Gen Sushi: 130

So one of Chris' co-workers suggested a sushi place within walking distance of our house! I decided to go there and check it out... I took my trusty side kick Nicole for lunch and we actually decided to drive!

It is super close and there didn’t seem to be a wait (during lunch). They seemed to have quite a few rolls to pick from, we shared four. Most places seem to only be open for dinner, but this place was open for lunch!

I remember them being pretty good- and fresh. As usual for places here, there was tea and water (self-serve up front). I remember this because there was an air force group taking up most of the restaurant and when I went to get refills, they were trying to pay and I couldn’t get to the drinks....

All in all this place was good. When Chris and I went back, we didn’t find it to be as GREAT as I first thought it was. But for being so close, I would probably go back again! They take Credit cards and Yen! I think they take dollars too =) I will have to check next time I go!

We got egg rolls for appetizer and Chris got shrimp tempura with beef!

7.31.12 Cocoks: Pedicures

Today was my official birthday.  Nicole, Sarah and Sarah's brother & sister in law went to lunch at our favorite sushi place!  Then we headed to the famous "Cocoks" for pedicures....

This place was quaint! Each chair is surrounded by curtains to make it private if you wish.  Every day is "bring your kids day" except for Sunday's (I think), good thing it was a Tuesday! We sat three on one side and two across and had our own little area.  We each had our own technician and the place was fully staffed (and huge)!  We didnt have to wait because Sarah made us appointments.  Even her brother in law got a pedicure! 

They have these books that you look through (basically the entire time) to choose your design.  Instead of getting one nail design, they do the design on each toe! It was crazy and probably took me the whole hour to pick one! They served tea (which was delish) and we had a great time!

Here is a picture of our toesies!

I think the pedicure is 3990 Yen (you get a foot massage and the artwork) and I got a 20% off for my birthday (they give you a discount if it is your birthday month).  They also have cards to get stamped to get discounts and such the more times you go! Here is the website: http://www.cocok.net/em_nail.html 

Nago: Dirt Bike Track and Pizza in the Sky

It just occurred to me that I never posted about our day trip to Nago.

We left in search for the Dirt Bike Track just south of Nago. 

We took the expressway as if going to Hansen or Schwab... I will have to add directions later!


After successfully finding the track we ventured out to "Pizza in the Sky"

It was a BEAUTIFUL day and we had such a great lunch! The directions I had were awesome and led us straight there.... that and the fact that once you get close enough, there are lots of signs. 

The signs are red white and green and tell you which way to turn!

The view was amazing and the place was hoppin, we had about a 20 minute wait.  You have to sign your name on the sign in sheet so make sure you tell the hostess how to say your name, because they don't know great English!  They have hats and fans, and shaded areas for your waiting pleasure. 

When we sat down to order, the menu is on a fan.  Japanese on one side and English on the other. 

They make one kind of pizza every day.  You get what ever the pizza is for the day.  Ours was corn, cheese, peperoni, and onions.  It sounds crazy but was DELISH.  They have a medium and a large and Chris and I split the Medium and it was perfect.  But they also have salads and other things.  We each had a coke.

We finished the day with some great pictures of the East China Sea! Enjoy!

 

26 7.30.12

So my 26th birthday is tomorrow and we celebrated over the weekend.  My first gift was a full night's sleep with no interruptions! I slept for 8 hours on Friday! Woo!
Saturday we got our new van!! So I am no longer home bound every day!
Then Saturday night we went with friends to dinner at our current favorite Korean BBQ joint! The restaurant made me a cake with 26 scoops of ice cream! WHOA! I shared, don't worry.
We had a great time!
Sunday, we left the house with the intention to go to the beach.  Packed the van and headed out.... by the time we got their Jaxon was asleep and we decided not to wake him up. So I got to play tourist with my driver and Chris drove around so I could take pictures of all the cool things we saw! It was such a fun weekend!
Sunday night Jaxon was in a good mood after he woke from his nap, so I had an impromptu photo shoot- for all of 6 minutes. LOL
We FINALLY put Jaxon's bed together (the hardware came in the mail) and he slept for 8.5 hours! OMGosh! We were ecstatic!

Here are a few pictures I have, I will post the rest tomorrow! Enjoy!

Capital 6.16.12

6.16.12  We went out with some friends to Capital Steakhouse.  Only the best hibachi bar I have EVER been to.  Well duh, were in Okinawa. Home of the Best Japanese food ever.

Unfortunately, I didnt bring my camera, so I borrowed this photo from OkinawaHai.com. Thanks.

Anyway Chris had shrimp tempura for the first time. He is now officially addicted. But thats not surprising, he loves everything deep fried.  Well almost everything.

We had a great time, thanks again Mr. & Mrs. Small for dinner! Can't wait to go back here!

I'm Thirsty 6.22.12

6.22.12 We tried some Japanese drinks today.  The vending machines are every where... .youll NEVER go thirsty.  I had a melon shake, and chris had a Peach juice.  Surprisingly, they were fantastic.  We will be sure to try many other options!

Courtney Lodge June 2012

While we were trapped in the hotel for ten days... we decided to venture out to find the "beach."  Well we got as close as 100ft and some rocks... so we decided to make the best of it.  Took some photos and found some cool plant. It was fun, but cloudy and yet still humid as heck.

Indepedence Day 7.4.12

7.4.12 We had some friends over for the 4th of July.  We had a BBQ with hamburgers and hot dogs. We made potato salad, 9 layer dip, deviled eggs, pink lemonade cupcakes.  Nicole brought chocolate peanut butter cupcakes and strawberry pound cake shish-kabobs.  Jason brought TWO cakes. Really? They are still in my fridge. haha.  We had fun watching Alan try and teach Frankie how to play baseball on the wii.... and then Frankie kick his butt in Boxing.  Enjoy the photos!

Oh and then the next day, I realized we left the baked beans in the oven....

Livin' the Life! June 2012

So I figured I would post about our house... I dont have photos of everything yet but I love it! We have a cute two story in a multiplex with about 4 other neighbors... we are on the end. We have a two bedroom with a cute patio in the back.  I think the only downside is Chris has to mow all the grass around our unit (since we're on the end). We have a nice size kitchen, compared to our house in Texas, this one is HUGE! We just bought a little breakfast table for our kitchen at the Japanese Ikea: Nitori!

I am becoming MORE of an online shopper, if thats even possible.  The PX, BX and out in town are very limited with their selection. Plus, I love ebay and Amazon LOL. I bought a pop over pan, set of canisters, hanging fruit basket, garlic press, cheese grader, oh man I dont even remember all the things I bought! My most recent purchase was some canvas photos from the wedding! I will post photos when they arrive!

We got a car about a week and a half after we got here.  They have lots of Toyota's and Honda's, obviously.  We got a Honda Cappa (traditional Japanese Car) for $2,600.  Most of the cars here are small, but they are all VERY narrow, as the roads are super narrow.  And, yes, we drive on the left side of the road.  But I think the hardest thing to get used to is the steering wheel on the right and the gear shift on the left. You go to get into the passenger side and end up next to the steering wheel! But the driving is pretty easy to get used to.  I like our car. Its just small. We are in the market for a van.

Nago (Part 2) 6.30.12

6.30.12  After we went to the Aquarium, we drove to Pineapple Park! I love me some pineapples and OMGosh! This place is everything PINEAPPLE! Woo! When you get there, you're greeted by a cute Pineapple car that takes you around the park.  We were a little hesitant to get in and "drive" and then we realized it is an automatic track! You get to see where they grow pineapples, the kinds they grow and anything else you could have ever wanted to know! Its a cute little Japanese lady recording but surprisingly her English is very good. 

After you exit the pineapple car you walk through a little shop with shells? I dont quite get it but after that shop is the Pineapple Store.  They have wine tasting of every kind of pineapple wine you can imagine! Nicole and I tasted, since the boys drove =) I bought two bottles, one was "Nago" wine and the other was a pineapple and grape- both were DELICIOUS! I wanted to buy more bottles but for as expensive as they were, there were very few glasses in each bottle!! We had pineapple cake, fresh pineapple and we tried pineapple vinegar- I do not reccomend this.

About half way through, Jaxon decided to spit up about 8 oz of milk, all over himself... while strapped into the carseat in the stroller... I think the heat got to him, but he was fine- us on the other hand, we were scared to death.

So we walked a little further and tried some pineapple chocolate, pineapple cookies, I cant even remember what else we ate... I do remember that I stripped Jaxon down to his diaper and all the little old ladies just couldnt get enough of him! =)

So I think that was about it! Enjoy the photos!

Nago 6.30.12

6.30.12  Saturday morning we ventured out with some friends to the Churaumi Aquarium.  It was about an hour drive and Jaxon does not like being in the car/his car seat.  Luckily he slept most of the way!!! We drove north for about an hour and stopped to smell the roses....

When we finally arrived at the parking lot, we realized we were a little walk away from the main entrance.  Well, we decided its a beautiful Okinawa day, lets walk! Ha! We walked, and walked, and stopped to breathe, and walked some more.  The scenery was beautiful but man it was HUMID!

So we finally arrive at the ticket office and its BEAUTIFUL!

This place is Japanese Sea World!!! It is amazing! There were so many creatures to see, including a whale shark.  This is only one of the few places in the WORLD that you can see one! After walking around for a few hours, we had lunch in the cafe next to the large fish tank.  I had a sand which of some sort and Chris had taco rice, and yes. its just as it sounds! Enjoy the photos!

Sunabe SeaWall 6.28.12

 6.28.12  We finally got settled and ventured out to watch the sunset tonight. It was a beautiful sunset, as is every sunset in Okinawa.  We sat on the "sea wall" and played with Jaxon until the sun went down.  The "beach" we went to is on the East China Sea side of the island (west coast) and it we were right next to American Village, a place made for tourists.  There are restaurants, stores, and lots of touristy things.  The drive is only about ten minutes from where we live and its pretty easy to get to, there is just a little more traffic than we like to deal with.  Enjoy the photos!