The Picks are in & We're Moving to Alaska!

Yes, that's right,

We're Moving to Alaska!!

On Friday Chris' class was given the choices available for their 1st duty station as ASTs. The list included: Kodiak, Alaska - Sitka, Alaska - San Francisco, CA - Miami, FL - Cape Cod, Mass - Mobile, Alabama - and 2 slots at Elizabeth City, NC where they are now.

The class was given the opportunity to choose amongst themselves who was going where according to class ranking...who ever got the highest ranking in the class got to choose first, and so on. Chris was the 5th one to choose and by the time the list got to him the only slots left were: Kodiak, Alaska - Mobile, Alabama - and the 2 slots at E-City, NC. A lot of consideration went into choosing E-City, but the other slot was definitely going to the girl, who Chris CAN'T STAND! So, we decided to take the adventure and go to Kodiak, Alaska!

I am a cesspool of emotions...nervous, excited, scared. This could be such an amazing opportunity to live in Alaska!!! I mean, who gets to live in Alaska?!!? There is just a TON of outdoor stuff to do, and we can be one-with-nature...OK, maybe that's a stretch.

But, it is also going to be a DRASTIC change of pace. There is one movie theater with one screen that shows a new movie every 2 weeks. I'm sure there is a market, but I've heard everything is super expensive! The "Coastie Locals" buy all their fruits & veggies online and have them shipped in because the local produce has slim-pickings. I can't even imagine what type of clothing we'll need there...WARM, Yes, I know...but, what does that mean!?!?! We're native Californians! We'll have to have a "Blanket Drive" as a Going Away Party or something.

You know, the good thing about doing this now is that Emily is so young. We'll be in Alaska for 3 years and she won't be in school by then and probably won't have too many friends that she is attached to just yet. Besides, it would have been hard to avoid Alaska throughout all of Chris' career, and by going now we can just get it out of the way!

Anyway, I'm not sure when we're leaving. Chris graduates on May 9th and then has to report back to San Diego to get processed out and into Kodiak...this can take 1-2 weeks. After that we will have the date that we need to BE IN Alaska - this date will take into account any travel and/or vacation time that we want to use between now & then. I'm thinking that we won't be leaving any earlier then mid June---for those who don't know, my mom is graduating college after many, many years and I am SO PROUD of her accomplishment...I'll be here for that!!

So, that's the scoop. Kodiak, Alaska - home sweet home. Please don't hesitate to send your thoughts, ideas, concerns...I am in the dark here, so if you guys think of something we may need or where to get great deals on warm clothes, or of a cool place to visit along the way (we may be driving) --- please let me know!

We love you all! And, we're going to miss you!!

But, there are a few months left...let's make the most of it!!

(oh, and you can totally come visit!)

http://www.kodiak.org/

S.I.Q. No More

So, the infamous "Pink Eye" is almost gone. Chris never thought it was really pink eye to begin with, but the antibiotic eye drops sure helped!! So, today he participated and passed his PT Test...and actually had the BEST scores he has ever had!!

So, bad news has turned to good news in the matter of 24 hours!!

S.I.Q. - Sick In Quarters

Today Chris was exiled to his room all day. He didn't get to participate in the regular p.t. or the classroom exercises.

It all started a few days ago when he started to develop a bit of a cold. He had been taking NyQuil and other remedies but it just seemed like something that was going to work itself out. Tuesday he woke up to get ready for the day's training and his eye was "welded" shut with dried mucus...yuck!

He went throughout the day doing just fine but wore his glasses rather then leaving his contacts in. When it came time to go to the pool he was stopped just before he jumped in by the Chief. The Chief asked him what was wrong with his eye...I guess by this time it was red and a bit swollen. Chris said that everything was fine, however the Chief called him down from the tower above the pool and said "You have pink eye!" They argued about it for a few minutes until Chris was ordered to stay out of the pool and go to Health Services the following morning.

So, early this morning he was at Health Services...but they weren't convenienced that it was pink eye...after all, Chris had no other symptoms of pink eye. But, they sent him away with antibiotic eye drops and told him to come back the following morning.

Now...I'm sure you're wondering 'What's the Big Deal?' -- Because pink eye is so highly contagious, Chris is ordered not to have any contact with his classmates or the program. This means that he cannot participate in the regular physical training activities nor classroom activities. Tomorrow the class is participating in the "drowned pilot" exercise where they submerse you into the pool in a sudo-cockpit...and you need to unstrap yourself and get out of the simulated crash. (This was a big scene in the movie An Officer and a Gentleman) There is also a P.T. Test on Friday, which at this point, he is not allowed to participate in.

Still...what is the Big Deal, you ask?? Well...if he cannot participate in these activities then he will receive "No-Go's" on these tests and essentially fail the class!!!! This isn't college where you can take the test another day...or be sick...or just not show up. This is the freak'n military!!! He can't be sick! And, especially for something so stupid!!

Anyway, he has another check-up tomorrow to see if the antibiotics are working and to find out if he will be able to participate in the class again. Right now I'm not too worried about it, but if it continues this could be a real bad thing!!

Emily's 1st Easter

We had a very nice, but busy Easter. Our day started out with church early in the morning...then brunch...then visiting Great-Grandma Mendolia...then Easter with Chris' side of the family (Aunt Sue, Josh, Danny, Maryann, Dave, Lauri, John, Mike & Kylie)...then Easter with Grandpa & Grandma Mendolia and the Easter Bunny...then an Easter Egg Hunt in the dark...and that's it - what a full day! It was great to see everyone!! Hope you all had a Happy Easter!!!

Chris' School Projects

Yep...Chris made this!!

Well, among many other things, Chris is learning to sew. He has learned some of the major stitches, and this last week he finished a duffel bag! I keep telling him I have BIG plans for his new talent and I am looking forward to my hubby-seamstress!! (...love you sweetie!...)

Palm Sunday

Today we celebrate Palm Sunday. The day started off with church in the morning, a Crop Walk fundraiser to stop hunger, and then a nice family "Easter" dinner. Here's some pics!

Polar Plunge!

Today was Coast Guard Moral Day in E-City and the Command decided to host a Polar Plunge as an event to boost moral. Each school at the base was instructed to gather a team to participate, and of course all of Chris' AST Class were there & ready! There was to be a costume contest as well as the Plunge, and Chris' Team didn't want to disappoint anyone.


Throughout the week these 6 guys & one "girl" put together their best Richard Simmons' Gear and prepared for the big event. As you can see, the team wore light pink beaters, short-short-shorts, tall socks, sweatbands and wigs. Their class mascots (Dirty Sanchez and Joboo) even got dressed up for the event.


They had a BLAST during the day and were the best dressed out there! However, they didn't win 1st Place in the Costume Contest because the judges only had 4 prizes to give away to a team, and therefore they gave 1st Place to a team with only 4 people (rather then the 7 that were in the AST Team).

When it came time for the Plunge, the ASTs were "volunteered" to go into the 40 degree water first. And, without hesitation, they went running into the cold water -- afterall, these guys will be "living" in this cold of water for the rest of their careers!

A BBQ followed and after it was all over, Chris was sitting at a nearby picnic table with 2 other guys when a reporter came up to them to ask the ASTs about the day, as well as, the rumored difficulty of the class. The article will be appearing in the local E-City newspaper either this Sunday or next Sunday -- Chris will be getting copies of the papers, and I can post the article when he gets it.

Well, It was a great day at the beach and something, I'm sure, Chris will never forget. Oh, by the way, I'll have many more pictures of the ASTs in their outfits by the end of the weekend (check back)