Settling In

Things are getting settled a lot better now. I finally have all the painting done and the pictures on the walls. With the concrete I can not do my shelves, but thats okay. Everything looks great and is feeling very homey. Still spacious, but homey. 

My car should be here in a few weeks so I am still driving the rental Fiat 500. I am getting the manual down pat now and rarely stall or have troubles on the hills. Not that they are my favorite, but I feel much more comfortable to drive anywhere now. 

Work has been going good; slowly but surely picking up the routine and the baby stuff. I have only been in 1 delivery, but it was pretty cool. The paperwork has been the biggest obstacle. 1/2 of the charting is on the computer and 1/2 is on paper. Pain in my arse, but I am getting there. The people are real nice, so that helps a lot. I also will be training to the ER and work there when they need some help. I look forward to that, but hope to get more comfortable delivering as well. 

Some recent travels have been on the island; Palermo (Sicily's Capital) which has the catacombs and some amazing churchs. Also ventured to some local festivals such as the Vendare beer festival and the Caltigone Patron Saint festival. To be honest is hotter than heck right now, so thats been keeping travels to a minimum. 110's is about my max...hot is just hot...but the humidity sure sucks the life out of you. Thank goodness for air-conditioning! 

Hope all is going well back in the States with everyone! Take care! Caio Caio!

Its Moving Day...Finally!

So after paying for my new place since the 9th, I finally get to move into it. My household goods (HHG) had a delivery date no later than 30 June...well that didn't happen and so my whole move in was significantly delayed. But it really worked out (after being super ticked off) because I was able to make some purchases for my place and to slowly move from the Temporary Lodging (the "Q") to my new home. The Navy also offers members to file an inconvenience claim towards delivery of late HHG, but that was not needed since the Navy is already paying me rent as well as will pay the cost of my $45/night stays at the Q. 

It will be like Christmas to open some boxes! I packed out the 1st of May...so its been eon's living out of suitcases for so long. It will be well worth the wait. The kittens have been staying here and getting accommodated to the place, so that has also worked out well. Thank-you to Ramir who kept care of them for me since I arrived on the island. 

Also good news; I am done, done, DONE with all indoc classes...there are 1/2 dozen here it seems...Military, Base, Cultural, Hospital...blah, blah, blah...they have been useful (some) but sitting in a classroom all day is not my idea of a good time! Friday will be my first day of work on the Multi-Service Ward (everything you can think of...including delivering babies). I look forward to doing patient care again, though its less than my ideal 1st choice (critical care; which they don't have here. Or ER...which my boss is going to aide me getting there). 

I hope all is well back in the states...once again...enjoy your cable TV, DSL Internet and convenience foods and shopping for me :) 

Traveling WoMAN

So the last few weeks have been busy as I am in Indoc now (which is a combo of military as well as Italian Culture classes) along with getting settled and getting keys to my new place, etc, etc...not to mention the travels that I have been so lucky to do; I went ot Rome the last weekend of June on an opportunity I could not pass up with my sponsor, Dana, and Hannah, a fellow nurse who has now gone back to the States. It was amazing. Here is a photo of the girls and I at the Vatican:

This past weekend I went on an organized tour/trip to Volcano Island, which is part of the Aeolion Island groups that stem from Volcanic rock creation and also got to tour Lipari by boat (a few of the other islands are Stromboli, Panerea, Salina, Alicudi, and Flicudi; 7 in total) which are all just north (1 hour ferry) of the Sicilian Coast. And then to the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento which is 2 hours SouthWest of Sigonella on the coast. Catania and Sigonella are so central is great! Volcano Island; with Sulfer baths: And the 2nd is of the Temple of Guinone;

Enjoy and more to come! Ciao Ciao!