Coming to an end

So this is probably my last entry for the Travel blog of Maddie. I made it back last Wednesday. It was a really long flight since I wasn't able to sleep due to a horrible headache. It was really turbulent coming into Salt Lake, and the girl ahead of me was throwing up and I had to pee so bad but the lady next to me had two full cups and a ton of stuff on her tray that I couldn't figure out how I would get out. Especially since the first time I got out to use the restroom she made me crawl over her. Anyways, they fed us a lot and I got to watch a bunch of movies that i wanted to see. I had a long layover in SLC so I tried to nap a bit, it was really windy so on the way home I knew I was bound to get sick especially riding in a dinky plane. I was actually able to sleep which was nice; however, it didn't help that the guy behind me was throwing up as well. But all in all I made it here lack of sleep and sick. The next day Jack and I had to go up to Great Falls to pick up my car and get some of the paperwork done, which actually went very smoothly and I was in shock because I wasn't use to having things go well with that sort of things. I haven't had a problem driving, except when I turn I get confused on what side to turn to and I drive really slow. We didn't get back to Helena until 11pm so then I slept in for a good 13 hours. I am having trouble adjusting to the time and my sleep schedule. I have been applying to some positions at the hospital but none have come through yet. Jack has some connections with the ambulance crew so we'll see what comes of that. This weekend I will be heading to Bozeman for my birthday and a wedding and then when I get back it will be off to the jobs. Wish me luck.

Last Weekend

So this was my last weekend here in Okinawa. We did a few more things while the weather was nice for a day. I finished up working on the 9th so I had been getting ready to head back. On Saturday we finally had a nice day, and took advantage of it. We went to a beach for the morning, the swimming area was really shallow and the tide was going out so we didn't really get in. But we were waiting for the tide to come back in so we could go snorkeling later. We went to our usual spot for snorkeling. The tides were so low that we think stirred up the water because it wasn't very clear and was hard to see sometimes. We still saw lots of fish and neat looking coral. I tried to take pictures but I'm still not very good at it.  The water was different too, there was spots where it was really hot like a bathtub, and then it got really cold, but it kept fogging up our masks.

 The next day was also nice, but we had made plans to go to the soccer game because we had free tickets again. It was a much better game then the last one. It still had bizarre entertainment shows. The picture is the Japanese version of power rangers I think. They were entertaining even though I didn't understand what was going on.

So I am headed home today, I'm excited, nervous, sad, and anxious. I am going to miss it here but I'm glad that I did come over here. I've learned a lot and accomplished a lot while I've been here. At first I had doubts about being here, but now I'm glad I ignored those and kept with it. It is an experience I won't forget and I've made a lot of friends too that I plan to keep in contact with. Now on to finding a job and waiting to hear from the schools.

Memorial Day Weekend

Yes we do celebrate Memorial Day over here, so we had a day off on Monday. The weekend was crammed pack with fun. On Friday I didn’t go to work and some of my coworkers wanted to go to a place called Forest Adventure Park. It is a park that is where you get to go on zip lines and then go through an obstacle ropes course. It was really fun, I thought I would be afraid of the heights on the zip lines but it was really fun. The only part I had trouble with was the tarzan swing. It is really high, and you clip on to a cable and just jump off of a platform and it will catch you but then you swing into a cargo net. We ended up going through the course twice, which by the end my arms were so tired. The next day was even worse, I was having trouble moving my arms and legs, but it was worth it.

            The next day my parents and a lady that works with my mom came with us to the Orion beer factory. Orion is like the main event here. It is very popular. The tour was basically a pamphlet we read as we walked through, but it was pretty interesting. The get their grains and hops from Germany and the Czech Repulic. The only thing they use here is the water which is from a spring that is to be very pure. (alright whatever they say). Then at the end of the tour you get to have 2 free beers it was awesome. Then we went to Pizza in the Sky, which by that time it was raining extremely hard, it was kind of scary because the roads weren’t draining and it was gushing down the mountains and washing logs and other debris out. So we made it to the restaurant hoping that there wouldn’t be that many crazy people that have drove up to the place. Well, we were wrong it was very busy, so we just waited and had excellent pizza.

            Sunday, we went to a FC Ryukyu soccer game. It was interesting. We had received free tickets at the hospital. It was sprinkling again, but that isn’t anything new here because it is the rainy season. The game was different they had a bunch of cheerleaders of all ages which was cute but different. The game was a close one but the teams aren’t really that great, I think my high school team could beat them, but it was still fun.

            Memorial day, we spent cleaning and getting some stuff sorted out for me because I will be returning soon. I have about a week left at work, which I am going to be sad to leave, but I’m so glad that I did come over here. I do remember when I first got here I was thinking ‘what am I doing, why don’t  I go home.’ I am glad I stuck it out, it has been a great learning experience here at the hospital and I hope to get a job when I get back. This day we went to a shopping center I’ve been wanting to go to but haven’t had time or a rainy day. It is a giant mall but the stores are actually separated by walls unlike Jusco. It was fun to look around.

Ryukyu Mura

The next two weeks my grandma and my uncle made a trip over from Washington to visit. It was great having them here and am glad they got to experience this little place of paradise. While they were here we did a few things that I haven't mentioned yet.


One thing is we went to the Peace Park again, but this time we took the time to go to the museum. It was an awesome museum and I learned a lot about the war. We were given head sets to wear and listen to as we walked through it. The displays were very graphic but it was all interestingly done. The top picture is from the viewing tower that over looks the park.


The next day, we went to a place called Ryukyu Mura. It is a small park where they have old villages and houses so that you can see what it was like back then. It was entertaining. They had dancers and performances at different times. When we got there we ended up watching the king and queen entrance ceremony. It started by having a parade resembling people of the court. They then had dancing, which I got asked twice to go and dance with them. Nothing awkward at all since I had no idea what to do and I was the tallest one out there. They also had a pottery area and an area where there was an ox that went around in a circle and turned the sugar cane press.

Last week my grandma and uncle headed back to the states. It was a nice day so my dad and I went snorkeling because I'm trying to get as much in as I can before i have to go back (June 16th). We went to Maeda Flats. It was awesome, there was a ton of different types of fish and coral. We also saw an eel which frightened me. So now we are anxious to get back in and do some more. I'm still working at the hospital which I actually received a few awards the last few weeks. We also had a mass casualty drill, which wasn't very fun. But I'm getting ready to apply and can't wait to get all of my stuff turned in. It also has been pouring non stop the last two days.

Shikaen Gardens

At the end of April we went to the Shikaen Gardens. It is said to be the royal gardens for the Shuri Castle emperor's guests. It was where they came to rest and stay. It was quite nice and peaceful. The day turned out to be very gorgeous so it made it even nicer. The garden is resembles that of Chinese influence, which a lot of Okinawa is. We spent the day there roaming around, it was very relaxing. Then as we were leaving we noticed a ton of people coming into the gardens. Once we got back to the parking lot there was 7-8 buses labeled princess cruise. News to me I didn't reallize they stopped over here. Also, there was an Okinawa wedding party that was entering to take pictures too, which was also interesting to see what they were wearing. The bride and groom wore traditional Japanese apparel and the party wore tuxes and dresses. After we left we drove down by the Naha warf to locate a fish market, we couldn't find it but we ended up finding the giant cruise ship. I have never seen one before and it surprised me how big it actually is.

The koi wind socks that are pictured above represent children's day. The last week in April and the first week of May the Japanese celebrate a holiday called golden week. It is basically a big vacation time for them and they tend to have a lot of events. The last day on May 5th is children's day. On this day you hang out a koi banner that represents the children in the family. It used to be just to honor the number of son's but as time changed it grew to be for all of the children. I ended up buying a koi sock. They are seen in many places through out this time.

Moon Beach

This weekend we actually had a nice one without any rain and the temperatures were nice. I wanted to go to the beach so with a little convincing everyone else was in. I wanted to go to a different beach that we would have a drive a little bit to instead of going to our usual. We decided on Moon Beach. In the summer you might have to pay to park but the beach is free. It is behind a resort, which also looks pretty nice too. The beach was very nice and there wasn't a whole lot of people there. We even managed to get into the water for a little bit, it wasn't too cold so that means snorkeling time is coming up.

Last weekend, We had a going away party for one of the nurses that works in the ICU. It was a 80's theme so I had to dress up. On a side note, I reached 1000 hours this week which was my goal. I'm continually plugging away with my school work and application. I am looking forward to my grandma and my uncle coming to visit us in the next week, it should be a fun time. Coming up soon here is what is called Gold week, it is a week long holiday for the Japanese, I will fill you in more about it once i find out more, but all I know is that there is a lot of activities going on then. 

Karaoke Fun!

Monday, I had my first experience with Japanese karaoke. It was interesting. A group from the SCU went out for one of our nurse's birthdays. The place was nice, it was called Big Echo. It sort of looked like an Italian restaurant, and the inside was as if some one decided to add onto the place. So then you rent a room that will fit your party. Inside the room is a big screen tv and a fancy karaoke set up with remotes and key pad things that we didn't really know what they said. They have songs in English so that is a plus but the words are also in Japanese. Basically you just hang out and sing and order drinks and food through a telephone. You seem to loose sense of time too in this magical karaoke room, so before I new it was 1130 and I had to work the next day.

This week we were pretty busy in both areas, so that was nice, except I managed to pick up the Okinawa crud which my mom has been battling with for the last couple of weeks. I think I only got a weakened version. Went to a surprise baby shower for the ward clerk in the SCU, it was pretty fun and then helped out with the hospital easter egg hunt. So I've been pretty busy. I'm looking to take the Red Cross disaster training courses which consists of 3 days for 3 hours. It is raining today so we are doing some shopping! woo hoo!