Greetings fellow reader(s):

I hope all everyone has  had a wonderful Christmas, regardless of what religious background you claim.  I had a great Christmas with my Family this year.  Of course, any Christmas one spends with thier family would certainly be a great Christmas.  Eventhough this Christmas didn't have the living room floor covered in presents like it did in past years.  The economy hits home here in Japan, perhaps not as hard as it has hit in the Untied States, but we certainly feel it as well.

Other than being with Family, another highlight would be the Wii the kids got for Christmas.  When the kids opened it, I couldn't wait to play it.  Of course, I was the first one playing on it.

Yet another year has passed.  The Year 2009 will certainly be a memorable year for Americans and the world.  A new President who I hope restores the way the world views the Americans.  Someone who loves to travel the world, I don't really want to be viewed as a "Bully," which is how many countries of the world views us.  When I visit certain countries, I actually tell people I'm Canadian.

Enough for now, HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone!  Stay safe and take care of yourself and your Family.

Greetings all...

It has been quite a while since I've written. Since my last posting, I have been TDY to Qatar. It is late, and I'm tired, I'll have to write something more later.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to all!

-James

Fellow Readers... (Whomever that may be...)

Just some updates.  July was a busy month for me.  My little baby had to have surgery, so we were flown Hawaii where Doctors at Tripler Army Medical Center (TAMC) operated on my little girl.  The surgery went well, and we are very thankful.

It was very nice to visit Hawaii, but I was glad, as always, to get back home.  My Dad was fortunate enough to make it over to be with Audrey and I during the surgery.  This was the first time he had flown since around 1966.  Airports and aircraft have changed dramatically since then, huh?

I'm back to work now, and actually looked forward to coming to work for the first time in a long time.  The weather is raining, as usual this time in the pacific.  August is just around the corner, and school will be starting.

Sabayon Linux 3.5 was released while I was gone.  I'm downloading it now, and will install it when it's done downloading or later on this week.  Probably won't be done downloading until later on this week.  My ISP sucks over here.

As far as my website goes, I plan on redoing it once again.  It needs a new look.  I'm pretty much tired of the look.  And since I have more time now, I plan on hand coding my new site.  As soon as I come up with a color scheme, I'll get busy.

Enough for now... I'll try to post more later and include some photo's I took in Hawaii...

-ME

Another Day down, and that much closer to the baby's surgery. Audrey is scheduled for surgery on the 9^th of July. Audrey and I fly into Hawaii on the 6^th, and our appointments start the next day. Not only do I have the surgery to worry about, but I'm also concerned with the financial aspects as well. I can't really afford to send Cathy, John, Matthew & Jaymie there to be with Audrey. If the duration of stay was 1 week or less I would consider letting the kids stay here in Misawa with friends, but that is out of the question, due to the fact that we will probably be there for atleast one month. Additionally, I'm trying to buy my Dad tickets to fly from Atlanta to Hawaii so he can spend some time with the kids. He hasn't seen them in 2 years. Even though I have not promised the kids that he will be there, some reason they seem to be expecting him to be there. I keep telling them I will try, and attempted to explain to them that this is going to cost a lot of money and we have to be carefull not to spend too much.

This weekend we are planning another offroad trip to the mountains. This time there will be some new people attending. We are meeting up at the BX parking lot at 6:50 am and departing for the mountains at 7:am and meeting up with our Japanese Counterparts at 8:am at redbridge camping area. Can't wait for this, looks like it's going to be a good turnout, so we should have lots of fun.

Another thing to add... It is awesome that I don't have any school work to deal with after work! I'm taking a summer break. Depending on work, probably a fall break. I'm thinking of starting back to shool in late October.

Finals are finally done!!!  I will not be taking classes this summer.  Things are just too hectic around the house, with Audrey having surgery and all.  Now that this class is over, I’ll have time to do some things I have been putting off.  Not that I can list anything now.  But, I’ll have time to do stuff anyway.  Like wax my vehicle… uhh… work on my website… well… after I get back from Hawaii that is. 

My friend David is deploying soon, so this weekend we will be going back out to the mountains for some trail riding.  A couple of our Japanese friends from the Jimny Club will be there.  I wish all the guys from the last trip could show up, that would be awesome!  But, it will be lots of fun anyway. 

As for other updates, this is the last week of school for the kids.  Jaymie’s last day was earlier for SureStart (pre-K).  She has done Awesome and I forsee no problems in Kindergarten.  Work is the same… working long hours with no evidence of accomplishment.  Morale is… wait… what is that?  But, that’s ok.  There is light at the end of the Tunnel in August.

This was the long awaited, camp and trail ride.  I was really looking forward to this.  I got a chance to hang out with some great people and do some offroading.  Although I was not driving a Jimny, I think my Toyota Hilux Surf (4Runner),  held up rather nicely.

Everyone lining up to "Head for the Mountains... " 

 Jaymie & Omee (Spelling?)

Another Mountain Trail

"Mountain Man..." going down GOOD HIGHWAY!

Jaymie... ドキューン！　撃たれたー！　　でもかわゆいから許してあげる！

For more pictures, check out my gallery @ http://www.strickstuff.com/photo/v/may08_camp and check out the videos of this trip @ http://www.strickstuff.com/jimnyclub.php 

Also check out Taguchi-san's blog @ http://minkara.carview.co.jp/userid/366083/blog/ 

More later...

JAMES!!!

Greetings all...

Once again, it's been a while since I've posted anything.  I've been staying extremely busy.  I'm taking 2 more classes, as I've mentioned before and the Algebra class is whoopin' my buttocks.  I thought I was good in math but guess not that  good.  Alot has happened since my last post.  I’m also working on another website for the LRS Spouse Group.  http://www.35lrsspouse.com  I’ve almost got template done, just need to finish it up and add content, then troubleshoot any errors.

First of all, I recently got rid of my Pajero.  Guy payed me 10,000 yen ($100) and drove it away to a junk yard.  Same week, I found a 1992 Toyota Surf (4Runner) and paid $1500 for it.  It’s an awesome vehicle, but the v6 uses more fuel than my previous 4 cylinder diesel.

Our new Baby Audrey is growing like a weed.  She's over 1 month now and is eating more, pooping more, and sometimes crying more.  She was recently diagnosed with craniosynostosis, which is where (basically) the skull grows back too fast and causes deformity.  Now, luckily Audrey’s condition isn’t too bad, where it affects her brain, but still requires surgery.  I have an appointment in Trippler Army Medical Center in Hawaii in July.  The Government only pays for one person to fly over, which is going to be me, so if my wife goes, we’re going to have to pay for it out of our pocket.  I can’t really afford it, but I’m going to try my best to get this done.  Enough abou that.

Planning an offroad adventure / camping trip this weekend… Just an over nighter in the mountains.  Can’t wait to get out there.  The kids are really looking forward to going, and to be honest, so am I. 

Enough for now.  I’m tired of typing…

Audrey Elaine Strickland

Wife had some complications, and had to have a "C" section, but the baby (who is 3.5 weeks early) is doing well. She was 7 pounds and 1 ounce. And both Mommy and Baby are doing well!

more pictures here.

Since that I have been on night shift, I have been missing my Aikido Classes.  I feel bad, that is good training which is just as good for your mind and spirit.  I'm going to try to get back into going next month.  For some reason I feel guilty.  I could actually go atleast once a week.  Since I work weekend duty, I could go on the Wednesday class.  But the problem is, I would never get any time to spend with the kids.  Since I work nights (actually swings... we don't have a nite shift), when I leave for work, the kids are not home from school yet, and when I get home the kids are already in bed.  In the morning, I'm sleeping while they are getting ready for school.  So I don't even see the kids until Wednesdays, my days off are Wednesday and Thursday.  I need to get in the gym and practice my ukimi before I get back into the class.

HAPPY MARCH!  March is the month of my anniversary.  10 years?  I can't believe it.  someone has put up with me for 10 years... or I have put up with my wife for 10 years.  Man... time flies when you're having fun...  So be sure to wish us a Happy Anniversary.  I bought Cathy a nice diamond ring, I figured since I've never really bought her a diamond, I would do it now.  I certainly couldn't afford a diamond ring when we first got married.  Anyway, March 3rd was our Anniversary.  Enough about that.

Changed the theme again, for the blog.  I'm sure you've already noticed.  I'm working on changing the looks of my main site as well.  I changed my wifes sewing site around already.  http://www.stricklysewing.com.  Let me know what you think; I made it look all perty with butterflies and such.  I'm thinking about going with a darker look on my main site.  Anyway, it will be about a week or so before you see any changes, if any.  I have to get off my lazy butt and actually write some code... but, don't feel like it right now.  That's ok, I've already accomplished the easy part by talking about it. 

That will be enough for now.