July?

Can someone please tell me where the first six months of 2010 went??? I'm serious. Just yesterday it was January... They say time flies when you're having fun, so I guess that is proving to be true. I cannot believe that on July 29th (23 days from now), I will have been here at Lakenheath for a whole year. I think I am becoming more thankful every day for my assignment extension. If I had to think about being halfway through my time here already, I would be going crazy right now. When I actually look back at everything I've done in the last 11ish months, I know it is a lot, but I just feel like there is SO much more I want to do here!

Since I was a bad blogger and wrote all of two times in June, I will attempt to update you on what has been keeping me so busy. My parents came to visit during the first half of June, so we were in and out of town doing all kinds of fun things. The day they arrived, I met them in London and we stayed for the weekend and hit most of the sights in the city. We rode the London Eye (giant Ferris wheel), saw the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, and went on a boat tour of the Thames River, among other things. Here is a picture of Mom and me with the London Eye in the background:

I had to work a couple days during the week, but we made day trips to Bury St Edmunds and Ely, plus Mom and I went to tea with the women from my Bible study at a cute little tea room in Mildenhall. The next weekend, our Paris trip was unfortunately cancelled, but we made the best of it by traveling to my favorite place in England (yep, Dover!) to see Dover Castle, hike the White Cliffs, visit the Canterbury Cathedral, and eat at my favorite restaurant in Canterbury. On Sunday, my Cambridge friends Kathryn and Mark were nice enough to meet us in Cambridge for a tour of the University grounds and buildings, then my parents and I went punting on the Cam River. Here is a picture of Mom and Dad enjoying the ride in the punt:

They also got to meet a few of my friends, watch a couple softball games, ride in my Mini, and visit the house they lived in while stationed here almost 30 years ago. On the days I had to work, I was very spoiled by the things they found to keep themselves busy: Dad washed both of my cars, fixed and hung two big picture frames, and Mom vaccuumed my house from top to bottom, among other things. Don't I have great parents? :) I am very excited for my sister to come visit at the end of this month, too. She will be here for her 21st birthday weekend, and we are planning a trip to Paris to celebrate! Here is the link to the photo album from my parents' visit: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=450020&id=701905001&l=4cb67bd732

The second half of June was mostly consumed with hosting 21 Air Force ROTC cadets at Lakenheath, a project I somehow found myself as one of the main coordinators for. It was a crazy busy week and a half of very long and stressful days, but for the most part I think it went well. Being around these mostly 19-year-old college freshmen made me feel somewhat old, but mostly in a good way. I think I have changed a lot (for the better, I hope) since I was that age, and it was funny to remember being in their shoes.

The summer PCS (military-speak for "moving") season is in full swing, and unfortunately this meant my good friend Alex left Lakenheath for Boston at the end of June. I will miss her a lot, but I am sure we will see each other again... she is already trying to convince me to qualify for the Boston Marathon as an excuse to visit her! :) The night before she flew out from London, a few of us took the train into the city with her and enjoyed a last night out on the town before crashing in her super-awesome hotel right across from Big Ben. Here is a pic of Alex and me on the Westminster Bridge:

The most recent fun summer event was the 4th of July celebration at RAF Feltwell, a huge carnival-like party sponsored by both Lakenheath and Mildenhall. There was a 5K run on the morning of the 4th, which Martin and I ran despite having sore and exhausted legs from a tough workout at PT on Friday. It was not a very well-attended race, which resulted in another 2nd place female finish for me... amusing considering I wasn't even sure my legs could make it 3.1 miles that day! That night, we went back and rode some awesome rides, played games (even won a stuffed animal or two), and of course watched the fireworks display after it got slightly dark at 10pm. Pictures from this and other fun summer outings are here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=451942&id=701905001&l=ba768a2e1f

I'm going to close with an idea 100% stolen from my cousin Amy, the famous "Good List". These are things that have made me happy, reminded me to be thankful, or stuck out as being just plain GOOD recently:

Good List

1. England. I am reminded daily (whether I realize it or not) how blessed I am to live here and have the experiences I am having.

2. Songs that you can't help turning up and singing really loud in the car. :)

3. Reconnections.

4. Forgiveness.

5. The joy that only comes from driving with the convertible top down. B-)

6. New friends.

7. Fireworks. One of those things that reminds you of so many good times spent watching them with family and friends over the years.

8. Green tea.

9. Sleeping in. (!!!)

10. The OG softball team. We lost in the playoffs tonight, so our season is over, but it was a great 2 months spending 2 evenings a week with fun people.