Someday we will all shower!

Can I just start this post off by saying OMG, chocolate Pop tarts are the best thing on the planet. I will be eating both of them.  At this moment we have 1/2 a box of pop tarts, sun chips, fig Newton's, and pocky.  Man, I need to hit the store.  Just as soon as I can find the door we will head to the commissary.  

We are in, the furniture is put together, and I have boxes chasing me around the house.  The movers put all of the big things together for me.  They were in and out of here in 4 hours.  We did have some minor damage, so now I get to file a claim.  OH, JOY!  Those are always fun.  I have pictures to show you, but who the heck knows where the cords to my camera is?  Most of the disarray is my doing.  Once the movers left I began frantically opening boxes looking for the phone.  I think Christopher and I  opened every box in the front of the house before we found it.  But, we did find it.  I plugged that puppy in to charge, only to have Ian call me on my cell phone hours later.. For the record global phone calls are OUTRAGEOUS!  I could buy a small island for what it costs to talk for 4 minutes! 

Last night I lost the house keys.  I would love to blame Christopher, but yep it was ME!  We went through everything in the vicinity of the kitchen 2 or 3 times (who can keep track), and then started in on the living room.  I  finally gave up, and went back to unpacking.  You know the old saying stop looking for something and that is when you will find it.  Well it's true.  I found them.  

The cable guy will be arriving soon, to hook everything up.  And, I do mean everything.  I have no desire to even try and figure out Ian's home theatre system.  I couldn't if I wanted to.  We will just have to live with regular sound.  You know the sound that comes from that itty bitty speaker inside the TV.  Whatever will the boys do..

OK, cable guy is here and I am stealing internet so talk to you later! 

Packing again!!!

As I type this Ian is repacking his bag for the 4 TH time.  Bright and early this morning (and I mean 5 am) he got a phone call telling him to keep his bag weight to 40 lbs.  Are you kidding me?  Obviously who ever it was on the other end of the phone knows nothing about the Navy.  You know the 1 branch of the service that has 5 different uniforms.  And, they are required to have them ALL, at all times.  He may very well be traveling with only the socks on his feet for civies..   

I have been packing the hotel room.  23 days and we are OUT OF HERE!  I am not at all excited about unpacking my crap, but I am OH SO excited to be in my own house.  Having a kitchen with an actual 4 burner stove will be so wonderful.  Or well it will be Wednesday when I can get food.  The commissary on base is closed Monday and Tuesdays.  We are taking a few things to get us by.  All the more reason to go have shabu-shabu ( literally translated means swish-swish)  Thin pieces of meat and veggies are delivered to your table and you swish-swish the meat in seasoned boiling water to cook it... 

The boys can not wait until we get moved in.  We have a small view (from the side, if you squint) of the pool.  I see a lot of swimming in my future.  

While we were out today picking up the keys to our house, I meet up with one of the wives who's husband is with the same command.  She was very friendly, and passed on what information she could.  With her help, and connections it seems I may have a car soon.  That would make my week......

Driving in Japan 101. and Support team???

We woke up this morning to more rain.  This is the rainy season, and I get that we need the rain.  A couple of year ago they almost put us on water hours.  BUT!  I just want to walk, and look, and be nosey in my neighborhood.  I want to venture into all the little mom and pop stores.  They seem to be everywhere.  I want to rent a car and practice my driving skills.  

I have to admit I am very nervous about driving here.  Friday was my written test in the morning.  I passed.  Then I had to return in the afternoon for my road test.  Throughout the day people would give me great advice.  Stay to the left. Just remember left.  Your turn signals are on the other side of the car, but it's OK if you hit the wipers a few times.   Try not to hug the curb.  Our natural inclination when driving is to stay close to the curb.  We don't want to hog the lane.  In the states, if you are driving and get to close to the middle of the lane people will think you are drunk.  Here they expect it.   Many people here drive motor scooters, and they have the right of way.  They will whip in and out of traffic, and we MUST be aware of them.  If we all stay to the middle of the lane, then we are only watching for scooters on one side.  

I arrived at the transportation and safety office for my road test.  I was first up after lunch.  And, yes it was raining.. The senior chief that administered the test was very calm, and had a great sense of humor.  Having been a passenger in cars here for 3 years I thought it would be much easier then it turned out to be.  I felt off.  Things seemed so unnatural to me.  Trying to hug the center line was my biggest hurdle.  I kept trying to stay towards the curb.  The turning was OK for me.  Although making a left hand turn on red does take some brain power.  My first thought was OK, sit here and wait.  Then it clicked.  I can turn left on red.  For my grand finally I had to back the car into it's spot.  Talk about nerve wracking.  Everyone backs in here.  The spaces are smaller, and if you are backed in you can see what you are doing when you pull out.  I passed with flying colors.  Remembering my seat belt, mirrors, and the emergency break.  

So, now I am a licensed driver here in Japan.  

During the safety brief Friday it was suggested that spouses here carry A LOT of insurance.  Active duty are covered by the government, but we are not.  To drive here in Japan I will carry over 2 million dollars in insurance for bodily injury.   Customs here are such that if I am in an accident and a Japanese person is hurt then my insurance pays.  Accidents are investigated, and almost always both parties will be a assessed a percentage of  fault. For example, here if I am rear ended they can say it was 10% my fault.  Because I was stopped there, and I should have anticipated the accident.  It sounds strange to me, but it is the law.   

This week will be busy for me.  Monday morning we have to head to Hario (our housing), pick up the keys, do the final inspection, and turn on the fridge.   I have to drop off more paperwork at various places.  It seems here every office on base needs our orders, and DEP.  

The movers will be arriving bright and early Tuesday to deliver our house hold good.  Unfortunately Ian will not be here.  He is leaving, for an undetermined amount of time.  We knew this was coming, and I think the boys and I are as prepared as we can be.   The FMAT team will pick the boys and I, along with all our luggage up.   Drive us out to Hario, and I hope help us get our junk to the 6 TH floor.  I do know a few people here, so if I need help I can call Debbie.  Jennifer is off on vacation.  

I have to say, the Navy has always been a wonderful experience.  I love the many opportunities we have been given to see the world.  PCS'ing in has gone smoothly, and everyone has been extremely helpful.  Having said all that, I am NOT ALL ALL HAPPY with what is supposed to be our ombudsman, family support group, or the command that Ian will be with. .  We have yet to hear from any of them.  That is VERY frustrating.  Mostly because Sasebo is considered a remote duty station.   One example of a remote duty station is:  We do not have a hospital.  If something happens and one of the kids need to be medivaced to a bigger hospital the other boys can not go with me.  Living in a remote duty station, we are supposed to have a family care plan that spells out what will happen.   As of now Ian will be leaving with minimal care plan in place.   Having been around the block a few times, and having a couple of people here that can and will step in and help if need be helps me not feel to overwhelmed.  BUT, my question is what about those families that do not have a pre set support system?  What if I didn't know a single living sole here?  I hear tell there will be a meeting of some sort for families (I sure hope they are not calling it a support meeting)... I plan to attend and express my feelings.  

Maybe I will rent a car, and take the kids our cruising??  We'll just let the fairies unpack. 

Have a great weekend!!!

Field Trip!!!

This is the year of the OX.....
This week has been busy.  If you move OCONUS with the military , almost always you will take a week long class.  Better known as AOB/ICR.  Area Orientation Brief/ Inner Cultural Relations.  We spend a week learning about the military side of life.  Living in housing, the hospital and other great information. For example I learned this week that we live inside the wire! Wow, really, I've never seen the wire., but at least now I know to be careful and not trip over it.   We also learned that we are closer to Pyong Yang then Tokyo. Yep, just what I wanted to hear!  The other portion of the class  (and more interesting) is cultural.  Learning about the area we live.  Local history, and  customs.  Eriko our teacher was funny, and engaging.   All of us had a blast.. I think Sasebo has a much better AOB/ICR program then Yoko.
We spent part of the week working on table manners.  Boy do we have a long way to go. 


Today was our field trip.  The Fleet and Family Service Center chartered a bus and took us out and about.  Our first stop was a local shrine.   This particular  Shrine was built to honor a female warrior who went to battle while very pregnant.  Upon her victory and return to Japan she delivered her baby on the island we now live. Kyushu island.  This is the entrance to the shrine..
Upon entering the shrine there are always 2 statues.  These are there to protect the spirits inside the shrine.   One statue will have the mouth open. 

And the other will always have a closed mouth. 

I can never get tired of visiting shrines.  
At the entrance to each shrine you will find a cleansing area.  You are supposed to pick up the ladle with your right hand and wash your left, then transfer the ladle to your left hand and wash the right hand.  Once your hands are clean cup your right hand and fill it with a bit of water.  Use this water to rinse your mouth.  Then take the ladle in your left hand and rewash your right.  It is believed that this will cleanse your spirit before entering the shrine.  
If you have small children help them to wash their hands.  
This is the inside of the Temple.  We are not allowed to enter the actual shrine.  
It is believed that where you see the gold paper hanging the souls of the dead rest there.  In this case they believe the souls of the mother warrior, her son, and husband's souls all rest in the exact spot the paper hangs.   Japanese people throw coins into the offering box, ring a bell, bow twice, clap twice and then make a wish.  They are very superstitious people and believe that by doing this they will have good luck and long healthy lives.  While we were at the shrine our guide ran into one of the hair dressers ( a Japanese lady) who works on base.  She told us she goes to this shrine every day! 
Keeping things clean. 
Eriko, our tour guide brought along treats for the pigeons.  She gave the boys some.  If you click on the picture you can see one landed on Peyton's hand.  He loved it! 
Our next stop on the field trip was Kashimae Pier.  Inside we were able to see an actual ship form long ago.  
Notice the sails are made of bamboo.  
More of Kashimae Pier. 
I had to post this picture.  We spent 2 hours at a mall type store called Jesco.  They have a bit of everything for everyone.  Peyton and I stopped to potty and I was shocked when I walked in.  There on the counter sat a public potty seat for kids.  There is no way I would pick this up and place it on the potty for Peyton.  But, hey, maybe someone does use them? 
Peyton loved seeing this ship.  We are taking all 3 of the boys on a ride around the 99 islands Saturday.  
Tomorrow I have the dreaded written test for my drivers license.  If I pass that, I get to take the road test.  We are still looking for a car.  Things here work a bit different.  JCI (Japanese Compulsory Insurance) can be VERY expensive.  It is paid every 2 years.  We are trying hard to find a car that has a paid JCI for at least 18 months.  We shall see.   Ian will be leaving in just a few days.  Lucky me he will leave the day we move into our new house.  Anyone want to fly over and help me unpack, and put beds together???

Tag! Ian is it.. And, just what is the CDC?

Now that I am on the mend, it's Ian's turn.  He woke up this morning, sick.  It takes a lot for Ian to not want to run, or work out at all.  I did managed to get some lunch and Motrin into him.  Let's see if he keeps it down.  

While he was resting, the boys and I ventured out yet again to sign paperwork.  I think I have signed more paperwork this week, then required to buy a house, and car.  Everyone is set up for next week.  I still need to have the hospital sign off on paperwork saying that Peyton is not contagious.   

Still on the agenda is the cable company, setting up our phone, and I need a PO Box.   I am sure there is something I am forgetting to do.  It will come to me once we have moved in, and by then I am sure it will be important.  

The poor cleaning lady is having a field day with us.   She can not clean the sheets or towels.  Really thought she seemed OK with all of this, until she arrived today and smelled our onion!  We bought it 3 days ago and WOW is it potent.  I can smell it down the hall.  I have it double bagged in a Ziploc, and it's not really helping.   I get the impression she is ready for us to leave, so she can properly clean this room.  

I get to spend my afternoon labeling all of Peyton's things he will need for the CDC..  On military bases all children under the age 5 are quarantine... Hence the CDC.. ha, ha,.  No, CDC stands for Child Development Center.  He will get to spend a couple of days there next week, playing with all the other kids..   I think he will also go for 2 days when they deliver our house hold goods.  I am still working all of that out.  

Other than that we are plugging right along.  13 days and counting until we are out of this hotel.  When we first begin a move all of us are excited.  We look at it like an adventure.  Staying in a new hotel, swimming in the pool, and adventuring out to explore.  Now that I am more then 8 weeks into this transition I am so ready for it to be over.  At this point I just want to sleep in my own bed!  Oh, yeah, we didn't ship our bed.  So now what??

Today!

We are still plugging right along here.  I am amazed daily by how NICE everyone on the base is.  

Yesterday we had our appointment at housing to sign for our new home.  Turns out I know the lady that did our final paperwork.  We were stationed in La Madd together.  We enjoyed reminiscing about Italy, and how much we miss it.  She showed me pictures of a HUGE centipede she caught in her house.  We are up on the 6 Th floor, and I doubt they can climb that high!!

After housing we had to turn in our TLA paperwork.  The Navy pays for our hotel stay. Or rather they are supposed to! They seem to be having trouble getting DFAS to accept the code location for Sasebo.  For now we are OK, and I can foot the bills, but I sure hope they figure it out soon!  Ian and I are adamant that we keep a cushion in savings.  One that if need be can get all 5 of us home in an emergency.  Anyone out there priced plane tickets to Denver for a family of 5?  I could buy a small car for what the airlines want.  

Speaking of cars, let me tell you all how different things work here in Sasebo.  The day after we arrived in Yoko,  Ian's boss gave us a car. Yep, that's right, for FREE!  We drove that car for 3 years, and only had to do routine oil changes.  Oh, and I think a light bulb once.  We drove on the cheap.  It was lovely. And, that is what I was expecting moving here. Turns out people here in Sasebo are sure proud of their cars.    What we now know is here in Sasebo, JCI means just that.. The Japanese mechanics inspect the vehicle, and Japan has some of the strictest emissions in the world.  Ian and I have been told to try and buy a car that comes with at least 18 month JCI left.  So far we have had no luck.  To live here, you need a car.  Up in Yoko, you could live without a car.  We had 3 train stations right outside the base.  Here we have 1 and it's a 30 min walk.  Sasebo is much more country, and it seems that most people drive.  One other good thing about living here, we don't pay for parking.  

We decided to play it by ear, and not rush into something.  The car I buy will need to last us 3 years.  I don't want to have to pay JCI twice.  I know I am rambling, but this car thing is going to bring back my hives!!!  

After we finished at PSD, I had to run upstairs to inbound shipping.  I spent half an hour looking for the office.  When I spoke with the gentleman on the phone he said "Oh, we are next door to housing".  To me this meant, walk outside the building, and go next door.  So that is what Christopher and I did.  After walking into every single office next door. I asked someone.  She said.  "inbound, they are right next to housing".  I then asked her if they were in the same building?  She chuckled a bit, and said "no, I mean right next to, as in on the same floor.  In the same building.  Christopher and I raced back to hosing.  To get to housing you have to take the elevator to the second floor. The doors open and that is housing.  There are no walls that separate housing from the elevator.  Once the doors open you are greeted by the clerk.  And, to my surprise right there 2 feet from the housing clerk, is the inbound shipping clerk.  How on earth did I miss that???  Once I explained to the clerk that we got lost@@ He just laughed at me. He knew we had an appointment with housing.   We were out of there in less then 10 minutes.  They have set everything up to deliver our house hold goods on the 28 Th.  I can not wait to get my stuff, unpack, and get settled.  

Today we have to get the kids set up for our AOB/ICR class.  Aera Orientation Brief/ Inter Cultural Relations is a great class.  We will learn about the local area, some useful Japanese terms and even get to take a field trip.  The kids are not invited.  Noah will get to go to summer camp, Christopher will head to football camp, and Peyton will spend the week in the CDC.  I think they all need to have a bit of fun.  

I know I could sure use some fun today!!!! 

Home is where the Navy sends us!

We are having a great time, getting to know the new town we will call home for the next 3 years.  Sasebo is located in the Nagasaki, prefecture.  It's population is 252,ooo.  And, this is considered to be a small fishing village.  Right outside of our housing is Huis ten Bosch.  A famous tourist site here in Japan.   Walking around we feel the difference between Yokosuka and here.  Being so far away from Tokyo has many advantages.  I know we will be happy here for the next 3 years.  
I am still fighting off whatever I seem to be allergic to.  We thought it was caused by the bedding here in the hotel. But, after washing everything in our own soap I still seem to be blotchy.  If things persist I will call the Dr. tomorrow and see what he recommends. I can't walk around like this forever.  
Across the street and through Nimitz park is the Ginza.  A covered shopping area with many wonderful food choices.  I counted no less then 5 - 100 yen shops within the Ginza.  

Along the Ginza there are a few parks.  We walk a bit, and stop and play.  
As you cross the bridge to get to Nimitz park there is a Tori gate.  Right along the side of the road.   
This is the bridge we cross to get to Nimitz park.    We will spend a lot of time crossing this bridge.  Right now they are building the highway outside of the gate.  So walking to the Ginza sees to be the best bet.  For the life of me I can not remember the name of this bridge.  Alisa, if you are reading this help me out!!
These steps go right into the water.  For now we will admire it from afar!  That is a fast moving canal.  I could just see one of our kids trying to "go for a swim".  
Friday we were offered a house on Hario base.  It is about a 25 min drive from Main base.  Ian and I decided to load the boys up at 8 am and go take a look.  As soon as we received orders here I called the housing office and was told the wait would be 18 months.  We moved here expecting to live in a Japanese Cho (Japanese house or apartment).  I bought fans, and other things we would need to be comfortable living out in town.  When we were offered a house, we went back and forth on the decision.  Ultimately after looking at the house we knew we would accept housing.  Out list of reasons to move on base far outweighed our list to move off base.  Homes here are SMALL! I have heard they have decent sized houses but Ian and I looked at a few and they were all way to small.  Coupled with the fact that utilities here are VERY expensive, and most homes do not have central heat and air.  (Sasebo is extremely humid)  The boys are accustomed to living on base, and will be able to make friends and enjoy so many things.  We have a pool, movie theater, teen center, and youth center for Noah.  
The inside of this tower is a bit smaller then the one we lived in on Yoko.  I will trade that for the splashes of color that are throughout the house.  Even if the color is brown.  To me it is better then white walls, floors, cabinets. and base boards.   We will be able to move into our house on the 27 Th.  Tomorrow I will call the cable company, and personal property.  I know our house hold goods are here.  Now I just hope they can deliver them the day we move in.  
After a week here in Sasebo I can honestly say I am happy we decided to move here.  Life here has a slower pace, and the people spend their days fishing.  We will get to see wonderful places from here.  Kyoto, and Nagaski are top on my list.  

I am allergic!

It seems I am having an allergic reaction to something in the hotel.  Ian and I think it could be the sheets and towels. Or rather what they are washed in.  I spent part of my evening at the E.R. here on base.  I think that is a record for our family.  Usually the kids and I wait until Ian has deployed to have a medical problem. Or at least until we are in a house and all checked into at the hospital. I fell asleep for a couple of hours and woke up looking like a prize fighter after loosing all 8 rounds.  (I think a fight is 8 rounds, if it's more then add that).  My arms and legs itched, and I thought my ears were going to fall off.  I tried taking a shower, and that did nothing.  

Sasebo is a small base.  We don't have a full hospital, just a tiny clinic.  (Everything here is tiny. ( Our bowling alley only has about 8 lanes).  I called the clinic to ask about Benadrly.  None of the stores were open.  Everything seems to close around 5 here.  The corpsman that I spoke with was very nice, and had the on call nurse call me right back here at the hotel.  I explained what was going on.  He asked me a few questions, to be sure I was breathing OK, and had me come right on over.  I was in and out of there within 5 min.  Mr. nice nurse, handed me a bottle of benadryl and sent me on my way.  

Today we have a meeting at housing and I still look like I was beat up in a bar fight.  My arms still itch, as do my fingers and ears.  Ian washed all of the sheets and towels.  (Yes, he really is that good).  I spoke with the front desk and asked that they NOT replace the sheets or towels in our room.  When the sweet young lady came to clean today she was not happy about our request.  It seems that changing the bedding, and providing clean crisp towels is her job!   After speaking with her and explaining the situation (as best as I could, using hand signals and bowing non stop) I think she feels OK about it all.  But, I will make sure I am here tomorrow just to be sure they don't take away my sheets.   Apart from that we have no earthly idea what it could be.  I will give it another day and if my face still looks like this I will have to go back to the doctor.  I can not walk around base looking like this.  I will scare the small children.  

One other big difference here in Sasebo seems to be the speed in which things are done.  Normally when we PCS to an overseas duty station the first few days are a blur.  Running to housing, schools, the hospital and 15 other places we are required to check in and provide a copy of our DEA to.  (remember from our previous lessons DEA means Dependent Entry Approval).  We were up at 5, and fully prepared for the onslaught of running, when the brakes were put on full stop.    Ian went to TPD, checked in, and was told to come back tomorrow.  We then walked to PSD to inquire about our pay (it seems that when we moved, they stopped paying us).  Raising 3 kids we sort of need money to pay bills and buy food.  You all understand don't you?  Good!  I knew you would.  To my amazement, so did the wonderful (way to cheerful at 8 am) gentleman at PSD.  He quickly located the issue and fixed everything.  We should once again be getting a pay check!  Yeah, us.. There will be food tonight.  Mr. happy to help even printed off copies of everything we would need for the housing office.  My troop and I headed up to the housing office, and we were told to come back Thursday!  WHAT?  For a moment there I thought it was a joke.  On every other OCONUS base we have lived on, you have a housing briefing the day you arrive. Jet lag me damned.   Nope, we were sent away to rest up for a couple of days, and get out barrings.  That scares me.  Does this mean the news we will receive today will be BAD?  We shall see... In the mean time I am going to try and shower again before our meeting in an hour.  Wish me luck on finding a house! 

Pictures of our new home!!

We have settled in a bit this morning.  Once again, the views that surround us are beautiful.  The first 2 pictures are of our view.  The water and ship are right outside our window.  Listening to the water rushing is relaxing.  For the foreseeable future we will be living in a hotel.  Luckily we are entitled to 2 hotel rooms.  We all have plenty of space. Take note of our ITTY BITTY kitchen.  2 burners and no oven will have to suffice for now.  As long as I can soak in my HUGE tub... OH, and the best part!! Someone else comes in to clean everyday.  Yep, that is right. Fresh towels and coffee are delivered daily.  Add one more burner and I just might live here until we transfer.... 

Coming to you live from....

The USO in Dallas. We are already tired and this is just the first layover. The USO here is great! The big boys are playing X-Box, and Peyton is having a grand ol' time in the toddler play area. They have food, a place for us to rest, and a HUGE TV! What more could a family ask for when traveling.

Have a great day.. I will update when we land in Narita (if I can)!!!!

My kid totally rocks!!!

  Watching Christopher and Ye,Ye was fun.. My kids rocks! 

Vacation is at an end!

We have all had a great time on vacation.  Road trips, museums, swimming, the zoo, and many days just hanging out with family.  Tomorrow we head to OKC.  We will spend July 4 Th in a hotel, watching fireworks on TV with the kids.  Our flight back to Japan leaves bright and early Sunday morning.    We will all miss Ye-Ye, and Grandma.