Wabi-Sabi Sole

Finding Beauty with Imperfection

Home Again

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On September 25, 2017

In Family, Friendship, Japan

Dave and I returned home Sunday 9/24 after a fabulous two week vacation visiting with family and friends. We spent time in Indiana with his family and enjoyed the opportunity to relax and catch up. Jakob, Carmen, and the three grandboys drove up to Indiana and surprised Dave. 


Plus, there was a fabulous surprise party hosted by Bob and Tish to celebrate Dave’s promotion. Family and friends came from various parts of Indiana, Georgia, Colorado, and Florida to see us. It truly was a special week. My only regret was not snapping more pictures of everyone. I suppose I was too busy chatting! 


The second week we spent in Virginia Beach enjoying time with our friends. Dave and I made a point to see sunrise each day on the boardwalk. 


We enjoyed as much beach time as possible. 


Our friends, Jennifer, Danny, Campbell, and Chase came up for the weekend to visit. They joined us for morning jogs, beach time, and numerous laughs. 

Many of the laughs might have been because of Danny. 



Jennifer, Campbell and Chase were sports with the moisture masks. More explanation on that soon! 


We celebrated Jeff’s birthday.  


We celebrated Big Jeff’s retirement. 


It was a wonderful week in Virginia Beach. Mark, Roxanne, Sue and Jeff were amazing hosts and made coming back to the ‘hood feel like home. 

And I can’t forget to add a picture of Little Melissa aka Springer aka Small Fry. She’s always popping in with a smile and a story or five. 


Thank you family. Thank you friends. You made our trip special and full of so many memories. We miss you all so much already. 

The Crossroads of America

By

On September 8, 2017

In Beer, Japan, Udon

Dave and I are headed to Indiana for a week. We plan to spend some quality time with family. I’ll do my best to keep up with Wabisabisole. However, the same applies. I’m going to take time to be present and enjoy family time. Plus, I know my cell signal will be nonexistent for part of the week.

After Indiana, we are going to Virginia Beach for a week to celebrate a dear friend’s retirement. We are very excited for our trip and look forward to time together and with family and friends. 

Before leaving Japan, we enjoyed one last bowl of Udon and beer before our flight. 


As always, thanks for reading! 

Birdies

By

On September 7, 2017

In English, Japan

Today was hectic. As hectic as the day before a two week American vacation should be expected to be! 

1. I needed to meet with my friend who is emptying our dehumidifiers while we are away. Yes, that’s a real concern. Thank you, Jenn, for keeping our house mold free! 

2. I had my Thursday English class from 10-12. Followed by a mani/pedi rescheduled appointment from yesterday at 1:00pm on Main Base. In between, I wanted to drop off two bags for donation at the NMCRS. They are only open the first and third Thursday from 9-1:00. 

I packed mani/pedi clothes and shoes just in case I needed to change in the car from teacher clothes. Being a former swimmer, I can change easily and modestly just about anywhere! 

Things became hectic when English class ran late. I was cutting it close getting to my salon appointment on time and I needed to drop the donation. While stuck at a train crossing, I slipped off my skirt and put on my slouchy pants. At the next stoplight, I called the salon to say I would be about 5 minutes late. No problem. After dropping my donation at 12:57, another car was backing up. I used these 30 seconds to change from a teacher shirt and cardi to a comfy tshirt. At 1:03 I checked into my appointment at the salon. 

Whew. The appointment was relaxing. I drove the Hooptie over to Dave’s work and left it for him to drive home and I took the train. Finally at home, I sat down on the couch. I was proud of my well managed day. I pulled my hair into a pony tail and touched my ears to make sure my birdie earrings were still there. This is a habit I easily do a dozen times a day. Nope. The left one was missing. My heart sank. Dave gave me the birdie earrings easily 11-12 years ago. I was so sad. I checked my closet and shower. Nothing. I sent Dave a text, breaking the bad news. When he came home, he brought in my bag of car changing teacher clothes. I searched through. Nothing. We ate dinner and I explained my day. As I was cleaning the dishes, he grabbed a flashlight. He went to the car to look for my earring. I reminded him to look for the backing, too. Not even five minutes later he came back with my left birdie earring. I’ll be honest, I cried when I hugged him super tight. I was so happy. 


I can add this to the list of things my husband has found for me. 

1. I lost one of these earrings within the first six months. He found it. 

2. I lost two diamonds out of my wedding band as we were leaving for vacation. He found them when we returned! 

3. And now, the second time I lost a birdie earring. 

He has officially won the title of “Eagle Eye” and obviously, my heart forever. 

Ps. I’m so excited to vacation! See you soon! 

Sweet Treat Thursday 

By

On September 6, 2017

In Japan, Kawaii, Sweet Treats

For several duty stations, I developed a habit of baking for Dave’s command on Wednesdays for him to take to work on Thursday mornings. I think it started in Memphis because I wanted one brownie. Not a whole tray. I baked the tray of brownies and cut out one of the center ones and sent the rest of the tray to Dave’s work. The rest is history. I crave a sweet, bake it, and send the rest to Dave’s office. My favorite cookie to make is salted caramel chocolate chip cookies. They are delicious and a crowd pleaser. 


Living in Japan has enabled me to step up the presentation of sweet treats for command MWR fundraisers. 


I wrapped two cookies in each bag. I simply printed the cute labels. Kawaii! 


For ¥100, I was able to purchase 6 bags. The closest ¥100 store is one train stop away in the Shinzushi train station. Yes, I don’t even have to leave the train station to shop! It’s not the amazing four-story Daiso near Yokohama but, it had the perfect little baggies for tomorrow’s sweet treats. Kawaii bags are part of my list of things I love about Japan! 

Dr. Fish Foot Massage 

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On September 5, 2017

In Chinatown, Dr. Fish, Japan, Yokohama

A visit to Dr. Fish foot massage in Yokohama’s Chinatown has been on my list for a while. To be honest, one of the reasons I haven’t gone was the thought of fish snacking on my feet freaked me out. I almost chickened out today!

Katie and I went to Yokohama’s Chinatown to have lunch, explore, and visit Dr. Fish.


For lunch we stopped at a delicious sushi place that serves tuna rice bowls, my favorite!


After lunch, we made our way to the Fish Foot Massage. For ¥1000 ($9.50), you can soak your feet in a fish tank for 10 minutes. Students and kids are cheaper.


The facility is full of tanks. I was secretly hoping it would be too crowded and we would need to come again another day. Alas, no. It was empty.


The receptionist escorted us to the foot bath first. Here we washed our feet before dipping them into the tank.


She then showed us to our tank and instructed us to dip our feet in. I was following her directions perfectly until I saw the fish schooling under my feet before I put them in the water!! OMG! Look at all the fish! I was a little scared and decided to wait for Katie.


Together, we plunged our feet into the fishies.


Look at the grimace on my face!!! It tickled. It really tickled.


Katie and I tried to decide if it was their mouths or their fins that tickled. Both. Seriously, OMG! Both. It was weird and anything but relaxing.


At times one of us would need a break and lift out our feet. When we did, the fish would go immediately to the other person!


Close to the end of our time, Katie commented how long 10 minutes seemed. I couldn’t agree more! We also discussed how was this sanitary, relaxing, or ok? We decided – because Japan. I’ll keep my fins fingers crossed I don’t start growing scales.


Finally, the receptionist told us our time was up. We were so relieved. Whew. It was such a weird experience. When you visit we can easily add this to your itinerary. You’ll love it! Or at least I will love watching your reaction!

Yummy Goodness 

By

On September 2, 2017

In Jagabee, Japan

Japan pastry snacks are amazing. We don’t always know what we grab, but most of the time the pastry is delicious. Check me out – WUBA gotta eat! 


So, the square thing closest to me was corn bread with whole kernel corn. This only proved the reason to buy more. You may only like half. The chocolate doughnut- winner! 

The other great discovery this afternoon was that it is Grand Jagabee season. Think of them as dehydrated french fries with brie cheese flavor. They’re “oishi des” (delicious).  I’ve started my accumulation. Not to worry, I’ll bring some back to the US next week. It will rock your snacking world! 

Lotus

By

On September 1, 2017

In Japan, Shrine, Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gū

Warning: for my readers who experience Trypophobia (fear of clusters of holes or bumps) you might want to stop reading. See you tomorrow! 

At the Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu Shrine in Kamakura, there are large lotus plants growing in the ponds. 


It wasn’t until I lived in Japan that I understood the complete lifecycle of the lotus plant. Before I lived in Japan, I would have referred to these plants as lily pads. Clearly, they aren’t. Because a lily pad leaf sits on the water and the lotus plant leaves rise above the water. 


The ponds were lovely. 


I enjoyed walked around the ponds and as I did, I noticed most of the flowers had already bloomed. Only a couple remained. 


More prominent are the lotus seed pods. Once you notice them, you can’t stop seeing them. 

A couple up close pictures. They are everywhere! 


In the U.S., we are used to seeing lotus seed pods dried. Often they are placed in a fall flower arrangement. 


Rarely do we see the actual lotus root available for purchase in the produce section of the grocery store. 


Or added to your Sushi bento box. 


Here is a visual of the lotus plant lifecycle. 


I hope you feel complete now that you are more familiar with the lifecycle of the lotus plant. If the lotus seed pod pictures bother you, you might have trypophobia. 

Brent’s Ramen

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On August 31, 2017

In Friendship, Japan, Ramen

Brent has been staying with us off and on over the past couple weeks. Tomorrow he will finally be reunited with Dina and the kids in sunny Southern California. Tonight, Dave and I took Brent for his final dinner in Japan. Fittingly, he choose his favorite ramen joint. 


Dave and I have passed it many times and tonight we had the chance to sample it ourselves. It was delicious! 


My bowl of ramen had extra noodles and seaweed paper. So, good. 


Saying “je matane” to Brent tomorrow will bittersweet. We will miss having our friend nearby and simultaneously, very happy he will be reunited with his family. Safe travels, Brent, see you soon! 

Yokohama Museum of Art

By

On August 30, 2017

In Japan, Yokohama

How do you get a science teacher to an art museum? Tell her there is a science exhibit, of course! 

Currently, at the Yokohama Museum of Art there is an exhibit by Triennale featuring many different aspects of science. I needed to check it out! 

The theme of the exhibit were connectivity and isolation. Forty different artists were selected to participate. They created exhibits based upon the theme from their perspective. 



The entire museum was transformed into a fusion of art and science. I was given an English brochure to follow as I walked around. Also, many of the exhibits were labeled in English. There were so many exhibits within the exhibit. I focused on a few that I enjoyed the most to share with you. 


This huge structure was at the entrance. I felt as though the quote was referring to my hair! 


The first exhibit featured different islands made from a variety of mediums. The island of Australia is made from shells and plastic. 

This island made from pink and green sea urchins was called “Color Blind Island.” The pattern is similar to the cards used to measure color blindness. 


Accompanying the larger islands were small models. 


The different sea shells used in the exhibits created a very unique representation of the artist’s ideas. 

The next exhibit was Anime. Because Japan! 

The Family Mart screen painting made me laugh! 


The beads in this necklace are made from fossils! There are 170 varieties of fossils. They come from all over the world and are arranged chronologically according to evolutionary history. 


The next exhibit made me chuckle. It is an exhibit by Rob Pruitt. It displays several of his eBay items currently up for auction. You can visit his eBay store “Rob Pruitt’s Flea Market.” There you can bid on these items and many others! 


This next exhibit reminded me of a child’s room with blocks all over the floor. Fortunately, no one injured their feet because the rug was part of the exhibit and not to be stepped on. 


This one was another of my favorites. The artist tracked the currents of the Mediterranean Sea. Interesting art indeed! 


If looking at current patterns didn’t m excite you, wait until you turned the corner! Kawaii! Life size polar bear statues covered in feathers!! I was ready to take a nap with the pink one! 


 The exhibit was great. I enjoyed wandering around and spending a couple hours thinking about the connection between art and science. And trying to figure out where I would put the polar bear in my house!! 

Fort2Base – Sole Adventures 

By

On August 28, 2017

In Japan, Running

When we lived in Great Lakes, Dave and I would participate in the Fort2Base 10NM (11.5 miles) race. The race starts at the historic Fort Sheridan and ends at Naval Station Great Lakes. 2017 marked the 7th annual Fort2Base race. The race director, Beth, is a friend of ours and we were thrilled the virtual race option was available for 2017. Dave and I registered and were excited to participate even though we are so far away! 

We received our amazing finishers medal in the mail along with our race numbers and sling bag. Just one thing left to do – run our race! 


Which we did, this morning. 

My legs were pretty sore after my Mt. Fuji hike on Saturday so we decided to run the race very early in Monday morning. Also, we thought running before sunrise would help save us from too much heat and humidity. 

Here are the snapshots of Dave’s Fitbit and my Garmin. We went the distance! 


It was fun to have medals to celebrate our strong work. Tell me those medals aren’t the coolest!?! 


It was fun to have a shorter distance on our running calendars. It took a while after all the training miles for Tokyo Marathon to want to run another race. The Fort2Base run was perfect to keep us motivated during the summer months. Thanks, Beth for making the virtual race possible! We are already looking forward next year!! 

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