Out and about...in Fukuoka

Things here in Fukuoka (pronounced foo koo oh ka, FYI) are settling down nicely. Sophie calls it "Foo koo yoka" so don't feel bad if you mispronounced it! There's a large grocery store a few blocks away (with beautiful, delicious strawberries!), a huge park the other way, and the train station has an elevator! Life is good. We just wish the weather would shape up! It's been cold cold cold! It snowed like crazy today! Sophie was totally loving it!




































Here are three pictures of the same thing (or close to it) in the span of an hour. The progression of the storm was intense. This was off our balcony.





































I'm still trying new things. Last city, I took up Bikram yoga. It's 90 minutes of 26 poses (two times) in 105 degree heat. I'd say it was no sweat...but that's incorrect. Quite. Here in Fukuoka it's been difficult to find a yoga studio that is close by and/or affordable. So far, it's a no go.
I also have been to the dentist two times since we've been here in Japan. In Osaka, we went for a cleaning and the doctor was super gentle and nice, and they offered iPods with relaxing music on it. In Fukuoka, you had to take off your shoes and wear slippers. When I sat in the chair, they offered me a blanket. Have you ever had that happen in the US? Not me!

Valentine's Day is special in Japan in that the men get gifts and chocolate and other lovey things. The day for women is in March. Funny, huh? I decided to make use of my Japan-only cupcake maker one more time and make cupcakes for Jim. Sophie helped. She's a very good flour pour-er and egg hand-er. I made red velvet inside French vanilla cupcakes. Sophie had to approve them. She's also a very good cupcake taster.












Surprise!

























On our last day off, we wanted to go to the aquarium. So we trekked to the boat dock for the ferry and there were no boats running that day. I think it was too cold and windy. We decided to check out the Fukuoka Tower. Click here for the official site. The views of the city and the ocean were pretty amazing! Here are a few pics Jim took. This is an overhead view of the ferry station. It reminded me a lot of Huntington Beach, with surf shops and restaurants. We are facing Korea, which a Korean tourist told us it was an hour by plane. Yes, that close.












Japanese kids in matching hats
























Supermodel Sophie












Making faces





































Sophie and I went to site for the first time yesterday, and the train station is decorated in KOOZA style! It's super easy to navigate and stroller-friendly to boot! Fukuoka is the closest to the US as we've been that I've noticed...well, except for the whole everything-in-Japanese and the driving-on-the-left side thing. HA!
You can see Sophie on the left. The stairs are the Trickster and the columns are posters of the acts. Plus there are numerous posters around the station, in the trains and at bus stops.




































Sophie on the Trickster stairs.


















Anyway, we're gearing up for the Aqua Gala fundraiser that Sophie and the other dance class girls will be participating in. We can't wait to see it!

Out and about...in Nagoya

The other night we wanted to go check out a botanical garden nearby, but when we finally got there, they were closed. We were so bummed! We decided to just take a walk and take pictures. We ended up close to Oasis 21, which is a shopping center near the Sakae train station and bus depot. They had "ice" skating (more like plastic) and Sophie was interested in trying it out. When we're home in April, I think we're going to try and go on real ice. She had her moments of frustration (mostly because the floor was difficult to go on) but the gaggle of Japanese girls ogling her made it easier to take I think. :]

The view from our apartment












Central Park laser, with tower and sculptures
















































Ferris wheel in Sakae












Nagoya TV Tower




























































"Ice" skating with Daddy














































































This one ALWAYS makes me giggle!

My favorite ballerina

Sophie goes to pre-ballet class two times a week with four other girls, all between the ages of two and four. This year for Christmas, she received some ballet clothes from Grandma and Grandpa. Here are a few shots that I took from this morning. Enjoy!

Twirling, her favorite thing to do






















































Jumping












Generally being cute

Miss Independent turns three!

My baby is not-so-much a baby anymore! Wah! Part of me is clutching to the memories of her being a 5lb 6oz crying machine. Now she's still a crying machine, but 32lbs. Now at least she has the option of telling us what she wants or why she's crying. "I'm so frustrated!" is her favorite, when she can actually talk. Usually it's about a toy, or she wants something she can't get, etc. She's a drama mama to the core!


























This crying is intermingled with moments of pure, unsolicited sweetness. One day, I finished my workout and she said, "I'd like to give you a hug and a kiss now." Um, ok. Thank you! This coming from Miss Independent, "I'll do it by all myself!" This is the reason parents are late. Kids wanting to do everything "by all myself" and it takes 60333049% longer than it should have to. But I don't mind. It gets better, right? Hmmm, I haven't seen any parenting "It Gets Better" videos. Poop. I think we're in trouble.

Three years old already. They say that having a child is like having a fast forward button on your life. This is so true! I can't explain where the last three years have gone, but they have flown by! Her favorite things are puzzles, music, books, lego blocks, Imagination Movers and anything Sleeping Beauty. I have no idea how this particular princess became her favorite, except maybe because her dress is pink. She also likes Hello Kitty, which was the theme of her party today. We had a little family cupcakes and presents time this morning before Jim had to leave for work. We also Skyped with both sets of grandparents, while they watched Sophie open the presents they sent. It was pretty awesome! It is 14 hour time difference but you can't tell that. Technology is pretty amazing! Then we had a few of her friends from Cirque over for a pizza and cupcakes party. It was so fun! Here are a few pictures from her party.





















































































Cupcake with friends (that's Chloe hamming it up)













Playing with her new hula hoop from Chloe.












Sophie modeling her new hat from Iris.














Siani being a ham. I showed Sophie this picture and I said. "Who is that?" She said. "Sally!" Sally is the seahorse. HA!














Sophie playing with her friends. (Mio, Chloe, Siani, Sophie, and Iris).














I've heard that three is two with intent. Bring it.




I am deeply sorry for the lapse in posting, as I've been focusing my efforts on weight loss (-47 lbs since July 1!). I promise I'll post an update soon.