Game Time

Jared took Chao lei to his first baseball game. It was the Yokohama DeNA BayStars against the Chunichi Dragons. Unfortunately, Yokohama lost. It does not seem to matter to Chao lei though. He has not stopped taliking about the game and everything involved with it. He slept with his new jersey on and would have his hat had I not removed it for him. I will not speak of the battle of the bat. Suffice it to say, I won... barely.

I am very happy for this outing of the boys. Chao lei's spirits are higher than they Have been lately. It is not that he has been unhappy (that I know of :-/ ). This game just lifted his spirit higher. It is a very good thing. He has not had so many outing with his father as he wishes. His father is absent frequently because of ship sailings. He understands this but that understanding does not change the fact his father is not here. This outing, and others like it, are few but do a world of good.

It is good for Jared too. His mood is improved from before. He speaks of guilty feelings for it. It is not how he wishes it to be but it is what it is. I tell him his son understands. Perhaps not completely right now but he will soon enough. I am happier when his mood is more cheerful. I will trade the atmosphere in my house today for the everyday getting along we usually have.There is another home game next week. Perhaps I can convince him of the need for another night at the ball park.

I will always tell Chao lei the reason his father is not home and why it is so important. He has loaned his father to other children so they can be safe just like him. It helps him for now.

On the next assignment front, Jared's detailer has narrowed it down more to four stations, two of which are CONUS. I am crossing my fingers, toes, pony tails, and anything else I can cross for stateside. I will not hold my breath.I have spent 11 of 14 years overseas. Oh well. Here is hoping but remaining prepared to be disappointed. We will see.

What the Heck?

 It has been a slow week for June. Nothing noteworthy Haas been uttered from her, which is surprising to me. She is usually the queen of snark. I believe she gets it from her father.

Chao lei om the other hand, has been out of character this week. It is all about him this week.

We were in church to the pastor’s lesson The pastor, making a point said, “…we’re all broken but God fills our cracks “

Cue Chao lei looking over at me and snorted. I said "Don’t you dare." He dared and began laughing. Out loud. I sent him from the room. Imagine my difficulty explaining to the pastor what  Chao lei's outburst was about. Fortunately, Pastor Jerry has a sense of humor.

He has been learning from his sister. 

Chao lei: Why are the clothes hanging outside?

Me: Because they are drying.

Chao lei: We have a dryer.

Me: Yes, but our dryer is not working.

Chao lei: So we are living like we are in the 1800's?!

Finally, and since it was not directed at me for once, a funny one. I told Chao lei to go with his father to the store.

           Chao lei: Why do I have to go everywhere with Dad?

            Me: Why do you think? (I expected "to spend time with him." I got...)

            Chao lei: So he won't forget everything. (See my red face choking back laughter after looking to Jared's expression)

There you see Chao lei's moments this week. He attempts to match his sister.

Not Again

One would believe that in the modern Navy, events such as this one would not occur. What event? I am again (still?) a "gook b***h." This time this event was not including a designing woman, so there is that.

I would like to assume that this sailor was simply having a bad day that allowed his sense to leave him. It was all about a parking space. Normally I do not use the reserved parking for command officers. I am not an officer, much less a command officer so I avoid using them usually. Yesterday was an exception. I was under a tight schedule and it was available so this time I pulled in and parked. It seems a sailor wanted the same spot. Why he was upset I do not know. He was an enlisted sailor and ineligible to use the spot. But irritated he was and shouted at me through his window that I was a "gook b***h."

It is my understanding that the term "gook" was applied to people of Vietnamese ancestry. I am of Chinese ancestry. But I am also told that "we all look alike." Really? My husband and children can determine it is me, on site, very reliably, as I stand in the midst of a group of Asians.

I believe this sailor is fortunate that he was not overheard by someone of importance given the proximity of all the reserved spaces. I know he is fortunate that Jared was not present. I have become less sensitive to such name-calling but he seems to react strongly in my defense. 

*edit* It seems our Petty Officer WAS overheard by someone of some rank. My phone rang this morning. The call was from Jared's former captain, who happened to overhear the exchange, asking for my version of what happened . I was informed the PO could face serious consequences. What, would be determined by the PO's command.

I would like to say this did not affect me in the slightest. I would be lying. It was shocking to my system that in the present, someone could be so mean. But I picked myself up and continued my day. His bad day did not have to be mine. I chose to continue in the good mood I had started my day in. I am able to, mostly, do this because of a lifetime of being treated as less than I am. Being female and Chinese is no simple task no matter where you live.

I pray the PO learns and has better days. He likely is not a bad person. He is only a person that had a bad day. I pray that my children do not face these things as frequently as I have and when they do, they are strong to move beyond it. The Navy is a safer place to be but they will not always be around the Navy.

What the Heck?

June is up to antics as usual. With age, she seems a little more clever. Or is it snarky? Whichever it is, she is more of it.

I do my motherly night time patrol of my children checking if they have completed everything required each night before bed. Last night was ... different from normal.

 I see that June's toothbrush is completely dry and take it to her room.

Me: June. Have you brushed your teeth?

June: Yes

Me: June, are you sure you brushed your teeth?

June: Yes.

Me: Then why is your toothbrush dry?

June: I did not say I brushed them tonight. 

 ARG! She is getting too smart for her own good. But she shows she is maturing in other areas as well. One of my favorite times with June is when we are making together; making cookies, making ornaments... A few days ago I asked her if she wanted to make something. This was our interaction:

Me: June. What would you like to make today? Cookies? A craft? Or…

June: Money.

She learns too young. It seems some life lessons will need teaching earlier now. I preferred her desire to make cookies. This girl will drive me crazy someday, I think.