MadAboutRed

MadAboutRed

9.26.2008

First Graders Have Cooties!

...Day number 150 on the island of Okinawa. Just kidding! But nearly five months in, things are feeling a little more permanent and a little less vacation-like. A few weeks ago, we drove out toward the Pacific Ocean to try and find a new place to park our beach chairs. We found an amazing little area that appeared hidden from all the tourists and the water was crystal clear. So we spent the day swimming and feeding the crabs salted almonds.



In this picture, you can see how the little hermit crab has dragged his almond through the sand!


Since then, we haven't gotten out much. I finally started my full time job at the School Age Program, which is an after-school program for kids. Even though it's completely different than the corporate world I'm used to, I am really enjoying it. I have 12 little first graders that I'm responsible for and they are adorable. Of course they all have cooties and germs, so I have developed a pretty nasty cold. I guess I need to become immune to them :). I've also been trying to juggle my new work schedule while making time for my demanding classes that I started at the beginning of the semester. I'm really excited that I'm back in school, it's been a long time coming. I'm going to try aggressively to finish with my degree by the time we leave here or shortly after. Tiger seems to really want to help me study, but I have to keep telling him no.

Mark has been working the last couple of weekends and keeps excelling in his job. He's taken up running also, (it runs in the family... no pun intended :), and he even got a 100% on his Physical Training test on Friday. That was really important to him and I'm super proud. He also bought himself a bike this week so that he could ride it to and from work. Okay, the truth is, with me working, we needed another form of transportation and he offered. In return, I feed him well. Ha-ha-ha, marriage is all about compromise right? :) I appreciate that.

9.02.2008

Japanese Festivals & Sandy Beaches

Mark & I are now festival junkies. The Japanese really like to party it up during the month of August and we've done our share of participating! I can't even count the number of times I've seen their famous Okinawan Eisa Dance and heard their pacific folk songs. A couple weekends ago, we joined half the population living on the island and went to the Orion Beer Festival. They had booths selling yummy teppanyaki & yakitori dishes, games, fireworks and a mass of drummers & dancers. Many japanese ladies & children dressed up in their Kimonos. It was a great time!




This last weekend. we got ourselves a four day vacation over Labor Day, courtesy of the United States Government. We were so excited! With extra work to be done and emergency drills, Mark has been working very long hours this past month. So we packed our bags, filled our coolers and drove up north to Okuma beach. Once we got there, we pitched a tent, slathered on sunscreen and spent our time playing in the waves and basking in the sun. It was awesome.