usa

Back in the USA
Dec. 15th- Jan. 8th
2003

December 15, 2003

We arrived at LAX at 7:00 am things were pretty smooth on the plane with the exception of about 30 minutes of turbulant airspace. I began to feel very sick with a cold/hot feeling and then the awful feeling that I needed to throw up. I thought at first that I had picked up the flu bug suddenly but then I saw a woman walking toward the bathroom with her hand over her mouth. Guess she forgot about the barf bags in the back of the seats. We went throught the airport quite smoothly. No problems just a slightly long line at LAX. We picked up our rental car and began our drive to San Francisco immediatly. The drive along the 101 coastal highway was beautiful and all I could think about was surfing. Akio quite enjoyed the day so far. I was having a hard time staying awake and had to pull over several times. We stopped at a VW camper parts shop tp pick up a few things for the van. THe guys there were really nice. We finally got about 100 miles south of S.F. and I had to get a motel. I was exausted and unable to stay awake. We found a motel in Salinas California. We unloaded the car and then we went to Wal mart to buy wrapping paper and then a calling card so I could call my sister and let her know that I wouldn't be in until the next morning. Akio ate at the famous IN AND OUT BURGER across the street. Thats an awsome place. and cheap too! Akio loved it also. We slept pretty well.

December 16, 2003

I woke up at 4 am thinking it was near 6 but not really sure what time it was all the clocks seemed to be incorrect. I allowed Akio to sleep a little longer. We pulled out around 7am (I think) and headed up to S.F. We arrived at my sisters apartment along O farrell street. This was quite and interesting street. : ) A little worrysome actually. If you have been there you know what I mean. Anyway we found her and gathered up her luggage. We got into the car and hit the library first in order for us to check our email. We were the first ones in the library when the doors opened at 9AM. We checked the emails quickly then headed out . I was concerned about getting a parking ticket so we had to hurry. We drove around S.F. for awhile and headed to Pier 39. There we enjoyed watching Large blobs of barking lard fight over floating decks. SEA LIONS they were quite entertaining and fun to watch. We then ate lunch at a pizza place that was very delicious. They also let akio have a free piece of pizza while we waited for ours to arrive at the table. we headed out of SF around 2pm with a 2000 mile road trip ahead. We drove and talked and drove and talked we had intended to check out the large reedwood trees but realized that it was a bit out of the way. We drove what seemed like forever but still we had not reached Barstow California. uuugghh. Anyway I decided to see if I could drive all night wothout getting a motel. We succeded with several short 10 minute stops where I tried to catcha quick short nap. I often found it more and more difficult to sleep.While driving through the Arizona desert I saw the most beautiful stars. I also saw a shooting star. Its not very easy to see one of these in Japan unless you are far from Tokyo. We drove until we arrived in Flagstaff Arizona by which time the sun had just risen.

December 17th, 2003

We took the 60 mile detour off I-40 and headed North to the Grand Canyon. I still had not slept. We finally got to the Grand Canyon and I forked over 20.00 for the entry pass for the park. We spent a whole 20 minutes taking pictures and admiring the great crack in the earth. We proceeded to drive and drive and drive. We drove until we finally got to Tucumcari New Mexico. I finally had to give up my lack of sleep challenge. We hit the hay and it felt nice.

December 18th, 2003

The motel advertised a free continental breakfast. Well it was free but I am not sure whether we could call it breakfast. It was simple slices of sandwhich bread with a tub of butter and jam. Hmmm well it was food and we ate it anyhow.
well the hardest part of the trip was over we had covered most of miles. We had only about 4-5 hours now. I felt fresh and awake for the first time in 3 days. Akio was a very well behaved traveling companion. I thought he might be difficult but didn"t complain much at all. I did have a hard time explaining the differences between CALIFORNIA, AMERICA, OKLAHOMA. He was quite confused but all the driving as well. He keeps asking "why is America big"
We got into Enid at 5:45 and headed to my mom's house.

December 19th 2003

did not do too much today. just relaxed.
we went to wal mart.

December 20th.

Well we decided to head to Tulsa. We wanted to catch my friend Jim before he headed off to Montana. We arrived at his house and went off to lunch together. We ate at Don Pablos mexican restaurant. SOOOOO GOOOD. But I feel 20 pounds heavier. I haven'tbeen walking like we had been doing in Japan.
After lunch we went to Wal mart.

December 21,2003
We woke up at ???? We ate lunch at Sonic with Jim and then took him to the airport. then we uhhhhh...I forgot. wal-mart????Oh I think we went to Keiko's house.
December 22
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December 23
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December 24
We woke up and drove from Tulsa back to Bartlesville and stopped by Kim's house. We visited for a bit and then She offered to let Akio stay for a little bit while I made a couple trips to the storage place to pick up a load of stuff and take it to Jim's house. Well I got one load and got it back to Tulsa then went back to Bartlesville to get another and decided to go stop at atwoods to buy Akio's Christmas presents. After that I went back to Kims house.
December 25
Had Chistmas at Mom`s this morning then went to Sharon`s house and had a big dinner. Ham, noodles, bread, lots of other delicious stuff and awesome desserts!! recieved lots of nice gifts. Hope we have room for everything in the suitacase. I might have to leave Noriyo's presents here. (just kidding) .
December 26
woke up today. Took mom to the grocery store and Sonic. we got Dr. Pepper to drink. Kiwi also got his regular order of free bacon from the girls at the window. He is a very spoiled dog! Mom, Akio and I drove around and looked at land just to kill the time and daydream a little. We went back to the house and ate lunch. About 3:30 I went to wal-mart but did not really find anything interesting. I stopped by Justins house to chat for a bit. Akio stayed with my mom for a couple hours. Later we met justin down at the slot car track to watch some slot car races. Akio enjoyed it but quickly got bored. It was pretty cool. Went back to mom's house where we were kept up until nearly 2:00am by J.C. He likes to talk when he drinks too much and you can't get him to stop.He said " you wanna see my mashic trickhhh?" I said " oh, is that the one where you make yourself disappear?"
December 27
Went to Grandma Barnes house for Christmas dinner. As usuall lots of food, lots of people (24) and lots of pies. Grandma Barnes wanted a hug from Akio but he said "no way! " later she tried to kiss him and he said "I wiped it off " kids sure are funny.
Later in the evening we went to Justin and Melissa's house to spemd time with them. They took us out to Godfathers and we ate great tasting PIZZA. We returned to their house and talked about old times and Harley their Black Dog a Sharpe. He was very cute and well behaved.

December 28
Went to Bartlesville and Tulsa. ate at KFC picked up Jim up from the airport. Ate at Long John Silvers. We then went to look at the Christmas lights at the famouse bethel college campus in Tulsa. It was great!!! Akio really enjoyed it.
December 29
Ran around Tulsa today. Sorted out some of the boxes of Storage stuff. found all my old college books. for some reason they seem very intersting now. Akio and I watched a Movie at the dollar movies. We watched Looney Tunes. I could not stay awake. The movie was ok. we went to the mall and wal- mart of course window shopping. tomorrow is our 8th anniversary.
December 30
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY NONCHAN!!!!
Woke up this morning about 7:30 then again at 8:30. Went to Quick Trip and bought hot dogs for Akio and I for breakfast. We drove to Bartlesville again. I got my haircut at the place where I used to always go in Oakpark. Prices have gone up 2.00 from the last haircut I got there. They are now 10.00. We then went by DHS to see my old co-workers. Its was nice to see everyone. Many were no longer there or they were on vacation. After that we headed to the theatre to catch another movie but it was closed. We decided to go to the mall for awhile. We went to the toy store and then I picked up a pair of jeans. We drove back to Tulsa about 5:00 and decided to catch a movie in the evening. We watched BROTHER BEAR today. It cost us only 50 cents each. So I went for the Big popcoern and coke for Akio and I to share. He had been wanting popcorn for the last week. so we finally got it. He really got a kick out of the movie. His laughs were the loudest in the entire theater. After the movie we stopped by BRAUMS for an ice cream cone. Of all the flavors available to him Akio chose vanilla... can't figure that one out. We returned to Jims house. We will probably head back to Enid tomorrow. Tomorrow will be our last day in Tulsa for this trip. Will have to say our final goodbyes to Jim and anyone else we run into.
December 31
January 1
January 2
January 3
January 4
January 5
January 6
January 7
January 8
Well were on the plane headed back to Japan. See you soon!!!

AKIO Quotes
On the Airplane:
"I want to eat those clouds"
"The houses are getting small but the beach is getting big"
In the Car:
"Where's Mt. Fuji?"
"Why is America big and Japan Small ?"
"Today is Christmas but Japan Christmas is over"
" I wanna snack" (x 50)