Where's the crying baby?

No matter how well you plan, no matter how prepared you think you are...there will be curve balls! We learn this time and time again in the Stuart Family...

We had plenty of time to get Cliff to the airport for his 12:30 flight. The airport is about an hour away...and we figured he should be there about 10:30...so we wanted to leave about 9:00 since we had to make a quick stop along the way. His orders authorized him to travel with 5 checked bags and he had managed to fit everything into 2 seabags, a large suitcase and a gorilla trunk. The only problem was, the battle gear is very heavy...so he was having a hard time distributing the weight so none of them would go over the limit...so we just decided to stop and buy another gorilla trunk on the way.

You can probably guess that it took a little longer to get on the road than we planned, and it was REALLY difficult to configure all that luggage and 6 people into the egg van (The Emina...I seriously need to do a separate posting just on the bizarre car names over here. Our friends drive a Homy!) so we were cutting it close.



And then...Cliff took the wrong turn-off for departing flights...and the Naha airport is not conducive to just looping around again. I told Cliff just to park and we would help him carry in his stuff. So, it ended up being a good thing, because I don't know how he would have handled 5 bags and 2 carry-on items in that long, snaking line. By the time we got up to the counter, he had about 40 minutes till the flight was supposed to leave...and then they informed us that, although his orders stated he was entitled to 5 checked bags, what that meant was, he would be reimbursed by the government for the ginormous, excess-baggage fee with which they were about to gift us. $800. No problem...Cliff had a shiny new government travel card in his wallet. He whipped it out and...FAIL.



We had no time with which to contact anyone about why it wouldn't work (we later found out the command rep had not activated it)...he still had to get through customs and security. We just had to cover it ourselves. (These are the [not so] little expenses we get slapped with all the time in the military...and only sometimes are they reimbursed. It's seriously crazy. Don't even get me started on the thousands we are out of pocket every time we move that we don't see a dime of!)

Anyway, so as we are now listening to the giant, sucking sound of cash leaving our bank account...Cliff says, "Shouldn't there be a baby crying about now?"

I gave him a courtesy smile, and turned back to the counter agent who was slowly writing up our credit card slip in neatly printed Kanji. It was painful to watch. Cliff started smoothly saying his goodbyes (for the sake of time, I suppose) but I let him know that I refused to have my farewell multi-tasked in the ticket line. Just then, 2 lines over, we had it...the shrieking baby, for comic relief, if nothing else. We both looked heavenward and laughed hysterically. The agent finally finished her calligraphy masterpiece, Cliff signed, and we all ran toward the security checkpoint...which was (of course) on another floor.

We took him to the point of no return and said our goodbyes while the proper Japanese pretended not to notice our conspicuous display. We watched him disappear through the door, finally pulled ourselves together, and tried to think of what to do now. Coree voted for shopping (there are SO many pretty shops in the airport...amazing stuff!) and the boys all voted for ice cream...so we did both. First, we had to make a pit stop, where I was introduced to the Cadillac of toilets...



Some of you know, I am a total public-restroom-phobe, so this was the first public toilet I have used here...I've since found out that we have these in our bathroom at church, too. The funniest part...the seat is heated. It's kind of shocking when you first sit down. Click to enlarge so you can see all the fun gadgets, too. The Japanese even do toilets better... I'm getting a total inferiority complex living over here!

So that's our latest adventure. Hopefully the rest of the deployment goes more smoothly, but I'm not holding my breath!

Somewhere...beyond the sea...

The night before Cliff left, there was (understandably) a heavy feeling in the air. We knew that we should do something special to savor that last night together as a family for awhile...but we were kind of emotionally zapped...so it was hard to choose anything.

Cliff just knew he wanted a good steak since it would be awhile before he got one again. We almost just decided to grill at home...but when I was talking to my friend Molly (Cliff's CO's wife...this is their second tour here and she knows ALL the good places!) she said, "Oh, you need to go out! It's his last night...you guys need to celebrate together!" I knew she was right, so I got some recommendations from her...and of all of them, "Sam's by the Sea" seemed the most promising. It sounded a little pricey, so it's only something we'd do on a special occasion, but this was such an occasion.

We were blown away! From the time we pulled into the parking lot and saw the sailor-suit clad employee directing us to our parking spot with his glow-wands, we knew we were in good hands.

It was so charming! I am SO into all things nautical, that if I thought it would be OK to decorate my whole house like this, I would...but people might talk. Everyone was tripping over themselves to help us with any need before we even knew we needed anything! The music, the decor, the smoking blue shrimp cocktails...it was all amazing!

We started our dinner with some mocktails. They really know the art of the upsell, I tell you! We all chose drinks with take-home containers. They were all SO cool. LOVE the sharks! Patrick's is a ceramic Saki jug. Just good, clean, fun!


Everyone chose something different. I had the macadamia-crusted mahi mahi...


Patrick had flaming swords of filet Mignon,

Troy had a wild seafood stew with tentacles and claws and stuff climbing out of it.







Cliff didn't even order steak after all, because there were so many great seafood options.

Jake order Lau-Lau...which is a variety of seafood wrapped and steamed in Ti leaves.

He was quite adventurous!


I was fighting back tears the whole night (what's new?) and not because I was dwelling on how sad I was that he was leaving, but because I had SO much love for my family, and I wanted to soak in every moment that we were together for one last night. The whole evening was magical...and I was SO grateful to Molly, not only for her suggestion, but for her insistence (or permission, really) for us to go out and celebrate.

While we were posing for this picture, this little guy cruised by to say hello...

He let Patrick know how he felt about being man-handled...and Patrick put him down real quick!



We decided that this is where we will go when we are all together as a family again...then it will REALLY be time to celebrate. I can't wait!

Flashback Friday...Somewhere Over the Rainbow

I figured this one was fitting today. This was from February 2004...almost exactly 5 years ago. We were sending Cliff off on his 2nd deployment from Miramar to Iraq (his 5th total, and 4th to the Middle East region altogether). The weather matched my spirits...gray and drizzly.

This was a typical deployment...one where you all have to meet at a certain place and time and "hurry up and wait"...and maybe even change locations a time or two ("We're meeting at the flightline"..."as I was...now we're meeting at the armory...load that stuff back on the truck"...you get the idea). Not at all like this time, where we just showed up at the airport and that's that.

Anyway, the whole family came to the base in 2004. (The year before we just took the kids to school as usual and only I accompanied Cliff to the base.) Since it was raining, we spent most of the time sitting in the van, waiting for another group to arrive from 29 Palms by bus. There were a couple of false alarms where we thought it was time to load up...and then finally it was really time to go.

I don't know how you feel about this kind of thing. I'm usually on the cynical side, so I'm not easily impressed. But this knocked my socks off. I wish you could see exactly what we saw, but this was before my digital camera, and what showed up here was not nearly as spectacular, but you get the idea:





As we said our goodbyes, this is what we saw overhead. I had never seen any double rainbow before...let alone a full, double rainbow...and it made me feel hopeful. I knew there would be an end to the separation and sadness...and it was a wonderful reunion where we both felt great about the work we had done and the personal growth we had achieved. That is what I'm hoping for this time, too. Each time we do this, I get a little better and a little stronger. We both set our goals...and it's always kind of fun to reunite with a new appreciation for each other. I think it is so easy to take the little things for granted in day to day marriage...until you are without them.

I have so much blogging to catch up on...including yesterday...which I will do very soon, I promise.

Valentine's Day 09, Taste of Asia at the O'Club

Back in November, when Cliff was over here by himself and the rest of us were back in The IV, he excitedly told me on the phone one night that he had made reservations for a Valentine's Day surprise. I chalked it up to him missing us terribly and not having much to occupy his time. Little did I know, this event would be sold out by mid December, and another night would be added...only to shortly sell out again. I can see why...it was amazing!

The funny thing was...he left the tickets with the "Taste of Asia" logo envelope in the console of the van...so on day 2 in Okinawa, I knew what our Valentine's plans were. (It was hard to miss the huge "Taste of Asia" signs all around base...and also hard NOT to notice it was being held on Valentine's Day.) That's OK, though. I didn't say anything...until the day before when I accidentally mentioned it by name...he didn't catch it at first, but then said, "Hey...I didn't tell you that's where we were going." Then I told him I'd known all along and we laughed about it.


Here we are...ready to seriously nom!


This was one of many food stations with the most incredible food from all over Asia. Most of it was seafood, which is my favorite, but there were other things, too. I had to get a picture of this fish that this chef was carving our sashimi from. It was the best I've tasted.



One of several ice sculptures. I should have done video instead, so you could see the water dripping from the dragon's fangs.


I love these lanterns, and I want them all over my house! Even if they do say "Orion" all over them. We'll just tell people it's the constellation...not the beer.


After we were entirely stuffed...the show began with this processional. This 3-stringed, Okinawan instrument is called the sanshin. Coree wants to know if she can quit piano to play this instead.


I LOVE these hats. I think I want to leave here with one.


Their happiness was contagious...


The only thing that you could hear during this part was the sanshin and a few flutes. They hardly moved...like they were floating up to the stage. It was beautiful.


Then throughout the rest of the show...there were LOTS of drums. I loved it...but to tell you the truth...the sound was so powerful, I was ready for it to be over at the end.


We had a demonstration/lesson with the sampan...but we had to give them back :-( . Now that I know how to play them, I have to find my own set.


More amazing drums...they're pretty popular over here.


Look at these guys sitting on the ground. I could not imagine playing the drums so powerfully while basically doing crunches...


My fave, the shi-shi dog (or Shisa). There are 2 men inside of this, and they did an awesome show. Sometimes it was hard to imagine how they were contorting themselves to make this guy dance, stand up, etc. It was really cool.

It's good luck to get bitten by the Shisa Dog...I don't know why he didn't pick me! (More on this lady later!)


There was a lot of audience participation with the clapping and hand waving and small wooden instrument playing. A good time was had by all.


Some more than others. This lady was at the table next to us....and she made her way up to the stage to join the show.
Couldn't resist sharing the video. (That's one good reason not to drink too much while I'm around...not only will I be sober enough to remember...I can take photos AND video...and you might end up here!)


These guys put on a great show! Cliff got major brownie points for not only planning ahead, but for making such a great choice. The food and the entertainment were first rate!

Cliff and I exchanged chocolates for Valentine's Day...

Well, and my birthday, too. I've never been one to snub a "combined gift" and as a matter of fact, I encourage it. Quality over quantity, I say.

Here's what Cliff got...

Godiva is his very favorite, still...but Japanese chocolates are a close second.


And here's mine:

Not as tasty, maybe...but still, I think I made out on this deal...don't you?

Next, I'm looking for some cute shoes to match. Now I know why people love to golf...it is SO all about the shoes! ;-)

Seriously, though. I am having an awesome time with the golf lessons. I'd like to know where else you can go to get free lessons, practically on demand, from a golf pro. Seriously...I'd like to know...so Cliff can start talking to the detailer about our next assignment!

This one's for the Pachecos

Yes, we have now worshiped at the altar of Charlie's Tacos! And we fully enjoyed the culinary experience, as well as the step back in time.

It's funny, in order to find it, we had to Google it...and most of the hits we got were other people's blog entries and You Tube videos about their visits to this famous icon. By piecing together all these tidbits (while being entertained by some of the old coots lamenting over the fact that Gate 2 street has been "cleaned up"..."what a &@%# shame!") we were able to find our way over there. It's funny because we use Gate 2 street all the time, and have been all around that area...but we had never turned up Park Ave. It's a scary looking one-way alley...and probably half of the shops are closed now.

At one time it was THEE happening place...but now with the gorgeous "American Village" down by the water, it is less of the hub that it used to be.

Patrick was down with the "Okinawan Crud" so he had to miss...but the rest of us (with the exception of Jake...who can never pass up pasta if it's on the menu)

got the triple combo...one beef, one chicken and one tuna. I was thinking tuna like Rubio's...but it's tuna like tuna salad...and it was yummy!






This "A" sign meant it was approved, back in the post-war era, for GI's to patronize.


I LOVE this sign...I adore all things retro. I would so love to be able to step back in time and see this place back in the day.


Just some of the local color:

These 3 guys came in wearing matching, hot pink slickers. "Touch Me" was the only English we could make out...so we're not sure why they wanted to be touched. Sorry I couldn't get a better shot...but I was not feeling very brave that day, so I had to be stealthy.

Thanks, Janette (and family) for this recommendation. We had a great time, enjoyed delicious food and we were also able to check off our weekly "eat at a new restaurant" line item!

Cherry Blossoms!!! (Parental Content Warning!)

This past Presidents' Day, we were honored with an invitation to go to Naha with our friends, the Jones family. The Naha Cherry Blossom Festival had just passed the day before, so we waited until all the Okinawans were back in their offices on Monday before we enjoyed their cherry blossoms in a more intimate setting. The blossoms were beautiful, and we had a blast!

Unfortunately, Cliff still had to work, because he's leaving on this deployment thing at the end of the week and had a hugely long list of stuff to do...so he missed out. It would have been more fun with him, but in the same way we have to go on while he's deployed...we just enjoyed ourselves anyway.

The Jones family is awesome. Before we got here to Okinawa, they were just "friends of friends" because the Crabtrees, Kretschmers, Slatterys and the Fairchilds ALL knew them (at 3 different duty stations)...but we had never met...but we've been making up for lost time. Their kids are basically the same ages as ours...except that they have a bonus 5 year old at the end. Their oldest son brought a date, so she is the blond girl you'll see in the pictures mixed in with all their brunettes.

Here's some beautiful kids surrounded by some beautiful blossoms:


It's actually rude here to photograph people without their permission, but occasionally, when I need to act fast, I just play rude American. You can't see her face, anyway, so she can just be random, kimono wearing lady in cherry blossoms:


I wish Cliff was there...this would have been a great family photo:



Here's the whole group...except the photographer (me):

Don't we look like a fun group?

We actually heard this thing groaning and cracking:

But why let personal safety get in the way of a good photo op?


Same with this one...they swore they felt it tipping!


We had fun chasing and feeding pigeons. Coree was a little freaked out that they were brushing against her legs.


And since there is a soft drink vending machine for every 27 people on the island...of course there was refreshment nearby. Here's all the kids enjoying their selections. The favorite was a grape thing in an aluminum bottle that had gelatin chunks in it. I don't think you have to have texture issues as bad as mine to think this is just gross to be drinking something out of a bottle that you can't even see that's all lumpy like that. Grape cottage cheese anyone?

So then we headed home by way of Coco's Curry House. It was delish, as always...and we took up half the restaurant with our group of 13. Here are some of the sights on our drive home:


Spiderman and Uncle San in one shot! There was also a Statue of Liberty around there somewhere...we'll have to catch that one sometime, too.


What is a Book Off? Is that anything like a dance off?


This was some sort of rally or protest...I tried to get a better shot as we drove by, but it was blurred. Drive by photography is a crap shoot.


OK...we kept passing this bus in stop and go traffic. The first time I saw it, from a distance, it looked to me like either a naked, pink vampire...or a cartoon flasher with a pink trenchcoat. Then I got this closeup...that almost incapacitated me from laughing so hard to the point I would have had to have Brenda take the wheel...but wait, she was laughing just as hard!

OK, so this is obviously not a trenchcoat or bat wings...but some sort of pod this little phallic guy is hatching out of. I'd sure like to know what he's advertising!

We had so much fun on our day trip, and we are eager to find out where the Jones family will take us next!