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This is a story about an
international couple raising and home educating three
young boys on a small island in Japan, half living in
buses, engaged in organic, self-sufficient farming in
the middle of a mountain forest while dealing with
climate, cultural, and personal challenges. These pages
are about pretty much anything and everything all guided
by our family motto, Taking Chances, Making Changes,
Being Happy. Thank you very much for joining us on our
ongoing crazy adventure.
Comments or questions about this blog?....message me at
Facebook. |
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March 6, 2015 -
Facebook Post -
Tonight drinking another Cabernet from Chile. Now family sleeping and really
enjoying a quiet karaoke with um….myself. lol. |
Small Party
March 8, 2015 - The three wheel bike is finished
now. We were hanging out with friends from Nishinoomote today.
Picture - Home - The three wheel bike is
finished now.
Picture - Home - We were hanging out with
friends tonight 1.
Picture - Home - We were hanging out with
friends tonight 2. |
March 9, 2015 -
Facebook Post -
HEY FAMILIA SLEEPING NOW -
Ah. Enjoying a nice Cabernet from Chile, listening to music….and the wind
outside….and relaxing. Anyone up now?
March 9, 2015 -
Facebook Post -
CRAZY WIND TONIGHT -
Another crazy windy night. |
Received Produce From Friend
March 10, 2015 -
Today our friend brought over a bunch of veggies including a huge daikon,
spinach, turnips and lots of potatoes.
Picture - Home
- Hey thanks Ritsuosan for this. |
Farm CDs Smashed
March 11, 2015 -
Yup even cds, used to keep away
the crows, were no match for the winds of Tanegashima.
Picture - Home
-
Although not a typhoon, the winds reached tropical storm force and shredded a
few of the cds hanging in the upper farm. |
 Hase
Park and Welcome Party
March 14, 2015 -
We went to Hase Park for awhile today. Shai was able to climb the rock climbing
thingy. Then we went to the Tanegashima Rocket Marathon Welcome Party for some
food, drinks, and entertainment. This event was held at the recreation center of
Minamitane town.
Picture - Us drinking
at the welcome party.
For the equivalent of 5 bucks (500 yen) per person we were fed, watched some
fantastic entertainment, and drank as much nodogoshi beer as we wanted.
Um okay this was the only ???? for the entire event.
There were no plates on the tables for the finger foods but they did serve
pancakes with syrup in these cheap containers.
The guests were pretty much forced to eat these, like it or not, in order to get
this container to use for the other foods. lol.
Thanks to the Kirin company for supplying my favorite beer and for sponsoring
this fun party.
Picture -
Hase Park - A windy day and a nice hair style.
Picture -
Hase Park -
Now he can make it to the top of the rock climbing thing.
Picture -
Welcome Party - The tickets for the welcome party.
Picture -
Welcome Party - We arrived at about 3 pm.
Picture -
Welcome Party - Miso soup with
chicken, veggies, noodles.
Picture -
Welcome Party - Pancakes with syrup and chopsticks. lol.
Picture -
Welcome Party - Woohoo all the nodogoshi beer you
can drink in an hour and a half.
Picture -
Welcome Party - Yup we kept drinking and drinking and drinking
and....
Picture -
Welcome Party - A special thanks to some of the town folks for
volunteering to work the beer stand.
Picture -
Welcome Party - A close up picture of the town folks working
the beer stand.
Picture -
Welcome Party - A taiko performance. I am a total fan of this
traditional Japanese music.
Really nice choice for the opening act.
Picture -
Welcome Party - The Tahitian dancers. This seems to be pretty
much a staple at events on Tanegashima.
Picture -
Welcome Party - And then out came Makichan, the
owner of the Isola bar in Minamitane. Now 6 months pregnant and performing.
Picture -
Welcome Party - Then the young girls came out to show their
stuff.
What a cute group.
Picture -
Welcome Party - The women came out with their grass skirts and
coconut bras.
Nice treat for the guys and very sexy.
Picture -
Minamitane Town - We were walking back to the ryokan with alcohol in hand after the welcome party.
Picture -
Minamitane Town - WUI....Walking Under the
Influence of alcohol. Can you get a ticket for this....no way. lol.
Commentary -
Yup this must be Japan....um especially a small island in Japan. I cannot even
imagine walking around the streets in an American city, already a bit wasted,
with a can of beer in each hand.
No need for a lot of rules when the citizens can control themselves. |
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March 14, 2015 -
Facebook Post -
REALLY BUSY DAY -
Drove up north to pick up a few new pairs of glasses. Then bought lunch and went
to the park. Tonight going to a before rocket marathon party. |
 Rocket
Marathon
March 15, 2015 -
Today we went to the Tanegashima Rocket Marathon. This is an annual event held
on the grounds of the beautiful Tanegashima Space Center and rocket launch
facility.
Picture - Us getting
ready to run.
The event includes a 2K family run, a 3K family run, a 10K, a half marathon and
a full marathon which began somewhere in Minamitane town....somthing for
everyone.
Pretty sure the entire event including, participation in the marathon, the
welcome party, the after party, the shirts, towels, and other free stuff, cost
us a total of the equivalent of 70 bucks for the entire family. OY VE such
a deal.
This was a fantastic, and well planned event, despite a rainy day which turned
into a downpour later in the day.
Picture -
Rocket Marathon - This is the Tanegashima Space
Center, the venue for the Rocket Marathon.
Picture -
Rocket Marathon - This was at the entrance to the
outside bathroom at the Space Center. Very tsunami conscious.
Picture -
Rocket Marathon - This picture came out really
nice. Notice the museum and the replicated rocket in the background.
Picture -
Rocket Marathon - The event program with free food
coupons.
The menu was rice balls, soup, and tea. And a coupon for onsen.
Picture -
Rocket Marathon - We arrived at the Tanegashima
Space Center for the Rocket Marathon at about 7:20 am and already raining.
Picture -
Rocket Marathon - This is a nice picture of team
9094....names unknown....getting ready to compete.
Picture -
Rocket Marathon - We are now ready to compete.
Picture -
Rocket Marathon - Now looking pretty stylish in
our Tanegashima Rocket Marathon tee shirts.
Picture -
Rocket Marathon - Another picture in our tee
shirts.
Picture -
Rocket Marathon - Yeah difficult to know which
picture is the best. Why not include them all.
Picture -
Rocket Marathon - Now wearing our very stylish Tanegashima Rocket Marathon tee shirts.
Picture -
Rocket Marathon - Hanging out and waiting to
begin.
Picture -
Rocket Marathon - Um seems like Shai is really
getting into this island culture.
The little dude is doing a double hang loose. lol.
Picture -
Rocket Marathon - We met up with our friends who
were also competing in the two kilometer family run.
Picture -
Rocket Marathon - Shai was really happy to see his
good friends.
Little Takeru is wearing yellow and Kose is wearing blue.
Picture -
Rocket Marathon - This is a picture of the group
behind us all ready for the family two kilometer run.
Picture -
Rocket Marathon - We are now standing in line and
ready for the Tanegashima Rocket Marathon two kilometer family run to begin.
Picture -
Rocket Marathon - Ready to begin and Shai was
getting pretty excited now.
Picture -
Rocket Marathon - Yup we finished this run in 24th
position out of the milliions....thousands....hundreds....um maybe 60 families.
Picture -
Rocket Marathon - We received these towels after
finishing the Tanegashima Rocket Marathon two kilometer family run.
Picture -
Rocket Marathon - Shai was really showing off his
new towel.
Picture -
Rocket Marathon - Shai gave these towels and the
entire weekend two thumbs up.
Picture -
Rocket Marathon - With the run totally finished he
began getting crazy.
Picture -
Rocket Marathon - Yup Shai was certainly happy to
see this at the event.
He was able to go crazy with a bunch of other kids.
Picture -
Rocket Marathon - The rain was now pouring and we
found a tent where we hung out and ate our complimentary lunch.
Picture -
Rocket Marathon - Really delicious soup and rice
balls.
Picture -
Rocket Marathon - Yes of course they begin each
run with a loud send off using the guns which partially made this island famous.
Picture -
Rocket Marathon - Ready to begin this particular
run.
Picture -
Rocket Marathon - And with a loud bang the runners
for this event were on their way.
Picture -
Rocket Marathon - The beginning of the ten
kilometer run.
Picture -
Rocket Marathon - Hey who is the good looking
American guy?
Why David LaCharite of course.
Picture -
Rocket Marathon - And there is the famous English
teacher crossing the finish line.
Picture -
Rocket Marathon - Hey nice job doing this in about
47 minutes.
Picture -
Rocket Marathon - Now cooling off and already
thinking about the after party tonight. |
 Rocket
Marathon After Party
March 15, 2015 -
Same as the welcome party, which was held a day earlier, for the equivalent of 5
bucks (500 yen) per person we were fed, watched some fantastic entertainment,
and drank as much beer as we wanted.
Picture - Girls at the
reception desk.
The entertainment tonight included a nice singing duo, an African music and
dance performance, some kind of traditional Japanese performance, and a crazy
group janken pon game where they gave away all kinds of nice prizes.
The last event of the party was a group janken pon (rock, paper, scissors) competition.
This was the culmination of an incredible weekend of fun. This is without a
doubt a must attend event for anyone visiting and especially residing on
Tanegashima.
Picture - After Party - These were the tickets
for the Tanegashima Rocket Marathon after party.
Picture - After Party - Shai was allowed to pick a raffle
ticket three times, once for each of us.
He won three towels which was the best prize.
Picture - After Party - Ah so nice to be
greeted at the reception desk by four pretty woman with such happy smiles.
Picture - After Party - Now getting towards
the finish of the festivities for this weekend.
Picture - After Party - This was a really long
weekend for Shai and now getting pretty tired.
Picture - After Party - Shai played the group
janken pon game and was able to walk away with
this really cool satellite replica.
Picture - After Party - Then Shai received another prize,
this time in the form of a huge container of beans.
Picture - After Party - Yup Shai was looking pretty good
in his new suit and working as the CEO for JAXA, the Japanese Space Agency.
Picture - After Party - This couple performed
a few very nice songs at the Tanegashima Rocket Marathon after party.
Picture - After Party - This group performed African music on the conga drums and were perfect.
You could feel the energy from this island.
Picture - After Party - This was a really nice
traditional Japanese performance.
Picture - After Party - Then the really crazy,
group janken pon (rock, paper, scissors) competition. A lot of fun and the prizes were really nice.
Picture - After Party - We met Hagumi at the welcome party and then saw her again, with her family, at the
after party.
Picture - After Party - Another picture of the
group, albeit a bit blurry.
Picture - Yasu Bei Restaurant - We decided to
go out to eat after the party was
finished. A nice way to finish off an incredible weekend. |
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Bike Finished
March 19, 2015 - The three wheel bike is totally
finished now.
Picture - Home - The three wheel bike is
totally finished now.
Picture - Home - We received more produce
from the neighbors today. |
Nice BBQ
March 21, 2015 -
We made a nice barbecue today with the fish we caught. Then guess who came to
lunch. Yup David showed up for awhile.
Picture - Home
- We went fishing and caught a few fish for the barbecue.
The catch included a bora, a megina and an oyabitcha.
Picture - Home
- A bit of snacks before the meal along with some beer and ready to eat the main
course.
Picture - Home
- And David showed up to say hi.
Picture - Home
- We gave David a taste of the fish which he really seemed to enjoy. |
Sandwiches and Friends
March 22, 2015 -
Today we sandwiched outside. At night we met our friends from Nishinoomote up
north.
Picture - Home
- We received more produce from the neighbor in the rear house again including
spinach, daikon, and green onions.
Picture - Home
- Today was really nice out and a perfect day for sandwiches.
Picture - Home
- Kind of funny we are all doing the surfer hand thingy even though not of us
surf. lol.
Picture - Home
- Tonight Kazumi came to the house with her boyfriend Rudy and her very cute
daughter.
Picture - Home
- They brought a lot of food, we made some food, and everyone enjoyed hanging
out together. |
Removed Patio
March 25, 2015 -
This patio really has been an eyesore since the day we moved to this house.
The patio was filled with termites and dryrot and some of the supports were not
even connected anymore.
Picture - Home
- The messed up patio before it was removed.
Picture - Home
- This is one of the patio support beams completely eaten away by termites.
Picture - Home
- A few hours later the patio was taken out and the wood piled on the ground
waiting to be used for a few new projects. |
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March 25, 2015 -
Facebook Post -
JAPAN NATIONAL PARK EXPEDITION -
Hey saw this ad posted on a youtube video and was really impressed and went to
their site. A group of Japanese and a group of foreigners got together and made
a tour of the national parks of Japan. Basically tapping into a lot of the
wonderful things about Japanese culture and the incredible beauty of this
country. Watch this video and comment if you think this whole idea is freaking
cool. Really inspiring. |
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 Rocket Launch
March 26, 2015 -
Today we saw another rocket launch from Hase Park.
Picture - Getting
ready for the rocket launch.
Picture -
Hase Park - We are hanging out at Hase
park waiting for the rocket launch.
Picture -
Hase Park - Although this is like our fifth time
to watch a rocket launch, the excitement is still there.
Picture -
Hase Park - We met up with some friends who joined
us for the fun.
Picture -
Hase Park - A whole lot of thumbs up for this day.
Picture -
Hase Park - A visit to this park is certainly not
complete without a little time spent at the playground. |
 Rocket Launch Sequence
March 26, 2015 -
The rocket launch sequence of pictures. These pictures were all taken within the
time frame of two minutes. The best launch picture, in my opinion, is shown next
to the links. Pretty much all of these pictures came out fantastic.
Picture - Rocket
launch sequence picture #10.
Picture - Hase Park - Rocket launch picture 1 - notice the
bug. lol.
Picture - Hase Park - Rocket launch picture 2.
Picture - Hase Park - Rocket launch picture 3.
Picture - Hase Park - Rocket launch picture 4.
Picture - Hase Park - Rocket launch picture 5.
Picture - Hase Park - Rocket launch picture 6.
Picture - Hase Park - Rocket launch picture 7.
Picture - Hase Park - Rocket launch picture 8.
Picture - Hase Park - Rocket launch picture 9.
Picture - Hase Park - Rocket launch picture 10.
Picture - Hase Park - Rocket launch picture 11. |
Hanami and Friends
March 28, 2015 -
This turned out to be pretty much a joke. We thought the trees in this park were
going to produce cherry blossoms and we could do hanami....wrong. There were no
blossoms, probably not even cherry trees, and it began pouring. lol. We were
able to enjoy a nice afternoon with our friends though.
Picture -
Hase Park - Really trying to get a nice picture.
Picture -
Hase Park - This picture came out pretty nice.
Picture -
Hase Park - We had no idea the blossoms were
already finished and these were probably not even cherry trees. lol.
Picture -
Hase Park - Yup we were pretty cool with our
sunglasses.
Picture -
Hase Park -
The temperatures became much cooler, the wind picked up, and then it began to
rain.
Picture -
Hase Park - A picnic is really not complete
without your favorite alcoholic beverage.
Picture - Home
- We came back from the hanami
at the park and decided to hang our with our friends at the house.
Picture - Home
- This was a really fun afternoon. |
New Chairs
March 29, 2015 -
We made another nice barbecue with our new camping chairs.
Picture - Home
- Yeah our new chairs came and we made a nice barbecue outside.
Picture - Home
- Again we are doing the surfer thingy for some reason. |
Fishing Together
March 30, 2015 -
Another nice afternoon of fishing with Shai, the coolest kid in the world.
Picture - Minamitane West Coast Pier #6
- Today me and Shai enjoyed a
bit of fishing together. Really nice picture.
Picture - Minamitane West Coast Pier #6
- Actually we caught a bunch of small saba today. |
Recycled Patio
March 31, 2015 -
The old patio was removed on March 25....see previous post. Today was all about
putting the old wood to work again.
Picture - Home
- A few pieces of the old patio were used to make this rear wall. The lower farm
is in the background with the adjacent jungle.
Picture - Home
- This is a nice view of the rear wall and patio area.
Picture - Home
- A few pieces of the old patio were also used to make a laundry hanging area. |
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March 31, 2015 -
Facebook Post -
A barbecue with our new chairs. |
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