First day in Japan (aka The Long Walk)

Pictures from our first day in Japan. We started in the morning with the intention of getting a lot of things done according to the checklist that was sent to us. We walked in the rain for a total of 8 miles. The last placed we stopped, we finally found someone who could help us out and to let us know, that we can't even start on the checklist until we go to training and get put into the system. Would have been helpful to have know that before The Long Walk. But everyone enjoyed our tour of the base. By the way, the last place we were sent to and found out all the info was less than a half mile from where we started. In the vein of staying positive - that's about all I have to say about that.

 This is Macie's "bedroom" for the next few weeks.

The license plates for all cars on base.

   

Mona was fascinated by how different
the vending machines are. Even on base, some machines only take Yen (that is dollars to you and me).

The beginning of The Long Walk.
As we are leaving the Naval Lodge.

We now live in a Tsunami zone.

Macie and I in front of the Shiloh - a missle
cruiser. (side note - I think Mona has been taking
photography lessons from my mom).

Macie posing at Chili's with an aircraft
carrier in the back ground.

The Chili's greeting from
Yokosuka, Japan.

The menu at Chili's. Mona loved the Japanese
writing (a mixture of Kanji - derived from Chinese
symbols and Kana - Japanese symbols). 

At the end of the day, we got to spend
time with Zach (Macie's brother who
also has just been assigned to Japan).

Made it to Japan

We made it to Japan. We arrived a couple of hours ago. It is the middle of the night here and everyone is pretty worn out by the trip. Our plan is next time to at least stop for a day in Hawaii before going on to Japan - that way the trip is broken up a little. The trip was quite an experience - two flights of 8 hours each. It was Macie's first plane ride since she was 3, so it was neat to see her experience of flying for the first time that she would remember. Once we got to Hawaii, we experienced our first dose of culture shock when we went to check in with Japan Airlines. The passport person kept saying that this plane goes to Japan and we kept trying to explain that we were, indeed, going to Japan. Once he let us into the waiting area, we saw why he was making a fuss - everyone in the room appeared to be from Japan. It was our first time experiencing how different our surroundings are going to be. The culture differences were even evident by just riding on the plane. It was a very enjoyable experience - the staff was so nice, positive and constantly seeing that everyone had what they needed. Hopefully, I will have some pictures to add in the morning.

While we were still on the ground at DFW,
Macie asked if were in the air yet. I told her she would
know when we started to take off. Her reaction when the
jet engines kicked in - Holy Cow.

This is as we were about to land in
Honolulu to make our connecting flight
to Japan.

This is us on JAL. It was the beginning of our
culture shock. The experience was so great.
It was funny to see and hear Mona's reaction
to the food served on the flight. 

I forgot to add that we still had more hurdles to clear once we arrived in Japan. We had trouble getting past customs once we arrived in Japan. We had travel orders to be at a military base but no military i.d. We were taken out of line and into an office (just like a scene from a movie). I told Mona that if they didn't let us into the country, then we would just live at the airport till they let us in.If Tom Hanks could do it, we could too. Then, even once we arrived at the base, the guard at the naval base was reluctant to let us in because we didn't have military i.d.s, only the travel orders.
Everyone handled all the twists with good humor. My mom had warned us that unexpected things would pop up and we just had to be patient. Hard to write this, but mom was right. Thanks mom.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

The Final Countdown

In less than 24 hours we will be headed to the airport for our flight to Japan. It has been a crazy, hectic day trying to get everything done before we leave. Still feels like we have forgotten something - probably many things that will dawn on us in the coming days. Hopefully, it won't feel like this.

Busy weekend in Frisco

From Black Friday shopping to eating at Rosa's, we spent our last weekend in Frisco before leaving doing the familiar things. On Thursday evening and Friday, we were shopping - more like looking for an excuse to get out of the house - at Stonebriar Mall. On Saturday, we took family pictures that had everyone laughing (see below for an example of our complete inability to get 10 people on the same page at the same time). On Saturday night, we went out for what has become an annual Christmas-time ritual for our family - getting hot chocolate and visiting one of our most favorite places - Frisco Square during the holidays. And finally, on Sunday, we ate at Rosa's - another family favorite. Especially on Taco Tuesdays.......or Fajita Fridays......or Tamale Thursdays......or my oldest daughter's favorite - Margarita Mondays (unfortunately for Andrea, Rosa's stopped serving margaritas before she turned old enough to buy one).

BYOC Thanksgiving

My family's insistence to stay in our house despite most of furniture already in the process of being shipped to Japan has led to some interesting times. One truly interesting time was our BYOC Thanksgiving. As I alluded to in my previous post, my daughter Andrea came up with the idea of Bring Your Own Chair Thanksgiving. Everyone had a great time and the day had the added benefit of being a reminder for all the things that we are truly thankful for - especially the things that we take for granted. Like chairs.

Fort Night

The movers have come the last 3 days to our house. We had one moving company to get our NTS and one group that come to get our HHG. We still have one more day of movers. On Monday, they will come get our expedited. For the civilians, the NTS is non-temporary storage (it will stay here in the U.S. till we get back). The HHG is household goods that will be shipped to Japan. And the expedited is the expedited shipment of goods that we will need quickly (like clothes, shoes, tv, computer, etc.).
All of this to say that we have no furniture yet we still do not leave till Tuesday (accidental 80's reference). We could stay at a motel but everyone wants to stay here. So, we are making forts and camping out.
Lastly, we are still having Thanksgiving here tomorrow. My daughter, Andrea, told me to tell everyone that it is a BYOC Thanksgiving. Bring Your Own Chair.
The adventure has begun and we haven't even left yet.

Family Night

Great Family Night, last night.  So excited for you guys to be heading out for the adventure of a lifetime.  Makes the cross-country decision David & I made all those years ago to go to Montana look a little weak:)   We are proud of you and know you'll do great.  We love you.

Wathen