Missing Home

We've officially been in Japan for a month now. In one of my TESOL (teaching English as a second oral language) classes they taught us about the four stages of cultural adjustment; honeymoon, hostility, humor, and home. It's true that even if you aren't going through a cultural change, you still go through the adjustment phases when you move. I experienced these stages when I moved to Yuma and Jacksonville. In Jacksonville I think I was in the hostility stage much longer than in Yuma. I refused to accept the Florida "culture" and wanted to go back to Yuma. I've talked about that though... This I'm going to try to not stay in the hostility stage very long. Its a tough stage to be in, and its even harder when you are married. Needless to say between the small room, Isaac being insanely busy, and me sitting on my butt most of the time, things have been hard. I'm not the type of person that "likes" to not work, I think I need a hobby. Is it silly to say that more than anything I would love to drive to Target to waste an hour (spending money on things I don't need) and then head over to Panera for lunch? Don't get me wrong, so far I love Japan, but you begin to miss the small things that were readily available back home. For example: Pedicures, there is a month long waiting list on base for a pedicure!! Groceries... well our commissary  is pretty sad. They have the basics, but that's all. Forget fresh vegetables and herbs! Hair products, favorite clothing stores... the list goes on. Those things seem so silly but when you no longer have access, it kinda sucks!! Well there's my sob fest, I promise no more blah from now on! I am hoping this rant will help me move on to the next stage: humor! And with that I have some more funny products for you!

How hilarious are these hats? We were wandering through a department store and found these hats. I suppose someone remotely spoke English and thought these were "American" phrases? Maybe?

Toe socks?

Isaac should wear this when I cut his hair!

And in other exciting news... Look what I bought at a thrift store!!!

Who wants to guess how much I spent??? Yes, it is real, it has a serial number on the inside under the tag. OK, so I spent $15!!! Can y'all believe that? I promised my sister-in-law Carly that the next time I find one, it will be hers.

Well this weekend I had my first experience with a place that I hated the food. It was a sushi go-around. It was pretty awful!! The two food I hate more than anything are onions and mayonnaise. Guess what was in the two sushi rolls I ordered? Yup onions and mayonnaise! Yuk! Isaac didn't even like it, and that's saying a lot because he has a love affair with food! (I'm only remotely jealous)

We also went to the beach this weekend for snorkeling and Isaac went spear fishing with friends. The water is really clear. You can see straight to the bottom in 12 ft deep water! We saw a pretty big octopus and some funny looking fish. No sharks thankfully!

Isaac was ready to spear a fish!

Dad, the beach is waiting for you! Don't you love all of the little islands surrounding? Maybe one day we will go explore out there.

And last but not least this is for my brother Chad. I finally found Gozila (as they spelled it)!! Just call that number and he will come visit you Chad ;0)

Here's to a better week ahead!