Typhoon Muifa update

Not much has changed since I last posted. Today was a beautiful day! I guess that is why they call it "the calm before the storm." It is now 9:30pm and the wind has picked up drastically. We have our patio packed up, and everything is shoved into our storage closets. They are saying it is going to hit at some point tomorrow. Word on the street is it will hit late afternoon-ish. I hope it hits during the day! Typhoon Songda was creepy because it hit at night and we could only hear the damage being done outside. All the street lights were out, so it was pitch black. You could only see big black shadows flying through the air and slamming into our building.

Now, our power is probably going to go out. The latest update I heard was that Typhoon Muifa will be barreling 29 miles SW of Kadena Air Base at 10 am Friday, packing sustained 132-mph winds and 161-mph gusts at its center. If it remains on course & as strong as advertised, Muifa should be the strongest typhoon Okinawa has experienced since Bart ravaged the island 12 years ago!!

So chances are we will be without power. I don't imagine you, family members of mine, will freak out since the states doesn't show our weather on your news so therefore you probably have no idea we are about to get hit with a Category 3 hurricane. If you are curious of the damage or current location of the hurricane, just google "Typhoon Muifa."

Kyle and I stocked up on junk food, wine, beer and all kinds of baking ingredients! Oh and art supplies to get a start on my sister's baby shower! We are set to go!!

I will update more as this beast approaches the island!

Typhoon Muifa

Here we go again! Super typhoon Muifa is forecasted to hit us directly around 3am on Friday. You can see Naha hidden under the purple 4. This is suppose to be the biggest hurricane (hitting us directly at a Category 4) we have gotten on island so far...well, since we have been living here. I will keep you all posted as the days get closer. She could change direction at any given moment. High-five to a long weekend indoors! Hopefully we don't lose power because it is hot as balls...

Blast from the Past

I found this old entry on my computer. I wrote this in October of 2007. It is so crazy to me to see how much has changed in such a short amount of time! Kyle and I have really grown together as a couple. It is going to feel weird to live in the states together as a family. Living overseas is all we know. I'm excited!

Home. What would one define the word as? A place you live? A place where you grew up? There can be many definitions to the word, depending on how you choose to look at it. The dictionary explains " home " as a physical structure which one lives. So for me, Germany is now home. I have gone through 4 months of leaping over lifes toughest hurdles, although I feel like Im treading water. I had no idea it was going to be so tough.

I had left my teeny little world in California to come out here almost 4 months ago; it had been an difficult and quick decision, one that I almost regretted when the wheels of the plane touched down in a country that had only been visited by me for 3 weeks. I had spent an almost bitter first few months thinking of the choices that had led me to this country, so unfamiliar to my small-town mentality. I was so wrapped up in love, that I hadn't stoped to think how hard this was going to be for me. Now don't get me wrong, I love Kyle with all my heart, and that means I will move where he moves and support him through thick and thin. I swore a vow to be there for him no matter what, and I will. But leaving my small town of Boulder Creek to live here in Germany was a major step for me, and I hadn't realized it until I was in Ramstein and unpacking. I had been ill with homesickness, understanding at last why it is called "being homesick".

When we first moved in, it was exciting. I had an entire house to fill with memories of California, and rooms to decorate with my belongings and small touches of what used to be home. That kept me busy for a few weeks, it was when Kyle went back to work, and we had ran out of money to decorate is when I started to feel sad and lonely. I wasn't keeping busy anymore. Somedays I would feel like the walls were caving in on me, and I'd just breakdown for no apparent reason. I could't find the energy to pull myself off the couch. I wanted to go home. Home, a place where things were all safe and familiar to me. Where I had family. All I could do was sit there and cry. I'd look through old photo albums and try to make small projects for myself, but all of this was a temporary fix. I am still afraid and uncomfortable with walking out my front door, and going for a walk on my own. It is all so unfamiliar to me. I will have good days and bad days. Days where I want to be up and doing things around the house and job hunting, and days where I just stare out the window for hours. It is so much harder than I had imagined this being. I wanted to hit the ground running; but once I got here, my views had changed. My first instinct is that I want to go home, and Germany was not home. This country intimidated me from the start. I was afraid to go anywhere outside of base. I didnt want to order food at restaurants. I hated driving places in our car. I was being so close minded and in fear because I didn't speak the language, and this, I realized, was ruining my experience and memories I will have of germany. I knew then that my life was and is forever going to change. This is a lifestyle that I need to adjust to. Being a military wife, I need to learn to become more independent. My world as I knew it, would forever be altered.

It has been a long 4 months, and I am slowly adjusting. I saw new things. I tried new food. I traveled new cities. I played the part of tourist; in fact, despite my new address, I was a tourist. I am slowly finding that I like Germany. The germans are nice and there is so much to see and do. I just need a nudge now and then to make me get out there and experience this world that so many people wish they could see. I am blessed for having this opportunity. Many people live their whole lives and don't get to see what I've seen in this last year...But why can't I appreciate it?

I have been told that once I start a new job, and meet new people, things wont seem so bad. I know there are many men and women in my place right now, I just need to reach out and meet new people. I wonder if going home will make my stay here much easier...or will it be that much more difficult to leave the second time? I've yet to find out. I have changed so much as a person, that home may not be the same to me anymore. Of course my family is there, but will it be weird being back in that small town of Boulder Creek again? Who knows. I need to accept that Germany, is my home now...at least until June of 2009. I need to be more open minded, and enjoy this experience with my amazing husband. He has helped me through so much, there is no need for me to be so afraid with him by my side. He is the family that I have here.

So, I will continue to experience. I will try new things. I will not be afraid of the unfamiliar. I will take in these memories that will last a lifetime. I will put myself out there and show this country the real me. I will adapt.

Remaining thin while living overseas...

...is a HUGE challenge!

Yesterday I went out to lunch to a little cafe (kind of like a Starbucks if they served a ton of food) with the family. I got a very light grilled chicken panini and a chai tea. I felt good with having such a light lunch in my belly. Then, we decided to get some muffins to-go. On our way back to the car, we decided to stop at the little Lawson's Station, which is like a 7-11. Here is where things went south...

When living overseas, you get very excited to try new treats. Treats that are considered "normal" to the locals. So, we got some pastries, and some juice/soda things and it was SOOOO good! I have accepted that I will not be super thin until we have been living back in the states...for awhile. Of course when we get back to the states, I am going to want to eat EVERYTHING that I have missed from living overseas for 5 years. Goodness, I should just become a fatty and enjoy it.

This thing was like a grape soda, except more bitter. No idea what was in this thing, but it was good!

Liam's strawberry muffin from the coffee shop.

My healthy chocolate muffin. ;)

This was like a chocolate croissant, except way better!

Today, I have a 13 month old

Oh my goodness, where has the time gone?! I can't believe I was running around the house like a crazy person getting everything ready for his birthday party a month ago!

Every day, Liam seems to change into a different baby. He is growing and developing and learning something new every single day. With that being said, the little dude has also learned to throw a mild tantrum. Liam does not like being told, "no." Kyle and I don't say it often unless he is in danger because I want him to feel like he can roam around and experience things in his tiny world. I don't want to put boundaries on everything. If he is about to pull something off a shelf, or pull the bird cage down, or break something etc. is when we tell him no, and boy does he let us know he's upset about it. He becomes dramatic and plops down on the floor and whine/growls/fake cries for a couple seconds and then he's done. Kyle and I can't help but laugh, then I get blamed for passing the "dramatic" genes onto Liam. Psh!

He is being so stubborn about walking. He knows how to walk, and he will walk to Kyle and I no problem, but he still prefers to use crawling as his main form of transportation. Occasionally he walk walk from one couch to the other, but long distances he crawls. He has known how to walk for almost 2 months now, but he lacks the confidence to get up and just go! I am not going to rush it or get impatient because I know as soon as he walking and running and taking the car and graduating from college, I am going to look back and wish his crawling days didn't go by so fast.

The mountain of pureed foods in the pantry is finally gone, and he is eating only big boy foods. It has been a challenge though...He would eat pureed broccoli, green beans, you name it, like a champ, but it is a struggle to get him to eat them in their natural form. I have to trick him most the time and it's exhausting. His all time favorite meal is pasta with red sauce. He will tear some pasta up! He also has a weakness for yogurt. Someone takes after his cousin ;) Breastfeeding is coming to an end. I m so proud of Liam and I for making it an entire year! A year has always been my goal and I am excited we made it! My supply is almost gone. I stopped pumping and since he sleeps through the night (most nights,) I only nurse like maybe once or twice a day. I am easing out of it and I am ready for it to come to an end and I feel I am going about it the right way so keep your comments to yourself yo!

He interacts with Kyle and I a whole lot more. He mimics us all day and he responds to questions by using his body. I can ask a question like " where are the birds?" or " where is the airplane?" and he will look directly at the object and get all excited. So, he knows words, he just hasn't quite figured out how to say them. He is becoming quite adventurous. He tries to climb everything! The couch, his lego table, his dump truck, the chairs. He is really good at keeping me on my toes.

He is wearing size 18-24 mo clothes, size 5 diapers and size 6 shoes!

Tomorrow is his first dental exam! He is such a big boy now and going to big boy appointments! I know I say it every time I write his monthly update, but boy time sure goes fast :(

I wish this little mister would slow the heck down, but he is so much fun! Kyle and I have the most fun, the most belly aching laughs, and the most love for our little guy. I love love love being his Mommy and I thank God every single day for choosing us to be his parents.

I love you so much it hurts, little Liam!

I am thankful for...

I am thankful for...

by Nancie J. Carmody

...the mess to clean up after a party

because it means I have been surrounded by friends.

...the taxes I pay

because it means that I'm employed.

...the clothes that fit a little too snug

because it means I have enough to eat.

...my shadow who watches me work

because it means I am out in the sunshine.

...the spot I find at the far end of the parking lot

because it means I am capable of walking.

...all the complaining I hear about our government

because it means we have freedom of speech.

...that lady behind me in church who sings off key

because it means that I can hear.

...lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning and gutters that need fixing

because it means I have a home.

...my huge heating bill

because it means that I am warm.

...weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day

because it means that I have been productive.

...the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours

because it means that I am alive.

There are three kinds of days:

1. Good days,
2. Great days, and
3. Outstanding days.

I hope yours is Outstanding!

30 Day Photo Challenge

Day #1- A picture of yourself with 10 facts.

1. I am obsessed with all things pregnancy and childbirth. I cannot stop reading books on it!

2. I'm addicted to second hand/flea market shopping. Thanks Tammy for getting me hooked! :)

3. I have a phobia of deep water. I get sweaty, nauseous and tingly when I go to aquariums.

4. I collect sea glass.

5. I have lived in 3 different countries (US, Germany and Japan) and I have visited 11 different countries. ( Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Ireland, England, Italy, Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Holland, Japan.)

6. I can't wait to live in the states so I can have a great big garden full of organic yummies!

7. I am completely head over heels in love with my best friend. I love you, Kyle!

8. Being a Mommy is my calling, and it is the best feeling in the entire world.

9. I am going to have a home birth with the next baby.

10. I have a weakness for scotchmallows from See's candies.