Outside the Gate

Dear Reader,
My original introduction to this post was quite funny, but slightly offensive to readers of varying political taste. So in the spirit of Japanese friendship and courtesy, I deleted it. I'm hoping this will inspire even funnier, though diplomatic jokes. (Waiting for inspiration....... ) OK, nothing. I'll just tell you it was a Rachel Maddow joke... and it was hilarious.

ANYWAY! Last weekend we walked outside the base gate to find this grand celebration.

It was the Misawa City Festival. The floats were phenomenal. The community creates each one- and pulls most of them by hand. They have so much detail on each one. Here children are playing their drums in the first row of this float.

I REALLY wish I knew more about what each float is trying to portray. The story must be fantastic. However... some details are highly questionable. If you can find the "questionable item" in this picture I will send you a Japanese treat (may take 4-6 weeks to deliver).

Here is a closeup. Brett says identification is impossible. Prove him wrong, I dare you.

This was my favorite float. It was motorized and spewed smoke. AWESOMENESS!!!!!!!

Also some of you may be aware that I have a strong distaste for primates. I moved to the wrong place. A short drive north will take you to a place with snow monkeys. I hate just thinking about them....

As I mentioned previously, Brett is quite the connoisseur of foreign feasts. We tried these dough balls at a restaurant. Brett gave them a thumbs up. For the record I was non committal to their awesomeness. So when we found out they are octopus testicles... well let's just stick with the squid. (Note: when I took this picture at a festival stand I officially became what the Japanese are in our country- people who take weird lame pictures. A whole crowd of people laughed when they saw the flash from my camera. Dignity, Rachel. Come on.)

Marie- ate Naan, Rachel- ordered Pad Thai, Brett- Egg slop?

In local news we are headed toward potty training. Not me, Marie. Of course. I brought home Dora undies and upon receiving them she immediately requested they be put on her head. We have to start somewhere, right?

I cannot convey how serious it was that she wear them on her head. Oh boy.

But we have made progress in other areas...

Finally embracing the glasses!

That's MY girl!

Bills in the Mail

Our insurance bills are a little hard to understand. But would I be reading the fine print anyways?

Good thing they provide a few pictures.

Thanks Japanese.

3 new bloggings

Besure to check the them all out. They are each their own piece of art.

How We Live- (Mostly for the Parents)

We live in this classy 2-bed 1-bath apartment on the top level of this four-plex (I just made that word up, but you get me). And yes, that is Marie in the picture.

Some of you may have heard me on my high horse (say that 5 times fast) as I said I would not get a car. Well... turns out I would be pretty bored without one, so for a small chunk of change I got this sweet mommy mobile. I think it says "I'm a family girl, but I also like to ski." Hopefully we can take up skiing next year. It's supposed to be close and cheap. Maybe  they even pay us to ski, I can't remember.

Some people may be disappointed in our downsize housewise. But for the record I would like to state that we were given the option of a 3-bed 2-bath apartment... in a huge tower. Despite the need for extra room I just couldn't do it. The lighting was bad, and it reminded me of a Stephen King novel. I'm shallow. I know. But our place is brand new and so far we are really really happy in our small space. In fact we have yet to receive our belongings and are living off loner furniture. It is AWESOME. There is no mess, nothing to clean up, no clutter. It makes me so happy to have nothing (besides this computer though).

I need to blog about this because just recently did our Air Base change their housing rules. Just a few months ago we would have had the option of living off base and they would have paid for it. A big huge American house. But, seeing as no one was living on base they changed the rules. Now every other day we get someone telling us how unlucky we are. And how they just can't believe how horrible it is that we will have two kids and live in a 2-bedroom apartment. To them I say “Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity! I say let your affairs be as one, two, three and to a hundred or a thousand. We are happy in proportion to the things we can do without.” - Henry David Thoreau
Just kidding, I just get way annoyed and complain about them later to Brett.
But enjoy these other wonderful quotes:
“He who is contented is rich.” - Lao Tzu


“One can furnish a room very luxuriously by taking out furniture rather than putting it in.” - Francis Jourdain
“Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.” - William Morris

“We ascribe beauty to that which is simple; which has no superfluous parts; which exactly answers its end.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
“… in all the things, the supreme excellence is simplicity.” - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

“Too many people spend money they haven’t earned, to buy things they don’t want, to impress people they don’t like.” - Will Rogers

“If your mind isn’t clouded by unnecessary things, then this is the best season of your life.” - Wu-Men

“Eliminate physical clutter. More importantly, eliminate spiritual clutter.” - D.H. Mondfleur

Aomori Parade

Our first Japanese outing was to the northern town Aomori (which means "blue forest" if you're interested). It was the hottest day of my life. Marie did ok though. She had lots of fans (the hand held kind and the people liking you kind). Several times people in the parade would stop and poke her. They think she is just a hoot. A few people even took pictures with her. Being her mom, I can't blame them. But I guess I get the culture attraction though, because the Japanese toddlers here are so beautiful. Especially the girls. I really REALLY want one. Hopefully my baby will come out Japanese.

They LOVE festivals. And thousands of people participate in each one. Note all the people pulling this huge rice-paper float.

Most floats-are awesome- but they look the same- lots of Samari, swords, and fierce characters.

A lot of dancers also. During the parade there was alot of drumming, which Marie loved. I was pretty hot, and cranky the entire time- a true debbie downer, but Brett loved it anyway. He's a real optimist. Adjusting to this life has been his forte. As I complain about the rice, the weird fish smell, and lack of Diet Coke, he embraces the culture and happily loves to try new things. He's even helping me learn Japanese. So far we can count to ninety-nine and say a few polite words. I think I've got the accent wrong though, because the Japanese are always laughing after I speak. At least I've got 3 years to learn.

Japan: "Important Things"

Options, options, options.  The Japanese love Tradition, but they always give you options. These commodes are both found in the ladies room, but I'm not really sure what the one on the right is all about. Maybe for a little boy?

Of course, most public toilets look like this (yes, these are all in the same restroom). You think it would be obvious which one I would choose, however the Japanese threw a kink in my plan...

They provide a "kid hanger" in one of these bathrooms. How could anyone turn that down? And more importantly how do we NOT HAVE THESE IN AMERICA?! How many times have I gone to the restroom with an infant in my lap or  Marie trying to play in the puddles on the floor, or even sticking her head under the stall to greet the person next to me. With this invention I give my utmost respect to the Japanese. I truly hold them high in my heart.

This is Miss Veedol Beach. It gets very hot here AND THERE IS NO AIR CONDITIONING IN OUR APARTMENT (not that I'm upset about it or anything).

This is Marie giving her best "CHEESE"

Life is been really good to us here. Our first day in our apartment we met Lyana who has a son who is 18mos. They live next door and go to our church! Sweet.

In fact there are a TON of Mormons here. My ward here is bigger than my ward in California. Two nurseries, and most everyone is our age. It's like being in a college married ward.... in Japan...and infinity kids. 

So Hard to Go (Utah- Part 2)

Grandma Great, Stephanie, Marie, Cassie

It was a rockin' good time at the cabin. It wasn't Parrydise- but we had a good time at Parris. Thank you so much Steve and Sharon for a fantastic time!

Rafting the Snake River was awesome, except for the part where I fell out... oh wait, that was awesome to. Brett and I were in the "ducky" and hit Lunch Counter (weird name for a rapid right?) sideways and away I went. Good thing I didn't tell Sharon I was pregnant.

But I suppose danger is in our blood. Marie is not even two here and she wants to go ATVing? Good thing Grandpa Ron had an ATV for toddlers. (Forgot to take a picture of that though! doh!)

These kids are ANIMALS. ...not. They are just funny. For 7 kids stuck in a cabin all weekend I didn't hear any fighting.... well except Marie instigating a few ones.

In Utah we ate at the glorious MAYAN! Finally. I can say I've been to the Mayan. Check off of my bucket list. Was the food good? No. But it was an awesome atmosphere. When the divers walked around to greet us Steph mentioned we came all the way from Georgia and Japan (ha!). So this gal took us backstage! Here is Jorja and one of the talented divers.

I got to see my childhood friends- and their kids! Marie and Cecelia were born a week apart. They are great friends... do you hear that Marie? You WILL be friends...

This is after an exhausting hour at Cherry Hill. Anyone ever been to Cherry Hill?

 

Brett got to see his old Posse (not saying they are old- like old men- but you get me). Here is Marie at the Posse BBQ- when left to her own devices she's all glamed up and strutting her stuff.

While Brett went cayoneering I snuck in a Youngberg family reunion. The name tags were very informative. Marie enjoyed them so much she started taking them from people.

 

Here is Marie's most awesome cake! Maysen made it! I taught my niece how to make fondant. She's a natural . Can you believe that is her first time? Go ahead, blow the picture up, it's seamless!

We had a pretty sweet joint birthday party for Ange and Matt who also share the birthday month of Harry Potter (who else is excited for the next movie!? I get shivers just thinking about it!) Anyways it was so nice to have a celebration with the Millburns!

 

We were at Ron's for almost 2 weeks. What did we do? Alot of games. Games... games... games... games...

Jk- I love them, but not as much as these brothers. Mike- see what you missed out on?

I also got a chance to take Marie to the house I grew up in. It's for sale if you are interested.

Here is Marie deciding if it's an investment worth making. I think she'll wait a couple more years for the market to fluctuate. (Also I would like to note how nervous I was taking this picture on the porch- I mean- what if someone just walked out the front door? Yikes).

Candy? I think THIS is why Marie is so obsessed with her Aunt Cassie. Actually this is the scripture case Cassie bought for Marie's new Book of Mormon- which Stephanie got enscribed with Marie's name on it. What cool aunts!

 

This is what we call a picture moment.

Ron, Cathy, and Max took us to Heritage Park. The train was rockin'.

Marie enjoyed swimming with Max and Beth.

 

My dad flew down just for the day! That was an awesome treat.

 

Max and Marie "hammin'" it up. Actually I don't know what they are doing here. But usually it involves putting something on her head. (Maybe a closet Harry Potter fan?). Max was so sweet to her- what a good cousin to have.

 

And YES Jesse came down again just to see us for 30 minutes at lunch. Maresa is such a sport! These girls, however, were little trouble makers!

 

I can't get over that Jesse and I are all grown up with our own kids. I don't think I ever imagined this far.

 

And lastly, Uncle Jesse comes to see us off at the gate. He also takes a moment to show Marie how to bring in an Airplane, if she ever happens to need to do so.


We loved Utah. Had a great time. It's crazy to think we won't be back for over a year. I hope we can still be Mormon! Love you Utah!