I had such an awesome time at home spending quality time with my family and a few close friends. Andy and Ivy's wedding was very fun to attend, and I am super proud of Jessica for graduating high school! The family packed up and went to Topsail Island for a week. It was a nice get away, even though I was already on a get away!! The beaches here in Japan are very different than in the states, in fact it is more like going to the lake than the beach here. So it was nice going to TI because there were waves, and I just love the sound of waves crashing. After the beach, we traveled a few minutes south to Wilmington to get ready for Jessica's college orientation. We got to do some sight seeing and fun things around Wilmington over the weekend, then Mom and Dad took turns on attending the orientation with Jessica. I was the lucky one, I got to go to the beach both days with one parent or the other and relax a bit more. I was glad to be able to go to the orientation, or rather be in town for it because I got to see Jessica's orientation dorm room. It made me feel special since I won't be able to see her actual dorm room, for a couple more years anyways! After orientation was over we zoomed back to Greensboro and a day later, I was back on a plane again. It seems like a snap of a finger as I am describing the trip, and it did go by quickly. My next trip home, I am planning on staying just a little bit longer.
The most exciting news I have to share came to me the day I left Greensboro to come back to Okinawa. I got an offer for a Kindergarten position at the school I substituted at mainly! I was very, very excited to get that email. Currently, I am still waiting on the paper work to be completed, and then I should be good to start setting my classroom up for the school year! I can't wait for the adventures it will bring!
Since I have gotten back to Okinawa, Brian and I have been doing more exploring around the island. My first weekend back, we went on a trip south of the island to the Peace Memorial Park. This has memorials and a museum all about Okinawa, and focusing on WWII. We did feel a bit strange about walking in there and reading about the history and the things the US Military did over here, but it was a really neat place to check out, and the view at the end was totally worth it. Once you are finished touring the museum, you get an amazing view of the ocean! That same weekend, we also found what we think will be our favorite Mexican restaurant over here. It is very delicious Mexican food and we have already been back a second time!! The other two weekends have mainly been spent checking out some stores close by our base. It seems as though the Japanese are very interested in American culture and items. They have US License plates for sale at many stores, old signs, Coca-Cola collection, barrels full of fast food restaurant toys, and much more. It is fun to check out the stores and see what all they have. This weekend we are planning to go about an hour up north to the Orion Beer Factory, and I want to check out a Pineapple Village while we are up that way as well. The Beer Factory is self explanatory, and the Pineapple Village has all things pineapple as well as lots of souvenirs!
Piston is still a growing puppy! He is now 9 months old and just as crazy as ever. He loves sleeping and being lazy, but at night when it gets cooler outside, he loves playing in his big backyard fence! Brian and I have been in Okinawa for 10 months now, and just can't believe how close we are to our one year mark over here!! As neat as it is to be in a foreign country, we still can't wait to come back to the states!!!
Mom, me, and Dad at the airport!
Jessica and I at the wedding
With the newlyweds!
After Jessica's Graduation
Mom and me in Wilmington
Me and Dad at the beach on Father's Day
I'm pretty sure this is the actual Peace Memorial
This "piece" was not marked, so we aren't sure what it is or the significance
The awesome view at the end of the museum!
Behind Brian is one of the cliffs where many Japanese jumped off during WWII.
