Typhoon Number 4

It looks like the typhoon has come and gone. The sun was shining over our house for a bit as the wind kicked up one last time and blew the remaining clouds away. As I took Rose for a little drive so that she could close her eyes for a nap a quick look in the distance showed the remaining dark skies over the mountains. Rose and Nao are fast asleep now for an afternoon nap. I'm going to have a cup of coffee and think if I should go ahead and cook the lasagne Nao wants for dinner. She said she'd cook, but maybe I should let her have the night off (hhhhmmmm). Anyway, I've gotta make up for the slop I put on the table last night. Sometimes you experiment with not always the desired results...

This morning the kids in the neighborhood were supposed to have their annual summer fest. They'd carry a portable shrine around, collecting money to put towards activities for the rest of the year. But, because of the typhoon that was cancelled and we only had the official ceremony indoors. The priest placed all of his instruments in front of the small shrine and we stood behind him while he performed the rituals. One of the final actions called for us to take a small decorated twig to be placed in front of the shrine. So I watched as everyone else took theirs trying to remember all of the actions involved. Ok, stand in front of the priest. Bow. Take the twig from him. Bow. Then turn to the shrine and place the twig on the ceremonial plate. Bow twice. Clap twice. Bow once. Then turn towards to the priest once more and bow. Then go back to your original spot. Now that I think of it that's 6 bows! Luckily they ran out of twigs so all of the people who didn't do it already did it along with the last person. Multiply 6 bows by 6 people, yes. That's alot! It really is ashame that the kids couldn't carry around the shrine because it's really cool looking...

It was still raining pretty hard after the ceremony so we decided to go for a little karaoke to get out of the house. We went to the local Shidax, because Nao wanted to try out what they had for lunch. It wasn't bad, but a little pricey. But they had Rosie's favorite, men-men, so she was very happy! Aside from the food the price wasn't too bad, 300 yen for an hour of karaoke. We were in a family room for the first time. Let me just say, it's very nice! They've toys and games for kids to play. Plus tons of kids songs, even some ones from Sesame Street. Rose really loved that so much she sang along with Mommy and Daddy!!