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 :)

I'm Alive!

I thought about posting a new blog post about a week ago, but I was not in the best frame of mind at the time.  I was under the impression that I would die before this deployment ended.  We are definitely in the home stretch now, but the days were dragging for awhile there.

I am happy to announce that everything is back on track now.  I have booked our flight and hotel for Vegas!!! Wooooo!  We will be staying at The Signature at MGM Grand in a one bedroom suite! I cannot wait, I'm so excited =D.  And it was very inexpensive (due to a promotion that reduced our room rate by 20%).  Sooo glad I put forth the effort to save a bunch of money during this deployment so we could have a nice block leave vacation.

Let's see.. What else?

Jack has worms =(.  I took him to the vet yesterday to get his annual shots and found out he has whipworms.  Not a good thing.  But not to worry, he has meds and heartworm prevention which will prevent him from getting worms after he's finished his medicine.

I have a lot to do before DH comes home.  I need to tan (yes I actually have to put forth effort to make this happen), find a nice top for homecoming, buy heels to go with my birthday dress and my cocktail dress for DH and I's fancy dinner in Vegas, workout (somehow I'll manage this despite my ruptured disc), and get my hair done.

Which reminds me… I booked my Japanese Straightening for July 16 with the owner of Lee's Salon, and I'm having my hair highlighted/ lowlighted at the same salon on July 30.  Super excited!

Oh and I have started a new series.  As I have mentioned before, I am a HUGE fan of Karen Marie Moning's Fever Series and of Karen Marie Moning herself.  I have even joined her message board to find other KMM fans such as myself.

Through their recommendations, I have found Ilona Andrew's Kate Daniel Series.  It is such a great series.  From every review I've read, the first book Magic Bites, was the slowest of all of the books throughout the series.  It has been unanimous among readers that the series continues to get better and better with each book.

Since I read Magic Bites and enjoyed it, I'm excited to read the rest of the books.  It is similar to KMM's Fever Series in that it is Urban Fantasy and the dynamic between the Hero and Heroine is amazing!  I cannot wait to see how their relationship (which is more of a tolerate/hate relationship at the moment) progresses.

I'm very happy to find another series/author that really knows how to bring realism to a fictional relationship, and create characters that readers can fall in love with.  That is what made KMM's Fever Series phenomenal.

I've Caught the Fever

And no I'm not sick.

It's the fever series by Karen Marie Moning.  I've always been a big fan of hers as a romance author, but this series blew me away!  I am officially addicted.  I fear that no other series/ novel will ever compare.  I've been spoiled by the best.

She says she's coming out with another series that features the fever world and I am soooo excited about that.  I don't know what I'd do if I never got to "see" those characters again in another story.

Anyway, aside from my newest obsession, I have other good news…

We've got a homecoming window!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Did I mention that we've got a homecoming window?  Yes, that's correct, deployments really do end!

I won't tell you what the window is, just rest assured that it is in the not-so-distant future.  With the days flying as they are with my renewed obsession of reading, DH will be home in NO time.  I honestly never imagined being at this place.  I know I've expressed my astonishment before, but actually getting an email with a [relative] homecoming date is still so amazing to me.

I also plan to go to my mom's tomorrow for a few weeks.  By the time I come back, I will have a very short amount of time before DH comes home.

Oh happy day!