Friday, July 31, 2009

i love you even though your a MONSTER!

I live with a monster... a sweat monster. His name is Peter. His favorite food is hot dogs and he likes to be sang to sleep. After 2 hours in the non-air conditioned Sakaide Elementary school, Peter looks like this. Its not enough that as he leaves 50 naked five year olds (due to swimming lessons) ambush him with hugs. He has to go home like this. Notice the sweat along the top of his shorts.

I still love you sweat monster!

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Yoshino River Rafting Trip

    We went whitewater rafting in the Yoshino river this past weekend and it was, hands down, the greatest day that we have had in Japan to date.  The water was perfect, the scenery amazing, and our river guide a New Zealander with a seriously heavy accent.  Does it get any better?  Needless to say it was an excellent time.  We went with some fellow GEM School teachers who we have become fairly fast friends with, Chris & Courtney Thompson and Hans & Suzie Stephensen; and we can proudly say that everyone made sure to bring their "A" game to the river. 

    One of the most entertaining parts of the trip, however, was not actually on the raft though.  Rather, it was the small cliff jumping that we were able to do periodically as we made our way down river.  It was nothing too high or spectacular, but they were cliffs that both the Dangerford's could handle with ease.  And For those of you who had the frustrating pleasure of witnessing Lacy's hesitancy to jump off the small cliff at Navajo Falls in Havasupai, be sure to congratulate her on the recent jumps that she conquered.  Not only were they much higher cliffs, but they were into a pretty fast flowing river.  It was a amazing.  




Here is Peter jumping off the first cliff in all of his gear, including the borrowed Chuck Taylor's.  Cool, Collective, Excellent Form.  Peter.


It was agreed among the entire group that although Lacy looked like a small doll jumping into the river, she was the best jumper of the bunch.  Little, Confident, Toy Like.  Lacy.


This is a picture of us just before we hit some seriously gnarly whitewater.  Notice the confidence.  "A" game.


In order to cool our jets after the rough water our guide thought it prudent that we all took some time to just relax and float down stream.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Is this for real????

But Shelly should I swim with this?
Photo courtesy of Cicily Bowles.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Swimming in Japan..... NO!


One of the many reasons to not swim in the ocean in Japan!


Saturday, July 18, 2009

FLESH EATING FISH!

So after our hike up the stairs and down the stairs we say a sign that claimed "Doctor Fish". So of course we paid to have tiny fish eat the rotting flesh from our feet.
Honestly, I could hardly handle it I laughed the entire time. It felt like a little electric current was moving through the water. The tiny ones would get between your toes and it tickled so much. But it was lots of fun! I would have tiny fish eat my feet any day.

Kompirasan Shrine in Kotohira, Japan

Yippy! We did it, we climbed 1362 stairs to a beautiful temple that I can't remember how to spell. It wasn't that bad I was just hoping that you would be as impressed with our cl
imb as the Japanese people are. It is thought to be a huge accomplishment.
This is me looking real cute and sweaty around step 746.
Look at those steps what a booty work out. I already have a killer booty.
This is one of many temples areas on the hike to the top of the mountain. It was all so beautiful. All the temples here are.



Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Happy 4th of July to you too!

Well whoever said that 4th of July outside of the beautiful United States is no fun has never met the Dangerfords. Being in the future Peter had the pleasure of celebrating his favorite holiday twice,(once on the 4th here in Japan and the other on "the real 4th" which was the 5th here).
Well here we are being as patriotic as we could.

Peter patriotically holding the fireworks!

Angela making sure everyone had plenty of s'mores.
It's not the 4th of July unless Peter is behind the grill.
Everyone sitting around hoping the rain will stop so Peter will attempt to get into the ocean.
Hope your day was amazing see you next 4th of July party.