Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival

Cherry blossoms are in bloom for about two-weeks out of the year. And when they are, they are the most beautiful tree I have ever seen. Today we took a 2.5 hour trip with eight of our friends to Hirosaki Castle to see one of the best viewings of the blossoms in Japan. We went last year on a dreary, muddy day, but this time it was a pleasant climate. Also this year, we stayed to see the about 100 acre park lit up with large lanterns and scattered spotlights. It was lovely. We took Roxy in the stroller. She did very well and was low maintenance. Here is a link to a few more pictures: cherry blossoms

$25

I bought three, count em' three, dressers for a grand total of $25 from the base resale office. One is a brand new, still in the box, six drawer Thomasville dresser and the other two are just like the two we have now on loan. It was a four hour cash-and-carry sale. My friend Chris Zember graciously helped me haul them back to my apartment in his truck. So please share in my joy of a great deal.

7 Weeks 7 Hours 7th Heaven

Last night seven-week old Roxy slept a record seven hours. I am not sure how common that is for a newborn, but I thought it was impressive. Anyway, it made us happy. Then she slept from 8-11 am and 1-4 pm at daycare so I hope she sleeps tonight. Either way, it's Trish's turn tonight. YES!

Acceptance

After much anticipation, I finally got accepted to Mars Hill Graduate School (www.mhgs.edu). Yeah! Trish has also been accepted to City University. So the next step is to submit our requests for a six-month early separation from the Navy. We've already begun the tedious process. I am optimistic that our Commanding Officer will approve them, but then the Commander [of all] Navy Personnel has to approve them, and I have no idea the chance of that.

If approved, we'll officially be discharged August 6th. In addition, we'll probably take two weeks terminal leave and we leave Misawa two weeks early for separation in Seattle. So we could be leaving hear in a little over two months. Kind of surreal, but I am ready for a change.

Classmates

Here are four cuties.

Baby Parade

Friday there was a Baby Parade with all of the kids from Roxy's CDC (daycare). It was short, but of course adorable with well over 100 kids. We all know who the star was though. The three ladies in the picture are Roxy's class's caregivers.

CDC

On Wednesday, six-week old Roxy started at the Child Development Center (CDC). We like the facility, program, and caregivers so we are pleased, but of course we will miss not caring for her ourselves. We can visit her at anytime so we'll probably eat lunch with her whenever possible.

This picture is of the room she will be in with 7 other newborns up to six months. They have three caregivers for our classroom. The people in uniform are other visiting parents.

Preparing

It's been a while since I posted a picture so here is a good one.

As for an update on Roxy, she is losing her newborn hair. That is good and bad. She lost the hair on her back, but the hair on her head is balding in areas. She is also getting a few pimples which I read is common. She is still beautiful though. She is a good baby and doesn't cry much except the usual hunger, poopy, gasey cries of infants. We're still enjoying just holding and staring at her, of course.

3 Years Ago

Three years ago today I arrived in Misawa, Japan. On one hand, it is hard to believe that it has been that long. And on the other hand, look at how much has happened in my life: got engaged and married, had daughter, traveled three continents, and earned my Bachelor's to name some significant things. I feel that I have grown in many ways, and that I am a different person than when I arrived. It has been great, but I am definitely feeling my time here is over.

I'm in the paper

Remember my Memorial post two days ago? Well, the Stars & Stripes, the newspaper for overseas military, had an article on it in which I am pictured and quoted. You can see the online version on page 4 at April 17th Stars & Stripes

Go ye therefore

I got an email from my grandmother today and she wrote, "Please try to live closer to family----You would never regret it!!!!!" Most of my family echoes this sentiment and I understand why. Here is how I resonded:

We are planning on moving to Seattle and will probably be there three years so at least we will be closer to home than we are now. I am open to whatever so we'll see what happens after that.

I miss being more a part of my family's life. However, we are able to keep our relationship alive through emails, prayer, web sites, thoughts, memories, talking, and visits home. I know that if I don't do missionary work overseas, that I would regret it. Of course, I could do short-term trips.

I want to reach lost and hurting people. Now I know you will say there are lost and hurting people in Florida. However, there aren't people being imprisoned, tortured, and killed for their faith. There are over two billion people who have never even hear of Jesus Christ. I want to reach these people. People who have to flee their homes because of persecution or starvation. People without hope or opportunity. In the States, there are a myriad of opportunities for people to hear the gospel. In my opinion, there aren't enough people who are willing to go and sacrifice for these people overseas. I am, and I hope that you are willing to sacrifice with me so these people can be reached and transformed by God's love. I want to affect eternity for multitudes. I think I can do that most effectively overseas.

My theology, attitudes, and beliefs are always changing so you never know what I will think three years from now. So if you think that I am wrong, keep the hope alive, I may change.

Memorial

Every year on this date, here at the Misawa fishing pier, we have a ceremony to honor 31 Navy personnel that were shot down by North Korean MiGs in 1969 while flying a routine reconnaissance mission in an EC-121. Nine of the sailors were from our command. Last year I co-organized the event. This year I only threw the wreath into the ocean, the culmination of the ceremony. Before that, there were some speeches and then the names of the fallen were read followed by ringing the ceremonial bell twice for each person.

We do a lot of ceremonies and formations in the military, but this one is by far my favorite to participate in. If we weren’t doing this, I don’t think what these men did would be remembered for how they died for their nations defense. It lets us remember the risk we take as naval aircrewman and honor our fallen brethren.

0 to 1 Month in Pics

Click below for 31 pictures of the adorable Roxanna Mae Dinkins, age 0 to 1 month (then click "View Pictures" then "View Slideshow, it's free):

http://share.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=EeAOXDdm5ctWztg…

Aviation Museum

If you ever came to Misawa and didn't visit the Japanese Aviation Museum, you missed out. We went on Saturday and we had a blast. I figured it would be a bunch of old planes and pictures of the history of aviation. It had some of that, but half of it was interactive games and exhibits. It took me three years to finally go, and I am glad that I did. It's a place you could have lots of fun with your friends just goofing off, and goofy we got. Also, the US Navy donated a plane (P-3 Orion) to the museum that Trish and I both trained in and flew on. Kind of wierd to think that we flew on a plane that is in a museum!

One Month

Here is our beautiful daughter. Can you believe it, one month old? We don't know how much she weighs, but my guess is 10.5 lbs. We don't have another doctor's appointment till two months. She has been healthy. She sneezes and hiccups a lot and has the cutest yawn you've ever seen. Life is grand when I hold her. It's hard to contain the joy. I think that is why people make a fool of themselves around babies with all the baby talk and silly faces, they just can't contain the joy. If someone did those things to you, you'd think maybe they have a few loose screws. Anyway, it's fun.

Sorry busy

For those that check my blog regularly, sorry I haven't been posting as much. I have been busy. I haven't done a lot of my regular things lately. I will get back in to a routine soon enough. Trish's family is here and we have been hanging out a lot with them and trying to do some fun things. I don't have to work today and tomorrow. We've been shopping, to the rocky coastline, eating out a lot, etc. Tomorrow we're going to the Aviation museum which we have passed around 300 times since we've been in Misawa, but have never been to.

Anyway, I chose this photo because I think it captures her resemblance to me better than any. There is definitely some Dinkins blood in there, maybe only we can tell though.

Not Roxanna

This is my nephew Michael Joseph Long. Trish's parents and oldest sister Jen got in to Misawa late Sunday night. They will be here until Sunday. We are glad they made the journey and excited for them to be able to spend time with their first grandchild. I have off Thu-Sun. I am not sure what we're going to do, but we'll probably make a trip to Mt. Hakkoda. Everyone is really tired so hopefully we'll get some naps in too.