In the "NArmy" and Some Amazing Women

Two topics today.


We arrived at the McCrady Training Facility at Fort Jackson, South Carolina yesterday evening. The Army jokes have already started (“Narmy”…get it? Navy and Army or “Sailder of One”). We spent today getting settled and not much else. The real training starts tomorrow at 4:45 am (aka “O’dark-thirty”). We will be getting issued all of our Army gear to include body armor and helmet, weapons and whole bunch of other stuff. They told us it will weigh about 150 pounds. Some of you may know of my horrible packing skills so this extra weight in addition to the 2 big bags I have already will be fun to haul around. There is actually a great video that explains the training we will be doing while we are in South Carolina. Here is the link: http://www.navy.mil/navydata/featurePlay.asp?id=2

There are about 200 people in this training group; some are active duty, some are reservists and they come from all walks of life. We are deploying all over the world with the majority of folks going to Iraq, Afghanistan or Djibouti. There are about 30 women in this group. That is my second topic for this entry. In the past day I have met some amazing women! Here are some examples:

• This evening I saw a Chief on the phone while ironing her uniform. She was on the phone with her son explaining how to roast a chicken (“Yes, it needs to be thawed. No, it will not taste like KFC when it comes out.”). I had to chuckle.

• I met a Reservist CDR Human Resources Officer who is deploying to Afghanistan for a year to recruit for the Afghani military. She is leaving behind her husband and SEVEN children. I was in awe as she explained how she divided household responsibilities and set up a support network for her husband.

• The LCDR JAG next to me is deploying to Iraq/Afghanistan for her 3rd time. She and I were commiserating on the logistical nightmare of packing up and not being able to (or feeling guilty asking people to) mail stuff to you after you arrive in theater. Because you never really know what you need until you get there and by then, all your worldly possessions are either in storage or in the seabag you are carrying.

Thanks for all the calls and well wishes the past few weeks.  I will still have my cell phone on for the next 3 weeks.

More to follow in the coming days about this Army training. I plan on posting some pictures (I promise!).

Cheers,

Liz

Mobilization in Norfolk

Just a quick blog update from Norfolk, VA. I left Hawaii on June 16th and spent a long weekend in DC with Mom and Dad. We spent some time walking around Reston, playing dominos and keeping cool in the crazy DC heat. What a treat to be home for Father’s Day. I arrived here in Norfolk on Sunday evening and started my in-processing for my upcoming job yesterday. This first week in Norfolk is mostly medical screening (i.e. making sure I received the gazillion immunizations and blood work before I left Hawaii) along wtih getting new uniforms and attending several briefs.


I met up with some of our old Norfolk neighbors for dinner and hope to see them again before I leave Virginia on Saturday for Fort Jackson near Columbia, South Carolina. We were blessed to make such great friends while we were stationed in Norfolk—crazy to think we left here four years ago! You know you are around friends when, despite not seeing or really talking much over the years, you can have a great time and it feels like you never left.

I will try to do a post from North Carolina…I am not looking forward to this “Army Training” so let’s all hope it is not as bad as I have it built up in my head.

Cheers,

Liz

Liz's Trip Back East

I just returned from a two week trip along the East Coast. I flew into Boston and spent Memorial Day weekend with my sister. Kate and I had a great time! We walked all over the city, consumed a fair amount of mojitos and lobster rolls and had so many good laughs. The weather was great and we even snuck into Kate’s future alma mater (the picture below is from outside).

From Boston, Kate and I both attended the Sea Service Leadership Symposium in DC. We were so proud of ourselves that we both convinced our bosses that it was a good idea for us to attend this conference. It was truly inspirational to see so many women in uniform. The night the conference finished, Mom, Dad, Kate and I attended an Italian cooking class at the Italian church in DC. We made mozzarella from scratch along with spinach ravioli and tiramisu. While it seemed so simple under that watchful eye of Chef Daniele, I do not think I will be making my own pasta anytime soon. Here is a picture of Dad making the filling for the ravioli and Kate working the pasta machine. We had so much fun—I can’t wait to be in DC to attend another class. Better yet, I can’t wait to live in Italy and really learn to cook!

From DC, Mom and I drove to New York. We spent the weekend in Floral Park with Grandma Jeannie and out in Bay Shore with Grandma and Pop Higgins. It was really good to see the family on both sides. Uncle Tony took us to a Belmont Stakes party and we had a great time. Long Islanders are such a welcoming brood…I knew no one at the party but I felt like I was at a huge family gathering.

I drove up to Lake George to see my friend Amy, her mom Priscilla and my four-legged daughter Sara. The Lake was a gorgeous as always. There is a certain calm that the Lake always brings. Amy and I had a great visit. Below is a picture of me while running errands with Amy. She needed some milk so we obviously went to a farm. It was very cool to see a small working farm where they had cows and goats and horses (can anyone say city girl). Never underestimate the power of great friend. Amy and I have not seen each other in over 2 years and it was like no time had passed. Thanks again, Amy, for watching Sara…you’re a lifesaver.

 

From the Lake I drove back to Long Island to visit with the family again. So great to see everyone and I so appreciated all the well wishes as I head out next week. The only way the trip could have been better was if Nathan was with me. I am back in Hawaii to check out and I have one last household goods shipment tomorrow.

Hope you all are well!

Cheers,

Liz

Hiking Up to a Buddhist Temple

I hiked up to a Buddhist Temple on Saturday. The trail starts in the city of Chinhae (there's a narrow boardwalk along a stream) and goes up into the mountains. Lots of interesting statues and beautiful artwork on the buildings. The climb was fairly steep at times and I got to an elevation much higher than the Chinhae Tower. It was a very good work out in a great setting. I was glad that the weather cooperated (there was a chance of rain but is remained cloudy and a bit humid for the duration of my hike).  I only did part of the trail so I plan on going back and hiking more of the mountain. I didn't get a photo of the temple itself since a service was being conducted and I did not want to interrupt/insult anyone.

Chinhae "Boardwalk" and stream

View of Chinhae from the temple (Chinhae Tower is the white speck on the hill just left of center)

Road up to the temple

Entry way to the temple and the statues in the entry way

Some Buddha statues

Some other neat statues

At the snack shop by the trail head after coming back down

Hopefully, when I hike the rest of the mountain, it will be a clear and sunny day.

Nate