With all the pictures in the last blog, I thought a small video clip would be fun. Andie and Brian knew there was something that Luke really wanted, they went all out with this one. I recorded it, more to see the other kids reactions to this unconventional gift. Seeing Luke's reaction was priceless and if you can't tell in the video, he LOVES it. :)
He can't wait, I mean talks about getting started constantly, he loves it! And on the bright side, my duties were just lifted a little. Luke is really my little helper.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
8 years in the making
Yesterday was such a busy yet completely fun day! With weeks of planning and coordinating I was able to finally see my efforts pay off, and the turn out was good, the food was great and the guest of honor had it a long time coming.
Yesterday we celebrated Luke's 8th Birthday. I know, it's 11 days shy of a month late, but being born 3 days after Christmas- it's tough come birthday time. With Christmas putting a damper on his day, then New Years and the fact that he doesn't see many of his friends until about a week into January, we decided this time would be best. This year, with Derrick and Melanie both gone, this time definitely works best for me.
Now what makes this birthday different from the rest is: this is the first birthday party he's shared with his friends. Each party up until now was a family party. We decided when he was younger that we'd start throwing him birthday parties when he entered kindergarten, that way he'd have his own friends to invite. Well, kinder came, it was our first year on Okinawa. I was active in his classroom and knew who all his friends were, but something came up. Derrick deployed to the Philippines for 4 months and left on December 11th. This being my first Christmas alone with 3 kids, (I'd done it once already with 2) and everything different about the global situations I was in no frame of mind to make Christmas amazing and then throw a birthday party the next week.
Last year Luke decided he didn't want to have a party but rather go to the arcade as a family. We had fun, but another year of him not getting that party. This year, I told myself there would be no excuses. Come hell or high water, Like is getting a birthday party. There were a few times where I just felt like the forces were working against me this year.
I had planned a bowling party but that fell through. Apparently 6 other people had the same idea. Later I found out that the parties reserved for Sunday had all been canceled- but I had already changed my party plans. We were going to have a small Pirate themed pizza party at the house. That snowballed into something huge. The more I prepared for this, the more I thought about how Luke had never had a birthday party but both Melanie and Brandon have had pretty awesome parties. This one ended up being an event to remember. The guest list doubled, I searched high and low for a treasure chest, first a pinata, then an actual chest. With days of searching and tons of miles put on my van I found what I was looking for. Oh and the cake situation, I couldn't decide which 'cake lady' to go with so I ordered two.
How do you choose between those? The first one matches his Pirate plates/napkins set perfectly and the second matches the treasure chest theme perfectly. The first is a chocolate cake and the treasure chest is a yellow cake with chocolate gold coins, hersheys kisses and ring pops for the jewels, skittles for the buttons and fruit by the foot for the straps. Luke fell in love with this cake the first time he was it. (So did I.) Aside from two amazing cakes, we had a little treasure map leading us from the street to our backyard pirate party.
And we've found the treasure. Gift bags for each of the kids, gummy skull and cross bones, jewels and beaded necklaces. It was a chore keeping the kids out of this until the end. Everyone loved it. AND I now have a really beautiful chest to use in my house. Now to figure out which room it should belong in? :)
Aside from the cake and treasure chest madness we had tons of fun. Eight pizzas, a gallon of ice cream and a few bumped foreheads later (from the bounce house) I was able to upload the party pictures and see first had what I wasn't fully able to appreciate as the party was happening. Luke was having an awesome time!
Between all of the running I was doing during set up, through the party to make sure everything went smoothly and the clean up afterwards I feel like I had one crazy work out. The two hour party that started at noon was extended until about 5:30 with neighborhood kids, but the final guests (my closest friends) hung out with us until after 10pm. It was great having them here to help me for this. I don't know what I would have done without Andie and Brian. They (and a few other people) have really helped me keep my sanity with all the changes that we've been faced with over the past 3 months. Thank goodness for amazing friends!
Here are a few random pictures from Luke's first real birthday party. I can't guarantee that next year or the parties to follow will end up this huge, but this one... I had to make spectacular, he's waited this long.
Luke and his friend Akaylin & in the second picture it's Shayla and Luke playing with their treasure.
A handful of the kids wearing off all the goodies they'd just consumed & Luke and one of his best friends Tyler showing off the treasure. I have a cute video that I'm going to try and upload in a new blog, I've used all the space for this blog with photos. We had a great day, and after a good nights rest we're going to finish cleaning up then we're going to start playing with all the great things that Luke received yesterday!
Yesterday we celebrated Luke's 8th Birthday. I know, it's 11 days shy of a month late, but being born 3 days after Christmas- it's tough come birthday time. With Christmas putting a damper on his day, then New Years and the fact that he doesn't see many of his friends until about a week into January, we decided this time would be best. This year, with Derrick and Melanie both gone, this time definitely works best for me.
Now what makes this birthday different from the rest is: this is the first birthday party he's shared with his friends. Each party up until now was a family party. We decided when he was younger that we'd start throwing him birthday parties when he entered kindergarten, that way he'd have his own friends to invite. Well, kinder came, it was our first year on Okinawa. I was active in his classroom and knew who all his friends were, but something came up. Derrick deployed to the Philippines for 4 months and left on December 11th. This being my first Christmas alone with 3 kids, (I'd done it once already with 2) and everything different about the global situations I was in no frame of mind to make Christmas amazing and then throw a birthday party the next week.
Last year Luke decided he didn't want to have a party but rather go to the arcade as a family. We had fun, but another year of him not getting that party. This year, I told myself there would be no excuses. Come hell or high water, Like is getting a birthday party. There were a few times where I just felt like the forces were working against me this year.
I had planned a bowling party but that fell through. Apparently 6 other people had the same idea. Later I found out that the parties reserved for Sunday had all been canceled- but I had already changed my party plans. We were going to have a small Pirate themed pizza party at the house. That snowballed into something huge. The more I prepared for this, the more I thought about how Luke had never had a birthday party but both Melanie and Brandon have had pretty awesome parties. This one ended up being an event to remember. The guest list doubled, I searched high and low for a treasure chest, first a pinata, then an actual chest. With days of searching and tons of miles put on my van I found what I was looking for. Oh and the cake situation, I couldn't decide which 'cake lady' to go with so I ordered two.
How do you choose between those? The first one matches his Pirate plates/napkins set perfectly and the second matches the treasure chest theme perfectly. The first is a chocolate cake and the treasure chest is a yellow cake with chocolate gold coins, hersheys kisses and ring pops for the jewels, skittles for the buttons and fruit by the foot for the straps. Luke fell in love with this cake the first time he was it. (So did I.) Aside from two amazing cakes, we had a little treasure map leading us from the street to our backyard pirate party.
And we've found the treasure. Gift bags for each of the kids, gummy skull and cross bones, jewels and beaded necklaces. It was a chore keeping the kids out of this until the end. Everyone loved it. AND I now have a really beautiful chest to use in my house. Now to figure out which room it should belong in? :)Aside from the cake and treasure chest madness we had tons of fun. Eight pizzas, a gallon of ice cream and a few bumped foreheads later (from the bounce house) I was able to upload the party pictures and see first had what I wasn't fully able to appreciate as the party was happening. Luke was having an awesome time!
Between all of the running I was doing during set up, through the party to make sure everything went smoothly and the clean up afterwards I feel like I had one crazy work out. The two hour party that started at noon was extended until about 5:30 with neighborhood kids, but the final guests (my closest friends) hung out with us until after 10pm. It was great having them here to help me for this. I don't know what I would have done without Andie and Brian. They (and a few other people) have really helped me keep my sanity with all the changes that we've been faced with over the past 3 months. Thank goodness for amazing friends!
Here are a few random pictures from Luke's first real birthday party. I can't guarantee that next year or the parties to follow will end up this huge, but this one... I had to make spectacular, he's waited this long.
Luke and his friend Akaylin & in the second picture it's Shayla and Luke playing with their treasure.
A handful of the kids wearing off all the goodies they'd just consumed & Luke and one of his best friends Tyler showing off the treasure. I have a cute video that I'm going to try and upload in a new blog, I've used all the space for this blog with photos. We had a great day, and after a good nights rest we're going to finish cleaning up then we're going to start playing with all the great things that Luke received yesterday!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
America Supports You!
After four days on hearing nothing, no calls or e mails I was really beginning to worry. Without putting that burden on any of you, I'll keep it simple. The last conversation I had with Derrick was very intense. His team left him and their interpreter behind at their camp while they went to a few other bases. He said he felt more safe not being in a helo there or a convoy back. I took his word, though all the while I was more paranoid because he was now in essence alone in the middle of nowhere. Him against the nation. It was only supposed to be a few days but ended up being almost 2 weeks (It's a wonder I managed any sleep the past three nights.) Last night, after 3 days of hearing nothing, it was the worst for me. By the time exhaustion kicked in it was 3:30 am. Three hours later I was up with the boys and here I am now after midnight and just don't feel sleepy. All day long I feel like a zombie; it gets late and I wake up- go figure?
So enough of the worry, this afternoon Derrick was able to call. It was another horrible connection, maybe 7 minutes at most and that was through two separate calls. He sounded exhausted and so cold. I checked the weather and the closest reading I could find was a few thousand feet lower in elevation, at that location the high today was 30 degrees. He said he was doing well, just exhausted, busy and the weather has been really awful and that's why he wasn't able to call. I'm going to make myself believe that, even when I feel in my mind that he's just trying to keep me sheltered.
I asked if he received any packages and he laughed. He said he received a TON of them. He received the package from his mom and Melanie (thanks for all the goodies, blankets and other warming up stuffs) He also received the one we sent out the day after Christmas. He now has his big blanket. He said that it's a life saver. Ooh, I forgot I have a picture of it. :) This is the blanket he absolutely needed:
Along with the package we sent and the one he received from Texas, he said he also received about 6 boxes from Robert's friend. Robert is my older brother, and his friend is actually his editor. Robert was at work one day talking to him about Derrick heading to Afghanistan. His editors son had served in both Fallujah, Iraq and in Afghanistan and he understood, through his son's service, the difficulties of being there. He asked if it were alright to send some things to Derrick and his guys as well as the children of Afghanistan. Robert asked me to send an e mail with ideas of what to include in care packages, then mentioned that many people from the newspaper he works with wanted to help out. When Robert called me a few days ago to let me know packages had been sent, I would have never guessed that they would have pulled together eleven boxes for Derrick. He told me how they had so many items donated, but also a lot of monetary donations. With that he and his wife went to Walmart and bought a ton of crayons, markers, coloring books, socks and shoes. Socks are very much needed over there. Then he and his wife carried in all of their eleven boxes into the post office. He told Robert that "it felt damn good sending them too!"
When Derrick's Marines returned to their camp they came with half of his packages. He said that he was so grateful and so were his Marines. He was also told there were four more waiting for him at his Forward Operating Base. (Derrick doesn't have any postal services at his camp, when they bring in supplies they bring up mail as well.)
Robert, if you're reading this, he said he hasn't received the boxes with supplies for the children but when he does he will take pictures of the distribution and the villagers in general. Unfortunately he won't be able to e mail them, as he doesn't have the ability to upload pictures, and he can't send them on disc since he also doesn't have mailing services available where he's at. Everything sent will be used and appreciated, even the boxes the goodies arrived in. He's already used them to fuel his fires. There is something awesome brewing which might bring him home for 2 weeks in the relatively near future. Should that happen I'll save the photos to my computer and send you a disc and/or e mail them to you.
He was overwhelmed by the support and generosity of strangers. Being outside the States for so long we often forget how amazing the average American is. I know I can say for him, possibly more than I can say for myself, we really can't wait to get back to that side of the globe.
Okinawa has been an adventure I don't think either of us would change for the world, but we're ready to prepare for our next big adventure.
So enough of the worry, this afternoon Derrick was able to call. It was another horrible connection, maybe 7 minutes at most and that was through two separate calls. He sounded exhausted and so cold. I checked the weather and the closest reading I could find was a few thousand feet lower in elevation, at that location the high today was 30 degrees. He said he was doing well, just exhausted, busy and the weather has been really awful and that's why he wasn't able to call. I'm going to make myself believe that, even when I feel in my mind that he's just trying to keep me sheltered.
I asked if he received any packages and he laughed. He said he received a TON of them. He received the package from his mom and Melanie (thanks for all the goodies, blankets and other warming up stuffs) He also received the one we sent out the day after Christmas. He now has his big blanket. He said that it's a life saver. Ooh, I forgot I have a picture of it. :) This is the blanket he absolutely needed:
Along with the package we sent and the one he received from Texas, he said he also received about 6 boxes from Robert's friend. Robert is my older brother, and his friend is actually his editor. Robert was at work one day talking to him about Derrick heading to Afghanistan. His editors son had served in both Fallujah, Iraq and in Afghanistan and he understood, through his son's service, the difficulties of being there. He asked if it were alright to send some things to Derrick and his guys as well as the children of Afghanistan. Robert asked me to send an e mail with ideas of what to include in care packages, then mentioned that many people from the newspaper he works with wanted to help out. When Robert called me a few days ago to let me know packages had been sent, I would have never guessed that they would have pulled together eleven boxes for Derrick. He told me how they had so many items donated, but also a lot of monetary donations. With that he and his wife went to Walmart and bought a ton of crayons, markers, coloring books, socks and shoes. Socks are very much needed over there. Then he and his wife carried in all of their eleven boxes into the post office. He told Robert that "it felt damn good sending them too!"
When Derrick's Marines returned to their camp they came with half of his packages. He said that he was so grateful and so were his Marines. He was also told there were four more waiting for him at his Forward Operating Base. (Derrick doesn't have any postal services at his camp, when they bring in supplies they bring up mail as well.)
Robert, if you're reading this, he said he hasn't received the boxes with supplies for the children but when he does he will take pictures of the distribution and the villagers in general. Unfortunately he won't be able to e mail them, as he doesn't have the ability to upload pictures, and he can't send them on disc since he also doesn't have mailing services available where he's at. Everything sent will be used and appreciated, even the boxes the goodies arrived in. He's already used them to fuel his fires. There is something awesome brewing which might bring him home for 2 weeks in the relatively near future. Should that happen I'll save the photos to my computer and send you a disc and/or e mail them to you.
He was overwhelmed by the support and generosity of strangers. Being outside the States for so long we often forget how amazing the average American is. I know I can say for him, possibly more than I can say for myself, we really can't wait to get back to that side of the globe.
Okinawa has been an adventure I don't think either of us would change for the world, but we're ready to prepare for our next big adventure.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Garden Depot & Cocok's
So, this blog is nothing like the others. It's just me boasting about the gem of a place we found today after a little pampering. For those on Okinawa, you know about Cocok's (the k is silent, pronounced Coco's) for those not here, boy are you missing out. It's a nail salon that has expanded their services to include hair, make up and massages as well. Their best known for their pedicures and their AMAZING nail art. A pedicure at Cocok's is a little bit more expensive than your standard stateside pedi running 3990¥, roughly $40. What you get with that, other than service with a smile, is an hour in a comfy recliner, a bottomless glass of the best Oolong tea around, (they have a bar for those who want something a little stronger), and a food and leg massage to die for. Oh and the basic pedicure stuff too. To top it off, you're handed a book with probably a thousand designs in it. If you don't like what you see in the book then you can look at the artificial nail on the cork board that have been done in their most popular designs. Cocok's is a treat that is worth the splurge.
Don't mind my goofy looking toes; here is a photo of my hand painted pineapples and hibiscus toes. Oh and Andie's also, more hibiscus. Apparently we were thinking similarly. :)
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After getting our toes done we were on a (failed) mission to find a treasure chest pinata. It was there last week, there were TONS of them last week, but I had Luke with me so I couldn't get it then. I go back and there are none. There are now no boy pinatas anywhere. ugh!
After that we decide to grab a bite to eat. We were on a side of the island we don't go to often so we called a friend for lunch suggestions. For whatever reason, everything she mentioned just didn't sound great, it sounded good but we wanted something great. We decided to drive until something caught our eye.
I found myself driving through American Village in Mihama, it's a village (hardly, more of a bustling little city) right off the East China Sea. Before we knew it we were walking through American Depot. Clearly they cater to us here, in Mihama at least. We passed a few little restaurants before deciding to try Garden Depot. I don't know what the depot theme is about, but it works, right?
Neither of us had heard reviews on the place, I'd only seen an ad in the phone book or maybe some local publication, but hey, it's worth trying at least once. So we did. Oh my goodness I'm so glad we did too.
They have a special lunch menu with dishes ranging from an uncured pork sandwhich, to pastas, fish and chicken dishes and even hamburg meals. (hamburgers- minus the bun). I decided on the grilled chicken and shrimp with a chili sauce for 1180¥ and Andie went with the Wasabi, ginger, soy sauce hamburg lunch. For an extra 200¥ you also got a cake from their menu. With only the main items in English we weren't sure what all came with our meals so we just waited for it to arrive. (That's often the case here.) A few minutes after our order was placed our server brought us each a bowl of cream of spinach soup and a salad with the best dressing ever. For those who have Cocos curry, it's similar to the Sesame dressing, but there are no seeds and it's clear with black specks (not pepper). In any case, YUM-O!
After that our main courses came out, we had the choice of rice or bread, we both chose rice.
I took one bite of the shrimp and about died. I think it was the best shrimp I've ever, seriously ever tasted. The chili sauce was so awesome and the chicken was cooked so beautifully. They even plated each dish really well. Bonus! (Clearly I watch too much Hells Kitchen, I ♥ Chef Ramsey). After we wrapped up lunch they brought a tray with each of their desserts, they all looked amazing but we could only pick one each. Andie suggested that I try the chocolate mousse and she had the strawberry cake. She really had to twist my arm on this one. As if the grilled chicken and shrimp didn't look amazing enough...
Yes, that's gold leafing sprinkled on top and the chocolate slivers on each side, that's gold lettering painted on. The chip of white chocolate on top was painted as well. It was so beautiful I could almost not eat it. Almost!
It was layer upon layer of amazing, the moouse sat atop a chocolate cookie crust, and surrouded a piece of amazing chocolate then was coated with the chocolate fudge you see, sprinkled with gold and garnished with chocolate bark.
Amazing!! and all for roughly $2. Super bonus.
Andie's dessert was pretty awesome too I might add. Clearly not as beautiful as mine, but I'm sure tasted just as great. Oh yeah, the white slivers that say patisserie, that's white chocolate. She said that was the sweetest strawberry and the cake was so light and amazing.
All of this, oh and drinks too, our total bill was under 2800¥ or less than $30! Talk about awesome huh? And for those not on Okinawa, we don't tip here. That's just plain rude! So $30 out the door.
For those on Okinawa, I'm sure you've seen this place, it's right across from Dragon Palace and the Ferris Wheel one way (Closer to the Sea) and across the street from Jusco, Tony Roma's and the Movie Theater. In case that wasn't enough, maybe this will refresh your memory. :)
Don't mind my goofy looking toes; here is a photo of my hand painted pineapples and hibiscus toes. Oh and Andie's also, more hibiscus. Apparently we were thinking similarly. :)
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After getting our toes done we were on a (failed) mission to find a treasure chest pinata. It was there last week, there were TONS of them last week, but I had Luke with me so I couldn't get it then. I go back and there are none. There are now no boy pinatas anywhere. ugh!
After that we decide to grab a bite to eat. We were on a side of the island we don't go to often so we called a friend for lunch suggestions. For whatever reason, everything she mentioned just didn't sound great, it sounded good but we wanted something great. We decided to drive until something caught our eye.
I found myself driving through American Village in Mihama, it's a village (hardly, more of a bustling little city) right off the East China Sea. Before we knew it we were walking through American Depot. Clearly they cater to us here, in Mihama at least. We passed a few little restaurants before deciding to try Garden Depot. I don't know what the depot theme is about, but it works, right?
Neither of us had heard reviews on the place, I'd only seen an ad in the phone book or maybe some local publication, but hey, it's worth trying at least once. So we did. Oh my goodness I'm so glad we did too.
They have a special lunch menu with dishes ranging from an uncured pork sandwhich, to pastas, fish and chicken dishes and even hamburg meals. (hamburgers- minus the bun). I decided on the grilled chicken and shrimp with a chili sauce for 1180¥ and Andie went with the Wasabi, ginger, soy sauce hamburg lunch. For an extra 200¥ you also got a cake from their menu. With only the main items in English we weren't sure what all came with our meals so we just waited for it to arrive. (That's often the case here.) A few minutes after our order was placed our server brought us each a bowl of cream of spinach soup and a salad with the best dressing ever. For those who have Cocos curry, it's similar to the Sesame dressing, but there are no seeds and it's clear with black specks (not pepper). In any case, YUM-O!
After that our main courses came out, we had the choice of rice or bread, we both chose rice.
I took one bite of the shrimp and about died. I think it was the best shrimp I've ever, seriously ever tasted. The chili sauce was so awesome and the chicken was cooked so beautifully. They even plated each dish really well. Bonus! (Clearly I watch too much Hells Kitchen, I ♥ Chef Ramsey). After we wrapped up lunch they brought a tray with each of their desserts, they all looked amazing but we could only pick one each. Andie suggested that I try the chocolate mousse and she had the strawberry cake. She really had to twist my arm on this one. As if the grilled chicken and shrimp didn't look amazing enough...
Yes, that's gold leafing sprinkled on top and the chocolate slivers on each side, that's gold lettering painted on. The chip of white chocolate on top was painted as well. It was so beautiful I could almost not eat it. Almost!It was layer upon layer of amazing, the moouse sat atop a chocolate cookie crust, and surrouded a piece of amazing chocolate then was coated with the chocolate fudge you see, sprinkled with gold and garnished with chocolate bark.
Amazing!! and all for roughly $2. Super bonus.
Andie's dessert was pretty awesome too I might add. Clearly not as beautiful as mine, but I'm sure tasted just as great. Oh yeah, the white slivers that say patisserie, that's white chocolate. She said that was the sweetest strawberry and the cake was so light and amazing.
All of this, oh and drinks too, our total bill was under 2800¥ or less than $30! Talk about awesome huh? And for those not on Okinawa, we don't tip here. That's just plain rude! So $30 out the door.For those on Okinawa, I'm sure you've seen this place, it's right across from Dragon Palace and the Ferris Wheel one way (Closer to the Sea) and across the street from Jusco, Tony Roma's and the Movie Theater. In case that wasn't enough, maybe this will refresh your memory. :)
& if that didn't help you out, I know this one will.
I know Andie and I both can't wait to go back, so if anyone is wanting to try something new, and amazing, AND would like a little company. :) :) Gimme a call and I'll be your lunch or dinner date. Seriously girls, we should do a lunch there sometime soon!Sunday, January 11, 2009
Somewhere out there
Yesterday was such an off day for me. It started early and just continued throughout the day. I finished up my homework by about midnight but something kept me awake for another 3 hours. I literally sat laying awake contemplating why I coudn't sleep.
Four hours later my phone rang and woke me up. My mom was so proud of herself, she figured out the time difference, 9 months before I go home. She just forgot the check the date. Saturday morning and the phone is ringing at 7am. ugh! We talked for a bit then I tried to fall back asleep. It wasn't happening, even if you don't take into consideration the 3 or 4 other times she called. What sucked was yesterday the boys decided to sleep until eleven. MOM, ELEVEN!! (seriously mom, it's okay. Just harassing you).
I had a huge paper to do so I had a few hours of peace and quiet to work on it. The boys woke up and were out to play. Week 8 of a 10 week term, they know this is mom's crazy time. Then Derrick called. Yesterday was one if the most unsettling conversations we've had yet. It really shook me up and I think I'm still trying to fully grasp or maybe just block out everything. I don't know how I would be functioning today had it not been for a few friends calling and stopping by when they did. Thank you, you know who you are. I was able to talk to D for a little while before he had to go, it wasn't an abrupt goodbye, but it wasn't as ideal as I'd like it to be.
So I'm sitting uneasy (uneasy is such an understatement) and for hours I'm between losing my mind, writing a paper I have no desire to write and trying to convince myself that food might be a good idea. Hours pass, I mean it's now after 10 pm and the phone rings.
It's Derrick!! a two call day, yay! He doesn't say much in the way of hello's but asks if it's night here. Of course it is silly. Then he asks if I can see the moon. It was so hard for me to tell him I didn't want to go outside because it's cold here when I know the 50something I'm feeling would be shorts and t-shirt weather for him (the daytime high is barely 30 degrees there). I tell him it's overcast and he tells me I have to at least try to see it. So I step outside [and freeze] I look up and can see the clouds illuminated but they are too think to see the moon. I tell him that and as I do, it was as if God had taken his hand and wiped away all the clouds around the moon. It was the most brilliant moon I'd ever seen. It was magical. As I looked up with it shining straight down on me I (in all of my cheesiness) asked Derrick if we were standing under the same beautiful moon. Yep, we were! (obviously) It was such a magical moment for me. He's so not the romantic type. In fairness to him, he probably wasn't trying to be romantic, he's a huge science buff. It was pretty spectacular scientifically speaking. :) That call really helped lift some of the weight off my chest.
This morning, it wasn't even 7 am when my mother called. This time she announced that she knew it was Sunday and that it was early. She didn't care, she had something she wanted to tell me. She asked me if it was still dark here. She had just seen an article on yahoo about the moon. Last nights moon was going to be the brightest moon of 2009. I told her that I probably wouldn't be able to see the moon at that point, but Derrick saw it and called me. Neither of us knew what was making it so much brighter than usual but it was definitely a beautiful sight. After her moon announcement I told her goodnight and went back to sleep.
I just thought it was awesome, I see the romance in what Derrick was doing, it was like a fairy tale how the clouds just dissipated, it was perfect. As perfect as this situation could be. Then on the scientific side of it, we were also able to share a historic event together even with thousands of miles between us.
(I know, I'm a cheese ball.)
Oh and yes, even before sharing this story with my good friend Andie, (total movie buff) I was thinking of this song. As soon as I saw the moon it was playing in my head. Now I've gotta watch An American Tale...
Somewhere out there beneath the pale moonlight
Someone's thinking of me and loving me tonight
Somewhere out there someone's saying a prayer
That we'll find one another in that big somewhere out there
And even though I know how very far apart we are
It helps to think we might be wishing on the same bright star
And when the night wind starts to sing a lonesome lullaby
It helps to think we're sleeping underneath the same big sky
Somewhere out there if love can see us through
Then we'll be together somewhere out there
Out where dreams come true
And even though I know how very far apart we are
It helps to think we might be wishing on the same bright star
And when the night wind starts to sing a lonesome lullaby
It helps to think we're sleeping underneath the same big sky
Somewhere out there if love can see us through
Then we'll be together somewhere out there
Out where dreams come true
Monday, January 5, 2009
Manan is wearing his shoes
Through seven separate (dropped) phone calls over 45 minutes time I was able to talk to Derrick for the longest time yet. He sounds so good right now. His spirits are up and he was able to just talk. The first time we've really been able to relax and talk together in over a month. I know more about his living conditions, and how he is eating. Both of which I am not pleased with, but what to do? It's the nature of the beast.
After their Christmas dinner fiasco, they have decided to no longer send fresh (frozen) meat to the camp Derrick is at, now they only get processed proteins which he says aren't the greatest. That just means I'll be sending him more groceries each month so he is able to get something a little better tasting to eat. He told me about his 'stove.' It's 4 empty ammo cans holding up a metal grate over an open flame. He told me before he left that he'd heard it was a very "spartan" camp, I guess I hadn't fully wrapped my mind around that. He is eagerly waiting for his blanket (still). He said the colder it gets outside the colder it gets inside. The overnight temperature last night was 7 degrees and the daytime high is supposed to be 36. He told me a little more about his 'house.' We've decided at best it resembles something you'd find in a run down area of Tijuana, Mexico. Even with all of that, he doesn't complain. He actually said, aside from working with the ANA, I'll explain that part in a minute, and the conflicts/violence in the region, it's a beautiful place to live. If circumstances were different, where he's at would be an ideal place to live. I'll take his word for it. It still isn't appealing enough for me.
The ANA is tough to work with, they seem to know everything and know that their way is the right way. Basically, it feels like he's dealing with an army of teenage girls. One soldier broke something on a vehicle, when Derrick arranged for him to fix it he came up with every possible excuse. He wasn't a mechanic, neither was Derrick. He didn't have tools, Derrick found him tools and so on. Eventually he ran out of excuses and Derrick taught him how to fix it. I don't know how he reacted to accomplishing something he'd never done before, but I'd like to think it made him proud.
Derrick told me that Manam is wearing his shoes now. Manam is a 12 year old boy who works at the camp with the Marines. He wore an old pair of tennis shoes that Derrick knew wouldn't be enough to keep his feet warm through the winter so he asked me to pick up a pair of boots. Fortunately they arrived a few days before Christmas and he's wearing them now. I asked if they fit well, but the through the language barrier he just doesn't know. He said they look like they do though. He's mentioned that when he's out on patrol kids will come up to him, they are so used to firearms that his don't seem to phase them one bit. They'll walk straight up to him and ask for candy. I guess they've learned that Ameicans carry candy just for them and they know just enough English to ask for it.
He's been able to have a few laughs with the nationals and his interpreter. Care packages come in from people across the country, some of them have items for female soldiers. Since there are none where Derrick is at those items go unused. Unless you've got Derrick's sense of humor. He gave a box of feminine products to his interpreter and told him they were more effective "super absorbant" napkins for his face. He said he had him going for a few minutes before he caught on. He never did use them. :) There have been other stories he's shared, but that one is the most G rated I could recall. While they are busy with many things, he is still able to find a few minutes to laugh each day.
E mail is still hard to come by, the community computer room is about the size of my bathroom, and houses 3 computers and 1 phone. That phone is only able to call other bases so when he does call from there he's only allowed ten minutes. He also has a satellite phone that allows him to call home for longer durations, that is how we were able to talk so long this time. With those calls the signal is often weak and because he has to be outdoors in an open area he tries to limit his exposure. He brought his laptop with hopes of being able to connect to a satellite signal but for the location he is at, that service is unavailable. In any case, he sends his love, misses everyone and appreciates all the well wishes, love and support.
After their Christmas dinner fiasco, they have decided to no longer send fresh (frozen) meat to the camp Derrick is at, now they only get processed proteins which he says aren't the greatest. That just means I'll be sending him more groceries each month so he is able to get something a little better tasting to eat. He told me about his 'stove.' It's 4 empty ammo cans holding up a metal grate over an open flame. He told me before he left that he'd heard it was a very "spartan" camp, I guess I hadn't fully wrapped my mind around that. He is eagerly waiting for his blanket (still). He said the colder it gets outside the colder it gets inside. The overnight temperature last night was 7 degrees and the daytime high is supposed to be 36. He told me a little more about his 'house.' We've decided at best it resembles something you'd find in a run down area of Tijuana, Mexico. Even with all of that, he doesn't complain. He actually said, aside from working with the ANA, I'll explain that part in a minute, and the conflicts/violence in the region, it's a beautiful place to live. If circumstances were different, where he's at would be an ideal place to live. I'll take his word for it. It still isn't appealing enough for me.
The ANA is tough to work with, they seem to know everything and know that their way is the right way. Basically, it feels like he's dealing with an army of teenage girls. One soldier broke something on a vehicle, when Derrick arranged for him to fix it he came up with every possible excuse. He wasn't a mechanic, neither was Derrick. He didn't have tools, Derrick found him tools and so on. Eventually he ran out of excuses and Derrick taught him how to fix it. I don't know how he reacted to accomplishing something he'd never done before, but I'd like to think it made him proud.
Derrick told me that Manam is wearing his shoes now. Manam is a 12 year old boy who works at the camp with the Marines. He wore an old pair of tennis shoes that Derrick knew wouldn't be enough to keep his feet warm through the winter so he asked me to pick up a pair of boots. Fortunately they arrived a few days before Christmas and he's wearing them now. I asked if they fit well, but the through the language barrier he just doesn't know. He said they look like they do though. He's mentioned that when he's out on patrol kids will come up to him, they are so used to firearms that his don't seem to phase them one bit. They'll walk straight up to him and ask for candy. I guess they've learned that Ameicans carry candy just for them and they know just enough English to ask for it.
He's been able to have a few laughs with the nationals and his interpreter. Care packages come in from people across the country, some of them have items for female soldiers. Since there are none where Derrick is at those items go unused. Unless you've got Derrick's sense of humor. He gave a box of feminine products to his interpreter and told him they were more effective "super absorbant" napkins for his face. He said he had him going for a few minutes before he caught on. He never did use them. :) There have been other stories he's shared, but that one is the most G rated I could recall. While they are busy with many things, he is still able to find a few minutes to laugh each day.
E mail is still hard to come by, the community computer room is about the size of my bathroom, and houses 3 computers and 1 phone. That phone is only able to call other bases so when he does call from there he's only allowed ten minutes. He also has a satellite phone that allows him to call home for longer durations, that is how we were able to talk so long this time. With those calls the signal is often weak and because he has to be outdoors in an open area he tries to limit his exposure. He brought his laptop with hopes of being able to connect to a satellite signal but for the location he is at, that service is unavailable. In any case, he sends his love, misses everyone and appreciates all the well wishes, love and support.
Making waves and moving mountains
First let me start by saying Happy New Year! I hope that everyone has had a wonderful start to 2009. It's been pretty decent for us on this end of the world. The kids went back to school today, therefore I feel like my vacation has just begun and I've been fortunate enough to hear from Derrick a few times already.
He seems to be holding up well, surviving the cold and finding humor in the recent seismic activity he's been feeling. He called yesterday and said they had their first snow. He's been watching it slowly come down the mountain side closer to them, yesterday he woke up to a fresh blanket of snow on the ground. He said it was warmer when it was snowing then it was a few hours later. He's got a specific blanket he requested in transit now. We're both hoping that it gets there sooner than later. Currently it's taking about 4 weeks to get from here to there but we're hoping that was because the influx holiday mail.
He said he woke up in the middle of the night a few nights ago thinking he felt an earthquake. Once he was awake and alert he thought he must have been dreaming. This was the same night they got their first snow. He was talking to his interpreter and realized that he'd actually been through his first big earthquake in years. The ones we'd felt in CA were all so long ago, and usually happened over night that he'd forgotten the feeling. He said it was cool, the sensation of the earth moving underneath him. As he was telling me about it, the nervous one that I am, I started checking out geological sites to see what information I could pull on this earthquake. I wound up on the USGS site and was able to track the location and proximity to him. The one he felt was a 5.9. It was the second big earthquake in a matter of days, the previous one measured 5.8. Then today I was just checking out the site again because information I had heard about the Indonesia quakes and saw that early this morning he had another one measuring a 5.8. He is roughly one hundred miles from the epicenter but considering the terrain, I believe he is feeling them at a much lesser magnitude then what it is measuring as, as they are so high in the mountains, the quake has further to travel to reach the surface. Maybe I'm way off, but that is the logic that is keeping me sane now. Hopefully I'll get a call or e mail within the next few days telling me that he's fine and the tremble was just as exciting and fun as the previous ones.
Living where I do and not speaking Japanese, I am at a huge disadvantage. Most Americans living here are. If you aren't in a position to be in the know, you simply don't know, usually until after the fact of any given situation. I was talking to a friend who lives abroad the Air Base and she mentioned the hearing the air raid sirens off and on all night last night. For what ever reason, being on another base or something else altogeher I didn't hear them. She initially chocked them up to monthly training. Her neighbor later came over to tell her they were on as a warning device. The recent earthquakes in Indonesia had triggered a tsunami warning for us.
When I was looking at the earthquake information for Derrick's location I noticed there were several quakes in Indonesia, some as great as 7.4 magnitude, but I forgot about the residual effects we have to be on alert for. I guess it's a good thing we didn't have a tsunami, I would have been blindsided. I'm sure the warnings were being broadcast on all the local channels, but there was no mention of it on the American stations. I'll be happy when we have live news broadcasts again (just under ten months).
In any case, I wanted to update everyone on how things are going, both here and with Derrick. I don't know what news you all receive where you are, but we're fine in our respective countries. The earthquakes are still entertaining for Derrick and the tsunami warning was lifted last night. I've heard rumor that there was a small one (as in a few inches) but nothing confirmed, and it didn't affect Okinawa. Hopefully this is the most of the potentially catastrophic excitement we'll see this year, but the year is young, so we shall see.
He seems to be holding up well, surviving the cold and finding humor in the recent seismic activity he's been feeling. He called yesterday and said they had their first snow. He's been watching it slowly come down the mountain side closer to them, yesterday he woke up to a fresh blanket of snow on the ground. He said it was warmer when it was snowing then it was a few hours later. He's got a specific blanket he requested in transit now. We're both hoping that it gets there sooner than later. Currently it's taking about 4 weeks to get from here to there but we're hoping that was because the influx holiday mail.
He said he woke up in the middle of the night a few nights ago thinking he felt an earthquake. Once he was awake and alert he thought he must have been dreaming. This was the same night they got their first snow. He was talking to his interpreter and realized that he'd actually been through his first big earthquake in years. The ones we'd felt in CA were all so long ago, and usually happened over night that he'd forgotten the feeling. He said it was cool, the sensation of the earth moving underneath him. As he was telling me about it, the nervous one that I am, I started checking out geological sites to see what information I could pull on this earthquake. I wound up on the USGS site and was able to track the location and proximity to him. The one he felt was a 5.9. It was the second big earthquake in a matter of days, the previous one measured 5.8. Then today I was just checking out the site again because information I had heard about the Indonesia quakes and saw that early this morning he had another one measuring a 5.8. He is roughly one hundred miles from the epicenter but considering the terrain, I believe he is feeling them at a much lesser magnitude then what it is measuring as, as they are so high in the mountains, the quake has further to travel to reach the surface. Maybe I'm way off, but that is the logic that is keeping me sane now. Hopefully I'll get a call or e mail within the next few days telling me that he's fine and the tremble was just as exciting and fun as the previous ones.
Living where I do and not speaking Japanese, I am at a huge disadvantage. Most Americans living here are. If you aren't in a position to be in the know, you simply don't know, usually until after the fact of any given situation. I was talking to a friend who lives abroad the Air Base and she mentioned the hearing the air raid sirens off and on all night last night. For what ever reason, being on another base or something else altogeher I didn't hear them. She initially chocked them up to monthly training. Her neighbor later came over to tell her they were on as a warning device. The recent earthquakes in Indonesia had triggered a tsunami warning for us.
When I was looking at the earthquake information for Derrick's location I noticed there were several quakes in Indonesia, some as great as 7.4 magnitude, but I forgot about the residual effects we have to be on alert for. I guess it's a good thing we didn't have a tsunami, I would have been blindsided. I'm sure the warnings were being broadcast on all the local channels, but there was no mention of it on the American stations. I'll be happy when we have live news broadcasts again (just under ten months).
In any case, I wanted to update everyone on how things are going, both here and with Derrick. I don't know what news you all receive where you are, but we're fine in our respective countries. The earthquakes are still entertaining for Derrick and the tsunami warning was lifted last night. I've heard rumor that there was a small one (as in a few inches) but nothing confirmed, and it didn't affect Okinawa. Hopefully this is the most of the potentially catastrophic excitement we'll see this year, but the year is young, so we shall see.
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