A Stormy Day At The Coast

So my husband is going to school at the Navy Postgraduate School... which naturally means the Air Force and Army personnel go to school here, right?!  Yeah, I was a little confused about that at first.  So imagine how much greater my confusion was when I found out civilians (a very select few) and international soldiers also go to NPS!  A few months ago Justin came home and asked if I would be okay to sign up as a sponsor for international students.  After a few questions were answered I was on board.  We were assigned our first international student in August.  Thun is from South Sudan and came here with another friend Africano... who didn't have a sponsor so we sort of adopted him. SIDENOTE:  For those who don't know, in 1983 Sudan's civil war began.  It is estimated that 2,000,000 South Sudanese were killed in the genocide that ensued.  In 2005 a peace treaty was signed that gives South Sudan autonomy for 6 years and at the end of the time, there will be a referendum for succession.  In other words, NEXT YEAR there is suppose to be this referendum... and Thun and Africano will be back in their country.  Makes my stomach turn thinking what could happen.  One last interesting tid bit... in 1996 Osama Bin Laden was kicked out of South Sudan and moved his "organization" to Afghanistan.  SO... Thun and Africano are soldiers in the South Sudanese army and here for a year of training.  Their neighbor is Frank... who is from Malawi.  Frank's wife and 4 year old daughter were just able to join him here.  None of them have cars so yesterday, Justin and I decided to take them on a picnic down the coast.  The storm front was approaching so it was cold and windy... the little one was so cold... but we had a great time.  We got some fabulous pictures of a very rough Pacific Ocean.  I love watching waves... especially big ones! We invited our other sponsor students (a couple from South Korea)... but they were heading to Las Vegas for the 3 day weekend.  We're looking forward to hearing their thoughts on that town!  LOL.

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