Tuesday, February 28, 2006
End of story and Doll day
So, anyway, back to the old lady, the roadside stand and the empanadas. Joe and I were on our way back from Okuma, which is a resort area on the north side of the island. The first day there wasn't overly impressive. It was raining nonstop and the "resort" (for military personnel and their families) was less than glamorous. But, the next day was something else! The sun was out! The water was turquoise. And the mountains -- lush and green. For the first time since I've been here, I honest to goodness felt that I was in a tropical island paradise.
We walked on the beach and then decided to drive up to Cape Zampa, where Joe "saved" the old guy. We drove north along the coastline on the west side of the island. Up north, the island is wilder, natural and unspoiled. You see pine trees and mountains and big craggy rocks and long waves breaking on the coral near the shore. After Cape Zampa, we headed back down south on the east side of the island - the Pacific side. The water seemed rougher there and the weather was even different. We passed by a little temple in someone's garden -- carefully placed plants and rocks and in the corner a large Buddha sheltered by a wooden roof. There were also these windmills in the distance towering over the ocean like giants.
We cut back across the island to the west side again to the highway that would take us home. There were many distractions along the way: a pretty seaside cafe; a little island you can loop in 10 minutes; a roadside produce stand with adjacent nursery. We stopped there and decided to get some plants for the house. That's when we met the lady who sells Argentinean empanadas. And when we met the old lady.
I was concentrating on selecting some oranges I wanted to buy, when I heard the empanada seller ask Joe, "How old do you think she is?"
I looked up to where she was pointing and noticed the old woman sitting on the wall dressed in a kimono.
"Ummm...eighty-eight?" Joe ventured.
"How old do you think?" she asked me. Hmmm...I wasn't even about to go there, 'cause I knew she was old and shoot, we're in Japan, who knows what offense I could cause.
I shrugged my shoulders.
"She's one hundred and six years old."
(What the !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
ONE HUNDRED AND SIX
1 - 0 - 6
Do you know any six year olds? Now tack one hundred years on that.
When I was born she was already 76.
She was alive at the same time as Queen Victoria.
Man.
The old woman pointed to Joe with one finger and me with the other and then crossed them.
The empanada lady said that meant that we should get married.
Joe took a picture of me with her. I don't know if that's rude or not, but she's 106 and that's an achievement if I've ever heard one.
Apparently, she's just a spring chicken though. The oldest person in the world lived well into her 120s.
106 Year Old lady throwing the Peace sign.
The next day, I couldn't stop thinking of her. About all that she has seen and lived through. Coincidentally, as I drove home from work that evening, I caught a story on NPR that treated the subject. They spotlighted an organization called www.elderwisdomcircle.org You should check it out.Okay, well I've gotta go. Have a great day.
Oh! It's Girl's Day (Doll Day) tomorrow in Japan (March 3rd). Emperor and empress dolls are given to girls and displayed. Here's a website about it: http://www.watanabesato.co.jp/jpculture/hinamatsuri/hina.html
Sunday, February 26, 2006
Road Side Shots
Here's a picture of my "Touring G" station Wagon. My Rockin' Ride!! You'll see a big ass windmill in the background, it's used to make electricity. 
Turtle covered picnic table
More ocean shots
Buddha found on the side of the road, up in the mountains/hills of Okinawa.
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Hedo Point and picture taking
This weekend, Joe and I met a very old lady. Well, first we met a young lady, who was Japanese, but selling pasteles and empanadas and I was speaking to her in Spanish and Japanese and English and she was speaking to me in Portugese and English. We met her at this roadside stand that we stopped at on our way back from Hedo Point (That's the place we're at in the picture where I'm grabbing Joe's leg.) It was a very beautiful place. I would say it's like being at the end of the world, except I don't imagine you'd find two busloads of Japanese tourists at the end of the world. But then again, maybe you would. Anyhow, Joe saved one of their lives. The guy was taking pictures of his wife. The guy (an older man, but not as old as the lady we met later) decided that the best vantage point could be reached by stepping through a field of sharp rocks. Unfortunately, he fell down in them and got very stuck. I didn't see any of this take place because we were halfway back to the car. All I knew was that one second Joe was by my side and the next he was racing back up the hill towards a worried looking old lady. Then I saw the old man's head, arms and legs all pointing skywards, sandwiched between the rocks, and Joe was awkwardly trying to pull him out. (He was really stuck!) He got out and everything was okay there were "ohio goziamases" all around and Joe ran back down to me. I was very proud of him. My hero! Well, I've gotta get ready to go to work. To be continued...
Kelly
Kelly
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Photo Blog
I've added a link to the left of the page to some of our friends blogs. One is Poetic in nature (Lloyd) and the other is Political in nature (Dallas). Please check them out.
Here's a few photo's from our recent adventure around the island. I'm sure Kelly will spin an entertaining tale about our trip.
Cool butterfly I saw at the Market.
A man after my own heart, his fence is decorated with an assortment of fishing lures and fishing floats.
A tunnel we went through on our way to Hedo Point. The water is so beautiful around here.
Here's a few photo's from our recent adventure around the island. I'm sure Kelly will spin an entertaining tale about our trip.
Here's me and Kelly and the most Northern Point of Okinawa, Hedo Point. You'll notice that I'm growing my hair and beard out, this is so that I don't look like the "Man". The only problem is most of the "criminals" I deal with are Marines, who are clean shaven and wear high and tights. So the more I try not to look like the "Man", the more I look like the "Man". Oh well, life goes on, I'll be damned if I'm going to wear a high and tight again!!
Cool butterfly I saw at the Market.
A man after my own heart, his fence is decorated with an assortment of fishing lures and fishing floats.
A tunnel we went through on our way to Hedo Point. The water is so beautiful around here.-J
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Cops and Robbers
Well, the Olympics are upon us and all my homies from the State Department are there protecting the athletes and I am SOOOO JEALOUS!! When I decided to change over from DSS to NCIS, I knew I would miss the jaunts across the world doing protection. I guess all jobs have it's pluses and minuses, I'll definetly miss the pluses of the job. Anyhow, we're slowly creeping towards fishing season, it's too windy during the winter months which causes some big waves. I've found the fisherman in our office, so we have big plans for the summer, Mahi Mahi, Tuna and Wahoo here we come.
I'm attaching a story of a robbery case that we recently solved. We probably wouldn't have touched this case however, since we're in Japan it became a top priority for us. Politics and all. We had two Marines rob a taxi driver armed with a knife and they got away with a whopping $5.00 (US) and 5,000 Yen (about $44) and now their sitting in Japanese jail eating rice with chopsticks and wishing they wouldn't have been such dumb asses. I learned a lot of lessons from this case, especially about interviewing and interrogating. Unfortunately I can't discuss it in an open forum like this, however if you're curious, let me know and we can chit chat about it.
2 U.S. soldiers detained over taxi robbery at U.S. camp in Okinawa
Monday, January 30, 2006 at 06:58 EST
Two Foster Marines charged in cab heist handed over to Japan
CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — Two Marines charged with robbing an Okinawa cab driver Jan. 7 on Camp Foster have been turned over to Japanese jurisdiction for trial.
"Law enforcement personnel from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the Marine Corps Base Camp S.D. Butler Provost Marshal's Office apprehended two U.S. service members in connection with the robbery of an Okinawan taxi driver aboard Camp Foster Jan 7," said a U.S. military press release.
Marine officials said the two suspects in the Jan. 7 incident, Lance Cpl. Henry D. Morgan, 20, and Lance Cpl. Reginald Q. Lowery, 21, both assigned to Headquarters and Service Battalion on Camp Foster, were transferred to the Naha Detention Facility on Friday. Indictments for robbery were filed in Naha District Court on Friday afternoon.
Morgan and Lowery allegedly plotted with a third Marine to call for a cab to come to their barracks on Camp Foster on Jan. 7 and then rob him. An Okinawa police spokesman said Lowery called for the cab and Morgan then walked up to the taxi as it arrived, displayed a knife and demanded the driver’s money.
The 61-year-old cabbie handed over a box containing about 5,000 yen ($44) and $5 in U.S. currency. He was not harmed, police said.
The third suspect is believed to have returned to the United States after the robbery. Okinawa police have requested information concerning his whereabouts.
I'm attaching a story of a robbery case that we recently solved. We probably wouldn't have touched this case however, since we're in Japan it became a top priority for us. Politics and all. We had two Marines rob a taxi driver armed with a knife and they got away with a whopping $5.00 (US) and 5,000 Yen (about $44) and now their sitting in Japanese jail eating rice with chopsticks and wishing they wouldn't have been such dumb asses. I learned a lot of lessons from this case, especially about interviewing and interrogating. Unfortunately I can't discuss it in an open forum like this, however if you're curious, let me know and we can chit chat about it.
2 U.S. soldiers detained over taxi robbery at U.S. camp in Okinawa
Monday, January 30, 2006 at 06:58 EST
Two Foster Marines charged in cab heist handed over to Japan
CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — Two Marines charged with robbing an Okinawa cab driver Jan. 7 on Camp Foster have been turned over to Japanese jurisdiction for trial.
"Law enforcement personnel from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the Marine Corps Base Camp S.D. Butler Provost Marshal's Office apprehended two U.S. service members in connection with the robbery of an Okinawan taxi driver aboard Camp Foster Jan 7," said a U.S. military press release.
Marine officials said the two suspects in the Jan. 7 incident, Lance Cpl. Henry D. Morgan, 20, and Lance Cpl. Reginald Q. Lowery, 21, both assigned to Headquarters and Service Battalion on Camp Foster, were transferred to the Naha Detention Facility on Friday. Indictments for robbery were filed in Naha District Court on Friday afternoon.
Morgan and Lowery allegedly plotted with a third Marine to call for a cab to come to their barracks on Camp Foster on Jan. 7 and then rob him. An Okinawa police spokesman said Lowery called for the cab and Morgan then walked up to the taxi as it arrived, displayed a knife and demanded the driver’s money.
The 61-year-old cabbie handed over a box containing about 5,000 yen ($44) and $5 in U.S. currency. He was not harmed, police said.
The third suspect is believed to have returned to the United States after the robbery. Okinawa police have requested information concerning his whereabouts.
Sunday, February 12, 2006
"Una Mezcla"
We had the pleasure of having dinner with Kelly's co-workers last night and I was introduced to Daniel and Jessica. They are Okinawans and are native speakers of Spanish and Japanese is their second language. Daniel and Jessica speak Spanish like nobody's business and Jessica is not very proficient in Japanese. Interesting huh?
Well the story begins about 100 years ago, when about 790 Okinawans went to Peru seeking a better life and to work in the lumber industry. The immigration of Okinawans continued until 1958 where they reached a peak of about 80,000. The Okinawans became so prosperous that they got into politics and Peru actually had a Japanese-Okinawan President for 10 years, remember Alberto Fujimori, he's a wanted man by Peru now for corruption and other crimes against the people. The Okinawans that stayed in Peru became very prosperous and many of the present-day wealthy Okinawans owe their wealth to relatives who survived WWII in Peru. While Alberto Fujimori was President he was able to work out a deal with the Japanese government where descendants of the Okinawans could immigrate back to Japan to find work. Most of the Okinawans that came back to Japan/Okinawa didn't speak the mother tongue anymore. Even though they looked Japanese, they sure didn't sound Japanese. So these decedents became "Gaijin" to their own people. Some of these folks have come to realize that they are less Japanese than they originally thought - even though they came from families who attempted to preserve the language, customs and even the food of their ancestors. So most of these descendents that you'll meet will have cool names like Jose Nakimoro or Pedro Sato or Daniel Satoya. So I had the privilege of meeting some modern day Okinawan Peruvians that seem to be doing ok for themselves in their adopted homeland. Kelly asked Jessica if she feels more Japanese or more Peruvian and she thought about it for a while and just didn't know. She just said that she is "Una Mezcla"...A Mix.
As a side note, we always refer to the people of Okinawa as Okinawans, but in reality they are Japanese. The younger generation consider themselves Japanese, while the older generation consider themselves Okinawan. The Okinawans have their own language (which is slowly dying out and being replaced by Japanese) their own traditions, their own music and most importantly their own Liquor, Awamori. Eventually, most of this will be lost as the modern day Okinawan culture is slowly assimilated into mainland Japan's. Kelly and I are fortunate that we'll be able to experience some of the traditional Okinawan ways before they vanish, especially the Awamori! :)
-J
Well the story begins about 100 years ago, when about 790 Okinawans went to Peru seeking a better life and to work in the lumber industry. The immigration of Okinawans continued until 1958 where they reached a peak of about 80,000. The Okinawans became so prosperous that they got into politics and Peru actually had a Japanese-Okinawan President for 10 years, remember Alberto Fujimori, he's a wanted man by Peru now for corruption and other crimes against the people. The Okinawans that stayed in Peru became very prosperous and many of the present-day wealthy Okinawans owe their wealth to relatives who survived WWII in Peru. While Alberto Fujimori was President he was able to work out a deal with the Japanese government where descendants of the Okinawans could immigrate back to Japan to find work. Most of the Okinawans that came back to Japan/Okinawa didn't speak the mother tongue anymore. Even though they looked Japanese, they sure didn't sound Japanese. So these decedents became "Gaijin" to their own people. Some of these folks have come to realize that they are less Japanese than they originally thought - even though they came from families who attempted to preserve the language, customs and even the food of their ancestors. So most of these descendents that you'll meet will have cool names like Jose Nakimoro or Pedro Sato or Daniel Satoya. So I had the privilege of meeting some modern day Okinawan Peruvians that seem to be doing ok for themselves in their adopted homeland. Kelly asked Jessica if she feels more Japanese or more Peruvian and she thought about it for a while and just didn't know. She just said that she is "Una Mezcla"...A Mix.
As a side note, we always refer to the people of Okinawa as Okinawans, but in reality they are Japanese. The younger generation consider themselves Japanese, while the older generation consider themselves Okinawan. The Okinawans have their own language (which is slowly dying out and being replaced by Japanese) their own traditions, their own music and most importantly their own Liquor, Awamori. Eventually, most of this will be lost as the modern day Okinawan culture is slowly assimilated into mainland Japan's. Kelly and I are fortunate that we'll be able to experience some of the traditional Okinawan ways before they vanish, especially the Awamori! :)
-J
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Oops!
At home watching the Grammys. It seems like I'm at work all the time though. It's the schedule. 10-7 just chews up your day. Anyway, at least I'm learning a lot -- usually making an ass of myself in the process (Grammy note, Tom Hanks's hair looks horrid!) Example? Today, this couple comes into the frame shop and says that they want to do a shadow box. The guy places a flag and a beret and other things that he wants to have put in the box on the counter. I get Erika (my boss) to come help me and show me how to do the order. She's very good at this stuff and I love watching her put together projects with customers, plus I've never done a shadow box before, so I need her. Courtney, the admin assistant comes out to watch too. In the middle of the order (they take maybe 30 minutes or much, much longer) another customer comes in and I leave Erika with the couple to help him. When he leaves, I come back to the couple, Courtney, and Erika, and survey the collection of stuff they've laid out to go into the shadowbox: a bunch of coins, a beret, an armband with Arabic written on it, etc. I ask the guy, "So is this for you?" thinking that maybe he was planning it as a gift for someone in his platoon or something. "No, it's for her," he says, pointing to his wife. I look at the woman.
"OHH!!! It's for YOOUUUU???!!
I blurted it out, just like that. (Aaaahhhh!!!) Frantically, I searched my mind for nice things to say so she wouldn't kick my ass... "Ummm...your shadowbox is gonna look great...Hey, where's that coin from? That's neat!"
Oh yeah...women can be in the military too! (I'm such a jerk!) Luckily, I suppose, Erika and Courtney thought the episode was pretty humorous.
So anyway, there are lots of women in the service now. At least there seem to be many more females in the military than I remember from growing up in a military community as a kid. But, I keep forgetting or something! Whenever I meet a woman in civilian clothing, particularly an older woman, and then learn that she's a soldier, I'm shocked! The other day at work, for example, this group of ladies came out of the pottery studio asking about framing classes. I would never have thought they were in the military. They were just so, sweet and friendly and, well, girlie. Today though, they came back to pick up the cups they'd thrown -- giggling and laughing about their crazy creations -- dressed in uniforms! And they were like Colonels and Admirals! You can pretty much always tell when a guy is a soldier no matter what he's wearing, but when a gal is in her civvies, she's just a woman. So, I have an excuse, right? Or maybe I've got some stereotypes I need to examine?
Well, I'm tired. Off to bed. Besos -kelly
"OHH!!! It's for YOOUUUU???!!
I blurted it out, just like that. (Aaaahhhh!!!) Frantically, I searched my mind for nice things to say so she wouldn't kick my ass... "Ummm...your shadowbox is gonna look great...Hey, where's that coin from? That's neat!"
Oh yeah...women can be in the military too! (I'm such a jerk!) Luckily, I suppose, Erika and Courtney thought the episode was pretty humorous.
So anyway, there are lots of women in the service now. At least there seem to be many more females in the military than I remember from growing up in a military community as a kid. But, I keep forgetting or something! Whenever I meet a woman in civilian clothing, particularly an older woman, and then learn that she's a soldier, I'm shocked! The other day at work, for example, this group of ladies came out of the pottery studio asking about framing classes. I would never have thought they were in the military. They were just so, sweet and friendly and, well, girlie. Today though, they came back to pick up the cups they'd thrown -- giggling and laughing about their crazy creations -- dressed in uniforms! And they were like Colonels and Admirals! You can pretty much always tell when a guy is a soldier no matter what he's wearing, but when a gal is in her civvies, she's just a woman. So, I have an excuse, right? Or maybe I've got some stereotypes I need to examine?
Well, I'm tired. Off to bed. Besos -kelly
Monday, February 06, 2006
It's Curtains
Today was Super Bowl Sunday - well, Monday here. Joe's work hosted a little 8am Super Bowl party. I got there late and had to pass through a waiting area of nervous crime suspects before being whisked into the inner sanctum of NCIS, the conference room, where almost the whole staff was secretly watching the game. It was kind of a strange experience. Watching the game behind closed doors. Everyone decked out in suits and ties, and the most interesting assortment of Super Bowl food you'd ever see. A jar of Aunt Jemima syrup, a pot of chili, a tin foil container of potato salad, crepes, a pancake griddle, Dunkin' Donuts, ketchup...and no beer. I myself partook in a chocolate chip scone (and a half), followed by fritos and a hotdog. Yum.
After watching the Seahawks defeat, I went home to meet the curtain guys. One of Joe's colleagues recommended them. They come to your house, measure your windows and whip you up a batch of curtains which they then install in about a week. Since I don't know the first thing about curtains, or window treatments or whatever you call them, I was looking forward to getting the curtain guys' input on the overwhelming array of options available to me.
When I got home, they were already there waiting for me. I invited them in. (No, I wasn't late.) I never know exactly how to invite a Japanese person into the house (not that I've had the chance to invite so many in, but anyway) because of the whole shoe taking off thing. In the Japanese homes I've been in, there's usually this little ledge between the shoe taking off area and the rest of the house and there's always a bunch of slippers set out. Joe and I only have a pair of slippers for each of us though. Is it okay to even suggest that a visitor take off their shoes if you aren't able to provide alternate footwear? Hmmm... Plus, do movers need to take off their shoes? Or electricians? Or curtain guys? I guess I need to buy more slippers.
Anyway, so the curtain guys come in, take off there shoes, and just walk around in their socks. (Nobody wanted Joe's slippers, which I had set out just in case.) Their names were Toyo and Toshi and I soon realized that I wasn't gonna be getting a lot of input on the ins and outs of window dressing 'cause they spoke about ten words of English between the two of them. Key vocabulary in the 2.5 hours we worked together included:"Drape-o", "centimeter", "expensive-o", and "maybe". Believe it or not, I was even able to contribute to our conversation. "Daijoubo" (okay) continues to be a favorite of mine. I also learned how to say "oiye", which means "good". I even learned the word for horoscope (which I've forgotten) when I tried, unsuccessfully, to explain that my poor decision making skills were due to me being a Libra.
In any event, I've had more Japanese practice in the last three days than in the whole time I've been here. Joe and I learned how to say "bell pepper" on Saturday at the neighborhood Chinese restaurant. (An great little place, by the way! Very friendly. The waitress carefully went over each item on the menu with us even though we don't speak Japanese, she had little English. For example, she brought these beautiful green and red peppers out to the table to aid in her explaination. So nice!) We learned "onion" at the produce market and "cream puff" at the bakery. And now I have "good" under my belt (I think). That's four new words! Hoorah!
Well, I guess I'll let ya go. Hope all is well and you have a good week.
xxoo - Kelly
After watching the Seahawks defeat, I went home to meet the curtain guys. One of Joe's colleagues recommended them. They come to your house, measure your windows and whip you up a batch of curtains which they then install in about a week. Since I don't know the first thing about curtains, or window treatments or whatever you call them, I was looking forward to getting the curtain guys' input on the overwhelming array of options available to me.
When I got home, they were already there waiting for me. I invited them in. (No, I wasn't late.) I never know exactly how to invite a Japanese person into the house (not that I've had the chance to invite so many in, but anyway) because of the whole shoe taking off thing. In the Japanese homes I've been in, there's usually this little ledge between the shoe taking off area and the rest of the house and there's always a bunch of slippers set out. Joe and I only have a pair of slippers for each of us though. Is it okay to even suggest that a visitor take off their shoes if you aren't able to provide alternate footwear? Hmmm... Plus, do movers need to take off their shoes? Or electricians? Or curtain guys? I guess I need to buy more slippers.
Anyway, so the curtain guys come in, take off there shoes, and just walk around in their socks. (Nobody wanted Joe's slippers, which I had set out just in case.) Their names were Toyo and Toshi and I soon realized that I wasn't gonna be getting a lot of input on the ins and outs of window dressing 'cause they spoke about ten words of English between the two of them. Key vocabulary in the 2.5 hours we worked together included:"Drape-o", "centimeter", "expensive-o", and "maybe". Believe it or not, I was even able to contribute to our conversation. "Daijoubo" (okay) continues to be a favorite of mine. I also learned how to say "oiye", which means "good". I even learned the word for horoscope (which I've forgotten) when I tried, unsuccessfully, to explain that my poor decision making skills were due to me being a Libra.
In any event, I've had more Japanese practice in the last three days than in the whole time I've been here. Joe and I learned how to say "bell pepper" on Saturday at the neighborhood Chinese restaurant. (An great little place, by the way! Very friendly. The waitress carefully went over each item on the menu with us even though we don't speak Japanese, she had little English. For example, she brought these beautiful green and red peppers out to the table to aid in her explaination. So nice!) We learned "onion" at the produce market and "cream puff" at the bakery. And now I have "good" under my belt (I think). That's four new words! Hoorah!
Well, I guess I'll let ya go. Hope all is well and you have a good week.
xxoo - Kelly
Saturday, February 04, 2006
Sabado Gigante
Good morning. It's Saturday morning here on the big island and I don't have to work today! Yeah! Why not? Because of a power outage on base. Apparantly, they plan their power outages over here. Folks living on base might not have power or water for days, which in the summer, I've been told, is particularly uncomfortable. Karen says that you always know when the power is out on base 'cause the PX and movie theater are packed -- the only two places that still have air conditioning. Luckily, here off base the power outages don't affect us. I just get a day off of work. (But if I end up missing the folks from work while I'm away, I need not worry. I can just turn on the TV and my boss will soon pop up on the screen. She introduces herself every hour or two on the "Foster Framing and Fine Arts" commercial on AFN.)
Oh, I met our neighbors. Two air force guys. They seem very friendly, but we only got to talk for a few minutes on the way out the door. Our houses are so close together that I can look and see what they have in their kitchen. I think it's a wine bottle. Or perhaps a 40 oz? On the other side of them, a single teacher is supposed to be moving in soon.
Well, off to enjoy Power Outage Day, might go on a road to check out the cherry blossoms.
-Kelly
Oh, I met our neighbors. Two air force guys. They seem very friendly, but we only got to talk for a few minutes on the way out the door. Our houses are so close together that I can look and see what they have in their kitchen. I think it's a wine bottle. Or perhaps a 40 oz? On the other side of them, a single teacher is supposed to be moving in soon.
Well, off to enjoy Power Outage Day, might go on a road to check out the cherry blossoms.
-Kelly
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Busy, Busy, Busy
I've been at my job for almost a month now and it's been BUSY!!! I've worked every weekend in the month of January and several long nights during the week. It hasn't bothered me yet, but I'm still in the "honeymoon" phase of the job. The cases that we've worked have been interesting, so I'm sure that helps. To date, I've worked a death scene, 2 Domestic Assaults, 2 Rapes, a child molestation scene, 2 drug cases and an armed robbery. I've also done an undercover Audio/Video Wire operation. And that's just been my first 30 days! I can't imagine what the next 2-3 years are going to hold.
As a side note, as Federal Law Enforcement Officers we're supposed to work additional hours during the week, which is called LEAP (Law Enforcement Availability Pay). For instance, in a typical 40 hour work week, we're supposed to work at additional 10 hours. So theoretically, we're supposed to work 50 hours / week as opposed to a 40 hour work week. In my last job, we scheduled our LEAP during the 8 hour work day, which you could work an hour before work and an hour after work OR 2 hours before or after your scheduled 8 hours. Gosh, that's pretty confusing. Anyhow, the point of all that mumbo, jumbo, is that in a typical month, we're supposed to work approximately 40 "extra" hours a month. With all the extra LEAP hours I've worked in the last month, I won't have to work LEAP for two months. Boy, that was a complicated way of saying that I've worked an ASS LOAD!
I haven't had the chance to take any pictures lately (at least not one's that don't involve a crime scene) so here's few pictures of my sister's dog, Kleo, on our last visit to NM.
As a side note, as Federal Law Enforcement Officers we're supposed to work additional hours during the week, which is called LEAP (Law Enforcement Availability Pay). For instance, in a typical 40 hour work week, we're supposed to work at additional 10 hours. So theoretically, we're supposed to work 50 hours / week as opposed to a 40 hour work week. In my last job, we scheduled our LEAP during the 8 hour work day, which you could work an hour before work and an hour after work OR 2 hours before or after your scheduled 8 hours. Gosh, that's pretty confusing. Anyhow, the point of all that mumbo, jumbo, is that in a typical month, we're supposed to work approximately 40 "extra" hours a month. With all the extra LEAP hours I've worked in the last month, I won't have to work LEAP for two months. Boy, that was a complicated way of saying that I've worked an ASS LOAD!
I haven't had the chance to take any pictures lately (at least not one's that don't involve a crime scene) so here's few pictures of my sister's dog, Kleo, on our last visit to NM.
