The Long Flight to Misawa

Josh has now arrived in Misawa but it took him six days to get there when it should have just taken him two.  

Day 1-

We dropped him off at the airport in Las Vegas with no hitches or worries. Little did we know that this would be the only smooth portion of the trip. He arrived in Seattle at 10:30pm and went up to the USO to check in and take a shower and get some rest. 

Day 2-

Josh went down stairs at 1:45am to wait in line for the 2:30am check in. He turned in a copy of his orders and checked his bags and then it was waiting until 8:30am to board.  The plane was scheduled for an on time departure and had pulled back from the gate when the pilot came on the overhead speaker and said that an indicator light had come on.  All the passengers needed to get off the plane so the crew could look at it. They thought it would be an easy fix and should be back on schedule in about an hour. They were boarded a second time and pulled away from the ramp and taxied toward the runway but stopped short and sat for a while. This was about 1:00PM in the afternoon. The pilot came back on the radio and said that the issue was not resolved and they could not fly at all and the flight would be cancelled that day. Josh was instructed to pick up my bags and we would be given further instructions at the baggage claim. The bags arrived after about 45 min of waiting. The airline said we would be given a travel voucher that would cover food and a hotel.  They were told to report back at 2:30am to check back in. 

Day 3- 

Josh checked and was told the flight was delayed until around 1:30pm. He hung around the terminal until 1:00pm when they were told that the flight was not going to be going that day and they should go back to the hotel. They were told that a second aircraft was being flown in because the first one was not going to be fixed that next day. 

Day 4-

Josh checked in at 6:30am.  The new plane arrived and everything was looking good. Then the Airline rep announced that during the pre-flight inspection of the new jet, a fuel leak had been discovered and the flight was cancelled. Yes, two airplanes stuck on the ground and back to the hotel Josh went. This time without his bags because they were checked and the airline was not going to release them.

Day 5-

Josh was told to check in at 4:30am.  About 45 min before loading the plane they were told that the flight was not happening and they should go to the baggage claim to get their stuff. The long processional of tired travelers shuffled to get bags and another voucher for the hotel because they had cleared the rooms. At that time they were told that the hotel was not available and they might be stuck in the airport. That made people angry but the airport staff called and found rooms for everyone. Some of the younger airmen doubled in rooms for the night but Josh was able to get a room on my own. They were told to check back in at 6:00am the next day. 

Day 6-

After a good night sleep and the beginning of stomach issues Josh made it to the airport. As the departure time of 1:30pm grew closer people become more nervous. At 12:30pm, a functioning aircraft pulled up to the gate but they were still not convinced because they had seen this before. Then the call for strollers and other large items was made. The air started to become electric as we may just get out of our current state in a few moments. Then the call for families was made and people became even more excited. Soon they were seats but still not totally relaxed because they had been here twice before. The pilot came on and said that we had been cleared for takeoff- 9hr and 30 min. of flight time. They were given two hot meals and encouraged to walk up and down the rows when the ride was smooth. The land of the rising sun was finally in view and it was GREEN- no brown or dirt, just tall green trees with real grass and humidity. 

Since his arrival, Josh has worked fast.  He has gotten our house, a car, some yen, and new phones as Japan has it's own carriers.  He should have everything all set up for us when our arrival time comes.

Enjoying our time time in Las Vegas while Josh is working hard in Japan.  With our cousins, the Berger's, at the Bellagio Gardens.

 

The Business of moving to Misawa

Day 1- Long Term Storage
The movers came to pack up our things that are going to be sent to Long Term Storage and loaded them on the van.  These are items that we want but that we are afraid we will not have room or use for in Japan.  We sent things like our photo albums and scrapbooks, my hope chest, my decorative dolls, our fine china, and the piano.  We will need a piano in Japan so we will just have to buy a keyboard.  It is a lot more expensive to rent a storage unit in Japan but it does make me a little nervous that we will not see any of these precious items for at least three years. 

Day 2- Household Goods
To prepare for the movers, we set up a “Safe zone” in our kitchen. It is a blue taped area that holds all of the items we will take to the temporary living facility, that we need for school, ballet and yoga, and that we will take on the plane.  We also have placed all the unaccompanied baggage into our playroom.  They will be picked up on Day 3. These items arrive to Japan faster and they consist of our clothes, pro gear, kitchen necessities, and toys for the kids.  All of this has taken a lot of prep and a lot of Zip Lock bags (for little items) but I think it will pay off on the flip side.
The movers came and worked fast.  They both boxed and loaded and filled three storage crates.  I have begun leaving “an offering”, as I call it, on the front porch of the items that the movers will not take.  I have left cleaning supplies, food stuffs, kitchen items, lawn care, and car care items out.  Then I post on the Nellis Wives Face Book page and watch people come with wagons to haul the stuff away. It is quite amusing to me. 

Day 3- Household Goods, Unaccompanied Baggage, Temporary Living Facility
The movers are going along well and we have been happy with the fact that they pack the boxes and then load them into the van. This did not happen in Springville and it seems to be a more organized and efficient way of loading.  They took the Unaccompanied Baggage today.  We sorted the kitchen items that we wanted onto the table so they could easily box them and the playroom was full of the rest of the items- toys for the kids, pro gear, our clothing.  At the end of the day, the only things left to pack in the house were the remaining kitchen items and the coat closet. 
We were able to move into the Temporary Living Facility a day earlier than we expected.  We are on the same side of base as our housing so I will just drive the kids to the bus stop in the mornings.  The TLF is roomy enough with laundry facilities, kitchenette, internet, and cable.  Bear was thrilled to have her own little bedroom as the TLF has three.  I told her to soak it up because that will not be the arrangement in Japan.  It was surreal to leave our house and drive down the street to another living arrangement.  I am starting to feel melancholy.  I am starting to say goodbye to people as my yoga classes whittle down and the school year starts to end.  

Day 4- Household Goods, Cleaning Day
The movers took the last of the items and drove the truck away.  All of our memories and belongings are spread between three shipments now and we hope to see them again in time.  We went to the house to say goodbye and reminisce on some of our favorite things about the house and Nellis.  I will miss hearing the kids laughing out on the trampoline.  I will miss watching the kids dance in the living room.  I will miss teaching ballet to the neighborhood kids.  I will deeply miss our across the street neighbors and best friends, the Bloom’s.  I wish there was a way to know what I would have been attached to when we first moved in two years ago.  Then I would have held on to those precious things and savored every moment.