SoftBank Hawks Game!

This weekend we went to see the Japanese professional baseball team, the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks play! It was a lot of fun getting to see the differences between the games here and in the states.

 

During the 7th inning stretch we blew up balloons and let them go. Everyone in the whole stadium had one or two to let go...

They had the best chu-hai's there! It's like a fruity flavored alcohol beverage.

In front of the Yahoo Dome!

Climbing Mountains!

Over the past few weeks, my group of friends have started a club called Weekday Warriors! So far it has consisted of climbing a few of the big mountains around Sasebo. Here are some photos from the climbs.

These photos are from Mt. Yumihari. We couldn't find the trail for this one, so we just fallowed the road. I believe it was only about a 5 or 6 mile hike, roundtrip.

 

This is Mt. Atago. It's a smaller mountain, but it was straight up and the entire trail was stairs!

This first photo is actually the mountain from my driveway. It's a pretty cool looking one!

Straight up!

Ya! I made it to the top!

Me and all my friends at the top looking out over Sasebo. We have actually climbed the mountain that is straight in front of us (Mt. Yumihari) and the little hay stack hill on the right side, we climbed that one a few weeks ago.

Easter with our Sasebo Family...

Yesterday was Easter... At first I decided to boycott the holiday since I had a trip planned to shop at the brand new Ikea and I knew that Russell would not be home. I didn't put out a single decoration, bake any treats nor did I buy any Easter candy for our baskets.  I had plans to go to a picnic with friends after the tour, but wasn't making it a big deal.

WELLLL......

Things changed!

When I woke up on Sunday morning I got a call saying that the ship was coming in early! I got ready and went on the Ikea tour with a friend (her husband is also on the same ship as Russell).

This was a preview shopping tour before it opened to the public. Everything was brand new!

It was nice that we got to go on the preview tour because it wasn't packed full of people.

Then... I got home around 3pm and had a surprise waiting for me. Russell was home! After a little while of hanging out and enjoying each others company, we went over to the picnic. My friend Ema is just like me and always makes a huge deal out of every holiday. Which was perfect since I had decided to orginally boycott this holiday and had now changed my mind! She made every couple little Easter baskets and had an egg hunt all ready for us. I was so thankful for her, she had saved the day! Here are some photos from the evening.

All of us hanging out under the sakura (cherry blossom) trees having a wonderful picnic!

The weather was perfect!

 

 

American Brands...

I was wondering around the local grocery store out in town the other day and decided that you guys reading this would like to see how there are a lot of similar products that there are in the states...

 

 

 

These are just a few things.... There are a ton more items too! Let me know if there is anything I can ever send you :) Food items, chopsticks, dishes, china or anything else!

This is where we live!

Click on the video to see where we live! This is the base and surrounding downtown area of Sasebo. I actually live about 15 minutes north east of here.

Russell's Trip to Korea!

I'm not sure where in Korea he actually got to go, but here are a few photos from his trip.

You know Russell... He sees a bowl of bugs and he asks how's the best way to eat them?

That's my husband!

 

Fish market!

USS Bonhomme Richard and USS Essex

Russell went to check out his new ship and flew over on a helicopter to see the USS Bonhomme Richard.  Here are some of his photos from the trip over.

The view from the back of the helicopter.

This is the USS Bonhomme Richard... The new ship!

 

Russell always shows the PMT number 1 finger.

On his way back to the USS Essex!

I love this photo that Russell took of the LHD 2 (aka: Essex) 

A Little Map of Base...

Click on the photo so you can read the text on the side...

I found this photo online today and thought I would throw in some spots that I happen to be in a lot! Now you can kind of see where I am at when talking about these places.

Sakura Blossoms are Here!

Sakura blossoms are everywhere in Japan! I really thought they were only in the parks, but no, they really are every where I turn my pretty little eyes. I never got what the craze was until I got to see them for myself. I instantly fell in love with the sea of soft white petals flowing throughout the Sasebo breeze. It's amazing. Enough said, let's see some photos!

If you ever want to visit Japan, I HIGHLY recommend visiting the very end of March or early April.