500

Friends, this is my 500th blog post.  I really wanted to do something fun and memorable for this post but that just hasn't happened.  To say I've been in a funk is so much more than an understatement.  I don't want to go as far as to say I've been depressed, but it's not far off.  I'm struggling to adjust to this move, more so than any of the others in the past.  I know I had similar feelings when I first moved to Japan and look how that turned out, I'm sure I just need more time.  I'm such an outgoing, social person, to have no life outside of my house is brutal!

I knew it was going to be difficult to find a job with the economy the way it is and the gaps in my work history but I had no idea it would be this hard.  Since we left the Army I don't have all the usual activities (PWOC, spouses groups, ACS, unit FRG's, etc.) to fall back on for making friends.  Jason is in school half the day (although, that's dropping to 2 days a week starting this month, so that's good).  I miss my family more than I ever have in my entire life, so much so that it hurts.  It physically makes my heart ache when I think of them.

I won't be defeated though.  I have started volunteering for the USO (I used their services so frequently while traveling as a military spouse, I figured it'd be a great way to give back and stay involved with the military.  Plus, the airport USO is only about 10 minutes from out house here) to get me out of the house a few hours a week.  I've been applying for jobs like crazy and I'm confident someone will soon realize how valuable I am as an employee.  I have a blog redesign in the works which should be coming to you live any day now.  Jason and I joined a softball team with my cousin and some of her friends.  Things are slowly looking up.  I can't wait for this transition phase to just be over though.

In order to help remind myself how blessed I am and attempt to keep some of the self doubt and loneliness at bay, I'll be attempting to joining my new friend, Katie from Going Costal, in her 30 days of thankfulness link up.  Starting today, for the month of November, I'll be sharing something that I'm thankful for with all of you.  The goal is to post something everyday but I may just share them a week at a time.  We'll see.  For now I'm going to attempt to join Katie in posting ever day.


Day 1:
Today I'm thankful for local Asian markets that carry some of my favorite Japanese ingredients so we're able to enjoy our favorite Japanese meals here in America.  Tonight we'll be chowing down on some yummy shabu shabu!