So at the end there was a zip line where you hook yourself on to a line that takes you over a lakeish thing.  It looks quite scary but at that point I really didnt care.  I did it and it was good.  It wasn't as scary as it looks.  I have to admit, I'd do it again.  We then were able to take a boat back...saving some more walking.
I was able to sit up in front with the driver on the way back.  The tour itself was quite unorganized because they were switching people back and forth between buses and all but all I have to say is that I give the driver a lot of credit.  It was about three hours there and another 3 hours back and all along the way weaving in and out of traffic.  It is just craziness watching it wall.  Sometime there are four lanes going one way on a two way street.  I dont know how they do it but I would guess their stress level is higher than normal.
Afterwards after we got dropped off around nine we took some showers and headed over to the foot massage place.  It was definitely heaven.  We got put in a private room with three lounge looking chairs and three people came to do our feet.  The boys got girls and I got a boy.  They started with a tub of water with tea in it and then moved on to massaging our shoulders.  Then last they did our feet.  They were really nice and we talked with them.  All of that was only for 49 yuan.  Crazy cheap. 
I should have noted all the things we have done but have been quite busy making the most of our time here.  I think I'll have to make another journal when I get back.  I saved most of my tickets and things so maybe it will be decent.  We shall see.

All I know is that I'm quite lucky to have survived.  It doesn't have so much impact as much as it should but I know I am lucky.  My dad told me I have experienced my lifetime share of disasters....I saw Mt Saint Helens blow its top and I survived a disasterous tsunami and I was alive when 9/11 occured.  I am only 25.  What else will happen in my life time?!

Shortly after returning to Japan I was offered a trip to Guam by Ito and Gamon.  It was very spur of the moment thing.  I received the mail on Saturday and the following Friday I was on the plane to Guam.  I never thought I would visit it.  I didn't even know where it was on the map but I was glad I went.  It was nice even though it was exhausting.  I only took 5 hours of nenkyu.  I only missed one class.  Anyways, left Friday night and arrived early Saturday morning.  The first day we went shopping and to the aquarium and hung out by the beach.  We ate good food but by 9 I was dead tired.  The next day had to be up early cuz I had signed up for deep water diving.  I think my snorkeling in Thailand had sparked my interest in pursing my diving.  I definitely want to try it again.  It is just the most amazing experience.  Definitely a different world down there.  At first I was a little hesitant.  I had signed up for two dives or two tanks and when I went out I was apprehensive that maybe it was a little too much.  I thought I needed a licence but turned out it was okay.  It was the first time out that I finally got used to diving but the second time out I was able to fully appreciate the wonders and the freedom.  I saw so much life down there and even the coral was amazing.

We went to a Magic show our last night and just by chance was the last group out.  We were still finishing out desert (was a dinner show) when the magician and the waiter came to talk.  We got pictures and started chatting.  They asked what I was up to that night and wanted to know if I wanted to go dancing!  He asked me my name...turned out he was from Oregon.  He thought I was Japanese.  Most people did cuz I guess most tourists who come there are Japanese.  I guess I could go there and find a job....and just swim in the ocean everyday and calm my nerves.  Water is so thereputic.

Anyways...yeah....so came back on Monday morning and went to class....
The next trip was just a week after....our trip planned before winter vacation.  We attended the Sapporo Snow Festival....Anyways, my last trip was to Sapporo.  It was on a birthday special thanks to Hugh and Kelly.  We were able to get a roundtrip ticket for 2 man 5000 yen.  A pretty decent deal considering Karen had to pay close to 5 man for her plane tickets.  Our hotel was another 24000 yen but the trip was definitely worth it.  I was a little stressed though cuz I was pretty much in charge and was organizing everything.  It was the last year for the Makonemai Site....something like that.