Japan Moms

Meeting his baby sister.

Riker is always there to help his sister

Congratulations T-Lynn, just beautiful!!

omg, she is just beautiful, you said it a Tiny Tinker Bell, congratulations YaYA!!!!  Happy Easter All!

Miss....no words, just prayers. Surrounding you and yours in light and love. 

I just dropped my Sailor off headed to USS Ronald Reagan. Sure is hard.  Anybody know how the first few weeks will go for him once he arrives at indoc?

Hi

Thank you - yes she is tiny byt not her lungs or her eating!!!

Sorry this is short so much going on here

Tomorrow is big scout trip to Galena. Leave at 6:30 am and back by 5:30 pm.

Share about it alter

Miss - did I miss a message?  Sorry - hugs Sending any vibes to help out.

Hugs all

Oh how Precious! Congrats T-Lynn.

Annmarie, they will be busy, busy. Stay positive hugs

Have you heard from him?

look who's 2!

Hi Blondie, Thanks for your reply.  I have heard from him a little.  He is still adjusting to the time change.  He is in Indoc now!  So many questions I don't know where to start!

You ladies are the best!  I cannot thank each of you enough for the prayers, thoughts, comforting words and just knowing that you all are always here when I need you!    Some days are just hard, but Japan Moms can always lift me up and make me feel much better.   My sister is still struggling and I know she has some really tough days ahead of her.  

T-Lynn, what a beautiful baby! She is just precious and I am so happy that Riker loves his little sister, so.  You are truly blessed.  

Blondie, your beautiful little sweetheart is just growing way too fast!  She is so adorable.  

Welcome to all new Japan Moms!  You are with a great group of ladies here.   Hang in there and know that we will do our best to encourage and offer our support and anything we can to make this time much easier for you.   The thing that helped me more than anything was that I stayed as busy as I could.  I now keep forgetting to slow down (LOL!)  I will be praying for each of you.   

Blondie, your baby girl is just so adorable!  T - Lynn, what a beautiful new baby.  She is to incredibly tiny. Precious.

I have a question as a new Japan Mom...when they go out to sea on carrier do you have any contact with them?

Annmarie, yes, sometimes. Email is your best shot, he will be given one on th he ship. Also when they pull into ports, they can usually call or have contact. Depending where they are and what they're doing even when they are at sea they can have some contact. Usually phones and computers are limited so there is a line and might have time limits. This is to make sure more have a chance to call home. 

Indoc, helps them get adequate with their surroundings and their, ship and jobs. They will learn about the money exchange, how to use train systems and purchasing things. 

Glad you have heard from him. I'm sure he's busy AND tired. Hang in there, you're doing Great. Ask whatever comes to mind, whatever you're worried about at the time. We've all been there. We're all still learning. Just helping each other on this Journey. 

Miss. I agree way to Fast! We don't get to see enuff of them . But way better then before and probably more then most. I warned them once a year was not gonna work for me. LOL you Know we always got your back, whatever you need. HUGS continued Prayers.

2

Doesn't she just Glow. LOL she just popped out this past week, just in time for her 1st shower! She said, I'm Pregnant! I have a baby in here!!! Like she just realized it. So precious. 

my van loaded on the way back to ohio. Brought all the baby stuff h...

Hi

Blondie - she was all ready for the Easter Parade in her Easter Bonnet!!!!  What a cutie. ANd I am laughing looking at your pic of the van.  Just trying to figure out if you still made space for you to drive.  But you forgot the kitchen sink.  She looks beautiful for her shower.

Glad you heard form your son, he is doing fine - its you who is adjusting to a new way of life.  Navy Mom - not correction a Pan Mom!  No worries - we listen well and send hugs.

Miss - hope by now things with your sister are improving.  Gentle hugs and if you wish I will send Reiki Energy to you and her.  Keep us posted.

I have a cold and I mean a cold.  That is my souvenir from the cub scout trip to Galena on 4-27-19.  That started at 4:30 AM and ended at 5:15 PM for hubby and me.  Also, the tempt started at upper 50's and ended with us at 24 wind chill. Over cast to down pour - snow fall of 4 inches - back to rain with a mix of snow to just snow and then ending with sleet. ANd yes, those boys - even though dressed in garbage bags - we were OUT in it. Soaked three times tot he bone.Those boys loved every minute and talk about doing it again next year. I can say - my group was the best looking garbage bags in the parade

No words from my sailor, so I am waiting mode.

Here at home - grand kids are fine.  Riker is busy trying to be a big brother, but wishes Emma was a bit quieter at time. I believe Emma is practicing to be an opera singer. Especially between 2 - 4 am.  But she is growing. Now 6 pounds plus. But still tiny.

Well, I need to finish paper work.. hugs all

Blondie, thank you so much for all the information!  That helps just having a clue on what to expect.  My sailor seems very happy right now, but the sea is calling.  Hopefully, that will be a good experience for him.  I am guessing they work super long hours once they are out to sea, correct?  Thanks again!  You helped so much.

T-Lynn, I hope your cold gets better!  Those can be awful!

T-Lynn, hope you're feeling better Soon!  Those long hours are hard on us ole folk, then add the weather Geezzz  

When we got back from VA our weather was like that, what a shock to our system!  Last week May did the same , Cold and rain everyday, add the wind....YUCK!  I survived the catch-up at work as I'm still the only one who does billing, insurance, mail, checkbook.....Then it was Month-ends and quarterly taxes...the list keeps going. After working Saturday we had a 70th birthday party (I did 5 dox. cookies, horseshoes) and the Derby.  Then my 29 years old niece went home with us, said she misses Connor so we stayed up till Midnight playing Mario Monopoly!   I'm too old for this!  By 7:30 we were on the road taking her back home, then dress for Church, 1st Communion for our Great-niece and party after. Great time but tiring.  Went home and mowed thru water for 3 and half hours!  But here at work already this morning. Sore but hanging in there.

Anmarie, you are welcome.  Yes, Very long hours and little space. I sent lots of boxes that were usable, soap, deodorant, food, small travel toys, snacks.  Pick me ups, like girl scout cookies, boy scout popcorn, anything to remind them of home. Send plenty to share.

busy now, gotta go.  Happy Monday!

I'm planning a trip to Japan to see my son next year.  Does ANYONE have words of advice, info or recommendation?

PhillyMom and Others - I will be traveling to Japan at the end of August to visit my son so I am interested in any suggestions as well! We will be flying into Toyko where we will meet up with our sailor. We plan to travel down the coast to see some sites before ending up in Sasebo (his base). Son has to be back to work about 10 days into our trip so we will then day trip around the Sasebo/Nagasaki area for a week. So suggestions for anything Central to Southern Japan are most welcome!

We visited our son in Yokosuka last summer, the weather was similar to here, we booked our hotel on Expedia and went with the 2 bed - room, but would only let us book for one person, so I contacted Expedia and they contacted the hotel to ensure we could have 2 people so I took that documentation with me.  When we checked in, we /they confirmed 2 people were ok, but they would only give us one towel, lol.  I think we stayed at the Central hotel?   it is near base, but have your sailor ask around, there may be a better hotel, and I have heard AirBNB is good, but we weren't familiar enough with the area to make that decision.  Enjoy!  we walked alot and took the train, we really enjoyed the visit

Thanks Lauren, my son is stationed in Yoksuka too.  I'm kind weary of the AirBNB because there tends to be to few or no reviews.  How long did you stay for?  I'm going to start a Discussion Form...FYI

Japan is weird about towels, they're all so small!  AirBnB was not a thing when I was there, but the ones I looked at seemed rather nice.  The hotels are expensive, and can be rather different than what you are used to in the US.  If you want to stay in Tokyo for a couple nights, and your sailor can stay with you, have them reserve a room at the New Sanno.  Five star hotel in Tokyo, and the room rates are based on paygrade.

August is really, really humid.  

In fact, there's at least one listing which looks an awful lot like my old house, and one looks similar to my old apartment.  All of the ones near the base look okay.  You want to be near Yokosuka-chuo station if you want to walk to base.  Kamakura and Zushi are wonderful, but they require train rides.  

Expect to take your shoes off in most of these homes.  They often provide house slippers, but you may want to bring your own.  

Great Info Anti M, my son hopes to get back there next round, he is back in the states, so super glad we were able to visit

PhillyMom - we were only there a week, seems dumb for such a long plane ride, but so glad we did it!

Thanks for the info Anti M and a very good point about not wearing shoes in homes. That requirement is written into my son's apartment lease in Sasebo. I had forgotten. Just curious, do you know if that applies to hotels as well?

If the hotel is western style like ours, then you may wear shoes.  If it is more like a Japanese inn, no shoes.  You pretty much can tell by looking around in the entrance.  A no shoes place has an area for you to take off your shoes and slip on the house slippers.  You only go completely bare or sock footed in tatami mat rooms.  Bathrooms frequently have different slippers just for in there!  

The shoe area/entrance is called a genkan.  It is treated lie a front porch, which is disconcerting for Americans because it is inside the house.  I learned to keep my front door locked when I wanted privacy, because complete strangers would step in and it was not considered rude.  

Thanks Anti M! The trip will be an adventure and it is very helpful to learn some of the etiquette ahead of time.

CindyN, my daughter-in-law is from Sasebo.  My sailor and her live in San DIego now.  She and my grandson are going to Sasebo in July while my son is underway.  I can ask her any questions that you may have.  She has a lot of relatives in the area. 

If you hear of any children events on the base in July let me know and I will pass it to her.

Kim - Thanks! Any suggestions for sightseeing/day trips your DIL and son have would be greatly appreciated. Also any restaurants suggestions would be wonderful. I will certainly let you know about any events on base during July that I hear about.

When we visited in March we purchased JR pass, you can use for any transportation JR system offers; like train, bus, ferry, bullet train and local rides as well. Here’s the link: https://www.iace-usa.com/en/jrpass/ticketssale?gclid=Cj0KCQjwt_nmBR.... We bought the 1 week passes, you can visit the cities you are interested along the way to Sasebo. (Note: only for visitors, your son need to buy regular tickets each ride). https://www.rome2rio.com/map/Tokyo/Sasebo. Night bus is cheaper and may save the hotel expenses.

I’d recommend watch NHK world TV: https://www.ontvtonight.com/guide/listings/channel/4149919750/nhk-w..., very educational programs, some like travel guides to many cities and attractions.

Have a safe and fun trip!

CindyN, been years since we went but we LOVED it.  Very clean and safe.  We did the JR passes, you HAVE to buy them while you're here in the states. But when Sailor went with us the price she paid!  So GLAD we had the passes!  We spent 2 weeks, if I can find any of our things I'll let you know. Sailor got traveling books from on base and we planned our trips. We did everything, bus, train, bullet  train, Lots of walking. 

Hiroshima, Budda, Kyoto, a gardens of Kanazawa, Mount Fuji,Takayama,Tokyo( not a lot we don't like big cities)  were a few we did.  We Love History and Religion. We ate street food, stayed at a Hostel..... We had Loads of FUN!

All4Navy - Thanks for the links. We are looking at the train. Saves our son from being our driver and worrying about parking, etc. In my limited research so far it isn't clear to me, do we to make a reservation for a particular train ahead of time? Or do you just show up and catch the next train? Not being locked in and having more flexibility if we find something extra to do in a city would be nice.

WE just jumped on the train when we wanted too. no reservations. except maybe the bullet. I can't really remember it's been a few years. and I've had a couple brain bleeds....  My daughter would tell us if we were going one direction take the blue train and the other the red train....yellow bisects…

Great - So more like a city light-rail or train rather than Amtrak from that perspective. I love riding trains and subways when traveling, more so than buses for some reason. Thanks for the info.

They get very busy and crowded at times but you will see school kids getting on and off.  I only got dizzy when we set in a sideways seat and another train went by us. It's weird looking 1 way but traveling another.  And the different speeds of the trains going opposite of you.... I learned to look down.  LOL I did get those pressure point wrist bans and they Really did Help.

CindyN, the first 3 cars of bullet train do not need reservations so it’s flexible. (That’s how we went from Osaka to Hiroshima, plenty of empty seats). Our sailor speaks some Japanese, she did arrangement. I don’t know exactly how it works, and I will try to find out for you. Not all train stations in Tokyo do JR bullet train reservations, so give yourself some extra time to find the correct station. The other cities we did not have any problem to reserve seats. Hope this helps: https://jprail.com/travel-informations/travel-tips/reserved-seat-vs...

We used our JR pass the second week, (JR pass need to use alongside with passport).  From Tokyo to Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima. From Tokyo west bound sit in the right side you can see Mount Fuji, it’s beautiful.

We were in Tokyo the first week, we visited Yokohama, very beautiful city. Tokyo metropolitan building observations deck is free, offers panoramic city views. https://www.google.ca/maps/place/Tokyo+Metropolitan+Government+Buil...

Have a great trip!!!

I finally over that cold. AND daughter in law and baby is getting over it too. One time I did not want to share..

And it looks like rain again here.  At least hubby has the yard mowed. And we have a bumper crop dandelions.  Part of me want to get rid of those things. but there was a report of the need of dandelions for the honey bees.  So maybe I can try to corral them in one area.  I can hear you all laughing. Ok - it does sound silly.  But just maybe it will work . Let you know

Hey need to finish up on cub scout stuff.  hugs all

I took the train all the time.  There's two lines which go through Yokosuka, and they are different companies, and have different stations.   The JR pass is useful, but there are still going to be times you buy a local ticket. 
The bullet trains are more like Amtrak, the ordinary trains are like light rail, and there is a subway system too in some areas.  If you're going to see the Great Buddha, you end up on a tiny electric train which essentially goes between people's back yards!  Like a trolley.
To make it more confusing, some lines have express, limited express, and local.  Some only stop at the big stations, and some stop at every station.
One of the things they teach the sailors in indoc is how to ride the trains.  They really are handy, and I wish we made more in the US!  
The JR pass can be useful, but honestly, I rode one of the private lines more, the JR didn't run down to where my apartment was.  All depends on what you plan to do when you visit.  If you want to go places other than local to the base, the JR pass is a good deal.  Tokyo/Yokohama/Yokosuka are so-so with JR.  

https://www.jrailpass.com/blog/japanese-trains

Check out the day pass as well, good for 1 day unlimited bus and train rides; safe time, money and hassle.

https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2359.html

Thanks everyone for the train advice! Now I just need to get my family to figure out the sites they want to see between Tokyo and Sasebo. Something tells me it will be whatever I (or anyone really) decides. :-)

Kyoto, you really should see Kyoto.

Anti M - Yes Kyoto is definitely on my list!

HI

Hey CindyN - please share some pics with us after your trip.  Wishing you a wonderful trip.

Gossip here :  Granddaughter received her first shot today.  She is doing fine - napping well.  And second - my sailor's tour with his ship is over.  He should be landing any minute now!!!!!!  He will be in CA with his family and then head out east to his new post. He plans on stopping here to rest as he travels through.  SO in a week I should be getting my hugs!!!!

Wish all a great weekend. 

So it is quit here!  I thought maybe I wasn't getting notifications again. Where is everyone?  Check in when you can, I know it's Crazy Busy.  Prayers going out to all of you and your families.

I feel as I'm treading water here. Life doesn't get any easier as we get older. With baby showers, Bridal showers, 2 wedding and 4 weeks to go before next grandbaby is born, throw in Memorial day and 4th of July and my nephew was home from Air Force for 1 weekend....I'm in a state of exhaustion! My Husband's employer is closing the doors this Friday!! Yes, we went thru this last year, but 2 people thought they could keep this 150 year old business going so my Hubby, the nice guy that he is stayed on..... One of the owners died the other's wife got pregnant with their 6th child. Money situation failed so Business will close. :) Luckily I seen the writing on the wall and we started job searching about a Month ago. He had already had 2 job interviews and an offer by the time they told him. They gave him a whole 10 days notice that's counting the weekend. Throw in the yard work and gardening, my paying job and house work, bad weather (tornedos and flooding) trying to shuffle everyone's vacations at work I have my hands full. And I still found time to see my pregnant daughter and help finish the nursery 3 times in the last 2 weeks and she lives 1 and 1/2 hours away. So patting myself on the back for still standing (no matter how painful, not keeping up with my therapy or decompression BUT doing the best I can!)
You ladies are always in my heart and Prayers.
God Bless America and our Military.