[Ok, maybe a stretch on the old adage "in like lion, out like a lamb"...]
After taking a long break from updating all you fine readers about life in Okinawa, it's about time to get back to it. My lack of posting is partly from a semi-boring life and partly because I was afraid of whines taking over the posts, rather than the inside scoop of life in Oki (which was the point of this blog, no?). So now I'm back, whine free and ready to roll.
Living in the eastern half of the world, I'm greatly exposed to, of course, Far East culture. A big part of the culture is the New Year and the animals assigned to it. While I don't know much of the "official" descriptions of the said animal assignments, I'd say 2010 (the year of the tiger) was indeed a tiger.
Let me pull out my 11th grade, metaphor-making skills and explain.
Tigers are quite vicious animals, but are sly, quiet, and conniving. Also, for their prey, tigers are unpredictable in their attacks. They are the kings (princes?) of the jungle, beautiful, fast, and feared. I feel 2010 pretty much much follows that description well.
We started the year in true "tiger" style - well, at least Chinese style - as we celebrated in Hong Kong at the stroke of midnight. The busy, fast paced city thrilled us with so many fun places to see and experience. Who would've thought a mere 3 months after moving to Japan we would already be exploring such exciting places?
By mid January, Zac was off on a ship as a last minute replacement on a Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) "cruise." It was a mini-deployment, wonderfully punctuated by a rendezvous in Singapore, another beautiful Asian city.
Zac returned around March. Spring and summer flew at "tiger" speed. We explored the island, settled more into our little apartment, celebrated our anniversary "up north," and enjoyed a visit with the Cooks. Oh, and we got a dog and I got a job...can you say changes?
At the end of June, we found out that Zac would be deployed to Afghanistan within weeks. (Sneaky, sly tiger year...surprise/unexpected deployment #2 of the year). Typically (and I use that word loosely, as nothing in the military is predictable or typical), deployments are known of a few months in advance. So it was a whirlwind of preparations and emotions preparing for Zac to leave.
Zac left the day after my birthday for his "tour." (Gee, the military really has some euphemisms for their deployments...cruises and tours...sounds like the servicemen are going on a bunch of vacations!) We spent the second half of the year in separate corners of the world, continuing our adventures in very different ways. Zac learned another (middle) eastern culture, while I traveled to the US, Hawaii, and mainland Japan (twice). Looking back, the time really flew. I can't believe we've made it 5 months, and I'm more than thankful that it's behind us.
I got to end the year with some time off with my parents. I think that was the best Christmas present I could've gotten this year (except maybe a surprise homecoming? ;)) I loved showing them around the island and the place we call home thousands of miles away. The visit was the perfect combination of relaxing/enjoying time together and sightseeing. We rang in the new year cozy at home....quite different from the rowdy Hong Kong new year. As different as, say, a tiger and a rabbit?
So, as 2011 starts, I'm anxious to see what this year-of the rabbit-brings. I hope it is more "rabbit-like"...quiet, comfortable, and steady. Happy New Year!
