Where do I start... I would love to be able to write and eloquent piece right now, but I don't think I have it in me.
"God giveth and God taketh away," my brother said this to me last night as we were walking into the hospital to meet his new niece. His sister in-law had a beautiful baby girl, Jada, yesterday at around 5:30pm. Those of you who know me well enough know that I see myself as more of a spiritual person than one who follows religion. However, this statement really hit hard. Jada was given to us yesterday, and we are grateful for her. But another was taken from us.
Hours before Jada's birth I received a phone call that a friend of mine had died this weekend. As many of you know I recently had to say good-bye to a very dear friend, and now we are having to do it all over again. All of my good thoughts are going out to his family and another family that was hit with devastating news yesterday as well. Another friend was diagnosed with invasive breast cancer... she's 29. Enjoy everyday and be thankful for the time you have with your loved ones. If there is one thing I have learned from burying two dear friends in the past year, it's that there is not enough time for hate; make peace within yourself and with those around you.
Side note: Jade is doing well, communication is out with the ship so I haven't heard anything in the last couple days, but there is another article about HSC-8 and the Stennis. For those who are interested...
http://www.navytimes.com/news/2009/01/navy_helo_deployment_012709/
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
HSC-8 Feature Story
Here is a feature story written about Jade's squadron... enjoy!
Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 8 performed the first live-fire and operational test of a new four-gun configuration for the MH-60S Knighthawk yesterday.The new setup puts two guns on each side of the Knighthawk and increases its operational capabilities when defending against small-boat attacks.In a scenario involving multiple targets, an aircrew of four gunners can use the new configuration to engage multiple targets on either side of the aircraft.“A .50-caliber gun has longer range and a larger caliber round, so it’s more effective against a small boat; but, as we get in closer, the 7.62 round can be used as well,” said HSC-8 Commanding Officer Cmdr. Mike Ruth. “Then we can combine both machine guns on the boats at the same time.”Ruth said the primary purpose of the four-gun configuration would be anti-terrorism force protection missions. These missions include straights transit operations, enclosed harbor patrols and any opportunity where Stennis comes into close contact with small boats. Until now, the MH-60S Knighthawk has only had two-gun configurations. “There was some concern about overlapping fields of fire, making sure that one gun isn’t shooting another gun,” said Ruth. “We had to make sure the mounts were compatible.”The live-fire test incorporated new gunfire patterns, voice calls and tactical procedures to accommodate the requirements of the four-gun configuration.The success of this test could lead NavAir to create new tactical guidelines to standardize the four-gun configuration for fleet-wide use, said Ruth.Increasing the capabilities and extending the versatility of aircraft already in the fleet is part of America’s maritime strategy to maintain the most efficient and effective fighting force possible to safeguard its national interests.
Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 8 performed the first live-fire and operational test of a new four-gun configuration for the MH-60S Knighthawk yesterday.The new setup puts two guns on each side of the Knighthawk and increases its operational capabilities when defending against small-boat attacks.In a scenario involving multiple targets, an aircrew of four gunners can use the new configuration to engage multiple targets on either side of the aircraft.“A .50-caliber gun has longer range and a larger caliber round, so it’s more effective against a small boat; but, as we get in closer, the 7.62 round can be used as well,” said HSC-8 Commanding Officer Cmdr. Mike Ruth. “Then we can combine both machine guns on the boats at the same time.”Ruth said the primary purpose of the four-gun configuration would be anti-terrorism force protection missions. These missions include straights transit operations, enclosed harbor patrols and any opportunity where Stennis comes into close contact with small boats. Until now, the MH-60S Knighthawk has only had two-gun configurations. “There was some concern about overlapping fields of fire, making sure that one gun isn’t shooting another gun,” said Ruth. “We had to make sure the mounts were compatible.”The live-fire test incorporated new gunfire patterns, voice calls and tactical procedures to accommodate the requirements of the four-gun configuration.The success of this test could lead NavAir to create new tactical guidelines to standardize the four-gun configuration for fleet-wide use, said Ruth.Increasing the capabilities and extending the versatility of aircraft already in the fleet is part of America’s maritime strategy to maintain the most efficient and effective fighting force possible to safeguard its national interests.
Story and photos by MC2 Elliott FabrizioUSS John C. Stennis Public Affairs
Oh yeah... and as for me... there was snow on the "mountain" behind my brother's house and at school today... in Azusa, CA (not much, but any accumulation is- wow!)!!! This was after a brief but strong thunder storm came rolling in at 2am. I miss Colorado thunder storms, but that one was crazy... maybe because I was still half asleep!
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Quick Update
I had forgotten how time consuming studying can be... especially when you are taking 4 science classes (3 with labs)... eh. First anatomy test on Monday, I'm about 3/4 the way through my notes and a pack of index cards. To take a little study break, my sister in law, her daughter and I went indoor rock climbing today for the first time. It's something I have been wanting to do for a long time, but hadn't gotten around to doing it... we had a great time. And what a great upper body workout!
There was an update from Jade today, things seem to being going relatively well for him. He still doesn't know when he will be flying again, but is studying for his HAC board to stay busy. He had to get a couple shots the other day, the 3rd in his anthrax vaccine (who knew they made those!) which makes his arm swell up to the size of a baseball and is red and tender, and a small pox vaccine which apparently is a bunch of little pokes all in a row that give him one pock. He has to keep it dry and covered for 30 days! Other than being slightly stir crazy from being on the boat without flying, he is doing well. More updates to follow!
There was an update from Jade today, things seem to being going relatively well for him. He still doesn't know when he will be flying again, but is studying for his HAC board to stay busy. He had to get a couple shots the other day, the 3rd in his anthrax vaccine (who knew they made those!) which makes his arm swell up to the size of a baseball and is red and tender, and a small pox vaccine which apparently is a bunch of little pokes all in a row that give him one pock. He has to keep it dry and covered for 30 days! Other than being slightly stir crazy from being on the boat without flying, he is doing well. More updates to follow!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Friends
It's easy to take our friendships for granted. Friends move away and you lose touch, sometimes even if a friend lives right down the road schedules are too busy to get together. But a true friend, a real friend is someone who will be there for you in your toughest of times without judgement or hesitation.
I am not someone who has one best friend that I go to with all my joys and sorrows, but I have been blessed instead with many friends who mean so much to me in so many ways. I have some childhood friends, I have some childlike friends, I have family who are friends and I have friends who are family. I have been lucky enough to have been taken in by Jade's friends and family and I feel as though I can call them my own. And today, I realized that I have a couple of friends who will be able to understand me through these next months like no one else can. I am blessed to have friends who are going through the same things at the same time as I am. During Jade's last deployment I had great friends around me to help me through the hard days. But, every deployment and every command is different and so it's impossible to relate even if you DO know what it's like. This time will be different... every time the itinerary changes, these women know my frustration, every time communication to the ship goes out, they know my worry and every time the homecoming date changes (and I'm sure it will... at least once), they know my disappointment. Not only do they know these things, they are also feeling them. Having a group of friends that are as diverse as your interests and activities is vital to having someone you can relate to no matter the situation. Thank you to all my friends for all the ways you touch and enrich my life!
I am not someone who has one best friend that I go to with all my joys and sorrows, but I have been blessed instead with many friends who mean so much to me in so many ways. I have some childhood friends, I have some childlike friends, I have family who are friends and I have friends who are family. I have been lucky enough to have been taken in by Jade's friends and family and I feel as though I can call them my own. And today, I realized that I have a couple of friends who will be able to understand me through these next months like no one else can. I am blessed to have friends who are going through the same things at the same time as I am. During Jade's last deployment I had great friends around me to help me through the hard days. But, every deployment and every command is different and so it's impossible to relate even if you DO know what it's like. This time will be different... every time the itinerary changes, these women know my frustration, every time communication to the ship goes out, they know my worry and every time the homecoming date changes (and I'm sure it will... at least once), they know my disappointment. Not only do they know these things, they are also feeling them. Having a group of friends that are as diverse as your interests and activities is vital to having someone you can relate to no matter the situation. Thank you to all my friends for all the ways you touch and enrich my life!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Class Surrounded by Body Bags
I had my first experience with cadavers today! I walked in to my anatomy lab and although there have been large steel tables around (which I assumed held the cadavers), today they were open and body bags were strewn about the classroom. As I took my seat I mentioned to a classmate that it was a little strange having class amongst a bunch (probably 10ish) of body bags. And his response to me was "yes, a little, but also humbling..." which it definitely was. Later in lab we got to look at a couple of cadavers, one male and one female, however only the specific parts we were looking at were uncovered so the full intensity of what was laying before me still hasn't sunk in. Incredibly intriguing, but also very humbling.
Today is the Day
Today is the day. He will be leaving from San Diego in a little less than 2 hours. I am trying to be strong knowing 6 months really isn't that long in the scheme of things. The hardest part is waiting for him to leave... once he's gone I can start looking forward to his return!
A lot of energy is going into this new puppy my brother and his wife got... 'cause 2 big dogs wasn't enough. Luckily, having the two big dogs is helping the puppy sleep! He cried and cried the first night until we put him in the garage with the other dogs (all in their respective kennels), then he just stopped. But there is a lot of puppy poo and pee to clean up... isn't potty training fun!
First Blog
When I first thought about blogging I wanted a space to share my experiences as a military (Navy) girlfriend. I know there are many of us out there whether we are girlfriends, wives, mothers, sisters, fathers, brothers, friends, etc. that have loved ones serving over seas and right here at home. This isn't a space for politics, but a space for humanity.
My boyfriend is leaving for a 6 month deployment. When... I'm not really sure. That's one thing I've learned, if there is one thing you can count on, it's that you can't count on anything. They were supposed to leave one day, then it got pushed up a day, then he had a meeting and had to stay behind and it was going to be another day... that was today... he's still here. To make things worse, I am 2 hours away living with my brother & his wife, going back to school. So, even though I have already done my good-bye (which is hard enough once, when it's not prolonged), I am waiting for a phone call to let me know that he is "really going this time" so I can do another good-bye over the phone. I am waiting for the phone call tomorrow morning, until then...
My boyfriend is leaving for a 6 month deployment. When... I'm not really sure. That's one thing I've learned, if there is one thing you can count on, it's that you can't count on anything. They were supposed to leave one day, then it got pushed up a day, then he had a meeting and had to stay behind and it was going to be another day... that was today... he's still here. To make things worse, I am 2 hours away living with my brother & his wife, going back to school. So, even though I have already done my good-bye (which is hard enough once, when it's not prolonged), I am waiting for a phone call to let me know that he is "really going this time" so I can do another good-bye over the phone. I am waiting for the phone call tomorrow morning, until then...
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