Going-away Party + Dog Park

気がつけば２月も終わりですわ、早いですわ。さて、送別会に行ってきました。先日、知り合った奥様の一人が来週テキサスに旅立つと言う事で。折角知り合えたのに、残念ですわ。パーティの開始は７時過ぎだったので、今回は１０時頃には解散かなぁと思いきや、気がつけばまた２時過ぎてました。時間がたつのが早いですわ。それにしても奥様方の料理、美味しいのよね。料理は皆で、持参なんだけど、私はというと、鍋の材料、キャベツと大根、冷や飯と生卵、全く手を加えてない物を持って行きましたわ。
でもってここ最近、暖かくなってきたので、日曜日は犬を連れて近くのドックランに行ってきましたわ。
ちなみに集合写真を撮るのを忘れましたわ。壁に貼ったデコレーションは何故かヤンキー仕様になってますが。。。

Surprising how fast this year is going. It is already the end of February and Takako attended a 'going-away' party for one of the military wives. She feels a short sadness due to only knowing the individual for a short time. The party started at about 7 PM and they didn't realize until after midnight that it had gotten so late. Takako was shocked that everyone is great at cooking. She felt like she didn't put much effort into the preparation since she only brought cabbage, daikon radish & rice for Nabe. Today, with the beautiful weather (40°F), we brought Day-bis & Kuro to a dog park near our home. Just a way to get them out beyond their normal patrolling of the neighborhood. Tonight, we are planning on heading up to Omaha for a possible pick-up game of volleyball.

Birthday Party

もうすぐバレンタインですわ。さて、還暦パーティとお誕生日パーティに行ってきました。一品料理持参ということで、ミートボールを持って行きました。皆さんにお会いするのは今日が初めて、かなり緊張しましたわ。でも楽しかった。手作りケーキも美味しかったし他の料理も美味しかった。その後は奥さん達だけで二次会、といってもどこかのお店に行くとかじゃなくて、お家で二次会。久々に飲んでしまいました。気がついたら朝の３時でしたわ。でも楽しかったですわ。

Valentine's Day is fast approaching. Last night we attended a 'meeting/birthday' on base at the Community Center. Takako found out about it from a Mixi friend's invitation. It was a meeting for us since there were about 50 people there, Japanese spouses with American husbands including kids that we hadn't met yet. We were asked to bring a hot-dish so we decided on BBQ meatballs. Three of the attendees celebrated their birthday's. We ended the night with birthday cake and headed for home. Takako was invited to go to one of the organizer's homes for some Japanese wives discussion. She stayed for a couple of hours and then called Josh for the pick up. It was a good night for all.

Snow, Pugs & The Super Bowl

先日、母から荷物が届きました。お菓子とか雑誌とか段ボール３箱も。私は嬉しさのあまり一気にポテトチップス一袋を食べたら、気持ち悪くなってしまったわ。何事も急は駄目ね。沢山ありがとう、母親よ。
土曜日は天気が良かったのでデービスとクロを連れて近くのペットショップ屋へ。デービス、おもちゃ欲しそうに見てたけど、うちには沢山おもちゃがあるので、お菓子だけ購入して家路に。
そーいえば東京もまた雪が降ったみたいだけど、日曜日は久々にこっちも朝から雪。
で、今日は「スーパーボウル」の日なの。アメリカンフットボールの最高の試合らしく年に一回、優勝決定戦。チケットも一般発売されないらしい。だからニュースである人が「家を一年ただで貸すのでチケット譲ってください」って言ってた。それぐらい凄い試合らしい。

Friday and Saturday we received some packages from Kabu-chan. She sent us many Japanese items to include: potato chips/snacks, baking stuff & magazines/books in three boxes. Takako ate too many chips & snacks, too quickly and later complained of a stomachache. Yesterday, since it was a good day for this time of year, we brought Day-bis & Kuro to Pet Smart. They really enjoyed the toys, various smells and the occasional other puppy/dog perusing the aisles. It was their first time in the Highlander without their kennels. We have been told that it has snowed about 2-3" in Tokyo this past week. The snow in Omaha had been melting but today we awoke to some flurries. The big news for the day is, Super Bowl Sunday. The New England Patriots and New York Giants will square off in the league championship tonight at 5pm. My hope is for the Giants to win since they are in the same NFC Conference as the Minnesota Vikings. I would also like for the New England Patriots to not 'complete' their perfect season. My opinion is that if the Pats win, many will say they are one of the greatest teams ever... but I would disagree. They can't hold a candle to Dallas of the 90's or 49ers of the 80's, Steelers of the 70's.

UPDATE: Giants Upset the Pat's 17-14.