Tokyo-Shinjuku-Shibuya-Asakusa-Roppongi

I had a very busy day today. It wasn't raining so first stop was the Tokyo Metropolitan Building. The whole top part of the building has glass windows and I was able to see all of Tokyo and the surrounding areas. Hopefully next month I will be able to see Mt. Fuji, it just wasn't clear enough today.

The grass area is right in the mild of everything just like Central Park in New York. This grass area and the building at the bottom is the Meiji Shrine that I saw yesterday.

I went to the famous crossing in Shibuya. It's comparable to Times Square in New York. It wasn't as busy as I had imagined but busy enough to take lots of photos. They have the big TV's all over the crossing and lots of clothing stores and shops all around the area. It really was a busy place.

After the busy Shibuya I took a step back in time and went to Asakusa. They say Asakusa is a tourist trap but I beg to differ. I think its a must see if you are visiting Tokyo. After coming up from the subway line I first saw The Golden Turd of Tokyo.

I took a short ride in a Rickshaw and had so much fun.

The streets by the Sensoji Temple are lined with vendors selling everything you could possibly think of. I had so much fun walking around and browsing. The Sensoji Temple is just gorgeous and I fell in love with the five storied Pagoda.

I took tons and tons of photos. While riding the rickshaw they gave me a map of Asakusa and I decided to take a little walk around town. Away from the temple and all the tourist lies a beautiful little town. A town where everyone rides their bicycles and probably knows your name.

When I left Asakusa it was time for dinner. I once again headed back to The Hard Rock Cafe in Roppongi and made it just in time for Happy Hour. I had a fabulous day today.

Tokyo-Roppongi-Harajuku

I ended up making the flight to Atsugi yesterday. I didn't get to fly in an exciting plane, it was just a normal little plane. Though the front half held cargo and that was pretty cool. I stayed the night in Atsugi since it was so late and today I caught the train and headed into the big city.

It took me about two hours to get from Atsugi to the New Sanno hotel here in Tokyo and it was to early to check in so I dropped off my luggage and jumped back on the train and headed to The Hard Rock Cafe. If you're wondering why I am eating at an American restaurant it's because I can eat Japanese food in Okinawa. There are a few great American restaurant here that are not available in Okinawa and it's nice to eat a good burger and fries. After lunch I jumped back on the train and went to Harajuku. Its famous for the Meiji Shrine and teenage girls that dress up in costumes on the weekend. I was really hoping to see the girls on this Sunday afternoon but it was raining and there were no costumes. Maybe next month. I did walk down (teenage row) as the locals call it.Its where all the girls come out to go shopping. It was really busy and exciting. I went and checked out the Meiji shrine afterwards.The shrine has a very large wooden Tori gate. While I was there I stumbled upon a wedding, there are quite a few weddings on the weekends. It was a nice shrine but there was quite a long walk to it. I don't know that I would bring the boys back to this shrine. By the time I was done with the shrine I headed back to the hotel and settled in for the night.div>

We have a walker!

Chase just took four steps. He is 10 and 1/2 months. Slower than Carter and faster than Bryson. Just as I thought right in the middle.

We are so proud of you Chase.

TOKYO

I am trying to catch a flight to Tokyo Space-A. My luck isn't going well. There is another flight today. I hope to get on.

WWII Vets come back to Okinawa

UPDATE: I WAS DOWN AT THE AIRPORT AND ASKED ABOUT THE VETS. THEY MADE IT OUT TO IWO JIMA. I AM SO OVERLY EXCITED FOR THEM.

While we were in Los Angles waiting for our flight to Tokyo I saw a large group of very old men. As I was walking around with Chase I walked closer to the group and saw their bright red hats and jackets. I walked over to them and was asking them where they were headed and they said Okinawa. They then went on to tell me about the adventure that they were going on and how it was going to be different then the last time they came to Japan. They were a very sweet group and very nice and excited.

I didn't see the group again until we landed here in Okinawa and the sight was far different. When I got off the plane there was a lot of commotion going on and what they thought was one of the vets having a stroke. The vets looked so tired. This journey is not an easy one. It takes a toll on you flying across the ocean and so many time zones. I can only imagine the toll it took on their fragile bodies. I took a few quick photos of them but I with all that was going on I failed to get their names. I wish I would have.

It saddens me to read the paper today to find that they have come all this way and may not even make it back.

As clock ticks, WWII veterans need help to get back to Iwo Jima

By Charlie Reed, Stars and Stripes
Stars and Stripes online edition, Tuesday, March 2, 2010



YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan – The military has denied a request from a World War II veterans group for transportation to Iwo Jima this week to commemorate the historic battle that took place there 65 years ago.

The Greatest Generation Foundation asked the military for help after a charter plane company that had volunteered to take the group from Okinawa to the battlefield canceled unexpectedly two weeks ago. But Pentagon officials denied the request because it could set a problematic precedent for other nongovernmental agencies that ask for similar assistance, U.S. Pacific Command spokesman Marine Maj. Bradley Gordon said Tuesday from Hawaii.

PACOM officials in Hawaii and Japan on Monday had been trying to arrange a military flight for the group in the event leaders in Washington approved the request, Gordon said.

Before the decision was made, the Denver-based nonprofit brought 12 aging veterans who fought at Iwo Jima from the United States to Japan over the weekend as planned, hoping the military would be able to provide transportation.

“[The veterans] are very emotional. They know the dream of going back to Iwo Jima is not going to take shape,” said Timothy Davis, president of the foundation, which has sponsored battlefield trips for veterans since 2004.

“We’re going to fight this,” Davis said. “I have to do what I can to get these boys back to Iwo Jima.”

The group of 85- to 97-year-old former Marines — along with 12 students who were to document their return to Iwo Jima, and several journalists — arrived on Okinawa on a commercial flight late Saturday. They are staying on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma and are scheduled to return to the United States on March 9.

One veteran was hospitalized with stroke-like symptoms after arriving on Okinawa but was released Sunday, and another suffering from an infection was admitted to the hospital Tuesday, Davis said.

“Reality is kicking in. Come the 70th anniversary [of Iwo Jima] most of them are going to be dead,” he said. “If we allow these veterans to go to their graves with these stories then shame on us.”

Military officials recommended the group arrange the flight from Okinawa to Iwo Jima with another company. But Davis said the foundation could not afford the $50,000 it would cost after already having spent the $150,000 to get the group to Japan.

The government of Japan must approve all flights — commercial or military — to Iwo Jima, now officially known by its original name Iwo To.

Gen. James T. Conway, commandant of the Marine Corps, was expected to be the keynote speaker at a ceremony Wednesday on Iwo Jima to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the 36-day battle there in which 6,900 Marines and 20,000 Japanese were killed.

Happy Birthday Sha Sha

Today my sister turns 29! She's really old huh?? We love you!

Catching up

I posted about 10 back posts starting January 7th. If you would like to go back and read about some adventures we had while in New Mexico.

Uncle George

The boys always have so much fun with Uncle George.

10 Months

Chase you are 10 months now and the time is flying by. We are still in New Mexico and you grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins have loved having you around.

• In your ninth month you are almost walking. You can stand by yourself and your balance gets better everyday.

• You no longer eat baby food. You want everything that is on my plate.

• You played in snow for the first time.

• You still sleep from about 7-8 pm until 7-8 am. You are such a good little sleeper.

• You have become quite the mamma's boy this month.

• You had three teeth come in all at the same time and you were still a trooper.

I once again have not given you the attention you needed this month and I am sorry for that. Maybe next month will be better. We head back to Japan and you get your daddy back.

Cousins

Cousin Beau

Cousin Sarah

Cousin Daniel

Cousin Christopher

Cousin Steve

Cousin Robyn

Cousins Emillie and Allyson

So Sad

I took the boys to see Avatar on Sunday for Valentine's Day. We had a great time, and Chase did well. I didn't realize the movie was almost three hours. It was good and we all liked it.

I got really sad later that night when I realized I had forgotten something.

1. Chaser's bottle

2. My chocolate covered pretzels.

How pathetic is that I only miss my chocolate covered pretzels not the 8 dollar bottle? What makes it even worse is that I went to Walmart this morning to go buy some more and they are out. My beloved pretzels are seasonal and only there for Valentine's day.

PS. I am going to do some back posts that I have missed. Chaser's 9 months, 3 more teeth, almost walking and then the big boys are in school here, snow days and Valentines. I am sure there are many more. Stay tuned.

Valentine's Day

Bryson had to make a Valentine's Box for school this year. I was happy that he was going to be able to participate in this. All of the other schools he has attended never do a Valentine's box but Buena Vista Elementary does and I can remember making one has a child.

Bryson said he wanted to make a Robot, we found some boxes, aluminum paper, bolts, toilet paper and paper towel rolls and glue. We had a lot of fun on this project.

The boys made cupcakes with Grammie this morning and had a blast while doing it.

Grammie made the cupcakes, sprinkles and supervised.

Bryson did the icing

Carter placed the heart flags.

I took the boys to see Avatar today. I didn't realize it was almost 3 hours but we all thought it was pretty good. Bryson and Carter were really good and Chase was....well, a typical 9 month old. He did as good as to be expected.

Tough

My dad has been gone a month yesterday.

Today I cleaned out the closet and donated all the clothes......that was hard.

Helping Pop Pop

Pop Pop had a little accident with some liquid smoke. Have you ever smelled that? Have you ever smelled a whole bottle broken on the floor?

Bryson and I actually didn't think it smelled so bad, but Norm couldn't believe he had done that. He had to pull out the fridge to clean up underneath it and afterwards Bryson and Carter helped him level the fridge back up. They were very good workers and Pop Pop was very patient with them wanting to know everything.

Snow Day

It has been snowing since the day we landed and today we finally had a few minutes to get away and enjoy some snow. I knew the boys wouldn't last long...I mean they are island boys now and we are not prepared for snow.

They wore there jeans and we borrowed hats and gloves. Chase was miserable. I had set him down to take some photos and he started playing with the snow. After a few brief fun minutes he starts crying and shaking his hands.

Carter's gloves kept falling off and after about 30 minutes he starts crying that his hands hurt and he can't move them.

Bryson had a good ole time and was having a blast sledding down the hills

Circus

I took the kids to the local circus today. Nothing to write home about but the kids seemed to enjoy themselves.

How do you know you are old?

We have been here in New Mexico now for two weeks. I have been so busy with my father's estate that I have not been able to keep up with Bryson and Carter's school work. I went down to my old elementary school and asked if Bryson could be enrolled. They said yes that we just needed to dis enroll him from Japan and he could attend school.

They tested him yesterday and he scored really high. Bryson will be placed in to a 1st-2nd grade combo class and we are so proud of him. He is reading at a 2nd-3rd grade level which we already knew. He also scored high on math. He didn't know money or time very well which makes since because he hasn't been taught it.

I found Carter a pre-k to attend while here also. His teacher seems really nice and Carter is enjoying himself. She says that he is further ahead then most of the students in his class since he can do addition and simple spelling. We are so proud of our boys.

So....How do you know you are old??

When you see friends you went to elementary school school with, at the elementary school you attended as a child, dropping off your own children. Oh yes, that makes me old.