Watchstander's Liberty

It was my duty day today! So that meant getting up just before 7ish to call in to the Quarterdeck and "check in" for muster. Gosh, I love Phase III privileges! I had no watch assigned, so the day was my own from then on.

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Since I was up so early and moving around, I thought it would be a shame to try and sleep away the sunlight. So after deliberating with myself for a few minutes, I decided to get my laptop and listen to a sermon online. Very refreshing! And the signal loaded the video just fine since I was the only one using the Internet that early on a Sunday morning. :)

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Next, I took myself to Denny's, enjoyed my regular OJ, pancakes & eggs, except this time I had yogurt and an English muffin to accompany them. Much lighter than getting the meat... :) I just had time by that time to walk up the hill for church.

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More refreshment of the spirit... sermon on God's peace. And I'm continuing to love the music! They did a few things I'm not used to though... all the focus on Lent, and a baby baptism. After the service I hung out in the courtyard to finish reading my library book "Mrs. 'Arris Goes to Paris" (very cute book... 1958) and the lady who greeted me at the door earlier passed by and invited me to a group meeting on Fridays. Might be just what I need!

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Worked at the library (they continually need help re-filing the many dvds), ate chow at the galley for dinner... very regular. Then back in my room I ate some of my mom's apple pie she sent me for my birthday and watched the end of "The Bride Came C.O.D." with Bette Davis and James Cagney, and then "The Lady Eve" with Barbara Stanwyck and Henry Fonda, both from 1941. ' A particularly fun day. Very refreshing! Jp

Twenty-Eight

Yesterday was fun! ...after class was let out, of course. We were kept rather late (especially compared to last Friday!), not getting out until 3pm. I spent some time relaxing and cleaning up before I went out on the town with Ferry, the guy I sit next to in class (he had asked me out on Wednesday, I think). I've always been interested in San Diego's "Little Italy", but especially after Mike mentioned it during our trolley ride.

Italian sounded really good, so that's where we went. Little Italy's Spaghetteria was exactly what I had in mind. Gosh, they had some sort of symphony soundtrack playing in the background, and the waiters could actually speak some Italian. It was great to be able to talk to one of my shipmates and get to know him. He's from Pittsburgh, actually, and told me about it a little. He was also homeschooled a few years, but I found out Pennsylvania's "commonwealth" is a bit different from liberal Washington. There isn't any standardized testing for homeschoolers! Wow! Anyway... I had something called "Lumaconi Ripieni" and we shared some incredible cheesy bread.

Afterwords, we got back on the trolley and went further to downtown, just to walk around. We explored the historic "gas lamp quarter" and looked at all the fancy restaurants and touristy shops. They have an Old Spaghetti Factory, just like Washington does! It was a fun little walk, especially with all the bustle of the early evening. We got back on the trolley and returned to base via the 28.

It was some unexpected fun!

Jp

PS... tonight I'm going to "Peter Pan" at the Symphony for another trip downtown. They're accompanying the silent 1924 version... I've never seen such a thing, so it should be neat.

Today I slept in to the natural Saturday sleep-in time of about 9am. Volunteered to be a line judge for a couple hours of the volleyball tournament for our chapter of CSADD. Besides that and a few errands around Point Loma, I stayed on base until nearly 7pm for the concert.

The Weekend (18-21 MAR 11)

This is from the last day... sunset on San Diego Bay. The city is behind us and my base is a ways down the beach to the right.

Since my instructor was nice (and I did well on the test), he let me go early last Friday in order to meet up with Mike. It was 1130 when I walked off base, and I soon found out Mike had just picked up the rental car. We met outside the Starbucks, across from the front gate on Laning Rd. and had salmon at the Greek Cafe next door. Mike's hotel was within walking distance from the base, so he checked in next... and we were both pretty wiped out. He hadn't gotten much of any sleep, and I had gotten up at 4ish myself for a two-hour watch that morning. We spent the majority of the day just lazing around... and it was really nice.

The scheduled event of the day was a symphony concert downtown. So we rode the trolley (to avoid having to park), had dinner at a burger place, then enjoyed some delightfully soft and beautiful tunes (including one of Haydn's London Symphonies). Near the end, I couldn't keep my eyes open, but I think I was able to drink it all in anyway. Mike drove me back to the base and we shared a moment together on the water's edge, where you can see the lights and skyline of the city straight ahead, across the bay. And we had a full moon!

Saturday morning I walked to the motel to give him time to wake up after I called (this worked out very well for Sunday too). :) And then we had breakfast at Denny's (a block or two away from his motel... it was a great location!). The rest of the day was spent at the illustrious San Diego Zoo... and we were both duly impressed. We worked our way through practically the entire place... in around 7 hours... :)

Loved the flamingo pond (with the ducks and peacocks), the aviaries (with the pheasant-peacocks, and lots more), the polar bears, the pandas, the tiger, the capybaras (and their baby), the elephants (near where we had dinner - and where we had a close-up hummingbird encounter), the tapirs, the okapi, the giraffe, the bears, the hippos (and a baby), the rhino, the many monkeys & apes, but most especially the pair of lions... the lioness was rather upset. As we were walking up, we heard some roaring, and I assumed it was the recorded sounds, like they had for the tiger. It was the real thing! At one point I got up right next to the glass, leaning on the side. The crowd was taunting her, partly because they were excited... and partly to get interesting pictures... and suddenly she stood up on her hind legs and pawed the glass a few times right on top of me. Never had I pondered how big lion's paws are... :) Thank the Lord for the glass! We all would have been mauled that day.

It was much fun to share my laptop for chat back at the motel. It was almost as novel as the one from Chicago, the weekend I graduated boot camp.

Sunday morning we started out a little later. Went to Ocean Beach for breakfast at an old-fashioned diner... mmm! I'll have to go back! I had some delicious corn beef hash and eggs and a biscuit with sausage gravy. When we finished, we kept walking down the main street to their landmark fishing pier and walked all the way out to the end watching the pelicans and cormorants go diving for fish. It was incredibly windy, so we didn't stay out there very long. :)

Back in the car again, we headed directly for Balboa Park again... this time to explore the Art Museum (which I hadn't seen before) and then to have a fancy dinner at my favorite place... a treat for my birthday. I had Atlantic cod, and Mike had the roast duck. MMM! It was a shame that they canceled the Globe's play... but it just meant more time talking and relaxing together.

Saying goodnight wasn't hard because we still knew we had one more evening together after school on Monday... we started new material, so I was able to pay complete attention. :) But as soon as we marched out, I was gone and getting ready to meet Mike again. We went and spent a few minutes walking along the bay front...

... went to In & Out for some old-fashioned hamburgers, then spent our time watching an episode of McHale's Navy, reading in our book together and talking before the time came for our final goodbye.

I'm not sure if "fantastic" well enough describes the good time we both had... but it sure was like the stuff that dreams are made of.

Jp

Stopped to Notice

After noticing I've posted 650 times, and after looking at all the pictures I've ever posted by clicking on the label below the last post, I've done a little inventorying and tidying. Some labels said "pictures" and others "picture"... some said "trips" and others "trip"... etc. So I fixed them all, then linked those searches under "Other Blogs" for quick reference. They are the more interesting ones anyway.

In wandering around, I clicked on the "Stats" tab in editing mode and found I have had visitors from nine countries around the world (not including the US), all in the last year! Welcome, viewers! I had no idea!

Also, from 2008 there's the "where-I've-been" map... So I tried it out again...

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You can probably tell what's included on my list of places to see someday... :)

Thanks for reading,

Jp

Over the Mountains

Saw this image at the Natural History Museum... click the picture to see the photographer's website (where I found it). This is what the drive over the mountains to Yuma looks like!

Back in the Saddle Again (an incredible weekend)

The first thing I did Saturday morning after renting the car (and finding myself with a lovely, long-lost freedom yet again) I had Denny's on Rosecrans St. before heading off to the middle of the bottom of California for the Blue Angel's 2011 opening show at their home base of NAF El Centro. Zac had arrived already... Yuma being just 50+ miles away. We enjoyed their many displays, were surprised at finding a Star Wars legion and a British Army Airborne unit (with Blackhawk copter) there. The Brits sold me a picture book of British Airborne history (along with their unit patch) for just $1! Loved the displays and the aerobatics. They even had the same B-17 that we saw in AZ last March! One of the best airshows I've been to. We had a little lunch together, and watched the F-18's and F-16's with awe. The Angel's show at the end was impressive as always. I've never been quite so close up to them before. El Centro is a fantastic place for this sort of thing because there is nothing but bright sky in all directions. :)

That night I stayed at a local motel to rest and avoid the setting sun in my eyes for the two-hour drive back. It was great to take it easy! Tried out their pool, but that was outside and un-heated. Ouch! it was cold! :) I got in all the way, but I didn't stay long. The people who came in while I was in were not surprised that I was from Seattle. Took a shower to help heal my sun-burned arms after that, then had an In & Out burger across the street, with their fresh french fries and a chocolate shake. Mm, mmm! During the brief chat I watched a Myrna Loy movie, did a little puzzle at the table, and relaxed on the queen bed.

Sunday, I did everything I contemplated the night before, and then some. Just adore the drive over the mountains... really neat rocks. Stopped in El Cajon for gas and a quick grilled chicken sandwich at the Denny's I've been to before. Drove straight to Balboa Park, got there 5 min. before the film "Ocean Oasis" (about Baja California) began. Beautiful music and sweeping scenes. They ended with footage of the diver/narrator swimming with and hanging onto a huge manta ray! Wow! Then took in the rest of the museum; but the Facebook pics do not account for the photography exhibits on the top two floors. One of aerial photographs of the American West... and the other of "colors of water". The most interesting pieces were B/W images from Washington... :)

Then across the street from the museum at the children's theater, they had a used book sale. Among a couple paperbacks and an interesting Nat Geo Mag, I found THIS for 50 cents!!! Happened to find it at the last second as I was thinking about checking out.

With my last few hours I volunteered at the library for one, got a sausage/mushroom/green pepper pizza across the street, ran into a friend from Great Lakes, drove both of us back to the base, unloaded everything and had dinner, and then drove off to explore the Point Loma Naval Base on the peninsula... the lighthouse on the tip was closed, so I'll have to go back. Bought a long-sleeve PT shirt at the NEX to protect my poor arms, then returned the car. Used the USO shuttle for a ride back to base, and was suddenly hit with my return to car-less-ness. :(

It was certainly a fun-filled, exciting weekend... with much to be thankful for... but I sure do miss my family.

Jp

A Day Within One Block

Breakfast in Liberty Station (including a grape and nut scone), an altered walking route up the hill to avoid unnecessary distances, next, a morning at the Red Brick Church (Presbyterian of Point Loma - very old fashioned with an organ and high, wooden pews... but with good songs and friendly people), a sermon online at the library next door and 3 hours of service after a visit to the local grocery store.

Don't forget "Stage Door" (1937) back in my room before chatting with my parents and Mike in the evening, as usual. :)

A day well enjoyed.

Jp

Just Another Care-Free Day

Started out with Denny's ultimate omelet... with hunks of avocado for good measure, and pancakes on the side, instead of hashbrowns. When I sat down to eat I hadn't decided what exactly I'd do next, but when I walked out the door there wasn't anything to do but turn left on Nimitz up the hill to the library again. It's so fun! And it doesn't cost anything! And people are grateful for it! :)

Got there right around 10, spent nearly the whole allotted hour per computer sitting on the Internet, then started on the DVD's that were left in the same media room yesterday. It was strange, because just after I started, a couple of the employees came down to work on the same stuff... apparently they had been directed to tackle it. Then I shelved adult mysteries and fiction, and the librarian pulled me aside to do another favor for her.

On my way back down the hill I found a bus daypass... so I thought it an opportune time to go up Rosecrans St. for lunch and a trip to Target. When I came back to base, I settled into the lobby at the liberty center to watch "A Man Called Peter" and to chat with my friends. Guys across from me asked me if I was laughing at them... :)

Jp

Exploration

I took off right after the 1100 muster today to go back to the library. Didn't have any plans... the Vienna Philharmonic performance tonight was way too expensive to go to. The Internet was down at Liberty Hall, so I had a dual purpose in going. Spent the first half-hour checking email and posting, and trying to find out where the supposed "Main NEX" was so I could go behold its wonders after I was done volunteering. After this I picked up a copy of The Velveteen Rabbit on the children's softcover racks outside the computer room, took a nearby seat and read it. I remember I loved the short animated version when I was a kid, but I didn't remember the particular details about it.

The Library and the Presbyterian Church of Point Loma

Worked for an hour shelving Young Adult non-fiction, then as I returned for more to file as the head librarian stopped me and asked for help setting up a display on the glass shelves in the lobby. A lady was showing off her 150 horse figurines from all over the world. It was a very fun distraction... and both she and the librarian were very nice. Returned to regular duties: the graphic novels, and then the 500's series of juvenile non-fiction... "animals". The last took a full hour... lots of thin books... and lots misfiled.

I stayed until closing at 5:30, and was very hungry. But just as I was walking out, the 923 came by and I hopped on. (I had purchased a $5 all-day pass on the way up here this morning.) The 923 is neat because it passes the library and the base... and continues downtown on weekdays. (You should have seen the sun going down over Point Loma! So beautiful... bright orange behind the ships on the waterfront... and made the water so richly blue.) So I rode it all the way to 8th street and on the recommendation of the driver, took the 929 to 32nd street and the main campus of the NEX for Naval Base San Diego (where the ships are).

By the time I boarded the 929, the sun had set. And we were hurtling through unfamiliar, sketchy, industrial parts of town... so I was a little worried about being alone, but very glad I was on the bus with friendly people. Thankfully, the NEX campus was easy to see. They had a mall! A two-story building for apparel, a building for a department-type store, a food court (I had honey walnut shrimp at Panda Express for dinner... wow!), a UPS store, a barber, a shop just for drinks, a cleaners, and a grocery store! Crazy! I bought a few Navy and non-Navy shirts, pants and hats. Very nice, indeed.

The trip back was very easy. The 929 stops at the main trolley station by the baseball field. Since the 923 stops running around 7, and it was closer to 9pm... I got on the blue line trolley there and returned via Old Town and the 28 bus down Rosecrans St. Beautiful night! No wind and no clouds. What a fun time.

Jp

Rest...

Today in the Navy, I got on a short working party... but even by the time I was done with it, I was feeling really light-headed. It was only about an hour's worth of picking up trash in a parking lot in the sunshine. I even had a wonderful breakfast sandwich just beforehand, so I wondered why I felt so shaky. I went to my room for some nuts, dried apricots and water, and that helped tide me over til lunch. Read some Psalms out in the sunshine and talked with Mom about plans for their upcoming visit... that won't happen til April at the earliest now.

After the 1230 muster I had an hour's nap before doing a solid workout. Did arms and core in the little gym on base and then ran the mile and a half track over on Liberty Station in just under 12 minutes! Felt so good... took a relaxing shower and then had dinner... Gee... life is so hard. :)

Jp