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!