Bungy!!!

Chris and I drove up to the Gunma prefecture. It was extremely lush and seemed to have all the outdoor activities. White water rafting, kayaking/canoeing, hang gliding, rock climbing, and bungee jumping. We decided last minute to go bungee jumping. A company that we found was called Bungy Japan.

The difference between bungee and bungy… I have heard that bungy is lower velocity and a smoother ride, but I have also heard that they are the same but the spelling differs based on the region. Australians founded the company Chris and I jumped with, and they call it bungy.

 Chris' Turn!

I think for each of us you can pinpoint the moment that we think "What the heck have I gotten my self in to".

We both made it safely and don't think we'll ever do it again, but it was a heck of an experience.

Check It Out

Hello All,

My family is finally here!
My mom is a lot better at keeping her blog current and updated.

Click Here For Her Site

Thank Google!

 So, Chris and I were running errands yesterday and when we got to Joyful Honda, Chris realized he was phoneless. He did however remember getting in the car with it, but it was not in or around the car when we got back to our Toaster on Wheels.

Thanks to the Find My Phone app and Google Maps/Translate, we were able to see that the phone was inside Joyful Honda and hold a conversation over where the lost and found was. After a moderately stressful half hour, we found Chris’ phone!!

Turns out, Google Translate is fairly accurate in correctly translating/effectively getting the main point across. Also, we have found that a new feature of the app is taking a picture of Kanji/Hiragana/Katakana and it will translate it into English. This is an update from our usual scribbling out the characters.

In other news, 3 more days until my family is here!

Happy Birthday to Me

For my birthday, I had to work… and my co-workers decorated my desk. During lunch, I was able to Skype with my parents and enjoy a beautiful flower that my mom had sent to Chris and he had been hiding for a few weeks.

It spins and plays Happy Birthday. I thought it was really pretty and did not want to break it open to make the music stop. Three hours later when I came home from work, it was STILL playing! Chris had shut it in the bathroom but he said anywhere he went in the house he could still hear it. After looking at the instructions again, we didn’t even need to break it open to make it stop playing… needless to say, Chris was relieved when the music stopped. Unfortunately, I had it stuck in my head by that time so I couldn’t help but hum it.

 

Later that evening, we ventured down to Akihabara (the electronics district) to get a Wii Balance Board. Then we went to Ochanomizu (the music district). Turns out it is where you go to BUY musical instruments… not an area with lots of live music. So, after walking around for a while, we ended up in Shibuya. We walked around for about an hour, then stopped into Starbucks for Sakura Lattes. We got to sit by the window on the third floor and watch people crossing the famous Shibuya Crossing.

So this birthday was similar to how I spent last year… In a Starbucks window overlooking a crowd. Although last year I was in Osaka and wasn’t traveling with Chris. It has been a heck of a year for me. I wonder which Starbucks window I will be in next year. :)

Chris also started his new job as a Lifeguard at the Natatorium right next to our tower.
He works with a lot of great people and he is loving it.

The next weekend, Chris took me to the Joyful Honda Garden Center to pick out some plants.
What a great Husband!!

Iris Bulbs

Mini SnapDragons!

Be My Valentine

Happy Valentines Day!

At work we did a fundraiser for Nurse-Tech Week; which will be in May. We had people buy Candy-Grams and then they were delivered around the hospital on the Friday before Valentines Day (Saturday).  

It was arts and crafts time with my new co-workers. We made over 220 of these heart-flowers with a lolly-pop center. To make it a family affair, I volunteered Chris to be Cupid and deliver the Candy-Grams. :)

Then on Saturday the 14^th, we journeyed down to Ueno and went to a few museums. We missed out on the Science Museum and the Zoo, but we will be heading back when my family come so we can see them soon!

Merry Christmas

Despite our best planning and ordering Christmas cards in early November, the post office is way backed up and we did not receive our cards to send them out. So, Chris and I would like to wish all our friends and family a virtual Merry Christmas.

                         
                             The Lilley Family featuring Sophi (We are puppy sitting for friends)

Happy Birthday, Chris

December 23^rd is the Emperor’s birthday here in Japan. It is also Chris’ birthday! Being that it is his 23^rd birthday, I surprised him with a special surprise flight around Tokyo!

The tour of Tokyo by sky is a program that the Aero Club on base has. For a reasonable fee, Ray, the pilot, flew Chris and I around for approx an hour. We flew from base to Tachikawa, to Shinjuku, Shibuya, Tokyo Bay, then up the coast past Yokohama, Enoshima , and got a fantastic view of Mt. Fugi before landing back at base.

                                            Tachikawa                                       Tokyo Dome

                        Tokyo Tower and Rainbow Bridge                  Rainbow Bridge

I thought it was amazing how fast we were able to see downtown Tokyo and Enoshima since it takes 2 and 3 hours respectfully to get to those destinations. Getting a ‘birds-eye-view’ of all the tall buildings was really great as well. Chris’ favorite part was seeing the train tracks as well as how fast we were able to get to Tokyo.

                 Chris and Tokyo Tower              Tokyo SkyTree                      Tokyo Tower

At the beginning of the flight, Ray couldn’t get to plane to start until about the 4^th try. He said it was because the engine was so cold… but it sure made me a bit nervous :)

Once we were in the air, it was smooth sailing (If you will). Totally worth it.

           See the Christmas tree?                        Yokohama                  Enoshima Island (Jen was there!)

Now Chris is snuggled in with Sophi (the little dog that we are dog-sitting) and a giant beer while he’s watching a documentary he got for his birthday. His pick of dinner: chicken cordon bleu roll ups, and mashed potatoes are cooking. Not a bad day :)

Happy Birthday, Chris!

                          Ray taking a pic… who's flying!!                    Just beautiful

                                      Me and Mt. Fugi                               Stunning Mt. Fugi

                                              Coast                                         Tachikawa at Night

                                     Lighted golf course!                              Fussa at night