From
Bill and Diane
Here are some of the events that made 1999 a memorable year for us. I made a quick jaunt to Hong Kong for five days before Christmas to do that last minute shopping, while Bill stayed home to watch the dogs and finish the holiday house decorations. This was our first time to spend Christmas at home in Iwakuni and putting up a tree and trimming the house brought back fond memories.
Bill's brother, Clint and his wife, Mary Alice visited us from Houston for the holidays which made them a special time. We spent some enjoyable days visiting local sights at Kintai Bridge, Hiroshima, and Miyajima. We took a trip to the southern island of Kyushu and stayed overnight at a Japanese inn overlooking a hot spring. It gave them a true "Japanese experience." The hotsi bath was refreshing and warm, too.
After New Year's Eve at the Officers' Club, we headed for Kyoto and Nara for two days to see the famous landmarks of these ancient capitals of Japan. On the 2nd of January, we dropped Clint and Mary Alice off at Kansai Airport in Osaka for their long trip back to Texas and we got prepared to get back to school and work.
In April, we took
a ten day trip to Brisbane and Cairns, Australia. It was wonderful
experiencing the world "down under." An excursion to the rain forest
and visiting the Great Barrier Reef were unforgettable. May found
me doing my annual Memorial Day spring trip to Seoul. I visited with
old teacher friends who transferred to Korea (and of course shopped.)
 |
 |
 |
School ended on June 18th and I headed to the states. A five day stopover in Hawaii at the Hale Koa was nice for R & R on the way. My friend, Barbs, and I love shopping at the school supply store there. We managed to make daily outings to the Ala Moana Mall, too. She's already made reservations for us for next June.
In July, my daughter
Caryn and I went on a trip to Ireland for 12 days. We flew into Shannon
and rented a car. We stayed at bed and breakfast places and set our
own pace. The scenery was spectacular. We lost count of the
number of castles we saw. Our stops included the Dingle Peninsula,
Ring of Kerry, Cliffs of Moher, Waterford, the Rock of Cashel, Limerick,
Killarney and of course a visit to the Blarney Stone.
 |
 |
 |
In August, I attended a workshop at the Xerox Center in Leesburg, VA. While there I got to visit with dear friends, Ellen Hall and Patty Krupp. The week after found me in the Lahey Clinic in MA having back surgery. I had been having problems with it for several months. I was released on Thursday and the next day was Tracy's wedding rehearsal.
Bill flew to MA for the wedding of Tracy and Darrin on August 14th. It was a beautiful affair held outside in the garden of the House of the Seven Gables in Salem. It was an adventure in logistics getting all the guests there from around the world including Darrin's Mum and brothers from England and his Dad from Saudi Arabia (not to mention Tracy and Darrin's arrival from Oman.) Darrin is a delightful man who stole our hearts with his British accent and sense of humor. Can't remember just how many trips there were to Logan Airport. Bill and I flew back to Japan two days later in time for me to start school.
I am still teaching the Talented and Gifted classes, as well as running the computer lab. My professional life never seems to slow down and Bill says I need to stop raising my hand every time they need a volunteer for something. He enjoys being the TQ guy for Iwakuni and is now in charge of his own department. He's getting requests from other bases to come and teach. Besides his "day" job, he facilitates the Marine Corps Command and Staff College and teaches English to twenty-five Japanese students at a local civic center.
In October, we flew to Memphis for TJ and Stacy's wedding on the 9th. We are lucky to have such a sweet and beautiful girl join our family. After a honeymoon in Cancun, TJ started a new job at Stacy's company in job placement. This time I flew back home alone, because Bill had three weeks of conferences to attend - Tuscon, Orlando and Salt Lake City. It was at the wedding that we heard the joyful news that Deidre and Steve expect a baby in May. At last we'll be grandparents!
I am going to Tokyo for two conferences in November and fly to Shanghai for Thanksgiving. Tracy meets me there and we'll SHOP till we drop... At Christmas, Bill and I will visit Darrin and Tracy in Muscat, Oman (what a long flight.) Caryn is flying over from MA, too. We plan to spend a few days in Bangkok on the way back and will celebrate our tenth anniversary there.
To all our family and friends, we wish you all the best in the Millennium 2000. Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu!
