View of Rainbow Bridge
Thursday, January 9, 2014
Tokyo Tower
Tokyo Tower has not really been high on my priority list of things to do here in Tokyo. I really am not sure why, I think mainly I was slightly irritated with the Japanese for trying to duplicate the Eiffel Tower in Tokyo of all places. The Eiffel Tower is for Paris. Period. But when Skytree has a rumored 4 hour wait to go up, Tokyo Tower starts to sound pretty good as an alternate during Golden Week. So after we went to the market we decided to go up the tower, and I really enjoyed it. I guess when expectations are low, it couldn't help but please.
Always the goof ball
Gorgeous Japanese maple on December 30th!
Us....
Andrew and his mom
family comes to visit!
This Christmas was a tough one. Back in Ohio I have oft complained of having to go and do so much in such a short amount of time over those few days. This year, was the complete opposite. We had zero places we had to be, and though I would have to admit it was rather nice to lounge around in our pajamas all day, we felt a keen sense of loneliness all day.
We did however, have the visit of Andrews mother and sister Suzanne to look forward to on the 28th. We were so excited to have our very first visitors here in Japan! I fear we may have done a little too much, with not enough down time, but they did not complain, and we loved loved loved having them here for 10 days.
Knowing what to do with them here during Golden Week, Japans biggest holiday, was a real challenge. Most decent restaurants, museums, many parks etc. are all closed so the Japanese can spend time with family and go to the shrine to pray for the new year.
Our first excursion into the city brought us to the worlds largest fish market Tsukiji. The market was due to be closed for the next 5 days, so I was thrilled to get there on the last day it was open for the year. The sight of the many kinds of fresh fish, and other seafood and the busy atmosphere of scooters, trucks, sellers and buyers hurrying around, make Tsukiji a very fascinating place to observe Tokyo life.
Molly complained the ENTIRE time about the smell, and made her displeasure known to anyone who would listen to her strong dislike of fish. Visiting was difficult with the children, but it was a place I would love to return to.
A VERY busy place
The remnants
Blue Fin Tuna
These sell for thousands each day
Upon leaving we explored the surrounding neighbourhood a bit and found this great little pottery shop. I purchased some Japanese style teacups which I have been needing. Green Tea here we come!
A huge selection....
Purchases made, on we went to Tokyo Tower!
We did however, have the visit of Andrews mother and sister Suzanne to look forward to on the 28th. We were so excited to have our very first visitors here in Japan! I fear we may have done a little too much, with not enough down time, but they did not complain, and we loved loved loved having them here for 10 days.
Knowing what to do with them here during Golden Week, Japans biggest holiday, was a real challenge. Most decent restaurants, museums, many parks etc. are all closed so the Japanese can spend time with family and go to the shrine to pray for the new year.
Our first excursion into the city brought us to the worlds largest fish market Tsukiji. The market was due to be closed for the next 5 days, so I was thrilled to get there on the last day it was open for the year. The sight of the many kinds of fresh fish, and other seafood and the busy atmosphere of scooters, trucks, sellers and buyers hurrying around, make Tsukiji a very fascinating place to observe Tokyo life.
Molly complained the ENTIRE time about the smell, and made her displeasure known to anyone who would listen to her strong dislike of fish. Visiting was difficult with the children, but it was a place I would love to return to.
Upon leaving we explored the surrounding neighbourhood a bit and found this great little pottery shop. I purchased some Japanese style teacups which I have been needing. Green Tea here we come!
Purchases made, on we went to Tokyo Tower!
Sunday, December 22, 2013
Showa at night
Showa Kinen park was one of the very first places I ventured to off base with the children back in July. Since then we have gone back numerous times and have always had a wonderful time exploring and finding something else unique to enjoy about this place. Winter has been almost nowhere to be seen here in Japan and I have really struggled to get into the 'Christmas spirit'. When I heard Showa did a Christmas light display It did not take much convincing in my mind to go see what they had to offer. This is what we found.
Tree of candles
Yup, Audrey was tired!
This was a maze for the children....the highlight
She was cold and miserable and extremely unhappy hot chocolate was
reflection
nowhere to be found!
We loved what we found!
its these things
When we moved to Japan as is the obvious I knew no one. The sense of overwhelming loneliness hit me almost as soon as we walked off the plane. I was a stranger in a strange land. But I am so incredibly thankful that the Lord has given me some truly wonderful friends. Not just surface friends, but lifelong friends that I can share my joys and my struggles, laughter and tears. I could never have dreamed this possible, and I am so very thankful for this.
One of these woman, Heather and I try to walk each Monday and Thursday as the weather and schedules allow. We walk about half of the perimeter of the flight line (the runway all the planes take off and land from). She also has a little girl 3 years of age, and pushing her double stroller we set off. It feels so good to get the walk in, to hear the little girls chatting and giggling, to watch the planes take off and land and to admire in awe the magnificent Mount Fuji in the distance. But what I appreciate most is our talks about the Lord. We share what we have been enjoying, and what we need prayer for with our children and husbands. She challenges me and holds me accountable and as I walk home with Audrey after we have completed our walk I feel refreshed and encouraged.
The Lord has been so good to me here, this is just one of too many to count!
Audrey and Sidney starting out
Audrey and Sidney upon our return
One of these woman, Heather and I try to walk each Monday and Thursday as the weather and schedules allow. We walk about half of the perimeter of the flight line (the runway all the planes take off and land from). She also has a little girl 3 years of age, and pushing her double stroller we set off. It feels so good to get the walk in, to hear the little girls chatting and giggling, to watch the planes take off and land and to admire in awe the magnificent Mount Fuji in the distance. But what I appreciate most is our talks about the Lord. We share what we have been enjoying, and what we need prayer for with our children and husbands. She challenges me and holds me accountable and as I walk home with Audrey after we have completed our walk I feel refreshed and encouraged.
The Lord has been so good to me here, this is just one of too many to count!
Sunday, December 8, 2013
snowflakes and sugarplum fairies
Our little Molly is a girlie girl. She can hold her own against her brothers just fine, and can let her point be heard loud and clear. But however, she loves nothing more than to wear skirts and dresses, sparkly shoes, and to twirl and dance all over. Oddly though if I dare try to brush out those inevitable tangles that come with being a girl, she would be more than happy to sport the birds nest look. Sigh.
So you can imagine her delight when I told her we had signed her and Audrey up for ballet. The shrieks and giggles could be heard for miles and we counted down for that first class for no less than 4 weeks. An eternity to her. So every Friday they eagerly pace the floor until its time to go, and for 45 minutes she twirls and spins as Ms. Christi instructs them.
The girls have been practicing on their first recital, and this past Saturday was the big day. Audrey was a little sugar plum fairy and Molly a dancing snowflake. It was their special day. Wearing their tutu dresses, having their hair done, even wearing sparkly lip gloss and eye shadow was almost more than they could take. I will never forget their shining eyes that day...I love my little ballerinas.
So you can imagine her delight when I told her we had signed her and Audrey up for ballet. The shrieks and giggles could be heard for miles and we counted down for that first class for no less than 4 weeks. An eternity to her. So every Friday they eagerly pace the floor until its time to go, and for 45 minutes she twirls and spins as Ms. Christi instructs them.
The girls have been practicing on their first recital, and this past Saturday was the big day. Audrey was a little sugar plum fairy and Molly a dancing snowflake. It was their special day. Wearing their tutu dresses, having their hair done, even wearing sparkly lip gloss and eye shadow was almost more than they could take. I will never forget their shining eyes that day...I love my little ballerinas.
Friday, November 29, 2013
Thanksgiving
So last weekend we celebrated our first Thanksgiving in Japan. This was also our first major holiday without family, and I was dreading the homesickness that I knew was inevitable. This holiday though, is about being thankful and the many blessings the Lord has given us and I need to remember that more often.
Andrew and I decided to invite our friends from the Tokyo assembly to celebrate with us. Though they do not celebrate here as we do, we wanted them to know how very thankful we are for them and the fellowship and kindness they continually show. The actual day of thanksgiving was obviously not a good day for them, so we decided on the weekend before. They arrived with incredible gifts (you always bring a gift if you ever visit anyone here) flowers, chocolates, soaps, appetizers, cheeses and even gifts for the children. The turkey was photographed dozens of times (they don't eat turkey in Japan) and they really seemed to enjoy it and all the trimmings. I am very glad we had them over. The language barrier is always difficult, but with a shared love of Christ and what he had done for us it overcomes all barriers.
I do hope this becomes our yearly tradition.
Andrew and I decided to invite our friends from the Tokyo assembly to celebrate with us. Though they do not celebrate here as we do, we wanted them to know how very thankful we are for them and the fellowship and kindness they continually show. The actual day of thanksgiving was obviously not a good day for them, so we decided on the weekend before. They arrived with incredible gifts (you always bring a gift if you ever visit anyone here) flowers, chocolates, soaps, appetizers, cheeses and even gifts for the children. The turkey was photographed dozens of times (they don't eat turkey in Japan) and they really seemed to enjoy it and all the trimmings. I am very glad we had them over. The language barrier is always difficult, but with a shared love of Christ and what he had done for us it overcomes all barriers.
I do hope this becomes our yearly tradition.
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