There were a couple other Americans that stayed on the top deck with us. The rest of the Japanese occupants were curious of the laughing, wet Americans disembarking. 

"Whale-watching"  

Also the Okuma / camping weekend. This pic about sums it up. Cold and rainy. (We're told it only became that way after we showed up. Is someone implying something?) 

We also tried camping one weekend with two other couples at a resort in the most Northern region of the island. This is one of the scenic overlooks near Okuma that we travelled to. 

I worked the weekend of the Cherry Blossom Festivalk in Nago (a city on the Northern end of the island) but decided that the blossoms should still be in bloom if we went the next weekend instead. Heck, we'd even avoid all the crowds! Unfortunately there was a windstorm during the week that blew off all the blossoms! Oh well. It sitll made for a nice outing and a great hike. 

Work has kept us busy but we have made time to "see the sights"! This is Kokusai Street in Naha on the Southern end of the island. Famous for its shopping and nightlife. 

We were anxious to get settled in a house and finally have our belongings delivered. (For 3 weeks we did a lot of laundry, recycling the same few clothes. All our belongings had been packed weeks / months before!) Our shipment came the day we moved in and we had a week to get settled before Christmas.

Once we got to Okinawa our first "home" was the Marine Corps' temporary housing. (A hotel). It really wasn't too bad. 

We visited with family and friends before we made the big trip overseas!  

Jed flew out for my graduation ceremony and we were able to spend a few nights on the East Coast before heading back to Minnesota. 

Shortly after our wedding, I went to Officer Indoctrination School (OIS) in Rhode Island for six weeks.