Boltonsans

Who wants ice cream?

2010-03-12T08:16:00.001-08:00

Ahna visits Japan!

2010-02-27T19:34:00.000-08:00

It's been a long while since I posted, no good excuses really. We've been enjoying the recent change from winter to almost spring, plum blossoms and sun are a nice change from frickin freezing cold! February 20th marked 1 year in Japan for us! We had to work, so we didn't really celebrate. It's crazy how time has flown and soon we'll be packing up for another great adventure before returning to Oregon. More details to come on that later...
We had our last visitor- Ahna! come visit last week! We packed in lots of fun and sightseeing in 5 days.. here's just a few pics from her visit;

In Kyoto-

At the monkey park in Arashiyama, Kyoto

Bamboo forest fun!

Shibi gets a ride

Nara- Todaiji- big buddha

Headed to the Shittennoji market with the Obaasans :)

In Kurama- before it started to snow and before we soaked in the onsen (hot spring)

Karaoke!

Bowling!

Gotta try takoyaki if you're in Osaka... aka octopus balls.

Osaka-jo

Ume-plum blossoms at Osaka-jo

Meeting new 77yr.old friends...

plum blossoms

Goodtimes! See you soon Ahni!

New Year Update

2010-01-31T18:37:00.000-08:00

It's been a while since we last updated the blog, so here are some photos of 2010 so far...

Relaxing Day

2009-12-26T07:51:00.000-08:00

We enjoyed a full day in Koh Lanta, Thailand. Our day: Elephant ride
through the jungle, amazing Thai food, swimming in the ocean, reading
books, Morgan took a nap, more amazing Thai food, sunset, drinks,
bonfire on the beach, and more... Good day!

Merry Christmas! Happy New Year!

2009-12-22T09:01:00.000-08:00

We had our last day of classes today!!! Yeah! Next stop Thailand and warm warm beaches..... ahhhh almost there!
Here is my CO class- 11-12 year olds.... Merry Christmas! Happy New Year!

See you next year!
Love, Morgan and Jeff

New High Speed Camera

2009-12-13T21:16:00.001-08:00

Check out these two test videos from my new Casio EX FC-100 digital camera. They were shot near our place using 210 frames per second high speed video. More to follow soon!!

Electronics from the Future

2009-12-10T04:30:00.000-08:00

I love being able to see all the new electronics in Japan before they
are available in the US. Here's a pic of the new Nintendo DSi LL
(XL). They make the regular sized ones look so small.

My mom visits!

2009-11-20T05:23:00.001-08:00

My mom was here October 30th-Nov. 9th! We had an action packed schedule and I took off 3 days so we could go-go-go! First stop: Dotomburi bridge- classic Osaka scene with bright lights and hoards of people, with sushi dinner!

Next day: We were lucky that the Uchidas were also intown! Jeff had to work and I had a workshop to attend, so my mom hung out with them at the Castle and then Aquarium.

Day 3: Went to see Himeji Castle and get a personal tour by our friend Etsuko. The tour was great and really interesting! Now that I've spent a lot of time at Osaka-Jo (Osaka Castle) seeing Himeji was a treat! It's still in it's original form and it is really impressive. You can get the feel of the old times (as much as possible), unlike when you are at Osaka-Jo.

View of the Women's Quarters from the 5th floor.

If anyone needs a great guide let us know! I highly recommend Etsuko's tour and we'll be going back for more in the spring!

Day 4: I took my mom to Kobe while Jeff worked, these are out of order, but first we went to Oji Zoo where I saw my first Pandas! Then we went up to Mt. Rokko, where it was beautiful but freezing!! After dark we came down and went to Kobe's Chinatown. It wasn't as lively as normal, but we got some street food and enjoyed before we came home.

Day 5: Arashiyama, Kyoto. We spent the only time in Kyoto in Arashiyama, the leaves were just starting to change. We walked along the river, ate a yummy lunch, and checked out Tennruji Temple before going to a Kirtan at a Temple. It was an awesome day!

Day 6 & 7: Hiroshima and Miyajima. Again, out of order. We got into Hiroshima- a 1.5 hour shinkansen ride south of Osaka and headed to the Atomic bomb dome and the Peace park and Museum. It was sobering yet peaceful and I came out of it with a renewed energy for Peace. For dinner we tried Hiroshimayaki with much success! Oishii! We spent the night in a nice little guesthouse/hostel and then the next day we headed to Miyajima- by ferry. It's a World Heritage Site with a nice calming presence, perfect for after seeing Hiroshima. There are deer and temples/shrines galore. We took the ropeway-cablecar up to get a view of the islands...

Memorial that looks on to the A-bomb site, in the middle is the flame that won't be put out until there are no more nuclear weapons left on earth.

Day 8: My mom and I went to Hamamatsu, where this really cool Mosaic Culture exibit was being held. These are my favorite out of the 80 some sculptures...

Please see the album with lot's more pics from my mom's trip here:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=122517&id=521124043&l=8c685cc6c6

Arigato!

Gomenesai!

2009-11-20T05:10:00.000-08:00

Sorry- We've been slackin quite a bit lately! Life has been really comfortable lately, it's been 9 months to the day now and we thoroughly enjoy living in Japan. We are used to the work schedule and have been enjoying the not-summer days. It's gotten colder lately, which means the fall leaves are peaking! But before we get to fall, we better catch up on some pre-fall happenings!

Just some pics from an hour spent walking around our neighborhood in October... Sumiyoshi Ku.. you can see the whole album here:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=117457&id=521124043&l=8697f839fb

More Halloween pics!

2009-11-14T18:52:00.001-08:00

Here are the photos from my Halloween classes, I hope you enjoy!

Salary Man

2009-11-14T18:43:00.001-08:00

I was a Japanese Salary Man for Halloween. Do you like the hair?

Halloween in Osaka

2009-10-29T06:21:00.000-07:00

well, I can't say it was too eventful... Halloween here mostly consists of some cheesy decorations and is more of a consumer holiday if anything- but what's new. I did get to have some easy going 'Halloween Lessons' with my kids classes though... Jeff will have to post his pics next!

These are my AM's they're 4-5, they've really grown on me :)

These are my BZ's ages 8-9 maybe? Some make it hard to teach, but they are all good kids.

My Co's, ages9-10, one is missing- this is my biggest class of 8- I don't know how Real teachers do a class of 30 plus!! Of course being able to understand each other helps ;)

These are my JA's or Junior High kids, they have been a long way in coming- we have fun together now, mild fun :)

My Wednesday BZ's one is missing- these kids are amazing, so smart and I really feel like I'm teaching them English!

Somebodys persimmons

2009-10-22T02:12:00.002-07:00

Enjoying a nice lunch before work

2009-10-22T02:12:00.001-07:00

Only 210¥!

On the ching ching densha

2009-10-22T02:11:00.001-07:00

Kinmokusei

2009-10-22T02:10:00.000-07:00

Or Osmanthus- the best smell ever.

Osaka-Jo

2009-10-22T02:08:00.000-07:00

On a lovely Sunday afternoon- we went to check out the buskers.. Eh,
but good excuss to go to the castle:)

Serious bird photogs only.

2009-10-22T02:06:00.000-07:00

Up at the castle... The bird hopped out of the bushes and shutter
madness ensued...

Lost key

2009-10-22T02:04:00.000-07:00

Saw this dangeling at the pond... Hope someone found their key!
Hopefully the same thing will happen with jeffs lost jacket!

Fun color from clothes drying

2009-10-22T02:02:00.000-07:00

The beautiful light in our little apartment

2009-10-22T02:01:00.000-07:00

Basically the whole west wide wall is two sliding glass windows...
Which could mean we're going to be in for a cold one this winter!

Dotombori bridge- Osaka

2009-10-22T01:59:00.001-07:00

Always happenin Dotombori bridge

2009-10-22T01:57:00.000-07:00

Jeff really wanted this!

2009-10-22T01:54:00.000-07:00

But he settled on the scarier gold mask instead

2009-10-22T01:53:00.000-07:00

I hope someone wears this for Halloween!

2009-10-22T01:52:00.000-07:00

I will die laughing!!! Actually I was really surprised- well I should
have known- how many creative and hillarious costumes there were in
the stores!

Mt. Rokko pool

2009-10-22T01:49:00.002-07:00

Yuka San

2009-10-22T01:49:00.001-07:00

On our lovely hike down mt Rokko on a national holiday- sports day!
Jeff uploaded the pics on his facebook...:)

Leigh & the laundrymat

2009-10-22T01:47:00.001-07:00

We shot these a couple weeks ago- just need to make time to pick my
favs and put them on flickr... I wanted to get this shot with the old
ladies looking on.. I wish I could know what they were thinking.. I'm
sure it would be funny! Leigh rocked it with crazy contorted figures,
I'll update with more later!

Update; You can view them on my Flickr page here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mofotoflickr/sets/72157621922793562/

マム

2009-10-22T01:43:00.000-07:00

Mums!

Garlicy goodness!

2009-10-09T04:53:00.000-07:00

Home made pesto from this summers basil! I made it a while ago with
garlic and basil and olive oil... Think I went a little crazy with the
garlic though, or else I was supposed to cook it first?? Anyways still
tastey with a side of garlic gyoza! Yum!

August-September Pics up...

2009-10-02T05:14:00.000-07:00

You can see them here on my facebook page... http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=112227&id=521124043&l=4165e06277

pics from:

-yodagawa fireworks
-jody, maddy, and calvy visit
-utsubo park
-mt. rokko, kobe
-mt. hiei, kyoto

enjoy!!!

Doobie Brothers backstage pass!

2009-09-29T06:26:00.000-07:00

The backstage area wasn't too exciting but we did get to see and talk
to a couple guys in the band.

Derek Trucks Band - Osaka, Japan 9-28-2009

2009-09-29T06:21:00.000-07:00

It was great to see them in Japan!

3 new short videos to watch!

2009-09-21T02:19:00.000-07:00

It's Silver Week now! The whole country gets mon-weds off, but since our normal weekend is thurs-friday.. we get 5 days off! We have no major plans really, so it's time to catch up!

Here's a link to "in the fishbowl." a Imageography project that Leigh and I had started in July, and just finally finished up the edit. We are really excited about it and would love to hear what you think... please check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeAOzm2yawY
and share with your peeps ;)

here's just a couple clips to entice you!

While in Bali Cori and I did an Imageography piece with her art. I called it "Bali Art Department" and you can watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjN3x8FILsE
It's really cool to see how her work unfolds and all in the beauty of Bali with traditional music!
You can see lots more of Cori's amazing work here: http://corijacobs.com/
Please share with friends!

On September 11th Jeff played his first gig in Osaka! You can watch him sing "When I Paint my Masterpiece" here: http://www.youtube.com/user/jbolton941
Hopefully there will be more of that to come...

Hope you enjoyed the videos! We are really happy here creating art and music and now that it's turned fall- almost, it's even more enjoyable being in Japan.
Love to you all!

Bali pics up!

2009-08-28T22:06:00.000-07:00

For your viewing pleasure or quick escape from reality!
http://morganpace.com
I put the more personal pics on my FB page
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=102074&id=521124043&l=c77e367afc

Enjoy! M&J

More salad rolls and raw goo balls:)

2009-08-28T03:31:00.000-07:00

Been on a major healthy eating kick lately, trying to balance out and
get my irritated Osaka skin back to normal- and hopefully better than
ever! This health kick has me staying away from dairy ( as usual) but
also wheat- impossible for me but I'm trying... And so that pretty
much leaves a diet of greens, fruit, and fish! Which I am excited
about but it's also daughnting buying fruit here:( $2 alpples, $6
peaches-forget it! But we've been making due and today I made more
tofu salad wraps and tried these raw ball things, these will be
nothing like the ones we had in Bali, but I had to try.. They are
cooling in the fridge now.. Will report back.

Oishikatta!

2009-08-28T03:19:00.000-07:00

That was delicious!

Jeff cooks salmon... Yum!

2009-08-27T07:37:00.000-07:00

Been lazy all day but did manage some tastey meals. Bali pics are just
about done! But still might be a couple more days...

Snake fruit with a view!

2009-08-26T06:55:00.000-07:00

Butterfly on the window

2009-08-26T06:51:00.000-07:00

Bali dreamin'

Da beach

2009-08-23T04:04:00.000-07:00

At the rather popular tourist site- Tanah Lot were you pay a small
donation to sample or cleanse with the holy water- spring water that
flows out the big rock on the right. The after sunset was the best
part...

Cori enjoying a cup of tea and the sites at Kintamani Volcano area

2009-08-23T04:00:00.000-07:00

Very amazing!

Rice terreces along the way to Kintamani Volcano area...

2009-08-23T03:59:00.000-07:00

Jeff lounging at the Bali Buddha

2009-08-23T03:57:00.000-07:00

Where we enjoyed many smoothies and yummy meals!

Looking relaxed

2009-08-23T03:56:00.000-07:00

Lounging at the wonderful house we called home during the week in Bali.

Rice patties abound

2009-08-22T21:38:00.000-07:00

Although they are much less now with all the foriegn investment eating
up the land.. It was great to see the rice patties at all different
stages of life, this one was accross the road but luckily the ones out
back from our porch were lush and tall!

Religion is everywhere

2009-08-22T21:35:00.000-07:00

In Bali the majority is Hindu. Which makes for beauty all around. The
intricate carvings and offerings are everywhere and I feel so lucky to
have attended a large ceremony and a wedding,wow the Balinese really
know how to make a foreigner welcome!

Life in Bali

2009-08-18T02:41:00.000-07:00

What do u see?

2009-08-13T07:18:00.000-07:00

Reddy pandy

2009-08-13T07:17:00.001-07:00

@ Tennoji zoo

Looky!

2009-08-13T07:15:00.001-07:00

Can I pet the cats? Please!!!

2009-08-13T07:12:00.000-07:00

Maddy from the top of the castle

2009-08-13T07:10:00.000-07:00

The Smiths see Osaka Jo!

2009-08-13T07:09:00.000-07:00

Jeffu & Jodu

2009-08-13T07:08:00.000-07:00

@ Osaka Jo!

2009-08-13T07:07:00.000-07:00

Maddy was ninja fighting...!

2009-08-13T07:06:00.000-07:00

Calvin loved the aquarium!

2009-08-13T07:04:00.001-07:00

Another day in the whale shark tank

2009-08-13T07:02:00.001-07:00

Aquarium dream

2009-08-13T07:00:00.001-07:00

Uncle Jeffu rocks the bib

2009-08-10T06:35:00.000-07:00

Maddy on the subway

2009-08-10T06:34:00.000-07:00

She's still happy from seeing the lead singer from My Chemical Romance
today at our breakfast at the hotel!

Headed home to Osaka

2009-08-10T06:32:00.000-07:00

On the Midosuji subway

Maddy's not sure about all this rain!

2009-08-10T06:31:00.001-07:00

Maddy & Uncle Jeffu

2009-08-10T06:30:00.001-07:00

In the hotel

Woken by rain...

2009-08-10T06:29:00.001-07:00

Shibuya, Tokyo

Ready, set, go!

2009-08-10T06:28:00.001-07:00

Crazy Shibuya crossing...

The view

2009-08-10T06:26:00.001-07:00

From our Shibuya Tokyo hotel, very nice!

Can your fireworks do this?!

2009-08-08T10:00:00.001-07:00

Tonight at the Yodogawa Fireworks ... really amazing!! We saw hearts, stars, Saturn, and even hello kitty! The video Jeff has will be proof! For now enjoy these...

Grand Finale- a huge bright white light, must have meant that's it, go home

These pics don't come close to the real thing.. so you'll have to watch the video soon!

Spring Roll Rolling

2009-08-08T01:45:00.001-07:00

Veggie tofu spring roll delight!

2009-08-08T01:44:00.001-07:00

Cheesy fried goodness!

2009-08-08T01:43:00.001-07:00

We had one extra wrapper and some extra cheddar to use... Jeff was
happy!

Veggie springrolls!

2009-08-08T01:40:00.000-07:00

For some reason I've been
On a kick to make springrolls, well I think I picked the hotest
possible day to do it... But alast- Success!!! So tastey!

Perez Hilton & Lady GaGa on The Dotombori Bridge!

2009-08-07T20:41:00.000-07:00

We were with friends and Sara said "Hey Perez" he said "Hey". Lady
gaga fit right in with her bleached hair and torn fishnets, with booty
shorts of course!

Cumulus day! F%€¥^ hot day!

2009-08-07T20:38:00.001-07:00

Can't get enough of Chizu!

2009-08-07T20:37:00.001-07:00

Someday...

2009-08-07T20:36:00.001-07:00

I'll have my convertable bug- electricized please!

Blueberry, banana, & soymilk smoothies in our new blender!

2009-08-07T20:27:00.001-07:00

It's about time! and might I add that this blender was only $20, but we used our BIC points, so we only paid $7! Love that 'Pointu Cardu'!

Namba Parks

2009-08-07T11:23:00.001-07:00

Bagel Bagel and a bit of shopping!

Obviously friends!

2009-08-07T11:21:00.001-07:00

Shinsaibashi crossing

Chizu baru!

2009-08-07T11:19:00.000-07:00

She gets all worked up by chasing the toy, that she has to rest and
pant before chasing again!

It's MAGMIC!

2009-08-06T22:47:00.000-07:00

Out cruisin in the old hood...

Chizu!

2009-08-06T22:45:00.000-07:00

Morgon & Chizu!

2009-08-06T22:42:00.000-07:00

We're checking in on her for some friends :)

Jeffu & Chizu!

2009-08-06T22:40:00.001-07:00

Precious!

" Mom's Ride"

2009-08-06T04:10:00.001-07:00

Deluxe edition :)

Cherry tomatos & basil from the "garden"

2009-08-06T04:09:00.001-07:00

Yuuumm it was so tastey!!

They're baaaack!!!

2009-08-06T01:39:00.001-07:00

Since we will be having jeffs sister and niece and nephew come visit
soon, I thought it would be nice to put the Rilakkumas back on
display:) when I opened the box I was surprised at how many we have...
Guess I forgot. So I just put out most the little ones for viewing
pleasure:)

Rehearsing for a show in September

2009-08-03T20:55:00.000-07:00

I'll be playing a show in Osaka on September 11th with a new group.
I'm playing with a very talented group, including a Korean lady
singer, a Japanese guy on keys, an American on guitar/bass/vocals, and
I am singing and playing the guitar and bass on various tracks. More
details to come!

Jeff

Yum! Mister Donut is good.

2009-08-03T19:40:00.000-07:00

With a melon Fanta.

Anyone need a jucket?

2009-07-17T04:28:00.000-07:00

Happy Cali 2!

2009-07-16T20:26:00.000-07:00

These are processed with my new iPhone app- "cool fx" by Tiffen

Happy Cali!

2009-07-16T20:23:00.000-07:00

Pet Shop Blues

2009-07-16T20:22:00.000-07:00

Kyoto Anniversary Weekend!

2009-07-11T22:16:00.001-07:00

We had a wonderful 1st anniversary! We celebrated in Kyoto and went back to the spot Jeff proposed a little over 2 years ago! It was cool to be back there and see more of the area that we haven't seen yet. It's also cool to see a dream came true and we got to fulfill our dreams to live in Japan! When we visited the first time Japan was a magic place with awesome sites, culture, and food. Well almost 5 months in, it still is a wonderland. Of course if we didn't have to work and we could just spend our time sight seeing it would be much nicer... but its been interesting to get an in depth look at working in this culture.

On to some pics! Oh there is many many more of the weekends adventures of temples and shrines at morganpace.com

here's the spot that changed our lives...

lotus fields forever on the way to Tenruji Temple

We only had 12 minutes to go through these gardens, not enough time at all, but we had the place to ourselves!

Hozu river in Arashiyama... so beautiful!

Kiomizu-dera... finally! lots more on my website.

Jeff waits with Totoro.

Kwanon- Goddess of Mercy and Compassion sits in the mountains where people come to pay respects to the unknown soldiers of World War II. Breathtaking.

Kodai-ji Temple amazing garden grounds!

inspired

Before heading home we stumbled onto this... older men gathering to carry these shrine like pagodas...

www.morganpace.com

The anniversay weekends adventures...

2009-07-10T23:43:00.000-07:00

- Kyoto Tower Hotel
- Tenru-ji Temple gradens
- Kiomizu Temple
- Ryozen Kwanon
- Kodaiji Temple
- Jishu Shrine - were we both walked sucessfully from rock to rock
with our eyes closed. Bringing us good fortune in love :)

The Majestic Kanon

2009-07-10T23:38:00.001-07:00

In the hills near Kiomizu-Dera...

We stayed here.

2009-07-10T23:35:00.000-07:00

Special Sauce

2009-07-10T23:34:00.001-07:00