2012 New Year Party

Last week the Sagamihara Friendship ladies hosted the ZaCSA {Zama Community Spouses Association} members to celebrate the new year in proper Japanese fashion.  Last years party was so much fun, I couldn't wait to see what they planned for us this year.  As much as I loved last year, this year was even better.  They completely outdid themselves this year!  The ladies were beautifully dressed in formal Japanese kimonos

the entertainment was amazing

we even got a turn to play 

This was actually my 2nd time getting to play Taiko drums.  I posted a video of me playing the drums last year HERE.

This year I got to play with one of my best friends and it was so much fun! {random side note, I love how my hair looked that day}

After trying Taiko for the 2nd time, I decided that I really enjoy the rush I get while playing and want to take lessons.  One of the ladies is helping me out and I start in 2 weeks! 

 and the food was delicious {as always!}

my friend just emailed me this photo of me digging into all the yummy food!

We played the same bean game as last year {you move different sized beans and peanuts from one bowl to another using chopsticks.  the smaller the bean, the more points they are worth}

 I'm proud to announce that for the 2nd year in a row I was a part of the winning team.  I kind of kick a$$ with chopsticks!

After our yummy lunch and the game, the ladies treated us to a beautiful singing performance

we had time for a few more photos before we had to head back to base

A group photo of all the ZaCSA members who attended

Melissa and me with all of the Friendship Sagamihara ladies {these are the awesome ladies we are blessed to teach on Wednesday's}

and us with this years President an VP, Eriko and Sachiko

On our way back, I had my 1st up close encounter with the protesters that sit outside of our base every Wednesday.  They post signs

and just sit there peacefully.  It's unlike any "protest" I've ever seen before.  I heard a story today that the protesters even call someone on base to let them know when they will be late.  I love that they can get their point across without shouting and violence.

I stopped by the mail room before going home and received the best surprise!

This came from Lauren, my brother-in-law's fiance {the one I have things in common with.  The one who told me about their wedding in person and not via her facebook status.  The one who was considerate enough to tell us way in advance of their plans so that we could plan to be there. The one I was secretly hoping would ask me to be in their wedding!!!!!!}.  I cannot wait!

#homefortheholidays {part 2}

We're back in Japan!  We had such an amazing time at home with family but it really is nice to be HOME!

Here's a brief photo recap of the rest of my trip {in no particular order}

the husband and I on Christmas Eve

My handsome hubby and his brother showing off their high school letter jackets

It isn't a trip home without a ride on the Anderson Ferry.  Some of our family lives in Ohio and some live in Kentucky and there is a ferry that takes you and your vehicle across the Ohio River.  It cuts our drive time in half! {plus Jason's grandfather's cousin owns the ferry, so Jason always gets out to say hi, even in the rain!}

my brothers have this game called Cuponk, it's basically like beer pong with one cup and no beer but it kept the boys entertained for hours!

I got to attend a hockey game with some of my favorite girlfriends

I was so excited to have my husband with me after a week in Cincinnati by myself

I'm not sure if this was Alaska, the North Pole, Russia or what but it was a beautiful sight during my flight back to Japan

On Christmas Eve, we stopped at a gas station for some beverages.  My husband walked out with beer and I decided I wanted OJ, a pickle, gummy bears and some gum.  I swear I'm not pregnant!

Jason ordered his grandmother a potted flower for Christmas, however, when it arrived it was just a pot, 2 bags of dirt and a bulb.  So he and his grandmother planted it together.

we put my brothers gifts {sake and sake glasses} to use immediately  

I got to spend some time with my college BFF during my layover in Detroit.  We don't get to see each other often {the last time was at our big wedding over 2 years ago} so I was very grateful she came to the airport to hang out with me for a bit.  Please excuse my tired look.  This is what happens when I have to wake up a 0330 for a flight!

Jason's brother Nik and his FIANCE!  They waited to tell everyone about their engagement in person and I ruined the surprise more than once.  I SUCK at surprises! 

us on Christmas

celebrating Christmas with my mom, and siblings.  I cannot believe we got such a good photo in so few tries!

I learned how to play and became addicted to a new game

the shirt I bought my husband.  He loves him some LMFAO

We ran into friends we met here in Japan at a casino in Indiana.  We both have family in the same area but didn't think we'd have time to meet up.  Little did we know we'd randomly run into each other!

it hit 63 degrees one day while I was home.   A lot of people were disappointed it wasn't snowing at Christmas time but I was loving the warm weather!

My cousin saw one of our wedding photos on the NBC Nightly news one night.  This is just a screen shot, but you can see the news clip here if you're interested.  It was part of a story about Brides Across America

I FINALLY got to meet our cousin's baby boy, Wyatt, just 2 days before his 1st birthday!  He is the sweetest baby.  I'm so glad we finally got to meet him!

Just thinking about everything we did makes me tired.  Tomorrow we are celebrating NYE at a Japanese Onsen, or hot springs, and I CANNOT WAIT!  It's going to be the perfect day of relaxing.  I can't think of a better way to end 2011.

My favorite holiday is getting close!

My favorite part about Halloween is when it's over!  I'm not a big fan of the holiday and I just see it as one more hurdle to get past before we finally get to my favorite holiday, THANKSGIVING!  Apparently everyone around here has decided to skip straight from Halloween to Christmas this year, I cannot find a single thing Thanksgiving related but they sure do have everything set up for Christmas already!  I'm determined to give Thanksgiving the attention it deserves.

I try so hard every year to wait until Halloween is over before I start my Thanksgiving plans but when I started seeing turkeys and pies on the cover of all my favorite food magazines in the check out aisle I just couldn't resist.  

{all photos courtesy of  Google Images}

I started my plans 2 weeks ago.  Last year I posted two VERY detailed explanations of all the prep work I do for this holiday.  You can read those here and here if you're interested.  I'm warning you though, I go above and beyond , to the point where some may start to call me crazy.  This year I'm hosting two full meals, once on the 16th for about 30-40 Japanese ladies that I {and my friend Melissa} teach English to and once for a bunch of friends on Thanksgiving day.  In between those two full meals, I'm also making stuffing/dressing for a church lunch and a turkey & stuffing/dressing for our unit FRG meeting.  That adds up to 3 turkeys, 4 batches of stuffing/dressing, and 2 servings of each of the sides that go along with the meal, like green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, rolls, pies, etc., all in 9 days.  While most people would see that list and throw in the towel or recruit help, I am super excited about all of the shopping and cooking!  I can't wait to get started!

Anyone else excited about Thanksgiving?!?!?

4th of July Weekend Recap

I haven't enjoyed a 4 day weekend this much in a long time.  Our weekend was filled with the perfect balance of excitement and relaxation.

The 1st day of every month, a Shrine a few towns over has a huge flea market type sale.  They sell a variety of used Japanese goods like kimonos, obis, pottery, and small trinket items.  There is a West Point cadet here TDY for a month and she wanted to pick up a few of these items so some of my neighbors and I took her to the sale on Friday.  It was was crazy hot but a lot of fun looking at all the stuff.  After shopping we had lunch at the TGI Fridays there.

While we were out shopping, Jason spent the morning/afternoon fishing.  He had me convinced to eat this guy for dinner...until I saw it mid-cleaning!  YUCK!  I prefer not to see my food in that stage.

Friday night we went to a local Mexican joint with a bunch of our neighbors.  YUM!
(sorry no photos)

Saturday morning I had an ESL lesson, then Jason and I spent a few hours at the pool over at Atsugi.  Our favorite thing about spending time there, McDonald's fountain soda for me and Baskin Robins ice cream for him.  2 things we can't get on our base

 Then we headed to the 4th of July celebration at a park on our base.  

They had a petting zoo set up and I think that was everyone's favorite part of the afternoon.

 we really miss our "binny pig"

 The kids were fearless around the animals

so were the adults

yes, that's my husband with 3 rats crawling on him!

We had a great time with friends

 found the cheapest form of entertainment ever!

and Jason and I even put on a little show!

There's a bit of a back story to those last 2.  We are both big fans of ska music, so at our wedding, we had the DJ play a song by Reel Big Fish called "Sell Out".  Here we are dancing to this song at our wedding. 

My mom likes to refer to this as "crazy dancing" but it's actually called "skanking".  As you can see, out of  the 200 people at our wedding, there were 6 of us that knew what was going on.  It's one of my most favorite moments from our wedding day, one I will definitely never forget!  So, when the Army band started to play this song on Saturday, I forced my hubby to go out in front of all of Camp Zama (and probably most of Atsugi) and dance with me.  My neighbor was kind enough to snap a few photos of us doing our thing.

After some fun at the park, we returned to our neighborhood where we had a fabulous view of the fireworks from our neighbors house.

Awesome neighbors, Cristy, Melody, myself and Kristin

some of Camp Zama's firework display...

 not to shabby for not having a tripod

We had a great time celebrating America's birthday together

We spent the actual 4th of July relaxing at the pool with some friends.

It was the perfect way to end the long weekend!

(Sorry this turned into the longest blog post ever!)