It has been two weeks since I arrived back in Okinawa and I am behind on updating our blog but I have been too busy to sit down and type. So this post is going to be a long one.
The night I flew back into Okinawa the pilot in Tokyo announced to the passengers that if anyone was interested in getting off the plane the airline would refund their ticket or guarantee to have them on the first flight on Saturday. The pilot explained that a typhoon would be making landfall in Okinawa the following day and the island was already feeling the effects. This is when I should have stood up and exited the plane. Halloween party on Saturday or not. However none of the 20 passengers stood up so neither did I. Thirty minutes out of Okinawa I was saying prayers and mumbling about being an idiot and then the most amazing thing happened. I saw the runway. WE LANDED!!! I was so excited I hugged the man in the seat in front of me. I have been on some rough flights but NOTHING has ever compared to that last 30 minutes of that flight. Next time a pilot asks if anyone is interested in getting off the plane due to weather I will stand up and walk off.
I was so excited to be home I didn't care that my luggage was lost. Until the next morning when I realized our Halloween costumes and my ball dress were in my luggage.
The typhoon kept us in doors for two days. Literally the island shut down no stores were open and no one was allowed outside until the storm was over and the authorities had checked out the damage. So on Saturday morning David and I got up early with a list of things to do to prepare for our Halloween party that night. My luggage arrived at 9am and even though there was a miscommunication with the man who brought it (I said " Oh you have my luggage thank you" and he said "No sorry". I was confused then he said "I only have suitcase" Ok - luggage or suitcase you have my stuff YAY!!! LOL
Our Halloween party was a blast. 48 people attended, which is pretty good when you tell a bunch of Marines they are invited but they have to wear a costume. Everyone had fun and we will continue our Halloween tradition here in Okinawa.
The next week was a crazy work week for David. He had duty so he had to spend a few nights up at work. I spent the week applying for jobs and getting registered for the Spring semester of school.
The following weekend we attended the Marine Corps. Birthday Ball. It is always fun to dress up and spend an evening with friends dancing, drinking and celebrating something that at times makes our lives complicated and takes us away from our loved ones. This year was no exception we had a wonderful time.
Side note : The thing I find the most amazing about the birthday ball is that for one night a year everyone seems to forget the struggles and the sacrifices they have gone through. The Marines who attend the ball are filled with honor and pride to be serving the country they love. No one complains about deployments,long hours, PT or being in a foreign country for one night everyone is proud to be there and to belong to such an amazing "fraternity" - as the guys like to call it.
Ok sorry about the side note. Anyways I have a bunch of random pictures to post and a lot of ball and party pictures. I will post the random pictures tonight and hopefully the other pictures later in the week.
This evening we are going to a homecoming celebration. We will be welcoming Marines back that have been gone to Afghanistan since February. Their families can hardly stand it but in four hours they will be together again.
Although I am not allowed to give details. I will ask that everyone keep the Marines in Davids unit in their thoughts and prayers there have been several close calls lately. :(
David doesn't have to work the rest of the week. We are going to explore the island and hopefully do some Christmas shopping. It was wonderful to see everyone while I was home last month and for those of you I didn't see I am SO SO sorry. You all will be my top priority next time. Going home made me miss it more. I have a feeling it will be that way every time. I asked David if we could be stationed in Albany GA next. :) He said we just got here. Oh well what can I say I am a planner.
Have a wonderful weekend! Love you guys!
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