A great picture of Ella

Happy on her 4 month birthday.

Tokyo

As promised, we do more than eat. Last weekend was the rendezvous with Mama & Papa Willett. Or should I say, Nana Sue and Grandpa. The main event was obviously Ella spending time with her grandparents but we managed a few other things too. One thing we didn't do (very well) on our last trip was visit the Imperial Palace. Saturday we walked through Marunouchi-naka-dori Ave., a wonderlust of high-end boutiques, window shopping while we made our way. The Palace was as beautiful as we had imagined. There is something about standing in front of a 100+ year old gate (Japan's capitol moved from Kyoto in 1888) that guards one of the worlds only living emperor's. It creates two moments: 1. You realize how old the world really is and, 2. you realize you are so far from the United States which is really so, so young. We didn't get to do much except stare at the iron fence and bamboo gate with the Palace peaking up out of the perfectly sculpted trees. You can only enter the grounds two days a year, Jan. 2 for a New Year's greeting and December 23 for the Emperor's Birthday. On these days you can tour the grounds and stand outside the Palace hearing speeches from the Emperor and writing him letters about what you want - which he actually reads.

After the palace we walked to the Ginza to do a little more window shopping. We took Mama & Papa Willett to a little Udon noodle shop for lunch and then through a Japanese department store. Something everyone should see once in their life. The bottom floor is usually a grocery store, packed with chef's cases as far as the eye can see. Each filled with every kind of food and pastry one could imagine. Okay, you caught me. While this post wasn't about eating we did happen to visit what could be called a "food city". But we didn't buy anything! Oh wait, Yes we did.

in our kitchen: chickpea curry & Nutella covered mochi

Last week we made two memorable dishes. For dinner, chickpea curry. Originally vegetarian, we added chicken because that's how we roll. Brandon also added yellow bell peppers, sauteed in curry powder. We opted for no rice since chickpea's are so high in fiber and super filling.

Another stellar dish.

Then, for dessert and in honor of World Nutella Day we covered mochi in Nutella and honey. Yum.

I promise we do more than just eat.

Kamakura

Right outside of Yokosuka is Kamakura, this adorable beachside-ish Japanese town that hosts Japan's 2nd largest Buddha statue. This weekend we hoped on the train and went strolling down the streets lined with sweets and souvenir shops swarming with the most international crowd we've seen since Kyoto. It was peaceful and rewarding and as we sat under the Buda feeding Ella we couldn't help but realize how special the moment was. Buddha's and Temples bring a certain peace of mind to anyone of any religion. It's just something about the trees, gardens, gathering of people from all over the world, and ancient stuff that makes you appreciate life to it's fullest.

chinese & mongolian

Brandon got this amazing new rice cooker for Christmas from Mama & Papa Willett and we have been breaking it in with some tasty new dishes. It is quite the step up from our $7.00, two cup, mini-rice cooker from the last year and a half!

We took our first stab at Mongolian cooking. I can't say if we have ever had Mongolian before, so why not give it a try!

Mongolian Chicken Stew: A delicious combination of chickpeas, golden raisins, toasted almonds, cinnamon, curry powder, and garlic; stewed with green peppers, red onions, chicken, and tomato soup.

Last night we cooked Kung Pao Chicken (Jewell's favorite Chinese dish). This was a recipe we found on the blog Noodle Fever via Tastespotting.com. If you have never perused the Tastespotting website you are missing out. It's the best place to get lost, at least that's what I think. Although, maybe not if you're on a diet.

It was our first attempt and we didn't have cornstarch so our sauce lacked that glossy look. However, it was one delicious and insanely, eye-watering spicy plate of food!

three pictures of Ella

Happy 3 months (and a few days) to our Ella!

at first sight

Here are a few snap shots of the new city, Yokosuka! We haven't discovered all that much yet but have definitely been out walking around everyday. (Hopefully) some day soon we will go out and dig a little deeper. Until then, feast your eyes on some of these shots of the train station area.

So, as you can see it's much more urban than Sasebo and there is something going on with saxophones. There are 6 different statues with-in 30 meters of the train station. Any ideas?

Yokohama

Last weekend we took the train to Yokohama. What's in Yokohama? Well, for starters an original Louis Vitton Trunk from 1922 that I wasn't allowed to take a picture of and was guarded by not one, but two guards. Other then that all we did was shop and eat. It was great, we didn't even leave the train station area! We have plenty of time to go back and sight see on a larger scale and believe me, we will.

Most of the pictures are from an awesome import store. We walked away with two bricks of brie, rose from Italy, cheese crackers, Wilkinson's Spicy Ginger Ale, and verde salsa. Yum. Oh, and no worries - we definitely grabbed a chocolate baguette.

Great Words

How fitting. Right after I finish [my wrap up] on Sasebo I just came across this [article] about Sasebo! I can't believe I never thought to search the Metropolis for info on Sasebo. I guess just didn't think it's awesomeness reached this far! Enjoy.

Good Bye Sasebo

A new year has started and with that we have officially started life in Yokosuka, Japan. Not without leaving one of the greatest cities in the world and some great people behind. It seems like in every new place we live we search to find the greatest things possible. We see no need to sit around and think about the negative aspects of life - just get out and discover what is great about your surroundings.

So with out further banter, here is a [collection] of our 15 favorite things about Sasebo. A permanent installation for our family blog.

Pedestrian area on a snowy day, downtown Sasebo.

three pictures of Ella

Kira Kira Light Festival

December 1st I took Ella out at night, in her cute white bear hat, to see her first Christmas lights. She loved them. I loved them. It was a good time. It was also the Kira Kira Light Festival, sadly, something we missed last year. Like my mom says, the Japanese are very good at celebrating life with so many holidays ans festivals. Well, this was definitely a celebration. On December 1st everyone gets together to toast the Christmas & Holiday season. There are several things going on at the same time - not unlikely in Japan.

Look, it's Christmas Godzilla and all of his friends!

Different organizations and businesses from around Sasebo purchase tables, stock them with beer, snacks, and party hats and all meet up after work. Here they party through the evening with everyone coming together to toast at 7:00PM. It's great. Everyone standing around in their business suits getting wasted in the middle of the Arcade. Giving cheers and shooting off balloons, it's quite exciting. While all of this is going on there is also a festival with oyster's, flowers, and other various treats for your liking. Most amazing of all, there is a costume & skit contest. This is a situation that honestly feels like a Japanese Christmas Game Show. People of all ages dress in their best (or most hilarious) costumes and put on a small skit about Christmas. Words can't really describe the insanity that pursued - so I just took lots of video. [Next Post]

I will leave you with some pictures of the evening to tide over until I get the videos posted.

Look who we ran into! It's Aunt Manami and her concierge training team.

Happy start of Christmas!