My last night in Japan!

I've finally uploaded the pictures from my camera! Since my farewell from Japan was moved up one week unexpectedly, my farewell party was the night before my 30 hour trip to America. I don't necessarily recommend a night of heavy drinking the night before flying around the world, but I would have missed one last night with all my girls (and Mike) for the world. So much fun.

We went to a yakiniku (Korean BBQ) restaurant in Yamato and enjoyed yummy food and a few mystery items, but it wouldn't be Japan if we didn't have some questionable item I figured.

How has it already been 6 weeks since I've seen some of my favorite people?! I miss you all!

My dear Japanese friend, Yuki, came too. And thank goodness because we needed her help with ordering! Thanks, Yuki!

I miss my Liberty Belles dearly and all my other friends from Atsugi. Everyone back here asks, "are you happy to be back?" "Do you miss it?". Yes and yes, but mostly, I miss my wonderful friends in Japan. It is such a wonderful community both military and the Japanese. I miss everyone terribly.

And of course, since it was my party after all, we ended up at the O'Club. I miss it too! I need to find a bar around here that is walking distance from my house and everyone I know goes to it all the time. Oh and the bartenders all know my name and drink. Gotta work on that...

I miss you all!!

Glenn's Bail

Glenn left on deployment again on Monday (and then randomly appeared for 3 hours on Tuesday) but is gone for a short time. How long? Good question. It depends on the weather, a tiny baby girl's arrival and who knows what else! Hopefully, it will be short though.

Before he left, the squadron "bailed" him and said good-bye.

 We passed on the Liberty Bell bucket to the Gilberts. It was passed on to us by the Lemoore's and not it is on to another party planning couple!

This is the tiny baby girl that we are waiting for so Glenn can come home!

Congratulations on a wonderful 3(+) years as a Liberty Bell, Mr. I am so proud of you and all the hard work that you have done to make this squadron great. 

Come home soon!

Farewell Keita, Hatsuki & Mariko!

I've been teaching my Tuesday night class for over two years and we had our final class the week before my parents came. As Keita put it, "little progress, but good friendship and always enjoy time." So I'm not the greatest teacher, but we always had good conversation and a nice time.

I got Keita a flight jacket with his own name patch and Liberty Bell gear. He was SO cute about it and called it his "treasure". He didn't even want to try it on at first and just kept smiling and smiling.

Around 8:00 every Tuesday night after class ended, Stella would jump up on the back of the couch to say goodbye. My students loved Stella and they would bring her treats and rub her belly throughout class. Keita said goodbye to Stella as he walked out the door every Tuesday.

 

Good-bye!

The Sayonaras Begin

Last Wedneday, I had my last PALS English class in Machida. They had a small farewell party for me during each class. It was very sweet and they all had very nice things to say. They are like my little Japanese grandmothers and the other teacher calls herself my Japanese mother. Her card even said "don't forget to tell me when you have babies." 

During a class a couple weeks ago, one student described how she "liked to do weed." I just chuckled to myself. She meant she likes to weed her garden. I feel sometimes like I've learned to speak another language. Unfortunately, it's not Japanese, but an English-Japanese hybrid with many missing words.

I never thought I would be an English teacher before I moved to Japan, but I have really enjoyed the opportunity. They would share stories with me about the vacations, family weddings, new grandchildren and everything in between. It was so much fun. I'll miss them and their funny stories.

Farewell AOSA!

Last week, I attended my last AOSA/AWA luncheon. As usual, they did a fantastic job putting everything together and it was great to chat with some new friends.

Also last week, a new executive board was elected so I am no longer the AOSA 2nd Vice President of Community Relations! I loved working for AOSA for the last year+ but I am happy to pass the job on as well. AOSA was a great support network and just so much fun! While I was the 2nd VP, I helped give away over $20,000 as scholarships and community grants to our Atsugi/Zama community! I am so proud to have helped so many people and groups.

My successor will have a great time giving away even more this year since our annual bazaar last year raised almost $20,000 more than the previous year! What a fantastic group of volunteers we have.

I don't know if I have any pictures of our full board, but here is Amy, our president and two of our advisors. AOSA couldn't have been what it was without these three.

 

The first of many farewells and good-byes to come!

Farewell Tori!

In the Navy, there is always someone coming and someone going. Moving on to a new and exciting house, career and city. Last Friday, Tori had her farewell. Tori was the former AOSA president and an amazing Navy wife. I'm glad I got to know her a little while we were in Japan together. Fair winds and following seas, Tori!

Also, the OClub was having an Oktoberfest themed party. Hence, the hats. Good luck Tori!