Top No No's in Japan

I was supposed to hit up some hot springs and waterfalls on Sunday, but unfortunately they've canceled it due to the cold and wet weather forecast. I mean, in my opinion, we'll be in HOT springs, so does it really matter. It would be just like that time a bunch of us were all toasty in the hot tub while snow flakes froze in our hair. Oh well...can't keep me down. I went to the library and checked out some guidebooks. So it will be me, my camera, extra batteries and Footloose in Tokyo this weekend. Just so you are familiar with some ground rules if you do the right thing and visit Mark and me in Japan, here's a quick lesson.

1) Do not blow your nose in public (i guess the sleeve will have to do)
2) Do not wear shoes in the house
3) Do not say your mom is pretty (you should actually refute this and say no, she's not!) Actually the rule of the thumb is to deny all compliments. It can't wait to test this one out. I'll compliment some random people on the train tomorrow and report back on their responses. Just for the record, Mom, you are very pretty.
4) Never use soap in the bathtub, it is for soaking only. Oh, and save the water so more than one person can use it (ha, that seems oddly familiar). You wash in the shower.
5) Get a room! No PDA in this country
6) When you offer someone something and they say no thanks, offer them again! Japanese always say no thanks to be polite but will accept it after the second or third offer. (& visa versa)
7) Never start eating w/o first saying Itadakimasu [ee tah dah kee mah soo] which means, 'I humbly recieve this food'
8) When finished eating always say Gochisosama [goh chee suhh sah mah] 'it was a great feast' to neglect either of the two statements is considered very rude

Now that you've been properly schooled in how not to look like a that American you're ready to experience the land of bicycles, scooters, and crazy vending machines..i'm not lying check it out. you can get hot and cold beverages!

The Meiji Shrine (may-jee)

I finally got a good taste of the Japanese culture. To commemorate Veteran's Day I decided to head to a Shinto Shrine to give thanks for those in my family who fought/ are fighting for the freedom to be in Japan as an American. The Meiji Shrine was established by Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken during their reign from 1852-1914. The Shinto religion values harmony with nature and other virtues. This particular shrine pays respect to "Magokoro" or sincere heart. As I walked through the gardens and under the Torii (gates) I focused on the sentiment, 'thy will be done'. Although I've got many goals and aspirations (not to mention business ideas and ways to make money) I always ask the Lord to use me as he sees fit. When things are not going my way, I have faith that life is progressing as it is because, "thy will be done". There is a purpose for the experiences we have, the struggles we face, the losses we overcome. Free will is alive and flourishing for all individuals, but the things we cannot control is because 'thy will be done'. So with a sincere heart I payed my respect to this beautiful place.

Before entering the Shrine it is appropriate to cleanse your person and to put your mind at ease. This is done by using the dipper to first rinse your left hand, then rinse your right hand, then rinse your mouth from water in your hand. Then raise the dipper so the rest of the water drizzles down the handle, ready it for the next person.

The other ritual that was very specific was how to pray inside the main shrine. When you approach the fence it is customary to throw coins into the offering tray. I saw one very distraught, grieving girl pour in what looked like her entire piggy bank while wiping back tears. I hope that her heart feels better after lifting up her prayers to the Shinto divinity. After tossing in coins you are to then stand facing the alter area (don't know the real name of it) and bow twice while saying your prayer. Clap twice to show your prayer is finished and bow once more. It was very moving to watch men and women, young and old carry out this ritual. Every individual in this life has struggles, needs strength in tough times and has things for which to be thankful. Seeing how another culture shows their respect reminds me that there is more than one way to do this. There is no one right way, one right religion. We all ask for courage and strength throughout our lives despite the corner of earth we inhabit.

I hope your Veterans day was as peaceful as mine. Love to all.

Check out our new diggs!!

Oh yea, oh yea, oh yea---if you can't tell, I'm doing the, We got ourselves a house, dance. That's right- a cute 2 or 3 bedroom (depending on what we want to make the third room) Japanese styled house about a 15 minute train ride from base. I took this picture from a picture so the quality isn't great. You can't really see the bottom floor but there is a little garden area with a patio that goes into the downstairs behind the wall. The yard isn't very wide (like all things Japanese) but has great landscaping with a pagoda statue and some fruit trees. We've even got our own driveway which is a huge plus since the streets are so narrow. There is no way the truck would have fared very well. It is in a quiet and safe neighborhood on the top of a hill in Ikedacho. Mark's trek will be very short to the Kitakurihama train station (it's a pretty steep slope so he won't even have to pedal if he uses a bike). Coming home will be a different story all uphill, but it's not far at all. The scooter will surely come in handy. We move in on the 24th, just in time for Thanksgiving. Instead of the first month's rent and security deposit given up front, it is standard in Japan to provide the first months rent, the security deposit of equal value, an owners fee and an agent's fee. Good thing we're thrifty spenders cause I'll have to hand over $7,490 dollars cash (749,000 Yen) as soon as the paperwork is signed. Don't worry we'll get this back in moving allowance. We could have taken out an interest free loan from Mark's command but it would have added weeks to the process. So what do you think? Ready to book your flight? The stove, refrigerator, and washer/dryer can be rented from the base for the duration of our stay at no cost. They also provide beds and other furniture for the first 90 days while we find our own furnishings. I'm looking forward to picking up some authentic pieces for decorating. Although, the old standard Ikea down the highway is tempting.

Not much else has gone on today. I did meet up with another wife from the ship, Nicole. She and her husband have been here for three months. She picked me up to go to Starbucks but before we even got 200 yards from the lodge we got pulled over for going 33km in a 25km. I'm proud to say it wasn't my fault. They're very strict. To top it off when she moved the car from drive to park it made a horrible sound. One I heard before, not too long ago on a dirt road in Aruba. I was like, uh oh, that sounded like the transmission. Sure enough, that puppy was done. Good times- always interesting. Tomorrow everything is closed to celebrate Veterans day so I will be headed off base to check out more sights. Miss you all.

In the minority

I think I can imagine how a Tampa Bay Ray's fan might have felt in Citizen's Bank during the World Series. A quick and subtle YES whenever their team scored a run or the Phillies made an error. That's how election day was for me on base. With every blue state added to the board I could feel the tension rise for those McCain fans out there. Well, I heard it too. There is a court yard with a playground outside the entrance of the Lodge. I'll go out there once and a while to check out who's who and see if any connections can be made. Wednesday mornings conversations were full of frustrations, intolerance, and contradictions. One lady can't stand elitism and doesn't understand how people don't see through Obama. I didn't get into it that McCain was born into a family of Admirals and Naval Academy grads with money and power galore. Nor did I correct her when she stated that Al-Qaeda and Saddam were in cahoots long before 9/11. Again, I didn't have the patience to explain that Saddam was a secular ruler who gased the Shiite population (the more fundamentalist crowd that Osama was sympathetic toward). Needless to say, I'm looking forward to living off base so I can explore another way of life, another way of thinking, another way of looking at America. Talking with the Japanese real estate agent the other day made me realize how much ordinary citizens in other countries look to the United States to lead. He said, hopefully Japan can accept change and move forward like the Americans. We needed the victory of Obama to reestablish ourselves as a strong, resilient, and rational people. We needed to show the world that we are not stuck in ways of the past and we can be the change for the future when the world needs it.

After the housing brief the other day I decided to venture out and see what Mark will face daily when we live off base. Everyone talks about the heavy traffic-- even living as close as 10 miles from base can turn into an hour trek in a vehicle (which we might end up getting). If it weren't for the year waiting list to get on base- I was almost tempted to be even closer to Uncle Sam. Then I came to my senses- the train! It could be a place to catch a few more shut eyes for my man as he ventures out in the early morning, as long as he doesn't get caught up in one of his daredevil dreams and miss his stop (anyone see this happening?). The trains are really efficient in Japan--that is if you know what you're doing. With my adventurous spirit and sense of humor in tow, I decided to try them out.

It went something like this. Ah, Americans, yes! "Excuse me can you tell me where the train station is?" Oh sure, take a left at the Gulf Gas Station and just keep going til you hit the overpass, you can't miss it. As i walked down the street the only thing i understood was a sign for a Coach store- dude, what were we thinking, Japan!! After about a half mile I got to the station. I climbed the stairs like a champ and then froze. Again, what were we thinking! Oh get over it I actually said out loud- if others do it so can I. So in that moment I cautiously approached the ticketing machines and busted out my trusty map. I looked for a town up north and then tried to find it on the train schedule. I glanced down at the map and up again at the schedule-- Aunt weeze, you know that face you make when you're trying hard to find something or read something that you can't quite get- you know, when you pucker your lips and crunch your nose and squint your eyes-- that was me:). I think I laughed at myself a few times during this, how difficult can it be stage. I consulted this map and that map for a good 10 minutes before I saw him- Yes, another American!

Thank goodness for Brenden. A dead give away was his navy shirt so I knew i was in the clear. "hey buddy! Can you help me out-how does this ticket thing work?" 'Well, where you headed,' he asked. "Uh, where you going.' I replied. He looked confused. "it's my first day off base, i just got here on monday night" i quickly added. He smiled.

So Brenden bought me a ticket and gave me the lowdown and I jumped on his train. we were headed north. Good enough for me. He transfered at the second station but made sure I had the name of the station where I would exit. I ended up going up to Tokyo and transferring to another train- another adventure in itself. But the sights were awesome and I got a better idea of how Mark may fare by using the train. A couple hours later I was on my way back down to Yokosuka. Of course I accidentally took a different train than I was planning on getting-- another scenic route. But I ended up getting back at the Station nonetheless. A day of riding trains and taking in the sights was a great way to stay awake and not give in to the jet lag demon. So check out the video..its a quick glimpse of how slender and close the houses are....its like this as far as you can see for as long as i was on the train. Enjoy and hopefully you'll see this for yourself when you visit-ahem, Marrianne :)

San Diego is so last week!

So after a short 11 hours on a plane, we're now in the land of sushi, crazy vending machines, Mt. Fuji and bicycles. Konichiwa, Japan!! Mark has gone on to meet the USS COWPENS in Guam and I'm staying at the Navy Lodge on base t0 go through some housing briefs to get situated. Jet lag has been a pain, but I have to admit, I give into it like that mom with the annoying kid at the grocery store that throws something off the shelf into the kids mouth to shut him or her up. A five hour nap yesterday could be the reason why I've been wide awake since 2am. Nonetheless, I am enjoying every minute of new discoveries. Its almost like having the innocence of a child again. Everything is new and exciting. I got my first Konichiwa from the Japanese bus driver as I boarded the Clockwise bus going to Purdy Fitness Center. I smiled pretty big, you know that one where my cheeks get like a chipmunk. Even though I increased my bus ride by 30 minutes (the counterclockwise route would have been faster to the gym) I got to see the whole base. It's got a very tight community feel to it. More pics to come on that. I grabbed some groceries after the gym and threw them in my bookbag for the walk back to the Lodge. It's so cool to see all the bikes lined up at the different buildings and there are scooters galore- score, we made a good call on that one! The base is pretty hilly and very green. The water is pretty clear but cold. I saw some fish jump on my 6am discovery walk yesterday. The MWR (morale, welfare, and recreation) office offers tons of tours and activities to do while we're here. Mark would be disappointed to know we just missed a international fishing tournament- but i'm sure there'll be more. I'm hoping to get into some aerobics classes, language classes, and some kind of marital arts- if only for the social aspect of it. There are so many cool sights and sounds, it's hard to fit them all on one post, so more to come in the days and months ahead. Stay tuned. Miss you all and keep in touch!!

Sayonara USA

I've watched some peaceful sunrises creep into the sky over the Atlantic, but watching the sun setting into the sea brings out colors that soothes the soul to the core. Since the last post Mark and I conquered the seals during our deep sea fishing trip (if you're not quick enough pulling up your fish, they will make sure you only reel in a fish head), checked out the animals at the zoo, petted some stingrays at Sea World, and watched the Phillies win the World Series!! Oh yea, we even paid to smash plates, vases, and mugs at Sara's Smash Shack (an angry broad who channeled her energy and now gets others to break stuff too). Don't worry, there's hardly any waste in this, the shards of pottery are used in mosaic projects for elementary schools. AND I was able to meet up with some great friends in LA for a few days. Thanks Jonathan and Natalie...keep on living the dream!

ain't nature grand

Mark and I set off on our first Cali adventure yesterday after he got back from school. Snacks were packed, cameras charged, and two east coasters were ready to take in the sights of California's southern coast. With my co-pilot and soon to be navigator equipped with our trusty map we hugged the winding coastline from downtown San Diego up to the rocky coastline of La Jolla. This picture shows the sea lions basking on the beach, in their natural habitat. so much better than a zoo. as they shimmied in and out of the water on- lookers gazed in amazement with smiles on their faces.

practicing for the big one

Mark and I have logged quite a few hours of travel time in the past two weeks. we see it as practice for the long flight ahead of us. last week around this time we were soaking in the warm sun and pristine surf of Aruba. Sarina and Mike's wedding was magical. Witnessing them exchange vows under a setting orange sun with waves softly lapping just feet away gave me goosebumps throughout the ceremony. Mark and I couldn't stop smiling at each other as we were reminded of what it means to marry your best friend. we are so excited for them to take on life together as husband and wife- teammate and companion. our trip was amazing and could only have been topped if we were there an extra day:)

we got home just in time for the movers to help us transform our home back into a house-- so much for simplicity- they packed and moved an estimated 5,000 pounds worth of household goods- and a lifetime worth of memories. well, considering we were allowed up to 13,000 lbs, i'd say we did okay after all.

otherwise, we'd never have known

it's funny what becomes second nature when you learn to exist in a new place. despite the english language, the atlantic ocean, the PBR, and the wawa's, Norfolk is surely not Florence. It's not even Philly for that matter. two years ago when mark and i crossed the mason dixon line i didn't anticipate the culture shock that would ensue. there was a sudden absense of honking horns on the interstate and the zippy checker outters at the grocery store (or any store for that matter). as if the south's lifestyle wasn't enough to get used to, we also enterd one of the largest military meccas in the world. Home of the Atlantic Fleet, Norfolk is a conglomerate of people coming and people going. Not until mark and i coached a local rec soccer team did I meet someone born and raised-Norfolk style. just like at one time it i had become immune to the roosters and donkeys and dogs incessant chatter on the islands, nowadays it's nothing to have your chest (and sometimes furniture) reverberate daily from big metal birds zooming not so high above your head. You tell me. How many times have we been on the phone and i've had to ask you to hold on cause a E-2 Hawkeye, C130 plane or F-16 fighter jet was making you sound like that teacher off of Charley Brown? "What's that you say?- hold on a minute. all i hear is 'wah wah wah wah wah'--I can't understand a word." so it got me to athinking to put a little twist on a devious little game. "If not for Norfolk, never would i have ever...." First off, i would have never learned the authentic, true way to prounounce the city---Nawfuk..so all you who come down here pronouncing your Rs and LKs--- you my as well have Yank tattoed on your forehead.

so if not for norfolk, i never would have...crossed the chesapeake bay bridge so much! smelled the crape myrtle tree, learned the story behind the odd lady who religiously hoollah hoops on granby st, eaten so much crab and done so much fishing. never would i have learned the struggles of this city's homeless or spent time with some of the city's lost youth. never would i have felt the joys and frustrations of being a soccer coach. the jaycees would have been just some cultish clique. never would i have witnessed the love and care a mother can have for her son with disabilities; the patience she has shown and the small wins she embraces. She has reminded us what is really important in life. the love for each other. the thristy camel and the redneck pier helped break the waiting for mark to come home from deployment. but most of all, the people i have met and their love of life that inspires.