Pretty Okinawan Toes....

Getting a pedicure here on Okinawa is an event....the nail salon (called Cocok's) serves you tea, massages your feet, and then paints them with beautiful nail art.

Now that's what I call pampering!

Isn't life on Okinawa, great!?

I leave you with a photo from tonight's sunset on Toguchi Beach, July 31, 2009........



~Chrissy

Sunflower Days....

I love summertime in Okinawa....sure, it's hotter than heck out there, but the truth is the island is absolutely gorgeous this time of the year. It makes you realize just how lucky you are to be living on a sub-tropical island. Just take a look at this beautiful field of sunflowers near our house in Toguchi. On my way to work this morning, I saw several cars pulled over to snap a few pictures; so I decided to follow suit.

Nothing says summer like lazy days and sunflowers, right?! These flowers just brighten my day...











Here's a picture of myself, just for extra measure!




Happy Summer!

~Chrissy

The beat of the Drum:Obon Season

Around this time of year on Okinawa, the sound of Eisa drums can be heard in Okinawan neighborhoods starting in the early evening going late into the night. Many of them practice months in advance....Even now as I type this, I can hear the drums....

If you haven't done so already, take advantage of this year's Obon season and make sure you check out this famous Okinawan tradition. The Eisa dance is truly an unique experience....

Just a tip: Obon is slated to be a bit later this year--with the peak expected to take place between August 8 to August 16th.

Enjoy the beat of the drum and make sure you take part in the culture of this wonderful island....

~Chrissy

Okinawan Visitors....

Living on the sub-tropical island of Okinawa, there are just some things you have to get used to. The oppressive heat, the constant sweating, fruit bats, mosquitoes, even geckos! These little guys somehow manage to come into our house. I'm not sure how they do, but they do! I don't mind though. They eat mosquitoes so I allow them in the house since they do a pretty good job of getting rid of those pesky bloodsuckers.

So...wanting to capture the moment of an Okinawan gecko, I quickly snapped this picture.

Excuse the poor quality of the photo....This little guy was in our kitchen...

How would you like to have these visitors in your home?



~Chrissy

La-La-Lobsta in New England & Much More

Now that I've had a chance to settle down from my most recent trip to the States, I've finally been able to get my photos downloaded from our camera. Unfortunately, it looks like I didn't take as many photos as I expected. Huh?....how did that happen?

Well, can't complain now...Here they are for your viewing pleasure.....

Here are the boys (Ray and Jari) at an Irish pub in New Haven, CT. We all took a trip to New Haven to see my younger brother Julian perform in a dance show.




On our way back to Rhode Island, we stopped at Mystic, CT. As a huge fan of the 1980's movie...(c'mon, you know you've all watched it)...I just had to take a picture at the pizza place made famous in the movie....





We even got a chance to walk around a bit and take in the sights. The weather was rainy and gray, but we managed to be in good spirits!






After our quick visit in Mystic, we headed to the casino Mohegan Sun, where we enjoyed a delicious steak dinner at Michael Jordan's steakhouse.








Once we returned to Rhode Island, Ray, Jari, Kev, and I went to Newport to eat seafood (we even got a chance to meet up with my brother in law Greg). I think we all ate our own weight in seafood....but it was well worth it.


Ray says "how about some lobsta?"







Later in the week, I went to Boston to visit my best friend Courtney for a few days...

She is currently pregnant and is due to deliver her first baby any day now. Best of luck, I love you...

Well, Kevin and I had a nice visit, but next time we'll take more pictures.... :)

~Chrissy