The lost pictures

It’s easy to forget that my life was actually good before I came to METC. It’ll be good again when I leave, but until that sweet day delivers me from this place, I have to remind myself that I used to be happy. Also, I found the lost Africa pictures!

Africa!

Harvard

Boston... looking good.

From Russia, with love.

Outside of Moscow

Home

Sweet Home

Venice

My favorite picture from Italy

Florence, Italy

Ciao, Ciao Florence!

More and more reasons for me to be stationed in Italy!

If I had only joined the Army, I could be stationed in Germany! On second thought, I'll just go back and visit.

To this day I cannot translate these steps. My German is only good enough to order a beer.

Good German beer, waiting on good German Schitzel.

A sunny day in Germany

In Strousbourg, France

Waiting for that AMAZING Winestub to open in Strousbourg, France

Everything, including windows, is better in France

Everything, including the food, is better in France

I told you the windows were better in France! They are the best in Paris.

Not all it was cracked up to be.

The Catabombs of Paris

Amsterdam

Where else but Amsterdam? STILL funny!

Ah, that's right! I forgot we did this in Boston...

Fenway Park

I REALLY miss this place.

Chicago

Millenium Park in Chicago

(The Bean!)

Reflection in The Bean

Polo Ponies!!!

My favorite Pony

Ok, she's my favorite Polo Pony too! Don't ask me to choose!

I wish I could smell this picture: Leather, Horse Sweat, Hay. Smells like home.

Yosemite? NO! Hawaii. North Hilo.

Hawaiin Jungle. I swear I'll take more and better pictures next time I'm there, but since Neal moved there, it doesn't feel exotic anymore so I forget that it's still an amazing place!

This is from METC... it's not even that long ago but look how not-stressed out I look!

Also not that long ago... a visit to Berkeley and Sarah.

My friend Castro and I, looking angry for some reason.

Oh my, what an attractive hair cut. Just outside of Chicago.

This is from METC, but we had not started classes yet. That's why we look happy. Also, MULES!

Halloween at METC

I just have to remember: METC will end. It will. It will?

What daily life in the medical field is like... 170 style



 

Oh the places you'll go!

Order picking season is not quite upon us, but I've put in a lot of thought as to where I'd like to live for the next two to three years. If (and its a big IF) any of these bases are open to me, here is what I've been dreaming on. In decsending order of "oh my gawd, that'd be super":

NAPLES, ITALY

Why Naples? Beyond the obvious reasons, my great-grandfather is rumored to have expatriated from here. I like the sense of history. It’s also a well established Naval base, and after the harrowing time I've had here with this new command... I'll take a "old" over "new (with kinks)" any day! Also, I've already been to Italy and know I love it!!!!

YOKOSUKA, JAPAN

Reasons: To hang out with fine, upstanding Sailors. Like these guys!

Why couldn't I have been around for THIS Navy?

(Oh right... I wouldn't have been allowed in!)

Japan is probably the most exciting option, even though I have it ranked lower than Italy. I’ve never been there and it seems so exotic! Europe (and specifically Italy) was exhilarating but didn’t seem particularly “foreign”. Japan? I have no preconceptions.  

PEARL HARBOR, HAWAII

Reasons: Close to Neal, I can take a few college classes in preparation for PA school, it's Hawaii...

I've already been here, so I know I'll like it!



SAN DIEGO

Reasons:

The same as Italy. I like the sense of familial history. My mom grew up there, and it was the final duty station of my Grandfather, Chief Ganze (USN). I think the symmetry of a Granddaughter separated by 60 years and a generation from her Grandfather, but in the same Navy and duty station as he, is romantic.

Also, it is another well established base. Very Navy friendly, as you can see here!

BREMERTON, WASHINGTON

Reasons: It seems “outdoorsy”. The base is right on Puget Sound. I saw an episode of No Reservations and frankly, the idea of all the fresh caught salmon I can eat is appealing! Being in the US, I can still work on those college classes and am not TOO far away from family and Neal.

Killer Whales in Puget Sound

Pike's Place Fish Market

THE PHILIPPINES

Reasons: I read a book called Cryptonomicon and it painted an exciting picture. The Island itself seems interesting and I like the fact travel to South Asia is easy. Other than the fact I like Lumpia… it just seems like an adventure. In some ways even more so than Japan! People go to Japan on vacation all the time… “I’ll be wintering in Luzon” rings strange. I see it as an opportunity to live in a place others would normally never even consider.



So while all this seems exciting, I have to keep in mind I could very well wind up in Lemoore, California (yuk), Pensacola, Florida (double yuk), or Norfolk, Virginia (just kill me now!). All I can do is be top of my class (so far so good) and make prayers the Order Gods are generous.

I DONE GRAD-EE-ATED!

Well, we're done with the didactic part of class, now on to clinicals. We'll see how all this plays out I guess!