Destination: Japan

Photos: Cookies

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 | By abcarlson | Photo Gallery

Game time!

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 | By abcarlson | Views [697]

My wonderfully handy Japanese pocket translator (complete with Eng-Jap, Jap-Eng, Eng-Eng, and a Kanji dictionary) has been in desperate need of a case for some time now.  Up until now, I've just been shoving it into my purse to fend for itself.  As of ... Read more >

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood!

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 | By abcarlson | Views [697]

How can you have a bad day when your morning starts off with this amazingly gorgeous sunrise?!  I hope this gives everyone "happy thoughts!"  :) ---Arielle

The Imo Truck!

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 | By abcarlson | Views [1098]

I found it!  I found it!  The ever-elusive imo truck! I stopped by Family Mart (a local convenience store) to pay some utility bills this afternoon (yup, we pay our utility bills at the convenience store - how convenient!)  On my way out, I noticed ... Read more >

Photos: Imo & Mochi

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 | By abcarlson | Photo Gallery

Naminoue & Kokusai Street

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 | By abcarlson | Views [1684]

Monday was our last day with Kristin and Lee.  We spent it wandering around Naha, visiting the area Lee remembered from the time he was stationed here.   We stopped at Naminoue Shrine and Brandon and I took this opportunity to take part in some of the ... Read more >

Kristin & Lee's Visit

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 | By abcarlson | Views [899]

We had a wonderful 5 days with Brandon's aunt and uncle coming to visit us!  We did some sightseeing around the island and ate as much beni-imo ice cream as physically possible.  :)  Our day at Torii Beach yielded a number of beautiful seashells and ... Read more >

Photos: Naha

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 | By abcarlson | Photo Gallery

Photos: Kristin & Lee

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 | By abcarlson | Photo Gallery

2010 Travel Writing Scholarship - THE WINNER!!!

Fri, 8 Jan 2010 | By scholarships | Views [40575] | Comments [4]

                  Simon Richmond, from RoughGuides.com Announces the Winner       What a privilege it was being offered the chance to judge ... Read more >

Snow Cookies

Fri, 8 Jan 2010 | By abcarlson | Views [1017] | Comments [1]

I've been going through snow withdrawal.  Everyone has been nice enough to send me photos of all of the snow in Omaha - they've got well over 20" and parts of I-80 have been closed down to one lane.  They are also dealing with windchill of -24 this ... Read more >

Photos: Snow cookies

Fri, 8 Jan 2010 | By abcarlson | Photo Gallery

Kenny's at Plaza House

Fri, 8 Jan 2010 | By abcarlson | Views [1677] | Comments [1]

Megumi and I went out for lunch yesterday at Kenny's, located in Plaza House.  Plaza House is a three-story, open-air, small mall on the other side of Kadena.  Kenny's is a Japanese restaurant on the third floor.   We both ordered off their "lunch ... Read more >

Okinawa Pineapple Park

Wed, 6 Jan 2010 | By abcarlson | Views [2205]

We traveled up north to check out the Okinawa Pineapple Park.  We got to ride around in a pineapple cart and learn about different kinds of pineapples and how they grow.  Did you know that there are both edible and ornamental pineapples?  We were very ... Read more >

Photos: Okinawa Pineapple Park

Wed, 6 Jan 2010 | By abcarlson | Photo Gallery