James Dean

About 20 years ago I visited James Dean grave, and last night I got there again. For such an American icon his grave is very lonely surrounded with plastic flowers. When I come back to the states this winter I think that I will have to bring some nice flowers.

They were a little reticent about kneeling behind the grave, but I think it will become the best gift to take home.

Gators

Now they have always said that wherever there is water you will find an alligator in Florida, but this is the only time that I have seen one on the Warner Southern Campus. It was pretty cool.

Bok Tower

It was raining when we arrived and we had to buy ponchos to walk up close enough to hear the bells but I think because of the rain the colors seemed to pop out more.

The teachers outside the gift shop.

Entrance way to the visitors center.

Splash

M&M's

Here we are after shopping at the M&M store, this giant M&M rotated if you pushed it. How cool is that.
Today we went to church at South Lake Wales church, the service was really nice and the message was really good, was it just because I could understand everything and not have to process it? Had lunch with Dr. Jim at his house and then ran off to Bok tower to listen to the Carillon, although it was raining, it was pretty nice. The students come back tonight I hope that all went well with them.

Breakfast @ Chalet Suzanne

Wonderfully delicious baked grapefruit

Scrambled eggs, bacon, Swedish pancakes, and a cinamon roll.

Out side the restaurant infront of the hotel.

New Watch

Well today was a full day of shopping, we started off at Florida Mall and the M&M store. It was really fun and I got four bags of free M&M's for all my purchases.
Here I am with my new hat hope Bernie likes it because he's getting the same one. I also got some pens and some playing cards as well as some funky underwear.

We also stopped at a Cristian bookstore but the didn't have very much so I encouraged Hitomi to wait till Anderson. After 2 hours in the mall we headed to a teachers supply store, and spent a few minutes there. Then as we were leaving we spotted a nice looking restaurant, Stonewood Grill and Tavern. It was really nice and we had a very good meal, and at $68 dollars for three it wasn't bad price wise.

Our final stop was at Premium outlet mall. I wasn't finding anything interesting untill I stumbled into the Tag Heuer store, and fell in love with a watch. It of course was more than I wanted to pay, but it is an really nice watch and was cheaper than the ones that I was looking at in Japan. I had to take the other two teachers into the store to show them, but I knew when I did that I would end up buying it. The best thing I think I am going to be very happy with it now at least I will have something of value to will someone when I die. Haha!! Here is the watch.

Lions and Tigers and Snakes oh my!

Ok there were no lions or tigers but we did have a six foot python, and alligator and Holly the parrot. She was given to Gator Land as an unmanageable pet. But she soon turned into an amazing creature that just wanted to be loved and treated nicely.

Masa was a little reluctant to hold the alligator, but willing let the parrot climb on his shoulder.

Bird Kiss!

Holly would pull on some of the girls hair especially if it had mousse in it. Well he went for my beard instead. It was like he was trying to preen us.

As Holly's trainer was leaving he told us a story about Holly's favorite drink. It seems that one day Tim the trainer, stopped with holly at a restaurant and of course having the bird he could only sit at the outdoor bar. A couple of guys came in and sat down at the bar a little ways down from them, and ordered a pitcher of beer. When the beer arrived Holly started to get agitated, and Tim wasn't quite sure why, at this point he had only had Holly for a month. Suddenly Holly jumped of Tim's shoulder, ran down the bar and dunked her head in the pitcher of beer. Tim profusely apologized and offered to buy them a beer, the guys weren't upset but insisted that Holly get a glass too and they all sat down and for about 20 minutes and drank together.

As Tim told the story we broke out laughing at which point Holly chimed in with her own laugh that sounded just like ours, just like she knew exactly what was going and was reliving the funny story. What a hoot, I want one of these.

Jet Lag

It's 3:12 in the morning and I'm awake. Oh the joys of Jet Lag! But give me one more day and I think that it shall be conquered. All the girls are well and sem to have adjusted to the time change much better than the teachers. Today we will have lunch at Bob Evans, and then it is off to Wal-Mart. The girls can barely get enough of it, the words "I want to go to Wal-Mart will be heard over and over in the next two weeks.

Florida

On the way to the cafeteria on the first day.

I'm in Florida now and this is the second day, the campus has gone through many changes over the years, this clock tower was added last year. Behind Spencer dorm they are working on two new dormitories that look like they are going to be really nice. I will be doing most of my posting on my Tamasei blog that is only open to invited readers, if anyone out there is interested let me know.

Faces

My friends in Nagihana never cease to amaze me with the things they find.

Vacation

Well summer vacation has begun, but I leave on Monday for a 2 and a half week trip with students that is work, so do I really have a vacation? I'm trying to get everything organized today so I can send my bag off to the airport tomorrow so I'll have one less thing to ponder over. The clothes are all washed and now I just need to wait for them to dry. At least today it has warmed up and the sun is actually out. We have had rather cool weather for the last 2 weeks, except for the horrible muggy afternoon last Sunday after the typhoon. I was worried if my sweatshirt and jeans would actually have time to dry.

It should be a good time back in the states even though. Hopefully I will be bloging here and on the Tamasei page also. That one is private and if anyone wants to see it let me know, I can add you as a reader and if you can sign on to view it with a google account.

Afternoon in Tokyo

After a morning tennis tournament I went into Ueno to meet Shige for what turned out to be a late lunch. Before he arrived I walked around Ameyoko cho and then I ventured into the park where they were having a flea market. this picture was taken at the pond there that is completely covered with loutus plants. It is very pretty, but there weren't so many blooms.

After eating a nice Chinese lunch, we walked through the motorcycle shop area, Shige is getting a motorcycle and wants to take a trip up north during this summer vacation. I hope I am up for it after I get back from Florida. From there we walked to Akihabara and there is a new phenomenon now these young girls mostly standing on the street singing with these little karaoke machines and groups on people, mostly "Otaku" men standing around listening, clapping, dancing, and the most disturbing taking pictures and video's. It was a little creepy. Especially when the typical "otaku" is usually very strange. People with obsessive hobbies, most commonly manga, anime or hentai. "Wikipedia" It is the anime bordering on hentai, or perverted, that is the scary part. Shige just said well they seem to have found a niche where they feel accepted and as long as they don't take it to any extremes isn't it ok. Anyway now I have a new place to take guests to see the sights of Tokyo.

Forbidden Starbucks

BEIJING (Reuters) - A controversial Starbucks coffee shop in the Forbidden City, the former imperial palace at the heart of Beijing, has closed its doors after years of opposition.

I would agree that this is not the best place for a starbucks but at the same time with the Olympics coming up you got to have something for the tourists who are probably going to be freaked out by stories like this one out of Beijing, where they were substituting cardboard box for pork in steamed dumblings. Watch below to see how they were made.



I think this will be enough to make me a few people stay away from the Olympics.

Man-Yi

Or typhoon #4 as it is called here is heading our way!

This one has caused quite a bit of damage in Okinawa and Kyushu, but I am assuming that we will just get lots and lots of rain and maybe some wind. Usually by the time these storms make it to Tokyo they have petered out and there is not that much to them. It has been raining pretty much non stop since yesterday morning and I'm sure this will last all day. Really hate going out on days like today but at the same time I don't want to be cooped up all day. Just hope I don't get to wet when I do go out.

Nathan's

Forgot to mention that last night before the musical I got my July for wish for a hot dog. I had forgoten there was a Nathan's in Shidome so I talked Rachelle in to going there instead of the upscale coffee shop that she had planned on. And the best thing everyone was pleased, and even though it was a little pricey when I thought about it, but it was well worth it and still less than we would have paid going someplace else. The fires are out of this world also.

Wicked

Last night I went to see Wicked with Rachelle and some teachers from school. This picture was taken outside the theater after the show. Itwas a really nice production, and would have been nicer had it been in English, but even so it wasn't that hard to understand. Had a little trouble with the chourus numbers but other than that I pretty much could follow the story. One of the teachers commented that she wished the translation of the songs could have been better. so maybe it wasn't the best Japanese it was easily understandable. Now I would like to here the songs in Japanese. I should probably download it on iTunes.

Danny the Dog

Or better known as "Unleashed" in the states is on tonight and I can't wait to see this movie again. Jet Li, Danny, is stolen from his mother and is raised basically as a dog, and is trained to kill when unleashed. I know it sounds awful but the key is that he runs into this blind piano tuner who through simple acts of kindness transform him into a person again. Very powerful, if you haven't seen it do. Makes me wonder how many peoples lives we can change through simple acts of kindness and compassion.

CPK

Met Alina last night for dinner at California Pizza Kitchen. A nice little restaurant in the Lazona shopping center in Kawasaki. It was nice to get out Monday and Tuesday I was sort of hermit like staying at home resting up trying to get rid of this cold. I was surprised at how busy almost all of the restaurants were being it was a Wed. night. I have been to CPK on the weekend and it has never been as busy as it was last night.

On a side note, I think I need to go through my cupboards and toss old food. Just stumbled across a can of refried beans that had started to leak out of the can. They must have fermented.

Cold

Mike has caught a cold or am suffering from air conditiong syndrum or something. On the way home from church yesterday my throat started to hurt, and now today it seems to have turned into a full blown cold or something. Luckily it is a light week this week. I think I will escape from school a little early and go home and crash.

Matsumoto as Alina saw it

Ok it has been a month since we went on this trip, but here are pictures from Alina.

This is Alina eating raw horse. And before you start screaming, you have to know that she said actually it was pretty good.

The entrance to the castle grounds

Going into the Castle.

Nat'l Anthem

I have always enjoyed singing the Nat'l Anthem. I remeber singing it at football games and basketball games and inevitable someone would turn and make a comment about my voice. Makes you feel pretty cool. So for your listening enjoyment it is the Nat'l anthem as sung by Sandi Patti. She can sing this piece!

Independence Day

Happy 4th of July!! Here in Tokyo it is a drab rainy day, not the kind of weather I associate with either summer or this holiday. So there will be no fireworks, no barbeque, not even a hot dog. How boring is that. only thing to remind me of the day is a flag sticker from Abby. For all of you at home on this holiday hope you have a great festive day.

Bugs

As I was walking home from the station this interesting bug flew by me. You can't really tell here in this picture but it also had blue spots, I took this picture and immediately sent it to Connie for identification. What she told me didn't come up on the internet so the identification is up for grabs, maybe Kuma knows?
*Update: And the answer is ゴマダラカミキリムシ(gomadarakamikirimushi) Asian longhorned beetle.

iPhone

After hearing that it may not be up to the Japanese market, this preview gives us some insight on what to expect. I think when it comes to Japan they are going to have to make major improvements or they won't make it in the market. Just too many vital features missing, I mean things that are standard on phones here. Let's hope they get their act together.

Rated

Mingle² - Online Dating

Utsukushigahara Onsen

Tried some trick photography of an overview of the bath. This was the private outdoor bath that we had for two hours during our stay. This place was really great and I would highly recomend it to anyone. Izumiya

Black Castle

The first picture that I put on this blog was of Shige and I at this castle, and here it is again. This little castle town is really nice and I think it would be a nice place to live. It seems to have the all the nice things of a big town, good shopping, god restaurants, onsen, and the best of all it is all in close proximity. I mean you don't feel like you have to take an hour to get anywhere like here in Tokyo. I added the rest of my pictures up on my mac page, if you want to see more go there.

Izumiya

Always have to take a picture when I'm in the bath. We got the private use of this bath for an hour in the evening and an hour in the morning. Click on the picture to see my other pictures.

Office Management

Ran across this, this morning and I was laughing so hard I started to cry. It certainly would be an effevtive tool.

A night in Matsumoto

Today we have no school because of the msuic festival on Friday, we took a short adventure to Matsumoto. Here are Abby, Alina and Rachelle at the foot bath. There was also an outdoor bath, a private outdoor bath, private indoor bath and the regular indoor bath. We stayed at Izumiya, a very nice inn here in Utsugushigahara Onsen. I really had considered the place next door but this place has just as much atmosphere, and the service and the fod was great.

The OC

Ok, I finished season one of The OC. What a tough ending, had me in tears and the anticipation for the next season... I'm just glad that I don't have to wait for the new season in real time. I have to start the new season tonight. I'm sure it is not Ryan's bably and Teresa has just played a game on Ryan.

All that said it is amazing how this drama has pulled me in. Even there are a lot of things that happen that I don't agree with, I think there are so things in the show that mirror life. Also in reaching out to Ryan the Cohen's have found benifited so much. How true that is for us in reaching out to others often it is us the benifits the most.

Too bad I have to go to the school music festival today, if not I would be locked up at home watching as much of seson 2 as I can. Well maybe it is a good thing that I get away.

Speaking of Wisdom

Or should I say, "Speaking of Gross", we just had an anoucement at school about the proper disposal of you sanatary napkins. I had to go over to Connie's desk and extol to her exactly how much this grossed me out. I guess I am used to this kind of thing happening at a girls school, but they always want us to be careful how we use the PA system because sometimes the announcements can be heard in the surrounding neighborhood. Wouldn't that be a fun one to overhear.

Wisdom

知恵

Today I had to speak in chapel and the theme this week is "Wisdom". As I was riding to school I had a mini revelation about the word. The kanji for wisdom is written above, the interesting thing is that when you break it down the first part is 知る＝to know, the second part is 恵み＝Grace. So couldn't you say then that to know grace is wisdom. More specifically to know the grace and mercy of God I believe brings true wisdom.

Parents from Hell

Heard this story in the news yesterday and it was in the paper this morning. Seems like parents are the ones that need to be educated. One of the parents complaints was don't have my child do cleaning, because I never have her do it at home. It also tells of things like six hour phone calls to administrators as well as teachers, and of course at all hours. I get glimpses of this at school. i hear teachers talk about long phone calls and parents that seem to have more to learn than their children. I think the parents need to take more responsibility in actually raising their children and let the teachers get to the task of actually teaching the subjects that they are there for.

OC

I have been hooked on another TV Series, OC. Ok I know that it has been around for awhile but I just happened on it by chance when it was packaged with a DVD that I rented 2 weeks ago. Actually the first 4 episodes were great, I was really moved by simplicity of the story. A family that is willing to take in a boy that has gotten into trouble and his family has abandoned him. I think is probably the pilot when Sandy ties Ryan's tie. A simple act of carrying. Ryan's life is turned around by people who go out of their way to care for him.

Shouldn't we all be trying to impact the lives of others just as Sandy is Ryan. I know this is a teenage drama, but it continues to move me to tears. There are some things in the show that make me cringe, but at the same time I keep watching. It is actually refreshing, maybe unrealistic at times, but all in all a good show that I'm glad I stumbled upon, and even more happy that Abby had season 1 & 2 and I don't have to spend any money to enjoy it.

Fukushima

http://www.town.shimogo.fukushima.jp/kankou/place02.htmlIf all works out well this next weekend, I hop to make it to this little village nestled in the middle of nowhere in northern Japan. Wish me luck.

Rainy Season

Thursday we officially entered the rainy season, funny thing is that it did rain pretty much all day Thursday but since then we have had the most beautiful weather, clear skies, sunny and warm. The climate is changing, it is not the drab over cast and wet rainy season that I remember. Then I hear people saying that it is a "Dry Rainy Season" which of course makes no sense to me. And even though we are having good weather I think I am going to go out and get a new rain suit to wear when I ride my motorcycle. The one that I have now always leaks at the crotch, of course no where else, but the most obvious and embrassing place. Hope I can find a good replacement.

Living Faith

Yesterday Trey Hillman the head coach for the Nippon Ham Fighters was at Tamasei for our Living Faith program. For this program they try to get a well know figure who talks about how they live out their faith. Hillman has been involved in the promotion of the book "Power for Living", and so the school thought that he would be a good choice. Many of the teachers commented about how easy he was to understand and what a good talk he gave. Bernie translated for him and I think his translation was even better than Trey's speech. After it was over he came up to the teachers room and signed autographs and posed for a picture. He seemed to really enjoy meeting everyone, and was openly warm, friendly and non reserved, something that seemed to surprise many of the Japanese people. Most of them said that had he been Japanese, because of his position he would be more reserved, formal, and somewhat stiff. It was a good program and left a good impression on the students.

Soul Survivor

I have been reading thins book Soul Survivor by Philip Yancey. Actually I picked it up last summer but have just gotten around to sitting down and reading it. Basically he talks about 13 people that have impacted his life. Today I was reading the chapter on Robert Coles someone who I had never heard of but am glad I have been introduced to. Coles a Harvard graduate and professor of literature, spent time in the 60's doing psychological studies with children. Here are a couple of thoughts that came out of this chapter. Insights that he learned from the poor and underpriveldged.

"You see, my child, you have to help the good Lord with His world! He puts us here- and He calls us to help Him out..."

This from a grandmother of one of the first girls to be sent to desegregate the schools. He found the moral developement of these underpriveledged people to be on the same par as Jesus and Gandhi. When it came to living out their faith these "culturally deprived" families passed the test. Unlike others who, "got all A's and flunked ordinary living."

"Being pivileged, Coles concluded, tend to stifle compassion, curtail community, and feed ambition." Coles also states, "It was true the poor were cursed... Yet in a strange undeniable way the poor were also blessed, for whatever reason, with qualities such as courage and love and a willing dependence on God. The irony: Good humanists work all their lives to improve the condition of the disadvantaged, but for what? to raise them to the level of the upper classes so that they too can experience boerdom, alienation, and decadence?"

These are very profound words. I'm taking my time with this book because it seems like every chapter tells of someone very interesting that if I don't already know about I really should and I am enjoying being impacted by their words passed on to me through Philip Yancey.

Birthday Time again

So you really can't tell it from the picture but I am in cold sweats in this picture, I really thought I was going to fall over. I just wanted the picture to be over and sit back down. Actually I went and laid down.
So to sum up the week I have not had anymore problems with what ever was bothering me. I hope that the medicine did it's trick, along with the prayers from these guys. We were gathered for Cheryl's birthday. I think that we have given up on throwing surprises anymore, I mean it is always the same people and you know it is your birthday how often can you trick people that nothing is going on.

Under the Weather

Got hit with stomach pain last night that lasted pretty much through the night. By morning the pain had localized to the right of my abdomen, so I didn't even try to go to school even though I really needed to see my classes today so I don't get totally behind with them before summer. Anyway I'm thinking appendicitis, so I went to the Dr. and he gave me blood tests had them sent off to see if there were any problems and called me back later in the day to say that basically the results were inconclusive. I am on antibiotics and he told me not to eat today, and if it gets worse let him know. Basically he said that most cases that he has seen the pain is much more intense, and that unless it suddenly gets worse the antibiotics should clear things up. Hope he's right.

Spiderman

Makes me want to run out and see the movie.

You Are My Everything

Ran across this video and I like this guys voice.

New License

Had to renew my drivers license today, a rather involved process, that as I thought about it is interesting how I get through these things and wonder if I could do the same process as smoothly in the states. It was sort of like a cattle drive. You get the application and that line was the shortest, fill out the form and buy a revenue stamp on the form. Luckily most of the lines are numbered. As I handed in the form, they said, is your alien registration ok? I was like yeah, then they said well can I see it? I wanted to say if you would have asked that question first it would have been much clearer. Anyway the line to hand in that line was huge or should I say the for or five lines were huge. Then it was off to the eye check, door #3, there was an explanation at the entrance and I made sure that I read it so I would know what I was doing. Well a lot of good that did, there was no button to push like they said there was and also there was no color blind test. At door#4 I handed them my form and after a few minutes wait I was told to go to door #9 and get my picture taken. Then they told me to go on to lecture room #9 and then an elderly gentleman thought he would be helpful and told me in English to go to room #4, I was like what then he realized his mistake and I actually did get to the right room. Then it was time for the 2 hour lecture and movie. The movie was not like the blood and gore scare you into safe driving, it was more aimed at showing the shame that can come with causing an accident. The character in the movie has an accident hitting 2 children, killing one, while drunk driving. Of course being an idiot he flees the scene. After a couple of days his shame gets the best of him and he confesses to his wife. At the end of his confession to his wife his two children barge in and the son scolds him for not doing the right thing. Of course the boy is all of about 10. He turns himself in and is sent to prison for five years, and is given a million dollar fine. Of course they have to sell the new house and his wife has to go to work. She tries to apologize to the family but is always refused. Finally in disappear the wife commits suicide, and the kids are sent off to relatives. Of course the father learns that the wife has killed herself, but doesn't know what has happened to his children. Needless to say it was a rather strange approach to encourage safe driving.

During a break from the lecture I asked about being able to renew my international license and the lady said her apply now it will take 5 minutes and then when you have your new license come back with that and a picture and we have it ready for you, she even went as far to say the window will probably be closed but I will wait for you. That was the nicest part of the day. Actually I got out of the room early and was the 1st one down to pick up my new license and got back to this later before she had closed down. Two birds with one stone and all relatively smooth.

Suicide

Today the big news in Japan has been the suicide of the Agriculture Minister. This particular politician has been in hot water over misuse of funds, and in what is a not too unusually gesture he decided to end his life. Japan has one of the highest suicide rates in the world, so this type of news isn't all that unfamiliar. For many people it is seen as an easy way out, and at the same time in some way an honorable way out. In my post about the mass suicides in Okinawa, these were stirred by rumor and most of the people saw it as a better way to go. This is definately a country that needs to see hope.

War Memorial

It was 3 weeks ago that these pictures were taken, but they are important to finish off the Okinawa story. For mor info check the previous post, Tokashiki.


I was the only one that want a picture taken at the memorial. I agreed that maybe a smiling shoot of me wasn't appropriate so I had Cheryl take a picture of me looking at the memorial. Have to say not my best side, I saw it and wondered who that fat old man was.

A Good Nights Sleep

It is now getting to be that time of the year when the sun comes up around 4:30, ie it usually wakes me up and I get less sleep. Las night for what ever reason I had a nice restful sleep though and I didn't wake up until 6:00 I surprised even myself. Maybe it was because I went to the bath last night and got a massage. I really do like the bath even though it is a bit of a drive, it is really nice, I just wish that I could call ahead to make an appoinment with my Massuer.

Only in America

"Can I get a diet coke with that?"

This is from my cousin. It is so true and sort of makes you wonder.








1. Only in America......can a pizza get to your house faster than an ambulance.

2. Only in America......are there handicap parking places in front of a skating rink.

3. Only in America......do drugstores make the sick walk all the way to the back of the store to get their prescriptions while healthy people can buy
cigarettes at the front.

4. Only in America......do people order double cheeseburgers, large fries, and a diet coke.

5. Only in America......do banks leave both doors open and then chain the pens to the counters.

6. Only in America......do we leave cars worth thousands of dollars in the driveway and put our useless junk in the garage.

7. Only in America......do we use answering machines to screen calls and then have call waiting so we won't miss a call from someone we didn't want to talk to in the first place.

8. Only in America......do we buy hot dogs in packages of ten and buns in packages of eight.

9. Only in America......do we use the word 'politics' to describe the process so well: 'Poli' in Latin meaning 'many' and 'tics' meaning bloodsucking creatures'

10. Only in America......do they have drive-up ATM's with Braille lettering.

Gotemba

Like I said we had a good 3 day camp with rain in the middle, but after the rain lifted it made for some beautiful scenery.
Here is a better picture of Fuji, yesterday's picture was on my cell phone with a really poor voom, this one is a lot better.

Orientation Camp

Well back from 3 days of orientation camp with J1 students. It was a good camp, despite one day of rain. But the rain did clear up the skies and this was the Mt. fuji that greeted us this morning. It was very unusual not a clout in the sky and it stayed that way for most of the morning.

Ate too much and didn't get enough sleep, which is typical of school excursions. I need to start walking or do something to keep my weight down and get ready for my trip to Florida this summer. It is always a killer to have all that food around and it is so easy to just jump right in and eat everything that is in front of me.

Cheers 49

At Zest with the Tokyo gang.

49

My second birthday dinner, this one with all the Tokyo people at Zest. Rachelle made plans to go to California Pizza Kitchen, and even though I like it, I told her hey it's my birthday and I think I want to go to Zest. I worked out best because our teachers meeting ran long and it was about 6:40 before we were all ready to leave.

Sunday

We were at the Okinawa Gospel Family Church on Sunday for my birthday, Kenji is again taking pictures.

Akiko sensei asked us to sing a special so Alina and I sang Chris Tomlin's new arrangement of Amazing Grace, My Chains are Gone. For our first attempt at singing together we did pretty good, and the old ladies in the church were asking when we were going to make a CD. Who knows, right. I mean we do have the album art.

And of course at the end of the service they called me up front and Pastor Kinjo prayed for me, they usually pray for all the people that have birthdays that month and being that mine was that day they made sure they did it for me. Actuall part of why i posted this picture is so you can see the new shirt that I bought at Mango House on Kokusai Dori. I had boghten a shirt there last year and went back to see if they had anything interesting. The in the shop recognized me and I ended up buying this shirt with an eisa drummer on the front and the back. I really like it even though I probably paid too much, but what the hey it was my birthday present to myself.

After the service they had a simple meal and at the end they had a birthday pie for me, bananna cream. This was definately a first for me.

They had asked earlier how old I was I am assuming for the candles, but obviously they didn't have enough or there just wasn't enough room on the pie. It was very good.

So I think that about wraps up all my adventures in Okinawa. I can't wait to go back again, I think that it would be a good long weekend escape.