Pictures

Rene, Brad, Jayden, and Sakman

Out of shape Japanese Air Defense Forces

Good job Rene! Just thought I would post more Mt. Fuji pics for your entertainment. If you click on the picture and enlarge, they are awesome!