Typhoon Kompasu - part 2

A news update: from Alessandra. Ummm, yeah.


Here we are many hours later. The wind is still whistling and the rain is still hitting our windows, however, it seems as though the major "beef" of the storm has passed. Thankfully the eye passed to the North end of the island and we were left with some fun wind and rain, but nothing too exciting (which may sound blase to you, but we were quite happy that was the outcome).

Here are some photos of the day - before it got SO gray that a photo did nothing to show what was going on.

 

 

After a bit of time, we headed upstairs for dinner. It got pretty windy, and wet. Here are the kids after a trip outside. (I think Robin got some photos from the actual outside events, but I had no need to go out and be a part of that) :)

 

All in all, we are good. Kids are in bed and there will likely even be school tomorrow! Let's hope that the folks on the East Coast of the US fair as well with Earl.

Typhoon Kompasu - update 1

Here we are. It is about 10:40 am on Tuesday morning. The kids are out of school and Brad is home from work. This morning has been eerily calm and we even got in a walk and run to start out the day (that will inevitably end with us being stuck in the house all afternoon/evening). The sky is starting to darken and the water is starting to show ripples (it has been very calm all morning).

So, since we are unable to have local weather forcasts from Japan in the house, we thought we would bring you some play by plays from the storm for your viewing pleasure.

Enjoy!

(of note: hopefully the background will get better, this was shot from our handheld camera (ease of downloading), but we will aim to get you some good weather/water shots).

10:58 am - first photo is a view to the south west (from our apt), 2nd shot is to the Northeast

4 years and counting...

Happy 4th Birthday to our Alessandra!

It's hard to believe she started out this small - so tiny, and so sleepy. I remember having to flick her little feet to wake her up to eat...

Who knew that she would then, not sleep well for the next 3 years of her life.

When she turned 1, her distinctive personality was already shining through. She took the longest I have ever seen ANY child take, to eat her cake. I think by the time this photo had been taken, we were all in conversation and the kids had already left the table. My favorite part of this - the eyebrow look. If you know Alessandra, you have seen it.

Alessandra turned two shortly after our move to Okinawa. She started preschool a few months after her birthday and continued to show us who was boss - particularly when it came to anything physical.

In truth, she is "small but mighty"

And here she is at 3. All smiles.

And here she is this morning. With big sister Olivia (before getting dressed, and still with crazy hair). Usually we wait until the evening to open presents, but hey, when you have a summer birthday, you have all DAY to play!

Happy Birthday sweet girl.

So, are you ready for an adventure?

Our interest was peaked. Our local magazine and our favorite website Okinawa Hai had talked about this hike/river trek to Taa Falls (Taadeke). Although there was some question to whether or not the girls would be able to make it, we figured, 4 kids, 4 adults. We should be fine.

We took the hour and a half drive up north and into the jungle. I wish I had taken some photos of the road - literally being over taken by jungle. When, we came across a load of cars/vans and even a bus. We knew we had made it.

The start of the trek.



One of the best parts about walking on the river? The vines of course. Our Monkeys In Training, all took a turn.

2 big sister Monkeys (Rebecca and Olivia)

1 little sister Monkey, Alessandra

Another little sister Monkey - Isabel.



Izzy and Robin heading on down the track, leading the way

WAY over there - Alessandra and Brad taking the high road.

Lots of climbing over rocks, branches and water. SO MUCH FUN!

I had to post this photo. Here we are trekking along the river, lots of rocks, climbing and river scrambling and we look up and see this lady (and many others along the way) "hiking" in heels. No joke. Japanese ladies will go just about anywhere in their heels.




Rebecca and Alessandra taking a break.

After a pretty wet trek, we come around the corner and see the beautiful falls. Gorgeous, about 50 feet up (I would guess) and just rushing. Men and kids went in firs - here you can see Robin and Becca next to Brad pointing (he is holding Alessandra)

This shot I didn't even realize I took, but there is Becca with Robin and Alessandra (above water) and apparentely Brad (under water). Hmmm.

Brad and Alessandra made it to the falls - here they are!


Brad with Alessandra on his back, coming out of the water.

Chilly Alessandra (but SO happy!)

So, you can't take one kid without taking the other. That's Brad and Olivia in the falls.

After the kids went in, the Mommies went in. Here is Laurie with Robin, taking it on.


HI!!

And last (but not least) Kelly takes the plunge.

Cutie pie

Olivia and Mommy


This isn't a particularly attractive photo, however, it gives you some perspective on how tall the falls were.

Cute girls posing...

As we were photo op-ing. Robin and Becca (the adventurous ones) took a little plunge and explored behind the falls... can you see them back there?

Laurie and I also decided we needed to pose (like Olivia and Alessandra). The boys (with Rebecca the great) took off for a hike above the falls. They were gone for about an hour, so the other little ladies (and mommy ladies) hung out by the falls, people watched and checked out rocks. Isabel is an amazing collector and found all sorts of good stuff - while Alessandra spent most of the time makine one rock "write" on another rock. SO much fun was had by all!!

The effects of Jet Lag.

Hello fantastic blog followers. I, rather, WE are back in Okinawa. Our trip was fantastic in all senses of the word (minus one Brad that wasn't able to make it with us) and we are so thankful to all of the nice people who housed us, fed us and loved on us.

So, it goes without saying that I have a lot to catch you up on. However, as timing would have it, we are going through the fun that is jet lag. Here is the scene last evening around 7:30pm. Neither girl was very hungry during dinner, so they took their bath and played in their room. Alessandra comes out and says she is hungry and would like some cereal and milk, I asked her to go and see if Olivia would like some also, she replies "I can't, she fell asleep on the floor" So, we head into their bedroom and find Olivia sound asleep.



Naked Barbies everywhere and clothing item still in hand.

Brad moved her into her bed (the top bunk, still not sure how he got her gangly self up there) and Alessandra followed suit. In bed at 7:30pm and our early riser Alessandra up at 4:30am. I guess I should be thankful that they both slept through the night, right?

Ahh, cheers to jet lag and happy travels. And love to all.

A note about Dad's

I always find that the obligatory holidays (i.e. Mother's Day/Father's Day) inevitably creep up on me without much notice (yes, even the signs at the Japanese store that tell me to "thank father" pass me by without helpng me really remember. Usually. :)

This year, I was on it. I remembered AND got cards out in the mail to the great father's in our life. (Did you get them yet?) My intentions are always good, but timing being so far away... usually not so good.

Brad and his Dad (Grandfather)

Thank you to all of our Dad's. We are so lucky to have 3 great Dad's (aka Grandfather, Grandpa and Poppi) in our lives. They have been wonderful role models and supporters of Brad and I (and the kiddos) for as long as we can remember.

Alessandra with Grandpa (my Dad)

Alessandra with Poppi (my Ron)

AND from me, a heartfelt Happy Father's Day to Brad. He is a great dad and a wonderful husband. The kids are currently awaiting his arrival in the living room where they will shower him with love. That will make me smile.

Brad meeting Olivia in Hawaii and Brad meeting Alessandra in the hospital. Lucky guy! (or should I say, we are the lucky ones).

 

5th Kyu Green Belt

Okinawa has been a continuous journey of sites, sounds and feasts. One of the greatest joys of our life here on island include our time at The Nix Dojo (Ryukoku Seidokan Karate). Both Olivia and I have invested a lot of time in learning this beautiful martial art from some amazing Sensei's.

This month we were able to participate in another testing session. We both tested for the second stripe on our Green Belts. The Green Belt level is more intermediate than our first belt, the kata's are difficult and the expectations are higher. In my opinion the class has become more fun - because there is so much more to participate in and it all starts to make sense instead of being an overwhelming amount of information.

First up: Kelly. For the second time since we have been here, Brad got to come and check out our skills. We were happy that he was there to watch AND I didn't have to beg someone to take our photos!


Here I am stretching. I was SO nervous this time around!

The kata we performed this time is called Passai. In Sensei's opinion, it is difficult. I couldn't agree more! It was a challenging kata (to say the least) and for the first time I felt very nervous going on stage to perform it. It is a fine balance of strength, power and grace. Not sure I have mastered it yet, but here it is:

After the testing (there were a LOT of adults who tested this time, 5 Black Belts and 2 second degree black belts, always an honor to see that). We await the "certificate"

Bowing to the Sensei's

Happy to say it was a relief to have it over and looking foward to the next step! (With this next level we get to use the bo - a large wood stick in our kata - watch out!)

After a change of clothes, I turn into "Karate Mom" (a quote from my friend Kristal - "Karate moms - sort of like soccer moms, but not")

A fine group of ladies I would say! Kelly, Alyssa, Virna, Kristal and Aviva)

Next up: Olivia Marie!

Here she is performing Passai-kata. She makes a small mistake in the beginning, but recovers quickly!




Standing on stage for the Self-Defense part of the test

Over there on the right...

Standing next to her buddy Emily awaiting certificate. They have both grown SO much!

Getting her certificate from Sensei! SO HAPPY!

Please put that extra stripe on my belt! 2 STRIPES!!

Daddy with his tough girl.

Olivia with Sensei's Akemi and Ron Nix. Love these people!