It's that time of the year again...

The day the movers will be here to pack up my things for the journey to South Carolina has finally arrived. I'm waiting for them to knock on the door and send Coda into a frenzy. Right now he is so discombobulated that I don't think he knows what end is up. Tomorrow they will actually load everything on the truck. I can't believe it. I'm actually moving to South Carolina!

Last night, as I was separating all of my stuff from Katelyn's, washing all of my linens, and packing my bags that are going to travel across the country in the trunk of my car, I came to an interesting realization. When I drive out of California this weekend (OH MY GOD, I CAN'T BELIEVE IT IS THIS WEEKEND) I will be moving for the seventh time in five years. I feel like quite the nomad. You would think though that it would get easier the more I do it. Unfortunately, I don't think moving is something that will ever get easier for me.

You see, I'm kind of like a plant. I put down roots when I am left in one place for too long. When I left Massachusetts for California the first time, it was like someone ripped my heart out. As long as I live, I will remember the sight of my parent's house disappearing in my rear view mirror, and look on my dad's face when he realized that it was time for me to go. Heartbreaking doesn't even begin describe it.

When I left California for Hawaii, it was sad because I didn't want to leave Josh and Cassandra. However, I knew I had to go. It was time for me to move on, even though it had only been six months.

Hawaii was the first place I really put down roots outside of Massachusetts. I had my first address (that I paid the rent for) that I lived at for more than a year, as well as a circle of friends that I was very close to. I was in a job that I enjoyed, and I could not imagine living my life any other way. When I moved out of my apartment on Kulewa Loop, I cried for days. Although, as I think about it, I really DON'T miss the cockroaches.

During this stint in California, I have had three addresses. I lived in the "ghetto apartment" on Crolls Garden Court, the cute duplex on Central Ave, and my current home on Barbers Point Road. The first apartment was scary...no doubt about it. That's the first and LAST time I rent an apartment through classifieds. The Central Ave apartment was nice, quaint and homey...but expensive.

My house here on Barber's Point Road is my favorite place that I have lived so far. Moving in with Katelyn out here was one of the best decisions I think I have ever made. The rent was cheap, and the company was good. Granted, we had our squabbles, but for the most part, it was fun.

I think the big difference with this home versus the other two I have lived in during this stint in California is that it actually FEELS like a home. From the first night I moved in, I have felt like I am coming "home," not just back to the place that I'm paying somebody to let me live in. It's warm, inviting, and friendly. I know this sounds cheesy, but I'm a big believer that homes have a spirit to them. Some places feel cold when you walk it, no matter what the heat is turned up to. Some places set you on edge, no matter how comfortable the furniture and interior design may be. Some places have no feeling at all, and it's confusing. From the first time Katelyn and I walked into this house when we were looking for apartments, it has felt warm and comfortable. I will miss my home very much.

All of this being said, I can't wait to walk through to door in Folly Beach, and have that sense of relief that comes when you know you are not a guest some place. Instead, you belong there. Not that I have ever felt like a guest in Ben's apartment, or that I didn't belong, but I've always known that it was temporary and I would have to go back to California in a week or so. The next time I put my key in the door though, I will be home.

And I cannot wait.

Roughing it

Last night Katelyn, her boyfriend Jimmy, and I went camping up in Bodega Bay. On one of my trips to the Coast with Andy I found this great campground right on the beach in the Doran Beach State Park. They don't take reservations though so it's first come, first served. When I called they had one site left, but wouldn't hold it. So, yesterday after training (which thankfully let me out VERY early), Jimmy and I beat feat up to the Coast, and Katelyn followed as soon as she left work.

It was definitely worth it. The view from our campsite was positively wonderful. We were just off the break wall into Bodega Bay.
So, we got there, set up camp, and proceeded relax. It was great.
We built a fire and roasted Polish Sausages, drank some wine, and remembered what stars look like without light pollution to ruin it.Even the dog got into it, and enjoyed himself. He was the only one who was brave enough to go into the water. We opted to go camping to commemorate my last weekend in California, rather than throw a party like we originally planned. This was definitely a much better option, and infinitely less stressful.

It was just what I needed.

It's the Final Countdown...

Seriously, I feel like wherever I go, Europe's "The Final Countdown" should be playing.

I have ten calender days left in the Coast Guard before I go on "terminal leave." That means only 8 working days. I'll be in training for three of those, and moving during 2 of those...so that means only three days left! This is something that I find both exciting and a bit scary.

Every night I get an email from Ben with a countdown in the subject line. We've already done the extent of the planning that I think we'll do for the trip, determined our route, and figured out where we plan on stopping (his uncle's house, the Grand Canyon, and his parent's home). Coda's all caught up on his shots, and I even got him a new dog bed to travel with. The car's been to the mechanic twice, and I had a moving sale to sell off the stuff I don't want to move with me.

I think I'm ready. Let the games begin!

Happy Birthday to Me (Part 2)

Tonight, some of my "California Family" threw me a birthday party - complete with balloons: flowers: party favors: and cake!
Thanks guys. This was a memorable birthday. I will miss you all.

Happy Birthday to ME!

Twenty seven years ago today in a Worcester, Massachusetts hospital, new life was brought into this world at 8:20 am. That new life was me.

My mom had me on the first day of Spring in 1980. To hear her tell it, the day was absolutely beautiful. The sun was shining, it was warm, and the trees were getting ready to bud new leaves. The next day of course, there was a snow storm :). Typical New England weather.

This morning, I didn't want to get out of bed. It is damp and raining here in the Bay Area. But, I did, like I do every morning. This morning though, I treated myself to a cup of tea and a fruit salad from a coffee shop down the street as a birthday present.

Earlier in this patrol, Ben and I discussed it and decided that we would celebrate BOTH of our birthdays when he gets back. Mine will be belated, his will be early. He will be at sea for his during the next patrol. He keeps reminding me though that he got me something really nice for my birthday...but won't give me any hints about what it is ;).

Last night before she went to sleep, Mom wished me a Happy Birthday. This morning as I was standing outside my office, locked out with the rest of my co-workers, my Dad called me too. my sister sent me a HILARIOUS e-card. Last night Katelyn and I decided that we'd go camping this weekend to celebrate my birthday. My friend David emailed me this morning to wish me a Happy Birthday.

It is nice to be thought of, especially on your birthday. My friends and family really came through for me.

Thanks guys. I really appreciate it!

Photo Theme for Thursday

It's interesting, since posting my blog on BlogHer.org Tuesday, I've already been given some really neat ideas for postings. The Daily Meme is a website that poses different ideas to write about every day, one of which being the Thursday Challenge. The challenge is to find a really interesting picture to illustrate the topic for the week. The challenge for this week is "Water." Over the last nine years I have DEFINITELY had exposure to some neat pictures of water, in all of it's forms... This was taken during a winter storm in the Bering Sea...the waves were about 30 feet tall that day. The ship is almost 400 feet long. By the time we came through the storm, the deck nets around the gun had been ripped off the ship by the force of the water...

Welcome to the Outside World

Today I received my first comment from someone that is not in my circle of family or friends. Last night I listed my blog on BlogHer.org, a website for blogs written by females. Today I was tagged with two more"meme's" by Zandria M from outside Washington D.C.. In blogspeak, a meme is an idea that is shared and passed from blog to blog, like a question posted in one blog and answered in many other blogs. Usually it is expressed as a list of questions about yourself, to be answered in such a way that others can learn more about you. My first entry in this blog was a "meme" about Six Weird Things About Me. So, without further ado, here's are MY answers to the "meme's" that were posed by Zandria:
Meme #1
3 Things That Scare Me
1. Thunderstorms.
2. Being the center of attention in a crowd
3. Crowds and lots of commotion

3 People Who Make Me Laugh:
1. Ben
2. Andy
3. Bernie

3 Things I Love:
1. Watching NASCAR.
2. The ocean
3. My family and friends (does that count as two?)

3 Things I Hate:
1. Being Late for ANYTHING.
2. Ambiguity of any sort
3. Bugs (especially Cockroaches and Palmetto Bugs).

3 Things I Don’t Understand:
1. Stereo Instructions
2. Why people around here are so anti-military (not just anti-war). Don't they understand that we are also there to (God Forbid) protect them?
3. Homophobia

3 Things On My Desk:
1. At home I have a printer, a lamp, and mug of pens.
2. At work I have a picture of Ben, a philodendron, and a phone.

3 Things I’m Doing Right Now:
1. Answering email from Ben
2. Checking news on foxnews.com
3. Watching "Jericho"

3 Things I Want To Do Before I Die:
1. Go back to Alaska
2. Help as many people as I can while I am here
3. Write a novel (no, really, I want to)

3 Things I Can Do:
1. Make pancakes from scratch
2. Complete maintenance on my car (I just choose NOT to anymore)
3. My own taxes

3 Things I Can’t Do:
1. Be outgoing with strangers (I am SUCH an introvert).
2. Come up with a "comeback" when it's appropriate (usually by the time I think of one, it's long past the time it would even be remotely funny or applicable)
3. Skydive (although Andy keeps telling me I should)

3 Things I Think You Should Listen To:
1. (I can't believe I'm saying this) Your Parents
2. Your gut
3. The Pachelbel Cannon

3 Things You Should Never Listen To:
1. Anyone who ever tells you that you "can't."
2. Hypocrites
3. Rap music so loud I can hear it a block away

3 Things I’d Like To Learn:
1. Spanish
2. How to drive a stick-shift confidently
3. Glass Blowing

3 Favorite Foods:
1. Red Curry Chicken (Toomie's Thai Red Curry is good, but I prefer my own).
2. Fish tacos
3. Creme Brulee

3 Shows I Watched As A Kid:
1. Sesame Street
2. Mr. Rogers Neighborhood
3. Reading Rainbow
(I stole those answers from Zandria...mine were the same)
***************************************************
Meme #2: The Wikipedia Edition.

Instructions: Pull up Wikipedia and search for your birthday. Find three notable historic events that occurred on that day, two notable births (besides yourself), one death, and one holiday.

On March 20:
Notable historic events:
1760 - The "Great Fire" of Boston destroys 349 buildings
1922 - The USS Langley is commissioned as the first United States Navy aircraft carrier
2003 - 2003 invasion of Iraq: In the early hours of the morning, the United States and three other countries begin military operations in Iraq.
Notable births:
1928 - Fred Rogers (from Mr. Rogers Neighborhood)
1948 - Bobby Orr (of the Boston Bruins!)
Notable Death:
1727 - Sir Isaac Newton
One Holiday:
The Vernal Equinox

So...now you know me a little bit better...