With stresses at work and in life in general, Mike and I were more than happy to get some time off to see some more of Japan. First we went to Kyoto and got dressed up in traditional Kimonos and went to the 'Clear Water Temple', and afterwards ate at a Ninja restaurant. 
The next day we went to 'Golden Temple' and then went and did a Geisha/Samurai photo opportunity, followed by a part visit to the 500 gates of Buddhist disciple (we are not disciplined enough to walk all 500!). 
A big thanks to our amazing Friend Kei who was a WONDERFUL tour guide and just a blast to be around.
The next day we went to Nara, a very historical city, and visited some HUGE pagodas and the world's largest bronze Buddha statue (over 4 stories tall) and saw the wonderful deer in the parks who enjoy the tourists feeding them Deer Biscuits.
Also, side note, but there is a hole in a post that is the same size as the Buddhas nostril which if you can fit through then it's good luck.... and apparently I am just the right size!
Final day brought us to Osaka where we spent the entire day in the Osaka aquarium watching all types of creatures. Some we knew from our diving trip to Thailand, others were new to us. But we couldn't help but smile and be a little proud when we saw the massive whale shark in the giant tank, and remembered that we have dived with one of these amazing creatures! Personally I think the highlight though, other than watch Mike have a giant kid like grin on his face all day, was the touch tank where we got to pet about 5 different spices of sharks and a few different types of rays! Super cool!
Anyway what I was able to determine during all this in regards to the wedding were these things.
1) I bought these super cute little hair pins to pull in the Japanese tie, and to remind me of my time here in Japan. I think day of they will be great and be just enough bling in my hair since I didn't want a tiara.
2) Heels can be SUPER painful. I spent one day in boot heels, and I was DONE by days end. So I need to find some SUPER comfortable shoes, maybe even two pairs, because I need to be able to dance that night.
3) I'm glad I'm not getting married in a Kimono. I toyed with this idea for a long time, and even once announced to Mike (before we got engaged) that I was going to be married in one. While they are super beautiful and a great experience, those Obi-s are stiffer then a corset, and harder to walk in than a dress. PLUS I was too curvy, so they always stuff me with towels to make me look more box shape, and I can't help but feel 'larger' when they do that.
4) Mike and I are both agreed that we need more practice in FRONT of the camera since we are both a little camera shy sometimes, or not sure sure how best to stand/pose. America's Top Model we are not. *Side note though, I like the pictures that Mike took of me as a Geisha better than the professional woman's and I think I got a few good ones of Mike too*
Visiting around Japan is wonderful, but I am missing home. We can't wait to see everyone and do some catching up and lots more planning.
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