Island Life

Hafa Adai!! Hello to my wonderful family! I hope that this email finds everyone doing well and (for those in MT) staying warm! I definitely don't have that snow issue to deal with, so I am not going to complain :) I figured I would wait until life settled down a bit here before giving everyone an update.

It has been a crazy couple of months (hard to believe it has been that long already) here on island. I arrived on January 4th. The first two weeks were spent looking for an apartment and trying to find a car, of course, it was a little rushed as I was going underway on the 18th of January with the USS FRANK CABLE and would be gone for over 3 weeks. I found a two-bedroom, furnished apartment with an ocean view and only about a 15 minute walk to the beach, so I was happy with that. I also purchased a 2008 Nissan Titan, 4-doors, and I was happy with that. So those things were taken care of before I went out with my first ship.

I was gone for over 3 weeks, and we went to Malaysia. We were there for about 6 days. While there I participated in Habitat for Humanity, which was very interesting see as how every house around here is made out of cement due to typhoons, so it was a different building experience than other times I have helped, but it was still awesome. I also hiked Mount Kinabalu. That is the picture of me on the summit about 4.5 hours after I started the hike. Definitely not easy, but so much fun! I would do it again in a heart beat, and I am looking forward to hiking Mount Fuji. Maybe I will wait until Mike gets over here and we can do it together! :)

As far as office life, it is going well. I love my job, which is a good thing, and I love the people I work with. The best thing about being a legal assistance/defense attorney is that you never know what is going to walk through the door. I have seen a ton of different issues in a very short time span, and have already personally represented 2 individuals in an administrative separation board (basically determines whether to kick someone out of the Navy). I was able to keep one guy in, and the other one will be determined in a week, so we will see.

There is a lot to do to keep busy here on the island, especially if you like the outdoors. Next week I will get my scuba diving certification. I also hope to try to pick up windsurfing. There are plenty of hikes around the island to different waterfalls, or caves or other jungle areas, and there are always races of some sort going on, whether it is a triathlon, or cycling or running, so I am excited to try to keep busy that way as well. I definitely miss the great state of MT, though, and all my family. I won't be making the family picnic this year, which I am disappointed in because it sounds like it is going to be awesome!

I hope that those of you suffering through cold and snow don't have to suffer much longer. Meanwhile, I will just kick back and enjoy my sunny, 80 degree weather! Miss and love you all!

Love
Jen

The Big Dig on Groundhog Day

Jake came up to Chicago on Groundhog Day to take his practical boards (where actors come in and complain about fake symptoms and Jake gives them a fake diagnosis). He was driving home to our place from the test in the suburbs during the worst of the Chicago Blizzard of 2011. Because pieces of Wrigley were flying off onto Addison, he had to drive up an unplowed side street, and he got his rental car stuck - in the middle of the street.Luckily a police officer in an SUV came up behind him to save the day. But the cop got stuck too.

I came out with two shovels shortly after midnight and Jake and I dug out the car enough so that he could drive off the road into a parking lot entrance. Jake was in his suit and dress shoes and it was a total whiteout with blinding snow. We also dug out the policeman. And a taxi driver down the street. It was crazy - cars stuck in the middle of the road all over the place.

The next day, we had to go dig Jake's car out. Here are some pics of our effort. Pretty fun adventure.

Eat Your Little Cousin Hearts Out!!

I know that you are all very jealous of my prize from Shape Up Montana.  You cousins may be good in the miles, but look who picks up the prizes - that's right the WinByMoores!!  Try not to be too jealous of my prize!!

New Guests

My guest room has some new tenants. I got a new dog from Sandy and there might have been a conversation that my new dog, Lark, may be pregnant but somewhat unlikely. Well I woke up Tuesday morning to a new addition and three more shortly after. I'll be driving them up to Great Falls in a couple weeks for Sandy to handle as she has a waiting list for Papillon puppies. Fun!

Something on the blog

It has been pretty quiet on this blog after the run of birthdays. Here's some news. I'm in beautiful downtown Havre. As you can see by the map, it's almost Canadian. That's about it for news. Once my living room project is done (maybe 2012), I'll post some photos of the outcome. I'll keep plugging at it.

Meanwhile, we need more news on this site. Post some photos. Bri and Peter, how was your Florida trip? Maurika, how was Rileigh's party? Hannah, are you recovering well? Jimmy, we haven't seen any views of your new house yet. Mary, folks might like a good view of your new hairstyle -- quite a change after umpteen years. Jan and Marc, how was the trip to Billings? Tom and Jeanine, how was your visit with Mom?

See -- there's plenty to post about. Break away from Facebook and give the fam some insights. Thanks.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, OLD MAN RIVER!

Happy Birthday, Dad! We sure wish we could be there to help you celebrate. Will would probably have you out repeating the snowman (if there was enough snow) and definitely have you repeating movie night! But we hope whatever it is that you get to do on your birthday is loads of fun! Well...as much fun as a 60 year old man can have. :)

Love you!
Matt, Kelly, Will, Ben and Leo

Happy Birthday, Tom!

The celebrations just keep coming. Happy birthday to my dad who turns 52 today. Hope you have a great day in Billings and that you and mom go somewhere good for dinner tonight. Stay warm. You're an awesome dad/husband/uncle/brother/son. We love ya.

Happy Anniversary, Connie & Bill!

Well I made it under the wire!  Happy 36th anniversary to you both!  One of my favorite memories of you guys as a couple was the dinner at the Broker in Denver.  That was a blast!  Our celebration of our 30th anniversaries in Polson with the Wingerters.  We know how to have a good time!!!  Hope you enjoyed your day!