When we arrived in Quantico, I had been so busy in Arkansas to "hang out" that I didn't really think I would need a friend. However, a couple of days of not going to work all day long was enough for me to realize that, yes, I needed someone to hang out with. So, I sent Derick on a mission to find some friends.
He was a real natural, or really lucky. He came in the same day his mission was given, and said, "I found you a friend."
I was so happy! "Who is it? Who is it?" I asked.
"A guy that I went to OCS with is moving in downstairs, and he's married." he told me.
Without hesitating, I grabbed Derick by the arm so that I could go meet my new friend! It was dark and really cold outside, but we went out to meet The Winings, from Maine, who thought the chilly weather was more like a nice spring evening.
I hit it off really well with Michaela. She's a lot different than me-- quiet, polite, helpful, selfless. Not that I can't be those things, but goodness just naturally and automatically flows from Michaela. She is one of the sweetest people I've ever met. So, she gave me a really good vibe about making new friends in Virginia.
I met my friend Beth through The Winings. Beth and Sergio Regland also lived in our apartment complex and invited Nate and Michaela--who, in turn, invited us-- to their New Years party.
Beth doesn't know this, but Derick was worried at first that I wouldn't like her because she's beautiful and she has a northern, well Yankee, voice. I guess I've had some run-ins with really pretty northerners before.
Beth and I clicked really quickly, too. She has tattoos and she's a no-nonsense kinda girl. She's athletic and, also like me, highly intelligent. She also has a little dog, Kona, a pomeranian. (Does anyone remember Muffin? Shout out. RIP.) Paris liked Kona, but she also liked to sort of boss him around. Not nice.
Anyway, Beth, Michaela and I went to a spouse's event together one night. The three of us were standing in a corner in the infamous green carpet area at TBS, waiting for the event to begin, when a pretty blonde walked over and asked if we were there for the event.
The pretty blonde became my friend, Shannon, and we later found out she lived in our complex, too. Shannon is also quite different than I am. She's really organized and put-together. She is a planner, and when I say planner, I don't mean the type of planner I am. I am more of a dreamer, whereas Shannon actually plans things. She likes to have things in their place, but not in a creepy cat lady way. Just a cool way.
That night, the four of us became acquainted with some other really cool girls, and throughout TBS, I was able to meet so may wives from all different areas and backgrounds. It was quite the luxury that I took for granted.
Fast forward to last night walking around the block in our little neighborhood.
"Some girls post on the Camp Lejeune Wives Facebook Page that they need friends and they live in so-and-so neighborhood, but our neighborhood is not ever mentioned," I told Derick hoping he'd suggest that I post my own want-ad for friends on Facebook so that I could say it was his idea, not mine.
"Really?" was all he said.
"Yeah!" I went on. "I know there has to be another Camp Johnson spouse living in this area."
Camp Johnson is the area of Camp Lejeune where Derick will begin his MOS training on Friday. I'm not picky when it comes to simply finding friends, but it was so convenient in VA when my friends were dealing with the same TBS issues on living on the same schedule that I was.
"Maybe," Derick the Doubter said. "But I don't know of any. And it's hard to know right now while I'm not really even attached to any sort of unit."
True.
"Well, here's your mission once you start school: Find us some friends. Preferably a cool guy that you would like to hang out with who has a cool wife. And make sure they live near us."
I'm not picky at all.
Last weekend, one of Derick's best friends from TBS, who is at IOC (Infantry Officer's Course) in Quantico, found out he's heading to Camp Pendleton, California once he's finished with training. I was ticked. Not because Camp Pendleton was our first choice of duty stations, but because, despite what I tell him, he's actually a really cool guy, and I know Derick really clicks with him.
Derick's other best friend, also at IOC, has yet to find out where he's off to afterwards. This friend just so happens to be married to a really cool girl who I really like. So, wouldn't it be Heavenly bliss if they just so happened to get stationed here? I've spotted several really nice houses just down the road or even across the street from us that would be perfect for them! However, they currently own a home in San Diego, and she lives there now. So, it's not fair for me to want them to have the stress of selling or renting out their house and moving across the country just so I can have a friend. But it would be really nice!
I know I will eventually find a friend, and I have several here at Camp Lejeune already. Problem is, the area is huge, so they are dispersed here and there and everywhere, except for in our sub-division. I can't complain, though. I am thankful that I do have friends here, even if it requires a little more travel than walking down a couple flights of stairs.
I'm optimistic about finding friends in our neighborhood, and even if they don't exist, we are blessed with wonderful friends who live 15 minutes, an hour, and a week's drive away. People always say, "It's a small Marine Corps," and I've found that to be true. We already have friends stationed all over the country and around the world. And just last week at the commissary, we ran into a girl who attended the same teeny tiny Arkansas college that we did.
The military life offers the opportunity to meet so many cool people and make lifelong friends. I am excited to meet new people at Camp Lejeune! I will keep you updated on Derick's mission!
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Monday, July 25, 2011
War is a dirty word.
Derick read a headline to me yesterday that mentioned the hanging of an eight-year-old boy in Afghanistan. Apparently, the boy's father is a police officer who refused to give his vehicle to the Taliban. So, they killed his son to seek revenge. And our President thinks pulling out of Afghanistan is the thing to do.
I just finished Meghan McCain's book Dirty, Sexy Politics. Meghan, a moderate Republican, supports the presence the American military has in Afghanistan and Iraq. I agree with Meghan's stance about 50% of the time. But on the issue of the Middle East, I agree with her completely.
Here's the thing. For some reason, our government finds that funding studies of penis sizes of gay men (really. Look it up.) and cranking money into a Welfare system that is being disgustingly abused is more important than paying for the defense of this country.
Derick makes a good point. Sure, George W. wasn't everyone's favorite President, and that's putting it lightly. But since 9/11, since we've had troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, if everyone will reflect with me for a second, the United States of America has not been attacked by terrorists. Sure, there are extremists and blatant idiots, Ft. Hood, for example, who unfortunately carry through with inhumane acts. But, every time we've been directly threatened by the Taliban on a large scale, our military has caught it and stopped it.
The Marine Corps, individually, is cutting numbers in a dramatic way. When Derick applied to Officer Candidate School for the first time in late 2008, they were pretty much dragging him through the door. His application was quickly pushed through, and he was on a plane to Quantico two seconds later. When he applied last year, the process was grueling, with several quality candidates getting turned down. I'm probably correct to assume that budget and troop cuts only allowed room for the best of the best....and sometimes, even they didn't get in.
I hope our government realizes how important it is to fund the military. We need them and call upon them everyday, and one day our country will need a solid, experienced military, but it may not be readily available because too much money was spent on other, insignificant things. (Not to mention the ridiculous amount of mulah we're pumping into Pakistan, but that's a different post!) Some people may not realize it either, but one day, when the going gets tough, without a beefed up military, we would have to crank up another...dare I say it?...draft.
Anyway, all of this to say that the war is unfortunate, but it is real, and if our government decides that there are more important things to budget for than its military, it is making a huge mistake. Not just President Obama. Not just Democrats. But conservative Republicans, too. The whole dadgum institution. From liberals to the Far Right. Everybody seems to have lost sight of the importance of our military. The USA has the strongest fighting force in the world. It would be a really bad move to sacrifice that all in the name of federal spending.
So, let's take a deep breath, and tie this into something else. Not long ago, I saw a comment or post on a photo or some sort of statement on Facebook or elsewhere that didn't disturb me as much as it just made me realize my own feelings. A woman said something along the lines of, "I am SO happy my husband is NOT in the military anymore!"
Really?? Well, I'm sure you were a high-quality military spouse.
Ok. That was harsh, but come on! I feel so honored and humbled to be married to one of the Few, the Proud. I am so proud of his accomplishments and his selfless drive to defend a country that, in turn, may or may not be grateful for that defense.
I know what she really meant. I'm not that radically patriotic. Or am I? :) I know she was really saying, "I am glad my husband is here, safe at home with me, instead of in harms way in the Middle East or even at the military's disposal." And I get that.
I have yet to deal with a deployment, so ask me again once that bridge has been crossed. But, I do know that whatever Derick is called to do, that is his job, and the Marines come first. Hard to handle for a wife who has always been number one. But I get it, and let me explain the way our household puts (and plans to put) the Marines first:
I am, and will always be, number one in his heart. He loves me more than anything--yes, even the Corps. But there is a big difference in his love for me and his calling to serve. As military wives, even in the hard times, we need to realize that.
I have a friend, also a Marine wife, and if she's reading this, she will know who she is. But, she has been through two deployments and she's younger than I am. Does she cry and complain and curse the Marine Corps? No. She sucks it up, takes what she's given, and keeps a thankful heart that she has a husband who is so willing to serve his country. Because she knows, through his service, he is also caring for her. Not once have I heard her degrade the military. In fact, she has only good things to say about military life, and she helped me through some of the early, tougher steps of adjusting to the lifestyle.
Derick is so ready to go to Afghanistan. He's almost in a hurry to go, I guess, and because of talks of withdrawals, he's a little nervous he may not get the chance. I hope he gets the chance, too. How can you say that? You really want your Marine to go to war??!
No. Of course not. But I do know that there is a bigger picture than being separated from Derick for 6-12 months. I know that there are still things to be done, and my husband is and will be prepared and ready to do them. Even more, I know that he wants to be there alongside his Marines. And I want him to have that opportunity. That's what he signed up for, and if I wasn't ok with that, then we are absolutely in the wrong place.
Peace on earth would be such a wonderful thing, but it's not realistic. Sorry. And while it is unrealistic, it's better to have the support of a quality military. Supporting the war, to me, doesn't mean that I support unneeded death and violence. It means that I trust our military leaders and I want their continued protection for me, my future kids, and my kids' kids. Not funding the war directly ceases troop funding. They're hand in hand. Ceasing troop funding depletes troop numbers, and the need for a strong military, though not recognizable to some now, could very easily become blatantly obvious.
I'm just a little ole civilian on the outside looking in. But if I, uneducated in politics and military strategy, can see the dire and constant need for our men and women in uniform, surely our government officials realize it, too. Surely!
Support the troops!
I just finished Meghan McCain's book Dirty, Sexy Politics. Meghan, a moderate Republican, supports the presence the American military has in Afghanistan and Iraq. I agree with Meghan's stance about 50% of the time. But on the issue of the Middle East, I agree with her completely.
Here's the thing. For some reason, our government finds that funding studies of penis sizes of gay men (really. Look it up.) and cranking money into a Welfare system that is being disgustingly abused is more important than paying for the defense of this country.
Derick makes a good point. Sure, George W. wasn't everyone's favorite President, and that's putting it lightly. But since 9/11, since we've had troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, if everyone will reflect with me for a second, the United States of America has not been attacked by terrorists. Sure, there are extremists and blatant idiots, Ft. Hood, for example, who unfortunately carry through with inhumane acts. But, every time we've been directly threatened by the Taliban on a large scale, our military has caught it and stopped it.
The Marine Corps, individually, is cutting numbers in a dramatic way. When Derick applied to Officer Candidate School for the first time in late 2008, they were pretty much dragging him through the door. His application was quickly pushed through, and he was on a plane to Quantico two seconds later. When he applied last year, the process was grueling, with several quality candidates getting turned down. I'm probably correct to assume that budget and troop cuts only allowed room for the best of the best....and sometimes, even they didn't get in.
I hope our government realizes how important it is to fund the military. We need them and call upon them everyday, and one day our country will need a solid, experienced military, but it may not be readily available because too much money was spent on other, insignificant things. (Not to mention the ridiculous amount of mulah we're pumping into Pakistan, but that's a different post!) Some people may not realize it either, but one day, when the going gets tough, without a beefed up military, we would have to crank up another...dare I say it?...draft.
Anyway, all of this to say that the war is unfortunate, but it is real, and if our government decides that there are more important things to budget for than its military, it is making a huge mistake. Not just President Obama. Not just Democrats. But conservative Republicans, too. The whole dadgum institution. From liberals to the Far Right. Everybody seems to have lost sight of the importance of our military. The USA has the strongest fighting force in the world. It would be a really bad move to sacrifice that all in the name of federal spending.
So, let's take a deep breath, and tie this into something else. Not long ago, I saw a comment or post on a photo or some sort of statement on Facebook or elsewhere that didn't disturb me as much as it just made me realize my own feelings. A woman said something along the lines of, "I am SO happy my husband is NOT in the military anymore!"
Really?? Well, I'm sure you were a high-quality military spouse.
Ok. That was harsh, but come on! I feel so honored and humbled to be married to one of the Few, the Proud. I am so proud of his accomplishments and his selfless drive to defend a country that, in turn, may or may not be grateful for that defense.
I know what she really meant. I'm not that radically patriotic. Or am I? :) I know she was really saying, "I am glad my husband is here, safe at home with me, instead of in harms way in the Middle East or even at the military's disposal." And I get that.
I have yet to deal with a deployment, so ask me again once that bridge has been crossed. But, I do know that whatever Derick is called to do, that is his job, and the Marines come first. Hard to handle for a wife who has always been number one. But I get it, and let me explain the way our household puts (and plans to put) the Marines first:
I am, and will always be, number one in his heart. He loves me more than anything--yes, even the Corps. But there is a big difference in his love for me and his calling to serve. As military wives, even in the hard times, we need to realize that.
I have a friend, also a Marine wife, and if she's reading this, she will know who she is. But, she has been through two deployments and she's younger than I am. Does she cry and complain and curse the Marine Corps? No. She sucks it up, takes what she's given, and keeps a thankful heart that she has a husband who is so willing to serve his country. Because she knows, through his service, he is also caring for her. Not once have I heard her degrade the military. In fact, she has only good things to say about military life, and she helped me through some of the early, tougher steps of adjusting to the lifestyle.
Derick is so ready to go to Afghanistan. He's almost in a hurry to go, I guess, and because of talks of withdrawals, he's a little nervous he may not get the chance. I hope he gets the chance, too. How can you say that? You really want your Marine to go to war??!
No. Of course not. But I do know that there is a bigger picture than being separated from Derick for 6-12 months. I know that there are still things to be done, and my husband is and will be prepared and ready to do them. Even more, I know that he wants to be there alongside his Marines. And I want him to have that opportunity. That's what he signed up for, and if I wasn't ok with that, then we are absolutely in the wrong place.
Peace on earth would be such a wonderful thing, but it's not realistic. Sorry. And while it is unrealistic, it's better to have the support of a quality military. Supporting the war, to me, doesn't mean that I support unneeded death and violence. It means that I trust our military leaders and I want their continued protection for me, my future kids, and my kids' kids. Not funding the war directly ceases troop funding. They're hand in hand. Ceasing troop funding depletes troop numbers, and the need for a strong military, though not recognizable to some now, could very easily become blatantly obvious.
I'm just a little ole civilian on the outside looking in. But if I, uneducated in politics and military strategy, can see the dire and constant need for our men and women in uniform, surely our government officials realize it, too. Surely!
Support the troops!
Friday, July 22, 2011
I bet that was a sight!
Here's a brief run down of what's going on around me:
There was a shark attack in the water some hundred miles north of us on the coast. A little girl was out two feet deep and a shark bit her leg. Her quote, "I hate sharks. I like dolphins way better."
Derick is at a live-fire range today. He was pretty pumped about it last night. As he went through his gear in the living room to find the eye-pro and ear-pro he'd been issued, he said, "SWEEEET!!!" I came out of the bedroom to see what was so exciting. "The fleet is waaaayyyyy better than TBS!!" he said. (So, current TBSers, hang in there!) He put on a pair of new, fully in-tact, higher quality sunglasses and almost lost it when, as luck would have it, he came across yet another pair. "TWO??!! Two PAIRS!?"
Paris was making friends with the giant white dog that looks just like her this morning. I went outside to have her come in. She is usually laying down right by the door, patiently waiting to come inside, but this time she was over at the fence sniffing Big Paris, as she calls them. (There are two). They usually bark in her face, but this time, a Big Paris was sniffing back.
My dad was apparently told about an inappropriate photo online. His response? "Woohoo. I bet that was a sight! It's a wonder the whole Internet didn't throw up!" Did I mention, my dad is the funniest person ever?
We are hopefully buying a car this weekend. I would really love a slug bug...but I'd settle for a Jeep. However, this vehicle will be Derick's, so he can get what he wants. Maybe he'll find a really slick slug bug, though.
Did you know the nation's tallest lighthouse is right here in NC? Here's a pic.
Wow! A successful photo post! Isn't that beautiful? A few years ago, my sister was a little obsessed with lighthouses, and I didn't really understand her fascination. I get it now, though. Lighthouses are so cool! This one is the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse at the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. It's open for climbing in the summer, so hopefully we can go climb it soon and let you know what it's like! Maybe I'll take after Shannon and begin collecting little lighthouse figurines!
I just went out to the garage to switch the clothes over. (Our laundry is in the garage). I took Paris with me, and she started sniffing around. I turned around to check on her and she had one of those big, yellow mouthpieces in her mouth. It wasn't exactly in all the way, but close enough. I wish I'd taken a picture! She was ready for MCMAP!
It's really hot here. I'm sure it's even hotter in Arkansas with all your humidity, whatever that is. Also, how are the mosquitoes in Arkansas? I haven't heard much complaining about them, so maybe they didn't show this year? I was watering our flowerbed the other night, and I saw one on my leg. I'd almost forgotten what those things were! That's the only one I've seen.
Today is Kenley's birthday. She's my now six-year old niece in Arkansas, and Derick and I call her Bitsy. Bitsy was born almost a week after we got married. We were actually on our honeymoon in StL when she was born, so on our way back, we stopped by to meet her. She was born early and she was the tiniest little baby I'd ever seen. She was so little she fit in our hands. So we named her Bitsy. She's always been a tiny little thing, but that doesn't stop her from having a huge personality. Bitsy is a lot like her Aunt Kem. Everyone tells me that, and I can see it myself. She loves to dance and make up crazy songs and dress eccentric and try new foods and just go go go. I love that she's like me, and I hope she cleans up the little areas in life that I left messy. I am proud of all three of my nieces and my nephew. They are definitely their own people, and I admire that. I hope they can see how much Derick and I love them, and I hope they know that we are very proud to be their aunt and uncle. Happy Birthday, Bitsy! We love you!
Have a wonderful weekend!
There was a shark attack in the water some hundred miles north of us on the coast. A little girl was out two feet deep and a shark bit her leg. Her quote, "I hate sharks. I like dolphins way better."
Derick is at a live-fire range today. He was pretty pumped about it last night. As he went through his gear in the living room to find the eye-pro and ear-pro he'd been issued, he said, "SWEEEET!!!" I came out of the bedroom to see what was so exciting. "The fleet is waaaayyyyy better than TBS!!" he said. (So, current TBSers, hang in there!) He put on a pair of new, fully in-tact, higher quality sunglasses and almost lost it when, as luck would have it, he came across yet another pair. "TWO??!! Two PAIRS!?"
Paris was making friends with the giant white dog that looks just like her this morning. I went outside to have her come in. She is usually laying down right by the door, patiently waiting to come inside, but this time she was over at the fence sniffing Big Paris, as she calls them. (There are two). They usually bark in her face, but this time, a Big Paris was sniffing back.
My dad was apparently told about an inappropriate photo online. His response? "Woohoo. I bet that was a sight! It's a wonder the whole Internet didn't throw up!" Did I mention, my dad is the funniest person ever?
We are hopefully buying a car this weekend. I would really love a slug bug...but I'd settle for a Jeep. However, this vehicle will be Derick's, so he can get what he wants. Maybe he'll find a really slick slug bug, though.
Did you know the nation's tallest lighthouse is right here in NC? Here's a pic.
Wow! A successful photo post! Isn't that beautiful? A few years ago, my sister was a little obsessed with lighthouses, and I didn't really understand her fascination. I get it now, though. Lighthouses are so cool! This one is the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse at the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. It's open for climbing in the summer, so hopefully we can go climb it soon and let you know what it's like! Maybe I'll take after Shannon and begin collecting little lighthouse figurines!
I just went out to the garage to switch the clothes over. (Our laundry is in the garage). I took Paris with me, and she started sniffing around. I turned around to check on her and she had one of those big, yellow mouthpieces in her mouth. It wasn't exactly in all the way, but close enough. I wish I'd taken a picture! She was ready for MCMAP!
It's really hot here. I'm sure it's even hotter in Arkansas with all your humidity, whatever that is. Also, how are the mosquitoes in Arkansas? I haven't heard much complaining about them, so maybe they didn't show this year? I was watering our flowerbed the other night, and I saw one on my leg. I'd almost forgotten what those things were! That's the only one I've seen.
Today is Kenley's birthday. She's my now six-year old niece in Arkansas, and Derick and I call her Bitsy. Bitsy was born almost a week after we got married. We were actually on our honeymoon in StL when she was born, so on our way back, we stopped by to meet her. She was born early and she was the tiniest little baby I'd ever seen. She was so little she fit in our hands. So we named her Bitsy. She's always been a tiny little thing, but that doesn't stop her from having a huge personality. Bitsy is a lot like her Aunt Kem. Everyone tells me that, and I can see it myself. She loves to dance and make up crazy songs and dress eccentric and try new foods and just go go go. I love that she's like me, and I hope she cleans up the little areas in life that I left messy. I am proud of all three of my nieces and my nephew. They are definitely their own people, and I admire that. I hope they can see how much Derick and I love them, and I hope they know that we are very proud to be their aunt and uncle. Happy Birthday, Bitsy! We love you!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)