Iwakuni's Own Amazing Race

Back in June, Joel and I had the opportunity to compete in the gym's version of the "Amazing Race" on base. He and I love to compete against each other, so of course we couldn't be on the same team! The MCCS Behavioral Health Branch (where I work) was able to create two teams of four (with a little outside help) and we wound up being the only civilian teams up against 8 active duty teams, egad!

It was really cute how they came up with obstacles and made us run all over base (a little over 5 miles total) to accomplish them. We had tons of fun and as was to be expected came in last and second to last when all was said and done. But the important thing to carry away from this is that MY team was second to last, meaning Joel LOST... to me!! Bwahaha!

The folks from my office - Heather (Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist), John (FAP and General Counseling), Tracy (WIC), Ashley (WIC) and Jeff (Substance Abuse Counselor)

Jeff and me with our amazing admin, Mioko-san

Team Tenacity chillin' before the race

Team Ultimate Fighters

A little "friendly" competition 'tis all

I didn't get to take pictures of most of the obstacles (I think there were 14 total, but we all had 2 skips... that was part of the strategy because you didn't have a clue what was left so you really had to pick wisely which ones to skip!). Anyways, this obstacle involved plastic gloves and tossing a Crisco-fied weighted ball back and forth.

Tracy and I in an action shot

In this obstacle, each team had to bowl until they reached a score of 300. It took us over 20 frames, LOL. It was funny though because we caught up to the Ultimate Fighters there.

This one was crazy hard! We had pictures of about 10 or 12 energy drinks and we had to match them up with how many grams of sugar they each contained, yikes! Took us a couple rounds...

Don't know how I got so lucky, but I was the one on our team who had to wear goggles and a hair net so I could fish around on a plate full of whipped cream and find 4 tic tacs! It was SO hard!

I pushed a lot of whipped cream off the plate during my struggle and apparently sent some tic tacs with it, so I had to keep licking the table until I found them. ICK!

Tracy and Lana (she's actually a personal trainer at the gym)

We caught up to the Ultimate Fighters again! This one was tough... each team had a compass and coordinates they had to use to find golf tees in the grass with letters on them which would spell out a secret word. It was extra tough because the ground was super uber wet and we were all sinking!

For this obstacle, we had to have 2 teammates balance on bosu balls and take turns doing rows with the stretchy bands. Each of us had to complete 10 without either of us losing balance.

Heather and Tracy had to balance on the bosu's while passing the ball back and forth all the way around in a circle 10 times

Still friends... even though I'm more of a winner ;-) It was a really fun afternoon!!

Pista Sa Nayon

So, Kirk and I have been bums since getting back to Japan and are adjusting to the normal, working couple life.  We haven't been able to do anything "blog-worthy" recently but we did some cool stuff before we left for the States that we need to catch you up on.

A while back we were invited to attend the Pista Sa Nayon or "Town Festival", hosted by the Filipino American Society here on base. We have a lot of Filipino friends so it was exciting to see them dancing, eating, and reminiscing about their fascinating culture. We learned a lot about the Philippines through the presentations and it is definitely high up there on our travel destination wish list. Sadly, the lighting was not the best, so most of our pictures came out blurry.

Our friends Kim and Keith joined us for the evening

Along with our friend Michelle - her husband Eric was flying in a training exercise so he wasn't able to go, but she got a fun night away from the kids anyway

Keith was hoping if he made our table number more visible it increased our chances of being called to get our food from the buffet line faster

Oh no! Wilbur!

You have to have a roast pig at this type of event. Yum!

Throughout dinner, we were entertained by the children of the Filipino families on base. These girls were runners up at a school talent show and they could certainly sing

This girl was apparently a big singer locally

 I got a kick out of watching Chief Lupisan (far left) from the housing office bust a move!

 

Traditional dancers... Kirk's really sad these pics didn't turn out well

A love song

There were actually quite a few more "acts" but the picture quality is really bad. We were able to see traditional bamboo dancing and some unlucky folks were chosen from the audience to participate as well. It was really fun and a unique experience. We heard a lot of 80's and 90's music performed. Thank you Celine Dion.

At the end, they opened up the dance floor for the rest of us.

Back to the Homeland

So, it's been a while since we blogged, but that is because we spent a few weeks in the States! And what a wonderful time we had!!! It went by so very fast and was a whirlwind of fun so we'd like to memorialize it blog style.

First though, I'd like to send a personal shout out to Erin, Stephen and "baby A" and apologize for not taking a picture with y'all! I totally forgot but wanted to recognize that we got to see your beautiful home and even more beautiful baby girl!!! And also Pop Pop and Tootie, Grandma and Kelly, Sue Sue and Tom, Kay and Wil, Grandma Diller - it was SO wonderful to hang out, even if it was only for a quick minute!

Also, I'd like to apologize to all our friends and family that we were unable to see (Lenore, CHC and Gentle Shepherd friends, Kay and Tom, Carol and Wendell, etc etc etc!). If we had had more time, you betcha we would have come to see each and every one of you. Maybe next summer... (?)

Anyways, now for the pics - beware, this is a doozy of a long post!

My first week in the States was spent in Duluth, GA for a training. My Mom flew in to be with me for the first few days and we were able to visit my Great Aunt and Second Cousin, Jean and Sandy. They took my mom and me to visit Stone Mountain. I didn't even know this place existed! There's a giant, solid granite mountain in Georgia, who knew?!

View from the top

Sandy, Jean, and their fun family

We were able to commemorate my grandfather by attending the annual Davis family trip to the races at Colonial Downs

We miss all you Davis' and Kilmartins!!

Joel at the machines

 

I have to say, Joel did very well - $20 bucks in, $101.80 out. NOT BAD!

I had another 2 day training in my old haunt, Williamsburg, and was able to enjoy lunch at the Cheese Shop with Kate and her precious daughter Ellie!

Got to see my "sisters" Christina and Nikki

I love you my Hispanic (or is it African?) sister :-p

Spent a fantastic few days in Sandbridge with the Diller family and had a such a wonderful, relaxing time!

Every family needs a "Tebowing" photo

Got to go to a (not very crowded) Tides game in Norfolk with Joel and his parents

Next came a few days in the Outer Banks with my family. Gotta love the brother muscle shot!

My family! This is the best pic of everyone actually looking at the camera - love my nephews!

Peyton pants!

PARKER!

For the first couple of days, the water was FULL of these tiny, non-stinging jellyfish. They looked like contact lenses or water droplets and when you moved your hands through the water you'd feel hundreds of them. Joel had to pick a few out of my hair after I went underwater.

Got to have a couples date with my sister and the Dave-meister at the OBX Brewery - YUM!

Katie threw me a surprise early 30th birthday party, complete with custom t-shirts and a Star Wars theme!! I got Mario Party AND "Pig turns 30" t-shirts!

LOVE the cupcakes!

Man, we love the beach!

Spent the night in Maryland with Danielle and Matt at their AMAZING new home!

Oh boys

Got to have lunch with John in York, PA

Jess being.... well, Jess :)

Spent an amazing night with Renee and Rick, Jess and Andrew in Somerset, PA. Joel got to play nighttime golf and said he played a lot better than normal! Who knew tiki torches and a golf ball with a glow stick inside would improve his game?

Then, we spent an evening with our Ohio friends in Columbus. Had a super fun game of kickball!

Cheers to Brent, Angela, Noah, Grady (not in the pic, where's he at?), Alex, Kelly, Dustin, Heather, Kevin, and Liz. Missed you Kris, Guppy, Sam and Molly!

Our almost married friends, Scott and Jenell gave us a ride after we turned our rental car in and took us to Quaker Steak for some wings!

Aeden making a face - what a cutie

And of course we had a terrific Bruce reunion! He was all over us and we were able to love on him for a week!

So happy to see each other

A little hose time with Bruce

Enjoying our favorite pizza and wings from Romeo's

Spent a SUPER FUN day at the Water Park and night on the town with BJ and Alissa, but unfortunately, had only a few minutes to visit with the oh so cute Logan

Standing in the crazy long line at Chick-fil-A on CFA Appreciation Day

Spent a chill night with the Jarrod, watching the Olympics while enjoying a glass of our favorite Tomassi vino!

Took the Brucester for a run and wore him out! He's got the crazy eyes!

Spent a night catching up with our pal Jeremiah at our favorite smokehouse/microbrew, Lagerheads

Scott and Jenell got married!

It was such a beautiful wedding!

Joel's rocking a 70's look (he was hot, so he removed half his tux, LOL)

Soooooooo.... our flight out of Akron/Canton into Chicago was delayed almost 3 hours so we missed our flight to Tokyo by about 15 minutes. Thus, we were stranded in Chicago for the evening. This is Joel's "we're stuck" look

This is my "I can't believe they wouldn't let us access our luggage so we're stuck in the same clothes for another day" look

Apparently, there are some nice, giving people in Chicago. One guy gave us his 7 day train pass and another woman gave us some Lollapalooza gear she acquired (we walked by Millenium Park as it was going on and were able to hear Florence and the Machine in the distance). So we paid it forward by leaving the stuff for the ladies at the hotel

Our flight from Chicago to Tokyo was delayed for 4 hours the next day so we missed our connecting flight to Hiroshima. Thus, we were stranded for yet another night in Tokyo. Thankfully, we had access to our luggage there, but we bought Chicago t-shirts at that airport before we left just in case.

Rocking the Chicago t-shirt and super excited to finally get home!

Rode the bus from Narita to Haneda and saw the Sky Tree Tower (the tallest in the world) off in the distance

Another view... it's quite large, wouldn't you say?!

Awesome view from the plane

Finally, we got lucky! On the hour and a half flight from Tokyo Haneda to Hiroshima, we were given seats with extra leg room! If only we'd had this on the 13 hour flight from Chicago!

Back to Japan

We had a WONDERFUL time with EVERYONE in the States! Thank you to all our friends and family for being so amazing! Know that you are all loved and missed!!!