Monday, January 28, 2008

Currently Under Instruction!

So I finally had some free time this weekend...see, I'm in ALS right now, so for the past 3 weeks, and for the next 2, I have been REALLY busy. I have been averaging 2-3 hours of sleep each day during the work week, all because of homework for this class. I've come to appreciate a lot of things so far though, so despite being sleep deprived, I don't regret attending. "What are some of these things you've come to appreciate?" you ask? Well, first off, I now believe that even though I don't plan on staying in the AF, I should do my best to know my job as fully as possible until I separate. I should be the best supervisor that I can be and learn as much as I can about the AF and my job, etc. Another thing that has developed since ALS is a STRONG desire to learn! Learn everything! I am the least knowledgable in my ALS class about so many things that I should have more of a clue about, that it's motivating me to research a lot of those things. It's also given me an idea of the next college class(s) to take; history, geography, or religion! So that's pretty much it for positive things I've taken from ALS so far...

On to the stuff I did with this free time I mentioned in the beginning of this blog...I went to the Nago Cherry Blossom Festival with my friend Amber! It was a good time, and quite the workout. I'd say we probably ended up walking about 9 miles total, throughout the time we were there. And my calves are definitely thanking me for it all today, ha! But yeah, we had a pretty good time. Just a heads up, you can click on all the pictures to see them bigger. Anway, before we got to the actual festival, we looked at a whole bunch of flowers being sold near the parking lot we parked in:

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Then we walked to the area where the festival was taking place. After we walked through the streets that were littered with booths selling food or impossible chances to win prizes, we finally arrived below the steps of the pathway along the cherry blossom trees:

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Then we climbed all 700 or so steps to the top!



The next few pictures are from various locations up and beyond the central location of the festival:

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The last thing we saw was the end of the parade on the streets down at the bottom of the steps and the road. This type of dance is specific to Okinawa and it's always shown at every festival. I can't remember the name of it right this second though. Anyway, this is the tiniest dancer I've ever seen included in the group. He was so cute!



Okay, well that's all I have. I hope you enjoyed the pictures. I know both Amber and I enjoyed taking them!

Talk again in 2 weeks!

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

How far is it from where you live to Nago? Long drive, short walk? Gorgeous flowers; is it considered spring there, now? Are those primroses in those little pots on the ground?

Anonymous said...

YAY! My hijacked computer has internet finally! Wow! You may have had a little TOO much fun taking those pics, lol! I really wish I could have gone with ya. This is the second year in a row I got screwed out of going so now it's at the top of the list!

Thanks for posting the pics!! It's always nice to see pictures of you, not to mention anything green:)

Anonymous said...

Hi Beth..
This is Dave's Gram. Just wanted to thank you for the beautiful pictures of the flowers there. Such a treat as our memories of Okinawa are formed from WW 11 and all the agony that battle poured out. So much bloodshed and lost lives.
My Mom went to Gallaudet College in DC in the 30's and her favorite time of year was cherry blossom time. Have a great picture of her with them! Thanks for posting & sharing the beauty! love- Poppie & Gram

Anonymous said...

Hi Beth, Dave's mom here. I just realized you have a blog! I haven't checked Dave's in forever because he quit posting, so I found out by reading one of Dave's msgs on Andie's blog. It was wonderful to see all the beautiful flowers and after I was done, I was green! With envy! Ha! I'm glad you got to do something fun and relaxing after all your rigorous work with ALS. So is this your last week? Do good!
Blessings,
Jen

Anonymous said...

HELLO!!!!!??!! What was that about 2 weeks?!