Ma Yo Ma Ni A

The title represents the 5 Katakana symbols inside the circle on the front of this snack ring bag. Had I had my handy dandy cheat sheet with me at the time I would have known "for sure" that I was buying Mayonnaise flavored funyon type snacks. I was intrigued just off the picture of the kid on the front.

Turns out Mayo flavored snack chips aren't too bad.... in fact they are almost addictive. Kind of like dill pickle chips or salt and vinegar chips :)

See what the family thought:

100 Yen find

You already know my favorite store is the 100 Yen store. I love this place because you never know what you will find. The stock is constantly rotating and each 100 yen store has a different "specialty" item. Naval Kadena's 100 yen shop has the best selection of storage containers, the big 100 yen store by the convention center has the best food selection, etc.

While browsing the big yen store for fun foods I ran accross this: I decided that for 100 yen we would try it out. I "read" the directions:

Opened the package:

And mixed it up in my saute pan:

As with american prepackaged foods, mine didn't look ANYTHING like the package said it would. Turns out this was a shrimp flavored pasta and it was very, very shrimpy tasting. Stephanie enjoyed it more than the rest of us did. Someday I am going to have to sit down and finish learning my Japanese phonetics so I can decipher these packages in the store!

Lucky?

We wanted to try out another new restaurant (Yes, we are trying to eat our way across the island!). This was an All You Can Eat Yakiniku place called King Kong's. We found the building, but the parking lot was full, so we had to find a spot on the street. Not an easy task here where cars outnumber parking spots by at least 2 to 1. We found one pretty quickly and pretty close by.... Lucky

Then upon getting out of the car Chris spotted something:

LUCKY again.

Then we got to King Kong's front door, only to find that a private group had booked the ENTIRE restaurant until 3 pm (this was at 12:30.) Our luck ran out. We ended up grabbing a quick lunch at a not so spectacular burger chain called MOS burger. It wasn't even worth taking pictures of, but this sign on the wall was interesting:

Can we park here? (AKA Update #2)

Lyle and I went to dinner at a place we had been hearing about - Dragon's Chinese. It is a tiny (and I mean small) place with limited decor and a not so clean feeling about it. But let me tell you the food was yummy and very cheap. I didn't take pictures because there wasn't a lot to take pictures of, it looked like a typical old diner.

The parking lot did offer a photo opportunity tho. We weren't sure if we parked in the correct area or not. This sign did nothing to reassure us that our car would be there when we finished eating.

Catch Up Post #1

I have fallen behind..... AGAIN! Now, in my defense, I have been busy with work, home, kids and a hubby that has been working weird shifts over the last week. But in the end it comes down to one thing... FACEBOOK.

You all know what I mean, I sign on my computer with the intent of updating my blog, answering email, posting items for sale on Okinawayardsales.com, but first I have to check Facebook, then just a minute to try to beat Susan's score on Bejeweled Blitz, a second to escape from my latest kidnapper, one quick game of FARKLE. Next thing I know, my day is gone and nothing has been updated, answered or posted.

Enough excuses, on with the update. I took Chris out for a "mom and son" evening, while Lyle and Stephanie went to a Girl Scout function. Both of us had been wanting to try out a place called Gordy's. We had both heard, from different sources, that this was THE place for homemade burgers on island. So we picked up some yen and headed out.

It is a quiet and cozy little place, only a few tables inside and a few more outside. I was a little worried since it was a Friday night and we were one of two small groups choosing to dine there, but we were already committed since the waitress had brought us menus and water. Chris opted for the traditional Cheeseburger set, I went with a Teriyaki Burger, we decided to share an extra side of Onion Rings.

Our meal came with a cup of soup:
It was very similar to a French Onion Soup, without the cheesy, crusty slice of french bread on top.

Our onion rings were super good, with a light beer batter type breading and fresh sliced onion underneath:

Chris with his Cheeseburger. Notice the size of that burger!

My Teriyaki burger came wrapped in it's own paper. Good thing too as it was the juiciest, sloppiest best burger I have ever had (other than my own... of course):
The only thing Gordy's was missing was Malts. These burgers would have been over the top if we had had chocolate malts to chase them down with.

Since there wasn't a dessert menu, we chose to go to our family favorite: Family Mart.

I got the chocolate eclair, Chris got the parfait all for under 400 yen (about $4).

I have since tried to go back to Gordy's on a date with my husband. Once for lunch on a Thursday.... they are closed on Thursday's. And then again on Friday night. Unfortunately we got there at 7:55 and they close for the night at 8 pm. We will be trying again.... soon!

I did warn you

I told you I would subject you to pictures of my knitting... Again.

When I saw this sweater on a knitting forum (http://www.ravelry.com/) I fell in love. I HAD to make one. I browsed a few websites looking for just the right yarn, took suggestions from both Ravelry and my local knitting buddies. Audrey was the one that showed me the yarn I decided to use, Knitpicks.com Shine Sport. I chose a green called LeapFrog.

I knit up a sample swatch as soon as I received my yarn and needles. Counted my stitches and compared it against the pattern. I cast on for the first time on February 23rd. I say first time, because I had to tear it out twice, due to new knitter mistakes and miscounts. But the third time was the charm.

I finally finished on Saturday April 25th. It still needs buttons, but plan on shopping for those this afternoon. My sweater has a couple of small mistakes, but it was my first and they aren't really noticable. What do you think?

Today in History

My favorite brother was born on this day in 1975.

Why does he look scared in this picture? He didn't even know me yet!

Also on this day in 1987 (do the math....22 years!) I started dating the "hot"guy at work.

This is the earliest picture I have of the two of us together from September 1987. Notice the young hot chick in the mini skirt! I wonder where she went?

I give up

I cannot do it all. Okay, honestly I have known that since I had kids, but I continued to try.

Last week I decided enough was enough, I had to let something go. I decided that the thing I liked least was the thing I should quit doing. Number one on my list: HOUSEWORK!

So after asking around I called Good Housekeeping Okinawa and asked about their services. They asked me a few simple questions (number of bedrooms, bathrooms, how much tile vs carpet, etc) then gave me a quote. They sent me a list of the services they include in their "regular" twice monthly cleaning service. I have to admit, it was more than I did once a month, so I signed up.

Yesterday I had two lovely Japanese ladies show up at my door, cleaning supplies in hand, at 8:30. My local cohort Rita and my hubby both said I shouldn't be home while the ladies were there, something about being a control freak (I know, right?) so I packed up my knitting and left to meet a friend for coffee. I stopped back at home around 11 to meet Lyle for lunch then headed out again to take a meal to another friend that just had surgery. I was back home by 12:30 and they were finishing up.

My house looked incredible! All the windows - washed. The floors - vacuumed and mopped. The bathrooms - sparkled! My kitchen - they even cleaned the stove and fridge! Not a speck of dust (or Haru hair) was in sight.

The best part was that my day off was a REAL day off! Definitely worth every Yenny :)

I know you understand

I haven't been blogging. You haven't been blogging. My counterpart in Germany posted just a few days ago and said it all " *SIGH* "

I know I should be writing, I have things to write about. I keep pictures on my camera until I blog about them....my camera is complaining that it is full.

I keep telling myself I will get to it, right after this or right after that, but like every other thing, if I procrastinate long enough it gets to be too much.

So I have downloaded the camera into my photo software and I am not looking back. I will visit those restaurants again (maybe) the sun will set again tonight (and the next night and the next), Chris may find another four leaf clover (okay maybe I will post that pic, someday), and none of you really want to see my latest knit creation (although you will be forced to look at my sweater once I finish it). Today is a new day and the camera is empty, waiting for what excitement may come!

Happy Easter

Today Stephanie took part in her 3rd drama production at church. This one was special because it was only going to be her and one other girl from the drama team, Hannah, and because it was going to be featured during the Easter service.

Unfortunately my video camera was catching nothing but the backs of heads. But the Drama team leader, Aly, was able to record and post it on YouTube. The sound is in the background so to get the full feeling of the drama you will need to turn your sound WAY up, just make sure you turn it down again after you are done :)

The video is below as Blogger and YouTube don't want to cooperate today.

"Feel The Nails" By: Ray Boltz

The Barrel Restaurant

We heard of a place that was shaped like a beer barrel, inside and out, so we headed out to try if for dinner one night. We followed the directions we found online and it took us forever to find it. I now know a much faster (and easier) route from Kadena. We will be going back!


As we came in we were shown where to put our shoes (yep one of THOSE places) and then shown a sign that said we would receive an appetizer of their choosing and it would be on our bill. We had already heard that so we were prepared. We were then shown to our table. The table was low to the floor in traditional Japanese style, but the floor was sunken in under the table to let us dangle our legs.



We spent some time looking over the menu before picking up the telephone on the wall next to us. The telephone is just a variation of the BEST idea anyone ever came up with; most Japanese restaurants have a buzzer at the table that rings to a sign in the back, signaling your server that you would like something. The server will NOT come by your table unless he is bringing you your food, or you rang the bell. No nosy waiter coming over just as you put a bite of food in your mouth asking if you need anything else!


We each chose two menu items (no set meals here) and planned on sharing the bounty. Our waiter started us with our appetizer:

It tasted like a version of curry soup. Chris was the only one that didn't finish. He said it was just okay, but the rest of us enjoyed it.


A short while later our server brought out our food, one at a time:

Chris and I enjoying our food:

When we had finished, we rang for our bill and packed up to leave. As we were putting on our shoes, the hostess handed us a foil wrapped package to take home. I forgot to take a picture, but it was a small loaf of sweet bread drizzled in a chocolate syrup. It was a nice treat to end a nice night

New Recruits

I know the Marine Corp is having to change their recruiting habits, but the other day when I saw this on the road in front of me, I started to wonder if it is a good thing?

Kokusai Street

We had heard about Kokusai Street from EVERYONE! This is a popular shopping district for both locals and tourists alike. It is so popular that on Sundays they shut down the entire street to motorized traffic, and turn it into a giant outdoor market.

We finally had a Sunday free a few weekends back and decided to head down and check it out. We soon discovered that this street is a major artery from highway to highway on Okinawa. So shutting it down meant that it wasn't easy to find our way there. We took a few small side streets that might not have been streets, and were informed at one point that we were going the wrong way down a one way. This helpful taxi driver ended his bit of wisdom with the word, "dummy". Like we were supposed to know.... there weren't any signs, and doesn't our American only Y numbered license plate give us the right to screw up now and again?

AnyHoo, we finally found our way close to the street, found a pay-by-the-hour lot and parked.

This parking lot didn't need an attendant since it had these handy devices:

As you pull into the parking space you have to drive over this "speed bump" About 30 seconds later it raises itself up to the frame of your car, booting you in place:

When you are ready to leave, you pump your yen coins into the parking meter and it lowers the boot, allowing you to back out of your spot!

Because we could park on Kokusai street itself and since we can't read any Japanese (okay I understand a few symbols, but not enough to "read" it), when we walked out from our side street onto the main drag I snapped a picture of the building on the corner just so we could find our way back to our car!We spent the afternoon browsing through little shops, including a maze of alleys that were all covered to create an indoor shopping feel. We enjoyed watching the street performers and even stopped for a little snack (at McDonalds - McFlurries for all!)

It was a nice way to spend a lazy afternoon and have added it to the places to take visitors (sorry you missed this one Dave)

Letting Go

Yesterday I did the hardest thing I have ever done in my life...... I handed my son my car keys and let him go, by himself, to the store. When I realized, halfway through my dinner prep, that I was out of flour, Chris jumped at the chance to run to the commissary for me.

I, of course, hesitated. It was after 4, base traffic is heavy, the commissary lot will be full. A million reasons to say NO, but the biggest reason, the most important reason and the most irrational reason is I don't want to let go. As much as I joke about him leaving, I don't think I am even close to accepting the fact that he will. But I handed him the keys, warned him to be careful and let him go.

He was only gone for 20 minutes, but I KNOW I heard sirens at least twice, and I stood by the window the whole time waiting for him to drive into the parking lot. Ducking away from the window when he did, I didn't want him to think I was watching for him. He walked in with my flour and joked, "I only hit two cars!"

After dinner he announced he was taking the dog for a walk with his friend, Megan. Doesn't he know I can only handle so much in one day?

April Fools

Not for me. I thought long and hard about what kind of joke to play, but in the end decided I was too far away from everyone and someone would end up taking things seriously.

On a serious note (really no joke) Our phone lines are a bit wonky. Okay they always have been iffy at best, but the military has taken away our free DSN line and have forced us to switch over to Verizon Business. This was as of yesterday. We can call out, and we can get calls in, but they are echo-y. Also if I don't answer the phone in the first couple of rings it auto transfers to our Voice Mail. Not our answering machine.... Voice Mail.... Of course we haven't set up a voice mail account and have no idea how to retreive any messages.

Rumors are that we will be charged per call from the house, and I haven't found any info to prove otherwise. We may be switching over to just cell phones yet (they kids vote YES). So I will hold off on sending out our new phone number just in case it will be changing again soon.

Another Sign for you all to enjoy. We did NOT eat at this diner, but I have seen Gristle on many menus here. All I can say is EWWWW

Goodbye SOTW

I have pulled the Sign of the Week off the sidebar of my blog.

Why? Mostly because I didn't update it every week like I originally intended, but also because some pictures needed to be bigger or have longer comments to go with them. So I am just going to post the occasional item here.

Like this one:

Gum with a liquid-y center. We thought it should have been called SPLASH, but then we tasted it and decided it was named after the sound you make spitting it out - SPASH

Or this sign:

I don't know where the Japanese go when they are feeling sick, but I know where they go when they are UN-sick and Healthy!

One more before I head off to work:

For those that don't want to take the road less traveled!

I missed it!

I keep track of my miles on a sticky note in front of my computer. Whenever I think of it (or feel like it) I will go in and update, but it isn't something I do every day. I guess I should have been tho, since I missed the big 1000 mile marker :(

Of course I am never going to make it from here to Michigan, unless we extend our tour here by another 3 years (never gonna happen)

On another note, I meant to blog on Wednesday, but my day got thrown into a tailspin pretty early. I ALWAYS take off my rings and string them on my watch band. I put the watch either next to my computer or on the hook near the sink. But Wednesday when I saw my watch next to the computer only my sapphire ring was on my watch, my wedding ring was gone. I glanced around the desk, but didn't see it.

Don't panic.... just think.... I remembered having it the night before at knitting group. We were talking about local jewelers and I mentioned that I needed my ring repaired, since it was cracking. But I slipped it back on my finger.... Right?... I know I did. But then the mind started working. Did I really put it back on? Did I hand it to someone to look at? Did I drop it into my knitting bag by mistake? Could it have fallen into the bag that had my trash from dinner?

I called Lyle first, maybe he took it planning on suprising me by getting it fixed. NOPE, he didn't have it. My stomach started churning, my mind was racing. Where could it be? I emptied my knitting bag, my purse, my desk. I pulled out the fridge, the stove, the microwave. I called up to the USO, where we met Tuesday night. I searched my car. I drove up to the USO, searched the trash can, the parking lot, the room we sat in. All with no luck.

Lyle met me for lunch before I had to leave for work. He reassured me that it was somewhere and "it is just a ring".... Men don't understand.

My whole day at work was preoccupied with thoughts of the ring. At 7:30, before I left work, I called home to see if anyone needed anything before I came home. Then I was told, they found it! Lyle promised the kids Baskin Robbins Ice Cream if they could find my ring! It took them 5 minutes to see it on my computer chair, between the cushion and the back rails. Relief!

When in Japan...

I am amazed at the variety of food here on Okinawa. There are so many places to eat, foods to try and ethnicities to explore. Recently Lyle and I went out on a date night and ended up at an Indian restaraunt called Krishna's.

Neither of us had EVER had true Indian food before, so we were unsure as to what we should order. Fortunately, for us, they had sampler sets. Lyle ordered the traditional set meal, while I ordered the seafood set.

My meal is pictured above. It included Naan (flat bread), Tandoori shrimp, fried fish, salad, seafood curry (the red stuff) and fresh yogurt with mango puree. There was also a crispy flat chip type thing, but I don't know what it was since it wasn't listed in my menu. Lyle's plate looked just like mine except he got two currys (one chicken, one vegetable), Tandoori chicken, and a "Sheek Kebab". The Kebab was ground chicken, seasoned to spicy perfection then pressed onto a stick and roasted. I loved it, Lyle just thought it was okay. But we both agreed the food was wonderful. I even spent some time searching Recipezaar.com trying to find recipes to recreate the meal.

We love set meals because they always feature a restaraunts best dishes, but also for the dessert factor, After we stuffed ourselves on our huge dinner our waitress brought out this:

The clear bowl is Lychee gelatin (YUMMMMM) served with a small bowl of fruit. The red fruit at the bottom is a Lychee. Of course we didn't know that until we got home and looked it up. It has a tough outer skin, but the fruit inside is soft, like a Kiwi.

It was a wonderful night without the kids, and I look forward to doing it again!

Tenkaipen

I thought about posting all of my food related updates together, but there were too many. Food is definitely a major cultural experience for us here. Whether we are going out shopping or site-seeing we always end up trying a new food, drink or restaraunt.

One Sunday after church we met up with Audrey and her husband. They wanted to take us to one of their favorite places.

Tenkaipen is a ramen restaraunt. Their menu is only one page long, and half of that is beverages. You really only need to decide what size you want and how thick you want your broth! The set meal came with ramen soup, rice (fried or white), gyoza, and a drink. We ordered medium bowls with the signature thick sauce, based on Audrey's recommendation.

It was incredible! The broth was delicious, my mouth is watering right now just thinking about it. We will be heading back there someday!