The Countdown Begins!

Hard to believe in a little over 3 weeks I will be back in the States visiting with family and friends before the new adventure starts. I am eager and excited to get the show started; probably won't believe it all or have it all sink in till I get there, but I will enjoy the ride and love the time in Michigan and California :)

Its a good thing the shopping won't do me much good as I can't bring much to Afganistan, its tempting to splurge before I hit the sandbox. And for those that don't know much on Afganistan; Wikipedia has some basic, informative information. Without going into specifics some people have not a clue. I am guilty at times as well, but this is the hot spot of War this past year; you can't hear enough about our involvement there.

Speaking of; dropping some helpful hints of "care package" ideas; I will be purchasing a Kindle (electronic book via Amazon) and would love gift cards to load up the Kindle with books before I leave. Just an idea :) Below are the nurses from the hospital (well most of em). I am the Co-Chair on one of the committee's and we had our holiday Christmas party this past weekend.

The trash strike thankfully only lasted 3 days, but that was plenty by me. The weather has been cooperating for the most part; warm and sunny in the days and very cool at night. Using the space heater for now till I get my landlord over to help turn the heat on. Or I will just grin and bear it for 25 more days. We'll see. Below is Etna; its gorgeous right now with all the snow. I hope to go up there this weekend.

Trash

Not sure if its largely known or not, but Naples is notorious for the trash problems they have. Its either the trash men strike often or just don't work at all. Not sure...BUT its spread to Sicily now : ( Its terrible and its just been a few days!

The city usually picks up trash daily; people place trash in bins that are located randomly on streets. Well since this strike its started to spread and almost block roadways. Luckily it hasn't been too warm where its smelling yet...but there are bins within 150 feet of my place, so I am hoping they get their shit straightened out and get back to work.

Heres to hoping :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Okay, so a day late and a dollar short, BUT I wanted to wish everyone back in the States a very Happy Thanksgiving. I know many will never, but please remember to pray for and thank the sailors, soldiers and marines in Iraq, Kuwait and Afganistan that are protecting us.

Was able to get together with some fellow nurses on Tuesday to have my 1st thanksgiving of the week (thanks to Rose and Sam for hosting) and then Thursday with my E.R. co-workers (thanks to Naomi and Nick). It was fun to relax and enjoy some delicious meals :) And I made my first ever Pecan pie (ewe...I despise pecans, but non the less). And it was entertaining to explain to some Italian's that joined the 2nd thanksgiving why we do thanksgiving and why its the 4th thursday of the month. I still don't understand reposto (the 3 hour break from 1p-4p in which NOTHING is open; everyday), so whatever :)

Am getting a lot accomplished for my pre-deployment training, shots, appointments, legalities, etc...so much is to be done; am very thankful to have supportive chain of command, friends and family. I can't imagine deploying a few months back; its easier to lean on others when you know them better and can trust them with your finances :) Everyone has really been awesome. Thats a perk here; in SD my command would have said 'oh, good luck'. Molly and Mercedes will go with some friends I knew from San Diego (Missy and Warren), so that is a huge help. I will miss them a lot though; they are my little buddies :)

Afgan

Today I found out for certain that I will be headed to Afganistan for several months in 2010. I will be leaving Jan for training in the US and then fly to Afganistan. Out course there is a lot to be done and many details unknown, but I look forward to this opportunity and lucky enough to be able to serve and support our sailors, soldiers and marines.

I will keep everyone posted on address info, etc...but for now its on to the next adventure :) I am excited and a little nervous, but will be fine; it really is a great opportunity!

Hope everyone is well!

Back to Life

Well its been a bit, but I suppose I will just get used to getting on here once or twice a month. Life is going well; still the slow island life that I am slowly getting better at adjusting to. Things this past week were extremely busy in the emergency room, so that helped me bring back some of my intensive care skills :) They were getting rusty for while! Lots of people have asked; and yes the swine flu is here too. There are at least 15 confirmed cases of our active duty members and 1 death on the island (not an american). Its everywhere; sounds like the States have it the worst? Being a health care provider I will get the vaccine; but I have already been exposed I am sure in the ER. Eh...what do you do?

No travels off the island recently, hit up a few wineries and finally got off night shift and back to life to see my friends. I never did adjust very well to nights; this past rotation was no exception :) The next guaranteed travel is Paris in Jan; but trust me I have several ideas in mind before then.

There is more and more snow on mt. etna; so it will be fun to go skiing soon. I can't wait to see what the italians wear on the slopes! They are pretty much ridiculous on the streets and stores :) hehehehe....

Caio Caio!

Update

Well all is going well; once again time seems to pass fast and slow all at once :) I am working nights right now so that has taken a toll on my sleeping patterns and with everything in the city closed by 9pm, leaves not too much for me to explore with the exception of my long weekends off. 

Mt Etna has snow already! I am so bummed :( Its been cooler the last few weeks, but no need for heat just yet. Every day driving home I am reminded winter will be coming sooner than I think. The rain has subsided for a few weeks now, so there is a perk :)

I got to travel to Egypt over Columbus Day weekend with a few friends. It was a short trip organized through the on base travel agency; leaving Catania on Saturday afternoon for Cairo and returned on Monday. It was a great deal though; all inclusive hotel, food, entrance fee's, etc...Cairo was a very interesting city to visit with amazing food and hospitality at the big hotels and of course the Pyramids and Spynx as well as Egyptian Museum, a papyrus making factory and a perfume oil gallery with blown glass. It was a packed, and exciting get away. Almost forgot; of course a trip to Egypt is not complete without a Camel ride :) hahaha...

Happy Birthday to my brother Ben! And Happy Halloween to everyone as well! 

Where did Sept go?

Wow... I totally spaced and didn't realize I  did not post a darn thing for Sept! This was the most exciting month; I was able to get my 2 weeks leave to meet B in Dublin, go around Ireland. Then we flew to Edinbourgh, Scotland and then on to London. It was a fantastic get away which was just the break I needed. Sad to say I was ready for an escape already, but it was a great trip and helped me get my head back on straight :) I will post pictures when I can. I still do not have my own internet and thus am still on limited connectivity. Soon they are telling me, soon. 

I do have AFN, which is like real TV for me, not real commercials or updated shows (old Greys Anatomy), BUT its fabulous to have mindless TV on sometimes. 

Work continues to go well, I am battling with being able to sleep; but am getting there. It takes time for me and I have never adjusted easily to nights. 

Hope all is well with everyone. Happy wedding weekends to Allysa and Andrew (Friday) and Eric and Tenille (Saturday). Wish I was in Minnesota to celebrate!