I am sorry that I have been MIA for such a long time, but it is official I am on shore duty now for roughly 6 months--perfect time for those visitors;) just kidding, but I am currently waiting on new orders for a short shore duty tour. I am excited to finally get the chance to actually LIVE in Japan, rather than have the ship seem like home and my house seem like an expensive storage room. In the short 2 weeks that I have already been off of the ship, I have managed to finally settle into my house (only took me 3 months) and I have made it out on a couple day trips to Tokyo and Nikko. The Tokyo trip was gorgeous because all the cherry blossom trees are starting to bloom and it was fun to get out in Tokyo during the week to see some sights so the crowds weren't unbearable.
Then this past Saturday I got up before the sun and started on a trip to Nikko, which is located in the Japan Alps. There are tons of Temples in the area along with the original see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil monkeys that protect the sacred white horse which are traditionally dedicated to the Shinto gods. It is pretty cool to get to go see all these Shrines and Temples. When I come back to the states I will have to bring a book that I got a couple months ago, but every Temple and Shrine has a special unique stamp that they use and for a couple yen they will write it for you, so i have a collection of them in the book, they are really gorgous and I love watching the Monks make them, so I will have to show you all.
well i miss you all and hope that everything is going well back in the states. I missed the family over Easter, but hopefully I will be back next year.
