Tribute to my MAT from American College of Education- Original Contribution

This blog piece is specifically devoted to sharing an original project constructed during my Elementary Education Student Teaching Experience. My MAT Program has been completed through the American College of Education, located in Indiana, but servicing thousands of people like myself via online learning.

Momentarily, you will be reading about an original work that is intended to educate to the standards of Common Core State Standards and Career and College Ready Standards through learning activities, critical thinking processes, and creative exercises that cater to a diverse group of students.

A little background about the class I am Student Teaching: There were originally 21 students, a 22nd student joined us just last week. There are a total of ten boys and twelve girls between eight and nine years old, all with unique personalities that reflect their curiosities, interests, and life experiences. The cognitive and educational development of these students ranges on a grand scale, as most classes nowadays do. Some of the students are on an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) that require assistance inclusion, some of the students are pulled for Gifted Education enrichment, and all demonstrate a variety strengths and weaknesses that illustrate their social, psychological, and mental growth and emergence into society.

With this class, and based on the learning successfully achieved throughout my last year and a half of graduate study, my teaching philosophy has evolved to a student center and inquiry based approach to learning. This philosophy seeks to foster an engaging, comfortable, and thriving class environment in which students take charge of their education. Goal setting, research, multimodal activities, creativity, communication, collaboration, critical thinking, reflection, and discussion are all target words for describing the education environment I seek to cultivate in my class culture.  Therefore, constructing a unit based study that encompasses these characteristics was essential to portray through my thematic lesson designs. The greater lesson unfolds itself as each day  utilizes performance tasks which will strengthens skills and expand upon the necessary learning objectives.

Below is an excerpt from my Unit Based Study Framework Paper, and attached are all of the lesson plans that accompany this unit, and lesson materials are to come, hopefully with example artifacts created by the students. Due to a school day, one of the lessons that was originally intended for day five, had to be switched to day one. Therefore, the vocabulary assessment that was scheduled and designed to be in that lesson was moved and inserted into the fourth day of the unit. Lesson Plan 1 has color-coded font to illustrate edited or modified lesson content of the National Geographic Lesson based on the unique needs of the students.

Ultimately, the sequence of the Unit Study goes:

Day 1: Library Research on words and ideas relating to maps, culture, cardinal directions, or navigation- come up with 3 questions or key facts that are interesting to the student

Day 2: Explore unit vocabulary by small group brainstorm, followed by internet research to create a reasonable definition. Use a whole group setting for each group to collaborate and present the key vocabulary words and their accompanying researched/determined definitions. Through discussion, paraphrase these vocabulary terms so that the students can understand and relate to them.

Day 3: Teach students about the world map. Allow students to explore an didentify the different elements on a map such as the compass rose, equator, Prime Meridian, latitude, longitude, and hemispheres. Assess student directional sense through activity sheet.

Day 4: In a whole group teacher-facilitated setting, explore tools that display maps, such as Google Maps. Identify how different settings can show different geographical features. Practice zooming in and out of areas to define scale and how maps can represent all types of locations in the world. In a small group setting, allow students to practice using this technology to produce their own map of a larger region and a smaller scale location within that region.

Day 5: Introduce concepts of climate and culture by tasking students to evaluate reasonable climates for the region they mapped yesterday. Would it make sense for an area that is far from the equator to be hot and tropical? Also, frame student thought processes to consider and hypothesize an appropriate culture and lifestyle for that region based on the location and climate. Use a writing assignment to allow students an opportunity to demonstrate their thinking.

Day 6: Introduce the task of students inventing their own island. Provide students with a large graph poster and have them pencil a map of the region their island is located. Remind students to include key geographical and cartography features such as compass rose, equator line, Prime Meridian, and designated hemisphere. Students should then begin to brainstorm and generate cultural and climate ideas that would be rational for their island.

Day 7: Students will use research in the library and online to begin to defend a climate type for their island. Through table format, students will verify climate characteristics and provide evidence based on non-fiction resources.

Day 8: Today, students will author a piece of creative writing describing the culture of their invented island. Using key vocabulary from last week, the brainstorm created on Day 6, and scaffolded knowledge from this unit, students will construct an artifact that narrates a day in the life on the island they have created.

Day 9: To clarify the use of navigation and cardinal directions, as a final step, students will create a map and set of directions to get from our location in Tokyo, Japan to their island. Students may illustrate the map with colors and signifiers and use the direction list to communicate steps and modes of transportation to get to the island through words.

Day 10: Students will present their final product on this day. The final product will have a map on the front of their island with images which describe the climate and region posted as a frame. On the back side, students will have posted their creative writing piece, climate table, direction list, and direction map. The unit will glide through whole group discussion and journal reflection of the essential questions and enduring understandings from the unit.

I hope you enjoy, and I hope that any teachers will feel free to use this lesson or modify this lesson to educate their students on cartography and navigation.

‘Unit Based Study’- 3rd Grade Maps and Cardinal Directions

In elementary levels of social studies, multiple concepts are pressed into a small delegated amount of instruction time. The focus is rather on literacy and mathematics, which while these disciplines entail essential concepts and intelligences for successful learning, they do not include all necessary content and skills to be a success professional. Bogan et al. (2012) share that “Social studies instruction in the early childhood/elementary years, however, is the essential foundation for students to become active and responsible citizens in a diverse, interdependent, and democratic society” (p. 1053). As a result, teachers are challenged to be innovative in lesson and discipline integration to teach core ideas of social studies, such as geography and map skills, across subjects such as math and literacy. Department of Defense Education Activity College and Career Ready Standards tasks learning objectives that involve learning the connections and applications of cartography, navigation, geography, and culture through Social Studies Standards 3SSK1: Social Studies Skills Use geographic tools (map key, compass rose, scale), 3SSK2: Social Studies Skills Observe, interpret, and construct visual data, and 3SS3.a: History and Culture. A large part of the global networks, economy, and communication heavily relies on location. With the influx of technology, communication, and critical thinking skills of today’s society, geographic and map concept content mastery is essential in interpreting the works and relationships within global society. By teaching elementary age students about map skills, cardinal and secondary direction, and geography concepts through a creative performance task project, students are getting an authentic learning experience in understanding and illustrating the world around them.

“In today’s dynamic global economy, centered on the development and exchange of knowledge and information, individuals prosper who are fluent in several disciplines and comfortable moving among them” (Bogan et al., 2012, p. 1055). The ‘big idea’ for this unit study seeks to include multiple disciplines, primarily social studies, science, and literacy, and secondary math, art and creative expression, and technology. Since the intended unit stemmed from social studies standards focused on mapping and navigation, there is an ambiguous amount of approaches, activities, and discovery based learning experiences that can be selected to best match the learning objectives across social studies, science, and reading standards. Even with the dimensions of technology and math that can be integrated into this unit study, students are being exposed and challenged to recognize and perceive the world as a whole and as a global community.  Dempster et al. (2012) reminds us that “Inevitably, there is a need to widen the curriculum design focus beyond e-learning,” and by selecting a unit study that can utilize online research and presentation on top of hands on or in the classroom learning, students are engaging in a comprehensive learning experience (p. 145).

Background

The unit study for this project is based on the social studies strand of navigation and cartography, or more specifically specifically, using cardinal directions and compass rose. However, in creating a larger theme unit, multiple standards and disciplines are integrated into this unit to provide an authentic, well rounded, and real-world application learning experience (Appendix A). Concepts and skills learned in writing, reading, mathematics, and science are all incorporated into the design of the building background lessons, assessments, and comprehensive project. In the 21^st century work force, the ability to draw conclusions and make connections across multiple areas or disciplines is essential for success, therefore, practicing interdisciplinary studies is an effective learning strategy starting even in the third grade. Additionally, based on the student interest inventory results from the twenty-two students, it was clear that there was a broad range of learning preferences, prior knowledge, and talents that each student brought to the classroom (Appendix B). A teacher goal of this unit study was to meet not only the learning needs of each student, but also to tap into the interests and motivations that encourage student learning and self-regulated development.

Lesson Breakdown

The unit study was first brought up in the class when the interest inventory was given because it provided incentive for student response and purpose of the inventory. The unit study was then re-introduced during week six, when the class produced a KWL chart on the topic that acted as necessary informal assessment for preparation and design of the unit study details. The first week of the unit study, as seen on the unit study template briefly outlines the original plans and intention of the lesson. One of the lessons, for day two, was later modified to fit requirements from the Student Teaching Seminar course application requirements. The modifications are reflected in the individual lesson templates (Appendix C). The beginning of the unit is an educational experience that provides background knowledge, strategy application, and skill practice that is necessary to complete the performance tasks in week two. Some of the learning activities include reading, brainstorming, creative writing, persuasive writing, graphing, communicating with unit vocabulary, designing a compass rose, labeling a map, using digital tools, and researching. In week two, the students are inventing their own island, and use this created idea to demonstrate how to graph on a map, use navigation, predict or distinguish climate features based on geographic regions, and communicate about culture based on climate and geographic location.

Assessment and Diversity

The assessments for each day vary based on the sub-theme of each day, which can be identified in the title of each lesson (Appendix 3). To maintain engagement and spark interest the activities vary with each lesson, and although the students continue with the same original idea, they demonstrate their mastery or strategies through the different discipline learning tasks, such as writing, reading, creating a table, using technology, or graphing. This approach is also intended to provide equal opportunity for those at different developmental levels. Through this unit study design, students can each work at their own pace but create an authentic unit study contribution artifact.

Conclusion and Implications

            More than anything, this unit study lesson is meant to be more than a typical time of instruction. Educators who seek to provide this type of learning experience must start from two frames of mind and move backwards. First, find the standards and the intended student outcomes. Next, determine student interests through inventory, observation, and discussion. Then, use the standards and knowledge of student interests to formulate a learning plan that will be engaging, enriching, and educational in the most productive way. Based on the student interest inventory, I found that hands on learning is most enjoyable for these students (Appendix B). It would be counterproductive to have my students go through two weeks of story scavengers hunts on map concepts and cardinal directions. Rather, my students will master more knowledge about map concepts and cardinal directions through a variety of practices and activities that require focus but are so diverse in nature that they do not get boring or overwhelming. The originality of each students’ island allows students to practice creative expression and contributes to the enduring understanding and discussion of geography, climate, and culture; which are three factors that influence the lives of all people in the real world. Ultimately, I want this to be an exciting learning experience for the students which not only teaches, but also increases interest and curiosity about the world around us and how communicate about our world through maps, writing, discussion, and illustration.

Bogan et al. (2012) includes research from Dewey which believes that “the curriculum that divides children’s learning into separate discrete disciplines does an injustice to the child” (p. 1054). With the emergence of integrated technologies, global networks, connected communities, and re-fabricated culture arising in our society, integration makes much more sense in education that segregation of subjects. When teaching across disciplines with core ideas, layered curriculum, and cross-concept activities or readings, students are connecting with information and skillsets through multiple contexts. Thus, a deeper meaning and authentic learning is achieved, which satisfies the school-mandated necessary mastery of material as well as learner-driven emotional engagement.

 

 

References

Bogan, B. L., McKenzie, E. K., & Bantwini, B. D. (2012). Integrating Reading, Science, and

Social Studies: Using the Bogan Differentiated Instruction Model. Online                                      

                Submission. Retrieved from http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED539347.pdf

Common Core State Standards Initiative. (2010). Common Core State Standards (Math).

Retrieved from http://www.corestandards.org/Math/

Common Core State Standards Initiative. (2010). Common Core State Standards (English

Language Arts/ Reading). Retrieved from http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-

Literacy/

Dempster, J. , Benfield, G., & Francis, R. (2012). An academic development model for

fostering innovation and sharing in curriculum design. Innovations In Education &

                 Teaching International, 49(2), 135-147. doi:10.1080/14703297.2012.677595.

Retrieved from http://eds.a.ebscohost.com/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?  

vid=5&sid=e5151b8a-038a-4441-bccc-

a6193820df97%40sessionmgr4009&hid=4213

US Department of Defense Education Activity (DODEA). (2009) Science standards: Grade 3.

Retrieved from http://www.dodea.edu/Curriculum/Science/upload/stn_sci_grd3.pdf

US Department of Defense Education Activity (DODEA). (2009) Social studies standards:

Grade 3. Retrieved from

Click to access 2009stn_SS_grd3.pdf

 

All Lessons and Unit Study Table:

unit-study-pre-assessment

module-3-unit-study-template

m3-lesson-1elementary-lesson-plan-template

m4-lesson-2-elementary-lesson-plan-template

m4-lesson-3-elementary-lesson-plan-template

m4-lesson-4-elementary-lesson-plan-template

m5-lesson-5-elementary-lesson-plan-template

m5-lesson-6-elementary-lesson-plan-template

m5-lesson-7-elementary-lesson-plan-template

m6-lesson-8-elementary-lesson-plan-template

m6-lesson-9-elementary-lesson-plan-template

m6-lesson-10-elementary-lesson-plan-template

Master Checklist and Rubric for the students and teacher:

invented-island-checklistdirections

 

A most formidable week. I loved every minute of it.

Formidable is an adjective.

Synonyms for formidable include overwhelming, challenging, laborious, impressive, tremendous, intimidating, and powerful.

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…Yeah. I could call this week formidable. I could also call this week miraculous.

Trial is good, effort is good, not having direct control over all things is good …hope is good.

Last week, I felt helpless, scared, anxious, and quite frankly, I felt out of my mind.

“There are thousands of teachers. There are even more thousands of people who have had to go through an internship,” I told myself. Why was I scared? Was it my odd circumstances of living overseas? Was it that I knew that I wasn’t going to be able to  have everything go perfectly because of last minute circumstances that were beyond my control? What was this overwhelming sickness building up inside that was conquering my every thought and sight of peace?

I know.

I was scared because for so many years now I have been working towards achieving a genuine mastery in education of teaching…of how to become the absolute best educator I can be for all students. And finally, I was at the last step. One year of substituting, one year and a half of graduate school, three years of volunteering, four years of undergrad, seven years of working with children, ten years of watching a dream come to fruition. … I was too close to have anything that could stand in my way.

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When God gives you a vocation that can be a foundation for a career, it is a blessing and it is a promise that He will direct you into. The armor of that, though, is to listen and to persevere. Likewise, when you turn your heart to God, and realize where your dreams meet God’s will, somehow this evil, the devil, will come against it, try to stop it, try to make it seem “impossible.”

With all of my heart, I have loved education. With all of my body, I have served and studied to be an educator; regardless of pay, time required, the audience, or the subject. Nothing has ever felt so right than to be an advocate of brightening someone’s mind.

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My dad has always been the hardest worker I have ever known. I have learned more from him than anyone else about perseverance, humility, ethics, generosity, diligence, and discipline. He only said this once, but I have heard this from the way he has lived his life every single day since I have been born: “If you are going to choose to do something, choose to do it wisely. If you are going to do something, do it right. If you are not going to do it right, do not choose to do it at all.”

Quality, Wisdom, Discernment, Effort, Integrity- the keys to doing something right.

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“Is the light really shining through? I have been waiting for so long! Could I finally be coming to my first year of instilling  intellect, strategy, value, confidence, efficacy, morale, critical thinking, life skills, communication abilities, and perspective into the youth of the world?” I kept thinking to myself.

Yes. Student Teaching is here, a week until I start. (insert time of forced relaxation which is really just your heart pounding 24/7, forgetting the habit of ‘not biting your nails,’ and honestly just waiting for something to go wrong).

And of course… my phone buzzes. A new email, a new challenge. My mentor teacher has to go home… for a month. God bless her heart, God bless her family. I knew it just could not be that easy. What now? Do I have to find a new mentor? Do I have to resend all of my paperwork that has taken 7 months to get approved? Is my dean going to make me wait until next term?

….Hey.

God is good.

So, I still start on Monday. And so does my sore throat that causes me to lose my voice, a fever that refuses to allow my body to cool down, and a headache straight from the down under.

Things at home start to break, obligations begin to rise, distractions emerge.

It is a week of trial after trial. …3 classes, “working” as a Student Teacher full time, lesson planning. Sickness, missing my husband, planning a baby shower. Well people, this is life. Enjoy the ride. Now, I am certainly not the only one going through something and I absolutely do not have it bad.

So with that, through it all, I see God.

When I look at the lesson plans and understand they were left last minute due to emergency; when I see the spots that need to be filled in, centers designed, assessments created, studying happening, projects finished, objectives taught, outcomes created, skills mastered… I see God.

When I start teaching and my voice goes in and out like a frog until I am at a whisper for 5 hours of the day; my head pounding from the pressure, my body aching from a fever, my fatigue overwhelming my mind… I see God.

When I open my first course and see five assignments due by Friday, my second course with three assignments due, and my third course 100 pages to read and eight powerpoint lectures… I see God.

When that depression hits of missing your husband and knowing the end date is near but not yet confirmed; just wanting your best friend here to support you or to just give you a hug… I see God.

When I know I still need to go to the gym, take time for my devotion, eat well, and rest; make time for my self and my health… I see God.

When my friend calls me to tell me to come hang out and take a break… I see God.

None of this week would have happened if I lived without hope. No peace would be in me right now if I did not have a Savior to lean on. No forgiveness would be had for all of the caffeine I drank (even though I so strongly wanted to take time away from it) if there was no grace.

Somehow, I have been blessed.

God showed me the resources to lesson plan the next four weeks with quality instruction and learning activities.

God woke me up each morning to spend time with him and He gave me energy in the evening to exercise my jitters away before returning to my studies.

God helped me approach another third grade teacher to complete my evaluation while my mentor is out and provided me with a great substitute that will be able to help me in the classroom for the next two weeks.

God raised my dean and mentor to be flexible, merciful, and generous people that understand life happens and people who can see a genuine student when they have one.

God gave me good friends that help me rest and laugh amidst a time of management, critical thinking, and diligence.

God connected me with great family that post pictures of cats and babies that help me unwind at night and make me smile before falling asleep.

God helped me get all of my reading and notes done for not just this week, but for the next several weeks… so I get to spend time with my husband when he gets back from deployment instead of studying.

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Wow.

Right now, of course I could be doing work.

…But, really, all I want to do and need to do is say thank you, thank you, thank you. This is not about me. This is about a dream that was put in me before I was even alive. This is about being shown grace, love, and support.  This is about a purpose that is much bigger than myself.

This is about being a human trying to be pushed down from each angle of life, but knowing that my soul and my hope is in something so mighty that no thought of negativity can even touch my mind.

Take every mountain for what its height and glory. Make every experience the most it can be. Grow in all tasks. See opportunity, not burden, in everything handed to you.

These next 11 weeks are going to be hard, no doubt. After that, between PCSing and finding my first job, I know it may be even harder. …But this week has shown me nothing less than the value of the journey. I want to graduate saying I did this because God gave me the strength.

I look forward to knowing these 11 weeks were some of the most complex, laborious, strenuous, ponderous weeks of my life.

…And then, no matter where it is or what capacity, I look forward to teaching.

I look forward to knowing I have put myself through quality study, with careful time and attention to all that I have read, written, observed, performed, and learned.

I look forward to trusting I have made myself the best I can be.

I look forward to afternoons and evenings designing differentiated instruction for my diverse learners, and taking part in action research that will make the school I work for a better learning environment, and meeting with parents and faculty to listen to needs of others and see my place in finding a realistic solution, and I look forward to discovering ways to educate young learners about themselves and how they connect with the world they live in.

I know I am in for a ride. Some continuously point out that I am in for a “low-paying, long hour work force” ride, and that I have way too much excitement that will burn out quicker than I could ever imagine.

Yeah, I hear them.

But, again, this has nothing to do with me.

It has everything to do with what God is doing in me.

And, it has everything to do with the children that will one day fill up my classrooms and their education.

So, what do I choose to believe and how do I choose to respond?

“…Well, not with my God standing behind me, & not by using the gifts He has given me.”

Bring on the next 11 weeks. I am ready to make every minute count.

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There is this Spanish children’s song that I suddenly am reminded of as I write this blog. For those that may enjoy, I’d love to share:

“Si Cristo viene a tu corazón y te dice déjame entrar. Si Cristo viene a tu corazón y te dice déjame entrar. Dile si si si, Cristo vive en mi. Hay lugar para ti. Dile si si si, Cristo vive en mi, hay lugar para ti.

Si el diablo viene a tu corazón y te dice déjame entrar. Si el diable viene a tu corazón y te dice déjame entrar. Dile no no no, Cristo vive en mi, no hay lugar para ti. Dile no no no, Cristo vive en mi, no hay lugar para ti.”

Know what is true. Stand firm in your hope. If you have a promise and a dream living in you, it will come to life.

Stop, listen, value.

Here it is…

…the final day of 2016, the last few hours of a major year here in Japan. Countless blogs will be spurring up all around for the next several days, I am sure, professing new year’s resolutions, identifying profound revelations from the year, considering aspirations and expectations for the coming 12 months, and declaring closure from what the previous 52 weeks have provided.

I can’t say this blog is much different than the above description… but I suppose we each have our own unique story to tell, and here is my individual release.

What can I say? how do I start? A lot happens in 12 months for every body.

2016 has been monumental in many ways. I entered the year a new graduate student, preparing my heart for a mission trip in the DR, beginning a new job in an elementary school, facing the truth and possibility that my husband would be deploying in the fall, …and still struggling with personal battles of defining myself, finding my values, and deciding my individual moral practicality within my every day life here in Japan.

…I look back now, 12 months later… and, yeah, I did my mission trip to La Guazara (with the blessing of many others: “thank you, thank you, thank you”), I traveled throughout Korea on a women’s church retreat, I went home to Virginia (3 TIMES), I witnessed the birth of my nephew, I celebrated my sister’s marriage to the love of her life, I finished all of my course work for graduate school, I said good bye to my husband until early 2017, and I had a wonderful friend visit me over the holidays. …. Those I would say are the “major” life events.

…but, what does all of it amount to? These are all pretty profound experiences( for me at least), but what does it mean in the bigger picture, my direction, …God’s calling in my life?

I was also challenged and made huge mistakes this year. The worst of them have been in my heart and my character, …which many people would shrug their shoulder over if I disclosed these weaknesses I found in myself. But in 2016 I had high expectations for my character… and these expectations faced many trials and while my qualities won some times, they lost more than I would like to admit. At times when I had preconceived boundaries I let impulsive judgment take over the situation and made the unwise choice. Many times I opened my mouth with bitterness, pride, gossip, and lapse to old habits. But… I have tried to let it be a lesson to me, from both myself and from God.

You know, you just have to get to a point in your life where you know the difference between what you say yes to and what you say no to, what you say and what you keep to yourself, what you give and what you hold on to. Lifestyle choices are just that–the choices you make that direct your style of life. And character is display of what means most to you, how you treat others, and what you do when no one is watching. At some point in time, when you accept the desire of being your own individual, a determination needs to be made about who you are

…Not to other people… not to the world… but to yourself, to your inmost being, to your spirit within, and to your most loved ones.

For me, this year I had to make many choices to identify myself as a wife, a Christian, an educator, a family member, a friend, an aunt, a military spouse. I was so tired of a teeter tot life …and, honestly, throughout traveling between my old home and my new home (and several other new places in between) I was able to clarify for me who Caroline Rosado is and who Caroline Rosado is not. It took mistakes to understand that, and it took positive experiences to understand that. 2016 was me growing, 2017 will be me showing. Sure, I may be a little young, with “too little life experience” to “know what I am talking about,” but that’s why this is a blog, a memoir, and reflection process… so that I can work with the experience and knowledge I do have to go through the next parts of life that I have yet to have.

So really, within all of the major events of 2016, it was the more minute and unspoken experiences that truly taught me the most.

Like… I spent countless hours rehearsing a charade of Spanish songs to sing  and phrases to pray to the little children of La Guazara that I never actually ended up verbally communicating. Like the time I spent with my in-law family in Seattle and was able to feel a connection with them that trumps distance and language barriers. I had the opportunity to meet with my home pastor (almost) weekly to dive beyond a superficial study of the Word and we fostered conversation of God’s meaning in today’s world. I had to unexpectedly let go of a beloved friend that myself and many others were not ready to say good-bye to. I forced myself to take in the grieving process as a learning experience, though it was beyond the last thing I wanted to do. I stopped worrying about my outward looks and found inner beauty that identifies myself far more than any physical trait could. I made boundaries and decisions to determine the “non-negotiables” in my life, and challenged myself to make sacrifices to be a better person, not really for me, but for my husband and our future. I came home to be with my family simple to serve and love them, without expecting reciprocity. I visited my mentor teacher as much as I could to express my gratitude and appreciation for her influence and intellect in my career choices. I let myself get lost in writing, painting, cooking, exploring, exercising, and walking to random places I have never been to just for the sake of exploring peace and beauty in wherever I am at. I have spent as many months with my husband as I have without my husband in this year and I have allowed  (or tried for) it to be a season of wisdom, humility, generosity, and unconditional support… rather than bitterness, selfishness, pity, and misery.

As I am re-reading this… I see all of these pieces of the 2016 puzzle. I see a lot of selfish “I’s” …but I guess it is my blog, right?

With that being said… let me not leave out the biggest lesson I have learned this year:

In tragedy, …in celebration, …in the days where nothing was happening… who was there in all of these times?

When I stop to consider why I chose to behave, act, say,  or give allotted time in a certain way… what, or who, was I making these biggest choices for?

My family is everything. You find family when you need them most and when (you think) you need them least. They care. They ask. They consider. They give. They listen. They challenge. They don’t let you deny the goodness each day of life brings AND they make everything so much more fun. They do not fear honesty in words and actions because they want you to have the best life that you can live.

This year..my family grew in meaning and in number.

When I visited Seattle, I got to bond with my in-law family and a new baby nephew. I was challenged by timidity as we have not seen each other since the wedding, but found that commitment and support triumphs over distance apart or amounts of words shared.

When  I visited my hometown in Virginia, I was gifted a brother in law, a second new baby nephew, (what I would honestly call her) another sister, and what seemed like a whole new extended family that felt like “Family” for years—we got so comfortable with each other that they would come over to the house hours before we got home to start the party. The way they made me feel like I never left home each time I visited is one of the most surreal gifts that I have ever received.

When I came back to Japan in the summer, my husband had welcomed a new couple to our air base that has a precious little daughter (and a second little princess on the way) that filled our lack of fellowship. While I was away, then, they kept my husband company …and while my husband is away, now, they rarely let me have a moment to turn to loneliness. Also, I would even say I even gained a Japanese family member, a beloved friend who has seriously transformed my stay in Japan from a military spouse experience into a perspective-opening cultural journey. She is a soul-sister to me. (Praise be to God). No words could describe the kindness and memories she has shared with me.

God’s greatest gift is family. It is something you have to open your heart up to, find the good in, and make the choice to have humility and generosity for.

Aside from family, though, God’s other greatest gift to me in 2016 has been time. There have been so many times this year.

Time specifically devoted to serving and hearing God. Time traveling. Time back in Virginia, soaking up the views that formed my imagination and painted my dreams. Time away from my husband that has gave me time to value love, trust, and honor. Time to be with family and away from work. Time exploring two new states and two new countries. Time re-connecting myself with purpose, identity, and acceptance. Time getting in the best physical shape I can be in, and time praising God for this able body that I have to use. Time in prayer and worship whether it is me all by myself or in congregation. My first time essentially being a classroom teacher. My final time taking a class for grad school. Time visiting with my best friend who came here all the way from home to see Japan. Time identifying mistakes I am making (sometimes constantly and annoyingly) and determining how to make better decisions.  Time fasting. Time to be with my soul and letting it lead my life.

( And here enters my small caveat about the time so many military members have sacrificed this year.. time spent away from their home, their warm bed, their community. Time from their parents, family members, spouses, children. Time missing out on their loved ones growing into better, stronger people (whether it is their 1 year old daughter or their little brother or their spouse who is succeeding through major life phases). Time spent on a mission for the USA to bring peace, unity, and relation. Ultimately, a constitution-driven mission that has a God kingdom purpose— to make this world a safe and good place to live for all mankind. Time spent studying, working, undercover, rehearsing, meeting, sacrificing, fighting, and saving  souls and bodies from a hopeless reality they may be living in inside middle eastern (and many other) countries. Time spent being a true American soldier… and yet, unfortunately, they are faced with times of complaint, ignorance, disagreement, and negligence  by the American public at home or, fortunately, faced with times of support, messages of love, and prayers of hope from fellow friends or veterans who have served the time their self.

Right now, I thank my God that this time spent away from my husband has not limited my vision to myself, him, us, and those that our situation immediately impacts. Rather, God has given my husband and I an opened perspective to a larger scope of what this time means for all types of American soldiers and thousands of American families, each with a unique story that sadly isn’t always made visible to those that could truly help support them. )

Time is precious. Time is growth. Time is a personified metaphor of change in a person.

And with my exit from 2016, enters my into to 2017….

As silly and as practical as it sounds I’m starting with these simple ideas from small to big:

This year, I don’t want to place myself in positions where I do not feel I belong. I don’t want to have a night where the next day I feel convicted about the decisions I made- no matter how big or small they seem in a grand scheme of things. I don’t want to say rude things about anyone, but, I want to be a friend who stands for sharing the goodness of all people I know. This year I don’t want to pass up opportunities where God is prompting my spirit to do something. I don’t want to withhold forgiveness from anyone on anything (God surely has sent His Son to forgive me for all that I have done in my past, and He still loves me despite it all… so who am I to hold a grudge?)

… these are a few things among many others I think that I did so carelessly in 2016, not even with reason.

But why focus on negative— no one should only have their heart acknowledging failure or weakness. What did I do in 2016 that I am proud of and what can I do in 2017 to be better???

I am different. Every year I change a little bit more… and I think that is how it should be.

Yes, that means sacrifices and choices that may not be easy. But it also means excitement, being better for those you love, and finding honesty within yourself.

I am no longer this extroverted girl who is over sensitive and constantly worrying about the next move. I don’t stay quiet about my doubts of God acting in my life, and I don’t deny that I am absolutely imperfect and have to rely on the grace of God to remind me that I am worth each new day that I get to live. I don’t see myself as just a wife to a military service member or just an aspiring educator.

This new year I see myself as:

• A fighter for love, an honest and trustworthy companion and friend, an advocate for kindness, gentleness, joy, and peace.
• I see a learning Christian who is choosing a better path of life with each day, month, and year that comes, because I know what God has done for me and I believe in his love for all of his creation and his vision for heaven on earth.
• I see someone who is okay with admitting being an introvert, and valuing time for my self, devotion, meditation, and relaxation.
• I see not only knowing what is best for myself, my health, and my capabilities to help others, but actually acting on that knowledge.
• I see someone with no desire to be a person who takes more than needed, does things out of selfish ambition or pride, or makes choices without wisdom and genuine discernment.

… also… I pray to see my husband’s safe return our home, …a sound move to a different country,  …my first official teaching job, …and quality time in Puerto Rico or Virginia with family.

Wow, what a rap. 1950+ words so far, countless ideas and stories, and I still have left out so much. Originally I assumed I would be describing the last few months since I last posted (man I have had some crazy moments)… but it is much more therapeutic to release these thoughts as I am counting down to the new year.

In the end, though, more and more in my being, I just seek God in each season to come. I know he has my best interest in heart. I know he will guide my steps. And I know he will never give me something I can not handle. For the fourth year in a row I will start my year devoting myself to finding peace, awareness, simplicity, and goodness within what is around me. I am really excited for this time.

Focus is good for the mind, discipline sharpens the body, and humility opens the spirit.

Boy, how much have I learned and chosen to accept this year that this world is so not about me. This life is not all for me. My experiences are not just impacting me.

I am in control of myself, yes, I have opportunities, yes,… I can make my own choices, declare my values and paths, and develop into a woman that I want to be firm and sound in.

But in everything I do, I don’t want it to be just for me. There are so many other billions of people that my choices, words, and actions can help, encourage, or impact in some way. Whether it’s helping someone put groceries in their car,

…taking that extra time in the classroom to help a child learn a skill or lesson,

…meeting someone for tea to let them release their dreams and fears without worrying about judgment,

…taking care of extra things for my family back at home so they don’t have to deal with it,

…giving that little bit of added undivided effort to make my husband happy and doing something that he likes,

…just sharing a smile with everyone I see …and sincerely living out LOVE.

That’s the person I want to be in 2017.

11:58, 11:59…

Here come the cheers;

Happy New Year.

(Cool thing is— here in Japan, I actually am finishing this just as I hear the floors and parties of people ringing in the midnight hour… too bad I need to edit this in the morning …which makes my timing a little less extraordinary.

But, hey, we can’t expect to be perfect, right?!)

over a year later, what’s next?

So, here is to round two of blogging. Brief background- I tried to blog when I first moved here to Japan, posted a few…but within about two months I got carried away in life, felt like “who the heck is reading this?,” and decided to give it up. Recently, I have been told by a few people back home that maybe my efforts weren’t so invisible (just not visible to me)…

And, yup that’s about it.

So over a year later, four jobs later, acceptance and almost (keyword:almost) completed graduate school later… here I am. My husband’s been promoted at work, and he has travelled all over Asia and the Pacific (now he ought to write a blog with all the great things he has seen and done); I’ve worked as an art teacher, wine sales representative, Japanese-English tutor, and now a substitute at an elementary school. But also,

We both vacated in Singapore (which has by far been my favorite place to go):

China Town/Little India

That’s me!

My husband even got to play guitar at a bar one night!

Celebrating 50 years of Independence

I took a mission trip to the Dominican Republic:

Visited Korea for a church women’s conference:

Returned to one of my favorite little alley joints in Harajuku:

and seen a lot more of this side of the world than I expected.

After all this and quite a few earthquakes later, am I still in Japan? You bet. Doing okay? The good Lord still has a home, husband, food, family, and more materials than I need- Yes, I am.

Why am I writing? well, because maybe there is another military spouse out there going through similar things, maybe friends or family want to know what’s going on in my life, or maybe someone wants an interesting read.

Just this week I returned back to Japan after a very beautiful, eye-opening trip back home to Virginia. The good old ‘lover’ state which gave me life, grew me up, and sent me off.

I sure do love my hometown; it’s the classic back roads, winding river, small town diners, limited fast food, no Target or Starbucks, big open land, and friendly people who say hi kind of place. Boy, what a blessing that is in this day and age. I have never said “I can’t wait to get out of here,” …but, I sure did.

My home is beautiful. …I’d love to try to describe it, but if by chance my real estate broker dad ever read this, he’d probably call me in a fit telling me I described it the wrong way. Its comfy, two story, big but not too big, colonial (?) home with a white fence, hanging flag, and decorative wreath inviting you to the front door. There is a beautiful yard, inviting deck, an in-gound swimming pool, a bar inside the great room, and hosts a fat tuxedo cat named Jimbo who would gladly bring you a mouse or snake from outside for a welcoming gift. My dad got the house built when he had just married my mom (or maybe was about to),… and we have been there ever since. I love it. In a quick description of my parents (whom I stayed with while I was at home), My mom: a sweetheart that has guardian angels living through and all around her; My dad: a hardworking generous soul who gives all he can to know he has made someone else’s life a little better… and one who sure does have a sweet tooth.

I went home for a few reasons. First, my brother was having a baby in June, and, second, my sister was getting married in July. Maybe third, I missed home a lot. On the way back to Virginia I stopped in Seattle and met my husband and his family, which was such a great trip, seeing that we don’t see each other very often at all. My husband’s sister now has two little boys that are growing up so fast and are as sweet as can be. His mom and dad were able to meet us there, too (as they live Puerto Rico), and I got to put my Spanish speaking skills to the test (THANK GOD I had practice during my mission trip in April to the Dominican Republic. Otherwise, my words would have been very few). I loved spending a few days with them, growing in family, laughing so much with their two year old son, holding the newborn baby, and playing the role of “titi” (aunt). I really can’t wait to spend more time with them…and hopefully again on the beautiful island of Puerto Rico!

Anyhow, let me tell you, Seattle is beautiful! It is cold, … but it is gorgeous. The food is amazing and the city is full of life. I can’t wait to go back…however, maybe in August when it will be over 70 degrees- I am such a wimp, I know. But, the Public Market Center distracted me from my chilled bones as I walked and shopped amongst an array of delicious fresh seafood and special hand-crafted gifts, sweets, souvenirs, and toys. It was wonderful.Anyhow, really, I was getting ready to go see my family in Virginia, and I was super excited for this trip. I had been praying, writing, reading, and preparing my heart for this trip because I just kept telling God that I wanted this trip to be all about humility, generosity, support, love, and encouragement to my family… I did not want a trip where everyone was attentive to me or my life in Japan; I simply wanted to help my family, meet my soon to be born nephew, take relief from my sister and mom on the wedding, and just be there, I guess. Does that make sense?

Well, God knows all, and He sure does. And more often than not, we just don’t understand.  On the morning I was to head to Virginia, about 20 minutes before we drove to the airport (my husband to go back to Japan, and me to RIC), I got a phone call that will forever  be in my mind. One of my life long very best friends who I loved so much had suddenly passed away. I mean, how to describe him?… This is a friend who I knew from second grade on, was in my classes all throughout school, someone I talked to every day, he spent every weekend over at the house with my brother, and spent weeks at a time with us throughout the year while his mom was away for work. Yeah, he was my first crush, my first love, but really, he grew to be my person, and me his; no matter where we were in life (which turned out to be really different places)…He is a person that I have memories with that I could write an entire book series about.

Just like that, he is gone. …Literally days before my brother and I were going to go and try and see him after I returned. Obviously, right now, I am still really dealing with this loss. His family is wonderful, his mother a most amazing Italian woman, his Step-dad a great strong and funny man, his step-sister a beautiful teacher, and his step-brother a true friend. Wow, Life is what it is, you know. Yet, some how we have to keep living even though those that are a part of our “backbone” are no longer with us. You never know what it is like until you go through it.

Thankfully, I got to spend quite a few nights with his family while I was home. Many hugs, many talks, some tears, but many laughs. No detail is needed here, just that I love them, and they are my family even more now than before. Truly, that’s all I can say about that. My heart is still so heavy, I loved this person so much; he had a huge influence on my life, and he was a part of our family ever since he first stepped foot in our house that very first time and my mom made him tacos (which were hist absolute favorite). But, like his brother told me, “He is even more with us now than he was before, and that’s the extraordinary part about it.”

So, yes. This trip turned out to be very different that I anticipated. But, that’s okay. God knows things that we don’t. When I arrived to Virginia, walking down the terminal, caught eyes with my mom…. yup, we lost it. Anybody know that feeling? Especially after being away for a long time? Oh! It was so good, though.

I was back- even for just a short while, and sadly without my husband at my side- but… I was back.

Within just a few days, and throughout the whole trip, I worked at my dad’s real estate business every week. Boy, let me tell you. I don’t think I will ever complain about internet connection ever again. Here this company office is, been there since the 70’s…and every dag on day their internet cuts out, printer goes offline, phones mess up. You name it, it somehow happens. The “internet assistant gurus” told my dad to move his business somewhere else- but where I am from, you just don’t do that. Plus, that is crazy ?! Like, no… how about you guys provide a better service?

At first I thought the complaining was just because the employees are of an older generation, but by the second week I was calling people myself even more frustrated than they were. It was ridiculous. I mean, yes, it’s pretty entertaining watching them learn how to do all the new things computer software can do (i.e. …emailing.. making a word document..), but man… how can a business function now a days if the internet doesn’t work half the time? By the fourth week in my dad was hand writing me letters to email that I would go and connect to Wifi and type up for him (but, really, that may just be because I can type quite a bit faster than he can). Hey, that’s small town businesses for ya. But, they sure do get their work done every day, and help make people happy and excited about their new or sold homes all the time. In another lifetime I would like to be a real estate agent. In Japan, though, I don’t think thats very possible. Anyways, yeah, every week day I worked with dad, and that was fun. It was good ol’ quality father daughter time shouting across offices, grabbing lunch at the diner or the new delicious mexican restaurant down the street (which is this bright orange two story restored home dwelling that has previously been a country style fine dining restaurant called the White House–if you catch my drift here of culture shock), visiting properties, taking water samples (which you bet I almost messed up one, yet somehow God blessed me out of that problem), and doing all kinds of marketing work. Within those months I came to the recurring truth: I will always be a daddy’s girl and I am so okay with that.

Only a few days after I got there, my sweet baby nephew came into the world. Again, what an eye-opener. I like babies, I will hold babies, I think babies are adorable… but really, I prefer school age kids (hence my getting my Master’s of Art in Teaching Elementary Education). However… as any readers who have a niece or nephew know… oh boy, doesn’t your heart just melt. Like we all say, “my nephew is the cutest!” But really, mine is. With a pouty face that looks just like my brothers, he has got us all wrapped around our finger and he will be spoiled rotten with gifts, ice cream, quality time, hanging by the pool, and anything in the world he wants to do or buy. Thank God he came into this world healthy as can be and with dark hair on his big head. I love him to pieces. Fortunately, with this event and the summertime sun, his mom (who is basically a part of the Robinson family now) and her family came over every week to swim; so I got to cut out of work a little early or take an extra long lunch break to spend time with them. Things like that I love about my home town. They just drive up, know how to make themselves at home, swim around, and wait for us to get off work to crack a cold one with them and hold the babies (my nephew’s mom’s sister just had a little one too). Two families that are now one… again, I just love it. Great conversations were had and so many laughs that our stomachs all hurt.

Yeah, so many nights I am thankful for from being home. It was those late nights out on the deck, country wine, me and mom’s cooking, dinner by the pool, dad outside reading the news while I am doing school papers. Just us and the stars and the crickets. Even with my friend passing, it was like the peace of Heaven came down to Earth just to say goodnight.

Of course, I certainly missed my husband a ton. We Facetimed and talked when we could (the time difference didn’t give us any blessing). Our hearts certainly grow when we have to be apart, and we learn so much about how to support each other. But, never the less, I stayed occupied, and so did he, which was good. My family had plenty of nights grilling out; little house parties, at which my dad would provide outside music entertainment by tossing our 30 year old speakers out the great room window, coming from our 1990’s big block stereo (with no digital screen, by the way-yup, my parents are old school). We did a lot of shopping, talking, eating, walking, laughing, and visiting. Our best family friends from Las Vegas came into to town to visit which was great. My cousins came down from Abingdon to visit the baby and the pool. I gave a science lesson to my other little cousins for school (and they ended up being the life of the dance party, and my dancing partners, at the wedding reception), and had a really good salmon dinner with their mom; which we could talk for hours on end -especially with a bottle of wine lying around waiting to be opened. One of my childhood friends who lives in Tennessee came home for July 4th weekend; and a lot of my high school friends, brother, and little babies came and participated in an annual corn hole tournament at their family owned campground. Oh yeah, we did the whole ‘sit out on the back of a pick up truck and watch fireworks out in a field’ thing. I met with my home town Pastor a couple of times and we dug into Scripture, life questions, and spiritual growth. I saw my best friend a few times amongst her crazy schedule of having all of her family in town. I even got to do the one thing I wanted to do amidst my “humble trip”: go to a country concert; Thank you Eli Young Band! My mom also kept me busy with runs out to Ms. Carol’s (and I only say her name because everyone should know Ms. Carol, what a saint, and a funny one too!) to pick up clothes she fixed that would be worn throughout the summer, going out to brunch, lunch, Target, or all three, and, while my sister was home, we spent every free hour visiting the local wineries in the warm afternoons. Undoubtedly, for a few weeks there, my mom, sister, and I were organizing wedding invitations, licking envelopes, finalizing details, and all having minor heart attacks that we were only 5 weeks away from the big day.

(Photo from Google Images)

Now, I gotta say, wedding season sure is fun. I am one all for organizing, making decisions, being a part of the bridal party, and making sure everything goes down without a sitch.  And my sister’s wedding ended up being the small town big time event of the summer. Everything went off perfectly; all the details went off spotlessly, the company was joyful, the food was fabulous,  and I now have a brother-in-law! It was a huge reunion of everyone we know and love, and surprisingly I spent almost the entire night lost in conversation with family and friends of our family rather than out on the dance floor. Of course, that is until “Wagon Wheel” came on, followed by “Sweet Caroline,” and then all bets were off, and me and my little cousins were having a ball. I gotta tell ya, it was the worst that my husband couldn’t be there to meet everybody. The short story of “No, I am sorry he is not here. Yes, he is in Japan Yes, we can’t wait to be here so we can all meet up together. Oh, of course I will tell him you missed him. Yup, I go back August 1. I am not sure when we are moving. No, I do not know where. Unfortunately, we do not know when we will know. Yes, I am working. Yes, it going well. Yes, I will try to teach at our next base. Yes, my husband is doing great with his job, too. We hope to come back in the next year together and see everybody, and etc.” got a little disheartening, because truly, I did want my love to be there with me on such a beautiful occasion. That’s the military for you, though. It’s okay. I know God will get us all together sometime sooner or later (prayers for sooner, please).

 

So, yeah, two months-8 weeks- came and went. I had a 3 day travel period back, which was the worst idea ever. Spent the night in the Seattle airport, got told I couldn’t return to Japan without a visa or brand new orders, ate really bad airport food (I always pick the wrong thing to order), took a bus and train to Tokyo station, learned all about a man’s life from Argentina on the way, and then, after one more hour,…made it home. My husband loved and missed me so much that he bought me a cake, which was the sure way to my heart. He even made me a breakfast wrap for dinner; which is actually one of my top foods. Unfortunately, thank you military, my husband had to leave just 12 hours after I got home for a work trip. I know he was excited though, so I am okay with it.

But, yeah…the last three days have been pretty much unpacking, cleaning, reading, running, painting, writing, school work, watching Friends, watching The Wedding Planner (now out on Netflix), and going to the pool on base (which is free this summer for entry…of course… the one summer I spend away at home in the U.S.). Oh yeah, I also started up my tutor class with Japanese women learning to speak English… which was really good, and allowed me to escape my immediate life and help someone else for a few hours. Since, I have also seen so many of my little kids from school, the elementary school on base at which I substitute, and they are so in summer mode…and growing up! I can’t say I am jumping up and down with excitement to return to work every day, but I sure do miss their faces and watching them learn. Of course, they took one look at me at the pool and freak out because, …yes,  I am still young enough and fit enough to wear a bikini. They are such little rascals. Today I got hit 3 times by a couple of their water balls and hugged all over by little bodies. It was mighty fun. My Dorothea Benton Frank lowcountry book suffered a few injuries.

Anyways… yeah… Now I am here.

Just last week I was enjoying a wedding reception with really good brisket and garden tomatoes.

Next week my husband will be home.

The week after we get to go on vacation together.

Then, it’s back to work every day.

After that, who knows?

I am just happy I am here on Earth today. I am grateful that the sun has been so warm and good to me this summer, that family has surrounded me and shown me love, that the best seafood and tomatoes that I always crave are still just as good even when I have been away a while, and that I have this other totally blessed life to come back to in Japan.

While I was in Virginia, I gotta admit, I was sick to my stomach about coming back. My heart was split in two… my place is there, but my love is here. Home is where you make it to be, and good things can come from any situation. I’m happy to be back. I love our apartment on the 6th floor. I love our couch, our kitchen, and the memories we have made here on base and out in the jungles of Tokyo.

This coming season is going to be a really good one, I just know it.

A little of here, there and everywhere; coaching, sightseeing, learning… doesn’t seem to be a better way to kick off a first summer here in Japan!

What can I say? I have been here, there, and a little bit of everywhere recently!

Since I have last been in touch I have visited Shibuya, the local river park, Yoyogi Park, and Tama Zoo, I have made it to the final stretch of my Spanish lessons, turned another year older, attended a different church out around Fussa, and become proficient in teaching little kids how to play ball! Oh! and I can’t forget—I have found a job!

So, yeah, it has been a busy few weeks for me!

I will start with TBall-the weekly duty I have attempting to show five year olds the ins and outs of baseball that will be carried with them throughout little league, AAU travel teams, school sports seasons, and maybe even eventually college play. It has only been about 4 weeks since the season has started, but boy do these kids light up my life. “Jugar con ninos me hace feliz” 🙂 I really can’t believe how quickly youth can develop skills and pick up new tactics. I mean, I remember at the very first practice they couldn’t even throw the ball; but, now we are throwing and tagging people out in our games! Technically, right now we are in a bit of a league disgruntle debating whether we should be counting “outs” in TBall- I think it is completely necessary to count outs and if a kid gets tagged out, he needs to go back to the bench, not stay on -but, anyways….I guess the head coaches will figure that out before the next game). The kids are loving their practice routine of running, stretching, drills, then a little scrimmaging, and they have picked up on asking for specific bases to play and orders to bat in. I feel like I Have hardly done any work at all! I just am here to encourage them and show them the nicks and tricks of ball handling skills and batting posture and technique, they really are putting the puzzle pieces together themselves. I have gotten to run a few practices by myself due to the head coach having to stay late at work or whatnot. Those nights I have really tested my ability to have any authority in front of kids, just seeing if they do know how to listen without multiple adults giving tasks and challenges. They seem to really enjoy me, and I love the new friends I have made with the parents. One of the parents has brought a few team mascots to practice, a sugar glider possum from the local Joyful Honda and few day old kitten from a box of kittens found on base. Getting pets while in Japan is a really popular thing here. (I have met someone though who went to Joyful Honda and bought a dog, which she found out within the first week of having it at her house that she was allergic and had to give away the $1400 companion that she had just adopted.) But, anyways, I have tested out my skill and can definitely handle coaching 9 kids in TBall… which is actually great training because I have just been offered a job at the School Age Program Center on base!

I had an interview last Monday for this position, and this was actually one of the first positions I had applied to when I first arrived here at base and after I got settled in. But, God is good, and He knows the way that He will make for me… it took some time, but hopefully within the next few weeks I will have finally gotten my feet wet with my first air base spouse job! The job is actually really exciting to me. I will have about 12 kids in my “Area.” I will either be in charge of arts and crafts, science, or drama. In the summer it will be set up like a day camp for the kids; we will go to the pool each week, bowling each week ,and most weeks we will also get to go on a field trip out around Japan (we are even going to Tokyo Tower one week, I think!). It doesn’t pay a salary’s worth, but it is definitely something to get me started, and I really believe I will enjoy it! One thing I must say and comment on though, is the huge amounts of paperwork that I have been having to go through with the hiring process. I feel like I am taking an educational course on filling out forms, background surveys, online questionnaires, etc. I think signing up for the military itself is less paperwork than this!

But, yes, those two things I have been the primary life happenings here on base, and I feel like I am getting it down under control 🙂

The other weekend I went and visited Shibuya with a few ladies I have met on base. We went after the TBall game; it was a gorgeous day- bright blue sky, sunny weather, warm air -my husband was gone all day with a gig for work and I knew he wouldn’t be back until really late. We juggled going to Tokyo, but decided that Shibuya would be quicker in case the weather took a turn, and it was also a little less expensive. We took the train and we hopped off right in front of the biggest intersection in Asia (and maybe even the whole world, I am not kidding). It is a famous crossway that is in a lot of films that take place or have scenes in Japan.

Shibuya itself is a really pretty city; the city streets were clean, the store fronts were very neat and branded in an organized manner, all of the people were wearing the latest fashions. There was a 4 story H&M, a huge UnderArmour, and then of course a million boutiques, curry shops, ramen restaurants and tech stores. We went to a little Thai restaurant that was upstairs in one of the buildings and I had a delicious soup with pork and ramen noodles. The two other girls I went with got food that was very similar to the stir fry that I had ordered back at the Thai place across from base. From our table, we could see all the way down the street and there was a little puppy store that caught one of their eyes, so that was our next stop. About 14 puppies of all different breeds, barking excitedly to find a new play mate. I could have taken all of them home (except my husband would have had a cow). We walked into a few stores that led into malls (which is also really common in city areas), shopped around a bit and ended the trip a little shorter than we expected because the weather did take a turn and dropped about 20 degrees by early afternoon. The weather here is as unpredictable as it is in Virginia.

That next week it was my birthday. My husband surprised me with breakfast in bed, took me out to lunch and then out and around for dinner. It was hard being away from home for my birthday, especially since I am a twin. I have never really celebrated birthdays in a big fancy way, but a dinner with family has been the primary annual celebration for us. I Facetimed my mom on the day of my birthday and then the next day when it was my brother’s birthday, and they showed me the cake and the meal they cooked; and I am really glad that they did have dinner together, even without me there (which I wouldn’t expect any different). My husband and I ended up having dinner, just us two, out at the bowling alley on base. I had a grilled cheese and french fries with a corona, he had a cheeseburger that was about the size of a burger from McDonalds (in the States). But, I didn’t want anything fancy, and I was craving good old American food. So, it was perfect for me. Since my birthday was mid week we made plans to go to Yoyogi Park for a Cinco de Mayo festival that weekend.

It was actually one of my husband’s coworkers that has been over a few times that helped plan the trip out to Yoyogi Park to celebrate my birthday. When I got the invite on Facebook (because at first I had no idea it was going to be like a “celebration” hang out) I was really shocked. I didn’t expect anyone at all here on base to really care that it was my birthday. But this girl is just so nice and she really helped make it special for me. I wish I could meet more people like her around here, who really care and reach out and want to do things for others. I really appreciated it. She even greeted me with a little tiara when we met up to head to the train station that Saturday morning. I wore it until I got to the park and took a few pictures (after I had gotten several shocking glances from Japanese locals and aw struck faces from little girls wondering if I was a princess or something).The weather was absolutely perfect. When we got there we ran into a few other friends that were playing frisbee. My friend and I headed out to check out the venders for the Cinco de Mayo festival. When we saw that only half of the tents were put up, we realized that the festival didn’t actually start until the next day and it lasted Sunday and Monday, not Saturday and Sunday. But, like I said, it was a beautiful day, and we were out at a park in Tokyo. And there actually wasn’t a huge crowd at the park since so many people would be visiting the next few days for the festival. So, what could be better? Food.

We ventured down the streets and found ourselves in this little alley way that had several different food stands and a group of high-top picnic tables in the center. It was a place called Commune 246- a street of local vegan and organic food venders that brewed their own beer and made the greatest quick stop meals. After chowing down on garlic potato curls, veggie covered hot dogs, and washing it all down with some brews, we made our way back over to the park for a nap. It felt like the day flew by. Before I knew it, the weekend was already over.

-One quick thing before I leave this story, though. My husband and I got lost heading back, we had left separately from everyone else. I wasn’t really sure where we were on the train, and I certainly didn’t know how to get back home. My husband went up to one lady and just mentioned the local town where we are living and the lady took us all the way back to our home on the train. She helped us switch station platforms, get on the right train, and made sure we knew where we were going. Again, just a little testament to the manners they have here in Japan. It is greatly appreciated how kind the locals are here to tourists (who knows when we would have gotten home if it hadn’t of been for her).

Sunday, we went to a new church from the one we had been visiting. It was a little further from base, but I actually appreciated that because it was in a part of town that I had yet to travel towards. We drove around the building a couple of times trying to find parking. There were ushers standing outside that helped direct traffic and show guests where to park, but we still managed to turn down the wrong street and had to back up, Uturn, look around like lost little kids— you know, the whole nine yards of cluelessness that you don’t want to go through when visiting somewhere for the first time. But they people were super polite about it and greeted us with such warm smiles. The service was held in a small little room upstairs from, yet again, another English international school that was also run by the church. The room was packed, though, and the walls were decorated in purple and gold, the room was booming with really beautiful gospel music that could be heard from the streetside, and all the women were excited for Jesus, dancing and singing their hearts away. It was a really good experience, I think. And, again, seeing local Japanese involved and engaged with the church service really helped open my eyes to the way God has one faith for all of the so many different people, cultures, and countries here on earth. Going to church really just puts a smile on my face, and that’s really all I can say. I may not have found that “home” that I had in Virginia, but, it really isn’t about that right now. So, I am fine with making myself content with the circumstances and sanctuaries that God is laying in front of me right now.

On Tuesday I visited the Tama Zoo with my military spouse friend that I have hung around a few times (she actually was just over for dinner. I am so thankful I met her and that I can get to grow in this new experience of Japan with her as a friend). There was free admission on Tuesday, we think because it is “Golden Week” here in Japan, but, we appreciated it and we took up the opportunity to go along with another military spouse we know. We saw lions, giraffes (my favorite), zebras, koalas, Asian and African elephants (my other favorites), red pandas, chimps, and orangutans. The zoo wasn’t nearly as packed as we had expected it to be. We had plenty of time to walk around and see everything before I had to get back for Tball practice. One thing that I really noticed as soon as I got to the zoo was that every single sign was both in English and in Japanese. In fact, the larger signs that read titles of the animal region habitats first read in English, and below it was Japanese Kanji.  In huge arches it would say (Africa World) and below it would read the same (I assume) in Kanji. It just made me think, would we do that in America? Do we? But, I also realize that a lot of people in Japan do speak English, so it is not as unusual as it may be if we were to have Japanese written everywhere below English back in the states.

And, while we are on the topic of consideration of culture. the other day while I was on base, I was thinking about how we have restaurants like Popeyes, Taco Bell, Baskin Robbins, Chili’s etc. here on base. … and how we have bowling alleys, a movie theater, swimming pools, youth and teen centers for students to go to on their breaks from school and in the afternoons. The people that design and construct the bases, and the team of managers that decide what overseas base life will be like… …they do a great job at making us feel very comfortable. We don’t have to have a barbershop or beauty salon on base. We certainly don’t need a Burger King. We don’t have to have these extra “amenities.” But we do. And it makes home away from home so much better. Even though I don’t go to a lot of these places, it is just nice to have something familiar around you in such a much larger unfamiliar surrounding environment. So, to whoever helps with designing, managing, deciding, building, choosing: “Thank you. It probably helps so much more than you realize and you probably definitely don’t get the appreciation you deserve for making us feel as normal as we can be 6600 +/- miles away from where we grew up.”

So… yeah. Between those fun things I have just been spending quality time with my hubby, getting hooked on Rules of Engagement, practicing Spanish, learning more about cooking for two, three, or even four, and have been digging into some really awesome books and devotionals out on my balcony in the warming weather. Friendships are starting to bloom and life is really pulling together 🙂

Life is good. I can’t complain.

This weekend I am heading towards Mt. Fuji with my husband, his sponsor, and his wife, and I am super excited!

So, until next time!

It starts in the center, it starts with the home, it starts with community.

Hola mis amigos! Como estas?

It has certainly been another conquering week here in Japan. Though I am still without a job, I have become much more of a part of my community since we last talked.

This last week,as usual, I continued to learn more Spanish, and even ended up having a one on one live tutoring session with a teacher on Rosetta Stone. I had two tutoring sessions in a row with the same tutor and no one attended the second one except for me (probably because it was around 10pm across the US). But, it was actually pretty nice because I ended up having a real 25 minute conversation in Spanish with someone I didn’t know, but knew how to help teach me what I wanted to say. About mid week, my husband and I had our family friends from Puerto Rico over for dinner, as well as the saxophone player I have mentioned in my previous blogs. Again, another successful night of learning Spanish! I accidentally told one of my husband’s friends “Estoy Buena” when I meant to say “Estoy Bien”…. if you aren’t sure what the difference is (which there is definitely a big one), then I will leave it to you to look it up. It was a night of jokes and laughter, and also a night of the fire alarm going off from my husband grilling out on the balcony and letting the smoke come into the living room. I had made burgers out of ground chicken, which I mixed with tri color peppers and onions and then seasoned with Adobo spice, cajun spice, salt, pepper, and a little bit of garlic. I hadn’t cooked for more than just three people yet, so I ended up having enough left overs that lasted up until yesterday’s lunch.

And on Thursday night, I had my first practice coaching t-ball. That’s right… I am the Assistant Coach for 10 4-5 year old little minions who just want to run around and throw balls at each other—which, may I remind you, are the upcoming MLB generation (it is quite frightening, actually). It was a blast though. Only one of them knew how to catch a ball… a few remembered where first base was… and all of them jumped around like crazy when we started to let them throw the ball with each other. The Braves, …yes we are. And our first game is this Saturday. After only having 3 practices (if any of the practices this week do not get cancelled because of the rain), it will surely be quite a show! Vamos a ganar!! I am really excited. This is my first chance to really get involved with other families on base, teach children something, and have fun. I am sure I will be sharing plenty of baseball stories throughout the next few months. I remember when I used to go to every single baseball practice my brother had. I was the team sister -every practice, every game, every awards ceremony, every end of season party, I was there. Passing out snacks like a pro :). That is, of course, until I was old enough to start softball. Then that was the real challenge; my parents had to go between two kid’s tournaments all weekend every weekend during the summer months, one after the other, …and only to end those seasons and start field hockey and football. But, we were all there for each other, and so were our loyal Gatorade and Goldfish. God bless it all.

Onto Friday, and probably a more interesting day for you all, I got to take a Gyoza Cooking Class. I posted a picture of Gyozas before, ones that I had bought in the Seiyu. Well, last Friday, I got to learn how to make them from scratch, and they were so delicious. My spouse-friend  and I went to the chapel on base where about 6 other spouses met with a wonderful lady, Suzy, who is a native Japanese woman, an amazing cook, and a good friend of our Airman Family Readiness Center Program Coordinator. For an hour and a half, we all got to walk through the process of making gyozas. It really wasn’t that difficult. Now, we made probably close to 60 gyozas total, but all we did was:

• 1.25 lb of ground meat,
• a tbsp or 2 of salt,
• a half of a head of cabbage,
• 4 large green onions chopped finely,
• a small bundle chives chopped finely,
• maybe a half of a cup of spinach boiled with water and a little salt,
• a bag of shredded cheese,
• 2 Tbsp minced garlic,
• 2 Tbsp minced ginger

(We made some with just meat, some cheese and spinach, and some cheese and meat)

We first blended the cabbage and green onion in the food processor, then drained the water from them (which there is actually a lot of water in cabbage, and it makes a very smelly liquid when drained-so beware); meanwhile, we combined the meat, salt, and chives, then mixed in the cabbage and onion when they were done processing. Then we took the gyoza wrappers (which are small, thin round pads of dough), took 1 teaspoon of the meat mixture (or spinach and cheese) and put it into the center of the dough into a little round patty, then we put water around the edge of the dough with our fingers, and folded the dough and pressed together. To cook them, we just placed them in a sauce pan with 1/4 cup of boiling water (per 12 gyozas), waited for the water to steam and evaporate from the bottom of the pan which took about 10 minutes, added a couple tablespoons of oil, let it sit for about 4 more minutes, and there you have it! Homemade Gyozas 🙂

Now, the real treat was that Suzy had made rice and soup to compliment our gyozas, so we ended up having a whole meal. She also showed us how to make a few common (and wonderful) toppings and a dip for the rice and gyozas. The first topping was diced onion and cabbage and chives (left over from making the gyozas), soy sauce, and red pepper all mixed together. Then to compliment that she made a separate bowl of boiled spinach, sesame seed, sugar, and soy sauce (this was my favorite). Finally, we saw how to make a sauce made from soy sauce, sesame seed, and a hot sauce that looked like honey (which was really not too hot, but we only used 3 drops). Even though I had eaten lunch before I came to the class, I gladly filled my stomach up, again, because it was all just too good to resist! And when I brought leftovers home to my husband, he made sure I remembered how to cook everything; which was a good clue that I need to make these for him at home again soon.

My husband and I ended up having a very relaxing weekend, which we both needed because we both were running around a lot in the week (also, my husband injured his hand at a basketball tournament Friday and needed to get it healed so he could play guitar as usual come Monday). But, on Saturday, we found ourselves back at the Aeon Mall. My husband needed to get a Stylus Pen (a pen for your iPad), and I just needed to walk around somewhere. So we explored all 3 floors of the mall, and eventually after returning back to the first store we had walked into, we bought his Stylus Pen. We also ended up asking one of the store employees about getting a different internet provider. He politely told us that it would be best for us to use a company with a “free trial period,” so we can see if the service will work efficiently in our tower on base, and the store contracted two of those companies. But, unfortunately, the only way to get the free trial period is to first sign up online- on their website that is completely and totally in Kanji. We have a pretty good internet source here on base, but it is extremely over priced, and it also doesn’t work well anywhere other than in the living room.. But, I think that is just going to have to do for now, or until we find someone who can help us understand how to get the free trial period online. (These kind of cultural obstacles are taken for granted when you are home)

Anyways, before we left the mall we decided to get a something to eat to hold us over until dinner. We had passed the McDonald’s, which smelled better than any other McDonalds I have ever even thought of smelling, but there were too many people in line. So, we went over the food court. The first restaurant in the food court that you see is a Hawaiin Pancake House (which I am definitely hoping my husband will take me back too). There were pictures of pancakes with peanut butter and bananas, some with mango, coconut, and whipped cream, strawberries and blue berries, stuffed with custard and topped with powdered sugar– just pure pancake heaven! Beyond that, there were a few Ramen and egg noodle restaurants, a place that I have heard a lot of people talk about called “Pepper Lunch,” which serves meat that is like steak, but is/can be served very raw, and then another fried meat and rice restaurant. On the adjacent wall there was a restaurant that advertised images of eggs over rice, curry, and fried vegetables. Beside that was a restaurant serving more curry, meats, and japanese style cabbage salads. While all of this looked and smelled so amazing, my husband and I were so starving that we just went straight to one place that we kind of knew… KFC.

Yup, Kentucky Fried Chicken. And it was AMAZING.

I really do not care for KFC in the States, and now I don’t even know if Bojangles crispy cajun chicken can top this. The meat was so juicy, it was tender and white, and most importantly, not drenched with grease. The fries that we had were excellent, and all of their other sides were very fresh too. The only downside: no biscuits (which of course was my favorite part of KFC in the first place). But, that was quickly made up for when I got a green tea smoothie to drink. There is a green tea brand that is everywhere here in Japan. They sell green tea iced drinks, green tea ice cream, green tea yogurt, green tea Kit Kats bars, green tea frappucino’s, and now… my favorite so far, the green tea smoothie. Before I moved to Japan, my husband had mailed me some of this green tea powder to make hot tea, and I have to be honest, it was the worst green tea I had ever had in my whole life. But in ice cream and smoothies, I definitely find favor.

Now, I know that I talked about malls and food courts before in a previous blog, and I am sure it just seems silly that I always comment about them, but really, the Japanese just have it figured out. The parking lots have signs that say which lots are full and which lots are open, so you aren’t driving around endlessly looking for a spot. They also have a covered walkway from the back row of the lot all the way to the front entrance for people to walk under when it is raining. And in the food court (I had mentioned that they use real China ware in my first blog), they also have communal sinks for both adults and children. These sinks stay clean, people use them all day long, and I am sure it cuts a lot of germs from being spread (and food grease from being touched onto the clothing in stores that full-belly-customers are shopping in). In the restrooms, the mirrors and counters are spotless, the floors are clean, the toilet seats are heated, and they even have a sanitation wipe dispenser to clean off the seat before/after use. … I don’t know… it is the little things like these that make me smile and laugh a little… because they make so much sense, and they aren’t hard to put in place, at all. Why are these things not in malls in America?

So, on with our evening we went. We ended up having a friend over who was convinced to try and make a vegetarian pizza that her friend had told her about. It was loaded with sauteed cucumber, onion, cauliflower, broccoli, mushroom and tomato. The crust was just dough from a Pillsbury roll. But, the sauce was the most famous part. It was made from cream cheese, ranch and pesto. Again, another perfect meal, but probably way more than I needed. After filling our stomachs with veggie pizza and salad, we called it a night.

Sunday seemed short and sweet. It rained all day, so we didn’t have much of an option for sight seeing. I spent a little time writing in my prayer journal that afternoon; which, I hadn’t done that in a while. God is good- I don’t think I will ever be able to thank him enough for everything he has given me. And right now, I have so many friends who are growing their families or are about to make big moves in their lives. There are so many prayers that consume my thoughts, that leave my lips, and that flow from my fingers onto my journal. I feel like all day long I could just think about my friends, write to them, see how they are doing. It is good to know that God looks after those you love, especially when you can’t be there yourself. (And for myself, right now, I really am looking for guidance in Spanish, work, and growing a godly marriage. Three things that I could keep completely in my hand, but I know much more than to believe that my capability alone is the best to rely on. I’d rather place my trust in God, knowing that his good is always better.)

But, anyways- my Sunday. I had gone to church in the morning, watched tball coaching videos in the afternoon with my girl friend (the head coach), and finally I was all cuddled up with my husband, the past week’s leftovers, and the movie Gone Girl on Sunday night (which is a crazy good movie, by the way). I couldn’t have asked for a better way to end the week.

Last night, I took a third step in growing my place in building community here on base. I joined the Enlisted Spouse’s Club. Sure, it may not be a job. But, it is an opportunity to learn and grow with other spouses, volunteer at different events on base, and enjoy myself being a part of something bigger. After the meeting last night, I found three upcoming programs that I can be a part of and then we all played a Bunco tournament, which was so much more fun than I anticipated. I met a lot of really great women that I really look forward to spending more time with. A lot of them have good personalities, are eager to serve, support each other and their families, and just seek good fellowship. It’s a lot of what I am seeking to have, too. I am really excited.

So, yeah… things around me are really pulling together. I hope that next week I can give you guys more stories of adventures beyond these base walls. But for these last few weeks, I have just been taking my time growing my home, starting with the place I live and community that surrounds me.

“Culture is the widening of the mind and of the spirit” […and for me, of the heart]

Buenas dias! Que ha sido un tiempo pero aqui estoy!

Yo he aprendido mas espanol 🙂 Y eso es lo que he estado haciendo.

So… in English now, from Japan, Hello 🙂

It has been about a week since I last wrote, and, unfortunately, I do not have a crazy or exciting story to share. But that is okay because I can say that all is well, and that is never a bad thing.

This past week I spent countless hours with Rosetta Stone, becoming much more acquainted with the Spanish language. I also spent some time out around the Seiyu, exploring nearby streets for new places and things to see. My friend had told me about a “dollar store” that was right on the other side of the train station and just this last weekend her and I walked over there. This store was another five floor building (it amazes me to think about how when these buildings were first designed, the architects had decided to make so many of the buildings several floors, knowing they would suffice for either one store or for many different stores. I mean, years later the space is just occupied in such a practical way). Anyways, so each floor sells a different department- kitchen items, toys, candy and snacks, arts and crafts, and so on, and everything costs 100 yen. Great, right? Now, when we were walking back to cross over the train station and head back towards the Seiyu and to base, I made sure to take a mental picture of where I was and what the front of the building looked like, so I could go back.

On Tuesday, I decided to return to that store to pick out some items that I could send back home to friends and family. Well, to my friends and family- those gifts will be on delay, because I walked out of the other side of the train station, just as I had before, and somehow I spent twenty minutes walking around the little town square trying to find this store that had only taken me a minute to get to when I was with my friend. It literally feels as if this place just disappeared! I remember so clearly, we walked down the stairs, turned to the right and there the store entrance was. Yet, as I repeated the same memory in the current situation, there was an empty building and no 100 yen store. So, yo no se. Eso es de final de esa historia.

Sorry- “I don’t know. And that is the end of that story.” But, that same day, I did actually go and buy a few food items from the Seiyu, like those amazing gyozas that I was talking about in a previous blog (look to the left).

As the rest of my week progressed, I continued to apply for a few more jobs around base. And can I just say that this really has been my most difficult and frustrating task. Are other military spouses dealing with this same obstacle? It is driving me crazy not having any work, even part time work I would take in a heartbeat! You would think I would have found something by now, but since I do not have the highest “military spouse preference,” I really am at the bottom of the list to be interviewed (which does make sense, but it isn’t good for me). I keep praying about finding work, and I know God hears my request and I know it will come; maybe this is my opportunity to learn more about having patience and knowing the value of getting hired …Regardless, whatever the circumstances surrounding my job search may be, I hope that I do find something soon. (Although, excitingly, I did get word that my application is moving along in the process of becoming a substitute-this is the hardest job to get on almost any overseas base because of the transportation of background check information- so that is good news).

So, yup… Spanish, job searching, cooking, cleaning, exercising, hanging out with a few friends, and a little more exploring filled up my time last week. Oh! and I also signed up for that cooking class that I will be taking on Friday (and hopefully I will learn a little more about Japanese cuisine).

On Friday, my husband’s squadron hosted a lunch for certain people that are PCSing soon. I got to bring my first dish as a wife (sounds lame, but it was my own little victory). And the battle was easy because my husband signed me up for a fruit bowl. Coming from a family that lives for hosting and providing for others, of course, I couldn’t just cut up fruit and put it in a bowl, …but I knew some people may expect that… so… I made two bowls; one with just fruit and then another that was layered with strawberry Greek yogurt and drizzled with honey. It was nice to meet other spouses and to grow in relationship with my husband’s squadron, especially with some of the females that he works with (one of them has actually become a pretty good friend to us). And in the end of it all, my husband got to be off from work early and we had a whole weekend ahead of us. Unfortunately, this weekend was filled with rain and gloomy skies. But, only good times were to come!

Friday evening we went out to dinner with a couple we met from the church we have been attending. The wife is a friend that I made while substituting at the international school. She actually grew up in Japan and her parents are from Africa. So, needless to say, she picked out where we went to eat, which was at the Aeon Mall, and she helped us learn more about the area as we walked around. We went to a restaurant that served different fried meats with shredded cabbage and fried vegetables- this another good and common meal in Japan. I had seen this same fried meat mostly served with curry, though, at places like Coco’s (a very popular curry house- which is like our Panera Bread), but I had never had it without the curry. And let me go ahead and say this: this is not fried meat like in the south, it is very crispy, yes, but there is hardly any grease at all (for some, that is the best part).

My husband had fried chicken and shrimp, I had the pork with vegetables. Right after we ordered, the servers brought us two huge bowls of thinly shredded cabbage, three bowls of barely, and a final bowl with three wooden sticks. As my friend and I are deep in conversation, and my husband is engaged in the same with her husband, she starts mashing the barley with the wooden stick and just moment later, both of our husbands began to do the same (since I ordered something different, I did not have a barley bowl). Now, I didn’t know what they were doing, and I was impressed that my husband knew what he was doing… but, soon enough, my husband did look up and ask what in the world they are doing- so really, we both had no idea. They told us that in a lot of restaurants that feature meats (especially fried meats), they have you grind your own barley (or other spice), and then they provide several sauces that are hidden in little vases at the end of the table from which you can choose, and you can season your meat. They also told us that It is common to eat this fried seasoned meat with the shredded cabbage and accompanying white or barley rice. It was just something different, and really neat, I thought so at least.

Anyways, after dinner, we went to a guitar store that was on the third floor, and we walked around a little bit longer exploring all the different kinds of stores the Aeon Mall had to offer. My friend and I talked a lot about the fashion and clothing stores in Japan. She told me that she, as well as many other women, aren’t able to shop at any “original” female clothing store in Japan because the sizes run so small (ironically, two of my husband’s female coworkers also told me this just yesterday when we were talking about going shopping in Harajuku). She also said that the clothes were often more expensive, so she always shopped at stores like H&M, Gap, or Forever21-which are here in Japan too. Interesting, yeah? I also noticed that a lot of the stores had names in English, and they usually didn’t make sense. For example, there is one store called “As Know As CONCEIT.” In my mind, I want to fix the title to read it as “As Known As Conceited,” because to me, that is what makes sense. This sort of mind trick happened over and over again as we walked past several stores.

We found that the mall also had a movie theater inside. My friend’s husband told us all about it, and he showed us that some of the movies are in English with Japanese subtitles; movies like American Sniper and Fast and Furious 7.  Now, let me share this with you. The movies that come out in the United States that are also shown in Japan are premiered a little later than they are back in the States. One of these films is Fast and Furious 7- which I went and saw on base last week, but isn’t premiered to the Japanese public for another 5 days. Here is the advertisement for that film here in Japan. Notice the difference in the title? Our friend told us that this isn’t the only movie that has changed titles. He said that it doesn’t happen all the time, but it is not unusual if it does. Again, just something that I thought was neat. Soon after we walked around the movie theater, we left the mall for the night. It really was a great time, they are such sweet people, and I really look forward to spending time with them again.

On Saturday, my husband and I actually headed back to the Aeon Mall. (Another funny thing, when our friend drove us there the previous night, it took us maybe 4 minutes to get there. However, when we typed the mall location into our Google Maps that morning, it told us to go the opposite direction and that it would take us 40 minutes. Finally, we typed in one of the store names and it did take us right were we needed. But, still, these little things actually happen almost every time that we leave base.)

My husband, being the Mr. Wonderful that he is, took me shopping for my birthday present. Going shopping is something I have always wanted as a gift, so it was really sweet to me that my husband did this for me for my first birthday since being married to him. Humorously, I spent all the shopping time that we had in H&M. While I was in the store I thought to myself, ‘why am I here and not in the stores next door that I have never stepped foot in or heard of? I thought I had made a deal with myself to only buy Japanese clothes.’ But really, the style and clothes in this H&M were far different from the style of clothes that are in the H&M stores in Virginia, or even in New York (well, maybe more similar to those in New York).

…Anyways, not to drag on about my shopping spree, (Which was a fantastic time! I decided to buy clothes that I never saw myself wearing, which is always a fun challenge for me, especially now being in such a new and exciting country …I even bought a hat!). But, I do want to say that the mall really was so much nicer than the malls in Virginia. They had carpet, cushioned benches, plants, etc. And they also had a Koffee Farm and a Fresh Farmer’s Market that I definitely plan on returning to.

So, following our time out at the mall we went to a birthday party of a beautiful four year old girl that was the daughter of one of my husband’s friends. Why am I telling you about this birthday party? Well, really, I want to tell you about it because of the community it represents. This friend of my husband is from Puerto Rico, as is his wife. Now, my husband does not work with him, but they have come to knew each other and are now pretty good friends. Anyways, he invited us to his daughter’s birthday party so that I could meet his wife and his family. Unfortunately, I think that he thought that I was from Puerto Rico, too. Regardless, somehow, even 7,000 miles away, there is such a true family community of people from Puerto Rico here on this base. Since being here, I have met several people that are active duty military that are from Puerto Rico, and I constantly find that a lot of people that live on this base speak Spanish on a regular basis (whether or not they are from Puerto Rico or another Spanish speaking place, I am not sure). More so, I have heard several stories about how these people that are from the same beautiful oasis end up meeting each other just by hearing one of them talk in Spanish across the room. That is actually how my husband met one of our greatest friends here on base. And each time people from Puerto Rico see each other, they talk and laugh, …they spend time hearing how each other is doing… caring for each other’s families. It may not seem like a huge thing, but it really continues to open my eyes to how friendly and welcoming the Puerto Rican culture is, even so far away from home.

So, we went to this little princess’s birthday party (and literally, everything was Princess Sofia). My husband was excited for me to meet his friend’s wife (who actually might be right around my age), and honestly, I was excited to meet another spouse. When I got there the wife and husband came up to me, hugged me, and… yes… they spoke in Spanish. Oh, how I wish I was already fluent in el idioma de Espanol !!!! I really can’t wait until the day that I can go up to these new friends of mine and start the conversation in clear and correct Spanish. But, anyways, after the admittance of my home being Virginia and not Puerto Rico like they may have hoped, I helped finish set up the food table and my husband helped finish with his friend whatever he was doing. Soon enough, the wife and son of my husband’s coworker that usually gigs with my husband arrived. Now, she knows that I am learning Spanish, so she did come up and speak Spanish with me, but more slowly so that I could understand (this is something that I really do appreciate about her, she is such a generous and kind woman). Of course more people arrived, and not all were from Puerto Rico, but the majority of them were. When we sat at one of the tables to eat, our friend and her son sat with us and so did another couple that I had previously met at a gig on base. For the next two hours or so, I tried only speaking in Spanish. It was hard for me because even though I knew how to say what I wanted to say, something different would always come out. It was honestly kind of fearful. But, you know, that’s really not what stood out to me. What really stood out was how patient everyone was when I was trying to talk, and how kind they were when they corrected me. I mean, honestly, I can only imagine how annoying it could have gotten for them when they knew that we could speak in English if I wanted to, or they could speak Spanish and I could just opt-out of the conversations. But it wasn’t like that, and they really did not make me feel bad.The mother of the birthday girl, who I had just met, even offered to help me with my conversational skills some time. How generous? She doesn’t have to do that… she never had to offer to see me again… but she did.

And last night, when my husband and I went to another birthday celebration (this time it was for two of his coworkers and another translator that works on base), the same thing happened. My friend was there again, her husband and his daughter were along this time, and so was my husbands second coworker that is also from Puerto Rico, (who also gigs with them -this guy plays the saxophone, and he does so with more talent than I have ever heard).

But, yeah, for the majority of the night, which was round two for my friend, they spoke with me in Spanish.

…They didn’t have to. They were at a birthday celebration; where there was good food and drinks, loud music, and many people to talk to; but, they took their time to talk with me, because they knew I wanted to keep practicing my Spanish. No lie, the saxophone player must have spent an hour explaining to me three phrases alone… and he did it  entirely with a smile on his face. The translator that works with the band is also trying to learn Spanish, maybe because he himself is seeing the growing Spanish speaking community here on base and around Japan, so, he also joined the conversation. We made the joke that we needed to study together…and perhaps we should. We could have gone on learning all night. And regardless of how serious anyone took any of it, we had a blast. I can’t wait to see these people again. …I just feel like so many of us would kind of keep away from someone so eager to learn…just because it requires effort and time… patience and listening. But, it really didn’t feel like that with them.

Again, it just proves to me the importance of family  to island culture. They create it anywhere that they go. The know what value it holds. I mean, I am sure these people did not know each other before arriving to Japan… yet, somehow, they seem like they grew up together. …Hugs, kisses, jokes, laughter, true care for each other’s children and honest emotion with whatever subjects are consuming their conversations.

Yes, people are nice all over the world, I am sure of that. Even the Japanese culture is popular alone for their good nature (and everyone here will agree with that)… but, you know, being here… as a new spouse, new to military life, new to Japan, new to island culture and new to a Puerto Rican family, I just want to say that I have been nothing but a witness to just people after people who truly have sincere hearts… they know what it is to care for, to love unconditionally, to give, to host, to teach, to help… and I am just so grateful to be a part of it. I am thankful to have a husband who wants to share that with me, a husband who is excited about me learning Spanish and more about his home. And, I am just as thankful that he has brought me to meet his friends that are also from Puerto Rico, that are so friendly, and so happy to meet me and learn about me and tell me about themselves.

You know, I love my family more than anything. My family at home, my church family, my sisterhood family. These people built me up and carried me to the place I am today. Without them in my life, I don’t know who I would be. I could never imagine a day without sharing my love for them and thanking God for who each of them are. And I was in such a haze of missing that ever since I have been here.

But, this weekend, seeing this, and realizing what it is to become a part of it (even though I am not Puerto Rican myself- heck, I am just a good old German-Scotch Irish Virginia classic)… I now see it… I now feel it…

…Here in Japan, this is my family to me.

Before the week begins…

Happy Easter everyone!

It has been a busy past few days. I believe that the last time I talked about what I was up to it was Thursday, and I had just gotten lunch out at a local sushi bar. I was going to have dinner with a few friends that evening at the Thai restaurant just across from base. I have been there once before, one Sunday after lunch. I remember that date with my husband because it was the first time I had tried to eat a noodle soup with chopsticks. Humorously, I was being a little stiff and cold shouldered that day, but, after I had spent 25 minutes and only gotten through a small portion of my slippery pasta, with over half of it on the table rather than in my mouth or on my plate, my husband and I could not help but laugh at my lack of chop stick techniques.

Anyways, so my friends and I headed off base and onto the streets of Fussa. My friend that was driving repeatedly apologized on the way out of the gates for the way that she was going to be on the main road -and I was not quite sure what she was talking about at first. That is, until she was screaming in a panic that she had to make a U-turn with oncoming traffic. Thank the Lord for her little red hatchback  that barely missed the curb and had just enough turbo to make it around the median. While I was laughing, my friend mistakenly told her to turn into a parking lot, which ended up being a one way (wrong way) side street. My friend that was driving immediately hopped out of the car telling the other one to drive. While she and I were laughing hysterically, we decided that she would not be driving us out anywhere anymore. I don’t blame her. Driving in the streets of Fussa can be quite pressuring.

So, we got to the restaurant and finally got seated. Since we had spent the extra time turning around, backing out, and waiting in traffic we were starving, so we ordered a few appetizers along with our meal. Fortunately in Japan, food never takes too long to be served, and even if there is a little wait, it is well worth the time. My friend that had drove ordered a Thai curry, and myself and my other friend both ordered a stir fry with egg and beef. This may have been my third favorite meal here in Japan (next to another meal pictured below-the third favorite meal I have had so far I will tell you about in just a minute!)

This is one of my other most favorite meals in Japan. My husband and I were celebrating with his squadron one of his coworkers who will be PCSing soon. The restaurant that we went to was a one price all you can drink as long as you ordered dinner. What we ordered was Okonomiyaki (a Japanese pancake), which is a bowl of egg, spices, some sort of corn meal, beef (or shrimp), peppers, onion, tomato, and other vegetables that you place on this warm cooking surface for about 5 minutes on each side. It comes out like a pancake, and it is one of the most delicious things I have eaten in all of Japan.

Now this is the stir fry I had eaten at Khao Man Gai R16. My friend ordered the beef and I ordered the pork. It was a simple stir fry of ground meat, peppers, onions, and mushrooms. It was the spicy sauce that the stir fry cooked in that really captured my attention though. Unfortunately, I have no idea what the sauce was :/. In the background are the two appetizers we ordered (one plate empty, the other not so much). The empty plate was originally, oddly enough, french fries (like steak fries) with a spicy orange sweet & sour sauce. Simple enough, right? It was AMAZING! And honestly, it is not the only time I have had french fries here served with a sauce like this. The other plate is supposed to be rare-cooked pork slices. Unfortunately, all of these pieces were just fat, so we really did not eat much of it once we got our dinner plates. -Oh yeah, eggs with rice is very common here, especially with curry.

So, yeah, dinner Thursday was fabulous!

On Friday I spent much of my day outside. I went on a long refreshing run and then went around base with a friend who helped me get some things for a cookout that my husband and I were having that evening. This was actually the first time that I had ever seen my husband cook dinner (even while were dating; aside from a frozen pizza). He made these ribs that took me right back home to Virginia. Sweet with cinnamon and honey bbq sauce, just how I like them. Afterwards, we went and saw the new Fast and Furious at the movie theater on base, which was actually a really great movie in my opinion. One of the guys that was with us said that Paul Walker’s brother replaced Paul Walker in one of the first few scenes, but I honestly couldn’t tell the difference. Walker was an incredible actor, and I am so sorry for his loss. The director included a tribute montage of Walker at the very end and I think everyone will appreciate it. Go see it!

I couldn’t have asked for a better way to spend my Friday night.

Saturday was the first cloudy day all week. Of course, on the day that we all have off from work. My husband was so sweet and decided to take me out to finally see the cherry blossoms. The petals were beginning to fall, and the roads were covered in a white blanket of them. After filling up on a delicious breakfast of pancakes, bacon, and eggs, we headed out to the park. Now, since it was so cloudy and gloomy, we really (or I really) did not plan to be out for any longer than two hours. I was hoping to shortly return to either my couch, or a friend’s couch, and enjoy a movie marathon with my blanket and some popcorn. But, when we got to the park things took a turn.

First off, my husband and I have no experience reading Kanji. Nor do we have any experience visiting Japanese parks. So… this meant that we spent about 25 minutes driving up and down the park front looking for a place to park our car. There were parking lots every ten feet down the road, but all of them were connected to office buildings or apartment complexes, so we assumed we could not park there. And we both knew what the “No Parking” sign looked like, and we saw them everywhere lined along the main road. The cherry blossoms were so close, yet so far away. I really appreciated my husband’s insistent effort to take me out to see the park. And after making countless U-turns and Google translating several signs, we finally found a gravel lot that looked to be the most reasonable place to leave our cart.

The park was beautiful: a huge green lawn, gardens with little bridges, a couple of statues, and a long pathway surrounded with the cherry blossom trees. Crowds of people and families were everywhere. They were cooking, playing, laying on blankets, riding bikes, sitting in fellowship. It was such a heart warming and peaceful scene.

About an hour later, we left the park with refreshed and joyful hearts (and I left with high expectations for many future summer picnics and afternoon activities in one of my new favorite spots). I had kind of completely forgotten that it was such a gloomy day, something just seemed so bright.

And, for whatever reason, I no longer wanted to go back into the confinement of the base walls. My husband must have felt the same way because we drove past the gate entrance and down further on Rt 16. While he was really aiming to go to Costco and look at a small table for his music room, we ended up walking around one of the Mitsui Outlet Parks.

There are several Mitsui Outlet Parks in Japan. The one we visited was a two level shopping center with probably over one hundred stores, including the familiar Adidas, Puma, and Banana Republic stores, but also so many more stores that are even more appealing (and unfortunately have names that I can neither remember nor pronounce). The styles here are so unique yet so universal.  I am really excited for my future shopping experiences in Japan.

On our way back we realized that it was already after 5:30pm and suddenly our stomachs were hit with hunger. My husband, being the great navigator that he is, remembered a great restaurant that was on our way back to base… a restaurant that was actually a truck stop.

Now, back in the States, when I think of a truck stop, I think of a warehouse looking building with an A&W, KFC, and Wendy’s food court, or maybe even a restaurant like a Waffle House. Since I am trying to describe this place, I would say that this truck stop restaurant was most similar to a diner. Inside there were three places to sit- on a rug at a floor table (which you would take off our shoes and sit Indian style), in a booth, or up at the bar counter that faced the cooking area. We chose to eat up at the bar, which is my preference anyway. Their menu featured soups and stir fries, and one of the best Japanese foods- Gyozas (Japanese dumplings). My husband got a a chicken and pepper stir fry and I got a fried vegetable and ramen soup, and we both go gyozas. While I am sure this was such a simple meal to make (like chicken and waffles or a ham and egg scramble melt), it was also one of the very best, and I plan to return to this truck stop again and again while I am here in Japan!

I have always loved small local places, and finding so many of them in Japan is really turning my experience here into something so much more than just a temporary military assignment. This place is really starting to feel like home.

So, even though I thought our outing was only going to be a quick trip to the park to take pictures of the cherry blossoms before they fade away -a day feeling like American tourists…

…it ended up being a beautiful day visiting a few commonplaces and a local truck stop diner -a day that felt like we really belonged in Japan.

Even when it’s grey outside, something still shines.

On this Easter weekend, and after such a truly beautiful week, I can say with certainty that I have been a witness to the natural alluring artistry that God has made present on this earth. With each day over the last five days, the sun has been so vibrant and its warm rays have touched my skin. The cherry blossoms have been in full bloom. Today has been the first cloudy and chilly day since last Saturday, and even a midst the gloomy grey skies, something beyond has shown much more brightly.

Like I posted in my previous blog, my mother sent me an Easter care package with a Max Lucado book “And the Angels were Silent: Walking with Christ Toward the Cross.” I have only gotten through 35 pages or so, but already I see the truth written in this book also written in my life. While this week has been so challenging for me mentally, emotionally, socially, and spiritually, something greater has been happening.

This week I have felt defeated, I have felt out of control, I have felt frustrated and I have felt so small compared to anything I have faced. However, each day, in the most seemingly random yet also most meaningful moments, I have gratefully been reminded over and over again of hope, of power of prayer, of the natural beauty of life, of grace and forgiveness, of unconditional love. And I have pushed forward, ‘picked up my cross,’ and walked again. Even though I have woken up day after day in a poor mood and spent random hours in thoughtless misery or a downfall of tears (why is this? I am not sure), I have still somehow come out writing in positivity, I have still smiled and laughed with my loved ones, I have still felt a glowing presence that has turned each day around for the better.

Now, I am not sure what your religious affiliation may be, and that is okay, but, I will share that I see my faith, my Father and my Savior working in me, through me, and around me each and every day, and I will inevitably share these things in my blog. And this week, yesterday, today, (and hopefully tomorrow), I can provide a testimonial reflection of the beauty of this rare and treasured biblical season.

What I mean to say is that all week has been a battle (need I say this in a different way another time?). I was up and down. I tried over and over again to give time in prayer. I was either okay or I was not. Looking at the greater picture, I spent time with loved ones, I did the tasks that I needed to get done, and I did it all with a good heart, but not with the best kindness. I would be upset or get frustrated, and I would ask myself why. I could not give any answers. I would write and feel a little better, because my mind was focused on sharing with others rather than on myself. I would get upset later and I would walk outside near the cherry blossom trees. I would be reminded of the bible verse “Oh why worry?…Look at the lilies in the field… I give care to them.” (Matthew 6:28) It was a constant up and down, and for no reason at all. …I would be rude and disrespectful, but then I would take a minute to myself and realize how much giving (and taking away) happiness is in my control. I would look ahead and say to myself “I can change this. I can have a better attitude. I can be more like Jesus and even though this week seems to be so unbearable I can still love. Jesus still loved with all that he had his like week on earth. There is no reason that I can’t.”

And yesterday, on Good Friday, after a week of showing a strong and beautiful presence, the petals of the Cherry Blossom trees began to fall to the ground. Yesterday, on Good Friday, for whatever reason, I had both the hardest and also the best day out of this entire week.

Yesterday, I started my day in depression, in sadness. I broke down. I can’t explain why, but I can tell you that I would not let myself live another day in that battle. I went outside and ran along the streets with the cherry blossoms, knowing that their life would bring me peace. Knowing that the sun would manage to warm my soul. I ran faster and faster as the petals began blowing in the wind and started covering the ground. I ran out towards the air field to be out in the bright rays before they would be covered by the surrounding clouds. But, wouldn’t you know? An hour had passed, and I was still going, and the sun was still shining. Why was that little piece so important? I don’t know. I only know that I felt as if it was the Lord saying to me, ” Things are happening around you; look at everything that has happened this week. You have faced and completed each day. Look at the things around you that have been happening this week; my trees have come full bloom.  You are getting tired, these petals are beginning to fall. All of these things are temporary. But, I, like the sun, am still shining. This time is an anniversary of My Son being put to death. Yet, though he was suffering, I was still there. He knew it was coming, his end was near, but with my presence he still loved, he still gave, and together we gave the best gift love has ever given. …So, now, you do the same. Still give, still love, and see the greater gift that we can give together in your life.”

I came back to my home. I turned my whole day around. Nothing huge happened. I made lunch, spent time with a friend, and hosted company with my husband for dinner. But, you know what? It was the very best night we have had together all week.

Today has been the most peaceful. It was grey and cloudy, but it has been a day of rest. And t has been a day of sweet savory memories. Today, my husband and I went to a nearby park. I have been begging him to take me all week so that we could see the Cherry Blossoms before they go bare. Today was the best day to go. People were all around in the park, and everyone’s face was filled with joy. It was so quiet, in such a sweet way. The petals floated so softly from the trees. Everything was at peace. I was at peace.

All day there was just a sense of hope. Among the crowds of people we went by as we carried on our errands, throughout the small conversations and bright smiles I shared with my husband, …there was just such a strong sense of something good in the air, something majestic.

Was this peace and lingering presence maybe so to be a reminder of our crucified Lord Jesus Christ? A reminder of a few days that were so quiet yet at the same time so loudly happening?

Yesterday was the most challenging. Today was the most peaceful. And I have the very most hope in tomorrow.

I bring this up to bare witness to the way that God is with us through our struggles just as much as He was  with His Son the week that Jesus gave His life on the cross. Now, in no way, shape, or form am I suggesting a comparison of myself, my ability, or my obedience to Christ’s story of power and obedience, but I can compare that just as Jesus was struggling the week before he was taken to cross, I have struggled in my own way each day this week (in much different ways of course, but you get my drift). Yet, because I know the story of Christ, I know that there is hope to be found in faith and confidence in good things that are not yet seen. Jesus’ trust in what was not yet seen granted the greatest victory of all -covering a multitude of sins and giving a life everlasting to all those who believe.  And, I can continue forward in the same trust because I know that there is also a greater victory in my life (even though my victory may just be making sure my husband has a good day, a good dinner, and ensuring that all is well). But really, just as much as God was with Jesus, He is with us. As we go through the rough moments, we know that we can be filled with hope for the goodness to come after.

I don’t know if the Cherry Blossoms will still be here come next week. Maybe the streets will just be covered with their petals. Soon enough, though, the branches will be back to being black and bare.  But the beauty of them isn’t necessarily only in their physical presence, but also in their memory. There is always assurance that they will come full bloom again, and they will shine joy onto all those who see them. They are a reminder not only of the changing seasons, but also of their faithful coming. Of their gift of peace, joy, and nature’s harmony.

On this weekend, isn’t it just simply amazing that we can know and we can celebrate the end of this story the way that it is?

That in the end the victory is in God’s hands? In the hands of an Almighty Father who loves us? That no matter what “our story,” “our week,” “our trial of suffering” may be, we can look to the greater story that is written on our hearts and have hope?

… Our God is good, and tomorrow (which is now today for me here in Japan at 12:10 AM), we celebrate the resurrection of our Savior. The most illuminating victory to ever be had.

And, so carries on my life. Each day a new story to be told, yeah?

Take care, and God bless.