Lights, Camera, Action....

The infamous picture.... These young girls kept following Jaron trying to get his attention. When he finally noticed, we asked them to take a picture with him. Needless to say, I think he was in heaven.....


Jace sliding through the nostril of Buddha. This hole is the size of the nostril of the 30 foot buddha within the temple. The theory is if you can fit through the nostril of buddha you will be guaranteed a place in Paradise. Jace and Jaron got through without a problem of course.


Tohdai-Ji Temple in Nara. This is the largest Wooden structure in Japan. Home to the largest statue of Buddha I have ever seen.



The Golden Palace. This Buddhist Temple is truly breathtaking.




The boys at Nijo Castle....

One of the gardens at Nijo Castle.

Pictures, Pictures, Pictures.....

Nijo Castle in Kyoto. This is a castle of an ancient shogun. It was so huge, and amazingly fortified. It was something to see.



My beautiful little pack mule. Jaron was actually carrying all four of our packs all evening. That has to be 50 pounds of stuff!

On one of what locals called our "days at leisure" we took the train to Takayama. It is a quaint little town nestled in the crook of a mountain. Now this is where you visit if you want to see how it really is to live here. Not a lot of tourist activity.

Now this is my kind of homestead. Look at all the rice growing.


Drying rice after it has been cut.















Jace and I at Mt. Fuji. And it rained, and rained, and rained. It wasn't bad though, we expected lots of rain and only had two days.

Tokyo to Kyoto

In Tokyo we visited the East Garden of the Imperial Palace, Shinto Shrines, Buddhist Temples, and the city itself. It was so fun to see the amazement in the boys faces and their eyes shining as they took it all in.

On Sunday we had a tour scheduled for Mt Fuji. Sunday morning we woke up to a very cloudy sky and some rain. We were also checking out of Tokyo and moving onto Kyoto by train after the tour up Mt. Fuji. This was the funniest day. The tour was great fun but it was so cloudy you couldn't see a thing. By the time we got part of the way up the mountain we were in the mists. I am sure it is a beautiful tour when their isn't rain. You had to see it to believe it. It was so humid and so wet. But the drive to the mountain was amazingly beautiful. Our only regret was that we couldn't stop to take pictures of the tiered rice farms and countryside. We decided someday we will have to come back to actually see Mt. Fuji and take those pictures, rain or not!

The rest of the trip we were in Kyoto Japan. It was nice to have a home base and a city that dates back to 1100 AD is a great place to do it. Kyoto used to be the capital city of Japan for many dynasties so their are many castles, shrines, and temples to visit. Right outside our hotel door was a Shinto shrine that was amazingly large. I can't even begin to describe this city. The pictures that follow will have to do it for me....

Kyoto was also where our trip took an interesting turn of events. Jaron had his passport, rail pass, and a little money stolen off the tour bus on one of our tours. He was so disappointed. If this is going to happen anywhere, Japan is the only place. First stop the police station... Second Stop.... The United States Consulate in Osaka Japan.... Third stop, get a new picture taken at a local camera shop... Fourth Stop, United States Consulate.... Wait many hours, last stop, United States Consulate to pick up Jaron's new temporary passport. It didn't turn out to be as big a deal as we expected, just cost a lot of extra money. The rail pass ended up costing us the most as it couldn't be replaced. From that point on in the tour, we were paying cash for Jaron's tickets. Jaron is still sad he lost his original passport because he lost his entrance stamp into the country. He is so funny.

More Tokyo....

Jace on a Ferry in Tokyo Bay. We only spent 2 days in Tokyo but it was a great place to start the trip. With the mixture of the old and the new we were able to tour and vacation at the same time. If you want to see Tokyo's Rodeo Drive just go to the Ginza District. If you want to feel like you stepped back in time, go to the Imperial Palace Gardens. The kids loved it.





A crowded Buddhist Temple.












The boys learning at a Shinto Shrine.















In the Gardens of the Imperial palace in Tokyo. It was beautiful. All the Japanese gardens are amazing. It is green, peaceful... and humid. I love how the train the trees and cut in the shapes. It really is breathtaking.

Tokyo

Jaron had to take a picture of McDonalds in Tokyo.

Flying with teenagers....

On the way to Japan the boys and I had to fly from Phoenix to Atlanta on the red eye. The boys were so excited they didn't understand the meaning of the red eye. We didn't go to the airport until 9:00 p.m. and our plane took off at 11:55 p.m. Of course, the boys are too excited to sleep much so they played their PSP's, read books, chatted. Jaron did fall asleep for a few hours when it was almost time to land. We landed at 5:30 a.m. Atlanta time after only 3.5 hours in the air. We didn't take off for Narita Airport in Tokyo Japan until 10:00 Atlanta time. The boys ate breakfast and made them a nice little bed on the floor of the airport. Jaron by this time is really starting to feel the affects of no sleep but they were both too cold to sleep. Mom relented and bought them each a little blanket at the airport. Then they were able to sleep.

When we boarded the plane in Atlanta the boys were mesmerized. This is the first time they have flown on a 747 jumbo jet. They loved the little personal movie screens at each seat as well as the slightly larger leg room. We had a 13.30 hour flight to Narita, flying from Atlanta, up and over Alaska, down into Japan. It was a long flight. Jaces PSP battery died before the day was over but we did have 6 movies to watch on the way over on the personal movie players. And Jaron was able to sleep. I was a bed for Jaron all the way there, meaning he was laying on my lap. For those who haven't seen him lately, Jaron has just surpassed me in height in the last month. He is as big as I am so being his pillow wasn't very comfortable for me. Therefore I didn't get much sleep and of course, finished two books I had brought with me on the way.

We arrived in Japan at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, September 15th. It only took us 30 minutes to get through customs. We then boarded an airport shuttle to the hotel. Narita airport was about a 2 hour drive from the hotel, by the time the shuttle stopped at all the other hotels first, but it was a nice drive. I loved all the little farms with slopped roofs and rice fields all around. This is when you know you are in a different country. Jaron loved all the billboards with the anime characters he and Jace were familiar with. All the traffic signs and billboards are in Japanese so we can only guess what they were staying.

When we arrived at the hotel, Jay was waiting for us out front by the bell hops. It was so good to see him and that he waited for us in front was sweet. We unpacked our luggage then took a stroll around Tokyo. School was getting out so we passed a lot of students in uniforms and restaurants. Of course, we also past a 7'11, McDonalds, Starbucks, and Circle K as well. Even with the menus in Japanese, seeing these familiar places makes you immediately more relaxed. We had dinner at a restaurant the served Japanese fare. We couldn't read the menu, and the staff didn't speak english so we had to order by picture. We found that most Japanese can't speak english but can read it. The food was excellent but being full made us realize we were tired. We went back to the hotel so the boys and I could crash. And Crash I did......

Home Sweet Home

We are finally back from Japan and there is something to be said about being home. We had an exceptional time in Japan. It was beautiful, educational, interesting, exotic, and just downright fun. Anyone with the opportunity to visit this country should do it. Just the longevity of the culture and architecture is a testiment to the people. It was amazing but....

..... home is still home. I will post on the blog what we did as well as pictures over the next few days but I did want post that we were home. Now we just need a vacation from our vacation! :)

And away we go.....

The boys and I leave today to meet Jay is Japan. It is 11:33 pm Wednesday night there right now (7:33am PST). It is always interesting when Jay leaves for a business trip. The boys and I do all the things we normally do but I still miss Jay.

Jay and I celebrated our 19th wedding anniversary last month. 19 years - wow.... He is often reminding me that since we dated for 4 years before we married that I have been with him longer than I was on my own. It is interesting that we still have so much fun together. When you truly find you better half, life has a lot more meaning and joy.

As we get ready to hit the skies, I ask of you all.... wish me luck. 19 hours in the air with an overactive 13 year old. Here we go!

And the winner is:

September 11th, Flying, and Staying Home

Yesterday was September 11th, 2006. Of course, it was also the 5 year anniversary of the tragedy. I did my best to not think about it yesterday, as best I could with all the media coverage.... I remember where I was, what I did, how I felt... But my husband was in the air yesterday for 16 hours. He was on a plane headed to Osaka Japan. I really tried not to think about what happened to the passengers on the planes.

He finally called this morning at 6:45 a.m. I was glad to hear from him as I expected him to call at 1:00 a.m. when he arrived at the hotel. He went to a baseball game. (hee hee hee). Since he was a day late he had missed the first day of meetings but they all had tickets to a baseball game that night. He wasn't going to miss the baseball game too. He said he loved it! The fans really get into their baseball in Japan.

World-Weary Travelers

Being the world travelers that we are, you think we would know better. Jay left for Japan Sunday morning. We just pittered around the house being as it was Sunday the roads weren't going to be crowded. Well, we pittered a little too long and by the time we got to the airport, Jay only had 20 minutes til his flight left. Due to new airport regulations, he had to check his luggage and get on the plane. Needless to say, he missed it... A bad thing you would think? Well, not so bad. After running from terminal to terminal to get it straightened out he was on another flight out that landed 10 minutes later than his original. Only problem, his original flight hasn't taken off --- Mechanical problems. His new flight was also grounded (weather delay in San Francisco). Jay did finally get to San Francisco but his compadre's from Valley Metro (who made the original flight) did not. They all went home. So here is Jay in San Francisco, alone, with 10 minutes to make his international flight.

He did make the gate for his international flight but the doors were shut and the plane was backing away from the gate. Of course, they wouldn't bring the plane back..... "The plane, the plane" even though he could see it. So here he sits in San Francisco and the next flight out to Osaka is this same flight on Monday morning. The bad news: he will miss his first full day of business in Osaka Japan. The good news: he gets to hang out in San Francisco over night at the airlines expense. Or is that bad news!

Jay got out of San Francisco at 12:00 p.m. pacific time. He was at the airport 3 hours early to make sure he didn't miss the flight. (hee hee hee) The boys, the dog, the cats, the fish, and I are holding the fort at home. Lots to do, but alas we don't feel like doing any of it.

Do you ever just need a great laugh?

I needed a great laugh today, a friend sent me this email. I have no idea who put it together but whoever you are, THANK YOU!

Just in case you were wondering...

Why God made Mothers

BRILLIANT answers given by 2nd grade school children to the following questions!

Why did God make mothers?
1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.
2. Mostly to clean the house.
3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.

How did God make mothers ?
1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.
3. God made my mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts.

What ingredients are mothers made of?
1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.
2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.

Why did God give you Your mother & not some other mom?
1. We're related
2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's moms like me.

What kind of little girl was your mom?
1. My mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.
2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.
3. They say she used to be nice.

What did mom need to know about dad before she married him?
1. His last name.
2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?
3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?

Why did your mom marry your dad?
1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my Mom eats a lot.
2. She got too old to do anything else with him.
3. My grandma says that Mom didn't have her thinking cap on.

Who's the boss at your house?
1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goofball.
2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.
3. I guess Mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.

What's the difference between moms and dads?
1. Moms work at work and work at home and dads just go to work at work.
2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.
3. Dads are taller and stronger, but moms have all the real power 'cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friend's.
4. Moms have magic. They make you feel better without medicine.

What does your mom do in her spare time?
1. Mothers don't do spare time.
2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.

What would it take to make your mom perfect?
1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.
2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd diet, maybe blue.

If you could change one thing about your Mom, what would it be?
1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.
2. I'd make my Mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it and not me.
3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.

Time goes by.....

Time is an interesting thing.... It goes by so fast or so slow, depending on your frame of reference, or future endeavors. I can't believe it is September already, let alone the 7th of September already. Last week seemed to drag but then the long weekend went by too fast. Now I think I have only a week to get so much done. It is fascinating how that works.

With the holiday we had planned on going wakeboarding but no one felt like it when Labor Day rolled around. We decided to organize closets instead. I have two boys, only two.... but we gave to charity 4 large black trash bags full of clothes. It is amazing how fast time goes by, and how fast they grow. The boys are doing so well, growing up to be great young men. But I really want to convince them to slow down time. It they don't grow up so fast then maybe I won't grow older so fast.

Home is truly where the heart is!

Did I mention I hate planes? I love coming home on one though... Anytime I am coming home I love to be on a plane. Don't mind the elbows in my kidneys, the knees crushed by the passenger in front of me or the baggage around me. I am going home and that is all that matters. It could be much worse, I could be getting home on one of these....

I have actually flown in a hot aire balloon before. Jay took me up for one of our anniversaries. It is fun, not scary to the one afraid of heights (ME) because you have very little sense of movement. But you don't get where you are going very fast. I will take a plane anyday. Doesn't matter than I have to check my luggage now, or that they put you though two security screens (the first of which I was told to hold my dress down so the whoosh of air didn't cause a scandal), or that landing in Arizona in the summer is always bumpy because of the waves of heat rising off the ground. It is all good. I am home.