Torii Station- Day 1

Saturday, August 9, 2008

Not long after we arrived on Island, we heard about Torii Station. This was our first real outing on Okinawa! Torii Station is a base here on the West side of the Island, about 20 minutes North of us. It is a small base, but it has a wonderful beach with lots of white sand. A boardwalk stretches down the beach and chairs and umbrellas are available to rent. One of the coolest features of this beach- a water slide. A FREE water slide!

We left for Torii Station on Saturday afternoon. We found it after a few tries- but in getting lost we found another wonderful little beach. (that will have to be another post!)

We arrived at Torii Station excited to give the water slide a try...only to find that the water slide was closed that day due to a "Scheduled Power Outage". Humm.

Moving on to plan B, we checked the beach and decided to try out the water. The boys had been smart enough to bring their snorkel gear so they were all set. The water was WONDERFUL! So nice and warm! I have never been in the ocean so warm, not even in Hawaii. The air and sea temperature were about the same- close to 88 degrees. Matt and David shared their masks with us so we could see under the water and we decided we were definitely coming back the next day, not only try the water slide, but to snorkel too.

David was enthralled with the sea cucumbers- they were EVERYWHERE! We knew a lot about them since he had just done a marine biology report in the sea cucumber. We got to experience their defense measures first hand when one of them spewed sticky white strands all over my hand. (actually cuierian tubules they expel in a process called evisceration) Yucky stuff- Very thin and very strong. Like spider webs on steroids! I had a heck of a time pulling it off my hands




Matt was lucky (??) enough to see a sea snake. (picture from Google Images). I have since seen one...and they do NOT thrill me! They move very quickly through the water. They are poisonous but not supposed to be aggressive- but can be very curious.


We stayed until the sunset, and what a glorious sunset it was! We didn't come out of the water until it was almost dark.

Thank you to all our Veterans

HAPPY VETERANS DAY

Thank you to all our Veterans- those who have served their country and those who continue to serve.

God Bless You All.

Taiko Drummers at Chili's Fest 2008

November 1, 2008

David and I ended up back at Chili's Fest Saturday evening. Matt was meeting a group of friends at Kadena to watch a movie so Mike, David and I decided we would watch the movie too (rather then drop him off, go home, then turn right around and pick him back up.).

All was well through the previews- then the movie started. "Traitor"? I thought the movie was supposed to be "Tropic Thunder"?? We didn't really even check before going in- we went off of what Matt said they were watching. Turns out it was Traitor, which was not a movie David and I wanted to watch (the other kids didn't either, but they stayed anyway). The movie theater folks were nice enough to give us vouchers and David and I went back down the street to Chili's Fest.

We arrived just in time to watch the Taiko Drummers. This was a great group and they put on an awesome 45 minute show.
The drummers put their whole body into drumming- it wonderful to watch.

He is one of the guys who whistles. The whistle was loud enough to be heard clearly over the drums- pretty impressive, if you ask me! He was off the side of the stage and the only reason we could see him was because we were on that side. It was interesting to see how they whistle- the knuckle of their forefinger in the mouth and the rest of the fingers spread across the face.
On YouTube, there is a good example of the whistling (starts about 20 seconds into it). The singing is similar, but different than what we have heard so far here. example of whistling during taiko drummers
or cut and paste: http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=C4-WRSKx6mM&feature=related








This lady had a contagious smile- you couldn't help but smile while you watched her!










Many of the performers were young- but all were energetic.





At the end they invited the audience to come out and join in- even on the huge drum on the stage. Everyone had a great time.


The shisa dogs roamed the crowd, gobbling the unawares...
Here, one of the Shisa performers head off-stage.

After the show, David and I wandered backstage to watch the group gather up and load their stuff. The leader of the group saw us and motioned David over to the Shisa costumes. He took David's camera, arranged the masks, shooed away the people behind him and took a few pictures. So nice! I was very touched! We had been trying to stay out of their way as they cleaned up, but he saw that we were interested in the masks and took it from there. That is so typical of the people here.

After the show David and I hung out while we waited for Mike and Matt be done with the movie. The singer Ashanti was performing next so we thought we would catch a bit of her (even though we didn't really know who she was). Unfortunately, she was running 30 minutes behind schedule. I had a perfect spot just off the stage- but was bummed when they announced "No Photos". You could use your phones to snap photos, but they threatened to stop the show if anyone took pictures. My camera is not exactly inconspicuous so I didn't even try. It was apparently a "Contract Issue" that they do not all photos. Not sure why the photos are such a big deal, especially with the phones and iPhone taking such good photos these days. We stayed just long enough to watch her opening song, then left.

Chili's Fest 2008

Sunday, November 1

Today we went to "Chili's Fest 2008" on Kadena Air Force Base. Although we intended to be there just for an hour or two, we ended up staying most of the day.

The original draw to the Chili's Fest was the $5 for unlimited rides. Now, most of the rides are for little kids, but they did have the Bungee Trampoline and Rock Climbing Wall. At some of the other festivals, it is $10 just for one time on the Bungee Trampoline. We went right after the festival opened at noon and even then had quite a wait. I stood in line for the Bungee while the boys did the Rock climbing.

Here are Matt and David ready to go on the Rock Climbing Wall. Matt wanted to race David to the top...
Matt is going, going, Gone!












David was laughing and having a hard time getting past this section of wall.





After the rock climbing they moved over into the Bungee Jumping line with me. I left them there and Mike and I got in line again so they could jump a second time. It was taking over an hour to get through the line

Here Matt is getting ready to Jump. They adjust the colored bungee bands depending on the weight of the person jumping. David was not that thrilled with the Bungee jumping (the harness really bothered him), so I took his turn the next time through. Fun, but a lot more work than it looks! Unfortunately, as an "old person" (over 35 years old), I was not allowed to do any flips.



Here we are after Matt and I jumped- Matt was giving me a hard time because I got to jump longer then he did. (HeeHee!) Each jump is supposed to be 3 minutes long, but I was already jumping when he got strapped in, and when he got off, I was STILL jumping! I don't know if my jump was long, or if his was just short. (photo compliments of David)



The reason we ended up staying so long is the drawings they were having. Everyone age 13 (sorry David!) and up received a drawing ticked. About every 45 minutes they did a drawing. They were giving away some very cool things- ipods, cameras, ipod docking stations, Coach purses. Of course, you had to be present to win. The teen-agers were in a seperate drawing. Matt was hooked- and they drew the number before his and after his, but alas, not his. He was bummed! SOOOO close so many times. Was still a fun day just relaxing, having lunch at the bowling alley and people watching.

Birthday Time!

November 3, 2008

Happy Birthday Mike!

Mike didn't have much of a birthday- by the time he got home from work the boys and I were gone (Matt's first day of Driver's Ed). He had a nice quiet dinner to himself- although that was probably a treat to eat at home uninterrupted!

When Matt got home from class at 9:00pm we did the cake and candle thing. Carrot Cake- Yumm!

Matt played the Funny Happy Birthday Song (click on this link to hear on YouTube) for us- Mike cracked up! He had never heard it before. I am not sure who sings it, but it was written by Adam Sandler. The words are below.

The boys had to pose with the birthday boy before they were allowed to eat cake- oh, the torture!

Nice to see Mike still has his youthful enthusiasm for gifts!

Once a year we celebrate with stupid hats and plastic plates,
the fact that you were able to make another trip around the sun.
And the whole plan gathers round' gifts and laughter do will bound,
we let out a joyful sound and sing that stupid song. Happy Birthday, now your one year older.

Happy Birthday, your life still isn't over.
Happy Birthday, you did not accomplish much.
But you didn't die this year i guess that's good enough.

So lets drink to your fading health, and hope you don't remind yourself
your chance of finding fame and wealth decrease with every year.
Dose it feel like your doing laps, and eating food and taking naps,
and hoping that some day, perhaps, your life will hold some cheer.

Happy Birthday, what have you done that matters?
Happy Birthday, you're starting to get fatter.
Happy Birthday, it's downhill from now on.

Try not to remind yourself your best years are all gone.

If cryogenics were all free then you could live like Walt Disney and live
for all eternity inside a block of ice.
But instead your time is set this is the only life you get,
and though it hasen't ended yet some times you wish it MIGHT!!
Happy Birthday, you wish you had more money.
Happy Birthday, your lifes so sad it's funny.
Happy Birthday, how much more can you take?

But your friends are hungry so just cut the stupid cake.

Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday, Dear..... (muttering) Ralph, Bill, Graphton, Stanley, Frank, Skippy the Butch Kangroo, Bob, Starts with a G.. G.. Blah! Blah! Blah!

Some Things Never Seem to Change...

CURRENT GAS PRICES
November 3, 2008

Since we have been here in Okinawa, gas prices haven't changed. Apparently the price is set by agreement between the bases and the Japanese Government. They have a complicated formula they use to determine the gas prices, and since we have been here the price has been set at $4.06 for unleaded. It was supposed to readjust in October, but as time rolls on there is no change in sight. Latest news report in the Stars and Stripes stated the price would remain unchanged until at least December.

Apparently the bases here had no problem raising the gas prices weekly when prices were going up, but now they say they are still losing money and they won't be lowering the cost. Japan and Okinawa bases are the only places with the gas prices locked in right now- prices on bases worldwide are dropping rapidly.

Prices at the local gas stations are falling- right now the cost of gas off base is about 111 Yen a liter (or $4.20 a gallon). Before long, we'll be buying our gas off base!

We're very jealous to hear about falling gas prices in the states!

Say It Isn't So!

October 31, 2008

Our eldest is now (GASP!) driving.

Holy Cow- how did he get to be old enough to get behind the wheel???

Matt went in to the Safety Office the morning of Halloween and took the written test for his learners permit. Passed with flying colors. He still has to take the classroom portion before he can get his full license. He starts Driver's Education on Monday. It runs four weeks Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 6:30-9:30PM then driving practice on the weekends- a total of 33 hours of class work and 12 hours of driving. Yikes! November is going to be a tough month for him to balance school, wrestling, scouts AND Driver's Ed. Fortunately, there are a lot of school vacations this month.

For now, he can only drive with the Driver's Ed instructor or myself. He can't drive with Mike until Mike gets his "Letter of Responsibility" signed. The "Letter of Responsibility" just means we take full and total responsibility for anything Matt does while behind the wheel (hummm...did I REALLY want to sign that??)

While we are in Okinawa, Matt can ONLY drive on base. Means he won't be driving much....there just isn't anywhere much to go. Once he gets his drivers license and can drive by himself, he will only be able drive on Camp Lester where we live. To get to any of the other bases, he would have to drive out into town and he won't be able to do that. Here on Lester there just isn't anywhere to go! The Shoppette or Post Office is about it- and that is less than a mile round trip. How exciting!

On the plus side (from a parent's point of view), it means I don't have to worry about him out driving around town and being an irresponsible teenager behind the wheel!