It's hard to believe fall is almost here and that the holidays are approaching as I peek out my window and see blazing sun and a thermometer that reads 91 degrees. John and I are quickly approaching our 5 "month-a-versary" here in Guam and I feel like we are starting to finally find something of a groove since our June 1st arrival.
When we first arrived in Japan, it only took about 48 hours for me to realize I had a major crush on Japanese culture and the local people. It was a crush that turned into a love affair during our 3 year stay, and one that I think will stay with me my whole life. With Guam, it has been a really different story. We had some pretty unsettling first impressions and have struggled with understanding many aspects of the culture, political structure, and social behaviors here. To be honest, we both still are, but at least are able to limp along well enough to stop sticking out like big "off island" sore thumbs.
On September 16th, John was finally pinned as a CPO and the intitiation process came to a much anticipated end. He was underway during the pinning ceremony, but when he returned I almost didn't recognize him walking down the pier in his khakis! Just a couple days after he arrived home it was off to the Khaki Ball at Pacific Islands Club. It was a really great event and the guest speaker was the MCPON (Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy), who at one point was actually stationed on the Frank Cable. Although I tease John about being a professional, adult babysitter now, he really is enjoying being a CPO and is worlds happier than he was on the Stethem.
School has been keeping me pretty busy, and I'm about half way through my first session of fall courses. I'm taking an American Lit. class so I've been spending lots of time reading of late. I've also started hula lessons every Friday, and began volunteering at the local USO just this month. In late September I went on an island tour and also volunteered for a couple beach clean-ups, so I've been getting out and seeing more of the local sights and wildlife- including my first, real live brown tree snake!
I've also been attempting to get out and try a few new local restaurants as well, but after a few rounds of food poisoning, I've been cautious. My favorite place these days is Jamaican Grill in Chamorro Village. I just love their grilled fish and Jamaican ginger beer! John and I also tried Lonestar Steakhouse and give it the thumbs up. Their bourbon mahi mahi is really tasty!
With friends and family coming to visit over the next couple months, I've been doing my best to scope out the best of the best and steer clear of the questionable!
This past week the "Echos of Doom" patch came out in anticipation of Wrath of the Lich King's release next month, so John and I have both been enjoying the new 51 point talents and trying to earn lots of new achievements with our WoW toons.
I know I've been lacking in the blogging department lately, but I'm going to make an effort to put up more posts in the coming months!
When taking a look at the Hallmark calendar, Halloween is definitely one of my favorite holidays to celebrate and decorate for. It is usually my practice to go all out, but for some reason this year I haven't even as much as carved a pumpkin or put up a single decoration. I'm not really sure why, but I think it may have something to do with it feeling like perpetual summer here and fall just seems like a distant memory rather than an observable season. I've been enjoying the joys of fall weather vicariously through my blog buddies' postings. 
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