So....(How many of my posts seem to start with this word anymore?!)
I never intended to write many posts about the military and I'm still holding most my final thoughts until after we are no longer active duty....but since the military is what surrounds me, is what currently defines my husband's life, and is part of the institution that employs me, then I'm sure you can imagine that much of what I think about is, well, the military.
I come from an area of this nation where most individuals are opposed to us being at war, but I don't ever feel that any of my friends or family are ever opposed to the soldiers themselves that are over there fighting. I like to believe, that for the most part, the nation does stand beside these men and women who are fighting and who are continuously putting their lives in harms way.
Now anyone who has been a long-time reader here probably knows that I have a mixed bag of opinions on the military, "defense" spending, the lack of services available to soldiers after separation, etc etc. I will whole-heartedly reiterate that I completely believe in my current job, however, and I feel honored to have the experience to interact with such a diverse group of individuals on a daily basis.
One thing that I think we as a society often struggle with is a sense of what it's like to be fighting in this current war. In all honesty, I was under the impression before coming here that we technically weren't at war anymore...but at this point, I can't remember if that was due to the media or a governmental decree or what. What I can tell you is that the military definitely believes that we are still at war and are active participants in Operation Enduring Freedom.
I don't feel that any of the media we see truly documents what the current deployment experience is like however, not that I would know exactly what that experience is or could be like. What I can tell you and urge of you is that you might seek out a recent documentary that my husband and I viewed on the National Geographic Channel. It's called RESTREPO, selected based on the name of an out posting built by a platoon (approximately 30-40 soldiers assigned to more or less the same duties and location) in memory of one of their fallen.
This documentary gave me my first glance at what the actual mountainous terrain of Afghanistan looks like. It exposed me to what an ambush scenario feels like, what it's like to be constantly exposed, raw, and potentially always in fear. It showed me how at times the leadership might lack, that the men bond and form a brotherhood in spite of personality and background differences, and it showed me how difficult it can be to be a soldier and yet need an opportunity to grieve. It gave me a snap shot of the experience that most of the infantry soldiers face and are currently facing, left me applauding the interviewed soldiers for their honesty amid the difficulty of sharing such innermost thoughts and feelings, and left me with an aching heart for these soldiers I serve on a daily basis and for those who have already separated and are attempting to integrate back into a world of civilians who for the most part have a limited understanding of their experience.
If you have the opportunity, please take the time to try to understand this experience and view the film. This link: http://restrepothemovie.com/ will provide you with an overview and the film itself might increase your perspective. You'll probably walk away with new insights but you might also walk away with a stronger argument for some of your previously held beliefs. Regardless, I always think its worthwhile to attempt to understand another human's experience and to gain a better, more honest picture of what is going on in other areas of this world.
If you are in the US and a Netflix user, the film is able to be delivered via DVD although its not yet instant. And I can tell you via the soldier who sat along my side and from commentary from other wives, this film is a vivid snapshot of reality.
(Although a word of caution, you will hear the F bomb dropped consistently and this film is not suitable for children....)
Monday, December 6, 2010
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Reason for Blogging & A Book Response
I've mentioned my recent questioning about the purpose of maintaining the blog.....
....and then today, when I was whipping through the end of "Living Simply" by Joanne Heim, the following passage stuck out at me:
"How are you making and recording your memories? What are you doing to remember today? Nothing important has to happen--it could just be Thursday. But if you happen to be driving down the beach with your hair blowing in the breeze, smelling a tantalizing mixture of sea and Mexican food, singing your heart out along with the Indigo Girls--then it might be a good idea to stop and think, I want to remember how this feels forever.
Feel the sun on your face, take a deep breath, and hold it for a second. Let it out and continue on your merry way, knowing the memory is made and stored away for the next time it's cold and rainy and you're feeling blue (pg 192)."
So even though I might not feel that I'm where I intended to be on this simple living journey (in fact most the time lately I've just plain forgotten.....), this passage reminds me that this blog has the capacity to be a living document---of those moments, of my life, of who I am at this exact time....if only I actually take the time to sit down and click out a few moments into script. In the few moments that I think about shutting down the blog, I do always contemplate using one of those hardbound services to convert the experiences and thoughts from previous years into paper......hmm....although I've thrown away/recycled some of my old journals, so not entirely sure about the point of that either. ;)
And now here are some thoughts on the book itself and the other lessons that I took out of it:
Honestly the first 3/4 of the book I wasn't overly impressed. Some of the reviews I'd read before purchasing the book had been mixed as well, but mainly from individuals who didn't know until the book arrived that the author is a known Christian author (and really you wouldn't know easily if you saw the book as a suggestion). There were many things about this book that didn't speak to me mainly based on a difference of lifestyles and that the author's manifestation of simplicity didn't necessary correspond to my idea of true simple living. The initial annoyance with the book surprised me as in the past I've delved into this material from other authors and felt much deeper connection and/or similarity of philosophy. However, there were some passages I highly enjoyed and that caused me to pause and think, including this referenced quote on friendship by CS Lewis:
"Friendship is the greatest of worldly goods. Certainly to me it is the chief happiness of life. If I had to give advice to a young man about a place to live, I think I [should] say 'sacrifice almost everything to live where you can be near your friends.'"
Truly I only finished the book because a) I hate giving up on books and almost always see them through to the end regardless of how frustrated I become with them and b) I feel like my sister may relate more to this book and I wanted to honestly be able to send it on to her with a positive reference for her. Honestly the last three chapters of the book were my favorite: Simple Sabbath, Simple Pleasures, and Changing Seasons. From those chapters the things that stuck with me the most harken back to one of my primary reasons that I fell in love with a "simple life" in the very beginning: we need a time to refresh and restore leaving ourselves open to what God has to tell us, we are surrounded by so many incredible experiences that can bring us such pleasure if we only stop to notice creation and the daily gifts of life, and that it's not to be about us but rather about how to glorify God.
When I think of the moments from 2007 that I love the most, I am engulfed with memories of trusting in God and his provision, of keeping in mind a global outlook while focusing on my local surroundings, of relishing the glory of what surrounded me, of trying to live rightly to benefit others on this planet, of feeling that my truest gifts were minutes and hours in the company of friends and family, and of realizing that in all things it never was nor is about me. All of those thoughts, those moments to me are the foundation of Christianity, of simplicity, and of sustainability....
So for every individual there is a book, while this one may not have been my favorite, it will probably speak to others....and at the very least it did remind me of a fabulous reason for blogging! :)
....and then today, when I was whipping through the end of "Living Simply" by Joanne Heim, the following passage stuck out at me:
"How are you making and recording your memories? What are you doing to remember today? Nothing important has to happen--it could just be Thursday. But if you happen to be driving down the beach with your hair blowing in the breeze, smelling a tantalizing mixture of sea and Mexican food, singing your heart out along with the Indigo Girls--then it might be a good idea to stop and think, I want to remember how this feels forever.
Feel the sun on your face, take a deep breath, and hold it for a second. Let it out and continue on your merry way, knowing the memory is made and stored away for the next time it's cold and rainy and you're feeling blue (pg 192)."
So even though I might not feel that I'm where I intended to be on this simple living journey (in fact most the time lately I've just plain forgotten.....), this passage reminds me that this blog has the capacity to be a living document---of those moments, of my life, of who I am at this exact time....if only I actually take the time to sit down and click out a few moments into script. In the few moments that I think about shutting down the blog, I do always contemplate using one of those hardbound services to convert the experiences and thoughts from previous years into paper......hmm....although I've thrown away/recycled some of my old journals, so not entirely sure about the point of that either. ;)
And now here are some thoughts on the book itself and the other lessons that I took out of it:
Honestly the first 3/4 of the book I wasn't overly impressed. Some of the reviews I'd read before purchasing the book had been mixed as well, but mainly from individuals who didn't know until the book arrived that the author is a known Christian author (and really you wouldn't know easily if you saw the book as a suggestion). There were many things about this book that didn't speak to me mainly based on a difference of lifestyles and that the author's manifestation of simplicity didn't necessary correspond to my idea of true simple living. The initial annoyance with the book surprised me as in the past I've delved into this material from other authors and felt much deeper connection and/or similarity of philosophy. However, there were some passages I highly enjoyed and that caused me to pause and think, including this referenced quote on friendship by CS Lewis:
"Friendship is the greatest of worldly goods. Certainly to me it is the chief happiness of life. If I had to give advice to a young man about a place to live, I think I [should] say 'sacrifice almost everything to live where you can be near your friends.'"
Truly I only finished the book because a) I hate giving up on books and almost always see them through to the end regardless of how frustrated I become with them and b) I feel like my sister may relate more to this book and I wanted to honestly be able to send it on to her with a positive reference for her. Honestly the last three chapters of the book were my favorite: Simple Sabbath, Simple Pleasures, and Changing Seasons. From those chapters the things that stuck with me the most harken back to one of my primary reasons that I fell in love with a "simple life" in the very beginning: we need a time to refresh and restore leaving ourselves open to what God has to tell us, we are surrounded by so many incredible experiences that can bring us such pleasure if we only stop to notice creation and the daily gifts of life, and that it's not to be about us but rather about how to glorify God.
When I think of the moments from 2007 that I love the most, I am engulfed with memories of trusting in God and his provision, of keeping in mind a global outlook while focusing on my local surroundings, of relishing the glory of what surrounded me, of trying to live rightly to benefit others on this planet, of feeling that my truest gifts were minutes and hours in the company of friends and family, and of realizing that in all things it never was nor is about me. All of those thoughts, those moments to me are the foundation of Christianity, of simplicity, and of sustainability....
So for every individual there is a book, while this one may not have been my favorite, it will probably speak to others....and at the very least it did remind me of a fabulous reason for blogging! :)
A Wonderful Sunday Morning
A perfect Sunday morning:
--dogs running around like fools, Roxi's sharing her toys
--hub and I snuggled under layers of covers watching Definitely Maybe projected on the big screen hung on the wall across from the foot of our bed
--Major curled up tightly near our feet, relishing the extra flannel duvet
--steaming mug of espresso w/ peppermint mocha flavoring on the nightstand
--bundled up in the same layers of sweats I've had since college
--no heat on, but plenty of warmth in this room
At this point, it really doesn't matter what else the day brings. The dogs and I might start the week's 5K running this afternoon. We could hang our outside christmas lights or vacuum up the carpets. We could eat the left overs from my office Christmas party last night.....
No matter what the rest of the day presents, the morning most definitely got started off right.
--dogs running around like fools, Roxi's sharing her toys
--hub and I snuggled under layers of covers watching Definitely Maybe projected on the big screen hung on the wall across from the foot of our bed
--Major curled up tightly near our feet, relishing the extra flannel duvet
--steaming mug of espresso w/ peppermint mocha flavoring on the nightstand
--bundled up in the same layers of sweats I've had since college
--no heat on, but plenty of warmth in this room
At this point, it really doesn't matter what else the day brings. The dogs and I might start the week's 5K running this afternoon. We could hang our outside christmas lights or vacuum up the carpets. We could eat the left overs from my office Christmas party last night.....
No matter what the rest of the day presents, the morning most definitely got started off right.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
November Summary
Sometimes blogging is far from my mind....leading to a month's absence with hardly a second thought. Then I set aside a Sunday midday to check in on some of my most favorite bloggers and am mesmerized by their words and constantly shouting at the hub "look at this picture!" and "listen to this funny bit...".
Sometimes I don't see the point anymore to putting my thoughts down in blog formation when I'm not really sure that I'm living my best authentic life in this very moment, in this very location. (And I'm not really sure that most people care to entertain themselves with my random thoughts....) But I'm living one day at a time, enjoying what I can and I guess that's as good as it can get at times.
The last month has been full and yet mainly lovely in its own right. So in all my randomness, here are my lengthy highlights.....
1) I Took a Vacation
My trip to Atlanta to visit my gal Christina was amazing and well needed. Interestingly my poor Honda had an issue the day before I left but thankfully hasn't had any other issues since then and didn't act up on the 10 hour drive there or back. I'd contemplated taking the truck for mental security but after calculating out the extra city parking hassle and gas mileage....it was worth a potential issue to still take the car. Gas mileage wasn't as good in my car as usual but after realizing my tires needed more air in them, it didn't surprise me....check your tire pressure, folks! ;)
I wasn't as impressed with much uniqueness about Atlanta, but spent some time exploring the great history of the city via MLK's roots and the Oakland Cemetary (on the plus side: both are FREE venues...always hitting up those frugal must-sees!). I had the unique experience of using the MARTA (public metro system) and realizing some of the continued segregation that still exists in the South. (I've recognized the remains of discrimination and racism in my own rural area in Louisiana and on my visits to friends in North Carolina, but Atlanta was the first time in the South that I seriously noticed how divided aspects of the city truly remain. It also was an interesting experience to be the minority individual on public transport, but an experience worth having all the same.)
The highlights of my visit to Atlanta were: real coffeeshops, local breweries and sustainable food systems, real shopping (Target, West Elm, H&M, and DSW all in one location!) were I could finally find flannel sheets and a pair of $30 dress shoes for the upcoming ball, and loads of catch-up and conversation with one of my lovely friends and all her CDC public health fellows! I love me some nerdy conversation at times. For the first time in over a year, I was the weird non-single one. In explaining how I ended up in Louisiana as a career counselor after finishing the MPH (master of public health) program back in Oregon, I got really good at stating "uh, I married a soldier?!" ;) And the reality is....I also had to realize how much this military spouse life has changed me...
2) I Thought a Lot About Family
Granny broke her other leg exactly three months after the break of her right leg. She'd made it thru all her rehab and was back to the point of living independently, mainly using a cane, in her own home again, when she got dizzy (from blood pressure meds) and fell. Same surgery as before, metal rod inserted the lenght of the bone, and she's taking it all in stride....which is really quite amazing. She spent Thanksgiving at my aunt's and she's the most positive individual about this that you can imagine. She's been working hard in rehab and will be moving back into the home of another aunt's for continued recooping on Weds! Being back in Oregon, my family has consistently been visiting her and she's had numerous visits from her social circles too. With this determination, she should be back on two feet in time for her 100th birthday next summer. Such a motivation to all of us!
3) I Officially Was Approved for the Part-Time Job
I think I may have mentioned that I Skype interviewed for a part-time college instructor position back in Oregon. Last week I got the email that I was officially approved by the dean and will be teaching two courses during spring term. Definitely excited and hopeful this will lead to even more teaching opportunities for coming terms. Still thinking and saving for the overall financial picture, but hopeful it will all come together.
4) There was a Wive's Social Event
With the upcoming military ball, there was an event hosted for a dress-take, free dresses used by other military spouses in past balls that are passed on to the next group. While I already had a dress, I went to socialize and it turned out to be a good outing. I ended up finding a free dress that I probably will use instead or for another event in the next year, but what I got out of it was that the wives from the department are in the need of social outings....so I've been tasked out to arrange an event for January.
5) The Hub and I Had Our First Official Thanksgiving at Home AKA The Hub Rocked My World This Week/end
Last year we were on the road, using his 4 day to visit my hometown-friend-transplanted-to-Canada-grad-student who was in New Orleans and then we continued on to Georgia for the wedding of our local friends here. This year was our first real Thanksgiving here and it was great to be home together! We had our first meal last Sunday with our neighbors down the way, I had a small meal over at the house of my coworker/friend whose husband is currently deployed, and then I came home to a meal 100% prepared by the hub. We put together three plates which we transported to his guys on duty for the day and then we came back to settle into our own meal. My coworker and her teenage daughter came over in the evening for board games and pumpkin cheesecake, and the whole day just left my heart swelling and my pride growing in this husband of mine. Now he did drag me out of bed at 2:30am the next day to try to score a doorprize of a new washer/dryer (beyond the banshee shriek, our dryer is also now latched via duct tape since the actual closure went out, we're still line drying about 80% of our laundry but recognize a new dryer is something we probably could benefit from....), but he left me in the truck while he waited in the cold in his place in line (and ended up being 1 person too late in line....). No doorprize in sight, we headed back home for me to catch another hour of zzzs before heading off to the office for Friday. My week/end of spoiling not only included a fabulous homecooked holiday meal, but a from-scratch cinnamon roll was just deposited on my lap an hour ago, a small container of peppermint ice cream showed up last night, and last week my dream camera that I'd expressed a desire for months ago arrived on our doorstep. When I went to Atlanta, our projector was set up for movies-in-bed viewing moments. These moments when his real heart glows and shows makes the pessimist in me question what happened?! ;) but make the optimist in me glad for the breaks he gets from work and hopeful for what the next few years of our future might bring. Yesterday marked his official 4 month until he's out of the Army date.... A great weekend indeed....
Hope the month has been full of beautiful moments and silver lined clouds for all of you.....Can hardly believe December is right around the corner!
Sometimes I don't see the point anymore to putting my thoughts down in blog formation when I'm not really sure that I'm living my best authentic life in this very moment, in this very location. (And I'm not really sure that most people care to entertain themselves with my random thoughts....) But I'm living one day at a time, enjoying what I can and I guess that's as good as it can get at times.
The last month has been full and yet mainly lovely in its own right. So in all my randomness, here are my lengthy highlights.....
1) I Took a Vacation
My trip to Atlanta to visit my gal Christina was amazing and well needed. Interestingly my poor Honda had an issue the day before I left but thankfully hasn't had any other issues since then and didn't act up on the 10 hour drive there or back. I'd contemplated taking the truck for mental security but after calculating out the extra city parking hassle and gas mileage....it was worth a potential issue to still take the car. Gas mileage wasn't as good in my car as usual but after realizing my tires needed more air in them, it didn't surprise me....check your tire pressure, folks! ;)
I wasn't as impressed with much uniqueness about Atlanta, but spent some time exploring the great history of the city via MLK's roots and the Oakland Cemetary (on the plus side: both are FREE venues...always hitting up those frugal must-sees!). I had the unique experience of using the MARTA (public metro system) and realizing some of the continued segregation that still exists in the South. (I've recognized the remains of discrimination and racism in my own rural area in Louisiana and on my visits to friends in North Carolina, but Atlanta was the first time in the South that I seriously noticed how divided aspects of the city truly remain. It also was an interesting experience to be the minority individual on public transport, but an experience worth having all the same.)
The highlights of my visit to Atlanta were: real coffeeshops, local breweries and sustainable food systems, real shopping (Target, West Elm, H&M, and DSW all in one location!) were I could finally find flannel sheets and a pair of $30 dress shoes for the upcoming ball, and loads of catch-up and conversation with one of my lovely friends and all her CDC public health fellows! I love me some nerdy conversation at times. For the first time in over a year, I was the weird non-single one. In explaining how I ended up in Louisiana as a career counselor after finishing the MPH (master of public health) program back in Oregon, I got really good at stating "uh, I married a soldier?!" ;) And the reality is....I also had to realize how much this military spouse life has changed me...
2) I Thought a Lot About Family
Granny broke her other leg exactly three months after the break of her right leg. She'd made it thru all her rehab and was back to the point of living independently, mainly using a cane, in her own home again, when she got dizzy (from blood pressure meds) and fell. Same surgery as before, metal rod inserted the lenght of the bone, and she's taking it all in stride....which is really quite amazing. She spent Thanksgiving at my aunt's and she's the most positive individual about this that you can imagine. She's been working hard in rehab and will be moving back into the home of another aunt's for continued recooping on Weds! Being back in Oregon, my family has consistently been visiting her and she's had numerous visits from her social circles too. With this determination, she should be back on two feet in time for her 100th birthday next summer. Such a motivation to all of us!
3) I Officially Was Approved for the Part-Time Job
I think I may have mentioned that I Skype interviewed for a part-time college instructor position back in Oregon. Last week I got the email that I was officially approved by the dean and will be teaching two courses during spring term. Definitely excited and hopeful this will lead to even more teaching opportunities for coming terms. Still thinking and saving for the overall financial picture, but hopeful it will all come together.
4) There was a Wive's Social Event
With the upcoming military ball, there was an event hosted for a dress-take, free dresses used by other military spouses in past balls that are passed on to the next group. While I already had a dress, I went to socialize and it turned out to be a good outing. I ended up finding a free dress that I probably will use instead or for another event in the next year, but what I got out of it was that the wives from the department are in the need of social outings....so I've been tasked out to arrange an event for January.
5) The Hub and I Had Our First Official Thanksgiving at Home AKA The Hub Rocked My World This Week/end
Last year we were on the road, using his 4 day to visit my hometown-friend-transplanted-to-Canada-grad-student who was in New Orleans and then we continued on to Georgia for the wedding of our local friends here. This year was our first real Thanksgiving here and it was great to be home together! We had our first meal last Sunday with our neighbors down the way, I had a small meal over at the house of my coworker/friend whose husband is currently deployed, and then I came home to a meal 100% prepared by the hub. We put together three plates which we transported to his guys on duty for the day and then we came back to settle into our own meal. My coworker and her teenage daughter came over in the evening for board games and pumpkin cheesecake, and the whole day just left my heart swelling and my pride growing in this husband of mine. Now he did drag me out of bed at 2:30am the next day to try to score a doorprize of a new washer/dryer (beyond the banshee shriek, our dryer is also now latched via duct tape since the actual closure went out, we're still line drying about 80% of our laundry but recognize a new dryer is something we probably could benefit from....), but he left me in the truck while he waited in the cold in his place in line (and ended up being 1 person too late in line....). No doorprize in sight, we headed back home for me to catch another hour of zzzs before heading off to the office for Friday. My week/end of spoiling not only included a fabulous homecooked holiday meal, but a from-scratch cinnamon roll was just deposited on my lap an hour ago, a small container of peppermint ice cream showed up last night, and last week my dream camera that I'd expressed a desire for months ago arrived on our doorstep. When I went to Atlanta, our projector was set up for movies-in-bed viewing moments. These moments when his real heart glows and shows makes the pessimist in me question what happened?! ;) but make the optimist in me glad for the breaks he gets from work and hopeful for what the next few years of our future might bring. Yesterday marked his official 4 month until he's out of the Army date.... A great weekend indeed....
Hope the month has been full of beautiful moments and silver lined clouds for all of you.....Can hardly believe December is right around the corner!
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Fall Has Arrived!
Bit of an absence.....I was momentarily trying to transfer my blog to Wordpress since Google had made blogspot difficult for me to access using my registered yahoo account....but I'm hopeful the kink got worked out because for some reason trying to learn how to use wordpress was a bit too confusing for this month of my life!!
But anyway.....FALL IS HERE!
I love the months of October and November. Summer hung on through the end of October however, and we're just now having chilly nights and red leaves on the trees. Soon the dogs should have their winter coats, but as of right now they're all chilly noses and cold kisses.
The last few weeks have been busier but full of some fun moments too. We're down to FOUR months before we'll transition home. In my mind I'm aware of the date of my last day of work I'll have here and the hub should be able to use his paid leave time to allow us to transition back to Oregon by or within mid-March rather than the end of that month. ....Now it's just trying to get all our ducks in a row as the next four months will fly by quickly. Trying not to stress thinking about moving all our goods and animals home, covering the first six months of expenses, and finding pet friendly housing options.....
The good news is: I had a skype interview last week for a part-time position and it looks like I will be joining the team! The pay per class won't cover all our expenses and it might be very minimal to start, but it's heading in the right direction and hopefully will lead into something more too! Definitely is part of the career plan I'd hoped to have before relocating in this direction.
Now some of the wonderful moments of the last few weeks:
--Carving pumpkins on the kitchen floor
--Local roller derby outing
--Reserving hotels for our final New Orleans trip for New Years
--Homemade veggie chilli in the crock pot and fresh loaves of bread from the maker
--Breakfasts of french toast from stale bread & homemade mochas
--Over a week of Molly the English lab sitting; haven't had to worry a bit about exercising our own dogs!
--Huddled down in layers and under blankets, avoiding turning on the heat
--Flicker of candle light
--Roasted pumpkins seeds with rosemary and garlic salt
--Loads upon loads of laundry hanging on lines in the garage
This week promises to hold three days of work: briefing soldiers on services and resume assistance. A doctor's appointment to check out my arm which has been having some pain for the last week. And an extended weekend to Atlanta to reconnect with one of my favorite gals from my public health program--promises to hold lots of city enjoyment and loads of nerdy public health conversation. Hope everyone has a great week ahead---remember to hold our veterans in your thoughts!
The best to each of you....
But anyway.....FALL IS HERE!
I love the months of October and November. Summer hung on through the end of October however, and we're just now having chilly nights and red leaves on the trees. Soon the dogs should have their winter coats, but as of right now they're all chilly noses and cold kisses.
The last few weeks have been busier but full of some fun moments too. We're down to FOUR months before we'll transition home. In my mind I'm aware of the date of my last day of work I'll have here and the hub should be able to use his paid leave time to allow us to transition back to Oregon by or within mid-March rather than the end of that month. ....Now it's just trying to get all our ducks in a row as the next four months will fly by quickly. Trying not to stress thinking about moving all our goods and animals home, covering the first six months of expenses, and finding pet friendly housing options.....
The good news is: I had a skype interview last week for a part-time position and it looks like I will be joining the team! The pay per class won't cover all our expenses and it might be very minimal to start, but it's heading in the right direction and hopefully will lead into something more too! Definitely is part of the career plan I'd hoped to have before relocating in this direction.
Now some of the wonderful moments of the last few weeks:
--Carving pumpkins on the kitchen floor
--Local roller derby outing
--Reserving hotels for our final New Orleans trip for New Years
--Homemade veggie chilli in the crock pot and fresh loaves of bread from the maker
--Breakfasts of french toast from stale bread & homemade mochas
--Over a week of Molly the English lab sitting; haven't had to worry a bit about exercising our own dogs!
--Huddled down in layers and under blankets, avoiding turning on the heat
--Flicker of candle light
--Roasted pumpkins seeds with rosemary and garlic salt
--Loads upon loads of laundry hanging on lines in the garage
This week promises to hold three days of work: briefing soldiers on services and resume assistance. A doctor's appointment to check out my arm which has been having some pain for the last week. And an extended weekend to Atlanta to reconnect with one of my favorite gals from my public health program--promises to hold lots of city enjoyment and loads of nerdy public health conversation. Hope everyone has a great week ahead---remember to hold our veterans in your thoughts!
The best to each of you....
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Thinking about Veterans
Today I'm thinking about veterans.......
Since I work with individuals separating from the service, their family members, and/or individuals that already are classified as veterans, then this probably comes as no surprise to any of you that are regular readers.....However sometimes even I get caught up in the daily grind and forget just what it means to be a soldier/veteran in today's society.
Now don't me wrong, we work with some interesting individuals at times, but in our particular office we operate by Teddy Roosevelt's quote "A man who is good enough to shed his blood for his country is good enough to be given a square deal afterwards," and based upon that we believe in providing services and attempting to meet the transition needs of anyone getting out of the service for whatever reason.
But some days it hits me and tears come to my eyes as I drive to work across our installation, just how many of these individuals I'm driving past will be put in harms way in order to serve alongside their comrades and to serve their nation, regardless of whether or not they themselves necessarily 100% believe in the war effort. Many of the soldiers I talk to, work with, interact with would gladly deploy again in a heartbeat in order to help aide and protect their fellow soldiers.....and many do.
Today I'm in awe, of those who consistently put upon themselves to do, that which I know I could not do.
Today I'm in awe of my client who deployed 4 times in 7 years and while he sustained his own combat injuries still performed CPR & first aid on 7 other fallen comrades during the same ambush. He wasn't even a medic and was one of the most modest souls I've met.
Today I'm in awe of my client who is a 20 year retiree and is a complete joy to assist. This particular client never complains, she consistently has a positive outlook and a smile on her face. Personally I am in awe of any woman, who managed the Army during the 1980-90s and is still coming out with a smile and bubbly personality after 20 years of service.
Today I'm reminded of all the homeless vets I used to talk to on the streets of PDX, offering a smile or a word of encouragement.
Today I'm in awe of the veterans who after years of being in the service, can come to any of us in the office and voice their apprehension and worries about reintegrating into the civilian world. And of those same veterans who after 20-30 years of service and a partial retirement check, still want to work and contribute to society.
Today I'm reminded of the individuals and families who constantly support and deal with absences of their spouses and parents. Who pack up every couple of years to a new duty station and transition into new friends, new schools/work, and almost entirely new lives.....for some of these individuals and families.....its a lifetime of their own service.
So while we're still a few weeks away from veteran's day, I do encourage you to take a look around you and remain cognizant of the war that is going on and of the individuals who are out there fighting. If you know a spouse or family, support them in whatever way you can while their loved ones are deployed. If you know a veteran, let them know how much you appreciate them (although I will say that frequently the best way to do this is as quietly as possible....). If you are a praying person, keep our soldiers (both past and present) in your prayers. And please, keep in mind that frequently we're all walking alongside individuals who have been to war, even if they may not look the part when you walk alongside them in the grocery store.......
Because I don't know about you.....but I couldn't do what they do....
Since I work with individuals separating from the service, their family members, and/or individuals that already are classified as veterans, then this probably comes as no surprise to any of you that are regular readers.....However sometimes even I get caught up in the daily grind and forget just what it means to be a soldier/veteran in today's society.
Now don't me wrong, we work with some interesting individuals at times, but in our particular office we operate by Teddy Roosevelt's quote "A man who is good enough to shed his blood for his country is good enough to be given a square deal afterwards," and based upon that we believe in providing services and attempting to meet the transition needs of anyone getting out of the service for whatever reason.
But some days it hits me and tears come to my eyes as I drive to work across our installation, just how many of these individuals I'm driving past will be put in harms way in order to serve alongside their comrades and to serve their nation, regardless of whether or not they themselves necessarily 100% believe in the war effort. Many of the soldiers I talk to, work with, interact with would gladly deploy again in a heartbeat in order to help aide and protect their fellow soldiers.....and many do.
Today I'm in awe, of those who consistently put upon themselves to do, that which I know I could not do.
Today I'm in awe of my client who deployed 4 times in 7 years and while he sustained his own combat injuries still performed CPR & first aid on 7 other fallen comrades during the same ambush. He wasn't even a medic and was one of the most modest souls I've met.
Today I'm in awe of my client who is a 20 year retiree and is a complete joy to assist. This particular client never complains, she consistently has a positive outlook and a smile on her face. Personally I am in awe of any woman, who managed the Army during the 1980-90s and is still coming out with a smile and bubbly personality after 20 years of service.
Today I'm reminded of all the homeless vets I used to talk to on the streets of PDX, offering a smile or a word of encouragement.
Today I'm in awe of the veterans who after years of being in the service, can come to any of us in the office and voice their apprehension and worries about reintegrating into the civilian world. And of those same veterans who after 20-30 years of service and a partial retirement check, still want to work and contribute to society.
Today I'm reminded of the individuals and families who constantly support and deal with absences of their spouses and parents. Who pack up every couple of years to a new duty station and transition into new friends, new schools/work, and almost entirely new lives.....for some of these individuals and families.....its a lifetime of their own service.
So while we're still a few weeks away from veteran's day, I do encourage you to take a look around you and remain cognizant of the war that is going on and of the individuals who are out there fighting. If you know a spouse or family, support them in whatever way you can while their loved ones are deployed. If you know a veteran, let them know how much you appreciate them (although I will say that frequently the best way to do this is as quietly as possible....). If you are a praying person, keep our soldiers (both past and present) in your prayers. And please, keep in mind that frequently we're all walking alongside individuals who have been to war, even if they may not look the part when you walk alongside them in the grocery store.......
Because I don't know about you.....but I couldn't do what they do....
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