I have only been home for less than 12 hours and I have already noticed some differences. It was dark, but I could still see that Fayetteville has grown and changed. It'll probably be even crazier looking in the day time. Even being in my house is so different. Sitting on the toilet seat was strange. I am used to a thin, wide seat where I feel like I might fall in. I sort of felt like a big cow on our tiny, thick toilet seat. When I reached for a spoon this morning I was shocked to discover that it isn't in the same place that my spoons are in my drawer at my home in Italy. My childhood room is even different looking. It's definitely quite cute and girly, but still different than before. The faucets have been changed and the kitchen chairs seat cushions have been redone. Oh and did I mention, as we speak, I am watching a TV with actual channels? I dont have my computer hooked up to the TV so I can watch something. Very odd feeling. It was also strange waking up in a different bed. What was extrememly strange was last night right before I went to sleep. It was midnight and I thought to myself, wow..in Italy the sun is already up. It's a feeling that you can't really understand until you've been in this situation. I also feel worried about my little home, which I find odd because we've been gone for weeks at a time when on vacation and I never thought twice about it. I guess it's just knowing that your so far away from it. It just facinates me that a country that used to be considered foreign no longer feels foreign at all and the country that was never foreign suddenly feels slightly foreign. There are differences that I have already noticed and it feels strange, but it's good to be home with my family and I can't wait to see my friends. Well, thats all the inital changes that I saw. I will be sure to keep everyone updated on my adventures in America! Bye Y'all!!! ;)
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Deployment Bucket List
Let's face it, deployments are not fun. They make you stress, worry, and miss the other person like crazy. Your suddenly doing half the amount of laundry (hm, well, maybe this is one of hte high points) and cooking you once did. You find yourself staying up waaaay too late watching TV shows and movies. Your constantly bringing your phone everywhere with you. Gotta go to the bathroom? The phone goes with you. Everytime the phone rings you automatically think its them. Well, news flash, it's usually only them in 1 out of 10 phonecalls. When you log onto your skype you triple check to see if they are on. Well, that's if they were blessed with internet. Thomas was not blessed with internet on his last deployment. This deployment I'd say he is very blessed...he has his own room with a roof and they do have some internet access they can use at the MWR if they aren't busy. Okay, so I went off on the dirt road for a minute there..lets get back to my original point. Deployments are not fun! There are a slew of other reasons why they are no bene, but today we are not going to focus on that. We will focus on why deployments can be a good thing if you let it. Remember, in every aspect of life, its what YOU make of it.
So, here I am, making my Deployment Bucket List. These are all the things I would like to get accomplished OR be seriously working towards getting accomplished by the time Thomas comes home. Last deployment I didn't make such a list. My goals were simple..survive the first year of Graduate School. That was all I cared about. I didn't have time to develop hobbies or do things for me. This deployment it's about being there for my husband and creating a mentally, spriritually, and physically better person in myself. I want to be the best Rachel I can be. Yes, I know you think I'm perfect just the way I am, but there's always room for improvement. ;) Okay, here is my deployment bucket list thus far...
1. Grow in my relationship with Christ. While Thomas is gone I want to start going to weekly bible studies. There is an organization called PWOC (Protestant Women of the Chapel). I've never been able to go because it's on Tuesday mornings and I am usually at the school volunteering. But, I decided that I need to go regardless. I am not getting paid for what I do. I don't need to feel obligated. If I took one morning off to work on what's important then that would be okay. What's funny is I know the people I work with would not care and would completely understand. But, you know how it is. You make a commitment and you want to stick with it. But, I need to make my commitment to Christ a little bigger. I am also going to be the Awana Cubbies Director again. There's nothing like seeing Christ through a child's eyes. Another aspect of this I need to work on is reading and studying the Bible on my own. Doing that seems a bit overwhelming because it's such a big book and it's sometimes hard to understand (thank goodness I have a study Bible now). Any tips on studying, reading, and marking the text of the Bible would be much appreciated. :)
2. Exercise more and keep it consistent. I'm sure this is on every girl's deployment bucket list. Seriously, I have to do something. I even thought about getting a personal trainer at our gym on base, so I am more accountable. At least until I get back into the habit again. And hey, if I am paying for it, I'm most likely to go. Plus they could probably give me some valuable information. Crossfit is also going back on the schedule again. I would love for Thomas to come and be like wow..is that my wife? Haha!!! :)
3. Keep my diet healthy. What I find fascinating is that any time I eat a bunch of junk food I feel gross afterwards, but yet some how there are days when salt and vinegar potato chips are just what I need. Realistically, I know that every once and while I have to have a little junk (blame it on PMS). But, for the most part I know I can do the whole healthy eating thing. I just need to remember what the bad foods do to me and limit it. Everything in moderation.
4. Get my creative juices flowing. Have you met my mother? She is the most creative, artistic person I know. So, it's gotta be in my genes somewhere right? Here are some of the things I'd like to do to get creative. I want to learn to draw. I've got some books already and have slowly started trying, but I haven't been consistent with it (are you now noticing a pattern? consistency is obviously not my strong suit). I also plan on going out and buying some blank canvases and some paint and just, well, paint. I read somewhere not to think too much about just grab a brush and start painting. I will try to research it more, but I would love to take some sort of painting or drawing class. Another way I want to get creative is to start doing more DIY projects. I think it would be awesome to have different things in my house that I could say, "yeah, I made that." I'm also planning on taking some classes at the Arts and Crafts Center. Some of the classes I think I'll take are wheel spinning (I think this is what it was called, it's where you make pottery out of clay and spin it) and mosaics as well as whatever else they've got. I would love to have a hobby like this.
5. Improve my photography. I absolutely love taking pictures and I've been told that I'm good at it. I've even got a lot of my pictures framed and hanging on the walls of our house. I am planning on taking a photography class in September to improve on my photography skills.
6. Develop a Green Thumb. I have tried the whole gardening thing and I have had ups and downs with it. For example, my pansies did quite well this winter, but now that summer has come they are dead and crunchy. I have had the WORST luck with citrus trees. I think its actually a bug problem though instead of a "me" problem. The reason I say this is because of our rose bushes. They were doing so good!! They were blossoming and thriving. All of a sudden they went downhill fast! I discovered bite marks in the leaves and I remember the citrus tree leaves getting those bite marks. Stupid bugs. But, we saved on of the rose buses after buying some insect spray. But, back to the orginial point. I want to get better at gardening and have beautiful flowers and other plants.
7. Blog More. Oh, how appropriate since I am writing a blog right now!! I really do love to blog. I love that I can share my thoughts and experiences to my friends and family back home while I'm away. I've gotten a little slack on it lately. I haven't been taking the time to sit and write well-written thoughts. You can probably notice the difference between ones I wrote way after the experience happened and the ones that I write pretty immediately after it happened. You are going to find much more humor, insite, and details in the ones that I sit, concentrate, and do immediately when I think of it. Hm, kind of like this blog, I suspect.
8. Cooking. I have become quite the happy little cooker since living in Italy. I have taken a cooking class and I usually cook all the meals at home now. I am constantly researching new recipes on Pinterest. I want to develop my skills more and experiment with cooking new things. I am already signed up for the second cooking class at Aeolia's in October.
9. Journal More. Yes, this may seem very 7th grade to you, but there's just something about putting your thoughts down on paper that really seems to help. Plus, it's so fun to look back at the things you wrote years ago. It can kind of show how you've changed and how you haven't changed. Anyway, I need to get back into the habit of sitting down and reflecting on my day while putting it into writing.
10. Travel. Even though Thomas is away, it doesn't mean I should sit in the house all the time. I'm going to get out and see the world with my friends. You don't get a chance like this very often. It's a treat to live in Europe, you might as well dig in and savor every single bite.
11. Organization, Organization, Organization. I have got to get things organized in my house. Everything needs a place, but not everything does right now. I need to find special homes for all my belongings, so both Thomas and I know where to find them.
12. Learn Italian. Now, I've obviously picked up some Italian by just living in Italy for over a year. But, I want to take an actual Italian class so I can improve and add more vocabulary to my Italian repertoire.
For now, I think that's all I have on my deployment bucket list. I of course reserve the right to add to or change anything on my list. :) Well, I've made my list so now it's time to make yours.
So, here I am, making my Deployment Bucket List. These are all the things I would like to get accomplished OR be seriously working towards getting accomplished by the time Thomas comes home. Last deployment I didn't make such a list. My goals were simple..survive the first year of Graduate School. That was all I cared about. I didn't have time to develop hobbies or do things for me. This deployment it's about being there for my husband and creating a mentally, spriritually, and physically better person in myself. I want to be the best Rachel I can be. Yes, I know you think I'm perfect just the way I am, but there's always room for improvement. ;) Okay, here is my deployment bucket list thus far...
1. Grow in my relationship with Christ. While Thomas is gone I want to start going to weekly bible studies. There is an organization called PWOC (Protestant Women of the Chapel). I've never been able to go because it's on Tuesday mornings and I am usually at the school volunteering. But, I decided that I need to go regardless. I am not getting paid for what I do. I don't need to feel obligated. If I took one morning off to work on what's important then that would be okay. What's funny is I know the people I work with would not care and would completely understand. But, you know how it is. You make a commitment and you want to stick with it. But, I need to make my commitment to Christ a little bigger. I am also going to be the Awana Cubbies Director again. There's nothing like seeing Christ through a child's eyes. Another aspect of this I need to work on is reading and studying the Bible on my own. Doing that seems a bit overwhelming because it's such a big book and it's sometimes hard to understand (thank goodness I have a study Bible now). Any tips on studying, reading, and marking the text of the Bible would be much appreciated. :)
2. Exercise more and keep it consistent. I'm sure this is on every girl's deployment bucket list. Seriously, I have to do something. I even thought about getting a personal trainer at our gym on base, so I am more accountable. At least until I get back into the habit again. And hey, if I am paying for it, I'm most likely to go. Plus they could probably give me some valuable information. Crossfit is also going back on the schedule again. I would love for Thomas to come and be like wow..is that my wife? Haha!!! :)
3. Keep my diet healthy. What I find fascinating is that any time I eat a bunch of junk food I feel gross afterwards, but yet some how there are days when salt and vinegar potato chips are just what I need. Realistically, I know that every once and while I have to have a little junk (blame it on PMS). But, for the most part I know I can do the whole healthy eating thing. I just need to remember what the bad foods do to me and limit it. Everything in moderation.
4. Get my creative juices flowing. Have you met my mother? She is the most creative, artistic person I know. So, it's gotta be in my genes somewhere right? Here are some of the things I'd like to do to get creative. I want to learn to draw. I've got some books already and have slowly started trying, but I haven't been consistent with it (are you now noticing a pattern? consistency is obviously not my strong suit). I also plan on going out and buying some blank canvases and some paint and just, well, paint. I read somewhere not to think too much about just grab a brush and start painting. I will try to research it more, but I would love to take some sort of painting or drawing class. Another way I want to get creative is to start doing more DIY projects. I think it would be awesome to have different things in my house that I could say, "yeah, I made that." I'm also planning on taking some classes at the Arts and Crafts Center. Some of the classes I think I'll take are wheel spinning (I think this is what it was called, it's where you make pottery out of clay and spin it) and mosaics as well as whatever else they've got. I would love to have a hobby like this.
5. Improve my photography. I absolutely love taking pictures and I've been told that I'm good at it. I've even got a lot of my pictures framed and hanging on the walls of our house. I am planning on taking a photography class in September to improve on my photography skills.
6. Develop a Green Thumb. I have tried the whole gardening thing and I have had ups and downs with it. For example, my pansies did quite well this winter, but now that summer has come they are dead and crunchy. I have had the WORST luck with citrus trees. I think its actually a bug problem though instead of a "me" problem. The reason I say this is because of our rose bushes. They were doing so good!! They were blossoming and thriving. All of a sudden they went downhill fast! I discovered bite marks in the leaves and I remember the citrus tree leaves getting those bite marks. Stupid bugs. But, we saved on of the rose buses after buying some insect spray. But, back to the orginial point. I want to get better at gardening and have beautiful flowers and other plants.
7. Blog More. Oh, how appropriate since I am writing a blog right now!! I really do love to blog. I love that I can share my thoughts and experiences to my friends and family back home while I'm away. I've gotten a little slack on it lately. I haven't been taking the time to sit and write well-written thoughts. You can probably notice the difference between ones I wrote way after the experience happened and the ones that I write pretty immediately after it happened. You are going to find much more humor, insite, and details in the ones that I sit, concentrate, and do immediately when I think of it. Hm, kind of like this blog, I suspect.
8. Cooking. I have become quite the happy little cooker since living in Italy. I have taken a cooking class and I usually cook all the meals at home now. I am constantly researching new recipes on Pinterest. I want to develop my skills more and experiment with cooking new things. I am already signed up for the second cooking class at Aeolia's in October.
9. Journal More. Yes, this may seem very 7th grade to you, but there's just something about putting your thoughts down on paper that really seems to help. Plus, it's so fun to look back at the things you wrote years ago. It can kind of show how you've changed and how you haven't changed. Anyway, I need to get back into the habit of sitting down and reflecting on my day while putting it into writing.
10. Travel. Even though Thomas is away, it doesn't mean I should sit in the house all the time. I'm going to get out and see the world with my friends. You don't get a chance like this very often. It's a treat to live in Europe, you might as well dig in and savor every single bite.
11. Organization, Organization, Organization. I have got to get things organized in my house. Everything needs a place, but not everything does right now. I need to find special homes for all my belongings, so both Thomas and I know where to find them.
12. Learn Italian. Now, I've obviously picked up some Italian by just living in Italy for over a year. But, I want to take an actual Italian class so I can improve and add more vocabulary to my Italian repertoire.
For now, I think that's all I have on my deployment bucket list. I of course reserve the right to add to or change anything on my list. :) Well, I've made my list so now it's time to make yours.
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Food and Organization 101
So, my family seems to be amazed these days at all the things I've been cooking. Sometimes they are good amazed and sometimes bad amazed (example...avocado chicken salad, ha!). Thus, the reason for this post..well, that and to show off my first organization win! To begin I will show you what I did to our little military issued wall locker to get it looking and being more organized!
I forgot to take a before picture...but this is the final, whole thing.
I put labels on all the bins so I would know what was in each bin, so no more digging through all the bins to find what I need.
Okay, now on to the food portion of this. I'll probably try to take more pictures of foods I make and share it with all of y'all. First of all, Thomas and I have been trying to eat based on the Paleo Diet. Some call it the Caveman diet. It's sort of based on what the early humans ate. You basically eat meats, poultry, nuts, fruits, healthy oils, and vegetables. Your not really supposed to eat flour, grains, or dairy. We aren't hard core or anything...we have our cheat days (uh hello we live in Italy), but it's just about trying to eat more fresh, healthy options so we can be, well..more healthy. Here are some of the things we have made...
Here's the recipe for it: http://paleodietlifestyle.com/chicken-sun-dried-tomato-sauce/ Now I did a couple of things different..I didnt have any steak seasoning, so I didnt use it. I also used rosemary instead of time because we grow rosemary and not thyme.
Now, this next thing was supposed to be Coconut Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies, but I decided to make a pie thing instead. Now, this is only semi-Paleo..it called for sugar which is definitely not Paleo, but I used Splenda so it would at least be lower in calories. Hm, I might could have use honey instead..now thats Paleo..hahaha!!! Oh and I used olive oil instead of coconut oil because I couldnt find it. Here are the pictures of it and the recipe: http://chocolateandcarrots.com/2011/06/coconut-flour-chocolate-chip-cookies
I am nowhere neeeear where I want to be organizational and health/fitness wise, but I am getting started. Now, that Thomas is deployed, I want to use that time to get myself in gear. Feel free to hold me accountable and/or motivate me when you think I need it. :) My next post will be my Deployment Bucket List. I have all these goals I want to achieve and work on while Thomas is gone. So, stay tuned!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)