7:14 a.m. - 2008-05-28
Hong Kong 2008
It's been weeks since I wrote anything on my blog. It's been a crazy month. I went on a Girls weekend to Hong Kong the last weekend of April. We had a fabulous time!  We left on Thursday morning. When we first arrived in Hong Kong it felt like we were in the US. Everything was written in English. I really felt at home. Then I went to the public bathroom and I really felt like I was back in the states! Hong Kong was amazing! It was beautiful, tropical, and mountainous! It really was an amazing place. Most everyone spoke English which is a huge bonus. We went to amazing restaurants, shopping and so much more. I would love to go back for another weekend. There was so much to see and do and we didn't have enough time. Anyway I highly recommend it. I hope to get back in the next year!
When I got back to Tokyo my mother arrived 2 days later and it got really busy. I spent every minute I had with her. We planned Elisabeth's princess and knights birthday party. I felt like I was constantly getting ready and planning for her 3rd birthday party. It was a success (and chaotic for me) but a lot of fun. On Mothers Day Geoffrey and I flew out to Phoenix. My mother watched the kids for the week while we went to a conference. It was so much fun. It was great to be back in the states. It was a very busy week (and jet lag was horrible)! At dinner we had amazing food but I wasn't hungry and barely ate and during the day I wouldn't eat much but at night (our daytime) I was so hungry. Geoff and I would both eat everything out of the mini bar. We would wake up at 2:00am for the day and watch CNN (sadly is what we can watch at home). We were so pathetic – watching CNN and eating everything from the mini bar. It was nice being able to turn the channel and everything was in English. Having multiple options to watch on the tv!  WOW! We went to the mall and shopped. I had 2 hours to waste one day and spent the entire time in Target. You have no idea how much fun that was! It was fabulous! I picked up birthday and thank you cards, cocktail napkins, birthday supplies/goodies, and so much more. It was so much fun! We have nothing like Target in Japan. Jusco maybe but not the same. Anyway it was a great time. I missed the kids so much but it was also nice to have a break and get away with Geoffrey.

6:53 p.m. - 2008-04-13
Spring Time
Spring is my favorite time of year in Japan. The weather is beautiful, still a little cool, sunny and cheerful. This is also my favorite time of year because of the gorgeous cherry blossoms. The cherry blossom is Japans unofficial national flower. It's been celebrated for centuries and I mean celebrated! The Japanese celebrate with hanami (cherry blossom viewing) parties under the blooming trees. The parties exist around the clock. This year they started around March 29 (Saturday) and last until April 6 (Sunday). There is a large park across the street from our apartment with many cherry blossoms. We actually had our hanami party last Saturday (March 29) with friends, KFC, beer, wine or cola, and chips. About 8:15am I took our tarps to the park and placed them under a cherry blossom tree along with many others. Around 11:00 we all met at the tarps and had our picnic along with 100 other people. The picnics last all day and night. Of course we only lasted a couple of hours but as we left new people arrived and took our spot and stayed for hours. Everynight this past week when Geoff and I turned off the tv to go to bed we could hear people having their hanami parties in the park. On Friday and Saturday night I walked through the park around 10:00pm and it was packed with parties. Some people even brought generators and had lights. Some had catered the party and had someone serving them. I just love how they celebrate the cherry blossoms and have a wonderful time. Most parties exist of at least 20 or more people. Last Saturday when we were having our party next to us was a group of 12 Japanese men (maybe in their 60's) sitting in a circle drinking beer from paper cups and chatting. I cannot describe it well enough to give it justice but it really is amazing and truly special.
I also love spring because the tennis courts across the streets stay open later. The lights stay on until 9:00pm and all 4 courts are usually completely booked from 8:00am – 9:00pm. I love to cook dinner and see all the energy across the street. I know I have harped about this in the past but I have to say it again – I hate they don't have daytime savings. Since it gets dark so early I enjoy the tennis courts lights shinning into the apartment at night. I think this is the first spring in the past 2 years that my kids are not waking up at 4:30am and telling me it's time to get up because the sun is up. I shouldn't talk too soon because spring has just arrived and I have over 2 months to deal with the sun rising around 4:00.
It's been so long since I wrote! I have great news! Colin Thomas and Elisabeth were both accepted into the American School of Japan for next year! I am very excited. The school is about a 15 minute walk away (right now Colin's school is only 5 minutes). I'm just glad the interview process is over. Really how can you interview a 2, 3 or 4 year old and decide that they are acceptable for your school? I have a couple of friends that didn't get their children in but I think it has nothing to do with the child and more to do with a late birthday. They don't like to accept young children (summer birthdays) even though the official cut off is Sept 1. Anyway what a relief it's over! 
I was beginning to worry because I haven't felt an earthquake lately but last Friday night we had a pretty good one. It wasn't a big quake but it did have everything shaking quite a bit. I was in the elevator at the time and it was a weird feeling – falling and shaking and listening to the elevator rattle all at the same time.
P.S. I spoke too soon! Elisabeth started waking up at 5:00 or 5:30 in the morning. Too early!

4:15 a.m. - 2008-02-03
USA - culture shock!
I'm still here! I have been wanting to write for the last couple of weeks but I'm been so busy that I haven't made the time.
We had a wonderful time in the states! :) We were there for a month and had a blast. My mother-in-law and her husband were so wonderful to let us stay with them for a month and we really appreciated it. It was great being back but defn. culture shock!
I could not believe how big everything was including cars, roads, stores, food portions, people, everything. The first couple of days it seemed excessive! But after a week I didn't notice it so much. I did notice the food portions everytime. We are accustomed to going out for dinner here and being very satisfied then walking a mile home. We went out one night and I ate so much (maybe half my plate) and I was so full I couldn't move. I barely could walk (waddle) to the car and I felt miserable. I'm just not use to the food portions! Geoff and I went through a fast food restaurant and ordered a large coke each and it was bigger than our milk cartons in Japan. I loved the shopping! Everything was so cheap! Plus I had no problem finding my size in everything - shoes, dresses, jeans, tops, everything. The stores were having the best sales. Geoffrey was glad to get me out of there!
We didn't experience much jet lag going over. The kids slept a little on the plane. We landed early in the morning (pacific time) and we kept them up all day. By night they crashed and slept wonderful all night. So we had no problme going over. The first day back Geoffrey played golf and was hitting a shot (into the sun) and around a tree but he didn't notice the 2nd tree and the ball came back and hit him in the face. He's ok but I had to take him to the ER. We were there until after midnight. He looked like he lost a major fight but luckily he was fine (very lucky). On the way home I was driving on the wrong side of the road but luckily no cars were around and we figured it out ratherly quickly.
I gotta run. We are getting ready to eat. I'll write more later. We just went skiing for the first time in Japan this weekend.

7:45 p.m. - 2007-11-22
Thanksgiving 2007
Happy Thanksgiving! I've had several friends email me and ask if we celebrated Thanksgiving. Of course! We had a fabulous Thanksgiving this year. Of course we missed being with family but we had the second best thing - our good friends. The guys had to take off work but it was well worth it. We went over to a friends apartment. There were 10 adults, 8 kids and 5 helpers. We each brought several dishes so we had a feast - i cannot begin to describe all the food. One of our good friends is Australian so this was their first Thanksgiving and they loved it. We had the largest Turkey I have ever seen. We were so thankful to have all the help. We had 3 helpers watching the kids to make sure they played nice together and 2 in the kitchen cleaning all the dishes. Geoffrey says we'll be back in the states next year for Thanksgiving but I keep saying I'll be right here at the Cribbins house again. So much yummy food, great company, great wine and great help - what's there not to like. It's bitter sweet thinking we will be back in the states next year. I cannot wait to get back to my family and friends at home as well as our house but I will miss so much about Tokyo and all our good friends here. gotta run the kids are getting anxious to get out of here.

4:38 a.m. - 2007-11-13
Almost Thanksgiving time
Thanksgiving is a week away! Last year we were lucky because a japanese holiday landed on our Thanksgiving day. This year it is the day after Thankgiving. We debated having Thanksgiving on Friday but the guys decided they wanted it on Thursday. They will work that morning then take off in the afternoon for Thanksgiving. We are getting togther with 12 friends and 8 kids in an apartment but it will be a great way to celebrate Thanksgiving. We are so lucky to have such great friends and they really do feel like family.
Geoffrey is in the states this week. It will be a long week. gotta run. need to get the kids ready for bed. Yea - Elisabeth is potty trained. She was trained last month and is doing great.

6:19 a.m. - 2007-10-18
Time flies when you are having fun!
A few weeks ago we went a restaurant called Torricho's. It's a yakatori restaurant – lots of different chicken parts on a stick. They also serve some vegetables as well on a stick. The restaurant is set up so there is a U shaped table and behind it are all the chefs and the fire and where they cook everything. It's a casual but nice restaurant and when you walk in the chefs yell something to you (reminds me of Moe's in Atlanta). When you want something you just yell at the chef to get his attention and order a few things. You do this all night until you get full. We each ordered a piece of white chicken with wasabie on top then a few chicken balls – like meatballs but made with chicken. Both were delicious but I really liked the white chicken. I ordered another. This time I took a bite and it was medium rare in the middle and very juicy. It was really good. I looked about and the Japanese were eating theirs medium rare too. So I figured it was ok and I'm sure the chicken was so fresh that you could eat it without getting sick. I never in a million years thought I would like medium rare chicken. I would only eat it here – never in the states no matter how nice the restaurant.
Colin had another modeling job on Saturday. This time it's for a holiday catalog for a department store. It was a tough job. He had his picture taken in 4 different outfits. All were very cute! He worked from 10:00-2:00 and it doesn't sound very long but trust me to a 4 year old it was eternity. One of the shots he was suppose to wear a wool hat but he absolutely refused! He was also begging to go home at this point. I was begging him just to get through the shoot. There were 3 kids total – 2 little girls and Colin. In 1 shot he was by himself which was easy but the other 3 shots he was with one of the little girls. It was hard to get a good shot with 2 kids each 4 years old. As soon as you get one situated the other one moves or one's smiling and the other is making silly faces. Nobody spoke good English so it was hard to figure out what they wanted them to do plus there were 30 people taking care of them – hair, make-up, lighting, etc… I'm not sure if Colin will ever be asked to do anymore modeling and if so if he will even be willing to do it. Elisabeth isn't even considered for modeling because she would not like all the people or the camera. She is shy.
Geoffrey had a couple of friends in town for business over the weekend. I was telling them how safe it is in Tokyo. I can leave my purse in the park and walk away for an hour and nobody would touch it. That afternoon I took the kids for ice cream. I parked the stroller outside the ice cream store with my purse and helped them with the ice cream. I was close by but not keeping an eye on the stroller. When I got home I threw my purse in the closet as usual and didn't pay any attention to it until that night when I realized my wallet was not in my purse. My wallet had everything – credit cards, money, Japanese drivers license, Japanese alien registration card, atm card, etc… I was a little worried but figured I left it at the ice cream store or it fell out of my purse on the way home. I thought someone would find it and either put it in my mailbox or turn it into the grocery store nearby or the ice cream shop. The next day I check the mailbox and I stop by the grocery and ice cream shop. No wallet. I am still determined that it will show up. I'm still convinced that maybe it's at home or someone will give it back to me. I'm also trying to remember if I put it on the top of the stroller or back in my purse, etc… I just knew that it was not stolen. Needless to say that night I did find my wallet. It had fallen out when I threw my purse in the closet and it fell behind another bag. I wish home was this safe! Of course things can happen here but nothing like at home. Our friend was telling me their wife left her wallet in the grocery cart while she ran after her 3 small sons and someone stole it. Another friend went home over the summer and went to the doctor and left the stroller outside the dr. office and someone stole it. I leave the stroller outside the dr. office all the time and wouldn't even consider it getting stolen. I leave the stroller outside everywhere – the restaurants, dr. office, grocery store, etc… Also many places are not big enough for a stroller so it is very common to leave strollers everywhere. I've had friends leave ipods, phones, and jewelry in taxi's and got it back. They called the number on the receipt and the taxi driver had it.
Geoffrey celebrated his 40th birthday this week. I had a surprise birthday party for him at a restaurant in Shibuya. It was really nice and a lot of fun! We are so fortunate to have so many wonderful friends in Tokyo!
Our friends were about an hour outside of Tokyo and stopped to get gas. I have never seen a self serve station in Japan but they found one. It was all in Japanese and the options were red, yellow and green buttons. They selected the green and filled their tank full of Diesel fuel. Needless to say they got stranded on the side of the road. What a nightmare – not just getting stranded but then dealing with the Japanese to get a tow truck and get the car towed into town. Ideally you would love to have the car towed to the dealership but that's wasn't an option. Once the car finally arrived to their apartment they had to push it into the garage. I felt so bad for my friend because there are times in Japan when everything about it is so hard. As long as everything is going fine then it's great but once you run into a problem it can be a nightmare.
The same day another friend took their son to the dr. and found out he had strep (for the second time). The first time the antibiotics didn't cure it. They were giving their son the medicine with instructions written in Japanese. That afternoon they started to question if they were giving the correct dosage and number of times a day. The dr. office was already closed so they needed someone to translate what was written on the bottle. They found someone but you sure hope what they are saying is correct when it comes to medicine and your child.
Gotta run - I'm potty training Elisabeth. She is doing amazing! I cannot believe she is already 2 years and 5 months. Just seems like yesterday when I was potty training Colin and writing about it on this blog! Time flies when you are having fun!
P.S. We've been having a few small earthquakes lately. Shake, Rattle and Roll! It will be strange with I move back to Georgia and don't feel any earthquakes.

12:06 a.m. - 2007-09-15
Vietnam
We went to Vietnam for vacation in August. The flight was only 5 and half hours so that wasn't so bad but after the flight we had to get in a car and drive another 4 hours to the Phan Thiet beach. That was miserable with a 4 and 2 year old. It was very interesting seeing the Vietnam countryside but the kids were anxious to get out. I describe Vietnam driving as a game of chicken. Of course we had a driver but it was scary. I've discussed the driving in China but I'm not sure which is worse. There was only once the driving scared me to death but there were other times when it was close. Once we got to Phan Thiet there was a horrible smell in the air and I was convinced this was the worst vacation ever. I found out the smell is fish sauce. Phan Thiet makes a very popular fish sauce sold all over. Once I realized it was fish sauce the smell wasn't so bad and after a couple of days I couldn't smell it at all. Our room was approx. 1000 sp ft with a 1000sq ft backyard with a Jacuzzi, hammock, picnic table, GRASS – yes GRASS, and a private outdoor shower. There was a kids club and lots of kids activities such as horseback riding and a wonderful spa. The first day in Vietnam we went to the supermarket. The people acted this was the first time they had seen a blond boy or a curly blond girl! Everyone would come up and touch Elisabeth's face. It got so bad that she had me carry her and she would bury her face in me but someone would wait until she peeked up to touch her face. I would ask them not to touch her but they didn't understand me and I would literally try my best to keep her away from anyone but it was difficult. Even when we were driving people would pull up next to us and stare at the kids. Luckily the resort staff were great and gave the kids some peace. The lifeguards were fabulous and loved to play with the kids. Colin and Elisabeth enjoyed them as well. Vietnam had lots of European vacationers – not many Americans. The prices at the resort shops and the airport were listed in American dollars. It is a gorgeous country and the people are fabulous (except for the supermarket). We went sledding down the sand dunes, walked through a fresh water stream, visited the fishing villages, went horse back riding on the beach, swimming everyday, etc… On our last day we drove back to Saigon early to visit an art gallery. I loved Saigon and wished we could have stayed there a couple of days. Vietnam was AMAZING! Geoff thinks it's our best Asia vacation yet!

6:51 a.m. - 2007-07-25
Basic Sep
After a year I tried the step aerobics class again. This time it was much better. I wasn't the only one in the class – there was 4 of us. I think my Japanese is better or at least I can understand their English much better. They cannot pronounce R's or L's and several other sounds. When they say Basic Step it sounds like basic sep and Repeater is pronounced Sepeada and when she wants to do the L step she holds up her arms in the shape of an L because she cannot pronounce it. I know I'm not describing this very well but you almost need to be there to get the feel. I got the hang of it and knew exactly what she was trying to say. I'm adjusting very well!
We had another earthquake the other day. They say it's good to have a several small earthquakes so it doesn't build up to one big one. I read that there is a 90% chance of Tokyo having a big earthquake within the next 50 years. I find that very scary and I'm very thankful that I won't be her for the next 50 years.
The rainy season seems to be over – I hope anyway. The last 2 days have been sunny and hot. I'll take sunny and hot over constant rain anyday!

6:28 a.m. - 2007-07-17
Typhoon and Earthquakes
I've received several emails asking if we were ok after the earthquakes yesterday. We are great! Did not impact us at all and I actually missed both quakes. The first earthquake happened around 10:15 while I was driving. The kids and I were singing and dancing in the car and we didn't even notice any shaking. Friends at the Tokyo American Club pool said the pool had waves and they noticed the buildings swaying and everything moving. The latest earthquake was last night around 11:30 and several friend woke up for that quake but I slept through it. I had a very busy day yesterday going to the pool and the park with the kids so I slept through the entire thing. I noticed a few aftershocks today but no biggie. Not enough to rattle the closet doors or sway the curtains.
Over the weekend we had a typhoon. It brought a lot of rain and wind so it wasn't a great weekend to do anything outside. I'll be so glad when the rain is gone! On Sunday we took the kids to a place called Toys Kingdom. It it a huge place with several different areas with different toys. One area has tons of train tracks and trains so you can build your own train track. Another area has tons and tons of legos. Another room has several areas with barbies - lots of cloths, furniture, etc.. Another room as every toy sold in Japan. Everything from aquadoodles to plastic food to leapfrog toys. You pay Y1000 ($8) for adults and Y700 ($5) for kids and can play for 3 hours. It works here in Japan because the Japanese don't have enough room in their apartments for lots of toys or to build train tracks so it is very popular and it works. It wasn't very expensive until you add the Y2500 ($20) for parking. We are not in Alpharetta! :) One time Geoff and I looked at each other as we were sitting on the floor playing with plastic food in the middle of a thousand japanese moms, dads and kids and said I miss home. One of the Toys Kingdoms rules is that adults cannot enter without the accompany of children. Only here is that a really great rule - otherwise I think some adults would go just to build train tracks and play with toys.

8:34 a.m. - 2007-07-10
Tokyo Disneyland
Geoffrey just got back from a trip to Chicago and New York. His first trip back since we moved. Neither of us has been back to the states since moving to Tokyo. I spoke to him on his 2nd day and asked him how it was going. Besides being exhausted and not sleeping because of the time change and jet lag, he said the taxis were dirty and the drivers were rude and other places the service was bad. But after a few days in the states he became adjusted and was happy to back. He said he loved the food, being able to get sport scores in a timely manner, everyone speaking English, etc… He came back looking forward to our move home – of course we have several months before our 2 years is up.
It is very common in the expat community for the wives and children to go home for the summer. I chose not to go with a 2 and 4 year old including the time change and the 14 hour flight. Plus I would hate to be away from Geoff for several weeks. I also want to travel around Asia as much as possible while we are here and would rather spend time on holiday as a family. We are going to Vietnam in August for a week. We are going to the beach and it looks fabulous. I'm very excited!
I watched Memoirs of a Geisha last night. It reminds me of Japan so much – the cherry blossom parties, wooden slippers, lanterns, architect, etc… I have also seen Lost in Translation and Babylon and they represent Tokyo.

July 10, 2007
Sometime I still cannot believe we live in Tokyo. It's been almost 16 months and I still have not been back to the states. Right now we are planning to stay 1 more year. We plan to move back to the states in June 2008. I'm excited to stay 1 more year but also very excited to move back home. Right now is the rainy season and it's been cloudy and/or raining everyday for the past couple of weeks. This is when I miss home the most (besides around Christmas time). I miss the sunny and hot Atlanta summers.
Last Friday we took the kids to Tokyo Disneyland. It was amazing! The kids loved it! They were so great. They ask everyday to go back and I cannot wait to take them. It's less than 10km from our home and very easy so I should take them more often. Colin loved Splash Mountain and Thunder Mountain. He barely made the height requirement for Splash Mountain since he is 103 cm and the requirement was 102 but he did! I thought that was very brave of him to ride since he just turned 4 years old but he's fearless. When I worked at Walt Disney World I always imagined taking my kids to Disney World some day but never did I imagine I would be taking them to Tokyo Disneyland. We went to see the Country Bear Jamboree and when it started I completely forgot that it would be in Japanese instead of English. Didn't matter the kids still loved it. The Japanese are so orderly. At all the photo opportunity spots there was a line to take a picture. For example in front of the castle where so many people stop to take a family picture there is a long line – in the states it's whoever can get there first. Also I saw adults riding Dumbo – yes without kids. In line to meet Mickey Mouse at his house (which was the longest line) most were adults wanting to meet Mickey and get a picture – they didn't even have kids. Maybe because they were not able to do these things as kids or they are still kids at heart. The Japanese women have a high pitch voice and they talk and giggle like little kids. It was such a magical and amazing day. I wish every kid could go to Disney for a day.
I am so accustomed to the Japanese that I really don't have a lot to write anymore. Maybe I've become more flexible – not sure. This week I have searched every grocery store for Ranch dressing but I cannot find it. I found a recipe so I can make my own ranch dressing so I may do that. I'm sure you are asking why I want Ranch dressing. Well I bought a bunch of carrots and cut them up and put them in a weeks worth of sandwich bags so I can take them to the pool everyday for a snack and I love to dip them in ranch dressing – no other dressing works as good and besides Elisabeth will eat them too if I find can find dressing to dip. I paid Y800 (maybe $6) for California Creamy but it was terrible so I plan to throw that bottle away. Colin loves the Cheetos from the Tokyo American Club. They don't sell them in any of the stores but at the club they look just like the ones from home but these are much sweeter.
I'm sure I spoke about it before but I still cannot get over it so I'll mention it again! I still cannot get over the Japanese men and their Man Purses! Most carry Louis Vuitton. It always reminds me of that episode of Friends when Joey carried around a man's purse. That's the Japanese men! That is exactly what all of them look like. They don't even resemble briefcases – no they look just like a purse that a woman would carry.