TP for My Bunghole

One thing that has been quite frustrating here in Japan is figuring out when and where to recycle in our cho (neighborhood). There are weird things like, "on the third Thursday of each month you may drop your tin cans to the recycle center". Of course, all if this information is in Japanese and I often miss the dates and have to cart my recyclables to the Navy base to recycle.

Well, today I was on the ball and understood the notice for the recycle date and time for milk cartons, newspaper, junk mail/flyers, and cardboard (all of which get recycled into toilet paper). ***Side Note: why can the same milk cartons be recycled in Japan and not America???*** This afternoon, I noticed a pretty roll of toilet paper, a gift from the recycle company, sitting on my doorstep.

I just had to share this cheery experience.

Bon Odori

Bon Odori (meaning Bon Dance) is an event held during Obon. It is celebrated as a reminder of the gratefulness one should feel toward one's ancestors. This event is celebrated each year at Aiden's yochien (preschool), and one of our favorite events because everyone dresses in their yukata (women's summer kimono) and jinbei (men's summer kimono). However, Michael and one other Japanese father were the only men to wear jinbei this year!!! All of the classes prepare a choreographed dance to go along with traditional music during this festival. Here is a picture of Aiden doing the dance with his handmade fan!!!

Aiden's Homeschooling

Aiden learning his new word, "see", in homeschool with Daddy.

Aiden reviewing "like" with Daddy in homeschool.

10th Anniversary

We had our 10th Anniversary on June 19th, 2009. Barbara and Michael went on a little vacation to Obama-Cho in Unzen, Japan; a city known for it's volcanically fed hot springs. The whole city was filled with venting steam. Often little stone kiosks sat along the street fed with the hot spring water and eggs. Of course, we had to buy a few "naturally" boiled eggs. This visit included a trip to see the volcano, in between the many many dips in the onsen and some fine dining.

Kay's visit in April

In April, Grandma Kay came for a visit for a week. We did so much while she was here. She had some cooking lessons with our neighbor, Noriko; went on a hike in Ryumon Valley; visited the beautiful Shirohama Beach; took a look at the famous 99 Islands; shopped at Yonka Cho and the fresh food market; and a million other things. It seems like we did so much in such a short time! It was a wonderful visit!!!