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!

October: New House, New Jobs

Last I wrote, Nathan had just been told he was being moved to Camp Foster. Well he was, and I transferred to the Foster bank location as well. And we moved! The entire month of October was spent moving all aspect of our lives an hour south. 

We now live in an area called Sunabe, right on the seawall of the East China sea. It's a neat place with the feel of a beach town, except all the building are made of concrete- Okinawa style. There are restaurants from many different cultures and lots of small businesses. We love walking around, as there is always something new to see. 

Check out our new house! 1400 sq ft, so nearly double the size of our apartment. 100 yards from the sea wall, 10 minutes from Camp Foster and Kadena Air Base. If you were here, you would understand this is the best place on island to live for convenience and attractions. 

come inside!

master bedroom. there is a sliding divider that could split it into two rooms if we wanted.

 

game room, with a giant bean bag chair                                                   downstairs bathroom, the shower                                                                                                            separate as usual for Japanese houses

this is the "space room" because of the outer space wall paper.                          our super tree!

there are chairs in here now, or an air mattress

                                        ^^heading upstairs...                                           our pink-ish bathroom...

top of the stairs, looking straigh

our favorite piece of furniture on the right

and my lovely new kitchen with so much cabinet space, some of them are empty

a dedicated utility room

 looking left...

our totally awesome living room, with the giant deck door

look behind you for a moment

and head outside on the amazing deck with a view! the water is literally right there.

We have lots of space, so stay with us if you are ever in the area.

Settling In

Nathan and I are adjusting to the idea of being apart longer than planned. Within one day of job hunting, I had a position at rue21 (a trendy teen and young adult clothing chain) lined up. The store opens next week in the mall five minutes from where I live. Tomorrow is my first day, as it is for everyone else. I won't be the only one dealing with the new employee feeling! I haven't worked a retail or a fashion job before, but I am really looking forward to it. I will be working part time at minimum wage, but as the purpose is mostly to pass the time and provide structure, I do not mind.The location, store hours, and shifts are exactly what I was looking for. Although I was offered a job in cellular sales, I decided to try something new, and I'm excited about it.

I opened a gym membership at Planet Fitness, also five minutes from me. I went for the first time this evening, and was reminded how much I enjoy going. I had a membership to a health club when I lived in Maryland, and I definitely missed it. The game night in the cafe has become a regular part of my week. I also met some of Nathan's friends, and have been spending time with them. Although I would rather be with Nathan, I am settling in well to a longer-term lifestyle here in Michigan.

Over the past two weeks, I moved all of Nathan's belongings from the basement to the living room, sorting through everything from his babyhood to now. It was fun to see bits of his life before I knew him. I had quite a pile of things I wasn't sure what to do with, so we skyped twice and sorted through it together. Doing so brought up lots of memories and stories, and his parents joined the reminiscing too. At this point, everything is back in the basement, but sorted- some things coming to Okinawa, others not- just waiting to be packed.

Nathan splits his time between four chapels on three camps. With the chaplain on vacation, he has had extra responsibilities, including buying necessary items at the commissary. He frequently utilizes the library resources, his latest being Japanese language cds he listens to on his drive to work.He is becoming more confident and trusted in his duties with each day. He also appreciates the donuts left over from some of the services at his chapels.