In Okinawa

We finally arrived in Okinawa. The trip was long to be expected. We only ran into minor snags and the kids were angels. And I didnt puke which is amazing because I always puke on that long flight. The real problems didnt start until we actually arrived. I cant really explain that feeling of finally getting OFF the plane upon arrival in Okinawa. Exhausted, angry, relieved, happy, annoyed, and more tired than you ever have been in your whole life. All you want is to get to your hotel (TLF in our case) and sleep. We got in around 10:30 am and I really wanted to get on a schedule right away as far as sleeping. But I didnt care anymore, I wanted to sleep. So we come out of customs and immigration to meet our sponsors and hit the road.

What do we find? NOTHING. I should have known. Our sponsor didnt show up, call, or send someone else. I was beyond pist. Hubs thought maybe they mistakenly went to the domestic airport instead of the international one so he walked over there. Nothing. He tried to make some calls to his unit. Nothing. I sat around for about an hour waiting. A woman approached me with her two kids and said I looked like I needed help. I obviously would never get in a car with strangers (especially with my kids) but Okinawa is that exception. She was heading in our direction and offered a ride. I gladly excepted and we packed 3 adults, 4 carseats and 5 suitcases all in her car. I still cant believe we got it all in there. It wasnt a very comfy ride, but it was a ride.

We get to TLF. Im not even going to begin to talk about that. Lets just say its unacceptable for a family with 2 kids. Our sponsor calls us 7 hours later to ask how we got to the hotel. We tell him and he says "sorry, my wife had the car". Your wife had the car? You didnt discuss that you are a sponsor and you need to be at the airport. That you left a family stranded? And are JUST NOW calling us to ask if we are ok?? If hubs wasnt in a sleepy daze, the poor kid would have gotten a mouthful. He tells him we are fine, and to pick us up tomorrow morning for the New comers brief. The New comers brief is very important because it's where you take your drivers test and its only once a week. So we wake up and head out to meet sponsor. Of course he isnt there. He is 15 minutes late. We get there and ask where the childcare is and they tell us its at the CDC. Great. So now our kids have to sit through a 6 hours brief with us. They didnt do well at all. They were bored, hungry, and so tired.

We sent sponsor off with Hubs card to be signed by the CO. Without the card signed, he cant get his license. I tell sponsor to come back with 12 with the card. Of course he comes back without the card. So hubs cant get his license that day. Fantastic. Luckily, I passed the test and got mine. Hubs is at work all day today so me and the kids are in this mico sized hotel room. Its so aggrivating knowing that he is standing around work trying to get petty paperwork signed by someone who thinks they are more important than you. Knowing that we have such more important things to do. Like go look for a car. Go to housing. Feed the kids.

So many people say they hate Okinawa. I didnt hate it when we lived here. But I didnt show up with a family either. I feel so bad for families who show up to this. No assistance what so ever. It puts a bad taste in your mouth right from the start. Hopefully things will start to improve soon. Our sponsor said he was sorry about not being at the airport and it was difficult because "we showed up during a 96". He is lucky I didnt punch him in the back of the head from where I was sitting in the backseat.

Hopefully my next post will be a little more upbeat. But for now, Ive had it.

Im homeless

Well I have my computer so I can blog now. And ohhhhh do I have some complaining to do. We wont be going to Okinawa on Wednesday. Our overseas screening adviser is useless. Im not being mean...she really is useless. She has made mistake after mistake with out paperwork. Everytime she makes a mistake our stuff gets delayed. It looks really bad on us because it looks like we waited until the last minute to get our stuff done. The monitor is pissed off and threatened hubs with ANOTHER 1 year unaccompanied tour. Anyway, now we have no idea what is going on. We are basically waiting on a phone call from Okinawa to tell us if its denied or approved. Then we schedule another flight since they canceled our tickets for Friday. The real bummer is we only have until Friday to stay in TLF. (which we've been in since last Wednesday!) Our poor kids. If we hear NOTHING by Friday Im bringing the kids to my moms house back in Boston. Im a pretty patient person. Im reasonable and understanding but this is bullshit. At least the gym is across the street and I can run off my frustrations. Although Im used to going to an all womens gym, so this man fest is....different.

Oh! And thanks for all the lovely comments on my boudoir pics! I totally recommend doing it!

Until next time, I will stay frustrated!

My Photo Shoot Sneak Peek

Ok I know I said yesterday was my last post for a while but Ive been dying to share these. I did a Boudoir Photo shoot for my husband for Valentines Day. It was soooo much fun. I felt like a super model! I made a gorgeous album for him and gave it to him this evening. He loved it so much! I really wanted something creative and unexpected this year. And thats exactly what I did. Here are a FEW shots. Obviously some of them are private :D

Leaving....on a really big Jet Plane.

This will be my last post for a little while. We are all moved out of our house, TMO did a great job and only broke 2 things. We are in TLF now and SHOULD be heading to Oki on Wednesday. Our paperwork is having problems so it might be longer. If our area clearences arent back by Monday...its postponed. Im not thrilled about LIVING in TLF for longer than a week. Anyhoo....Ill post when I get to Okinawa. Have a super Valentines Day everyone!!

Wisdom Teeth!

Here I lay, In my giant bed. It's quite as can be. I have my tv, cell phone, computer and plenty of reading material. This sounds rare and fabulous doesn't it? (to us mommies anyway) Im NOT loving it. I was supposed to have my wisdom teeth out when I was like 17. Ive had about 20 appointments to do so and cancelled them all because I was scared. Doesnt that sound so silly? Ill live in a foreign country no problem, tattoos and piercings dont hurt me. Wisdom teeth scare the poop out of me though. I finally did it yesterday. I was SO nervous. I had a Valium before surgery to relax me and it just made me pretty tired. I was under a local anesthetic but could still hear the Dr and nurses talking. I dont remember getting in the car or coming home.

I had a bunch of friends come by yesterday with presents and soup and books and lots of fun stuff. That really made my day. Not to mention my husband is taking care of the kiddos, house, guests, and me all at the same time. Yesterday I felt ok until I had to take meds. Ive had to take them 3 times now and throw them up every time. I wouldnt be throwing them up if I took the nausea meds. But they are rectal...so yeah...no thanks. Id rather barf. Im so happy I finally did it (well had to do it in order to go to Okinawa lol) but Im so sore and so swollen. Ok Im done crying.

Here is what I look like now :


But they are gone now, and do you know what that means?!?!?! I can FINALLY get braces!! I have wanted a pretty smile forever. And pretty soon, I will have one and look more like this :




Is it just me or is daytime TV RIDICULOUSLY boring? Who watches this stuff??

Lastly, I have been keeping a huge secret! It's my hubs Valentines Day present. I cant show you until V Day because he reads this blog. But it is TOTALLY amazing and I cant wait to share!!! It took so much time and effort and I am so proud of it. Here is a hint...Amber from Goodnight Moon did it a while back for her hubs!!

Dear amazing Hubs of mine, NO PEEKING!!!! I WILL CATCH YOU!!

Picture Overload!

Here are a million pictures that I havent uploaded. Big Sis field trip to the Farm, Girls night out, One of our going away dinners,The new Childrens Museum, and a few thrown in there for fun.
AAHHH it's so cute!!! His name is Oreo

Does he look like a stuffed animal??


Girl's night out! I love these beautiful ladies.


The kids had fun at the new Museum. It's similar to Boston Childrens Museum, which we love. And it's in downtown, which I love.






Here are some pics from our going away dinner. My Zumba loves got me some Zumba gear. I cant wait to start teaching in Okinawa. Dont mind my obnoxious husband trying to squeeze in on half of the pictures. He might be obnoxious but I usually laugh at all the funny stuff he does. :)

Stay Tuned

Ive been slacking with blogging like crazy. I have lots of pictures to post but my memory card is having some problems. If Hubs ever gets a free minute, Ill have him work on it. You won't be hearing from me much latley. Our next shipment of TMO gets picked up next week. Our first one was a couple of weeks ago. Its not going smoothly. We have by Tuesday of next week to sell our furniture. We move into TLF next week then off to Oki the week after that. Only 2 weeks left. I have mixed feelings. Hopefully I can get some pics up soon. Stayed tuned.