We're Moving

We started this Family Blog when we first moved to Japan with the hope that we would keep family and friends informed as to how we were doing. We tried our best to update it as much as we could but as time went on, it became difficult to constantly update and we kind of neglected it over time. Heck, we still didn't update our Greece trip which was two years ago.

Now that it is just the two of us we decided to start a new blog called Poligon and Polichan which is what the students in our class call us. If you would like to follow us, then please go to the link below.

http://poligonpolichan.blogspot.jp

See you over there!

Januck and Joanna

Alex and Contributors Singing All Believers

I love this video of them singing this song. Please check out his album at:



https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/all-believers/id1071912864

More Sumo Fun!

We had so much fun at sumo! This was the highlight bout of the day and Kisenosato upset the Grand Champion. Notice the seat cushions flying afterward. That is a tradition if the Grand Champion loses a bout.

I Think I Love You - Partridge Family

Joanna and I went to our local eatery and this song was playing and I was suddenly a little boy again enjoying my first "Favorite Song"!

Sumo

Well, it has been a long time since we went and watched sumo live. We didn't realize that we would be watching part of history since it has been ten years since a Japanese Sumo Wrestler has won a tournament. We went on the second to last day and saw Hakuho the greatest Sumo wrestler ever lose on the final match of the day setting up the historic last day where Kotoshogiku won the tournament. We went with our friends Troy and Aya and couldn't have scripted a better day.

Two grumpy old men on the way to the tournament.

 Two beautiful ladies on the way to the tournament.

 One former grand champion and the current grand champion.

 Getting my sumo on!

 A nice pre-tournament beverage.

 The flags outside the arena showing the wrestlers names.

 I was so excited to be picked up by one of the most popular wrestlers!

 Joanna getting her groove on with a few wrestlers walking by.

 One of the very popular wrestlers who recently retired.

 Another popular wrestler who recently retired.

Inside the arena. Our seats were dope!

Our favorite beer girl! She would come by our seats to fill up our glasses. Who needs to get out of their seats for a refill? Not us!

All Believers!

Alex published his first album on iTunes! Please have a listen and buy it if you like it!

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/all-believers/id1071912864

Happy New Years!

Happy New Years everyone!

We were lucky to have Rachel and Alex come home to Japan for Christmas and we were able to spend some quality time with them. We were able to spoil them a little bit too!

Alex already went back to California and will be releasing his first album at a listening party today. Rachel will be here for another week and will head to Cambodia for about three weeks to do volunteer work through her school. We are so proud of both of them!

Here's hoping the 2016 will be a great year for everybody!

Sorry

Well, as before I've forgotten to post on our blog. Much has happened and we had to work on Thanksgiving which is normal for us. We have to work tomorrow too (Sat) but oh well, it is part of the job.

The kids are coming home next month and we'll be together for Christmas! I'll try to blog as much as I can and hopefully I won't forget!

Way Too Long

Sorry everybody! It has been way too long since we posted anything. My goal is to blog once a week on the weekends. We've experienced a lot since we last posted and it is time to post again! Thanks for waiting.

It's just the two of us now!

While packing, Joanna found an old birthday gift she had bought Alex and hid but could never find.

"Bullied" - A Short Film by Alex Plane

We showed Alex's video to our school. He made this video about bullying for his IB project. Sorry that it can't be shown on mobile devices. We are very proud of him.

Just A Teen (Official Lyric Video)

Alex's IB Art Exhibit

Went to Alex's exhibit today in the torrential rain. We are so proud of what he has accomplished!

Going to Mykonos

Our ferry ride from Santorini to Mykonos island was about two and half hours.  When we met our Gate 1 Tour guide at the port in Mykonos he said our hotel was overbooked and we have been upgraded.  First I was disappointed because the hotel I had chosen was very close to downtown and the hotel we ended up was near a beach and a bus ride from downtown.  However, when we got to our hotel it was beautiful and we were treated very well.  

The houses in Mykonos are rectangular.  Still white with blue doors and windows.

The hotel sent us a bottle of wine for our anniversary

Our hotel

Inside our hotel room


We ended up asking the hotel where we should go eat that night for dinner.  They suggested eating at a local Greek restaurant.  So we walked down to the beach.  I did have to ask two people on the street to find the restaurant.  When we did find it, I ordered a glass of wine.  The waiter asked "Half or Full?" so I said "Full" thinking why would I want a half of glass of wine.  He then brought me a full liter of wine in this red pitcher.  Januck had a good laugh!  We ordered Souvlaki, which is like Japanese Yakitori or Kebabs.  It was very good but way too much meat.

We went back to the hotel after dinner and I asked the receptionist if we could still take a swim in the pool right outside our room even though the Pool sign said until 6 p.m.  They said the rules don't really apply so to go ahead and take a swim.  We did and really enjoyed it!

Taking a volcano tour on Santorini

So, we were picked up from our hotel to board a boat to an island with a crater we could walk up to.  All of the island of Santorini is on a caldera.  We got on and had an English guide who also spoke French to the many French tourists on board.  We also went to a Hot springs site where we could take a dip and an island where we ate lunch.  We always took the suggestions of the tour guides and hotel receptionists on local places to eat and we were happy with the places they recommended most of the time.  Such a fun day!

Januck and I at the the crater

Sulfur hole

Hot Springs

Enjoying the sun on the boat

The small island where we stopped for lunch

Moussaka and Greek salad for lunch

Januck enjoying the water from our restaurant

The clear water

Many stray and hungry cats in the outdoor cafe/restaurants in Greece.  This one liked Januck.

Ha!  Ha!

Oia build on the cliff.

It was a nice day on the boat and then we went back to Kamari Beach near our hotel.  We went back to the restaurant we ate at the night before and I bought a pair of blue glass earrings from an old man on the beach street.

Chicken with the vizcaino wine sauce

Another greek salad

Went into the pool again.  This time Januck is more relaxed with his shoes off!