Kids Are Home

I have been updating my Blog each Sunday but I figured since a very historic occasion was going to happen today, I thought I would wait.

I picked up my Cats today from the Quarantine office. We made a quick stop off at the "island vet" and then onto home. The kids were apprehensive at 1st - wasn't quite sure if they should come out of their carriers - not that I would blame them. Once they came out they weren't sure if they should hide under the beds or if they should roam around and investigate. So they decided to do a little bit of both. Which was real good to see.

I went to work to give them time to themselves and when I got home Simba greeted me with his Meowing and by coming to the door. I also found that 1 of the 2 toys I put down was missing. So 1 of them felt good enough to swat the ball around.

They are wanting to investigate everything, i.e., getting on tables and counters. Both for which they get scolded for.

They have used the litter boxes but they have not had any food yet. I'm expecting to wake to empty bowls in the morning.

All is well in the household now.

Didn't do much this weekend. Took it easy. I napped both days and I don't think I've done that since I've been here. Finished another book. All in all a nice relaxing weekend.

Sunday May 16, 2010

Another week has gone by and I can't believe that in 7 more days my cats will be living with me once again. All seem to be doing quite well, even Pepper, who was quite vocal this morning. She is still upset with me but she will soon get over it.
I attempted to walk out to the 2 WWII tanks this morning but learned quite quickly that I was too short to walk. There was a family out there this morning who had the right idea. They had paddle boards and snorkel equipment. Once the kids are home I will get myself a paddle board and snorkel equipment and paddle my way out there.
Work is coming along. It shouldn't be too long before we have our "networked" computers up and running. Hopefully in the next couple of weeks.
I have purchased a car from a local. 1997 Nissan Pathfinder. I will pick it up tomorrow around 12:00 noon. Next thing I will have to do is get insurance. I can hardly wait until all this is finished and the only thing I will be buying and/or paying for is maintenance. So, so far all is coming together quite nicely. Now all I need is a used TV and I'll be set.
During May there is a food festival that is going on. I went Saturday evening and met 3 attorneys all from the US. Interesting guys, not your "typical" attorney.
Saturday evening after the festival I had my 1st Skype chat. It was quite interesting. There was a bit of a lag time but not much. We even did video so we could see each other.
Today was spent in the usual manner, visited the kids, dropped off a roll of film to have transferred to a CD so yes folks, I have photos.
The 1st set of photos are taken from my hotel room balcony and the best picture of 2 of the WWII tanks. I have some of my loving kids.

Enjoy.

Different Time Zone and Weird Stuff

For whatever reason I keep forgetting that everyone is about 14 hours behind me. I was ordering some things for my cats "welcome home" (ok I ordered litter boxes) and I noticed my order went through April 9 at 12:15 a.m. UGH!!!! Though I find it interesting that I know not to call anyone until late this evening or 1st thing tomorrow morning. Funny how that seems to work.
I would have bought the litter boxes here is Saipan, but I couldn't find any. I can get kitty litter and I can even buy the "scoopers" but I could not find anything to put the litter in so I can use the scooper. So for right now I have make shift litter boxes until I get the real 1s.
Tomorrow I am going to sign and send off a request to the Quarantine Vet to release my kids early. I'm figuring I have a 50/50 chance though in all honesty since a lot of things go on "greasing the palms" my chances of early release are slim. But I am going to try it anyway. With my luck he will grant it 2 days prior to their actual release date anyway.
Today I decided to go look for a printer for my computer. There are a couple of "stationary" stores on the island. When I went in the main stationary store, they had everything but printers. Well ok, they had 2 different types and 1 was sold. But they did have stuff for crafts, kitchen items, bathroom items, hangers (I bought 6 for hanging skirts and suck - for .45 how could you go wrong), everything and anything you could think of that did not have anything to do with a stationary store.
There are 3 Ace Hardwares on the island and though I've only been in 2 of them, the 2 I have been in don't even carry the same merchandise.
I spend more time driving around looking for stuff that a tank of gas only lasts 1 week. Hopefully as I get to be familiar with the island and what stores have what and plus after a while you'll have what you need, my gas consumption will go down.
I'm getting to the point where I would like my own car. 1 of the guys in the office has a cousin or some relation who works at 1 of the dealerships. I will also need a PO Box and his uncle is the Post Master General for the island. So, knowing someone who knows someone is the key here to getting things done as well.
This is my 3rd week here. It doesn't seem like it's been that long. All is well. I turned on the air today for a couple of hours just to see how things run. The landlord's husband came up because 3 of the 4 units aren't working properly. They will send over a technician.
Sorry no pictures yet. I need to use my film. I need to start carrying my camera so I can take some pictures. On Thursdays they have a street feast - with entertainment. This past Thursday they had a "dance troop" I believe and the kids did native dancing - maybe. Anyway, the kids were cute and the age range was from 6 or 7 to teenagers. I would have enjoyed having my camera with me to get some photos. I will try to do better. There are a few places that will process film so as long as I can get a disk - I'll be good to go.
Since it is getting time for folks to be waking up - Happy Mother's Day.

Learning The Ropes

As I'm sure all are aware I have moved into the "flat". Besides being overrun by ants it is a nice place. Roomy. It is 3 bedroom/2 bath. There is a bed and dresser in each room. I have a table and chairs in the kitchen, a table for my computer, and (of all things) leather coach and love seat in the living room.

I have done some shopping for the necessities, i.e., ironing board and iron, pots, silverware (the landlord has provided a set of dishes), hangers, litter box (for when the kids come home), and groceries. I couldn't believe it when I saw a few things gluten free. They even have soy milk. I'm in heaven. Some things I will just have to put up with the prices only because I won't be able to get them shipped to me via Care Packages (thanks Janet).

I'm still adjusting sleep-wise to the new place. Some of it is the odd noises and others just my mind thinking of things - when it shouldn't be.

There are about 4 people from the office who work out as a group 3 times a week. Tonight I have to say was my 1st night working out. We walked for about 30 minutes by Memorial Park and then we threw the football around (yes, you are seeing correctly) for about another 30 minutes.

Afterwards, since I needed to go get some kitty litter, I went by yet another grocery store. I couldn't believe it when I found Gluten Free Elbow Noodles and Gluten Free Bread. They even had Gluten Free bread mixes. Now maybe I won't have to buy the breadmaker. I also found Soy Yogurt. Pricey but still it gives me more breakfast options. I will need to buy a toaster and a waffle maker. The waffle maker because I have a Gluten Free Pancake/Waffle mix with me so I can make the waffles and then freeze them. Yeah!!!!! I even found a small Chocolate Soy Milk. AMAZING!!!!

I do believe I'm adjusting to my new environment rather well. The other day I was thinking about when I moved out of my place in Ottawa. The kids and I have been living out of a suitcase for the last month, since I moved out the house April 5, 2010. I request that everyone who reads this prays for me this coming Monday. I'm going to ask the quarantine office if I can take the cats home. I had the blood test done 4 months prior to arrival so wish me luck. Yes, I do realize there is a good chance they will say no, but if I don't try I will never know. The cats are as ready to come home to their normal life as I am ready for them to be home. It truly makes me sad.

I'm sorry no pictures yet. I still need to find out if I can even get my pictures developed here or not. I guess the time has come to break down and buy a digital camera. If anyone has any suggestions I'm all ears.

Have a very pleasant Tuesday, May 4, 2010. I have finally figured out as I am finishing my day, you are just beginning yours.

Moving to my Flat

A short note, because I realized I haven't been blogging recently.

I move into my flat this weekend.

Sorry no photos thus far. I have taken a couple from my hotel room balcony.

The cats are doing ok. Some days are better than others. Today was not a good day. Hopefully from now on things will be better since I will be able to visit them at the same time each day.

Have a good day/night.

Arrival to Saipan

I arrived in Saipan pretty much on time. Let me tell you it was a long flight from Atlanta to Tokyo. I had gotten up several times to walk around the plane and I still ended up with swollen thighs and ankles.
My cats had been off-loaded before my suitcases had. Pepper was hiding in the back of the carrier and Olive was in the front being little Ms. Curious. Simba looked like a wet noodle.
I could not stay with them that first night, so I gave them some water and just hoped they were comfortable enough. Apparently, even though I had asked no one had watered them the whole trip. They had food though I'm not sure if they ate anything or not. I do know when I got back to the airport a bit later that same morning, both the water bowls were 1/2 empty.
I arrived at the hotel around 2:00 a.m. and got into bed around 2:30 a.m. I had a 6:30 a.m. wake up call so I could get back over to the airport for when they were transported to quarantine. I arrived at about 8:30 a.m. with the quarantine folks already there. While at the quarantine office, I was able to clean out carriers and make sure the "kids" were as comfortable as possible.
3 taxis later though I decided to rent a car. There is no public transportation on the island and after a while taxis would start adding up.
Even though the island isn't very big, I couldn't remember the turn off for the hotel when I was coming back from the airport. Of course, I went too far, so I asked for directions. On the way back, I had noticed our building where I will be working at. So, I turned around and went into the office to say hello. While I was there, I was told about a "wash 'n fold" which was inexpensive to have my cats bedding laundered.
I went to Ace Hardware and got them a couple of "fleece" blankets to have in their carriers and on the cement shelf their food is on. While traveling back to the quarantine place, I found the "island vet" and the realtor's office. I spent about 45 minutes with my cats later in the afternoon. They seemed as content as I suppose they could feel. I'm sure they are still somewhat confused about what it going on. I will go back everyday for a visit - though I won't be able to go at the same time each day.
After visiting the 'kids", I went back by the "island vet's" office and the realtor's. Since I have been communicating with both for the last 6 months or so it was nice to meet both of them face-to-face. Today I will be changing out rental vehicles. The realtor's office is into a couple of different areas, 1 of which is rental vehicles. They are giving me a monthly rate which is "less expensive" than me keeping an airport vehicle for 2 weeks.
The "island vet" office helped me set up getting some food for my cats. Even though they haven't eaten much the 1st day and probably won't for most of the 1st week, I still don't want to run out of food, so as a precaution I'm ordering more food which will be here by the end of next week, approximately.
I say "approximately" only because a couple of boxes that I sent the week I left have already arrived, where boxes that I sent out in early April or the week prior to departure have not yet arrived.
The sun comes up early (around 5:00 a.m.) and goes down early around 6:00 p.m. Each morning (so far anyway) seems to be over-cast and then the clouds blow off and the sun comes out. Sleep right now is so-so. But I do what I can to be up all day.
This morning, Saturday April 24, I will go out to the quarantine office to see the kids. I have their clean towels so I will put them in the big carrier. Even the staff will tend to them, I will tend to them as well.
I will come back to the hotel and get ready for the day of house hunting.
Wish me luck.

Departure from Brunswick

I departed Brunswick Tuesday evening, April 20, 2010. Nana and I drove to Jacksonville early that evening.
Most hotel beds are on platforms but of course this wasn't the case. So the "loving children" had to stay in the bathroom because I didn't want to have to dig them out from underneath the bed the next morning. For the most part they did really well. Olive, the youngest, was the most focal though even she quieted down when the lights went out.
We got up at some "unhumanly" early hour. We arrived at the house airport with quite a bit of time which was good since it took us pretty much a hole hour to check in with the cats. I couldn't believe that both my suitcases weighed in under 50 lbs, so I did not have to pay any fees.
As I watched the kids go downstairs to their "holding spot" - Nana and I had breakfast before I got on the plane. There was a Massage place that opened up about 1 hour 30 minutes prior to me going through security so I got a real nice 15 minute Massage prior to getting on the plane.
That's it for my departure.