I am now living in my beautiful new house. :) It is empty except for my luggage, the boxes I mailed to myself, and a borrowed air mattress, but I am living in it. My household goods (furniture and stuff) will be delivered on Tuesday and Thursday this coming week. It's kind of nice to have some time to decide where I am going to put things, because there are a lot of options when you expand from a 1-bedroom apt to a 3-bedroom house.
The landlords left me a lot of nice things, like a washer and dryer, bathroom stuff like cleaning supplies and toilet paper, decorative light fixtures, some mirrors and paintings on the walls. I like having some things to base my decorating scheme on, because I am sort of clueless in that area, but I would like this house to look a little nicer than my previous apt's "dorm-room" look. (Never fear, Penn State fans, I think I am going to make my computer room all blue and white for a "Penn State room"!) I really like the landlords, they are both teachers and have two cute little boys, and they have been really helpful and nice to me in this process. The wife's name is Jo and she is a runner too, so she gave me a lot of great suggestions for running in the area. :)
I tried to explore Downham Market a little this morning, but I only made it as far as the market and the town information center before I was carrying so much in plastic bags that it was cutting off the circulation in my fingers and I decided to go home. The info center was a gold mine of free tour books and magazines! I can't wait to read them and plan more adventures. Tomorrow I am going to church at the one on my street, even though it is Church of England and I may not know exactly what is going on... I think they'll let me in, hehe. It is a beautiful church on the outside and it will be cool to go inside and see what the service is like. I'm curious. Then in the afternoon, I'm going to explore Ely with my friend Cassie from OCF, and I will finally see the cathedral everyone is talking about. Then I'll have some pictures to post!
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Pictures, Car, and House
This will have to be fast, because I have to get to work for swing shift, but there is so much going on that I didn't want to skip a day. :)
First, I finally convinced Facebook to upload my pictures from Castle Acre Priory and Castle, which I visited on Sunday. Here is the link: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=299868&id=701905001&l=49101b3128
Second, my Cabrio is here!!! So happy, can't wait to get it legalized so I can enjoy some of this beautiful weather with the top down. I have the rental car until next Wednesday, so I think that should be enough time to get the light conversion, inspection, and registration done.
Third, I get my house tomorrow night! The lease starts on Friday, but the landlords wanted to meet me on Thursday night to hand over the keys and do inventory, which works wonderfully for me because we have Friday off and I am still considering a full-day adventure. Drove over to the agent's office today to turn in the deposit, and drove by the house on the way back since it is right around the corner. I am really excited to explore Downham Market once I am in the house, there is so much there right outside my door.
Must run for now, taking Cabrio to the Auto Craft center on the way to work to make an appointment for light conversion.
First, I finally convinced Facebook to upload my pictures from Castle Acre Priory and Castle, which I visited on Sunday. Here is the link: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=299868&id=701905001&l=49101b3128
Second, my Cabrio is here!!! So happy, can't wait to get it legalized so I can enjoy some of this beautiful weather with the top down. I have the rental car until next Wednesday, so I think that should be enough time to get the light conversion, inspection, and registration done.
Third, I get my house tomorrow night! The lease starts on Friday, but the landlords wanted to meet me on Thursday night to hand over the keys and do inventory, which works wonderfully for me because we have Friday off and I am still considering a full-day adventure. Drove over to the agent's office today to turn in the deposit, and drove by the house on the way back since it is right around the corner. I am really excited to explore Downham Market once I am in the house, there is so much there right outside my door.
Must run for now, taking Cabrio to the Auto Craft center on the way to work to make an appointment for light conversion.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
UNBELIEVABLE
I cannot believe that this is happening. I can't even sit here and type it because I don't believe it's happening and when I start to think about it I want to jump up and dance around the room or scream or go run 10 miles. Oh my goodness. Okay, breathe... on Sep 6th (12 days from now), I am going to the USAFE Weather Conference at Edelweiss Resort in the German Alps. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jose and MSgt Bianchi, as the flight commander and flight chief, were supposed to be going, but Jose just found out on Friday that the OSS/CC is giving him a high-level tasking that will take most of his time for the next few months. So I am going to the conference with MSgt Bianchi. I don't believe this. Just so you understand what this place looks like, check out the link: http://www.edelweisslodgeandresort.com/ Now, add to this that it is located less than an hour from Neuschwanstein castle, and if you know me at all you will understand why I am going through the roof about this. Neuschwanstein is THE fairy tale castle, what Disney based his castle on, and the central fixture in all my dreaming about Europe. Picture:
It's perfect, it's real, and in 12 days I will physically be less than an hour away from it when it has been nothing more than a dream or figment of my imagination for so long. MSgt Bianchi has pretty much agreed to go with me if we get out of the conference in time on Friday and can find a way there. If he helps me get to this castle, I think I will owe him for the rest of my life. I've already warned him that he might have to tie a string to me on this trip to keep me from floating away, but he doesn't seem too concerned. He is definitely getting his share of laughs from my excitement, which I am happy about because I am afraid he will get tired of me bouncing off the walls. I don't think my feet have touched the ground since yesterday. It's a good thing I was exhausted after a 16-hour busy work day or I don't think I would have slept.
Even without Neuschwanstein in the picture... I am getting paid to spend a week waking up to the German Alps outside my window. I cannot imagine why God has given me this opportunity, on top of everything else, but I guess that is the overwhelming beauty of grace. I think back to the day in my last semester of college when I found out I was going to Barksdale (last on my list) instead of Germany. I remember it like it was yesterday because I thought it was the worst day of my life. It felt like all my dreams had been ripped away from me. I cried for an entire weekend, and was angry at God for much longer. It's actually embarrassing to think about now, because it makes me sound selfish and shallow and ungrateful, which I suppose I am. Especially because I LOVE the people I met and the memories I made at Barksdale, and I wouldn't trade those relationships for anything.
I think this is one of the hardest things about faith... when something bad happens, all you see is the pain and the last thing you want to hear is "it's part of God's plan", or "rejoice in suffering", because it feels mocking - like your pain doesn't matter. I don't think that's how God wants us to feel. I don't have all the answers and I never will, but I do believe that blessings can come through pain, that God takes bad things and brings good out of them... it just may take time for us to see that. Like I see now.
I am working swing shifts this week (3-11pm), and now I have to run and pick up my car (yippee!) before work, but I had to get a quick blog in with my news. Bye!
Jose and MSgt Bianchi, as the flight commander and flight chief, were supposed to be going, but Jose just found out on Friday that the OSS/CC is giving him a high-level tasking that will take most of his time for the next few months. So I am going to the conference with MSgt Bianchi. I don't believe this. Just so you understand what this place looks like, check out the link: http://www.edelweisslodgeandresort.com/ Now, add to this that it is located less than an hour from Neuschwanstein castle, and if you know me at all you will understand why I am going through the roof about this. Neuschwanstein is THE fairy tale castle, what Disney based his castle on, and the central fixture in all my dreaming about Europe. Picture:
It's perfect, it's real, and in 12 days I will physically be less than an hour away from it when it has been nothing more than a dream or figment of my imagination for so long. MSgt Bianchi has pretty much agreed to go with me if we get out of the conference in time on Friday and can find a way there. If he helps me get to this castle, I think I will owe him for the rest of my life. I've already warned him that he might have to tie a string to me on this trip to keep me from floating away, but he doesn't seem too concerned. He is definitely getting his share of laughs from my excitement, which I am happy about because I am afraid he will get tired of me bouncing off the walls. I don't think my feet have touched the ground since yesterday. It's a good thing I was exhausted after a 16-hour busy work day or I don't think I would have slept.Even without Neuschwanstein in the picture... I am getting paid to spend a week waking up to the German Alps outside my window. I cannot imagine why God has given me this opportunity, on top of everything else, but I guess that is the overwhelming beauty of grace. I think back to the day in my last semester of college when I found out I was going to Barksdale (last on my list) instead of Germany. I remember it like it was yesterday because I thought it was the worst day of my life. It felt like all my dreams had been ripped away from me. I cried for an entire weekend, and was angry at God for much longer. It's actually embarrassing to think about now, because it makes me sound selfish and shallow and ungrateful, which I suppose I am. Especially because I LOVE the people I met and the memories I made at Barksdale, and I wouldn't trade those relationships for anything.
I think this is one of the hardest things about faith... when something bad happens, all you see is the pain and the last thing you want to hear is "it's part of God's plan", or "rejoice in suffering", because it feels mocking - like your pain doesn't matter. I don't think that's how God wants us to feel. I don't have all the answers and I never will, but I do believe that blessings can come through pain, that God takes bad things and brings good out of them... it just may take time for us to see that. Like I see now.
I am working swing shifts this week (3-11pm), and now I have to run and pick up my car (yippee!) before work, but I had to get a quick blog in with my news. Bye!
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Living a dream
This weekend, I walked on castle walls, climbed towers with winding staircases, and explored the ruins of a majestic 12th century priory... I think I took off from Dallas last month and landed in a dream. There have been so many times in the last 3 weeks that I have wanted to pinch myself to make sure this was actually happening, but then I don't... because if this is a dream, I don't think I want to wake up.
I spent today in a town called Castle Acre, the site of an 11th century castle (now in ruins) and a 12th century priory (aka monastery, also in ruins). The castle part was not as impressive as Framlingham Castle, which I visited on Friday, but the priory blew me away. The site is managed by English Heritage, mentioned in my last post, and they offer audio tours at most of their sites. You get a little walkie-talkie thing to carry around with you, and it's totally self-paced; you just press certain numbers that correspond to parts of the site, and it talks about whatever part you are in front of. I love it because it tells you exactly what to look at and explains the background of everything you are seeing, like a personal tour guide.
It was an absolutely gorgeous day - sunny, bright blue sky, few clouds. As I began walking through the priory ruins, my friend the audio tour began the incredible story of the priory's rise in the early 1100s. The first part of the ruins that you walk through happens to be the church. I wince at the term "church" here, because it feels like it needs a much more majestic name to give you the best visual description, but after learning the technical definition of "cathedral" last week, I will use "church" as applicable here. The church was the largest part of the priory, and built in the shape of a cross, typical of the time period. The entrance wall is the most intact part, and is at the "bottom" of the cross shape. The wall is just incredible to look at - massive arches form holes where stained glass windows used to be, the top just seems to reach all the way to the sky when you stand next to it. Once inside the walls, the audio tour plays haunting music with voices of monks chanting, and paints a scene of what the inside of the church looked like hundreds of years ago.
In the middle of the cross shape, where the north and south transepts meet, there is an altar. It is made of stones, and sits alone in the expanse of bright green grass enclosed by the walls, where intricate painted tile used to cover the ground. Maybe it was the music from the audio tour, or the rays of sunlight shining through the ruined walls, but standing in front of that altar... I felt like I was on hallowed ground. I was all alone in the ruins at this point, and the gravity of everything I have seen here all rushed through my head at once... imagining a 12th century monk kneeling at this same altar, the forces of history that changed this church from the way he knew it to the ruins I stand in today, so many lives lived between his and mine... yet here the altar stands. It might be the most beautiful physical representation of the omnipresence of God that I have seen with my own eyes. The 12th century is almost unfathomably long ago for me, yet the same God I worship today was there, and was there before history even began. I knelt down at the altar and said a prayer, thanking God for allowing me to be here, to experience all the incredible moments that I could never hope to deserve, to kneel at this altar and somehow feel like a part of the hundreds of years of history it has witnessed.
I'm not sure I will ever get used to seeing things like the priory ruins. I mean, I feel like I walk and drive around in a constant state of awe at the things I see and what they represent. I don't want to lose that, I don't want to ever take things like castles and cathedrals for granted, to see them as commonplace just because there are so many over here. I've been warned that I'm in the "honeymoon phase", that once winter comes and it is dark and cloudy and rainy all the time, I won't be so in love with England. I really hate that thought. If I was to ever complain about being here, it would be like snubbing my nose at the unbelievable gift I have been given. I know some of you (maybe all of you) reading this may think this sounds ridiculous, may not believe it is possible to feel so connected to a place. And I can't really blame you, because I'm not even sure I can explain to myself why it means so much to me, much less someone else. All I can say is that I am thankful for every day I have here, and I don't ever want to forget that.
Pictures from Friday's trip to Framlingham Castle: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=299235&id=701905001&l=3f1995dad6
Pictures from Sunday's trip to Castle Acre Priory and Castle: Unfortunately Facebook is not cooperating with me tonight and I can't get them posted... will try again tomorrow, sorry!
I spent today in a town called Castle Acre, the site of an 11th century castle (now in ruins) and a 12th century priory (aka monastery, also in ruins). The castle part was not as impressive as Framlingham Castle, which I visited on Friday, but the priory blew me away. The site is managed by English Heritage, mentioned in my last post, and they offer audio tours at most of their sites. You get a little walkie-talkie thing to carry around with you, and it's totally self-paced; you just press certain numbers that correspond to parts of the site, and it talks about whatever part you are in front of. I love it because it tells you exactly what to look at and explains the background of everything you are seeing, like a personal tour guide.
It was an absolutely gorgeous day - sunny, bright blue sky, few clouds. As I began walking through the priory ruins, my friend the audio tour began the incredible story of the priory's rise in the early 1100s. The first part of the ruins that you walk through happens to be the church. I wince at the term "church" here, because it feels like it needs a much more majestic name to give you the best visual description, but after learning the technical definition of "cathedral" last week, I will use "church" as applicable here. The church was the largest part of the priory, and built in the shape of a cross, typical of the time period. The entrance wall is the most intact part, and is at the "bottom" of the cross shape. The wall is just incredible to look at - massive arches form holes where stained glass windows used to be, the top just seems to reach all the way to the sky when you stand next to it. Once inside the walls, the audio tour plays haunting music with voices of monks chanting, and paints a scene of what the inside of the church looked like hundreds of years ago.
In the middle of the cross shape, where the north and south transepts meet, there is an altar. It is made of stones, and sits alone in the expanse of bright green grass enclosed by the walls, where intricate painted tile used to cover the ground. Maybe it was the music from the audio tour, or the rays of sunlight shining through the ruined walls, but standing in front of that altar... I felt like I was on hallowed ground. I was all alone in the ruins at this point, and the gravity of everything I have seen here all rushed through my head at once... imagining a 12th century monk kneeling at this same altar, the forces of history that changed this church from the way he knew it to the ruins I stand in today, so many lives lived between his and mine... yet here the altar stands. It might be the most beautiful physical representation of the omnipresence of God that I have seen with my own eyes. The 12th century is almost unfathomably long ago for me, yet the same God I worship today was there, and was there before history even began. I knelt down at the altar and said a prayer, thanking God for allowing me to be here, to experience all the incredible moments that I could never hope to deserve, to kneel at this altar and somehow feel like a part of the hundreds of years of history it has witnessed.
I'm not sure I will ever get used to seeing things like the priory ruins. I mean, I feel like I walk and drive around in a constant state of awe at the things I see and what they represent. I don't want to lose that, I don't want to ever take things like castles and cathedrals for granted, to see them as commonplace just because there are so many over here. I've been warned that I'm in the "honeymoon phase", that once winter comes and it is dark and cloudy and rainy all the time, I won't be so in love with England. I really hate that thought. If I was to ever complain about being here, it would be like snubbing my nose at the unbelievable gift I have been given. I know some of you (maybe all of you) reading this may think this sounds ridiculous, may not believe it is possible to feel so connected to a place. And I can't really blame you, because I'm not even sure I can explain to myself why it means so much to me, much less someone else. All I can say is that I am thankful for every day I have here, and I don't ever want to forget that.
Pictures from Friday's trip to Framlingham Castle: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=299235&id=701905001&l=3f1995dad6
Pictures from Sunday's trip to Castle Acre Priory and Castle: Unfortunately Facebook is not cooperating with me tonight and I can't get them posted... will try again tomorrow, sorry!
Thursday, August 20, 2009
English Heritage
Okay, so this part has nothing to do with the title, but I have to give you the best news of the day first. The AF SSgt promotion list came out today, and one of my top airmen from my flight at Barksdale was on it!!! This guy just put on SrA in November after earning SrA BTZ, and got his 5-level just before the cutoff for testing this year... and he made it!!! I was so excited I literally jumped up from my desk and cheered (garnering a few amused looks from around the office). Then, I thought, what are the chances he is working today, or at least came in to check the list? (This was 2pm my time, 8am Barksdale time.) So I called one of my forecaster desks (gotta love DSN), and he answered! That made it even more exciting, to get to congratulate him personally so quickly, even though I am in another country. :)
Now, about the main topic. When I in-processed with our OSS/CC two weeks ago, of course I mentioned how excited I was to be in England and all the things I wanted to see, so he gave me a magazine-type guide book about England from an organization he is a member of called English Heritage. I didn't really look through it too much then, but I picked it up again today as I was still debating where to go this weekend. Turns out, this organization is amazing! They support the upkeep of over 400 historical properties in England, and if you are a member, you get FREE admission to all of them! Membership is only 43 GBP (pounds, I don't know how to make the symbol) per year, approximately equal to $70. If you look at the individual properties, admission is generally 5-10 GBP each, so if I visit 5-9 properties in a year, it will easily pay for itself. At the rate I hope to go, it will pay for itself in 3 months!
The web site and guide book are awesome, they divide the country into regions so you can see what is near you, and they have all kinds of information about what is available at each site, and pictures! They have a big feature on Dover Castle, which I have decided will be next weekend's big adventure. This weekend, I was already too committed to evening events on Friday and Saturday, and Dover will take a full day, being 3 hours away. So this weekend, I will choose from the previously mentioned Ely cathedral, the highly recommended Warwick Castle, or these two I found in the English Heritage book/site: Framlingham Castle (http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.12586/chosenImageId/1) and Orford Castle (http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.12638/chosenImageId/1). I am leaning towards Framlingham for tomorrow.
I had a beautiful run tonight - the weather was just amazing... cool and a little windy, then the sun was setting just as I ran around the west side of the runway. Gorgeous. I might actually become a runner again here. :) Time for a shower and bed... then a weekend of adventures!!!
Now, about the main topic. When I in-processed with our OSS/CC two weeks ago, of course I mentioned how excited I was to be in England and all the things I wanted to see, so he gave me a magazine-type guide book about England from an organization he is a member of called English Heritage. I didn't really look through it too much then, but I picked it up again today as I was still debating where to go this weekend. Turns out, this organization is amazing! They support the upkeep of over 400 historical properties in England, and if you are a member, you get FREE admission to all of them! Membership is only 43 GBP (pounds, I don't know how to make the symbol) per year, approximately equal to $70. If you look at the individual properties, admission is generally 5-10 GBP each, so if I visit 5-9 properties in a year, it will easily pay for itself. At the rate I hope to go, it will pay for itself in 3 months!
The web site and guide book are awesome, they divide the country into regions so you can see what is near you, and they have all kinds of information about what is available at each site, and pictures! They have a big feature on Dover Castle, which I have decided will be next weekend's big adventure. This weekend, I was already too committed to evening events on Friday and Saturday, and Dover will take a full day, being 3 hours away. So this weekend, I will choose from the previously mentioned Ely cathedral, the highly recommended Warwick Castle, or these two I found in the English Heritage book/site: Framlingham Castle (http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.12586/chosenImageId/1) and Orford Castle (http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.12638/chosenImageId/1). I am leaning towards Framlingham for tomorrow.
I had a beautiful run tonight - the weather was just amazing... cool and a little windy, then the sun was setting just as I ran around the west side of the runway. Gorgeous. I might actually become a runner again here. :) Time for a shower and bed... then a weekend of adventures!!!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Where to travel?
Because there were more exciting things to talk about on Monday (like my house), I did not mention the PTL class I went to that afternoon. (For non-AF, that means Physical Training Leader, the person who leads group workouts.) I was a PTL at Barksdale, so I only had to do an afternoon "refresher" course to be certified here. The class involved a 45-minute presentation by the base exercise physiologist (or whatever his title is), then a 45-minute workout led by him. Aerobically, this was not a challenging workout... we ran around the aerobics room for about 5 minutes to warm up. Calisthenics-wise... different story. Holy cow, this guy was crazy. Among other things, we did EIGHT sets of 20 body-weight squats. In front of a mirror to ensure you went down all the way every time. If this does not sound hard, just try... and only rest 10 seconds in between sets. Long story short, I have been ridiculously sore for two days and have not gone running, which irritates me. But I am sure I can start again tomorrow.
Today was a fun one at work. Yesterday, I conspired with the flight chief, MSgt Bianchi, to surprise Jose for his birthday today, which involved us going into work last night, blowing up almost 300 balloons, and stuffing Jose's office with them. It was fun, and the other flight members seemed to enjoy watching Jose's reaction this morning. He was surprised and I think he liked it. Then around lunchtime we had a farewell BBQ for an airman who is separating. After that, no one was really motivated to do more work, especially since some families had come in and there were little kids running around the building chasing Jose's balloons and popping them, screaming with delight. I got to sit and talk to MSgt Bianchi for a while, which was cool, I enjoyed getting to know him better and hearing stories about his experiences.
Next on my to-do list is to figure out travel plans for the next 2 or 3 weekends. Don't hate me for this, but it just so happens that we have three 3-day weekends in a row coming up. This Friday, 21 Aug, is a "Goal Day" for the wing, which means we met our goals for EPR/OPR timeliness, PT test pass rate, etc, for a certain period of time, so we get a day off. Next Friday, 28 Aug, is a family day because there is a British holiday on Monday the 31st (don't ask me why we don't have Monday off instead, I don't get it either). Then Monday, 7 Sep, is Labor Day. So, obviously, this provides many opportunities for travel and exploring.
These plans are complicated somewhat by base-related events already planned, such as OCF on Fridays at 6pm and Jose's flight BBQ this Saturday at 5pm. I'm not going to miss the flight BBQ, but I'm not ruling out missing an OCF meeting if I need a day for a full-day trip. I really, really, really want to go to Dover, for the castle and the cliffs, and that would require a full day. I want to go before the end of August, because on the web site it says that the tunnel tour only goes through August. I am leaning towards one of the Fridays, since it might be less crowded than a weekend. I also really want to go to London with Kathryn and Mark, but I am not sure if a trip will fit into their schedule soon. That would also be a full-day trip, and would have to be on a weekend for their schedules.
There is also the issue of a traveling buddy. There are pros and cons to having one, depending on where I go. I would not want to do London by myself, for example. However, for places more open, it is kind of nice to be able to wander around and explore and not worry about the other person possibly being bored. I am not sure anyone would have enjoyed following me through the meadow footpaths in Bury last weekend, but I loved it. Also, other than Kathryn and Mark, who I have known for years, I don't really know anyone well enough here to ask them to go somewhere with me, without worrying about whether they are just saying yes to be nice or if they really want to go. That is not meant to be a sad statement, just a fact that I have only been here for less than three weeks, you know? I'm sure as I build friendships, that will change, it is just early now.
So, plenty to consider, I will let you know tomorrow what I decide. (Those who have been here, I'd love to hear more suggestions for my next 3 weekends!)
Today was a fun one at work. Yesterday, I conspired with the flight chief, MSgt Bianchi, to surprise Jose for his birthday today, which involved us going into work last night, blowing up almost 300 balloons, and stuffing Jose's office with them. It was fun, and the other flight members seemed to enjoy watching Jose's reaction this morning. He was surprised and I think he liked it. Then around lunchtime we had a farewell BBQ for an airman who is separating. After that, no one was really motivated to do more work, especially since some families had come in and there were little kids running around the building chasing Jose's balloons and popping them, screaming with delight. I got to sit and talk to MSgt Bianchi for a while, which was cool, I enjoyed getting to know him better and hearing stories about his experiences.
Next on my to-do list is to figure out travel plans for the next 2 or 3 weekends. Don't hate me for this, but it just so happens that we have three 3-day weekends in a row coming up. This Friday, 21 Aug, is a "Goal Day" for the wing, which means we met our goals for EPR/OPR timeliness, PT test pass rate, etc, for a certain period of time, so we get a day off. Next Friday, 28 Aug, is a family day because there is a British holiday on Monday the 31st (don't ask me why we don't have Monday off instead, I don't get it either). Then Monday, 7 Sep, is Labor Day. So, obviously, this provides many opportunities for travel and exploring.
These plans are complicated somewhat by base-related events already planned, such as OCF on Fridays at 6pm and Jose's flight BBQ this Saturday at 5pm. I'm not going to miss the flight BBQ, but I'm not ruling out missing an OCF meeting if I need a day for a full-day trip. I really, really, really want to go to Dover, for the castle and the cliffs, and that would require a full day. I want to go before the end of August, because on the web site it says that the tunnel tour only goes through August. I am leaning towards one of the Fridays, since it might be less crowded than a weekend. I also really want to go to London with Kathryn and Mark, but I am not sure if a trip will fit into their schedule soon. That would also be a full-day trip, and would have to be on a weekend for their schedules.
There is also the issue of a traveling buddy. There are pros and cons to having one, depending on where I go. I would not want to do London by myself, for example. However, for places more open, it is kind of nice to be able to wander around and explore and not worry about the other person possibly being bored. I am not sure anyone would have enjoyed following me through the meadow footpaths in Bury last weekend, but I loved it. Also, other than Kathryn and Mark, who I have known for years, I don't really know anyone well enough here to ask them to go somewhere with me, without worrying about whether they are just saying yes to be nice or if they really want to go. That is not meant to be a sad statement, just a fact that I have only been here for less than three weeks, you know? I'm sure as I build friendships, that will change, it is just early now.
So, plenty to consider, I will let you know tomorrow what I decide. (Those who have been here, I'd love to hear more suggestions for my next 3 weekends!)
Monday, August 17, 2009
One step closer
My house passed its base inspection! Woohoo!!! :D For those unfamiliar with this process (which was me until 2 weeks ago), when you rent a property off base, it has to have a "Life Safety Inspection" by a DoD contractor. I am told the main points of this are to check for smoke/carbon monoxide detectors, broken windows, electrical hazards, etc. I am not completely sure why this is done over here and not in the US, but maybe because the average age of buildings over here is older. I don't know. Anyway, point is, now I am approved to sign the lease and move into my house on Aug 28th - next Friday!!!
I also think I found a new trip destination for the near future. I was looking for something on the Lakenheath web site today and stumbled across this article: http://www.lakenheath.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123163279. First thought: How do I get that job? I could handle traveling to places like that and writing reviews. Second thought: I need to go there! If you know me, you know how I feel about castles, so that part is a given... but castles with secret tunnels?!?!? That is what dreams are made of. PLUS, this is at the same place as the White Cliffs of Dover, which look almost unreal online. Here is a picture:
Yep, definitely need to go there. According to Google, it is just short of 3 hours from here, so it would be nice to have a travel buddy... I'll have to see what I can do about that. I want to go soon, though. I have been in England for 2.5 weeks and have not yet seen a castle, so I'm getting a little itchy. I am also hoping to go to London in the near future, just waiting to hear from Kathryn about whether there is a good time for them soon. So exciting!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)