2009; A Year in Review.

This is the first year in my life that I have spent time away from my family for Christmas or spent any significant time away from them really . It was a different experience for sure. Yes, I was away from my immediate family, but I was blessed to be able to spend it with great friends. 2oo9 was a year full of new experiences for me; some good, some bad. I have learned a lot this year, and am thankful for that. Being out of school was a major change I had to get use too. I have been in school for nearly all my life, but at the same time not to be in that kind of environment was nice.

It has been a year since I first enlisted in the Air Force, wow a whole year has past. It is crazy to think back to where I was this time last year; my life was really different. I was thinking about accomplishing different things, and trying to finish school. Now, I live in another country, work on jets, and have a new group of friends to hang out with. Graduating from BMT and tech. school, were two of my biggest accomplishments this year. Getting through BMT and seeing my family on graduation weekend made it all worth it. I can honestly say that was one of the best days of my life is when I saw them for the first time. I knew I was done with BMT and onto a new chapter in my life. I had accomplished something that only 1% of Americans can or are willing to do, and that made me feel great.

Living in Korea has been different. So many new things to get used to. Working in a strange environment, making new friends, and adapting to the weather, and the culture all had some affect on me. I love living over here, but it is hard when we are 15 hours ahead of home. I feel like I'm in the future, and it's crazy. That is one thing that I do not think I'll ever get used too while living over here. I have been here for four months now, and only eight to go!

I am not sure what 2010 will hold for me but I am looking forward to ringing in the new year with my new found friends in Seoul, something I would not be able to experience had I not joined the Air Force. Joining the Air Force has opened a lot of doors for me, and more importantly lots and lots of travel opportunities! I can't wait to get back to Italy! Ciao!

The holiday spirit; a time for thanks!

The Holidays are among us. Fall is starting to feel more like winter with the snow fall and cold nights. Christmas is just around the corner, and somehow it feels almost like it isn't coming. This is the first year in my entire life that I will be away from my family and friends for Christmas. This is hard for me, especially when all I had to do is drive thirty-five minutes and I would be home. I am lucky now to get a phone call in once a week. It makes me sad that I will not be able to spend the holidays with them. I feel left out in a way. I will say that I have been blessed by the grace of God, and love him so much for that.

As of lately I have been really stressed out and feeling depressed due to work, and not seeing my family and friends. This is the time of year to spend with loved ones, and enjoy each others company! I have seeked out help for my issues, and have to say it has helped and all I ask is that the Lord give me the strength to get through it, I know he is with me each and everyday watching over me and making sure I am taken care of; Lord I love you for that! He has also given me the gift of amazing friends, without them I would be all alone. I thank him so much for that. Feeling alone while being half way around the globe is not a good feeling to have.

One more way that I know I am not forgotten back home and have been blessed, the ladies from church and my mom's friends have sent me care packages. I thank them for the kindness they share, and the for the gift of wanting to help others in times of need. I was honored to hear they wanted to help me out this year! I feel that God has a purpose for me and has called me to South Korea for a reason, and I know that I will get to see all of my family and friends back home soon enough. It is just hard adjusting to my new life style that I haven't always been accustomed too.

This is the third time I have listend to Cut Copy's Saturdays. I don't know why but it is putting me in a really great mood. It is bringing back fond memories of working at AE, and it is all together a uplifting great song! In fact I will listen to it one more time!!