Staying Busy...

We're almost half-way through a seven month deployment. I try to stay busy- with work, with friends, with Japanese lessons, running and whatever else I can find to occupy my time! I feel so fortunate to have such great friends here to keep me busy!!!

From going to the butterfly park with Amanda and her daughter Cayce, running 10K's with my friend Susie, or celebrating birthdays with Amber, Amy and Miranda... I am thankful to each of them for making the last 3 months fly by.

Me and Susie at the Futenma 10K (we both won first place for our age group)

Me and Amber at the O'Club for Miranda's birthday

Me and Amanda's daughter, Cayce, at Tinseltown

Home for the Holidays

I've not updated the blog as often as I should. But I wanted to share pictures from my trip home.

I can't begin to tell you how important it was for me to go home for Christmas. With Jason in Afghanistan, it was so nice to be surrounded with the love and support of the most important people in my life. Being with friends and family took the "sting" away from being alone, though it just wasn't quite complete without Jason there.

My trip started in New Jersey with my in-laws. I appreciated all the planning and coordinating they did to make sure I had a great weekend. Despite the cold and snow (LOTS of snow), we made a trip into the city, had dinner with the extended Rekuc family and I enjoyed some of Dorothy's excellent cooking. Heavy snow almost delayed (or canceled) the second half of my trip, which was a short flight south to Kentucky to see my parents. But I had a "Christmas miracle" with on-time flights and landed in Louisville on December 21st. While I was in KY, I saw my three best friends from grade school, traveled to Nashvhille to see my Vandy friends and up to Cincinnati to see the cutest baby in the world (my nephew Jack).

The trip was fast, but well worth all the stops along the way. I hope to return home this summer- this time with Jason! Here are a few photos to highlight the trip!

Three generations of Manis on New Years Eve

Vandy Friends... I miss you guys!

Me and the cutest baby in the world!! (Baby Jack)

My three best friends from grade school... Michelle (Smith) Tolbert, Lisa (Smith) Jeffries and Teresa (Smith) Hall

Missing Jason...

It's been a little over 2 weeks since I watched Jason's bus pull out of the parking lot with a final destination in the middle east. I go through my days with laughs and smiles- determined not to let the fear and sadness change who I am on the inside or the outside. Some may view those smiles as if I'm not actually missing Jason, but please let me assure you- I am.

I miss my best friend, the person who I share everything with. Of course I miss the companionship, the togetherness. But it's the small things that I miss the most. I miss how he pokes me from behind when I don't know he's there. Or how he tries to slap my rear end in public because he knows it embarrasses me to death! Or how he gives our cat Grace a "voice" that always takes his side in any dispute and I can't help to laugh. I miss how he yells "I'm home!" when he comes home from work. I miss how he holds up 10 fingers at the gym while I'm on the elliptical machine indicating he'll be done with his workout in 10 minutes. I miss how he tells me I'm beautiful at the most random times.

I miss it all.... and while I allow my Facebook status to always be funny, upbeat or otherwise mundane. Missing Jason is a constant emotion I feel. No matter what. And I will continue to feel that way until I have him standing safely in front of me, God willing, 7 months from now.

Please keep us, all of our troops and our families in your prayers.

Ryukyu Kings vs Fukoka Rizing

My friend Susie and I went to a professional basketball game last night. The Ryukyu Kings is a new francise here in Okinawa. I don't know how the popularity of basketball compares to other major sporting events, but the arena they played was very small! Maybe comparable to my high school gym. But the crowd was really into it and the game moved fast. As you can tell, there were several American's playing on both teams. I'm guessing these are guys who didn't get picked up by the NBA after college. The Japanese players were quick and passed the ball and took open jump shots, but it was the taller Americans who took it to the hoop! I think there were at least 10 slam dunks last night. I recorded a brief video of the opening. As you can see, it is very similar to what you might see at a game at the states! And if you can't understand anything the announcer is saying, it's all in Japanese- except of course the American players names. We had a great time and Susie said it best when she looked over at me and said, "Can you believe we are at a professional basketball game in Japan? This is so cool!"

Jason is still training. Thank you everyone who have kept us in your thoughts and prayeres.

Our New Favorite Sushi Place!

Just minutes from our house, a great new sushi bar opened called Gen. The rainbow roll was excellent and rivals the Kitakaisen rolls. A definate "new favorite place" for us! Fresh sushi is something I will miss when we move back to the states.

Busena Terrace, Busena Cape, Okinawa

We spent last weekend at the Busena Terrace Resort. The weather here has finally started to cool down a bit, so it was a perfect time to enjoy the beach and pool. This resort was- by far- the nicest place we have ever stayed. It comes with a pretty big price tag, but it's a short drive away and a nice alternative from flying to another country. The G8 Summit was held in Okinawa in 2000, and the Busena Terrace was where the world leaders stayed during the summit. It certainly exceeded all my expectations! It was just a nice relaxing time, great food, good weather!

After a full morning at the pool, we had coffee and cake in this nice little open air restaurant while listening to someone play a clarinet in the background. It was so peaceful and relaxing.

Later, we had teppanyaki style dinner at Ryutan. It was traditional Okinawan foods prepared right in front of us. They asked us to have dessert on the terrace. Although some of the staff spoke English, like everywhere we go in Japan- communication was not easy. Our waitress came out with her camera and asked to take our picture. We were a little confused why, but later she came out with a calendar she had made on a computer with our picture. It was very cute and a nice souvenir!

Jason's Birthday

Jason turned 34 on September 1st, which also happened to be Labor Day, so we enjoyed a nice 3 day weekend. Thanks to everyone who sent cards in the mail. Jason also recieved a Dwight Schrute bobble head which sits proudly at his desk and Season 4 of The Office.