 We
really wanted this to be an outside party but still not
quite warm enough. Many temperature wooses in our group.
More pictures of previous parties |
|
Things continue to deteriorate in communities outside of
Tokyo. To make matters worse, the nuclear power station
appears to be leaking radiation. This event has profoundly
affected the Japan people, especially the elderly. Although
Japanese people are extremely resilient, older Japanese feel
like this is the beginning of the end of what Japan used to
be. It is evident this tragedy is on the minds of everyone
in this neighborhood, but in typical Japanese fashion, no
one is really talking about it. |
 Today an 8.9 magnitude earthquake hit Japan, north of Tokyo.
Following the earthquake was a ten meter tsunami which
slammed into the cost and wiped out entire towns. We are in
Nara in the Kansai area of Japan. This is quite a distance
from Tokyo and actually we could not feel anything at the
house.
USGS - Real Time Worldwide Earthquake Information
Google Relief Information
Wikipedia - earthquake and tsunami |
 This
party was already planned and ended up only a week after our
previous get together. A pretty small group compared to
other parties but lots of fun nonetheless.
More pictures of previous parties |
 Another
successful party with some old friends and some new friends.
We planned a small dinner which turned out
to be a regular party with around 15 people total. A few came after this picture
was taken. We continue to learn more about Slovenia from our
friends and are now hoping to plan a trip there someday.
More Party Pictures |
 We
woke up today to a beautiful blanket of white snow. Me and
Akiko took little Shai outside for a couple hours to play. I
made this snowman and got a really strange reaction from the
neighbors. Everyone was really surprised the snowman had
three sections. In Japanese a snowman typically has only two
sections. Went and Googled snowmen to make sure I was not
going crazy. Although it hailed at my house in Japan before,
this is the first time since living in Kenmore to receive
snow on a property I own.
More Pictures |
 Hey
I suppose this is what the little guy thought about the
Super Bowl this year. Really was fun watching the game live
on TV although we watched in Monday morning in Japan. Shai
made it until there was only a few minutes remaining in the
game.
More Pictures |
 This
was another beautiful sunset. Yup third day in a row.
More Pictures |
 I
suppose it makes sense to keep taking pictures if the sky is
going to look like this every evening. We really got slammed
with an incredible wind storm today and then were rewarded
with another incredible sunset.
More Pictures |
 I
took a bit of time off from posting to get a ton of work
finished on my sites. Really trying to wrap up a bunch of
projects before it gets warmer since I know I am going to
want to be outside. Anyway this evening the sunset was
incredible. Took a few pictures from the second floor
veranda.
More Pictures |
 Yeah
we decided on another party the next night but with only a
few friends this time. Knocked out a cabernet from Chile and
ate Nabe. Chikachan, Taechan, and Andraz joined us this
time. Another nice night. |
 This
turned out to be the best party for sure. This picture was
towards the end of the night. Many people already went home
and a few stayed overnight. We were eating, drinking, and
singing, until almost morning.
More pictures from the party |
 This
was the long awaited new years party with the family our
friend from Slovania. His name is Andraz, he is from
Slovania, and he works with
Akiko. Pretty much ate and drank the entire afternoon and
evening. Really fun time.
More pictures from the party |
 We
went back to the park to take advantage of a bit warmer
temperatures. We ate take out food in the park and then went
to another temple with an incredible view. Before returning
home we found ourselves again at Tullys coffee shop.
More Pictures |
 We
went to Nara Park to begin the new year. We ate at a nice,
and reasonable priced Israeli restaurant called Falafel
Garden. We spent time with the deer in the park and then
went to a world famous temple. We went out for coffee at my
new favorite coffee shop. Then we spent the evening with
family and eating special new years food.
More Pictures |
