So Soon?

Here we are just arrived. I saw my husband and he showed us our new home. Now he is gone after only 2 days. The return to sea duty has happened without mercy. I do not know why I would have thought it would be different. The last time at the least the ship was in dry dock for some time.

It is fortunate that I have been here before. I know where most things are and know how to find my way around our neighborhood and, most importantly, how to get to the base. I am also fortunate that a car was bought before the Cmdr left. My Japanese license remains valid so there is no test to be done again.

Now, if only my hhg would arrive. Base furniture serves its purpose but is not to my tastes. When the shipment is delivered, which is supposed to be next week (it's always next week), decorating will begin in earnest. Bare walls remain ugly despite of the beauty of the house.

Mother has written and expressed her desire to visit soon. She wishes to see a Japanese house rather than a military tower apartment. She also threatens to bring Jiao since her last visit was to care for my house after Chao lei was born.

Arrive in Japan, check. See my husband, check. adjust to time difference, in progress. Show happiness of return, check. Actually be happy I have returned, tbd.

Here We Go Again

Beginning again at a different base. There are new faces and there are familiar faces. After visiting Mother and Father in Xi"an, I have returned to Japan and the same ship's family. Only in the navy can you return to a family but recognize no one in it. We now sit in our house with temporary furniture. It is functional but not to my tastes. It is fortunate for me that my furniture will be delivered in only two weeks.

Chao lei is doing well with  the relocation so far. That was put in doubt by the flights to China and then to Japan. He was not happy of it at all. First, the altitude changes were uncomfortable for him. I tried to keep him fit knowing what stuffiness does to one flying. The morning of our flight, his nose required a tissue. It seems that was enough to make him miserable. As we went got to altitude his ears finally equalized and the pain ceased.

I remember saying that 15 hours on an airplane is difficult no matter its size. As an adult, it is difficult no matter the diversions you provide for yourself but you know the necessity of the flying so endure it with some patience. For a six year old it seems as unending torture. It is impossible to carry enough to occupy them. Their patience is short. Chao lei did not fly as easily as I had hoped. The descent did not help matters. The flight to Japan nearly required me to drag him onto the plane. His worsening cold caused his resistance to increase.

It seems my son will not be a flyer. Unfortunately for him, there is at the least one more flight in his future.

It is disappointing

Blogs seem to be fading away. Jen is taking a break (I hope that is all it is), Skinnie Piggie is gone, Haphazard Kat now spends her time on Facebook. Even Zery Kyd/Extreme Introvert rarely posts.

I suppose it is inevitable. Blogs were once the venue to speak about your life but then came Facebook. It is easier to post short notes and pictures there. A short not is easier to write. A blog requires some deeper thought. I have both.

My Facebook account is newish. I post short thoughts occasionally but it is not suited to long and thoughtful posts. Most will not read them. They are interested in small snapshots that can be viewed quickly, replied to just as quickly and then move on to the next post. For me, Facebook lacks a sense of connection.

Through my blog, I have "met" many people. The ones I follow I have done so for some time. I read of Jen and Kyle's finally successful efforts to have Emersyn in their life. My happiness for them was outpaced only by my own son being born. I have spoken with Zeri Kyd on many of his life challenges. I have watched as Kat became a successful photographer. I have several of her photographs on my wall (stolen but with her permission). I have even watched her son Dak grow into a man. Jean helped me in my change from a normal person to a navy wife. I have received from themfrom them encouragement and sage advice.

These people helped me in my transition from a lost Chinese girl to a successful American to a wife and mother. I can not imagine how different it could have been without them.

Now I face a return to Japan and the isolation that entails. In Pensacola, my husband went to work in the morning and returned in the evening. A return to sea duty means a return to him leaving for work one morning and returning several weeks/months after.

I must do this without those who were there before. But I will do this with others I did not have before.

Sometimes, I do not care for change. Sometimes, change is good. We will see in time which this is.