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!