The Marine Corps wife embraces “Semper Gumby” just as the men live by their motto “Semper Fidelis.” Our Marines “Always Faithful” to their duty, means the wives’ duty is to be “Always Flexible.” In the past few weeks since we received confirmation of our move to Okinawa, we’ve been scrambling to secure the moving dates…undergo medical and dental screenings…waiting for area clearance…applying for official passports…appointments after appointments. Having gone back n forth on different moving scenarios, we’ve already adjusted moving dates several times. We finally thought we had it all figured out, with shipments scheduled next week, housing applications ready to go, and ready to request our flights. Ah yes, now we that we’ve hurried, we wait…again.
After contacting his command in Oki, turns out they would rather have Danno arrive after NJS. This is actually what we were pushing to do from the start, but was unsuccessful. Some reason everything was set out for us to report prior to NJS, which meant we leave right away in mid Dec. We now have both Oki and Quantico working on it, and it seems promising that we will know the final verdict before we leave to Thanksgiving. So we are already thankful for the possibility of pushing back the move dates. And it will feel good to know if we will have the chance to see you California faces again after this weekend, or if we should actually be saying our last goodbyes! Semper Gumby everyone.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
USMC Birthday Ball
Last Saturday we had a great time attending our first USMC Birthday Ball, celebrating their 233rd year as of November 10, 1775. Events are held everywhere. Our ball was quite large (compared to others which our friends had attended) with over 800 Marine officers and their dates filling up 2 entire ballrooms of the Richmond Marriott. Luckily since Dan’s company is the next graduating class, we were in the main ballroom where the stage was set, rather than the lower level where people had to watch a projection screen of what was happening!
After cocktail hour of mingling and taking “prom-like” photos, the ceremony begins with a procession of various traditions and songs played live by the Marine Corps band…from the presentation of Colors (the flags), National anthem and Marine Corp hymns, special readings, messages from the Commandant and Guest of Honor, and even a cake ceremony where the first three pieces of the cake are given to the Guest of Honor, and the oldest and youngest Marine present. The air was saturated with the love and pride of the Marine Corps family and its history. After the ceremony and lots of standing, the rest plays out as usual...eating, dancing, enjoying time with friends. Btw, the food was excellent...huge filet mignons! (good thing, since the ball tickets were not cheap. hehe) It was a fun time for us wives to dress up formal and accompany our great men in uniform. Here’s a few pics from the night. None are of the ceremony since I doubt that would be appropriate, but at least you can see us with our friends!
Our Quantico neighbors and soon to be Okinawa neighbors.
Precious and I spend lots of time hanging out when the guys are gone...catching up on all the girly TV shows and movies, and eating the Filipino food Danno and Mike wouldn't care to eat!
Our carpool. His date flew in from Texas. There were lots of wives and girlfriends who flew in just to attend the event. 
Dannos fireteam. - 2nd Squad 1st Fireteam
Group shot of the all Filipinos in the company, well minus one. haha. but yes this is just about ALL of them.
My other good friend Lindsey whom I spend lots of time hanging out with her and her two little kids (ages 1 and 3). I've never been around kids so much until now! They're such good kids. Dan does great with them too. 
Our church buddy and his girl.
Jay is the regular weekend guest in our house who we consider part of the fam.
Jay and Katy are self taught dancers and competitors. They grabbed everyone's attention during the Tango! We helped him put together a free a ballroom dance class a couple weeks before the ball. So thanks to him we know a bit more than just our first wedding dance. hehe. 
Good Times!
After cocktail hour of mingling and taking “prom-like” photos, the ceremony begins with a procession of various traditions and songs played live by the Marine Corps band…from the presentation of Colors (the flags), National anthem and Marine Corp hymns, special readings, messages from the Commandant and Guest of Honor, and even a cake ceremony where the first three pieces of the cake are given to the Guest of Honor, and the oldest and youngest Marine present. The air was saturated with the love and pride of the Marine Corps family and its history. After the ceremony and lots of standing, the rest plays out as usual...eating, dancing, enjoying time with friends. Btw, the food was excellent...huge filet mignons! (good thing, since the ball tickets were not cheap. hehe) It was a fun time for us wives to dress up formal and accompany our great men in uniform. Here’s a few pics from the night. None are of the ceremony since I doubt that would be appropriate, but at least you can see us with our friends!
Good to go..
Our Quantico neighbors and soon to be Okinawa neighbors.Precious and I spend lots of time hanging out when the guys are gone...catching up on all the girly TV shows and movies, and eating the Filipino food Danno and Mike wouldn't care to eat!
Our carpool. His date flew in from Texas. There were lots of wives and girlfriends who flew in just to attend the event. 
Dannos fireteam. - 2nd Squad 1st Fireteam
Group shot of the all Filipinos in the company, well minus one. haha. but yes this is just about ALL of them.
My other good friend Lindsey whom I spend lots of time hanging out with her and her two little kids (ages 1 and 3). I've never been around kids so much until now! They're such good kids. Dan does great with them too. 
Our church buddy and his girl.Jay is the regular weekend guest in our house who we consider part of the fam.
Jay and Katy are self taught dancers and competitors. They grabbed everyone's attention during the Tango! We helped him put together a free a ballroom dance class a couple weeks before the ball. So thanks to him we know a bit more than just our first wedding dance. hehe. 
Good Times!
Friday, November 7, 2008
Hurry up and Wait
In the military, “hurry up and wait” becomes a way of life. Whether it’s “hurry up and get married right before your husband is deployed, then find yourself waiting for his return”…or “wake up at zero-dark-thirty for on deck time, then find yourself sitting in the barracks for hours waiting for word on what to do next.” We all encounter this pattern one way or another.
Earlier this week, we already had to give TMO (Travel Management Office) all the dates for our various shipments and storage prior to leaving the states for Okinawa. In our case, there are at least 6 different shipments and storage types that we have to make arrangements for. This is not including getting ourselves to our destinations, nor the planning involved to prepare Emo to come along with us (that is a whole separate mission in itself!) Meanwhile, Danno’s official orders containing all the dates of when he is authorized to detach, move, travel, report…have not even been finalized yet. We have to wait for these critical dates before we can start planning even more.
So planning thus far sounds more like “if this, then that” and researching everything for each scenario eventually becomes tiresome. It’s a tough thing to simply wait, knowing how many arrangements we have ahead of us. The most we can do, is do as much as possible until we are given further direction. So here we are, waiting (anxiously)…being stretched to really trust God and His timing at every step.
One thing is for sure…we need to get rid of lots of stuff! This Saturday our church is having a yard sale that we are eager to participate in. I get to be salesperson since Danno has duty and won’t be finished in time to join me. Oh well, it’s gotta be done so let’s hope I sell off a lot of things!
Earlier this week, we already had to give TMO (Travel Management Office) all the dates for our various shipments and storage prior to leaving the states for Okinawa. In our case, there are at least 6 different shipments and storage types that we have to make arrangements for. This is not including getting ourselves to our destinations, nor the planning involved to prepare Emo to come along with us (that is a whole separate mission in itself!) Meanwhile, Danno’s official orders containing all the dates of when he is authorized to detach, move, travel, report…have not even been finalized yet. We have to wait for these critical dates before we can start planning even more.
So planning thus far sounds more like “if this, then that” and researching everything for each scenario eventually becomes tiresome. It’s a tough thing to simply wait, knowing how many arrangements we have ahead of us. The most we can do, is do as much as possible until we are given further direction. So here we are, waiting (anxiously)…being stretched to really trust God and His timing at every step.
One thing is for sure…we need to get rid of lots of stuff! This Saturday our church is having a yard sale that we are eager to participate in. I get to be salesperson since Danno has duty and won’t be finished in time to join me. Oh well, it’s gotta be done so let’s hope I sell off a lot of things!
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