Lost in the Mountains

    Last weekend we were really tired of sitting in our hotel room so we decided to go for a drive with no destination. I really enjoy getting lost out here in Japan and finding my way back. When I'm really bored during the week, that's what I usually do, just got for a drive! Someone had told us about an island that you can drive to with beautiful beaches. We were trying to go there, but on the way Isaac saw a sign for a park and decided to try it out. Honestly the pictures don't do justice to the breathtaking views. I cant wait to get my camera charger back so I can use it again!

On our way up! Looking down at U-Beach, where we went snorkeling a few weekends ago.

Cute little village looking out at the ocean.

Thick bamboo forest!

Almost to the top, amazing view of the islands.

Rice farm built into the mountain.

Who would like to live here? All alone with a wonderful view of the ocean and islands.

Winding our way up!

At the top. I could have stayed here forever!

Look what we found! A small shrine at the very top of the mountain. We were walking around and saw a building and decided to check it out. I would have taken pictures of the inside, but it is considered disrespectful. Seemed like it is still used, the inside was very clean. I love finding little treasures like this!

Isaac posing with a dragon!

I couldn't get enough of the view.

The tiny road that we took to the very top of the mountain. Such a great adventure! Tomorrow ill post pictures of soba noodle restaurant and about a Japanese cooking class that I took. I'll teach you to make Yakisoba!

The House

We went by the house last weekend to check on the progress. Looks like its still on schedule. I'm so ready for it to be done so we can have a house again! Its been almost five months since we have had our own place. I'm sure we weren't supposed to, but we climbed the scaffolding to look in the windows. They dry wall was up in some of the rooms, but not all. 

Here is the view from the second story looking out at Iwakuni.

Front of the house

Outside the master bedroom, trying to look in.

Trying to get a picture of the inside!

 Climbing down the scaffolding from the top!

I cant wait for it to be finished!

Long time no blog

I'll start by apologizing. I really don't have a great excuse for not blogging other than I just haven't  These past few weeks have been off and on busy. I decided that I am going back to school for my Masters, since I'm not going to be teaching for awhile. I will start subbing next week and I also started a tutoring business on base. So far I have a few clients. I am hoping between teaching English on Monday nights, subbing during the day, tutoring some afternoons, and my Masters program that I'll be plenty busy! Lol I'm not the type that can sit at home waiting for my husband to come home so that I can cook lunch and dinner. Not that I mind cooking... but being a stay at home wife with no kids (or dogs) is BORING!!! Im going to post for the next few days because I have too many pictures for one post. Today I'm going to post pictures from a trip that we took to Three Falls. Its about a 45 minute drive. Three Falls is hidden in the mountains, it is a series of small waterfalls that you can swim in. We had a lot of fun and picked the perfect sunny day for the trip.

Driving up the mountain with the top down!

Winding roads

Smiling for the photographer!

Rice patties hidden in the mountains.

Can you see the coy fish in the stream? Look closely, it is the small orange dot on the bottom left.

Creepy snake crossing the road as we were walking to the falls.

Isaac's way of smiling!!

Stream leading to the falls.

Beautiful scenery as we walked to the falls.

Swimming at the base of the waterfall.

Isaac about to slide down one of the waterfalls. Can you see the other waterfalls in the background?

Ready, set, go!!!

    Overall, we had a wonderful time. Sorry some of the pictures aren't the best quality. I am using my iPhone until we move into house. I packed up the charger for our camera battery unfortunately!! Tomorrow I will post pictures of our house progress! Thanks for being patient while I catch up!

Missing Home

We've officially been in Japan for a month now. In one of my TESOL (teaching English as a second oral language) classes they taught us about the four stages of cultural adjustment; honeymoon, hostility, humor, and home. It's true that even if you aren't going through a cultural change, you still go through the adjustment phases when you move. I experienced these stages when I moved to Yuma and Jacksonville. In Jacksonville I think I was in the hostility stage much longer than in Yuma. I refused to accept the Florida "culture" and wanted to go back to Yuma. I've talked about that though... This I'm going to try to not stay in the hostility stage very long. Its a tough stage to be in, and its even harder when you are married. Needless to say between the small room, Isaac being insanely busy, and me sitting on my butt most of the time, things have been hard. I'm not the type of person that "likes" to not work, I think I need a hobby. Is it silly to say that more than anything I would love to drive to Target to waste an hour (spending money on things I don't need) and then head over to Panera for lunch? Don't get me wrong, so far I love Japan, but you begin to miss the small things that were readily available back home. For example: Pedicures, there is a month long waiting list on base for a pedicure!! Groceries... well our commissary  is pretty sad. They have the basics, but that's all. Forget fresh vegetables and herbs! Hair products, favorite clothing stores... the list goes on. Those things seem so silly but when you no longer have access, it kinda sucks!! Well there's my sob fest, I promise no more blah from now on! I am hoping this rant will help me move on to the next stage: humor! And with that I have some more funny products for you!

How hilarious are these hats? We were wandering through a department store and found these hats. I suppose someone remotely spoke English and thought these were "American" phrases? Maybe?

Toe socks?

Isaac should wear this when I cut his hair!

And in other exciting news... Look what I bought at a thrift store!!!

Who wants to guess how much I spent??? Yes, it is real, it has a serial number on the inside under the tag. OK, so I spent $15!!! Can y'all believe that? I promised my sister-in-law Carly that the next time I find one, it will be hers.

Well this weekend I had my first experience with a place that I hated the food. It was a sushi go-around. It was pretty awful!! The two food I hate more than anything are onions and mayonnaise. Guess what was in the two sushi rolls I ordered? Yup onions and mayonnaise! Yuk! Isaac didn't even like it, and that's saying a lot because he has a love affair with food! (I'm only remotely jealous)

We also went to the beach this weekend for snorkeling and Isaac went spear fishing with friends. The water is really clear. You can see straight to the bottom in 12 ft deep water! We saw a pretty big octopus and some funny looking fish. No sharks thankfully!

Isaac was ready to spear a fish!

Dad, the beach is waiting for you! Don't you love all of the little islands surrounding? Maybe one day we will go explore out there.

And last but not least this is for my brother Chad. I finally found Gozila (as they spelled it)!! Just call that number and he will come visit you Chad ;0)

Here's to a better week ahead!

Teaching English

    Tonight was my first night teaching English in Iwakuni. When you walk in the building, you have to take off your shoes and put on these ugly little things...

    It was a blast though! I had three students tonight and they were so funny. At first I went in there with an article to read with them. Turns out it was way tooooo hard for them and I think I scared them a little! But I tossed it to the side and decided to find out what they wanted me to teach them. Here's the list: the states, cultures, food, dangerous animals, life, education, music concerts, grand canyon, Yosemite and Yellowstone national parks, and museums. Quite a list! They want me to teach them about life in the states and basically have conversations with them. Tonight we talked about Texas of course. They wanted to know if we say "Howdy" and where we go when there are tornadoes. I told them that not all Texans ride horses and say "howdy partner" and that most people have storm cellars. They loved it! I also taught them the word "y'all", come on how can I not when talking about Texas?

    We also found a house the end of last week. I was waiting to post because I wasnt sure that we would be able to because it looks like this right now

   

    That's right, it's not even built yet, barely a foundation! But we were lucky enough to find a house that is being built as a rental. Everything will be brand new and we will have enough room for all of our furniture! How lucky is that? I cant wait to post pictures as they build! Heres our next door neighbors house built by the same company:

    Pretty nice huh? Unfortunately we wont be moving in until November 1st, so we are stuck in the temporary lodging until then. But at least we will have a brand new house!

    Other than that I don't have any big news. This weekend we mostly drove around looking at houses. We went back to the river for a little bit and into a few stores for some shopping. I found a few funny items. 

What kind of candy do you think this is? I wasn't brave enough to find out!

Isaac said this was like squid jerky... Once again I wasn't brave enough to find out!

Doesn't this packaging make you feel horrible for the mouse??

    To finish up our weekend we went to an India Restaurant. It was honestly the best chicken curry that I have ever had. They make the naan bread when you place your order! It was so fresh and delicious! I will definitely be going back there. 

    Welp goodnight everyone! I hope yall have as good of a Monday as I had!!

Meet Molly the Miata

    Meet my Japanese car' Molly the Miata!! Isn't she cute? It's the perfect little car for Japan. Molly is almost like my barbie convertible, but the barbie car was red lol! I know I'm dumb for naming my car but it's a tradition ever since my first car. Molly was built in '96 which is the same year as my first car Polly the Pontiac. I figured since they were built the same year, that they should have similar names! Don't Isaac and his friend Greg look so cute!

    We have had a very eventful and busy weekend. You'll be happy to know that I have plenty of pictures for you! Saturday morning we went to the river and did a little snorkeling. The water is crytal clear, it's absolutely beautiful! It's pretty cool because at the top of the dam there is fresh water and the bottom is salt water. We snorkeled in the fresh water.

    After spending the day at the river we went out to eat at a place that Americans call Chicken Shack,but the actual name is Sanzoku. Its a cute place in the mountains. You eat outdoors and sit at traditional japanese tables. They were packed though and it took about an hour to get our food. Isaac was in no mood for pictures, but I tried anyway. Heres what happened...

First the arguing, after the eye roll, then the nose wipe and finally the smile. Looks like I won! I guess the 4th time was the charm lol! Once the food came he was in a lot better mood of course.

This was dessert! Its ice cream with a sweet bean sauce. Sounds weird I know, but it was delicious! I might go back just for that!

The guys posing on our way out! Yes, Isaac does have a crab on his shoulder!

    Sunday we decided to be adventurous and head out to the Kintai castle and bridge. The drive out there was beautiful in Molly with the top down of course. We decided to hike up to the castle and then took the tram down. The hike was so peaceful, it was nice to listen to all the noises in the mountains and talk with Isaac. We haven't had time to really enjoy ourselves yet so it was a great treat for us. I think when Isaac gets out of the Marines that we need to live around the mountains. I love being outdoors! Now I know this is what you truly want, so here are the pictures:

The beautiful Kintai bridge!

Cheesin

This possibly means: Run, angry squirrels with guns that set fires!!!!! We took the risk!

We made it to the top! You can see the base on the top left corner and the rest Iwakuni and the river that cuts through to the ocean.

    The beautiful Kintai Castle. The original castle was demolished during WWII but the town rebuilt it after. It's absolutely beautiful. On the inside are a bunch of samurai swords that were found in the ruble of the demolished castle. Isaac was like a kid in a candy store!

This sword was huge!!

They also found this armor. Can you imagine wearing that? It would be so heavy and hot!

    After we left the castle we were absolutely hungry! So we decided to head to downtown for some food. We had heard of a local food and wanted to try it. It's called okonomiyaki, basically they pour some patter on the grill and then put cabbage, pork, egg, and noodles on top. It was delicious! 

This is the "soul food" of Japan! At least that's what a Japanese lady told me, lol!

    Sorry for not posting lately. I caught a little stomach bug that has zapped all of my energy!! I promise to post more once I'm feeling better. I haven't done much lately. I had my interview for the 4th grade position on Monday. It went well, I think, but I haven't heard anything yet. I had another interview on Tuesday to teach English to adults on base. I start next Monday! Ill be teaching every Monday night and hopefully I'll pick up more classes from there. Yesterday I went to go look at houses, no luck yet. The two houses that I saw were very small. I don't think our bedroom furniture would have fit in any of the bedrooms. Ill just have to keep looking. Today I am taking the day off to try and get better! Lots of movie watching and laying in bed, wish me luck ;0)