Joe's Advancement to Chief

Joe has been thinking about his advancement from Petty Officer First Class to Chief Petty Officer for as long as I can remember. Every year it feels like the same process- an endless waiting game and supreme uncertainty.  This year was no different.

First, there's a qualifying exam.  Joe always says it is an impossible feat. It's a mental marathon of multiple choice questions and for someone who doesn't best exhibit their skill and mastery in testing situations, it can be a disheartening endeavor.  

After the exams are scored, candidates are either eligible to proceed or not based on their performance on the test.  Joe usually makes it to this point with ease.  Sailors are asked to assemble a collection of documents to highlight their accolades.

After submitting their portfolios, there's more waiting.  Sometime after that, the number of CPO vacancies are released.  This gives the prospective chiefs an idea of the probability of their advancement. One year I recall that the percentage of candidates selected for advancement was something abjectly dismal like 0.5%.  

Around the end of August, the selectee names are published. Joe was elated to discover that he was among the selectees.  He quickly scanned the list to see who else had advanced.  Many of Joe's friends had also made it. 

I'd share my distaste for the various traditions around the transition from First Class to Chief, but I don't want to impugn a tradition many believe in so ardently.  Selectees usually spend this month away from their families, sleep deprived, feverishly fundraising, and enduring desperate humiliation.  Joe's boat was on patrol during this time which I believed to be a blessing initially, but later discovered was just as bad as if he were not deployed.  We didn't have the benefit of being connected and supporting each other during this time. I think it made it harder on both of us.

Ultimately, the torment ends and the outcome is a nicer-looking uniform, a handsome salary increase, and validation of years of calculated sacrifices and hard work. 

These pictures are from Joe's advancement ceremony.  It was a beautiful albeit cool day filled with relief, excitement, and pride. 

Here we are at the Khaki Ball- a formal event reserved for Chiefs.  I've heard about it for years, but obviously had never attended. I love an excuse to get dressed up!

Early Achievers Conference

Child Care Aware of Washington hosted a two day conference at the Hotel Murano in Tacoma and I had the good fortune to attend. With Joe deployed, I wasn't sure if I'd be able to go since I didn't have anyone to watch the kiddos. Fortunately, Joe's wonderful parents were willing to travel from Michigan and Southern Oregon to help out!  I know how lucky I am to have their support. 

Here's Ann, Kristin, and Karin.  These women are incredible. They are passionate, intelligent, industrious, and kind. I absolutely love them. 

Here is Fran, myself, and Annie. Annie is the executive director of the organization and my boss. She hired me and I work hard every day to ensure that she has no remorse.  She is calm, knowledgeable, patient, grounded, professional, and committed to the cause. She's a wonderful mentor. 

Here's Jean, Connie, Sokha, and Betzy.  They're very supportive and I enjoy working with them. 

This is my girl Kathy!  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Kathy!  The mere thought of her laugh makes me smile!  She's so supportive and nurturing.  I'm so fortunate that she has taken me under her wing. 

This is Marissa and I.  I don't know what I would do without Marissa.  She validates my feelings and helps me to feel confident in my decisions. I'm sad she will be moving soon. She'll be difficult to replace. 

Here I am with Lory. I'm lucky to have her. My boys are lucky to have her. I feel very fortunate all around. 

The Old Spaghetti Factory in Tacoma

We went to Tacoma to go shopping for school clothes and while we were in the neighborhood, we stopped by the Old Spaghetti Factory.  I recall eating at the OSF at Ward Warehouse in Hawai'i as a child and later as a young adult.  It's such a great deal!  You always get piping hot sourdough bread with butter, a huge salad with yummy dressing, and a mammoth entree.  The boys always share a spaghetti and meatball.  Yes, singular.  It's the size of a fist and I need only cut it in half before the boys tear into it.  I have to take full advantage of how little the boys are especially in relation to their consumption of food.  My dear friend Theresa has a teenaged son named Thomas John and she says he eats approximately 22,000 calories a day.  No doubt that can be a large percentage of one's income so I have to keep that in mind for the future.  Here's a picture of them:

After the OSF, we made the obligatory stop at Hello, Cupcake. More like, Hello, that's why I've gained 5 pounds since discovering this gem a year ago!  I always get their chocolate-chocolate cupcake.  I also got the carrot cake (Jake Lee's fave) and a sprinkles cake.  If Joe were in tow, we would have gotten German Chocolate since its his favorite (bleh!) and is seasonal-only offered in September.  He wasn't present so I had free reign of cake options.

Third Grade

Here's my little, ah hem, BIG third grader on his first day of school.  I love that my position affords me the luxury of working around my life.  I was able to pick Joseph up from school and take him to get his favorite frozen yogurt so we could discuss his first day of a school.

I will likely never get used to my sons growing up.  Just when I think I've got a handle on one stage they transition to another.  That's always how I feel about the beginning of a new school year.  Third grade.  How can Joseph be in third grade if I remember my own third grade experiences like they were yesterday?  Mrs. Kakugawa at Haha'ione Elementary.  Reading about Thailand and memorizing the multiplication table.  Mrs. Kakugawa was actually a published poet, so as you can imagine, we wrote and read a LOT of poetry that year.  I love how each teacher brings a strength and a passion that they can share with their students.  When I was teaching I think my strength was imparting a love for life-long learning.  Learning outside of the classroom is special because it can be about anything you want!  Want to learn about Tchaikovsky's fourth symphony?  Anything is game!

This year Joseph is in Mrs. Meier's class.  It's only been a few days but I think we're both smitten.  She appears very structured and consistent. She is prompt in her replies (yes, I've already emailed her, but in my defense I waited until the second day) and values strong communication between school and home.  Joseph is also one of 22 students. Being an educator, I have an appreciation for small class sizes.  

I have a very good feeling about this year.  I hope it continues to exceed my expectations.

Summer's End

Before summer ends, we're trying to take advantage of the beautiful summer weather in Washington.  Today we went to Lions Park in Bremerton.  It is right on the waterfront and you can sit for hours watching the boats sail by.

There's also a zip line and playground equipped with a slide, climbing structures, and a boat.

The summers here are exquisite. The air is just cool enough to make the warm sun comfortable. The breeze is fragrant with a sweet mixture of evergreens and flowers.  The sun seems to be out for a majority of the day and night. It's an adjustment, but we're discovered that blackout curtains are effective. 

There are festivals and fairs to attend all exhibiting the unique aspects of the region.  To name just a few: Silverdale Whaling Days, the Blackberry Festival, the Kitsap County fair, Seattle Sea Fair, the Clallam Lavender Festival, and the farmers market in Olympia.