Briefings and Typhoons

Today was our first day of AOB(Area Orientation Brief).  Zack came home to shower after PT and headed back to work.  I dropped Noah off at the CDC and shared a taxi with Dixie and her husband, Nick, to the AOB class.  I walked Noah in to his "friends" and turned around the left...no tears or crying.  He walked me to his room like a pro!  I was surprised when Zack came in and sat down next to me at the orientation...he didn't think he was going to be able to take it but found out today when he went back to work that he would be!  It was nice to spend all day with him...especially since he had duty all day on Sunday. We spent all day getting briefed by just about every agency or department on the base and this will also be the case tomorrow.  Since it is all military ran there are 101 rules for just about everything.  A few of the more interesting facts I learned was that it is not uncommon for a hawk to come down and steal food from your hands...people have had to get stitches from the talons.  I actually saw them circling in the sky yesterday when people were grilling outside yesterday...adding this to the list of why I hate birds!  The blood alcohol limit fom driving here is .03...about a half of a beer..charges could be anywhere from a fine to three years in prison!  The courts here are super strict and can hold someone for 24 days before actually charging them...and charges can range from fines, prison, or hard labor!  We were showed pictures of the jails and were told Japanese prisoner policies...yikes!  No wonder their society has no to low crime rates!!  It was absolutely nuts...and it also applies to children...children are not treated any different than adults.  Also we were briefed by the fire department and he joked that Japanese people don't grill out like Americans do and they have gone out to numerous assumed fires in high-rises because a Japanese person sees smoke...and when they beat down the door...they see Americans grilling!  LOL...I guess the cultural difference goes both ways!  We were issued our driving instruction manual and will have our written test on Friday...and then we will set up the actual driving test the following week.  Zack and I have both started studying...a lot of it is the same as in the U.S. but just seems so different because we have to drive on the opposite side of the road.  We also have to learn the different signs and roadway markings, which are way more complicated than a solid or dotted lines!  I'm a little nervous about it and I will be studying a lot in my free time.  Zack had to go back to work after we got out at two.  And Dixie, Nick, and I shared a taxi back to the CDC.  Noah had a good day but only took at 20 min. nap...actually 20 min. longer than what I thought he would.  I came and he was playing outside on a riding toy with a friend.  He threw a fit when I picked him up to leave.  I am sure he enjoys playing with all of their outside toys and having playmates.  He will be there everyday this week and then also for a bit on Monday when I have my ultrasound appointment.  Zack and I have talked about taking him there for a few hours a week..especially when we are stuck here at the Lodge.  He can play with their toys and have interaction with other kids his age.  And it's good for him to be away from his momma for a bit.  This week is free because we are taking the AOB class but other than that it's five dollars an hour and then three dollars an hour if I have a medical appointment.  For five dollars an hour...the facility has a music, art, and gross motor rooms...snacks, drinks, and outside play with tons of great toys!  And he has already fallen in love with the room teachers.  This week we are supposed to experience our first typhoon...so we shall see how the week plays out with our AOB class.  We might have to finish it next week.  It will be hitting the extreme southeastern coast of Japan and then slowing going back to sea...here at Yokosuka we will be experiencing wind and some rain.  We need to pick up some batteries for the clock radio in our room and then some food and bottled water just in case.  If you are interested here is the site for the Japanese Meterological Society...the website the Navy uses in their own assessments:  http://www.jma.go.jp/en/typh/11065l.html
Today at the briefing we were told that because of the weather patterns, jet stream, etc...that almost all of the time Yokosuka isn't really in the line of fire for a direct hit..same goes for Tsunamis...we are a harbor within a harbor and pretty well protected.  It's just a part of living here in Japan...typhoons, tsunamis, volcanos, and earthquakes.  But again...Zack and I wonder why the people of this country just can't catch a break.  Just like everywhere else in the world they are anticipating active weather seasons...God has his own plans for his people...we all just need to have faith in those plans.