Hot Date and Sea Side Cafe

I love lazy, weekend, daytime dates! Cliff and I decided to park in a neighborhood near the sea wall and take a walk along the water.


You just never know what you are going to find around here. Exploring never gets old. This is a bar made out of an old bus. See the sign by the door? We were pretty sure the place was abandoned by the looks of it...but you really never know.



Beautiful stained glass...



Interesting architecture...



And of course, fishermen.



We walked from one end of the sea wall, as far as we could down to the other, and then came back for lunch nearer to where we started at the Sea Side Cafe. We've heard rave reviews about this place and were eager to try it. There was a family with wild kids running roughshod over the place inside (it's a very small restaurant) and it felt like they had no AC going, so we did an about face and opted for the front patio seating. It was hard to beat the view. A couple of the other tables on the patio had chillin' dogs tethered to them while their owners relaxed and ate. Combined with the sound and smell of the water, the whole scene was very serene.



A little peek at the menu. While hard to pass on a "Big velly burger"...



I had to go with the number one Smoked Salmon & Avocado (with lemon cream french sauce).

Cliff thought about the classic burger, but rumor has it, it's number two...



So he opted for the fish and chips.

The food was simple, but delicious. I think it's a perfect spot for lunch. They even have (not free) Wi-Fi if you are interested...and it's pet (and apparently kid) friendly.

Underwater ROV

One of the reasons Jake was looking most forward to getting home, was checking the mail for his underwater ROV robot kit, sent from his awesome homeschool science program, Supercharged Science. The postman did not disappoint.

Most of the stuff SCS sells comes all-inclusive. Except (of course) the one Jake wanted most. So in addition to the $69 plus shipping for the kit, they said we could also expect to spend about $80 in supplies at our local hardware store. {That's if you're not paying in Yen.} Also not factored into the equation would be the frustration of trying to guess what you are really buying since it's all in Kanji...or the confusion that comes along with conveying English measurements (in the English language) to the Okinawan man who is going to be cutting your PVC pipe. All 57 pieces of it.

It made for a fun evening at Make-Man, pushing a cart and a wheelchair...and of course I forgot the camera. Jake couldn't wait to get to work this morning. He set up on the back patio and got to sanding, gluing, drilling and snipping. I left the back door open, just in case he needed emergency assistance. I figured he'd be awhile and I'd get back there to get some pictures when things were really in full swing. I missed my chance. Pretty soon, he came in and announced that it was drying.



That was fast!



Can't wait to see phase two, once the silicone dries. I sure hope the pool lets us try this thing out. Who knows with the government. Otherwise, this is going to be one big fish in one very small bathtub.

The Journey Home

Considering all we had to accomplish this morning, including returning the wheelchair, returning the rental car at an off-site location, and getting a non-ambulatory kid from the rental car shuttle to the counter where we could request a wheelchair (which, in the Honolulu airport, looks more like a stroller...I so should have taken a picture) with 4 bags to check...we did pretty well.

I forgot to mention all the drama with our return flight yesterday. When I called to turn our tickets back on, the only flight they had available at our previously-booked, government rate would include THREE international flights. Threeee! Hawaii to Tokyo, Tokyo to Taipei, and Taipei to Okinawa. (Seriously?!) That is heinous under any circumstances...but juggling luggage, customs, a wheelchair? Insanity! Luckily, after much being transferred from dept. to dept., I was able to trade in my triple-transcontinental tour for a seven hour layover in Tokyo instead. What could I do but take it and be grateful? ("Thank you Sir, may I have another?")

The flight took off on time, and thank goodness for pre-boarding. It was so nice not to have to do what we had to do while working around other passengers. Jake has fallen twice now with the crutches and makes me SO nervous. The plane was not even close to full (which was another sad reminder of the tragic earthquake and tsunami back "home" keeping people from traveling). Jake had plenty of room to prop up his leg.



Within a couple of hours, we were served lunch. I don't know why I take pictures of airplane food. But I do, every time. It makes me giggle. Since the first time I made a cross-country flight as a young teen, I've been fascinated with how they try to make airplane food look appetizing, while still making it stackable.



Shrimp cocktail in a box, anyone? Heehee.



Shortly before we landed, we were served another meal, which was called a snack. It's kind of hard to name meals when you are crossing the international dateline. It's dinner...yet by the time you land, it will be breakfast. Sort of. Anyway, I had to take a picture of the lettuce on this sandwich. At first I thought mine was a fluke, but looking around at my fellow passengers' trays...I discovered this was intentional. (Lettuce: Check!)



Yea! We are back in Japan! Narita is not my favorite airport, I much prefer Haneda...but I will take it. Whatever gets us home. We had an enormous layover (as I mentioned previously) so I wanted to spend it in the best terminal possible. Usually, the flight to Okinawa originates in their worst terminal. It's more like a triple-wide trailer, really. There are some uncomfortable chairs to sit in, a little counter where you can order a bowl of noodles (they're really great noodles, though) and you have to ride a bus from the terminal out to your plane. I did NOT want to spend seven hours out there! (Lucky for me, we got another terminal with WAY better accommodations. Whew!)

I was a little nervous, because I DEFINITELY wanted to hold onto that wheelchair! Since we were switching from an international to a domestic terminal AND switching airlines entirely, I wasn't sure how to pull that off. After several minutes of pantomime/interpretive dance coupled with speaking slowly and loudly, the two attendants went from looking confused, to nodding reassuringly. I thought, "either they understand me, or it is worth the price of a wheelchair to be rid of me." Turned out, I didn't need to worry at all...they rode the bus with us to the next terminal, helped with our luggage, pushed Jake's chair, up and down elevators, all the way to the next airline counter and waited patiently while the new airline brought a wheelchair with a new crew to make the switch. I should have know. (I love you, Japan!) I showed them we had a very long layover, pantomimed that I'd be fine pushing the chair on my own, and they somehow conveyed that I should call when we were ready to go to the gate and they'd assist us.



First stop...breakfast (dinner?...whatever time it is)! Udon noodles with tempura shrimp...yum!



Next, we did a little shopping in the gift shops. Oh how I've missed the Engrish! These are super-dark Kit-Kats. I have had them before and they are delicious...but I have never heard them described quite like this. Kit-Kats are huge in Japan. I don't know if I've mentioned that before. They come in many flavors, delicious and bizarre. I haven't tried a lot of them, but the grossest ones I've been served so far were plain yogurt flavor. I want to try the wasabi flavor, just to say I did.



We still had a few hours to kill even though we had covered the whole terminal. What else was there to do? We had to wait our turn for some time in the massage chair.



Jake wanted the massage so bad, he was willing to put up with the tickle.



The next flight was even more empty. We each got our own row, again.



After over three weeks of craziness, this was the most glorious sight to behold. I don't want to leave again for a very, very long time. (Oh...that's right...we want to do this again in June. Ugh!)

Pray for Japan

This whole tragedy has just been horrific. Of course, when something like this {earthquake and the tsunami that followed} happens anywhere, it's horrific...but this time, it just hit so close to home.

We are very far away from the devastation...Okinawa is over 1,000 miles from the epicenter...but we are not far away from the people. The Japanese people hold such a special place in our hearts. We have fallen in love with this society. Had this happened over two years ago, before we moved here, it would have been just one more tragedy on the news that you watch and feel horrible about, but disconnected from. Not this time.

But even in the face of such a tragedy, the Japanese people demonstrate such strength of character and compassion and bravery. I am in awe of it...and I love them even more.

I just wanted to share some of the things we've been reading and watching. Firstly, an article which didn't surprise me in the least, about the behavior in the aftermath of this disaster. You can read about it here.

Secondly, you can read about some of what our American military forces from Okinawa have been doing to help by clicking here. This is written by my friend, Mary. Since 75% of the American military bases in Japan are on Okinawa, they are in a great position to be able to respond quickly. The day after the earthquake, things kicked into high gear, and so many of our military friends (Cliff included) found themselves in a pretty intense environment, working 14 hour days, 7 days a week, to organize the response. I'm so grateful that we could be of help in this way.

Lastly, I want to share this video, most likely produced to calm the fears of children...but it sure spells out things very simply for anyone. Remember, animation is used for anything here, not just for kids.

I realize the subject matter is very serious and no laughing matter, but I just couldn't help but enjoy the little glimpse into Japanese culture that this provided...the animation, the unabashed talk of poo, the solidarity that it wants to evoke.

Please continue to pray for this country. They are amazingly strong, and I believe Japan's Prime Minister is correct when he said, "We will rebuild Japan from scratch." I believe they will do it.

Ice Cream in American Village

It had been a long time since we took the kids out for ice cream (or anywhere, that didn't revolve around school or church "have-to's" for that matter), so we decided to take Apollo for a spin down to American Village for some Japanese 31 flavors.



Smile, kids...show everyone how much awesome family fun we have together all the time...



How you love spending time with your family more than anyone else in the world. (Isn't it funny how they all sat in age order? I guess it's just instinct after all these years.)



We decided to take a look around at some of the shops on our way back to the van...there's been lots of new construction so lots we hadn't seen yet. Coree was hoping to find a case for her new iPod (which we did...yea!)



Cute. But "ouch" at the same time.



We couldn't decide whether this sculpture reminded us of Dean from Iron Giant...



Or iCarly's older brother, Spencer. Yes, this is the deep, intellectual stuff that makes up our family conversations. Also, I just misspelled intellectual. Thank you, spell checker.



This is just one of the many "baby in car" child-safety options available on the market here. Okinawans are not big into seat-belting or car-seating their children, even though it is the law here, too. It's not uncommon to see little toddlers climbing on their parents or hanging out windows. It is the norm. Oh, but they have their "baby in car" sticker on and that should keep everyone safe! {I'm sorry, most cultural differences I can appreciate...can understand that there is no "right or wrong," just that we do things differently...and TRUST ME, we can learn a LOT from the people here...but this is one idea I can NOT get used to.} It makes me want to cover my vehicle with bumper stickers that read, "if you really loved your children you would strap them in" in Japanese. How's that for a safety sticker? End rant.



So many awesome t-shirts in this shop. I would have taken more pictures, but there was an employee watching and I always imagine them catching me and telling me to knock it off. Anyway, I would love this one in a non-yellow option. I love shisas and singing. Good combo. But not the yellow.



Speaking of yellow...Patrick found his dream car.



He's been dreaming of an Oki-truck (those teeny, two-seat, flat-bed, golf-cart sized trucks) and this is a pretty fancy one. I pointed out he wouldn't be able to double date in an Oki-truck. I think he's back to the drawing board.



It's like the exact opposite of this monster.



By the way, here's one of the weird arrangements Apollo's seats can be made into. L shaped. Not a lot of leg room for Jake, but the kids like it because it's different.



Haha...Cliff thinking, "What is she doing? Let's go, already." I'm not sure what I was doing.

Stay tuned for our next installment of family fun!

Japanese Cell Phones

Our two-year contract with our cell phone company (AU) was up in December. Even though they have the most reception on the island, they are also the most expensive. We were paying upwards of $200 a month for 5 cellphones...for minutes we never used. We just don't use them that often, but really don't feel comfortable not having them, especially since they have saved the day on so many occasions. Things get complicated when kids get their own lives, I tell you.

Anyway, I took a scientific (Facebook) poll to find out what my other options were, trying to find the cheapest, workable alternative. We ended up going with Softbank, the biggest carrier on the island. They have a reputation for a lot of dropped calls, but we will be paying 1/4 the price, with free calls 24/7 to each other, and free calls to any other Softbank user during the hours of 2 AM to 9 PM. (Huh?! So any of you who wanted me to call between 9 PM and 2 AM, sorry...I'm too frugal.) Anyway, we don't typically need to call at length...most of our calls consist of a child saying, "I'm ready to be picked up."

The kids were all ecstatic, because this means they can call and text all their Softbank friends now. (Yippie.) We all went in on the happy day to pick out our new phones. There were several free phone options, in a variety of colors. I figured I'd stick with pink. I looked at all 4 pink options and settled on the coolest looking one. Troy chose a metallic blue (which will end up being Jake's when he leaves this summer, because it didn't make sense to do another 2 year contract for Troy when he'll only be here 6 more months). Coree chose a gold phone and Patrick chose black. After filling out the paperwork, we left so they could program the phones, and I came back alone several hours later to pick them up.

When I returned, they had the phones all boxed and bagged. I pulled mine out and had to laugh!



Yes, this is my phone!



There was no indication by the display model that my phone had anything to do with pouty jelly beans in panties.

The funnier part? Patrick picked out this same phone in black. He just tossed the box before I could get a picture.

Driving Around Okinawa

I'm glad this man likes to drive:



Because it gives me much more opportunity to photograph interesting little tidbits to share with all of you:


Not that I'm opposed to photogging while driving...I've done it before. It just doesn't always work out when you have to keep your eyes on the road and aim in the general direction and hope you got what you wanted on camera.

These photos are not all from the same trip, I've just been saving them up for awhile, hoping a theme would emerge.

"Interesting stuff" is enough of a theme, right?



Driving under the monorail to the airport in Naha. (Riding on this is on our list of stuff to do.)



Just like the handicapped symbol...or the men's and women's restroom symbols...only this is the universal "we're sorry for your inconvenience" symbol. Effective, no?



Cool bridge we drove over in Naha.



Have any of you ever seen this logo before? Seems a little extreme for some cream soda, don't you think? This was taken not far from our home.



I love how the Okinawans try to make ordinary things more visually appealing (which is entirely subjective, I realize). This is a bus stop. A sweet, magic mushroom bus stop. This was taken up at the more...how shall we say..."rural", laid-back, north end of the island. You know, like the Seattle of Okinawa.



Kind of like the jellyfish man...this guy gets his point across, doesn't he?



I don't know which phrase I like better here..."Jumbo Tours" or "Pleasant Trip Together".
(I secretly think I'll come back to the US speaking like this and people will think I've lost my mind.)



Most of the time, I hate the stormy weather...but I loved the storm clouds behind the Ferris wheel in American Village.



I will admit, I actually went about a mile out of my way to get this picture. I saw it pass by and had to catch up. Eventually we landed at the same red light. This is the first sign (other than grossly exaggerated stories of protests in the news) I've seen of the supposed "anti-military base" sentiment here. I wonder if they were going for 'hilarious'...because if they were, it worked...I was busting up.

Lost in Translation...How about..."A Bun in the Oven"?

There are so many car signs on Okinawa. I'm pretty sure that the "Baby Onboard" sign has fallen out of popularity back in the States. Here on Okinawa, it's alive and well.

But I think these two signs are the most popular. If you are a new driver and you hang the yellow/green arrow sign in your car...or if you are an elderly driver (I can't remember the age you have to be) and you display this orange/yellow raindrop sign on your car...it is a signal to those drivers around you to give you a wide berth. As wide as you can on a two-lane road which should be one-way with a truck parked on the side with its hazards flashing, that is.

(Trivia: If you get into an accident with a new or elderly driver {who has the appropriate sign displayed} you are found more at fault for the accident. Unless you are an American, in which case the signs have no meaning and the accident is almost always your fault {and I'm not being sarcastic or snide...I'm serious}. The Japanese government says that Amerikajin are "professional drivers" and therefore, if we get in an accident, more of the blame is ours just because we were there when the accident occurred. And they do work it out in percentages of culpability, depending on all the details at play.)

Did they get the point across here? Yes. But it's still pretty funny.