The start to summer vacation

I am enjoying my summer vacation to the fullest. For my own sanity and because financially I can do it, I am taking the next 2.5 months off from work!
I strategized so that I would finish up the contract with my old ISE job at the end of May, but not start the new job until the middle of August. So with job security- I still have paychecks coming in from ISE, I have the peace of mind to enjoy my time off.


Living in a Social Apartment has many benefits- one of being a great group of friends to go hiking and exploring with!
Countries represented: Germany, US, Hong Kong and Japan.

Katy and I have been exploring some of the more 'off the beaten path' locations around Kanagawa prefecture. We discovered this lovely garden in Yokohama in the throws of lush greenery. We are excited to view it again in its autumn glory later in the year.

We saw several wedding photo shoots, enjoyed some frozen yogurt, meandered through the small stone paths, across streams and around the central lake. One of the larger Japanese gardens I have been to.

 


To commemorate the end of my time at ISE, I invited all coworkers- past and present to a dinner out at a fusion restaurant. The turn out was great and the company entertaining. My coworkers are the reason I stayed on at my job for so long. As frustrated as we got by the management of the company, the camaraderie and friendships I forged by a whole bunch of like-minded people was great! We range in ages from 23-45, and nationalities from: UK, Ireland, Croatia, Lebanon, Puerto Rico, Canada, South Korea, US (Florida, Ohio, Iowa, Washington, Texas, Illinois, and California).

On Sunday, Katy and I explored Manazuru- a peninsula about 2 hours by train from my apartment (heading southwest). As in typical Japanese fashion, nothing more than a few train station destinations and you can pretty much guarantee yourself access to anywhere. We decided to walk from the station out to the ocean, and then along the coast line (about 3.5 km)to the furthest point where at low tide there were rock formations to explore (following photos). All told we walked about 15 km- thank you fitbit :)

Discovering the rocky coast line- and a small collection of scuba divers, snorklers, BBQers, fishermen, collectors (either crabs or other small sea-creatures among the rocks) and beach-goers

The steep rocky cliffs around the peninsula!

The 3-rock formation at the furthest point. (We walked along the rocks all the way out to under the rope. (I scrambled about on top of those high rocks too)

A relaxing foot-spa after our long day. 9 different pools with differing surfaces to relax the feet. Each surface was for a different body part or feeling (good sight, skin, happiness...)

On a different day, I spent the morning making pottery at a 2-hour pottery class with girls from my apartment (Maiko and Olivia). Later that day we went out for kakigori- shaved ice. It felt good to make something by hand- even if it did not turn out anywhere near to what I had initially planned!

That night Katy and I joined up with 2 of my friends from Crossfit- Barbara, and Teneal and we had a wonderful girls night out in Roppongi (central Tokyo). The giggles began long before we finished the 2 bottles of wine, and with the summer nights being such a wonderful temp- we enjoyed outdoor dining and after dinner drinks at a pub.

Heres to more adventures. I've got just under a week before I head off to Vietnam and Cambodia with Mom!

Fuji-Q Highland...Roller Coaster Amusement park

About 100 minutes by bus from my apartment is the base of Mount Fuji. Also at this location is the most intense roller coaster amusement park I have ever experienced! More thrills, and shrills that were on the brink of too intense.














These coasters are not for the faint of heart! Right out of the gates we started with FUJIYAMA- boasting a world-class maximum drop of 70 m. So after you are strapped in-with just a seatbelt and lap-bar, you inch your way up 230 feet above the park and then its down you go at lightning speed. Nothing goes upside down on this coaster, but you do go side-ways and drop several times, and its bone-jarring and headache inducing...sounds fun, right?!



Coaster number 2: TAKABISHA, this one boasts the steepest drop with a 121 degree free-fall. The first part of this ride jets you off in the dark, so you have no idea what to expect. Half way through you are lying on your back as you make a completely vertical ascent to staggering heights. From there, you are righted and get to wait anxiously for about 3-7 seconds, and then its a free-fall plunge beyond vertical! Several more cork-screws and loops and you are out of breath and begging for more!

Not only are there insane coasters, but there was also a haunted hospital of bone-curdling fright! Its a maze you complete with a faulty flashlight, and just your group! I have no idea what happened to the other hundreds of people waiting in line! Once we got inside, we never saw them, although we heard their shrieks a few times. We were led down dark corridors and through disturbingly decorated hospital rooms, following red arrows. Every so often live monsters would jump out at us and chase us a few meters.
This photo below was taken at the beginning. We knowingly sat down for a photo shoot and I thought it would be fun to 'pretend to act scared.' Little did I know that just before the camera flashed, the seat dropped, a voice screamed and the lights flashed- quite the scare, and you can see our levels of reaction!


One ride, dubbed the 4-D coaster, I said "absolutely no!" The guys went on, and I kept my feet firmly planted on solid ground. Who wants a roller coaster with your feet dangling, your seat spinning back and forth as you race at lightening speed upside-down and around the track? No thanks!




Another unexpected attraction was the ULTIMATE FORT. Basically a maze with different challenges at each stage. You must of course pass each stage within the time limit to advance. Waiting in line, we thought- no sweat! But, the first challenge tripped us up and before we knew it, time was up and we were sent out the exit! I could have gotten right back in line to try and out-smart it!

Zumba time

About a year ago, a friend of mine found out that I was a Zumba instructor. Since then we have been recruiting girls and guys from our social apartment to join in. With at least a class a week, we have developed a core team of Zumba-fanatics!
There's a small fitness room on the ground floor of the apartment, and with my Boze speakers and ipod filled with latin music (although we have been incorporating some Japanese pop songs as well) we have quite the dance party for at least an hour at a time- usually 2! Curious apartment mates will poke their heads in. Half the time we get them to join us. Everyone is always willing to give it a shot.
Recently we were able to organize a filming- and the team of dancers we were able to get together did fantastic! With matching outfits (bright colored tops and black bottoms- and me the opposite) we've got quite a few songs officially uploaded. So, I wanted to share them with you as well.

Exercising makes me super happy, and incorporating loud rhythmic music and a group of friends who are willing to try new moves- Zumba has become quite popular at my apartment :) Well, at least I would like to believe it has.

So, I am posting some of the routines here (more forthcoming) and don't be embarrassed, but I am expecting that you are going to put it on the big screen and dance along with me! Because you shouldn't just sit and watch the videos! They are meant to be interactive.
First routine...
Follow the Leader

Second routine...
Chammak Challo

Third routine...
Pasarela