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2. You may have noticed a change in the layout of the blog. I thought the travel theme was a bit more appropriate! Hope you enjoy it!
Monday, June 21, 2010
Happy Mother's Day and Happy Father's Day from FIS Kindergarteners!
We celebrated Mother's Day with a Mother's Day Tea Party! The children were wonderful hosts and hostesses and the mother's loved being treated like queens!
We celebrated Father's Day with Doughnuts for Dads. The kids loved reading books with their fathers and serving them doughnuts and coffee. The fathers appreciated a treat before work!
Mother's Day photos...
We celebrated Father's Day with Doughnuts for Dads. The kids loved reading books with their fathers and serving them doughnuts and coffee. The fathers appreciated a treat before work!
Father's Day photos...
Thank you to all of the Moms and Dads in the world for all that you do!!!
Dad and Beth Visit Japan! (Part 4 of 4) Back in Fukuoka
Dad and Beth enjoyed traveling in and around Kyoto during the week while we worked. We were all so glad to be reunited on Friday night!!! Now it was our turn to really show them around our home away from home which they seemed to love! The trip flew by and we were so sad to see them go. I tried not to cry but couldn't hold back! Thanks for coming and having a great time! We sure did! Love you and miss you!!!
Highlights of being back in Fukuoka...
- yakitori at Ichi
- Beth's birthday...presents in bed
- bike tour of Fukuoka including the Fish Market, Maizuru Park, Ohori-koen, the Japanese garden inside Ohori-koen, Fukuoka Tower, and Momochi Beach
- birthday cake for Beth from a beautiful bakery
- birthday karaoke with friends at Sound Village
- Hakozaki Flea Market
- Sushi Den with Max, Yuri, and other friends
- more ramen at Ipudo with Andrew...last meal for Dad and Beth in Japan :(
- relaxing and looking at photos from the trip
Photos of being back in Fukuoka...
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Dad and Beth Visit Japan! (Part 3 of 4) Miyajima
After spending a wonderful, sunny day in Hiroshima on Saturday, the four of us took the ferry to nearby Itsukushima on Sunday, also known as Miyajima, "The Shrine Island." Miyajima is known for it's "floating" torii gate. The torii gate looks like it's floating because it is in the water. You can walk out to it at low tide, though.
Highlights of Miyajima...
- sakura
- deer
- oysters for lunch at Yakigaki-no-hayashi
- the "floating" torii and Itsukushima Shrine
- a Japanese wedding procession at the Shrine
- ropeway up to Mt. Misen...Beth was terrified!
- hiking down Mt. Misen...Dad was a trooper!!! There were several moments when I thought I wasn't going to make it!
- yummy snacks in the shape of maple leaves filled with cheese, chocolate, pudding, etc. called Momiji manjū
Tim and I left Dad and Beth in Miyajima where they stayed at a lovely ryokan. They continued to travel in and around Kyoto during the week while Tim and I headed back to Fukuoka to work. They had a great time but we missed them while they were traveling!
Photos of Miyajima...
Dad and Beth Visit Japan! (Part 2 of 4) Hiroshima
After school ended on Friday, Dad, Beth, Tim, and I headed for Hiroshima and Miyajima for the weekend. We had a wonderful time sightseeing and eating in Hiroshima on Saturday. Couldn't have had better weather! Though Hiroshima was emotional, I thought it was important for us to see as Americans.
Highlights of Hiroshima...
- Dad's and Beth's first trip on the Shinkansen
- yakiniku
- great views from our hotel, The Grand Prince Hiroshima
- Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Atomic Bomb Dome or A-Bomb Dome)
- sakura (cherry blossoms) and hanami (flower viewing) parties...The cherry blossoms peaked just as we arrived!
- Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
- Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
- Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims
- losing Dad at the park! We found him but it was an adventure! :-)
- Hiroshima style okonomiyaki at Okonomi-mura (27 different okonomiyaki restaurants!)
- morning walk along the water
Photos of Hiroshima...
Dad and Beth Visit Japan! (Part 1 of 4) Fukuoka
I was beyond excited that Dad and Beth were coming to visit in April! I was like a little girl on Christmas morning. I couldn't wait to show them around my new home. When they arrived I gave them big hugs and our visit of a lifetime began! They embraced every bit of the Japanese culture. They couldn't get enough of the people, the food, the toilets (seriously!), etc. It meant so much that they loved it as much (or more) as we do! We had the best time showing them around Fukuoka and Hiroshima. Dad ended up being homesick for Japan when he returned to the States. I'm homesick for them! Come back and visit again!!!
Highlights of Fukuoka visit...
- Ramen...We took them to Ichiran for some comfort food since they were weary from traveling. They loved it as much as we do!
- bikes...They got to ride our bikes with us as we do every day to school.
- FIS visit...This may have been Dad's favorite part of the entire trip! The kids LOVED having Dad and Beth visit. We dyed eggs for Easter. Haven't done that with Dad in a LONG time! Dad and Beth read books with the kids and received many hugs. We ended the day with an Elementary Easter Egg Hunt that was enjoyed by all.
Photos of Fukuoka visit...
Monday, June 14, 2010
Spring Happenings at FIS
We celebrated 2 birthdays in my classroom on May 19: Ms. Kanegae, my fabulous aide, and Ili! Ili loved that she shared the same birthday as one of her teachers. I think we turned into cakes that day after eating 3! Ili's dad brought an ice cream cake and a homemade chocolate cake. Several parents bought Ms. Kanegae the most delicious, beautiful cake ever! Happy Birthday Ili and Ms. Kanegae!
After studying animals, Kindergarten went on a field trip to the Fukuoka City Zoo. I had been warned that it was fairly inhumane but I thought I'd check it out myself. The animals, of course, were cute (especially the hippo and the elephants) but the conditions were awful. They were in tiny cages. Thankfully, the zoo is doing some renovations and the elephants are getting a larger home. I look forward to seeing the zoo after the renovations!
I was excited for the annual Elementary Beach Day. The beach is about a 5 minute bike ride from school. It was supposed to be a little over 70 degrees. I don't think it made it out of the 60s and it was windy. We were....FREEZING!!! Apparently it was the coldest Beach Day ever! The kids still had fun!
Birthday photos...
After studying animals, Kindergarten went on a field trip to the Fukuoka City Zoo. I had been warned that it was fairly inhumane but I thought I'd check it out myself. The animals, of course, were cute (especially the hippo and the elephants) but the conditions were awful. They were in tiny cages. Thankfully, the zoo is doing some renovations and the elephants are getting a larger home. I look forward to seeing the zoo after the renovations!
Zoo photos...
I was excited for the annual Elementary Beach Day. The beach is about a 5 minute bike ride from school. It was supposed to be a little over 70 degrees. I don't think it made it out of the 60s and it was windy. We were....FREEZING!!! Apparently it was the coldest Beach Day ever! The kids still had fun!
Beach Day photos...
Friday, June 11, 2010
Spring Break 2010 (Part 4 of 4): Sakura and Hanami
After a great trip to Beppu and Kyoto, the four weary travelers came back to Fukuoka. Tim and I took Nate to yakitori for dinner (Tena stayed at home as the baby was making her feel sick!). He seemed to love it as much as we do!
The following day we all went to a Hanami (flower viewing) party. Sakura (cherry blossoms) were in FULL bloom when we got back! Nate and Tena came at a perfect time! (If you want to come visit us, we HIGHLY recommend coming to see the cherry blossoms!) The blossoms only last a few weeks and the Japanese tradition is to have a party under the trees during this time. It is just about the only time of the year that they truly let loose. We had a great time at Masami's Hanami party!
Tena and Nate wanted to spend their last night relaxing so we hung out with them at home and enjoyed chatting and sharing photos. We took them to the airport the next morning and were very sad to see them go! Though they enjoyed their trip, they were homesick for their precious son, Cael. Who wouldn't be?!
Yakitori for dinner in Fukuoka...
The following day we all went to a Hanami (flower viewing) party. Sakura (cherry blossoms) were in FULL bloom when we got back! Nate and Tena came at a perfect time! (If you want to come visit us, we HIGHLY recommend coming to see the cherry blossoms!) The blossoms only last a few weeks and the Japanese tradition is to have a party under the trees during this time. It is just about the only time of the year that they truly let loose. We had a great time at Masami's Hanami party!
Sakura and Hanami photos...
Tena and Nate wanted to spend their last night relaxing so we hung out with them at home and enjoyed chatting and sharing photos. We took them to the airport the next morning and were very sad to see them go! Though they enjoyed their trip, they were homesick for their precious son, Cael. Who wouldn't be?!
THANK YOU, TENA AND NATE, FOR VISITING US IN OUR HOME AWAY FROM HOME!!!
xoxoxo
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Spring Break 2010 (Part 3 of 4): Kyoto
From Beppu, we took Tena and Nate to Kyoto, one of our favorite cities in Japan. If you come visit Japan, Kyoto is a MUST! This was our second trip to Kyoto and I still want to go back for more! Unfortunately, Tena's morning sickness became all day sickness and she was miserable much of the time. We felt so badly for her! We did find a great Italian restaurant where she was able to eat pizza. Also, it rained poured the entire time (except the last morning) we were there! UGH! I think we were still able to see a lot of pretty cool places and have a good time!
Highlights and Photos from Kyoto...
Day 1 Highlights...
- Tena's and Nate's first ride on the Shinkansen
- rain
- Ginkaku-ji (The Silver Pavillion)
- rain
- The Path of Philosophy
- rain
- Nanzen-ji
- rain
- arrival at our Ryokan (Gion Fukuzumi)
- rain
- delicious dinner on Pontocho at Mimasuya with Ali's family and Andrew/Jayla
- drinks at a hole-in-the-wall with Hitler paintings...weird and disturbing!
- spotting 3 geisha in the rain!
Day 1 photos...
Day 2 Highlights...
- Tena and Sarah got made over as Maiko (Geisha apprentices)! Definitely the girls' favorite experience in Kyoto...and perhaps Tena's favorite thing that we did in Japan!
- rain
- Yasaka-jinja and nearby park
- rain
- Kodai-ji
- rain
- Kiyomizu-dera
- rain
- warmed up in the "fake onsen" (not natural) at the ryokan
- rain
- spotted another geisha on our way to a fancy yakitori dinner at Wabiya
Day 2 photos...
Day 3 Highlights...
- Kinkaku-ji (The Golden Pavillion)
- rain
- Ryoan-ji
- rain
- some random temple that we stumbled upon by accident followed by warm soup for lunch to warm us up
- rain
- Nijo Castle...perhaps the boys' favorite place! They could easily move in!
- rain
- warmed up in the fake onsen again
- rain
- spotted "The Emperor of Japan" and "His Royal Heiness" and their motorcade on our way to dinner!
- okay meal on Pontocho with Dayle and her friend, Rachelle
- Saw a show at Gion Corner Theater that gave us a sampling of Japanese culture and arts. Great sampling!
- Afterwards, the girls participated in a tea ceremony! Very cool!
- Irish bar
- origami cranes on our pillows thanking us for staying at the ryokan!
Day 3 photos...
Day 4 Highlights...
- only a 40% chance of rain!!!
- cloudy...with some some S-U-N--at long last!!! :-)
- Chion-in
- sun
- kimono shopping
- more sun and blue skies!
- long, crowded ride back to Fukuoka on the Shinkansen with non-reserved seats...learned a lesson!
Day 4 photos...
Spring Break 2010 (Part 2 of 4): Beppu, City of Onsen
I have to say I was a bit worried about taking Tena to an onsen, as she was in her first trimester of her second pregnancy! YIPPEE!!! We are SO excited to be an aunt and uncle again!!! CONGRATULATIONS, Tena, Nate, and Cael!!!!! We found out they were pregnant right before they came to visit and were worried about the sushi and onsen. The mothers at my school ALL thought I was crazy when I inquired about mixing sushi, onsen, and pregnancy since that is part of their culture here. They put my mind at ease! Tena enjoyed the onsen...and ate some sushi...and was fine until morning sickness hit a few days into the trip :-(!
Highlights of our day/night in Beppu...
- hand bath
- foot bath
- tempura lunch
- onsen hopping
- Onsen #1: oldest onsen in Beppu; scalding hot water
- Onsen #2: waterfall onsen, different inside baths, beautiful outdoor bath with a small waterfall
- Onsen #3: 5-tiered onsen at our hotel
- relaxation
Tena and Nate seemed to really enjoy the onsen hopping day! Tim and I are a bit addicted to onsen!
Photos from Beppu...
Spring Break 2010 (Part 1 of 4): Welcome to Fukuoka, Tena and Nate!
Well, Spring Break was WAY back in March but it's better to blog later than not at all, right?
Tena and Nate, Tim's sister and bro-in-law came to town for our Spring Break!
They were our FIRST overseas visitors so we were super excited!!!
Pictures are worth a thousand words, so I'll be brief with my words and let the photos tell the stories.
Highlights of the first part of their trip in Fukuoka included...
- arrival at airport (I was like a little kid at Christmas!)
- Ichiran...Tena's and Nate's first taste of ramen...They approved!
- shopping in Tenjin (downtown Fukuoka) with Tena and Jayla (Andrew's visitor from Canada)....lunch at Mitsukoshi (fabulous department store), shopping at IMS and Loft (not ATLoft) while the boys went to Game Station (and pretended they were little kids)
- dinner at Sushi Den and Yatai stalls (restaurants set up on the sidewalk) with Max/Yuri and Andrew/Jayla
- Canal City/Dim Sum with Aki and Andrew/Jayla, piano/coffee with Aki, visit to a little shrine, Ohori-koen
Photos of Spring Break in Fukuoka
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