Yellow Belt - 2 STRIPES!

We did it! Olivia and I both accomplished another successful karate testing. We both tested today for our 2nd Stripe on our Yellow Belt. (for technicalities sake, our certificates say we were granted the 8th Kyu of Yellow Belt by the Ryukoku Seidokan Karate Kobudo Association (say that 3 times fast....).Regardless, it was a fun process and we are happy with our accomplishment.

Here is Olivia working her newest kata, Akaku-kata. About 3 weeks ago she was really struggling with this and Sensei told her that she wouldn't be able to test for her next stripe unless she worked really hard. She took in what he said and has practiced a little every day. A lot of the time we practiced together, but there were times that she would take it on by herself also. She also got to the point where she liked performing it for other people.

And here, is Kelly (the author) - performing the same kata, Anaku.

We also have to go through Self-Defense moves, so here is Olivia for you... (A friend of mine did video me, but it is many different videos, so I spared your viewing pleasure).

Here are some of the adults from the classes after our testing session (there were 2 adult sessions and 2 kiddo sessions) being given marching orders and being told how Hell's Dojo starts again this week. (good thing I am leaving the country...) :)

After receiving my certificate, the line of Black Belts shakes hands - it is customary to bow also. Here I am trying really hard not to screw it up.

Getting the fancy 2nd Stripe put on my Yellow Belt.

Olivia awaiting certificates (and also getting a little pep talk about practice and getting even better)

Olivia and her buddy Emily holding up their certificates.

But wait.... there's more...

What in the world could two hard core karate chicks want to do after a tough day at the Dojo?

Why pedicure's of course!

Olivia has been asking to go to Cocoks (pronounced Coco's) since we moved here. I surprised her today and here she is feet soaking in pink water (she was in heaven) and undergoing the daunting task of picking out just the right toe art.

Olivia and Mommy enjoying some relaxation time together

Our cute toes.

This is what I saw at Jusco yesterday...

Here is the site at one of our local department stores - Jusco. Alessandra found these manniquins (or kiddiquins as the case may be) and wanted her photo with them. SO, I whip out my camera and as I am getting ready fo a shot I notice...

Did you notice it??

Oh yes, boys and girls someone had messed with the poor little people's hands. I stifled a laugh and then took a photo of both girls - because now it wasn't so much for them as it had to make it onto my blog.

Random Signs

I loved this sign. It was in a bathroom I went into at Peace Memorial Park. Yes, a bathroom friends.

A day with Brian O'Kelley

Who in the world is Brian O'Kelley (I know you are asking yourself that very question).

In 1999 when I went to work for the US Navy out in Silverdale, Washington, my office was in the center of the Submarine Sailor barracks (yes nice people - that is a LOT of young men and 1 very nice 25 year old woman). Across the hall from my office was another office where a number of nice sailors worked. There were 3 Chief's in there (in particular) that were very nice to me and always looked out for me. Chief Brian O'Kelley was one of those very nice sailors.

So, after getting myself sufficiently hooked on Facebook, Mr. O'Kelley became my friend! :) It had been almost 8 years since we had talked to one another. After some deductive reasoning, I found out he was working in Japan for a little while, and was trying to get down to Okinawa. YIPPPEEE (you know how I feel about visitors). SO, LONG story short (i.e. a ship, a helicopter and a plane), he made it.

Now, there is another caveat to this story. 2 parts. 1. Kelly's (his lovely wife) Grandfather had been killed in the Battle of Okinawa, so he wanted to find his name on the Memorial here on island. and 2. He lived here as a boy when his father was stationed here. So, his first memories are of Oki. Crazy huh?

Brian (or Mr. Chief O'Kelley as the girls call him) arrived Sunday afternoon. In complete Kelly hospitality style we dined at my favorite establishment (yes, of course Daisy's). Got him checked in to his hotel and made plans to reconvene the next morning.

I picked him up and with our mutual admiration of caffeinated beverages, we made our way down to the southernmost part of the island where Peace Prayer Park (or Memorial Park) was located. I took the most photos of Peace Prayer Park - it really is gorgeous and serene. It was put in place to honor the fallen from the Battle of Okinawa (both American and Japanese).
Here are some highlights:

We really weren't sure what this was, but our thought took us to thinking it was similar to a "Tomb of the Unknown Soldier" Not sure about that though...

There is a HUGE museum on property and this was the main entrance area (and the main entrance to the memorial part of the park).

Those are some old rusty torpedo's and other warheads.

The museum from the back

This is the area with all of the names on it. A photo truly doesn't do it justice, but there were SO many more Japanese names in comparison to American or other "allies", it was quite powerful.

Here is Brian finding Kelly's grandfather's name on the stonework

A closeup

After the main memorial area we went up to this big pinnacle thing (we had no idea what was inside...) until this...

Yes, a very large Buddha made of lacquer.

and

around back was a butterfly garden...

they liked me...

a lot...

this really has no major significance, but it was on the side of the road on our drive back and made me smile. My mom loves this movie.

And here are Brian and I the morning he left.

And, not that you asked, but I do need to tell you the rest of the story. After we zipped up from the Memorial, we hit Coco's Curry (yum) and onto base. We hunted for Brian's old house (from deductive information from his siblings, we had a house number). AND.... (drum roll). WE FOUND IT! He was so excited. And, the other funny thing was that it was right across the street from a friend of mine. SO, he took lots of photos and told lots of stories. We found some other places of importance to him - Habu Canyon, Zukeran Elementary School, Kubasaki High School and even drove up (after we got the girls) to Ishikawa to try and find the beach they swam at as kids.

All in all, it was a wonderful day and a half. A great visit, with a fine person and a great American. I am glad I got to be a part of it.

Rear View Mirror

Here is what I see in my rear view mirror. This was last night on the way to the Sushi-Go-Round on the way home from Olivia's karate class.

Cute aren't they?

The Peach Boy

For Olivia's school field trip we headed to the Okinawa Convention Center for a showing of "The Peach Boy". If you have no knowledge of this story (which I did not, but amazingly my sister-in-law Shannon did, so maybe there are more well read people like her out there!) Here is a description of the story. (note: I also just realized I got no photos of Olivia... so here was our day...)

Here we are, all great kids and mom's from Ms. Byroms Kindergarten Class.

Here is the Convention Center.

Standing in line waiting to get inside!

Cute Japanese school kiddos with their matching hats (every other school besides ours had matching hats.. .it was a sea of colors)

The gorgeous curtain in front of the stage (note the small people with colored hats on...)

The only photo I took during the show. This is before the peach opened up and a kid came out.

After the show we were supposed to go to the park and play and have lunch, but it rained. So, another mom and I led the kids in some jumping jacks and here she is leading Simon Says.

Sunny Beach Days

Some brief beach photos from last weekend. Gorgeous weather upon us. I have a feeling there will be many more of these to come.