On The Run - Yokohama

After my Autumn Reminiscence series, I thought I'd start on another. And it's something that I love doing and that's running, folks. Combine running and venturing out in a strange city = seeing things I probably won't be seeing otherwise.

On this "On The Run" Series, I'm just sharing photos I took while out running in a few places in Japan. ^^

My first running experience  in Japan was in Yokohama. We stayed in a hotel just a few steps away from Shin-Yokohama Station and also quite near to Nissan Stadium.

We were going to take a train at 9.00am to Yufuin that morning so I needed to do my run early, to make time for rest, shower and breakfast. I woke up at 5.30am and got ready by 6.00am. Hubby had kindly accompanied me walking to the nearby park located in front of Nissan Stadium but he didn't linger for long. For good reason because it was drizzling when we made our way there. Since I am already up and alert, I decided to do a short run rather than going back to our hotel. Zaini on the other hand, after deciding that it was probably safe to leave me there alone, went back to the warmth of our hotel room.

If I'm not mistaken,  I was running alongside the riverbank park of the Toriyama River. I wish the sun had risen much earlier but it was still dark after I finished my run at 7.00am.

Nissan Stadium in an almost darkness state. While doing my run there, saw a few runners doing their morning run too. See, I wasn't the only one who would do this on a cold, rainy morning. ^^

And this, the West Gate Bridge from Nissan Stadium for those heading to Shin-Yokohama Station. I made a few stop while doing a couple of laps there, to try take a good photo of the area with my compact camera. As you can see, didn't do much of a job at it. Ah well. C'est la vie.

and the last lap, on the gravelly path by the river back to our hotel. Next time, if we come back to this part of the world, I am going to take day photos of the area (and of course, do a bit of running again).

Still, if not for my running shoes, I would not have seen and experience this view of Japan during my trip. And I'm so happy I did! :)

WOW: Giving Back

Bill discussing with the volunteers of a Habitat project in an ongoing build site in Ocala, Florida

We have been so fortunate. We are able to retire in relative comfort, our children are all doing very well, and the only thing we need to do is travel and be happy. The universe has conspired to provide us everything we needed as we were struggling to build our families and a life of our own: opportunities, resources, money, people, health, talents, and more. Now it is truly time to give back. This is our fourth resolution.

In the past I devoted my payback efforts towards helping my third world home country. The Philippines has, besides giving me birth, provided me with plenty of opportunities to excel. I also used to think being part of the Philippine Institute for the Deaf, the non-profit school teaching the deaf to speak founded by my mother and sister would be enough. But the school is in good hands now and doing well.

Then Bill and April, my youngest daughter, participated in Seven Fund's competition for projects that would increase livelihood for the Philippines. Bill entered GEM, Go and Experience Manila, a proposal to build a powerful tourism website, and April entered PinoySEEDE, Source for Executives and Educators for the Development of Entrepreneurs in the Philippines. Unfortunately both lost since the contest was primarily looking for livelihood projects.

Bill’s DU friend, Doug Miller, is founder of the EVPA, European Venture Philanthropy Association, and is now Chair of AVPN, the Asia Venture Philanthropy Network. Bill is helping him evaluate BKP, a non-profit setting up small libraries in the Philippines. Perhaps even without winning a grant or utilizing this connection, Bill and I can found a simple nonprofit that will provide a college scholarship grant to an indigent gifted student to help her bring her family out of poverty, much as my mother and I were helped.

But I should really get involved with social problems here in the US, too! We have been thinking about what we can do within our chosen cruising lifestyle. It has to be a cause that does not tie us to a particular place but also gives us the chance to impact the lives of not just a few!  One idea was given to us by Father Jack, Bill's friend and pastor in the West SEattle parish: 1) the study of best Catholic parish practices in reaching out to its community. I have also read about Learning Camps on Wheels. We can also turn our RV into a Soup Kitchen on wheels!

When we were in Americus, Georgia, visitiing the International Headquarters of Habitat for Humanity, (please see http://rvcruisinglifestyle.blogspot.com/2011/11/ola-turning-wounds-into-wisdom-oprah.html), we found out that there is a group called Care-a-Vanners for RV travel with a purpose. We simply have to schedule our volunteer time at a build site in a preferred state. Volunteers park their RVs for a week or two and help build new homes. An ongoing schedule of build sites can be found in http://www.habitat.org/cd/rv/schedule.aspx .

We visited the nearest Habitat build site to our campground, the Ocala Ongoing Build Site. This is an experimental project, helping a low-income mom with a handicapped child rebuild her home. She gave the last of her savings to an unscrupulous contractor tor who was supposed to do all the repairs (her roof had caved in). But he ran away with all of her money without completing anything. The city government gave a small grant to Habitat which, in turn, provided the volunteers to work on her home.

As in every major decision we make, we built decision matrices for these options. We came up with the following criteria to include in our analysis:  required skills, passion for the activity, ease of approach to a community, immediate need, and future impact. We have completed the matrices and the result surprised us…the simpler, the better. So, for the payback in the US, volunteering our efforts to Habitat bested the other two ideas. And for help for the Philippines, a simple scholarship fund would be the best!. 

Thus even without a grant or connection, we may be able to start giving back. Not that we have not been doing tha but this time, it will be a collaboration between Bill and me. Then giving back should be doubly  rewarding!

A Perfect Arch

On a train ride one wet morning in Japan, I saw a perfectly arched rainbow through the window of my train. I tried to capture it. Well, the keyword here is "tried".

I know I didn't make a good job nonetheless I tried and I'm sharing. （￣ー￣）

 

It was my first time seeing such a perfect arched rainbow. It was a wet, cold day that day but I consider myself lucky to experience a wet day because I got to see this! 

Anyway, can you actually see the rainbow that I tried to capture in those two photos?  (#^.^#)

"And when it rains on your parade, look up rather than down. Without the rain, there would be no rainbow"

Gilbert K Chesterton

International Shopping in Colorado Springs, CO

A friend was talking one day that she had not been to the Mexican or Asian grocery stores. One day last week we took the grand tour.  

We started off with our fantastic Herb & Spice store that has been featured on a few Food Network shows. 

 

 http://www.savoryspiceshop.com/shopsavory.html

Next stop was the Mexican market.  Their attention to detail in the produce department always awes me.

Yams, Nopals (Nopalitios - Cactus leaves), Avocados and red Chiles.

Long stalks of Sugar Cane.

On to the Asian market.  Wish I knew how to cook and use alot of those ingredients.

Love baby Bok Choy in stir fry.

3 tanks of Talipia

Roasted Ducks and BBQ ribs on the left

After looking at all that food we had to stop for lunch.  There are 2 of these restaurants here now and they have become one of our favorites.

Last stop was a German Deli.  Lots of authentic cold cuts and cheeses.  Had to get Liverwurst for me and Bloodwurst for Gene. 

Winter Bites

and we saw snow fall in Hakodate. Such a novelty for us and despite getting our frozen ears to feel like they can fall off, it was a blast being on the south tip of Hokkaido in December 2011. ^^

 I saw snowflakes! Through the train window...

It was sunny. It was snowing. It was cold. Brrr.... especially when you  were totally unprepared, dressed for the autumn and not for the winter. But well, it was a spontaneous trip for us and we didn't regret it. A spontaneous, spur-of-the-moment decision to travel 2,000km. heh

The road leading to Hakodate's morning market - at 3pm. Obviously, the market is pretty quiet at at that time of the day. xD

Can't wait for 2014 and we can jump into some (A LOT) of outdoor onsens there! We have this romantic image of soaking in hot spring baths while being surrounded by total whiteness.

"Winter must be cold, for those with no warm memories"

Cornish Hen Dinner

Valentine's Day is coming and nothing says a special dinner like Cornish Hens.  Back in the day we would serve 1 whole hen per person and there was tons of leftovers (But it was so dramatic to carry out a platter loaded with these little chickens!) 

 To help them roast faster I butterflied them (cut part of the back bone out and laid them flat) and served them quartered. We basted them with an orange sauce (but anything is good especially apricot).

 Deviled eggs, cooked carrots, and the the same basting sauce (I separated the sauce into 2 bowls so the one I basted with did not contaminate the dinner table sauce.)

 Stuffing (with apricots, orange, celery) and laid in the roasting pan 1st.  The Cornish hens laid on top of the stuffing with any excess tucked in under the hens.  Also pan roasted fingerling potatoes and braised fennel / anise in butter and orange juice.

That platter was my grandmothers and is over 100 years old.

This was actually our New Year's Day dinner but Cornish Hens can make a simple dinner look especially fancy. 

Autumn Reminiscence - A Place That Feels Like Home

OK, so I lied. Again. This "Autumn Reminiscence" series was supposed to be a 7-part posts, and I  got 8 posts up already. I told you in the previous post that's the last post on autumn. Yeah yeah... I have no  integrity. heh

I just think that it would remiss of me to not post about a place that we keep returning to. It's a place that I wouldn't mind living if or when I get the chance to one day, make Japan my home. 

The street of Asakusa, on one fine Autum day...  I do miss "my" Asakusa. ^^

psstt... there'll be a Sky Tree special one of these days. Wait for it.

 

As firmly cemented clam-shells
Fall apart in Autumn
So, I must take to the road again
Farewell, my friends
                                Matsuo Basho 

Kiri jalan, kanan pun jalan
Sama tengah pokok mengkudu
Kirim jangan, pesan pun jangan
Sama-sama menahan rindu

translation:
Right and left, a path is broken
Round a small morinda tree
Give no message, send no token
Let our longing, dormant be!
and I guess that pretty much sum up my feelings for Japan.

While you are visiting, do read the previous Autumn Reminiscence posts that was put up earlier.
Autumn Reminiscence - Lake Kinrinko
Autumn Reminiscence - Shikoku Mura
Autumn Reminiscence - Nara
Autumn Reminiscence - Ritsurin Koen
Autumn Reminiscence - Ueno Park
Autumn Reminiscence - Yanaka Cemetery
Autumn Reminiscence - Yokohama
Autumn Reminiscence - In A Foreign Country

Valentine's Day Hearts I Love You

Valentines is 2/14 every year.  Time to show affection and say I Love You. 

 We have many Valentine gifts in our eBay store. 

Stop by often, we are always updating our inventory. 

WOW: Focusing on Health

getting prepped for the procedure

This post about my health issues was bumped off early in December because of Bill’s unexpected heart attack. Back then, superstitions come to my mind. Teresa, the ER nurse, said it is probably because it was a Lunar Eclipse that day (Dec. 8, 2011) and during such times, ERs experience a sharp increase in cases! I said that maybe I shouldn’t have scheduled writing about health issues! Look what happened after!

Stress Management

Well, Bill had his second coronary artery (75% blocked) worked on last Thursday and another stent was inserted. Technically, his heart is now almost as good as new! But through the ordeal, I was so stressed that I fell victim to several health issues right after. He jokingly said I just felt left out because he was getting all the attention!  But stress has always been an issue. That is why I retired from the Philippine business landscape early and why I retired from teaching/counseling in Seattle after only 2 years!

After his first procedure, my sciatic nerve got inflamed and I could scarcely walk for a couple of days, practically leaving Bill to his own recovery. As soon as that was gone, a three week ordeal of hives, affecting different parts of my body, began. I went to four doctors but it still raged. When I stopped taking all that was prescribed, the hives subsided, only to reappear the night before Bill’s second procedure! Again, the culprit appears to be stress!

drinking water after the procedure

Consistent Good Healthcare

But the cruising lifestyle allows us a more relatively stress-free life. However, it also prevents us from getting consistent health care. Bill had to wait for our 6-week Indiana/Ohio leg in August to September before he could have arthroscopic surgery even though it had been recommended by his primary physician before we left for Manila in February! All that time I had several ongoing health issues.

When we were in Manila, I consulted my former cardiologist, stress management doctor, and gastro-enterologist.  After all, health care costs are about a third of those in the US. I was told I had no cardiovascular problems but an endoscopy revealed that I had 3 tiny ulcers resulting in GERD. And my anxiety had everything to do with the very worries about these health issues! But despite the medication, the symptoms never really left.

So now that we are in Florida for several months, I have consulted with the Florida Center for Digestive Health. My medication was quickly changed to a stronger proton pump inhibitor. Dr. Ruderman also scheduled me for an upper right quadrant abdominal ultrasound, an endoscopy and a colonoscopy. Results are all good. Lo and behold, the issues are all gone! Even the lingering hives!

finally getting a much needed rest

Other Necessities

Superstitions and stress aside, Bill and I both just have to continue to eat well and exercise regularly. A national medical system of patient records would also help so a doctor in any state can see the entire history and our primary physician can still exercise overall stewardship. A comprehensive but affordable health insurance will also help me think less of costs.  At 67, Bill already has all of these. I will have to wait 2 more years!

I also would like to become a more enlightened patient so I can discuss my case with doctors and even understand why I need to make necessary lifestyle changes. The PH Miracle (keeping the balance between acidity and alkalinity in our bodies) has opened my eyes to alkaline water, as my friend Jingjing has long suggested. I have also added more alkaline foods like green veggies, gelatin and avocado to my diet and minimized acidic ones like meat and sweets. 

Although Bill agrees, he also thinks that I have to be careful of what I read and be sure there is good science and solid empirical evidence to support the recommendations. He thinks some of the best-selling health books are nothing more than a new version of the legendary “snake oil sales pitch”. Oh the travails of getting old!  But Bill also reminds me that getting old is certainly better than the alternative!

Autumn Reminiscence - In A Foreign Country?

No Spring nor Summer hath such grace

As I have seen in one autumnal face

                                            John Donne

I've mentioned in my earlier post that the "Autumn Reminiscence" Series will be a 7-part posts but I just cannot resist putting up one more post.

 

 

 

 

 

This is Huis Ten Bosch. It is a them park and a residential-style resort built after a 17th century Dutch town.

It makes sense to have a place that somehow paid homage to the European country and architecture seeing that Nagasaki; where this park/resort is located - was the only port open for international trade and thus begin an extremely prosperous relationship between Japan and Holland.

While you are visiting, do read the previous Autumn Reminiscence posts that was put up earlier.
Autumn Reminiscence - Lake Kinrinko
Autumn Reminiscence - Shikoku Mura
Autumn Reminiscence - Nara
Autumn Reminiscence - Ritsurin Koen
Autumn Reminiscence - Ueno Park
Autumn Reminiscence - Yanaka Cemetery
Autumn Reminiscence - Yokohama

And now, time to move on to a new season!

Before that, enjoy this haiku from a fellow blogger, HappySurfer -

Colors of autumn
Artist's delight on canvas
Forever preserved 

HappySurfer