Narita Daily

Hawaiian BBQ Party

2011-09-01T07:32:00.000-07:00

I've been bringing the kids to English class for some months now. They're enjoying it. And so we decided to have a family bbq last week.It doesn't take an early childhood education degree from major online universities to see that kids love food and fun! Even the teachers were there making smores with us.

Not only do the kids enjoy English class, they enjoy hawaiian bbq parties too! We spent a day out of the English classroom to have fun with the parents and teachers too!

OMNI International BBQ Party

2011-08-26T07:13:00.000-07:00

Hawaiian Party for English Class.

Rain and Flood

2011-08-24T07:10:00.000-07:00

I grew up where floods often happen but it rarely happens here in Narita. After the big March earthquake, and the aftermaths, summer came, and a bit of rain but rarely still, do floods happen.

Biking with the Girls

2011-08-21T06:57:00.000-07:00

Embarassing as it may, it's only recently that I learned how to bike. :) And I won't say my age. I've had a wonderful childhood but biking was not one of it, it's something that I never learned to do at my own nor learned from school.

So now that I have kids of my own, I go out with them, all of us in our bikes and have fun going around the yard, the compound and the little town called Narita. :)

More from the Festival

2011-07-14T06:56:00.000-07:00

Part of the Parade.

Narita Gion Matsuri

2011-07-11T06:53:00.000-07:00

Summer Yukatas all around.

Koinobori 2011

2011-06-03T13:32:00.000-07:00

I featured these carp streamers last year too. Please click here.

The flowers are in full bloom now. I wasn't sure which this blooms are in particular.

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Going to school

2011-06-01T10:43:00.000-07:00

学校の私の娘。

私の娘の両方が今学校へ行くので、私は、朝、自由な数時間を過します。

私は、翻訳工程に登録することを考えています。私は、話す方法を知っているだれかを探す翻訳会社での広告がイギリスのであることを見ました。彼らは、徹底的な日本語を勉強するためにその人に備えるでしょう。

あります、また、私には、オンラインで、翻訳サービスだれが時々家とこれで働くことができる労働者を探すかも、完全です私が、思う。 3時間が、どうにか私たちの収入に加えるために働くのに必要であるだけです。

英語翻訳サービスは日本で速く必要性になっています、そして、私はこの種類の仕事を楽しんでいると考えます。

Flamingos flaming

2011-05-31T12:57:00.000-07:00

They always look lovely!

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Flamingos at the Chiba Zoological Park.

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Futa kun!

2011-05-28T13:01:00.000-07:00

My kids with a raccoon statue, curiously with a brown head and full-black body.

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Playing Basketball?

2011-05-25T12:56:00.000-07:00

Curious giraffe...he seems to be playing basketball.

Friendly Giant Raccoons

2011-05-23T12:52:00.000-07:00

Tanuki! :) Not the ones pretending humans, they're humans pretending to be raccoons! The old man in orange seems to enjoy playing with them too. :)

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Shared to:

Real raccoons

2011-05-21T12:54:00.000-07:00

Showing off their fierce nature.

Touching wool

2011-05-17T12:50:00.000-07:00

"How fine it is," she said.

Feeding....

2011-05-15T12:49:00.000-07:00

Feeding the goats/rams at the zoo.

Pigs and Rams

2011-05-13T12:46:00.000-07:00

For the kids and kids at heart.

Monkeys and them

2011-05-11T12:44:00.000-07:00

Still at the Chiba Zoological Park.

Chiba Zoological Park

2011-05-09T12:38:00.000-07:00

Chiba Zoological Park is a zoo that has been opened in April, 1985. Here, there are efforts to breed rare species and endangered species.

Spring is the perfect time to visit because cherry blossoms are in full bloom, we were a bit late but it's ok we still enjoyed walking aroung. The park itself is very large, over twice the size of Ueno Zoo. There are a lot of open places to spread a picnic blanket but be careful to not feed the animals.

Temple

2011-04-15T16:33:00.000-07:00

Spring at the Narita Temple.
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Flower Viewing

2011-04-11T00:26:00.000-07:00

Not quite under the trees this time, but hopefully we get to view the flowers soon!

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Greetings!

2011-04-03T10:43:00.000-07:00

Greetings!

This photo was taken last New Year's celebration.

A post for:

Pan- less :)

2011-03-28T12:04:00.000-07:00

You've probably seen photos like this from other blogs. :) Just wanna share, tha, well, it's not different from our part. Though there are areas with grocery stores still filled up with bread (pan), ours are hopeful that soon they'd be full again.

2011-03-24T02:24:00.000-07:00

Cars still in line when buying gasoline. :)

Plum blossoms

2011-03-21T14:01:00.000-07:00

Prunus mume, commonly known as Japanese apricot, or Chinese plum is a species of Asian plum in the family Rosaceae. The flower, long a beloved subject in the traditional painting of East Asia and Vietnam, is usually translated as plum blossom.

The plum is associated with the start of spring, because they are some of the first blossoms to open during the year. The Japanese Plum or Ume, has played an important role in Japan for many centuries. In the Tokyo area, they typically flower in February and March. The event is celebrated with plum festivals (ume matsuri) in public parks, shrines and temples across Japan.

Like Japanese cherry trees, plum trees come in many varieties, many of which were cultivated by humans over the centuries. Most plum blossoms have five petals and range in color from white to dark pink. Some varieties with more than five petals (yae-ume) and weeping branches (shidare-ume) have also been cultivated. Unlike Japanese Cherry Blossoms, Japanese Plum Blossoms have a strong fragrance.

The photo above is taken from inside our house. A view of the quiet street can be seen as our plum blooms. Sign of spring, now a sign of hope.

A flicker of hope

2011-03-17T10:02:00.000-07:00

"How are we doing here?" Hanging on. Though we are more or less 200km from Fukushima, there are still sudden tremors that would give us goosebumps. We are in constant alert waiting for the sound of alarm (via phone and TV). We have packed our bags ready in case there is a need for evacuation.

We have scheduled brown outs throughout the day. When we have electricity, we charge our phones, batteries and sometimes make use of the PC to communicate with loved ones. (I am an expat.)

In the mornings we would drive to a gasoline station and wait for hours to have our fill...and not so much, just worth a thousand yen...most of the time, the stations are closed too.

I would go to the grocery to buy supplies and as you saw in the previous posts; shelves are almost empty, supplies are limited especially milk and water. There's a line that you have to follow to get in...and as I mentioned it is amazing to see that no one resorts to violence nor robbery. Far from what has happened in the Philippines when Mt. Pinatubo erupted. I do not mean to undermine my fellow Filipinos, right now, I just can't help but compare...

Many of us lost homes, loved ones and livelihood. We cannot sleep soundly for fear that another terrifying earthquake may occur...that though we are from from where the tsunami had hit...it is still possible that the water would suddenly engulf us despite the warnings and alarms. We were humbled...we cry for our loss, we cry for fear but I know that all over the world, this incident is like a ripple that has reached the ends of the earth, every kind heart. And just the same I quote Scott Adams, "Remember there's no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end." Thank you for all your support and kindness.

P.S. There are no batteries at the stores and we see to it that what we have charged are used well so thank God, we can enjoy a candle lit dinner with the whole family.

Again, to those who want to extend a hand, here is a list of organizations and NGOs you can contact. Thank you!

Read a Letter from Sendai and see how things are going there. :)

Funabashi - Crack

2011-03-15T01:48:00.001-07:00

Funabashi is also a city in Chiba, very near Tokyo. This part and ours didn't have as much damage but is still scary when one sees those cracks....

Rescue missions are ongoing and the stories of survival...particularly that of a 4-month-old baby and the 60-year-old man gives me hope that there are still many lives to be saved. Still, let us be together in prayer.

To those who want to extend a hand, here is a list of organizations and NGOs you can contact. Thank you!

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Fall in line...

2011-03-14T03:50:00.000-07:00

Going in to buy food, we have to fall in line for our turn...Ten people gets in at a time. I respect everyone for following rules. Minna, Ganbatte ne!

Panic...

2011-03-12T15:48:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, March 11,2011 at 2:46PM, an 8.8 Earthquake happened here in Japan followed by the big Tsunami which really shocked us...We had to run out of the house and wait until it subsided...

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What's left at the grocery store near our place.

Following the quake, most stores at the other side of Chiba and I think other parts of Japan look like this...for now.

Keep Japan in your prayers. Thank you.

To Naritasan Temple

2011-03-08T11:43:00.000-08:00

200 m to Naritasan Temple

Tunnel

2011-03-04T11:58:00.000-08:00

Wonder what's on the other end?

Spring, almost...

2011-02-27T12:32:00.000-08:00

The Japanese plum or ume (sometimes referred to as a Japanese apricot) has played an important role in Japanese culture. The plum is associated with the start of spring, because plum blossoms are some of the first blossoms to open during the year. In the Tokyo area, they typically flower in February and March. The event is celebrated with plum festivals (ume matsuri) in public parks, shrines and temples across the country.

Like cherry trees, plum trees come in many varieties, many of which were cultivated by humans over the centuries. Most plum blossoms have five petals and range in color from white to dark pink.

Source here.

Yaezakura (Cherry blossoms)

2010-05-02T23:39:00.000-07:00

This type of cherry blossoms are a surprise to me...most of the sakura are gone but this is still in full bloom. This is the same type a friend over at ViennaDaily features often and we had been wondering why this type has so much petals compared to the others.

See some fruits here.

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Koinobori (Carp Streamer)

2010-04-30T07:56:00.000-07:00

--Koinobori--

---means "carp streamer" in Japanese, they are carp-shaped wind socks traditionally flown in Japan to celebrate Tango no Sekku, a traditional calendrical event which is now designated a National holiday; Children's Day. These wind socks are made by drawing carp patterns on paper, cloth or other nonwoven fabric. They are then allowed to flutter in the wind. They are also known as satsuki-nobori (皐幟).

A koinobori set consists of, from the top of the pole down, a pair of arrow-spoked wheels (矢車, yaguruma?) with a ball-shaped spinning vane, flying-dragon streamer (飛龍吹流し, hiryū fukinagashi?) that looks like a windsock, a black koinobori and a red koinobori. If more boys are in the household, an additional blue, green and then purple koinobori are added. The red koinobori's color can be varied as orange or pink. These carp sets are flown above the roofs of houses with sons, with the biggest (black) koinobori for the father, next biggest (red) for the eldest son, and ranging down to the smallest carp for the youngest son.

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Momo (peach blossoms)

2010-04-24T23:15:00.000-07:00

Cherry blossoms (Sakura), Plum blossoms (Ume) and Peach blossoms (Momo) might look all the same but they are different in the shape of their petals as well as the number. These are peach blossoms they have more petals in layers compared to plum and cherry blossoms which have 5 each.

A peach tree in bloom, we're still waiting for its fruits, though I can't be sure if they are the type that bears fruit.

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Welcome to Japan

2010-04-24T14:57:00.000-07:00

Since Narita is the location of the airport, the welcome sign is readily seen through entry.

Momiji (Maple trees)

2010-04-23T14:57:00.000-07:00

By the riverside, red trees thrive. :)

Sky and Flower Watching

2010-04-22T12:35:00.000-07:00

No, it didn't rain. The clouds though are in agreement with the flowering trees.

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Click here to join Skywatch Friday.

Slide!

2010-04-21T12:52:00.000-07:00

Nothing better than a cool day, blue skies and slide, fun with the kids!

Last winter...

2010-04-20T12:49:00.000-07:00

Taken in November of last year....winter but it doesn't look so cold. :)

April weather (Snow in Spring!)

2010-04-19T12:46:00.000-07:00

A surprise when we wake up one morning, snow in the grounds and it is spring!

Opening Ceremony

2010-04-18T12:42:00.000-07:00

Stage. School officials and teachers welcome parents and children for their first day in school, a new chapter in their lives.

School Entrance

2010-04-17T12:30:00.000-07:00

Entrance at my daughter's school. Parents accompany their little ones or the opening ceremony.

Insect; Cicada - Semi

2008-08-30T10:11:00.000-07:00

Cicada's Skin..

Cicada on our window screen.

summer festival.

2008-08-04T18:40:00.000-07:00

Festival's Lantern

The streets are lined with night stalls selling food such as yakitori (barbecued chicken skewers), taiyaki, takoyaki, okonomiyaki, traditional Japanese sweets, and many other culinary delights

Parade of Dashi.

Parade of Mikoshi.

A mikoshi is a portable Shinto shrine. Shinto followers believe that it serves as the vehicle of a divine spirit in Japan at the time of a parade of deities. Often, the mikoshi resembles a miniature building, with pillars, walls, a roof, a veranda and a railing. Typical shapes are rectangles, hexagons, and octagons. The body, which stands on two or four poles (for carrying), is usually lavishly decorated, and the roof might hold a carving of a Phoenix.
During a matsuri, people bear a mikoshi on their shoulders by means of the two or four poles. They bring the mikoshi from the shrine, carry it around the neighborhoods that worship at the shrine, and in many cases leave it in a designated area, resting on blocks, for a time before returning it to the shrine. Some shrines have the custom of dipping the mikoshi in the water of a nearby lake, river or ocean. At certain festivals, the people who bear the mikoshi wave it wildly from side to side, and from time to time, deaths occur when a mikoshi strikes a bystander or participant.

Sightseeing Narita Airport.

2008-07-30T10:07:00.001-07:00

Sakura no Yama Park or Cherry Mountain Park, nearby Narita Airport.

Plane Picture.

Wish I'm good in PHOTOGRAPHY=)

demo GANBARIMASU!

Sanrizuka Kinen Kouen

2008-07-20T07:25:00.000-07:00

Sanrizuka Memorial Park covers an area of 30,000 sq. meters. At the center of this park are rows of giant horse chestnut trees leading visitors to the entrance of the museum. Every October, the trees drop chestnuts as big as pebbles.

Hydrangea - Ajisai

2008-07-17T10:02:00.000-07:00

Ajisai flower blooms early in June and it means rainy season here in Japan.

Hasunuma in Chiba.

2008-07-16T21:04:00.001-07:00

One of a beach in Chiba, Hasunuma Beach.. A 30minutes drive from Narita.

Park - Kouen

2008-07-14T20:12:00.000-07:00

Park near in our place where my two girl's loves playing inside the tunnel..