I apologize for my absence. I was reminded by several people here at home that I have not posted to my blog since February 27. I have to say that my time preceding my trip back home for some much needed R&R was quite busy, and of course it has been nonstop since I landed BOG at IAD! But you all are never far from my mind!
The biggest event in Djibouti following my last post was March 7 and finishing up the practicals for the Rescue Diving Course! Besides a homework assignment I still need to get submitted, I have finished all of my requirements for the PADI Rescue Diver Certification! I am so happy to have completed that course. It was tough, but very rewarding. We had the privilege of being able to use the beaches at Moucha Island and to do all of our practicals in that amazing turquoise water. See photos below. Thanks to Brent for taking such fabulous photos of the day. To complete this course we had to practice various rescue maneuvers in the water. I was able to rescue one of the men in the course by carrying him on my back out of the water onto the shore. I had to do this twice...the first time my feet sunk into the soggy sand and I totally fell over with him on my back. The second time I was successful! It's a scary thing to think someone would be in distress while in the water, but I know it happens. I hear that in Loudoun County (the County where I live back home), the rescue divers are part of the Sheriff's Department...not the Fire Department. So I will have to find out how I can volunteer my time when I come home for good as a rescue diver. Stay tuned!
After some hard work in the water
I love this shot of Brent relaxing in the water....look at those legs! ;-)
All the gear on the beach...great day!
March 10th came upon me very quickly! I was slated to be on Air France out of Djibouti at 0030 and headed home! I was so tired....but so excited. We left Djibouti and landed in Saudi Arabia for a quick refuel and to pick up passengers. I thought we would be spoiled with all the empty seats when we left Djibouti...but the plane was packed when we left Saudi. Air France is quite nice. The food was great - including the several passes through the aisles with the French Bread and Butter! YUMMY! PLUS - they had FREE Champagne! So I think when it was all said and done, I probably drank an entire bottle of Champagne by myself, prior to our arrival in Paris. Love Champagne!
The flight was uneventful. I spent my time studying for my EMT exam, I watched a couple movies, I napped, ate plenty of food, drank plenty of Champagne, and I napped some more! I was so excited heading home....it was hard to sleep.
When we arrived in Paris I was bummed that there was nothing to see. But still pleased to be in Paris...sort of. CDG airport is hugungous! We had to go through security in the airport before we could go to our gate. I did a little shopping (bought some Gin for my Dad, some Black Label for a friend, and some Lemoncello for me and my friends back home.) I have to say, in my short list of exotic experiences, I have never bought anything in the duty free store in an airport. So my adventures are just amazing!
I landed at IAD....so FINALLY BOG at IAD! My friend Aleksey met me when I departed from the People Mover...and took me straight to the front of the Customs Line! That was awesome! NO WAIT! And the Customs Agent was familiar with Djibouti so we had a nice chat about it. Was just so nice to be home....I called my Dad (he was waiting in the cell phone waiting lot for me) and we were on our way!
First on the list, we headed to Southern MD (SOMD) to my Dad's house. My car has been snug and safe with my Dad for 5 months. I needed to pick it up, or none of my other plans would work out! I spent the night with my Dad after a fabulous dinner. Friday morning I was off to see my BFF Lisa for some quality time and lunch with her daughter Madelyn and Mom! It was so great to see Gail! Now back to Northern VA (NOVA). I stopped by Michelle's work so that I could go through my storage and see if I could locate some items I needed. Not so lucky here...but I did get some of the things I needed. Then I swung by Bristles and Shears to buy shampoo, conditioner and hairspray and had the BEST surprise! Kim Bartoe was getting her hair done by Suzanna! What are the odds that I would run into her at the salon? It was so great to see Kim and to catch up a bit, while Suzanna was finishing up her hair!
Saturday I was lucky enough to be able to serve with my Ashburn Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department Wednesday Duty Crew...for Saturday duty. We found ourselves in the newest Harris Teeter construction doing a Mayday - Fire Fighters Down training exercise. I miss this so much being away from home. And everyone on the crew made me feel so welcome, and so much at home too! I am so glad to have all of them on my crew!
Lovely EMS ladies of Wednesday Night - CJ, me & Kristen
Medic Jonathan & me
Rockin' the EMT Jumpsuit
Debriefing...what a great group of peeps!
Sunday I studied for my EMT exam and met Connie and Jenn for dinner at my favorite restaurant in DC - Cafe Atlantico! A fabulous Brazilian place with amazing food and drinks. It was so great to have Jenn and Connie all to myself and plenty of time to catch up! We hit Teaism - a nice little restaurant across from Cafe Atlantico - first for adult beverages before dinner.
Cafe Atlantico
Good drinks...adult and tea!
Dinner with friends! Good to catch up - Connie, me & Jenn
Monday I hit the Dentist for a good teeth cleaning - isn't that what everyone wants to do on vacation? And then spent the rest of the day studying. We ordered Pizza in for dinner and I crammed until I was exhausted and hit the sack.
Tuesday at 0800 I was scheduled to take my National Registry EMT-B Exam. I need this certification in order to qualify for an EMT position in Djibouti, or any other Navy base that hires EMT personnel. I was so nervous about this exam, but must honestly say not as nervous as I was when I took the VA State EMT-B exam. Come on now...I KNOW this stuff! This exam was held at a testing center. So there were a number of people there scheduled to take all kinds of exams. I heard one mention a Real Estate Licensing exam, another was taking an Insurance Exam, and I think another was taking some College Exam. The way this exam works was a little intimidating. It can ask you anywhere from 70-120 questions. The exam is dynamic. If you start missing questions, then the questions get harder. Each question can be weighted differently...so you never know how much one question is worth. The system asks you only one question at a time, and you have to answer it. You can't go on to the next question until you answer the one you are currently on. And you can never go back to a question. I was having a hard time gaging how I was doing. All of the questions are looking for the "best" answer...and there are usually two you might be able to select from. So I was so not sure how I was doing when I was taking this. I found myself on question 71, thinking about my choice, I selected it and BAM! The exam shuts off! Holy crap, I think to myself...but then wondered if I actually said it out loud! What the heck just happened? Does this mean I did so bad that it was just done with me? Or did I do so fabulously that there was no need to continue on? Next came the note on the screen that I was done and that I should check the Nat'l Registry website in 24-48 hours to check my results. UGH! But okay...what can I do now. I did log onto the website taht afternoon and it listed my name with a new Certification Number and expiration date - so looks like I DID IT! WOO HOO!
So I get ready to head out, when I am stopped in the hallway by a lady who was also taking the same exam as me. We discuss it a little. Interesting....her questions were completely different than mine. Which makes sense. She wasn't sure exactly how many questions she had answered when she was kicked out. Anyway, come to find out, she works at INOVA Fairfax Hospital in the ER and knows my good friend Patrick. Small world...
I left the test center and headed to Navy Federal Credit Union. Needed to deposit the funds into my account so I could buy a brand new MacBook Pro for my friend Gustavo back in Djibouti. I was excited about taking a trip to the Apple Store, even if it wasn't for me to buy anything! Reston Town Center was pretty quiet today...but there were plenty of people in the Apple Store. Mary greeted me and showed me all I needed in order to make the purchase. I also bought TurboTax (for me, UGH taxes) and Office 2011 so I could upgrade my Office package. Just love being in the Apple Store! Next up I hit Dr. Cohn's office for a quick physical and some blood work. Got my hearing tested, as the fire department physical for Djibouti requires the hearing test. I hope this test will count for me when I transfer to the Camp Lemonnier Fire Department! Dinner plans had me at Not Your Average Joe's with Billy! Always fantastic to see Billy! He is busy as always. I even got to talk to his friend Tommy - whom I have not talked to in probably 8 or 9 years! After dinner I stopped by for a quick visit with my niece and nephews at the Morton house. And then I went to Generous George's Positive Pizza for a little Texas Hold'em action! Just like old times....the perfect ending to my usual Tuesday routine.
Dinner with Billy
Texas Hold'em with my peeps! Mike, me & Nicole
Wednesday was a BIG day for me! I was off to see Suzanna for my new hairdo at noon! Suzanna had just gone to a huge hair show in Chicago and was fresh with new ideas! So I sat in her chair, as I so often have done, and she asked "What are we doing today?" And in my usual response, I said "Absolutely anything you want to do!" I love it when she has fresh ideas and she knows my hair so well...she always does it amazingly! So she repeated my response and asked me "ANYTHING????" And I say, "Yes, ANYTHING!" "Even Bangs???" she asks?? Suzanna has been trying to get me into bangs I think for about 2 years! So I say, "Yes, bangs! Anything! Have fun!" And so she did. Photos posted below. She does such a great job - the color is always so vibrant, my hair feels so healthy and the cut is always suiting for me. Just LOVE having Suzanna work her magic! And lastly, Wednesday night is Duty Crew night....so off to Station 22 to ride on Medic 622-1! Bummer...no calls (none Sat. or Wed. night...but I still have one Wed. night to go!!!)
Before...
Suzanna trying to plan for the bangs...I am nervous!
Holy crap! I didn't realize how long my hair was!
Absolutely LOVE IT! Thanks Suzanna!
Wish I could fix it like this every day! Gorgeous, IGNITED color! :-)
Whew...I am tired now just typing about and remembering everything I have done already since I have been home. I need to sign off for now. I will continue my story soon...thanks for checking in on me!
Love and miss you all! But super pleased I am home to see many of you!
Besos y abrazos! (Hugs and kisses)
Ciao!
Kathi
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