Why didn't I think of this before?

My day was not too shabby, I must say. It didn't start off the best. I mean, I got the kids off to Seminary OK...Coree woke up on time, got lunches made and Jake got up, showered and ready and all. All that went fine. It was just when I got over to the gym, Mr. Jones was there with his wife! What...does he think he's on leave or something? Doesn't he know that this is GIRL time at the gym when all the husbands are supposed to be at work? Sheesh! Just his presence wouldn't have been too annoying on its own...but he was on MY machine! MINE! The only one I can use without extreme foot pain followed by having to take several days off, defeating the whole purpose, entirely! That was where things took a wrong turn...because on a perfect day, everything goes my way, and clearly, this was not how I had planned things...or I would have saved myself the trouble of driving the .2 kilometers to the neighborhood gym. (Don't roll your eyes like that! It could start pouring down buckets of rain at ANY time here...I've seen it happen!)

Anyway, he was just getting started on his hour. I know, because I asked him how much longer he had and he told me 50-some minutes. Then he asked if I'd like him to move to another machine. (YES...duh!) Of course, being full of a natural tendency to sacrifice for others, I said (in my sweetest voice) "No, no...that's OK...I'll just come back..." to which he quickly replied, "GOOD, because I'm not getting off, anyway!" (Nice! Did I mention he's a leader in our church, too?)

SO...there I was. I wouldn't have enough time to get the workout in before golf lessons...and Susan and I had talked about going for sure this week. I had a bunch of stuff to get done afterward, so I would have to choose between golf and the elliptical. I called Susan...she wasn't as enthused about the golf, but said, "What I want to do is go for a bike ride with you." (I had told her about my prior ride with Molly, following her to Gate 2 street while she ran.) I was totally game. Beautiful day, beautiful bike, beautiful friend...so off we went.

I have actually come to embrace the spectacle that I am while riding my bike. First off, this is no ordinary bike. (Let me back up a little.) Right before we moved out here, I decided that one of the things I wanted to do while I was here (besides riding a freakin' elephant in Thailand) was to ride a bike around town whenever I could...especially at the beach. We were told that bikes for women were not easy to come by over here, so we went to our local bike shop in The IV to see what we could find...and I fell in love. I was looking for a cruiser...but this is not just any cruiser, it's like my 70's girl bike reincarnated as its most perfect self. For starters, it's different shades of purple on white...the palest shade sometimes looks pink. It has a comfy purple and white seat with its own suspension...and as an added bonus, tassels...purple and white. They didn't come with it, but I added them. (Yes, I am reliving my childhood.) It's got 7 speeds and hand brakes...but I never went back to the store to retrieve the forgotten, bonus basket...so that's something I still need to find here to complete the look. I have learned that mostly, you get what you pay for...and this bike is a dream to ride. Secondly, it's no secret...I'm not a small girl. Compared to these tiny Okinawans...I could be a Sumo wrestler. So if you combine the bike and the girl...you can't miss us! But that's OK...if I can get out in the sunshine, with the breeze blowing through my hair AND provide comic relief for the locals...it's a win-win in my book!

Anyway, where was I? Yes...so Susan and I set off on our biking adventure. We had decided to ride from Plaza toward Kadena, and that when we reached Rt. 23 (which runs parallel to Kadena) we'd turn around and head home. This ride wasn't quite as long as 330 to Gate 2 Street...but it is not as flat, either. It was really a challenge and as I went down each hill, while I was thoroughly enjoying the speed...I knew the contrast would be huffing and puffing up the same hill on the return trip (which took away some of the thrill). The round trip was about 45 minutes...not bad for a couple of old ladies.

Susan suddenly had a great idea that we could do our visiting teaching. It was the last day of the month, after all...what better time? We swung by my house real quick to grab some candy to drop off (nothing says, "forgive me for being a lame-o, last-minute, drive-by visiting teacher" like some Japanese candy). We were joking about being really old Sister Missionaries on the way to our first stop, and quickly discovered our neighborhood is not as flat as we thought. We caught Misty at home and Susan shared a ten second spiritual thought, which was followed by a nice chat about weight loss and housekeeping (because we're deep like that). But, once again, Mr. Jones foiled my plans by no doubt whisking his wife off to brunch or something, because she was nowhere to be found. (Fine...I'm keeping the candy, then. No checky in the boxy...no candy in the handy!)

Anyhoo...Susan and I rode to our respective homes, and I showered (you're welcome for that visual) and got myself ready for my busy day. I had much to do around the house, as well as many errands to run, including my LEAST favorite...the commissary. I just really dislike grocery shopping. I do realize that is extremely ungrateful of me considering the majority of the world's population does not have a huge treasury of food that magically appears on gleaming shelves. But I still hate it, nonetheless. It is my least favorite chore, closely tied with putting away laundry (matching up the socks being the most hated part of that task...but I digress).

By the time I got out of the house, it was lunch time, and by the time I got to my last errand (see above) it was two o'clock. I was feeling stressed because I was running out of time, but I also didn't want to go to the commissary starving (bad idea...I've done it before). My first impulse was to hit the Taco Bell drive-thru, but that just wasn't going to cut it. I was really wanting real food, and suddenly the thought of a little Hawaiian restaurant Julia took me to popped into my head. It was back before I had any sense of direction here, but I knew some nearby landmarks, so I set out to find it, and succeeded!



As soon as I walked in, I wondered what had taken me so long to come back. The casual atmosphere was so welcoming. Beautiful Hawaiian music plays overhead, flowers and thatching are everywhere. Bright colors and sunshine streaming in from the patio complete the setting. As I sat sipping ginger ale, waiting for my Aloha Shrimp and Gyoza, I noticed 2 other women doing the same thing...each sitting alone, one with a good book, another immersed in a bunch of important looking papers. Why hadn't I thought of this before? I pulled a cookbook out of my bag and started marking pages and making a list...something that would make the commissary trip go a WHOLE lot smoother, but I had not had time to do before I left the house.



I think I have a new grocery shopping plan. Suddenly, when paired with a trip to Ono Kau Kau, the commissary doesn't seem so bad. Sorry, laundry...looks like it's just you now!

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

Here's something I missed while we were not living on a military base:



The other night I had the front door open with just the screen shut, so I heard the five minute warning for Colors. I saw Jake and 2 friends playing on the lawn and decided to grab the camera, and wait in the doorway, just to see what I could capture. I should have set it to video, but I never think that quickly.

Sure enough, as soon as those first four notes sounded, Jake's ears perked up, he said, "Colors!" and whipped around to face the music with hand over heart. Call me sappy, but this just makes my heart leap every time.

This neighborhood is unbelievable. Not only do the little boxed houses make you feel like you are physically in the 50's, but everything else about the place seems a throwback to a more innocent time. Kids have the run of the neighborhood (there are so many trees and hills to explore), neighbors know each others' business (in a good way) and actually hang out and talk to one another. There's even a little neighborhood store where you can get milk and bread and all manner of treats. I'm discovering mine are not the only children sneaking over there for Twinkies and soda. The only thing that would make the scene complete, is if they had to go digging around to find enough bottles to redeem for the purchase.

I hope that my children always remember their time here...that when they talk about the good ole' days, they say, "Remember Okinawa? Remember how we used to climb up on the roof and light watch the fireworks? Remember Play Street? Remember the night games? Those were the days!"

Of course, there are things I hope they remember about each of the places we've lived...Camp Pendleton...San Diego. I hope they remember (with fondness) our experiences living as trailer trash in the RV park on El Centro, and holding school at the base chapel...and then the experience of living in the relative mansion of our first home...and getting to have our own personal airshow each day during the Blue Angels' winter season. Those were the days!

I try not to be prideful in my blessings. I know that we are each given our own measure, and they are all different..we only have to look for them. At the same time, I am SO grateful to have a military family. Are there sacrifices? Sure! But the benefits are pretty sweet, too...especially the untangeables...and we're a pretty elite group with so few electing military service anymore.

I'm trying to be 'present' with all of this...to enjoy every day. It seems like we have forever, but at the same time...I know it will be over in a flash, and we'll be looking back on it all with great nostalgia.

These are the days!

If you come visit us, this is one of the places we'll take you!

Another Saturday, another culinary adventure. This place is pretty popular with Americans and Yoshi is somewhat of a local celebrity. Just the drive to get there was an experience. It's just up the road from us, not far at all, but you have to know where you are going, it's a pretty crazy drive.


The walls are covered in memorabilia...pics of him with pro golfers, military leaders and pretty women.



You sit on the floor, but it is open under the table so you can dangle your feet if you want.



Yes, I pretend to take pics of my kids so I can take pics of other things/people instead. I'm not ashamed to admit it.



There's Yoshi, over the guy in the yellow shirt. You can tell he LOVES his work. He was smiling the whole time.



Directly in front of me, this clock was hanging. You might think it corny, but I got a little sentimental looking at Cliff's time zone.



So here's the spread. I ordered his special dinner...sashimi, tempura, teriyaki sea bass, sauteed asparagus, rice and miso soup. Yum!



Troy's sushi platter



Patrick's teriyaki beef and tempura



Coree's yakisoba



Jake's teriyaki combo with tempura



LOVE this purple sweet potato!




Here we are out front, ready to roll ourselves back to the car.



Patrick and Jake working it off before we even make it to the parking lot.

The food was incredible. One of the pricier places we've been...not over the top, but not a bargain. You can see, we clearly got what we paid for, though. This one definitely stays on the special occasion list. And what's more special than when friends and family come to visit? We'll be waiting for you!

What has the neighborhood come to?

So there we were, on a Sunday night, minding our own business, headed back to church for a second time (because we're righteous like that) when some moron Child of God on an urgent errand turns right in front of us, cutting us off, PRACTICALLY running us off the road! I don't want to name names, so let's just call him Dave J. No, no, no...on second thought...let's call him D. Jones*. Anyway, he had a car full of kids, too (I saw as I passed him, screeching down the hill, showing him who was boss).

Anyway, things went on like this all the way to the church...we just couldn't shake this guy, no matter how fast we went or who we cut off. It was like he was stalking us. Turns out to be true, I find out, because once we get into our church meeting, who should be sitting across from us?...That family! Looking all righteous, like they weren't just inflicting their road rage on anyone!

And after the meeting...more of the same! They pulled up next to us and their grandpa of all people puts his fingers up to his eyes and then points at me, glaring. (Game on, Grandpa!) I felt like I was on the set of "Better Off Dead" and any minute their van was going to start speaking to me like an Asian Howard Cosell. We managed to shake them with a minimum amount of illegal activity, luckily.

Now, I'm not one to encourage taking the law into your own hands, but clearly, these people needed to learn a lesson. My children claimed to know the answer. Now let me state for the record, that my driving the get away vehicle escorting the children due to the late hour and serving as forensic photographer in no way imply that I condone this type of activity.












Didn't think about the flash attracting attention...

Oops...totally busted. (Nosy kid!) After further reflection and given that these offenders invited us in for Grandpa's late-night Chicken Curry...I'd like to recant my previous statements. We offered to take down the TP, but they told us we better not dare. They wanted all the school buses to see it in the morning, so everyone would know how popular they are. Just a little service the Stuarts like to provide.


*Yes...shamelessly ripped off of the "BYU version" of Pride and Prejudice...and NO, no names have been changed because there are no innocent to protect here. Sue me, Jonesies!

Flashback Friday...More costumed fun!

Remember when I told you about a pic that I lost?



Well, I found it...



along with some others I couldn't resist sharing...circa 1999.

I don't remember what these fake 'staches and binoculars were about...but this is just typical of the kind of stuff these guys would do together.



Watching these two do karate was a hoot.



Don't you just love the face on Patrick?

One day around this same time period, I came outside to find some older kids picking on him. I called out to them, "Wow, does that make you feel pretty big and tough to pick on a Kindergartener?" which was all it took for them to scatter. Patrick came huffing back to me in his chicken-hawk style (wearing a face just like in this picture) muttering, "It's a good thing they took off...I was gonna have to show them some of my moves!"



And just for good measure...I give you "Book Character Day". This was back before the movies...I think book 4 had just come out or was going to...I don't remember. Anyway, these guys were a little obsessed. I looked all over town for red and white rugby shirts...before resorting to making my own with red sweatshirts and athletic tape. The robes were easy enough with shiny, red $1 a yard fabric from Wal*Mart...and the Quidditch brooms were made of thick dowel rod, spray-painted gold, and cut-up whisk-brooms glued onto the stick and covered in glitter.

It's no wonder they loved their Shakespeare classes!

It's the Jacob Stuart Show!!!

A few days ago, Jake brought home an envelope addressed to me. It was a letter from the principal informing me that I was invited to an awards assembly at Jake's school, where he would be receiving a special award. Luckily, I had the day free (other than running forgotten PE shoes by another school) so I was able to attend.

This is what I saw as I sat down:

Jake standing ready to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. I smiled to myself, imagining what might have put him in this position. (Principal pleading..."Is there a Cub Scout in the house?!" Jake, bravely stepping forward...)



Patiently (and handsomely, I might add) waiting while the Principal does her spiel. How do you really spell spiel, anyway? Shouldn't it be schpeel? Spellcheck doesn't think so, and neither does dictionary.com. Oh well.




Jake receiving one of his certificates.



And in a surprise twist, Jake not only receives a certificate for high honor roll, but he is chosen for the citizenship award, as well. Way to go, Jake!!



Jake with his awesome teacher, Mrs. K. We can't say enough about her...she has been such a blessing to our family.

So, I walked Jake half way to his classroom as I headed back to my car and he says to me, "I've changed my mind...I like public school better than home school now." Well, I wonder why? Could it be, 'The Jacob Stuart Show' has something to do with it?!

Charlie Company Rocks the Inspection

And is it any wonder?...


I mean...is he squared away, or is he squared away?


No lie...he refused to "eyeball" me...I had to put my camera up over my head to get this shot. Sheesh! At ease, Marine!

Elder Bednar's Visit

Here they are, all dressed up on a Tuesday night, ready to listen to an Apostle of the Lord. We were SO excited to hear that Elder Bednar and his wife were going to make a visit here to Okinawa. It was a wonderful evening. Cliff and I actually met him 3 years ago at Chaplains' Conference when he came to speak to us, but instead of giving us a talk, he opened it up to questions for the entire time. It didn't occur to me that he might do the same thing here, otherwise I would have spread the word so people would have their questions ready...but that is exactly what he did. There were lots of great questions, though, and I think we all learned a lot.

Even though the questions and answers were great, I still think my favorite part of the night was in the beginning when he shared his military connections with us. My favorite was learning that as a young missionary in Germany, he was assigned to work with young, American, military families. I don't think I will ever think the same of these sweet, young elders who we see at our various duty stations. You just never know who they will grow up to be!

Afterward, Patrick and Jake stood in line to shake his hand. (Troy already had before the meeting started.) Patrick was overwhelmed with the evening, and had a profound moment with Elder Bednar as he visited with him, but he's keeping it private :-(.
(Inquiring minds have been shut down.)

Coree just hung out with me, waiting...you see, I didn't want to take a chance on him recognizing me. Remember his 'famous' talk about being offended, and reaching out to the offended to plead with them to 'come back to the fold'? Well...that was the year he came to Chaplains' Conference, and after that I waited in line to shake his hand. I told him that when I listened to that talk, I knew exactly who I was going to invite back and I was excited to do it. He pulled out one of his cards, handed it to me, and asked me to write him a letter about it. I still have the card...and I invited the person back, but the whole thing was sort of anti-climactic...and I just never had anything noteworthy to write about, so I didn't. He is SO amazing with names and is SO quick and NOT hesitant to speak his mind...it would NOT surprise me if he had said, "Where's my letter, young lady...I gave you an assignment, and you would ignore one of the Lord's servants?!" Highly unlikely, I admit...but I wasn't taking chances just the same.

Saturday Adventures...More From American Village

One of the first places we went to eat here was this Sushi Go Round next to the Dragon Palace. However, since Troy and Patrick were not with us, this still technically qualified as a new place, since only 3 of us had been there (or at least that's the rule we made up on the spot).


Patrick's fave...rice wrapped in a fried tofu wrapper. Yum!



I can't remember...he's either ordering more of something, or pointing out a cute girl.



Thought I could squeeze in some Engrish, too. So many possibilities, but I'll let you use your imagination. Suggestions?



Coree's refined, cultured side...



Here's the final damage. Less than 5000 Yen ($50ish)...not bad!

Since the night was still young, we decided to walk around American Village. We started with our favorite candy shop. I had to reload my hi-chew and chocolate supply for care packages.



Notice the sign. They must have seen Patrick in our Wind from America post and they were prepared this time.
pwned!



Characters are BIG in Japan. So is Troy.



Heading up to the 3rd floor to ride the super Ferris wheel.



More fun with Engrish (click to enlarge). We managed to figure it out.



Boys first (so I could take their picture).



Coree and I in the girls' car, headed for the top



Catching an aerial view of her school.



The view of American Village from the very top of the wheel...



Hello Kitty is BIG in Japan



So is this guy...



OK...so Okinawa is a little behind the times in some areas, but in an effort to stay hip and current with the Guitar Hero craze, they've developed this challenging game...



It's all the rage with the teens!



Baskin Robbins for our walk around the village (everyone knows if you walk while eating your ice cream, the calories don't count).



Can't pass up a bridge photo-op



We walked to the water and there wasn't a whole lot to see due to construction...so we were done and decided to head back home.



Our chariot awaits. Home, O'Malley!