Lake Tazawa

You totally thought I forgot to blog about last weekend. Well, my friend, maybe another day. Until then here is another installment of the Millburn's crazy family adventures!

Get in the car- We're going to Lake Tazawa!

3 hours and 1700 yen in tolls south of us is the beautiful Lake Tazawa. Don't worry, Marie made her stuffed dog pay the tolls.

We took our good friend Sara, (her husband just deployed and Marie is nuts for her)

Here is Sara in front of a stormy lake Friday night. The wind and rain was a wonderful change from the stale, hot humidity we've been dealing with.

The camp ground was really cool, and for extra you could stay in this tree house. I think I prefer to sleep on ground level, thank you.

 

Here are Sara and Marie. Sara helped us get settled when we first arrived in Misawa. She came to our hotel room (as we didn't have a phone), offered us rides, and took us everywhere we needed to get into a house, buy a car, and meet new people. We've been smitten by her ever since!

Picture of a disgustingly large moth for your personal enjoyment.

The smartest idea I've ever had was not to marry this man, but to rent the kayak behind him. It was sooooo much fun. Random story: Brett and I kayaked out deep into the lake to a floating dock to do some diving. The water, seeing as the lake is the deepest in Japan, was turquoise and tasted fresh like it was poured from the tap. We were met at the dock by a local who asked where we were from. We replied the usual, "America." (I'm sure he was like "duh" but he wanted to know exactly- so we said Utah/Idaho. And he was still like, "where in Idaho." I just laughed because like he would know where Emmett is. And then he said "I was just in Meridian last week." (This is all in perfect English of course). If your familiar with SE Idaho I hope you're as blown away as I was.

The weekend was great, we went with 3 other families from our ward. Our friends rock, they always suggest awesome places.

Ok, so we didn't take this picture. Did the snow give it away? I just felt we didn't get any pictures of how incredibly beautiful this place was. At least in the top 3 of the MOST beautiful places I've ever been.

Also, for you dragon lovers, this statue represents the myth behind the lake. Legend has it this gal prayed to be beautiful for 100 days. She then drank the water from the lake and was turned to a dragon and sunk to the bottom of the lake. However, there was also a man who did something (foolish or wise, depending on if you think being a dragon is cool) to make him into a dragon also and joined her at the bottom of the lake. Now their PG13 escapades ensure that this lake never freezes over.

And we'll end on that high note.

Kenji World & Daiichi Preschool

Have you ever been to Kenji World? Probably not, because it's in Japan. However we will take you if you come to see us. Here are the pros and cons:
Pros: It's Awesome
Cons: The flight to Japan is long.

Pros: Your children will worship you forever, even into their teenage years.
Cons: Everyone speaks Japanese.

Pros: You will look better than me in a swim suit.

Cons: Marie will look better than you in a swim suit.

Final Verdict: It's awesome so make the trek! And I have to say it's a pretty rockin place for toddlers. Mostly because there is a whole floor where you can go (once you are dry) and TAKE A NAP. That's right, take a sweet nap in the middle of the day. There are floor mats and everything. Just me, Marie, Brett (reading a book) and a bunch of old people. Doesn't even cost anything. And the Raamen there is pretty great (also Raamen has two "a's" so Brett don't re-write that when you do your edit of this post- that's right, he edits these ).

In other news Marie likes the beach here on base.  She hopes for a beautiful sunset.  This is Lake Ogawara which is about a mile from our house.  

She also likes to have her picture taken. She specifically posed for each picture... even the one above.

"Are you convinced I am happy?"

Note: she's not actually making any noise, she just thought it would make a good picture.

Getting better with the fake smile.

And this would be my favorite. 

Lastly, Marie started PRESCHOOL today!

Marie and Keaton carpooling to school.

I can't believe it myself. I never thought I would put my kid in preschool at two years... but she is in NEED of more stimulation. And what's better than learning a new language. Did I mention it's a Japanese Preschool? I am starting a Joy-School with friends, but I thought this would be fun and it seems to be affordable. I pick the days she goes ( I think no more than once a week is fine ) and she stays 3 hours for 1200 yen. Not bad. Wish the dollar would pick up (currently 82 yen to the dollar... and sinking- Yikes America!). But so far she loves it....

Well... except that she is scared of this sweet Sensei. The lady is SO NICE. I don't know why Marie freaks out when she reaches for her. Also Marie is wearing a play smock and white shoes for her indoor play. These people are clean! We bought them at what Americans call "The Bunny Store"- because there is a bunny on the sign and no one knows the name of the store. I brought Marie's dress list to the store and with a little sign language got the worker to help me pick up her smock, shoes and other necessities for preschool. I wish I could say there is a chance that I will learn to read Kanji.... but if I can verbally ask for directions in a year I will be doing great. So while she goes to preschool I intend to study some Japanese. Validating the use of daycare... I mean preschool. Right?
Hai. (Yes)
Soredewa mata! (See you later!)

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