Finally

 Jared is finally home! Twenty four weeks again.

The good thing of deployment is the welcome home party atmosphere on the dock as the ship ties up. Of course, we may start earlier since we have a clear view of the entrance to the port and can see the ship long before it actually arrives. As they arrive they “man the rails” dressed in their white uniforms while being greeted by ecstatic spouses and boisterous children. To use my friend’s phrase, Navy whites “Get my motor running.” 

Chao lei charged his father as soon as he saw him. June held on to me at first but she did transfer to him without resistance… eventually. I had to settle for group hugs and kisses. I suppose I will get my hugs and kisses later.

For his homecoming dinner, I prepared two of his favorite foods, dumplings and sweet chili and orange chicken finished with almond jelly. I prepared very large portions for him since it is his habit to eat… a lot. I am left to contend with the burps and complaints of having eaten too much but after a long deployment, I welcome them. Noises and complaints are better than long absences any time.

Jared’s leave will begin Monday. We are to spend our week in the city of Fuji. There are many trails to hike, Oishi Park, an art museum, and many highly rated restaurants. We will spend the day out and about. The evenings will be spent relaxing.

Of course, what as become my “normal” is in upheaval again. I must release some control of the family. I must force some control to Jared. I see his eyes when the children come to me rather than him. I know that he knows what is happening then. It is what they are accustomed to doing. Still, I believe it pains him to be left out. I find I am becoming adept, very quickly, of telling them to ask their father. They will adjust.

We will return to a normal family… until the next time.

Speaking of Reading…

 Given the subject matter and current controversies surround it, I have given students their midterms early so they may use what they find in the news to aid them in completing of the exams. The course is “Algorithms 2”

Some of the exams have begun coming in and I must say it worries me. Of the two exams I have read, one is… acceptable but is minimal. The second seems rushed with too many shortcuts and most certainly falls short of expectation

It is good, I believe, that I allowed such an early start to the exams. Students will have time to correct their shortcomings. Many, like paper one, will require only minor corrections leaving only a second read of their work. Others, like paper 2, will require beginning again or major corrections requiring me to reread them several times. 

These paper are 5,000 to 7,000 words at the minimum. Remember the saying though, expend minimum effort receive minimum reward. Even if all were to write 7,000 words only,  with a class of 47 students. That is 329,000 words to read to read every paper only once. That is 1880 pages of double spaced, times new Roman size 12pt, with headers, and a cover page (that does not count toward word/page count).

If you like, I can post samples of my reading. Lol

Now the ship is residing in the Philippine Sea. How accurate that is questionable. I was told of a program that can find any ship, any where and I installed it. That is where it shows the ship is now. Of course, the icon has not moved for several days. I’m told that means they have turned off the transponder. Given the delays, I am wondering if it is a good idea to have the app.

Chao lei is beginning to have issues with Jared not being home. He’s not misbehaving. He has sleep disturbances though. Someone had the brilliant idea to tell him the ship could have been sunk in the gulf. Had it been an adult that said such a cruel thing, I am not sure I could have remained civil. Since it was a child, I had no choice. I can only hope his mother teaches him better.

June seems to be doing well. Sometimes I wonder if she even knows Jared is her father. It is not as if she is not told about him. There are many pictures around the house for her to look at. Many with her in Jared’s arm. He speaks to her during every call. Still she seems unaffected by his absences. I worry sometimes of this. I pray her relationship does not suffer too much. At least Chao lei had time to establish a solid relationship with Jared when we lived in Pensacola.

Ugh. For their sakes at least, I hope this deployment ends soon.

Ending Soon?

 I am hoping this deployment is almost over. The CAG has returned to the Pacific fleet at least. It is nice to read that they are in the Philippine Sea and are coming north. It does not mean they are coming home at this moment but at least they are getting closer.

I know I have been whiney this time around. I am not sure why. It is not as if deployments are something new for me.  My attitude during this deployment is out of character for me. It is not the first lengthy one. We did one of 24 weeks last year. This one is only 22 weeks so far so length of deployment is not the cause. This one, I believe, was more stressful considering the withdrawal from Afghanistan coupled with the normal tensions there. The 7th fleet leaving its AO is unusual to say the least.

I am confused that another carrier and its destroyer escort was deployed to 7th fleet's AO to cover the Pacific while our ships were gone. Why did they not deploy to the Gulf instead? There are many things of the Navy I will never understand, I believe.

In other news...

We seem to be locking down again. Several offices have reduced hours or closed altogether. The base is near 100% vaccinated. Unfortunately, we live surrounded by Japan and many of us live in the off base community. Personally, I tend to go to the base and return home with no diversions. The weakness in that plan is I socialize with my Japanese neighbors. I do my best to experience Japan and its people, if for no other reason than it enriches my children.

Jared has announced he will take leave when they return to port. I am not sure yet what we will do or if we will go somewhere. I would be happy just to spend time together and one would believe he has traveled enough. Then again, he was at work so who can say?

Now if we could only get an ETA for their return.