I haven't been home since 2005. We're stationed over here and up 'til now my mom's been able to make the trip once a year. Not this time- financial obligations keep her away. I cried like a baby after she told me. There's a new nephew I haven't met, I missed my sister's wedding (would've been matron-of-honor), and it's just downright lonely without family around.

Okinawa is beautiful but so is D.C. in the spring. I miss the monuments, the Smithsonian, the American-sized servings (and clothing- talk about developing a complex). I miss having all four seasons and shopping malls. I want to go home.

Oh, you poor, poor thing. I understand *exactly* how you feel. I've lived in some places where I haven't been able to see anyone other than my immediate family for two, three years. Asian McDonalds come close, but they're never exactly the same as ones in the States. How much longer is your tour there? If you've been there since 2005, you can't be staying too much longer. Just remember that we're always here for you if you need to talk, vent, or whatever.

Thanks. I really appreciate the sympathy.

We are EXTENDING. Our tour would have been up in '09 but we've decided it would be best for our (immediate) family to stay on. So 2013 it is. If we got stationed in the states it'd practically be guaranteed that my husband would be deployed 6 months+ at a time. And as much as I love my family back home I want to be with my husband more.

I feel sheepish now for having complained- like a brat whining for attention but it's really weighing on me. I'm not clingy when it comes to the people I love but years at a time between seeing them is stretching it.

And I don't eat at McD's anymore! Like I was saying, I can't even shop off base for clothes and I'm not overweight (by American standards). I'm actually borderline petite back home. Not here! Going into that place with all these petite (but not by their standards) women is depressing and makes ordering a #1 comfortably out of the question. And I have to order TWO drinks just to match an American large. Talk about feeling like a pig.

No, but seriously, my husband doesn't enjoy the food there so we seldom go.

I lived in Korea for a few years in the late 90s. I was pretty young, but I still remember the clothes fitting - I'm so petit, nothing back home could fit the same way things did there! And it was such a treat to go off post to the McDonald's nearby - and we'd always stop by this little corner store and get "soju," which wasn't the alcoholic drink but these yummy little yogurt smoothies. And I remember getting out of school for a few days each year due to monsoon season, and how the buses we used for school were just regular, metro buses. When I got back to the States, I was so excited to ride in a real, *yellow* school bus!
I was pretty lonely, because I didn't have many friends, and none of them were my age. But, I wish we could have lived there when I was older, so I could remember it and better appreciate the cultural aspect. I got to do so many things - I actually walked on the Great Wall, which is something I'll never forget.
Now I'm feeling all nostalgic. And even though I'm living state-side now and fairly close to family and have a good set of friends, I feel like I'm so, so far away from "home".
I really do feel your pain...and as to the whining thing, what else are your friends for? Feel free to vent at any time.

That's actually pretty cool and I expect walking the Great Wall is nothing you'd easily forget. You make it sound like an experience you treasure. Maybe I need to get back to that mind frame.

The island's a bit different than what you described, though the smoothie dessert sounds veeerrry familiar. Yum.

Okinawa is beautiful- the beaches and gardens and parks are wonderful. It's a very family-oriented place and the Okinawans I've met have absolutely adored the mixed American babies- whenever we go out far enough away from base they take pictures!

There are temples to visit and snorkeling and the aquarium in Nago is the second largest in the world. Beautiful, too. And I can't forget the open markets full of fresh produce. There's actually quite a lot of lovely things to do on island, and when I put it in perspective, well- I won't be here forever. I'll just try to make as many memorable moments as I possibly can while we're here. And I'll try to forget that Old Navy and Target exist.

Thanks for the shoulder to cry on. It felt a bit alien to share this way and I admit I only did it on an impulse. I also admit I regretted it as soon as I'd posted. But you've been wonderful. I do feel better.

Aww it's never a problem - my shoulder comes equipped with boxes of Kleenex and everything.

I only got to go to Japan once, and it was just to get a connection back to the States, so it can't really count. But I was flown out to Cheju do once to do a modeling shoot (Korean child model - they love the American kids, with their big blue eyes and blonde hair. Never mind that I'm brown eyed and a brunette... ) Then we went back as a family and had a nice little vacation. It's funny, but even after that, I still remember Korea as being completely industrialized, with little plant life and lots of cars.

Here's to living abroad!

Cheers!

The island is very different from mainland Japan though there are large sections that are very citified. Still, that just creates a nice balance, I think, since there are so many natural sites to enjoy. Japanese karaoke is just down the way. And the curry house. Mmmmh.

My husband was in Tokyo for a time and said industrialism runs rampant there. Not so much in these parts.