Today was LONG! I cannot wait for insurv to be over already. Working 11-12 hour days is crazy. We might as well be out to sea again if you ask me. Anyways, this morning I was exhausted when I woke up and irritated. Most days I am constantly chipper and content with the shitty food and hot conditions of the ship. this morning it would have been nice shoulder checking every single person I passed.
I got over myself as soon as I had coffee/espresso. Somehow no matter what, my relationship with coffee will remain ever constant and loyal in my life, no matter what.
Being out here away from home, I've created a family for myself among friends. Now, I know its not home because home is where my mom is but, I've managed to make Japan feel as close to home as possible. Everyone knows I miss family and friends but I'd like to share some of the smaller, more obscure things I miss as well.
1.) Kissing my dog, Smokey, on the top of her nose. In that moment, I hold my lips on her snout and wait for her tongue to curl up and kiss back. Her tail wags and I smile and there is nothing in that moment that isn't defined by ever enduring love for one another.
2.) I miss sitting on the pier of the Chowan River with a cup of coffee in my hand, resting against my chest around 8 in the morning. I love not having to get dressed and just rolling out of bed to greet the sun. It shines right on the water and everything is still as glass. My feet just skim the top as the breeze hits my face and I can feel the lingering sun setting in for a tan or burn by later afternoon.
3.) I miss my shoes. My heels, boots, even flip flops. They are crying without me right now.
4.) I miss late night movie nights with my brother. I miss buying alcohol at Harris Teeter and going through all of the red box movie selections before settling on two scary ones. I miss picking out all the red and blue sour gummy worms in the dark without him noticing because the blanket is up by my eyes as I cringe with terror.
5.) I miss driving the back roads with cotton on my left side and soy beans on the right. I miss the emptiness of the roads and seeing more deer than cars on late night drives back to the river from Tastee Freeze.
6.) Banana sandwiches, bar-b-que, collard greens, beef stew, and pork chops
7.) Bottomless cups of coffee
8.) I miss hearing my dad sing and play tequila sunrise, Charley Pride and Buck Owens on the guitar.
9.) Definitely miss having a tan
10.) I miss wing night at O malley's and texas margaritas at El Pac.
Dani
Monday, July 30, 2012
Saturday, July 28, 2012
If Couches Could Talk
I have many memories from my childhood house on Rainbow Forrest Drive but, some of the memories often overlooked are those I've had on that old green couch. It was once a pretty couch but now, its quite worn in. The fabric is stained. The pink flowers are not nearly as bright as they once were. The cushions are lumpy. The arm rests are hard and the arm covers are constantly and irritatingly (is that a word?) always falling off. All this aside, I love that couch. I love some of the feelings and moments this couch has given to me throughout my life.
OK, so you may think this is totally dumb. I'm sharing romantic feelings with an inanimate object, but if you had this couch growing up you'd probably fall head over heels for it, too. I've been thinking about this couch a lot lately because my brother will be using it in his first apartment. Its been in storage since my first apartment. Let me begin by giving you a personal history of this couch and I.
I remember sharing many Disney movies with friends on this couch as a little girl. I'd always bring my hairbrush down and brush my hair during Aladdin. It made me feel like Princess Jasmine and clearly I couldn't bring a tiger down. The couch was there for me when I wanted to watch Winnie the Pooh. There was something about Winnie the Pooh, that always knocked my dad into a deep sleep. Is that why adults put Pooh on TV? So their kids will fall asleep?
The couch was in the living room for Christmas present time. It was there for me to throw my book bag on it as a kid. Some of my favorite moments with this couch were snow days or even 'sick' days. I'm sure the couch knew that I wasn't really 'sick,' but it remained loyal and we cuddled all day. Many episodes of Dawson's Creek, I spent snuggled under the mustang blanket while my brother droned on and on about the show being stupid. My brother and I watched all the old Nickelodeon cartoons: Hey Arnold, Rugrats, Doug, etc, etc. (If you are a 90's kid reading this, I shouldn't have to list them out). My brother and I fought over the couch daily but when we were too tired to argue or Daddy wasn't looking, we'd just share it. I'd throw my feet up on the top part with my head on the opposite side as Jon's and he'd lay with his head on the other side.
This couch has seen so many bowls of popcorn with my Dad. But I will tell you, my Dad didn't love the couch as much as Jonathan and I did. He often sat in the blue leather reclining chair. You know how men are with their reclining chairs! My dad got remarried when I was in my teens and the couch got packed up. We traded it in for a nice brown leather couch. All things aside, it was a nice couch. A really nice couch but, it just wasn't the same as the old green one.
Years later, I went off to college. I lived in the dorms for a couple years and finally my junior year of college, my big sister, Katie (sorority sister) and I moved in to a small two bedroom apartment. The first night we stayed there we made spaghetti and ate on the kitchen floor because we didn't have any furniture. We had a TV and sleeping bags, though. The act of moving out and being on my own aroused feelings inside me I'd never felt before. I was so happy. I was paying for my rent, cooking my meals, driving my own car and technically I was kind of broke.
My Dad brought the couch and some other furniture for Katie and I. Our living room was tiny, but just big enough to fit this green couch and a small coffee table. From that day on, we rarely used our kitchen table. I rarely studied at my desk. And we both spent hours and hours sitting together gossiping like young women do, on that couch. Many cups of coffee have been drank (and spilt) on that couch. Many episodes of CMT's country music countdown have been watched. Tears have been spilt, beers have been drank, papers have been written and relationships have strengthened.
Visitors were always welcome. We didn't have much but we did have extra blankets, a pillow and that couch. It sleeps pretty good for a couch. Whenever my dad came to visit, I'd give my bed to him and sleep on the couch. I remember channel surfing late into the night on that couch. If you lay just right, you can spoon with a significant other. And just like my brother and I did growing up, Katie and I often laid on opposite ends together.
So think about it. If couches could talk what kind of stories could this one tell us about me? What would it say about my brother? Or the relationships I've had in college-boyfriends, Katie and Caro. It has surely seen memories being made and feelings unfold. If it could talk, I bet it would be able to help define some of my feelings for friends and family. Could it put into words what I can't put into words? Like, how do you explain the relationship you have with a sibling? I don't think any amount of words could truly make you understand how much love I have for my brother. I bet this couch has shaped me into the woman I am today. It may be a stretch, believe what you want, but I believe in things like that. I've had so many moments on that couch, its hard for me to overlook.
So the next chapter of this couch's life is my brother. My dad is bringing the couch to him this August. He is so excited to be on his own and have his own place. He doesn't even have any roommates. We'll see what this couch brings for Jon, or should I say, what kind of memories Jon will bring to this couch. I wish I had a picture of it for you all to see, but maybe imagination is better in your head. I know its better in mine.
I've posted a Brad Paisley video. The song is called, "Wrapped Around." I've been listening to him all day. I'm sure at one point or another, the couch has seen it too. :) You probably think I'm absurd. I probably am. Good, I'm glad we got that settled. Enjoy!
Dani
OK, so you may think this is totally dumb. I'm sharing romantic feelings with an inanimate object, but if you had this couch growing up you'd probably fall head over heels for it, too. I've been thinking about this couch a lot lately because my brother will be using it in his first apartment. Its been in storage since my first apartment. Let me begin by giving you a personal history of this couch and I.
I remember sharing many Disney movies with friends on this couch as a little girl. I'd always bring my hairbrush down and brush my hair during Aladdin. It made me feel like Princess Jasmine and clearly I couldn't bring a tiger down. The couch was there for me when I wanted to watch Winnie the Pooh. There was something about Winnie the Pooh, that always knocked my dad into a deep sleep. Is that why adults put Pooh on TV? So their kids will fall asleep?
The couch was in the living room for Christmas present time. It was there for me to throw my book bag on it as a kid. Some of my favorite moments with this couch were snow days or even 'sick' days. I'm sure the couch knew that I wasn't really 'sick,' but it remained loyal and we cuddled all day. Many episodes of Dawson's Creek, I spent snuggled under the mustang blanket while my brother droned on and on about the show being stupid. My brother and I watched all the old Nickelodeon cartoons: Hey Arnold, Rugrats, Doug, etc, etc. (If you are a 90's kid reading this, I shouldn't have to list them out). My brother and I fought over the couch daily but when we were too tired to argue or Daddy wasn't looking, we'd just share it. I'd throw my feet up on the top part with my head on the opposite side as Jon's and he'd lay with his head on the other side.
This couch has seen so many bowls of popcorn with my Dad. But I will tell you, my Dad didn't love the couch as much as Jonathan and I did. He often sat in the blue leather reclining chair. You know how men are with their reclining chairs! My dad got remarried when I was in my teens and the couch got packed up. We traded it in for a nice brown leather couch. All things aside, it was a nice couch. A really nice couch but, it just wasn't the same as the old green one.
Years later, I went off to college. I lived in the dorms for a couple years and finally my junior year of college, my big sister, Katie (sorority sister) and I moved in to a small two bedroom apartment. The first night we stayed there we made spaghetti and ate on the kitchen floor because we didn't have any furniture. We had a TV and sleeping bags, though. The act of moving out and being on my own aroused feelings inside me I'd never felt before. I was so happy. I was paying for my rent, cooking my meals, driving my own car and technically I was kind of broke.
My Dad brought the couch and some other furniture for Katie and I. Our living room was tiny, but just big enough to fit this green couch and a small coffee table. From that day on, we rarely used our kitchen table. I rarely studied at my desk. And we both spent hours and hours sitting together gossiping like young women do, on that couch. Many cups of coffee have been drank (and spilt) on that couch. Many episodes of CMT's country music countdown have been watched. Tears have been spilt, beers have been drank, papers have been written and relationships have strengthened.
Visitors were always welcome. We didn't have much but we did have extra blankets, a pillow and that couch. It sleeps pretty good for a couch. Whenever my dad came to visit, I'd give my bed to him and sleep on the couch. I remember channel surfing late into the night on that couch. If you lay just right, you can spoon with a significant other. And just like my brother and I did growing up, Katie and I often laid on opposite ends together.
So think about it. If couches could talk what kind of stories could this one tell us about me? What would it say about my brother? Or the relationships I've had in college-boyfriends, Katie and Caro. It has surely seen memories being made and feelings unfold. If it could talk, I bet it would be able to help define some of my feelings for friends and family. Could it put into words what I can't put into words? Like, how do you explain the relationship you have with a sibling? I don't think any amount of words could truly make you understand how much love I have for my brother. I bet this couch has shaped me into the woman I am today. It may be a stretch, believe what you want, but I believe in things like that. I've had so many moments on that couch, its hard for me to overlook.
So the next chapter of this couch's life is my brother. My dad is bringing the couch to him this August. He is so excited to be on his own and have his own place. He doesn't even have any roommates. We'll see what this couch brings for Jon, or should I say, what kind of memories Jon will bring to this couch. I wish I had a picture of it for you all to see, but maybe imagination is better in your head. I know its better in mine.
I've posted a Brad Paisley video. The song is called, "Wrapped Around." I've been listening to him all day. I'm sure at one point or another, the couch has seen it too. :) You probably think I'm absurd. I probably am. Good, I'm glad we got that settled. Enjoy!
Dani
Summer Cruise Summed Up
So, we are finally back to Yoko, thankfully. There are only so many times one can live the song, "I'm on a boat," before life gets irritating. Most days were long, sweaty and hot, but I'd like to share some of the more amusing activities I encountered along the way.
During high speed turns if you are on the toilet, it is totally acceptable to brace for shock on the bathroom stalls. The first time I sat down on the toilet while the ship was rocking I feared I might just tip over and fall off. All while my pants were at my ankles! How tragic.
About two weeks into cruise, I returned to my division to do weapons work. Chief put me in the main bomb magazine with many cool people. Together, we form this great little family that meets every night at 1900. Bomb builds make the night fly by (so do two hour naps on the bomb kits). We really have a good time! We normally have anywhere between 2 to 50 bombs to build in a night, that range anywhere from 500 to 2000 pounds. We get off work the next day around 930. And then we do it all over again until we hit a port! Talk about exhausting. It was nice getting into a daily routine of work, gym, shower, sleep, repeat. When days are long like that, I find its the little things in life that really make the day shine. For example: apples, trail mix, kashi bars, new gym routines, a breeze in the hangar bay during GQ drills, or even a cold shower after a long day.
I became a vegetarian out to sea. I just couldn't bring myself to eat the meat on the ship (or wait in the long line.) Imagine, thousands of sailors eating at the same time at night. Yeah, standing in line...not an option. So ruling out meat made mid rats kind of a a difficult challenge. So what did I end up eating? Kidney beans, and cottage cheese, lots of salads, corn, apples, grapes, bread with peanut butter...I'm all tuna-ed out. I can't eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and also, cheese does NOT dress up bread like it used to! The first thing I did when I put my feet on land was eat pizza!
Brisk sweet tea from the vending machines was a favorite of mine, as well as, Esmeralda's. We would always take a break and drink tea together. Taking Esme and Thomas into the ship store was always hilarious. I felt like such a mom! "Greene, can I have this? Greene, will you buy me some crackers? I'm really hungry Greene." I was such a good mom to Thomas and Esme. Don't worry, I did just as much begging when I forgot my cash card too.
Towards the end of cruise, the GW had a gastro pandemic. Gastro, for those of you who may not know, is a gastro-intestinal disease caused by bacteria and people not washing their hands. It makes you have explosive diarrhea and puke bucket fulls simultaneously. The last couple days of cruise, I was very careful about the foods I ate. The girl who lives above me had gastro for three days. She was so weak. She kept her puke bucket on top of Thomas's locker every day. And you know what, everyday I went to sleep in fear that her puke bucket would fall on me. I was so glad she started feeling better.
Living with fifty girls certainly has its ups and downs. One of the many downs: running out of toilet paper. Occasionally, every single bathroom stall would be picked bone dry of toilet paper. How comforting sitting down to poop, only to find out there isn't toilet paper anywhere. Yeah, no words describe this. That's just a "shitty" situation, right there. (No pun intended).
Speaking of shitty situations...I did not realize that people were so disgusting. After a long night of work, you would think that most people would crave a shower and excitedly make that happen. Nope. I saw so many girls work all night (sweaty and smelly) then just climb in their rack. Eww. Gross, but true.
On that note, I think I'll hit the gym then SHOWER. If I think of more, i'll add part two. If not, to everyone back home-- I miss and love you all. Look for more posts on my random shananigans in Japan before winter cruise.
Dani
During high speed turns if you are on the toilet, it is totally acceptable to brace for shock on the bathroom stalls. The first time I sat down on the toilet while the ship was rocking I feared I might just tip over and fall off. All while my pants were at my ankles! How tragic.
About two weeks into cruise, I returned to my division to do weapons work. Chief put me in the main bomb magazine with many cool people. Together, we form this great little family that meets every night at 1900. Bomb builds make the night fly by (so do two hour naps on the bomb kits). We really have a good time! We normally have anywhere between 2 to 50 bombs to build in a night, that range anywhere from 500 to 2000 pounds. We get off work the next day around 930. And then we do it all over again until we hit a port! Talk about exhausting. It was nice getting into a daily routine of work, gym, shower, sleep, repeat. When days are long like that, I find its the little things in life that really make the day shine. For example: apples, trail mix, kashi bars, new gym routines, a breeze in the hangar bay during GQ drills, or even a cold shower after a long day.
I became a vegetarian out to sea. I just couldn't bring myself to eat the meat on the ship (or wait in the long line.) Imagine, thousands of sailors eating at the same time at night. Yeah, standing in line...not an option. So ruling out meat made mid rats kind of a a difficult challenge. So what did I end up eating? Kidney beans, and cottage cheese, lots of salads, corn, apples, grapes, bread with peanut butter...I'm all tuna-ed out. I can't eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and also, cheese does NOT dress up bread like it used to! The first thing I did when I put my feet on land was eat pizza!
Brisk sweet tea from the vending machines was a favorite of mine, as well as, Esmeralda's. We would always take a break and drink tea together. Taking Esme and Thomas into the ship store was always hilarious. I felt like such a mom! "Greene, can I have this? Greene, will you buy me some crackers? I'm really hungry Greene." I was such a good mom to Thomas and Esme. Don't worry, I did just as much begging when I forgot my cash card too.
Towards the end of cruise, the GW had a gastro pandemic. Gastro, for those of you who may not know, is a gastro-intestinal disease caused by bacteria and people not washing their hands. It makes you have explosive diarrhea and puke bucket fulls simultaneously. The last couple days of cruise, I was very careful about the foods I ate. The girl who lives above me had gastro for three days. She was so weak. She kept her puke bucket on top of Thomas's locker every day. And you know what, everyday I went to sleep in fear that her puke bucket would fall on me. I was so glad she started feeling better.
Living with fifty girls certainly has its ups and downs. One of the many downs: running out of toilet paper. Occasionally, every single bathroom stall would be picked bone dry of toilet paper. How comforting sitting down to poop, only to find out there isn't toilet paper anywhere. Yeah, no words describe this. That's just a "shitty" situation, right there. (No pun intended).
Speaking of shitty situations...I did not realize that people were so disgusting. After a long night of work, you would think that most people would crave a shower and excitedly make that happen. Nope. I saw so many girls work all night (sweaty and smelly) then just climb in their rack. Eww. Gross, but true.
On that note, I think I'll hit the gym then SHOWER. If I think of more, i'll add part two. If not, to everyone back home-- I miss and love you all. Look for more posts on my random shananigans in Japan before winter cruise.
Dani
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Jacqui
Everyone has friends in life. No matter who you are, I hope and pray that your friends support you as much as mine do me. I am blessed with many friends, but by far my most unique relationship I hold, is with my dear friend, Jacqui. Jacqui is much older than me. Since this is a public blog, and I want to LIVE to see my next birthday...we'll just say Jacqui just turned 60. (You can thank me later, Jacqui).This being said, if you saw a picture, you wouldn't think she was a day over 55. She is a beautiful woman- inside and out. There are very few women left in this world who can hold beauty on the outside while it also radiates from within. She always fusses over her face and hair, and I just don't understand why. I love watching her get ready in the mornings. Sometimes I'll get a cup of coffee and sit on the toilet while she fixes her face or curls her hair. It's always fun because she screams when she accidentally burns her ear or forehead. I know I shouldn't laugh, but I do.
Above, I've posted a picture of Elizabeth Taylor. Jacqui has worn, white diamonds perfume for as long as I can remember, so whenever I see pictures of Elizabeth Taylor I think of Jacqui. Elizabeth Taylor is a very classy, proper woman, very much like Jacqui. Whenever Jacqui drinks coffee, she always holds it with her pinky pointing up, like a queen. My mom and I always comment on this. Oh yes, Jacqui is very fancy. I used to tell her not to fuss over putting leftovers in fancy dishes and just put them on the table in the containers. Only sometimes would I win these small battles.
Relationships, are one of the most important things in life. Chris McCandless from Into the Wild once said, "happiness is only real when shared." I believe he is 100% correct. I'm very close to my family. I'm very close to my phi mu sisters. I love my girls and family here in Japan, but i set Jacqui apart from all of my friends, because it is such a unique bond that we share. I don't know who I would be without Jacqui in my life. I can't remember a time when she wasn't there for me.
When I was a child, she took on the role as a grandmother type figure. But, I don't want to fool you with the negative stigma of the word, "grandmother." She is, by no means, boring and she doesn't crochet or knit. She is hip and likes to go out dancing and dresses in style. She pours a drink at 5 o clock everyday and she holds herself with more class, than any woman I've ever seen. As I grew up, her role as grandmother has been replaced to close friend. We gossip about relationships, men, underwear hanging out, bad tan lines, clothes, etc, etc... We talk about everything. Never did she miss a prom, or graduation. Never did she miss a first break up or first kiss. It makes me wonder, if she's had such an effect on my life, what else has she had time to transform in her time? There are truly few women, left on this earth with such altruistic spirits as Jacqui. She is always doing for others before herself. She will go the extra mile for family and friends and won't stop until you literally tell her to sit down. My mom is much like this too.
I have so many memories of Jacqui and myself. Most memories involve coffee and wonderful dinner conversations paired with lifetime movies. She is the queen of bargain shopping at yard sales. Never have I seen anyone go tubing down a river in such style as Jacqui has- fuzzy navel in hand. She didn't even spill a drop.
I try and call her as much as I can from here in Japan, but it never seems enough. I'm sure the next time I go home to visit...they'll have to put me on life support because I'll run out of breath, we have so much to catch up on. So, Jacqui, from here in Japan...You are beautiful. You are loved and I am proud and blessed to have you in my life.
Dani
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