tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36636107700840026542024-03-13T07:57:33.481+09:00いきましょう!Life and adventures in Okinawa, JapanAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03611967068068116393noreply@blogger.comBlogger188125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3663610770084002654.post-22908641583365722082013-11-19T11:46:00.000+09:002013-12-11T11:46:45.823+09:00Kyoto in the fallWe took advantage of the Veterans Day long weekend and I was able to spend some time in Kyoto and Osaka. This trip is something I've wanted to take for as long as I can remember and it was nice to finally put some of those history classes to good use. <br />
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Sadly, it was those same classes that meant the boys had to stay home. Our goal is to have our student loans finally paid off next year and travel at $800 per person just wasn't doable for the whole family. (Plus, I'm sure the boys would have loved all the trains, but quietly experiencing Buddhist temples isn't within a very energetic 2 year old's limits.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF9yp1msCA_4QdrHLZRDHLCLkL_zrIA0lCmO-AKJSjEy6xAC8V53qiUAnutpprs35MMmHi-3QKyrCNMkOLhNqhJXMdS5k9DIrTFAQ2yHAOz1DpoEWu5j-G0bwtgB4dPIXErD2qkH5-LGEI/s1600/kyo10050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF9yp1msCA_4QdrHLZRDHLCLkL_zrIA0lCmO-AKJSjEy6xAC8V53qiUAnutpprs35MMmHi-3QKyrCNMkOLhNqhJXMdS5k9DIrTFAQ2yHAOz1DpoEWu5j-G0bwtgB4dPIXErD2qkH5-LGEI/s320/kyo10050.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">西本願寺 (Nishi Hongan-ji, Western Temple of the Original Vow)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">伏見稲荷大社 (Fushimi-Inari tori gates)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">天龍寺 (Tenryu-ji gardens)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">竹林の道 (Arashiyama bamboo forest)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">秋 紅葉 (Autumn foliage)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">八坂神社 (Yasaka Shrine)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gion</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCaaQQDLyTG9aKW3Tur7E9_SI_gSLoyyMHOstdo3C4uRbjkxHM1Y5HlbWUPT7RB5YA_Z_QrI_oaH2WzjNB49bC6opj2VnYNzny_vH91QxgDycEF9ioKuklsFG8Yl_jKzfYHbMI8N_2AX1i/s1600/kyo30586.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCaaQQDLyTG9aKW3Tur7E9_SI_gSLoyyMHOstdo3C4uRbjkxHM1Y5HlbWUPT7RB5YA_Z_QrI_oaH2WzjNB49bC6opj2VnYNzny_vH91QxgDycEF9ioKuklsFG8Yl_jKzfYHbMI8N_2AX1i/s320/kyo30586.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">清水寺 (Kiyomizu Temple)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXfvgD2FuoZahBXybvM-XHn1mlpXu-HRwYACrmBB3UJquePLN1a7W942P6-xKVEVi59sVKJiID9MRKK_Xil0JugpzmLY8KFf3FCEemhyMirtQwPm2DyV54Y3pID4BUb0Q0W0jK1tpfOkmw/s1600/kyo30684.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXfvgD2FuoZahBXybvM-XHn1mlpXu-HRwYACrmBB3UJquePLN1a7W942P6-xKVEVi59sVKJiID9MRKK_Xil0JugpzmLY8KFf3FCEemhyMirtQwPm2DyV54Y3pID4BUb0Q0W0jK1tpfOkmw/s320/kyo30684.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">猫カフェ ねこ会議 (Cat Cafe Nekokaigi)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHbxGndXVzcC2QfIgLoEVmq0f4RKUCLJGBGr_Dss3v7bcR7M_Wl0gW5wNo0MNAEFBIyJ9p4n5HmgQ37DoyY-ZI7k-TfkB14n0iIwyXaN3X5Ng6b30s-3nsohcWRvZzBVaeWGxx984VIPt_/s1600/kyo30701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHbxGndXVzcC2QfIgLoEVmq0f4RKUCLJGBGr_Dss3v7bcR7M_Wl0gW5wNo0MNAEFBIyJ9p4n5HmgQ37DoyY-ZI7k-TfkB14n0iIwyXaN3X5Ng6b30s-3nsohcWRvZzBVaeWGxx984VIPt_/s320/kyo30701.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">新幹線 (</span>Bullet train)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4lb65xEtMoCEEge2wxwlgRGuZGljyCBLVybyhnvYnemHJMxULlxKv5pPhVBUWQWMa0j6D-k93vVvr-xJ5nMB6PetiIQ_bet2pL_7wwztXNzWz-_EoGVeXAQ_r8zMLM0xax3PFeL1mDDaS/s1600/kyo30730.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4lb65xEtMoCEEge2wxwlgRGuZGljyCBLVybyhnvYnemHJMxULlxKv5pPhVBUWQWMa0j6D-k93vVvr-xJ5nMB6PetiIQ_bet2pL_7wwztXNzWz-_EoGVeXAQ_r8zMLM0xax3PFeL1mDDaS/s320/kyo30730.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">道頓堀 (Neon in Osaka's Dotonbori)</td></tr>
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<br />Not pictured: the <a href="http://www.kyoto-maiko.jp/">maiko dinner</a> (I forgot my camera) and Universal Studios (by that point I was tired of lugging around the camera)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03611967068068116393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3663610770084002654.post-58122174374176127792013-11-04T23:25:00.003+09:002013-11-04T23:25:40.225+09:00Shouhashi Half 2013Going from the cozy, well ran <a href="http://oki-ok.blogspot.jp/2013/11/kumejima-marathon-part-2-race-day.html">Kumejima Half</a> last week to this weekend's overcrowded, chaotic mess at Shouhashi was shocking. <br />
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Unless the number of entries are drastically reduced, I would not recommend this race. The majority of the course is open to traffic (runners in one lane and oncoming cars in the other) with a long section on a narrow bike path. Trying to squeeze 9000 runners through those tight spaces made for an uncomfortably crowded course.<br />
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Here's some lessons learned:<br />
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- give yourself plenty of time to get lost and stuck in traffic going to packet pick up. If at all possible, scout out the parking lot locations before race morning.<br />
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- get to the parking lot as early as possible. We arrived at 6:30 and it took an hour to get to the race area and the start had to be delayed by 30 minutes because of runners still stuck in traffic.<br />
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- do not bring a stroller. Maneuvering as a single runner was hard enough, the stroller was nearly impossible to get through the crowds.<br />
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- bring your own water and food. The aid stations were feeding frenzies and some of the later stops ran out of cups. I didn't see any type of food or sports drinks.<br />
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- the finish area was a frustrating mess. Finding where to return our timing chips and get a medal was like being in a mosh pit. We didn't even try to get something to eat.<br />
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- plan on wasting the entire day at the race. Getting from the finish line and back onto a bus took over an hour! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc60J9yBVJzMoY_ccV1CaHCXgp7JKlPhIdHO2xkovlHH_fRnySZKHfj4Othyphenhyphenny1phoQfq40STUhb68yAsf-CnKiXUamW4rkuHAAEaw-yALd2d_tfJF_IEoV54ENS0yosrbwOvJEV7sfWxz/s1600/shou0478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc60J9yBVJzMoY_ccV1CaHCXgp7JKlPhIdHO2xkovlHH_fRnySZKHfj4Othyphenhyphenny1phoQfq40STUhb68yAsf-CnKiXUamW4rkuHAAEaw-yALd2d_tfJF_IEoV54ENS0yosrbwOvJEV7sfWxz/s320/shou0478.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beginning of the killer hill</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimbwIwjio8B3U5O9te_ONxw0tgGsXfAQ5D_H4rjA-tFMaS0Yo9hdlsg-7W7gMfDODdX_GKW7vchdFtU4TIkZPNkmK7DdsHLxM17EwzkFXAs2_oaTuK_oNgWxCt4Cto-_Zcs3HtC8NaLuid/s1600/shou500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimbwIwjio8B3U5O9te_ONxw0tgGsXfAQ5D_H4rjA-tFMaS0Yo9hdlsg-7W7gMfDODdX_GKW7vchdFtU4TIkZPNkmK7DdsHLxM17EwzkFXAs2_oaTuK_oNgWxCt4Cto-_Zcs3HtC8NaLuid/s320/shou500.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Runners trying to pass walkers and dodge oncoming cars</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLpjCpe-rgDDg0fEj1tzdsGK47vXp6NbRhFDRCCa5yp2kXD1r2CA5x43maeccDUSZbNL51lMRN5hBleiXWshicFY21MX6HgHRARSyxHHS3LpPfRw7HQmauerWyjvZ9qyrhjQ6RgqnVWuJJ/s1600/shou514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLpjCpe-rgDDg0fEj1tzdsGK47vXp6NbRhFDRCCa5yp2kXD1r2CA5x43maeccDUSZbNL51lMRN5hBleiXWshicFY21MX6HgHRARSyxHHS3LpPfRw7HQmauerWyjvZ9qyrhjQ6RgqnVWuJJ/s320/shou514.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful view</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvxUm7Pn1gg-Urt48hZJVJVtdp4cB8un1vMxQ_I0Rbk64gYRvnt7SPThIhQmufnQOUrrOdGScN4ODsn_MdvZlmRypZNrhaF7t_XEvbkfJYD8gr7rWKK1VOyG2q7LeU8BiPmvVs_V-gGo3P/s1600/shou526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvxUm7Pn1gg-Urt48hZJVJVtdp4cB8un1vMxQ_I0Rbk64gYRvnt7SPThIhQmufnQOUrrOdGScN4ODsn_MdvZlmRypZNrhaF7t_XEvbkfJYD8gr7rWKK1VOyG2q7LeU8BiPmvVs_V-gGo3P/s320/shou526.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Downhill</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03611967068068116393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3663610770084002654.post-41983771055605800682013-11-02T12:03:00.000+09:002013-11-04T12:04:01.563+09:00Kumejima Marathon, part 2: Race day<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlfebhq93bewHFh2e_WCsFMHcemKH-l3PQtFE3eN9D-uy45Y5nJqz9zNidHwAvdwXxcekUAI-mOSkTsrdyCbTFnnQtA1l8Jebjc3129og6a-QoTCWr7o-rxcVL1Ib5DXA1E8pTsP-lTO0J/s1600/kume0047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlfebhq93bewHFh2e_WCsFMHcemKH-l3PQtFE3eN9D-uy45Y5nJqz9zNidHwAvdwXxcekUAI-mOSkTsrdyCbTFnnQtA1l8Jebjc3129og6a-QoTCWr7o-rxcVL1Ib5DXA1E8pTsP-lTO0J/s320/kume0047.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">Start</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKN3-6dxccrOA6viMwC0ePed3XBwCXUSqt5_pw-HpC_CkaxOl5QT3Msxc3IZEsC18TWmQRnFjAgxP7UFY3bgZzF2lU9uqJH6SXpW0NrMttBGHiSL-KV44i2rB-5uusq6G5V09w7iqEzqHi/s1600/kume0057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKN3-6dxccrOA6viMwC0ePed3XBwCXUSqt5_pw-HpC_CkaxOl5QT3Msxc3IZEsC18TWmQRnFjAgxP7UFY3bgZzF2lU9uqJH6SXpW0NrMttBGHiSL-KV44i2rB-5uusq6G5V09w7iqEzqHi/s320/kume0057.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boys and our stroller got a lot of attention!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading into town</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So many spectators!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ocean and sugarcane</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8SbXcqQvCggfwdOHg9R647TrGxjcy7A5SrVjDRq0x2EzLdQnWcVo7SLPvkQuzJi1xlT7W2Yq5gTIGvrpIRwp73DxPBf18xvN_428OeRTxshfB0zXgC09Uo0BJtyxszsiCcduuwwSz-SSk/s1600/kume0098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8SbXcqQvCggfwdOHg9R647TrGxjcy7A5SrVjDRq0x2EzLdQnWcVo7SLPvkQuzJi1xlT7W2Yq5gTIGvrpIRwp73DxPBf18xvN_428OeRTxshfB0zXgC09Uo0BJtyxszsiCcduuwwSz-SSk/s320/kume0098.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Half way!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimIZKwPFU2-Tewdm0tQwxn1gFFKjmVo_8ufbOeBXPcjbnKpGwJ0oASd-vV8HELQUrwIx5dIOy1M3Fhy7lInOfwrerwewC96_zXMQKTUudrpZQWXNX2wa75vSsVu4MNqk3VOv-5HV2zcTkt/s1600/kume0117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimIZKwPFU2-Tewdm0tQwxn1gFFKjmVo_8ufbOeBXPcjbnKpGwJ0oASd-vV8HELQUrwIx5dIOy1M3Fhy7lInOfwrerwewC96_zXMQKTUudrpZQWXNX2wa75vSsVu4MNqk3VOv-5HV2zcTkt/s320/kume0117.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Across the bridge</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB92Pz6tm8kVzwm_vPuyfmTmMuV8sttgqXOFkS7lovlAQtkmo6jNXTxPGddZQR7MB4Agv51yjGHR8VZoYvvQtKeZ1MYvWUzJQWzGfLHyaWmwMftZLMIhRxDc5pEn3rkuewfs4d-sWeMBBx/s1600/kume0135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB92Pz6tm8kVzwm_vPuyfmTmMuV8sttgqXOFkS7lovlAQtkmo6jNXTxPGddZQR7MB4Agv51yjGHR8VZoYvvQtKeZ1MYvWUzJQWzGfLHyaWmwMftZLMIhRxDc5pEn3rkuewfs4d-sWeMBBx/s320/kume0135.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entertainment</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finish!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT04FNWc9cotSma9_5Ivp2kIiGMdoAKOaBvkYlOQMPuSiQhyqinRNzBhUOs7TdCqSpKvbBsMEwcxvXXYIDBS32AIRC5WS9DjCqiL3hNOQI2njyhqznNqzEl18PG4YBzdWMkbpV-WzahxhE/s1600/kume0150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT04FNWc9cotSma9_5Ivp2kIiGMdoAKOaBvkYlOQMPuSiQhyqinRNzBhUOs7TdCqSpKvbBsMEwcxvXXYIDBS32AIRC5WS9DjCqiL3hNOQI2njyhqznNqzEl18PG4YBzdWMkbpV-WzahxhE/s320/kume0150.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Medals and certificates</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_HjlO_NXHVVRFJkBponZXSrH9vaPp2jcmVQF-5zxxTlX2LwFKjhk_rJl6BcGztVir3NKomNLbUqHJnrs95R8paMRSeZPLvhfNAOz-3TJmOt3abYqXIgRF6Jvi7ZEMDCHuq7LrWUI6s1t/s1600/kume0246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_HjlO_NXHVVRFJkBponZXSrH9vaPp2jcmVQF-5zxxTlX2LwFKjhk_rJl6BcGztVir3NKomNLbUqHJnrs95R8paMRSeZPLvhfNAOz-3TJmOt3abYqXIgRF6Jvi7ZEMDCHuq7LrWUI6s1t/s320/kume0246.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We even had a bottle of awamori in our race packets!</td></tr>
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A great run! The course was fairly flat with some gently rolling hills. There was no end to the cheering spectators handing out all sorts of goodies. Very similar to the Ayahashi Half with the added bonus of a beautiful vacation. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03611967068068116393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3663610770084002654.post-49022337567591189942013-11-01T12:00:00.000+09:002013-11-04T12:01:20.879+09:00Kumejima Marathon, part 1: Getting thereWith this being our last year in Oki, it's time to make my wish list into a bucket list. One thing I've wanted to do since arriving here was an off island race. I thought about doing <a href="http://www.vill.iheya.okinawa.jp/detail.jsp?id=11779&menuid=4010&funcid=1">Iheya's Moonlight Marathon</a> but the lodging situation didn't sound fun with toddlers (I read that most runners end up camping out in the school's gym because there's not enough hotel rooms). Instead we settled on <a href="http://www.kumejima-marathon.com/">Kumejima</a> (beautiful pics like <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ippei-janine/3961265613/in/set-72157622346269423/">this one</a> floating around Pinterest certainly helped the decision!)<br />
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The logistics of the Kume trip stressed me out (fly or ferry? how to get tickets? hotel or camping? where to eat?). I didn't hesitate when I heard <a href="https://www.iace.co.jp/en/">IACE travel</a> has a package specifically for the marathon. With Isaac still considered an infant at 2 years old (no airplane seat, no meals, no bed), we paid about $250 per person.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVTG3FZbMIn4JUJrbV6EgXwP8vqUYRArKr7Z4URV5M8A6u5FnssJCjmJDAP7iglVSQc5OEPFR70SOVP5HnXQ3x0q6AC231cMzZOHcrWrlVamSa7aDGACRVurh1-seZT2pB8DSWdbyV2FNl/s1600/kume0007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVTG3FZbMIn4JUJrbV6EgXwP8vqUYRArKr7Z4URV5M8A6u5FnssJCjmJDAP7iglVSQc5OEPFR70SOVP5HnXQ3x0q6AC231cMzZOHcrWrlVamSa7aDGACRVurh1-seZT2pB8DSWdbyV2FNl/s320/kume0007.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Landing at Kumejima</td></tr>
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We flew from Naha to Kumejima Saturday morning. Our hotel, the <a href="http://www.cypresshotels.co.jp/kumejima/">Cypress Resort</a>, was a quick shuttle bus trip from the airport. I originally wanted to stay at the <a href="http://www.courthotels.co.jp/kumejima/">Eef Beach hotel</a> because it's within walking distance of the start but using the island's bus line was very easy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJb4I8L93_6bbvtrJyzX6EkPQFVRIUAp_Us_qkE-EMlj3o_riX485WTLY2p7AHIDzMNvx0HtTLxgvk5pJDTlA9JIVLrF20IuA0TpBzebdplHdGcsrDRUPDOBkzIBO2KSC9HJ1iKTamE5HN/s1600/kume0008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJb4I8L93_6bbvtrJyzX6EkPQFVRIUAp_Us_qkE-EMlj3o_riX485WTLY2p7AHIDzMNvx0HtTLxgvk5pJDTlA9JIVLrF20IuA0TpBzebdplHdGcsrDRUPDOBkzIBO2KSC9HJ1iKTamE5HN/s320/kume0008.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from our hotel room</td></tr>
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The bus schedule was mailed with the number card. Unfortunately, it was all in Japanese but not too difficult to figure out. (Here's a <a href="http://www.town.kumejima.okinawa.jp/sightsee/bus/timetable_airport_return.html">copy of the schedule</a> to Google translate.) The left column was the pick up location, the departure times were listed in the middle columns (the bus ran about once an hour), and the final column was the fare. For us, a trip from the Cypress hotel to the packet pick up was 370 yen each and the kids were free. Although I wasn't entirely sure which stop was packet pick up, I just followed the people in running shoes off the bus lol<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBeq0DJfQyzseDNNz6VrV8PrkJoNpGfCGHe_r-kmA8_sNcvaxz4Ozp5PDZ3LUBWYB1xgXFhEciYG6XULWr8LBKBOwzQMtj4bWikfjo1m_-7_Cq-3jyEbKGOxhBXDGOyqK8F5pWx2mPBq5M/s1600/kume0021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBeq0DJfQyzseDNNz6VrV8PrkJoNpGfCGHe_r-kmA8_sNcvaxz4Ozp5PDZ3LUBWYB1xgXFhEciYG6XULWr8LBKBOwzQMtj4bWikfjo1m_-7_Cq-3jyEbKGOxhBXDGOyqK8F5pWx2mPBq5M/s320/kume0021.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bus ride along the marathon route</td></tr>
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Race morning, there was a free shuttle bus at our hotel. After we finished the half, the regular bus wasn't schedule to arrive for another 40 minutes so we decided to splurge on taking a taxi back to the hotel (about $25)<br />
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Taking our duallie BOB was interesting but not too hard. We checked it with our bags at the airport and the staff wrapped the stroller in plastic bags before loading it on the plane. Although the shuttle bus was a little small, Chris was able to bring the BOB on board. Race day we were able to fit the stroller in the bus's bottom cargo area and it fit into the back of the taxi. (And we didn't actually ask if strollers were allowed in the race but no one stopped us from running either.)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sugar cane fields at sunset</td></tr>
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Typhoon Francisco cancelled the rest of our island plans, like snorkeling at Hate-no-Hama. And to make it easy on the kids, we only ate at the hotel's restaurants (both Japanese and American breakfast foods, amazing shabu-shabu!). I'd love to go back again next spring or summer for a proper sightseeing trip!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03611967068068116393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3663610770084002654.post-72589892609266431752013-10-22T22:57:00.000+09:002013-10-31T12:12:34.430+09:00Monster Mash Half<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj594Al2pqcqVV45Xw3Zid0n_l5Cp31Dl8h05xyKds8H3bIaG9l8kGmtLWgK1idM8DYhLcfgTktzY6TKCqtYk_Q-LKNO0PWrSsHTUpfXl94TVL5Dj1ql7-ukia4BUfbXjEes1z46K3L17JK/s1600/1234082_643769138996440_226915642_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj594Al2pqcqVV45Xw3Zid0n_l5Cp31Dl8h05xyKds8H3bIaG9l8kGmtLWgK1idM8DYhLcfgTktzY6TKCqtYk_Q-LKNO0PWrSsHTUpfXl94TVL5Dj1ql7-ukia4BUfbXjEes1z46K3L17JK/s320/1234082_643769138996440_226915642_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Last weekend was the Shogun Warrior's 2nd Annual Monster Mash half marathon. The course mostly followed the <a href="http://kadenafss.com/images/RisnerFitness/Running%20Map%202013.pdf">Perimeter Road route</a> with the addition of Fairchild Ave up to the USO and going past Bob Hope, finishing in the back of Risner.<br />
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My plan was to run this one at an easy training pace, finishing in the 2:45 range. I started off in the back of the pack (I think at one point I was DFL), walking the uphills, and generally using the first couple of miles to just warm up. I focused on keeping my RPE safely in the green zone and not on my watch. Around mile 6, I realized that I was cruising along very comfortably at a 10 min/mile pace. My PR pace 9:52 - holy guacamole, was I really in PR range??<br /><br />I knew we were in the flattest part of the course with some good sized hills over the last miles. The morning was quickly heating up too. And with Kumejima and Shouhashi back to back, do I want to go all out now and risk a worse performance later? But my half marathon record has mocked me since September 2005. I decided to go for it.<br />
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I surged through the last of the flight line and pushed my way up the hills on Fairchild. Picking off and passing road kill was a nice ego boost while ticking off the last miles. Then a nasty surprise - another loop. I could finally see Risner - the end was near! the final push! - when a volunteer directed us to keep running. Crushed. We needed to pass through the finish area once (such a tease!) and circle near Outdoor Rec and Jennings housing then back to the actual finish line. <br />
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2:08:31!!<br />
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Amazing! Never thought I'd see a new half PR. I dropped almost 40 minutes from my springtime halves (and definitely an improvement over my first race on Kadena's <a href="http://oki-ok.blogspot.jp/2011/11/perimeter-road-run-13k.html">Perimeter Road</a>). Crazy what can happen with some actually training lol Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03611967068068116393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3663610770084002654.post-32139761143879389862013-10-18T20:41:00.000+09:002013-10-21T22:50:18.517+09:00Hisashiburi desu nee!Sorry my little spring blog break turned into quite the sabbatical (has it really been since April??). Nothing exciting behind the break, just enjoying life.<br />
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The next few weeks are going to get a little crazy (going for Saturn with the <a href="http://www.halffanatics.com/">Half Fanatics</a> and my first trip to mainland Japan), but I'll try to get caught up on old posts soon!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03611967068068116393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3663610770084002654.post-5190244389617870382013-04-15T00:43:00.000+09:002013-04-16T00:52:46.491+09:00Iha ParkThe terrible twos have taken over Isaac and I'm ready to call an exorcist. I'm not sure if I'm taking the tantrums, acting out, and major attitude harder because Isaac is usually such a sweet, mellow little dude, or maybe I've just blocked the memories of when Owen went through this phase. Either way, I haven't had the energy or the patience to do much exploring with the boys lately.<br />
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But the weather was amazing last Saturday and I needed to get out of the house. When we headed up to Bios on the Hill a few months ago, we spotted construction on a new park just off the 329. I recently heard that the park was finally open, so we used Saturday's great weather to check it out.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyTf3zdPqcxg1-UO1PHTvAML3pFlFynXMNhRbZ0nMDWsEXwG-vmyIzVLw3c1S74F6g14Fm92Dm54C3rJVxiR8eQSIXE62uTBFpa36TBePa36BGqo0vceikMG-KIy2UVtuGqqhFH54-vneH/s1600/iha193.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyTf3zdPqcxg1-UO1PHTvAML3pFlFynXMNhRbZ0nMDWsEXwG-vmyIzVLw3c1S74F6g14Fm92Dm54C3rJVxiR8eQSIXE62uTBFpa36TBePa36BGqo0vceikMG-KIy2UVtuGqqhFH54-vneH/s400/iha193.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking over Iha Park</td></tr>
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Iha Park (伊波公園) is so nice!<br />
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There's several playgrounds and lots of places for the kids to play. The main structure (pictured above) has some big slides, an obstacle course, and towers to climb for older children but there's plenty of smaller slides and tunnels for younger toddlers too. The toddlers even have their own playground. And of course the boys loved Iha's tall slide!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrysXrsDhEhoroKISkEZtRPfMbO-4_xUhpEx0qLMV9hHmL5QvIQaCug88G7Lc7OokkrZ1mYy-KEcJrf4lKzj_9LL4-21CfIpoHOlP08PRiUVCbbxyuQgACI_tS-j7gwGP0MOnAItONmLWP/s1600/iha216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrysXrsDhEhoroKISkEZtRPfMbO-4_xUhpEx0qLMV9hHmL5QvIQaCug88G7Lc7OokkrZ1mYy-KEcJrf4lKzj_9LL4-21CfIpoHOlP08PRiUVCbbxyuQgACI_tS-j7gwGP0MOnAItONmLWP/s320/iha216.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Owen navigating an obstacle</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZqnETfNvU9qXzvQsjvThyphenhyphenlipD9KKK8tZazFoB4MiVwz1uOKEMi_qZNVjquNE6MLXJNg05EZ7l4KsWKpFxj6ke1j_qfFDjjJrLVYtj84T_SSCrttzCtz32jG6Ckd4pKgdGwwWM7_yOPce-/s1600/iha180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZqnETfNvU9qXzvQsjvThyphenhyphenlipD9KKK8tZazFoB4MiVwz1uOKEMi_qZNVjquNE6MLXJNg05EZ7l4KsWKpFxj6ke1j_qfFDjjJrLVYtj84T_SSCrttzCtz32jG6Ckd4pKgdGwwWM7_yOPce-/s320/iha180.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toddler play area</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-qtpEtsdp6YcHvs5Xs9G9rjQgCEsE9uk4bVdrJ6nOUFXCVsO_6NDjpbZ8A2zNce4XG7bAg04MYOoY_ifb-KEZUXM0hW0s6P1DIhiSrz7rlhmaYKd4aNTvZqxzRx41XKk4KkzMWfZwSS0T/s1600/iha196.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-qtpEtsdp6YcHvs5Xs9G9rjQgCEsE9uk4bVdrJ6nOUFXCVsO_6NDjpbZ8A2zNce4XG7bAg04MYOoY_ifb-KEZUXM0hW0s6P1DIhiSrz7rlhmaYKd4aNTvZqxzRx41XKk4KkzMWfZwSS0T/s320/iha196.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iha's big slide</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAkVZ0yyuCugm4HVWC-6R3puqi4wSLQz0piASIyp6y4GgKWFlw-cnMsvtla_nOTJWd5TrKRO5H_YKPDcGmarxb8yVApF_Yrinpy_YTj2pdEDnnV_e3jFX9KQSS98N6HVy67nINjALsB-2o/s1600/iha236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAkVZ0yyuCugm4HVWC-6R3puqi4wSLQz0piASIyp6y4GgKWFlw-cnMsvtla_nOTJWd5TrKRO5H_YKPDcGmarxb8yVApF_Yrinpy_YTj2pdEDnnV_e3jFX9KQSS98N6HVy67nINjALsB-2o/s320/iha236.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swing sets</td></tr>
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Besides the great playgrounds, the upper area of the park has several fields, a small baseball diamond, a bull ring, and exercise equipment. Although I'm not sure on the distance (I'd guess a half mile) and there are some stairs, the path winding through the park is cushioned and wide enough for a double jogging stroller. Going for a run then turning the boys loose on the playground would be fun.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ICLl9Pa1bsKmGQEe43HlEd7OHwsb_BYSZDlqeneTnMCateU5PvcLeZR9z3mgF7s6pstEP3ZiJeW0iv-22LoeG2pcX_gZ5GTB3zbVyZK6hGIGmejnVtHbxbugqS3SdL5lzWOgjM2tKs1K/s1600/iha251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ICLl9Pa1bsKmGQEe43HlEd7OHwsb_BYSZDlqeneTnMCateU5PvcLeZR9z3mgF7s6pstEP3ZiJeW0iv-22LoeG2pcX_gZ5GTB3zbVyZK6hGIGmejnVtHbxbugqS3SdL5lzWOgjM2tKs1K/s320/iha251.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pull up bars and cardio equipment</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOS9Ak_g-6VUTZ0ti2LqxNdC_CwyNwGRAvGsH6NhMKObIYV3AEakpyOBDhiAerz5esIdKJodMauLhuXRaYRzfi1B9FwlUTliWPdolmxbVc49SgvVWDkv0djscCv1dS68SSnP1u5iw5K6tF/s1600/iha257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOS9Ak_g-6VUTZ0ti2LqxNdC_CwyNwGRAvGsH6NhMKObIYV3AEakpyOBDhiAerz5esIdKJodMauLhuXRaYRzfi1B9FwlUTliWPdolmxbVc49SgvVWDkv0djscCv1dS68SSnP1u5iw5K6tF/s320/iha257.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boys enjoying the reflexology track</td></tr>
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To get to Iha Park, travel north on the 329 by-pass. Just before the intersection for the 6 (and right after an overpass), Iha Park is on the right hand side. The park is very easy to spot from the 329, so shouldn't be difficult to find. (Iha Park isn't on Google Maps yet, but <a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?q=26.417575,127.816207&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x34e50ffb300b6d03:0x1f38e6a1f3794966,%2B26%C2%B0+25'+3.06%22,+%2B127%C2%B0+48'+57.58%22&ei=rnxqUdHQFYfZrQfXn4GoDw&ved=0CDEQ8gEwAA">here's a map of the general area</a>.) The park was very busy on Saturday and we didn't get a chance to find the parking lot, but there was plenty of places to park on the small road on the park's perimeter.<br />
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There's also the <a href="http://www.mapitokinawa.com/2011/11/iha-jo-castle-ruins-of-ishikawa.html">Iha-jo Castle Ruins</a> in the neighborhood. Next time we might pack a little lunch and do some more exploring after hitting the playground.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03611967068068116393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3663610770084002654.post-70059364779539624512013-04-14T02:42:00.000+09:002013-04-14T02:42:08.889+09:00Ayahashi HalfThe Ayahashi half marathon was awesome! Definitely one of the best races I've ever done.<br />
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I had a lot of fun doing <a href="http://oki-ok.blogspot.jp/2012/04/ayahashi-10k.html">the 10k last year</a> but I think the half is much better. It was much less crowded than the 10k and you get to spend a lot more time taking in the views of the ocean. Either way, both distances have amazing spectators, wonderful volunteers, tons of water stops, and a beautiful course.<br />
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Unfortunately, the weather this year was a bit of a challenge. Although I was glad to have a breeze to keep me cool, the wind gusts made the last 3 miles tough. I often felt as if I was running diagonally - moving forward across the bridge while leaning into the wind.<br />
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Chris was sick and I didn't want to drag the kids out with iffy weather, so I went alone again this year. I left McT around 6:45, got to the parking lot around 7am. Easy peasy! (I take the 8 and then a left on to the 37, just follow the signs for Henza Island.) This year I tested out the Okinawan "bag check system" (aka just leave your stuff in the stadium) and can happily report my back pack with warm up gear and iPod was right where I left it.<br /><br />This year's pictures can be found on this website <a href="http://allsports.jp/">http://allsports.jp/</a> Following the instructions that came in the packet were a little confusing for me, so here's the steps to see your Ayahashi pictures:<br />
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1. Go to the <a href="http://allsports.jp/">website</a>, in the upper left hand corner is a box for the event ID, type 201891 and click the brown button<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMiXHY2A-ZkZsg2rZqgHxsHSxxrDgoVayEGRu28Mk1dNH3csKT3LiV-6Fh1Cg067wL9NwhFXw5QOgQZxnqZa8cOvMWBTAYEbqnqTvs-P-oere1vak1WpG1ypZs5CqdS6UF3Gb0ZRHZsvcf/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMiXHY2A-ZkZsg2rZqgHxsHSxxrDgoVayEGRu28Mk1dNH3csKT3LiV-6Fh1Cg067wL9NwhFXw5QOgQZxnqZa8cOvMWBTAYEbqnqTvs-P-oere1vak1WpG1ypZs5CqdS6UF3Gb0ZRHZsvcf/s1600/1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Event ID: 201891</td></tr>
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2. Next, enter your bib number (ナンバーカード) and click the grey button<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghk8ZBBCF_q3lTG2oET9hPoy3Rmr473Ca8gV42khpf_uIDHnYxHz50D_-OWnQJ5xKfQypIKJjza_vzpOk-gnn7M5TfrcylORDCWd-buCItfDc5hGayo3ZyhhdqSo54BlfP5iN2s0YdfCVU/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="90" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghk8ZBBCF_q3lTG2oET9hPoy3Rmr473Ca8gV42khpf_uIDHnYxHz50D_-OWnQJ5xKfQypIKJjza_vzpOk-gnn7M5TfrcylORDCWd-buCItfDc5hGayo3ZyhhdqSo54BlfP5iN2s0YdfCVU/s320/3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Password: 9208</td></tr>
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Cannot wait to run the Ayahashi half again next year!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03611967068068116393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3663610770084002654.post-4850210905922837272013-03-26T22:51:00.001+09:002013-03-26T22:51:42.909+09:00Lord of Tengan 5k<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDp6TnRPUfrl2q5Mmz3yw3wXqxh_WEUI_AUdmW3pr0udPN0TGqN8rTAzrBREiVeiSdbRRhpz9hcASQ1HHFagQqfzHiVONFDyshhJ4m7QhBPMhSgtvYgIj2G-_sld0xwx9yqohrwuq0RgJo/s1600/ten16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDp6TnRPUfrl2q5Mmz3yw3wXqxh_WEUI_AUdmW3pr0udPN0TGqN8rTAzrBREiVeiSdbRRhpz9hcASQ1HHFagQqfzHiVONFDyshhJ4m7QhBPMhSgtvYgIj2G-_sld0xwx9yqohrwuq0RgJo/s400/ten16.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Last Saturday was the Lord of Tengan races on Camp Courtney. Last year <a href="http://oki-ok.blogspot.jp/2012/03/pot-of-gold-5klord-of-tengan-10k.html">we did the 10k</a>, but I've been fighting shin splints for the last few weeks so we only did the 5k this year.<br />
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This year wasn't too different from last year. The weather was warm and sunny, the course has a good amount of hills (I'd say on the extreme end of "rolling"), and the race is a cozy but energetic size. (<a href="http://www.facebook.com/groups/StrollerWarriorsOkinawa/">The Stroller Warriors</a> were definitely out in force too. And they're always so supportive!)<br />
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Even with the fun race, I've kinda been in a funk lately. I'm finally feeling like my head is back in the game and I've been making amazing improvements, but now my body is failing me by being injured. I am finally, finally, finally back into pre-pregnancy jeans (yes, they're my old "fat" jeans, but after 4 years I'm out of effs to give). Although I knew that I was definitely risking injured by not properly building my mileage before the Nago Half, I'm still extremely frustrated by the setback. Shin splints aren't the end of the world (and I already had planned about 6 weeks of rest after the Ayahashi Half), but I'm disappointed and I don't want to slow down right when I'm starting to see some progress.<br />
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Anyways, I'm still going to do Ayahashi Half (I've done fulls with screaming shins and raging ITBs before, an 8k mud run the day after I totaled my car, and swam in the Willamette River with staples in my head. Shin splints? <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzToNo7A-94">Baby, that don't phase me</a>). Just have to remember that my body is telling me to go in a different direction for a little bit and I'll come out stronger in a few months.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03611967068068116393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3663610770084002654.post-67115585593975436172013-03-16T02:38:00.000+09:002013-03-16T02:38:40.328+09:00Tsunami signs<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx2U_HbiwkTIdl7vn0DGXnVwG1mO714kuL6KdUgQT8GtnDfSWoo27s-stCeSYTTdFKLLBDW6juUVseXTQvYRwo-tKKsU0e6eg1leqQCBu2UWAwTwls6SW3ZCNggW_I8M_fSZXeo1MKSjOZ/s1600/tsu495.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx2U_HbiwkTIdl7vn0DGXnVwG1mO714kuL6KdUgQT8GtnDfSWoo27s-stCeSYTTdFKLLBDW6juUVseXTQvYRwo-tKKsU0e6eg1leqQCBu2UWAwTwls6SW3ZCNggW_I8M_fSZXeo1MKSjOZ/s400/tsu495.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tsunami warning sign</td></tr>
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I've noticed some new signs around Okinawa (the one pictured above is at the Tengan post office near Camp Courtney). <br />
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Although Okinawa <a href="http://travel67.wordpress.com/2011/03/11/march-11th-tsunami-images-from-okinawa-japan/">barely felt the effects</a>, the signs were prompted by the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. Red signs are for water levels 5m and below, yellow are 6 to 19m, and blue are for 20m and above (approximately 16ft, 20ft to 62ft, and 66ft respectively.<br />
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To give a little perspective, waves were measured at 10m (~33ft) at <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/14/japan-earthquake-2011-tsu_n_835269.html">the Sendai Airport</a> and the highest were almost 38m (~125ft) at <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12769741">Miyako</a>. Water went up to 6 miles inland. While the Tohoku earthquake was an unprecedented magnitude, the following tsunami was not the largest in Japanese history. In fact, Japan averages one tsunami every 7 years. Being aware of your surroundings and knowing what to do in a tsunami definitely can't hurt (<a href="http://www.kadena.af.mil/library/tsunamis.asp">here's a guide</a> from Kadena).<br />
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I believe housing agencies are required to tell tenants if they're living in a tsunami zone, but just in case you're not sure what zone you're in, <a href="http://www.kadena.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-100228-001.pdf">this guide</a> has detailed maps of the island (pages 8-18).Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03611967068068116393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3663610770084002654.post-49167339201893918382013-03-11T02:43:00.002+09:002013-03-11T02:43:42.440+09:00Little differences: Daylight Saving Time<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3xMmtumprJZaY-XvtwFUSQBwADzGEGKWVG7DrwTwKzjfz22bUyEdcHyO3dTxeT7xdaxZ8Twe5khLMCuz89i_EVOPGSzrukNIue5D-YtVtP37UgbpbqrRNn1q-dfW1urCxztn5_fiqauTa/s1600/photo+(15).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3xMmtumprJZaY-XvtwFUSQBwADzGEGKWVG7DrwTwKzjfz22bUyEdcHyO3dTxeT7xdaxZ8Twe5khLMCuz89i_EVOPGSzrukNIue5D-YtVtP37UgbpbqrRNn1q-dfW1urCxztn5_fiqauTa/s320/photo+(15).JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying a full night of sleep</td></tr>
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No springing forward or falling back for us!<br />
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Japan doesn't use Daylight Saving Time. I definitely don't miss changing the clocks, feeling jet lagged, losing an hour of sleep, or getting kiddos on a new schedule.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03611967068068116393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3663610770084002654.post-33090937858825345722013-03-07T12:03:00.001+09:002013-03-07T12:03:26.195+09:00What's that smell?Sometime back in November or December we noticed a funky smell in our house. The smell went away after a couple of days, so we didn't think anything of it.<br />
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Well, a couple weeks ago the smell was back. Big time. I decided it was time do a little investigating. I emptied out the yuki-shita (the below floor storage in <a href="http://oki-ok.blogspot.jp/2012/02/my-japanese-kitchen.html">our kitchen</a>), pulled the plastic tub up, prayed that the <a href="https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=the+grudge+kayako&revid=1849543648&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.43287494,d.aGc&biw=1680&bih=925&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=Wf43Ub_lIemaiAfzroG4AQ">chick from The Grudge</a> wasn't down there, and climbed in. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3OvFkGOuIf_aTqvPnzS9Io1rN2RrpQqe0bg6WJ1L4qnOC6YbDZ2Ew9irZ3xQJPyA3nHtY6KKPcZI-IV0fTd4eAvWSM5PRSk89GF4dMh5cNI9UWSNDGHQZjzx5ByXoUf57qobFCgCFlQQo/s1600/smell416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3OvFkGOuIf_aTqvPnzS9Io1rN2RrpQqe0bg6WJ1L4qnOC6YbDZ2Ew9irZ3xQJPyA3nHtY6KKPcZI-IV0fTd4eAvWSM5PRSk89GF4dMh5cNI9UWSNDGHQZjzx5ByXoUf57qobFCgCFlQQo/s320/smell416.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The empty yuki-shita</td></tr>
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And discovered at least 2" of standing, skanky water. (Thankfully there's a little wooden platform I could crouch on and I didn't get wet.) Looking around I spotted a little drain in the wall that was clogged. Apparently the drain molded over, trapping water in the crawl space and creating a swamp below our feet. Wonderful.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJkeT4rmpX6WQqrfDEndNdBih8-iPFAAZP02IrcbYL8OfzFNC5fmbDJkq2Q0uYqxfgEsTkjyX_1v4ZoCz1GrmxK45z5LdNpHuXltI9hd4VUv26CSNjxVlvJrB9PFAbxawyQlqFvaA3NX0X/s1600/smell411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJkeT4rmpX6WQqrfDEndNdBih8-iPFAAZP02IrcbYL8OfzFNC5fmbDJkq2Q0uYqxfgEsTkjyX_1v4ZoCz1GrmxK45z5LdNpHuXltI9hd4VUv26CSNjxVlvJrB9PFAbxawyQlqFvaA3NX0X/s320/smell411.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Foundation vent and drain</td></tr>
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See that tiny drain in the picture above? Yeah, who knew you had to check on that.<br />
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<br />At first, I thought the foundation vents had let rainwater in. Which probably makes you wonder, why would homes have such vents in the first place? Traditional homes need air flow to keep the house safe and comfortable. Back in the day, families would build a fire to cook and warm the living space. A fire means smoke, definitely not something you want building up in your house. So the vents are designed to draw air up from the crawlspace to keep smoke from accumulating. Now people use kerosene heaters that can also create fumes. Plus, Japanese homes usually don't have any insulation or central heating. The vent's second purpose is to help keep the temperature comfortable. Instead of relying on a/c in the summer, cold air from the crawl space helps to cool the rest of the house. <br />
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Later the work crew discovered our bathroom sink had a leak. The leak must have been slow enough to let mold grow (not a difficult task around here). Then maybe a combination of rain from the typhoons and water from the sink backed up.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmTKqL8alXzYEUDdFtr9n0uQ0GC_kR4eBA3R8lbXfoMbDOGMfxyUtxsqWNR2e3Qy-N0naTzcwdyXjDXZxa95mYij-AP0bTU1crk_Rl2r9dxoQYHqIe_GbcQqqZnUZHp0FFobaCJWca6li-/s1600/smell413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmTKqL8alXzYEUDdFtr9n0uQ0GC_kR4eBA3R8lbXfoMbDOGMfxyUtxsqWNR2e3Qy-N0naTzcwdyXjDXZxa95mYij-AP0bTU1crk_Rl2r9dxoQYHqIe_GbcQqqZnUZHp0FFobaCJWca6li-/s320/smell413.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Our foundation/crawl space<br />
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The crawlspace is maybe 3 feet at the tallest. Definitely felt bad for the crew who had to fix the leak and clean the swamp up. But now our house doesn't smell like an old aquarium, so I'm happy. And I'm definitely checking that drain from now on!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03611967068068116393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3663610770084002654.post-52288664445128221032013-03-01T02:35:00.000+09:002013-03-01T02:35:00.150+09:00Baba Urban Green Space<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On our way to Kadena or Camp Foster, we've driven past this park hundreds of times. But we're usually busy and aren't able to stop. I finally decided to make the trip just to check it out. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVcHqOMYBznqyY19Hkh1tw9rwTY1ulpAZ7Bk5Mys8_I_tV903N5mfWMhVjxDWnDMvE3qkAPwULu0oegxtCmMmLEbzPgmKF3DsJp1DAWgMewO0yTelKo3D-fp3TkBBhLQor6e6m-Xm9uSBR/s1600/green723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVcHqOMYBznqyY19Hkh1tw9rwTY1ulpAZ7Bk5Mys8_I_tV903N5mfWMhVjxDWnDMvE3qkAPwULu0oegxtCmMmLEbzPgmKF3DsJp1DAWgMewO0yTelKo3D-fp3TkBBhLQor6e6m-Xm9uSBR/s320/green723.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Park sign on the 329</td></tr>
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With a name like Baba Urban Green Space*, I wasn't sure what to expect. But right next to the parking lot was a nice little playground and a picnic area. The boys loved the swing and the drop slide.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Ru1o6nL6fIR8za2SvFIkkoFib98BZzTFqLbdHietGMWDJDZ6Yuu1AwvGLQUKrleEh9MIxKUCD_P_3RtFt2hhea9s4CvzTTdj69N2mwYmy1iLIB77QYgm9365OZx51tGa7G2srWe9la98/s1600/green732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Ru1o6nL6fIR8za2SvFIkkoFib98BZzTFqLbdHietGMWDJDZ6Yuu1AwvGLQUKrleEh9MIxKUCD_P_3RtFt2hhea9s4CvzTTdj69N2mwYmy1iLIB77QYgm9365OZx51tGa7G2srWe9la98/s320/green732.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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After playing for a bit, we decided to explore some of the trails. (Although the parking lot was full, we only saw one other person while walking around.)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Map</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Owen running down the path</td></tr>
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We didn't get to explore too far because the boys found a roller slide.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRmLjl1nHxaN6b9tmba8K_qs0AgDY09LNRxNNPJ_DEkDg5MwwW2lT6u9UUi_Hl1yhl_32sWYo7XUARxgzj6Sfg2TOfmYuhAk6MG7VWjnxVDpIiaWUPK_vioiL3pLZf_LpGp8goktmJPgen/s1600/Green743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRmLjl1nHxaN6b9tmba8K_qs0AgDY09LNRxNNPJ_DEkDg5MwwW2lT6u9UUi_Hl1yhl_32sWYo7XUARxgzj6Sfg2TOfmYuhAk6MG7VWjnxVDpIiaWUPK_vioiL3pLZf_LpGp8goktmJPgen/s320/Green743.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is my favorite roller slide yet! Although I think the one at <a href="http://oki-ok.blogspot.jp/2012/02/yaeshima-park.html">Yaeshima Park</a> is longer, this slide was much smoother (no cardboard booty protection required).</div>
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Unfortunately, the boys loved the slide so much we weren't able to explore the rest of the trails. Hopefully we can make another trip soon.</div>
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Baba park is right off the 329 (across the street from Hotto Motto and near KFC). Here's a <a href="http://www.mapion.co.jp/m/26.3619806_127.8190111_8/v=m5:%E9%A6%AC%E5%A0%B4%E9%83%BD%E5%B8%82%E7%B7%91%E5%9C%B0/">map</a><br />
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* Baba Urban Green Space is clunky but I wasn't able to find a smoother translation of the park's name, 馬場都市緑地 - Baba Toshi Ryokuchi. And one of my dictionaries translated 馬場 as hippodrome or race track, but we didn't see any horses or stables so I'm just leaving 馬場 as Baba.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03611967068068116393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3663610770084002654.post-3825058366843202422013-02-27T01:18:00.000+09:002013-02-27T01:18:00.811+09:00Pizza-La<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
One of our favorite Japanese treats is <a href="http://www.pizza-la.co.jp/">Pizza-La</a>. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-dczAsb8wMdbulsfMkqscGGR8R44dQCSGqeFJlQ3R00wOmB-rAml7TJZ2ZTs-Qfce9MIOPJFM5uwemEDI7oJKaIZYFu6HssyOjXXQYo9ogk1ttdiODEwRdtBge3xv8soZtJRlxzA0xzSC/s1600/pl1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-dczAsb8wMdbulsfMkqscGGR8R44dQCSGqeFJlQ3R00wOmB-rAml7TJZ2ZTs-Qfce9MIOPJFM5uwemEDI7oJKaIZYFu6HssyOjXXQYo9ogk1ttdiODEwRdtBge3xv8soZtJRlxzA0xzSC/s320/pl1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The large is about the size of an American medium. And the price is pretty stiff - about $40 for a large. But the toppings can definitely be an adventure (the pizza above was a cheese and honey. As weird as that sounds, it was really tasty). Although there's a menu in English, don't take the translations too literally. Mayo, for example, isn't the sweet stuff Americans are used to. Instead it's a savory sauce made with miso.<br />
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They do deliver and there is a way to order online, but my Japanese isn't good enough to navigate through all that. Instead we go to the restaurant and order in person. (We use the Uruma City store, which is down the 75 just past the 36 intersection (the one with the big, yellow Jeans Shop). <a href="https://maps.google.co.jp/maps?q=%E3%81%86%E3%82%8B%E3%81%BE%E5%B8%82%E5%96%9C%E4%BB%B21-3-24&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&sa=N&tab=wl">Here's a map</a>. The Pizza-La website does have <a href="https://www.pizza-la.co.jp/TenpoSelect.aspx?KC=47">a list of locations</a> around Okinawa but you will need to know the neighborhood nearest you.)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03611967068068116393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3663610770084002654.post-15662805687219674942013-02-25T00:54:00.000+09:002013-02-25T00:54:00.702+09:00Little difference: call buttons<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtcE0blltA0deBcCKSlnBQ-Y2FOS957MlmWSi5dDIbSZYnnhBYLDX7zOhW7pK2qzm86cbzlau_gL6A6OrKCgQGP-U6Tccx4i2-ESzSdfES6jW2x3bmgDSdrjccu5l2_t9HcC2qXGzuOh8x/s1600/IMAG0510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtcE0blltA0deBcCKSlnBQ-Y2FOS957MlmWSi5dDIbSZYnnhBYLDX7zOhW7pK2qzm86cbzlau_gL6A6OrKCgQGP-U6Tccx4i2-ESzSdfES6jW2x3bmgDSdrjccu5l2_t9HcC2qXGzuOh8x/s320/IMAG0510.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
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Japan has a brilliant system - the restaurant call button!<br />
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Just push the button to let the waiter know you need something. No hovering waiters with corny jokes while you're trying to eat, no waiting for a refill or the check. I love it!<br />
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(btw, if you've ever wondered what the server is saying when approaching the table: "Shitsurei shimasu." The phrase is used like "Pardon me" but literally means "I will behave rudely.")Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03611967068068116393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3663610770084002654.post-16050684384729867612013-02-23T00:36:00.003+09:002013-02-23T00:36:57.215+09:00Okinawa 10k and Comprehensive ParkLast weekend was a lot of fun! We went to packet pick up Saturday afternoon and spent the rest of the day walking around Comprehensive Park. Although I've wanted to take the boys to this park before, I've just never gotten around to it.<br />
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Comprehensive Park had jogging and bike trails, large fields and several courts. Besides the water park, there was a large canal and a play area with fountains (signs were posted saying "Don't drink the water" in Japanese, so I assume at some point there must be water).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzwT1by22wp5hgOF5O0LWNGyAj36iQqSHIEaVzDUwuCSBddo43sHQgjUoyxzbp60RXDCi6jpm20IXMYASz4VC7aCjpdDsYCPhP41dBrf52uCqr1WywvI1GxXzpxQaWwt9OYrwOU036vXKq/s1600/comp001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzwT1by22wp5hgOF5O0LWNGyAj36iQqSHIEaVzDUwuCSBddo43sHQgjUoyxzbp60RXDCi6jpm20IXMYASz4VC7aCjpdDsYCPhP41dBrf52uCqr1WywvI1GxXzpxQaWwt9OYrwOU036vXKq/s320/comp001.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summer fountains?</td></tr>
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Eventually we made our way around the park to the playgrounds. (The name of the playground area is ちびっこ広場 (Chibikko Hiroba), which translates as Ankle-biter Square or Rugrat Square. Cracks me up!) We went to the playground for younger children but older kids had several large areas too.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoiFMIuH35SR8965PykW9RWNjqQ_EY3Q-G3NXmmUUkyKGbmxVywHYwkf5Q2rXNY9VAr8Cp2p4ohEYGla4lqRuGzqeg3WHzapIvoOVpgMNHBs4StLSvl-BcEMVgsPeCGNbUAjSXr0qLKrhl/s1600/comp122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoiFMIuH35SR8965PykW9RWNjqQ_EY3Q-G3NXmmUUkyKGbmxVywHYwkf5Q2rXNY9VAr8Cp2p4ohEYGla4lqRuGzqeg3WHzapIvoOVpgMNHBs4StLSvl-BcEMVgsPeCGNbUAjSXr0qLKrhl/s320/comp122.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playground for toddlers</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrBDw6-ySRtN1afZn4gLL9A-m6czre_oKG0tHDh0BJR81cKbkyNbe2sS1CZPknQyFHcY5tbaz7Hko9FXZl1bm-zlfwzaAdx5fpX0z8B3Kzy0h4yikNgxZP7UR3GbWH8izCBMHdoboRX0Tb/s1600/comp158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrBDw6-ySRtN1afZn4gLL9A-m6czre_oKG0tHDh0BJR81cKbkyNbe2sS1CZPknQyFHcY5tbaz7Hko9FXZl1bm-zlfwzaAdx5fpX0z8B3Kzy0h4yikNgxZP7UR3GbWH8izCBMHdoboRX0Tb/s320/comp158.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Play structure for older children</td></tr>
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Over at the ponds, the boys loved watching the carp and turtles. I believe paddle boats could be rented too but we had already spent several hours exploring park and the boys were getting crabby.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEideiwqpbI36V0636SIb7YWIuvxYzdWC6l9t2QhFLfZK3ZcQzhpjhaKP7gT8Hum-ZXwc8ZkNY9F-cuiBjlOL-c0kGpdLIJmMCdlQgWfh2qUjeewCONv_ZJth7_iU07RJ_oCfbxn0Z71v0Kr/s1600/comp275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEideiwqpbI36V0636SIb7YWIuvxYzdWC6l9t2QhFLfZK3ZcQzhpjhaKP7gT8Hum-ZXwc8ZkNY9F-cuiBjlOL-c0kGpdLIJmMCdlQgWfh2qUjeewCONv_ZJth7_iU07RJ_oCfbxn0Z71v0Kr/s320/comp275.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bridge to the islands in the pond</td></tr>
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My plan for race day was to do the 10k this year as a practice run for next year's marathon. Sunday morning we parked at Aeon in Gushikawa around 7:45 and there was still plenty of spaces open. The shuttle bus got us to the stadium by 8:15. Easy peasy! The boys grabbed some breakfast from one of the food stands and we settled down to wait for the 10k. The marathon started at 9 with a little fireworks show. Then it was my turn at 9:30.<br />
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The course was mostly flat but I had a lot of trouble settling into my own pace. Like <a href="http://oki-ok.blogspot.jp/2012/04/some-pics-from-ayahashi.html">Ayahashi</a>, this race was packed. I wasn't able to really pass anyone until after the 2km mark and the rest of the race was a lot of weaving in and out of traffic jams. I've pretty much given up on setting a goal time for these races and will just run for fun.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy1-W_UYnsIEj8NoR5nw7pk3yyP4LsgGiNFHVwHGA2_O1Zk2LqjoUd2mqYhO5qjbL-IhyphenhyphenZFsgyggT2M0AWJb7LpcXeHjf4W1r3jNA3kSWlOXwhP7HBEbA9c5RRFYIo5hwVh7Om0xP7WJSA/s1600/oki312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy1-W_UYnsIEj8NoR5nw7pk3yyP4LsgGiNFHVwHGA2_O1Zk2LqjoUd2mqYhO5qjbL-IhyphenhyphenZFsgyggT2M0AWJb7LpcXeHjf4W1r3jNA3kSWlOXwhP7HBEbA9c5RRFYIo5hwVh7Om0xP7WJSA/s320/oki312.jpg" width="232" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Race shirt and 10k finisher's medal</td></tr>
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I felt so bad for the marathoners! Although the weather was fairly cool and cloudy for the 10k, the sun came out and the temp soared later in the morning. We live near McT, which I think is around mile 9 on the course, and we got home around noon. Even with the course open to traffic, there was still a steady flow of runners - and they looked miserable! The heat definitely took its toll. I hope they were able to finish and get their medal.<br />
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Crossing my fingers for better weather next year.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03611967068068116393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3663610770084002654.post-70818484520448841172013-02-16T23:33:00.002+09:002013-02-16T23:34:01.614+09:00Setsubun and Lunar New YearWe've been busy little bees out adventuring and celebrating. The good side of that is lots of fun with the boys; the down side is not a lot of time to blog.<div>
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We had fun with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Setsubun">Setsubun</a> (the Japanese holiday marking the first day of spring). We got our mask and bean set at Aeon (they had a big display by the bakery). Chris was "too busy" to let us throw beans at him, so the boys and I took turns wearing the oni mask and chasing each other around.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihCYWMCYFGN0zunh52tdfhci9eR5S1Hp5HzqYkE_TaJSsV4LHXY55f3pU72CxircffnQk1EQkjdzYZGfuztjkpV-XU1FFHZBfMCChvqOFUu9SfEjTj8NlMa1GMKqcQJ5cEhNoMBYoQ32Q_/s1600/setsu930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihCYWMCYFGN0zunh52tdfhci9eR5S1Hp5HzqYkE_TaJSsV4LHXY55f3pU72CxircffnQk1EQkjdzYZGfuztjkpV-XU1FFHZBfMCChvqOFUu9SfEjTj8NlMa1GMKqcQJ5cEhNoMBYoQ32Q_/s320/setsu930.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Demon Isaac</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWBhO5uap-M-7xMDNWE42qCU1VAGDQHlJvpiOyEn0XcRWolAS8PwW_Ddoq6Pnlve_EKIF8jDNOtUYVWMBnAFTuZ99nuzZ7PZWwzcvPuLA1Qqxn3YwWmy2ex-neNWx8YItM-PpIQ9oa88mQ/s1600/set933.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWBhO5uap-M-7xMDNWE42qCU1VAGDQHlJvpiOyEn0XcRWolAS8PwW_Ddoq6Pnlve_EKIF8jDNOtUYVWMBnAFTuZ99nuzZ7PZWwzcvPuLA1Qqxn3YwWmy2ex-neNWx8YItM-PpIQ9oa88mQ/s320/set933.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soy beans</td></tr>
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For Lunar New Year, I decorated the tatami room and I tried out some new recipes. The<a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/332878/martha-liaos-spring-rolls?center=0&gallery=275394&slide=259441"> spring rolls</a> and <a href="http://www.copykat.com/2012/01/08/panda-express-cream-cheese-wontons/">wontons </a>were yummy, the <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/349639/chinese-celery-salad">celery salad</a> not so much. The boys were in an antsy mood, so I only got a couple of pictures. After dinner, we did some small fireworks and ate fortune cookies.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMo050t6pGBl1kR9YJPYhm5NFqVtEJRexfo_Th08AsTfpqC1WoqF3_qGuBD167I6eYJBiDjxPE-7ScjbIb96Dk8mLNj6Av-154MvpK_jIAF85gd_KWLyeolQIuBfUNQmrRQqUzRYJRUvSu/s1600/lny927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMo050t6pGBl1kR9YJPYhm5NFqVtEJRexfo_Th08AsTfpqC1WoqF3_qGuBD167I6eYJBiDjxPE-7ScjbIb96Dk8mLNj6Av-154MvpK_jIAF85gd_KWLyeolQIuBfUNQmrRQqUzRYJRUvSu/s320/lny927.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isaac more interested in the dragon than me</td></tr>
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We didn't do much for Valentine's. In fact, we actually went out to eat at <a href="http://www.obbligato.co.jp/">Obbligato</a> (their chimichangas are amazing but not exactly romantic). I made an angel food cake with strawberries for dessert and that was about it. Low key can be a nice change sometimes.</div>
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Alrighty, I've got the Okinawa 10k in the morning so it's bed time for me. Good luck to all the marathoners tomorrow!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03611967068068116393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3663610770084002654.post-16538684535424557982013-02-07T00:16:00.001+09:002013-02-07T00:16:49.591+09:00Ocean Expo Park and the International Orchid Expo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Last Saturday I needed to pick up my Nago Half race packet (I could have waited until race morning but I hate leaving everything until the last minute). Driving all the way to Nago just to pick up my bib seemed like a wasted trip. The cherry blossoms still didn't look more than 50%, so we found ourselves back at <a href="http://oki-park.jp/en/">Ocean Expo Park</a>.* </div>
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Because <a href="http://oki-ok.blogspot.jp/2012/05/churaumi-aquarium-and-okinawa-beer.html">our last trip</a> focused on the aquarium, I wanted to visit the Tropical Dream Center. But after stopping in the Native Okinawa Village area, we could tell the boys were getting bored and we decided to go watch the animals instead.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHNowkQczeT9ZLWjVWOR64Xm4QV5GjYuX1_sLObIaBBeJgZfaumgcHYo0zK3FRKSrJZ_J_bn1Efx2kQPk4uAZDFww23S2sapJXc73CRoLJZ_DiXT3wO-dpQSEbKNU361a83QT9hg2Wz84b/s1600/nagohalf476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHNowkQczeT9ZLWjVWOR64Xm4QV5GjYuX1_sLObIaBBeJgZfaumgcHYo0zK3FRKSrJZ_J_bn1Efx2kQPk4uAZDFww23S2sapJXc73CRoLJZ_DiXT3wO-dpQSEbKNU361a83QT9hg2Wz84b/s320/nagohalf476.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Native Okinawa Village</td></tr>
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The Central Gate area was full of flowers for International Orchid Expo. Very colorful!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj62ksW5xlhGRk6FVnWd5yQFw8VlIWvNfZ5BATLczXQnojmiqDumpfpsaLW6TM0iWAbf__1KaWK2t1FU0gtWaycLIckUYMw836KKSAlePo_L_jIOxU_36XDxWjeRhNc84pXD4TEj2havE41/s1600/nagohalf449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj62ksW5xlhGRk6FVnWd5yQFw8VlIWvNfZ5BATLczXQnojmiqDumpfpsaLW6TM0iWAbf__1KaWK2t1FU0gtWaycLIckUYMw836KKSAlePo_L_jIOxU_36XDxWjeRhNc84pXD4TEj2havE41/s320/nagohalf449.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fountain Plaza</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTO4r5LBfV3tOymhvXq-t6AjZh28gyruXvlqUmmohGLIRCZa2LUFVhYKHoK-cGI2lpJtODfk72b_LVE5HiDuSR_xmOf3yHxtbk3TTCiZs2oFPC_AniFvLQ0Luk34BeMBrQkk1LGZ-UEmxc/s1600/nagohalf443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTO4r5LBfV3tOymhvXq-t6AjZh28gyruXvlqUmmohGLIRCZa2LUFVhYKHoK-cGI2lpJtODfk72b_LVE5HiDuSR_xmOf3yHxtbk3TTCiZs2oFPC_AniFvLQ0Luk34BeMBrQkk1LGZ-UEmxc/s320/nagohalf443.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flower displays</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpCiXPQQ8t-aYsPlm_EZm4rEOgbs1cv214CUL1AU1B-aM6nwhLjD5ke3SjpOJ4b8IUeO5R4HA3H1vm-AlB-hd6tr0qE85ux6Xcfw493eozQhBobCBbA892giRuJfyTl2OyycUqp6u3kwPP/s1600/nagohalf546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpCiXPQQ8t-aYsPlm_EZm4rEOgbs1cv214CUL1AU1B-aM6nwhLjD5ke3SjpOJ4b8IUeO5R4HA3H1vm-AlB-hd6tr0qE85ux6Xcfw493eozQhBobCBbA892giRuJfyTl2OyycUqp6u3kwPP/s320/nagohalf546.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dolphins</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiesxSn8MUzgqb7eVEow2RMYWIyJOD333nAmhJvESpIJfeuwl77VpkEub12eXUt8Kgh2xxEDUc_mIggNUYqF7kOY4BXvXBhbanm10W584w4Lq6fLpd0gIFVoMPff1y0O4GemHTJKykZd_uF/s1600/nagohalf671.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiesxSn8MUzgqb7eVEow2RMYWIyJOD333nAmhJvESpIJfeuwl77VpkEub12eXUt8Kgh2xxEDUc_mIggNUYqF7kOY4BXvXBhbanm10W584w4Lq6fLpd0gIFVoMPff1y0O4GemHTJKykZd_uF/s320/nagohalf671.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watching the turtles</td></tr>
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I think I've also solved <a href="http://oki-ok.blogspot.jp/2012/11/weird-day-at-beach.html">my bone mystery</a>. After seeing the sea turtles up close, I'm pretty sure the bones and body we saw at the beach came from a turtle. (Still a little creepy with the Japanese words for bone (hone,骨) and boat (hune, 船) being so similar though.)</div>
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* Although I probably should have been at home resting for the half, I wasn't worried about finishing the race or trying for any sort of goal time. Having fun with my guys was more important than spending another day bored at home.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03611967068068116393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3663610770084002654.post-85771260422237280012013-02-06T02:25:00.000+09:002013-02-06T02:25:22.411+09:00Nago Half Marathon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Last Sunday was the Nago Half!</div>
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My training was no where near what it should be, so my goal was just to finish. (I crammed at least 5 months of training into 13 weeks. Plus, I had a nasty allergic reaction right before my 10 miler, which means my longest run was only 8 miles.)</div>
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Sunday morning we left our house near McT around 6:40am, arrived in Nago around 7:20 (I think), and luckily we got one of the last parking spaces at <a href="http://en.okinawa2go.jp/is/OCVB1EN0020061100/show">21st Century Forest Park</a> (there weren't any signs or volunteers telling you where to park, and no shuttle buses). I made one last frantic trip to the potty as the 10k started at 9, and then it was go time for the half.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My "wtf am I doing" face</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Start</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Away we go</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mission accomplished!</td></tr>
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Overall, I'm not sure if I'll do this race again next year. The hills weren't bad for Okinawa (but the big hill around mile 10 was pretty rough on me. Here's the <a href="http://runkeeper.com/race/nago-half-marathon-18142/25436">elevation chart</a>). The scenery was average (a few great views and some boring sections of just shopping centers and pachinko parlors). The crowd support was amazing! So many people out cheering and handing out ice packs, candy and drinks. But the official water stations only served water, no sports drinks or snacks. Sections of the course were not closed to traffic (definitely glad I skipped using my iPod). No finisher medals, no honeybuckets (just two bathrooms at the stadium with squat toilets).</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03611967068068116393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3663610770084002654.post-7971049852935536062013-02-04T01:58:00.000+09:002013-02-04T01:58:00.133+09:00Back to Bios on the Hill<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Another trip I've wanted to do again is <a href="http://oki-ok.blogspot.jp/2012/02/bios-on-hill.html">Bios on the Hill</a>. Last time we went the weather was rainy, Isaac wasn't walking yet, and Chris was in Thailand. Nice weather and Dad home to play with the boys made for a great re-do!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK0QlJjYc2EGHRqkAF3qA8sTOsuDX9n6ixtmpCoe6xw4aXDapcnvi7MwtgzTDa5f-ScxiWiQHy-pDoLXIjTJeCVn2B_hWmwBZLP9ZAQj25NL76YPg8kn2UuDzebjdKU0jsGS-K8u9pGmcs/s1600/bios0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK0QlJjYc2EGHRqkAF3qA8sTOsuDX9n6ixtmpCoe6xw4aXDapcnvi7MwtgzTDa5f-ScxiWiQHy-pDoLXIjTJeCVn2B_hWmwBZLP9ZAQj25NL76YPg8kn2UuDzebjdKU0jsGS-K8u9pGmcs/s320/bios0002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03611967068068116393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3663610770084002654.post-3013625774626541672013-02-01T01:43:00.000+09:002013-02-01T01:43:00.493+09:00Pink flowers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwNnXiLz1ivgzxjqvSQbIS06M7Sbw2SxtcFJ2aKTdSyYoos6JOivapKmwy6lI78xUg3Eqosl4cjmaCRj8r_s6czv1osKMA_oJQrFfLYeYFH-uGQRLs-q4HcZxLYVORyypEAP5BZ8xvw7IC/s1600/agena29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwNnXiLz1ivgzxjqvSQbIS06M7Sbw2SxtcFJ2aKTdSyYoos6JOivapKmwy6lI78xUg3Eqosl4cjmaCRj8r_s6czv1osKMA_oJQrFfLYeYFH-uGQRLs-q4HcZxLYVORyypEAP5BZ8xvw7IC/s400/agena29.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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One of the funny things from our trip to <a href="http://oki-ok.blogspot.jp/2013/01/agena-castle-re-do.html">Agena park</a>, we found pink plastic flowers from a local car lot attached to a tree on the top of the castle.<br />
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Now whenever I look out our window at the castle, all I can see is the pink flowers!<br />
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How did I not notice that before??Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03611967068068116393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3663610770084002654.post-56851566928341435802013-01-31T01:37:00.003+09:002013-01-31T01:37:53.963+09:00Agena Castle re-do<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Over the long MLK weekend, the weather was beautiful but I wasn't feeling good. So we decided to do a little exploring close to home. I've seen some construction happening at Agena Central Park and I wanted to see if there's been any improvements since <a href="http://oki-ok.blogspot.jp/2012/03/agena-central-park.html">our last visit</a>.</div>
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Although Owen is big enough to tackle the stairs mostly on his own, Isaac needed a lot of help. Definitely glad Chris was able to come with us.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin84j7NQhrAieBdttSWeMFzkwCfRL4kRYXo6yP08-qr0EuPzG9PrSIQs8x0EDQ0PJUB-PVgv-t5YPU1ick3QTyfrJeaH2wq1b_AqCXbi5nRiIs1DIPpXDBPcY_uyQIqDXAYVxac7w9vevV/s1600/agena1373.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin84j7NQhrAieBdttSWeMFzkwCfRL4kRYXo6yP08-qr0EuPzG9PrSIQs8x0EDQ0PJUB-PVgv-t5YPU1ick3QTyfrJeaH2wq1b_AqCXbi5nRiIs1DIPpXDBPcY_uyQIqDXAYVxac7w9vevV/s320/agena1373.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trail head on the left side of the field</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGrz4_vSia72kLGgN8cJ5il37OANGCHuKenyT3TYNMfhT8kQqeoK22elc309ASAmC0gDLMGLmLaFbBZ9SvS-4J6ShTYiVHN_-3-z3C7IQnslhEnpkIUd9_MwBiN1MyXrwEV_05iysNdmc_/s1600/agena1397.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGrz4_vSia72kLGgN8cJ5il37OANGCHuKenyT3TYNMfhT8kQqeoK22elc309ASAmC0gDLMGLmLaFbBZ9SvS-4J6ShTYiVHN_-3-z3C7IQnslhEnpkIUd9_MwBiN1MyXrwEV_05iysNdmc_/s320/agena1397.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isaac navigating the stairs</td></tr>
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Amazing to think those stones have been there since the 14th century!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_YO8xf9Nc6hfzbSDjjXIZc8XdydBKncpkCdlZ5yRski2EYEOiV0iwuQhf5WKE6Q29vIXyO3UVR1IYWBKlloECU9tddJpdXdzCXF_rw7Ng9lBfCRcMTly_sjqPXQ9iHP8CeaXF_NtqlleT/s1600/agena5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_YO8xf9Nc6hfzbSDjjXIZc8XdydBKncpkCdlZ5yRski2EYEOiV0iwuQhf5WKE6Q29vIXyO3UVR1IYWBKlloECU9tddJpdXdzCXF_rw7Ng9lBfCRcMTly_sjqPXQ9iHP8CeaXF_NtqlleT/s320/agena5.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY46_Qj1F2ZzB4xetJZdWi3wklaWK3YvlC6Pj2yfC6eRSep1I00FpC9nYWhLMSUEqQsM9y_j_8MS2mQqa1VDeXJz-NRB2IcR4AFWuAL1MRzVP1tT6jk6_76snm6C9USeneFEwL3Se1_BTE/s1600/agena26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY46_Qj1F2ZzB4xetJZdWi3wklaWK3YvlC6Pj2yfC6eRSep1I00FpC9nYWhLMSUEqQsM9y_j_8MS2mQqa1VDeXJz-NRB2IcR4AFWuAL1MRzVP1tT6jk6_76snm6C9USeneFEwL3Se1_BTE/s320/agena26.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking over McT from the top of the castle</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZSYM9GbCf7yOTYs_0RPPj-VrXxWdenii6ISKV8sHSVobrFrwRq7Q7MXITMbfrC2vkxv_V5W5rNtCAbF_rt5Uon2oXFmShx1j4MqC9ybfsWPZ6yx6l4yUd7AaPmZMrfDPB_riBXOtu2Uy_/s1600/agena33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZSYM9GbCf7yOTYs_0RPPj-VrXxWdenii6ISKV8sHSVobrFrwRq7Q7MXITMbfrC2vkxv_V5W5rNtCAbF_rt5Uon2oXFmShx1j4MqC9ybfsWPZ6yx6l4yUd7AaPmZMrfDPB_riBXOtu2Uy_/s320/agena33.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Field near the top</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOoSB4KPaDbVK7IhZ0VbMy8d9nwpxMSse8z-wlvscE7A2SAuBEOgqM4auHn6BQ8jUkfZ24T3FNtErrSJ0gILjnb45OuOoBIGKc0uVAYL7XbZexaK7hDMN9RpJmeXOLLDpRsJPY2ea1379W/s1600/agena55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOoSB4KPaDbVK7IhZ0VbMy8d9nwpxMSse8z-wlvscE7A2SAuBEOgqM4auHn6BQ8jUkfZ24T3FNtErrSJ0gILjnb45OuOoBIGKc0uVAYL7XbZexaK7hDMN9RpJmeXOLLDpRsJPY2ea1379W/s320/agena55.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walls</td></tr>
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After the castle ruins we continued our tour around the rest of the park.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgonOVKCLuHu5JWnzKxwGuy74ZWrtqrwlxCsRVYGoduNi2UeMi85duSf1LkCYpaaLyOz0MEVUTyLDhz165wg1gA2qg5_Ip_cQu__RGiw3xhNI-z0s6uxX3jzl5KcuDmnKpP6nOh-_miGdK3/s1600/agena91.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgonOVKCLuHu5JWnzKxwGuy74ZWrtqrwlxCsRVYGoduNi2UeMi85duSf1LkCYpaaLyOz0MEVUTyLDhz165wg1gA2qg5_Ip_cQu__RGiw3xhNI-z0s6uxX3jzl5KcuDmnKpP6nOh-_miGdK3/s320/agena91.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bull ring (see it in action <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-2LWDGV8Lw">here</a>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Yo6IdrzgFcjj7fVo7YRWKh4UzR3xlk_Gv0NG3cimWeKoooDCC8xMwOuNNuxnaHPyitJZqbWOuTkjfvTXJUQ8-Kb_NUvjUUNS0lLj45qS3WDyYNAhs_2Rih3RoUzwi73IL8xfymbdl2aO/s1600/agena89.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Yo6IdrzgFcjj7fVo7YRWKh4UzR3xlk_Gv0NG3cimWeKoooDCC8xMwOuNNuxnaHPyitJZqbWOuTkjfvTXJUQ8-Kb_NUvjUUNS0lLj45qS3WDyYNAhs_2Rih3RoUzwi73IL8xfymbdl2aO/s320/agena89.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stairs to the back side of the park</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-eEMPrPDaEtDOw0E9YsyxBwDrBG3sjy43If9axGazTsZX_QhHcNn7AAt4DSBlJyncZB4mpZD8zxxgnuIDw55mrzZW6I4VtX-KRBnep01eQ1CNzFKSYbycO6eKHZ5EyrMZcmn_-pZlinGp/s1600/agena96.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-eEMPrPDaEtDOw0E9YsyxBwDrBG3sjy43If9axGazTsZX_QhHcNn7AAt4DSBlJyncZB4mpZD8zxxgnuIDw55mrzZW6I4VtX-KRBnep01eQ1CNzFKSYbycO6eKHZ5EyrMZcmn_-pZlinGp/s320/agena96.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Broken clock, working sundial</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2X28Msw375URLfpK4Jf73PSN7jn2ODg4KzP-PYqmq13HQL3O3HehWbCnRnWyUtt0r_ehhPk10DC690qeUiI8YUBP3LrEpk2BCs8v8AaCWRICh8L_FeJqBbDUNUvmoLJ6wQL7Tb5opqnCR/s1600/agena102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2X28Msw375URLfpK4Jf73PSN7jn2ODg4KzP-PYqmq13HQL3O3HehWbCnRnWyUtt0r_ehhPk10DC690qeUiI8YUBP3LrEpk2BCs8v8AaCWRICh8L_FeJqBbDUNUvmoLJ6wQL7Tb5opqnCR/s320/agena102.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back at the castle</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJODbNG5RH9A6bNz2k7hxNA9-O36JJ3eOU24y_SQzTm7gDLVS019j_Jng_jWV42ARDrRGJbn8Lv2Vvf3o2e0fPl0vPN1xhiCfUsaoSy0k4o20FxrS-PLMYgxKFMIINrb8ZDBU35929ytzp/s1600/agena104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJODbNG5RH9A6bNz2k7hxNA9-O36JJ3eOU24y_SQzTm7gDLVS019j_Jng_jWV42ARDrRGJbn8Lv2Vvf3o2e0fPl0vPN1xhiCfUsaoSy0k4o20FxrS-PLMYgxKFMIINrb8ZDBU35929ytzp/s320/agena104.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnrkb5LZwARTKg1DPvW6tT-ks1Qt7LQRmJ9SR3PqQnVPrM_xy-4l798-OcS7ImmySceYxLdQI8i2uWt4PZpIXN8dKGZduDZ4Hgun72SJia5n31xOC4P2_qySwtgqs8EfJ7xW5RozX1VTX7/s1600/agena119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnrkb5LZwARTKg1DPvW6tT-ks1Qt7LQRmJ9SR3PqQnVPrM_xy-4l798-OcS7ImmySceYxLdQI8i2uWt4PZpIXN8dKGZduDZ4Hgun72SJia5n31xOC4P2_qySwtgqs8EfJ7xW5RozX1VTX7/s320/agena119.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">The Tengan River<br /></td></tr>
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One big change from <a href="http://oki-ok.blogspot.jp/2012/03/agena-central-park.html">last time</a>: no more playground. I wonder if something new will be built in its place.</div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-KvvrrUPn4ASNhZTqNR8bdcMBNGa-kl2ubnRJT8MjI3fCtLoZvflGtUv7BrxzxdghrFKe2yFoPE14vH0-MidoTyECRGwjyZPnT0Wc8haBbV22SkvXuUNjjGY5iR6-3ekfbWM9TSop2urV/s1600/agena144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-KvvrrUPn4ASNhZTqNR8bdcMBNGa-kl2ubnRJT8MjI3fCtLoZvflGtUv7BrxzxdghrFKe2yFoPE14vH0-MidoTyECRGwjyZPnT0Wc8haBbV22SkvXuUNjjGY5iR6-3ekfbWM9TSop2urV/s320/agena144.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Cherry blossoms</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOrCm6d6mNbmm6lPzSr0ry6PrNQ6wraI__MbTLlliafOPyD92ePWfU2QSB_OyWx1U89eSIRmXAuGP36Yd3DVlthdt3bzox07x3DfwQPwomXkYNVuDVRHrxdYUsiKr97rSaQxL7nIHe6Elu/s1600/agena177.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOrCm6d6mNbmm6lPzSr0ry6PrNQ6wraI__MbTLlliafOPyD92ePWfU2QSB_OyWx1U89eSIRmXAuGP36Yd3DVlthdt3bzox07x3DfwQPwomXkYNVuDVRHrxdYUsiKr97rSaQxL7nIHe6Elu/s320/agena177.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Statue of Buddha</td></tr>
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I hope the construction continues. This park makes a nice afternoon trip and I'd love to see improvements to make it even better.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03611967068068116393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3663610770084002654.post-86292095676620861392013-01-29T02:41:00.000+09:002013-01-31T02:41:15.248+09:00How time flies!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvBlLP18nOe4t1-Ir6QiTQYj5GxgtLK9A7jF8ZUe_Bj8N9wRhiszpcfSgLbZQKFDHfaNwphKkdVp_-PN1GYdHM8dRmJa2yJz0EegrbtW4zcv6AME8uXL827W24Tkh86aBhPSSKjBuUtZN5/s1600/saku180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvBlLP18nOe4t1-Ir6QiTQYj5GxgtLK9A7jF8ZUe_Bj8N9wRhiszpcfSgLbZQKFDHfaNwphKkdVp_-PN1GYdHM8dRmJa2yJz0EegrbtW4zcv6AME8uXL827W24Tkh86aBhPSSKjBuUtZN5/s400/saku180.jpg" width="301" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nago, 2013<br />(Isaac 19 months, Owen almost 3.5 years)</td></tr>
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The last time I posed with my guys at a cherry blossom festival, we looked like this:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTTfX6sP4pOEnGn04XrRig_lbI0ekZu83FUTGjBlqSceJyAvyZanxeju0ZbuvN848Q7Jono6wqYBSoC-pHOAETGDqt9vb6Al4dNB77ZAkHolhTpPoZTHCA4mf-_pEklXKjLSQ4MCdNjK5s/s1600/_DSC0340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTTfX6sP4pOEnGn04XrRig_lbI0ekZu83FUTGjBlqSceJyAvyZanxeju0ZbuvN848Q7Jono6wqYBSoC-pHOAETGDqt9vb6Al4dNB77ZAkHolhTpPoZTHCA4mf-_pEklXKjLSQ4MCdNjK5s/s400/_DSC0340.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DC, 2011 <br />(27 weeks with Isaac, Owen 17 months)</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03611967068068116393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3663610770084002654.post-89751509984816630882013-01-28T02:30:00.000+09:002013-01-31T02:32:14.233+09:00Nago cherry blossoms<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We went with the MCCS tour to Nago's cherry blossom festival yesterday. The blossoms were only at 10%, making the trip a little disappointing. Hopefully in a couple weeks the sakura will be in full bloom and maybe the park won't be so crowded then.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKsiI01LysNHJ9ry1IwcymLIpC8UmhbD2LWpCFFpWoxixlYXmOC6SK4QvjydkLBVRGfw4eRqywEyRenozN_Aiovfyxz6WvVcWeWlfQcKqUgPBbcg1QthSkWbtfua0Y6bDm6DYuR-G0IWMX/s1600/saku122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKsiI01LysNHJ9ry1IwcymLIpC8UmhbD2LWpCFFpWoxixlYXmOC6SK4QvjydkLBVRGfw4eRqywEyRenozN_Aiovfyxz6WvVcWeWlfQcKqUgPBbcg1QthSkWbtfua0Y6bDm6DYuR-G0IWMX/s320/saku122.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqPBemuR1R4HB8jUyx3uJLVoNOLGHeQBXaWjCGvcQOo5WFGQOnG3sa_APDq3WKmo7cZHbFXIm-t8CQ2ZYk15rDkisieekROY6NyXlML9Jq06ocP44dT1IRanWX2eFrWPLb2aaF3x-coLxw/s1600/saku157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqPBemuR1R4HB8jUyx3uJLVoNOLGHeQBXaWjCGvcQOo5WFGQOnG3sa_APDq3WKmo7cZHbFXIm-t8CQ2ZYk15rDkisieekROY6NyXlML9Jq06ocP44dT1IRanWX2eFrWPLb2aaF3x-coLxw/s320/saku157.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisEqXS8oU0k7S_4_6nTiMIlxw4EHaw7Ue_cZLYMthxW_StX3I9Rdq1lwq_RPWjQOUIFaSY-vOLDFIJki79ldyM5klSO-Ooo21nc4KWWJRBRvUGPUjvJvqh1JSMnjzc1thMH7PU7UfxdVUP/s1600/saku247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisEqXS8oU0k7S_4_6nTiMIlxw4EHaw7Ue_cZLYMthxW_StX3I9Rdq1lwq_RPWjQOUIFaSY-vOLDFIJki79ldyM5klSO-Ooo21nc4KWWJRBRvUGPUjvJvqh1JSMnjzc1thMH7PU7UfxdVUP/s320/saku247.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeTQlQ5eHjdk1fvjd66m9eu5aMvDtIMGsZ61bMryQ1dixaYbhA2Z6P-2f90lCjDhoKWKINK9H8MRlulBaXnaGQ7D_F8yyYNS-SWdZY3m5GTT87xKEKHk-MeIF7bnFHf4ZG8GYNEIhbbYxX/s1600/saku252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeTQlQ5eHjdk1fvjd66m9eu5aMvDtIMGsZ61bMryQ1dixaYbhA2Z6P-2f90lCjDhoKWKINK9H8MRlulBaXnaGQ7D_F8yyYNS-SWdZY3m5GTT87xKEKHk-MeIF7bnFHf4ZG8GYNEIhbbYxX/s320/saku252.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik6Ao8VkAlClAIQIpPSfrfUf4fOo6KbP33vIbUYcBSQLmft6_PBCHONx80kHlMz1xI5ZC21gDL1tq5iG4f3LbnbVdzD8gGJ1MCf6pP5fYHb76Ej1-M0q-SGkEyHa5DFW5kDF6QIDM7egP-/s1600/saku292.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik6Ao8VkAlClAIQIpPSfrfUf4fOo6KbP33vIbUYcBSQLmft6_PBCHONx80kHlMz1xI5ZC21gDL1tq5iG4f3LbnbVdzD8gGJ1MCf6pP5fYHb76Ej1-M0q-SGkEyHa5DFW5kDF6QIDM7egP-/s320/saku292.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03611967068068116393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3663610770084002654.post-7979316549533853212013-01-28T01:35:00.003+09:002013-02-23T00:42:59.426+09:00Little differences: Manhole covers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Japan's manhole covers are a special treat. Instead of being strictly utilitarian, manhole covers in Japan celebrate local color. The Nago cover below has ocean waves to highlight their fishing port. And Uruma City is known for bullfighting (which sounds awful at first. But in Okinawa the bulls just push each other around like sumo wrestlers, no blood or death involved like cockfights or Spanish bullfighting).</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir25hDUeaUGZr8Jdw0s49NwPjL2uVpQ3zvaoCoCDTV0d5JXFbh3mqMJYQgZHrWBpqtYBHVpz_-Xc7C0czfwhz_2hfxsK3JCwDaI5QV41JVTHCrHE6iBubCG1lD16kd5MgH2GeQh3rV_gpv/s1600/manhole1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir25hDUeaUGZr8Jdw0s49NwPjL2uVpQ3zvaoCoCDTV0d5JXFbh3mqMJYQgZHrWBpqtYBHVpz_-Xc7C0czfwhz_2hfxsK3JCwDaI5QV41JVTHCrHE6iBubCG1lD16kd5MgH2GeQh3rV_gpv/s320/manhole1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nago manhole</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD_Sjz_yEuRIZcPcVy0O3qVQl2Mt1wd0GcAJypoTROjFl3WkZ0KvYMwsnXPqqwGf4sSsR46sylQMCVQ8fpap9L2tnZlb4xZW6toKd87Fc_akvFlBGZm918ysOb4EVJCXZ6kcOF0fzQfwIN/s1600/manhole2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD_Sjz_yEuRIZcPcVy0O3qVQl2Mt1wd0GcAJypoTROjFl3WkZ0KvYMwsnXPqqwGf4sSsR46sylQMCVQ8fpap9L2tnZlb4xZW6toKd87Fc_akvFlBGZm918ysOb4EVJCXZ6kcOF0fzQfwIN/s320/manhole2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uruma City's</td></tr>
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Although I haven't seen a full color manhole in Okinawa yet, <a href="http://www.amusingplanet.com/2012/07/art-of-japanese-manhole-covers.html"> this article</a> has bright covers from around Japan.<br />
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UPDATE: I've now seen the top manhole cover in different areas around Okinawa, so it must be a generic one that's not specifically for Nago. But I did come across this one at a park in Okinawa City:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiFfqiPRcLj9FZ2OmCAWiQW3WH8SpAaPNVv55MmCcPzl1tFK1eV4vk2_B66TgBRoqVdatmPZFYm3hXm44GaSdsvWj-YL6BSZ3G0v_z4BsvfGOZMjvvd1muJoIkYn0I_LNlGF5WMeIlVOPQ/s1600/green739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiFfqiPRcLj9FZ2OmCAWiQW3WH8SpAaPNVv55MmCcPzl1tFK1eV4vk2_B66TgBRoqVdatmPZFYm3hXm44GaSdsvWj-YL6BSZ3G0v_z4BsvfGOZMjvvd1muJoIkYn0I_LNlGF5WMeIlVOPQ/s320/green739.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03611967068068116393noreply@blogger.com0