Golden Birthday

I feel like I have been slacking on my blogging duties and hopefully that will change soon. It has been a crazy few months and we are ramping up for an even crazier few months. This past year has tried me more than I would like to admit. I have changed drastically as a person, some things for the better and some I would like to work on. (This is just my experience) Being a military spouse has hardened me in ways that people may find rude or offensive. It is not an easy life and as a spouse it is my job to hold down the fort while Brandon is away. Sometimes that is easier said than done. I am probably the last person you want to complain to when your significant other is going away for a short period of time...but I will be the first person to do something with you. Brandon and I have spent very little time together in the last few months and sadly it is about to get worse. I guess the reason I am rambling about this is because the weeks leading up to my birthday were some of the most trying I have probably had yet. Everyday it was we are coming home this day, oh now this day, oh and now another day. It was enough to make a person crazy! 

But on a happy note....Brandon made it home just in the nick of time! We didn't do anything crazy on my actually birthday, but we are celebrating this weekend. The biggest thing that happened this year is the launch of my business. I have been able to spend the last couple days really loving and nurturing it. 

This next year is going to be even more trying than this past year, but I am grateful to have such wonderful friends as a support system and really looking at the glass half full as opposed to empty. I have let myself slip into a slump and now am digging myself out. I have realized how much energy and support I get from Brandon and I am so lucky to have him! However, I feel like I am losing my grip on how to be away, which will not be helpful in the coming months. 

I fee like this has been a rambly post, but I needed to get it out of my head. I am looking for the next year and all of the changes that come with it. I will try to be better about sharing our adventures in Okinawa.

How time flies

I was asked last night how long we have lived in Okinawa for. It's crazy to think that a year ago my mom loaded our stuff into her car and drove us to San Diego. I still remember seeing all of our stuff on the luggage cart and we looked like crazy people that couldn't see over all of our stuff. It amazes me how much has happened in the last year. Tons of firsts and new experiences. We love living here and can't imagine living anywhere else. This year, I personally have learned a lot about myself, who I don't want to be, where I would like to go. I know, I am big on reflection, but I think we can grow from where we have been. Why not learn from where you have been and not repeating the same thing twice. After this year and the craziness, I can't wait to see what is in store for the next two years!

Our First Visitors

The past two weeks have been quite a whirlwind. Great, stressful, crazy and even a tad scary.
The first few days I spent enjoying time saying see you later to a good friend from work, and the next day celebrating a promotion for another friend. Later that night my parents and our family friend arrived! I can't tell you how exciting it was to finally have them here. 
We spent their time here in Okinawa running around like crazy people. I loved every second of it and I like to think that they enjoyed it too.
Day1: Brandon got called into work, but before he left he made us crepes! When he left for work, I took everyone else to some of my favorite shops in Okinawa. We picked up Brandon later and went to our version of Home Depot.
Day 2: We went down to Peace Prayer Park and the glass factory. (The glass factory was a favorite of my mom). At the glass factory they got to try one of our favorite treats, Okinawa salt cookie ice cream, from Blue Seal. On our way back to home we went to the Former Japanese Naval Underground. 

Peace Prayer Park

 

 

Waiting to make their glasses

View from the tunnels

Day 3: The day started at the SE Botanical Gardens, where we saw the most amazing lily pond. With everyone feeling brave when we left, we took them to one of our favorite places to eat, Coco's Curry. My dad was even brave enough to try Japanese curry. We pit stopped on Kadena, the place Pam lived when she was here. After lunch, we ventured to Cape Zanpa to see the light house and one giant shisa. 

Day 4: We went to Brandon's favorite place in Okinawa, the aquarium. We decided to stay for lunch and try the taco rice and enjoy the beautiful view. On the way back we stopped at American Village. Here we wandered around, looked in the shops. After American Village, we stopped at Gen to try some Okinawan food for dinner.

Day 5: We had a lazy day and went to Torii Station and hung out on the beach. After we were decently fried, we headed home to grill and just enjoy hanging out.

Day 6: For their last full day, we headed to Shuri Castle and the Pottery Village. After the Pottery Village we went to McDonalds for lunch and headed home to clean up for dinner. We went to Sam's Anchor Inn for some teppanyaki. 

The next few days we spent in Beijing, China, while Brandon stayed home to weather the storm. 
We started our China adventure going to the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. We headed to a shopping mall to try some Chinese food. After lunch we just wandered around. The following day we headed to the Great Wall, then had dinner at our hotel.

Tuesday I was supposed to start my trek home, but got stuck in Shanghai, due to the typhoon. I made a friend and we ventured around the city. I went to my first tea ceremony, which was quite delicious