The bag is packed

Trish has packed her bag for the hospital. A sure sign of the immanency of the birth of our child and a certain life changing experience. I am excited and hope she comes early. February 18 will be 38 weeks which is the beginning of a full-term birth. March 4th is the actual due date though.

We had a doctor's visit today, nothing new, but we scheduled an appointment for the anesthesia briefing. Trish hasn't decided yet on what kind she wants, but she has to sign some paperwork in case she does want an epidural. That doesn't sound comfortable!

Blizzard!

So now I know what a blizzard is like. On our way home Sunday night from the HH, we encountered one while driving Trish's hatch-back. We had to go about 12 MPH as the 45 knot snow blew horizontal to the ground. If it wasn't for the reflective stakes they put on the sides of the road in the winter, we< wouldn't have been able to tell where the road went. Actually we went off the road around a curve at one point. Scary fun!

The picture is from the next day when we got to go to work two hours late because of the snow.

Tribute to Curtis (part 2) by Trish

On Friday when we left the AMC terminal I knew I was seeing Curtis for the last time for at least a little while. No dramatic goodbyes were heard just a hug and a "see you later" because in our hearts we knew we really would see him later. But I guess God decided that Curtis needed a more dramatic exit, even if it was only for me to see. And here's my story...

I was on my way home from the bowling alley after leaving our Departmant's Hail and Farewell around 1630. What happens everyday at 1630? Yes, that is correct, Japan and the USA's national anthems are played and everyone stops out of respect. So there I am, sitting in my car on the road in between the gym and soccer field which put the flightline in my direct line of sight, listening to our National Anthem. Sometimes I think back to when we go to the movie theater on base when the National Anthem is played and they have the clip of all the various planes flying by during the end of the song in order to stir up some feelings of national pride in us all, and there it was, The Freedom Bird in all her glory passing directly in front of my car with Curtis Sutton onboard. I just sat there and laughed and said my final goodbye to Curtis, even though he couldn't hear me. If I had a video camera it would have been priceless. What a way to go Curtis!

Trish

Tribute to Curtis

One of our best friends is leaving Misawa tomorrow, Curtis W. Sutton. I've said it before and I'll say it again, one of the hardest things about military life is having to say goodbye so often to those you care about.

Curtis, affectionately known as Currt-Dawg, has been in Misawa for 4 and a half years and has left quite an impression. As for me, he has shown me what it means to be a friend and has truly been "a friend [who] loves at all times." Proverbs 17:17 has so much significance in our relationship and his life. For one, it represents his creativity in which he coined PQ2, a code for Proverbs 17:17. PQ2 was a time at his house to fellowship and strengthen relationships. Curtis welcomed people at his house so many times and at any hour. He excels and thrives at building relationships and in my opinion, relationships are what our world revolves around. He has a way of making everyone feel accepted and special.

Curtis is the most accepting person I have ever met. I have told Curtis things that I've never told anyone except Trish because he is a great listener, always understanding, and never condemning. He is open in his communication and always open minded. He thinks the best about others, does not pass judgment, finds good in people, and loves everyone. This makes Curtis someone everyone loves to be around. He has so many friends who adore him and his charismatic ways. Plain and simple, he is COOL! He is a trend setter (first blogger I knew), fashionable, knowledgeable about many areas, and a connoisseur of many things.

I will miss our times at the Onsen (hot springs); snowboarding trips and other travels; watching movies at his hip, cozy house; lunches at the E-club; and conversations about anything and everything.

Life in Misawa will never be the same. Curtis we love you.

I Passed

So my trip to Tokyo went great. I slept nine straight hours on the bus down there, I couldn't believe it. I passed my CLEP which means I've fulfilled all of the requirements for my Bachelor's, but I won't actually get my degree issued until June. The MAT was difficult only because of the time limit. I filled in about 20 out of the 120 with "B" the last 30 seconds of the test. That evening I ate at Subway with my friend James and his girlfriend. They live in Tokyo and go to Temple U. Japan and I know him from Misawa. After that I had desert with a Japanese friend, Hiro, that I met in Misawa, and now he works as a vet in Tokyo. Then I also most missed the last subway of the night, but I made it back to my hotel. The next morning I had a productive ride on the bus back to Misawa.

Part II: Hee Hee Whoo

The second day of our birthing class was a little less intense and actually somewhat relaxing. We learned the basics of Lamaze. We did a simulation where the teacher turned off the light and had us practice breathing between contractions. After that, we took a tour of the labor and delivery room (one room) and the postpartam room where you usually go about 3 hours after delivery. The baby stays with us the whole time. I will also be able to spend the night in the room. I can't wait!

How is that possible? Part I

Today we had our first of two "Birthing Classes" which consisted of a graphic video and a talk through labor and delivery by a nurse. That was my first time watching a real live birth. Wow! Human reproduction is such an awe inspiring process. Most of the information put out I had already learned about, but it is still nice to have it reaffirmed in order to ease the anxiety about being unprepared. By the way, I don't think we'll have a video camera in the delivery room.

Overwhelmed

So this month I feel a bit overwhelmed. At work, I am in the middle of 3-week, 6 hour-a-day Korean refresher that saps a lot of my brain juice and that concludes with a test that if I score high enough, will get extra money. Outside of that, I implemented a new exercise program at our command that I am trying to make sure goes smoothly. Last week, I had to chair a board that selects the Junior Sailor of the Year and the following day had to sit a board to compete for Sailor of the Year. I won't find out if I won till February 11th.
I am studying for the Principles of Accounting CLEP test that if I pass, will complete my BS in Business Administration. I am also studying a test-prep for the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) that I need to take for my application to Mars Hill Graduate School. I am going to take these two tests in Tokyo on Saturday because that is the only place in Japan I can take them. I am taking an overnight shuttle bus on Friday (8-10 hour drive), taking the tests, and then taking the bus back on Sunday morning. I have also been putting together my application for MHGS which requires two thoughtful essays.
Also consuming my toughts is what to do in the near future. We have been trying to work it so that we can go to Korea for a one-year tour so we have been back and forth with those that can make that happen. If that doesn't happen and we can get out of the Navy, it looks like we will head to Seattle this summer.
On top of all that and most importantly, I have been preping for a baby, making sure we have everything we need, reading up on birth, and just mentally preparing for the inevitablly joyous,life-changing experience of being a father.
I have moments of feeling stressed out, but overall I am feeling happy and enjoying the challenge. Plus, I still had time to go snowbaording on Saturday.

Coed Baby Shower

Today we had a wonderful baby shower. Thank you so much to Jeni, Kerry, and JB for hosting it and Curtis and Caleb for helping set up. We enjoyed it so much. We received wonderful presents, ate good food, and had fun playing all of the games. I especially liked guessing the kind of baby food. I can't believe they have Macaroni & Cheese!

Okunakayama

Another snowboarding trip. I haven't been much this season because I don't want to leave Trish since she can't go. However, she hosted a bridal shower yesterday so I took the grand opportunity. We are in a three week Korean refresher here in Misawa and I took our 60ish year old teacher with us. She didn't board, but they have a "hot spring" there so she was able to enjoy that. She was one of my teachers in Monterey. It has been fun reminiscing and I really like her. She is the typical grandma type.

I Win

Well, not really! This picture is me running the last leg of a 4 X 100 meter relay at the Gonohe Sports Day (see Sept 26 entry). I came from behind to beat that guy and came in second to last.