Waikiki Weekend

It's been over a month ago now since our Waikiki Weekend, but it was too much fun to not post about...so here it is.

The week i got home from NC, Hillary and Carrie and I planned a tourist weekend in Waikiki. That weekend we stayed in a super nice hotel--the Sheraton Moana Surfrider. It is right in the heart of Waikiki--the beach on one side and the busy strip on the other. We shared a room, and even a double bed--because that was the only room they had left. Just like college sleepovers all over again! We ate a wonderful meal at the Cheesecake Factory and enjoyed the market and entertainment on the streets.

Picture with the Gold Man

Us doing the typical Japanese peace sign with some man in our picture!

Waikiki by Night

The next morning we went straight to the beach for some sun and it was SUPER HOT and voggy. After a few hours, we decided to try something that is the very epitome of a 'tourist'--the Trolley! and we loved it! we rode around Waikiki and ended up at the mall where we had to get off. Since we were there, i took Carrie and Hillary to get Bare Minerals makeovers (if you do not already know this about me, i am a firm believer in their makeup!). We had a great time, ate dinner at Red Lobster and then went back to our homes that night--sad the weekend had to end, we had a great time. It is so cool to be so near all of the fun that we can just spontaneously decide to have a mini vacation for a weekend in a place where some people never get to come to their whole lives. We are so LUCKY!

Our Beautiful Hotel

On the trolley with our cool shades!

Hillary tying out the minerals

Carrie learning to use the eyeliner

HURRY SUMMER, HURRY!

It is 2.5 weeks until my visitors start arriving--starting with Amanda, which i am SO EXCITED about. I have spent this Hawaiian holiday (King Kamehameha Day) making this calendar for her so she would be excited too--and know what to pack. If you click on the small calendar image it will take you to a link so you can read and get jealous. Careful--it may also make you want to make a trip out here too, which of course i would love! You are all welcome to visit!

**click on me!**


Also today, i had an interview for a FRSA (Family Readiness Support Assistant) job with 3rd Brigade (the sister brigade to the one we are in). A FRSA serves as a liaison between the military and its families. I would really like the job, plus it would get me into the government's system (we call them GS jobs). Once you get a GS job--and getting in is the hardest part, then you can always move around to other jobs and be transferred when we PCS (move) somewhere else. The interview went well i thought--but i was told by the Lt. Col. interviewing me that he actually has no say so over the hiring process--it is contracted out to someone else--and that these interviews are basically pointless. The hiring company chooses who it hires based on rank (prior military, mil. spouse already GS, military spouse not GS (that's me) and then civilian). So it looks like, no matter how well the interview may have went, I will probably not be offered the job. That is kinda disappointing considering the Col. seemed to be someone I would like to work with, the battalion was fairly small and close-knit, and the FRG's were very active. Now that i know how it really works, i am going to go to all interviews and apply as much as possible, just to try and get in the system--so i can eventually get the job i want.

No Air

You may or may not know, but i am 100% addicted to So You Think You Can Dance--if I could do anything, the inner me would most definitely choose to be a dancer--but in my case those who can't, watch.

Anyway, tonight was the opening night and although i did think there were a few very good performances. This one stood out to me.

Right after the boys deployed, Jordin Sparks song "No Air" was released. The song seemed to embody all the words and emotion that we were feeling. Then, tonight it was so strange that that song was put to a dance about a soldier deploying and leaving his wife behind. It seemed that every scene matched perfectly with how it really felt to go through that situation. From finding out the news, to the emotions of fear, anger, sadness and lonliness, to trying to get through it together and then having to be the strength and support when the other person couldn't take it, to the end when being left with just his shirt (cause i don't know one girl who didn't keep at least one worn shirt of their husbands just for the smell).

Obviously, i was very moved with the performance and I just wanted to share. On a lighter note though, you should watch the show--it's my all-time favorite reality show!

*by the way when you watch the video, make sure you stop the radio in the lower righthand corner or you will have a lot of crazy noises going on!

June Down Range

So, these past couple of months has been a very busy part of the deployment for me as we transition into a force that is more focused on training the Iraqi Army. During this time I have had the opportunity to dispose of mountains of ammo that I found to be bad during my inspections. Working with my EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) counterparts we were able to blow most of it up in a single day. This is a real tiring process, but with a lot of helping hands we were able to lay out all of the munitions and do some training for some of the younger Soldiers. The explosion may have been a little larger than what we said it was going to be, so there was some negative feedback once we returned, but I say it was a success since the shockwave actually moved the vehicle I was sitting in.

One of my very good friends Bryan Williams took command of A Company last month which has vastly affected the dynamics of the unit. My Soldiers are re-energized and come to work every day ready or whatever is thrown at them. This new found motivation was needed as moral was starting to go down as the temperatures keep inching their way up.



The school semester is almost over and I have to say my stress level is getting ready to go down once I finish finals week. I have had the opportunity to see just how much I can fit into a day and I have to say this isn’t something I want to do all the time. The Army has decided not to fully fund its educational programs from now on due to the cost of the war on terror so it looks as if I might have to slow down a little bit.


I have been taking financial management classes the past few weeks as I try and make the most of my time here. The classes are based off of a program by Dave Ramsey who a well known financial counselor and syndicated radio host. My roommate Jordan and I go every Monday night in hopes we are able to take away some information that both we and our Soldiers can use.


As you can see I have found many things to fill my time while I am over here. I feel the more that I can cram into a day the quicker it will go by…the quicker these days go by the quicker I can get back home to my wonderful wife as well as all of you…

Hawaiian Word of the Week (and very overdue!)

Okay, so i haven't really felt inspired to update the word of the week lately--probably because my contact with the locals has been minimal as of lately. But, no worries--back in the school system I get to hear my fair share of pidgin, and oh do i ever have a word for you.

Yesterday, one of our EA's (education assistant, i believe) in the preschool class had to leave early to go help her daughter who had just been physically assaulted on The Bus (Hawaii's public transportation system). What happened was a supposed schizo lady got on the bus acting very strange and after a few minutes of riding she off and punched the girl in her face. The Bus of course pulled over and called the police--the lady already had other outstanding warrants and was arrested on the spot. The daughter is okay--just shaken up, a little scared to ride the bus now, and has a black eye.

My version of the story is merely a translation from the conversation among the EA's in the room. It went something like this..hopefully i can do it justice.

EA1: Whaddsdascoops?

EA 2: Da Kine daughter got false crack in da face

EA1: Not! Fo' real?

EA2: Some lolo woman got on da Bus at Wahiawa--ya know dem people there. Dey say she wuz tweekin' and touchin her face an hair an den outta nowheres she false crack 'er

The word we will focus on is False Crack. It took me a little while to actually figure out what had happened to the girl--i came to the assumption she was punched, and after coming home and looking it up, i was right.

False Crack; A Hawaiian slang term meaning a punch to the face and, from what I thought, often done without much more than a verbal warning at most. A surprise punch that catches the recipient at least somewhat off-guard.

Also just to "false" or getting "falsed"

Also "dirty cracks" or "dirty lickings"

ex: Dey wuz arguing for so long until James jus wen false crack em!!!

You betta watch yo' mout or you gonna get one false crack, bra.

**courtesy of the Urban Dictionary and my own personal experiences!**

Design Here, Design There...

The past few weeks I have been in a mood to create and change things--so last week I focused on my living room. There is a wall downstairs that has been bare ever since we moved in. I have had plans for the wall from the moment we bought the house, but as it was not a necessity I kept finding other things to do. Then it got to be halfway through our 3 years and i decided i didn't want to keep working on things in the case that we might move. Last week though i decided to do it anyway. SO...first things first i had to dig out the painting Mike and I bought on our honeymoon to Greece so i could get it framed. From there, everything just fell together--my shelves were inspired by Pottery Barn, I framed some pictures Mike and I took right before he deployed on the beach and found some pillows that I swear were "made" for this room.

The end result is beautiful if i may say so myself..and even just with some new shelves, pics and pillows--the blue makes it feel like a completely different room!

~My beautiful plate from Katie~

This past week and weekend, my focus was our Children's Church room. We are starting our summer curriculum about the Fruits of the Spirit, so the room is decorated like a summer in the country with red checkered table cloths, fruit stands, sunflowers and mason jars. The biggest feat was the fruit stand, which Hillary, Carrie K and I constructed ourselves with no help from any boys! And although, it was a learning experience and very comical, the fruit stand is sturdy and stands on its own and we are super proud of yourselves! I know you are all impressed--i may just have a future in construction! or not ;)

Weddings= Good Friends and Good Times

While I was home this April, my friend from Asheboro and Meredith College roommate, Miss Dee Dee Edwards (know to most as just, Dee), got married. Weddings are always lots of fun to go to, but this one in particular ranked up on my favorites list.

It really was great to see all of my Sweet Suite Girls (my college suitemates). Since graduating, getting us all together has been super difficult and if it does happen, we are lucky to get more than dinner. Luckily this weekend, we got to spend from Friday afternoon until the wedding end on Saturday night. From the moment everyone pulled into my driveway, life was back to normal, talking all at once and laughing hysterically at anything and everything.

That day we had a full schedule starting with a bridesmaid luncheon, nails, rehearsal, rehearsal dinner and then dress and hair preparations for the following day.

The day of the wedding seemed to go perfect--everyone was super happy, the weather was great, the Bride was gorgeous, and we even got to break out the Big Booty song--a tradition starting at my own wedding that I hope will carry to Tara's this summer!

It was also great to see everyone else from both Atown and college that I haven't seen in so long. It was almost like being at my own wedding all over again, but this time, not being the bride I actually got to talk to everyone and find out what people are doing. It wasn't even until Dee was getting ready to throw the bouquet and leave that i realized i hadn't sat down or gotten anything to eat or drink during the whole reception!

If only I didn't have to say goodbye to my sweet girls at the end, it would have been a perfect weekend.

MC Girls

Me and Meggo

Our Norm

Tara, Me, Amanda, Meg, and Mary

Jump Shot

Things I miss from home...

Living in HI definitely has it perks, but going home really reminds of me of some things that I miss--some that i am constantly aware of and others are very subtle and only after i have experienced them again do i realize i have even missed them at all.

For starters, its the food. And this is a big one--one I am constantly aware of. I miss good fast food, like chick-fil-a. I miss Bo's cajun fried chicken biscuits for breakfast. I miss being able to order sweet tea whenever i want it. I miss really good, cheap mexican food where the queso dip is white like it should be. I miss Olive Garden--everything about it....the salad, breadsticks, steak gorgonzola alfredo, stuffed chicken marsala, etc. I miss deli's. There is nothing like being out running errands and shopping and being able to stop at a Bear Rock or Panera Bread, or any other deli for that matter and eat a good quality sandwich. There is only so much Subway a girl can take. I miss Sir Pizza, ham and onion or on occasion ham and pineapple, no cheese, extra sauce and ranch dressing. I miss cobblers, pies and cakes that aren't made out of tropical fruits, coconuts, and stuffed with beans and mochi. I miss eastern NC barbecue, home cooked meat loaf, mashed potatoes and green beans, and I miss Rock-Ola Southwest Pasta. Obviously, i can not fulfill all cravings when I go home or else I would have to purchase two airline tickets just to get back home...but it is still fun trying!

I miss always seeing someone you know when you walk into a public place.

I miss how great a hot shower feels after waking up freezing cold.

I miss the birds singing outside my window in the morning.

I miss backyards and frontyards and driveways and houses with more than 4 rooms.

I miss friendly, southern-talkin people.

I miss being able to drive over 55 mph.

I miss Target, Walmarts with groceries, Bed Bath and Beyond, Belks, Express, and the Dollar Store.

I miss dressing up for church and listening to the choir.

I miss thunderstorms.

I miss gardens and eating fresh vegetables anytime I want.

I miss fried okra (i guess that should have gone under the food category).

I miss how running to the corner store would only take 10 minutes instead of 2 hours.

I miss the occasional cold and rainy day where that was enough excuse to spend the day inside reading and watching movies.

I miss seeing animals outside--horses, cows, deer, squirrels, etc.

I miss driving for hours on backwoods country roads, losing yourself to the music and the simple beauty of the land.

And of course it goes without saying i miss all my loved ones...but this blog is for things, not people. And all ya'll should know I miss you the most!

Embracing the Fleur de Lis

My trip home started with a detour the great LA, and I mean the state not the city. This was my first time in LA and it was almost exactly as everyone described--hot, dirty, sticky, and backwoods. But to its defense, it does have a certain charm and a culture of people unlike anywhere else I have been.

Although it's great to visit new places, the real reason for the visit was to see one of my high school best friends, Katie. She and her husband have been living there (in Lafayette) for the past year and a half working with their church and starting a community center and renovating an old Victorian home in the hopes to one day turn it into a children's home. They have done some amazing work there, and it was awesome to see what all they have done.

I flew into New Orleans, where Katie and her friend Kristie picked me up and showed me around New Orleans. Honestly, after an afternoon there I was about done. We did walk go see the major tourist sights, ie: Jackson Square, and rummaged through some antique shops. Though I never had the chance to see the city pre-Katrina so i can't really compare, all i saw were a lot of dilapidated buildings, tent cities, homeless walking the streets, and trashy stores and bars.

After leaving NOLA, Lafayette and St. Martinville were much easier to like. Katie took me to see Cajun dancing, the Tabasco Factory, and try the drive-thru daiquiri bars (i still can't believe that is actually legal!). The people were very nice and the old churches and bayou reminded me of being placed in the midst of the Awakening--kinda surreal.

The Fleur de Lis to LA, is kinda like that silly confederate flag is to a lot of the South. It is absolutely everywhere. I saw it on windows, dishes, tassels, clothes, pillows, jewelry, and they even have enough ornaments to make your own fleur de lis tree after the Christmas season is over. But, somehow i made it out of LA without one fleur de lis item...this is purely by mistake i assure you, and when i realized this i was in the Lafayette airport with its one gift shop that smelled so much like vomit i had to forgo all efforts to secure a fleur de lis souvenir. Oh well, life goes on!

Katie and Tim's house was also amazing, and i didn't even realize until i had left that i never took any pictures of it. I really enjoyed helping Katie pick out things for the house, and could i have, i would have liked to just stay with them and help them out with their house and community center. And also, it was wonderful just getting to spend time with such a good friend. I have said it many times before but i am really so lucky to have such wonderful friends. Even after not living in the same town for almost 6 years now, we are still just as close as ever and can pick up right where we left off. And even though i am loving living my own adventure, the hardest part will always be being so far away from the ones i love.

So sad we have to part.....

Back in Action

After a slight hiatus from real life I am back and feeling great. Since the beginning of April I have been visiting friends and family on the mainland, enjoying wonderful Bojangles and Chick-Fil-A, been in a wedding, playing Hawaiian tourist with my friends and celebrating my brithday (or maybe i should say birthday week!). I have lots of wonderful pictures of all my adventures on my Picasa pics page. The link is on the righthand side of this screen, so go check them out. Over the next week or so I will catch you all up on everthing I have done.

Mike has also been super busy. I have been bugging him for a blog as well, (not that i have any right--since i am so behind myself). He is currently taking college classes, which he has been doing off and on since being in Hawaii. He is attending an online college, Thomas Edison State College, that is perfect for military students--the faculty are very flexible with soldiers and their demanding work schedules. Still, as can be imagined school and work have been keeping him super busy. So we will have to forgive his lapse in blog updates! He has actually spent the last week in Kuwait at an Ammo Warrant Officer Conference. He has gotten to meet lots of new people and make new contacts, as well as see some old friends from prior deployments, schools and duty stations. This has been a nice break for him, but he reported back to me today saying he is ready to take all his new information and get back to work! Although i tend to pic on his nerdy tendencies, that's one thing i love about my hubby! He is one of the hardest workers i know and is 100% dedicated to everything he does.

As for me, like i said things are going really well. Going home was a nice break from some of the pressures and realities here that I seem to get so used to I hardly even notice until I am away from it all. Being a miltary wife has many great benefits, but it can be certainly be rough on the emotions. There's nothing that can describe what it's like to get an email about a soldier being wounded or killed and then having to send it out to the rest of your unit families--the relief you feel for it not being you, and the sadness for the families who are just like you. There is also no way to describe how it feels to know that there will always be these huge chunks of your life that person you have given your entire life to will never understand or be able share with you. So, again needless to say, the break from reality was much needed.

Since being back in the great Aloha State, my friends and I have spent as much time having fun as possible. We have hiked and beached, stayed in a beautiful hotel, rode trollies, gotten makeovers, eaten at wonderful restaurants, cheered at triathalons, had dance parties, and dinner nights and birthday parites. Just livin' it up you could say until I start my next long term sub position. Then after that the company starts rollin' in for the summer starting with my Amanda, at the end of June and I am super excited!

Updates: Carrie has gone home to SC to see her brother get married and then meet her Hubby Mark for his RR~ we are so excited for you Carrie! Have a great time and enjoy every minute of it!


My cousins Jeremy and Buffy's second child, Ruby Lee was born today 8lbs 10oz. and very cute! Congratulations!


Also, my other cousins Marybeth and Mike went into labor today with their first child, Madison. So Congratulations to them as well! What a great day!