Moving day!
The entirety of our earthly possessions, packed, loaded, and gone in two hours.
before
during
after
bags for the plane
Monday, October 21, 2013
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Updates, and Plane Ticket!
So I've missed a lot of days and happenings. Let me get you up to date.
I was promoted to manager at work, which has turned out to be a lot of fun. Even though I had never worked retail before, the position turned out to be a good fit. I've been having a bit of fun here in Lansing, from contra dancing to the Renaissance Festival. It's been good to keep busy. I went to North Carolina last weekend to visit my family and meet my new niece. Things are changing so fast, and I wanted to be able to see everyone all at once, for the last time in a long time.
Nathan went to a spiritual retreat with two congregations. A few days in a resort hotel discussing theology was good for him. He also has been dodging typhoons, and dealing with the government shutdown.
But really, I'm dying to tell you the big news.
I have my plane ticket. I'm leaving for Okinawa in about two weeks. It all slowly came together, through a lot of prayer and asking questions and waiting. Just yesterday Nathan went to look at several housing options. We are settling on a place to live, and will be staying in an apartment in a Christian community center near Hansen until we can move in. Nathan bought a car for us, though we have to wait for the personally own vehicle approval comes through to drive it. The movers are coming a few days before I leave to pack up everything and ship it sometime in the next few months.
It's a lot of craziness. It's a lot to figure out and learn about and settle while both of us still work. Everything is new to us, so we have to be guided.
But it's almost over. After almost five months apart, we have just two weeks to go.
I was promoted to manager at work, which has turned out to be a lot of fun. Even though I had never worked retail before, the position turned out to be a good fit. I've been having a bit of fun here in Lansing, from contra dancing to the Renaissance Festival. It's been good to keep busy. I went to North Carolina last weekend to visit my family and meet my new niece. Things are changing so fast, and I wanted to be able to see everyone all at once, for the last time in a long time.
Nathan went to a spiritual retreat with two congregations. A few days in a resort hotel discussing theology was good for him. He also has been dodging typhoons, and dealing with the government shutdown.
But really, I'm dying to tell you the big news.
I have my plane ticket. I'm leaving for Okinawa in about two weeks. It all slowly came together, through a lot of prayer and asking questions and waiting. Just yesterday Nathan went to look at several housing options. We are settling on a place to live, and will be staying in an apartment in a Christian community center near Hansen until we can move in. Nathan bought a car for us, though we have to wait for the personally own vehicle approval comes through to drive it. The movers are coming a few days before I leave to pack up everything and ship it sometime in the next few months.
It's a lot of craziness. It's a lot to figure out and learn about and settle while both of us still work. Everything is new to us, so we have to be guided.
But it's almost over. After almost five months apart, we have just two weeks to go.
Sunday, September 8, 2013
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...
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)