Month in Japan

So Saturday is the mark of our one month being in Japan. It almost feels like we have been here longer, but nonetheless I think we are enjoying every minute of it. We are growing so much as a couple and the culture around us. I am very eager to start learning Japanese better, because it would be so nice to converse and be able to understand the Japanese more.

To catch you up on our month. On October 9th we went to Fuji Safari with Mary and JT. Fuji Safari had so many different animals like lions, tigers and bears OH MY! There were also zebras (my favorite), and elk (which made me think of my grandpa), they had baby cubs which we were unable to make it in time to take a picture with and get to hold, but next time we go it is for sure happening! The thing is though it is a drive through and you go in your cars!

You drive through and the animals will actually come up to and walk in front of your car. It is so amazing! That day we were supposed to go to a Fuji Q to ride the roller coasters but it was raining. We have noticed that it rains at least twice a week. :) It is crazy, but pretty great.

We also went to a Ramen house which was so delicious and makes for some pretty good practice for using chopsticks. I am getting pretty good, I must say. Going out and socializing with the Japanese is such a great experience! I would probably say hands down they are the most polite people in the world that I have met thus far in whole.With our new friends Justina and Oscar, we went to a place for beef bowls! It is considered the Japanese fast food, you wouldn't guess it though, the first bite of it was epic!

We also went with them by train to Fushikawa to the Shoa Park, where they had so much and we didn't even get to see half of the entire park. What we did see was they had a water park that wasn't going, boat rides, beautiful gardens of flowers, and Japanese men playing croq

uet. There were so many people walking around, the Japanese live in such small places that they go out of the house as much as they can. The only thing is I don't know how they do so much, because everywhere you go it costs money. It is kind of sad how bad the exchange rate

is.

Right now I am doing Introduction to Macroeconomics for one of my classes and it has made me want to learn and understand things better about our economy and how it works. It is really cool to get the Japanese side of the spectrum in our online conversations with classmates as well. School has been taking up most of my time during the days, but its great I am getting into a groove with my schedule and I love it. Focusing on eating better, exercise, my education, growth in the church, and getting close to my love is great. I think we are stronger members of the church here than we were in Utah of all places. The church here is extraordinary and people are so welcoming everywhere you go. We went to the Temple last night with a few members from our ward and it was a wonderful experience. I was really nervous, but after going back I can't wait to go again.

The Temple is just so amazing and so peaceful. One Japanese lady came up to us and talked to us for a bit and it was so nice, it was hard to understand her english at times but showing her we cared what she said and enjoyed talking to her I think it meant a lot to her for us to take the time.

Japan is definitely where we need to be. As much as I miss all my family and friends I know that this is where we need to be. I love every chance I get to talk to everyone and send messages and it almost makes me feel a bit closer. Sayonara!

Driving in Japan

Yesterday we went to this briefing of the base and took our drivings test. You literally have to rewire your brain to drive on the left side of the road and to read all of the crazy signs they have. We found out that Japanese drivers are considered professional drivers because they have to go through so much training and actually pay $2,000 to obtain there drivers license!! Crazy, huh? They take driving very seriously and for that you do not see many japanese that drive. Unlike Utah and most of the US, the pedestrians have the right of way always and if you happen to hit them you literally pay the price and it cost thousands of dollars. The smaller the person is the more you have to pay! Oh, and they also will walk right in front of you, so paying attention to road is essential. The roads are so tight as well, you think your going to get squished.

It is such an interesting culture and learning about it is essential. We learned some of their customs which include:

they do not eat or drink while walking, do Not show any PDA (they don't even hug), they have very specific chopstick manners, they are very conservative in dress, frown upon tattoos, don't like when people are loud, etc. There are so many things, but there all things that shows much respect and proper manners.

Tonight we are going out into Fussa and having Ramen!! I am so very excited! We also move into our place today and get some temporary furniture! Japan is amazing so far and all of the people are so friendly and wonderful! It is like the community of Yokota is a little family!

The Adventure Begins

Our adventure started with our trip to Seattle. We got there on Monday at 2:00pm, the USO on base was amazing. A USO is a place for military members to go while there is time before there next flight. They have bunks, showers, food, couches, nursery, computers, and really comfortable chairs. It was so nice to relax there, after a bit we decided to go explore downtown Seattle where we saw tons of homeless, which was sad, we went to the Taphouse where they had some awesome food, went to see the space needle, and all of the architecture there was awesome!! We then stayed up till 4am till our flight to Japan was ready, we did dose off here and there though, and the flight took over 10 hours.

We with our neck pillows handy we tried to sleep as much as we could. The flight didn't seem too bad looking back on it. You just didn't ask what time it was and it just all blurred together lol. We arrived there at 8am, our sponsor was there and took us to housing. We got a place in a tower and are on the 8 level. It is really pretty and I'll put pictures up soon. We move in on Friday, which is Thursday US time. The time difference is crazy and jet lag sucks. I felt like a robot lol. We got through it though and got so much done. We met some great people in Davids shop, got our post box number. The PO Box is so crazy, to open the box it is by letters not numbers. While driving around you can smell this tree they have and it has a sweet candylike smell. I wish I could explain it better, but it is amazing! There is so much that we saw. The base is small and cozy, but has much to see. I thought Seattle had tons of trees, but Japan has so many beautiful trees and agriculture, and farming is everywhere. I will be sure to put more pictures up and it will explain for itself. Miss you all and love you too!!

Ah-ha Moment

"Enjoy the little things, for one day you will look back and realize they were the BIG things." Robert Brault

A quote I want to try and live by more! Because I realize more now that I will not always have control over what happens in my life, but its my choice to make every minute a happy and joyous one. And in bad comes good, sometimes we don't realize it right away, but in the end you will be grateful for the trials that have made you stronger and made you the person you are today. I thank Heavenly Father for my trials and for the path that he has taken me on, without Him I would be lost.

Right now my whole life is changing and I have to admit I haven't let myself be happy about some changes. I got overwhelmed and stressed over things I could not control and I hated that I did that to myself. I want to look back and remember all the fun that me and David had. I want to be able to have pictures and stories to tell my children and family about so they can feel like they experienced those moments with us.

This opportunity David and I have in moving to Japan is such an amazing one and many would kill to be in our position. But, it was supposed to be us that received these orders, we were meant to go for a reason, and we are supposed to do great things when we get there. I hope to be able to touch other peoples lives, along with letting others touch my own life, I want to learn so much more about this amazing world that we live in. There are so many places and things that most people only dream about being able to see and explore and we have been given that opportunity. As much as I hate at times letting him go for TDY's, deployments, and dealing with mix-ups and mistakes that the Air Force brings, I am very thankful for all that it provides. It gives me a greater appreciation of the time that I do get to spend with my husband. I appreciate little things like sharing a meal together, going to the grocery store, cuddling up to watch a movie, and getting to hold his hand as we walk the mall. I realize how important every little thing is to me, because when he is away I can feel that piece of me missing. I never pictured myself being a military wife, but I know that both me and David were meant for this job.

So, I want to make goals while on this new adventure to see the world, touch peoples lives, learn japanese, become familiar with other cultures, focus more on school, be involved on base, let other people touch my life, and be willing to try new things. Taking what life throws at you is important and I want to start strengthening myself in becoming a better me.

Now you know how I really feel about this new adventure. Because nervous, excited, overwhelmed, and happy are not enough words to describe this new endeavor.

1 week left in the States!!

We just got back to Utah from seeing our family in Vegas. Wow can I say I miss my family so much already! It was so much fun to be with everyone and just be home. My mom and sisters dropped us off last night in our hotel and it was super hard. I can't believe its our last week in the states. This next week we will be in Japan! It is a little overwhelming to think that, but we are so excited for the adventure. So now skype will be my best friend :], because it will allow me to see my friends and family. I have promised myself and many others that I would blog and post all about our exciting adventures so from this point on I will do my best to do it. Right now its off to get our rental car and get out-processing done for David the rest of this week.

Almost a Year :]

So I said I would try to update often and I failed lol! Well I am here to try again!
Everything has been going great work, school, and the hubby like usual. We found out a few months ago we are being stationed in JAPAN! When we found this out we were shocked like no other, we did not believe it at all, since we hadn't even been at Hill for a year yet. Nonetheless we are extremely excited, nervous, overwhelmed, a little scared, and anxious to go. So many feelings are felt with this move. Our month to leave is October, so we still have tons of time to see friends and family before we leave.

I am now 20! Not a teenager any longer, thank heavens!! David threw me a surprise party I had no idea about, made me a 3 tier bday cake, took me to Boondocks, and got me the new ipod nano! I am so amazed by him sometimes, he treats me better than I have ever been treated in my whole entire life. I don't know how I got so lucky this soon in life. I am blessed for sure!! It is crazy how fast time has gone by. Next sunday will be me and Davids one year anniversary!! Can you believe it?! It seems like just yesterday we met eachother and fell madly in love :]! Our 1st year definitely has been a great one, the next one looks like one full of adventure and new opportunities. I am looking forward to all that is to come!

Well I am thinking tons of random thoughts, but I won't bore you with them. lol I will definitely try to update more often, hopefully at least every week, I'll make it my goal :]!