DSCN0696, originally uploaded by docfranxusc.

Arrived in a rain-soaked San Diego on Friday 1/22, had a yummy Mexican dinner w/ Dave Picken (another doc from yoko who also was deploying), and got tucked in at Ford Hall on the 32nd street base in San Diego.

the weekend was mine - so I was able to do some reconnecting with my Southern Californian roots...soaking up the sunshine on Saturday and Sunday with days out and about.

Natalie, my college roommate and good friend for, uh-HEM, over 10 years now, drove down for a gorgeous day out. We tootled around Balboa Park and decided to go to the ZOo! What a great Zoo! -- you can click on the Panda to see more pictures -- seeing the gorillas (family, you know), elephants, pandas, koalas up close -- and all in the heart of the city. It always amazes me!

We had dinner in the Gaslamp district. I was so thankful for a day with a woman I have known so well for so long ... walking around and talking was just what the DR. ordered!

Sunday I spent running along Mission Bay. Did a few errands and then went to visit more old friends in the area- - some med school (love little Isla Chen) and Navy. It has been nice to have some downtime for reflection and reconnecting. Sometimes Japan is more than just an ocean away.

I remember why I liked southern Cal so much. Bright, sunny. the freeway system is great. Wide roads. Green hills. And ocean...lots of ocean.

Started the check in process this morning at 0500. Fitted for the ACUs that i'll be wearing for the next 8 months. Then "death by powerpoint" introduction to our time here and beyond -- but all good information. Recognize a few souls going with me and that's always nice! More info to come...Tomorrow is "medical day" -- ugh - Anthrax AND smallpox. My arm already hurts!

Spent some very special time tonight with my friends Kelly and Bryan - I met her in JAX when she was a friend of a friend of mine from Pasadena and we both were swimming together and she was in nursing school, and as fate has it , her husband - whom she met in JAX - is in the Navy! Met their darling daughter Dylan and had a fantastic "Bistro AIX" meal of salmon and salad and chocolate cake...and was so blessed to be able to spend time catching up with them. It made me miss my friends in yokosuka, and made me miss not being closer to those who are here in the States.

There are many things that make the military annoying - (the smallpox vaccine is one of them) -- but one of the things that makes it special is the way it bonds people across state lines, across oceans, and across life situations. Neat.