Mukade attack

To tell you the truth, she was probably more surprised than I was...
Actually never try this at home! Never handle a poisonous centipede or mukade. This has to be a photo alteration because these buggies really hurt.
This lovely critter was crawling on my arm this evening, in all six inches of glory! And I was expecting a quiet night.
I think it had dropped from the curtain I took down to wash. Next time, I'll be more careful or bomb the house before I plan to do the curtains.
In Japan, we call these centipedes are greatly disliked due to their poisonous glands which inflict a painful scratch or bite, depending if it is the poisonous legs or the actual pinchers on the head that get you. Since this one was inside my dress for awhile before making itself known by coming out onto my arm, I have bites all over my back and arm. They have choice words for things like this.
And they are said to travel in pairs... I only got one! Fortunately for me, I will be able to say that I have had another once (I hope) in a lifetime experience.

Obon or Festival of the Dead

Although it doesn't sound like a very cheery festival, the Japanese revere their ancestors and celebrate the Festival of the Dead with great joy. In the belief that their relatives return for several days to visit with their living loved ones, the Japanese will go to great lengths to decorate the graves of their ancestors. On the first Obon after a loved one has passed away, it is tradition to spend the entire night with one's recently departed by having a party and keeping paper lanterns lit throughout the night, setting off firecrackers to say, "Hey, we're over here, come over here!" to the returning spirit. Kaz maintained this for his father last year on Hatsubon, the first Obon after his father passed away. The girls are with their paternal grandmother and have eagerly anticipated this Obon. They are now old enough to remember and enjoy this part of being in a Japanese family. They wear their Hello Kitty summer kimonos with obi sashes and are quite proud of themselves. That's it for this week's Obon celebration. I myself will be completing several final exams for history and political theory and then another celebration is in order for I will be done!

Why we named our home seaside cottage

We are lucky to live in area of great natural beauty. Our home overlooks the Saikai Pearl Sea, otherwise known as the 99 Islands. They haven't actually determined exactly how many islands there are and every time they try to count them, the tide comes in and some disappear underwater! We love the view from our house, actually it is more of a little two-story cottage now that all four of us live here. They grow pearls in the sea down there and we see this sunset on clear days from our living room. It is a truly quiet and lovely neighborhood and we enjoy it. On the weekends the marina area has lots of festivals and activities going on for the kids. Well, sayoonara for today.
Sasebo Mom

Shopping in a Japanese Grocery Story... How about some beetles?

We were surprised to find that the grocery story was selling beetles yesterday. No, Japanese don't eat them, but they do buy them for their children (who they really love) so that the kids can have beetle fights.
We live in a naturally beautiful area with ocean and mountains everywhere. Now, I used to get a little shook up when Japanese beetles would fly onto my Dad's back porch addled by the light. But, when one of these five inch long and around three inch in circumference torpedos landed on our porch last night, I just about jumped out of my skin.
They don't bite or sting but have a large prong on their antenna that, along with their size, makes them an awesome sight. By the way, they were 4 for a 1000 yen (around $8.00)! Any takers?

Disney Adventure

The girls enjoy some fun with a Goofy dog! Anaheim was everything we had hoped for in sunny Orange County. The superhighway driving took our breath away! We plan to return to "The Happiest Place on Earth" as soon as is humanly possible! Next.... The San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Farm in the lovely San Pasquale Valley.

Webmaster Wendy Sends Greetings to Family and Friends!

As an experiment in web publishing, I am sending greetings to my family and friends. Please feel free to keep in touch with our ramblings and drop us a note every now and then. It will save you the cost of a stamp and get here sooner!
For now, stay cool and enjoy a cool drink at the beach or the lake.
-Wendy

Greetings from Seaside Cottage in the 99 Islands!

Welcome to our web site of the 99 Islands Paradise!
We are located at Seaside Cottage in Sasebo, Japan. With a view of the Saikai National Park, and surrounded by a green forest, we are truly part of a special place. Visit us from time to time to see how we are progressing. Let us know your comments and thoughts.
Spotmaster - wendyin japan (Skype address)
tanakawendy@yahoo.com