just a day in the life

Well taday is Saturday. Here's a little song I wrote I hope you sing it note for note. Dont worry be happy. Well anyway I git up to go to work and after a shower have time to pour a cupa coffie and make a sandwirtch. Not to be, I didnt make coffie last nite and Jean didn't either (she's off). Well more time to make a lunch only the chicken salid I've been working on is ended,so maybe I'll buy lunch. The mail is light today so the supervisor thinks I should do time on another route untill I told him, "Hey how come wheh we have lots of mail it doesn't take any longer but when its nice you want it to take less time? OK so now I have an hour overtime. (just like that). Well after smoozing the guy who will give off the hour and making sure he doesn't burry me I'm off. Nice day and some patron has taken down his whole screen encloseure and piled it on his drive. Well I know him good so I knock and drag him out to see ifin he's throwing it out and he said "sure am". Well I'm off at 5pm and I'll come with my truck and haul it outta here. Him being a neat freak starts to drool. Ok see ya ten afta 5 then. Well I come back and he comes out just as I'm startin to toss aluminum into the bed and we're tossing and jokin and he wants to know how much I'll get for all this aluminam. I say I heard it was down to .17 after the hurricane cause everyone was bringing it in but now the price is back up I guess .35 to .50 cents. Well he said some mex from georiga had stopped by at 4pm and wanted to know if he could have it. OH said I. Yea he offered 20 bucks but I told him it was spoken for. Oh said I. So I should give ya $20 for it eay? Na I told him 'If you didn't come he could have it at 6pm' Oh said I cool ,Thanks. well we fill the bed of my truck and put the heavy beams on top to keep it from blowing away and tie a strap on and who pulls up but mr mexican. I say I better jump in my truck and go but Steve says 'no I may need you to for back-up. Mex hangs out the window "Oh I'ma late." Yea' said Steve "he came." well Mex says to me "Ill buy it from you then. I look at steve, he at me , and an akward cloud decended all around . Well no I have more at a friends I must take anyway so... Well mex wouldnt give up he was going to follow me home and take that too. well he offeres $60 and yue don't haffa clean it up. WEll I CAN"T just take steves aluminun for free and right in front of him sell it to Mex can I. What would you readers do at this point? Well Steve what do ya think should we sell it to him? Steve; And split the $60? Yeah said I . Sure said Steve starting to drull again. OK said I (wondering how much I just lost) and we pulled his PU truck back to back and reloaded. I'm thinking $30 ain't such a big deal so I try to just leave and Steve could keep his earnings
but he called his wife and made her demand I take my split of their profits. so I thanked them and said they still got more than the origanal $20 offered.And if they ever want to do business again be sure to call me.
Well I was on my way home at 5;50 with an hours ot pay taxfree. No, to those of you who thought of it, Mex did not follow me home (to Elaines. Jeans friend) to get more.
Don't worry be happy....

Chrstmas gifts

Here are a couple of the gifts that were given at the Late Christmas Gift exchange we had. I got a shirt, a licence plate and a beer mug commemorating the fantastic year the White Sox had, and poking a little fun at the Cub Fans.

Valerie made a coat and pants for Jeremy. They are very cute and look like a turtle. He loves them. What a great Grandma.

We also gave him a Radio Flyer wagon. Every kid should have one.

Alex Pics

Because we were in Florida for Christmas while Marlana and Manda were in San Diego visiting their father we did not get to do the Christmas gift exhange thing. So on Sunday, January 8, we had Alex, Marlana, Manda, Jon, and Jeremy over for dinner, gift exchange and some fun games.

We had fun time that day. Valerie made some great lasagana. Alex enjoyed playing with Jeremy; Jon & Alex hit it off well, especially after a glass or two of wine. Then we played my new Cranium Turbo game and we introduced Alex to "spoons". He had heard talk of the game but says that he had never played it at Aunt Carolyn's. Things got a little crazy (as they often do) but he had a great time. It got down to Alex and Marlana but the one with the most experience won.

Anyway, here are a couple of pics of the day.

Joshuason leave to Jer-pan

Well the day has come and Josh is on a plane to Chicago. His Mom droped him at the airport where he had to wait for the crew to sobber up and reach the time limit that they must be off before they can fly again. I can relate as on the railroad we "went dead" after 12 hours.
So anywho, he called and said he was in Chitown and instead of a 1 &1/2 hour layover he had a half hr till takeoff and was off to git feed. I hope he really knows how to git from airport to Jennells house on the train.
Wow, treking across the globe alone! Reminds me of the time Scraunie Ronie and I hitchhiked to Bloomington . I think I may have done it once before that by myself. As I recall Dave Bassett was in the army and gave me a ride down but I thumed back! Ah the good old days.

I love loooonnnggg weekends!

Friday was a workday so they could teach us how to use the new computer program that we have been using since August. They played boring computer videos teaching us how to take attendance (which we have done four times a day for about 85 days now). Then they made us watch more boring computer videos about how to use the gradebook program that we don't have to use until next year. Finally, they set us free at 10:00 to go "practice using the program." Yeah...okay, sure! Shortly after that, Mary, the principal, came to my room to ask if I would be on the SST which reports to the CSC by contacting the CSE. After having her explain the alphabet soup (SST = student support team, CSC = Case Study Committee, CSE = Chairperson for Special Education), and my role, I agreed to do it.

I went down to talk to Debra (the CSE) and she explained further saying that she was happy I had agreed to be the SST chairperson. Huh? Mary never said chairperson! I'm sure of it! I don't want to be the chairperson of anything! Too late now! Debra thought that was pretty funny because that is how she got to be the CSE . I also found out that there hasn't ever been an SST here and that with all of the new staff in Special Ed and the counseling office, they decided that they needed one. So I am now the brand new chairperson of the brand new SST and I have really no clue what to do.

After going to lunch with my team at a Thai restaurant (it was gross and the company was, um, less than thrilling), I finally got my car back! Woohoo! The top looks great and, better yet, keeps my dry while driving around town! It was a long two weeks without a car, but I got it back just in time to get Kitty to her vet appointment on Friday. That turned out to be a joke though because the vet was busy delivering puppies, so Kitty didn't get seen. I didn't mind because it was just a formality anyway. The vet is supposed to see the dog within 72 hours of her entry into Japan. When I took her in the day after we arrived, the vet was off duty so they set up the appointment for Friday and she was delivering puppies, so now the next appointment is in February. The receptionist took all of our official papers and gave me some more official papers to add to my stack, but never asked anything about where Kitty is being quarantined! Go figure! :)

Saturday was a very unique day! Evelyn invited me to go to Yokohama with some of the high school teachers. I've only been there once, so I said yes without asking what we were going to do. When we got to the train station I learned that we were going to the Yokohama Ramen Museum. Hmmm...ramen? As in noodles? Yup!We rode the train to Yokohama and had lunch in a mall attached to the train station. It was called the Yakitori Club, and it was very good. Yakitori basically means meat on a stick. I actually tried miso soup (very popular here, but not very good, in my opinion), cold ramen (looked and tasted like spaghetti with Italian dressing on it), and Japanese cole slaw (it didn't have much dressing on it, so I actually liked that). I had fried chicken, and the others got samplers with all kinds of things on a stick...hot dogs, meat balls, chicken, pork, asparagus wrapped in bacon. The food was great and we had a really good time.

We then walked through the pouring rain to the Ramen museum. It was extremely crowded! The downstairs was decorated to be a replica of Tokyo in the 1950's (when ramen got popular). We wandered around and realized that the basic idea is that you can try lots of different kinds of noodles if you want to wait in really long lines and pay lots of money. It was neat to see, but we were glad that we had already had lunch.

We walked back upstairs to the gift shop and found the museum display. It was all in Japanese, but we watched the little movie explaining the history and got the basic idea. I "translated" the movie for everyone and we decided that was more interesting than whatever the real narrator said. :) We then found the "My Cup of Noodles" display. It was actually pretty funny. You buy a cup and decorate it. Then you hand it to the lady behind the glass and she sterilizes the cup, puts noodles in and you go to the next station. They have you choose four freeze-dried ingredients (corn, cheese, chicken, peas, etc) to put in and a flavoring (seafood, chicken, or curry). Next you watch them put a top on, seal it, and shrink wrap it. They hand you a bag to puff up with air and you have your own special cup of ramen noodles (that you can wear like a purse)...just like we ate in college...and at SRCS...and, well, now!

It was definitely an interesting day! Not many people can say that they have been to the Ramen museum. :) We headed home in the rain and then I went home to watch TV. Sunday I stayed home and read, did laundry, and waited for my landlady to come. Today I waited for the gas man to come fix Josh's heater and I'm now at school because I was having internet withdrawl. Basically it's been a nice, relaxing weekend. I've gotta get my notes ready for tomorrow though, so Sayonara!

A Note from Gram L

In taking the Christmas tree down yesterday - yes, I know it's January - but I'm slower than everybody else. Anyway, I found a lovely Japanese ornament I haven't seen before. Jennell, you must have hung it there. Thanks so much - it's pretty.

We love hearing your adventures with the Japanese language. Love, Gram Rombor-san

Rombor-san?

Well, we did it! We had out first Japanese class last night, and it was pretty funny! The teachers are all volunteers from the community and none of them speak much English. The lady from the Fleet and Family Support Center (hosts of the class) asked them to introduce themselves, which they did in Japanese...and then tried to translate into English. Our teacher introduced herself and translated it into, "I am Mrs. Yamagata. I am pleased to be you." She then began calling names of the people in her group and had to say my name several times because it sounded like "Rambor-san" (no l's in Japanese and they add san to every name instead of Mr., Mrs., or Miss) and for some reason I didn't realize she meant me! Ahh...a great start!

They had us split into groups. The six of us from the middle school got to stay together in one group, so we were glad. The lady began by teaching us to say our names and how to ask what other people's names are. She had us introducing each other and things like that. The only problem was that she had a hard time translating what she was teaching us into English and then she would ask us a question in Japanese and expect us to answer in Japanese. It was a rather confusing class, but since one of the other "students" in our group had been taking some written Japanese, she was able to help us some. At one point she was trying to explain how to say, "You're welcome" but she couldn't think of it in English so she said, "De nada" which is actually Spanish (one of the few words I recognize from high school). And I thought it was confusing when she was talking in English (because it still sounds like she is speaking in Japanese), so the Spanish really sent my head spinning!

We wrote down lots of notes and aren't totally sure if we know what it all means, but hopefully we won't begin some national crisis by calling the Japanese harlots. That actually came up because the Japanese word for housewife sounds a lot like the Japanese word for harlot and Kathleen - the wife of one of the new teachers - was saying it wrong. The teacher was very funny and didn't know how to tell us what the translation was and so she had to take out her fancy translator and show us. It was definitely the highlight of the lesson!

Most importantly, though, I learned how to say, "Watashi wa Nihon-go ga wakarimasen." (I don't understand Japanese.) :)

What a Birthday!!!

Boy, did I have a BLESSED birthday! But then ... you knew that, didn't you? It started on Monday, when someone at work took me out to lunch, then proceeded to tell everyone else that it was my birthday. The cards and wishes started flowing in. There was singing on my voicemail, visits from co-workers bearing gifts and singing in the lobby, flowers delivered by Fed Ex, presents from my wonderful hubby, more lunch and a card from the whole office. Then after work, I did as I was told and showed up at the Cheesecake Factory in Palm Beach Gardens. The WHOLE FAM DAMILY was there! After we sat down, a stranger came and joined us -- JAY!!! He gets the prize for coming the farthest. What a surprise, I was blown away. Apparently, Grandma was in on the secret, too. More gifts and - in case anyone was wondering - I had an absolutely fantastic evening. I thought it was great fun. What a great family we have. I love it that everybody loves each other so much and that it doesn't matter what warts or personality quirks we have. Of course, I don't have any oddities, but I do have words of wisdom on the anniversary of my birth. Don't ever let this family drift apart. It's a loving, precious bunch of people. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

Sailor Beats 56 Year Old Japanese Woman to Death

Yup, you can read about it here in Chicago.


TOKYO -- The U.S. Navy is investigating whether an American sailor was involved in the slaying of a 56-year-old Japanese woman, police and diplomatic sources said Thursday, putting the spotlight once again on Japan's uncomfortable relationship with the large U.S. military presence on its soil.

Yoshie Sato was found dead Tuesday morning in the entrance to a commercial building in Yokosuka, a port city 43 miles south of Tokyo and home to the largest American naval base outside the U.S. She had been beaten and died from internal bleeding, according to Japanese police, who said her empty wallet found nearby suggested robbery was the motive.

Sato's death has the potential to inflame feelings against the 47,000 U.S. troops stationed in Japan, along with roughly 14,000 sailors with the U.S. 7th Fleet who spend about half the year at Yokosuka. Tokyo is under intense domestic pressure to close--or at least downsize and relocate--U.S. bases.

Tuesday's killing happened near Tokyo, and American officials are concerned that the incident could transform the complaints of scattered communities into a national cry against the U.S. military's presence.

Security camera footage showed Sato leaving her condominium alone and then, shortly afterward, in the company of a man local police sources described as a "foreigner." That prompted Japanese officials to alert the Navy, which checked its electronic record of sailors returning to base that morning.

Japanese media and others familiar with the investigation said the unnamed sailor, reported to be in his 20s and on his first naval assignment with the Kitty Hawk aircraft carrier, had confessed to the crime, though no charges have yet been filed.

Japanese police sources said the investigation has so far been handled exclusively by American officials. While local police want to take custody of the suspect, they have not made any formal request to the U.S.

Back in Jer-pan

Well, I made it back safe and sound...and so did my Kitty!!! I am so glad to have her here - makes it feel like home!

The flights are getting easier, and I didn't have any jet lag going either way this time. Kitty, on the other hand, would probably disagree on both counts. She didn't get to get out of her cage at all at LAX so she was trapped for about 20 hours (since we had to get to the airport so early). She had water and a little food, but was afraid of both. I tried to teach her about the water thing before we left but she wouldn't lick it until I put liver suasage on the end. Then when it was sticking into the cage she didn't like it at all. Oh well...she survived. When we got to the airport here in Japan we had to go to the quarantine people and they had to inspect her and our paperwork so they let her out of the cage. When they finished they said that she had to go back inside so we could leave the airport. I was sure she would refuse, but she hopped right in. She is such a good dog!!! As soon as we got outside I took her to the grass to do her thing, but she was so thirsty that she started licking the ground on the way there. So we got some water in a bowl and she was happy.

I rented a van to get her home since they don't allow pets on the base-bus from Narita or the Japanese trains. As I got in the car I realized I had never thought about getting directions to the base and had no idea how to get home!!! Brilliant, I know! Fortunately most cars in Japan have navigation systems. Unfortunately, they are in Japanese. Luckily the woman who gave me the keys knew how to work it, put in my address, and I could just follow the pictures.

When we got home, Kitty sniffed the entire place and bravely walked through my hallways (one of her Florida fears). She was happy to find her bed upstairs. I hopped in to find that the bed was only about 70 degrees. Not a happy discovery since the whole house was about 40 degrees. Apparently with the weak Japanese electricity for the waterbed heater and no heat on in the house for two weeks, the bed cooled way down. I cranked up the room heat, grabbed my sleeping bag from Josh's room and slept like a baby. Kitty did not. Every time I rolled over, she perked up her ears and looked at me like, "Why are you sleeping in the middle of the day?" She has been getting better, but I swear the dog has jet lag! She's also been whining to go out in the middle of the night which is a big no, no! I gave in the first few days because of the torture I put her through on the plane, but we are going to put a stop to that very soon. Anyway, that is the story of the dog getting to Japan.

I think the flight was better this time because right before I left the house I checked on the internet to see where the empty seats were and picked one on an aisle where there were two empties next to me. It was great! I also went right to sleep since I knew I would be getting here at night time, so that probably helped too. Live and learn. :)

Josh is scheduled to come back on the 18th and I have been enjoying the solitude. It's been nice, but I don't know how much I will like it after he leaves. It is weird not having a human roommate. This week I haven't had a car (they replaced the top over break but I can't get it back because they are closed for New Years until the 6th or 7th) so I have gotten lots of exercise. I walk to and from the train station at home (about a block away) and work (lots longer). It is so funny that on the train and in the train stations everyone is soooooo silent! I keep thinking about how noisy it would be if there were the same number of people on an American train and it cracks me up. As do the sleeping Japanese (standing, sitting, wherever) and the grown men and women text messaging on their phones so they don't make any noise talking.

Today I went and signed up for my Japanese class. I talked four other new teachers into going with me so we signed up together and bought our book. The class is free and lasts 10 weeks, so we'll see what happens after that. Not sure what I'll do about it when Josh gets back, but I'm sure he won't mind starting school a little later on those days (hopefully I'll get better at staying up later).

My team at school is still crazy! They are whining and complaining about signing one single assignment book as if it is the end of the world. I do not understand what the problem is and I told them so. They say it isn't working, but I disagree. He's had his homework in my class every day since we started. They are documenting everything so they can blast the mother and principal at the end of the nine weeks so they don't have to keep signing. Freaks!!! Al wants to bring in the union because "We aren't getting administrative support on this issue." He is nuts! He has also decided that his research class and my research class are much more difficult than Peggy and Victoria's, so he is going to tell them that we have to switch at the semester. I'm sure they will jump at the chance! Never a dull moment around here...

Oh yeah...and we had two staff meetings this week about one of the Kitty Hawk sailors who beat a 56-year-old Japanese woman to death in town. It is becoming a major international affair and could cause all sorts of problems for the military in Japan. They instituted a period of reflection and we have to be in by midnight until Monday (not a problem since I fall asleep here by 8ish). No one knows the whole story, but they have a guy in custody and will probably hand him over to the Japanese government soon. (Jay, did you hear anything about it down there - they said Okinawa was reflecting too but I think only the Navy bases are.)

Well, gotta run. It's time for our TGIF dinner at the Italian restaurant on base...and I can actually go this week! :)

Cute Kid

Austin truley seemed to be enjoying Christmas. and he was so well dressed, at least early in the evening.

Sunrise at Lake Worth Beach

Okay, so how many of you who live there can say you have enjoyed a sunrise on the beach? Valerie and I did on Christmas eve. It was glorious. God is good.

Gram at the Beach

Gramma and I went to the Palm Beach for a day at the beach. Here is a pic of her enjoying the day. I enjoyed the surf and the sun that day too. Guess where we ate lunch!

Christmas 2005

Well, we have returned to our normal life here in the Midwest after a great visit to Tennessee and Florida. We arrived home Saturday evening about 20:00. We ordered a pizza and Lynette came over to help us eat it and to have a midnight drink. Off to bed and to catch upon the sleep. Sunday we went to visit Valerie's neice, Valerie, at her new house and to see her daughter Valerie, no, kidding: her name is Mia Sara. There was a fun crowd of their friends and relatives and their pastor there. We watched the Bears lose the last game of the season.

Anyway, we had a great time in Florida and have lots of pictures of it all. I will post a few here. Jean and Joshua and the kids having fun ar the first batch. If you have any requests, let me know and I will get them up here.