Happy Day to everyone!
SO, this is my first post. Much to Brad's chagrin, I have started a blog about our little adventure over here. Mostly because I have a huge need to be chattering with people and at this time, most of my chatter is in my head. So, since I can't call everyone on the phone just yet (due to technical difficulties and time difference). I figured this was a good way to let people know what was going on in our lives. (Not to mention that I think my friend's blogs are cool, and I want to be just like them!) (hi Sara, Laurie and Tiesha)
(note also: I will be adding more info about our summer trip in the near future!)
So... we're in Japan! We really did make it and the trip itself wasn't as bad as we thought (most likely due to this...
yes, you are seeing that right - we got seated in World Business Class on the top floor of the 747 we flew on. We aren't sure how it happened, but we certainly didn't complain! Right behing Olivia was another 5 year old girl (Marissa) and Olivia's newest friend. Funny enough, she had just come out of 2 years in a Montessori school too, to the communication and playing were really similar! Alessandra enjoyed her big seat too!
We had about a 9.5 hour flight to mainland Japan (a stop at Yokuma Air Base) and then about a 2 hour layover and then another 2 hours to Okinawa.
On the way into Okinawa it was BEAUTIFUL! Clear with little puffy clouds and we got to see the whole island. It was really amazing (sorry no photos, I had just woken up and we were getting ready to land).We got picked up by our sponsor (Sken) and whisked off to the WestPac Lodge on Camp Foster. The next couple of days were a bit blurry with jet lag, strange naptimes and waking up WAY too early to do anything.
Over the weekend we visited the American Village in Chatan-Cho and walked around. There was a festival going on at the beach (pictures of local "fair food" for Ron below) and just people everywhere. We definitely felt a little overwhelmed that first day with lack of communication skills, but it has since gotten better. We had Thai food that night (it was yummy) and took a cab back to base. 
Since then we have been so crazy there hasn't been much time to think! We had a Base Housing Brief on Monday morning on Tuesday we had looked at some houses out in town as well as we got our housing offers here on base, we also took our driver's license test. Tuesday was one of those days that really wears you out! Thankfully Sara was available to Chat on Skype (she is in Cairo, thus only 6 hours behind me and when all of you are peacefully sleeping, she and I can chat away), so she helped me work through the base vs. non-base living ideas and then as I entered yesterday morning (Wednesday) and the ALL DAY Newcomer's Brief, I felt a little more together.
So, we were in this brief all day yesterday. Olivia got to go to the Child Development Center, but they didn't have enough room for Alessandra, so the little crazy one was with us all day. Thankfully she was on her best behavior (we aren't sure how, but we think she does better in public places).
Last night we again felt fried and exhausted. Another dinner at Macaroni Grill (although this time we picked it up) and an evening at the park. Through our night, we decided that we would tkae the plunge and live off base. We figure, the place we decided on is really close to base and better yet... it is on the beach. YES, YOU READ THAT RIGHT - ON THE BEACH! We will be on the 3rd floor, and right in front of our apartment is a walkway/running path that leads right down to a swimming beach and a kid's park. There are Japanese shops and restaurants right near by. SO, if we wanted culture... here it comes!
So, Today Brad went and figured out all of the lease information and jazz. We take possession of our new digs next Wednesday (although they will probably give us the keys on Monday). We called TMO today and it looks like not only our Express shipment arrived, but our other shipment as well! SO, once we get confirmed when all of the fancy government furniture is going to get delivered, our own personal things will come right in tow! We should be in our home with OUR stuff by the end of next week! As hard as a lot of things are - this definitely made me smile!
(thanks Jen for the skype - I needed to vent!)Today we also get to pick up our driver's license's and then we actually get to drive around! We have yet to go look at cars, but found from others that it is easy to come by a decent van for about $4000 and a decent little roller skate car for about $1000. SO, that adventure will happen soon.
On a food note: we finally did have Sushi in Japan. We went to our first "sushi-go-round" the other night. Olivia was especially excited about it as she got to pick things off of the conveyer belt. We enjoyed the experience (and the sushi). 
There are so many things to say and my time is limited for posting (the girls woke up from their naps and we have errands to run). But I wanted to make sure and say hello to you all and THANK YOU for all of the kind emails that you have sent. It has been a tough week and in a lot of ways, it has been getting the better of me, but your kind thoughts have helped out. I will write more and post more photos as soon as I get the opportunity.
