Walking in the Light

Friday, January 06, 2006

The Chicken or the Egg?

Well, here's an interesting story.

We are often surprised by people's generosity (isn't it a shame it is something of an oddity?). Especially so, when it is a non-christian that does it. We were surprised the other day by one of our neighbors, whom we have not yet met. What surprised us was that she had brought us some goodies for the New Year. She gave us some chicken and some mochi. The mochi had to be eaten pretty soon, so we ate it that day. The chicken we put in the freezer for another day.

Well, "another day" was today. So I pull out these chicken wings, whip up a sauce and throw them in the oven. After an hour in the oven, we were quite surprised to find the meat was still pink. Well, back in the oven it went, but it came out the same -- still pink! After two more tries with the microwave this time, it was still pink.

That was when we decided to have a closer look. It turns out that these were "special" chicken wings. They were chicken on the outside, but the inside was filled with mentaiko, which is fish eggs (yes, they are pink). They surely have some strange, I mean, unique foods here.

We verified this finally by READING the packaging they came in. It sure does help if you read the package first.

Anyway, it was an interesting, and delicious, dinner.

Monday, January 02, 2006

Happy New Year!

Well, Happy New Year to everyone.
Or as they say in Japanese, akemashite omedetou gozaimasu.

New Year's is the biggest holiday in Japan. Almost everything is closed for three days so people can go on their yearly visits to family members. It is a time of great merriment with lots of food and drinking.

Here we are visiting with Debe's Aunt and Uncle and Cousins.
They couldn't believe that Emi liked the "dreaded" natto.
Of course, all Pallmanns eat any and everything.

For kids it is especially exciting. They receive Otoshidama, or New Year's money from all their aunts, uncles, friends and any relation really. They make out pretty well too, as the gifts are anywhere from $10 - $100.
Emi even got from one of Debe's students.

Here is Debe's uncle Yoshio offering Otoshidama to Emi. You can just make out the bill in front of the oranges.

Finally, did you know that in Japan it is not only the year 2006? It is also Year 18 of the current Emperor, and it is also the year of the dog (from the Chinese calendar).

Sunday, December 25, 2005

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

I know, it's only the 24th in the U.S., but it's Christmas over here.

Hope you all have a blessed day and don't forget the true meaning for the celebration.

P.S. if you really want to see some pics, click here

Tuesday, December 20, 2005

Gingerbread House

Here's a few shots of Debe's homeschool student's project.

It's a gingerbread house.

They don't make them in Japan, so this was a novelty for many people.

Okinawan Custom

There is a custom here in Okinawa for someone's 1st birthday.
You place several items within reach of your little angel.

Usually you use a pen, a book, some rice, money and an abacus.
Whatever they choose is supposed to determine their future fortune.

So, if they go for the pen, they would be smart. If they go for the book they will have a good education. If they go for the rice, they will be well fed. If they go for the money, they will be rich. And if they go for the abacus, they will be good with numbers.

Of course, as Christians, we don't follow any such superstitions. We don't believe that our lives are left up to chance or fate. We believe in a God that is always in control of the situation.