Colors

There are many things about living on a base that are different than living off base. One of these things is Colors. Every morning at 7:50 there is a blast of trumpets to remind you that colors will be playing. At 8:00 you hear the beginning strains of the National Anthem. You stop, face the flag and pay your respects. This also applies if you are driving. In this case you stop, put on your hazards and also listen. In Japan we play the Japanese National Anthem after the American National Anthem. If you ever get a chance to hear these two Anthems together it is something. Very Beautiful. Sometimes I find myself running to get inside before colors (so I am not late for work) but for the most part I stop. I am proud to take the time to stop and respect the flag that so many have fought and died under. Our freedom has cost many lives and that flag represents the sacrifice and honor of those before us. Of the many military traditions, rules, regulations followed on base this one is one of my favorites.

Living Alone

SO my time as a single woman/geobachelorette is coming to an end (in a week). In terms of possible separation this was a relatively short separation (10 weeks rather than 8 months) but I have not liked it. I have survived. I have met friends. I have worked, worked out, cooked, cried, danced, I drank, cleaned, unpacked, and so much more. Ive dealt with a broken stove, smoke detectors beeping in 15 sec increments, household goods delivery, rude neighbor kids, building furniture (about 12 hours of my life LOST to this) and so on. Considering that this is my first time to ever live truly alone it has been an en lighting experience. I respect people who enjoy living alone. That being said I cant wait until Izac gets back. I look forward to doing some of these things with someone. I miss the simple things such as a hug when Ive had a bad day. A cuddle when I wake up. A kiss just because. Friends are great for most things but there is something special that only a partner can provide. I am HOWEVER keeping Girls night!

Saiyuki... My hero the bug killer.

So despite living on the 6th floor I still get some very interesting bugs in my house. I HATE bugs inside my house. Outside fine that is their territory but inside NO. The other night a HUGE moth got into my bedroom. I didn't notice it right away but I did notice Saiyuki freaking out. He has a specific noise he makes when hunting (also when he sees birds). Thats when I noticed the moth thing. The body was the size of a quarter (the wings made it bigger). What did I do you ask? I took a magazine and knocked it down towards the cat. He then pounced on it, batted at it for a bit and then it got away. We went on like this for about 20 mins while I looked for something to catch it with so I could release it outside. Unfortunately the cat ate it instead. I have to make sure he never gets a hold of the stink bugs.

Geobachelorette

So as I live as a geobachelorette and adjust to living alone and doing for myself I feel I am growing as a person. I am doing so much more now than I ever have. I am not worried about doing things by myself because if I dont do it then it wont get done. I am thankful that when I CANT do something people in my small community are willing to help or send their marines to help. I forgot what a supportive community a military base can be. All in all I continue to grow and learn and will hopefully keep doing so while Izac is gone.

Earth Quakin

So I again live where earthquakes are a regular occurrence. The elevators have special sensors that detect quakes and take you to the nearest floor and let you out when they occur. We had one here while I was sitting at the computer. It was sharp and quick. I was not even sure I had felt what I thought it was. I had to confirm with other people that I had indeed felt a quake. The good news is that I remember all the stuff we were taught in school (here in Japan) about quakes and what you need to do to be safe. I wonder what other geological/weather phenomenons I will experience while living here?

Lunch with the girls

Last week while eating lunch with Heide and Li (Heide and I had Subway and Li had what looked like the BEST BLT on the planet) we started talking about Heide's husband's homecoming. He was bringing home most of his laundry dirty. Li asked if they had a housekeeper to help with the laundry. Apparently there was a lady available but she would wash only 9 pieces per guy every two days. After a quick discussion on what counted towards the 9 pieces (a pair of socks is one piece not two) and figuring out that the guys could wash two days of uniforms and under clothing with the 9 article limit I asked about the housekeeper. Li said that in Taiwan and the Philippines and some other countries it is a normal situation to have a live in house keeper. In fact in most middle class homes there is a live in housekeeper. I was trying to process this when Heide said that she had visited a friend/family member who had a housekeeper that pressed ALL laundry including under clothing. I again had to think about this. I have been raised in what is considered an upper middle class house environment in the US and have for many many years done my own laundry. I HATE to iron and often ask the hubby to do it. But would I want someone who is not immediate family to handle my under clothing? (not really I dont even like my grandma to do my laundry). Only one time in my life do I remember a house keeper and it was in Japan. Mitzi, a little Japanese lady, would come in and clean our house (the floors, windows, carpets etc) but never pickup or do laundry. For us it was a luxury to have someone come in and help. Although I also know my mom would go crazy and clean before the cleaning lady came so I dont know why she bothered. Its an interesting conversation that brought to light the differences in the way people live their lives. I am very fortunate that although I grew up one way I have been exposed to other ways of living. I am SO thankful for the opportunity to meet such wonderful people who are willing to talk/share about their culture and the way they grew up. Li promises to teach us how to play mahjong next. I HOPE so.

The Kitchen towel

Moving one part of a multiple family home without a few mixups would be a miracle. Wile unpacking my express stuff I found an old kitchen towel from when my mom liked cows (that means it is AT LEAST 11 years old because she switched from cows to penguins when she started teaching kindergarten). At first I was upset. It is not my towel. After talking with mom and getting her assurance that its ok for it to be here, I find I am a little glad to have it. Its a tiny reminder of home and darn useful. It has been washed countless times and worn in so that it soaks up much better than some other towels (like what I got at the MCX). It has cleaned everything from fine china to spilled food on the floor. I do not have to fear that it will bleed onto other fabric and it cleans up well when I need it to. You may think "Whats the deal? Its just a kitchen towel" to me it is a touch of home.