StringGrrl sees the World

Laguna del Condado After the long break from international travel, we finally did take a trip that separated us from the CONUS (Contiguous or Continental, United States) when we travelled to Puerto Rico to attend a cousins wedding with Eric's Mom (StringGrrls Oma).  OmaKam on Condado Beach Vanderbilt Condado has a lovely "practically private" beach The Atlantic Ocean, Swallower of newer Ray Ban prescription sunglasses (dick)

Quick album compilation of the family in Japan. Apologies in advance to the family if I did not edit out funny faces or poor photo timing.

What has Toshi SO Excited? "econony yaki" Talk to people about Japanese food and those not in the know or might say; "I don't like fish." or "I won't eat raw things." or "I lived on Ramen in school." However, Japanese food is so highly diverse that labeling the cuisine with such simple genre labels is nearly impossible. One such gastronomical delights that gets overlooked is Okonomiyaki . A savory pancake whose name means literally "what you like, grilled".  Commonly prepared in a grill-it-yourself style using teppan grills at the table. Diners are invited to work their food themselves.  This evening we were taken to Irori by Toshi our sales colleague from the Tokyo office of AutoForm Japan K.K.  We found it in Kagurazaka, near the Iidabashi station which we reached on by the "N" subway line. Irori card back (my notes added) Irori calling card  Not to be missed in my opinion is this charming way ...

Olivia and Clarissa, The Artful Dodger and Oliver, Consider Yourself Clarissa as Oliver, Where is Love? Annalisa as Nancy, As Long as Bill Needs Me.

 

Six Flags Great America in the suburbs just north of Chicago and west of Milwaukee is a smallish but quality Midwestern theme park. Much smaller than Cedarpoint in scale and number of rides but larger than Michigan Adventure  Six Flags Great America was the destination for Parcells Middle School for the 2013 Music in the Parks Festival. StringGirl and Amber arrive at the park I had not been there since I was nearly 15-17 years old so my memories of the park were quite vague. For StringGirl, Amber, and IssaK this was their first visit to Great America. As Parcells Middle School aims to do each year, we attended with the 7-8 grade band, orchestra, and choir students for an adjudicated music festival. The Carousel One of the landmarks of the park is the Two level Carousel at the park entrance. While carousels are not the stock and trade of the competitive world of theme park money siphoning, this carousel is a charming and large feature...

Being from the "D" has a few highlights, one of which is the AutoShow. Playing for the "home crowd" the Autoshow in Detroit may not be the biggest or the fanciest but it is a show for the people. Here it is very likely that the folks walking about the show may have had their hands in the design, engineering, manufacture, and build of the cars on display. Amber and StringGirl above the fray of the NAIAS Toyota Fun-Vii is a car shaped Flat Panel display that visitors take turns decorating VW created little pods for trying out the sound system and viewing wrap around promotional videos This mini seems to be climbing the wall BMW performance concept The Tesla X type full electric crossover Ford Mustang Shelby  A giant Hoberman sphere above the Lincoln display, an homage to design Many digital displays interest and inform the visitors The Grrrrls take turns playing driver in the various cars on display

StringGirl and Amber running into family and friends at the Detroit Metro Airport (DTW) Somewhere over Utah Salt Lake City Airport not a bad view behind Grandma and Gramps house View Larger Map Job's Peak out the living room window Amber and StringGirl  Bald Mountain and Oreana Peak in the distance A b it more snow accumulation on Job and Job's Sister At the Carson Valley Clay club Snowing over Job's Peak and Heavenly Valley