Just in Case You Have Something For Us

US Postal Service offers first-time military discount! A new flat-rate box will be available from the Postal Service after March 3 that is 50 percent larger and delivered for $10.95 to an APO/FPO address -- $2 less than for domestic destinations. The boxes can be ordered at http://www.usps.com/supplies or by calling 800-610-8734. For more information, read the Air Force Print News story at http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123085338.

You know, it's been a long time since our last care package...

Introduction to Calvinism

John Piper’s seminar on Calvinism is available to listen or watch on his site. It may be something to stuff into your iPod to listen on your next commute. It surely beats the latest Justin Timberlake or Gnarls Barkley.

http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Seminars/1727_TULIP/.

Domo Arrigato, Mr. Roboto

I know that I'm by no means the first nor last to make a Styx-song joke in relation to moving to Japan, but I want to share this video anyway. Pardon the lack of originality, but I do really like this song. Who knew that when I sang along with this in the 1970s that it would help me in my new home in 2008?

Luther Socks

I went to Luther's childhood house a few months ago, and I bought
these at the gift shop. While it seems to be outrageous selling
hosiery at the Reformer's house, I think Luther would approve of the
comedy and the exhortation to have warm feet.

Spiderman In Okinawa

Not quite Japanese, but I’m glad that the web-slinger is there waiting for me.

 

Steve's Thoughts on Microsoft

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Optical Fun

Brian sent me this. I feel like I'm in an LSD-addled state. It's not animated, and it's more intriguing than those mall 3-D posters.

My New Tie

Kristie's mom sent me this tie for Christmas. I love it.

I also love the row of knives. Threatening, ain't they?

Going to the Beach

Friends,

We have accepted a transfer to Okinawa, beginning in August. For most
of the year, our plan was to return to Portland next year. We felt
good about that. Around Christmas, however, we started to get
interested in a possibility for one more DoDDS assignment. We decided
that we'd try for that, or return to Portland. All worked out in the
transfer round, and I'll go back to the classroom teaching 8th grade
Language Arts.

Here are a few reasons why Okinawa makes sense to us:

1. Beach. Sunny weather. Ocean-front apartment.

2. Travel opportunities in Asia. While we loved our trips in Europe,
we often talk about returning to Vietnam, Bali, and Thailand. We'd
like to go to Laos and Cambodia, as well.

3. There is a Master's in Counseling Program that Kristie wants to
take. It makes sense to do this while I'm in DoDDS, rather than
struggling with tuition payments on our return to Portland.

4. Since the island has 13 schools and more Americans than we can
count, Kristie will have plenty of possible clients for her
photography endeavors.

5. Did I mention an ocean-front apartment? That sounds nice to us,
and Aslan relishes the idea of daily beach runs.

We will pack up an move out of our place here in Wiesbaden at the
start of June. Our summer currently looks something like this:

June 21-July 13: Portland/Seattle
July 14-21: Rhode Island
July 22-August 5: Portland
August 6: Leave for Okinawa

We hope to see you while we are in the US, or next summer in Okinawa.
It's worth looking into, right?

For future updates, check out my blog at http://www.coiablog.com.

Ron

Hypocrisy and Irony Are Often Related

At Ease!

Couldn't I have at least closed the dishwasher?

Still in Italy

We are continuing our Italy trip in the Chianti region, and we are currently staying in Redda in Chainti. Here's a link to our hotel: http://www.vignale.it/eng/hotel.htm. It's a beautiful place among the vineyards of Tuscany, and we almost have the place to ourselves. We have one more night here before returning to Germany on Friday.

Today, we are going to Siena and Montalcino for the day.

Pictures will be posted soon.

"B-33! I Repeat, B-33!"

As we are looking at the sites associated with our move to Okinawa, we looked at the open jobs page for Kristie. I think that Kristie would do a fine job as a Bingo Aid. She'd want to be the main bingo person, but I don't think that she's ready for it. Not yet.

Mr. Miyagi's Geography Lesson

When I first saw The Karate Kid when I was 15 years old, I learned two valuable lessons. The first is that after only a few karate lessons under the guise of slavework, I, too, could take down the meanest, toughest, and blondest karate champ of the city; I only have to believe in myself and in the crane technique. The second thing that I learned is where the island of Okinawa is. Here is the clip of that lesson:

Heading Back to Asia

We found out today that my request for a transfer to Okinawa was approved. Kristie and I are excited to go be beach bums for a couple of years.

We wrestled with returning to Portland or going for another tour with DoDDS. We both felt lured to Okinawa, so I put that down on the list. I'll be returning to the classroom teaching Language Arts to middle school kids.

I may learn to scuba dive, but I doubt I'll learn to enjoy sushi.

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As Disturbing as Jeremiah Wright's Comments

From Bill Richardson's endorsement speech yesterday in Portland:

"My affection and admiration for Hillary Clinton and President Bill Clinton will never waver...The 1990's were a decade of peace and prosperity because of the competent and enlightened leadership of the Clinton administration.."

Your admiration will never, ever, ever, waver? Not during Monica or Whitewater? Not throughout all of these personal attacks against Obama? That's reason alone for Barack to deny his endorsement.

And, by the way, that prosperous time you refer to had more to do with the innovations of Microsoft and its ilk than it does to the "enlightened leadership" of Bill.

Richardson Endorses Obama

Richardson is set to endorse Obama in Portland, Oregon.

 

Who cares?

 

I suppose this will help Bill know what it feels like to be in front of a cheering crowd.

 

John Edwards is trying to heighten the speculation on who he will endorse. By the time he ends the waiting, we’ll have already forgotten about him.

Still My Favorite Photo of Aslan

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Can You Tell the Difference?

Trip to Mainz

Yesterday, we went to Mainz via train with our new friends, Dave, Drew, and Melissa. After lunch, we visited the cathedral and St. Stephen's Church (with windows designed by Marc Chagall).

I think this guy looks like me, if I grew out my beard.

I'm easily amused by third-grade humor...

Easter Market

Last Sunday, we went downtown to the Wiesbaden Easter Market with
Dan, Kelly, Charlie, and Aslan. After a bratwurst, we spent most of
the time in Starbucks.

Don't judge me!

Momentum

Is she still using this word? Can someone on her team please define this term for her? You can use the example of the looming calls for resignation of Client 9, if that helps elucidate matters.

I Hope She Used Purell

Once again, the Clintons are associated with nefarious folk.

 

 

Obama and Hillary Pose for a Photo Op

Questioning a Woman's Place

Here's a lesson plan I created for a technology conference in December. It is one of my better efforts, I think. This Power Point will take students through examining roles of women in the media and around the world.

The "Onslaught" commercial alone is worth a viewing.