1st week in Okinawa!!

Week one down, and it's been a roller coaster of emotions. Let's see, started with anxiety over the dogs flying over and then being put in the kennels. To add to that, our friends the Hartfords had a rough start with their dogs. Their dogs were in the same kennel as Jax and Shelby. About two days of being there, Ringo their oldest dog was bit by something while he was there, spent a few days at the vet, and eventually had to be put to sleep. Poor Ringo was older (13) and his body just couldn't handle the infection from the bite. He also had other health problems to add to his complications. Finding this out last Monday, made me completely freak and become even more anxious to get our dogs out of there.

The week continued with lots of meetings (good and bad), buying a car and getting our Japanese license (both exciting), then there was our housing meeting...not so good. We were given two options to pick from, one a tower apartment which we couldn't consider because of the dogs, and the 2nd we had no choice but to accept without even looking at it. It's an older build for base housing, 3 bedrooms 2 1/2 bath and a decent yard for the dogs as long as we fence it in. I know doesn't sound bad, right? Well we were told we couldn't move in for another week because it had just become vacant and needed some work done to it. We also couldn't go in to see it due to maintenance...bull!! Well that wasn't going to stop me and not sure if that was a good idea. We drove by the other day and the crew must of been on lunch. The doors were unlocked, but no one was in the house, so I let myself in. Like I said, bad idea...the people who lived there before....total slobs!! I can't even begin to explain...all I can say is they can take the week to fix up the place, hell even longer for that matter, it better look a hell of a lot better come the 9th!!
A little side note, the Hartfords also offered to keep the dogs at their place until we moved in (1 week total). You don't understand what a relief it was getting them out of there and with people we trust. Their other dog Milo is having a blast with Shelby, they are even getting in trouble for playing around waaayyyy tooo much! =) I can handle that kind of trouble. Jax and Shelby are also getting the ultimate treatment by Kayla and sleeping with her every night! Makes me feel even better!! I'm not saying the Karing Kennel was horrible because our dogs seemed to be doing fine, it's just the simple fact of not having them here with us.

Other than that, they are not hiring teachers at the moment (figured that much), now I have to fill out this enormous packet to sub as much as possible. They did say it is Okinawa and with the rotations and people PCS'ing all the time, I might have a chance this year. Fingers crossed it happens sooner than later. I've uploaded a few pictures to dropshots (www.dropshots.com/teenyfred), I will have more once the weather clears up. We've had rain here and there and there is a Typhoon possibly heading our way (yikes!!). As always we miss you guys, take care and don't forget about us!!