3 years ago today!...

(or was it tomorrow?!!!) We touched down on this little island...April was 7, Loubie was 4...

Today starts another 3 years! Yep, we extended. We went back and forth. We both like it here. We both wanted to stay and other times go LOL. The kids like it, but they are kids: naturally adapting. Some days I think 'yikes' others I think 'Brilliant' It's like Dr. Suess' 'My Many Coloured Days!' I have had highs and lows, time has flown and time has stood still. I have made some wonderful lifelong friends, met a few tools, and made many acquaintances too. I always think you meet everyone for a reason. So I compiled a very quick random list of what I love about Oki and what I don't. I think it's very balanced. Like it should be. Yin yang!

Things I love about Okinawa:
The beaches/sea - we live across the street from the sea
The Okinawan people
The food
Okuma
shells
Shisa and Taiko
I have met more Brits/NZers/Aussies/Internationals than anywhere else!
The great friends I have made (all world nations!) and the inspiration that comes from true friendships.
The sunsets. They just don't get old for me!
Space A (when it goes according to plan!)
Photography and being able to grow in it, plus the biz I started here is going great and meeting all the clients!
Geocaching (took nearly 3 yrs to start it but love it!)
Exploring (never stop!)
COLA...we need it and we should get more!
It's safe for kids, well that is the belief.

Things that annoy me about living on Okinawa:
The mosquitoes (this is kinda raw in my mind after a recent ER visit LOL)
The small town feel sometimes gets on my nerves, but can be comforting too.
The price to travel off the island is very often horrifying. I want to be closer to family.
The motorbikes in the middle of the night, kind of used to it now (I may even have reverse annoyance with the lack of this noise when I eventually move!)
The rank wearing wives (get over yourself, it's not your job! Thank God I've made some great like-minded friends!)
AFN and their stupid ads and that we don't get Nat Geo out in town.
The humidity...it's too bloody much sometimes!
The traffic lights and the drivers!
The yen rate. Aggghhhhh.

The positives definitely outweigh the negatives! Sometimes I ask myself (a bad day) why on earth did we extend. Well, to be honest, the main reason for me leaving would be to be close to my family as in 2 hr flight close. If we went back to the States, I am still not home. Yes, probably closer in flying time, maybe cheaper (not even sure of that these days). We would be closer to my hubby's family in NYC, of course. But a whole new set of probs would occur with the elimination of the COLA (overseas cost of living money), I would need to work A LOT more, most likely I would go back to work FT, therefore, not much leave, therefore, I can't travel home or anywhere willynilly. Do you get my thinking? I also realize I am not writing in correct sentences, but that's OK! I'm not here to impress anyone! Also, I have noticed, when living near friends/relatives (I am talking a 30 min car drive away, etc) you won't see each other for months. Life is so busy!

So, on another note: Yesterday Mainland Japan had a MASSIVE (biggest ever) 8.9 Earthquake followed by a Tsunami that sent Tsunami warnings throughout the 'ring of fire'. I sit here and I ponder the thought, what can I do, what can I do that is more than a donation to the Red Cross and suchlike? Thinking...
I read a Deepak Chopra quote and he said:
"Compassion is feeling the suffering of others and the desire and action to alleviate it. Compassion heals."
I was only in Tokyo a week ago, enjoying the many sights and sounds of the city. I can't even imagine being there, it was so great there and, of course, the people that we came across were so helpful and nice. My heart goes out to everyone affected by this tragic event of Mother Nature.
May some peace and zen come over onto this world for a while. I recently took this zen monkey image in Nagano, Japan. Will write a blog post about it all soon!

Speak to you soon!