When he's not in class

Contract classes used to be a boondoggle. There must have been an Inspector General report on them or something, because now not only do they go until 4pm, but they go well past 5pm too. Something I didn't expect, nor am I getting used to.

Good thing Rich and I planned our trip to the Big Island, or else we may not have gotten back to the main base to get our tickets since classes were going late. We both wanted to see the Big Island. So we booked a one day trip to the Big Island, complete with a loop tour of all the "sights".

Our first stop was for an early lunch. "all right, see you back here in 20 minutes" said the bus driver man. We were the first ones in line and ordered a red veal, Kahua ranch beef, medium rare. Listening to the stories of the Parker Ranch on the Big Island, one of the largest ranches in the United States, made us hungry. After 13 minutes, we had our burgers. Down the hatch with 30 seconds to spare. The other tour goers were not as lucky, some had just received theirs when the horn honked on the bus. You could eat on the bus, but who wants to each a fat, juicy hamburger over your lap when you have a full day tour ahead of you?

I quickly learned that our tour guide was a big of a BS'er as me. Once I heard him say that the Parker Ranch was once the largest ranch in the US, over 500,000 acres. I asked him how big and if it was larger than the largest ranch in Texas... he didn't know, but he knew Parker Ranch was big. I knew that the King Ranch in Texas was the largest from Michelle's story in the Wichita Falls Times Record News, and from then on I had a hard time believing anything he said.

Our tour guide told us that Marines trained on this hill, rolling wooden logs up the hill. This was their training before they were to take over Mount Surabachi on Iwo Jima...


Our first five minute "wiki wiki" stop was at Rainbow Falls. I would have rather have spend 15 minutes here rather than the candy factory shopping extravaganza where I spent $0. The chocolate was so-so, not worth the inflated tourist prices.


Our next stop was at an orchid factory, where I got a taste of my own medicene. Michelle used to wait patiently for me to take pictures of interesting flora and fauna. Now I waited patiently until it was time to leave for our main attraction...

Volcanoes National Park

It didn't look like the image created by Mark Twain, but


it was still a sight to see a crate 2 miles wide and 3 miles long still fuming sulfur oxide from a distance.

We even got to walk through a lava tube that was about 200 meters long. It's amazing to think that lava flowed through this tube just like water in a garden hose.

Our bus driver told us NOT to go through the chainlink fence gate, "it's illegal and dangerous." I have a feeling he didn't want to wait for us to explore a little more. The sign says it's ok to go another 334 meters, even inviting me!

Our final stop was at the black sand beach on the east side of the island. After 15 minutes on the beach and getting back on the bus, a couple was talking about turtles... "there must have been 8 or 9 sea turtles," she said. WHAT? WHERE? Oh wait, there is no time, we must get to our next wiki wiki stop, a place to buy Kona coffee.

The longer we were on the bus for the 250 miles, the more I wished we had rented a car and done it ourselves. But I did enjoy snoozing between stops on the bus, it wasn't all bad. What sealed the deal for me to avoid another bus tour in the future (except in extreme circumstances): We didn't even have enough time for a wiki wiki stop to view the nice sunset.

The Big Island is definitely worth the visit, and I'd like to go back and see the orange glow of the lava at night some time before it stops. And next time, we'll do the driving so we can make the wiki wiki stops as long as our hearts desire.

Fuji and me

Next month, I'm hiking to the top of Mount Fuji, the highest point in Japan with three friends (2 from the States and one here in Okinawa).

I feel like I can do it. But I need to stayed focus on my workout plan, fitness rountine, and healthy eating. Must build muscle, lose weight, and be prepared to hike for 8 hours.

It's going to be awesome to see the sunrise from the top of the mountain with some amazing ladies.

Any words of encouragement?

When I'm not writing here

Last December, I started a new job. Same company. Same branch. Different office. Different position. A step in the right direction for me.

Instead of working in customer service, I now work as a writer/editor. I know most people are either writers or editors, but in this unique job I divide my time doing a little bit of both.

In this job, I write ad copy for posters, pamphlets, Web pages, coupons, and newspaper advertisements. Obviously I have no background in this speciality, so I've been studying ad copy writing techniques and trying to learn a lot from my co-workers. Last week I wrote ad copy for Guitar Panda, a famous Japanese guitarist who performs in a panda costume. And here's the kicker: it's not for children.

Also in this job, I write cultural feature articles for our monthly magazine. This award-winning magazine is definitely the place that every writer and photographer on Okinawa wants to work. (I've been waiting for a writing position to open up for nearly 2 years.)

So far, I've had a photo essay on Chinese New Year in Hong Kong published, along with a feature about a professional Japanese golfer. He recently competed at the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach. Too bad, I couldn't interview him. The language barrier is definitely the most frustrating thing about this job. And it's all on me. If only I studied Japanese ....

Currently I'm writing a piece about Tokyo street fashion. I'm actually procrastinating over it while writing this post.

As research for this article, I attended a fashion show in Okinawa at the end of April. It was a long day with a photographer and Japanese translator.













After this feature, I'm planning to write something about locally made cheese (as long as I can get permission to visit a goat farm, something about foot and mouth disease is holding me up) and karate greats on Okinawa (the birthplace of karate).

Besides the PE results

Olivia likes to stand up. She likes to cruise along the furniture. She likes to wrap her hand around our fingers and walk to the local grocery store.

But she never lets go of the chair, wall, or our hands. She will only walk if she is hanging on to something. Until June 12. That's when our little O bravely took her first independent steps between the chair that I was sitting in and the chair that Benny was sitting in.

Of course, we didn't get a photo of this first step. Or a video. Or even get a good look at it.

At the time I was on the phone, talking to my grandmother. Benny was reading the newspaper. We both caught a glimpse of it out of the corners of our eyes. Enough to know that it happened.

After we cheered and tried to get Olivia to take another step, she shook her head, refused, and went back to playing with her blocks on the floor.

But it counts. Olivia took her first steps.

Never Forget

In my former life as a reporter I attended many Memorial Day parades, Veterans Day speeches and Pearl Harbor remembrance ceremonies. I have had heard World War II veterans tell their battle stories from their perspective.

Today I saw the battle from a different perspective.

Today (June 23) is the Battle of Okinawa Memorial Day, a holiday in Japan. Sixty-five years ago, the Battle of Okinawa came to an end after 82 days of fighting. Okinawa was the closest that U.S. troops ever got to mainland Japan. The first place that U.S. forces invaded this island (after bombing it so badly that the landscape of the island was significantly altered and not one building remained), was at the beach near our house. Literally feet from our front door. Kadena Air Base (where Benny works) was the first U.S. base established.

The Battle of Okinawa was one of the bloodiest fights in the Pacific. More than 200,000 people (Japanese soldiers, American Marines, sailors, and soldiers, British troops, Korea soldiers, and Okinawans) were killed during this battle. Every single name is engraved on walls (similar to the Vietnam Wall) at the Okinawa Peace Prayer Park.

Benny, Olivia, and I first went to Peace Prayer Park and Memorial Museum on Memorial Day. The day was rainy so we didn't spend too much time outside under the umbrella visiting the grounds.


Today I attended the Okinawa Memorial Service at the Cornerstone of Peace with the USO. First, World War II veterans and a current Marine general laid wreaths at the American section of the park during a short ceremony.


Then we attended the Okinawa service at Peace Hill. The Prime Minister and governor of Okinawa gave speeches.

There was a peace poem read by a school girl and a declaration of peace by the governor, which was translated into English in the program.

On this day, which marks the anniversary of the end of the Battle of Okinawa, we offer our most sincere and heartfelt condolences to the souls of all those who lost their lives during the war and who continue to watch over us. Bringing together the wisdom and aspiration of the people of Okinawa, we hereby pledge to devote our utmost efforts to the realization of all mankind's common wish: everlasting world peace.

After the American wreaths were laid, I took a moment to walk around the park. I watched as women (mostly likely in their 80s or older) laid flowers in the Japanese section of the park. They used a handkerchief to wipe their eyes. Their loss. Their pain. It needed no translation.

Today was a day to remember those who lost their lives in the Battle of Okinawa.

Today was a day to say an extra prayer for world peace.

Like My Dad Always Said

Life is short. Take big bites.



Happy Father's Day, Benny.

How did this happen?

Probably when we opened a bottle of bubbly...

Because I opened and email from the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying that said this:

Ok, so I'm a horrible liar. The toast would have made a better story, but I actually broke it while doing the dishes.
The best part is passing the PE is for real! Thank you to my patient and supportive Michelle and Olivia, and for all of your prayers, they were answered!

In the game of life

In the game of life, you are born. If you are like me, you are the first born in a family of three girls. You are the center of the universe. Until your sister Colleen is born. Then you move to the back burner. Until your sister Rachel is born. Then you decide it's time to be independent.

Life happens. You go to school. You take tests. You get grades. You graduate from high school. When was that again? Oh yeah more than 10 years ago. I can barely remember it.

Life happens. You go to college. You study. You party. You do an internship or two. You take tests. You get grades. You meet a boy. You fall in love. Your heart is broken. You swear off men. You meet a nice guy. You fall in love again. But this time it's better. It's true love this time. You graduate from college the same year your sister Colleen graduates from high school. When was that? I can barely remember.

Life happens. You get your first apartment. You buy your first car. You get your first job. Not necessarily in that order. You get a diamond. You move. You get married. You get a new job.

Life happens. You return home for your baby sister's graduation from high school. That's when I found my first gray hair. Colleen graduated with her undergraduate degree. Rachel graduated from high school. I didn't need the gray hair for the proof. I was old. Until this year.

Life happens. You fly from Okinawa to watch your baby sister graduate with her undergraduate degree. You look at the professors and think man, those people look young. She explains you're old. Some of her professors are 26 or 27 years old. Where were those professors when you went to college?

You watch your sister Colleen put on a hood and take the title of pharmacist. And with that one ceremony it's official: you are now old. Your younger sister is smarter than you and your baby sister is on track to be smarter than you.

Ah, life. Got to love it.

Olivia, are you ready for your first frost bite?

Baseball. Hot dogs. Beer. My three loves and I love when I can have all three at the same time. That's why when Benny's brother, Jon, emailed us about going to a Minnesota Twins baseball game, I immediately say "yes" and started researching the hot dog options.

See, the Twins have a new outdoor(!) stadium. Not that I completely hated the Metrodome ... but as a Cubs fan, it's not a baseball game until you have to worry about sunburned skin or freezing to death. Not to mention the rain. The elements are what make baseball great.



But I do like the Dome dogs. I'm going out on a limb here to say that Dome dogs are my favorite stadium meal. That is until I ate the Dugout Dog at Target Field. But I'm getting ahead of myself. Back to the game.

Jon did a terrific job of rounding up the Volkmann clan and we had an adults-only day at the baseball field (plus baby Olivia and nephew Luke).

The weather report showed a cold forecast. Partly cloudy, with a high of 50 degrees. Yes in May. Ah, Minnesota springs. At least Olivia will get plenty of wear out of her winter coat while we are here.



We took the light rail to the stadium and I cracked up as I listened to the Minnesota accents surrounding us. Three women had an indepth conversation about soil for their garden. What stores had soil on sale this week ... How much they needed to buy... etc. All with that adorable Minnesota accent.

Once we settled into our seats Brother-in-law Bob and I immediately went to get the beer and dogs. I first sampled the Twin dog with chili and cheese. I thought the chili would warm me up from the inside out. Next I had regular Twin Dog and then I closed out the 7th inning with a Dugout Dog, an old-fashioned beef and pork dog that is sold in the stands. Besides being super tasty, I loved passing my money down the row as the hot dog was passed to me.

All hot dogs aside, the game was good. It didn't rain. But it wasn't warm. Olivia was bundled up with multiple layers, but we still had her wear her new Twins T-shirt from Target on the outside of her sweater.

No, Olivia didn't get her first frost bite. And she didn't get her first bite of hot dog either.