Science and Innovation Museum

After our fun date night, we woke up, went swimming, ate breakfast and headed out into Tokyo again for some more exploring. I was told by one of the Yujo workers (they know a ton to do in all the areas) about a fun, interactive museum for the kids. He also said it had a "death star" like planetarium - so we knew we had to go!

We got to take the trains and then the subway and then the monorail! Lots of fun :-) The monorail looped around the Rainbow Bridge so we got to see lots of great sights! Inside was very fun - except all the shows for the planetarium were sold out. But we still got to see the "death star" and we ended up going into a different one across the street that was actually a tv station.

It was another great family adventure!

I still do....

Patrick and I can't believe that we have been married for 6 years. Probably because it feels like 26 - but at the same time it feels like we are still newlyweds. We have been through so much together, lived in 3 different homes, 2 states, 2 countries. We have been blessed with 2 great children and we still always manage to make each other laugh and smile every day!

Unfortunately, Patrick was on call on our actual anniversary (June 18) so we couldn't do much. We did get a chance to try out a little Italian place, literally steps off base, which we LOVED! We didn't stay out late - but it was so funny to think about the fact that we were having a celebration dinner 8000 miles away from where we were eating 6 years ago!

We decided that we would celebrate for real the next weekend (June 24). We made reservations at the New Sanno hotel (our military 5 star hotel in Tokyo) and got a babysitter to come to our room to watch the kids while we went out. We decided to go to the Ginza area which is basically the Rodeo Drive of Japan. You name it....Tiffany's, Cartier, Chanel, Gucci, Prada, Armani, Louis Vuitton, etc...all on one street. We researched the area and decided we wanted to try some Kobe beef for dinner and then follow it up with drinks at the Ice Bar Tokyo. It was A.M.A.Z.I.N.G!

We hopped on the train into Ginza and walked a few blocks to Tiffany's (I got my rings cleaned :-), and then found the restaurant we researched called Gyu An. We had read the best reviews of this quaint little place and how it had some of the best Kobe beef in the world - with decent prices. Apparently Kobe can run you upwards of $300 PER plate...but this was 1/2 the cost (still expensive - but totally worth it at least once). I officially had my first food gasm with the Kobe beef.






After we were finished there we walked down the street to the Tokyo Ice Bar. Some friends of ours had gone and had a great time so we wanted to see what the fuss was about! Literally - the entire place was made of ice. The tables, glasses, seats, pillars...all ice. You had to wear a parka and gloves to go inside and could only stay in for up to 45 minutes. My little flip flops didn't help - but we lasted the whole time! The drinks were delish (although pricey...thank goodness for free drink coupons). We felt like little kids....which was a perfect way to complete our anniversary date!










The next day we had another Tokyo adventure - which I will post later about.
I want to thank my mom and dad for sending some anniversary love (aka money) to help fund our awesome Tokyo anniversary!

Geisha Pictures

This past Tuesday, I was invited to go into Tokyo to get some fun, unique, authentic Japanese pictures taken! My friends Debbie and Shelly (who have both been instrumental in my transition to Yokota and whose husbands work in the hospital also) are leaving Japan soon and heard about this place that dresses you up like Maikos (a Geaisha in training), Gaikos (Geishas) and Oirans (Japanese Courtesans - high class hookers). They reall wanted to get it done before they left and, with the help of a Japanese friend who works at the hospital, set up the appointments. I dropped the kids off for school and we hopped on the trains to get to the studio.

The studio is a temporary one right now as they are rebuilding at their normal location. We found it with no problems and made it a few minutes early!!! The whole process was so fun! First you chose which look you wanted. Next you chose which dress/jacket/accessories. Finally you picked what poses/props you wanted (we got 3 out of about 30). Then the fun began!

You had to get into a white gown and wash your face. Then they put a net over your hair and applied a layer of vasoline-type substance all over the areas they would be covering with make up (face, neck, shoulders, arms). Next, they literally painted white ALL over. Eyelids, nose, neck, mouth...everywhere!!! It was very freaky looking! Once the white was applied, they intricately put some red coloring on your brows, lids, and lips. They added some blue to the brows (to make a purply look) and some fake lashes.









When all the make up was on and dry, they helped you get into the kimonos, etc. If you have never had on a kimono - it is basically like a robe that they wrap together soooooooooooooo tightly with a 'belt' (Obi) so you can barely breathe. We quickly learned why Japanese ladies are so thin. You could barely move - let alone eat!

Once your dress was on they put your wig on. This was the most uncomfortable thing to me. The Oirans wigs weighed even more - but it still felt like your head was going to topple over!!!



When you were finally all done - they helped you get into position to match the poses you chose. Some of the poses were easy - but some involved SUPER high shoes (the Oiran) or traditional Japanese sandals (the Geisha) which are very hard to balance on! The photographer was awesome and very professional. The assistants were fast and stealthy. And they edited the pictures literally the second they had been snapped.


The best part was we were allowed to take pictures with our own cameras also. We took shots of the whole process as well as shots of the final product :-) When all was said and done, we walked out with 3 professionally edited and printed pictures in a triple frame and a CD with ALL the professional pics on it.


It was such a fun experience...I can't wait to take friends and family that come and visit!!!

epiphany

I don't know why these little thoughts pop up - but it always amazes me when they do! I mean, I know my parents love me. They have always been loving, caring, supportive, etc. And I could understand that love once I had children. I distinctly remember when I brought Gavin home from the hospital that I suddenly realized JUST HOW MUCH a parent loves a child.

I was re-reading my earlier post to my children about how I was so sorry that they had to go through something as horrible as they did on March 11. And then I realized that my parents probably felt the same thing for me. The fear. The sadness. The worry. The relief when we were ok. The wanting to make it all go away.

I remember the weight that was lifted from my shoulders when I walked off that final airplane in Philadelphia. Words cannot express the feeling I had when the first people I saw were my Dad, Godfather and sister. And then, when we reached our final destination at my mom's house there was that extra layer of comfort. But. it was not only me that was relieved. Hugging me (and their grandchildren), knowing they could protect us for a while, being there to show support...it is a parents job, right, and passion.

I am so blessed to have such an amazing family and I hope to be able to pass that down from generation to generation!

Did you ever have a day....

That was so perfect you needed to blog about it just so you could remember? We have all had days that were so great that you wanted to go back and read about it when you have days that were not so great (mom...remember that time that CJ got sick and had doggy poo all over your new rugs? It was one of the only times I have seen you cry). Anyway - the past 2 days have been that good that I want to remember them always.

It started on Friday when it was time to celebrate Patrick's promotion to Major. There was a beautiful ceremony, Patrick gave a touching speech (in which he got very choked up talking about how much he loved me - which made all the ladies in the room go "Awwwwwww"), and more than twice the amount of people showed up! I swelled with pride as I stood next to our children and watched Patrick recite his oath (by memorization) as he was sworn in as the newest Major in the US Air Force. My favorite part though, was right before Patrick was officially announced (and we all had to rise as he entered) - Evelyn saw him and ran over to him with open arms and hugged him! The picture is awful - but again, it was something I just wanted to have documented so I never forget! When the ceremony and celebration were over, we went to the O Club and socialized with some friends, had some drinks, and then decided to go out for dinner. We went to a new place (new to us) called Sherlock Holmes. It was an English Pub type of place that had Guinness and Bass on tap, and a delicious 'hamburg steak' which was basically hamburger meat made into a steak shape and grilled in front of you served over rice with sauce. Very yummy! Then we grabbed some desserts at Chatelaine (a 'French' Bakery) and were home by 9 (yes, I know - we are lame). But it was a great night I will always remember.

Today, we woke up, Patrick made breakfast while I went for a run (ok - a walk with some jogging thrown in) and then we decided to get outside to soak up the gorgeous day. We decided to go to Showa Park again (we had been twice before during the week so it was empty) and Evelyn literally was there yesterday with her school. But we wanted to rent bikes, have a picnic and enjoy the day. So we packed up some lunch, threw on some sun screen, and headed out for some fun!

Much to our surprise it was not as crowded as we expected for a gorgeous weekend! We are getting much better at figuring out how to do things in Japan (buy tickets, rent the bikes, etc) so it did not take long to get on the bike path and head for the Children's play area. This area has the white jumpy cloud area, the dragon park and the rainbow nets. The kids ran and played and laughed and were perfect. We ate lunch under a covered pavilion and took off on our bikes again. I think the kids liked riding on the back of the bikes as much as anything! We went to the open area which had beautiful poppy fields, more play grounds, people laying out in the grass, some people in tents, people playing frisbee, etc. It was almost out of the Stepford Wives books...it was that picture perfect. Everyone was happy and just having a good time. No one got into your business. Everyone was friendly. Very nice. After that we headed for our last stop at the Bonsai Gardens. It was very neat, clean and serene. There was a koi pond, bonsai trees, bamboo trees, and - my favorite - the purple iris gardens. The kids were very well behaved, the bikes were easy and fun to use, and the weather was absolutely perfect.

When we got home, the kids relaxed and watched tv, Patrick tended to the yard, and I napped :-) Then we all worked together to help make dinner which consisted of BBQ chicken, corn on the cob, mac and cheese and applesauce! We ate outside, there were no bugs, and we used paper plates so there was nothing to clean up! After dinner we walked to the shopette to rent a movie for us and to get ice cream and gummy bears for the kids.

Throughout the past 2 days there was voluntary hand holding with parents, hugs between siblings, and shoulder rides. There were laughs, sharing, and pleases and thank yous. I know we still have one more day in the weekend...but so far - this has been one of the best weekends to date :-)