Naka - What?

Alas, we come to another blog entry that will tantalize your brains with more Okinawan culture and make you wish you were here to experience it for yourself!

(And before I go on, A Happy Birthday Wish to my sister Kimm!! Happy 40th big sis! - love you!)

This past Sunday the girls and I headed out with our friend Nicole and her 2 boys to The Nakamura House and The Nakagusuku Castle Ruins.

First Stop: The Nakamura House

The Nakamura House is a typical style of a rich farmer's residence of the time. The foundations of this house were set around the year 1720. The house was originally thatched roof and was re-roofed in the 7th Generation of the home in the Okinawan traditional red tiles.

The house has 8 rooms inside and was really interesting to look around.

Here is Cooper in the kitchen. He is standing next to some upright stones (I think they are actually behind him) that are on the hearth that have religious significance. This is where prayers to the fire god are said.

Here was the shisa that was on top of the roof

Alessandra climbing on some of the large stone steps.

A shot of the roof line, I loved all of the angles.

Another roof shot. In the forefront of the photo are the "Huru" or pigpens. Hogs were a very important part of the livelihood of farmers and Pork consumption on Okinawa is higher than other Japanese prefectures.

Outside the main entrance.

Next stop: The Nakagusuku Castle

This castle is believed to have been constructed in the 1st half of the 15th Century , however, recent studies have shown that the Lord before that may have set the foundations because the 3 citadels behind the North Citadel differ in structure and style.

After walking up the hill to the beginning of the Castle, this is the 3rd Citadel (behind Caden and Olivia)

A flower along the way

Walking toward the 2nd Citadel

The boys and Olivia (and Nicole) went down a long stairwell to where one of the wells for the castle was. The availability of water within the castle walls added prestige to the reputation of the castle.

Looking out at the Pork of Yagi or Nakagusuku Bay.

From this site you can also see what the locals call "The Haunted Hotel" A hotel that began building, but was never completed.

The East China Sea View

More Haunted Hotel

This was (I think ) a shrine or temple (someone correct me if I am wrong!) There was chanting going on while we were up on the hill.

Crazy Okinawa skies. The weather has been strange, chilly and lots of clouds and wind the past 2 weeks.

On out walk back out of the castle. Caden and Olivia leading the way.

So, I hope you have a little history on your brain. This culture is rich in it's background and it is wonderful that not everything was damaged during WW2. I am thankful we have the opportunity to see it. (you can to, if you want to visit!)

Sleep well little children...

In the eve of Brad's departure, he gifted the children little "mini me's". They each got their own little "Hug-A-Hero" from dad. A great company and idea that was started by 2 Marine Wives looking for a tangible tool to help their children cope with deployment. We were immediately taken by how happy the girls were with their new "daddy's" and even last night as Brad cuddled Olivia asleep, she was looking at it and hugging it and he had to say "Olivia, I am right here - hug me!!" :)

Here is our little family this morning before we left for the airport. I got a better one of Alessandra, but it sort of chopped Brad's hair off (the camera slipped).

Brad with baggage. He only totalled 4 sea bags. They weighed A LOT!

Olivia standing with the baggage cart. It was a chilly 52 degrees this morning!

Walking with daddy through the Naha airport - which has some of the BEST Okinawa shopping ever.

Alessandra was enjoying her moment with daddy and I rudely interrupted. She was not so happy about it.

And of course, our smiling 5 year old. We can take a photo of her about anytime.

So, the departure was okay. The weather today was rough - REALLY windy and chilly. Brad left around noon our time (and I found out later his flight was delayed by about 45 minutes). We spent a little over an hour at the airport with him (they have a great play structure there) and then said our teary goodbyes. It was quite surreal and sad to know he will be so far away from us!

The rest of our day was low key and just hazy. The girls seem okay, they didn't want me going to "Parent's Night Out" tonight, so I obliged. It will be an interesting transition, but hopefully we will get through it smoothly.

This was tonight when I went to go turn off the light in the girls room. Olivia was fast asleep snuggling with daddy and Alessandra, who has taken to sleeping on my floor for the time being, she cuddled up with him too.

Just a post...

It's Wednesday night. I am watching The Today Show (your Wednesday morning) to keep myself somewhat updated on what is going on in the USA. Fortunately I have access to seeing news as you see it, UNfortunetly, every night it is the Today Show. No offense to Matt Lauer and Meredith Vieira, but it just really doesn't do it for me. I do have to say, the most fun part of the Today Show is during Al Roker's weather section, when he goes to your local weather section, we don't get it, so we often hear him talking to other people, clearing his throat, singing and more. As of late (someone must have told him we could hear it) he says ' and hello to all of our friends on AFN (Armed Forces Network). It was so much more fun before he knew.

SO, on that note. I hope you are all warm and dry. It looks like the East Coast is getting hit hard again and the PNW is getting hit with rain. Of all winters, I suppose this was a good one to miss!

We are all well. Back in the swing of things I suppose. The girls started back to school on Monday and reacted happily. They have been pretty tired at the end of each day, but I think they are thankful to be back.

Our new "normal" (i.e. without Daddy home) will begin this weekend. The girls seem to be handling the news okay. Olivia has been working on a VERY long paper chain (1 ring for every deployment day) that we will ceremonially rip one off every night. She has been spending a lot of time snuggling, dancing, and just being with Brad. The big news for her this week is that she gets to be a part of "Club USA" which is a program that her school puts on for kids with deployed parents (they meet with the guidance counselor as a group once a week to talk about everything, draw, just be with other kids going through the same thing). She was pretty happy to know that there ARE other kids who have a parent gone (I don't think she actually realized that) and that she will get to be with them in a "club". I hope that it gives her more tools in how to deal with her feelings on it all (and maybe make a good friend or two to boot!).

Alessandra seems to understand what is going on (I need to give her much more credit, she is incredibly perceptive). She has been pretty clingy with me the past few weeks (not only when she was sick). 2 year old's are an anomaly to me. Just when I think I have figured her out, she throws another tantrum my way. She is amazingly independent and fiercely opinionated. I am sad that Brad will miss the next few months of her development, however, they are bound to be a tough few months, SO, I hope that he comes home to a little person who is better at communicating and not quite so mommy needy.

As for me. I am okay too. I will be terribly sad the day we take Brad to the airport. I have really enjoyed the quality time that we have had as a family in our new island home. I appreciate that even more now as the girls and I will continue our exploration and have to share it with Brad the way we do all of you. I will miss having him home.

Brad seems okay too. He has had a lot of sleepless nights this week, pre-deployment anxiety and the constant lists going on in his head. He has packed and repacked his sea bags and pretty much has everything ready to go. As I write, he is raiding the DVD drawer (he is bringing Star Wars, Duncan!) and coming up with things (other than his Command and Staff studying) to do in his free time. I will pass on his address as soon as I get it. Until then, he will be available on email (let me know if you want his email address, I don't want to post it here) and also via Skype on occasion.

We thank you for your continued support not only of Brad and our family, but all of the Service Members and their families serving in the US Military. It is greatly appreciated.

Year of the Cow.

Heather (Gram) with Alessandra and Olivia behind them on the COWS at the Botanical Gardens.

Olivia coming out onto the platform at the lighthouse at Maeda Point.

Greetings and Happy New Year.

I know it has been since before Christmas that I update the blog. My apologies. I do hope that each and every one of you had a wonderful Christmas and are enjoying 2009 to it's fullest thus far.

The past few weeks has been a bit of a blur. I will try and give you a good run down.

The last week of school (which I briefly posted on as I tried to get good videos on here for you) was a busy one with parties, fun and anticipation of our first visitor to Okinawa (Heather aka: Gram aka: Brad's mom). The last day of school (Friday the week before Christmas) sent us a trip to the doctor (for Olivia - she has an eye infection) right after her school party. We got hooked up with some eye drops and were on our way. Heather arrived that night and we put her up in the lodge on base to recuperate from her upcoming jet lag in peace (our kids wake up early).

The first day of her visit (Saturday) was one of the most beautiful days of the week. And assured us that she would in face, enjoy her visit. We spent some time with her that afternoon, and as the evening approached, Olivia spiked a fever, she and I stayed home and Heather, Brad and Alessandra went out to the Sushi-Go-Round (the first of many fantastic Japanese eating experiences in her visit). The fever for Olivia was just beginning. It stayed with the poor girl for 5 days. Thankfully, there were moments we were able to get out a little bit, but all in all, she was pretty punky. Bummer.

Christmas Eve was a great day, the girls got to go to the park with Gram while I cooked away. We had our friend Nicole and her boys over for dinner (her husband was supposed to come, but HE was sick too). After dinner our friend Angela stopped by with surprise gifts for the girls and we were able to say goodbye to Juan who left a couple of days later on deployment. (in reality, I don't think I actually said goodbye to Juan.. sorry Juan.. :) ) We had a nice time and the girls really enjoyed playing with Cooper and Cayden. You could tell that Olivia was recovering from being sick and that Alessandra was on her way when, we were totally good with them staying up late and they both wanted to go to bed at 8:00pm.

(too mmuch typing, had to throw anothe photo in for you.. Olivia in her fairy mask from Addy and Josie - we have been playing with these for DAYS!)

Christmas Day was lovely also. We enjoyed spending a quiet morning at home and the girls really had a wonderful time with Santa and all of the gifts that they got. It was one of those years that we will always remember. The imagination ran at full speed. We went out for Hawaiian food for an early dinner (love Ono-Kau-Kau) and relaxed together. Wonderful.

Olivia and Gram working on the Science set that the Cohens sent. A little quiet activity during Alessandra's nap time.

Around this time, Alessandra's nose started running a bit more, she got more clingy and the sleepless nights started up again. Fun, Fun. (her fever also lasted for 5 days)

The next day we decided to do a littel sight seeing and headed to Meada Point. Alessandra fell asleep in the car, so Brad, Heather and Olivia went to walk around and see the sights. They were able to go up in the lighthouse (which we couldn't do last time) and got some great views! We found some ryukyu glass for sale on the way home in Yomitan and just had a nice day. (Aside from the fever that had started full bore in Alessandra).

Brad and his mommy

Here are some photos of that day:

Olivia and Gram

From the lighthouse

It is amazing that she is scared of loud noises, yet this ... didn't phase her.

We did a lot of little trips out and about. We did some shopping, LOTS of eating of local food and just enjoying on anothers company. We went to the Botanical Gardens one gorgeous day too.

Brad and the girls at the Botanical Gardens (the only snowmen we saw this year...)


Cheesy grin from A

Another highlight was New Years Day (for those of you who were wondering, no, we did not stay up until midnight on New Years Eve... although Alessandra woke up and had some sort of tantrum around 11:15 and then finally fell back to sleep right in time for us to hear the fireworks. I think Heather got up to watch them... me, too sleepy).

New Years Day is a big celebration time here (think Chinese New Year). The year of the COW this year and the shrines and temples open all over the island for visitors to pay their respects and gain their fortunes for the year. Heather, Olivia and I went to the Funtenma Shrine. The streets on the way there were lined with (what Ron/Poppi would call) "State Fair Food" (Okinawan Style of course). We headed up to the shrine, washed our hands, purchased some little trinkets/ornament type things and also got our fortunes for the year. I am so glad we went. It was nice to be out (even though it was a COLD day) and be with everyone in celebration of the new year.

Photos for you:

This really doesn't do the whole thing justice, but it gives you an idea of the display of things. The shrine is up there in the back (behind the Tori) and the many colors of flags.



I couldn't help but take her photo

Gram and Olivia outside of the shrine entrance. Note: Cow on the wall in the background

Olivia and Kelly (I don't know why Olivia isn't smiling...) AND YES, I did cut bangs into my hair.

Where we washed our hands.

So here we are now a couple of days later. Heather left this morning (sadly) and although I am sad we didn't get to do as many things as I would have liked (due to fever laden small people and lack of sleep in big people), it was a wonderful visit. It is always nice to be able to show someone the place you live. You forget sometimes what it is you love about it (or are starting to love) and when you have the opportunity to show it to others, it puts it all in perspective.

School resumes on Monday (thank goodness). Brad did find out a departure date and will be flying the friendly skies soon. (I can't post exact dates... you know that...) :) We are looking forward to the deployment starting... just simply so it can end. I feel confident that the girls and I will do just fine.

Gram with the girls in a traditional Okinawan home at the Okinawa Prefectural Museum. Aside from the pale faces and Olivia's cold sore. They are finally all better! Just in time to go back to school and start the whole cycle over again!

Happy New Year friends and family. We love and miss you.