Typhoon Sinlaku

Who's betting we get a direct hit from Typhoon Sinlaku? For those of you not from around here, we live right above Naha. Click on the above map to see more clearly. It's starting to rain already and they don't predict it'll hit until Saturday. "The rains came down and the floods came up...."

I forgot to post...

I forgot to post this darling outfit that Rob bought for Isabella over in Bangladesh. She thought she was so cool. She's also eating the Bangladesh version of a fruit roll up.

1st day of preschool

What little girl doesn't carry around a gun to protect her doll? It's what every good mother would do.

Noah putting his name on the apple tree.

Noah with his new teacher. He also has a Japanese teacher's aide that is in his classroom. He loves them both and is truly enjoying preschool.

This kids being goofy before Ben left for his first day (Noah goes 5x/week and started on Tuesday, Ben goes 3x/week and started on Wednesday).

Ben all proud to leave the house.

Ben's wonderful teacher, Mrs. Blodgett who has been teaching for 31 years! Ben exclaimed "I'm learning!" when I picked him up. He is dying to do something more than I provide for him. I'm excited for what's in store for both of them.

Sesoko Island

We headed up north to Sesoko Island for our Labor Day. The usual gang came with us and we headed over to Pizza in the Sky for dinner afterwards.

First, the girls went out snorkeling. It was pretty fun, but hard to get over the cresting waves so we could see fish in deeper waters.

Ben loved this blue starfish.

Noah loves snorkeling too. He's wearing my mask in this picture.

Pizza in the Sky. Loved this place. There is only one kind of pizza per day (today it was hot dog, corn and green peppers), but it was still fabulous. They also have this incredible salad that I was literally dipping my pizza into the dressing it was so good. Rob and the kids loved the yummy fruit drinks. All this while catching a beautiful view of the ocean and surrounding towns/islands from on top of a mountain.

The Wife's thoughts on Bangladesh

Rob makes a lovely addition to the water fountain outside their 5 star hotel on the layover in Thailand.

Bamboo sticks were used in construction all over the place. Who knew bamboo was as strong as concrete or steel?

It blew my mind that people live in conditions like this. This is someone's home.

They were in 3 different locations within Bangladesh. Everyday there were throngs of people waiting for care. Here is a picture of people lined up.

Rushing the gates.

I know my husband is a dentist and that he does more than fill cavities and do routine oral health screenings, but it still freaks me out every time I see him pulling someone's tooth. It just doesn't seem right to have someone pulling on a tooth this hard. The crazy thing is that everyone could pull teeth here. You're a nurse...here, pull this tooth. Oh, you're an administrator with NO medical background at all...do this easy one in front. Everyone was pulling teeth over there.

Bombed out teeth. This is why you should floss and brush everyday!

This is a HOSPITAL folks. This is their "sterile" environment. Rob said there were goats and chickens wandering around.

Every night the officers were treated to a Bangladesh dinner.

Tonight the menu was curry and BBQ pigeon.

Rob moonlights as a rickshaw driver.

One place had this lovely bed for him.

Here is another place he slept. I love the "tent" he sleeps in to keep out the bugs!

All the Bangladesh and American officers on the trip.

I scored with all the gifts Rob brought for me. Here are the plethora of pearls he got...just for me (and a couple for Isabella). Pearls were dirt cheap so he stocked up. We also got about 25 movies, a new skirt, Issy got 2 outfits...too many things to name. Thanks Hunny! We're so glad to have you home!

Kurashiki Dam

We visited Kurashiki Dam today with our group of "adventure" friends. I love that we have a group of friends that likes to explore the island as much as we do! I feel so fortunate to have found people that we have so many common interests with. This move has been the easiest by far for me. I'm regressing....about Kurashiki Dam. It reminds me of a creek in upstate NY. There are green trees and plenty of shade all around. I love that it isn't higher than my shins which means watching the kids is MUCH easier. They love to explore, collect rocks and frolic in the small water falls. Today Noah got to go with his friends Max and Cayden and had a blast. Issy got to hang out with her friend Evelyn and Ben...well, Ben tried to keep up with the boys. We had so much fun. Rob actually biked out here one day, but didn't see the water falls part. I'll have to take him when he gets back (TOMORROW!)




These pictures are of the creek area. The waterfalls are to my back. Lots of area to explore!


PS-while I am typing this at 10pm on Saturday night yet another fireworks display just went off. I think that is the 5th one, that I've noticed, since moving in here. Since fireworks are one of my sweetest pleasures I have simply enjoyed being able to walk outside and have a clear view of some great fireworks. I have no idea what most of these displays are for, but I appreciate them.

So frustrating!

These are pictures of my car. I have already learned to live without many of the features of my beloved Odyssey. There are no standard functions like cruise control, automatic sliding doors or even the typical myriad of radio stations (there is ONE radio station for Americans and it plays everything from country to rap to classic rock...all within 10 minutes of each other). Anyway, that's not my point. I do miss my built in DVD player and keyless entry. I miss being able to get the kids out on both the left and right side (there is only ONE door for the backseat and it's not on the side I drive on so I have to walk all the way around to the other side of the car to let them in/out). I miss the way the seats nicely fold 1/3 and 2/3's down in the back. However, it does have a cool way of configuring the seats so that it's like limousine style in the back for the kids. It blows cold A/C and that's what matters most out here.




The part I miss the most tonight is my navigational system. I was supposed to be somewhere and I couldn't find the darn place. We drove around for an hour and finally came home. After I check my email I realized there were revised directions that had been sent out giving more details about how to get there. With those I may have found it. With my very missed navigational system I surely would have found it. Such is life. Fortunately I haven't gotten lost yet...I just can't seem to find things I want to. Aaahh!!!

On another side note I get in the wrong side of the car at least once every two days. I can drive just dandy on the left hand side, but for some reason I cannot get it into my brain that the driver sits on the right and the passenger on the left. I'm just constantly getting in the wrong side. I'm sure going back to the States will seem weird someday, but I'm certainly still adjusting to driving on the left side here.