Independence Day

Happy 4th of July, and more importantly the celebration of America's Independence!

Today marks the anniversary of the most gut wrenching/emotionally draining trauma patients that my team and I took care of just 1 year ago. Its been a great weekend of spending time with close friends and enjoying my last few days of Sicilian sunshine. Please pray for the military members AND there families who have served and who currently serve. Even more support for the families of those who have lost their loved ones. Never Forget!

Also getting ready to get back to the States. I fly out 07 July, which is just a a few short days away. Its all very bittersweet!

Ciao Ciao till next time!

Long Time! Lots to do!

Wow...dang...its been eon's yet again...suprised my father didn't say anything yet :) Over the past 2 months, nothing too terribly exciting has happened. I have been able to enjoy summer, hiking, the beach and a nice trip to Switzerland on my off time and of course working oodles. Tomorrow will be my last shift before packing out this week and then an 8 day cruise with my great friend Rose. We will hit up the Spanish Med and then return to 10 days or so of check out from work, housing, base, etc... July 7th will be my flight departure date, so I can wait! I almost taste the mexican food!

This is a short post for now; just to upload some photos. A few of these are from hiking here in Sicily, then the others are Switzerland...absolutely gorgeous, but very expensive place to visit!

More pics to come from the upcoming trip and updates with the move, etc...

Grateful

For the past 18 days I have been in the US. I have been doing a temporary duty (TAD) in Portsmouth, VA working in the ICU at the Naval Hospital. I didn't think I was going to have much of a plan other than working lots as I didn't know many people here. But thankfully, I was honored to work with a great team of people who welcomed me with open arms. They all treated me as I was their own permanent team member! So many thanks to Phil Boyer, LT Kim, Elise Holmes and Demetrius Brown, among a few others!

Mom also came to visit, which was an awesome not expected part of the trip as well :)

So now begins the ever bridging gap of time to depart Italy! I am so excited!!!! I have solidified my plans that I don't ever want to be stationed overseas (excluding deployments) ever again. The distance from my family and the state of living in the US is something I have missed terribly! I have no regrets and feel blessed to have the opportunity to live in Italy, but am ready to be stateside again for a very long time.

Carnivale

So Carnivale kicked off a few weeks ago. Carnivale is similar to Mardi Gras, though down graded so much more. There were floats, no beads, alcohol, but no craziness. It seems to be directed more towards the children as they dress up in costume as well and people throw confetti and shoot silly string all over the place. It was fun though, for sure!



Winter is almost over here...the rainy season is about done and summer is just about here. Was able to go snowboarding today on MT. Etna which was a very challenging day, but lots of fun, laughs and many sore muscles to be had. Next time I need a butt pad for cushion :)


Also got word this week that I am going to head back to the states for some cross-training in the ICU at Porsmouth, VA. I am pretty excited to go back stateside as its been over 1 year now! But it won't be much play, all work to absorb as much as possible during the 18 days I will be gone. I am preparing to take my Critical Care Certification exam in the next few months, so that gives me some fresher as its been a few years now since I have done ICU consistently. ER world is much different. And I will be making a few stops at Target...my favorite store to do some major damage in : ) And scoping out cars so when I move to Cali I will know what to buy.



Ciao Ciao

Its been a while

Thanks Dad for the reminder that its been eons since I posted :) Yes, of course there are things going on since I posted a few weeks back; though I did have an enjoyable trip to Poland in Warsaw and Krakow for a few days. Was a great trip and the people, food and sites were amazing. I loved it, but it was an abrupt ending when I went back to work very early the next morning for a class :p

Am getting things in order for my departure, pack outs, check outs, getting M and M ready and just plan getting excited! This being said; time is dragging and slow is life right now. The days are getting longer and the sun getting brighter; I will survive!

Travels

Just returned from Amsterdam and Brussels; had an amazing time, but it was my first, and hopefully last solo traveling excursion. Its just more fun to share the experience with another person/people. I will post pictures later.

Found this map which was pretty cool about how much/places in the world you've visited. 12% for me already...seems like its been much more, but this world is a big place :)

Create your own travel map


Anonymous has traveled to: Afghanistan, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Kuwait, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Netherlands, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, Solomon Islands, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City, Vietnam, USA States: Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin

MT Etna Erupts!...and I'm at work :(

View from housing in Marinai; just 7 miles West of the main base
Were the majority is lit up on the bottom on the left is the city I live in, Motta

Craziness!

So last night, for the first time since 2002 (well more than just a trickle), Mt Etna erupted. Mt Etna is the main area that we can see from base, which we often call the 'She' as she is a female (always smoking) volcano. Starting at around 9pm it started to spew and just got more intense till about 2 am. This morning I walked out to my car covered in soot; grey ashy soot. thankfully I have an awesome neighbor who washed my car while I slept today.

They have posted various things on base about the air quality, but it isn't foggy out, the wind seems to be going further west and so I was able to do some running outside without coughing up a lung (yet!). Can't be much worse than Afganistan.

So thats news here...luckily, so far, all flights are a go as I depart for Brussels/Amsterdam on Sunday for a few days. Ciao Ciao!

Firenza New Years 2011

The locks of love and committment near the Ponte Vecchio bridge


Pisa!

Happy New Years! As I uploaded these photos I couldn't help but think I should rename this blog to be called something outside of Life in Italy as I often post in regards to travels and events outside of Italy. I have done a fair share of travel inside Italy as well....but too me the more exciting locations have been outside.

For New Years a group of friends and I traveled to Florence over a 4 day weekend and rented an apartment for the 6 of us to be able to stay together. We had a great time, drank lots of wine and champagne, saw the sites, ate lots of delicious food and enjoyed the company of some friends who are departing soon, myself included.

Which brings me to the most exciting news of the New Year; I recieved my ORDERS to Camp Pendelton which means its official. I will depart Sicily in June and hope to travel back home this summer as well. I look forward to the next adventure and am eager to get back to Southern California! I can understand I am very lucky to be stationed here in Sicily, and know I take advantage of that sometimes, as I describe it simply; I am a spoiled American who misses the conveniences of the States.

Till next time, ciao, ciao!

Deutsch Reisen

Wow...haven't written all December~sorry! This is the only place that reminds me of such :p

So I hope that this little note finds everyone enjoying their holiday season and getting in the spirit of christmas and looking forward to the new year ahead. Though I am not able to see my family, its been great to spend time with my 'italian' family of friends and enjoy good food, good times and great travels! This past weekend I was lucky to be able to travel to Nuremburg Germany as well as take a train to Munich, Germany. I had a great time with some friends and about froze our asses right off! hehehehe...it was in the low 20's all weekend, but after we have been used to our 60-70 degree Sicilian weather, it was a shock to our system.

In Germany we got to explore the city of Nuremburg to include of course the Christmas markets as well as the Nuremburg trial museum (which was very powerful), and it goes without saying we walked till our toes just about fell off and ate our way through the friendly, welcoming markets. Christkindlesmarket is one of the most historical Christmas markets in the world. The food; pretzels, sausages, sauerkraut, egg nog, mulled wine and of course beer were phenomenal.

Nuremburg

In Munich, after a 2 hour train ride we explored the city on one of those hop on, hop off busses. We also got to walk the city and find the Hofbrauhaus which is another historical site; one of, if not, the oldest brew haus in Germany or the world. I had a tasty lemonade light beer called the Radler. Then we walked to go ice skating, which I loved. I might be a little rusty than 10 years back, but I still got some moves :)

Hofbrahaus

Overall a great trip that got me in the Christmas spirit and good preperation for my New Years trip to Florence...just gotta do some of that stuff called work to cushion the trips :)

Merry Christmas!! Buone Feste!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving...if it be a few days late :) I was able to enjoy a delicous feast and the great company of friends at my co-worker and good friend Naomi's house. Her and her husband, Nick, hosted the ER staff and some other friends for a great day. We had the traditional stuff, as well as some lasagna brought by an italian friend. This year was a bit different than last; the girls versus guys games didn't work out as well as us girls had hoped! hehehe

A friend of mine from San Diego, who now lives in Japan; Stacy came to visit me for a week. Though I did have to work many of the days she was here, we had a great time catching up and visiting around the area; showing her the sites of Sicily. I welcome visitors; especially as I leave in 7 months!

Not much else going on, hope everyone is doing well. Ciao Ciao!

Veterans Day and Goodbyes

Veterans Day was just this past week and known to be a "holiday", day off, and/or time for the sales. But this year, even more than years past its important to recognize those who have served. Its been a great honor to serve with all the Navy, Marine, AirForce, Army and Coast Guard members out there! Never forget those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. Navytimes just released an article I found to be pretty cool; a new ship named after the first marine MOH recipient; Cpl. Jason Dunham.

I also said farewell to my close friend Heidi. I knew her at Balboa and has been a lifeline here in Sicily. One of my only single friends.. hehehe...She has left the Navy after 5 years and I will miss her so much! :(

Getting rid of a wicked bad cold/sinus infection that 'blessed' me with loss of my voice for 2 days. Am relieved to think it might possibly be over after 2 weeks! Grrr...am the worst patient!

Ciao Ciao!

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween everyone! Though Italians don't celebrate Halloween, they do celebrate tomorrow (All Saints Day) and the ones that live near base do take advantage of dressing up their children and have them trick or treat. But Warren, my coworker and friend had a big bash with a haunted trail and all. I wanted nothing to do with the haunted trail, but I did help make a lot of the food we provided for the 50+ people. Oh, and if you can't tell, I was a beer maid :)

Work is going alright...been on nights still, which is better this time around for my sleep cycle, but I still eagerly await day shift the end of this week!

Not much else cooking, hope all is well! Ciao Ciao!

Oui, Oui Paris

Eiffel Tower at night...at 8pm it started to glitter
I must say; I have been extremely blessed and lucky to be able to do so much travel lately...most recently Paris with a good friend Heidi. Heidi leaves to the US in the next few weeks and will be greatly missed :( Heidi and I in front of Notre Dame

And the good with the not so good; after being away from work for 10 months I went back on my first day which was my first "on call" day as well and the following nights back to work in the ER. Its much different! And slow island life is going to be the death of my social life being on night shift, not to mention a skill killer. Luckily I should get to go to Germany in the next few months for some ICU cross training which I look forward to.

So back to Paris; it was AWESOME! By far the most gorgeous, friendly, clean city I have been to so far (right behind London and Edinbourgh). The people were so kind to ask us on several occasions for help with directions. We did a few day trips; 1 was to the Champagne area (countryside, about 2 hours outside the city), the other 1/2 day to Versailles and tour. Both places were gorgeous. The weather over all was the biggest help to a wonderful weekend too! Crisp fall days and cool evenings were perfect. One of my favorite sculptures at the Louve; Pysche and Cupid View from the top of the Eiffel Tower
Of course you can't get enough photos of the Eiffel Tower! Though parts of Europe are part of the increased level of security threat, there were no problems and it was tough to notice any difference within the city at all. There were a few armored military members hanging out in random spots, but other than that.

Hope all is well. Ciao Ciao!

M☀lta

Since I am not just yet back to a full time work schedule, I have been able to maximize and "catch" up on my travel plans on extended weekends! This past weekend I was able to go to Malta. A short 40 minute flight away and an island of so much beauty! The waters were pheonomenaly clear and gorgeous! This upcoming weekend I am headed to Paris, a favorite of many of my friends here in Sicily. Hopefully the rainy predictions clear up and we won't need our umbrella the whole 4 days!

This slow of pace has allowed me to get some study time in as well as planning for my next few courses to take for some instructor courses that our command provides; and of course time to catch up with friends!

This past week was a warrior welcome home breakfast provided by the Wardroom. Here is a link of the AFN news site here on base shot click here

Hope this note finds everyone in great health and enjoying fall back in the states! Ciao Ciao!

Readjustment

Have been back a few days now from the vaca, and here are some highlights;

~ Venice was beautiful, and we got lucky having a hotel close to the bus line that was only about 10 minutes from the main square. Venice, was however, very expensive. We paid 1.50 euro to go to the bathroom! It got expensive for me as I drink lots of water :) Infamous gondola's
Hard to see the detail, but tile mosaics!

~ The cruise was awesome! Norwiegan is who we went through and we had a great time. The ship was rather new and we definitly enjoyed it!

~ My father suprised me with a cake, decorations and spa gift certificates! And made me cry :) It was a huge suprise to open the door of the room and find those things.

~Croatia was very pretty; we did the Krka National Park and did a little walkin around the part.


~ Corfu, Greece was a great beach break for us and perfect for relaxing.

~Santorini we did a Greek Fiesta, with a top of the island tour. Gorgeous views, great food and even the dancers and plate breakers. My favorite stop of all the islands.


~Mykenos activities involved a jeep drive and that was entertaining and fun of course. 2nd pick of the islands

~Irakelion was the last stop and we choose to just walk around there. It was very city and obviously very populated. I am sure it had more potential than the time we were alloted on shore; 4 hours.

Overall a huge success and great break from everything. We had perfect weather till the day we got off the boat, so we sure can't complain there either.

It was great to spend time with my mom, she's the best! I was greatful to not have to go into work while she was here either, made it more relaxing as we explored the island; Etna, Taoromina, Catania and Siracusa. One of MT Etna's Craters

So far am getting adjusted alright; some things are still a bit overwhelming as I get back into the lives of my friends. I have obviously missed so many events and thought I would want a big get together, but I've realized I am enjoying 1:1 for now as I get caught up on all the gossip and share my stories as well. My bosses are super supportive, and I actually won't start back with patient care for a few more weeks. This will allow time for some upcoming travels to Paris and possibly Malta, not to mention getting settled and things straightened out :)

Ciao Ciao till next time :)

Home at Last!

I finally arrived safe and sound to Catania last Friday to a warm welcoming and a cold crisp Blue Moon Beer at the Airport. It was great to see my mom and a few friends upon my arrival to combat free soil!

The last few days have flown by with adjusting back to a somewhat 'normal' life and routine, and showing my mom around the tourist spots of the Island. So far we have done Mt. Etna, Taoromina, the beach and the market. Tomorrow we leave for Venice to board our cruise ship for 1 week! Can't wait for a true vaca :)

A Few Final Thoughts from Kandahar

My trauma team at the 80's throwback end of tour BBque

Well the countdown has moved to simply 1 hand of numbers before I leave. Goodbyes have started and new fresh faces have arrived to take our places. My time has been bittersweet, but I can understand why the military typically sends us out for just 6 months. I made a list of thoughts that are my own, and some colleagues;

Things I miss the most:

♥ A space I call my own

♥ Privacy and not being surrounded by people 24/7

♥ Colors of flowers, trees, blue skies

♥ My pets; Molly and Mercedes

♥ My family (even if I do live in another country from them normally)

♥ Wearing what I want, when I want

♥ Cooking!!!

♥ Fresh produce!!!
The First EnRouteCare Flight team in Afghanistan

Things I will miss the most;

☪ The people...95% have been awesome to work with! I will miss them greatly

☪ My beeper

☪ ...Just kidding about #2

☪ Flying in Helo's (yeah, I did that, and no, no one knew this...now my parents and everyone else does)
Me awaiting a flight on the FlightLine

☪ Hockey every Monday! And dominating the boys!

If you look close, its 123 degrees and we are out there playing hard!

Things I WILL NOT miss;

☹ Rocket attacks several times a week

☹ Wearing my Kevlar for ground attacks and changes in dress code

☹ My weapon

☹ My beeper...which I even brought to the bathroom
Our last ground attack...wearing this get up home :(

A few final, deeper thoughts;

✭To the families of the wounded: We did everything we could. You have the hard job ahead of you of helping your soldier heal. I wish you well.

✭ To the families of the dead: We did everything we could. Your soldier received the best care possible. We treated them as we would our own son or daughter. I can't begin to imagine your pain. I am so sorry. I truly will never forget those we lost under my team's care, those names I can too easily share.

✭ Most people here are more affected when someone from their own country is injured or killed. When a child is injured or killed, everybody hurts.

✭ I went to Kandahar in 2010. I saw many horrible things. I saw many good things. I will never forget this place.

✭ Simply put, this has been the most professionally rewarding experience of my life.

✭ Simply put, I would gladly accept a less rewarding experience for just one less injured soldier or child.

I will of course continue this blog, but my next write up should be from Kuwait or hopefully Sigonella!!!! Thank you to everyone who has sent e-mail, mail, care packages, etc...Its kept my spirits up though some tougher times!

Ciao Ciao till next time ✻

ScatterBrain

Over the last few weeks for one reason or another I have been slowing becoming more scatter brained. I don't know if its the thoughts running through my mind of getting back to reality in a few weeks, being able to drink beer, wear what I want and not be attached to my pager like its my left hip, or what. I have unfortunately lost 2 items of monetary value in the laundry. May my I pod and brand spanking new (poohy!) camera rest in piece in laundry heaven. My Id's, keys and back up camera are a constant chase as well. Thank-fully my co-workers keep me in check : )

Today was the Chiefs Run 5K for new CPO selectees and current Chiefs also. With the urging of myself (aka team momma) my Trauma Team and I ran the race. Though we ran at various paces, we all finished together at the end; crossing the finish line 4 times. Made me proud : ) As the other 4 had never ran a race period, let alone a 5K in Afghanistan.

In the next few weeks I will move into tents and then depart theater. Hard to believe as time has passed quickly, but the events we experienced were extra ordinary. Bittersweet time for all of us. I will miss many of the people I have enjoyed the journey, and will be happy to finalize a separation with those who have been and made things more challenging for me. To each their own, and soon our own will truly be ours!

Happy Belated (by a day) Birthday to my brother Moe! Damn, you are old! hehehe...Love you!

Till next time...