Author: Nikki J.

My new sporty shoes came in the mail over the weekend, and yesterday I got to break them in at the gym. Those of you who know me well are aware that I’m a high-heels and pretty shoes kind of girl, but these are rather fabulous. I love the shock of pink.

I am very sore today! Yesterday we worked on legs and butt. I love it when I can FEEL it! Chuck has focused on perfecting my form and style, so that I do the exercises correctly as we add more weight. This means that generally, I feel tired after a work out, but not that sore. Today is different, and I’m loving it!

Anyway, I am headed out shortly to do some Christmas shopping, because next week is DECEMBER! (Holy cow, when did that happen?) Shopping here is rather limited, so I hope I can scrounge up at least a few goodies…

William & Mary helps launch State Department’s Diplomacy Lab

“William & Mary is one of just two universities piloting a new program for the U.S. State Department that will help policy makers address pressing world issues.

Under the Diplomacy Lab program, faculty and student teams collaborate to tackle complex, real-world, diplomatic challenges.”

Man, I wish this program had been available when I was studying IR at W&M!! So cool!

William & Mary helps launch State Department’s Diplomacy Lab

My ideas come to me with a vengeance… late at night when I’m already in bed. When I try to open up my writing project during the day, I stare at it like a zombie and then eventually give up.

How does that even happen? That late night inspiration? It’s so terribly inconvenient.

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Fresh Day, Fresh Perspective

So, today I’m thinking I overreacted to the news of us potentially moving to Okinawa. Now that I’ve allowed it to digest, I’m starting to see it as more of an adventure than a lost opportunity. Everything has its pros and cons, but I think it could be fun. It could certainly be better than moving to another dead-end American town, that’s for sure.

As for that “day-to-day” experience I was worried about – it may be a great time to finally pursue an online Masters degree. That way, when I re-enter the work force in 3 years, I won’t have totally lost my relevance…

Of course, I really shouldn’t be putting so much thought into this anyway. The military is notorious for changing its mind, and we don’t even have orders yet!

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Surprise…!

… we are moving to Okinawa.

Actually, we don’t have orders yet, so I am trying not to freak out more than I already have. In an unexpected, early announcement from Chuck’s monitor, we found out we are “slated” to move to Japan in the spring. This is not great news for either of us, but especially for me. What the heck am I going to do in Okinawa? 😦

There is still hope though – Chuck is going to call the monitor and see if we have any other choice. This was not even remotely on our list of preferences, and we are still wondering why we weren’t given any options in the first place (like everyone else we know has.)

I’m just… tired. Twice this year I’ve had my hopes up for something a little better around the corner, but things just keep getting worse. I hate to be dramatic – and yes, I’m sure I’ll find things to love and experiences to value in Okinawa, just like I did in NC and GA – but I don’t particularly want to spend the next three years of my life on a remote, isolated little military base in the middle of the Pacific…

Giant chocolate cake is in the oven…

Currently coveting the Lexus RX 350, either in Starfire Pearl or Satin Cashmere (would have to see in-person first), with a Parchment Leather Espresso Bird’s Eye Maple Luxury Package for the interior.

I don’t even care that much about cars, and I love my little roadster Scarlett, but I’m always unwittingly attracted to Lexi – unfortunately. They may be just a tad outside of my price range… 🙂

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Tuesday…

This is the first full week I’ve had in a while where I have nothing big coming up, and I’m not recovering from anything just past. The next several weeks should be like that, which is kind of nice. Here’s a small life update:

  • Friday, we went to the PX to stalk Sarah Palin (not because we’re fans, but just because.) She was in town for a book signing. I was shocked at how many people showed up, especially women. I honestly didn’t think that many people liked her…
  • Saturday, Chuck went to the Marine Corps Ball, and I stayed home and watched Miss Universe. We figured it wasn’t worth $135 for us both to go to a party where we know no one. We’ve been to enough parties lately. Even Chuck was anxious to slip away.
  • Sunday we went to a local ice hockey game with another couple from Chuck’s class. That was really fun! I didn’t want to get attached to anyone while I’m here, but I’m getting increasingly fond of those two. Dang it! 🙂 
  • I’ve been to the gym a few more times with Chuck, but not as much as I’d like due to his schedule. I’m not quite ready to go on my own yet. I’m still getting the hang of the exercises and the machines, and a military base gym is rather intimidating. Way too many men being all beefy and making me feel uncomfortable. 
  • I’m noticing lately that I’m falling more nicely into the stay-at-home-wife routine than I was before. I hope I’m not getting addicted to sleeping in, being accountable to no one, etc. But it’s better than being overly anxious about it, I guess!
  • Season 3 of “Homeland” is awesome.
  • Chuck’s monitor asked for our top 3 picks for next duty station. I wish we could see a list of options, so we can pick 3 that may actually exist, but the good news is that MAYBE we will know where we are headed next by Christmas! 
  • We took the plunge and got a grown-up, rewards-based credit card. I’m pretty excited about it, and have had fun revamping our financial plan and our approach to making purchases. I only wish we had gotten it months ago, before we dropped thousands on weddings and a DITY move. C’est la vie! Speaking of which…
  • French is finally getting harder, and I’m loving it!

That’s pretty much it. My brain is feeling kind of warbled today (been battling a headache since 2 AM!) so I’m not even sure I’m making much sense. I can’t believe Thanksgiving is next week already – and Christmas is just about a month away! In some ways, time sure is flying…