Anniversary and the Trip Back

Well, Saturday was my husband's and my 8th wedding anniversary. As with many of our anniversaries, we spent it apart. I was enjoying my last night in Hawaii, the place we got married, with friends out to dinner. I guess that isn't a bad way to spend an anniversary if you can't be with your significant other.
Sunday I started my trip back to Misawa. Everything went smoothly, for the most part, until we took off, that is. I made it to the gate in a half hour (not bad for checking the bags, getting my boarding pass, getting through security, etc.) and finished reading my book (good thing I brought two along with me). We boarded slightly late, but no worries, AND I think I was the only non-Japanese person on board. The entire last quarter of the plane was empty. I had the ENTIRE row to myself, and I don't mean the couple of seats around me, I mean the ENTIRE row.
However, as soon as we took off, I knew it was going to be a bumpy flight. We had the WORST turbulence. I about got air sick it was so bad. One of the flight attendants almost hit her head on the ceiling before the captain finally turned on the fasten seatbelt sign. AND people kept getting up, even with the fasten seatbelt sign on. They tried to "hurry" to the bathroom. Of course, the captain tended to wait until the turbulence was just about over to put on the seatbelt sign. Details.
When I made it to Japan, I about kissed the ground. Immigration was a turn, too. For once there were fewer foreigners coming in to Japan than Japanese. There were even some Buddist nuns from Tibet in the line with us!
I Black Catted my bags to Misawa and caught the train to Tokyo Central. Ran the 6 flights of stairs and escalators to the XinKanSen (bullet train) in 9 minutes (took of 30 seconds after I sat down). Then caught the 13 minute ride to Misawa from Hachinohe. I was even home 90 minutes early!
It feels good to be home. A little weird. Of course it is going to fell even more weird when I start back up work tomorrow.

Kua'aina Burger

I got to go to the Honolulu Kua'aina Burger this past Sunday. I was able to introduce my new friend Sam to the wonders of the burger that is ONO!

Some pics to make your mouth water....


my burger... I got my usual bacon burger with provolone cheese added


my fully constructed burger.


Sam eating her burger!


Finally! I love this place!

Back in Hawaii

Ah, back "home." Living at the Honolulu Airport Hotel. Dealing with nightly fire alarms because some backwoods hick cannot understand the concept of "no smoking in the rooms."
Started class yesterday. It was a cluster fuck. Not only did we sit there for 8 hours and NOT meet our instructors (or Laoshi, as they are called in Chinese), but they couldn't decide which classroom to put us in. We'd be told to go to one classroom, only to have them announce on the intercom that we were all to report to another.
Typical, we have an interview to place us into our classrooms. I started out in the advanced class. However, in a throwback to DLI, they went off my DLPT5 scores, you know, the ones that aren't supposed to count, yet. They put me in with the intermediate... which, are all E-4s to E5s. So guess who the class leader is? Yep, me. Of course, being one of the few E6 and aboves, and I think the only senior NCO, I was going to end up as a class leader anyway.
Don't have to come in until 1200 for the intermediate classes... So I have mornings off. don't know how I'm going to survive the mornings at the pool/beach and afternoons doing something I love.
So now we get to watch Chinese Style Divorce. A lovely serial, which, as yet, makes no sense. I'll keep you posted.

Trying very hard to stay positive....

So, why am I so upset lately? I've always wanted to live abroad. I am living abroad. Stationed in Japan, a very cool country. One thing about visiting the States, my old command made me realize, is I miss the States...
But I am homesick. I miss Hawaii, 'cause I hate the cold and because I knew where everything was. I miss my house. I miss my doxies having tan bellies. I miss American food, hearing English wherever I go. I don't necessarily miss my old command, I don't think I would be happy being stationed there again. Too many changes.
I think it has a lot to do with the fact that I hate what I do. I am not doing my job. I am not a linguist! I am babysitting. I am mad that TPTB won't send linguists to Analyst school because they MAY not use their language, but have no problem sending us to a place where they KNOW we won't use our language.
Therefore, to deal with my ennui, my borderline depression, I have decided to do a few things for myself. First, I will work out everyday, without fail. Second, I will continue where I left off 6 months ago in learning Japanese. Third, I will refresh myself with Mandarin. Fourth, I will take better care of my Sailors, I will be a better Navy Chief. Fifth, and most important, I will remember that I have a hubby and a family who love me.