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30 June 2002
Hello All,
It's been two months since our last newsletter - though it seems more like two weeks. With the delivery of our rattan furniture and with the installation of a few ceiling fans, we are finally beginning to feel settled in our new home. We have to remind ourselves occasionally of the potentially tenuous nature of our stay in this home - since it is a rental property. We like the place well enough to have asked for a longer term rental contract - but the "Hawaiian Way" of managing rental properties apparently favors annual terms instead.
Our pals from Misawa - the Gorrell family, ended up moving to Mililani - just five homes down the street. We steered them to the home - a rental - which we knew was getting ready to turn over. They're thrilled with the home, and we're thrilled to have such good friends just a short walk away.
We've also made a good start getting to know the neighbors - something we thought near impossible the first few weeks we were here because it seemed everyone stayed indoors every evening and weekend. Thanks to a fortuitously scheduled block party and our pool party for the neighborhood kids preceding the party - we came to know ALL the kids and most of the parents. Christopher now has a line of kids ringing our doorbell to come out and play (and wanting to use our pool), and we made a great babysitting connection on the block.
Christopher is in his second session of swim lessons at the neighborhood rec center's pool. Christopher's instructor quickly advanced him to the older swim group because of his fish-like qualities and he is finally learning to use "big arms" along with kicking to squirt through the water. When he puts his fins on it is near impossible for me to catch him.
Patti and I are both struggling with allergies and/or minor colds - we aren't quite certain if it is part of adjusting to the climate here or if it is going to be a way of life for us for the next three years. The evenings are usually comfortably cool but the days can really heat up the house making things miserable for those staying home - especially if the trade winds aren't blowing. Patti isn't afraid to make use of the three window air-conditioners in the house - but usually they come on as a last resort. The new ceiling fans I installed help tremendously. Apparently Hawaii has invisible mosquitos with painless (initially) but potent bites. Especially after rains or on days with limited trade winds, we have to make sure to use bug repellent to keep from welting up from these stealthy stingers. Yesterday morning for example shortly after completing my morning coffee and internet routine, I noticed four bites forming on my arm and leg. They welted up and spread to the size of a quarter - subsiding only later in the evening. Nasty little buggers. Of course we have neighbors who seem immune to the same insects who find the Howard clan so delectable. We're hoping we build immunities eventually.
Some of you may have already heard I had the good fortune of being
recently promoted to GS-15. I'm still a bit stunned. I knew
the folks from Japan thought highly of me and that the job I accepted at
the KRSOC postured me for promotion, but for those of you who know "the
system" you know that taking on jobs with increased responsibilities don't
always mean a commensurate promotion is in the offing. This was a
terrific promotion cycle for our agency - a number of great people were
picked up - though as with any promotion process a number of deserving
folks were left behind. So I'm struggling a bit to temper my excitement
with the sobering realities of my new job and the new expectations and
implications of this advancement.
We're finding our social life far more hectic than Misawa. I
think part of it is due to the WEATHER. Every day is a great day to get
together with friends at the beach or on the lanai for grilling mahi mahi.
We do try to get to the beach each weekend - normally a few hours does
the trick. We really enjoy snorkeling at Paradise Lagoons at Ko'olina
where the beaches are uncrowded and the lagoons provide protection for
schools of tropical fish and the gentle surf is more manageable for Christopher.
Last week we ventured to the Kalama Beach Club in Kailua (get out your
maps) for a NSA employee luau. The food was fantastic, and the Hawaiian
entertainers (dancers and musicians) were terrific. The beach and waves
were more typical of the rough surf and higher waves along the North and
Windward sides of the island. We put Christopher in his inner-tube and
had to hang on for dear-life to keep each successive wave from capsizing
him. One wave got him though and flipped him into the sand. We spent the
rest of the day trying to get sand out of his hair. It didn't slow him
down a bit.
We enjoyed visits from a couple of Misawa friends - Bev Walker,
Larry Cramer, and Jack Johnson over the past few weeks. We also ran into
Mike Baker and family down at the Hale Koa a few weeks ago. We're expecting
to see Dave White and family later this month.
Interestingly, taking care of visitors is a HUGE part of my new job. We deal with a seemingly unending string of visiting dignitaries, partners, and customers each week. It is relatively common to have multiple flag-level officer visits running concurrently. Of course that doesn't count the dozen or so other lower-level yet critically important visitors coming through our organization on any given week. Interesting how Hawaii is such a popular destination for anyone with a travel budget.
Speaking of travel, we hope to visit Iowa, MD, and PA later this summer in conjunction with a potential business trip. Perhaps August.
Take care this summer and stay in touch!
Terry, Patti, and Christopher
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