Adventurous (Challenging or Pushing your limits)
A dictionary shows the definition of adventurous as "willing to take risks and try new ideas ; enjoying being in new, exciting situations". These days my situation was just like this definition. Everything was a new experience and it seemed like I willingly took risks. They were such adventurous experiences for me.
Hanging out with English native speakers is so adventurous to me. About two months ago, I met an English native speaker at a softball game and he and I became friends. We said to each other that we wanted to hang out together some day. A month later to the day, I got a chance to hang out with him for a long time. It was such an adventure to me because this was the first time 
hanging out with a native, in addition, to experience real conversation one on one for a long time. At the end of the day, we promised to go to Mt. Rainier together with three other natives.
The day my friend and I went Mt. Rainier with our new native friends were also 
full of adventures. In the car, real and high-speed English was spoken by them. Before the day, I was afraid of whether I could get along with them with my limited English, and sure enough I could hear only a little words and respond only a few times. However, in such a adventurous situation, I could join a game in the car and asked a question about English words. There was no gain without adventure.
After we arrived around the middle part of Mt. Rainier, a different type of adventure was waiting for us. To tell the truth, we willingly challenged the adventures though. We chose a way which meant we would ascend on snow all the way to waterfall. It was very steep hill covered by snow, so we slipped down time and again. What an adventurous choice! We sometimes jumped over a creek and slid down 
the snowy steep slope. After climbing for about two hours, we reached the ridge near the top of the moutain and could see amazing landscapes.
The dictionary adds an explanation about the word 'adventurous': "full of new, exciting or dangerous experiences". I think new and dangerous or exciting and dangerous are so close. I believe I can feel excitement or enjoyment after I try something new or challenge myself to be in dangerous situation. That is why I always push my limits or challenge myself to something new. Actually, I could drink amazing water from the extremly clear stream near the top of the mountain, and could bond with my native friend after the trip to the mountain. Hope you push your limits and enjoy an even more adventurous situation!
Wow, it looks so beautiful!
Posted by: Myf (editor) | 24 Jul 2008 14:12:22
You had a nice experience with your american friends! Good experience brings you more confidence and bitter experience makes you more mature :-) I like your way!
Posted by: monica | 30 Jul 2008 02:06:00
Myf,
In Japan, there is a beautiful moutain called Mt.Fuji. Mt.Rainier was as beautiful as Mt.Fuji. I like both though.
Monica,
Actually, I am such a chicken. I had been nervous whole the day.
I like the man as a person, so I wanna hang out with him if the day is going an adventurous day.
Thanks, Monica.
Posted by: Keita | 31 Jul 2008 05:27:43