ok so today is going to be short and sweet, basically a quick catch up if you will as I have limited access to the computer for a short being. Long story short......we made it safe and sound to Schofield Barracks Hawaii. After a very long day, even longer flights with tons of turbulence, connecting flights and all. We made it to Honolulu with a short stop at the USO, and stop over at the quarantine center to get the dogs signed out. I don't know who had the bad experiences with getting their pets into Hawaii, because we had none. It just goes to show a little research and work before hand definetly does pay off. Our pets were released directly at the airport and moved straight into the MWR kennels. And the people at both locations were as friendly and helpful as they could be. Footwork people, footwork! It helps!
Now we're at the Inn at Schofield and it's also turning out to be another pleasant experience. They have a shuttle to cart you off to and from all your appointments which is great. Otherwise your options would be to rent a car or hoofing it as we say back home. Brian is processing in this week and that's another great thing as we've already been assigned housing. It will be available on the 23rd of March. Another payoff to research early and tip......get on the waiting list as soon as you have your orders. We did and bada bing bada bam. We were assigned housing two days after we got here. The delay is coming in that they are preparing the home because they timed it to our report date to someone moving out here to corrulate together and they are painting and making it ready for move in. So we've waiting approx. 10 days. Which according to all we've heard from EVERYONE here that is a wonderful time frame. There are families here that have been waiting over 60 days and some have just moved onto privatized renting which by looking at the classifieds here. Expensive to say the least. So we're counting ourselves very fortunate.
Your alloted $132.00 per diem daily for food expenses. My advice as we have learned since you have a small kitchnette in your room. Walk across the road to the commissary and buy food items to keep in your room, save your receipts for reimbursements and save as much of that per diem as possible. Go shopping as close to payday as possible. What you don't use on your daily perdiem you can daly at the end of your housing allotment to use for your first months move in. Oh yes I said it....you've got to pay a first months rent and such until your BAH kicks in and you can use your per diem to offset that cost. You will need it. So utilize the commissary...not only is it cheaper but it will pay off in the long run.
Ok folks I've run out of time. But it's beautiful here, the people are nice and very friendly. The cost are only high if you hit the little shoppettes and such. The weather is to die for....bring your shorts, sunscreen and swimsuits. We absolutely love it here. Oh and one more thing we have found and we've ignore it big time. Those that have been here for a while will tell you after a week of being here you've seen and done it all. NOT TRUE, NOT TRUE. OMG there is so much to see and do every single day. Tropics and the MWR constantly have something going on. The ITR (travel and rec center) every single day have something posted. So don't believe that statement for one minute. Take the time to research and your exploration options will never run out and there will always be new people to meet.
Aloha, all of us
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