NOT Top Ramen...

Though I grew up on the stuff, I am happy to say that Japan has introduced me to a whole new Ramen.  Ramen bowls are one of the most common and popular meals.  Thought I'd post some pics...

Sugoi!!

"Sugoi" means "WOW!" in Japanese, and when Ray is working with the little kindergarten students, this is the word you hear most frequently.  The kids never cease to be amazed by his height and talent.  It's certainly a sight to behold.

The following 5 photos were taken a at a clinic that Ray did with another teammate.  These clinics are done as a way of promoting the team.  It gives Ray an opportunity to get off the court and interact with the public... with some VERY cute little guys.  He enjoys it very much!

Away games vs. Rizing Fukuoka

This weekend, the Lakes travelled 10 hours by bus to Fukuoka to play the Rizing Fukuoka.

Rizing is ranked third in the league, but the Lakes played a strong game on Saturday to pull off a win.  Today they weren't able to capture a win, but Ray played strong both days, averaging 20 points and 10 rebounds...

Love is in the Air... and other Wanderings...

Here are some photos from the past week or so....

On the train, on Ray's day off...

Our sleeping baby...

Ray was gone for Valentines weekend, so the Thursday night  before he left he made me dinner and presented me with the most beautiful bundle of roses.  A delightful night and a DELICIOUS dinner....

The next morning we woke to a beautiful dusting of snow....

The sky recently has been breathtaking...

I went on a long bike ride yesterday.... I love riding along the lake and watching the ducks, egrets, and heron fishing in the shallows.  So beautiful, but so much trash.  It amazes me that for such a clean nation, they allow their natural places to get so trashed!

I met a feline friend on my way.  This little fella just wanted a good scratch, and wouldn't let me have my lap back! I actually had to pry her off!

Feasting like kings...

I haven't posted a food pic in a while, so here's a recent one:

Baked salmon basted in herbs and peppers.... a rice pilaf with mushrooms and walnuts... and squash, carrot and ginger bisque... shredded cabbage....  

Ray brought these gorgeous lillies home, which accent the whole scene.

Living life to the fullest!!!

Home Games vs. Osaka Evessa

Lakes fans are the best!!!

A beautiful halftime show...

Our good friends Scott and Andrew escorted me to Sunday's game!

Our neighbors, Bob and Sanae Lopez had this banner made for us.  What a kind gift!

As Katie can attest... it was nice for the Lakes to pull out a demanding win vs. Osaka Evessa at home!

Saturday, the Lake Stars played a skillful game to pull out a 84-78 win vs. the 3 time defending champs.  On Sunday, the Lakes couldn't quite steal a win, but still played great.  Ray played very strong in both game and logged some FUN highlights!  Watch some vids below!

Vids from weekend play!

Ray came away with 23 points and 13 rebounds on Sunday, and 10 and 12 on Saturday... though the Lakes slimly lost both games.  Enjoy the video!  (I regret having missed two other BIG dunks on video- sorry!!)

Fushimi and beyond...

On Saturday, before Ray's game, my friend Vanessa came down and we spent the day in Kyoto.  She had brought a couple free tickets for some various shrines and temples, but to our luck, they were all closed.  We spent the day wandering through that same area, however, and had a delightful time...

The temple gardens are always breathtaking, even in the winter. Such serene design...

A "zen garden", created by raking the sand into designs.  The repetitious nature of this design was amazing...

The first sign of spring!  These plum blossoms were a true delight!  We can't wait to see the entire countryside covered with plum, cherry and peach blossoms come April!!

Don't even ask.  This ... amazing.... statue was in front of a beauty parlor on our walk from destination to destination....

Fushimi Shrine.  This particular Shinto shrine has gained popularity because it was in the movie, "Memoirs of a Geisha".  It has literally thousands of these tall torii gates built over an entire mountainside.  Usually one torii is built to mark the entrance of a shrine, and can be see throughout Japan.  

This is a photo with my buddy Vanessa.  We met while riding our bikes around the lake.  She lives up on the other side of the lake about 1 hour from here... and I always love it when we can make our paths cross!

The Shinto religion is very interesting.  I've come to find that there are literally countless different sects to the Buddhist faith here.  There isn't a certain right or wrong way to follow the religion... though there are many things that a follower can do to earn "pardon" from the gods.  There is a STRONG belief of superstition and luck.  If an individual buys a token, rings a bell, claps a couple times and says a series of words, they believe they will experience wealth for the year.  If they eat a particular shrimp on New Years Day, they believe they will not have bent backs when they get old.   If they eat dried soybeans, one for each year of their age plus one, they believe this will drive out the bad spirits and invite in the good.  It's quite baffling how many things one could possibly do to be "safe" here.  It's tiring!

An offering....

The writing on the back of each torii represents the name of the donor of that particular one...

A grave.  The fox is a "lucky" guardian...