A Change of Pace

I've been a rubbish blogger as of late. We have been out and about enjoying our last few weeks in Japan together. Many of our adventures were repeat spots of places that we just had to visit/eat/enjoy one more time. I tend to get very sad and mopey when I think of leaving this wonderful, exciting country.

But it is time for a change of pace.

And a super big change of pace it will be. For the first time in eight years we will not live on/near a Marine Corps military installation. I know, gasp. It's terrifying and exciting all in the same breath. I'm glad to be away from the constant influx of 18-22 year olds, but I'm sad to be away from the military network and shared community.

Dustin was selected for recruiting duty and left today for two months (only 59 more days to go!) of training in San Diego. From the information we've gathered from former, current, and career recruiters it is the hardest job in the Marine Corps. I'm confident that Dustin will succeed in it.. he's got a knack for reading and understanding people. Again, a huge change of pace from working in the fleet.

So where will we live? Not sure on that one yet. Where will our baby be born? Not sure on that yet either. Lots of unknowns at this point.

We just know it will be completely different. And we're ready for this next adventure!

The Final Approach

I love to read. Every Friday afternoon right about the time the munchies hit I would receive a digital copy of the Iwakuni Approach. Perfect. Afternoon snack and a few minutes to read on the past and upcoming events of my community.

Today was the final issue of a newspaper with a sixty year history.

I get it. People are moving to digital means of absorbing their information. I am part of that change since I, as previously mentioned, read my copy digitally every Friday. So I'm okay with news outlets utilizing digital means to communicate their stories.

But to stop the publication altogether?! What am I going to do every Friday afternoon at 1430?

Enjoy the last edition of the Iwakuni Approach with pictures of my community's history.

You're doing it wrong...

Disclaimer. I'm angry. So this post is doomed.

This post is for military families that currently live in Japan....or those that are coming to Japan...actually all families...Forget that. Grr, I'm angry.

No matter how you enjoy Japan there are hundreds of Americans living around you who will declare that you're doing it wrong. They will voice their opinion on how you choose to adventure. Now I personally do not understand how people can live here for three years and never leave the base. But I don't harass them for it!

Things said to me since living in Japan:

• You go off base too much.
• You go off base too little.
• Shop out in town more.
• Shop out in town less.
• Live off base for a better experience.
• Live on base for convenience.
• Take the train.
• Don't take the train.

We will enjoy Japan however we feel most comfortable. If you have a recommendation on the logistics of our journeys then please share, but opinions on our adventuring decisions are unwelcome.

Take note.

Mando-Fun

I gently nag pester ask Dustin to occasionally write his perspective on things. He always rolls his eyes and says "That's your thing". But sometimes there are adventures that I can't go on. And some of them sound so amazing! Suicide Cliffs, camping at Penny Lake, and four months of Texas/Okinawa experiences. Sigh, think of all that amazing food. (Okinawa, not Texas.)

Some of his adventures are not voluntary. Dubbed "mandatory fun", these events boost morale and promote camaraderie. Usually I think they look like tons of fun. Camping under the stars, field day events (tug-a-war, egg drops, etc), and a feast. What's not to love about that adventure?

Click for some mando-fun as reported by our Station's newspaper, because Dustin refuses to write.

Kintai Half Marathon

 

I am not a runner. I don't look like a runner and I rarely feel like a runner. I have to work at it. And boy, have I been working for it. And the training (albeit, not enough) was worth it. I ran my first half-marathon!

 

Dustin stayed with me the whole trek. The course was laps (yes, gross) around the base. It was the ugliest run I have ever done. Construction projects, temporary dust walls, and gravel areas. I created an awesome playlist to make the miles go by. The worst was the wind. It was so windy! For half the race we were blasted by sea winds that made it hard to even hear music in my headphones. I ran behind Dustin for a bit so I wouldn't get the full force of it. It was pretty intense.

But we finished! And then hobbled the mile back home. :)

A little Q&A

I've been collecting these questions from readers for a while but have never had the time to sit down and answer them all. So here are the answers to the questions you have sent me over the last year. (I'm sorry!)

What's the one thing you miss most about living in America?
Oh goodness, I only get to pick one? Family is a big one, and not just not seeing them, but being able to talk to them any time I want. With a 13-14 hour time difference you really have to plan it out. I also miss the convenience of stores like Target and having more than one store to go to if one is out of something. I do miss food sometimes. Cheap Mexican food, Steak ‘n Shake – yummy!

What's the one thing you love the most about living in Japan?
The food! I have said it many times, but once more won’t hurt. This country is a foodie’s paradise. We eat out often and have never had a bad meal. There is so much variety in fresh fruits and vegetables. Also, the Japanese focus on creating flavorful food with limited cooking or add-ins. It’s the perfect example of how less is more.

What would a perfect meal consist of? Favorite food?
Chips and salsa from Amigo's, turkey on sourdough from McCallister’s, cheese fries from Steak ‘n Shake, and a “Bahama Mamma” from Rick’s in Key West. Now I'm hungry!

Where are you going after Japan?
Wouldn't that be nice to know? Dustin is at a turning point in his career, so we are unsure of what direction we will be sent. On our current path, we would go to Twentynine Palms, CA for a year after our tour is done here in Iwakuni. But I’m hoping for an intervention! :)

Did your college classes truly prepare you for what you do?
For the most part, yes. So often an “online school” is not considered a legitimate education. The pace is much quicker than a traditional “brick and mortar” school. This meant I had to work on my schoolwork for a few hours every day. If I missed a day I would fall behind. I was lucky to have some really great professors, many of which I am still in contact with today.

What is your favorite color?
Green!

Babies - when and how many?
When? I don't know. We know they are not in the plan for the next five years, but after that… How many? For a long time we agreed that four might be the magic number, but let me tell you after one.

What is your favorite thing about being married? And the hardest?
As cheesy as it sounds, I absolutely LOVE living with my best friend. Being over here has really made us rely on each other for everything. I am so blessed, that even when things aren't perfect, they aren't difficult. Before we got married many people told us that being married, especially after the first year, was hard. I think you just have to be willing to continuously work on it.

What is your favorite breakfast food?
Pancakes. Sorry, Daddy! Dustin makes pancakes every weekend. Recently we made a healthier version with berries and cottage cheese that was phenomenal. So delicious!

What's your most favorite place you've ever traveled to? Why?
I can't choose just one! I have loved many places for many reasons. I love Orlando, FL because of Disney parks and amazing memories. I love Maine for clean, crisp mornings and a breath-taking landscape. I love Park City, UT for new experiences and silly times. I love Japan because, well, come on, it’s JAPAN! It is the central hub for all things geeky. And I’m geeky.

What do you love/hate most about the military life?
Love? The friendships, the travel, the change. I love that things will never be boring for us. Every three years we will get to experience somewhere new. Hate? The lack of control. Having no control over the change is the toughest part. I am a planner. I have always been teased for my “five year plans”.

What's your all-time favorite book and why?
Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card has been my favorite book since I first read it in 3^rd grade (Thanks, Stevie!). It was my first glimpse into the world of science fiction and I’ve been hooked ever since. I reread it every year.

Do you want to stay in the military long term? What are your plans for after?
As of now, we plan on 20-25 years in the Marine Corps. Of course, that is if all goes according to plan and they don’t force us out early. Recently I heard one of the wives say it well, "We will get out when we stop having fun." After? That's a long way off! As of now, we’ve talked about accepting contracts overseas at military installations. We both think London would be fantastic and it is not available to us as Active Duty. I would like to continue in finance, especially in defense finance. I really love my job. Dustin hopes to teach, preferably history.

Do you believe you have changed much since you were first married?
Of course. The last seven years have definitely changed me. Trying a new job, moving across the world, creating a whole new life every few years - it all forces you to change. I think I am more mellow (although still very OCD) than before, I tend to go with the flow a little more.

Do you believe that your experience with the military has changed you at all?
It definitely has forced me to realize I can’t control everything. Stressing and worrying about the future gets me nowhere. I also have learned to appreciate my husband more. All the deployments, training, and TDYs make you appreciate the time you have together. Unlike many wives, I actually get the chance to miss my husband, which is a good thing!

What made you fall in love with your husband? If you have ever met Dustin, this is an easy one. He is one of the nicest people you will ever meet. He is caring, sweet, and always makes an effort to make me happy. I am so proud of him every day. Putting up with me is a full time job, and he does it well.

Have you always wanted to work in finance?
For a long time, yes. My father was the treasurer of our church and every weekend I would help him count, account, and prepare the offering. I loved working with adding machines and accounting ledgers. As I grew older I became fascinated with personal finance and went that direction. There is great satisfaction in helping people overcome financial distress or just be there for moral support during the tough times. The switch to defense finance is still new, but I love it. Dustin has been saying for years that I should get into civil service. “You would come in and fix all the problems, it’s just who you are.” It doesn't get more fun then spreadsheets!

How do your families act about and respond to your military lifestyle, especially the fact that you're 'so far away?'
My parents were semi-supportive when we announced we were moving overseas. I think they would be happier if we lived on the East coast and got to see more of us though. At least we came to a place they never would have visited on their own. Most people are sensitive to the fact that being over here isn't always easy. They make an effort to stay connected, and that is always appreciated.

White Wine or Red Wine?
White! Moscato.

What's the best Christmas present you've ever given your husband?
Hmm, I’m not sure. Over the years we have stopped shopping for each other at Christmas. We tend to save our money for traveling adventures. I will ask him. His response: “We got married at Christmas. You gave me you.” And now you know why I fell in love with him.

"He left us!"

Today is officially the first Monday in January. Now this may not have any significance to you, but for me it brings on the worst pattern ever. Dustin left for training today. This marks the fourth time he has left at the beginning of the year. Yes, I hate Januaries. The first reaction Zero and I have is panic. "He left us! He left us!"

 

Being a military spouse has many positives. I get to live in amazing places and meet some of the most amazing people. My military family helps when I feel like the world is against me. Over the years I have developed a routine that helps me get through these tough times.

 

Step 1: Cry absurdly. I mean honky-snotty hiccup inducing tears. Get it out. We've got stuff to do.

 

Step 2. Watch The Notebook. Not because it is sad or a romantic love story, but because when they get back together in the rain after the boat ride is your motivation. You will have a great embrace when he returns. This allows you to practice looking pretty while doing it.

 

Step 3. Everything will break. Seriously. The first time my husband deployed everything broke in our house. Hurricane-force winds dented our garage. Our toilet stopped receiving water. I had two flat tires while driving to work. So roll up your sleeves and have many Rosie the Riveter moments.

  

Step 4. Develop a routine. Walk the dog, do the dishes, go for a run. Create a routine filled with all the things you want to do. Watch trashy television, eat peanut butter with a spoon, and wear pajamas all day.

 

Over the next couple of months Dustin will enjoy the wonderful tropical climate the South Pacific. That's okay, because I have a routine that will make this time fly by!

 

Happy First Monday of 2013!

Military Ball

I've been delaying this post until I could find a video of the ceremony. Dustin had a big role in the ceremony and performed beautifully! Unfortunately, I can't seem to find anything that shows our specific ball.

November 2007

November 2009

The United States Marine Corps Birthday Ball is one of my favorite events of the year. It is a chance to get dressed up, attend a formal dinner, and honor the history of the Marine Corps.. Iwakuni is faced with some unique challenges. There is not a venue on base that is large enough to hold all of us and nothing off base would come close. To remedy this the commands split up and hold separate balls for about a week.

The gymnasium is completely transformed with volunteers working a week before to clean (de-smell-ify!) and prepare the area. It was surprisingly nice! I had my doubts on how they were going to make it not look like a basketball court.

The ceremony always has the same critical elements, but this time there was a small twist. Dustin is the color sergeant for the entire station which meant he was a little nervous before the ceremony. He did phenomenal! There was a unifrom pageant that showed all the Marine Corps uniforms over the years. It was very interesting to see how the military issue clothing changed over the years and through the various excursions.

Following the pageant was the traditional ceremony. This is a formal introduction of the guest speaker, presentation of the colors, and then cake cutting.

The first piece is served to the guest of honor.

Next the oldest marine present gets a piece. He then passes the cake to the youngest marine present to signify the passing of knowledge and tradition. When the youngest marine's birthday is read there is always a collective groan from the crowd.

Lastly is the guest of honor's speech. Over the years we have heard some interesting speeches. I was very excited to meet Richard Engel a few years ago. This year I had been hearing buzz that the speaker was going to be a former WWII kamikaze pilot. He was scheduled to fly home to Hiroshima on August 5th from a training mission in northern Japan. Because of poor weather he was delayed one day - a day that made all the difference. On August 6th, the United States dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima instantly killing every member of his family. In broken English he went on to describe how his views of Americans changed because one marine that was stationed here after the war. I have been searching for his speech on video - it was amazing and I was crying pretty hard by the end of it.

After his moving speech we were served dinner. The first course was a mixture of cheeses and fruit with a glaze. Next came a tasty salad followed by either chicken, steak, or pasta. Finally, came dessert - birthday cake! We had already gotten up and started moving around by that point so I missed cake.

After a few hours of dancing we walked home with some friends. It was a great night and my favorite Marine Corps Birthday Ball to date!

November 2012

Osprey

So a few posts I ago I mentioned things have been a little crazy since we returned from vacation. This mostly was due to the Osprey arriving on base and the reaction from the Japanese government. We were recommended to stay on base - and thus our adventures have been more domestic.

USO

The USO recently hosted an event that would come to MCAS Iwakuni. The USO Handshake Tour brings stars of television shows to bases around the world. On all the bases Dustin has been stationed (including his deployment time) he has never met anyone he was excited to meet. It doesn't happen often. In the six years Dustin has been enlisted he has only seen one USO Handshake Tour and it was UFC fighters.

This time was a different experience. This time cast members from The Big Bang Theory and SouthLAnd were coming. We knew they were scheduled to come visit Iwakuni on Friday. Through my friends in Kure I learned that they would visit the small Army installation the day before and would spend a day sightseeing in Hiroshima. Dustin and I decided we would drive up to Kure (two hours away) and meet them in the more intimate setting. Boy, was that a good idea!

On Thursday afternoon we drove up to Kure and ate dinner in their small restaurant. Kure only had a total of 60 people working on the installation so the crowd would be much smaller.

Eating a quick sandwich while waiting

So then they joined us. Dustin and I sat and watched while they went around signing autographs and taking pictures. It was obvious someone had coached them on how to interact with the Japanese. Johnny Galecki (from The Big Bang Theory) was thrown for a loop with an older Japanese woman stuck out her hand for a handshake instead of the traditional bow greeting. He was half-bow when he stuck his hand out to meet hers so then he wasn't sure if he was to continue bowing or what. It was comical to watch and I wish I had caught it on camera.

Side note: I have wonderful grandparents. Over the years they have instilled excellent values and helped mold me into the person I am today. That being said, my grandmother once returned from visiting family in California with a signed napkin from a celebrity. I remember finding out later the flight attendant had signed the napkin for her. (I don't remember the celebrity, I was probably 7 at the time). It cracks me up every time I think about it. I was so excited and couldn't believe she had met someone I saw on the television! I also have a wonderful grandfather who once said, "If there are no pictures, it didn't happen." It was these two nuggets of wisdom I took with me to Kure that day. So I got signatures and pictures.

Johnny Galecki!

Now because of the smaller venue and fewer people the feel of the event was much more relaxed. We talked versus standing in line for a quick autograph and a hello/goodbye. Johnny Galecki played Leonard on CBS's The Big Bang Theory which is one of Dustin's top 5 favorite shows of all time. (Anything that combines Star Wars, video games, Battlestar Galactica, and science...) He was most excited to meet Johnny Galecki. He is very handsome and quite funny. His Japanese was atrocious, but who were we to judge. He bought Dustin drinks from the bar. That's right. Johnny Galecki bought Dustin a drink. Errr, three by the end of the night.

We quickly met Regina King and got her to sign our Boondocks DVDs. She plays a character on SouthLAnd, but Dustin and I have never seen the show. We know her from Boondocks and her movies (Ray, Jerry Maguire, etc). From my friends that work in Kure she was very high maintenance during her stay. When we met her she was very nice and posed for a picture before we walked away.

Regina King

The younger girls were all crowded around Ben McKenzie. I know him from The O.C. a teen drama that used to air on The CW. We talked to him briefly about their tour of Hiroshima and the Peace Park. He said he had a member of his family here at the time so it touched home. He was very nice and still just as dreamy as I remembered as a teenager.

Ben McKenzie

We kept being asked to stay posed for pictures by the photographer traveling with them. We struck up a conversation and discovered he was a former Marine that had been stationed in Iwakuni many years ago. (By his account, it hasn't changed all that much!) We spent a good time talking with him. If anyone ever needs a good photographer, check out Michael Clifton. Mike, next time we come through Atlanta, dinner is on us!

As the sun went down we found a spot near the bar and began talking with Michael Cudlitz from Band of Brothers. Between tequila shots (him) we talked about the local area, travel, their plans for the weekend, bars, his movies, and different tours he has been on.

We spent the rest of the evening talking with him. As the small crowd went home we decided it was time for us to start the drive back to Iwakuni. It was such a fun night! On Friday the group came to Iwakuni. Rather than an informal meet and greet the base set up lines with each star behind a table. A person would come up, get a signature, say a few things, and then get shuffled off to the next table. I am so glad we drove up to Kure instead. A very fun experience!

Welcome Return

So you may have noticed I've been less than adventurous lately. Yes, yes I still leave the base, but I tend to stay in my comfort zone and visit places I've been before. This is because my adventuring partner has taken on his own adventures in Texas.

Dustin spent six weeks at Sheppard AFB in Texas learning some skills for his new job. Highlights of the trip include eating at McCallister's, no mandatory physical training, and Papa John's on a weekly basis.

But now he is back and the adventures will continue!

Golf

Golf is a big activity here aboard MCAS Iwakuni. The government classifies it as a loading area if they need to use the base as a staging area. The area would be covered in tents and temporary housing if something started going on over in North Korea. Until then, it is a golf course.

Mike, our sponsor

Dustin

Armed Forces Network

Thank you for the questions! I will try to answer as many as possible over the next few weeks.

We do have television in the hotel room and can purchase cable once we are in base quarters. The television has 8 channels that are produced by the Armed Forces Network. Each channel has a purpose, for example there is one for kids, news, sports, movies, etc.

The programming selected is geared to military families. They never play unappropriate content. Also, there is no sense of channel-specific shows. For example, on the news channel from 6PM to 7:30PM they will play all three major network's news shows back to back. I'm a fan of NBC's Nightly News with Brian Williams so I watch at 6:30.

During the day they may show one HGTV show and then one FoodNetwork show. The rest of the content will be one show from a variety of channels such as Discovery, History, etc.

The movie channel is weird. So far all the movies have been from 1995 or earlier. Nothing recent at all. Also, the ratings are never higher than PG13.

The best part is the commericals. There are no commericals on AFN so the military puts in public service announcements and homemade commercials. They are terribly bad, but always make me laugh. Sometimes they give information on upcoming events, but most of the time it is two Marines with a video camera and some really bad animations.

Disappointed

So today we went to housing to fill out the lease agreement. And they told us some bad news...

...we can't move in till Tuesday! That's six days away!

We had the keys yesterday. Shoulda just kept 'em.

Poor Zero has to stay at the kennels till then.

Also means we have to pay for boarding till then. I get frustrated with the military sometimes.

NAM

Congratulations to Dustin for being awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal!

The certificate is pretty snazzy and was awarded to Sgt Tice for:

"professional achievement in the superior performance of his duties while serving as electronic maintenance chief, combat service support operations center, 2d radio battalion, headquarters group, II marine expeditionary force, from February to August 2011 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom 11.1, Helmand Province, Afghanistan. During the period, Sergeant Tice successfully directed the electronic equipment redistribution, facilitated maintenance support requirements and accounted for over $400,000 in diagnostic/test equipment for 2d radio battalion's electronic maintenance section. Operating outside of his occupational specialty, Sergeant Tice also successfully inventoried, managed, and accounted for $6,900,000 in signals intelligence assets for the systems integration management officer. He directed uninterrupted maintenance support to the battalion's signals intelligence support teams, and played a key role in increasing his section's overall readiness rating from 80 percent to 93 percent. Sergenat Tice's initiative, perserverance, and total dedication to duty reflected credit upon him and were in keeping with the highest tradition of the Mrine Corps and the United States naval Service."

I am so PROUD of him! Here is more information about the history of the NAM. Send him a congratulatory email! He will wear the ribbon on his Alphas and the medal on his Blues.

Homecoming

Dustin is home! At 5:30 AM on July 24th the buses rolled in carrying Dustin and fourteen others. They came home to a welcoming crowd. Ten seconds later, it started pouring. And I mean pouring.

Is that a bus?

It IS a bus!

Home at Last!

Thank you to everyone for their well-wishes and prayers. Now it is time to prepare for the next journey!

Afghanistan

Dustin sent me some pictures of his time in Afghanistan. He's almost home!

Keeping morale up

Yum!

The Scenery

Small Personal Space

Happy Independence Day!

Patriotism... is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime.  

- Adlai Stevenson


Iraq - 2008

And I'm proud to be an American,
where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.
- Lee Greenwood



Marine Corps Birthday - 2007

Then join hand in hand, brave Americans all!
By uniting we stand, by dividing we fall.
-John Dickinson