Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Preparing for Departure

About a week after Hurricane Sandy hit GTMO, we finally received orders for our next duty station: Sasebo, Japan!  After spending almost two years watching good friends come and go, it is our turn to say goodbye to "Summer Camp."  Yesterday our household goods were packed and moved out by a courteous Jamaican staff.  They finished in 8 hours after which our temporary (aka "Flintstone") furniture was brought in to last us until our departure date of 11/27.  Now the house is too quiet and begging to be thoroughly cleaned. :)  We've spent the past three weeks slowly saying goodbye to friends at various parties, lunches, and musical performances.  I'm glad we get to have one more Thanksgiving in GTMO.  This year we'll spend it with the Rau family.  The only thing I'm missing is a TV to watch the Macy's parade.  Our last GTMO event will be the Tree Lighting at the NEX where I will direct the Youth Choir I've been working with for the past couple of months.  

We will definitely miss this island.  It is a unique experience that I recommend to everyone.  However, we are ready to move on and have new adventures on the other side of the world!  I'll write more after we've made the sad float from Ferry Landing to Leeward side.  For those of you who've been there, you know what I'm talking about.

Thursday, Nov. 22 Thanksgiving Day
How silly of me to think we would not have to endure horrendous karaoke from the neighbors on this fine holiday.  Thank goodness our dinner will be eaten at someone else's house.