Kamakura

While my mom was here I took her to see the Big Buddha. I decided to drive and just eat the cost for parking. I'm glad we drove, it was nice being able to park right at the entrance... even if it cost an arm an a leg! 

 



The last time I was down there Frank and I didn't get the chance to check out the Hasa-dera Temple, so this one was new to me as well. Wow. So beautiful.

1 year

December 13th marked our 1 year Japanaversary! I'm not really sure how that's possible, since it seems like we just got here. The AESA Christmas party was that night, not a bad way to celebrate :]
The first picture I took when we got here...

 

It was actually a picture of a squatty potty but I don't have a weeks worth of pictures on the computer since my first phone stopped working. Instead here's a picture of the girls busting out of "jail" ha.

 

It has been an awesome year to say the least! I realized today that in about a year and a few months we will already be looking at our next orders! For those wondering, Frank and I have already said we want to try for anywhere in Europe next. If that isn't possible then we will try to stay in Japan.

 

Here's to another awesome year :] 

Kyoto

Word of advice. If you go to Kyoto do not do the 10,000 tori gates first. It is a full on hike! We only made it half way up before turning back. I really wasn't impressed with it. It is cool to see at first... but then it is just the same thing. All the way up!

 

Kiyomizu-dera. Loved this place. I can only imagine how beautiful it is with the autumn colors lighting it up. Can anyone spot the no picture sign? ha

Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) Gorgeous!

We spent much more time at the Kyoto station than I thought we would. That place is massive! This is on the roof top :]

Arashiyama. By far my favorite place in Kyoto. I could have spent all day walking around the little town.

Gion (Geisha district). We were there in the morning, so no geisha's to be seen.

Tis' the season!

Thanksgiving is tomorrow. Not sure when that snuck up on me! Last year I made Frank a very lovely microwavable dinner of random stuff in our hotel in Lemoore while he was in school. This year (and the next few years to come) he is enjoying his Thanksgiving in the ocean. I however, will be hosting my very first holiday! It will be potluck style and I signed up for my awesome double decker pumpkin pie and salad. And of course wine!

 

Last Sunday AOSA held their annual bazaar. It meant I FINALLY got my step tansu :] I have waited almost a year to purchase one. I had been eyeing a few that were in my price range but when I went to see if they were still there the last one was being sold. The only other one I liked was the largest one the seller had. Which meant the price was quite a bit more. I emailed Frank to see what he thought, but of course after having been exchanging emails back and forth pretty quickly I didn't hear anything from him. After standing guard over the tansu for 15 or 20 minutes I had to make a decision. I'm pretty sure we all know what I decided :]

I'm in love....



My Christmas tree had been sitting in this spot for about a week. It was moved to an even better location.

Yes, it is still sitting there :]

I told myself I was going to wait until after Thanksgiving dinner to start listening to Christmas music. I made it to tonight! ha Yup I gave in. Besides my tree in the box in the middle of the room no decorations will be going up until AFTER dinner!

I was doing great on being on top of Christmas cards and gifts this year. Then I realized my account info had been stolen and had to cancel my check card. Until my new card comes in the mail it's cash/yen only for me. Nothing I don't mind since Frank and I do that in the states. However, being overseas and having to do lots of online shopping... not so easy. So now my cards and gifts will most likely be late. Oy.

Pictures from my mom's visit should be up soon.

Something I find funny... The other day I was reading some old posts. I came across some from summer of 2012. I had mentioned that I wished I was doing something productive with my life since I wasn't really doing anything at that point except getting ready to move. Funny how a year later my life is so busy I can't even sit down to write a post or make dinner. Love it though :]

Hello there!

To say I've been busy is an understatement and my to-do list only growing. 3 more weeks and I can enjoy a day off! Day trip here I come : )

Something I am really excited about is hosting thanksgiving this year! Kind of funny that my first year hosting and Frank isn't even here ha. 

For now I'll leave you with some pictures from last few weeks. If you follow me on Instagram then you've seen most of these pictures.

Thoughts on the glasses??