Thursday July 29

So it's Thursday. And work seems to have levelled out in regards to amount of stress that is coming down. All of this will change next week, as it's the beginning of the month and people will need appointments and the books will re-open. So more stress coming next week, happy happy joy joy.

On the job front, I am waiting to find out if I am being selected for another job here on base. I would be doing what security functions I did when I was in my last year on active duty, and the pay is better, less stress, etc etc. I really hope I get it. I will miss the people at the clinic here, but I am trying to set myself up for a good position when we PCS back to the States, and this is a stepping stone to that.

The opportunity to go to OTS has surfaced again, and I think I will decline. I really do feel that for me, and the family, life is greener for me on the outside of the Air Force.

I have a story I was writing....and the characters were voluntarily in the story, but hating what I was trying to get them to do. They didn't like it. Didn't like the flow of the scenarios, told me it was unnatural for them. So I said, ok, if I scrap this, can we start over with a different way to tell the story of what happens with you three? They agreed. So I'll try again. Soon.

On a lighter, more personal note, sometimes happiness comes along and surprises you. People come in and out of our lives regularly, especially those of us who are affiliated with the military. Some folks become a more permanent part of our lives, and for those I am always grateful. A'yo Ak'Nashki. I'm pretty sure I butchered that, but I think the jist of it will get across....

So it's a week later

And my car still hasn't been towed back to Mildenhall Village. UGH. Drives me crazy the lack of speed that the British have. I need things out of my car! Bring it back and decide what the inusrance company is going to do with it!!

GAAAAA....makes me a bit nuts.

60 days

Alright, I've been on the job for 60 days. Ok, almost 60 days. And wow is about all I can say as to the experience.

Let's say that life on the other side of the blue suit (in the civilian world working for the Air Force) is much greener than wearing the suit again. I don't have to drink the so-called koolaid that the military has to swallow, which is nice. I don't have to stay at work til all hours because someone screwed something up and we are all being punished for the sins of the few.

No, life on the other side is better....sure, there's still the headaches of micro-management, but if you stare at the PC like you're really busy with work, that annoying person will walk away when they aren't being paid any attention.

So what's a girl do when she gets the job with the agency she's wanted to work for? She starts looking for the next step....and yes, I am on the lookout for the next job...trying to set myself up for a good position when I get back to the US in a year and a half...

So I'm writing more, sewing more, and otherwise enjoying not being a college student...

Graduation was good....I had Macaroni Grill twice, which is all to the good, as I love eating there. Now, it's been over a month since I officially graduated from college ( I love the term Alumnus), and I STILL don't have my degree in hand. Am I aggravated? Oh hell yea......I WANT MY DEGREE!!!!!!!!

Alright.....I'm off. More to come, as always.

What dreams may come

Well, first off, since the Air Force is currently overmanned....I can't apply for OTS.

I started my job this week. I work at the dental clinic on base. And sure enough, on my second day, I meet Ms. You Took My Job. Apparently she'd applied for this same position (she's a contractor and a veteran) and I got it rather than her, and well, let's say she pointed it out to me. Rudely? Maybe a little. But I've been known to fight fire with fire. So I casually point out to her that I was told at my interview that I was guaranteed the job unless I refused it. Sure, that might have been playing a little dirty. But you know what? I didn't really care at that point in time.

So far, the job is semi-interesting, if not a bit monotonous. But since I don't have computer access right now, there's not a whole lot that I can do. It's fine, because there's a whole boatload of in processing that I have to do now that I'm a federal employee. Fun. but hey, it's decent money, good benefits, and pretty good job security...can't complain about that in these economic times, huh?

My graduation is in a couple weeks, and OMG am I ready to be over with it so I can hang the blasted degree on the wall!

In response

Why would I want to do it? I see Officer's Training as a challenge, much like I view a half marathon.

Would my husband get out if I went back as an officer? No, not until he's done with his 20 years. Why, given the point that the AF frowns on O/E marriages? Let me explain the context of which the Air Force frowns on those marriages. Generally the AF frowns on those marriages because they are entered into AFTER one of the spouses is already an officer, indicating a prior relationship (frowned on even more, I know people it happened to, my own brother included). I am already married to an enlisted man prior to taking a commission....so by the Air Force's standard, no 'inappropriate' relatio0nship exsists in that context, as I am married before getting a commission.

Why go back since my prior stint sucked? One theory? Make it better the second go around. I know more now than I did then, I can wait to get a job I prefer rather than just blundering along as I did the first time. The majority of my unhappiness in the military revolved around the fact I didn't like my job, nor did I excel at it. If I go back, I'd change that primarily.

Nothing is written in stone, it's not defined that I'm going back in. I'm asking questions, of recruiteres (if they'd answer the phone that is), and people I know who are officers, as well as senior enlisteds, who have worked with officers and know the difference between a straight commissioned officer with no prior military experience, and a prior enlisted officer. I'm weighing options, considering all the information. We'll see what happens...

Thanks for your input guys, you are the reason I still post here...

Wild idea

So help me, I've been thinking of going back into the Air Force as an officer........

End of an era

I am done with my Bachelor's degree. I got my last grade today. MY degree progress report is full of zeros in the part where 'remaining credits' is at. I will GRADUATE May 9. It's been interesting not having homework.....I like it...

Supposed to start my job sometime this year, if AFPC gets off their butts.....must not want me to work for them that badly huh????

Ziggy gets home next week, YAY!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm writing more.....


More to come

So......

Well, contrary to popular belief, I AM still around.....I've just been really really busy. Seriously.

The last time I updated was about 6 months ago, before I went back to the US for a while. Wow, so much has happened.....

First off, 3 and a half weeks in Georgia with my parents. Yea....not so much. My Dad didn't recognize most of us, which sucked. He gets stressed easily when thigns aren't 'normal' for him, and so us in the house threw him off. My mom doesn't see this, I swear the woman is in denial, which is kinda understandable. So the kids and I did ALOT of travelling. As in AVIS will probably never rent me a car again...I put 3000 miles on a car in 3 WEEKS. Yea, I'm all for unlimited mileage when I rent a car. Went to see Other while I was there, he requested my presence before he left for war climates. The only reason I mention this is because of the instance that took place on the way there. I'm whipping down the highway, making fabulous time on my way to South Carolina, when I get pulled over. Crap. I'm not gonna lie, I was speeding. Did I care when the cop asked? Not too much. well, to make a kinda boring story short, come to find out, VDOT (in their infinite wisdom) cancelled my driver's license. I had sent proof of living overseas so I could have address exemption on my license. Rather than giving me the exemption, the asshats cancelled my license. THanks to the ticket, I found out. The REALLY funny part about this is that the State Trooper that pulled me over was supposed to arrest me for driving without a license. Which he was kind enough NOT to do.

As if the ticket wasn't enough, I got rearended in North Carolina, at a stoplight. In a rental car. Could my trip get ANY better??????? Of course......

I do not speak to my biological mother. For good reason, too. Threatening to hunt down your daughter and kill her and her whole family tends to dampen family relations. ANywho, I went to see my grandmother, at the beach. She takes the boys out for some fun at the amusement park, while I stay home and write a paper. The doorbell rings, and I open the door. To see my biological mother standing there with her idiotic boyfriend grinning like a cheshire cat. I slammed the door and went on about my business.

My time in Washington, although busy as hell, was the highlight of my summer in the US. School kept me busy, and so did training for my half marathon. I was there for 2 weeks when Ziggy got there. My half marathon.......

Let me state first off that I HATE flying. Abhor it. Loathe flying with every fiber of my being. NOT AFRAID of it......I just hate it. This being said, there is no intercontinental rail system, so therefore I cannot ban myself from flying. I took a flight to Las Vegas from Portland. And after that landing, I will NEVER EVER NEVER fly into Las Vegas again. EVER. I had vomit in the back of my throat when we hit the ground, it was THAT bumpy of a landing. The poor Chinese lady sitting next to me couldn't speak English, but she was nice enough not to yell at me for nearly hurling all over her. The worst part of my trip to Vegas was over....I got to the hotel, checked in, and went to eat at a restaurant in Circus Circus that was supposed to be the best steak on the strip. Not so much.

The race. The Extraterrestrial Full Moon half marathon was freaking awesome!!!!!!!! My goal was 3 hours. I didn't hit that, but I was able to finish and walk around afterwards without dying as soon as I crossed the finish line. I finished in 3 hours, 15 minutes. I was pretty proud of myself (I still am). Great event, lots of people, but it was so well planned that you felt like family. The scenery....let me tell you about the scenery. You get bussed out to the 'Black mailbox', dropped off, and you run back into Rachel, NV, to the Alienn Inn, for breakfast. Full moon.....bit chilly, but once you were moving, it wasn't bad. Along mile 4, I started talking to a guy who'd had a friend that worked at Area 51, which was somewhere off to our left as we were running. We chatted for a few miles, and went our seperate ways. at mile 7.7, the grade finally went downhill. It was a steady incline until that point. THe desert is gorgeous, the moon was great, and my head lamp made it to mile 11. At mile 11.5, my legs started protesting heavily. Mile 13.1, I was so glad it was over....but it was great. I enjoyed it so much, I ran one at Windsor castle a little over a month later.

Vegas on the whole, was nice. I can now say I've been there. the best part of the trip, other than the race, was the Titanic exhibit at the Luxor hotel. OMG. I adore everything Titanic. The exhibit was great, but the piece that they had on display last was worth the horrible plane ride into Vegas. It was known as the 'Big Piece'.....a section of the hull of Titanic, hanging from a crane, in this huge room. I coulda passed out right then and there. I stood there, open-mouthed at the closest thing I would EVER get to being at the Titanic. The only time I've ever had that feeling of awe at history was when I was standing at the grave of Elizabeth I of England.

As soon as I got back to Washington, it was full wedding madness as my SIL got married. Fun time, but busy busy busy.

I got back to the UK in time for the boys to start school....and I went back to school. And then we moved into base housing, and I love my new house.

I am currently in my last 2 classes for my degree. I will be done in a couple weeks, and I can't wait. I graduate in May. YAY!!!!!!!!!!

Ok, I think that's enough of an update for now........