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Wow - it has been awhile - late July I think since our last Japan-gram. I'd feel guilty if it weren't for the limited correspondence from the states. I'm sure your excuse is the same as ours - it has been a very busy summer. But now that the colder weather is setting in (except for you paradise dwellers) I hope we can exchange happenings more often.
Patti and Christopher have had a great summer and are doing very well - with minor hiccups. Christopher has been battling what we think is a mild allergy for the last several weeks. It hasn't slowed him down much - just a nuisance sniffle and the mid-sleep coughing fit that prevents any of us from getting a night of uninterrupted sleep. We're hoping that when the harvesting is complete and when the trees, bushes, flowers, and weeds stop shedding that things will calm down a bit.
Christopher is nearing the two-year mark and we are finally debating about scheduling him for his first hair cut. The curls on the back of his head are cute as can be but are beginning to look a bit sloppy - so the days till the first cut are numbered. Christopher is babbling up a storm and his vocabulary is expanding rapidly. Time to really watch out for those bad words. His physical skills and coordination have really grown as well. There isn't a contraption on the playground that he can't climb and he is running, jumping, and generally wreaking havoc. Of course he has twice the energy of Patti and me combined (we all go to bed early) . It is amazing to watch Christopher grow and I regret every extra hour I have to spend at work because I know I am missing some new "first."
Thank goodness Patti is able to devote so much time (and energy) to Christopher. She still takes Christopher to swim classes, play groups, and playground trips. Fortunately the summer months have greatly expanded the opportunities and options for outdoor activities. Patti has really had to pick up the slack over the summer since I've had to spend so much time at the office. I hope to make it up to her at some point - though not likely anytime soon. Fortunately we've been able to spend most of the weekends together and have even enjoyed a few dates - most recently the US Navy Ball - which was an incredible bash held at northern Japan's most famous resort complex - Kamaki's. The event itself was spectacular - but the food was surprisingly sub-standard. Oh well - who goes to a 600-person ball for the food?
Unfortunately we all suffered through a record-setting scorcher of a summer for northern Japan. Instead of the traditional two weeks of uncomfortable warm weather, north Japan was visited by an incredibly hot and humid spell that lasted most of two months. Of course, there is little-to-no air conditioning in the part of the country - and none in our small rental house - so we purchased a Japanese window-unit which provided enough BTUs to cool the main two rooms of the house to an acceptable level. Prior to the a/c purchase, Patti and Christopher had to leave the house by 10am because the house became so unbearably hot - even with all windows open and fans operating. Interestingly Misawa Air Base DOES NOT ALLOW residential air conditioning on-base. You should have heard the griping. All for naught though as General Wood (base commander) reiterated that northern Japan does not get hot-enough for a long-enough period to warrant the extra utility cost of air conditioning. I can't believe those words were even uttered after this ridiculously hot summer.
Patti and I will be contending with the nuances of base rules and regulations soon since we'll be moving on-base to a three-bedroom house next month. We've been on a waiting list for on-base housing since we arrived - and made damn little progress up that list over the past 10 months. We'd still be towards the bottom of the list if it weren't for some wheeling and dealing in order to get the base commander to designate my position as "key and essential" which automatically placed us at the top of the base housing list. My position - as well as those of the other civilians at this facility should all afforded that designation - but the base is historically very stingy at handing them out. Anyway - we'll have plenty of extra room, we'll be within walking distance to all of the key on-base facilities, and most importantly for me, I'll be close to the office - no more 50-minute drives home. As an added bonus our house is adjacent to a large park and playground. No more daily roundtrips (or two) for Patti and Christopher. We can't wait.
In early September, my Dad visited for two weeks. Patti and I enjoyed the visit as much as Dad since we were able to take the time together to go see some of northern Japan's sights. Of course we made the breath-taking trip up Oriase Gorge to Towada Lake - perhaps northern Japan's most popular destination. Dad's trip also coincided with the annual Misawa Air Show which featured both Japanese and American fighters. Over 300,000 people visited the base for this show - it could have been a million and I'd have believed it - what a crowd. We also had fun taking my "meat and potatos" father to a traditional Japanese restaurant - complete with sushi, sashimi, and tatami mats. I must report though that Dad avoided the raw fish - but did enjoy the tempura and other dishes. Christopher even said "Grandpa" for the first time while Dad was here - I'm sure for him that made the whole trip worthwhile. We even managed to schedule a minor earthquake during his visit. Dad is already talking about visiting again next year.
Unfortunately during my Dad's visit, my golf game was in the dumps - where it was for most of the summer. I made a poor decision to go see the local golf pro (free lessons) back in early August when I thought my game had plateaued (consistent 85s). After two lessons which overhauled my grip, stance, and swing I immediately began shooting in the high 90s and low 100s - and stayed there for two months. Only recently have I begun to recover the game I had earlier in the year. I finally had a round in the 80s last week and hope to duplicate that tomorrow to make sure it wasn't a fluke. I understand golf is a game of constant tweaking - but I think I'll avoid this particular golf pro next time I feel the urge for professional advice.
Despite the lack of a consistent golf game, I really enjoyed the first trip to Hawaii with my clubs. In late September I traveled to Oahu for a one-week business trip- and in my spare time enjoyed three of the most beautiful and treacherous courses I've ever seen - courtesy of Jim Daley golf tours. I particulary enjoyed the Ko'olau golf course which sports a slope rating of 162 - the highest in the United States (officially rated by the PGA as the most difficult course in the nation). I'll vouch for that - and so will the 10 balls I lost. Even with those 20 penalty strokes I managed a 106 which I thought was darn respectable. I was warned to bring a bunch of balls. The locals say that you should plan to lose the same number of balls as your handicap. I also golfed on Hickam Air Base and at the Hawaiian Prince for those of you that know the island. I'll be back. Jim and Robin were incredibly generous hosts during my visit - got me out of the hotel a couple of evenings and made sure my trip was as fun as it was productive. I owe them bunches.
Guess that'll do for now.
OK - Your turn...
Terry, Patti, & Christopher
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