The month started out w/ a HUGE weekend of festivities for those of us with deployed husbands. The airwing had an "over the hump" of cruise celebration. On Friday, October 1st we had "Bad Girl Games". They call it Bad Girl, because the name of their Strike Fighter Ball/Hornet Ball/Fighter Fling is called Bad Man Ball...so when it's just us girls...it becomes Bad Girl Ball. Friday's games were centered around our crazy lives in Japan. We had scooter races, mental challenges that included converting a shopping list from USD to yen, converting a recipe from ounces and pounds to grams and liters. It was challenging and made for a good laugh as I'm sure you can imagine. I competed in the "Walk of Shame"...you're proud...I know. I had to put on a pair of high heeled shoes, and walk from the fields where we were to the other side of base to the Child Care Center carrying a glass of red wine that had to be full and if it spilled too much, I would've been disqualified. Once arriving at the Child Care Center, I ditched the wine and the heels and tossed on my sneakers and picked up a baby doll that I had to then race back to the fields and cross the finish line. I came in 4th place....they gave out points for 1st-3rd place. Nice. Oh well. All in all, it was a great time. Tons of laughs. Saturday night was the Bad Girl Ball. Each squadron had chosen a theme for the night. Ours was super heros. It was hilarious. We all had a great time. Other squadron themes were Austin Powers, Ballywood, Grease, Slumber Party, Stepford Wives and Roller Derby. Everyone had a great time, it was an awesome way for us wives to celebrate being waaay more than 1/2 way over with the deployment. It's always fun to be with other people who know exactly what you're feeling...because we're all in the same boat...with our husbands literally on the same boat. :) You can see pictures of the games and ball on the underlined link below...don't judge. :)
Bad Girl Ball View pictures of the NAF Atsugi Bad Girl Ball - our "over the hump" celebration.
On Tuesday, October 4th members of the AOSA (Atsugi Officers Spouses Association) were invited to Admiral Sato's house (Admiral Sato is the head of JMSDF - our joint Japanese part of NAF Atsugi). Mrs. Sato and her friends taught us how to make gyoza and sushi. Both were amazing! We had a great time and the women seem to love sharing their joy of cooking with us all. They love trying out their English and everyone always has a great time when we're together. Our next meeting is October 21st and we're teaching them how to make a Thanksgiving Day feast! I'm in charge of the corn bread pudding! You can see pictures of our cooking class luncheon on the underlined link below. :)
Cooking Club Pictures View pictures of my latest cooking club lesson - gyoza and sushi.
Last week on Thursday, I also went to my very first golf lesson. It was quiet an eye opener...I have to be honest...I thought golf was an "easy" sport that you just swing away and the ball magically flies into the air and lands somewhere on grass near the hole. Not so much. My hour lesson left me with a blister and a sore back...but it also left me interested in enough to go back again this Thursday for lesson number two! I'll keep you posted!
My latest adventure was yesterday when my friend Tracy and I went to Enoshima Island. A very small island (4km circumference) off the coast of Japan (very close...it's connected by a bridge that you can walk over). It was the most beautiful day. About 80 degrees and sunny. The island is full of history and therefore full of beautiful shrines and overlooks out onto the Pacific Ocean on one side and the bay on the other side. I will definitely be taking Nick back there, no question. We were able to just walk all over the island from one side around to the other side, up the hill in the center of the island, go in caves and walk to the marina afterwards. It was the greatest day! From our house in Zama, it's a super easy train ride away. There is a black sand beach (and it's the closest beach to us) I loved the smell of the salty air as soon as I walked off the train. Definitely a high point of being here in Japan so far and I can't wait to go again and take Nick. When the weather cools off and it's not so humid and hazy, you can see Mt. Fuji across the bay. I hope it's that kind of day when we get to go again.
Enoshima Island View pictures of my day trip to Enoshima Island.I hope everyone back home is having an excellent month as well. I know there are a few celebrations this month. Chris and Dez's anniversary on the 8th and Dad Hampton's birthday on the 25th. I just got a surprise phone call from Nick about 30 minutes ago and he's doing really well. They're still flying a lot which keeps them busy and keeps him happy. He's ready to come home, but at least he's enjoying the flying! Shortly after he gets home, we're taking a trip to Thailand for 13 days! We're both really, really excited and are looking forward to a nice, well deserved vacation (for him)...my whole life is pretty much a vacation at this point. :) I'm not complaining!
And oh yeah BIG NEWS! WE'RE COMING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS!!!!!! We'll be headed back to the states sometime in December. Nick's squadron is sending them to Lemoore to start the transition....we're looking into how we're going to get me back to the states as well...haven't quite gotten there yet...BUT we do have tickets headed to Long Island on December 22nd! We'll do Christmas on the island and head up to see the Hampton's most likely on the 25th evening or 26th. Nick will have a descent break and we'll be able to see everyone for at least a few days. I'll be hanging around the NY area (with maybe a little trip down to VB if I can swing it) until early February! :) So so excited!
I miss you all and can't wait to be on the same time zone in just a few months! :) Oh yeah... our phone number changed. Magic Jack died on me...so we now have Vonage. Our home phone number is 631-237-5754 Call me any time!!!
Love,
Janelle
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