She stole my moves

This girl stole my dance moves.  Seriously!  Just ask all the folks at Pearl Bar in Houston.

The smell of vomit is in the air

Yesterday morning Jude woke up with a tummy ache and a fever.  The poor kid puked all day and managed to hurl all over my couch.  Yes, my custom ordered, red couch.  So, I did what any good mom would do: I tried my best to clean it with hot water, soap and a little UV from the sun, but a huge vomit stain remained.  So, I flipped the cushion over and put the yucky side down.  Now, it looks good as new, but it smells a little funky.

Almost here

Husband and I are finally in the same country again!  He just called and has arrived safely at Narita Airport.

I haven't seen Husband in 38 days, and I can hardly wait to see him walk through my front door.  Because of Husband's job, we've had long separations before, but never like this.  And this separation was stressful and filled with so much uncertainty.  But, things are back to normal again, and in about 3 hours, Husband will be in my arms, and my world will be perfect again.

This is what we did at BJ's house

We ate at Chick-fil-A!

We saw Lola and Abuelito (Husband's mom and dad), and we went to the Houston Museum of Natural Science. 

BJ and I went to the Lady Gaga concert and had a blast.  We were in the VIP section, in the 6th row!

Lady Gaga, Born This Way!  She was freaking awesome!

We went to the Children's Festival, and Jude bought a toy gun. 

Let's just say we were really busy.  We visited so many friends and family members.  It was great!

What we did in Texas at PoPo's house

 We spent hours and hours on PoPo's dock, bird watching, catching crabs and drinking beer.

This is what Jude learned in Texas!

Going fishing on PoPo's boat.

Fishing, again!

I caught a fish!

 That's what we did for 20 days at YaYa and PoPo's house.

Let's just say their house is a little piece of heaven for little boys.

So tired

This jet lag is totally kicking my ass!  Seriously!  I'm so tired I can barely keep my eyes open.  Yesterday evening around 5:30 PM, I was so tired I thought I was going to puke.  Weird, huh?!

Today I'm so tired I can actually feel gravity pushing down on me, making me hunched back and shorter than I already am.

I've never suffered from jet lag this bad before.  I think I might just die from it!

34 days and counting

It's been 34 days since I've seen Husband.  And, I still won't be able to see him for another 6 long, lonely, miserable days, because he's away on business.

It seems that with each day that passes, I miss him even more.

We Skyped yesterday for over an hour, and it was good to see his cute, smiling face, but it only made me miss him even more.

When we left 34 days ago, everything was so uncertain.  We had no idea when we would return.  We were pushed through a cattle call, not allowed to have a proper goodbye.  And when we were in Texas, Jude and I had people around us to distract us from missing Husband.  But being home without him is hard-- being home makes me miss him more.

Don't get me wrong, I'm so happy and thankful to be home in Japan.  I'm thankful I have a comfortable place to come home to when so many others up north have nothing.  I'm thankful for everything I have. But a piece of the puzzle is missing, and it won't be complete until Husband is back in my arms...where he belongs!

Jet lag sucks

So, it's 3 AM, and I'm wide awake.  I'm not awake because I want to be, but because my bowels still think I'm in Texas.  That's right, I'm awake because I had to take a shit!  Crazy, huh??!!  It's amazing how the human body works.  Once mine gets on a schedule, it stays on it!

Apparently, my bowels didn't get the memo.  We are on Tokyo time now!

Home, finally!

Man, what an ordeal we have had over the last 48 hours!

We left South Texas on Wednesday morning and arrived safely at Dallas/Ft. Worth airport with no problems.  However, when we arrived at Dallas/Ft. Worth airport, the plane was not there--never a good sign.  So, our flight was delayed, and we waited several hours for them to fix an AC problem.  Since the problem could not be corrected, they decided to change planes.  We (Jude and I and 300 other folks) gathered all our crap and headed over to another terminal.  Once we arrived at the new terminal, we waited several more hours to board.  Then, we finally boarded.  We were exhausted but happy to be on our way home.

I knew something was wrong when our plane taxied on the runway for over an hour.  Then, the captain came on the loud speaker and spoke those dreaded words, "I'm sorry  but we have a problem and have to return to the airport...and since the flight crew has been with you since noon, the FAA will not allow us to continue today; therefore, you will have to fly out to Tokyo tomorrow."

Once the plane made it to the terminal, an angry passenger was escorted off the plane.  It turns out the guy assaulted the flight crew.  He apparently grabbed a flight attendant by the arm and was about to punch her when someone else stopped him.  He was later questioned by police and escorted away in handcuffs (I was told).

Thankfully, American Airlines took very nice care of us.  They gave us food vouchers for 2 dinners, breakfast and a hotel voucher to stay at a hotel close to the airport.  Unfortunately, they did not return our bags to us, so I had to buy a tooth bush, contact solution, and few other necessities.

And our flight the next day at 7 AM was great.  The flight crew was sweet, caring and did a great job.  Most of the passengers were friendly and kind, as well.

We met some great new friends throughout our journey, and that's what made it bearable.  We had dinner together, stayed at the same hotel, and enjoyed their company.

So, our journey home was full of lemons, but we made lemonade!

Going home

On April 14, the State Department notified us that we can now return to our home in Japan.  My travel arrangements have been made, and I'll be sleeping in my bed again soon. 

My homecoming will be bitter sweet, though.  I'll be returning to a different Japan.  It's still the same place I love, but things are different now.  People are trying to move on and daily life is normal, but I think the people have changed.  I think we have all changed!

On March 11th at 2:45 PM, everything was perfect.  My life was happy, busy and without worry. Then, things changed.  I endured an earthquake that lasted about 2 minutes--Japan's largest earthquake to date.  I spent 2 horrifying minutes hiding under my dining room table with Jude, trying to protect him, listening to the walls around us rattle and shake, watching our large glass patio door flex, trembling as things were falling, hearing our kitchen drawers open and close as our building swayed, not knowing if we would survive.  Then, we escaped, running down 5 floors-- in a panic, with my heart racing. 

Those 2 frightful minutes changed me, as they have changed so many others.   Now, I'm so incredibly thankful for everything--great or small.  I got a reminder on March 11th of just how precious life is, and how in an instant, it can all be taken away.

So, today I'm so happy I have a place to come home to, because I know so many others don't.

Momma like

"I got my flippy floppies!"

Good News

Yesterday, the State Department gave the okay for us to return to Japan!  Yahoo!  Unfortunately, now I just have to sit back and wait for the-powers-that-be to make arrangements for me to return.

Even with everything going on, I'm still really excited to get back to my life, my job, my husband and my apartment.  There's nothing better than sleeping in your own bed! 

Yes, I'm still concerned about the nuclear reactors, aftershocks, and rolling blackouts.  But, I feel confident that our government has taken everything into consideration.  I don't think they would send us back if it were dangerous. 

When I told Jude the good news, he wasn't very excited.  He's still worried about earthquakes.  But, I'm sure once we arrive home, and he sees all his toys, he'll forget his fears...I hope. 

The Last 13 Days

Sorry you haven't heard from me in a while.  I've been busy.

Once I arrived in the States, after being evauated from my home in Japan, I kind of felt sorry for myself.  I was living day to day worried sick about everything going on in Japan.  I was worried about my husband and my friends left behind.  I was worried about what would happen next.  I was stuck in a waiting game, and I was miserable.

Then, I decided to go to Houston and enjoy myself. 

In Houston, I tried to let all my worries fade.  I focused on the present and had as much fun as possible.

In 12 days, I managed to eat mass quantities of crawfish, see Lady Gaga in concert,  and went to the Children's Museum, The Children's Festival, The Museum of Natural Science, Chuck-E-Cheese, The Houston Zoo, and saw an IMAX movie in 3D called Sea Rex.  BJ and I partied like rock stars, danced at Pearl Bar and stayed out until 4 AM on both Friday night and Saturday night.  I saw friends and family members I haven't seen in years.  I thoroughly enjoyed myself in Houston, thanks to BJ. 

Sometimes a change of scenery can really make a difference, and going to Houston did just that.  Now, I feel better about my situation, and I'm happier in general.  Seeing all my friends and family members made me realize just how lucky I am. 

The kindness shown to me by my loved ones overwhelmed me.  I was taken care of over and over. 

Even though I still don't know what lies ahead, I don't really seem to care as much.  No matter what happens, I know I'll be taken care of, and knowing that is the BEST feeling in the world!

I am so blessed to have to such great people in my life!

BJ, Thanks again!  Love ya!  Muah!