Gift #147- A Day with the Japanese Navy

Joy and I had the opportunity to tour the Japanese Navy side of the air station.  We were able to get up close to the aircraft and had a chance to talk with the pilots.   The above airplane is a US-1A flying boat.  It is a search and rescue plane that is noted for it's ability to land on high seas.  We were able to get up close to this massive airplane and learn all about it.  There are only 3 US-1's currently in operation.  They are being replaced by a more modern US-2.  This was a very unique and enjoyable opportunity and we were so thankful to be included.  

Gift #146- A Roller Slide

Yesterday, we visited a park called Hachigamine.  This park is noted for its long roller slide through the treetops.  If you are the first one down the slide, then the ride is quite slow and leisurely.  You get the bars rolling for the person behind you so they can fly down!  It is generally best to let the heaviest person go first otherwise you all end up running into each other on the way down (as in the picture above).  :0)  We had a great time exploring this very unusual Japanese park.  Baker kids, you have a brave momma!  She went down the slide twice!

Gift #145- A Relaxing Pedicure

After two full days of walking and sight-seeing, there is nothing better than a relaxing pedicure to soothe and rejuvenate your tired little tootsies.  This pedicure was most definitely rejuvenating, but I wouldn't say that it was soothing.   We laughed and giggled and squirmed and squealed and laughed a little more.  

These little fish are called Garra Rufu and are nicknamed nibble fish.  They feed on dead skin and leave your feet soft and smooth-  well,  they probably would if you could stop squirming and sit still long enough.  :0) 

Gift #144- Andersen's Bakery

Joy and I took the train to Hiroshima today to visit the Peace Park.  We found a beautiful bakery called Andersens and couldn't resist trying some of the delicious pastries and cakes.  We bought a small slice of carrot cake and an apple shaped pastry with a cream filling.  Joy had the patience to snap a picture of it before we devoured it.  I did not.  :0)  We sat in a window seat and watched the people outside.  It was so interesting to just sit and observe the passer-bys.  We sat for half an hour and solved the problems of the world over carrot cake.  It was wonderful.  We eventually made it over to the Peace Park, but not until we stopped and had lunch of course.  It is all about the food!

Gift # 143- Lucky Brand Jeans for One Dollar!

Do you know what is even better than going to the thrift shop and finding a brand new pair of Lucky Brand jeans in your size?  Finding out that the jeans will only cost you one dollar!  Do you know what is even better than finding out that the jeans  are only one dollar?  Having a girlfriend there with you to share in the excitement that you just found Lucky Brand Jeans in your size for one dollar?  Priceless!

Gift #142- Southern Accents

As we are so very far from home, every time I hear someone say y'all or speak with a hint of a twang, I find myself immediately drawn to that person.  I begin stalking them and asking them a thousand questions like "where you from" and "will you be my best friend".  Just kidding.  I am not that bad about it.  I usually wait until our second meeting before I ask them to be my best friend.  :0) 

Joy arrived last night!  Best birthday present ever!  It was so exciting to walk into an airport in Japan, scan the room, hear a familiar voice call out my name, and then see her sweet face.  She had been traveling for almost 24 hours, but we chattered on the whole way home.  Joy uses words like "y'all" and talks about her "momma" and uses "bless her little heart" in proper context.  It does my heart good!  She has only been here for one evening and I already feel a little closer to home.

Gift #151- Joy Comes In The Morning

Me, Kim, Joy, and Candy- 1978

From the title of the post, one might assume that I am talking about Psalm 30:5.  "Sorrow may last for a night, but joy comes in the morning".  I do love that verse and have clung to that promise on several occasions.  But I am not referring to the verse.  I am being quite literal when I say that Joy comes in the morning! My Joy!  My life-long girlfriend Joy.  She is a homeschool mom of 3 amazing kids and is a wife to a super-sweet husband.  They are all so very wonderful to let me borrow their momma for the week.  Baker kids, I promise to take very good care of her and feed her well-  not just rice.  I am counting the minutes!

Gift #150- A Little Bit of Culture

The kids attend Japanese culture class at school once each week.  They learn Japanese words and phrases.  They have learned a few little songs and how to make origami samurai hats.  This morning, I attended a little culture class of my own.  I met with the administrator of a Japanese preschool.  Starting in a few weeks, I will be teaching English at the school and we were meeting to discuss some of the details.  I assumed that we would meet at the school, but instead, we met in her home.  It was a very old traditional Japanese style home.  Wooden floors, tatami mats, low tables, and cushions.  It was so very unique.  We sat on the cushions on the floor and had many different types of tea and a small peach pastry.  After our tea, she asked if I would help her make onigiri (rice balls).  She showed me how to shape them into perfect triangles and bundle them up.  I had the chance to meet her husband and her grandchildren.  One of her granddaughters played Fur Elise for me.  It was just such a great experience.  She sent me home with a gold box full of onigiri and a very happy heart.  

Gift #149- A Jar Full of Buttons

A few years back, my Grandma gave me an old Mason jar full of buttons.  Some of the buttons belonged to her, but most of them belonged to her mother.  Macy and I dumped them out on the floor today and had such a fun time counting and sorting them.  My jar sits on my sewing table where I can enjoy it often.  I love the green of the jar mixed with the colorful buttons inside.  My sisters and I have joked about who was Grandma's favorite.  Beth unwaveringly thinks that she is.  But she doesn't know about my buttons!  :0)

Gift #148- Sunday Afternoon Naps

Aside from coffee, and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, I believe that a Sunday afternoon nap is one of the greatest of God's gifts. My parents enjoyed a good Sunday afternoon nap from time to time when I was a kid.  They didn't get to do it often as the five of us kept them on their toes.  I could never understand why anyone would want to nap when they could be outside playing or at the pond throwing bread crumbs to the ducks.  I SO get it now.  Dad, thanks for all of those Sundays when you forfeited your nap to take us to get a Dilly Bar or to skip rocks.  I will never forget those days and will forfeit a nap or two to do the same for my kiddos so they too can have those great memories.  

Gift #147- A Funny Face

Sam and I were the first ones up yesterday.  We sat quietly in the living room together.  I read a book and he played a game.  After a little bit, I looked up from my book to see what he was up to.  He had bed head and sleepy little eyes.  He caught my stare and asked why I was looking at him.  I told him that it was because he was just too cute.  He tried to make an ugly face and then he said "ok-  I am not cute anymore.  You can stop looking."  Even his ugly face was cute.  His funny little face and quick comeback made me laugh and laugh.  I tried to get him to recreate the face for the camera, but he put his blanket over his head and would not hear of it.  Laughter is such a great way to start the day.