Thursday, June 4, 2015

What a Day in Okinawa!

 Oh my goodness! What an incredible day with cousins in Okinawa. How lucky we are to make so many happy memories together! These photos were from yesterday. I feel asleep uploading all the photos last night. 


Chachi came to visit me. Check him out on top of the aquarium in Kai's bedroom!



Chachi and Lola are so beautiful. We have never met happier cats than these! If our cat, Olivia, had a view like this everyday, she would probably be happier, too! See next photo for their view. Chachi is intense and playful; Lola is laid back, I mean really laid back and calm. 



Here is the view!



Isaiah woke up at 4:30 a.m. (again). So, we had breakfast at that time, then breakfast again at like 6 something with Kai and the kids (before school), and then we ate lunch at 8 a.m. 
Still a bit off schedule, but feeling great! Yes, for breakfast, I dug out the delicious dip that Tritia made, some garlic pita chips and veggies. YUM!



Messing around with some Japanese snacks for breakfast.



Morning loves from Chachi.



What a treat for us! Isaiah and I got to tag along with Tritia to Kai's award ceremony at Camp Lester Middle School. This is Kai and and his best friend since birth, Aiden, and all of their amazing awards. So proud. It was a great experience for Isaiah to hear the principals and teachers talking about the school and the students. "Your kids are the center of our universe." We also got to experience being a part of an audience with 100% parental/family support. The mutual respect gave me goosebumps and almost tears at this place. I later talked to Isaiah about his observations and he is so envious. Oh to give him a school experience here! They don't have an opening for a math teacher right now...damn. Kai is in AVID, so it has been fun comparing his experiences with what our school has available as an AVID demonstration school. I even got to enjoy him practicing a speech! Fun stuff. 



This is Tritia signing Kai out after the ceremony. Why? 
Because we are here and we get to hang with him today! Oh yeah!



Looking up as we are leaving Camp Lester's School Office.



Tritia had to work today, so Kai, Isaiah and I walked around for a few hours. There was a field trip and I just couldn't stop interacting with these lil ones. So precious. It is so safe here--quite a bit different than other travel experiences (and home). Kids even cross busy streets alone here. A kid will walk to the curb, put his hand up in the air, and simply walk across the street. 



Always have to hit a bookstore.



So, it's time to eat and we have some options. Yup, Burger King for me and Isaiah. 
Kai did help us eat some fries before we joined him at his restaurant. 



Shoes off, legs crossed, and on a mat--some places don't have mats. Thankful for the mat...



Kai's going to order.



Kai's spicey Ramen--is it called Misa? 
Geesh I can't remember! Of course, he "let" me try it.
 I don't eat chunks, but I liked the broth!



Grilled Gyoza. Kai managed to get Isaiah to try a bite. 
He was not a fan, but I ate it!



The ticket!



We walked to the water and rested a bit until it began to rain.



Love landing in an arcade. We try to let Isaiah hit an arcade in every country. Oh my gosh! Japanese arcades ROCK! Some fun with kinetic sand. Yes, we will be buying this for us and for Kai and Sophia. I know we have it in the states, but I have never experienced it. 
We sat for nearly an hour with this stuff!



Our first encounter with traditional public toilets this trip. So much better than Nanjing! Sure  it's a squat toilet, but we have TOILET PAPER!




MarioKart in Japanese. WHEEE! 
And yes, I did partake, and I'm proud to say that I WON (and didn't get car sick). Ha!





Hanging with my boys over ice water and chocolate!






Two kinds of locals at low tide. Kent picked Kai up to go to a volleyball clinic and to work on homework. Tritia transported me and the other kids (Isaiah and Sophia) back home. 
We spent the afternoon exploring the East China Sea at low tide. HEAVEN!



My favorite reef "blue fish" since I haven't a clue what they are called.


Sea urchins and sea cucumbers everywhere.




Star fish, sea sponges, and brain coral. 












Thank you, cousins, for sharing your home with us this week!



Sophia and Isaiah exploring. Sophia knows her stuff. 
What a pleasure it was to experience her expertise of sea life. We had a blast!









Kent and Kai made it home from the volleyball clinic, picked us up, and took us to dinner!



Beef and garlic, chicken, and other kinds of ramen.





Grilled and fried gyoza. Kids relaxing.



Kent and Kai.



Family Mart Ice Cream! Thanks to Kai's luring, we experienced a treat! 



Okay, it's time for another day! Tritia took Kai to school. We are getting ready to go to the aquarium. Like a huge aquarium! Will try to update again tonight! 

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