The Land of Aloha

We made it to our old stomping grounds.  It certainly was not without a bit of worry, stress and delays.  We arrived at the airport in Okinawa on a cramped shuttle bus of other military families moving to the US and traveling with obscene amounts of luggage. We quickly learned that our connecting flight in Tokyo to Honolulu was cancelled.   Quickly, the panic, stress, and frustration start to ooze out of our pores.  Fortunately, a flight was found on another airline which was going to route us through another airport which only delayed our itinerary by 3 hours.

As we stepped on the ground in Honolulu we were greeted with clear blue skies, the scent of plumeria flowers, and balmy trade winds.  Just as I had hoped the kids were instantly thrilled. The boys were looking for the "Big Pink Hospital" where they were born and Madeline was looking for anything that might have brought back memories.  The highlight of landing was having the Lee's, Ron and Marianne, come and ferry us to their home.

We are having a great vacation and have managed to pack in a lot of sights, restaurants, and activities to keep us on the go.  Our accommodations at the Lee's home has been beyond belief and made this week a real comfortable haven for us all.  It will be a sad day on Friday morning, as I am not sure when I will ever get back to this homey island paradise!

Glorious Friday

How quickly this week flew by! Hubby was actually "off." He officially ditched his computer and the handed over his blackberry last evening, so, we were free enjoy the beautiful day. Seeing as this was our last day on Okinawa, we solicited the munchkins for suggestions as to what to see and do. Big Sister, spent the morning at school, the last for the school year. We retrieved her around noon and headed out on our afternoon adventures.

After a few errands and a picnic lunch, we headed to one of our favorite parks, the Dolphin Park. The playground apparatus/jungle gym and roller slide were under construction, however, the adjacent beach was was deserted and the tide low. We spent an hour walking along the beach and out into the ocean looking for critters, shells, and crabs. The Little Dudes walked out with cargo pockets full of shells and actual pinchers from deceased crabs and Big Sister was looking for exotic coral pieces and clam shells to take to Hawaii.


With our trip to a beach checked off, we headed down the road to the Ferris Wheel. It has been a favorite spot since our arrival and we have multitudes of photos of the family on various occasions. Not only is it a favorite spot, but, a landmark that we will always associate with Okinawa's skyline and "American Village."

As we were headed back to the Westpac, we decided to drive through the neighborhood for one last whirl. We saw that Aki's car (mamasan/babysitter) was at the home of her current employment (family friends). Our timing could not have been better. It was moments before she was to get off of work and we were able to say goodbye to our friends and invite her to dinner. We were headed to the Macaroni Grill for the first time in ages and it was going to be a first time adventure for her. Aki, being an Okinawan native, was blown away by the sheer size of the restaurant and the decor. Her comment to me was, "you Americans do everything big!" She quickly asked the waitress in Japanese "What do Japanese people eat here?" Once she had her first bite of the rosemary bread, tasted the balsamic vinegar, and finally took her first bite of the seafood linguine, she was hooked. She told me that she is going to bring her friends back and now wants to go to Italy. It was wonderful spending our last dinner with such a great lady and the kids were just tickled! It was definitely a perfect ending to our glorious Friday!

Not to be Outdone

The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of activities, appointments, and goodbyes. Hubby has been "fare welled" no less than four times, received some awesome gifts, and the accolades abundant (well deserved). Big Sister had her graduation and the boys have had me driving to all of their favorite haunts.

My time to shine, right? Well, yesterday morning I had an early morning Okinawan humid run at 6:00am. I got back to our two room kitchenette suite just in time to touch base with Hubby before he headed out to take his replacement to a meeting. I figured I would throw a couple of waffles in the toaster for the kids and they could eat breakfast while I was taking a much needed shower. Everything was going smoothly. Big Sister was sitting down to her syrupy waffles and chocolate milk and I was preparing the next set of waffles for the Little Dudes. I was pouring their milk when I suddenly got a whiff of smoke, I turned around to see my waffle turning black. As I reached to unplug the toaster and retrieve the waffle, the smoke detector went to an immediate blaring BEEP! I tried fanning the detector and even tried to disconnect or reset the blasted thing. Nope, continuous blare and then the announcement on the loudspeaker stating "There is a fire on the first floor." At this moment, Big Sister is in a state of panic and the boys are holding their ears. I quickly call the front desk to alert them of the situation and the clerk responded with "Ok, just a toaster again." I figured at this point all was right and I would be able to continue on with breakfast. No such luck!

Next thing I know, they are alerting everyone via loudspeaker to please evacuate the building. I had the luxury of knowing it was not a full blown fire, so, I had my pajama clad children put on shoes and I grabbed our passports and tickets. Fortunately, it was almost 7:30 AM so, many of the military personnel were headed out the building on their way to work. Once I got outside, I quickly let everyone know it was a "toaster" and that I was to blame for the inconvenience. Everyone was understanding and had a good chuckle at my expense. I figured these people were either just arriving in Okinawa or departing very shortly, so, I would not be too stigmatized by claiming responsibility.

I quickly learned that the alarm had gone off the previous morning for the same reason. I had been warned by neighbors and friends that have had the pleasure of staying at the Westpac that the were subjected to inconvenient fire alarms (fortunately, false ones). The Westpac smoke detection system is extremely sensitive system (which I applaud); however, with almost daily visits from the fire department it seems like there has to be a more cost effective and less time consuming fix. I heard numerous stories as we were waiting for the fire trucks to arrive. Evidently, the toasters, burnt microwave popcorn (always a trying process), and even the heat of the hotel dryers are causes to set the alarm off. Just as I am feeling less embarrassed, Hubby drives up and unaware of my ability to evacuate a building, jokingly says "OK, what did you do?

Not to be outdone by my early morning escapade, I had two other moments where I had to check and make sure my hairdresser had dyed my gray roots brown. The Little Dudes were napping and it was time to pick up Big Sister. I decided to grab the keys to the car to start the air conditioning before waking them from their much needed slumber. I step outside the suite only to realize I left the room key inside. I am in a panic to get to the front desk for a duplicate and return to the room while still trying to pick up Big Sister on time. Fortunately, it was not crowded at the desk as it had been in prior visits and Big Sister was retrieved on time.

Last evening, I headed out to the Exchange moments before closing to pick up a few items. We are borrowing cars from our gracious neighbors, so, I still have to really think when I exit someplace to look for their car vice the one I just sold. I quickly locate the Pearl White Supercharger Toyota Minivan in the dark of the night and stepped inside. Once inside the smell immediately makes my nose curl, I then put my arm on the arm rest and the fabric just felt all wrong. It was only when I tried putting the key in the ignition that I realized I am in the wrong car. Granted, I should have been alerted from the beginning as I had locked the car prior to my shopping expedition. I quickly jumped out of the car before I was a suspect in a car jacking. I looked two spaces down the row to indeed find the correct "borrowed" car. Needless to say, upon my return, I decided to go to bed. I was not ready for another mishap.

Oh by the way, this morning I ran into a guy at the post office, and he truned to me and asked if I had used the toaster today? This island is just way too small!

Homeless

It is official, the Moloko Five are currently "homeless." There definitely was a sense of relief this morning as we turned in our keys to our government quarters. Not the most usual response I am certain, but, as I see it, it is another completed step in what seemed to be the most daunting move ever! We will no doubt miss our little concrete bunker as it was located in a fantastic neighborhood and many wonderful memories were created and will be cherished for an eternity. Hubby pointed out this AM, that this house had been the longest we have ever lived in any one home in the past 10 years.

With our cars sold, home packed, and house emptied, we can begin our summer journey back to the East Coast. Saturday morning we head out to Hawaii for a week long adventure. As the days approach, I find myself anticipating the sights and smells of our last duty station with excitement and expectation. The munchkins are eager to explore their "old home" and see Hawaii through their older and wiser eyes.

On June 27th, we leave Oahu, HI for a quick weekend in Half Moon Bay, CA to attend a family wedding and then to San Antonio, TX on June 29th. The kids and I are truly excited about spending a week with my parents and hitting a lot of sights which the munckins have not been able to appreciate in previous visits. Hubby will be busy closing on our Virginia home on June 30th. Hopefully, this will go smoothly and as planned. This would then only make us truly homeless" for the better part of two weeks.

In a Blink of an Eye

Wow! the munchkins and I were taking a trip down memory lane just yesterday looking at photos from the last three years. When we arrived on Okinawa, the Little Dudes were 15 months old and were just starting to take their first steps unaided. Big Sister was our curly headed 3 1/2 year old eager to soak up the Japanese culture and whatever else came her way.

We attended a "going away" function last evening along with three other families who arrived in the summer of 2005 who are also departing in the next few weeks. It was fun to reminisce about our early days in Okinawa and to marvel at how enjoyable our time here has been and how quickly all of our kids have grown.

I can only say this: the past three years have been such a wonderful experience and education to us all! It will definitely be a tour I will cherish and I hope the kids will always remember living in Japan fondly.

Class of 2008!

Last Saturday was Big Sister's Day! Yes, it is official, she is now a 2008 kindergarten graduate from Okinawa Montessori School (OMS). This was quite a production which had kids, teachers and especially this parent burning the midnight oil. Big Sister was one of four young ladies graduating and somehow from the volunteering to "help" with set decorations back in September, my job by early May was elevated to stage decorations and program chairperson. WHAT???

My biggest stressor, was trying to make the Director, Ms. Aida, happy. Trying to create a background that matched her vision was not an easy task. Big Sister added some stress when she informed me that "Ms. Aida is very particular...you should be worried." This my first OMS play, and from the veteran parents I had heard of the elaborate set designs of years past. Needless to say, I was in a panic especially with the original theme of "I Can Do it Myself" (take it from me, not a theme you want to Google). Fortunately, with some parental encouragement, Ms. Aida changed the theme to "School Time." With an Oriental Trading Catalog, a pseudo craft store on island, and some moving boxes, the set decorations were created. I am not the most artistic, but, I can wield a paintbrush.

My attempt at set design seemed to be to the Ms. Aida's liking. Post production comments have been encouraging and complimentary. I however will be wary in the future of offering assistance when it comes to set decorations.

The program itself was quite a show. The children ranging in age from 2-6 performed 4 elaborate choreographed routines and two songs. I am so impressed that the staff of two teachers and one director took on this daunting task. The kids were adorable and all seemed to be enjoying the show. The highlight for Big Sister was walking through the arch of flowers and then walking on stage to receive her "diploma." She was rather disturbed that it was laminated rather than rolled with a red ribbon securely tied...she is such a traditionalist. The featured video presentation of the OMS kids participating in various activities throughout the year was a nice touch to an already memorable event.

Upon hearing her name being called

Singing the Finale..."One Voice"

Our Graduate

We are so proud of Big Sister and what she has accomplished thus far scholastically. I hope her love for school and quest for knowledge is never squelched. I am not so sure I will be able to keep up, but, it has been so fun watching her blossom!

Up and Running

Yipee! I have a computer at my disposal and a really fancy one! It is a Panasonic "Toughbook" and I am able to surf and I have been working to update my Shutterfly website and finally the BlOG! Hubby and his computer gurus at work determined that our Dell dinosaur just needed a new power source and fan. Replacement parts have been ordered and should be in VA upon our arrival. The hard drive is still intact and years of family digital photos have been preserved!

I just added the photos of the crab I had mentioned in my previous blog entry. (Look Below). Big Sister insists it blew in with the East China Sea Winds. I just have this vision of crabs flying around...I have been reading to many David Weisner picture books to the munchkins!

AGGGGGGGH!!!

AGGGGGGGGGGGH! Guess it is par for the course for a Monday morning. Went to turn on the computer to check some email and put a quick blog posting about our Sunday afternoon visitors, only t0 find out that our 6 1/2 year old Dell has bit the dust! I had just used my lifeline to the outside world only 12 hours prior.

The timing could not be worse. With two weeks left in our sparse home, this was one way I was planning on keeping the kids entertained when it was rainy. Rainy season is still lingering on Okinawa and the past four days have been overcast with steady streams of showers. I had big plans to make a photo book for Big Sister about her three years in Okinawa and to have it delivered in San Antonio. She is eager for the adventures this summer but is sad about leaving her beloved Okinawa. Now, I am crushed as I will not be able to surprise her with the book. It can certainly wait, but, I was so eager to get started this weekend after her kindergarten graduation. With the impending move, there is a list of "items to buy", the computer was going to be replaced at a later date. Not the case now.

I know I am rather dependent upon the computer, but, I realized how quickly I felt cut off from the world. It has taken me 36 hours to get to a computer to check emails. I had to drive to the library as my kind neighbor has not been home when it was convenient for me to click away. Hubby forgot to bring home his laptop today and he had the "duty" when I discovered the lifeless computer. I called him at work and it was stated that only he could be the "computer coroner." Well, after trying all his tricks (even those I attempted) it has been announced "DEAD."

As for the visitors Sunday afternoon, Uncle Cookie Monster, Cousin David and Aunt Michelle came over to visit. The munchkins loved the attention and spontaneous visit. The noteworthy discovery of the afternoon was when the Little Dudes and Cousin David came running into the house claiming there was a crab in the back yard. We do live about 2 miles from a beach, but, the idea of a crab in the backyard just sounded ludicrous. I quickly asked them if they were sure it was a crab and not a snail or spider of some wacky ilk. They insisted it indeed was a crab. Hubby quickly went outside and low and behold, he found himself face to face with a hearty sized land crab. I would insert a photo about now but AGGGGGGGGGGGH . This was one feisty crab and was completely in a spot neither he wanted to be in nor did the children. We quickly called over the neigbors to share our discovery before Hubby deposited it over the barbed wirefence beyond our treeline.