Our day...

This is effen hilarious. Probably NSFW... definitely not safe for kids. But I don't think any kids read my blog so read away...

My sister sent that to me. Hysterical. I love the coffee and aspirin parts.I mean it is a serious topic... just written in a very amusing way. Just thought I would share.

I talked to my sister and my parents today. Then I got bored so I was checking out OHO and decided to crash a New Years Eve "party." It was a whole bunch of ladies chatting for New Years. But it was already 2009 for me. It was a lot of fun though. Very amusing. Then I got a call from our friends in Co. We skyped with them for quite a while which was great. We hadn't seen the both of them in a while. We finally got off so that we could get food.

We went to Sukiya which is a restaurant that has rice bowls. I had a "three cheese mega beef bowl" and Sky had a pork bowl meal thing. Oishii! After that we went to Lawson (little convenience store) and got mochi, candy, and pan. I think I already explained mochi. I shouldn't really have to explain candy... and pan is like a sandwich of sweet goodness. They have different flavors we got strawberry (ichigo, thanks Danielle :p). Danielle is obsessed with pan. She's the one who made me want to try it. (Can you tell how ill prepared I was, seeing as how in the background of the pictures you can see this blog. :) Oh yeah, I'm awesome.)


Anyway, after all that we came home and talked to Danielle and then talked to Sky's brother. Now we're going to watch some TV.

Here, enjoy this.


I will probably post a lot of crazy awesome Japanese video stuffs.

I was wrong

I won't be alone! Sky got off pretty early. Right now he is talking to his brother but then a friend of ours may come over or we may go out. Don't know yet. Anyway, I just wanted to say happy new year to everyone!! Hope everyone has a good time!

Be safe and have a designated driver!
Hosting a party? Be a good host and don't let your guests drive home drunk.
Call a friend, call a cab, walk! If you drive home drunk someone will punch you in the face tomorrow! :)

Happy new year everyone!

Wow!

My brother in law got married today! So best wishes to him and his wife!

I'm excited to see what 2009 brings. Not just for the two of them, but for everyone! We'll start with Sky and I. (well because it's my freakin blog :p) I will be celebrating my 21st birthday in March, and Sky will be celebrating his 24th in April. Also in April is our 4 year anniversary (of just being together) and in October is our 3rd wedding anniversary. :D
Kimmie and Levi will be celebrating their 3rd anniversary in June, and their beautiful daughter's first birthday in May.
Danielle and Gary will be celebrating their 1st anniversary in February! And Danielle will be turning 20 the same month!

Everyone just has so much to look forward to! I just can't wait! Unfortunately I'm going to start the New Year by myself but hopefully not for too long. Sky's working tonight but then I get him for a four day.

I got the bathroom completely done. Our room and the living room are pretty close. The kitchen is just about done. The bulk of it is really just laundry and the other bedroom. I don't know why it has been so difficult for me to get this done. I guess I'm just worried. This is a lot smaller than what I'm used to and I want everything to be perfect... Gah... I'm stressing myself out. But on the bright side I'm watching some crazy awesome Japanese TV. *sigh* Well I guess I should probably eat something and get back to work.

This makes me so angry!

WTF is up with this? Seriously... Read that.

I've been incredibly lucky. My husband and I have only been apart for two weeks due to the military. I know our time apart is coming and I am terrified. No one wants their loved ones in danger. What makes her so special? This just sickens me. It's not like I'm "pro-war" or anything like that. I would LOVE if none of our troops had to be in a red zone, but that's life. It isn't like she didn't know what she was signing up for! Especially after 9/11. And in the Army! I mean, come on... It was inevitable.

I just don't even know what to say about this. Really. I can't believe how selfish people can be. I mean really... It is just... I don't know. Typically I would consider myself fairly articulate but I really just don't know what to say about this. Anyway, I just needed to get it out I guess.

This is no good...

No good at all. The colleges are closed until the 5th! And I still need to order my books but the website is so not cooperating with me... And no one at the education center can help me, which I think is strange. I just hope I am able to get my books in time because that would be uber lame. Yes, I just said "uber."

In other news, now Sky and I have both officially "lost" our wedding rings. I put lost in quotations because we both found them. I'll tell you mine first (since mine happened first) and I'm telling them because they're both sort of interesting (and crappy).

Danielle and I went on one of our walks that we were doing with the dogs. We walked them over to one of the parks on base and decided we'd see if we could do some pull-ups. I was wearing my workout gloves so I had taken my wedding rings off because they hurt my finger when wearing my gloves (I know, I know... should have left them at home.) Anyway, obviously I dropped them... into sand... I didn't realize it for a bit but then it hit me. I started to freak out and Danielle and I whip out our cell phones for light. Well then the dogs started getting antsy and started DIGGING which, of course, was quite disruptive of the sand. I called Sky and asked if he would come pick the dogs up and bring Danielle and I flash lights. He did, and was obviously quite upset. So Danielle and I looked for a bit longer and finally found both of them.

Well, Sky, this morning told me that he was going to start leaving his wedding rings at home (because of what he does he can't wear them at work). Obviously I asked him why. He tells me that last night he went out to start the car (apparently for no reason, except he was bored) and when he pulled his keys out of his pocked he heard clinking. He looks around. It had been snowing the past few days so there was still quite a bit of it on the ground. After a few minutes of searching he found his engagement ring buried in the snow. Still couldn't find his wedding ring. After a few more minutes of searching he finally looked under the car and there it was. He excitedly when to grab it, and just in those like 10 minutes or so, it had frozen to the ground. I was quite amused by that. Course, I probably wouldn't have been had he lost one of them, but he found them so it's okay.

I thought it was pretty interesting that we both dropped both our rings in something difficult to look for them in.

So obviously not too much has happened today. I really need to do somethings with the house now so I think I'll go ahead and get right on that. :D

Just HAD to share

I post on OHO and we have this pet area. We have a post pictures of your pet discussion as a "sticky" so it is permanently the top discussion. Well missing having my babies I look at all sorts cute photos to torture myself... Anyway, here is my favorite. I got permission from this little one's mommy to go ahead and share with you because I thought it was just so cute and funny.

Her name is Hannah.



And that is flour all over her face.
Isn't that one of the cutest puppy pictures ever? Anyway, just had to share.

And if you're reading this mommy of Hannah, thank you again for letting me post her picture up here. :D

Well... why not...

Some of you don't really know me, while others of you know me very well... This is for those of you who don't know me. A little bio and story...

My name is Laura. My birthday is 24 Mar 1988. I am "white" and Filipino. I have an older brother and older sister. I'm an AF brat. My dad was in for 23 years. I was born in NY but grew up in Japan. We moved to Kadena AB Okinawa, Japan when I was 2. We remained there for seven years before PSCing to Yokota AB Honshu, Japan. We lived there for another 3 1/2 years until my sister graduated and my dad retired. We then moved to Texas (where the majority of my family currently resides) to be with my grandparents and "uncle." I put uncle in quotations because my uncle is not blood related. He is my dad's best friend, they have been friends longer than I have been alive and is as much family as the rest of my family. Anyway, we stayed in Texas for almost four years before my dad got a civil service job and relocated to Surprise, AZ. I was attending college through a dual enrollment program and needed to volunteer somewhere. My dad got me in with the multimedia center on base doing front desk duties where I met my friend Levi. Two months later (Feb 05) Levi introduced me to Sky. By March I was smitten. By April we were dating and by September of that year we were engaged. :D We wed on 15 Oct 2006. We remained in Arizona for the first two years of our marriage before getting orders to Misawa AB, Japan.

Of course, that is just a small portion of my life and the things I've experienced... I'm not bored enough to go into complete detail but I will give you a few more things. I was a terrible teenager. A total problem child. I dropped out and got my GED after much heartache and urging. I've blown some good opportunities and now obviously kick myself for it. There are some things I would have done differently but for the most part I am happy with the things that have happened. As much as I hate to admit how much I've wronged not only my family but myself, I look back and smile... Why? You might ask... I know my sister probably is... :p But it's because my family was ALWAYS there for me. Stood by my side every step of the way. I am very fortunate to have them. Somehow, even through all the BS, we are closer than ever, and I couldn't... wouldn't, trade that for anything.

I've also been through a lot of stuff with friends... with some people I use that term loosely, and with others that word just isn't enough. The people who are more like family to me are pretty much the people spoken of in my blog, and you know of some of them. Others I have not mentioned (or not mentioned by name) and that is for different reasons. One of the big reasons is they have not given permission for me to name them. Anyway, I just wanted to say that even with all of the crap I've gone through with people, I'm thankful in a way for that as well. Not only did it make it MUCH more apparent who my real friends are. The ones I would be broken without, the ones who aren't just friends... but also my family.

Well now that I've given you a cliff-notes version of my life we can get to the fun stuff. :) Pictures! I don't have anyone's permission to use their photos so right now it will just be Sky and I but I may do one of friends later.

A picture from the set of the very first pictures we took together.

A picture from our engagement session

My FAVORITE wedding photo

And one more because it's amazing. My cake topper...

After the wedding we moved into a house next door to my parents with some roomies... we spent a year there. Very shortly after moving we welcomed our baby, Bella.

Bella spent almost a year being an only child before we brought home her sister, Sasha.

Bella and Sasha spent another year amusing us, loving us, and always being home to greet us.

Then we received orders to Japan and had to say good bye to them. They now reside in Florida with my wonderful in laws and another very good playmate. They are happy as can be. Here is Sasha with her new best friend, Bandit, in the lovely trench they've started for my in laws.

Now my husband and I are here in Misawa, cold and puppy-less. We miss them and our family and friends dearly. We're happy to be here though, just wish everyone else could have come with us! (If you read this you have to come visit)... there, I think I just solved most of my problems... now I just have to get my mother in law to teach the dogs to read. :)

I just wanted to share...

AH THE TICKING CROCK!!!

I told you I'd let you know how it worked out for me. Conclusion: Awsome... one e.

We went to the post office and finally got our Christmas card from my brother and sister. Not to any fault of theirs, the great postal service just took a billion years. So we got the card from them which had an adorably decorated envelope due to my sister being a loser. :p We also finally sent the really, really ridiculously late cards to everyone. But everyone knows they are going to be late... and every one knows Sky and I well and will not be surprised. :) You know, it's a damn good thing we have the internet to pay bills because we suck at actually sending stuff out. That and interneting is easier and cheaper in the long run. Not to mention more environmentally friendly. :D

We bought a Bissell steam mop today. That thing was eighty-effen-bucks! It better work like a dream... by mopping by itself, doing dishes, vacuuming, and washing and folding laundry. ;) Now that would be some mop! It should also go out and make a living so I can focus on school and we can travel. Oh, it should also make us four course gourmet meals every day. Okay, okay, I'll stop. I guess I'm actually going to have to do all that shit. lolz. I crack myself up.

After we did all that junk we came home and move some things around. We put the mini fridge and other dresser in our room. The guest/computer/craft room place is going to be tight but we'll make it work somehow. We'll still have room for people who want to come visit!! (hint hint, wink wink, nudge nudge...) And don't worry Kimmie Genesis can sleep in my room! :D

We really just did that and now I'm being lazy again. I feel like tomorrow could be more productive. You'll just have to come and see. :)

As much as I love being OCONUS....

Sometimes it really sucks. Like some of the things I need that are on my wish list cannot be shipped here. :( It makes me sad. I'm sure I could ask my dad to find an alternative site that would get the item here sometimes it's just a pain in the ass. I mostly miss things being 24hr. I also miss getting movies/shows on time. But for the most part that's all fluff.

Anyway, it's snowing again and we still need to go to the post office again. I'm pretty sure we're going to beat the average in these few days that it has snowed. I can't tell if that's exciting or terrifying.

I've been pretty lazy lately... I think it's time to be productive. I'll be starting on that shortly. Check back later... I'll let you know how that worked out for me. :p

WHARRGARBL!!!!

The freakin post office sendy part was closed so I have to go back again tomorrow to send out the wicked late cards. But people will love them anyway because I'm awesome. I suck at sending stuff. But whatev.

We went to the BX and got some things. Including a new rice cooker because our cord is missing and we are beginning to go through withdraws. So we will be having rice for dinner. I will probably start it the minute the dishwasher finishes. Sky bought Shaun White's snowboarding game, and is playing it at the moment. We got some on sale Christmas stuff and place mats for the table. They're bamboo so no one is allowed to spill anything on them because they're spot clean only. But they're pretty and I like them. We're going to need to get different cushions for the chairs still though, The ones we got from the dollar store don't fit the chairs.

We had some hot chocolate. :) It was marshmallow lovers... mmm... And well... yup, that's pretty much all.

This is the most amazing thing... ever...

I was totally amused. So amused I had to post it.

In other news I'm on skype with Kimmie, Levi, and Genesis. I got to watch Genesis open one of her presents which was ridiculously adorable, of course.

LOL, a quick conversation on skype with Kimmie on Christmas Sky has decided when we have kids they're getting silent toys. :p No, really, it looked like they were all having a blast. She was saying that Christmas is so much more fun with a baby.

Sky and I have pretty much done like nothing but bum around on the computers all day. Its 1900 and I'm still in my PJs. We'll probably watch a movie here in a while but I was adding (a ton) to my Amazon wish list. When Sky actually looked at it he laughed at me and asked, "what are you training to be? Super wife?" and yes, for a matter of fact, I am! :p I have tons of kitchen stuff on there (including an apron, oh my), and tons of workout stuff. I really want to better myself while we're here. I want to learn to cook, I want to get in good shape, I want to start eating healthy, and most importantly, get my degree. While doing all that I also want to travel. :) I really have my work cut out for me. Anyway, back to my online wish list spree.

Merry Christmas!!

Today is Christmas in Japan. :) I got to get my present at midnight last night though. I couldn't believe it. My husband, who has a similar view point as most men regarding this, bought me a DOONEY & BURKE PURSE!!!! Goodness I just about died. :) I love it. It matches my jacket. See?


I also got a pair of really sweet snowboarding pants. So sweet Sky is jealous. Well maybe he'll get some awesome ones next Christmas. He got a really nice Burton jacket.

Last night we had two people over for dinner. Sky made pulled pork and we had a good time. We talked to our buddy Will (who is also abroad, but not here) on Skype into the wee hours of the night. We had a blast. I woke up feeling hungover this morning even though I didn't have a single alcoholic beverage.... hmm... maybe kissing Sky got me drunk. :p Anyway, we will probably just bum around and watch movies today. Hope everyone had/has a great Christmas!

Mmm.,.. pulled pork

I'm still feeling a bit crappy every once and a while. Hopefully having Sky's awesome pulled pork will make me feel better. We're having our helpful Airman over for dinner tonight. The house is still pretty wrecked but we're getting there. The bulk of it is in the spare/guest/computer room. Not really sure how that is going to turn out but we shall see. Anyway, I'm going to eat a little right now and see if it will make me feel any better. Deuce.

Sadness :( and busy-ness

A very good friend of mine is upset with me and it makes me very sad. :( I just hope they know that I love them and miss them. And I don't want them to be mad at me. I hope I will see them soon. I'm sorry! I loves you!!!

I still have tons of stuff to do today like work on the house and swing by the education office because no one knows what they're doing!! Grr! So on that note I bid you farewell... I've posted enough really long blogs so you can deal with this tiny one. :p I'll post more later!

Finally!

12/18 - Sky and I got up about 0730. We deflated the air mattress and got as much as we could off the floor. We ate breakfast and then we waited... and waited... and waited. The guy who set up our drop off appointment said "morning" so by 10 you can imagine we were getting a bit antsy. So Sky called TMO and they got the carrier on the phone and found out they wouldn't be here until afternoon. So we had lunch and started watching a DVD. So they finally show up at about 1430. There are like forty freakin people in my house and absolutely no one is listening. I had all the boxes and the rooms color coded but they still asked me about almost everything. Of course, the things I wanted them to ask about they didn't so we were having a hell of a time trying to stay on top of everything. Then the lead lady was getting wicked bitchy once everything was inside for us to sign. We wanted them to put together the bed, the futon (only legs), and attach the top pieces of the dresser and desk. They only did the bed and the futon. I guess because those would have been the most obvious if left undone. They just set the top pieces of both the desk and the dresser on them. I was so pissed when I discovered that. They also didn't unpack. Ugh... serves me right for talking about my awesome TMO experience. From now on I'm not speaking about it until I've both shipped and recieved all of my stuff. Grr... OH and we discovered this box that had no tag and no writing on it so we figured it might be kitchen stuff because of the weight of it so Sky opens it up and... its like a 10 pound rock. Not joking. A huge rock. And it says "AZ" on it. So yeah... not happy. So after they cleared out Sky and I started working. We worked until about 2030 before we were just exhausted and decided to watch TV... on our TV! :) I'm happy we have our stuff back but it's just frustrating how it happened. Anyway, at about 2200 we went to sleep.

12/19 - I got up about 0830. I ate some breakfast and then I started cleaning, unpacking, and organizing. I've got the kitchen stuff totally unpacked but I have to do all of the dishes. I have tons of laundry too. So I started working and then I started feeling really crappy. Then Danielle called and she and I talked for a while since we were both feeling really sick. I got off the phone with Danielle because the lady from Quality Assurance was coming over to check out the massive rock. I think she thought we were exaggerating because when she saw it she looked pretty surprised. She took some pictures, gave me her e-mail address, and then left. After that Sky came home and we talked a while. He had a pretty crappy day. So we just laid off of the house for the night and watched some TV. I was feeling really sick then but I knew my parents were going to be calling so I toughed it out a little while. I got to speak with them briefly before going to bed.

12/20 - I woke up still feeling crappy at 0800 so I decided to go back to sleep. I finally crawled out of bed at about 1100. I did some dishes. Then I started feeling really crappy again so I just kind of hung out until Sky got home and then we vegged out together before bed.

12/21 - We were both still feeling under the weather so we stayed in pretty much all night. We did make one trip to the shoppette for junk food. And the best part was that it was snowing all night. It is beautiful out. I tried to get some pictures but with it still showing they didn't come out the way I wanted them to. But some were still pretty cool. I asked Sky on the way home if he wanted to make a snowman with me and he said no. It actually made me kind of sad because this is the most snow I ever remember being in and I'm excited. Then he told me it's because I don't have any snow gear so we're going to get me some. So when we got home I turned around and Sky had a snowball in his hand so I grabbed some snow and we had a little snowball fight. I was victorious! I hit him right in the face. I actually felt pretty bad about it but he thought it was hilarious. So then we just went back upstairs and watched TV and ate junk food before going to bed.

12/22 (Today) - We got up around 1000. I took more pictures of the snow. Then we watched some TV and hung out a bit. Finally we went over to UMUC and I dropped my Japanese class and tried to register for a government class but that needs to get worked out a little later. I dropped Japanese because I figured since I'll be walking I should probably take my on site classes during the summer... and you can imagine why. While I was there Sky ran over to the BX and picked up our modem. Then he came and picked me up and we ran the last errand that we needed then I started feeling really sick. So now I'm just home relaxing on the couch. I think I'm going to pass out here pretty shortly. Just wanted to post now that we have internet! :) You'll finally be getting some more contact. And lastly, because we found it amusing... Here is the Subaru and a Skyline that was parked next to us this morning.

Another long one for you

12/13 - I blogged and then shortly after it started snowing. It actually stuck! I was excited. I started feeling crappy and bailed on the bowling alley. That was about it.

12/14 - We went and bought our dinette set! Delivery will be on Tuesday the 16th. I'm excited. After we bought our dinette we went and ate at the food court and then went into the BX which was way more than either one of us could take so we ended up just leaving after a little bit. We went home and took a nap and then watched some DVDs.

12/15 - I got up at about 0830 and called TMO shortly thereafter to check on our stuff. Its at the port, it just needs to clear customs which will take a few days but delivery on the 18th shouldn't be a problem I guess. I'm so excited to get our stuff back! I can't wait! We'll have pillows! Moving on, when Sky got home I made perogies and then we picked up a friend to go and get his car and then headed to the BX where we witnessed the most amazing phenomenon. There was a guy standing at the counter at A&W wearing a pleather vest that read "#1 STUNNAS." So we giggled about that and then Sky got this look on his face like he had just seen a really awesome ghost so I turned to see what he was looking at and saw the guy in the vest, as I turned to ask if he knew him I saw the actual guy still at the counter... can you believe that? There were TWO MEN wearing PLEATHER VESTS that said "#1 STUNNAS." I wish I got a picture. I laughed so hard I cried. After that we just went home and watched a DVD and went to bed.

12/16 - Our dinette got delivered!! I hoofed it over to the self help store and got a screwdriver so I could put it all together before Sky got home. While working though I got a call from someone asking if I wanted to go out so I called the other woman that I know and we all walked around together. We went to the bakery that is right off base and just walked around there for a bit. Well I was really hungry and so was one of the other ladies so she and I went to the food court while our other friend headed back to her room. We got carried away talking and before I knew it, it was almost five. So I told her if I ever wanted to get this set put together I needed to take off so we walked the same way for a bit and then parted ways. I got in the door and was damn near attacked by Sky. He ran up and hugged me and told me how worried he was. I felt really bad. I didn't leave a note because I thought I would be home before he would be so when he got home and saw I wasn't there and there was no note he called the lady who didn't go to the BX with us and she told him that I was heading that way last she saw me. So he drove there and when he couldn't find me there he drove around base past the Inns because he figured I might have gone back there. So lesson learned there. I need to start leaving notes. Especially since we still don't have cell phones. So after he was done hugging me we put the rest of the chairs together and then were trying to decide what to do for dinner. We ended up going to the Filipino restaurant that is right off base and ate there. I almost cried in my pansit. I miss my mom :( Obviously I miss everyone else too but my mom always makes me cry when I talk to her. I don't know why. Also I haven't gotten to talk to her as much as I have my dad and my sister but hopefully that will change very soon. I digress. After dinner and a serving of depression we decided to come back home and eat the amazing strawberry cake that I bought from the bakery. It was yummy. Oishii (Delicious). So soft and fluffy. I'm making myself hungry. lol So after that we did our regular routine of watching a DVD and heading to bed. I can't wait when we can watch movies on an actual TV rather than the laptop, and on a couch rather than an air mattress.

12/17 (Today) - I woke up about 0800 but was feeling really lazy so I just stayed in bed a while. My sister called. I actually got to talk to my grandparents because she was over at their house, so that was really nice. It was the first time I had spoken to them since we left the States. So that was cool. Almost immediately after I got off the phone with them TMO called and told me that our stuff was actually here and Sky or I needed to come in and sign paperwork and set up delivery. I called him to see if he wanted to do it or if he wanted me to and he wasn't in so I just talked to someone he worked with and explained the situation and he put it as an appointment for us so Sky will be able to help me when the stuff gets delivered. So I walked over to TMO and signed the paperwork and set up delivery for tomorrow! I'm so excited! Unfortunately since we'll be so busy I had to take my name off the roster for the Second hand kimono shop. I'll just go next time. They do it every other month. No big deal. After I went to TMO I walked over to the self help store to return the screwdriver and pick up a water filter for the house because the ones at the commissary don't fit. Only thing is the instructions are in Japanese so Sky and I will have to try and decipher it together when he gets home. But that's only one of the many things I must do before our stuff gets here. I will try and post as soon as I can.

Gomen!!!

I know it's been a while but I haven't been able to get on the internet... here is a recap of everything that's been happening.

12/09 - As you already know my ortho appointment was a bust so I had gone to the wireless room to blog about it and while I was there I made a new friend. We talked for quite some time and left the room at the same time to discover we were staying in the same building so I walked her over to her room and then she asked if I wanted to go and get some food, and I accepted so she came over to my room after she got done dropping her stuff off and I had a message from my friend that I met in the bowling alley so we tried to call her to see if she wanted to go with. Well I had lost her number amongst my piles of crap everywhere so I called the front desk and got connected to her room but she didn't pick up so we just decided to head out and I figured I could call her later. So we start to head to the BX and I hear a voice ask, "you coming to see me?" and voila the friend from the bowling alley! So we all headed to the food court together and got something to eat and hung out and talked a while and then headed back.As we neared our rooms we ran into Sky who was heading out to get a haircut and pick up our rental vehicle for the next day. When he got back he took me over to my sushi cooking class where I had a lot of fun. It was really cool but I don't think its an avenue someone like me (who could burn water... no really) to actually learn to cook. I think its more geared toward people who already know how to cook to learn to cook new things. I may go back if
there is something I REALLY want to learn how to make but for the most part I think I'll just practice in my own home. Speaking of which, that brings me to day two.

12/10 - At 0700 we got up. I called the orthodontist to make sure I was in for the day. Thankfully I was (and was actually seen!) so then I was finishing up my scholorship applications. Then we came over to our apartment (YAY) and unloaded the car. It's pretty nice. There are some things I would change if I could but over all I think I'll be content living here for three years. I waited at the apartment while Sky ran around for some things and while he was gone TMO came with our unaccompanied baggage. He was going to take me to my appointment but we had the housing inspection show up almost immediately after TMO left so I ended up walking. So I was seen there and I'm eligable for treatment but I'm a "routine case" so the orthodontist who is here now won't start work on me. I have to wait for the new one to get here and then go back again. But the upside of that is apparently my case should only take about 15 months to complete, so until then I'll have a night guard to try and relieve some of the pain in my jaw. So after my appointment I headed back home (AH!) and Sky wasn't there. That was a little upsetting because I was starving and wanted to get food. So he shows up probably like 10 or so minutes later and it turns out he showed up at the hospital to surprise me and take me home but he had gone to get a drink and I guess in those few seconds I had already walked out the door. Then he was still there so long afterward because the lady at the front desk wouldn't tell him if I was done with my appointment yet because it's a "privacy breach." Umm... hello, he's my husband and the entire reason I'm even IN Japan. But whatever, it's good they take that so seriously I guess. So when he got home we went and got food, then we went to the BX to get some new home stuff, the library to print some things off for my scholorship applications, the education office to drop off my applications, and the furniture store on base to look for chairs for the table but I think we're going to just get a new dinnette set all together. After that I just started doing laundry and trying to find places for everything. So far I really don't like my washer and dryer so either it and I come to a happy medium or I call maitnence. We also got a car. It's a white Subaru WRX. I like it and Sky REALLY likes it. Although I believe he still pines after this Lancer
that has a freakin snowboard rack on top of it lol. That was about it for the 10th.

12/11 - We got up bright and early and Sky headed to work for a little while. Then he came home and we may have taken a very small nap while waiting for the guy to come set up our DSN. :p So now we have a phone. But still can't talk to anyone really yet :( we have to wait another TWO WEEKS for that :( :( :( I miss all of you!! But I promise when we get our internet I will be on the phone like the entire first day! lol So after the phone was set up I had ANOTHER appointment and it was raining really hard so Sky ended up driving me. After my appointment it was still coming down pretty good so I called him and he brought me home. Then I just cleaned and everything and got a call from a friend and she ended up coming by to see the place and then we walked over to the commisary to get her a few things and then went back over to her room and hung out a bit. When Sky got off work he came and picked me up and we went and got another friend of ours and the three of us went off base to get some dinner. I got yaki soba and I don't remember what Sky's was called but it was thinly sliced beef and onions and he had to sort of cook it on the table so we all smelled like that for the rest of the night. Actually when we went over to the BX it was the second time we had gone through this particular lady's line and she mentioned that we were making her hungry. :p My jacket still probably smells like it. It was really good though. So after that we just came back to the house and talked about where we should put things and what we're going to need to buy... ect. Then just as we were about to head to bed my dad called so I talked to him a while and he'll probably call me back tonight. Which is cool because I discovered I can't call him from our house yet. :( So after I talked to him Sky and I went to sleep.

12/12 - Finally I didn't have to go the hospital! lol I got up about 0800. I ate something and then started cleaning and organizing. I got almost everything done. Just have a bunch of laundry left, except obviously when we get our household goods, then I'll have tons to do. So then I just kind of hung out. I thought about walking over to the post office but I'd been running around all week so I didn't really feel like going anywhere until Sky got home. When he did arrive we had dinner and then our first friend came over and we all went to the Shimoda mall and Takeda Sports. Sky got an entire snowboard setup (board, bindings, boots, and bag) for less than $300! He's wicked excited about that so I'm really pleased about it. I like when he's happy :) So after we got all that in the car we went to the mall and went to the 100 yen store. God I love that place. We got a small strainer since we only
have a really big one, we got some mochi, and some butt cushions for our dinette set because the one we're buying doesn't have padding on the seat. And those of you who know me know that I require such since I lack natural padding. Anyway, after that we went in the mall and I had Japanese McDonald's for the first time in like 8 years. It was better than I remembered! Mmmm... it was yummy. After that we just walked around, our friend picked up some guitar strings and then we headed home. We only had to turn around once! lol So we were going to go to the bowling alley but I was feeling like just staying in so they went and got another guitar and some beer and hung out here. My parents called and I got to talk to my mom for the first time in forever and yet again, she made me cry! I swear I'm going to have to stop talking to her. :s So after that we hung out just a little while and I ended up going to sleep pretty shortly after they got back so I guess it's good we decided to stay in.

12/13 (Today) - I was woken up by a call from my sister! Which obviously I was very happy about because I hadn't actually spoken to her in quite some time. She's kicking ass in school. I hope when I actually start I'll do even a fraction as well as she has! Anyway, bad news. I probably won't get internet until the 22nd or the 24th! Which is really upsetting because I miss contact with everyone! I'm going through people withdraws! Kimmie in particular, this is the longest we've ever gone without speaking and I feel like I haven't talked to her in years! :( I miss you Kimmie! I hope you and baby are doing better! But this internet really sucks and this is the third time I've tried to post so I'm going to continue on with my day before I kill something. I will keep tracking my days and you might get a few more long posts like this before I can start actually posting daily again. Just bear with me a little longer. Thanks for being so patient and check back later!

It's been ANOTHER loooong day!

So today I had two appointments scheduled one at 0950 and one at 1030. Well I guess the alarm didn't go off and I woke up at 0917 and frantically called the dentist because I still had to get dressed and then walk over. Turns out I walk quickly and they were running behind anyway, so I sat around and waited. So I got in and got my cleaning done and then I was waiting for my orthodontist consult and they had accidentally double booked him so I have to go back AGAIN tomorrow! But it's okay.

After that I went and got enrolled in classes and got the paperwork for the scholarships which I will be turning in tomorrow or the day after and hopefully everything will turn out alright. Tonight I have the sushi cooking class. I'll try to blog about it but this may be the last you hear from me for a few days because we're moving and everything but I will blog ASAP!

It's been a looong day

So I woke up this morning at about nine and first thing started making appointments. I got into the dental clinic the same day and have my other ones set up for different times this week. Then I got ready to head out. I went by the education office to ask a few more questions and make sure of everything. Then I went over to our Torii building to the Airman and Family Readiness Center and signed up for the tour to the second hand kimono store and for tomorrow's sushi cooking class. Then I went back to the room for a little while to wait for my appointment. Afterward I walked to the hospital and got x-rays done. We then made some additional appointments, one for a cleaning and one to make me a night guard. Then they gave me the number to make my orthodontic consult appointment which happens to be tomorrow after my cleaning. Oy it's going to be a busy week. But I'm looking forward to it.

Anyway, after my appointment I went back to our room and Sky came back. We now have our on base number and tomorrow he is going to go by the BX and talk to the internet guys so hopefully we will get that set up soon. I may not have internet starting from the 10th and extending on for a few days. Anyway, after we talked a little while and I relaxed some since I've been walking all day I came over here to blog and register for classes... OMG! lol I'm registered for classes. :) I will hopefully be attending the University of Maryland. I say hopefully because if I don't get at least one of the scholorships I'm going to have to drop the classes before they start and get a job first which would suck. But I'm tired so I'm going to head back to the room and relax. Oyasumi nasai!

Adventures in fun!

Last night we went to the bowling alley and met up with some people who will be working with Sky. There were two couples there and then two single guys. All of the guys were really cool but I felt pretty shunned by the wives. We still had a good time though. We got this epic bowling ball beer thing so that's awesome. Then after a couple games another married couple came and got the lane next to us. They were then just talking to all of us and we really got along well. We were invited by them to go to the Shimoda mall today, which we gladly accepted. We talked the rest of the time at the bowling alley and they happen to be staying in the building directly across the parking lot from us so we all walked back to our rooms together.

So this morning we were all getting up a little late and not feeling too great because we ended up getting in really late last night so I wasn't sure we were going to go to the mall but after a while we decided to. So we left here around noon and stopped at the house they are going to be renting. It is gorgeous. It almost makes me want to live off base, but then again they make quite a bit more than we do and we will only have one vehicle and they are going to be living a little far from base. Which of course wouldn't work for me if I was taking in person classes.

So after we stopped by their future home we headed to the Shimoda mall which is amazing. I got a fantastic shirt and some snow boots. We saw plenty of great things there. As soon as we have our car and our apartment we will be heading back to get some other things. I'm so excited. That place rocks. There were a lot of great stores, plus it had a grocery store and arcade in it. It was really cool. Then in the same plaza they also had a 100 yen store, but we didn't go in there. We will later though.

On Monday I plan on going over to the Family Readiness Center and signing up for a bunch of the classes they have like the survival Japanese, the Universe shopping center tour, and the Japanese cooking class. I can't wait for things to start happening. Stay tuned!

Well, nothing really interesting has happened today. Sky and a friend went looking for vehicles again. Which is good because we really need one. Anyway, not the point. I'm so happy to be here but I can't wait until we get a car and move into our house. I really miss talking to people on the phone. So far the only people I've been able tocall are my dad and Danielle. And that's cool but I really want to talk to so many other people. Desiree, Kimmie, my mom... everyone.

I can't wait until I start classes either. And hopefully work. I'm so restless. I know I'll be busier when we get into the house and get all of our stuff for me to put away though.

Anyway, last night we met up with that very nice Airman and then we went to the E club (Enlisted) with him and we hung out at the sports bar in there. Played some darts, listened to music, and just hung out. It was fun. We would have gone off base but we still have to buy a car and some things for the house so we probably won't be doing anything off base for a while because it's expensive out there.

Anyway, back to "Buffy" and maybe something more interesting will happen. :p

Hachinohe tour

We began the tour at the fish market, which was awesome. I wish we would have had more money with us because I wanted to buy everything! I also wish we went there last so we could have bought fish, but oh well. We will go back by ourselves when we have a vehicle. It was all pretty inexpensive. We got some sushi and some mochi but that was it. Also, the mochi wasn't the type that I've typically had, but it was still pretty good. I just wish it was coated in powdered sugar rather than the flour but its all good. Anyway, here are some pictures from the fish market.



Also, because I'm weird and I think these are cool. Here is a picture of a toilet.

When you flush the toilet the clean water that refills the tank first flows through a faucet above it so you can wash your hands! I think that's a great idea. Saves water!
Anyway, after that we headed over to the train station which has the "YOU Tree." It is just absolutely stunning. I took about a billion pictures. Couldn't get the whole thing in one picture because it is just massive.



Gorgeous, isn't it?
After that we went to the Jinja (Shinto shrine) and looked around there.

I don't remember the exact term for this but this is where you "cleanse" your hands and mouth before entering the shrine. The lightning bolt shaped paper hanging above it symbolizes that it is a sacred place.

Above is the "Torii" which is the sacred entry way to the shrine.
There was a little gift shop type thing where you could get omikuji, which are like little fortunes and if your fortune was good you kept it, but if it was bad you could tie it to a tree like below and it would draw the bad luck in, leaving you only with good luck.

I didn't get any really good pictures of the actual shrine itself because there were a bunch of people crowding my space so we will try and go back and get some with no one in them! :p
Then after the shrine we went to the Hachinohe mall which is otherwise known as "Fantasy Dome" because there is a small amusement park inside the mall. I didn't have enough time to go looking for that to take pictures so again, when we get the opportunity we will go back and get some. We had ramen... real ramen, which was delicious. We also went to the 100 yen store and bought two small bento boxes, a chopstick holder, and some little sauce bottles. I'm actually going to attempt to make his lunch everyday. Now remember, I said attempt! lol.
That's about all for today. I'm going to take the Survival Japanese classes they offer on base because I'm seriously studying Japanese every way I possibly can. I'm also going to take the cooking classes they have so when I start those you will hear about them. I need to find out exactly when they are. The tour guide was rattling them off but she was talking way too fast! :p Anyway, I'm going to go back to my room and relax and watch some TV. The last few days have been pretty exhausting!

OMFG!

lol. Lots of interesting stuff. Last night Sky and I went to a restaurant on base. Its in the O-Club and its a steakhouse and seafood place. It was pretty good. Our waitress was wicked adorable. She accidentally forgot to put in our appetizer and she felt so bad. We almost felt bad for even mentioning anything. We ended up just taking it to go and she wrote and drew little flowers and stuff on our to-go box. It was funny. Anyway, the main reason I brought this place up was because of the butter.... you read that correctly. The butter. See for yourself!

Freaking super cute! I had to take it to go because I didn't bring my camera. lol

Moving on. Also last night I got to talk to my sister. She called when she got into work. That was cool. I felt bad because I was already asleep when she called so I was kind of falling asleep during our conversation. But that shouldn't be a problem once we get our phone set up! Wish our conversation was longer, Desiree! :( Tonight we will probably be asleep around the same time because we have another tour in the morning but you can try calling tomorrow night if you want!

As I said today we had a tour. We had the Misawa city tour. We went to a Buddhist temple, a graveyard, a Samurai house, a museum, and a shopping mall.

Entering the Buddhist Temple.

Inside





Back outside the temple.

Entrance to the graveyard.


These guys are here to guard against evil spirits. They're similar to Shishi dogs. (I know that probably doesn't really mean anything to anyone except my sister and probably Danielle) Anyway, notice how one has his mouth open and the others' is closed? Its symbolic to catching spirits.
Here is a picture of the cemetery itself. I guess its kind of morbid but I find their cemeteries beautiful.

Here is outside the samurai house.

We weren't allowed to take pictures in the museum so none from there, but here are just a few from the shopping mall. We didn't get to spend a whole lot of time in there so I only have three. Here is the type of restaurant I was talking about in a previous post, the one from the Haneda airport when we got our curry, where you pick a dish, pick the number, put money in the machine, and it gives you a ticket and then you take the ticket inside and they give you your food. Here is the food display.

Here is the machine where you pay and get your ticket.

And last, mostly for myself and my sister...

ANPANMAN!!!! I just about died when I saw that again. For those of you who don't know who the hell Anpanman is click here.

Alrighty readers, check back again tomorrow because we have our Hachinohe City tour. I will have plenty more pictures up! We're going to a fish market! :) Domo arigatoo! Ja mata!

Good Greif!

So I just got back from the all day briefings. At least they provided muffins and donuts. :) Sky is still there taking the driving test.

Lets see... we had the Base Commander talk to us for a while, he seems like a really nice guy. I had my back to the door and when someone called the room to attention it startled the crap out of me and I started to jump up with everyone but I got stuck on the table so I just sat back down and he came up and put his hand on my shoulder and jokingly told me that I could remain seated. lol It was quite embarrassing. After him a CMSgt spoke, I don't know his exact title but he pretty much is the Base Commander's right hand man. He also was very nice. Really funny guy too.

Then we had the base Chaplin, the hospital, Red Cross, Family Advocacy...etc. Pretty much all the services (the ones that showed up anyway, some people had scheduling issues like the dental clinic) on base. They scared me a little, I mean it is a nice day out but they kept talking about how hot it was and its probably in the 50s. Luckily I just got two awesome new jackets.

Last night I got to talk to my dad on the phone, which made me really happy. I was talking to him while Sky and his new friend sat around drinking 40s of OE... ewww. lol

Tomorrow and the day after we have tours of nearby locations. So I will try and post pictures ASAP!

Decisions, decisions

I hate being indecisive. I went to the education office today and picked up information on almost all of the colleges. I'm starting to worry. I do that often.

I have the University of Maryland, the University of Phoenix, and some Texas University. I can't remember which one. Classes start in late January but I'm going to need to apply for scholarships this month. I guess I'll just start with my basics. They don't have a ton of degree programs to offer because of how small this base is. I just hope I don't have to leave to go to school because that would really suck. If anything I can just continue my education when we get back to the states I guess. I mean, I could go through a stateside school and just proctor the tests but then I don't have a lot available to me as far as scholarships go which means I would definitely have to work, which I don't really have a problem with I but school is my main concern.

We'll just see how it goes I guess. Not a whole lot I can do but roll with the punches.

Lets see... we are looking for a car. I saw one on the walk to the education office that I hope I can convince Sky to buy... but probably not. lol He's stubborn. But we shall see. Hopefully we have a vehicle before we move in to our apartment, because we're farther out then the TLF we're staying in and Sky's new unit is ALL the way across base. But we shall see.

I'm so excited to move in to our new place. I've had so many ideas about decorating it. lol Sky's going to be pissed about that but whatever. :p I'll blame Christy! It all started when they took me into Crate and Barrel!

I'm upset about not having internet! We found a closer place to go for it (the freaking next building over) so I'll be able to blog daily (hopefully) but I can't get on Skype unless no one is in here because its really small and no one talks! lol. But whatever! Anyway, I was trying to talk to Danielle and I haven't been able to so I shall bid you farewell for now so I can go and get some mini muffins and call Danielle. I shall write again later. Ja mata!

Quick update

We found out that we got a place in the towers on the main base and we move in on December 10th. We should have internet shortly thereafter (YAY!). Regarding my other post if you have questions about Misawa AB, Japan rather than posting a comment (since I wouldn't know where to post a reply so that you could see it) go ahead and send me a message on my myspace. Mmmkay! Deuce!

Muahhahaha!

That's my evil laugh. I finally got the booth with the outlet! So hopefully that means I can spend more time trying to upload photos... lets see if this works!

Okay so one down! Hopefully I can get more up. Here is the view from our "indoor balcony" at the Hyatt. That down there is the restaurant and lobby, it was really cool.

Very nice place, for those of you reading my blog going to Misawa, hopefully you get to stay there too! Beds were great! We had a really good nights sleep, which we certainly needed!

Here is one of the famous beer vending machines, it was on our floor of the Haneda Excel hotel.


Okay some people may not be as amazed/amused as I was but look!

That area was the only place not fogged up! Because its heated!!! I think that is freaking awesome! The room at the Excel was small (as expected) but very, very nice. We didn't take a lot of pictures because of our camera batteries but as soon as I find/get some more you will have plenty of awesome Japanese stuff to look at. That room was so cool. On the nightstands were buttons that read "Room," "Ceiling," and "Foot." We were scared to push them because they didn't know what they did, finally we got brave and they were for the lights! lol I know that sounds lame but it was awesome.

Here's a picture of Sky's curry that we got from that place I was talking about in my last blog where you make your selection and put money in the machine and it gives you a ticket.

It was REALLY good. And I don't even like curry! lol Next time we see a restaurant like that (which honestly should be this weekend when we go off base again) I will take a picture of the machine and display and stuff.

I know you can't really see any of the shops or anything but this is inside the Haneda "airport." This is right before going out to the observation deck. I don't care what anyone says that is a mall, not an airport with a market place! lol


This was on the observation deck. As you can see it is a vending machine that dispenses hot food. Danielle and I are being dorks. :)


Here is a Japanese stop sign.


So you can't really see it but we thought it was funny. That big sign in the back says, "What are your plans for the holiday season?" and then there is a van, a big plus sign, a DRUM that says "ALCOHOL DRINK," a big equal sign, and then a big black coffin. What's funnier about that is when you first see it, since they're so spaced out, all you see walking in the gate is the big "What are your plans..." sign and a barrel that says "Alcohol drink." Anyway, I thought it was funny!


I'm assuming this is a restaurant/bar but I thought the sign was funny and cute.

It was closed when we went by so if we have the chance to get out this upcoming weekend we're going to go check it out.

This is the karaoke bar that we went to. We took this in the morning on Sunday so it was closed. Once again, if we get to get out this weekend I'll try and get a picture while its opened. The karaoke bars are so cool, I knew this prior to coming but you get your own personal room. So no one but the people you come with can hear if you suck! :p


This was right between Dacha and the karaoke bar. They are setting up for some sort of Christmas thing, when its done I'll take more. Those "trees" are made of bottles!



This is Dacha, again it was closed, again we will go back.


That's really it so far for pictures. But there will be much more to come, and if you read my blog and you're moving here and you want to know some thing in particular post a comment and let me know! Hope you enjoyed!

Oh... and one last one for your amusement.

Me being myself in my footie penguin pajamas and a bottle of Aquarius. :D