Where's Jody?

Where, oh where, do I begin?  It's been over a month since I've managed a connection that would allow me to post!

I spent the holidays in Jebel Ali, UAE, which is the port city for Dubai.  It was a good port visit.  I spent one day diving on the east coast of UAE near the city of Fujairah.  The visibility wasn't magnificent, but the variety of fish was!  I also did a tour of Dubai on Christmas before returning to the ship for an Italian family dinner.  I also had a little holiday party in my room, opening presents while listening to Christmas music.  The next day I had duty, but it wasn't too bad since it gave me a good chance to call the family and enjoy the many, many videos Frank sent from home. 

I'm back out "on the job" now, but lately we've been focused on planning our move.  I might not even finish the deployment before having to head to a school to prepare for my next job.  We're still working out the details, but it's safe to say that in about 3 months we'll be making our way across the country to settle into our new, totally awesome marine in Friendship, MD.  I say totally awesome just based on Frank's account and the website, but Herrington Harbour seems to have all that I could possibly dream of.  Regardless of amenities, we'll all be there together and that's the greatest part.

Not much "ship news" to share.  There are some very monotonous stretches here.  But every day is a day closer to home.  :-)

3 months and something something days to go

I don't even know what to write, I'm just so excited to be able to even get to this blog page today!  Connectivity is less-than-reliable sometimes.  Let's see...since I last wrote my little boy turned 3 and I wasn't there to see it.  Thanks to my amazing hubby I was able to feel like I was there, though.  I got lots of photos and videos!

We have reached the 3-month point, but aren't quite half-way yet.  That's kind of a bummer.  I don't know how much longer I can take being away from the ones I love!  I'd be thrilled to be scrubbing toilets right now as long as at the end of the day I'd see my family.  Sorry if I sound negative, but I've got a cold so I'm just feeling crappy physically which isn't really helping me emotionally.  Boo!

I promise I'll try to be much more positive the next time I write!

My Day

As I got set to do a little workout today I cranked up the incline on the elliptical, closed my eyes, and slowly marched up an invisible hill.  Soon I could hear the crunch of the leaves, feel the chill of the air in my lungs, hear the kids giggling…  I was in the woods in the coastal Atlantic, or was it the hills of New England?  Was Frank taking us “just 75 feet off the trail” again on the hunt for a geocache, only to spend the next ½ hour bush-wacking in circles?  I didn’t care.  It felt great.  Just as I thought I caught that smell of the leaves decaying beneath my feet the roar of an afterburner and the thump of a catapult brought me back to my reality.  Warm, stale air, water all around, and flight operations in full swing on the deck below.  It was a nice escape while it lasted.

A very thankful day

We're celebrating Thanksgiving out here on the 26th vice the 25th because of "the requirements of the service" and conveniently that means we're really celebrating on the same day as folks back in the states (it's a time zone thing--just trust me).  Though it's a holiday today I don't feel very different from how I feel every day--too far away from where I really want to be.  The kids and Frank are nearing the end of a 2-week stay in Maryland where Frank is taking a class and the kids are enjoying time with the family there.  I am able to admit that I am jealous.  I'm happy that the kids are having fun, but at the same time I'm hurt when I call and they have no interest in talking to me because of all the fun at the house.  I knew it was going to be like this, but it still stinks.

The Culinary Specialists ("CS's") that serve our staff made a remarkable meal of all the traditional favorites.  They were up all night baking tons of pecan, pumpkin, and sweet potatoe pies and prepping for the feast.  It was great and for the most part we were allowed to relax for the day--no meetings! 

I'm thankful for that great feast, for my wonderfully supportive family, and for the friends and family that have helped Frank, Katreina, and Trent in my absence.  It's a beautiful thing.

Bahrain

I've just wrapped my first visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain.  Like any good port visit, my time was split between eating and relaxing and little else.  The first night in town I went to an Italian buffet with some friends I used to work with in Mississippi.  This was not your Pizza Hut style buffet, but rather one with lamb, risotto, cured meats, cheeses, breads, calamari, pasta, and wine!  It was great! 

The second day was my "treat" day.  I lounged on the beach at the Ritz Carlton, sipping a beer and reading People magazine--a perfectly brainless afternoon.  I took a nice, long dip in the lagoon, too.  I could have stayed in there for hours.  With evening came another food extravaganza at a Rug Flop.  That's where a rug dealer brings a selection of rugs, teaches the group about them, then tries to sell them.  I learned a lot, but let's face it--fancy silk rugs really don't belong on a sailboat.  Instead I enjoyed the shwarma, hummus, and wine!

After a day of duty, my final day in Bahrain was a real treat!  I spent the day with my friend Sonja and her girls, Mia and Cecelia.  Mia and Katreina had been best friends back in Everett before they moved to Bahrain and it was great to reconnect with them.  We went to the mall and ate out (a rare treat for Sonja) and had ice cream.  Then back at their house Mia and I did crafts together and took pictures for Katreina.  It was such a great way to spend the day.  My visit to Bahrain was finished with a nice "girls night out" to dinner with Sonja.

It was a decent place.  I can't say I'd yearn to return, but it was alright.  Now, onward...