Road Trip - Northern part of the isalnd

Pics of tiolet room and bath/shower room

As you can see the tiolet and bath/shower rooms are separate. The little white circle ont he floor is a drain and when it is really rainy, it stinks. The washer and dryer are Japanese. Takes some getting used. Glad I don't have kids to wash for or I'd have to do wash daily as they are SMALL.

Off my front upstairs balcony.

Camera

Well, I finally got a camera and I have some Internet access. My access won't be really great until they come connect it on the 21st. Until then I am "borrowing" some elses wireless connection. I am going to attempt upload some photos and explain them. They are also posted on facebook.

Things are well now that I have a stable sleep pattern. San Antonio just wasn't a big thrill for me but I think it was cause I needed to get back to Okinawa and start settling in. I shop at the local stores. It is interesting. I don't always know what certain foods are so I buy them, try them and then if I like it I buy it again. I have no idea what cashiers are saying to me other when they say thank you and I say it back and bow. I am going to be taking Japanese classes next month. I have found clothes and shoes I love here. The shoes are my size and not little kids styles. They dress in layers and love the style but I'm just a tad too old for the styles.

There is such emphasis on recycling I feel guilty when I buy things that can't be. I haul my reusable bags every where (they charge for bags). I have to sort all my garbage and they come 2x a week.

The 2 typhoon warnings turned out to be no real big deal. I have had worse on days they didn't have warnings. Go figure. But you have to take it serious because they are so unpredictable. The people on the east coast and south in US know. The weather has just been gorgeous the past couple of days. The evenings are getting cooler. I love to sit on my balcony in the evening. I'll try to get some pics up.

I found my neighbor to the north of me is American. He is a teacher on base. Just barely met him. Hope to get to know he and his girlfriend and have them teach me more about the island. Still looking for an Okinawan guide of some sort.

Last weekend, the Labor Day weekend, it rained all weekend. I did manage to go a ride and went and sat on a beach for couple of hours between rain storms. It was fun watching the little hermit crabs and the huge snails. There are some snails that are apparently deadly so needless to say I just watch. An experienced diver died a dew weeks ago when he stepped on a rock fish. From what I hear, while diving here is some of the best int he world, it has abundant wild life dangers. Speaking of which there are a few on land as well. I took a pic of mean looking banana spider this week. Freaked me out! He just hung in the same place for a couple of days but now is gone. It looked big enough to eat a small bird or for sure one my little house mates, the gecko.

Still am not seeing clients. Waiting for my criminal background and what not to be completed. Hopefully so because I am getting a little discouraged.

On different note, I just finished another Stephen King novel and I have to say I like him again. Under the Dome. Great book. Great message. Apparently he started this story in the 70's but just couldn't pull it off. Well, he sure did now and it is very poignant for times.

Well, that's all for now. I will try to do better at this. (heard that before)

Driving and such

Well, I got a car, a Toyota Celica SS3. Cute, sporty thing. I know, I know, not exactly what everyone is used to seeing me in after my Jeep but you do what ya have to. It really isn't too bad driving on the left side of the road other than flipping on my windshield wipers when I meant put on my turn signal. I have only tried to drive on the other side once and thankfully no one was around. The speed limit doesn't really exceed 40 mph except in a few places so it is slow paced.

I will hopefully be moving into my house tomorrow. Yep, me my clothes, an air mattress and my new coffee maker. I have my priorities. They say my stuff should be here the 31 but I haven't quite figured out if that just means mainland Japan, Okinawa or to my house. Hopefully that will all work out this week.

The people here are so very sweet and kind and PATIENT!!! It amazes me how much tolerance they have for us not so bright aliens intruding on their quiet harmonious lives here.

I plan to go to a beach Sunday. Can't wait. Well, let me know if you all are really checking this out or not so I know if I should really keep it up. In order to post you have make an account but it isn't too hard.

Getting Adjusted

Well, I am getting adjusted here. The people are wonderful! All except a few of my fellow Americans who sat outside my hotel window being loud and obnoxious till the wee hours. I have a bit of a crush on my housing guy. Sweet, sweet, native Okinawan man in his 60's. Spent a good portion of the day with him showing me houses. He took the time to teach many things about Okinawa. We laughed a lot. Sweet guy. Doubt I will be getting one of his houses though as I fell in love with one on the west side of the island looking out over the harbor. Gorgeous!. It rains off and on, sometimes really hard but they tell me the rainy season is past. The cicadas are LOUD!!!. It's amazing. I saw a bright red dragonfly over a Kio pond. Little red eared turtles. The food is absolutely delightful. Even for breakfast they serve rice, miso, pickled vegs and other such yummy things. I will be getting a car in the next day or so and can I just say I'm extremely nervous. The roads are narrow and parking is tighter than tight. I am getting a very small car. The heat is not too bad though sometimes in the late afternoon I get a bit drippy. I am starting to adjust to the time difference. Unfortunately, I hjust found out I have to go to San Antonio, TX next month. I'm going to hate flying. Well, enough for now. Ja matta.

Up,up and away. I'm leaving on a jet plane. Don't know when I'll be back again. (Hopefully Feb.)

Countdown

Well, tomorrow is it! I cannot begin to describe the many emotions racing through me. Worry I forgot something. Fear of the flight. Sadness about leaving my kids, my grandson and friends. Anticipation of the future, seeing new places, meeting new people and then beginning an exciting new job. A little fearful I've lost my mind. Guilt about leaving my Mom who is getting out of the hospital today, YEAH! Oh, and just kind of exhausted with everything going on. It was hard leaving my job yesterday. Such great people. Well, I doubt I'll be getting back to this blog for a few days at least. Ja Matta.

Went to CO and Back

I spent last weekend with all my kids one night and then just hung out with my oldest and his wife on Sunday. It was wonderful. Shed some tears when I left them to go to CO. Monday morning.

Well, the trip to Ft. Collins, CO to see my Mom, Tom, and my sister Penny was very quit, out on Monday back Thursday evening. It was good but hard especially since my Mom had to be put it in the hospital. I took my grandson to the park where our family used to have gatherings. It was really nice to see everyone but very short. Got back to Salt Lake last night and to work today. My colleagues had a big going away party that was just amazing! Need I say I have been shedding tears left and right and I'm sure it is just the beginning.

I received my orders that will allow me to get around, rent an apartment, get utilities and whatnot. I have my flight itinerary. Now I just have to finish working the next 2 days, do laundry and pack on Monday and then get to the airport on Tuesday. Seems like time is picking up speed the closer it gets. I'm exhausted!

Homeless

Well, I took my cat to his new home for 6 months on Sunday. That was really hard. I cried. Set the tone for my entire day at work which to say the least sucked. Must have been the full moon. So much tragedy at the hospital.

Yesterday, they came and packed the house and are coming back this morning to load it all in the container. It will take about 6-8 weeks to get to Okinawa. I will be bouncing from each of my kids homes, out CO. for a few days and then home to work one last weekend and then fly out on the 13th.

It did really come up fast. Sometimes I get really excited others I ask myself what was I thinking. Mostly it is about being so far away from my kids, my cat and the beautiful Heber Valley. I will miss some of my co-workers as well.

On the flip side, Okinawa looks beautiful, my new co-workers sound awesome and hey, I've learned some Japanese so I have to go use it. My postings here may drop off for a bit because I don't have a laptop and so must rely on others to allow me to use their computers. Ja Matta!

Departure date

I got my itinerary today. I leave June 13th at 11:21 am to San Francisco. Leave San Fran at 1:35pm and get to Japan 4:35pm the next day.

I ma working on my credentialing paperwork which just got the day before yesterday. What a chore!

Movers come Monday.

I take my cat to his new home this Sunday. Bit by bit.

I feel nervous, scared, excited, overwhelmed and then I just go into Zen mode and push forward. It is all good. It amazes me how everything just keeps falling into place even though it doesn't look like it will.

Passport

Well, I received my passport Saturday 6/19, 7 days after sending for it. Must be a record. The movers are lined up to come start packing 6/28 with everything out 6/29. I clean 6/30 then say good bye to this wonderful little house, Midway, Heber Valley and the Utah mountains. It will be the beginning of my homeless life that will last for possibly 2 months, may be more if I can't find the right place in Okinawa.

I'm trying to figure out what to pack to take with me and what can go with the rest of the household stuff. This coming Sunday, Jack, my cat, will be going to his temporary home with my daughter's fiancées dad for 6 months. That has caused a few tears. Then there is my beloved grandson and buddy. It will be really hard not hanging with him. Such is life.

I will be going to Colorado for a few days 7/5. It will be a very quick trip. My dear sister Penny is gracious to let me intrude on her home for few days. I'll spend some time with my Mom and Tom. She is having a a little BBQ 7/7 for people to come see me at her home. Don't know what I would've done in my life without my sister and all she has done for me and our family. Damn! I'm feeling sentimental. Enough for now.

Another Day

Well, the passport application was received and it appears things are going better this time. The mover guy was here and I will have my second quote in the next day or so. The cat has had his shot and micro chip. He will have to have another shot and then a blood test and wait here in the states for 180 days before he can come to Okinawa. Still waiting on my International Drivers Permit. As soon as my passport gets here, reservations will be made for flight and hotel for 1 week. I will likely be staying in a hostel, also known as a guest house in Japan, with private rooms for about 1 month until my stuff gets there from the states. What a trip. I have been looking at houses and apartments on the beach as they seem to be a dime a dozen since there is a lot of beach in Okinawa due to it being a little island.

I have had my grandson staying with me Mon.-Thurs. and finding it brings tears to my eyes to think of leaving him. That will be hard. Also, the Heber Valley is just gorgeous this time of year so I have been having thoughts about how I will miss it. Not the snow though. At least not for a year or so. I might start missing it then but we'll see.

My anxiety level has increased a bit and seems to with each passing week. But, it is good. Till next time Sayonara.

Day 1

Ok, I am going to try to blog. Wee haw. Seriously, because I want to stay in touch and share my journey to Japan with everyone I have decided to try a blog. Please bear with me as I learn this tool. Please feel free to post as that is how I will be able to keep up with you.

I am still in the preparation phase, trying to get my passport, figure out who is moving me, issues with my cat, where I will stay when I get there ect. As things come together I will post it here. Enjoy!