Rice Planting Time

All around our area, the local farmers are planting their rice. The rice is implanted as a little shoot from a machine that looks like a riding mower that distributes the shoots evenly. Here is the newly planted rice behind our house:

Just a week before, this field was full of onions bursting from the ground. They were harvested and hung to dry in the farmer's shed. We've been able to eat some freshly picked onions, and they are so crisp and delicious!

I'm not sure how long these will hang here, but it's fun to walk by and get a huge whiff of onion. I can't believe I just said that--with my last pregnancy, I avoided onions the entire time. This time, I love them!

Practicing English

We are the only white people in our neighborhood, as far as we know, so we get a lot of attention when we are out in public. Children and adults alike will literally follow us around when we do our grocery shopping. The kids usually yell out "Gaijin?!" which basically means "white person", which they don't see a lot of on this small island of Shikoku. Our neighbors are really nice and always try to talk to us in the little English that they know. The elementary students that see us in passing usually yell out "Hello!" and "How are you?" and then giggle hysterically with their friends. They get a big kick out of practicing their English.
Well, yesterday, Cash and I were walking around our neighborhood and were passing some 6th grade boys coming home from school on their bikes. One of the boys started staring at us, so I figured he would say hello. Out of nowhere, he yells, "This is a pen!" (No pens in sight, mind you. The boys were just riding along.) And then of course, he and his friend started laughing and peddled away. It was so random, but, hey, way to go for practicing your English on a gaijin!

Breakfast Lover

The only foods Cash shows any enthusiasm for now are breakfast foods (and curry rice--this boy can eat his weight in that!). He is so happy with a bowl of oatmeal for dinner, as shown above. He's also a big fan of scrambled eggs, pancakes, smoothies, and yogurt. What happened to the little boy who would happily gobble down spaghetti, rice, soup, and beans? I hope he comes back!

Boy or Girl? It's A...

Mystery! After waiting almost two hours to see the doctor this morning, we went into the ultrasound room very excited to learn the sex of our baby. Unfortunately, little one did not want to reveal the mystery! The doctor couldn't say for certain whether it was a boy or a girl. Oh, well--there's always next month...or November! The baby is growing well, and I'm feeling great. I haven't gained weight this month, though, which I attribute to the fact that Cash and I go on walks at least two times a day. Despite that, the baby is measuring a week ahead, which is good. So, we'll see if we can find out next month, and I'll try to post the ultrasound pictures later to see if maybe you can tell.

Happy Father's Day, Fox!

Today is Father's Day in Japan. It's tomorrow for my own dad, so I didn't forget him! Below is a little montage (okay, it's 5 minutes--so kind of not little) I put together for Fox. He is such a great dad, and Cash loves him to pieces. Fox really takes time to play with Cash, even if he only has a few minutes between classes. He really loves his little guy, and it shows. They are always so happy to be together, constantly giggling and squealing. It's so amazing to watch. Happy Father's Day, Fox! We love you!

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Why Japanese People Don't Get Fat

Fox ordered dessert at a local restaurant, and this is what he got.

Shikoku Mura

Last week, we went with a couple of our friends to Shikoku Mura in Takamatsu. Shikoku Mura is a historical site featuring original Japanese farmhouses dating from the 1800's and earlier. The farmhouses and building were taken from all around different sites in Shikoku, so that you can get a feel of which area used which architecture. It was really interesting tos ee all of the old, original buildings, but honestly, I just went for the vine bridge!

Fox, Cash, and Fox's friend Takagi-san behind him on the awesome vine bridge:

A sugar-cane press hut:

There were so many steps and crevices that Cash was in the backpack most of the time. He was very happy to be let out occasionally!

Cash staring at all of the soy sauce storage bottles, standing in front of a soy sauce factory.