Being Home- Week 1

We were home for three weeks and had a blast. During these three weeks there was never a dull moment. Our typical first bar stop is always Rusty's. We love it because it is a couple miles from home and they have great food and drinks. We got to enjoy this evening with my parents.

We got to celebrate Cinco de Mayo at home for the first time in years. We got together with a group of friends and met up at El Charro. The food and drinks were okay and we felt there could have been some where better to go but the company was great. Plus Gina and DJ had come into town which made it nice.

Gina and DJ got their marriage license for their upcoming nuptials in October.

The last thing we did for week one was celebrate my nephew Ethan's birthday. Ethan loves sucking on his chicken bone. He is absolutely adorable.

No party is complete without a pinata. Everyone got in on the fun!!

Lets see what the next week has in store.

Our Welcome Home

We finally made it to Tucson. After 10 days in TLF and 3 flights we are all home safely. The girls did fabulous and were troopers. We were greeted at the airport by our parents and nieces. We headed home to situate the girls and drop off all of our stuff. Once we got the girls taken care of we headed off to Cesario's mom for some super yummy food. She makes this fabulous pork roast that we make taquitos with. There is always plenty to eat and drink. We had a fabulous time hanging out with everyone. It is going to be a great 3 weeks.

Hooray!! We made it to Seattle

We made it to Seattle! The girls did great and were anxious to get to the hotel. Unfortunately, customs threw away all our food so we had to figure out a plan. Luckily there was a Denny's right next to the hotel so we grabbed them some ham and eggs. There were pretty happy!

We'd made plans before we left to meet up with Rich and Karen. We had plenty of time from the time we got to the hotel to the time we had planned to meet for dinner to relax, shower and change. They picked us up at the hotel and we headed for downtown.

We all agreed on Hard Rock for dinner.

The food and company were fanastic.

After dinner we headed down to the pier to walk around. It was so nice to meet up with them and see how they were doing. Thank you Rich and Karen for such an enjoyable evening.

So long Okinawa

Time to head to the airport. We got picked up by Sgt Holloman and it was a great ride to the airport. So glad it was someone we knew that took us there. We got in a super long line and were quickly moved to the front of the line because of the girls. Who says it doesn't pay to have pets? People with kids were still sitting where I was. We got the girls all checked in and headed to the gate. We quickly grabbed Starbucks and pre-boarding beers.

I can't believe it has been 3 years. It is definitely bitter sweet. I consider myself fortunate that we have done two consecutive tours in Okinawa. It is almost like a second home to me. As much as I am excited about our new endeavor I will really miss this gorgeous island. We met lots of great people and most importantly we added Maggie Mae to our family. This is definitely not goodbye Okinawa because I have this really strange feeling we will be back.

Finale at the O'Club

We were staying at the Shogun which is in walking distance of the O'Club. We decided to spend our last evening there so if anyone wanted to come by we could say our "see you laters." We feel very fortunate to have met some really great people as well as have people that were already part of our lives. Thanks everyone for taking time and coming out to see us!!

Dinner with the Odette's

We were very fortunate to have met the Odette's shortly after coming to Okinawa. We all seemed to hit it off and they have not only been great friends but fabulous sitters for our girls. Aside from saying so long we wanted to do something special with them before we left. We opted for Capitol because we all love it. It was a great evening and it was great to say our "see you laters!" Thank you Odette's from the bottom of our hearts for you friendship.

Cesario's MSM

Cesario was presented with a Meritorious Service Medal. I was so happy that I could be a part of the presentation. COL Koenig had lots of nice things to say about Cesario. I found some information on what this award is all about.

The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969. Effective 11 September 2001, this award also may be bestowed for meritorious achievement in a designated combat theatre. Normally, the acts or services rendered must be comparable to that required for the Legion of Merit but in a duty of lesser, though considerable, responsibility. A higher decoration, known as the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, is intended for similar services performed under joint service with the United States Department of Defense. Today, most MSM recipients are field grade officers (pay grades O-4 to O-6), senior warrant officers (W-3 to W-5), senior noncommissioned officers (E-7 to E-9), foreign military personnel in the ranks of O-6 and below, and individuals who have displayed a level of service that warrants an award of such magnitude. To receive this award the individual must exhibit exceptionally meritorious service at that level of responsibility.

Easter

The very first tour we did in Okinawa, Torii Chapel offered Sunrise Easter Service. We attened the first time in April 2004. We attempted to go every year after but they always moved the services indoors due to bad weather. We got very lucky this year and I was able to attend. Unfotunately Cesario didn't make it but I did get to sit with Liz and Stephen and saw many other friends there. After the service they baptized a few people in the ocean which was cool.

We had plans to go to brunch but opted for the the FREE brunch they offered at the Coral Cove. It was a great day and we ended it by having Easter Dinner with the Lee's at Sam's by the Sea. I am so happy the weather cooperated!!

Temporary Home

We checked into the Shogun Inn today. Here is where we call home until our departure. It is a bit cramped but I am extremely thankful that we were able to get a pet room for the duration of our stay. We have a bedroom, kitchenette and living area. We are also in walking distance to the Officer's Club and they tend to have happy hour food everynight.

The girls have made themselves extremely comfortable and don't seem to have an issue with the fact that we moved.

It is only for 10 days and we are all together which is most important.

HHG Pickup

Our express shipment was picked up yesterday and today is our household goods!! Movers got here around 0915 and started packing away. Cesario was gone when they arrived and I exlained what was staying and what was going as our suitcases where out. During the whole ordeal they ended up packing up Cesario's travel stuff. Luckily we caught it early and they unpacked it. It took them about 5.5 hours to pack everything up.

The girls left to the groomers before they movers got here and they arrived home to an empty house. Maggie was not phased by the whole ordeal but McKenzie was not having it. She opted for the patio for the rest of the afternoon.

We clear government furniture tomorrow and we will be off to the Shogun until we fly on 30 April going to miss our house here in Okinawa. I am not sure when I will have the opportunity to live this close to the water and work.

I hit up the gift shops!

When we arrived in 2008, we'd gone to a bazaar at Camp Foster and they had a huge assortment of rice baskets. I went back and forth about buying one and opted not to as I new these bazaars happened twice a year. I went to my final bazaar last month in hopes of purchasing one or two and I found absolutely nothing!! I was so bummed. So today I got up and thought I would try the gift shop on Kadena. They didn't have any on display but I asked the girls there if they knew what they were and where I could find one. They both knew exactly what I was talking about and said they'd had a large stock but she would check the system to see if they had any in back. It was my lucky day!! They had a large and medium one. I wasted no time and took the large one. They also mentioned the Navy gift store had some but smaller. When I left there I opted to go check it out. I ended up buying another one along with some other goodies. It was definitely a good shopping day!!

Cesario's Farewell Lunch

I was very fortunate to be able to attend Cesario's farewell luncheon. They had it at Macaroni Grill and he had a fabulous turnout. He didn't expect that many people would attend as most people were deployed to Operation Tomodachi. SGT MAJ Campbell and MAJ Peacock had some very nice things to say and they presented him with a really nice gift.

We were lucky to be part of such a great family and team here at 10th SG.

Partying Ways

I feel so fortunate to have worked with some of the best people at ACS. I don't think I have ever worked at a place where our crew was so close and tight knit. I loved that we could agree to disagree and at the end of the day things were great! I will miss each and every one of you in my own special way.


Melly Mel, you were my partner in crime and my true confidant. I don't know what I would have done without you across the hall. Although we could chat face to face it was much more fun to IM you on FB and watch the expression on your face. I will miss you more than you will ever know. We are thrilled to have spent time with both you and Reggie.


Debbie, my financial guru! I loved having you around because you always made things much more interesting. I wish we'd had more opportunities such as this one to get together. Bottom line I knew you were always there when I needed you!!


Rachelle, our newbie!! Granted you weren't too new as you'd been with Debbie for quite some time. I am so glad you joined our group permanently and wish you the very best. I know you will go on to do great things at ACS. I only wish we'd been able to work closer together.


Bino & Janice, I don't ever think I have made friends with people so quickly as I did with you two. You are such genuine people and I truely loved that about you. I just wish we'd had more time together as I could have seen our relationship flourish. I wish you all and my Princess Elizabeth the very best.

Last but not least Debbie our MFLC! Our time together was short but I am so glad you joined us.

I take comfort in the fact that we are all part of a very fabulous community we call the Army. The most fortunate part of that community is it allows to possibly cross paths again.

Goodbyes are not forever. Goodbyes are not the end. They simply mean I'll miss you
Until we meet again! ~Author Unknown

New Restaurant

It is funny that we have live here for 3 years and a month before we leave they decide to open a restaurant at the beach in super, close walking distance. We decided to go grab a bite and check it out. It is a quaint place and we opted to sit outside because there was nowhere to sit inside.

The only thing they told us they were serving was pizza. We were okay with that and ordered to pizzas and cold Orions.

The food was okay but the beers and view were awesome.

Farewell to Yoza

Today was probably one of the most difficult days as we said good bye to our friend and mama-san Yoza. We met Yoza in March 2004. I worked at a school out in town and my Japanese assistant knew Yoza. She'd mentioned to me that Yoza was looking for a family to clean for. She had a full time job and cleaned on her days off. She only wanted one family as her job kept her busy. I met with Yoza and brought her to our house so she could check out our apartment and give us a price. She was going to start about a week later. Cesario was very unhappy with my decision to let a stranger into our home while we went to work. Yoza dusted, mopped, cleaned the bathrooms and ironed for us. She also offered to do our laundry and cook but these things weren't necessary. I am sort of weird about my laundry. Needless to say Cesario's unhappiness did not last long!! The first time he put on his shorts all nicely ironed with a crease, he was hooked. She came to our house up until June 2006 and then we departed Okinawa.

We returned to Okinawa in 2008 and decided we would go look for her to say hello and see if she was still cleaning. The first time we went to Foster we did not find her. We happened to be there a few weeks later and thought we'd pop in again to see if we could track her down. We were successful!! I still remember the priceless look on her face when she saw us. We were able to communicate with her and asked if she was interested in coming back to clean for us. She started with us in August 2008 and just finished up with us today.

Yoza had become a huge part of our family. Cesario, the girls and I all considered her family. Anytime we've gone somewhere we always make sure we bring her something back. We will miss her dearly but the memories of her smiling face will be forever in our hearts. Arigato Yoza-san!!!!

New Assignment Part II

Recently we had been given our new assignment and Cesario was going to be going to Saudi Arabia. On Tuesday, March 29 that all changed. Cesario received an email stating his assignment to Saudi Arabia had been cancelled. All I could do is laugh as nothing is ever permanent in the military. I was a bit frustrated because all our shipments, hotel and airline tickets had been scheduled. Unfortunately it was too late for him to call his branch manager so we waited until that evening. Once he spoke to the branch manager he said the only thing he really had left was an assignment in Milledgeville, Georgia. This position was ranked #38 on our possible list of 152 assignments. The branch manager had nominated him however the position would need to be staffed. We finally found on this morning that we will be reporting to Milledgeville where Cesario will be an assistant professor of military science. The school we are headed to is Georgia Military College.


We are both excited and nervous. We have never served stateside nor have we lived in the south! We are however extremely thankful for this assignment and new challenge. Cesario has talked about teaching so I think this will be a perfect opportunity to figure out whether or not it is something he will do after the military.

Promotion List

Today was an exciting day for us!! Cesario made the major's list!! He has done so much these past 5 years and I am so proud of all his accomplishments. We should find out soon when he will actually pin. We are looking forward to our new endeavor!!

Japanese Vending Machines

Unlike the US, Japanese vending machines are everywhere. We have several on our street in less than a half of a block. You can everything from water to soda, hot or cold coffee, tea, etc. During the summer time you can only get cold drinks but once the cooler months roll around they have a selection of hot drinks as well. Coffees are sold black, black with sugar, with creamer, etc. Unfortunately I can't read Japanese so I have to rely on pictures and some are hit and miss. There are several different companies that put machines out so I have my favorites at each machine. I recently discovered a ice cocoa at work which is absolutely amazing.


I love that I can be driving and rather than stopping off at a convenient store, I can pull over and get a cold or hot drink. Another one of those great things I will miss!

Another Reason We Will Miss Okinawa

We are in the lenten season which means no meat on Fridays. I like shrimp but do not like fish at all. It makes it quite challenging on Fridays considering there is only so much cheese pizza you can eat. I had noticed that at MaxValu they sold prepared shrimp tempura. The only thing I have to do is fry in it up. I made my was to the store yesterday and was presantly surprised that 8 shrimps were 158 yen. I bought 2 packages along with 2 avocados for guacamole.


The shrimps were super easy to fry up and it made a fabulous dinner. In addition to the shrimps I made guacamole, spanish rice, beans and corn tortillas. This will definitely be a dinner I will make again. I love that we ate for under $8.00.