Another morning in the library. There is a coffee shop that is attached to the library and they offer a small collection of coffees and breakfast goodies. Usually I get the breakfast burrito. I finished my book and checked out another to continue my thirst for leisure reading. After lunch I also checked out the gift shop on base. I got a few ideas of things I can do with my ceramics by looking at some glass platters they had. The glass platters were shaped like fish or seashells and I got the idea to make a slump mold of a fish or wildlife that would be commonly found in Illinois. I could then make plates and platters that would hopefully attract another demographic for me.
After the visit to the gift shop I walked back to the cabin to change to go snorkeling The weather was perfect for a swim, sun out, not too windy, tide high. As I got to the cabin I realized that I had left the turtle key in John's car and I was locked out of the cabin. I was glad to have another book to read so I just sat on the front porch in the beautifully crafted log furniture and enjoyed the sun. There were some firefighters doing some training exercise across the road. They were spraying the hose and the wind was just strong enough that I would get a little misting every now and then. It was quite beautiful.
John got to the cabin just in time though because I noticed that it wasn't quite sunny anymore and there was some dark clouds rolling in. We also discovered that the door to the cabin leaks profusely when it rains. The rain echoed from the inside of the beach cabin and the thunder shook the walls just a little bit. Makes me glad that it isn't rainy season or typhoon season because I could be in trouble. We dashed for the car and got soaked on our way. We spent the evening on Kadena Air Base setting up a room for me for my last couple days in Japan (cabin is booked by someone else over the weekend) and then looking for a movie to buy at the BX. We grabbed dinner at this place called Jack's Place. It was the same place that the hibachi grill is, but we sat on the dining room side this time around. I ordered the mango salmon and John got the Amazing Fry as they called it. It was fried seafood. The scallops were again amazing and I wished that I would have ordered scallops instead of salmon, though the salmon was tasty too. The meal was extremely affordable for everything we got, even a small dessert at the end, and the atmosphere was perfect. The Japanese workers were extremely hospitable and kind as always.
We had a great day and I got to explore a little bit more than I had. I still get to go on walks, granted it is usually from library to cabin or beach, but it is still a walk and I enjoy hearing the sounds of the thousands of crickets, birds, and cicadas. Have I mentioned that the cicadas sound like monsters and the crickets/grass-hoppers are the size of small birds? They are huge and sometimes I feel like I am under attack or in the middle of an ambush walking down the street. I wouldn't mind living in Japan but I do miss my family and friends back home. I also reallllly miss getting my hands muddy. I am quite ready to get on the wheel again and make some pieces. I am excited to see how my work develops after this short hiatus. Best wishes back home and tomorrow I will have some great adventures to talk about and hopefully some images too. I don't want to ruin the surprise but this afternoon I'll be going off base to explore a local area. I am beyond excited!
After the visit to the gift shop I walked back to the cabin to change to go snorkeling The weather was perfect for a swim, sun out, not too windy, tide high. As I got to the cabin I realized that I had left the turtle key in John's car and I was locked out of the cabin. I was glad to have another book to read so I just sat on the front porch in the beautifully crafted log furniture and enjoyed the sun. There were some firefighters doing some training exercise across the road. They were spraying the hose and the wind was just strong enough that I would get a little misting every now and then. It was quite beautiful.
John got to the cabin just in time though because I noticed that it wasn't quite sunny anymore and there was some dark clouds rolling in. We also discovered that the door to the cabin leaks profusely when it rains. The rain echoed from the inside of the beach cabin and the thunder shook the walls just a little bit. Makes me glad that it isn't rainy season or typhoon season because I could be in trouble. We dashed for the car and got soaked on our way. We spent the evening on Kadena Air Base setting up a room for me for my last couple days in Japan (cabin is booked by someone else over the weekend) and then looking for a movie to buy at the BX. We grabbed dinner at this place called Jack's Place. It was the same place that the hibachi grill is, but we sat on the dining room side this time around. I ordered the mango salmon and John got the Amazing Fry as they called it. It was fried seafood. The scallops were again amazing and I wished that I would have ordered scallops instead of salmon, though the salmon was tasty too. The meal was extremely affordable for everything we got, even a small dessert at the end, and the atmosphere was perfect. The Japanese workers were extremely hospitable and kind as always.
We had a great day and I got to explore a little bit more than I had. I still get to go on walks, granted it is usually from library to cabin or beach, but it is still a walk and I enjoy hearing the sounds of the thousands of crickets, birds, and cicadas. Have I mentioned that the cicadas sound like monsters and the crickets/grass-hoppers are the size of small birds? They are huge and sometimes I feel like I am under attack or in the middle of an ambush walking down the street. I wouldn't mind living in Japan but I do miss my family and friends back home. I also reallllly miss getting my hands muddy. I am quite ready to get on the wheel again and make some pieces. I am excited to see how my work develops after this short hiatus. Best wishes back home and tomorrow I will have some great adventures to talk about and hopefully some images too. I don't want to ruin the surprise but this afternoon I'll be going off base to explore a local area. I am beyond excited!