tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32787566547892410492024-03-14T04:47:31.424-07:00The Franklins In JapanThe Franklin'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04736220511059523212noreply@blogger.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3278756654789241049.post-80197771481404545332011-05-28T19:37:00.000-07:002011-05-29T15:07:00.470-07:00Saying Goodbye...<div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611985150661608770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5V3RWZgnPdMWxvgCXVCjLJvvU1dtLC_1TOLTh-jdwIqIqRx8yAIeWidaclcOCwcfKEoGXRNKRMjeQcSS3Ee4HBbB_UobM57BqaMmEKEcAxyja4r67SbmW28GisJZh_78DhJhhKavAWug/s400/P1030481.JPG" />This is my final blog from Okinawa. I can't believe we're leaving tomorrow! The last three years on this island have been quite the roller coaster ride. We have experienced some very difficult times including a six and a half month deployment, several shorter deployments resulting in John being away from home a total of nineteen months, missing several important family events in the US, and a disheartening loss. Through those difficult times I am so blessed to have had an incredible group of girlfriends and we have had an amazing church family. It hasn't been all bad though, I finished my Master's degree, we have had the opportunity to travel to some amazing places, and of course the joy of our favorite little souvenir, our sweet baby boy due in just a few months! Our marriage has grown stronger than ever and we know if we could get through the craziness of our time in Okinawa, we can get through anything!</div><br /><div>Here are a few picture of our last days in Okinawa...</div><br /><div>Our house is all packed up and our things have been shipped to Arizona.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611986627163092146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIik9_2dHcV1WPm4_fNfm3cKoWYCRqiMVBjJJvHvRQyszG9JX-faZwICOzd_kW7uVSMspy9MgropZ_JK60OYWU09msYmPpA1f7FpuSBB9dutFPNK_qPHW_nU0lFWCAI3VGL0kw0xmW4NA/s400/P1030438.JPG" /></div><br /><div>We had to live like this for a few days before we could move into a hotel!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611985158396141298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipHBf-Ezcs1R2xhbSUfpPQQWl06VLXSVoWrfR1JELx3VmzsiZf0VBT3ygEixMmJzb2lmqPRK61bBv6GvqzTKY0JM1I6NsaAh-h8Y4I6xcmvs_HMcJPYBWfY3Tki2lExaNi0ywdVbLWNiY/s400/P1030440.JPG" /></div><br /><div>The first picture is of us the day we moved out of our concrete bunker!</div><br /><div>As much as we hated literally living in a concrete home, they are able to withstand the insane weather of Okinawa! Of course we had to go out with a bang and have one last typhoon before we left. Three days before our departure, Super Typhoon Songda hit the island with winds that blew up to 156 mph! I am so thankful the Japanese know how to construct buildings that are able to withstand those winds!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611982720676883202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaAGuBZOwcTBR2nwZJ7Iw4M7InXtnx-mWVOQvqnHt_Vrogim0t_TmZG_o-4yOMTtswMVsw0y6za2eqtnb_TazwQHCv_qG9QNJPJ3nCWPXDM-JQHmJvagKPV9YfnV_ma7Kq_URlOZ0Py_8/s400/Songda.jpg" /></div><br /><div>Speaking of awesome forces of nature, my husband received the Navy Commendation Medal on his last day of work. Did you like that transition? I think he'll get a kick out of that! Ha ha! He is an outstanding Marine and I love when he is recognized for it!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611982718404791810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh8w0y9JdHnJXkIEaoztyYnS6Qt96G9Lo65MkFe0c7xCONagK-99TEoR9EW-4A3m4P_qoS5aeW9VhHX1vAsk_3EfyIpqLiylpw0VubJ0oiUai9UkO6yQOmhRQa3gd2Y00iEF3VjMmjjTk/s400/P1030507.JPG" /></div><br /><div>To continue with the Marine theme, I have been very involved with the Marine Officer's Spouses Club for the last two years and served on the Executive Board this year. Here are most of the Board members at our final luncheon with a "Mad Hatter tea party" theme!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 275px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611979555999035042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMho-GAuCnPS74cmabsXqRtKo2wt576akenkuafqZamFoW4fueQbi2giRJkEiHnLXNua1bNKE9YYP1Rr9DsV9aCmJG3NzSbtf06IWMXXADRM4JYDY4ynFGuKHDduHsvOH828LPpHJ1-BM/s400/IMG_5430.jpg" /></div><br /><div>I have also been very involved in the church and the worship ministry. This is the band and some of the singers on my last Sunday.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611979547646502642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidI0Ke6MeUBFqrPsCXoHDTXIyeUCwo0TSN56yqKVyYPFMKZpwtA5CFXpBJeCdsiV7j3nEW9S-DMvIP0Wz3HiEFYzdtXDxMVPvapY1l8ExhkAQFU-iA7SLlIKsMeDnohk5JupxHnzqE7Zw/s400/DSC_0223.JPG" /></div><br /><div>Finally, these women have been the ultimate support system for me. We were so excited to spend our last evening together at the hospital meeting the newest member of the group, baby David Michael! He is perfect! <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 301px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611979543603219634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqx00HONJlTxqSQ2n2BI_pWCp_ZibzRAClspysC7JZql_dOegLlIy5YX7wzN7gQfaJeQuadoxTX8fRIr4HuZRGrPjv7Y4MsYXBPVUgoZG2_DDVdhlG2Z7Bax8rdppsXOhqJLJ9mB6BWAw/s400/Beehler.jpg" />I think I can handle this!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 255px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611981350612981778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKjTTzHukTGmBTxpFRqVP6VVxj4ZjpEUoa2WM5fk0kFxFVnZ7x4qAFe5gNlAtCAlqABOZImQIjf1Xq8sFpWkgOeLcRgU-PMJYSchEnARLmobTkln3TITZJbOmCqdPhvYRUIp9wk1IQWRU/s400/P1030490.JPG" /></div><br /><div>Thanks to all of you for your love, prayers and support through these last three years. </div><br /><div>We are so excited to be closer to our family again, but will certainly miss the wonderful people we have met here on this island.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611981357044704994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhypiuc3tZr4XMos1UeqyqtKdd9fzsYJfCJT9crN29A8x-8leI0gdRvgR7-e5pDwaaxIRbGSF5Z4lea3C00ZF0XPK59qktprZ5E5fPNh70SPMtzmZr1WVmJYaY3NofrvD2bn8WeF7H9V8A/s400/P1030447.JPG" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>The Franklin'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04736220511059523212noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3278756654789241049.post-61368553759156012932011-05-08T19:10:00.000-07:002011-05-22T04:44:15.719-07:00For the Love of Marines<div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div>It seems as if we have had a jam-packed schedule the last month or so. We've had several Marine Corps events to attend. Sorry I have been a little behind posting these pictures!</div><br /><div>John's unit won squadron of the year for the Marine Corps Aviation Association. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609484768704337986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpnT9QHhrhBwXhKcE6GY1TbkcVwwU-j_hztlz1i4rbw2X_7jYZXY15XXxOWT6KjRojOnAcGjVM_73sVJ9KLP0tqfpERWFDpy9FR_QSCeztYuLKUPyGHJIZVhvxq0R0ivW5uNyPX3Wu9Es/s400/P1030298.JPG" /></div><br /><div>I must also add that he was nominated for the Command and Control officer of the year! Sorry if you don't speak military lingo, but it was a pretty big deal!</div><br /><div>John and his friend Matt doing their typical pose. I have no idea where this came from, but I think they have to have a picture like this at every event!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609484115696430706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGS1HP33RWlUvUhJ3XgS1AAzCnf40zgLkmGdNNNrgaDq_PxnQ1ZtE0rgPjEQhSXkwsyEe2qmFJvQVUrCQj9IJhWXAisaoOkPgWjoSz0lHE2yt8tuuM5iUa9OYkkZsCgo26bR02BX4_kIE/s400/P1030304.JPG" /></div><br /><div>A few weeks later his squadron hosted a Dining Out for their Marines and their spouses. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609484109028787522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnim0-DamQaldmv2h1JtD5_DRmILBSl4mC2jWaJAZtTereqn-wuRSA8swgM51z4Nn6HYthgxrG0iIpEt1uc7qRNFtVzRG49nYoAHpb4oUx_EJ4GvwBq-fiEOsgbPjY7FMZWG9A7KDBc_4/s400/P1030323.JPG" /></div><br /><div>A Dining Out is basically a formal ceremony with dinner that generally has a sense of fun and is intended to promote camaraderie. There are "rules", and generally many of them are funny. If you get caught breaking a rule you run the risk of being fined and are sent to take a drink from "the grog", a fairly disgusting combination of alcohol and pickle juice, croutons and who knows what else! A few of the Marines were punished by being forced to sing songs or dance in front of everyone. A good time was had by all!</div><br /><div>Finally, as is always the case in the Marine Corps, someone is always leaving. We attended a Change of Command for his boss' boss. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 358px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609484103571422514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrAlkFAu9FsBoXb5a5__uHFM4VpsuyPvfXtV9-OnWzegQ-5bzEs3yy48UcggXE-C74XShNuj9Fft9bZcVY-aWDd6Azj8DQRe01eHLZbrvjirwYGQfKo8wLf96zwXaC5i_xV3cI4q-0cwU/s400/P1030419.JPG" /></div><br /><div>My favorite Marine was the narrator for the ceremony but I was sitting in a place where I couldn't get a good picture of him.</div><br /><div>Afterwards there was a reception and a few of us stayed later for some karaoke. This man is a surprisingly good rapper!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 318px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609482649491021202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha99QwNmOVcvVF5hqTuGzD1Z6sa-kde6dWqScOG9rNPvclcxgI2T3pG0B7jkhTeccjkZWlP5lt0TwnELg8JjXvyA84G9MG4Dqkl-mHpQeblZ1VFXLqL2GQDKrIzbTSCQI4yg8zSpGT0U8/s400/P1030425.JPG" /></div><br /><div>Who knew?!? I'll have to show you a video one day to prove it!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609482637823606658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil0wJzn4Ku6sVko7pK_YYjMcKkc9RfCVsFdlKnNDhP3zRwbzR1uTSsUeb1i6ZGK6Gm1xCcNhLJO-Ve3pEmNpDbuTYIxxbY3S_E-D7kF1zruV7H7e-RDgDx98zk5TyFOc-i_3b_5qN3fbI/s400/P1030429.JPG" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>The Franklin'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04736220511059523212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3278756654789241049.post-66567075085771353072011-05-01T02:03:00.000-07:002011-05-01T02:42:52.777-07:00Baby Franklin<div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div>We found out this past week that baby Franklin is a boy! <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601679552955958818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpYtPT0cu4r15x-hIiDPwUGiewLtVZF9EoRBtF05BK8Anlz9XnCAjYIQNpRA_p8rktUx7-eBImHIk5mmfb80mgTdMoNX_226NcRDjepkBHPJDJ4Rmfm-TJzUGipu7iuw-PqNqFdlgipEo/s400/P1030335.JPG" /></div><br /><div>Seeing him on a more high tech ultrasound made it so much more real (even though half the time I had no idea what I was looking at!). He doesn't have a name yet, that is the current debate in the Franklin house. Fortunately we have a few more months to decide! They changed my due date again (sorry I forgot to tell most of you that!). Now it is September 11 because he's bigger than what they expected. I knew I was further along than they were saying!</div><br /><div>Anyway, my wonderful friends threw me a shower in honor of this little man. Since we are leaving so soon (4 weeks), they wanted to do a little something to celebrate our little bundle of joy. So my closest friends came and brought some amazing gifts. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601676201891949330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiBhVMb350sBi_Yyl9mleABdX2DOkDE7HZZ3E6IWKH5U9dDwGuQMkeUD-XGcIBrOtgHROcvGfZaqlEzfPb_q1RVrQWNDxK1aNbsm4uybWMlmJgD6LRa-gVZFP-bZVLN8W_goysBDHn4yk/s400/P1030349.JPG" /></div><br /><div>My Japanese friend brought him a yukata, which is a summer kimono. So cute!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601676209940207714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNW5wSLxGv-8PeR0Fhy1iS5S4q76JGTX-SeJw7G0G9FYbENGiDWKFljU-Reow1W-d9EjtMk0EcGbzxYlVz-aoC5K1LsQ_B_TWqbSJ_tUDFzFds9tfPjDSKPbUl1HcRsEEFGXexFCAbHQc/s400/P1030355.JPG" /></div><br /><div>I am truly blessed to have these wonderful women in my life. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 228px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601676215238643714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqlL7R7AnaWrWF4MQSlT-Txh4KgARkHqgJ0ygwcWQDi-e_hG6CdB4QdLD2T5y-7xW8zi5Dyh05sQvNTBmPlFqwzuSPGml4Z9U9alaIknpbDQ9UntgLO3S7SSBjmMPHL8c6yBCss509bzA/s400/P1030371.JPG" /></div><br /><div>It makes me so sad that I won't be near all of them once he is born. But I can't start with all of the sniffling and tears yet, I know once they start, they might not stop for a while! For now I am just so thankful to be blessed with some fabulous friends and this sweet little baby!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601679545436926962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF4CPF2J7tbMIRtll1JXlrt341jiUhGmVbEx-Z9IVrKIIbzBMUv30O64PzpnCIxaPmzsWRs-VPkemmVy68LFzAaKbkAcNXa-gaB_6tDa1ufaf5E3-GqRK9y8yZZqgoLaROocUaNnKC_PU/s400/P1030380.JPG" /></div></div></div></div></div>The Franklin'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04736220511059523212noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3278756654789241049.post-30390378196864700652011-04-08T21:48:00.000-07:002011-04-09T06:08:00.150-07:00Okinawan Oddities<div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div>Since we are coming to an end to our time here in Okinawa I figured it was time for yet another blog post with some funny pictures of signs and other random things we see over here. These pictures are all 100% real life crazy Japan!</div><br /><div>Let's start with food... I've seen a few different flavors of Pringles here. This one is cheeseburger. I've also seen seaweed! I think I would be a little more likely to try the burger one!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593466077397627506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrOydKzX-lurT8AmZtzB8VmIV4_hEJeC47OOwMx4Fq2D__Z7wKJXw3fTTpVAVTXVKpx9S2ufq3GAUBEYRSn3gi9WiPEbwV6YE-Tr5IUCBrcoCw0giNTLz1jb9Rr8_jGplCDe66PheU-3g/s400/Pringles.bmp" /></div><br /><div>Have you ever thought to make Spam sushi???<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 298px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593466081128029442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE6QGm2uzM_JYWoLfplpxwcFakSZBUBYVvgDIdLGWgoAg-sRxLnWSOP4XlfOGTpYqOacjKWhvkbfFVxZV5_oKg5eZ3vNVf7T2W_jsP_iJMBNHlsjyvYTVJ8TLHS_RJVFdvJOXKno0DI9I/s400/spam.bmp" /></div><br /><div>McDonald's had a set of specialty American burgers for a short amount of time. Of course I had to take a picture of the Texas one. I never tried it because I try not to stray from the normal cheeseburger there, but I believe this one had chili, onions and some sort of mustard relish.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 196px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593466277741662418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibVSoPawagWninSvsQG364ms98coD9VWgV7QU1T6TmmFPidaj4P2xVgXGlOjXJYMN3FOQFlOiwb_3WlrKqldhuJmvOs7cY0BWqNHSf53kurZ4LSmBVqN2Nb2AXeh5pbvHqBaqzQZCNi-M/s400/texas-2-burger.jpg" /></div><br /><div>I still haven't figured out why this particular candy is "for men". Of course being the rebel that I am, I had to try some. I was a little afraid though that I might sprout a chest hair or two after eating it! Don't worry, it didn't happen!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 274px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593465265746160322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4XUGF5hENnn2nKmV_IziJoomEpTk5vKu01zSYn6ZeNO9RgzCcfg1iHmnDfLJ61VTINayfs0Lc2GGLdAMeP64Th5LRUv5LgBQGljjkNXc7O5QdCQI9jWLmIU6ussHyCzDnvhXCLVdNhYs/s400/P1030150.JPG" /></div><br /><div>Speaking of food, most of the KFC's here have a statue of Col. Sanders outside of their restaurant. During some holidays they dress him up. He usually has a Santa outfit on during Christmas time, and during major Japanese holidays he gets dressed in traditional attire!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593447807268362946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrOQHfgPH6dvXJeZ1uAsnJ6fnC0ZCcH7mWur0zMrlG3QmrzIe5UC8UQ9Ibvv9uRAzGFGHAoxmlb9Bpi-ORrj94h5nvEtoPYxinIWmEBuI3u1Xqt1laJZOh1J9pxzSo-Qtrsy22nRAs4JI/s400/Colonel_Sanders.JPG" /></div><br /><div>As many of you know, the Japanese people LOVE cartoons. Anything and everything can take on a cartoon form. This sign is a reminder to wear your seat belt. Always be sure to strap in your vegetables as well!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 352px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593451819568069154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_bgLAw5a3JRDXr2-Ad56am-m1SqKGw4NIpNlLV2j3V8eTeboXL3oTlJAhRVHZiTsxTJqLaa8rsE_ID1J0WTWn0pTtXHxDUP7pRCH58IIwdKv9TY3GGmcJM7Jgk885gqu8ZkMAhapk3eE/s400/IMG_3333.JPG" /></div><br /><div>However, while driving you may see one of these signs. Japanese people are usually pretty cordial and apologetic for any "inconveniences" they may cause. This is a construction worker bowing as an apology for road work!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 270px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 360px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593447811294487634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoZml-AB2LW1lBe7sG3y8mT0pxwc01pC1BuFbKjR7zbTUBbUvbkRcThPVK1BzgnmzKTdBBMJ1V3ugc5z23dynoSTLl3LH4Y1Vx92nL5aVyLVYBIjhLjqWv4kAy9dY3PF6cEoIZ52w52Ic/s400/IMG_2071.jpg" /></div><br /><div>I don't really know what to think about this sign...<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593465272896598770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8wHNoQJtXdq3a6oKdWVhTKlEsfxNicSwSEdWlacMlrziwDCLOr6-IMKvhjmbIU51LJaJorYY3KQbsWMiuGqO5mK_iZuVH9_LJ30LQmDObHECXUZ1aWhJ97cgH7srPMHdMnwwZdnOKgHU/s400/P1030168.JPG" /></div><br /><div>Often times, signs are for instruction. I have no idea why this one is necessary.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 294px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593451822459729234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnIQ71okvqvIh126ZcInvxjKJisWxHNLZnJiCMYc8MWeCRAV7Xh-cbiN1SEQYgNN9gJLNMiAdhLn_UcYNQ477CtK0dNF30ISlo_ONdTxph4UP10pTuiN0qVJJCxeEm1n7PXdA30PUzdgY/s400/untitled4.bmp" /></div><br /><div>However if you do have to use one of these, any sort of instruction is helpful! I still don't quite know the exact logistics of using it!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 301px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593451814486996930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNhLufrMnbuiJ73Tu7hYu1RepOXtvMfUFODgRaLJ67tIk0LbvugnCpM62GHZ9NJfgpjb555Co4mFObOOZsc0NNAUPIB-3Asy20beeI1jNNqBCAxaPbdYxLQDSs98-lDbeTe1Gj0X-gOKw/s400/IMG_2501.JPG" /></div><br /><div>Speaking of toilets, I took this picture in the entry of a public restroom. I am not sure what prompted this, but I have never seen anyone with loud musical instruments near a bathroom before!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 353px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593464378024435026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUAWW1FMCTCKywrvDs8GavgtZ3L7zU1VscYNvChXftCaVNYh22JcD__IalmKYzx5qKGRHl3D7OZ77I5N4g0OX4D3ZR3z4aVE0waVX4H3145HFqVY-Dm0aVJ1NAcsussNj36ApKeJmdL5E/s400/P1010960.JPG" /></div><br /><div>If you know about my summer last year, you would know that I would have benefited from observing this sign.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593464375282396274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp_k7dHOtx75pm8ifd9zC5iUYDZmtbiG5VUvHoQiAdc4k9tdJaIfZY9qkNPtzSv05eMVwgBKjsn-efhmqPjSuO62_2kkCj1OLJJAbYCmFHq6HSQJtBR6eB7CYEAd488SqIXp_hjlYchfs/s400/Octopus.jpg" /></div><br /><div>Here is my permanent reminder that you should steer clear of the water during jellyfish season in areas that are not netted.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 354px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593565946187440994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy5gpnHdXUq8g8BkKyn61fx6iji2C9BRu76b3gaK5aGMaxYc73a3D_zSKAE_vDLGs5vk1rJFF8tfgdj2NLrNnqzn4pAo7ns7WbVKztN9QyRpEQH0Z3AVhndTFkw3WnyIXyFkZn2g1csf8/s400/Scar.JPG" /></div><br /><div>Last but not least is my favorite picture. Many times while on my way to work I would see this guy taking his bull for a walk. No, your eyes are not deceiving you, he literally walked him all the time just like a dog! Nothing really surprises us anymore after being here for 3 years!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593447805423968386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipAxAONcTfVvWMYSlDW7w0pNhR0d8GzwAbTxBzVjQHwL3JAsif2KGLTf9BmRJ8G7ggwe-DQIdW8HXsA0RY-EHVEMc2L21TYsTn5m_51Z3TpOaRQZNA4zqg3f6nO2LsnbmeIZ-PktcX_t4/s400/Bull.bmp" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>The Franklin'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04736220511059523212noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3278756654789241049.post-20309603939834499612011-03-24T19:57:00.000-07:002011-03-24T20:22:47.561-07:00Big Changes!<div><div><div>In case you haven't already heard, John and I are going to have a baby!</div><div>We are so incredibly excited! We found out on New Years Day that I was pregnant, what a great way to start the year!</div><div>I am feeling great and baby is healthy with a strong heartbeat over 140 beats per minute (just for you Kellie). The doctor and I have a little dispute about how far along I am, but according to her, right now I am about 15 1/2 weeks and the baby is due September 14.</div><div>Here are a few pictures of out little bundle of joy...</div><div>10 weeks<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 307px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587852123827074498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH0sLddSVx-ElpGGjgYWn4NwJ7jlQnkjW46d-c65t6PLwXM3g2pUGU5yZDR87MFH8OUyF83vA83a4zVK6G6JNlsPOwALvXrOOBqfHEXvblcA0CoflBsC78pHNoqdMxa5y9mH8eJ5q7yqg/s400/BabyF.jpg" /></div><div>15 weeks<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587852120178565506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR1kokJkVRjfd3lYNqgvXLcXV_hyphenhypheno5_KeFLccTQrZODKI0aPunoZbALXBkOMk4c6Et5w5dwSXbaK4eGiJaIkfBph21etTJGQvSeo3cFyG-SNYAAZfWD__JGxhJ9aCjrksVnt4tnhc-lAI/s400/P1030236.JPG" /></div><div>At the latest appointment the doctor thought we might be able to find out the sex. No such luck, the baby is as stubborn as both of it's parents (no surprise there) and kept it's legs crossed! Guess we'll have to wait until the next appointment in 4 weeks with the high-tech ultrasound equipment!</div><div>At the end of the appointment baby even rolled away from us proving no interest in showing the goods! Atleast we know it looks great an is healthy!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587852110323013650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxoLlOnq5-XT-Z4MconMcOqfO46DRq29Um2g_LrNqNCgqLwnNmj01GBIvWna0BuDkzXOi4M9C0XdH-_818Zi6-APayWc024b6OtTdvfNJxx4J3FVAErX40GCN3EKvdqTCcYmcvOf3ujTs/s400/P1030237.JPG" /></div><div>Please keep us and baby Franklin in your prayers!</div></div></div>The Franklin'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04736220511059523212noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3278756654789241049.post-9365588912584219652011-02-28T20:29:00.000-08:002011-02-28T23:35:24.128-08:00Trip of a Lifetime<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579007378358724450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKE8j0RJWGZqym5ZuFOTMIM5dxILrkm5oyO7G4AmHVq69riSG2LjcjrPKItSpbA4VdV_b5i6WVqjjfzEyYzuRQFsDjWuHIjEjzTBX78mp7Sxxbcukwd6oTgfXVX-ik5MxA1BzZK_Fh5sg/s400/P1030110.JPG" />Last week I had the opportunity to travel to two local islands with the American Women's Welfare Association. For those of you not in Okinawa, the Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force officers' spouses have gift shops on the island where you can go shop for items from all over Asia at amazing prices. I have found some great items that look exactly like things I have seen in the Pottery Barn catalog for a fraction of the price! On the island the enlisted spouses also have thrift shops. All of the profits from all of these shops go to the American Women's Welfare Association (AWWA). AWWA then takes the money and divides them between American and Japanese charities. Last year, we gave over $85,000 to Japanese charities. A large money of the money designated to Japanese charities goes to the islands of Miyako and Ishigaki. Every year AWWA takes a trip to those islands to tour the facilities that we have given money to over the nearly 40 years AWWA has been in existence. I am on the executive board for the Marine Officers' Spouse's Club and was given an opportunity to go on the trip.</div><div>In the four days we were there, we toured TWENTY-THREE facilities! It was absolutely exhausting, but I am so thankful I went.</div><div>We had such a warm welcome at the airport!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579007367431065506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirr-E-fFKT1GKB4P3QTTyAWOoQMHR0_jRY48U96L1I6dkglohRGtBC2fEii65cQdcpfRGA8hNH_XgSmMJEtMaGFgIRBOZDup_JKALchLFYJ5hsQ2JzKsMgWPFmmKNr_66n5Vjg0owdEvY/s400/P1030033.JPG" /></div><div>First we went to two mayors' offices in Ishigaki. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579004300912715394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQYue_rHkdZiWvpOPkdFGZmtokn8iS_xHMHwSNPkFYLF53t7vzJ393sa9NIGhpcskmYomzqCd2T462fH59GE9ueWGY2gXsurHFOK921cJQRdgqtqZyc3e2qIma8bVSa0hKK46Qyx3E3X4/s400/4.jpg" /></div><div>Then we started our first day with some of the sweetest little kids. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579007382325008818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirTI-P2cEvvcHfIsPQzavnNnhDn6rfAdvD2Qc-nr8Y3fWc1xkhvXTVTXvAetHosUj2vOWsXaDByobYSebQxMuoiqYo___r02Oeheyy1pIP5CVlPj8iinZoimAZy41GqD3tR4PYANzl260/s400/P1030045.JPG" /></div><div>I can't believe I didn't bring one home with me! Look at those faces!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579003716300723746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHVcMzhl7OuBXVsA4Rk_dR7M923-SoOgZ8bjHgXgsvyJo9nUjH5n_gxdylKx_Hx9b6ley8QqMd-1xmvZZVuQOI3s6V2mcy0NoO-ZkSqItpMH1Ep7Q1hGiZwG-VyLc-gYbXEIKJol4RRSM/s400/P1030050.JPG" /></div><div>At another orphanage, these sweet kids did a little dance and gave us handmade paper necklaces.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578993308922713730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJbrGB4tklJfIGKHk0VnVSH8DnDViqrqQySqvaFBaOOssq7p1LKjxYWoNoyQuWSPIYMJ8JqSEHxo97NrUcpBQX5LgAm1mTzyH6cxt6v0oNgOqVKXGMHW1NFpmw8bdTQf4ReBGt_PCyFA/s400/P1030068.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579002760083670114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmDlS1Cwsvbn3j7icWfHJbyNyKc0_iFdxkHyl-I3K5b_DnE2fLSbCvWOJTdZRRRs-uEEMGzBFY0HC4FukNVkMODCZVbz8BpvEdgwz4PodCXdQ2ICVtTdOC3RlJdVjmLbfRc030oQ9Jksw/s400/8.jpg" /></div><div>The majority of the facilities we visited were nursing homes. People in this region are known as the longest living people on earth. We went to quite a few places that had around four people who were over 100 years old, and the approximate average was mid-nineties. Although the most impressive thing was their wrinkles, or should I say the lack thereof! Incredible! <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579003713532510914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcgDRRMM5p4wvH84NwSmlk1vl2cn3cy3O56hsJJgkUmIRxdjpzr3dS4naJ94CjmSktWWCsoLKVG4zEKk9THR6ZjwOXCW107kG6BiaWqV7Xgzu7X2s1YvC3YNwnJt-8d9EZ-fWJdZkR-0w/s400/P1030057.JPG" /></div>A few of the facilities that cater to adults with special needs will teach them skills, usually making a product that they can turn around and sell. This helps the facility become less reliant on the government for funding, and many people are able to eventually go out into the city and find jobs. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579002766022292098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_qwYDLwmH2F2oQSmUJLSMoLdf_M1G6PRWguGzHpRBABjWD3N8abSQBz0KkctPQ7cZyp3e3Jreyh7D_oLwgyMPYCZI-bu-uEVxEm06_qrDud8uZHcVTQrZ7fHdKeXfM9A0cPiUAOnog3U/s400/P1030106.JPG" /><br /><div>The Japanese are really big on gift giving and at each place we gave and received a gift from the staff and those who use the facility. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578993308079219922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTWxLy5WsF9KqVJZlJ9Wp1nPRQ5kuSbKTylCryjmT-LOy51EFlamHdzRN2FM4jfJAwT7LjrCFsfTv322f-oxKG6dnSuyrLvA8rHPEKkwBQPVWL6aKk74h3KZa0jYUkYz54s9cl2qNw1mg/s400/P1030159.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578993300225623874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrO7p5E3r0c9o5RXfE4V8eGVkejpPbd088-qixU5MePi2RERNsJ6YLV009IscBFH83cuN8M_w7tEXS9huNXU1ss7WgFrS4EdsnCDkJ-c6L8rUlz1TQuYoq_pgrnGLdVFEJ6lhV84Ag2xc/s400/6.jpg" /></div><div>At many of the places they put on a little show for us, and in return we did a little song and dance for them! I have never done the "Hokey Pokey" so many times in my life! It was a great song though because although we were singing in English, it is pretty easy to follow along and they could dance with us.</div><div>The directors of the facilities on each island threw a banquet for us. Of course a show was involved. The appreciation for the money and gifts given by our organizations was overwhelming.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578990668161480818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQQHVZ1x-BNQnmiiL6phA2FT-ylvZMJy-Wm7rkizSxeP-_uXoHM1dm1BIZ-2sLyNOGkeLk-bpYWyfyqDF1YJqGKbwApPDCuIyenlDJGrtMldSoY3zzL2G_fMtpbOhjPuWrBUKhl4BspRI/s400/P1030072.JPG" /></div><div>We added to the show by doing the "Cha-cha Slide"! It was such fun!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578990662209246370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXptpta5rP3ej22Mtdvd4PgG-C3aIIQ6uNUZkmPHmVwfoewig0h6An1oBFL9ZgQqwf5sb8kho5IH1nuVJnOOVaNZ_qaWUyklqxnd9clNaBo1bNUiXBwJwePW4ITBFzGtAbNZyreksnv7M/s400/P1030087.JPG" /></div><div>Here is a picture of a few girls teaching us how to do an Okinawan dance!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578985575639926146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhABNjo8emW08E4YT8MADaGimv94R9oSUKLFFPZQX0Zn3OuakSZ-ZjDgjkXLLv_xRpOC-JLoWjg10NRY9QLGTjC0mrTQj3hApSSWlEgjJ7BHVFsj2FmJ4UNRRud-hR9Ye_gYIVz44lIKUg/s400/P1030091.JPG" /></div><div>The trip wasn't all business. On our last day, we got to do a little sightseeing and even got a chance to put our feet in the absolutely gorgeous water! <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578985570955353010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU8EnSGrKs3GMLy1LCPQFGCsud2UhALimtBbsTSNnqLmu6MkuEsAW0ZJcfnu9kdePSfMFIH90FktVOVntSoP0ZQHZcfqx73piayy9iYz44wVQJEJdUyW_ml5eC5iCXvn7rMqS_wnlRpWE/s400/P1030172.JPG" /></div><div>There were 18 of us who went on the trip and 9 of us were Marine Officers' Spouses' Club members so we had to show our love with "MOSC" written in the sand. In the background you can see a bus that our organization helped fund.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 298px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578985566248115314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYtoVyhQw2WBkhBUms7wrPuL1E8Gz1HQlzWXC1hpgfuq-CoQNBiv58Dosg46-BMTeeGa4zCIM_Br5eHSL34QvZTm2eiJdbzBlrLPz2AXFfcvaqBP5dO_U_3lcT8GwANdzsQLUhlK3cyXE/s400/P1030184.JPG" /></div><div>As the title of this blog says, this truly was the trip of a lifetime. It was beautiful to see efforts on both the American and Japanese sides to bridge the gap between the two cultures, particularly on Okinawa and it's surrounding islands. Next year AWWA will celebrate its 40th anniversary. I sincerely hope these relationships remain for many years to come!</div><div>For more pictures, check out AWWA's facebook page: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=67223431648">http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=67223431648</a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>The Franklin'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04736220511059523212noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3278756654789241049.post-53413989448108498792011-02-08T20:18:00.000-08:002011-02-08T21:16:29.950-08:00Girl Time!<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>It seems as if I have more girl-time than husband time since John is always gone. Fortunately I have made some great friends here to keep me busy! Many of us are in the same boat, so it has been so wonderful being surrounded by great women who are going through the same things I am! <div><div>John's unit had a "Spouse Appreciation Day", so I signed up to spend a day with some of the other wives in our unit. We drove up north to check out the Nakajin castle ruins.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571552068206848290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxFNMx6BL0dhnKnPu8y-4oJVklVTs43tMWM5KD-nsy9aI4weSm17nOs3pC6Mi5gjpU0PTAAfxuSa7wTLlnuw-hK3j3kaTCpKDo-jFaDOMJjE4NwI1yLwEjZVOQ_K8EVZFOSxXWN41jar8/s400/P1010989.JPG" /></div><div>The cherry blossoms were in full bloom so it was gorgeous up there!</div><div>Here I am with some of my favorite other wives with a gorgeous view behind us!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571552065154307394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPgCYKqa_YRTmeLFM945VT8pkKv_MuH-eXBMAuAO08mln7cf0DW5lUjZlipOaektUbwZKCE6UhNDY62rFcJu8A4L26WFzNb7INFqHYY87uUDqm14z-diiJRoQRvusUScCIXpNbOWdp9Ec/s400/P1010991.JPG" /></div><div>After that we went to a little (crazy) place to learn how to make little shisa dogs out of clay.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571552058686157874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Jn9334nyRtZXLct0LV6UwLJFQMnWOfOq0yiYzPyR-YmyoruWuc3HmO9GIp0vhLRk_oOherD6WpE1vN7UVO4TeM04l3FluBhJ4emsRwkc_tHLZtlmDcKf4bVGLAOoy3ILACf0eg-xT10/s400/P1030001.JPG" /></div><div>Many Okinawans have these really ugly looking ceramic dogs outside of their homes to keep out the "evil spirits". I don't really keep up with the hype, but I wanted to see if I could make anything besides a bowl out of a lump of clay!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 324px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571550317982004114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Y-LblrQ3nDyx_a5Wezoj41q-RbGyRAUlJeiVvt0MQxsbMZAAqFxEEdfr8v2O0o49iE9q9LeixfgQ3NzQxvWyAH3hOOc0dBNxtEDK7bChshIvUpI18dwTVJLyWaZP3R8Mm7sEF17iPms/s400/P1030003.JPG" /></div><div>One of the men that worked there showed exactly what to do and made it seem pretty easy.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571550313077624178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0g3NmZ4UunojCP_Mlsp31KhCZYtcPyTiT3Sxodcd2One5cv7CfPvtinn4_5PH4Mf-vOsvfJZPoPUlCKq9xdeqzdIH_Q2diU8yUX0UT1K8kF_SoxlyYat_5z_nqJ4O9-qtaXWA_XV3Qpg/s400/P1030005.JPG" /></div><div>Here are some of the ladies working hard and concentrating on the tiny details!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571550302273102946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiOBy1YuWGw6LznD2oXw6knjnkgOBMhBY-ADlg_QzkrXpAuySzr6VPoH_J8ruqC73DfvLfu8VOiN5NHXAKB0FlPvf3NFpMCmlUmseKFVysA8QJToTDAf3_j9OuY13bdM5rEu0OHSYxaJM/s400/P1030010.JPG" /></div><div>Here's my finished product! It is still ugly, but I am proud!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 337px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571547259186264354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDrbK1CsGTQYQTeOxo7RgqEvdQUeRwy75ZNDbwTc7mOkBl48oRHYAA7CwRcT5Cb_Rg-iFkh9lR1pc3jwva-utwYPswUI1YE1xjPX3R4ISf05YYWBbUecsytb2ubq1ebxV4EnN2pFc1loo/s400/P1030014.JPG" /></div><div>The next day, my close girlfriends and I drove back up north to the last day of the cherry blossom festival.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571545254290808146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZunrfhFNdy3OtHWKi1pvH6qU-ZZz_0BnOxFUvhZfHKRdV7fo7ubnEVMyTEB3jwc7mSieiK-7kk3O9fP8-GDWQVgYqAFm1lgM8PLQSRWjHhmO2a2T3aCRJF21VrUdC94D8_IB9S1b4ekE/s400/P1030018.JPG" /></div><div>Since it is much warmer here in Okinawa than mainland Japan, they blossom a few months sooner.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571547244171857042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnYgdMisHbUhTV9IXGiG8xRDEiXKgppcIdp7Dfx2JLhaehXY-by80q56aMv8O7Rnl15K4DDI-e9AezYLVD0GhLOtcq9cYnQSdHVa_l95eL54lDADZxxcoxgC1SEi7rnNG5dfUP1DdI6ns/s400/Cherry+Blossom3.jpg" /></div><div>My friend Christine thought it would be fun if we did a jumping picture. It didn't work out so well. Fail!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571545245824182738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgur8ucEgk6ApZbIntGtgcm57DxDHOam7aZuy5AsLWrBrTMOp0VJIsBOi7sFSZ1st7vnFioVM6vv3bmY_gNRfBxiPQnVBI9WaVINKtLAbxzQw71XtDPEs2ShaE-E6k8z8bXTUdZyJ4yvqI/s400/Cherry+Blossom4.jpg" /></div><div>That's better!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571545238650845298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg72NkrJGR9hPkwLPMsQaP8p9nf6WzsgCLdzRG41qE6YXHTEF5yvEkEm3O8E5aHP1noqTtT_Z-k4YNUX1N3JoaMfzq2VDrOUHtAkDVsIPBm7LZpHamNcc1JL17h0IJ7jkTMOjYk4on2V-o/s400/Cherry+Blossom.jpg" /></div><div>The cherry blossoms bloom throughout the summer. They are absolutely beautiful. I think everyone needs a little pink in their lives!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571547252870641554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYoGotj4CF4S5BBvomYxaz6FLoPDFJb9mPAXg0yM9-9_VQXmZQvBHmf1gDLOjb86EwgjJBAUPdiV2KUvfi5_-8_igNFtswf7R0C5WFE6tIsy9cfOkcS8-_m0LLK45zYcHoevDsb4fl_gI/s400/P1010998.JPG" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>The Franklin'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04736220511059523212noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3278756654789241049.post-12717690833198177582011-01-23T02:12:00.000-08:002011-01-23T05:06:36.466-08:00Happy New Year!<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>We haven't had any major events going on, so here are a few happenings in January for the Franklin's...</div><div>We started the year off with a quick visit down the road to one of the shrines. New Years Day is the most celebrated holiday for the Japanese. On the first day of the year they visit their local shrine, and pray for blessings for the new year. We're not into the whole "praying at a shrine" thing, so we just strolled around and took in the sights. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565357983198985138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg0lJH1BgyTzuqLbIQjdP2UHhZpWuPnzD8sY0HiIzTKjmQgnd_Ag-rfIiwgBXN7CX6lNbJDo_wbFDbBf9CVrUtoYcNjpEnUHIajFNJHYiiickZg4qH6Sl2yrXIeObXwuLny4PqBLTf4bo/s400/P1010909.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565357996577568802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZovKaOEqEqdCkgCYTXPhmvEcszt0kJONdSGcGuCKXPbWUqJ4wujQqaXp5YQ5drL2R5aWvRjQUl7-O0cDPfkjs_sLfla9stED8Pv488MY83SGyeO3ddiF-DnFi5kmzJSCZh8NLdWcoYTQ/s400/P1010908.JPG" />The Japanese purchase fortunes and if they don't like it, they tie it to a fence. Guess there were a lot of crummy ones out there!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565365620218993682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHNHynqBuHN6QkvTWEcY4XxxJ2xRNyViINXqx_NG7zet9rFYQYApde0oPzmZEOW1WZ05jKXIngWd_KKFdwIljmtyqzydqdLor2EAS7EptsrYoFOm9oqkvEePaLziWMyYI7U_H0Xux29Q8/s400/P1010911.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565365613258209746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEfseUfy6rQngNxS_3Jfhuk0NR3rg0cUzAhDJ2BVvqr0alMU46BE9Eqi3QLbj8r1q-NxmgeBuO65atdOQvzOHAIVONB3xC9UcI2wB0ucjn896-p7JNHtvr5y7ih4THro1eQUUrrZsrDDA/s400/P1010912.JPG" /></div><div>Of course as with any Japanese celebration, there is food everywhere. I have to admit, I really went so I could get a bag of cotton candy!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565360383322564002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQFbNPmVQO2ohiMA_WM_kjYBHxNqovTee_JKg4-P9JpDMoHlh9YiSMFNfoJH0QHkA7m9u_q_XhYBOj1sjNmn5jxIKlUFkWL2Ox3OEVc5O2hc44DDS8laqnM6SuTKZS_uIIaWrDfMzM2EY/s400/P1010906.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565357973159615090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipe9vdzLonn2ETxxdUQMlbMpxRRUnpnKJEebsy3458gkr7USxt9yf1J8ZeZxKqafVA3VBNokfOoiNhZALm42TvlcsgSa80peK2_ELAD-yDNWpfnilDq2k_9qxL7uZIcs1jlKm-c6Mn5-o/s400/P1010914.JPG" /></div><div>We had the opportunity to celebrate our good friend Paul's promotion to Captain. In the Marine Corps, once you get promoted, it is customary to have a "Wet down" or basically a promotion party. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565360368957793458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7EPZV2aiuyXla3fjlkIijeEtKRB4gdqxMAVRSGRAdLnzfE_vc-OqXddm85O7tyxXTafC-YV_DXqugzBFwHIv8NepZOdXZTKgby8JhEZiW19JpEJTvAoVEcIxS9KvSuDqxJMXomzeCJtE/s400/Wetdown2.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565360376426384754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgghi-WEAf_jU7xRfFRebQ50d_NJYDLxt3Dd77wSNC2MeCtJW0Vw29aqvEWDFNfyxxKXauueFPkMXeuXhjWgfd-E2455SyFITwdiUrY2_lL_TCH6_5zZUJDIYAhyphenhyphen-p_0bfm-RVyx_Un8lc/s400/Wetdown.jpg" /></div><div>Congratulations Paul and Caralee!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 342px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565361219920037522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiPzOPtdr_3NbL6AMOGm9w_ikwS5RkTb1nsK2KVj8DF3ME4_WiHs9iRROM2sxMl2gy1zAXEVFSmSVFkNcxBlxUIsTc7bxDmHu9MGDrUzZIb2FU0vje4HhdPlmaZnO4kVm0MM0x3EMXxJc/s400/paul.bmp" /></div><div>The weekend before John left (again), we drove down south to Okinawa World. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565351952528488994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg63Z5iUnBjB1vCltavuORLLhiBBD53ZoJoGZxxC70rPI_iOitBUwE3R7N8tsY8F05QrIKIMFIsLmQXa0mMkh4vTywreTjn0-WYk3Hmj3tAwvSA2PTBUBM3llTlJFk98Dfliptxlpet_FQ/s400/P1010958.JPG" /></div><div>Of course it is a tourist trap, but we heard great things about the huge natural cave you can tour. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 191px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565354517515834530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWPSD2QrlZTflqPHqLpC-r1zGWQgDDbGMBECPqvixt_NUKybcOYdFehI5_w78AYI7S12_nF9QobovFbG8JdCQLvK5gPj_I75vHYQ55CeCFnOmut_slna4eaTg-E-2gGRjdnKPLda7V61I/s400/cave.jpg" />It is a little over 3 miles long and I really do not want to know how far underground we were! <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565354500255120274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdLCc_VujfubX5e4i-FY9f3oSNsJuScKSup0f5RCdcNwzuMW_S2ahSe0KT8vJYoj9uWwe3dKjFl4WSb_mlbxYNQfcoM_uvwCY700-chRbhCXbGs3FuheT6fbJQNtIH_SGWMS8n5WQ47rk/s400/P1010951.JPG" />There is a nice pathway all the way through that is well lit, and it took almost 30 minutes to go through the cave.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565354508621022306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7-leNUpffBDVnardM3BCAhpo_-rd0a2UhPeTJbupc7yEhonaRkFBTsHmpUHq2qCstUtOD1awikDS_zYSGgxaRCJhw11cQDOQN6KXj5ycb4veAcVSliZnntoc1tQ_eTWX9NVFROzNSt_Y/s400/P1010938.JPG" /></div><div>I have never seen stalagmites and stalactites in real life and it was fascinating to see how they grow. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565351960570868706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbIDL4Uyc-gf4vOLHu6Iz08yX8lnEseWG6T0u5S74tUzVIloaZBZU6c78Vq6tbLo8sIHXoAkB6oOeojOLf6DzdmP1mDoDBOfNZmflttDJDYFBDHh2auJ_jlFaYsBjOuphqyy_xKLYLHEo/s400/P1010952.JPG" /></div><div>Outside of the cafe they have sort of a craft mall. in one area we were able to watch glass blowing.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565351948602344338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNcYJ1Ovm2gVb4RTTnf8b_23bgv6ZDEksgs-0OHovFlGSQuJVbibtf3kc_J5jT5ZmdbO6FdOkBHNpTn1WghniHsb86gWUx2SrdoofMu38H97dR2w-0WY6lSwR-aYD56dNYxohs3Z6jo3U/s400/P1010962.JPG" /></div><div>After John headed off to his final deployment here in Oki (woo hoo!!!!) I thought it would be great to have some girl time. A lot of our husbands are gone, so what better way to relax than get an amazing pedicure! <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565344845423041746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia8qZx7uuvYkkL1-L67pZr6F4-l1zM82iiLgxO9oXnrdsIQ9wt6KQT7-_m4RXpcMBskPfiqAvTTBhf039pvQiFMQxbeCHAP_6FUSE3DrvuB_N6rqQz1cm8ikuh9y_F4IEQBE9lVWDk20U/s400/Cocok3.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565344836987001682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwu-0ogA8eIlMSqTBi4D9MwL8bEFhyphenhyphenR514WdymiqoPy3gTSuaEWNcK81RjKx2si3Q_Y_oQpRhsYLzBQEfL2tPH1MnrJqQDaN2Uea2hIFt1SjzN-dP4x3G4jqhRHpWBfxw7DlWPhm_1Ndg/s400/Cocok.jpg" /> I do not think a pedicure in the States could ever compare to these! It was fun to chat with my best girlfriends while getting pampered. Here is the final product!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565344842965723986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzTyHrmvXKXBdDfgfy4kAcYfdX2fcHO_3HTKdtfY3tn72QvHDhWK77nzMlfLgAqxg3ShGrTAQ_9cZDt3VHSTniHoxTbauR338tjBaMH5ZY2ezc_Zd_AN_a7FyaqyD0NeOiqBbN6OeDpag/s400/P1010970.JPG" /></div><div>Seriously, they have books at least 2 inches thick with pages of different designs to choose from! I will miss this place!<br />January is almost over, so we are one month closer to moving back to the US!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>The Franklin'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04736220511059523212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3278756654789241049.post-81691464066190739622011-01-01T03:30:00.000-08:002011-01-03T04:57:31.617-08:00Thailand Part Two- BangkokWe hopped a short flight to Bangkok from Phuket and the scenery drastically changed. We started in a laid-back beach town, then ended up in a large, bustling city. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557935091689869266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLJ9tddsto3m6JS7sDXjaDaiwWOs3ndipND-g91nV7DT2KmIJq-xLStEBqdfP1W_4edMqyc0oraQHHcfKoh1eoTOvw23mQE5tseDg_Q8uybrplQVmh2OFNTP_OujvsTw3K6D3FEkxh2HE/s400/P1010777.JPG" />Our hotel was amazing. It was chic and very, very tall! On the top of the roof they have a restaurant and a bar. We decided to head up 59 stories to the roof and get a drink and take in the incredible view. The restaurant was appropriately named "Vertigo". <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557935081671937730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivcTS54t5oWqHSs8rPMJDa6X_yWZ-u6XwnT7Pe69SRtm8odOx6VwHnAlFTPxMOH3zfuX3dZqXmqR56tff0KZNxhOEpwn-_CIbjn-MnjMWq7qHg96GzdckNJfSRssBhTA8rCLHn9-sWzRw/s400/P1010778.JPG" /><br />I borrowed this next picture from Google so you could see what our camera could not capture! The elevator ride down makes your ears pop!<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 303px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557935078725459874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij589dB-xyct5iLBeTwzssQT4cln5iQtLnkjHHie1ur_QdKULQZLlbe8uEpDdtbi5t-agcjjXwP3uA0M92SkyMTCvv-ACyzvuH1J4qJPmfu2edV3GSaxpsvt1zE9bxJRiBtVPBGowC-Tk/s400/Banyan_Tree-Vertigo_restaurant-7.jpg" />We really only had one full day in Bangkok so we went to see the major tourist attractions. We started at Wat Po, which is one of the largest temples in Bangkok. They have the world's largest reclining buddha. Now I have no idea why they need one of those, but it brings in the tourists. Wat Po is a large area with several smaller temples in side. I didn't feel the need to actually go in any of them so we walked around and saw the unique architecture.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557933899057419618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdLOD6nwvRgad2ydG2Nz5ESfuxQNYuHIj8qIGaLPyP1yP3TXdj1-v9cpOaWRMlZY3lLnYH_mE1QdbcLlTXF4Cku9g2dGL_SJ6NWKs7mWqwWWHSJlLOtEYyjn_AX3m1KLff-A5n78vtCLo/s400/P1010797.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557933886798621762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQIqAg0sbCvzaHZXcwrlRLTLTOKio_YsPQTZbSS9QM2TmPKff1DfE5D1JFC5ucsVNNXiIN4_qqE7G0nfj_NHesGvuTiYZimNrpH1xTxQ-JveR8aTi4-JJXGj1KknezNVhAJEzhLIv-xx0/s400/P1010798.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557930493365770738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb4VhyHNGs8d_dZgz1Q-QbRA9uEVRBbvDEqOZ5UrY8ZWj2AwxZyPoBDr8IUqFc9Gd_PAVGR2QkBhxrdoF8fSEIvPryKDVONloSvegM47aIIz3V8JUgtn_92fkDksCbuj595H3FekQ8N_s/s400/P1010808.JPG" /></div><div>We decided to go into the area where the reclining buddha was. John loves all things historical and for me I went in purely with the intention of viewing it from a Sociological standpoint (as most of you know Sociology is kind of my thing!). Here he is standing next to the head. You can see how huge it really was.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557933883055184066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaIBhauZtSB7x63ouah03uojogZ8TDxZo3qXnz3HNH4P0Stw0ZPWRed7BclYg9X7OXARVrQuT0OYh4ufQrcW766XRTk3ZbN-tyCPf9qTibsOIKnc2rQzdXxlANpZiSu0ATinYUEY1joG8/s400/P1010800.JPG" /></div><div>I find it fascinating that millions of people worship a statue. Something that isn't even alive. As I watched people marvel at a fake guy made of gold laying down it made my heart sad. People were saying quick prayers and I wondered if they thought it was listening.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557930500243828466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_FJ5YMwJMk6YtucKyDcaShyK2g0j7i8C_jdbV5zcV5k08BKClK-Ya8ryOyiNGMryxW9KrPAWUIM38qYJV61TNkLK-6p542q9He7xT5aWTHqjFzCtj0wHy5yzdTSzdeHLUb1r8r6ay8hY/s400/P1010804.JPG" /></div><div>It made me so grateful to know that I believe in the living God! OK, now off my soapbox...</div><div>Fortunately the Grand Palace was a block away, so we headed over to see where the king lived. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557929022129087986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBRn1jQPDUZlfhiXoLgvZGHqXNZ3Wcfxi55w2Zqi_bdLrbmV5lYb_V6EyAL-BWMXQQ0I4jN_xqd4PO481vKIomGnfeyVWhYG9eCPM1ihk7v79kDGS_6XpLIlGp2j7asdyCPMnDspDg_AA/s400/P1010836.JPG" /></div><div>I forgot to mention that in the "wats" or temples and any other place, like the Grand Palace, there is a dress code. You cannot wear shorts or show your shoulders. If you are wearing a skirt it has to be full length. Fortunately we knew the rules before we went so we dressed appropriately. We saw them turn away people because they were not covered. I don't blame some of the people though, it was at least 90 degrees outside! I loved this sign and wish we could use it in America!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 299px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557930489800962898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinzDOrXetvk117-2O1YNT7ep-6cdtnDDIkTbPVyKFBiZgsG23K9SgpLWxyl1mxRVeYdCAWkOSR8AE7aUdNMPg0Yb7KU0QQlXSh9gQsYIgNQSzDqysmGzTwWcJvy70jO1NEhscOX4aspoM/s400/P1010812.JPG" /></div><div>As I said before, the architecture is unlike anything I have ever seen. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557929011756823090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjtuVHLvEomtt5or7FdPJml7_BxWtlocDakLkjuTmkuv0oX-RuXHUvxf8O74Fq6ahRN0Cm_vryJ1EsZCqM7U21wKy_lO4aFcaQYfneBtJXcgb7hAE_pJXrJEOub9br9UFX_qnkYsnYr0Y/s400/P1010817.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557929004139645538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim0FHFgFcb6CV72lrksgIHH85ocWJqeKQMQ4c_nnXPAIPaenPbO1t_qNMohIQLp8vEk9KtEU4E66hnRxKpv6PPYiMTTdRfoAK_AEp85Ec3At97wFTQxXLjNoMPh7VyzRKRZO5VX42xSF0/s400/P1010823.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557926174778461874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMMW8SK1im9Wxra7yiuWjLpqRSV1-P8qQey0waMkbNMdRDuuRCtsJciESlwZDnUlRrvqLYEtGyJAcPXwrHmniAccjeFJawst76o8axqU4jiCg2jxHHRQlUY8LBpJM7e9DvdTgt7DMESCw/s400/P1010828.JPG" /></div><div>In the palace some of the buildings had such incredible detail. I tried to take a few close-ups so you could see it. All of the colors you see are like a glass mosaic.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557926159449446834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw0A4_kD9T5K4fOZ6yK-RG4Fop7OrKQuLu0nfiaaHLHht1XtIiB2VFM0LpR-BHZiNK0hAKiFSXsg4Mm-B1L6v0uCJhr3boL-TI2mvCUusEebhU4ap4LdXj0msIqOWw0zZNYc4yJlWY8_Y/s400/P1010831.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557926170194835394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijBzCwg239Szpl8XZnLpUJ5wnhg4OJ3NVh94CRgPDu0x8bKMB31urngRYdDGwt8aH99Wbj0qVvsMjRaqdDFiT-293oFP1p61v4SCbbEjqknJQ8cqs9QBN-PudTb7lXosMn6GKbAidmGPg/s400/P1010830.JPG" /></div><div>While inside, John took a picture with a monk! I bet you don't have a picture with a monk! Ha ha! <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557924146411650258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3UPuxSJVoV1xY8SvDDEueESVsLYnOEuEny2t8aNEcJVgUkvjEHw_YQWEJhMW3H90zmnAvb9GVY7qAxhGBhZj4g9mw89m6OyeoRGPSP9lyvabU_9egn0pq8YGwJNERMBB7VyZOtEdmtls/s400/P1010826.JPG" /></div><div>Somehow he fits right into this picture!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557924142149252770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibO7ejvn81LwC1DBSDlGA_qR9eCK77qJnAX2A1Ep-Gti7CUIByClf9w0YdClnVAv_fkvV-JBnG_O6-otWJ1_BCjAjGeQgtr3zqbIAxeuMILmYVFlFi4KnPkQebYP7rsHuT-kmulEkCfQY/s400/P1010834.JPG" /></div><div>After our tour of the palace we took a little break, had some coconut water, paid essentially one dollar to use the bathroom, then headed back to the hotel.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557924134199403794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQba6xvWXwcELm8XlyfSPgfEGqd3oWTLYEv7X0KBXF51gcb3_urUxRyRImu4HKNvrLIW1fceHg-Ppf7f5pL_ArIwxPyFaDXyC9jgOo45oc1xReFnjiNScBI-o5QOuV-Eg3TY6JSnYhhfk/s400/P1010846.JPG" /></div><div>That night we took a dinner cruise along the Chao Phraya River. On the cruise we were able to see 34 of some of the most famous places in Bangkok.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557922348489342770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9CebmGArml3xdZ_38Hz_lGq-Ve324pXSj2eU7PMrbkhr5tqDgsCRlSN7pUpu5T20YHv_gkXOXuY2VGiYb7dUBlhJyuLi3UE7Jx9AHCseMenTWxXYZprpiazzdhhEi5LQDe_lvopzd6QM/s400/P1010856.JPG" /></div><div>The food was great too. We had a six-course set meal which included <strong>18 different</strong> types of traditional Thai food. It was fun to try new things that we probably never would have tried on our own.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557922333744826642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3nZU9v7rzMgMVy09t1vAVrhGiArpt-9knR0TpxLksJsAN8g7zkPfOpFFkSOBerF9vIIDkCSB8MuRTal_7bE8ZjKJ7BFQRcjcT4phukiQ29Zf8ZgxMxR6kD_mdHVJTTc3cq4izo2PLCrE/s400/P1010860.JPG" /></div><div>It is always hard to take pictures at night, but I got a few good shots.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557920116057965490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfSOUPZdkHGkiegoBQI0J3Lr6wT49qMbjkNBcFJXgc-7fb8AeU-lq3FOqSuytxFc7yV88xXlkd0_Ot5ln9VUwipaeOfm7WKSjB40X7VeuZ6D-T1Mm2TMmfvxZVqx44x1MNS_FGEZMNjXI/s400/P1010890.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557920117984179794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB13EKotmWqzCwZ4RFRONduXrG7qCCgLIVbshX_gvu9JppxkNYaFWMeupqPpXhhVJzkcRllE4rdYwPgFgSzzYufAVKwWqwUeMinCidgVtxnwVFowBDtGFPgWI2c58ofkzfkXaqfWb14xg/s400/P1010875.JPG" /></div><div>During dinner, there were a couple of traditional Thai dancers. I had to get a picture with them as we were getting off the boat!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557920109335016898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgVO5CcK0Mgthyphenhyphen1n5H_VNoQu6xs5uC54vaioXhQ5EExY7Of9XJtZiJACY9d4JZgiyt8nQiSGyO4rhhVSekrkHsnwGwm7gMScvPZmUA84eg3u3eD2Dn-6I65zna7iICc5GlcOqd1CkaaDM/s400/P1010896.JPG" /></div><div>Thailand was an interesting place, to say the least! Coming from the quiet, well-mannered Japanese culture to a wild and crazy horn-honking place was a bit of a culture shock! I think we are all traveled out (for now) and will be happy to move back to the U.S.A. very soon!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>The Franklin'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04736220511059523212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3278756654789241049.post-87882012130150856092010-12-29T20:44:00.000-08:002010-12-30T00:49:16.989-08:00Christmas in Thailand!<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>We had the pleasure of traveling to Thailand for our Christmas holiday. We had plane tickets and a hotel booked back in May when John returned from deployment, but there was civil unrest in the country and it was very dangerous to travel there, so we postponed our trip. The fighting has ceased and we got the "all clear" to hop on a plane for our exciting trip!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556380387428108658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDjprPz4Dv5jcUruVR_qqF8Weonx-Jhl8Y08uFXS7mWJWmQyGdSk41vhHjgckK27zMiaUyktx1Rc0lgm1MCXTFP0YUYv6rHthHMdIrvc1I-kuqd1BHYqqJnrHIg4FbDU4a_rz7k0geyic/s400/P1010679.JPG" /></div><div>We started in Phuket, a small island in the southern part of the country.</div><div>Or hotel was beautiful, and our room had a beautiful ocean view!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556382131555605410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ61zu8vtaynqiruRIZZmqhoqg2Xe9qpx1WhZLvgjyPSmkHM6sKo2HE2ejyAHbjZ6PSTcZDrI4xk08SitBsv4f6H62iOYbGfnpMmWfepZB_8zBA72FnqDDKr1pB5jRVJpnAyeOiFo9TwE/s400/P1010666.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556380387504926002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy5TwgwWY_YerxFYwByuDaDDLT7Gjk9HaSHwOAXwMt4tJVvkX4jFirG7zc14VUMhwLxU5sW-R58wJWFFMZL6N_-duZYjO3zCH7Gz2qcs_tcgPx5yxywFz5aPPQbq7uPhtWegibN_2LRPA/s400/P1010675.JPG" /></div><div>I couldn't help but take a few pictures of the tree in the lobby made out of Santas dressed in typical clothing from around the world!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 303px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556382128928947874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibtT2c0jheDy9HYtxGC21LfN3G3KiaMlvHamv4-W1q1jdODQD13vHEI6EwhGUB3XM51jkNO3xT1uTAQ_9iOUIgheG5KnIonqlX4EXi7xQtYTQHD2ByXWdZT2igPP87oGaHdEAG8-2F4cc/s400/P1010671.JPG" /></div><div>On the beautiful beach in Phuket<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556378875478291570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4QKKTyEJyWZro8L5pvyRUSRZpOlwttYG8jMtGps6unfOepXrMzfxcwPIm9xh4ZvNuhYyiE2Sd72BztSU3X8mVcwQexxn8vw4njEG7apeum4tjgGF9y3CvTieavtYkopjpuPscoFuyM1o/s400/P1010687.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556380371902848722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5fpEYX13xPNbEzzEGdrgcN60G9R2pNW9mclqVEtrsVvrm46e5tM4-YSwDFeDYkslQ0KKe3PlEY0ZgiR2OW2tyYv_YxBApoLwXEXhYLffnjL7dMSbPgt-lWYkQeiCOSPYPb_eggvDjaB8/s400/P1010685.JPG" /></div><div>We spent our Christmas Eve eating good 'ol American burgers at Hark Rock cafe!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 293px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556378870277218130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_oMg61A6c3mH5WLsIKo941I5G1iUS56wB_doHwaksfGbeZcboYP5F051a9xjuookPueYgfc47FaUR77O03PzJqhb86eMwTeve3SPBZAG5lBMndpnOtEt7eQEwivlBBY_7wFI0n0emqLk/s400/P1010705.JPG" /></div><div>Walking around this touristy island was interesting to say the least. Lets just say areas that are similar to third world countries and a spring break mentality do not mix well.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556378863897564162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXfP9V3twzZJI4B0XCNEkXw8qTjSmJmQ2F6PZi55TPgfD4M6saWxIrk4OskWy0ZrLEB34Z2ZGhM_iq9BCytlLIPscPJ3UErY-zLj9jTl4Bf37pd2jcnfbpBryq8Ea1m1T6EtwBx9SbWM0/s400/P1010717.JPG" /></div><div>It was entertaining for a while then we quickly hopped in a taxi and headed back to our hotel!</div><div>On Christmas day we spent a good part of the day with some of the world's largest, most fascinating creatures!</div><div>I am officially in love with elephants, but John says we can't have one!</div><div>These sweet "babies" were in training. The one in the middle is only 3 years old.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556355865665912802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizEOkW_kCcFNEdxWJ_0pt01ZrIDpNVoNza7xzNZPziw2JGiaKi3jIAA67_8BtPjOy_S8oi8Y8ZaYTnVPnSkpx1XwqDz5CMwsvtcyz7MDETRCPjGb9Y6S4RElaBUkHwSi2tfgsyDBGFp2w/s400/P1010731.JPG" /></div><div>We were able to take a 30 minute ride on one. This big girl is 50 years old and weighs 3 tons! <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556348069258556738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrZUIMeTFExsDcXlExVHSy4dimblEPkgLs6EEuFbNBNizHV7jTKskNlx7eX5Jtkxe7kbLh5zFZNguXXyMNBHsCKTmTTQcc2JdcahwEulb5buDjuKJIBz3ZO4pp2K4Cxa8NGPsgkgKPWCQ/s400/P1010746.JPG" /></div><div>We stopped on the top of a hill and had a beautiful view of Chalong Bay.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556355859117720066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1LfSkIiKrgrw5ScDyi0DcpP_3d0HtggS9bJiTi7OVOLS3CW-ZnGKovalyEoKhiNVTOO7yqnfQoR4AcDnp0FSrUakDtMUiOi3TD5iXiTdMFLgte9ZtYMO-Un2s_jjnblcrkhrluwKNKKE/s400/P1010736.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556348062361901778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKVdAw47z-KPHf0OhGaJjlbCWbKIEVW7cBU9yv_r1ELxOBhm5PSZnNOYpUk5isqo13-9XozQNRZyJBwBuPMNLYQbE09ecXTcqFxW11OS66hOQe3rkhE7NmRweBlLgsUenOiEqOZ8OaQ4/s400/P1010749.JPG" /></div><div>We had to say goodbye, but this was definitely the experience of a lifetime! Never in a millions years would either of us have thought we would be riding an elephant on Christmas day in Thailand!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556343068495916610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMrS05j7bYJt7_ZOa52pv7FFeQbQiMhCTqMADNrSNdlnSHse_RIm43Qw0mG-RoUjeEh28nsqARNAals_h0kr-QlaTCdd16TLL2qmwLqtCHBTBYrfF_Ke2KbFUMI7BeVuyekIOkJVjVmQ4/s400/P1010751.JPG" /></div><div>We ended our Christmas day with a nice dinner at one of the best restaurants in Phuket with an incredible wine cellar!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556343063115213154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQgK78e5vl-rGiYnm87qJKmxpmzI1ytDTCRFlmM2IWCvjWKMxsBoXDhugvLLwcHGvWeBzmMC-RgQG1R3jiWGx_8_MrE71jWtturpCsYG0Tfsn8PppVw1_fztqesPxsT4v1wc7L_v5UtM4/s400/P1010761.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556343054824199970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCAKaBdXCBmLtHFvnd_9wrW1aOwKLuHqpejA3Dqmy_YAarvrqYuuVzKQtWmlecQVPu3pUBRUXV40vrLrIjQ4XHAySVznQTbHA7sp6e9kIN6aXQHrulrBqWlMbWdgvwCOVPDehOD_6pJP4/s400/P1010757.JPG" /></div><div>The next day we got on another plane headed towards Bangkok. Be on the lookout for the second post of our crazy trip!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>The Franklin'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04736220511059523212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3278756654789241049.post-14956525921235079072010-12-29T20:16:00.000-08:002010-12-29T20:30:04.296-08:00Madame DirectorEarly December I directed two performances for our church's Christmas Dinner Theater. My cast had been working for several months and all of the hard work paid off! We sold out both nights, so it was definitely a success.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556327118391525762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLqVn0LdPgDSxpoDWRN9f7_kfLqYRck8aaKUHNbMRLeH2eZotlD2JPnC5Jj_LCvMCgMappZ-4b4r6oW3Txivruo1eKLcVu9STiZ-EM7Ei04a3oGd30EH-NgqmuP2HXH-W6mRstBa6pcdA/s400/DSC_0074.JPG" /> <div><div><div><div>Here is a photo of me with the cast of the two plays<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 283px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556327118527709058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWIULaBHawjHxFPwUU4i2IRlnojNvShPT2I7ucunjrGqlxt_4dcEfZ1jy2MeWUOu9t_7lmL4pmX-98RfvTxtlzrdvNJBXhZAq9Yk3YQfFc1_B1H_m-irWm9n4Lpjs8bst74qihgKTP4Vc/s400/DSC_0078.JPG" /><br />And here is the choir<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556327112796461890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI3QQor7AQgxl0v973TuoKWcs1m07YAgdvhF7rI_0eucZCmB6RMi-yzSo8qSjpvsSeESPHXrIVIBFe-BbiwD8JbTn9DvB1GF_Ipxf7bE_KSGr4gkNfODm06eSLD0pz9gEDOTqs4z4hwOI/s400/DSC_0081.JPG" /></div><div>With some of our great friends!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556327468515754482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2W0Xa09hFWaryPNLCPHPXKNp9Vj88PrH_XvUdXbUG0rjVjPrJJnVgisDzT1oO2Dy9t7JaQWtQcO53vO_BviarzguyjKlDjgkLSmRBwm1Q9yHbLGH1-T-UDb17v87LS6Qvq4yPrX6_GKo/s400/P1010633.JPG" /></div><div>Below is the link to the video if you want to take a peek. I won't be upset if you fast forward past the choir and to the places where I perform as narrator for both! Ha ha!<a href="http://vimeo.com/18002744">http://vimeo.com/18002744</a></div></div></div></div>The Franklin'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04736220511059523212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3278756654789241049.post-26593975640103103142010-12-05T01:29:00.000-08:002010-12-05T04:00:52.073-08:00Happy Thanksgiving!Ok, I am a little behind on this post, but better late than never! <div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>My dad and step-mom came out here for a visit over the Thanksgiving holiday. This year was particularly special. Last year John was deployed and I spent Thanksgiving in Japan by myself. Of course I had friends take me in but it wasn't the same. This year I was so thankful to have John home and having family with us was icing on the cake.</div><div>During their visit we were busy touring the entire island. I am pretty sure they saw almost all of the best sites on Okinawa!</div><div>Day one, we headed down south to Shuri castle, the former residence of the king of the Ryukyu Dynasty (just in case you don't know, Okinawa is part of a chain of islands called the Ryukyu islands).<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547160017813307810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiNi6wOkdHsIQndRiSm__i5r7UCkNUgaS9eHrbj3e01QxO3PLBqBQD5a5tQnZsMZjcs_FNq3Rpl-OBndqYiDHOOCLeuGknuKvERWNTUmCsobCpBoKovuQzzM8NfDtYZKsTFoiUIyE6F_Y/s400/IMG_3923.JPG" /></div><div>John posing in typical Japanese fashion...<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547160024289230946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2hR71lAv957ot5z_kfRysuF7bq6twEgimIRtsu3q2lPQ7Lqi2qWXjNmVrc0R854FuvDXXrsOtJpuQF7IM8qzc0AgtLMkviia-6IGSyKaRZp2fCH_vHsiJr3M6X9VzhU7HLa2wwqOE6Do/s400/IMG_3890.JPG" /></div><div>We took advantage of having a photographer with us (my dad) and got some fun pictures in. Be on the lookout for a great one on our Christmas card!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 280px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547159247546917490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ3MCWjTru5KnGQlE0YfVx-dEQh0Z6Evo673mklwaS8mFwouNFzJe9Vx-aNQegdH0rgyGAV92uGlbhMT7be6Fn_Pvd6x2gmgrRnUwroQQBul5moikauofSvW7MNr68zjMHDnHWaq5I7Kc/s400/IMG_3953.JPG" /></div><div>Then onto shopping on one of the most touristy streets here on the island. It was quite interesting, however after living here for so long, nothing surprises us!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547159233660422738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh47A9rCVBdFM-KykYQP61cG9TZ7jkjTABpDemP9RxUAZfVKSVNJpgPe3c422ef63p8lSV6uvnNPdzOfF2jEAxMfonzGcU3x-WUH_ggwRr8JArGZbHCXVa_L8aBu8BDREaqf3Tt1mlGz7s/s400/76772.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547159236488643826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrT1rBa8ClMVIq4Ri_giSmx2V0QtEos7xM87-g_nx0Op18aoBpGMrjiWLi3kPuE0VoXcCEJfvKZ_CCBpObePrw5Ny0jip0oFfu7qrbwO8ledtGnxZbwYtwOwjAGM_SfJNAOHxyOHujqxc/s400/IMG_3986.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547158023013014354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDRlO0tnavJjTs4ezkX313kT4MsoUVbbUczannp1WGkPDk_z9d1NSbxnLk3zeuKdX-Z6pJqcs2yErNMetnXJGTRi59nG3dLGPEeT81B6cvXXytHl_8ZuPoRgkJGX5MTqIazMPAfWXn8A0/s400/IMG_3996.JPG" /></div><div>We had tons of fun at the aquarium<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547158012000408242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQD9lTAZ8E-GTubpXLw-2eA-uiJHhRTfdT_lSU3O32PMMG4zwlrqeWszJSL8Y4qPl39CPSUPE1DxRYrUtbHr2JyiNNyAXzbTKO4IhCPNQTIO3FrjQwSUKk5_emKY9MT7X5BTLkBjiKvFE/s400/IMG_4160.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547157994339771570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqTSYZ3Pu1N-SLW6W-sv7ODjyu4AEafstq0Q1dLeUjSD_iKG5S8KGcg1GFI1qsUDzf5O-A_y14MsbeOBvjGBj1zM_mkCoW7Kt6gzeqBy7n65DTVQhx4cfKN0PEHqisP-otE_DyVU_vrVM/s400/IMG_4187.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547155027337566898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK9Jxk0-StI9Xk_DFRaA34Nei4xZ-9Cdkbf1ytI12kuQYx-2iNGt4fVYK5guDcM5Bh_OUE2BSMU85w9DoT0U7yXS27bDZqBk-1IBn78QrQtEf8SbGDk1j6gQWA32a3NsXnxiK0Tt6hUJQ/s400/IMG_4261.JPG" /></div><div>Spent some time checking out the Christmas lights in American Village<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547155020144272306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEi4zpJipNIGEMRQS370rAPB49rLT83LSfaNjfqWvLSa-OBbgUCESfGWpbPzjBLcz3com_wF1FiBFwJ9xS-ReATl2UdO0A4fmu-jzjIpJy5jhH2vA1IBF_yGRNPnQTjVYh_ImwniBp3Jw/s400/IMG_4365.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547155009417596930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD1qn1eNwuaWnm0sqCnlbYlEmCztXoweukaVUaNZjJv7HH7tVZRnJRGyCNWb5hGQATxZCcfqDYV_tEg05azVM2QxHxfPeCZnfOX39IIKFOPPqIBwXZPU5Y0EeFAaOV2ziNcKLZjBjA7q0/s400/IMG_4358.JPG" /></div><div>Saw the Cape Zanpa lighthouse<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547151619916033778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP0SNJ3ZtmE1GmGdn2TffBJ1BTxlPVXUD4uwz-g4DgWI6n9KLd_MsDA9IBnn4NDub-Dtim42jjMf8GzxHJn57usLolrdcEx0PHDj-ndf1_trdrIyvAyl8ukQqmS5CfZhItgbz7J1yCnJU/s400/IMG_4820.JPG" /></div><div>I am still in awe every time I see how gorgeous and blue the water is here!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547151611046517650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUfxk3kpbgA4Gddd123zy7pjfBZDRZ758_5msEfd8uur1g1Hcfhqw4XW_qE4Kkc4RIshqUTJuquUGqkDqOLvsvTfBa2kPRGkU8WeTQobv5f8GStmd_bDVJ8tJvfugGv869W0l3pwD92bM/s400/IMG_4821.JPG" /></div><div>And of course we had to head to the beach a few times!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547151635626586866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXayaQZNgEI6J86-ex-j18TT-KB-JcO7AjUxuDOKT8v7YwETI4hWsFfnMUGdweapAT6bEJUA5BiPECy5L2RNM7Fv8djBGLdfQYErTkTwrA8Q0yHtnILah6eNiibEUcgqjXcP9gedRw5kY/s400/IMG_4761.JPG" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><br /><br />I was really sad to see them go but I am so happy they were able to come out here for a visit!The Franklin'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04736220511059523212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3278756654789241049.post-1823150297350602382010-11-10T16:54:00.000-08:002010-11-10T19:39:59.866-08:00Happy 235th Birthday Marines!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik5_tv4OjT9jIhrtAxYAzd9f4aoP7cFitvG3u_ZBFtQD5G8igJkMMlR3mRXRhCUz2MAL2_EvZRc5ZmWnbKHfp8pY47EpbIhQa0dmOYGbUZ2i1_fr6zxECbxifFmkS02C06AATZvuoPVt4/s1600/usmc-bg.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 233px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538130611882492466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik5_tv4OjT9jIhrtAxYAzd9f4aoP7cFitvG3u_ZBFtQD5G8igJkMMlR3mRXRhCUz2MAL2_EvZRc5ZmWnbKHfp8pY47EpbIhQa0dmOYGbUZ2i1_fr6zxECbxifFmkS02C06AATZvuoPVt4/s400/usmc-bg.jpg" /></a> <div> Ok folks, here is your mini-history lesson for the day. Yes you read right, I (Andrea) am actually going to talk about history. My history-buff husband is apparently rubbing off on me! As many of you know, the United States Marine Corps was formed in 1775. In 1921 the 13th Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. John A. Lejeune issued an order to all Marines that on November 10 each year they would honor the founding of the Marine Corps. Soon, some Marine commands began to not only honor the birthday, but celebrate it. <div><div><div><div><div><div><div>Last night we celebrated the 235th birthday of the Marine Corps. Here are a few photos from our great night!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538130382556708946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQeDPE1yYg8ZHKwD5xO3T3mJlRBN8NHoppV5aPtzZGaMlyMqUUouXJ-Ml_YiitcOTYFZVA1apauoMoTQstS62PfP-MsnQOF-WhNV4FKyosCHCBEbBYnsaXT5bAyrpAaGj9bQ42bs4l5gI/s400/P1010530.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538130370576538626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiQGFCwgy6E03GcqtltRyupF-eCkrY9OjogGeOL7bd2eIo0HvKD5Q8olaRfsO0NCC8Zv9kHWdr7eHcdQbtkvpofqLfLoLlvfG4FJ1xIRMZcoS2M9DqBMfo8iDM8RuvDijWhKg1ZolktbM/s400/P1010537.JPG" /></div><div>Here is John in the center with his Marines<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538129421281404386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisDc-swkDe-9ZIwahvKuixcw0gRdnLNkAHSrtQt8m_tsb-O1WCWQcNiwGnvaMDWEb634ZvVC5dyAR4ywWeXUoye4DVHhjTFFVFnTrXAR6QfeZ98Mvrxgk6ymkl8Q5EZ8BL1q9Er-WeGBU/s400/P1010547.JPG" /></div><div>The officers in our unit<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538128958164080754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPLuih0aFcJPqngXDFfDSmOoniXYUF0CCjN2O4rFhyphenhyphen29qOcN3a3Brg6mTLWOU0Kj8HmkbCshTdUW2WHw80tG10kuBDh9zUZClIn-8GuujajXsPMzgdDl2VxkqR9GpRnGGeSa8PO0Qfk6c/s400/P1010564.JPG" /></div><div>And their wives...<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538122903150208914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkhDAczPv80ma_cpaHOC5CORnZnDPk9kHkGJdH9z3p2ablc8lDTxFeCaa_68KR_mUrhResDerDPJi19PndmWZC1g4BxxTmxyO6WrLE9K0V_Q8x75oNJ__FW1l71q8dhF753KJH3vAZKBQ/s400/P1010557.JPG" /></div><div>With our friends Matt and Laura<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538122895831793522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx7SfEKG8Hy6hXDKm9O9kO16r3A9t3dnO7BXZhBwQiY8qqX5anbf0Wuqk1zRdij1eYshp-vwEuQEvr3TNCP-tPGknizkDLqnIS-busA2PFNVtCvEtl1SSrktm5_zfXgeA_8dN5ajUwZJs/s400/P1010550.JPG" /></div><div>Happy birthday Marines!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538122893675691058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfeAPNZVWx8_UeH7UXEGmSRhEvyA6U7vMyuLcdceK6X6wiMr6lkGTdAPHzqAiD5XjCf5aSsKY-UxbCKUE_GxPNJUxIHUnJFw6L2p2_caJlzoun5jDcVUD6CMAGXFAUgCglNt78iblLWoQ/s400/P1010569.JPG" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>The Franklin'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04736220511059523212noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3278756654789241049.post-52627341311603206232010-11-08T04:07:00.000-08:002010-11-08T06:04:55.091-08:00Tadake Falls<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537168157947869442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQYprvuqlYGm6pRpT0SyW6fOnaK-E-aNn4CFfBOTKDZdgILCffZR-cNYn7Q5MBnQ-pbJiDTcmxbAdw0UyFmucAJKEqjqVQn-WIIMa-5xqruSPinx4hOrJ4X_nms2v_1JyL0cDM-IOJPA0/s400/IMG_9176.JPG" />Last weekend we drove up north with some friends to hike through a river to get to a beautiful waterfall. I have never done anything like this so I was a little worried about walking on rocks in the water, especially given my recent history with creatures that live in the water! Fortunately there are no jellyfish in rivers!<br /><div><div><div>It was a fun hike and a pretty good workout!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537173626745795378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi41UoX-RliLaZqFNTVLe5l1AWuRuxQbry4H49N7owxri1A_Tkl75lFfAu1_xNN8Bjz-VjcJ688BmCDo8uchSd6oaoX_u4dEWlytDEx8HCPvZV1B5br1eqdYZBkhf2Yg0ff1mk-3kkx2QA/s400/IMG_9093.JPG" /></div><div>Boys will be boys!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537173616941938578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrvpkA0t1MO6rSMpeSmKxr05cA3c_LWG4aDo9k-eaSnoN6FOH9P78erUqGNgB95LHm7rryFIQIEFeExX6ccHb9ocTW1ABveA4r9DZO7tl7Ylr5tt8Yn_HfGPaVjiHm2aj1_AQTS7bt648/s400/IMG_9097.JPG" /></div><div>Someone wasn't thrilled that he wound up in waist deep water and his shirt got wet!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537171850784079842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd7E83mPkcTgXfhynPi6Hpqqdd83kJgzYRiiiuFdBBli7ZceXx91xTTeGGSgsWSIjcGiAwDbkiphv3iL0WvEYHGIpRCpAhWFlMEM1_WYnH5gw0271C7aEXdPZgUBLiJdARUxQXq6vzoTM/s400/IMG_9122.JPG" /></div><div>We made it after 45 minutes or so. The falls were more powerful than I imagined!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537169915298427330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmaRJiaxd59z7Ckd6XbyZyPSJ_m5OBzw7QJXu_h_tcdT4lj6qh6mAjlOZRwjrGHHqkbvI98cw-KpHICBtxcpJvecFFn0KOak6EmhZBFxz4fOJStj_BcI9AM-R1WALTfMfm7AEvyOJeZEI/s400/IMG_9130.JPG" /></div><div>John and Matt decided to swim across and walk behind the waterfall. Of course they had to do their typical "battle" photo!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537169911218125170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbwlXy8sE6cNQGldUT8HcxGR1v29r6f4ZnWWtRK_bJDtciH89FOG11ydwdMN7-VOqTdvj-4-JBu6P2_ElSGSOhpnbYFfmWoU-8gvT9LSQIxEkt8DGtu83_WyS3HOa-fpdpGMvvvBcj2Qg/s400/IMG_9149.JPG" /></div><div>Then he and Matt decided to hike even further up the steep hill to check out the top while Laura and I had a snack and saved our leg muscles from being sore the next day!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537177934833809586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQq39oEusRSQxfsS0SpSvrnAxNGMBl5XNoC6n6aKzv892SMdbb-iio_1jWYW6X9VajNkgGTMSy3Wze10jffHaQATA4jgltb7HmyIaqlFOaiZH05hUpSjTAaCKodq6F3jrylP5jEi1J3xY/s400/IMG_9166.JPG" /></div><div>After our hike back to the car we were ready to eat!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537171861051850850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUOuSeoaAgPisZQDJdJzzrr4UNmf0gg_cUbX0sV6v2N0pACwojw5mBk_gwMWW0QZkmZhBWC8uZeOSHkNA-WVYadN0KWaCDpwqXYvDSjCJE0c-VJiTQ5K9ypjGOXffGidO2jgefSP7TPG4/s400/IMG_9106.JPG" /></div><div>There is a popular blog here on Okinawa where people post about restaurants and things to do on the island. We read about a place called Beach Rock Village that got good reviews, so we went to check it out. It was interesting to say the least.</div><div>It was sort of a hippy campsite in the middle of nowhere, but they had food that you could order. They only had pizza left (apparently they only make a few things and once they are out, they're out!). We ordered food and climbed up into the tree house to eat.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537168151336461730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD_oto8R5ewbF4vVdxGLhzZu5g57eNNaSTKiCB_r0ZkA6lfb_3hFK0Fa5r0iNK5T7jjfhFXd6zbC-eL6vWqoBoh2LFAh5P_CJOUHvPbBQO7EJjNQ-OGudM9e2EoA5tplZY2N6y-zpHfGk/s400/IMG_9198.JPG" /></div><div>By now, the most random things don't really seem to phase us anymore! Having to eat in a tree sounds normal after you have lived in Japan a while! Ha ha!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537164329179706994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcozw3pBgBLh1-lHUD7vLPDjblDapU3IRdGtlwvTX619UwVryp421yDf1ADZ2HiT4kgLT-aDOH6PQU6N0F6CqDTlTp6-K0rNQ1_sPbmA_ePPQLbRFo6gr4IAVcCHzZDxauQpjSWpi3Iek/s400/IMG_9218.JPG" /></div><div>The food and drinks were put on a pulley system to make getting it into the tree a little easier!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537165811120896210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdVJdyqJf4zfpUmFbKsX5lXhXSYKXy57_bSfSAuak2JBUq68JriG16Hb08XMhUAZUaGFTzqh-ztLuqcyTIxULs1d7ejJWE8Yo6uO8ovQ0wgCLbFNB7ngURuWIxHTW19Mh5LLQuE4xDQ8c/s400/IMG_9207.JPG" /></div><div>The pizza was pretty good but I don't think we will make a special trip an hour north just to eat at this odd place!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537165802459057890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJS80YgTFXiSrOoJGPjc8KifZXQSwrd4HkaoPN3QEk8pYm8DHq04E8D0OUB9XgdS-0ILwgfRIXIgRgG4zQHuzXbayFnqLob_H6r1xDocQP6tB5vFEtCh1zapWjOc9Y_EoZcAegA3C1NGQ/s400/IMG_9212.JPG" /></div><div>All in all it was a great day with great friends! One activity to check off the list of things we should do before we leave the island!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>The Franklin'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04736220511059523212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3278756654789241049.post-35783543779078097962010-10-30T02:29:00.000-07:002010-10-30T06:58:56.917-07:00First Visitor!My friend and former roommate came out for a visit while John was gone. I can't believe we have been here for 2 1/2 years and she is the first person to visit us! Tsk, tsk! The rest of you only have six months left, so you better get on it!<br />Anyway, we did all of the typical touristy stuff, like the aquarium... <div><div><div><div><div><div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533835727101837426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFQxUP1t8kwhrHaieGiZnyj4NE3l-vVfeJFSVXw66_E3W2rWkdwRnEFfbZVCiXv5Dq0yc4AqkDA_UY_UlS-yDT100UI-hoqhh5zZJj-mehN3KgDyBgLVGniuPLaRF0P_U5RLdsf-Mzkv8/s400/P1010506.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 225px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533834536576271202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXFhELoSv4vKpJGGBD-5dhbI9kwV8gBI1l-yrBaEvKrBDtjguKan7qP7RnSiRoDOUM60CxJVyN8FKY8V7mU1QpcPf95D-WjyVy98B01R0OP15TiZBYM7oKdUZTGFRb-UyQ7raB7bvS-DU/s400/DSC03355.JPG" />For those of you who know the the horrors of what I have been through because of a nasty jellyfish sting, this picture was appropriate!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533834528439512594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4et1j7xWfZq3IsYv75QGUu3ibdKBz9W44GOOV9fj5H_oxcgTGn5YfCbih9aDgKSgMf0yuQK6m49pB083gseMh1YOcC6ILmXSEjxxhJJryfPiELpo9UZ8_NfjVYepnBbmzdpSz1SXuSLI/s400/P1010504.JPG" /></div><div>And the pineapple park...<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 225px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533834525346737410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwbpUQAAFOc5gr37WDtD0Jp1M1zfAPJSmJi8mfGuUDZMGfqYySZW0yMzA94QdJ5r2YydCwUGLJsM5uxNnMPNUoMawJ5Sp8FH-GNZG19g_Umvr9n3Q55aQJRC7khqun_rLFerHzcJtLZ9g/s400/DSC03359.JPG" /></div><div>After you have been here a while there are some things that become normal that you forget are totally different in the States. A few of the restaurants here have sort of a vending machine system. You put money into the machine, push the button for the meal you want, and after it spits out a ticket, you hand it to a waiter who will bring your food out in a very short time! <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533835735842834626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaACvzSo0_lEQxzxq59CTen2E2xFyajImQu8xiOkiIQNW7J-ecGui_LrI-7MJ7poemDjaOe86oWVp2XZZY0nil1-MRyQB145kxfzR5n6rLAbD87IP1HID9deP_x58Hc8kB3kkx6IjY2tE/s400/DSC03297.JPG" /></div><div>This place has the absolute best fried rice in the world! Yes, I am going to go ahead and make that claim right here on my blog! It comes out in a hot cast iron platter with raw egg on the bottom. You get large spoons to mix it all up and the egg cooks as you are mixing. That slab of butter doesn't help with the waistline, but it is worth it every now and then!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533835733794094050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMUvdVnHlpDQ8JCjMeSh_wRQ_u0ZCj0Oq7LiL0oZuUSaU7Kj3zc7XZJ_PX4mnj338id-5UUAfa_ESTV3tvcX7T5ETBU3gypBJzlKCJqsT59kCvkFi_esnVEmmjPS7nEvhj-yxLiQDl00Q/s400/DSC03298.JPG" /></div><div>Since Halloween is right around the corner I hosted a costume party with some of my closest girlfriends. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 229px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533833634721263826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUYqVZeWNYfQ0tN5hUhCLHCLQotEFpwGPV9F0ePSmmXPxH9RUaLrWnKHxGNzml2lew-B5Uo2AbYRK4VnMST8RSU2hRCeyTdMS-d1y8Myr0TXKQ8FvNA8tDf_kXLC-jMI7uHWMQSIO4WUE/s400/Costume.jpg" /></div><div>In true Japanese fashion, I went as a Harajuku girl!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533833641471522482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Z2TlmOw91rUT0ckQdvQ3D4Bp1U-VmxWQl6CvybT15JFrpxig6zo1o99Ug2ehCGH9H3spdpVagcTv1BTi5kAyLYXWUvcz3E6xvGXs3vjr9Gu9tpGCm3ZNMCB47nlLM1sFqy2GQxBgySQ/s400/P1010517.JPG" /></div><div>I will miss going into one of these crazy clothing stores an be able to pick out practically anything and wear it as a costume!</div><div>We also had some fun zip-lining through the trees!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533833635742066386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdUC5TF2CyIB1D3hNMEZW3DAD5QGUw_rAXN5JuXOzIoJAlTOszO2ch9wFh8mWL4BwrI5Fucb_2b2yPbGjrdrePbF7jAiE4toJtgs61-dw7gjNEzQJPyIvxLJGPNDG-cUo7t4GDV1bKLq4/s400/Forest+Adventure4.jpg" /></div><div>Her last day she experienced her first typhoon! What a send off! Sadly we were shut in the entire day due to Typhoon Chaba, but we made it through and fortunately it brought some cooler weather with it!</div><div>We are certainly looking forward to our next visitors: my dad and step-mom who will be here for Thanksgiving. Stay tuned for our adventures with them!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div>The Franklin'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04736220511059523212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3278756654789241049.post-72036106945993098212010-09-27T00:00:00.000-07:002010-09-27T01:49:25.414-07:00Peace Memorial Park<div><div><div><div><div><div><div>This Saturday we had yet ANOTHER all-day power outage. They are building a new hospital on the base where we live and this summer we have had several power outages while they work on the electricity for the hospital. It is quite frustrating, but hopefully this was the last one. We haven't traveled to the southern part of this island yet, so John and I decided to head down there since we did not want to be stuck in a house without power all day.</div><div>We went to the Peace Memorial Park, a memorial for those who lost their lives in the battle of Okinawa.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521509457470692530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1IYZsjIIR20uFFHCX2Gfsrs2FzxGPNSg8nHlUAyHxshyVKkEALC_vcPbGwmgQGlDqhB7ES1DDh_yx5DRjq0U1hH7viw-ogbollYBAsJRP2tD1_QdAW8Azpb73itEW9KvqvS6OQl2isRE/s400/P1010471.JPG" /></div><div>The Battle of Okinawa was the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific War and lasted from early April until mid-June in 1945. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521508751939307218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJLb2ZdYAoeyXJ6ah4Zj_au80UYCUr30QciRc0UGnzsjTjNyC130n9VdLwbftueb-G8n1lXXJ7g1L1K9DvaCJXI479yfCoeMY3GX74kyS4ws2d1T5yCxeGW92QuYuAr6HnQpEUgX2W7QU/s400/P1010472.JPG" /></div><div>Monuments were constructed to honor more than 240,000 people who lost their lives during that battle. Sadly, more civilians were killed in this battle than military members.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521508748475758226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiQ9Vmn-PJvk30GRYZLGhFdcXRkf9jS3gUfPkZpZ_OVt8-QmS7HIUwVATciWuUfA_23IvPYEXgOY3K8Ekig9IxudKZvLvSQQb2-CaPHfrswVGJxe7PpBtC1PgoBTbT2UfjlqRQWlADbvQ/s400/P1010473.JPG" /></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521506506649285938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzjjJzw5to3X_bKWLivtyLcX7vMiSAguIE2IobdZaMWgbQwYrYhgOp7pFEZmM1RPvPx0ihCYQqTtZbQpWY_EMIVf7uKSZlhUTrXdfbpH_DctckqcekcG3aPWKWbjsE3uPhNSKSniNET-I/s400/P1010485.JPG" />Both Japanese and foreigners names (Americans included) are written on the monuments and they all face the "Cornerstone of Peace" with a spectacular view and a water sculpture.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521506510693687266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg21lKbjXbiI63Y_AYWfdgaidDYK_-Gqey462LU3oLxTboTNknf5JJOVwkOudIUwG88lZxi3stutniHsjHkk-dERsy84h6iyM9x8hvufpCR2XzNuf2sQW4Sd9cOTnSgWDWtPjHOSwLsPD8/s400/P1010479.JPG" /></div><div>There is a museum on the grounds with an observation tower. Amazing view, huh?<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521508736450498338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZe9I4S0On9BVPu9KVT12bcrfOifLBB9xNEJJwSH3-EJ1NbmLG-8cZvw13nxWXlI_ylVSCx99KtVa-VGt3BJITnHla3mQlrXY3qkD21dhrCcEesc_JC_tIhtOWUkbQdOgxmlRifytAxFE/s400/P1010488.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521506497440818194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXR81Btt71p7jrN5Fo8j2kZcJTW062x6aZXq1sTNj6JkcNmIpyl9_n2KzjCh-D_iynobvvO3UuKyQ9xejs6hgoBuSaleep2R5afIgxnHLmKTqmlTMN5ID1rfYEz0DuZGSqknmmaQPT2Ns/s400/P1010487.JPG" /></div><div>The war ended on August 15, 1945 and in 1982 the Japanese government designated August 15 as a national day of mourning for those who lost their lives and a day to pray for peace.</div><div>The purpose of the museum is to encourage everyone to learn a lesson from the past in hopes for a better future. </div></div></div></div></div></div></div>The Franklin'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04736220511059523212noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3278756654789241049.post-42422782967741411752010-09-12T04:16:00.000-07:002010-09-14T17:16:12.903-07:00Eisa Festival<div><div><div><div><div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 305px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516923966059044594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi68VBnezetQIdIj4BFJ62tGfdYbbcy53NxlwG_wfpvkrBg2reAKBitPDkGm7RELH0X7oyRQnfqp0FWAGJbr9kJloVlll2orJezOHTBqaOC4_THrGTQbFKBSKPtNr8xLLG_NRT45jTepDE/s400/P1010446.JPG" />I'm sorry I rarely post things anymore that are "Japanese". After two years, you kind of get used to things and forget to take pictures!</div><div>This past weekend we went to the Eisa Festival with our friends Matt and Laura. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516923947728023906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_DqDAs_X4kgl0RpWph5DHoTd8ZyQBaU0qi7BDp1_5XHji7uErI3H3_qNjaq6v-d0LJgS6_hV6rPEw-Db_9J3QeerTpa9oz8_0bQEr2R8-kYhsZOjkWF956ztLRvjmYT8Atkg1I39Aofw/s400/P1010443.JPG" /></div><div>This festival is a competition between all the local cities on Okinawa. Each city has Eisa performers to represent them. The team usually dresses in bright, traditional Okinawan costumes. They are judged on their talent, creativity of the routine and enthusiasm. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516923960556412002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0TEZEpHPogaar7hWxM9fVr9u1JOUkmGo5uLrxnt6KPfV-1MYh88W2KfbiFvncFbb2NM6_6BWqJcccFw8S7N6Dq3KEUriD-0hpkrTLWdCqihdVyUdBVFa5Gtq20ETqVy6Ib28cKMOf4ME/s400/P1010439.JPG" /></div><div>The types of drums that are used in the festival are the shimedaiko and the paaranku. The shimedaiko is a medium sized drum and the paaranku is a smaller hand drum. One of the other instrument used is the sanshin which is a three string instrument that is made of snake skin and looks like a banjo. Thank you to Wikipedia for helping me explain it all! Ha ha!</div><div>Laura and I kept sneaking up on each group to get a picture while they were having professional ones done!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516922082688605154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf7RaQlL4kTyZbHc6zgcG8c-6yobuwP7tgJamMdgtWbpzgnMg-7KrPdeYyP0dqEWCPR_nJYlIi5a67_oW3IO1thTgDWSWxg0rN8_2s245FndcbAkXm4IGj3j63jDZzDmln8PECIAiFiDo/s400/P1010448.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516922095255842802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQNutWbFZ9fHjg-6-7PSi4-72ohyoShHfTPGdjSTS_-M2HxoUPkiAnGEnI4zxkEApGvNP5_9gshHqkw6pmU4M4uiig2HqiRkaQgR6vEL8HFfWksLmfqdMJnjn-GPENl7Qo9X654_Mb4s/s400/P1010441.JPG" /></div><div>I couldn't help myself, I had to get a picture with this guy and his funky outfit! He even made me put on the scarf he was wearing!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516922074046243506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiImZGJ8gkbTbqHTonEmU4jVt0YHj081BDVJH0M_HObnqawG7eVU3qbu_ge7jEbGC6RJHEiKJyL6ZuiIXepLxRV-TVMEBbLruv8HD1tGIQqyrWwMnSBZEYeBux4imLAsm0_QLXhGq1Qwh4/s400/P1010450.JPG" /></div><div>While we were watching the dancers, a Japanese man actually stopped us to ask if he could interview us. He post videos on youtube in an effort to inform the world of Okinawan customs and traditions. His editing skills aren't the greatest, and I am certainly not cut out for a career in broadcast journalism, but it is always fun to see yourself on video!</div><div>We are "on" at minute 1:30. Check it out at: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qz0DewcAE2k">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qz0DewcAE2k</a></div></div></div></div></div></div>The Franklin'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04736220511059523212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3278756654789241049.post-22005054987353082812010-09-07T18:17:00.000-07:002010-09-08T05:07:19.445-07:00What a week!Last week was quite the whirlwind! Now that we are stepping into Fall, all of the things we are involved with are starting up and John's unit has been hard at work with all sorts of exercises going on. <div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>With all of these things going on the last thing we needed interrupted our busy schedules. Enter Typhoon Kompasu! Tuesday we experienced our first typhoon. As most of you know, our home is made of concrete. These houses were made to withstand earthquakes and typhoons and any other natural disaster that comes with living on a small island. John and all of the other Marines here got the day off to "prepare" for the storm. It was nice to finally have a lazy day together. It hit us during that evening and fortunately we only experienced very heavy winds and rain. As you can see in this satellite image, the center of the storm passed directly over the island of Okinawa. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514510190651072050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJK-s53ZOvLkUp-0EnB6cgtWAz6gjxjyxDw8-R8mbeVBeCfluttdEIfzQsghUHQd3IC_IjKLMsjDcHJV0_D4acnL9xI5ZFcFDzXkWH9M5up2Jg5rd-IBXz9hRiqeFfm5X4GXrjudp_FdQ/s400/Typhoon2.gif" /></div><div>The north part of the island suffered a lot of damage, so were very fortunate that we had only a few tree branches that fell. </div><div>While we were stuck inside I decided we should have a crab boil. I have never done this before, but I got the idea from my aunt's food blog <a href="http://www.dishinanddishes.com/">http://www.dishinanddishes.com/</a> and it was a success! It is rare that we can get fresh crab legs here, but I will definitely do this again the next time I come across them!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514510187736208930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0oT5yDFLvftHToc1l3p81EpNBzY0S9hYggh6Q1L93P-sJqQ3dYbt2zUziQN76taDMYnBcPvnnBqadHU1tJSJzfk5Ddm5H-hY9eUojlCwGlsEDEoOheI-HBAoUvP4Z5l0NqG96U27_ZUQ/s400/P1010366.JPG" /></div><div>At the end of the week my boss' daughter got married. I had the pleasure of doing the makeup for the bride and bridesmaids. I certainly miss the old makeup artist days!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514510179120402962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1qKf7bafBJTvSb9h8dpTdhFN4vVzBkh0houiEnqu8GaPj4NaIqJDQO0aAy9FDmfnnLsxmxRSFzAw5QV19TrLnkKb6_U1DsuGP_e6UFz9t0lvt7971GKpUz6gRvj8AUsm12spASH16Bcg/s400/P1010378.JPG" /></div><div>Finally we ended our long holiday weekend with a trip to a place called Round One with some of our friends. Basically it is like Dave and Busters, but bigger! You pay one fee and can play any of the games, sports, etc on all FIVE floors!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514507082650129746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaOpId2ej4fD4pujEdagpFpSQDRP5-a4AJ8oowLVphzeW6vnJSLnSfMuEWu4JHSfMOlzorfxOLLC4W59LICxh-zIQeXG59EFJD_l67TprThCe2ZOerWNp59qhhHMMcwQMenORmfihN2K0/s400/Round1.jpg" /></div><div>They had archery<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514507107041547858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifF0KZ-AbG9h-03dJ2plAPlYwh0I1qldTGNPLILWXX4PlAGtu8aM5X_MBiug-M6zsAKr4AzQl3YMeqDq5U20AtMbnegnvCUbAPresFdXv0S0Z77yNmN-7TGzPS9zOyt1p3JcS_jluiCAM/s400/P1010387.JPG" /></div><div>Golf and batting cages<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514509079323264306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCLolMMSv4k0ac7gm7kxGdYddJpMMEARPHFxNBH5XVDR0sD6amURMx1l_XaM92qa25dimnmVJKGx4iNrt-1UpgZkOFbOmWhSvKP6vLBs-XDDR9T6gmCCdi6fnchnz_EtF6DHyqrNfEP8M/s400/P1010392.JPG" /></div><div>Badminton/volleyball<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514509089864649218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8MPFVpCvG0aqQFDbzbo9xFuPrLgZemVmtjQZV-52SjlStE83NRxRmng4jZrUvlUgRLGI4SknwdKqxSGmvifYR3diBxnhle57Gwkt7orjesxyJXiLWsjxDuABaDnBkd3LMPy5Yts-r-4o/s400/P1010385.JPG" /></div><div>and our favorite, a mini bike race around the roller skating rink!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514509098648208098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwmx1j_JkNGFnGhzjNrXZkfNnrY8wdG_co3-zK8S_v08RfP5SWprex9snV0ROHtobwrjqQR2ncTZCuTaMJn1sXHTBSGpJ_SuV10mHo2AqqBLVgSAGA2gPGZoF8dR24sL52RqaHHHS_1V0/s400/P1010405.JPG" /></div><div>It was a fun way to end a very rainy weekend even if John and I lost the race to two little kids!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514507078779106754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVw9oje5sSR_W9q-HcwcNIFiIYrl9Jpo-WFH5I9peR9P0QIPFX8oH58FJzuFO5ELtPAJnlUsTphSPA1tXF4rIoF8LsPj310DUu26qGw4pN3YUClMjBp-Dk7sxhHQdWo7MF1J9umKI-jCI/s400/Round1-3.jpg" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>The Franklin'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04736220511059523212noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3278756654789241049.post-78798839457740621872010-08-06T20:39:00.000-07:002010-08-06T22:24:50.011-07:00Starting off our last year<div><div><div><div><div><div><div>Can you believe we have been here a little over 2 years? Actually I can, it feels like 5 to me! We have less than one year to go until we're back in America; as my cousin once said, "Land of the free, home of the brave...and Target!"</div><div>I did have the pleasure of celebrating my 28th birthday two weekends in a row. The first weekend (the weekend of my actual birthday) didn't go as well as the second. My wonderful husband took me out to dinner and we had a great time.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502530643220206306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqdUFQSehScQafih0txzQSFg0ckDjIQdluwAcxdpXgoBq82YvhsdtD7T1XTwCEQWxfP_kWMRiuOON0ZZ_aGyIuuFMdaPLLUnE_3jazdrRNhY70lhtnr0YAhRu77vGQTb3Wl8pkXj78bJo/s400/P1010318.JPG" /></div><div>The next day we had a scheduled power outage in our neighborhood. One of the joys of living on base is they control things like that. Our power was going to be out for 10 hours so we ran all of our errands and then decided to spend the rest of the day at the beach. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502530653068167234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKbmEN3Xxg4-IdjALFWxKpfLhkTfNOCoHYim1ZZGuS8N7jWjo651vgn_b35tuN_R-db1ibDm2zdc4b7anjYrAKSAh8qRvf7zGN9f4wy5s0SutqJGC9JPWpr00XRAKu2OL_0NF-xGhIQaw/s400/2271031287_059f3b49c3.jpg" /></div><div>We have been wanting to try stand up paddle boarding for a while so we rented a board and headed to a little marina where the water was calm. I paddled out first and was really proud of myself for staying on the board. It took a few minutes to figure out the whole paddle thing, but it was really fun. I paddled back to John, he held the board as I jumped off and as soon as I got into the water I felt one of the most horrible pains I have ever felt in my life. It was like someone took a huge whip and snapped it around my ankle. When I lifted my leg out of the water there were jellyfish tentacles stuck to my leg. Let me tell you that being stung by a jellyfish is something I hope that none of you ever have to experience! I am so thankful John was there to take care of me! The next day my ankle swelled to epic proportions! Fortunately I can walk normally now and the swelling has gone down! I still have a pretty crazy scar though.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502533587823531938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvHRnznVMjJeGw5XECBX34Myxz9wmKcIhRCWjyrj4aiDMGmci8cxAUFnBQtYm2dt5URmeblr6nXkDStl22d7BcvW7i1d_IAUZLy9k9jX8ar7xiQ1vFHoZ4sEsZo0hoo1bSOAKJnhEowOM/s400/IMG_0176.JPG" /></div><div>The following weekend we invited our friends to a cute little restaurant that we rented out for my birthday.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502529661479727474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYwCLHb6ocujBO151a5pRacHh_IvwtdvdeqwM57wPLgb6bVQ0h4E1DxSnzmCt8xLrokMhUsAHzYlk5YbQhVUNmN5mh9ndPVitVZ6Wi-zBlv8IMYT1XNprLj6p2IGsfY2GikjQJcBrQi9Q/s400/P1010344.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502530636176919490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTjC1qziM7yFIBfCHM1JQcKcnSXedbmAYEtx3Wx3lOSaigDiQ5P3tThyphenhyphenmcy6XYeWfkKcpdyS0dEWPNcTCn7TjRzm287k3fB274T2BXb4VUeg8B8R4JaH5wzuSDsGbIGjKOhCqqqs9F-CU/s400/P1010346.JPG" /></div><div>Everyone had a great time. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502529651408803346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4NQ1_OjPe4mF5n2v_Eiz_G42vZnl5S9Q6xxjBwz4v8l6yW3086ofk4BKuIN77ZMGeFOYXljs8oXOF_VxvrAP9Fogfx8zv_0roYEJduGCgvYpuvYXbjqBfsKKzQovvvixy5nY7K86PNvk/s400/P1010350.JPG" />I had to rock the jellyfish scar with my sparkly shoes!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502529667560770946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvmzjAa5n99IKz3D8ouRKkqRqteqyOz_8TkCpQe5F-PnqGegHvImMJ2A4Az9EWKZ5Z-cGUI_SP1oa8kYViWGhi80t4QpTtqKnAqfOC-V-v6bdxEkGd0_qmHOm72tBlXS3JlZ9SP2iec_I/s400/P1010343.JPG" /></div><div>We are so blessed to have such great people in our lives. Here's to one last year on this island! Hopefully it is a good one, but goes by quickly!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div>The Franklin'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04736220511059523212noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3278756654789241049.post-32534396261281050352010-07-12T00:37:00.001-07:002010-07-12T01:07:09.291-07:00Three Fabulous Years!<div><div><div><div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 350px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 337px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492927212898850594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAedi0T-umqDIE3B62uQlY40jhPbtmF0JqDfuPoU1gx3DiVKITEEWffYDzK7aCArjpEdQtY7ZmxXvcxB1SYmc7DM15cQI9XAfF5IFqIxqVShE8pljj53Se3flo1HfYzpywrzxV117ay6E/s400/DSC_0162.JPG" />While we were in California we celebrated our third wedding anniversary. </div><div>Ever since John was deployed he has been planning a surprise anniversary date. I had no idea what was in store which is great because usually I am big snoop and figure it out! Since we were going to be in another country it was much harder to find out what was going on!</div><div>We drove into San Francisco and checked into the amazing Marines Memorial Hotel. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492926837776943362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-tyB96X0Gxl14d49gYWdLUMfgkDMJ6L1t-1k-PKh366KwxfZ_VtQip2pCy1NJu61uMqnMDGJ_gCXdu5z_hkBK3amCbnJUL0qUxJWYNfkm70FgtttHbEHUJW4Y6osLL8iRVy3CPTKzJw/s400/P1010260.JPG" /></div><div>We walked around for a while and did a little wine tasting before dinner.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492926845824372514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEincRxbQaA9_fu0xMuDy78q-paEl9hmZAiWPsja4_3Do57leB1799R5FMolun3W8GpxWDHsslHYFLFkEOahQri_adyMxv8ASPfUwE62c7ovEg7dtBTVBMhetAMCNw9MfqgeE0YwBgm3kLQ/s400/P1010261.JPG" /></div><div>The best surprise of all was tickets to see the musical Wicked!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492926863513590530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKc8xrntxNjdSAxVXcz9CTf1n4jM4w3Y8Ztd3Yi4QDr6Mscc3NJ86um0HlWFZiloNl7AIgxARobZaVNntsyLCSGghMW8UNE-WWgsOfyLGjj2ZU8R4mBg1g-rpACQL6wGn34OEthaBLk_k/s400/wicked2.jpg" /></div><div>We both loved it. If you ever have to opportunity to see it then you must. It was amazing!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492926857242785042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ48tSqQe4sjUlskm6T976Bg5eJcY4y5EKWTJSs98WXO_UlApyYr2tIGhfTuDkAEd-uRky-H6obBqH88rDabk1g94z6bGw7AMooJC-A7O4gZxd7w4WLvwwLzppFYpxSLUdVsvOmaRCQbs/s400/P1010267.JPG" /></div><div>We couldn't have asked for a better day. I am beyond blessed to have such a wonderful husband and look forward to many, many, many more years together!</div></div></div></div></div>The Franklin'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04736220511059523212noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3278756654789241049.post-14767070416271156602010-07-07T20:48:00.000-07:002010-07-12T04:18:41.806-07:00CaliforniaThe trips keep coming! We headed to California for two weeks to see John's family and attend one of John's closest friends' wedding.<br />The first night we were there we had a surprise Father's Day dinner. I wish someone had a camera out to capture the look on John's stepdad (also John) when we walked in the restaurant and saw all of the kids and their spouses. It was a great night.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 304px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491379767630428194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUdun3rYRVyDly6sfmQh0zDEJytvnzSDMkATa_qVUpRobi7X4D1dHX2cOXXwVh-eQYoC9HBMcUpL4sRjYHG48mqd9ImsUnItevSry4tD-tqxfoGnCt0R-LB4F6kuWgdgsr-iPGGTxCLhQ/s400/P1010187.JPG" />The weekend we drove down to Los Angeles to see some family and enjoy the wedding festivities. We had dinner with John's cousin in LA and afterwards walked down the street where her brother was working on the set of the television show Californication. I was so excited to see what a "real set" was like. I was a total dorky tourist and took a bunch of pictures, but they didn't turn out very well. David Duchovny is the star of the show and I must say he is much taller than I would have expected!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491379773034626754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Vm3jSRutYDpAEdXnacW-pDxF8s_BjI8w2f1RW9NZUgcHjoKmt3xJpl4yLaPotTTEcpEsNx5nUFwOkl4S8ghzZGVbYEmTVWy9l8muoSbK8Jp3FyJisTTlT4T-IlZcfdgatFrh3Kpdp0g/s400/P1010203.JPG" /><br />We had a fantastic time celebrating Scott and Sarah's marriage that weekend.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491379784999320562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNN1SWdiLEy-QnnoKV852IsrnDGI7RWGm78k2iiXbGMO0awjZ1PYR0hSo_FiB3b5WZhIBepriKXLDjgsWB4NOpIr-vt1isFL02W8ZIZsppkio8ELxXQ52y94fFU9i4kynkoobZupQ3lc8/s400/P1010219.JPG" /><br />John's parents were able to drive down for the wedding and I finally got to meet some of his childhood friends that I have heard so much about! These guys have known each other ever since they were kids and all graduated high school together!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492910022583276578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE6rp__cSDKRDKV8Y2j2J-NRD2dIIxW9ei6VM2-AlE5ixQQGTP0j1a7GoPvD_HtiBfEfUZ-G7l12l3-UnIOAZRWtpCp28nWKpqNqlJQpEaglvltyr_JwU1BVGZkM6NEQF3KOzUFKGuQi8/s400/P1010240.JPG" /><br />The lovely bride and groom!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492895041008770194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEishQZ-hq0_ML1AcHOuulg9CvGDsfcXsu2vHV-3S_Fz43B0l-m_0dOPPSvoErscSiDessr7Hj2kHwlWJlrHauVFKwdzdgsGova1WObs4xWHSs4wPiPvmIXLqg_i0DKfk6rsFOrIF5sooZo/s400/P1010235.JPG" /><br />With the parents and our friends Doug and Kellie.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492910034354870722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0azlPubIj2Lraae8o4M8ZOdnPaReBQcCLLAgiKlcpQsoR_bBesunSPCT9fNZv-TnYZ0ahJFYHZ0Fekl_RYe3BTVlpKYhg8AZ-eTWObrFulaaZqKKK3nkD_J9mmGwqZVJyg8GpjeoblCc/s400/P1010233.JPG" /><br />John and his best friend Doug. I have no words. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491379797733061298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYiOL8EZSuxW96AuJp0LB2FYmnb8lTLFAAFI7YQxoeHXOvm2dVzl7FOrElhl3g9dHfkgklxNfObaPXqonDpEVHzLAsne0t4LA0Bh0M1BxJWtdE2HEySASwIxcRq0wYpgQS3VBxSXCfxQ4/s400/P1010230.JPG" /><br />The next day we were able to have brunch with more family that live in the LA and Vegas area. Sorry I didn't take more pictures but Isabella loved hanging out with her cousin John!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492895051615469682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhducgxdl5urQCLjJDzSsOz5BlQlZvgCwMaQxN_W7uk9gCYPMhS5mNq9BpS1lm21nqn1eDCMRHA120ATIjOPRUbEMK39PKczFT5gT-Z0zy77bYL44OoNkF7b-nAihNvP8A4PKcIr0xyOw4/s400/P1010254.JPG" /><br />After driving back up to the Bay area, we went to a Giants Vs. Dodgers game with Patrick. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492901221013347522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwrotATUVeTtq42M2E60AFgb3-oB-4M-Ch61esQbV7A-o7Z8Ar4qK2bcfENrZNhgRwsC-Wwh6MYlfhSA3DLg4-OgqqUsx50qZzFsU-JEVP30nxMQ2c0t4i_jWGE2GhRyVtzp6u3B4Wym0/s400/P1010256.JPG" /><br />Lets just say I have never had an experience like this one. Never in my life have a heard more trash talking and seen such, uh, "colorful" people! <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492895066885659026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWNlAJ7ds6nVpvhxk2Yj0NGvoacuddLZhhAN7MICxLr7wBl8AKSPyTOngQS2uCnQBiKzzuLujXSrVpGDPXIwdDX68QEsNadAHA2czs8SoBbKC60azDvOrquA_NIVfxRzo_nalvNPn73Gk/s400/P1010255.JPG" /><br />The weekend before we left was the 4th of July weekend. We headed up to the lake and had a great time with all of the family. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492901243954086850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYvaNJHfggWvscX3-sR_Q1m2_s9zBNcaadT0bm9_OtpLcq6D246YekT9s5wH55Ul3yyMIL5ySsX_wI8Sn55jENy6Vfd96BKuRQLueN5tqHUewxIhJh8DVkT6a7QNqfzQ8iuihXaizXfn4/s400/P1010294.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492899931338024546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlYNG9uXzSiogyQqNjh8s7-5ePoItGXshZIOf6kMazHtzMyBHl9R5kYkg6nirs3p_fttbScxDJOrv7ly4MHEXYQto4lyYNn1wKlp8soky1gPW3zRjPdViSaHhNMDVyqqj7dLKagbUSEu0/s400/P1010270.JPG" /><br />Here we our rockin our "My husband/wife rocks" tshirts!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492901228500015442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgungFXDmTAf311nNv4A3OGJBr-RMKE7lgWkUaUnE5WV894vjXoOlPU83UfDT9CrtwchShyphenhyphenLoyJn_jhLcEo46_pl3GZg7r5Dx9xyDB9KMqjdTVzinOzFyUqWlnWzgOc1EszHC9JoqXIBW4/s400/Shirts.jpg" /><br />We even had a chili cook off, complete with very intricate ballots!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492899942510696050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0vXA6wojptljYheVMTGxS7XrYSeBpNOT0_1kuH0RJVTaAl9nWpXIjhrejXlLEyki2ZXjSpDBFOVgYrTxB4p_DsLfOIss12WCKvC6_hrrpb3cslF3PnJnfHXSKPLY4Am-idogxSz2mbq4/s400/P1010291.JPG" /><br />Here are the contestants. Congratulations Uncle Roger on your win!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492899951845264930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPOXoj2I-S7ue6nJV0HHF9R1rqk2JOeGa70Zg4d1yMmRq7RgUb87ux7uqJ_2UBgaE263XzzAthDhY8P4TMcM_R3j8dtODVEyHR0qSIumw2NVZY97_6U6-IlJhDah-qZC4mXzdkwxqOcv8/s400/P1010293.JPG" /><br />I am so blessed to be a part of such a wonderful family. Thanks to all of you for your love and support.<br />One more year to go here in Okinawa!The Franklin'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04736220511059523212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3278756654789241049.post-42051096377922811902010-06-04T18:31:00.000-07:002010-06-11T01:01:43.713-07:00LuauThe luau we went to was one of my favorite parts of our trip. We made reservations a few weeks in advance because it is the oldest, most popular one on the island.<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div>We were greeted with gorgeous real leis and a mai tai. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479109679805703458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIhCYr3-_j6EDZurNrZFY9c5Sa_FPpzYFK4T6TcmXEU4NSROdsJgT0O9aOYjvJcMoeyoURAzhyphenhyphenuLMQff6eo1UJhklA4CupUDlyE9L3OSGt5SSR5mdgaQaY6TeYJAU-LoKnZwAL-tenLqg/s400/P1010069.JPG" /></div><div>Before it started we had an opportunity to walk around, take a few pictures and enjoy the scenery.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479109670584757010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjGBHn-HQfhp1DH80jljbmaAx8sCkFW1SVktm0YUkG6NVxFDqjDEVDvN9RUHvXNpVRvVJObszPqVHJLH3qJHXYletWo1Mf0pkPclN__doTAQMHXqDsW5mgU7FQVxZMYkI8gZLDfVcer08/s400/P1010071.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479109654292832930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJfgvYD4mXZPQOMULGD3Y_rbNCS8Rwd9RrNLyuK_wP9wPOYZjM1Hi0dNBvZoo3xtD_uU2Jy-XGLN03C8n4K6HOeMZ9uKr0b_j_XoWDtyXpOzukuWdG-ZDfKK5abdMjcChV9zmo7Qb63G0/s400/P1010073.JPG" /></div><div>A little later a crowd formed around a huge pit. They cook the pig under the ground and it is essentially steamed for hours. </div><div>We got to watch them dig it up. It was kind of gross, yet interesting at the same time.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479107444527892114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQRllK3k9s3w7HSHA6juVZvbceafYsdjK_xxOxE92ogl8k_Pdhc-aXwuvoA2m2ZW-NuSZdWuHnEpmgplUwExNwFfzR-wsAwghzkIPzzXAwSNSyQ2MJ1BbnZQ47d_-idcVh_82UA7zKGcA/s400/P1010080.JPG" /></div><div>Shortly after it was time to eat. The food was buffet style with plenty of options and it was pretty good.</div><div>Finally to the best part of the evening...the dancing!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479107426771981058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaghLvdi4IH3zvPZstdSpZBQUGh49alWOSl2LrSkmTFzQ7pnfg8y0fc2yJQTuw1p0rN8YRgHiyCwBa5PvJr5SKXbWoY6IqBz6V_gfkPZbqd9e0jaHN1_ztDbO_pfewfwyh3ILGSTQrZ9s/s400/P1010107.JPG" /></div><div>They combined several types of traditional Hawaiian dances with the history of their culture.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479107433010009618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRnrYz23XrsbwgfHnjemBoi1GXHBDkLompjSyLuUcrYDCFO9c_kmsBdtOTWZelp-y_XJGAOcTQ4zE8gcyZDmVegm1UJQl5LXS4XPSc5zTvlz3uZsM1BXVktWA7IuTfi_rBG3qWg7S4N1w/s400/P1010097.JPG" /></div><div>If you ever have a chance to visit Maui, we highly recommend the Old Lahaina Luau. It was such a great experience!<br /></div></div></div></div></div></div>The Franklin'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04736220511059523212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3278756654789241049.post-83190988313788731052010-05-25T01:40:00.001-07:002010-05-30T05:17:32.321-07:00Maui Part One!<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477032992149277250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2zRnS-hu_X5f6MmycDSubNE02a72CKARXJ7Xh4akPE6MR1vSghqRTFKsHlH6_Fj1awZuxlp6QRkXj9lHxb5EQA7frF52kqXjB8mpq-yeXmxuwcP48fLbA-CzWCsUqxp41nkxFOActXQk/s400/P1010116.JPG" />A few weeks after John returned home, we took a MUCH needed, relaxing vacation to Maui, Hawaii. It was fabulous! We have been to the Big Island as well as Oahu before so we decided to try out Maui and we both agree it is our favorite!</div><div>We were very fortunate to stay in one of the most amazing hotels I have ever been to in my life. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477032981414837426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsojKlB3fiPF06PbumbBWJckdBqGYXc9El6T3dzR20ywrOFUC1HODaRmZ97m69pXQ6LLOtD4LyVsi_9tYXYeOrQRlkJC1V8KGjjZXX0Hni615T34nKl_x0rNoI09NYKhYWn6w6TPso3TA/s400/P1010126.JPG" />Here is a view from our balcony.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477029521944226370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNm3zvPUIL69rCem7jubz8w6sxQEbFYw3KZzhny-9Hd4N28Y61pQfQCrnw-DZXnw1MoXEI1F65h0kMM-gb5JZVPQk9Loz2JWRGQhCgTZPCTXRr6nzWBozBomdGT6FAficdF8G1Tt77NcU/s400/P1010039.JPG" /></div><div>And the pool area...<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477029527100297746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDrlk8pjI7PFIK3gKzrNS3935vQOTG149xtc_J9i7SNDnNGRDwElmzQPWj0SP6qkOGJ_rPm9TfSHWPCx9s1wrLsMcQVhZ2PExuNGKuo-f_TSQKdqkaSroDfqFahyphenhyphenOV9rme_lAhSv_ZFn0/s400/P1010044.JPG" /></div><div>The first day we were there we relaxed a bit and settled in. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477033001230122578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsTeT6dCICJ77omR3x5TTay6Zz3HWomc5ZuTQy43UYvdXabpYFzjnIm5s6eJRjoqYS_1jN1g2P7Rm2n1nluqAERlYN04ovKoIFIyCUJgpSz5Wzv1OodQLqaxiQlh9w4GEd8drPWjqyiR8/s400/P1010113.JPG" /></div><div>The next day we took a little road trip south to do a little shopping. John was quite gracious to let me do this the second day we were there! When you live in a country where shopping as we know it in the US is virtually nonexistent, then seeing a strip mall or any recognizable retail store is very exciting!</div><div>On the way, we pulled over to a scenic outlook and were able to see 3 other islands.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475134216102541314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju7Jm9XNdvuqGM32nzEexNCxp-U3Jq6ZNspGxbE1IZY3QYhXbEz0VomXVh0ndL4DPNpD0RjUjSmB2d0SQR89wh0xLxaJHioZj-MCXhvA0NjskZB6-K0YAd221Lt5LX26UjPBmJxKZlNa4/s400/P1010051.JPG" /></div><div>On the way home we strolled along the beach for a while, then we had dinner at a new Mai Tai restaurant with rooftop dining.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475134225283306818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJMrzTWguLFbFufQATcGX6wzZJq6wIkUrkmB89G3M2BFZWvzS3UKSuXVUTz8h6YikMLbcKCmdeqUlQHLQLhMCZRhA8Zt5h-5Ssq6gsZKxOyOk3sxFCNbDG9adlJM7PCGFaPZFHcQBu0eY/s400/P1010061.JPG" /></div><div>Just in time to catch the sun setting!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477030497963623058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ZVAPQvfOEH8FvCF-yZJwtrNyIqJ8F92dUA6fU4XLkTa_fRZB6r9K6YWJxFEejlF9emJ9KI08xR1ArLcWzlNiiFKUO2fwcaQU4YCZtg6VJP9yKBMPgPu8-6KFf51kXLwTis8NoPNJ-3A/s400/P1010059.JPG" /></div><div>The next few days we spent at the pool and the beach.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475134205667770930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQaEGdFxxSWq7zBH7zt8xMmeNcfrgjRY5EjNJZfLzEDoSl0ZRaKqHoEAqYRJqIBFCM9CVIA-oK_kcNAmisuv-sG9KriVscoxdsLHNTVukMvCFuXjNV4NxjZNPb5OEbxBd6dFLPU9M4qs8/s400/IMG_0154.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475134200157627570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg40UqsOXvYWRcXiksujaoplRZd5UUy210x4DNvnNd8DlBTMZHExDKaC0OG2ak3AOY4-Xsz_zgxJ4XziG9CY0hvzOECX8xWBYkQF5g9VVig20qDH5g4IPvQkYv1uOnSUlj0Vd7JdS7jgGY/s400/IMG_0152.JPG" /></div><div>We got to swim next to a few sea turtles!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475134194390553682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7l8NglbtrYsZAmoDqH9xBwWeey-yHjehOe5rgHodWrai7MfuNmNdIlxTtS55aqrcQm2zyFETFXsN6XU4fJCmJcCfN1T_5RUttnGsRpAV3mVsCp8lnaaiYO3odo1AtcBwXLpemNYC2Fls/s400/IMG_0162.JPG" /></div>I'm sorry this took so long to post. This blogger website has been acting up a bit and finally let me upload pictures!<br /><div>Stay tuned for the second half of our vacation...</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>The Franklin'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04736220511059523212noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3278756654789241049.post-38009506309559656432010-05-09T16:05:00.000-07:002010-05-09T16:17:04.944-07:00Happy Mothers Day!<div><div><div><div>Happy Mother's Day to our beautiful moms!<br />Here are a few pictures of us with our favorite ladies on our favorite day!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469413039831963586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7g8MgkC0YF6nm325xIiZTRKBnRB2Wz9_SbSbpKUzEC3tu85-7Tq6HX3_OAM2cFHgrf7jM5Cund6efrpnu0gRmv1ggOZQJHUzY2pnU89NIhyO2ygtQDI9QjBpAq-_sK9mB1vk3S6HBzzQ/s400/0312.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469412072150034626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAdjgU0QDyRnl2PXtgA_uV2EdYp-287Ad5SrdQ_odNci1aqKKbH60HbjH9lKriPdtvy2P2PGAcdw-1Y8MovhY_gyZTF2fFzGjEcyZXQF5d3jxQnfk6ZaGmujF_HuO78oTJBn4uwugc1uE/s400/0166.JPG" /></div><div>I only hope I will one day be as good of a mom as these two fabulous women are!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469412058357929650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUxLjFQzcwZ962Dc1ortt82LH2bU4_WqPYvPYjyh97F-t_JhTLKBVpz4S7EUP1GMW9oyYVNNNtiNoynyjl6uJa1fVRCSrgNR6CSehMOjqfBcpipLqw5qTmo6LNsNtdoyOY0H4jj4DS0Yc/s400/1012.JPG" /></div></div></div></div>The Franklin'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04736220511059523212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3278756654789241049.post-7832213818385153662010-05-01T06:32:00.000-07:002010-05-01T07:14:59.231-07:00Beach day!<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466304020288919826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUf7OXqgWHW4TxEXDVMsXKy-qfbGGzWhpMZaaK8kit2z62vz7u7_b0zrxS6KuRHb19iGsTvfjmpl4Z7GKKrnlm_XfjGYjKSHqzikj3fipjQw5UH227xJsmtn62pHgt5FYRApl2ipk8UW0/s400/P1010029.JPG" />One of the worst parts (but in some circumstances, a good part) of military life is having to say goodbye to people. Inevitably you meet some great people and one of you has to move soon. This weekend we spent a gorgeous day at the beach with some good friends to bid them farewell.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466300351012615522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLQe6En3JKd6dmolYul5J0gK5wphJJiIlUNSXScj0uzbu8L9EdNgQBB_p9C0A4L1BhcAiBWU6eUkpdYKXss4CEFu0vEDsuAoyZEIE4KJriBLwayhHR8dV7ePqhw-GgUHFxu3GT-KNZUSY/s400/P1010022.JPG" /></div><div>We had a really good turnout. I have spent a lot of time with these girls lately. We are in a small Bible study together and the majority of our husbands have either worked together, or in close proximity.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466300358756973794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9MVokP7TkeRkx2TL4zQaPUu_J60UbcpMr52pogAD19E4J22Pt4Z-C7jc6Q65AvKMANVi9HGFkkx7PxbKxoFdON7vCaeiZCUemp9nnOrsJAzzkk8nBh_qassR5hmsqjwzbxGp3GxMmYpc/s400/P1010024.JPG" /></div><div>I think that Okinawa should be re-named to "Baby Island". There is definitely something in the water around here. Here's proof. Two of these babies were born the same day and the other just 2 weeks earlier. I think I am going to invest in Babies R Us stock with all of the baby showers I am attending!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 225px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466300345368631778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDBLBvrX6H2OHK-SqYmEOq3iR8VFRVZpD-xsz3awi8kZ435AkXQumtpdcp4VIBFOaignYvSSNGTbGhdg6ueuCojKO2TSxUmpGA0n9AfsIJ7yggqs9186k53IT9bc3jQVtWrb4tRTTGJhU/s400/BeachDay4.jpg" /></div><div>However I did get to sneak a picture of this cute guy nervously holding one of the little ones!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466304032044256418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWh65FFBZcA7bo_YE0y6SBp1PbSQnH2FQNBprfvoTBtuJTewPpF7IQrB09qF8OTf3DKbRoUqIsBLLiq1C1lT_OTJXeWxvU_Q8Eqpr31_j4C7U0o10hPG5mUjVBkkh8TmQNCKTYfCSL3mA/s400/P1010030.JPG" /></div><div>Anyway, back to the beach. We had a great afternoon full of sun and laughter. I hate having to say goodbye, but in the small Marine Corps world, it is very likely that we will bump into these great people again!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 225px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466300333725052146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtkVYAory2KBjHZZ0QdkcXMQTbaH2Kgz8Xk8H6GwcM7eLotCPa3-O1h-e0YLFMHQN9QKIG-U1A5Uwet-mXp8MtDbahl3ULeTAjuToDSazZavZsBckX9FRraBoaeeUYwMIbUq0Apzj9-Ls/s400/BeachDay2.jpg" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>The Franklin'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04736220511059523212noreply@blogger.com1