Halfway to Kansas

It's been a LONG day. I'm sitting in Evansville, Indiana and am headed off to bed in a minute. We got up and headed out at 6:30, actually making it to the interstate at 7:30am. We made it through the mountains and dropped a few hundred on gas before making it to Evansville at 9pm central time, which is 10 eastern...and that's a long day! We are all tired.

Tomorrow, Wichita! It's going to be fun, my unloading will occur in the snow! Why...why...is it still snowing? Seriously!

Night all

Much love

Graduation

Today was a great and full day of Graduation. The day started at 6:15...getting ready and finished at 10pm after packing up the car. Adam and I went to the big school wide graduation, which was actually quite a good ceremony. I now actually have my Master's degree. Billy Ray was my speaker...no not Cyrus...but I thought that at first. We were to call him Dr. Bubba. He was funny and a good speaker.

Before the processional while we were all assembling, I became the resident hood fixer. I was the only one that knew how they were supposed to look. It became kind of an obsession too...if I saw someone I wanted to fix it. Probably 85-90% of people didn't have the hoods right which isn't surprising...I certainly didn't know how they went the first time I had one.

The departmental graduation was short and sweet. There was a really long speech by the Dean...that wasn't as interesting as the real speaker we had earlier. I got to get a way cool diploma cover though. Fun!

It's been a good day, it's hard to believe that I'm done here, even though i haven't been here for a while. I am really happy to have a job and in the plains, but I will miss Raleigh...mostly the great friends I have here...Those not in Raleigh tooo...I miss Emily and Michael who are in Wilmington. Sad to be far away. I know we will remain friends. Please remember I have an extra room...please stop by if you are near, or let me know if you're in Norman...I can head down to see you.

Picture of the day....

Adam and I after the big Graduation....the front shot.


Same picture....the back shot! Check out those hoods! They look good! Hey that's the whole reason I got a Master's! HA! Just kidding!

Much love

All Loaded up...now Graduation time

Today has been a wonderful, busy, and long day! I enjoyed it a lot though! It was so wonderful to see all my friends. I got up early and headed to school to get my Graduation getup. Now I get to wear it tomorrow. I got the truck, complete with furniture pads and headed back to Cary. Then back to school to do my rounds to see people. I was glad to see everyone at RIII and Jordan. We did some lunch, and headed to my storage unit. With Emily, Michael, Adam, Ben, Miranda, my parents and myself, we got the truck loaded up in a couple hours, maybe less. It went pretty well. Thanks of course the the others! I never would have been able to do it myself. The size of the truck is perfect, it all fit pretty much top to bottom, front to back without much room to spare. People doubted that it would all fit, but I know it did would and it did! VERY EXCITING. Tonight was dinner with those who helped me. It's been a great day, I'm tired and am headed to bed.

Up early tomorrow to go to Graduation! I've got my gown, now I just have to get there. Good times!

I'm extremely thankful for everyone's help. Thanks Emily, Michael, Adam, Miranda, and Ben! It was also great to see Susan at dinner! Thanks again everyone!

Much love

5 things that annoy me about airports

I'm currently sitting in the Wichita airport! YEA! I'm kinda closer to Raleigh...Well my flight leaves in an hour, so I've got plenty of time, but Wichita (unlike just about every other airport) offers free wifi! So here I am! YEA! Good way to kill time... And with that I will mention the 5 things that annoy me the most about airports.


5. Paying for wifi....it should always be free like it is here at Wichita! I like Wichita more and more each day!

4. Taking my drinks away from me before I get through security. I had planned all out, to bring a bottle of D. Pepsi with me, but then remembered that I couldn't bring liquids. So then you require me to pay an exorbarent price to get drinks and even toiletries if you've thrown mine away. Some law should be enacted so that prices are at least comparable to the "real world". I'm all about safety, but 2.50-3.50 for a 20oz is rediculus. I bet the food shops make more than the airlines.

3. The cost of food! It's crazy that a McDonalds meal costs 7 dollars in an airport when you can get the same thing (with bigger sizes actually) for 3-4 dollars just down the street. Not fair.

2. Being cold. It's cold in everything that has to do with airports! The waiting rooms, the airplanes..just everywhere. Why ya gotta freeze in the summer and winter just to fly somewhere else. Good thing I come prepared with sweatshirts and coats!

1. The rudeness of the TSA people. Now I know that you don't have the most glamorous job and that people get pissy, but sometimes it's because of how you act toward them! Why ya gotta yell? I mean come on, yes, some people are dumb...but some are not. You don't gotta yell at me and say...shoes on the belt by themselves. Last time it was ok if the shoes went in a box with coats and everything else. Heck I at least took them off, should be clue number one, I know what I'm doing and you don't need to yell at me. I'm nice, I try to wish you a good day and you yell...puts me in a bad mood. How would you like being yelled at?


So those are my top 5 things in airports right now as i sit here and think. Hopefully next time I write I'll be in Raleigh!

Much Love!

3 big things in 9 days!

After work tomorrow I will head to the airport to head to Raleigh. My flight is to arrive into Raleigh, barring any delays, at midnight tomorrow night. Then Tuesday comes and I get to see friends and load a truck! FUN! Emily and Michael are driving up and I'm way excited to see them. Then of course Adam and Miranda, Ben and hopefully Susan, and Kelly and everyone else! I don't know exactly how this week will play out, I've got some things that have to be done at certain times. However, it will be a lot of play it by ear type of planning.

I'm way excited, but it's hard to believe that it's finally time to go back to Raleigh and move my stuff.

I got the keys and moved my car load of stuff into my apt. I'm so so so so excited to get all of my things there next Saturday. Less than a week! It will be so wonderful to have an apartment again, and after christmas I'll even have my kitty again! The next 9 days a big and I'm looking forward to them all! Graduation, moving into my new apt, and Christmas!

I finished up my Christmas shopping today! I only had one thing left, and I went to get it today. The stores were crazy today, I'm so glad to have it done. Just now...to get it to people. YEA!

Tomorrow a fun day of work and travel!


Picture of the week....


Me and the Icelandic scenary. Beautiful isn't it! I loved Iceland! Thanks Elin!


Much love all

Do you have yours???

Have you been inoculated? What about your kids?





Be sure to show this to your kids when they are older!


Much love

Week 1 Completed!

Well it's hard to believe, but I've completed my first week of work. It was great! I loved every minute of it. My starting week has been action packed with a freezing rain event and now a winter storm event. I've definitely not been bored, and still have a huge list of tasks to accomplish. I'm getting the tasks down, one more day of "training" before I'm alone on the shift the Saturday before Christmas. I've even gotten into answering the phone, which was probably the scariest task I've taken on. It's gotten less scary the more I pick them up. I'm still unsure about some questions, but that will come with experience. I already got better between today and yesterday. It's crazy...I don't hesitate to pick up the phone, but still get unsure about some of the questions. That's ok...it's only my 3rd day on the floor and really 1st answering the phone. Sooo anywho.

Snow is here...how much will we see here in Wichita? It's been snowing off and of since 6pm. The question will be how much will accumulate overnight. Places not that far north and east of here have gotten 7-9 inches so far and it's not over. We haven't gotten near that much yet, only an inch or so.

I'm planning on totally relaxing tomorrow! Just because I CAN! I haven't just relaxed in forever! Sleeping in and not having any expectations, is a great feeling! I'm going to enjoy day's off.

I signed the lease on my apt today, it's great! I went and looked at it before I signed the lease and it looks good. Clean and no big problems. It's defiantly the nicest place I've lived in. I can't wait to get my keys on Sunday! Then have my stuff next week! YEA! Just one week away!

Picture of the Day....


Russian Palace along the canals in St. Petersburg. It's hard to explain, but all of the streets that lined the numerous canals all had buildings like this. The buildings just looked like a continuous block of buildings for miles! It was very interesting!

Snow anyone?

Snow's in the forecast! Area's around Wichita could receive up to 6 inches of snow. It's insane how much Winter has blown in with mucho gusto! I finished my second morning shift. I did it myself with guidance from Chris, which was my goal. Since I only have 2 more days of training, I've got to get it down. I've made myself a checklist so that I can be better prepared for that time. Still loving it.

This snow, however, has really timed itself terribly for placement and whatnot for travel for my parents this weekend. Of course the system will follow them, if only they could get south quicker and have it not take as long. That's the issue.

Tomorrow I will sign the lease for my new apt. I'm so excited! I won't get the keys until Sunday, but heck! I'll almost have it tomorrow! Mine! Mine!! Mine!!! My own place to live! Then in another week, I'll actually be able to live in it! Very very exciting!

Another video...the Ice storm in OK...This is amazing and deadly!

Killer Ice - Watch more free videos

Be careful and much love!

In the Christmas spirit?

Things are going well in my neck of the woods. It's still hard to believe that I'm working, it will take a few weeks for it to become less of a novelty. I'm working each day, but I'm getting to do what I love, where I love and it just feels like a gift each 8 hours. Definately a different feeling than I've had before other jobs. Don't get me wrong, I have not disliked any of my jobs, but I LOVE this one!

A snow storm on its way to the area, we'll see how that hampers things. I've definately gotten my share of winter weather since moving back to the Plains. This storm could interfere with my parents travel to North Carolina. I'm hoping it won't, and it shouldn't to much...but it could be interesting. It will be interesting to know now, which route I'll need to take to get back to Wichita. I want to go north because it's shorter, but the snow and weather may push me to the south, driving on I-40. Only time will tell.

Kristone had this up, and I LOVE it, so I had to post it too...check it out, this will replace the picture of the day today. Enjoy

Love

Day 2 and the ice that didn't come.

Today...day 2 of my new career was good! I arrived and was immediately taken from paperwork to on the floor where I participated in the freezing rain and ice storm event. That was wonderful! I was thrown right into it. The hubub quieted down pretty quickly around 9-10am, and then I worked on AWIPS and my paperwork for the rest of the day. So overall the day was amazing! I feel less like a visitor in the workplace and that I belong, which is really really nice.

Tomorrow morning I start shift work, the 6-2 shift with the current Intern as my trainer. Should be fun. I'll be getting use to the 6-2 shift as it's what I'll be doing for the next 3 weeks when I'm in town. Very exciting.

Wichita didn't get the much ice, and what did accumulate on the trees, melted by late afternoon with the 33-34 degree temps. However, Salina, Hutchison and north of Wichita did get a lot of ice and have a lot of power outages and tree limbs down. Tonight it was still misting and it's about 28-29...so it will probably be freezing again, but the worst is gone and Wichita was spared.

All in all a great day and I'm looking forward to the remainder of the week. I best head to bed though so that i can get up at 4:30am. Fun times! HA!

Picture of the day....

The Blarney stone at Blarney Castle. See the window and the shadow of people above it. That holds the Blarney stone. You must kiss the blarney stone while hanging upside down to have the gift of eloquence. I've done that, hopefully I have eloquence.

Much Love

Day 1....The Job starts out with a big freeze!

I made it to Wichita!!!!

I got into town around 5pm Sunday night. The roads turned out to be not to bad, and I'm glad I waited till Sunday to leave. Anywho, I got into town and had some dinner with Mary-Beth and someone else from work. I'm staying with Mary-Beth who is a journeyman forecaster and has been oh so sweet in giving me a place to stay for the first week of my time in Wichita. So I unloaded my car on the icy pathways and got my room sorted out.

Sleeping last night didn't work for me, my mind kept thinking about things. I was tired, but so anxious. So don't know how much I slept, but it didn't seem like much. I got up and got ready and headed right on into my first day as a Meteorologist!!! YEA!

My first day was good! Filled with paperwork, but good. I met a few more forecasters and learned a bit about things I'm going to be doing in the next couple day. Wednesday I begin the shift work. This is such and amazing opportunity and I'm blessed to have it! I'm so excited, yet it doesn't seem real. I'm sitting there in the office and I still feel like a visitor. No one does anything to make me feel that way, it's just that I've been in and out of offices since 2002, but I've always been a volunteer or visitor. I've learned so much today, and tomorrow bodes to be the same. Good thing I like learning.

Tomorrow will be interesting....as you've probably heard, Oklahoma was slammed by an ice storm sun night into monday morning. Well Wichita is in for that tonight(mon to tues morning). So it will be interesting to see how getting to work in the morning goes.

It's exciting to begin my career as a Meteorologist in the middle of an Ice storm. Crazy times!!!



Picture of the day....

In honor of the Oklahoma Ice storm and the pending/current Ice storm in Wichita, this is a picture of the amount of ice that Kearney got last New Years. Good luck those in Oklahoma, and also those in Kansas!

Much love!

Why should I be in Wichita?

Picture it.....you are starting your new dream job in a city 350 miles away in 32 hours, Where would you be? Prepping for the new job? or sitting 350 miles away from it because of a winter storm. So I had planned on driving to Wichita today, but the winter weather has struck me down. My dad came home and told my mom the roads were bad...so she really wasn't happy that I was leaving. I finally decided that I'd wait until tomorrow, get up early (because by this time it was 1pm and I'd be driving at night) and drive slowly. So I'll be driving in daylight and hopefully make it to Wichita with 14 hours or so to spare. What a doozy. Then Wichita is in for Freezing rain for a few days! They are getting it now. All very exciting, and annoying. It did give me a day to get some other things done without rushing. I've got my car gassed and loaded. I just have to get ready, zip up the suitcases and head on my way...well more or less.

It's hard to believe I'm starting my job in just 32 hours, especially when I'm sitting 350 miles away from it. Oh well, it will all work out! I'm excited and anxious for the next few days! Hopefully I'll have internet when I get to Wichita so I can write about the first day of my future!

Much love!

Travel Picture of the day....

My other favorite federal employee. I got to see Amy in Washington DC the weekend I got back into the USA. I haven't seen her for more than 2 hours in 7 years! We had so much catching up to do, we didn't get it all done. I loved every minute of it though! I hope I can see her again around Christmas!

Moving on

Well the time has come for me to move to Wichita...my new adventure will start soon. I leave today, after wrapping some presents and packing up my car, for Wichita. It's extremely hard to believe that I am starting a job on Monday. Not just any job, but my dream job! Which I don't think helps its feeling like reality. This whole job thing will be an adjustment. I've been a student for so long. I know how to do that. I do look forward to this adventure and know it will all work out.

It feels weird partly because I'm not moving into an apartment before I start. I've never just moved somewhere without settling in, at least somewhat. So it just feels like I'm going to Wichita. I think that aided in my procrastination in packing.

The snow that has fallen and continues to fall in Nebraska, along with the freezing rain and sleet and ice that is in Kansas will make for an interesting drive tomorrow afternoon. Keep me in your thoughts as I travel these difficult roads and pray they will be somewhat cleared.

Wichita, here I come!!!

Much Love




Travel Picture of the Day....

The Beatiful Ring of Kerry. Ireland is a beautiful country. I can't wait to go back! If you go, rent a car and drive through it. It's an experince you'd love! The Ring of Kerry is an exciting circle of roads around the small peninsula of Kerry. There are many tour busses and tourists that travel this road, and at times it's barely wide enough for 2 cars, let alone a car and a bus. An adventure around every twist and turn.

The sadness in Omaha

I have thought a lot about the awful tragedy that occurred in Omaha, so I figured I'd take a moment to reflect on it. I don't have anything profound to day, but here it goes anyway. I was baking bread Wednesday afternoon when I saw a scroll across the bottom of the TV screen saying there were shots fired. Since it was a scroll it took a bit to get the whole thing out, and my mind immediately went to thoughts that something bad happened because the president was in our state. However, very quickly learned it had nothing to do with the President's visit. I was saddened to learn the news, and shortly thereafter the ABC nightly news broke in with the news. I couldn't believe it made national news. Very little that happens in Nebraska makes the national news. But when I think of it, had 9 people been killed on a shooting rampage in a mall it would have made the news where ever it happened. I find myself the most sad when I think about the families of those killed, when it is personalized. I even think about the shooters family. Yes, he did a terrible thing, but his parents and friends also lost a loved one. Even with the awful thing he did, they are still hurting.

There are questions on the tv about, what would you do? What could have been done to prevent this? Will you shop in a mall now? Does this make Nebraska look bad? I guess while learning about it, I've thought about what I'd do in a situation like that one, but you never know when the adrenaline starts pumping. It seems like this disturbed man was put into many places that tried to help him. I don't think anyone is to fault here. He was just a sad, disturbed man that unfortunately did an awful thing. I won't not shop in a mall...it happened one place, I won't live my life in fear. And does this make Nebraska look bad? Well I didn't think Virginia looked bad after saddly so many student's were lost last year...why would Nebraska look bad. I think many things look good, like that the emergency responded so quickly...people knew what to do and action was taken. Why would the state look bad? It's not the state's fault. I still feel safe in Nebraska, and would live here any day. I'll even still shop in Omaha!

My thoughts and prayers go out to those who lost loved ones.

Much love all! Much love!

Picture of the Day...

While thinking of loved ones, this is my parents and I in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.

A chance of wintery mix!

Wellll welll wellll......

Margret Joanne has informed me (because I've been busy and not looking at the weather myself at all) that I am beginning my new job in the middle of an ice/snow storm. Good times! I've had ice and snow for the past week and I'm plenty sick of it. My worry is that I will be driving to Wichita in this mess on Saturday. Shall be a fun and exciting next few days...it was to begin with, and now this makes it even more.

I'm ready for the winter to stop and it's not even winter yet!

Love

Picture of the day.....

Remember what it was like in the summer....I like this much better!! Come back summer, come back!

When there isn't much to say...say it in pictures

Not much to say today...it's late, I'm tired..and I have a big day of baking tomorrow! Christmas fun, here I come!!!!

Travel Picture of the day....

This is one, of about 15 brides we saw in the middle of St. Petersburg, Russia taking pictures. They all go around the city to all of the tourist sites and take pictures. It's really quite crazy. I've never seen so many brides on one day. It was a friday afternoon. Can you imagine traveling all around a huge city taking pictures while 10 other brides are behind you taking their pictures. Well it wasn't that bad, but there were 4 different couples taking pictures at the church below. The above picture was taken across the street from this church (I forget its name).

50 is warm??

It's winter in Nebraska!
I've never ever enjoyed winter...not at least in the years I remember. I don't enjoy the snow, cold, ice, cold, dreariness, and did I mention the cold? I, unlike just about everyone else, actually prefer to be hot over being cold. So in the gloriousness that is Nebraska...I am back to experiencing the wonderfulness of chilly days/nights etc. Today, however, it almost reached 50, and maybe it did..I'm not totally sure. Regardless, it felt "warm", well relatively. When you can take off your coat and walk around it's a good day. This folks is the reason I moved south for schooling. On the other hand, it's funny how relativeness temperature is. I remember each spring when I was younger (and it of course still happens today), people wear shorts and drive with the window's down at the first sign of 50 degrees. Then in the fall, when it hits about 65, everyone's in long johns and coats! It makes me laugh. It's also funny to see the gradient of tolerances from north to south for winter weather. What Texas people think is bad, Nebraska people laugh at, and what Nebraska people think is bad, Minnesota and North Dakota people laugh at. Reality is in the eye of the beholder...he who perceives it.

I hope your reality is warm and fuzzy! Do you like the cold weather like everyone else, or prefer to have it warmer like me?



Travel photo of the day....

Myself standing on top of York Minster Cathedral. The beautiful building behind me. I was on a foot wide walk way on the way down from the top where I saw spectacular views of the city and surrounding countryside. See it's cold....check out the coat and scarf (it was also rainy, yuck).

Love

Top Christmas Things?

What are your top Christmas things?

My top 5 Christmas things:

5. Decorating for Christmas. I love decorating for most holiday's, but all of the cute things that you can find for Christmas make it so much more fun! I just wish that I had my own apartment to decorate this year. I'm tempted to put up a few things after Christmas just for the heck of it....why not? Yes I am crazy!

4. Seeing family and friends. Since I've been away from home for the past 6 years, it's been difficult to see all of my family and friends. However, the Christmas season usually means I get to see everyone. I am especially thankful for those friends that are also away from home and we get to see each other about once a year at Christmas.

3. Christmas Baking! I LOVE Baking and baking at Christmas is the best! Each year I make bread, cookies, candy (carmels, etc.), snack mix, and the famous Taco Chex. There is more I'm sure, but I can't remember. When I was younger, my mom and I would make 3-4 dozen loafs of bread to give as gifts...its tamed now, as we might make a dozen.

2. Giving Christmas Presents to my friends and family! One of my favorites in the recent years, is surprising my mom with one of my Kristone's creations of my Mother's retirement picture and her nursing pinning picture many years earlier. She was super surprised! I'm excited this year for what I've got people! I can't wait to give it to them, and I've got ages to wait it seems!

1. Christmas Eve service at 11pm on the 24th, because when it's over, it's Christmas. When I was little and still today it's a race to see who remembers and says Merry Christmas first at midnight. Also when I was little it was important to get right home to bed so that Santa would come. I also love the singing of all the christmas carols at church, I'd many times sleep through the service (when I was really young) until the songs, then wake up and sing...say Merry Christmas and go home to bed.


What are your top 5 things?



Daily travel photo:

A beautiful picture of a canel in Copenhagan. Copenhagan, Denmark was a beautiful city! I can't wait to go back! Check out all the pretty colored houses.

It's December....Christmas anyone?

November has come and gone, and I'm not quite sure where it went, but regardless it's December. Well for the first time in ages, I'm just about done with purchasing gifts for friends and family! I LOVE giving gifts for Christmas. I get so excited when I have some, what I think are good ideas for people. A year ago I hadn't even started shopping by the 15th of December, so being practically done by the 1st is pretty good.

Today we put up the Christmas Tree. It has been a few years that I've been home to help put up the christmas tree. I enjoy the family event the Christmas tree is. Now all that is waiting is some wrapped presents. I am a little sad though, because I'm going to get into my new apartment without any of my christmas decorations and get settled after Christmas, so I won't be able to use any of my new decorations anyway. Sad I tell you...sad.

Today's traveling photo:



This is me getting my groove on in Russia. I was picked from the audience at lunch to help play this little instrument up on the stage. It was quite fun! They made other people dance, so I was thankful! They also sang for us. Lunch in Russia consisted of some very weird red soup...caviar...vodka...beer....water(which is what I wanted after walked so much)...and other things...but that's what I remember. I loved our authentic meals while we were traveling. The next Russian song you hear...listen carefully, it just might be me playing the crazy instrument! HA!

Love

Ice Storm 07? Again

If I remember right it was just 11 months ago that Kearney was hit by the second ice storm in 2 weeks over New Years, and it was called Ice Storm 07...but I could be wrong. As I sit here delaying bed (for who knows what reason) I can hear sleet/freezing rain hitting the window. *This is a pretty amazing feat since the window into my room is about the size of a microwave, and half in the ground* I checked before heading downstairs and yes there is ice on the ground and it is beginning to get slick. Could be quite an interesting day tomorrow. The sleet/freezing rain is coming down harder now...and pumpkin is really interested in it, however he can't get to the window.

I find it amazing that last year when the ice storm hit it was hovering around freezing and it was a big issue of where the ice line would be...however tonight it's in the low 20's and we are still getting freezing rain. Thank you, warm air from the south.

Soon I will be apart of the organization that actually makes the warnings like we are currently in....amazing really, and some adjusting it will take. I'm just use to being a sideline person, or a watcher from home. Oh how I can't wait to see what the future entails for me.

With that I'm off to bed. I've been thinking my blog is quite drab...so I thought I'd post a picture from my trip a few months ago. Maybe I'll post a few more, and maybe even write about some of the countries I promised I'd write about.



*Catherine's Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia. This Palace was HUGE! It also had some of the elaborate and gaudiest rooms I've ever seen...and I've been to some elaborate and gaudy places. It was awesome though! I love visiting palaces. Check out Catherine's Palace if you are in St. Petersburg.