The calm before the storm.

We've been anticipating a typhoon since the middle of last week. It has sped up, slowed down, and is now finally getting close. At one point, it was considered a super typhoon but it has downgraded to a plain ol' typhoon.

Okinawa is the chain of islands right above the storm.

This'll be the first one that effects Okinawa this summer. Last summer, Typhoon Songda rang in Typhoon Season 2011 over Memorial Day weekend. This summer, we've been lucky that we're already in the middle of June. The one that was supposed to effect us when Dan was coming in didn't amount to anything.

Anyway, we are in TC-COR1. You can read all about the levels of TC-COR at Kadena's weather page. This whole weekend has been absolutely beautiful, and we've went to the beach everyday (minus today) since Friday. We have been bitten by the beach bug. Metaphorically, of course - I don't mean that we've been bitten by sand fleas. We were quite pleased to be able to go to the beach each day this weekend, and hope that it helps with our cabin fever.

Friends and family, if you want to keep up to date with the happenings of this typhoon, you can look at Wunderground, then type in "Okinawa". At the top of the weather page for Okinawa, you should see a clickable link for Typhoon Guchol. You can also view Kadena AFB's weather page. "TCIR" on the right hand side is what you'll want to look at, below that is TC-COR information.

I've read today on Facebook that 72 hours after Guchol passes through, Tropical Depression Talim is (as of right now) planning on swimming by as well.

We are high up on a hill, so we are safe. The houses and buildings on Okinawa are made of out of cement to withstand high winds, debris, etc from typhoons but also from the shake, rattle, and roll of earthquakes. Last year's typhoon in August knocked out our power for five days but that was because a powerline leading to the house was split and it took the electric company a decent chunk of time to come fix it.

That's where we're at now. It is not as sunny today as it has been the remainder of the weekend but the rain hasn't started yet. It doesn't feel like there is a storm headed our way. We have plenty of food, water, entertainment, and even a blow up mattress we'll put downstairs for sleepovers if need be.