A Very Happy Japanniversary To Us!

Two years ago the kids and I left everything we have ever known and boarded an airplane bound for Osaka, Japan.  I remember while feeling scared, tearful, nervous, cautious, and apprehensive, I was also excited about the adventures that lied ahead.

I cannot believe how quickly time has gone. It seems like just yesterday we were getting on that plane. What an amazing two years it has been.

We have enjoyed traveling to locals areas, such as Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Awaji and Himeji, and have ventured to other areas of Japan, such as Wakayama, Hiroshima, Miajima, Gifu, Nasa Forest, Tango Peninsula, and Hachi Kita.  We have seen beaches and mountains and have been skiing, whitewater rafting and camping. I have hiked 56 km in 13 hours and climbed Mt Fuji with my husband and older two children.  Two of our friends have been able to come and visit.

Miajima

Matt & I in Arashiyama

Shirihama Beach

Hiroshima

Jame came to visit!  Our night at the Hobgoblin

Tango Peninsula

Top of Mt Fuji

Skiing with the neighbors in Gifu

We have been very blessed to be able to travel within other areas of Asia as well –– Bangkok and Phuket in Thailand, Langkawi in Malaysia, Hong Kong, Bali, and North, Central and Southern Vietnam.

Bangkok, Thailand

Langkawi, Malaysia

Halong Bay, Vietnam

Phuket, Thailand

Ubud Rice Terrace -- Bali, Indonesia

We were told to look at every day as an adventure and I think we have. Not every day is easy. In fact, there are many days when you are so frustrated that you just want to lock yourself in a room and cry. But I do not regret for one moment taking this assignment. The past two years has had a huge impact on each and every one of us, and I know that we will someday return back to the states very different from when we had left.

I never thought I would love living in Japan as much as I do. I have fallen in love with the country, the people, the culture and even the food (well except for the sushi). I wish I was able to share everything I love so much here with all my family and friends (hint: Free room and board!).

We do not know when our time here is up. But one thing I do know is that I am going to embrace each and every day, because just as quickly as the past two years have gone by, before I know it will be time for us to move on to the next adventure. Where ever that may be.

A View from and Elephant's Back

The one thing the kids wanted to do while in Thailand was ride an elephant. So on the third day we drove almost 2 hours outside of the city and went on an elephant ride. I think it is something the kids will remember for the rest of their lives. I mean, who could forget sitting on the back of an elephant, walking through a jungle in Thailand?



Matt, Chris and Sami went on the elephant ahead of us. So many of the pictures I have taken are from behind.


One of the neatest parts of the ride was walking through a small creek while on the elephants.

There were lots of pretty trees, flowers and other vegetation to see.

If you look real close you will even see a few monkeys in this picture. And yes, they are wearing shirts. Strange, I know. Imagine seeing a monkey running around wearing clothes in the jungle.



We did manage to get a few pictures of us front the front. And even a shot or two of Emily and myself.




Afterwards the kids were able to feed the elephants some bananas. Just a small treat for not throwing us off.

You can see many more pictures here. Just keep in mind it is hard to take decent pictures from atop a moving elephant.