Happy New Year!

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference." 

This past year was another year of traveling, and I traveled down some interesting roads (literally and figuratively!) in 2011.

Overall, it was a good year--filled with hope and anticipation. And I achieved some important goals. It feels great to review my bucket list, check off items, and add new ones to the list.

2012--I am ready for you! This is going to be a wonderful year, and I'm excited to start my next adventure!

Cheers!

A Season of Hope

Christmas at the Farm - 2010

I love Christmas--it's my favorite time of year! But I can't believe how quickly this year has flown by! This time last year I had just finished a contract in California, drove to Arizona, then flew to Washington for Christmas. After the new year, I spent 2011 primarily in school, and in uniform. I learned a lot this year--from both good and bad examples. And I made some great friends and great memories. The downside of 2011 was that I spent most of the year far away from the people I love.

2011 had its challenges--having pneumonia at the end of 2010 affected me physically most of the year, and it was tough being away from the people I love the most. But I grew--as a person, as a woman, and as an officer. I reconnected with old friends, I experienced new foods and climates (104 degrees in 100% humidity!), and I Skyped--alot! I'm so thankful for Skype, Facebook, email, cell phones . . . the list goes on. It isn't the same as being in the same room and certainly can't replace a hug, but it makes the world a much smaller place. I travel so much, yet I never feel alone--I am thankful for that.

I'm looking forward to 2012--I know it's going to be a wonderful year, full of happy surprises!


Merry Christmas everyone--have a safe and happy new year!

Hello Arizona!

 

After two long days of driving (ten hours the first day, nine the second), I arrived in Mohave Valley, Arizona yesterday around 4:30 in the afternoon. So far, the drive has been good, and thankfully my guardian angels haven't been busy. However, my GPS wasn't working, so I'm glad I know the way--I've driven this route so frequently that I felt like I was on auto-pilot!



Here are some of the sights from yesterday's drive:

Driving on CA-99 near Fresno

The desert near Needles, CA

Gas prices in Needles--EEEEK!

This one is from an earlier visit with my parents. 

Two days into my road trip:  Mohave Valley, AZ 

This is what lies ahead!

Ready . . . Set . . .

I am sooooo ready . . . I really am! Once I have a plan, I'm ready to go! In my mind, that is . . .

Truthfully, I have so much to do to get ready to leave for South Carolina . . . Yet in my mind, I'm already there. But half of the things I'll need are here with me in Washington, and the other half is in Arizona. Somehow, I need to get it all in my little car and get it to Ft. Jackson! But hey, I've done it before . . .

I'm excited--I've already started mapping my route and contacting friends to visit along the way. I love learning new things, visiting new places, and meeting new people. The only part I won't love is being away from my family . . .

I'm so glad my family is supportive of my adventures--I have the best family and friends. They understand what drives these adventures--that there is purpose and meaning to them. They understand that much of what I do . . . is ultimately for them.