Japan Airlines CEO

I just saw this report on CBS News about the CEO of Japan Airlines & found it VERY interesting -- especially since we live in Japan. America's CEOs could learn a LOT from him! Check this out: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/01/28/eveningnews/main4761136.shtml

Weekend Snow in Iwakuni!

When we woke up Saturday and Sunday mornings last weekend (1/24 & 25), we had snow on the ground! Of course, it was all melted by noon each day, but it sure was pretty first thing in the morning, looking down from our 5th floor vantage.

Everything is so well-planned and organized in Japan -- Stan quipped that even snow falls when it will inconvenience the least amount of people!

Great Photos of Inauguration Day!

Talked to Larry recently after their return to Nashville after a long Inauguration weekend in DC. He said, in part: "It was absolutely wonderful--we were on the Capitol lawn with many thousands of VERY excited people, and we could actually see him being sworn in!" I can't wait to see more photos, but just now, I received this link from another family member-- thanks Tom! These are GREAT, and got me crying all over again! Take a look: http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/01/the_inauguration_of_president.html

Our New President's Official Portrait

“In keeping with the theme that swept President Obama into the Oval Office, change has come to the official White House Web site. Almost at the instant Obama was sworn in, http://www.whitehouse.gov/ relaunched with a redesign to signal a new era in government.”

Check out Obama, Japan celebrations: http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2009/01/20/early-inauguration-celebration-in-obama-japan/

Larry & Lisa at the Inauguration 1/20/09

This cellphone pic was entitled "we r here" -- yes, they are!

I can't wait to hear how early they got there to get these seats!

Of course, I was glued to the TV Tuesday night here in Japan to watch it live -- I just couldn't turn it off & stayed up until 3 AM so I could watch President Obama take the oath & the Bushes fly away . . . Now it's Wednesday morning and I'm up again watching replays from the Inauguration, the faces of the crowd, and the President and Mrs Obama as they arrive at each ball. Tears are streaming down my face as I listen to President Obama's words at the Commander-in-Chief Ball & the cheers he receives from his military. Living on a military base has given me insight to the dedication and untiring strength of these amazing young people who are sacrificing EVERYTHING for their country . . . How they must have felt to hear these honorable words from their new President: "As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals. Our Founding Fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience’s sake." Right on, Mr. President ! ! !

Grandchildren Playing in DC Snow!

More cellphone pictures from DC Inauguration trip.

THE WORLD CELEBRATES ! ! !

Although half-way around the world from our sweet home Alabama today, we can feel the excitement of the US Presidential Inauguration on January 20, 2009. Of course, it's already 1/20 here in Japan, but we have to wait . . . The actual inauguration in the US will happen here in Japan in the middle of our night tonight. We've been watching the preliminaries on American, Japanese and BBC TV & it's obvious the whole world is as excited as we are! We celebrate a wonderful new year and a new opportunity for America to regain the respect of the world! CONGRATULATIONS AMERICA ! !

Larry's Family Attends Presidential Inaguration

Larry & family have arrived in DC after a long drive from Nashville. This is the back of their van.


Natalie & Amelia look very happy. This is their first DC subway ride. Are those the cute hats we sent from Japan?

Andy & Larry on the subway in DC.


Andy at the American Indian Museum.

Natalie in the American Indian Museum in DC.


Amelia's just had enough!


Andy, Natalie, Amelia, & Lisa with US Capitol behind.


Lisa & Larry, Andy, Natalie & Amelia in front of inaguaration stage at US Capitol. Look at all those chairs!

We're SO excited that you got to attend & we'll be watching TV to see your faces at the festivities! What a great experience for the children to get to attend this historic American event!

Red Hat Farewell Party 1/11/09

We're having a farewell party at Betty's today for Emilie & Jane -- two members who are returning to the US soon. Emilie is surrounded by our Japanese members.


Belinda, Betsy & Barbara. Barbara's not old enough to be a RH, but we are trying to recruit her as a "Pink" member (ladies under 50).

Shoko, Sue & Jane.

Shoko, Ellie, Betty & Jane

Ingrid, Ellie, Jane, Nancy, Janet and Emilie

Hostess Betty behind her beautiful table at our Red Hat Tea Party. We had delicious little sandwiches and homemade scones with a variety of jellies.

Betty & Jane


Beautiful arrangement provided by Kuniko (our flower lady).

Belinda shows us the kokeshi doll so we can sign our farewell messages on the scroll.

Thoughtful Queen Belinda -- She presented Emilie . . .


and Jane, gift certificates for local restaurants in the areas they are moving to in the US!


Betsy, Ingrid, and Gerry enjoy watching Emilie open more presents.


Beautiful souvenirs of Iwakuni, Japan!

Day & night pics of the Kintai Bridge . . .


Wow -- look at these beautiful homemade desserts that Betty made! Clockwise from top left: Chocolate mousse cake, blueberry cheesecake, ginger squares with hot lemon sauce, and lemon cake with strawberries.

Everyone's enjoying desserts. What a great farewell to two members we will miss terribly! Thanks Betty for a great party. Afterward, several of us rushed home to watch the opening day of the January Grand Sumo Tournament . . . ah, a perfect day!

Vehicles Lose Shine in Japan . . .

Jake sent me this article & I wanted to share it with all of you. Young people are shunning the trappings of consumerism - and that's worrying (Japanese) carmakers. . .

TOKYO - To get around the city, Yutaka Makino hops on his skateboard or rides commuter trains. Does he dream of the day when he has his own car? Not a chance. Like many Japanese of his generation, the 28-year-old musician and part-time maintenance worker says owning a car is more trouble than it's worth, especially in a congested city where monthly parking runs as much as 30,000 yen ($551), and fuel costs fluctuate wildly. . .

Read more of this interesting 2-page story here: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/motoring/news/article.cfm?c_id=9&objectid=10551142

Emilie & Matt's Farewell Party

It's Saturday night 1/10 & we're (sadly!) saying sayonara to Matt & Emilie at a party hosted by Ingrid & Jim in our downstairs party room. We're all happy to be together, but wish it was for a different reason. They're flying out Wednesday . . .







Ingrid got a kokeshi doll that opens with a scroll for all of us to sign. What a great idea!


Stan & Emilie are ready to eat.

Looking around the room . . . It was nice to see Ray & Toshiko, who used to live in our building, but now live off-base.

Yum! Looking down the food table with Ingrid's potato casserole & Barbara's broccoli salad.


Then green pea salad & asparagus. . .


carrots (?), lemons, and a big bowl of steamed shrimp.


Then the fresh-carved beef & pork roasts.

Partygoers enjoying the delicious food!