Over a year...

I can't believe that it's been a year since last time I posted here... It has been crazy, that's for sure...

We finally went back to Tokyo! Yay! We saw all my family there, shopped in my town Shibuya, went to see Tokyo Tower, went to TDL... Then the very next day after the TDL... The massive earthquake happened... We were in the old military building where we were staying when the earthquake hit. The building shook crazy, we tried to evacuate from the building, Chris got Ilah, John could walk his way out all by himself, but Michele was terrified and she couldn't move. So I picked her up and tried to go down the stairs. We were on the 4th floor, the building didn't stop shaking, all I could think was to get her out of here. So I ran down the stairs, didn't realize that the stairs were moving bad. Then I fell down the stairs, the gentleman behind me picked Michele up and took her downstairs. I tried to get up then I noticed that I hurt my ankle. It didn't help me go down the stairs faster at all. But made it to the exit of the building...

So we couldn't stay there anymore, we went to my cousin's house which it usually takes about 20mins to get there from where the hotel at, but obviously everybody was going home, trains were not working, so... It took 10 hours...

Anyway, we were safe after all. Right after we came home, me n Chris celebrated our 8th anniversary. Then I got a job!lol So now I work in Huis Ten Bosch, the Dutch theme park in Sasebo, Japan. My work is in this park, called English Square. Basically it's the place where Japanese people can experience things in English. Not totally a school, but we have a lot of customers using as school trips. Which all students had great times... It's been crazy busy as far as my work schedule goes, but I think I like my work. I've met so many people, I can use my talent here, pay is not bad either.

Only concern is I cannot spend as much time with my family as before. Sometime I get to talk to kids only in the morning. I feel very bad for them. Well kids actually kinda like me working in Huis Ten Bosch tho, so they can come visit me here...

I also lost "me" time. Then I still buy things for scrapbook n stuff.lol I hope I can find some time for that... Eventually...

2000 years ago...

We went to Yoshinogari Historical Park today. In this park, we could see n learn how people lived in Yayoi era which is about 2000 years ago, here in Japan. Wow, 2000 years ago, can you believe that? Well, I am not really good at history n all, but I know I learned about this Yayoi era, that doesn't mean I remember what I learned.lol



Anyway there are a lot to see, like the buildings they built same way as 2000 years ago. It actually really impressive that they could built those 2000years ago. Those entrance is very low, which tells us how short they were.







There's some activities for all family to do too. We tried one workshop, stone pendant making. It took about an hour, it was a little difficult for Michele, but John could make one with our help. It was pretty cool. We all loved the pendants we made.



N it was very good exercise too...lol Inside park is very big, just like acutual villages. We enjoyed walking inside park. Well, it was very humid today, but we could still feel some autumn, we definitely felt the nature.







We would strongly recommend this park, it's very family friendly, very cheap, very clean, a lot to see. The stuffs are all nice, some of them even speak English n teach us about this Yayoi era. It's about 45 mins way from Sasebo area, on the way to Fukuoka. You can visit their web site to see more information from the link below!;))

http://www.yoshinogari.jp/en/

- Posted from my iPad;))

Can you see it?

So there is a interesting museum called "Super Trick Art" in Huis Ten Bosch, which is a full of trick arts. I love this kinda arts! We took picture of most of it, n it'a all on my photo blog, MAMA's Photos http://mamajohnjohn.wordpress.com/ but I'll show you some of it here.:))



Yep, this big beautiful butterfly is a drawing on the wall, not an object!



That's a drawing on the wall too, even a hoop!



Haha, another one! Yep, a drawing on the wall, n Chris was behind the wall.



This is my favorite. It looks like there is a mirror, right? There's nothing between them!



These three men, actually are exactly same size.

There are more of these trick arts on MAMA's Photos, so if you like these arts, please check it out!

- Posted from my iPad;))

Huis Ten Bosch

Huis Ten Bosch is a huge Dutch theme park in Sasebo. Inside park is really like Holland... well, I've never been to Holland, but all buildings n streets are Dutch style, there's even rivers n bridges, a lot of flowers, n many window mills. So once you get in the park, you would feel like you came to Holland. Yep, it's in Sasebo, Japan.











It's about 20mins from our house, n we always wanted to go to this park. Now, they sell evening tickets, so we finally tried yesterday.







It was soooooo beautiful inside! I wish I could live in there!lol They also have some attractions n rides, some of them are kids friendly too. Like Miffy world.(I guess Miffy is from Holland.)







We went there only evening time, but we definitely wanna go back there when it gets a little cooler.

- Posted from my iPad;))

Water Play!

It's been super duper hot... Because of me n this huge belly, we cannot take kids to the real pool, so we put the lil one in the back of the house. It's nice to play in the water... n daddy joined them too...lol

Sasebo Seaside Festival

After the OB appt... We found out that the baby is not ready to say hi to us... So we decided to go to see the firework last night. We drove up there n there were so many people. Lucky us, the firework was right by the base, so we parked on base n could watch from there.

Kids n daddy dressed up Japanese style.









I couldn't take a good picture of firework, but it was HUGE! N it was an hour long! We all enjoyed.:))

- Posted from my iPad;))

While we are waiting...

While we are waiting for this baby girl to be born... Hehehe... I got a new camera! A good good camera! It's for the baby, of course, but also for taking nice pictures of this beautiful place. In this South area of Japan, Kyuushuu, we can drive to many great places in few hours. Now I could go in labor anytime so we didn't try too far, but we've already seen some great views within 2hours driving. So... We need a good camera, I thought.lol

Then I had been figuring out how to transfer pictures from PC to iPad using WiFi(just being lazy to connect n all...), since I am not a Mac user, it was confusing... Then again, I am a geek mom!lol

OK, these are the pics I took last week...





We were at the SA(Service Area - Rest Stop on Expressway), SA in Japan usually has a little park with a nice view. They also sell yummy food.:)) Chris loves to stop at these places.lol

So... We are still waiting n waiting for our baby to be born, n I will try to upload a lot of pics here!

- Posted from my iPad;))

Happy Father's Day!!

Happy Father's Day!!

We had a wonderful day today. We went to Saikai Pearl Sea Resort, which is 10mins from base by taxi. First we enjoyed 50mins cruise on the pirate ship "Kaiou", then we had a great lunch. After that we went to the aquarium which we really loved it! They have 3 young dolphins, they love to play, even between the shows. They just throw balls out of the pool n play catch ball with us. Kids had a great time there!

After we left there, it was time for dinner. So I asked "Daddy"(Chris) what he wants to eat. He's been craving for clams... Well, he always loves clams. So we tried this Japanese "Izakaya"(like bar & grill type) restaurant by Sasebo station. OMG, this place was awsome! Not so expensive but everything was delicious! He had 2 and a half bowls of clams! Yep, he was happy.;))

I hope all fathers are having great Father's day with their family!!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Japan

Happy Easter! 2010

This year’s Easter was very special for our kids. Not only they were getting gorgeous Easter baskets(I’ve been working for it since a month ago!), but we could spend Easter with ‘American’ Grandma!

Like a lot of moms do(as I saw), I made their Easter Basket this year as well. Well… I just don’t like those pre-made baskets… lol So I put their favorite toys in the baskets… For John, lately he says he wants to start to play soccer, so put a real soccer ball, n of course new John Cena action figure…lol n some lil stuff. For Michele, now she wants to be a ballerina, so she’s got a ballerina dress n a ballerina bear, n some lil stuff.



Then of course, egg hunt… We had a LOT of eggs…lol We had so many, kids wanted to quit before they picked all the eggs…lol


So Daddy helped them. “These are MINE!!!” LMAO

Well, kids got a lot, more than enough. They had fun!

Daddy got a lot of candies too, n I was very happy cuz we had ‘American’ Grandma’s Easter meal! YUM!