Happy Halloween

Halloween in Japan is like Halloween in the States, with the addition of bats flying about. Yes, you read it right, we have real live bats! Of course they only appear at night and are harmless, but I've only seen them on base flying from tree to tree.

The base was open to the local Japanese as long as they had a sponsor to pass through the gates. Joey and I volunteered to be on Pumpkin Patrol, due to the fact that we are childless. Might as well help keep the kiddies safe, right? I didn't dress up, and Joey had to wear his uniform. We met up the other Pumpkin Patrollers to be assigned a neighborhood and were given reflective belts/vests and glow sticks. Receiving the glow sticks was the highlight of my night. The rest of the night consisted of walking around the neighborhood for two hours in the slightly humid weather, in jeans that didn't breath and shoes that are too small for my humidity inflated feet. Not fun. Not fun at all.

Although, I do feel good for helping kids cross the street and helping a little kid walk back home after he ran out his house looking for his brother, who apparently was already home. Next year, if we decide to be patrolling again, I'll wear a light weight kimono, slippers, and bring an Ipod.

U.S. Dollar vs. Yen

The Yen rate has gone to the pooper, along with the economy (based on the numerous companies that are downsizing and house foreclosures). But, thankfully the military takes care of us! When I arrived in July, it was 107¥ = $1, as of yesterday it was 93¥ = $1. We needed to withdraw money for our rent, so waiting for the rates to increase a little bit was not an option. I have to check Joey's paychecks to see if the military adjusts our Housing Allowance according to the current Yen rate.

Living overseas, I have two wallets. One with my U.S. dollars & coins and another with my Yen. Although, I'm trying to stop carrying as much U.S. dollars because I only use them when I go on base, where I can use my card. A word to the wise, those who are planning on visiting us, don't bring any pennies! On base, they don't accept them. When paying in cash, they either round up or down. When paying with a card, they charge the full amount.

Wii

We got a Wii! Since Joey has been on the island, the BX/PX hasn't carried Wii consoles (or they have, but they sold out fast), just games and accessories. But we heard that they were going to be in stock soon, and lo and behold, the PX has tons of them! WooHoo, I'm excited! Off to go play now! (Sisters, are you jealous? Mwhahaha!)

Maybe I should get the Wii Fit due to my lack of motivation to go to the gym during the weekdays.

Smelly House

When we went snorkeling last week, Joey collected some shells (as usual). Once we got home, he rinsed the shells off a bit and left them outside on the balcony to dry ... and forgot about them, until today.

An hour ago, I went into the kitchen and found that Joey was boiling something. That something was one of the shells! Apparently, Joey got the idea to boil the shell in water to reduce the stink, which he heard from a friend. What that friend might have forgotten to tell him was that he probably boiled his shells in water the day he got the shells because right now, my home smells like I'm living in a fish market! I don't think Joey realized the amount of stink one shell would produce. Therefore, he didn't close any of the bedroom doors, allowing the smell to creep in each room and cling to the walls and furniture.

Of course I can't get mad at him, especially after he looks at me with his puppy dog eyes and says, "Oops, I'm sorry" (with his mischievous smile). So sorry in advance if no one gets an invitation to our home in the next couple of weeks, or until the stink goes away!

Featuring the USAF

Have you noticed that recent movies have been starting to feature the US Air Force? Transformers, Iron Man, and Eagle Eye. Pretty cool, huh!

*UPDATE: A friend mentioned that in The Hulk, there's a glimpse of a USAF plane.

Cheeseburger Contest

When I arrived on the island, one of Joey's co-workers was PCSing out, and gave us so many candles and cooking spices, some of which they had three of, like paprika, nutmeg, and salt! Thankfully, Joey and I love to cook, but I tend to take over the kitchen more because he's at work and is really hungry by the time he gets home.

I try to make dinner interesting time to time and one night, I got creative. I decided to make homemade mini-cheeseburgers. I used the Hawaiian wheat rolls as buns and made six different flavors of hamburger patties: Hot Pepper, Garlic, Italian Spice, Oregano and Parsley, Steak Flavor, and Spicy Steak.

We rated each burger on tastiness, and it was a tie between the Hot Pepper and Garlic! Right now, I'm trying to figure out the best BBQ sauce. Anyone have a great recipe?

Joey's the Favorite

My sisters and I often joke that we're, "Mom and Dad's favorite, and that they love me more." And yes, we're all over the age of 18 and considered adults, but whatever, we're sisters. I'm close to both of them, including my parents, and not talking to them everyday like we used to has been limited to at least once a week.

I usually talk to them via web cam (it's free!) on Monday mornings (Japan time), which would be their Sunday night. But lately, it's just been me and my younger sister, with my mom stopping whatever she's doing to talk for a short while. My dad would talk to me for a millisecond to ask how I am doing and if I'm okay, then leave to watch TV/football, do laundry, or sleep. My older sister is always too busy with school or work, that we often have to schedule a time to catch up ... every two to three weeks.

Well, Joey had the day off on Monday, so therefore was home during the time that I talk to my family. And guess what, my dad stayed MUCH longer talking to us than he usually does when it's just me! Later, I remembered the last time Joey was home on a Monday (Labor Day weekend), my dad did the same thing! Also, I realized both parents seem more lively than usual whenever Joey's home during our chats.

Hmm ... maybe Joey's the favorite? Maybe because he's their only son (in-law) and the son they never had, but wished for. Wait. What am I thinking? For my sisters reading this, Nanie and Frenchie, just always remember, I AM MOM AND DAD'S FAVORITE!

Happy Birthday Joey!

Little did he know, I put trick candles on the cake!

Happy Birthday Joey! We celebrated Joey's birthday, and lucky for him, it was a three day weekend! Saturday, he went out snorkeling with a bunch of friends. I stayed at the apartment to cook lunch for them afterwards. I made some of Joey's faves, like Filipino spaghetti (the sweet kind), lumpia, and leche flan for dessert, along with some cheese & garlic biscuits, potato salad, sweet BBQ spare ribs, and an ice cream cake.

Because it was his birthday weekend, I gave him one present per day. And because I had to hide the presents all over the house so Joey wouldn't find it, I had a hard time relocating them once it was time to give it to him! Friday, I gave him swimming trunks to wear on Saturday. Saturday, I gave him an underwater writing tablet to use when snorkeling and a goggle anti-fogger. Later that night, I gave him the game Rock Band for him PS3, with Rock Band 2 to come later once it gets released. Then Sunday, I gave him shoes.

On his actual birthday, I made sure we went out to lunch where he would eat noodles! Ever since I was little, my mom always made sure we had noodles to eat on our birthday to signify long life. I'm not sure if it's a Filipino superstition or just my moms, and even though I'm not really superstitious, I plan on carrying out the tradition.