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Hello again!
Tis mid-February in Misawa and the snow is piled high. We've had an unusually cold winter with higher than normal snowfall - about 145" to date. I don't believe we'll break last year's record of 220" - but unlike last year - the snow this year's snowfall is sticking around before melting. The snow trucks and front-loaders run around the clock here. Even without a snowfall, the trucks and loaders are busy hauling away the mounds of snow created from previous snowfalls. In particular, they are attacking the snowpiles blocking visibility at intersections - which as you can imagine have been the cause of more than a few fender benders.
The three of us are in the final stages of recovering
from the 2001 version of the Misawa Crud - essentially a two-week multi-phased
cold. We managed to avoid strep throat so far though we are keeping our
fingers crossed since it has reached near epidemic proportions on base.
Other than that - we are doing well and have apparently survived this year's
winter illness onslaught.
Christopher has permanently graduated to big boy undershorts
after a rather trying period of potty training. Without older siblings
or the constant presence of playmates to learn from he seemed to protest
our efforts for some time. Finally earlier this month - with considerable
bribing and encouragement - it clicked. I give credit to Snickers bars.
Actually I think Christopher was more motivated from our promise that he
could start pre-school classes with his older friends if he learned how
to "go" like a big boy. So earlier this month Christopher started pre-school
two mornings each week from 9 to 12. He absolutely loves pre-school and
I have a feeling Patti enjoys the opportunity to pursue some self-interests
that don't necessarily involve entertaining a three-year old 24 hours a
day.
Whodathunkit - the Ravens won the Superbowl. Speaking as perhaps the only Ravens season ticket holder on Misawa Air Base, I particularly enjoyed seeing defense prevail. This clearly supports the adage that offense wins games but defense wins championships.
We decided to extend our tour by 18 months which means 2 ½ more years in Misawa (new PCS in July 2003). As you already know - we love the quality of life in Misawa and we are very much aware that we will look back on our time in Misawa as the best in our lives - so who can blame us for wanting to extend that experience?
I traveled to Sapporo on the northern island of Hokkaido for the 2001 Ice Festival from 9-12 February. We originally discussed going on this trip as a family but after a cramped overnight ride on a ferry and three bitter cold days walking miles at a time in Sapporo, I'm glad we decided to do this trip one at a time. The snow and ice sculptures were amazing and it is easy to see how this ice-bound city can attract two million visitors each year in the dead of winter for their annual ice-festival - now in it's 52nd year. I'm glad to have had the experience - but I'm equally glad I didn't have to worry about Christopher each step of the way. Perhaps when he is 8 or 9 years old we'll try it - but not until he can tough out the cold and move under his own power for a couple miles at a time.
Congratulations to my Dad and his new bride Rose Marie who were married on 22 January - we wish them many years of happiness and good health.
Patti is preparing herself for a landmark birthday later this month - NUMBER 40 - on 27 February. We are planning a birthday celebration at Paddy's Irish Pub - a favorite Thursday night stop of ours. We've invited about 26 of our friends to help us toast Patti's achievement so it should be a lot of fun. Patti is scheduling a slumber-party (yes slumber party) for several members of the local coffee-group who normally get together once a month for crafts and fund-raising. I believe this is a first for the group and thankfully I can report that Christopher and I have found refuge at a neighbor's house for that particular night.
Take Care!
Terry, Patti, and Christopher
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