6.07.2008

Greetings from Japan?

update: My SIL actually left a reply! Yeah! I see that she had to create a profile to do that, so maybe, just maybe, she will have a fun blog that we can visit too! She is all organized and creative like that. If she will send me a computer photo, I will add it to my blog so people can see my gorgeous nieces and their adventures in Japan this summer. I also corrected my Japan visit date. I originally put 2005. Maybe I was thinking 1995 and put 2005. Crazy. We went there in 1994, although it doesn't seem that long ago! Thanks for reminding me !


I can see from the traffic flow on the side that my sister-in-law and her family from Japan have been viewing my blog. Konnichiwa! My nieces and my SIL go to Japan every summer to see her family. They are cutting their visit short this year to see us in Texas-yeah! I cannot wait to see them and let the girl cousins just be girls together. They are such smart and gorgeous girls, and they are growing up so quickly and I am missing it. I won't use their names or post a picture until I get their permission. Maybe they can even send me an updated picture on the computer?

My father and I went to Japan in April 1994 to see my brother and my SIL get married. My brother was stationed there with the Navy. They had a beautiful wedding ceremony with the traditional Japanese customs. Having been married several months earlier on a US territory, this was the fancy part! K changed her dress three times during the ceremony-she wore both a red and white kimono, and then a traditional wedding dress. I think I remember her telling me that she rented the dresses, which I think is a great idea. I know it's nice to have a dress for sentimental reasons, but do you really need it stored in that acid free box at your mother's house? I also remember that the food was so ornate and beautiful. My dad tried everything, but I was less adventurous. The bridal cake was about 7 layers high, but I soon figured out that it was fake! They had a small piece in the back that they cut and fed each other. Just an adaption of a western tradition, I guess. So, I was of course saddened that wedding cake was not served. Wedding cake is one of my all-time favorite cakes! The ceremony was beautiful, and I feel so privileged to have attended.

K and her parents were so hospitable while we were there in Japan. We visited many beautiful gardens, shrines, tea houses, a natural spa/hotel, Tokyo, Kyoto and the cherry blossoms and a theme park that had people-size world attractions (the pyramids, Eiffel Tower, Big Ben, etc). I didn't really plan on writing this post, but seeing their cyber visit reminded me of the great times that I had while in Japan. I have been dreaming of California sushi (hint, hint). It has always been a dream of mine to return to Japan with the kids so they can experience it as well.

5 fabulous friends:

Rhea said...

I've never been to Japan, it's a place I'd love to visit.

Thanks for sharing about your experience over there. I loved hearing about the wedding especially.

Hope the cousins all enjoy their time together in Texas! I love getting my kids together with my sisters' kids. It's so much fun. We have a reunion schedule in late-July at a river resort and I can't wait!

LiteralDan said...

That sounds like a cool wedding-- I really want to go to Japan

Andrea said...

LiteralDan and Rhea--Japan is fabulous. You would love it. It's hard to blend in there though :) It's pretty expensive-it will take quite a while to save. Oh yeah, it won't take so long since we are getting such awesome pay in the military...

K said...

We visit your blog often. We can`t see each other but we can see the pictures of you and your kids. I am looking forward to seeing you all next month!

Much Love, your SIL


P.S.
You came to Japan in 1994 not 2005!! (ha ha)

P.P.S
I don`t mind that my kids' pictures are on your blog.

K said...

Hi. I don't have my own blog but without opening my ID, I couldn't leave my comment. My younger daugher ( I don't want to put my kids'names in public) wanted to leave comments. She tried to leave a comment before me, but she couldn't do it. We'll visit your blog and try to leave comments. It feels like we can communicate easier. We love you!