Still Living the Dream

Due to technical difficulties I’ve only recently been able to log into my blog account L So with fewer words this posting I’ll only put up pictures with captions…I’ll keep the food adventures down to two…lol

Azalea Festival at the ruins of the Nakijin Castle

Let me start with this disclaimer…I’m not a photographer J  The Azalea Festival was at night and the grounds were beautifully illuminated by spot lights and these were the only two good pictures…sorry!

So if you have a craving for some bacon fat on a bun...here ya go!

Okinawa has a professional basketball team just for ya info, the Ryukyu Kings.  Yes, there are some brothers out there, but number 37 was the team! Narito Namizato, 5-7 and just bad with a ball. 

Sitting in the stands while the crowd was yelling "defense", I forgot where I was and made a comment about a play.  Yeah, they gave me the "I don't speak English" look quickly.  Anyway, the Okinawians won!

Watching the dessert as it was being made.

French toast with ice cream and fresh fruit...scrumptious!!!!

Lemon Passion hot tea...all warm and fuzzy after drinking this.

Grilled salmon on a bed of french fries...for real!

Name of the restaurant and the dish.

Some aged art on the wall.

The Americans call this the Japanese pancake.

 Okonomiyaki is made with a very thin crepe like batter with ramen noddles and just about anything else you want in it.  I had pickled ginger on the side and it was so good...oh my goodness!  Each table had it's own private  hibachi so you can either cook your own or just keep it warm.

Transit Cafe is the perfect place to watch the sunset...



One Year Later

Today, one year ago, after leaving everyone and everything familiar I stepped into a new life.  I’ve been reflecting over the pass year, how different things were in the states and the adjusting needed to fully enjoy the new culture I’ve found intriguing, humbling and challenging.  On December 29, 2010, as I sit in the airport crying, weeping and wondering if I had really heard the Lord give His approval, I was also experiencing the feelings of fear, excitement and anticipation...


What a year…here’s a glimpse of what I’ve been doing and a few of my favorite things, places and a little something funny :)

My new favorite sushi spot!!!

Celebrating, 1 of my 3 birthday outings in Yokosuka, Japan...Mainland Japan

My co-worker/friend, who is a retired Sr. Chief,  baked this cake  in his hotel room!!!!!

Subway in Yokosuka

I love this drink!!!!  It's cantaloupe in a can.

This is always in my fridge...stop over for some :)

Here's a look at the place I call home, before moving in...

Not much going on in here....

This is the entire kitchen!

View from my couch.

AC unit, for the entire place...but it is only 700 sq ft

Yeah, I can view who's ringing the doorbell, then walk three steps to open the door and it has an intercom.

Shoe cabinet...I love it!!!!!

Just because there's no Cold Stone.

 Lost in translation....

This was a thank you gift after hiring someone...

Japanese cookies and donuts inside.

This is sea grapes.  After refusing several times I finally tried them...pretty good!

This was just my favorites of favorites, I have a new favorite restaurants every month, just discovered the outlet mall last weekend, have visited a couple of the other islands adjoining Okinawa, went to Itoman City for a light show and concert...this Japanese band was playing and singing the greatest hits of the Beatles...LOL  I have braved the ziplining course...the first leap was the hardest, but I'm hooked and ready to go back!   

This is a fast food meal from Hotto Motto's, my absolutely favorite spot everyday!  It's   Fu-champuru  over rice, side salad with noddles, corn and shredded lettuce and cabbage and the best salad dressing in the world, seamseed.  Fu-champuru is stir fried cabbage, carrots, bean sprouts, eggs, onion and some kinda bread like substance.  At the end of a long day this is how I do it for only 500Y.