Guess what...after a day like yesterday, it's a bit tough to fall asleep. Add in F-16 fighter jets taking off, landing, and someone testing these engines, seemingly on my doorstep, you can just forget about falling asleep. 2am...yep, I was awake to see that time and yet, I had to meet others at 6:45am. I think I got about 3 hours of sleep after a crazy day and week prior. It's all good, though...so the day began.
This is the part of my journal that is going to get tricky. I have kept this blog very security conscious up until now and have maintained the secrecy of all details, places, names, and upcoming timelines. How do I now talk about my daily grind without detail about what I'm doing? I suppose I could come up with more code names...perhaps using Disney as a reference? That's a possibility. I'm going to dwell upon this for a bit and will get back with you. For now, though, I'll just give you the highlights of today...generally.
The first pretty cool thing? I am in an office with an Army officer, an Air Force officer, and me...a Navy officer. Also a Navy enlisted guy. Across the hall and part of the team is a civilian with the Agency I am here for who is a retired Navy guy. A lot of times in the service, you stay within your service and the opportunity to work joint...like this...is a great opportunity to work together, learn about each other's differences, likenesses, and develop some great friendships. I hit it off pretty good with everyone.
Most of the day was spent walking around the near vicinity of my office location and meet/greeting with different people in the different facets of the operation here. All pieces of the pie and all folks I need to know and build relationships with. Some civilian...some military...but all on the same "team." As the day wore on, I grew really, really tired. The lack of sleep and the greatly increased elevation were taking their toll on me. After securing my access badges for my building and computer accesses, I headed on back to relax, grab a latte, and pay for a month of internet in my room. It's flippin' expensive...$70 a month! That's insane but the connection with Kansas is priceless. Here's the thing, though...a short walk is free internet and I lose the convenience of in-room internet. After this month, I will decide whether or not to continue this railroading price of internet for this "convenience." I do not feel good about getting it even though Dorothy supported it. We'll see. The rest of the evening was spent responding to an e-mail that Tin Man sent me, Skyping with my dad, a little bit with Dorothy, and watching a movie in my room. I guess I'm as settled as I'm going to get. Since I have a microwave in my room, I need to pick up some popcorn. That sounds sooooo good right now. Light salt, lightly buttered, please.
We need goals. We all need goals. Tin Man asked me in her e-mail today about when I'm coming home from Oz and I gave her some hints to break down the time between now and then. Little interim goals to break it up..sorta makes it go faster. Hopefully that helps her. Plus, her soccer season will be coming up which will speed it along. Dang, I'm going to miss being at those games. For me, my goal is simple: do my job to the best of my ability, stay busy, and stay positive. By staying busy, time moves quicker and my ultimate goal is achieved faster....going HOME. I really feel that this tour will define my future in the Navy. Do I stay in? Do I get out? When I get home, I'll have over 14 years and can retire at 20. But, would I want to leave Kansas again? Would I REALLY? I never WANT to leave but would I be willing to do it all over again. I will propose this question at different times in the future and give you my answer. Today? Undecided. I can't say yes...or no. I just don't know. On the outside, I show no emotion. Inside, I miss them desperately. I am so thankful for technology and seeing them but seeing Dorothy today....dang, I miss her. She IS the other 1/2 of me.
Goodnight, everyone.
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