June '09

Hi Everyone! We were busy in June... but first here are more pictures from Japan (see the May '09 blog entry):

(click on images to enlarge)


We went out for dinner often - In this picture Dave is sitting next to Haruko's father, Teruya Wada. Across from Teruya are Haruko's Aunt and Uncle, Katsuichi and Tomiko. On the far right is Haruko's mom, Michiko.


We also went out with some of Haruko's friends, Yumi (far left), Keiko (2nd from the left) and her husband Toshihiko (sitting next to Dave)... and of course Haruko.


Just before coming home we went to look at some model homes. It's interesting how they do it in Japan; the model homes were on display as examples of how you could build a house, but they were not in a neighborhood and were not for sale themselves. In Japan people tend to keep the same property for generations and when it's time for a new house they just tear down their existing house and build a new one in the same location. Haruko's parents' house, for example, is the 3rd one built on the same spot.


This Mitsubishi car - the 'i' car is - the one that they are mass-producing as a all electric vehicle. This one in particular is not electric; the gasoline version has been around for a few years. In Japan you can now buy an electric one - they will export them to the U.S. next year - yay!


Dave needed a haircut while in Japan - so he went with his father-in-law to get a haircut.


Back at Haruko's parents' house:


On one our many walks:




On the way to the airport near Tokyo we stopped for one last meal together:


On the long flight home:


Jocelyn is doing well in the Army. She's still in Alabama (Fort Rucker) She has a more flexible schedule now and often leaves the base for weekend, or a night out. This is her terrorizing the barracks:


We bought a new car on the last Sunday in June. Haruko traded in her Scion for a new Prius. 51 MPG in town - it's amazing...


Kaiser may publish a short article in their local newsletter about David "going green", with some pictures of his electric motorcycle. We'll see.


We drove to San Jose again one weekend - and stopped by the Tesla dealer. They happened to have the new Tesla 'S' model on display. It's a beautiful car - now if we could just win the lotto... (click to enlarge: the 'S' model is the white one on the left - also check out the video below)


Of course there are a hundred more pictures and videos we could post, but you've probably already fallen asleep by now....

So, until next month - Saiyonara!

Videos

Nakajima Park (Sapporo, Hokaido)


Typical walk (Kawasaki)


Prius test drive (Kawasaki)


Kawagoe (about 100 miles north of Kawasaki)


Model home walk-through (Kawasaki)


Tesla (Menlo Park)