Port of Kobe

Warning: Picture overload, but I don't think you'll mind.

 

Last week was probably my favorite of my six weeks here in Japan so far, except for the earthquake we experienced. Yep SIX already. Now I feel like time is moving pretty quickly after that one dreaded week. But I'm not here today to tell you I was homesick, sad, or lonely.

 

On Monday we spent our off afternoon at the zoo. Tuesday we also had a day completely to ourselves. After practice Monday the rest of the team traveled for their road trip. Pitchers always get the second day after they pitch completely off. It has happened before and will again tomorrow, that Brandon gets an entire day off but he is on the road. So that kind of stinks but that didn't happen last Tuesday. His team let him stay here with ME and then he traveled alone on Wednesday to meet up with the team. Sorry if that was super confusing. Just know Tuesday we had all day together and it was SO fun.

 

We went over to the Port of Kobe. It is a pretty popular area with lots to do and see. It wasn't as busy as I thought but I'm sure when the weather warms up for good and it's summertime it will be a lot busier. Plus I enjoyed that it wasn't crazy busy like most places have been.

 

 

 

 

 

We weren't starving but for some reason Brandon can always eat and he has taken to loving the little shops and bakeries that sell anything from waffles to cream puffs so we grabbed a snack and people watched. He enjoyed his waffle and ice cream while I indulged in a cheesecake latte at a little place called Bless Café.

 

 

 

We then walked around the port over to the Port Of Kobe tower and went up to catch the 360 degree view of our city.

 

 

Here I am standing over the sky view box (can't remember real name) and even though I knew I wouldn't fall through I still had to hold on.

 

 

I feel like I'm actually a ketchup bottle not the Port of Kobe Tower.

 

 

This is a view of MOSAIC, a place with lots of shopping and restaurants. That is where we had our afternoon treats. The large boat The Concerto is available for dinner cruises around the port.

 

 

 

I don't know when we started the tradition but for some reason we always buy the tourist trap photos. We have several back home and I just couldn't resist adding this to our collection.

 

We kept walking until the sunset.

 

 

 

The Port of Kobe Tower lit up at night! It is so gorgeous and you can sit and look for quite sometime before you get bored. The other structure is the Kobe Maritime Museum and Kawasaki Good Times World. We didn't have time to go in but we appreciated its unique architecture from the outside. We discovered when we got home that we can see Harborland and the ferris wheel lights from our bedroom balcony.

 

 

After walking around we ate dinner at a buffet called Fisherman's Marke where they had EVERYTHING! I enjoyed some pizza and paella while Brandon devoured some sushi and crab legs. The day came and went quicker than we liked but we had fun and found some fun places to take visitors. I also found a shopping mall that opens on the 18th so you can find me there then.

 

*Side note: The epic center of the earthquake is about a 30 min drive from our apartment. Only one older gentleman was hurt and it measured a 6 in size and is considered one of the bigger ones here lately. Although earthquakes happen fairly often here, most of them go unnoticed. I'd like to keep it that way please.

 

I also just spent over two hours moving and backing up photos and I'm not proofing this post so ignore any spelling and grammar errors please.  **If you caught the crap leg error my mistake it has been fixed**

Oji Zoo

On Monday, Brandon had a short practice from about ten until one. He messaged me on his way back from practice and said start getting ready, all you need is your camera and tennis shoes.  I had no idea where we were going except maybe somewhere to view cherry blossoms. We had talked about it over the weekend that it was something I had wanted to do.
 
So we hop on the train, discovered more of the Sannomiya train station than I care for, boarded a subway, took a short walk, and arrived at the Oji Kobe Zoo. I was a bit hesitant because I had read a few negative reviews on Trip Advisor but I had also heard this is a great spot for cherry blossom viewing. We had such a fun time walking around together even when both HUGE elephants decided to use the bathroom right in front of us. Gross. Sorry I'm blogging about elephant poop but I've never seen anything like it. Anyways, my favorite animals were the red panda and the giraffe. The Panda was pretty cool too but he just posted up against his tire and ate some bamboo. Originally we were going to wait until dark and catch the cherry blossoms that were lit up at night but the zoo closed about two hours before dark and we were hungry. We hiked a ways for Japanese fast food, Sukiya, beef and rice bowls. It was worth the walk. After a long day and lots of walking we called it quits and headed home. Here are some of my favorite pictures at the zoo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just a Snipet

We've been enjoying the last few days exploring together! Lots of fun pictures but no time to edit and upload them with posts. Here is a sneak peek until then. Tomorrow I am headed to Kyoto with Brandon's teammate's girlfriend so I am looking forward to some girl time while Brandon is gone for a couple of days.

First Home Game

Today was the third and final game of the opening series at home. Brandon pitched today and led his team to a 10-0 victory capturing his second win of the season.

 

 

home.sick

It appears that I am only getting worse at updating on a regular basis. That must mean I'm getting comfortable here or that I have had an extremely uneventful number of days. Probably a little of both.

 

While I wish it wasn't the case, I was hit with a pretty severe case of homesickness this past week. With Brandon being gone on the road for ten days I was left to my lonesome to do whatever my little heart desired, which wasn't much. I knew that the day would come and I was prolonging it as long as possible but it just snuck up on me and hit me like a ton of bricks.

 

I wasn't sleeping well, I was leaving the apartment to visit the grocery store or the gym only, and I wasn't out exploring anything new. I was missing my puppy in full force and wanting the familiarity of family and friends company. None of which were to be found here. It pretty much sucked. In attempt to make myself feel better I gathered a taste of America. It definitely didn't hurt.

 

However... the days have passed and although they seemed to tic away second by second I'm back to my normal happy self.

 

I feel quite vulnerable admitting all of this because I obviously want you to think that this adventure is always happy, fun, amazing times but that just isn't the case. It is a HUGE portion of the time but I'm human and get defeated occasionally and sure enough that happened.

 

Brandon has been home for a couple of days and his company has never been more appreciated. I seriously missed him like crazy.

 

I collected some newspaper clippings from his first game. Each time I look at them I imagine years down the road showing them to our grand kids and explaining about the time we lived in Japan. It serves as a simple reminder to me how blessed we are to be here even on the days when I'm ready to pack my bags and leave.

Viewing Party

I just sent our families to bed. It is a little after two in the morning  in the states and we just finished watching Brandon's game together. Now before you ask for the site to watch the game.. there isn't one, or there could be but I have no clue what or where it is.

 

I am not tech savvy at all but got the wild haired idea that I could set my computer in front of the TV then video chat with family back home broadcasting the game.

 

It worked. With a few quirks and minor technical difficulties, both my family (Tag included) and Brandon's got to watch and witness his first start and win of the season. Not to mention a few extra supportive friends of ours. I truly believe he did so well today because he knew he had support back home watching and cheering for him.

 

If that wasn't fun enough, let me tell you it was, then we got to hear this guy and his post game interview and I quickly recorded it for you all to hear. I was beaming from ear to ear I was so happy for him. I love him more and more each day and when he is happy, I'm happy!

 

I can't explain how grateful we are for this opportunity. It continues to bless our socks off. Thank you, THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts for your unending support.

 

 

 

 

Randoms from Week 4

Hello, slacker here. I do not have much to report on our end.

 

The season has officially started -- YAHOO!

 

 

 

I have turned into an excellent chef. Homemade chicken noodle soup. Minus the noodles but over rice was just as tasty.

 

 

 

I made a delicious tomato cream sauce pasta to celebrate opening night. I also drank coke from a wine glass because I am fancy like that AND I have been giving in to the soda cravings. I need something American in my life. Although it's not like it used to be and makes my stomach a little crazy. I also discovered that Pizza Hut delivers to our building so THAT is good news. Can I get an Amen? Pizza party next week for sure!

 

 

 

Forgot this awesome video from the game last week. It was a city rivalry game between the Hanshin Tigers and the Orix Buffaloes. Way more Tigers fans.. oh well. This is the 7th inning stretch ritual here. No singing of take me out to the ball game, instead these balloons are just as fun, right? Nothing like celebrating with balloons that look like male reproductive cells. This was post game after the Tigers claimed victory.

 

 

 

Also missing everyone this Easter holiday but found a way to still hear the good news online. You can watch here if you just can't get out of bed some Sunday mornings. I have heard there is a church some of the other Americans ball players that live in our building go to so I'm going to do more research to find out where and when. Just another way to meet and make some friends!

 

 

 

In other news I am three movies deep in the Pirates of the Caribbean series. Not sure why I've never seen any of them but figured now is as good of time as any to get on board. Pun intended. Slightly obsessed with becoming a pirate, not really but Keira makes it look fun. And because I can't just sit still and watch a movie I started another cross stitch project.

 

 

 

I have one sightseeing location on my list while Brandon is gone mostly for the photos (and shopping) and I haven't figured out which day is going to be best to go. I would like to be there at night but slightly afraid of getting disoriented, not lost. Perhaps I'll go twice, once during the day and once at night. Good plan right?

 

Okay sorry I have no raw egg stories but everyday can't be that adventurous. If you decided to go out to eat this weekend and enjoy some fine American cuisine please dedicate a bite or two for me. Oh and if you know how to order a pizza in Japanese please email me - you'd be my hero.

 

Hope you all have a Happy Easter!