A New Kind of Adventure

"If something happens, just run as fast as you can."

Um. Did I just hear that correctly with earplugs blocking out only some of the loud hum of the C130 I was strapped up in the cargo bay of? A quick look at my coworker, dressed in just as many layers as me, confirmed that I had. What did we get ourselves into?

Not quite the same experience I had on Turkish Airways just a few weeks ago, but I found it somewhat reassuring that I could see my bag stacked on a pallet 10 feet away so I knew it was on board. Shoot the fact that the bathroom was a curtain and a bucket didn't even phase me because I was finally on my way to Rota!

The flight experience was sure something I'll never forget. Think old war footage with soldiers in the planes and that was pretty much us. Well, not quite between having to rely on my pilot coworkers to maneuver my seat-belt and keep telling me what was next, I have never felt like such a rookie flyer. Of course I didn't look like a homeless person standing in a small huddle with a beanie tight over my head, hands jammed into my jacket pockets  like some of the guys did. Some of us seriously wondered if they were going to light our luggage on fire to keep warm. (Yeah, it was really cold!)

The flight home was better for me because I know people and made my way up to the cockpit. Yes- it was awesome! How many times in one's life do you get to see the view from the sky out of the front window? And? There was heat up there so as I defrosted and chatted with the guys I just had to keep reminding myself that I was several thousand feet about the ground and not to panic and grab any of the hundreds of switches lining the ceiling and panels. The best part? I was actually still up there as we made our approach into Naples and landed. So many things need to take place to land and for once I got to see behind the scenes. I <3 my pilots.

So no, I didn't just fly up and back to Rota to log time riding as cargo. I headed up with several coworkers to go meet with the crew aboard the USNS SPEARHEAD, MSC's first of 10 Joint High Speed Vessels. She's not your average boat in capabilities or appearance...but she's really impressive. For you non Navy types, here's Katie's summary of JHSV- it's a really fast moving platform that can be outfitted with different modules depending on the mission. Best part? It doesn't cost nearly as much as ones built in the past! Inside, it really reminded me of the ferry we took to Sicily- complete with open cargo bay and lots of seats for the passengers. (If you want to read more, you should probably Google it and you'll find one of the publications that our PAO team has put out there.)

I spent the better part of a day touring the ship...hanging out on the bridge, climbing ladders down in the belly of the ship to see the engines, generators, and shafts. Our tour guide? The ship's Master, another fabulous CIVMAR that I've been able to meet with my gig here at MSC. I love it when they take time, my boss as well, to explain to me exactly how things work because should there be an issue and that funding document crosses my desk I a) know who I'm helping out, and b) know more or less what that #4 generator or shaft seal is.

Despite not securing a good spot to stow away, I was able to pick up a coin to commemorate this trip and maybe one day if there are more than 10 of these floating around the ocean to tell my kids I stepped foot on the first one after she made her first trek across the Atlantic to Rota where it was our office who supported her during her time in this part of the world.

Yes. I do hear myself. I'm not only talking about ships, but I'm excited about them. I'll be honest, some times after a ship tour, which reminds me about my time at sea, I can't help but wonder if I really belong behind a desk all day. And I think it's very clear my time as a DA Girl are behind me as I now speak Navy more fluently than Army.

DC- 4 Jammed Packed Days

So I know you all think I'm crazy whenever I say it but here it goes...I would still like to work in DC for a little while. Due to current obligations I can't get there by 30, but I need these next few years to prep.

Since last post, I've been traveling like a mad woman. Seriously. My adventure out of Monterey was somewhat entertaining- getting paged for final boarding when I'm still in security, the guy at the counter asking for a second ID, the plane waiting on me because the guy at the gate wouldn't let me walk out until everything was condensed again from security...so happy that I didn't know anyone there from NPS going TDY and that my family was on the other side of the glass watching on and waving until I was on the plane.

I made it to SFO where I was once again thankful, this time for friends that get up early even on holidays as I waited for it to become a more decent hour in CA to start round 2 of phone calls. Next stop IAD, and then shuttle ride into the city. Eventually I made it to my hotel.

Oh wait.

I forgot to mention that I seemed to have arrived in DC their first official week of winter weather. As in, I left the forecast of a 70 degree week for mornings of 14! (It's even worse when you forget your computer is set in centigrade and you see a -8.)

At any rate, I lost no time- I may have been there TDY but evenings and non training hours are my time. Turns out that one of the worst things about working with people that move every 2-3 years is also one of the best...it means you have friends scattered all over. My "DC Crew" was ready and without any issues we figured out my social schedule, because after 8 hours of federal appropriation law you need to laugh until you cry reliving events from earlier in the year, 14 years ago, or silly stuff your little sister does. And yes, you of course need fabulous food. By the way- I totally recommend Founding Farmers when you're in town. Super yummy and everything served is produced by small farmers.

During lunch I took advantage of my location by visiting places on the mall that I hadn't before: Natural History Museum, National Archives, The Capital, Botanical Gardens. The places was practically empty and it was fabulous to be able to just walk right up to the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and Bill of Rights or talk to one of the "bug guys" while holding a Madagascar Hissing Cockroach. You know you are jealous!

I got 2 other major things accomplished on this trip: #1 I now have a semi understanding about how MD, DC, & VA are stacked. Sure I'll probably still say head down up to DC while standing in MD but I get it now. Go figure that a case we talked about in the class taught me this geography lesson! #2 The instructor validated a few thoughts I've had regarding narrowing down my career, and coming from a guy with over 50 years experience with this sort of stuff it carries some weight.

Another one that I'm still mulling over is the fact that Starbucks and I are just not BFFs anymore. I'm mulling it over because I think when I had the one that planted this thought in my mind I had already reached the ready to go home phase of my trip. Once I'm there there is no turning back.

Well, more hanging out with friends would probably have cured that but after the running from one place to another all week I just need/want a Nico kitty to curl up with for a nap. And a strong cup of coffee.

Meeting My #1 Customer

It's one of those weekends again. The kind  where I'll be running from event to event and come Sunday night I'll be more exhausted than I was Wednesday morning when that gym alarm goes off way too early.

But it's okay. I do after all choose to do all of these things and I mean why wouldn't I choose to take my boss up on his suggestion to go visit our other office in Gaeta on a Friday? Why wouldn't I plan on going to a dinner with local orphans to present them with Christmas gifts? Why wouldn't I plan to attend my class field trip to Naples? ...but I get ahead of myself. One day at a time.

After a rather hectic week in the office and my cancelled trip yesterday, my boss fully supported our reschedule trip to Gaeta to happen today. So this morning, a good hour after I normally leave my house I met up with my coworker and we headed up the coast to Gaeta. Gaeta several years back was the base for this area and still remains the home port of 6th Fleet's Command Ship- USS Mount Whitney.

The MW and I have really gotten to know each other over these past few months as I process, log, and closeout all funding documents for her necessary repairs. Let me tell you- she has a lot. Only recently did she return from Croatia from a dry dock. Yeah, as in they pulled her out of the water to make some major repairs. At any rate I feel like she sealed her fate as my #1 customer this week when I processed at least 2 documents for her each day and stressed over the fact that although these were emergency things I had no more money to use. Nothing like having to wait 6 hours to have the east coast to approve funds before your person signing documents in Bahrain goes home...like I said, busy week.

Today's mission was to gather information the MUSE barge, the power supply for the ship when it's in port. I tagged along as "official photographer" and to foster customer service. It was good to see some of the guys I talk with weekly (if not more) but never see. After hanging out in their office reminding that accurate estimates are key to not tie up funds in jobs (the reason for my headaches this week) I headed out to the barge with the real engineer. The Italian contractors gave us a great tour and offered us coffee. I'm still not 100% sure what all I saw but come Monday I'll get the big picture from my coworkers and start making sense of all of this.

After a fabulous seafood lunch with great company talking shop and other stuff we headed back to the port to get on the ship. The SSU engineer, knowing the week I had, suggested that I meet the chief engineer on the ship so I had a face to go with the next requests I saw. Why? Apparently he feared for my computer screens' safety this past week when I kept seeing the requests come through. Well, like most of his ideas this was a great one. As in gold star quality. The chief engineer is a great guy who agreed to take me on the 5 minute engine room tour but it quickly turned into the 45 minute tour as  he lead me around, taking the time to explain how things work. (Can I just say that I find it rather ironic that after my days on the TSGB I never though I'd be in an engine room again and yet this is the second one this year?) During our tour I got to see the galley with its new hoods and met the Captain of the ship. He personally thanked us for the support our office provides him- sweet!

Realizing that we'd put in way more than our 8 hours and it was late Friday afternoon we thanked everyone again and headed back south. Along the way we called our boss to report in. He was once again impressed that I have no fear running around engine rooms. Shoot, I was even in heeled boots today. No. Not exactly ship exploring shoes but that wasn't our original plan! Oh well, as it was also pointed out on the drive back, when I tag along for visits we get the VIP tours. The things I do for my country :)

They're Returning Me!

No, not really, but that's what it kind of feels like. I've been here for six weeks and I'm on my way to the airport, headed back to the US of A. Why? I've got people to meet and trainings to complete.

As previously mentioned, Virginia may not be exactly Italy but it's still a land full of adventures waiting to happen- especially when I've called in some fabulous friends to keep me company! Depending on how much I've got planned (shopping and ballgames) in my spare time, I may be off the grid for a while.

Yes. Kenya status.

Know that I'm safe- even if Steph and I already have a ton of shenanigans planned! Only be worried if Rebecca joins us and it's like we're all back in Monterey last summer...jealous? You should be! Really you're not? Well then I should tell you that I also get to see Chrystal! Yep. VA is the place to be...while I'm there at least.

So anyway, this is your warning that a hiatus most likely will occur while I'm stateside. Take this time to study your Italian vocab, road signs, and think of more adventures for us to have.

-N. Cali Girl Out