Top Ten What I Will Miss About Japan

10.  I will miss fresh sushi!  I use to think sushi was California Rolls........HAAAAAA!  I thinks not now!  I loves me some tuna! 

9.   Speaking of food......I will miss their scrumdiddlyumptious candy and all sorts of "yummy to your tummy" snacks.  They have something for all sorts of palates.  Whether you want something sweet or sour...or perhaps you want a Ube ice cream (Purple yam ice cream) or squid flavored lollipop (who doesn't want that!).  It's endless!

8.  Okinawan dance........Eisa!  How I miss watching it so or just hearing it randomly down some street.  The first time I seen and heard it I thought I was going to cry (don't tell anyone).  The amount of heart and soul that the locals put into it does not go unnoticed. I can feel the heart of the people running through my body.  I can't even begin to explain.  Something always comes over me.  I don't know if it is spirtual or what..........ah............forget it.  You know what I mean.  I'll miss it. 

7.  I loves me some karaoke.  I got hooked in Okinawa and have had several nights out at karaoke bars.  I don't recall them back in the states.  I do love the open bar scene and making a fool of yourself in public, but it's also nice to be able to have your own room and commence to embarrassing yourself amongst folks you know.  Plus they bring you drinks and food if you want.  Special phone in each room.  Yes.....you have to pay for it, but you don't have to leave your party room for anything.......unless you must tinkle.  Even than, you really don't have to leave the room.  -HUSH....who said that?-

6.  OMG......their WASHLET!!!  If I had a toilet that was nice and warm when I sat on it, played the sound of waterfall, squirted water on your booty hole or front ...........I would never leave the bathroom.  I'm so buying one for my future home.  In every single bathroom. 

5.   Winning at poker all the time.  I feel so horrible taking my friends money each and every time we play(giggle giggle).  It's so easy though.  I could do it blindfolded.  Although I will miss it....at the same time......I need a challenge!  Jeff, Jason, Jess, Mr. Riggs, Steve, Ivan, Melissa...........You should probably get my autograph now......mark my word......I will someday win the WSOP!  


4.  Feeling safe.  I could walk around Japan and not have to worry about someone trying to mug, rape, or harm me in any way.  The well-being for my children and I was never a concern when out and about.  I left my purse at the airport one time traveling to Thailand.  Ask me if I was worried?  Huh?  Ooooo.....nooooo.....I knew once I returned it would be turned in and all items would still be there.  How great is that!

3.  Traveling and learning the culture.  I've been fortunate enough to travel the world on Uncle Sam's dolla dolla bill y'all, but there is so much more to see here and I won't be able to see all that I wanted in 6 more weeks.  That was piss poor planning on my part.  :(  I am very appreciative of what I have been able to see with my Family and by myself.  Not everyone gets this opportunity.


2.  Command!  It's been the most job satisfaction position that I have held in my 17 years in the military.  I've learned so much from my seniors, peers and the Soldiers.  I just hope that I was able to make a difference in their lives as well.  I'm walking away from Command here soon feeling confident that they will be in good hands and knowing that each and every one of my Soldiers will be successful.  Whether it's the decision to continue in the military or if they choose to get out.  They have the tools.  I just hope they paid attention.  LOL.


1.  I'm not one to make lots of friends.  I mean, I have aquaintences, but friends.......you are pretty darn special if I have you in that boat.  LOL.  I will miss the few friends that I do have here, but I hope to keep the communication going and maybe someday meet you in Vegas during the WSOP (those that play of course).  Damn......those are some big dreams I have for you guys.  You really must mean a lot to me.  LMAO.

Sad Face

Want in one hand.........shit in the other.  Well, I have a handful of dung that I wish I could get away with and act like an ape and throw it at someone in particular without getting in even more poop.  You ever feel that way?  Just asking.

 The great think about our imagination is just that........it's endless.  The world is yours to imagine whatever your little heart desires. I will tilt my head slightly to the right, look up in the sky and dream of the many ways I could endure EVIL onto this....this.....UGH.  I'm thinking petroleum (thanks Battle for that), a drive by, quartering, a swift kick in the gonads........endless.  

It's just that you want something so bad, it's handed to you on a silver platter.......than.........WABOOSH!  Yes....WABOOSH!  Your dreams stripped away for a moment.  Just makes you want to stab someone with a steely knife. The closer it gets to when something was suppose to happen, the more chapped I get.  Perhaps I'm just a bit spoiled because I'm still going to get what I want.  Just not on my glidepath. 

It's like the picture below. 

Yaaaa...........here you go........sure........not a problem.......so stoked about it for you.......ROCK ON......no issues here..........it's all yours..........take it.........do what you want with it.......GO FOR IT........DIG IN.........have a bite.............

SYK!!!  No no no..........not right now silly rabbit.  Tricks are for kids. 

Sad face.

Life

When life gives you lemons................you make margaritas!

Top Ten Reasons Why I Love My Husband

10.  He ALWAYS takes my feelings into consideration and usually lets me win when I shouldn't.  :(  I can certainly learn from him.  I will admit,  I can be a mega bitch sometimes.  I LOVE YOU MIKE!

9.  He loves me soooo good (bow chica wow wow).  Hence 5 children. 

8.  He's my first, my last, my everything, and the answer to all my dreams....wait....are those my own words?  LOL.  O well.....he is.  Through the hardest times in our life.....he has NEVER discarded me or walked away.  Believe me, if you know my personality......you would want to run like the wind....wait.....I think I've been doing too much karaoke.  LOL.
 

7.  I love the way I could start a sentence and he can end it for me.  The way I try to explain something (VERY VAGUE) and he knows EXACTLY what I'm talking about.  XOXOXO!

6. I love that he will take care of all those nasty tasks that I just don't want to do.  Like changing those dirty ole diapers that run up the back (gag) or puke from one of the kids when they are sick (gag) or even when mommy is sick.  He cares.

5.  I love the fact that we share one passion together (other than our Family).  TEXAS HOLD'EM!!!  I just feel so horrible for him when I kick his ass on the felt.  ;)  What? What?  It's true.  ;)

4.  I love that he loves me no matter how pleasantly plump I am.  He tells me just about every single day how beautiful I am no matter how I look.  He loves me for me (I'm still getting my boobs!).  He makes me feel beautiful inside and out.

3.  I love the way we have grown in our relationship.  How much we truly trust each other as all relationships should.  Without trust....leads hardship.  We are one.

2.  He is the greatest husband I've ever had!!!!  Okay, he IS the greatest husband ANYONE could have.  He's ALL MINE!  He takes care of me and supports me.  I love him for this.

1.  He is the BEST daddy EVER.  He truly takes care of our children.  Makes sure they come first.  Makes sure when they are down that he tries to resolve the issue going through their little brains.  He plays with them.  Helps them with their homework.  Is the doctor when they are sick.  He's their cook, their chauffeur,  their maid, their disciplinary, their friend..........he is the best role model a child could have.  Well......everyone has their flaws.....so I will admit.....if he could just give them less chips.  LOL.  Sorry....had to throw that in there.  :(  I love you Michael Lee Medley!!!!!

IDK

I don't know, but I just haven't been in the mood to blog.  I can't blame it on the earthquake or my Family departing.  I can't say I haven't had the time because I have more than enough time on my hands right now.  I just.......well........too darn lazy, I guess.  I'm famous for starting personal projects and never finishing it.  Mike can atest to this, but the one that I truly want to push forward with is this whole blog thingy.  It allows for my friends and relatives to read and track what is happening in our lives.

So, where do I start?  How about 11 March 2011.  This is a pretty significant day.  I've never been in an earthquake per say.  Sure, I've felt tremors here and there, but WOW.....this was mothernature at her best.  I was sitting in the BN XO's office with a couple other folks.  The BN XO's office is like the hub for people to release all issues.  What's great about it is that when I walk out his door I have my problems pretty much resolved.  Whether it's him or some other random character trying to get results....you leave with an answer.  Anyways, so there we were, trying to resolve issues.  Next thing you know the earth was shaking as if we were in a snowglobe and someone was wanting to see the perty snow rise and fall.  I have to be honest...I wasn't scared in the least.  I was like "WOOOO, this is awesome!"  After we assemble outside (okay.....not a smart thing with all the powerlines and other structures that can easily topple on someone), take accountability, get the ALL CLEAR.....we head back inside.  So, where do I go?  Yes, the BN XO's office.  Hmmm.....where did he disappear to?  Ahhh, he's outside.  LOL.  Where do I go?  YES....outside.  The earth begins to shake again.  Literally, I'm swaying left to right.  It's wicked crazy.  I'm thinking to myself that this is so sweet.  I regret those thoughts.  I surely didn't think of the 2nd and 3rd order effects from this massive quake.  People lost their lives cause of this (God bless them).  Not much later came the tsunami, mad issues with the power plant, and the hustle and bustle to get Families that want to voluntary depart the AO to feel safe.  That's where I am right now in life.  My Family is gone.  They will not return back to Japan.  Following this assignment I will more than likely deploy.  Don't get me wrong, I'm a trooper and can handle the situation, but it does tug at my heart knowing they miss me so.  I would like to think that I AM the glue that keeps this Family together.  LOL!!!  What?  It's true.  ;)  I'm so fortunate that I have such a wonderful husband.  He's not only that, but he's a KICK ASS DADDY!  I know my children are well taken care of and that gives me piece of mind. 

And pray tell what you have been up to, since your husband and kids are away?  Let's see, I plead the 5th!!!!  No really, my days consist of work, coming home and lots of Facebook.  Wednesday is my night to play poker at the Camp Zama Community Club and the weekends I mope around the house.  ALL DAY LONG.  That's my story and I'm sticking to it.  ;)  I do miss my Family, but it is what it is.  I would prefer it was me gone than my husband.  I just don't think he would be able to handle it as well as I.  Not that he loves them more or he is weaker......it's just........difficult to explain really.  I guess I'm use to being gone.  Whether its a night, week, months.  I can deal with it. 

So anyways, here I am.  Sitting on my la-z-boy.  I have about 3 more months of this and i'm outta here.  I will miss Japan dearly.  I'm not through with her yet though.  So many places to explore yet.  Wish the Family could join me, but I'm not going to mope around the house.  HAHAHA.  Love each and every one of you.  See you on the flip side.

XOXOXOXO

I Stand By My Decision!

There are times in your life that you are going to have to make difficult decisions.  Once you have assessed the situation, laid out the different courses of actions (COA)....final step is to select the best COA and move out.  Don't feel bad because you have onsies or twosies that disagree.  Just make a decision.  There's never a time when the entire audience will completely agree with you.  

Mother Nature

Mother nature can be a real bitch sometimes. Below is a video taken by a lady here on Camp Zama during the largest earthquake I have experienced.  As a matter of fact, it is reportedly the biggest recorded in Japanese history and the 5th largest in the world.  8.9-magnitude earthquake.  Crazy.  So many lives lost. 

Top Ten Things I Would Rather Do Than Run

10.  I would rather eat 30 boxes of ho-hos (mmmmmm......ho-hos) in a 5 minute time limit.

9.  I would rather have a show called "Mike and Jen Plus Ten."  Heck, 11, 12, 13, 14 ,15............

8.  I would rather have bamboo shoots shoved under my fingernails (I do need a manicure).

7.  I would rather be doused in petroleum and set aflame.

6.  I would rather someone cut slits all over my body with a rusted razor blade and soaked in a bath full of rubbing alcohol (what's another tattoo or two).

5.  I would rather jump off a 50 foot cliff with a 55 foot bungee cord wrapped around my ankle (that might leave a mark).

4.  I would rather give a speech on the technical comprehension of chemical disruption of the DeLorean to the 3rd power over the letter Z minus 0 given a flux capacitor and a safety pin wearing a pink tu-tu and sporting a "GI JANE" hair-do. 

3. I would rather jump from a C-17 in the middle of Korowai tribe in Papua, Indonesia.  Strapped to my front is a sign that says "long lost tribe member" and on the back it says "I'm a witch."

2. I would rather have my husband give me papercuts for as many times as I have had him stop and get me a cup of joe (BTW...that's a lot).

1. I WOULD RATHER BE THROWN IN A POOL OF FREAKING SHARKS WITH FREAKING LASERS ON THEIR HEAD.

Snow Bunny!

So, for the longest time I felt so sad for my oldest daughter.  As she was growing up I enrolled her in soccer, softball, basketball, cheerleading, hop scotch, kickball, jump rope, 4 square...lol.....you name it.  Unfortunately, she just didn't have the skills.  Couldn't get the fundamentals down.  BUT.....I think we found her nitche.  Her place in the athletic world, if you will.  SKIING!  She completely rocks it.  Not only is she really good at this sport, but she is the prettiest snow bunny I've ever seen.  ;)  Her first time skiing was 26 December 2009 and she has been on several ski trips since we've been stationed here on mainland Japan.  I just hope we will be able to support this passion she has for this sport.  Enjoy the pics.  

 Asia's first ski trip to Tanbara Ski Park

      Skiing Iwappara

Skiing Naeba

Snowboarding Naeba.  She enjoyed this as well.  I know she would rock it if given the opportunity again.

 Asia and her best friend Alex skiing Sapporo

Skiing Iwappara again with her friends Sophie and Sydney

I'm so happy that we are able to give her this opportunity to explore her horizons.  Some people just are not fortunate enough to give so many opportunities to their children and I certainly do not take it for granted.  Life is good to me and my family.

How....Bizaar?

One thing I love about being overseas is shopping the bazaars.  You can usually find all kinds of treasures for anyone that is near and dear to you.  This past weekend I hit the Camp Zama Bazaar, but it was....well....kind of bizaar because there really wasn't much there (sorry MIL....I didn't get you anything this time).  Not what I had really expected.  Much smaller than others that I have been to.  I will say though....it was nice to walk and peruse the items and I saved money.  I give it.....

ONE THUMB UP!

They had a couple rows of tents full of old and new items....cool and not..so...cool products. 

Cool....puzzle box!

Cool....Kokeshi Dolls!!

Cool....Kimonos!!!

Cool...gorgeous blue table ware!!!!

Cool....old man writing in Kanji!!!!!

Not so cool.....toys the vendor probably paid a buck for, but charged us an arm and leg.  Toys that I couldn't say no to my daughter because she stuck out those pouty lips...you know.....the one that mommy can't say "no" to.  Toys that they play with for one day. Not because they wouldn't play with it again, but because it broke.  It didn't break because it wasn't handled properly.  It broke because it was made purely of crap and it was sold to suckers like me.  :(  Anyways....moving on.....

Last, but not least....not so cool....fake hair hats.  These hats make two adorable kids look like complete dorks.  LOL.  I still love them dorks.

At the end of the day, I bought a couple small items and the girls where happy.  That's all that matters!

What Was I Thinking?

When I told Mike we were going to go out to eat, I'm sure what he heard was "Take two chopsticks and gouge my eyes out."  I almost forgot why we really never go out to eat with all the kids.  Tonight reminded me of exactly why we take it "TO GO."

I love my kids....I really do, but you have to know your limitations.  I mean, yeah....we can handle them, but why put ourselves through the torture in public when we can take the same torture at the house, BUT we can give hell back without having all eyes on us from others.  

I have some really good friends.  I mean, if I knew a family like mine I would spend time with them, but the day they asked me if I wanted to spend an evening out to a restaurant with the entire family....well....I'm sure something would come up that I would have to take a reign check......every....single.....time....I was asked.  LOL.  I appreciate it.  I do, but I will never ask again.  That is misery wanting company (of course I'm exaggerating...somewhat).

We get to Great - Viking Restaurant.  So excited.  I could just smell the aroma seeping out the building.  My tummy does flips excitedly.  I figured there was going to be, at a minimum, a 10 minute wait, but we ended up waiting about an hour.  OMG.....an hour.  A total of 5 adults and 6 children.  Someone choke me already.  This happened to be my GREAT idea.  

And this guy was not really happy with it.  Thank god he loves me for reasons other than my bright ideas.  

But he was a trooper and a scholar!!!

 He made me so proud.  Proud because he didn't give me an ear full!

No issues with this kid.  Until you ask him to clean his room and all hell breaks loose, but tonight, he was an angel and he minded well.  

 It was still a great experience with the group to sit on cushions on tatami mats and have the hot cloth to wipe our hands or our kids faces.

Don't let this smile fool you.  He's a devil in disguise right now.  ;)

There's nothing better than to end your meal by making your own cotton candy.  Super scrumptious.

  Thanks to all that joined the circus this evening .  We'll be here all week! 

B-Ball Time!

There is no fear greater than having my child feel as if they failed.  It's the process that they go through in their little brains.  Things like "I suck," "I'm a loser," or "No one likes me because they won't throw the ball to me."  I want my children to be confident in whatever task that is presented to them.  No matter the outcome, as long as they give their 100% effort they will be successful (okay...that's loser talk....j/k) and this is what I try to instill in them. Okay.....my boy is playing basketball (on a team) for the first time ever.  I'm so proud of him.  He absolutely loves it.  I don't worry so much that he will get physically hurt (that's going to happen and it toughens a kid up) during practice or a game.  I worry that he will feel that he's not good enough or if he feels as if he's not contributing to the team.  He hasn't addressed or shown any signs of his fear of inability to perform his position, but when my husband comes home from practice I always ask "how did he do?"...."did he get the ball?"......."did he make any baskets?"  Sometimes a parent worries more than the child (I know this).  I just want to ensure he atleast gets to touch the ball.  I've been there (this is where is stems from....LOL).  It's funny how I was always open, but the ball never ended up in my arms (@!$@#%).  :(  It's all good.  

So, my husband is one of the coaches on the team.  I feel so much better because now I know my boy will play EVERY SINGLE TIME.  LOL.  J/K.  I do know that my husband is fair.  He will ensure that each child gets their chance and MY SON WILL PLAY EVERY SINGLE TIME.  Really...that's not true (cough cough).

My son also has a good support system.  Here he is with his sister and friend (mommy is behind the lens).  Just having Family and Friends there to show that you are rooting for them is a help and makes them feel special. 

And not special like short yellow bus!

What what!!!!  Here is my boy traveling like a mug attempting to put this ball in a 18" in diameter hoop. 

 

Here he is again AND HE HAS THE BALL (Mommy is happy).

That's my boy.....#3.  Faster than a gazelle on the courts.  Shoots like a.......well......let's just say he needs help in that area.  

It's all good.  He'll get to learn the sport, learn how to be a team player and decide if he wants to try this basketball thing again. I hope so.  He really looks like he enjoys it.  I will post a video once I figure out how to collect it from a friends FB post.  He's too freaking cute.

Cohesion

This weekend there was some social cohesion amongst several personnel from my work force.  At times people think "why would I want to hang out with folks I have to see all day?"  Well....because.....it's important.  A person that can work and play together will more than likely accomplish the mission in a timely manner.  You have a better chance of achieving task cohesion.  Unfortunately, if you dislike someone you tend not be as  motivated to coordinate your efforts as a team to achieve whatever goal that has been set forth (not me though....lol). 
  Let me also say, as it is important to have social and task cohesion it's all about balance in the end.  For instance, too much socialization can lead to insubordination.  You have to find balance in your life (work, home, self......).   Enjoy the pics.


What better way to bond with your peers and subordinates alike with a pitcher of yummies.

Maybe not a pitcher, but certainly yummy......once you get past all the head in there. 

So, I had to take the train.  All by myself.  I was a little intimidated at first.  I don't like doing things by myself.  I was successful though.  YAY ME! 
We start off at some restaurant that I've never been to, but it's definitely a place I would go back.

Even though it was a good time, I don't know why I continue to put myself in positions like so.  I always get picked on.  It's like I'm always reliving my middle school years.  :( 

That's okay.  After throwing some back I saw lips moving, but words were not coming out.

We later head to The Hub which was not far from the restaurant we started at.

Once we had our fill of The Hub we head over to the nearest karaoke bar to end our night.  I love karaoke!!!!  Well, once I get that liquid courage in me.   

 

Remember the whole spiel I mentioned above....well....the guy on the mic that is not japanese is my XO and the chinese dude is my 1SG.  We make up a great command team.  I'm pretty proud of them guys (tear). 

You Complete Me

Ahhh.....Valentine's Day.  A day to show your love and affection to that special someone whether your spouse, a friend, a child.  A day of excuses to eat chocolate (BTW....diet starts tomorrow).  A day of reckoning for some, but the general idea of 14 Feb is to express to that special someone that you care.  MISSION SUCCESSFUL for my husband.  Although a simple card with frilly hearts would have sufficed. He went above and beyond.  As I walk through the doors of our humble abode I look on our dining room table and there lays a beautiful bouquet of flowers.

The colors were so vibrant....full of life......sooooo.....okay, let me stop.  Although I truly love the flowers and the way they look, smell, and all that jazz.....what really caught my eye was the item next to the bouquet.

  AN IPAD (yay me). 

No no....don't get me wrong.  I'm not materialistic, but I'm certainly not going to shrug off AN IPAD.  I'm not one of these females that "expect"
 on this day either.  I'm also not going to lie and say it didn't make my heart pitter patter to hold THE IPAD.  LOL.   I love you Mike and it's not because of THE IPAD.  You truly do complete me.  You are the greatest father, husband, and best friend a woman could have.  I look forward to the many memories that we will make together.  Love you.

*  Question - What do you call a person that doesn't give their spouse anything for Valentines Day, but recieves an IPAD?  :(



Chinese New Year Festival

My Family and I have less than a year left in Japan. I'm happy to say that this past Sunday I was able to check Chinese New Year Festival off my "TO DO" list.  With the end of the tour creeping up and the length of my list......I'm going to have to make moves, but at the same time truly enjoy the moment of each event.  Which I did on Sunday where we met with great friends and headed to Yokohama to watch the festivities.  

First off......this place was down right crowded.  Thank goodness I left the little ones home. I don't think I would have had the talent to deal with the crowd and beating my kids without anyone noticing.  :)  It was well worth paying a babysitter and taking part in the most important of the traditional Chinese holiday.  

The company was great, food was awesome, and the entertainment was first class.  Check it!

Where's Waldo?  Can you find my friends Melissa and Jason?

*Hint:  They are caucasian........the westerners.......two of these things don't look like the others!

To be honest, even though it was extremely crowded, I didn't get frustrated.  Japanese people are just polite.  Even when they bump you it's as if a feather brushing your face.  Perhaps it's because of the Japanese people short stature.  Anyways, check out the clip below.  It was the beginning of the parade.  I lied.....it was taking forever to upload.  I will attempt to post the video in the near future.  :(

Not only did they have the fireworks going off and the dragons dancing,

 

  

but they had gorgeous lions.....

  

                                    BIG                                                      

                                                                                                   

                           AND                                              

                                                                                small.

       They also had gorgeous girls with porcelain faces dressed in ethnic costumes!!!!

and some.....not so attractive to look at.  This guy is looking at the lady like "Bitch please......I will slap that smile off your face."

After the smell of the fireworks disappeared from our noses and the last performer scooted on by we decided to sit down and let our dawgs relax a bit.  Here we are enjoying quality time with each other.  The food was truly phenomenal.  We stopped and got some ice cream right outside the restaurant were we had happily stuffed our faces.  No one eats a meal without dessert. Definitely not this woman!!!  My physique can attest to this (BTW.......my diet starts tomorrow).  I just wish I would have had the blueberry ice cream like Melissa.  It was heaven in my mouth when I tried hers!  Yes...that good.

So, before we head back to Zama we decided to stop in Ebina to walk around a bit.  Actually, it was someone's bright idea to kill time before dinner.  Yes.....we are already thinking about dinner time.  We like to eat.  :) It actually worked out perfectly.  We did that, headed back to Zama and than went to the best restaurant in this area.  I so wish I could tell you what it's called, but I can't.......literally......I have no clue.  :(  If any of you figure it out, let me know. 

There's nothing better than ending your day at this place!!!!

                                                  Eating this food!!!!

                                                                    OISHII!!!!!!!