New Year Without Me

A new school year has begun! It does not include me. I find myself struggling to find constructive things to do.

With our departure date in January, I am unable to accept a full-time teaching position' I am available for sub placements on a limited basis but since it is limited, I am at the bottom of the list to be called in. That leaves me with very little to do. Once again, my habits are proving not to be helpful in keeping me busy. My walls are already bare in preparation of movers boxing everything up. I have already reduced us to bare essentials even though there remains approximately four months before our HHG will be picked up.

Yes, there are appointments that will occupy some time and as we get closer to departure, they will occupy more time but for now I am getting bored. The children are fortunate they still have school to take up their time. At least we save a little money on daycare since I am home with Su all day now. There is planning of a 2^nd birthday party for her, (like that will take so much time). I suppose short trips should occupy our remaining time here.

We have traveled more here. Our last significant trip was to Casablanca, Morocco. We chose this trip for the Casablanca movie. We were a little disappointed there was not more to see of the movie scene locations but that is Hollywood for you.

“Rick's Cafe Americain” was recreated and one can feel they are in a familiar place if they watched the movie (we did just before the trip).

This place never existed in 1942 when the film is set. It is just a recreation of the movie scene but it is true to the set so much that one almost expects Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman to appear. Even the music is a match for the movie, piano music of the 1940's and 1950's each night.

It is located against the Medina of Casablanca, the traditional city center. It is a beautiful area to explore. One tends to preconceive what an area will look like based on the surrounding areas. I will be honest, I did not expect much. I expected dust and dirt made worse by heat but it was very clean and pleasant. It would seem Moroccans take great pride in their city.

It was a very pleasant trip that I wish we had done sooner so that we could do it again. I recommend you visit if the chance presents itself.

We will have short visits to local favorites before we leave, as many as we can fit in four months. My neighbors already plan a Fiesta de Despedida, a going away party, which I very much look forward to. Leaving Spain is eagerly awaited but at the same time is not since I must yet again say goodbye to friends.

At least some time is being filled with activity.

It would seem I am not the mother Chao lei believes I should be. My personality is acceptable. At least, I assume it is since he says nothing of it. My appearance, however, is the matter in question.

I am not supposed to age. I am looking old, according to Chao lei. I am far from old. I am only 44 years old. According to him, I should look like a 20 year old K-Pop star.

Chao lei's AI version of me. :-/

 

I did not look like that even when I was that age. It is not that he thinks of me as ugly. I would just “look better.” His father approves of my current appearance so Chao lei will have to adjust his expectations.

On the husband front, he is home for now. I will take it and enjoy it while I may. Who can know when the next departure will be but I will not look forward to it. To be honest, I believe I preferred the South China sea area. There were tensions there, of course but it seemed more stable people were making the decisions. Perhaps it is because I am originally Chinese so I understand them better. There is a competition between nations that is carefully conducted since neither side wishes war. Peaceful overtures are common. My parents once had dinner in Beijing with Jared as the ship made a port call. I do not anticipate that occurring anywhere in the Gulf. They are two very different areas to operate in.

PCS orders should arrive soon. Where they are to should be known sooner. Meanwhile, there are rumors of Jared's tour being extended. I certainly hope it is not. I am done with Spain. It is not that Spain is a bad place. It is the areas the 5^th Fleet must operate.

I desire a stateside assignment again. Shore duty would not be a bad thing for me. We will see.

 

Sleep Is Elusive.

I admit, I have had difficulty in the past. When I first came to America, I had horrible insomnia. The changes in lifestyle were tremendous; culture shock being the greatest of them. The language only added to everything else. Not that I did not speak any English. But I only spoke English as taught by a teacher who had never visited an English speaking country. Because of that, I was left out of many conversations at first. My dictionary was my lifeline.

Then came the adjustments to being married. I fretted over what to do to be a good wife. Chinese traditions do not work well in a different culture. To complicate it further, I had to adjust to life in the US Navy, married to an officer (the social rules for an officer's spouse are different from an enlistee's spouse.) Being just me was not an option.

PCS can be an intimidating acronym . Especially the first one. Just as you develop your rhythm and identify your “tribe”, you are uprooted and must begin again. Because of weight limits, one must decide what is necessary and what is not. Living out of a suitcase is stressful for even a short time. Being alone in a new place is stressful. Add bored children to the mix and, well...

Now, for the first time,Jared's job is stressful. The whys are not important to anyone but me which is also a stressor since I want to scream about it but can not. The children's constant search for reassurance that Daddy is ok is difficult to live with. Most of the time I can only give them what I hope is true.

My own lack of faith is shining through. It would be easy to blame the stress on the children but it would be untrue. Yes, they add to it a little but the majority of it is my doing. During those quiet hours right after the children have gone to bed, I play “what if” games with myself. Bad idea, I know. My therapist says so but even she can not tell me how to stop it.

I suppose this is the part they warn you about. “Military members jobs are hazardous and can lead to different bad outcomes” they say. It is usually accepted as a fact superficially and you come to terms with it. Once things do become hazardous for real though, the terms change. Now it is more than just a cautionary tale that COULD happen. It is now what IS happening.

Now we will experience homecoming from an entirely different point of view.

New Year

Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) is here. The official day is Tuesday but the observance begins today and it lasts for seven days. For those who are curious, it is the Year of the Horse.

Traditions are numerous. First (and to some the most important) is thoroughly cleaning the house. It is not a simple tidying up. Having dirt anywhere is considered bad luck. Not that it brings bad luck but prohibits luck from coming into the house. Since my house now is a minimalist style, this is no as difficult as it was in previous years. When I bought my house, the first year was miserable to clean.

Another is hanging Duilian on the door posts. Duilian are red banners with poems written on them that express happiness and hopeful thoughts for the coming year.  

We will also hang red lanterns in our courtyard. You have probably determined by now that red is a lucky color in China. My wedding was red (that confused some family members lol). No Chinese bride would not have red in her wedding. We will also have extra green plants around since they symbolize wealth and good fortune.

 

I have also decided to give hongbao to not only my children but to my students also. I thought to introduce a small amount of Chinese customs to my students. Hongbao are small red envelopes that contain gifts, such as money or sweets. My students will receive envelopes containing chocolate coins. My children will receive money. I only have not decided if it will be Dollars or Euros. They will be happy with either I think. That they will have their extra money is all that is considered.

The Chinese population in Spain is actually quite large so there are festivities planned for the community at large. We will again spend the daay watching a parade and dragon dances while enjoying food booths offering traditional festival foods.

I believe it will be an enjoyable holiday this year. It will be our last so we will make of it what we can.

春节快乐 Happy Spring Festival, everyone!

Holiday is Over

 

It has been a good holiday for us. Jared made it home for Christmas. We were not sure that would happen so it was an extra blessing. It has been a gamble. We had him this year. We did not last year, we did the year before, we did not the year before that, we … well... you get the point. It is good enough to say we had him this year.

It is difficullt to have very many family traditions that include Jared. Something I enjoy tremendously is sitting with him on Christmas morning watching the children open gifts. Sometime I think Jared is more surprised at what he got them than they are. I should probably better inform him of that. Lol

I have been rather attached to Jared since he has been home. There is no telling how much time we will have before he sails again and school resumes tomorrow. I confess. Retirement for Jared looks good to me and he is mere weeks from eligible but there have been no discussions of it so...

Out next assignment is on the horizon though and much to Jared's disappointment, it will likely be a shore assignment. I will not complain. It would be good to have a “normal” life at least for a short time. Jared is not a fan of serving ashore but he will concede the necessity of it for a well rounded career. Let the assignment shopping begin!

The children are becoming curious as to where we will live next. I tell them it will be a place they have never lived before except for Chao lei but he was too young to remember. Jun wishes to start language classes to prepare for the move. “America speaks English” I tell her. She seems disappointed. She will have to be content with speaking her Japanese/Spanish/English hybrid she speaks now. Or perhaps she can learn to use each of those separately and at the correct moments.

I tend to believe that after Jared retires, we will find ourselves completely at a loss for what to do. What will our new normal look like? With no mention of retirement, I suppose we should not dwell on it to much for now. It makes no sense to stress when there is nothing to stress about yet.

Well That Was Electrifying

I have had an interesting week. I have been in the hospital experiencing Atrial Flutter. What is that you ask? It is much like A Fib with the exception of it being on the top of the heart rather than the bottom. What causes it? In my case, it was medication, or more accurately more medication than was required.

I woke up three days ago feeling normal enough. My smart watch disagreed as it flashed three health alarms for a high heart rate. I do not trust a watch completely so I tried to find my pulse in my neck but could not. I set myself up with our BP cuff which confirmed a heart rate of 158bpm. Not good I thought yet I did not feel anything was wrong so I continued my morning, getting the children ready for school but had decided I would go to Urgent Care to have it checked.

After leaving Su at day care, I proceeded to Urgent Care. Did you know it is unnerving to have a nurse ask if I drive myself then saying never mind, she was going to call an ambulance? It seems A Flutter is more serious than I believed it to be.

I had time for one phone call before the ambulance arrived so I called Jared to let him know and to call the school right away to allow them time to get a sub to cover my classes. After laying there all day, the decision was made to do electrical cardioversion, otherwise known as stopping my heart and restarting it to return it normal rhythm. Can you say sore chest? I had less grogginess after they removed my thyroid.

The investigation into what caused this episode is too much thyroid medicine. It seem I ran out of my proper dose (132 mcg) and began taking a higher dose (175 mcg) without realizing it. In my defense, the pills are the same shape and color. Usually they change at least the color. Since I tend to be a creature of habit, I saw only color and shape. I will be paying closer attention for here on.

I can think of better ways to get a week off from work that do not involve getting stuck with a needle fifty times. All my inattention gained me was three more prescriptions and a thousand questions from co-workers and students that will be asked next week when I return to school.

It did get Jared a couple of extra days off of work though I am not sure it can be considered days off when one must care for children.

A Happy Future

We have been here in Rota for a little over a year (by a few days) and things have certainly changed.

I remember my children at the beginning of this tour and how timid they were. They were so much unlike their normal selves. Who knew that a soccer ball could have so much influence on their outlook? Inigo, the first boy to greet Chao lei, remains his friend. In fact, they are usually found playing together at some game or other. So much so that I have been tempted to find a new home for the Xbox because it is used so little. Alas, it remains fiercely protected.

Vendors are usually very pleasant

 I remember our first place to explore was Puerto de Santa Maria. It is where I discovered that one does not shop during siesta and that after siesta it is the best time to be at the street markets sampling the fare at the food vendors.  I do not know about you, but I have found that the food from a street vendor often trumps a sit-down restaurant. Sandwiches and snacks on a stick are everywhere. One may even find some delicious version of paella. Did you know there is more than a single type of paella? Puerto de Santas Maria has become our home grounds and we have learned its in-and-outs quite well I believe.

A new way to have Ham and Cheese

 Unlike at my arrival here at Rota, I can look forward to returning to teaching this fall. A position opened unexpectedly, and I was available. I was able to substitute teach last year and it was enough to keep me busy(ish) but it was not the same as having my own classes. This year, that changes. Jared’s tour has been extended by a year so I have a two year availability for the school, enough to occupy a teaching position.

It seems our touring schedule will need modifications. This does not upset me at all. The children and I will again return to our school schedule. Su will do as her siblings did and face being in childcare but again, the center is very near campus allowing me to visit during her day so her time apart from me is minimal.

I am looking forward to this next year. While we wait for the new school year, let the tourism begin in earnest.

Success!

The decision is made. I will become a full-time teacher in the new school year. I will teach Computer Science 1,2, and 3. An additional Mandarin class has been added to the curriculum but that is not a guarantee of a class being assembled. Student interest requirements must be met so we will see.

Again, I will face the question of which name I will use; title or married? In Japan I used my Chinese title (Lao shi) to avoid distraction. For some reason, some people thought I had some kind of influence because of Jared’s position so avoiding the link between Jared and me seemed prudent. This being a much smaller base, I see the potential for more thinking of this sort. I am uncertain how well that would work in this Spanish heavy environment though. It could be confusing. “Maestra” may work. Maybe Mrs. Mei.

In any case, it seems this summer is to be dedicated to tourism. Our London trip is set for July and Madrid is set for the beginning of August. Paris will have to wait until next summer. It seems funny that during the height of tourism season, we will be going to London while many Londoners will be coming here for their holiday.

We will fill on the weekends with short side trips to different places in Spain or anywhere within a reasonable train ride from Rota.

Good News?

Now that school is out for the summer, their plans for next year have begun. I believe it is safe to say that administrators enjoy much less time off than teachers. One of the subjects that is discussed is staff and potential changes to that staff.

This past year, I have served as a substitute teacher. It is not as I wished it to be, but it was satisfying and helped me not to miss it so much. Yesterday, I got some potentially good news from the Superintendent.

It is likely that next year I will be a full-time teacher at the high school. If I am, I will teach Computer Science and possibly Mandarin. Computer Science is all but assured. It is a college prep course with no teacher for next year and several students are declaring interest in the class already.

The original request was if I would be interesting in teaching a “Chinese” language class. I had to explain to them that they must be specific as there really is no distinct language called Chinese. What people think of as Chinese could be any one of several dialects, most of which are very distinct from others to the point of not being understood. I must assume they are wanting the common language (government language) be taught so Mandarin it is.

It is the Mandarin class that is not set. It requires approval, funding, and students. Approval has been acquired. Funding is applied for but not guaranteed.

Students must sign up for the class. It requires a minimum of six students to show interest in taking the class. If we get the funding, the class will be listed in the updated curriculum guides.

I will be informed by Friday if I have a full-time position next year. I am eagerly waiting to discover what I will be doing next school year.

We have also discovered Jared’s tour here will be extended at least 12 months. I am not upset with the idea of not moving after only two years. My children have little enough certainty in their lives. Staying longer is good for them knowing they will not be uprooted again so soon.

My little family has had a lot of fun these past two weeks. Combined with Father’s Day, other activities filled our time for which I will make a post dedicated to only that.

Other things put a damper on our lives but I will not speak of them. I will instead focus on what is good. “Nuff said.”

Set to Begin Summer

Already, we are registering the children for next years schooling. This year has passed by very quickly. The scary thing is, Chao lei will be 7^th grade next year. I think I feel every minute of my age when I think of this. While I have always wanted children, I did not plan to have them age so quickly. I had hoped they would remain my little bundles for much longer than they have. Now I must look forward to the mental trauma of Jun reaching the same age as her brother is now. She already eyes what little makeup I have. I think her father will become aware of just how little makeup I wear when she begins to wear it. At least I have a few years to pretend that Su will not grow up so fast.

Our neighborhood is beginning the summer season change. It is becoming warmer and we are beginning to see temperatures in the 80's more often. Our winds usually come from off shore so it is not too hot. I am content with light breezes and temperatures in the mid 70's to low 80's.

It is perfectly comfortable to hold the community fiestas right now. I eagerly await the first bowls of Tinto de Verano, a simple red wine and lemon-lime soda drink that I have tried to duplicate myself. My efforts result in something that is acceptable but I cannot seem to duplicate it as Marisol or Adella prepares it.

More tourists are being seen in the park so there is more talk of watching the children as they play. Since there are no attractions in our park, it causes the locals to view them with suspicion. We are far from the nightclubs but we are just off the beaches. I am told those that have drank too much often wander to the beach. All that I have met so far have been older and seem to be wonderful people so I assume the suspicions are founded on past experiences during the peak of tourist season. I suppose it is part of living in a tourist destination town.

We plan a lot of traveling this summer. So far, trips to Paris and London are scheduled but I hope to work in Florence, Italy even if only for an abbreviated winery tour. Perhaps a solo trip with MWR would be in order. I have only to convince Jared to keep his children by himself. Sure... that will happen. Lol

It is only three weeks until school is out for the summer then we can begin being tourists in earnest. I look forward to experiencing it with my children.

That was... Fun

 We had a power outage. Not your regular “Oh no! The power is out in the neighborhood!” It was an “Oh no! The power is out in the entire Country!”

I have never experienced an outage that affected the entire nation and many other parts of Europe. It is eerie when one looks outside and there are no lights... anywhere. It lasted all night and into late the next evening. School was canceled for the day and most offices and stores were closed. Power off base was finally restored at approximately 10 pm.

The most horrible thing to happen, according to my children anyway, there was no TV or internet! Horror of horrors! Fortunately for them, no other school had electricity so all the neighborhood children were home and they all remembered there was an outside to play in that needed no power beyond their own.

For me, I made myself comfortable on a bench and did something I do not often do, read a book. Not my normal fare, but a “Historical Fiction” novel called “All the Light We Cannot See.” It is interesting so far. It is also easier to read than my usual fare.

The base recovered sooner since they have power generators of their own. It is a good thing they do else a carrier would have returned with little fanfare. There was also the convenience of hot food being available for us in limited amounts.

In all, the night and day proved to be a blessing in disguise. As a family we rediscovered how to be a family independent of electronics and other distractions. We discovered that we can, in fact, have fun playing board games,  and wrestling with each other (well, them and Jared. Their mother does not wrestle well).

I will be sure to not forget the lessons of a power outage.

A Fun Week So Far

 

I have finished a week of substituting at the high school. I have missed teaching.

Much to the surprise of the students, I knew the subject matter (calculus) and was able to conduct a legitimate class. The students had hoped for a clueless fill-in that would allow them a week of no studies. Since I know their teacher, I knew what she was teaching and where she was leading them. They were sorely disappointed.

Despite the surprise of real class work, the students were wonderful to be in class with. The usual characters were present of course; the jokester, the prankster, the “Sheldon” (you know, the one that knows he is smarter than everyone else). I believe I would have enjoyed full-time teaching here very much. I will be sure to apply at our next posting as soon as we discover where it is.

In my dance class I was informed I met a dancing milestone. I broke a heel on my shoe during a paso doble. It is a VERY active dance. I was informed you may not call yourself a dancer until you have broken a heel doing a paso doble. Yay me! Perhaps I should pay the $150.00 for the recommended shoes. The fall was very entertaining for Chao lei it seems, based on his loud laugh. Jun thought it was just another part of the dance.

So, I worked, played, and looked foolish for my children. It was a great week! I should do it again.