But the real news...
Nathan finally got pinned as RP3. He is now officially E4!
He knew all week this was happening, but didn't tell me so that I would be surprised. I'm one proud Navy wife. It was a great day in this Sisson family.
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Promotion
After a crazy few days at my new job, today was the last day before the store opens tomorrow. I'm ready for the two days off I have. I've spent the past five days carrying boxes, climbing ladders, building shelves, folding clothes, jumping in dumpsters, and dressing manikins. Within the first day, my managers were mad that I am leaving in a few months because they wanted to promote me. I'm excited to work this job.
But the real news...
But the real news...
Settling In
Nathan and I are adjusting to the idea of being apart longer than planned. Within one day of job hunting, I had a position at rue21 (a trendy teen and young adult clothing chain) lined up. The store opens next week in the mall five minutes from where I live. Tomorrow is my first day, as it is for everyone else. I won't be the only one dealing with the new employee feeling! I haven't worked a retail or a fashion job before, but I am really looking forward to it. I will be working part time at minimum wage, but as the purpose is mostly to pass the time and provide structure, I do not mind.The location, store hours, and shifts are exactly what I was looking for. Although I was offered a job in cellular sales, I decided to try something new, and I'm excited about it.
I opened a gym membership at Planet Fitness, also five minutes from me. I went for the first time this evening, and was reminded how much I enjoy going. I had a membership to a health club when I lived in Maryland, and I definitely missed it. The game night in the cafe has become a regular part of my week. I also met some of Nathan's friends, and have been spending time with them. Although I would rather be with Nathan, I am settling in well to a longer-term lifestyle here in Michigan.
Over the past two weeks, I moved all of Nathan's belongings from the basement to the living room, sorting through everything from his babyhood to now. It was fun to see bits of his life before I knew him. I had quite a pile of things I wasn't sure what to do with, so we skyped twice and sorted through it together. Doing so brought up lots of memories and stories, and his parents joined the reminiscing too. At this point, everything is back in the basement, but sorted- some things coming to Okinawa, others not- just waiting to be packed.
Nathan splits his time between four chapels on three camps. With the chaplain on vacation, he has had extra responsibilities, including buying necessary items at the commissary. He frequently utilizes the library resources, his latest being Japanese language cds he listens to on his drive to work.He is becoming more confident and trusted in his duties with each day. He also appreciates the donuts left over from some of the services at his chapels.
I opened a gym membership at Planet Fitness, also five minutes from me. I went for the first time this evening, and was reminded how much I enjoy going. I had a membership to a health club when I lived in Maryland, and I definitely missed it. The game night in the cafe has become a regular part of my week. I also met some of Nathan's friends, and have been spending time with them. Although I would rather be with Nathan, I am settling in well to a longer-term lifestyle here in Michigan.
Over the past two weeks, I moved all of Nathan's belongings from the basement to the living room, sorting through everything from his babyhood to now. It was fun to see bits of his life before I knew him. I had quite a pile of things I wasn't sure what to do with, so we skyped twice and sorted through it together. Doing so brought up lots of memories and stories, and his parents joined the reminiscing too. At this point, everything is back in the basement, but sorted- some things coming to Okinawa, others not- just waiting to be packed.
Nathan splits his time between four chapels on three camps. With the chaplain on vacation, he has had extra responsibilities, including buying necessary items at the commissary. He frequently utilizes the library resources, his latest being Japanese language cds he listens to on his drive to work.He is becoming more confident and trusted in his duties with each day. He also appreciates the donuts left over from some of the services at his chapels.
Monday, July 22, 2013
July 10, 2013
Today is the one year anniversary since Nathan joined the Navy. Since then...
Nathan:
Nathan:
- survived and graduated boot camp with honors, Great Lakes, Illinois
- graduated top of his class in A School, Fort Jackson, South Carolina
- visited home for Christmas, Lansing, MI
- made a phone call to a certain girl that changed his future
- received orders to Okinawa, which were changed and changed back several times
- changed wedding date three times due to Navy scheduling
- worked a temporary RP position in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina
- made the engagement official on March 7, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina
- married his best friend on March 8, Jacksonville, North Carolina
- spent two weeks in a beachfront lodge with his new wife while working
- began CREST/FMBT training, Camp Johnson, North Carolina
- spent weekends with Alisa in various hotels, Jacksonville, North Carolina
- graduated as Honor RP from CREST on May 16, Camp Johnson, North Carolina
- got surprised by a weekend with a college friend, Williamsburg, Virginia
- spent a week with Alisa's family, Frederick, Maryland
- spent a week home, Lansing, Michigan
- traveled to Okinawa to begin his ~3 year command, Camp Butler, Okinawa
Alisa:
- spent two weeks with family and friends Raleigh, North Carolina and Chicago, Illinois
- worked as manager in a Verizon franchise, Frederick, Maryland
- worked briefly as a web content writer and tutored at the community college, Frederick, Maryland
- received a special phone call that changed her future
- changed wedding date three times due to Navy scheduling
- traveled early to avoid a northern snow storm, Raleigh, North Carolina
- officially said yes on March 7, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina
- married her best friend on March 8, Jacksonville, North Carolina
- spent two weeks in a beachfront lodge with her new husband after work each day
- traveled back to her parents' house during Nathan's first week of CREST, Frederick, Maryland
- spent weekends with Nathan in various hotels, Jacksonville, North Carolina
- lived weekdays with her brother and his family, Raleigh, North Carolina
- attended CREST graduation with Nathan's parents and grandparents
- surprised Nathan with a weekend spent with a college friend, Williamsburg, Virginia
- spent a week at her parents' house, Frederick, Maryland
- spent a week at her in-laws' house with Nathan, Lansing, Michigan
- moved in with the in-laws, Lansing, Michigan
- traveled to her parents' house for a week, Frederick, Maryland
- attended a college friend's wedding, Indianapolis, Maryland
- returned to her in-laws' to stay until going overseas, Lansing, Michigan
one year ago
Thursday, July 18, 2013
July 18th, 2013
As I mentioned before, Nathan made E4 earlier this year, although he has yet to be pinned. Even though he made it, the pay raise does not kick in for awhile. We learned earlier this week that I cannot go to Okinawa until it does. At this point, we're looking at November. It's heartbreaking, thinking of being apart for several more months, especially after working so hard to get everything done and being told I could go next month.
The next few months, being honest, will be hard. The past few days have been long as the reality sinks in that I will not be spending the summer or most of the fall with him, and that I have already lived longer with my in-laws than I have with him. He has to spend the months alone, working and learning the area. Although we are each doing well in our respective locations, the time apart is heartache. But we know we will make it, so we keep pressing forward.
With this news, our perspectives have to change a little. I've begun job hunting, looking for something to pass the time. He is creating a better grocery plan that fits with his geo-bachlor state. We have to get used to the idea that our relationship will be a cyber one for several more months. It's an adjustment, and we do not cherish the idea of spending so much time apart. But we know it isn't forever, and our marriage is, so we will just keep waiting.
The next few months, being honest, will be hard. The past few days have been long as the reality sinks in that I will not be spending the summer or most of the fall with him, and that I have already lived longer with my in-laws than I have with him. He has to spend the months alone, working and learning the area. Although we are each doing well in our respective locations, the time apart is heartache. But we know we will make it, so we keep pressing forward.
With this news, our perspectives have to change a little. I've begun job hunting, looking for something to pass the time. He is creating a better grocery plan that fits with his geo-bachlor state. We have to get used to the idea that our relationship will be a cyber one for several more months. It's an adjustment, and we do not cherish the idea of spending so much time apart. But we know it isn't forever, and our marriage is, so we will just keep waiting.
Friday, July 5, 2013
News from Here and There
Nathan left for Okinawa nearly six weeks ago. I find it hard to believe so much time has passed, yet I have felt every single day. The first week was heartbreaking, constantly aware of each other's absence. Since then, we've figured out a pattern of communication, allowing us to be in contact for several hours every day. Although the ache is still there, the bond is strong enough to keep us going.
At this point, he is finally working his job as an RP at several chapels in Okinawa. Explained simply, he is an assistant to a chaplain, running the chapel while also responsible for chaplain's personal safety. He has been going through job training at several different chapels and will soon replace several RPs. As his chapel is about an hour from where he is living, he will be issued a government vehicle. This past week, he had driver's training classes and got to drive his car- on the opposite side of the road.
He is also on commuter rations, so instead of going to chow at every meal, he is givin a monetary allotment and shops and prepares his own food. The first week resulted in a lot of Poptarts, but he figured out a system after that. Although he is skillful in the kitchen, I will be happy when I can get there and cook for the both of us. We learned in May that he passed the test and is being promoted to E4, though his indoctrination won't take place until early next year due to scheduling. Officially, he is now known as RP3 Sisson.
As for me, I have been getting acquainted with my in-laws in Michigan, which is where I am now living. They have made it very easy to be here, and we spent most of our time together. I initially did a little job hunting, but the job market here is very poor, and not knowing how long I am going to be here makes it difficult to commit to an employer.
After the first week without Nathan here, I went back to my parents' house for a week; it was a rather long roadtrip by myself, but still enjoyable. I got to catch up with some friends, purposefully spending time with them since I don't know if I will ever live nearby again. I finished a painting project in the kitchen that I had started nearly a year ago, and spent a lot of time with my family, including biking on the C & O canal in Harper's Ferry. My family is rapidly growing up, many of them moving on at once, so we were purposeful about our time together, knowing it may be the last for a long time. At the end of the week home, I caravaned with a friend to Indianapolis, Indiana, for a college friend's wedding. Catching up with a bunch of my classmates was great, especially since it was the first time I had seen any of them since grad, and it was so soon after my own sudden wedding.
Now I'm back in Michigan, spending most of my time with Nancy, my mother-in-law. I have joined a game night group nearby, which is full of great people and is a highlight of my week. This past week was busy with Independence Day plans and tours of Michigan sites led by my new family members. I've spent many days working on putting together my overseas screening, which is all the medical exams, shots, and papers required to join Nathan in Okinawa. Being new to all this, it has taken many phone calls and a lot of research, but as of now, I am waiting on a few results to come in, then I am finished. After this comes the waiting part, but I always find more things I need to handle and organize and research.
We're hoping I can go to Okinawa in a month or two, but are aware that we might have to wait six months. Nathan will be pinned as E4 in two weeks, but since the pay doesn't kick in until November, we might have to wait until then to fully apply. On the whole, things are going well. We are both settling in to our temporary lives, looking forward to our more permanent ones together in the hopefully not so distant future. As always, we spend much of our time talking about plans and schemes, wishing for the day when we can be together again.
At this point, he is finally working his job as an RP at several chapels in Okinawa. Explained simply, he is an assistant to a chaplain, running the chapel while also responsible for chaplain's personal safety. He has been going through job training at several different chapels and will soon replace several RPs. As his chapel is about an hour from where he is living, he will be issued a government vehicle. This past week, he had driver's training classes and got to drive his car- on the opposite side of the road.
He is also on commuter rations, so instead of going to chow at every meal, he is givin a monetary allotment and shops and prepares his own food. The first week resulted in a lot of Poptarts, but he figured out a system after that. Although he is skillful in the kitchen, I will be happy when I can get there and cook for the both of us. We learned in May that he passed the test and is being promoted to E4, though his indoctrination won't take place until early next year due to scheduling. Officially, he is now known as RP3 Sisson.
As for me, I have been getting acquainted with my in-laws in Michigan, which is where I am now living. They have made it very easy to be here, and we spent most of our time together. I initially did a little job hunting, but the job market here is very poor, and not knowing how long I am going to be here makes it difficult to commit to an employer.
After the first week without Nathan here, I went back to my parents' house for a week; it was a rather long roadtrip by myself, but still enjoyable. I got to catch up with some friends, purposefully spending time with them since I don't know if I will ever live nearby again. I finished a painting project in the kitchen that I had started nearly a year ago, and spent a lot of time with my family, including biking on the C & O canal in Harper's Ferry. My family is rapidly growing up, many of them moving on at once, so we were purposeful about our time together, knowing it may be the last for a long time. At the end of the week home, I caravaned with a friend to Indianapolis, Indiana, for a college friend's wedding. Catching up with a bunch of my classmates was great, especially since it was the first time I had seen any of them since grad, and it was so soon after my own sudden wedding.
Now I'm back in Michigan, spending most of my time with Nancy, my mother-in-law. I have joined a game night group nearby, which is full of great people and is a highlight of my week. This past week was busy with Independence Day plans and tours of Michigan sites led by my new family members. I've spent many days working on putting together my overseas screening, which is all the medical exams, shots, and papers required to join Nathan in Okinawa. Being new to all this, it has taken many phone calls and a lot of research, but as of now, I am waiting on a few results to come in, then I am finished. After this comes the waiting part, but I always find more things I need to handle and organize and research.
We're hoping I can go to Okinawa in a month or two, but are aware that we might have to wait six months. Nathan will be pinned as E4 in two weeks, but since the pay doesn't kick in until November, we might have to wait until then to fully apply. On the whole, things are going well. We are both settling in to our temporary lives, looking forward to our more permanent ones together in the hopefully not so distant future. As always, we spend much of our time talking about plans and schemes, wishing for the day when we can be together again.
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