Changes

Well, it's been a little bit since I last blogged... but it's because I've been super busy lately!!! As many of you know, I took a job working at one of the Child Development Center's on base. It's my third week and I guess I'm liking it a little better than I was at first. The first week I was ready to quit without further question. They had me working in the kitchen, cleaning hundreds of nasty plates and cups, putting them all away, and then passing out all the new plates/cups/etc. for the next day. I was angry because firstly, I didn't go to college so I could clean dishes in a kitchen. Secondly, no where in the job description did it say anything about having to work in a kitchen. I signed up to work with kids, period. After venting to a friend who actually recently quit working at one of the CDCs and to Joe, I decided before just up and walking out, I would talk to my director. I told her my thoughts and she basically wrote me off saying "all the new people have to take turns, we're not going to disrupt the teachers from their classrooms." I left her officer probably angrier than I did before I went in. This was a Thursday and I thought for sure I was just going to quit at the end of the day. To my surprise, they changed the schedule and took me off kitchen duty. I was a little relieved, and happy she took what I had to say into consideration. Anyway, work is getting better. People aren't as rude, I'm not doing pointless errands and I get to work with some great kiddos.

It's been hectic this week. Monday Joe got alerted to fly a patient to San Diego. I didn't get to even say good-bye, but at least I had a heads-up before I came home from work. He's on the way back. They flew to San Diego, spent the night, next are flying to Hawaii and then back to Okinawa. He should be back tomorrow!!! I took full advantage of him being gone though. I've been exhausted working 40-hour work weeks and taking care of the dogs and the house and all the other errands on top of work by myself is draining. The past two nights I've gone to bed by 9pm and it was glorious!!! I'm pretty sure it's safe to say most people know I'm not much of a morning person, so waking up at 5 and 6am during the week is tough!

I had some other job interviews to teach ESL off-base but wasn't very interested in the jobs and what they had to offer. One job wanted me to sign a 1 year contract and pay a fine if I decided to break it. My plan is to tough it out at the CDC until the next school year starts up. If I'm not hired to teach in the schools by then, I'll just sub. I've been told it's the best way to get hired! So if I can tough it out and save up some money for grad school, life will be good!

Enough about jobs... I know most of you want to know about Japan!!! Well, it's HOT here now. It's only been in the 80's but the humidity is killer. When it's about to rain it gets extra humid outside and my sunglasses instantly fog up after walking out of the nicely cool AC in the house. The dehumidifiers are constantly running and the AC is constantly on as well. We're spoiled living on base and not having to worry about utilities, because we keep the house at 70 all day and then all the way down to 64 at night! It's amazing!

We're hoping to get scuba certified soon. I'm a little nervous about it... the idea of breathing underwater and not being able to talk freaks me out... but I'm going to try it out. It could be really neat! We've been to the beaches a lot lately and trying to check-out new ones. The pups are spending less and less time outside. Poor Brody really needs to get a hair-cut, but he needs his bordatella shot in order to get groomed. Of course the vet couldn't schedule him in for one measley little shot until July 1st! So he has to wait until then. I think we might shave him down (not too short) because he really is too hot!

We also got word we're going to be moving soon. Our house is due for rennovations and they'll be moving us (hopefully to a newly rennovated one) as soon as they can. I'm really excited to get a nicer house, but not looking forward to have to unpack again so soon!!! Oh well, I hope it'll be worth it not to have baby blue tiles in the bathrooms and kitchens, a walk-in closet,a dining room and some other perks as well! We hope to be fully settled before my parents come out to visit for Christmas!!! We'll keep everyone posted!