tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52689039471207715642024-03-13T02:20:19.736-07:00There and Back AgainLaura Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03227536805852645246noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268903947120771564.post-53827117021491838632019-09-16T01:46:00.002-07:002019-10-01T04:10:13.461-07:00Summertime AdventuresI'm a little behind on the blogging because summer was, to say the least, CRAZY. But I guess that's what happens when you are in 6 countries/states in 6 weeks. Also because I've been obsessed with finishing my <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfkUzjbqGHKN-20vNdMIMtuem3xZ-k0YGx9CuBhM--QG0VQlA/viewform" target="_blank">second short story</a> ever since I came back to Japan, and it just didn't leave a lot of time for blogging. But since today I FINALLY finished the first draft, I'm now free to blog a bit. :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsoOh16aL5OT1d1wXvP-Crjp1bTqqGaG39GhrQKH25r29kyrRT_BdUwr5dVUl1cWzAUZBu6bykVnHS1CiupJuCnMrTxRTlTjouE3Jt78zr9gdXIt6dT7YLSLwt8EziYbvX78xyhDGA0gM/s1600/69291525_443676639567836_3559304462654767104_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsoOh16aL5OT1d1wXvP-Crjp1bTqqGaG39GhrQKH25r29kyrRT_BdUwr5dVUl1cWzAUZBu6bykVnHS1CiupJuCnMrTxRTlTjouE3Jt78zr9gdXIt6dT7YLSLwt8EziYbvX78xyhDGA0gM/s320/69291525_443676639567836_3559304462654767104_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>A few days after summer started I went on a 3-day 2-night camp with the 1st graders from my school. Imagine about 120 six-year-old Japanese boys (the majority of whom have never left home overnight before) staying in this building with a bunch of frazzled teachers and you've pretty much got the trip nailed. We went up to Karuizawa which was cool because I had never been there before and stayed in this lodge.<br />
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I didn't realize I could take pictures my first day, so I missed out on that, but I snapped some of the second day. Although I tried to avoid using ones that show their faces as much as possible. They're so adorable though, right?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjqhzl4WOQ1Kyec0lje9R40fzf4jrNLb26lmYXdiOxosF5F7CYNKMBLYMRgUFV4DyiyP2QFjTcwC3DrwcbcPDdsNcbIr7FllBL7ttaXzJhUH3vv2VI32y1XoQlDNQp3wrRBevC2lPS1wI/s1600/69373750_2504885166264681_8016861744259399680_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjqhzl4WOQ1Kyec0lje9R40fzf4jrNLb26lmYXdiOxosF5F7CYNKMBLYMRgUFV4DyiyP2QFjTcwC3DrwcbcPDdsNcbIr7FllBL7ttaXzJhUH3vv2VI32y1XoQlDNQp3wrRBevC2lPS1wI/s640/69373750_2504885166264681_8016861744259399680_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeNP42CRQk-psXpB9Kek-uEijkYv7ISx7fMASkHMxb9Zc0J62WcKz2b4ykC6Z2L9i7lOoNJNdPXpfN8R30RpcU14_yApyj_BpQRn1cYYDXmLpClhwznvY1-VSOC9G5b-pLT44NUdYat_k/s1600/70488438_903236453377723_657845537839513600_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeNP42CRQk-psXpB9Kek-uEijkYv7ISx7fMASkHMxb9Zc0J62WcKz2b4ykC6Z2L9i7lOoNJNdPXpfN8R30RpcU14_yApyj_BpQRn1cYYDXmLpClhwznvY1-VSOC9G5b-pLT44NUdYat_k/s320/70488438_903236453377723_657845537839513600_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrrsLhPZpRZVnjHfcICBwGiB0H_yQwugrr2sCEyeDsgbjD4RyYGAJ5VnVUi4GQ1gG1jG4aQ3MA2nvlyZmn1gvc0FkdCRypU8-G842JsFzj11IU-Y98Cix2Msqed_Rai97OQ09fYrutYeI/s1600/69417935_477369616385349_6965334384467509248_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrrsLhPZpRZVnjHfcICBwGiB0H_yQwugrr2sCEyeDsgbjD4RyYGAJ5VnVUi4GQ1gG1jG4aQ3MA2nvlyZmn1gvc0FkdCRypU8-G842JsFzj11IU-Y98Cix2Msqed_Rai97OQ09fYrutYeI/s320/69417935_477369616385349_6965334384467509248_n.jpg" width="240" /></a>A normal day had meals prepared for us (this is an example of one of the more American-ish breakfasts), group prayer in the prayer hall, activities, playtime, snack time, more activities, and well, a bunch of other stuff. It definitely put my Japanese to the test trying to be a chaperone when the kids all understand Japanese better than I do. :) </div>
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Needless to say, after we made it back from that camp I was ready for my real summer to start. I was also ready to just sit at home and be a total lump (or, as we say in Japanese I was ready to 'goro goro' around the house) but I may have accidentally, totally knowing what I was doing, bought my ticket to fly home for the next night. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqUH5HjhIbRZaRtzzsWD0i72JFJP2hFF1A8ezn6J5nE6iu52K0xB8Y8KhwH3lBfOrJguZfK7A6KtRDdTj2JBdveyNP0IpKQel0PWMXKyVgDzbKE6ujN24IBNXh-6jKdSimkyHW-5T_MgQ/s1600/69739564_2409329226021448_7932989416744681472_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqUH5HjhIbRZaRtzzsWD0i72JFJP2hFF1A8ezn6J5nE6iu52K0xB8Y8KhwH3lBfOrJguZfK7A6KtRDdTj2JBdveyNP0IpKQel0PWMXKyVgDzbKE6ujN24IBNXh-6jKdSimkyHW-5T_MgQ/s320/69739564_2409329226021448_7932989416744681472_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>That's how I found myself catching an 8 pm flight to Seoul, sleeping at the airport, catching a 7 am flight, having a layover in Hong Kong, and then finally arriving in LAX. My first stop was to see Chad and Bri (friends from college.) As you can see, we know how to party. What we don't know how to do is make decisions, which is why you see us with a chocolate cake broken into three different sections with different flavored icing. No regrets about that though. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiaYRfUBLiPBQHb36PWs_6gDPg1dDUIPqTQTQihwT62rcpZfLx42RFd0Ikspivu6_F7drEJA_Zpvw5Xo6edg3fcmq-Jp0tUezU3aJB0pKP_WB0FhYwun0w_m2JWTMLdNb-mGcHzeoovSY/s1600/69945107_2431947360353356_7184775151362244608_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiaYRfUBLiPBQHb36PWs_6gDPg1dDUIPqTQTQihwT62rcpZfLx42RFd0Ikspivu6_F7drEJA_Zpvw5Xo6edg3fcmq-Jp0tUezU3aJB0pKP_WB0FhYwun0w_m2JWTMLdNb-mGcHzeoovSY/s320/69945107_2431947360353356_7184775151362244608_n.jpg" width="240" /></a>This wasn't my first time to hang out with Cam, who I'm pretty positive is going to go his entire life calling me Ducky (he and his parents are the only ones who still call me my nickname from sophomore year.) But I digress. Anyway, Cam and I had some good times, and I even met his little sister, Kayla this trip. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2cvvEcpU9I2NI4ezubNfzBRPUDv6box2GJ1Pj9KkM8j-6lZTeL1EkfONK8YwkWiNXHHUk2DmLUNsTfAO7GIcEnSzr3u1YGjEk1tCLvvBj5U42hUwD2xIBHkGvZeSG0wlZ-cVRrookZoU/s1600/69220440_3012926705402999_853503464498528256_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2cvvEcpU9I2NI4ezubNfzBRPUDv6box2GJ1Pj9KkM8j-6lZTeL1EkfONK8YwkWiNXHHUk2DmLUNsTfAO7GIcEnSzr3u1YGjEk1tCLvvBj5U42hUwD2xIBHkGvZeSG0wlZ-cVRrookZoU/s320/69220440_3012926705402999_853503464498528256_n.jpg" width="240" /></a>We made sure to fit time in for playing board games while we were together as well as some Mario, but all too soon my trip was over and it was time to say goodbye. </div>
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Because I love airports, I went back to LAX and then flew to SLC. (Side note: I had a lovely conversation with the lady sitting next to me who started the conversation with "were you watching a scary movie? I could tell because you were curled up in a ball and kept gasping." She was right, I was. And apparently, it was a great ice breaker because we then chatted until we got off the plane.)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOsPe0BkfZfCtgHcZKHRvZsEo-hAlF6BymIrF38F1tFBllwmSJm3Ty7snqyWkxz84s4HsnXPteZJ8CIiY_j73f66zTNU8RG7AZB4k4oAYKyX5NdVotY8vvfDNhl88MiaAyg4mDhqPYz7A/s1600/68971707_495246071266348_586518887105822720_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOsPe0BkfZfCtgHcZKHRvZsEo-hAlF6BymIrF38F1tFBllwmSJm3Ty7snqyWkxz84s4HsnXPteZJ8CIiY_j73f66zTNU8RG7AZB4k4oAYKyX5NdVotY8vvfDNhl88MiaAyg4mDhqPYz7A/s320/68971707_495246071266348_586518887105822720_n.jpg" width="240" /></a>I was in Utah a little more than a week because I had the most people to see here from those 8 years living there (man, was it really 8 years?) Not to mention I had some crazy adventures my old roommates and I needed to do. Like watching my roommate dance with a dog. That's normal, right? Or going horseback riding in the mountains together. That was NOT normal but it was awesome. So awesome. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYVUbXnhk1yDnTmjihRcJv0_x1rK9tmT87meNDUSCdj7YQAQI3I7JAro1t0TvG76brw_RwblYKre3uevSNa6tyXcDE8_DItrV5wsCmf3sv1r7B9esrfi6Uynx1wRpSHk6etsS41ghHQV8/s1600/69321684_228319688074008_2265460193393377280_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYVUbXnhk1yDnTmjihRcJv0_x1rK9tmT87meNDUSCdj7YQAQI3I7JAro1t0TvG76brw_RwblYKre3uevSNa6tyXcDE8_DItrV5wsCmf3sv1r7B9esrfi6Uynx1wRpSHk6etsS41ghHQV8/s320/69321684_228319688074008_2265460193393377280_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
And although it might make me a little unpatriotic to Japan and the wonderful sushi here, I was dying for some American sushi with sauce and all that jazz so I definitely ate sushi two days in a row. Who can resist those sweet, sweet rolls? Also, the delicious almond chocolate boba. I missed that.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpP-EfFu5l2LLp37MjqShfgeWNSBX3fBxrk4zjBG9w8KignM0AXhNtxESdSsf9D3YpTJcsUyqbLeJQ4_ScWDCxVgjzEZBa6JNwcrkyTaMTutcVsq3QDOHwvctqt40XHLxQflZGi5BUzFM/s1600/69592187_2153082254990091_5179122310002507776_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1600" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpP-EfFu5l2LLp37MjqShfgeWNSBX3fBxrk4zjBG9w8KignM0AXhNtxESdSsf9D3YpTJcsUyqbLeJQ4_ScWDCxVgjzEZBa6JNwcrkyTaMTutcVsq3QDOHwvctqt40XHLxQflZGi5BUzFM/s320/69592187_2153082254990091_5179122310002507776_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie2Z4UlEuKVrEFIdfe1_LU5etLQHHNoMQApGmLCqxlyUb14U9olZSAdAEa18rQyzscKbm2moIKa0nTNgQ51E5z4nEoYskbXkOLJFssZRBMftcfwahN9fN0S1yhAQYak_WDZwQkqwUala4/s1600/69205058_498589800928895_5444269916997812224_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie2Z4UlEuKVrEFIdfe1_LU5etLQHHNoMQApGmLCqxlyUb14U9olZSAdAEa18rQyzscKbm2moIKa0nTNgQ51E5z4nEoYskbXkOLJFssZRBMftcfwahN9fN0S1yhAQYak_WDZwQkqwUala4/s320/69205058_498589800928895_5444269916997812224_n.jpg" width="240" /></a>There were sleepovers to do. Board games to play. Friends' husbands to meet for the first time, and temples to go to. Not to mention lunch and dinner plans pretty much every single day with friends and family.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqJIx9MRA2-kpqq6GRdTZVYaQkP24FOJ9Y6Udxi1N7jw5umCis8h0PTzqBa0rJ7pvPE1-D4ObxmjMhxKPk-n8qSXyOEEWt2s4N84cKOUtJYHFgQUywE0HcbZu2Ruj_KB0oVEU_X7wrYUc/s1600/69262842_939521179718161_3289340316124971008_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqJIx9MRA2-kpqq6GRdTZVYaQkP24FOJ9Y6Udxi1N7jw5umCis8h0PTzqBa0rJ7pvPE1-D4ObxmjMhxKPk-n8qSXyOEEWt2s4N84cKOUtJYHFgQUywE0HcbZu2Ruj_KB0oVEU_X7wrYUc/s320/69262842_939521179718161_3289340316124971008_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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Utah was seriously a blast, and I'm so glad I got to go there. Not only did I get to catch up with everyone, but my roommates and I had another chance to work on our roommate book <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1rZdwbyZ2raMlh0e0aLy4q8P17Ne3s9tpudedjSgXj6k/edit" target="_blank">What to Expect When You're Not Expecting: How to Be Single and Own It.</a> It's all about (you guessed it) being single, but in a "humorous, our lives are really cool if we want them to be" kind of way instead of a "we're pathetic and bitter" kind of way. Look forward to it. I know I am. :)<br />
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It was kind of weird whenever my time was over at a place because my emotions were like "should we be sad?" and I'd be like "IDK man. I'm sad to leave but also looking forward to the next place. So, there's no way to tell really." And that's exactly what it was like leaving Utah. Goodbye to everyone I saw that week but hello airport, family, and a cute little ball of allergens that my brother named Pip.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5mADYPmAYjo-uR91zFUH6zC7w4rInQE1iKsenrNuxGmessUFJKgguFi7HQra9xRQRS4ElVwzt9XiTAg23f-QFnw8Uhn711TPzQPEwg5zvHQptoA249EGrzL2Aco6qUNAysVuFcuyDg_Y/s1600/70208831_352649535617427_36978714935820288_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5mADYPmAYjo-uR91zFUH6zC7w4rInQE1iKsenrNuxGmessUFJKgguFi7HQra9xRQRS4ElVwzt9XiTAg23f-QFnw8Uhn711TPzQPEwg5zvHQptoA249EGrzL2Aco6qUNAysVuFcuyDg_Y/s200/70208831_352649535617427_36978714935820288_n.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzoA8HGxn8iwXbp0byEd20Pb6waTnYU3ZSizyOzpw771MAwvSSCc_MznGdRIVofVIQ-oi5XjQKB6vlmQu3G5PAyiaJYOY4BiMm2-85SXnp3D8G4VhoI8VhdfHJ7XgX-8Pr87PB5SFceI8/s1600/69247993_2410350245748440_7452872005025529856_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzoA8HGxn8iwXbp0byEd20Pb6waTnYU3ZSizyOzpw771MAwvSSCc_MznGdRIVofVIQ-oi5XjQKB6vlmQu3G5PAyiaJYOY4BiMm2-85SXnp3D8G4VhoI8VhdfHJ7XgX-8Pr87PB5SFceI8/s320/69247993_2410350245748440_7452872005025529856_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>Those few days I spent in Colorado were some of the laziest IN MY LIFE. It was awesome! David picked me up from the airport with a Benadryl, a bottle of water, and a face mask (and here I thought I had left those behind in Japan. Silly me.)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgft7DaEWkcyHFkkc4IDXsvZGeOYq9cE13J38Osv8hTtRs3IwFmiY2frfSX5Te04bYOdjly1ESL2aNbSEjro-9qp3B-eBiBd7zcyLEsNrohDx4fpNdtDDZ8lnA2QLUew90z4RSuovPFLkY/s1600/70367281_364899221063177_3766297009871388672_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgft7DaEWkcyHFkkc4IDXsvZGeOYq9cE13J38Osv8hTtRs3IwFmiY2frfSX5Te04bYOdjly1ESL2aNbSEjro-9qp3B-eBiBd7zcyLEsNrohDx4fpNdtDDZ8lnA2QLUew90z4RSuovPFLkY/s200/70367281_364899221063177_3766297009871388672_n.jpg" width="150" /></a>Let me tell you what an almost perfect vacation looks like:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggx-CO8rE06Xa9wkBDgdzjv7cT6neEx8bwXiIYV1aYbOncIr4nX3aHkEXNl-LUQROJND1VCmj1pNP0TTRvXUj9EXfT9ibnD5pwsN21mPJmd_9i7_yn8NJZs1gJvgGtKDyfLIfCtDOkBRI/s1600/70534536_2444622355862127_1086346792804548608_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggx-CO8rE06Xa9wkBDgdzjv7cT6neEx8bwXiIYV1aYbOncIr4nX3aHkEXNl-LUQROJND1VCmj1pNP0TTRvXUj9EXfT9ibnD5pwsN21mPJmd_9i7_yn8NJZs1gJvgGtKDyfLIfCtDOkBRI/s320/70534536_2444622355862127_1086346792804548608_n.jpg" width="180" /></a>-most of your free time is spent playing board games with your brother and sister<br />
-between board game sessions, your sister insists on making delicious food for everyone because she "likes to cook" (Is that a real thing?)<br />
-you don't look at your phone at all because time is irrelevant to your schedule and you don't have time to talk to anyone who isn't playing said board game with you<br />
-you constantly are slightly drugged with allergy medicine and only remove your mask to eat aforementioned delicious food.<br />
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And then it was back to the airport with me because, what can I say, I love airports. I think my relationship with the airport is my longest lasting one so far. (And don't tell my parents but I've even slept over at the airport, so risque.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHRKvZf282X1cw50OqgbUyIkm193fWnmKBSZIFaSXu63Lh8s8RDJpH_0Yg4roGIpFxLafytTZLfhrKiDob-7uhNBeK_TY_9jmC7kl7PlrnzhJmYZ-2npimSUNj6SxSL5IF_APRRYtT04g/s1600/69185296_373127730021052_7797761216083918848_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHRKvZf282X1cw50OqgbUyIkm193fWnmKBSZIFaSXu63Lh8s8RDJpH_0Yg4roGIpFxLafytTZLfhrKiDob-7uhNBeK_TY_9jmC7kl7PlrnzhJmYZ-2npimSUNj6SxSL5IF_APRRYtT04g/s200/69185296_373127730021052_7797761216083918848_n.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiJPcpy1IQhNch8GXE2Tgcknl8f9urehqOtE_ywR8yAC6uH7wKsBnluFFI6lQK6t_k1vcadFHLe3samXUc423Y5-QlYiteN4L6jHMqG1VjZXX1I5eae_0XG2NVp_3IH0IuUUzRI6tLEU4/s1600/69128446_640624449678533_6723047960675876864_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiJPcpy1IQhNch8GXE2Tgcknl8f9urehqOtE_ywR8yAC6uH7wKsBnluFFI6lQK6t_k1vcadFHLe3samXUc423Y5-QlYiteN4L6jHMqG1VjZXX1I5eae_0XG2NVp_3IH0IuUUzRI6tLEU4/s320/69128446_640624449678533_6723047960675876864_n.jpg" width="240" /></a>My last stop in America was home. Hooray. Now I got to see the rest of my family. Especially the ones who are only half-grown. One of the first things I did was look through old family calendars and I found a ton of gems. Like this little guy. Classic. (By classic I'm mainly referring to our hairstyles. And clothing. And my inability to look at the camera.) Mom picked me up from the airport, and I don't know who was so excited: her to see me or me to finally get home and unload my suitcase. (I brought 50 Japanese books home from Japan, so my bag was kind of freaking heavy.) Home sweet home.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJNYkpjxmgjYHPTRxACcg2ksuiwoBRBZQ4kNu6pDcUypwCM4m8XNP0HM2y_Nxf-B6Z5ezwQCGc0eI-qK4EQQnVqjCi454ia_hYcf8WOJZRWv_RsJAMmxMZ5yjbCl9q6BYMzGsKMXJ9vDI/s1600/69236918_1272589962914286_4412345526679240704_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJNYkpjxmgjYHPTRxACcg2ksuiwoBRBZQ4kNu6pDcUypwCM4m8XNP0HM2y_Nxf-B6Z5ezwQCGc0eI-qK4EQQnVqjCi454ia_hYcf8WOJZRWv_RsJAMmxMZ5yjbCl9q6BYMzGsKMXJ9vDI/s320/69236918_1272589962914286_4412345526679240704_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4UmwEuxqR8L0l7mnvi9tpfa5MDpzMMb8n448YVCsYAWUST25dqz4DdXmckYrokhaqQv6hpIL3dmQqunnWtizdiau6dcqbim6WmKb24ucn1Ip_sbS9qEc0EukBuol1IOdqtUK4yYhUlM/s1600/69372647_2370235583219946_1225940290850783232_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4UmwEuxqR8L0l7mnvi9tpfa5MDpzMMb8n448YVCsYAWUST25dqz4DdXmckYrokhaqQv6hpIL3dmQqunnWtizdiau6dcqbim6WmKb24ucn1Ip_sbS9qEc0EukBuol1IOdqtUK4yYhUlM/s200/69372647_2370235583219946_1225940290850783232_n.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8JaJg0CB8Wz4DWNm5SpDXKGM1AvWRTMw-geeR0IaWDnOn7o3RAQHgxdQHySpoxQw_gMV1NBE8M8SsRC0MciuLDkbRw6S04Xyrp28MlD0N8EvXyu0_B3cc_Hi4oq0lAO0wEoVLeb4EsF4/s1600/69253543_1346047242221481_3210812813417119744_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8JaJg0CB8Wz4DWNm5SpDXKGM1AvWRTMw-geeR0IaWDnOn7o3RAQHgxdQHySpoxQw_gMV1NBE8M8SsRC0MciuLDkbRw6S04Xyrp28MlD0N8EvXyu0_B3cc_Hi4oq0lAO0wEoVLeb4EsF4/s320/69253543_1346047242221481_3210812813417119744_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>I had some really good, quality parent time, sibling time, and niece/nephew time during my three weeks at home. </div>
Uncle Paul spoiled me with a pumpkin chocolate chip cheesecake. Some day I'll learn how to make one of those. Until then though, I'll do my best to stay on his good side.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkv0PhmW_EVqj5ind-ocZrApg34oYFCieA9_LGord1u6ZwACaZVL6kZt8RSXlAkwfLwgEDc6nwvwdjenNAVr7LV8sMBgt3hdZMzyZ8Y9m4CFHpkMOBX_106ToBND_QQ-KXYkswVEnA-2Q/s1600/70302812_492514941540603_4393020694993043456_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkv0PhmW_EVqj5ind-ocZrApg34oYFCieA9_LGord1u6ZwACaZVL6kZt8RSXlAkwfLwgEDc6nwvwdjenNAVr7LV8sMBgt3hdZMzyZ8Y9m4CFHpkMOBX_106ToBND_QQ-KXYkswVEnA-2Q/s320/70302812_492514941540603_4393020694993043456_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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Looking at these two pictures, I've got to say that I think the biggest difference here is...there's no way Dad would have let me eat an entire spoonful of cookie dough when I was eight. I guess there are some perks to being an adult after all.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhM6YWWsN0W8B4bXv4Y8hkJCvALuNctrV4HEkKRHfLLUJDQQcMFKQODugJqayIRJmx5QCWBYS01ORzq4LTeeXbBbIVJneI21WxlzGQIpyKaGFX8C_Gfe4tnxDl93rOQGM1qWT5txwZzoY/s1600/69444685_534416043965360_7313715580031205376_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhM6YWWsN0W8B4bXv4Y8hkJCvALuNctrV4HEkKRHfLLUJDQQcMFKQODugJqayIRJmx5QCWBYS01ORzq4LTeeXbBbIVJneI21WxlzGQIpyKaGFX8C_Gfe4tnxDl93rOQGM1qWT5txwZzoY/s400/69444685_534416043965360_7313715580031205376_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Am I the only one who goes home to America and craves artichokes? Maybe. I'm not sure if it's the taste or the nostalgia factor, but either way, it was delicious. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMFnlfRi4zctwiTfbkNzZCk4lyWAHI0mo5OHIJ0CEq5TSPpBagnnXIJHSNRS_zvrDPtVcXgGwWzjtwj6Tp94EOCYObgSuhVP8zEKio570XlhO-OmwqKzrqzF5V2bzy7bkKOAyAdogVOI/s1600/69471280_1476338985840250_4212007180884246528_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMFnlfRi4zctwiTfbkNzZCk4lyWAHI0mo5OHIJ0CEq5TSPpBagnnXIJHSNRS_zvrDPtVcXgGwWzjtwj6Tp94EOCYObgSuhVP8zEKio570XlhO-OmwqKzrqzF5V2bzy7bkKOAyAdogVOI/s200/69471280_1476338985840250_4212007180884246528_n.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz5a1l5mBskBIyhZj2uQ-WcO9TqSsbtqAIvEiPU3r2Q3kR9kiwe5dAIhF5tYabyfb9M0PHnEmykh71FeR1bK4Rc1P3cAowAmOBkGCA5Pie1TyNssKuPQgHJehZSSbVFfzln2x0XKBgA1E/s1600/69746199_905564249816803_4240088918311043072_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz5a1l5mBskBIyhZj2uQ-WcO9TqSsbtqAIvEiPU3r2Q3kR9kiwe5dAIhF5tYabyfb9M0PHnEmykh71FeR1bK4Rc1P3cAowAmOBkGCA5Pie1TyNssKuPQgHJehZSSbVFfzln2x0XKBgA1E/s320/69746199_905564249816803_4240088918311043072_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivwkrtACWI0RDRv2JiRVJJMwDQ05ItC3kcuXWZPe8qSgf5FWNTaZGseERk3w1HmkgoiFMgc3rEzaXN9wgiPaRwIdZUY80LUzURULVEHsIRb7YLeYXHU7tgPw4sdkSwFC4462fOCnXbYFM/s1600/70427991_404673113789641_8221419014954418176_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivwkrtACWI0RDRv2JiRVJJMwDQ05ItC3kcuXWZPe8qSgf5FWNTaZGseERk3w1HmkgoiFMgc3rEzaXN9wgiPaRwIdZUY80LUzURULVEHsIRb7YLeYXHU7tgPw4sdkSwFC4462fOCnXbYFM/s320/70427991_404673113789641_8221419014954418176_n.jpg" width="240" /></a> By borrowing everyone else's cars and cell phones (completely not an inconvenience) I managed to take all of my nieces and nephews on Aunt Laura dates to celebrate the birthdays that I miss while I'm in Japan. These little boys chose to go to the jump park.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMDMLU4N9cbo6wX4pMgzYTC_BYjYhq98wIcIJ4qjQx2TmdB6czQ-zCRiv9nJutVblisw-UKVHSDzScO4lTtZElt8ERtaBDbe_qJODd7b_Gl3B2d-UtcR2U9S7z1FWqY2Bjnac-Jb3jghM/s1600/69940291_385578002375919_7555517832159559680_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMDMLU4N9cbo6wX4pMgzYTC_BYjYhq98wIcIJ4qjQx2TmdB6czQ-zCRiv9nJutVblisw-UKVHSDzScO4lTtZElt8ERtaBDbe_qJODd7b_Gl3B2d-UtcR2U9S7z1FWqY2Bjnac-Jb3jghM/s320/69940291_385578002375919_7555517832159559680_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd104aBi8nLlZNXsDIzJvg54aifV9nZRADQKVMrvdGpYnejkpslFEnoGmJsI1Ely6ppx0fGpeBhG0fbcZHb5A9VVFN1AXkkbHkqL-xJy1CzpcBcFc8YTZZqGdYWt5sEPn3iL16fWsLzT0/s1600/69878794_348668996019910_2741008610313109504_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd104aBi8nLlZNXsDIzJvg54aifV9nZRADQKVMrvdGpYnejkpslFEnoGmJsI1Ely6ppx0fGpeBhG0fbcZHb5A9VVFN1AXkkbHkqL-xJy1CzpcBcFc8YTZZqGdYWt5sEPn3iL16fWsLzT0/s320/69878794_348668996019910_2741008610313109504_n.jpg" width="240" /></a>The elder boys (randomly) decided that they wanted to go play mini-golf, so that's what we did. And I have to say, I really appreciate their game faces. I mean they were into it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Hd-U8wseV6WUfnOyzrfmR8cm_cd-S-Gwbbhum6jiBer0p2E6vKxz2gJvxyoEzqibrB4pE8Di1zo6vUL6Rw2mquP0c486qZ6V_6daslWhY6I6gLhG8NPzOlElQqwDhPdx9SkhBDXHMXo/s1600/70503245_748469712273172_8544095376712400896_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Hd-U8wseV6WUfnOyzrfmR8cm_cd-S-Gwbbhum6jiBer0p2E6vKxz2gJvxyoEzqibrB4pE8Di1zo6vUL6Rw2mquP0c486qZ6V_6daslWhY6I6gLhG8NPzOlElQqwDhPdx9SkhBDXHMXo/s320/70503245_748469712273172_8544095376712400896_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_76__V247SaPMr8pgl9v19Fw7LBMfKpmRtHGJ6XW8KdO5tuVINXgBb3PiPfK6cg19D9qHeqhY3vGN6BnuVGIlDvzuYzqv1JENRXW-DTWZpl8A4Z7G8twdUfnJeTitejAq59-EX-b9C-E/s1600/69857412_828971104163796_9113154603284692992_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_76__V247SaPMr8pgl9v19Fw7LBMfKpmRtHGJ6XW8KdO5tuVINXgBb3PiPfK6cg19D9qHeqhY3vGN6BnuVGIlDvzuYzqv1JENRXW-DTWZpl8A4Z7G8twdUfnJeTitejAq59-EX-b9C-E/s320/69857412_828971104163796_9113154603284692992_n.jpg" width="240" /></a>And for my two nieces, we did something a bit more girly and went to get our nails done.<br />
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Shh, nobody tell Grant and Benson that they didn't get a date this year. They're too little to remember so I figured I could get away with it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9IySdjDX5HbZRUnzuCO-cA9-jFuhGZy987H9InJt71yIs5tFTmlWCNJuAqwAQWygA-CkHKUG7CV-G68tS3NOjInyPxS13p8DD190x0zFykp5Hmix306q4XgJvK85CMlhphpexygfzxSw/s1600/70315741_917765055239440_4432764896421085184_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9IySdjDX5HbZRUnzuCO-cA9-jFuhGZy987H9InJt71yIs5tFTmlWCNJuAqwAQWygA-CkHKUG7CV-G68tS3NOjInyPxS13p8DD190x0zFykp5Hmix306q4XgJvK85CMlhphpexygfzxSw/s640/70315741_917765055239440_4432764896421085184_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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This picture actually came a few days after I left for Korea, but I feel like it sums up summer with the kids. Of course, they don't all always look this happy. Only when Aunt Emily says "poophead" before taking the picture, naturally.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTEH7XkZleaE_mtpHdhjcYlH0HxYBYYQhgF4nZfuKnAYNIn7fSa4Y4zixqsUBPUrZoy8d_QJcH8aS8aMAO8aklpOLSQYIuSYP5z4vDlOHSnenr98ZTo6GyBlG4h-0X3pc_oqP4zviIpoI/s1600/69942039_2398514280360866_4024603399684096000_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTEH7XkZleaE_mtpHdhjcYlH0HxYBYYQhgF4nZfuKnAYNIn7fSa4Y4zixqsUBPUrZoy8d_QJcH8aS8aMAO8aklpOLSQYIuSYP5z4vDlOHSnenr98ZTo6GyBlG4h-0X3pc_oqP4zviIpoI/s320/69942039_2398514280360866_4024603399684096000_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>Back to the airport at 5 am and I'm on my 2nd to last leg of the trip-off to Korea I went. Zoom zoom. 25 hours of traveling later I arrived at Whitney's house. The good thing about visiting her house after America but before Japan is that going straight back to my house after America would make my Japan apartment feel really small, but by swinging by Korea first and staying in her actually small apartment, I was able to come back to my castle sized place. Of course, I had to get some Korean BBQ with these girls. You can't say you've really gone to Seoul until you've gone out for BBQ. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWkp-u1or_EYEhCVGCr0Uu08Li386jvUz2cTADbD1HS7r0hVnbH7xEpOCfy9YIQuWo_dZELiUm3OCiww1pTO8HQIldQFVMj6x66Wa-2D_1DowPwXVXW8WrkzNaNKm6O4XREQPQQggVK7A/s1600/69967412_416869422513749_4253949976071110656_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="721" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWkp-u1or_EYEhCVGCr0Uu08Li386jvUz2cTADbD1HS7r0hVnbH7xEpOCfy9YIQuWo_dZELiUm3OCiww1pTO8HQIldQFVMj6x66Wa-2D_1DowPwXVXW8WrkzNaNKm6O4XREQPQQggVK7A/s320/69967412_416869422513749_4253949976071110656_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
We spent a lot of time at the river because the weather was so nice during the week I was there. (Well we spent a lot of time at the river and walking to and from the river.) And let's not forget our trip to the ice cream store which resulted in this. (Just to be clear, only one of those ice cream bars were mine.)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDpWXQxbAen1mSnCuaCIsZAODouePY69DD9TL-4VwF3E0nT-AMhyphenhyphen1LrS7vo8vRLepuq2boDhqzOTz4_ZkHLlXpZYA66AiJ4Dn1KVbNPOnd6Kmvb3Yw4ThZboTF7m1Fz4XuBsBEk0RQf78/s1600/70399758_2391893214410231_3932464398290911232_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDpWXQxbAen1mSnCuaCIsZAODouePY69DD9TL-4VwF3E0nT-AMhyphenhyphen1LrS7vo8vRLepuq2boDhqzOTz4_ZkHLlXpZYA66AiJ4Dn1KVbNPOnd6Kmvb3Yw4ThZboTF7m1Fz4XuBsBEk0RQf78/s320/70399758_2391893214410231_3932464398290911232_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwiplhcl5XbXj9mOn0WX0hO-2QOewVBCX3sBHfng-Xhn4x2txK5vUQxRoCfVUYJPlF0MCgx9XDF-gnIFdWB53m5qRZ-r7gBX1MXY3cYEo4QMeckXf_pqauMBwtFKmwRzQ2ZXrMC2C3eBY/s1600/70187929_2459341624279245_7383179237160648704_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwiplhcl5XbXj9mOn0WX0hO-2QOewVBCX3sBHfng-Xhn4x2txK5vUQxRoCfVUYJPlF0MCgx9XDF-gnIFdWB53m5qRZ-r7gBX1MXY3cYEo4QMeckXf_pqauMBwtFKmwRzQ2ZXrMC2C3eBY/s320/70187929_2459341624279245_7383179237160648704_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5zJW9iY5p8dEa_eUNgrnziCwLjLx542OZMVLt1Ub8V2Ian1QncjFmQBLsCulA23CC-bIxoK_rX_EF50C6vy5orJVEf2aRamJd-jE8pg0gkrqfi4eak3ZoxibKyhvnQcjiDqJ_cJjN1Vw/s1600/70603463_699035730612387_5666996939464376320_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5zJW9iY5p8dEa_eUNgrnziCwLjLx542OZMVLt1Ub8V2Ian1QncjFmQBLsCulA23CC-bIxoK_rX_EF50C6vy5orJVEf2aRamJd-jE8pg0gkrqfi4eak3ZoxibKyhvnQcjiDqJ_cJjN1Vw/s320/70603463_699035730612387_5666996939464376320_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBc-KYHq_OgcqPObGRmhuKwQVmHkhqauoTXR4l0p5VRm80kqK02B4_FGgm2H73L167iAfpC4JblsgrMTAExGdinWSCgQ6mHYQ5fQBwUOKsC83IndfhgdtEuS816C7Y3POOn-jMmI8SFVw/s1600/70643533_2544237512529609_4223380838399606784_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBc-KYHq_OgcqPObGRmhuKwQVmHkhqauoTXR4l0p5VRm80kqK02B4_FGgm2H73L167iAfpC4JblsgrMTAExGdinWSCgQ6mHYQ5fQBwUOKsC83IndfhgdtEuS816C7Y3POOn-jMmI8SFVw/s320/70643533_2544237512529609_4223380838399606784_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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And the standard picture of me walking down the street that I had no idea existed until it was sent to me. And another picture I didn't know about until later.<br />
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It was almost a relief to go home to Japan just so I could finally stop living out of my suitcase and get back into my own routine, even if that routine meant work. It's nice to be back, and I'm so grateful for all the amazing people I got to spend time with this summer. So thanks to everyone that made the world tour possible. :) Click <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=li4hSNcffPY&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR2vul8uoMKzy1W209fgh-Sn8NC7REfhVaDvsTuSHT-0MhkHdMs6ZG4MyZM" target="_blank">here </a>for the video to sum it all up.<br />
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<br />Laura Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03227536805852645246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268903947120771564.post-7760765279641243892019-03-27T01:39:00.001-07:002019-03-27T01:39:48.099-07:00Two of the Best Couples I Know: Abram + Katie and Me + JapanIt feels like just yesterday that Abram and Katie arrived in Tokyo, but, as it turns out, it was about 21 yesterdays ago. Time flies when you're traveling like crazy across the country, huh?<br />
I went ahead and made the video already which you can watch <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agIzaI2knjM&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR0FaWNHij8vQ6Kr34jF1NZTB-1Htz1F2BqPz0lGypm1vNHhNhsPF5pSbe0" target="_blank">here </a>if you don't want to read anymore.<br />
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The first week and a half they were here we just chilled around Tokyo. But by chilling, I mean we went out and hit the town every night. And I mean hit the town hard (as long as I got to be back in bed by 11 pm that is.)</div>
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<u>March 7th</u></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv9dee2FKirLH-lyiyOtHovGRU_MrqoeUsZd6hdsLjGcp_Miqf_tWZQrBWJ5AH7Q3i6BOJ_aSBbRXzVgZrhTj-vwSbq-B3VBGvMQw8RfEGYB0tBqHSGhQrTvaKbROhg4UIO8p0wIsXphU/s1600/TMDD0393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="777" data-original-width="1600" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv9dee2FKirLH-lyiyOtHovGRU_MrqoeUsZd6hdsLjGcp_Miqf_tWZQrBWJ5AH7Q3i6BOJ_aSBbRXzVgZrhTj-vwSbq-B3VBGvMQw8RfEGYB0tBqHSGhQrTvaKbROhg4UIO8p0wIsXphU/s320/TMDD0393.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
Our first real day in Tokyo I took them to the Pokemon Center, an Owl Cafe, and a Maid Cafe. One of those was significantly more embarrassing than the others, but they were all such Japanese experiences that I couldn't, in good conscience, leave any out.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguKZ3L70I72zq7brebERW1PaWl8KAXZL93OA_ISQKGVtODx53rFVSz9Uv4renkQujuYTelrYoTz9-RusMrrD00HBEugRD-4x8XC-QilzG2wRLWwMislFQR29M1nmPhQ3mdyyRg5Q3hQYk/s1600/VLKC9625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="777" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguKZ3L70I72zq7brebERW1PaWl8KAXZL93OA_ISQKGVtODx53rFVSz9Uv4renkQujuYTelrYoTz9-RusMrrD00HBEugRD-4x8XC-QilzG2wRLWwMislFQR29M1nmPhQ3mdyyRg5Q3hQYk/s320/VLKC9625.JPG" width="155" /></a>This picture was perfect because my owl flew off literally right before we took the picture. It's like the anti-photo bomb.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9tZkGAwDNuIcZLS7t1ZiefatsMgEEWgOFN19aSPBUCVmYiMcLWXQ3-y8yWc1AHrLjUpDcFZwXFttBiL7gBXUafmKes1B3NxFp1uKrZLEGhpQdzwFngUWK02iNQkxYimRJ9vfx-B17z6A/s1600/55818982_538148980046760_1551495732396032000_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9tZkGAwDNuIcZLS7t1ZiefatsMgEEWgOFN19aSPBUCVmYiMcLWXQ3-y8yWc1AHrLjUpDcFZwXFttBiL7gBXUafmKes1B3NxFp1uKrZLEGhpQdzwFngUWK02iNQkxYimRJ9vfx-B17z6A/s200/55818982_538148980046760_1551495732396032000_n.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
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But at least I had this cute little guy to make up for it. I would definitely be down for having an owl for a pet. Look how cute he is? And speaking of having owls for pets there was also Hedwig from Harry Potter and this one that looked like some crazy Big Bird.<br />
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And speaking of cute, can we just talk about the food from the maid cafe?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidm-uVbKMo5YmH7fe7uqVZ4Yr0Ku9UHDdYknx2o3SaQU32uVSjcZLHP0E1ki7wAyGp7YcDB1o22T1oC_boYib2OhU4veC3xgxNnQt_4hj909boCdeoQ3OcwCnYWi1fEjSBDhNPVEAeq8g/s1600/IMG_8397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidm-uVbKMo5YmH7fe7uqVZ4Yr0Ku9UHDdYknx2o3SaQU32uVSjcZLHP0E1ki7wAyGp7YcDB1o22T1oC_boYib2OhU4veC3xgxNnQt_4hj909boCdeoQ3OcwCnYWi1fEjSBDhNPVEAeq8g/s320/IMG_8397.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<u>March 8th</u></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyzwDMaywm569KZsSVLw4qujA_PLjuiPOhSUZJtP9Wpc6Iva3KpwjaUSvBZgjMUyhyMukD9OU4reDZY07U6Lj0CH5zKqseA8FmgFLd59x07yWkRNfAmeYMZ5jDj7qTEODp_7axygGZk_A/s1600/IMG_8411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyzwDMaywm569KZsSVLw4qujA_PLjuiPOhSUZJtP9Wpc6Iva3KpwjaUSvBZgjMUyhyMukD9OU4reDZY07U6Lj0CH5zKqseA8FmgFLd59x07yWkRNfAmeYMZ5jDj7qTEODp_7axygGZk_A/s320/IMG_8411.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a>Today was a chill day where we went to all you can eat conveyor belt sushi (there's not really any other kind since you just grab what you want). We explored the shrine on the way to sushi and just enjoyed the general wonderfulness that is Japan. One of my favorite things about having people come to visit is that it reminds me of all the exciting feelings I felt when I had first moved here. Like how amazing it is that I can get a hot drink from a street vending machine. So cool. We decided to make it an early night since we were planning on catching the first train out in the morning. (Aka we played a board game and accidentally stayed up late talking.) </div>
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<u>March 9th</u></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQnRAS9xIxIAD-37b8RoEhyphenhyphenD5hvhIGV29WA1g4wkPbIg1H_jmlhcY_uUfaYVwMgBS61slZsfG6Qx-Fo7QegBi7cOW18HrLMyu6gM2g0UTKSzdEdWnqzfT8mjOdwVvZTTBENztRm-8q_Jc/s1600/IMG_8437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQnRAS9xIxIAD-37b8RoEhyphenhyphenD5hvhIGV29WA1g4wkPbIg1H_jmlhcY_uUfaYVwMgBS61slZsfG6Qx-Fo7QegBi7cOW18HrLMyu6gM2g0UTKSzdEdWnqzfT8mjOdwVvZTTBENztRm-8q_Jc/s320/IMG_8437.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTPeBQs_aUl8chq9UkBjQ3r90cRl56PGOuFvzZIku1sZbRXNB548ddw2EEvlC7Gvp0Ho-TuAVPbClZ_wD2hsBO3Eao0rXp-2YLmZssdF5_YYyncrxq_69Ehgx_cM5dEvjteWoxLcOJ6XA/s1600/CDWW1823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="777" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTPeBQs_aUl8chq9UkBjQ3r90cRl56PGOuFvzZIku1sZbRXNB548ddw2EEvlC7Gvp0Ho-TuAVPbClZ_wD2hsBO3Eao0rXp-2YLmZssdF5_YYyncrxq_69Ehgx_cM5dEvjteWoxLcOJ6XA/s320/CDWW1823.JPG" width="155" /></a>Despite my best efforts to follow the schedule, from the very beginning I set us back when I woke up sick Saturday morning. We didn't let that stop us though. We headed off a few hours later than planned and did our best to make the most of our limited time there. We explored as many sights as we could see, and it was really pretty. On the right is the Fire Pagoda near the Toshogu shrine, and on the right is the Kanmangafuchi Abyss where the statues are said to be a different number each time you count them. (It was funny because when we walked down the first time and counted them we all got different numbers, but we might have gotten distracted in the middle.)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU-bXNWq7dnOW-Mmk8o-mLbMqGwM1N8j4kRFl35j7LGpWPTISKLuBwPXx9A0vNjME4tAZaCXy_GIqUGYoPO9dEdB-wx1K3XmplngIrvwAS3ohFU9qDruSCETV6xSgk3I2sspG15x6azPU/s1600/XXRC1214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="777" data-original-width="1600" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU-bXNWq7dnOW-Mmk8o-mLbMqGwM1N8j4kRFl35j7LGpWPTISKLuBwPXx9A0vNjME4tAZaCXy_GIqUGYoPO9dEdB-wx1K3XmplngIrvwAS3ohFU9qDruSCETV6xSgk3I2sspG15x6azPU/s320/XXRC1214.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigEevTDQewUiqGRV6ITIhmJzV9eaCB6LWLpWlM3f9r1uGxm3_7NpzV-c4otyb6Erut9CfkBEDNIeu-0qpFyXLDt3PZhXS82gzyXHygPnzsA2UUEJBpJTepT5-sS-Th22J_BKM09rkLUBA/s1600/IMG_8507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigEevTDQewUiqGRV6ITIhmJzV9eaCB6LWLpWlM3f9r1uGxm3_7NpzV-c4otyb6Erut9CfkBEDNIeu-0qpFyXLDt3PZhXS82gzyXHygPnzsA2UUEJBpJTepT5-sS-Th22J_BKM09rkLUBA/s200/IMG_8507.JPG" width="150" /></a>That night we stayed at a guest house and had a good time watching a scary movie and playing cards. (Well Abram and I watched a scary movie. Katie was fighting a losing battle against jet lag and went to sleep at like 9 pm.) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkv4iKK9lUZ4kxHbTQbVhgb-Y_93F3JUv9cXCLhDOSLm22AicFl1f64PhtN3Cxljaw8rInVK84NYUYrunZrD7W9xlC8RSn1BrF87xAf9CbpcPG9ez-an68w3-nkVWdXn8dd7C37LJ6jDE/s1600/IPDP6170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="777" data-original-width="1600" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkv4iKK9lUZ4kxHbTQbVhgb-Y_93F3JUv9cXCLhDOSLm22AicFl1f64PhtN3Cxljaw8rInVK84NYUYrunZrD7W9xlC8RSn1BrF87xAf9CbpcPG9ez-an68w3-nkVWdXn8dd7C37LJ6jDE/s640/IPDP6170.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<u>March 10th</u></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjae-FyT7O_XKrKWj5OavbwsdANVBiCrmjCAAZBfPFn-QyaXX0mRAdfTRMenMwrcvLlRFxnRXQnZrZJOn2VGtU6WnH4N7TeTbHKYvTkuCzRvu90uBrIyD1nmN7K7wGahu3QMGrJGSItqhM/s1600/LJMQ7631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="777" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjae-FyT7O_XKrKWj5OavbwsdANVBiCrmjCAAZBfPFn-QyaXX0mRAdfTRMenMwrcvLlRFxnRXQnZrZJOn2VGtU6WnH4N7TeTbHKYvTkuCzRvu90uBrIyD1nmN7K7wGahu3QMGrJGSItqhM/s320/LJMQ7631.JPG" width="155" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX2OuHHjnepBw7ddcxCkPzIIvgAdl5peXYp1Mv7rzAP2NIdJu3G5YbBDZuN7ogjB9m2HFAWR66zt-9duUfkVxKAR1qsPzSoSLRunvzefn-r0_D6c8CkuCBCAw7lVVUY6xJvfyTtusVC9A/s1600/IMG_8569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX2OuHHjnepBw7ddcxCkPzIIvgAdl5peXYp1Mv7rzAP2NIdJu3G5YbBDZuN7ogjB9m2HFAWR66zt-9duUfkVxKAR1qsPzSoSLRunvzefn-r0_D6c8CkuCBCAw7lVVUY6xJvfyTtusVC9A/s320/IMG_8569.JPG" width="240" /></a> We went to a delicious cafe for brunch because we really wanted to try their cheesecake and then headed off to Edo Wonderland. Which, to put it simply is a theme park from the Edo period of Japan (minus rides.) We got to experience a lesson in how to handle a katana (Japanese sword), we went through the ninja house and tried to walk around despite the crazy gravity. (This is a picture of me standing up straight, despite how it looks.)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4fDJpXSbt7RdZJAjroY5dYht6Y-IFeloa8MlY9r1HiFXsOEoGjb8BLGT3sNTYN6CQkW1M2K7ThhRmS9wXjiaHwSvmJaIdFeX785r8e0kANF9L5P9JJQiKAsNt2CIRDhyphenhyphenVCbkctIBR30/s1600/GTWX2583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="777" data-original-width="1600" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4fDJpXSbt7RdZJAjroY5dYht6Y-IFeloa8MlY9r1HiFXsOEoGjb8BLGT3sNTYN6CQkW1M2K7ThhRmS9wXjiaHwSvmJaIdFeX785r8e0kANF9L5P9JJQiKAsNt2CIRDhyphenhyphenVCbkctIBR30/s400/GTWX2583.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQcDIIfkvhcw-1XNb63Q-Kf5sEb4beu48vyfU5v2Kmndx0maZms4wTUTsZsOrUGNPZwXoO0sPU7b57yPMSRJeooIQK5Yww9IzT8LVP1pt9DYpeWYHdoOsHvTqBiPdyhLEiGcj_3LdULtM/s1600/IMG_8587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQcDIIfkvhcw-1XNb63Q-Kf5sEb4beu48vyfU5v2Kmndx0maZms4wTUTsZsOrUGNPZwXoO0sPU7b57yPMSRJeooIQK5Yww9IzT8LVP1pt9DYpeWYHdoOsHvTqBiPdyhLEiGcj_3LdULtM/s200/IMG_8587.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-RcMLE0nUJkb6tnLeq_oRP4vLdC0k8i-t95GgBrRHBFzLUcqLAODNikqLw0w9sseCVuzlxAAdHMwf066wVrtHwRUhyphenhyphenjwUEVfGgDBkVgWk0yU5Kpbgk2BVpPEb_BjlCmvwZs39_BeWqr8/s1600/55604815_598079547322817_6698978826510139392_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-RcMLE0nUJkb6tnLeq_oRP4vLdC0k8i-t95GgBrRHBFzLUcqLAODNikqLw0w9sseCVuzlxAAdHMwf066wVrtHwRUhyphenhyphenjwUEVfGgDBkVgWk0yU5Kpbgk2BVpPEb_BjlCmvwZs39_BeWqr8/s320/55604815_598079547322817_6698978826510139392_n.jpg" width="240" /></a>We watched a fun water show, took an Edo Uber, and got arrested. All in all it was an excellent day. We even spent like 30 minutes trying to figure out the maze. It wasn't until we realized that some of the walls were actually trap doors that we made it out, but it was a fun little adventure. We ended the night with some delicious ramen for dinner and then started the 3.5 hour trip home. (Good news: Katie was able to reteach me how to complete a Rubix cube, so all of that travel time was not in vain.)</div>
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<u>March 11th</u></div>
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Today I showed them around my home area. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy0xXijds7Lr1c00IjLW_-bUMYqQPn9zeLJut_UH6ekaGC53OduaKIVrr3CjG98pisTN-oM-RhS_IqC1g6vZvdOWEGGE6ZvrxD43-a2flxuv36LsJWY5scLRYSSiuOMibtzMwAGUe5BD8/s1600/54210507_328913434431472_8218163356729606144_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy0xXijds7Lr1c00IjLW_-bUMYqQPn9zeLJut_UH6ekaGC53OduaKIVrr3CjG98pisTN-oM-RhS_IqC1g6vZvdOWEGGE6ZvrxD43-a2flxuv36LsJWY5scLRYSSiuOMibtzMwAGUe5BD8/s320/54210507_328913434431472_8218163356729606144_n.jpg" width="240" /></a> We went to the station by church and they made okonomiyaki for the first time. (Don't mind the fact that Katie looks like she wants to beat me with her spatula for eating her okonomiyaki.) We also discovered a delicious bakery with scones. Then we went souvenir shopping at Don Quiote which is a must see for anyone coming to Japan. It's overwhelming, confusing, loud, crazy, and not to be missed. Walking home that night was fun because it was like showing them a slice of my daily life. You know that moment when two worlds collide? That was this entire trip. </div>
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<u>March 12th</u></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkaKeR_f2kih_z7gM5AibxjLNpWh02TX_6y-HV508nldnwBxp7vMBO98Fq2wNTtiahYuWUNEjcMcUSPbxHgeAxlk51oL0Fqoot5BioItSeYOg8G2DN6CaP1UPagZQAEzQGhTuPTgAcXAA/s1600/55857539_303563926987014_6027416765150003200_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkaKeR_f2kih_z7gM5AibxjLNpWh02TX_6y-HV508nldnwBxp7vMBO98Fq2wNTtiahYuWUNEjcMcUSPbxHgeAxlk51oL0Fqoot5BioItSeYOg8G2DN6CaP1UPagZQAEzQGhTuPTgAcXAA/s200/55857539_303563926987014_6027416765150003200_n.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_TT2Hve2BZGUlQQOwSBWT_jdF8bh9VbEA38syr2oPmhX-AcUYmp4yBjRuAbtDPZXTw_EjtDNykn-C1TtmEXzVZtSZE8UiN0-L_vhSlTynKoggccoP0H-ME1bunMDl10fMrM4xL1fIyqw/s1600/55649740_2398544973542462_3299530040135385088_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_TT2Hve2BZGUlQQOwSBWT_jdF8bh9VbEA38syr2oPmhX-AcUYmp4yBjRuAbtDPZXTw_EjtDNykn-C1TtmEXzVZtSZE8UiN0-L_vhSlTynKoggccoP0H-ME1bunMDl10fMrM4xL1fIyqw/s320/55649740_2398544973542462_3299530040135385088_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>Since I'm beginning a new job in April, today was my last day at my elementary school in Inagi. It was sad to say goodbye to all the teachers, but I guess change is good. I will miss everyone though. After work I met Katie and Abram in Asakusa and we explored the night life. And, of course, we had to take a picture with them and Asakusa's Golden Poo. We walked around and enjoyed the night view of Tokyo (here's Tokyo Sky Tree) and ate some delicious food before we went back home again. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBFrgcAG_OC40ek5TNXYlCWZ9DFsjLuc20XpaASj23Lp2-XPBdLg0sSAkQDV_JuvAzm3E6oNpIIF5HkFCHQ2Xg6mNclXgjIuhVYhvFSWgckg-QjieSp2eFtnoBkj-IlR01PApqi2_25PY/s1600/54728871_416768412227134_987822643921027072_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1600" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBFrgcAG_OC40ek5TNXYlCWZ9DFsjLuc20XpaASj23Lp2-XPBdLg0sSAkQDV_JuvAzm3E6oNpIIF5HkFCHQ2Xg6mNclXgjIuhVYhvFSWgckg-QjieSp2eFtnoBkj-IlR01PApqi2_25PY/s320/54728871_416768412227134_987822643921027072_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmkfhzO770DrvJRFJ0I4WN5pXoob-LXKHujRoTAcDTOunIWZDOTeyFBpPK9d9iLbUWusFTMyOux_hao55SCuMUKreBd-E11DSqtfI7edwPaI8kpch05Vt_erZ5ihAvBC6TP690WSuD3vA/s1600/55441135_576455542865324_2673526363331231744_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmkfhzO770DrvJRFJ0I4WN5pXoob-LXKHujRoTAcDTOunIWZDOTeyFBpPK9d9iLbUWusFTMyOux_hao55SCuMUKreBd-E11DSqtfI7edwPaI8kpch05Vt_erZ5ihAvBC6TP690WSuD3vA/s200/55441135_576455542865324_2673526363331231744_n.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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<u>March 13th </u></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6aeCApDLBfxz_eBXYzU1h9lug_xtDTkQOVaSds8qqAQw5xmFQJTP6DuyE_cK5OpgGojtdFdUnDqUwr-7RgsdcjX5lYDjf8ze4F3yNlF3_I93_JPARyI3nOJsfc2l3ibBkqiXuEr08BI4/s1600/54798334_2031510053636707_8868457796601905152_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6aeCApDLBfxz_eBXYzU1h9lug_xtDTkQOVaSds8qqAQw5xmFQJTP6DuyE_cK5OpgGojtdFdUnDqUwr-7RgsdcjX5lYDjf8ze4F3yNlF3_I93_JPARyI3nOJsfc2l3ibBkqiXuEr08BI4/s320/54798334_2031510053636707_8868457796601905152_n.jpg" width="240" /></a>Today Abram was sick so we kept it short. Through a series of slightly unfortunate circumstances we ended up eating at the Happy Pancake, but, true to its name, it was a happy experience indeed. The pancakes were delicious and lived up to their name. We didn't even feel bad about going home after that and watching Howl's Moving Castle. (Is a trip to Japan really complete without a Ghibli/anime movie?)</div>
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<u>March 14th</u></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU2QS_03-V83R_KS0bP5f2QbH03QXMVzlB06knJ5UA-vJbJ2yn2uQHoGcuI_ai26Io1cUcLWQ4TPhHiHYWfftCn9ISBJUDYyzwLUF6YUpAYV7pNgNFC_Zi7NPyxHMou6_RLN-kOaSB6do/s1600/55744599_614194919049054_5772891917947764736_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU2QS_03-V83R_KS0bP5f2QbH03QXMVzlB06knJ5UA-vJbJ2yn2uQHoGcuI_ai26Io1cUcLWQ4TPhHiHYWfftCn9ISBJUDYyzwLUF6YUpAYV7pNgNFC_Zi7NPyxHMou6_RLN-kOaSB6do/s320/55744599_614194919049054_5772891917947764736_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>Today I had a different work assignment, which meant that I got to sleep in and hang out with Katie and Abram in the morning before work. Sadly, Abram was still sick so when I got off work I met up with Katie while he rested. We had a GNO and it was one heck of a night. We hit the town so hard it's still recovering in the hospital. First, we went to the bookstore and just basked in the glory that is shelves and shelves full of the written word. Then we hit the Dollar Store (three times actually since we kept forgetting things...) and ended it with a trip to the grocery store to get stuff for dinner. </div>
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(I'll go ahead and put a sign-up sheet on the bottom of this post for all the people that are going to want to get in line for girls nights with me.) After dinner we ended the night with beignets, so even Abram got to enjoy the girls night. </div>
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<u>March 15th</u></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9NEpzBMuVPaOB0VEsJuKZ_rXhbST3S5Zdxwx6R8D2uGHwfVFeWdeukv9jusURJkbyM2wEXrtb7dwunW8B9xcJVqkvHs0Q6RAzUKqEWoDkUHc8aJtCyjDrMM9ukUVhCvxBSPSM7jalkt8/s1600/55837818_2261133444141505_6457731887883354112_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9NEpzBMuVPaOB0VEsJuKZ_rXhbST3S5Zdxwx6R8D2uGHwfVFeWdeukv9jusURJkbyM2wEXrtb7dwunW8B9xcJVqkvHs0Q6RAzUKqEWoDkUHc8aJtCyjDrMM9ukUVhCvxBSPSM7jalkt8/s320/55837818_2261133444141505_6457731887883354112_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw6cyp8K6aqZYiIlFPkzUNqmXnUOUzcFcSUedBOmChm6bYaID3149RAFrL9GyB7mxQXju6PmatveL6dJU5PsmTwZE-OdSGpHJqzksw1vZVzNrGJJzz2HQKrb3vTsWyysfAnm3UQD_Umwk/s1600/54798014_400809977383895_2870862110374494208_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1478" data-original-width="1108" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw6cyp8K6aqZYiIlFPkzUNqmXnUOUzcFcSUedBOmChm6bYaID3149RAFrL9GyB7mxQXju6PmatveL6dJU5PsmTwZE-OdSGpHJqzksw1vZVzNrGJJzz2HQKrb3vTsWyysfAnm3UQD_Umwk/s320/54798014_400809977383895_2870862110374494208_n.jpg" width="239" /></a>Today was my last day at my other school which meant a lot of goodbyes. (Also, Katie came with me to work today.) This first is Mr. Ogawa, whom I taught with like 90% of the time, so we got to be pretty good friends. The second is a group shot of a bunch of different teachers at the school. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxz5Arf3bzHSCEw4KRwWTu_FtCUKOpiaxM05QEaFWvxu1mPvRaAkAm3OSE2bBpLJ6WCijlpnNYiGRxy11s1S0WvHogcAb6lFLKCCDD9nSsT8Lh-rfJX4yVTIxR4R-IfIYIMPfuDtrIUI/s1600/55614103_165569964342057_7642008985918242816_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxz5Arf3bzHSCEw4KRwWTu_FtCUKOpiaxM05QEaFWvxu1mPvRaAkAm3OSE2bBpLJ6WCijlpnNYiGRxy11s1S0WvHogcAb6lFLKCCDD9nSsT8Lh-rfJX4yVTIxR4R-IfIYIMPfuDtrIUI/s200/55614103_165569964342057_7642008985918242816_n.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLntCfk-ZN9FxVUDU9gboS_BnNaU4Sw1XpaDRnQBZ6UYBRvM2_jFX1yW_KmAGowqSmds-GH3WpU9Ia8WO4qZvQ83zWw9MKPgRrD_5uS1vV2ovx62gmfhdkC7kpeSCFPn4ofZibIvZv5l8/s1600/55564402_299130760765643_4446926756510695424_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLntCfk-ZN9FxVUDU9gboS_BnNaU4Sw1XpaDRnQBZ6UYBRvM2_jFX1yW_KmAGowqSmds-GH3WpU9Ia8WO4qZvQ83zWw9MKPgRrD_5uS1vV2ovx62gmfhdkC7kpeSCFPn4ofZibIvZv5l8/s320/55564402_299130760765643_4446926756510695424_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxz5Arf3bzHSCEw4KRwWTu_FtCUKOpiaxM05QEaFWvxu1mPvRaAkAm3OSE2bBpLJ6WCijlpnNYiGRxy11s1S0WvHogcAb6lFLKCCDD9nSsT8Lh-rfJX4yVTIxR4R-IfIYIMPfuDtrIUI/s1600/55614103_165569964342057_7642008985918242816_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGIFsCgOF3TcdXGl8h9S8QiFwcbfmXwUWWpqoJ13NpGGMlL_By6px50swIXDKLc_qc8RAykaJ9cgIE3EJuQoC7ca8IGsBv4tFNgTTV8sTcHQOh7X5IKAgSHrBrxS5uJgLPwxOj_j7qGQw/s1600/55704842_856024248076269_6136889494340632576_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1276" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGIFsCgOF3TcdXGl8h9S8QiFwcbfmXwUWWpqoJ13NpGGMlL_By6px50swIXDKLc_qc8RAykaJ9cgIE3EJuQoC7ca8IGsBv4tFNgTTV8sTcHQOh7X5IKAgSHrBrxS5uJgLPwxOj_j7qGQw/s320/55704842_856024248076269_6136889494340632576_n.jpg" width="255" /></a><br />
Katie and I left after my second class since we had a flight to catch today to Hiroshima. We hurried home, made a lunch consisting of every food that I had left in my fridge (at least the ones that would go bad), packed and cleaned, and then off to the airport we went. I managed to sleep the whole flight to Hiroshima (which is only 90 minutes, but since we were an hour delayed for take-off it was a nice nap.) We started the night with Hiroshima style okonomiyaki, and then decided to walk to our hotel and see the town. The pouring rain we immediately encountered upon leaving the station convinced us otherwise, so we hopped on a tram. Our capsule hotel was so cool. I can't believe I've waited a year to try one out. It was only $30, but it was so nice! Plus, look at these great soaps that we couldn't figure out despite them being in English. We played games in the lounge and then went to bed (where I proceeded to probably keep Katie up for the next hour or two because I kept laughing out loud at the book I was reading. Whoops)</div>
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<u>March 16th</u></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglR88wJIR0axXOQXNhyphenhyphentOSM3ovCzDf6rn6pFz8IQUDhXeVQNTDL4MVyyYK4sXUjBOW6lx3vsb-phjuLYIXqf7OBr3tAZ1ccILnhdujj7-KyuqG_TjDnR-gAQYRriHmDQbApiAMbJ3b7lU/s1600/55525893_358552831535474_3359155559277264896_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1600" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglR88wJIR0axXOQXNhyphenhyphentOSM3ovCzDf6rn6pFz8IQUDhXeVQNTDL4MVyyYK4sXUjBOW6lx3vsb-phjuLYIXqf7OBr3tAZ1ccILnhdujj7-KyuqG_TjDnR-gAQYRriHmDQbApiAMbJ3b7lU/s320/55525893_358552831535474_3359155559277264896_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqeVK8hYQh_kmKgJrHKYJxY-kvRRNOXOxSsSbijfffqwhyphenhyphenxlxU5GlMycdldZL_CEOK-X7mBNSYr14tiDAX2630sRVo4zSMEbfLmTqBFszs4Imcrrb8uBdXhJOrXzamVE9odgrz4zi26EU/s1600/55849242_2030057680624042_6100620136203419648_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqeVK8hYQh_kmKgJrHKYJxY-kvRRNOXOxSsSbijfffqwhyphenhyphenxlxU5GlMycdldZL_CEOK-X7mBNSYr14tiDAX2630sRVo4zSMEbfLmTqBFszs4Imcrrb8uBdXhJOrXzamVE9odgrz4zi26EU/s200/55849242_2030057680624042_6100620136203419648_n.jpg" width="200" /></a>Today was our first real day in Hiroshima, so we set out to see the sights. We spent a while exploring Peace Park and took it at a leisure pace. We even had some random strangers ask to take pictures with us (it just gets less and less weird the longer I'm in Japan.) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiazNQ56AZFjUhd76MXI1RsXNmhD-MmgtD5t0qYuuurDO6QZe_9pddFWI4Sz0mRS2MyyBw35f6L9M_9IMC040vt9m9Z449rC9Fg2d1W0weH1zlOBbY4zn9-ZZR3GiMIHFE5d-AysMcCbq0/s1600/55575790_2593514780663098_8965333378123431936_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="777" data-original-width="1600" height="96" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiazNQ56AZFjUhd76MXI1RsXNmhD-MmgtD5t0qYuuurDO6QZe_9pddFWI4Sz0mRS2MyyBw35f6L9M_9IMC040vt9m9Z449rC9Fg2d1W0weH1zlOBbY4zn9-ZZR3GiMIHFE5d-AysMcCbq0/s200/55575790_2593514780663098_8965333378123431936_n.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVZWU9LaAZItC3BmTnTEfNG1vUsozPMkbfkbPAuBvd8T3lmtHVmXwR5kHJpDCQnSue_2Jh76XRrwCkmF4-HfNp-pLmZeIv8ZVRxZoCiE_k-Gb8_WNhGP4Ov23GT73Yf3e8QD5xqqHO5s/s1600/55539207_261501641453535_7713996705133232128_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVZWU9LaAZItC3BmTnTEfNG1vUsozPMkbfkbPAuBvd8T3lmtHVmXwR5kHJpDCQnSue_2Jh76XRrwCkmF4-HfNp-pLmZeIv8ZVRxZoCiE_k-Gb8_WNhGP4Ov23GT73Yf3e8QD5xqqHO5s/s320/55539207_261501641453535_7713996705133232128_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>That afternoon we took a ferry to Miyajima Island and stayed in our fancy traditional Japanese inn with a traditional dinner. Let's just say that it was an experience for everyone. Katie was having fun figuring out how to eat all the things that aren't generally found on dinner plates in America.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKYHbN2ZkLMzUWbWdIdXH4tMLjZ3gjjcCZFiPfD1aZB1osrtOSuShsjnv_U9liD2VsYD1e6BjlJfcMbE1CG5P0vPzh8uP8ISk2gpoWGKXR3PivgUXu-EyeNUbeRBs4lzgIRphlUb3quY4/s1600/55541915_2462609114022721_8485708663577640960_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKYHbN2ZkLMzUWbWdIdXH4tMLjZ3gjjcCZFiPfD1aZB1osrtOSuShsjnv_U9liD2VsYD1e6BjlJfcMbE1CG5P0vPzh8uP8ISk2gpoWGKXR3PivgUXu-EyeNUbeRBs4lzgIRphlUb3quY4/s200/55541915_2462609114022721_8485708663577640960_n.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVOxS3RtpY3oO3jg9R87e3qXF_eIAX1kIMtzSdVTF6G2D3G68XIDPiLH8jXRnrCiGSllwV_LWtA5yTKv1P9BOdVnvExSpcQ2vmdw8y8tsNaHV6UkOfDVoJGLtJptrGG6NPLe91Pt5nkdI/s1600/55502499_2230959120281409_2363669946375864320_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="777" data-original-width="1600" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVOxS3RtpY3oO3jg9R87e3qXF_eIAX1kIMtzSdVTF6G2D3G68XIDPiLH8jXRnrCiGSllwV_LWtA5yTKv1P9BOdVnvExSpcQ2vmdw8y8tsNaHV6UkOfDVoJGLtJptrGG6NPLe91Pt5nkdI/s400/55502499_2230959120281409_2363669946375864320_n.jpg" width="400" /></a> But we had time after dinner to go and explore Miyajima at night which was pretty great. It was like an abandoned Japanese ghost town, and so much more fun to see it without hordes of people around. It was just us, the deer, and the occasional other visitor. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGhSjrf1BMoZ7HkLiKLxS92xEoFcjr2FtLOZxcmzyp_Kz6tjVia8gPo9fuyuB_yfYRJyh3S9oG46gB5q6GMKNFoiBlmA4cZFrVxwlcv2FmSTvHRjA7Ol9jMzO4_X-KfRwgjtFzEPxPv70/s1600/55609156_2253404588232736_3739180385955741696_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGhSjrf1BMoZ7HkLiKLxS92xEoFcjr2FtLOZxcmzyp_Kz6tjVia8gPo9fuyuB_yfYRJyh3S9oG46gB5q6GMKNFoiBlmA4cZFrVxwlcv2FmSTvHRjA7Ol9jMzO4_X-KfRwgjtFzEPxPv70/s320/55609156_2253404588232736_3739180385955741696_n.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a>That night we went to the onsen and wore our sweet yukatas around and then we stayed up late talking. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivn2yXvjnFaQ4QUQ5FNhNDL07eLClEqGwS4-CjERWje9RyXjWsa2QTgTCG4E_7vhDGM5Qt247xJBcdNmWfSCA96IaZuda8hTxP_Yy9emsDunqrWOCqh3Vqj_zyvrA5n89LlimNgQofEMw/s1600/55760051_384897435397693_6444531842770010112_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="777" data-original-width="1600" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivn2yXvjnFaQ4QUQ5FNhNDL07eLClEqGwS4-CjERWje9RyXjWsa2QTgTCG4E_7vhDGM5Qt247xJBcdNmWfSCA96IaZuda8hTxP_Yy9emsDunqrWOCqh3Vqj_zyvrA5n89LlimNgQofEMw/s640/55760051_384897435397693_6444531842770010112_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<u> March 17th</u></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbKaDmePwdKu65Z6VGibqU9Coc8hjPstLTTw6R63z_ULVwjjRY5yFjvh95B-HLb9SggH9h0j8ur_LSZFoIoU5DI4qC7YVc3Zqr0fRruwPcnX-HCfSYcrLlCy5Oq6kE0qOg8xyhR8T2T44/s1600/55711473_260354981538512_3439276211384090624_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbKaDmePwdKu65Z6VGibqU9Coc8hjPstLTTw6R63z_ULVwjjRY5yFjvh95B-HLb9SggH9h0j8ur_LSZFoIoU5DI4qC7YVc3Zqr0fRruwPcnX-HCfSYcrLlCy5Oq6kE0qOg8xyhR8T2T44/s200/55711473_260354981538512_3439276211384090624_n.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8RzvbdaS8em7oxnZkjn-EsegoT-P2TV974pcz3kL1og0G3qLjQnd4WG-sHI8BVMdmRJt9o1IlRAssOucrNlrdQApbvivEloB8izsqzhx2SP38ux3qXa8znBi4IfCXz7yNET0Rr2MkSVY/s1600/55462296_413684239177171_6758282107140702208_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8RzvbdaS8em7oxnZkjn-EsegoT-P2TV974pcz3kL1og0G3qLjQnd4WG-sHI8BVMdmRJt9o1IlRAssOucrNlrdQApbvivEloB8izsqzhx2SP38ux3qXa8znBi4IfCXz7yNET0Rr2MkSVY/s320/55462296_413684239177171_6758282107140702208_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>Strangely enough, this was my second birthday in Japan, but it was significantly different from last year's. We ate our traditional breakfast and headed off to explore some more. Now that it's light out there were tons of people, so we took the introvert route and decided to hike the mountain instead.<br />
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The view at the top was gorgeous. No regrets about that. We hiked around and saw the sights and then took a slightly less than conventional route back down the mountain. The good news is that there were literally no other people around so we had like 2 hours of undisturbed hiking. The bad news is that my decision to follow the deer path added on quite a bit to our hike, which left us in a bit of a time crunch. Luckily we still had time to see the sights as we hurried to grab lunch and make it back on our ferry. </div>
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We went to Hiroshima castle and then were so tired we decided to go kill some time at Starbucks. Tonight was the night we had a night bus taking us to Kyoto, so we didn't have anywhere to go to rest. Luckily Starbucks had some really comfy chairs that we commandeered for the next hour..or two..or four. But eventually, we did un-graft ourselves from the chairs and shamble to a restaurant that was open late. We grabbed a 10 o'clock dinner and then found our bus where I almost immediately passed out in my chair. </div>
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<u>March 18th</u></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqRnXQmRtJaEINryNnpNNTdzissbHVXDlS4r9kBAvKNsDOxXOJpXgNGtIqWogHRS3K_2diWPVwuIFWQWlsA-6tIgP63DKNOk29n4mjEsGwDQam5_yzBIx_S7dCSlK7ET3dm-IurREf49I/s1600/VBEA3988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="777" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqRnXQmRtJaEINryNnpNNTdzissbHVXDlS4r9kBAvKNsDOxXOJpXgNGtIqWogHRS3K_2diWPVwuIFWQWlsA-6tIgP63DKNOk29n4mjEsGwDQam5_yzBIx_S7dCSlK7ET3dm-IurREf49I/s320/VBEA3988.JPG" width="155" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVP3VodbIFU4zDIlC62z_WuzOrGG19nagGbV4QjfvnyloWX4I245zo4xMe2O0SzXdFT0HPZBTJRpfdTQLFyD3LwjTGOC1F-Y0DYghoRyrn4QVuwd6kSogB_VjhZtvjlD1KiertdJGSBTw/s1600/55576351_356975161577364_1339362860945375232_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="777" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVP3VodbIFU4zDIlC62z_WuzOrGG19nagGbV4QjfvnyloWX4I245zo4xMe2O0SzXdFT0HPZBTJRpfdTQLFyD3LwjTGOC1F-Y0DYghoRyrn4QVuwd6kSogB_VjhZtvjlD1KiertdJGSBTw/s320/55576351_356975161577364_1339362860945375232_n.jpg" width="155" /></a>The next morning we arrived at Kyoto around 7 am and considering how we were all waddling off the bus I'm sure I wasn't the only one who was feeling that hike from yesterday. We went to our hotel and put our stuff away before beginning our day (bright and early.) Today we went and saw the 1,000 orange gates at Fushimi Inari, but we actually hiked all the way to the top this time. (I'm sure it'd be an excellent view at night too.) From there we headed to KiyoMizu Dera, but we didn't do all the hiking for this one. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvbbGCPKC0_viURWRUo-hUq-s5s4mpqqBXybwvktRcoaitz1XS6aMZ-mzcm8bP6W59nkfQW_-mIq9tQGZdov6TkkHeXHcN1ZWNLOsJ0TwMvRHJPmI8zE9MwB5MoxU1GBoFqZmpPC_F8dU/s1600/IMG_8808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvbbGCPKC0_viURWRUo-hUq-s5s4mpqqBXybwvktRcoaitz1XS6aMZ-mzcm8bP6W59nkfQW_-mIq9tQGZdov6TkkHeXHcN1ZWNLOsJ0TwMvRHJPmI8zE9MwB5MoxU1GBoFqZmpPC_F8dU/s320/IMG_8808.JPG" width="320" /></a>After that, we went to the Silver Pavilion (which isn't actually silver, unlike the Golden Pavilion which is actually golden.) We explored the gardens and went on a relaxing walk while reading about it. </div>
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But that was about as far as our efforts got us today. We went out for a late lunch and then checked into our hotel around 4 pm. Aside from going out for dinner that night we didn't leave our room the rest of the night. Everyone needed a night to recharge. (Despite all of the crazy traveling we are doing, I think most of us are introverts who enjoy being in our rooms more than being out and about. It's a miracle we are getting any traveling done.) </div>
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<u>March 19th</u></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0enAfawSIQuW6Yyb9Uc-VvzADFQRBTP6i5cqlyecIpzIFZNZOX7LHb6S_eOlxQ7V5CVz00Sz2eHfbMEAULDEzK62wb8sVGNrn_zElvNa0xPYQ6lbdrr5vWUzYKkayI0UDQmMkO00HFLY/s1600/IMG_8816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0enAfawSIQuW6Yyb9Uc-VvzADFQRBTP6i5cqlyecIpzIFZNZOX7LHb6S_eOlxQ7V5CVz00Sz2eHfbMEAULDEzK62wb8sVGNrn_zElvNa0xPYQ6lbdrr5vWUzYKkayI0UDQmMkO00HFLY/s200/IMG_8816.JPG" width="150" /></a> (Don't judge our breakfast choices. Bakeries are temptation #2 (# 1 being used book stores, obviously). This is why I can't live in France.) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwm5_hD5rpZNpsEHJ1tiszN5IgZpbygfBc522HBtiYJnGpZSlkLFURBEKh_OCfDEVIJRU-4FNfVXA0qmxGB-W0sBG5qwlkVRm8wunHq9dxy_BiwgZA5MNgMwx469V1GjcdGvTzTfZW-DY/s1600/IMG_8845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwm5_hD5rpZNpsEHJ1tiszN5IgZpbygfBc522HBtiYJnGpZSlkLFURBEKh_OCfDEVIJRU-4FNfVXA0qmxGB-W0sBG5qwlkVRm8wunHq9dxy_BiwgZA5MNgMwx469V1GjcdGvTzTfZW-DY/s320/IMG_8845.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPHlKb8UfPJ3vCSw6h0HJ8AOR10sBlnZpKCzrEutYYDDUTM8LU6FdrvINZnh5i7Fcmi13qLv21vtF6Io3At2F6nqYk93-C8iE17C-iICMBMVUVsje2Ki0XCbgtz2GBWu8TN2vFbE9LD94/s1600/GBFH4616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPHlKb8UfPJ3vCSw6h0HJ8AOR10sBlnZpKCzrEutYYDDUTM8LU6FdrvINZnh5i7Fcmi13qLv21vtF6Io3At2F6nqYk93-C8iE17C-iICMBMVUVsje2Ki0XCbgtz2GBWu8TN2vFbE9LD94/s320/GBFH4616.JPG" width="240" /></a>Despite sleeping until 11 am (like I said, we enjoy our relaxed schedules) we actually accomplished everything we wanted to see today. We started out getting breakfast, and then went to the bamboo forest. (Our hotel was conveniently located really close to it.) Then we went on a lovely walk through a neighborhood which led us to the next temple with sooooo many Buddha statues. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDAMJoexdln49FBdDCdvM5qanrdifN2X-d-7Zm-TEy22tkVvUyUBc9MyfPg_EImWSqoGnjVcmQZHETaZtK8c-a7uSuL-RZYpWvCjJd1Zk0NucNuP0WQE7GAq9o1VOpbz9WNhZCz5d6F1k/s1600/55719443_612239985918436_7592498522780336128_n+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="861" data-original-width="1600" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDAMJoexdln49FBdDCdvM5qanrdifN2X-d-7Zm-TEy22tkVvUyUBc9MyfPg_EImWSqoGnjVcmQZHETaZtK8c-a7uSuL-RZYpWvCjJd1Zk0NucNuP0WQE7GAq9o1VOpbz9WNhZCz5d6F1k/s320/55719443_612239985918436_7592498522780336128_n+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a>They all had different expressions, and it was really fun just walking around checking out all the statues. (And the lovely walk had nothing to do with the group of Japanese boys walking around in their traditional clothes, but it sure didn't hurt anything.)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpkmDHsFB7ZNFLfGmlmlSMBuG0XnHxDftfCMHCNWpRWIz0oDhw5xv4vYqBnB7bnoAVaQ__k5pTHCTwbKD8NQcABOO1rgqAdCtTDxxhKxV2A4BxThsdnFU5osFjScX26J-8Jv_Q6qonWjw/s1600/FOTE6331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="777" data-original-width="1600" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpkmDHsFB7ZNFLfGmlmlSMBuG0XnHxDftfCMHCNWpRWIz0oDhw5xv4vYqBnB7bnoAVaQ__k5pTHCTwbKD8NQcABOO1rgqAdCtTDxxhKxV2A4BxThsdnFU5osFjScX26J-8Jv_Q6qonWjw/s400/FOTE6331.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv8B4HxDRiYK-mMlOfCv3crFQSmYZ6-oGh-TJQ2IKZjvQvazNybwa5RjcWV4cX8S3XEnfLvYe2FbuPvF8tC_xeOjPZoYaPhcEmzeRUny3go31lPVe7y772xMhEpXCZU9naUYcdA4FoKM8/s1600/IMG_8875.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv8B4HxDRiYK-mMlOfCv3crFQSmYZ6-oGh-TJQ2IKZjvQvazNybwa5RjcWV4cX8S3XEnfLvYe2FbuPvF8tC_xeOjPZoYaPhcEmzeRUny3go31lPVe7y772xMhEpXCZU9naUYcdA4FoKM8/s200/IMG_8875.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQhCQTFDoRj4-gs_JOcs6uBaXp7qMOYAc8qIBeEJkUtYq89D0LadXhfZgzrXFbedUvU7hOS2CWAHuFr6mwZkuTNkBzBIMsBLOcfiXSClcGZVKqR2iTET7rVFvwZtTA5qBzz82WIfY_9TY/s1600/54730730_557784514744772_641154130991120384_n+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQhCQTFDoRj4-gs_JOcs6uBaXp7qMOYAc8qIBeEJkUtYq89D0LadXhfZgzrXFbedUvU7hOS2CWAHuFr6mwZkuTNkBzBIMsBLOcfiXSClcGZVKqR2iTET7rVFvwZtTA5qBzz82WIfY_9TY/s320/54730730_557784514744772_641154130991120384_n+%25281%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a>After that, we made it to the Golden Pavilion where we were received our fortunes. Mine told me "There appear a group of clouds in the unexpected direction, and the full moon hides himself in them for a short time." I appreciate Japanese fortunes translated into English for their directness and clarity. It gave me helpful advice for many areas of my life. Such as 'wish': It seems hard to realize now, but afterward, it will be realized spontaneously. Or 'illness': It's serious. You have to consult a doctor. Or my 'marriage proposal': It seems to be settled, but it won't go well. Leave it to someone, and it will go well. Essentially it was a very enlightening trip. After that, we grabbed dinner while exploring Nishiki market. Honestly, I should have been taking more pictures of Katie's face as Abram ate all the different things he tried. Aside from the natto, he didn't normally have much of a reaction, but her face was priceless. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKffFSYrEImrc8qpUPoZ_WzeFUzWnhKfySyCCKSd3-vOMxsx2S6u4w0M0L1UxFmOFfAHfU6GgxDoTz7DaVc8pwMBjKhLiO3drxqlN1da3puag1Tv2uZZxXza478E-o4h2xSiSNVp_07-E/s1600/55764162_418130065620636_5852696537771016192_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="777" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKffFSYrEImrc8qpUPoZ_WzeFUzWnhKfySyCCKSd3-vOMxsx2S6u4w0M0L1UxFmOFfAHfU6GgxDoTz7DaVc8pwMBjKhLiO3drxqlN1da3puag1Tv2uZZxXza478E-o4h2xSiSNVp_07-E/s320/55764162_418130065620636_5852696537771016192_n.jpg" width="155" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPSGdxkZltsTyRY1eMpYAzbezI3r2GtEngdEcEeogn9parh0NKrmX41AAWwq64qk-TE-MQqN_6p5Xj4ZcvaTVSOt4qY6oXbaIrMpNdEbBzAbcBRqwisuX81OsPp4IY3k7eOU04oXKhh7Q/s1600/IMG_8879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPSGdxkZltsTyRY1eMpYAzbezI3r2GtEngdEcEeogn9parh0NKrmX41AAWwq64qk-TE-MQqN_6p5Xj4ZcvaTVSOt4qY6oXbaIrMpNdEbBzAbcBRqwisuX81OsPp4IY3k7eOU04oXKhh7Q/s320/IMG_8879.JPG" width="320" /></a>We ate some wagyu beef which is when Katie fell in love with the expensive, delicious beef. They also tried their first takoyaki (which are fried balls with octopus in them.) We saw some shrines and walked along Pontocho Street before heading home for the night. (I accidentally crossed the street ahead of K&A and Katie snapped a picture of me standing across the road right when a car drove by making it look like I'm inside the car. ) </div>
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<u>March 20th</u></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFQ0nIhnRHSDgL5SYTXGxZlx8cCIoOmU9pT3ICeRjp0JtISlyiFBaYBqXzPwRf2xkW5YBDlWRTHMOjYL_NJ1pa6vPrXUkTM3PRviaDoO_pbhDy7b0CHS4lhs37UT3s1tsj7F1KuF3znjg/s1600/IMG_8930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFQ0nIhnRHSDgL5SYTXGxZlx8cCIoOmU9pT3ICeRjp0JtISlyiFBaYBqXzPwRf2xkW5YBDlWRTHMOjYL_NJ1pa6vPrXUkTM3PRviaDoO_pbhDy7b0CHS4lhs37UT3s1tsj7F1KuF3znjg/s320/IMG_8930.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQKU-quqjXkMXjGQERS_YGHq2ly2FSMGpos_gKGzZvWO6sRWhHGjKFkumOIlGglAExLHNhRLR9cnFYnEYDi_1MGC7s_jAuT8eq7TG8nWoRRdzEoj1MWucF7nDZuyQtWFNFlNicFKdA5JE/s1600/IMG_8936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQKU-quqjXkMXjGQERS_YGHq2ly2FSMGpos_gKGzZvWO6sRWhHGjKFkumOIlGglAExLHNhRLR9cnFYnEYDi_1MGC7s_jAuT8eq7TG8nWoRRdzEoj1MWucF7nDZuyQtWFNFlNicFKdA5JE/s320/IMG_8936.JPG" width="240" /></a>Unfortunately, we had to be up before 11 today since we had an 8:30 am bus to catch to Takayama. It was a 4-hour ride so that gave me plenty of time to sleep on the bus (but by sleep I mean read my book.) Once we arrived we had essentially 4 hours to explore the town before things shut down around 5 pm. We went to the Takayama temple, explored the Old Town, and then went to the Folk Village which was kind of like Edo Wonderland, but with way fewer people. The houses from back then were seriously crazy. The past just blows my mind. We grabbed dinner and ordered way too much food (at least that's what I'm sure the waiter was thinking up until we finished it all.) Then we relaxed at the foot bath in town, grabbed some ice cream, and went to our hotel to relax.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMyKRyRJdNEyozTFLdOvIAHcbw_XP9yN-76gRs0NqQjE5dlfoAEp2jNyWYA6nptSWZwyVxYPUPfMw9NgtYdkUeX6fMSLnwlJgI-DdzMJinuhBWzUjq9UVciIoO-v4JaurPZBu0VL87vKo/s1600/IMG_8942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMyKRyRJdNEyozTFLdOvIAHcbw_XP9yN-76gRs0NqQjE5dlfoAEp2jNyWYA6nptSWZwyVxYPUPfMw9NgtYdkUeX6fMSLnwlJgI-DdzMJinuhBWzUjq9UVciIoO-v4JaurPZBu0VL87vKo/s640/IMG_8942.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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<u>March 21st</u></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaQvPTrjfc8ndJujg-tv2c5Oq5LDBi5wBKEsLYZS2-thsrQgqzNMRJUuZRGa8NSIV5f-cOzlfZDDdvNHuWoIQXFokNoXUl1eriGEMu4K67aX21nX3xjo8S3ocdW2quZ6z9j57FXw55iPs/s1600/EODT2458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="777" data-original-width="1600" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaQvPTrjfc8ndJujg-tv2c5Oq5LDBi5wBKEsLYZS2-thsrQgqzNMRJUuZRGa8NSIV5f-cOzlfZDDdvNHuWoIQXFokNoXUl1eriGEMu4K67aX21nX3xjo8S3ocdW2quZ6z9j57FXw55iPs/s320/EODT2458.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzKXMROddsyeyg3S6zaL5iAcDf78K5kMSiKLmzhoYQJF-fLEaAEl1TlIUCcOHWBngbGNpN-mD0JDTLVxGTEwHB-gBh0AVig8kyJdsDqHkPSWKtpZvADCHhPbewh2gQzF7wU1qyoN5ds2U/s1600/SMWZ1907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="777" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzKXMROddsyeyg3S6zaL5iAcDf78K5kMSiKLmzhoYQJF-fLEaAEl1TlIUCcOHWBngbGNpN-mD0JDTLVxGTEwHB-gBh0AVig8kyJdsDqHkPSWKtpZvADCHhPbewh2gQzF7wU1qyoN5ds2U/s320/SMWZ1907.JPG" width="155" /></a>Today we grabbed breakfast and then got back on the bus to go to Shirakawa. Today's adventure was a bit different than normal since we were actually staying at the house of one of my coworker's parents. Almost as soon as we stepped off the bus she called out to me (I guess she'd seen a picture) and then she started showing us around the village. I'm not sure if she was showing the village to us or showing us to the village actually. As she drove us around she would flag down anyone that drove by and explain how and why we were staying with her. It was pretty adorable actually. We only did a bit of sightseeing before she offered to make us lunch so we went to her house. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYuxJHD1eIsGJaSteincyrhhriZc3dTQO2noM-Kf9IUPqiCWIJnlY_sfGfwulHSf5NPSuIQmnCuFA73UbGZ3pKdI8BdvIakqJZej3XMvZXU6odNbqul1uQhLMbgs7b62kxuB7F2IL26Jk/s1600/OTQQ6729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="777" data-original-width="1600" height="96" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYuxJHD1eIsGJaSteincyrhhriZc3dTQO2noM-Kf9IUPqiCWIJnlY_sfGfwulHSf5NPSuIQmnCuFA73UbGZ3pKdI8BdvIakqJZej3XMvZXU6odNbqul1uQhLMbgs7b62kxuB7F2IL26Jk/s200/OTQQ6729.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0sEMeD2SF-bOsO1M0hGKmKUbhtq9mfzHnpzXM1X_V7y-8J7BOswrubXnj1FnHZrZ8h7BYHGqNk-NNReXM3O1DdvrS0kZ9llB5FjpR7XXLnRa7MeI7q2xxaCDXIAPofrJZSTPbswq5ucA/s1600/IMG_8987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0sEMeD2SF-bOsO1M0hGKmKUbhtq9mfzHnpzXM1X_V7y-8J7BOswrubXnj1FnHZrZ8h7BYHGqNk-NNReXM3O1DdvrS0kZ9llB5FjpR7XXLnRa7MeI7q2xxaCDXIAPofrJZSTPbswq5ucA/s320/IMG_8987.JPG" width="320" /></a> The afternoon was very relaxing. We sat and chatted (well I did my best to balance having a normal conversation with translating) and then we went grocery shopping with her. Turns out the town is so small (2,000 people) that they don't actually have a grocery store. Instead, about 3 times a week a food truck comes and plays its merry song (like a healthy ice cream truck) and all the villagers gather and grab what they need. It was insane. (That's the dragon truck.) We went to the onsen (public bathhouse) with our one-night-host-mom, and then the 5 of us ate dinner. After dinner (delicious sukiyaki) we played Qwirkle) and everyone had a good laugh before we went upstairs to bed. It was a really fun night, and I'm glad Katie and Abram got to experience what it's like to be with a Japanese family.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgXWjTas4ncg8l7QM19GQSdUxAAJn8S1IHTxK2CD1TaG8Vn3LcqptN3qkDNaRcwOxaNE2QR4u151fAXnkmva3n12eTmQviAAwhY0SE5q8kEMhfyiP6vsn3NX-SHgIKEiKjIcmgCroYl8U/s1600/IMG_9011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgXWjTas4ncg8l7QM19GQSdUxAAJn8S1IHTxK2CD1TaG8Vn3LcqptN3qkDNaRcwOxaNE2QR4u151fAXnkmva3n12eTmQviAAwhY0SE5q8kEMhfyiP6vsn3NX-SHgIKEiKjIcmgCroYl8U/s320/IMG_9011.JPG" width="320" /></a> </div>
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<u>March 22nd</u></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWUGe5xxlhCv5oiQC52MngjuRyEHI4kztZ6lZTKqJMjOxvqtmzg5fdlgUPNUQBNV0ndrmJIdYgzyuUtyNlXjMDRjrnfa2GmwOkqlsGAES4t0Wy2Atke9nntpC8t1o0LF-dxO-deJWjy2Y/s1600/QJJJ6989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWUGe5xxlhCv5oiQC52MngjuRyEHI4kztZ6lZTKqJMjOxvqtmzg5fdlgUPNUQBNV0ndrmJIdYgzyuUtyNlXjMDRjrnfa2GmwOkqlsGAES4t0Wy2Atke9nntpC8t1o0LF-dxO-deJWjy2Y/s320/QJJJ6989.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8oPe_5g68VsIn1pyFoElkuHaceVudCIKaF-VfmosGzCRLPWPF6LAZEkLyBj2o7KsJayIuGHmJsWW_EsTVUxMHlpV4ynZo5xK7mzzV2TSW7sLy-nIbJy5C1XCOyql262TDoAFXQHgHGQ8/s1600/IMG_9060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8oPe_5g68VsIn1pyFoElkuHaceVudCIKaF-VfmosGzCRLPWPF6LAZEkLyBj2o7KsJayIuGHmJsWW_EsTVUxMHlpV4ynZo5xK7mzzV2TSW7sLy-nIbJy5C1XCOyql262TDoAFXQHgHGQ8/s200/IMG_9060.JPG" width="200" /></a>Today we ate breakfast, gave our host mom our thank you gifts (we had all drawn/painted pictures of our trip so far and wrote thank you notes), and then spent our last hour wandering town with her again before we hopped on the bus again.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyRpEIv99ItXxlk0u2SaYx2O5lMNbKGWjYP0PePR6P439CgZPRZlWF4XNGSAHn586e0MAtu5WOGCxF75hiOkfVYNpH0XLL1F-_9is6yaG8zOrnPVhBLZ6uvEKh_lOi0VNsIiKp0zB-P5g/s1600/SXBF8653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="777" data-original-width="1600" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyRpEIv99ItXxlk0u2SaYx2O5lMNbKGWjYP0PePR6P439CgZPRZlWF4XNGSAHn586e0MAtu5WOGCxF75hiOkfVYNpH0XLL1F-_9is6yaG8zOrnPVhBLZ6uvEKh_lOi0VNsIiKp0zB-P5g/s640/SXBF8653.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcKD_vgA-7Tj2oq2qhCUeianOttFoxC9W7BBu_o6mjDMhfDpZXL010KVbsd1m_NSsXbKCzSBxdRIBSWMu1C1_VdV0NM4xF0-5nQCwe60Q1pWlIspvepNL_rd3F_os8_U0RB79BLvrRjMo/s1600/IMG_9096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcKD_vgA-7Tj2oq2qhCUeianOttFoxC9W7BBu_o6mjDMhfDpZXL010KVbsd1m_NSsXbKCzSBxdRIBSWMu1C1_VdV0NM4xF0-5nQCwe60Q1pWlIspvepNL_rd3F_os8_U0RB79BLvrRjMo/s320/IMG_9096.JPG" width="320" /></a>We arrived in Kanazawa and it was still cold. (Cold being relative, but we weren't prepared for 40 degree weather with our thin little jackets.) We grabbed lunch at the station, dropped our bags off at our hotel for the night, and immediately lost all will to leave the house again. I think our one city a day schedule was wearing on everyone, so we took a break. We made a unanimous decision to have a day of rest so we watched two movies on the big screen TV in our apartment and only left to go pick up our pizza from Dominos. (Yes, we ate pizza.) Honestly, it was a great night and I think everyone enjoyed it. <br />
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<u>March 23rd</u></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiyEn4pufgSo0t989ynrUXpRgMGOmBjwWCwMWTlWF4-SVnK2L6bu7WLgwM_XOu1Jh_qpZPuyI99JtwJ77XCzhlX31McPW5Fe10FhXCzSMHA0M4ShcYFOmk1Ma0XlOJ8l_NjRbQP2IcJ6E/s1600/IMG_9109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiyEn4pufgSo0t989ynrUXpRgMGOmBjwWCwMWTlWF4-SVnK2L6bu7WLgwM_XOu1Jh_qpZPuyI99JtwJ77XCzhlX31McPW5Fe10FhXCzSMHA0M4ShcYFOmk1Ma0XlOJ8l_NjRbQP2IcJ6E/s320/IMG_9109.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQCbXfutHaURS6hZKffI6Z-GJsg6QzUyVmgvQ6i_Em6bhsWBHy47atMtZGE-U3ePmhxQV2MNh_avqItMQjq0jkGbHmdpob0n8TDntL_U6wEfxIxZN81bwEvpKNw_rM_zUQReBf8DzlfIc/s1600/IMG_9113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQCbXfutHaURS6hZKffI6Z-GJsg6QzUyVmgvQ6i_Em6bhsWBHy47atMtZGE-U3ePmhxQV2MNh_avqItMQjq0jkGbHmdpob0n8TDntL_U6wEfxIxZN81bwEvpKNw_rM_zUQReBf8DzlfIc/s320/IMG_9113.JPG" width="240" /></a>Today we were originally planning on heading to another city, but instead, we explored Kanazawa and then headed home. We found a delicious cafe to eat breakfast at where we ran into a lady we met at the station the day before. Small world. Turns out there are some really cool places in this city. We went to the samurai neighborhood and explored some of the houses/museums (and found this Jesus statue). Then we went to this place called the Ninja Temple. It has no connections to ninjas but was simply named that due to all of the trap doors, hidden staircases, and other secrets hidden in the building structure. It was the coolest tour! Sadly, videos and pictures weren't allowed. We went to Kanazawa castle after that and the architecture blew us away. They had some crazy skills being able to build all the things they did back then without power tools or even nails. We explored the giant park around the castle for as long as our cold fingers allowed, before we headed back to the station for dinner and our trip home. All in all it was exhausting (as you can see by Katie falling asleep on Abram), but what a trip.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg45Al_4Jc-8g2tu5VYzzMVvuaC3dV3KGA10rB16LOfDQLFccJqVhUluhGWgwSFSkbGVy-gOJlooawn45gnGjdFn4c15afPwBMGqVz0pLRGkvBLGijQOgdYL1N3Z8BgAwogzSllrN0_s6o/s1600/IMG_9124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg45Al_4Jc-8g2tu5VYzzMVvuaC3dV3KGA10rB16LOfDQLFccJqVhUluhGWgwSFSkbGVy-gOJlooawn45gnGjdFn4c15afPwBMGqVz0pLRGkvBLGijQOgdYL1N3Z8BgAwogzSllrN0_s6o/s320/IMG_9124.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie9CF5NfVtAv0om-_XZ5MCEQwbTg6jX0z21bccqTV7KoQ2WTA4PPiVZVeJY11fBnMlDXukGBPCWxkDsKdxmqMIqhDCHLTGsiBNs7FHi7zvWaY4an6LhPRPDXSaJBERunbdFQOiJY5zZxU/s1600/IMG_9165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikY9JMK-xclt1nwjJnI9fcuJ6aIHaDe1Hk0LxUIpUmWiGDLhlzXlOHmcpty3QoWqed0WfZvVoZCWTytmDN8VLW2EpI9N_eHrTJcmLdycXZyzpLMvY_v3amwEyvE5rMpsGKMXqVrSEa9ns/s1600/IMG_9192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikY9JMK-xclt1nwjJnI9fcuJ6aIHaDe1Hk0LxUIpUmWiGDLhlzXlOHmcpty3QoWqed0WfZvVoZCWTytmDN8VLW2EpI9N_eHrTJcmLdycXZyzpLMvY_v3amwEyvE5rMpsGKMXqVrSEa9ns/s200/IMG_9192.JPG" width="200" /></a> <img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie9CF5NfVtAv0om-_XZ5MCEQwbTg6jX0z21bccqTV7KoQ2WTA4PPiVZVeJY11fBnMlDXukGBPCWxkDsKdxmqMIqhDCHLTGsiBNs7FHi7zvWaY4an6LhPRPDXSaJBERunbdFQOiJY5zZxU/s320/IMG_9165.JPG" width="320" /></div>
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<u>March 24th</u></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiNJiAZi-pTdCA8eP7xSZiImIkHollS9AKc16iJ5-WZR1LptQxcICujUipQTLn5oIaay0FjXKJksIUvmQHe-vIJglg1PutDnlxF0EKyGH5NDdpxn_isRsNEFZtAdTuOKEtHVsrStMCym8/s1600/IMG_9208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiNJiAZi-pTdCA8eP7xSZiImIkHollS9AKc16iJ5-WZR1LptQxcICujUipQTLn5oIaay0FjXKJksIUvmQHe-vIJglg1PutDnlxF0EKyGH5NDdpxn_isRsNEFZtAdTuOKEtHVsrStMCym8/s320/IMG_9208.JPG" width="320" /></a>We had a late night last night, but we finally made it to my home ward. I was able to introduce Katie and Abram to my friends and then we had a relaxing Sunday just enjoying being home and not sight-seeing. (Well I mean I got to enjoy being home, I guess they were still technically not home.) </div>
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<u>March 25th</u></div>
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Today was also relaxing. We made cream cheese french toast one last time and spent the morning organizing suitcases and watching a movie. I don't know what was weirder: walking to the station with them without any luggage to drag around behind me or walking back from the station without them.</div>
I guess now I'll have to adjust back to life on my own. But boy my house has never felt so large!<br />
That night I went to my school's drinking party, which was fun (albeit slightly expensive considering I don't even drink) but it seemed like a good idea since next week I start working at a new school and I don't know when I'll see everyone again.<br />
(It seemed like a good idea up until they randomly asked me to give a mini-speech since I wouldn't be there next year.) Speeches in English= Not fun. Speeches in Japanese=leaves me incapable of using chopsticks for the next 5 minutes until my hands stop shaking. Good times.<br />
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Now the next big adventure will be starting my new job and probably moving to a new house. Wish me luck!<br />
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Laura Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03227536805852645246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268903947120771564.post-50876347839153891642019-01-13T05:29:00.000-08:002019-01-13T05:34:15.895-08:00What 2018 Meant to MeI've decided, considering my propensity for forgetting things and equally understandable inclination to record everything in journals, that I may as well write a blog for the whole year of 2018.<br />
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But...with that said I've actually already written some blogs throughout the rest of the year, so here are just a few of the highlights to catch up. Or just watch the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-a8I5vowN7Y" target="_blank">music video</a> that I just made for 2018 (obviously I've got a music video problem.) I've gone through and put in links to all the applicable blogs and videos for this year if you missed anything the first time. (And maybe I'm just a little OCD and enjoy using hyperlinks and organizing things.)<br />
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<b>January </b>- I officially moved out of Utah, my home for the past 8 years, and hopefully did my last road trip home. I got to spend some quality time in Arkansas with my family, and my <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WbZIuCeOJU" target="_blank">roommates </a>came to visit as well. The idea of one month apart was too much (I hope we can all handle me going to Japan.) We had a great time in Saint Louis and AR! After dropping them off I drove to Illinois to see Jen and spent a week with her. I decided road tripping is so much fun that I'd do it again and go to TN to see Chad and Bri for a week.<br />
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<b>February </b>- I did my final (for a while anyway) road trip home to spend my last 2 weeks with my family. Then it was time for Korea. You know the saying, "Those who can't marry travel. And those who can't get a boyfriend do international flights on Valentines Day." Korea was crazy, Sapporo was freezing but I saw my family #2, the Tsujimoos. Shizuoka with Natasha was a blast and a glimpse into my own life that I'd be starting soon, and then it was time for Tokyo.<br />
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<b>March </b>- I stayed with Papa for a few days in Tokyo, had my first birthday in Japan, and then it was time for training. After spending a week with everyone, making friends, and meeting my future roommate, it was time to move into my own apartment IN JAPAN!<br />
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(Here's a <a href="https://lauradrake92.blogspot.com/2018/03/when-will-my-life-begin.html" target="_blank">blog </a>that pretty much sums up those first 3 months.)<br />
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<b>April </b>- More settling in was happening (aka many trips to the dollar store to slowly furnish my house-slowly because I could only balance so many bags on my bike.) I joined a frisbee team in Japan and experienced the joy of living alone for the first time in my life. At the end of the month Chad and Bri came to visit. (Who knew when they jokingly mentioned it back in January when I was in TN that they were serious?)<br />
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<b>May </b>- Chad in Bri in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. There's a whole blog and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDyNT9SXXns" target="_blank">video </a>about this so I won't go crazy here, but it was a blast. :)<br />
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(The <a href="https://lauradrake92.blogspot.com/2018/05/my-life-has-begun-and-im-loving-it.html" target="_blank">blog </a>for these two months.)<br />
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<b>June </b>- I was pretty settled into my routine at this point, but by now I had a roommate. I also went to visit the Tsujimotos and spend fathers day with Papa #2. Oh and let's not forget that really spontaneous trip to America FOR MY BROTHER'S WEDDING. (Because who doesn't enjoy spending 2 days traveling for 2 days in America?) Still though, can't complain about a trip that was nothing but amazing. I even had a quick layover in Utah to see my friends.<br />
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<b>July </b>- I visited my BYU friend, Anna, in Yokohama (near Tokyo) and we partied. Then Whitney came to visit from Korea. It was a weekend of cafes and delicious pancakes. (Pancakes in Tokyo. Who knew?)<br />
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<b>August </b>- I essentially spent my summer learning all the kanji I could cram into my brain, with a slight weekend detour to go to the beach with Anna and Natasha, and then I rewarded myself with a trip to Thailand with Natasha!<br />
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(Yes, of course, there's a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1J7NkFZ6_M" target="_blank">video </a> and a <a href="https://lauradrake92.blogspot.com/2018/09/learning-my-b-cs.html" target="_blank">blog </a>for that too.)<br />
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<b>September </b>- I started hanging out more with people in my ward, being social (instead of reading books at home), going to dinners with families in the ward, and just being social in general. (Would recommend being social 10/10 times unless you'd rather do something else [like sit in bed and read].)<br />
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<b>October </b>- Who knows if I'll make it home for the family reunion so we decided to have our own reunion in Japan. Kim and Christian came to visit and we went on a little trip to Hakone together! Let's not forget that this was also my first Halloween in Japan, and the ward party was tons of fun.<br />
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<b>November </b>- I spent every weekend this month practicing for the ward talent show (as I'm slightly lacking talent in the dance department it wouldn't have hurt to practice every weekend this year, but, alas, the talent show was a last minute thing.)<br />
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<b>December </b>- I made mochi for the first time with my students at the school. I hiked Mt. Takao with some friends and enjoyed the fall colors (in December). Went to the crazy Christmas lights at the theme park Yomiuri Land, and then it was time to go HOME!<br />
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I like my 10-12 hour flights from Japan to America. 'Why?' you may ask. Because when else can I have 12 hours to literally do nothing but sleep, watch movies, play games, read books, and get fed (mediocre airplane food) without doing a thing? And the best part is that my overly productive OCD to-do list inner self can't even feel even a tiny ounce of guilt for not being productive! How could I complain?<br />
Despite that, I was still quite glad to arrive in America. (If I thought my 8-hour layover in MN was long on arrival, I had another thing coming when it came time to fly back to Japan and I had a 16-hour layover at the airport.)<br />
My break was full of delicious American food (which might not even technically be American so much as food that I never eat in Japan), my family, and English. Who knew that I'd miss people understanding everything I say without having to think about it? (Actually, that may have come up in discussions once or twice before I left...)<br />
I saw Sarah, Johnny, and her kids the day after I arrived because they were leaving for Utah (bad timing) and then that evening I drove down with Joseph's family to Mountain Home.<br />
I spent a week and a half basking in my responsibility-free state at my parent's house. And like every good bum I spent the week reading books, watching Hallmark, playing with nieces and nephews during the day and my siblings and parents at night, and organizing any and all cupboards I could access and the fridge.<br />
I also saw Sam, and it was very odd to think that she's married and living in a house that she owns with her husband, and I'm living in an apartment in Japan and yet, there we were sitting in my parent's house talking about books like we were back in high school.<br />
David and Michelle didn't make it home for the holidays this year, but we had all the rest of the family together for new years, and it was about as crazy as you might expect with 9 kids 9 years and under.<br />
All too soon I was counting down my last meals in America (which is why I realized I suddenly needed to go to Red Lobster and get sushi back to back) and it was time for one last Disney Channel Original Movie with Sarah and Johnny before we said goodbye.<br />
The 16-hour layover wasn't as bad as I feared it would be since I was able to take advantage of the time by calling people while I was still in the same time zone, reading some books, and sleeping on some sketchy cushions after putting down a not-sketchy blanket that an airport worker gave me.<br />
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Now, here I am back in Japan and sitting under my heated blanket (a place that I rarely leave when I'm at home. Not that there's anywhere else to go in my house since it's about 10 steps from the front to the back.) and wondering how my trip to America and 2018 are already over. This year went by so quickly, and I know 2019 will be the same.<br />
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In 2018 I learned how important it is to follow your dreams no matter how far from home they take you because no matter where you go you never really leave home. I've learned to really value those around me and the relationships I was blessed with. I've learned how nice it is to be understood without having to think about it and to understand others without having to think. And I've learned more about service from the examples of those around me (from my friends and family in America) to the wonderful Japanese people around me every day. There are so many wonderful people no matter where you go in the world.<br />
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And now I'm quite resolved to spend 2019 being as happy as I can be, exercising with the motivation of my new fitbit and determination to not lose with the step counter (Emily. Lori.), improving my Japanese, and trying to live this life in Japan to the fullest because if there's anything I've realized for sure this year it's that I can't stay away from my family forever (like my mother fears). So until the time comes for me to migrate back to America one more time, look forward to many more blogs and adventures. I know I am!<br />
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(A blog without pictures? I wouldn't believe it myself if I hadn't gone through all the effort of making this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-a8I5vowN7Y" target="_blank">video </a>to make up for it.)Laura Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03227536805852645246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268903947120771564.post-31443395489798002792018-09-01T02:58:00.005-07:002018-09-01T03:03:59.190-07:00Learning My A, B, C's<div style="text-align: center;">
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<b>Ayutthaya, Bangkok, and Chaing Mai</b></div>
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Okay, I know it's been a while since I've written a blog, but now that my life has turned into a routine, I'm not quite sure what people would enjoy hearing about. So, I've saved this next entry for my next adventure, which actually just happened last week when I flew to Thailand with my friend, Natasha.<br />
We did our best to budget for the trip and ended up going from the August 21st-28th for just under $600 including our flights, food, accommodations, and all the adventures. Not bad, in my opinion.<br />
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For those of you who don't feel like reading the long, detailed post that's about to happen, let me save you the trouble and give you the link to the <a href="https://youtu.be/C1J7NkFZ6_M" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">video</a>. Here's the summary: <span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">8 $6 60 minute massages, 7 days in Thailand, 6 Thai dishes made from scratch, 5 hours at the "Grand Canyon", 4 elephants, 3 cities, 2 mangos a day, and 1 friend with whom to experience it all.</span><br />
(Although I promise the pictures will make much more sense after reading the stories.)<br />
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<b>Tuesday 8/21</b></div>
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With surprisingly little hassle we caught our flight and were soon on the plane for six hours heading to an entirely new country. We even made a new friend at the airport who was visiting Japan and then meeting her own friends in Thailand. So the three of us spent the next two hours together until we had to take our seats (separately.) With no ability to speak Thai but hopes of fresh mangoes and massages we eagerly waited for the plane to land-6 hours later. (Luckily I had a Japanese TV show downloaded on my phone to pass the time for us since there were no TVs on the plane.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLSE1ZRFulSG_ylUAhpg3RpbZG5T-LwCQtLehBnWJplHbjVEc224nQ-j9csA2aP8eCIXLD1ZM7RgDGnLiO6QW9NG1uTtFcAKsjFcR7Elng7JUALlcuh5m4w27uLXhkiy6_W-2OYAG6juU/s1600/40389436_2236528223227046_5652492302329839616_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLSE1ZRFulSG_ylUAhpg3RpbZG5T-LwCQtLehBnWJplHbjVEc224nQ-j9csA2aP8eCIXLD1ZM7RgDGnLiO6QW9NG1uTtFcAKsjFcR7Elng7JUALlcuh5m4w27uLXhkiy6_W-2OYAG6juU/s200/40389436_2236528223227046_5652492302329839616_n.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUa1Vv4jba3CgSOYlXW07jNpVS0rmhKSoUGnJlQVfotCWdTohDzLpNjjYRa1YLnnLX9o_sA9OsyItoUArpWeRB1DQ4THAO3KvDHUJUeNNFFTq3aOCqimlWXFXJZTepQD8o4Q8bW3ND-S8/s1600/40259630_278490236090115_4023529090924412928_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="677" data-original-width="1600" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUa1Vv4jba3CgSOYlXW07jNpVS0rmhKSoUGnJlQVfotCWdTohDzLpNjjYRa1YLnnLX9o_sA9OsyItoUArpWeRB1DQ4THAO3KvDHUJUeNNFFTq3aOCqimlWXFXJZTepQD8o4Q8bW3ND-S8/s320/40259630_278490236090115_4023529090924412928_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>At the airport it was surprisingly easy (and cheap) to get a SIM card for the week. Only $4.5 for a week of unlimited data. Understandably, we were skeptical and expecting it to go out at any moment, but at least we had wifi to get us to our hotel and get us going. We hailed a taxi (a skill that we would get quite good at this week) and bargained a price to get us to our hotel. When we arrived we found the street like this. (Turns out it is like that every night from about 8 pm - 2 am but with pounding music and people trying to sell you scorpions on a stick.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ8iZUdyVyNxBYXAS__xmrTk2_hFydtmjPqIvGfuowKE-yERNbBHloJSnufm-Xk2x5xnpsdvu2B0ktCnGlmoGsYfrUtJRSBMFK2WRhm27uiDmapyuDM2CK4eiyLpcPc2lINjEbCAQjGxA/s1600/40243190_423054981553036_5410047969770602496_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ8iZUdyVyNxBYXAS__xmrTk2_hFydtmjPqIvGfuowKE-yERNbBHloJSnufm-Xk2x5xnpsdvu2B0ktCnGlmoGsYfrUtJRSBMFK2WRhm27uiDmapyuDM2CK4eiyLpcPc2lINjEbCAQjGxA/s320/40243190_423054981553036_5410047969770602496_n.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a> We didn't waste time when it came to getting a massage because there were shops all over the place (literally had at least three on our street alone.) We decided to commemorate it with a photo together with the people we'd spent the last 60 minutes but unable to talk to.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeuUHU5tyEGgnsDX2O-YpKDLya7DqlNeb4XyNn8NUgXi_rC_yognTxJ07z_8Q2TA5N-LiGUwpD5C0a9dV2iL3-DqhhO0Puu_poMKG91DSQ7t44n3whJMXHRwMyE2UMV1oi9MK1XsCNr5U/s1600/40243236_479443839239613_7859888399056896000_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1600" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeuUHU5tyEGgnsDX2O-YpKDLya7DqlNeb4XyNn8NUgXi_rC_yognTxJ07z_8Q2TA5N-LiGUwpD5C0a9dV2iL3-DqhhO0Puu_poMKG91DSQ7t44n3whJMXHRwMyE2UMV1oi9MK1XsCNr5U/s320/40243236_479443839239613_7859888399056896000_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>Then we quickly moved onto tackling the food stands. There was so much to try and not enough room in our stomachs so we quickly adopted the policy of buying only one of everything and splitting it so we could try more food. Here's our first mango sticky rice.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2buYOML05N-ejg_638DTqaGq8Lq0nCZzlmRpNSuwXe8xrvG8z8WtlpGuKek8aDUB-jSBMMfViG2DGi659mrcGNkDSiy0tX7cKuAsi89anh6jx-Zm0A2JDeTgJUbQoAFxLjx21SJSB33A/s1600/40307931_1980585905366562_175080429106233344_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2buYOML05N-ejg_638DTqaGq8Lq0nCZzlmRpNSuwXe8xrvG8z8WtlpGuKek8aDUB-jSBMMfViG2DGi659mrcGNkDSiy0tX7cKuAsi89anh6jx-Zm0A2JDeTgJUbQoAFxLjx21SJSB33A/s200/40307931_1980585905366562_175080429106233344_n.jpg" width="200" /></a>There was even a McDonald on our street that we didn't go to (obviously would have been a waste of a good potential meal elsewhere-anywhere else.) But it seemed a waste to at least not get a picture with Thai Ronald.<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">It was 1 am before we made it back to our hotel (even though we never even left the street it was on) because there were so many stalls to see and so much food to eat. (Sadly, 1 am in Thailand was actually 3 am for our tired Japan accustomed bodies.) </span></div>
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<b style="text-align: center;"> Wednesday 8/22</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq1M42xvhgug2oZAgVF_-zUf1YXtD6IQ_JdO1bmjlR3xhrtRCxxp2lpk6eoy1B6QCmi-QEpVHY7DkJb-PgV8XQg0AhahNNYTNtLSlks3gv0zrAONtVbMKVWiXjH4gRDIImzkeBp0CKDSE/s1600/40304175_462084287634091_6284353996698157056_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq1M42xvhgug2oZAgVF_-zUf1YXtD6IQ_JdO1bmjlR3xhrtRCxxp2lpk6eoy1B6QCmi-QEpVHY7DkJb-PgV8XQg0AhahNNYTNtLSlks3gv0zrAONtVbMKVWiXjH4gRDIImzkeBp0CKDSE/s320/40304175_462084287634091_6284353996698157056_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidwr_C-lZSxPFg7F3703P50tF6aIB-oQlZLDP_rGreJFUl1FOIwpv7tDa1qXKkVB2jm0TL_SxLLFapxjNOJHg-fk60W8RggsitT1X7o5YDFQuM-YxCwEfHOanBrJYWefiC-d7Wu36h73k/s1600/40318552_313745002508041_1564470850072084480_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidwr_C-lZSxPFg7F3703P50tF6aIB-oQlZLDP_rGreJFUl1FOIwpv7tDa1qXKkVB2jm0TL_SxLLFapxjNOJHg-fk60W8RggsitT1X7o5YDFQuM-YxCwEfHOanBrJYWefiC-d7Wu36h73k/s320/40318552_313745002508041_1564470850072084480_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="text-align: center;"></span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">Our first official day in Bangkok and we headed off on foot to go hit the big tourist spots. Our hotel was close enough that everything we wanted to see today was within a 30-minute radius by foot so we didn't have to deal with taxis today (we especially enjoy exercise when it saves us money.) </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZb9arXGdR5K2qoqaURRH3Db-TXDzOmvRRtA8C5jvcWIEgDasArXj98su3MzJy3hdAiAAOb-j-KjzLF81uzQf-O6QdxHbWNNy6YsdTKVzu6uNDoOWV_VsYboAaGUHuVGDWs0r-VaLJvD4/s1600/40332200_1879911928767152_3614049571803496448_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZb9arXGdR5K2qoqaURRH3Db-TXDzOmvRRtA8C5jvcWIEgDasArXj98su3MzJy3hdAiAAOb-j-KjzLF81uzQf-O6QdxHbWNNy6YsdTKVzu6uNDoOWV_VsYboAaGUHuVGDWs0r-VaLJvD4/s200/40332200_1879911928767152_3614049571803496448_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAp_WzC0m9OkQ8c4cYs9O6Enlza7pjuCaNXnLCg0R3C7CvytRzJi5498W-bHt-HVNloGKTiVpQitE47j2I754XIkVxNlNlJj_hXMyfxT5TI8287CEn6j_RBlOsRiVmkm7u_AulbG7ifTA/s1600/spring+rolls+with+crap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1228" data-original-width="949" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAp_WzC0m9OkQ8c4cYs9O6Enlza7pjuCaNXnLCg0R3C7CvytRzJi5498W-bHt-HVNloGKTiVpQitE47j2I754XIkVxNlNlJj_hXMyfxT5TI8287CEn6j_RBlOsRiVmkm7u_AulbG7ifTA/s320/spring+rolls+with+crap.jpg" width="246" /></a>Plus, since we wandered around we got to see more of the city and discover some more shopping places, a college, a park, and just see the sights. (How else were we going to find all the mango stands to eat?) We also got some lunch while wandering. I'd been looking forward to Thai food for weeks, and it did not disappoint. (How could it? Look at that name "Spring Rolls With Crap." Yum.)<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">The first place we visited was the Grand Palace which cost 500 baht to get in. These are 500 baht bills we are holding and for the first little while it really weirded us out that we were essentially holding $15 bills. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMTPXlmYbJOWgRDS3XmZIGY8ThT9iKGDr0b5JhzsUMI00RWiNDszPXvCzSmE4LA7RAo0P-ntbHSvdA49btrJbNSBzrVSV9C9JrNqAD9BraTpbqdgHNweooU8K7bKNoPkyP00EAYh4Qb6U/s1600/40325585_467954637025080_8742768379003142144_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMTPXlmYbJOWgRDS3XmZIGY8ThT9iKGDr0b5JhzsUMI00RWiNDszPXvCzSmE4LA7RAo0P-ntbHSvdA49btrJbNSBzrVSV9C9JrNqAD9BraTpbqdgHNweooU8K7bKNoPkyP00EAYh4Qb6U/s320/40325585_467954637025080_8742768379003142144_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="text-align: center;"></span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;">Even weirder than that was when we ran into our airport friend again! </span>We knew she was flying to Bangkok too, but what are the chances we'd visit the same place at the exact same time? Even if we had been just a few minutes apart in the line we probably would have never seen each other through the crush of people all visiting the Grand Palace. (Clearly, it was a friendship of fate-except I don't' remember her name.) </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><span style="text-align: center;"> We spent a few hours wandering around the Grand Palace and trying to not get distracted by all the Japanese people around. (How is it that we both live in Japan and are surrounded by Japanese people all day every day and suddenly, we go to a country where they are no longer the majority and we want to befriend every one of them we see?) </span></span></div>
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<u>Fun Thai fact #1: It's extremely rude to show the bottoms of your feet in public, so be careful when sitting down!</u></div>
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The Grand Palace is so different from architecture in Japan-the colors, the style, glittering decorations. It's interesting seeing different cultures.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaZM7iMECXgdphYxaY6ZQtCZaTtutygxLeAlmCtAHr7QN1qIIpiBYjPdRWdEYSlB2PT1SkNwJqCEjBSIQOWO2t70ICoLbkCvpQ-dGa4JmapXqjHLbs4Poyd0oUdfBeDBmqHkq3D0K7cR4/s1600/40298021_533129460442653_2748255482861846528_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaZM7iMECXgdphYxaY6ZQtCZaTtutygxLeAlmCtAHr7QN1qIIpiBYjPdRWdEYSlB2PT1SkNwJqCEjBSIQOWO2t70ICoLbkCvpQ-dGa4JmapXqjHLbs4Poyd0oUdfBeDBmqHkq3D0K7cR4/s320/40298021_533129460442653_2748255482861846528_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDcVQ13LNXbDG86OTbhsNHghjbOeiUsacYDAEm719uFcNT29dUfY-er3uSWteulMvN08NjxqTNQvl3-IcdZMznFT0hXJV2B959LXhFbviUk58wNg79riBvGbqIYkQFfphuwvm7S19axZg/s1600/40390539_2403223549817204_3870043040122929152_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDcVQ13LNXbDG86OTbhsNHghjbOeiUsacYDAEm719uFcNT29dUfY-er3uSWteulMvN08NjxqTNQvl3-IcdZMznFT0hXJV2B959LXhFbviUk58wNg79riBvGbqIYkQFfphuwvm7S19axZg/s320/40390539_2403223549817204_3870043040122929152_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><u>Fun Fact #2: Bangkok's real name is one of the longest city names in the world. <span style="background-color: white; color: #4c4c4d; font-family: , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 1px;">Krungthepmahanakhon Amonrattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilokphop Noppharatratchathaniburirom Udomratchaniwetmahasathan Amonphimanawatansathit Sakkathattiyawitsanukamprasit. </span>Luckily someone shortened it to Bangkok for those of us who don't have five minutes handy to say the original name or try to spell it correctly to buy a ticket to visit.</u><br />
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We went to go see the reclining Buddha. This Buddha is about 50 feet tall and 150 feet long. That's one BIGGGG BUDDHA!</div>
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Here's me trying to recline with the Buddha.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg51rvXboINu_TQKeQnHDXkrg76a-tKT-TsYfZCIW8pnXtue_Q9hamOXx64rpkd9uxWCv3uQ0eSttqGvxaj48aQBV7W7OXHsGq3cW4lIMjlo5801wJySbRtJeMEn30G9-3oshNMhwfEo3k/s1600/40279573_261074711396373_5389965226680516608_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1600" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg51rvXboINu_TQKeQnHDXkrg76a-tKT-TsYfZCIW8pnXtue_Q9hamOXx64rpkd9uxWCv3uQ0eSttqGvxaj48aQBV7W7OXHsGq3cW4lIMjlo5801wJySbRtJeMEn30G9-3oshNMhwfEo3k/s200/40279573_261074711396373_5389965226680516608_n.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3mgJ3xqApa9xXxgzluQpCKBgEvCjKXL5VHWnzuFkkbur10PF_TkbbAm-uag5lAGJyfDNq43Mh0m1fp7FUxA8R-DN3c48-A2Zu2FVg3-D2YSe_fFLxyGmFX52_eERBThkz3symaZ8CMAY/s1600/40379666_470373736770861_5695098755863281664_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3mgJ3xqApa9xXxgzluQpCKBgEvCjKXL5VHWnzuFkkbur10PF_TkbbAm-uag5lAGJyfDNq43Mh0m1fp7FUxA8R-DN3c48-A2Zu2FVg3-D2YSe_fFLxyGmFX52_eERBThkz3symaZ8CMAY/s320/40379666_470373736770861_5695098755863281664_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>We caught a ferry and rode across the river to go to the Temple of the Dawn. This was about the time that the skies dumped about a week's worth of condensed moisture on us in the span of an hour. I'm pretty convinced that nothing except a body suit and a miracle would have kept us dry during this since the wind was blowing it from all directions.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Jhd3HPNstj1yDUn1Rk9cE_yZT1hLFOckZRk4J2bZI4PjgX62IFfMkP47PD1vCsfTIfxdiOMmrpaWBEebQ7U3kha0YPYO25B3ohkMTQh5s874i6T9rTnBV65wVDx-PafBx4wRBuBcO44/s1600/40258827_283439889139358_2909458962829017088_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Jhd3HPNstj1yDUn1Rk9cE_yZT1hLFOckZRk4J2bZI4PjgX62IFfMkP47PD1vCsfTIfxdiOMmrpaWBEebQ7U3kha0YPYO25B3ohkMTQh5s874i6T9rTnBV65wVDx-PafBx4wRBuBcO44/s320/40258827_283439889139358_2909458962829017088_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjbM3lCdgkrhgn7M5LeVYqIsD7d8fQbqB5iCUNLHPAVoC8ei9Qzmk27lPg3zuGQecbqR7FKeeX_dzmCsJ4xxMa10aPQfTHrJZ6c0QUg7ACGRNoGjkKrdnKnvr2EsXgTJSzH-PHlpHCbeY/s1600/40243167_2162214464050567_4896292017706893312_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1193" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjbM3lCdgkrhgn7M5LeVYqIsD7d8fQbqB5iCUNLHPAVoC8ei9Qzmk27lPg3zuGQecbqR7FKeeX_dzmCsJ4xxMa10aPQfTHrJZ6c0QUg7ACGRNoGjkKrdnKnvr2EsXgTJSzH-PHlpHCbeY/s320/40243167_2162214464050567_4896292017706893312_n.jpg" width="238" /></a>But we still had a good time exploring the Temple of the Dawn.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgeRBw6YzqDFn9dzryey6v55_mUmqrkRra-iDn0spt97vQC7FBHhnZwmtaLKehQRv7H_4tCrRLujmI2n6ZbZh7z555vi7t3U66nTKEF0nUffaBQzslpuxal7cGBGFtWOAkPaxgRgWFvYk/s1600/40301322_2113633252229468_5525622206811340800_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgeRBw6YzqDFn9dzryey6v55_mUmqrkRra-iDn0spt97vQC7FBHhnZwmtaLKehQRv7H_4tCrRLujmI2n6ZbZh7z555vi7t3U66nTKEF0nUffaBQzslpuxal7cGBGFtWOAkPaxgRgWFvYk/s320/40301322_2113633252229468_5525622206811340800_n.jpg" width="240" /></a> <span style="text-align: center;"> </span><br />
While exploring the city we discovered what we've decided to call the first of Bangkok's Seven Mysteries: the tree growing through the roof. Just why?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV-ORwg6jJ4zXzlUf1pMiETZgB2Y09Imz_vR71V8mWO2gO87FoHQm_MXNv6Brmh-u4rMY03r6fJlYGvtw-gG_2T04aM4-BQkkjnJYffjbjp4eVWtF4wzBHAE4HJcMfxXZqnA_3gUl9VkA/s1600/40307371_238062900190824_1091399894842736640_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV-ORwg6jJ4zXzlUf1pMiETZgB2Y09Imz_vR71V8mWO2gO87FoHQm_MXNv6Brmh-u4rMY03r6fJlYGvtw-gG_2T04aM4-BQkkjnJYffjbjp4eVWtF4wzBHAE4HJcMfxXZqnA_3gUl9VkA/s320/40307371_238062900190824_1091399894842736640_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>We had a bit of trouble making it to our night cruise on time because we couldn't figure out the correct address, but we made it with plenty of time to spare since they kept us waiting for 45 minutes. (Thank goodness we didn't get there early like we planned.) So we wandered around some shops to kill time.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWVu9ey2l5FNjJqdlTDGXrel4kaDimAwN0nCij2lELdkqcp_a_mvsjL45FgPuBPs2Yzsk5IMYLnkPZcUSzrTdVW8JL8TStAmpH2Le_oM1xLcTObWYshcOBrJEElz7yx5AFPamzXCqo6Qs/s1600/40262247_261344564496571_349354263354277888_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWVu9ey2l5FNjJqdlTDGXrel4kaDimAwN0nCij2lELdkqcp_a_mvsjL45FgPuBPs2Yzsk5IMYLnkPZcUSzrTdVW8JL8TStAmpH2Le_oM1xLcTObWYshcOBrJEElz7yx5AFPamzXCqo6Qs/s320/40262247_261344564496571_349354263354277888_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRbcKnlmHaYh6fWDlh-RrVttNb38s-x0UgH2KYyhdbnCdYjvc5Lwcq0LsATfty8YwaOZwD7y9AePFt9yqMFxL9nDoggxvyMcYFguJvdcKIOgDUkH-nWNZ5EffH2XZZtgNgVxIf_pT61T4/s1600/40243125_233723817293852_8224433643909545984_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRbcKnlmHaYh6fWDlh-RrVttNb38s-x0UgH2KYyhdbnCdYjvc5Lwcq0LsATfty8YwaOZwD7y9AePFt9yqMFxL9nDoggxvyMcYFguJvdcKIOgDUkH-nWNZ5EffH2XZZtgNgVxIf_pT61T4/s320/40243125_233723817293852_8224433643909545984_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>The cruise was full of couples and families and Natasha and I were questioning why we were there without boyfriends. (Well except for the obvious part about not having those.) We were joking about how great it would be to find two Japanese guys also on the cruise that we could talk to, but we realized we were kidding ourselves because what were the chances of that happening?<br />
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Apparently, the chances were pretty high actually since we saw two sitting a few tables away. So in order to not regret being a chicken later, I went over and chatted with them and the four of us ended up talking until the cruise ended. (Sadly, I forgot to get a picture.) But it was worth the experience just to here their story about how they had actually wanted to visit Taiwan but realized like a week before their trip that they'd accidentally bought tickets for Thailand instead.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRDfOIksbcIbnILYcy1mLEeex_HLJuXo-zCcAUqOXwF-OU4WLY0jijRjhrEscXOdk6TQMEcA2F7qoRLDNeQB982seD-7wQuhJuzE_pojyKziyzUx1Em9mo8yyJ0g-NjNacWV0wTqcyA8o/s1600/40281985_323911008354907_2434811484019097600_n+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1600" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRDfOIksbcIbnILYcy1mLEeex_HLJuXo-zCcAUqOXwF-OU4WLY0jijRjhrEscXOdk6TQMEcA2F7qoRLDNeQB982seD-7wQuhJuzE_pojyKziyzUx1Em9mo8yyJ0g-NjNacWV0wTqcyA8o/s320/40281985_323911008354907_2434811484019097600_n+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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The food was actually pretty terrible (would not recommend the cruise, haha) but it was fun to see Bangkok at night from the river, talk to the Japanese boys, and experience my first Cabaret with lady-boys. (A term I learned that very night. ) Three of them came out and sang songs (well actually mouthed the lyrics) but I was really impressed with their dramatic flair. They did a better job then I ever could.<br />
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We walked home that night and discovered the truly scary thing about walking home at night wasn't the street we were walking on, or the people around us but the rats that kept scurrying across the road. In our 45 minute walk home we saw at least 10 rats, and I was wearing sandals! Luckily we got home just in time to catch the last one hour massage before the place closed. (We obviously deserved it after the harrowing RAT STREET experience.)<br />
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<b>Thursday 8/23</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBWufrkPQgMY_PIywSbF_S6I-AbbtYNqG-b_m744PyrLEZFqtZVDBiH-fHm8vYx7lzI55EkyV2CcKqGagfZY9ifYqtwPD6UsCFNu-XLnsZ3nvK4Oj3xbwne2yr7hf7_0mPUL-wZNGbXpo/s1600/40520689_328348897725751_5245887619568500736_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBWufrkPQgMY_PIywSbF_S6I-AbbtYNqG-b_m744PyrLEZFqtZVDBiH-fHm8vYx7lzI55EkyV2CcKqGagfZY9ifYqtwPD6UsCFNu-XLnsZ3nvK4Oj3xbwne2yr7hf7_0mPUL-wZNGbXpo/s320/40520689_328348897725751_5245887619568500736_n.jpg" width="320" /></a> We may have gotten to bed late, slept like a bunch of rocks in our pitch-black hotel room, and slept through our alarms which put us behind for our plans for the day. Luckily, we didn't miss out on anything. I got car sick in the mini-van we rode in to Ayutthaya (turns out "early" mornings, little-to-no breakfast, and car rides don't mix well with me which may explain why I was sick every day on the way to school growing up.)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFzjp31SbIIaU-VMqJ3VN8HJRG6COjvV3UrF7XMTrVxm1omQsoCe_1H0UqHN8I0lAop0O78xj9CaHjFwgoU7XwzQFPQiaSovkoy3-ha3HeR-EHk82NOHPxuDUDgWA1aW_PeY4g2OI-fxo/s1600/40106767_229769274551452_6510492795155775488_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFzjp31SbIIaU-VMqJ3VN8HJRG6COjvV3UrF7XMTrVxm1omQsoCe_1H0UqHN8I0lAop0O78xj9CaHjFwgoU7XwzQFPQiaSovkoy3-ha3HeR-EHk82NOHPxuDUDgWA1aW_PeY4g2OI-fxo/s320/40106767_229769274551452_6510492795155775488_n.jpg" width="240" /></a>When we made it out I sat down and put my head between my knees and these really friendly Thai people came over and gave me some eucalyptus (I think) oil to put under my nose, and then our Tuk-tuk driver offered to give us an extra hour for our tour since I was sick. (Also he wouldn't be able to fit another tour into that last hour anyway which also could affect his offer, but I appreciated the kindness anyway.)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg13xbHyS5U-Dg9_T8PhzrrYvQbF7uIelncmNc1GwUEyPmjQ6G5cR87s17b4-VlPMezwFDFRZGAlyfP9t1kJrhhxVdTgF3C-irvAqDlzQiI55r7pFKowmr4j6NIDtE-nk3dOw1QIMLO18I/s1600/40239047_2319723341588288_2516441361863933952_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg13xbHyS5U-Dg9_T8PhzrrYvQbF7uIelncmNc1GwUEyPmjQ6G5cR87s17b4-VlPMezwFDFRZGAlyfP9t1kJrhhxVdTgF3C-irvAqDlzQiI55r7pFKowmr4j6NIDtE-nk3dOw1QIMLO18I/s200/40239047_2319723341588288_2516441361863933952_n.jpg" width="150" /></a>Ayutthaya was a lot bigger than we originally thought so having a tuk-tuk drive us on the shortest routes straight to all of the sites was actually better than the bicycles we were going to use.<br />
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I have no idea if this sign is warning the non-Thai's about pickpockets in the area or warning the other residents about non-Thai pickpockets. Isn't obscure grammar wonderful?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7w6C3mZbH6kDkthX0_eZWM22VwytuPhaqu2bMq-IBm2CudVFFzDJTVJHiLcVEXOnrdCgpzGQIrWuCWmLuz70uZ5DEUjw5RnZDEiEeB97MRNmAszGVDYE99emgKXJ82xnh_IX3GOv1AWI/s1600/40241033_2302595733089781_485452229252218880_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7w6C3mZbH6kDkthX0_eZWM22VwytuPhaqu2bMq-IBm2CudVFFzDJTVJHiLcVEXOnrdCgpzGQIrWuCWmLuz70uZ5DEUjw5RnZDEiEeB97MRNmAszGVDYE99emgKXJ82xnh_IX3GOv1AWI/s320/40241033_2302595733089781_485452229252218880_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><u>Fun fact #3: Ayutthaya became the largest city in the world in the 1700's with 1 million inhabitants.</u><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr7ZO1ykKEw7EqTXqL_CI848jourTPaxkIJPNqSk7FldV7jlyoU8Ute_3b0_yMscjWAZJoJ2wY5iBpQL9L8qDfkpnOD0JBWJvVeCEA2bmHjVlkgFcFn5rT1uV_WxlnaXQM85GX-oikOXk/s1600/40326713_230751437567518_5320445262529822720_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr7ZO1ykKEw7EqTXqL_CI848jourTPaxkIJPNqSk7FldV7jlyoU8Ute_3b0_yMscjWAZJoJ2wY5iBpQL9L8qDfkpnOD0JBWJvVeCEA2bmHjVlkgFcFn5rT1uV_WxlnaXQM85GX-oikOXk/s320/40326713_230751437567518_5320445262529822720_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
Here's a bunch of pictures of us exploring the ruins and seeing the sites for the day. Not a lot to say except that we almost made it through without getting rained on. Almost, but not quite.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBIh4N5e5caI4eL_o7a_txmOJ-5Ghjg_OgwHE_jzrLcyrj-jjbgMXj_NX2BT5xN0AYHkWibVjl0FqouwJqMevZrTdM7vva4PVIpM26gJBc9wwSVtC0kpD9hAIAcC6uqIECSBgjRTOqscY/s1600/40257927_2168548296520575_8104986295555588096_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBIh4N5e5caI4eL_o7a_txmOJ-5Ghjg_OgwHE_jzrLcyrj-jjbgMXj_NX2BT5xN0AYHkWibVjl0FqouwJqMevZrTdM7vva4PVIpM26gJBc9wwSVtC0kpD9hAIAcC6uqIECSBgjRTOqscY/s400/40257927_2168548296520575_8104986295555588096_n.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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We saw tons of people riding elephants here, but there was no need for us to be jealous because we were getting our turn to play with elephants tomorrow. Who would be jealous about a little ride when I'm going to give an elephant a bath!?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8zScOgq-qG5CVci3JThTaatl92St7X3H85W069NiOMRbelutVPAZMEn9pSztOCxCeed-zpzSiL3Dl4nHLROFXBn9lXVE_mZ4FXR6Ys517xgyyr_J1EXB5ZUp24nPT-EOAXtg9zRnPrjA/s1600/40277188_317429899015269_3179812826101317632_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8zScOgq-qG5CVci3JThTaatl92St7X3H85W069NiOMRbelutVPAZMEn9pSztOCxCeed-zpzSiL3Dl4nHLROFXBn9lXVE_mZ4FXR6Ys517xgyyr_J1EXB5ZUp24nPT-EOAXtg9zRnPrjA/s200/40277188_317429899015269_3179812826101317632_n.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBIh4N5e5caI4eL_o7a_txmOJ-5Ghjg_OgwHE_jzrLcyrj-jjbgMXj_NX2BT5xN0AYHkWibVjl0FqouwJqMevZrTdM7vva4PVIpM26gJBc9wwSVtC0kpD9hAIAcC6uqIECSBgjRTOqscY/s1600/40257927_2168548296520575_8104986295555588096_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
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We saw tons of people who go to the temples apparently for the sole purpose of napping, so I thought I'd give it a try too.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfFhubwBaVm1aO5KxdJtdRmbw8Xqc-8eABKcy_vPh8vm8nFtABDAIXVvSEUPdwwOxtf8vKfGSoX8iCzhRuzwfOPhHLZD11xuVMyAnukTkey8Yh79HvXRyMgsuroNv949CqvZpsWYvDTfQ/s1600/40258800_854888928232800_5073105947153399808_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfFhubwBaVm1aO5KxdJtdRmbw8Xqc-8eABKcy_vPh8vm8nFtABDAIXVvSEUPdwwOxtf8vKfGSoX8iCzhRuzwfOPhHLZD11xuVMyAnukTkey8Yh79HvXRyMgsuroNv949CqvZpsWYvDTfQ/s640/40258800_854888928232800_5073105947153399808_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXhWgsoMMQRET8VQTb1mZXeHsHVEvMe2H-TA7-XsXHFfRB9kjjXUuTpBQR5wopgGAY1hpT3wjBIIb5IdP2AaS4U40SY3VBy8e9Ts1RPuwNKNDVXWtwDhrWpRpCaK_bQw411sR0M47nNUo/s1600/40313578_319701471927693_8446721948351725568_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1600" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXhWgsoMMQRET8VQTb1mZXeHsHVEvMe2H-TA7-XsXHFfRB9kjjXUuTpBQR5wopgGAY1hpT3wjBIIb5IdP2AaS4U40SY3VBy8e9Ts1RPuwNKNDVXWtwDhrWpRpCaK_bQw411sR0M47nNUo/s200/40313578_319701471927693_8446721948351725568_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxEjm_l9z-wciKKqUwnQWCanU-Ifdg1soFSH0NP_ijjncGEd_Lr89xrRovL-ZHWg1qMdF4YVm4xBY9cUTHdFssF8KccedYv0LS81br5jI63lS51PY7TJkUDEx1SOaXRtIB12PJhB1-wjo/s1600/40316894_294943674570933_8603463137686978560_n+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1600" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxEjm_l9z-wciKKqUwnQWCanU-Ifdg1soFSH0NP_ijjncGEd_Lr89xrRovL-ZHWg1qMdF4YVm4xBY9cUTHdFssF8KccedYv0LS81br5jI63lS51PY7TJkUDEx1SOaXRtIB12PJhB1-wjo/s320/40316894_294943674570933_8603463137686978560_n+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a> Wasn't sure if anyone noticed that there's a Buddha's head inside the tree roots. It's a pretty famous attraction in Ayutthaya actually.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiEo1EbyiYE4LxgGZa9YzIiP3IPGzFPFSkdrZllAYq19X769HPJ6vyfKxMxP805m6v90tENX-HGT0GoiWgEwXGmWjPwVsEUu5_YfLH_y9-dlc_QvGQtoYZCm5ML-02zYf6uFYTUk-oWDQ/s1600/40371530_2038177759575819_8101001085595942912_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiEo1EbyiYE4LxgGZa9YzIiP3IPGzFPFSkdrZllAYq19X769HPJ6vyfKxMxP805m6v90tENX-HGT0GoiWgEwXGmWjPwVsEUu5_YfLH_y9-dlc_QvGQtoYZCm5ML-02zYf6uFYTUk-oWDQ/s320/40371530_2038177759575819_8101001085595942912_n.jpg" width="240" /></a>This temple was actually built in the 14th century but when the Burmese army came in they pretty much raided the place and left it in ruins in the 1700s.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw4VL4C57aQ8x7GJEOpKd87zXB_4imNwXmlHDqrMweXLPUhFXbUbhnyjdZmiy2a532yFZVHAaYRN76p8y2Kka1WzNMaxdKKuKjc_i9bwUiqOLSmYNibE2TSGZY3oer7iergp0UMDby0eg/s1600/40347691_525792994530847_464710981776310272_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw4VL4C57aQ8x7GJEOpKd87zXB_4imNwXmlHDqrMweXLPUhFXbUbhnyjdZmiy2a532yFZVHAaYRN76p8y2Kka1WzNMaxdKKuKjc_i9bwUiqOLSmYNibE2TSGZY3oer7iergp0UMDby0eg/s320/40347691_525792994530847_464710981776310272_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>Isn't history crazy?<br />
Also, how had I never even heard the name 'Ayutthaya' before in a world histroy class if it used to be the largest city in the world?<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3q3CMuGcGmWNBBNzvrncpv9qPzJZZGLCq-x6uOLML34W-Q3x7uR9KM72PsZXEd1FyjAxztP6wSAFkerXGQbX8w0Mnsfjm3tSC1kPJ31Zyf6d85FZrVUZP3m5siH5sghYR82sCJbdoVO8/s1600/40247126_244043416301020_5410863558290309120_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1600" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3q3CMuGcGmWNBBNzvrncpv9qPzJZZGLCq-x6uOLML34W-Q3x7uR9KM72PsZXEd1FyjAxztP6wSAFkerXGQbX8w0Mnsfjm3tSC1kPJ31Zyf6d85FZrVUZP3m5siH5sghYR82sCJbdoVO8/s320/40247126_244043416301020_5410863558290309120_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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We made it back to Bangkok around 7 and tried to explore the night market we had planned for that night but it got rained out. So all we really did was wander through a park, look at tarp-covered stalls, and eat dinner before heading back for our massage. Tonight we tried a different place and they gave us special massage clothes to wear. Fancy.<br />
The guy spoke some English so he talked to us a little bit during the massage, but I think Natasha and I kind of go into a massage-coma for those 60 minutes so I'm not sure we were great converastionalists.<br />
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<b>Friday 8/24</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj24t_N5w-M0Mk6KaNLbZlwhMzS7MUZXT2jwt-X1yCoMNDe1NX1aBT-cFQXe2GnuEfmoKWcPl4dZusxEnT-Q3ihCrtXE_GhSRBmMtbvFwY-IVgIDeB3DLYV87zKpm4kHdJcIvvXeXl6t5g/s1600/40219624_307218403163062_7159949982693326848_n+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj24t_N5w-M0Mk6KaNLbZlwhMzS7MUZXT2jwt-X1yCoMNDe1NX1aBT-cFQXe2GnuEfmoKWcPl4dZusxEnT-Q3ihCrtXE_GhSRBmMtbvFwY-IVgIDeB3DLYV87zKpm4kHdJcIvvXeXl6t5g/s320/40219624_307218403163062_7159949982693326848_n+%25281%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a><b> </b>Today was our last day in Bangkok and we wanted to go to the <b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Damnoen Saduak</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span>floating market which was a good 2 hour commute each way so we actually had to get up early (and not sleep through our alarms.) We caught a taxi to the bus station, got a bus ticket, and then avoided the scam boat that offered to transport us to the floating market for way more than we were willing to spend when we could walk there in 2 minutes. And thank goodness we did or we might have missed out on our first banana trees! That would have been a shame. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijvBiZOWHO4nWeAInEUA2XDaYDbbK1xiyMscDGH_4vPCi-3YfhhzsZLryogp93_HMEghyav01-46yTVWHb_S2te3dy77PCSU11W-5tMNklrl9Zxaj48X6dvKGo30C6EnXzfGjHknCsmlE/s1600/40263462_1783739615075492_8679941236620001280_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijvBiZOWHO4nWeAInEUA2XDaYDbbK1xiyMscDGH_4vPCi-3YfhhzsZLryogp93_HMEghyav01-46yTVWHb_S2te3dy77PCSU11W-5tMNklrl9Zxaj48X6dvKGo30C6EnXzfGjHknCsmlE/s200/40263462_1783739615075492_8679941236620001280_n.jpg" width="150" /></a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeYL6zikFRWLxv95hvlrYoWirsid1GHNGQVWcQ31-B6VgveBrtF4skUk0oOMIil3QI3i80Xq1_WNtCgPXN59UR7OkO1ZhEQWwv70Oc5FevKiGiFvnrlYKfPJvAVs8PDEuMiv1LhaHE0u4/s1600/40270035_226825337986075_4259065355135090688_n+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeYL6zikFRWLxv95hvlrYoWirsid1GHNGQVWcQ31-B6VgveBrtF4skUk0oOMIil3QI3i80Xq1_WNtCgPXN59UR7OkO1ZhEQWwv70Oc5FevKiGiFvnrlYKfPJvAVs8PDEuMiv1LhaHE0u4/s200/40270035_226825337986075_4259065355135090688_n+%25281%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a> If you know me then you know I'm a sucker for journals (which could explain why I'm incapable of writing a short blog entry) so it was to be expected that the first thing I bought at the floating market was this obnoxious elephant journal that just screamed 'I'm a tourist in Thailand' to me. That wasn't the only thing we bought today though.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQEpfIywVmG8nuwDIc0pAP3Q2wPYUpxG59Vj9owJ802GbFFf6yM5goI9NFPSSXqsj-qQ681hBz0S_3rtNQMtc7in6pnZUZciviiOgd0XuG3duPNfb53JjHE5kk140paNlTViDWCmIW2wE/s1600/40406657_2175771602456292_8406610132082884608_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQEpfIywVmG8nuwDIc0pAP3Q2wPYUpxG59Vj9owJ802GbFFf6yM5goI9NFPSSXqsj-qQ681hBz0S_3rtNQMtc7in6pnZUZciviiOgd0XuG3duPNfb53JjHE5kk140paNlTViDWCmIW2wE/s320/40406657_2175771602456292_8406610132082884608_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I don't know why the rest of the people on our boat weren't trying more things out, but Natasha and I ate coconut ice cream, coconut pancakes, and fresh mangoes.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd9gEgP6NnSiJ5I5iUWgHUG0cxIN1NFhIFjkkEg8NeN3ZyTl0HDDP9QoPztdGW9CHeMGthaAnqNtjrVoNSRG_fM0KfMJ4PC_wgx_GwkspKAOdhrxuVXSUBJs387ANoY9eHD5GezuIBNRk/s1600/40257647_704723659891423_645134071025893376_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd9gEgP6NnSiJ5I5iUWgHUG0cxIN1NFhIFjkkEg8NeN3ZyTl0HDDP9QoPztdGW9CHeMGthaAnqNtjrVoNSRG_fM0KfMJ4PC_wgx_GwkspKAOdhrxuVXSUBJs387ANoY9eHD5GezuIBNRk/s320/40257647_704723659891423_645134071025893376_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh5BNH7BplPfyAFVrH92XEkbEn_C-coT5cfcnv1fX6obZZh_or8SwIvvcHnoPelgm0F8yB3aWTiLIha1LB1Icfeip5O3DdXt0-zPGFjudXEG3B-Xoq3efC9Y9Hsj7T3YnpQK0LLGeW0bo/s1600/40287370_1130434317110542_136282000951607296_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh5BNH7BplPfyAFVrH92XEkbEn_C-coT5cfcnv1fX6obZZh_or8SwIvvcHnoPelgm0F8yB3aWTiLIha1LB1Icfeip5O3DdXt0-zPGFjudXEG3B-Xoq3efC9Y9Hsj7T3YnpQK0LLGeW0bo/s320/40287370_1130434317110542_136282000951607296_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We got a picture with the lady who was steering out boat and she would point things out to us while we floated along.<br />
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I couldn't resist eating some coconut soup when we found it while floating down the river. It sounded too delicious to pass up (little did I know that I'd actually get to make my own in a few days and it would be even more delicious than this.)<br />
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I also couldn't resist taking a picture of this adorable lemur. Although I did have to resist the temptation to hold it because that girl was trying to charge me $15! Who does she think she's kidding. (But it's seriously adorable. Look at it cling onto her. I want one.) This will change everything for me the next time I watch Madagascar.<br />
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<u>Fun Fact #4: Floating markets can have a variety of goods being sold right on the boats from fresh fruits and produce, goods like my journal, or even meats being cooked on the boat as it's on the river. If you want to buy something you just get your boat next to theirs and make it happen.</u></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQBB8yc7WwSirnzu1vms7-n3uN3aqOl7L2lasP4F0i_Dc9bYvF1ofKa_vnhayBcP9MQ0ck9Wvd_tPnrRhistQmyxzs9oBtgJAlLcTODmyJ9cUWiV7mcs0mll1yT4dWm_KCt9vCWUZ1oEM/s1600/40358131_363781810828862_5423785358242349056_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQBB8yc7WwSirnzu1vms7-n3uN3aqOl7L2lasP4F0i_Dc9bYvF1ofKa_vnhayBcP9MQ0ck9Wvd_tPnrRhistQmyxzs9oBtgJAlLcTODmyJ9cUWiV7mcs0mll1yT4dWm_KCt9vCWUZ1oEM/s640/40358131_363781810828862_5423785358242349056_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh__txeA5QgmiqC7ambDwOhoqlpS-SB3X3e4jZhAkPNwoBjLRDTsnRJOsXprjqUUDpetFjr_GAb1njQyS7CGCCWv0eoYvr7jtKufqYX9sXEwaigqVZU1FohkEJ_gjyUFqJZwxs5gCQrQ20/s1600/40326598_288829821906596_3033790685430939648_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh__txeA5QgmiqC7ambDwOhoqlpS-SB3X3e4jZhAkPNwoBjLRDTsnRJOsXprjqUUDpetFjr_GAb1njQyS7CGCCWv0eoYvr7jtKufqYX9sXEwaigqVZU1FohkEJ_gjyUFqJZwxs5gCQrQ20/s320/40326598_288829821906596_3033790685430939648_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV3BPioKakTwhOfDS2QrvQKXeHtKHpEHNumy-jFpc84Ee4ERytSnF_galLDn4SfcM1Gqrga3Wd45wAmCxcBzhrctSWjZHT8NXGaOWZIBYPpRdOMHTnIB04aCWjI_Qdb_SIesRPh8rYJak/s1600/40391272_2256773921218306_6230863159733780480_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1600" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV3BPioKakTwhOfDS2QrvQKXeHtKHpEHNumy-jFpc84Ee4ERytSnF_galLDn4SfcM1Gqrga3Wd45wAmCxcBzhrctSWjZHT8NXGaOWZIBYPpRdOMHTnIB04aCWjI_Qdb_SIesRPh8rYJak/s320/40391272_2256773921218306_6230863159733780480_n.jpg" width="320" /></a> We went back to our hotel, grabbed our bags, and headed to the airport for the second half of our trip: Chiang Mai!<br />
This room was actually nicer than the other one, but not in the middle of a tourist street. Luckily there was still plenty of things in the vicinity of our airbnb and we had no trouble finding food and activities. This meat on a stick is getting to be a favorite (and it's like 30 cents!)<br />
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<b>Saturday 8/25</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ZpZ1qHke6qbbdAgMJ11JLfx0wFjb4ynZxfgCQ1jn-qdzu8gNwab85Gctk83pbGvvVMHqTvXo5dnLzRrDwRQSjbD7m4y3XzcwCoGreIKm72BLxEW11Oobd-w-pwUegEIRi_PXcOUbvs4/s1600/40266632_232559107423630_4022088000547586048_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ZpZ1qHke6qbbdAgMJ11JLfx0wFjb4ynZxfgCQ1jn-qdzu8gNwab85Gctk83pbGvvVMHqTvXo5dnLzRrDwRQSjbD7m4y3XzcwCoGreIKm72BLxEW11Oobd-w-pwUegEIRi_PXcOUbvs4/s320/40266632_232559107423630_4022088000547586048_n.jpg" width="240" /></a>This is it. The day we've all been waiting for. IT'S ELEPHANT TIME!<br />
So you'll have to bear with me because I had a really hard time narrowing down the photos for the elephants.<br />
So.....I just gave up after a while. We got picked up at our hotel and drove about an hour to get to the jungle. I've been in a lot of forests but this jungle was something else entirely. It was beautiful and there were so many banana trees and things I didn't recognize. This is one of my favorite pictures of the elephants.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7lP84sTQeBPqBKaznLZOW7bMy0-gUzpxP60jTmwB5tLDAWs4mtlqqUskQVA9fhO0f1sL5Yo2jw_h28WOiSDthvQth4jlsHT8TOgel8KIybn2EL5pxGGwhLoJ0xl1UbYWxy4YPCJxQDEM/s1600/40352563_1893606724065288_5557638834360942592_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7lP84sTQeBPqBKaznLZOW7bMy0-gUzpxP60jTmwB5tLDAWs4mtlqqUskQVA9fhO0f1sL5Yo2jw_h28WOiSDthvQth4jlsHT8TOgel8KIybn2EL5pxGGwhLoJ0xl1UbYWxy4YPCJxQDEM/s320/40352563_1893606724065288_5557638834360942592_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Qv52-cD1flhUIuSnETU2bGgsUgn15Mt1gFfV6YVWXZ1Zk1i7d1VHv9s0GFC8TeIOIE-5dJTJq4FuZuP74gx9MWeVo0Ln6hPRbKl_mUjLfkerzT3voMNM8KTbV2fFoN0BZQ9utGuyIJk/s1600/40321178_252990785550693_3694999972937203712_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Qv52-cD1flhUIuSnETU2bGgsUgn15Mt1gFfV6YVWXZ1Zk1i7d1VHv9s0GFC8TeIOIE-5dJTJq4FuZuP74gx9MWeVo0Ln6hPRbKl_mUjLfkerzT3voMNM8KTbV2fFoN0BZQ9utGuyIJk/s320/40321178_252990785550693_3694999972937203712_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>At first we were all kind of shy and hesitant about touching the elephants. Not only were they huge, their skin was quite rough, the hair was coarse, and their tongues were huge and left all sorts of nasty slime on you. Buttttt we got over it all pretty quickly because it was a blast and what's a little personal hygiene when it comes to playing with elephants? Before the elephants even came our guide gave us a brief history of elephants in Thailand and some fun facts. I'll share a few that I remember.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhutPz_XDeTlV0HOGN-QETIg6Z8VifnUYidkRyeBJN6tex4ZMSZ1GX3NN91GNKCJ-eZUDyRDMFNVm8nBpuBOO9m5y00l8R3esgwT-dJ5-FXYH456Vd3SkwfzDuQOlJsQ8rjeZIHgU19aME/s1600/1535194863041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhutPz_XDeTlV0HOGN-QETIg6Z8VifnUYidkRyeBJN6tex4ZMSZ1GX3NN91GNKCJ-eZUDyRDMFNVm8nBpuBOO9m5y00l8R3esgwT-dJ5-FXYH456Vd3SkwfzDuQOlJsQ8rjeZIHgU19aME/s320/1535194863041.JPG" width="213" /></a><u></u><br />
<u><u><br /></u></u> <u><u><br /></u></u> <u><u><br /></u></u> <u><u><br /></u></u> <u><u><br /></u></u> <u>Fun facts 5-7: </u><br />
<u>5. O</u><u>nly female elephants become the leader of a group and they are called the Matriarch.</u><br />
<u>6. Elephants are the largest land mammal.</u><br />
<u>7. Elephants are generally considered the third smartest mammal. </u><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFDuorhwwT0cyJbMhN2k2PgiHMzT2kGMCAM73_rOkClqkV50KF7OCUp4jPO3cjd47GUhdkQ5iS_gwrvvaw8cf4pLk1S7iZZJCbZ8DOxk6ZWXUWkjy9-RtInOSjl4Qx98Aifz64PofF3X4/s1600/1535194891573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFDuorhwwT0cyJbMhN2k2PgiHMzT2kGMCAM73_rOkClqkV50KF7OCUp4jPO3cjd47GUhdkQ5iS_gwrvvaw8cf4pLk1S7iZZJCbZ8DOxk6ZWXUWkjy9-RtInOSjl4Qx98Aifz64PofF3X4/s320/1535194891573.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaFnAO9L3l5cYkWUQTNuJ9oluy4bEQU49q3d7_2S8oLWRcHDJvqIyVprXm4cUXZyBiKZd4CxQ2oAbU-9S-BGuAeG3YgfkIm-JvFEctCO2eaoaRwjS-HNKPHvPL-Y0JhIFkijzdmpSywXY/s1600/1535194910430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaFnAO9L3l5cYkWUQTNuJ9oluy4bEQU49q3d7_2S8oLWRcHDJvqIyVprXm4cUXZyBiKZd4CxQ2oAbU-9S-BGuAeG3YgfkIm-JvFEctCO2eaoaRwjS-HNKPHvPL-Y0JhIFkijzdmpSywXY/s320/1535194910430.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYx7NWvzsXsOAF5QzNNtVqBhxtLVSs52H1gJK-tzLEe9BV663KfssP567ejTDlgjiK9nEIdHo7e_tWmM1o3NNliI_S8QlPEvObYmTIeb6xan-Os0efVKB8OPsQQWz1izX4ufkhdB7VfJ0/s1600/1535194896965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"></a>This is Natasha and I taking a picture with Bun. He's only three and even though he's already quite large, he still has the brain of a three-year-old. (Elephants develop around the same rate as humans but are pregnant for over twice as long - 22 months.)<br />
Bun was quite mischievous the entire day. This is Bun playing around and trying to push me off the rail.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAxu0DQ46UBO50aQfKFT5f8IVu5Iaf61S9Cvx4vjfSPSvTEiX0YWUJ37MSByn-iZBuMPfcdlqJkrBsCOoZ3Klpk34KdjHCes0lakFRJ-a5OyKHOrfRkTPpFkM6h2HHskzkx9ujnNKJ6OU/s1600/1535194884529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAxu0DQ46UBO50aQfKFT5f8IVu5Iaf61S9Cvx4vjfSPSvTEiX0YWUJ37MSByn-iZBuMPfcdlqJkrBsCOoZ3Klpk34KdjHCes0lakFRJ-a5OyKHOrfRkTPpFkM6h2HHskzkx9ujnNKJ6OU/s320/1535194884529.JPG" width="320" /></a>The older elephants were much more careful about not hurting humans or pushing them at all really. They would go out of their way to walk around you if you got in their path. That didn't stop them from trying to wrap their trunk aroud any food you had in your hand before you could feed it to another elephant though.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO9p_F2YwbF73HHduNkrBE3vKEq8JgTFYTGVOJpveYuCKsKs7AIV1bEjnth42tO3tttbeNPkdZLH6Sa8EsTc8gxm-P1rExWT_3UgBz3Kx57YCMpEay-H8g8CIBOk2rKUamOxuiKe_KkSo/s1600/1535194917918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO9p_F2YwbF73HHduNkrBE3vKEq8JgTFYTGVOJpveYuCKsKs7AIV1bEjnth42tO3tttbeNPkdZLH6Sa8EsTc8gxm-P1rExWT_3UgBz3Kx57YCMpEay-H8g8CIBOk2rKUamOxuiKe_KkSo/s200/1535194917918.JPG" width="200" /></a>I think I got along really well with the elephants. Kind of like how humans tease people they like as opposed to being formal, I'm taking the fact that they kept whacking me with their ears as a sign that our 4-hour friendship was developing nicely.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUkzBEYVnEEIGcQLUVCod35Ln-V-ZeZ0yorAaxkijxzUvQuA_pqsf9vbE9rs3EEsgV8ARj32rmy9w933otf-upluyBH0CGINFfYHopR2DNn9BOF8GrpAYdnRH4yFDMokCnKqcKPaSr_Kc/s1600/1535194938304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUkzBEYVnEEIGcQLUVCod35Ln-V-ZeZ0yorAaxkijxzUvQuA_pqsf9vbE9rs3EEsgV8ARj32rmy9w933otf-upluyBH0CGINFfYHopR2DNn9BOF8GrpAYdnRH4yFDMokCnKqcKPaSr_Kc/s400/1535194938304.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4-GsYHOUYFBQRh8s1br2U2xN_5PlxyXvkGYYUKroKZr2jFhwbPr5rAAAmU8Xp9FqB7_VJc_UJTdAtO93msAn3eaG-5smnCvbJi-qRG5NrePvsotn6C8UQsWRgNchw5IUL55P7Hf5ktoU/s1600/1535194932608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4-GsYHOUYFBQRh8s1br2U2xN_5PlxyXvkGYYUKroKZr2jFhwbPr5rAAAmU8Xp9FqB7_VJc_UJTdAtO93msAn3eaG-5smnCvbJi-qRG5NrePvsotn6C8UQsWRgNchw5IUL55P7Hf5ktoU/s200/1535194932608.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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Next, we went on a hike with the elephants. This was exciting and also kind of intense because they were literally walking right behind us probably thinking "why are these tiny two-leggers so slow" as they tried to hurry to find the next bamboo stalk they were going to bring crashing down around us.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwHQVi54pV72bnUe1WTLcwW3gd2xxJWnapueYuZLdFBeHos8nFlt3Wii5N7t00KlE-jbNcvu2wQbcEPNEmkQEa7tubDWrJWH9GNuDwDDRDEcarvpj5lQWDTl6en9RaKW9um7P4vw6DSNQ/s1600/1535195007059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwHQVi54pV72bnUe1WTLcwW3gd2xxJWnapueYuZLdFBeHos8nFlt3Wii5N7t00KlE-jbNcvu2wQbcEPNEmkQEa7tubDWrJWH9GNuDwDDRDEcarvpj5lQWDTl6en9RaKW9um7P4vw6DSNQ/s400/1535195007059.JPG" width="400" /></a>We had a moment where it was really muddy and we legitimately thought Bun was falling down the trail, but our guide told us he does it all the time and it's just him playing again.<br />
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stopped for lunch and I don't know if I was more impressed with the food they'd made for us or hwo pretty the jungle was when I stopped to admire it. (Just a casual hike through the jungle with our elephant companions.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN15RKJ_s9LFv9NWfR5lHUhbNuNxVqMNqwhI59z1fVcwVFdhrD3qu-tf7WmK37fUgbp8763TH0uSYiqwyz61rSCyZ9GK5Pnkjya06BRfM0RpWhyESFHRqiUaC6cyg4bUoVQ4zVYj72Qqk/s1600/1535195012747.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN15RKJ_s9LFv9NWfR5lHUhbNuNxVqMNqwhI59z1fVcwVFdhrD3qu-tf7WmK37fUgbp8763TH0uSYiqwyz61rSCyZ9GK5Pnkjya06BRfM0RpWhyESFHRqiUaC6cyg4bUoVQ4zVYj72Qqk/s640/1535195012747.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2aiXcz2ovcd7gueuIlA3h3qjT9maFmpmLpfhe9X0GT6qwLJsTjExhtgdG7HNx0LWj55W9DqBhoh_0gcvBGQdXZwdIBMRg1SieBmG3MfT1W6GnpWtfKarWXSNRHcSiIreAqOsml0xc3c0/s1600/1535195024406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="1353" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2aiXcz2ovcd7gueuIlA3h3qjT9maFmpmLpfhe9X0GT6qwLJsTjExhtgdG7HNx0LWj55W9DqBhoh_0gcvBGQdXZwdIBMRg1SieBmG3MfT1W6GnpWtfKarWXSNRHcSiIreAqOsml0xc3c0/s320/1535195024406.JPG" width="317" /></a> Natasha and I were besides ourselves with excitement at the amount of fruit they'd given us. (Produce is so expensive in Japan that it's a significantly smaller part of my diet than it was in the US.) They made Thai stir-fried rice along with some egg roll and chicken nugget kind of things. Honestly, the whole meal was delicious and so big that we ended up taking home leftovers. At one point Bun came over and tried to sneak some of our food. However, he's a huge elephant so he's not very good at sneaking. He did hang around though waiting for another chance.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2xlR_SFbOxUI_92njshz3-oegsVOGhEhjyydCHVemSar8QFoWohviq2n59VWCiSEIh1YrZg2-tSGAporBaGbQ8XOsOiHCM2zMj8IgR-pdDRmFDILHoL7sZQdjHlp3M2ZhGSfu35Gk8ZQ/s1600/1535195030620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2xlR_SFbOxUI_92njshz3-oegsVOGhEhjyydCHVemSar8QFoWohviq2n59VWCiSEIh1YrZg2-tSGAporBaGbQ8XOsOiHCM2zMj8IgR-pdDRmFDILHoL7sZQdjHlp3M2ZhGSfu35Gk8ZQ/s320/1535195030620.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIwrLd8fHz1edcAn-Yd1QrOa0nLQ6GQWkstWMofkTKbVZYf7yPKEgDqYvI4TfC1c4JoBezS-E9bcrvy2rVRM5Ci_DRPs4_c3VfJkMCgWqQC67kfyE7frKr5GJ-0ThwfTHiRplq3JDupVI/s1600/1535195087439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIwrLd8fHz1edcAn-Yd1QrOa0nLQ6GQWkstWMofkTKbVZYf7yPKEgDqYvI4TfC1c4JoBezS-E9bcrvy2rVRM5Ci_DRPs4_c3VfJkMCgWqQC67kfyE7frKr5GJ-0ThwfTHiRplq3JDupVI/s320/1535195087439.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
After lunch we went the last 20 minutes or so back to camp by following the stream. This naturally led to a water fight. The boys who were the ones who started it (each elephant has a person who is their best friend and takes care of them for their whole life.) One of the little boys was just a village boy who likes elephants so he came to hang out (he looked to be about 7) and Bun's partner was a 13 year old from the Karen tribe. (That tribe speaks their own language instead of Thai. Fascinating, huh?)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKILla1aMaYRdGAL1OMo9u-miLxCE5md14UajQBWBSStqK_63zeAGoqkPJJBckaNpUYUBilSpfZyMjjiaoAjQezBtY8mlBCXAqmhWqBK2hwRga6nNpnYCTLqF-0RrUHkT6WpMZJNoGH3A/s1600/1535195121516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKILla1aMaYRdGAL1OMo9u-miLxCE5md14UajQBWBSStqK_63zeAGoqkPJJBckaNpUYUBilSpfZyMjjiaoAjQezBtY8mlBCXAqmhWqBK2hwRga6nNpnYCTLqF-0RrUHkT6WpMZJNoGH3A/s320/1535195121516.JPG" width="320" /></a>He kept sticking Bun's trunk in the river and having him suck up water and then spraying us. That seemed to encourage the 7-year-old to start splashing us with water. Which is how we ended up with a full on water fight.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFRHUuGzTEvCEpPizmgD0oA7oDQjA1-joRTrjy8hE2AGG992l_yPmQg30olr7y3Mahd40ymbWlng0TWO_ci6SGiQpi8bZyk249kZ41aTJ0GW9HeYg6ai905A8Q3gBCiXLofSPkpc0p_cQ/s1600/1535195106103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFRHUuGzTEvCEpPizmgD0oA7oDQjA1-joRTrjy8hE2AGG992l_yPmQg30olr7y3Mahd40ymbWlng0TWO_ci6SGiQpi8bZyk249kZ41aTJ0GW9HeYg6ai905A8Q3gBCiXLofSPkpc0p_cQ/s200/1535195106103.JPG" width="200" /></a>Like I said, I didn't start the fight, but I sure finished it.<br />
Granted, I finished it by slipping and falling in the river, but still.<br />
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Well I thought it was over anyway, but really once we got the elephants back to camp and it was bath time for them the water fight started up again. <span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ2dIpFFF2hwX2oHp0kwrOK8teUjXYx17a9Ul3b8MWu440PJjaRREgD-TnizIwgJ7NAKNW2Qx1q2s9Q_C_N8pzsokjEw561AKDbDsIgyxuM1muXoahsce0r295PPUejFtsUW8jIVaXtpI/s1600/1535195128370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ2dIpFFF2hwX2oHp0kwrOK8teUjXYx17a9Ul3b8MWu440PJjaRREgD-TnizIwgJ7NAKNW2Qx1q2s9Q_C_N8pzsokjEw561AKDbDsIgyxuM1muXoahsce0r295PPUejFtsUW8jIVaXtpI/s320/1535195128370.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCg3peMy7hlFYx62J4JtR5qLSO_swGLDwd4Rg9ODcaKu9XyJ6UZSCwvIRe5ay2gnMC0CeaHTGVCCV0HSPUzilUv3_efzP-_HV_aUfJTl_PanqM_9cAX_iWzAVfNfanhpGwAi1_Z7hvxVs/s1600/1535195132346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCg3peMy7hlFYx62J4JtR5qLSO_swGLDwd4Rg9ODcaKu9XyJ6UZSCwvIRe5ay2gnMC0CeaHTGVCCV0HSPUzilUv3_efzP-_HV_aUfJTl_PanqM_9cAX_iWzAVfNfanhpGwAi1_Z7hvxVs/s200/1535195132346.JPG" width="200" /></a>That kid in the yellow shirt was quite the instigator but he was super adorable. Technically, our elephant tour doesn't do elephant rides, but since they let us play with the elephants the guys let us climb on their backs during bath time since they do it all the time when they're playing around. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY2mX4hVdE2ikMFVAuQE9pER6C-gkxpjgCwV9CaCVmE0rJUitgqALlQMB-mszMZo-0mzPW5wZFGdFZoxwBce4GgCS_JW4UBLkLZ3cY3Vu9HhuLRSTXkOrLx1-LHKiyyqIJDYE5kt5nAf0/s1600/40441548_1974095852648598_5567193379952918528_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY2mX4hVdE2ikMFVAuQE9pER6C-gkxpjgCwV9CaCVmE0rJUitgqALlQMB-mszMZo-0mzPW5wZFGdFZoxwBce4GgCS_JW4UBLkLZ3cY3Vu9HhuLRSTXkOrLx1-LHKiyyqIJDYE5kt5nAf0/s400/40441548_1974095852648598_5567193379952918528_n.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSd-7QfKNRo9WEwfPsCCv_flxG13qGYNhfvosWDiJZCtMWkyG8Sf0orRxiElc4jEyHeSbw9b-7CROJiWgNzOAyvQGXaR4SEJ0HIej1sCzxItCXPLLDAyCMuUJJBEzw74-WdcV74631yLs/s1600/1535195111186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSd-7QfKNRo9WEwfPsCCv_flxG13qGYNhfvosWDiJZCtMWkyG8Sf0orRxiElc4jEyHeSbw9b-7CROJiWgNzOAyvQGXaR4SEJ0HIej1sCzxItCXPLLDAyCMuUJJBEzw74-WdcV74631yLs/s320/1535195111186.JPG" width="320" /></a>So I still got to get on an elephant but also got to do all this other fun stuff. We made some vitamins for the elephants and fed them one last time before we had to say good-bye. (Natasha is clearly confused about who the vitamins are meant for.)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDpx5BgL45bBJD2uGyYM0bK2TScv-tAQLjYx-ptzOwA-KBZWj8bdjnDdfU8A6huLkqQYpT1jRWRHylJ-hsmDaIhvfF3GPIarSDiVb0IBAqGbKbxj0_xT6bWrSh9b4dxgyl9ypAEqNnqCM/s1600/1535195183330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDpx5BgL45bBJD2uGyYM0bK2TScv-tAQLjYx-ptzOwA-KBZWj8bdjnDdfU8A6huLkqQYpT1jRWRHylJ-hsmDaIhvfF3GPIarSDiVb0IBAqGbKbxj0_xT6bWrSh9b4dxgyl9ypAEqNnqCM/s320/1535195183330.JPG" width="320" /></a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF4Y1lPuh66uWpcY0A5an66VD5OGapCr8EogszJumb10Nf4Wl2HDaWnjk4GKe-o_HOq8wbdfD6SNy9wNlRRIGf2xavWf9_X2IR8j9xY0QSVgWisLPNA-sqzF8aP8aMbCBcsAsLNtAu1K4/s1600/1535195266213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF4Y1lPuh66uWpcY0A5an66VD5OGapCr8EogszJumb10Nf4Wl2HDaWnjk4GKe-o_HOq8wbdfD6SNy9wNlRRIGf2xavWf9_X2IR8j9xY0QSVgWisLPNA-sqzF8aP8aMbCBcsAsLNtAu1K4/s320/1535195266213.JPG" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-a8SSzahUE4lnj1JpTFHiwvLgX-sxv79DhxaTLtE7i7WasGREpvml8Qx_bM8B2zBdJrgrFq_BWlXJKtGJenMYUe-ZWEQOTAijjFh4wXMnPcW966OgXjNqnGe8424y-N7i_KfD178RReA/s1600/1535195207938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-a8SSzahUE4lnj1JpTFHiwvLgX-sxv79DhxaTLtE7i7WasGREpvml8Qx_bM8B2zBdJrgrFq_BWlXJKtGJenMYUe-ZWEQOTAijjFh4wXMnPcW966OgXjNqnGe8424y-N7i_KfD178RReA/s320/1535195207938.JPG" width="213" /></a> Our last stop on the tour was this crazy beautiful waterfall.<br />
Naturally, Natasha and I couldn't be satisfied with just a picture so we waded out as close as we could get to the pounding spray.<br />
We got there at the perfect time so we were able to take our pictures without any other random people photo bombing and we were the only two out in the waterfall. When we made it back to land a big group had just arrived.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA58XYxttxTXgN7sAhaJpOnaaLaeUkbB6XbCeNW3RwUpaOgPrdgTrdbWMx16jkUOxLxmp3u5ICWL-8mZ8e5HHRz9LtqCOH1GlpV11ronqRRF_aXagRJKodO8ohylKvaIFlbt6105JGHqQ/s1600/1535195237507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA58XYxttxTXgN7sAhaJpOnaaLaeUkbB6XbCeNW3RwUpaOgPrdgTrdbWMx16jkUOxLxmp3u5ICWL-8mZ8e5HHRz9LtqCOH1GlpV11ronqRRF_aXagRJKodO8ohylKvaIFlbt6105JGHqQ/s640/1535195237507.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
We made it home and went straight to the night market to explore. Tonight we opted to get a massage at the market-less privacy but less money. We paid $4.50 for a 60 minute massage. How crazy is that? I'd recommend going just for the massages and food. :) (Oh and the elephants, of course.)<br />
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<b>Sunday 8/26</b></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3CFBPewO5k88_d7m54c5M5MKveZSnonrlk_cQZExWj1xnhyphenhyphen_jRf2hgbGtMQCCA8-LCtv3kvbLh7U6LBF8E9l2ng5my76M4arZZTN_PGjRqABOVdLcZMx6VijZabtpwnVM8AMp0AOUAgI/s1600/40244686_281988095864583_976056615373373440_n+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3CFBPewO5k88_d7m54c5M5MKveZSnonrlk_cQZExWj1xnhyphenhyphen_jRf2hgbGtMQCCA8-LCtv3kvbLh7U6LBF8E9l2ng5my76M4arZZTN_PGjRqABOVdLcZMx6VijZabtpwnVM8AMp0AOUAgI/s320/40244686_281988095864583_976056615373373440_n+%25283%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a><b> </b>This was our last full day in Thailand. We ended up doing something a bit unexpected. We didn't make it to church today, but we did stumble across the sign.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2HzmGh0qmCS2VoTSwSXj8LVuucyNewKPDb6XVUHL1KKDUq15e0Kfj3iXqjskFynaYiAOvA1byuehJpUgEexsS4PH_p-20d_KpsbqQPcqt9NHFDZmf3Tj5YB39ZJmi6NlEQl-iHqF7gjY/s1600/40321002_1859178844164591_2163746468651859968_n+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2HzmGh0qmCS2VoTSwSXj8LVuucyNewKPDb6XVUHL1KKDUq15e0Kfj3iXqjskFynaYiAOvA1byuehJpUgEexsS4PH_p-20d_KpsbqQPcqt9NHFDZmf3Tj5YB39ZJmi6NlEQl-iHqF7gjY/s320/40321002_1859178844164591_2163746468651859968_n+%25281%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a>Isn't it funny how recognizable it is even though we can't even read what it says?<br />
Also, I found Spidey just hanging out in Chiang Mai.<br />
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Someone else that we found hanging out in Chiang Mai before we hopped in our taxi to go to the Grand Canyon: our airport friend! Seriously, we saw her across the street and yelled hello. Then we chatted for a few minutes (from across the road because it was too busy to cross without effort) and none of us could believe that we'd run into each other in Tokyo, Bangkok, and now Chiang Mai coincidentally. Wow. (Sadly, we were distracted and didn't get a picture.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYb9H7d0pj0W0_e7zFhFsyvCM9lg80XmN_gtVu8hDdgD2hDOSh4HgU7dKw8F_sKbr6QM1NdOGuw4Lj-TYtQjrDydp3xZ5XKdoJvQEJslwBdfm_UewJcnMI1Way_4pk1Ljmo3yZ7-3lrDU/s1600/40337663_280386445895103_1867191797340438528_n+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1600" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYb9H7d0pj0W0_e7zFhFsyvCM9lg80XmN_gtVu8hDdgD2hDOSh4HgU7dKw8F_sKbr6QM1NdOGuw4Lj-TYtQjrDydp3xZ5XKdoJvQEJslwBdfm_UewJcnMI1Way_4pk1Ljmo3yZ7-3lrDU/s320/40337663_280386445895103_1867191797340438528_n+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a> Honestly, I'm quite bummed that all I have to show you are these pictures because if my phone was waterproof I could have had some quality videos to show. As you can see it's a giant water park with inflatable toys. Plus a sweet trampoline you could jump off of into the water. So just to give you an idea on what you're missing out on with my lack of videos-here's a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqhXEWpy1AA" target="_blank">one-minute youtube clip</a> that shows it pretty accurately. When we got there around 10 am we were literally the only two people out and it felt like an abandoned amusement park. Not long after another 2 girls showed up and we felt reassured knowing we weren't at some sketchy place. It was actually really fun having the entire park to ourselves (well pretty much.) We tried out all the toys, raced across the slipper floaties, fell into the water repeatedly, tried to walk through the giant hamster wheel, jumped off the trampoline, and did tons of other things. It was surprisingly terrifying doing everything for the first time, but I was proud of us for trying. </div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRs8dLqzJapeTRR6C5tHJnkCZAR7u_kXsnp8n5xZIx1z5adsvGNaRLsXi67WVx81XRCUerGPmGdSuzU3zUjEOR8YEplW5ThZvv_I6x_PYOK4VRSUK9WhsYL3TPxqk0MwjS9Q-rqeeOE-M/s1600/40325404_1910302009270874_7282483720315994112_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1193" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRs8dLqzJapeTRR6C5tHJnkCZAR7u_kXsnp8n5xZIx1z5adsvGNaRLsXi67WVx81XRCUerGPmGdSuzU3zUjEOR8YEplW5ThZvv_I6x_PYOK4VRSUK9WhsYL3TPxqk0MwjS9Q-rqeeOE-M/s320/40325404_1910302009270874_7282483720315994112_n.jpg" width="238" /></a>And, of course, the trip wouldn't be complete until we had our encounter with a Japanese group that showed up around lunch. We ended with a zipline over the waterpark and then caught a taxi home with the same two girls from that morning.<br />
The day was a blast and not at all what we picture ourselves doing when we planned our trip weeks ago, but I'm glad we didn't miss it. We had time to rest back in our hotel room for a bit (being in the sun for 5 hours is exhausting.) and then we grabbed dinner and explored the Sunday Walking Market.<br />
Message to family: Does anyone want any elephant pants or any other souvenirs?<br />
Mom: Are the pants expensive? Do you have room for them?<br />
Me: No and yes.<br />
Mom: Can you get 5?<br />
(That escalated quickly. Leave it to Mom to make sure the girls have matching pants.)<br />
We got our second to last massage and then called it a night.<br />
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<b>Monday 8/27</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJYYqOvea77kBxmAlJaEDgyGPd8bdfNdGFAboek1MiEJ9WQ8KahYShoAhUV87l9SviMUObCBF2xMzecKpvCUz0X4R4yrzhe70cF6LrLljk3UfCkoeGeEInaBAqkvrsGozfyFNcwwAfTGM/s1600/40187728_521177994977191_2402796157844586496_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJYYqOvea77kBxmAlJaEDgyGPd8bdfNdGFAboek1MiEJ9WQ8KahYShoAhUV87l9SviMUObCBF2xMzecKpvCUz0X4R4yrzhe70cF6LrLljk3UfCkoeGeEInaBAqkvrsGozfyFNcwwAfTGM/s320/40187728_521177994977191_2402796157844586496_n.jpg" width="240" /></a>I don't know when it happened, but our last day in Thailand was upon us. We ended up signing up for a cooking class yesterday and although it was a spontaneous decision it was another I don't regret in the least. Yam, our instructor spoke really great English and was also very funny. The good food was 65% of the experience but the other 35% was all Yam. (Yes, like the sweet potato.) (I promise she liked us way more than it looks like in this picture.) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE1QJCpwAktrs05kFyPx3T9fcd0PUGtPn4COXe7J9xwK686v5oXFo-JDxDrzhyphenhyphen8TYIbYR9p-kQiWm2_kCR0v15UkHVudvGEDZ4Rh3IWcRzGyUgrpR_T63yYKEjmpOQb6wAxsHk1-UBXHw/s1600/40269328_311033546338660_2121710270811209728_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE1QJCpwAktrs05kFyPx3T9fcd0PUGtPn4COXe7J9xwK686v5oXFo-JDxDrzhyphenhyphen8TYIbYR9p-kQiWm2_kCR0v15UkHVudvGEDZ4Rh3IWcRzGyUgrpR_T63yYKEjmpOQb6wAxsHk1-UBXHw/s200/40269328_311033546338660_2121710270811209728_n.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRkynYnbjUoA0iHtKCa5vlmu0tLrW5fnJUIV5qhvrjLyejXkgDGxa8WRtUU4VJT1Q5wLxxu9nJQfofdaV_Gz1lVw93sJmIPQ9ReHlCxyO_oHNc7YKZvRajSanaToKRw6XSWyFWlxRFKKw/s1600/40293655_2918498371545229_6034607738699382784_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRkynYnbjUoA0iHtKCa5vlmu0tLrW5fnJUIV5qhvrjLyejXkgDGxa8WRtUU4VJT1Q5wLxxu9nJQfofdaV_Gz1lVw93sJmIPQ9ReHlCxyO_oHNc7YKZvRajSanaToKRw6XSWyFWlxRFKKw/s320/40293655_2918498371545229_6034607738699382784_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>We started out the class when the picked us up from our hotel and drove us to the market. Yam told us all about the ingredients and gave us time to explore after her lecture. So much of it looked so good. Look at all the produce! *drool* (and those mangoes)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtEevuekC1BPbuc8HJ5lbYyU47UkfzLcOSACc1U0xFYwL3mmFfI_mpTcgAZYEZFsi1l65Hq-eJhYiqXiGt4fUBW3veyzpExX_8jG3aoZk9rXK-fWD98hcnqFoW0wlJV_yIVnL5E_cpyZs/s1600/40380172_1022312994594840_3384517925275697152_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtEevuekC1BPbuc8HJ5lbYyU47UkfzLcOSACc1U0xFYwL3mmFfI_mpTcgAZYEZFsi1l65Hq-eJhYiqXiGt4fUBW3veyzpExX_8jG3aoZk9rXK-fWD98hcnqFoW0wlJV_yIVnL5E_cpyZs/s320/40380172_1022312994594840_3384517925275697152_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyWCecfgzAK94guvSq2pH-ig5wP9gTP6CpngrX8HSq_J8z6584nk0MPQpe2aESPdU0VFreL0lljH68C8N4xPRrzE-teH5IUt4A6fK6Z76nz4W5weVT3LMFEexUuVTIHnLCucBPOFAkZPg/s1600/40269647_2243132965923260_3856938618161463296_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyWCecfgzAK94guvSq2pH-ig5wP9gTP6CpngrX8HSq_J8z6584nk0MPQpe2aESPdU0VFreL0lljH68C8N4xPRrzE-teH5IUt4A6fK6Z76nz4W5weVT3LMFEexUuVTIHnLCucBPOFAkZPg/s320/40269647_2243132965923260_3856938618161463296_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>Then again, a lot of it looked...not so good. Like this bag of bugs for example. Or this stand of chicken heads. Just the heads. (Where's the rest of the body that I'd actually eat? I don't know.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVwuWA7XzEklFoit9dA6GI6X6tPcT_YPrOGEH5dvo13KjKAFVVSrjJJi_0h8TCZDs4IqZzHZDQ9w1YoPKtDxt7MhYPmGuo9DWZlHPNp6m_piug3kUJh-hGb9pp_HdtdA-cG2p7S-4rAOI/s1600/40265951_289346588531415_4135196479683821568_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVwuWA7XzEklFoit9dA6GI6X6tPcT_YPrOGEH5dvo13KjKAFVVSrjJJi_0h8TCZDs4IqZzHZDQ9w1YoPKtDxt7MhYPmGuo9DWZlHPNp6m_piug3kUJh-hGb9pp_HdtdA-cG2p7S-4rAOI/s320/40265951_289346588531415_4135196479683821568_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8YGaNJa7euF6HLpuHnYJP-EFi5IRBIkFZgjkrpILLgDHC448mKFyw2W8dUUwrAWZsY4Jkc0X9Me4kxN-qMZTB0ZLeF5mmE9hetw43abcYxah2iF0wVOlajgRhEIFLNqOB_gAWHhluOzk/s1600/40253661_337390653493570_994275656189607936_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8YGaNJa7euF6HLpuHnYJP-EFi5IRBIkFZgjkrpILLgDHC448mKFyw2W8dUUwrAWZsY4Jkc0X9Me4kxN-qMZTB0ZLeF5mmE9hetw43abcYxah2iF0wVOlajgRhEIFLNqOB_gAWHhluOzk/s320/40253661_337390653493570_994275656189607936_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>Today I learned how to make coconut soup, yellow curry, pad c eaw noodles, and mango sticky rice. It was all delicious, and I couldn't even finish it all. (Luckily, unlike Japan, take out bags are very much a thing at least where we've been.) This was the couple from Italy on their honeymoon that we did our class with.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzftFYfv45CW2YiCC6avwHuJclNEKcSi2jEQ6Nfga4qea7NfxoVsGuRPF3o-xHAVY_X5RNgZ0mBfMG6SNht-biaN-PjVWukS0DgIaV8sUWnSD5CzxjVp33RMcpYOmhconKPwiqErNkAiw/s1600/40304782_328481467724536_8109361467070873600_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzftFYfv45CW2YiCC6avwHuJclNEKcSi2jEQ6Nfga4qea7NfxoVsGuRPF3o-xHAVY_X5RNgZ0mBfMG6SNht-biaN-PjVWukS0DgIaV8sUWnSD5CzxjVp33RMcpYOmhconKPwiqErNkAiw/s320/40304782_328481467724536_8109361467070873600_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>We've had so many chances to talk to people that aren't American on this trip. Today we met a couple from Italy. Yesterday at the waterpark we met these girls from Israel. The couple on our elephant tour were from Spain.<br />
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After the cooking class we had the afternoon to explore the city before we had to go to the airport. So we finally took the time to walk, explore, and get to know the area of Old Chaing Mai where our hotel was.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEfbPyu9QxG9gDBWDj2yUgqoTOldz6TDvFcwtiDj1DawPK0glC7ZPtcNHwhQnxWwz8ixN6ICHrUdP0FKzASHu55VuOGo5UuFiTxNXydgwaFwpr0J808Ewu2gi2w5yyeeOLyB2Tr_dqB5Q/s1600/40318670_1054503564709839_5339128640850362368_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEfbPyu9QxG9gDBWDj2yUgqoTOldz6TDvFcwtiDj1DawPK0glC7ZPtcNHwhQnxWwz8ixN6ICHrUdP0FKzASHu55VuOGo5UuFiTxNXydgwaFwpr0J808Ewu2gi2w5yyeeOLyB2Tr_dqB5Q/s320/40318670_1054503564709839_5339128640850362368_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijRBKAB9vMH5jikddBmBstIkl16kr6VZfdevhE3dMzm9TtALaApJAboh_kcG2Ij9UUEaEEW5bM-m7VduXb55HvN4oSv_ZVt0EdkBjfFk0HKQIsHKafqr3oCstDWu1Mu5aZjaKMylJkgTo/s1600/40298093_251808919001687_1219387472132177920_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijRBKAB9vMH5jikddBmBstIkl16kr6VZfdevhE3dMzm9TtALaApJAboh_kcG2Ij9UUEaEEW5bM-m7VduXb55HvN4oSv_ZVt0EdkBjfFk0HKQIsHKafqr3oCstDWu1Mu5aZjaKMylJkgTo/s320/40298093_251808919001687_1219387472132177920_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><u></u><br />
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<u>Fun Fact #8: The Old City is a one square mile area contained inside a moat that has around 30 temples. </u></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS4822XEfuKBpahgbUiBpUp0Kp_PRJ9txrn128a8ua3XUOoAoMCukiQvXLiD7CVJ-17cWcwbdiidFfLg28d9XLVktS56SFDDg5Im3mnvHLgvKHgyEBYx1zkaIAMPSszFD96BCLs_onbUs/s1600/40325368_528511640941405_4539428802899476480_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS4822XEfuKBpahgbUiBpUp0Kp_PRJ9txrn128a8ua3XUOoAoMCukiQvXLiD7CVJ-17cWcwbdiidFfLg28d9XLVktS56SFDDg5Im3mnvHLgvKHgyEBYx1zkaIAMPSszFD96BCLs_onbUs/s400/40325368_528511640941405_4539428802899476480_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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We spent the afternoon hitting the top five temples and attractions in the area. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcKdsS4mzbnTVREzMOLzcEHmT44IJ7oWZuBLgxYpcV4w70YW8jHQKliro72kv3Z-lcoRZEF3pk5q6XjADtMNY2WsXCYgtSb8kpZK-sjIGINGOZbhAJvd9WhCooh5dqIDrmtl8otK_R820/s1600/40406225_292279424942968_5610656395994071040_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcKdsS4mzbnTVREzMOLzcEHmT44IJ7oWZuBLgxYpcV4w70YW8jHQKliro72kv3Z-lcoRZEF3pk5q6XjADtMNY2WsXCYgtSb8kpZK-sjIGINGOZbhAJvd9WhCooh5dqIDrmtl8otK_R820/s320/40406225_292279424942968_5610656395994071040_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO-iwbCdWdVkHCTBeENEAryfxaIU0P0mJYMTg7DnBJ6PD3x8dvY_UGZv4j8eqvVvL6Ki4MCoBp7W5R3HEVdexnWSpXCE1Myny2lzfhMqxboDlq90_0qx03IQewAEKOPQr8zLmAomQakW0/s1600/40396315_1104451303066209_2939018130350931968_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO-iwbCdWdVkHCTBeENEAryfxaIU0P0mJYMTg7DnBJ6PD3x8dvY_UGZv4j8eqvVvL6Ki4MCoBp7W5R3HEVdexnWSpXCE1Myny2lzfhMqxboDlq90_0qx03IQewAEKOPQr8zLmAomQakW0/s400/40396315_1104451303066209_2939018130350931968_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEsyPzoSivW7ooDa-rev3iA5n2GwBENDukLmO1XP6HHX8SuT8lKhTPEh6Sr9DqGU4C0fAaTcNWIrN4TLX5_Oqsai93rjMgtIXfq2VU3aOlnghLXFVIhx42p65JIkyLGgXS78-_fZizmWg/s1600/40269979_251873065666273_980500025329057792_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEsyPzoSivW7ooDa-rev3iA5n2GwBENDukLmO1XP6HHX8SuT8lKhTPEh6Sr9DqGU4C0fAaTcNWIrN4TLX5_Oqsai93rjMgtIXfq2VU3aOlnghLXFVIhx42p65JIkyLGgXS78-_fZizmWg/s320/40269979_251873065666273_980500025329057792_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="text-align: left;">Then we decided to escape the afternoon heat with a </span>massage<span style="text-align: left;">. This was it. Our last massage in Thailand. (Probably my last massage for a good while.) Even though we always opted for the "Thai massage" meaning the full body one, and even though they were the same general massages you still never knew when someone was going to do something new. This picture for instance, I had no idea what was happening and am just laughing awkwardly as I laid on top of this Thai lady. Yup. </span><span style="text-align: left;">Good times.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFVm77sNZxCUlFNZWG3lrBM6Fpu8eA8Zg6SEcY92hCW0eWdyyTwyj7-aDA9Xr7ilzVi-7eS3NkVF1QPG49QFfDragsbgBQ_Ox0Em1p27NIOyCVa48o15khLA1b0bRNbvr9wXvqkgLOaEk/s1600/40325594_271335973484821_7935776262109265920_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFVm77sNZxCUlFNZWG3lrBM6Fpu8eA8Zg6SEcY92hCW0eWdyyTwyj7-aDA9Xr7ilzVi-7eS3NkVF1QPG49QFfDragsbgBQ_Ox0Em1p27NIOyCVa48o15khLA1b0bRNbvr9wXvqkgLOaEk/s320/40325594_271335973484821_7935776262109265920_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="text-align: left;">Our timing was good since it started pouring about 30 minutes into our massage, but it wasn't good enough. The rain lasted for two hours and pretty much rained out the last of our plans to go to the park before the airport. Eventually we braved the rain (with bare feet to spare our shoes) and picked up our bags from our hotel before calling a taxi to take us to the airport. Then we started the long trip back. We had a one hour flight back to Bangkok that we waited about 3 hours in the airport for (glad we went early though since the rain never stopped.) We arrived around midnight and caught a 2 am flight back to Tokyo, arriving around 10 am. </span></div>
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Laura Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03227536805852645246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268903947120771564.post-2795169262931042962018-05-26T06:05:00.004-07:002018-05-26T06:05:41.657-07:00My Life Has Begun, and I'm Loving It<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">It doesn't feel like I've been living in Japan long, but it's been about 2 months since I moved into my apartment. I'm truly and completely settled in now, am no longer living out of a suitcase, and even have a routine (and a paycheck!)</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">I can’t say enough how glad I am to be living here in Japan. Even the small, mundane things that I might find annoying in America are an adventure here as I try to see how effectively I can communicate with those around me. Going to the store isn’t something on my to do list now that I have all the crazy Asian foods to look at. Going to the post office isn’t just another line to wait in when I have to figure out how to ask for stamps or how to send a letter from home with no mail box. Even going to work is more exciting (and weird) because all of the children are simultaneously so excited to greet me with the one English phrase they’re confident in, “Hello Drake sensei!” and I get to speak Japanglish with my coworkers (an excellent combination of Japanese and English.) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">I’m a bit too far behind for me to do a play by play of what’s been happening these past two months, so I’ll summarize. (A skill that I often taught to fourth graders without actually putting it into practice myself.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">To start, here's my room. It might not look like much, but when you compare it to the tiny table I had when I moved in and the fact that I slept on a pile of my own clothes I’ve come a long way. I’m such an adult now that I even have guest mattresses, sheets, and towels. I’m wild, I know. I get that a lot. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Please take note of the nice Razorback blanket which serves the triple purpose of reminding me of AR, keeping me warm at night, and being an excellent splash of color in my white room.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUjbElXXFm1rknGbo-8yusnF1aaQfXajX6O-_ADowQRQyP7IBLrElEt_sL9qleWsHN7_7qOfahM4fUPNx7uaadi7ZRMZRjC2E8skox6W9qhY4gZEiWdu8x-zTnGcn3YhXsbNs9Yh4OoYM/s1600/33498912_10157321773939989_171358608016015360_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1110" data-original-width="1476" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUjbElXXFm1rknGbo-8yusnF1aaQfXajX6O-_ADowQRQyP7IBLrElEt_sL9qleWsHN7_7qOfahM4fUPNx7uaadi7ZRMZRjC2E8skox6W9qhY4gZEiWdu8x-zTnGcn3YhXsbNs9Yh4OoYM/s320/33498912_10157321773939989_171358608016015360_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">My first month was full of “settling in” things. Back when I still had free time, I socialized with the people from training. (These lightweights were on their first cups of beer when I was already onto my fourth cup…of water.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">I haven't actually seen people from training much since work started because I got fairly involved in my life here and everyone is so far away. (Tokyo is so big!) </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRDWTDdWsUAmwZ8vbllZQM25jKUWXOzOsCvD5kP4b4YIXGpNIauRwIJ0esHNsH-LbvIRnWMLPIeKGsiZA0sO7XsthDEl5I0q2-QLbeCToB1QsbkMSBKscWF8eJNkNkXcYieed-a7oQF7E/s1600/33584438_10157321834864989_783103972649992192_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRDWTDdWsUAmwZ8vbllZQM25jKUWXOzOsCvD5kP4b4YIXGpNIauRwIJ0esHNsH-LbvIRnWMLPIeKGsiZA0sO7XsthDEl5I0q2-QLbeCToB1QsbkMSBKscWF8eJNkNkXcYieed-a7oQF7E/s320/33584438_10157321834864989_783103972649992192_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">I’m constantly discovering beautiful places around me that the Japanese people just seem to take for granted. (I think this is like when I lived in France and I was originally awed every time I looked outside and saw the Eiffel Tower, but then I was used to it by the end of the summer.) I hope that I never grow too used to the things around me in Japan. It’s so beautiful here. (Unless it’s growing used to Japanese </span>itself -<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">that's totally acceptable.) </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ6UsjMzNdyc3w9EUtqgyu5IGhhz-G_LKn8OzqGPbpcJnvlWVH63qJYLRyMjcV0dDFp_54J3geLhG8dJnr_KNJ7pJyiZ0jPkyXDdBixCHOsLQWoZlkTI0mcvp0eD-fTcl37KTmBJKMzGU/s1600/33661793_10157321814609989_4151858929862705152_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ6UsjMzNdyc3w9EUtqgyu5IGhhz-G_LKn8OzqGPbpcJnvlWVH63qJYLRyMjcV0dDFp_54J3geLhG8dJnr_KNJ7pJyiZ0jPkyXDdBixCHOsLQWoZlkTI0mcvp0eD-fTcl37KTmBJKMzGU/s320/33661793_10157321814609989_4151858929862705152_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">I learned how to do my trash. (In case you can’t tell by the picture, it’s kind of intense in Japan.)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFgCfVzU_JP4zsLz7G-TA5q1VzE4ymWPNZKJBMUynKt1vmiGAiwl_NyzuFDTi7ZV8z6gt4hih2Q5BOlLn56MUgapiNoQ6ZU4lIjbA0yrY-bmQWP00An6w7IZyO-ntvZF7d1ubYzReTRTI/s1600/33729355_10157321775839989_6436478753320206336_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFgCfVzU_JP4zsLz7G-TA5q1VzE4ymWPNZKJBMUynKt1vmiGAiwl_NyzuFDTi7ZV8z6gt4hih2Q5BOlLn56MUgapiNoQ6ZU4lIjbA0yrY-bmQWP00An6w7IZyO-ntvZF7d1ubYzReTRTI/s200/33729355_10157321775839989_6436478753320206336_n.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">Just kidding! Two months in, and I’m still figuring this one out actually…</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdQ26_bumYzzisaVC0yblg3r9kfMw7xftVholqdckkyK2fgnz-Eofse4cQlSYMtAAz-TxfjSkl38opdYJcs3A-zBuj1Nozb4Zxxpih6frKG0Ary3xOp6r-zKscPyJm2hj1kgvHOfIbCAY/s1600/33610120_10157321777424989_8223716603414446080_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="901" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdQ26_bumYzzisaVC0yblg3r9kfMw7xftVholqdckkyK2fgnz-Eofse4cQlSYMtAAz-TxfjSkl38opdYJcs3A-zBuj1Nozb4Zxxpih6frKG0Ary3xOp6r-zKscPyJm2hj1kgvHOfIbCAY/s320/33610120_10157321777424989_8223716603414446080_n.jpg" width="180" /></a><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">On the other hand, I really do have my kitchen all organized, I've learned to appreciate counter space (and just space in general). Here’s my silverware drawer and rice cooker on top of my microwave oven, on top of my microwave, on top of my fridge because there’s literally nowhere else to put them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">Turns out having hardly any space in the apartment makes cleaning up really time-efficient. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">One major lifestyle change when I came to Japan is the fact that I now ride my bike everywhere since I don't have a car. (I suppose I take the train about once a week into Tokyo because it's a bit far for me-but I'm too cheap to ride the train normally. And by cheap I mean healthy, obviously.) Maybe because I'm already exercising more I found it easy to exercise even more. So I've been runing a lot and I was immediately blessed for it because I ran across a frisbee team like my second week living in my apartment. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeN-obFUHVV7TkCQEhWYOCZnrYum61JV52ejJiSrxtFpboudX9-K-T6hKDOex4oU9L4PTXIl-c_22tWTfzvCfv0QqLVZIPnDnglTOLLFv97cF-d2uYV6dNkHWdE9F57FjPFLdXUFxp7H0/s1600/33683117_10157321785979989_8429541714095505408_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1551" data-original-width="1600" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeN-obFUHVV7TkCQEhWYOCZnrYum61JV52ejJiSrxtFpboudX9-K-T6hKDOex4oU9L4PTXIl-c_22tWTfzvCfv0QqLVZIPnDnglTOLLFv97cF-d2uYV6dNkHWdE9F57FjPFLdXUFxp7H0/s200/33683117_10157321785979989_8429541714095505408_n.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Long story short, one awkward 10 minute stare down where I was too nervous to ask to play with them, an inspirational text from my friend to snap me out of it, 3 seconds of insane courage later and now here I am playing ultimate with a Japanese college team. Who would have guessed? Of course, almost immediately I got all scraped up, but since I get to hang out with everyone and play frisbee it’s a small price to pay. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOuNjcjarnUvs6gM8m9v1qyfyrUpe9NWPOFqLycXyp_i6l3krey0WL1tj9AT0wcWfSr9QL8rYrUkzY6a52bImVSU2a0nmO5dfDnirc4fIz4YfY_cWXgBn9i4otTBpPkN0dsAqV_PS_tk8/s1600/33527083_10157321795924989_8468027348371898368_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOuNjcjarnUvs6gM8m9v1qyfyrUpe9NWPOFqLycXyp_i6l3krey0WL1tj9AT0wcWfSr9QL8rYrUkzY6a52bImVSU2a0nmO5dfDnirc4fIz4YfY_cWXgBn9i4otTBpPkN0dsAqV_PS_tk8/s320/33527083_10157321795924989_8468027348371898368_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDAoUgCNTjFuPxnSos5KXjpougYVihJUoZDNE46fBkDE_bqJdm8Ni1Dmi0bsGfinHZQRiqZVeKGGHwl0nXkfyySMFMIp68pul4B4t2QYmPQbap95bVUhtnJyS-emGqAyl52RHCxAD7sqc/s1600/32191928_10157280695434989_8543596451836461056_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1600" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDAoUgCNTjFuPxnSos5KXjpougYVihJUoZDNE46fBkDE_bqJdm8Ni1Dmi0bsGfinHZQRiqZVeKGGHwl0nXkfyySMFMIp68pul4B4t2QYmPQbap95bVUhtnJyS-emGqAyl52RHCxAD7sqc/s200/32191928_10157280695434989_8543596451836461056_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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From practice and learning new throws, to eating in a Japanese college cafeteria for the first time, to hanging out with everyone after practice, to learning frisbee terms in Japanese, I'm grateful I’ve been able to experience so many things because of my new teammates.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRgBU0hN4d3E8suMcshjzZHWVFI-9i4DpQ2aqkt7KC8k7ZDAlIKtkEelsgdpFZWxhHEUotQ2rJ5nWiQtqmxoOqGEDdBrqt8QPSueuZo-4xfV8bqC-AIv5OBs0my1hh65zwG0i3-XExYSQ/s1600/33677575_10157321781584989_9013535083121868800_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRgBU0hN4d3E8suMcshjzZHWVFI-9i4DpQ2aqkt7KC8k7ZDAlIKtkEelsgdpFZWxhHEUotQ2rJ5nWiQtqmxoOqGEDdBrqt8QPSueuZo-4xfV8bqC-AIv5OBs0my1hh65zwG0i3-XExYSQ/s320/33677575_10157321781584989_9013535083121868800_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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Maybe someday I'll make some friends my own age too, but until then I'm really great at finding 18-23-year-olds to befriend. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd9d57uX_N6csbLfcJYGE5rkSODyB6bUVO6yvgcvv9zJRmDIxc5-hAATi-5kdiech34FJQqo_q6UBm4H-qOMpqdu_xeB-IVFLwVa-gnS7uf07RICZ9HbSzAj-WxryVEEyTwp_XY_9pVw0/s1600/33472148_10157321849334989_7186733055153799168_n.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="232" data-original-width="174" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd9d57uX_N6csbLfcJYGE5rkSODyB6bUVO6yvgcvv9zJRmDIxc5-hAATi-5kdiech34FJQqo_q6UBm4H-qOMpqdu_xeB-IVFLwVa-gnS7uf07RICZ9HbSzAj-WxryVEEyTwp_XY_9pVw0/s200/33472148_10157321849334989_7186733055153799168_n.png" width="150" /></a><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">But even living in my dream country of Japan, sometimes I just need something familiar. Such was the case during conference weekend. I watched in English (because heck no am I that good at Japanese yet) and made myself a nice, American breakfast to enjoy while I watched. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV4x-1UVvo9yTRmc4X0l6BmrO5Gqv7ZELsyq_cZs1DQiSYfkyJ5NdIXoa4eqLeGM1dvUnbZynnNn6_dca_k1sAkJnaFFSYfuEg5_fnM8kHLKWBFjT9DyMC59c-CR2vn30mfjw9wFuE_so/s1600/33553605_10157321796999989_5812978131916554240_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV4x-1UVvo9yTRmc4X0l6BmrO5Gqv7ZELsyq_cZs1DQiSYfkyJ5NdIXoa4eqLeGM1dvUnbZynnNn6_dca_k1sAkJnaFFSYfuEg5_fnM8kHLKWBFjT9DyMC59c-CR2vn30mfjw9wFuE_so/s320/33553605_10157321796999989_5812978131916554240_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Speaking of church, I’ve also been working to make friends in my ward. I ate dinner with some people from church and it was such an entertaining evening.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">I also started going to institute (a church class) so I can practice my church Japanese twice a week now, and hopefully progress twice as fast - with the added benefit of making more friends (hopefully.) Turns out it isn’t too difficult when you’re outgoing and foreign.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghOrjp2g5A2x1jWhhuIBXUIu5I7089k-xPaB4-KcNeXverDKz3UG2p04e723Gk7gxsMFk3XhAmuvWsaQsCKp75vqdcH5LvGafH-a75BZiHEupJUL3MtHQHOIjqq0utFRnFuoZEWo60TN4/s1600/33614889_10157321856969989_7181953413683347456_n.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="272" data-original-width="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghOrjp2g5A2x1jWhhuIBXUIu5I7089k-xPaB4-KcNeXverDKz3UG2p04e723Gk7gxsMFk3XhAmuvWsaQsCKp75vqdcH5LvGafH-a75BZiHEupJUL3MtHQHOIjqq0utFRnFuoZEWo60TN4/s1600/33614889_10157321856969989_7181953413683347456_n.png" /></a><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">I’ve learned that I actually enjoy living alone quite a lot. I can have my own space and don’t need to share my (somewhat small) fridge or (tiny) room with anyone. I’m learning to really appreciate my downtime but still maximize my studying because I found the library here! With the power of my new library card, I can now watch movies in Japanese so I can have fun and study at the same time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">That’s clearly what this is: Kim Possible Japanese study for my wild Friday night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAQ_rZmOYm3_SSFGJNDTEoWLfz81brHvQGWZzIcGhG9UZRCVwYxvMD62CenUrpH-bGjnlxA_LlOrmMojCWVTLlQfg07LOC31kLFQ0oza2rxAYIcvfFRwO4OSacTZgqz6ZKMkwrMI7TUN0/s1600/33442862_10157321817429989_4306713327179923456_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="197" data-original-width="240" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAQ_rZmOYm3_SSFGJNDTEoWLfz81brHvQGWZzIcGhG9UZRCVwYxvMD62CenUrpH-bGjnlxA_LlOrmMojCWVTLlQfg07LOC31kLFQ0oza2rxAYIcvfFRwO4OSacTZgqz6ZKMkwrMI7TUN0/s200/33442862_10157321817429989_4306713327179923456_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-jckZEaVauND3uO4hFfGYmilAY8i5Y0L8f6TwHvOPnf0J-aOPGjAkXF6gN7aVi8VdfaBAs_qZMXQCPM-lK_mVyxQXzkns0Dyym_wU8bf9QT8mzbJE_xm7EJwYaABkZSc-_fdHKRFB9CI/s1600/33600675_10157321859304989_2701063941286526976_n.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="246" data-original-width="185" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-jckZEaVauND3uO4hFfGYmilAY8i5Y0L8f6TwHvOPnf0J-aOPGjAkXF6gN7aVi8VdfaBAs_qZMXQCPM-lK_mVyxQXzkns0Dyym_wU8bf9QT8mzbJE_xm7EJwYaABkZSc-_fdHKRFB9CI/s200/33600675_10157321859304989_2701063941286526976_n.png" width="150" /></a><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">I haven’t mentioned work yet, but it finally started as well. I’m actually enjoying it way more than I thought I would, and I have my coworkers to thank for that. I teach at two schools, and yet they are so friendly to me at both. I even went out to dinner with someone from work and her family. I’ve also learned to make the most of my downtime at work (who knew you could even have “downtime” at work as a teacher?) by reading Japanese books to study. This is Kiki’s Delivery Service in Japanese and another book I was reading at my other school.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpS9ndgU3h5wmggjREKk0P47g4509ODR7OT-8fWMKu8pEPyvd4h5qnl9Uvh1Xlv3vYc-p6zUFnGi8cTyIUaYqLTHQla3CxaEc2bhPrxd1zh5qYbOZ7D5mthLXZEFnRoGxoTi-3J72bc3c/s1600/33600795_10157321821669989_5602816933922603008_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpS9ndgU3h5wmggjREKk0P47g4509ODR7OT-8fWMKu8pEPyvd4h5qnl9Uvh1Xlv3vYc-p6zUFnGi8cTyIUaYqLTHQla3CxaEc2bhPrxd1zh5qYbOZ7D5mthLXZEFnRoGxoTi-3J72bc3c/s320/33600795_10157321821669989_5602816933922603008_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Just yesterday I went out to dinner with 20+ coworkers as a goodbye to one of the student teachers. It was so fun, and not even my lack of fluency couldn't stop me from laughing all night long. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Before I realized it, a month had gone by and all of the sudden it was time for Chad and Bri to come visit me in all of my one-roomed glory!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">If you feel like the effort of reading further is too much for you, I've condensed my visit with Chad and Bri into a 3-minute music video you're welcome to watch in addition to or instead of the rest of the blog. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>Sunday - Day 1: </b></span><span style="font-size: 18px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18px;">I picked up Chad and Bri after church and an hour or so later we made it home after taking Bri's first train ride.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8pYr3x1hokvGZ7l-YUF8drcHRPgs4JQ9okFZwETtvDBiLNNrGXZbyKh0F4N6suLL86C43GAv1i3eoZyr9B9Q7790kJYFpGZU32RpWZKcESFTFfSGf75ejukarIxuGCVvOG-NDr6ETYM/s1600/IMG_3546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8pYr3x1hokvGZ7l-YUF8drcHRPgs4JQ9okFZwETtvDBiLNNrGXZbyKh0F4N6suLL86C43GAv1i3eoZyr9B9Q7790kJYFpGZU32RpWZKcESFTFfSGf75ejukarIxuGCVvOG-NDr6ETYM/s320/IMG_3546.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7o1J0Z1cKLhntEmWnMhLqVb9cCmmUY2OF2t1NJyBqCZtCpDjyHDVOopZzhVe0vj8V7E576oCsM2GFZctbYSuwjBcCh3fowTw2ErEqa6zuhBjwiN8H_aZTQ1FsUKNuHVyBK4M43-Egsps/s1600/IMG_3559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1193" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7o1J0Z1cKLhntEmWnMhLqVb9cCmmUY2OF2t1NJyBqCZtCpDjyHDVOopZzhVe0vj8V7E576oCsM2GFZctbYSuwjBcCh3fowTw2ErEqa6zuhBjwiN8H_aZTQ1FsUKNuHVyBK4M43-Egsps/s200/IMG_3559.JPG" width="148" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjROfF_taza_Ml8vo_znc73PabqvWr5KHv2bRbdqKwhEcQuckgsEMq0KnWi4K6JKtehxlbDTIAoqByJtkLmmmDM6RfDEeqDPfNIo2AdnguKEDViam07KAe3ZaMXF1-TflpjvAGqY8YNMM8/s1600/32313851_10157280682054989_5054764890611253248_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjROfF_taza_Ml8vo_znc73PabqvWr5KHv2bRbdqKwhEcQuckgsEMq0KnWi4K6JKtehxlbDTIAoqByJtkLmmmDM6RfDEeqDPfNIo2AdnguKEDViam07KAe3ZaMXF1-TflpjvAGqY8YNMM8/s320/32313851_10157280682054989_5054764890611253248_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: 18px;">We spent the night getting them settled in the apartment and unpacking all the goodies they'd brought from America for me. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYQ-0RMwsa2fa7JJwBi_iklJiOS409QVCUNMEs_jO9fwkGUmFZtRRepMn3F1I8mq-gP0Wyz15Slydvs0xyCwNWLqHEvCo2H4hOossLPb7GyecIuAGVPe8z40C0BKhHH9Mh5ctQPOc790o/s1600/32191684_10157280658279989_5089580204750274560_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYQ-0RMwsa2fa7JJwBi_iklJiOS409QVCUNMEs_jO9fwkGUmFZtRRepMn3F1I8mq-gP0Wyz15Slydvs0xyCwNWLqHEvCo2H4hOossLPb7GyecIuAGVPe8z40C0BKhHH9Mh5ctQPOc790o/s200/32191684_10157280658279989_5089580204750274560_n.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: 18px;">(Hello gushers and brownie batter!) We went for a short walk by the river so they could see Japan before it got dark, and the whole time we were outside Bri kept saying "Chad, we're in Japan!" and it was great because it reminded me that I was that exact same way a few months ago. I still feel that way sometimes, but her enthusiasm was refreshing and reminded me that I didn't want to forget feeling that way either. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh05mPVDzjNdVKT_3rWahoihH_GQKYF9mNdRHaKdw2U_ByNtvrsEXpfzhtF-aua5FxGmAl31yl41vU6FTiZMRwVb1aquAs4cequotd-oalaUwWeSKdmnayE5ikbTO5edMF7qAs-VMLCFE/s1600/IMG_3548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh05mPVDzjNdVKT_3rWahoihH_GQKYF9mNdRHaKdw2U_ByNtvrsEXpfzhtF-aua5FxGmAl31yl41vU6FTiZMRwVb1aquAs4cequotd-oalaUwWeSKdmnayE5ikbTO5edMF7qAs-VMLCFE/s320/IMG_3548.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 18px;"></span><br />
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Turns out my room is the perfect size for three people! I'm wasting all this space living on my own. I can now tell people I own a triple twin-bed apartment (the easiest way to measure by far.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA1fGXk7liGp_nkx6McZJ-RCCELfoqGzrRxJrLTYl14vtnYQ5NYYXLc4vfmVNxNxdPY2qoqU17xD7YaXvpCGpdlDNeZK8vbmnDnQb0mG9Y73KhEG4MYha4JThI8mBgP0q-WEACMtqomuQ/s1600/33501311_10157321892024989_340487449400573952_n.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA1fGXk7liGp_nkx6McZJ-RCCELfoqGzrRxJrLTYl14vtnYQ5NYYXLc4vfmVNxNxdPY2qoqU17xD7YaXvpCGpdlDNeZK8vbmnDnQb0mG9Y73KhEG4MYha4JThI8mBgP0q-WEACMtqomuQ/s320/33501311_10157321892024989_340487449400573952_n.png" width="179" /></a><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 19.26px;"><b>Monday - Day 2: </b>Chad and Bri (especially pregnant Bri) are being real troopers dealing with the jet-lag. They went to bed around 8 pm last night and were up around 8 am this morning. We made a big breakfast when we got up and went for another walk while we waited for my kotatsu to be delivered (for those who don't know what a kotatsu is you're missing out. It's a blanket table that has a heater and is perfect for the winter to snuggle up under and take a nap. During the summer you take the blanket off and use it as a normal table. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 19.26px;"><br /></span> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEOe1Wcf9a_0-jTTJwx3LxW2gp9LuWnQ3IEWizXL6nIOZugCvnSOMUCvdQrFV5FBoq7xJBr1NNuADIjbkbNZROoLyP_WHzUhE1us73t6I4p98n6ASF9By9IcMoEhhuDtC657vFgn6fjog/s1600/31503074_10157248996394989_8971471526339543040_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEOe1Wcf9a_0-jTTJwx3LxW2gp9LuWnQ3IEWizXL6nIOZugCvnSOMUCvdQrFV5FBoq7xJBr1NNuADIjbkbNZROoLyP_WHzUhE1us73t6I4p98n6ASF9By9IcMoEhhuDtC657vFgn6fjog/s320/31503074_10157248996394989_8971471526339543040_n.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcKt3zMs-Z7uFzlYJUXPji2Faq0kMWd_DCR7HDHX55fn3y2dc-3UFI-xxp6WqAS26yFxAud1nVjA3wjLbgspfybnbKhB7-9V4Xt7JY2BPZqJh3AyNgkKCRuzflWmLhhzx7VLQDcq9fftU/s1600/IMG_3560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcKt3zMs-Z7uFzlYJUXPji2Faq0kMWd_DCR7HDHX55fn3y2dc-3UFI-xxp6WqAS26yFxAud1nVjA3wjLbgspfybnbKhB7-9V4Xt7JY2BPZqJh3AyNgkKCRuzflWmLhhzx7VLQDcq9fftU/s200/IMG_3560.JPG" width="150" /></a><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 19.26px;">We headed out to Akihabara for lunch and ate at a maid cafe. It was a bit embarrassing to go inside (and also the whole time we were inside as well) but it was also extremely entertaining and Chad and Bri had a good time. </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">This was on the "Japan-anime check-list" so it had to happen while they were here. </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">From the pictures </span>with<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> the maid that served us our food, to the extremely adorable food itself, the whole experience was surprisingly enjoyable. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbWFNWrLCuiNmakvmgwYgnrJJAdD6csrdfs86IU4lV_O3W6j9RGFcMEOURq089aaZRVQWniG21aNlotHd4ki0IG3ksnZaybXKYz6HBObzhhRfkm23QGIsBNG9RFveNuxCUJh2Wtj_GgsM/s1600/DSC01734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbWFNWrLCuiNmakvmgwYgnrJJAdD6csrdfs86IU4lV_O3W6j9RGFcMEOURq089aaZRVQWniG21aNlotHd4ki0IG3ksnZaybXKYz6HBObzhhRfkm23QGIsBNG9RFveNuxCUJh2Wtj_GgsM/s200/DSC01734.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtkmEruKCl32BEtlsvDYwzPwV20oC9r3EDTbLjPz6MLVxsMPOlVyaSUC4xTwXtHQtxy_JPBYu7SjOftcyCaPeIYQ-GWySraPAyrASwBHdHl5txG8XwqBHx2b-1aUsZpe8rMN5Et_9Lsvo/s1600/31519627_10157248997454989_8828859606882058240_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtkmEruKCl32BEtlsvDYwzPwV20oC9r3EDTbLjPz6MLVxsMPOlVyaSUC4xTwXtHQtxy_JPBYu7SjOftcyCaPeIYQ-GWySraPAyrASwBHdHl5txG8XwqBHx2b-1aUsZpe8rMN5Et_9Lsvo/s320/31519627_10157248997454989_8828859606882058240_n.jpg" width="240" /></a>We wandered the street exploring the nerdy, anime part of Japan that Japan is so famous for and stumbled across a cat cafe. Bri was too excited for us not to go in. So we did a quick visit and took some pictures with this strange cat.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf5BVApjIKuYYSN10v36T2y0Wi39aOdJnARKRqzzWIn38VwB8-2QQjKomDSNAoA9jUcb_V3MyJt7jOrTCIx9JM8KYWvHoYpGfU6DCcpVv3a0TthKyrVMmcqSsziQ8HLXK_LhVGWL7-mPA/s1600/DSC01729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf5BVApjIKuYYSN10v36T2y0Wi39aOdJnARKRqzzWIn38VwB8-2QQjKomDSNAoA9jUcb_V3MyJt7jOrTCIx9JM8KYWvHoYpGfU6DCcpVv3a0TthKyrVMmcqSsziQ8HLXK_LhVGWL7-mPA/s200/DSC01729.JPG" width="200" /></a>It was pretty cool how they had the cages hanging from the ceiling. I'll admit that. I'll also admit I have terrible cat allergies and was too nervous to touch anything and infect myself.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDxJjaLeqQxq9blcjtvJAePqQjnoSP2BczbZujMwtkePzbJlO-iwmmco0HVd27A5NZ_rCT7IPsNzNvq5V-beIbW3ZPgSVVqwgERJIlV4-1rLJtlDScfWCIdHWHSUyi2yRginJX_O4pVus/s1600/32235547_10157280680659989_8962388654056013824_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1600" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDxJjaLeqQxq9blcjtvJAePqQjnoSP2BczbZujMwtkePzbJlO-iwmmco0HVd27A5NZ_rCT7IPsNzNvq5V-beIbW3ZPgSVVqwgERJIlV4-1rLJtlDScfWCIdHWHSUyi2yRginJX_O4pVus/s640/32235547_10157280680659989_8962388654056013824_n.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-BFui9E-1ogkSYAdbjlHQjeuVKM5TU_h37Roh1rP1Z5AQF2h70BQd-W5RYP7G-HVGIgu4O9Bk0bXjZLE8eB5FCGH6vupBG1DZ2vF1dVIguOr1wydjtxY41uh5-9cXY_nEz6WhafW254A/s1600/DSC01745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1066" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-BFui9E-1ogkSYAdbjlHQjeuVKM5TU_h37Roh1rP1Z5AQF2h70BQd-W5RYP7G-HVGIgu4O9Bk0bXjZLE8eB5FCGH6vupBG1DZ2vF1dVIguOr1wydjtxY41uh5-9cXY_nEz6WhafW254A/s320/DSC01745.JPG" width="213" /></a><br />
I took any chance I could to introduce Chad and Bri to Daiso which is the #1 dollar store here in Japan. (I'm not ashamed to admit I furnished most of my house from the Daiso. It has anything and everything you could possibly need-I swear it's like Marry Poppin's purse but an entire store.)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX_2W6oIV46ntJj39yEV1bSQf5iV0Mz8DAYpbbfjtD5dGFT1u_-Ud-gjtaS6ITX8yvTpFUMXZfLATzK1ozxNFZgbmysEpWEDTdfPz-yP_-QMjorNtRqB3BrICmf-nCod-mnDTGsgmtYiI/s1600/DSC01764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX_2W6oIV46ntJj39yEV1bSQf5iV0Mz8DAYpbbfjtD5dGFT1u_-Ud-gjtaS6ITX8yvTpFUMXZfLATzK1ozxNFZgbmysEpWEDTdfPz-yP_-QMjorNtRqB3BrICmf-nCod-mnDTGsgmtYiI/s320/DSC01764.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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For Chad and Bri's first dinner in Japan, I took them to conveyor belt sushi because I'll go any chance I get.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIo_O6PemJUoXkpVB5pNaafs0DcR9wuNAd-cMlRv5nRLSSguwYNsg_SlgaJEVjL1Paf-_3iG5z8QFrV6vtbQDyEeeGSw-729hjz6wJCj9NVGlZvFUhN8VUAwQn5QAwaTMSbFbHwASi_WU/s1600/32214728_10157280658949989_6241216887070392320_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIo_O6PemJUoXkpVB5pNaafs0DcR9wuNAd-cMlRv5nRLSSguwYNsg_SlgaJEVjL1Paf-_3iG5z8QFrV6vtbQDyEeeGSw-729hjz6wJCj9NVGlZvFUhN8VUAwQn5QAwaTMSbFbHwASi_WU/s400/32214728_10157280658949989_6241216887070392320_n.jpg" width="400" /> </a><br />
Where else can you go and eat like 20 pieces of sushi for about $10? I'm so in love with this place.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRsz4gk4k92NCoVJ0DkemYq9Gg1aleJQdr0q1ezFmhZfAUx3EOeIQ2GQ5zMLaz3WSMkB_oBO1fkX79Qu6J7-ooleAzubUKwCEoXqoxW6e5sr9Xrsjwsw3Q1kMgsjxs3b7cQgoA79ttHiQ/s1600/32215481_10157280659214989_1825697216350650368_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRsz4gk4k92NCoVJ0DkemYq9Gg1aleJQdr0q1ezFmhZfAUx3EOeIQ2GQ5zMLaz3WSMkB_oBO1fkX79Qu6J7-ooleAzubUKwCEoXqoxW6e5sr9Xrsjwsw3Q1kMgsjxs3b7cQgoA79ttHiQ/s200/32215481_10157280659214989_1825697216350650368_n.jpg" width="150" /></a>Chad was a<span style="text-align: center;"> fun one to take because he wanted to try all the random pieces - half of them I hadn't tried before either so I joined him in the adventure.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU-PJTXkoD6s4QjQfJbI1bRzneLcQatQVakQ-GzYOSRh9KsTSvuFyzAfEGpdp0iYGiekpog-biWBQb4hltzXjGtJq-l8VIAMWV2u5RvxbWSs19K0b9pNKx0CTD5SPedqob5S90KaORH1c/s1600/DSC01822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU-PJTXkoD6s4QjQfJbI1bRzneLcQatQVakQ-GzYOSRh9KsTSvuFyzAfEGpdp0iYGiekpog-biWBQb4hltzXjGtJq-l8VIAMWV2u5RvxbWSs19K0b9pNKx0CTD5SPedqob5S90KaORH1c/s320/DSC01822.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHUyEMrLFrdfwPkK9E8gMQ9h829c-7tBCpEgi0xygO3T7S4ACSWLEu16BL18GKpmnQohggArqHAMa1ceSsWVE1UVbxma0sJDIoib1lfZWd5LE64FQkoSdD39SiGG7EAFHUn1cFqEYh6pE/s1600/DSC01792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHUyEMrLFrdfwPkK9E8gMQ9h829c-7tBCpEgi0xygO3T7S4ACSWLEu16BL18GKpmnQohggArqHAMa1ceSsWVE1UVbxma0sJDIoib1lfZWd5LE64FQkoSdD39SiGG7EAFHUn1cFqEYh6pE/s320/DSC01792.JPG" width="320" /></a><b>Tuesday -</b> <b style="font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">Day 3: </b>I had yesterday off work (randomly) for Golden Week, but today I had to go sub at a school. It was a pretty crazy experience, but they let me go an hour early which I was grateful for since Chad and Bri were waiting for me. We were planning on going to the girls' ramen festival but when we asked a nearby policeman why no one was set up yet, he informed us that today was the one day the festival took a break that week. (Great timing, Laura.) So then we had to figure out what we were going to do for dinner when the friendly policeman came up to us again and recommended an udon place for dinner. He said there was a special sale today, and that's about all it took to convince me.<br />
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We walked around and explored the area for a while and then headed into Tokyo since we were already so close.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWqhFLg9aZF3K7M3X-49Er0uGfaHssEpjVQNUjKdSxRKtZfSXvmENnR7lO0R4iuqPqIPx42leK8gWGGK85dk7FTVNNqQBnOuhH32Gki1g_RqwaiDvnvTqfDOLSFuQoChwS8y91ai6Eo5E/s1600/DSC01814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWqhFLg9aZF3K7M3X-49Er0uGfaHssEpjVQNUjKdSxRKtZfSXvmENnR7lO0R4iuqPqIPx42leK8gWGGK85dk7FTVNNqQBnOuhH32Gki1g_RqwaiDvnvTqfDOLSFuQoChwS8y91ai6Eo5E/s200/DSC01814.JPG" width="200" /></a>We walked around and experienced the "night life" of Japan - or as much of it as you can experience simply by walking. I guess we did buy pineapple on a stick, but I'm not sure that falls under the "night life" category. After that wild night, we headed home. Oh, and we visited Don Quixote, which I think Chad and Bri enjoy as much as I enjoy Daiso.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2bMpfpsa6kmWYMbATZbDsNYYw1MUeTBbxlAUJTKhFpv2Js6yn_elH6JctKl2YzPUyc5MHoIDsq2g-kq3E-2Myd-gxNVnNocIp40KLqUbDsd9yg4HrguocWJX9ljtLNohD7dHl_2rh1hs/s1600/DSC01807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2bMpfpsa6kmWYMbATZbDsNYYw1MUeTBbxlAUJTKhFpv2Js6yn_elH6JctKl2YzPUyc5MHoIDsq2g-kq3E-2Myd-gxNVnNocIp40KLqUbDsd9yg4HrguocWJX9ljtLNohD7dHl_2rh1hs/s640/DSC01807.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjslG2IfzF-KfD1yPD3CoeB79Ja5XunAOioLvNGJ0bGRkqwhmslcZ2yyhR3WQkCUR5tE4xUDMIbAIKFmTnHgYqslMns_-tYf7CfWcKZzm7uXjKVL1XWrAGy1-LJXyVMlHynHieNryd_Ubw/s1600/32253127_10157280695859989_4038140732874162176_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjslG2IfzF-KfD1yPD3CoeB79Ja5XunAOioLvNGJ0bGRkqwhmslcZ2yyhR3WQkCUR5tE4xUDMIbAIKFmTnHgYqslMns_-tYf7CfWcKZzm7uXjKVL1XWrAGy1-LJXyVMlHynHieNryd_Ubw/s320/32253127_10157280695859989_4038140732874162176_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 18px;"><b>Wednesday - Day 4: </b>Bri came into work with me today and got to experience a Japanese school. It was pretty fun to have her, and all of the students were shocked by her foreigness/pregnancy combination. Bri got to experience school lunch. The picture I have here is actually the one lunch I didn't enjoy (I can't handle eating those fish) but the one we ate when Bri came was alright. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAaGupo_x4Ep8rYU4AltTZlBDxIcAquT4TrTe-PsltXWahLEbCQ4H7kGPJ6MNgrUxLNqL798PYIxd9AG2SZiP21npFQDkzxhoiZuvNavClVkV7dwHKiyz6i4xqqOYbAis0UvmwbYxegbw/s1600/IMG_3602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAaGupo_x4Ep8rYU4AltTZlBDxIcAquT4TrTe-PsltXWahLEbCQ4H7kGPJ6MNgrUxLNqL798PYIxd9AG2SZiP21npFQDkzxhoiZuvNavClVkV7dwHKiyz6i4xqqOYbAis0UvmwbYxegbw/s320/IMG_3602.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 18px;">I hurried home after work and ate the dinner Chad and Bri had made while packing my things. We rushed off to the airport, but, due to trouble with the trains, arrived at the gate 5 minutes too late. We were early enough that they asked us to wait to change our tickets because the "gate was still open" but apparently late enough that they wouldn't actually let us board. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9HOjdb3NvvyFo4qLRAylKzPO-f3b3kXxyowtXT2pDs-wOoNoZl8e_KXws24y5GGxp6h1yIt1kZYeJLOFunIWKupJoTo4wBky1SDR8RtCSwsqCi3Ui7YQoOp-hr933GwMaaOZfzj5-sV8/s1600/IMG_3609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9HOjdb3NvvyFo4qLRAylKzPO-f3b3kXxyowtXT2pDs-wOoNoZl8e_KXws24y5GGxp6h1yIt1kZYeJLOFunIWKupJoTo4wBky1SDR8RtCSwsqCi3Ui7YQoOp-hr933GwMaaOZfzj5-sV8/s200/IMG_3609.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: 18px;">Cue the night of sleeping at the airport. But, as airports go it was a good experience and we even got to eat some "cheese candy." Which, to reassure your concerns, is actually just pieces of cheese wrapped to look like candy. Quite good, actually.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7WIoo8bEF4-GiqLbWcyAz-AOaabrokuX-S3eEcmDE2rR__E2dQfx6taf5Hu5kzLRnsFseIBMjUJmGSGaHtEhome-jSMcD0aQg0q6RwZrJNdkYX2qniMUyfgjnuJn2JtA5HbQizEQ1aqk/s1600/IMG_3611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7WIoo8bEF4-GiqLbWcyAz-AOaabrokuX-S3eEcmDE2rR__E2dQfx6taf5Hu5kzLRnsFseIBMjUJmGSGaHtEhome-jSMcD0aQg0q6RwZrJNdkYX2qniMUyfgjnuJn2JtA5HbQizEQ1aqk/s320/IMG_3611.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 18px;"><b>Thursday - Day 5:</b> We easily made it to our 9:40 am flight the next morning. It's amazing what sleeping at the airport does to the commute time. This is us about to board our flight. (I'm pretty stoked because this is my first visit to Kyoto and Osaka!)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQMy-kvSoou_R6cHZUhbKWFBf_AttvAVR_BBYuLnCRqcq8FzmsuiLDZFTfoECz2EybksgBDfKTLFa1ixMg5RA_zDE7uETtx5Yio_wOJ2-oqCKX9NcQnyZW1hg_Pmd8nXfl0JCZBMa926k/s1600/DSC01820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1066" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQMy-kvSoou_R6cHZUhbKWFBf_AttvAVR_BBYuLnCRqcq8FzmsuiLDZFTfoECz2EybksgBDfKTLFa1ixMg5RA_zDE7uETtx5Yio_wOJ2-oqCKX9NcQnyZW1hg_Pmd8nXfl0JCZBMa926k/s320/DSC01820.JPG" width="213" /></a><br />
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We caught a bus straight to the aquarium from the airport (naturally, I slept on it and just as naturally Bri took a picture.)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiNHIfApPPZbt7POVMDDPxowBQsopc9cGB3ul_N4JFm3dsN7i6Sh-C4GyM_hInvyKTSjeStMH9w9wseHqTdIn6rqOgBAqeyq2A8-mbPfk-sr7KZoVBqs307LnEBCFq6cHQot3lAgIQ84U/s1600/DSC01967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1066" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiNHIfApPPZbt7POVMDDPxowBQsopc9cGB3ul_N4JFm3dsN7i6Sh-C4GyM_hInvyKTSjeStMH9w9wseHqTdIn6rqOgBAqeyq2A8-mbPfk-sr7KZoVBqs307LnEBCFq6cHQot3lAgIQ84U/s320/DSC01967.JPG" width="213" /></a><br />By the aquarium is the marketplace where we ate lunch. We tried a bunch of different foods from food stalls and fueled up before going to the aquarium. Osaka is famous for okonomiyaki and takoyaki so, of course, I was eager to have all of us try them. This is me trying to navigate and order at the crazy food court/food stand area. (We all had our backpacks because we hadn't made it to our airbnb yet or found a place to store them.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGgYMZO4wA4y3fxx3oZj9jv6iQFRPd30HTrQ0xnoytHqHlqcgunvqEFChmpmkjVgd7snIfbMbhZaDxowL2y1cSAfgO1o8qpkPqbeiouUGiPUpTLkiYnCDX9zj_CZwBkHNR0p9735M4iF4/s1600/DSC01821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1066" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGgYMZO4wA4y3fxx3oZj9jv6iQFRPd30HTrQ0xnoytHqHlqcgunvqEFChmpmkjVgd7snIfbMbhZaDxowL2y1cSAfgO1o8qpkPqbeiouUGiPUpTLkiYnCDX9zj_CZwBkHNR0p9735M4iF4/s320/DSC01821.JPG" width="212" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYmGrr2BBqUv8-4uIzPc54uwyHxq9lpufYnIoEayQduDVK0T_b3wdyPHuINtrTBsXu-DY9tPG1MqUfNeYhKkDqEh9jUISLeE3U7S9GH3kJsqY6cqGS9QuHVV2V88m6VpuDesRbrbqHHLc/s1600/DSC01822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYmGrr2BBqUv8-4uIzPc54uwyHxq9lpufYnIoEayQduDVK0T_b3wdyPHuINtrTBsXu-DY9tPG1MqUfNeYhKkDqEh9jUISLeE3U7S9GH3kJsqY6cqGS9QuHVV2V88m6VpuDesRbrbqHHLc/s320/DSC01822.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFADXlQxPG-xtrlUWLZaVBJAZWykmd0P1xBVHavcLJv4c-c99PoRoWysYaOGVk5OBzrYQWF9IsZiiFHk2Y6gXcm6zsICxOam2b_cpJ96vcxWexrxrHRwkjY-yYbNUY0Hu17POD_N_hu7M/s1600/DSC01825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFADXlQxPG-xtrlUWLZaVBJAZWykmd0P1xBVHavcLJv4c-c99PoRoWysYaOGVk5OBzrYQWF9IsZiiFHk2Y6gXcm6zsICxOam2b_cpJ96vcxWexrxrHRwkjY-yYbNUY0Hu17POD_N_hu7M/s320/DSC01825.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a><br />
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Chad and Bri were both excited about the idea of seeing a whale shark. My experience with whale sharks is limited, but as this one tried to eat me I would recommend caution when you go yourself. </div>
There was a HUGE line for the aquarium because it was Golden Week, but actually, it only took us 20 minutes to get through it. I was very impressed. (Although the crowds didn't get any better once we were inside the aquarium.) Just to give you an idea here, whale sharks can grow up to 40 feet long! That's insane.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEKYvTW5sMTm0zi3JhABpPkIZlkkYcn81ziSmhDmtjw2qR4Kx94vWPg_IWQoo_VAVX_uEDViZF-N6BT9LbkhEMykZsjEjEk0cRaMsbbreJG9u-G3nQ7lBmBFRkK82YloC3VmKGlO0YqZw/s1600/DSC01975.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEKYvTW5sMTm0zi3JhABpPkIZlkkYcn81ziSmhDmtjw2qR4Kx94vWPg_IWQoo_VAVX_uEDViZF-N6BT9LbkhEMykZsjEjEk0cRaMsbbreJG9u-G3nQ7lBmBFRkK82YloC3VmKGlO0YqZw/s320/DSC01975.JPG" width="320" /></a> We spent a good two and a half hours inside the aquarium (it was 8 floors!) and so we got some more food once we finished and then went to ride the ferris wheel.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiV9r3WXuWjC1o6SI-Q-4Vc8LKFD9T_af5umiwN3VjVnqE-Ry9iVfaiPrgTSHg43BkI6yB-1bMQ7Yls7w6B4sA9kNMWs_5MCl3El7v-coVurX4r2CNurVJgAaIl6QhbDyJzvUv_Ehc7fo/s1600/DSC01991.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1066" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiV9r3WXuWjC1o6SI-Q-4Vc8LKFD9T_af5umiwN3VjVnqE-Ry9iVfaiPrgTSHg43BkI6yB-1bMQ7Yls7w6B4sA9kNMWs_5MCl3El7v-coVurX4r2CNurVJgAaIl6QhbDyJzvUv_Ehc7fo/s320/DSC01991.JPG" width="213" /></a>It was great because it gave us the skyline of Osaka while riding so we could tell what we were looking at. We even found Harry Potter world from the ferris wheel because Hogwarts was easy to spot.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUEaCy7YXFin5UtI317R32KalmRoBOUSt8iNaO3_3A4se5wOmox7iWDMflUpjvPBlyGZFVCJO93BuUiJNdumOH833ksr5Gf6avACkHunjbiau3xBoTekev_tdVMwpHRvUJhsmTmZ70XgE/s1600/DSC01834+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUEaCy7YXFin5UtI317R32KalmRoBOUSt8iNaO3_3A4se5wOmox7iWDMflUpjvPBlyGZFVCJO93BuUiJNdumOH833ksr5Gf6avACkHunjbiau3xBoTekev_tdVMwpHRvUJhsmTmZ70XgE/s640/DSC01834+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu_vrvh88HaNHV837PLoufaE3hZOUsgbUWcvTE6WxI9MXDpw8IjlNarN4oaqQNU_rA1z4C4QbkCwKBLUnsbxtqodF-VkUgnnJZ2a38UDnswyKRHP3GDR5dii2LDHsDW65cuE5RMpxbuNg/s1600/DSC02000.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1066" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu_vrvh88HaNHV837PLoufaE3hZOUsgbUWcvTE6WxI9MXDpw8IjlNarN4oaqQNU_rA1z4C4QbkCwKBLUnsbxtqodF-VkUgnnJZ2a38UDnswyKRHP3GDR5dii2LDHsDW65cuE5RMpxbuNg/s320/DSC02000.JPG" width="213" /></a> That night we went out to Dotonbori to explore the Osaka night life scene and get some food. Turns out we should have eaten before going to the busy area because the lines were insane here! We still somehow managed to find some delicious okonomiyaki and enjoyed the walk there and back.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ftFolcdzWqohqWFN31uTrfUAz2_Wfk332zRuX38I5lucestTV5wv3KmdENk_lrqMzN_YyfXYFwr4A-jKvIq4-KIZusmbBeGhMS07V4dFBvZj_w3gmDKHxp6a2olzbvgMhYKUUjQ8Jh0/s1600/32191819_10157280679849989_1271632309019213824_n+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ftFolcdzWqohqWFN31uTrfUAz2_Wfk332zRuX38I5lucestTV5wv3KmdENk_lrqMzN_YyfXYFwr4A-jKvIq4-KIZusmbBeGhMS07V4dFBvZj_w3gmDKHxp6a2olzbvgMhYKUUjQ8Jh0/s320/32191819_10157280679849989_1271632309019213824_n+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: 18px;"></span><span style="font-size: 18px;"><b>Friday - Day 6: </b>The first thing we did this morning (after grabbing breakfast at a bakery) was head to Osaka castle. It was impressive and made me want to read some kind of samurai story or do something historical. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 18px;">It was here that some guys asked to take a picture and I thought they wanted us to take pictures of them (broken English can be quite difficult to understand, but I guess I don't know how difficult my Japanese is for others to understand.) Anyway, after clarifying it turns out they wanted to take a picture together. It was so unusual for Japan that I took one on my phone too. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQE_QdGAALlGfVFGozjXsHCFvtrojTFomfR5SGPCstWzAKavZkCUS-fJL6Hx9tiq5LSq8X_C3z5o24CgU22xKsVDSPo86prCxDt4jSFs_JSou3FfyxNrk05uLwKAewbM91eVfInLrFzLU/s1600/31531752_10157260813529989_6612489300544061440_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQE_QdGAALlGfVFGozjXsHCFvtrojTFomfR5SGPCstWzAKavZkCUS-fJL6Hx9tiq5LSq8X_C3z5o24CgU22xKsVDSPo86prCxDt4jSFs_JSou3FfyxNrk05uLwKAewbM91eVfInLrFzLU/s320/31531752_10157260813529989_6612489300544061440_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN0U5hfd3IrtskbBNWXlFsgwTU5rq2dPY23STUHpodlM1ZgPvixgNS_ORw9ugo9Sy-nlYIoExNAHtrxeVbrJDrJWEwWRcJioSgMrZg9JjC6pvd_-kNYnkyOQtXrEE0Emq9DfEqQh_0jRg/s1600/32294111_10157280679359989_8404640679124271104_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN0U5hfd3IrtskbBNWXlFsgwTU5rq2dPY23STUHpodlM1ZgPvixgNS_ORw9ugo9Sy-nlYIoExNAHtrxeVbrJDrJWEwWRcJioSgMrZg9JjC6pvd_-kNYnkyOQtXrEE0Emq9DfEqQh_0jRg/s320/32294111_10157280679359989_8404640679124271104_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLI48U8HJsaxU4cVXFZz2U12uDcS_EGzt1Xt76o-nqZtNIHkqsVkdofOLzKj6MG7RQj4Lmnm3OUULVeAk6gVnYadTj1yaxmlakiAHvK-Nf5XqWUmAi6ugeCHqP3oSFa9aDTOQUU4cnvs0/s1600/DSC02109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1066" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLI48U8HJsaxU4cVXFZz2U12uDcS_EGzt1Xt76o-nqZtNIHkqsVkdofOLzKj6MG7RQj4Lmnm3OUULVeAk6gVnYadTj1yaxmlakiAHvK-Nf5XqWUmAi6ugeCHqP3oSFa9aDTOQUU4cnvs0/s320/DSC02109.JPG" width="213" /></a><span style="font-size: 18px;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 18px;">After we finished exploring around the castle we decided to head to Kyoto. We went straight to our airbnb since we infinitely prefered not having to carry our backpacks around. Then we went back out. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 18px;">We were staying only a ten minute walk from Kinkakuji: The Golden Pavilion but when we arrived it was closed. So we went on a bus ride. That's code for I accidentally took us on a bus going in the opposite direction from where I wanted to go. Luckily, Chad and Bri were super nice about it, and we actually found a really delicious meat place for dinner. This was their first time eating yakiniku and they had a blast. We even ate some intestines (which Chad didn't tell Bri until after the fact.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 18px;"><b>Saturday - Day 7:</b> Today was a packed day of touring. There is so much history and so many temples and shrines in Kyoto that you would need a month to get to them all. The whole bus stop is full of different shrines and things. It's crazy. So we chose a few to pack into our day and off we went. First was the Golden Pavilion from yesterday that was closed. </span><br />
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We all got our fortunes at Kinkakuji<br />
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Don't worry, mine was "good." It told me to "treasure your job at present, and you'll meet with an unexpected happiness. Don't waver in your judgement, or you'll be deceived by others." Easy enough to follow. While riding on the bus we saw Nijo-jo Castle and made a split-second decision to stop and explore-a decision we did not regret. The castle was so cool, and the grounds were huge and beautiful!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg35TCUsIonAiQ8KTisABpJadfBC3fpo99kVOctPGCDfX-yj01rflHD1xVCGv8t9yZNPZ8luZlq3g30_NjdzpZq6iC7l6dqfFiZaWZeK3s92A1gXh9g5OhiR38i9b8hWF30uGIkTRa9Mnw/s1600/DSC02182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg35TCUsIonAiQ8KTisABpJadfBC3fpo99kVOctPGCDfX-yj01rflHD1xVCGv8t9yZNPZ8luZlq3g30_NjdzpZq6iC7l6dqfFiZaWZeK3s92A1gXh9g5OhiR38i9b8hWF30uGIkTRa9Mnw/s640/DSC02182.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghkuw-RTDY6PQ6DyzpsJVTeZobt6s2EpyEuVe099pNqjzKxnrj3SsXflkQvtLSvfHP1YwDYPeCjNtENRqs7xxkm73b0tPY_BLF6HeR1BH5qvEKUzCuMoSZYjbrOc6oUT-odd-u1QtLJ60/s1600/32205770_10157280676089989_9041872091929903104_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1258" data-original-width="1600" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghkuw-RTDY6PQ6DyzpsJVTeZobt6s2EpyEuVe099pNqjzKxnrj3SsXflkQvtLSvfHP1YwDYPeCjNtENRqs7xxkm73b0tPY_BLF6HeR1BH5qvEKUzCuMoSZYjbrOc6oUT-odd-u1QtLJ60/s200/32205770_10157280676089989_9041872091929903104_n.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFDfdgd7woSpQNF2zn22904DWLzeWmh1Vr6rzDlgkRt-5ED5gcjAPazMRRz7RHuP8Jgb_RHcjzarG6513uvmYy5Knf1vKRvNcIQiRHK2I-VCoStA-KcDLJkaxmYCFPfOtxL7kiieZ-wpE/s1600/32293497_10157280676534989_8750025056962215936_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFDfdgd7woSpQNF2zn22904DWLzeWmh1Vr6rzDlgkRt-5ED5gcjAPazMRRz7RHuP8Jgb_RHcjzarG6513uvmYy5Knf1vKRvNcIQiRHK2I-VCoStA-KcDLJkaxmYCFPfOtxL7kiieZ-wpE/s320/32293497_10157280676534989_8750025056962215936_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>After that we hopped back on the bus and headed to Kiyomizudera Temple which is famous because the whole structure was built without using any nails.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimnHg3E1W42MbVPrR-3A0Yup04S_TV7PNYdwP8DjmCzl9WR0ZI44NPycj4raGVDzGjGAJqg_rwH2zyoE6mWd8NEeFsEGPN-wFzJLs9-LQK3eyM6S00fFu5BWz6NWIihDN4fSx9boPQuyw/s1600/DSC02206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1066" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimnHg3E1W42MbVPrR-3A0Yup04S_TV7PNYdwP8DjmCzl9WR0ZI44NPycj4raGVDzGjGAJqg_rwH2zyoE6mWd8NEeFsEGPN-wFzJLs9-LQK3eyM6S00fFu5BWz6NWIihDN4fSx9boPQuyw/s320/DSC02206.JPG" width="213" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCeNL55f6qWXESVt3FIpA9EXiaxFXRxQEqnUp6scL0j-MjgoYbnsrdQdEhvdFzbSazOfTzf2h33qOBdw02mwcXUt3JiRdMFHy_99RtBv90EufshhPKA2_Zk2dv8Pai7avQgEeQG7L2c44/s1600/DSC02197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCeNL55f6qWXESVt3FIpA9EXiaxFXRxQEqnUp6scL0j-MjgoYbnsrdQdEhvdFzbSazOfTzf2h33qOBdw02mwcXUt3JiRdMFHy_99RtBv90EufshhPKA2_Zk2dv8Pai7avQgEeQG7L2c44/s320/DSC02197.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
We saw this adorable couple walking in their festival clothes, and someday I hope that's me and my future boyfriend out enjoying a Japanese summer festival together. They're too cute. But I was not the one who took the creeper picture, for the record.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXZN9QK1Tg9XNohR5TnboW6FeDSMgLUFTI9oEA_RlGV26pUGsc9kvK4frzz1dx2nCzGkcuC7emczk18XRA4OzT7iY0U5XbeJZQsAeh6444PF3KnWgvY_kfts-xkFygalukwbwBJWPISlQ/s1600/DSC02207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXZN9QK1Tg9XNohR5TnboW6FeDSMgLUFTI9oEA_RlGV26pUGsc9kvK4frzz1dx2nCzGkcuC7emczk18XRA4OzT7iY0U5XbeJZQsAeh6444PF3KnWgvY_kfts-xkFygalukwbwBJWPISlQ/s320/DSC02207.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm9XglB-iEFvDg8oN6xWFzmeAXRBhmSstnnSGA1Hf6EId74qZzsk7XBlxwVxo9ay2jqQUgfaEGo05r0V-E9isWBnbdQ-8LKS2_ZxyzVlFz-ap5_A7iNGyDrR_ntFwbZ1TYz-8Pm9D-0TY/s1600/DSC02231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1066" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm9XglB-iEFvDg8oN6xWFzmeAXRBhmSstnnSGA1Hf6EId74qZzsk7XBlxwVxo9ay2jqQUgfaEGo05r0V-E9isWBnbdQ-8LKS2_ZxyzVlFz-ap5_A7iNGyDrR_ntFwbZ1TYz-8Pm9D-0TY/s320/DSC02231.JPG" width="213" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD21k4niE6-6sBPIcSfapX6RpXApFFZwREawMIDG2USUsi_sh7t6eb9smWbubXXTGvBVxYZUqYmClkLW1LJRoHkfQFuJS66GMJIfTYyYP9DWfb9TLPlBXfMPO0xjrtFtbP6erxMMFwYmw/s1600/DSC02238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD21k4niE6-6sBPIcSfapX6RpXApFFZwREawMIDG2USUsi_sh7t6eb9smWbubXXTGvBVxYZUqYmClkLW1LJRoHkfQFuJS66GMJIfTYyYP9DWfb9TLPlBXfMPO0xjrtFtbP6erxMMFwYmw/s320/DSC02238.JPG" width="320" /></a>We stopped for a snack after the temple because we had been doing a lot of walking, but we didn't spend too much time because we still had another destination in mind for tonight. (Ok, maybe we stopped for more than one snack. Side note: cherry blossom ice cream is delicious.)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_bJODyThw0As2BwrTtbgbQiuGK2P2mM-L8l8i7ViY1uXyZWu19sE05EJcP0s5MuBT3NeBMWpQLDJHs86b6aqg7U57NfhLymPPrmOMgG18mILpFbEGR3Ec5AAhUET1vEHE4LHKfHaWGiI/s1600/DSC02248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1066" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_bJODyThw0As2BwrTtbgbQiuGK2P2mM-L8l8i7ViY1uXyZWu19sE05EJcP0s5MuBT3NeBMWpQLDJHs86b6aqg7U57NfhLymPPrmOMgG18mILpFbEGR3Ec5AAhUET1vEHE4LHKfHaWGiI/s200/DSC02248.JPG" width="133" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFxZ70WfouMZ4t6Zr_QshTHx2_YFputcpF1GNELaVHPVfYgtusZzoS2Y47z4LK3tRY1OQwwNS0Bk2J5BhCFYFSAeCP8WXlgk2jI5a0siRaNFBjGfAszQI7w1_0TIE-fxXHNUhOApq_HMk/s1600/32266827_10157280675909989_5588024387950346240_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1600" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFxZ70WfouMZ4t6Zr_QshTHx2_YFputcpF1GNELaVHPVfYgtusZzoS2Y47z4LK3tRY1OQwwNS0Bk2J5BhCFYFSAeCP8WXlgk2jI5a0siRaNFBjGfAszQI7w1_0TIE-fxXHNUhOApq_HMk/s320/32266827_10157280675909989_5588024387950346240_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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Our last tourist destination for the night was Fushimi Inari Shrine which is known as the Thousand Orange Gates. As you can see in the pictures, it was aptly named.<span style="text-align: center;"> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdOpfy9SxPWJSiUBvcVKMMLXpkxEecxW0ggkBBWX1G5UKSemLSjqVDiIGO3F8N_Qtdajt285ecJ69Mngv_vg1BHvYI4RO0SGod273hHO-AT-KcXlwwiu0wZv5HB7cJewqRyOChcuZPmc0/s1600/DSC02272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdOpfy9SxPWJSiUBvcVKMMLXpkxEecxW0ggkBBWX1G5UKSemLSjqVDiIGO3F8N_Qtdajt285ecJ69Mngv_vg1BHvYI4RO0SGod273hHO-AT-KcXlwwiu0wZv5HB7cJewqRyOChcuZPmc0/s320/DSC02272.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdOpfy9SxPWJSiUBvcVKMMLXpkxEecxW0ggkBBWX1G5UKSemLSjqVDiIGO3F8N_Qtdajt285ecJ69Mngv_vg1BHvYI4RO0SGod273hHO-AT-KcXlwwiu0wZv5HB7cJewqRyOChcuZPmc0/s1600/DSC02272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIKZdqjYfKGlKXT7K-aFbaroJ-KVfCkBcne5xghmMdzU4ypvzQIhXK0Gs_dmYgiA_UK4eiiD7GEa13Jyev3sEZgcEFdqxUea42vmXOVytEfN_RnCoTxjyJv6h9crq6VyzTdK6K6jq2ZAc/s1600/31631857_10157280667464989_1233912244073398272_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIKZdqjYfKGlKXT7K-aFbaroJ-KVfCkBcne5xghmMdzU4ypvzQIhXK0Gs_dmYgiA_UK4eiiD7GEa13Jyev3sEZgcEFdqxUea42vmXOVytEfN_RnCoTxjyJv6h9crq6VyzTdK6K6jq2ZAc/s320/31631857_10157280667464989_1233912244073398272_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhplnrEOZr0CK2akOHt8HLT2Zh_Pv_ijYkF1_aojQ74ukPABt2sz797ETUDHHBiqe_ebySWN1qmSCjO1JQWo8j72laCNYWVIetMiTXdIMvZAReEJWyKv3wmEpXJnDFdFwqjDZvjE9EYnWg/s1600/DSC02390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1066" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhplnrEOZr0CK2akOHt8HLT2Zh_Pv_ijYkF1_aojQ74ukPABt2sz797ETUDHHBiqe_ebySWN1qmSCjO1JQWo8j72laCNYWVIetMiTXdIMvZAReEJWyKv3wmEpXJnDFdFwqjDZvjE9EYnWg/s400/DSC02390.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="266" /></a>We ended the night by going to Kyoto station. We decided to check it out ahead of time because I wanted to go to Vie de France (a bakery I'm obsessed with because of this one pastry there) and we got katsudon for dinner at a restuarant there. The station was way bigger than we expected so we decided to come back early tomorrow night just to explore. </div>
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<span style="font-size: 18px;"></span><span style="font-size: 18px;"><b>Sunday - Day 8: </b>We started the day by going to sacrament meeting and they even had people translating with headphones so it was perfect. We hopped on a bus and headed to the Arashiyama bamboo forest park after church. By this point, I had learned how to correctly ride buses and no longer dreaded a route that includes a bus (which is good since that was most of our routes in Kyoto/Osaka.) We ate lunch at the park and then explored a bit.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 18px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjyDlUiNfGbWDM88D4vd7Lvzb-ZHTN52G8jueMiLR6OpaOytvQ6J5fxU3YguvPRqhTjBnOa8ezzwlG9MZcs5Os6Q6-D9pHW7y7gZOElaNYubjftymaW5IxfUBGEZW98G32_i16w1S3X3g/s1600/DSC02160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjyDlUiNfGbWDM88D4vd7Lvzb-ZHTN52G8jueMiLR6OpaOytvQ6J5fxU3YguvPRqhTjBnOa8ezzwlG9MZcs5Os6Q6-D9pHW7y7gZOElaNYubjftymaW5IxfUBGEZW98G32_i16w1S3X3g/s320/DSC02160.JPG" width="320" /></a> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimL0lbI6LaImatxQbnR0LB0EHD7l1Lyvz-byq0d2-73OCYVn-guYcX9S9sZ3OOYa5W2p40kLagmZir087oxzQZYpYLTfqbU4K35eJnA7t3Ri92MjE0myfdOtUW_tg7KfTKjb-hrFxjTFI/s1600/32256605_10157280665609989_9073544722663866368_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimL0lbI6LaImatxQbnR0LB0EHD7l1Lyvz-byq0d2-73OCYVn-guYcX9S9sZ3OOYa5W2p40kLagmZir087oxzQZYpYLTfqbU4K35eJnA7t3Ri92MjE0myfdOtUW_tg7KfTKjb-hrFxjTFI/s320/32256605_10157280665609989_9073544722663866368_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPs0MYYvKNLvgsHG0z0YYR3r7I77_n9cvoCegjFZsHF7lBHX89jfsgsA2-5yFWrwOGb9plvRAt9TDksvyoziGz3XHUMzpr8ahRRs1eljsIOD657N94EBu0Kc4OSK5YpMvMOsae6Mq4Rqs/s1600/DSC02318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1066" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPs0MYYvKNLvgsHG0z0YYR3r7I77_n9cvoCegjFZsHF7lBHX89jfsgsA2-5yFWrwOGb9plvRAt9TDksvyoziGz3XHUMzpr8ahRRs1eljsIOD657N94EBu0Kc4OSK5YpMvMOsae6Mq4Rqs/s320/DSC02318.JPG" width="213" /></a><span style="font-size: 18px;"> I saw these super adorable girls riding and took a picture, apparently they saw me too.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 18px;">(No regrets though.) </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl2tAEwTDy7URLcGLONjsNJE22ThMSScVgfKZZ1dNvY9Rtw_nTMVcSHDwMBklKJIv1eYDOzpzokzVcTjti1JCBDo1_UTosC85qACYUQtBB5mXLvufyYdLs1OP5w0ZQ21lx1MuPrK1Tp2A/s1600/32337069_10157280660904989_507555475282198528_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl2tAEwTDy7URLcGLONjsNJE22ThMSScVgfKZZ1dNvY9Rtw_nTMVcSHDwMBklKJIv1eYDOzpzokzVcTjti1JCBDo1_UTosC85qACYUQtBB5mXLvufyYdLs1OP5w0ZQ21lx1MuPrK1Tp2A/s320/32337069_10157280660904989_507555475282198528_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-size: 18px;"><br /></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiphbeuCuuJIhSVtwJ8KwDBZ3jxA2M_W7tyuyLbJJoWX0HL4-sXY5NcAJWfIKRgjq1AxcTLW56Y07al1QtHPhUcAxw4ePpKUP3mzBRQapKrBz1616zCoyhZRdF-ky7kq9C_MT8bxX2mO40/s1600/32253658_10157280659779989_4180068395321917440_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiphbeuCuuJIhSVtwJ8KwDBZ3jxA2M_W7tyuyLbJJoWX0HL4-sXY5NcAJWfIKRgjq1AxcTLW56Y07al1QtHPhUcAxw4ePpKUP3mzBRQapKrBz1616zCoyhZRdF-ky7kq9C_MT8bxX2mO40/s320/32253658_10157280659779989_4180068395321917440_n.jpg" width="179" /></a><span style="font-size: 18px;">After we finished at the bamboo park we headed over to the monkey park! It was quite the hike to get up there, but, true to form, pregnant Bri quickly conquered it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 18px;">Inside this room you could even feed the monkeys from little snack bags.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 18px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3TwMXP0rrDuBKYIYMZT3I3Qbm9i57BhbrzEe8PlFSWlnK4B4wTnzPmrd1AKw4PBSj1RWMdKf4CiWPfip_Q8VT4-dxeixnT3I_ATzve9fCkaspsxdjEfa7mVkJX1zeRezlmAnscY7OFts/s1600/32260743_10157280661214989_7654244836643438592_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3TwMXP0rrDuBKYIYMZT3I3Qbm9i57BhbrzEe8PlFSWlnK4B4wTnzPmrd1AKw4PBSj1RWMdKf4CiWPfip_Q8VT4-dxeixnT3I_ATzve9fCkaspsxdjEfa7mVkJX1zeRezlmAnscY7OFts/s200/32260743_10157280661214989_7654244836643438592_n.jpg" width="150" /></a></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrV0YITBkjLK1DP9m8fwlP2P13E02Oz4NwF7SZEQ0SnRm5zVX80BLzG8r9SnKtaQ26J90T2NY5NM5dOMdEKBYEyOuVIiTqw-Jg-30TgB8ez9mW32ioyRyhCehdOONE8r2MEjxvnnUP0Sk/s1600/32203048_10157280661759989_7493491370464641024_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1600" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrV0YITBkjLK1DP9m8fwlP2P13E02Oz4NwF7SZEQ0SnRm5zVX80BLzG8r9SnKtaQ26J90T2NY5NM5dOMdEKBYEyOuVIiTqw-Jg-30TgB8ez9mW32ioyRyhCehdOONE8r2MEjxvnnUP0Sk/s640/32203048_10157280661759989_7493491370464641024_n.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYp19Ct18AORwn_eDQfo-NiBpXveiJ3FYoFbLDlxj9Hx9lDHxV8sdrj_jG2si_GRega-67X6LBxz9v_in7GP-LDKX2fJw2pnsdUEjNOyLUTTz7tEXL-N4jYBtAzLa5Wy6tOjjDeVftKVk/s1600/32260566_10157280662869989_8100726890588798976_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYp19Ct18AORwn_eDQfo-NiBpXveiJ3FYoFbLDlxj9Hx9lDHxV8sdrj_jG2si_GRega-67X6LBxz9v_in7GP-LDKX2fJw2pnsdUEjNOyLUTTz7tEXL-N4jYBtAzLa5Wy6tOjjDeVftKVk/s320/32260566_10157280662869989_8100726890588798976_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTfUjKak_7MjFqkVfC3CpIELRA_PgSDnTYQUOK-U2wiV5k20JcTBdmMVvvlTs8i_PL8qZXz82s_LNuiRtvz1iGdI7I_3YJ68lX95kDMNjRu9TBv-q0_qP70QjH6F3xYtu3-WyLvGi8WZ8/s1600/32234429_10157280662554989_3520646071908827136_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTfUjKak_7MjFqkVfC3CpIELRA_PgSDnTYQUOK-U2wiV5k20JcTBdmMVvvlTs8i_PL8qZXz82s_LNuiRtvz1iGdI7I_3YJ68lX95kDMNjRu9TBv-q0_qP70QjH6F3xYtu3-WyLvGi8WZ8/s200/32234429_10157280662554989_3520646071908827136_n.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTfUjKak_7MjFqkVfC3CpIELRA_PgSDnTYQUOK-U2wiV5k20JcTBdmMVvvlTs8i_PL8qZXz82s_LNuiRtvz1iGdI7I_3YJ68lX95kDMNjRu9TBv-q0_qP70QjH6F3xYtu3-WyLvGi8WZ8/s1600/32234429_10157280662554989_3520646071908827136_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_hxKqMuIU3rQiZheJKnfQVdymOECl9ZD3snMtnQlzJezl5-qBPvjoL95Lg2PIoWdEhFcQqd_-IcO-qvg-ZkvVmF-WaX1d44HuGEYWVntPiiuC02zdUvr_TubQ4VV6DXnHH_4YeBZIqbU/s1600/DSC02332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1066" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_hxKqMuIU3rQiZheJKnfQVdymOECl9ZD3snMtnQlzJezl5-qBPvjoL95Lg2PIoWdEhFcQqd_-IcO-qvg-ZkvVmF-WaX1d44HuGEYWVntPiiuC02zdUvr_TubQ4VV6DXnHH_4YeBZIqbU/s320/DSC02332.JPG" width="213" /></a>After the monkey park we walked around by this river and just explored the area before we left this part of Kyoto.<br />
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It was quite pretty and we spent about an hour and a half wandering around.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi82Y2LMI8q9nk9ExZcQRG5W-MGDuyc0uQM0BrqKZ7QuAFaGTQzGC3d6LIX0kRJB7SAyZUcDXW26E2L8LM7fWurLL-GrvPbmdfCWFTs8XOPUCNdCFl6BQUKWORZW5ujHqMWJk13GfAxp8I/s1600/DSC02304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi82Y2LMI8q9nk9ExZcQRG5W-MGDuyc0uQM0BrqKZ7QuAFaGTQzGC3d6LIX0kRJB7SAyZUcDXW26E2L8LM7fWurLL-GrvPbmdfCWFTs8XOPUCNdCFl6BQUKWORZW5ujHqMWJk13GfAxp8I/s200/DSC02304.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNLu8GrojPyEK8umhqWUVxGniK5jKuqqmUbbhh3OeOa9hVXxzeYT7JQPNXUOk-mkSPJ5YvcuFRxslKnfdyt5V5cWcNw_wvwrzRH-ZBkTrg0bPkYkqRgyV9ftuWgvorMb-KzPNpuFOrMtk/s1600/32191966_10157280659529989_2813819773542989824_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1600" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNLu8GrojPyEK8umhqWUVxGniK5jKuqqmUbbhh3OeOa9hVXxzeYT7JQPNXUOk-mkSPJ5YvcuFRxslKnfdyt5V5cWcNw_wvwrzRH-ZBkTrg0bPkYkqRgyV9ftuWgvorMb-KzPNpuFOrMtk/s320/32191966_10157280659529989_2813819773542989824_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We got hamburgers for dinner (not American hamburgers) and then it started sprinkling so we decided to head to Kyoto station early so we could stay out of the rain. We killed some time there, went to Vie de France again (it's starting to be a problem), and then just waited for our bus to arrive. We were so tired at that point because we had been going to bed around 11, but our bus didn't leave until midnight. It was a long, but fun night. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivLBlxHxQVOvc9h1JDGfCfgnjSSojJsacs1IYuwmA3yxzINMtv5qhGm_O44Pouo2rqatf8oKMZpZRe1orWgomYPzJvyCaAE9efgvr6WeZg67ZB3chSO2NSbcxZmdgwVz89EosgBsT1QpM/s1600/32294257_10157280659429989_2132321434192576512_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivLBlxHxQVOvc9h1JDGfCfgnjSSojJsacs1IYuwmA3yxzINMtv5qhGm_O44Pouo2rqatf8oKMZpZRe1orWgomYPzJvyCaAE9efgvr6WeZg67ZB3chSO2NSbcxZmdgwVz89EosgBsT1QpM/s320/32294257_10157280659429989_2132321434192576512_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO35xJhegogRf5nhnrsQLZkQOKFAPD8EamwyEfa3NsX6_nIkX5wrJKul8FFXt5HiaIbUVu1Xqp4QnRVUf6Kvbz6XETtDUeCcDJ6Ileio8jYG-V9T9VSvTEIMHTU-WOTdv48sX2h2t2mVA/s1600/32073042_10157274968849989_4043266626018082816_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO35xJhegogRf5nhnrsQLZkQOKFAPD8EamwyEfa3NsX6_nIkX5wrJKul8FFXt5HiaIbUVu1Xqp4QnRVUf6Kvbz6XETtDUeCcDJ6Ileio8jYG-V9T9VSvTEIMHTU-WOTdv48sX2h2t2mVA/s320/32073042_10157274968849989_4043266626018082816_n.jpg" width="240" /></a> <b>Monday - </b><b style="font-size: 18px;">Day 9:</b><span style="font-size: 18px;"> I did sleep on the 12 am overnight bus from Kyoto last night, but not quite as deeply as I had hoped I would. So I was still fairly tired when we arrived in Yokohama at 5:40 am. It was about an hour to my house from there, and I got home in time to take a shower, eat breakfast, and leave for work. The day was long, but not terrible. (Honestly, I have a good job.) When I made it from work our only "goal" for the day was to go to Costco together. I suggested staying home since it was raining pretty hard outside, but Chad and Bri were interested in what an Asian Costco would have. (Plus I think they also felt some sort of parental instincts and wanted to take me to Costco to buy a bunch of things for my apartment.) So we did go, and boy did we buy stuff. That's my favorite Bri with my favorite brie and the other is Chad and I getting ready to carry home about 65 pounds of goods. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 18px;"><b>Tuesday - Day 10: </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 18px;">I had to sub at another school today, and I wasn't thrilled with the idea after the last experience. However, today was the complete opposite of last week. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglChPdLRSY6VMUO8ngTR6fS5IcntDZc7uMvcv9239vvDD2i-jYtKsPFV03E1UIq3-njWYVflqbzvRneVFEO6lIbWa3183o7b9A02yS_3lpoqeYdVhz3UqIOOhmEUCBCpT11fkp7DfRQBE/s1600/32293754_10157280658764989_8828845523684294656_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglChPdLRSY6VMUO8ngTR6fS5IcntDZc7uMvcv9239vvDD2i-jYtKsPFV03E1UIq3-njWYVflqbzvRneVFEO6lIbWa3183o7b9A02yS_3lpoqeYdVhz3UqIOOhmEUCBCpT11fkp7DfRQBE/s320/32293754_10157280658764989_8828845523684294656_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 18px;">It was a fantastic experience at the school; however, they did not let me go home early so I spent the last 90 minutes at my desk reading my book. </span><span style="font-size: 18px;">Chad, Bri, and I finally went to visit the big Daiso near my house which I was looking forward to, and I spent a record $10 there. (A record as in I've never spent only $10.) We hurried to Sushiro for dinner (the same </span>conveyor-belt<span style="font-size: 18px;"> sushi place as their second night here) and happened to run into one of my friends from frisbee. It was fun seeing someone while being out in town because it made me feel more like a part of the community. At the same time though it was kind of stressful seeing someone out of context because I'm so terrible with names. We walked home from sushi, which is a good thing to do because you almsot always eat too much at sushi.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwazEh4UIudNAXRGQeVQFq1UqiOokPYi1nhPsasYRnnA3dpocfQLtyvIa8vaDadFeOwzrn-GTwXtMHg_r51bLGONB99RW083k-r0R2N_9delfSU1aCwQ4RYlvHgElgVaiTtMgxh3i06Yg/s1600/32231580_10157280656904989_6134595509358166016_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwazEh4UIudNAXRGQeVQFq1UqiOokPYi1nhPsasYRnnA3dpocfQLtyvIa8vaDadFeOwzrn-GTwXtMHg_r51bLGONB99RW083k-r0R2N_9delfSU1aCwQ4RYlvHgElgVaiTtMgxh3i06Yg/s200/32231580_10157280656904989_6134595509358166016_n.jpg" width="150" /></a><span style="font-size: 18px;"><b>Wednesday - Day 11:</b> Today I woke up sick but luckily we had a chill afternoon planned. After work we rested for a bit at home and made food (using these quail eggs we gathered by the river and then packaged into this conveniently shaped plastic container) and then we headed to the shrine near my house for pictures. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_adgS0b2VAVfLch_jOB30NbF5-lhXG-O4yP-pazo72w46p8avD3eijOGkKzDWl54f0b2yevMuuxkfKQCbr3aWHxClwR0o2J4JMPMfmE4UR-yqefev2FSLXkGzOAgQGmEFr1-24VLQt9I/s1600/DSC02409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_adgS0b2VAVfLch_jOB30NbF5-lhXG-O4yP-pazo72w46p8avD3eijOGkKzDWl54f0b2yevMuuxkfKQCbr3aWHxClwR0o2J4JMPMfmE4UR-yqefev2FSLXkGzOAgQGmEFr1-24VLQt9I/s320/DSC02409.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 18px;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 18px;">Chad and Bri had brought their kimonos to take pictures in Japan. So off we went. This little shrine is about a 10-15 minute walk from my house and just another example of how cool Japan is. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMQCQN8sqAyFFV__Z3fddrfA1AwT9ra20fNOTgayZrxfHt6LdfPjXVszKt4hKflf9kENsDQtbFll2m6YMFak1ZX0SL73fyI1PqLT2Xp9OR3uiwE3mbQUnOsX_rsyUYteDRZF2xz5TQRLc/s1600/DSC02426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMQCQN8sqAyFFV__Z3fddrfA1AwT9ra20fNOTgayZrxfHt6LdfPjXVszKt4hKflf9kENsDQtbFll2m6YMFak1ZX0SL73fyI1PqLT2Xp9OR3uiwE3mbQUnOsX_rsyUYteDRZF2xz5TQRLc/s640/DSC02426.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfroH5sivtEQperJbxIr0Yn0mJ5l5xHPhvyarBKrIEft9T7jxn44WehGyxczp6lFDRfuWysaZ_gBOaLwjn3txI5-PLlGc_WgfXAMZNVoqv51a9SVSiZJtCQVBKzSP8Evr_8r8Q49fT_dU/s1600/32231150_10157280658589989_3748786106083049472_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfroH5sivtEQperJbxIr0Yn0mJ5l5xHPhvyarBKrIEft9T7jxn44WehGyxczp6lFDRfuWysaZ_gBOaLwjn3txI5-PLlGc_WgfXAMZNVoqv51a9SVSiZJtCQVBKzSP8Evr_8r8Q49fT_dU/s320/32231150_10157280658589989_3748786106083049472_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 18px;">We went home and ate some more food (more dinner-ish and less after-school-snack-ish) before Bri and I headed to the onsen. I've got to say that 8 years ago when I met Bri at BYU freshman year I never pictured us being in Japan together or going to an onsen together. If you don't know what an onsen is then the simplest way to explain it is a public bathhouse (for girls and one for guys.) This onsen is super cool though because there's like 8 different types of baths, so in the true spirit of Pokemon we had to "catch them all." Between that, relaxing, and chatting we ended up spending about 2 hours there. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 18px;"><b>Thursday - Day 12: </b>I don't know how it happened, but, suddenly, their last day was here. I got a little sick from being out in the rain/not sleeping/having too much fun (my body isn't used to it since my idea of "fun" when no one is visiting is staying home alone and reading a book or watching a movie in Japanese.) </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggfAs-ZXibmxFvMvpvnv-ml3HCxMrxYiAzO0jrknINum2Dthsq1wU4_1O9qammwyHKZMvlsF_F1TiRUYgPPWKQLryQvGQ8DyZyRmsWSosrqq8hBlaeNgldEjVqeIefF-dxTEpElX01ClQ/s1600/32257543_10157280656794989_3154724002275000320_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggfAs-ZXibmxFvMvpvnv-ml3HCxMrxYiAzO0jrknINum2Dthsq1wU4_1O9qammwyHKZMvlsF_F1TiRUYgPPWKQLryQvGQ8DyZyRmsWSosrqq8hBlaeNgldEjVqeIefF-dxTEpElX01ClQ/s320/32257543_10157280656794989_3154724002275000320_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7mWJpgXtO6s-mbU_c7K3W-5Myv9fZjTjOH3OrwfULGhxd-6vzUu9-XnKIql2SWRJE4FSTd3GD0_a2TAjWSoQn3n2b4x3Bfaeuv4wR0LXCf8xw1NIzF98Jh98g7vffJ_FvYj5VCB_3lYs/s1600/32186417_10157280658394989_5339373741749043200_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7mWJpgXtO6s-mbU_c7K3W-5Myv9fZjTjOH3OrwfULGhxd-6vzUu9-XnKIql2SWRJE4FSTd3GD0_a2TAjWSoQn3n2b4x3Bfaeuv4wR0LXCf8xw1NIzF98Jh98g7vffJ_FvYj5VCB_3lYs/s320/32186417_10157280658394989_5339373741749043200_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 18px;">We were going to go into Shinjuku and do one last night in the city, but instead we stayed home, hung out by the river, made a delicious hamburger with cheese, fried egg, and avocado (Japanese style) dinner, and watched Your Name which was an excellent way to end their trip in Japan. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 18px;"><b>Friday - Day 13:</b> When I woke up this morning Chad and Bri were snuggled in their beds (well actually they did get up to hug me goodbye, but then they went back to bed.) And then when I came home from work my room looked like I hadn't even had any guests. On one hand, it's always nice to be able to return to my routine and open my closet without having to ask Chad to move his whole bed, but on the other hand it was such a party these last 2 weeks. I'm really glad that I was able to have Chad and Bri come and visit, but I'm even more glad that they were willing to come. I'd give them a 10/10 rating for anyone who would like to have house guests come and visit!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 18px;">I'm a few weeks late in posting this blog post, but for brevity's sake (and everyone who is reading this) I'll end here because it's already really long. (Turns out I'm not good at summarizing after all.)</span></div>
Laura Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03227536805852645246noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268903947120771564.post-4862573126710392602018-03-31T04:04:00.001-07:002018-03-31T04:04:19.703-07:00"When Will My Life Begin"<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
For the past 8 months or so I've been feeling a little like Rapunzel and wondering when will MY life begin. I've been homeless, jobless, and living out of a suitcase for far too long, but as I sit here writing this blog now I can tell you that my clothes have finally found a home in a closet, and I have also found a home in a closet (I mean apartment) in Tokyo.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3by1cZ8v8N-BeOfeKyNGsZ9dpM0vkcn41B37Y0PzfA8MtqJ0oDqTL72yqlfIW5xCYy2eLyHbiKWm74nUoFAdLWSb2OVXIZwhobBJaD2Tx0NPXUcnCLaj7vgZ8OvUN2IkpCS2VhVbiW98/s1600/29829133_10157158366104989_420133570_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1600" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3by1cZ8v8N-BeOfeKyNGsZ9dpM0vkcn41B37Y0PzfA8MtqJ0oDqTL72yqlfIW5xCYy2eLyHbiKWm74nUoFAdLWSb2OVXIZwhobBJaD2Tx0NPXUcnCLaj7vgZ8OvUN2IkpCS2VhVbiW98/s320/29829133_10157158366104989_420133570_o.jpg" style="text-align: center;" width="320" /></a>I am a little behind on my blogging considering all of the traveling I've been doing. I apologize to everyone who has been desperately waiting for these updates (mainly Whitney Gould. :) ) As a single person, I found that the best place for me to celebrate Valentines Day would be in an airplane, which is why I had to go to on a trip. Whitney just happened to be in Korea and the Olympics seemed like a good time to head on over. So thank you Valentines Day for giving me a good reason to travel.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv3z_fL5EoX4YyKqmmZ0PvIyWEAlDFnrUKaYsFtZiNFk7AlIAnNJ5Nhi3BeO17L8NcUdUeabUoTUc-9qg_vM6dENewS3KX4K3t0alctbrVIltV9v2GklsZ0N9wOeff_Si6TP1Awuiuy4o/s1600/29746502_10157158367194989_2003970993_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv3z_fL5EoX4YyKqmmZ0PvIyWEAlDFnrUKaYsFtZiNFk7AlIAnNJ5Nhi3BeO17L8NcUdUeabUoTUc-9qg_vM6dENewS3KX4K3t0alctbrVIltV9v2GklsZ0N9wOeff_Si6TP1Awuiuy4o/s320/29746502_10157158367194989_2003970993_o.jpg" width="240" /></a> But in all seriousness, the job that I had been waiting MONTHS for was finally about to start so I decided to head on over to Asia. (And by "finally about to start" I mean that I still had about 2 months...) 4 airplanes, 3 layovers, and 36 hours of traveling later, I made it from AR to Korea! And in true Whitney fashion, she was there to capture every moment. This is me finally exiting the gate with an obscene amount of luggage. (But hey, I'm moving to another country so cut me some slack.) Luckily my #1 skill in life happens to be adjusting to jet lag quickly, so we got home around 10:30 pm that night and by midnight I was all chatted out <span style="background-color: rgba(246, 213, 217, 0.996);">and asleep </span>in her room. I woke up around 8 am (maybe 9?) the next morning ready for my FIRST EVER KOREAN ADVENTURE! To prepare for this moment, and solely for that end alone, I had dedicated many hours in college to watching Korean dramas and studying the culture. I now felt adequately prepared to go experience it myself. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMMoAGOUGXKWwWYJGM13v_iDw6Xcg-vIGZ-dU2BIlKy1bprrvJnjzTkcfz1nBEg1uJcfvUVKbloLU9It-_DThJZIiMOtFWB0Tq8ecQ5joQX6gMjBdkDr3ONxL5_byYCW5KxkCZsEfUgyg/s1600/29746695_10157158367179989_193967080_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1203" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMMoAGOUGXKWwWYJGM13v_iDw6Xcg-vIGZ-dU2BIlKy1bprrvJnjzTkcfz1nBEg1uJcfvUVKbloLU9It-_DThJZIiMOtFWB0Tq8ecQ5joQX6gMjBdkDr3ONxL5_byYCW5KxkCZsEfUgyg/s320/29746695_10157158367179989_193967080_o.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZZQ_SIhjAvsQa4YjQyeo9VQbq2_VrQcugP5ToEQZORxmSxIhnXApTz7AHZty_WTlnohMoPtoh1RlOrLZsZ9b0aaFAoAayTfAaKqowapzSxDCGY2VmDa1VvBBKxs8Bb66ZS-UPPrbJZcY/s1600/29829309_10157158366994989_1085159870_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZZQ_SIhjAvsQa4YjQyeo9VQbq2_VrQcugP5ToEQZORxmSxIhnXApTz7AHZty_WTlnohMoPtoh1RlOrLZsZ9b0aaFAoAayTfAaKqowapzSxDCGY2VmDa1VvBBKxs8Bb66ZS-UPPrbJZcY/s320/29829309_10157158366994989_1085159870_o.jpg" width="240" /></a>The week was full of cafes (Whitney is the expert cafe goer), Korean foods, walking around Seoul with Whitney and feeling like we were roommates in college again. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirNje5Dvy1YXkruqcEJMjUyLHMRBVUWcEzZFpuF76_FvqWIGbb-4RMxjaDTFJjLo1UE9N-NXD3SYU5OD_yLYeEoIZHYDSLBvESbWpJY3gZ-uPVMABU-NHsczkjasev2XMpvv5oGsvx8kY/s1600/29693906_10157158366839989_1619157213_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirNje5Dvy1YXkruqcEJMjUyLHMRBVUWcEzZFpuF76_FvqWIGbb-4RMxjaDTFJjLo1UE9N-NXD3SYU5OD_yLYeEoIZHYDSLBvESbWpJY3gZ-uPVMABU-NHsczkjasev2XMpvv5oGsvx8kY/s320/29693906_10157158366839989_1619157213_o.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjAWB2yqh7Kri_D-wVNqPbOC2mYoXDi0luQx2gzYwD8DxQxw6SnRmtdgc3b6icCg-cPwd3MglzKh3-fT3nMu3Qv8pOzC91MC8YXFebtY-ALFyYd-sMs6B18muOlHXCpJMBn_cJGHGFn6s/s1600/29749115_10157158366349989_326971101_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjAWB2yqh7Kri_D-wVNqPbOC2mYoXDi0luQx2gzYwD8DxQxw6SnRmtdgc3b6icCg-cPwd3MglzKh3-fT3nMu3Qv8pOzC91MC8YXFebtY-ALFyYd-sMs6B18muOlHXCpJMBn_cJGHGFn6s/s320/29749115_10157158366349989_326971101_o.jpg" width="240" /></a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkIAOU5LpsvqIzHmIF3YHmBoT2OlohkcTiDVn7VjXFCnYRF_3riSbiqQehiijy-qLEHYOQEW-ti4Ux6jCZwNuHrcZlIqIYeQ6SiZraAzqUt7EjC2r6r31EKxo-IGitURemMkt_0d-Myn0/s1600/29748934_10157158367359989_1166198799_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkIAOU5LpsvqIzHmIF3YHmBoT2OlohkcTiDVn7VjXFCnYRF_3riSbiqQehiijy-qLEHYOQEW-ti4Ux6jCZwNuHrcZlIqIYeQ6SiZraAzqUt7EjC2r6r31EKxo-IGitURemMkt_0d-Myn0/s320/29748934_10157158367359989_1166198799_o.jpg" width="240" /></a>Sadly, it didn't take too long before my excellent "luck" kicked in and Whitney and I found ourselves locked out of her bathroom. It locks from the inside only. And when the lock is set it's almost impossible to close the door. Clearly, I had to say almost because, well, it happened. So this was me trying to climb through the tiny window on the side of the bathroom. Not something I'd recommend for fun. Possibly something I'd recommend if you wanted to not have fun. The good news is that we made it back into the bathroom! Let the adventures continue!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj_hUaxAcu0Bzomq-t8CE6x0OFPzMr_dmf1FkIw5guBRPUYdLjBU5v__H_qd0j4YoAFgGN-yd5MzV4XD0EHVv6DMl7Ftf31Zjx4AQtfSRcqXElhdTC8cXA-BDJm6Kui4yoUVAon6yRh2k/s1600/29748751_10157158366849989_2136894665_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj_hUaxAcu0Bzomq-t8CE6x0OFPzMr_dmf1FkIw5guBRPUYdLjBU5v__H_qd0j4YoAFgGN-yd5MzV4XD0EHVv6DMl7Ftf31Zjx4AQtfSRcqXElhdTC8cXA-BDJm6Kui4yoUVAon6yRh2k/s320/29748751_10157158366849989_2136894665_o.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3nCn6LXS4Kkfc7k-HFiGyIQMe-XGr_n1VdpbekCEOn-PpHrjx0yot1iX6WNDkc-RDhtgEDYLs1PjS0fLDaeKXZL_KbhR-Rp3uS70Pqk5g26T1nN70dz_v9BJMIBF4cobWHhoZmqo4Zmo/s1600/29748034_10157158367019989_1692220325_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3nCn6LXS4Kkfc7k-HFiGyIQMe-XGr_n1VdpbekCEOn-PpHrjx0yot1iX6WNDkc-RDhtgEDYLs1PjS0fLDaeKXZL_KbhR-Rp3uS70Pqk5g26T1nN70dz_v9BJMIBF4cobWHhoZmqo4Zmo/s320/29748034_10157158367019989_1692220325_o.jpg" width="180" /></a>(My nieces and nephews really enjoyed this smiling hot cocoa that I got at a cafe. It was a big hit with humans ages 2-26.) Eating the cute little flower pot was also quite fun. Even those tiny little pebbles were edible. I think we really nailed that last shot of us at the lake in Seoul. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbr0AydyQ2ybS0IAR6WbsffukBDVGq46xpdAN6a7TGmlvuHR_sFez1CqZg2WLN2rjhw2rfM0QVrx3FcWsMgTJcEpRs_c5tdcsqAGyhxdSlohTers8ImZJ8t4TB07_Q8ryntr-xq09L4Wg/s1600/29748782_10157158367269989_926448560_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbr0AydyQ2ybS0IAR6WbsffukBDVGq46xpdAN6a7TGmlvuHR_sFez1CqZg2WLN2rjhw2rfM0QVrx3FcWsMgTJcEpRs_c5tdcsqAGyhxdSlohTers8ImZJ8t4TB07_Q8ryntr-xq09L4Wg/s320/29748782_10157158367269989_926448560_o.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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All too soon though it was time to leave and head to Japan. (Though to be fair it's never really too soon to go to Japan.) I took a bus to the airport the night before my flight and had a sleepover with a few hundred other people who also were in the airport that night. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMCHjVyL7-pPkwoL7Jq9E3kpORVxhfG6x4V1B8sUYaNZkkVWwLARkXEU-NLm_DetoL1PZ8B4TKUgMybs21ZqS-TuKrvbGQtxMsU3DRvYaMSR7sKbMQEb2p-AISJpPlpqwJKUnc9uxWhYQ/s1600/29693720_10157158367379989_1862238860_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1193" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMCHjVyL7-pPkwoL7Jq9E3kpORVxhfG6x4V1B8sUYaNZkkVWwLARkXEU-NLm_DetoL1PZ8B4TKUgMybs21ZqS-TuKrvbGQtxMsU3DRvYaMSR7sKbMQEb2p-AISJpPlpqwJKUnc9uxWhYQ/s320/29693720_10157158367379989_1862238860_o.jpg" width="238" /></a>Important side note: check what time public transportation starts running in the morning before booking morning flights in places where you have no car. <span style="text-align: left;">The first thing I noticed (it was rather hard to miss) was the snow everywhere! I haven't ever been to Sapporo when it wasn't summer, so this was quite a shock for me. The second thing I noticed is that my day clothes just happen to look uncannily similar to my host-sister's husbands pajamas. To be fair, he replaced his pajama bottoms with jeans for the picture, but who knew that the first "couple outfit" I'd see in Asia would be my own (and we'd be the opposite of a couple.)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHkKsqvmBBhqxR-98t6opd74wI20PmmShpvFNwIoT14C3huPExw4PptI8FLzUVCfBHznfWwNKM7xlJB5y94dtX-tpGSlnK_2rjxytAu9X1P6sL7EqvnOObZEHDus1eBDi6eqBVpttQBx4/s1600/29749100_10157158367454989_534793663_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHkKsqvmBBhqxR-98t6opd74wI20PmmShpvFNwIoT14C3huPExw4PptI8FLzUVCfBHznfWwNKM7xlJB5y94dtX-tpGSlnK_2rjxytAu9X1P6sL7EqvnOObZEHDus1eBDi6eqBVpttQBx4/s320/29749100_10157158367454989_534793663_o.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUUG2DTYSuuJ_YP2sA4ImbIjUKgGUN75OntmRh2HvlRz5sdEGPs-SXc4JWp4a8TwmaZDSLdfxwATFlk_ShzNLOGEuBS3hlEI_753QN5ui7_BKkTEZK9gLyUG-aE5vcowqj1zGeAhsQp_8/s1600/29883747_10157158367844989_681057194_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUUG2DTYSuuJ_YP2sA4ImbIjUKgGUN75OntmRh2HvlRz5sdEGPs-SXc4JWp4a8TwmaZDSLdfxwATFlk_ShzNLOGEuBS3hlEI_753QN5ui7_BKkTEZK9gLyUG-aE5vcowqj1zGeAhsQp_8/s320/29883747_10157158367844989_681057194_o.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg97f5L3-1jGRa36giGU8NVzuPrQJnjs9LpqLSx45KmSC26AmEGd4qr6w3KDS-nSAnYzTGBaW4ZFB13GP6izyNnjR4JaCm4VtByfOp9wqFRkoSx1YtPt_XhOs955NPjrUEjtuiR-CeOS78/s1600/29829741_10157158367524989_1247780461_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg97f5L3-1jGRa36giGU8NVzuPrQJnjs9LpqLSx45KmSC26AmEGd4qr6w3KDS-nSAnYzTGBaW4ZFB13GP6izyNnjR4JaCm4VtByfOp9wqFRkoSx1YtPt_XhOs955NPjrUEjtuiR-CeOS78/s320/29829741_10157158367524989_1247780461_o.jpg" width="320" /></a> <br />
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Between playing with the kids, hanging out with the girls and Mama, and living under the kotatsu (the electric blanket under the table) the week went by quicker than I thought it would.<br />
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This was my third visit to Sapporo to see this family, and I picture many more to come.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvjJtYmykBaGStuvoyvz0BgZf-o9VmcEY_or-y-h406RRkeAxIcAIp86YDURYCBgXdnAoaLLH5OqtCZPFZ9xv8bOshayLXXlJVn1xqyf25qiVVToZZlS1bWnZ0hK5ALl9jdVkAmqFmKp8/s1600/29746358_10157158367614989_195797787_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvjJtYmykBaGStuvoyvz0BgZf-o9VmcEY_or-y-h406RRkeAxIcAIp86YDURYCBgXdnAoaLLH5OqtCZPFZ9xv8bOshayLXXlJVn1xqyf25qiVVToZZlS1bWnZ0hK5ALl9jdVkAmqFmKp8/s400/29746358_10157158367614989_195797787_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiH1HesYmWZfx-Ux5zlkKrE4dMYuc8oVHwnTm4YhgZDOhXHwCyEhq0BasnQs-9VKsAQsGTwtoQouJSt0IbCfin6US7rMktxVSfcc_sLXrD6Xli5yqnxJ68GwSvMH-rbnrgWX3YhfU3A-k/s1600/29746481_10157158367899989_446817437_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiH1HesYmWZfx-Ux5zlkKrE4dMYuc8oVHwnTm4YhgZDOhXHwCyEhq0BasnQs-9VKsAQsGTwtoQouJSt0IbCfin6US7rMktxVSfcc_sLXrD6Xli5yqnxJ68GwSvMH-rbnrgWX3YhfU3A-k/s320/29746481_10157158367899989_446817437_o.jpg" width="240" /></a>From Sapporo I headed down to Shizuoka to visit Natasha (a friend from college.) I had almost 2 full weeks at her place hanging with her. We made sure to fit in all of the important things: like visiting the castle at night or spending 90 minutes walking to the beach and 90 minutes walking back because it was a nice day and we love not spending money on public transportation.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK99XAh31AUP3cfwkEdKL6b6to-NGPEdrS8p9nrLHWNwLdWBlmqfcLVMoiJ_Bj89RYJp-HTsw2B0nv_u92JA4XQqx1wKmz_zgexvg8RMlqlYiLkrrO_fQI4aUJGP0XH20hggFLHMydSMo/s1600/29746871_10157158367839989_1451874955_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK99XAh31AUP3cfwkEdKL6b6to-NGPEdrS8p9nrLHWNwLdWBlmqfcLVMoiJ_Bj89RYJp-HTsw2B0nv_u92JA4XQqx1wKmz_zgexvg8RMlqlYiLkrrO_fQI4aUJGP0XH20hggFLHMydSMo/s320/29746871_10157158367839989_1451874955_o.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC52DtYBsH_sD2FsjYm4KUtDw8E28cEvBDljY7U-_MNWb8_0j4zWy5VH_VYGR4s0fm8mjV_US24kA1fHo3Pp6iqbICRGGUyJjEeV_2zyvg3zduVFZsrJFUOBycAzLsuGVr4bXBpIlhweA/s1600/29747174_10157158367849989_339377770_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC52DtYBsH_sD2FsjYm4KUtDw8E28cEvBDljY7U-_MNWb8_0j4zWy5VH_VYGR4s0fm8mjV_US24kA1fHo3Pp6iqbICRGGUyJjEeV_2zyvg3zduVFZsrJFUOBycAzLsuGVr4bXBpIlhweA/s640/29747174_10157158367849989_339377770_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I went back to the castle to explore the area around it while Natasha was working and found some nice little spots. They seemed like ideal places to sit and write in my journal. So I did.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQN2bQsgUdJ_pH3-e8a7bCl7ZqEt_0vbxuQ3Y7wCo6Y6CPiG7K_-LchbCj-xiK5PW1FCNGH6DIm1Q0aWLc1wK1hORcV9BkUFwgWk4CDfbn3yeEN4JQD1vuLE7x6N9k_HeFm9pyt8wPILo/s1600/29748025_10157158367999989_458919489_o+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQN2bQsgUdJ_pH3-e8a7bCl7ZqEt_0vbxuQ3Y7wCo6Y6CPiG7K_-LchbCj-xiK5PW1FCNGH6DIm1Q0aWLc1wK1hORcV9BkUFwgWk4CDfbn3yeEN4JQD1vuLE7x6N9k_HeFm9pyt8wPILo/s640/29748025_10157158367999989_458919489_o+%25281%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisqMTV9WYTcVsaBWTV0u3KMZG1yOuKc028hXJrAlhamhBd7jSmfITDCpTpPs1cAQ2_8gtx8CmvCQ-dtEt3tn_bbKTBj7ElO-gIexDdqHP2KDTV29tViTn8dxI1vSvgUxWds2fzOHtQvIU/s1600/29748226_10157158368004989_1762944594_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisqMTV9WYTcVsaBWTV0u3KMZG1yOuKc028hXJrAlhamhBd7jSmfITDCpTpPs1cAQ2_8gtx8CmvCQ-dtEt3tn_bbKTBj7ElO-gIexDdqHP2KDTV29tViTn8dxI1vSvgUxWds2fzOHtQvIU/s320/29748226_10157158368004989_1762944594_o.jpg" width="320" /></a>I also just happened to be visiting during Yosakoi, which is like a giant dance festival.<br />
Here's a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeWQpWZIPHA&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">short clip</a> from one of the dances we saw on the street. Costume changes are becoming more and more popular in the dances, and sometimes they even have up to three different outfits in one performance!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ZVQ5qHixgEkfPWik_js1H7Ju7DX5es8TJ94ao3H-ZLzU7msSCsgjzzZTmFc_pIVY0j4QOr4nW5_n8V7YbvyRBpXbLFsiaSsdMRw6EZJKtIXBL3-3P3Sv4R4ViUHpoCX8g-pjSm1aphA/s1600/29747304_10157158369069989_2088210865_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ZVQ5qHixgEkfPWik_js1H7Ju7DX5es8TJ94ao3H-ZLzU7msSCsgjzzZTmFc_pIVY0j4QOr4nW5_n8V7YbvyRBpXbLFsiaSsdMRw6EZJKtIXBL3-3P3Sv4R4ViUHpoCX8g-pjSm1aphA/s400/29747304_10157158369069989_2088210865_o.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-kvs1e2jp4GL5_-A1KyLBlGOEzM8it_fhu1Xz8CjpEXCdvY3s5RzAF6y3j2e0eT3Lwp_lxQ2sZUQrcS_rH0ixzYfR-NSWI0K8ntMX7VJoAAJa3qn30G89ck_fPelLnF8F6d-ARkGOTBo/s1600/29893598_10157158367949989_319997641_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-kvs1e2jp4GL5_-A1KyLBlGOEzM8it_fhu1Xz8CjpEXCdvY3s5RzAF6y3j2e0eT3Lwp_lxQ2sZUQrcS_rH0ixzYfR-NSWI0K8ntMX7VJoAAJa3qn30G89ck_fPelLnF8F6d-ARkGOTBo/s320/29893598_10157158367949989_319997641_o.jpg" width="320" /></a>The nights were full of us "studying Japanese", girl talking, watching scary movies and eating dinner together, or making good, old-fashioned cookie dough and watching a Pokemon movie in Japanese. I had to say goodbye to Natasha as the sakura started to bloom, but now that we're both in Japan I know the next visit won't be as long in coming.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi96g01A3piIQmDMlMka81bxdnQHw1vzuDa42z9aFTTTphaKI-CPoui3oaaC_c15mBPbFgNMytQJQaEMHvCKn7dDOqoobO24iwf__lp3xNDIzv3bA0A7x_q1kHUr39hO3aTstApmKKv1qM/s1600/29883988_10157158368009989_1418637900_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi96g01A3piIQmDMlMka81bxdnQHw1vzuDa42z9aFTTTphaKI-CPoui3oaaC_c15mBPbFgNMytQJQaEMHvCKn7dDOqoobO24iwf__lp3xNDIzv3bA0A7x_q1kHUr39hO3aTstApmKKv1qM/s320/29883988_10157158368009989_1418637900_o.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEkSW3am9VJvlpToCUigiicMODfE3J5qn972rrgodFm3aENZ-UAagUVoGwvkVZcyaMW13sj7U-tkK_AXdaxTfZUH75Wi6lak_LRUFtR3CTLZ8xiN6UzP5bGypoRJIhFJckXuACOGsDUlA/s1600/29693718_10157158368029989_572526589_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEkSW3am9VJvlpToCUigiicMODfE3J5qn972rrgodFm3aENZ-UAagUVoGwvkVZcyaMW13sj7U-tkK_AXdaxTfZUH75Wi6lak_LRUFtR3CTLZ8xiN6UzP5bGypoRJIhFJckXuACOGsDUlA/s320/29693718_10157158368029989_572526589_o.jpg" width="240" /></a>The last leg of my trip was in Tokyo. I spent a few days at Papa's house (my host dad from 4 years ago) as I had orientation for work in that general area. (Granted it was still a 90-minute commute, but that's significantly shorter than what it would have been from Natasha's.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOuklYI-L7mBaDXhyphenhyphenK2YKaZ68D5X6s6TiheMbE8mGzRY8KhC04_U-_oOEZGq47UQTfoMfA9pag5MAR5CUkgLOvk-23SiLKLisVmGl7_xVZJHV4ATZSrAGCIAxDSzmtTK_pAQzmMbYu4dA/s1600/29748920_10157158368879989_844225007_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOuklYI-L7mBaDXhyphenhyphenK2YKaZ68D5X6s6TiheMbE8mGzRY8KhC04_U-_oOEZGq47UQTfoMfA9pag5MAR5CUkgLOvk-23SiLKLisVmGl7_xVZJHV4ATZSrAGCIAxDSzmtTK_pAQzmMbYu4dA/s320/29748920_10157158368879989_844225007_o.jpg" width="320" /></a>The first night I arrived, Papa and I went out to dinner, and let's just say it was a lot more fun to talk to him now than it was 4 years ago. (4 years ago my Japanese was TERRIBLE. Just terrible.) I was only here a few days, but everyone still made the effort to celebrate my birthday with me, even though they found out about it the night before. I also celebrated by going to all you can eat conveyor belt sushi with BK (a friend I had literally just met the day before at work.) Soon enough I was off to my 6 days of orientation where I met about 30 other ALTs. The first day everyone was somewhat reserved, but as you can tell by the picture it didn't take long for everyone to bond and start nightly card games.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiajaZJafX41mRR1zx95yeuZpKqUwxavNNc4W7Mlbqn0FoJZfLLHaHNYEk_ecFKrKBcYuWf5HYVIR2gkQPmNFGlEQqK03mANvhsBveVtrSJ-eHG46efOBnimlIUCfUyXKX9qDB-qaqdXgE/s1600/29829302_10157158368814989_1804530600_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1600" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiajaZJafX41mRR1zx95yeuZpKqUwxavNNc4W7Mlbqn0FoJZfLLHaHNYEk_ecFKrKBcYuWf5HYVIR2gkQPmNFGlEQqK03mANvhsBveVtrSJ-eHG46efOBnimlIUCfUyXKX9qDB-qaqdXgE/s320/29829302_10157158368814989_1804530600_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The week went by quickly even though each day from 9-7 felt almost painstakingly slow sometimes (those were the hours we were actually "in training.") With spending 24 hours with these people for 6 days straight, learning where we were all finally living, eating cafeteria food for every meal, and having to share the public bathroom with all the girls (obviously the guys were separate) it would have been extremely difficult to NOT make friends. This was the room I spent my nights in that week. And yes, as always when I travel internationally, I found myself allergic to my room. Awesome.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxzdj0FSlN0Xd_Xetqkoq4aqQ4bTdbg5O8r7BNzqS9a62XfPJKDy_rsqvXEBITryJDHkz6d7YxmuniRagPNwKwTznn6xMFuw1qhSalpfBx5tX5rrxQV1PM2UFKaIf9Zo00g_JuUabn7S8/s1600/29829377_10157158368899989_922175672_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxzdj0FSlN0Xd_Xetqkoq4aqQ4bTdbg5O8r7BNzqS9a62XfPJKDy_rsqvXEBITryJDHkz6d7YxmuniRagPNwKwTznn6xMFuw1qhSalpfBx5tX5rrxQV1PM2UFKaIf9Zo00g_JuUabn7S8/s320/29829377_10157158368899989_922175672_o.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu1nCytEA4gl8FNnLCD93yd3v6cb_ihtphSISAhYzgJw4t9SI2yyQ77Ae-cjFu2V4IZex9S_1D9qZIKul1Ua84bl2YnzfJ85cKLQJpPHSQ5Z4hS5i9mNwZ_hRZQi1g8ZwGXTKuoPQCkMQ/s1600/29829494_10157158369009989_293941433_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu1nCytEA4gl8FNnLCD93yd3v6cb_ihtphSISAhYzgJw4t9SI2yyQ77Ae-cjFu2V4IZex9S_1D9qZIKul1Ua84bl2YnzfJ85cKLQJpPHSQ5Z4hS5i9mNwZ_hRZQi1g8ZwGXTKuoPQCkMQ/s320/29829494_10157158369009989_293941433_o.jpg" width="240" /></a>Kayla and BK (who might not have actually wanted to take that picture with us right then) were the first two friends I made in the company because we had orientation together before the training.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA6Ep-UV_QimmCP4JLPnfhLKQcCwUzaVbHehXbjStHaTrtXt_V4uAcw35wKCwUFRW_CbMS-iHlPFY-MI_idRz2wjgcQDuNlv0KdGVtt_kBxaXshbQC2tyLHAP7d1k6bVENHrw1EGD2fEI/s1600/29746769_10157158368839989_1493160853_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1600" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA6Ep-UV_QimmCP4JLPnfhLKQcCwUzaVbHehXbjStHaTrtXt_V4uAcw35wKCwUFRW_CbMS-iHlPFY-MI_idRz2wjgcQDuNlv0KdGVtt_kBxaXshbQC2tyLHAP7d1k6bVENHrw1EGD2fEI/s320/29746769_10157158368839989_1493160853_o.jpg" width="320" /></a>On the final morning, a couple of us got up early to try to see the sunrise by the huge sakura tree outside the training facility. Despite our best efforts, it was cloudy...but still a fun experience! The rest of the day was rather crazy between cleaning checks, breakfast, and saying goodbye to everyone as we prepared to all move to our new houses.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYabi21LNkB4-vk4TPOEG8_i-oG-mdRR2862RSCaNuCcS0M2asZr-HqDFu3t-0Ty24XGWG1fGEnVavsLU71bCpzZmttFuZFoDR694Qp5RyncN8EXRzkVsOHMdhsYibXVcKWX8lgM4glkA/s1600/29883641_10157158369274989_1559065541_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYabi21LNkB4-vk4TPOEG8_i-oG-mdRR2862RSCaNuCcS0M2asZr-HqDFu3t-0Ty24XGWG1fGEnVavsLU71bCpzZmttFuZFoDR694Qp5RyncN8EXRzkVsOHMdhsYibXVcKWX8lgM4glkA/s320/29883641_10157158369274989_1559065541_o.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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Michelle came with me to my new house to help me settle in. (Sadly, it's a week later when I'm writing this and my room is still about as empty as it was in this photo. Although I do have a bed now, so I'm going places in life.)<br />
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Between getting a bicycle to get me around town, trying to enjoy all the sights in Japan, and spending money on furnishing my apartment (money that I probably don't really have) the week flew by. (I can tell this bike and I are going to be best friends. In the 6 days I've owned it we've probably already traveled 60 km (or 38 miles) together. That might sound like a lot or it might not, but now imagine me riding on this sweet bike with my "I'm a foreigner" backpack and having a large shopping bag dangling off each handlebar.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBwaTTbG84qwzYX950vhiWVO5_736orBUoVu9DM42dyBWdCwz025EmulWwkTmsmGXy1jTcZibGOslsJ3kzABwoJrATdlGNchreiJ7xLLr-aJGzIZIBOkJb7ljM02vL0eMhtp9XNZxlzEI/s1600/29746438_10157158369269989_936868346_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBwaTTbG84qwzYX950vhiWVO5_736orBUoVu9DM42dyBWdCwz025EmulWwkTmsmGXy1jTcZibGOslsJ3kzABwoJrATdlGNchreiJ7xLLr-aJGzIZIBOkJb7ljM02vL0eMhtp9XNZxlzEI/s400/29746438_10157158369269989_936868346_o.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4wcFo3XOSR9SbuHH_NA5DjJvG90Aj4wZinnAl0JumwYIabsGtfvm_O41BB59giGBHZhglryR0aJM-djYlrBtzsUIeeJ3GQIWDp_ridtYemzoOFJfEWHrG7citA-HqEnF8WG6eMtyWRjE/s1600/29884336_10157158369284989_1898269861_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4wcFo3XOSR9SbuHH_NA5DjJvG90Aj4wZinnAl0JumwYIabsGtfvm_O41BB59giGBHZhglryR0aJM-djYlrBtzsUIeeJ3GQIWDp_ridtYemzoOFJfEWHrG7citA-HqEnF8WG6eMtyWRjE/s400/29884336_10157158369284989_1898269861_o.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsi6ucLAa-NNPOc3DsfERrYQB5dOAUX7EaO-c8xwRICtj-bTw45cRkbyXgHYtYA7Lw-EbUjZbMTkowIEdVGjA_CpuFhpSv9XMOMaEE9RxsH6xfoS08c-uXRxDjDJcq4XFW7c5ZB7N8r1k/s1600/29749157_10157158369399989_947603490_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsi6ucLAa-NNPOc3DsfERrYQB5dOAUX7EaO-c8xwRICtj-bTw45cRkbyXgHYtYA7Lw-EbUjZbMTkowIEdVGjA_CpuFhpSv9XMOMaEE9RxsH6xfoS08c-uXRxDjDJcq4XFW7c5ZB7N8r1k/s320/29749157_10157158369399989_947603490_o.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFO6mGnYJHHQ1mcAIyFXoG81LIjar73xCGGZZV8ALdBi9XA2ED4YSEuaPAZM0hlHWgGEZACZ5IjKWw3pyYNXJSf-PolUWZ7TGpiYaMvOmVuFNzn77TEm14MlzNo9MJ2T19uQ-2P-tSHDk/s1600/29746544_10157158369564989_2041629786_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFO6mGnYJHHQ1mcAIyFXoG81LIjar73xCGGZZV8ALdBi9XA2ED4YSEuaPAZM0hlHWgGEZACZ5IjKWw3pyYNXJSf-PolUWZ7TGpiYaMvOmVuFNzn77TEm14MlzNo9MJ2T19uQ-2P-tSHDk/s320/29746544_10157158369564989_2041629786_o.jpg" width="240" /></a>I'm sorry that I'm really not putting as many stories in here as I normally would. Maybe you guys will thank me for the shorter blog post. Who knows? To summarize this week I've done a lot of settling in, like buying big girl pots and pans, ordering a futon to sleep on, and buying the essential things I need to live in an empty apartment. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKLmJT19cvQTM_URUXYFQyNdQdCFIrGsIVsUN3_yx7u6OHB0RVA_bzwDxvBfPCjWYQEn8yexSYgPJk-UslHK91Dj3e3CJ4DCNavjRSPE4vtNWT-zi8qrVZaseQqbCN-W2GU89XgUoatpY/s1600/29748454_10157158369409989_209297260_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1600" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKLmJT19cvQTM_URUXYFQyNdQdCFIrGsIVsUN3_yx7u6OHB0RVA_bzwDxvBfPCjWYQEn8yexSYgPJk-UslHK91Dj3e3CJ4DCNavjRSPE4vtNWT-zi8qrVZaseQqbCN-W2GU89XgUoatpY/s320/29748454_10157158369409989_209297260_o.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a>Plus there may have been a bit of socializing happening during the week too... These cherry blossom trees go on for who knows how long (I biked a ways down the road and still couldn't find the end before my time was up) and a river that I can see from my front door. I'm a little out in the country, but I kind of love how isolated my apartment feels. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ9AlZWmkFXB9WCQ0SJc6uBh1FgyThcajvrHOQI6dmeqZGJNQsboOjwtnM98e-z4x9P0AMNcDTAQ6atLCJOU1I6Ey9bIpmb3_pF9X-poKyk3Cw0TyqIUUiPGBE-GZ3K4Qpxie4Hn6IoPk/s1600/29747305_10157158369364989_2007729467_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ9AlZWmkFXB9WCQ0SJc6uBh1FgyThcajvrHOQI6dmeqZGJNQsboOjwtnM98e-z4x9P0AMNcDTAQ6atLCJOU1I6Ey9bIpmb3_pF9X-poKyk3Cw0TyqIUUiPGBE-GZ3K4Qpxie4Hn6IoPk/s400/29747305_10157158369364989_2007729467_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Every night I go to bed a little bit in shock about the fact that I'm actually living in Japan. And while I know that I won't always have cherry blossom pictures to post, I will always have pictures of Japan to share while I'm here and I'm inexcusably excited by that prospect. Sleeping on the floor on top of a bed made of clothes can't dampen the excitement. Being allergic to my empty room and waking myself up with sneezes can't dampen the excitement. Not knowing how to correctly sort my trash or where to throw it out each night can't dampen the excitement. Even finding out that the vending machine outside of my apartment DOESN'T sell hot cocoa can't dampen the excitement. I don't know how often I'll be posting blogs once work starts up, but even if you aren't hearing from me know that every day is amazing here. I miss a lot of things about America (like Walmart and some people and french bread with cheese) but I wouldn't trade this experience for anything. </div>
Laura Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03227536805852645246noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268903947120771564.post-60170987369960001382018-01-30T22:18:00.003-08:002018-01-30T22:49:04.852-08:00Just a Girl and Her CarToday is my two-week mark before I leave for Asia, and this job in Japan has been a crazy opportunity for me even though I haven't even left America yet. The past 5 months have been so crazy that I thought it deserved one more blog post before I start the next phase of my life. From September-January I've done 17 road trips (big and small) and just in road-trip-miles alone I've driven 7,457 miles (not including just driving around Utah while I lived there and worked on and off.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy4tLfLgQbFkk08wnKkU2YkEUxj_MDqF2gtqJ2p-3ZgsNTSv4gOl0PbnsP6Rna5sCXCtt1aQ3A-ASKplv61jCfJKudcn3Jrj3FKi8g8BfWg5Do6_jmVMbce9AxC5ZA7nOeKY3TaucBZdQ/s1600/2018-01-30+%25284%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy4tLfLgQbFkk08wnKkU2YkEUxj_MDqF2gtqJ2p-3ZgsNTSv4gOl0PbnsP6Rna5sCXCtt1aQ3A-ASKplv61jCfJKudcn3Jrj3FKi8g8BfWg5Do6_jmVMbce9AxC5ZA7nOeKY3TaucBZdQ/s640/2018-01-30+%25284%2529.png" width="640" /></a><br />
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Here's a map of the first half of my travels spanning September - October of 2017.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga0DKIwb8lXa3EdwcoNhzSSlfsSKqg5M5n6xAWszlEQgE2D-v-1ax7ad9XlZYiihkK4l3dLFeWk4fu4on8rGzZ_Q27gLVKV9z3TNae0aiHqjihz_jndmcvrOO_PU6QH5rtMox2Dhy0XR4/s1600/27658894_10156963288254989_216021806_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="280" data-original-width="375" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga0DKIwb8lXa3EdwcoNhzSSlfsSKqg5M5n6xAWszlEQgE2D-v-1ax7ad9XlZYiihkK4l3dLFeWk4fu4on8rGzZ_Q27gLVKV9z3TNae0aiHqjihz_jndmcvrOO_PU6QH5rtMox2Dhy0XR4/s320/27658894_10156963288254989_216021806_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><b><u>Step 1: SLC, UT-->Colorado Springs (585mi)</u></b><br />
I began by road-tripping home to AR (not an enviable task since it's roughly 1300 miles one way.) While it was difficult being away from my roommates and friends in Utah--especially knowing I'm moving out for real at the end of the year--I had so much fun going home in the middle of the year. Since leaving home to go to college I've never been able to be home in September/October, and it was a blast. I was able to meet my future sister-in-law for the first time and spend the weekend with her and my brother in CO (a super convenient, not-quite-half-way point between UT and AR.) Turns out she's amazing and the weekend was a blast! (Not to mention delicious--she's a heck of a cook!)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP9NndQnTQmXBeX7Xmp85LZNEijsXFAgQc1t7921gcLDvtF3u5lJPTnR6adxL8mDGIcHhyphenhyphenWTS8rjbLasZ3CAlfrccumJ1XBbyyuxXXe_x8C9m4rtnuIlJcUqqMNCYemk3qo3lHeDYvZDk/s1600/27497522_10156963289124989_1903556057_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="280" data-original-width="373" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP9NndQnTQmXBeX7Xmp85LZNEijsXFAgQc1t7921gcLDvtF3u5lJPTnR6adxL8mDGIcHhyphenhyphenWTS8rjbLasZ3CAlfrccumJ1XBbyyuxXXe_x8C9m4rtnuIlJcUqqMNCYemk3qo3lHeDYvZDk/s640/27497522_10156963289124989_1903556057_n.jpg" width="640" /></a>(I'll make this picture extra large so you can see their adorable faces.)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW0DjGYjtUQgC8WqFYT9K-CjEqqqgZfu3-emBHxLJ0l7ZE0MoUd2y8fQhfgPTMzIvDCA_9CkagDpPf_4FCzV6n0q_fIsRfC5bGQ6SVGdTaWKDzKlRXEVw0BoH8LhDFeSpaUBrdrrpygiE/s1600/27497876_10156963280184989_757840687_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="373" data-original-width="280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW0DjGYjtUQgC8WqFYT9K-CjEqqqgZfu3-emBHxLJ0l7ZE0MoUd2y8fQhfgPTMzIvDCA_9CkagDpPf_4FCzV6n0q_fIsRfC5bGQ6SVGdTaWKDzKlRXEVw0BoH8LhDFeSpaUBrdrrpygiE/s320/27497876_10156963280184989_757840687_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
<b><br /></b> <b><u> Step 2: Colorado Springs --> NWA (745 miles)</u></b><br />
Then I went and spent some time with the nieces and nephews in North West Arkansas. Now in case you have trouble differentiating my baby face from the rest of the kids, I'm the one with longer legs. These kids are kind of stinkin' adorable, and if I could base my whole life on them (and still have a life) I totally would. I hate how big they get every time I leave.<br />
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<b><u> Step 3: NWA --> Little Rock (219 miles)</u></b><br />
Anyway, another important reason to come home was because I thought it would be rather difficult to be the maid of honor for my friend's wedding in AR all the way in UT. So here's her beautiful self at her wedding where I had to give a toast for the first time in my life. :O We got to spend a week together before the wedding doing all the wedding to-do's that we could, and it was amazing because we hadn't spent that much time together since we both went off to college. The week went by too quickly for me, but at least we had plenty of time for chick flicks, sushi, and watching Japanese shows together in between wedding appointments and errands.<br />
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<b><u>Step 4: Little Rock --> Mountain Home (153 mi)</u></b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIIqbD8O-Tz3-hQSjXBv8i9uxneXB9-OKb74AGEhiNhrrd3wJTNJnBCW1pSsHueoRfQZEfxcjcDPljrKrTd6u0tAobnYOt-Ow-92M-I99z_DBs6kYq1rgeL-_AzaogqmVzSsClqGCF78A/s1600/27497486_10156963300969989_1517708333_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="280" data-original-width="373" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIIqbD8O-Tz3-hQSjXBv8i9uxneXB9-OKb74AGEhiNhrrd3wJTNJnBCW1pSsHueoRfQZEfxcjcDPljrKrTd6u0tAobnYOt-Ow-92M-I99z_DBs6kYq1rgeL-_AzaogqmVzSsClqGCF78A/s320/27497486_10156963300969989_1517708333_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPT9BaLh-qv28i7B-KyPqzQPRrJJOtrqh9FpzYvBqurtYXobWpIKPiP_PteiOphFuujA_ER8BwdTkCAkajVdAK7XDEEfpJvzw9rKBmitY3guc8Rkya9hhoxNehCAYuKm8TLI-2v0Jb-d4/s1600/27537389_10156963297119989_771382404_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPT9BaLh-qv28i7B-KyPqzQPRrJJOtrqh9FpzYvBqurtYXobWpIKPiP_PteiOphFuujA_ER8BwdTkCAkajVdAK7XDEEfpJvzw9rKBmitY3guc8Rkya9hhoxNehCAYuKm8TLI-2v0Jb-d4/s320/27537389_10156963297119989_771382404_o.jpg" width="240" /></a>This was my first time being home in October in years and years. It was a bit sad to miss out on the scary movies, haunted houses, and parties with my roommates and friends, but also look at what I've been missing out by not being home these past 8 years! (Excellent pumpkin carving and also chocolate chip pumpkin cheesecake that I pretty much devoured solo.) Also, I usually miss out on my nieces' and nephews' birthdays, so this Mario party was another treat.<br />
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(This didn't need to be extra large, I just think everyone looks really funny with our mustaches.)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJLSTZuZS4JnyoOho3lD7e84gTjZ7NkOaQtbn0SKTyrEphcXhHWQb-90d7tsPLijfzsBRukC5zbSWFuc3cQwPLkdcgMb8o4Dd8BlqMG-0h6qkr_W7_yT5p8KvuOA4oylFpf_mmeyPXDLU/s1600/27583151_10156963292299989_601082987_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="280" data-original-width="373" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJLSTZuZS4JnyoOho3lD7e84gTjZ7NkOaQtbn0SKTyrEphcXhHWQb-90d7tsPLijfzsBRukC5zbSWFuc3cQwPLkdcgMb8o4Dd8BlqMG-0h6qkr_W7_yT5p8KvuOA4oylFpf_mmeyPXDLU/s640/27583151_10156963292299989_601082987_n.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUezyjy0IeNAuDWdHVN5fc7wBuCHLQ8AlbNwVg1WWOKweeW2CYTVJ5SqYmAF8vFkuPHbt45Ohx91Xs5X7B-wmXCetEy2MuhDicptajd7aMikE0sMHOuNpiVRcp9-0v_pdKkpEWmx6m0VE/s1600/27497998_10156963302269989_832817986_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="280" data-original-width="373" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUezyjy0IeNAuDWdHVN5fc7wBuCHLQ8AlbNwVg1WWOKweeW2CYTVJ5SqYmAF8vFkuPHbt45Ohx91Xs5X7B-wmXCetEy2MuhDicptajd7aMikE0sMHOuNpiVRcp9-0v_pdKkpEWmx6m0VE/s320/27497998_10156963302269989_832817986_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<b><u>Step 5: Mountain Home --> NWA (130 miles)</u></b><br />
And then I got to spend a week babysitting my sister's kids while she was in Florida with her husband. Let me tell you, going from being a single adult to a single mom was no laughing matter. At first, it was quite a shock having kids want my attention all the time, but then I remembered that I taught fourth graders and it wasn't actually that different (except there was no dismissal bell at the end of the day.)<br />
I decided that I actually could be a mom if this was what it was like. Sadly, I don't think that's exactly what it will be like since Emily had a schedule typed up for the week, already had the groceries bought, the meals planned, the kids' snacks labeled, and their clothes picked out and labeled for each day of the week. BUTTT if parenting was like that then I'd totally be all over it. This is a picture of me being all over it. And bonus points to you if you noticed my niece, Bailey, mimicking my peace sign in the background (I sure didn't until later-sneaky little girl!)<br />
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<b><u>Step 6: NWA --> Kansas City (238 miles)</u></b><br />
After that, we did a trip to Kansas City to go to the temple together. It was just an overnight trip, but how fun to get away for a little while and stay in a house where all the kids were together. (By fun I mean fun, but also I mean crazy.)<br />
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<b><u>Step 7: Kansas City --> Elkhart, KS (456 miles)</u></b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB5xQzkzEf0eXvKcOt5OH6LlUr3iVHfrf7XWZuGhVroddyxKSSNQUfzh12oRp6s3TZ3hYo25RcmlYU5ekWT1SrcSfU_i-wBafyEUVYFEZFdEsZTa1sju3DFcEs_TZ_DOdn9SaB7DWKI9I/s1600/27658225_10156963340119989_1468532102_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="280" data-original-width="373" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB5xQzkzEf0eXvKcOt5OH6LlUr3iVHfrf7XWZuGhVroddyxKSSNQUfzh12oRp6s3TZ3hYo25RcmlYU5ekWT1SrcSfU_i-wBafyEUVYFEZFdEsZTa1sju3DFcEs_TZ_DOdn9SaB7DWKI9I/s320/27658225_10156963340119989_1468532102_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>It was at this point in my life that I kind of appreciate the fact that I'd done all my driving alone because when the opportunity came to just randomly swing by Elkhart, Kansas I was able to take it without consulting anyone else about my schedule. (Not that people don't just "randomly swing by" Elkhart. My friend told me it's called the 'armpit of KS' and with a population of 2,205 (as of 2010) I can kind of understand why. But luckily at least 1 out of those 2,205 people were really cool, named Jessica Hall, and has just recently returned from her mission in Germany that's all the excuse you need to swing by.) And that's how I had an excellent week's visit of Hallmark movies, collaborative writing sessions, and late night girl talks.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkGoZ3yVwvxZtdQideJXPfV7yv8nOaAyPaB-WyOH63-mjV2uF5-q8NT5nf3q2z-mtIZ5pvqEU5Xf22FOX_j2nkJpU609IFdrd3iNCv5YISaj079vsihBpTjIIuJZWuwzov9ld7AHZ7EjA/s1600/27651169_10156963463654989_1143214691_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkGoZ3yVwvxZtdQideJXPfV7yv8nOaAyPaB-WyOH63-mjV2uF5-q8NT5nf3q2z-mtIZ5pvqEU5Xf22FOX_j2nkJpU609IFdrd3iNCv5YISaj079vsihBpTjIIuJZWuwzov9ld7AHZ7EjA/s320/27651169_10156963463654989_1143214691_o.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
<b><u>Step 8: Elkhart --> Colorado Springs (574 miles)</u></b><br />
As I wanted to make sure I got plenty of bonding time in with my future in-law before leaving the country (and I didn't want to drive 23 hours straight), I stopped by Michelle's again on my way back to Utah. I did mention how she's super good at cooking, right? Who else makes savory crepes from Le Menu?<br />
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<b><u>Step 9: Colorado Springs --> SLC, UT (585 miles)</u></b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihGhhAGj2MwHtToQrLd7KLO6peXq21XiqncVDv73oEEmNClFFqptvthPbKMiaePXEf5Ld3q4fyxANu260nWoBrURCe0AX4E56hWVB_4Ej7U9P0e10TZgXuFXx5gQ2Js9deo20GTKR6ofg/s1600/27661762_10156963342039989_227769181_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="280" data-original-width="373" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihGhhAGj2MwHtToQrLd7KLO6peXq21XiqncVDv73oEEmNClFFqptvthPbKMiaePXEf5Ld3q4fyxANu260nWoBrURCe0AX4E56hWVB_4Ej7U9P0e10TZgXuFXx5gQ2Js9deo20GTKR6ofg/s320/27661762_10156963342039989_227769181_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>And, finally, without telling my room-mates, I made it home in time for Halloween! Literally made it home the day of, made my costume, and then ended up saying hello to everyone at the Halloween parties.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqjiJ4de62Z1KbbnBj66oC4DZPaIn72H2DaPb9-BKNCR1xe9ZJu_VP0wdl00Xvp4ma9hcMASEVcJthp5A3kA4DFFbf8vLvAYZhyVZeboKvbThwz4Tq6zd7Ny_JcfYpExni4SVT6_Lv2-o/s1600/27496433_10156963350089989_2041925265_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="280" data-original-width="373" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqjiJ4de62Z1KbbnBj66oC4DZPaIn72H2DaPb9-BKNCR1xe9ZJu_VP0wdl00Xvp4ma9hcMASEVcJthp5A3kA4DFFbf8vLvAYZhyVZeboKvbThwz4Tq6zd7Ny_JcfYpExni4SVT6_Lv2-o/s320/27496433_10156963350089989_2041925265_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>Here's just a couple of random photos to commemorate my last 6 weeks of living with my amazing roommates and spending time with my friends whom I'll miss terribly.<br />
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1) Roommate trip to Park City to work on our book, <i>What to Expect When You're Not Expecting.</i> Yes, it was necessary to take this mildly unflattering photo of all of us in bed.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgySidionS5gly1dy1V_W_sQlZftawXG5DCE7NKuTH08COM2ukxu8yznxIaAAT8e1-LWD9U5RSCxidsjxmp0jvbs0lhq5QwTrIwiaVdai43lAxuSAjWp5GbdF2f94lfFVo63dxOsBcDVCQ/s1600/27496000_10156963353134989_644298588_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="280" data-original-width="373" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgySidionS5gly1dy1V_W_sQlZftawXG5DCE7NKuTH08COM2ukxu8yznxIaAAT8e1-LWD9U5RSCxidsjxmp0jvbs0lhq5QwTrIwiaVdai43lAxuSAjWp5GbdF2f94lfFVo63dxOsBcDVCQ/s320/27496000_10156963353134989_644298588_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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2) Roommate Christmas, which we had to do about 3 weeks before Christmas since we weren't all going to be together after. Pretty much I feel like everyone nailed their presents, and I still can't believe we are splitting up.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdCDpoq3KWOno8i6pHTNCmADNZmc5x2CTxQ8c8V0C24VOtVGuRqcDQ9Krvx9awKqo8sQZbrGDH1EA6zYXL-8gs9yknIcFlXURiIVXfTLo3No5OGEUTyOu3V-3-gV9R25Ctsfa6LqfErAg/s1600/27497312_10156963363274989_1348212957_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="280" data-original-width="373" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdCDpoq3KWOno8i6pHTNCmADNZmc5x2CTxQ8c8V0C24VOtVGuRqcDQ9Krvx9awKqo8sQZbrGDH1EA6zYXL-8gs9yknIcFlXURiIVXfTLo3No5OGEUTyOu3V-3-gV9R25Ctsfa6LqfErAg/s320/27497312_10156963363274989_1348212957_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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3) Our CA trip that happened my 2nd to last weekend in Utah. These girls are amazing. I won't go into detail though since we already made a whole <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSIYhP6VMXk" target="_blank">music video</a> about this trip.<br />
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4) Normal roommate bonding at the temple. Sometimes it's pretty crazy with these girls, but it's always a good time. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-0u-54tgEDxz_WB9Xr_78CYE2zSR8ELuBoUNhKk6URROyjK0E6QSSmBh90oxLVBGD32lm0-fYPkiVXvDU62pYrcq4QM6Ym38wWx5Bh_TtxfswlCXV5Kjc1LzOH74lanK_mfikCBKMIho/s1600/27583432_10156963348109989_246168804_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="280" data-original-width="373" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-0u-54tgEDxz_WB9Xr_78CYE2zSR8ELuBoUNhKk6URROyjK0E6QSSmBh90oxLVBGD32lm0-fYPkiVXvDU62pYrcq4QM6Ym38wWx5Bh_TtxfswlCXV5Kjc1LzOH74lanK_mfikCBKMIho/s320/27583432_10156963348109989_246168804_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7GXQt9s-Uxx2eD0duZkVJ1_VTzEPbZ0gI1g1yW8_u3KlpMuza99DGs4v_MTKF_UECNOxoo7KL1b6LjkTqFsm8FscP1d2CRHjvKZNJKux2LgnpVmhO-0FhmSFLVVGEmx3rY9eT47frPOw/s1600/27583624_10156963363954989_739596274_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="280" data-original-width="373" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7GXQt9s-Uxx2eD0duZkVJ1_VTzEPbZ0gI1g1yW8_u3KlpMuza99DGs4v_MTKF_UECNOxoo7KL1b6LjkTqFsm8FscP1d2CRHjvKZNJKux2LgnpVmhO-0FhmSFLVVGEmx3rY9eT47frPOw/s320/27583624_10156963363954989_739596274_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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5) Dinner with my 4th Grade team from my first year of teaching. I'll always appreciate these girls and how they helped me survive my first 2 years of teaching. I don't know if I'll be able to teach anywhere else because I was so spoiled with my team these first two years. Until the next time I'm in Utah and we can get Thai food and talk for hours.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghqIc3AT2Kl6XfSXG6yzrY6iwZca-uNEQQbMuPfOJx-rzFIrF66azztLqdSDmbbLtbzr7t-n51nNsI7-GaoWyLFeCuqJBAUosl_nGqGJDoE1a9WIVcEcj5pPZJBLQJSqkoLG1P8iSCrpk/s1600/27591754_10156963364884989_382091174_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="280" data-original-width="493" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghqIc3AT2Kl6XfSXG6yzrY6iwZca-uNEQQbMuPfOJx-rzFIrF66azztLqdSDmbbLtbzr7t-n51nNsI7-GaoWyLFeCuqJBAUosl_nGqGJDoE1a9WIVcEcj5pPZJBLQJSqkoLG1P8iSCrpk/s320/27591754_10156963364884989_382091174_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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6) Our amazingly fun group date that went very quickly from like 8 people, up to 20 people, and then back down to a <u>more </u>reasonable amount of14 (2 are missing in this picture.) Who knew that gingerbread houses could be so fun?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkqI__Y3Tfrc9efu9u94LbdGIS3rFsud_4GYuZDlCbupJAwsq9K3AMQwmo8uXq2Rayj6ziQ03uvtu-9hZLGegXxSqzABMXATVB8vBfWNECDhILm164XTrI2_yYe8wn5Ep7ZtYIhRFcQ-M/s1600/27658210_10156963365494989_1517086795_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="280" data-original-width="373" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkqI__Y3Tfrc9efu9u94LbdGIS3rFsud_4GYuZDlCbupJAwsq9K3AMQwmo8uXq2Rayj6ziQ03uvtu-9hZLGegXxSqzABMXATVB8vBfWNECDhILm164XTrI2_yYe8wn5Ep7ZtYIhRFcQ-M/s320/27658210_10156963365494989_1517086795_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
7) Finally, me saying goodbye to all my UT friends. It's funny how I've been here for 7 years and have all these people I know, but it takes me moving across the world to proactively reach out to people and find time to hang out/say goodbye.<br />
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Katie and Abram are one of my favorite couple friends to hang out with so it's lucky that they're planning on coming to Japan to visit. (Right, guys?)<br />
(Jen actually isn't a UT friend so I didn't say goodbye to her.)<br />
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And that, my friends, is the end of the first half of my travels. There you have a condensed version of the life of Laura Drake from September until December. Don't worry though, I'm clearly not done.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3zBPtyheHTV76p_Niq7oqBt0DVCqiYHCxNa8YIPLEyVQNzQHYu57yyU6fqxpt14TnFPmgxrVdYIqi7YA-EzFnBlbsWdo9A9ijNMFnO291SiITWlWONquKpOO0LGhRrNH8Y4m0145r9Yw/s1600/2018-01-30+%25285%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3zBPtyheHTV76p_Niq7oqBt0DVCqiYHCxNa8YIPLEyVQNzQHYu57yyU6fqxpt14TnFPmgxrVdYIqi7YA-EzFnBlbsWdo9A9ijNMFnO291SiITWlWONquKpOO0LGhRrNH8Y4m0145r9Yw/s640/2018-01-30+%25285%2529.png" width="640" /></a><br />
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Here's the map of the 2nd half of my travels and trips, which all happened in the very short time span of about 6 weeks.<br />
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<b><u>Step 10: SLC, UT --> Colorado Springs (585 miles)</u></b><br />
Once more I loaded up my car (with the remainder of my belongings), said my final goodbye to Utah, and drove away. Just kidding! I tried to leave, really I did. But my battery was more dead than my social life in Arkansas. I took it as a sign that it wasn't time to go, but then an overly helpful friend helped me jump my car, and I didn't have any more excuses to stay (plus, all my stuff was loaded up so...) I stopped by Colorado Springs again, but, sadly, I missed Michelle this visit. I guess I'll just have to wait to see her again at her wedding! (Pretty crazy, right? People getting married and whatnot.)<br />
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<b><u>Step 11: CO --> Mountain Home, AR (853 mi)</u></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWEB3YqVdyib9KwNJbSNnNqa2B9iAogMzUkxK5CyIH58ePvxc7QP9Jkn5hqS0BRWfr35Xm-cn_tkTlcCDFQKlA7uaSgdoboShB2dNsJun1XcohQjDGLSwh_QySsLjzhCtcPWbp5ymCjSQ/s1600/27583583_10156963367824989_1226028018_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="280" data-original-width="395" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWEB3YqVdyib9KwNJbSNnNqa2B9iAogMzUkxK5CyIH58ePvxc7QP9Jkn5hqS0BRWfr35Xm-cn_tkTlcCDFQKlA7uaSgdoboShB2dNsJun1XcohQjDGLSwh_QySsLjzhCtcPWbp5ymCjSQ/s320/27583583_10156963367824989_1226028018_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
My brother and I caravaned the rest of the trip home, which isn't quite as exciting as having someone actually in the car to speak with, but it's also not quite as lonely as doing it all by myself. Without any further hiccoughs, we made it home safely in time for Christmas. And we can't have Christmas without family pictures.<br />
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Plus there were our super wild new year celebrations where we took more family pictures. Here's mine. (You wouldn't believe how many takes it took for me to get all the kids to smile.)<br />
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<b><u>Step 12: Home --> Farmington, AR (130 miles)</u></b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCPWl0lbnFr_PBTQaKMU2JXSgcAy3a4Q7b5zdsxfB48I4tXUBiG5hrKRMyxoYNimjEmPFlYFPl6tb-1JCEi00Wi4Rx0nY4EAWCCMI0a4jUr1uCLu6iz1XIj2II7OaCqzo06JW14juLLnY/s1600/27661925_10156963370634989_1144515587_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="373" data-original-width="280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCPWl0lbnFr_PBTQaKMU2JXSgcAy3a4Q7b5zdsxfB48I4tXUBiG5hrKRMyxoYNimjEmPFlYFPl6tb-1JCEi00Wi4Rx0nY4EAWCCMI0a4jUr1uCLu6iz1XIj2II7OaCqzo06JW14juLLnY/s320/27661925_10156963370634989_1144515587_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34nr73X2b7vZ3rT-xNpaLefJpUGh8fQnuvlkfloPEH2gboYMFVpLS85zAg7c72C9OvVEr04PWwL8vi3HogoZGFbPN5HxQeRB_XZC2qVljaosSwfyooeI85-vuENTWCmtJ-4UmLZGrTkY/s1600/27537190_10156963296589989_704145841_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34nr73X2b7vZ3rT-xNpaLefJpUGh8fQnuvlkfloPEH2gboYMFVpLS85zAg7c72C9OvVEr04PWwL8vi3HogoZGFbPN5HxQeRB_XZC2qVljaosSwfyooeI85-vuENTWCmtJ-4UmLZGrTkY/s320/27537190_10156963296589989_704145841_o.jpg" width="240" /></a><b> </b>After an excellent Christmas break, I headed up to NWA to spend time with Sarah and her family because (SURPRISE) she's pregnant! Plus who doesn't love having an extra adult to adult around the house when there are kids running around during the day and an extra third wheel to hang out around the house when the kids are in bed? (None of my siblings anyway.)<br />
If you're confused on how this picture relates to this experience then you're not alone. Sometimes Sarah likes to write nice notes on her sign like "Aunt Laura is our homegirl." And sometimes Johnny likes to rearrange the sign when she isn't looking. So there ya go. But at the same time, there's this blonde cutie who likes to randomly snuggle with me and spontaneously say things like "I love you, little sweetheart."<br />
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<b><u>Step 13: NWA --> St. Louis, MO (363 miles)</u></b><br />
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Yes, I've only been in AR for a month and my roommates came to visit. Yes, we may have dependency issues. No, I'm not worried about it at all, and a 15 hour time difference in Japan is why apps like Marco Polo have been invented.<br />
Yes, this is the fantastically European-like basilica that prompted us to pretend like we'd gone to Switzerland together instead of just plain ole MO. No, we didn't spontaneously get on an airplane, but I'm flattered so many people thought us cool enough for that.<br />
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<b><br /></b> <b><br /></b> <b><u>Step 14: St. Louis, MO --> Mtn. Home, AR (248 miles)</u></b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi79KxtUZzt-bZLavhqooO5rrBy_geMv0IDBcAV4cefiweXDOWtTmYDYC_qHM1GhOELY3ZahplITJIS3Ci4X4wW0LDNdiCGATQ_NaNkWUvQ8684iLJVdyIG-FA3g0Ex62jLAOwjqXwF0fs/s1600/27591151_10156963374719989_1519296178_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="280" data-original-width="373" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi79KxtUZzt-bZLavhqooO5rrBy_geMv0IDBcAV4cefiweXDOWtTmYDYC_qHM1GhOELY3ZahplITJIS3Ci4X4wW0LDNdiCGATQ_NaNkWUvQ8684iLJVdyIG-FA3g0Ex62jLAOwjqXwF0fs/s320/27591151_10156963374719989_1519296178_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>I may have said this before, but some people go away to college, fall in love, get married, and then drag the poor suckers back to retiree-central Mtn Home, AR to meet the family. I, on the other hand, travel a lot and drag my roommates home to meet my parents. A fair enough trade-off I suppose. I mean, it was one heck of a weekend trip, and they did hit it off swimmingly with my parents.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIcBs6mHaz-8xHhhZ33QBrm0vprKLEbhXJtANlmOfLihCGZXT56_fboRfV6rEipAGdLKyqUbFTNpuyp5sJVEJyJezQObpgmovdpgGrJ7s9Zj3uBnlXUdDVU64evIB1yXW301QrPCRXRNg/s1600/27496259_10156963376354989_135644219_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="497" data-original-width="280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIcBs6mHaz-8xHhhZ33QBrm0vprKLEbhXJtANlmOfLihCGZXT56_fboRfV6rEipAGdLKyqUbFTNpuyp5sJVEJyJezQObpgmovdpgGrJ7s9Zj3uBnlXUdDVU64evIB1yXW301QrPCRXRNg/s320/27496259_10156963376354989_135644219_n.jpg" width="180" /></a><br />
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<b><br /></b> <b><br /></b> <b><br /></b> <b><br /></b> <b><u>Step 15: Mtn. Home --> Urbana, IL (433 miles)</u></b><br />
Sadly, the weekend ended too soon, and then I had to drop my roommates off at the St. Louis airport again. And since I was already 4.5 hours away from home in MO, it seemed like a good time to continue on to IL and visit Jen. It was only another 3 hours or so once I said goodbye to my roommates, and then I got to spend an exciting week with her. Ever taken a picture with a large Christmas tree in mid-January? Neither had I. Ever eaten three loaves of bread in one week by yourself? Neither had I. Ever given a talk in church in a ward that you were just passing through for the week? Neither had I. But I was able to experience all of this and more during my week with Jen. It was one for the books (or the blogs.)<br />
<b><br /></b> <b><u>Step 16: Urbana --> Knoxville, TN (488 miles)</u></b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvP4j7nZ50Ub2BqkARk22DE9acDOwGVGH5_wxvqOi7VV6rpUMl9i16KqTtPpNq1pL1SSzzxkp2NGN7UoGh1UbrWB2qkbVHJmBH1RnFfS62bGyrYikaFtzop8_W8ZsXqpk9Aq2LFUxftjk/s1600/27496737_10156963377134989_1698104713_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="280" data-original-width="373" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvP4j7nZ50Ub2BqkARk22DE9acDOwGVGH5_wxvqOi7VV6rpUMl9i16KqTtPpNq1pL1SSzzxkp2NGN7UoGh1UbrWB2qkbVHJmBH1RnFfS62bGyrYikaFtzop8_W8ZsXqpk9Aq2LFUxftjk/s320/27496737_10156963377134989_1698104713_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>Let's be honest, it would almost take me just as long to drive home from IL as it would take to go to TN and visit some more people. So I did what any sensible person would do and drove the 500 miles to visit Chad and Bri. This couple is another that I enjoy spending time with. It was disappointing when they moved out of Utah years ago, but I did get to see them when they moved to VA because they also stopped by AR and came to see me for a weekend. Clearly, it was my turn to visit, and I have no regrets. With movies, games, cookie dough, Cam (the adorable, grape-loving, 3-year-old), and college reminiscing the week turned out to be a blast and was over in a flash. I was a bit sad to say goodbye (maybe more than a bit), but it was time for me to head home.<br />
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<b><br /></b> <b><u>Step 17: Knoxville --> home sweet home (758 miles)</u></b><br />
With a little detour in Nashville to do some paperwork for my visa, I made the long trip back home. As I am now here at my parent's house writing this blog you can assume that I had a safe and uneventful voyage. And you'd be right. Well mostly right. It was pretty traumatic when I couldn't locate any Chick-Fil-A for the next 180 miles and I went into a minor hanger rage. That aside though, it was totally uneventful.<br />
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<b><u>Step 18: Mtn Home --> NWA (130 miles)</u></b><br />
And here I'll stay for the next few days until I head up to NWA one last time. My flight to Korea leaves from there so I have just 14 more days to spend with my family. While I can't say that there hasn't been difficult moments these past 6 months between me not having a steady job (meaning very little income), a real place or room to call my own, or a routine and consistency in my life, I also can't say that I'm not immensely grateful. At what other time in my life will I be able to have the flexibility, freedom, and drive (haha sorry, Dad's dad puns rubbing off on me) to spend time with all these different people? (Probably no other time.) I'm so grateful that I was able to spend my time seeing all these people who are so important to me.<br />
Aside from the slight concern I feel every time someone asks me "are you nervous about Japan?" to which I respond, "no" and then wonder if maybe I should be since so many people have asked about it, I'm so ready for whatever's coming. I'm looking forward to having my own place in Japan. I'm looking forward to having a job and a schedule again. I'm looking forward to not living out of a suitcase and moving every week or two (or six). And I'm really looking forward to beginning a new life and putting down roots somewhere I've always wanted to live.<br />
And while my brother may still tease me about looking anywhere from 8-14 years old, I did just drive almost 7,500 miles across America by myself before moving to Japan to start a new life. So, I've got that going for me. And people say that in like 20 years I'll also have the baby face going for me. Between Japan and that I may just burst with excitement.Laura Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03227536805852645246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268903947120771564.post-39427840634746602272017-12-13T08:22:00.003-08:002017-12-13T08:22:44.832-08:00Accio Harry Potter World<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZsI5A1ptanS-526DQujH0g-UU-Wbflkl9d6Ten9kgpjGSbbVvzLzsEAfTZNzXtNm2B8eVmvtu4LVCOVfNBls7_En8kPceYMBS5EGoUDXvg0QJ15YWMyP3KpkGGymu8CnNvOiCRZqmIs/s1600/25344547_10156802274859989_742937082_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZsI5A1ptanS-526DQujH0g-UU-Wbflkl9d6Ten9kgpjGSbbVvzLzsEAfTZNzXtNm2B8eVmvtu4LVCOVfNBls7_En8kPceYMBS5EGoUDXvg0QJ15YWMyP3KpkGGymu8CnNvOiCRZqmIs/s320/25344547_10156802274859989_742937082_o.jpg" width="320" /></a> This weekend deserves to have a book written about it because it was so fun, but, sadly, I'll have to settle with a blog post because no one has that kind of time. Three friends and I flew to LAX on Friday morning ($85 tickets-way to go Allegiant!) and began the adventure. Compared to our slighly disastrous attempts from our last visit in February, this trip went much more smoothly. First of all, we rented a car this time so say goodbye to public transportation and worrying about if our Uber driver will pick us up in time for our return flight. Our first stop was lunch at the Shake Shack, and we all had a blast not being at work on a Friday afternoon.<br />
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We checked into our hotel and enjoyed the luxury of not having to sleep on someone's couch in their living room. Our room boasted two nice queen sized beds and a mini fridge to house all of our groceries for the weekend. (Yes, we went grocery shopping so we could pack lunches and avoid extravagant amusement park priced meals.) After that it was off to Santa Monica Pier because if there's one thing we all don't get enough of in Utah it's the ocean!<br />
(And just so everyone knows names here, starting with the picture on the left: that's me, Lori, Kristen (who will be referred to as "Leini" for the duration of this post, and Jodi. As you can see, it's one heck of a group of people to go on an adventure with.)<br />
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When we went back to the hotel we decided to watch a movie together, so, naturally, pretty much everyone fell asleep. </div>
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Saturday was our day at universal, and our hotel was less than 15 minutes from the park!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1n8UnTd4BPSEb4tZ0Qo-gKP0Ce2gaiUtfGFSWz-AfyOhlPRtmW6Y9djo7CdYUrOo1y71PsfVh98Ycr8C0bOLbr8c493wc5xitEfwUlQQMIK5dlDo5UjfwNur9d7eVx3sFflaBv1Foels/s1600/25353135_10156802275394989_2003510435_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1n8UnTd4BPSEb4tZ0Qo-gKP0Ce2gaiUtfGFSWz-AfyOhlPRtmW6Y9djo7CdYUrOo1y71PsfVh98Ycr8C0bOLbr8c493wc5xitEfwUlQQMIK5dlDo5UjfwNur9d7eVx3sFflaBv1Foels/s400/25353135_10156802275394989_2003510435_o.jpg" width="298" /></a><br />
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Even though we are all fully grown adults, is it bad that we get so excited about Harry Potter World? (Just kidding, you don't need to answer that. The answer's obviously 'no.') </div>
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Please ignore the fact that I can't make a decent 'serious face' to save my life...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiljuenQNO_wIH7lVMF3BsUeAnZFpJXL7TT2h1EiroUB8uUtQ-jl-kjvyiFlaF6FS0mJt1JN0HNMejS_NW3lPtAkVbyNQBFxUfAb6ermLuCSOPdjzQaTJtzy1ClxkscMmXHiXs_x-8RvMw/s1600/25323451_10156802364809989_273519389_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="360" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiljuenQNO_wIH7lVMF3BsUeAnZFpJXL7TT2h1EiroUB8uUtQ-jl-kjvyiFlaF6FS0mJt1JN0HNMejS_NW3lPtAkVbyNQBFxUfAb6ermLuCSOPdjzQaTJtzy1ClxkscMmXHiXs_x-8RvMw/s400/25323451_10156802364809989_273519389_n.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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But what about the fact that we bought these white masks at Party City and randomly wore them all weekend? We got some strange looks, for sure, but it was a blast. And you'll see why we needed them in the video at the end. (Because what would a trip be if we didn't make a music video out of it?)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEhPkORjv8q9XokwTi8Zt2mSvdMIqhPLndZgWeavLHG_A5fdT48vIZO9hk7fu-eIPI4AxP9UsEnsJgfbiW3CnE__1fYPOCATc31dKJGc6ONQJb4rxnXqVJQZfargEFuMZI_qUzqFCI8q0/s1600/25353400_10156802275554989_1723324533_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEhPkORjv8q9XokwTi8Zt2mSvdMIqhPLndZgWeavLHG_A5fdT48vIZO9hk7fu-eIPI4AxP9UsEnsJgfbiW3CnE__1fYPOCATc31dKJGc6ONQJb4rxnXqVJQZfargEFuMZI_qUzqFCI8q0/s400/25353400_10156802275554989_1723324533_o.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinmepebBTHLlpaWZ2yvN3GSeffUIRpDaGZKo0uFzhyphenhyphenRu9D6D50now15abRfUEQHLxupAZr3vRn3RIv0Zdrh_X5BTIPAZUQ2JYamZo1WgqaxzKK74z5Yufv2iYa_m2Cu-xlQkvr7ipEeR0/s1600/25353185_10156802275649989_1405390836_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1543" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinmepebBTHLlpaWZ2yvN3GSeffUIRpDaGZKo0uFzhyphenhyphenRu9D6D50now15abRfUEQHLxupAZr3vRn3RIv0Zdrh_X5BTIPAZUQ2JYamZo1WgqaxzKK74z5Yufv2iYa_m2Cu-xlQkvr7ipEeR0/s320/25353185_10156802275649989_1405390836_o.jpg" width="308" /></a></div>
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Pretty much this was the best day ever because we went all over HP World and Universal and took full advantage of the Single Rider's Line. (Why doesn't everyone without kids use those lines? I mean, I'm grateful because then the lines are shorter for me, but still baffled.) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4rRteYCkAMA3A7hiCg1_rmqsSr1fcdzTV_wrdVfwGzK9yyffucR9zBvuFt0cxpRPkZPN8aDyncWSepDSVyMFt3yOk__iDfSvmKhoDkAfMUhZRn9whQCXyGV0eK0qsn22i2Pleh0XqP2E/s1600/25353409_10156802276119989_196101281_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4rRteYCkAMA3A7hiCg1_rmqsSr1fcdzTV_wrdVfwGzK9yyffucR9zBvuFt0cxpRPkZPN8aDyncWSepDSVyMFt3yOk__iDfSvmKhoDkAfMUhZRn9whQCXyGV0eK0qsn22i2Pleh0XqP2E/s320/25353409_10156802276119989_196101281_o.jpg" width="180" /></a>Here's Hogwarts in all of it's 'there's a finger in the corner of this picture' glory. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE38DHT1pfYbz09B73JWB4f0T1fjX9n48alfc-tIAYAYJLgLeK8_8h0Vaxm1DVtnIUhr1rwXCDfPqcJikg2ZqVWCInHeZy56KyN_M5UwNjpihd0IvHJb4uD7zLHu5AW4s2O9ToGhL0Xd8/s1600/25353450_10156802276459989_619867355_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE38DHT1pfYbz09B73JWB4f0T1fjX9n48alfc-tIAYAYJLgLeK8_8h0Vaxm1DVtnIUhr1rwXCDfPqcJikg2ZqVWCInHeZy56KyN_M5UwNjpihd0IvHJb4uD7zLHu5AW4s2O9ToGhL0Xd8/s640/25353450_10156802276459989_619867355_o.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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We also made a new friend here, even though I would recommend having omnivore friends rather than carnivorous ones like this. Clearly, the 5 of us really bonded. </div>
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After a full day of goofing off and playing around in Universal we watched the special Christmas lights show in Hogsmeade before heading home. It's so wonderful! </div>
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(For those of you who haven't read Harry Potter yet, take a break from this blog, go read it, and then come back to finish. It's worth it. I promise.)</div>
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On Sunday, our last day, we enjoyed a lazy morning. (I'll never understand those people who have to pack their vacations with activities to the bursting point. Let's review some synonyms of vacation here: break, time off, recess, leave, etc. How can you possibly enjoy that when you're going, going, going?) Needless to say, I was obviously extremely grateful for these girls and their willingness to just enjoy a lazy Sunday morning with me in our hotel room where we didn't have any responsibilities or engagements and we could just chill and talk. We went to church at 11:30 a.m. and the ward was tiny! It sure gave us a whole new appreciation for our lives and having people our own age around to be friends with. (Another benefit of traveling: it really broadens your perspective and helps you be grateful.) We ended up going back to the pier on Sunday afternoon, but this time during the daylight. We got to play in the water, work on our video, see a spectacular sunset while riding the ferris wheel, and do all the things that we missed on Friday night. We even found another violin guy (they must just live there or something.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMHiroeKJvht0teKu-KsvqTwcPNLEe88e3G5GFotgI-TGl0cvaCxKgGPI-6Kp8b2wRGnOyg84bnMJlOhIXR0tWJHDw0dSQKWfkJtHY_8OlvmGTf-_s0ZLH-CQ8EYKvYAkmrHcgKaroHzE/s1600/25353512_10156802277174989_260882909_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMHiroeKJvht0teKu-KsvqTwcPNLEe88e3G5GFotgI-TGl0cvaCxKgGPI-6Kp8b2wRGnOyg84bnMJlOhIXR0tWJHDw0dSQKWfkJtHY_8OlvmGTf-_s0ZLH-CQ8EYKvYAkmrHcgKaroHzE/s640/25353512_10156802277174989_260882909_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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After changing out of our sandy clothes, we went to downtown Disney for the rest of the night. It was fun to walk around and see everything (although a little weird since we didn't actually go to Disneyland.)<br />
All in all, the weekend was just fun enough but not quite long enough. I'm grateful to have friends that will just pause their lives and go on adventures with me. If there's anything I've learned from being single it's that good friends make all the difference in life. That and I'm super grateful that I can sleep through the night every night.<br />
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Finally, here's the<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSIYhP6VMXk" target="_blank"> music video</a> you've all been waiting for. (And if you haven't, then you should have been.)<br />
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Laura Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03227536805852645246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268903947120771564.post-89019631034056635212017-04-19T18:36:00.002-07:002017-04-20T18:34:32.959-07:00The Luck of the Irish<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I don't always go on crazy trips during spring break, but when I do I leave as early as possible and get back at the last minute before work.</div>
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My roommate Lori and I had randomly joined our stake 'dance group' to perform in the basketball half time show because we wanted to try something new. That's how we found ourselves, two months later, performing a routine in the <a href="https://youtu.be/4iXlS0vvujM" target="_blank">half-time show</a> that we had only just completed the day before. (If you haven't seen the dance yet, and you want to, then click on the link above.) A routine that finished at 9 pm, leaving me plenty of time to get to the airport with my other roommate, (whom, for the sake of the blog we shall call Leiny) for our 10:50 pm flight.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVdDOYTG5Kfyz8dUjAOov8GnmVUpNjDqbCZRmI-UPojM5PrrfMy4CUhxxspR0EWomg6mvt_ww_FXHscEs4aAWgDzEQ3mB7UDnl1J1aZiJCjXCKkpAlk6_rfc0kbzJn-TavlDJhlfVr5gg/s1600/thumb_IMG_5390_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVdDOYTG5Kfyz8dUjAOov8GnmVUpNjDqbCZRmI-UPojM5PrrfMy4CUhxxspR0EWomg6mvt_ww_FXHscEs4aAWgDzEQ3mB7UDnl1J1aZiJCjXCKkpAlk6_rfc0kbzJn-TavlDJhlfVr5gg/s200/thumb_IMG_5390_1024.jpg" width="150" /></a> While red-eye flights are quite the experience, they are not recommended by 8 out of 10 mattress stores for a good nights sleep. Which is why we found ourselves really jealous of these random homeless-looking people. Luckily Leiny and I are women of action! So we found cots of our own and slept for the next 3 hours or so until we were ready to face Boston.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiSQlHSqp7zIrUtfLB_oyvRQwjmJZPh3muZx8Z8DmG4kyFDBPqbSPygmxZxXV0s89duwTKRCVkTaGaqGXdFaUwNa8safAkFUoNbDiIFANdRY38pkMi-FfBZv9SJrcitu1pUNQqR9I03Yc/s1600/thumb_IMG_5400_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiSQlHSqp7zIrUtfLB_oyvRQwjmJZPh3muZx8Z8DmG4kyFDBPqbSPygmxZxXV0s89duwTKRCVkTaGaqGXdFaUwNa8safAkFUoNbDiIFANdRY38pkMi-FfBZv9SJrcitu1pUNQqR9I03Yc/s320/thumb_IMG_5400_1024.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a> The first thing on the agenda was Harvard because what else should one do when one finds oneself with a 10 hour layover in Boston? We went and educated ourselves, and then moved on fairly quickly because it was actually a little anticlimactic. (Except for these cool gates. I can't deny that they are very cool.)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXNfMOoW-e-1rI2v9cEl6RdkES-1p03OScCosfj4XN8N030N4a9lZWD3yBbUw5YfAPdy70_nT1pSx6vKPhPR5FLSZD1oxz0FMxK9vKPrfusYAnv7cFYFhqDpe8e5jcQz4yvb2yCX0SN30/s1600/thumb_IMG_5410_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXNfMOoW-e-1rI2v9cEl6RdkES-1p03OScCosfj4XN8N030N4a9lZWD3yBbUw5YfAPdy70_nT1pSx6vKPhPR5FLSZD1oxz0FMxK9vKPrfusYAnv7cFYFhqDpe8e5jcQz4yvb2yCX0SN30/s200/thumb_IMG_5410_1024.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK9mtDJii0II3hv9puZqf29nYfPzk9yU4SjtQHk8iwmjHPP0Y0zMKmjZyBtcUaSOC2rpas-yM_sA8I_2rH2agTiOd8erIRlnaRzUGQ4n_pfolg6qmOXZIzeiRnFveWHXzcJ9WaBVMCoNI/s1600/thumb_IMG_5412_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK9mtDJii0II3hv9puZqf29nYfPzk9yU4SjtQHk8iwmjHPP0Y0zMKmjZyBtcUaSOC2rpas-yM_sA8I_2rH2agTiOd8erIRlnaRzUGQ4n_pfolg6qmOXZIzeiRnFveWHXzcJ9WaBVMCoNI/s200/thumb_IMG_5412_1024.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
I also can't deny that the best part about Harvard could easily have been the little cafe nearby that we found. It had some really delicious hot chocolate plus this sandwich that is manna from above.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUMFwKZe3JS84P-56q-rr8sbOPkR22s_-yTDFDFYNEMgp4rJRxxqB6D93pKRrWZT5LxdGxbnZ5bF0XKnJdHRxEGFBbAXWG_01pcKIqD4qoQy4KcN39Mrcg0UsWA4MZgN1hSPmo00XJNZM/s1600/thumb_IMG_5414_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUMFwKZe3JS84P-56q-rr8sbOPkR22s_-yTDFDFYNEMgp4rJRxxqB6D93pKRrWZT5LxdGxbnZ5bF0XKnJdHRxEGFBbAXWG_01pcKIqD4qoQy4KcN39Mrcg0UsWA4MZgN1hSPmo00XJNZM/s320/thumb_IMG_5414_1024.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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After eating we went to a museum with an indoor garden and quite an impressive collection of random pieces of art that I wasn't fully able to appreciate due to my lack of sleep and lack of knowledge. However, Leiny and I were fully able to appreciate the couches we found in the museum lounge area. We definitely passed out for an hour there but in a completely dignified way. Don't worry.</div>
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To cut a long story short (which I'm not well-known for in my blogs) we had a bit of trouble getting to the airport, with the metro being stalled for quite a while with us on it, our uber driver not being able to find us, to me finally hailing my first taxi and Leiny totally missionary-ing him in the car, but we made it to the airport with at least 30 minutes to spare for our flight to Ireland. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi25HQWhcLCgZI5vlLl2Z3bMQM4LJNBeIg-k5RxtCrqGWRHiM1W3BgVRiYN5TvcKrf8rpUN2_3iG6-eYP34PAcMeKycIVoPepyziHdK7d7p_rMxNjY4bpnAKZv0yj9X67M3Goeym3ahHZQ/s1600/thumb_IMG_5430_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi25HQWhcLCgZI5vlLl2Z3bMQM4LJNBeIg-k5RxtCrqGWRHiM1W3BgVRiYN5TvcKrf8rpUN2_3iG6-eYP34PAcMeKycIVoPepyziHdK7d7p_rMxNjY4bpnAKZv0yj9X67M3Goeym3ahHZQ/s320/thumb_IMG_5430_1024.jpg" width="240" /></a> Like an idiot, I stayed up the whole flight (very unlike me. Sleeping on airplanes is something I'm so skilled at I've considered including it on my resume. I'm not sure what I was thinking watching movies.) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQdjbXh_gzSS3RINbL78S3nxt7-lMH4vCW1PCJA3nBzCG3LtLuZH_EO8WhbEor6gn5reP5tiIFF57vct6xdUUd23_vk8WxcOd7rLiWfzucVP_kQzZE6HOJxGsYmYOM_HdMea7swJqaUPk/s1600/thumb_IMG_5432_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQdjbXh_gzSS3RINbL78S3nxt7-lMH4vCW1PCJA3nBzCG3LtLuZH_EO8WhbEor6gn5reP5tiIFF57vct6xdUUd23_vk8WxcOd7rLiWfzucVP_kQzZE6HOJxGsYmYOM_HdMea7swJqaUPk/s320/thumb_IMG_5432_1024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ9QeChtrc7gaEsEihgR7kufb6J_Wxw5tRV499t-CDSNR_wgBJHd4n7RtAa8omfObO55Z0u2d2Es7uFrK5M6Q3eEvOxNRCCptrqPVOQaJ7u7CRqqmpstH_b0uvTT6ccJ6-C-5knaJgZog/s1600/thumb_IMG_5447_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ9QeChtrc7gaEsEihgR7kufb6J_Wxw5tRV499t-CDSNR_wgBJHd4n7RtAa8omfObO55Z0u2d2Es7uFrK5M6Q3eEvOxNRCCptrqPVOQaJ7u7CRqqmpstH_b0uvTT6ccJ6-C-5knaJgZog/s400/thumb_IMG_5447_1024.jpg" width="400" /></a> Cue me skipping some more of our troubles in the Heath-row airport during our connection and more troubles at the Dublin airport because that's not the fun part of the adventure to (duh duh duh duh!) Lenny driving on the right side of the car on the left side of the road! That first hour of driving to our first hotel (*ahem* castle) was intense-we are still unclear if it was more intense for the passenger or the driver. But we made it! And look how cute our room key was. Oh, and our room too. (Despite our room key clearly saying '106' I wonder if numbers in Ireland are slightly different than America. The fact that at least 5 different couples mistook our room for theirs and tried to walk in on us in the 12 hours we were there is the only reason I wonder.) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPS8RepIIPka4NzpxCuolhAfr746hSOIze4KW3cqzo9nNzkb9Qbg2k1Gz6cejsQiHNJkEJRx3HZhW2ySStH-WMp2f88DIymYmAw3SIj0gIIYXtu5jAMFsqsinhWV3XqKjh8oGNS2TsUNk/s1600/thumb_IMG_5436_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPS8RepIIPka4NzpxCuolhAfr746hSOIze4KW3cqzo9nNzkb9Qbg2k1Gz6cejsQiHNJkEJRx3HZhW2ySStH-WMp2f88DIymYmAw3SIj0gIIYXtu5jAMFsqsinhWV3XqKjh8oGNS2TsUNk/s200/thumb_IMG_5436_1024.jpg" width="200" /></a>Just to give you an idea. Here's a picture from our window. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2UPiJvLjExgZTNSLntyPK67EdAHM2bZkhZEQR8qwxw5IwUvPO9H4wfA2kp89dYS0BWdGsyWdQ9uRXgmT_hordY1K9FuTkn2zHTd9Q467hx8w4Se504_Ac3Tc5u39Z9p0ssqzQuxoptQk/s1600/thumb_IMG_5440_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2UPiJvLjExgZTNSLntyPK67EdAHM2bZkhZEQR8qwxw5IwUvPO9H4wfA2kp89dYS0BWdGsyWdQ9uRXgmT_hordY1K9FuTkn2zHTd9Q467hx8w4Se504_Ac3Tc5u39Z9p0ssqzQuxoptQk/s400/thumb_IMG_5440_1024.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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We were exhausted, but determined to fix our internal clocks to Ireland time so we cleaned up in our room, and then went for a walk around the grounds. This is us taking the first of many selfies for the week in Ireland. Here's what we could see of the castle from our walk. Pretty sweet, huh? </div>
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Can you believe we got to sleep here? Ya, we couldn't either. This is Cabra Castle in Cavan, Ireland. </div>
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We had every intention of waking up early and driving 2 hours to the closest ward when we made our itinerary for this trip, but what we didn't account for was Leiny and I having the mutual super power of SLEEP. I definitely fell asleep on my bed at 7:30 pm the night before and didn't wake up until almost 11 am the next morning-successfully cutting into our plans. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3k24hIPYScxWZDQTzQK74081HrJ_7vokdA4PEtI9D9Fxclplhm76O1Yl-8FBrMv_kgMjbwiQpioDXD8nUhm8qDOKhiaWYfp3NI0ft2lOfdrLnyKSee9-XMzwjYmK4r8yWGYNoNnggyyw/s1600/thumb_IMG_5463_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3k24hIPYScxWZDQTzQK74081HrJ_7vokdA4PEtI9D9Fxclplhm76O1Yl-8FBrMv_kgMjbwiQpioDXD8nUhm8qDOKhiaWYfp3NI0ft2lOfdrLnyKSee9-XMzwjYmK4r8yWGYNoNnggyyw/s320/thumb_IMG_5463_1024.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQwoUFFQtz9xtT8JcjJd1lpDZh7TMfjhLG1jSV3nZNNZHlRTLZOurhaVtreirWhx83Ghp65tRnGmVnC3p0Ju3GFXf_7dIT8titEV-7N19gwglqUyLzP2pHA6kix2bh6XqlFs32WYWVNX0/s1600/thumb_IMG_5455_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQwoUFFQtz9xtT8JcjJd1lpDZh7TMfjhLG1jSV3nZNNZHlRTLZOurhaVtreirWhx83Ghp65tRnGmVnC3p0Ju3GFXf_7dIT8titEV-7N19gwglqUyLzP2pHA6kix2bh6XqlFs32WYWVNX0/s320/thumb_IMG_5455_1024.jpg" width="240" /></a>(While reading this part please listen to this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYfySVrQxto" target="_blank">song</a>. )</div>
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In an effort to improvise, we went to a park nearby that the hotel staff recommended called Dun a Ri. Naturally Leiny climbed the first crumbling wall we could find. Maybe she thought she was a monkey? Then she had a mid-life identity crisis and thought she was a frog. (It was a rough trip for her.)</div>
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Now imagine us exploring this cool forest while Leiny had the Tangled song playing on repeat and you can imagine perfectly what it was like for us. I should have taken more pictures of the park, but to give you an idea of what the park was like here's one from online. (Yes, it really did look like this.)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8L-l4r-5P3VB-gwFGjBSFpqfNdgEwL1vzXkkFdLxc3CCJb20eLIUd7iFyKCDlO6-dwi5UJgGYDq96Rcd-f4jgq0dltLij68cFXyNwDAIbY7VBnwRhA3q3rXLOm6WHAgKL9i__QXubVmQ/s1600/Dun+a+Ri.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8L-l4r-5P3VB-gwFGjBSFpqfNdgEwL1vzXkkFdLxc3CCJb20eLIUd7iFyKCDlO6-dwi5UJgGYDq96Rcd-f4jgq0dltLij68cFXyNwDAIbY7VBnwRhA3q3rXLOm6WHAgKL9i__QXubVmQ/s640/Dun+a+Ri.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We didn't want to spend too long exploring this park because we had big plans for today, and when I say big I mean big. Like Giant. Particularly Giant's Causeway. If you don't know what that is, that's okay. I didn't either until I planned this trip. But to give you an idea, here's a picture.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN_5AFIQtANtpdhi8_u6wvwlqIh91alUOivEQj1eRMFe7_LGFqYcoB1vSt1O-FJyFc_f0IGoi45hC3RZnmGnt_3RiOrctB-8qcvIFVWSL053WlKVcOKfwGA0f5XtY3XAqCzjlr8qekOk8/s1600/thumb_IMG_5474_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN_5AFIQtANtpdhi8_u6wvwlqIh91alUOivEQj1eRMFe7_LGFqYcoB1vSt1O-FJyFc_f0IGoi45hC3RZnmGnt_3RiOrctB-8qcvIFVWSL053WlKVcOKfwGA0f5XtY3XAqCzjlr8qekOk8/s640/thumb_IMG_5474_1024.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzwn6zZg_oYC6n-GiGlQ52cfXKTsBKAVdZK_izgearL_WaAJ0xKMyIirfyqkTsNCa113fPRDSpfCGQ4pDnQjUz_RNRelZBCrlHE34Pl5hSvQYPhNQy-ngZKMgDmOjogHcerTFla5X_mUY/s1600/thumb_IMG_5938_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzwn6zZg_oYC6n-GiGlQ52cfXKTsBKAVdZK_izgearL_WaAJ0xKMyIirfyqkTsNCa113fPRDSpfCGQ4pDnQjUz_RNRelZBCrlHE34Pl5hSvQYPhNQy-ngZKMgDmOjogHcerTFla5X_mUY/s1600/thumb_IMG_5938_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzwn6zZg_oYC6n-GiGlQ52cfXKTsBKAVdZK_izgearL_WaAJ0xKMyIirfyqkTsNCa113fPRDSpfCGQ4pDnQjUz_RNRelZBCrlHE34Pl5hSvQYPhNQy-ngZKMgDmOjogHcerTFla5X_mUY/s400/thumb_IMG_5938_1024.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN_5AFIQtANtpdhi8_u6wvwlqIh91alUOivEQj1eRMFe7_LGFqYcoB1vSt1O-FJyFc_f0IGoi45hC3RZnmGnt_3RiOrctB-8qcvIFVWSL053WlKVcOKfwGA0f5XtY3XAqCzjlr8qekOk8/s1600/thumb_IMG_5474_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> Ok just kidding. These are just some run of the mill epic cliffs in Ireland that were at Giant's Causeway, and yet, somehow, this is not the cool part here. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Take a gander at this: </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">If you're also wondering why I'm sitting on a bunch of nature made stone hexagons then allow me to explain by copying straight from the internet. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">"</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Columnar basalt is unlike normal basaltic lava as it cools. When cooling rates are fairly uniform, with the heat from the lava escaping at regular intervals, it contracts and fractures fairly evenly, leading to tall, well-developed, generally </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">hexagonal</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> basalt columns."</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjihTpqPMYRrou_Amay9H942qoLIT8UMc-OziZ6uPhZ2w4LU1aFjgsHMMlGUGI6yEv2ko4cwbc4vnhigcOdY8qVJ4C1omzV1ab6b7o56kYQaZDbnMcwSoqtYCC42kZBa-m39EjyX3Q3j_w/s1600/thumb_IMG_5937_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjihTpqPMYRrou_Amay9H942qoLIT8UMc-OziZ6uPhZ2w4LU1aFjgsHMMlGUGI6yEv2ko4cwbc4vnhigcOdY8qVJ4C1omzV1ab6b7o56kYQaZDbnMcwSoqtYCC42kZBa-m39EjyX3Q3j_w/s640/thumb_IMG_5937_1024.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvHNBkSROnusluy-sO5Uu68bvuHUpOzVRj7Nj4ndDLsS0Q45Pxw6j-akf7kA7xlFv92YyU3OgDIjpGlP1NLFL7jWVfaEh3za_j5hjbgsjpsrkjr-wjKNgrYSrT_Pvu5OpBuoShQr53vSA/s1600/thumb_IMG_5503_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvHNBkSROnusluy-sO5Uu68bvuHUpOzVRj7Nj4ndDLsS0Q45Pxw6j-akf7kA7xlFv92YyU3OgDIjpGlP1NLFL7jWVfaEh3za_j5hjbgsjpsrkjr-wjKNgrYSrT_Pvu5OpBuoShQr53vSA/s320/thumb_IMG_5503_1024.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLuC7Hz-JQMVE4m9JjNH2Ob6vt_IxSVmsLRljU1z0IYD1Xs7xp6tgA5gQFTY8Zi8cGiLfNw1PJKteZco43BZU62oF0Ui6yFi2laSdOBTqgnVE12VFHESe63fZ-4cS7xSDQPRCqnbOuXX8/s1600/thumb_IMG_5502_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLuC7Hz-JQMVE4m9JjNH2Ob6vt_IxSVmsLRljU1z0IYD1Xs7xp6tgA5gQFTY8Zi8cGiLfNw1PJKteZco43BZU62oF0Ui6yFi2laSdOBTqgnVE12VFHESe63fZ-4cS7xSDQPRCqnbOuXX8/s320/thumb_IMG_5502_1024.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a> After explor-ing Giant's Cause-way a bit we headed off to our next desti-nation: the Lough Eske Castle in Donegal, Ireland! This is what we drove up to and I immediately questioned why I don't live somewhere with castles. We were fairly excited about the next two nights. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Wupu1i4lYP_94ni7SDTEI9wFCttf3tsZmvM3i7oVoHorv6nqoaaJdZrP6i23Py5yuxXVk4sxK_TAu4QMqEN2eW_WI_AQt-GMtXfzNymbx_jL-3J52ZRzQoCI6hJDKJxstQwP1OHTVTk/s1600/thumb_IMG_5517_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Wupu1i4lYP_94ni7SDTEI9wFCttf3tsZmvM3i7oVoHorv6nqoaaJdZrP6i23Py5yuxXVk4sxK_TAu4QMqEN2eW_WI_AQt-GMtXfzNymbx_jL-3J52ZRzQoCI6hJDKJxstQwP1OHTVTk/s320/thumb_IMG_5517_1024.jpg" width="240" /></a> The next morning was pretty fun. I don't think Donegal is exactly a tourist destination so we really felt like we could see Ireland at it's most Irishy. We started out by exploring Donegal Castle. This was one to visit, not sleep in. Leiny looks pretty comfortable in this chair. I think she'd have fit right into castle life.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJe0Litp6abVdExlSLH8kYGWrAFzDXFGc5eY07t-gaXKtNIeYnHZSCw0zIT78558CzlE3G4PThu3FRQsaWu8Pr8C58zm2iQ2MyODqy-BYRQHYKsfUIuR0Zp4zL-_MdNcA2QlAT9HPVy-I/s1600/thumb_IMG_5520_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJe0Litp6abVdExlSLH8kYGWrAFzDXFGc5eY07t-gaXKtNIeYnHZSCw0zIT78558CzlE3G4PThu3FRQsaWu8Pr8C58zm2iQ2MyODqy-BYRQHYKsfUIuR0Zp4zL-_MdNcA2QlAT9HPVy-I/s320/thumb_IMG_5520_1024.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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After the castle we explored the town a bit. It's fun to be able to make our own schedule and do what we want. We visited a bunch of different shops because I was desperate to find some sort of Ireland sweatshirt to wear for the week. That tiny little blue hoodie I brought was not sufficient. We also grabbed other souvenirs and some super delicious coconut shrimp with mango sauce for lunch.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeS8iz31hNufCz6ELY77ENXMgLsTOor9dRLYXTcJh3NGk61wRrV6vLwGvGsSrKWV_tgm9-2hNyMLdxQlad6Y1a_Vnykt4sVTq9_4FXqFD9mtI1NxK_MEUoIHS2EhHuiTlGJjkvtrbGnjo/s1600/thumb_IMG_5523_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeS8iz31hNufCz6ELY77ENXMgLsTOor9dRLYXTcJh3NGk61wRrV6vLwGvGsSrKWV_tgm9-2hNyMLdxQlad6Y1a_Vnykt4sVTq9_4FXqFD9mtI1NxK_MEUoIHS2EhHuiTlGJjkvtrbGnjo/s320/thumb_IMG_5523_1024.jpg" width="240" /></a> In the afternoon we drove to Enniskillen, an island town.<br />
This was the castle there, which looks really cool from the outside but that's about all we saw since it was closed when we arrived. We parked and walked around this pretty park area for a bit before continuing our exploration of the new city.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9obrztFiaRmVeIJPJGckhX2nK6fpqa1_P-Otzrv_X2afZHGxSi0PRuEz2G0Hte2al9H8gJf26c75I_TOKIy-Euot3ZOfVXRGL3Ft3goXsXfrS_c7Dn-QAWsU7n_a9t1sS_EJTnvfjXM8/s1600/thumb_IMG_5540_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9obrztFiaRmVeIJPJGckhX2nK6fpqa1_P-Otzrv_X2afZHGxSi0PRuEz2G0Hte2al9H8gJf26c75I_TOKIy-Euot3ZOfVXRGL3Ft3goXsXfrS_c7Dn-QAWsU7n_a9t1sS_EJTnvfjXM8/s320/thumb_IMG_5540_1024.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<span style="text-align: center;"> I'll just do a quick onslaught of pictures of the city so you can see what we did.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZBAzPB3jnWu0fYUZ3oIN6FOeD9rGB2CSfqTz4PMjQmQ-YG2vqGkUDgQ5cwjtvFaJ6KZPUk1JGbqa2kJnRXh41GEe5Aaa-jSGoqgFDx-kKG1lWARmyJWVf7Q0hqa4L2PeRCVhFvYdSDUA/s1600/thumb_IMG_5536_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZBAzPB3jnWu0fYUZ3oIN6FOeD9rGB2CSfqTz4PMjQmQ-YG2vqGkUDgQ5cwjtvFaJ6KZPUk1JGbqa2kJnRXh41GEe5Aaa-jSGoqgFDx-kKG1lWARmyJWVf7Q0hqa4L2PeRCVhFvYdSDUA/s200/thumb_IMG_5536_1024.jpg" width="200" /> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVl3vOlHorEy5G3fFDgNdLqSmHgG5ef7cw3d5YeYDBostghgZ_AbqG2D61IbmErVxhVabzA98ev6i9_1rU0Xy_QwWpL3w4V34wamLcqMkDWvqMF4d2HjWEeSqQR7RgPnRUNRJeSwYRvSU/s1600/thumb_IMG_5542_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVl3vOlHorEy5G3fFDgNdLqSmHgG5ef7cw3d5YeYDBostghgZ_AbqG2D61IbmErVxhVabzA98ev6i9_1rU0Xy_QwWpL3w4V34wamLcqMkDWvqMF4d2HjWEeSqQR7RgPnRUNRJeSwYRvSU/s320/thumb_IMG_5542_1024.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZBAzPB3jnWu0fYUZ3oIN6FOeD9rGB2CSfqTz4PMjQmQ-YG2vqGkUDgQ5cwjtvFaJ6KZPUk1JGbqa2kJnRXh41GEe5Aaa-jSGoqgFDx-kKG1lWARmyJWVf7Q0hqa4L2PeRCVhFvYdSDUA/s1600/thumb_IMG_5536_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggnJ6RAcY4Db6-ZjdDyTNW_QANTEldlRENtrvF6V6RrzWTf6AtsB6IbKupPrYOIEmkjB5kg1JTVAaPB1Pjvr5uojX6H1V0vpOO9GbLyQ_B2W7iseIAW7Avh5u2i0tgZMPTSvqx5iLaleU/s1600/thumb_IMG_5547_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggnJ6RAcY4Db6-ZjdDyTNW_QANTEldlRENtrvF6V6RrzWTf6AtsB6IbKupPrYOIEmkjB5kg1JTVAaPB1Pjvr5uojX6H1V0vpOO9GbLyQ_B2W7iseIAW7Avh5u2i0tgZMPTSvqx5iLaleU/s320/thumb_IMG_5547_1024.jpg" width="240" /></a>\</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR75xY5hweSygK7Ad6ZhwEjf1FFGPB60FKcYYSxjypHZ3EAa9vGdFH54Nj8RW6rrWwUAoLgOK8qaONd7GMZsyVt_H5y60RqKhdpwxY-SRxPVSnMhwKBKZMWRKCEK33yy0DOx94u4TaZ_E/s1600/thumb_IMG_5550_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR75xY5hweSygK7Ad6ZhwEjf1FFGPB60FKcYYSxjypHZ3EAa9vGdFH54Nj8RW6rrWwUAoLgOK8qaONd7GMZsyVt_H5y60RqKhdpwxY-SRxPVSnMhwKBKZMWRKCEK33yy0DOx94u4TaZ_E/s320/thumb_IMG_5550_1024.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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While we were crossing a bridge during our exploration a group of runners ran by so we joined them and just started running too. Apparently people are much too shy, too polite, or too obsessed with running because no one even said a word to the strangers intruding on their running club. What a shame. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH94ZPQWyw9G38xr3vj79_ntrgImuFX3AwNzpdM4lLkNBL01FlMrrWUsQXoN_qh7by9-6yZ_OOWktp9nfP_NKUJGgQ5KqcSi1qK1s5H7gbziKu0x9cRNzAk2xzWvrjZLmr7Nn7s2I4P8s/s1600/thumb_IMG_5557_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH94ZPQWyw9G38xr3vj79_ntrgImuFX3AwNzpdM4lLkNBL01FlMrrWUsQXoN_qh7by9-6yZ_OOWktp9nfP_NKUJGgQ5KqcSi1qK1s5H7gbziKu0x9cRNzAk2xzWvrjZLmr7Nn7s2I4P8s/s400/thumb_IMG_5557_1024.jpg" width="400" /></a>We had one more night at Lough Eske so here's another picture so you can appreciate how great it was again. Good news: we paid $1,000 to fly to Ireland to read in a castle library. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRD1xvEUuqktg4hm8OFObtO45r4XzDXqOPOHmrsO7lM2Aem6gqla4lTtcSCcgPddnHS6X_un-xmkykG3fYc3UzfnnZZSL-wcFuMv7uQz1fH-AvKtkFSaHXou__bAD0Rjl1rxMH7ncAMwo/s1600/thumb_IMG_5933_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRD1xvEUuqktg4hm8OFObtO45r4XzDXqOPOHmrsO7lM2Aem6gqla4lTtcSCcgPddnHS6X_un-xmkykG3fYc3UzfnnZZSL-wcFuMv7uQz1fH-AvKtkFSaHXou__bAD0Rjl1rxMH7ncAMwo/s200/thumb_IMG_5933_1024.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBDwki-E83oy7nLu2rabWtrhC6Vom_gfcDUUzOqwFQ1n7grQ9HhPavNybd1ij2-H42w5fo40Ym9Qa6eoLJkU1xwf16YqHrQH84muk-isf6b2x0xx_xBh-UymtRf1CglABEjjurAQuusCg/s1600/thumb_IMG_5935_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBDwki-E83oy7nLu2rabWtrhC6Vom_gfcDUUzOqwFQ1n7grQ9HhPavNybd1ij2-H42w5fo40Ym9Qa6eoLJkU1xwf16YqHrQH84muk-isf6b2x0xx_xBh-UymtRf1CglABEjjurAQuusCg/s320/thumb_IMG_5935_1024.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Here's a casual picture of me on a dragon because why not?<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6fhf1Bw84ReqDDRFaFX-0EPknOY-5uUgF4lCHUqJm_YNBqGmIoiGXwyM_-rmCgHlAR0DRJ-Us_rMjXqendmvU30VIgbdPYVhApuVjM8TwKCYMWxjcjim27DgwKlKs4knZ7lOqNxWt-5M/s1600/thumb_IMG_5788_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6fhf1Bw84ReqDDRFaFX-0EPknOY-5uUgF4lCHUqJm_YNBqGmIoiGXwyM_-rmCgHlAR0DRJ-Us_rMjXqendmvU30VIgbdPYVhApuVjM8TwKCYMWxjcjim27DgwKlKs4knZ7lOqNxWt-5M/s320/thumb_IMG_5788_1024.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIKkpGgFvOlB_eE9UlVAepEW2AQFWeXW2NZmlQdYBlEIgLL1tkTQvq9dtyKORrgoX4koTJraGFD2YBURYMYXE4Obh7JIOTph_VFJLx5qPjPSRoR_Mz7UY3BWcxEWfSRGLVm32u_u2FI9Y/s1600/thumb_IMG_5626_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIKkpGgFvOlB_eE9UlVAepEW2AQFWeXW2NZmlQdYBlEIgLL1tkTQvq9dtyKORrgoX4koTJraGFD2YBURYMYXE4Obh7JIOTph_VFJLx5qPjPSRoR_Mz7UY3BWcxEWfSRGLVm32u_u2FI9Y/s320/thumb_IMG_5626_1024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6fhf1Bw84ReqDDRFaFX-0EPknOY-5uUgF4lCHUqJm_YNBqGmIoiGXwyM_-rmCgHlAR0DRJ-Us_rMjXqendmvU30VIgbdPYVhApuVjM8TwKCYMWxjcjim27DgwKlKs4knZ7lOqNxWt-5M/s1600/thumb_IMG_5788_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a>It was sad to say goodbye to Lough Eske, but we had more big plans for today. We drove 3 hours just to go see the Cliffs of Moher because you simply canNOT go to Ireland and not visit these cliffs. Or so we heard anyway. So even though the roads were terrible and terrifying at least the scenery is great. Plus, we listened to audio books which can make almost any amount of driving bearable!<br />
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Even though people do nothing but sing praises for these cliffs, our GPS was telling us that we were 5 minutes away and we couldn't even see them yet. I'm pretty sure Leiny may have even asked "Oh cliffs, where are you?" which sounds ridiculous but was an extremely valid question the closer we got. It wasn't until we parked our car at the visitor parking lot, paid our 5 euros, and walked for a minute that was saw them. But what a sight!<br />
Just look at the beautiful green and how majestic it is. Oh, and behind me you will see the cliffs.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkA2RARTTzMmZHh8sw-M4ETuL6KxnJA7YE2wbL_2crpcWzldwKzWeRsViQ5R20rsLSSCEhrUj5qk-FFmxCgjNNbvO9MN95mJGEcSNohlkE-adiUXikoFGZfaF9hWtTV0ilF8JTr6_hUbM/s1600/thumb_IMG_5681_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkA2RARTTzMmZHh8sw-M4ETuL6KxnJA7YE2wbL_2crpcWzldwKzWeRsViQ5R20rsLSSCEhrUj5qk-FFmxCgjNNbvO9MN95mJGEcSNohlkE-adiUXikoFGZfaF9hWtTV0ilF8JTr6_hUbM/s640/thumb_IMG_5681_1024.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWLnC92VVCVEglSMKwCBuProRZfk-86d0KX3bPpoCR_iByy4NpCxDvG5Os8ZfE56jUrfyRkOhUCzXGEfVEr-6iJZIGh6dwmBf5lYT3Pf42lgFlc34BAwQsY-PFpS9MMz4zEPJGICnjBCY/s1600/thumb_IMG_5733_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWLnC92VVCVEglSMKwCBuProRZfk-86d0KX3bPpoCR_iByy4NpCxDvG5Os8ZfE56jUrfyRkOhUCzXGEfVEr-6iJZIGh6dwmBf5lYT3Pf42lgFlc34BAwQsY-PFpS9MMz4zEPJGICnjBCY/s320/thumb_IMG_5733_1024.jpg" width="320" /></a>When taking photos try to be as candid as possible. I think I nailed it. Then the standard roommate selfie. (You tired of those yet? Hopefully not, the week is not even close to being over!)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhizm6-CXzpWCDJ1RexngeGSJfYwfHv6R0CtzkKxI8PfpLtfX7EEr9LoI9eySK2yyUE7se5jj9Sw5EQc6OID1HWmEEgYRWzlkcNLmrudhZo9KTwJ8vS3Xc1pGBiOWx0vM5lmZSatyQjioc/s1600/thumb_IMG_5756_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhizm6-CXzpWCDJ1RexngeGSJfYwfHv6R0CtzkKxI8PfpLtfX7EEr9LoI9eySK2yyUE7se5jj9Sw5EQc6OID1HWmEEgYRWzlkcNLmrudhZo9KTwJ8vS3Xc1pGBiOWx0vM5lmZSatyQjioc/s320/thumb_IMG_5756_1024.jpg" width="320" /> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYCjZVTj2gLgjCWqFKtVFgn6-NyG7O-En6L59Fu0VKzlBcODIg0I2OlTxcY-tHnW6woKhQriYQRPXDS49V6qCQr6rinMvVZQfpAKjr8J2E7BNReDW6E9ieAkASvHW1XclJH41W5pojciY/s1600/thumb_IMG_5932_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYCjZVTj2gLgjCWqFKtVFgn6-NyG7O-En6L59Fu0VKzlBcODIg0I2OlTxcY-tHnW6woKhQriYQRPXDS49V6qCQr6rinMvVZQfpAKjr8J2E7BNReDW6E9ieAkASvHW1XclJH41W5pojciY/s320/thumb_IMG_5932_1024.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZc-_VrwfEbU5bp6805Sqbl8XV7XvE1SEaHtod0N5VxCgllgbdmxJcbUeWSmBK9NuVFHjejBGDX40Acpb5s_Qhq7_WtHZt8XyLWUhE6EkWAjoHpzGhVkJzXuUUHa3scFLuY7zRqxfh8i4/s1600/Bunratty.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZc-_VrwfEbU5bp6805Sqbl8XV7XvE1SEaHtod0N5VxCgllgbdmxJcbUeWSmBK9NuVFHjejBGDX40Acpb5s_Qhq7_WtHZt8XyLWUhE6EkWAjoHpzGhVkJzXuUUHa3scFLuY7zRqxfh8i4/s200/Bunratty.jpeg" style="cursor: move;" width="198" /></a>We stayed as long as the cliffs were 'open' before heading to Bunratty. This was a cool looking village that I had to take a picture from online to show you because it was closed by the time we got there. We really wanted to make it earlier to explore this little village, but with all the driving our day was kind of sucked away. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtlcEsN__RYYrTC9F5wfPWbNLL249Dd5y5d1GCJiDIpW2eTMPtWe0XrY1sNY50KkdoxGhBqZQxPnolICBicRbAUCJ_7bgE__B1_WEgJzm7c1Ywv3q7NIq8qvC9g8MCJ_1sbe-dnfUvUdk/s1600/thumb_IMG_5767_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtlcEsN__RYYrTC9F5wfPWbNLL249Dd5y5d1GCJiDIpW2eTMPtWe0XrY1sNY50KkdoxGhBqZQxPnolICBicRbAUCJ_7bgE__B1_WEgJzm7c1Ywv3q7NIq8qvC9g8MCJ_1sbe-dnfUvUdk/s320/thumb_IMG_5767_1024.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8NRneKjKQYZqKuIGz0ZBMLN5YtH-Dk886RR9yiNnBpI2Q8AXBpZlyCTMbmbjbh_ISsIKBOaGrxbzFta0KSNnylByMI06hIX2aqb2gzoZYEIfoQdBbb0LOBGJR43wiQhivZcUS_qODVjE/s1600/thumb_IMG_5766_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8NRneKjKQYZqKuIGz0ZBMLN5YtH-Dk886RR9yiNnBpI2Q8AXBpZlyCTMbmbjbh_ISsIKBOaGrxbzFta0KSNnylByMI06hIX2aqb2gzoZYEIfoQdBbb0LOBGJR43wiQhivZcUS_qODVjE/s320/thumb_IMG_5766_1024.jpg" width="240" /></a> We did get to meet up with some of our Utah friends for this banquet though. Here's Bunratty Castle where we ate the banquet. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ChwKS_rJZbSYh8hJUUujvxd6pI6yDVKX7mUlPYn_VinhaABXmO4VG33kuX6vc7qugAidVexPPqE3kLHl6rf7nyaRBPyWA_TQjnwAfRu3njacpgStEZ0ow24w5FNCuGhrKtXjXw4cCI4/s1600/thumb_IMG_5928_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ChwKS_rJZbSYh8hJUUujvxd6pI6yDVKX7mUlPYn_VinhaABXmO4VG33kuX6vc7qugAidVexPPqE3kLHl6rf7nyaRBPyWA_TQjnwAfRu3njacpgStEZ0ow24w5FNCuGhrKtXjXw4cCI4/s320/thumb_IMG_5928_1024.jpg" width="320" /></a> Nothing forges friendships like medieval banquets where you get to eat with your hands and a 'dagger.' It was so fun. We had a four course meal while those people in costumes (in the picture) serenaded us with a sweet medley of medieval music. Not only that, we befriended the ladies next to us who were celebrating a 40th birthday. Turns out one of them was a teacher too, so, as you can imagine, we had plenty to talk about. Interestingly enough in Ireland there is no such thing as Lucky Charms and if you really want to fall into the Irish norm then be a teacher who marries an Irish farmer. </div>
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The banquet didn't end until 11 pm, and Leiny and I were not looking forward to a 2 hour drive home on those crazy Irish roads. So, instead, we crashed at Jodi and Christyn's airbnb. I was awfully sad to miss our first night at Kilronan Castle, but we were more awake during the drive in the morning anyway.</div>
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We went to our room to clean up and then got lunch at Lough Key Forest Park. (Thank you internet for providing photos when I forget to take them. You might ask how could I forget, but I had a pretty intense day. Let me explain.)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtY1yFEdkv9e3Ec195mrJTIneTrTteisZEpN4kvx2mQWJ8VDL_ZWFLKZ8LtGf9s9K-8HMIr6XrtzLu0fxM5I1gsLgy8lHKPwjt5vIUOojv7jpbJqdQDwS1CwyElMysPd-4E8Z9US5CpHU/s1600/Lough+Key+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtY1yFEdkv9e3Ec195mrJTIneTrTteisZEpN4kvx2mQWJ8VDL_ZWFLKZ8LtGf9s9K-8HMIr6XrtzLu0fxM5I1gsLgy8lHKPwjt5vIUOojv7jpbJqdQDwS1CwyElMysPd-4E8Z9US5CpHU/s320/Lough+Key+1.jpg" width="320" /> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfz3W9-wIDLNjLENNJk9hM9pFmPxLwNab1NwDKEV9r8y2bsEcnHI5Pc1C_fPC-SiJiAXz0IgGFV64QlQ94jO2S6waOb2hBLOr6-IIs0Ey5WG-a2Z7fNLuQeUzY1X3XQ2NJLToSIi3vqyk/s1600/Lough+Key+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfz3W9-wIDLNjLENNJk9hM9pFmPxLwNab1NwDKEV9r8y2bsEcnHI5Pc1C_fPC-SiJiAXz0IgGFV64QlQ94jO2S6waOb2hBLOr6-IIs0Ey5WG-a2Z7fNLuQeUzY1X3XQ2NJLToSIi3vqyk/s200/Lough+Key+2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQH0vFzyWCCLP9Jv9llGL38iKuUck7WEOXbnKbLoBgVfyUcU7jHI75Hu4owwtGV7xBv_xnQENXfCh7Y-3sPd3K9C-1vwpA7gCar_ReTdHckG01OPznMP_6LmdRG-o079KJsxh-Tpfq6pw/s1600/Lough+Key.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQH0vFzyWCCLP9Jv9llGL38iKuUck7WEOXbnKbLoBgVfyUcU7jHI75Hu4owwtGV7xBv_xnQENXfCh7Y-3sPd3K9C-1vwpA7gCar_ReTdHckG01OPznMP_6LmdRG-o079KJsxh-Tpfq6pw/s400/Lough+Key.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Our lady friends at the banquet laughed at us because we were spending the whole day in Roscommon, Ireland. Apparently, that's like the equivalent of going to the US and then being excited to go to Arkansas. No one in the country thinks it's cool (except for people from AR obviously because we can fully appreciate it.) They laughed long and hard at us when we told them our plans for the day, but it was one of the most fun day so far. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoyApHBT5OVYMSFylpQEHN3_YMG-C-3uFiaB7FYqM6TR2Ao4WGseUopTa1z42_E0k2D3S29IxZCbuEft0KdXPss9uZGDOxVvy4KLQxofAT274JuX_95S4XrhI8SWliXy_G-hH7E6FSsDo/s1600/thumb_IMG_5794_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoyApHBT5OVYMSFylpQEHN3_YMG-C-3uFiaB7FYqM6TR2Ao4WGseUopTa1z42_E0k2D3S29IxZCbuEft0KdXPss9uZGDOxVvy4KLQxofAT274JuX_95S4XrhI8SWliXy_G-hH7E6FSsDo/s320/thumb_IMG_5794_1024.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicYpgvb93S1meKTwFAP9j_55RCe_bzsn_6hyZXKx3iGhy6plco6Ilp44k4TGOcyHFMtG4T5SIDyQX3xUsx6UGhekzFtYZ6nzghfCmyuNFMt2fcpYbOBUNogxfXr2f3XCz6e_i45C0ypvQ/s1600/thumb_IMG_5790_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicYpgvb93S1meKTwFAP9j_55RCe_bzsn_6hyZXKx3iGhy6plco6Ilp44k4TGOcyHFMtG4T5SIDyQX3xUsx6UGhekzFtYZ6nzghfCmyuNFMt2fcpYbOBUNogxfXr2f3XCz6e_i45C0ypvQ/s200/thumb_IMG_5790_1024.jpg" width="200" /></a> First we did this really nerdy thing called the Boda Borg. When I say nerdy I mean that they use the word 'questing' in the explanation. "<b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">Boda Borg</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> is Questing. Guests are transported into a real-world gaming environment; an experience we call Questing. Teams of 3-5 guests literally move through our Quests tackling a variety of mental and physical challenges. Success in the first challenge means entry into the next challenge and so on." In layman terms it was like a series of escape rooms broken into mini challenges that you had to complete to move on. It was so fun that no one was ready to move on when our time was up.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcv7iHgqin2slWLw6klMuka4cHENgoKU5IKKwdq9G0n1KNX7NJAVIteBNfOrRu_K3j2cuK1GXYEYzLAp-BvTNQ6xZ5v9Kn6BFjWfRalHrioIpnXxvHKk0Og9K1zeLmF663f9Vo-Wu6x6Q/s1600/thumb_IMG_5827_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcv7iHgqin2slWLw6klMuka4cHENgoKU5IKKwdq9G0n1KNX7NJAVIteBNfOrRu_K3j2cuK1GXYEYzLAp-BvTNQ6xZ5v9Kn6BFjWfRalHrioIpnXxvHKk0Og9K1zeLmF663f9Vo-Wu6x6Q/s200/thumb_IMG_5827_1024.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5H7HoW3A7G1oW90SUJWY0aeDVZ0VjNmFWCanquQh1NtLTpcRMAeHZRPT0nQXqchiLCMYsVVTgKWdn3OWIkefWt4_NSgULbXs74zOi3ZgpUDWdhXdUlBo7TvgP9rz69OAOfEn2st2qCtI/s1600/thumb_IMG_5796_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5H7HoW3A7G1oW90SUJWY0aeDVZ0VjNmFWCanquQh1NtLTpcRMAeHZRPT0nQXqchiLCMYsVVTgKWdn3OWIkefWt4_NSgULbXs74zOi3ZgpUDWdhXdUlBo7TvgP9rz69OAOfEn2st2qCtI/s320/thumb_IMG_5796_1024.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> Luckily we also planned to zip line today since it was in the same park and sounded just as fun. When I imagined zip lining I'm sure it was similar to what most of you thought when you read that. Something like this, right?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIF_oMgjq6DaIXpCa1EoedI5vzQRPu-NMTya3yKGtpkN1-QHc3ExE37Ku-KYVRwDP54e8UwOI40u9AKspPKsK-4yRKuugR5pM6R3Lm8C7Xge76kZ0ylfwgK785S6Kz6yivflr7SermxDM/s1600/thumb_IMG_5811_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIF_oMgjq6DaIXpCa1EoedI5vzQRPu-NMTya3yKGtpkN1-QHc3ExE37Ku-KYVRwDP54e8UwOI40u9AKspPKsK-4yRKuugR5pM6R3Lm8C7Xge76kZ0ylfwgK785S6Kz6yivflr7SermxDM/s320/thumb_IMG_5811_1024.jpg" width="240" /></a>Instead, what we got was an obstacle course in the trees. No complains though, it was right up my alley even if it was unconventional and unexpected. Yup, I hooked myself to that bike and road it through the trees on that bridge thing.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1MBCyX2aqMr7_9f-wraAz8w2DVwXf1kAdFwGfHg7dX7uaQ8iM4k5k-k2a2EgCFsJIbu8nK1ob3OtP6m9GV_wqt3f6UsN16N98XKM5sKijkauhb7QRqKIEUma-Zz1z6FfkExfx35i4QbE/s1600/thumb_IMG_5840_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1MBCyX2aqMr7_9f-wraAz8w2DVwXf1kAdFwGfHg7dX7uaQ8iM4k5k-k2a2EgCFsJIbu8nK1ob3OtP6m9GV_wqt3f6UsN16N98XKM5sKijkauhb7QRqKIEUma-Zz1z6FfkExfx35i4QbE/s320/thumb_IMG_5840_1024.jpg" width="240" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-vav6ZIrY2J2YAf6XOlpqzztIM0E_oQtgLJ0nzqnkItrWxnijqFr8Wf_G1dSCP5z0PREGMK_oVepTtUH9Ws5RPpGDvdGyWq7HlVhoSgaGeWN9hm2cwXzhv15Q-5usBle-UEHk9Y33NZs/s1600/thumb_IMG_5836_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-vav6ZIrY2J2YAf6XOlpqzztIM0E_oQtgLJ0nzqnkItrWxnijqFr8Wf_G1dSCP5z0PREGMK_oVepTtUH9Ws5RPpGDvdGyWq7HlVhoSgaGeWN9hm2cwXzhv15Q-5usBle-UEHk9Y33NZs/s320/thumb_IMG_5836_1024.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6FZN0Xnekxm25HOO4MJ9AwRmtF8qhAQIA6flF0SoWM1HQDR6Eq64LGXgFK1Xh-7NxBJxhOa_830V2FX0bJ9GJwWOh5a9xnYfk-A4w-hdAb_tfvV_lCT_dlEAy6r9UyvddA-CmbkrzrI/s1600/thumb_IMG_5843_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6FZN0Xnekxm25HOO4MJ9AwRmtF8qhAQIA6flF0SoWM1HQDR6Eq64LGXgFK1Xh-7NxBJxhOa_830V2FX0bJ9GJwWOh5a9xnYfk-A4w-hdAb_tfvV_lCT_dlEAy6r9UyvddA-CmbkrzrI/s320/thumb_IMG_5843_1024.jpg" width="240" /></a> And then I also rode a snowboard. I can now truthfully say I have snowboarded in the trees just as many times as I have snowboarded in the snow. Let's not forget the rope we Tarzan swung onto and then had to climb while simultaneously disengaging our clips from the rope. Somehow I didn't get pictures of the rock<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ZxhUV5LyvYKQRdaKVmgBlSPvyNilAgQFw372pVPT_gq4OireO2AMYnI639KyvsELSAiNfOkT9vt2cLFJnS6iq60tF8DotcLFFNjezdd7ZtQ0iH4xOK0TYWNsgoT_ERPTcUfiD4Y-ZqQ/s1600/thumb_IMG_5854_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ZxhUV5LyvYKQRdaKVmgBlSPvyNilAgQFw372pVPT_gq4OireO2AMYnI639KyvsELSAiNfOkT9vt2cLFJnS6iq60tF8DotcLFFNjezdd7ZtQ0iH4xOK0TYWNsgoT_ERPTcUfiD4Y-ZqQ/s320/thumb_IMG_5854_1024.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCpu3WxOHueXfZ1oJJ0_oRWh3BTX7U6AslABgEn5g3k6MPgrUJBY-cZxgEgH5sCwo4LPdpUYifJUUUIbJH3POSrLp8rUweJLytQCxSfshZ0ooJDCWzdI8qw-Ckp17dRGXTxmaNs_z9itg/s1600/thumb_IMG_5852_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCpu3WxOHueXfZ1oJJ0_oRWh3BTX7U6AslABgEn5g3k6MPgrUJBY-cZxgEgH5sCwo4LPdpUYifJUUUIbJH3POSrLp8rUweJLytQCxSfshZ0ooJDCWzdI8qw-Ckp17dRGXTxmaNs_z9itg/s320/thumb_IMG_5852_1024.jpg" width="320" /></a>climbing wall that they threw in at the end when you're already exhausted, but yes we rock climbed wall that was also up<br />
on a tree. Does it sound crazy? That's probably why I loved it. We took pictures with the workers who were nice enough to stay<br />
with us the whole time (since everyone else left because it was getting late and dang cold.)<br />
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We drove back to Kilronan Castle for dinner before saying goodbye to the girls. Here's us taking more normal photos. Kilronan looks cool on the outside, but the inside was equally cool. By far this had the most castle-like interior so far and I could almost have easily spent my whole day lounging around the castle instead of exploring the country.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJOYgsQ0Qj7M04FOOv4H6i6XgA67md9mZRtdhTmAIO87p41K0OCkAzvtGG8ifGAxJjh4Bnp11CbpDsh4qAVgeOnNe5kT_tTIAxS9U_bS-_oKr4np0G_WN4CfXcRYpTa-o31nJCNaxoxog/s1600/thumb_IMG_5855_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJOYgsQ0Qj7M04FOOv4H6i6XgA67md9mZRtdhTmAIO87p41K0OCkAzvtGG8ifGAxJjh4Bnp11CbpDsh4qAVgeOnNe5kT_tTIAxS9U_bS-_oKr4np0G_WN4CfXcRYpTa-o31nJCNaxoxog/s640/thumb_IMG_5855_1024.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEippf-fh31PvfDoufogJt2rodjhaR1LaNIim6IhS5I0L1T1RZW89wNQAO7qZMWyzYztI8b1mjCHIrPFGmmFHRDuMslg_6rjYjvMqV48ZllWx9ytPlAXmOPkTKYZUY_rZg-a3Oc7numEBX8/s1600/thumb_IMG_5875_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEippf-fh31PvfDoufogJt2rodjhaR1LaNIim6IhS5I0L1T1RZW89wNQAO7qZMWyzYztI8b1mjCHIrPFGmmFHRDuMslg_6rjYjvMqV48ZllWx9ytPlAXmOPkTKYZUY_rZg-a3Oc7numEBX8/s320/thumb_IMG_5875_1024.jpg" width="320" /></a> Even this gate thing that we had to drive under to get to the castle was really cool! Our last night in Kilronan before driving to Dublin in the morning we decided to watch Leap Year. When else would I be able to pause the movie and google map how far from the scenes? We got to bed late and woke up equally late (the beauty of spring break.) <span style="text-align: left;">Luckily Dublin, unlike the rest of Ireland, did not shut down at five, so we were able to explore from 4-9 pm. The following photos are a result. I had to make this one big because it legitimately looks like we've discovered Hogwarts here. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd27kFoXr5DPL6-kAoIlpvO2r_Qi8SJn97p2TNWSkySeAJZLMoRfjzCZXOH4PH6xxs9TYAJLMI8F0cGPA5Ru3u1ga4w-wxQGLG99tIPBeAQM4eCfx6iUjBFtwyRU9yxl33iBt1u31_Dhk/s1600/thumb_IMG_5901_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd27kFoXr5DPL6-kAoIlpvO2r_Qi8SJn97p2TNWSkySeAJZLMoRfjzCZXOH4PH6xxs9TYAJLMI8F0cGPA5Ru3u1ga4w-wxQGLG99tIPBeAQM4eCfx6iUjBFtwyRU9yxl33iBt1u31_Dhk/s640/thumb_IMG_5901_1024.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmhj1nlZ2AqOzYWD6NINCUq2ac8yToVx87ZmI6fouZqeLjE6rkkILtaEaCfWql4edjkTpBDgX7HuMANVLE5RZ6fBOmNDqJYJUdkTRYP9k6Xxc2vZbcbuuclEyhD-Gc5ViVIOJSJpd8T64/s1600/thumb_IMG_5903_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmhj1nlZ2AqOzYWD6NINCUq2ac8yToVx87ZmI6fouZqeLjE6rkkILtaEaCfWql4edjkTpBDgX7HuMANVLE5RZ6fBOmNDqJYJUdkTRYP9k6Xxc2vZbcbuuclEyhD-Gc5ViVIOJSJpd8T64/s400/thumb_IMG_5903_1024.jpg" width="400" /> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_AVzB7tCnUBGH-SikFMP37VBTtyuAxxgl2xPvjy4lJhUKDzedRtP1c9om3zurf8TWuao7yRFev_-IEbYLiBIposp4xOy2D9cl4uFETEIDTmcDZA8AmpBMDmCmj3qeFcp7ZUyYn9Coq0/s1600/thumb_IMG_5909_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_AVzB7tCnUBGH-SikFMP37VBTtyuAxxgl2xPvjy4lJhUKDzedRtP1c9om3zurf8TWuao7yRFev_-IEbYLiBIposp4xOy2D9cl4uFETEIDTmcDZA8AmpBMDmCmj3qeFcp7ZUyYn9Coq0/s200/thumb_IMG_5909_1024.jpg" width="200" /></a> </div>
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We tried to sneak into this cool church. After failing twice we figured we should call it good with a picture. Then we found a crepe place for dinner. Super Irish, I know. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN8lOejTJwbPbqjtikDvTpldtwyrQRAYoATV9Y5eLHlHSaQJ6P6nh8HBHF0cq0I68LMFpvYWKplZwIAO3a8XqQ-L83TI-M_gE1aBKvB9sKXEkVc9Z9KaP7bMO-FoGhuqZVfveUyJJn2xE/s1600/thumb_IMG_5940_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN8lOejTJwbPbqjtikDvTpldtwyrQRAYoATV9Y5eLHlHSaQJ6P6nh8HBHF0cq0I68LMFpvYWKplZwIAO3a8XqQ-L83TI-M_gE1aBKvB9sKXEkVc9Z9KaP7bMO-FoGhuqZVfveUyJJn2xE/s320/thumb_IMG_5940_1024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I really enjoyed the shops, the pubs, the food, and the people, but then it was time to say goodbye to Dublin. :(<br />
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Dublin at night.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTHmJ95nyJJOqi8O4pZ3B3qGKVhXQR1Kn4nk2IB2P3hQBGcqbGQ8EUvU_deD3RAwjBtN3OykCQkCgErePwP4iei9TKJCZhQwtOtg0op2Nir-FsXnInrQ-UjPzVxzHYm6ePl-w6djXuai8/s1600/thumb_IMG_5917_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTHmJ95nyJJOqi8O4pZ3B3qGKVhXQR1Kn4nk2IB2P3hQBGcqbGQ8EUvU_deD3RAwjBtN3OykCQkCgErePwP4iei9TKJCZhQwtOtg0op2Nir-FsXnInrQ-UjPzVxzHYm6ePl-w6djXuai8/s640/thumb_IMG_5917_1024.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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All I'm going to say about the trip home is that I finally did it right. After staying up the whole night before our flight, I slept the short flight to Heathrow and then I slept the entire flight (minus dinner) to Boston. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEJitmt7uB8s_LgsBxPo4ANojAI4PtNkpgPQROiL01grr_JZVOK0aUIHPouU2UZOJbp0eX1lC4lCVJ1CeVbPTBmtpVjcgEyMtmpVKhxWWOGPciHGKfKpUBEOxAV3iC1bZCQi-mz1PV81U/s1600/thumb_IMG_5953_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEJitmt7uB8s_LgsBxPo4ANojAI4PtNkpgPQROiL01grr_JZVOK0aUIHPouU2UZOJbp0eX1lC4lCVJ1CeVbPTBmtpVjcgEyMtmpVKhxWWOGPciHGKfKpUBEOxAV3iC1bZCQi-mz1PV81U/s320/thumb_IMG_5953_1024.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2MbyWHyJoT5yj89ZTwdkl0w5BMBfR7FweKGTSR0ZXFI4OTD78c5uihSCdugeacCY6ThrLc-1kkx6dQkaxRqj36ZukZmHyF1XgOhobeHLnChAa8sBGY6mGWAZSvGw4VepQlOgwspOaDU/s1600/thumb_IMG_5944_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2MbyWHyJoT5yj89ZTwdkl0w5BMBfR7FweKGTSR0ZXFI4OTD78c5uihSCdugeacCY6ThrLc-1kkx6dQkaxRqj36ZukZmHyF1XgOhobeHLnChAa8sBGY6mGWAZSvGw4VepQlOgwspOaDU/s200/thumb_IMG_5944_1024.jpg" width="200" /></a> Boston itself can be summed up fairly quickly. We got in, found our airbnb, and (thanks to the recommend-ation of a homeless man at the metro) decided to go to the Red Sox game that night. It was a lot of fun to go even though the team got creamed. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJeA37EaoKy3cQoPB3_zsHh283EFKAvxj-prLHXbp9vTplo5v3Tghyphenhyphenw8vbVFWXk2oHd4I-8iV8TbWXijEd4fSYBq0-zdhik7lTzSAdpwr_u1tkCt6pjE6eI9uLeXBLEdUwjM-nVKE-waM/s1600/thumb_IMG_5985_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJeA37EaoKy3cQoPB3_zsHh283EFKAvxj-prLHXbp9vTplo5v3Tghyphenhyphenw8vbVFWXk2oHd4I-8iV8TbWXijEd4fSYBq0-zdhik7lTzSAdpwr_u1tkCt6pjE6eI9uLeXBLEdUwjM-nVKE-waM/s200/thumb_IMG_5985_1024.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjlze-tsNZVvN9R_Cy4e9LQ8uNv31wJrQOTGLnPhU4dr2RRoumvHggzppA_8FWmZtelR5SMjtta46nVAIjhXKswgjHeYFafVaZ8D4IqXMgmmZKBzAwxvaT1Dz4Lc_OWAcx8dtRdr-bprI/s1600/thumb_IMG_5970_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjlze-tsNZVvN9R_Cy4e9LQ8uNv31wJrQOTGLnPhU4dr2RRoumvHggzppA_8FWmZtelR5SMjtta46nVAIjhXKswgjHeYFafVaZ8D4IqXMgmmZKBzAwxvaT1Dz4Lc_OWAcx8dtRdr-bprI/s320/thumb_IMG_5970_1024.jpg" width="320" /></a> The next day was packed. We ate breakfast at a place called the Black Thorn, an Irish restaurant ironically. Then we went on a duck tour of the city where we got to hear about the history of Boston while riding a bus that turned into a boat partway through. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyVZU3PKIAhUikX5c2Ep5YoJst6fs03iQ0w3snk8eCDoE0WS1-_LsM315Ha2EiO4iRQyuajVwOGiUiC9BsZxpqDzAIZonYYSls-OOpPt7HQHC_zR80gpW6yUUHzskEVefN_zL2206g7rg/s1600/thumb_IMG_5981_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyVZU3PKIAhUikX5c2Ep5YoJst6fs03iQ0w3snk8eCDoE0WS1-_LsM315Ha2EiO4iRQyuajVwOGiUiC9BsZxpqDzAIZonYYSls-OOpPt7HQHC_zR80gpW6yUUHzskEVefN_zL2206g7rg/s400/thumb_IMG_5981_1024.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY2rkj73zPHgS-3oVwLmo2bfis3Mq4hElMTkvjkcaHTX_3__VwNFfb-1k0QVPwDmeJw01Yp9UNavP31IaXm6rbUh2kVF4oFXCdOOyLtlhqDyk1KqpcI4RF-zwvKH-ZVhfoiBhr1gbpVP0/s1600/thumb_IMG_5990_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY2rkj73zPHgS-3oVwLmo2bfis3Mq4hElMTkvjkcaHTX_3__VwNFfb-1k0QVPwDmeJw01Yp9UNavP31IaXm6rbUh2kVF4oFXCdOOyLtlhqDyk1KqpcI4RF-zwvKH-ZVhfoiBhr1gbpVP0/s320/thumb_IMG_5990_1024.jpg" width="240" /></a> The tour ended at the aquarium so we went through there too. It was pretty intense and adorable. I mean look at these tiny sea horses. I got to touch sharks and sting rays too so I can't complain. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEharb11LME77QabWXNi4MM12EB7pEhYYyWvCKrsFd0PMbSzdxZONWadt7L_Enc0eUCACXAm-qWEYye6G3OL-XMVWLdtA4Oz_UlcgB-Lsme9MijAeWZIaTGHNEoElLhLK6vzT_lxwQAODQ0/s1600/thumb_IMG_5991_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEharb11LME77QabWXNi4MM12EB7pEhYYyWvCKrsFd0PMbSzdxZONWadt7L_Enc0eUCACXAm-qWEYye6G3OL-XMVWLdtA4Oz_UlcgB-Lsme9MijAeWZIaTGHNEoElLhLK6vzT_lxwQAODQ0/s400/thumb_IMG_5991_1024.jpg" width="400" /></a> We ended the night with a little shopping at Primark. Now before you go and get surprised that I'm going shopping, just keep in mind that I found a tank top for 98 cents. Then we went to the Boston Commons (the park to be at in Boston) and chilled for a bit until our play. We had tickets for The King and I at the Boston Opera House. It was a fun play and the building is amazing! </div>
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We were a bit lazier Sunday, but had some well deserved rest. Especially since our flight didn't land until midnight and we had work the next morning. <br />
I will end here since I'm sure I'm already over my page limit or something. Well, if there were page limits for blogs I'm sure I'd frequently exceed them. I hope you all enjoyed reading about Ireland at least half as much as I enjoyed going. (Maybe a third?) If you haven't already seen our Ireland music video then I suggest you watch it because it's great. We've effectively summed up 7 days of Irish travel in a 4 minute music <a href="https://youtu.be/zn4XCN2a5Lc" target="_blank">video</a> Do you feel silly for reading all of this now that I've given you this shortcut? Hopefully not. :)<br />
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Laura Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03227536805852645246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268903947120771564.post-71291218946466582022017-02-20T16:14:00.001-08:002017-02-21T14:22:50.642-08:00CA Adventures Happen On Every Corner<b> Day 1</b><br />
Okay, so I'm kind of breaking my own rule here by blogging when I'm not even abroad, but this trip was too funny. (Plus, why did I make that stupid rule anyway? Oh, I think it was because I'm already out of control with journaling.) ANYWAY<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVH56bfBMkIzZHo4EVBNHmReslVUw-wrchzBOZY59sN-l3NpwtNLhrjcm8765GHeRWiEgjLuugx_995Z9t7H-cdE_KwXAgz2K3tYYVn8mM07K1v-d6SD4pXEMbot1ZLO2GFAP29GsrBGo/s1600/16837787_10155735827304989_784385894_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVH56bfBMkIzZHo4EVBNHmReslVUw-wrchzBOZY59sN-l3NpwtNLhrjcm8765GHeRWiEgjLuugx_995Z9t7H-cdE_KwXAgz2K3tYYVn8mM07K1v-d6SD4pXEMbot1ZLO2GFAP29GsrBGo/s320/16837787_10155735827304989_784385894_n.jpg" width="320" /></a> The morning dawned a bit too bright and early considering Lori and I had both stayed up till 1:30 am chatting with our friends. But 8 am rolled around a little too cheerfully, and I had to remind myself that I was going on vacation instead of going to work to get myself out of bed. Lin dropped Lori and I off at the airport, and the adventure began! Just kidding, I slept the whole flight, obviously. We ran into a girl from our West Jordan ward at the Provo airport, so that was fun.<br />
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She told us all about Ireland and got us pumped for our trip in April, but that's another story. The plane was delayed both taking off and after landing, but it worked out well enough for us because our only plans were to go to the beach today.<br />
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When we landed in CA we were greeted with the biggest rainstorm CA has seen in 20 years, so that was fantastic (except for the tiny hiccough of us not bringing umbrellas, raincoats, or ponchos.)<br />
Luckily, we were able to get an Uber driver from the airport, and I fell asleep again on the drive to our place.<br />
We got dropped off easily enough. The difficult part was connecting with our host family for our Airbnb. After standing in the rain for a few minutes we decided it might be more prudent to go across the street and look for an umbrella. Of course, umbrella shopping turned into buying hot cocoa, buying Chinese food for<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1T-94LzBICvxv4R666E8K-SK2-guDH9hAtQ0d-vExr-j2uDQksenk2iPfPW5ENIVUqAXxjYw6GwIW8VIU8KhLILzz9xzuUHjmqJmFC_58J1JBQBIkFjfvUHfSRedYiXVrT-ZozbgkRVI/s1600/16837715_10155735827534989_317242562_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1T-94LzBICvxv4R666E8K-SK2-guDH9hAtQ0d-vExr-j2uDQksenk2iPfPW5ENIVUqAXxjYw6GwIW8VIU8KhLILzz9xzuUHjmqJmFC_58J1JBQBIkFjfvUHfSRedYiXVrT-ZozbgkRVI/s320/16837715_10155735827534989_317242562_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0sCHRjIMrhMbsaQwH9dTUxpPf9VmjahxI3OqdM1mDRgon5qGE9vQO3OGO1E-mj2HBegL2XNSZKVEGySu3FGb6LpY_u9dDmWWLb6xE_01PPgMCED-E3_UhzgElgckMUZ5xIjxLeAvg8jU/s1600/16831485_10155735827354989_1385147793_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0sCHRjIMrhMbsaQwH9dTUxpPf9VmjahxI3OqdM1mDRgon5qGE9vQO3OGO1E-mj2HBegL2XNSZKVEGySu3FGb6LpY_u9dDmWWLb6xE_01PPgMCED-E3_UhzgElgckMUZ5xIjxLeAvg8jU/s320/16831485_10155735827354989_1385147793_n.jpg" width="240" /></a>dinner, getting groceries for the weekend, and buying ponchos and an umbrella. By that point we decided that once we made it into our house we weren't leaving again tonight. No need to go to the beach when we went swimming while crossing the intersection.<br />
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The silver lining is that we met a really friendly lady at the bus stop we were taking cover at and she gave us a good sushi recommendation and took a picture for us.<br />
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Finally, we met up with our host and made it into the apartment and out of the rain! Surprise #1: they were Russian and spoke only basic English-just enough to get their point across, but not enough to keep us from wondering if we really understood or not. Surprise #2: our room was the living room and our bed was the couch. Surprise #3: With us, there were 7 people staying in their apartment and it only had 2 bedrooms plus the living room. We unpacked and made ourselves at home as best we could and then borrowed the dryer because everything in our backpacks was soaked.<br />
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Ok, I lied earlier. We THOUGHT we didn't want to leave the house again, but the temptation of the apartment hot tub was too strong to resist (and that was before we realized our privacy extended to a couch.) At least until our host took us on a 7 minute walk through the rain and cold in our swimsuits. Was the 60 minutes of swimming and hot tubbing ultimately worth it? I'm still trying to decide. Imagine two girls in their swimsuits fording a river of icy water that went up to our knees. At this point I was definitely questioning our decision to come hot tubbing at all as I was sure that the river just then cancelled any calming/warm feelings we'd gained. The worst part was that we realized we had gone the wrong way. The idea of wading the river again without a raft was too much, but, after some impressive gymnastics, we ended up finding another route. After shivering our way to the building we thought was ours we ran into a nice man/boy who held the door to the elevator for us. I don't think we had even finished saying 'thank you' before the door's had closed and trapped us inside. I always thought it would be kind of romantic to be trapped on an elevator with a cute guy, but reality seems to enjoy mocking my romantic daydreams. First of all, how can anything romantic happen when there are 2 girls and only 1 guy? I may only teach fourth grade Math, but I know that the ratio is off there. I also didn't picture the moment happening as my roommate and I are creating our own puddle on the elevator floor while standing awkwardly in our suits. (This guy probably thought we were crazy for going swimming while it was raining, and I was starting to agree with him.) The most inconvenient part of the situation was when he pulled out his cell phone there was no signal. Why is that the only part that matched a movie? It seemed like a bad time to ask and see if we could take a "we're trapped in the elevator together" selfie so we futilely tried to open the door and press the emergency button. He was a nice guy, but when those doors finally opened Lori and I booked it upstairs-determined, this time, to stay put until the morning. The most exciting thing we did after that was watch Harry Potter 6. We've been marathoning them in honor of our trip to Universal.<br />
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<b>Day 2</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFDzwb4f4gRoXyb3kZjOKcMXYLcdmUrc7OaUfAV-ZhLasTL-ChppiiLfbQN1Dae1l2iUtQEp-yEFOqjmx44YrMTVOdsOeRslq0OEGN2eeCb9VX99Ng1bwsK9GxCZ1qnJOVBCkuo0krpXk/s1600/16923496_10158164356720543_1222053738_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFDzwb4f4gRoXyb3kZjOKcMXYLcdmUrc7OaUfAV-ZhLasTL-ChppiiLfbQN1Dae1l2iUtQEp-yEFOqjmx44YrMTVOdsOeRslq0OEGN2eeCb9VX99Ng1bwsK9GxCZ1qnJOVBCkuo0krpXk/s320/16923496_10158164356720543_1222053738_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Opening my eyes this morning seemed like a monumental achievement, even with Harry Potter world tempting me to get out of bed. The downside to rain, turns out, is when your shoes get soaked and they're still not dry the next morning when you need to wear them all day long. Our solution: wrap up your socks! It worked like a charm. I'll be inventing water proof socks soon.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW8NAE_nIdy2igs0GU8XGDb43v0sQQF-IZCN_6NFTB5zRsey15Du-TUWcy9GTsg20Rzk2ab6TGvElkyeSdGWRBOJRfGQox9fKjQ6SsN667WJd9-5oacdqKGeB4OSB24KgZLn-gHjvN7p4/s1600/16923526_10158164350705543_1363539567_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW8NAE_nIdy2igs0GU8XGDb43v0sQQF-IZCN_6NFTB5zRsey15Du-TUWcy9GTsg20Rzk2ab6TGvElkyeSdGWRBOJRfGQox9fKjQ6SsN667WJd9-5oacdqKGeB4OSB24KgZLn-gHjvN7p4/s320/16923526_10158164350705543_1363539567_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhupwk1EYrBFh7cEpHKlK9NZWy-uQ_Ie-5oDtppf48HJ05zH5x-Z66w1M783B7NGVJgaQT-pdJxJw2M4Rt-N649pY4ojbx4x9HLZZygF5yuLzFS-XhJrVzGbW6Qrlej_YGQL_9A-DrDhLU/s1600/16838154_10155736023024989_1061713237_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhupwk1EYrBFh7cEpHKlK9NZWy-uQ_Ie-5oDtppf48HJ05zH5x-Z66w1M783B7NGVJgaQT-pdJxJw2M4Rt-N649pY4ojbx4x9HLZZygF5yuLzFS-XhJrVzGbW6Qrlej_YGQL_9A-DrDhLU/s320/16838154_10155736023024989_1061713237_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>We were out of the apart-ment a little after 9 am and on our way to HARRY POTTER WORLD! Good surprise #1: Our apartment was<br />
a 20 minute walk to Universal Studios! Score 1 for the Russians. The weather was still gloomy and damp, which was awesome!<br />
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1-I love rain. 2-Apparently CA don't because there were hardly any lines! When there were lines we took Kristen's advice and rode in the single rider line because then you didn't even have to wait. Honestly, the whole day was amazing.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyz6Hu5OQ6Waiz1s1RaDgYbXgkQFa81f8IYUePQ9XQ2r89KKhTi7JZBsNx31l4kaQR9-jotfP_yHZy-6lkriLO6ql9Z93zX-zc8-WxM6r-dvjP7Zu_R4kFzJLiJfu56nF3u2WnGygpC6w/s1600/16837724_10158164346480543_623854397_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyz6Hu5OQ6Waiz1s1RaDgYbXgkQFa81f8IYUePQ9XQ2r89KKhTi7JZBsNx31l4kaQR9-jotfP_yHZy-6lkriLO6ql9Z93zX-zc8-WxM6r-dvjP7Zu_R4kFzJLiJfu56nF3u2WnGygpC6w/s320/16837724_10158164346480543_623854397_n.jpg" width="240" /> </a><br />
We nerded out in HP world for the entire morning. This pretty much sums up my feelings for the day.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1a0rrcdOB6e0BkaAkpheoiBi5ktgxWerY_nkRhcdADZdE-K9eJJJJ2xbvH_wCroHuQTVJnAOJMRicDPdoOjFappyhJb3gxzJL-bxmqnw7XzR2YyccnhUqZaWpbLZEPIGjF8712BAXN74/s1600/16900214_10155736022204989_414754616_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1a0rrcdOB6e0BkaAkpheoiBi5ktgxWerY_nkRhcdADZdE-K9eJJJJ2xbvH_wCroHuQTVJnAOJMRicDPdoOjFappyhJb3gxzJL-bxmqnw7XzR2YyccnhUqZaWpbLZEPIGjF8712BAXN74/s320/16900214_10155736022204989_414754616_n.jpg" width="240" /></a>and rode (and re-rode) rides until we could quote them.<br />
A hot butterbeer is just the thing on a rainy day, so we bought 2 each from the 3 Broomsticks.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKB5CJ577qcgVDoV9QyP8M_7uydkI-q38WQEUEIGIY-mjIeOmXlvN-9MBnwWPl2XpcGXRk9rfl6HyFDveUCHAcqYYMVn_CkJPxzBnU0ZUN9Y4EqfAi6IkYNnvgh-6oPFzrOVIcTGkwV4/s1600/16900399_10158164352985543_796050017_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKB5CJ577qcgVDoV9QyP8M_7uydkI-q38WQEUEIGIY-mjIeOmXlvN-9MBnwWPl2XpcGXRk9rfl6HyFDveUCHAcqYYMVn_CkJPxzBnU0ZUN9Y4EqfAi6IkYNnvgh-6oPFzrOVIcTGkwV4/s320/16900399_10158164352985543_796050017_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAEPnLfm3uSszJTGE5Y_tUhw7p0heS-z6oLbE26iVLui0L-VWqnFTeZiZFaxvJ-uVsv2LvOVSrvncfR88f3z6zzRlOkT_SBrN9tLMkw_PhcvcuNUCnZ-ifIjoNqoPQWQW-LcDOUGJfQUk/s1600/16900371_10158164352815543_466857507_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAEPnLfm3uSszJTGE5Y_tUhw7p0heS-z6oLbE26iVLui0L-VWqnFTeZiZFaxvJ-uVsv2LvOVSrvncfR88f3z6zzRlOkT_SBrN9tLMkw_PhcvcuNUCnZ-ifIjoNqoPQWQW-LcDOUGJfQUk/s320/16900371_10158164352815543_466857507_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
I tried to not buy a HP journal, but, ultimately, told myself that I'm an adult and if I want to be obsessed with journals then I darn well have the money for it. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJYfbRMeN0wnra3ObUSpcFucuLM5OzMcnpjzEV7wsvzDwaaZ5fSSPN_vDxbVpQVu32TuiPQ_JUfrnpN7edcFlD14uwGpgoDrXj-uo4zi41EBcjT3KaOD5Kn5H6fbTLaye4uP4PJKh-Ik/s1600/16839509_10155736022964989_1103906499_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJYfbRMeN0wnra3ObUSpcFucuLM5OzMcnpjzEV7wsvzDwaaZ5fSSPN_vDxbVpQVu32TuiPQ_JUfrnpN7edcFlD14uwGpgoDrXj-uo4zi41EBcjT3KaOD5Kn5H6fbTLaye4uP4PJKh-Ik/s200/16839509_10155736022964989_1103906499_n.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
(I couldn't justify the chocolate frog and fizzing whizbees as easily, but I bought those as well.)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDknid_ioESOIQGbXCldT0sRHHiZowSbTjpW9Qnz6gYJmtyImQECSaoiHwLD5fzxINxMSbUJrqJQNB2KHgr60qOxU0efY_1IvSZygdIpZS0OMp-eVtb-JaEjnbdgoWL_t5KizyykFZkbo/s1600/16831516_10158164351475543_1981478047_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a>
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I told myself it was okay to splurge since we packed our lunches we saved a bunch of money by not buying park meals. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDknid_ioESOIQGbXCldT0sRHHiZowSbTjpW9Qnz6gYJmtyImQECSaoiHwLD5fzxINxMSbUJrqJQNB2KHgr60qOxU0efY_1IvSZygdIpZS0OMp-eVtb-JaEjnbdgoWL_t5KizyykFZkbo/s1600/16831516_10158164351475543_1981478047_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDknid_ioESOIQGbXCldT0sRHHiZowSbTjpW9Qnz6gYJmtyImQECSaoiHwLD5fzxINxMSbUJrqJQNB2KHgr60qOxU0efY_1IvSZygdIpZS0OMp-eVtb-JaEjnbdgoWL_t5KizyykFZkbo/s200/16831516_10158164351475543_1981478047_n.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
The rest of the day was a splash.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuhQuBZtR038dnN76UrpPArLBZ5eRg4kqEwURAPOUlfVlB18_4yplNb2DXAuM0fR-blMmaNkO3Utz0E4D96hmWIG1R8GEkP-pwjDLlIemOmu6dHmiDyDANPnlimhesM1E8XYyIk6fs3dQ/s1600/16923515_10155736022524989_55070250_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuhQuBZtR038dnN76UrpPArLBZ5eRg4kqEwURAPOUlfVlB18_4yplNb2DXAuM0fR-blMmaNkO3Utz0E4D96hmWIG1R8GEkP-pwjDLlIemOmu6dHmiDyDANPnlimhesM1E8XYyIk6fs3dQ/s320/16923515_10155736022524989_55070250_n.jpg" width="320" /></a> <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKLLn8vq7SgDWBX9AEVMomT_pxLeI-83A_3dyYv4HEQETmew2Wy33HM0Txt1iC827LsS6XhI57g3ZKiIEANJCrooqoWqsn5n6lWx9xK0aFeo6fc2v-nhRWWmGnk200scZ2jHL9l96U2sc/s1600/16900371_10158164350715543_489456287_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKLLn8vq7SgDWBX9AEVMomT_pxLeI-83A_3dyYv4HEQETmew2Wy33HM0Txt1iC827LsS6XhI57g3ZKiIEANJCrooqoWqsn5n6lWx9xK0aFeo6fc2v-nhRWWmGnk200scZ2jHL9l96U2sc/s320/16900371_10158164350715543_489456287_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgms0UDSjOeANSvI2W5Sbm9oTcoo6dqfCPbAulckKN53qMTDmVHjNUjxPssUYa7FBR5WCam6vjDDtd1pWd4upYVuFjf9heWf1_wO29ollAba5avthvS-B5rYx490uWh34XiJ-AHedJyDXY/s1600/16830443_10158164346395543_702720589_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgms0UDSjOeANSvI2W5Sbm9oTcoo6dqfCPbAulckKN53qMTDmVHjNUjxPssUYa7FBR5WCam6vjDDtd1pWd4upYVuFjf9heWf1_wO29ollAba5avthvS-B5rYx490uWh34XiJ-AHedJyDXY/s320/16830443_10158164346395543_702720589_n.jpg" width="240" /></a>We saw some cute boys who were totally decked out in the roles and so we had to take pictures with them. What we really should have done though was invite them to spend the day with us. Come on, two cute, obviously nerdy boys at a theme park without girls? We should have been all over that-we weren't.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm1_OvBuEKVf68GRTR2-IxWnPwFV5HyIw2JsSfMU2-O5gvKZ8ylyaH4Fggx3rTYwtq2HaKdJ42QcHDqztrcof6YXmq1Ry3L52Cx15C_967Gt46S-THE2GJ_uTGdiUsj4sgXv6jokxqrQY/s1600/16837792_10158164346220543_776755967_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm1_OvBuEKVf68GRTR2-IxWnPwFV5HyIw2JsSfMU2-O5gvKZ8ylyaH4Fggx3rTYwtq2HaKdJ42QcHDqztrcof6YXmq1Ry3L52Cx15C_967Gt46S-THE2GJ_uTGdiUsj4sgXv6jokxqrQY/s640/16837792_10158164346220543_776755967_n.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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We stayed at the park until closing time and you could tell there weren't a lot of people around because the park workers remembered us as we visited the different places. We practically became best friends with the people on the Harry Potter ride because we rode it about 10 times. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2UqiaXsNEmt6QQLI6MmFkbb1c-sVw5ag0G7ARRCMhhggW_BpbDCPGanOW0Q5rnhIyl2vYZhYyqfOzGFoZm0HgEKcWmRro0Fezr2PUJ4xdalx7U7LxRxifKvOMfOKdiALR3UjxLcMWJ-s/s1600/16901796_10158164350980543_1071447906_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2UqiaXsNEmt6QQLI6MmFkbb1c-sVw5ag0G7ARRCMhhggW_BpbDCPGanOW0Q5rnhIyl2vYZhYyqfOzGFoZm0HgEKcWmRro0Fezr2PUJ4xdalx7U7LxRxifKvOMfOKdiALR3UjxLcMWJ-s/s320/16901796_10158164350980543_1071447906_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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We saw all the shows for Hogsmeade like the Hogwarts Choir and the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4RCpz1XyZQ" target="_blank">Triwizard introduction</a>. It was pretty sweet. (Ok, sorry. I'm sick of trying to get these videos to work, so this is just a youtube clip of what we saw, but it was so fun!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHlBpdFyjHBitthy6gXbsyoPzTd9nYP28Vv7qqQwU9SQ7dNGI1Kmrt-sE9J346YD1NwBu5GYIOTctSumAffmb80WvpDIpC47-hr3W9x6-p9QLJehuOLcpwZTp8DeAk5JO9nKbu1YQiqV0/s1600/16839318_10155736022174989_590013209_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHlBpdFyjHBitthy6gXbsyoPzTd9nYP28Vv7qqQwU9SQ7dNGI1Kmrt-sE9J346YD1NwBu5GYIOTctSumAffmb80WvpDIpC47-hr3W9x6-p9QLJehuOLcpwZTp8DeAk5JO9nKbu1YQiqV0/s320/16839318_10155736022174989_590013209_n.jpg" width="240" /></a> </div>
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We also exhausted The Mummy as it was one of the few actual roller coasters in the park. But this was no mere roller coaster. It happened in the dark and we even went backwards for the last third of the ride. It was amazing. We would know. We rode it about 5 times. </div>
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(This picture is kind of irrelevant, except that it made me laugh every time I saw it!)</div>
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Some highlights from today were getting to talk to Donkey after doing the Shrek 4D adventure. </div>
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We bought Dippin Dots (because they're theme park treats) even though we were wet and slightly cold. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih98WmPd6MiJjUm7-KOD63NIruqpoprL7CEgsz8dx0Sw1nUFLwzytSFLJoZJZ4CYeGTnSE3EZ0djoN2epU8waveHHCu_CPiqzPnUzKwcTVib0AIWr7pw56BNVmnVgU8Vp6TODFH-E_GOQ/s1600/16900071_10155736022669989_1652136396_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih98WmPd6MiJjUm7-KOD63NIruqpoprL7CEgsz8dx0Sw1nUFLwzytSFLJoZJZ4CYeGTnSE3EZ0djoN2epU8waveHHCu_CPiqzPnUzKwcTVib0AIWr7pw56BNVmnVgU8Vp6TODFH-E_GOQ/s320/16900071_10155736022669989_1652136396_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3eCFBDeM6rfRlu0AI5wXa_B577xPCBi64yCrk01Am8wbwMD79lQqF6MumjJi8GkuVBLYq_HE-2iaMiCP9OasLT6GteLxjj569yRYZTB8Z_rRMUwk_1r9gQr-7rpwhlp1CAsCiljHy4Bw/s1600/16901783_10158164351215543_2091070403_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3eCFBDeM6rfRlu0AI5wXa_B577xPCBi64yCrk01Am8wbwMD79lQqF6MumjJi8GkuVBLYq_HE-2iaMiCP9OasLT6GteLxjj569yRYZTB8Z_rRMUwk_1r9gQr-7rpwhlp1CAsCiljHy4Bw/s200/16901783_10158164351215543_2091070403_n.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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We met Optimus Prime and Bumblebee after the Transformers ride. </div>
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He said that he "expects this to be my new profile picture. #rollout"</div>
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We bought a giant Simpsons donut, and here's a picture so you can fully appreciate the undertaking of eating this monstrosity. Oh and when we rode the Simpsons ride we were with another couple who asked if wanted to have a dance party while waiting. There wasn't anything to say but 'obviously' so that happened while we waited.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8-TQruLIL9vESOK6t0uUIgHPZDKDYV2Mu0CsdiAUXbbMshuUWp4Zfp-QgL2vAPTsa-_3wszom-ygE3h90CfRv1_euSS7fTk8U1vhTmSxz2-nbW5fwlunCg1oaDsJkn6IZD2lRd1DwRNc/s1600/16901642_10155736022699989_1708042020_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8-TQruLIL9vESOK6t0uUIgHPZDKDYV2Mu0CsdiAUXbbMshuUWp4Zfp-QgL2vAPTsa-_3wszom-ygE3h90CfRv1_euSS7fTk8U1vhTmSxz2-nbW5fwlunCg1oaDsJkn6IZD2lRd1DwRNc/s320/16901642_10155736022699989_1708042020_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigifTI2JklunOnAnuvhZyFr4WXpzJJjtHrqk4OH54-LwmLeaMLRAyxqWD8OEA90rDjpw4o5bHudhzlwe-GizCaWofElCR6HS4zHPovCn2St9jPucFg5CGl_YxPLHQ4RgbEAFyeVIMqgPg/s1600/16900251_10158164352120543_1423491826_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigifTI2JklunOnAnuvhZyFr4WXpzJJjtHrqk4OH54-LwmLeaMLRAyxqWD8OEA90rDjpw4o5bHudhzlwe-GizCaWofElCR6HS4zHPovCn2St9jPucFg5CGl_YxPLHQ4RgbEAFyeVIMqgPg/s320/16900251_10158164352120543_1423491826_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Honestly, the whole day was just magical, and all day I couldn't help but think "I can't believe we came here to just have fun all day." We were exhausted when we went home, but that didn't stop us from watching HP 7 Part 1!</div>
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<b>Day 3</b><br />
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Again, we got lucky because there was a ward within 2 miles of our house, so Lori and I made it to an 11 AM church, before heading out to explore Hollywood. Today was just as fun, but maybe slightly more random than yesterday. The first thing we did was introduce Lori to the metro because she had never ridden on one before.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn9JbwlCJIMImjaJZ9PQL8PEeYJkoXZuNjW3ZUMdZI73OXgdb8Q-gkhO8TONcBjRmVeO7lGGeOsIfb-8-nhd5G7kAjxBfa76-jChyLjc3Pj9ujKdi0O94g5P7kFPWjKt4SbD_cm17V8DU/s1600/16900398_10155736021974989_2138469220_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn9JbwlCJIMImjaJZ9PQL8PEeYJkoXZuNjW3ZUMdZI73OXgdb8Q-gkhO8TONcBjRmVeO7lGGeOsIfb-8-nhd5G7kAjxBfa76-jChyLjc3Pj9ujKdi0O94g5P7kFPWjKt4SbD_cm17V8DU/s200/16900398_10155736021974989_2138469220_n.jpg" width="200" /></a> After rectifying that situation we got off at Hollywood and Highland which is a<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhahu9cTsT4HcYE4RltJahViKtIh-whiqeXTzh83l5_4Om7AzWdRbcZpexUlMvoifNGvSt41bvwmpfsSQsXDl3Qz1mVeRuL5IZqx4DqiyXmf6t_LcwJPIoNtk61yu3l9hBZ45oqS_5SaSo/s1600/16901835_10158164346075543_272167148_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhahu9cTsT4HcYE4RltJahViKtIh-whiqeXTzh83l5_4Om7AzWdRbcZpexUlMvoifNGvSt41bvwmpfsSQsXDl3Qz1mVeRuL5IZqx4DqiyXmf6t_LcwJPIoNtk61yu3l9hBZ45oqS_5SaSo/s320/16901835_10158164346075543_272167148_n.jpg" width="240" /></a>happening place. First, we walked around until we could find a decent view of the Hollywood sign because what trip would be complete without it?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikzKB0kwgBXJwQBOuNXvwR3q19KCA-PvYGF6Y5vPN7ODjpKCD9SZPeCH_eySYnzhXMqSw9gxiiu4KKTcdZHuOA4aYj1hzGsetLqQyqF1vOaXmZ0QW3-hBjSDG_2m2rgqF9ATNQLe8mnoI/s1600/16901438_10155736022049989_1876655996_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikzKB0kwgBXJwQBOuNXvwR3q19KCA-PvYGF6Y5vPN7ODjpKCD9SZPeCH_eySYnzhXMqSw9gxiiu4KKTcdZHuOA4aYj1hzGsetLqQyqF1vOaXmZ0QW3-hBjSDG_2m2rgqF9ATNQLe8mnoI/s320/16901438_10155736022049989_1876655996_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>Then we found this Methodist church which looked really pretty so we tried to go in. Sadly, it was locked up so we couldn't look around. Luckily, the guy who was locking it up saw us and offered to let us have a few minutes inside while he finished doing his rounds. So Lori and I had a private self-guided tour of this beautiful church.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin3uvj0-mvy7z7hNDPvjkTCKssewMl4TbYE5HE60xLj1jp185aSpFADJQbtkFNAGnD8cO_tmkys9rGqZie7PZz1MEGLoA-MofkDtHlY2iQBdwVDQxRXBdrd6JsO04akefBkl67G173n3E/s1600/16923551_10158164345415543_269300279_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin3uvj0-mvy7z7hNDPvjkTCKssewMl4TbYE5HE60xLj1jp185aSpFADJQbtkFNAGnD8cO_tmkys9rGqZie7PZz1MEGLoA-MofkDtHlY2iQBdwVDQxRXBdrd6JsO04akefBkl67G173n3E/s400/16923551_10158164345415543_269300279_n.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnQoO-N7Tc4LKSdxJr_ICjCyk_kLp_Fqfj0JKxGLmfDjINirmgKOu9xSWo_JSG4O6QuJUdUhNMc9kjGAEM14Kvew7qXrGBzIHv9W6js-ynLNXoMaVkgymbWzL9j6SuK5nstDqz2vv21Jk/s1600/16900103_10155736021759989_1266871875_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnQoO-N7Tc4LKSdxJr_ICjCyk_kLp_Fqfj0JKxGLmfDjINirmgKOu9xSWo_JSG4O6QuJUdUhNMc9kjGAEM14Kvew7qXrGBzIHv9W6js-ynLNXoMaVkgymbWzL9j6SuK5nstDqz2vv21Jk/s200/16900103_10155736021759989_1266871875_n.jpg" width="200" /></a> We stumbled upon some kind of Chinese event happening in a shopping center. They called it "Hangzhou in Hollywood" and it was awesome. All you really need to know is that Lori and I danced with some Chinese ladies on stage in front of a bunch of people and failed to get a video of it. We also made a <a href="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://track.sharingbox.com/track/click/30131876/www.sharingbox.com?p%3DeyJzIjoiM2c5MVB1SE9zWXZ3SDFHc3dvakFrLVFBVDdZIiwidiI6MSwicCI6IntcInVcIjozMDEzMTg3NixcInZcIjoxLFwidXJsXCI6XCJodHRwOlxcXC9cXFwvd3d3LnNoYXJpbmdib3guY29tXFxcL1VTMDFfMjAxNzAyMTlfMDAxXFxcLzIwMTcwMjE5MTgxMjMzNjE0MTAwMS5odG1sXCIsXCJpZFwiOlwiZDI1YWJjMWZiZDU0NDA2MTk0YTI5YmFiODQyM2Y5NjdcIixcInVybF9pZHNcIjpbXCJiYjBjMGFjZGVkNTM0MzUxMmU2NWQyNzkzMjAxOGUxOWIzNzU4ZmU0XCJdfSJ9&source=gmail&ust=1487721057453000&usg=AFQjCNGVqoclN04k8r9dV7rBVtmcapVG0g" target="_blank">10 second video</a> (click on the link if you want to see our debut) to enter a drawing to go to China. (The blue suited MC guy was in charge of the announcing for the event. He started dancing by me and the whole time we were cracking up and asking each other "what's going on?")<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyUtI2TYLSw1hKdgSY4RAfuW2N34GX1E_5sDA52oGEte8rKapaNCfLvMKEPgrdQotMLsFfD-9x17_J_miygfFFSk6YRBWmkkmz4K9GPYIip3Bt1Ps7c8qCejZ-WqiVC4ZRtkOj1Nih4-o/s1600/16839698_10158164345840543_1504577255_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyUtI2TYLSw1hKdgSY4RAfuW2N34GX1E_5sDA52oGEte8rKapaNCfLvMKEPgrdQotMLsFfD-9x17_J_miygfFFSk6YRBWmkkmz4K9GPYIip3Bt1Ps7c8qCejZ-WqiVC4ZRtkOj1Nih4-o/s320/16839698_10158164345840543_1504577255_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY_wDG5jGgfyIUYOjsQKDz58ZFrZI30MgXVkDwIY77t7u-46McOMWd0BH7YVZNCz46ThhRROAkcd5V6k5Ul-TVtozoTu8RBkmJkYMf9yX4bO4xrZ9cfCC7kAqrscFb004Yh_0Wq9eolQA/s1600/16839760_10158164345235543_89398066_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a> Since I missed out on the opportunity to get a video I asked them to take pictures with us at the end. What I wasn't expecting was the other 20 Chinese people who came and started taking pictures too. I've only been away from China for 2 years, and I've already forgotten their proclivity for photos of strangers.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY_wDG5jGgfyIUYOjsQKDz58ZFrZI30MgXVkDwIY77t7u-46McOMWd0BH7YVZNCz46ThhRROAkcd5V6k5Ul-TVtozoTu8RBkmJkYMf9yX4bO4xrZ9cfCC7kAqrscFb004Yh_0Wq9eolQA/s1600/16839760_10158164345235543_89398066_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY_wDG5jGgfyIUYOjsQKDz58ZFrZI30MgXVkDwIY77t7u-46McOMWd0BH7YVZNCz46ThhRROAkcd5V6k5Ul-TVtozoTu8RBkmJkYMf9yX4bO4xrZ9cfCC7kAqrscFb004Yh_0Wq9eolQA/s640/16839760_10158164345235543_89398066_n.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrxU4TMJ5vHgceyBb8MSjazX_auXfjQ5iHq0wjb7PNX2Fce7upuJFHyPCnln4fEjk0rb99s4QE1h7ffjklydpf9ZFMOeaI5PT51hTlPBzkdQkO2GW6d_AoATiaLXS8chnkdZhdt5Uq4eA/s1600/16923582_10155736021564989_641016507_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrxU4TMJ5vHgceyBb8MSjazX_auXfjQ5iHq0wjb7PNX2Fce7upuJFHyPCnln4fEjk0rb99s4QE1h7ffjklydpf9ZFMOeaI5PT51hTlPBzkdQkO2GW6d_AoATiaLXS8chnkdZhdt5Uq4eA/s320/16923582_10155736021564989_641016507_n.jpg" width="320" /></a> We continued down Holly-wood boulevard after that where I immediately ran into some Japanese boys doing names in calligraphy. So I stopped to talk to them and get my name done. Then we saw some people break dancing on a street corner, a man with a 10 foot yellow snake, and Batman and Pikachu on the street. Honestly, there was so much going on that it was hard to keep up.<br />
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I think Lori and I walked up and down both sides of that street 2 or 3 times just trying to take everything in. We saw some of the Hollywood stars, and Lori said that Angelina Jolie drove by in her pink car. I think I would have been more impressed had I known who that is. Oh well. We did see some pretty big names that even I knew on the walkway.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioEkzHvP9iW-NrQjPkfIAwWZObyo3pRKj9oA7C8G-ZT3Cl6deT7XdfJo2UdJIR8UFhK7-QRKbzM-YUzwWvVoxeHWMIOk0B9hUibBQ2QHQl-saxegW9vmIzOGqPpLpwtC0RmnxjElX0muk/s1600/16900172_10158164344595543_122226574_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioEkzHvP9iW-NrQjPkfIAwWZObyo3pRKj9oA7C8G-ZT3Cl6deT7XdfJo2UdJIR8UFhK7-QRKbzM-YUzwWvVoxeHWMIOk0B9hUibBQ2QHQl-saxegW9vmIzOGqPpLpwtC0RmnxjElX0muk/s400/16900172_10158164344595543_122226574_n.jpg" width="400" /> </a><br />
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We ran into more Japanese people where everyone has their handprints on the ground. I must have a problem. There I was in Hollywood for the first time, and I couldn't stop myself from talking to anyone who spoke Japanese. Anyway, pictures.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHC09Q09a5GWRRWj8QQZFK4I1d5vSSseDW7UnaVk3n0i7dUqJ4ZHvOox7CnP4mOPCJUMRPJUvmOUNuiJnUtqjQ9cRoKxtAABoMNTVqjJEEt64ivaXLrbdTjqDxlPoigsbAAj5oysBd9mY/s1600/16839516_10155736021364989_1510485385_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHC09Q09a5GWRRWj8QQZFK4I1d5vSSseDW7UnaVk3n0i7dUqJ4ZHvOox7CnP4mOPCJUMRPJUvmOUNuiJnUtqjQ9cRoKxtAABoMNTVqjJEEt64ivaXLrbdTjqDxlPoigsbAAj5oysBd9mY/s400/16839516_10155736021364989_1510485385_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg510AFmse32TYewj7j8FWlMhIHUl_-Yhme3MSBnUEKP9WZAd2FAaxF7i3YinvC-1qmgNexySznhXS3ey3zNwnb0mCcry4f47jZkCUJl54VM9ptdhRQfyjXmSWybCFThw0WHnZwFGdjJs0/s1600/16900252_10155736021294989_407513452_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg510AFmse32TYewj7j8FWlMhIHUl_-Yhme3MSBnUEKP9WZAd2FAaxF7i3YinvC-1qmgNexySznhXS3ey3zNwnb0mCcry4f47jZkCUJl54VM9ptdhRQfyjXmSWybCFThw0WHnZwFGdjJs0/s320/16900252_10155736021294989_407513452_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
You might wonder how I end up talking to all these different groups. Very naturally. I do it very naturally.<br />
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When Lori and I went into Dolby Theater we had a scare when we thought we saw Donald Trump. It was hard to get a good enough creeper shot to really show the comparison, but it was close enough it required a second glance and the realization that there were no security guards around.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC8N-Aot226-KzN3vPrfKu4HN24etrfxQbExJelJlgJVejogJhl1tZlpH-KC08gI8N2xGNH-yawJrBczmKRl2B7PB9cwwpaJpEeBsoNG7M8bja8EsckN-pqvuvd7YTxzINbnzatKUrcdg/s1600/16900371_10155736021154989_1038175604_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC8N-Aot226-KzN3vPrfKu4HN24etrfxQbExJelJlgJVejogJhl1tZlpH-KC08gI8N2xGNH-yawJrBczmKRl2B7PB9cwwpaJpEeBsoNG7M8bja8EsckN-pqvuvd7YTxzINbnzatKUrcdg/s200/16900371_10155736021154989_1038175604_n.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqev2G-uHNJaPWGExjX9H2OzK_YOx-jD2IfjHrIF9CekVfrS4EjIc3dX0nLtd7TWivSz5-TgDXsJYp4v97-Y48Op1QXd03n8UtWiNsPejCUgmvegh_CHCols528ngDAJ55pRs2KnTtk-I/s1600/16831606_10158164344815543_1507555244_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqev2G-uHNJaPWGExjX9H2OzK_YOx-jD2IfjHrIF9CekVfrS4EjIc3dX0nLtd7TWivSz5-TgDXsJYp4v97-Y48Op1QXd03n8UtWiNsPejCUgmvegh_CHCols528ngDAJ55pRs2KnTtk-I/s320/16831606_10158164344815543_1507555244_n.jpg" width="240" /></a>We also found this statue in honor of the Oscars and had a big fight over who gets to keep it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglev9ezaiqyvgFVCHH2DQiYZsQX8L9aTLNtmki6JxOcRQvVMGTUrZT1YjTQOEEhQoDNsPiuZhnQgqsJRAGqlq-D2zDscheEVA_EGlBXFh5rf0bEpht-CI0hXfJI2HYIsrzMZIUMA6jZ7k/s1600/16839559_10158164344675543_1308284813_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglev9ezaiqyvgFVCHH2DQiYZsQX8L9aTLNtmki6JxOcRQvVMGTUrZT1YjTQOEEhQoDNsPiuZhnQgqsJRAGqlq-D2zDscheEVA_EGlBXFh5rf0bEpht-CI0hXfJI2HYIsrzMZIUMA6jZ7k/s320/16839559_10158164344675543_1308284813_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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We ate these delicious<br />
street dogs for lunch because why not?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrhdvpqGLeTdujYnGELM_igZuCHWKbnI_eO4HdFZSm7WadFn5TyI-S8bHxFiE-3LO-9il24Xw386pYNu-8g-r_SIDmUlO-FJJLAnTe-R7aNq3XIA3PPFpfFJtg4uftCq6XB978XjU3fTU/s1600/16923487_10155736021254989_343938378_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrhdvpqGLeTdujYnGELM_igZuCHWKbnI_eO4HdFZSm7WadFn5TyI-S8bHxFiE-3LO-9il24Xw386pYNu-8g-r_SIDmUlO-FJJLAnTe-R7aNq3XIA3PPFpfFJtg4uftCq6XB978XjU3fTU/s320/16923487_10155736021254989_343938378_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_GaL7DK6r0Ila0jhOCUZ5ryw1irzLcvjA-EV8KlxWX0XYXsZPAhGd2HTLIRtsB-HBDlaa10uz9CRi_CDY0Ug2hkxjyQJBfdrDYOWXtauH6ioIgYpkRYecffJLn9-ryvT52vvsWN-gYOY/s1600/16831368_10155736021239989_1400318878_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_GaL7DK6r0Ila0jhOCUZ5ryw1irzLcvjA-EV8KlxWX0XYXsZPAhGd2HTLIRtsB-HBDlaa10uz9CRi_CDY0Ug2hkxjyQJBfdrDYOWXtauH6ioIgYpkRYecffJLn9-ryvT52vvsWN-gYOY/s320/16831368_10155736021239989_1400318878_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUg5GX06vGcqR8TwD_pTI3-9gNO1xXfp2Z9MrenyaF23MxUQe455nL_e_wVpJRhRemj8HLhnlCqnAHktoPOe_cPsGGGMIdAHaNSNF-lAE0Wt9ZXc4mvvN9yE5Ee96ysFgtkqMIBnn9Ah0/s1600/16838117_10155736021144989_542813666_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUg5GX06vGcqR8TwD_pTI3-9gNO1xXfp2Z9MrenyaF23MxUQe455nL_e_wVpJRhRemj8HLhnlCqnAHktoPOe_cPsGGGMIdAHaNSNF-lAE0Wt9ZXc4mvvN9yE5Ee96ysFgtkqMIBnn9Ah0/s320/16838117_10155736021144989_542813666_n.jpg" width="240" /></a>We went back home kind of early because we had to get up at 3:30 for our flight, but we decided to try the sushi place our Friday Friend had recommended before turning in for the night. Now if this was a movie who do you imagine we would run into at the restaurant? Our sushi recommending Friday Friend herself! Turns out she's besties with almost all of the staff (who were Korean even though it was a Japanese restaurant) and so she took care of us the whole meal even though she doesn't really work there. She was so friendly that she told us we could stay with her and her four cats if we did come back. She thought our Russian couch airbnb was so ridiculous that she was frustrated with herself for not offering her empty room the first time we met her at the bus stop. (Right because what was she thinking not offering her spare room to two girls that she'd met 5 minutes before! :) ) But like I said, she took good care of us, and even bought us dessert at the restaurant.<br />
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Waking up at 3:30 am and not knowing if anyone would pick up our Uber drive was kind of stressful as mornings go, but still, I didn't have to go to work today so what a great day! <br />
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Well, until Ireland!</div>
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Laura Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03227536805852645246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268903947120771564.post-32807599098630160542016-12-29T16:39:00.001-08:002016-12-29T16:39:17.826-08:00Final 14 days of FreedomFirst of all, this is the longest I have ever procrastinated a blog post, so I'm sorry and I might have just let it go except it was a pretty fun 2 weeks and this has been on my to-do list for months! So here we go.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQFnx5JLzDZxB8ZRaOrBqGO8_hxwsN_JEL185tSSEwoOCKHbjX2dREHIX-9OFbcvUNiIBMGTBOZ3-ieR48Y90Rw4dUvA4Su0fkyyZeWMBhyhGoIQ7PuNj10Ax_8D4PvMzyw00UWEL4F4/s1600/15784774_10155529840709989_1768504106_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQFnx5JLzDZxB8ZRaOrBqGO8_hxwsN_JEL185tSSEwoOCKHbjX2dREHIX-9OFbcvUNiIBMGTBOZ3-ieR48Y90Rw4dUvA4Su0fkyyZeWMBhyhGoIQ7PuNj10Ax_8D4PvMzyw00UWEL4F4/s320/15784774_10155529840709989_1768504106_o.jpg" width="179" /></a>8/4 Thursday<br />
Becca was amazing enough to drive hours to come and get me at the airport and then hours back home. Essentially all we did was eat dinner at Wendy's, play with her dog, Bentley, and talk and talk and talk. (I think Bentley felt so comfortable with me because he felt like he could relate.)<br />
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8/5 Friday<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqd6KdG8ePRu-ApushJpxlNSvsmJZF9SJh-dzimb_uO2WVVE35JJJ1PAgkq8Jmy64kGVmzqqEmlTvtQu8tLw3UYdm8FcaltPxC3dlTXk9rkQE-IwqXYtuU_tXXklOYATjtehHCYZNh8so/s1600/15785521_10155529840594989_1567141140_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqd6KdG8ePRu-ApushJpxlNSvsmJZF9SJh-dzimb_uO2WVVE35JJJ1PAgkq8Jmy64kGVmzqqEmlTvtQu8tLw3UYdm8FcaltPxC3dlTXk9rkQE-IwqXYtuU_tXXklOYATjtehHCYZNh8so/s320/15785521_10155529840594989_1567141140_o.jpg" width="240" /></a> I encouraged Becca to shirk her responsibilities, which I'd been doing for months, and we ran errands and hung out. I tried to get a new phone to replace the one I'd lost in Paris, but it was more complicated than I'd assumed. So no phone for me-yet. But Becca, in a true gesture of sisterly love, let me play Pokemon Go for the first time ever on her cell phone. Sadly, we never got to play together since I didn't have a phone of my own, but she showed me all the good Pokemon stops around her house and let me nerd out for days. Of course, we also had to go to Walmart to get provisions for our girls' nights that were coming, mainly some boring groceries and then IBC and gelato. We watched movies and played X-Box (which was an adventure because I don't ever play X-Box.)<br />
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8/6 Saturday<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPOoD7nPs7uFX5DvtONeiYE8smt0iwYQ5VtYDeTJqM_If5jwiaZQQMI7wFyipEhHT0KQtHnTSkRpRGYwb0fBcEK8XokRMfKfzO-K8GpdLdFXkOlzyq58hwMyfI5JjI2Wi3lNu1qmpioC4/s1600/15776248_10155529840634989_674589698_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPOoD7nPs7uFX5DvtONeiYE8smt0iwYQ5VtYDeTJqM_If5jwiaZQQMI7wFyipEhHT0KQtHnTSkRpRGYwb0fBcEK8XokRMfKfzO-K8GpdLdFXkOlzyq58hwMyfI5JjI2Wi3lNu1qmpioC4/s320/15776248_10155529840634989_674589698_o.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIpVlw0AS9G4Ouym4a_2DnlNRRjy5qKsE6eh9BgDbMqEOFpg_7Sll5UHAjjgevaR827rzJxfwMFCkVeCQzrhOy1pZ3ygLLULOxpA27h6MQCv7VgNjo07nnhrXQAq2WL45q7mZyyOZ-U-k/s1600/15785460_10155529840664989_685563935_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIpVlw0AS9G4Ouym4a_2DnlNRRjy5qKsE6eh9BgDbMqEOFpg_7Sll5UHAjjgevaR827rzJxfwMFCkVeCQzrhOy1pZ3ygLLULOxpA27h6MQCv7VgNjo07nnhrXQAq2WL45q7mZyyOZ-U-k/s320/15785460_10155529840664989_685563935_o.jpg" width="240" /></a>Today was a free day from respon-sibilities (we didn't even have to try to avoid them.) So we went and played tennis, in honor of the tennis class we took at BYU together. Then we had to hop in the pool and get mistaken for teenagers. Oh well, I suppose we brought it upon ourselves with our baby faces and constant random competitions like who could do a handstand in the water fastest and who could swim to the other end without using their legs, etc. We took Bentley to the dog park, watched a movie, and went to a Mexican restaurant. </div>
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8/7 Sunday<br />
Today was similar to the other days I spent with Becca. There was food involved. A dog park. Pokemon. A movie. The only new element to our day was church, which was filled with married couples. <br />
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8/8 Monday<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSQiCf0doj97EQVzNQsJzSGtkZLynQyuyqwl33-EI9HKytpd4ZKUsDjgKb6MfZCpIr3eBC7XIxBKu2fR4XrfTKYL6cVYx9R5mPdYOfAhNwaCPTVOtA-AuJQQGlavnEmLJdTRBDgj20p24/s1600/15820975_10155529840434989_142130614_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSQiCf0doj97EQVzNQsJzSGtkZLynQyuyqwl33-EI9HKytpd4ZKUsDjgKb6MfZCpIr3eBC7XIxBKu2fR4XrfTKYL6cVYx9R5mPdYOfAhNwaCPTVOtA-AuJQQGlavnEmLJdTRBDgj20p24/s320/15820975_10155529840434989_142130614_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
My last day with Becca came too quickly. Becca had to go to campus for a little while, so she gave me her phone and set me free on campus to catch Pokemon. Except I may have ran her battery and mine down, gotten lost, and been gone for an hour longer than I originally meant to. But I did make it back, and we headed home to enjoy the time we had left. To really take advantage of it we went on a bike ride along a river, and it was beautiful. It reminded me of the last bike ride I'd gone on in Japan at Mikuni where Melanie and I biffed it hard core, except there wasn't any falling this time. After biking we ate dinner and then Becca enjoyed the wonders of Zelda Tri-Force Heroes, which is fun only because I always play it with my brothers. <br />
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8/9 Tuesday<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhANjcyTCdQm1MomODCUz4EsMoCPAm7L1gjQ3PpwXdBRTWXsI8oqmn3D_PCjkp2qxyL04i4nHxEPY2S_TEA_bHtp6pyvtdb2sxYBmYU41JEvdqcLmPatlymGBsKqvujK9a6XxmKHHX09OY/s1600/15820734_10155529824364989_150302257_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhANjcyTCdQm1MomODCUz4EsMoCPAm7L1gjQ3PpwXdBRTWXsI8oqmn3D_PCjkp2qxyL04i4nHxEPY2S_TEA_bHtp6pyvtdb2sxYBmYU41JEvdqcLmPatlymGBsKqvujK9a6XxmKHHX09OY/s320/15820734_10155529824364989_150302257_o.jpg" width="320" /></a>The next day Becca dropped me off at the greyhound bus station, and I rode that all the way to DC. Luckily, I was pretty accustomed to public transportation by now so the only downside to the trip was that I spilled my drink on my lap almost first thing. When I arrived in D.C. I met Whitney at the main station and then she took me back to her house where I had *play angelic chorus* a new phone waiting for me! We had a pretty relaxing evening and even got some exercise in before watching some cheesy movie together (just like old times in college.)<br />
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8/10 Wednesday<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOZWD6BGdjY9rWBC57Gd7kTGYC6Y3Ojwsd6ihT_rw90UrHqi7XESgxXvSR8oYqxvMn58YPv7s5vOBVXtM3sCfPh_FuwbwqTIaTz2c4a_vt0C8dOm7ZWxfsy5QCzrhccEHG3REdMxRCsv0/s1600/15785020_10155529823809989_1131025444_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOZWD6BGdjY9rWBC57Gd7kTGYC6Y3Ojwsd6ihT_rw90UrHqi7XESgxXvSR8oYqxvMn58YPv7s5vOBVXtM3sCfPh_FuwbwqTIaTz2c4a_vt0C8dOm7ZWxfsy5QCzrhccEHG3REdMxRCsv0/s320/15785020_10155529823809989_1131025444_o.jpg" width="320" /></a>I spent most of the next morning and afternoon with Amy Murphy, who also lives in D.C. We walked the boardwalk, ate ice cream, kissed some statues (she had a bucket list to accomplish), paddle boated at the basin, saw FDR, MLK, and the Jefferson Memorial. It was a packed afternoon, but it didn't stop there. Whitney joined us after work, but then I had to say goodbye to Amy. Whit and I saw Big Abe, the reflection pool, and walked to the White House before I was starving for dinner. We ate some tacos at a Mexican place for dinner and went home to finish the movie we'd fallen asleep on before.<br />
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8/11 Thursday<br />
Today I had to say goodbye to Whitney and catch the Megabus (which I almost missed. I got there at 10:58 for my 11 am bus.) But I made it and spent the next few hours traveling to Richmond to see Emily and her family. Today I got to experience what it's like to have your entire family living in a hotel room.<br />
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8/12 Friday<br />
Well I can't remember what happened this day. Serves me right for taking 4 months to blog. Oh well.<br />
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8/13 Saturday<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOcY8DJ38fyMgLFIXIRtI3xV8y40yjWVpCOLSCTpV1wtqoHOgGuwDcWFaQw3ZNfInKWx_GKylMet5pNZ4csWNMtVzNQ62INjRYiOWYeHsgRjV2Nkn2LD8gphtBMnzAg_MIxXYBuz52UQ/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOcY8DJ38fyMgLFIXIRtI3xV8y40yjWVpCOLSCTpV1wtqoHOgGuwDcWFaQw3ZNfInKWx_GKylMet5pNZ4csWNMtVzNQ62INjRYiOWYeHsgRjV2Nkn2LD8gphtBMnzAg_MIxXYBuz52UQ/s320/Unknown.jpeg" width="238" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAkT-bgzR4S0ZHnuSnWcfCQ0ySGIeMIMmMpVcXL_bOAlggTpoGlZ-Ndafqmz8VeIyfEk7fFwYcHOimsQsbX_2ZyUNS6c5jmlMTf1Ew934DuFUG4vTIQoyECfF_OVlc8lA3_lLTPDxeua8/s1600/Unknown-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAkT-bgzR4S0ZHnuSnWcfCQ0ySGIeMIMmMpVcXL_bOAlggTpoGlZ-Ndafqmz8VeIyfEk7fFwYcHOimsQsbX_2ZyUNS6c5jmlMTf1Ew934DuFUG4vTIQoyECfF_OVlc8lA3_lLTPDxeua8/s1600/Unknown-1.jpeg" /></a> We went to this really cool abbey, called the Freemason Abbey, and ate lunch there. It was very historic and also had great seafood. I definitely couldn't complain. (P.S. These photos are from online because I, for some reason, can't find any of my own. So I do not know who that random man in the photo is.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggXXulvxh-WFETjTdCka8za7Fdjbkz54aM0rVni-OOu8RA3qjC9Ayassqw3P-Sg-atANeKnzQu7ZnSS-SRugbblerm1mwXd7_DrKbYU56xwTHgGctPrAL6TUDIkQv0srldHYgyuqWIVwk/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggXXulvxh-WFETjTdCka8za7Fdjbkz54aM0rVni-OOu8RA3qjC9Ayassqw3P-Sg-atANeKnzQu7ZnSS-SRugbblerm1mwXd7_DrKbYU56xwTHgGctPrAL6TUDIkQv0srldHYgyuqWIVwk/s320/images.jpeg" width="320" /></a>After that we went to the battleship Wisconsin and spent a few hours exploring there. Tanner and Chris were having a blast while the rest of us were trying to stay hydrated. It was fun to see, but it was so stinking hot. Luckily we ended the day by going to the beach so the heat couldn't bother us then!<br />
8/14 Sunday<br />
After church on Sunday I spent literally all day catching up in my journal from my travels and bonding with Emily's kids (mainly Tucker. The little stinker waited until I was about to leave to decide we could be friends.)<br />
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8/15 Monday<br />
Today was my last day with the Herbs in VA, and to say goodbye we went and ate sushi together. Goodbyes are never fun but at least we can make it more delicious with some raw fish.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYslncHnRJxxYCEB3S6An2f4mOMIVO3WVmm-23bgGAu_kq6vPk9kIItTfj4YMyodfk-U4wNPgT3V_YGFqSx4vcuvokJqHYxfkizPYATyz4zCuJXOLcWr5E21zPZmoVeS5NzCU0BDqe-m4/s1600/15817835_10155529871129989_193467303_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYslncHnRJxxYCEB3S6An2f4mOMIVO3WVmm-23bgGAu_kq6vPk9kIItTfj4YMyodfk-U4wNPgT3V_YGFqSx4vcuvokJqHYxfkizPYATyz4zCuJXOLcWr5E21zPZmoVeS5NzCU0BDqe-m4/s320/15817835_10155529871129989_193467303_o.jpg" width="320" /></a>8/16 Tuesday<br />
I had officially one day to unpack, clean my room, re-move in, and relax before work started tomorrow. Should I have been at school putting together my classroom? Yes. Was I? No.<br />
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8/17 Wednesday<br />
Today work started, and I could have kicked myself for not giving myself more time to rest before work began. However, I also couldn't bring myself to cut anything out of my summer because it was so fun.<br />
<br />Laura Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03227536805852645246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268903947120771564.post-63195155873896996332016-08-21T22:27:00.001-07:002016-08-21T22:28:40.257-07:00Is It Too Late to Quit my Job and Become a Teacher At Hogwarts (or a Student)?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi53VUG4vNbLHYI2H92LEZhIkCNYRPhalY7iQHiYHFrzLkS0mhcJmENXqfgQ8oSXU1_LNAYps2aDyB4iwrY-fcLTCmxssDpxWsX8ozp7pMH2PlFA8Z4hFsdNEQvwDO93ThymA2lvsFAalQ/s1600/14045302_10155042160684989_972128094_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi53VUG4vNbLHYI2H92LEZhIkCNYRPhalY7iQHiYHFrzLkS0mhcJmENXqfgQ8oSXU1_LNAYps2aDyB4iwrY-fcLTCmxssDpxWsX8ozp7pMH2PlFA8Z4hFsdNEQvwDO93ThymA2lvsFAalQ/s320/14045302_10155042160684989_972128094_o.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
Ok, I'm back and hopefully I'll finish all of Europe with this.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga2rldiUt8GNx1Rv_mIKkKaszoWz77-41J0gTYgzzCf40qHK5xICIdTmFXu8RWdVXm2g4qBmTHNoi-a8j36sNIwHuXUudteIi-VtnvhrlefYrR_wdhyDSmLOdqYVW0y-VaDiL91gBXlY4/s1600/14037976_10155042156484989_1020128654_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga2rldiUt8GNx1Rv_mIKkKaszoWz77-41J0gTYgzzCf40qHK5xICIdTmFXu8RWdVXm2g4qBmTHNoi-a8j36sNIwHuXUudteIi-VtnvhrlefYrR_wdhyDSmLOdqYVW0y-VaDiL91gBXlY4/s320/14037976_10155042156484989_1020128654_o.jpg" width="239" /></a>Is it any wonder that I'm in love with Wales when even just driving down the road provides views like this? It's so green and beautiful. I could drive around all day, even if it is on the left side of the road.<br />
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Also the first thing we see when we got off the bus was this beautiful sight. It kind of commanded our attention right from the beginning by saying "Laura, please come to grad school here. Look how majestic I am."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaWXWVb75Tx1dpsrSJatcVpyVuP4nI5dZSOh-FxLPc3F-pcjmBT-tt7f4rgBthmek3bDRpli2UMP7anSpGCti8yzFW5Yz46z3-SNkGMUq9HyeaYXNwMRirqRutu5pByIXbKBQ8KGxDWhQ/s1600/14075039_10155042157099989_350313898_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaWXWVb75Tx1dpsrSJatcVpyVuP4nI5dZSOh-FxLPc3F-pcjmBT-tt7f4rgBthmek3bDRpli2UMP7anSpGCti8yzFW5Yz46z3-SNkGMUq9HyeaYXNwMRirqRutu5pByIXbKBQ8KGxDWhQ/s320/14075039_10155042157099989_350313898_o.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
On Sunday night we went for a walk with Eira, the 6 year old. Even just walking around the neighborhood is so beautiful and European. I can hardly stand it. And, of course, I found a nice tree to take a picture in. It was so good that even Eira couldn't resist climbing on.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic-dL5o1RsFychb-PK2WDtT92yePGpguQ-AtlY5xBtQOCo3nklFExwJNblKweaob0SDHcalUp4WU-oJpfmaeqgOGHa43fN9pyWElM596JDonYQJ_Bsz8k_tQrtrT1ozUcPjPBvs7It5-w/s1600/14037371_10155042164034989_1098048325_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic-dL5o1RsFychb-PK2WDtT92yePGpguQ-AtlY5xBtQOCo3nklFExwJNblKweaob0SDHcalUp4WU-oJpfmaeqgOGHa43fN9pyWElM596JDonYQJ_Bsz8k_tQrtrT1ozUcPjPBvs7It5-w/s320/14037371_10155042164034989_1098048325_o.jpg" width="239" /></a>7/25 - Monday: Let the castles begin</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYP9IZu5bKWIS8NQC3Qjz5515-IRid0S6md4RYTaKVkMqTg2kGd8y1M7faH4Y4bD8dF8Z6ddD_xRdosbRrfaFNWl0PYAedbVweBpLKuK2eMIHYQXN-kV-H-FtXaVc3f-mhqlMaQMxVTmU/s1600/14037548_10155042156859989_1624358824_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYP9IZu5bKWIS8NQC3Qjz5515-IRid0S6md4RYTaKVkMqTg2kGd8y1M7faH4Y4bD8dF8Z6ddD_xRdosbRrfaFNWl0PYAedbVweBpLKuK2eMIHYQXN-kV-H-FtXaVc3f-mhqlMaQMxVTmU/s320/14037548_10155042156859989_1624358824_o.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="239" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9eWeNy-rcfELWxGo2WlbJjMz7-izdZ_iAkgDwApj8oK3iIL6nalBJlrmp7R9f9BAzqxQc5FG5JyeVdnGF1xOY9XWlJfziblFbIIviomj1BYjoPFfoPvZM6uGT2TK4HAzKhSX0caMJHvM/s1600/14074459_10155042159069989_1851707754_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9eWeNy-rcfELWxGo2WlbJjMz7-izdZ_iAkgDwApj8oK3iIL6nalBJlrmp7R9f9BAzqxQc5FG5JyeVdnGF1xOY9XWlJfziblFbIIviomj1BYjoPFfoPvZM6uGT2TK4HAzKhSX0caMJHvM/s400/14074459_10155042159069989_1851707754_o.jpg" width="297" /></a>Raglan Castle was the first one we went to. It was crumbling and dilapidated but still impressive considering how old it is. There wasn't even anyone there to tell us where to go (or not to go) so we may have been a little out of controlling climbing every stair case and taking pictures at every turret. Can you blame us though?<br />
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From there we immediately went to Chepstow castle which was also beautiful but a little more restricted. It made up for it however by being next to a river. Somehow that makes up for it because it's beautiful. Whitney and I may or may not have stolen a piece of the castle to take home with us. Of course, my castle piece was so small I could fit it in my journal (which was the whole point.) Whitney and I were so desperate for pictures that we even had six year old Eira taking photos for us. But I don't think they make a 20 foot selfie stick, so what else could we do?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj37EKLMpih5RwYjKXJ6Y0T7nlol4u_Gmat8azTfRhy0HSM5n-ONVesdPMU1XMgNc7uPGvFO_Fi501BtDVGxa0ljtRqCDocy-ECbbmFMOle0QnbosmyAfqDoUBMcJkMvcQ3cOsMWx-LZO8/s1600/14074460_10155042155749989_923579855_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj37EKLMpih5RwYjKXJ6Y0T7nlol4u_Gmat8azTfRhy0HSM5n-ONVesdPMU1XMgNc7uPGvFO_Fi501BtDVGxa0ljtRqCDocy-ECbbmFMOle0QnbosmyAfqDoUBMcJkMvcQ3cOsMWx-LZO8/s320/14074460_10155042155749989_923579855_o.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuBjaTRZzIk0DRIT93GuWRa0UtryHNc9iF3tEr3idEIiDZBxEkOLVxqxDABFVyHHy37iEfbH7ZxTyYMkyG8XBNAjLWaH1EvI-eqnR7bDdSy9V5EonoFqhDEO37VgzHUQkkLVSsYRWxu-A/s1600/14060182_10155042155554989_2143131402_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuBjaTRZzIk0DRIT93GuWRa0UtryHNc9iF3tEr3idEIiDZBxEkOLVxqxDABFVyHHy37iEfbH7ZxTyYMkyG8XBNAjLWaH1EvI-eqnR7bDdSy9V5EonoFqhDEO37VgzHUQkkLVSsYRWxu-A/s320/14060182_10155042155554989_2143131402_o.jpg" width="239" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg03RNeE9H2evbml7UsM1PprHFxRxt6JjDAGCUKoe0xMkt-Q_gii-NjMInBcL6Z-XRyNekF1kuYqV8D9vxJQCvI6pVnVsNKyHy-q82iB-DqD2TP4h9JL8EmTIxH12FDnQdgNZi11YXYHQY/s1600/14045215_10155042156754989_2056383570_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg03RNeE9H2evbml7UsM1PprHFxRxt6JjDAGCUKoe0xMkt-Q_gii-NjMInBcL6Z-XRyNekF1kuYqV8D9vxJQCvI6pVnVsNKyHy-q82iB-DqD2TP4h9JL8EmTIxH12FDnQdgNZi11YXYHQY/s320/14045215_10155042156754989_2056383570_o.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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After we visited these castles we stopped by this abbey called Tintern Abbey which was from 1131. Crazy crazy crazy. Europe is just full of history. We didn't spend long here, but there's always time for pictures (obviously.) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlz9NnfVuQjczW5h92AmlHJIPWknWgH899t-yW92Vb0fMa2xPRX1PYRqxSMhb2atP4lgrtYYuYEJBkpe-RnurQ0hyWQj6AlkC8eZQdg8_A0ZpIezp2BxY5JKHuAwKUoiVpBgMrkeNMEGo/s1600/14044932_10155042156694989_626358574_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlz9NnfVuQjczW5h92AmlHJIPWknWgH899t-yW92Vb0fMa2xPRX1PYRqxSMhb2atP4lgrtYYuYEJBkpe-RnurQ0hyWQj6AlkC8eZQdg8_A0ZpIezp2BxY5JKHuAwKUoiVpBgMrkeNMEGo/s320/14044932_10155042156694989_626358574_o.jpg" width="320" /></a>The final stop for the day, before dinner anyway, was Caerleon. According to the internet "it was the headquarters for Legio II Augusta from about 75 to 300 AD, and the site of an Iron Age hill fort."<span style="font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"> </span></span><span style="color: black;">Pre</span>tty cool, huh? <br />
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You can essentially find this same picture on wiki (I know, I looked.) Sans the two of us. It said that a lot of gladiators and other people took their last steps there (where we are.) Pretty lucky that we aren't some of them I guess. Now it's so green and peaceful that it's hard to imagine the things that went on here hundreds of years ago.<br />
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7/26 - Tuesday: Day 2 of all day touring.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWkoysf2nph2PVBSP2wmvPLcE80pyrARAIJVBWyXRfYxIbSUYJY-N0UWDbu63m4j4Tb62AqIR7dtbqFzIrAchH-kuhhfeDNPzdNFfaHxxshLvZBnoYSPSslVQ77_0V-CxhIN5jm8wZF0/s1600/14060261_10155042158959989_764055996_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWkoysf2nph2PVBSP2wmvPLcE80pyrARAIJVBWyXRfYxIbSUYJY-N0UWDbu63m4j4Tb62AqIR7dtbqFzIrAchH-kuhhfeDNPzdNFfaHxxshLvZBnoYSPSslVQ77_0V-CxhIN5jm8wZF0/s320/14060261_10155042158959989_764055996_o.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvJ6-RwpEgc7wR0lFZC2PO01Ng4u9RKuPuaqQ73EZp9LfMgvsSnKihytFVfkndjGTEG_D8zKvplk5HeeFhsWXeppW3ytJop_eamDdahkrY9XYxMl_QXe5O_BAoHdIstK7ON9yk9Nr_mIY/s1600/14074559_10155042156504989_242731552_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvJ6-RwpEgc7wR0lFZC2PO01Ng4u9RKuPuaqQ73EZp9LfMgvsSnKihytFVfkndjGTEG_D8zKvplk5HeeFhsWXeppW3ytJop_eamDdahkrY9XYxMl_QXe5O_BAoHdIstK7ON9yk9Nr_mIY/s320/14074559_10155042156504989_242731552_o.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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The morning started out with Llan-calach Fawr Manor where the servants were dressed to act the part. It was pretty cool but also kind of funny because I was almost not sure how to interact with them. Can you imagine living somewhere like this though? I don't know why, I just really like things built out of stone. Maybe it's just the medieval feel. They had a nice garden out front with a little walkway. </div>
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Right after the manor we headed over to Coch Castle which looks like Hogwarts. It has these little turrets and the first time I saw it it was peaking through the mist all mysterious and magical.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzBb1x-JgtOxDOhmvXZY8gxxpFX1xu8AFFWIbdfEMB6AGcTmvNp5nSeXYXlDYqW-5qXFDVIOXcHFWpE4lsBysr1nPgCdfWa1l9e7I6pRGU-lBGg-GHGEdFmPUigYPbjUQ6TI32-sP_-Hg/s1600/14074363_10155042160664989_261998892_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzBb1x-JgtOxDOhmvXZY8gxxpFX1xu8AFFWIbdfEMB6AGcTmvNp5nSeXYXlDYqW-5qXFDVIOXcHFWpE4lsBysr1nPgCdfWa1l9e7I6pRGU-lBGg-GHGEdFmPUigYPbjUQ6TI32-sP_-Hg/s320/14074363_10155042160664989_261998892_o.jpg" width="239" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbG_QEqmDpo9ige27lvUQqcJax9GDpNk8l8uFg296whIFPTJfe_dIU2N8FxgS2NXx7_UQh7Mw8iUMkAqwBmloGt75s3OZrfen3EDKvwo_i4K4CWhC5fDBo1aHLz-_KV0_bR5yoZQYIwQ0/s1600/14012530_10155042159674989_1724570302_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbG_QEqmDpo9ige27lvUQqcJax9GDpNk8l8uFg296whIFPTJfe_dIU2N8FxgS2NXx7_UQh7Mw8iUMkAqwBmloGt75s3OZrfen3EDKvwo_i4K4CWhC5fDBo1aHLz-_KV0_bR5yoZQYIwQ0/s320/14012530_10155042159674989_1724570302_o.jpg" width="240" /></a>The final tour stop for today was Cardiff Castle which was HUGE. So, naturally, I took about 101 pictures. Well really Whitney took them since I had no phone. Here's one of us throwing pennies in the well by the keep.<br />
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Here's me falling in love at the library.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqd-WA9IrQWi1VC2otQ_ialP8z861ND7h6mk9wCv38eatGgQut38fPhOTFJxmjAcEbgjnOEdpj_TtLRd9gAlLuJGKJjIx7OAELizqMWzyRH0FW3R3jVugfZoAyjOFhP4g4D2meGPBB2sw/s1600/14012794_10155042155644989_135621426_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqd-WA9IrQWi1VC2otQ_ialP8z861ND7h6mk9wCv38eatGgQut38fPhOTFJxmjAcEbgjnOEdpj_TtLRd9gAlLuJGKJjIx7OAELizqMWzyRH0FW3R3jVugfZoAyjOFhP4g4D2meGPBB2sw/s320/14012794_10155042155644989_135621426_o.jpg" width="239" /></a>Here's the catapult and the castle. Really these are terribly short explanations but come on, it's not like I have time to type up the information packet they gave us. And let me tell you, that guided tour was WAY too detailed.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7fbOGvb56D5qKUMBTS9CNo8l2yjET5hbVAQY3oryHefIKwpEwU-mZE1TUeePshij2F4bXGoGkMNLxNlTSVAzI79qUlOnfcNt-QBHaxTBdCi9VFoz5EP4eNyZPiVJlk2IXtMnPHstto9E/s1600/14037428_10155042156229989_2022465162_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7fbOGvb56D5qKUMBTS9CNo8l2yjET5hbVAQY3oryHefIKwpEwU-mZE1TUeePshij2F4bXGoGkMNLxNlTSVAzI79qUlOnfcNt-QBHaxTBdCi9VFoz5EP4eNyZPiVJlk2IXtMnPHstto9E/s320/14037428_10155042156229989_2022465162_o.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU9RpNhVcB_Jr3BWFk4bklPkLJDLHNhdqpf1ZCKHddZQLpEMJhubxSKUQqahFfQd-HLIb3nJKh03DUWBVeViI7QQO3h7KE_8_xRG8tjMXLy_YYj_sDOs90e6ZXOtmW9smbAPOrBQNvhWI/s1600/14060305_10155042160189989_1666771681_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU9RpNhVcB_Jr3BWFk4bklPkLJDLHNhdqpf1ZCKHddZQLpEMJhubxSKUQqahFfQd-HLIb3nJKh03DUWBVeViI7QQO3h7KE_8_xRG8tjMXLy_YYj_sDOs90e6ZXOtmW9smbAPOrBQNvhWI/s320/14060305_10155042160189989_1666771681_o.jpg" width="239" /></a>This tree was a bit tricky because I had to sneakily climb up when the security guards weren't looking and then try and hide behind one of the branches.<br />
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Here's a picture of the keep. This was in the middle of the castle surrounded by a moat. Super legit castle like and all.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvDNLbYWpF0eOYJORrau03GzbySZHaKgghtdUm7r5pPW11bR_BjPrURMLPrXHW7xLWgopkPzqN4l0WSJRSN7Sirap5HudMgvF-WMqiiSHqvf0zhhekGFlGWW1pdxCS-AiQweBFsOsXcoY/s1600/14074967_10155042158864989_324447803_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvDNLbYWpF0eOYJORrau03GzbySZHaKgghtdUm7r5pPW11bR_BjPrURMLPrXHW7xLWgopkPzqN4l0WSJRSN7Sirap5HudMgvF-WMqiiSHqvf0zhhekGFlGWW1pdxCS-AiQweBFsOsXcoY/s320/14074967_10155042158864989_324447803_o.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTZuOMg8l8HPqLUDxTZRdAmZEsKA_JfXSd4b-O23G67eCgeAXuYLrL4icBQAU5alHMXeDsvylQUd2tCHAN_8WYDkjcwpPejrS1GrJv9qhmvqZQdKjgQ2flbW38Sk5RLNB2-hl622Z6kTw/s1600/14037860_10155042158234989_1030467764_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTZuOMg8l8HPqLUDxTZRdAmZEsKA_JfXSd4b-O23G67eCgeAXuYLrL4icBQAU5alHMXeDsvylQUd2tCHAN_8WYDkjcwpPejrS1GrJv9qhmvqZQdKjgQ2flbW38Sk5RLNB2-hl622Z6kTw/s320/14037860_10155042158234989_1030467764_o.jpg" width="239" /></a><br />
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All too soon our time in Wales was over and it was time to head back to London. It was ways too early, but I was excited to get back. Goodbye Eira, Brian, and Margaret. </div>
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early goodbye to family<br />
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But I survived the sad good bye by sleeping the entire bus ride back to London. I know, my specialty.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGeIOJm2EYaecd5svR1IAX6SC5Db_5L9um5U7VTUUMbNNtwpo6vNIzQiCauInOv8g8f1XaVoyRp_o_xjilGH0Mz8L7zmK2-EoOFHlHLZzslZZnHxcC55maba-RAjgcpFgAPfbYpC3XvFw/s1600/Cursed+Child+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGeIOJm2EYaecd5svR1IAX6SC5Db_5L9um5U7VTUUMbNNtwpo6vNIzQiCauInOv8g8f1XaVoyRp_o_xjilGH0Mz8L7zmK2-EoOFHlHLZzslZZnHxcC55maba-RAjgcpFgAPfbYpC3XvFw/s320/Cursed+Child+1.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH-cBDhykNFRNUv3Kvxevx9iOPzqaK3vtL4ceQrgcSopzoVFh8cymyLJ5iWIvjMQ6d4BCet_MAXgFICngxDiIGWg4z1p04gW6bjYLnIp9DdlMrCqzisj_1T1VhyphenhyphenrdXCjxV3pZKcQ1BglU/s1600/Cursed+Child+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH-cBDhykNFRNUv3Kvxevx9iOPzqaK3vtL4ceQrgcSopzoVFh8cymyLJ5iWIvjMQ6d4BCet_MAXgFICngxDiIGWg4z1p04gW6bjYLnIp9DdlMrCqzisj_1T1VhyphenhyphenrdXCjxV3pZKcQ1BglU/s400/Cursed+Child+2.jpg" width="225" /></a><br />
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The time had come for HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD. I literally spent all day watching this play. Okay well not all day, but from waiting in lines, part 1 and 2, and intermission I probably dedicated 9 hours of my day to it. Worth it though.<br />
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(Don't mind the random guy in this photo with me, I like to take photos with just the two of us.)<br />
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7/28 - This is the day that the true touring of London started. We got off at the Westminster stop and decided to walk everywhere so we could really get the full experience. First off-Big Ben. Did you know that Big Ben is actually the name of the bell inside the tower, but since no one can see the bell people just took to calling the whole tower Big Ben?<br />
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Right by Big Ben is Westminster (which always makes me want to read Red Wall Abbey.) We were too cheap to pay to go inside so we decided to wait and go to a Sunday service (those are free.)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaH58WJbkbBF75vGqmc0bZbQ8Nh5ktPPTsEIolWg1F8Lfpiw2NM1vGuUFAj7wAIbx-YMc81e_7iZW5466rKW92GGrL7_4zAwizsSctxtwCNizd-5DDVHBtwe777v5xUKCHvjG7p4ieabI/s1600/13900738_10153847707212058_526067747_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaH58WJbkbBF75vGqmc0bZbQ8Nh5ktPPTsEIolWg1F8Lfpiw2NM1vGuUFAj7wAIbx-YMc81e_7iZW5466rKW92GGrL7_4zAwizsSctxtwCNizd-5DDVHBtwe777v5xUKCHvjG7p4ieabI/s320/13900738_10153847707212058_526067747_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOtsAhPW7gPI8jOi-rnL0zOBmw-3a7SOCqWrqa10B5h57RYCYu6YAHJv5_rt0nGhYymEosxFiaaOF9mFyPacmbbi3BdddDIzOUUlboDF3Ua0Q9iewiCQ3gA4wCAfYq8RdKKvC6IgDkys8/s1600/14074511_10155042163344989_1641565459_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOtsAhPW7gPI8jOi-rnL0zOBmw-3a7SOCqWrqa10B5h57RYCYu6YAHJv5_rt0nGhYymEosxFiaaOF9mFyPacmbbi3BdddDIzOUUlboDF3Ua0Q9iewiCQ3gA4wCAfYq8RdKKvC6IgDkys8/s320/14074511_10155042163344989_1641565459_o.jpg" width="239" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZO7NmeaPnJIlD1THyPmslcNv8tDYVemIB0EoSU9JN9f6Mfmkm2qzT6_jHx3b9eCjc_LdpCwUBMWjtAnyx-ZpRK1wBfIjln83lePBo4r4cU8ZesMRYJZGvuIUKVsEbAdabidoffJuXRw/s1600/14037972_10155042152984989_1498755365_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZO7NmeaPnJIlD1THyPmslcNv8tDYVemIB0EoSU9JN9f6Mfmkm2qzT6_jHx3b9eCjc_LdpCwUBMWjtAnyx-ZpRK1wBfIjln83lePBo4r4cU8ZesMRYJZGvuIUKVsEbAdabidoffJuXRw/s320/14037972_10155042152984989_1498755365_o.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEMKbou_KZY5Z03FXn5F_ch61bHhbmgP2a_PH0P_GTuC85jKFl4G9JuMDRMdS4uqSMu1mD_s4Z9i9O0M-yHgU5qFURcBesSrKuZAyLX-OE0sj1qgl79X6vd-f1TrezgK52VM802gvwOn0/s1600/14074529_10155042161194989_146886577_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEMKbou_KZY5Z03FXn5F_ch61bHhbmgP2a_PH0P_GTuC85jKFl4G9JuMDRMdS4uqSMu1mD_s4Z9i9O0M-yHgU5qFURcBesSrKuZAyLX-OE0sj1qgl79X6vd-f1TrezgK52VM802gvwOn0/s320/14074529_10155042161194989_146886577_o.jpg" width="239" /></a>Parliament is also right there. We were all a little bit it wasn't in session because you can go in and watch when it is. We ran into a Japanese tour group around this area and I got so excited that I totally tried to eavesdrop. Slash I almost photo bombed their group photo, but instead I decided to just get my own. I asked in English at first, but they were really confused so I repeated it in Japanese. It felt good to use Japanese again. That's it. I'm going back. Next time.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNWPKFUs0n8MyqLRfEyjixVgQrm6Q-33dS5PBDGPs8sWXyBcvNgOjZUvzOGRAjpMx3UEYFi_h7puKgPKEZ_aNJmT4xXuvAtqzC5lbbQb8UnUbZEeda5vviVEMlpOyPjrlJeNAc_vkGb6w/s1600/14012343_10155042155689989_1288647232_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNWPKFUs0n8MyqLRfEyjixVgQrm6Q-33dS5PBDGPs8sWXyBcvNgOjZUvzOGRAjpMx3UEYFi_h7puKgPKEZ_aNJmT4xXuvAtqzC5lbbQb8UnUbZEeda5vviVEMlpOyPjrlJeNAc_vkGb6w/s320/14012343_10155042155689989_1288647232_o.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFigr4QdW_lj1KHIiDNhyphenhyphenbUe630alMFqomQwBmlc7OZGROYo8mFWLsu5ZNi8eEVFiqrenlEZA91rvNAd3We4HXpsDxL77uABmIJv4Ddpo7F9YhKhq4w-UVvEMLr4xOTeMwBv5FIbShbqo/s1600/Scone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFigr4QdW_lj1KHIiDNhyphenhyphenbUe630alMFqomQwBmlc7OZGROYo8mFWLsu5ZNi8eEVFiqrenlEZA91rvNAd3We4HXpsDxL77uABmIJv4Ddpo7F9YhKhq4w-UVvEMLr4xOTeMwBv5FIbShbqo/s320/Scone.jpg" width="180" /></a>We walked through Saint James Park and Green Park to get to Buckingham Palace. We got there in time to see the changing of the guards even though that wasn't our intention. Then we continued walking to Hyde Park and we stopped at Kensington Palace to eat scones. Although it sounds even more British when I say that it was a scone with clotted cream and jam. </div>
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Here's some pictures from Kensington Palace and Hyde Park. (Yes, the frisbee was necessary.) <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlRQb_FaMhDXw_ouYDkUKToQC6fMDna8st5XasC4rafbJl-xdW3tQymddlcm6pmQEg7O2jangRkNmZvstXjJNuq4Q0vOswenqwMzH6FIgTXuURz5LJ2F0rBku9vtQSJ-w14FA_b3W9Gos/s1600/14012723_10155042158749989_1270471770_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlRQb_FaMhDXw_ouYDkUKToQC6fMDna8st5XasC4rafbJl-xdW3tQymddlcm6pmQEg7O2jangRkNmZvstXjJNuq4Q0vOswenqwMzH6FIgTXuURz5LJ2F0rBku9vtQSJ-w14FA_b3W9Gos/s320/14012723_10155042158749989_1270471770_o.jpg" width="239" /></a>I have to take advantage of any chance to journal. Emily and I have that in common.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8gpMRJrvEzaEfi9vFgVa0mbpfhqbAL0m9NyO3vXS674Yy6NAOsePS24prOaKjMPnw4U5RlCHnQHSyaYT7N-6yBxj7jzH9RmrunbVtK4-p4w1GChf8S-A7SuBzLYfdI6k9v4OTVQ1olFo/s1600/14060267_10155042165539989_1821826204_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8gpMRJrvEzaEfi9vFgVa0mbpfhqbAL0m9NyO3vXS674Yy6NAOsePS24prOaKjMPnw4U5RlCHnQHSyaYT7N-6yBxj7jzH9RmrunbVtK4-p4w1GChf8S-A7SuBzLYfdI6k9v4OTVQ1olFo/s320/14060267_10155042165539989_1821826204_o.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3UiI3Qf499oQs6nJW7DNxXQDy-nIWxDTvls-KxnnileOOw6L4ldFz1tZw-Imir_0H3lU-JWw9GrXLWC6wycnpl8q9IgnrnBGUzTW0xCMEuFPD57x-US3fiMKeWRif10WqdwnG0d7gA0s/s1600/journaling+in+a+park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3UiI3Qf499oQs6nJW7DNxXQDy-nIWxDTvls-KxnnileOOw6L4ldFz1tZw-Imir_0H3lU-JWw9GrXLWC6wycnpl8q9IgnrnBGUzTW0xCMEuFPD57x-US3fiMKeWRif10WqdwnG0d7gA0s/s320/journaling+in+a+park.jpg" width="180" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW0dOlIPR1jxqBYG4nbZ8k1BKWa228wr6AFRbbbQB7u9JR51ks5-bmBst2g8eANt99PEodFUrf-YbgCuMBJnPbgCVOxa262VRvxaArlPkuIJUbTeGrZ7Cg9IvQvM2tMwmPeLCsHNRglRE/s1600/14037516_10155042159744989_454950384_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW0dOlIPR1jxqBYG4nbZ8k1BKWa228wr6AFRbbbQB7u9JR51ks5-bmBst2g8eANt99PEodFUrf-YbgCuMBJnPbgCVOxa262VRvxaArlPkuIJUbTeGrZ7Cg9IvQvM2tMwmPeLCsHNRglRE/s320/14037516_10155042159744989_454950384_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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sit under the tree and write in journal in the park</div>
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I went to my very first pub tonight. I couldn't resist. It was a Sherlock Holmes pub! Although it was lacking the 'pub' atmosphere since the 4 of us ate out on the terrace by ourselves. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNyuQS5If4ce123wRm4nY-O31j_6yGuRuhG262yZugpDBJ5aLshAi9d2vDst5JmHDnz4eTySPaTmBM3qk9BppahHkHqsOpMWz8AQHeQXZtpil02iVpQyINiNjABUyTgsp283Y7shz84yQ/s1600/14037479_10155042165914989_398230679_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNyuQS5If4ce123wRm4nY-O31j_6yGuRuhG262yZugpDBJ5aLshAi9d2vDst5JmHDnz4eTySPaTmBM3qk9BppahHkHqsOpMWz8AQHeQXZtpil02iVpQyINiNjABUyTgsp283Y7shz84yQ/s400/14037479_10155042165914989_398230679_o.jpg" width="223" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4KFVnHOwnUwV6qrdstgoYwynZb88wYuIzIY8Om3Nx3XqWjCUY9m0g7-HwMYHqncfd8Mrj0o70UBKjQHJ8lO9K3nJaWp4ngoZWQ_KCIZnM1yLGZCTM1kTVy_kGBWaa2Tbt-BfrrVsTk8Y/s1600/13672543_10154463929816995_1562528313_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4KFVnHOwnUwV6qrdstgoYwynZb88wYuIzIY8Om3Nx3XqWjCUY9m0g7-HwMYHqncfd8Mrj0o70UBKjQHJ8lO9K3nJaWp4ngoZWQ_KCIZnM1yLGZCTM1kTVy_kGBWaa2Tbt-BfrrVsTk8Y/s320/13672543_10154463929816995_1562528313_n.jpg" width="180" /></a> </div>
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After dinner Whit and I went to a bookstore and I saw these AMAZING Harry Potter books. I really wanted them, but I couldn't very well justify more weight in my suitcase. (Or buying books that I already own.) Then we bought some street cocoa and walked across Jubilee Bridge.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieLN4wjx3lxeXt4TmF5gKp8dmv_qNUR-q6v7b-b_56QAp9YhSl-TtWeQ02beNYGm9kkcghA4VHLFIFFaL12YDMiwTwsiCnqvMCchXQUDmV205fd-TD003FIeGmmPNLz9DaARrhykrL2p8/s1600/14045291_10155042153099989_1201000213_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieLN4wjx3lxeXt4TmF5gKp8dmv_qNUR-q6v7b-b_56QAp9YhSl-TtWeQ02beNYGm9kkcghA4VHLFIFFaL12YDMiwTwsiCnqvMCchXQUDmV205fd-TD003FIeGmmPNLz9DaARrhykrL2p8/s400/14045291_10155042153099989_1201000213_o.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieLN4wjx3lxeXt4TmF5gKp8dmv_qNUR-q6v7b-b_56QAp9YhSl-TtWeQ02beNYGm9kkcghA4VHLFIFFaL12YDMiwTwsiCnqvMCchXQUDmV205fd-TD003FIeGmmPNLz9DaARrhykrL2p8/s1600/14045291_10155042153099989_1201000213_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieLN4wjx3lxeXt4TmF5gKp8dmv_qNUR-q6v7b-b_56QAp9YhSl-TtWeQ02beNYGm9kkcghA4VHLFIFFaL12YDMiwTwsiCnqvMCchXQUDmV205fd-TD003FIeGmmPNLz9DaARrhykrL2p8/s1600/14045291_10155042153099989_1201000213_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><br />
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Living the life in London. A cup of cocoa in hand, a ferris wheel in the background, and friends in Europe.</div>
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We started out the next day by going to the British museum, but the highlight of the day was when we went on the HARRY POTTER STUDIO TOUR.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglrmPs4M417hoH2Ol69LfZ4xDp3FxKAZO_ZkKQ_eqNaAaOZ7gEOxV4WUlLJI3rPTjpWMqCzMmFRJAa5xkwDqHKjx8ECjDk668h-GxQTlq1hkvsBd0j-G6v2F1ZXZwP9tCDccURfId3hb4/s1600/14074418_10155042153699989_169352330_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglrmPs4M417hoH2Ol69LfZ4xDp3FxKAZO_ZkKQ_eqNaAaOZ7gEOxV4WUlLJI3rPTjpWMqCzMmFRJAa5xkwDqHKjx8ECjDk668h-GxQTlq1hkvsBd0j-G6v2F1ZXZwP9tCDccURfId3hb4/s320/14074418_10155042153699989_169352330_o.jpg" width="239" /></a><br />
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Now I'm off to Hogwarts. My letter never came, but that's hardly surprising since the post hates me (none of my letters come.) Here's the Hogwarts Express to take us to school. See you in a year everyone! </div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">Hello Hogwarts. It's time for school, and I think this is one school year I won't be complaining about. </span><br />
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Here's the mirror of Erised which showed me my deepest desire of being in London with my friends.<br />
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This video failed to capture me saying "Up" but at least you can see the broom rising. Sorry it's sideways. I have no idea how to flip it. I'll probably learn a spell for that in year 2. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN79HzTpNbm8G_nPwftwfZAz6TrPJyFEgUY1I2mTIBAzehZ8UkI6Cxpf5dQIX9xDT6YhyV41VKhAM6QF3mPgv47WoZ8z6gu7jGBh0JmNIMpKsBl_HWaIlNiAKGNnHEnE6JRW_0UI-UlE0/s1600/crepes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN79HzTpNbm8G_nPwftwfZAz6TrPJyFEgUY1I2mTIBAzehZ8UkI6Cxpf5dQIX9xDT6YhyV41VKhAM6QF3mPgv47WoZ8z6gu7jGBh0JmNIMpKsBl_HWaIlNiAKGNnHEnE6JRW_0UI-UlE0/s320/crepes.jpg" width="180" /></a>7/30 - Saturday</div>
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We spent the morning on Portabello Road doing crazy markets and eating delicious crepes. We had to break from Em and Michelle so they could go to a play, but Whitney and I kept up the touring!<br />
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Here's Saint Paul's cathedral which looks just as awesome while wearing green pants as when you're not.<br />
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We stopped by the Tate Museum for all the obvious reasons. Mainly to use some free wifi, refill our water bottles, rest a bit in the AC, and go to the bathroom.<br />
Then we saw the Globe theater and went to Borough Market. I even took some time to draw while sitting next to the Thames. Dinner was pizza and dessert was watching North and South with Waite (while being in Paris!) </div>
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Sunday was our last day together. It was a nice, lazy morning since we didn't go to church until 1 pm. We had to book it though since we had also planned to go Westminster at 3 for evensong.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt7_ypwIwpQPmQBriP8UToxTdO42AUOoCRp4hFKopLmxPiZmtqQ6xnOrDDIHCviPR0Nlky7s0LU8JaeLQMqbCjmArP9Hgn2RvlrA6le01qTAC2WaWalPFIwd0sbZhh1o9miNnkmNsMjxE/s1600/13874923_10153847702607058_625615557_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt7_ypwIwpQPmQBriP8UToxTdO42AUOoCRp4hFKopLmxPiZmtqQ6xnOrDDIHCviPR0Nlky7s0LU8JaeLQMqbCjmArP9Hgn2RvlrA6le01qTAC2WaWalPFIwd0sbZhh1o9miNnkmNsMjxE/s320/13874923_10153847702607058_625615557_n.jpg" width="320" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ZYj4YwuBljIe5pk6WqS0pEm9s5BV8J5jxusgmUHP_H5kCaN2xKBcSotUUqjJYWIwEz4AJC4A08u8hwFliC_ge8iunKQTd1JGuf_o4lhJw8UgTpY0cOsTCssLSmv20H8LA50DFhVdFCU/s1600/14060315_10155042154739989_1144539871_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ZYj4YwuBljIe5pk6WqS0pEm9s5BV8J5jxusgmUHP_H5kCaN2xKBcSotUUqjJYWIwEz4AJC4A08u8hwFliC_ge8iunKQTd1JGuf_o4lhJw8UgTpY0cOsTCssLSmv20H8LA50DFhVdFCU/s320/14060315_10155042154739989_1144539871_o.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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After that I had to search around to find some souvenir buses for the nieces and nephews. Once I'd accomplished that I found a nice park to write in my journal in to kill time until meeting with Waite. Tonight was the night we decided to ride the London Eye. I didn't ride it 4 years ago and I've regretted it ever since. No more regrets! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir6a92vhoYojKdhgQ5OpYBARsMt5DLqcVC5hveIlL6jixDBl9jEe_WZc6IIVX002XovhTsf6KHsrZV7SH0l9stw-l4GDqSCx0tSFq3DSGBOINaCBL9KToQ8Sk4UXOLtctAVUrebBase4g/s1600/DSCN0452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir6a92vhoYojKdhgQ5OpYBARsMt5DLqcVC5hveIlL6jixDBl9jEe_WZc6IIVX002XovhTsf6KHsrZV7SH0l9stw-l4GDqSCx0tSFq3DSGBOINaCBL9KToQ8Sk4UXOLtctAVUrebBase4g/s320/DSCN0452.JPG" width="240" /></a> </div>
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The London Eye was a nice way to say goodbye to the city since it gave us a view of every-thing, but the real good bye happen-ed here at the river. Good bye London.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIJw3pNFLRJLDJ1UCAVgRMDX3w6RMyF2RoczDCD_gShLcEeXpJlcxS6laMdOzN35KzajI6p3KJQOCUIsA__lsDxfeK9xZR_GZJKNoXOdtw1gyCba-0YhIYMvDp7FvrhE7gxEizqSXzj40/s1600/Parliament.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIJw3pNFLRJLDJ1UCAVgRMDX3w6RMyF2RoczDCD_gShLcEeXpJlcxS6laMdOzN35KzajI6p3KJQOCUIsA__lsDxfeK9xZR_GZJKNoXOdtw1gyCba-0YhIYMvDp7FvrhE7gxEizqSXzj40/s640/Parliament.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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8/1</div>
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Okay so today was going to be the perfect day. I had it all planned out to fit a trip to the England temple in before my train to Paris. Even though I was the only one who did not have a flight to catch today I was the first one out of the apartment at 6 am. <br />
10 minutes later and I was on my way to the station.<br />
25 minutes later and I had dropped off my huge suitcase at the luggage hold. I officially cut my tourist feel in half (at least) by only lugging around my huge backpack now.<br />
15 minutes later and I was at my train stop hopping on the first train that came to my terminal. Sadly, that wasn't exactly the right train to get on. Luckily it wasn't the exactly wrong train to get on. After talking to someone on the train I realized they were heading the same direction for at least 4 stops. 10 minutes later I just hopped off that train and hopped on the next train. The RIGHT train.<br />
5 minutes later I realized that the right train had quickly become the wrong train. Due to them being behind schedule they decided to cut out every stop from where we were to the airport. Me, being my indecisive self, didn't get off in time and I ended up riding all the way to the Gatwick airport. I decided that fretting about it wouldn't get me anywhere so I sat down to journal the ride away.<br />
35 minutes later I was at the airport asking the closest attendant how to get to my stop. Turns out, it was actually a blessing in disguise. The stop I wanted was only one away from the airport.<br />
10 minutes later I was at Three Bridges and trying to tap out at the station. Turns out you can NOT use your oyster cards outside of London. While that does make sense, since I had used it to get on the train I had just assumed I could use it to get off. Luckily the attendant here was really nice as well and he helped me buy an extra ticket and told me how to fix my slightly illegal mistake.<br />
15 minutes later I was at the bus station waiting for bus 236, which didn't seem to be coming.<br />
5 minutes later I was stopping random passer-bys and asking to use their phones (mainly their google maps.)<br />
10 minutes later a really nice bus driver told me he could take me at least part of the way and some random guy behind me told me that I would be able to walk the rest of the way.<br />
15 minutes later I was getting off at some random stop with some final directions from the bus driver on where to walk.<br />
20 minutes later I was still walking along a 2 way road in the middle of nowhere England fairly convinced I was lost until, miracle of miracles, I found a SIGN FOR THE TEMPLE!<br />
10 minutes later I realized I kind of needed to use the restroom and my backpack was feeling heavy.<br />
10 minutes later I was singing to myself to pass the time and still walking.<br />
10 minutes later I was debating the pros and cons of trying to find a secluded spot. I mean it WAS the middle of nowhere, but it wasn't quite deserted enough for comfort.<br />
10 minutes later there was no longer any 'kind of' about it. I had to go and I was desperately searching the skies for Moroni.<br />
5 minutes later, I found him, and, more importantly, the bathroom.<br />
10 minutes later I triumphantly ascended the stairs to the temple-so relieved and proud of myself for finding it that I was practically playing my own theme music in my head-to find the front door locked.<br />
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5 minutes later I'd completed a circuit of the temple, tried all the doors, briefly appreciated the beauty outside the temple, and almost been ready to sink to the ground and give up for a few minutes. But I ran into 2 grounds workers and I asked them if the temple was closed. (Ready for the climax of the story?) "The temple is always closed on Mondays." They told me. Monday? Really? Foiled by a day of the week and the fact that I have literally never tried to go to the temple on a Monday before. There was no time to despair though. I had to get directions for the fastest way back to civilization from them. Turns out the fastest way was another 45 minute walk.<br />
10 minutes later I actually, miraculously, found myself in the backseat of a car with a temple worker and his wife who were going to town. They gave me a lift to the train station. Thank goodness for kind church members willing to do a solid to a fellow churchie.<br />
So...there I was roughly 7 hours and $30 dollars later and I failed to even go inside the temple.<br />
Luckily my trip to Paris and Nannick's house went much more smoothly.<br />
After dinner with Nannick and the two people living with her (who I had hoped couldn't speak French well, I was disappointed) I went to bed. After a day like that I needed a deep sleep.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdZBEY9TBI3lqXcGTLM0EG2NSH-1xWj1O7rdzB7toNnI1To_qT9Bo7ku41A3TceAeFi9QUwF3WL-vX5lNj7rHQ2EqTtvUfKFecBPx72nMf3lALEwPyRAZUt-y73FrtuYG8RISo67VK2iA/s1600/le_vesinet_and_st-germain-en-laye%252C_france_may_14%252C_2012_001_small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdZBEY9TBI3lqXcGTLM0EG2NSH-1xWj1O7rdzB7toNnI1To_qT9Bo7ku41A3TceAeFi9QUwF3WL-vX5lNj7rHQ2EqTtvUfKFecBPx72nMf3lALEwPyRAZUt-y73FrtuYG8RISo67VK2iA/s400/le_vesinet_and_st-germain-en-laye%252C_france_may_14%252C_2012_001_small.jpg" /></a></div>
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8/2 I may or may not have slept in until noon, and possibly later if Nannick hadn't come into my room saying "are you still in bed?" I ate breakfast/lunch with her and then spent a few hours walking around Vesinet. It was perfect because it was sprinkling. But also it was kind of not perfect because it made it hard to journal outside. Oh well. I bought some souvenirs and walked around town, pleased with myself for remembering my way around. (Or at least I remembered how to get to the store.) Then I had dinner with Nannick. She cracks me up every time. I crack her up too, but I think she's mostly laughing at my French. This isn't the exact river I walked by since I couldn't take photos, but essentially this is what it looked like. </div>
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8/3 It's my last day in France for who knows how long. I spent the morning organizing my suitcase so I can fly home. That's no easy feat since there's always a weight limit and I have a problem with buying souvenirs and chocolate. I also had to plan out my travel routes since I don't have wifi once I step out of the house. BUTTTT once all the details were figured out and taken care of I ate lunch with Nannick and her equally old friend. If I thought understanding French was difficult, it was only because I hadn't tried 80 year old lady French.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyM7P-nA1sgPy_ddoLrFbawTu_uQnmHkzHSjSbYHviMTiAICuQ03Tf3NAfcaHKVpmXq2DMkKWDPR3sBnoLukwMNPOgeErt-eETKU-Tn1Q5gVm5hV_T7wZ9lWxcSaMMNEtBmPyFDyeB0Ko/s1600/marly1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyM7P-nA1sgPy_ddoLrFbawTu_uQnmHkzHSjSbYHviMTiAICuQ03Tf3NAfcaHKVpmXq2DMkKWDPR3sBnoLukwMNPOgeErt-eETKU-Tn1Q5gVm5hV_T7wZ9lWxcSaMMNEtBmPyFDyeB0Ko/s400/marly1.jpeg" width="400" /></a>After lunch Nannick and I drove around in her version of sightseeing. She took me to see Versaille again and this beautiful park called Parc de Marly. Sadly I couldn't take pictures since my phone was AWOL but here's one from online to help you get an idea. </div>
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After that we went to a museum. Nancy asked me multiple times if I wanted to go to this museum and I kept saying things like "I'm fine either way." (Mostly, no I didn't want to go because I'm museumed out.) But eventually she just decided for us because I guess she really wanted to go. The last thing of the day was dinner and giving Nannick her good bye present. </div>
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8/4 After a final breakfast with Nannick my big summer adventure was over. (Actually there was the whole adventure of getting to the metro but aside from that the adventure was over.)...Not. Really just the foreign portion is ending, I still have lots of people to see once I land in America. Still though, it's nice to think that I won't be lugging my suitcase up or down any more metro stops. Even better news there wasn't a weird person sitting by me on the flight. </div>
Laura Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03227536805852645246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268903947120771564.post-49910825069329353702016-08-17T19:26:00.000-07:002016-08-17T19:26:23.695-07:00Europe-It Was Only 2 Weeks But So Many Pictures!<div>
Let me start off by apologizing for taking so long between posts. Traveling back and forth all over Europe does not leave a lot of free time for blogging, but it leaves plenty of time for sleeping on public transportation. <br />
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Anyway, let me begin with the day I left Sapporo because that was my last post. I decided to fly into Tokyo a day early so I could meet up with my friend, Minami (whom I've known since I was 16-crazy!) and go visit the Tokyo temple. </div>
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After navigating the craziness that is the Tokyo metro I finally found my way to the stop closest to the temple. After that I had to locate the temple itself, but luckily the shining Moroni in the sky makes it hard to miss.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6mZRvDrGI-yXmV-wwMLoPKy0anKKKHjEVopZQ5O1IPSocAmUHoEUDjsk_z_709-FmmVOPNWwbJLl4Sght2hwBGdhtuvhcU9EuHO-rJWo63NfJTjfhWuFUl-B678q4U4eUWFfyoYtUres/s1600/IMG_1206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6mZRvDrGI-yXmV-wwMLoPKy0anKKKHjEVopZQ5O1IPSocAmUHoEUDjsk_z_709-FmmVOPNWwbJLl4Sght2hwBGdhtuvhcU9EuHO-rJWo63NfJTjfhWuFUl-B678q4U4eUWFfyoYtUres/s320/IMG_1206.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a>After depositing all my stuff there I decided lunch was in order so I stopped by a 7/11, grabbed some food, and headed to the nearest park to eat and read a book. Shocking, right? That doesn't sound at all like me.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAAWw3iIsadcym10EdPnSHo1uWMHI0yUxjj2kPSlw-xk_h0j1elqtjH64CguTS28LYd6VdHKrY-9jE0CDzdCCW4wzoxHl1fXcRjK20lKIGze3frt2S_XFmLIfxZy8WHWBj2Kt9YviuG2s/s1600/IMG_1219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAAWw3iIsadcym10EdPnSHo1uWMHI0yUxjj2kPSlw-xk_h0j1elqtjH64CguTS28LYd6VdHKrY-9jE0CDzdCCW4wzoxHl1fXcRjK20lKIGze3frt2S_XFmLIfxZy8WHWBj2Kt9YviuG2s/s320/IMG_1219.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgigsJJH5ZPOlMgCxp5qZ8dEh_Gq5VGuzx0V2yv4Lc3y37LNED-p6Mhu3VyRO8-XqtBj4mamvaIxmUyf8GJKBVNXrzaKNKtPKjf3ZEImEvMB0qDiGUqzYp3o0l0K1QkDgARaO0ipEvcrh4/s1600/IMG_1150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgigsJJH5ZPOlMgCxp5qZ8dEh_Gq5VGuzx0V2yv4Lc3y37LNED-p6Mhu3VyRO8-XqtBj4mamvaIxmUyf8GJKBVNXrzaKNKtPKjf3ZEImEvMB0qDiGUqzYp3o0l0K1QkDgARaO0ipEvcrh4/s320/IMG_1150.JPG" width="240" /></a>After eating I had to hustle back to the temple. I was able to meet this really sweet lady (Sister Wata-nabe) at the temple who, turns out, knows some of my friends from Sapporo! Instant bonding happened and she was nice enough to help me find where I was staying that night (it was the temple annex) and get me checked in. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhmPJZAAKLG3QpimOY9DCgOrUxc-xAWWrlhC6o-W31XCPsSyGsNWepTbvo3P9QHc6JS0zggG7CSCncPV31XoAs3_iY_0r85xVMchduW8ebVBzuDfD8vQbzT7T0d8pUeIbhdVjJTjLeYVs/s1600/IMG_1218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhmPJZAAKLG3QpimOY9DCgOrUxc-xAWWrlhC6o-W31XCPsSyGsNWepTbvo3P9QHc6JS0zggG7CSCncPV31XoAs3_iY_0r85xVMchduW8ebVBzuDfD8vQbzT7T0d8pUeIbhdVjJTjLeYVs/s320/IMG_1218.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
The world really is a small place. So that was pretty surprising. Not nearly as surprising as running into the mother of a boy that I dated and haven't talked to in 2 years. What are the odds? Now that was straight up unexpected and slightly disconcerting.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik6tb1gObQJ6A-gWSK52onHjfFohADFBcaQl6EiEWntcWRlUBxyP22nmHoBqbf6l7AmO6KVNbwuq854L0Ghrjr-oVjy_PGntR-mx1OjICOUaz4ehizj9pYyh6WKOqfo8PPiff4jqdyKiM/s1600/13702553_1225601210786460_1922903454_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik6tb1gObQJ6A-gWSK52onHjfFohADFBcaQl6EiEWntcWRlUBxyP22nmHoBqbf6l7AmO6KVNbwuq854L0Ghrjr-oVjy_PGntR-mx1OjICOUaz4ehizj9pYyh6WKOqfo8PPiff4jqdyKiM/s320/13702553_1225601210786460_1922903454_o.jpg" width="239" /></a><br />
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Anyway, after the temple I met up with Minami whom I've known since my girls camp days. It was shocking meeting up with her in Tokyo 2 years ago, but almost more shocking to do it again now. Who knew I would be back in Japan so soon?<br />
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Anyway, here's a glance at the ROOM FOR 6 that I had all to myself that night. So awesome. This was the most space I've had in weeks and I could stay up reading as late as I wanted without disturbing anyone!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXB2AK1CJWXVjMvNkLyp0XXTOsLuZBQCG8o5szSvzfzRoTOpDbGUTskVGEoDqDnLwOLT2ZZGKO05teovuqOJW2VpQysdKZyh6tq_cSB56-jFI0CWijpRKrQiJzHFVKJLKOYIAt2aLlQQo/s1600/IMG_1004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXB2AK1CJWXVjMvNkLyp0XXTOsLuZBQCG8o5szSvzfzRoTOpDbGUTskVGEoDqDnLwOLT2ZZGKO05teovuqOJW2VpQysdKZyh6tq_cSB56-jFI0CWijpRKrQiJzHFVKJLKOYIAt2aLlQQo/s320/IMG_1004.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
(Except I couldn't really stay up as late as I wanted since I had to get up at 6 am for my next flight. *sigh*)<br />
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The next day I caught a flight from Tokyo to Moscow to Paris. <br />
The bad news: I sat next to this supremely overly-helpful man who seemed to have combined 'chivalry' and 'helpless females' because he would NOT let me do anything. If I tried to open my package of earphones (in the little plastic wrap) he was there, taking it from me and opening it for me. (Thank you, strange sir.) If I blew my nose (because my allergies were killing me) he was offering his napkins to me before I had the chance to get up and go for more. (Thank you, stranger.) If I tried to rest my head on the tray in front of me, he was there, telling me how bad that was for my neck (oh but in very broken English) and offering his shoulder to lay on. (Thank you, but um, no.)<br />
The good news: On the connecting flight from Moscow to Paris the flight karma caught up with me and I had 3 seats to myself. So, I slept the sleep of the undisturbed and unobserved. (Thank you Russian man for not being there.)<br />
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When I eventually landed in Paris all I needed to do was navigate my way from the airport to my hostel. It didn't seem too difficult. Until my phone got stolen (or lost?) on the metro. For about 2 minutes I freaked out realizing that the metro taking off in front of me carried my phone and I had no way to get it back (and also no way to get to my hostel.)<br />
Luckily, I'm not shy about asking for help. So by asking a series of strangers if I could use their google maps I was able to make my way (in a completely safe manner) to my hostel. After alerting my family that I'd made it safely (sans cell) I went to sleep.<br />
Kidding. There was definitely a shower before the sleep. </div>
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7/21 - My first day in Paris<br />
I was actually on my own for most of the day as my friends weren't due in until that night. So I explored around on my own a bit and desperately tried to catch up in my journal. After moving from the hostel to our airbnb I developed a system. Mainly it involved finding a cool spot to explore, sitting down and writing in my journal, listening to people speak French, and then repeat.<br />
When I went home for the night I relaxed for a bit, and by frequently creeping through the window for signs of Emily and Michelle I was able to spot them wandering down the street. Nailed it. That's 3 out of 4 of us.</div>
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7/22 - Exploring Paris while really knowing how to relax</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVuMRNJnkYGenIF94mOKIkhbEzymWIXbmrMf7ynqL3q4sbwRP8X6gQlIp2yyvBy-bfo2KNujr6ct0MvMlBvg-I6EkDoTqdtAEhOtHQind4GoZf8cVZkURTgYZfeyXTPWN3ma4xB3u5sV8/s1600/notre+dame.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVuMRNJnkYGenIF94mOKIkhbEzymWIXbmrMf7ynqL3q4sbwRP8X6gQlIp2yyvBy-bfo2KNujr6ct0MvMlBvg-I6EkDoTqdtAEhOtHQind4GoZf8cVZkURTgYZfeyXTPWN3ma4xB3u5sV8/s320/notre+dame.jpg" width="180" /></a>We started off by going to the Latin Quarter which is around Notre Dame. I was getting some serious flashbacks from 4 years ago at this point. (Although I was hoping to avoid dropping my water bottle in the Seine, getting stuck in the metro, getting poop on my bag and all of the other less desirable occurrences from 4 years before.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMyG8bzqdhwWTkxM4KmSEDfYPXeOCuBD__4ArQewHffp72c4WG6ZG5GU0RX8Ra227G-LgoZkKPNx8JtvDmErjGb2DR5HMA0sTFcIPplKS5XE0B05DldOrrMtxNGoMh6J96HlY5K7o3GpU/s1600/backside+of+notre+dame.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMyG8bzqdhwWTkxM4KmSEDfYPXeOCuBD__4ArQewHffp72c4WG6ZG5GU0RX8Ra227G-LgoZkKPNx8JtvDmErjGb2DR5HMA0sTFcIPplKS5XE0B05DldOrrMtxNGoMh6J96HlY5K7o3GpU/s320/backside+of+notre+dame.jpg" width="320" /></a>We ate lunch at the crepe shop that David introduced me to (indirectly) and Emily and I struggled to resurrect our French which was at death's door as we deciphered the menu.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-5_rsJN6xb5WZWft8LVKH1b1twkT60rPBDNReGe4TjYZq2jSThTcHZGcfrto87aWTQ1yXYEOZpJ1FP24Ihw2sFXoGyt9TrQZ08nhwXl4-CO3xNqhS6-1N5gAOZX_HGYHfLgou6WnwPJs/s1600/notre+Dame+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-5_rsJN6xb5WZWft8LVKH1b1twkT60rPBDNReGe4TjYZq2jSThTcHZGcfrto87aWTQ1yXYEOZpJ1FP24Ihw2sFXoGyt9TrQZ08nhwXl4-CO3xNqhS6-1N5gAOZX_HGYHfLgou6WnwPJs/s640/notre+Dame+1.jpg" width="360" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicuteiuHS6TbxjwOLqZIgvCdJzmAV4ohXg6fTQvEl3W-sEm-9mZ4T44dGmBcH5rGeqC6PTOlrzGrTphc4sqXu00fxnS_-j0UxCz0xYLZlM2de9FKNnrDnsNsFlEbkBvOBkUzDVQV27eoI/s1600/13875101_10153847705382058_1366873645_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicuteiuHS6TbxjwOLqZIgvCdJzmAV4ohXg6fTQvEl3W-sEm-9mZ4T44dGmBcH5rGeqC6PTOlrzGrTphc4sqXu00fxnS_-j0UxCz0xYLZlM2de9FKNnrDnsNsFlEbkBvOBkUzDVQV27eoI/s320/13875101_10153847705382058_1366873645_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>We explored along the Seine after eating and looked at all of the book stands and carts that were open before heading over to the Louvre. <br />
Now we didn't actually go into the Louvre (once through that line was enough.) but we did relax in the gardens outside for like 2 hours. In fact, I think I even fell asleep while sitting here enjoying the view. And what's not to enjoy?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9gxsMfyxEjdUTdUHrVeMVmKg8ISUIIvAeYb3WYAS5MR8vixMmTC-AlJpJpi6AJAxuLC83WGuMudiWR_hzOoUipvNymVYWYr9-oG4KaWU3jvDAHPe_aKw4PVPb7rB5-FTIrZGIGt8_qc0/s1600/13900909_10153847705432058_1425902778_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9gxsMfyxEjdUTdUHrVeMVmKg8ISUIIvAeYb3WYAS5MR8vixMmTC-AlJpJpi6AJAxuLC83WGuMudiWR_hzOoUipvNymVYWYr9-oG4KaWU3jvDAHPe_aKw4PVPb7rB5-FTIrZGIGt8_qc0/s640/13900909_10153847705432058_1425902778_n.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw037MxaGGHHQ1SSiNvj4E92qg83QZZ5RJ1UgeRYfC_wDSArEo1yXBVA1jfuh9ZHrPNrtrjJnNp5q5jco00fkT47jVjCaXuhJShorH_H6sJyUoJSf4dZfpGCVRFV4fSA_RTVwGlhG13RU/s1600/13900658_10153847707392058_123286108_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw037MxaGGHHQ1SSiNvj4E92qg83QZZ5RJ1UgeRYfC_wDSArEo1yXBVA1jfuh9ZHrPNrtrjJnNp5q5jco00fkT47jVjCaXuhJShorH_H6sJyUoJSf4dZfpGCVRFV4fSA_RTVwGlhG13RU/s640/13900658_10153847707392058_123286108_n.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMaoAU9AZpl5cV9eNDOAntpnUd9ZpbSKkk9PQ7swqKD6Jxd5ZaLMFw9kXIuh2vXyg_o5dxJTA7zoK7pe3XHTeJ3AsDCbR0Yo3ndiIDgGYOjX6AK-J5-HknfCoAIRAhTcq4ENJhj_yK8yg/s1600/13883838_10153847705832058_1495919466_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMaoAU9AZpl5cV9eNDOAntpnUd9ZpbSKkk9PQ7swqKD6Jxd5ZaLMFw9kXIuh2vXyg_o5dxJTA7zoK7pe3XHTeJ3AsDCbR0Yo3ndiIDgGYOjX6AK-J5-HknfCoAIRAhTcq4ENJhj_yK8yg/s320/13883838_10153847705832058_1495919466_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>After that we got hot cocoa (even though it was summer.) We'd heard the place was delicious. It was. If you like your hot chocolate so thick that you can't actually suck it through your straw. (At least I seemed to not possess that particular ability.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3anhdqrOEVNZ7KsS7Mb4_2pXPR3FDYXukZofZe_E1q1pthDrDNqefBwhLGpFsRamVNvuwDmnRZ-hTFPUu6c13hsH4WEisfv2hYR3pNKBce3RyqgUuroKBwg2Xf0HLPtjpFbLcexjGqPo/s1600/14044906_10155042166804989_1468957519_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3anhdqrOEVNZ7KsS7Mb4_2pXPR3FDYXukZofZe_E1q1pthDrDNqefBwhLGpFsRamVNvuwDmnRZ-hTFPUu6c13hsH4WEisfv2hYR3pNKBce3RyqgUuroKBwg2Xf0HLPtjpFbLcexjGqPo/s320/14044906_10155042166804989_1468957519_o.jpg" width="239" /></a>Finally, the time had come to meet up with Whitney in Paris once again. So with no working phones (or in my case no phone at all), we set out for the Louvre pyramid to meet her. Turns out I take my cell phone for granted a lot, but after crowd searching for 20 minutes we finally met up.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKsWWt6LhHnXa3bHFirCjHzrNiPXeDlbfTy0CRf29MFwYOlW6iC-p1lFKPSEjxEYudUXaN4v3c3rCkn-NWpFH0dQrtrAhsfzZK5vrQgEAawHNYmyuqaB1EzWvlbEyCrEfe2Mv3OpLo8F0/s1600/13871672_10153847706077058_39634414_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKsWWt6LhHnXa3bHFirCjHzrNiPXeDlbfTy0CRf29MFwYOlW6iC-p1lFKPSEjxEYudUXaN4v3c3rCkn-NWpFH0dQrtrAhsfzZK5vrQgEAawHNYmyuqaB1EzWvlbEyCrEfe2Mv3OpLo8F0/s320/13871672_10153847706077058_39634414_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>After that we walked to the Eiffel Tower (we walked every where today-probably 13 miles or so.) and finally, finally I righted the wrong from 4 years ago. Emily and I climbed the Eiffel Tower! Here's the pictures to prove it.<br />
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7/23 - Final half-day in Paris</div>
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We set off of the Bois de Bologne to go bike riding and enjoy the scenery. Let it be noted though, that we didn't set off TOO early. We know how to relax on vacation. Here's some pictures from our bike ride.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJCdVyS5Qvf4l7JZFqSH28_ElFJ0qx8Gl6vW6ijItx_B8JuEHi9SLl81iYpn_obv2fhnh0og0trGDmUkDVxGov-nt2WNNPFwy0mdQNqQI1tPor9F1h_mBGzdzs3cnLVHz9twLymj9h4LI/s1600/biking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJCdVyS5Qvf4l7JZFqSH28_ElFJ0qx8Gl6vW6ijItx_B8JuEHi9SLl81iYpn_obv2fhnh0og0trGDmUkDVxGov-nt2WNNPFwy0mdQNqQI1tPor9F1h_mBGzdzs3cnLVHz9twLymj9h4LI/s320/biking.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKjvJSq42_9Jc9BbB1Weh061OwUs7kfrZ982TRI8DkaJ084Jc9ob8vc64_BXeHd8qgoOqV1PJFybvoGTtsrvsd8Y3GZB-uLBr6gFXs9R5GEnALDhOokI3-O113fYUEUI-I4R7VP1wYc2Y/s1600/13875055_10154468802846995_142210352_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKjvJSq42_9Jc9BbB1Weh061OwUs7kfrZ982TRI8DkaJ084Jc9ob8vc64_BXeHd8qgoOqV1PJFybvoGTtsrvsd8Y3GZB-uLBr6gFXs9R5GEnALDhOokI3-O113fYUEUI-I4R7VP1wYc2Y/s400/13875055_10154468802846995_142210352_n.jpg" width="225" /></a><br />
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Sadly, this was really only a half day since Waite and I had a train to catch to London. So around 1 I said good-bye to the girls, hopped on the metro home, packed up my stuff, and then off we went. Waite and I met at home (she was off on her own adventuring today) and then we braved the Paris metro together. And by that I mean that we struggled to get through the turnstiles with our suitcases and backpacks (such foreigners.)<br />
Question: Would you rather ride a train from France to England or sword fight a porcupine? Ya, me too.<br />
And that's how I found myself with a porcupine.<br />
Kidding. That's how I ended up in London.<br />
We found our airbnb and went grocery shopping before falling asleep in our new room.<br />
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Today was pretty simple. <br />
Catch the 9 am church.<br />
Leave after sacrament meeting for our 11 o'clock bus.<br />
Journal the entire 3 hour trip to Wales (and still be a little behind.)<br />
Spend the evening with Brian, Margaret, and Eira-a nice Welsh family that somehow Whitney knew and we ended up staying with.<br />
It was kind of like having a mom in Wales to take care of us. She was fussing about if we ate enough and if we needed more snacks at night. Score.<br />
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Okay, I'm going to end before the Wales adventures begin because there's already too many pictures in this blog and the next part will be even worse. So until next time! (I'll try to not take another month to post it.) </div>
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Laura Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03227536805852645246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268903947120771564.post-14800803249858269662016-07-18T04:10:00.004-07:002016-07-18T04:10:23.312-07:00Sayonara Sapporo I left Yuzawa and came back to Sapporo for one final hoorah before leaving Japan (for who knows how long.) This week was pretty relaxed but also fun because I got to see a lot of people from the ward from two years ago. I had 8 days left in Japan, so I`ll make the most of it! And by that I mean that I decided to sleep in multiple mornings, chill at the house, and go running in the afternoons. I mean, it`s still summer break, right? I`m practically required to take it easy occasionally.<br />
On Monday and Tuesday the most exciting thing I did was go running in the afternoon and catch up on errands. But even those uneventful days in Japan are pretty fun when I get to spend them with the family. I can talk to the girls as we all lay around on the couch doing nothing at night. Or I can hang with Mama in the afternoons when we are both home and talk about random things like why I`m still single and how she decided to name one of her girls after a girl she admired from an anime as a little girl.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi46OC9iJnCuHxkFHg-7CZR40WIQZNBgOMMeJ2pPoB15S0YhMnKdfSqVCA37x1ZOs1AMlha4LXfyQCDqs0rQyTeRy70uaRU3D5zeCONwBE9EyZger_4S02-SoVHOStl1HUGNWa2PTcnEwE/s1600/13735275_10154947001809989_638194273_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi46OC9iJnCuHxkFHg-7CZR40WIQZNBgOMMeJ2pPoB15S0YhMnKdfSqVCA37x1ZOs1AMlha4LXfyQCDqs0rQyTeRy70uaRU3D5zeCONwBE9EyZger_4S02-SoVHOStl1HUGNWa2PTcnEwE/s320/13735275_10154947001809989_638194273_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>I went to the temple for the first time with Mama and Momo. Our guide was this cute little old Japanese man who was extremely friendly and loved asking questions to which I did not know how to answer in Japanese, but it was still fantastic.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZv7IGaf_UlVlAIGjo2TVxxgycC3WVQ0jf7EAYmnr5Rp7Ztl1VGv2PNhewUI3ypJVlB8mA1eHI3PJKfgy0q_j57KtaPQe9IVxTEwdUGVwIUZ-2cLjHCLG4JNUagGbqC2e5nTu_GKBeV4/s1600/13689376_10154947001764989_56949986_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZv7IGaf_UlVlAIGjo2TVxxgycC3WVQ0jf7EAYmnr5Rp7Ztl1VGv2PNhewUI3ypJVlB8mA1eHI3PJKfgy0q_j57KtaPQe9IVxTEwdUGVwIUZ-2cLjHCLG4JNUagGbqC2e5nTu_GKBeV4/s1600/13689376_10154947001764989_56949986_n.jpg" /></a> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDwen-qKWOXbI8mD3Fo0e4Z0yfFDcOdwsPlTzTgvxC-xOrvsa7XuO9qwMNZWd32kJPueh_deLqVUDe9zReLPqYfJC8FMbzsbz6IoJzc12DhRtix0wfJliY6bjUzqJ63nQkNQqG2Gy2L4M/s1600/video-1468465038+%25281%2529.mp4" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDwen-qKWOXbI8mD3Fo0e4Z0yfFDcOdwsPlTzTgvxC-xOrvsa7XuO9qwMNZWd32kJPueh_deLqVUDe9zReLPqYfJC8FMbzsbz6IoJzc12DhRtix0wfJliY6bjUzqJ63nQkNQqG2Gy2L4M/s1600/video-1468465038+%25281%2529.mp4" /></a><br />
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On Wednesday I went to dinner with a lady I knew from the ward two years ago (Irie family). I ran into her at church a few weeks ago and we decided to do something when I came back from Yuzawa. It turned into a family affair so I went with the Tsujimotos and we had a nice time eating dinner with them. I talked to Kisetsu quite a lot about everyone at Mikuni since she and I were both there recently, and I learned that Kazuki (this beat boxing amigo) is her cousin! Small world. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLBtm_j47-weYNiVfe9ES6lJN51WeCWuh42jKCzvfmcna_mLkolny0nuAWxwgdzHnMpb09zN1ifPxnYzVhIFOcWjzQtPSXmsXIcmYnUFcV6QCYV0HlkMleXe60r37BWuXOErpQkNxRKus/s1600/13714515_10154947001709989_1090362926_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLBtm_j47-weYNiVfe9ES6lJN51WeCWuh42jKCzvfmcna_mLkolny0nuAWxwgdzHnMpb09zN1ifPxnYzVhIFOcWjzQtPSXmsXIcmYnUFcV6QCYV0HlkMleXe60r37BWuXOErpQkNxRKus/s320/13714515_10154947001709989_1090362926_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqRQh7-gSbh8JATKIb3eL-xiqU3H0xx8kJuK52vze60sBge7o9LshhqkQ7SSaJ1MhsA_ezi-PeyNtNt9fBILBNpGI-NwyiflH9Bw920UhCB0fGUUyvE0-csWUoLez3OQ6VyMSRQYRICn8/s1600/13695891_10154947001729989_1536635339_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqRQh7-gSbh8JATKIb3eL-xiqU3H0xx8kJuK52vze60sBge7o9LshhqkQ7SSaJ1MhsA_ezi-PeyNtNt9fBILBNpGI-NwyiflH9Bw920UhCB0fGUUyvE0-csWUoLez3OQ6VyMSRQYRICn8/s1600/13695891_10154947001729989_1536635339_n.jpg" /></a> On Thursday I had the morning to myself to be productive and the evening to go eat okonomiyaki!!! This is Karin and I biking to go meet her friend for dinner. We decided to bike by the river, and it was beautiful. Karin is so fun to hang out with. I`m lucky I got to meet her this time around since she was on her mission before. Plus she introduced me to Ayumi who is also way fun. The three of us ate dinner and sat and talked for at least 2 hours (which is saying something for me since it was all in Japanese.)<br />
I was pretty happy while we talked because Karin told me that her family is pretty shy, which surprised me. Then she told me that they must just feel really comfortable around me so I don`t even get to see their shy side. I guess it`s just nice to feel like part of the family. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgutkhIca-hQTTaY_KzcTFTIc4JTpzf4BlPk78ihjc0iHANVgA8Jz3NRER4VphxTL1YzcXZtl4O3KoP3u19aM2xqW4c4G1dm0UkubGVJ7UlmeqaHaT7DB8TfyHDfscpKdiwHb-s-350UDU/s1600/13695149_10154947000579989_333809250_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgutkhIca-hQTTaY_KzcTFTIc4JTpzf4BlPk78ihjc0iHANVgA8Jz3NRER4VphxTL1YzcXZtl4O3KoP3u19aM2xqW4c4G1dm0UkubGVJ7UlmeqaHaT7DB8TfyHDfscpKdiwHb-s-350UDU/s640/13695149_10154947000579989_333809250_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFVnOSCwx9rPIpw6QbhgwHhN0WGnt7XVBBOcWP7DZ3FewIAioPdqA-qREToDJU-95QVyb0VdNSVj0jrvbdLKYoDhyphenhyphenbmtihbfmQ_eWp9es9f9LV0QTgE_sqbb5yiUQ_o6w1jmDzy3HZkqg/s1600/13713410_10154947001699989_102087833_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFVnOSCwx9rPIpw6QbhgwHhN0WGnt7XVBBOcWP7DZ3FewIAioPdqA-qREToDJU-95QVyb0VdNSVj0jrvbdLKYoDhyphenhyphenbmtihbfmQ_eWp9es9f9LV0QTgE_sqbb5yiUQ_o6w1jmDzy3HZkqg/s1600/13713410_10154947001699989_102087833_n.jpg" /></a>On Friday I decided to go meet up with Sister Takahashi-another friend from the ward 2 years ago. We decided to meet at the temple, since it is fairly close to her house. Unluckily for me, I actually did not remember exactly how to get there. Luckily for me, it was close to a sushi place that I could ask around for. Turns out living in Japan is way easier when you can actually speak the language. (2 years ago was a valiant but poor attempt at Japanese-ing.) <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Anyway, eventually I did find the temple and Sister Takahashi. She took me to one of her favorite ramen places, and it`s her favorite for a reason. After eating we went back to her house and talked for about an hour and a half. She told me that her kids wanted to play when they got home from school so once they arrived the three of us went to the park. They are so stinking cute. It makes me want to have Japanese children of my own. Just look at them.<br />
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That night a random girl from BYU showed up at my house-turns out she was mission companions with Karin. So we all ended up going to Mount Moiwa to do something fun with our Friday night and give her a taste of Sapporo. So here I am again two years later.<br />
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We saw the sights and took the expected, poorly-lighted photograph at the top here and then we were on our way down again. <br />
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In the car we rocked out to K-Pop, naturally. And then everyone was in a k-pop mood, so a dance party happened. In the middle of this I was trying to figure out plans for tomorrow with Natasha and Anna. (Not having a cell phone once we leave the house means we always have to be extremely well planned out before trying to successfully do anything.)<br />
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(Enjoy this night view of Sapporo.)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOszodeHHewv9vw9UVDBNaX6RbORdplBBXYXmE9mkO4vDeOfJgIxiQw1ce4HTHndCbLyoqSvIqlCBUVwLL2VWPpk0r-j5LCvIolcAmK8bwroqlmfT_eJhYG-zHYBdMl7UhCF9iEcO47S4/s1600/13689321_10154947000629989_2015358042_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOszodeHHewv9vw9UVDBNaX6RbORdplBBXYXmE9mkO4vDeOfJgIxiQw1ce4HTHndCbLyoqSvIqlCBUVwLL2VWPpk0r-j5LCvIolcAmK8bwroqlmfT_eJhYG-zHYBdMl7UhCF9iEcO47S4/s400/13689321_10154947000629989_2015358042_n.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
We started the day out Saturday by going to Sakura`s school festival. This was a dream of mine growing up-but I never went to a Japanese high school (I don`t want to talk about it. It`s still a sore spot of mine. :p) and we don`t have these here, so naturally the three of us had to go crash Sakura`s. But don`t worry-it was completely normal. So normal you might have trouble finding us in this photo-we are the ones with the awkward red badges that scream *we don`t belong* since everyone else had a different colored badge. Thanks for that, school people. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQOkpQNXkCKxcBFbFItcp7YBsMaolK1ZcpEBfHhpRadOcvuSkUdEEBI6vfR1zShXovtOQTml-d2tpMb1fITsd-_3UTWCxA7-hT_5bwXtFSiOJ8R4l4Epz8HTZZwC70uF5ratnBanxoxA/s1600/13714532_10154947000504989_1854031344_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQOkpQNXkCKxcBFbFItcp7YBsMaolK1ZcpEBfHhpRadOcvuSkUdEEBI6vfR1zShXovtOQTml-d2tpMb1fITsd-_3UTWCxA7-hT_5bwXtFSiOJ8R4l4Epz8HTZZwC70uF5ratnBanxoxA/s1600/13714532_10154947000504989_1854031344_n.jpg" /></a></div>
Anyway, I get that this definitely wasn`t a competition...and even if it was these are all high schoolers...but can I just say that I rocked this ball throw (only in comparison to the 15 year old boys who went before me.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC3O1Luh6I9Pm3gvEP8lBRMzUCegZj7yHP7LVGiqfGd3DEC6fqQqvm_1NzwFn42hBfkayk_QiWd_RsD-3uKwqnlxaGlrgOB9txVPyEg4fzyF1ibQnvecXePSkFz1ry5KwWYo3HLum1HW8/s1600/13695754_10154947001149989_414148777_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC3O1Luh6I9Pm3gvEP8lBRMzUCegZj7yHP7LVGiqfGd3DEC6fqQqvm_1NzwFn42hBfkayk_QiWd_RsD-3uKwqnlxaGlrgOB9txVPyEg4fzyF1ibQnvecXePSkFz1ry5KwWYo3HLum1HW8/s320/13695754_10154947001149989_414148777_n.jpg" width="240" /></a>It was pretty fun to be here even if I was about 8 years too late to be living out this dream. <br />
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Anyway, Anna and Natasha weren`t feeling too hot so we ended up leaving before the end (I forgot how loud a high school full of screaming teenagers can be.) We decided to go around some fun places for one last time together, which is how I found myself at Odor<br />
i park again, this time with my shoes off. A refreshing change, I`ll admit.<br />
We had the chance to admire Susukino all decorated for the summer festival. (Although since the festival hasn`t started yet, there`s always the chance it will get even more hard core.)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnoP1qSfdjaU-MkHk1qRGYEygNYz1DhxdNkfFhIeOd17ejFRyy-TV_TrgAtZoa2OPaS4nP9ywfsDb3wKUkBHXevFxGVsFFDo5FV5QTi4WTXJdKD4gn9QgiwWd0d8srxbcgxUi9hsidEzw/s1600/13713317_10154947000429989_1211724610_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnoP1qSfdjaU-MkHk1qRGYEygNYz1DhxdNkfFhIeOd17ejFRyy-TV_TrgAtZoa2OPaS4nP9ywfsDb3wKUkBHXevFxGVsFFDo5FV5QTi4WTXJdKD4gn9QgiwWd0d8srxbcgxUi9hsidEzw/s400/13713317_10154947000429989_1211724610_n.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGNao0RyOwEOevVxK0FHOM1lV_4CJIrZqpVKxRSXIDrefCudORn4MqTRi2YCkMiMfp7SLH33O8EJSAqldbLNNGSI_5rBS4a6KoMGiZq4aS7KgQpEsjhJOWM7IC76LX24YYh4zZqTig3Ag/s1600/13689606_10154947000919989_661987346_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGNao0RyOwEOevVxK0FHOM1lV_4CJIrZqpVKxRSXIDrefCudORn4MqTRi2YCkMiMfp7SLH33O8EJSAqldbLNNGSI_5rBS4a6KoMGiZq4aS7KgQpEsjhJOWM7IC76LX24YYh4zZqTig3Ag/s320/13689606_10154947000919989_661987346_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
And I`m not sure how this happened, but we found Mario, Luigi, and the whole Mario Cart crew so we took pictures. That`s a normal reaction to seeing your childhood brought to life. What was unexpected was having Luigi gesture us over to take pictures together. (He told me to sit in his seat, and I would be lying if I said I didn`t have to fight a serious temptation to complete a lap of my own.) <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9vHkKbSHehaAUpYRGl5FQXZ6oOiRAYZM-Ljr7XU2cvkzVkemzxXpSKhW1AlyVlfkOvC0HFDoCdaJOJQMGQXFwKQzVdJ7uunAZsc9L8ki_p-1tR12HiouvPo6h3M5JzNL5ONN43Rrf_kE/s1600/13713337_10154947001319989_1291123191_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9vHkKbSHehaAUpYRGl5FQXZ6oOiRAYZM-Ljr7XU2cvkzVkemzxXpSKhW1AlyVlfkOvC0HFDoCdaJOJQMGQXFwKQzVdJ7uunAZsc9L8ki_p-1tR12HiouvPo6h3M5JzNL5ONN43Rrf_kE/s1600/13713337_10154947001319989_1291123191_n.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJNtVFsYtwjtRFYd7UJnpkV6KUkmzqHU_qRaX2iQnimlOeYV5-pR9D0E34PIbd_YZnEklhcON1g5g912qx0nw7ImAxx3JPIIA3LdGcK2AzlEnWGdEcVUyPhWYsTS-b2RGKN2XNwNko68/s1600/13734606_10154947001039989_500624447_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJNtVFsYtwjtRFYd7UJnpkV6KUkmzqHU_qRaX2iQnimlOeYV5-pR9D0E34PIbd_YZnEklhcON1g5g912qx0nw7ImAxx3JPIIA3LdGcK2AzlEnWGdEcVUyPhWYsTS-b2RGKN2XNwNko68/s1600/13734606_10154947001039989_500624447_n.jpg" /></a>There was also this random street drum perfor-mance happening for which we had to stop and watch. (And by watch I mean rock out to.) Turns out Odori is a pretty happening place. We even decided to go get okonomiyaki again (I know. I know. I have a problem.) And while we were walking around JR Tower there was a slight black out in the area where a bunch of restaurants are. Everyone seemed really confused about what to do with themselves since computers were down. Waiters and chefs were awkwardly standing by doors possibly waiting for someone to tell them how to handle the situation. Luckily, Natasha, Anna, and I knew just what to do. And that`s to take a picture!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-biOSXp-77jJlzplM1hTibc877SnAYKfbd1QuqS4F50WKfJRqEDLp7sdllTHf6K1X4anTKwTktaeqA6xhZeVmiH2v11pO7JJiWqoKISASwMQSr0UeSygRTChI8wPKLg4z0KJaJMd8A0/s1600/13689376_10154947000824989_1980760059_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-biOSXp-77jJlzplM1hTibc877SnAYKfbd1QuqS4F50WKfJRqEDLp7sdllTHf6K1X4anTKwTktaeqA6xhZeVmiH2v11pO7JJiWqoKISASwMQSr0UeSygRTChI8wPKLg4z0KJaJMd8A0/s320/13689376_10154947000824989_1980760059_n.jpg" width="320" /></a> I had to hurry home once we parted ways because I was running a little late to greet Papa (who has been in Tokyo.) This seemed like as good a time as any to get lost on my way home. In my defense though, I had never come home from that station before. Anyway, thanks to all my running I was able to recognize the area and figure things out pretty quickly with only a 15 minute delay. We went to the temple again as a family that night and then out to eat.<br />
I may have a slight problem with creeper pictures, but it`s okay because acknowledging it is the first step. (The first step to taking more effective creeper shots? Maybe.)<br />
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Sunday was my last chance to hang out with the family (almost as a whole-Ane being on her mission and what not) and so I had to record the delicious food and good company. Here is everyone eating dinner. So back in America, Emily and Sarah tease me about getting along really well with my brother-in-laws all the time. So it was ironic when I somehow ended up sitting between both of the son-in-laws at dinner tonight. Not even really my brother-in-laws and we still get along. <br />
Dinner was delicious and having everyone to talk to was even better. Saying goodbye is a bit of a damper though. <br />
I was finally getting Keia to warm up to me and I had to say goodbye. And by warm up I mean that she always calls me Kora instead of Rora (my Japanese name to substitute for their lack of L`s.) But anyway, she really did like me despite her slightly hesitant look here in the photo. She`s half Japanese and half Indian. Further proving my point that half Japanese children are adorable and that I need one. Enough said.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEips5hrhzCuXFXVl4OAS2Uy7adM3wH-AU0o4_3L7Dswu__kVJKhafSdp3u7rOgXTR5eSlg9f5uUCNLc_n5e3kQ0RLw09hDNndhX66_KpNhDrpdUrWMRbDiBMEC8R73Efd3bzDF4NJaW_tQ/s1600/13695951_10154947000229989_1807081246_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEips5hrhzCuXFXVl4OAS2Uy7adM3wH-AU0o4_3L7Dswu__kVJKhafSdp3u7rOgXTR5eSlg9f5uUCNLc_n5e3kQ0RLw09hDNndhX66_KpNhDrpdUrWMRbDiBMEC8R73Efd3bzDF4NJaW_tQ/s320/13695951_10154947000229989_1807081246_n.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a><br />
Today, Monday, is my last day in Sapporo and I spent it finishing last minute errands. I leave for Tokyo tomorrow and Paris the day after. I was able to spend a bit of quality time with Sakura. I went to Momo`s band concert. Luckily I have so much free time to go since the rest of the family was busy.<br />
It`s kind o fhard to tell, but she is the one right above the guy with the weird twisted overalls head. She is playing the flute. When I waved at her at the end as she walked by with her classmates, she quickly avoided eye contact. Nailed it. I considered calling out her name to embarrass her further, but decided against it. (Just for the record, she wanted me to come.) <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj45-pvZCDTrkAZLOvISrcQDZV3L_VJPQMwJBXcoDbY8Ka40nyd5Aj0igLQf94PRPxRtFOynkKhVEtSeTgTX6F5n5lIPfDjzCYLqvZkhIWGOGZ1rUN5UqTUEhuGhR6cQImJPBrf6y17Tjw/s1600/13689625_10154947000064989_112813988_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj45-pvZCDTrkAZLOvISrcQDZV3L_VJPQMwJBXcoDbY8Ka40nyd5Aj0igLQf94PRPxRtFOynkKhVEtSeTgTX6F5n5lIPfDjzCYLqvZkhIWGOGZ1rUN5UqTUEhuGhR6cQImJPBrf6y17Tjw/s400/13689625_10154947000064989_112813988_n.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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Goodbye Mama, Papa, and Sapporo. <br />
Hello Tokyo and Paris! </div>
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Laura Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03227536805852645246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268903947120771564.post-11983668080785468802016-07-18T02:30:00.002-07:002016-07-18T02:30:14.749-07:00Yuzawa: Where Wild Monkeys and Lauras Roam Free<div dir="ltr">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT5FnENBmxSrwTOApexYeqWS2YARItJIzbINFNMP2mtUvU8V1JQh5gl12E-fcj8C1Jb7-6G3vPzXj8gK8yiffFEjV94_VcOVhPLEPtSwOmh4hudbJ6e5Z3zMM8LwswZL8E-TEYk_MWhBk/s1600/13689423_10154934255699989_2104816959_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT5FnENBmxSrwTOApexYeqWS2YARItJIzbINFNMP2mtUvU8V1JQh5gl12E-fcj8C1Jb7-6G3vPzXj8gK8yiffFEjV94_VcOVhPLEPtSwOmh4hudbJ6e5Z3zMM8LwswZL8E-TEYk_MWhBk/s320/13689423_10154934255699989_2104816959_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
While most days fall under the normal pattern I mentioned before, there are some days where we have extra activities and adventures. Here are a few of my favorite things that we did:<br />
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One day we played a game kind of like cops in robbers in the school once it got dark after dinner. So with the whole building dark you have to make it from one area to another without getting caught. That was pretty fun and happened my first night here (so I didn't know my way around the building at all-extra exciting.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNkLXp2-z1lX67n35Epai0KyM18JF_vR1rBlDKaeIkoYFvvTl7RVZo31UxjsaU-i9gTulQfCgyn4UrYMIm4xzZCTbzSMnb8K0Wq2glHV-AoQdDRIPgTYriS8VERBFawKJc2DvY1O7n4qA/s1600/13734794_10154934256884989_1247377225_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNkLXp2-z1lX67n35Epai0KyM18JF_vR1rBlDKaeIkoYFvvTl7RVZo31UxjsaU-i9gTulQfCgyn4UrYMIm4xzZCTbzSMnb8K0Wq2glHV-AoQdDRIPgTYriS8VERBFawKJc2DvY1O7n4qA/s400/13734794_10154934256884989_1247377225_n.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
On Friday the weather was so nice that we cancelled afternoon classes and all went swimming in a river together. It almost felt like being back in Arkansas, except I was surrounded by Japanese speakers and I couldn't find any baby turtles.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCdj1i3QTgkyvvZNgtHykf0h6hxEOiXBx0mYqpg_WEQe0YsafNMHgjFjtVDsIlYn2oxkRHngghyphenhyphensqR1VDjiP1gwIYVpMH3_lFRm-QmmdQkJNr2pRbU6p3lv6MZ14caVKJn3_AzllNTV78/s1600/13706356_10154934257029989_41165602_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCdj1i3QTgkyvvZNgtHykf0h6hxEOiXBx0mYqpg_WEQe0YsafNMHgjFjtVDsIlYn2oxkRHngghyphenhyphensqR1VDjiP1gwIYVpMH3_lFRm-QmmdQkJNr2pRbU6p3lv6MZ14caVKJn3_AzllNTV78/s320/13706356_10154934257029989_41165602_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCdj1i3QTgkyvvZNgtHykf0h6hxEOiXBx0mYqpg_WEQe0YsafNMHgjFjtVDsIlYn2oxkRHngghyphenhyphensqR1VDjiP1gwIYVpMH3_lFRm-QmmdQkJNr2pRbU6p3lv6MZ14caVKJn3_AzllNTV78/s1600/13706356_10154934257029989_41165602_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgszRsTGAAZTjZYgoJS3Rt7B7zFrXdMx6nGo5oQ0laeDlvDwnJ-ZQX98Ww0OC6RKuDPhrLbrePSY15k93H5RyT5c9YSJxQyLdxv5ufwAsabnK-PMLPGzwffthP3xBAQSm6hu9k_CdPAAEI/s1600/13689873_10154934259249989_1348885671_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgszRsTGAAZTjZYgoJS3Rt7B7zFrXdMx6nGo5oQ0laeDlvDwnJ-ZQX98Ww0OC6RKuDPhrLbrePSY15k93H5RyT5c9YSJxQyLdxv5ufwAsabnK-PMLPGzwffthP3xBAQSm6hu9k_CdPAAEI/s320/13689873_10154934259249989_1348885671_n.jpg" width="320" /></a> That was so much fun and ended too soon, but we also saw some shrines on our way back so it made up for it. Here is a photo of Ayu and Hana because I love these girls.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh99U45fajg4BGj2z4cOeLpUe5A5p6m1gO6h518hUDd_1Yew2BpdgucBuhAdLHvYUJio6FYVJSGV3C4egL4EhT2DiPJyEydAcL-vDDXTmNsmWe96XppyLlljPTjqjdX5PnBlVFkbsfx-oQ/s1600/13705093_10154934260234989_643288290_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh99U45fajg4BGj2z4cOeLpUe5A5p6m1gO6h518hUDd_1Yew2BpdgucBuhAdLHvYUJio6FYVJSGV3C4egL4EhT2DiPJyEydAcL-vDDXTmNsmWe96XppyLlljPTjqjdX5PnBlVFkbsfx-oQ/s320/13705093_10154934260234989_643288290_n.jpg" width="320" /></a> After eating dinner at the school a bunch of us sang karaoke for hours, and while I was kind of hesitant at first (if Whitney Waite is reading this she would know why I was reluctant to sing karaoke) but everyone here is so chill about it. I ended up having a blast and we didn't make it home until almost 11 p. Of course it started pouring on us so we had to make a mad dash for the door but we were all laughing and I actually secretly (not secretly) loved it. </div>
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We actually did karaoke two times while I was there, and I was able to impress everyone with my hard core Linkin Park skills. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZC3R_AoNJr1-t45lG1suT24NG25DoOu_TZ8tAv2dt53kcx6Wt-lUKIlmX6y7AWouXVDTjjxCg3viQEvEeaTlhAsMt4A3apJicnQ6Yr_KfP9-OGxXDaa0SDtFOosRqMPmeVcUFK_3IqSE/s1600/13735267_10154934260189989_1197474249_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZC3R_AoNJr1-t45lG1suT24NG25DoOu_TZ8tAv2dt53kcx6Wt-lUKIlmX6y7AWouXVDTjjxCg3viQEvEeaTlhAsMt4A3apJicnQ6Yr_KfP9-OGxXDaa0SDtFOosRqMPmeVcUFK_3IqSE/s640/13735267_10154934260189989_1197474249_n.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggXr9jV9OlbjBgK1z9C1SyGYBqDW4XZGf-yxzNXKrt8nkrW_qgt0CKTSB_3wNATwHoPGyI6vJdFZRn_-SK7GQd9X8haYysdIMkw6vncuFNaiDtfiedYRKCiYFYfd2nDNFzQjJ2UMjMoWo/s1600/13672160_10154934260054989_1758392647_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggXr9jV9OlbjBgK1z9C1SyGYBqDW4XZGf-yxzNXKrt8nkrW_qgt0CKTSB_3wNATwHoPGyI6vJdFZRn_-SK7GQd9X8haYysdIMkw6vncuFNaiDtfiedYRKCiYFYfd2nDNFzQjJ2UMjMoWo/s320/13672160_10154934260054989_1758392647_n.jpg" width="240" /></a>(These people here are what really made my time at Yuzawa so fun. When your only options are playing with the monkeys outside or getting to know the people inside, you end up getting to know the people quite a bit. Less than the monkeys though.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRNSHcem1TlbUTx2GxenZYaYeSolyOwGH75kaW806UZFayJ3CI84wOFdknr0YtLvyHzs5-u2IqDKUF3SlGRj4V9JlD0gsPl-UdlIEqLQQYQtvDQjACy7mYs1l_N_ImIpRTBnuCseLaa0/s1600/13689573_10154934255624989_1850057148_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRNSHcem1TlbUTx2GxenZYaYeSolyOwGH75kaW806UZFayJ3CI84wOFdknr0YtLvyHzs5-u2IqDKUF3SlGRj4V9JlD0gsPl-UdlIEqLQQYQtvDQjACy7mYs1l_N_ImIpRTBnuCseLaa0/s320/13689573_10154934255624989_1850057148_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>My roommates and I like to bond by having oreo parties (yes, I brought oreos all the way from America. You can`t go wrong with milk`s favorite cookie!) This is how we bond. Chocolate cookies, milk, and girl talk. It doesn`t matter if it is in America or Japan. It seemed easier to try and just get our hands instead of all of our faces, so this is the picture you get. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk1hflqfZiQ7cFZnzQUbIZrgbn9BfiPVR89ZJtYAAAuFRjXfZ6t0do_8AjtOre_dXvLBhqwozUdz2Kn2ixRi3eSsJTH2mI42zCHlp4YIYRAl6As5fgSDmdFaYiwpH6kUNK3LCdcE13VQY/s1600/13713507_10154934258154989_1398937525_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk1hflqfZiQ7cFZnzQUbIZrgbn9BfiPVR89ZJtYAAAuFRjXfZ6t0do_8AjtOre_dXvLBhqwozUdz2Kn2ixRi3eSsJTH2mI42zCHlp4YIYRAl6As5fgSDmdFaYiwpH6kUNK3LCdcE13VQY/s320/13713507_10154934258154989_1398937525_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBDyqrw1NXEwQEgswD26y0Uaqz2q8uEJFxkSJw7-GVrieIJgwPPZSM5D7q2P-8edFWyfWjX6C9rJW7hso8OmbR4kWwfhk522k9neDMQa-iqj6e-hgaTkst-tm-YzNqwPQPXIA01jpNdGs/s1600/13713346_10154934258239989_748585477_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBDyqrw1NXEwQEgswD26y0Uaqz2q8uEJFxkSJw7-GVrieIJgwPPZSM5D7q2P-8edFWyfWjX6C9rJW7hso8OmbR4kWwfhk522k9neDMQa-iqj6e-hgaTkst-tm-YzNqwPQPXIA01jpNdGs/s320/13713346_10154934258239989_748585477_n.jpg" width="240" /></a> Ok so we went to this village called Takumo no Sato (something like an artisan`s village?) which was really cute and full of friendly Japanese people who asked to take pictures of us. We started out by eating at this old restaurant which was delicious and adorable. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgweMf6mTuTAxRLNOhzlwyRC5ldBmsJM2uY0fFl7OsKC24o23SGGXoWFqdtHKRTYgJwf5amoxKoWrIn-SdSyh9vvqKFeXg3vwxCCB4_Z25PmEnGiekmuv1eNIKrfQs-PBgy90u5lojlpg/s1600/13705146_10154934258029989_1987123951_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgweMf6mTuTAxRLNOhzlwyRC5ldBmsJM2uY0fFl7OsKC24o23SGGXoWFqdtHKRTYgJwf5amoxKoWrIn-SdSyh9vvqKFeXg3vwxCCB4_Z25PmEnGiekmuv1eNIKrfQs-PBgy90u5lojlpg/s1600/13705146_10154934258029989_1987123951_n.jpg" /></a>There was even a little shrine out back where you could toss 5 cents and wish for luck. So, naturally, I did. When you have luck like mine you can`t carry around enough 5 cent coins for times like these. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJsLtzLSFzdghY37cJLDLJuetP-S0brNZ1CW_S1LKL0Ep0ezfG0J0JhQLrCLPF2g1D0yBSAcfa38I2gK8ijQnJuiC95ZI_xuoNkIA4zXYt0_hyFC4BdfDfsZsh85u0KgN9heU9HVApiTU/s1600/13734766_10154934258334989_1621842033_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJsLtzLSFzdghY37cJLDLJuetP-S0brNZ1CW_S1LKL0Ep0ezfG0J0JhQLrCLPF2g1D0yBSAcfa38I2gK8ijQnJuiC95ZI_xuoNkIA4zXYt0_hyFC4BdfDfsZsh85u0KgN9heU9HVApiTU/s400/13734766_10154934258334989_1621842033_n.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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Then we walked around and enjoyed the view. We would walk in and out of random shops and see all of the things that they made by hand. It was fantastic. It was fantastic before the ice cream-it was incredible after!! </div>
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After exploring the village again we same some more shrines which were beautiful. With bridges and little waterfalls and vegetation everywhere. I am not even a Shinto-ist (is that even how you say it?) and I love going to these places. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnj62DKme602CMtWNoqrSq8wjk95Gt2EUGWdjFDoNMlsGJ3Uoa0fTxRPhGey5ZTbEui1jBS7tjydldVZYVJSb24SurvMWkTlVHmKksUYfgASgO03V0SXfxhuw1cTmD2s4k-VcJtuDHeF0/s1600/13695794_10154934258439989_411675069_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnj62DKme602CMtWNoqrSq8wjk95Gt2EUGWdjFDoNMlsGJ3Uoa0fTxRPhGey5ZTbEui1jBS7tjydldVZYVJSb24SurvMWkTlVHmKksUYfgASgO03V0SXfxhuw1cTmD2s4k-VcJtuDHeF0/s320/13695794_10154934258439989_411675069_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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At the ice cream shop we saw this really happy tree so obviously we had to take a picture there. And then there was this little boy who was playing with his parents and kept joining us for our pictures. His parents tried to keep him back but our pictures looked too fun to resist.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3MbGHcsq4Nym1fILH1j9luyD7LwxQAXyHwQP01ziEmFD8Lkn7YrDss-8Ftest0NzbFueNXR6Lb879OluH3hfQFIYotKgfpDaXJ4uhJD2Jc-NWFVnEIRk3j8Ug4wcHVoynxh88F3wEh4o/s1600/13706087_10154934259479989_1291684161_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3MbGHcsq4Nym1fILH1j9luyD7LwxQAXyHwQP01ziEmFD8Lkn7YrDss-8Ftest0NzbFueNXR6Lb879OluH3hfQFIYotKgfpDaXJ4uhJD2Jc-NWFVnEIRk3j8Ug4wcHVoynxh88F3wEh4o/s640/13706087_10154934259479989_1291684161_n.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Can we just take a minute to talk about how beautiful this lake is with the reflections and everything? There was also the added benefit of having a convenience store right by it (a rare commodity in Yuzawa) which made it all the more beautiful.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSdFGfEsWZbd70Ht0GRflQUAnWP1iZtBuEcx78JMgLh0AHeF7GHOy8iX48xZjLGpHVlJygrrFHM4lvh0kUdOGCfl6izoVnK9v-Ej2LkMT8gH7obpL3x2QodsB9QaMlTLKBiHFQ2g29OIY/s1600/13735242_10154934259609989_476530897_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSdFGfEsWZbd70Ht0GRflQUAnWP1iZtBuEcx78JMgLh0AHeF7GHOy8iX48xZjLGpHVlJygrrFHM4lvh0kUdOGCfl6izoVnK9v-Ej2LkMT8gH7obpL3x2QodsB9QaMlTLKBiHFQ2g29OIY/s320/13735242_10154934259609989_476530897_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEaJjsxk2krT2xyAAdTD8vZW6PwN-gkw6bI0uym6kzxQeQoHsoO7B6V04VtN82lLE4IJxHpvEpoiswBvIPAE2XMlPdJn2iwB0caIOq-8Vlv4ChK6BEuoNHyMDdPvssANEoKn8u1w13OhE/s1600/13689823_10154934258929989_1223868824_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEaJjsxk2krT2xyAAdTD8vZW6PwN-gkw6bI0uym6kzxQeQoHsoO7B6V04VtN82lLE4IJxHpvEpoiswBvIPAE2XMlPdJn2iwB0caIOq-8Vlv4ChK6BEuoNHyMDdPvssANEoKn8u1w13OhE/s1600/13689823_10154934258929989_1223868824_n.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /></a> And the picture I am sure everyone has seen, but I could not resist including it again. Just look at the bamboo and the swing and Japan! Honestly, the whole trip here has been fantastic. Every day is filled with such wonderful things and wonderful people. Not including the fact that I get to speak Japanese. Even things as common as playing N64 seem extra cool when I do it in Japan-with game titles in Japanese. Here`s the three of us trying to figure out how to play Mario Party when the instructions are all in Japanese. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8yFwYdE_A0_pW6sawOjVvrNDHQaia5T17J8qohH63My83reOBePCEa6KuhGKDeuV3dQji2QlUVWaIPkG7N4dAcfzXI4zVyzGWlfsamBxPmKH8p4fYrjBONOXRsqCaezSljD_EFYfvZ6w/s1600/13705282_10154934260264989_1224859386_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8yFwYdE_A0_pW6sawOjVvrNDHQaia5T17J8qohH63My83reOBePCEa6KuhGKDeuV3dQji2QlUVWaIPkG7N4dAcfzXI4zVyzGWlfsamBxPmKH8p4fYrjBONOXRsqCaezSljD_EFYfvZ6w/s320/13705282_10154934260264989_1224859386_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="text-align: left;">The day before I left we went on an incredible hike in the middle of the mountains. It was 2 hours one way and 2 hours back. Well, it was supposed to be, but when you factor in the rain that was pouring on us and the muddy trail it definitely turned out to be longer. But if you think we were all put out about the rain you are wrong. Look at these excited faces on our way to the trail. And how could anyone feel dissatisfied with this view? (If we look wet-we are.)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOfva7wOu-ntCxnjIOqXAy3_fL6RlMTDakxZDFHHfIW8O4KcqJWwmbDko_YtYwy4Dh2S-NK-F2AfcODAAWxy6mjnv1O5x09n3CPig1Zl85kBF2kqUdQdJ78ezHImh2v6qVEt-py6TLtYo/s1600/13717937_10154937998834989_1386538340_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOfva7wOu-ntCxnjIOqXAy3_fL6RlMTDakxZDFHHfIW8O4KcqJWwmbDko_YtYwy4Dh2S-NK-F2AfcODAAWxy6mjnv1O5x09n3CPig1Zl85kBF2kqUdQdJ78ezHImh2v6qVEt-py6TLtYo/s200/13717937_10154937998834989_1386538340_o.jpg" width="149" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6IFjO0Vsc3WEVJ8btxjWUm4ReqPwmdVY07H7BL3cQqLpdScuTkNAL0PFNyY7kdGyB6QOFWaCD98iwOuOxsmJoNHASLqiA_0UXT5aY65uKTfNas2LjurOguUczPngHb3SZgdYSfIsbxas/s1600/13705126_10154934260944989_1495628585_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6IFjO0Vsc3WEVJ8btxjWUm4ReqPwmdVY07H7BL3cQqLpdScuTkNAL0PFNyY7kdGyB6QOFWaCD98iwOuOxsmJoNHASLqiA_0UXT5aY65uKTfNas2LjurOguUczPngHb3SZgdYSfIsbxas/s320/13705126_10154934260944989_1495628585_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>Luckily we had this really sweet onsen waiting for us at the end. Of course by `really sweet` I mean that it was a hot spring with 3 walls built around it for privacy. Of course, it was pretty cool to be able to sit in the hot water and feel the rain falling on you. It felt pretty great to get out of our sopping clothes but not as great to put the wet clothes and shoes back on. Overall though, the trip was filled with rain, adventure, fun people, and beautiful scenery. Hooray for an amazing last day!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcFDKntAsT2IcoQd7tj_b0P_OXKKFd7W2kjuUNuziZn8B4QGDyqTYinz_PuW5ZF1BEAdoT6_rWY8vVkQfAXDHxCA3s7s7QxJw0-3xdVoaot5dC0kHnqzGLQ5hovyMNG8CRzS0nTcHu7FQ/s1600/13702374_10154937998774989_1075413006_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcFDKntAsT2IcoQd7tj_b0P_OXKKFd7W2kjuUNuziZn8B4QGDyqTYinz_PuW5ZF1BEAdoT6_rWY8vVkQfAXDHxCA3s7s7QxJw0-3xdVoaot5dC0kHnqzGLQ5hovyMNG8CRzS0nTcHu7FQ/s640/13702374_10154937998774989_1075413006_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWuyoaX8R4IQKBj6qy4gNsDyEdypWZpxNTiPsf2-ZIYHwxi4p1iB51MmXetJynsYe2-uLQib6MnJNy8I__R-Ipm50WTxFbumRr_YkGAIqvgmIyVlfC1pqnayhaosMn9keKrKldTUjo58/s1600/13706244_10154934261459989_762099993_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWuyoaX8R4IQKBj6qy4gNsDyEdypWZpxNTiPsf2-ZIYHwxi4p1iB51MmXetJynsYe2-uLQib6MnJNy8I__R-Ipm50WTxFbumRr_YkGAIqvgmIyVlfC1pqnayhaosMn9keKrKldTUjo58/s320/13706244_10154934261459989_762099993_n.jpg" width="240" /></a>Of course I had to do all of the awkward goodbyes with everyone which was surprisingly hard even though it had only been two weeks. I`ll be waiting to see all of these people in either Provo or Hawaii soon. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKFeq826ts9LG3exlMs9AwOe_sw6aYhRq4_Un_U9tOHkYnsjjmttCRb8MZDo9fOLeCQeSuOdAWCAsikQRLozqSaVOavjse3w_NJ2ycs-8bZo-cFAI2Tefc2WmF_hJXnAsG_4LHBfbmdxQ/s1600/13735335_10154934261534989_1029395974_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKFeq826ts9LG3exlMs9AwOe_sw6aYhRq4_Un_U9tOHkYnsjjmttCRb8MZDo9fOLeCQeSuOdAWCAsikQRLozqSaVOavjse3w_NJ2ycs-8bZo-cFAI2Tefc2WmF_hJXnAsG_4LHBfbmdxQ/s1600/13735335_10154934261534989_1029395974_n.jpg" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJVp38wvgNRlWVpy6wqtPHMmjqmFjqsNPP36hCG-hWqNmzRyQX9_hfGT-ygwSfAnjvwaxVdsFjLMLg0vD1x-Tv_wlU_j-yT2wzo0kKcd0luFXZ83JOh9JnfG9diCIgE2_YZhJlZ2jCUi8/s1600/13714273_10154934261659989_1553223651_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJVp38wvgNRlWVpy6wqtPHMmjqmFjqsNPP36hCG-hWqNmzRyQX9_hfGT-ygwSfAnjvwaxVdsFjLMLg0vD1x-Tv_wlU_j-yT2wzo0kKcd0luFXZ83JOh9JnfG9diCIgE2_YZhJlZ2jCUi8/s320/13714273_10154934261659989_1553223651_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>And here`s the girl who started it all. I went to Yuzawa intending to see Melanie and have some fun times. What I was not expecting was how great everyone else was. I owe her a lot for giving me a reason to brave traveling Japan alone, being able to meet so many people, and letting me crash in her room for two weeks. With the nights we stayed up late girl talking, the adventures we went on during the day (I won`t go into details about the bike crash since I know my mom will read this, but you know what I`m talking about Melanie), and all the trips to the sento. This girl is amazing and I`m lucky to have met her (even if it was not even a year ago.)</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPnAvE8FzG2NBAQ-UmktEcpWZ4b_C7f8bx-2ah5RPfZsftkLKc2fW6a__D7YziALwo-zL_-0RJQPyBioxIhwnvwrPTrrA4v8xhRHP73BZkiKnWqJDq4Y0t4wL2886n7x63Oox-gEUxfG8/s1600/13734649_10154934262724989_1394751078_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPnAvE8FzG2NBAQ-UmktEcpWZ4b_C7f8bx-2ah5RPfZsftkLKc2fW6a__D7YziALwo-zL_-0RJQPyBioxIhwnvwrPTrrA4v8xhRHP73BZkiKnWqJDq4Y0t4wL2886n7x63Oox-gEUxfG8/s320/13734649_10154934262724989_1394751078_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Goodbyes are hard and slightly awkward, but worth it if it means getting to meet everyone. Like Ayu here who was always so excited to play frisbee with me. I don`t know when and I don`t know where, but I will meet these people again.<br />
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Somehow, in the two weeks I was living with the girls, I did not manage to get a picture with my roommates. So even though I love those girls to death I will have to leave our roommate photo up to your imagination. <br />
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It`s back to Sapporo for me now.</div>
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Laura Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03227536805852645246noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268903947120771564.post-75403959299723112292016-07-13T20:51:00.001-07:002016-07-13T20:52:48.538-07:00Yuzawa- The Basics <div style="text-align: center;">
Note: Do NOT post this blog until I have successfully completed the journey from Sapporo to Yuzawa and back again or else Mom will worry. </div>
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Tuesday morning started bright and early and by 7:30 I was on my way to the bus station with Mama. She waited with me until the bus came and then I said good bye to her for two weeks and boarded the bus. This was the easiest part because I just had to ride it about an hour or so until the end of the line. (Not that that stopped me from asking the person next to me if she was going to the same place as I was.)<br />
I got into the airport around 8:50 (and my flight left at 9:40.) So from there, with a little Japanese speaking, it was a relatively smooth trip to my gate. Everything was fine and dandy, and I kind of assumed that the worst part of my day was over since I had not missed my flight. (Not quite.)<br />
After landing I collected my luggage and wandered around the airport until I found the bus counter to buy a ticket. Once that was taken care of it was relatively simple to locate the actual bus stop outside the airport. I think the ticket lady assumed I, as a foreigner, would get lost on my way or something because even though I made it to the bus well before the 11:50 am train, she printed me a 12:20 ticket so they wouldn't let me board yet. <br />
On the bus itself I managed to befriend the guy next to me by offering him a candy, and then we ended up talking the entire 62 minutes of the trip. This turned out to be a stroke of good fortune because the place where the bus dropped me off and the place where I had to get on the bullet train were a good 10 minute walk apart. (I'm not sure how I was going to find it on my own, and I'm still not sure, as I write this, what I will do on my return trip.) Anyway, after walking with him and his friends to the station he also helped me buy a ticket to where I needed to go and then we parted ways.<br />
Once I was in the station I would essentially just stop and ask any attendant I saw if I was going in the right direction, if this was the right place to board, if this was even the correct train. Pretty much me traveling alone means asking for confirmation at any possible moment so I don't get lost. But eventually I did find the right train to board and I sat next to this nice old lady who started talking to me almost immediately. We also talked the entire time I was on board and when she found out I was from Utah she asked about the Mormons. So that was unexpected and fantastic. Now that we are facebook friends I'm obviously only one step away from converting her.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTH5opdHtzyW2LLE3_uih-O2xblfpbjxC51DlBh_IpUCSRwUIR72xp-WwEon2zhbFJaJ-mIJ4VLuiiL4CbRguGWVzl4_boXS8AXcwimGvOVbva68SfehHiOFbfQnH_4mKbxPuXMGbfebw/s1600/13652698_10154926430179989_1956159038_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTH5opdHtzyW2LLE3_uih-O2xblfpbjxC51DlBh_IpUCSRwUIR72xp-WwEon2zhbFJaJ-mIJ4VLuiiL4CbRguGWVzl4_boXS8AXcwimGvOVbva68SfehHiOFbfQnH_4mKbxPuXMGbfebw/s320/13652698_10154926430179989_1956159038_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4NntMLLnfxbPtwywWbteqbx7J-2pQgz7kq2fBsWUplH6uTt5vno_3DGcD3Jpymt11AQH7jpCpOwvNT7JcpVOxggbCdQcdrefEfSoopXBh4-5sHRORNECt1hZ07Zej3LNe7HlM3luj18I/s1600/13664371_10154926430124989_23479653_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4NntMLLnfxbPtwywWbteqbx7J-2pQgz7kq2fBsWUplH6uTt5vno_3DGcD3Jpymt11AQH7jpCpOwvNT7JcpVOxggbCdQcdrefEfSoopXBh4-5sHRORNECt1hZ07Zej3LNe7HlM3luj18I/s1600/13664371_10154926430124989_23479653_n.jpg" /></a> When I got off the train at my stop 85 minutes later I was able to find the next bus to take pretty quickly, but since I had just missed the last one by 10 minutes I had to wait about an hour for the next one. So I sat on my luggage and took the opportunity to catch up in my journal. Plus since I was sitting by myself for so long I had about 3 different people come up and talk to me, including this adorable little baby that kept trying to play with me. I also took the moment to count up my remaining money. Since I've had some difficulties with my debit card, I haven't been able to withdraw any money since I came. So far I've survived on cash that I brought, but now that I had to pay for my bus this morning, my bus this afternoon, and the bullet train I'm officially down to about 810 yen. (Me eating an apple because I was out of money for food. Good thing I found that in my backpack.)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuy93A0ZVSagx6NMtlsu-5ZqnXIY2XYgKsfnSD3pcsl2kzCwaY7O5MLrExCMjI_XlnP7PL3ZtQT1u4wioTcojX4oxvs2nd9GGDahoCDqDZ2SIfeFihTzmHO5OoPtM50Pul7RbNI6Sq7no/s1600/13652405_10154934255904989_808754673_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuy93A0ZVSagx6NMtlsu-5ZqnXIY2XYgKsfnSD3pcsl2kzCwaY7O5MLrExCMjI_XlnP7PL3ZtQT1u4wioTcojX4oxvs2nd9GGDahoCDqDZ2SIfeFihTzmHO5OoPtM50Pul7RbNI6Sq7no/s320/13652405_10154934255904989_808754673_n.jpg" width="320" /></a> Eventually the bus pulled up and this little old lady next to me was like "This is our bus." So I got on with her (we had talked already) and us, along with one other old lady, were the only passengers. After about a 30 minute ride I got off at the stop I thought, and desperately hoped, was mine because there weren't any other buildings in sight and I had no cell phone.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy9yn_24o19K8duU_hfn8gowc8EUEr2EDRmOJVKueV3NH6JN0OSg3XAKhyphenhyphenI4_ktu7NsYGD2FdgdzdMEM-L_Iqe0y5-vbu8EOBd661TRNPh5XbEltd_D0c41OCUc5TIJPBPKdo8nAEtCJc/s1600/13644149_10154926430159989_595375895_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy9yn_24o19K8duU_hfn8gowc8EUEr2EDRmOJVKueV3NH6JN0OSg3XAKhyphenhyphenI4_ktu7NsYGD2FdgdzdMEM-L_Iqe0y5-vbu8EOBd661TRNPh5XbEltd_D0c41OCUc5TIJPBPKdo8nAEtCJc/s1600/13644149_10154926430159989_595375895_n.jpg" /></a> <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQihb-HK3jR-lT5S8ieuTN5srpFUF_UVU2XlBAayFiplYE_yGJWvfHXuJUnIEqJMddR4WOEo4y6P4QqzwvBkNtIEdMzDMoIpyvIrq8yx0QlZWHClVNpEGXwV7r8vzDstzzOwbcUvjAzMs/s1600/13664383_10154926430324989_2124737202_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQihb-HK3jR-lT5S8ieuTN5srpFUF_UVU2XlBAayFiplYE_yGJWvfHXuJUnIEqJMddR4WOEo4y6P4QqzwvBkNtIEdMzDMoIpyvIrq8yx0QlZWHClVNpEGXwV7r8vzDstzzOwbcUvjAzMs/s320/13664383_10154926430324989_2124737202_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>When I walked into the Mikuni building I had 150 yen left (about $1.50), no food, my bags, and I really had to go to the bathroom but I HAD MADE IT. I kind of considered it a miracle. The fact that I had barely enough money to make it here was miraculous. The fact that I didn't get lost or on any of the wrong transportation systems was miraculous. The fact that I met nice people along the way who helped me out was miraculous. But the accumulation of all those things together was truly a miracle.<br />
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Anyway, my life here in Yuzawa has been relatively calm but also full of so many fun things and people. Mikuni is essentially an English language immersion program to help Japanese students who are trying to pass the TOEFL and get into American universities. So while the students and interns who actually work here are busy with classes I have a bit of free time to enjoy Yuzawa during the day. I have lots of time to explore the school and the area around the school (it is surrounded by forests.) I have managed to stay caught up in my journal and catch up in my blog. (I mean I'm actually writing about Yuzawa while I'm still here. That's a big step for me.) And I've been studying up on my Japanese. <br />
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A normal day might look something like this:</div>
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8:00 devotional at the school with everyone</div>
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8:20 English scripture study with the students</div>
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9-11 journal, blog, explore, write, or nap</div>
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11-12 lunch prep time but if I don't have to cook then Smash Brothers. (You would be proud of me David. I don't win every time, but I do a decent job.)</div>
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12-1 lunch time and we get to speak Japanese and eat delicious food!</div>
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1-3 more free time which I use however</div>
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3-4 Japanese class taught by the Japanese students</div>
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4-5 dinner prep (again, if I don't have duty I'll generally play Wii or ping pong with the students)</div>
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5-6 dinner</div>
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6:30 go home (well around then anyway)</div>
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7:30 work out</div>
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9:30 Japanese scripture study with everyone</div>
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10:00 Watch Anohana with Melanie and try to understand all the Japanese.</div>
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It might seem like there is not a lot happening here being out in the middle of the mountains but I can tell that this is going to be a blast.<br />
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Ok there is actually a lot still to tell about Yuzawa but for the sake of everyone reading this, I am going to stop here and make them separate blogs. You will thank me later. </div>
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Laura Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03227536805852645246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268903947120771564.post-54997197521352847122016-07-03T21:34:00.003-07:002016-07-03T21:34:51.457-07:00Wake Up! "London, Paris, maybe Tokyo" Thank you Hillary Duff and Sarah Allred for the title to my summer.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikJf13ogle5QiLvVy8DlUJhp8DAc7u-uSAlEpxxGUVJ7eMivTPhVgQ_jjFHx1Utgs4-kDPHzlxzMxMq4ESwQSabzxC4biyzuCvlSf3w-hpGUipCck8GK-l-4HpX6cTS3Wr5fwMsnTw8Yg/s1600/13549096_10154892362609989_1950647889_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikJf13ogle5QiLvVy8DlUJhp8DAc7u-uSAlEpxxGUVJ7eMivTPhVgQ_jjFHx1Utgs4-kDPHzlxzMxMq4ESwQSabzxC4biyzuCvlSf3w-hpGUipCck8GK-l-4HpX6cTS3Wr5fwMsnTw8Yg/s320/13549096_10154892362609989_1950647889_o.jpg" width="239" /></a>Ok so as you are all aware (if you read the last blog) I'm in Japan now! The trip getting here was a bit long and tense at times, but I made it. For my connecting flight from Tokyo to Sapporo I even had a whole 9 minutes to spare from the time I made it to the gate and when the plane was supposed to take off. Though honestly that was the only intense moment. I spent many hours sleeping as I traveled all day and when I arrived in Japan one of the first things Mama said to me was "You haven't changed at all!" I wasn't sure what she was talking about until I saw a photo from me coming to Japan two years ago and I was wearing the same basketball shorts and a t-shirt. I had a 30 hour day of traveling, and I can't help it that they are really comfortable! But anyway, I MADE IT.<br />
The second thing she said to me was "you brought a pillow?" Apparently that is not done in Japan. (Again though, 30 hours!)<br />
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It was almost 11 pm by the time we finally made it to the Tsujimotos house, but Mama still made temakizushi for us. Which is essentially mini rolls that you make by hand and eat.And I thought to myself "why has it taken me so long to come back here?"<br />
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My time in Sapporo was pretty stinkin' fantastic. The very first day I was there I hung out with Natasha and Anna, who, by a strange twist of fate that I was completely aware of ahead of time, were also in Sapporo! Of course, we live about as far away from each other as three people can live, but that does not stop us from partying. First of all, the weather here is always raining! Now you may think that that is a bad thing, but your thinking would be incorrect. Rain is fantastic, even when it requires us to be out and walking around in it. (Shh, don't tell Mom.) The first thing I did was go to a sweets cafe with Natasha and Anna. Just to be clear on what that means, let me elucidate here: 80 minutes, $16, and as much sweet and savory food as you can eat (no milk though :( ) <br />
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Here's what a normal plate would look like.<br />
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And here's a photo of just the deserts they had (and this was not even all-they also had an ice cream machine and a chocolate fountain.)<br />
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After eating we walked around Susukino for a while, and I was having some serious flashbacks from 2 years ago. We explored a lot of the different shops and discovered this adorable pet shop. At least it was adorable until we saw the prices. I mean, no wonder this cat looks so depressed. Who is ever going to buy him when he costs almost $3,000?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtG75W3tpcTgbB0dC4feyullu05KL8TaJmHcL6HKFmVDMY4cPd7Ok1P5iLP7BGLmgDrYg9wD8YZcI88xr71ZN85GaTGFWZobFrHkcrOFhnaXzP16QYjQmNfY7E3bh9XQqjTMP9749QMNo/s1600/13570023_10154892364789989_2056934143_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtG75W3tpcTgbB0dC4feyullu05KL8TaJmHcL6HKFmVDMY4cPd7Ok1P5iLP7BGLmgDrYg9wD8YZcI88xr71ZN85GaTGFWZobFrHkcrOFhnaXzP16QYjQmNfY7E3bh9XQqjTMP9749QMNo/s1600/13570023_10154892364789989_2056934143_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtG75W3tpcTgbB0dC4feyullu05KL8TaJmHcL6HKFmVDMY4cPd7Ok1P5iLP7BGLmgDrYg9wD8YZcI88xr71ZN85GaTGFWZobFrHkcrOFhnaXzP16QYjQmNfY7E3bh9XQqjTMP9749QMNo/s400/13570023_10154892364789989_2056934143_o.jpg" width="400" /></a>My motto from the day seemed to be: spend as much money as I can...but only at thrift shops. So I may have bought some really cheap Japanese books, a bunch of stuff at the Japanese dollar store (yay Daisou!), and a yukata at a recycle shop. (Now how to get all of this home is another matter. Ah well. That's another problem for another day.) We hung out all day and when I was finally heading home for the night I could not believe that I had only been in Japan for 24 hours.<br />
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(Oh and on an unrelated note-here's a funny, terrible English translations.)<br />
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I managed to get turned around on my way home from the station (cut me some slack though, it had been 2 years since I had to take that route.) Mama had more faith in me than I did in myself- Which is exactly why I had had her write down the address on a piece of paper earlier so I could ask people for directions if I got turned around. (Do I know myself or what?) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQbviZie2GcYAsxfQGVjQAXsqynXFGN6hcVfH0Sp30029B5stYO4Cg5QFrNspFffcp3NLrEorQOLxdzi8fysPQ6P71jowjF22NHkeys_0QyKNjD1lltUP7Bms4ajDqaZl9M4_vmPIdLvg/s1600/13575516_10154892365704989_930757858_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQbviZie2GcYAsxfQGVjQAXsqynXFGN6hcVfH0Sp30029B5stYO4Cg5QFrNspFffcp3NLrEorQOLxdzi8fysPQ6P71jowjF22NHkeys_0QyKNjD1lltUP7Bms4ajDqaZl9M4_vmPIdLvg/s320/13575516_10154892365704989_930757858_o.jpg" width="320" /></a>The next day was more of a relaxing day (meaning I did not see Natasha and Anna.) I stayed home and enjoyed being there again. I went to the park to write in my journal. I walked around the subdivision and got lost on my way home again.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpzIudtOj03FCZJ8WTctwIVAuq1TyKu1mxGzvn3aHJlyPsWX-rkpoEn24wV6inU9eEXtKyJ2bELXCVY6mHqyPj8OdAX_1gwDBU7Cv0HifgM4lTm-hQAVpNFWQaMBobQS0vHgN1yzwGmU8/s1600/13555600_10154892367254989_2067239993_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpzIudtOj03FCZJ8WTctwIVAuq1TyKu1mxGzvn3aHJlyPsWX-rkpoEn24wV6inU9eEXtKyJ2bELXCVY6mHqyPj8OdAX_1gwDBU7Cv0HifgM4lTm-hQAVpNFWQaMBobQS0vHgN1yzwGmU8/s320/13555600_10154892367254989_2067239993_o.jpg" width="239" /></a><br />
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I watched Mama cook dinner because I promised myself that I would not come back home this time witthout knowing how to cook at least 1 thing! So, in honor of Joseph, I learned how to make Katsudon. So Lori and Kristen can look forward to me practicing that on them when I come home again. I had to go swimsuit shopping today because I had forgotten mine in Florida (the downside of swimming the night before and then having a 4 am departure time.) Turns out it was actually pretty fun though because the swimsuits were so cheap and Japanese lookin! So I may have ended up buying two, but I figured it was an investment because now I can go even longer in Americaa without going shopping. Yay!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK0etmCGK6U-8kJ-3mbtqYVUmrsSYBwQveR8SIIofA3FVswhvvG941IjED6fEoXUPXif7E9lCVUmHu1kEal76NGkSJTPjQmZedAVLNUK9E1KFvc6AI7DjKRyK3KxdfihPx7iPMVpWOkwg/s1600/13524181_10154892366859989_1496764377_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK0etmCGK6U-8kJ-3mbtqYVUmrsSYBwQveR8SIIofA3FVswhvvG941IjED6fEoXUPXif7E9lCVUmHu1kEal76NGkSJTPjQmZedAVLNUK9E1KFvc6AI7DjKRyK3KxdfihPx7iPMVpWOkwg/s400/13524181_10154892366859989_1496764377_o.jpg" width="298" /></a>My third day in Japan I woke up to a surprise visitor at breakfast. One of the girls, Yume, that I had met two years ago was over, so she and I ended up talking for a long time. Luckily I understood a lot more than I did two years ago. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr_pN5imofEArnqz0zpneLEx3Aj5Z-BwMPopTbzGtQknKWLasXkaa9i9bxfw0J12X5RSTwC6yTBmaQkLRrrnDUl9zx4dckIPT3cFO-ilMI2c0cqvYOOUBYqI1vuGM435NguVK8MDqLV4E/s1600/13570132_10154892366419989_1347930938_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr_pN5imofEArnqz0zpneLEx3Aj5Z-BwMPopTbzGtQknKWLasXkaa9i9bxfw0J12X5RSTwC6yTBmaQkLRrrnDUl9zx4dckIPT3cFO-ilMI2c0cqvYOOUBYqI1vuGM435NguVK8MDqLV4E/s200/13570132_10154892366419989_1347930938_o.jpg" width="200" /></a>After she left I hopped on a bike and decided to revisit all of the places that I spent so much time at two years ago. So I went to the panda park where I spent so much time practicing how to do a pull over (good news: I can still do it.) I biked around the bridge which I had to cross every day. I biked all the way to the church and ran into the sister missionaries, so I took a short English break. I saw the udon place we often went to after class with the students. I biked around for an hour down by the river before I eventually made my way back home. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg19Izffq39ZVWYBFM0gX7yB54ViYhLsspsVUHKVEKg63yV1nsMCQJQ19EYJqZWujFeEaBcdyS1ABFs7I0QN0Q7hEkrczUgBWRWerXGq-P3bqXEsv93H7owrpd7nc4ZqtB8yamIsklSiq4/s1600/13579968_10154892367024989_1164133571_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg19Izffq39ZVWYBFM0gX7yB54ViYhLsspsVUHKVEKg63yV1nsMCQJQ19EYJqZWujFeEaBcdyS1ABFs7I0QN0Q7hEkrczUgBWRWerXGq-P3bqXEsv93H7owrpd7nc4ZqtB8yamIsklSiq4/s320/13579968_10154892367024989_1164133571_o.jpg" width="320" /></a>I was surprised and impressed with how much I remembered in town, which made me even more confufsed as to why I could not even make it back to my own home. Oh well, I made it home fine today. I tried to get home around 4 so Momo (my now 12 year old little sister) and I could hang out. Bringing a frisbee this summer turned out to be a good idea because Momo really likes playing with me. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfql7v2fdDiHytvdJz5NENIXA6qtjY0wvb_0VfjRLTmLFBY9w9lafyPma4f9beZOQ8GNUxhYrRSXEqSe9avPx4B8Oe8ULIs3pmJGn28fZTafGKQjDTL2Q9ks5lVY9rmMJQAJ0evE-X9Bk/s1600/13570282_10154892367334989_918229560_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfql7v2fdDiHytvdJz5NENIXA6qtjY0wvb_0VfjRLTmLFBY9w9lafyPma4f9beZOQ8GNUxhYrRSXEqSe9avPx4B8Oe8ULIs3pmJGn28fZTafGKQjDTL2Q9ks5lVY9rmMJQAJ0evE-X9Bk/s320/13570282_10154892367334989_918229560_o.jpg" width="320" /></a>The next day I was back in town with Natasha and Anna (it is weird to me that we used to hang out in Provo and now we are hanging out in Sapporo.) We met up at the JR Tower (and considering none of us have working cell phones, I always consider it a miracle when we successfully meet up) and walked around for an hour or two. Then it was time for our movie. My very first movie in a Japanese theater. I`ll admit that I was a little nervous about it all being in Japanese, but I was pleased at the end by how much I understood. I was even more pleased by the fact that we watched Sadako Vs. Kayako. Which essentially translates to the Ring Vs the Grudge. There were a surprising amount of jump scenes for a movie that I assumed was going to be way cheesy, but worry not, it was still plenty cheesy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQmcZU3QRN2hhfm2bAYg0qA1vAdGLQkzPyfggegUC_lZZsjEjcK5aDq4ld_bxUPnSRCk20B0ETW2fY7FhAklMhM_t0weR5bjN6HFNl4AJBZxUyThNW4Shb1MRtSLiSMYaJ4zsqynX-hY4/s1600/13570324_10154892367409989_812189218_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQmcZU3QRN2hhfm2bAYg0qA1vAdGLQkzPyfggegUC_lZZsjEjcK5aDq4ld_bxUPnSRCk20B0ETW2fY7FhAklMhM_t0weR5bjN6HFNl4AJBZxUyThNW4Shb1MRtSLiSMYaJ4zsqynX-hY4/s320/13570324_10154892367409989_812189218_o.jpg" width="237" /></a> After the movie we went to one of my favorite restaur-ants for lunch and ate okono-miyaki! It's fun because you get to make it yourself on the griddle thing on the table. We explored the shopping center a bit more before heading out, which is good because then I got to see the Pokemon store.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha3fg4q45052x3p041K95eprf2pooHkHhOICxaZP5I15KhFGvw25bIb0mkiGF6wiLEPUkM7EOzTpdsPtvEpecX4dmmZ6w5lIooFLKPvv39UW_mJIELXCmLN3qE7iGe9b3XYrkbylLXR_Y/s1600/13549096_10154892365479989_1402678932_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha3fg4q45052x3p041K95eprf2pooHkHhOICxaZP5I15KhFGvw25bIb0mkiGF6wiLEPUkM7EOzTpdsPtvEpecX4dmmZ6w5lIooFLKPvv39UW_mJIELXCmLN3qE7iGe9b3XYrkbylLXR_Y/s320/13549096_10154892365479989_1402678932_o.jpg" width="320" /></a>We bought some ice cream (and by ice cream I always mean I buy chocolate milk) at a convenience and ate it at the park when we needed a break, and these random boys came up and started talking to us. It was so funny because you just knew it was one of those situations where one of them was trying to impress us. So he came up and would say somepletely random English words like "bike" or "building" and after we would confirm that that was, indeed, the correct word he would turn to his 2 other friends and be like "See, I was right."<br />
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The funniest part was that his friends were like "Uh, ok." Clearly this was not something they had been talking about before. The best part though was when he randomly started to rap for us.<br />
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(Oh and don't forget this chocolate milk boba!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizK8zRWiAIm7CUXKGO3vEJWl9RHUXIjlGMW8OqujCT3TM9f8Wbz6vLsz5E9oexWy_dSWQLYckIneyccp1R8LVnyYtyUOTJ7lqPYZfJOf_mmr3cSlqham_d2E4a7RNVNoFMJ2vFYdOkB60/s1600/13579814_10154892368349989_1491538872_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizK8zRWiAIm7CUXKGO3vEJWl9RHUXIjlGMW8OqujCT3TM9f8Wbz6vLsz5E9oexWy_dSWQLYckIneyccp1R8LVnyYtyUOTJ7lqPYZfJOf_mmr3cSlqham_d2E4a7RNVNoFMJ2vFYdOkB60/s320/13579814_10154892368349989_1491538872_o.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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After they left, we also said good-bye since I had plans with my host-sister at 6. We went to the a BYU Hawaii concert togethter and it was essentially an audience full of church members. Lots of people would come up to greet Karin (the sister that I never met two years ago because she was on her mission but who is way cool) and then be like "Oh my, is that Laura?" So that was nice and odd.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTUElgvMiCJP62uD7nWkzdypnX0z4NHxY78GSaNZWGT67kxTzP5uj0SyWdQY6GVhbdBTcvhfa6ldhNUGJ8DUXHzRuhQ6LcEDMXCuMn0AuWvQHEYgItmLHD9w3B6JXVdHBlrKMZj9V26Fk/s1600/13548837_10154892368484989_779801308_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTUElgvMiCJP62uD7nWkzdypnX0z4NHxY78GSaNZWGT67kxTzP5uj0SyWdQY6GVhbdBTcvhfa6ldhNUGJ8DUXHzRuhQ6LcEDMXCuMn0AuWvQHEYgItmLHD9w3B6JXVdHBlrKMZj9V26Fk/s320/13548837_10154892368484989_779801308_o.jpg" width="239" /></a><br />
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The next day was Friday and the only social things I did that day were 1) eating stand up soba with Karin, 2) going birthday present shopping for Mama with Karin, and 3) going to institute with Karin. (It's good to know that some things have not changed in the past two years. For instance, my complete lack of church vocabulary. It would be even better to know that it had though.)</div>
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<b>Spiritual moment for the day:</b></div>
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Today I met up with a lady I was friends with in the ward 2 years ago (well she happened to come to the house) and as we were talking she asked if I had been studying Japanese a lot. I told her I had taken an additional class and then lived with roommates who spoke Japanese for 2 semesters, but it had been a while since I had practiced or studied at all. She told me that I must have the gift of tongues because my Japanese had improved so much. I originally brushed it off as the usual Japanese flattery/kindness, but later as I got to thinking I think she is right. Before I left the country Dad gave me a father's blessing. Specifically he said this "Bless you that you will have the ability to speak with tongues. That your Japanese will come back and that you will be able to adapt and be sufficiently fluent to get by in Japan, that you will enjoy the experience." I'm very grateful for Sister Takahashi's words which helped me realize how blessed I am.</div>
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On Saturday I went grocery shopping with Mama because I am going to make her some American food for her birthday. (Well I am not actually sure how American sweet potato quiche is, but at least it is not Japanese.) Then I met up with Natasha and Anna and we got lunch at this awesome ALL YOU CAN EAT SUSHI. (Sorry for the caps-it was necessary.) I think we ate about 10 plates each and it ended up costing about $10 each so that seems extremely reasonable (and delicious.)<br />
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After lunch we walked around this little shrine and saw the Sapporo temple (only from a distance though.) I can't wait for it to be dedicated and available to everyone here.<br />
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Then we wandered through Hokkaido university pretending that we fit in even though we could not even pull it off for even a second. <br />
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We went to another book store (they are my weakness! It's like finding a Bookmans in Japan.) So I bought the third Harry Potter book in Japanese for $2.50! I also bought the 2nd and 3rd movies together for $5. (It is seriously such a problem.) After exploring for a while and discoverinig a sweet park, Anna and Natasha rode with me to the stop where I was supposed to meet with Mama. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU5MnDFYTo1KYhB-v9DYFn7oyVtZwqN1iTx49wdjOjmvLI7-tUWTwwRF6FCHHEMVvoNtM2qOpG_nEtf4Y5Ru3v14iQiMr4vhciWknqlsnZsiK49pX0xE5Wp3gVmZ8CkvDSY14Xe6_suiE/s1600/13524040_10154892370199989_917411034_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU5MnDFYTo1KYhB-v9DYFn7oyVtZwqN1iTx49wdjOjmvLI7-tUWTwwRF6FCHHEMVvoNtM2qOpG_nEtf4Y5Ru3v14iQiMr4vhciWknqlsnZsiK49pX0xE5Wp3gVmZ8CkvDSY14Xe6_suiE/s320/13524040_10154892370199989_917411034_o.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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Tonight all of the family in Sapporo met up for her birthday dinner at the exact same buffet we went to two years ago! This time I got to meet even more of the family-including one of the brother-in-laws who is from India, went to BYU Hawaii, and speaks English fluently. It was kind of a fun break for both of us to have someone to talk to in English (although his wife speaks English fairly well too.)<br />
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My first Sunday back in Moiwa felt a lot like that BYU Hawaii concert and I ended up talking to a lot of people. Anna and Natasha came with me too, so it was an extra fun Sunday. In Relief Society they suddenly called on me to introduce my friends. Two years ago that could have sent me into a panic. Today I was already responding before I had even registered that I had already translated that in my head. </div>
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After church we chatted with some of the other YSAs and then went home with the family. Natasha and Anna came too because we were having a sleep over tonight. Before that though we had a dinner to prepare. And thank goodness we had so many hands to prepare it with because it is a time consuming meal! Even with Natasha, Anna, Momo, and me all cooking it still took us at least 1 1/2 hours. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhIi3k7DVTOf_MaFd6uznu_FpjWCdGp7Vd7lD7Nr02qqV-kB4VNrxlWe7Z7RpO-8LSoKoMFXBc2-DKGiyTBvUWNz763jCkrKhQIgGZBSdKq-K0TA8jtLJufUB1tWOGcwBt6l39t3wwqOY/s1600/13555841_10154892370689989_543988761_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhIi3k7DVTOf_MaFd6uznu_FpjWCdGp7Vd7lD7Nr02qqV-kB4VNrxlWe7Z7RpO-8LSoKoMFXBc2-DKGiyTBvUWNz763jCkrKhQIgGZBSdKq-K0TA8jtLJufUB1tWOGcwBt6l39t3wwqOY/s400/13555841_10154892370689989_543988761_o.jpg" width="298" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYm2w_hFXwOV_ln8QSFD5SsDYukGttlerC7eKk2mXTpO6gsQxAP_wvJuguZBvB6wiU2Y5fcYmfHAcAout2dI8vd1uAn3lK_CAW0Ma6D6H2pf-DsXYn5Dmb-qa3jxC389x3qrGR4C206lM/s1600/13555997_10154892370684989_760855669_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYm2w_hFXwOV_ln8QSFD5SsDYukGttlerC7eKk2mXTpO6gsQxAP_wvJuguZBvB6wiU2Y5fcYmfHAcAout2dI8vd1uAn3lK_CAW0Ma6D6H2pf-DsXYn5Dmb-qa3jxC389x3qrGR4C206lM/s200/13555997_10154892370684989_760855669_o.jpg" width="149" /></a>Dinner turned out to be a big party though, and the quiche really did turn out well. There was so much food that we tried to learn how to say "the food never ends!" in Japanese. It was delicious, social, and the perfect Sunday evening (except for Papa and Ane being gone.)<br />
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(Here's a picture of me holding a Japanese baby. Doesn't this just seem so right? Everyone was impressed with my baby holding skills. Little do they know that I've been practicing for this moment for 6 years!)<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">To wrap up the night, Natasha, Anna, and I decided to watch She's the Man in Japanese! (Hooray for Netflix-which did not work in Japan 2 years ago.) Of course, we all fell asleep about 30 minutes in, but it's the thought that counts, right? Doesn't this just look like a party? 3 futons, 3 American girls, 1 room, and She's the Man.</span><br />
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Monday: my last day in Sapporo for a little while. The three of us chatted with Mama while we ate breakfast this morning, and then suddenly it was time to go to Lagoon. For those of you who don't remember Lagoon from two years go I will remind you. It is a water park combined with a public bath house. A nice mix of fun and embarassment for any American willing to step inside. (Though I actually don't really mind anymore. Especially not compared to that first experience.) Since it was Monday morning there was no one to gawk at us, the foreigners, which helped a lot. Plus this old lady took it upon herself to help us with a lot of stuff, like providing towels that we tried to tell her multiple times we did not pay for. </div>
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When we left, we had about an hour to explore the area so we did just that. With ice cream, of course! When Mama picked us up again I asked her if there was a place to get soba near the house, so she dropped us off somewhere and told me to pay attention so I would now how to walk home again. The soba was cold, the tempura was hot, and it was all fresh, delicious, and exaxtly what we needed after a morning of playing in the water. After we ate we walked back home, finished the movie from last night (since we had passed out), and then I walked Anna and Natasha to the station and said good-bye. For my final dinner with the Tsujimotos (for now) we made okonomiyaki! Hooray. But then I spent the rest of the nigh packing-not as fun.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjguNZ1GaXGLQ9K0yQpE4PwqsWeoMyLuUL5wxx2mgE_nywKoTVw-tPQt7xE3WYP4TJz-Pd_ihBi_c4RhFNYAmA-4exRliIbfdhIQRzzxTsg74iYPBIpNNAT0z0_eK-Jj5i-hWi7OGvuZW4/s1600/13549081_10154892371414989_215087190_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjguNZ1GaXGLQ9K0yQpE4PwqsWeoMyLuUL5wxx2mgE_nywKoTVw-tPQt7xE3WYP4TJz-Pd_ihBi_c4RhFNYAmA-4exRliIbfdhIQRzzxTsg74iYPBIpNNAT0z0_eK-Jj5i-hWi7OGvuZW4/s200/13549081_10154892371414989_215087190_o.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
I also think it's important to point out that my host families house has a plethora of 4 leaf clovers. I'm finding them all over the place. Here's 5 in as many minutes. Japan, who knew?<br />
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For now, good-bye Sapporo!</div>
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Laura Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03227536805852645246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268903947120771564.post-70580619338625044302016-06-29T21:25:00.001-07:002016-07-03T20:23:23.068-07:00And So It Begins<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
It's done!<br />
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My first year of influencing 28 little lives is complete, and all 29 of us survived. I would call that a success. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_gaJtSb_-M52XgJ7MppydRJL7iMeOIn4Ud19FRII3PH6uA5KuZZdkgEAfrFo2bZSO7CkSQMOH8RcptMES9rsxxnHfkdRqgeNv-kZ99sPUD30osFX0h3XbTN2Fq49Hs9bTZffeyuIqsm8/s1600/13523960_10154892350634989_1271324050_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_gaJtSb_-M52XgJ7MppydRJL7iMeOIn4Ud19FRII3PH6uA5KuZZdkgEAfrFo2bZSO7CkSQMOH8RcptMES9rsxxnHfkdRqgeNv-kZ99sPUD30osFX0h3XbTN2Fq49Hs9bTZffeyuIqsm8/s400/13523960_10154892350634989_1271324050_o.jpg" width="400" /></a>I cannot believe that is is really over, but what a good feeling it was to walk out of that classroom and know that I would not be waking up at 6:30 the next day (or the next 73 days after that) unless I want to lie in bed and think Awww yeah. I can go back to sleep if I want to. <br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">(Sorry for the terrible quality of that class photo. I could not get technology to work with me so I ended up taking a picture of a picture...don't judge me Joseph.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">I guess I also had to say goodbye to these girls until autumn as well. They really made my first year of teaching so fantastic and the year would not have been the same if I had not gotten to work with all of them. They have already influenced me as a teacher and as a person so much. </span><br />
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That night I had one final party with my roommates which included Lori's delicious cooking, a squirt gun fight, games, and a scary movie in a tent in the park next door. (Two thumbs up to Danny, Curtis, and Mark who handled our surprise water attack very well.) Yes, the summer feeling had arrived. So, naturally, it was time for me to go. (Not featured here are Mark and Lori. It was too difficult to get us all into one photo.)<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span></div>
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The first day of summer found me on the road to AR (not Arizona) with Sarah, Johnny, Max, and Hazel by 8 am. Okay, maybe 8:30. The trip was long but it is long no matter who is in the car with you. Having two people who struggle being in the car that long can make the trip an adventure but Max, Hazel, and I put up with them admirably. :)</div>
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Pulling into the driveway is one of my favorite feelings. Driving through the evening and accidentally smooshing fireflies on the windshield is not one of my favorite feelings. </div>
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4 days at home was definitely not enough, but it was all I had. I spent most of my time knocking things off my to do list before leaving for Florida, but there was some time to play. For example, going to the lake and getting an awesome tan line from putting sunscreen on myself. </div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">All too soon though the time to relax in AR was over and it was time to buckle down and...go relax in Florida. :) (I </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">know, I know. My life is so hard.) </span></div>
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{Can we just take a minute to appreciate the fact that Mom said the thing she was looking forward to the most about this whole vacation was having everyone home safe again after. Is that not the most mom thing you have ever heard in your life? Anyone who knows my mom will be nodding there heads in a 'yup, that sounds like Lori' kind of way and anyone who doesn't know her...well now you do. :) }<br />
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The best things about being together are also the craziest things. Like having 7 grand kids under the age of 6 together. You can imagine how fantastic...ally crazy that is. Papa sure realized how crazy it is.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcXhMyxsOqF89YezMmHQMkxrq9zaIaU3Va6cvty8l1AnDIqO6FY7_A-_w4nleUr6Mp7SnnCQ81YQlAt3WBV-4LqPnRI11CzaUrEEYQrw45TtIMuwsTdHvR0F1zn6KLe3pZm6uXZndUa2g/s1600/13570173_10154892335294989_1259122682_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcXhMyxsOqF89YezMmHQMkxrq9zaIaU3Va6cvty8l1AnDIqO6FY7_A-_w4nleUr6Mp7SnnCQ81YQlAt3WBV-4LqPnRI11CzaUrEEYQrw45TtIMuwsTdHvR0F1zn6KLe3pZm6uXZndUa2g/s640/13570173_10154892335294989_1259122682_o.jpg" width="640" /></a>A family vacation at the condo would not be complete without multiple trips to the pool, sometimes multiple in one day. This vacation was a bit different from usual because we went to Florida instead of Branson. You know what that means. The beach! Disney World! Crazy happenings in Orlando! Going to the Orlando temple.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgquVrvoEYYCvtIGmxCygdxdSPF_hvEdIr_3gZOqpyV1qYMK1xlNf8cUA6vYePYB7hDbEuwihyphenhyphen9IFv37T-XCbmZEqYrFT5Y5u0E4V51YvApjwE0BYsm9pJlNs1ekH_2IgXiVFUyWf2Ghn8/s1600/13570174_10154892303944989_1036822160_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJvTYSjNda1Tw-aNrGR4PQi1U82tmtad58tcWEz_CbLChy7D41oyvs81xnFgW1RRL1EjKH2DiZqrtmKmvHAMhqnQ0JPe1jWkvwTic3Ezcolgukfq1zvKEelVDdIaXgyP43lEh5cejgKIE/s1600/13575527_10154895264594989_765420271_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJvTYSjNda1Tw-aNrGR4PQi1U82tmtad58tcWEz_CbLChy7D41oyvs81xnFgW1RRL1EjKH2DiZqrtmKmvHAMhqnQ0JPe1jWkvwTic3Ezcolgukfq1zvKEelVDdIaXgyP43lEh5cejgKIE/s640/13575527_10154895264594989_765420271_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEebGwbpMZRR5J6l1Sjm5gVjmurcmTzeLlwmgQA53mem2CQsZlq3eb0FoSIjfefhYOCtYj2lHno2b6jU_zyA-aUHNTjqmuc3LjwfTiIGWTxEzIbn9CU1IwC7tZQS_qTWs-wST50HxcwfQ/s1600/IMG_5803.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEebGwbpMZRR5J6l1Sjm5gVjmurcmTzeLlwmgQA53mem2CQsZlq3eb0FoSIjfefhYOCtYj2lHno2b6jU_zyA-aUHNTjqmuc3LjwfTiIGWTxEzIbn9CU1IwC7tZQS_qTWs-wST50HxcwfQ/s320/IMG_5803.JPG" width="320" /></a>The beach was a sandy, hot mess. Literally. But it was an excellent mess. The kind that make you want to go back again and again even when you end up with sand everywhere. I do love the ocean, but there is something to be said for the lakes in Arkansas where I am not scared of sharks or alligators or crocodiles getting me. </div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5268903947120771564" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> Disney World was fun and the kids were troopers through the heat and humidity. It was fun to see the kids so excited about things and being able to ride rides together. And then, of course, there was the chance to take our family photo in matching Disney shirts (that I have to give all the credit to Emily for making) and Mickey Mouse ears.</div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">We got Japanese food one afternoon because Joseph has been craving it, and it made me excited to think that I'd actually be in Japan in just a few days and eating this all the time!</span><br />
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Everybody just look at this food. Doesn't it look delicious? I could happily eat like this every day of my life.</div>
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And look at this family (it's not complete.) Don't you wish you were here?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlNQcLUQEh4-NfRaMWsClXjVuJLfj0P416M_YxQQCvIBz2Lku7o5HKCoq86k6yhTz-lgsG3DXoVZiqYNumTd45qSP-7LEgfchQqCNhoPsqD8p-LY3z1l4EovdB7_oIXgyqSNHYUYUwAyw/s1600/13524165_10154892341744989_395636_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlNQcLUQEh4-NfRaMWsClXjVuJLfj0P416M_YxQQCvIBz2Lku7o5HKCoq86k6yhTz-lgsG3DXoVZiqYNumTd45qSP-7LEgfchQqCNhoPsqD8p-LY3z1l4EovdB7_oIXgyqSNHYUYUwAyw/s320/13524165_10154892341744989_395636_o.jpg" width="320" /></a> I also had the chance to go to the Orlando temple with some of the family so that was a really special experience, which was also kind of sad because it marked the end of my parent's time in Orlando. </div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> They left for Arkansa</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">s the next morning, but it was almost a relief because so many crazy things had been happening in Orlando lately. The rest of us had one more day before we all headed out too. Mom had the right idea though, it was a relief to have everyone safely home and out of Orlando. With shootings and alligator attacks, I had never been so grateful for Mtn. Home AR.</span></div>
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I would have been a lot sadder with this vacation coming to a close if it didn't mean that I would be on my way to Japan. Sarah was a champ and took me to the airport to start my 30 hour journey at 4 am. But that is another story for which you will have to wait for the next blog. </div>
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2 weeks of summer down, 7 to go.</div>
Laura Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03227536805852645246noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268903947120771564.post-76266455029022140012015-07-12T07:22:00.000-07:002015-07-12T07:22:08.285-07:00Yangshou China-Where Miracles Happen<a href="https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11739626_10153945770524989_253631866_n.jpg?oh=d44b2743aa6bd289e099f68eb4aeccae&oe=55A4A865" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="_4-od" data-reactid=".50.0.0.1.1" height="200" src="https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11739626_10153945770524989_253631866_n.jpg?oh=d44b2743aa6bd289e099f68eb4aeccae&oe=55A4A865" width="320" /></a> And by miracles I'm obviously referring to fish eating my feet, but we'll get back to that later.<br />
<a href="https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11715856_10153945772429989_676074456_n.jpg?oh=30d61138716fe7fc50a165dfa9006524&oe=55A4E3F5" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="_4-od" data-reactid=".57.0.0.1.1" height="125" src="https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11715856_10153945772429989_676074456_n.jpg?oh=30d61138716fe7fc50a165dfa9006524&oe=55A4E3F5" width="200" /></a><a href="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQUAxDgUKzYvh9d9lErU8fON4WZu-iflXC_x17b2A24HgJnnttzcQ" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" class="irc_mut" src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQUAxDgUKzYvh9d9lErU8fON4WZu-iflXC_x17b2A24HgJnnttzcQ" height="305" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="400" /></a>Out of the frying pan and into the fire. At least that's what it feels like when you jump from trip to another back to back. We came back from Beijing and almost immediately left for Yangshou. It doesn't help that we left at 5 am. The only times I'm up at 5 am are when I accidentally stay up that late reading. Ugh. This picture is just a view from the train on our way. When we finally arrived I couldn't believe the fairy tale place we found ourselves in. I mean look at this site! What kind of town is this? The mountains are all around and look super cool early in the morning when it's misty out. The river runs right along the town and the streets are full of vendors and goods.<br />
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<a href="https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11739522_10153945779454989_1672947423_n.jpg?oh=def57b6db8b309a50bd98418c9eec971&oe=55A4B6FB" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="_4-od" data-reactid=".5e.0.0.1.1" height="125" src="https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11739522_10153945779454989_1672947423_n.jpg?oh=def57b6db8b309a50bd98418c9eec971&oe=55A4B6FB" width="200" /></a><a href="https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11739485_10153945780194989_921325505_n.jpg?oh=086e7e8d7b62a638be03d83ae3a58807&oe=55A4AD08" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="_4-od" data-reactid=".5s.0.0.1.1" height="200" src="https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11739485_10153945780194989_921325505_n.jpg?oh=086e7e8d7b62a638be03d83ae3a58807&oe=55A4AD08" width="320" /></a>While we waited for the fishing plans for tonight we made more fishing related plans for the afternoon. Those plans mainly included going to this fish foot spa. It was a little intimidating to put our feet into these tanks (as you can see us hesitating in this first picture) and even once we put our feet in I could barely keep them under the water. While I may have been hesitant, once I put my feet in I was laughing so hard I was crying. Then I somehow grew accustomed to the sensation of fish eating the dead skin off my feet. All of the sudden my hour was up and I didn't want to take my feet out. It's kind of weird how that happens. How did I grow accustomed to and even start to enjoy having fish eat my feet? <br />
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Ok so once we checked into our hotel our first objective was to finalize our agenda for the 3 days and 2 nights we were going to be here. While we ate lunch at Cafe China (so original) we figured everything out-beginning with Wild China episode 1. (For real, watch Wild China episode 1 on Netflix and that pretty much describes my experience here. At least the part with the birds.) Our first night there we went out onto the river to observe cormorant fishing. It was seemingly legit and then all of the sudden the boat people were yelling 'get off the boat!'<br />
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So then we all crowded on shore again while they said something about it being easier to see the fishing process once dusk fell. (Psht, ya right. I'm sure it conveniently had nothing to do with the fact that they just saw some police boats. But for the life of me I can't figure out what part of this process is sketchy or illegal.)<br />
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Anyway, pretty much the whole situation was funny and quite memorable. This is the old man steering his boat, and I even got a picture of me with the birds. Don't I look so natural with my straw hat on my head and bird on my arm? I was born for this life.<br />
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<a href="https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/p206x206/11717044_10153945782394989_1723419037_n.jpg?oh=db36992b0dbf6d73156da3bddffde0b2&oe=55A4B74D" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" class="_4-od" data-reactid=".6r.0.0.1.1" height="200" src="https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/p206x206/11717044_10153945782394989_1723419037_n.jpg?oh=db36992b0dbf6d73156da3bddffde0b2&oe=55A4B74D" width="125" /></a><a href="https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpt1/v/t34.0-12/p206x206/11720705_10153945782129989_324011339_n.jpg?oh=af55491adba77b92dc10bd448fe67b13&oe=55A4953C" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" class="_4-od" data-reactid=".6k.0.0.1.1" src="https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpt1/v/t34.0-12/p206x206/11720705_10153945782129989_324011339_n.jpg?oh=af55491adba77b92dc10bd448fe67b13&oe=55A4953C" /></a>The next morning dawned bright and foggy and full of mountains. We got up extra early to find these delicious buns that our professor had told us about. Not only were they 50 cents but they were some kind of fantastic combination of savory and sweet. Plus what doesn't taste delicious when you eat it looking at this view? Can you believe that the people who live here get to see this every day? I couldn't even believe it was my real life for these few days. Hooray for traveling!<br />
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Anyway, after breakfast the morning started with a float on a bamboo raft down the YuLong River. How cool is that? This is my roommate and I waiting to take off and the other is my roommate and I floating into shore at the end. I'm not sure exactly why that is our pose, but what a great picture.<br />
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<img class="_4-od" data-reactid=".8w.0.0.1.1" height="240" src="https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11721186_10153945790219989_1210795321_n.jpg?oh=c431d24df7370af57a702172ec0704a9&oe=55A4E5D1" width="320" /><br />
<a href="https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t34.0-12/p206x206/11733242_10153945783724989_764501259_n.jpg?oh=8056aa5d03159814c5fee6fa465590b1&oe=55A4DD2B" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" class="_4-od" data-reactid=".6y.0.0.1.1" src="https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t34.0-12/p206x206/11733242_10153945783724989_764501259_n.jpg?oh=8056aa5d03159814c5fee6fa465590b1&oe=55A4DD2B" /></a>After we got off our boats we saw all of these random things-like these adorable monkeys you could take pictures with. They're like the pet Abu I've always wanted! What a dream. Except I wasn't willing to actually pay for a picture with them so here's some random Asian child with the monkeys of my dreams. There was also a camel there that you could ride, but, again, I resisted the temptation. (I'm not really sure how China-esque a camel really is.)<br />
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<a href="https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t34.0-12/p206x206/11749538_10153945784994989_35229858_n.jpg?oh=335e00154050d9db8c32d5900eeb4a0d&oe=55A49E9E" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="_4-od" data-reactid=".75.0.0.1.1" height="250" src="https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t34.0-12/p206x206/11749538_10153945784994989_35229858_n.jpg?oh=335e00154050d9db8c32d5900eeb4a0d&oe=55A49E9E" width="400" /></a>After the float we went to moon hill and hiked all the way to the top. Somehow it doesn't look as impressive as it actually was in this photo, but let me tell you. If we had known how intense the hike was going to be before we started I'm not sure how many of us would actually have gone through with it. But we did. We're so healthy. <br />
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<a href="http://www.easytourchina.com/images/Photo/butterfly-spring-park/p562_d20111117111314_thumb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" class="irc_mi" src="http://www.easytourchina.com/images/Photo/butterfly-spring-park/p562_d20111117111314_thumb.jpg" height="200" style="margin-top: 97px;" width="131" /></a><br />
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We crossed this crazy bridge and then got to go down this cool slide where you controlled your speed with your hands. We had to wear these weird bum protector things for the slide and gloves for our hands, but I think we're looking pretty good, right? I mean, just look at us. How could anyone resist us? Not that we're trying to make people not resist us, but I'm just saying. So anyway, once the slide was done we left Butterfly Springs and headed to our last destination for the day.<br />
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<a href="https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t34.0-12/11748708_10153945790149989_556698044_n.jpg?oh=816de30d0ee3fe294b170afa7e5271e6&oe=55A3B3D5" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="_4-od" data-reactid=".8p.0.0.1.1" height="320" src="https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t34.0-12/11748708_10153945790149989_556698044_n.jpg?oh=816de30d0ee3fe294b170afa7e5271e6&oe=55A3B3D5" width="240" /></a>Say hello to the mud caves and hot springs! We had a guide who showed us the way to the springs, but on the way he was randomly like "there's a hole here where you can crawl through." So we were all gathered around looking at it. Then it kind of seemed like he was expecting someone to want to give it a shot, and who am I to disappoint? So I crawled through this hole into a tiny blue cave room where I had just enough space to sit up without having to hunch. Then I decided that 30 seconds was plenty of time so I was going to crawl out and he's like "now you just keep crawling through" and I was like "no, I'm pretty sure I don't." But he was pretty insistent that there was another hole you could crawl through on your belly. Now I'm not saying that I'm opposed to spontaneous spelunking in my swimsuit, but I am slightly opposed to spontaneous spelunking in my swimsuit into tiny holes that are black and I can't even see an exit to. Yet the guide was pretty emphatic that you could crawl through to the other side. And then there wasn't really much of a chance to retreat anyway because another guy from the group was like "I'm coming in after you." <br />
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"You are?" was my slightly hesitant and alarmed response as I struggled to make room for him in the tiny blue room by army crawlinig across the uneven cave floor. Anyway, it was slightly comforting having another person going through this weird experience with me even if he was a stranger, but not as comforting as having my head pop out the other side where all my friends were waiting. They named this photo "Laura's rebirth." Once that mini adventure was over we made it to the mud pool. This is exactly what it sounds like. I couldn't get a decent photo of us so I grabbed one off the internet so you can get an idea of what it was like.<br />
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Even this I managed to mess up. There was a mud slide off to the side which I decided to give a try. Yet somehow I tripped over my foot at the bottom of the slide turning it into a graceful tumble (you know me) which I ended with a 10 out of 10 faceplant into the mud. <br />
Upside: I think I got everyone with a good splash in a solid 5 foot radius of me. <br />
Downside: I wasn't expecting to faceplant and I didn't close my mouth, which is, unfortunately, part of my face. <br />
Upside: there really wasn't getting any dirtier than I was at that moment so I no longer had any reservations in the mud pool.<br />
Downside: Rinsing off was a real beast.<br />
Once we finally did rinse off enough we all sat around and relaxed in the hot springs. Did I ever picture myself chilling in a hot springs in a cave in China? No. Did I like it? Yes. Immensely so.<br />
We were home by 4 that day but everyone was so exhausted we just kind of crashed until dinner at 6. We went to get Indian food.<br />
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Dinner is a whole different story. During our day we kept running into another tour group of Asians who befriended us. We saw these girls we had met yesterday and talked to them again. Then this boy (a friend of those girls?) came up and talked to me and was like "Hey. I didn't think I would be seeing you again."<br />
"I didn't think I had seen you before."<br />
Ok that was what I wanted to say, but I didn't want to be mean so obviously I said something else.<br />
Anyway he invited me (us?) to lunch and even asked for my number. Luckily I didn't have a number for him so it was pretty easy to respond to that at least. I felt bad for the fact that we had just eaten so I let him know we were going to get Indian for dinner if him and his friends wanted to join us. Yet when dinner rolled around I was equally surprised that 1) he showed up and 2) he didn't bring a bunch of his friends with him-just 1. Dinner was awkward because most of my friends kind of abandoned me because "I invited him" (so much for just being nice.) Clearly this kind of blew up in my face because he asked his friend to switch seats so he could sit by me, told me he was nervous to eat with a girl, and tried to pay for my food. The worst part is-with my luck he's probably in high school. Can anyone hate their baby face more than I do? (So much for my face coming together.)<br />
Anyway, it was a really funny story but still, why??<br />
The last day in Yangshou was pretty uneventful because we made no plans. So it was full of wandering, teeter totters, and the train ride back home. And with that I say sayonara to traveling for a while (at least for another 3 weeks-which is all I really have until I go home.)Laura Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03227536805852645246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268903947120771564.post-75430116795524044732015-07-11T03:37:00.004-07:002015-07-11T03:37:52.625-07:00Beijing: Where the Real Attractions Are the White People, Not the Great Wall of China<a href="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11696858_10153931656379989_1269352587_n.jpg?oh=b2ccc495dc7fca59dc661a161617285e&oe=55A279F9" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" class="_4-od" data-reactid=".4w.0.0.1.1" height="320" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11696858_10153931656379989_1269352587_n.jpg?oh=b2ccc495dc7fca59dc661a161617285e&oe=55A279F9" width="200" /></a><a href="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11713425_10153931656774989_727849346_n.jpg?oh=509b5ed47690951613ae0ee4cbd66eae&oe=55A28410" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="_4-od" data-reactid=".4p.0.0.1.1" height="320" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11713425_10153931656774989_727849346_n.jpg?oh=509b5ed47690951613ae0ee4cbd66eae&oe=55A28410" width="200" /></a> I'm not even sure where to begin with this Beijing trip. So much happened this week, and I can't even keep it all straight. So a good place to start seems to be this tiny police vehicle that we found almost as soon as we got off the airplane. Pretty cool. And by cool I mean unbelievably cute.<br />
Anyway, this week was the most tourist-y week I've ever had. We did so many things that I'm having a hard time keeping everything straight. We started off by going to a museum in Xi'an that had so much history packed into 3 floors that I could barely take it all in. <br />
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Howeaver, museums weren't all of it. We also got to see this pagoda here. Pretty crazy stuff. I'm just hanging out with this elephant here. While the days are filled with tourist sites, the nights are filled with Chinese meals and shows. The meals here are always eaten at round tables with centers that turn. If we aren't given chop sticks to eat with these days we almost don't know what to do with ourselves. We've had some really delicious food and some definitely not typical American food. For example, this is a picture of me eating a monkey brain potsticker. Who knew this was a thing? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11693012_10153931652069989_1667453439_n.jpg?oh=62c999326942fee890396d221f47332b&oe=55A26491" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" class="_4-od" data-reactid=".7w.0.0.1.1" height="240" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11693012_10153931652069989_1667453439_n.jpg?oh=62c999326942fee890396d221f47332b&oe=55A26491" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11694303_10153931654814989_620247556_n.jpg?oh=d1b0d0deb6c8c829b0ba355654f7bd87&oe=55A2622E" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="_4-od" data-reactid=".5v.0.0.1.1" height="320" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11694303_10153931654814989_620247556_n.jpg?oh=d1b0d0deb6c8c829b0ba355654f7bd87&oe=55A2622E" width="200" /></a>Our second day in Xi'an we biked around the city wall which was pretty much the coolest thing ever. (Although I feel like I may say that about most things we do that include bikes. What can I say? Biking just makes things that much better. Sometimes I wonder why I don't own those shoes with wheels on them so I could roll everywhere.) </div>
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<a href="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11693012_10153931652069989_1667453439_n.jpg?oh=62c999326942fee890396d221f47332b&oe=55A26491" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t34.0-12/11714419_10153931653534989_1645292952_n.jpg?oh=8496a77be6f8a6a02ae5d00df928c3b2&oe=55A2722C" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" class="_4-od" data-reactid=".6x.0.0.1.1" height="320" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t34.0-12/11714419_10153931653534989_1645292952_n.jpg?oh=8496a77be6f8a6a02ae5d00df928c3b2&oe=55A2722C" width="200" /></a> Plus, turns out it gave my roommate and I an opportunity to talk (which apparentlly we've been missing these past few months.) We got to bond over lawyer daughter problems-including how your parents try to convince you that shredding papers is something fun or having to do annual inserts into law manual books because people just have to be constantly changing the law. Anway, it was pretty random but also I never thought I would find someone to bond over law book inserts and yet the surprises never end in China.<br />
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We also went to see the terracotta warriors but before that we had to go see the workshop where terracotta warriors are made today. It was pretty cool and a bit insane how the temperatures in the kiln can get up to 900 degrees. Remind me to never fall linside one of those.<br />
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<a href="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11720550_10153931652644989_1042899090_n.jpg?oh=86dc08142b5335e46957ded0db90b4ec&oe=55A340BC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" class="_4-od" data-reactid=".7p.0.0.1.1" height="320" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11720550_10153931652644989_1042899090_n.jpg?oh=86dc08142b5335e46957ded0db90b4ec&oe=55A340BC" width="200" /></a>These pictures seemed necessary. <br />
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They say that each terracotta warrior has an individual face On one hand that seems pretty incredible considering how many warriors made up the army. On the other hand, a lot of these guys are missing heads so ...there's that.<br />
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<a href="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/v/t34.0-12/11693146_10153931651504989_175969752_n.jpg?oh=1c705c6f708a219a08d14b0b70c34d77&oe=55A36D94" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="_4-od" data-reactid=".83.0.0.1.1" height="200" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/v/t34.0-12/11693146_10153931651504989_175969752_n.jpg?oh=1c705c6f708a219a08d14b0b70c34d77&oe=55A36D94" width="320" /></a>We also took the time to go to the Muslim quarter and visit a monastery-all cool things. Although I have to say there's a definite excess of markets here. I can't even walk down the street without seeing stalls and vendors. And where there are vendors there are goods. Goods which generally attract your attention as you walk by,<br />
<a href="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpt1/v/t34.0-12/11713533_10153931650899989_372036969_n.jpg?oh=6436edbca5da3b0e4d9236dad5eb1acd&oe=55A38E29" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" class="_4-od" data-reactid=".8a.0.0.1.1" height="200" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpt1/v/t34.0-12/11713533_10153931650899989_372036969_n.jpg?oh=6436edbca5da3b0e4d9236dad5eb1acd&oe=55A38E29" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a>even if it's only a passing glance. Yet, regardless of how 'passing' that glance may be it could be enough to get the vendor to engage you in a barter battle. Bahh shopping. <br />
At least the monastery was quite and peaceful. We even saw a cat-featured in this picture.<br />
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<a href="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11717059_10153931650299989_1798443233_n.jpg?oh=3b261222cee29ae46f6018b705616e86&oe=55A3730C" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" class="_4-od" data-reactid=".8o.0.0.1.1" height="250" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11717059_10153931650299989_1798443233_n.jpg?oh=3b261222cee29ae46f6018b705616e86&oe=55A3730C" width="400" /></a><br />
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We went to the Xi'an Opera House and saw a lot of traditional dances from the time of the Tang Dynasty. Here are some pictures from that. There was a lot of twirling involved and the idea of long sleeves was taken to a whole new level. <img class="_4-od" data-reactid=".8h.0.0.1.1" height="250" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11721983_10153931650479989_1890125951_n.jpg?oh=7418469b847cf0d36743f5e32e8320cc&oe=55A28231" width="400" /><br />
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<a href="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t34.0-12/11714264_10153931649789989_1911359743_n.jpg?oh=d4ca6426ba00db91c8c4d18d557d69e6&oe=55A39895" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="_4-od" data-reactid=".8v.0.0.1.1" height="200" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t34.0-12/11714264_10153931649789989_1911359743_n.jpg?oh=d4ca6426ba00db91c8c4d18d557d69e6&oe=55A39895" width="320" /></a>The next day was actually pretty restful since all we did was ride a train from Xi'an to Beijing. However, that doesn't mean it was without it's China craziness. Typical China style, there were way too many people on our train and we were bumped out of our seats. How does that even happen? Isn't the purpose of reserving seats and buying tickets so the seat then becomes unavailable and can't be sold again? So we actually ended moving from from first class to coach but at that point I think we were all just kind of relieved to have a place to sit at all since it was a 5 hour trip. It felt a little nostalgic ruiding a bullet train in Chian because it was around this time a year ago that I was riding one in Japan. Except in Japan I didn't have to fight for my seat. And I could at least have a basic conversation with someone to try and fight for my seat. <br />
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<a href="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11714477_10153931649514989_105533405_n.jpg?oh=236dbbe2a4cd2f8c11a8f1296e41078b&oe=55A285D8" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="_4-od" data-reactid=".92.0.0.1.1" height="320" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11714477_10153931649514989_105533405_n.jpg?oh=236dbbe2a4cd2f8c11a8f1296e41078b&oe=55A285D8" width="200" /></a>Beijing was just another crazy whirlwind of tourist spots. You would think that people would be more used to seeing white tourists here since we were going places like the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, but that didn't stop the gawking and the creeper photos. I count it as a good day when I have people actually ask to take my photo (or take it with me) instead of just snapping photos of us without saying anything. We saw the Temple of Heaven (featured on the left and below). I wish I could tell you more details about these places but it seems like after you go to enough places, regardless of how fantstic they are, the history and stories start to blend together.<br />
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<img class="_4-od" data-reactid=".9b.0.0.1.1" height="297" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11692990_10153931649329989_109726735_n.jpg?oh=b4a5b7d2f01ab42e47ab6da552f6cdd1&oe=55A287E5" width="320" /><br />
<a href="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11719962_10153931641979989_3579266_n.jpg?oh=d6778317684a1aaad4eab888ae0134cd&oe=55A3981C" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" class="_4-od" data-reactid=".9p.0.0.1.1" height="320" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11719962_10153931641979989_3579266_n.jpg?oh=d6778317684a1aaad4eab888ae0134cd&oe=55A3981C" width="200" /></a><a href="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11713425_10153931648954989_1090004590_n.jpg?oh=c07e9aea45e261aa111b5644146be402&oe=55A38453" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="_4-od" data-reactid=".9i.0.0.1.1" height="200" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11713425_10153931648954989_1090004590_n.jpg?oh=c07e9aea45e261aa111b5644146be402&oe=55A38453" width="320" /></a>The Forbidden City was huge and full of people. It was China at it's finest. Even I took a creeper picture or two here. For example, there were so many people in this one area that I saw this lady with her back to this pillar holding on for dear life as if she was scared of getting trampled to death. Understandly so though, China is like a giant mash pit all the time.<br />
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<a href="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11694216_10153931641814989_66745712_n.jpg?oh=67f56a2b2fdd13c46c30fb9109a05e4e&oe=55A372C6" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="_4-od" data-reactid=".9w.0.0.1.1" height="320" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11694216_10153931641814989_66745712_n.jpg?oh=67f56a2b2fdd13c46c30fb9109a05e4e&oe=55A372C6" width="247" /></a><br />
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I asked a lady at the Forbidden City to take a picture of Hattie and I and then she asked her kids if they wanted a picture with us. (No, she didn't ask us-just her kids.) The little girl was ecstatic and yelled "I want to!" while the boy originally said he didn't want to. But then he saw his sister in the picture and ran over to join us as well. I'm not sure if my favorite part of this is that the conversation happened in Chinese (albeit basic Chinese) and I understood or if it's that the lady took the pictures on my camera (since she had it from earlier) so she doesn't even have these pictures of her kids. <br />
<a href="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11720710_10153931638159989_584019248_n.jpg?oh=c046fc5aec48fa00c172ad5f06a41d6b&oe=55A37B82" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" class="_4-od" data-reactid=".a3.0.0.1.1" height="200" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11720710_10153931638159989_584019248_n.jpg?oh=c046fc5aec48fa00c172ad5f06a41d6b&oe=55A37B82" width="320" /></a><br />
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There was a really pretty garden that we kind of had to rush through but I easily could have spent an hour or two (or more- if I fell asleep) hanging out here.<br />
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<a href="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11721159_10153931627674989_656940073_n.jpg?oh=e2c11994cb5a881623ffa7ffd2cf0fcf&oe=55A34A6A" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="_4-od" data-reactid=".ao.0.0.1.1" height="320" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11721159_10153931627674989_656940073_n.jpg?oh=e2c11994cb5a881623ffa7ffd2cf0fcf&oe=55A34A6A" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a>Here's a picture of China encouraging my reading addiction. Although they don't make it easy-especially since it's all in kanji.<br />
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<a href="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11720613_10153931625319989_578867196_n.jpg?oh=15bd8aecd3c0f4f1f5e4e30b88935ebc&oe=55A27FF3" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" class="_4-od" data-reactid=".av.0.0.1.1" height="200" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11720613_10153931625319989_578867196_n.jpg?oh=15bd8aecd3c0f4f1f5e4e30b88935ebc&oe=55A27FF3" width="320" /></a>We got to go on a rickshaw tour! I don't know if I've ever even used the word rickshaw before but here I am riding it like I've been rickshaw riding all my life. We had the cutest old man for our driver/biker and while I felt kind of bad making him work, it was also really cool. We rode through the streets and not-quite slums but really tiny streets of China and were able to really soak in life. We even stopped by a native's house to heare and ask questions about her daily life. <br />
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<a href="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11722036_10153931622054989_42123875_n.jpg?oh=7f7a876dc3732b1cd967740d7689cbb0&oe=55A28136" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="_4-od" data-reactid=".b2.0.0.1.1" height="320" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11722036_10153931622054989_42123875_n.jpg?oh=7f7a876dc3732b1cd967740d7689cbb0&oe=55A28136" width="200" /></a>One of my favorite stops by far was the Great Wall of China. Can you believe that I've climbed it? It wasn't nearly as flat and scalable as portrayed in Mulan. Let's just say that the RB stairs have nothing on the Great Wall. We spent two hours here. I could have used 5. <br />
<a href="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpt1/v/t34.0-12/11717124_10153931621869989_182587953_n.jpg?oh=7a35744d0d106e12fd9f1736a386e8b8&oe=55A3645E" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" class="_4-od" data-reactid=".b9.0.0.1.1" height="200" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpt1/v/t34.0-12/11717124_10153931621869989_182587953_n.jpg?oh=7a35744d0d106e12fd9f1736a386e8b8&oe=55A3645E" width="320" /></a>We were going strong in the middle of a selfie contest against our professor's husband to see how many selfies with random people you could take and here's one we took with another tour group that was there. It's surprisingly easy to get selfies with people because they all want your picture first, so then you just have to ask for another picture but on your camera.<br />
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<a href="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11694329_10153931620989989_184291524_n.jpg?oh=255f2cf15f911ba2acf315b7cf71f7a4&oe=55A28A57" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" class="_4-od" data-reactid=".bg.0.0.1.1" height="320" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11694329_10153931620989989_184291524_n.jpg?oh=255f2cf15f911ba2acf315b7cf71f7a4&oe=55A28A57" width="200" /></a></div>
Here's a picture of Hattie and I playing cards on top of the Great Wall. I don't know what other people do when they climb up, but this seemed to be the perfect place for a Speed show down.<br />
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<img class="_4-od" data-reactid=".ek.0.0.1.1" height="320" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11655551_10153931573139989_813847759_n.jpg?oh=5368e30f866929c9eae7fa1b3b35f1bc&oe=55A3937D" width="320" /><br />
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<a href="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t34.0-12/11693181_10153931618099989_764762727_n.jpg?oh=fa4403dbe80811c8b8c9506b4c986547&oe=55A38528" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="_4-od" data-reactid=".bn.0.0.1.1" height="320" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t34.0-12/11693181_10153931618099989_764762727_n.jpg?oh=fa4403dbe80811c8b8c9506b4c986547&oe=55A38528" width="200" /></a>It's also a typical thing now to get food and a show. Here's an example.<br />
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Oh and this is a picture of us with a random group of people. We don't know them. They don't know one another, but they all wanted individual pictures with us so sthen we got a group picture with all of them. I'm telling you-going back to America and making it through a day without anyone taking my picture is either going to be a huge relief or a huge blow to my self-esteem.<br />
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<img class="_4-od" data-reactid=".bu.0.0.1.1" height="200" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11717158_10153931617329989_2121563311_n.jpg?oh=0012279cfff05e21f9c3cc5a1010ecee&oe=55A3751F" width="320" /><br />
<a href="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11721866_10153931616559989_939794558_n.jpg?oh=02b7fd61d7bb394cf4b2024d64ed82a9&oe=55A334D2" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="_4-od" data-reactid=".c1.0.0.1.1" height="320" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11721866_10153931616559989_939794558_n.jpg?oh=02b7fd61d7bb394cf4b2024d64ed82a9&oe=55A334D2" width="200" /></a><br />
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I just got a kick out of this picture because the top animal is captioned "a fabulous animal." It makes me wonder what the Chinese really says.<br />
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Here's something most of you can really relate to. This is Lucy and I at the Water Cube where Michael Phelps won so many gold medals in the Beijing Olympics.<br />
<img class="_4-od" data-reactid=".c8.0.0.1.1" height="200" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11720748_10153931616054989_1187039012_n.jpg?oh=b7313b27824c9547533c68247700a2b7&oe=55A33E66" width="320" /><br />
<a href="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t34.0-12/11694222_10153931606599989_1179502444_n.jpg?oh=0105bd52e780ef3bc9ce20b4c7b16e22&oe=55A388D1" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="_4-od" data-reactid=".cm.0.0.1.1" height="320" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t34.0-12/11694222_10153931606599989_1179502444_n.jpg?oh=0105bd52e780ef3bc9ce20b4c7b16e22&oe=55A388D1" width="200" /></a>I have no idea what this is or any explanation for this photo. It just seemed like a good idea to hug this little blue fella.<br />
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This next photo is from the Summer Palace. I just have to point out the beautiful blue sky because it is kind of rare for us to get those. Although I kind of like rainy days being the usual and clear skys being the exception.<br />
<img class="_4-od" data-reactid=".ct.0.0.1.1" height="200" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11651191_10153931598429989_1143291755_n.jpg?oh=55f1ea8548e8dd6bf4b449f24649ea91&oe=55A2831A" width="320" /><br />
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<a href="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t34.0-12/11714410_10153931595474989_1688105055_n.jpg?oh=567b77d85e580f84a91fbfe617ea9fcb&oe=55A3756D" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="_4-od" data-reactid=".d0.0.0.1.1" height="200" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t34.0-12/11714410_10153931595474989_1688105055_n.jpg?oh=567b77d85e580f84a91fbfe617ea9fcb&oe=55A3756D" width="320" /></a><br />
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We took a picture with this baby because he would look at us and then just start laughing and it was the most adorable thing ever. How could we resist taking a picture of that face? Obviously, we couldn't. <br />
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<a href="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpt1/v/t34.0-12/11715855_10153931586514989_2069380626_n.jpg?oh=12ba4e84a504c9e22eca47104a11c582&oe=55A34D83" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" class="_4-od" data-reactid=".ds.0.0.1.1" height="320" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpt1/v/t34.0-12/11715855_10153931586514989_2069380626_n.jpg?oh=12ba4e84a504c9e22eca47104a11c582&oe=55A34D83" width="200" /></a><a href="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t34.0-12/11419732_10153931587434989_385540678_n.jpg?oh=d5051bb8a3e98888cac215c71cdb5d67&oe=55A26F59" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="_4-od" data-reactid=".dl.0.0.1.1" height="320" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t34.0-12/11419732_10153931587434989_385540678_n.jpg?oh=d5051bb8a3e98888cac215c71cdb5d67&oe=55A26F59" width="200" /></a><br />
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The day we went to the summer palace that was our only thing planned so we had the whole afternoon free. What better way to spend a free afternoon in Beijin than by going to the Beijing Zoo? Just try and tell me that this panda is NOT adorable. You can't. And this monkey is well on his way to "speaking no evil."<br />
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<a href="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11694131_10153931586369989_299638049_n.jpg?oh=edae5ed3399c61248b56b3f615ff5ad5&oe=55A35898" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="_4-od" data-reactid=".dz.0.0.1.1" height="200" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11694131_10153931586369989_299638049_n.jpg?oh=edae5ed3399c61248b56b3f615ff5ad5&oe=55A35898" width="320" /></a><br />
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And how could I resist taking a picture with the penguins? It seemed extremely necessary to take one on the ground. (The good news is I'll never see any of these people again. And if they think I'm weird it can just be played off as an American thing instead of a Laura thing.)<br />
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<a href="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11714325_10153931586144989_1165955954_n.jpg?oh=e6e383689d2f2bdbe1e4f1a1ac408aa2&oe=55A3A2B5" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" class="_4-od" data-reactid=".e6.0.0.1.1" height="200" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11714325_10153931586144989_1165955954_n.jpg?oh=e6e383689d2f2bdbe1e4f1a1ac408aa2&oe=55A3A2B5" width="320" /></a></div>
Hattie and I ordered piggy buns, which were adorable and, surprisingly, not filled with pork. Look how cute food is in Asia. This was one of our last opportunities to go scavenge for dinner in Beijing but I think we did a pretty good job.<br />
This trip was our first time rooming together but we got along really well. By that I mean that she didn't try to talk to me when I was reading my book at night. Oh and we both like to eat Asian food so it helped to have someone to explore the options with. Honestly she was cool for a lot of reasons, but the book thing definitely won her major points.<br />
<a href="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t34.0-12/11421540_10153931585969989_1721482966_n.jpg?oh=12c4298b6070d18f45716d65bc7e5cb8&oe=55A28067" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="_4-od" data-reactid=".ed.0.0.1.1" height="200" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t34.0-12/11421540_10153931585969989_1721482966_n.jpg?oh=12c4298b6070d18f45716d65bc7e5cb8&oe=55A28067" width="320" /></a>Our last day in Bejing was a free day where we could actually do whatever we wanted. We ended up going to an art district called 798 which was pretty far away but well worth the effort. Not only was it full of cool little shops, art galleries, and cafes, but it was an adventure from start to finish. I even got to use my Japanese kanji skills to help us with directions which made me realize how much I need to study and how cool Japanese is (although there was never any doubt about that.) We went to a random gallery that was doing a drawing in 5 minutes and giving away one of their pieces in the exhibit. Naturally we had to go join the crowd. Despite the weird atmosphere which felt more like a count down to a rocket take off than to a picture drawing we enjoyed the random experience. Especially when one of the 8 of us won the drawing! It was pretty unexpected but also super cool and resulted in even more creeper photos being taken of us. <br />
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For some reason I feel like I've failed to make this blog exciting despite all of the really cool things I had to write about. I'm behind another trip already so maybe I'm just kind of distracted. Either way, I hope it was still fun to read and look forward to the next one. It will be coming fast because I had really epic trips back to back. </div>
Laura Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03227536805852645246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268903947120771564.post-27434073148663023242015-06-23T22:39:00.001-07:002015-06-24T02:42:22.938-07:00Hong King Kong<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpt1/v/t34.0-12/11652020_10153884204594989_586863405_n.jpg?oh=e2d045479eb4ce21acd48a3edee7b426&oe=558BCCEB&__gda__=1435221376_53172ed2abbb4808b52d92e40e7b99a5" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="_4-od" data-reactid=".42.0.0.1.1" height="200" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpt1/v/t34.0-12/11652020_10153884204594989_586863405_n.jpg?oh=e2d045479eb4ce21acd48a3edee7b426&oe=558BCCEB&__gda__=1435221376_53172ed2abbb4808b52d92e40e7b99a5" width="320" /></a><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpt1/v/t34.0-12/11652020_10153884204594989_586863405_n.jpg?oh=e2d045479eb4ce21acd48a3edee7b426&oe=558BCCEB&__gda__=1435221376_53172ed2abbb4808b52d92e40e7b99a5" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpt1/v/t34.0-12/11652020_10153884204594989_586863405_n.jpg?oh=e2d045479eb4ce21acd48a3edee7b426&oe=558BCCEB&__gda__=1435221376_53172ed2abbb4808b52d92e40e7b99a5" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpt1/v/t34.0-12/11652020_10153884204594989_586863405_n.jpg?oh=e2d045479eb4ce21acd48a3edee7b426&oe=558BCCEB&__gda__=1435221376_53172ed2abbb4808b52d92e40e7b99a5" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpt1/v/t34.0-12/11652020_10153884204594989_586863405_n.jpg?oh=e2d045479eb4ce21acd48a3edee7b426&oe=558BCCEB&__gda__=1435221376_53172ed2abbb4808b52d92e40e7b99a5" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpt1/v/t34.0-12/11652020_10153884204594989_586863405_n.jpg?oh=e2d045479eb4ce21acd48a3edee7b426&oe=558BCCEB&__gda__=1435221376_53172ed2abbb4808b52d92e40e7b99a5" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpt1/v/t34.0-12/11652020_10153884204594989_586863405_n.jpg?oh=e2d045479eb4ce21acd48a3edee7b426&oe=558BCCEB&__gda__=1435221376_53172ed2abbb4808b52d92e40e7b99a5" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a>Alright everyone, prepare to put your lives on hold momentarily while I let you experience mine. I think it's only fair that every city deserves a second chance-especially when the first chance proved to be quite delightful. That's how the 8 of us girls ended up going back to Hong Kong for the weekend. (That and the fact that we had to leave the country as our 60 days were up.) So around lunch time on Friday we all got out of school early (highly recommended) and hopped on the ferry to Hong Kong. Although I may make it sound a little simpler than it actually was-they're insignificant details. Here you can see my roommate and I being so excited to go back to Hong Kong and acting like good little travelers while filling out our departure/arrival cards. Once we had taken a bus to the bus depot, another bus to the ferry station, and walked from the station to the closest metro, we were able to call the random lady who was renting us her house for the weekend. The house was literally across the street from the metro and I don't think we could have been much luckier with our placement. Here is the view from one of our windows. You can see a 7/11 is right there so really, what else could we need? </div>
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<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11653237_10153884206334989_424401686_n.jpg?oh=ab2c8930587dc6c8e484f90242d6e4f4&oe=558B8B13&__gda__=1435197607_0db6d08472afa3befac6d2ac5196f99c" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" class="_4-od" data-reactid=".3q.0.0.1.1" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11653237_10153884206334989_424401686_n.jpg?oh=ab2c8930587dc6c8e484f90242d6e4f4&oe=558B8B13&__gda__=1435197607_0db6d08472afa3befac6d2ac5196f99c" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xta1/v/t34.0-12/11536816_10153884208049989_1683059558_n.jpg?oh=b6c36d220ee3b5b8dcf5146b7cf0fdcf&oe=558B982B&__gda__=1435200075_fdabefc6277b81400dcfd57adea50272" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="_4-od" data-reactid=".3k.0.0.1.1" height="250" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xta1/v/t34.0-12/11536816_10153884208049989_1683059558_n.jpg?oh=b6c36d220ee3b5b8dcf5146b7cf0fdcf&oe=558B982B&__gda__=1435200075_fdabefc6277b81400dcfd57adea50272" width="400" /></a> <br />
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xft1/v/t34.0-12/11336052_10153884205599989_2017064934_n.jpg?oh=586011bc490c9ee1f3cdcede89e5ede1&oe=558BB5D1&__gda__=1435198484_6d1e0a757d79874e5aa33d1630728788" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="_4-od" data-reactid=".3w.0.0.1.1" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xft1/v/t34.0-12/11336052_10153884205599989_2017064934_n.jpg?oh=586011bc490c9ee1f3cdcede89e5ede1&oe=558BB5D1&__gda__=1435198484_6d1e0a757d79874e5aa33d1630728788" width="200" /></a><br />
(If you follow that little yellow line on the sidewalk to the right then it would lead you right down to the metro. I don't think we could have been any closer had we tried.) Here's some of my roommates adjusting to our temporary abode. 8 girls, 2 single bedrooms, a bunk bed in another room, and 4 of us sleeping on random mattresses in this room here.<br />
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Talk about sleepover (except I would rather read than talk to people generally. Has anyone ever considered how fun a sleepover would be if you just sat next to each other and all read books?) </div>
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<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11427939_10153884208354989_1973303870_n.jpg?oh=8b88dead9e1e0e6eb458ff15ef139b90&oe=558B844D&__gda__=1435209052_668f6443149c1c730f7e9253779854b3" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="_4-od" data-reactid=".3e.0.0.1.1" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11427939_10153884208354989_1973303870_n.jpg?oh=8b88dead9e1e0e6eb458ff15ef139b90&oe=558B844D&__gda__=1435209052_668f6443149c1c730f7e9253779854b3" width="200" /></a><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpt1/v/t34.0-12/11275617_10153884208719989_528280576_n.jpg?oh=d277fb2d1df92611a26082c2668436e3&oe=558B9929&__gda__=1435214402_18fef3c171fab17ba7dbe2d41566adbc" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" class="_4-od" data-reactid=".32.0.0.1.1" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpt1/v/t34.0-12/11275617_10153884208719989_528280576_n.jpg?oh=d277fb2d1df92611a26082c2668436e3&oe=558B9929&__gda__=1435214402_18fef3c171fab17ba7dbe2d41566adbc" width="200" /></a>As I mentioned before, there was a 7/11 conveniently located down the street and inside I located Hong Kong's hidden treasure. The elusive glass bottled CHOCOLATE milk! (It's decided. I'm never leaving.) This greatness even balanced out the fact that I was using a bath towel as a blanket. (Although in its defense, at least it was a dry bath towel as we had extras laying around.) There was also the fact that the chandelier light things looked like Metapods hanging from the ceiling. All in all I don't really see how anyone could resist this place?</div>
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So anyway, besides eating a delicious dinner of Japanese food the night wasn't terribly exciting. Although I am generally opposed to be up bright and early on a Saturday this one happened to be an exception. (Say hello to miso soup, omurice, and katsu...mmmm.) </div>
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<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11650902_10153884209914989_1374909075_n.jpg?oh=6bc49e353d096ab395975abf71a6e3b6&oe=558BD046&__gda__=1435217111_4f07373847e6b489a545471cee50a39e" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" class="_4-od" data-reactid=".2q.0.0.1.1" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11650902_10153884209914989_1374909075_n.jpg?oh=6bc49e353d096ab395975abf71a6e3b6&oe=558BD046&__gda__=1435217111_4f07373847e6b489a545471cee50a39e" width="200" /></a><br />
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11650617_10153884210474989_1575945645_n.jpg?oh=64a1521ca3b956862b2e173756018436&oe=558BE545&__gda__=1435226964_770cb7c6ab7a13d2978155f6d599f85c" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="_4-od" data-reactid=".2k.0.0.1.1" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11650617_10153884210474989_1575945645_n.jpg?oh=64a1521ca3b956862b2e173756018436&oe=558BE545&__gda__=1435226964_770cb7c6ab7a13d2978155f6d599f85c" width="200" /></a>Manisha, Hattie, and I had to make it to the temple by 7 am because we needed an early start for all of the things that had to get done today. While we waited for our roommate to finish her session we took a picture next to this really cool Asian art piece. Not long after this wonderful selfie (doublie?) happened some of the temple workers invited us to do baptisms early so they didn't keep us waiting. (Technically baptisms didn't start until 8:30 a.m.) Anyway, we got a special deal and were able to enjoy some special experiences in the temple with just the two of us and the workers there. We felt bad telling them that we would have to wait anyway as one of our roommates was still inside, but at least we were able to wait outside and enjoy the beauty around the temple. On our walk back to the metro we ran into our professor's wife (whom we had just met yesterday!) What are the odds?<br />
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We hurried home, restocked our bags, and once again hit the road. Today we had a mission that was given to me by none other than my cousin, Christian Richter, whom Aunt Jan had previously dubbed "the Hong Kong expert." (Side note: with Christian being the king of Hong Kong would that truly make him King Kong then?) Anyway, adventuring we went, and now that I'm safely home again I can write to the world all about it with my mother not having to worry one bit. </div>
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<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xta1/v/t34.0-12/11124183_10153861182944989_1636076539_n.jpg?oh=8fc47f9cbe38bc59cd6f55642231c300&oe=558B7253&__gda__=1435203507_f91ea9b8bb70c7fe19b2c9e9760e741a" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="_4-od" data-reactid=".22.0.0.1.1" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xta1/v/t34.0-12/11124183_10153861182944989_1636076539_n.jpg?oh=8fc47f9cbe38bc59cd6f55642231c300&oe=558B7253&__gda__=1435203507_f91ea9b8bb70c7fe19b2c9e9760e741a" width="200" /></a><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpt1/v/t34.0-12/11262915_10153861182804989_1804028764_n.jpg?oh=8b69b78624fa4576a44192ab1c1b96ed&oe=558B5FF0&__gda__=1435229544_7b39a12616d79fd9a63bae59f07f3dab" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" class="_4-od" data-reactid=".28.0.0.1.1" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpt1/v/t34.0-12/11262915_10153861182804989_1804028764_n.jpg?oh=8b69b78624fa4576a44192ab1c1b96ed&oe=558B5FF0&__gda__=1435229544_7b39a12616d79fd9a63bae59f07f3dab" width="200" /></a>Here are the 7 steps to happiness: (aka Sai Kung beaches) 1) Take the metro to Mong Kok station. Or, in our case, live conveniently close to this station by chance, practice reading a map, and walk there on your own. Done? Done. <br />
2) Hop on the red minibus that says "Mong Kok-Sai Kung" and pray that there's no mistake because you don't have any way to fix it if there is. <br />
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xft1/v/t34.0-12/11655114_10153884479799989_1338804384_n.jpg?oh=37514c3c20394210ecf6d51396f7dc74&oe=558BDA8B&__gda__=1435150670_3ba4f21c490baa16c4c1043e95f949ca" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="_4-od" data-reactid=".2p.0.0.1.1" height="200" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xft1/v/t34.0-12/11655114_10153884479799989_1338804384_n.jpg?oh=37514c3c20394210ecf6d51396f7dc74&oe=558BDA8B&__gda__=1435150670_3ba4f21c490baa16c4c1043e95f949ca" width="320" /></a>3) Try to play your gameboy on the bus (because public transportation is a good excuse to not be productive) but then feel guilty that you're missing out on all the beautiful sights out the windows. <br />
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4) Make it to Sai Kung and confidently find yourself a taxi to take you the next leg of the trip. I say confidently because when you have no idea what you're doing, no grasp of the language, and no practicing finding or riding in taxis then confidence is just about all you have left at that point. Also you can see little girls posing with fake newspaper boats and fake water fowls. </div>
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<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xta1/v/t34.0-12/11124183_10153861182944989_1636076539_n.jpg?oh=8fc47f9cbe38bc59cd6f55642231c300&oe=558B7253&__gda__=1435203507_f91ea9b8bb70c7fe19b2c9e9760e741a" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img class="_4-od" data-reactid=".69.0.0.1.1" height="200" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t35.0-12/11641908_10153892243629989_63425580_o.jpg?oh=fc3e33c3f763d50a960db25223eafa58&oe=558BD097&__gda__=1435210439_a6c43bf096efe179392885d05e4b3b62" width="320" /></a> 5) Survive the slightly terrifying taxi (apparently those are our terrified faces..?) ride where your only thoughts are wondering why in the world they don't simply make the road wide enough for two cars to pass one another without having to climb the side of the mountain (or the curb. Whatever.) and if your kiwi juice is still going to taste good once it's no longer cold. Give yourself a pat on the back once you can exit the taxi at your destination and give your driver some money (and possibly some driving tips if you can speak the language. Then again, I wouldn't have been so chill if I had been the driver.) </div>
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6) Hike up and down the stone pathway until you feel like you're wet enough that you feel as if you have already been swimming but you're clearly not satisfied yet so you know you really haven't yet. Hold onto hope though because during your hike you will see things like this.<br />
Note the cool, leafy staircase that winds up into who knows where.<br />
The excellent wooden sign posts that are a definite highlight.<br />
Oh and then these views.</div>
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And this one too. <a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xta1/v/t34.0-12/11124183_10153861182944989_1636076539_n.jpg?oh=8fc47f9cbe38bc59cd6f55642231c300&oe=558B7253&__gda__=1435203507_f91ea9b8bb70c7fe19b2c9e9760e741a" imageanchor="1" style="display: inline !important; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img class="_4-od" data-reactid=".5l.0.0.1.1" height="400" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11638091_10153892241974989_1910667991_n.jpg?oh=0eb0cfb3694d8011be674a1d091219e4&oe=558BA0A4&__gda__=1435198581_3a6f18f530fd8d68eb78c1e709420e5f" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xta1/v/t34.0-12/11124183_10153861182944989_1636076539_n.jpg?oh=8fc47f9cbe38bc59cd6f55642231c300&oe=558B7253&__gda__=1435203507_f91ea9b8bb70c7fe19b2c9e9760e741a" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img class="_4-od" data-reactid=".5x.0.0.1.1" height="250" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/p206x206/11650518_10153892243039989_569655964_n.jpg?oh=aa038835065bb092196e5d60af9f1baf&oe=558B5CBE&__gda__=1435149557_8669810f5cd97973221e27f567cfcbac" width="400" /></a>Here we are looking nice and chipper and surprisingly not sweaty. Maybe this was early on in the hike.<br />
Eventually though the hiking does end but the instructions are not over yet.<br />
7) Immediately upon arriving find someone offering to take you back to Sai Kung in their boat because HECK NO are you going to be wanting to do that climb again after playing in the sun all day. (Note: at least the last 1/3 of the hike was downhill...now imagine returning home.)<br />
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<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xta1/v/t34.0-12/11124183_10153861182944989_1636076539_n.jpg?oh=8fc47f9cbe38bc59cd6f55642231c300&oe=558B7253&__gda__=1435203507_f91ea9b8bb70c7fe19b2c9e9760e741a" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img class="_4-od" data-reactid=".5f.0.0.1.1" height="400" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xft1/v/t34.0-12/p206x206/11120940_10153861186074989_1917655358_n.jpg?oh=b23b11f0dfecd6774068fa160dbe7b35&oe=558B5735&__gda__=1435202829_e84950f24c7582442233c99401f81928" width="250" /></a><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xta1/v/t34.0-12/11124183_10153861182944989_1636076539_n.jpg?oh=8fc47f9cbe38bc59cd6f55642231c300&oe=558B7253&__gda__=1435203507_f91ea9b8bb70c7fe19b2c9e9760e741a" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img class="_4-od" data-reactid=".59.0.0.1.1" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpt1/v/t34.0-12/11301338_10153861111899989_201143500_n.jpg?oh=56f43037ddd99882481d1a5c13f0b277&oe=558BC632&__gda__=1435204121_84b503805fc0287b6039edce78f17ec9" width="200" /></a>Step 7A) Give you and your companions a pat on the back for making it here without getting lost and do it soon before you get sunburned from being out all day. Now that you're here though all you have to do is enjoy the view (and the food.) <br />
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Even though it was expensive and I don't even love coconut, Hattie and I felt like we would be full of regret if we walked away from this experience without ordering this coconut drink that everyone had. So how we are drinking out of one (stinking huge) coconut and eating the milky meat.<br />
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<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xta1/v/t34.0-12/11124183_10153861182944989_1636076539_n.jpg?oh=8fc47f9cbe38bc59cd6f55642231c300&oe=558B7253&__gda__=1435203507_f91ea9b8bb70c7fe19b2c9e9760e741a" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img class="_4-od" data-reactid=".53.0.0.1.1" height="200" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xta1/v/t34.0-12/p206x206/11269455_10153861112029989_1181302434_n.jpg?oh=82da91c8307d7b40bed66cb0ccd353ae&oe=558B72F6&__gda__=1435232486_9c39de5483d5b79fe999e02bde89365b" width="320" /></a><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xta1/v/t34.0-12/11124183_10153861182944989_1636076539_n.jpg?oh=8fc47f9cbe38bc59cd6f55642231c300&oe=558B7253&__gda__=1435203507_f91ea9b8bb70c7fe19b2c9e9760e741a" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img class="_4-od" data-reactid=".4x.0.0.1.1" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/p206x206/11655494_10153892241744989_1288695673_n.jpg?oh=14c55f1b788a077309772126fad0afae&oe=558B5A2D&__gda__=1435224898_78f640074f600a95b5a546a8c7cd59e5" width="200" /></a> After satisfying our immediate hunger we went to go play on the beach! I collected some skeleton shells. Sadly, the clam couldn't join my skeleton shell army (which, as you can see, was clearly in need or recruits) because the clam was still living inside. <br />
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<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xta1/v/t34.0-12/11124183_10153861182944989_1636076539_n.jpg?oh=8fc47f9cbe38bc59cd6f55642231c300&oe=558B7253&__gda__=1435203507_f91ea9b8bb70c7fe19b2c9e9760e741a" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img class="_4-od" data-reactid=".4r.0.0.1.1" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpt1/v/t34.0-12/11653213_10153892241604989_828235552_n.jpg?oh=d175f6a4f52d4eb380cb159f55d40515&oe=558BA8FB&__gda__=1435230480_784dbc994ca6f988d81e0bda193b22a7" width="200" /></a>I was extremely curious as to what it would look like or if there would be a pearl inside, but when your friend tells you that you will be murdering the clam if you open it it really makes you feel a little guilty. Especially since I knew I wasn't even going to eat it. So I buried it back in the sand. (Actually, I found quite a few animals buried in the sand. Seeing as I have the habit of burying my hands in the sand, grabbing a fistful, and then letting it float away in the water I picked up a surprising (or maybe not so surprising) amount of animals. They would then move inside my fist, cause me to make a startled noise and a splash, startle my roommates, and quickly escape back into the ocean.<br />
After about 5 hours playing in the ocean we were all pretty exhausted and ready to go back home and clean up. Of course, no amount of tiredness was going to keep me from going to eat some takoyaki that I saw being sold from a stand on our way home. (Sadly, I ate most of it before I remembered to take a picture.)<br />
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Oh and I can't move on past our ocean adventures without leaving everyone with another embarrassing video of me to enjoy. (Apparently I have no pride or no shame. Either way, enjoy!)<br />
This is me trying to do the leap frog at 23. I do Not still have it.<br />
Ok, true to my usual luck with technology I cannot get the video to work on here. So here is a link to my facebook in case you haven't seen it yet.<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/laura.drake.8/videos/10153895228094989/?pnref=story" target="_blank">My shining moment #108</a></div>
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Sunday went by pretty quickly. We went to church at the Victoria Branch (which looked large enough to be its own ward really) and then our goal was to locate the Flying Pan. This is a slightly Americanized restaurant that Hattie's teacher told her to go to. It's like Dennys but in Hong Kong. (Also it is my sincerest wish that it was an Asian who doesn't grasp the differences between 'l' and 'r' who named this restaurant.)<br />
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<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xta1/v/t34.0-12/11304520_10153868943864989_682971257_n.jpg?oh=3aab31e624040a8ff285a4d62d0f0eec&oe=558B7AFF&__gda__=1435204670_807010f3491c90647e1fe1afb14e24ab" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img class="_4-od" data-reactid=".34.0.0.1.1" height="200" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/p206x206/11349952_10153892236824989_582138370_n.jpg?oh=b99e401b9cf1aa8a015fa995e213469c&oe=558AA436&__gda__=1435213821_4a4348fe79621c682e2486a4d30ecd3c" width="320" /></a><br />
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Once we finally motivated ourselves to get out of our chair we went to the midlevels and road the world's largest outdoor escalators again. This time though we weren't overwhelmed, exhausted, and in a hurry. We took our time and stopped to admire things. When we made it to the top we saw this sign for the Sun Yat-Sen museum (which our professor tried to take us to our first week but it was closed) so we couldn't resist. <br />
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11637860_10153892236489989_754392277_n.jpg?oh=3c941029724e54b2d00a08f6b5b07a5b&oe=558A9F13&__gda__=1435148647_c3ca46fc9d925f000a5ff279c74ab86f" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="_4-od" data-reactid=".2g.0.0.1.1" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11637860_10153892236489989_754392277_n.jpg?oh=3c941029724e54b2d00a08f6b5b07a5b&oe=558A9F13&__gda__=1435148647_c3ca46fc9d925f000a5ff279c74ab86f" width="200" /></a><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xta1/v/t34.0-12/11304520_10153868943864989_682971257_n.jpg?oh=3aab31e624040a8ff285a4d62d0f0eec&oe=558B7AFF&__gda__=1435204670_807010f3491c90647e1fe1afb14e24ab" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" class="_4-od" data-reactid=".2e.0.0.1.1" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xta1/v/t34.0-12/11304520_10153868943864989_682971257_n.jpg?oh=3aab31e624040a8ff285a4d62d0f0eec&oe=558B7AFF&__gda__=1435204670_807010f3491c90647e1fe1afb14e24ab" width="200" /></a><br />
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We spent way more time there than we originally had expected to but it was a pretty cool place. Here's a picture of us with Dr. Sun Yat-Sen himself and then a picture of one of the rooms. Honestly, except for the fact that no matter how early we try and leave for the ferry we still find ourselves running down the street in an attempt to not get left behind, nothing too exciting happened the rest of the night. We safely returned from Hong Kong back to our lives as teachers. And we all lived happily ever after. (Until we had to go back to school and everyone had to face the fact that we did absolutely ZERO preparation for this week because we played too hard.)<br />
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Laura Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03227536805852645246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268903947120771564.post-47115494019128401382015-06-17T01:44:00.002-07:002015-06-17T01:44:29.310-07:00I Spend the Majority of my Day With Turtles My time in China is flying by so quickly it almost makes my last semester of college seem slow. Speaking of slow: I used to think that turtles were pretty slow (especially considering how many we would catch on canoe trips or rescue from the drivers on the road in AR) but the turtles here are anything but slow. We have class turtles. Meet Lovely, Cutie, and Chris. (I'm 99% sure that Chris is the only girl turtle. Wild China strikes again.)<br />
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These turtles are ALWAYS really active and if there is ever a quiet moment in class (which is rare since students are rarely quiet) you can hear them quietly (and kind of desperately) trying to escape their cages. That or they just really enjoy futile exercise and banging their heads and claws against glass tanks.<br />
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Anyway, that really has nothing to do with my life except for the fact that I spend a solid portion of my life in that classroom. A lot of times I even end up saying after school until at least 7 or maybe 8 to prepare for the next day. <br />
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When it comes to a list of constants in my life that I can depend on it would go like this:<br />
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1) endless prep work for teaching or marking</div>
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<a href="https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t34.0-12/11418262_10153870886839989_613266297_n.jpg?oh=354009764242d1a939ac437cbc9a7980&oe=558400E5" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t34.0-12/11418262_10153870886839989_613266297_n.jpg?oh=354009764242d1a939ac437cbc9a7980&oe=558400E5" width="125" /></a></div>
<a href="http://blog.alexplesz.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/turtle-1024x768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://blog.alexplesz.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/turtle-1024x768.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a>2) Those three turtles hanging out with me in the room and trying to escape.</div>
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3) The 7 girls I live with + my professor and her family (No, Mom, this is not a picture from the time my roommates and I randomly found the door to the roof open.)<br />
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<a href="https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11358800_10153870750459989_1513441708_n.jpg?oh=05808558dcd1c220161154cbeb9e9e77&oe=5583035E" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11358800_10153870750459989_1513441708_n.jpg?oh=05808558dcd1c220161154cbeb9e9e77&oe=5583035E" width="125" /></a>4) The highlight of the cafeteria food being the fruit (which I'm not actually supposed to eat until I wash it myself.) Or sometimes when I think I'm eating fruit (in this oatmeal stuff [congee?] but it's actually squash. Or something. </div>
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<a href="https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t34.0-12/p206x206/11419878_10153870750714989_1144986831_n.jpg?oh=4b72f77ecff4a46015f8dfa0df9f4c51&oe=558338DD" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t34.0-12/p206x206/11419878_10153870750714989_1144986831_n.jpg?oh=4b72f77ecff4a46015f8dfa0df9f4c51&oe=558338DD" /></a><br />
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5) Flavored milk. </div>
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[Sorry this post is pretty random, but I suppose it's only fair to give you an honest peak into my life.]<br />
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Some days the students make me question my entire professional career choice and some days I think I'm about to cry at the thought that I only have about 2 weeks left with these kids. For example, yesterday during the Math test one kid forgot to do the bonus so the conversation went like this:<br />
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Me: "Hey, don't you want to try the bonus?"</div>
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Him: "Oh ya." *He gets to work.*</div>
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Other teacher: "Hey, are you trying the bonus?"</div>
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Him: "I not trying. I'm sure!"</div>
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You sure have to respect that confidence. Especially since he did not get the bonus.. </div>
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Today I went to a wet market for the first time. The vendors were not wet. The fruit was not wet. The market was not wet. Altogether very disappointing. Well, it would have been anyway if it weren't for the amazing selection of fruit. I saw another cucumber looking thing that weighs more than my new niece and is bigger than her too.<br />
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Since I love lists here's another one titled "Things I've grown to appreciate in China."<br />
*When I wake up in the morning and I don't have any new bug bites from the night it's a cause for celebration (or at least a new reason to be grateful) whereas in America I don't think twice about it. <br />
*When my lunch food or dinner food includes something that isn't cooked in oil.<br />
*Good grammar. Although I appreciate the English here too. In fact, it kills me on the daily.<br />
*A way to dry my clothes besides hanging them up in my room. (Although I do find that a nice musty smells works wonders with keeping the boys away. Oh wait, there aren't any boys here. :)<br />
*The people I left behind. Having to work through a time difference to communicate with people makes me work harder and actually have to plan a time to talk to people. <br />
*I love the freedom of not having a cell phone so if plans change I can simply go home and claim that I didn't know what was going on (which is generally true.) It's so nice to not be able to be held responsible.<br />
*Fruit<br />
*Peanut butter<br />
*Really any kind of chocolate<br />
*Buying 2 different drinks and only spending $1.<br />
*Strangers talking to me simply because we are both not Asian.<br />
<img height="320" src="https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t34.0-12/11414493_10153870748674989_1846417163_n.jpg?oh=000db00f992e438e9373b4352951f807&oe=5582C183" width="200" /> I met one of my student's mom. She is from Japan so I tried to talk to her a little bit in Japanese (not too much, obviously, or else she would realize that I'm not as good as she thinks.) I met her once at a birthday party, once at a class BBQ, and one last time at the school art show. The next day her daughter came to school with a package of random things (like sunscreen and vegetable juice) and her email. Apparently she wants me to email her, but about what I'm still unsure. Good impression:nailed it!<br />
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I got home from school the other night around 8 pm and I had just started working with my partner on a homework assignment when my professor knocks on the door. She claimed now was one of those "Chiense experiences that you just have to not miss out on." So I put down my laptop and headed out the door. There were about 4 of us outside plus my professor and her daughter. There was another random Chinese street performance happening (I think I may have described this happening in an earlierp post.) Anyway, it was pretty cool but pretty much what I saw last time. My initial reaction was "Oh cool, but I've seen this before so I won't stay long." However, the lady who was conducting the music had a different reaction when she saw us. It was something along the lines of "Americans! I need to get them involved in what's happening ASAP!" So then she said something to the band and they all struggled to come up with a song that we could sing along to. Which is how the 6 of us ended up singing Happy Birthday (to no one in particular) in the middle of a whole crowd of anonymous Chinese people. After about 2 rounds of the song they stopped playing and I think everyone was a little unsure of what was expected in the awkward silence that followed. Well, apparently, our mediocre singing wasn't sufficient (to satisfy the lady or scare her away) and somehow we got pulled further into the crowd and onto center stage. Center stage here being my fancy performance jargon meaning the middle of a pack of Asian street performers and audience members. With the lethal combination of their miming abilities and our interpretative abilities we realized they wanted to dance. Sadly, expectations and abilities do not always match up. After a minute or two of awkward dancing which was possibly more awkward than any church dance I've ever been to, my professor stepped in to save us. Or at least that's what I thought she was doing, until she had us all do the chicken dance. (Well, there goes our opportunities to be good ambassadors for America.) Here we are, 5 random white girls doing the chicken dance in rural China-which by the way the chicken dance does NOT go with any music besides the chicken dance song. Now imagine us doing it to random Chinese blue grass/folk music. Yet, amazingly, even that wasn't enough to scare them off (or it could have been one of those situations where its like a train wreck and you just can't look away) and we ended up doing the Can Can too. Luckily our dancing repetoires are large and impressive and we had these 2 classic ones to fall back on. So those 10 minutes where I was expecting a rather calm period of observing the natural way of China turned into a rather unforgettable night for most of us there-including the numberous Chinese people who took videos and photos.<br />
Anyway, it was one of those times in my life where Wild China definitely struck again. Also I wish I could dance.<br />
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Sorry that I don't have the video myself, but I tried to use my professors. Hopefully this link will work for you all.<br />
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<a href="https://instagram.com/p/3bbPergyqz/?fb_action_ids=10153423635596457&fb_action_types=instapp%3Atake&fb_ref=ogexp&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map=%5B1001726496518488%5D&action_type_map=%5B%22instapp%3Atake%22%5D&action_ref_map=%5B%22ogexp%22%5D" target="_blank">Professor's instagram</a><br />
https://instagram.com/p/3bbPergyqz/?fb_action_ids=10153423635596457&fb_action_types=instapp%3Atake&fb_ref=ogexp&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map=%5B1001726496518488%5D&action_type_map=%5B%22instapp%3Atake%22%5D&action_ref_map=%5B%22ogexp%22%5D<br />
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or try going to my facebook<br />
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https://www.facebook.com/laura.drake.8.Laura Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03227536805852645246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268903947120771564.post-67067834736436812552015-06-07T06:47:00.001-07:002015-06-07T06:47:06.975-07:00A typical day in the life of a pookie living in China.<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
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<li><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; text-align: center;">I spent this first weird week where my body would naturally wake itself up at like 5:30 am. I'm blaming jet lag-or maybe I should be thanking it? It's kind of nice to not need an alarm. Anyway, that phase is over. Apparently I'm all adjusted and back to almost sleeping through my alarm. Now a days I wake up around 7 am and catch the 7:45 am bus to school. The buses here are just as crowded as you may imagine a China bus to be. (That is if you are imagining a can of sardines but with people inside a bus.) Also my breakfast ranges from American cereal which I occasionally have to eat with chopsticks because all of the silverware is dirty to random Chinese fruits. It's the best of both worlds.</span></li>
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<a href="https://scontent-lax1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t34.0-12/11124897_10153846716119989_1381053788_n.jpg?oh=5b39d027aec337c67e22bf2453e328ba&oe=55763B6E" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://scontent-lax1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t34.0-12/11124897_10153846716119989_1381053788_n.jpg?oh=5b39d027aec337c67e22bf2453e328ba&oe=55763B6E" width="320" /></a><a href="https://scontent-lax1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t34.0-12/11124897_10153846716119989_1381053788_n.jpg?oh=5b39d027aec337c67e22bf2453e328ba&oe=55763B6E" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"></span></a>
<li><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The school day is fun. Picture kids in yellow uniforms everywhere, 2 hour lunch breaks where most of the Easter teachers take naps, and school cafeteria food which ranges from delicious steamed buns to pig snouts.<img height="200" src="https://scontent-lax1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t34.0-12/11414540_10153846708234989_1749419907_n.jpg?oh=f9c1402b00403df2dce34017622fd5d7&oe=55764F1E" width="320" /></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Twice a week after school I go play soccer or volleyball in an attempt to not feel lazy and to bond with my fellow teachers. So far I have not quite managed to <u>not</u> end up on the floor during a game (regardless of the sport.) However,that is the end goal. </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Sometimes it's fun to walk home because (if you can survive crazy Chinese traffic. Just kidding Mom! [but really]) the view is beautiful. The sky is either bright blue or pouring buckets of rain on you. Both of which are fine by me. The foliage is a nice shade of green that I'm not sure Utah ever really manages to achieve and is only in Arkansas during the bright points of summer. The route home takes me by a serene lake/pond (?) which has random gazebos out in the middle on islands. Very picturesque and inaccessible. (Trust me, I've tried.) You will also pass a plethora of people outside doing a smorgasbord of random activities such as choreographed dancing, kids running wild ("playing"), some random man doing a trick that can only be an obscure hobby or practice for joining the circus, and people doing tai chi-just to name a few.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Once home the first order of business is either a shower (because the green foliage isn't the only thing China has in common with Arkansas summers) or a trip to the convenience store. The new game I like to play is 'What Can I buy at the corner store for 7 RMB?' (Note: that is about $1.) If I'm feeling really irresponsible I'll splurge and spend 9 RMB for a piece of chocolate cake and a bottle of milk. [If I don't make it back to America it will be because I've decided I i cannot go without flavored milk and easily accessible milk in a glass bottle.] Can you imagine a piece of cake and some milk for the equivalent of $1.50?! I've hit the Chinese jackpot.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">The night generally ends with me trying to convince myself to be productive and lesson plan for the next day or caving into the natural desires of a bibliophile and reading a book while ignoring all responsibilities. On a good night I compromise with myself and alternate productivity with a chapter of reading. Don't worry though-the reading is definitely not hindering my ability to experience China. I still go out and see the sights, explore the city, and eat the cheap, sketchy food. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Hit REPEAT.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Now everyone is as informed as they could possibly want to be about my daily life. </span></div>
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Laura Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03227536805852645246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268903947120771564.post-25424577689614214202015-05-25T02:44:00.000-07:002015-06-02T02:10:08.739-07:00About as separated from my life in Provo that I can get Imagine yourself in communist China casually walking down the street on your way to get some good old as-close-to-American-pizza-you-can-get-without-actually-being-in-America pizza. That's the way my life was headed last Friday night as I was walking with my 7 companions. Sometimes I think it's easier for me to accommodate to the idea of being in China and surrounded by Asians than it is for other Chinese to bee in China surrounded by Asians and see a group of 8 white girls. Based on the stares we get (sometimes double, triple, or even quadruple takes. I didn't even realize a quadruple take was a thing until I came here. It is.)<br />
Anyway, so we're walking down the street because some of the girls are just dying for a familiar slice of pizza. Last week our professor introduced us to a little pizza place called the Giraffe Bakery (why it's called a bakery when it sells pizza is a mystery that will have to be solved later) where we briefly met the owner. He was a friendly man who actually lived in CA for about 10 years and has impressive English skills. (Obviously they don't compare to my Chinese skills....because they are in a completely different league.) <br />
When we finally make it to the restaurant the doors are closed-never a good sign. And then we see a literal sign on the door saying CLOSED which is equally disappointing. So, we did the only thing we could do in that situation. We pressed our noses up against the glass door trying to see if anyone was inside as if that would change the fact that they were closed. Like a magic password, that was actually the perfect thing to do because the owner came and opened up the doors. He talked to us for a minute and then invited us in with the promise of a free drink. (Maybe at this point it sounds sketchy in here, but it wasn't. First of all, there were 8 of us. Second of all, it was him and his staff. It looked like they had just recently finished working. Third of all, it was only like 6 p.m.)<br />
I think he must miss America because he was really nice to us. Even though they were closed he and one of his waiters brought us some milk drink. Drinking randomly free cold milk drinks after walking through the humid streets of China is pretty much heaven. After talking to the owner for a few minutes he told us that the restaurant wasn't simply closed for the night but it was shut down and having to relocate. Turns out we either have really bad timing (it closed about an hour before we came-if even that) or really great timing because we had the whole place to ourselves.<br />
<a href="https://scontent-lax1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xat1/v/t1.0-9/11295609_10153787290739989_4960598869787453628_n.jpg?oh=8c727b12104b7fa2edf6cbf57d539890&oe=560281F1" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://scontent-lax1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xat1/v/t1.0-9/11295609_10153787290739989_4960598869787453628_n.jpg?oh=8c727b12104b7fa2edf6cbf57d539890&oe=560281F1" width="250" /></a> I'm going to go with really good timing because he told us that instead of throwing ingredients out they would give us free food. What followed next was a veritable feast from heaven for poor college students who wandered off the streets of China. He gave us drinks, a salad, three differently flavored pizzas (all of which the girls had been hoping to order before we came), marble cake, and then watermelon juice. It would have cost each of us at least 15 or 20 dollars for all of the food that we ate and he gave it to us for free. Talk about being in the right place at the right time.<br />
With the free food also came free conversation. During the meal the 8 of us were just sharing stories and chatting. Despite the fact that we're all sharing a random life-changing adventure in China together, most of us didn't really know one another before coming to China. After the meal the owner joined us for a bit and talked to us about his life, family, and his job. For those of you not familiar with Chinese government, the spreading of religions is not exactly encouraged. And for those of us here courtesy of BYU we are expressly forbidden from sharing the gospel in China. Apparently someone once passed out a Book of Mormon when they were on a BYU trip here and the trips were suspended for 13 years. Regardless of if this story is accurate or not, we all do our best to share our beliefs through our actions rather than our words. Some times my life seems pretty ridiculous and feels like it should be a sitcom, but this man's life literally needed to be turned into a movie or something. He's so cool.<br />
In the albeit short time that I've been in China, I've never had a harder time resisting the urge to share the gospel with someone. This man told us all about his life. Including how he was running this "bakery" as a cover (yes, he used the word cover) to share the gospel because, according to him "everyone deserves a chance to have God in their lives." The longer we sat there the more we realized exactly how he was accomplishing this. Interspersed with the calming music that is usually playing in restaurants you could occasionally catch a religious song, behind the menus for ordering were pass along cards, and, as it turns out, Giraffe Bakery is code for G.B. which is short for God's Bible. This man had literally decided to devote his life to sharing his gospel and when he sat down and asked all of us to share our own beliefs with him there was a physical tension in the room as we all weighed the desires of sharing during that perfect missionary moment against the knowledge of being expressly asked not to. In a group where over half the girls are returned missionaries you could tell everyone was struggling. <br />
After a pregnant pause, I finally said something along the lines of "we are here representing our school BYU and they have an agreement with the government here that we won't try and share our beliefs with any Chinese nationals." It's hard to say who was more disappointed at that point-us or him. However, that didn't stop him from asking us to pray. Again, we all exchanged unsure glances across the table and then someone asked him if he would pray instead. He even attempted it in English and did a pretty bang up job if I do say so myself. That was not quite enough to distract him however and he asked us to pray again. Eventually we decided that as long as we avoid things like the first discussion in our prayers and talk about what we are grateful for then it should be alright. The interesting part was when he asked all of us to pray. So down the table we went. The 8 of us saying 'amen' and moving onto the next prayer with time for only a quick glance at one another in between one prayer and another.<br />
<a href="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=2713d923ff&view=fimg&th=14d840a6366f32f6&attid=0.3&disp=inline&safe=1&attbid=ANGjdJ_QaGpTBzz3MlUV7jmjPCWJK8Zm0mzSCWZ7btTsHfXEeRxdUg6S6Qvorcbo7PSfvCsyUGpVwjIbQoHSSZ4fg42Afk_Bhxp92dgWa3pGGQdnOeGyMTenLHdBDD8&ats=1432545905880&rm=14d840a6366f32f6&zw&sz=w1896-h815" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Displaying IMG_0489.JPG" aria-hidden="true" border="0" class="aLF-aPX-J1-J3 aLF-aPX-aLK-ayr-auR" height="298" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=2713d923ff&view=fimg&th=14d840a6366f32f6&attid=0.3&disp=inline&safe=1&attbid=ANGjdJ_QaGpTBzz3MlUV7jmjPCWJK8Zm0mzSCWZ7btTsHfXEeRxdUg6S6Qvorcbo7PSfvCsyUGpVwjIbQoHSSZ4fg42Afk_Bhxp92dgWa3pGGQdnOeGyMTenLHdBDD8&ats=1432545905880&rm=14d840a6366f32f6&zw&sz=w1896-h815" width="400" /></a> After spending way more time than we originally anticipated but spending way less money, we decided it was time to continue with the rest of our night. We began to prepare to go and our new friend, Tatao, jokingly mentioned how he would like it if we came to his new restaurant to help out. During our earlier discussion he had asked for opinions on his pizza (which was delicious for the record) and ideas for new recipes he could try. He kind of insinuated that we could come in and teach him (maybe all that time working in Freschetta will pay off?) I don't know what the rest of the girls thought but besides the fact that we owed this man big (figuratively and literally) I thought it would be a fantastic experience.<br />
So if you come to China in the next few months and go to the Giraffe Bakery (newly relocated) you may just see a random white girl in the kitchen introducing fruit pizza to the Chinese people. (Although I suppose if you are reading my blog I wouldn't actually be some random white girl.)<br />
Seriously though, doesn't that sound like quite the opportunity? I think my friend Hattie and I are going to look up some good recipes, send them to him, he's agreed to gather the ingredients, and then we can proceed to kill two birds with one stone. Our opportunities for baking have been severely limited since arriving and now he's offering the use of free ingredients and a nice kitchen in exchange for teaching him new recipes. I never really considered myself domestic before (at least not compared to Chad-stinking Chad always one upping me with cooking) but I'm willing to give it a shot for this experience.<br />
Walking out of that store, we had one last surprise from Tatao. He ran after us as we walked down the street and returned the money we had tried to hide under our plates. Turns out he refused to accept payment. That pretty much sealed the deal. I left him my email and promised myself that I would be back to help out (at least once) with his new restaurant.<br />
Laura Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03227536805852645246noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268903947120771564.post-64857580929296851332015-05-24T23:14:00.002-07:002016-01-11T16:57:54.095-08:00There and Back and There and Back and There and Not Yet Back<br />
If you asked me 5 years ago what I would be doing with my life in 5 years I would not have said 'Wild China-ing it up'. I probably would not have even said 'student teaching in China.' Yet here I am. If there are any important life lessons that I have learned since coming to China it would be these:<br />
1. You will get rained on in China. However, the only days you really need to worry about bringing an umbrella are the days you wear a white shirt.<br />
2. Trying to surf the bus is much harder than trying to surf the subway. (For anyone who is confused by that I simply mean riding without holding onto anything.) My recommendation would be to avoid attempting this feat when it is late and you are tired or when you are carrying groceries home.<br />
3. Looks can be deceiving. What may look like an innocent, tempting, and delicious bottle of milk may, in fact, not be.<br />
4. No matter how many times you remind yourself to grab toilet paper before walking into the bathroom stall there will still be times when you forget it and regret it.<br />
5. Remember that the light switches are outside of all the rooms they are actually for.<br />
6. Drying your clothes the natural way is a great way to stiffen them up a bit! That or grab some starch for your clothes in until they can stand on their own-the effect is similar.<br />
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As you can see from these little nuggets of China gold I've learned, these last 3 weeks have not been wasted on me.<br />
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Anyway, I've officially been in China for 3 weeks now (I'm sorry I haven't blogged before. Internet is anti-Laura at the best of times, and China, sadly, is not the best of times) and I can confidently say that the clumsiest or unluckiest thing I've done is ALMOST wipe out in front of a class of 2nd graders. China is so fantastic. There are some obvious accommodations I had to make when I moved here. I made a list of similarities.<br />
China and Arkansas: A completely comprehensive list of similarities and differences based on one person's experience of 21 days in a new country<br />
<ul>
<li>Similarities: </li>
<ul>
<li>mosquitoes up the wazoo</li>
<li>fantastic thunderstorms</li>
<li>humidity</li>
<li>it's a great place to avoid people and read books in bed (or anywhere really)</li>
<li>friendly people</li>
<li>GREEN</li>
</ul>
<li>Differences:</li>
<ul>
<li>China is...</li>
<ul>
<li>huge and full of people</li>
<li>also full of squat toilets</li>
<li>skyscrapers are a thing here</li>
<li>lots of Asians are also here</li>
<li>I feel illiterate here</li>
<li>kids have adorable school uniforms</li>
<li>there's actually free public transportation (within my community)</li>
<li>rice (on the daily)</li>
<li>things are cheap</li>
<li>I can travel 2 hours by ferry and be in a different country</li>
</ul>
<li>Arkansas...</li>
<ul>
<li>smaller</li>
<li>full of English speaking people</li>
<li>not a terrifying place to drive a car (which I actually have in America)</li>
<li>grocery shopping is easy because I can read what I'm buying</li>
<li>I can drink any and all the water I want</li>
<li>I can read </li>
</ul>
</ul>
</ul>
I've also started collecting a list of bad or funny English in China. It's one of my favorite past times.<br />
*My very first day here I saw a sign that said "Milks and beans are daily routines." Loved it.<br />
*Or the welcome sign in Hong Kong that says "Wellcome." Seems more like "Well, come on in!"<br />
*The shop that is simply called "The Delicious Food Shop." (They seem smarter than the owners of the Awful Waffle. Just saying.)<br />
*This bread package "Enjoy. Don't forget the things you once you owned. Treasure the things you can't get." (And while you're at it also covet everyone else's things.)<br />
*Finally, the t-shirt that said "Just smile! Lovely Dog"<br />
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If you know me then you know I love foggy days so this weather was perfect for me! (If you don't know me then why are you reading this blog?) This is when we visited the BIG Buddha in Hong Kong. The stairs were nice and long so it almost felt like being back at BYU again and climbing the stairs by the RB. Ah the memories. </div>
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I also found Batman in Hong Kong. We bonded. It was great.<br />
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Here's the Hong Kong temple. It was beautiful and the perfect start to our morning.<br />
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This is the view from Victoria Peak.<br />
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<a href="https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xta1/v/t34.0-12/11225489_10153790231499989_719154882_n.jpg?oh=ccc7b44ffcd346ea029b356edbecc00b&oe=55A5FC75" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="_4-od" data-reactid=".8i.0.0.1.1" height="200" src="https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xta1/v/t34.0-12/11225489_10153790231499989_719154882_n.jpg?oh=ccc7b44ffcd346ea029b356edbecc00b&oe=55A5FC75" width="320" /></a> <span style="text-align: center;">Just casually taking a ferry from one island of Hong Kong to the other. It's normal to travel by boat (apparently.) I've been missing out in life. Cars are so over rated.</span><br />
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Aunt Jan and I just met up in Hong Kong. NO BIG DEAL. (Totally was a big deal. Or in the words of Remi "A B.D.") We got foot massages together and these two ladies were so friendly and talked to us the whole time. <br />
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This is Hattie. Turns out she is my adventure buddy. I can always count on her to randomly do things with me. It was around 9 at night and the other 6 girls were like 'we're going out shopping' and we're like 'uhh no more. We're tired.' But then we decided we really weren't that tired and the only thing to do at that point was to hop on a ferry to the other island, ride on this glowing blue ferris wheel, and share that special moment together with the couple across from us. (Have I ever mentioned that I LOVE ferris wheels?)<br />
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Again, I'm really sorry it took me a month to post this blog. Expect a few more this week now that I can finally post the ones I've had hanging out waiting for pictures. Laura Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03227536805852645246noreply@blogger.com1