Scuba Cape Zanpa

Charlie went on an amazing and most adventurist dive today. The weather wasn't ideal but he and his buddy decided to dive anyway since he's down to his last days of diving.

The most exciting part about diving in Okinawa is seeing creatures that only inhabit this area. He finally found a blue ringed octopus. These are the most deadliest creatures in the world. You are sure to die within minutes after being bit by one of these tiny guys. He is lucky that he saw it. It was only a few inches around.

He saw some really pretty sea urchins today.

Sea fans.

A type of horseshoe crab. This one looks more like a mask to me.

Another deadly stonefish.

And some pretty fish. A clown triggerfish.

And coralfish.

Going-Away Bash

We celebrated Charlie's going-away picnic on the beach. It was a beautiful day to be at the beach. The LT shared a few words of good times and hard work about Charlie's service at Kadena.

Then Senior Master Thompson shared a few good moments.

Charlie's shop gave him a sword set to put in his next office. It's beautiful and just what he wanted.

We all had a good time at the beach, eating bbq, playing beach games and hanging out.

Scuba Southern Links

With only 12 days left until we move, Charlie took advantage of some time off and good weather to go scuba diving.

There were lots of Lemon Surgonfish hanging around.

And...he found the sting ray again. This time he was able to get more pictures of it.

Charlie was able to follow it at a safe distance, of course, until it finally swam away.

He found a Honeycomb Rockcod hiding out in the coral.

And a coralfish.

He had a great day and will miss scuba diving in Okinawa.

Key Less

Have you ever remembered a time in your life where you were key less? Maybe as a very small kid because I was a latch key kid growing up. But here we are. We sold the van today and turned over our last key. So we are currently key less, car less and homeless. :) We leave in exactly 2 weeks and a wake up!

CoCoichibanya!

Enough said.

Taiko Performance

Here's a video of Kiera's final taiko drumming performance. Sorry for the shakiness of the video. Jasmine was behind the camera and decided to walk around in the middle of it but it's the best I got. Enjoy!

Having a Little Fun

During Kiera's taiko drumming performance, Maya and Jasmine decided to see what else was available.

Maya found balloon animals and snow cones.

Jasmine also found balloon animals and snow cones (I can't believe she actually wore this hat around).

She also found this character and wanted her picture with him (again with the balloon hat).

Kiera got some lunch after performing.Totally RANDOM! This is what the kids' school buses look like in Japan.

Taiko Drumming

Kiera's last taiko drumming performance was this weekend at Lester Navel Hospital in honor of deployed spouses. It was a very hot day but the kids did a great job.

They played three songs and didn't miss a beat.

Kiera enjoyed being with her friends one last time before she ends school next week.

They look so great in their traditional Japanese outfits.

Kiera says she wants to continue drumming next year.

Quote of the Day

Kiera was getting ready for her taiko drumming performance. The attire is back t-shirt and jeans.

Me: Kiera, let me roll up your sleeves.

Kiera: What is this, the 80's?

Want to be a DJ?

Kiera was so happy coming home from school today. They had Career Day and Rach H. and LCpl. Watts from Okinawa's very own Wave 89 came by to talk to the kids. We hear these girls every day on the radio so it was kinda neat for Kiera to see them in person.

Rach H.
LCpl. Watts
Wave 89 is the only English speaking station on the island so it's all we listen to. They have to play music for all kinds of listeners so it makes it interesting to say the least with the type of music that's played. Most of it is stuff I've never heard before, 80's cheese, hard rock, classic rock, rap and very little pop. Country's Top 40 is played on Sundays. It's the only time we enjoy listening to the radio.

Kiera was excited to get their autograph. Rach H. wrote, "Kiera- You Rock!" And LCpl. Watts wrote, "Stay classy!"

Congrats Jas!

Jasmine was recognized from her teacher for her dedication to Club ZERO (Zoological Environmental Research Opportunity). She participated in car washes, proposals, zoo volunteering, haunted house, Breakfast of Champions, Pumpkin Palooza, recycling, Hats for Haiti and cook book. She put in 300 hours this school year!

Up For Sale

We are down to the wire here, only 20 days left! I can't believe it! We're selling our van since we can't take it with us. It's in great condition, '96 Toyota Noah, seats 8, cold ac, and seats fold down for maximum storage! JCI not due until 2012!!! Only $2,000 Please call!

Lionfish

Charlie was finally able to go scuba diving after weeks of pouring rain here in Okinawa. He was hoping to go on many dives before leaving but the weather has had other plans. It has rained so hard and so much that at one point roads were closed due to flooding. But the sun finally came out and now it's hot, Okinawa hot, and diving season!

Charlie said this was the biggest lionfish he had ever seen. He said it was as big as his head. Now that's big! haha

They're Stars

Maya and Kiera were apart of a Teacher Appreciation Concert at their school. They were featured on our local AFN (Armed Forces Network) channel news. Maya (on the right in the blue and white striped shirt) and her class are in the final clip of the news segment.

Empty

The house is now officially empty!!! The packers came today in the pouring rain and packed up our four bedroom house in 6 hours. Could you only imagine that? Everything you have...gone...in 6 hours. Charlie was only concerned about his baby (his darling Harley). He was happy with the gentle service it was given. We both feel so much relief now that this day is finally over. Now the next month will be spent relaxing and enjoying our final weeks in Okinawa. We'll be spending our days by the the pool and the beach, doing some last minute runs to Cocos and Cocok and saying our good-byes to friends.

They're Magic

Charlie and I were talking the other night about things we needed to get done for our move. One thing included getting my van on the re-sale lot. He asked me why I hadn't printed up a for sale sign to post in the window. Our stuff was all packed up and just printing up something wasn't possible.

But after thinking I responded, "I guess I could have just used a magic marker and wrote out a for sale sign."

Yes, the brain works kinda slow sometimes when you have a lot going on at once. But that's not the point of this post.

Jasmine was sitting behind me and said in her Buddy the Elf voice from the movie Elf, "They have magic markers? I want one!"

Yeah, I guess about 30 years ago they were called magic markers, not so anymore. When did that change? It made me smile though.

Packing Up

It's beginning to look a lot like we're moving. We just got home today from a weekend of camping. Now the fun begins! Tonight I have to wash everything and pack our bags to move out of the house. Monday, we separate what we want in our quick shipment (things we'll need for the next month). Tuesday, people come to take away our government furniture. Wednesday, the whole house gets packed up. And Thursday, we are officially out of our house.

It's all happening at once and so quickly. I've been waiting for this day to come for years now and I feel like I'm not ready (I am ready, believe me). I'll stay up all night if I have to get things done.

The hard part is almost over. Then we can just sit back and relax for the next month. All we'll have to do then is the final appointments with their school and medical and sell my van which won't be too hard.

Pretty soon we'll be on the plane outta here!

Camping Weekend

We made a last horah camping trip to Okuma this weekend. We had promised Jasmine that a couple of her friends could come with us camping before we left the island. With the packers coming next week to ship our stuff away, we had to do it now. It just so happened to be Okuma Fest so it was sooooooo crowded. Our normal quiet get-away was noisy and packed with people. But it was still fun. There was live entertainment, food, games and plenty to do. The girls enjoyed it. I got some much needed rest.