Nagashima Spa Land

A few months ago, I had seen a photo of an amazing light tunnel in Japan on the Internet. The article said it was on some island, and I didn't think anything of it until much later. When we found out that some Nara JETs were organising a trip there, we knew we needed to go. The illuminations are actually right next to Nagashima Spa Land which is a giant Onsen resort and a theme park. The theme park is a nice size, and with big rides. Record holding rides. However, the rest of it looks a little like a state fair ground, so it was kind of weird. I loved all the big rides, and given that it was the middle of Januart,pay, it was completely empty, so very rarely did we have to wait in line very long!

Love in Tennoji Zoo

We love illuminations, and in most Western countries, we turn off and take the lights down in January. In Japan, however, lights are up until January, or March. The Tennoji Zoo, which is a small zoo in Osaka city, had lights on, and it was the very last night. So of course, down we went. They had a beautiful multicoloured light tunnel, but the best photos we took, weren't of the giant lit giraffe, or the different glow in the dark penguins, but were instead these cool shots, in front of a wall covered in lights. We set the camera on the wall, and took lots of these funny shots!We were there right before it closed, so it was nice and empty, and perfect for silly shots!

Back in Japan, Back in Nara

It wasn't long before I was back in Fukuoka, in a hotel and heading home to Hagi the next morning. I was shattered, and slept lots. But once work started, I got a little homesick, and I headed north to see Josh. It would be our first time since we had been engaged to just spend time together alone. As usual, we went to Nara Park and fed the deer. They were a little scary, as they hadn't been fed, and chased us a little, as well as making odd, horror movie type calls!

Leaving again

I always cry like a baby when I have to leave America. Usually loudly, and in a public place like an airport. The day before I left, Mummy, Daddy and Shelby left to go home to England. Well, I think they were all on different planes, but either way, they were headed away. I was so sad, especially because I never get to see Shelby. Daddy and Mummy have both been twice to visit me in Japan, but Shelby has only been able to visit once. I miss her so badly. Papa took these really nice photos of our family in front of Grandma's amazingly beauiful Christmas tree. I love that tree so much. It takes her a lot of work, and next year, she bought a new Christmas tree to use. So now we have a memory of us all together and that tree at Christmas in 2012.

Me and my Ring

We got a few more days in Auburn, after leaving Ann Arbor. I hate the last few days in America, it's all rushed and it always seems like I havent been there long enough. I suppose it never is long enough! I hadn't taken any photos of my beautiful engagement ring, so I knew I needed to have some! These were taken in the mirror, so they look like I'm wearing it on the wrong hand! But I certainly am not, as I have wanted my whole life to have a ring on my left ring finger. Josh got the perfect ring, exactly what I had mentioned that I would like, and lovely and sparkly. I never take it off, and sometimes I catch myself just staring at it in awe! I love my ring because its a nice modern cut, with a modern ring, but a very traditional raised setting. I wasn't ready to have any pictures of my hands until my nails looked nice! I was lucky enough that Mary booked us all in to get Shellac Manicures late one evening after shopping at Whole Foods. I get lots of compliments on my ring all the time, but I don't even care what people thing - I love it and Josh so, so much!

The three of us

Usually we get dressed up and go out for New Year's, so last year we all bought sparkly dresses and high heels. This year, we had none of that, and had a much more casual affair, watching TV and such, so I had to get a photo of us three to commemorate it!

Let the lights shine

Over the past few months, I have become a little addicted to Pintrest. It is full of nice little projects, nice food recipies, and lots of wedding inspiration boards. I love some of the photos that people have taken on there, and I enjoy trying to replicate them....so, the day after Christmas, I bought a double string of White Christmas lights on white wire. I was hoping it would make some pretty photos. For Christmas I got a lovely black watch plaid skirt from Abercrombie, and Mummy had found Josh a matching shirt, so he was such a sport and put it on for the photos. He was such a good sport for the photos. He really always is, and I reminded him that matching couples outfits are so in in Asia! We would be super adorable! But I got Mummy to man the camera, and it was very dark, but she still managed to get some really cute photos of the two of us together! I was super sad that soon he was going to have to head back to Florida, and I would be saying difficult goodbyes in Michigan, but very quickly we would be back in Japan together!