Konnichiwa, Japan!

This is my FIRST post of JAPAN!
I can't believe we're here.
After all the paperwork, planning, and travels, we have finally arrived in Atsugi.

In my sort of lifestyle, I've learned to curb my excitement, sadness, whatever, until I'm actually in that moment - no expectations are best in the Navy - and finally, I was in that moment. Somewhere around the final decent after a 11 hour flight, my heart started pumping and I realized the next place under my feet would be Japan.  Just about THERE...and then....we arrived :) I was thrilled.

the first glimpse of Japan

Piper and I had a great flight minus a couple wrestling matches during her sleepy moments.  Thankfully, there was a little girl across the aisle that kept saying "HI" to Piper which bought us an hour of entertainment.  There were also the flight attendants that seemed to have some compassion - you could tell it was against their rules and regulations to let me rock the little lady near their food and beverage stations but they let me do it anyway.

finally sleeping

me being goofy

piper being goofy

ALMOST GOING TO GET OFF OF THE PLANE!

After getting Tommy cleared to freely be a dog in Japan, I loaded up our loot in the baggage terminal in Yakota - 3 bags, dog kennel, Piper, car seat, stroller, carry-on and diaper bag - into my 50 arms and one rolly-cart.  My Diamondback sponsor greeted me and took us to Atsugi Kichi! (Atsugi Base)  So nice to finally be "home".

Tommy wonders where we brought him

So - initial thoughts:

They have a lot American stores - Denny's, Starbucks, a Harley Dealership....Baskin Robin's (which the locals refer to as "Satay-Won" which is "thirty-one" for the 31 flavors at Baskin Robin's) - and did you know that the Japanese owns 7 Eleven?  Instead of being a gas station, it's more like a convenient store and people can pay their utility bills here....not sure if it sells slurpee's....

Vending machines = Everywhere.  Are you thirsty?  Need a beer or a smoke? for a 120 Yen, you can get whatever, wherever! ($1.50)

A Note on Driving - if some of my family members are expert backseat drivers in the states, they should probably just close her eyes while we commute here - it's intense.  Driving on the left side of the road while sitting on the right side of the car is bizarro.

Sweet little wagon, though, eh?!  It's nice to fill this tank up at the gas station compared to our 36 gallon tank for our truck in the states!

Language - Love it and Hate that I don't have a clue yet.  I hope to take some courses in the fall but in the meantime, it's percussive and silly.  gosh, I love language - and it really gives you POWER....so I hope to grasp it soon!

Yay for Engrish!

Surprised that I look foreign but not THAT foreign. I thought Japanese people would be a lot shorter and stare at all 6'0" of a me a little more - thankfully, it doesn't seem like they think of me as a complete amazon - However, who HAS gotten all the looks is little miss Piper.  They LOVE her.  Locals have saved me on public transportation many-a-time with their smiles catching Piper's glance before the little lady is about to wig out. 

And Lastly, Transportation - I am walking, riding my bike and taking the train and bus more than ever and it's WONDERFUL.  The train system is definitely NOT as user-friendly as Chicago, New York or anywhere in Europe, but it's train system and that's just heavenly.

That's all for now - Sayonara!

Kansas Antics

Since the Navy whisked my husband away on a carrier, I decided it was best to spend some time in Kansas.  While Brian and I were quite stoked about the prospects of Japan, Piper's Grandparents didn't reflect the same sentiment.  So, after a glorious road trip, Piper and I got some much needed family and friend time in Kansas. 
Here are some pictures from our month in the Heartland.

At Grandpa Megee's bday bash, we laughed at Jon - what's new... :)

even while blurry, she's still the cutest thing ever

 

Nothing like a great dinner and a big announcement!

Lisa's house for a family cook-out!

My Mom and Stepdad, Bill

Piper's belly laugh at her cousin, Charlotte

At the Kaufmann Perfoming Arts Center - seeing a Broadway show Next to Normal.

Maddie (my step-sis), Me, Dad and Lisa, my sis

Beautiful building

Dad and my StepMom, Deb

Finally, a picture taken toward Liberty Memorial instead of from the Memorial

Ice Cream break at the petting Zoo, Deanna Rose.

Pygmy Goat!

Father's Day!

Some Loaded Questions at Dad's

Dad and Piper's silly faces

The Graham Cracker Gangsta's - Piper roaming the streets at dusk with her cousin, Margo

Playing Frisbee in our favorite Olathe Field

The Before

The After!!!

Hangin with the Hawley's - mmmm We B Smokin'

Hide and Go seek

Skyping with her DaDa

CRRRRRazy Sisters

KC Sporting game with some great friends

Cousins! Piper and Margo

Ladies Roadtrip 2012 from CA to KS

I can't think of a better Mother's Day than to be flanked by my Mom and daughter as we began a road trip from California to Kansas.

Our first day was filled with Central Cali desserts and heat, but once we emerged from the Mojave dessert, we saw the Vegas lights and stayed at Nellis AFB.

eating dinner after our first day on the road

telling Grandma a story

After Nellis, we were off to explore some National Parks!
Zion

stretch break at Zion

Bryce Canyon

Inspiration Point lookout

Piper is so excited to walk that she doesn't notice the view!

Piper loves being with her Grandma

an Arch in Bryce

My favorite spot in Bryce Canyon

Lastly, we stayed in Moab to visit the Arches National Park the next day. The Arches were beautiful and both my Mom and I were amazed at the red terrain.  May was a perfect time to be here - any later and we would have been roasting hot.

dramatic landscape

 FISH FACE! :)

the most famous arch in the arches park

Next up, we continued our adventures traveling East into Colorado.  Due to our time at the parks in Utah, we stayed on the western side of CO in Glenwood Springs.  After we stayed a night, we ate a wonderful breakfast in a small café and then soaked in the hot springs.  Piper was a little weary at first and refused to let go of me in the warm water, but after about an hour, she finally went to her floaty toy.  It was the most relaxing morning!

not only relaxing, but surrounded by beautiful views

Once we got on the road, we started approaching the CO KS border.  You'd think this is what the whole point was in driving...however, My mom and I refused to believe that our trip was approaching the final destination so quickly.  So, once we hit Denver, we traveled north to Boulder.  We shopped, ate, drank and were quite merry in this college town flanked by the Rockies.

Yayyyy - sleeping baby

CO snow!

"Drink up, Piper..." Walnut Brewery in Boulder :)

Once we left Boulder the next day, we knew there weren't any parks or sites in western KS that we wanted to see, so we huffed on back to KC.


What a marvelous trip across the western U.S.A.  Our country is so beautiful - I hope everyone has the chance to see this beauty!

goofball played with my phone and unintentionally took a pic of herself