Homesick

I think the excitement of headed home mixed with being homesick has made this week a tough one.  I was in port, but was unable to SKYPE because it was blocked.  I was able to email, but just seeing his face and talking to him would have been amazing!  I haven't talked to him on SKYPE since before Christmas. 

I just need to keep my head up, think positive thoughts, and remember, there IS an end in sight.  I just can't wait to hear the words, "Moored, shift colors", but in my Homeport! 

Gratitude

It is the little things to be grateful for nowadays. 

After a stressful month out at sea, I feel like I am getting into my groove again.  Working out, reading books, getting caught up with work. 

I am definitely grateful for a lot of things this month.  New friends, strengthened friendships, mail, emails, the occasional phone call, a good night's sleep, coffee (lots of coffee), planning for friends' weddings, babies, other life events, and..the most recent of these "good news" things..having a friend whose dad just went into remission!

So many things to be grateful for.  It is so easy to get caught up with the ins and out from day to day life, that sometimes we do forget about the little things. 

What are you grateful for this week?

Mail Call and Care Packages!

The best part of deployment by far has to be receiving mail and/or a care package.  I have been so blessed this deployment with love of friends and family who have sent me an incredible amount of mail.

Sometimes people ask what to send?  It can be a bit different between sending packages to troops on the ground, versus Sailors at sea.  We only receive mail about 1 time a week, or it could be as long as 6 weeks.  That was the worst part of the holidays.  We didn't get any mail until January.  None in December, total morale killer.  Although we did have a port visit, where we went out, bought a tree, decorated, etc.  It made Christmas so much better since we were so far away from home!!

When we did receive packages in January, we were Christmas central.  Candy canes and hot cocoa everywhere.  It was amazing.

Some of the best things I have received are:

• Hygiene products (Toothbrushes/toothpaste/floss/lotion/shampoo/conditioner/etc)
• Healthy snacks (Fiber One bars, Nature Valley Protein Bars, KIND bars, dried fruits, trail mixes,etc)
• Books (I always read them and pass them around on board, or even send them to other friends on deployment)
• Magazines.  We don't have TV here, so catching up via magazines is the way to go
• Fav non healthy snacks (Frango anything, Garretts popcorn, chewing gum)
• Drink mix (coffee, tea, low cal drink mixes like Crystal light singles, etc)
• Anything that reminds you of home (ND tee shirts, Chicago tees, CPD tee, etc)
• Pictures. I love getting pics of family and friends in the mail so I can add to my photo albums
• Supplements/Vitamins.  The food isn't always the freshest/healthiest, so daily vitamins are key!

I am sure I will add more to this list soon.  I just received my birthday package from the bf.  Card, snacks, and 2 Alex and Ani bracelets.  Couldn't be happier.  It is the little things that get you through the days.  Especially when every day seems like Groundhog Day.  

Off to work..until next time!

100 Days..

That is right folks.  We have less than 100 days ahead of us on this journey.  I obviously can't say where/when I will be coming home, but I am excited.

So many things to do!  Finish up deployment strong..stay safe, bring everyone home.  The things that not everyone always has at the forefront, but need to be. 

We just got done with another amazing port call, and all we could talk about is "home".  The sights, smells, who is waiting for us..all of it!

Will write more soon.  Busy/lazy Sunday ahead of me.  Must catch up on magazines that I have received in care packages...

Happy New Year!

Greetings from the great big sea!  Had the 2-7 watch last night, so I slept through the ringing in of the New Year.  Been busy out here, and trying not to fall into the mundane.  I have been reading, running, and just getting through the days.

We are 2/3rds of the way through our deployment, and I couldn't be happier.  I will be coming home soon, being reunited with my guy, my pup, and my family and friends. They have given me a great deal of support while on this deployment!  I couldn't have gotten this far without them.

I now have to go into planning mode.  New apt, new town, travels to and from my home town..Sweet Home Chicago!

Please continue to pray for my shipmates here, as well as throughout the Navy who are deployed during this holiday season.  May their homecomings be full of happiness and joy!

Christmas Traditions

Merry Christmas everyone! 

I had to think a lot yesterday on where I have spent Christmas since I have joined the Navy.  Everyone was talking about traditions..and I have to be honest, I don't really have any. 

2004-Chicago
2005-Chicago
2006-Honolulu
2007-Oman (Deployment)
2008-San Diego
2009-Yokosuka, Japan
2010-Bremerton, Washington
2011-Chicago
2012-Deployment

The one tradition I usually keep is visiting my brother and his family wherever they may be for the holidays.  Honolulu, San Diego, Yokosuka, Bremerton were all travels to visit family. 

I really hope I get to spend next Christmas in Chicago with my best friend next year.  I missed him so much yesterday, but was glad to know he was surprised to find gifts under the tree from me!  Here is to making new traditions!

Twas the Night Before Christmas..

Twas the night before Christmas, the ship was out steaming,
Sailors stood watch while others were dreaming.
They lived in a crowd with racks tight and small,
In a 80-man berthing, cramped one and all.
I had come down the stack with presents to give,
And to see inside just who might perhaps live.
I looked all about, a strange sight did I see,
No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.
No stockings were hung, shined boots close at hand,
On the bulkhead hung pictures of a far distant land.
They had medals and badges and awards of all kind,
And a sober thought came into my mind.
For this place was different, so dark and so dreary,
I had found the house of a Sailor, once I saw clearly.
A Sailor lay sleeping, silent and alone,
Curled up in a rack and dreaming of home.
The face was so gentle, the room squared away,
This was the United States Sailor today.
This was the hero I saw on TV,
Defending our country so we could be free.
I realized the families that I would visit this night,
Owed their lives to these Sailors lay willing to fight.
Soon round the world, the children would play,
And grownups would celebrate on Christmas Day.
They all enjoyed freedom each day of the year,
Because of the Sailor, like the one lying here.
I couldn't help wonder how many lay alone,
On a cold Christmas Eve on a sea, far from home.
The very thought brought a tear to my eye,
I dropped to my knees and started to cry.
The Sailor awakened and I heard a calm voice,
"Santa, don't cry, this life is my choice."
"Defending the seas all days of the year,
So others may live and be free with no fear."
I thought for a moment, what a difficult road,
To live a life guided by honor and code.
After all it's Christmas Eve and the ship's underway!
But freedom isn't free and it's sailors who pay.
The Sailor say's to our country "be free and sleep tight,
No harm will come, not on my watch and not on this night.
The Sailor rolled over and drifted to sleep,
I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.
I kept watch for hours, so silent, so still,
I watched as the Sailor shivered from the night's cold chill.
I didn't want to leave on that cold dark night,
This guardian of honor so willing to fight.
The Sailor rolled over and with a voice strong and sure,
Commanded, "Carry on Santa, It's Christmas, and All is Secure!"