Deployment #2

Where do I begin? It's been 22 months since DH came home from his last deployment. I've spent the past few hours reading the posts of last deployment and I can't believe how fast the time went by. I can't believe how optimistic I was. Perhaps it was a different mentality because it was my first deployment. Up until two months ago we were under the impression his company would not be deploying. Surprise! He is and did.

This time I didn't attend the FRG meetings, didn't cry randomly during the months leading up to the deployment, or do any research on the upcoming journey. I ignored it, lived in denial. And so now that he's left, I don't know what to think. I don't know how to handle this one.

I will say, though, that this deployment is slowly catching up to me. The first few days I was dealing with this deployment with a zen-like mentality. Time would pass with or without worry, I couldn't sit around waiting for him, I had to live my life. Yeah... right... That quickly went out the window as I learned more details about where he would be staying and the type of deployment this was turning into.

He's with a special group this time and going to a very dangerous place. I hope his living conditions are at least better than last time though I'm not so sure about that.

Update: I had spinal surgery last February and have not had any sciatic pain since. It is amazing how quickly the surgery worked! I'm so thankful I am able to run again.

I've been running more lately. DH and I ran a 10 miler at the end of March together which was an amazing experience and I'll be running a half marathon in October. On top of that, I'm writing more stories on fictionpress, and reading more regularly. With these three things, I should be able to stay sane.

I'm going to California to see my family for 3 weeks in a few days. My cousin is getting married, I get to see my grandma, dad, and cousin. I'm really excited but the deployment blues are sucking the fun out of it. Hopefully once I'm on my way I'll be more up to it.

In fact, I KNOW I will be. It's just that this first week is dragging. He left on D Day ironically. I can't see the time passing as quickly as last time, but I hope it does. The deployment length will be a breeze if I can get back to that place where time meant nothing.

In August I'm going to see Mango in Boston for a week, see Diego in NY for a day or so and then head back home. And then it'll be September and (hopefully) halfway through this deployment. It's not nearly as long as last deployment, so why can't I muster the strength to be optimistic?

Looks like this blog is turning into a deployment diary. Let's see how well we survive this one.

It's Been Way Too Long!

Where to begin? A lot has happened in the months that I've taken a hiatus from blogging. Instead of writing out a 5,000 word post, I'll just jump to the chase and bullet-point the highlights of the past 8 months.

*Got accepted to Brescia University for the online BSW program (one of few online accredited BSW programs in the country).
*Paid off the car thanks to Deployment savings (YAY!!).
*Started reading again.
*Started writing fiction stories on fictionpress.com.
*Started writing a short fantasy story for Writers of the Future.
*Gotten back into running.

I feel that I need to elaborate on some of those points. First, my writing. I've always liked to write but I hadn't taken it seriously until I read a sample of a published work of paranormal fiction. The writing was so mediocre that it spurred me to write my own story. Surely I couldn't write any worse than this person!

I've started four stories, all separate from one another. It's been a bit of a long, rough road and I'm not the best person at taking criticism but it's getting better. Here's the link to my profile if you're interested. I can't promise that they're any good, but that's my inner critic coming out to spout her negativity.

FictionPress Author Profile


Reading. Ah, my first love. I've loved reading since 6th grade and have always been an avid reader. However, the past few years have really sucked the life out of my inner bookworm. But I'm happy to announce that with the addition of my Nook (and recently my Nook Simple Touch with Glowlight - LOVE IT!) I found my stride again. I've been reading nonstop for the past year and I'm so happy I got back into it. Besides running, there is no greater escapism.

And running. My life goal is to run a full marathon. I'll get there someday. It's been a little slow, but all great things in life take time. I've almost worked my way up to 3 miles and after that, it'll be smooth sailing.

Somewhere between 3 and 4 miles, I go into what I call 'autopilot'. It is at this moment that my breathing eases up, my muscles are no longer fatigued, and I am at peace. Don't ask me how or why this happens, but it does. And once you get to that place, you can go forever.

I could elaborate on a few more points, but I think that's good for now :)

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He's Home!!!!!!!

I have waited 363 days to make this post.

First off, let me assure you that the end of this deployment was nothing but horrendous.  We encountered 100 bazillion delays including DH contracting Malaria 24 hours before he was supposed to fly to Germany.

After 2 weeks of delays and giving up hope that I would ever see DH again, he came home.  He arrived *on time* on Sunday at 6:45pm.  I saw his plane flying towards us in the distance from the hangar.  It was… surreal.  Knowing that my husband, who I hadn't seen in 9 consecutive months and had traveled 7,000 miles to make it home, was mere yards away was the most exciting experience.

He was one of the first people off the plane and we saw each other right away.  After seeing him, I ran inside the hangar, stood by the stage, and waited as they marched in.  He was right in front of me after they marched in.  I was so excited I was literally shaking.

When they were released for 15 min, I ran to him and was embraced in the biggest/ most emotional hug of my life.  It couldn't have been better.

Reintegration (which consists of the past 4 days) has gone very well.  We're not suffocating each other with 24/7 contact, nor are we distancing ourselves from each other.  Everything just seems… normal.


In 2 weeks we'll head to NJ and Vegas for block leave :).  Can't wait!

Helloooo August!!!

This is MY month!







Need I say more? :)