Our Something New: My something new

Last weekend, some friends of ours invited us to go along with them to see some fireworks at Lake Towada (the lake at the top of the Oirase Gorge). We were going to torture treat Bean to her first firework display ever! We just knew she would love it because she is at that stage where she just loves, loves, LOVES noises! In reality, the sound of a crinkling plastic bag sends her into hysterics, the blender makes her hyperventilate, and a sneeze causes that bottom pouty lip to...pout. Regardless, we figured it is a right of passage to hold a baby as she screams through fireworks, and since 4th of July in Japan did not present that opportunity, we fully intended to take advantage of this one.

On the morning of the fireworks, Eric started to feel sick. He spent the first half of the day trying to feel better and the second half of the day convincing me to leave Bean with him and enjoy the fireworks on my own. I felt bad leaving him to care for a baby when he wasn't feeling well himself, but he would not accept no for an answer (he's a good dude) so off I went with our friends to the lake!

Before the firework display, we gathered our dinner from the various tents selling Yakisoba in plastic containers, pork belly cooked by blow torch, and mystery meats on sticks. Dinner in hand, we found some beer and then performed the ritual called, "let's find the best spot to put our blanket." You know the one! It felt just like the 4th of July! We eventually found the perfect spot and waited for the show to begin.

The fireworks lasted for an hour with short breaks in between sets. My favorite parts were when this boat quietly and sneakily crossed lake distributing firework bundles. As it crossed, colorful explosions erupted out of the water behind it; the sparks twinkling beautifully on the water as they floated back toward it (see video at bottom of post-- sorry no sound I had a camera malfunction). I had never seen anything like it! It was pretty incredible. Besides that, the show was a lot like firework displays I've seen in the States. A couple of different colors and tricks, but overall very similar. We missed Eric and Bean, but had a nice time nonetheless.

I guess we will have to wait a little longer to find out how much she loves fireworks...Oh, and Eric's one request as I walked out the door? "Do you think you could bring back some Takoyaki?" Yes, the octopus balls. He even wanted them when sick. This guy loves his tentacles!

Our Something New: Does this look like a swamp to you?

A couple of weekends back, we took advantage of the nice weather and went to explore a nature trail in Towada with some friends. The Tsuta (vine) Onsen (hot springs) Trail is a loop that begins at an onsen, meanders up a forested mountain, and passes seven lakes (or "swamps" as the signs indicated).

The swamp signs were fodder for much speculation about the difference between lakes, swamps, and ponds. We never came to consensus (read: none of us knew the answer), but it kept us entertained while we enjoyed nature. Remind me to Google that later... When we weren't discussing the difference between small bodies of water, we were debating whether or not starting the trail in the opposite direction would have made for an easier hike. We hiked with two littles (besides the Bean), ages 3 and 4, and their little legs gave out around the half way mark. Being the smart little ones they are, they hitched rides on the big people and the rest was gravy!

This little guy's mom informed me I was carrying an extra 34 pounds!

Per typical Japanese walking/hiking paths, the trail is very well manicured and contains a number of staircases to assist weary hikers up some of the steeper inclines (and declines). We were near the Oirase Gorge, which Eric and I explored last year. It was a beautiful hike and a great day to be outdoors. Little miss Bean rode on Eric the entire time and was totally captivated by the sights and sounds of the forest. She loves to be outdoors! I am glad we found an activity that we can all agree on.

Rockin' the floppy hat.

Cutie pies

Does this look like a swamp to you?

After we finished the hike, we stopped at a little market near the trail head for drinks and snacks. We sampled Oirase Beers (brewed locally) and some little donuts with bean paste inside. Typically, I am not a huge fan of bean paste, but I thought these little treats were delectable!

Yum-o!

Our friend also recommended we try the bubbly Powerade, that's right, carbonated Powerade. So rest assured, we re-hydrated responsibly before drinking the brews. Eric and I both liked the FUELX. All in all, it was an excellent day and a great place to revisit when we need to get away from the crazy hustle and bustle of Misawa (har har).

Our Something New: Ice cold creamy cheese

Eric tried to sneak Bean licks of gelato...he failed. I think.

Eric had a four day weekend that I managed to let most of slip by in a sleep-training psychosis. The good news is I figured out that sleep training is probably not for us. At least not the way I was going about it. At least not right now. The bad news is we had four days to do lots and lots of something news, but we only did one. One relatively small something new. But I will take all the victories I can get! 

Friends of ours took us to Namiki Farm, which is about 40 or so minutes away from base. It is a cute little farm out in the middle of nowhere where you can take a tractor ride through a field, sit on some stationary pink tractors, and eat some real, made-on-the-farm-from-the-Jersey-cow-milk gelato. They also have a restaurant on the farm, which I assume sells real, made-on-the-farm steak. We went solely for the gelato as Bean is too small to be excited about pink tractors.

The gelato was delicious! The flavors of the day included: blueberry, mango, banana, sesame, green tea, chocolate, cookies cream, jersey milk, and cheese. Yes, cheese. Between the four ice cream consuming adults, we sampled 7 flavors (by taking advantage of the double scoop option). We tried blueberry, mango, banana, cookies cream, jersey milk, chocolate, and cheese. Yes, cheese.

All of the flavors were delicious! Even the cheese. It tasted like....cheese. Yes, cheese. Don't ask me what kind. We never could come to an agreement on that.

While we enjoyed our cones, Eric took advantage of an opportunity to milk a cow...well, half a cow. We also walked around and visited with some of the livestock. Though, we never actually saw a cow...Anyway, Namiki Farm will likely be a tour stop for any future visitors, and fear not! They serve up cones year around!

The long way home

Buh, buh, buh baby and the jets...

Cousins!

Such a lucky little girl :)

We took a trip to the States. Then we came home. This is that story.

Believe it or not, we brought the Bean back to the States for a visit only a little over a month after getting back to Misawa from the States (yes, our heads are still spinning). Your math is correct! Bean has crossed the Pacific Ocean three times in just four months! She has been to (but not in) both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans (isn't it all one ocean anyway?). We went back to America for the annual Hergenroeder beach vacation in Ocean City and also spent a week with my parents. Our time at home was priceless (and very, very brief) and we will cherish the memories forever, but the craziest part of this trip was its ending.

Bean getting friendly with a flight attendant. 

We left Maryland on the morning of Father's Day Sunday. After driving to Reagan National Airport, we took a short flight to Detroit. There, we boarded our flight to Tokyo. We had great seats on the plane and felt really positive when we took off. The flight went exceptionally well. Bean mostly slept and was pleasant when awake; cooing at the flight attendants and squawking at fellow passengers. It was incredible! The flight was a little over 13 hours long. Somewhere around  hour 11, I began to get a terrible headache. Upon landing, I had to run (with the "barf bag" as I've always called it) to the airplane bathroom to well...barf. I had hoped it was an isolated incident, but unfortunately it marked the start of a 24 hour bug...or food poisoning...or something. 24 hours of yuck.

Somehow we managed to get off the plane, clear customs, retrieve our bags, and take an hour-long bus ride to the other airport in Tokyo. We waited in a parking lot at that airport for a shuttle to take us to our hotel for the night. (When flying home to Misawa, you have to stay overnight in a hotel and catch a flight out in the morning). Never have I ever been so happy to see a bed in my life.

At about 6:50 the next morning, Eric said to me, "Ninoosh, we have to leave in 10 minutes or we are going to miss our flight." I stumbled out of bed and into the bathroom and...I was still sick. I heard Eric say from the bedroom, "let me make some calls." Fortunately the airline and Eric's boss were cool about our need to change our travel plans and we were able to stay another night in our room. We all pretty much slept the entire time and luckily, neither Eric nor the Bean caught the yuck.

At 7:00 the next morning, I was feeling like a new person and we were back on the hotel shuttle headed toward the airport. As we stood in the check-in line, we saw our flight status change from "on time" to "cancelled due to fog."

Joy.

We were informed that our best option was to take a flight to the city of Aomori and return to Misawa by train. The flight was about an hour long. Bean saved her only public meltdown for this leg of the trip. During the safety spiel and taxi down the runway, she screamed bloody murder...in front of a very sympathetic crowd...of Japanese businessmen.

After she fell asleep, the rest of the flight was gravy. We landed at the airport in Aomori and boarded a bus to take us to the Aomori train station. 35 minute bus ride? No problem! When we arrived at the train station, we realized that we did not have enough Yen to purchase tickets and they did not accept credit cards. Eric GPSed the closest Post Office and went out in search of Yen while I stood with our tons of luggage and bounced a tired babe. I was surprised I didn't look pathetic enough for people to start throwing money at me.

Eric finally returned with Yen, we bought the tickets, and waited an hour and half for our train. Then we took an hour and half train ride from Aomori to Misawa. On that train ride, we learned that Eric's colleagues had to attend a formal event and would not be able to retrieve us with our car from the train station (as planned). When we got to the train station, we couldn't take any of the cabs waiting outside because only one cab company has base access. Eric called and we waited for one to arrive. We got in and Bean cried and cried and cried. The driver took us back to the parking lot of Eric's office where we got in our car and drove the final, excruciating 10 minutes to our house.

Still chipper on the train from Aomori to Misawa. 

HOLY MOLY WHAT A TRIP! 

Three airplanes, two busses, one train, one taxi, and two nights in a Tokyo hotel later, Eric showered and returned to work to prepare for court the next day while I bathed a screaming Bean and laid her in her crib where she proceeded to sleep for a zillion hours. Poor baby. 

Our bird has definitely earned her wings.