Down South

We had a true southern weekend spent in Columbus, Mississippi and Aliceville, Alabama. It was one of the most fun weekends we've had spent with good friends and great family!

It started off with crazy thunderstorms here at Fort Rucker and Zack's flight being cancelled. We spontaneously packed up and headed to Columbus AFB. There we spent the most college-like weekend we've had since...well, college. Stayed in a genuine UPTfrat-house, went out, ate out, and hung out. Had fun catching up with old friends and meeting new ones. Oh, and we are completely jealous of people who get to go to UPT at Columbus. It basically kicks Vance's butt in EVERY SINGLE WAY POSSIBLE--So, if you have ever found yourself complaining about Columbus (like I always hear people doing) you better pray you never get an IP assignment at Vance because you will cry every minute of every day.

 

Congratulations to Dan for getting MC-12's to Beale. Good luck finishing UPT--graduation is just around the corner! Thanks for letting us come to your assignment night and hosting us!

 

 

Then we headed to Aliceville to spend time with Zack's great uncle and great aunt. It was an absolutely amazing visit. They are a hoot and the most truly southern folk I've ever met. They have become special family to us already and we can't wait for many more visits in the near future!

 

After every single weekend, I send out requests to people to start praying for our next assignment. We would love to have Zack FAIP and stay here for another few years. We just can't squeeze in all the family time that we want to in the next several months.

 

On the calendar for next weekend, more time with family, old friends, and the chance to host some new friends! It just keeps getting better around here.

First Days

Well, I had my first day of work yesterday. Kind of weird to have a job after such a long time off. I was just getting used to my routine here at home, but I'm glad to have something to go to each day. My shifts are short and sweet. I stay busy, so it goes by very quickly. All things so far have been added to the "pro" side of the list.

 

Starting this job was easy, of course, but telling people about this job was difficult for me. I feel like there is a stigma against people with a degree working entry level jobs. I got told I was "wasting my talents" and I was "above the job." I've always been blessed with good jobs. They had "impressive titles" that would wow people when I got asked what I did for a living. As Zachariah would say--no one expects a little Asian girl to be a project engineer or construction inspector. Now that my repsonse is "waitress" I get this weird vibe from people.

 

This wasn't my first choice of a job, but I live in a tiny town in the second poorest state in the country. Needless to say, construction projects are not booming around here. We could only be here for about 7-ish more months, too. So, then I tried to get any job, which still proved to be difficult. After I accepted this job, of course, other job offers came in. That is just my luck! But I am actually thankful that I'm doing this. I always thought working in a restaurant would be fun...and it is! I like having the opportunity to try different things. I don't know what I want to be when I grow up, but I like having the flexibility to explore different things, meet different people, and get out of my comfort zone.

 

I am happy with my decision. Man, that sentence has taken me a long time to be able to say. But, it's true. I'm happy with where we live, what we do, and our lives we're building here in Alabama. We've been blessed with it all and we're making the most of our time while we're stationed here.

February

I am back from the longest break in blogging I've had so far. Not really sure when February came and where it has gone. We have been enjoying life down South, and I promise to keep updating y'all about it!

 

February Recap

 

1.) Evan, Rachel and Macy moved to Alabama! We had roomates for a week and a half and now we have great neighbors just down the road. It has been awesome having couple friends nearby.

 

The pups sure got used to having their new best friend around the house.

 

 

2.) We got to spend some time with Sasha at Jer and Abby's. We had a blast that weekend. Hockey. Card Games. Food. Laughter. Family.

 

3.) We spent some more time in Pensacola. It is quickly becoming our favorite place and having some of our favorite people there to spend time with makes it that much more fun. This last weekend included shopping, games, and some good 'ole southern eatin'.

 

 

4.) On Valentine's Day, I perfected Zachariah's favorite dish. We had a sushi feast with yummy shrimp pad thai. It is now requested weekly. In fact, we're eating it tonight.

 

5.) Running has become our new activity to do together. This used to consist of Zachariah running and me doing...well anything but running. Then one day...I just ran, and I liked it. Now we run. One of us is much faster than the other, but at least now I can keep up with the distance and actually have a good time doing so.

 

6.) Finally, I've been coming up with a life plan. Or, rather a plan for our time at Fort Rucker. It has been difficult finding work here in Alabama. Living in a small town in the second poorest state in the country, has not proved prosperous for my project management goals. But that's okay. Sometimes plans change. Life has thrown this challenge at me and...I accept. We could only be here for 6 more months. Crazy, I know. There are 4 more classes to graduate and then Zachariah gets to walk across that stage and get his much anticipated wings. AH! Living under such temporary conditions has been frustrating and I've been learning how to adjust. I feel like it's useless finding work, but then I look at the bills and feel guilty for not contributing. If I can't find my "dream job" or even work in my field, then I want to enjoy life and just so something fun. So, that's what I'm up to. I'm going to spend my Mondays through Fridays working at a restaurant on base. When I'm home I'm going to use my free tuition money toward studying something that interests me the most. *Note-I may have second guesses this week before I sign up for online classes, so I'll reveal what I'll be studying soon! :)

I have had some serious ups and downs with trying to decide what I want to be when I grow up. Military life has been changing what I want for myself and where I see my career going. It has also limited my options while simultaneously opening doors for me. It's a confusing lifestyle and I've struggled in the confusion. Breaking down into tears is not uncommon, but thankfully I have faith that we are where God wants us and all will work out!

Thanks to everyone who has had to listen to me fret over all of this!