This was my first bash with the wives. Usually in the fall there is a Badman Ball that is rumored to be a ton of fun. Because of the change in schedule with the George Washington it had to be canceled. Instead of not doing anything, Marietta, CAG's wife decided to throw a Bad Girl Ball. Each squadron had a different theme. We were the Charlie's Angels (there are just three of us). It was so much fun and a great way to meet everyone. I had a hard time remembering everyone the next day when they were out of costume.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Bad Girl Ball
This was my first bash with the wives. Usually in the fall there is a Badman Ball that is rumored to be a ton of fun. Because of the change in schedule with the George Washington it had to be canceled. Instead of not doing anything, Marietta, CAG's wife decided to throw a Bad Girl Ball. Each squadron had a different theme. We were the Charlie's Angels (there are just three of us). It was so much fun and a great way to meet everyone. I had a hard time remembering everyone the next day when they were out of costume.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
ICR Field Trip
For sort of the finale of our ICR (inter-cultural relations) class we planned an unguided field trip. Chad and I wanted to go somewhere that the girls wouldn't be interested in since they were in school. We decided to go to the Ginza District of Tokyo. This is an area that is supposed to be similar to 5th Ave in NYC. We are now pros at the train system.
Above is a major cross walk. Right now it is not crowded, but often the whole street is packed with people during rush hour.
This is Chuo "Ave" that has several high end department stores. One thing we have learned is that since most streets in Japan are not named it is very difficult to find address. Most directions tend to be "turn at the 7-11 and then turn left at the Panchanco place". It is very hard to find places.
Above is a major cross walk. Right now it is not crowded, but often the whole street is packed with people during rush hour.
This is Chuo "Ave" that has several high end department stores. One thing we have learned is that since most streets in Japan are not named it is very difficult to find address. Most directions tend to be "turn at the 7-11 and then turn left at the Panchanco place". It is very hard to find places.
First Grade...New School
Sorry the focus is so bad on this picture. Lauren started school on Monday. She has a male teacher, Mr. Anton. She has declared him sweet b/c he calls everyone "honey". She loves her new school, new teacher and especially the new playground.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Claustrophobia Setting In
We have never lived on base and right now we are living there but not in a house...in a hotel room. We don't have a car and are relying on our great sponsor, Joey to show us around. Chad and the girls and I had to get out today to do some exploring. So...we set out for Tokyo. There is a ton to see in that massive city, but today we went to the Imperial Palace and Asakusa.
Here are the girls waiting on our first train ride.
The Imperial Palace is the main residence of the Emperor of Japan. It is only open to the public 2 days a year, today not being one of them. They have beautiful gardens to walk around and is an oasis in this large concrete city. The girls loved watching the fish and swans in the moats. They also had a fantastic fountain garden.
Here is one of the old guardhouses (Obansho).
After the Imperial Palace we hopped back on the metro and went to Asakusa (pronounced Asocksa) where there is the oldest Temple in Japan. We first stopped for lunch at this Tempura place that we read about. Again, Lauren loved her meal and Allie ate sticky rice. Allie did like the custard for dessert. Chad and I both thought the food was delicious. It is so much more fun to eat at out in town than on base. At the entrance to the Temple area is a long street that has tons of shops. The girls loved the ice cream shop. They got grape and citron (lemon), but there were many more interesting varieties to choose from.
After the ice cream treat we went to the main temple. They were burning incense and washing their hands in water. Many traditions that we didn't understand, but just stared and gawked.
This below is the 5-story pagoda.
We had a very fun day today and learned a lot. And it was then nice to get back to our small slice of America on base.
Here are the girls waiting on our first train ride.
The Imperial Palace is the main residence of the Emperor of Japan. It is only open to the public 2 days a year, today not being one of them. They have beautiful gardens to walk around and is an oasis in this large concrete city. The girls loved watching the fish and swans in the moats. They also had a fantastic fountain garden.
Here is one of the old guardhouses (Obansho).
After the Imperial Palace we hopped back on the metro and went to Asakusa (pronounced Asocksa) where there is the oldest Temple in Japan. We first stopped for lunch at this Tempura place that we read about. Again, Lauren loved her meal and Allie ate sticky rice. Allie did like the custard for dessert. Chad and I both thought the food was delicious. It is so much more fun to eat at out in town than on base. At the entrance to the Temple area is a long street that has tons of shops. The girls loved the ice cream shop. They got grape and citron (lemon), but there were many more interesting varieties to choose from.
After the ice cream treat we went to the main temple. They were burning incense and washing their hands in water. Many traditions that we didn't understand, but just stared and gawked.
This below is the 5-story pagoda.
We had a very fun day today and learned a lot. And it was then nice to get back to our small slice of America on base.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Sushi
For lunch today we walked out the front gate (no license or car yet) to get lunch at this little sushi place. I have to say that we were treated so nicely...almost like royalty. The little man down at the end of the bar (you can see the back of his head) was very interested in watching us eat. Allie is not a fan of sushi so we were a little afraid of how she would do. They gave her and Lauren both "American potato salad" which was very delicious. Much better than most potato salads I have had in the US. They also fixed Allie a bowl of sticky rice and the sushi chef cut her up the most amazing pear we have ever tasted. Once he knew that Lauren loved sushi he fixed her a special avocado roll (i.e. California roll). He was very impressed that she loved his sushi. They didn't even charge us for any of the extras that they fixed for the girls. They had a tank of fish in corner that he used for some of the sushi. It was so nice to get off base and have such an enjoyable lunch.
Here Lauren in enjoying her bowl of miso soup.
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