Grace and Peace,
Rachel
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Flying Tigers
On Monday, Burr's squadron did a six bird formation flight to the North part of the Island, transporting Marines for a day of exercises. They did the pick up at Camp Foster, which is just across the street from our house. I got to go and be a "Groupie" and film/photograph the whole thing. It was so cool to see Burr doing what he does. Click the link to the left for more pics!
Grace and Peace,
Rachel
Grace and Peace,
Rachel
Baking Delights
As you know, I have a little bit of extra time on my hands right now. I get a few more "Whole Note" inquiries everyday, and currently have a roster of five students, but that still leaves me with quite a bit of downtime! Don't get me wrong... I stay quite busy with errands, reading, marketing Whole Note, the Praise Band, Bible Study, and recently Pacific Okinawa Players - but what to do on the nights when Burr works late? The Answer: Bake!
Yesterday I made biscuits... that were not as pretty or tasty as Grandmother's, but hey, I'm a novice!
And last night, when Burr was on the late shift, I baked bread! With the help of Julia and Friends! This time, I was quite pleased with the results.
And speaking of Julia Child... I have found that I MUST have her in the kitchen with me at all times! I borrowed her book, "Baking With Julia" from the library over the weekend and have been taking great delight out of all the delicious diversions that lie within. I am planning to take on Bagels this weekend, but after that... I have to give the book back! SO... if anyone out there wants to help a girl out, and feed her husband in the process... please send "Baking With Julia" to her PO BOX!!!
Happy Baking!
Rachel
Yesterday I made biscuits... that were not as pretty or tasty as Grandmother's, but hey, I'm a novice!
And last night, when Burr was on the late shift, I baked bread! With the help of Julia and Friends! This time, I was quite pleased with the results.
And speaking of Julia Child... I have found that I MUST have her in the kitchen with me at all times! I borrowed her book, "Baking With Julia" from the library over the weekend and have been taking great delight out of all the delicious diversions that lie within. I am planning to take on Bagels this weekend, but after that... I have to give the book back! SO... if anyone out there wants to help a girl out, and feed her husband in the process... please send "Baking With Julia" to her PO BOX!!!
Happy Baking!
Rachel
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
SO Happy They're Here!
Ok, there was a LOT of drama to get these guys out here... but it was all worth it! I am so glad to have my furry friends to keep me company. And they are SO HAPPY to be done with Quarantine!
Grace and Peace,
Rachel
Grace and Peace,
Rachel
Monday, March 3, 2008
Free at Last!!
The "period of reflection" is over! And Gabe and Penny Lane have successfully completed their quarantines! We are Free! I think a walk on the seawall is in order for Gabe and me this afternoon. It will be windy but fun!
Grace and Peace,
rachel
Grace and Peace,
rachel
Friday, February 29, 2008
Locked Down...
You may or may not have heard... sometimes it's hard for Marines on a tropical island to be on their best behavior. They rape people. They get drunk and pass out in the police chief's living room. They ruin it for the rest of us.
Yes, due to the bad behavior of a few, the entire SOFA status (Status of Forces Agreement) population on Okinawa is "locked down" in a "period of reflection" indefinitely. We are allowed to go to base. And that's all. Suddenly, the gym, the exchange, the post office, and the commissary have never sounded so good...
Daily, I try to find an excuse to get out of my house and drive to base. Any base. This week I've been to Camp Lester to get registered for Tricare, I've been to Kadena AFB to take Gabe for a "quarantine check-up" and Camp Foster for everything else! Burr doesn't have to make up reasons to go to base; he works there! But it does severely limit our weekend options!
Unofficialy, there may have been some dinner "gatherings" over the past two weekends. But that's all I know... Well, that and that the 12 quart pot of gumbo I made suddenly disappeared last Saturday...
Oh well. I know that in past posts I've gone on about how bad I feel that I'm on base so much and that they offer so many American Amenities. I take it back. When you're locked down, with no place to go, it doesn't seem so indulgent to trek over to the Maccaroni Grill on Camp Foster! Let's hear it for the movie theatres with American movies! And a big hooray for the Food Court! And, don't forget the FLEA MARKET this weekend! Base is good.
It's nice to have a place to go.
Grace and Peace,
Rachel
Yes, due to the bad behavior of a few, the entire SOFA status (Status of Forces Agreement) population on Okinawa is "locked down" in a "period of reflection" indefinitely. We are allowed to go to base. And that's all. Suddenly, the gym, the exchange, the post office, and the commissary have never sounded so good...
Daily, I try to find an excuse to get out of my house and drive to base. Any base. This week I've been to Camp Lester to get registered for Tricare, I've been to Kadena AFB to take Gabe for a "quarantine check-up" and Camp Foster for everything else! Burr doesn't have to make up reasons to go to base; he works there! But it does severely limit our weekend options!
Unofficialy, there may have been some dinner "gatherings" over the past two weekends. But that's all I know... Well, that and that the 12 quart pot of gumbo I made suddenly disappeared last Saturday...
Oh well. I know that in past posts I've gone on about how bad I feel that I'm on base so much and that they offer so many American Amenities. I take it back. When you're locked down, with no place to go, it doesn't seem so indulgent to trek over to the Maccaroni Grill on Camp Foster! Let's hear it for the movie theatres with American movies! And a big hooray for the Food Court! And, don't forget the FLEA MARKET this weekend! Base is good.
It's nice to have a place to go.
Grace and Peace,
Rachel
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Niseko Rocks!
Over the long President's Day weekend we traveled to Niseko, Japan with some of the other pilots from Burr's squadron. It was in incredible trip. First we flew from Okinawa to Tokyo, then on to Hakkaido (sp?), the northernmost island of Japan. Upon our arrival at the airport, we boarded a bus and settled in for the three hour ride to the Annupurri Lodge. We were absolutely giddy as the snow fell... gearing up for what promised to be a great day of skiing on Saturday!
The lodge in which we stayed was very neat. I can best describe it as a hostel for adults! We stayed in rooms of five, had breakfast in the dining room every morning, and waited in line for a chance in one of the two showers! The American who ran the Lodge was beyond helpful, and our new Australian friends were quite fun.
Now, on to the important things... here are some pictures of the trip! Click the link on the left to see even more.
Grace and Peace,
Rachel
The lodge in which we stayed was very neat. I can best describe it as a hostel for adults! We stayed in rooms of five, had breakfast in the dining room every morning, and waited in line for a chance in one of the two showers! The American who ran the Lodge was beyond helpful, and our new Australian friends were quite fun.
Now, on to the important things... here are some pictures of the trip! Click the link on the left to see even more.
Grace and Peace,
Rachel
Friday, February 8, 2008
Stupid American... that would be me.
It's true. I am that person. The one who travels to a different country ignorant of that country's language, customs, and traditions. And who hasn't tried to figure them out. Shame on me.
Yesterday I went to a department store in town (OFF BASE with locals working there!) to buy curtains, lightbulbs, and a dresser. Curtains, check. Lightbulbs, check. Dresser, well... I found the one I wanted... but how would I tell someone that I wanted it? How would I get it home? All things I wish I had thought of before I went up to the nice sales clerk, smiled and said, "English?"
Now, to give the guy credit, he did smile as he went off to find another clerk who spoke my language. But I felt like a foreigner. An interloper in a place I did not belong. As we finished the transaction I stuttered out a broken, "thank you," in Japanese and resolved to do a better job of learning the language and culture. (For those of you wondering, it is my understanding that the dresser will be delivered tomorrow between one and five in the afternoon. I think...)
You see, unlike my other travel abroad experiences, I came to this country knowing nothing. No language, only basic history of the WWII invasion, and no knowledge of the art or music. I have always enjoyed Japanese steakhouses, but I don't think that counts... And now that I'm here, I find it very easy to remain "American." It is easy to be here and not become immersed in the Okinawan culture and lifestyle. The gym I go to is on-base. As is my grocery store. And my basic needs shopping center. And the church, library, restaurants, furniture store, etc, etc, etc...
Our friends are Americans. And when we do go out in town, we choose restaurants with
pictures of the food and preferably an English translation on the menu!
I'm ashamed to say that when we/I shop in town, I expect the sales clerks to at least speak basic English. Yes, I'm that "Stupid American" who expects everyone to know my language but makes little effort to learn even the basics of my host country. Shame on me.
So, I am resolving to take a language class (on-base, but at least it's a start!), and to begin to educate myself about this land I will call "home" for the foreseeable future. It's the least I can do, right? These lovely, kind, PATIENT people are my hosts, afterall.
Grace and Peace,
Rachel
Yesterday I went to a department store in town (OFF BASE with locals working there!) to buy curtains, lightbulbs, and a dresser. Curtains, check. Lightbulbs, check. Dresser, well... I found the one I wanted... but how would I tell someone that I wanted it? How would I get it home? All things I wish I had thought of before I went up to the nice sales clerk, smiled and said, "English?"
Now, to give the guy credit, he did smile as he went off to find another clerk who spoke my language. But I felt like a foreigner. An interloper in a place I did not belong. As we finished the transaction I stuttered out a broken, "thank you," in Japanese and resolved to do a better job of learning the language and culture. (For those of you wondering, it is my understanding that the dresser will be delivered tomorrow between one and five in the afternoon. I think...)
You see, unlike my other travel abroad experiences, I came to this country knowing nothing. No language, only basic history of the WWII invasion, and no knowledge of the art or music. I have always enjoyed Japanese steakhouses, but I don't think that counts... And now that I'm here, I find it very easy to remain "American." It is easy to be here and not become immersed in the Okinawan culture and lifestyle. The gym I go to is on-base. As is my grocery store. And my basic needs shopping center. And the church, library, restaurants, furniture store, etc, etc, etc...
Our friends are Americans. And when we do go out in town, we choose restaurants with
pictures of the food and preferably an English translation on the menu!
I'm ashamed to say that when we/I shop in town, I expect the sales clerks to at least speak basic English. Yes, I'm that "Stupid American" who expects everyone to know my language but makes little effort to learn even the basics of my host country. Shame on me.
So, I am resolving to take a language class (on-base, but at least it's a start!), and to begin to educate myself about this land I will call "home" for the foreseeable future. It's the least I can do, right? These lovely, kind, PATIENT people are my hosts, afterall.
Grace and Peace,
Rachel
Monday, February 4, 2008
Mt. Katsuu
Burr and I have had a great weekend! On Friday night I got to go to the end of a "Hail and Farewell" with his squadron (HMM-262 the Flying Tigers) and then out to dinner with some of his cohorts. Sushi Zen was as perfect as the name suggests. We finished out the night at Eclipse, a bar on the Sunabe Seawall... nothing starts the weekend off like a nightime view of the ocean!
Saturday morning led us to the gym for a spinning class - we worked very hard! And our hard work was not finished... with Josh Miller we went adventuring in the north island. We traveled up the Okinawa Expressway to the town of Nago then veered onto a winding jungle road up to Mt. Katsuu. An intensive hike to the mountaintop followed. We were not rewarded with a knock-out view at the top; instead we found ourselves in the middle of a cloud! It was an incredible hike though and one we will likely repeat on a clear day. In reward for our hard work we sought out a renowned restaurant called "Pizza in the Sky." The curvy road to this picturesque location and delicious food was totally worth it.
Here are some pictures from our hike and our lunch.
The winding jungle road
Pre-hike, looking out over the ocean
Sign at the trailhead... hope it didn't say anything important!
The beginning.
These signs were scattered throughout the hike. Anyone read Kanji? (Sp?)
Giant crevice.
Summit
View from the top. Of the clouds...
So dramatic!
Pizza in the sky!
Saturday morning led us to the gym for a spinning class - we worked very hard! And our hard work was not finished... with Josh Miller we went adventuring in the north island. We traveled up the Okinawa Expressway to the town of Nago then veered onto a winding jungle road up to Mt. Katsuu. An intensive hike to the mountaintop followed. We were not rewarded with a knock-out view at the top; instead we found ourselves in the middle of a cloud! It was an incredible hike though and one we will likely repeat on a clear day. In reward for our hard work we sought out a renowned restaurant called "Pizza in the Sky." The curvy road to this picturesque location and delicious food was totally worth it.
Here are some pictures from our hike and our lunch.
The winding jungle road
Pre-hike, looking out over the ocean
Sign at the trailhead... hope it didn't say anything important!
The beginning.
These signs were scattered throughout the hike. Anyone read Kanji? (Sp?)
Giant crevice.
Summit
View from the top. Of the clouds...
So dramatic!
Pizza in the sky!
As I said, it has been a great weekend. Sunday we went to church, then rested up in the afternoon. We had a great steak dinner in honor of a friend who deployed today, and this morning (Monday) we watched the Superbowl! Burr had the day off, so we enjoyed a traditional Superbowl Brunch. Yum.
So, from wherever you are reading, we hope that all is well. And don't worry, we will take you to Pizza in the Sky when you come!
Grace and Peace,
Rachel
So, from wherever you are reading, we hope that all is well. And don't worry, we will take you to Pizza in the Sky when you come!
Grace and Peace,
Rachel
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Random Facts On My New Home
1. The streets are made of crushed coral and become slippery when wet
2. The key to driving on the other side of the road is to repeat to yourself "left is right" and go with the flow!
3. It's hard to order out of my comfort zone at Japanese restaurants... I have had some measure of success by simply not thinking about what I am about to eat!
4. Watching the Today Show live at 9PM is kind of weird...
5. All of the poultry at the commissary is sold frozen, yet the beef appears to be fresh...
6. We only have ten TV stations... good thing for the writer's strike or I would be seriously bummed about some of the shows I'm missing.
7. In the same vein... although the networks have full episodes of shows on their websites, they are only accessible to viewers in the US.
8. My car is a '98 Diahtsu Terio... purple... so cool!
9. We still don't have a microwave. The dilemma is whether to buy an American one that we can understand but might not work well b/c of voltage issues, or to buy a Japanese one that will work great, but we won't know how to set the timer (b/c all the instructions are in Japanese)!
10. Getting Gabe his food might be a challenge. The website from which we order does not work in Japan... if anyone has an awesome vet who will write you a prescription for some duck and potato dog food... and will then send it to us... that person will be our FAVORITE!
11. I am going through some serious "Friends" withdrawal... yes, I know, it's been off the air for a few years now, but I still always enjoy it in syndication. If anyone wants to hook me up with Seasons 1-10... you would be my FAVORITE!
12. Burr thinks that because we are living in Japan we should do as the Japanese do and remove our shoes as soon as we walk in the door. I have promised to comply as soon as he gets me some UGG slippers!
13. I comply with the shoe rule already. But am still waiting on some slippers.
14. I have seen the sun twice since I have been here... and both times it was beautiful.
15. The rain isn't really that bad... it's actually nice to hear on the roof at night, and most days it's either misty out or just overcast.
16. Gabe and Penny are becoming lazy slobs due to their quarantine.
17. Burr loves flying with his squadron over here.
18. SKYPE is awesome!
19. Gunners Gym on base is quite good. The treadmills are very high-tech (each has a built in TV screen), and I went to a Spinning Class today. (Somehow, I crashed on my stationary bike... it takes special talent!)
20. Burr and I are placing bets on who will be our first visitor. Get your passports and tickets and we'll see who called it right!
Stay tuned for more... as our place comes together, I will post pictures of it. Promise!
Grace and Peace,
Rachel
2. The key to driving on the other side of the road is to repeat to yourself "left is right" and go with the flow!
3. It's hard to order out of my comfort zone at Japanese restaurants... I have had some measure of success by simply not thinking about what I am about to eat!
4. Watching the Today Show live at 9PM is kind of weird...
5. All of the poultry at the commissary is sold frozen, yet the beef appears to be fresh...
6. We only have ten TV stations... good thing for the writer's strike or I would be seriously bummed about some of the shows I'm missing.
7. In the same vein... although the networks have full episodes of shows on their websites, they are only accessible to viewers in the US.
8. My car is a '98 Diahtsu Terio... purple... so cool!
9. We still don't have a microwave. The dilemma is whether to buy an American one that we can understand but might not work well b/c of voltage issues, or to buy a Japanese one that will work great, but we won't know how to set the timer (b/c all the instructions are in Japanese)!
10. Getting Gabe his food might be a challenge. The website from which we order does not work in Japan... if anyone has an awesome vet who will write you a prescription for some duck and potato dog food... and will then send it to us... that person will be our FAVORITE!
11. I am going through some serious "Friends" withdrawal... yes, I know, it's been off the air for a few years now, but I still always enjoy it in syndication. If anyone wants to hook me up with Seasons 1-10... you would be my FAVORITE!
12. Burr thinks that because we are living in Japan we should do as the Japanese do and remove our shoes as soon as we walk in the door. I have promised to comply as soon as he gets me some UGG slippers!
13. I comply with the shoe rule already. But am still waiting on some slippers.
14. I have seen the sun twice since I have been here... and both times it was beautiful.
15. The rain isn't really that bad... it's actually nice to hear on the roof at night, and most days it's either misty out or just overcast.
16. Gabe and Penny are becoming lazy slobs due to their quarantine.
17. Burr loves flying with his squadron over here.
18. SKYPE is awesome!
19. Gunners Gym on base is quite good. The treadmills are very high-tech (each has a built in TV screen), and I went to a Spinning Class today. (Somehow, I crashed on my stationary bike... it takes special talent!)
20. Burr and I are placing bets on who will be our first visitor. Get your passports and tickets and we'll see who called it right!
Stay tuned for more... as our place comes together, I will post pictures of it. Promise!
Grace and Peace,
Rachel
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Hello One and All!!
It has been a long month and a half since I last posted and SO MUCH has happened! I had a great winter in Park City with Burr's family and really enjoyed the snow and skiing. I got to work at Dugin's West for Robert, and enjoyed preparing for and going to different holiday parties and events with Linda and the family. Kristy came out my last week there, and we tore up the slopes and hit Sundance for lunch. It was great fun all around. Mom arrived on the last Saturday there; she, Linda, Kristy and I had a great time snow-shoeing and sightseeing on Sunday before I had to leave on Monday.
Last Friday Gabe, Penny and I made the trip from Seattle, WA to Okinawa, Japan. And, let me say, that without my mom (who traveled with us from Park City to San Diego and saw us of there) and Caroline (who met us in Seattle and saw us off to Japan) I think I would have died! It was so wonderful to spend my last few days in the States with them and to to have their help and support as the stress came crashing down! Gabe and Penny made the trip like seasoned pros, and we are coming up on one full week in our new country!
Burr did a FANTASTIC job finding our home and we are loving being back together and starting our new life! I promise to get some "house" pictures to you soon, but the movers are coming today to deliver the rest of our things, so give me a few more days to pull it all together! In the meantime, enjoy these photos and the new links on the left.
All the Best,
Rachel
It has been a long month and a half since I last posted and SO MUCH has happened! I had a great winter in Park City with Burr's family and really enjoyed the snow and skiing. I got to work at Dugin's West for Robert, and enjoyed preparing for and going to different holiday parties and events with Linda and the family. Kristy came out my last week there, and we tore up the slopes and hit Sundance for lunch. It was great fun all around. Mom arrived on the last Saturday there; she, Linda, Kristy and I had a great time snow-shoeing and sightseeing on Sunday before I had to leave on Monday.
Last Friday Gabe, Penny and I made the trip from Seattle, WA to Okinawa, Japan. And, let me say, that without my mom (who traveled with us from Park City to San Diego and saw us of there) and Caroline (who met us in Seattle and saw us off to Japan) I think I would have died! It was so wonderful to spend my last few days in the States with them and to to have their help and support as the stress came crashing down! Gabe and Penny made the trip like seasoned pros, and we are coming up on one full week in our new country!
Burr did a FANTASTIC job finding our home and we are loving being back together and starting our new life! I promise to get some "house" pictures to you soon, but the movers are coming today to deliver the rest of our things, so give me a few more days to pull it all together! In the meantime, enjoy these photos and the new links on the left.
All the Best,
Rachel
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
