awholelotofsomethin'

A Sweet Valentine's

2012-02-14T23:22:00.000-08:00

It ended up being Chipotle again, after I had changed out of my uniform. I simply love their stuff... I then kept driving past the house and went to the library for a couple hours. Refiled a pile of VHS and children's video... and found a couple things that I wanted to see. While there, I received a mysterious phone call... from a singing service that Michael hired to serenade me with "Let Me Call You Sweetheart" and "It Had to Be You". So very sweet! Chatted with librarian Christine in the break room afterwords, as Ida offered me some of her chocolate-dipped strawberries she had brought. :)

When I got home, a tall vase with daffodils, red roses & carnations, and mostly unopened star tulips, was waiting on the counter. I feel very loved! :)

I spent a little while on my German lessons (from Rosetta Stone), even branching out to play some of the games, before heading off to Old Town for some chicken enchilada dinner. From there I caught the trolley to 5th Avenue, and walked a couple blocks to Symphony Hall for Sergei Radchenko's Moscow Festival Ballet performance of Tchaikovsky's Sleeping Beauty (choreography by Petipa). My gosh! It was so beautiful! So many colors, and so much athleticism. It is no secret that Sleeping Beauty was my favorite Disney cartoon as a child... and this delightful adaptation was all new to me. I loved the Lilac Fairy, and her nine accompanying fairies, as well as the evil, prancing Maleficent and her gang of four monsters. And my, could the Prince leap in the air. The lady sitting next to me sighed each time he touched down. lol

It started at 7:30, and with one intermission, ended close to 10:00. Thankfully, I didn't need to stand out in the brisk cold for longer than two minutes, waiting for the Blue Line trolley. It rolled right in and I was soon back home.

Suddenly Active

2012-02-13T20:41:00.000-08:00

Coming home from school today I was just a bit frazzled. I was very tired... mostly physically tired, but also tired of the power-points and the people. We've just started our sixth week, and we've got ten more to go after that. Yay.

So after snacking on some lunch, I watched the first DVD of astronomy (creation/evolution debate) about the planets that my parents sent me. Lots of interesting facts about the planets and their moons... and how all evolutionary theories about origins (requiring billions of years) come up hallow when looking at the conditions of the solar system. Biggest problems lie in planet's magnetism, young appearance, presence of certain substances and physical attributes. It went over facts about each planet and all the main moons... and wow, what pictures. One of the things I love most about the solar system is the total solar eclipse. How our moon would be positioned perfectly to block out the sun, just so we could see and study the sun's corona. Think for a moment about the chances of that happening without planning. Talk about a witness in the sky! It felt wonderful to think about something other than myself and my own situation for a while.

Then I took a three-hour nap. Boy, do I feel better... and I hope I can sleep again tonight. When I got up, my brand new German lessons from Rosetta Stone had arrived. So I set it up and did the first lesson. While loading, I read more in Starship Troopers, finishing a chapter (it's right when he makes it "over the hump" in boot camp - a meaningful moment). And I listened to the entire book of Romans while blogging about the weekend (that I'd been too tired to worry about before).

So, gosh... I'm feeling much better. And I opened that sweet Jacquie Lawson valentine from my Darling... Friday can't come fast enough.

Jw

Duty Weekend...

2012-02-12T22:31:00.000-08:00

Friday: left some papers on base after duty section muster, so I returned, took care of them, then had a wonderful late afternoon workout: running for 15 (taking two breaks so the knee wouldn't hurt), then core as well. Watched "Libeled Lady (1936, Loy/Powell) again for lots of laughs. It's one of my favorites!

Saturday: woke for muster, fell back asleep, woke and finished Stormy, Misty's Foal; returned a found military ID to base, and rode my bike a while, returned, finishing the audiobook Sounder, made dinner, finishing up old hamburger and salad. Watched the documentary about Jim Braddock's real story that I picked up at Half Price at home for $2. Chatted, and then had watch at 2:30 to 4:30, reading Starship Troopers.

Sunday: slept in, washed all my dishes, saw "The Recommendation" at The Old Globe. Revisited Fashion Valley Mall, had dinner at The Corner Bakery Cafe, then small group study at the Jacobs.

Jw

Lazy Afternoon

2012-02-09T18:36:00.000-08:00

I've spent my whole afternoon at my computer. Been just a little tired I guess. After finding out that Season 2 of Agatha Christie's Poirot is not on Netflix, nor at the SD library, I settled for watching a 90 minute episode of Miss Marple (Murder at the Vicarage, 2004)... which was also a lot of fun. Since I had lunch at Noodles & Co, and brought home a bowl from Chipotle for dinner at the same time, there hasn't been anything I've needed to get up for. Isn't that awful? :) So I played a lot more minesweeper (because I got it into my head after I showed someone how to play it in class - on break), and now I've just finished the other film from the library... "Beyond the Sea" (2004, Kevin Spacey) which I loved.

Now what? I'm tired and it's only 6:45.
Jw

Adventures

2012-02-09T15:48:00.000-08:00

Tuesday something odd happened... the neighbor came over with some person's military ID card. I found them on Facebook and sent them a message to call, but I still haven't heard from them. Must have already replaced it. That day the audio discs of "Sharpe's Triumph" stopped working... and it was just about to the climatic battle near the end... so after lunch at home, I found out what nearby library had a paper copy. Pacific Beach (just across Mission Bay) was the lucky branch. I was impressed with their collection. A different set-up from Point Loma's, as they only have one floor, but I think the two have about the same amount of material. Found a couple DVDs I was interested in, and sat and read in Sharpe until nearly eight. Stopped by at Target on the way home to replace my cracked ceramic dinner plate. A singular day.

Wednesday I couldn't quite decide what I wanted to do for dinner. When I came home from school, I got a cucumber & tomato salad to go at Noodles & Co. (boy, is that tasty) and had more of my own salad at home. I finished reading Sharpe's Triumph (enjoyed it much) and watched the documentary "The Adventures of Errol Flynn" that I had also got the day before. What a film! Lots of great interviews and perfectly timed clips from his many movies. Loved it! But then, as I said, I was at a loss for what to do.

Decided to drop the library stuff off and continue on to Ocean Beach for another one of those amazing hamburgers at Hodad's. But OB was crammed. Hard to find parking, and I almost gave up, but decided to try anyway when I found a spot on Voltaire. Walked a few blocks back, but didn't have Hodad's because of the line. There was a street market a block up (the reason for the crazy parking) and I decided to walk around that. Ended up having a very tasty lamb gyro for $6, a bottle of water for $1 because of the spicy gyro (it was good though), and a large square of baklava for $2. Contributed to a violinist playing nearby where I ate, and ended up getting a couple interesting prints of Oceanside and the Coronado bridge from a photographer just before I left. Gosh, you should have seen the waves crashing in at the beach! They were so tall, they splashed the underside of the gigantic pier as they rushed ashore. Must have been 20 feet high. Jupiter and Venus were bright over those rolling waves, while the full moon hung low in the east.

Jw

For Old Times Sake

2012-02-06T20:57:00.000-08:00

Must be in the air... it'll be a year in San Diego this Thursday. Watched two episodes of Poirot and cleaned up my room... and for dinner, just like I used to do a long time ago... I had a shrimp taco at the Tin Fish, then finished up at Panera Bread with a bowl of soup. And I timed it right too... somebody called out "hot bread" right as I went up to order. My french roll had been out of the oven for maybe a half-minute. Yum!

Jw

With My Church Friends

2012-02-05T19:00:00.000-08:00

Saturday morning I went to meet Luke & Christina for archery at Balboa Park. There's a little range pointing down a gentle slope into a deep ravine. They've got compacted bales of hay with cardboard targets pinned on the fronts and wooden backstops behind to catch the wayward arrow.

Christina shoots left-handed, so we took turns shooting a round of six and watching their son Titus. Took me a round or two to get back to my old way of shooting (eye-balling it), and I enjoyed it very much. We were there for two hours, and Christina asked about the next Saturday as well. :)

Went to the library for an hour after that, then returned home for more reading/Netflix & minesweeper. But this time I got creative, doing 20, then 10 push-ups between every game... must have done 70 total. Later I went for a shopping trip (walking) to Target for oatmeal, and of course ended up getting more than I planned... but that was good... fruit & walnut salad was a good investment I think. They had Panera's brand of raspberry vinaigrette, goat cheese crumbles, mixed greens, and very nice, fresh raspberries. Already had walnuts at home. Stopped for a hamburger and some chicken/veggie soup on the way home. Had a lovely chat, but I was pretty tired. Walked 2 miles! Feeling pretty good.

Sunday, today, I was able to sleep in again before getting out and ready for church. Service was good. About why there has to be policies in the church... from Acts. And then the brunch was very tasty! Jalapenos baked with cream cheese and wrapped with a thick slice of bacon... I was wary, but found out they were very mild (from the baking). And veggie lasagna! And banana bread! How nice those ladies at church are! Makes you feel like a part of the family to be able to eat together. :)

We (the small adult group) were supposed to gather at the pastor's house for the Super Bowl at 3. It was just down the street from church, so I spent time shopping at Fashion Valley Mall, (presents) and I finally decided to buy Rosetta Stone's German program. No way I can count on going to a college class, so this is the next best thing. I want to be able to read German (history) and sometime I'd love to visit.

It was still too early, so I stopped by the nearby Mission Trails State Park for a view at the visitor center. Looks very nice... I'll have to go hiking there sometime.

Then it was time. Drove back to the pastor's house, and got there a little early still. I had brought some baby chicken taco snacks and guac from Trader Joes... and the pastor's wife baked them in the oven for a few minutes for me. They were good... along with the chips & dip, tasty chicken wings, pizza from Little Caesars, and various desserts. Did pretty well with my quantities. The game was a nail-biter, so it was enjoyable. Didn't really care who won, but I was pulling for the Giants since the Patriots had won so many times before. And Eli is much cuter than Tom. lol

So there we are... another fine weekend!

Jw

And the Rest ot the Week

2012-02-03T19:31:00.001-08:00

from FB... through a friend: It's nice there today too!

Well, I got rather tired from all the excitement early in the week. But of course, I didn't take a nap until this afternoon. Slept for over four hours! And I needed it! :)

Wednesday after school I finally caught up with some things like posting, and calling Mom & Dad to chat. I walked down the street to Chipotle for dinner, and brought back a bowl... only eating half for dinner. Trying to watch my quantities. The rest suited well for a quickie lunch the next day! :) That evening I read "The Tailor of Gloucester" and watched "Last Chance Harvey" (2008, Emma Thompson, Dustin Hoffman) from the library. I enjoyed the first more.

Thursday was duty day... had to go back for the 3:30 muster, and later on (around 6ish) to pick up my brand new Service Uniform (and new dress blue pants) from the Van Lady outside the barracks... so I played a lot of minesweeper, read "The Tale of Two Bad Mice"... I'm loving this complete set of Beatrix Potter!... and later watched the first two episodes of Agatha Christie's Poirot with David Suchet. After returning with the uniforms, I started "Breakfast at Tiffany's" (1961, Hepburn & Peppard), but that was cut short because STG1 Upchurch called asking why I wasn't on watch. Somehow I had switched "21-23" around in my head to "23-01"... so I was a half-hour late (arriving at 9pm), even with sprinting from overflow parking to the Quarterdeck. And I didn't get back home till 11pm (23) because near the end of the watch (10:30) a friend of mine came to the Quarterdeck needing a ride to Balboa Navy hospital for a suspected broken wrist. I thought "the heck with making her wait for the tardy duty driver" and spent the extra time driving her there myself. So my "watch" ended up being two hours long anyway.

First thing I did when getting back from school was finish up "Breakfast"... it was fantastic! As mentioned up top, I then slept. And slept and slept! :) After waking up I walked down Rosecrans for the second time this week and enjoyed Noodle's & Co's Pad Thai and a very good cucumber & tomato salad. I really hadn't had much to eat today, so I went next door to Chipotle and got a kid's meal to go. It's the perfect small size... little cups of shredded pork, rice & beans, two small soft corn tortillas, a tiny bag of chips, a chocolate milk, and an extra side of guacamole for a total of $3.77! Love it! Now it's time for more Potter: "The Tale of the Pie and the Patty Pan"... what a title! and probably Poirot, episode 3 (1989). :)

Yay, weekend! Can't believe I don't have to get up early!

Jw

Musical Nights

2012-01-31T23:31:00.000-08:00

Since last we met, I've kept myself very busy.

Monday afternoon I wrote Meg a note (and got a reply back - they're doing well in Thailand), played minesweeper (becoming a bad habit?), ate snacks for lunch, posted about the day, watched the movie "The Purple Rose of Cairo" (1985), read "The Tale of Timmy Tiptoes" (1911), then headed off early to the La Mesa suburb of SD. Had plenty of time to kill before the Beethoven concert at the local synagogue started. Shopped at RiteAid for some feminine necessities that I forgot to bring along... found a nice watch too. Had dinner at Wendy's... burger, salad, chili, iced tea. :) Then I looked in at the pet store. Parakeets, fishes, and the cutest little baby guinea pig you've ever seen; it was fun. Looked in at the grocery store too and picked up some cheese.

It was almost a quarter after seven when I got back in my car. I thought it was earlier, because my new watch stopped an hour after I bought it. Concert started at 7:30, so I was glad I was dawdling just down the street from where it was. Went right in (it was easy to find) and even got a front row seat on the left side of the orchestra. It looked rather casual at first, since my seat was but 15 feet from the first row of cellos, but the decorum and sound the 75 member volunteer community orchestra (based at the synagogue) was highly professional. Their guest artist, concert pianist Daniel Wnukowski, was fantastic! When he came in to perform Piano Concerto No. 4, he took the music rack off and walked it to the side. He proceeded to play the concerto from memory, and without the rack, I could see his face much better. Very expressive while playing... he got into it.

Not only did he know that by heart, but at tonight's concert (it was a two-night ticket for $20) he played Concertos No. 2 & No. 5... from memory and only with a 15-minute break between them! It made me very happy to be able to enjoy such music. Going to symphonies these days gives me some sort of release from the crude nastiness of my world. I remember I actually shed tears at my first since joining the Navy... 3 Tchaikovsky pieces at the Chicago Symphony on Dec 12, 2010.

Before this, today, I had Panera for lunch, got milk & groceries at Trader Joe's (dropped them at home and read another Beatrix Potter: "The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle" from 1905) then volunteered for another 2 hours (getting the holds ready for folks and then more audiobooks) at the library, and finally stopped by the NEX for a new set of NSUs, a toaster, and a fill-up, before heading off to get a bite to eat at Rubio's on my way to the freeway. (pictured at left: lilies from T. Joe's for something fresh in my room... using the "sweet nov. 12 vase")

Guess I forgot to mention on Monday I finished the Jeeves & Wooster audiobook, then between both days I finished Agatha Christie's "Dead Man's Mirror" read by Hugh Fraser. Started into "Sharpe's Triumph" by Cornwall. Gosh, I love the library.

Jw
P.S. it's my 777th post... :)

Work-a-Day-Sunday

2012-01-29T23:00:00.000-08:00

Another beautiful sleep-in; had toast on my way to church service this morning. New series about God's power... today's example, Peter and John trusting God to heal the beggar at the "Beautiful" gate (from Acts). Lesson: we need to trust God to have the power to work through us, and to utilize our faith when opportunities arise.

When I came back, I helped my housemate Emily move out. She's going back home since the right job opportunities didn't work out down here. She returned a lost pair of mis-matched socks and "Mary Poppins", as she borrowed it last night. She's blown through a few of my movies this last week... Princess Bride, Miss Potter, Jane Eyre... :) The newest James Bond movie was on TV as we made her queen bed and swept her floor.

After that, I worked at the library for over four hours! There were a bunch of audiobooks to be re-shelved, and then I replaced the cases on a lot of them. Wanted to try out the "Old Town Mexican Cafe"... so I did. Had some very good beef enchiladas with a tasty sauce on them. The place was a bit crowded and loud, and it was on the pricier side, so I don't think I'll be going back very often.

From there I went straight to Luke & Christina's house over by SDSU for small group meeting. And it was only Andy, the two of them and I... and we had a lovely little time together.

Jw

P.S. ... Happy 98th birthday, Gramma Payne!

Relaxing

2012-01-28T21:10:00.000-08:00

Couldn't sleep past nine, but that was okay with me. I woke up and cleaned my room. All four sets of NWUs and both coveralls were out because I had their name-tapes changed this week. The bed hadn't been properly made all week either, so it was in a serious state of dishevelment. Then I swept my rug and used my lint roller on it, since there was an incredible amount of hair, both from me and the cat.

Made myself oatmeal and scrambled eggs... and broke my drinking glass in the sink. So I had OJ in my mug. Then I wasted an inordinate amount of time on the Internet. Facebook, and tweaking my Navy blog. And I played more Minesweeper. Watched some fun stuff on YouTube via FB... and suddenly it was late in the afternoon. Finished off my spaghetti leftovers, then headed out for shopping. Got some kitchen things at Target (along with crayons for marking wiring charts in class), then headed off to Mission Valley Mall and Sports Chalet to replace my stolen Swiss Army knife keychain and get a new bike helmet. Also got some 5# weights to use in my room.

Then it was dinner at the food court... I tried Indian, and boy, was that good! Mango chicken curry on rice with some pita-type bread and OJ. Yum! Good stuff. And I've made it back in time for chat!

Jw

It's Friday!

2012-01-27T18:40:00.000-08:00

Once I got going after class today (around 2pm) I went for a sandwich at "Jersey Mike's Subs" next to Chipotle after hearing my instructor and classmates rave about it. Took it (along with some veggie snacks from home) up to Cabrillo National Monument in order to sit, rest and read in my library book, "Sea Star: Orphan of Chincoteague" (this is my 4th Henry book). I was delighted to watch four different kinds of birds flit back and fourth in the bushes around the secluded little seating area below the visitor center and grab the little crumbs I dropped (or threw!). There was also a speckled squirrel running around begging for tidbits. Two of the birds were cute, but very nondescript. The other two, however, were beautiful. One slim, tall blue/grey & white one and a small black one with orange breast and white speckles on its wings. The freshly sliced turkey and provolone on the wheat sandwich were very good.

After finishing eating, I moved up to behind the visitor's center with the grand overlook of the city and bay. I think it was the same squirrel snooping around. I read more than half-way through the book while I was up there, and got to watch the pair of F-18s come in for a landing, the destroyer and frigate come back to port, and the submarine start cruising out to sea as it got to be 5pm and closing time. What beautiful weather! I could see all the mountains... even stretching into Mexico!

Stopped by Stump's Market on the way home for dinner: chicken enchiladas for $4 and two small avocados for 67 cents total! I got my new Navy Fed check card in the mail (now everything is changed over!), but the checks that came along with it were still in my old name... pointless! And this morning I had to re-order the Medieval Times tickets because they put it in as the week before we're going... thankfully that's fixed now... I'm glad I noticed. Got the Disney ones printed out though... and my "Complete Tales of Beatrix Potter" (authorized edition, softcover, & new looking... for $7) was waiting at the base post office for me. :)

Jw

Last Ten Days... and a weekend

2012-01-26T18:07:00.000-08:00

Tuesday after I got back was a bear... and Wed. & Thurs. were sort of nondescript, getting let off around 2pm. All that week I wasn't used to getting up so early, so I kept staying up late every night. By the time the weekend rolled around, I wanted some rest. Oh... Wednesday evening I watched "The Help" from the Redbox on base. Very good!

Friday afternoon (the 20th) I had a burger at "Da Kines", a Hawaiian lunch-plate diner in Liberty Station. I ran into it while getting my name changed at the Navy Federal branch next door to it (and had to go by twice, since I forgot my marriage certificate the first time). I had a burger that was half-beef-half-sausage... and it was crumbly deliciousness. Got some things at Trader Joe's (it has become my grocer of choice), and then headed home.

I thought it would be nice to treat Emily out to dinner, since she's moving out in a few days. I had recently written down the names of all the restaurants I've been to here (pretty sure I've forgotten a few) and I told her to pick one after I offered. Red Lobster was the choice, and I was happy with that, even though it made me miss my Darling and my family. Had a low-cal "build your own" with grilled shrimp, seafood stuffed sole and veggies (and the lobster bisque for a not-so-low-cal). Delicious! And Emily got that wonderful bowl dish that I got at home during the holidays. We had a good conversation, and on the way home, she mentioned that she didn't have to work the next day, so we each invited each other to church; practically at the same time! Once we got home, we had a good long talk about our faith's differences and similarities; and it was very good: I think I understand Catholicism a bit better now.

Saturday wasn't much. I slept in past ten (boy, did that feel good)... and from receipts/pictures I have I know that was the day I went to Target, Walgreens, and Tio Carlos. Got yogurt, a new metal wallet, new passport pics (even though I decided not to change it when I saw the form again) and a notebook. Tried out the Mexican restaurant's "chicken and veggie soup" to my delight, along with a chile relleno and chicken enchilada. And it wasn't spicy either!

So at 5 min. to 8am on Sunday (22nd) I went to my first mass. St Charles Borromeo Catholic Church is literally two minutes away. It's across the street from us, and from MCRD. Emily has gone there a few times, and likes it pretty well. I was surprised how much it was like the Methodist and Presbyterian services I've been to... except performed with more flourish and ceremony... their traditions go back a little bit further... :) The mass we had was for the "Third Sunday in Ordinary Time"... it struck me as sounding funny. Here's the page:

We sang a few songs other than this, including "Beautiful Savior" which is a re-wording (or pre-wording) of "Fairest Lord Jesus" that I know from my childhood. Doctrinally, I didn't get much out of the service. I enjoyed watching the pomp and circumstance... and it certainly felt very holy. But I was saddened with the recurring theme in the music with begging God for mercy. Good grief! We have been given it already! I think it fully prepped me for my service though.

Emily came along with me to my church too. The sermon was on 1 John: "God is light", and how we reflect him the more we get to know him. Very good, and I was very pleased to share this with her. I know I volunteered for an hour or so at the library after churches. I turned in Hawthorn's "House of the Seven Gables" and picked up Wodehouse's "Jeeves and the Mating Season" for some more listening enjoyment. I wasted a good deal of time between that and small group later on by playing Minesweeper for ever and ever. Small group was at Luke & Christina's from church... they had roast beef, salad and bread for dinner... yum! And it was wonderful to see everyone (and meet new people too) again.

Between Monday and now has been sort of fuzzy too. We were let off at 11am each day... but somehow the days slipped away. I know Mom and Dad were hit by a bunch of snow that weekend... called and talked with them for a while. Tuesday was Mom's birthday... and I got a card off that evening for my Gramma's 98th this Sunday. Went to the library again and got "Stranger Than Fiction" (2006, Will Ferrell, Emma Thompson) and a couple more audiobooks. I also got my other uniforms updated with my new name... waited around in Lib Hall while the sewing lady sewed them, and watched college basketball. Had to have watched the film yesterday, and returned it... gosh, what a muddle. :)

Today I had soup and sandwiches for lunch, and figured out all the plans and prices for the trip to Disneyland next month with Michael (President's Day weekend). What blessings!

Jw

The Weekend With My Darling

2012-01-16T23:54:00.000-08:00

They let us go early on Friday (yes, the 13th)... after I grabbed some Chipotle for lunch, and realized that neither Emily or my landlady were home, I was able to catch a ride from Liz before she went home so I'd get to the airport in plenty of time... and I certainly had some down time. Ate lunch, chatted with a Marine family (it was Friday... graduation), and went shopping. Bought Tim Tebow's new book that I ran into on Amazon the other day (all about his upbringing and college days). Also got the cutest little dolphin necklace and a new pair of sunglasses. Talked to my family while I waited at the gate, and then it was time! Read the first half of the book on the flights (transferring in Houston) and rested. Found gummy worms and turkey jerky at the Bass Pro Outlet store... ah, Houston. The place was so big it took forever to get to my little plane (3 across) that was out on the tarmac. Just on time.

Met Michael at baggage claim around 11ish, and on the way home we had a snack at a second Burger King (the first was closed, despite all its signs) and Mike had gotten me a chocolate shake from Braum's . I think we stopped by Homeland for something, but soon we were home trying to calm Charlie down. Don't think I've ever seen him particularly unenthusiastic. :)

Next morning (Saturday) we were up around 7ish... had breakfast, did last minute packing, and we were off to the train station just a few blocks away. It was freezing and in the 30s as we walked from the car to the station across the tracks, but it was refreshingly warm inside. The little station doubles as a dance studio... so it was very open and furnished with movable chairs. It was nearly a four-hour ride... but I loved every minute. We had seats in the lower car, but had to go up top to get over to the snack car: M&Ms, and a macadamia nut - white chocolate chip cookie, along with water and coffee. We spent most of the time looking out the big windows as the countryside, small towns, train stations and rivers fell behind us. I took a bit of a nap on Mike's shoulder, but he woke me in time to see the Red River as we crossed into Texas.

John and Sue were waiting for us at the station. We had to stop and get our tickets for the return trip, but then we were off. I hit it off with Sue from the start. We ended up having a lot in common; I think we'll make a trip back to see them someday! :) After a brief tour of the city, they took us home to relax and have lunch. A wonderful sandwich spread... ham, Swiss, veggies, and fruit on the side. They live at the restored Texas & Pacific Passenger Depot building, in the old office spaces above that have been converted into condos.

After we finished our lunch, we started out. They showed us the 1930s historic Post Office building next door, then we got in the car and visited the museum district. Saw the Kimbell Art Museum (where Sue and I ended up liking the same painting best - without knowing - at right) and then the Amon Carter Museum of American painters, photographers & sculptors (with a feature exhibit on Frederick Remington). After this, we drove over to the Stockyards, and enjoyed a very Texas dinner at Riscky's BBQ. We were very tired after all of this and returned to their home for a very nice evening.

Sunday, we were so rested it was easy getting up at eight-thirty-ish. A magnificent breakfast awaited us after our showers. Fried red potatoes, sausage links, scrambled eggs and V8 juice, for me. We pretty much stayed on our plan and got to the Fort Worth Zoo about 11... an hour after they opened. Great one! And we've seen a lot of zoos! :) I especially loved their tigers... two white and two orange... and all walking around. Also impressive was the lion, the rhino, the reptile house, the elephants and the parakeets. All these were so up-close-and-personal. The elephants were literally a couple feet away.

Had a late lunch downtown at a pizza place before stopping at Walgreens for snacks and returning home to pack and get ready for the train. We watched our wedding slide show together after we were all ready, and then we took off for the cho0-choo. This time we got a forward-facing car. Watched the sunset to our left and then a movie when it was dark... "Navy Blue & Gold" (1937, Jimmy Stewart, Robert Young) about some football players for the academy. We started "The Ice Follies of 1939", also with Jimmy, but we soon realized why we had never heard of it before. :) Back in Norman around 9:30ish, we stopped at Mike's favorite Chinese Buffet for some take-out for dinner at home. Finished up "Red River" (1948, John Wayne) while we ate.

Monday we took it pretty easy. Waffles and eggs for breakfast, watched half of a film on TCM for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, sat outside while Charlie played around, then got some bread at Homeland and fed many ducks and geese at the duck pond, east of campus. We were quickly bereft of bread. It was so fun... the big ducks looked like they were attacking us in formation. And the swarm of red-winged blackbirds was an incredible sight (and sound).

For another late lunch/early dinner, we ate at The Service Station, across the street from our church. I had Mexican, and Mike had a hamburger, I think. Up until that point, we'd been getting the same exact thing... fried catfish at the BBQ place and chicken fettuccine at the pizza place. John and Sue must have thought we were crazy. :)

And then the time came for me to leave. Stupid security stole my key chain pocket knife that I forgot about (several airports had let it through) and I characteristically cried as I walked to the gate. I was already sad... just pushed me over the edge. My flight was a little late, but no matter. Had a mushroom & Swiss Angus burger at McDonald's in Houston, along with a yogurt parfait and a small salad. Finished Tebow's book by the time I reached SD... got a taxi, and soon I was in bed.

Jw

...the Facebook album...

Before the Weekend

2012-01-12T20:58:00.000-08:00

Today after class, the sun was shining so brilliantly that I thought it would be good to visit Ocean Beach for a few hours. It's only a 10-minute drive to the coast from my house, so it wasn't a big deal. Took my little folding stool and some note cards & pen and soaked up the afternoon sun while I transferred some verses to a flip - card set so I can work on them easier sometime. Returned to my car to warm up for a while out of the stiff breeze from the ocean, then took off walking a few blocks south to downtown Ocean Beach where I had my first experience with Hodad's (since 1969). Had a chocolate shake (that came with a scoop of ice cream) and a very big burger... a 1/2 lb. with lots of veggies! Even more than I could fit in my mouth at once. Very good! Enjoyed it much.

It was dark when I walked back, but it was only 6pm-ish. Finished up listening to "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" and returned that to the library on my way home. Interesting at times, but also pretty cliched. Back at home I watched an awesome documentary on the Wright Brothers called "Kitty Hawk"... with Niel Armstrong and John Glenn playing the voices of the brothers when they read their correspondence. There were lots of neat pictures taken by the Wrights themselves and obviously, people with them, as well as footage from flight demonstrations in Europe and America in 1908. How impressive! After talking to Michael, I quickly packed my bag for tomorrow's trip and finally got to bed.

Jw

Chilling Out

2012-01-10T21:32:00.000-08:00

Well, after class. Got home about 2:30. Finished reading "Justin Morgan", talked to Mom on the phone, updated my car insurance with my new driver's license number, had a little dinner at home, watched the short Paul Revere Biography (1995). Then I went to the library to return the book and the movies... including The Third Man, which I watched last night... which I did, and then I ended up volunteering for a couple more hours anyway. Finished watching the pilot episodes of Heroes... and I hope the TV show itself isn't quite as violently graphic as these intros.

Last night I bit the bullet and bought the airline ticket to Oklahoma for this extended weekend... and I'm glad I did... the tickets were $100-$200 more expensive tonight. It was an expensive night too... I paid my Discover card, and impulsively bought a Tim Tebow jersey (for my first replica jersey ever) because I think he's such a neat guy. My only purchase today was a $5 pepperoni pizza from Little Caesar's (hot & ready) across from the library. Served as dinner tonight and will serve again tomorrow for brunch (after our hard-core workout).

Jw

Normal-ish Sunday

2012-01-08T23:53:00.000-08:00

I got to church in plenty of time today because it started at 11, instead of 9:30. :) Thankfully, I looked at the reminder email before running out the door... and ended up making myself some eggs for breakfast. Church was really neat: they had a special gathering of all three congregations that use the same church building. Many of my friends weren't there, but I did see Pauline sitting with her friends. She's a sweet lady, in her 80's, and from a little town near Dutch Harbor, Alaska, and was there when the Japanese bombed and invaded it! That's an interesting story to hear, for sure! Her friends Betty and Marge were pleasant to talk to as well. I sat in the row right in front of them, and Pastor Carl and his wife Susan came and sat right next to me.

The sermon was on topics from the story of the epiphany of the wise men from Matthew 2... and very good. How well the young pastor wove the gospel into it! And then there was a massive feast after all the singing and preaching... with foods from the three different cultures of the three churches... my church, Korean, and Filipino... what a bunch of food! I'm glad I had time to buy a pasta salad beforehand to contribute.

Afterwords, I went to the library for three hours... putting away all the movies and audio books. And there was only another cart's worth of dvds that came in while I was putting them all away. Gosh, a lot of people use the library for films! But I'm not exempt! I brought 4 home myself: "Mr. Skeffington" with Bette Davis and Claude Rains (which I watched tonight), "The Third Man" with Orson Welles and Joseph Cotton, and while I was on my way out, a couple biographies that had come in... "Paul Revere" and then "Kitty Hawk" about the Wright Brothers.

But first I needed to do a little shopping: I was out of butter and I needed to get a new notebook for tomorrow's first day of class. Went to Staples first, found the book, a skin for my phone (been looking everywhere for one), and a new pair of ear buds from a good brand that were on sale. Had dinner at Del Taco (in the same lot), then got a couple things at Target, including the butter, some onion powder and a hot pad for my pot.

Jw

Over to Coronado

2012-01-07T22:25:00.000-08:00

Stayed in bed until a very pleasant 9:30... but I was waking up for the last hour or so. Had a pot of oatmeal for breakfast, fiddled with pictures for a while, then decided to go exploring Coronado on my bike. My house-mate Emily was making pancakes when I was on my way out, and she gave me one! Mixed with banana, it was so good... just a mix from Vons, mixed with banana.

Drove to base, got on the bike, rode pretty fast to downtown and had to wait a bit for the 4pm ferry. Wandered around Coronado, looked at shops, cut across the island, then explored around the Hotel del Coronado. Took lots of pics (that I just loaded on FB) and then returned. Good thing I have lights on my bike!

Looked at the map on my laptop back at home and realized how to avoid all the traffic... the trail goes along the shoreline! duh! But I'm glad I wandered around Orange Ave... I got a little starfish and coin purse at a little shell shop, had chicken noodle soup at Panera Bread on the way back, scoped out the place for another visit, bought some cherry yogurt at Vons, finally got to look at the famous hotel and heard "Dream a Little Dream of Me" playing at the creamery "Mootime". Very successful, I'd say.

But all this music and boating makes me miss my Michael. :(
Soon, dear.
Jw

On the Spur of the Moment

2012-01-06T21:15:00.000-08:00

Waiting for my Darling to finish dinner before we talk tonight, and I looked up "The Thin Man" trailer on YouTube... very cute. And then a suggested link had this... "Let's Start the New Year Right". Better late than never!

Happy New Year, everyone!
Jw

Today after a short day at work I wasted a ton of time going through the photo album of my Carnegie Dinosaurs on my laptop. I took pictures of them before they got packed away at home... so I categorized them by year and name and can now tell you with a couple clicks which ones I have. :) Well, I'm excited about that. :) This led to an Internet search about the collection, and I found an informative website from an enthusiast as well as info from the manufacturer, Safari Ltd. I counted my own and found I have 52 different molds and 62 individual pieces (1 copy, 9 repaints, and 7 remolded). And then there was this very informative Wikipedia site about the history.

Here are two released last year that I want very much:

I think I'll wait for my birthday though. :)

Didn't want to go anywhere today. Had mac'n cheese w/dogs for dinner and started watching Season 1 of "Heroes" that I got at Half Price when I was home. Swept the floor in the house, and made it through a discussion about my Christmas lights with my landlady. She'll let me keep one on. Other than that, I finished getting the pics from the holidays on FB.

My poor Darling probably didn't know how crazy I am about my dinosaurs before we got married. :(

LOL

Catching Up

2012-01-05T20:30:00.000-08:00

Whew! I've been worn out! It's been a long Internet silence for me! And can you believe I wrote that long post about the trip because I didn't know what to write in the five thank-you cards I want to send? LOL

Although my room was still a shambles from returning the previous night, I went out to the movies on Tuesday night. Had Chipotle for dinner, and at the last minute decided to see War Horse at Fashion Valley Mall. I found a guinea pig calendar for my Darling before it started! :) Unfortunately, I liked the book a Lot more than the film. They put too many modernisms in it... changed the characters for no good reason. Went shopping for some essentials on the way home, and talked to Mom. I've really been unthoughtful... I called her and Dad while waiting for the bus on Monday night, but didn't call back.

After taking a fellow Sailor out for her first shopping trip since boot camp (and for dinner at In & Out), I volunteered at the library for a couple hours yesterday, reshelving three carts full of audiobooks. They got slammed from their own long break. Back at home I finished loading pictures onto the laptop. There were that many. :)

Tonight? Yeah, I'm online, finally. :)

Jw

Happiness: An Outline

2012-01-02T17:02:00.000-08:00

Tuesday, Dec. 20: Picked up Michael, stopped for breakfast at Denny's, then stopped in Bellevue to get myself a new SSN card (had started out early for a new driver's license and title on our way to the airport - name changing isn't too complicated). After relaxing and taking the dog for a walk, Mike & I got a few things at Fred Meyer and a gift card for my parents after dropping his suit off at our local cleaners and filling up the gas tank. Had a grand spaghetti dinner, then watched "Earnest Saves Christmas" to share a family tradition.

Wed, Dec 21: I don't think we got up very early. By the time we were done with breakfast, it was after noon. Went for a long, round-trip ferry ride at my Mom's suggestion. Mike & I drove a little northwest to Edmonds for the 30-minute Kingston Ferry (with magnificent views), then drove south on the peninsula to Bremerton for the 45-minute ferry ride back to downtown Seattle (and then over the 520 floating bridge to Kirkland and home). We had an hour in Bremerton though, so we had clam chowder (and I had an incredible salad) at Anthony's on the dock. There was leftovers and our advent traditions back at home.

Thur, Dec 22: Another lazy morning, and probably another dog-walking. That afternoon we had an appointment to meet with the people at Chan's place to settle the setup and dinner for our little wedding celebration. It looked like it would work out beautifully. Right away then, Mom, Mike & I headed out for our own little evening: Mom treated us to a lavish dinner at Red Lobster in Lynnwood, then to a performance in downtown Seattle of the PNB's fabulous Nutcracker. Stopped at Shari's for dessert on the way home. People were still up when we got home, so we did advent still.

Fri, Dec 23: Of note, we went shopping at Safeway for coffee creamer (& eggs & milk), then continued on to downtown Woodinville to buy a couple replacement squeakies for Charlie's ripped up hedgehog toys. Later on in the visit, Mom sewed them up again, using all 8 squeakies in the 3 toys. And as we noticed there was a ray of sunshine, we kept going on SR 522 to the Bothell Landing (where we became engaged last year) to sit on our bench together, watch the ducks and the sky as it gradually grew clearer and sunnier overhead between masses of clouds above the lovely fir trees. It was a perfect re-enactment! :) That night, after dinner, we watched the "Muppet Christmas Carol" for another tradition. I was well pleased at how many times it made Michael laugh.

Sat, Dec 24: We slept in past noon! Mom took Mike to the store for some stomach meds while I finished up my shower. A big change to eating habits is never easy. Thankfully, he rested on the couch while I wrapped up some presents and helped Mom with a few sugar cookies before we took off for the annual dinner with the Hertzbergs at a Mexican restaurant. Mike had a couple scrambled eggs at home before and after to tide him over. Mexican + upset stomach = problem. Poor Darling! But I had some with him afterwords and we were able to share a quiet candle-lit moment in the kitchen before joining the whole gang in the living room for a marathon Christmas song sing-a-long. So much fun! Almost my favorite part of the holiday. But between the restaurant and home, there was the Candlelight Christmas Eve Service at Canyon Hills Church, just like last year. Wonderful time!

Sun, Christmas Day: It was a very normal Christmas: fun, pleasant, and drawn out. Got up at 7:30 to help set up... Big breakfast at 9, stockings and presents one-by-one until the early afternoon. Zac even called during breakfast, and we all got a turn to talk to him, which made his absence a little more bearable. After most had trickled away, Mike and I went downstairs to our room to take an hour or two's nap. Then upstairs we watched "The Snowman" and Baryshnikov's "Nutcracker" from our taped-off-PBS VHS tape that we watched so often as kids... but that Mike had never seen before. Later we looked through his mom's album from the 1940's, had clam chowder and grilled cheese sandwiches, watched a Christmas episode of "The Shari Lewis Show" from 1960, and two episodes of the Tintin TV collection Michael gave me... "The Crab With the Golden Claws". And I think there was a Backgammon game with Dad too...

Mon, Dec 26: When I wrote this down, I had it completely wrong... and how could I, too?! On the anniversary of our own private New Year's Eve celebration! I did start packing up my room this day, getting up a little earlier than Mike. I gathered our things from all over the house and organized it a bit. Later on, after breakfast, I started working on my room, like Dad wanted. Took down my posters and put them all together (it was an accomplishment). We watched another Sheri Lewis episode, and then Meg & Jason, Mike & I went over to our friend's the Foxes to visit, but they weren't all there. Later that evening, Rita and Chelsea came over and visited us (as Meg set up) and even gave us a wedding present. When they left, Mike & I left too, heading to Ivar's downtown for a fancy dinner, like last year. I had "Wild Alaska Lingcod" with delicious roasted baby Yukon potatoes and squash. Mmm!!! Michael had the "Seafood Fettuccine" which was also very good. A beautiful evening! Then he bought himself a Seattle sweatshirt, and I, cunningly, bought him a Seattle Ferry magnet and a postcard that I sent for him to find when he got home. :) When we got back, we stayed up and picked out the pictures that we wanted to put on the display boards at our wedding. Whew! Even finished by midnight, like I promised Mom! :)

Tue, Dec 27: In the morning, Mom and I went to Fred's to print the pictures and buy some very nice chicken breasts and portobello mushrooms for a fabulous dinner at home that night. After another late breakfast, Michael and I went to the Seattle Zoo in Woodland Park. It started raining half-way through our visit, just as we visited the new, fabulous Humboldt penguin exhibit. For a few dollars we were able to hand feed a couple penguins ourselves! And the enclosure allowed for close encounters! The penguins swimming next to the glass followed our fingers as we traced them in figure-eights. Of course we saw bears, tigers, lions (hehe), gorillas, Komodo dragons, hippos, giraffes, a giant python, and many others kinds... so much fun to show him my zoo after seeing his three times. :) From there we went a little further north to the Northgate Mall to meet up with Julie! She was a little late (meeting with another friend) so we took the opportunity to eat a little lunch at Panera Bread. Julie met us there, and then we drove back to Kirkland. She had wanted to watch "Midnight in Paris" the other day, but never got around to it... so she rented it again and we all got to see it (I had caught it in the theater in SD). After the lovely chicken dinner Mom prepared (including my favorite noodles too) that we all helped with, we watched "Ocean's 11" on Netflix, since it's a good New Year's movie (and a few of us hadn't seen it before). Mike and I drove Julie back to Seattle and we got to bed late again. :)

Wed, Dec 28: To be married again! Just toast for breakfast... at 1pm we were having another ceremony, then a very large Chinese feast at our favorite local Chinese restaurant, Chan's Place, in Kirkland. There were 23 guests... Michael, myself, Julie, Christina, Mom, Dad, Jackie (Julie's Mom), Tom Hertzberg, Andie, Nathan, Beckie, Micah, Meg, Jason, Gayle & Bethany (Jason's mom & sister), Aunt Penny, Uncle Don, Gramma Payne, and Susan Mayfield with daughters Andrea & Stephanie (with her daughter Madeline. We took up six tables in a back room part of the restaurant. They even shut off their piped music for us and we were able to play a couple tracks for the ceremony and a little dancing afterwords. Dad did the ceremony, and Meg the reading; Andie baked the lemon cake and Mom did most of the decorations. The cake, the candles we got at our first wedding and the picture boards were all at one table on the side. The food was delicious... and Jason took about 500 pictures total. It'll make for a bit of work to put them on FB. We got a few presents again! And Michael started the dancing after dinner. :) All in all, it took about 2 hours.

When we got home we watched the dvd slideshow of our first wedding and honeymoon pictures that our friend Bette Hertzberg made. Twice actually, again after we watched Meg & Jason's slideshow from the same friend. A perfect way to follow up a wedding! After all this was over, Michael and I had another little date... went to Ivar's in Bellevue for fish & chips (which we didn't get to have in downtown Seattle - one can only eat so much) and then found Lincoln Square Cinema in downtown Bellevue to see "The Artist"... a wonderful silent film (new this year) about a silent film actor and his dog in the '20s & '30s... how the change affected him and a up-and-coming actress who adored him. Four stars, if you ask me. And as I told a few people already, this was literally the best day of my life so far. It'll be hard to top.

Thur, Dec 29: Still five days to go! When last year, this is when we parted. It was a little of a letdown from the previous day... but it had to be. I did more packing in my room... in the afternoon Mom, Dad, Mike & I took a drive a half-hour east to Monroe to visit my Gramma Payne for a little while. We had a lovely little chat all together before we went back home. That night, Michael and I went out to our neighborhood Pizza Bank for a wonderful home-style-cooked Italian dinner... spaghetti and a little pepperoni & mushroom pizza to share. The Washington Huskies bowl game had already started, but I was a little afraid to stay and watch. For good reason... they ended up losing to Baylor, 67-56... which broke several records for points scored and yards gained in a bowl game. While part of this fiasco was going on, we took the dog for a walk.

I think it was later this evening that Meg, Mike & I went to Redmond for a little shopping. We stopped in our usual places: Tree Top Toys (where a Carnegie Dinosaur had to be returned from Christmas - because I already had it - and where we found another that I didn't have), Half-Price Books (where I found a cheap copy of Heroes Season 1 and Cinderella Man - and where I looked in the vinyl records and national geographic magazines for the first time - because of Michael). Meg needed to stop in at REI as well for something for her upcoming trip to Thailand. Mike and I found our favorite snack bars, and loaded up a little. :) Back at home, we watched "Portrait of Jennie"... one of Mike's favorites... and I liked it very much. But by that point, I was wiped out.

Fri, Dec 30: Played Backgammon with Dad during breakfast... and afterwords Mike & I walked the dog. I may have forgotten a few of those dog-walks... they were all so nice. In the early afternoon we all met up at Alderwood Mall in Lynnwood to see Tintin: the Secret of the Unicorn on the big screen. I can't say how pleased I was with it! It was marvelous. Loved the little touches... like the birds flying around the guy's head when he ran into the lady with the birdcage. LOL! They did a lovely job of mixing the two stories for a fabulous film.

This was also my brother-in-law Nathan's birthday, so after taking Meg and Jason out to Thai Kitchen for a Christmas present, we all celebrated back home with cherry pie and cake. After everyone left, Mom & Dad & Mike & I watched "A Hard Day's Night" on Netflix, since a scene from "Portrait of Jennie" brought it to Mike's mind while we were walking the dog that morning.

Sat, Dec 31: Maybe "late breakfast and a walk with the dog" can be assumed by this point. :) On our way to the Seattle Aquarium that early afternoon we listened to a BBC broadcast of Tintin's "Red Rackham's Treasure" to bookend the previous day's film. Mike had found ten stories online and made copies for me - what a Sweetheart! As for the aquarium, we arrived just as the divers were feeding the fish in the big dome tank. And along with all the regular stuff, we had a great view of the two river otters and two sea otters... all very active and right up close to the glass. And another great view of the mountains across the Sound too! Since we stayed so long, by 3pm it was time for the Giant Pacific Octopus feeding as well. We got an up-front view of this too and saw the octopus change colors when the shrimp was lowered into the tank! Wow! Still along the waterfront on the neighboring pier, we had dinner at The Crab Pot. Can you believe it? we were tired of clam chowder! I had a crab sandwich and Mike had a big burger.

Straight from there we picked up Mom and Dad at home, then headed over to Jason's family's house, about 15 minutes away for a New Year's Eve party with snacks and games. It was a marvelous time! Lots of chatting and relaxation... and then we played telephone pictionary with hilarious results and then some wii sports... like the ski jump, hula hooping, soccer, boxing, and an obstacle course. Whew! What fun! And that's how we brought in the new year... that and a very sad excuse for a fireworks show at the Space Needle on TV. They even quit the countdown before it was time! But we had a round of toasts with sparkling cider (and apple juice for me)... and here we are in 2012!

Sun, Jan 1, 2012: We went to Meg and Jason's church in the morning because they were getting commissioned for their mission trip to Thailand starting January 4th. But before Mom, Mike & I could get out the door and join everyone else there, Zac called again and we talked with him for a bit while Michael made us all some breakfast. The commissioning was very nice, they answered questions and the pastor challenged the congregation that they could do something like this too. :)

Directly afterwords, Mom, Mike and I got in the car and headed an hour and a half north to Anacortes (listening to more BBC Tintin), to catch the hour-long ferry to Friday Harbor in the San Juan Islands, like we did on our last day last year. The point was to just enjoy the ride. Every few minutes Michael rushed out into the open air to get a blast of biting cold freshness. :) We had such fun! And it was so clear out, we could see all the mountains! We've had good luck this year that way! We had lunch together on the waterfront in Friday Harbor... we all had cups of chowder... and I think I had another crab sandwich. Mom traded me her green beans for my cole slaw... a good deal! Come to think of it, Mike had fish and chips again too... we are creatures of habit! :) Mom had the crab cakes. We talked for a good long while in the restaurant, then took some pictures of each other on the waterfront, then boarded the return ferry. I got sleepy when the sun went down during the voyage... and Mike was a Darling and drove us all home. I loved listening to him and Mom talking as I rested in the back seat.

When we did get home, we went out for our Outback dinner together, since that's what Don & Penny gave everyone for Christmas. Mike and I both got steak & shrimp combos and desserts to boot.... carrot cake for him, cheesecake for me... just like we had after the Nutcracker.

Back at home we watched "Santa Claus Conquers the Martians", another MST3000 gem from Mike's collection. :) Another late night and our last.

Mon, Jan 2: We woke early (7:30, as on Christmas) to pack up our bags, and for me to finish packing up my room for my parents. Unbelievably, we got everything done. Dad helped me wrap up my dinosaurs... then we had a big breakfast with everyone, and another last walk with the dog. Played Dad 2 games of Backgammon, which we split. We finished up the packing with about a half-hour to spare... so it worked out well. Had to leave at 1pm. Meg came with my parents to drop us off. I was able to check two of my three bags for free (yay, military!) and then re-join Mike in the much longer Southwest line. We went through security together, had bagels for lunch together, then parted with a final kiss after he had his ticket scanned. I stayed and watched his plane taxi and take off into the soup of clouds covering the area. There were a few hours before my flight took off. Everything went just fine on my direct flight, except for the dense fog covering San Diego. They diverted us a half-hour north to Ontario, CA, after circling SD for a half-hour or so, waiting for it to dissipate, while it only got thicker. I was blessed to get on the first of the charter buses to drive us nearly two-hours back to SD on I-15. I got home a little after midnight.

Lord, God, thank you for everything. What a blessed time with my husband and family.
Jw

PS... wow... what stats... it only took 3.5 hours to write.

Like It Says...

2011-12-25T16:55:00.000-08:00

The Weekend Before Michael Came

2011-12-19T16:21:00.000-08:00

I was so glad to see my family! They pulled up just as I arrived in baggage claim. Just took a minute for my bag to appear, and we were on our way home. Puppy came downstairs to greet me, and then he wanted to go outside. :) I went to bed so fast... but first I looked at all the pretty lights in the living room with Mom. It was super late... didn't fall asleep until 2:30 am or so... I had to call my Darling first. :)

Don't remember when I woke up Saturday, but I'm sure it was healthy late. I spent most of the day as a lazy bum. I'm sure I played games with Meg and Dad, and took the dog on a walk... but besides that, it's a blur. Didn't even want to unpack. That night, Andie & Family came over to show us how they celebrate Hanuka at their house, starting this year.

Sunday I went to church at Woodin Valley Baptist with Mom and our renter (Andie's friend) Christina. It was a nice little service, and we sang a few Christmas hymns and talked with our previous neighbors the Boyers for a while. Back at home, family came over for dinner... Christina had made breaded chicken breast and eggplant, and it was great. That night we had WENNmas, and had another wonderful watch-through of the Christmas episode with a little bit of gift-giving.

It's so difficult to remember little days like this a couple weeks later... I know Dad and I helped Christina move a marble-top desk and easy chair from her previous place on Mercer Island back home. On the way, we stopped by Bellevue to see about getting a new driver's license for myself, but it was closed Mondays. After we got back I contented myself by putting lights on the Japanese Maple and the magnolia tree in the front yard. Mom and Dad had done everything else on and inside the house before I came.

Each night we did our regular advent traditions:

reading selections from the Bible that Mom picked out, typed out, and matched with a little cloth ornament to hang on the cloth tree she made, and then singing a song or two. Also watched a couple episodes of Monk each night, as Mom & Dad are still making their way through the series.

Oh, tomorrow morning! :)
Jw

Waiting and Waiting

2011-12-16T18:57:00.000-08:00

This week I spent most of my time at home watching movies to make the time go by faster. Finished watching the film "Whales" on Monday while I had some tuna helper.

Tuesday night I watched Garden State from what I picked up at the library on Sunday, instead of Jane Eyre, which I waited to watch until after we graduated and had our celebratory breakfast at Perry's on Wednesday morning. Good thing too! Because it was 3 hours and 48 minutes long! It was the Masterpiece Theatre version from 1996. I loved it! Went to the library again that night to return the movies and volunteer for a while. When I was leaving, I noticed there was to be a concert starting in a few minutes in the community room... the Peninsula Singers were putting on a Christmas show, complete with an audible version of Carol of the Bells and ranging from some Hanukkah songs to the famous passages from Handel's Messiah. I loved their medley with Home for the Holidays, Let it Snow, & I'll be Home for Christmas. But while I volunteered, I picked up three more movies that I really wanted to see... and I watched last year's Robin Hood with Russell Crowe between talking to Mike. Thursday afternoon it was 2009's Up in the Air, with George Clooney, and then that night I saw a live radio play of It's a Wonderful Life at the Cygnet Theater in Old Town. Boy, I loved that! The costumes, the actors, the set! I sat in the dead center a few rows back. And the guy who played Jimmy's role spoke with certain inflections at certain times just like Jimmy did in '46.

Friday was a wild one. Got home at 11am... all checked out from the Navy and good to go for the next seventeen days! I managed to eat lunch, finish all my laundry, clean my room, do my dishes, watch A Newsreel History of the Third Reich (from the 1941 eastern front), return all three movies to the library, send a package of presents home via the post office, and pack, all before my friend Hibbard came to take me to the airport around 5:45. Whew! And United was not busy at all, so I went right through. Free checked bag for being in the military, and there were only a couple people at security... so I had tons of time to talk to Meg on the phone, as well as my Darling before they boarded us. And they gave me priority that way too... there were about 40 military flying this first leg, from SD to SF. A non-eventful flight... it was so short, and then I talked to Mom while charging my phone waiting for the final flight. And I slept my way through all of that one. :)

Little Joys

2011-12-11T21:23:00.000-08:00

That was, in fact, the topic of this third weekend of advent... Joy... following Hope and Peace. A good sermon, and I walked in on the singing of It Came Upon a Midnight Clear.

Then on my way to try and find Christmas cards... which I didn't find yet... I discovered a pair of presents for my niece and nephew that they will adore! And then I had a free sample of fried Swai fish... a river catfish from Asia... and discovered that $2.50 would buy me two filets, cooked the same way for free... takeout from the grocery store!

After eating that, a few of the shrimp I got and some Brussel sprouts for a tasty lunch, I went to the library again, for a cart-and-a-half of DVDs, and a single load of audio books. Took a good two hours! Then I picked up some free stuff... lots of people drop off boxes and bags of books they don't want anymore... more than the library can or wants to handle. Got Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, a short collection of O'Henry with Gift of the Magi included, a CD of Vivaldi's Four Seasons (what timing), as well as The Empire Strikes Back Original Soundtrack and a few children's books.

Then I dropped by Stump's Market across the street to pick up some things for having hotdogs at the small group meeting tonight at the church. We read a couple chapters, but soon the church's program, Gifts for the King, was going to start. It's simply a few of the more talented members who get up and sing, read or play an instrument to the glory of God... sort of like a talent show with no voting. We began it by singing Christmas hymns from the hymnbook, and I enjoyed it all very much!

So winds down my last weekend before break! Tomorrow is my duty day, and the final practical test... after that, I won't have much of consequence before leaving Friday night!

Jw

Saturday, In & Out

2011-12-10T21:54:00.000-08:00

Got up early enough to make & eat eggs, wash my dishes, and sweep the floor before going to the Presbyterian church, down Chatsworth, across from the library, to help sort Angel Tree presents for an hour. I thought we'd be wrapping them, but I guess not! There was another young lady there who had recently joined the church... a Naval officer from the air station, training to be a SH-60S pilot. She was a few years younger than I... that's amazing to me. We talked about our various situations a little. She's also newly married, but to a submarine man.

Since it didn't take long to finish, I crossed the street when we were done and volunteered at the library for a few hours. Checked in Hold items, and shelved them, then found a bunch more from the shelves and checked those in too. While in audiobooks, I found a misfiled copy of "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People", which I've had a hold on for months... 6th in a line of 16 for it... so I took that up to check if it was supposed to be on hold for somebody in front of me, but it said no! So I checked it out myself and cancelled my hold! :) Normally, I wouldn't read a self-help book like this, but it's on the Navy suggested reading list for E-4 and below. We'll see how it goes... it's only three discs. And I can listen to it in January, because they can be out that long!

Came home and ate my leftovers from last night: the little bit of orange chicken, and practically the whole egg flower soup. So good! Started my laundry, then decided to watch the rest of the Army/Navy game on channel 8... it worked when I put up the antenna, like my landlady said. And Navy won! It was a close game... I turned it on in the end of the 3rd quarter.

Then I headed over to the Naval Air Station on Coronado for a bit of the Holiday Navy Band Concert... with a wonderful carol sing-a-long medley at the end. Then I shopped at the commissary and got lots of good groceries for a pretty good price. Returned home, and folded the laundry, had some of my newly purchased Town House crackers with Tillamook cheese and summer sausage. And I watched the movie I got from the library a couple days ago... "A Patch of Blue" with Sidney Poitier from 1965. I loved it so much I cried a couple times. It was very good.

Fun little chat tonight! Practically everyone was on!

Jw

Free for the Weekend

2011-12-09T23:42:00.000-08:00

We got out of class at 2pm... I checked the mail and got some cash out of the ATM before going home. At home, my dishes were dirty from the morning's oatmeal and in my room. My landlady was also making breakfast this morning and I needed to stay out of her way... so I left them dirty for the first time. :)

My housemate, Emily, came in to chat after I finished watching yesterday's event in the advent calendar (some days I get behind). She wanted someone to talk to... the first group of people from her internship with the Navy dolphin program left today... and her's ends the day I leave for home. I showed her the giant spider crab pic and video I put on FB, and she admired my wooden octopus on my wall as well. We have a common interest :)

Decided to go out to dinner together at the Chinese Food mom & pop place on Shelter Island Dr. at 5:30, but first I went to the library for an hour to exchange my Henry book for another (Justin Morgan) and do a little re-shelving. It seems I always do the audiobooks... suppose that's because I like them myself (and a lot of other people do too). Picked up "A Christmas Carol" because I've never read it before.

Dinner was great! Tried out some orange chicken for the first time, and I tried a little of Emily's Kung Pao chicken. Dropped her back at the house, then continued on to Balboa Park for the Globe's new musical romance "Some Lovers". I liked it alright... the songs were pretty good, but the storyline left a little to be desired. It was based on O'Henry's "Gift of the Magi", but the guy never figured out what to give until the very end of the play.

Jw

The Last Two Nights

2011-12-08T21:26:00.000-08:00

Went out for dinner last night... had Rubio's again. Then I returned "War Horse", refiled a handful of audio books and the dozen or so dvds that had been taken off the shelves, but left. Since listening to "King of the Wind" the other day, I decided I wanted to read "Misty of Chincoteague". It would be good, especially if I get stationed in Norfolk.

Talked with Meg, and Mom & Dad when I got back home... can't wait for Christmas!

Tonight I stayed at home, made shell-noodle, white MAC'n cheese, along with the filet of sole with spinach from Trader Joe's. Watched a movie with my landlady that she had on TV... "The Matchmaker" from 1987.... it was an interesting little romance. We talked a while longer while I made myself some nachoes.

I've just about finished reading "Misty"... it's such a fun little book. It's a classic library edition too. The kind I remember my sister reading all the time when we were small. They have the rest of the books too... :)

Jw

Seventy Years Ago

2011-12-07T08:10:00.000-08:00

From the film taken by Captain Eric Haakensen from the hospital ship USS Solace as the 800kg bomb penetrated the forecastle deck.

Felt proud to wear the uniform today.

Jp

At the Hospital

2011-12-06T23:44:00.000-08:00

My friend Kristin from Bible study is in the middle of her master's program focusing on procedures for radiation oncology. She's developing (or supporting the development of) new ways to keep patient's heads still while they are being scanned for tumors. Previous methods (still used in some cases) involved drilling a form to the patient's head... another involved wearing this white thing...

and thankfully, the ones I tried out for her were much more comfortable than either of these! First I tried this one for 25 minutes (while listening to Johnny Cash)...

and then this for 25 minutes (while listening to Louie Armstrong)...

Another friend from church, Scott, did both, as well as Kristin herself. Her husband, Andy, pushed the buttons while she did it. So it took about three hours, but I was glad to help her out. Science projects always require lots of data, data, data. They picked me up at Carl's Jr. on Midway (I had a coupon for turkey burgers!) and then drove us all up to the hospital at UCSD in La Jolla.

This morning was very early... 5:30! Had hash browns like Mom used to make, 3 eggs, and later, toast on my way out the door as I was going to Quarters. And after that, I finished reading "War Horse". So I was wiped out by the time I got back home at night. I snuggled up in my bed under lots of covers, since the night was so cold.

Jp

Dinner and Some Whales

2011-12-05T18:05:00.000-08:00

I had some mac'n cheese with turkey hotdogs for dinner... and finished watching the IMAX film on Whales that I had started the other night. It was very good food, and a very interesting movie, but a while after I turned the space heater on, the breaker turned the power off in the house. It's so awfully cold these nights... so I'm bundling up and using all my blankets tonight... along with sweatpants & sweatshirt.

Jp

Another Fine Day in "America's Finest City"

2011-12-04T23:05:00.000-08:00

That's San Diego's nickname... and as far as I've seen, they've lived up to it.

Started off by misplacing my wallet. I had got up in time to head to church, but after wracking my brain, and heading off to look for it at Presidio Park, I realized I had stuck it in the drawer with my camera... after taking pics at the park. :)

I made it to church in a reasonable time for leaving right around when it was starting. Sat next to Emily and Kristin from young adult group for the 2nd weekend of Advent. This time we talked about Peace, and the pastor started by talking about the world's peace: the colt peacemaker (through power), the peace sign (through protest), peace of pie (through comfort), peace treaties (fickle agreements) and the peace prize (for valiant efforts). But then he talked of the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6), and how real peace transcends our understanding (Phil. 4:7) and can even be found in the face of death (Luke 2:29-30). And I thought it was neat that he mentioned Luke 2:14 (NIV) after Mike and I just had a long conversation about it a day or two ago (We finished Ephesians last night and started into Hebrews).

I love little churches! And the people to talk to when they have lunch served in the Fellowship Hall afterwords. Cheesy shredded potatoes and meatloaf! I'm now FB friends with Jenny, who makes or serves the meals every week. It's impossible to do that in anything bigger than this... maybe 80 people at the most. It allows for real interaction with other saints, which is exactly what "the church" is supposed to be. It's the same kind of church Robert and Julie introduced me to while I was in Chicago. And I love it!

Dropped off my Angel Tree gift, then made my way downtown. I parked at Seaport Village again, not realizing the metered parking by the Maritime Museum was free (it was only a loss of $2). But if I hadn't, I would have missed out on getting my Spiffy a Christmas present, and also missed out on the wood carvings I found: an octopus and a tropical fish... wow, are they neat... and boy, do they look nice on my wall! And on the walk to the Maritime Museum, I passed the shell of a Giant Spider Crab just sitting on the stone wall, and a Mexican guy playing his trumpet in the traditionally loud, Mexican way, so I dropped a dollar in his cup.

I was visiting the museum to look at their exhibit on "Three Voyages to Paradise": Captain Cook, explorer, Herman Melville, author and Paul Gauguin, artist. They had some neat stuff on display. I also made my way to the USS Dolphin, a research sub, and the US Navy's last diesel/electric which holds the world's deepest dive record for a working submarine. The sonar room was the first thing to see, and I enjoyed that... lots of 1960's equipment... very cool.

Made it to Symphony Hall with 4 minutes to spare before the concert started. It was Vivaldi's Four Seasons, Philip Glass's American Four Seasons, and Summer & Autumn from Glazunov's The Seasons. The guest soloist, Robert McDuffie, is touring this around the world... I got a good seat in the middle of the middle section for only $25 during their Thanksgiving sale. What a deal! As during the opening lines of the symphony performance I saw in Chicago, I nearly cried at the beginning of "Spring", it was so beautiful. The audience made it until the first part of Autumn before they started interrupting the breaks with applause... they just couldn't hold back. :) Vivaldi's Seasons were accompanied with descriptions projected on a screen above the orchestra. It definitely helped my poor imagination. :) Loved the sounds of rain, thunder & lightning. The first two composers had written for just strings with harpsichord. They had a real harpsichord for Vivaldi, and an electronic keyboard making harpsichord sounds for the Glass's American. A full orchestra with harp, percussion, winds and brass played during the final pieces.

Since there were a couple hours before small group, I stopped by Fred's Mexican Cafe for tortilla soup, rice & beans on 5th in the Gaslamp district (why not take full advantage of paying for unlimited parking?). As I sat down, I saw the Packers beat the Giants in the final seconds of the game. After all this, I had just enough time to swing by the house to pick up the cheese for the grilled sandwiches we were making at small group tonight before heading off to it.

The split pea soup was a good combination with grilled cheese... and we had a wonderful little meeting. Kind of a small group again, but we had a lively conversation. It was all about how sin (not plural) lives in us since we're stuck in the cursed world. And how trusting in the Lord gives us the ability to make the choice to deny sin's authority (Romans 7). The big conversation we had was about that age-old (and confusing) debate about wither Paul was describing a pre- or post-salvation experience. Gosh, I think that's a stupid debate. But we had a good talk about it.

Then, I finally went home, and rested. Talked to my Darling, fell asleep in my clothes, was wakened around 3:15 by Custer the cat clawing at my door and crying... so I let him in and he slept by my feet for the rest of the night.

Jp

World Away, Down the Street

2011-12-03T16:32:00.000-08:00

at Cabrillo National Monument.

Didn't get off and going until noon, but I stayed two hours to enjoy the WWII reenactors and look at all their exhibits. They were demonstrating what it looked like to be a part of the coastal defense in 1941 (for the 70th anniversary this week). I talked with a few of them about their uniforms... I was surprised by the blue dungarees working uniform (1918 - 1943) and the first sergeant's stripes (3 on top, 2 on bottom w/diamond). Their attention to detail was outstanding... made everything look authentic, down to the buttons. Also talked with the guys at the crest of the hill about their machine guns. They had WWI 30 cal. water-cooled guns, as well as a very rare (only 25 in the US, they say) 50 cal. water-cooled anti-aircraft gun, like the kind Dorie Miller used at Pearl Harbor. The first guy had a BAR with him, and he took a picture of me holding it... and said I "had it bad" (a love for military history) when he saw my big grin. I told him I was geeky enough to be excited to see the Park Service flying a 48-star flag at the visitor center in honor of the occasion. I got to handle the 50 cal., aiming the cross-hairs at a passing seagull.

This was such a big group, they even had a couple people dressed up as civilians with PRESS cards in their pockets. One young lady even looked a bit like Betty... striped brown suit coat and skirt with accessories... including an old camera in a leather pouch, matching brown 40's hat, and nylons with seams in the back. Gosh! When I first arrived, the first thing I noticed was a 1932 style cathedral radio playing news broadcasts of the Japanese attacking the British.

I talked with the First Sergeant after they had the flyover (of an old Navy trainer) and it turns out, he used to be in the Navy as a "Opticalman", responsible for cleaning periscope and other lenses. How cool is that?! Well, when they disestablished it in 1999, they made him an ET, and he had no idea what he was doing. The sergeant who showed me the 50 cal. is still in the Army and talked about practicing with old equipment (like the coastal battery had to rely on) and then going to Iraq with the new stuff.

And when I went over to the visitor center, I met a former frigate officer with his sons who looking at the huge metal model of the USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) they have just outside. And I didn't escape from the store without getting a couple postcards, grown-up picture books about PT Boats and the USS Arizona by David Doyle, and finally, A Harbor Worth Defending: A Military History of Point Loma.

Didn't mention yesterday, that after the movie and shopping at Target, I crossed the street to look inside the old Borders, where something called "Crown Point Books" was selling things for cheap. I picked up a beautiful book of poetry and photographs about Loons in the Wilderness. Very nice, but I should put the breaks on book-buying for a little while, at least. :)

I stopped at Papa's Pizza again for lunch and indulged in "lobster ravioli". Delicious, and only $10! Came with piping hot garlic bread and an iced tea. Mmm.

And because I've been curious for a while about the mission at Presidio Park, north of Old Town, I stopped by there too. The museum itself was inexplicably closed, but at least the grounds of the old Franciscan mission were very interesting to look at and enjoy.

What a day! I'm off to FB to create an album.

Jw

In Reveiw

2011-12-02T21:39:00.000-08:00

Monday morning I headed to Target first thing: bought two, 100 multi-colored lights on white cords, a power strip and another extension cord and set them up... one around the double window, and the other back and forth along the beam on the ceiling and the top of the shelves. Used removable, clear plastic hooks, and they're working fabulously. Ate a big breakfast too, before heading off for PT.

Tuesday and Wednesday nights I worked at the library. They were way backed up from Thanksgiving... never seen it that bad before. It took a whole hour for just graphic novels! There was no more room on the shelves. Tuesday night I utilized some coupons at the grocery across the street for OJ & eggs, and picked up some other things as well: an avocado, a couple frozen dinners (tortellini for that night, and a chicken pot pie), some Tillamook cheese, bologna, and another Hamburger Helper, which I had Thursday night as I watched Midway. Wednesday night I enjoyed watching "A Charlie Brown Christmas" for the 2nd time ever. It is so sweet and genuinely warming.

After class today, I went directly to "Papa's Pizza" on Canon St, picked up a 12", kept driving up the hill to Cabrillo Park, got out and ate my supreme, still in my uniform, and watched the sun and the sea... felt the chilly breeze, and reveled in the quiet, interrupted only by the sound of waves, crickets and the occasional bird. :)

As I sat in my car when I first arrived, I happened to be listening to Michelle Tumes's "Lovely" which mentions sea breezes. Lovely, indeed!

Tonight I went to see the new Muppet Movie in the theater at Mission Valley. Along with a cameo by Mickey Rooney!, it was very fun and funny too! I think poor Amy Adams is type-cast. :) I loved her in Enchanted too, though. Stopped by Target for more hooks for the sagging strands of lights in my room, and bread (since a mouse -or more- got into the loaf at home, and I ended up finding a wonderful elegant coat, dark grey, for looking nice and being warm when I go home in a couple weeks! Yay! :)

Jw

PS... and Mike and I finished I & II Thessalonians, and we started Ephesians last night.

Well, Why Not?

2011-11-27T22:05:00.000-08:00

A Lutheran Church Bell Choir performed at Mission Village Fellowship today! That was a fun way to bring in the advent season! And the pastor gave the first sermon of four, dealing with concepts related to Christmas. The first was a message about "Hope" and what specifically it means related to Christianity. And the food afterwords was good too... veggies, meat - cheese & crackers, wonderful sugar cookies, and even a little pumpkin pie.

I decided that I wanted to take the coaster train an hour up the coast today, to Oceanside. I had been curious the other day and checked out the prices while waiting for the trolley and found that a round trip ticket was only $11... so why not go exploring? So I did! The earliest departure after church was 12:30, so I killed a little time by checking out the free museum on the corner of Old Town, just across from the transit center. That had neat displays about history of the area and several large vintage photos upstairs as well. I was glad I got there as early as I did though, because there were lots of folks on their way to the Charger's game at Qualcomm Stadium in Mission Valley, and parking spots were filling up.

The Coaster came right on time, and continued on a tight schedule. Got an upper-deck seat on the side closest to the ocean. Boy, what a view! It started out on the east side of I-5, cutting its way alongside canyons, but right after Torrey Pines State Park between La Jolla and Del Mar It went under the freeway and ran alongside the ocean! My favorite sight! There was a bit of a drop-off down to the wide beach, but that just meant we had even a better view. Saw dozens of surfers and more people walking or running along the shore.

It took an hour to get to Oceanside, with five stops between it and Old Town. I'd like to visit at least three of them sometime. :) I had no idea about what was in Oceanside, but I was pleasantly surprised. Neat little shops, lots of military surplus/uniform outlets (as it is located just south of Camp Pendelton), nice places to eat, and a lovely beachfront and fishing pier. It was unpretentious, and not at all like a tourist trap. Stopped in a few stores and finished some Christmas shopping, had NY style pizza for dinner along with a dish of spaghetti and garlic bread and I sat and watched the sad Chargers game on the flat screen TV on the wall. Then I walked out to the beach, took a few pictures and returned to the transit center. Had a frozen yogurt treat along the way, flavored mango with little hunks of raspberry, kiwi & strawberry. Neat shop: it's called The Red Cup. You dispense your own yogurt and pick your own toppings then pay by the weight.
(here are the photos, posted to FB)

The 4:33 Coaster was the only one back to SD, though, so I could not miss it! Turned out it was the perfect time. Allowed for three hours in town, a perfect viewing of a gorgeous sunset, and got me back just in time to pick up Laramie from the train station downtown so we could go to small group.

Small group was smaller than normal, but we had a marvelous time anyway. Tough topics on theology. Since we are descended from Adam, we are sinners. Then if we trust Christ, we are spiritually reborn in him, but still live in the flesh. Loved the chapter talking about what that actually is. It's our physical circumstances here on Earth... a person's background and talents. Putting our confidence in it and satisfying its desires is what makes it at odds with God's Holy Spirit. Now that we are saints, purified and perfected by Christ's sacrifice once for all time, we have the choice not to follow the desires of the flesh: putting confidence in our ability to provide ourselves with comfort or education or status, to name a few of the not so conspicuously bad ones. To quote the author: "The flesh is a way to think... it encourages self-effort... it seeks identity and purpose... it is not the old self. We choose to depend on it or the Spirit at any given moment... Before we were in Christ we had no choice but to gain identity and a sense of fulfillment from the flesh. But now, as children of God, there's a battle within us... When we walk after the flesh, we're not being ourselves... depending on the flesh goes against our [new] nature... because of our new identity in Christ, being ourselves and expressing Christ are one and the same... our new self and our union with his Spirit cause us to want what he wants... he has installed within us an intense and never-ending desire to find fulfillment through expressing his life."

Wow! It was fun to talk about. We shared our conversion stories... came up from a quote in a previous chapter: "The real thing isn't about trying hard to act differently. Becoming a Christian is like dying and waking up the next day as a totally new person." Technically, this is true, but it doesn't always feel like it. For instance, I feel as if I have always been a Christian. I don't remember a "night & day" feeling... when I was very young I had nightmares about an animated Bible story, of all things. Got up, talked with Mom, and she said I didn't need to be afraid... I needed to trust Jesus. So I did. I made it my own when as a teenager I took 5 minutes to think over if I really wanted this to be my life. There was no way around it; I couldn't deny it.

Goodness, what a day! What blessings!
Jw

That's a Win

2011-11-27T08:16:00.000-08:00

Officially, my Huskies beat my sister's Cougars 38-21 (that's 2 touchdowns and a field goal difference). It was a bit of a nail-biter into the fourth quarter, which makes for a great game, especially when your team wins.

After getting back yesterday afternoon, I unpacked, blogged, did photos on FB, had another lunch at Tio Carlos down the street, bought some milk & juice... and watched pretty much all of the Husky game for the first time this season. And it was a fun one.

Jw

A Fariy Tale Trip

2011-11-26T06:12:00.000-08:00

I was distracted when I sat down on the plane. Picked a window seat in the second to last row on the starboard side of the plane. Thought I'd have the whole row to myself for a while, but a Marine from Pendelton told a friend over the phone that he just made it in time, and he took the aisle seat. I always have big plans for reading books when I fly, but of course, I did not want to think about anything but home. It was a little chilly, so I covered my legs with my fleece blanket and stayed in my new Washington microfiber coat as I flipped through the Southwest airlines magazine. They had an article about Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parades of the past... with some neat old pictures too. And there was an excerpt of Jennifer Grant's new book about growing up with her father Cary, and their Thanksgiving memories. One funny anecdote... one time when they were having roast duck, and the ducks were hanging up inside, Cary tied a necktie around one, noting they should dress the place up more. :)

Okay... so I'm on the way to Las Vegas. The plane had a stop there before continuing on to Seattle. I followed Orion out my window throughout the short flight. He drifted forward, especially when we finally made the turn east after flying right over my new house! Camp Pendleton was a big black spot along the coast... and there were lots of empty spaces of blackness below as we flew over the desert. Thin stripes of highways connected the spots of light... it looked as if they were giant bridges over huge bodies of water; but once in a while a little light would give it away for what it was. I loved the thin, low, blanketing clouds over LA. It looked like snow covering the blue & orange-yellow lights. A very busy, lonely highway stretched all the way to Vegas... many people were on their way... but Vegas itself was enormous! Stretching out for miles. The famous strip of casinos was very near the airport, so even though I couldn't de-plane, I did see quite a bit of the city.

The next flight was exactly two hours... and I think I remember being awake for about 15 minutes of it. Propped my head against the side of the plane with my blanket and was fast asleep, waking up as we began our decent into my beautiful Pacific Northwest.

My bag was waiting for me, but we were almost a half-hour early. Mom, Dad & Meg were on there way, only about 15 minutes away. It was much colder than Cali... in the 30's! What a breath of fresh air! They soon got me and we got home quick. Took me a while to fall asleep though... I was so excited to be there.

Woke up between 8 and 9 both mornings. Dad cooked cheese omelets, we played a satisfying set of Backgammon games, then Meg beat me at Phase 10. One of the neatest surprises was a phone call from Zac! I haven't spoken with him since August, so it was a rare treat indeed! Then we set up the house for the big dinner, moved tables and chairs around. Then I took Spiffy for a walk around our 1/2 mile block.

Andie, Nathan, Beckie & Micah had arrived when we got back. And we helped Mom with some of the last minute food... fruit salad, Brussel sprouts, mashed potatoes. Grandma Payne, Aunt Penny and Uncle Don soon followed, as well as Tom and Bette, long-time friends of our family. Dinner was magnificent... Mom had cooked the turkey the day before (just when I had called in the morning, actually) and Dad had carved and put into the serving trays. He said Spiffy helped out too. :) We had stuffing, gravy, sweet cornbread, jellied cranberries, rolls, sweet potato pie, and other sides. It was all so good, but desert was waiting... Apple, Pumpkin, Pecan & Lemon Meringue pies.

I had a piece of pumpkin before we started the Bingo game though; couldn't wait. Bingo is a long-time tradition of ours... I hadn't done it for a long time though! It sort of went by the wayside while Meg was in Kalamazoo and Miami. Loved it though... and Beckie (7 yrs old) and Micah (5 yrs old) are just at the age now where it's getting to be a lot of fun. Mom and Meg had wrapped pieces of candy, gum, packets of nuts or beef jerky and put them in a big bag. Dad calls out the numbers, and whoever gets a Bingo, gets a wrapped prize. We keep going until the prizes are gone, and then everyone unwraps their hoard, then trades with people for the things they like best. It's wild fun while lots of people sing (or shout) out "Bingo" in choruses.

Then we had desert in earnest. I had some Apple, and a little more Pumpkin as well. People trickled away, and there was lots of chit-chat. My grandma is doing pretty well for being a few short months away from turning 98! We got to visit, and that was really nice. Later on, Meg, Dad and I played Phase 10, and although starting off ahead, Meg finished us off again. :)

When everyone had left, Mom & Dad & I watched a couple episodes of Monk, as they've been re-watching the series. They were in the last few episodes of season three. Ironically, one of them was "... Goes to Vegas". :) The opening scenes were a deja vu moment for me, as it was an aerial shot of the strip. Oh, and the other was Natalie running for school board against Harold.

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Friday! It was the *perfect* fall day... 45 degrees, sunny & crisp. Shared a breakfast of oatmeal with Mom & Dad & Jason (Meg was out shopping with her other family). But first, Dad & I had worked at taking down the extra tables and starting the dishes. It was a leisurely meal, and just what I wanted the day to be like. Took the dog for a long walk after all was settled. We cut through the park to the right, came back around on the street, then cut through the park again to the left, and then continued on the sidewalk to home. He was a worn out little boy after he got his walk cookie. :)

Meg and I wanted to do Half Price Books and Tree Top Toys in downtown Redmond together, just like old times. We did, and it turned out to be a 4 or 5 hour adventure! I found a present for someone at the toy store, as well as some new releases of Carnegie Dinosaurs... :) Sold my John Paul Jones book back at Half Price (which I had listened to on audio from the library in SD) and found the whole set of BBC Narnia on DVD for $15! Yay! I have my own copy now! Then we decided to check out Value Village down the street, and there I found three totally unrelated items: a finely painted duck decoy for decor... a pair of Vietnam-era green dungarees that match my green coat... and a beautiful, padded, light brown vinyl office chair that I'd like to have in my home someday. So I got them all. And Mom can now use it at her desk until I am able to drag such a thing along with me somewhere. We even returned to Tree Top because they called to tell Meg they actually did have more Breyer stablemates in stock, and she ended up getting a few.

Played Phase 10 again when we got home, but interrupted it for a lovely dinner prepared by Mom & Dad. Rainbow trout fried in olive oil, gourmet mac'n cheese, leftover Brussels sprouts and cranberries, cucumbers, and potatoes. Watched two more Monks while we had pie and milk... season 3 finale & season 4 premiere. Finished the game after that... I was 3 phases ahead and only had 5 points, compared to her 300! One out of three, as they say... but I went out big!

Then to cap off this wonderful holiday, I played with current members of the Husky Band for their last rally of the season... the Naked Rally (lots of people with only boxers, briefs & bras - not me) before tonight's Apple Cup against Washington State. Dan was a rookie my 3rd year in the band... and this year, he returned for a 6th season! How nice to play with somebody I know! I didn't know how much I'd remember, but even "Bow Down to Washington" (fight song) came out pretty well. Louie Louie, Tequila, Walk This Way, Everybody's Everything, Johnny Q, You Can Call Me Al, FBG, Johnny's Mambo, Africano and even Polynesian Paralysis came back. Oh, and Free Ride, where we make a sideways W with our horns while playing... It all came back in an instant. There were three new tunes, but they are all hits on the radio now... so since I'm familiar with them from duty driving, I followed along pretty easily. With over an hour of playing, my chops were pretty tired by the time we got back to Red Square (center of campus is all brick) so I just called Mike and let him listen along for a song or two. It had been over a year-and-a-half since I had last played with the band. What fun!

Mom & Dad dropped me off at the regular meeting place on campus, then continued on to SeaTac to pick up our renter Christina from the airport. They did make a special trip to come pick me up at 10:30ish, so that was really nice of them. While I waited for the band to show up at 8:45 (arrived at 8:25) the father of a kid in band who was coming invited me to sit in his minivan to stay warm. What a nice guy!

Got home, and crashed in bed. Finished reading Song of Solomon with my own Lover over the phone. Through this book we each read our own parts, and while I was at home I used Andie's old 1984 large print NIV from when she was a kid. The new testament falls out, it was so loved.

Perfect, perfect, perfect! It was worth much more than I paid to share these precious two days with my family. Got up at 4:30 this morning, had a hot egg and toast waiting for me on the table after I finished getting ready. Parting was easier this time, since I'll be back in a mere 3 weeks time. Hugged and waved goodbye, went right through to my gate, started this post, and promptly fell asleep on the plane. Had the row to myself, so I angled myself comfortably with my blanket for a pillow. The flight from Sacramento to San Diego, however, was crowded. Got an exit row seat and worked on this post for practically the entire hour. Got a taxi right away, and was sitting in my room exactly 30 minutes after touchdown. Only $15 total, so that was alright too.

Thank the Lord for this blessing!
Jw

Tuesday Night

2011-11-23T18:09:00.000-08:00

When I got home, Emily, my house-mate (she rents the other room) invited me to go along with her to have "Taco Night" with her fellow interns at Fred's Mexican Cafe in Old Town. I offered to drive, since she was interested in drinking some margaritas. It was a nice little evening... we chit-chatted with her friends about the internship program, enjoyed some discounted tacos (I had a chicken one and a shrimp one, along with rice & beans) and when we got home, we watched "Becoming Jane" together. Fun little evening, and the first we've spent together!

Monday night was just another evening at home: hamburger helper & Captain Blood. :)

And tonight, before flying home for Thanksgiving, I had Noodles & Co. for an early dinner... an Americanized version of Pad Thai and curry soup... so good! Stopped by Chipotle next door for a burrito to go, so I could have something on the plane later on. Worked out pretty well!

Jw

Ah, Another Weekend

2011-11-20T21:46:00.000-08:00

Friday we got out really early from class. I was walking to my car at 2pm... and I thought, "Gee, I should do something with all this time off...", but all I wanted to do was sit down in my room relax. Watched "Decision Before Dawn", because I couldn't remember how it ended. And then I watched the live stage version of "Les Miserables" and enjoyed it a whole bunch.

Saturday I was barely here at home. After breakfast, I decided to drive up north. Ended up going to the Flying Leatherneck's Museum at MCAS Miramar. Loved it! Small, but interesting; and they sure had quite a few jets and planes outside! Two of the folks in the store were prior service Sailors, and we talked quite a bit about our various experiences. The lady was a Dental Tech, and the older gentleman had a unique experience, being an aviation guy who ended up with a weapons safety qualification and then hand-picked to help out a destroyer with an exercise. Talked about weathering out a typhoon on DDG 14 (that's a hundred DDG's ago!) and walking on the bulkheads while it rolled! Yikes!

Drove a bit south and west to the Rose Canyon nature trail. Another canyon walk, just like the one I did at Tecolote a few weeks ago. Took lots of pictures, saw a couple cottontails and few birds... and explored the riverbed off the trail a little. The sun was going down though, so I couldn't stay too long. Back in the car, I stopped at a Target nearby and found an $18 space heater for my little room.

And then the evening's event: the opening performance of How the Grinch Stole Christmas in its 14th year at the Old Globe. Incredibly, Amanda Naughton was again performing without my prior knowledge. And this was the fourth time I've seen her act at the Globe. She played "Grandma Who", but still looked as young as ever under her white, curled wig. She screeched her lines like any grandma would, but her singing voice was as clear and beautiful as ever.

I loved it! Watched the cartoon online during chat when I got back, and realized I liked the play much better! The costumes and set pieces were all in black, red & white, except for the Grinch's green fur. This followed the book more closely, as that's how they appeared in print. Loved the attention to detail!

Today after church, Laramie and I went to the USS Midway museum. I think this was my fourth time seeing it, but that's not bad. :) We went to the flight deck first, then took the guided Bridge tour and then looked below. We had to park the car in Seaport Village, because the Midway's lot was closed due to the sailboat races in the bay for "America's Cup". What a day to go!

Laramie wanted to do some Christmas shopping at the big NEX on 32nd street, so we went there afterwords. I got the next installment of MHQ and another screen protector for my phone (just in case). And then we had dinner together at the food court. Don't be shocked: I had only had a small breakfast bagel and a small lunch after church... so I had a little lobster taco from Rubio's, a small hamburger with lots of veggies from Five Guys, and a delicious piece of pizza from Famiglia's for a grand total of $12.69. There were too many choices... and I was hungry! They also have Subway, IHOP & Panda Express... what a neat food court!

Cleaned up my room a bit when I got home... time to go back to regular life for another three days. Gee, life is so hard. ;)

Jw

Yet Another Week, and a Crazy One

2011-11-18T09:50:00.000-08:00

Crazy, because of Monday, mostly. Things were better by Tuesday, and we finished lectures on Wednesday and labs on Thursday. Today, we're going to take the written test.

Have continued to feel a little sick... sore throat, runny nose, and a headache from my tight bun yesterday. Most of the weirdness has been crazy dreams... people I love dying, being late, being chased, etc. Pretty wild.

I did a lot of shopping... stocked up from Target and Trader Joe's... now I can have bagels for breakfast, sweet peas for snacks, a few new entrees to try, and some more fruit! Last night I had Tuna Helper for the first time in ages! It was delicious! Finally used that little packet of tuna my first roommate left behind in our fridge on base! :) And I watched the first couple chapters of "Whales: an unforgettable journey" (1998, IMAX, narrated by Patrick Stewart - that I picked up at Half Price books for $3 while at home in August). Very fun! Learned a bunch about Right Whales; how fascinating!

Also, last night, I went to Point Loma Nazarene University for a concert band performance of one of my friends from the young adult group at Mission Village Fellowship. Aku is their principle percussionist, and I ran into her sister Selassie, and we sat together in the top of the balcony. Not only did they play the same arrangement of Jupiter that I played for my final concert with Mr. B, but they also played the theme from How the Grinch Stole Christmas (with a muted version playing on the screen)... which I'm seeing at the Old Globe this Saturday night! And there were the nicest, plumpest snickerdoodles, oatmeal cookies, cupcakes and hot spiced cider afterwords. :)

Mike and I finished Ecclesiastes on Tuesday... there were a couple times where we read more than one chapter (some of it can be a bit of a downer), but it was so good to go through! We started Song of Songs on Wednesday, and we're reading the parts respectively. Very fun!

And only 3 days of classes next week before I can see my family! Yay!

Jw

Books, Scriptural and Otherwise

2011-11-13T23:13:00.000-08:00

Woke up right at 9, when I was supposed to be picking up my friend Laramie, on base. Thankfully, it didn't take long to get there... and they hadn't started yet anyway. Sang great songs, and the teaching continued in Titus. My friend Jenny made the feast for the fellowship hall... chicken enchilada casserole! Yum!

And after dropping Laramie back at base, I headed to the library for a good few hours. They were a little behind... did biographies, graphic novels, and all the children's movies.

And then we all had a wonderful small group time at Luke & Christine's. Read all of part 3, and had lovely conversation, along with our nachoes. :)

And back at home, Mike and I had a wonderful three-hour marathon chat on the phone. So very fun! How I love him!

Jw

Staying Dry, Mostly

2011-11-12T21:38:00.000-08:00

Except for a brief interlude around 10 this morning, when I had to go to base for a little while, it rained rather hard all day. I woke up early, and finally got up around 7... made myself a small breakfast of toast and scrambled eggs (with grated cheese from my brand new grater), and watched the Veggie Tales movie "Jonah" (2002) I got at Target the other day for a couple dollars. Cute, as always, but I think I'll give it away.

When I got back from doing my duty, and got done playing around on Facebook, I went out for lunch to the Corvette Diner, just on this side of Liberty Station. Had a hot tea and the nicest Swiss & mushroom burger I've ever had. It was a bit of an experience... it's loud in there, but very pleasant. They have old '50s tv shows playing on screens, have a milkshake bar, and have a corvette just inside the front door. Every hour the waitresses do a dance around the place along with a song playing on the Jukebox. Goodness, they really go all-out there! I went in my uniform, because I was still on call as a backup duty driver.

Came back and watched the 3rd film from the library: "Northanger Abby" by Masterpiece Theater. I hadn't known the story, but I liked it. I look forward to reading the book now. This lasted until watch was over.

There was an incredible sunset tonight... bright gold shining through the clouds onto the slick roads... was able to get outside to get a few shots off and loaded them onto FB. Watched "Hidalgo" after making myself a dinner of mac'n cheese with hotdogs, then Brussel sprouts, peaches, and iced tea. And chatted with Linda, James and Emma for a bit. But now I think it is time to lie down. :)

'Night!
Jw

My Veteran's Day

2011-11-12T09:21:00.000-08:00

I spent a good amount of time in my room yesterday morning, going through emails, taking care of bills, and figuring out what I wanted to do that day. Had Subway for lunch, and got a call from the SD symphony... good tickets for any of their concerts... so I signed up for Vivaldi's Four Seasons on Dec.4, and for the Russian Ballet's performance of "The Sleeping Beauty" this February! What a deal!

Picked up my friend Laramie from the ASW base, and checked out the Creation & Earth History Museum in Santee. They have a walk-through describing the 7 days of creation (loved the room dedicated to astronomy), the fall of man, the flood (with a room set up like the inside of the ark), and various other events in history like the tower of Babel, the Rosetta Stone, various human religions with their theories on origins, and portraits of 19th century scientists from both perspectives. And as a new addition since ICR left, a walk-though detailing the complexity and wonder of human anatomy. I thought it was wonderful!

The main purpose of the day was to enjoy a free dinner at Applebee's. They very generously offer six different entrees to choose from. Laramie and I both had penne pasta with grilled chicken and a baguette. I splurged and added a salad for $3.50. :) It was very good! And we only had to wait a half-hour for our table (I passed the time by reading the book "The Help")... and while we began to eat, they were playing the opening ceremonies for the first "Carrier Classic" basketball game on the USS John C. Stennis, CVN 70. How odd to see a flight deck covered with a court and stands! Saw the arrival of the president and the presentation of the national anthem with members from all the services. We were done before the game began, but I don't really watch basketball anyway. I especially liked eating at Applebee's since that's the first place I ate out after graduating last year today.

We had a bunch of time before the movie night at my church friend's apartment at 7. So I thought since we were in town, we could knock off some time by checking out a local army/navy surplus store. And they ended up being open as long as we needed, so I dug through their huge bins of patches and found a U.S. NAVY tape in Army ACU with Velcro, like a person would wear if they were attached to an Army outfit in the middle east. Also found an old utilities style PO 3rd class patch, and a mini Marine LCPL, like my brother is. These are now added to my bulletin board. :)

Still had time to kill... so we drove around, found a Denny's, and I had hot chocolate and shared some pancake puppies with Laramie before we headed off to movie night. And how fun was that! I brought "Miss Potter", which they all had never seen before, and we decided to watch it. We stayed for a good hour-and-a-half longer than the movie for a lively chat about everything under the sun. :) Turns out both Laramie and Andy & Kristin are from the same part of northern California, and Laramie's dad was the vice principal of the high school Andy & Kristin went to!

Goodness! Turned out to be a wonderful day! And when I got home, there was a big bouquet of flowers from my Darling for the one-year anniversary of graduating RTC and our wonderful time together in Chicago and with my family... and for Veteran's Day. What a sweetheart! :)

Jw

What a Week!

2011-11-11T11:31:00.000-08:00

Tuesday, after quarters I came back home right away, made breakfast and watched "An Education" 2009. Boy, new films and I don't mix all the time. I enjoyed it, mostly, but the storyline was so righteous (and unrighteous). This 16 year old girl in 1960's Briton runs into this 40ish year old guy. They share sophisticated tastes, develop a friendship, she finds out he's an art thief, she stays with him, marries him at 17, and then finds out he's already married. She dropped out of school, but still goes on to Oxford after working with her previous teacher. It was interesting... it's stayed with me all week. Alfred Molina plays her father, and Emma Thompson her headmistress. There was no lack of talent, that's for sure.

Then Tuesday evening, I dropped it back at the library and worked for an hour. Walked to Chipotle for dinner, and then decided to go ahead and actually give Days Inn the new flag I bought to replace their old one. Rash, but rather fun. I saw it flying proudly yesterday when I tried out Rubio's across the street for a lobster burrito.

Wednesday, Oh My Gosh! It was so fun to go downtown and see West Side Story in the theater for its 50th anniversary (thanks, TCM!). I parked at Old Town, took the trolley, and arrived just in time for the 7pm start time. They had an interview with a few of the original folks, and then we saw it in all its glory! I hadn't seen it since I was a teenager, so I enjoyed it a lot. What music and dancing! And so timely, since I just saw the plays "Somewhere" and "Maestro: Leonard Bernstein" at the Old Globe recently. "Maria; I just met a girl named Maria." Couldn't get it out of my head. :)

Came home and rashly decided to go home for Thanksgiving. I really couldn't have peace until I did it, and numerous factors over the last couple weeks led me up to it. I called Southwest, and they made a deal for me. I'll be home all of Thursday the 24th and Friday the 25th.

And yesterday at Target (after Rubio's) I picked up some Christmas lights to brighten up my room.

Then I called my parents and sisters to let them know that I was coming! That was fun! :)

I think I'll probably end up buying a strand of multicolored lights as well. We'll see.

Jw

Dinner and a Movie

2011-11-07T22:50:00.000-08:00

After class I filled up the tank at the NEX, then got some groceries at Trader Joe's for dinner. Turkey hot dogs for my mac-n-cheese, some OJ, more Brussel sprouts, and an avocado for later on.

Cooked some of that up and enjoyed the Bogie/Bacall film "Dark Passage" from the library.

Jw

Horsing Around Again

2011-11-06T22:26:00.000-08:00

Last night I was messaged on FB by a friend from boot camp, Laramie Mills. I invited her to church the next morning, and after a moment's thought, to go horseback riding after that. It had been on my mind since coming out here, to go for a trail ride. So I googled it quick and came up with a ranch just 20 minutes northeast from church. Set it up... and it all worked out, even with the bit of rain we had.

Church was really good. Andy, my small group leader (and also the youth pastor), was filling in for Pastor Carl who was at the men's retreat. It was more on the theme from the book we're reading... Truth and lies about the Bible and the gospel. It was very good, and I was glad of Laramie's company, as well as Charly and David who came by themselves and sat in front of us (who I had introduced to this church a couple months ago). And this was "celebration Sunday" meaning a small group fixed a lot of food for the whole church to enjoy after the service; they do it every few months. It was chili (with cheddar cheese and raw onions) along with a wonderful mixed greens salad (avocado hunks provided as well as cherry tomatoes and dressing).

It started to rain while we ate, and I was even more concerned as we sat in the football traffic, trying to get back on the freeway. But I needn't have worried! It stopped when we got further out, and only sprinkled a bit at the beginning and very end of the ride. I was on a lovely bay lady named "Motown" and rode behind the guide's feisty paint, and Laramie's slow-poke who trotted every now and then to keep up. The trail followed a dry riverbed and was interesting and easy to ride. A few flat places and we were able to do a little trot... and Motown's version of a trot was a very short canter... lol. She did it right sometimes too. Poor thing was nearly 20 years old and blind in her right eye. And for all that, she did a wonderful job. Responded wonderfully to leg directions and was a lively, brisk walker, sometimes pulling ahead of the guide in wide places. I loved the view of the hills with boulders (southern cal's mountains), and the dozen or so cottontail bunnies darting and hiding, and the little birds. I'd say it was a resounding success. And I was able to take a few pictures on my phone...

After dropping Laramie back on base, I decided to go to the library. I noticed a blanket donation yesterday, when I volunteered, and picked one up at Target. Dropped it off in the barrel, then did an hour taking care of the DVDs. And I found 3 for myself to check out: a Bogie/Bacall, a masterpiece "Northanger Abbey" and "An Education" (2009, nominated for best picture).

And as I had hoped I would, I was able to chat for a long time with Mom & Dad, and later Julie! I really should call people more often. It's so encouraging!

Then I stopped by Trader Joe's for their seasonal spiced apple cider to contribute to the small group meeting. We all had a lovely time visiting, eating very tender bbq chicken breast and a rice & broccoli casserole, and then reading a few short chapters in "Naked Gospel". It took some time for people to wrap their heads around the purpose of the law to "make sin abound" as Paul wrote. Hey! Even Peter wrote that Paul's epistles were hard to understand. :) And I loved Andy & Kristin's apartment! Very cozy, with plenty of room for us all. I saw Jupiter, big and bright as I drove I-8E on the way there. When I got home, it and the moon were directly overhead. :)

The chat with my Darling was especially wonderful. He is going through a series of messages on giving, and he was told some off-base things concerning "tithing"... and it so happened that the same topic was in one of the chapters we read tonight! How the Lord provides! And we finished the book of Proverbs with the last chapter... and he was so sweet to me!

Jw

Random, Last Minute Fun

2011-11-05T19:38:00.000-07:00

I thought I was going to help at a food bank, Friday evening, but they had some sort of emergency and we were all left high and dry (although it was raining quite a bit). So the couple I was riding with invited me to join them as they went out to a movie. We drove back south and saw "50/50" at Mission Valley Mall. It's based on a true story of a young man that had non-responsive cancer on his spine... and how he and his friends and family went through it. It was set in Seattle, so I enjoyed it for many reasons. :) A refreshing comedy/drama of the kind you don't see in theaters very much.

I had had Panera for dinner beforehand, and I enjoyed some popcorn and a lemonade during the film. Stopped at Starbucks across from the base for a cup of hot chocolate, talked to Mike and ended up helping someone from Subway jump their car. Ironically, my phone ran out of batteries soon after. :)

Today, I went for a two-and-a-half hour nature walk in Tecolote Canyon Natural Park, just 3 miles from where I now live. It's due east of Mission Bay (Sea World) and right off of I-5. There are nice wide trails, lovely plants, and lots of birds. They were especially loud and active after the great big rain we had. The first thing I noticed was a perched hummingbird, making its chirping sound. I walked two side trails off the main road, and even tried running up the steep part near where I turned around. Another neat side note, a couple got engaged at the top of the hill. Only found out while we were all returning. She kept holding up a big diamond to admire it in the bright sunlight, and she mentioned a few times about how she never imagined she'd be getting engaged when she was sweaty. I looked at my own ring a few times. :) Check out the FB album here.

Directly afterwords I worked at the library for an hour-and-a-half. Took care of all the mystery and graphic novels. Then I checked out a Mexican restaurant just a few steps from my house. "Tio Carlos" ... chicken enchilada and guacamole for the chips. Mmm. Kept up with the Oklahoma game as I ate. :)

Kept walking from there to Target for some cheese, and a few other things, including a pretty leather belt to keep my jeans in place, some nice hiking shoes and a useful purse.

Chat tonight is neat... we're talking about destroyers. I'm finally doing my laundry... I'll have clean blue shirts for work this week. :)

I'm a little sad. Just found out this morning that today is the final game in Husky Stadium before they replace it. The Apple Cup this year is in the stupid pro stadium downtown... and there is no Alumni Band for it, even. And the last game tonight is against stupid, stupid Oregon. Boo! So not only should our team be riled up to play against a ranked team, and on the day after the school's 150th anniversary, but it is the very last game with the old traditions... they are taking out the track and moving the band from the 50 yd line to the endzone... normally regulated for visiting teams, in order to make more money on premium tickets. Ugg.

I would probably cry if I was at the game tonight... but I wish I was there.

Jw

Little Things

2011-11-03T17:45:00.000-07:00

I slept most of yesterday afternoon... because I got up earlier than usual, while going to bed at the same time. :( Badly balanced equation. However, I did finish reading Robin Hood, by Roger Lancelyn Green (1956). I'm a fan of Howard Pyle's Robin Hood and King Arthur, but I had never read this version before... and there were stories I was unfamiliar with.

This guy did his research: he often quoted old poems before each chapter, and by old, I mean sixteenth century (Anthony Munday's "The Downfall of Robert Earl of Huntingdon" and "The Death of..." the same, along with various ballads, like the collection from the late medieval romance, "A Lytell Geste of Robyn Hode". Also often used were Peacock's "Maid Marian" 1822, Tennyson's "The Foresters" 1881, and Noyes's play "Robin Hood"1926.

But what I didn't realize until I read about the author at the end, was he was that Roger Green who was close friends with C.S. Lewis, a member of The Inklings, and the person most responsible for encouraging Lewis in writing my beloved Narnia! No wonder I loved his style! Thankfully, I also bought Green's "King Arthur", so I have another wonderful book to work through.

For dinner, I splurged at Panera Bread. It is between the base and my new home, so it's ultra convenient to stop at... just for food now, though, instead of a late-night Internet pit-stop! Had a whole turkey breast sandwich and a bowl of chicken noodle. Yum! And after a long nap, I called Andie to talk for a half-hour before my usual with my Darling.

Today was crazy with watch, so when I got back from that I had a good couple hours sleep. Tonight I am going to vote with the ballot that Mom sent (and I finally remembered to pick up yesterday)... other than that, I've had some bread and some original kettle cooked potato chips (like we had on the honeymoon so often :), and I'm thinking of putting on a pot of Lipton's chicken noodle soup... should also have the leftover Brussel sprouts... hmm. :) I am determined not to spend so much $ on food. I had lunch at the galley today (as yesterday) for $4.25 (including salad, fruit, meat, pasta, veggies & drinks) which is a pretty good deal. And it's been shrimp both times!

Probably finish up today with some Hogan's Heroes or a little reading, or both.

Jw

By Recommendation

2011-11-01T20:38:00.000-07:00

I made dinner at home tonight! Had the instant pasta dish with cheese and spinach, and half a bag of boiled and buttered Brussel sprouts, both from Trader Joe's. Mandarin oranges, turkey & cheese rolled up, and a little french bread rounded out the dinner. Called Mom to find out about boiling time... the package said I should bake them too... but that's silly. And when we talked, she told me about a movie I put on Netflix a long time ago that they just watched... "Three Guys Named Mike" (1951, Van Johnson). She said it was very funny...

I logged into Netflix, but ran across that new BBC TV version of Robin Hood that came out a couple years ago... so I tried it out. But I only lasted a couple minutes. The first episode was aptly named "Will You Tolerate This?". LOL! It was hideously modern. So I decided to give "Mike" a go... Oh my gosh, it was so funny! Loved it! I reminded me of myself at various moments... and what's there not to like about a story like this: a young lady leaves home to join American Airlines as a stewardess, and meets three very interesting men named Mike. They all end up wanting to marry her... and it goes on from there. Saved by the Brussel sprouts! Thank you Mom!

Jw

Another Victory!

2011-10-31T23:59:00.000-07:00

After satisfactorily completing my PRT, I took a nice shower in the deserted gym on base, then headed out for some lunch in my t-shirt & jeans. Dropped by Panera for just under an hour... "You Pick 2" with a turkey sandwich, cup of chicken noodle, and what turned out to be a piping hot french baguette... just out of the oven. Sooooo good. I had plenty of time, so I read about the northeastern snow storm in a discarded copy of today's New York Times as I ate.

After class, I braved the afternoon freeway traffic to deliver some candy to my church's kid's carnival this evening. I remember thinking the world of them when I was young! But I didn't hang around. There wasn't anything to do, and it wasn't starting for a half-hour or so. And I was hungry... so I drove a little further down the road on the other side of the hill and found the shopping center I'd been to before to go to Fry's Electronics a while ago. Decided on Sizzler, since I hadn't been to one in forever... and it was delicious!

Read a bunch more in my book, listened to a lot of Switchfoot in the car, and watched an episode of the Peter Cushing Sherlock Holmes when I got home.

Jw

Sunny Day

2011-10-30T22:11:00.000-07:00

I got up early for a Sunday... 7am. Had time for a little breakfast at Panera (for a treat)... 4 cheese souffle, and an apple chunk cinnamon muffin with hot earl grey tea. Ah... delicious. First I had dropped off "King of the Wind" on audio CD and the 2 films I borrowed back at the library. On the way down to Liberty Station, this is what I was treated to:

Glorious so far... and then I got some groceries at Trader Joe's, just across from Panera, took everything home, and was still early enough at church to chat with my friends from the small group. Andy led worship, and they sang that wonderful "O Glorious Day" again. Sermon continued Paul's salutation from Titus, and focused on the words "grace" and "peace". The main point of the sermon was that faith is the catalyst for grace, as well as the requirement for peace. Good little talk!

From there I decided to head out to the Cabrillo Monument again, maybe to do some exercise. I did practice push-ups once, but all I really did was walk along the edge (it was high tide) and read "Robin Hood". This was after I visited the store and got a few low-maintenance pets... 4 of those Audubon birds that sing when you touch them. Also got a ID card for waterfowl, and a little Golden book guide to Weather. Random, I know; but not if you know my husband. :)

Drove down Catalina and Chatsworth to the library, where they desperately needed all 3 of the hours I gave them. Then I thought it would be nice to have one of those great burgers with avocado at Crazee Burger in Old Town... didn't want fries, so I walked across the street to enjoy a side of rice and beans (for very cheap!) at Fred's Mexican Restaurant (sounds authentic, doesn't it? lol) Since I was in the Mexican mood, on my way back to the car, I picked up one of those Mexican blankets from a street vendor that I've been meaning to get for a while.

Unbeknownst to me, the trolleys weren't running due to construction on the tracks downtown. After I had bought a ticket, they told me so. Of course. I just wanted to avoid parking downtown, because it's not always possible to get a $5 space. So they had a new bus shuttle running in its place, and it worked out alright. My driver couldn't speak much English, but I figured I wouldn't have to walk far from the schedule she showed me.

I had a ticket for the single showing of "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" (1920, John Barrymore) at the San Diego Symphony Hall. It was accompanied by a professional organist, and arranged by the same, Mr. Russ Peck. It started with the 1929 organ rising out of the floor, and him playing the theme from 2001. He had a long black cape on, and he revealed a Dracula costume when he addressed the audience. It was a thrilling movie, and the music felt very authentic... some of it from the same time period (1917). I only knew the basic premise of the story, so it was intriguing. And it was only just over an hour long! A lovely experience.

I read more Robin Hood on the way home, and thought I'd start getting car sick pretty soon, so I'm glad it was a short ride. I bet I'm going to have a bit of trouble with that in the Navy.

Jw

Not Much to Report

2011-10-29T20:23:00.000-07:00

Friday after class, and after a workout and a shower at the gym, I drove straight down to Sports Arena Blvd. for dinner at Olive Garden... some of their "Zuppa Toscana" with bread sticks. Looked in on the Salvation Army Thrift Store across the street, and found myself a couple small picture frames, a glass, plate and utensils of my own. Then it was small group night at the Presbyterian church... our last night in "The Hole in Our Gospel". Next week we're doing a bit of community service together, helping at a local food bank. When I got home, I had an in-depth conversation with my land-lady about God, the afterlife, morality and Jesus. A whale of a conversation!

Today I slept in beautifully, had oatmeal with apple chunks and hard egg omelets with cheese. Spent a big hunk of the day cleaning my room and the kitchen, and sweeping the living room and hall after I went to Target for a new, cheap broom. Talked with Mom, and later Grampa, Gramma & Aunt Vicki... then watched the two films from the library... a Bogie/Bacall: "To Have and Have Not" and the musical "Kiss Me Kate", the later with a singing and dancing Keenan Wynn! :)

Jw

Smaller and Fuller

2011-10-27T21:12:00.000-07:00

I discovered my stomach had shrunk a little this morning. I woke with just an hour-and-a-half to go before my Navy weigh-in. Waited until after it... then had a small breakfast at Perry's of just 2 scrambled eggs and 2 pancakes and a small juice. And I was stuffed!

Class got out a little early... and I thought I'd celebrate, especially since I didn't have lunch. Went to Red Lobster and had just one thing along with water and a garden salad (which are included)... all you can eat shrimp. It's the best deal... get just three little dishes and you've already saved money off their menu. Of course, I had six. One of each item (linguine, scampi, breaded, spicy, & w/cheese), and then one more of the breaded with marinara. :) I've never had a nicer waiter... he said "another?" without making you think he wanted you to quit. So very good. And under $20.

Then I stopped by Target... ran into a couple of my shipmates from Witte's Ops class, then found a couple pairs of nice jeans that fit wonderfully. A light for my eReader, a dvd of "Charlie Brown's Christmas", and a popular book, believe it or not... "The Help" was recommended by friends from church. And on the lighter side of things, some TP, some eggs, and a banana.

Got home, finished Finding Nemo, since I had started it this morning after breakfast and before class. It had helped me get my mind off the pain from that time of the month (it's gone now, thank God).

Jw

Some Things Don't Work Out... Oh, Well

2011-10-26T20:15:00.000-07:00

So Monday I biked to base (10 min.), then left it there after school, and walked back to the house (1.5 mi. in a half-hour). Talk about a workout! I was thinking I'd like to see the symphony that night (only $20 a ticket), so I changed, and drove, parked downtown (only $5), walked the block to the hall, and found out they moved the concert 20 miles north to UCSD in La Jolla... which started in 20 min. It was starting by the time I was anywhere near the freeway. Dejected, I returned home. But then I watched the Bogart/Bacall film I picked up from the library this weekend... "Key Largo". Turned out to be very entertaining, and I had a great evening after all.

Yesterday, Tuesday, I was so utterly worn out from the day that I just wanted to sit, even though I possibly could have worked at the library (they're open late until 8 on Tue & Wed). Started watching another film from the library (Saint Ralph), but this one was a bust. Thought it was going to be inspirational, but it ended up worse than "Angels in the Outfield". So I visited Netflix... tried out the first episode of "Faulty Towers", enjoyed it and LOL'ed. Browsed some more, started "Arsenic and Old Lace", but that froze 11 minutes into it. Frustrated, I stuck in "Popping the Question" like I suggested to myself from my FB status the day before. And like a reliable friend, it delivered a smile when needed.

This morning I didn't need to get to class til noon, so I woke at 9, had scrambled eggs & toast, got some needed things at Target, returned the films and the lecture series on naval battles to the library since I was finished with them, then talked with Mom for a good half-hour before rushing off, parking in overflow and getting to class just on time.

Tonight I chatted with Andie for the first time in a long time! Just ran into each other on FB... and I finished the book for small group this Friday, "A Hole in Our Gospel" about helping the world's poor like we are the Lord's ambassadors (as we are). Hmm... how should I be giving?

Jw

The Bad, The Good, and The Odd

2011-10-23T12:56:00.000-07:00

I killed so many spiders yesterday, I had a nightmare this morning... spider as big as a crab, and so many eggs waiting to hatch... eeeu. That woke me up actually; and what did I see? At least four or five spiders in different places around the room. Thankfully, most of what I've run into are the small, pretty non-scary kind. I was wide awake, so I read a couple chapters of the Robin Hood book I found at the book store the other day (a new printing of Roger Lancelyn Green's version, 1956). And that banished my fears and let me go back to sleep.

Went to church this morning, and it was very good; topic, spiritual growth, from the first verses of Titus. Apparently we will be going through the book in the coming weeks, and that encourages me. It's been a while since I've listened to expository preaching.

Scratched the cat, Custer, when I got home. Had my new usual of scrambled eggs and oatmeal, except this time I included last night's Panera Bread apple in the oatmeal. Speaking of last night, I really loved the little time I had with Linda and James... lovely little chat. And Ms. Ann (my landlady) plays classic 104.9 in the background here... I love it! She said they've pitched it as "the hits of the last 400 years"... lol! They've just played Berleoz, "Hey Jude" (by the Royal Philharmonic), "Sabre Dance"... (which I recognized from it being played a thousand times in the movie "One, Two, Three" that I just watched the day before), a really pretty piece by John Williams for Harry Potter, and now the overture to Handle's Messiah. What a lineup!

Jw

PS... here's a couple random pics... I had to loop the chain for the ceiling fan so it wouldn't knock me on the forehead, and it reminded me of the film "Stalag 17" with the loop in hanging lightbulb.

And... this ad is self-explanatory:

And... it's all the years of pennies I've picked up here in SD (that's the carpet in my barracks room), missing 1993 and 1971, 61, 65-68:

PS... I worked at the library for 2+ hours, putting away all the movies and audio books. Then I gave in to the desire for a Chipotle burrito and then checked out the Goodwill store across the street and found a nice pair of khaki pants for 4$ before going to my new small group Bible study.

Behind my Desk

2011-10-22T20:01:00.001-07:00

Here's the 12"x18" print I bought from the lighthouse... it reminded me of Edward Hopper.

Finished

2011-10-22T18:28:00.000-07:00

The new place:

Today I got up about 7:30, took the shower I had no energy for late last night (because I watched "One, Two, Three" (1961, James Cagney) on Netflix). Went to Target after that for some eggs and oatmeal and other odds and ends, like a puffy mattress pad for my twin bed. Did some serious cleaning (especially behind the bed), and brought the books and movies in. Turns out they fit on the shelves just fine.

Other than that, I worked at the library for 2 and a half hours, labeling and stamping new paperbacks and reshelving audio books and dvds. Had lunch at the Pho restaurant, and especially enjoyed the rice noodle wraps with beef and fish sauce (which they called: "goi cuon bo nuong"... good thing they have an English description as well. :)

Other than that, I've fixed my room to where I really like it:

everything in there is mine, except for the two top shelves on the left above the desk. That's the World Series on TV... my Huskies are not doing well against Stanford tonight.

All I have left is to unpack my service uniform for tomorrow night's watch.

Jw

MOVED!

2011-10-21T19:34:00.000-07:00

I spent all of my free time yesterday evening packing up my bags... the sea bag, the big digital camo bag I got in GL, the garment bag, the backpacks, the knapsack, the grocery bags of food and utensils, the boxes of books and movies, the laptop bag... and a couple other little ones of odds and ends. And I washed all my dirty clothes and towels as well.

This morning I spent at least an hour packing the car full of them. Parked right alongside the barracks (with my flashers on) and unbelievably fit everything in, trip by trip. My sheets were washing and drying as I hauled load after load through the hall and past the access watch. :)

The last things I put in the car after class were a bag with my uniform from that day and a bag of all the refrigerator items; they were pretty heavy. I left the base at about 4pm, and it didn't take long to get them all inside. I met the other girl who lives here... Emily. For one of her jobs, she interns at the Navy marine mammal research station nearby! Wow! Is that cool!

I just love this Internet... it's so fast, and so fun to have in the room again! And I have so much reception on my phone... 4 bars! Don't get anything near that on base. I'm pretty much unpacked and my bed is made... just need to eat some dinner, take a shower and then relax in my new home. :)

Jw

Important Little Side Notes

2011-10-19T08:34:00.001-07:00

Can't believe I forgot to talk about it in detail... but Mike and I finished reading through the Psalms on Wednesday, October 5th. We'd started all the way back in March, just about a month after I arrived in SD. On the 6th, he read me one of our favorites, then on Friday the 7th we began Proverbs. It's a lovely way to spend time in the Bible. So far we've been faithful to it every day.

And in other very interesting news, I looked on Craig's List Monday evening for a room to rent nearby. I tried once, a couple days before to no avail, but this time it not only sounded right, but worked out as well. Marie lives a mile-and-a-half from base on the other side of Lib Station. She has a cat named Custer and one other renter who'll be staying through Dec. My room is right next to the bathroom, is furnished with a bed, desk, closet, TV, & shelves. It's a month-by-month basis, and the $630 rent includes utilities, wi-fi and cable. I have to move out of the barracks since they're going to give me SD housing allowance. I'm planning on moving in this Friday!

So I've gone over there the last two nights. Did some blogging at Panera the first night (and enjoyed a seasonal pumpkin muffin), then drove the mile-and-a-half to the library last night to send mom some pictures. Stopped by Chipotle for a kid's meal, since I wasn't very hungry.

And I worked out yesterday morning with Witte, doing bench press and free weights. It wasn't't a regular workout day because we had quarters that morning. I was given good marks for my shiny boots.

Jw

PS... here are the pics from the Craig's List posting... I'll have a couch/bed! The back of the couch is removable pillows. The whole wall to the right is covered in shelving, and the closet is around the corner to the left.

Weekend!

2011-10-16T23:40:00.000-07:00

Friday! I volunteered at the library for a couple hours. When I walked in, I was immediately tasked with cutting out Hold Slips with their long-blade paper-cutter. Got a bit over half done, clipping 300 of them. (Saturday I volunteered again, finishing the remaining 225 (7 bundles of 75 in total).

Then I gave my friend Matt I ride up north to pick up his new motorcycle suit, and then he treated me out to dinner at Chipotle for taking the time (and spending the gas). Went straight to the small group at the Presbyterian church after dropping him off. Another fine night with friends.

I had picked up two films at the library that I had on order... North by Northwest and On the Town. So I stayed up really late and watched the former even after talking with my darling, Michael. What a film! I had seen it so long ago that I forgot how it all went. I knew about the crop duster and Mt. Rushmore, but I didn't know how.

Saturday morning I used the drive-through at McDonald's for some oatmeal, yogurt and an OJ. Went right to the library, and after I was done with the paper-cutting, I finished all the regular fiction. This was perfect timing... once I finished that, it was just after one, and just time to get over to the Old Globe for their afternoon performance of "Somewhere"... a semi-autobiographical play about real Puerto Ricans in NYC around the time that West Side Story came out. The father was gone and the three kids were trying to either get in the movies or keep the family running. The mother was a bit idealistic and didn't want to leave, even when a wrecking ball was swinging to make way for a cultural arts center. Good story, good play!

And then "To Catch a Thief" (Cary Grant, 1955) - for my 2nd Cary movie in two nights - was playing on the big screen in the Gaslamp district. I had some Mexican food at a place with very slow service... but that was alright since it was a couple hours away from the start time of 7pm. Boy, was it fun to watch that so large! And with lots of other people who like it too. :)

Sunday morning I went straight to church. After service was over, Andy, the youth pastor and music leader, invited me to his small group meeting that night. He had asked before at other times, and this time I finally said I'd come. Good thing too! We're reading a very interesting book (The Naked Gospel) and I met some very nice people... a couple girls and another couple besides Andy and his wife. They had bison burgers waiting for us when I got there and we had a lovely time chatting and discussing the first part of the book that we read right there.

Between service in the morning and small group at night, I stopped in Liberty Station for lunch at Con Pane and shopped at a children's book store called "The Yellow Book Road". Other than that I straightened up my closet... and that's about it.

On the way back from the small group, I stopped at Denny's for the breakfast I never had today. The waitress was again disdainful of how healthy it was. So silly... what's wrong with oatmeal? :)

God is so good to me... all the time. :)
Jw

Birds and Books

2011-10-13T18:19:00.000-07:00

So tonight after class, I decided to get off base. Getting a little fried in school. Walked across the street to Sushiaia, enjoyed a "crunchy" roll and a couple small soft-shelled spider crabs deep fried in tempura. Walked a little further along my old haunt of the Liberty Station inlet waterfront, watching the birds... godwits, a crane, and a great blue heron. The last was fishing after the minnows... I knew this because they were flipping out of the water every so often, and because I saw it catch one after plunging its head into the reflective water.

This morning after muster I had a ton of time until I had to do anything... so I read the entire part 4 of the book we're reading for small group tomorrow night.

I'm still at Lib Station as I write this... I love the shrill call of the godwits, coupled with the peach and purple sky overhead.

Jw

Name Changing!

2011-10-12T21:46:00.001-07:00

I got the chit back from Admin today! So tonight I've been printing some forms for my new SSN card and passport... got to wait for the driver's license til I go home for Christmas.

They said I need to move out of the barracks though, because I have to get the housing allowance for San Diego, not Norman. We'll see how that goes.

Did a second crazy workout with my classmate tonight... it feels so good afterwords. :)

Monday Madness

2011-10-12T21:16:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Christopher Columbus, I had Monday off. Slept in very late... maybe later than I'd like to admit. :) Let's just say that it was noon-ish by the time I was done with breakfast at Denny's. Had OJ at the Galley on the way out, and had yogurt and chicken sausage. Oatmeal and eggs always remain.

While at Denny's, I checked FB on my phone and saw a reply about where one of my friend's pictures was taken... the Elfin Forest Reserve outside Escondido. I thought, "Hey, I could do that today!" And I did. Got a little lost when I got near it... wandered around the parameter of the park for about an hour (through back-roads that went by Arabian horse stables and an egg farm), then finally got it on the third try.

The beautiful creek the pic was from was right near the parking lot. I explored for a while, and even saw a crawdad sunning himself until I came up... he scurried under a rock. And then there was a 1.5 mile trail up the hill, and I did that, huffing and puffing as I bounded up the switchbacks. :) There was a lovely view of a reservoir at the end of the trail in a picnic area. I made my way back to the car, and drove back to San Diego.

On the way back I vacillated between going to Coronado and running on the beach, or just going to dinner on the downtown waterfront. The latter won. :) I parked in a lot that ended up costing way more than I thought it did, but I had a lovely time at the Top of the Market Restaurant (on top of the Fish Market across from the USS Midway). Had a bowl of very good clam chowder, a small loaf of fresh bread, and a "flat-iron" steak with asparagus, an olive salsa and a twice-baked potato. I sat on their covered, open-air patio, overlooking the bay and the USS John C. Stennis, docked at the North Island Air Station. The sun set behind a bank of clouds behind Point Loma... And I'm pretty sure they arranged for the pelican to fly by my window when I looked up...everything was absolutely perfect! What a beautiful place! And the waitress was flattered when I told her I used to think Outback had the best steak. :)

I watched "Enchantment" (1948, Teresa Wright, David Niven) back in my room, then talked with my Darling again. I called him on the waterfront downtown because I had to share it with him.

Jw

Tidbits

2011-10-09T19:44:00.000-07:00

After stopping at Panera Bread for a quiche, I did make it to church this morning, and I was glad. It was good; message was about courage as exemplified by Nehemiah's rebuilding of Jerusalem.

Other than that, I watched "How to Marry a Millionaire" and did more sewing on my other cover. What a riot of a movie!

And as I was just sending a couple pics from Tuscarora to Tuscarora, as requested, I found out they have a news blog with the same style as my Navy Times. :)

Jw

PS... I finished out the evening by watching "Now, Voyager", from 1942 with Bette Davis and Paul Henried. It was a wonderful bit of drama, not asking for the moon, indeed. I loved it.

Another Stunning Weekend

2011-10-08T23:03:00.000-07:00

Friday afternoon I did an hour at the library, again with graphic novels, audio books, and odd-size video recordings... basically the stuff that gets backed up for reshelving every now and then. That was from 4:30 to 5:30, when they close. I kept going on Nimitz to the 8, where I got off at Mission Valley Mall for dinner at Chipotle (which I had thought about the night before when I decided on chicken soup at Noodles & Co. instead), and then a showing of "Dolphin Tale" at the AMC theater. The show didn't start til 7:20, so I looked around in the nearby Sports Chalet. Always enjoy sports stores... looked at the fishing stuff, bought a blue, keyring size Swiss Army Knife and a folding camping stool that only weighs 16 oz.! And then I saw the movie. Almost died of horror when watching the trailers... cough... another Sandler film... and then greatly enjoyed the feature. Although there were some sappy parts, on the whole it was very fun... especially watching the kid swim with the dolphin. I was even slightly envious, even now as an adult. :)

Saturday morning I took it very easy. Read a bit of Hebrews while I was still in bed, and ate some of my frosted mini-wheats for breakfast. Turned on the Sooners game and transferred my petty officer crows from the blouse with the holes to the new one with my new name. And I was shocked to find that it was shaping up to be a slaughter... final score, Sooners 55, Longhorns 17. Also had the laundry going, washing my comforter and all... so I was in and out during the second half.

This was all done around 1:30 or 2ish, and from there I headed out to the Cabrillo National Monument for a run on a trail I hadn't been on before. On the way I stopped at the NEX to get a crow for my other cover. The sky was extraordinarily clear, making it able to see even the distant mountains distinctly, and the fresh breeze made it even nicer. It was a mile-and-a-quarter trail; I was worn out as I tried running back up it, and did that in spurts, walking sometimes. On the way back to base, at the bottom of Canon street, I decided to try out a local deli called "Charlie's Best Bread". I envisioned a little black dog running the place, but that turned out not to be so. Had a lovely BLT with turkey, Gorgonzola cheese and avocado... mmm! Then I thought it'd be good to stock up on food items in my room. Stopped in at the shop across from the deli, then went up the hill to Stump's Market (across from the library) and picked out some treats and old regulars.

After putting everything away in my room, I headed out to my car again. But this time, I just got my bike out of the back, pumped up the tires and started out. As I stopped by the dock to take a picture with my phone, Julie called! We talked for about a half-hour as the sun was starting to set behind me... lots of gorgeous orange light everywhere. I'm glad I was a little delayed! I had lots of nice photo opportunities along the way with the light the way it was. Rode to downtown and back, returning at 6:50. Nearly ran over a rat when it scurried across the path in front of me... but that was the extent of the wildlife I saw. :) Had wanted to get on chat faster, but that's the way it goes. Changed into pants from my athletic shorts and drove over to Jack-in-the-Box and McDonalds for a very cheap dinner and fast, free wi-fi. Glad I stopped by, as Linda and Rodney both had to leave early. Uploaded my phone pics to FB after they left, and also listened to Mike's songs of the week. Returned back to base, parking alongside the waterfront for another fab talk with my Darling as Jupiter rested over the shining city across the calm bay. :) What a day!

Jw

What's Been Up

2011-10-06T18:25:00.000-07:00

Monday, as I noted here, was very odd. I had lots of time, finally, and was able to talk to Mom and Dad in the morning, and Grampa and Gramma in the afternoon! Very good, indeed! That night I watched a very exciting Monday Night Football between two very bad teams.

Tuesday we started class at noon, and everything was pretty normal... watched the Yankees beat the Tigers to stay alive for game 5.

Wednesday morning I decided to take it easy. Got up at the last minute for breakfast, and went in my civilian clothes since I wasn't on duty for class until 9. Also pretty normal, except for the public humiliation of a few dopes on base. After dinner I watched "Along Came Jones" (Gary Cooper, 1945) to get my fried mind off the military for a moment. Also went to Panera Bread for a second dinner, because the first wasn't the best, I didn't have very much of it. Enjoyed a free hot drink from my Panera card, and some French onion soup with my sierra turkey half-sandwich. I looked at a bunch of my old FB pictures from Washington, and that made me smile. That, and talking with my Darling outside during a blustery fall night sky.

This morning I went to Denny's for breakfast... I woke up at 6am after a half-way bad dream (mostly enjoyable with elements of horror) and remained fully awake. I really didn't feel like getting the exact same thing I've had all week long, so I enjoyed my Denny's usual, this time with turkey bacon. Came back with plenty of time to lie down for another half-hour, and get to class on time.

What a Saturday!

2011-10-03T14:45:00.000-07:00

I got up at colors (0800), had a shower and a wonderful breakfast at Perry's Breakfast House down by Old Town, then headed for Balboa Park. Stepped in the free art museum and free botanical garden, then wandered through the art village on the way to the zoo. Spent my time seeing the nooks and crannies I hadn't got to before. Saw the pandas being fed, saw the big cats... the giraffe baby... the bottom part of the big aviary... and a panda from the sky ride! Got myself a t-shirt and a few things, then decided it would be nice to have dinner. Wanted to keep my parking spot by the theater, so I took a bus (same price as parking downtown) and had my favorite at The Old Spaghetti Factory downtown... 1/2 spaghetti, 1/2 ravioli.

Made it back in plenty of time to The Old Globe to enjoy "The Odyssey" in a modern, musical version. The main characters were dressed as ancient Greeks, but everyone else was in modern-American attire. That threw me off at first. But once Odysseus washed up on what seemed to be a California beach, and started telling his story to 3 kids, it got very fun. It was a short play, only an hour-and-a-half, and with the simpler costumes, it was cheaper to go to... only $15 tickets.

And Sunday was a bit more relaxed. Got up really late, spent a lot of time online at Panera, finished listening to John Paul Jones: Sailor, Hero, Father of the American Navy, then returned it and worked at the library for a bit. Came back for dinner, then did my laundry as I watched a bit about Ansel Adams from the library. Nice long talk with my husband Mike... :) And there was another WWII discussion thrown in there too. :)

Leading the Group

2011-09-30T23:09:00.000-07:00

Tonight's small group (with the Presbyterian church) was on part 3 in A Hole in Our Gospel, by Richard Sterns (the US president of World Vision). I had signed up to lead since people were reluctant too. I felt the same way... I went through most of the winter study without doing anything... I had joined after the assignments were filled in. But this time, the sign-up sheet was right in front of me with a glaring blank space for tonight.

I had read most of the section on my honeymoon... reading about the history and mechanics of extreme poverty while going 500 mph at 40,000 feet, and spending a descent amount of money on my happiness.

I really liked his opening stuff about the 75% disparity between the rich and the poor in the world. But then he made some sweeping statements about history, and started spouting in flowery language about obvious things... like we don't care about suffering unless it's personal somehow. And a recurring theme was a prayer by the founder to be able to experience sorrow for the poor like God does. I have heard this before and I don't quite buy it. I think it's kind of arrogant to talk that way; sorrow like that would crush me. He did re-word it well though: be soft-hearted and open to God's work.

So I spent a couple hours in the wee small hours of the morning writing down things like this and main points to talk about. The study questions in the back were completely worthless, so I was mostly winging it. The topic is something I've pondered quite a bit... and is rather important to me: how much are we supposed to help people far away who are very poor? How much should we leave to the politicians to bring about change in the third-world countries? How much of our God-given excess should be shared with those who have less?

I liked how he referenced lots of scriptures about how much God cares about the poor. Like Ezekiel 16:49... Sodom's primary sin was one of excess and uncaring for the poor and needy. And I liked how he described those people's conditions and outlined what it means to be poor and what keeps people in that situation.

A struggle for me is the people here on the streets... they are right here... but they have different options than the very poor in other countries. If they'd only try to work, they'd do better. One big point he made is that in many countries, it doesn't matter how hard you work; there is no way to make it better. So what does that mean for what I do with my money? I don't know.

The best part was how he talked about giving a hand-up instead of a handout. Giving small business loans, or things that will help them take care of themselves... like a clean water source.

Okay, you get the point. We talked for a little over an hour, and thankfully, many had opinions. I'd ask a question or bring up a point in the book to keep it flowing. They say I did a good job, but all I felt were butterflies in my stomach nearly the whole time.

Shopping and Things

2011-09-29T23:51:00.000-07:00

This afternoon I did quite a bit. Bought a new digital uniform at the NEX, then volunteered at the library for a couple hours. Somehow the folks there thought I was almost leaving... but I soon put that idea out of their heads. So I was able to talk a lot about my wedding and honeymoon. This time I reshelved graphic novels, regular fiction and a cart of the 700s non-fiction.

From there, I went to In & Out, tried to find Switchfoot's new album at a few places, but only found a couple very interesting British magazines (a special of BBC History on WWII, and an international fleet review) at B&N, and a very nice pair of black gloves at Target. The guy there suggested I try Best Buy... and that did work out after I picked up a loaf of bread at the grocery nearby. Back on base I listened to the new CD "Vice Verses" straight through and enjoyed it very much. I also got a cheap copy of "The Beautiful Letdown" for a backup.

Yesterday I was able to talk to admin about getting a housing allowance since I'm married... and I also put in a name-change request. So I ordered new name-tapes, and those should arrive Friday or Monday.

Late that night I couldn't get to sleep very soon... so I read quite a few articles in the WWII magazine, and then spent a good couple hours preparing for leading the discussion at my small group tonight.

Jp

Another Place

2011-09-26T20:44:00.000-07:00

Everything from the wedding and honeymoon are here.

Jp... or now... Jw :)

Another Little Project

2011-09-12T20:55:00.000-07:00

For most of Sunday and a bit of today I've been writing down and adding pictures to my journal from my ROTC experience from 2005 at the University of Washington. I've updated the language and added some things that I had left out... I had written it to kill time on airplane flights the year after it happened. :)

Here's the link

Jp

Lazy Day

2011-09-10T22:42:00.000-07:00

It was pretty relaxing. I went to Denny's for breakfast, for the first time in a while... and they still remembered me, and what I like to order. :)

Took a little trip to Fry's Electronics to get a USB car charger. Got a disc drive cleaner, an audio jack splitter, new headphones, and a thingy that lets you play your music over the radio. Am I getting too technical?

Had lunch back in my room, created a new blog for the wedding, had dinner at the galley, talked with Mom & Dad, and then Meg... and then got on chat.

Jp

PS... and I found out of Facebook that my Huskies beat Hawai'i today. It was the return trip for the time we visited there in December 2007... the game I went to, where we started off so wonderfully, and then choked in the end. They held on well this time. :)

Peculiar Particulars

2011-09-09T21:03:00.000-07:00

So Wednesday evening, even though I had been driving all day, I decided to go to the NEX on 32nd street and look for a smart phone. I missed several calls that day, and I was tired of the pathetic reception from my other service. So I have a new phone number! The lady answered many questions for me, and I decided to go for it. So far I have been pretty pleased. I even posted to my navy blog yesterday, using it! And I have some reception in the galley, and sometimes on the windowsill in my room, not to mention a more reliable service everywhere else.

It was a very productive day. Not only did I work until 3pm, but I worked out afterwords, cleaned up and then went on this shopping spree. I also got a nice roller-bag (with laptop pocket) carry-on size luggage at the same place in anticipation of the very big trip next week. :)

But Thursday was the really strange day. I had it off, so I fiddled with the new phone the whole morning. I was done with my little duty (chow relief driver) at 12:30, so I promptly returned to my room, had great enjoyment watching Robin Hood (1938) again, then started putting music on the phone. And then zip! Exactly at 3:38, the power went off. I continued working with the phone for the short life of my computer's battery, and then I had dinner at the galley, called home, took a shower with a flashlight, wandered around until the sun went down, and watched this from the waterfront:

It was sort of exciting. It afforded me an opportunity to see the city in a way I will hopefully never see it again, and more blessedly, a grand view of the stars in the clear sky, with a preeminent moon shining all over the place.

This outage put all in confusion. The base was semi-locked down, the traffic was awful without the streetlights and stoplights, and when the power came back on early this morning (around 3:30 am they say) the phones on the base were down so we were awarded a day off.

I reported to work anyway (because I hadn't heard this word of mouth news) and it's good I did, because a few folks needed to be driven to the Sub Base for classes, and apparently, no one else was available. When I got back it was time for my doctor's appointment (heath assessment) in anticipation of the November PRT. After that I picked up my car from the NEX (the stuff for the AC needed to be replenished) and then drove up the hill for a shrimp burrito and then to the library for four hours of blissful work. I worked with the audiobooks nearly the whole time... after I re-shelved a cart of them, Christine, the librarian, asked me to pull a bunch with beat up cases and replace them. As I was on my knees organizing the cabinet where the cases were kept, she came by and told me I was hired. :)

Somebody donated a ton of books today... the majority of which they had to discard. I browsed through them, rescued a few to be taken to the local used book store, and found a darling, old copy of Jane Eyre. Decided to peek into the Library Sale room as well and found the first couple years of MHQ (1988-1990) in hardback for a $ a book (retailing at $12 each these days). Needless to say, I had a great time looking through them before I selected 11 volumes (the first two sets of 4, then 3 more).

Back on base I had chow, then returned to my car and read the last few chapters of Jane again. So happy! :)

Jp

Slower Days

2011-09-05T20:04:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I slept in too late to go to the Mission Village church, so I tried out the "Divine Protestant Service" at 10:30 on the sub base. Tiny little chapel, but very pretty. It has wood paneling, a dozen or so wooden pews on each side of the single aisle, a wooden pulpit to the back right of the room as you walk in, and a big cross with an open Bible on a table in front. I sort of figured it'd be rather traditional... the Catholic service is in the same building at 9.

The Chaplain opened the service with a reading from Colossians 1. I thought, "Wow, he starts with the sermon"... but that was just the welcome. :) We sang a few familiar hymns, including Fairest, Lord Jesus, did a bit of corporate prayer, then heard from Mark 4, where Jesus calms the storm. He went through the disciples actions and related that to how we should respond to trouble. It was a pretty good service, and I was pleasantly surprised.

My plan to go shooting at the gun range didn't pan out that afternoon though, because the guy I was going with stood me up. The joys of dealing with other people.

I did end up watching the movie I picked up at the library on Saturday... "84 Charing Cross Road" (1987, Anthony Hopkins, Anne Bancroft), and I enjoyed it immensely. Afterwords I went out to the Chinese Buffet on Sports Arena Blvd and thoroughly enjoyed their won ton soup and shrimp-fried rice, among other things. Then I stopped at Target for a new alarm clock, but couldn't find anything satisfactory. I did browse practically the entire store though, looking at the newest pocket camera (with 18x optical zoom! - Nikon S9100) and a few smart phones, a Rolling Stone special edition of the Beatles's albums... and other things. I found the metal wallet with accordion slots as advertised on TV, and I absolutely love it.

~

Today I did do what I planned. Stopped at McDonald's for oatmeal, juice and a sausage biscuit... on my way to Cabrillo National Monument. Got at the park at a quarter to ten, and didn't leave until one. Decided to get an annual pass this time, and if I go more than twice in the rest of the time I'm here, I will come out ahead. :)

Explored all the tide-pools for a long time; took lots of pics of the rocks, waves and crabs. Slipped and fell on my rear at one point... but barely even got wet. Had to carefully navigate across a steep ledge that was only a foot or so wide, but there were lots of hand-holds, and it was only for a couple feet. lol :) I then drove up to the top and got pictures from the lighthouse and visitor center.

For the rest of the day I did a little more shopping. Found some new shoes at Payless for a steal! And finally got an alarm clock at CVS... but found out when I returned that my old one still does work... just needed to take out the batteries and put them back in! So now I must return to CVS.

Had a burrito at Chipotle for a late lunch, then watched "Hellcats of the Navy" (Ronald Reagan, with an introduction by The Chester W. Nimitz). It was a present a while ago from my Mom and Dad. Otherwise, I've done my laundry and otherwise readied myself for the Navy tomorrow.

What an exciting, fun (and very long) weekend!

Jp

Out With a Bang... Or Several...

2011-09-03T23:35:00.000-07:00

This was technically a duty day... I woke up early at 0600 to phone in muster with the quarterdeck, and then was early to pick up my bravo duty driver phone at 0115 for the 0130 turnover. And I turned it in at 0630... I read in The Kite Runner for a couple hours, and otherwise rested. I was very tired.

That was because it was a very full day. First thing I did, I went to the library for nearly two hours. I first purchased a ticket to the symphony's outdoor summer pops Tchaikovsky concert that I found out about from an email they sent me. Then I took care of re-shelving the audio books and various dvds. I left at a quarter to one, the perfect amount of time to get macaroni salad, raspberries, and hot dogs & buns at Stump's Market, across the street, then arrive at the Witte's apartment just as the BBQ was to begin. We watched The Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy, relaxed at their complex's pool, ate magnificently (including hamburgers and ice cream), and watched Spaceballs too.

From there I went to Old Town to hop on a trolley for downtown. I didn't know exactly where at the Embarcadero Marina Park it would be held at, and I did take a wrong turn down the first little peninsula, instead of the second, behind the convention center. Sat down on my spot of lawn ten minuted before the concert was to begin.

It started with March Slave, then the Violin Concerto (which replaced the Piano Concerto that they planned, due to the pianist getting very sick). Their concertmaster volunteered to perform it, at the rehearsal six hours before the first performance (yesterday)! And he did extremely well. The conductor said the orchestra didn't have a chance to rehearse the piece before they played it that night!

During intermission I wandered around, taking a look at the 16 theatrical cannons they had on the other side of the audience (glad of that, they were very loud). And I found an isolated spot where I could watch the rest of the concert with an unobstructed view and away from the noisy children that accompanied their parents on the designated lawn. I also signed the guestbook for the giant flag travelling all 50 states before visiting the September 11th sites on that day.

The second half of the performance they played the Swan Lake Suite, ending with the famous waltz. People started clapping between movements after the third or fourth movement (out of the seven they played). But the grand finale! The 1812 Overture! Near the end, the guns boomed, the fireworks lit up the sky over the bay (right below the half-full moon), and a dozen members of the Navy Band Southwest marched in time onto the stage and uniformly raised their horns to support the big brass ending (this I did myself once -2005-2006, I think - while in the Husky Marching Band, we were invited by the Seattle Symphony to accompany the very same part). So much fun!

Jp

Day at the Races

2011-09-02T21:36:00.000-07:00

It started off kind of slow... I did my laundry. But it was the first loads of laundry in our brand new washers and dryers! So in a way, it was exciting. Had frosted mini-wheats for breakfast (woke up at 9!) and PB & honey on wheat around 11, and a salad at the galley for lunch.

Thought I had a dental cleaning this afternoon, but it ended up just being the doctor confirming that I needed one. So I was able to take off for Del Mar pretty early, at 2:30. Got there around 3, and the first race started at 4. I asked an employee about which gate to enter (I was in front of the club entrance at the time) and he gave me a free pass to get in the ($6) general admission gate. Wandered into their store to look around, found nothing, and then saw the paddock from a back window.

The rest of the time I spent between the paddock and the front rail of the racetrack, at least for the first three races. I had a hotdog for dinner, then caved in for a giant oatmeal raisin cookie. The next two races I saw from the different levels of the grandstand... and between races I wandered around and looked at all the neat old photos that were displayed everywhere.

I had pretty good luck... 1st race, my pick (#8 Hy Lime Time) got 3rd. 2nd race, my pick (#7 Dance With Gable) got 1st! 3rd race, my pick (#6 Money Lover) got 3rd, except he led the pack until the final stretch. 4th race I got skunked, but my pick (#1 Sabe) led the pack same as above... got 4th or 5th, or something. 5th race I got 1st again (#2 Battle School), but I wasn't paying as close attention. Two 1st's out of five... not bad. Too bad I didn't actually bet on some of them. :)

I didn't watch the 6th and 7th races because I wanted to get back to Point Loma in time for my small group meeting at the Presbyterian church that's starting up again for the fall. We're reading Richard Stern's (president of World Vision) "Hole in Our Gospel". It was a lively discussion to kick it off. And they were all very happy to hear that I was getting married so soon (it is a young married's group, after all). :)

Jp

In the Tempest

2011-09-01T23:09:00.000-07:00

click the photo to see the Globe's website, where I got it from (there are others)

It was a last minute idea to go see the last of the Shakespeare plays at the Old Globe... it was vivid... fun and interesting to watch. The last time I had seen it was at Juanita High School... and I don't remember understanding it back then. There were a bunch of elementary age school kids that sat in front of me in my section. I can't imagine how much they understood... but they seemed to enjoy themselves. And it was good, as one grey-haired gentleman behind me said, to see younger people there.

I loved how they used a giant blue sheet to become the ocean, and when raised up on cables, the sail of the ship that crashes. Before it started and during intermission they played sounds of the surf over the speakers. Lovely little touches, really.

Jp

Tidbits

2011-08-31T21:00:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I went out to dinner at the famous BBQ place on Sports Arena Blvd with the guy I picked up as a duty driver on 32nd street. It was really good ribs and chicken, but I wouldn't want it too often. Very rich food. Went to the library afterwords to drop off the movie from Sunday... then picked up a disc of Jeeves & Wooster at the same time. Watched one episode that night, then another one this evening. Pretty funny; and silly to see Dr. House so young and running around so cheerfully. :)

I did make it to the car wash tonight and put the brand new car cover on.

And I talked with mom and dad for an hour! Mom's nearly done with the dress, and dad needed some info for renewing my car tabs. So good to chat again!

Long weekend coming up!

Jp

Monday...

2011-08-29T20:22:00.000-07:00

So after all this, I lay down and read a bit of "I Will Repay", the first Scarlet Pimpernel book. Lying down made me relax from all that crazy driving. I felt a bit frazzled. I was going to PT today, but all I ended up doing was a few (very few) push-ups. I was worn out.

After that I watched the movie I brought home from the library yesterday, Young Victoria. It was an interesting little film focused on the time just before and just after she became queen. A very pretty period piece.

Then I decided to call Julie, since I haven't talked to her since last Sunday! She's loving her teaching job, being in charge of 4th graders, and high school PE and health. But she really loves living on her own for the first time! I'm so happy for her! We talked for nearly 45 minutes!

Then I spoke with Meg for a good half-hour. She had a question about me taking wedding pictures for a friend of ours... if it works out. And it was good to chat, as always.

But all this talking ran me out of time for dinner at the galley (darn... heh), so I had a burger at Five Guys, and now I'm having iced tea and a scone at Panera. What a shame... lol

Jp

A Sunday To Remember

2011-08-28T22:55:00.000-07:00

Well, I woke up very early... 5:15 to be exact. It's because of that 4 hour nap...

I was hungry, so I decided to go have my usual at Denny's. Except I had yogurt instead of sausage, along with the eggs, toast & oatmeal (unfortunately, they were out of brown sugar, so I used regular sugar). I slept a bit more when I got back to my room, woke up before it was time to go to church, so I started sewing the NAVY patch onto my new coveralls.

Church was wonderful: the pastor was back, he gave a good little sermon about the woman at the well, and then there was a massive feast of spaghetti, pizza, salad & garlic bread afterwords. Apparently, they have a big spread once every few months. I got to visit with a few ladies before I headed back to base.

Finished the NAVY patch, then went volunteering for 3 hours at the library, only doing videos and audio books. From there I had some Chinese for an early dinner, and then went to try and get tickets for Breakfast at Tiffany's at the outdoor theater. But they were sold out... Still in the mood for a movie, I decided to check out Hillcrest Cinemas (where my parents and I saw Jane Eyre) for anything interesting. Midnight in Paris sounded good, but it didn't start for another hour. I went exploring, and found 5th Ave Books... a great used book store that I had noticed while getting to the cinema. It was so organized! And what selection! I used my entire hour there... found a book called Swamp Fox about Gen. Francis Marion, and another book about Narnia... "A Field Guide to Narnia", published in England, and very interesting.

Goodness, the movie was fun! The latest from Woody Allen, and the first movie I really liked Owen Wilson in. :) It was all about nostalgia... a modern-day writer who was in love with the 1920's. It had good things to say about people like that, and was fun to watch. Half-way through I guessed all the plot lines, but that didn't bother me very much at all. The movie opened with a few minutes of classic jazz music and scenes of Paris; I thought, "I'm gonna love this movie." And I did.

The popcorn and lemonade were very good too. :)

Jp

Evenings This Week

2011-08-27T20:34:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, 24th: Duty Day... talked to Andrea Hawkins for a half-hour!!! Wow! And then I finished writing the the thank-you cards for the shower, shined my boots, and something else... too long ago.

Thursday, 25th: went out to Rosecrans to visit "Point Loma Books". Got Winne the Pooh, to read during dinner, and a very nice copy of Virgil's works. Tons of books in there; I'll have to go back, since I didn't get much time before it closed. Had dinner at Miguel's Mexican on Scott Street... I had pollo asado, and liked it better than the same dish at Santa Fe, our favorite back home. Decided I'd like some ice cream, so I stopped in at Cold Stone in Liberty Station for a small of half strawberry, half chocolate cake mix (so thick and good!). From there I thought I'd stop off along the waterway... gosh, was it beautiful! I missed not having a camera! Clouds towered up behind the low-lying, long arched bridge (Harbor Dr.), nearly in a pyramid. The inlet was light turquoise on the ripples and lavender on the calmer parts. The top of the pyramid was lit up with the golden, evening sun, and was reflected in the water. sigh.

Friday, 26th: When I finally got let go from the base, I headed out for dinner. Couldn't stand five more minutes in the galley. I had Georgia's Greek Cuisine, except I tried their chicken & rice soup, and a small Greek salad as well as the gyro sandwich. When I got back to base, the sunset had ignited the western sky, so I decided to drive out to Ocean Beach to watch it go down. Got there just at the end of it, but got a front row seat. Sat in my car and saw the sun melt into the ocean... a few silhouettes of surfers, lovers, and visitors made it particularly nice to look at. Stopped at Stump's Market on the way home; picked up wheat bread and baloney for snacks. I was also able to finish all my laundry... so that was nice.

Cars & Keys

2011-08-23T18:28:00.000-07:00

Today I did things that I was too slow to do Monday night... when all I could do was sit and watch a bit of Thor and a Bears/Giants game on TV in Lib Hall, besides start the reading in the book A Hole in Our Gospel for the fall study group at the Presbyterian church, starting the 2nd.

I deposited my money in the bank (now I know how much I have!), stopped for treats for dinner at The Tin Fish and Con Pane in Liberty Station (shrimp taco, then a raisin scone and shortbread cookie). I locked my keys in my car back on base when I was getting out to look at my oil; then, thank the Lord, my roommate was still in the room so I could get the backup key without any issue. Decided after that to take it to Jiffy Lube, and they took care of everything while I watched a bit of Hidalgo in their office. Gassed it up at the NEX on my way back to base, then decided to break down and get the car cover online after that (that will help with all the dust, seagulls and sunshine it gets so much of every day).

Yay!
Jp

Touch-down, Washington!

2011-08-23T14:11:00.000-07:00

It was so good! 15 full days of leave, along with the evening of Friday, August 5th, and the very early morning of Sunday, August 21st. And it was free leave!

My flight on Friday afternoon was a bit delayed leaving San Diego... by an hour or so... so I got cold and wore my sweatshirt until it got a little too warm on the drive home from the airport. Even though delayed, I still was able to transfer to the next plane in San Francisco with just time to use the bathroom and then board with a couple people behind me.

Coming in to Seattle was such a joy! There was a thick layer of clouds surrounding the entire region, and nothing could make me happier! I told myself, "There goes the sun, Little Darling." as we descended into the grey. Such a relief.

It's impossible (and a little undesired) to remember each day with detail. I spent a bunch of time during the second week packing up the things in my room. Since I'm getting married, it seems rather unlikely that I'll want or need my tiny, cute, cluttered (or busily organized) room anymore. I started with taking the patches off my closet curtain and putting them into binders that can be looked at easily. Dad bought a bunch of small Home Depot boxes and those got pretty much filled. I weeded out a bunch of books (I still have 13 boxes of them), and even more junk that I really didn't want. I got $20 cash for the books, and another $20 for a 1943 mortar quadrant at the surplus store (someone had found it somewhere and given it to me). Meg and I went to Half Price Books twice... I found CS Lewis's Abolition of Man, and the WWII story In Harm's Way; the second time I picked up The Rescuers Down Under... which I think I saw in the theater (back in 1990). It was a favorite of mine, since it was all about an eagle.

There were also lots of games of Phase 10 and Backgammon. I went 3 for 9 against Meg in the former. I think my average was better in the latter. And I heartily enjoyed self-cooked breakfasts. There is nothing that can beat scrambled eggs at home, especially when enjoyed along with oatmeal, non-fat milk and fresh, hot toast with butter.

I tried on the wedding dress on Saturday the 6th... Mom only needed to make a few minor adjustments for it to fit perfectly. And Sunday was the Wedding Shower. Julie and Jackie were there first, and Chaya and Andrea also came... making it the first time I had my three best friends from childhood together since I was about 10 or 11 years old. It was a lovely time; Meg and Mom planned the food and games very well. It was snack foods from chips & dip to shrimp & cocktail sauce... and on the question game (Meg asked Mike some questions about himself, and I was supposed to answer correctly during the party - or eat something every time I got one wrong) and I did pretty well, considering the difficulty of the questions. My Aunt Penny and Gramma Payne also came, and I tried on Penny's wedding dress from around 1990... it was fun, but the one Mom made looks so much better on me. I showed off that one too, and I think even Penny agreed.

The biggest surprise, however, was Monday afternoon, the 8th. Mom wasn't feeling good... stomach cramps that could be appendicitis. Meg and Jason picked me up from the recruiter's, and we called the doctor when we found mom worse and lying in bed awake. They suggested coming in, so we drove her to the clinic in Bellevue, just off the freeway. After a few hours (and pain meds, thankfully) they found it was her gallbladder... and that it needed to come out that night. By the time they took her to get ready for surgery, it was time to go pick up Zac from the airport. He had ten days of leave, and that's why I picked these days for mine. Meg, Jason and I got him and continued to downtown Bellevue for the ritualistic "first dinner at Chipotle". Andie, Nathan, the kids and a few of his friends met us there, and it was very good.

Mom's surgery took a little longer than they thought because the gallbladder was so bad. She was still in when we arrived with Zac, Andie & family in tow... but soon in recovery. We eventually did see her for a moment and got her back home the next afternoon.

Since she needed to rest and recover, I and the others got to be more domestic than we'd otherwise be. Dishes and dinners every day! One lunch (Tuesday, when Meg's car broke down when coming to get me from recruiting) I picked up her favorite, almond fried chicken, from Chan's Place (near the shop we dropped her car off at). That was great! Not only that, but that was the day Julie came over again (for about 8 hours!) to talk and play games.

By Friday the 12th, Mom felt good enough to go with me to Fred's to pick out a wedding ring. We went very slow, and it was a good thing they had chairs to sit down on at the counter of the jeweler's. It was Mom's idea (I have no idea about this sort of thing)... a larger ring to exactly match my smaller engagement ring! :)

I went and got take-out from Santa Fe Mexican Grill once, and we ate there again the night before I left. Also had an Outback Steakhouse night with Mom, Dad & Zac the night before he left.

It was simply wonderful to be back at ease and at home. Even though there was lots of craziness, we all enjoyed our time very much. I packed up much of my room and saw my wonderful family for a good, long time.

A Dinner To Remember

2011-08-02T19:14:00.000-07:00

On the way home from snorkeling this weekend I saw a sign for "All-you-can-eat Crab" for $29. The idea struck me as a wonderful one... so yesterday I looked it up online, found they had bad reviews. But I found another place with the same price, just across the inlet of the bay from the base!

So I made reservations. I got there right on time, and they gave me the best seat in the house... a horseshoe booth on the far wall, up a bit to look over the people dining at the windows, facing the bay, looking right at downtown San Diego. I had a unique Caesar salad to start... it came out in wedge style, with a slice of Parmesan cheese, a slice of bread (for croutons) and two filleted sardines.

It was Snow crab that took up most of my time. They gave me a huge hunk of very hot sourdough bread, and a cup of sliced potatoes, but I got that to go at the end of the evening. I had three orders of Snow and one of Dungeness. I took about an hour to eat everything... crab cracking taking so long. :) Because this was so good and so crazy, I had peach cobbler to finish it off. LOL! What a night. I won't do this again for a long while!

Jp

At the End of a Wonderful Weekend

2011-07-31T18:08:00.000-07:00

Friday, the weekend started immediately after the afternoon muster. I had met somebody from my barracks back in Great Lakes on Thursday evening in Lib Hall. We were on our computers across from each other. He's an FC, here for C school, and has only been here three weeks. Not being around yet, I offered to show him Balboa Park and possibly a play as well. He said sure, and we met across the street at the sushi place. Never been there before, and it was excellent!

At Balboa we saw the Air & Space Museum (rode a WWII fighter simulator) and the Zoo (first riding across it in the gondola)... both of which were free for us active duty folks! About five o'clock we went downtown for Italian at a Bucca de Beppo (had a coupon from volunteering at the library) and we shared their mammoth lasagna and fried mozzarella! Yum! And then we returned to Balboa for the romantic comedy "Engaging Shaw", which opened that night (and was very clever and fun). In the big crowd they had for the opening of their annual gala event before the show started, I saw Ms. Naughton when her husband walked past us to join her. Didn't feel I should say hello, as they were talking and I was with someone who had no idea who she was. She was very elegant, in a simple black evening dress with a v neckline. I so wished I could, but I went right into the theater instead.

Saturday was very restful by contrast... we did so much walking the day before. Got up at 11:30! That's the longest sleep-in time ever, I think. I suppose I needed it, because I didn't feel like I over-slept either! I went right to the Library, forgetting that I wanted breakfast at Denny's... they needed lots of help, so I stayed until the 2:30 closing, shelving 3 and a half carts of popular fiction. I had my breakfast on the way back... boy was that good! Just my regular, but I hadn't had it in a while. Back in my room I watched "The Family Way" (1966, Hayley Mills... the first adult film I've seen her in!) and enjoyed it a bunch. The rest of the evening I spent going through the stuff in my closet, before I realized I was late for chat. And then the connection didn't work again (I think I shall try registering my nick).

Sunday it was another good sermon to follow up last week's. Charly and David met up with me there, and afterwords we took off together for an afternoon of snorkeling. Rented from a place on Mission Bay this time, and it was a few dollars cheaper for more time. Had Subway on the way, then saw a bunch of fishies in the cold water. We switched beaches half-way through, and at the second I felt like staying on solid ground. But I had brought my camera, so I was fully engaged the entire time. :) Had Chipotle on the way home, and that was it.

After all was said and done, I figured out I spent $100 on everything this weekend... I think I shall try to limit myself a bit more in the future with a budget.

"In View of Mercy"

2011-07-24T20:09:00.000-07:00

It was an outstanding service this morning. The youth pastor (the young, skinny guy with curly blond hair), who had lead worship my first two Sundays at Mission Village, preached on the gospel. He called it Gospel 101, or something like that. He threw tons of passages at us, some of them famous, all outlining the simple news of salvation by faith (that the entire world cannot fully come to grips with - yes, even me). It was a duh moment for me when he talked about scriptures that seem to contradict this... he used Matthew 6, the sermon on the mount... anyone who doesn't forgive will not be forgiven. I guess I haven't thought about it much, but yes, this seems to invalidate what Paul preached over and over. Faith alone. But... And... Nope! It really is that simple.

He talked about the coming of the new covenant. How Jesus says at the last supper that his blood is the beginning of it. That clearly means that the sermon on the mount (and I really feel I should slap my forehead here) was given to illustrate the old covenant. Jesus was showing us that even though we may think we keep the 10 commandments, we don't. Stuff like, "Anyone who ever says "you fool" to anyone is in danger of hell fire... anyone who hates someone is guilty of murder". That's impossible to keep... and that's the point.

And then he moved on to 1 John 1:9... and sort of shocked me with saying John wasn't talking to believers when he wrote it. If we are saved, we "forgive just as Christ forgave you" (Ephesians). Yes, we ask for forgiveness when we sin; but we are already saved. We don't have to... we want to. Because as John says, the light doesn't have anything to do with the darkness.

This has been the first time in a long time I've been made to think when I've attended church. It was so good.

And not only did they make me think, but they also served a brunch afterwords. Cheese, spinach & bacon quiche, sausage & potato soup, bread, lemon & chocolate cakes, and unsweetened iced tea! A feast!

I went directly to Balboa Park after this, to enjoy more free museums. Air & Space Museum first (James... you really need to go sometime!). I went back in 2009, and it was fun again. Paid attention to some of the things I overlooked in a hurry then. The portraits of people in the Flying Hall of Fame throughout... the new display on naval aviation... the detail of the Dauntless, the Hellcat and the Wildcat they have on a created deck of a carrier (with a zero flying overhead). I loved seeing it all again. They had "Flyboys" playing in the very good WWI exhibit, and "Tora,Tora,Tora" playing under the makeshift ready-room of the carrier.

Okay... and for the first time I saw the houses of Pacific relations... the title confused me, as most of them were European countries. Little huts with tid-bits of that specific country displayed in each, along with traditional treats and travel books. I was impressed.

Also for the first time, the Hall of Sports Champions from San Diego... including a live large mouth bass in a tank by the pictures of sports fishermen. I stopped in the Museum of Photography again for a new exhibit on portraits, and again to the San Diego History Museum for a look at the paintings. But they also had a new permanent exhibit... a big collection of photographs was donated by the family of a local studio for black people back in the 1960's. Interesting to look at!

And for the first time the Model Railroad Museum. This I paid $2.50 for, but I didn't mind. :) They had several models of downtown San Diego and the surrounding country from different periods... first the 1930's, then moving on through the 60's or so. The even had a couple different models of El Centro... one with a working drive-in theater, playing Laurel and Hardy. lol

Dinner was a modest half sandwich and a lemon bar at the cafe near these last three things. And as I was leaving the park I thought again how I wished I had my camera, with all the interesting clouds and lovely light... and while driving back I decided to come back with them. I loaded the best onto Facebook as I talked with Mike back on base.

What a day.
Jp

Retro-Posted, Again

2011-07-23T23:22:00.000-07:00

Just another Liberty Weekend post... for July 22, 23. It's practically the only time I have to myself these days (when I'm not falling-over, tired). :)

Friday afternoon I spent nearly my last 40 dollars. :) I'm not actually broke... I'm just not giving in to the temptation of tapping into the savings account. The buck needs to stop somewhere. :)

I went out to see Captain America on opening day with Matthew Ferry, my friend from A school. He's going through the electronics course I did in Great Lakes, so it's fun remembering when he mentions how it's going. Captain America was so much fun! A good old-fashioned American kid making it big through a scientist's breakthrough, muscle-enhancing procedure. And then he beats up on "Red Skull" a genetically-altered Nazi who is about to destroy the world. I loved the Forties feel... and how he finally enlists at the NY World's Fair. The storyline flows really well; they don't over-do anything, and there's not a preachy message either. Tommy Lee Jones is in it too, and I always like his movies.

I had popcorn and a lemonade, so I was out over $20 by the time I sat down to the movie. We had pizza at the food court outside afterwords, and then we dropped by a sporting goods store after that... he needed PT clothes and I found little flashlights (especially for working in dark spaces aboard ships). I probably wouldn't have gotten them if I had checked my bank account. You see, this week I absolutely couldn't wait one more week to buy honeymoon plane tickets... lol! I can't wait...

So on Saturday (the 23rd), after I slept in til ten-something, did my laundry and ate Frosted Mini-Wheats as I watched "The Americanization of Emily" from 1962 (James Garner, Julie Andrews). A funny, dramatic, semi-anti-war romance that made me love it, even though I didn't agree with some of the 60's philosophies involved. I finished it up to the last second I could wait before needing to head to The Old Globe for the one-man show about Leonard Bernstein. I barely had time for the Caprese sandwich in their courtyard, but I fit it in. A new play by the same guy who did "Gershwin Alone". Lots of singing, piano-playing, and reminiscing about family and career. This one opened with a TV show of the real Bernstein, projected on a huge curtain that back-dropped the stage, teaching the fundamentals of conducting. I thought about my band directors throughout the play. :)

Afterwords, it was only about 3:30... so I thought I'd look at the new exhibits at the San Diego Art Museum nearby. They had a big collection of Spanish painters, and a bunch of turn-of-the-century American furniture/interior designs. Very fun to look at, but as it turned out, free as well! I had heard briefly from my roommate about free Balboa Park museums for Active Military until Labor Day... and it was true! The only thing that startled me was the failure of my credit card in the store... I had to buy that cute little coin purse embroidered with blue birds with cash! On the way home, I decided to try out Five Guys and had a large hamburger and fries before getting on chat back on base.

Jp

The Wild Blue... Ocean

2011-07-17T22:31:00.000-07:00

After a very good church service this morning with David and Charlie, I joined them and David's minemen friends on a snorkeling trip across the bay at La Jolla. Charlie and I rented wet suits, fins, masks & snorkels, and that was the first time in a wet suit for me. Very tight to climb into, but altogether, it was easier than I thought it'd be. It turned out to be about a mile swim, the way we went straight out and the made a right turn for the sea lion cove. Only five minutes in the water (at around 15 feet deep) we saw a couple dark, very large and sleek sharks swimming beneath us. The guys said one of them was about 7 feet long! It made me nervous, but I realized I was alright. :) The two-foot long white jellyfish frightened me more. People were pointed excitedly when we found it (hard to talk with snorkels), so I dove down to look. And then I kicked wildly to get back to the surface as quick as possible. :)

The rest of the trip we saw lots of kelp coming up from the very deep parts of the bay, and lots of little fish. Once we finally made it to the cove, there were bunches of fishes in the safety of the eelgrasses... and sea lions barking on the rocks, and cormorants and pelicans skimming the surface or diving nearby. I loved it! But when we pulled ourselves out, we found it was only 40 minutes before the suits had to be returned (the shop closed at 5). After pondering what to do, we asked the lifeguard and ended up walking back around the bay in our bare feet! And we made it just in time. Whew!

Got our stuff on the beach and then sat down at Jeff's Burgers. I had a 1/2 lb hamburger and a strawberry shake. Mm Mmm! What a day! Drove back to base and talked early with Mike so I could get a shower in before bed without staying up late. And that worked too.

A Break, Officially

2011-07-16T20:37:00.000-07:00

Didn't have an official plan for today, so I just stayed in my room.

Copied CD's onto my computer, read in Emma on the eReader, ate snacks from my room, watched "That Touch of Mink" while shining my boots that got destroyed on the ship this week. Then watched a few newsreels of "March of Time" from TCM... and that got me in the mood to try out the color films collection I bought for $5 the other day...

First one from the battle of Midway, one from the Italian campaign called "Thunderbolt" about P-47s attacking supply lines (telling a rather complete story about how it helped the allies be able to advance to Rome), one about the Marines at Tarawa, and then one about the Japanese Relocation centers in the American West - and they talked about it like it was one of the necessary tragedies of war. They said it wasn't nice, but they did show good things that came from it, like people learning trades that they made new lives for themselves once they got out. Surprised about how honestly they dealt with it. I didn't watch the fifth film about the Flying Fortresses yet.

I really liked them... they were made in 1944 by the war department, and filmed by servicemen, with a commentary. Sometimes they said things like, "We'll see how this affects the rest of the war". Wow!

By this time it was nearly 7 o'clock. So I decided to get some dinner and some Internet for chat. Had some nachos, rice & beans at the MXN fast food place on Rosecrans. And I got some tea and a shortbread cookie at Panera. Love them... always a friendly place with good food to retreat to.

Jp

A Little Too Much, or Something

2011-07-15T21:19:00.000-07:00

After a snack in my room (after work) I headed out to the library again. Don't misunderstand... I enjoyed it. I did the audio... and that took an hour and a half. I started working on organizing the dvd's, and I was still putting them in order when it was time to go. I guess I felt silly, wanting to stay longer than the open hours. That one lady who always comes off condescendingly... she was back at it again. Always telling me to slow down, like she's worried I'll steal her job (even when things are overflowing). And the way she speaks to me, she must think I'm a teenager or something.

I had a lovely dinner afterwords though... the Chinese place that I couldn't find when Mike was here (called Pick Up Stix). It was great... I had the kid's meal (just the right size!) of crunchy lemon chicken, brown rice, a cream cheese wanton, and then a bowl of won ton soup. It was so good! I checked out the grocery store in the same lot and came out with a new pair of sunglasses. :) While I was wandering around looking at everything, "Dream a Little Dream of Me" played in the background, and I missed Mike even more.

In the car back on base, I refreshed for a while listening to an old CD I made of random songs I liked about ten years ago. It helped me get my emotions from the week out and get my mind back on the Lord...

Choose Life, by Big Tent Revival
Say, Won't You Say, by Jennifer Knapp
Where You Are, by FFH
Breathe, by Sixpence None the Richer
Lovely Day, by Out of Eden
Gone, by Switchfoot
Thrive, by Newsboys
True North, by Twila Paris
Magnificent Obsession, by Steven Curtis Chapman
God of Wonders, by Mac Powell (of Third Day)
Blue Skies, by Point of Grace
A Little More, by Jennifer Knapp
Belly of a Whale, by Newsboys (for a Veggie Tales movie)
and finally, This Road, by Jars of Clay...
which was some kind of a theme song for me when I went through a rocky time in 2006. Gosh, was it good to sit, listen and sing again.

Jp

More Liberty in the Library

2011-07-10T17:57:00.000-07:00

Saturday was a late sleep-in, even though I woke a couple times. From 7 to 10:20 I felt as if I was almost awake... but when I really did wake up I was so refreshed.

Snack in the room, then I took care of an errand at the Post Office. Went straight to the library, re-shelved the popular new items, then the mound of graphic novels, and finally mysteries. They're a bit behind somehow... practically overflowing. I went back today after church (and brunch at Denny's in Mission Valley) and did all the general fiction... almost three full carts worth in 2.5 hours, just like Saturday. I guess I enjoy spending my liberty this way. I feel useful and peaceful when working quickly and quietly.

Yesterday after the library I went on a mini shopping trip to CVS and Home Depot for useful things. Had dinner at Carl's Jr, and drove through the car wash nearby. Decided a bit later to go to the NEX as well for an iced tea and a couple other things. Finally bought the Naval Base Point Loma ball cap, so I don't have to look like I'm just out of boot with my NAVY one. :) Also, for the first time, I rented Megamind at the Redbox. Been interested for a while since Meg thought it was so funny and good that she bought it. It was hysterical! Definitely worth the buck it cost to rent. :)

I've started loading things on to the Kobo eReader that Linda and James sent me. During chat I put on the stuff they sent on CD, as well as 4 or 5 books I found online. This afternoon I did a little more searching and ended up with 36 more... including all of the Scarlet Pimpernel series, some George MacDonald (because he was C. S. Lewis's favorite), and a few others, even reaching into the world of non-fiction, . Goodness! I'll never be without something good to read!

Jp

Sunday & The Fourth

2011-07-04T22:29:00.000-07:00

After getting back from my trip, I still had another weekend!

Sunday I got up, took a shower, then met two of my friends on the Red Deck to go to the church I've been visiting. It was a good time... we even stayed afterwords for the potluck they have set up in a side room. Got to talk with a few folks, and the pastor too.

Upon getting back, I set to doing all my laundry, bed sheets & blanket too. Ever since staying in that questionable (yet expensive) motel in Santa Monica, I've been rather itchy. And Sunday morning I noticed some blister spots that itched intensely, on my arms, ankles, hand, calves... I think it was from the bed at the motel, but it could have been something in the pool I swam in on Thursday, or the ocean... who knows. Anyhow, it was a washing fury.

By the time I was done, it was 6:30pm. Sat down, looked at my email and found a message from the Old Globe about "Gershwin Alone", and how there were $20 seats left for the holiday weekend, ending with the 7pm performance that night! Who said I didn't have time? :) And I made it with 5 minutes to spare, partly because a parking space opened up in the closest lot. What a show! It was like being at a play and a symphony simultaneously! Hershey Felder was George Gershwin, telling his life story and playing selections along the way, touching on his major works. It ended with the complete Rhapsody in Blue, and then a sing-a-long of audience selected favorites. There was even a soloist once... a lawyer from the state supreme court was also a good singer at the drop of a hat. :) I was unfamiliar with these last ones, but they were lovely... very sweet love songs.

My Fourth of July was a little mild... kinda blue, actually. Sad to be away from family (I did talk to Mom though), but very proud of what I was doing. I was able to see Cars 2, as I was planning on doing yesterday. (But saw an incredible play instead... darn! :) It was funny, original and cute, as all Pixar movies are. Also had a great lunch at the mall's swank food court. Goat cheese salad with avocado, almonds, onions, mixed greens & a vinaigrette. Also a big, fresh lemonade from the 65 year old California business, "Hot Dog On A Stick".

Back on base, I decided to finally watch that collection of rare Bing Crosby shorts that turned out to be a series of patriotic films totally appropriate for the day. In one, the Declaration was read and discussed by some people invited over to Jack Benny's house. In another, the Fifth Freedom, the freedom of choice, was expounded upon. Very fun indeed; much more than I expected.

To end the day I went out and watched the simultaneous fireworks displays all over San Diego Bay...while I talked with Mike... there were 4 of them, not including a separate one over Coronado. The closest one was very close indeed, and very spectacular.

A wonderful 235th.

Jp

Santa Monica

2011-07-02T23:41:00.000-07:00

Partly for old times sake, and partly to use two of my four days off in an interesting manner, I drove up to Santa Monica, CA to look around. On other trips down here in the past I've wanted to see the aquarium on the pier, so I did it, adding the end of historic hwy 66 (which ends up on the pier)... and an investigation of the park on the pier. After I had done all this, along with a ride on the Ferris wheel and classic carousel, I strolled into the Pacific up to my ankles along the hot beach. Most of the fun on the beach was watching all the people... there were so many of all ages from all over the world. In fact, the couple I rode with in the Ferris wheel were from South Africa!

Loved the aquarium! It was just below the beginning of the pier. They had a tank with two moray eels at the entrance, petting tanks for sea stars, anemones, and little sharks. Lots of opportunities for good pictures.

Did a bit of exploring around the town too. The library and historical museum were both closed... but I did have a Ben & Jerry's scoop of chocolate chip cookie dough. I also found the summer installment of MHQ (military history quarterly) at Barnes & Noble on the promenade. And in my wanderings I looked in on the Santa Monica Playhouse (found it on the map first) and found they were playing a children's comedy called "Barnyard Madness with the Three Little Pigs" the next day.

For dinner I stopped in at "The Lobster" overlooking the pier. It was quite a treat! Dungeness crab salad (with lemon vinaigrette dressing, grapes, Parmesan cheese & almonds on arugula), and then four cheese ravioli. They served the tastiest bread and oil & vinegar dipping sauce for a starter. I had some more for a finisher... along with a hot chocolate.

Walked back to the motel (I had parked the car there when I arrived around 10:30...and tried out the nearby Hawaiian BBQ for lunch. Sort of tied together the feeling that I was back in Waikiki. Had spam & noodle soup and a guava drink.) and watched a movie on my laptop (The Final Countdown) because I was pretty tired. That was a lot of walking.

Slept in til 10am! Checked out just in time for checkout time! I first had Denny's down the street for breakfast, then parked in public parking for free while I saw the "Three Little Pigs". It was in a cute, little theater (only 3 rows of seats!). Turned out to be a combination of Vaudeville song & dance, the story of the Three Little Pigs, and Romeo & Juliette... with a happy ending. Made for some good fun.

I had thought I'd drive up north after the play, seeing the coast up by Malibu. But there were lots of clouds, so I decided to drive up CA-2 (Santa Monica Blvd, and the old 66) through Beverly Hills and West Hollywood. Saw HOLLYWOOD up on the hills! How neat that was. I imagined how things used to be as people drove that road in the old days... people driving across the country to end up where I was.

Since I had time, I took a side trip 7 miles south to San Pedro to see the Cabrillo Aquarium again. Remember I loved it last time, and I did again. From there I drove straight back to San Diego and home. It felt good to return to something familiar and friendly. Had Panera Bread for dinner, but had lots of issues connecting to chat, including a power outage on base! Thankfully, the lights came back on just as Starbucks closed at 10pm. So I was able to rest in my own bed after it all. :)

Jp

Evening With Friends

2011-06-30T22:29:00.000-07:00

Got off early from work in anticipation of the holiday weekend (including Friday and Monday off!). Went to the library to renew some things and relax... found a kid's book that was fun. Part of a series called Animal Ark Books... called Duckling Diary. Soon it got to be time to get the hotdogs at the grocery across the street. (Felt like deja vu! just the day before I had volunteered, got some groceries for myself and tried a new Mexican cafe ...before coming back to base and watching Dial M for Murder... but I'm just catching up.)

From there I got the hotdogs and buns and kept going on Nimitz to Witte's house. She was having a get-together for fun. We watched Iron Man 2 as we ate, then went swimming in the apartment complex's pool. After some splashing, racing and goofing around, we had enough and returned to the apartment for som'ores and a bunch of youtube videos. It was a very nice evening with my friends.

Jp

More Fun With Family

2011-06-26T13:09:00.000-07:00

Mom and Dad pulled into town right before 1100, when I told them I got off on Fridays. They had burned down I-5 in two days, stopping in Carlsbad, CA late on Thursday night... and got settled into the hotel by the time they called me.

I got off at 1105, like usual, but my working party had been selected to come back at 2pm to tear down the tables, chairs and signs for the change of command ceremony at bldg. 52. So I decided to go meet them while still in my working uniform... I didn't want to change three more times. And they liked seeing it. We exchanged stuff from our cars... I got my camping equipment in my very own Subaru that they drove down here, and they put all their stuff in their car. They'll drive to see Zac in Yuma today, then drive home to Seattle via several national parks. :)

We went out to lunch together at the eatery right next to the hotel. I then had to go get a base pass for my own car, and that took much less time that I figured, so I was able to spend another hour in their room with them before going back and doing my duty.

When I finally returned in civilian clothes, we headed out on a drive south over the bay bridge to Coronado, all the way down the Silver Strand to National City and the wetlands and beach just before the Mexican border. We saw Tijuana quite clearly from a distance. Stepped onto the beach in front of a border patrol guy with binoculars, looking out to sea for swimmers.

When we came back, we had dinner at the fish & chips place across from the Dolphin on the waterfront along Shelter Island... right where the fishing boats come in... so it was rather good fish & chips. Also had good clam chowder! We all would have liked to take in a good sunset, but the clouds had yet again returned over Point Loma. We went to Sunset Cliffs anyway, so I could show them the park and the expansive view of the ocean. Sat and talked a while, but soon it was sunset... and no break in the clouds.

Back at the Cabrillo Inn, sat down and switched on TCM. A movie was just starting... "Pretty Baby" from 1949. Didn't really know anyone in it, but Mom said the grumpy old guy played Santa Clause on Miracle on 34th Street... which was hilarious. It was very funny, along the lines of "Bachelor Mother". A young 22 yr old wanted a seat on the packed subway on her way to work, so she started using a doll wrapped up in a blanket. She worked for a baby food company, and matters got out of hand when unbeknownst to her, she started talking with her boss and claimed to have named her baby after him.

Saturday we slept in til 9ish, had breakfast at Denny's, stopped by the NEX for discounted tickets for the harbor cruise. Parked at the USS Midway museum downtown, got there around 12:30. Had to wait around for a bit, but we were able to take a tour of two Japanese destroyers on a world cruise before we boarded the tour boat for our hour tour to the north of the bay by my base, the sub base, the Coronado air station, and the sea lions. I was disappointed they only let us walk around on the decks of the destroyers... I sure would have loved to see the berthing or the sonar room. :) After the cruise, we drove to Red Lobster for a nice dinner together. And back at the hotel there were more fun movies on TCM, featuring Jane Greer. The end of "Out of the Past", and all of "The Big Steal", "The Company She Keeps" and "Station West". So much fun!

This morning we packed up, got stuck in a little bit of traffic on Rosecrans (there was a bike race going up and down Canon Street), but finally made it to Perry's Breakfast House for some great food. We drove both the cars though, as they were heading out to spend some time with Zac for the rest of today and tomorrow, and I was heading off for church.

Tonight, Barrett and I are having Italian for dinner and seeing "Much Ado About Nothing" at the Globe. Should continue to be fun, but I already miss Mom and Dad again. I hope coming home in August works. :)

Jp

Fun With Family

2011-06-22T11:14:00.000-07:00

Meg was just at a model horse competition in Arizona this weekend, so her and Jason decided it would be neat to swing by San Diego for a bit these last two days.

They arrived Monday night, we were all rather tired from our long days... and we met up at their hotel on Rosecrans "Cabrillo Inn & Suites". Just stayed in the room... got cards from the store across the street to play Phase 10, and ordered a pepperoni pizza from Pizza Hut online (delivered!). A little relaxing night together.

Yesterday we met up around 3ish (after work) to head out to the San Diego County Fair! It was my second trip, but the first time I only went to the concert. This time there was a horse-jumping show going on all day, so we watched quite a bit of that. Took a time out to go get dinner... I had a burger and more corn-on-the-cob... and then returned for more horses. It was dark when we went to ride the roller-coaster, and everything was beautifully lit up. I loved the little coaster they had! It was more of a windy one then one with big drops... and it was high enough for a great view of the fair. After that was just needed 3 more tickets for Meg and I to ride a simulated hang-glider ride. That was nice and gentle, and also high up.

Fun little visit! I stayed with them in their room both nights.

Jp

Sat & Sun

2011-06-20T18:31:00.000-07:00

Saturday was great! Slept in til 0900 or so, ate snacks for breakfast, did my laundry, took a shower, did some posting... wanted to go take pictures on Point Loma at the Cabrillo Nat. Monument. So I got in my car, decided to park at the top of the hill and bike down the peninsula (around 3.5 miles, one way) with my camera. It was great fun! The road has gentle dips and rises in it that make it ideal for a good workout. Stopped every so often to take pictures, including once when I hiked up a little hill on the side of the road for a pic of the bay. Was able to look around the battery museum again, but when I was done there, it was time to head back to meet up with my friend from my brother division for dinner.

She and I wanted to go check out the local German restaurant Kaiserhoff together after I had found it last month. It was a grand time! This time I had stroganoff on the spatzel, cucumber salad, a wonderful dark beer in a cold mug, and apple strudel for dessert again. :) Very good! And very full! We talked about everything under the sun, mostly our families and things like that. We even kept talking as we came back to the barracks, and hung out in her room for a bit.

Sunday I checked out a new church, and ended up liking it quite a bit. Pretty small, friendly and encouraging. Especially loved the way they did communion. Turns out another first-timer sat down next to me. A woman about my age; so we were able to relate a little! Both of us decided to try it out from looking at various websites. Theirs was indeed the nicest one. Said what they believed, looked informal and intelligent. I do want to go back.

On the way back I stopped at the local farmer's market a couple blocks away from base. Got the nicest sun-dried tomato & basil hummus, a perfect avocado, and a juicy peach for lunch. Ate these in my room and then decided to volunteer at the library for a couple hours. Then I thought I'd go to Target and have dinner somewhere around there (there's lots of choices). Got myself a new pillow (the one they gave me was a bit stained), a t-shirt for the 4th, a floppy sun hat, and a couple dvd's for $5 each. Ended up at Noodles & Co. nearby for a bowl of spaghetti & meatballs. Back on base I rearranged some things in my room so it's neater and easier to find things.

Another fun little weekend. :)
Jp

Switchfoot!

2011-06-17T23:38:00.000-07:00

After getting done early for two days in a row, I feel as if I've had two Fridays!

I was free right after lunch on Thursday, because of "Sports Day". I went right to the library, like usual, but I felt so tired I didn't even want to shelve (for the first time ever!). I found they have a wall of nautical themed books in the back as I sat down to read a book about "The Adventures of Herge" my Michael Farr. So I also flipped through a couple US Navy history books.

At 5pm I came back to base, had dinner at the galley... noodles with gravy and wonderfully flavored salmon! And then I watched "Amazing Grace" (Ioan Gruffudd, 2006) in my room. I love that guy! Especially loved the Horatio Hornblower series that he starred in!

But this afternoon, I went back to the library after duty was done and put in a good, solid 2 hours of volunteering. As I left, I got in contact with Ferry, picked him up on base and headed north to Del Mar for the San Diego county fair. The traffic was horrible, as expected. We listened to an entire Switchfoot album over the 20 miles or so. At the fair itself, we didn't do much but walk around. I had a grilled beef kabob on pita bread, along with a grilled & buttered corn-on-the-cob! Wow! The only thing missing is Mom's strawberry shortcake!

We had free stand-up "seating" at the concert, right in front of the stage! With a wonderful view. There were quite a bit of young folks all around us, and very boisterous. But that makes it even more fun to see them bobbing around and waving their hands during the concert. SF played for an hour-and-a-half, opening with a number from their newest album, and playing through many of their hits. They also introduced 3 songs from their not-yet-released album. A very fun night! It took 8 tracks of another album to get back on the freeway afterwords though. :)

Jp

View from the Base

2011-06-13T21:11:00.001-07:00

Hello, from SD... and from the pelican that didn't wait around on the dock for the pic. :)

A Fine Weekend Back to Normal

2011-06-12T23:59:00.000-07:00

Well, the last two have been off the charts, visiting home for the first time since Christmas, and then having my Darling visit me for over 4 days!

Friday I had completely off from work (since I stayed later the day before)... I think I had breakfast at the galley before a couple of us were let off at 7:15. I had the sudden urge to get out of town... but there was the last Bible study group meeting, so I had a regular day (mostly). Volunteered at the library for just over an hour, got a burrito to go, picked up Matthew Ferry from base (he texted about hanging out) and then headed off to the Fashion Valley mall where we saw Pirates 4. Unfortunately, we got there just in time for all of the trailers. I was on the verge of stabbing my eyes when I had to endure "Mr. Popper's Penguins" and a few others. At least it does make me want to read the book again. I always imagined somebody like David Niven as Mr. Popper, so Jim Carrey sort of revolts the senses.

I enjoyed Pirates on the whole. It was very swashbuckling, and had good amounts of laughs and love interests to go around. Gone was the teenager-ish romance of Kira and Orlando, and that improved it right off the bat. It was mostly Johnny Depp and Geoffry Rush, which are quite fun to watch. And I recognized the HMS Surprise right away from downtown the other day... :)

Saturday I also worked at the library (after a snack for breakfast in my room), and right around when that closed (2pm) I drove down Point Loma to the Cabrillo National Monument, enjoying the 19th century lighthouse up on the highest point (and the museum in the house), the tiny Army battery museum with neat pictures and displays about protecting the vital harbor during the 40's. Not only these, but I walked along the cliff overlooking the vast Pacific, taking in the beautiful sunshine, the few clouds, the perfect breeze, the drifting pelicans tracing the coastline... and I thought I'd sit and soak it up. The cliff wasn't at all scary because it was just the rigid top of a gentle slope down to the roads below. I watched the people walking along the water's edge and the motorcycles going much too fast, but having a swell ride, I'm sure. It was lovely.

Along with all of this I had time to sit in on two 25 minute films at the visitor center. One on the grey whales that migrate along the coast, and the other about the Spanish explorer Cabrillo who first stepped ashore (Sep. 28, 1542) in San Diego, which he had named San Miguel. Also looked around the gift shop and found a neat t-shirt (that I'm wearing right now...) and a few other things, including a neat painting of the lighthouse in a style that reminded me of the 40's.

And I got back in time to watch a movie and have a very fun chat... with a visit from Daniel even!

Sunday was a comedy of errors (that turned out rather well!). I started off looking for a church in Chula Vista that I wanted to try out... and I didn't find it! There was no sign that I could see. But on the way I found a Target that I had wanted to stop at and a Denny's for breakfast. They say they have free wi-fi, but my computer didn't like it and wouldn't connect.

Back on base I tried getting a hold of my friend Julie (she wanted to catch up this weekend), but didn't quite make it. Decided to go back to Cabrillo, because the day before I had forgotten my camera. But when I headed out first thing, I forgot the pass for free re-entry. That's why I had stopped in on base. Had to wind my way up the hill though, because part of Rosecrans was closed down for a parade. And there ended up being no cell reception at the park... so I did drive around on the roads, but just left after that. Ended up at the library and DID get to talk to Julie for an hour and a half! That was wonderful, as it always is. We can understand and encourage each other so easily. She's finished school for becoming a grade-school teacher and has found a job in Florida, starting this August.

Since I was at the library... :) Yes, a little more. I enjoy it so much! After the library, I took myself straight down to the Old Town transit center for a ride downtown for dinner. My heart was set on the Old Spaghetti Factory, and it worked just fine! The trolley was there when I got my ticket... but they were out of the ravioli dish I loved last time... so I tried the crab ravioli in pesto alfredo sauce. Wow! That worked out for the best, I think. :)

I was able to get back to the car to drive to Balboa Park and arrive just as they opened the doors for "Amadeus". They had this promotion for $20/under 30 yrs old, where they threw in this and both of the Shakespeare plays (Tempest and Much Ado) for a total of $40. Good deal! So this was the first. I remember seeing the movie when I was a kid and being very bored. Now I understand what was going on. :) It was an odd idea for a play, to base it all off a rumor. Interesting, and I loved how they played Mozart's music when Salieri simply read his scores.

It was a late night, but I didn't mind. :)

Jp