Birthday Wishes

Happy Birthday Uncle Jon!

My newest writing adventure

I'm writing a shopping column for a weekly marketing publication that my office produces. This 285-word column is suppose to appeal to military spouses. We'll see how it goes.

Shopping Happiness

By Michelle Volkmann

“Whoever said money can't buy happiness simply didn't know where to go shopping.”
-- Bo Derek

Buying happiness in Okinawa is a challenge. Without the commerce safety nets of Target and Walgreens planted near almost every stateside military installation, shopping in Japan is a complex riddle containing an exchange rate and a language barrier.

But it doesn’t have to be.

Treasures are plentiful. It’s only a matter of looking in store windows, asking for recommendations and keeping your eyes open.

As the Sherlock Holmes of shopping, I will investigate buying challenges and provide solutions in this semimonthly column. I will highlight unique stores designed for penny-wise window shopping along with those must-have items so that your household goods are a 3-D scrapbook of your military service.

Shopping is my favorite hobby because it’s a sport that provides points for participation and takes hardly any hand-eye coordination. This sport doesn’t necessarily drain your checking account. Inexpensive trinkets can offer a glimpse into Japanese life for your friends and families. It is always better to give than receive and everyone loves receiving a package from across the Pacific Ocean.

The shopping experience itself provides hours of entertainment. It’s a way to study the differences between American and Japanese culture. And it’s simply fun to be greeted with “irasshaimase” while browsing the shelves. It's those little details that make spending yen a memory that remains long after the movers break your shisa dogs.

Grab your wallet and prepare to feel the surge of shopping happiness.

Saturday afternoon in the Volkmann household

Like Mother Like Daughter

I send Benny out for eggs

And he comes home with this


Benny is such a sucker for all Japanese plants and flowers. I need to write about Farmer Benny and the little patio garden he has growing.

Why won't you sleep little girl?

"Why won't you sleep little girl?" is the question that Olivia's daycare provider asked that resulted in her "first" laugh at daycare. I say "first" because it doesn't count since Mom or Dad were not there to witness it.

Dad asked Olivia on Saturday afternoon (first trying to get her to laugh). Then he asked her sincerely, since Olivia didn't want to nap, but wanted to go for a walk in the park instead.

There was a little bit of commotion coming from the house two houses down from ours. Acutally, a lot of racket - it was getting demolished. Okinawan houses are built to withstand typhoon winds (100 mph), so there is a lot of rebar and concrete that go into their construction. This is one that the wolf would have a hard time knocking over when he huffs, and puffs, and tries to blow down this little piggy's house.

One small step for Olivia...

One giant leap for Dad's pride.

Olivia's first laugh came at a barbecue with some fellow Seabees on June 20th. This picture was taken by one of the junior officers who was amused by his boss, the Operations Officer, trying to get Olivia to laugh. But little did he know, the laugh was on him.

Low and behold, as this picture was taken, Olivia laughed, and it was music to Dad's ears!



Olivia still laughed sporadically since June 20, but never due to Dad's tickles or funny jokes. She would always laugh at the most random times... driving in the car, at daycare, even with Mom and her feet tickling, but NEVER with Dad. Until she forgot I was in the room on Saturday morning.

Tipping the scales

Our little rookie continues to be a happy and healthy baby. Olivia had her 4-month wellness check-up last Wednesday. I was really interested in her stats this time. She seemed like she growing like a weed and getting heavier.

And for good reason -- she is now tipping the scales at 15 pounds 10 oz. She is 25 inches long and her head circumstance is 41 cm. So it looks like her head is growing so fast that the hat I was knitted her will be too small for her head by the time I finish it.

Olivia took her second dose of vaccinations like a champ, crying really loud at first, but completely distracted once Daddy was holding her again.

She is meeting all of her developmental milestones, including smiling and grabbing for items that dangle in her direction. She smiles like crazy anytime anyone talks in her presence, including the doctor. Olivia recently found her feet and loves to grab her toes and pull them toward her face.

The doctor is happy with her weight gain. The doctor commented on Olivia's chunky thighs saying "she doesn't miss many meals, does she?"

No she sure doesn't.

What Are All Those Giggles About Coming From the Photo Booth?

As with most things in Japan, the photo booths here are much more high tech than the ones we've used in the states.

1. First you have to walk around the booth twice to find out where to insert your ¥400
2. Once you pay, you use the touch screen to select the poses you'd like to try. It's completely up to you, but they give you some ideas of ways you may want to pose.
3. Flashbulbs are activated, give us your best smile and say "milkshake", "you're a tiger", or whatever tickles your fancy.
4. Walk around the photo booth three times looking for where your photos may have printed.
5. As attendent where photos print
6. Realize your photos haven't printed yet because they are awaiting your approval (under time constraints of course). Rush back into photobooth to review, edit, and add flare to your photos (but you only have 2 minutes left to review and jazz up your poses since you spent the first 5 looking for where the photos printed).
7. Laugh, edit again, delete some edits, redo other edits, and finally select prints to actually print
8. Remove print from machine (all of the photos fit on one postcard size print). Trim pictures, exchange with friends with little giggles, rinse, and repeat.

Now Benny demonstrates

Pouring Biru at Club Med

Eating for Three

Club Med: Where Happiness Means Visiting a Different Island

I had island fever and I needed relief. I had been stuck on Okinawa since the Babymoon/29th Birthday Vacation/Thanksgiving to Kyoto and Osaka. Due to the pregnancy I wasn't able to travel from that point on and since we had Olivia I haven't left this island. Benny (lucky duck) has left the island several times for work trips.

And I've always tried to take advantage of the 3-day government worker holiday weekends, so I planned a family vacation for the Fourth of July.

When my co-worker mentioned that she and her husband went to fabulous Club Med for Memorial Day weekend, I booked tickets for the three of us.

In case you don't know what Club Med is (and it doesn't have anything to do with the medical field,) it is a company that first started the all-inclusive vacation concept. One price and one charge to your credit card and that covers your plane ticket, hotel room and all the food and drink at the resort during that time. The concept is that you go to these exotic locations and get pampered in a foreign country without having to see any poverty or hassle with local taxis. (Can you guess that Club Med is a French company?)

Another benefit of Club Med is that they had all kinds of outdoor activities that you can do when you are staying at the resort. For example, I did yoga three times a day there. Benny and I participated in a table tennis tournament. This is how I sold Benny on the idea. Club Med Kibura has a Circus School, included in the price.

But besides trading one beach for another beach, this quick getaway was to test Olivia's traveling skills. And she adapted wonderfully.

Normally you heard of Club Med in the Caribbean or Mexico. We went to the Club Med of Asia, specifically for Japanese tourists. They was a few other Americans there, like us, associated with the military community in Okinawa. But the rest of the guests were from Korea, Taiwan and mainland Japan.

The resort was on a picture perfect beach and our room had a view of the ocean. Olivia loved her Japanese crib, which would never be safe in the United States and the stroller the hotel loaned us was top notch.


We ate well. Lots of fruit, food from everywhere in the world. Wine with every meal. Benny's favorite was the self serve beer machine.


My favorite was the dessert buffet on cheesecake night.


We came home happy and well rested from our relaxing, low-stress vacation. Sure it wasn't your typical Fourth of July, but it was fun. And who can complain when you are sitting by the pool with a pina colada in one hand and your baby girl sitting in your lap while watching your husband swing like Tarzan from the trees. Not this lady.

Did Ed McMahon Live Near Norfolk?

Last week we recieved an enveloped in a plastic bag in our mailbox with the note below attached. The letter says that the envelope was sent to Okinawa empty and did not appear to be sealed. If I thought someone had tampered with the envelope between Norfolk and Okinawa, I should file a claim.

For the last 18 years, I've been waiting for my big check from Ed McMahon. I always pictured myself the recipient of an envelope much bigger than this with a huge check, too big for our mailbox and still too big to fit through our front door. So if anyone knows if Ed sent any smaller checks before joining Johnny, please let me know and I'll file a claim.

Last resort is to settle for the believeable story that our friend who recently had a baby sent it after:
A. Sleep deprivation
B. Watching the Seinfeld about licking envelopes
C. Giving it to the two-year old who did not have his envelope licking merit badge
D. All the above

Overheard in the V-Team House

While watching one of Mom's favorite shows, Project Runway.

Michelle looking Olivia square in the eye, "Olivia, if you ever date a boy that goes by Ratbones, you and I are going to have problems."

Olivia looks back at Mom inquisitively with a look that asks, "Mom, what's a Ratbones?"

Exactly Little O, play innocent or stay away from boys named Ratbones and we won't have any problems.

PS. If you know how this season of Project Runway ends, DON'T TELL MICHELLE (or Benny - he wasn't gifted with keeping a good a poker face)! We have to wait for the season to show on AFN.

4 months old

Dear not impressed in Little Creek:

Although one might think that sailing through the air with such grace would come naturally, it actually takes some dedication and a little bit of initiation.

Not all circus tricks made the highlight reel (videographer was busy feeding the selective audience). There was a lot of sweat that went into the twice-a-day training sessions for circus camp. Nothing that required any bandaids, instead, a great conversation starter at the beach or the pool. These side effects of circus training were so miniscual, I actually have to point them out in the picture and circle them. Not that I'm looking for any sympathy - just looking to show that grace comes with a price.

The picture below is rated PG-13 and contains images that may not be suitable for young audiences. Parents, please ensure your kids are ready to see... the gun show. (You'll have to click on the picture to get a better look at the temporary tattoos.)

Benny ran away and joined the circus

Forget the jazz hands, if I only had a leotard and some sparkles... I could be a part of the Barnum and Bailey's troupe.



I'm pretty sure the trapeze instructors were laughing inside at getting a guy to do this "trick", especially since I wanted to learn new tricks (like the cadaway and plung).

I spent about one minute reading the rules before I was on the practice bar learning how to hook my legs on the bar. That was one minute more than I spent signing legal and other waivers. Then it was up the ladder!

No fireworks or parades, but plenty of fun

I was recently searching the Web for information about flying with 4 month olds when I came across a baby horoscope web page. Being a sucker, I clicked and immediately started reading about my child. Apparently the moon and stars know her better than I do.

So besides reading about her, there is also a portion when you can compare horoscope signs of the parent with the child or siblings to each other, or both mom's and dad's horoscopes and "learn" about our parenting styles. Here are the results:

Leo (Benny) + Sagittarius (me)

Harnessing the energy between you is rather like trying to control a team of wild horses. It can be a fun, wild ride, but things can all too quickly get out of hand. This is the challenge you will face in your parenting duties. You're both lively, adventurous, and energetic people. You love to take your kids on all sorts of adventures and expose them to new experiences. But who will mind the store while you're gone? The Leo parent may take on the leadership role in the family, making (and canceling) appointments and taking care of details. It's not your favorite job, but somebody's got to do it!

The Sagittarius parent will be busy making all the plans for your next family vacation to some distant, exotic location. The kids happily tag along with you two, learning that the world is their schoolyard.

While I would love to ponder this information, I don't have time. I'm too busy planning our next vacation. No it's not Olivia's Red, White and Blue Debut. It's a 3-day weekend trip to a Club Med resort on Ishigaki, an island that is a one-hour flight south of here. Ishigaki is part of the Okinawa island chain, so technically we aren't even leaving the state. I planned this trip because I wanted to test drive Olivia on flying and sleeping abilities on holiday. And to test our patience of traveling with a baby and packing skills.

We'll recap the fun when we return online Monday.

Congrats Uncle Bob and Aunt Patti!

Great work - way to set the hook and reel in the catch of a lifetime!

Bob, you've always been a part of our family, and we're thrilled that it's official now. We wish you both all the best as you start the rest of your lives together.

Congrats again and we love you both,
Benny, Michelle, and Olivia