Experience in Round

This blog has come full circle! As I look back at some of the amazing things we have done while living in Japan I realize I did not do any justice to our stay here by keeping my blog up!

I actually enjoy looking back to what we have been up to, how things were going, or how I was feeling about certain things going on in our lives (although I have a hard time sharing personal feelings, I am thinking I will try to get better at this...maybe). I guess this is the whole purpose of keeping a "log" of sorts. Fascinating.

We will be headed to Seattle Thursday, cat in tow, and plan on meeting up with my Cousin whom I have not seen in many, many years. Mainly due to reasons that we were not privy to as children - we just witnessed the final outcome of loss of knowing each other grow-up. I am excited about getting to meet her and her family!

Then it is off to "The Lou"! It is going to be a whirlwind and somewhere in the middle we need to buy a car - transportation is a good thing. Currently I am feeling a bit lost without transportation or communication devices. We may have to communicate via Morris code or smoke signals until we can get everything lined up (be on the lookout!) Who would have ever imagined even 17 years ago that manipulating throughout your day would be a task without a cell phone. Can you say SPOILED?

I am so afraid I am going to "rush" the summer in a hurry to get settled in to our new house! I don't want to be anticipating everything and not enjoy the "moment" that we are in. Before I know it Steve will be back to work and the kids will be in school leaving me wondering where all of our time together went. So...I really plan on taking it day by day and not rush having all the "normal" things in life that your mind and body are so use to having such as: Your own bed, shower, car and home! Wish me luck...

A few of my favorite things...

So today while sifting and sorting through junk, clothes, linens, the kitchen and many other nooks and crannies of this very small military house that we call a home I could not help but to think of all of the things I am excited to have again once we arrive back to the states:

- On-time deliveries without a "gomenasai".
- Lettuce that stays fresh longer than 3 days.
- The ability to snap a pic with my cell phone and send to someone with ease.
- A chance to know what the hell is going on by reading a billboard.
- Driving faster than 60 MPH without the fear of getting a 200.00 ticket.
- Reasonably priced produce and fruits.
- Not feeling like I must talk louder and slower in order to have someone understand me.
- Being able to be at a bar later than 2AM if we decide that is where we want to be.
- Not being able to explain what I need over the phone to a local.
- Natural disasters that remind you that you are living on a tiny little island in the middle of the Pacific.
- The mold that grows on EVERYTHING in my house.
...and so much more

BUT there is so much we will miss as well!
- Okinawa Soba
- Amazingly beautiful beaches
- Perfect summer weather
- Flip-flops 365 days a year
- The 6:00 PM Japanese loudspeaker announcement reminding all the boys and girls to go home and be good for their parents
- The distant sounds of the Okinawa Taiko Drummers practicing
- The odd, random things you see only in Okinawa
- 100 yen sushi-go-rounds
- The dragon when I don't feel like cooking
- Space A Travel with CAT 2 priority
- My son hunting for Okinawan large beetles and geckos
- The safety net of a Japanese community that allows my children to not witness the reality of "the real world".

...and again, so much more.

Time to back to sorting and sifting!

Almost Time

Time to take a breath, time to take a look back and time to take a step forward. Another year is nearing it's birth. I often feel like it is an opportunity to review the last year as well as set plans and priorities for the new year. Maybe I should have a "Mini New Year" semi annually? Hmmmmm....

I had dinner alone with Marissa last night while Steve and Javan attended a going-away dinner for one of his Marines. Originally, I was a little upset that our family plans for the evening of grilling some nice thick steaks and hanging out changed so quickly to attend the going away. As well, I know it is a little odd to drag your whole family along so I knew it would mean of evening of odd man out for Marissa and I.

Marissa and I decided to head out for dinner ourselves and I must say that I am so happy that we had time to just share together, just her and I. During dinner, out of the blue, Marissa mentions how guilty she felt for haveing such a large plate of food, refills of drinks and all the bread she could want while so many others have nothing. How wonderful! How amazing and happy this makes me feel to know that this little person we have raised can think beyond herself. This allowed an open door for more wonderful conversatioal topics such as compassion, humility, a giving heart and being true to herself. What a wonderful blessing in disguise our forced dinner became!

Almost time to begin a new year with new adventures for the Hedrick Clan - Maybe we will have more blessings than not this year just like the little one above.

A year of superficial living

December 29th 2009. This was the last time I visited this site...

Odd how you can miss yourself once you return to see your thoughts, feelings and emotions. Lately I feel like I no longer know who I am or what I stand for as I twirl about this thing called life. Never really paying attention to the things that really matter but superficially managing it all.

Superficial - concerned with or comprehending only what is apparent or obvious; not deep or penetrating emotionally or intellectually.

This is what I am because I have let priorities fade like the color of summer leaves drifting into fall. It brings about a sense of sadness of things missed, lost and surenderd; things left unsaid, uncompleted and unnurtured. A place of guilt and severe sadness as you come to realize the damage superficial lives can cause.

Congrats Sis for making the 2009 Eagles All Star Cheer Squad!

Marissa tried out today, after late notice, for the 2009 Eagle's All Star Cheer Team, a competitive cheer squad here in Oki and made it! After quite a bit of coxing to sign-up for the Okinawa Youth Football League Cheer Team she surprisingly LOVED it and was more than excited to give this a try as well!
Congratulations little one! Don't let anybody ever tell you that you can not do something you set you mind to. Look at today, you worked hard and had a goal and now you are going to have many more great memories of our time here in Okinawa.

Go Eagles 2009!

Up to this point.

We have been crazy busy showing my Mom and dad the island and it has been so much fun! It is already sad to think that they will be leaving in about a month and I already feel a bit anxious that we will not have time to see it all. I can only imagine how things are going to pan out once they leave- I know I am going to stumble across another part of the hidden endless beauty of this island and be upset that I did not get share some part of it with them. How blessed I am to have the opportunity to share this experience with them as well as that my children will have these great memories of Nana and Papa in Okinawa.

A few things we have done up to this point
* Ikei Island
* Ikei Beach
* Big Time Resort
* Moon Beach - snorkel side (still get to explore the resort side!)
* Okuma
* Cape Hedo
* Main City Mall
* Yomitan Village
* Kokusai Street
* Yomitan Pottery
* Peace Prayer Park
* Marino's Italiano - Mom was so happy to find a place she could enjoy :)
* 100 Yen Sushi Bar
* Goen - still have to take Dad, he hung out at the house that day.
* The village open market

There is still so much to do! I am not sure why I am sitting here?

This boy needs a haircut.

Javan calls this his "surfer hair" and says he has to keep his curls "for the ladies". Sounds like he has been hangin' out with his Dad to me :)