Finally...

Some pictures from Dave's first deployment! Yaaay!

Dave took the nice camera to Iwo Jima this weekend. So I took the opportunity to upload the photos from the "pocket" camera, which Dave took with him on deployment. Unfortunately, there weren't many photos.



Iwo Jima.



Dave's view flying




Obligatory self portrait





Fellow JO (Junior Officer) golfing off the back of the carrier... Dave couldn't golf because no one brought left handed clubs... I see a future gift in the making...




View from their hotel suite in Singapore. Unfortunately, this was basically the only photo from Singapore because the battery died, and Dave had left the charger onboard the ship.



Wine that finally made its way back to us! Dave could bring up to three bottles of wine on to the boat from Australia. Unfortunately, it was confiscated, and saved until they returned. They took each bottle, carefully wrapped it in duct tape, and legibly wrote the name of the shipmate. When they returned to port in Yokohama, the guy who had only the wine was only available to pick up wine from 0700-0800 each morning. What great hours... regardless, it's great that the wine made it back to us, especially since they're from Dave and I's favorite vineyard.....

Sumo in Tokyo

More Kyoto

Shinkan-sen photos - Dave was as excited as Sam to ride it and photograph it.




My favorite, Nijo Castle!!




Kinkaku-ji Temple - The Golden Pavillion




Dave enjoying a Kinkakuji treat. It was red bean paste (sweet) with a single salted soy bean inside. It has real gold on the outside and is the official snack of the Golden Pavillion.



Kiyomizu water fountain. The three different streams represent three different things: (Right to Left) Good Luck in Study, Good Luck in Love, Good Luck in Long Life. Most students drank from Study to assist in their up coming exams.





Dave drinking from Kiyomizu Temple's special water. Dave chose Long Life. I chose Long Life too, since I'd already found Love and graduated from University.



Me and my Nija husband!



Maiko photo: )




The best part about Kiyomizu were our guides. As we were walking up to the temple, four japanese students asked us if they could practice English with us and give us a tour of the temple. They were univeristy students from Tokyo. They were in an club where they practice English by giving tours of tourist spots. We didn't take many pictures because we were so involved with them. This was our group picture at the end. They wanted to pose as "BOLT"... we also posed as James Bond. Haha.


Waiting for our departing train, we ate at Very Berry - little restaurant that sold all sorts of fruit-based pies. Delish!

Kyoto Vacation

A few pictures from the highlight of our visit to the ancient capital city of Kyoto. Dave and I found a place to dress up as a Maiko (a Geisha in training) and a Samurai. It was kind of expensive, but it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and a great souvenir.



Kneeling with a fan.




Iconic red parasol in hand.




I got to choose my kimono. Obviously I would choose some variation on pink. Dave helped choose the Obi - the blue and gold tie-around section. There are multiple layers, many ties, and it's rather uncomfortable, and hot, I would imagine, in the summer time. Unfortunately we didn't get to walk around outside because it was raining.




Dave as a Samurai. This is the only picture he would let me put on the internet. :)

Remiss

Hello friends. I apologize for my lack of attention to the blog. However, with Dave safely home now, I's rather spend time with him! Also, we just purchased a new computer, an iMac, so I'm learning the Apple way of life....

This week dave has been spoiled with a 3 day work week. Luckily for him, we've taken leave for the upcoming week. I've pawned off classes, he's not allowed to go anywhere near the squadron. We'll be spending two-nights-three-days in the old capital city of Kyoto, attempting to climb Mt. Fuji, participating in a Yokohama baseball game, and attending a Sumo tournament in Tokyo. We'll be sure to bring the camera.

Love to all,
Annie AND Dave!