Post-holiday/Pre-new year

Christmas is finished and a new year approaches. I cannot say I will not be happy to return to normal. It is not that I do not enjoy the festivities of Christmas. I certainly do enjoy them. I only wish to say there is much to be appreciated of the calmness of normal. It is exhausting always being in such a hurry and keeping the ever-lengthening list of holiday obligations managed. Some I enjoy and some are... well... obligations.

An advantage of shore duty is that Charles and I are able to do things together. That is also a disadvantage. We love performing volunteer work together but there are some events that I wish I could avoid that Charles is expected to attend. These usually are attended by admirals and are very boring proper and sedate. A ship's event is more relaxed. You may not know all the names but their faces are familiar to you.

Speaking of ships, as our departure nears so too do the inevitable disruptions. Choosing a date to have our household goods packed and picked up is a challenge. I do not wish to wait too long after arriving to have my things. What the Navy provides temporarily is functional but rarely suitable.

We have already communicated with the real estate company we used for our last house. They will begin looking for houses and making arrangements in the beginning of April. I have expressed my interest in the house we originally had during our last time in Japan. It is currently occupied but there is hope the current tenants will decide they should live elsewhere. ;-)

While we await those things, preparation will continue. I have already been spiriting away un-needed toys and clothing from Chao lei. Perhaps he will not notice his toy box is becoming less full or that his wardrobe shrinks as days go by.

Have a happy and prosperous new year! 新年快乐

One Done

One PCS appointment done, 1000 to go. It is an exaggeration of course but anyone who has PCS'ed knows that is how it seems.

Fortunately, we all have passports so there is one less appointment. Another bonus, we still have our Japan driver's licenses so we need only purchase a car soon after our arrival. As last time, The Commander will depart before me to acquire a residence but it will be limited to only a few weeks.

Now it is time to begin ridding us of unnecessary things. It is easy to exceed the maximum HHG weight. It can become difficult choosing what is to remain and what is to be disposed of. I have already determined the local charitable organizations I will call to take away those things.

The cars will need to be sold. We will sell his first since my truck will be more practical to take away unwanted things. These sales will be held against the rental of a house in Japan. Would it not be wonderful to discover my previous house unoccupied and available to rent?

Despite my lack of enthusiasm for returning to Yokosuka, I find myself at the least a little excited for the coming PCS.

Ugh...

It seems we are returning to Yokosuka. The Commander's orders have arrived. I give three guesses as to what ship.

I do not dislike Yokosuka. It is a lovely base that has much to keep one occupied. There are worse places I could live. In honesty, I wish for the Navy to allow me to discover such places for myself.

The housing is adequate though I hope to find a house somewhere closer to base so I do not find the need to live in base housing. It took much effort to avoid the drama of it. In a house off of base I can entertain who I wish with no fear of becoming the object of said drama. To be sure, I entertained who I wished while living in base housing the last time but there were whispers. The curious thing is, this drama did not occur in Florida so I must consider it only a local problem for Yokosuka. There is always the chance it no longer a concern. It is doubtful the same people will be there in any case.

I believe I will travel more this time. There were many places I did not see because I chose to work and survive a pregnancy. I would very much like to go to Sapporo in winter or a become a denizen often seen in the Ginza.

I do not wish a return to Japan. Since it is a certainty that I must go where I do not wish, the only thing that remains for me to do is focus on positives and prepare.

Bleh...

There are indications of the Commander's next assignment. It is this time I hope he is incorrect in his deductions. To be sure, he will be happy whatever the assignment, providing it is a return to sea. He has made his wishes known to his detailer and contacts him regularly.

It is not the move that I dread. The anticipation of a new place and new people excites me. It is the return to an old place I dread. Yokosuka was a pleasant place and I am sure there are worse places to be but I do not wish to return there so soon. In truth, I prefer a direction opposite of the Pacific. One that does not involve leaving this country.

It does not seem that will be reality. Two ship names repeatedly surface in conversation. One is a return to Japan. The other is in Hawaii. We are to discover the new assignment this week.

A Navy Man Will Be...

... at sea whenever possible.

Charles decided we required a break from the shore so he acquired a small boat for us to use for Monday and Tuesday. It was not too small though. The three of us could move about easily.

Monday began early. We were at the docks before sunrise. It is fortunate for Chao lei that sunrise comes later than in summer. He was able to sleep longer. He is not so eager as his parents to begin the day. He no longer wishes to tell his father good bye in the mornings if it means he must rise.

We spent the day on the ocean. A first day helps to understand Charles' attraction to the sea. That day was all that was needed for me. At the time we returned to the docks I was satisfied of being on the ocean. It is likely my limit was so quickly reached because of the boat (not a row boat but not a cruise liner). Also, Chao lei was with us and it is unnerving having him on the ocean. What if he fell from the boat? Despite him wearing a life jacket at all times (and despite his constant objection to wearing it) it was difficult to relax. 

My husband assures me I would enjoy it better from a ship this size. Perhaps, but since the Navy is likely unwilling to allow us use of such a boat we will never discover the truth of that idea.

Tuesday was much the same as Monday. In a boat. On the ocean. All day. Understand that I enjoy very much being at the ocean. I am not overly fond of being on it. I cannot go for a walk on it. I am trapped in the boat. I suppose I could swim but I am not a swimmer and when your husband takes you from the sight of land it is scary knowing there are creatures larger than you that could eat you and the bottom of the ocean is hundreds of feet below you.

Chao lei did not do well on Tuesday. He got seasick but not immediately. It was only after a few sick hours that he finally threw up. Seeing Charles' reaction leads one to believe that it is a most humiliating thing for a Naval Commander's son to get sea sick. It seems though that Chao lei has not connected his illness to being in the boat

One day on the ocean was mildly enjoyable. The sound of ocean waves calms me but not when they are incessantly slapping the side of a boat. Except fishing, there is little to do. 

Would I do it again? There is nothing I would rather do than spend time with my husband and son so perhaps for one day and then not until a few months have passed. Two days is too much. 

Halloween Recap

It makes one happy to see the resilience of their community and the kindness they show each other in times of difficulty. I was fearful that I would not see cute little goblins and small mighty heroes this year because of the storm. While we are again a tidy neighborhood, damages remain and people tend to repairs.

How could this not be an appropriate costume costume in consideration of the storm we have experienced? lol

I chose to be an actress of Chinese drama. They are much the same as a soap opera here. The commander decided he would be a Navy man... that is away... again. Still, it was an enjoyable evening to be out. My favorite dinner partner and I decided a restaurant was in order so we ate at House of Chong.

At the beginning, Chao lei was not fond of delaying our return home. There was the bucket of candy to be considered. Fortunately, it did not require much encouragement from me for him to eat his dinner first. It was enough to remind him of the few pieces of candy he thought I had not seen him eat and threaten to put away the remainder for a few days.

I do have a thought of some things of the evening. First, let it be known I do not begrudge an adult time to enjoy fun on Halloween. Even adults require fun and relaxation. My complaint(?) is of adults behaving as adults in an environment meant for children. If an adult prefers to be near naked, that is their choice. If that adult desires to act out in a sexually suggestive manner (think of  simulated sex), that is when I am less tolerant.

We do not hide anything from Chao lei. If there is a question, we answer as openly as possible at a level he is able to understand. Adults that behave in inappropriate manners, as the couple we witnessed last night, force me to have conversations that I do not wish to have yet. For the moment, Chao lei is satisfied that it was just adults playing an adult game and that no, he cannot play it because he is not an adult. What if he repeats the behavior with another child in his class? How am I to answer the teacher for that?

As I have said, adults can have their fun and act in such ways if they wish. My complaint is when they do so with an inappropriate audience.

Welcome Relief/Unwelcome Rumors

It is sunny and warm (for now). It has been nice being dry and able to finish working around our house. I have been surprised by the small damages we have found as we cleaned and repaired. I wonder if they existed before the storm and only now are being discovered. The major damages are repaired at the least so we need not work with such determination. It has been far too long since our last visit to the beaches.

There is a rumor of relocation... again, though it is at the least not for a year. The unwelcome part of the rumor is it is likely the Commander will return to the Pacific Fleet. So much for the Commander's return to sea and me not being required to relocate. This alone is not the unwelcome part. It is the possibility of a return to Japan I do not wish.

Not all is negative. There is the possibility of returning to the Northwest. There is NS Everette in Washington. I would prefer this to many others. It is closer to the Bing family and my house. I know many places to visit. They have no hurricanes or typhoons.

I suppose there is only one thing I may do and that is to wait and see what the navy intends for us. They have not considered my preferences in the past. There is no reason for me to believe they will do so now.

I Have Returned

I have returned to my house.

The yard will require much work to restore it to its former beauty. The house received very little damage. Given some other houses' damage, ours is amazingly slight.

Aside from the roof tiles, there are stains in the ceiling from leaking water but after few days to dry, we will paint and it will be forgotten. The walls of the garage will be replaced from water damage. It seems the garage door faced directly into the wind and much water came through the door. It begins to smell horrible so I do not enter the garage. All yard furniture was against the fence but we have returned it to its place. I thought them heavy enough to do well under the cover of the patio. I was wrong. For now, we concentrate on drying things. The Commander's tools and other items were first on our list. He was concerned of rust so after I dried them, he sprayed oil on them and wiped the again.

Other things will be tried later. I fear attempting to use my washer or dryer but I know I must do so if I am to have replacements should they not operate properly. The Commander says it depends on how deep the water was and if it ruined motors. Perhaps tomorrow will see the truth of it.

The damage we have received pales to others. We will see to what help we can give to them.

Leaving the Storm

Charles has decided that I will travel to Oregon to escape the storm. I had hoped I left this type of event in Japan. It appears that I am doomed to survive them. Of course, what would one expect when they reside so close to an ocean. That is where naval bases are usually located since ships are not to be found inland.

So here I sit packing for me and Chao lei to leave in the morning. I think it unnecessary but I will not argue since I get to enjoy a trip home. I miss Heather and Mother Bing. It will be good too visit them.

Hello again

I still live.

I do so with a busy 5 (AND a half, Mama!) years boy and my new minted Commander.

As for me, I have chosen to stop full time working and instead have more time with Chao lei and the Commander. We have also decided it is time to consider child number 2. Note that it was the Commander's suggestion that we do so.

It is not that I wished no more children. It is only working and tending Chao lei, it did not occur to me as a possibility at this moment. The Commander is more eager than I, it seems, to grow our family. And he wishes for a girl. So be it. :-)

Chao lei busies himself in preschool. His world centers on his next class day. Week ends would seem curses to him. He has been this way since his earliest days. I did not have the tears from him when I left him at daycare nor did I see them at his first day of riding the bus to preschool. He could not board that bus faster without injuring himself or others. I wonder if that says anything about me...

The Lt Commander is now a full Commander. He was disappointed that it required an additional year. It seems his current duty did not affect the board as he had been informed it would. He has asked to return to sea duty. When he does, my hope is we stay in this country. I would be satisfied with Mayport or Norfolk. Even San Diego would be acceptable. In the end, we will go where we are sent.

I have missed much. There is much catching up to do.