Pictures from Hong Kong

Like I said before, Danny has most the good pictures but I posted what I could. I think some are accidentally missing, but these are good for now. When he gets home and gives me the rest then I will make a new slideshow. The weather was in the 70s and cloudy most the week. When we went to Victoria's Peak I was sweating while standing in line and the sun came out so the view was amazing as you'll see. BTW, Victoria's Peak is the highest point on the island. They have an awesome website here: The Peak. It was definitely the highlight of the trip.

Almost Christmas

It may feel like Christmas in Western Washington with all that snow, but I have to do everything I can to make it feel festive around here. Yes, I know it isn't even December 1st yet, but I have to get movin'.
Really, I just started. Today I went to our mini-exchange and bought a live Christmas tree. We wanted a fake one, but they wanted $150 for one. We got a Noble fir and it was only $35. It is a pretty nice tree. I bought a stand and skirt for it and can't wait for Danny to get home so we can decorate. I think I have to go to a Japanese store to buy decorations because our Exchange's selection sucks. I just want some simple colored balls and a nice top, but we don't have any. I gotta find stockings too. The funniest thing about our tree is that it was shipped here from Tacoma, so it is like having a good ol' tree from home. I just hope the cat doesn't try to eat it, climb it or knock it over. Tinsel is out of the question.
I know, I haven't put up pictures of the Hong Kong trip yet. I'll go get my camera right now. I honestly don't have many good ones. Danny took most of them because I was too lazy to dig my camera out of my purse. It kept turning itself on in there too.
Anyway, just wanted to give an update. Hope everyone in Washington stays warm and dry.

Letting you know

Yes, I am still alive. Just to clear things up/let you know I was gone this last weekend. I left on wednesday and came back tonight (monday) from Hong Kong. I couldn't tell you all I was going because it gave away the location of Danny's ship. Yes, I know some people knew before that I was going and then things were canceled. It changed again and ended up working out that I could go. Danny got to spend most of the time with me and we enjoyed ourselves. Unfortunetly now his XO is being a @$$ and telling him that he isn't allowed to take leave to spend time with me anymore. He only took one day, which didn't start until 5 pm anyway, because he had duty and wanted to get off the ship so he could spend the night at the hotel. I don't understand what that guys problem is. Anyway, I am here. Sorry if you have been trying to contact me. I will be here from now on.
P.S. I'll tell you more about the trip and post pictures later. I have been awake for way too long and don't have the desire to go into it right now.

Finally!

Housing turned the heat on this morning. It is about time! Of course, the heat in the office doesn't work and the nob to adjust the heat in the bathroom is missing. I don't care right now, our house is warming up. I had a hell of a time sleeping last night because it was about 14 degrees C (57 F) downstairs and at least 3-5 degrees colder upstairs. That means it was probably about 10-12C (50-53F) in our bedroom. That is too cold to sleep comfortably. In fact, I'll give you the image of what I would have looked like. I was wearing sweatpants and a sweater and heavy socks. I had a heat pad on my feet and an extra blanket as well as the down comforter, both of which came up to my nose. I also had the hood on so all you could see where my eyes and nose. After all that, I was still freezing! I won't be cold tonight!

English Teaching

I sent my resume on friday to the Ladies English School in Tokyo. She wrote me back this morning and asked me to meet her at this train station. I am assuming she wants to do an interview. I am excited but I am so nervous.
Just wanted to share that news with you.

Funny

I read this online and instead of emailing to everyone who would find it funny, I just decided to post it here.

How to Stay Married

A man and a woman had been married for more than 60 years. They had shared everything. They had kept no secrets from each other except that the little old woman had a shoe box in the top of her closet that she had cautioned her husband never to open or ask her about.

For all of these years, he had never thought about the box, but one day the little old woman got very sick and the doctor said she would not recover. In trying to sort out their affairs, the little old man took down the shoe box and took it to his wife's bedside.

She agreed that it was time that he should know what was in the box. When he opened it, he found two crocheted dolls and a stack of money totaling $95,000. He asked her about the contents.

"When we were to be married," she said, "my grandmother told me the secret of a happy marriage was to never argue. She told me that if I ever got angry with you, I should just keep quiet and crochet a doll."

The little old man was so moved; he had to fight back tears. Only two precious dolls were in the box. She had only been angry with him two times in all those years of living and loving. He almost burst with happiness.

"Honey," he said "that explains the doll, but what about all of this money? Where did it come from?"

"Oh, that?" she said. "That's the money I made from selling the dolls."

its STILL cold!!

I think the Navy is trying to torture us.
Okay, sorry for stating the obvious.
It is super cold around here. Okay, not freaky Seabeck 29 degrees, but 58-60 inside the house is too cold. They started running water or something through the steam pipes in the heaters and we all got excited that they were going to turn the heat on early (it isn't coming on until Nov. 22nd). Turns out it is just the water. No heat. Thats just mean!! I'll make sure not to get frostbite on my fingers as I sit here and type. Okay, I am being dramatic but I am sure you understand. Everyone knows what it is like to have to type or use the mouse when your fingers are freezing.
Anyway, onto other things. Pratically had a mental breakdown this morning about money, so I am returning to my determination to get a job. I went to Yokosuka today and got fingerprinted for the subsitute position and will turn that in tomorrow with a copy of my passport. That FINALLY completes my application and I can be considered for the position. I also have been looking at English Schools online and found an awesome all womens one. I have been emailing with the owner or director of the school. She gave me some information on the school and encouraged me to apply. I am so super duper excited about it. I will probably send her my resume tomorrow. Wish me luck!! Yay.

earthquakes and tsunamis

Yes, there was an earthquake near Japan. It was over 1000 miles north of Tokyo. There was also a tsunami warning as you may have heard. So far, there hasn't been any big waves and we are perfectly safe here. I am far away from the water and on a large hill. They issues warnings anytime there is a large earthquake. Yokosuka should be fine as well. Just wanted to tell you all this before someone freaked out. Not that I think any of you would.

This week is flying by

I didn't realize how long it has been since I wrote a blog. Not a whole lot is going on around here. I have been out to lunch with friends most this week. I was glad when I finally got to spend a day at home.
Mocha is getting bigger. She is between 5 and 6 months now and it won't be too long before she can't be considered a kitten anymore. She is quite the talker and I can't seem to figure out what she wants. Not a whole lot different than having a baby I guess. She is always whining about something and it is usually because she wants me to sit down so she can lay in my lap. I must be sitting too much though 'cause I've gained about 2 lbs. since Danny left though I am trying so hard not to. About the cat though, she is pretty well trained. All I have to do is call her and she'll come. I am pretty impressed. She is spoiled though.
It has been cold around here. It isn't that bad outside, but they don't turn the heat on for over a week and it has been about 15 degrees celsius inside at night. That is about 59-61 degrees. I am freezing to death and I know Danny would love it, the crazy boy. Of course he is not here to keep me warm when i need it either. It was a little warmer last night and the office right now is about 70. The living room is the coldest though. I can't wait for them to turn on the heat. It is pretty frustrating, especially when you are not allowed to have space heaters. How dumb is that?

More pictures of Japan!!

I didn't want to miss autumn so I took my camera out (Sierra gave me her old one and the pics come out better than my original). The Negishi Shinrin (Forest) Park is next to the base. Thursday was sunny and beautiful so I got some great shots. Yes, they are computer enhanced, but the camera just can't capture what the eye sees. It needs some help along the way. Enjoy.

Get Your Own! | View Slideshow

Yokota

Hey, I am writing from Yokota tonight. I am staying at Sierra (Fisher) and Ryan's, her husband, place. It was quite an experiance to get up here. Not incredibly difficult, but there was a little anxiety involved. I left my house at 8:45 this morning and got to Yokota at 11:20. That is one long trip. I took the train the whole way, but it was hard to find one that was going as far as I needed to go. Oh well, I made it here alright. It is a stereotypical air force base, but it is nice and their apartment is homey too. Not much to say, just wanted to give everyone an update on my life. I'll be home tomorrow. Hopefully my cat isn't too lonely.

Another trip to Yokohama

Today I went to Yokohama with some friends who live on the base. We went to the Landmark Tower and walked to Yamashita Park. Here is a slideshow of the pics!

Get Your Own! | View Slideshow

P.S. I did not take the pic looking straight down (and I never would have!!). Also, the elevator that took us up is one of the fastest in the world. It is quite an experiance...

Changes to blog

You can obviously tell that I have made some visual changes to the blog. I am trying to find a format that fits the theme of our blog, but it is hard to find. I have made some other changes as well. You no longer have to be a member to post a comment on the blog, but I did turn on word verification. I am going to test this out for a time to see how it works and if anyone is using it. If I get spam or the only people commenting are those who have been all along, then I will change it back just to be safe. If you have any problems, please email me and I will try to fix it.

The lawn

Can someone tell me how to fix a weed eater? I was almost done with the lawn and the cable was going farther in, so I stopped to fix it for about the 3rd time. Well, now when I turn it on, the cable spins right out an onto the ground. I can't make it stay in! Help!

More mikoshi parade

I haven't figured out how to download this one yet, but here is another quick video about the Mikoshi parade. You can't see us in it, so don't bother looking. This video was taken on base, but we were in the back... Here is the link: http://www.news.navy.mil/management/videodb/player/video.aspx?ID=8137

Is it?

Is it really too quiet around here? I have been trying to post every few days, I just don't think there is much to write about. I have been having terrible migranes the last few days, but now I am drugged. It is getting a little better.
Tried to weed eat the lawn yesterday. That was a mess. I guess I have to take care of it today.
I get my couch tomorrow. I am so excited. I have to call the furniture people today and find out when they are delivering. I also got a notice that housing is going to replace our appliances. When I called them yesterday, I was told they would come in Monday morning and replace our range, refridgerator, washer and dryer. Yay!
This sunday I am going to a little get together here in Negishi. A friend, Shannon, is hosting a bunch of people from the base who have never been up here. I am trying to take them to Yokohama first to sightsee. On tuesday I think I am going to Yokota to see Sierra. I may spend the night, so don't expect to hear from me.
Not really much else to say. I don't like to talk about my pathetic life. It just makes it more real.