Just Call Us "Triathletes"

Today, Troy and I completed a triathlon! He has done a Tri before but I never have. I've been wanting to do it for a while but was never convinced I could make it. When my friend, Valerie, held my feet to the fire we finally signed up. I am not going to lie, it was really hard! Just two years ago I could not swim, but today I toughed it out in the ocean for 300 meters of salty waves with a pathetic breaststroke. After the toughest part (swimming), we were off for a bike ride and a run. I didn't finish in last, and that was good enough for me!

Thank to my amazing husband and friends for motivating me through to the very end!!

The first pic is before the race, showing off our buff numbers drawn on each arm and calf. Those are our race buddies, Valerie and Eric.

The second pic is Troy and I post race, the crazy hair can't even summarize how crazy the race felt!

The third pic is a close up of our numbers. Troy shaved his legs for the race and I took the opposite approach. Just kidding! :)

Moving Out and Moving Up

First, I am really excited because blogger finally has an iPhone app! Hopefully this will make me want to post more often since I can do it from the convenience of my phone. :)

Second, we recently moved off base to a house out in town. We made the decision because we didn't feel like we were taking full advantage of our Japanese experience. Now all our neighbors greet us with "Konbanwa" (Good Evening) and we take a quick half mile run to the seawall where the dogs play on the beach a few times a week. It has definitely improved our quality of life and happiness factor. I also can't complain that we are both closer to work and the sun rises right over the ocean out our bedroom window.

Enough talk, show me some pics!

The beach just down the road. :) 

The office.

The dining room with a view to the living room.

Signing the check to hold the house. We were so excited to find "the one" because we looked at over 40 places. 

The tatami room, our living room. Excuse the dog models. ;)

Our bedroom. Troy just loves the purple rug. :P

I was trying to capture how open the upstairs is. There are pocket doors on our room and this room (the office) but overall it is sort of studio style. 

The guest room. Love my new duvet cover. :)

Who is going to come visit our new place first??

Shanghai- The last leg of our China adventure.

Shanghai was our last stop in China. We did a lot of sightseeing there, including old and new Shanghai. 

The French Concession.

Old and new Shanghai.

The Bund.

Pearl TV Tower. 

Tallest tower in China, third tallest in the world.

View from the top.

Giant Jade Buddha Temple.

The Jade Buddha. This temple was much more touristy than the other Buddha we have visited. 

Crooked bridge leading to Yuyan Garden, A beautiful garden in the middle of the city. 

Very much like the gardens in Naha.

 We ended our trip with an acrobatics show. The people in the show train when they are three years old. At eleven, they begin performing twice a day until they are thirty. It was amazing!

Thanks for reading about our adventures!

pandas.... Pandas....PANDAS!!!!!!

Not gonna lie... this is the post I have been waiting to write for a while. I probably think about my panda adventure every single day at least once (could it be from my panda mug, phone cover, profile picture, and desktop background?). 

The big reason Chengdu was on our China itinerary was the Chengdu Panda Base. Many of you know that we are very against animal cruelty. This means we stay away from the zoo, aquarium, and any organization that uses animals to make money for themselves. Is a lion really meant to live in a 12 by 12 cage? I think not. Luckily, I happened upon the Panda Base during my China research. It is a non profit organization dedicated to Panda Conservation. This means that every dollar we spent here went directly to saving a species near extinction. Right up our alley. :)

Enough words-- let's see some pics! :D

Little baby panda!!

Just nappin'!

Chewing on his bamboo "cigar".

Let's talk for just a minute about how lucky I am to have an amazing husband. This is how close he got to the pandas. Originally, the plan was for both of us to hold pandas. Some technical difficulties gave us an ultimatum: one of us holds the panda, or neither of us does. Troy didn't hesitate to tell me I could hang out with the panda and he would pass. Best guy ever? I think so! Here is a shout out to the best husband on earth. :) 

We made a donation toward panda conservation and this was our thanks-- up close and personal with a Baby Giant Panda!

I love that it looks like we are chatting. :) 

Funny panda jokes! 

His fur was wiry but soft. And I guess you could say he was a bit too large to hold. 

My favorite! :) 

Save the Pandas!

Xi'an, China- Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses

The big reason Xi'an was on our China itinerary was so that we could experience the Terra Cotta Warrior's and Horses. First, we went to a factory to see how they were made. The body is a mold that makes a hollow soldier but the head is made separately, each handcrafted uniquely. There were different ones to choose from and we chose to get a small replica that was a general. 

Next we were off to the actual warriors. They were discovered by farmers digging a well in 1974. This lead to the excavation which is still underway. The soldiers were housed with roofs over their heads and some of the roofs collapsed, leaving only broken pieces. There were warriors of all types, each made to represent going into battle. The first pit was filled with warriors and horses on the front lines. The second pit had the backup soldiers and the third pit was the commanders chamber. 

Troy being a fierce Terra Cotta Officer.

Me being his boss, the General of course. ;)

Excited to get on the inside and see some warriors and horses!

The first pit. 

The detail in each warrior was astonishing. It is amazing that they remained so intact.

Once in a lifetime!

The warriors faced outward in each direction around the tomb.  Protecting an attack from any location.

The Commander's chambers. The warriors face inward here. 

The entrance and exit for the chariot. 

The "injured" warriors being pieced back together. 

Troy with his Terra Cotta general (and look at that scruff!).

The Warriors and Horses were definitely Troy's favorite part... but my personal favorite is coming up real soon. :)