17 November 2011

Veteran's Day Weekend

Three day weekends are something I've loved as long as I can remember. They've always meant an extra day to study for an exam or a nice long weekend at the beach. The point is they're fabulous. Now that Nic's a second class at the Academy he gets to leave on Friday nights and on a three day weekend he gets to stay out that extra night. . which means three whole nights of cuddling. Hallelujah!

Eevah's first plane ride
Since last weekend was Veteran's Day weekend -- aka a three day weekend -- I decided to go up and visit, Eevah in tow. She has frequented the airport in her little pink and green purse since she came into our family as she always comes with me to pick Nicy up but she's never actually been on an airplane before. The last few times she has been extremely scared to the point of shaking (if you know her you know this is weird, she's the friendliest dog once she decides she likes you) which had me really worried. Contrary to my anticipations Eevah was absolutely perfect. I got her a new little crate and she just stuck her head out of the top and looked around while snuggled by wherever my legs were. It was really nice having her along, especially for the good-byes because instead of having to wait until I got home to hug her and feel closer to Nicy I got to hold her right when I went through security. A small, but nice and needed comfort.


Nicy dressing Eevah
The visit itself was quite fun. Nic has always sworn up and down that Eevah will not be allowed to wear any type of clothing. This rule gets thrown out when it's cold though because he thinks she needs a coat; he actually went online to try and find a Patagonia or Northface jacket for her but didn't prevail. . . and she was shivering something terrible when we were outside -- especially Friday when the high was maybe in the upper 50s so we went to Paws and spent about an hour trying on cute jackets and sweaters for her. We settled on a crocheted sweater with an anchor on it. And I must admit she really did love it and looked adorable. We also discovered Quiet Rivers (or Waters, I don't even remember) park where we had a little picnic. I love love love picnics and fall foliage and Nic and Eevah so I have to say I was in heaven. It was perfect.


Since this is the first time in four years that we won't be spending Thanksgiving dinner together we decided to do our own Thanksgiving Friday night. We assumed the Navy Lodge had ovens and planned out an entire feast, invited his friends, and I packed the spices in my suitcase. Once we got into the room we made a terrible discovery. There was a stove-top, but no stove!! You would have thought someone died from our reactions, it was quite devastating. . Nonetheless we survived and just went out to dinner. It wasn't the wine filled day of cooking and cuddling I was looking forward too, but it was nice.  And Nic cooked a fabulous breakfast Saturday morning complete with heart shaped chocolate chip pancakes (my favorite) and bacon that was burnt to a crisp and set off the smoke detector. It was the funniest, and funnest, morning we've had in a long time. Few things can make you laugh more than watching your love stand on a bed fanning a smoke detector with a pillow. 
The amazing breakfast, and burnt bacon.
Somewhere along the lines I had assumed the good-byes were going to get easier. I'm not sure if I missed the curve in the road that I was supposed to take for that to happen or what but they aren't getting any easier. It was hard leaving and knowing that I should be seeing him in less than two weeks but instead it isn't for another month. As excited as I am to spend Thanksgiving with my family and be able to eat the lovely food that I've longed for the last three years it is going to be weird not seeing him. .
 
But I don't wanna go!
 Ciao! xoxo

06 November 2011

Mission Trip? I Like That Idea

I've been tossing around the idea of going on a mission trip for about a year now, but I've never really looked upon it. About a month ago I facebook messaged a fellow sorority sister who has gone on quite a few mission trips and who I look up to dearly for advice on how to really start the process. She responded with great guidance but the hustle and bustle of school and work kept me away from paying it any mind.

Now that I'm sitting here studying for my two tests and practical on Wednesday, it of course pops back into my head and I can't shake it. (Great timing eh?) I was considering doing Peace Corps after getting my nursing degree, but I decided against it. I think a long trip over the summer sounds extremely doable and rewarding. . If you know me you know I am not an outspoken person, especially not concerning God. I have my beliefs, I do strongly believe in them, but I'm not exactly one to go and yell at people for not believing in what I do. If someone is rudely going against what I believe and personally jeering at it I do not have a problem nicely telling them why I believe what I do, I will not sit and have someone makes jests at something that I live by. That being said I do think everyone has their own set of moral codes, but I also think that some places do not have any at all and that's where I would love to go. I want to make a positive difference in a persons life and help them see something that they may have not seen before, or purposefully shut out of their life (I'm guilty of doing this myself).

I just started looking and have already found two trips that I would love to go on. I like one specifically because it is closer to the US. Sad I know, but I've never really been overseas before (Costa Rica doesn't really count). This trip is focused around working with an orphanage in Tijuana. That being said the chances of my being allowed to go to Tijuana are slim to none; my mom was just reading in the paper about how dangerous Mexico is this morning. And she's rather protective, which I'm very thankful for. But I would love to work with children. The second trip which I am extremely drawn to is in Thailand and has to do with human trafficking, an atrocity that I have very strong feelings concerning. I first really became aware of human trafficking through a Lifetime movie and since then it is something that I will willingly get into arguments about and have always wanted to help stop but have never really knew where to start.  Click here if you're interested in reading more about it! And make sure to read this story to understand exactly what is drawing me towards this. It's so heartbreaking.

If any of you have any ideas or places to point me to I would greatly appreciate it as I feel like this is going to be a great journey that I'm just starting to put my toes into.

Ciao!! xoxo