Back in the 9-5 World

My week is being spent in a Command Financial Specialist class. You know, so I can help out all the junior Marines in my command. Obviously, since I'm in the Marine Corps and have junior Marines. Anyways, whatever, I'm in the class. I was really looking forward to the class, but after 2 days, I'm wondering what I'm actually going to get out of it.

I was thinking it was going to cover financial stuff. I know a lot of the basics, but all that money stuff is really interesting to me, so I was hoping to learn more. The class is more about how to effectively counsel and help those in your command. We sat through numerous guest speakers today. Everyone from Navy Fed to counselors dealing with gambling addiction. It hasn't been horrible, I just don't know that I'm going to really get anything out of it. Oh, and it's not 9-5. It's more like 7:30 - 4. I have to get up at 5:30. That's just not right.

We were put in groups and somehow the three other people I know in the class are not in mine. I have 2 Seabees and another Navy guy in my group and thankfully, they all seem pretty smart (it might also help that you have to be at least an E-6 to take this class, not knocking anyone below that, just saying). We had to do a small case study yesterday that we figured out pretty quick. Today, we were assigned a bigger group project to complete and present to the class on Friday. We started it today and we quickly fell into a good working routine.

I enjoy getting out of the house and using my brain. That's why I volunteer too (which was mostly started because I couldn't find a job). I need to feel useful and feel like I do have a purpose. I just don't think I can do it full time anymore. We are only 2 days into this and I am beat! Up until we moved here, I always worked. I worked full time and went to school, had Little Man in the middle of that, and finished my bachelors a year later. I took a couple months off before starting my Masters and then continued on with work and school. I graduated 3 weeks after Little Missy was born. It never seemed this hard! I guess I'm just not used to it all. It took me almost  2 hours to get home today. That's just ridiculous. Being in situations like this class make me realize how much I miss using my brain and adult interaction, but I don't know that I could work full time on this island! I don't think I would have time to do anything.

Volunteer Appreciation

Last week I attended a Christmas Party for the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society.

I volunteer at the local office a couple days a week.

It has truly saved my sanity.

It's not a paid job, but most days we do the work of a paid employee.

The office here only has 3 employees, everyone else is a volunteer.

I have made great friends, but better than that, I feel like I have a purpose again. 

I posted earlier this year about how not having a job has left me feeling pointless.

I realize I am not, I do take care of my kids, husband, and home, but I need something more.

I'm not cut out to be a stay at home mom.

The Relief Society has given me that purpose back.

That and I get to wear all my cute work clothes and heels again!

Back to the Christmas party....

We had a great dinner, played a quick game of holiday Pictionary (these girls are serious about their Pictionary!), gave away door prizes, and handed out awards.

I did not win a door prize, but the Sgt. Major's wife did. She picked out a painted wooden bowl set. Before she left for the night, she gave the bowls to me and the other girl at our table. I don't know why, but that was super sweet of her and it's a gorgeous bowl!

I received the recognition for 100 and 300 hours of service.

I actually plan to volunteer more this year, especially while hubby is gone, so that number will be a lot higher next year!

Toys for Tots

This morning, I went to the Toys for Tots warehouse and sorted toys. After sorting and organizing last week, I was amazed at the number of toys, but after the holiday weekend, there was tons more!

The Okinawa Toys for Tots currently has about 4,000 toys. I don't know what the goal is this year, but in 2008 the goal was 10,000 toys and they collected 13,000. After the earthquake and tsunami in March, the organization sent 3,500 toys to Japan. If you plan to donate (at least in Okinawa), girl's toys for age 10 and up were needed most. The younger kids were covered. It's easy to buy a toy or game for a smaller child, but the teens seem to be forgotten. Yes, I realize you can't really buy a toy for a teenage girl, but some of the things I saw that were donated were makeup, books (lots of Twilight!), curling irons, bath sets, perfume, and jewelry.

It amazes me how many toys are collected on island. It's the military community helping each other. There are many in the military that don't have a ton of extra money, but the sheer volume of toys says they still care. We'll be helping out every week until Christmas. I'm excited to see how many toys they will get!