If I Were a Kid, This Would Be Cool

Can you believe that it is already the end of March? Like a week away or less. When I was in school, the distance between Christmas break and Summer break was amazingly long, infinitely long, a product of quantum physics long, tectonically slow even. But here it is, the official start of spring is either here or about to happen--good ole' Punxsutawney Phil (way to look the other way)--and I'm still wondering when I'll get to the rest of my Christmas presents.

Did we even have a February this year?

The end of March also means the beginning of April, and while that may not surprise even a few of you, it's a definite surprise for me as it pushes me even closer and closer to a life altering relocation. I booked an appointment for the movers to come in and grab an "urgent" shipment: stuff that's supposed to hold me over until Lilah gets there with the bulk of our household goods. That also means that I need to buckle down and start unloading everything we don't plan on taking or storing.

Does anyone want a cat?

The "gravity" is setting in. The weight of knowing that I'm not only leaving Washington--just a mere car ride away from anywhere in America (except Hawaii of course... unless you were to sit in your car on the barge in which case that might count), but actually leaving the country. I imagine that this is how a baseball must feel going over the wall at Shea stadium, although I've never been to Shea Stadium and truthfully the ball might be happy to get away from the prospect of another attack by the bat of a roid raging bazillionaire. I digress.

Did I mention the cats? Two for the price of one, and the first one is free!

I wonder if there will be any surprise going away parties. Just in case, I like Margaritas and German Chocolate cake... though not necessarily at the same time.

It's a Boy!

So, it's been forever since last we posted about anything concerning the family. Well, we have a new addition! This is Chase. Technically and officially, his name is Snowtaire's Oliver with a Twist, but that's kind of a mouthfull, and he seems happy enough to go by Chase.

Thomas and Chase are fast buddies. No really, Chase and Thomas get along great. Never a single growl or hiss or anything from the day they met. Of course, Thomas might have thought he'd been hitting the kat knipp a wee bit too hard the first night Chase came home. Upon study, it's easy to tell the difference between the two, but at first glance even the best of us would think we were seeing double.

Chase and Calla took a little longer warming up to each other. Chase didn't take long establishing his dominance, even though it was a very polite establishment, there's no doubt that he's calling the shots. And things are good. The two of them share a kennel during the day and a crate at night and it's been a very good time for all.

So, Chase is a late addition to the Troxel family. And, of course by now most of you know we're heading to Japan. Getting Chase and Calla there is a bit of a shindigg. In order to get them into the country we have to have them micro-chipped with a special Euro-chip, vaccinated for Rabies again, and then the big step is to keep them in the country of departure (that's the US) for 6 months before they can can leave for Japan. In order to accomplish this, Lilah will be trailing behind me by about 4 to 5 months. If that sounds crummy, you're right: it is. But, it does give us an opportunity for me to get us a house and a car in Japan so that by the time Lilah and the Furry Fam get there it will be a turn key transition.

Speaking of Japan, I just got back. SO if you're wondering why I haven't blogged or called or stopped by to say hi, it's because I wasn't here. Jet lag has really taken its toll on me this go around, but other than that, a pretty enjoyable trip. And at least I didn't get sick this time!

Okay, here's some more pictures.

I am SO "Pro-Race track"

Of course that doesn't mean much in bureaucratic... uh I mean beautiful Washington State. Add this notch to the bed post along with "We don't want a tunnel under our waterfront, we like a double decker road inbetween us and the view of our ocean" and the ever popular "Monorail? We don't need no (non)stinkin' Monorail! Give us diesel powered light rail instead... it's much more (non)environmental."

In fact, the more you look at the decisions of Washington State and its residents the more the anti-race track mentality doesn't make sense. I mean, given the opportunity to increase ferry capacity by adding more boats, the residents of Kitsap resoundingly stated with their votes that "no, in fact, we would prefer that you drive your car around the Puget Sound... in fact, make that car an SUV and if your family could, please take seperate vehicles."

Maybe if we could somehow classify the race cars as native salmon we could steal the land from the rightful owners and declare the track a right of way.

Vroom!

"I want a baby!" He said.

For those of you who've thought that we'd continue putting this off until we were in our forties, fear not! I'm getting baby fever and Lilah is running out of places to hide. Of course, she'll blame the delay on me and yet again she would be correct. Tomorrow ends a two week project management course that I've been attending here in somewhat sunny San Diego.

For those of you who follow Jen's blog, you'll have read about this course in her January post as she just did a similar 12 day stint for her project team. This being my first time at this management course, I've had a lot of fun and have learned a lot. Also, there were a couple of cool days doing activities: one on ropes which is a good team builder that involves climbing some 60' alpine tower and another day doing a scavenger hunt in down town San Diego.

All in all, I'm more than ready to get home and start packing the house up for Japan. I'm still in discussion with SRF to get the Student Loan Repayment program authorized, but the likelihood of us not going is very slim at this point. In fact, it looks like I will be taking a trip to Japan the end of this month (Feb) or the start of next month for about 2 weeks. Unfortunately this is really a required trip to get some of the foundations laid that are needed for the changes we're making, but it comes at a point and time when I should be focusing on other things like BABIES and my wife and our household goods, etc.

Well, I'll be flying back tomorrow afternoon and then going to the Stewarts' house for dinner.

More to follow.

Back From Japan!

Well, it was a good trip and we made it back safe and sound and in one piece. I have officially accepted the position as PEPM for SRF Yokosuka, Japan. We are expected to be completely moved there no later than the end of April, so there's not a whole lot of transition time between here and there, either.

Most of the pictures below were taken by Lilah, as she was able to tour around the area with Sally, the wife of our Sponsor and my soon to be boss--LCDR Kyle Lee. I on the other hand got to work and suffer through a terrible cold that I started catching the day before we left. All the same, it was a great trip and we're very excited. If you look at the last picture below, you'll see the Shipyard commander, Captain Douglas; she is the third person from the left.

The flight was long but not nearly as bad as I'd expected it to be. The way there was nearly a full three hours longer than the way back because during this time of year the Jet Stream is smack dab in our path the whole way. That made for a nearly 11 hour flight. But the way back was a quick 8 hours and I slept through most of it. Lilah's flight with North West Airlines wasn't as fast and did have a 6 hour layover in Honolulu, but she said it was a good flight, too.

Okay, enjoy the pictures.

Up Up and Away!

Well, this is the first big step. We're leaving tomorrow morning to head to Japan for a week, Sunday to Sunday. Unfortunately, we had to do some creative flight plans to afford Lilah's ticket on such short notice (from the government) and as a result she's flying a completely different airline than I am, though we arrive within about a half hour of each other.

We're pretty excited. This will be a short trip what with how much time is given to travel, but we expect to come back with a definite yes on the trip, unless we just get the worst deal possible in which case my next post will be all about the great move we're making to DC.

Anyway, this trip will be the first time we've kenneled Calla. She's been very lucky to have a great boyfriend who's usually available; but Bode's parents are taking him up to Whistler for some posh living, so Calla's going to try out Aldercreek Boarding.

No pictures at the moment to share, but I do expect to have quite the selection for everyone when we get back, in addition to some final draft drawings for the house. So, see you in about a week.

:j

Merry Christmas

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

Merry Christmas and God Bless from the Troxels.

Last Day in DC

So, with only a little reluctance, I'm happy to be heading home. Washington DC is a beautiful place and has been a great place to visit.

Yet, it's never worth enjoying without Lilah; and yes, we spend entirely too much time apart. This has, however, been everything for my career that we anticipated it would be and now as we have made the decision to move to Japan, we're definitly going to be spending some quality adventure time together. With Lilah taking on the roll of non-employed house wife for the first time, I'm very excited. Of course, there is also the talk of family and that in itself will be an incredible adventure. So many exciting things about to happen.

So Farewell DC! Perhaps we shall meet again.

Ohayo Gozaimasu!

For those who have been waiting on baited breath... we're heading to Japan. I know that there are a million questions that need to be answered, because honestly we're the first in line with those questions.

What we do know is that it will take a number of months to actually get out of here and over there. We are going to do a week or so site visit during the second week of January and then start the arduous task of getting all our house hold items seperated into Pitch, Donate, Store, or Transport piles. There are also quite a few legal issues to deal with, a house builder to coordinate with--yes we're keeping our house and keeping our remodelling plans--there are literally an unknown number of things that need to be done and done as quickly as possible.

And yes, we are very excited!

Lilah's Successful Surgery

Yup, she's out of her oral surgery and doing well. Not much more to say than that... she's doing fine and we'll be making our very big decision on where we're moving to by Monday.

For those who haven't heard, we have two official job offers: one in Washington DC and one in Yokosuka, Japan. Both are senior management positions, both are excellent career opportunities, both have their plusses and minuses. For Japan there is the experience of a lifetime, the chance to learn a new language and culture, more waterfront management experience, and the challenge of tackling a high-profile objective and making or breaking a career on the rocks of success or failure. But Japan is a three year minimum tour and that means not seeing friends or family for a very long time. DC offers the allure of our Nation's capital, the excitement of corporate headquarters and the career opportunities in budgeting and finance, the ability to rapidly rise amongst the ranks, and the better path toward the top echelon of management. But DC is much more expensive and would require Lilah to work instead of focusing on a family and maybe an advanced degree.

As I've told everyone I've talked to about this: there is no easy choice or decision... if there were, it would have already been made. We're up against a deadline for the Japan offer and that means making our decision by Monday.

I guess you'll know when we do.

:j