No One Invites Us Anymore...

"No one invites us to get-togethers anymore," Lyana comments sidewardly to the Millburns as we're heading out to dinner together.  Two seconds previously, someone mentioned that the Moore's were having a game night, and we figured that since we were moving out so soon that socializing with us would no longer be a productive use of their time.  "Have to save valuable friendshipping energy for people who are sticking around," they must surely be thinking. 

At least the Millburns still like us and don't seem ready to get rid of us.  So we were heading out on a couples night out to Rachel's most recommended Japanese restaurant (the name of which would probably contribute well to this post if I could remember it). 

We pick them up in our borrowed minivan, and we're on our way.  Brett says he has to stop by the Moore's on the way to drop something off.  Do we have to?  After all, we weren't invited to their game night.  Brett assures me it's important, so I agree.  We pull up, Brett goes inside, and next thing I know, Amy's running outside in feigned hysterics, "Maddie broke her tooth; we need a dentist."  Super Robert to the rescue: "I know what to do!!"  I'm inside in a flash.  Next thing I know, Rachel's dragging Lyana inside too.  I guess she wanted to see Maddie too (or maybe just see if their game night was better than ours).  The Moores lead us into the living room and SURPRISE!!  It's a surprise farewell party for the Watsons (that's us).  Cramped into one small corner are several of our dearest friends. I guess we were invited all along.

The evening was absolutely wonderful.  Talking, eating, talking, eating (mostly eating by me).  Food was fantastic.  All the dishes had an international theme (mostly European, and Indian since British are very keen on Indian cuisine), even the veggie platter from Ukraine (?).  All the walls had little signs taped to them too with pictures of familiar items labeled with their proper British names.  For example, next to a picture of a diaper was the word 'nappy' and next to a picture of a handsome fellow like myself was the word 'bloke'.  A truck is a 'lorry' and a flashlight is a 'torch'.  You get the idea.  We took all the signs home afterward and now we use them as flashcards so we can sound more educated when we arrive to the UK.

The last three years have been terrific.  Wonderful.  Fantastic.  I can't think of many things about our time in Misawa that I would change (except the summer humidity, I'd change that if I could) because of the friends we have had here.  So without further aggrandizement, let me say

THANK YOU, everyone, for loving the Watsons (and liking us too - for real, not just on Facebook).

Now look at the pictures.

Saffron rice.  Jeana made it.  Yum.  Before heading out with the Millburns, I stopped by the Glazier's house to ask Jeana a question.  Her daughter answered the door and said they were out on a date.  Interesting.  Earlier I had gone to the Millburns to find my son Mark who was supposed to be playing over there.   They invited me in and I saw Rachel making an Indian chicken curry sauce for "some people".  She even offered me a taste.  It was good.  I was sad that the dish wasn't for us.  Somehow she had transferred that Crockpot of sauce to the Glaziers before they left for the party.  Clues everywhere!  How did I not figure it out.  Oh, and by the way, never trust the Millburns.

 

More delicious food.  See that fancy Ukrainian veggie platter?  They have carrots and celery in Ukraine.

MMMmmmmmm

Funny, I thought this was a game night?  No matter, friends and food are all you need.

Camera set on timer, on the kitchen counter.

I'm sorry some of the couples had already gone home by the time pictures were taken.  But you get the idea.

Disclaimer: All statements dripping with sarcasm, satire or wit made by the author of this post should be regarded at least as feeble attempts at facetiousness and humor and in no way should be misconstrued to be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.  Although we really were sad not to be invited to the Moore's game night.  We really thought they liked us.

by Rob