We Have A Home!

Where shall I begin....yesterday(Wednesday) we attended AOB and spent the day learning about Japanese culture, language, food, sports, travel and so much more.  It was super interesting...I am glad that we have been here for almost two weeks before taking this class.  I think had I taken it the first week here my head would have exploded from the amount of knowledge it was taking in...but many of the items I had learned on my own, experienced, or had some basic framework to stick the bit of knowledge into.  The day lasted about ninety minutes longer than the previous days because we added on a section we were going to cover today.  We were supposed to go on a field trip to Kamakura today to see The Great Budda(a Buddhism Temple) as well as learn how to take a train.  Our field trip was cancelled because of the wind and rain from the Typhoon but we will be heading out for this adventure on Saturday with Dixie, Nick and their baby.  The more brains to get us there and back the better! LOL  The AOB classes aren't so bad it's the chairs that kill us.  I should explain that this room is used every week for this same class...meaning that some hiney is making a butt print in the chair everyday...and now there is no padding left in the middle of the seats.  We are given breaks every 90 minutes or so and when we stand our tushes are completely numb.  Zack told me to pinch myself but I couldn't even feel the pinch!  As we left for the day we were handed a small blue card...just a tad bit bigger than a business card...this is the famous "I'm lost card".  One one side it says in English that..."I am lost...please help me get back to Yokosuka Naval Base" and lists a number for the Fleet and Family Support Center.  On the other side it says this same info in Japanese.  Because of the iPhone we probably won't every need to use this card...but we both will have it in our wallets just in case! 

We then headed over to the housing office because we received a message from the person assigned to us, Jimmy, that he had an option for us.  You only have 24 hours to respond so that the process runs smoothly and people don't try to sit on an offer for days and days.  We were offered a high-rise apartment in Ikego..this housing annex is about 20 minutes or so from base by car.  He then asked me where we would like to live...I answered that we would like to stay here and if possible in a townhouse...but we don't have the luxury of waiting around so we'll take an apartment as well.  When you decline your first offer you then have 30 days to find somewhere...after 30 days the Navy stops paying for your temporary housing...it seems that Jimmy had waited to give us a first offer until he was able to give us a second offer he knew that we would take.  This housing process can be a real headache depending on the person you were assigned...a friend here was given an option that has been available since 2005...they of course declined the place and therefore must find a place to live in 30 days.  Well...our housing person, Jimmy, has a soul.  He told me if I declined Ikego he could then offer me a townhouse right down the street.  I nearly leaped across his desk to give him a hug.  Zack and I were amazed that we were actually offered our top pick!  We went and saw the home this morning and then signed the paperwork for accepting their offer.  I have to go back on Monday to sign some paperwork and then we should be able to move in with borrowed furniture from the Navy either on Monday or Tuesday.  Downstairs we have a laundry room(I am so excited to have a laundry room and not just a closet), .5 bath, family room, kitchen, and a large living/dining room...along with tons of storage..all hardwood floors.  Upstairs there are 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms(one is a master bath), and many closets...all carpeted!  We have a small/medium sized fenced in yard with an outdoor storage unit for a push mower and outdoor toys.  On the front of the home there is a raised(waist high) flower box with two outdoor concrete storage buildings.  There is going to be so much storage that we are giddy from excitement.  It has been recently cleaned, painted, and floors waxed...and really nice inside!  It is on the corner...but in a secluded area of the base with only traffic driving by out of necessity.  We aren't sure exactly how we were offered this home and we both think the pregnancy was a factor(as well as all the prayer by our family and friends)....that there is some type of rule about getting pregnant women into a home as soon as possible...Zack says that they get them into a home quickly so that they can nest!  We also like that that we can see the ocean and there are some trees...and that it is in a semi-private area.  Noah is going to be so excited to get his toys and be able to run outside and play!  We are both already making lists for the family and Noah...such as a small kiddie pool and outdoor toys for Noah.  I should also mention that Zack believes that this process went super well because my name wasn't on any of the paperwork...as just about everything with my name listed as well gets completely messed up!

We were forced by the Lodge to switch rooms so that our old one can be painted and a few other minor re dos.  Our room has half of the storage, no full kitchen area, and not as big as our old room...It was an ordeal and the momma bear in me came out when the front desk was trying to push us around.  We just keep telling each other...only until Tuesday at the latest...only until Tuesday.  My bad attitude about the entire ordeal last night and this morning is receding...so I refuse to go into the details as it would probably make steam come out of my ears once again.  Do you know that feeling when you are on vacation for around two weeks...living in a hotel... not functioning in your own environment...and you just want to get home unpack your suitcases, sit on your couch, and sleep in your own bed...just be home again?  Well that's where we are...day 15 of living in a hotel.  There is a light at the end of the tunnel...Tuesday at the latest...and all of our things get here on or before August 1st...then we can make ourselves a home...decorate, hang pictures, put our things away...and I can nest!  On the list for tomorrow is our written test for our driving license...so please keep up the prayers!