Being Thankful

I realize it’s the end of September and not quite November, but shouldn’t we count our blessings and be thankful year round and not just when celebrating Thanksgiving? I must be honest in telling you that I am selfishly writing this blog to remind myself of all of the things I have to be thankful for. It’s been rainy for the past several days here and since we do not have a yard I have to take Cheyenne outside in the rain to “go potty.” It’s made me very bitter and I’m having problems understanding why it is that we were not given a home with a yard. We’ve been here for four months. I’ve been bitter about this for four months. Winter is quickly approaching and I’m going to be taking Cheyenne outside 3-4 times a day in the cold. This is why I need to remind myself to be thankful!!!

At least we are all living together. Sometimes all of the ‘garden units’ (that allow pets) are filled when people arrive here at the base and have to leave their dogs in the kennel for months, if they even get to bring them. I should be thankful I have Cheyenne here with me at all!!!

It gives me an opportunity to say hello to my neighbors. At least once a day while walking Cheyenne I see a neighbor in the parking lot or headed in or out of their house; even if it’s just a quick hello or a wave, I still get to see our neighbors, and that’s a good thing to keep in touch with them.

We are both getting exercise. Cheyenne has gained about 4 pounds in the time we’ve been here. It’s not a big deal but we used to let her into the backyard and she would run laps and give herself plenty of exercise! She loved it. I try to walk her around the block at least a few times a week, and sometimes we go for a run, because I know she needs it! It’s good for both of us!!!

Cheyenne gets to meet the other dogs in the neighborhood on our walks. (This is when she regresses on her newfound leash training)
Cheyenne is finally leash trained! She really used to be the most awful dog on a leash. Now that she walks on one frequently, she is great at it!

We live in such a tiny apartment and there are couples in the same situation as us, with no children, who are in 3 bedroom 2 bathroom homes with yards… and I am jealous and bitter but I seriously need to get over it! This is where we are living for the next 3-4 years and I need to deal with it!!!

I do like the kitchen. It’s ugly and I hate the stainless steel countertops but there is a very deep double sided kitchen sink that I do like. And the water is super hot! Plus, there is enough storage in the kitchen, and it was logically built (for the most part).

We have full sized appliances. While our fridge is not wonderful and the clothes that come out of my dryer sometimes do not smell like they should; they are American sized! If we lived off base we’d be lucky to have a refrigerator larger than the mini-fridge I had in college, and we probably wouldn’t have a washer and a dryer in our house!

We have new carpet! It’s a nice color and is relatively soft. It does shed some and because of that my vacuum cleaner broke (minus the fact that I fell on it that one time… ) but… at least our floors are not tile throughout like our houses in Enid and Corpus Christi!!!
We have a good view from our balcony. We are pretty sure in a few weeks when the trees really begin to lose their leaves we will be able to see the mountains and that will make for a beautiful winter. (IF there is such a thing.)
There are thermostats that control each individual room, so we can keep the bedroom cooler than the living room if we choose and the kitchen cool when I’m cooking. That really is nice.

+PLUS+

I am living with my husband, whom I love more than anything, in a foreign country and we are exploring and having a wonderful time. AND Cheyenne is here with us! And that should be reason enough to be thankful. If we were living in a cardboard box in Detroit (ehhh… let’s make it the Gulf Coast) we’d be happy because at least we’d be together. Right, George?

What all are you thankful for? I love hearing from all of you!

Chelsea

My First Birthday in Japan

My birthday was this weekend. It was wonderful. Every time I sit down to blog I always think “I need to blog about teaching English in Japan!” BUT… it hasn’t happened and isn’t going to happen today. Except to tell you that I have a new student whom I meet with once a week. She rides the train about 1.5 hours, I pick her up, sign her onto the base, bring her to my apartment and we chat. She is very fascinating and I feel so lucky to have her as my student. The reason I am telling you all of this now is because she invited me and my two friends Adam and Cari to the pub she owns for my birthday!

Long story short I felt like royalty! The patrons of her pub were so colorful and I really enjoyed meeting all of them. We were served the best food I’ve had to date in Japan… sashimi, chicken yakitori, shrimp tempura, pumpkin tempura, potatoes, yakisoba, edamame, fruit, wine and beer. It truly was a feast! We sang karaoke and did a little dancing, a lot of talking with the locals and she even arranged for us to have a ride home so we wouldn’t have to take the train back! She even sent us home with Tiramasu desserts. It was one of the best birthdays, and as I said before, I am so lucky to have her as my student! 

On Saturday I had some friends over to my place. I ordered a few pizzas and made a salad and cookies. My friend Kate even made me a homemade chocolate coffee cinnamon cake which truly tasted heavenly! I’m a huge chocolate addict so it hit the spot but wasn’t too sweet so the non-chocolate lovers of the bunch enjoyed it as well! Thanks again Kate! :)

After everyone left my place I headed over to a party that some of the people from the squadron were having. It’s to honor the guys and gals who are going to miss the holiday’s due to a deployment. It’s called an all-holiday party and you are supposed to wear Halloween costumes, eat Thanksgiving themed food, there’s a Christmas gift exchange and at midnight there’s a countdown with a champagne toast and everyone shouts “Happy New Year!” I think it’s a brilliant idea! I made it to the party about 10 ‘til midnight and participated in the “Happy New Year!” It was a lot of fun to see everyone dressed up and see some of the gifts that were exchanged. What a hoot.
Overall it was a really wonderful birthday! For those of you who don’t know my mom owns a ‘party rental business’. She has moonwalks, cotton candy, popcorn and snow-cone machines, giant slides, karaoke machines, margarita machines, balloon rooms, dunk tanks etc. (So if you’re in the Atlanta area and need any of these services contact me, I’m happy to put you in contact with her!!!) The point to this is: imagine how fabulous all of my birthday parties were while I was growing up! My parents never skimped on throwing the best parties for all three of us kids. My birthday always felt like a big deal. Now that I’m older and really don’t have anything to look forward to birthday wise (except my car insurance rates going down), except for a day to celebrate with friends and family (pending we’re on the same continent). But you know what? That’s all that it’s about! I am so thankful to have made so many good friends who came over to celebrate with me this weekend! I’m so fortunate! And I had a wonderful birthday, and I’m looking forward to the next 2 (maybe 3) in Japan!  Thanks to everyone who made me feel so special!

I'll get pictures up soon!

Chelsea

Playing blog catch-up: Tonsillectomy

So I can get you caught up on how my surgery went... I'll just copy and paste you the e-mail I sent out to my parents and siblings, updating them on my surgery.

Here you go. Please note that I may have been on prescription medication. So, here are my apologies in advance if the context is a bit 'loopy'. :)

Hi Family,
Just wanted to give you guys the quick story on having my tonsils removed! I'll probably blog about it too but am bored right now and thought I'd shoot you all an e-mail... even though I know your computers aren't working really well. We got to the hospital on time and they set me up in my own bed. They made me change out of all of my clothes and put on a gown that didn't tie in the back. My appointment was at 8am and couldn't eat or drink anything from midnight the night before. They decided to put an IV in me and start me on fluids. The nurse stuck me in my left wrist but my vein ruptured (her words, not mine). So she tried my right wrist, and that vein ruptured too. Then she called over another nurse and he stuck me a third time, on the top of my right hand. This vein also ruptured. OUCH! This is 3 very painful sticks and by now I am crying. Of course. So then another male nurse came in and said he was going to do it. He found a vein about 6 inches up my right arm and stuck it. Thankfully this one worked!!! It hurt really bad. They all kept apologizing though, and told me thanks for challenging them so early in the morning.

They made me take off all of my jewelry and took the nail polish off of my big toes. I know they explained to me why they did this but I don't remember why. Anyway, I finally had to use the restroom so they draped another gown around the back of me and helped me walk to the bathroom. I took the draped thing off of me and laid it across the sink but the water automatically turned on and soaked it. oops.

The results came back negative for babies (HOORAY) so then they started me on anesthesia. I gave George a kiss and then started giggling. Everyone in the room (about 8 doctors, nurses and anesthesiologists) said they like when people giggle because that means I'm happy. And they all laughed back at me. And that's the last thing I remember. When I woke up I really felt like I hadn't fallen asleep and kept asking when it was time for me to go back to my surgery, even though it was over. I also apparently insisted George take my picture and was upset when he said Cheyenne couldn't be in the picture with me. (These pictures are on facebook).

Because of the shape of my chin and face, and throat for that matter, they had to intubate me at some point during the surgery cause I wouldn't breathe on my own but they gave me oxygen and I'm fine. The doctor explained to me afterwards that my throat is going to hurt worse than normal because they had to do that. He also said that my tonsils had a ton of scar tissue on them as well as lots of puffy white dots, like if I was really sick. Even though I wasn't sick at all before the surgery. That means my tonsils really were in very bad shape!

Yesterday when I got home I felt pretty good. I had a sore throat but it really didn't hurt any worse than when I'm sick with tonsillitis or strep. I am on an antibiotic and percocet. Before I agreed to the surgery I made the doc promise to give me a nausea medicine. After the surgery he was explaining my meds to me and didn't mention one. He said he didn't want to because it could have a bad effect with the pain meds. I haven't had a problem feeling sick from it though so I guess it's okay! I take the pain stuff (it's liquid!) every 4 hours and that has kept me pretty comfortable.

I did wake up with a choking feeling yesterday afternoon and coughed a little more than I was supposed to. I'm supposed to sleep sitting up for the first 48 hours after surgery, which has had a very bad effect on my neck, and my ribs really hurt too (I have no idea why). I've been eating applesauce, yogurt, pudding, popsicles, chicken broth and lots of water. I'm very happy that I can eat! Even though today really does not feel good I was prepared to feel worse! I am constantly hungry but am taking that as a good sign that at least I can and want to eat and drink. I was very afraid I'd feel too nauseas to eat or drink and would make myself sicker.

Anyway... that's the update. I love you guys so much and miss you and I'm already bored out of my mind for being in bed for 2 days. Maybe I'll move to the couch tomorrow...? And since I can't talk on the phone really I thought I'd give an e-mail update. You can call and check on me anytime. I will try to talk to the best of my ability, but only briefly!

I LOVE YOU guys!

Love,

Chelsea

P.S. I've been using my yellow baby-blanket. It makes me feel better. :)





So... that's the e-mail sent to the family! That was written on day 2 after the surgery. Day 3 was alright, but day 4 and 5 were miserable. I felt so horrible! I can't explain how much pain I was in. I was just so uncomfortable. My whole body ached and I just felt sick! Days 6 and 7 were better than 4 and 5 and I felt like I was 'on the mend'. BUT day 8 and 9 were the worst of them all. I was sure I was going to die. My ears hurt SO bad. The doc had warned me that I would think my ears were infected and I sure did! But because he had warned me of this I knew that they weren't and was able to get through it. It truly was an awful process. I am glad I only have one set of tonsils and I won't have to get them out again! I wish to never relive that!!! Whew! I am looking forward to the positive effects of not being sick all the time! I had strep, ear infections and tonsillitis frequently (like, every 2-3 months, if not more) and I hope those will subside! I haven't been sick yet! Although it's only been about 4 weeks, I've been feeling well... with the exception of my throat hurting when I yawn. My sneezes are also different!!! I used to have tiny sneezes and was complemented on 'how cute' my sneezes were. But now... they're big sneezes! They feel completely different and I don't care much for them. Oh well! I hope I get to feeling better for good!!!

Hope you are all in good health!!!

Chelsea

Why you should lock your doors...

Ok. So. I realize it's been a very long while since I've posted... over a month. I've had quite a bit to post about but I just haven't gotten around to it... despite George's daily "When are you going to update your blog?!"

I left you all with a cliffhanger on how my surgery would go and how the Friendship Festival went. But since I've had very little inquires on whether or not I survived (I'll assume you've been checking my facebook and realize I've been posting so I'm not dead) I figure you all know I'm alright. I've been very busy with homework. Going back to school full time has been semi-exhausting. I'm also still teaching about 15-20 hours a week, which some would refer to as "part-time". Between those classes, doing laundry, socializing, walking the dog and making the occasional home-cooked meal, I'm staying pretty busy! I can't tell you the admiration I have for mothers who go back to school! I am worn out from my life... I can't imagine doing this with a kid or two or three! They all deserve an award!!!

Today something happened to me that me made feel like I needed to blog about. Mostly for your entertainment. Trust me. This story is one of the best I have to date.

Today I woke up (though I slept in until a ridiculous time), did homework for several hours, went and taught a class, picked up a pie from the commissary to take to dinner at a friend's house, and then went to a 1st birthday party for one of our friends' daughters. This party was a little bit past my house. As I was leaving this party, it was getting dark. I was looking for my house, and then saw some flames.

Flames... as in...fire flames!!! Big ones. Then I thought... "that's an end unit. Oh my gosh... my house is an end unit. Oh my gosh! My house is on fire!!!" I completely panicked. I gunned the gas pedal and drove very quickly into my parking space.

Here are the thoughts going through my head... "Cheyenne! I've got to get to Cheyenne! I wonder whose car that is parked in my neighbors spot... Cheyenne! OMG, I've got to get to my dog! When's the last time we BBQ'ed... maybe the computer caught on fire... did I leave the stove on? Quick! Run up the stairs! My wedding photos are going to be ruined. I wonder whose bike that is? My furniture! Where's the wreath on my door? Oh good, voices! Firemen! The firemen are already at my house!" SO I swing open the door, run inside and then thoughts are... "My carpet is a different color... wait, where's my furniture... and who are these two guys doing karate in my living room. Oh... maybe my house isn't on fire. This isn't my house. And it's not on fire either. Oh my gosh, I'm at the WRONG HOUSE!!!"

So then I say to the guys who are looking at me, because I'm standing in their house... "This isn't my house." To which one of them who is still holding a karate pose says... "Okay." And then I say... "My house isn't on fire." And he responds... "Okay." Then I start repeating how sorry I am and I run out the door, closing it behind me. I run down the stairs, get in my car, drive to my correct home (one apartment entrance down...). I am laughing hysterically at this point. Who else could this possibly happen to?! Only ME! I can't believe I did that. I went to my friend's house and tell them this story (I was having dinner there and was bringing the afore mentioned pie) and they told me I had to blog about it. I am SO horribly embarrassed. I am also SO very thankful that my house wasn't on fire and neither was theirs. (It turns out they had a fire-pit on their balcony that was billowing some pretty big flames, but wasn't "on fire")

In my defense, all of the apartments here look the same. And... all of the cars look the same. (To an extent).

It's semi-common knowledge that some people who live on base do not lock their doors. It's a very safe place to live and it's not always necessary to do so. However... I am a door locker. I was raised this way and I am a firm believer in constant door locking! I am a cautious person! I can't help it! I always hope for the best, but plan for the worst. You just never know when a crazy person will think your house is on fire and come barging in unexpectedly.

I am SO thankful that it was two guys who acted very calmly about a crazy lady barging in (aka... ME) and not a poor mother of 4 whom I could have really startled! I am thankful it wasn't a couple doing something dirty... I'm thankful no one's home was on fire and all of our items are safe. I'm glad Cheyenne didn't suffer from (imaginary) smoke inhalation. I'm thankful that everything is okay! Besides my pride, nothing or no one was injured or hurt and nothing was damaged. But I must tell you... that was a really scary moment. I feel completely crazy. I spoke with my Mom on the phone this evening and she told me it only gets worse with age... while I realize I am still very young, with a birthday coming up this weekend (by the way... did you put my b-day present in the mail?!) I can't help but feel a little old and senile.

Lesson: Lock your doors. There are lots of crazy people out there. What if I was a big scary drunk person who tried to crawl into your bed... at a house that wasn't his in a bed that's not yours?! Just think about it! AND... LOCK YOUR DOORS! :)

Chelsea