Time/Weather in Okinawa

Many of you have been asking me some basic questions about time change and weather so I figured I would post some of that info here.

Time Change - In general, if it is night in the States, it is daytime the next day here in Japan.  We are about a 1/2 day ahead of the States. I posted some world clocks at the bottom of the blog if you are thinking of calling. From Central time, you add 14 hours and from Eastern time, you add 13 hours, although that will change a bit once Daylight Savings Time changes for you all because we don't observe that in Japan.

Weather - Japan follows the same weather pattern as Iowa or Virginia in terms of the seasons, although in general it is warmer and more humid on Okinawa.  We are on the same latitude as Hawaii if that helps you out any.  It is fall here but ranges from 75-88-ish degrees right now. It was hot and humid the day we landed but yesterday cooler and less humid.  But my ankles are still ridiculously swollen!!  I've heard "winter" is mild - obviously no snow - but 50s/60s the norm.  I can handle that.  Summer is very, very humid (think Iowa/Virginia on crack) from about May-September.  Like, you don't leave your house humid. Glad the baby is due in February. :)

We woke up at 3:30 today so I guess changing our schedule around will be a little harder than I initially thought, but we're making progress.  This morning we are going out to breakfast with our sponsor family from Tommy's unit and then going to get our Japanese cell phones activated.  Some people from his unit that just moved back to the States left their phones for us so we just have to buy the monthly phone now.  Not that I know anyone I would actually call in Japan yet, but Tommy is very excited about getting these and they are relatively inexpensive compared to the States, so whatever. It'll come in handy when I'm lost.

This coming week when the base opens on Tuesday we have to attend newcomer's orientation, housing orientation, get our medical stuff straight, take our driving test, buy our cars, etc. Tommy also has more stuff to do for work in terms of checking in. After seeing some of the housing yesterday I am just anxious to get our housing offer and get our stuff and get moved in.  Wish us luck!

I will try to post some pictures of Okinawa soon!