What Happens In Vegas...Part 4...The Finale

First let me apologize for not finishing this last entry sooner, but trying to get back into the swing of things didn't work out just as I planned. I will blog about that a bit later...

So the wrap of Vegas...It's Saturday, and I have to say it was a nice start of the day to just relax and take my time to get ready to go anywhere. Mike and I met up with a few friends over at Hooters. While we waited we grabbed breakfast. It was good, but nothing to really write home about. A little gambling (Mike not me) and a lot of conversation was on the agenda. Then we strolled over to Carnival once again to relax with other Alum.

Now I can't say that I don't blame Larry for taking the lead to head indoors, but I was not so keen at first about heading into the "I Love This Place" to hang out. But we did, and ordered a bit of food. Not bad for a little pick me up. The conversation was lively as we met up with other Alum and just relaxed and laughed to loud and to often for some of the folks around us! I guess we still have it in us...

Time to go get ready for the evening at Treve over at Cesar's Forums. As we finished up a terrific night at Treve the festivities were beginning to take a bit of a toll on me. I honestly cannot remember the last time I went that long with friends without thinking about getting up in the morning for work or for the kids. I was taken back by the love and thankfulness of all the Alum as I was given a "Thank You" gift from those who appreciated the help I gave Larry...the "Man of the Hour" for all the hard work and time he put into this reunion. I was so surprised, and truly grateful.

The whole time I had been to Vegas, I had really wanted to see the water show at Bellagio. I missed it the first time I had gone and I did not want to miss it again. So Mike and I excused ourselves as people continued to take pictures and made plans for another (the last) after party. We made it over to the Bellagio just moments before the show began. It was beautiful and I tried to take as many pictures as I could while listening to the opera that was part of the perfectly timed fountains!

I have to be honest...Mike looked like he was about to fall asleep standing up, and I am sure that I didn't look much better. It was time to skip out on the fun and head up for a decent night sleep. Next thing you know...it's time to pack up, hit
the last buffet and head over to the airport. The Flamingo buffet was really really good. Fresh made crepe's, fruit forever and delicious shrimp. It was one of my better meals and so glad we went. I am not big on buffet's but it was good, and we had a view of the flamingo's outside..so it was a win win.

Last part of the trip was our crazy ride to the airport. I must say that the driver we had was WOW...I'm not sure how else to describe this has been cabby now turned shuttle driver in Vegas. He was hyper, not sure of his directions and over the line with the traffic. It made the need for prayer very necessary. We did arrive safely (of course) and had no problems on the way home.

Ahhh...home sweet home...until we headed out again the following week...but that, that is another blog.

~Peace & Blessings~
Jen

What Happens In Vegas...Part 3

Dinners and after parties were abound over the quick week in Las Vegas. What was amazing to me was how excited everyone was to see each other. Now, as I have said before, most of us thought we'd never see each other again, so the excitement was not contained!

My dear friend, Larry, and I hung out much of the day on Friday taking care of last minute reunion details, such as paying for the events. Not me...Larry!! He was the "Man of the Hour" or event as it were! Taking care of all the dinner plans and scoping out the spots was a lot of fun.

Once we finished up in the nice "air pumped/air conditioned" casino's we headed outdoors to a Carnival to hang out with some other OkiBrats! What a blast from the past as we sat back and listened to the WHIPITS(the Band of the Day)! They were a '80s tribute band that had a crazy show and great "classic" songs! I was quickly reminded of the Peaceful Love concerts in Okinawa! We had a terrific time!

Dinner at Max Brenner's was fantastic and the food was good too. For once, the food (for a foodie mind you)took second stage. All the talking and laughing and picture taking took center stage. Now let me just tell you this...if chocolate is your weakness...then you'll over do it at Max Brenner's! That place oozes chocolate!

So as a wrap of Friday we all took off for Revolution, a dance club at the Mirage. That place was crazy loud and so much fun! Watching everyone dance around and talk more, laugh more, and take more pictures...I was again reminded of all the fun we all had together in Okinawa. I have to say this though...I have not been to a night club in so long that I was WIPED OUT by time we left...not to mention...my shoe broke that night! Yeah...walking around Vegas (even just across the street) barefoot is not such a smart move.

So what to look for in Part 4...the quiet side and wrap up...

~Peace & Blessings~
Jen

What Happens in Vegas...Part 2

Our trip to Las Vegas was very routine. I have not flown in 6 years so any new changes that TSA has implemented were beyond me! 3oz of liquid in a clear zip lock bag that must be quart size...LOL...is that really going to stop someone? Shoes off and then proceed to get scanned (which I prefer over the physical "body search"). Now what gets me is that people in front of me still did not "follow directions"! I felt like asking them if they were still in elementary school...being taught how to follow directions. As a parent I expect my children to follow directions; so be default I expect adults to do the same and not hold up the progression of getting through security!

Once we arrive to our destination I was so excited! So close to seeing friends from Okinawa! So here it is...my birthday! My 39th birthday as a matter of fact and I am going to celebrate it in Vegas...not even a dream come true...just very fortunate for the timing of it all! As Mike and I met up with my friend (and brother) Larry, we were trying to get a taxi to head up to the site and the gentleman at the door offered us a limo instead for a very reasonable price! So why not...it's MY BIRTHDAY! Off we go on my first limo ride -> in Vegas -> with my husband and long time friend! Scratch one off the "Bucket List"!

We head up to the Palms hotel to the very well known Ghost Bar and slowly all the Oki Peeps that were in town began to come up and hang out. It was beautiful...the skyline, the breeze and the calm atmosphere. I don't think I could have asked for a better birthday! Laughter and stories abound as people began to arrive and I just loved seeing so many people...those I knew well, those I "knew" and those who left the island before I arrived...it was all so EPIC (as my kids say).

As the buzz of the reunion got underway I began to realize that I have been planning for this moment for 2 years! 2 years! I don't think I've ever planned for anything that far in advance, but I am so glad I did this time! Thanks to all for making Vegas so memorable.

Part 3...the bands...the dinners...the parties...

~Peace & Blessings~
Jen

What happens in Vegas...Part 1

What a great trip to Las Vegas, NV. Now I am going to preface this by saying that I am not a gambler and I do not enjoy super huge crowds of people. I came to Vegas to see friends from Okinawa, Japan that I have not seen in 20 years! Now a reunion may be “normal” for most people, but if you are a DoDDS student or military brat that is not the case.

I remember when I graduated high school I really thought that I’d never see any of my classmates again. Oh, it wouldn’t be from lack of trying, but the truth of the matter is, technology was land line phones, TTY, and phone cards…unless you wanted to write a letter. So I really thought that I would never see the majority of my classmates and friends again. I graduated in 1990 and I don’t even think the internet was known to the world. I know for a fact there were no cell phones (unless you count those HUGE satalite phones that people carried around to “look cool”).

Thanks to the internet, facebook, and email, many of us “Okibrats” have not only gotten back in touch, but have even seen each other again! Now there are some who live in the Far East, others on the West Coast, Mid West, North East and, like me, the South. What is so great about us is one thing…time is not a factor when we get together. We just pick up where we left off. It does not matter who’s married, divorce, has lots of money, or has no money…we are Oki Brats and that is all that matters. So that is why I have gone to Las Vegas, and I am so glad that I did! It is a trip that I will not soon forget, and time was not a factor. We hung out, we listened to loud over the top music, we ate, we drank, we shared stories and asked about those that have lost touch.

So this is the start of Vegas. My husband, Mike, and I were there for 5 days, so there is much to share, too much for just one post, so sit back and enjoy what few ever do…reliving life with those who live life.


~Peace & Blessings~
Jen