Japan Trip - Part 2

On the second half of our trip we explored Japan a lot! I wanted to try some of the traditional Japanese food (besides sushi, because that's nasty). So Brian took me to Ra-Ra-Ramen. It is delicious if you ever go to Japan you must go to a Ramen place. They do not taste like the cheap stuff from the store. It is so good! Here is a picture of the food we got there and the outside of the building.

 

The 100 yen shop is a fun store. It is just like an American dollar store. There were some fun stuff in there. We also went to the Toys r Us because I worked there for years so I wanted to see what a Japanese one looked like!

 

We also went to Baskin Robbins because I LOVE ice cream and it is something that we have always done together. Because he won't admit it but he loves it just as much as me.

 

Then we went to Nagasaki and visited the atomic bomb museum. It was fascinating. Although very sad. Many lives were lost that day and they pretty much had to rebuild the entire city. I learned a lot at the museum. We also went to the mall there and it had a ferris wheel on top that we had to ride on!

  

We went to the biopark which is about 40 minutes from base! It is like an interactive zoo! There is tons of animals there. Kangaroos, monkeys, raccoons, flamingos, parrots, and so many more. But our favorite was the monkeys. You got to go in their enclosure and feed them. When you put yen in the vending machine they heard it and jumped on to you. It was fun after the first initial shock. I was terrified at first but brian tricked me so then it wasn't too bad. We hung out at the biopark basically one whole day and enjoyed every minute of it!

   




While I was there we celebrated the 4th of July and it was the first time in 4 years that the US opened the base to the Japanese. It was really fun they had a parade, carnival games, and a ship tour! I really liked the ship tour because even though it wasn't Brian's ship it showed me what his life is life living on the ship! There was tons of food, fireworks, and even a concert from a Bon Jovi Tribute band! It was funny to me what the Japanese found interesting. They have a taco bell, popeye's, Duncan donuts, and McDonalds on base and the line for those food places was like over a 45 minute wait. We got different food that tasted way better!

 

Right when I was getting ready to leave we got word that there was supposed to be a HUGE Typhoon heading our way. They said it was supposed to be a category 4! So they shut the base down the day of the storm (which happened to be the day I was supposed to leave) and we went into preparation mode. I went and got supplies at the commissary mostly food and water and Brian got to be off work and stay with me and we hung out in our little hotel room and waited for the storm...... well it never came. It rained hard and got a little windy but we were blessed that because of our location we did not get hit bad with it. I enjoyed those few extra days in that hotel room. When it came time to go I of course was not ready! I hate leaving my husband so bad! But we have to do what we have to do! I am so grateful to be able to spend time over there and explore where he lives. The plan is right now that I will be living there off and on over the next year so we can spend more time together so we shall see! Here are a few pictures right before we left!
 

XOXO
Kelsey

Japan Trip! Part 1- arriving

After 6 long months of being apart I finally got to take a trip to Japan to see Brian! I was so nervous and excited to go! It seriously feels like the longest day ever but in the end it was worth it.



This was the sign he showed up to the airport with :) he was so cute standing there and I was so happy to finally be done traveling and of course seeing him too! It had been 167 days and that is longer than anyone should be apart from their spouse!!!! After he picked me up at the airport we went to the hotel to get some food and sleep! I wish I would've taken a picture of the room it was so small! It was about the size of 2 bathrooms in a US hotel room!

 

This was the first picture of us being reunited. We went out the next day to explore Fukuoka. It is the 3rd largest city in Japan and it is the closest big airport to the base! This is a picture of donuts! The food is really good there but very different. the donuts were less cakey than they are here in the states and way more chewy! After breakfast Brian took me around to see some neat Japanese stuff. Like statues, shrines, and just all the different things in Japan.



Japan has amazing history and the buildings are all amazing especially the shrines!



The orange shrine was probably my favorite, I thought the lily pads were so pretty there at that shrine as well. We spent a second night in Fukuoka and then headed off the next morning to the base.

If you ever go to japan or im guessing anywhere overseas be prepared for it to take DAYS to get adjusted to the time difference. For about the first 5 days I seriously woke up at 5 am, but then by 4pm I was over ready for a nap.

Anyway, the drive to Sasebo was gorgeous, Japan is very green! I would not want to drive there though it looked really crazy! Once there we checked in to the Navy Lodge hotel where we would be staying the next 3 weeks. It was really nice. Had a king bed with a kitchen and stuff to cook and everything.

That night we went to Chili's on base and then to the commissary to get some groceries so I could cook! While I was there Brian had to work 4 days a week so every morning we got up a little before 6 and I made breakfast while he got ready for work and left. While he was at work I called home, did laundry, went exploring, or just did anything to feel the time!

The first night I was there we went to a movie and he introduced me to my favorite part of Japan (besides him of course). MELON SODA! I do not know why we don't have it here but it was so yummy! I drank it all the time and in fact he has sent me some in the mail while I have been home.


I'm going to split this trip up in a few different parts so I don't bore you if anyone is in fact reading this haha.

xoxo,
Kelsey

Japan!

 

On January 3, 2014 I dropped Brian off at the Salt Lake City airport and said see you later for the next 6 months! He was off to start an exciting new adventure in Japan!

 

We did not think it was going to be easy, actually after I dropped him off I honestly didn't know how the next few months were going to play out. But I wanted to support him and this is what he wanted to do so that's what I did. Supported him from 6,000+ miles away.

 

 

For those of you who don't know it takes approximately 24 hours to get from Idaho/utah to the Sasebo Navy base. The next day he called and told me he made it safe and he was going to try to figure out everything.

 

When he first got there he only had his cell phone from the states so he could only text me or contact me when he was connected to WiFi. It seemed like those first few weeks we barely talked. I was worried that this is how it was always going to be! But then he lost his phone on a bus so we decided to get him a Japanese cell phone which look just like ours but they just get service in Japan. With that phone he was able to contact me daily as much as he could.

 

Since he went in the Navy as an undesignated Airman he just got stuck somewhere in the Air Department. So he is with the fuelies that fuel the aircraft when they come on board.

 

In February he left for his first underway. I was really nervous about this because from what I heard there would be limited to no communication. I was surprised that he contacted me as often as he could. And while we didn't get to talk everyday it was nice to know he was ok. I would get random texts  & emails in the middle of the night and even a few phone calls.

 

When they were in port he actually got to Skype me one time which was really cool! They were on that underway until May. During this underway he had to do something called "cranking" which is helping the kitchen staff out. Most people only do this one time. He did garbage for 3 long months. He said it was so draining and tiring. While they are underway the guys can work anywhere from 9-16 hours in one day! So there is very limited free time!

 

He was so excited to be back at shore and not in the middle of the ocean anymore once they returned. I was so excited to get our daily communication back :)

 

Our Wedding!

On December 20, 2013 I went to Salt Lake City to pick brian up from the airport for our wedding that would happen less than 48 hours later. It took a lot to get him here on his leave and it almost didn't happen. I was so excited to see him and extremely excited that we were about to be married! We stayed the night in Salt Lake that night because he got in pretty late and the roads were horrible. The next day we had a lot to do to get ready for the wedding. We had to pick up the arch, get our rings cleaned, have brian sign the marriage license, and get ready for the rehearsal dinner! My grandma hosted our rehearsal dinner and made my favorite tacos! We did it at Journey church in Shelley with our amazing pastor Roger. My wedding planner Carmen and all our friends and family were there. I remember this is the first time I actually felt excited and ready for the wedding to happen!



We were so excited to see each other and spend time together if you can't tell from the pictures :)

The next morning we decided we wanted to relax and not freak out and stress about the wedding . So we woke up and had coffee and breakfast then we packed up and headed to the hotel to start getting ready for the big night! We had a rehearsal with everyone one more time and then I was off to hair and make up. A huge thanks to Tenille and Kathryn for making me look and feel beautiful!



We decided we wanted to do all the pictures before the ceremony so there would be less confusion. So because of that we did a "first look" so it is set up so he can still be surprised when he saw me in my dress. It was the best decision. I  liked how private and intimate it was. I also loved the look on his face. The following our the first look pictures.



I felt so pretty in my dress but his reaction made me feel even better! I felt so lucky to marry him! Here are a few pictures from the before wedding shoot.

 


 Love this elevator shot! One of my favs!






And then it was time for the ceremony! We got married at the Hilton Garden Hotel in Idaho Falls at 7pm and it was absolutely gorgeous!







All my best friends that came to my wedding!

Then it was reception time! Our first dance was to Jake Owen - I'll go anywhere with you!


My daddy daughter dance was to he didn't have to be by Brad Pasley.



Mother son dance was to I love you this big by scotty mccreery.





I did a little girl bouquet toss as well as a bigger girl one :)


The garder toss



Cutting the cake




It was seriously the best day of my life. I cannot imagine spending forever with anyone else. I love you Brian!