Bits and pieces

I've gathered most of my uniforms, tolietries and personal items for the next 5months. It's hard to decide what to pack when you have limited space but an extended period of time. Good news is, I check in on the ship 15APR and we don't set sail till 01MAY. Meaning if there is anything I think of last minute, I can get it!

From what I understand this may or may not count as an official deployment. To be official I have to gone a certain amount of days.

Right now I'm switching focuses to study for my certification in peds nursing. Test is next Wednesday and I think I've opened my book twice. Ugh...

Oh also working out as much as possible...have to be within "Navy standards" to be able to deploy. Lots of little stresses.

Finally some information...

...but not till Thursday.

Bummer.

My choices are either a 0700 or a 1300 brief. Did I mention I'm on night shift now so both are incredibly inconvenient. Joy.

Who needs sleep anyway when you have caffeine?

Here we go again on that emotional rollercoaster...

...obviously it is very exciting to be chosen to go on a humanitarian mission. Not very many people get to do this! But like all time away from home it comes with some downfalls. I will be missing my sisters graduation from college, my second anniversary, my husband's 30th birthday (my 26th as well)...my father in laws graduation from his deacon program, my sister's due date for my newest niece...etc. I try not to think about this too much as there will be plenty of time to celebrate life when I get back. But it's hard not to. If I stay in the Navy this could count as one of my deployments which would be a great relief (rather than spending 6months in Iraq or Afghanistan). Timing is great since A and I don't have any kiddos yet...Amazingly there are no weddings this summer which is a plus (compared to the 10 or so that have occurred over the past 2 years).
Tomorrow I will get some items together for my seabag...thank goodness on this deployment I can pack my laptop and some additional personal items. :-)

Pick me, pick me!!

Pick me! Finally...they picked me. They are sending 1 nurse from pediatrics (at Balboa) to the Mercy...I got lucky!
I've only know for less than 7 hours and I'm already on the emotional roller coaster...
Here goes nothing!