Mixed Emotions

This will be the 1st installment of writing about my love affair with Okinawa and how my heart will break when I must say sayonara to her and all of her beauty.

When I heard that we would be getting the location of our prayers & we would finally be near Felipe Andres again it was a time of happiness and thanks. We are thrilled to be moving so close to him and can not wait to be an everyday part of his life and him of ours. When I woke this morning my happiness turned to sadness and my emotions were a mix of joy and despair.

Describing how I feel about leaving Okinawa is something that I am not fully sure that I can put into words. Living here has taught me so many things and opened my eyes to a new way of living. Coming to Okinawa was like opening my eyes to a place that you only see in movies or books with an abundance of freshness and a people of great depth and reverence. Still today after 6 years I can say that this feeling has never wavered and has only grown stronger.

"Chura" is an Okinawan word meaning "beautiful"--beautiful environment, beautiful souls and a beautiful way of life. The beauty of Okinawa is like none I have ever seen before. Okinawa is filled with cherry blossoms in January, when the rest of Japan still is steeped in winter's iciness; azalea's turning the mountains of the northeast coast into pink flames in March and April; lilies covering the hillsides in spring like an orchestra of white trumpets; blood-red deigo (Indian Coral), the prefectural flower by which the elderly predict the number of typhoons which will threaten the islands each year. In Autumn, pampas grass covers fields and hills with a rolling sea of gold. Poinsettia abound at Christmas, and orchids are becoming more plentiful - and beautiful - here than in Hawaii. But, of all Okinawa's beauties, its people are the most beautiful. They come from a culture and history that is long and colorful - among the longest and most colorful anywhere in Asia. I will talk more about the people of my beloved Okinawa in my next post.

VIRGINIA BOUND!!!

BIG NEWS from the Perez Home here in Okinawa, Japan! Felipe has officially received orders to Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia! He must report to his new command in May. We are looking at leaving Okinawa no later than April 1st in order to get settled before he has to start his new job. So it looks like we will be seeing lots more of all of you guys back in the states! MOST IMPORTANTLY WE WILL BE LIVING BY FELIPE ANDRES!!!!! We will keep you all posted as decisions are made!

Our Date Day

Felipe and I took a day for ourselves while the kids were in school to spend some time together just the 2 of us. Our day started off at our favorite breakfast place, The Rose Garden. Once we were full of coffee and breakfast we were off to Nakagusuku Castle

Nakagusuku Castle is one of the castles, which were built across Okinawa during the era of the Ryukyu Kingdom. The independent kingdom had existed for several centuries prior to becoming a Japanese prefecture in 1879.
Only ruins remain of the Nakagusuku Castle today, but these are well preserved, and the castle's division into multiple citadels can still clearly be recognized. There are also nice views of the surrounding area and Nakagusuku Bay from the castle.
Nakagusuku Castle is among the sites, which were added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites under the collective title "Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu" in the year 2000.

We enjoyed the little hike up to the castle and looking at all of the different markers within the castle. The view was breathtaking and I loved seeing all of the Cherry Blossom trees nestled in and around the castle!

We ended the day with some shopping where we ended up with a Nintendo Wii!

Our Little Man "NICO"

Interviewed By BIG DADDY

Q:If you had a choice between watching your favorite TV show and playing outside which would you choose and why?

A:Playing outside because watching TV is boring and playing outside has more things to do, like swinging and playing in the sand.

Q:What is your favorite color?

A:Orange

Q:What is your favorite food/

A:Sushi and nori (seaweed)

Q:What is your favorite toy?

A:My big dinosaur

Q:What is your favorite book?

A:The Cat in The Hat

Q:What is your favorite song?

A:Who Let The Dogs Out and Old McDonald Had A Farm

Q:Why do you like Okinawa?

A:Because I love it and it is so great here.

Q:What food do you think is yucky?

A:Mashed Potatoes

Q:What is your favorite dinosaur?

A:Teradactyle

Q:Who is your favorite super hero?

A: Incredible Hulk

Q:What is your favorite Pokemon?

A:Charizard

Q:What is something fun that you like to do?

A:Cartwheels and hand stands

The Little Diva Of The House

Interviewed By Her Mama!

Q: What do like about Okinawa the best?

A: Going to the beach and the cool parks

Q: Where is your favorite place to go out to eat?

A: I like to go to Yakiniku

Q: What is your favorite food?

A: Soba Noodles

Q: What is your favorite color?

A: Pink

Q: Who is your favorite singer?

A: Avril Lavigne

Q: What is your favorite book?

A: The Pokey Little Puppy

Q: What is your favorite movie?

A: Barbie Mariposa

Q: What was your favorite Christmas present?

A: Hello Kitty guitar

Q: If you could have ANYTHING you wanted what would it be?

A: Nintendo DS

Q: What is your favorite thing to do?

A: Sing and Dance

Q: Tell me something about yourself?

A: I like to play, color, paint, play outside, dress up and play on my Leapster. Also I am 6 years old and I am learning to read!

The Queen Bee

Interviewed By Felipe

Q:What do you miss most about home?

A:My mom and dad

Q:What is your favorite food?

A:Mexican

Q:What do you want to do before we leave Okinawa?

A:Go to Hiji Falls, Shuri Castle and to the Japanese Dinner Theater

Q:Where is the first place you want to go to when we reach the US?

A:My parents houses

Q:Who is your "Daddy", "Honey", who is your "Man"???

A:YOU

Q:What is an obsession of yours that would surprise your family & friends back home?

A:TWILIGHT Books and the TWILIGHT movie and the actor who plays Edward in TWILIGHT "Robert Pattinson"

Q:What is your favorite alcohol drink?

A:Red Wine

Q:Beef or Chicken?

A:Beef

Q:What will you miss most from Okinawa?

A:My students and the culture

Q:What is most surprising after being married over 8 years now?

A:That the 8 years have gone by so fast

Q:What is your favorite song right now?

A:Supermassive Blackhole By Muse

Q:What is over 30 feeling like now?

A:I do not like being in my 30's. As soon as I turned 30 I felt like I was officially getting old.

Q:Are you currently reading a book? If so what book?

A:Yes. Wuthering Heights

The Head Honcho

Interviewed By "Katy"

Q: Tell us something that may surprise us about you?

A: That I have had a facial and my eyebrows waxed and actually enjoyed the experience!

Q: What do you miss most about the states?

A: Mexican Food

Q: What do miss most about home?

A: Family and my moms food.

Q: What have you enjoyed most about Okinawa?

A: The hospitality of the people here and the Japanese culture.

Q: Currently what is your favorite TV show?

A: Boston Legal

Q: What is the last movie that you saw in a theater?

A: Madagascar 2

Q: What is your all time favorite movie?

A: That would be a tie between Pulp Fiction and Harlem Nights

Q: What is your New Years resolution?

A: To stop drinking sodas.

Q: If you could have 1 wish come true what would it be?

A: For us to be with Pito in Virginia.

Q: What website do you visit most?

A: hotmail.com

Q: If you were stranded on a island what 3 things would you take with you?

A: A box of MRE's, KBAR & an IPOD touch loaded with books and music and movies.

Q: What is your favorite thing to do during your off time?

A: Play golf and be with my wife and kids!

About "US"

Well we wanted to do something fun for you guys that are so far away from us that we miss so dearly so we have came up with the idea to interview each other. We will start with the head honcho of the house and work our way down to the little man of the house! SO ENJOY!

Christmas Eve 2008

This year we spent Christmas Eve with our dear friends The Marquez Family. Here on Okinawa they are our family more than they are our friends. It has been a blessing to be stationed here at the same time with them. We spend most holidays together and many weekends and all special occasions as well such as birthdays etc. This Christmas Eve we all went to the South East Botanical Gardens for Christmas dinner and the ever so popular Christmas light show. The botanical gardens were covered in Christmas lights and decor. They had events set of for children and the grounds were absolutely breathtaking. It was like being in our very own Winter Wonderland on a tropical island!!!! :) It was great. The kids had a blast and the laser show was phenomenal. I can't even really explain the light show because it was simply amazing, words just can't describe it. Let's just say that the Japanese people and their high tech abilities were in HIGH gear that night. It was awesome. The kids were mesmerized by it. It was definitely a Christmas to remember.

Catching Up

Well we have not been posting as we promised but we are catching up as of NOW! We have tons of pics from Christmas and New Years. It has been a busy last couple of weeks that is for sure! From Christmas events leading all the way up to Christmas then our anniversary and New Years...WHOO lots of things going on round here! The kids are going back top school tomorrow and things will be back on track!

Photos and more coming ASAP!