Monk's Vegetarian Lunch

Here are a few pic from lunch. The top two plates were all vegetables, tofu, and other things I had never eaten! Below is a big pot of water where we boiled the food. It was pretty good and I was surprised I was able to eat so much!

The next two pictures is the lunch that Michi made for Gabriela. This is a typical children's Japanese lunch. A few rice rolls, egg roll, sausage, 1 piece of chicken, vegetables. and 1 shrimp. They are actually really tiny and the pictures make them look bigger than they are. Much healthier than McDonald's!!

Enryakuji

Gabriela ringing the bell. She rang this bell about 5 times!

This is the bath. The view was so pretty and you could see the entire city of Otsu.

Saturday Gabriela, Michi and I went to Enryakuji. This is a sight about 20 minutes from Otsu and on top of a mountain. There are a few temples, a restaurant, and the "traditional Japanese baths." When we arrived it was snowing and Gabriela was ready to play in the snow. We walked around enjoying the sights and temples. Gabriela was very excited to see snow and kept trying to eat it! We went inside and  Michi asked if we wanted to take our baths. I had heard about the "Japanese Baths" and was really nervous. The only thing I knew was I had to take all my clothes off! I was pretty relieved when no one else was in the bath house with us. Gabriela had no problem stripping down and loved the bath. She actually thought it was a pool. After our baths we ate lunch, which was a traditional Monk's vegetarian meal. Michi was very sweet and packed Gabriela a lunch. I enjoyed lunch, but glad I don't eat that way everyday!

Lake Stars

The Lake Stars are playing well and fighting for the top spot. This weekend they play the number one team in the league. We are hoping for big wins!! Nichy is playing great,  and I still love watching him play. He will be 32 in April and still plays like he is 22!!  I have been going to Nichy's game since he was 20 years old!

This is Nichy with his Coach and Wada. We love his Coach and wife Jenny. She and I have become great friends. They are both from Australia and this is his first time coaching in Japan. We are lucky to have them both!

Gabriela loves going to the games and watching the cheerleaders. She and her friends get their pom poms and make up their own routines! After a game Gabriela was trying on one of my bras! When I asked her what she was doing her response was "I am a cheerleader." 

Japan

It always amazes me how different each countries are. Spain and Argentina are similar because they are both Latin countries. Japan is different from The States and even more different than Argentina. Here are a few things that are "the norm" here. I live in Otsu. After visiting Tokyo, I realize things are very different here. I think Otsu has more of the "traditional" cultures.

*Kids don't have birthday parties. I think this probably has to do with the cost of things here.
*Shoes off inside the houses and also some public places
*If you have a cold you don't go to work
*If you have a cold you wear a mask when in public.
*They recycle all of their trash. There are not many public trashcans outside due to not wanting to separating the trash.
*When you meet someone or say thank you they bow.
*It is very rude to use your cell phone on the train.
*I see a lot of people at cafes and train rides sleeping while sitting up. I think this is due to working many hours.
*Their dinner tables are on the floor.
*Many people also sleep on the floor.
*If you have a party or get together for drinks it always has an ending time. For example, if you go to a party or small get together everyone arrives and leaves at the same time.
*Food buffets have a time limit (Nichy does not like this one.)
*Majority women do not get sun exposure on their skin. Nichy said in the summer all the women  wear big hats and long sleeve shirt when walking outside.
*In preschools kids drink tea and also gargle after lunch.
*There are no chicken breast at restaurants. Even the chicken strips at McDonald's are dark meat!
*At basketball games you will hear people cheering by yelling booo's! When a player is booed it is a good thing and means they are cheering for you.
*Every minute counts here. Many of Nichy's team meetings and other get togethers start at 1:12 instead of 1:15.

Gabriela

Everyday I look at Gabriela and can't believe how big she is. She loves imaginary play and is very creative! Lately when we do her school activities I tell her she is "going to school." I even let her pack a lunch! She gets ready, and then we walk into the living room and start her lessons. We work on letters, crafts, and science. Today when we were doing the letters she told me "Fuller was hitting her," and it was "Judes turn." Then, she proceeded to talk to her cousins on the couch! It was quite funny. She really misses them and a couple times has asked to go back to the United States.

Gabriela loves stories before bedtime. If you start a story she doesn't like she will say "no no no tell this story." Then she will say every detail of the story and wants me to repeat it!! Nichy put a couple cartoons on the ipad for her. That is her special treat, and she would sit there for hours everyday if we let her. She got Hello Kitty dominoes for Christmas. We play a lot, but if I beat her there is a melt down. When she wins there is a big celebration.

Yesterday we went to Kyoto and visited a pet store. There were the cutest little dogs there. I thought it would be fun for her to look at the dogs. For the next hour she begged for a dog and even got teary eyed. When it was time to get on the train she said she didn't want to leave the dogs. I couldn't help but feel sorry for her. She loves animals and every week she is either asking for a lizard, dog, turtle, or fish! Nichy is still speaking Spanish to her. I am hoping she doesn't loose it,  but it doesn't seem to be as fluent. She likes to hear stories about when she lived in Argentina and only spoke Spanish with all of her friends. Japan is good for kids because they have really cool play areas. We just need more friends to go there with!!

Hello 2012!!

Last night we celebrated New Years with just our family. I cooked a nice meal and Nichy and I brought in the New Years together. Last year we were apart for New Years. It was nice to be together for The Holidays this year. Here are a few things that happened in 2011.

*Nichy signed a contract to play in Japan this year. He felt it was a good time to experience another country and basketball market. His team is playing great, and we are enjoying Japan as a family.

*Gabriela learned to swim this summer and started pre-school in the U.S. The first time I dropped her off at her school she said "Mommy I don't want you to stay." I couldn't believe it. Her Independence made me a little sad! She continued music school two days a week and preschool two days a week until we left for Japan.

*Gabriela got a solo in her music recital. She looked so cute on stage and did so well! Nichy and I were very proud of her.

*We started another small business called Princesses, Pirates, & More.. We offer character parties and tablescapes to match! It is still very new but so far going well. My Mom is helping out with the tablecapes and cupcakes. She is so talented, and it is fun working with her. Gabriela and her cousins will be set for their birthday parties the next few years!

*Lindsay and Andy welcomed baby Spencer! They didn't find out the sex. I was in the room and hearing the Doctor say "it's a girl" was one of the most exciting moments! She is healthy baby and so cute!!

*Addie is pregnant and expecting a baby girl any day! Now the girl cousin are out numbering the boys. Zac has only a few more weeks working in Nigeria. I think it was a great experience for him, but he is thrilled to be done!

*Greg was declared cancer free. He came and visited us last year with a brain tumor. The Dr had given him a few good months left. A few weeks after he returned from his traveling he went in for a cat scan, and the tumor was no where to be found! He is starting back school this semester and doing great.

*Our parents continue to be blessings and healthy.

This year we pray for Nichy to continue to stay healthy and play well. We have a few months left in Japan. It will be a long summer waiting to find out what country we will be in next basketball season. Nichy and I have been trying to get pregnant for a while. We are hoping and praying to expand our family in 2012!!