So Far

I realize that I haven't been quite keeping up with our lives on this blog but frankly sometimes I just don't feel like it.  I know that I'll probably regret it in the long run but...

Anyway months ago when my then boyfriend, Doug asked me about living overseas, I said that it wouldn't be a problem as long as I could find 'ethnic' hair care products.  Well I can find some here and the rest I can order online, but that's not the gist of my issues.  I have found that no matter how much I liked to think that I wasn't really close with my family and friends and that I could go without them....I cannot.

The isolation is bad here, only maybe because I haven't felt like making an effort to socialize.  My children are doing just fine because there are a multitude of people for them to interact with on a daily basis.  Whereas being an adult, it's a little bit different.  I hate to sound whiny but that's reality.  I have found that because we Black women are typically able to handle things (life, career, family, etc.) on our own we are considered 'bitchy' by women of other races.  I have found this to be true with many of the asian women I have met here.  If they only knew.

The holidays are right upon us and I am so ready for them to be over.  This is the first holiday season that I have spent totally away from family and friends.  To boot my husband isn't even here.  Being in a foreign country with no family other than my daughters, no close friends and no real support system doesn't feel too good.  I have been told, by some of my husband's friends that if I ever need anything that I can ask.  But we all know how people say things to be polite but don't really mean them.  Yeah.

I have found that some other things were said about me to other family members that has caused them to shy away from me and form another (negative) opinion of me.  To that I say that there is always two sides of a story and if you don't hear the other side, then how can you make a definitive judgment about the person.  I try to be objective and let what I personally observe about a person to be how I perceive them.  In the long run someone may say something to cause you to dislike a person then they go back to their regular relationship with that person and you have messed up because you formed a presumptive opinion.  I hope you get what I mean.

Anyway, the weather here is still pretty nice as it's still in the 60's and 70's.  In fact Christmas day is supposed to be sunny and 71.  Now that's what I call Christmas.  I do NOT miss the cold and snow at all.  It's pretty to look at sometimes but I always had to get out in it and that's not pretty.  I will take tropical weather, year round, to four seasons anyday. 

On Okinawa there is a huge population of pregnant women.  In fact, there's a joke that there's something in the water because there's so many pregnant women.  Not sure what it is but I KNOW it won't be affecting me LOL.

To sum up this post, I am loving the opportunity that we are experiencing living overseas and all of the other things that I am becoming aware of.  It seems that everything is so difficult, as far as my feelings right now, but I know that this is making me stronger and helping build my character.  In the long run, I will reflect and realize that it wasn't so bad.  And that I had to go through what I'm experiencing to get where I'm going.  If my life now is a precursor to what I will be experiencing in the future, then I am so ready!

Still Warm

Ok, I guess I'm bragging just a little bit but it's still pretty warm outside here in Okinawa. I brag because I've never experienced this before. Having only lived in south New Jersey and Michigan my whole life, I didn't have the opportunity to experience warm weather so close to Christmas. I'm still able to go out without a jacket, with short sleeves and open-toed shoes. I can really get used to this.

My husband, on the other hand, likes it when it's a little bit cooler. He's in Manila right now and their weather is way hotter than Okinawa. I believe they are still experiencing 80 degree weather. Wish we could trade places because I love the hot weather since I don't sweat a lot. I'm so looking forward to seeing him again this weekend. I'm so blessed to be able to spend time with him while he's deployed. I'm so excited to go to Manila on Sunday, that I know that this week is going to drag. Hurry up Saturday night!

I didn't grow up going to church so I don't have a real base in religion. Growing up I've been exposed to a variety of faiths (Jehovah's Witnesses, Muslims, Baptist, COGIC, Pentecostal, AME, and even the Church of Latter Day Saints). I feel that this has made me more tolerant and accepting of others beliefs. Many religions preach that their religion is the only TRUE religion and all the others are false. I didn't know what to believe so I just developed my own set of values based upon what I've learned to be right. In a sense I feel bad for not having a 'home church' or faith that I exclusively claim. But I feel that my relationship with God is not for anyone else to judge, if they are a true Christian or person of faith.

Most recently, I've found myself praying more and more. Nearly every morning I send a prayer to my husband. I do this because we are not together and I feel like it helps us be on the same accord. My daughters have the opportunity to pray with me everyday but my husband is miles away. The daily prayers I send are helpful to me and I believe to my husband. We both proceed with our day with similar thoughts for the day. It seems that when I put issues that I'm dealing with in our prayer, we are both going through similar issues. It seems as though our prayers are keeping us closer when we are so far apart.

Thanksgiving this year was TOTALLY different for me. I've gotten accustomed to spending it with my family other than my daughters. This year was different as I didn't have the opportunity being overseas. I was really homesick. People I've met since being here invited me over but it's just not the same. I didn't even get dressed on Thanksgiving but I did cook. I didn't even eat as much as I normally do....only one plate. I barely was able to finish that. We didn't cook much food either since it's only the three of us and I hate leftovers after day 2.

I went to a new ramen place Saturday while waiting on my youngest daughter Cari. I'd heard great reviews about this place and decided to check it out. Well, it wasn't as good as the ramen place in American Village and it gave me an allergic reaction. I'm not sure if it was the seaweed or the broth. I have found out that in many Asian countries, they put shrimp in their broth. So when I left the restaurant my throat was swollen and itchy and my lips were a little swollen. It was nothing that benadryl couldn't take care of but I hate taking it because it makes me sleepy.

Manila

I played hooky from work for two days so that I could come to Manila and spend time with my husband.  It is a blessing that I'm even able to come here since most wives don't get a chance to see their husbands until their deployment is over.  I had a few bumps in the voyage but I made it! 

I promised people that were helping me some cookies.  Well I had a cake and 4 containers of cookies and it got to be a bit overwhelming and hot, so I left a container in the car.  Of course Doug loves the caramel cake that I made him (I'm glad) and he likes the cookies too.  Anyone who knows me knows that I'm not a baker but I can cook just about anything else.  I suppose it's because I don't really care for baked goods.  Anyway when I got to the pax terminal yesterday morning, I discovered I didn't have my passport!  I had to go all the way home and get it.  But through some creative genius, I made it on the plane.

When the plane was pulling up to the hangar, I started getting all antsy because I could see Doug and it's been over a month since I've seen him in the flesh.  Thank God for skype, or it would be even harder.  It took another passenger a long time to get off the plane and I wanted to push him out the way because he was blocking my path to my man.  But I chilled because I do have to get back to Okinawa.  I left the girls with the mom of one of their friends, who I have befriended too.  I'm so happy that they are with someone whom I trust.  Although they are old enough to stay in the house by themselves, I just can't trust 2 teens to be home alone and I'm in a different country.

When I left Japan it had gotten a little bit warmer than it was in previous days.  I'm still bragging about the fact that I am STILL wearing open toed shoes and no jacket.  I NEVER have to see snow again in person, EVER. 

My baby was sick so I brought him a bunch of cold medicines and he seems to be doing much better today.  So was it the medicines or me?! LOL  Maybe it was a combination of the two.

I'm just going to enjoy my time away from Okinawa.

Meltdown

Ok, I can finally admit it...I've had one, a serious one. I don't want to make excuses but I have been under huge amounts of stress. My life turned a complete 180 within a few months and as much as I would like to think that I can handle a lot of stress...I can't. It has affected everyone around me and I just haven't been myself. Well, I've turned it around with prayer, faith and a very understanding husband.

On another note....

I finally got my CAC card at work! This means that I can actually do work at my job. It couldn't last forever getting paid for not doing any work LOL. Things are pretty good with my co-workers and we always have very interesting conversations. In fact we do a lot of talking at work because in between filing and processing enrollments there's nothing to do. I'm still looking for better employment.

Since Doug has been gone, I've figured out how to get to the different bases a bit better. I've gone out to eat a number of places that have decent food. I still don't really care for Japanese food because it lacks flavor to me. It is usually a lot of salt and garlic and not much else. I suppose that's maybe what keeps the Okinawans healthy and living to an old age.

The other day we went to Shuri Castle and it wasn't like a castle from Europe (obviously) but different. It was near the airport so it took a bit to get there. The girls enjoyed it a bit and I'm trying to make sure that we stay entertained while my husband is deployed. It is difficult for them too, although they don't want to admit it LOL. He is definitely missed.





This will be the first Thanksgiving, ever, that I haven't been around family. My daughters have it a little different than I because they met people at the youth center and their schools. I had to start working in order to really meet people. I did go out with my co-workers for Halloween and it was ok. I guess I'm not into going out anymore because I felt so out of place. I would much rather be with my husband or children. For Halloween, I was Betty Boop. Long story, the short version...lack of money, lack of shopping resources and lack of time. The stores here do not sell American sized clothing. Their clothes and shoes are small. The biggest size shoe they sold was a 7 and the clothing was about size 7 or 8. I'm definitely not that small LOL



I suppose there are challenges to living anywhere out of the norm. We Americans have become spoiled and feel that everyone else should conform to our way of life. Well, it doesn't work that way here. Paying bills online is non-existent here and just plain inconvenient. I am so grateful to be American. I thought I would never say that...ever LOL.

Well, I get an opportunity to see my husband again early next month. I can't wait, because I miss him soooooo much. Deployments are not good. I feel blessed because he's only going to be gone for a few more months and he's somewhere accessible to me. Many wives are unable to visit their husbands at all, so I feel really lucky to have this opportunity. He's used to being away from family and loved ones during holidays, so it doesn't bother him nearly as much as it bothers me, but life moves on.



While my husband is deployed, I've signed up for space A. Space A is something that the military offers that allows dependents (my daughter's and I are considered my husband's dependents) to travel on aircraft for free to different locations. I was considering going to Seattle for Thanksgiving, since my dad and brother live there but I'd have to stay for a week and that's too long. So, I think I'm going to chill for a bit and save my money to get gifts in the Philippines. At least I'll have Christmas gifts.

Still Here :-)

The plane we flew on.

Things have been going just fine. I'm still no closer to getting the necessary security clearances at work than I was before. It's fine with me because I'm still getting paid to sit there. I work with a bunch of cool people, except one person in particular. I suppose our personalities just clash. It is annoying to have someone blame everyone else for what they really want. Anyway.

We went to the Philippines (PI) last Wednesday (10/14) and it was very nice. Doug arranged for us to stay in this hotel that was huge. It had 2 bedrooms with their own baths and a maids quarters off of the laundry room. The kitchen, dining room and living room were huge too. I was hoping to get a chance to see the boys but that didn't happen. Nevertheless, we made the most of the trip.

The girls 'playing' at the Fraser Hotel.

My husband checking into the hotel.

We went to the mall and I suppose a lot of Filipinos haven't seen Black people before so we constantly got stared at everywhere we went. I was upset about it at first because it was so rude. People were staring so hard that they would trip, or spill things or just plain forget that they were doing what they were doing. It was kind of funny after a while. In fact, I started to have fun with it. I figured maybe they think we are famous or something so I started waving back or doing the Miss American wave, LOL. All they could do is smile and wave back.

Gross!

McDonald's that delivers and sells rice, chicken and spaghetti!

Me and Jollibee. There are more of them than McDonald's.

There's a place there called Greenhills and it's a flea market with everything. They all pretty much sell the same things so competition is there for your money. You have to barter for the best price or they will sell it to you for much more. My husband totally surprised me because I never knew he had it in him. He was almost rude, I thought, to these people but the outcome was that they gave us a lower price. They have any designer purse, shoe, clothing, jewelry you want. I'm not into designer things so it didn't really impress me that much, but the girls saw so much that they wanted.

A street we drove by in Manila. Looks like the eastside to me LOL.

We are supposed to go back to PI on the 24th, ao if you want anything, let me know. I didn't try to buy anything really because I was unfamiliar with how you barter for a better price, but I am now.

The people in the flea market stared at us too. Just about everyone there is like 5'3" and under. I felt like a giant, LOL. But the people speak English and it seems that many of the retail stores, shops, hotels, etc. cater to Americans. They even drive on the RIGHT side of the street. The girls liked it much better there than they do here in Okinawa. In fact, Janiece asked if there were any bases there.

The don't have a clue!!

I liked it better there but there's something not right about it. You know how you can just sense it and not know why? Maybe it's because they have metal detectors everywhere you go and a bomb sniffing dog at every hotel and they use the mirror to check under every vehicle. There's a large population of Muslim's there, so enough said.

Our last meal in PI, at the Intercontinental Hotel, courtesy of Patch.

Life here in Okinawa is just not the same without my husband here. I know I went through this when he left for Korea last month but this is much longer. I'm going to miss him terribly. I haven't had much motivation to do anything since I've been back from PI. And I haven't slept in our bed yet either. I've been sitting in his spot on the couch and wearing his dog tags. I can barely go into the room because it reminds me so much of him. Eventually I'll have to get over this but for right now, this is how I'm feeling.

When Life Happens

Wow it's been a minute since I've written on here. A lot has happened
since then. Let's see where to start...

Oh, my daughter Janiece has talked her friend, Suicide Girl, into
getting her a plane ticket back to Michigan. It's obvious that SG's
mom helped with the purchase of the ticket because you have to use a
credit card to buy. This is all from a woman/mother who assured me
that she was having no part in trying to get my daughter back to
Michigan. I really wish some parents would mind their own children
instead of mine. Suicide Girl didn't get her name for no reason.

I am finally starting to embrace my job. It's something and I'm
grateful for it. There are many people who don't find employment
until after being here for 6 months, so I'm very fortunate to have a
job only after applying for 1 week. I'll never stop applying for
better employment because you always want to keep your options open
and improve on your situation.

The people I work with are Air Force and they are a trip. Everyday
there is a new topic of discussion. Yesterday it was Brazilian waxes,
the day before it was butt injections, etc. You pretty much get the
gist of what we discuss...everything. I feel fortunate, again, to
work with pretty cool people. A lot of them are way younger than me.
I had an airman tell me that I was the same age as her mother ::blank
stare:: Wow! But, I guess since I do have a daughter who is 18, it's
only natural that I might end up working with people who I could be
their mother. I don't mind as long as I don't look like I'm old.

My hair has been growing back pretty steadily. I'm a ponytail girl
and getting up to curl it everyday or sleeping in rollers is not my
thing. It doesn't even look right if I sleep in rollers, so I've
resorted to wearing a phony pony (as my sister calls it). I put it in
pretty good, so good that all of my daughter's friends think that it's
my real hair. Anyway, I just can't wait until my hair grows back to a
length that I'm comfortable with.

Next week we go to the Philippines. Those of you that know me
closely, know what the deal is. Others, you will eventually see the
purpose of my trip. All I can say is that life always takes
unexpected twists and turns but God ultimately knows what's best. My
husband will be deployed there until February and I can't say that I
don't have issues with it, but I will save that for another time.

I've been invited to a Halloween party by a co-worker. I want to go
but I'm not sure. I have been thoroughly obsessed with having an 80's
party and I have been contemplating what type of costume I will have.
I already have 70's stuff but I did that already this year and my
co-worker's girl is going as Foxy Brown. I figure I could go as
something 70's too but that wouldn't be too original. So I've been
thinking about Betty Boop. I already have a red dress and I could gel
my hair down into the finger waves or pin curls that she has. Plus my
eyes are big so I could really look a lot like her. I think the only
thing I would have to get would be a garter and a spotted dog. Then I
was thinking do I really want to look that sexy (Betty Boop
characterization is sexy to me) without my husband?
He will be in the PI but I'm not sure what he'll be doing besides
working and spending time in his hotel room.

Deployments are difficult. I feel like it's even more difficult for
those left behind because, no matter where a male soldier is deployed,
they are made to really feel welcome. I have some issues with being
here in Japan because I don't find the people to be all that friendly.
They are friendly when they have to be and when I'm with my husband.
Other than that, normally I run into some people who act like they
wish I didn't exist. I especially get this from the Asian women here.
Not sure if it has to do with stereotypes or not but it doesn't
matter to me. I try to be fair and not pre-judge anyone but rather
base things upon their character and behavior.

Tonight is supposed to be our date night. I'm excited about it
because I've been looking forward to this since Doug was in Korea over
a month ago. I think we might go bowling and out to eat or something.
He's not a club person and really I'm not either. I just so happen
to be one of those Black people who weren't born with much rhythm LOL.

Tonight is also homecoming for Janiece. She has her dress and got her
hair done so she should be good. I enjoy that she wants to do these
things and find pleasure in doing it. For me, in high school that was
some of the most miserable times of my life because I wasn't popular
didn't have money and was the ugly duckling. I was so glad to
graduate. I only went to homecoming my senior year and it was ok. I
didn't see what the hype was about. I suppose it was because I wasn't
in the 'in' clique. Ironically, when I went to an alumni event
earlier this year, everyone was like, 'who's that?' They wanted to
know who I am now but back then they didn't. I guess my name is Mike
Jones LOL, ok bad joke LOL

The food here hasn't been the best to me. They use a lot of salt and
garlic in the food here. Don't get me wrong, I love salty over sweet
but even I have my limits. There's a noodle place I went to that make
ramen noodles seem like garbage. It's funny that I haven't found too
many things that I really like here. It doesn't help either that I'm
allergic to shellfish too, so that limits a lot of what I can eat.

My husband actually cooked today!! I'm so shocked. I'm certain it
will be good.

Sent from Mrs. Black's iPhone

Things Are Working Out

I started my job yesterday. Actually I went in and they sent me home
because there was nothing to do. Maybe it won't be so bad. I've been
told that if you want to take an extended lunch then you can. I'm
certain that may come in handy some day.

Oh, I learned how to make frappucinos. After realizing that they are
wayyyy overpriced I figured I'd learn to make them. So far I've only
made the caramel and mocha. I've been told by my taste tester that
they are better than Starbucks.

Initially I had a very hard time when Doug was deployed but I don't
think I'll have as bad a time in a few weeks. I'll be working and
won't have so much idle time on my hands. Plus I'm certain I'll have
someone to hang out with.

I'm supposed to be sleep but couldn't. So I'm going to try now.

Sent from Mrs. Black's iPhone

Life

This week has been full of emotions for me. My husband of just a little over a month was deployed to Korea, I had two job interviews and I was forced to be on my own in a different country. He warned me ahead of time that it would be difficult with him getting deployed and that it would require a lot of trust, love, patience and faith in one another. His words could not have warned me more.

Although he pre-warned me, it is still no where near enough preparation. I'm not really worried about his safety but I just really miss him. After all of these months of him being here in Okinawa and me in Michigan, we were finally together and loving every minute of it. Now I'm faced with pretty much the same thing as before except I'm away from everything that I cared about and loved (not counting my daughters).

At this moment, I'm not working nor do I have any friends (his friends don't count) and I feel somewhat isolated because we live off base. I welcome any job opportunity or anyone calling me. The time difference makes it a bit difficult some days to talk with my people back in the states. Doug has only been gone since Tuesday afternoon and I have to say that I'm lonely already.

Wednesday and Thursday were really bad days for me. The realization that he was gone really set in. I cried off and on because I miss him so much. I'm crying now. But this is reality and he has a job to do. I've been trying to focus on other things like making sure the girls do what they are supposed to do and looking for a job. A few good things are that I'm having to rely on my own navigational skills to get around and I'm figuring a lot of things out on my own. If you know me half way well then you know that's my forte. I'm a survivor!

Doug will only be gone for another 1.5 weeks but that's still a long time....we are still newlyweds. I am very fortunate that he doesn't have to be gone for a long period of time. Never before had I really gone everywhere with my mate. We went everywhere together, like the commissary, the PX, the 100 yen store, even the doctor. I miss the companionship he gave me. Now I only have skype. Don't get me wrong I love that modern technology has provided a way that I can see my love and talk to him but it's not the same as him being here physically.

The girls however are taking it in stride and although they haven't admitted it, but I know they miss him too. Things just aren't the same with him absent. They worry too.

So today, Saturday, I'll probably just clean up the house and take the time to read or something. With me being bored I've cut my hair about 3 times and I think that I'll cut it some more. Hey why pay a stylist when I can keep trying myself. It's only hair and it'll grow back.

Today is the first day of the rest of my life and I will make the most of it!

Woooohooooo!!!!

Yesterday I had my first interview since we got command sponsored.
It's for a position in DoDEA which is the school system for the
military. The interview was panel style much like the state's with 3
people. However, none of them wrote down any answers. I found that
odd. How can you remember what I said? Hopefully this is much
different than the state and there's no pre-selection going on.

I'm praying that I get this job because I'm running out of money and I
need something to keep my mind occupied. An idle mind is the devils
workshop and we all know how that effects me LOL. With Doug being gone
I'm really bored and need adults to talk to.

Doug left yesterday and I missed him before he even got on the plane.
He pre-warned me about deployments but it still doesn't feel good. We
just got married and now my husband is in another country somewhere.
Especially with desperate asian women. Not saying I don't trust my
husband but men are men when isolated. Anyway this time is only for 2
weeks but it already feels like a month and he just left yesterday.

There is a perk to him being gone...it forces me to rely on my own
navigational skills. The base where I had my interview yesterday is
kind of far. I've only driven there once with him in the car and
following some natives. I was able to find my way there and back.
Yayyyyy me!!! I told one of the interviewers and she was impressed
because it took her a week before she stopped getting lost.

I finally did it and finished cutting my hair off. I'd been growing it
out since 2006 and my hair was all natural, except for the hair color
for my grey. With the weather being so hot and humid I felt I needed a
relaxer. Well, that relaxer broke my hair off severly. So I cut what
didn't break or fall off. I think I might go even shorter once I find
a stylist.

Getting It In

No one can deny that Japan would be different from living in the
states. There is so much that's different but that's a good thing. We
as Americans have gotten used to a lot of things in excess. Like these
chicken wings...they sell 8 'wings' at Hotto Motto and on the menu you
think you are about to get some nice wings for 280¥. The 'wings' are
the flat split in half. Now we all know that would not go over well in
the states.

This past week has been pretty good. I've been applying for jobs,
finally. Doug got the girls cell phones. They don't know how to call
the states, which is great, but we told them how their friends can
call them. Maybe that's a little mean but let their parents worry
about the bill, especially S-girl's mom.

The girls seem to be doing a little better this week. I'm hesitant to
say anything because everytime I do, they act up the next day. They
are enjoying going on base to meet up with their friends.

I'm glad someone has friends. I suppose I'll gain some when I start
working. I realize that the majority of my friends are from work or
school. We never really stayed in one house for too long to make
friends growing up.

Yesterday we went to a Korean restaurant in our neighborhood. It was a
little expensive but very good. It was teppenyaki style but where you
cook your own food over a grill in the middle of the table. They give
you a menu and you can order any amount of the various meats and
veggies they have. It's an all you can eat, well all you can cook and
eat in 90 minutes. It was very good, in fact better than the first one
we tried before. There's a lot of different restaurants in our
neighborhood that we have to try.

We are going to the aquarium tomorrow. I'm excited because I hear it's
pretty nice. See, we do more than just eat LOL. I'm trying to spend as
much time with my husband because he's leaving for two weeks and then
after he comes back, he'll be leaving for some months. I'm going to
miss him terribly. But such is life of a military wife...

I'm Tired

I've been trying to be strong and hold it down and be fair and loving, etc....but I'm tired now. I'm home alone right now and it feels pretty good. I think I'll take a nap because my body needs rest too.

I still haven't found a job yet, but it's only because I've only been able to really apply since Thursday, when the command sponsorship paperwork was signed. The process of finding employment doesn't happen overnight but it's been a month since we've been here that I feel like it's been forever. I have not been out of work this long since...since...I can't even remember.

We finally got the kid's furniture today and our new refrigerator. The house is still coming along. Now to only get the girls to do their chores thoroughly. You would think after all these years that they would know how to do a complete job.

Nap time!!!

Jusco

Last night we were in Jusco (the mall) and Doug and I dared the girls
to go into the center of the mall and act like they were about to
perform a rap or dance. So of course they did it because they wanted
the $5.

It was so hilarious because many of the Japanese stare at us anyway
and they stared at them even more.

Last Night

We were at the ¥100 store last night and took this pic. I think it
looks like a mirror image at first glance. The girls of course don't
feel that they look anything alike.

My Silly Husband

We were looking at frames for Janiece and he thought she may like
these LOL

First Day of School

Today was the girls first day of school. I was so excited! I'm always
excited after spending all summer long with them in the house running
up bills and eating all the food. They have to walk to the bus stop
and it's 1K there.

When Janiece got to school they tried to turn her away because they
hadn't created a schedule for her yet....*crickets* I emailed the
counselor and explained our situation that weekend. She even replied,
but said we needed to meet before we could get her in. Doug suggested
that we just send her to school anyway and force them to give her a
schedule or look at her all day.

Later on today we went to the school and found out she'd been issued a
schedule without her records from her previous high school. I still
don't know why her records haven't been received because we pre-
registered August 4th.

Anyway, everyone got along well today and I'm really looking forward
to whatever is in our future.

The movie theater

We were the only people in the movies that only shows one movie at a
time. When we walked in I asked Doug what movie we were seeing and of
course he said there's only one playing.

Busy Day

Today started off pretty good. We all woke up on time and was out of
the house at a decent time too. The brats and I went to the high
school first to finish enrolling the mute brat in school.

I'm calling janiece a mute because she's trying not to talk to us
because she's not speaking to us because she thinks we'll send her
back to the states. I'm saving my $1,700! The bare minimum is what
she'll be getting. I can play that game too.

Anyway....

Her old high school never sent her records yet. So they had no
schedule made for her yet. Since there's not much else we could do we
walked to the middle school which is right next door. We turned in the
papers for that brat too and were instructed to go to the
transportation center to get their bus passes and apply for free lunch.

Then we had to go get my SOFA stamp on my passport at the base
airport. Then I got my Japanese drivers license and then we took the
brats to their eye appointments. Since the mute lost her glasses in
the states we have to pay for her glasses. Since I have to pay out of
my pocket, she'll get what I want her to get.

We had to turn in our car to get repairs done and they will be taking
over 21/2 weeks to complete it. They are letting us use a loaner for
now. This car has...a cassette tape! Can u believe that?! And it has
manual windows! I'm sooo hoping that they finish with our car sooner
than later.

Doug and I went to get keys made at a Japanese store that seemed
similar to Home Depot. The keys for locks off base are different from
American ones. We saw some very different things there too. The
mascot for the place is a monkey holding a hammer LOL We saw some
strange things like this pic for hair color. Can you imagine using
something like this?

Sent from Mrs. Black's iPhone

Driving

Driving here has been a challenge so far. Everything is the opposite
of how it is in the states. It's something I conciously have to
concentrate on or I'll cause an accident.

Anyway....

Check out that muscle tone LOL. My husband has been making sure we
work out a few times a week, hence the bike riding. Last night we did
lunges, leg tosses and something with our calves. His calves are sore
today but because I wear heels often my are feeling pretty normal. I
told him that if he started wearing heels then his calves won't hurt
as much LOL.

Things I Misss

I am learning to love my life here in Okinawa. There are so many things here to love, namely my husband, and this experience we are having is priceless. I should be able to look for a job soon, because the command sponsorship paperwork has finally come in.

There are some things that I miss like being able to drive on the right side of the road on the left side of the car; being able to understand what people are saying, save for ebonics LOL, having more than one store as an option to shop at, finding one than one brand of some items.

Today, I made gumbo for dinner and I was trying to find file powder because it gives the gumbo a particular taste. Anyway I improvised and it tasted pretty good. Normally, I would be taking a lot of what I made for dinner to work the next day, but I don't have a job yet, let alone any friends. So my husband and daughters are the recipients of all of my attentions and food.

This weekend was pretty good though. I drove for the first time by myself on base. I dropped the girls off so that they could hang out with their friends and go to the movies. Janiece is finally settled on the idea of living here now. I'm so glad.

Off to watch 'True Blood'....

My Birthday

Me and my youngest daughter, Cari. She didn't want to pose.

Me and my love.

Our waitress and chef. Notice the peace signs.

Eating salad with chopsticks! Ha, can you do that?

My first taste of sake. I didn't expect the glass to be so big.

Thirty something years ago I was born today. Out of all of my birthdays, this is one of the best. I have three great ones in my repertoire now. One was when I was a little girl and my mom threw a party for me in my aunt's backyard and I had a pinata and a Wonder Woman cake (the frosting made me sick though) and when I turned 26 and I was in Atlantic City. My cousin, Angela was around for two of those birthdays.

Today, my husband provided a great birthday for me. We went out to dinner at the Four Seasons (like Benihana, but way quieter) and we rode around talking. He gave me some nice perfume, a very nice watch and I received cards from our children and him. This birthday was different and just very special to me, probably because it was the first one I've spent with my love.

Four Seasons is a really nice restaurant. They cook your food right in front of you and the best thing....no shrimp! At the Japanese teppenyaki restaurant in Michigan that we frequented they always had a shrimp appetizer and since I'm allergic to shellfish they had to cook it last so there was no cross contamination. Also in Michigan the chef did tricks with the food and made a lot of noise while cooking by clanging on the table and other things. Now that I'm actually in Japan, I see how a lot of things that Americans like are really kind of silly to others. Americans are sometimes called 'Homers'. I just got through watching the Simpson's and if people from other countries can lump us in the same category as Homer Simpson, we as American's are not favored as much as we would like to think. I for one, don't want to be looked upon as someone like that.

I'm looking forward to many more birthdays like this one. Although I wasn't able to spend the day with my other family members and friends that are in the US, I'm certain that there will be other opportunities.
We came home and called for my daughter Janiece. We looked in her room, on the balcony, on the roof and all of the bedrooms and she wasn't there. We started to think that she had left the house to explore our Japanese speaking neighborhood. Then I think that Cari heard something in the closet and opened the door and low and behold someone fell asleep in the closet. She says she got in the closet because she kept hearing strange things and was scared. How funny!!

Wow

I had a really good day today. We woke up early and still had time to spare before Cari's appointment. Everyone got in the shower and out timely. Things were just flowing so well today. Then we got to her appointment and they say that it was at 9 am instead of 9:45. Ummm, ok. I had Japanese class at 10 and they said that she could still be seen but at 10:30. Doug so graciously dropped me and Janiece off at class and brought Cari back to her appointment. Crisis averted.

I learned a lot in class today although it was very, very cold. We learned how to conjugate verbs and construct sentences. After this is all said and done, I'll be able to understand and speak a little Japanese but I still won't be able to read it. The characters are called Kanji, hiragana and katakana and I still can't read them at all. But, today we have officially been here for 3 weeks so I still have time.

I'm such a nerd, because I read the entire Yellow Pages for the island. Actually it's not that big of a book, but anywhere that I'm not familiar with I usually read them. What better way to find out info than to read about all of the businesses. Also the Yellow Pages always has other important information about the area in it too. I learned about the shisa dogs that are perched on rooftops or in entryways and why one dog has it's mouth open and the other one has it closed. There's a wealth of info in the books and I don't think enough people read them. I was even telling my husband, who's been here for over a year, about some of the info, because he didn't even know.

Oh, I drove for the first time here today. It is so different to drive on the wrong side (left) of the road and sit on the right side of the car to drive. When Doug gave me the keys to the car so that I could drive home from the base, I was a little apprehensive. I got in the car and wanted to turn on the blinker and I kept turning on the windshield washers, LOL. I also was driving way to close to the curb. I don't think I did that bad for the first time but coming home from Kadena is just one straight shot. Getting into the garage is, however, a challenge...and I was going forward. I can't imagine what it will be like to back in or back out of the driveway. I will get that opportunity very soon, so I really need to get used to it.

We all go through adversities, but how we try to solve them is what makes a difference in the outcome sometimes and who remains an ally.

Today, we went bike riding again. This time it was a lot shorter, maybe 3-4 miles. The bike that I'm riding is much harder to pedal than the one my husband rides. For every one pedal he has to do, I have to do at least 3. My butt hurt as soon as I sat down on the seat and because I was raising up over every bump, my thighs were burning too. I suppose this is a great workout for me because I'm definitely getting more muscle tone to my thighs. Uh, oh, I'll be able to wear short shorts now, sike! Even if I could wear short shorts, I wouldn't LOL.

Just Another Day...

Today was mostly uneventful. I woke up to watch my husband get dressed in his uniform (which he dislikes wearing), and that I think he looks sexy in. The repairmen came to fix the Japanese toilet and gave us instruction books in Japanese. Ok, what are we going to do with these?

I cooked and pretty much just hung out at the house. The girls were just chilling today, downloading avatars on the computer for their ipods. My daughters are growing up so fast. It seems like just a couple of years ago that they were asking to sleep with me. Now when I hug and kiss them they act like they hate it, but I know that they secretly love it.

My butt doesn't hurt too much at all today. Well not as much as I thought it would. Doug says that we rode about 6 miles yesterday. I say that's not bad for someone who doesn't work out at all. He has made me promise to ride at least 3 times a week. I hope my butt can take it, LOL. Oh, and I have tanned. I'm going to have to do a before and after pic because I have definitely gotten much darker since arriving to Japan.

Tomorrow we go back to Japanese class. I like the class but I think that it would be more efficient if it were at least a few times a week instead of just once a week. Sometimes when I'm thinking of what to say to a Japanese person when out, I almost speak German, LOL. And I thought that I had forgot the 4 years of German that I took.

I almost have everything switched over to my married name. The only thing left is to get my driver's license changed and I can't do that until I return to Michigan. I suppose when I go to visit my former co-workers at Cadillac Place, I can stop at the SOS too.

I'll be so glad when school starts. Maybe then the girls will like it a lot better here. Right now, since we don't live on base, they don't really have any friends, well at least not in our neighborhood. Most of the time if the Japanese in the neighborhood don't stare at us, then they are ignoring us. We signed them up at the base teen center and they've made friends but it's not the same as being in school. The girls can only talk about how things aren't like Michigan and not how things are pleasantly different. I hope and pray to get them out of this mindset.

Soooo Out of Shape

Today, Doug and I bike rode around our neighborhood. I have not been on a bike in over 20 years and at least 60 pounds (yes I was very, very, very skinny). It was an opportunity to get out and see the neighborhood and get some exercise. I don't remember the seats being that little and uncomfortable.

My  husband has never seen me sweat as much as I did today nor smell like I did today.  Hey there's a first time for everything lol.  We rode to the seawall and then through a park and back.  The Japanese people are so polite that only one person told us that we weren't supposed to be riding bikes on the trail.  The whole time they probably thought stupid 'gaijin'.  We finally made it back and I had so much sweat on me it wasn't even funny.  I had to immediately jump in the shower, but not before Doug rubbed his sweat on me.  Ewwww!  

Earlier today we went to the US consulate office to get my passport with my new last name on it.  I even applied for my new SS card there last week.  Can you believe that I applied for the name change on my passport last Thursday and it came back Monday!  That is service for you!  I had never been to a consulate office until I came to Japan and the people who work there have to have their cars checked for explosives.  The doors I suspect are bullet and bomb proof because they are so heavy.

I'm so happy to have my name changed on my passport so now I can change my military ID also.  I will totally feel like a married woman now.

Marriage

When Doug proposed to me at the airport when he was going back to Japan from leave, I felt like I was the luckiest woman in the world.  I loved how he made me feel and I am always overjoyed to make him feel happy, wanted and loved.  Over the next few weeks we found out that we would be faced with some obstacles.  But I'm so proud to say that God has been the driving force in making our marriage a reality.

We were faced with obstacles that he took care of.  My lease just so happened to be up the month before we were to leave.  If it had not been then I would have had to pay way more rent to go month to month.  I found someone (a good friend) to buy my car who needed one.  He had recently moved and wasn't sure if things would work out with moving again but they did.  He found a house for all of us that will be big enough for when the twins get here in March.  There were more things that I can't seem to remember at this moment but God was with us the entire way.  I have to think that the command sponsorship hasn't come yet because there's a reason that is yet to be revealed.  The one thing that I've learned to do is trust and have faith.  God never puts more on us than we can handle.

When we found out the process we would take to get married in Japan, we were both very excited.  It was a step above getting a double proxy marriage in Montana where neither one of us needed to be present.  Friends were sad that they wouldn't get an opportunity to see us get married and we thought it would be nice to write our own vows and say them and send a copy of the video back to family and friends.  As of this day, we haven't said our vows to one another but we did email them.  We are definitely a family into technology LOL.  I hope that one day we will be able to fulfill this request and say our vows in our garden, when time allows.  

What a Day!!

This morning started off pretty good.  I really love being married.  There's a sense of contentment that you get that is irreplaceable.  I had a dental appointment and the girls were going to choir camp.  We all got up with no incidence.  I can't say that there weren't any attitudes but I digress...

My dental appointment went pretty well, or so I thought.  Apparently, the dental maintenance organization I had been going through courtesy of my former job has been doing a sub-par job on the maintenance of our teeth.  I had a filling in a couple of teeth that they did not fill completely.  The dental staff at the military clinic were trying to determine what the issue was on the xrays.  So because they couldn't determine what the problem was they had to go in and take the original filling out and refill it.  

This issue would have been so bad but we all know that they they have to numb your mouth and then drill.  Afterwards you feel like your jaw and lips are huge and that you might be drooling.  My husband had to keep reassuring me that I wasn't lol.  After the numbness wore off, I was left with the biggest headache ever.  It was so bad that it brought me to tears, literally.  I took 2 extra strength tylenols and it didn't help and then 4 hours later I had to take 2 advils and it still didn't work.  Eventually, the headache went away, thank goodness.

Earlier we ran errands to the housing agency and some other places.  It's always enjoyable to spend time with my loved ones.  

The repairman came to fix our Japanese toilet today.  You ask, "What is a Japanese toilet?"  Well it's one of those that sprays warm water on your butt while you sit on the toilet.  Initially it didn't work but now that it's fixed it does.  Doug has used it but I'm a little afraid to have water shoot up on my butt.  Maybe one day I'll get the courage to use it.

Oh, my passport with my new name has returned to the US embassy here.  They sent me an email to let me know I can come and pick it up.  I'm really happy about this because I get to change my name on everything now.  I had to use my hyphenated name on my military ID and medical records because they said for traveling purposes my names must match the passport.  When I finally decided that I might marry again, I said that I would never hyphenate my name again because I would be marrying a man who I respect and I would be proud to have his last name.  

In my first marriage I felt that my ex should have taken my last name because he didn't do anything.  In fact, I used to get a kick out of people calling him Mr. Smith because our daughters last names are Smith, except for the youngest.  He never found it as funny as I, lol.

The girls and I are watching Legally Blonde 2.  I can't believe I'm watching a movie because you know my ADD has been kicking in.  It is so hard for me to sit still and watch anything without falling asleep or getting up to do something else.

Well, we should have our command sponsorship by Thursday (again) hopefully.  The military can never be accused of doing anything too fast, lol.  To me it seems like it's a formality to keep people with jobs because all they have to do is sign some papers. Whenever they get around to doing it then I can get a job.  I need a job soon.  I've been enjoying this time with my girls and my husband but I need to work and do some other things.

My husband on a typical night.

Sunday, August 16

Today was a much better day.  We all got up and got along.  I suppose everyone has their own emotions that they are dealing with at this time.  In a way I feel a little selfish being here because I'm the only one who has loved ones here.  Doug is here for me and my children are here for me.  Although he cares for them because he loves me, and they 'care' for him because they love me, but it's an adjustment that I just assume that they can handle.

I suppose it's no different than my friends getting together to give me a bon voyage party.  I love all of my friends but they don't love each other.  I just felt that because I see something great in each one of them that they would be able to see what I see also.  Everyone worked together to accomplish the goal, but I'm not sure they would do it again.  It's kind of sad too because I always felt that I have some pretty awesome friends.  I hope that with a little bit of counseling my family situation will not turn out like my friends situation did.

Anyway....

Today we went to the commissary (supermarket on base) and spent quite a bit of money.  I think that it this continues then eventually I will gain back all of the weight that I've lost this summer.  I feel good about the weight loss but yet again none of the clothes that I shipped have arrived here yet.  When we were going into the commissary, this chick that was walking in front of us with her daughter had on some tight booty shorts and a low cut tank top.  She wore no ring so it appeared she wasn't married but I believe that she was and her husband was deployed.  After lecturing the girls about not dressing that way, we see a chick that goes against everything that we are trying to teach.

At the commissary they also have little Japanese ladies that bag your groceries and pack them into your car.  It's kind of cool because the majority of the cars here are small and it takes a skilled person to get all of the bags in.  What I enjoy is going to the commissary as a family and shopping.  I know that this isn't a big deal to some people but it is to me.  The more things you do as a family the closer your bond is, or I would like to think.  Growing up I hated when we all had to sit down at the table at every meal and eat together because I always felt like I was on the spot.  But as a parent, I realize that it was for a good purpose.  I know that what I want and what's reality cannot always combine.

Ever since I went to the optometrist, my left eye has been extremely dry and hurting.  But I am very happy to say that I have 20/25 (right) and 20/30 (left) vision and I came from not even being on the charts at all.  This is all within a 1 1/2 month period.  Anyone who has seen my glasses knows this lol.  I will be continuing my steroid drops a little bit longer than what my surgeon has recommended.  Maybe I will contact him and find out what is best.  Well it looks like I'll be staying up late Monday night to call.  It kind of sucks that there is such a huge time difference.

Oh, AT&T sucks!  I called to have all of the phones cut off because it would cost too much for me to have them on here.  They say that I would have to get new phones and my iPhone is the only one that would work with a $200 extra data plan.  I think not!  Anyway I have 4 phones on my contract and then they were saying that I should get them in someone elses name to take over the contract.  Who needs 4 phones?  Right!  Anyway I told them it wouldn't be an option for me.  The first lady I talked to accused me of falsely saying that I'm married now and living overseas.

I was getting angry with this lady and wanted to speak to another rep or a supervisor and she denied my request.  Now you know it takes a lot to get me upset and this lady had done it.  She even told me that the only way I could change my name on my account is to go into a corporate office to do it.  Ummm, that's pretty hard to do because there are no offices here on Okinawa.  Anyway, I spent almost an hour on the phone arguing with this rep and then had to call back and spoke with another rep who said I was just trying to get out of my contract.  Ummm, duh, yes I am because I refuse to pay $200 more to keep a number and still have to pay for other phones too.  

Hopefully after I write this long letter that I will be writing and copying everyone including the BBB and whoever else I can think of I'll get some satisfaction.

We are watching the Lions play right now.  We already know the outcome of the game but I guess he still wants to watch.  Men!

'Wedding' Pics

Our 'wedding' day @ Chatan City hall, Okinawa City, Okinawa, Japan on July 30, 2009.

Random Tourist Pics

The girls on Kadena Airbase.

The girls at Chatan City hall.