Feeling more settled in North Carolina

My weekend home was a good one, but it was odd being home without really "being" home. It felt vaguely like being a guest in my own home. We celebrated a birthday early on Sunday before I left. When the actual birthday arrived mid-week, I had an ache deep in my mama's soul, not being able to celebrate in person. It affected me for several days, which is probably why this blog update has been delayed for days.

While I was home I discovered that I'm no longer a citizen who turns into a sailor once a month. I'm now a full-time sailor ("saildier") who felt weird wearing a dress and heels at church on Sunday. Another unusual discovery was that I've become accustomed to all the handy pockets on my uniform. I  left home more than once without important things like my driver's license, because I'm used to carrying things in all those pockets. I even joked that when I go on vacation, I won't need any luggage....I'll just wear everything.

I spent this week getting familiar with the workings of the office I'll be in for the next few months. Having done active duty periods for more than 20 years, I'm used to two-week stints at new places, so I quickly fell into the routine I've used before: show up, find out where to park, where to sit, where to go in the building, and where to go on the computer, all while making fast friends with office mates. I hadn't realized it before, but I've developed quite a skill ... seamlessly integrating into new work situations.

I traded in the rather small 4-cylinder rental car I had in anticipation of all my gear coming back from Afghanistan next week. I'll need more space to hold four bags of gear. I had never driven a car that doesn't require a key to start, or a stick shift that has no clutch. This newer car will take some getting used to, but it is much better than the one I had for a week.

This week I applied to the Naval War College to begin distance education and am waiting for final acceptance. If I have to be here for several months, I plan to make the most of my time by taking graduate-level courses.

I'm counting my blessings again as N.C. bakes in 102F temps this week. It could be worse...I could be back at Camp McCrady doing combat training in body armor.