February: Classes start, Visitors, Sushi-Go-Round, Okinawa Zoo

I started grad school classes in February. It's been several years since I finished my undergraduate degree, so getting my academic brain back in action took a few weeks. I'm taking two classes this term, one with UMUC and one with SNHU. I'm loving being back in school, though the thought of homework is always in the back of my mind. But thankfully I have enough time at work while I'm proctoring tests to do all my homework, so I don't actually have to do any at home at all! It's working out quite well.

Our college friend Gem visited for a few days. She teaches English in Taiwan, which is just a short flight away. She and two other girls needed to renew their visas, so they stayed with us and we showed them the island.

A new favorite place of ours is the sushi-go-round. This particular one is called Hamazushi. You select what item you want from the screen, and a few minutes later, it appears on the belt and you snag it. Or else you can simply grab any of the plates that are not marked as reserved. At the end of the night, you pay based on how many plates are stacked on your table. Such a fun way to have a meal! They even have hamburger sushi. 

In late February, we spent a day at the zoo with the other RPs. They're pretty good at getting us to drive them wherever they want to go. But we hadn't been to this zoo, so we were happy to go.

January: Grad school, Legos, Commissary trouble, and Lysander

Hi everyone! I'm sure you've figured out by my absence that we have been very busy! I'll catch you up.

January was an interesting combination. Nathan worked a lot over the New Years holiday, even all the way to midnight. We literally rang in the new year with a giant bell as part of a service.

The big news for me was being accepted into graduate school. I'll be studying Higher Education Administration with Southern New Hampshire University, as well as taking a few Distance Education Leadership classes with my employer, UMUC (gotta love free tuition). I've been considering grad school for two years now, but moving overseas changed a lot of my plans. I've been actively applying since last summer and was turned down more than once, so this is a triumph for me. I should be able to finish the degree before I leave island.

In January, we had fun trying some new things, including a Lindy Hop swing dance lesson taught by those at Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology. Danced with a room full of PhD candidates! We spent an afternoon messing around with Legos, cameras, and computers to make a comic book page. It was a neat combination of hobbies. 

For several weeks (that turned into months), the commissary- our word for on-base grocery store- has been struggling with stocking the shelves. There were strikes in the shipping ports, so we were unable to get a lot of fresh items. It was a little freaky, but there are always the Japanese grocery stores we shop at with translation apps. 

One amazing addition was Lysander, our ball python. His 

owner was looking for a new home for him, and I gladly brought him home. We absolutely love him. He is very calm and likes to explore.

December: New job, Finals, Chaplain Corps Ball, Turtles, Holidays

Now that it is the end of the first month of 2015, I suppose I should finish out 2014. This month included new things, things that ended, and events, so a solid mix of life experience.

I started working as a National Test Center Administrator with University of Maryland University College. In a less fancy title, I'm a test proctor. I love being on a college campus, even if it is only part of one building. The atmosphere is where I belong, and I imagine I will be working in educational administration for quite a few years to come. I'm now certified to proctor several types of tests, some of which got me through my own undergraduate degree, so I feel right at home. UMUC is a great employer too. I'm enjoying working full time again, and having a salaried job for the first time.

Given that I have to stay behind a desk during testing sessions, I have a lot of time on my hands. I used the time to knock out both of my Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages certificates. Officially certified! Nathan also finished his first semester as a graduate student. His finals week was not fun, but he came out with great grades. 

A highlight of the month and even the entire year was the annual Chaplain Corps Ball. We spent the evening going between our table with the new, young RPs, visiting with Hansen friends, and dancing to great classic music. Nathan wore his new tailored suit, and I had my first henna tattoo done to blend with my new dress for the occasion. It was a fantastic evening as expected.

Another event was a free outdoor Colbie Caillat (soft pop/indie musician) concert. It has its struggles, but military life also has its perks.

Somewhere along the line, I traded the blonde hair for violet. Done, as usual, by my own live-in stylist.

We have sons! We picked up two turtles, Calvin and Polycarp. They are small, but fully grown. Calvin loves to explore the house and will walk around for hours, but Polycarp prefers to keep his face hidden in a corner.

Christmas season is very busy at the chapels, so while I got a week off for winter break, Nathan worked a lot. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were both up in the air as far as working, but he only ended up doing a little on those days, thanks to a willing unmarried RP who volunteered to work. Since it had been so uncertain as to when he would be working, we made no plans for Christmas. But we enjoyed the day by opening gifts over Skype with the Sissons, and watching Christmas movies. We managed to get a little tree and decorate last minute, so the day felt festive.

New Years Eve was spent at the chapel, Nathan working a midnight service. We welcomed in the New Year by ringing a bell with strangers, but we felt welcomed, so it turned out to be exciting and fun. And they had a pancake breakfast at 1am, so no complaints from me!