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!

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.

Our Little Japanese Noah

We picked this duty station for various reasons...Zack's career, a chance to see more of the world and travel while we are here, to learn about a different culture,....and lastly the impact of living here on our children.  While they will still be young even after our three years...we both believe that this will have an impact on them.  They will have experiences that will impact the way they grow and develop.  And after soaking up some of the culture...there are many Japanese cultural differences that our children would benefit from learning...respectfulness, honesty, personal responsibility, self-control, and so many more.  Zack had duty today and Noah and I were still dragging a bit from our days out on Friday and Saturday.  By the time supper time rolled around I was exhausted and took Noah over to Chili's across the street.  We ordered and had a nice time together...I think this was the first time I've taken him to a restaurant just me and him.  We finished eating and the waitress took the "plastic money" and brought back the card.  In Japan they do not tip...but on base the American customs are practiced so I tipped the waitress.  She did a slight head bow to us and while I bowed my head back...I looked over and noticed that Noah also had bowed his head!  It made me smile and also made me feel that parental proudness.  He doesn't understand the reasons for the bow now but he will...a confirmation that this sea duty tour will have a great impact on our children.  And soaking up the culture will probably also have an impact on us as parents and probably how we will raise our children in the future.  Noah is also interested in paying people with Yen.  It is his job to pay the taxi driver.  He holds onto the money the entire ride...if it's coins then he has his hand tightly clasped around the coins.  He takes this job very seriously and he often analyzes the money he is holding.  And when the taxi stops he leans forward and hands the driver the money!  We need to find him a child size pair of chopsticks because he already prefers to eat from chopsticks versus a fork!  It will be our job as parents to let him experience as much of Japan as possible...to let him experience, learn, and practice the culture right along with us.  I am looking forward to seeing Noah practice more of the Japanese traditions and impact it will have on him as he grows and develops!