PCS:Day Two-Part Two

Day Two:
Finally,after what seemed like an eternity,we were allowed to board the plane and leave Japan.  At this point the screaming babies that had been in the holding area were even angrier when they realized they were going back on the plane to sit. Boy,were they mad! Sitting for hours can really make a gal hungry and thankfully the flight attendants knew that was an issue.  A sandwich box was sent out right after take off and I made that puppy disappear before Gracie could even start to think about eating hers.

A movie was played for the two hour flight from Japan to South Korea. It made time move super fast and before we knew it we were at Osan Air Force base. James and I were prepared for a briefing of some sort but the kids had no idea. They thought as soon as we got to South Korea we were going to a hotel to sleep for a week. This was not the case even though it was a great idea. We were placed in a conference room where James filled out paperwork and an angry lady soldier told us what was to happen next. The kids were angry,mad,sad,and tears were flowing. I don't blame them though I felt like I needed to shed a few tears too.

We were finally lead to a desk were we had our passports stamped. The angry soldier lady gave us one piece of paper for the passport desk and said it was good for our whole family. Apparently that wasn't the case. So while everyone else is passing us by and getting their bags we are filling out more paperwork. After getting that sorted out and our passports stamped we were able to get our bags. I,unfortunately, found the biggest bag and proceeded to grab it at the wrong end. It landed right on my ankle where a big knot immediately popped up. Was this day ever going to be over?

Three pink and purple charter buses were waiting for all of the soldiers and families to take us to Yongsan Army base an hour away. The kids at this point would have fell asleep standing up and were pleased they finally were able to sit down. We sat in the parking lot on the bus for an hour before the buses were full enough to leave. I tried my best to stay awake and catch a glimpse of Seoul but I figured since we were going to being living here for two years I had plenty of time. I slowly drifted off to sleep to a lullaby of loud charter buses and cursing soldiers.

Arriving on post,the bus stopped to let a small Korean man with a card reader walk around the bus and check our I.D. cards. After that we were on our way to the hotel...or so I thought. We were dropped off at a building right next to the hotel and were advised not to unload our luggage until after the briefing. Another briefing? I needed a bed not another briefing. All command sponsorship families and higher ranks went into a room where the soldiers filled out more paperwork. Thankfully we sat in desks and the kids laid their heads down and went to sleep. After the briefing we were released to get our bags and go to our rooms. James stood in the longest line I have ever seen in a hotel,got our room cards,and we got the heck out of that lobby.

Our room consisted of two queen beds,a small kitchenette, a bathroom with a tub, a vanity area, and tons of storage space. At this point we didn't care if it was an empty room as long as we had a place to stretch out and sleep. We hadn't had anything for supper and none of us mentioned the matter. We were to worried about sleeping. As we fell asleep the only thing we heard was the hum of the A.C. going. No crying babies,no cursing soldiers,and no seatbelt alarm going off. We were finally here at last.

PCS:Day Two-Seattle to Japan

Day Two:
3:30 a.m. I was woken up to the sound of the awful noise of the hotel alarm clock going off. I tried to move but could barely lift my pinky finger. My whole body ached from the damage day one had caused. I knew that this day was unavoidable and wouldn't go away. I used every bit of strength I had left in my tired body to slowly get out of bed and get ready for the day.

We had to be at the airport to check in at 5:30 in the morning. Since we were using Space-A we had to check in for role call so someone couldn't take our place. Check in was a breeze since we were some of the first passengers in line. Customs took about twenty minutes. They were nice enough to notice we had small children so they took us to the side and let us walk through to check for whatever it is they actually check for.

Of all the airports I have ever been to Seattle has to be my favorite. On our way to find our gate we were able to switch some of our U.S. dollars to Korean Won. We also had Chinese food for breakfast. (It was actually a fruit platter bought at a Chinese restaurant but saying I had Chinese food for breakfast seems a little more interesting) Our plane didn't actually leave until about three and half hours after check in so we had some time to rest and FaceTime the grandparents.

They called families with small children to board first. Thankfully my kids fit in this category. We were lucky with our seat selections. Jack and James sat right in front of us. We were also just a couple rows away from the big screen T.V.  The food was okay and we were served lunch shortly after take off. The kids really enjoyed getting to see these weird boxes of food. Gracie was glad when I told her since I didn't make it she didn't have to eat it if she didn't want to. She surprisingly ate almost everything and was so full she didn't even care about the chocolate cake.

We were able to watch four movies which helped with the nine hour countdown to Japan. We were served dinner before landing. It was just as good as the first and Gracie once again ate most of her food. Flying over Japan,James asked Jack if he had ever been to this country. Not missing a beat Jack replied with "No,but I have been to Florida." Oh the laughs we all got with that one. Flying over the country I came to the conclusion that Japan is just an island made up of mountains and rice paddy fields. When we deplaned we were placed in a holding area where there were crying babies,rude soldiers who had no knowledge of anyone being alive but themselves, and one stinking ladies restroom.  To be continued...

The kids at this point were so tired they didn't want to take the picture but were so tired they didn't want to argue with me about it.

PCS:Day One

Day 1:

We were to fly out of Birmingham on a Saturday afternoon. My grandparents were kind enough to take us to the airport. We said our goodbyes and off we went.  The kids were unsure about giving up their backpacks so it could be seen by strangers but finally understood they were holding up the line and put their beloved items on the conveyor belt.  We put our shoes back on and luckily our gate was right there in front of us.  We found a Chick-Fil-A and sat the kids by a huge set of windows so they could catch a glimpse of departing planes. 

Boarding took a little longer as we were the last group to be called. Which actually worked out in our favor as we all had nervous bladders. The plane to Dallas had two rows of two seats. Gracie was not impressed by this and thought it was just a bus that could fly. Jack was a nervous wreck. He was breathing hard and told me his stuffed animal was also nervous of flying. I had to hold a hand and a paw to calm the two of them down upon take off. Afterwards, in Jack's country accent, he said "Thaaatt wasn't thhaatt baaadd." The kids were told beforehand that the carryons would not be open until our flight overseas. They were pretty good all day about not asking for their things. (even though there might have been a game of squares brought out that may have made Jack a very sore loser)

Our second flight was going to be double the time as the first. This was going to be the true test to see if the kids could really make it for more than a couple hours and what a test it was. We were the first ones on the plane the second time around and things were looking great. We sat down in our seats and sat and sat and sat. Nothing was happening. Apparently the airline thought it was a great idea to move all the passengers out of the waiting area just to move them on board to wait for a tire to be changed. Almost an hour goes by and nothing is happening. Jack asks me "When is this THING going?" I told him I had no clue and turned to look to the front of the plane. Not 5 seconds later the pilot announced we would be taking off within 10 minutes. I look to Jack to tell him what is happening and he is passed out. The poor little guy was so worn out he slept through take off and half of the in-flight movie. Thank goodness for movies on planes. A big pat on the back to the person who came up with that idea.  This made the flight enjoyable for the kids. A plane ride and a movie? Awesome! I had bought comfy headphones out of the dollar bin at Target. These helped make things easier for the kids than using those uncomfortable earbuds the airline provides. Worked like a charm.

We arrived in Seattle worn plum out. Traveling all day really takes a lot out of you. Our next flight wasn't until the next day. We kept going back and forth over staying in the airport all night or staying the night in a hotel even if it was only for a few hours. James finally decided his last night in the U.S. would be in a bed and not sleeping with one eye open at the airport. Seattle has a huge list of hotels right outside the airport. It felt like forever after calling a hotel that a shuttle bus finally came to pick us up. James chose a Hilton hotel. Although it was $140 a night I would have paid 300 if it would have meant I could finally go to sleep. While waiting on pizza the kids took baths and put on pajamas and I fell asleep. I awoke to James telling the kids to eat. I was so tired but I knew if I wanted any strength to get up the next day I needed to eat. After gobbling up our pizza we finally snuggled into our nice comfy beds and fell asleep. To be continued...