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Last thing we expected to experience while here in Okinawa was frigid temperatures.  We hit a cold snap a few days ago...a very miserable cold few days.  The humidity here makes the cold reach deep into your bones.  No sunshine, endless rain, and a bitterly cold wind.  Then the sleet fell...  According to JMA, sleet is considered snowfall.  Thus, we ended up experiencing the first ever recorded "snowfall" on the island of Okinawa. 

One plus of such dreary weather was seeing a rainbow after the cold started letting up and the sun came out.  It only lasted a few minutes...but it was gorgeous!

A rainbow as seen from our backyard

I love how the Okinawan's handle construction sites.  They care strongly about safety.  There are these construction lights that actually make sense and get your attention.  I'll have to try and video a construction site in the future to show ya'll.  In addition, they man their construction sites with people waving flags.  Driving the other day we came across a fake person waving at us to be cautious with lights.  His arm swung around.  It had a light on its hand and one on its head.  Super awesome!

It's the fake construction worker.  It swings it arm around.  A blinking light is located on the hand and on the head.

Caleb is enjoying his metal Captain America shield that Tim made for him.  It looks better than the real thing, in my opinion.  The battle damage brings character to it.

Puzzles

In my spare time prior to Jack and Caleb's arrival to the island, I had started to work on puzzles.  I really enjoy them!  I was able to finish three before they got here.  I'm working on another one right now.  I'm looking forward to getting some local puzzles during our time here.  Seems the Okinawans really enjoy puzzles too (find them in most stores).

Thomas Kinkade 1000 piece puzzles

gorgeous puzzle of the Great Sand Dunes - 500 pieces

My First Work Trip

I went off island for my first work trip as a Flight Nurse.  I had the honor of transporting patients from Okinawa to Hawaii, Hawaii to Guam, and Guam to Okinawa.  It ended up being a big loop around!  I had different patients on each leg of the trip.  What a rewarding experience it was to help others get to the medical facilities they needed to, in a safe manner.  I sure do love my job!  The one downside is being separated from Jack and Caleb.  It's always tough being apart.  Plus we don't get to share adventures with each other.  This definitely does not stop us from going out and experiencing things when we are separated though! 

Looking from the galley towards the aft of the KC-135
(a PAX (passenger) in the hammock)
A few ambulatory patients in the seats (yes, the seats sit backwards)
Fellow crew members can be seen in the back

My first trip as a Flight Nurse


 

I ended up being in Hawaii for a few days and got to try paddle boarding for free.  What an amazing and fun activity to do!  I ended up going back in the afternoon and paddle boarding again because I didn't want to do anything else.  We are now eagerly looking forward to when we can try paddle boarding in Okinawa (way too cold right now). 

Sunrise in Hawaii

Getting my paddle board into the water

Getting ready to head into the water

Paddle boarding is so much fun

Gorgeous water in Hawaii

I got to see MAGIC! in a free live concert.  Spent most of the concert out on the water paddle boarding and listening to their music.  Perfect combo!  The members of MAGIC! were staying in my same hotel a few doors down...I had seen them getting breakfast earlier in the morning :)

Watching MAGIC! in concert (I just finished paddle boarding and joined my group)

 

Guam was an interesting experience...I like Hawaii a lot more.  I'm sure I'll get to spend more trips in Guam so hopefully I get to experience a bit more of the good side of Guam next time.  I don't like telling negative stories, so I'll just leave my Guam experience in the past.

Not sure "I love Guam"

I sure was happy when I got home though!  My guys picked me up and took me to Chili's.  I hadn't eaten in over 24 hours (except some mini M&M's and a handful of Goldfish).  I devoured my Chili's food quickly!  Nice to be able to tell each other the stories of what we had experienced during our time apart.


During my absence Jack and Caleb went to Dragon Palace in American Village and played arcades for over 4 hours!  They had a blast!  The rest of their time was spent at school and work. 

Caleb at the arcade

First Day of School and Jack's Work

Today was the first day of school for Caleb.  He arrived on the island Friday night.  We thought it best to get him straight away into his routine.  Plus, Jack had to start in-processing and I had to go to work (not allowed to take leave yet since I am still in upgrade training).  I was able to take Caleb into school his first day (Monday).  We met one of the counselors who gave us a brief tour of the school, met his teacher, and then the school day started for him.  Caleb was very brave.  I knew how nervous he was being the new kid (though he is proud of the fact that this is his 5th school since he started Kindergarten) but he didn't let the nervousness show.  This being an overseas DoD school, kids come/go so frequently it's the norm. 

First day of school

After school, Caleb rode the bus to Shima No Ko.  This is an on base before/after school program for 5-12 year olds.  Caleb was very excited about going here because, as a 9 year old, he is considered a pre-teen and has access to all the rooms and more freedom to move around.  When Jack and I picked him up, he was so happy and had found the "Fit Factor" room (inside gym).  He was running around and already playing/making friends with the other kids.  Caleb said he had a great day at school and really liked his teacher.  He will get to take Japanese Culture and Japanese Language classes during school.

Jack had a good first day of in-processing.  It was long but he got a lot accomplished.

I had a good day at work.  I started learning what to do for my "office job", which will be in Scheduling.

In the evening when we were all home, we decided to try some Japanese snacks.  The cookies weren't bad.  The frozen ice-cream (or whatever it was) was awful.

Very excited to try Panda cookies

They were good.  Caleb said it was too much chocolate taste.

 

 

Jack did not like the hard room temperature strawberry ice-cream cone

Hopeful optimism in this picture

Debating...

Decision...he collapsed in a dramatic fashion and said it was awful

The Arrival of My Other Half and First Weekend on Island

What an exciting day today was!  My husband, Jack, and son, Caleb, arrived!  They had to endure a lengthy/tiring day and a half of traveling to get here.  They seemed in tired but excited spirits upon their arrival though. 

Caleb at one of the airports

My husband's unit came out to the airport to welcome him to the island.  Very good group of people.  It was rainy upon their arrival (welcome to a tropical island!).  It was fun watching Jack try and get into my little car.  He and Caleb could fit but not their luggage.  My husband's sponsor put all the luggage in his car for the trip to our house.  Jack and Caleb sure did appreciate having a house already setup with most of our belongings.  We didn't unpack until the next day.  Instead we spent some time together as a family until we each collapsed from exhaustion.

The next day we woke up and took Jack to go get his phone.  He chose a 6s+, which he is thoroughly enjoying.  Anyone who knows the frustration he endured with his last phone should be happy to know he has had no problems with this new phone.  We sent back my old iPhone 5s to Babci...now we can FaceTime and iMessage back to our family in CO.  A very nice convenience!

After selecting his phone, it was time for car shopping.  We looked at the Lemon Lot (used car sale lot) on base, a dealership off base, and a coworker's car.  Quite a few good selections.  Initially, Jack was very interested and excited about the mini.  Now, this is what makes it funny: he was looking at it due to its larger size.  That's right, the mini coupe is considered a larger vehicle here.  That puts the tiny cars into perspective ;)   He called up the seller of the mini and scheduled a time for the next day.  When he looked at the mini the next day, Jack was very happy with the cool interior of the car.  However, it was a bit cramped for his larger shoulder width.  In addition, it would have been difficult for Caleb to repeatedly get in/out of the back seat as it was only a 2-door car. 

The "roomy" mini

Guess which of the following Jack decided on:

Option #1

Option #2

Option #3

If you guessed Option #1...you are right!  He can easily get in/out of it due to its height.  It's smaller on the inside than my little Diahtsu Esse.  It does have 4x4 capabilities.  It definitely looks and feels like an older "island car".  Jack had to wait a week to get it after he got his drivers license.  In the meantime, Jack used my car while I was away for work. 

I took my guys out to the Aeon Mall to buy their coin holders for their yen.  I showed Caleb the arcade section I had found.  Boy, did his eyes light up when he saw it!  We let him try out one arcade game.  I was going to take them out to eat but both of them were really tired and chose to go home and relax instead. 

What a great first weekend all together!

Kinder Eggs

I finally came across Kinder Eggs!  These are chocolate eggs with a surprise toy inside.  If only I could mail some back to the states, however, they are banned in the US due to regulations regarding choking hazards.  These are a hot commodity on island and can be hard to find.  I hit the jackpot though!

The chocolate tastes like a thin Hershey bar.

Found these Kinder Eggs at the Don Quijote store in Uruma

598yen for 1 box

Look, my Inside Out box I chose

The wrapped egg (it's gluten free)

A few bites later I am so close to getting my toy

Yeah!  I got Angry!

Do not give this toy to a child 0-3

Nakijin-jo Castle and Kunigami Ruins

Headed out with a co-worker and their spouse to check out ruins in Kunigami (near the Renaissance Hotel) and the Nakijin-jo Castle.  It was a gorgeous day out; low 70s and sunny. 

The ruins in Kunigami are obscure and not listed on the popular websites used by many to find activities/things to do (okinawaihai and mapitokinawa).  It is listed on the road signs when driving by on the 58 near the Renaissance Hotel in Kunigami.  This is a free place to visit.  It is a short climb up to the top where the ruins are.  This area has not been preserved; only a few markers.  It had a few cave entrances, though all were blocked off.  Some of the area looked like it had received blast damage, perhaps from WWII.  It is right on the coast and could have easily been the site of bombings, etc.  It has gorgeous views of the East China Sea.

East China Sea - from Kunigami Ruins

Who wouldn't love to be out there on that boat right now?

 

Near the ruins is another area that includes burial tombs (I refuse to take pictures of these - I think it's rude)
However, this was a neat view of the vegetation

We then headed to Nakijin-jo Castle, a World Heritage Site.  It cost 400yen for an adult; this included the castle and the museum.  This castle is preserved.  There was a section where they were excavating to look for more history buried.  Very interesting to see!  Pictures are not allowed in the museum, however, there were multiple pictures that show the excavations over the years.  The museum had multiple pottery, tools, jewelry, etc. that was found during the excavations.  In addition, part of the museum included artifacts from the WWII era, including a complete set of Military Yen currency that was used by the locals during the war and shortly thereafter. 

Dragon boat outside the museum

How they made it - you can see the bowties

Saw this driving home and thought it was funny
The chicken and noodles in the middle of the dragon boat look very sad

The castle is large with very thick walls.  The views of the East China Sea are amazing.  I really enjoy the architecture style used in the Okinawan castles; it flows with the natural surroundings.  It's too bad there are no depictions of how the inside was set up when the castle was functioning.

Map of the castle and village

Lower section - very thick walls

Looking up at the middle section from the lower section

A shrine (re-creation)

Wall of middle section

On the walkway from the lower section, through the middle section, to the upper section
This was built recently and is not the original path; that is along the side and winds up

East China Sea

These were one each side of the gate from the lower to middle section

View of the horse enclosure in the middle section

Looking down into the lower back section
4 small houses were back here with attached walkways between them
 

Original shrine used by the King

The lower back section...the wooden stakes show the outline of the structures
(only 2 in this picture, however, there were another 2 to the right)

On your way out of the castle you come across a little building where a gentleman was cooking sugar cane.  He was making it into a drink.  It was a very condensed liquid substance that had to be diluted with water.  You drink it hot.  I didn't try it but my counterparts did.  They said it was very sweet and thick.

Largest frying pan I have ever seen
The gentleman harvests his own sugar cane and then cooks it

At the entrance are shops and little food stalls.  We stopped and got food at the "taco stall".  We got a soft shell taco with a hotdog in it: tortilla shell, cheese, sauce, hamburger meat, shredded lettuce, then a full hotdog on top...you roll it and eat it.  We also tried a pita bread kind of thing with curry on top...very delicious!  I forgot to take pictures of the food.