Still sandy and cooling off quickly

So I know that people want updates, I've been told.  So here it is.  Luckily for the big picture, but sadly for immediate entertainment purposes, I don't have a whole lot to write about. 

I've been here for about 12 days or so. Every day I get a little bit more settled and am trying to learn everyone's name.  What really throws me off is when people decide to use first names...because our first names are not posted anywhere on our uniform, so I have to show my newbie status every time and ask for clarification on who we are actually talking about or waiting for.

A couple days ago one of my platoon sergeants helped me loft my bed...but it took until about plan five to actually get it to work, so we ran out of time (our bellies were calling us to the horrible DFAC - dining facility) to finish the full plan.  I'm not concerned, really, we have all the time in the world, because when we wake up, we're all still here.  All that I really need at this point is some sort of shelf system so I can have a place for my clothes.  I know I've complained before about frustrations of living out of a suitcase, however, living out of a duffel is SO MUCH worse.

When there are things to do in the day, it's good and the hours seem to truck along, however, if there isn't much to do in the day it goes so so so slow.  It can be taken positively or negatively that I haven't been crazy busy the majority of my days here. I know that big picture it's a good thing that people don't need lots of social work services, but let me explain how eager I am for something to do...for those of you that know me well, will really understand how eager I was for something to do:
Our medics play basketball every open gym day which is three times a week or so and since I've gotten here they've been asking me to play.  I tell them frequently my despise for the "sport" (ha) but they keep asking.  Well, a few of them caught me at a very weak moment and I was (I hate to say) bored so I agreed to at some point this week.  As the week moved on, I regretted my statement that I'd play bball more and more - but I couldn't be a liar...so last night (Saturday) I met the guys at the clinic and I made my dreaded walk to the gym.  It was cold, and I knew it'd only get colder to walk home, which made me even more miserable about having to play this ridiculous game.  For the first 10 or so minutes I mostly just sat on the bleachers or stood on the court while the guys shot around to warm up.  They'd pass me to the ball and I'd just pass it back, until they actually made me shoot.  I don't think I've played basketball since my driveway with the Buse's in middle school.  I was HORRIBLE.  They all laughed at me, but also encouraged me.  I mean, I did warn them how bad I was, and how much I didn't like the sport. Ha.  Sadly, a game of 5 on 5 ensued - with three people that weren't in our group, those poor guys didn't realized that I didn't want the ball and THEY KEPT PASSING TO ME!  Ugh.  If I'd pass the ball back, they'd only pass it back to me and tell me to shoot, everyone would yell at me to shoot, I had no choice, the other team didn't even block me.  They would all laugh as I yelled "Noooooo" as they would pass me the ball. 
I guess their persistence paid off...at least once, I made a three-pointer.  Everyone, including myself, was very surprised with high fives and praise coming from everyone.  That was the one shot I made.  I did steal the ball a few times, I tried to block as well as a 5'1" girl with no jumps can...and as I expected, I played decent defense, just not under the basket, I'd get stepped on way too much.  I kept a safe distance - I also had no real desire to actually rebound the ball because then I'd have to dribble and all that ridiculousness.  Here's the crazy thing, I actually enjoyed it.  I think I'm getting sick, or I really just need more things to do =)  Promise, no WNBA interest in my future.  Pretty sure I won't even watch basketball on TV when I get home.  This type of lil outing with my medics will be more than enough.

It's about all the exercise I'm getting at this point.  I've tried to run a couple times but, whew, this elevation is killer...especially from a good Midwest girl.  I'm working on it.  After all, we have to walk every where, so eventually I'll get used to it.  Then watch-out - I'll love running back home with lungs of steel - bwahahahaha ya right.  It's still running...which = no fun.

Anyway, it's about my bedtime here.  Love you all and miss you.   See ya in a few months!

Home sweet (dusty) home

Well, this will be brief but I wanted to let you all know that I made it to my temporary residence safe and sound.  I just completed a full day two of being here.  Just have been trying to get used to the time change, the new environment and the new noises.  The people here have been very friendly and helpful and it's been enjoyable.  I haven't seen any patients yet, but once I get computer access and all that I'm sure I will. 

Everyone has told me that I just need to "embrace the dust" here as it's non-stop.  I can't help but think of Lakeview when I'm told that...but man, LKV has nothing on this place.  It's crazy, like a daily exfoliation haha.

I want to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers regarding my little adventure that I've just begun.  Once I get used to this time change, I think everything will work out just fine...until then, I need to get used to doing something at midnight or 1am to keep myself busy and hopefully tire myself out.

FYI although you already know, some of the specifics of my adventure for the most part need to remain somewhat "secret" from the internet, so if you leave comments, feel free but please don't get too specific with place/duty stuff like that.

Love and miss you all.  I hope to update this pretty regularly as I have pretty reliable (yet slow) access to the internet.  And, heck, I'll see ya in a few months anyway.  Love you!

My little piece of heaven

There's nothing like going back home to ground you.  When life gets busy, I get so caught up in the daily worries and strife.  Recently I was blessed with some opportunities to go to both of the places I call home - my parents and the ranch/river. 

I went to my parents as a double dip kind of trip.  My church was doing a mission trip in the same community, so how could I pass up such a chance!  I got to work with a Native American church - where mostly I did landscaping stuff, man it's been a long time since I did that kind of manual labor and my body felt it!  Instead of staying with my church group, I stayed at my parents house so I got in some much needed quality time with them - without really knowing when I'd get to see them again.  We did a lot of the typical touristy things and showed a friend around the treasures of the black hills.  My favorite spot, as always, was the Badlands.  It's such an amazing and beautiful place - in a peaceful way, it makes me feel so small in such a large world.



Backtracking a little bit, I was also blessed to be able to go to the river over Father's Day weekend and see some of the "family" for a few days where we thoroughly enjoyed the water, the fires, the shade, the sun, the conversation, the games and the FOOD.  Nothing makes me as relaxed as sitting in a lawn chair, listening the the breeze and/or music in the distance and watching the water roll on by.  Lots of cousin, aunt and uncle time was had and it was fabulous.  Hm...if I had to name a favorite part specific to this year: having Jim Lee here.  He's had some health concerns the past year and I think a lot of us had doubts he'd be there, but the good Lord has blessed him and he's doing very well.  I have a new favorite piece of jewelry thanks to him...hand crafted wooden necklace with a white dove inlay.  It just happens to be super cool that the white dove is from the Tinant bone pile =)



In stressful times this summer, I've been able to look back to these trips home to see family and nature.  It helps me be thankful for the time I've had and look forward to trips to come.  I may not have anything specific planned, but when I do, I know it's going to be epic!  Life can be uncertain - but even with all the changes that it brings, I always have HOME.

A Safari in Kansas!

Well, hello, Beautiful...

Mama Kangaroo with a joey (5 months old) in her pouch,
you can see his legs poking out below my hand!

Feeding her some romaine lettuce - crazy long tongue

She was super friendly and liked to be rubbed behind the ears

Ok ok ok, I know I'm months past due for a new post.  All I can say is life without Facebook is busy and I've been scolded by many for not having pictures to look at or recent posts to read.  I'll do better, well at least I'll try.

This summer has been filled with friends, family and lots of heat. 

Last weekend I had an amazing trip to a wildlife park in Kansas where we got to pet crazy animals and feed giraffes.  It was wonderful.

Beautiful white tiger cub with gorgeous blue eyes!

After getting to pet the kangaroos and giraffes it was disappointing that we could only look at these little babies from behind the glass in their cages.  Sure glad I got to see my little baby nephew a couple weeks ago for some fun and much needed cuddle time:

Man, he's growing so fast!

I'm Full

So far this weekend, I've made bread, pies, ice cream and meringue.  I'm very full.  But it's so worth it.  Nothing like being around a lil family to fatten ya up...

I fall short

It always takes random little acts to put life into perspective.  At least for me.  I was thinking about this quite a bit on my run.  Since my run, I have relaxed, stretched and finished my other workout - so it's not going to be as well worded as I originally thought and intended, but the meaning will still be there.

Ok, so just when you feel like everything is going good and you're doing right, there is always something that can and will put you back into perspective.  Not to always say that you've done or are doing something wrong, but maybe to tell you that there is MORE you can do.

This afternoon and well past the lunch hour, I had a new friend save me from my office and a non-mandatory meeting that I didn't really need to attend (I have more than enough continuing education credits for the next two years) to get out to lunch.  This was good for a variety of reasons...
1. To get away from co-workers and patients and have a "normal" conversation
2. To get me away from my office and work
3. To make sure that I actually ate a lunch, instead of the likely lunchable or candy bar that I often eat on Tuesday afternoons

Anyway, we get to our table with our food, sit down and go to dig in, when I notice my friend takes a moment to fold their hands, bow their head and say a prayer.  And it was more than a "thanks, God" kinda prayer, it took a bit.  I don't know what was said in that brief conversation between them and God, but I do know that it appeared heart felt and genuine.

Again, just when I think I'm doing stuff right, I am reminded by little things, perfect strangers or even new friends of more things I can be doing to better my day, my relationships and my life.  Life gets us carried away.  We get busy.  We try to take control.  We like to think that we are in control.  But really, life is never too busy to say "thanks" to the one that really makes this world go round.

So with that, to my late-lunch buddy (you know who you are), if you are reading this, I want to say thank you for the conversation, getting me out of my office, helping me make sure I eat, but most importantly strengthening my faith but showing me yours.  It takes courage to do that, and I really admire your actions.  You may not know it, but your faith strengthens mine.

And lastly, thanks God.  Thanks for this friend.  Thanks for providing all you have to me.  Thanks.

Retirement...

As I sit out on my porch (for the third time today) I keep asking myself, is this what retirement is like? If so...sign me up! Today is a training holiday so, thankfully, I don't have to work. It's been glorious. I slept in, but not really - still was up by 0800. I made a cup of tea and sat out on the porch in my nice lawn chair and just enjoyed the morning in my comfy sweats. Because much of my neighborhood is military families, there wasn't much hubbub going on, but that was nice. I could hear the birds singing and the calm (yes, it's actually CALM today) breeze blowing.

Once my tea was finished I knew I had to do SOMETHING with myself today, and sadly...that meant running. Before I could lose motivation, I quickly got ready and headed out the door. I've been taking a different route, a route that takes me into the country and actually, while I wouldn't say running has been enjoyable - it's definitely more enjoyable than running on paved roads surrounded by houses and sidewalks. Not sure how far I ran yet this morning, once I actually go somewhere, I'll drive it out - but I'm thinking between 2.5 and 3...not bad. UGH the hills were horrible, but I do feel my legs and lungs getting stronger.

What better treat for a hard, long run than Cow Tales??? I can't think of anything better!

While I was on my porch stretching and drinking water, I realized how truly beautiful of a day it is to not really do anything but be outside - so I just laid down right there. Probably close to an hour later I realized that I was rather warm and probably getting sun burnt (oops...yup I did). Inside to shower up from working out and tanning then get some laundry started.

Notice my face and neck are a lil red and the tan lines are all over the place. Oh well. Bring on summer!!!

Now here I am again, back on my porch. I wanted to blog but just couldn't make myself sit inside any longer. This time, I've put on sunscreen though =)