We Made it to JAPAN!!!!

Yes! We made it to Japan! We're really here!!! (And the fact that's it's taken me this long to do a blog post has been KILLING me! Seriously, I'm refusing to do any more blog-worthy activities until I get caught up! I'm already totally backed up! So forgive me...this is probably going to be a really long post.)

Anyway, right now I'm at the "Air Force Inn" computer lab. Unfortunately, there is no in-room Internet access and this room is not even in the same building as us. Which is why it's taken me so long to post. But anyway, now that I'm connected again, my heart rate is slowly going back to normal!

Now you're wondering how the flight went, right?

Here's the Cliff Notes version: It went pretty well. We made it in tact with all of our children and all of our luggage.

If that's all you want to know, feel free to skip the next several paragraphs. (I try for brevity, but I just can't ever pull it off!)

Now here's the Emily-esque version: Well, aside from a few poop-related-incidents, things on the first (LONG!) 13-hour flight went pretty well overall. Except when Gabe puked on Doug who then had to wear a blanket-skirt for the final 6 hours of the flight. That was pretty exciting. And then there was that thing at the beginning of the flight when no one could get their personal t.v. to work; The pilot came over the P.A. to say that Atlanta had tried to fix the problem, but to no avail...there would be no movies, and no television shows. He apologized profusely, and then offered everyone FREE BEER for as long as it lasted. Yeah, that part was freakin' awesome! But like I said, other than those two things, everything went pretty well. The boys stayed pretty happy, and Gabe only cried when we changed his diaper.

When we finally arrived in Japan after travelling all day, we were all pretty tired and ready to go to sleep. But we still had another plane to catch...from a different Airport. I'd like to say I spent the "Limo" (bus) ride to the 2nd Airport gazing out the window at the passing Japanese countryside, but I didn't. I spent it sleeping. Certainly with my mouth hanging open. Probably drooling.

When we got to the second airport, I immediately felt a sense of familiarity. I felt like I'd been there before. Then it hit me...I'd seen that JAL (Japanese Airlines) counter before...in The Amazing Race!!! Yep, same counter, same young girls with snappy scarves, same friendly service...! I looked around for the film crew that should have been following me, but they weren't there! Oh well. Maybe next time.

So we hopped on our second and final flight which would take us to Misawa. This flight was short, and once again, I spent the ride fast asleep. The interesting thing about this is, the plane was full (FULL) of teenagers. Probably a school group. And yet, they were perfectly quiet the whole way. In case I had any doubts, this pretty much proved that I ain't in Kansas anymore.

When we got off the plane, we were greeted by a large group. Our host family, Merrill and Janeen and kids, (who I've been corresponding with for the last few months) Doug's commander (Doug was thrilled to get to meet him wearing puke stained shorts) and a few others. They loaded us up, with our considerable baggage, and took us "home". Home being the base hotel where we'll be for the next few weeks. I don't remember much of that evening because I fell asleep every time I stopped moving for a second.

This would be a GREAT place to stop. But I'm must press forward...

THURSDAY: Our first REAL day in Japan started early. The boys were up at 4:30ish. (As they have been every day.) The important thing about this day is that Doug went to the housing office. This is where he learned the fateful news; the 4-bedroom homes (for those of our rank) are all full. So he was given two choices:

1. Live in "The Towers"

2. Live Off-base

And guess what? We're going off-base. Why? Because The Towers are only 3 bedrooms, are located on "North Base," (which evidently is so not the place to be...) AND they have balcony's of which we all know I am terribly afraid. (Have you met Max? He likes to climb!)

The good news is, we found THE cutest house ever which is still being built, which is in a neighborhood with other military families close to the base, and has 4 bedrooms, and is in our price range, and is almost finished, (4-5 weeks) and did I mention it's brand-spankin' new and the cutest house ever? So yeah! Looks like we'll be living (renting) off-base! How's THAT for fearless, eh?!?!?!?!?!?!? (Sharks, foreign countries...nothin' scares me!)

Alright, well this post is plenty long enough and Doug is probably wondering if I'll ever come back and help him with the kids, so you'll just have to wait until tomorrow to hear about our first ever truly authentic Japanese dining experience. Aren't you excited?!

SFN!!!

(That means "Syonara for now!" I totally just made it up. Feel free to use it.)

BTW, (that means "by-the-way", for your text-inept ones out there) BTW, if you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments. Just so you know, I love comments. Even if I don't know you. Even if you're a deranged stalker. I still want your comments! And questions. I love those too. I'm a LONELY LONELY PERSON! I JUST MOVED TO JAPAN!!!

Any questions?

P.S. Is it kosher to Video Conference your boyfriend in a crowded computer lab which was moments earlier virtually silent except for the cheerful sound of fingers clicking away on keyboards? Evidently, the girl who just sat down next to me thinks it is.

Hmm.