Maybe 60 days. Of course, he doesn’t have orders yet. Only the invisible Hand of Military Assignment knows about orders, and he’s indifferent. Who knows or cares?
The Handsome Hubby has a Report No Later Than Date. The rest of the family will get there when we get there. The good news is that I have no hard deadlines with this move. After our one-year separation, I expect that I will do this move alone. Or more accurately, I will do this move with the help of my military spouse tribe.
I do give kudos to the Hubby though, as he is planning on stopping here in Hawaii for 9 days to help with the move. I, however, anticipate that getting a pack out date within his 9-day window is best case scenario. And we know how that goes, especially for my family. If it makes sense, then no, it won’t be. If it is convenient, then definitely not. Orders 60 days out? Pfft…amateur…please. How many days until it’s ridiculous? That’s our MO. “Ridiculous” is when we will get our orders and then we will jump through hoops to get it done.
What’s a few more weeks in Hawaii? I’m not in a hurry to leave. I want Hawaii to be my forever home. I have loved just about everything here, and my time, experiences, and friendships have been truly awesome! I found my way back to my love of dance, and there has been plenty of opportunity to dance – ballroom, salsa, burlesque, Bollywood, hula, hip hop.
I am currently a graduate student at UH Manoa. No surprise here that this move to South Dakota puts a stop to my graduate studies. Or at least a major slowdown while I recalibrate and try to figure out how to make it work. I toyed with the idea of staying in Hawaii to finish the degree program, but quickly ixnayed the idea. Our kids are anxious to reunite the family, so another year without dad is a no go. I do not want to be separated from my kids, so a year alone in Hawaii is a no go. Add the financial implications of maintaining two households, and the answer becomes clear.
But not without a bit of resentment because it’s going to be “I’m cold, I’m cranky, and I’m too old for this” kind of cold in South Dakota.
Insert the positive platitudes and pep talk from the well-meaning among us: “Oh that part of the state doesn’t get as much snow because it’s in the Banana Belt.” Yes, banana belt. Look it up. Please know I am smiling ever-so-politely and nodding in agreement when this is said to my face, while the Mean Voice inside my head is shouting not-so-polite things. “Oh, what an adventure this is!”
There you have it. I’m living this military life in one-year increments. This next assignment is for two years, supposedly. Just like Korea was a two-year assignment, supposedly. “Oh, what an adventure this is!”
Onward and upward…with a coat…to the Mount Rushmore State!
Aloha!
Perpetual Newcomer 