English - Just for Me

I live in a small-ish town.  Most of the foreigners I've met or seen are from other Asian countries, and I've not met another native English speaker here.  I know one French woman, married to a Japanese man, who speaks French, Japanese, and English.  I know a few Japanese people who speak English fairly well, but still don't understand word plays or idioms.   I love both word play and idioms!  My upper level students find idioms very difficult, and when I think about it, they are.

One day I was in the mall and saw these wall murals in Baskin Robbins, or as it is known here - 31. I had to take photos!  

Variety is the spice of life

Wear your Sunday best

Seize the day

The ice cream clerk asked what I was doing.  She didn't speak English and didn't know the Japanese translation for the phrases. I tried to explain the simple translation, but she didn't understand so I didn't try to tell her the play on words.  I've concluded these signs were made for me - who else here understands them?  I've never bought ice cream here before, but maybe I will.  After all, they do have English signs for me.

More Stitch Group Blackwork

This week the group continued with their blackwork hearts.  They are all doing very well with them.  They are using some sparkle thread (Accentuate)  for the cross stitches in the box centers to give the piece some pica pica.

My idea is to make them into wall hangings, with or without borders.  I added borders to this blackwork alphabet piece and pinned it together with batting and a backing piece to show as an example.  Maybe next time they will decide about the borders or no borders.  

As always we had delicious treats for our tea time.  Aren't those pandas cute? They also sent me home with some food.  Thank you!

Public Transportation in Okinawa

The monorail in Okinawa, called the Yui Rail, runs from the Naha Airport to the Shuri-jo  castle area.  There are 15 stations about a kilometer apart and it takes about 1/2 an hour to go the entire distance. Each train has two cars, with 65 seats and a total capaity of 165 people.  The elevated track is between 8 and 20 meters above the ground. The top speed is 65 kph (about 40 mph) and the average speed is about  28 kph (about 17 mph) counting stops.

It's very convenient and reasonably priced.  Usually I buy the day pass or the two day pass - unlimited rides for 24 hours or 48 hours at a cost of 700 yen or 1200 yen. I took these photos while riding in the front seat.

Coming into a station.

Passing by a train going in the opposite direction.

I think this is where I get off.

Work In Progress Wednesday

I'm back to doing a little simple stitching, a form of physical therapy! It still hurts to twist my wrist or try to turn it over, so it's a little awkward, but getting better.   The cross stitching is finished, and now I need to add the beads and finish them into a needlebook and scissors fob.

I am going to physical therapy at the hospital three times a week and doing wrist exercises at home three or more times a day.  I'm not allowed to push or pull or lift with this arm for three months. It's healing.

Churaumi Aquarium

I love to go to zoos and aquariums.  The aquarium on the north part of the main island of Okinawa is about the best in the world, in my opinion.  I have been there twice before - we rented a car and drove from Naha the first time, and went on a tour bus the second time.  This time I took the regular highway bus so I could be on my own schedule.  This is the day I met the Sashiko jacket woman.

When I first arrived, I was greeted with a wonderful view and some flower fish.  

The aquarium is arranged so that you travel downward to the different levels of the sea.  It is very interesting, but sometimes difficult to see because there are so many people.  I went on Monday to avoid the weekend crowds, but it was still very crowded.    I saw many families with small children.

One of my favorite areas is the jellyfish and little eels.  

At the bottom is the huge tank with sharks and whales and lots of other things.   

Outside there is an area with turtles.  

And another outside area with the dophin show.

When I got tired, I took the bus back to Naha.  It was a good day.