Well, I hope you're all recovered from your weekend of culinary indulgences! I took the day off on Thanksgiving Day (because, of course, it's not a holiday here!) and went up to the base in Sasebo where I was very fortunate to have dinner with my friends on the USS Guardian. And a big Otsukare sama deshita! to the Guardian chefs/cooks. Gochisou sama deshita! Good job! It was all delicious! I'm still dreaming about the turkey and gravy....mmmmm...
After dinner, one of the guys showed us around the ship. I really missed having my dad and brother there* on the tour, because they're much better at understanding all the stuff our informative guide told us, but I still thought everything was pretty cool! In the picture you can see the mine neutralization vehicle up on the deck. It's a remotely operated submersible used to hunt, identify, and neutralize underwater mines.
Sometimes the concept of war and its um... shall we say... various "accoutremements" is so abstract to me as I sit here safe in my little Japanese academic school. But seeing these men and walking on Guardian's decks, I got a little taste of reality. I mean, come on, how many of you run over & detonate mines all in a day's work? So, thanks again for having me for dinner, and thanks for everything you do, guys!
*but don't get me wrong, I missed you guys at dinner, too!!! In fact, I miss you just in general...can't wait to see you :)

Having a ball at the Navy Ball

Just thought I'd put up a quick pic since you all have probably forgotten what I look like.
Work is reeeeally getting in the way of my life here! ;)
My friends at the base were kind enough to include me in the Navy's Birthday Ball, and so I got to get dressed up AND I had some place to go :)
Thanks, Skii for the dress! I felt like a million bucks!
(ok - now back to my regularly scheduled craziness...which at the moment, includes teaching the Monster Mash to some elementary school kids...)

and a Happy 8th of July to you -

I was a little out of commission this 4th of July weekend (stomach bug), so maybe it's good I wasn't in the States with all that good smelling bbq around...
Last Sunday evening I did, however, manage to get up to the 4th of July party sponsored by the base up in Sasebo. It still was a little strange walking into a place with so many Americans all around, but it was nice to be surrounded by familiar sights, sounds, and smells. I ran into some nice people, but mainly kept to myself, enjoying my REAL cheeseburger (can't remember the last time I had one), and the slightly less than cheesy cover bands. Actually the bands were alright, I'm just not such a raving fan of the original bands. But live music is live music. :) I stuck around for the beginning of the fireworks, and saw the last of the show as I rode my little bike back to the train station.
And I think I've been here too long, now - that Lou Greenwood song they did to start the fireworks show was almost tolerable :) At least the words sounded different to me this time.
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(and there was a moment during a particularly brilliant set of fireworks that I swear I could hear Mom oooing and ahhhing...)

In the Navy...

So - here's a question - go teach at school, or have photo ops with naval officers in dress whites.  Hmmm...such a dilemma.  

Wait minute, is there really any question about what needs to be done when such a situation presents itself?  

My presence at school was not absolutely necessary the end of last week, so I took nenkyu and  went to a change of command ceremony at the Navy base up in Sasebo.  My friend was becoming the captain on the USS Guardian, and though I don't know him and his wife very well yet, Skii (wife) persuaded me to come to the change of command and their wedding (renewal of vows) anyway.   The promise of all those men in uniform...hmmm...you can imagine it was so difficult to convince me to go.  Unfortunately, in the drama of everything, my camera got misplaced, and so this is the only photo I have from my trip.  

However, maybe losing my camera was intended - instead of focusing on the photo documentary of the trip, I've been focusing on everything I felt... Since I've been Japan so long, it was strange to be on "American soil" on the base.  However, being there at the ceremony also reminded me of all the fond memories I have of visiting bases, attending air shows, etc. with my family.   At the ceremony the Guardian looked so festive, and the speeches about/by the captains really made made me (sorry for the cliche) swell with pride.   It takes true leaders to give all the credit back to the people that they are leading.  Since I was also privileged enough to spend a brief time with both of the captains and their famies, I saw firsthand what impressive leaders they were off the ship as well.   I found it endearing to witness how much they loved their families - and how much their families loved them.  The ceremony really made me proud to be an American.  I'm so thankful that we have men like that defending our nation.