I have been traveling a ton, I have to while I can. Late February I went to my first dining in, which was an experience! Dining In is a Navy tradition and definitely one of the best things I have experienced so far! It was a blast! I was nervous and didn't really want to go but it turned out to be hilarious and quite a fun event. Its usually only officers and chiefs for the dinner party and the skits and things that go on are absolutely hilarious. I can't really explain what its like because they are all different but if you ever get the chance to experience one, do it! You won't regret it!
Early March I took a short weekend trip up to Mt. Fuji with some of the other nurses and we went to Fuji-Q Highland here in Japan which was a blast. The roller coasters there are legit! Huge and soooo much fun! The lines are pretty brutal but it was worth it because the roller coasters were so good. Plus it was a little chilly when we went so I think there was less people than normal. I think the longest we waited was about an hour and half for one of the really good rides. We were also able to see Mt. Fuji and it was so beautiful! I will include some pictures. My friend and I are climbing it during the climbing season this year and just looking at it made me want to reconsider; it is huge! But I need to do it! Everyone says climbing Mt. Fuji is an experience you have to have so I need to get myself in volcano climbing shape!
The next weekend I had off I was able to ski in Nagano, which is a HUGE resort here in Japan. Actually it is a bunch of resorts connected together but it was awesome. Sooooooo many runs to choose from and I had a blast shredding the slopes. Well up until one of my good friends dislocated his shoulder! It was a crappy situation and we had to take him in an ambulance to the local Japanese hospital because there was no way I was popping his shoulder back in because I have never done that before. He ended up spending about 6 hours with it out and now its pretty messed up which is terrible. But he will come to our hospital and we will take really good care of him!
After that trip is was my birthday on the 29th of March and I ended up working that day and it was probably one of the busiest days I've had at the hospital because I was by myself and there was about 7 patients. So it was kind of crappy birthday until I got off and then some of my really good friends took me out and we had a blast in Yokohama! A little too much fun because I almost didn't wake up for my 7 AM flight the next day. I took a birthday trip to Osaka and Hiroshima this past weekend and again I was amazed by all Japan has to offer. Japan never disappoints! Osaka was a blast and I definitely want to go back! And Hiroshima was a weird but very educational and enlightening trip. I was able to see the A-bomb dome and the Peace Memorial Museum which were both very intense experiences. I recommend every take a trip to Hiroshima to see these sights. They really make you face the terrible reality of nuclear warfare and why it should never happen again.
There is also an island called Miyajima island in Hiroshima which has a very famous floating tori gate that I was able to see. I will include pictures of all of this.
Sorry these posts seem to be getting progressively less Navy related but I work to travel and see things! I still love my job in the Navy and although the extra work and collaterals can be annoying and tiring at times, I look around and remember that the Navy brought me to this amazing place and I am loving life in Japan! I am so thankful for this opportunity to serve and especially to serve overseas in such an amazing country!
I have still been getting a lot of questions so keep them coming!