A Christmas "Cookie Party"

Sydney and I went to a baking party at our friend Kathy's house before Christmas and had a fabulous time decorating these cut-out cookies. Thought you'd enjoy seeing the recipe in photos. Sydney had an especially heavy hand with the so-called "sprinkles," but despite my type A personality, I let her make a big mess. Good thing Kathy didn't mind, since I found being in her carpetless kitchen particularly liberating.

The final product:

Christmas Traditions in Japan

We have just experienced our second Christmas in Japan and even though we've been halfway around the world for 18 months now, we have felt at "home for the holidays" in many ways. (Except for the obvious fact that our extended families are not here to celebrate with us.)

In Japan, everywhere we look we see evidence of Christmas, which elicits a bit of nostalgia even though we're in a foreign country. Streets are lined with Christmas wreaths, trees, lights, and Santas. Many store fronts are decorated in red and green from top to bottom, with the exception of a little fake white snow interspersed here and there. You might think this surprising, considering that less than 1% of the population in Japan is Christian. But most Japanese people celebrate Christmas. Christmas, in fact, has been celebrated in Japan since 1552. But it wasn't until 1900, when Japan began adopting a more Western lifestyle, that Christmas became commercial and thus more popular. Decorations were used then to lure shoppers into department stores...much like today!

Japanese children also receive presents from their parents and Santa, but they are not placed under a Christmas tree. After all, most Japanese homes have no room for a tree! (We made room for our American tree, which was frozen and shipped from Washington State.) Instead, gifts are usually placed near the child's pillow as they sleep. (I suspect this is the rate-limiting factor when Santa decides what to deliver. That leaves mostly small, sleek--probably Japanese--electronics. Actually, that is what Santa brought me this year!)

Anyway, in Japan, Christmas Eve also tends to be a more romantic evening, much like Valentine's Day, for couples than in the States. Restaurants are often full with reservations for two. But if you're a family of four, just for example, you'd most likely be found eating fried chicken at KFC...if you made a reservation, that is. (We did not. Maybe next year.)

Yes, KFC does mean "Kentucky Fried Chicken" even in Japan...and I do mean to say that Japanese people like to eat KFC for Christmas. And it's so popular they even need reservations for it. If they don't get them, some people opt for any ol' chicken. The "chicken for Christmas" tradition dates back to 1974, when an American customer told a KFC employee that he was thinking of getting KFC for Christmas since turkeys aren't available in Japan. So, KFC launched a "Christmas Fried Chicken" campaign and it stuck.

After a fried chicken dinner, Christmas dessert in Japan is likely a strawberry shortcake generally accepted everywhere as "Christmas cake." These cakes, like most Japanese sweets, are generally much less sweet than American sweets. Christmas cake is a spongecake layered with with fresh slightly-sweet whipped cream and fresh strawberries. They must be ordered in advance, as they are very popular and Christmas is the busiest season for pastry shops. (Sydney thought this Christmas cake was "finger-licking good"!)

One final big difference in Japan is that there are definitely not 12 days of Christmas; decorations are tossed on December 26th as part of traditional Japanese deep cleaning rituals in preparation for the New Year. I couldn't bring myself to take down our Christmas tree on the 26th...so I waited till the 27th! (I couldn't stand all the clutter and falling needles in our small family room!)

Merry Christmas!

A Glimmer of Christmas in Iraq

With less than two weeks till Christmas, my sister Laura sent me this photo of herself in Iraq with Santa--hardly a scene I'd imagined for Baghdad. Especially when she tells me she must carry her weapon and wear 30 pounds of body armor when she leaves the small "base."

For those who don't know, my sister Laura's a federal agent and works for the Air Force as a civilian. She was deployed to Iraq right after Thanksgiving and will be there seven months conducting major criminal investigations. Her team is assisting Iraqi investigators with these cases, so they will eventually have the capability to run them on their own.

But as we head into the seventh year of conflict, it is highly unlikely that this independence will occur within the next week in time for Christmas. So, it's good to know men and women serving our country share at least a glimmer of Christmas spirit despite being so far from home. Technically, in the Middle East Laura's closer to the origin of Christmas than any of us. But if not for this simple symbolic event--a Christmas tree lighting she attended in a tent--I imagine she'd feel the farthest away from all that is "Christmas" to most of us. Please keep Laura and all brave service members in your thoughts and prayers this holiday season.

Miranda Meets Santa in 2007...

She's not easily impressed.

Sydney Revisits Santa in 2007...

She doesn't easily forget...

2006

2005

Nanny 119

Did you know that in Japan we dial 119 for emergency services, rather than 911?

So, "Nanny 119" is what I've dubbed my mom's 10-day visit to Japan to help me with my two children! It's been going very well--as well as can be expected--although I believe she'll need a vacation from this "vacation." It is quite tiring changing double the diapers and carrying triple the load of "equipment," even with an extra set of hands to help. So, as she departs today leaving me to fend for myself, her final recommendation to me is to "stay home for the next six months"! It is tempting if Sydney wouldn't be climbing the walls in about two minutes!

Hope this explains my lack of blogging lately!

It's a Girl!


Miranda Jane finally arrived 4 days late on November 12th at 4:14 pm! (I guess she was waiting till her mom was one year older, since her birthday is one day after mine...)


She surprised everyone with her size: 9 lbs 2 oz., 20.5 inches long. (Think "sumo.")

We're home and doing well. Look at our photos in the gallery.

Happy Halloween!


First, we participated in a playgroup "Halloween costume parade" through the hospital to visit Dads at work and give out candy to all staff members. Then we went to a fun Harvest Festival and made crafts and played some games.



In the evening, Sydney even went trick-or-treating (on base, of course) for the first time ever! Then we had dinner with our friends, the Millers, and had fun helping them pass out candy to a base full of American and Japanese kids. Most people buy 8+ bags of candy and even giving out only one piece per child it only lasts an hour or two! Check out our photos in the gallery.



We almost didn't have a traditional Halloween celebration, since Sydney wouldn't put on her costume until the 11th hour, but Daddy did finally get it on her, so all was not lost!



But the best part of Halloween with our two year old? This may be the first and last time Mommy and Daddy can eat Sydney's candy without her knowing what she's missing!

Sydney's Birthday: "I'm Two!"


Sydney's had a whole week of birthday celebrations...actually starting 10 days early in case her sibling decided to arrive early to spoil her last bit of "only child" fun. (No baby yet, so in some ways the "fun" has yet to begin!)

Anyway, as usual you can check out Sydney's birthday photos in our gallery.

Here are some short videos of her celebrations (click on highlighted words):

Video 1: Sydney Singing the "Birthday Song"

Video 2: Mitch Tries to Score Some Birthday Cake

Video 3: Sydney Learning to Say: "I'm two!"

Go Red Socks!

Sydney sports her Daisuke t-shirt (written in Japanese of course, compliments of Dave and Danielle) in gymnastics Monday to celebrate with the Red Socks!

A Tanuki "Family Reunion"

As promised, I will finally explain the tanuki in detail...I only hope I don't break one of Brian's rules since this will entail explaining certain body parts not usually discussed in a public forum!

Sometimes called a "racoon dog," the tanuki is a real, small nocturnal mammal with a pointed muzzle, which resembles a racoon with its rounded ears and dark mask. It is said to date back to when Japan was joined to the mainland, before the ice age. They have also been found in China, Siberia, and Europe.

The tanuki has also been part of Japanese folklore since ancient times. There are countless tales about the mischievous tanuki. The legendary tanuki can transform into any living or inanimate shape, but in legend it often assumes the form of a monk or a tea kettle to play tricks on people. Real tanuki live in the lowlands, forests and mountain valleys, and in legends, the mythical tanuki is most often shown playing tricks on hunters and woodsmen. They can cast powerful illusions--they can turn leaves into fake money or horse manure into a delicious-looking dinner.

The tanuki is said to put leaves on its head and to chant prior to transformation. In some legends, the leaf is the sacred lotus plant of Buddhism. It is also believed that tanuki can change leaves into money. Here's a little gaming trivia for you: in the computer game "Super Mario Brothers," when Mario gets a leaf, he gains pointy ears and the tail of a tanuki.

One small ceramic figure of a fat tanuki (not a whole family of them) is often found in the hallways or against the facades of restaurants (especially noodle shops) and sake shops. It stands up on his hind legs and wears a wide-brimmed straw hat hanging down his back. (This photo is an unusual display of numerous tanuki, as it was taken in Seto, where these tanuki were part of the huge pottery sale I visited in September.)

Now the taboo talk...the actual wild tanuki has unusually large testicles, which has inspired exaggeration in ceramic versions of the creature. Tanuki may be shown with their testicles flung over their backs like travellers' packs, or using them as drums. As tanuki are also typically depicted as having large bellies, they may be depicted as drumming on their bellies instead of their testicles--a more "PG" version of the tanuki, I suppose.

In one paw he holds an empty sake bottle; in the other he holds an account book--some say it represents his money being wasted on wine and women. Some say the oversized scrotum is due to sexual over-indulgences. But since his penis has disappeared, some say it is a reminder that drink "prevokes the desire, but takes away the performance."

On the other hand, there are other interpretations to the characteristics of the legendary tanuki (see figure with descriptions). But I'm not sure what a "blob" is and what it has to do with being lucky with money...

Either way, I'm feeling particularly generous, so I will offer up a ceramic tanuki as the prize for our long-overdue, next trivia contest! (Stay tuned...I have to think of something trivial. Yes, this may take a while!) And be sure to venture your guesses just the same...you'll find a use for the tanuki, as many people consider them the equivalent of a western garden gnome. I just wish I could be a fly on the wall as you try explaining your tanuki to your neighbors...

Who Needs Daisuke?

...when Brian's in the game, that is.

Saturday, Sydney and I watched as Brian and some fellow US Navy Hospital staff members played two friendly games of baseball against some Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) doctors. With a true spirit of camaraderie, each team won one game.

Back to Tokyo

In September, we had our last family "hoorah" before baby arrives in 5 weeks! We went back to the New Sanno hotel in Tokyo for two days.

On our way there (driving), we got lost in Japan for the first time! Anyone who knows me knows I do NOT like to take the path less traveled and I do not like to "just see where this road goes." When I make a wrong turn, I prefer to turn around and go back the way I came. Especially in a country where I can't read the signs. And when I don't have a map (in any language, let alone English) on hand.

However, Brian was driving, so he forged ahead and drove around hoping to find our way. I have to say I was too panicked to contest...or was it that I had no idea how we could "turn around"? (And I was too busy envisioning us abandonning our car on the side of the road and finding our way on foot to a subway. Afterall, I had a subway map.) Either way, I pride myself on remaining rather quiet and calm in this instance, at least outwardly. And, within 20 minutes or so, without any help from me, he'd navigated us back on track.

Despite our delay, we made it to the Ueno Zoo, where Sydney loved seeing all the animals. Monkeys (maybe her favorite), elephants, giraffes, tigers, lions, bears, panda bears, penguins, and more! Then we stopped by the Roppongi Hills area, which is an upscale residential area with many shops and restaurants.

On our second day, we headed to Akihabara, the electronic district of Tokyo, where you can purchase any type of electronic device known to man...if you can read the Japanese packaging, of course. We weren't in the market for anything, but it was fun to look. Apparently, gaming is a big draw to this area, and there were young men (mostly) lined up to enter entertainment centers for gaming.

Finally, we ended up in Harajuku, mostly to check out a large toy store called Kiddyland. Here we found Hello Kitty and Elmo decked out in Halloween garb, and Totoro (Sydney's favorite Japanese animated character).

When we settled on a cafe for lunch before heading home, little did we know we'd actually be attending a wedding--or so it felt when a young Japanese couple dressed in "Western" wedding attire strolled by us as they entered the reception hall attached to the cafe. But I didn't feel too bad about being under dressed, since the cat (yes, a real cat) sitting at the table next to us didn't have a special outfit on for the occasion either.

Sydney's Officially a Gymnast


Sydney recently started gymnastics--well a "free play" gymnastics class, that is. The "structured" class was a little too daunting since our independent (stubborn) girl doesn't like to follow class directions just yet.

For example, she only does a somersault after 6:30pm--and on the couch--not when instructed to do so on a floor mat. And she would only hang on this bar after I told her she'd look like a monkey. (She loves her animals!)

Despite these obstacles, Brian thinks she will be a natural, given her size. So, we found a better fit in this free-for-all toddler class. You can see she is thoroughly enjoying herself. I'm surprised the camera didn't capture a mere blur across the screen!

SUMO

Sumo is the national sport of Japan. So, this weekend we went to our first sumo tournament in Tokyo to experience one more piece of Japanese culture. We went to The Sumo Hall (or Ryōgoku Kokugikan) in Ryōgoku, Tokyo to see one of six grand sumo tournaments of the year. Each tournament begins on a Sunday and runs for 15 days, ending also on a Sunday. There are "East" and "West" divisions and the higher ranking grand champions (yokozuna) compete later in the day.

Sumo is an ancient tradition in Japan. Today there are still ceremonial rituals that are related to when the sport was used in the Shinto religion. The roof over the sumo ring resembles that of a Shinto shrine. On mounting the dohyo (wrestling ring), the wrestler faces the audience, claps his hands and then performs the leg-stomping shiko exercise to drive evil spirits from the ring as the referee announces the wrestlers' names once more. Stepping out of the ring into their corners, each wrestler is given a ladleful of water, the chikara-mizu ("power water"), with which he rinses out his mouth and a paper tissue, the chikara-gami ("power paper"), to dry his lips. Then both step back into the ring, squat facing each other, clap their hands, then spread them wide to show they have no weapons. Returning to their corners, they each pick up a handful of salt which they toss onto the ring to purify it.

The two sumo wrestlers (rikishi) reenter the ring and squat facing each other until they silently agree to charge at each other and begin the bout. Each bout usually lasts only a few seconds and there are two main ways to lose a bout. The first person to be pushed out of the ring, or who touches the ground with any body part other than the soles of the feet loses.

We thought Sydney was making great strides towards her sumo career; she already has the "squat" down and wears diapers. But there are no weight divisions in sumo, so an individual wrestler can sometimes face an opponent twice his own weight. Hardly seems fair. In Sydney's case, it'd be more like 15 times her weight!

Enjoy these photos from our sumo experience...

Our Weather Correspondent Mitch:
Into the "Eye" of Typhoon Fitow











Last week, Typhoon Fitow blew directly into our town as a category 2 storm, as predicted. So, Brian sent Mitch out into the storm to gather blog "B-roll" footage.

Click here to see a video of Mitch, reporting live, from the sea wall in our neighborhood of Mabori Kaigan.

Okay, so it wasn't exactly the eye of the storm. And Mitch isn't much of a news correspondent, since verbal communication with him is largely and generally one-sided. But if Mitch could talk, the narrative of his video would probably be something you've heard before with every other storm report. He'd probably be reciting--with extreme enthusiasm (note the wagging tail)--the same somewhat stupid monologue all weather correspondents end up saying as they're thrust into the most dangerous part of the storm.

"It's raining, it's pouring, it's really windy. It's really getting bad out here. Whoa! Look at the size of that wave! Stay home people. But let me just step into the flood waters to show you how deep they are..."

The storm continued long after Mitch returned home, all through the night actually. Luckily, we didn't have any damage to our house, although our neighbor reports this is the worst storm in the 30 years he's lived here. Although 20 years ago, he tells us our neighborhood did have some flooding. But that enabled him to step out of his front door, reach down into the 1 foot of water, and effortlessly grab a 2-foot-long fish to fry up for dinner, so in retrospect, he only laughs about that storm.

Seto Pottery Shopping Trip

This past weekend I took a base-sponsored trip to Seto City (Aichi Prefecture), which is known for its Japanese pottery and ceramics. In September, along the river in Seto there is an annual open-air street sale with hundreds of vendors selling all kinds of pottery. Needless to say, mostly women boarded our bus at 3:45 am to be chauffeured to Seto for 5 1/2 hours of shopping.

Did I mention Seto is five hours away by bus? Being 31 weeks pregnant, I was initially concerned about being on a bus for 10 hours without a bathroom, but signed up for the trip once I was assured that the bus would make 2 pit stops each way. After boarding the bus, I was pleasantly surprised to find out there was indeed a bathroom on the bus. And although I only needed it once, I only allowed myself to doze off for half an hour; someone had to keep a vigil to tally flushes since the toilet would be inoperable after just 50 flushes. (Whatever happened to 2,000 flushes?)

It turns out I didn't need more than my fair one flush because it was hotter than Haiti on this trip and I was sweating away any fluids I consumed. Even armed with a hat and my suitcase on wheels to minimize exertion, I was a little afraid I might literally shop till I dropped.

But I trudged onward to make my purchases: a vase, two eclectic bowls, two matching large tea cups, a set of four adorable flower cups with saucers, and a hanging wall vase. And one or two gifts, which I won't detail. I mostly filled my suitcase with two hours to spare. And by then I had lost steam anyway (although it was still plenty steamy). I continued to browse, but everything started to look the same and I had difficultly making decisions.

Throughout the day, I tried to anticipate my usual buyer's remorse, which contrary to most people's experiences, usually involves getting home and realizing I have remorse about not buying enough. An impulse shopper, I am not. But when I got home and realized I'd forgotten that a quarter of my suitcase housed my friend's vase (since she helped me bargain), I was a little disappointed that I had not bought more. But not enough to return again in a year. At least, I don't think. But then again, I reserve the right to change my mind because maybe it will be like having a second child...eventually you forget how painful the first time was and do it all over again.

Sarushima Island (Monkey Island)

Sydney and I recently ventured to this little island off the coast of Yokosuka. We see it in the distance every day, whether we're on the Navy base or near the sea wall in our neighborhood. So, to beat the heat, we finally geared up for some beach time and set out on the 10-minute, 1200-yen ferry ride to the island with several of our playgroup friends.

Sarushima Island is Tokyo Bay's only natural island. Due to its strategic location at the mouth of Tokyo Bay, it was used as a fort at three different times in history: during the mid-19th century under the Tokugawa Shogunate, during the late 19th century shortly after the Meiji Restoration, and again during the 1930's. There are a few traces of fortifications visible today, including brick tunnels built during the Meiji period.

But alas, it was way too hot to stray from the cool, clear water at the beach!

Yamato Shrine Sale

It was long overdue, but I went to my first shrine sale in Japan this month. A few of my friends from Oakleaf and I ventured to the Yamato Shrine Sale, which occurs every 3rd Saturday of the month. It's about a 45-minute drive from Yokosuka near the Naval Air Facility Atsugi.

A shrine sale is essentially a flea market with many Japanese antiques mixed up with some good old Japanese junk. From pottery to kimono to furniture, you can find many pieces of history, if you know what you're looking for.

But even if you don't know what you're looking for--as is the case for me--you can manage to find something interesting. Like the itomaki, or antique Japanese silk reel bobbin, I bought for 1500 yen (about $12). They are traditionally used to spool kimono silk.

I'd be lying if I said I knew all this before I purchased this little four-cornered piece of wood. I happened to figure out its purpose (but not its Japanese name of course) by observation. See, I snapped a photo of an itomaki (bobbin) in place on this zakuri (Japanese silk reel).

I did, however, know what I would use it for...as a stand to prop up my blue and white ceramic sake/beverage dispenser so I can get a good-sized cup underneath the spigot! Some of that Japanese ingenuity is rubbing off on me.


So, why do they call it a shrine sale in Japan? I don't know. But I venture to guess they usually occur near a shrine. More importantly, have you ever pondered this: why do they call it a flea market in America?

The Cave Men...and Me

Last week Brian arranged for us to get a tour of the Japanese-made caves on the Naval base. When the father of one of his patients suggested the personalized tour, Brian invited two of his male co-workers and me to come along. The base is said to contain about 16 miles of these caves, although I can assure you we saw just a sampling in the hour that we were spelunking.

We were told to bring a flashlight, any flashlight, apparently because the bright battery-operated lantern that our guide carried lasted only 30 minutes. With Brian in his headlamp, and I with our small, shake-up, battery-free flashlight, we were quite the pair. As if in tune with a subliminal request to be unique in our flashlight choices, our friend Doug brought a tiny maglight. (Joel didn't bring one at all, which might also be considered a unique choice.)

Our tour guide, a Master Chief whose steel-enclosed office is built within the caves, has ventured down into the caves many times. He has even brought his young children exploring with him. So, we knew we were in good hands. Nevertheless, our novice guide was quick to point out how confusing and dangerous the caves could be. His unreassuring comments included:

• "To find our way back, we'll just follow this string someone laid out." (Right about then I wished I'd brought bread crumbs as backup. But I also thanked Brian for my "green" flashlight that would never die. )
• "I've never been this way...I don't think."
• "Oh, good, there's the chair...that means we turn left up here...unless someone moved the chair. That would be a cruel joke."
• "If you feel an earthquake, run...but I'm not sure which way the exit is."
  

I took it upon myself to be the string spotter once or twice. I felt I had to be the voice of reason (i.e., the woman), with a nervous, only half-kidding laugh, pointing out that there was no string in these parts we were navigating. But we always seemed to reunite with the string within minutes, so I was appeased...

Until we saw this Japanese centipede. No need to guess the reason the Japanese call them "Getcha-Getcha's." Yes, they are ugly and they bite.

But I was able to put all my fears aside enough to realize the caves were rather amazing. All 16 or so miles were man-chiseled into the hills of the base, starting around 1938 to protect against possible American attacks during World War II. Although much of the information about the caves' purposes is still classified, it is known that the cave system contained rails for moving heavy equipment, a hospital and a power substation. Then after the United States took over the base, the caves held the Navy hospital and several commands. They are now too dangerous due to the earthquake-induced rubble and lose electrical fixtures and are, therefore, closed to the public.

But on our private tour, we saw many interesting historical remnants of the caves features and can begin to speculate what they were for...such as the benches and gurneys that seem to have served as part of the hospital. Or the tall air shafts, complete with a hole in the ground of the cave that appeared to double as a well to catch rain water (see photo).

And there is even an apparent shrine that--judging from the candy offerings--remains in use by recent visitors to the caves.

So, alas, this candy proves we are not as special as we might have you believe. That is, others have seen what we have seen in these caves. And all have lived to tell. Except this poor creature:

(It might have been a tanuki who tripped over his unusually large testicles only to be gotten by a getcha getcha. But that's a blog entry for another day.)

Read this article for more information about the Caves.