Let's always be fun...

These are the words that Patrick and I toasted to when we got engaged. And we really do try to live by those words. So one of the things I arranged for us to do was to go canyoning and white water rafting at an adventure center about 2 hours from base. It is the place we went for skiing - so we knew the people who worked there and most of them (if not all) spoke English and were just really cool to hang out with.

So Patrick requested the day off on Wednesday, we ditched the kiddos off to some friends, and we headed out for our fun adventure! There was absolutely NO traffic in either direction - which was a huge bonus. It also left us with some wiggle time to hang out and explore before we had to meet up for our canyoning part of the trip. We checked in at the Canyons Outdoor Adventure base and it turned that we were the only 2 people signed up that day!!! It rarely happens that way - but we were thrilled that we were basically getting a private tour! We actually got extra guides since some needed training - so it was a fabulous scenario for us!

It turns out that our canyoning guide was a guy named Grassy from Australia. He is one of the owners of the place and was training 2 others to be canyoning guides. Since canyoning is a lot harder on the body and harder to be a guide - they are short on people who can do it. So we got a special treat by having him guide us.

The Fox Canyon was only a few minutes from the Lodge so we got suited up and headed out. We had to wear thick wet suits, special shoes, gloves, and a helmet for protection! Not the sexiest get-up...but I was glad we had them on! Canyoning is super fun...basically you float down a rapid stream, through some rock formations, over edges and sometimes over waterfalls! You either float on your back (legs out straight and looking up into the sky, feet first) or you go down head first (on your belly, superman style). You bump into rocks a lot - so the guides help warn you when to bend your legs, make a fist, etc. They also let you know slippery areas, holes in the ground, etc. The course we went on had a 60 foot waterfall that we went over, a bridge to jump off of, and other crazy fun stuff! It was dizzying though...since the water was thrusting you in certain directions, you were trying to swim in others, and you were falling in others. Luckily I had taken a dramamine beforehand - or I may have gotten a little motion sick. But I didn't! Just a bit dizzy....and majorly exhausted!!!

After the big waterfall (which Patrick basically slid down the whole thing while I was lowered part of the way and then dropped) there was a bridge overhead (about 40+ feet high) which you could rock climb up to and jump off of into the pool at the bottom of the waterfall. You had to be careful though because there were rocks just below the bridge - so you had to propel yourself outwards first and then fall. Patrick climbed up first and then the guide helped me climb...but once I got close to the top I freaked out (I do NOT like heights) and asked him to lower me back down. I am sure glad I did because I never would have jumped! But Patrick did and I cheered him on :-) After the guide had Patrick go...he walked around to the top of a 100+ foot cliff and jumped off like a crazy man! None of the other guides have ever tried it because it is pretty insane since you are jumping into the waterfall pool, there are jagged rocks, etc. But he did it and was fine!

We went down some more straight-aways, more slides, more falls and came to another pretty high one. This one we did 3 times...once feet first, once head first and once jumping off. I actually loved the head first with a flip! I did not like jumping!!! But it was fun overall! The very last fall we went over, we had to go head first - but on our backs...so we were blind going into it! That was also fun! Once we were there we could keep climbing back up and jumping in. Patrick did back dives, flips, etc. It took me about 5 minutes just to do a regular jump...but then I realized it wasn't that bad! But by that time I was truly exhausted so we just went back to base for lunch.

If you ask Patrick what his favorite part of the day was - he would say lunch! It was Oishii (Japanese word for delicious). There was a buffet of handmade foods - ranging from Japanese curry, Gnocchi (which were the BEST gnocchi I have ever had), a lasagna type thing (but made with rice instead of noodles), soup, salad, etc. I think he had thirds of everything - and could have had more! After lunch we geared up and headed to the river for white water rafting.







This was actually a nice break since the flow was pretty strong and carried us most of the way with little paddling needed. They had some pretty good rapid sections and our guide, Rowan, would paddle us back into the bottom of the rapids for some 'surfing'. But we really just enjoyed the beauty of the nature out there. Much different from the city and areas we live in! It was a little sad to see the abandoned hotels (built during the tourism bubble and went bankrupt and literally just left everything there and went away). It is such an amazing area - I truly hope that it can rebuild soon.










Once we were done, we went back to base, got dressed and headed home. Again, no traffic so we were home before dinner! I slept the entire way :-) We were so excited to show the kids what we did (we got a cd with all the pics and videos on it) and now they want to go! Maybe we will take Gavin soon (you have to be 6 y/o)...but we know we will definitely go back! I posted some pics here - and I will try to add video later!

Science and Innovation Museum

After our fun date night, we woke up, went swimming, ate breakfast and headed out into Tokyo again for some more exploring. I was told by one of the Yujo workers (they know a ton to do in all the areas) about a fun, interactive museum for the kids. He also said it had a "death star" like planetarium - so we knew we had to go!

We got to take the trains and then the subway and then the monorail! Lots of fun :-) The monorail looped around the Rainbow Bridge so we got to see lots of great sights! Inside was very fun - except all the shows for the planetarium were sold out. But we still got to see the "death star" and we ended up going into a different one across the street that was actually a tv station.

It was another great family adventure!

I still do....

Patrick and I can't believe that we have been married for 6 years. Probably because it feels like 26 - but at the same time it feels like we are still newlyweds. We have been through so much together, lived in 3 different homes, 2 states, 2 countries. We have been blessed with 2 great children and we still always manage to make each other laugh and smile every day!

Unfortunately, Patrick was on call on our actual anniversary (June 18) so we couldn't do much. We did get a chance to try out a little Italian place, literally steps off base, which we LOVED! We didn't stay out late - but it was so funny to think about the fact that we were having a celebration dinner 8000 miles away from where we were eating 6 years ago!

We decided that we would celebrate for real the next weekend (June 24). We made reservations at the New Sanno hotel (our military 5 star hotel in Tokyo) and got a babysitter to come to our room to watch the kids while we went out. We decided to go to the Ginza area which is basically the Rodeo Drive of Japan. You name it....Tiffany's, Cartier, Chanel, Gucci, Prada, Armani, Louis Vuitton, etc...all on one street. We researched the area and decided we wanted to try some Kobe beef for dinner and then follow it up with drinks at the Ice Bar Tokyo. It was A.M.A.Z.I.N.G!

We hopped on the train into Ginza and walked a few blocks to Tiffany's (I got my rings cleaned :-), and then found the restaurant we researched called Gyu An. We had read the best reviews of this quaint little place and how it had some of the best Kobe beef in the world - with decent prices. Apparently Kobe can run you upwards of $300 PER plate...but this was 1/2 the cost (still expensive - but totally worth it at least once). I officially had my first food gasm with the Kobe beef.






After we were finished there we walked down the street to the Tokyo Ice Bar. Some friends of ours had gone and had a great time so we wanted to see what the fuss was about! Literally - the entire place was made of ice. The tables, glasses, seats, pillars...all ice. You had to wear a parka and gloves to go inside and could only stay in for up to 45 minutes. My little flip flops didn't help - but we lasted the whole time! The drinks were delish (although pricey...thank goodness for free drink coupons). We felt like little kids....which was a perfect way to complete our anniversary date!










The next day we had another Tokyo adventure - which I will post later about.
I want to thank my mom and dad for sending some anniversary love (aka money) to help fund our awesome Tokyo anniversary!

Geisha Pictures

This past Tuesday, I was invited to go into Tokyo to get some fun, unique, authentic Japanese pictures taken! My friends Debbie and Shelly (who have both been instrumental in my transition to Yokota and whose husbands work in the hospital also) are leaving Japan soon and heard about this place that dresses you up like Maikos (a Geaisha in training), Gaikos (Geishas) and Oirans (Japanese Courtesans - high class hookers). They reall wanted to get it done before they left and, with the help of a Japanese friend who works at the hospital, set up the appointments. I dropped the kids off for school and we hopped on the trains to get to the studio.

The studio is a temporary one right now as they are rebuilding at their normal location. We found it with no problems and made it a few minutes early!!! The whole process was so fun! First you chose which look you wanted. Next you chose which dress/jacket/accessories. Finally you picked what poses/props you wanted (we got 3 out of about 30). Then the fun began!

You had to get into a white gown and wash your face. Then they put a net over your hair and applied a layer of vasoline-type substance all over the areas they would be covering with make up (face, neck, shoulders, arms). Next, they literally painted white ALL over. Eyelids, nose, neck, mouth...everywhere!!! It was very freaky looking! Once the white was applied, they intricately put some red coloring on your brows, lids, and lips. They added some blue to the brows (to make a purply look) and some fake lashes.









When all the make up was on and dry, they helped you get into the kimonos, etc. If you have never had on a kimono - it is basically like a robe that they wrap together soooooooooooooo tightly with a 'belt' (Obi) so you can barely breathe. We quickly learned why Japanese ladies are so thin. You could barely move - let alone eat!

Once your dress was on they put your wig on. This was the most uncomfortable thing to me. The Oirans wigs weighed even more - but it still felt like your head was going to topple over!!!



When you were finally all done - they helped you get into position to match the poses you chose. Some of the poses were easy - but some involved SUPER high shoes (the Oiran) or traditional Japanese sandals (the Geisha) which are very hard to balance on! The photographer was awesome and very professional. The assistants were fast and stealthy. And they edited the pictures literally the second they had been snapped.


The best part was we were allowed to take pictures with our own cameras also. We took shots of the whole process as well as shots of the final product :-) When all was said and done, we walked out with 3 professionally edited and printed pictures in a triple frame and a CD with ALL the professional pics on it.


It was such a fun experience...I can't wait to take friends and family that come and visit!!!