Life and Adventures of a Boring Man (Kelly), his Wife (Sarah) and their puppy (Pearl).

Day Nineteen of Travel to ? 6-18-09

2009-06-18T03:24:00.016-08:00

DAY NINETEEN- TOKYO Cityrama Tour

Today I took a guided tour of Tokyo! First is the TOKYO TOWER meant to be a modern representation of the famous tower in France. We drove by Roppongi known for the bars and night life and the Roppongi Hills shopping tower in midtown Tokyo. It had 54 floors of shopping! Next was the Meiji Shrine (Shinto) where we learned the purifying customs before entering the shrine. Walking under the torii (gateway) meant mental purification. Water washing signifies the physical purifying (Body and Mouth). 70% of Japanese are Shinto and 60% are Buddhist (If those numbers don't add up for you, it is because many Japanese are BOTH) There are 180,000 trees designated as "sacred" near and around the shrine complex. The lanterns and stores of royal/sacred sake were impressive.
Soon we were off and driving by Takashita district which is a HUGE shopping area in Harajuko for teenage-ish shoppers. Then we stopped at the Royal Palace. It is 284 acres in the center of Tokyo. The gardens there were breathtaking and I loved taking pictures there.
Finally we headed to Asakusa 628 A.D. the oldest Buddhist temple in Tokyo. Also the oldest Geisha district...I guess there are still 45 actively working Geishas there today. ?? Who knew?? At the end of the day I bought my plane ticket home and within 24 hours I flew through Taiwan to Anchorage! THE END.

Day Eighteen of Travel to ? 6-17-09

2009-06-17T03:14:00.000-08:00

YOKOTA (Rest Day)

I liked the massage from yesterday morning so much that I had another one this morning! TALK about spoiled! I can't believe how reasonable, wonderful, and convenient it is to have a massage here! The flights for today were cancelled, so I just wallowed in a long hot bubble bath, walked to the Air Mobility Command (AMC) to confirm that I am signed up for travel Space-A, took a nap, watched TV, wandered into ITT (Information Tickets and Travel) and booked a tour of Tokyo, and relaxed in my room. Much needed day of rest!

Day Seventeen of Travel to ? 6-16-09

2009-06-16T02:43:00.002-08:00

TOKYO
Since the Flight to Elmendorf was cancelled today, I started the day off with an hour long massage! WOW! I needed that after hauling my body weight around in luggage! What a way to start the day! That's right...you have now seen the inside of a woman's toilet stall in Fussa Station- Tokyo, Japan. Not all together unexpected, I was taken aback for a moment when faced with this novelty. (Big Smile) That is why they say "squat" I'm sure...

I ventured into downtown Tokyo

You think it's just another water fountain? Turn that little knob and see what it does! I myself, and many other tourists got water shot into the face by this sneaky little public perk. I laughed really hard when someone got the water shot straight up into their nose!

Guards at the Imperial Palace. This reminds me of the Royals in England.

Shogun (I think).

I wandered my way around town and through the train system today and accomplished some simple, but key things. I figured out how to order sushi (even though no one spoke English and the Japanese I can speak is pitifully little) I shopped at the grocery store and found some great ingredients to take home for sushi! I could spend years here and just barely scratch the surface of all there is to experience. Tokyo is overwhelmingly AMAZING!

Day Sixteen of Travel to ? 6-15-09

2009-06-15T00:18:00.000-08:00

OKINAWA JAPAN TO MAINLAND JAPAN Here I am sipping green tea on the flight form the Naha airport, Okinawa Japan to Haneda Airport in Tokyo, Japan

What's the first thing I see when I step off the gruelling 2.5 hour train ride? Mickey-D's. ???Where am I?

This shot puts my location into better perspective.

I finally made it to the base and checked into a great situation!

Day Fifteen of Travel to ? 6-14-09

2009-06-14T00:10:00.001-08:00

OKINAWA (Above- Stacy)
So I met some people through my flight on the C17 to Kadena and we all went out Saturday and Sunday nights! 6 different stops and ended up on Saturday night/Sunday morning at a REALLY neat Karaoke place with all you can drink, eat, and sing until 7:00am! Wow! Talk about amazing fun!

(Joe, Me, Mark, Stacy)

I'm sure I'll have to go back to Okinawa to capture the rest of the experiences there, but I enjoyed the night life and all the fun I had in the short time I was there.

Day Fourteen of Travel to ? 6-13-09

2009-06-13T05:59:00.000-08:00

OKINAWAWoke up bright and early and went to breakfast at a local restaraunt and captured some early morning beauty on my walk.Caught a shuttle down to the "American Villiage" to get my naviating started in Japan. American Villiage is Okinawa's take on American culture, food, and shopping. Interesting and not really close to the reality I know back home. I did order Saki Soba for lunch and was impressed! Near the sea wall downtown.

I rode the ferris wheel and got a great glimpse of the city. Here's a rare moment where is wasn't sprinkling rain.

Day Thirteen of Travel to ? 6-12-09

2009-06-12T05:52:00.000-08:00

OKINAWA JAPAN (Camp Foster)So "technically" I got into Japan tonight at 7:30 pm and I sort of skipped a day. After Immigration and Customs, the Marines drove us back to Kadena where we signed up for travel from Kadena and then a nice couple (who were in the group with me on the plane) drove me to Camp Foster to find lodging since Kadena was full. I camped out on the couch in the lobby for an hour or two until they "found" a room available for me. hahah! Cute little rooms with a KING size bed and all the amenities you could need. I was SOO happy to have a bed to sleep in!

Day Twelve of Travel to ? 6-11-09

2009-06-11T05:35:00.000-08:00

KONA TO OAHU TO OKINAWAGot up early this morning with Sarah's brother, Ian, and enjoyed the drive to Hilo Airport.Caught a hop from Hilo to Oahu and a shuttle from Honolulu Airport to the AMC terminal on Hickam.I was SUPER grateful to get on a direct flight from Hickam to Kadena (Okinawa Japan) on a C17! About 7:30pm local time (After a 9.5 hour flight) we arrived in Okinawa and were transported to Immigration and customs.
I thought this sign was funny and the group of us were laughing about the old person being included in the restroom sign, so I took a picture. I almost got kicked out of the country for taking a picture in the immigration office, so I learned my lesson on that one...but still got to keep the picture! haha! I have a cool visa in my passport now to prove I've been to Japan! YAY!

Day Eleven of Travel to ? 6-10-09

2009-06-10T03:17:00.003-08:00

HAWAI'I (BIG ISLAND FUN)

I did some MAJOR sleeping in this morning and then we were off on our adventure for the day. This is a cute shot of Sarah Whittle on our hike at Pololu.

Sarah calls this spot the "breezeway" because after a hot and humid hike this particular spot has a fresh cool breeze and is a great place to rest before the finishing the hike.

Shaka!

Great view of the valleys and coves.

Trying for a "Zoolander look" but looking more like silly monkeys! hahah!

This hike was incredible!

After hitting a few cute shops we drove to the Marriott where Sarah will be Married August 7th! The views are incredible! Sarah's wedding and reception will be absolutely stunning.

Ian (Sarah's Brother) and I fished while Sarah and her Mom worked out some details with the hotel.

Standing in the warm water and fishing.....rough....really rough!

Caught a beautiful rainbow.

Sunset view from where Sarah will say her, "I do." What an incredible day!

Anyone visiting the Big Island should try Solemene's for dinner! Yum!

Day Ten of Travel to ? 6-9-09

2009-06-09T02:40:00.000-08:00

KONA HAWAII Here my friend Sarah Whittle cranks through some waves!

Sarah's brother Ian surfing.

Sarah's Dad surfing.

Me celebrating my first attempt at surfing. Status: not bleeding, took some hard hits from a set of big waves and kept on tickin', caught a few waves and learned to steer the board but didn't stand up, and only got a little rash from the board on my tummy! Surfing is fun! I can't wait to do more. :o)

The whole family went out to eat at Cafe Pesto to celebrate their dad getting a job promotion he'd wanted for a long time! Seafood risotto and incredible desserts and drinks! WOW!

What a great day!

Day Nine of Travel to ? 6-8-09

2009-06-08T14:26:00.003-08:00

HONOLULU OHAHU - KAILUA KONA I missed all 4 possible flights to Kadena Japan this morning because I wasn't high enough on the list, so I hopped a plane to Kona to visit my college roommate Sarah! The plane only had 5 people on it including me! Wow!

Shots from the air.

Mokulele Airlines was awesome!

Sarah picked me up and we went for some awesome Sushi, hit Costco and her Dad's Firehouse on some errands. I got a shower and some laundry done! Played wii with Sarah, her Mom and Brother. Talked fishing and had a good night sleep! :o)

Day Eight of Travel to ? 6-7-09

2009-06-07T18:25:00.000-08:00

HAWAII- NORTH SHORE Cool shell ring and necklace I got from Global Creations Interiors in Haleiwa, Hawaii.

Motsumoto Shave Ice! The best one in Hawaii! Worth the hour and a half bus ride just for this little treat!

Day Seven of Travel to ? 6-6-09

2009-06-06T18:10:00.001-08:00

HAWAII- WAIKIKI

Blue Hawaii at House Without a key!

Waiting for the bus on Hickam AFB

House Without a Key was amazing! Creamy Pesto Pasta with Ahi and live Hawaiian music right on the beach! (Not to mention the tasty chips they make right there! yum!)

Waikiki

Beach in front of the Hale Koa.

Swimming in the ocean!

Day Six of Travel to? 6-5-09

2009-06-05T22:43:00.006-08:00

TRAVIS AFB CALIFORNIA to HICKAM AFB HAWAII

I was thrilled this morning when I was moved up into the last seat available to Hawaii because I was a solo traveler and they only had 1 seat left! Only 20 seats and I was # 20! I was still thrilled when after the selection process had been closed they opened up another 38 seats so more of the hundred or so people waiting in the terminal to go to Hawaii might go too. After arriving Sunday night and exploring California I am REALLY READY to move on to Hawaii now that it's Friday!!
Here I am sitting in my jump seat on the C17. Although this picture shows me sitting...as soon as we reached cruising altitude...I laid out on the floor in my sleeping bag and snoozed most of the 5.5hour flight!
When I asked to have my picture taken sitting in my jump seat the gentleman in the flight suit took it and then said, "come with me" like he was giving a harsh order. I wondered for a second if I had broken some mysterious Space-A rule, but then he said watch your step and still holding my camera, took me to the cockpit and took my picture where there was a much better view! Cool! As I was walking (and sweating...not just a feminine glisten either...) toward the base lodging, a crew member from the flight stopped and asked if I needed a ride. THANK GOODNESS! Once I reached lodging and got a room, I quickly headed off to catch the bus into Waikiki!

Waikiki beach was so fun, exciting, relaxing to walk down and I had a great dinner/drinks before catching the bus back to the base hotel. It was a really successful day and I'm looking forward to wearing a swimsuit and hanging out at the beach all day tomorrow!
Aloha~ Sarah

Day Five of Travel to ? 6-4-09

2009-06-04T22:17:00.000-08:00

This is Joe and Maddy my "travel friends."

So as I checked out of my room this morning I asked just if by chance there was a cancellation and a room available for the night tonight and I SCORED BIG TIME! I got a TLF unit with a full kitchen, dining room, washer-dryer, living room, bathroom, and 2 bedrooms. Well I firmly believe in paying things forward when you have the chance (and it's not too dangerous) so I paged a fellow traveling Father-Daughter duo at the AMC and offered them the other room that had 2 queen beds if they could give me a ride with their vehicle into town to get a few things I needed. It's so nice how things work out sometimes. While we were in town we ate at Applebees and went to a movie. After doing a couple loads of laundry and watching the Burn Notice Premiere I am ready to hit the hay for an early morning tomorrow.

Day Four of Travel to ? 6-3-09

2009-06-03T19:14:00.003-08:00

CALIFORNIA....STILL.

I woke up at 6:30 today, got ready, checked out, and walked with my bags to the AMC (Passenger Terminal). There was a flight to Hawaii-Guam-Japan at 0840, but only 8 tentative seats and I had almost no chance of being able to board with the already 65 people waiting for those 8 seats. I walked back to the Hotel and checked back in. (I got the last remaining room! whew!) Since the day was open I booked an hour and a half massage at the fitness center and pampered myself! Afterward I had lunch and took a nap. :) Oh the luxury of taking a nap! I woke up with enough time to walk back to the AMC and see that I was 2 people away from being able to fly out on the 1710 flight to Hawaii. I'm glad I checked into the hotel when I did. Next I walked across the street to the outdoor aquatic center and lounged by the pool in the late afternoon sun. Right now I'm sitting at the Base Mini Mall eating some dinner and, OF COURSE, some dessert too! haha. I'm such a dessert girl! I am looking forward to enjoying a nice glass of wine and relaxing in my hotel room. There is a flight to Hawaii and Guam tomorrow at 1:10pm but only 5 tentative seats, so I'm not worrying about it because Friday there are 5 flights to Hawaii with a possible 161 seats....I'm fairly sure I'll be in Hawaii on Friday. Maybe tomorrow I'll go to the beach or a wine tour? ~Sarah

Day Three of Travel to ?

2009-06-02T18:47:00.000-08:00

NAPA AND SONOMA CALIFORNIA

Today began with a rental car swap and setting my iPhone GPS to Napa. I arrived in the late morning and had a fantastic breakfast at Gillwood's Cafe in downtown Napa. The Mimosa just completed the already great and sunny morning. After breakfast I had my nails done ( I know...how girly is that?) and went to the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory for a chocolate dipped frozen banana! I walked around Napa a bit and then decided to head for Sonoma.

This is the park in downtown Sonoma. I was so impressed with the quaint, old-world feeling town center. I could spend some serious time relaxing here. The little shops, cafes, art galleries, and sitting areas with star jasmine and other yummy flowers only adds to the smell of gourmet food and WINE! Mmmm I wish I weren't the driver today or I would have had a bit. :o)

On the way back to Travis AFB I stopped at the most beautiful Vineyard I'd passed on the way up and explored the estate and the vineyards a little.

The road wound around the hills and beautiful vineyards. On they way home I found a Trader Joe's (yummy organic fruit), grabbed some dinner from the Commissary (grocery store) and returned my car rental. A very good day and I am ready for sleep. ~ Sarah

Day Two of Travel to ? 6-1-09

2009-06-01T18:22:00.001-08:00

CALIFORNIA

Today I woke up with just enough time to get ready and check out of the hotel before I rented a car and was on my way to Fairfield CA to visit the Jelly Belly Factory! I had a great time and got to try all sorts of new flavors! Yum yum! After, I set out for San Francisco to see the Golden Gate Bridge. As you can see I got to see most of it and found great place to get a shot of almost the whole bridge.

Next I set my iPhone GPS to Ghirardelli Square! I don't know how I would have found all these places without my phone! I HEART my iPhone! I also HEART the Peanut Butter Chocolate Parfait I had at Ghirardelli! Yum! (That's right...so far to eat 1. Jelly Bellies and 2. Ghirardelli sweets)

I figured by this point that I should probably eat something other than sugar, so I tracked down an In-N-Out burger down at Fisherman's Wharf. Wharf is a weird word. Also I walked around and took in some of the sights.

I had a really good (rather geeky) day and enjoyed my time thoroughly! I'll try to keep you updated~Sarah

Day One of Travel to ? 5-31-09

2009-05-31T18:51:00.000-08:00

Woke up at 6:45 after a late night of fun with the Castillos before they pull out on their next military adventure. Walked to the AMC and found out there was only 1 seat available on the flight to Japan...I thought I had good odds until a Category 2 (Medical Leave) girl snatched it up. So I was left with a quick decision: Walk back home on this rainy-cold Alaskan Summer day OR board the flight for Travis AFB (Between Sacramento and San Francisco) California. I went with the CALIFORNIA choice! The flight on a C17 was really interesting because there was a crew doing medical training the whole time, so they ran through all sorts of scenarios like crash landing, fire, loss of pressure, various injuries, etc. I slept all stretched out with my bed roll and pillows and blankets most of the way and woke up to a sunny, palm tree view out the back hatch of the plane! So Cool! Checked into the base hotel (SOOOOOOO nice! I'm really amazed!) and walked to the BX (store) for dinner. The sweet smell of star jasmine is everywhere and it's nice actually using my sunglasses! haha. No flights to Japan on Monday, so I'm planning to rent a car and go to the Jelly Belly Factory, San Francisco to see the Golden Gate and maybe Ghirardelli Square and Fisherman's Wharf.

Pearl Getting Bigger

2009-03-13T01:26:00.004-08:00

Spring Break with Family!

2009-03-13T00:54:00.008-08:00

Enjoying the view

Grizzley Bears (The Three Bears?)
Elk
Moose (In the background) :o)

Bald Eagle

Me, Gramma & Mom
Iditarod

Truck

2009-03-13T00:48:00.002-08:00

Got Kelly a HUGE Truck

Dog Sled Ride

2009-03-13T00:32:00.004-08:00

Before

After

Merry Christmas

2008-12-24T08:19:00.002-09:00

-Pearl and I in Oregon City for the Holiday-

-Mom's house in Oregon City with record amounts of snow-
-Shoveling the driveway and putting on chains-

-Mom and I on a walk to the store-

Wishing everyone a happy and safe Christmas!

Love,

Sarah

Merry Christmas

2008-12-20T01:11:00.004-09:00

Merry Christmas from a small tent/plywood church in Manass Kazakstan!

Afghanistan Traveling...almost there

2008-12-20T00:55:00.003-09:00

So Kansas 15 Dec night and got processed through the deployment center making sure our carry ons would fit, and weighing everything for the plane. After we were all processed we boarded tour busses and made our way 45 min down the road to an old ANG base where we were told that a pump on the plane was broken and we would know more in 20 min. This now being 1800. 45 min later they tell us that they are still working on it and we should be leaving in an hour. Mind you we were in full quarantine, we can't leave the busses and are being watched at all times because we have 2 weapons apiece. They finally realize that we can't stay that long in a crowded bus and herd us into an abandoned building that reminded me of an old mental ward. We each claimed our places in the large rooms and made ourselves comfortable on the floors. I was lucky enough to spot a power outlet and hurried towards that spot to make my claim. Once I had my computer plugged in I could watch one of the 6 movies that I put on computer before we left. So I watched Kung Fu Panda, and it was really funny. But I was getting tired of waiting there. Needless to say that at 0100 (1 am) the company flying us out made a Wendys run for everyone, something like 250 double cheeseburgers, 100 cokes, 100 sprites 100 waters and bags of chips later we were all fed. At that time they tell us that the plane is fixed, and we should be boarding soon. 0200 we load the plane and wait for another 50 minutes till it actually takes off. So at around 0300 we start flying out on our trip that was suppose to leave at 2100. So 6 hours of waiting in a mental ward is a good way to start this trip. The flight from there to Ireland was only a little over 6 hours, so no big deal. The flight attendants are nice as the DoD is their primary contractor. We are riding on an old DC10 (3 seats, 4 seats, 3 seats) and they were nice enough to give a buffer seat between every passenger. So I was sharing a 4 seat row with another guy, which makes it very comfortable. The stewardess' are obnoxious and crude and it makes for a very funny flight. I guess they can get away with not being PC because in the grand scheme of things, we aren't going to complain. Nothing too crude, just comments like calling us 'honey buns' and 'sweet cheeks' from older ladies, along with giving you hugs when you try to squeeze by them in the aisle. Fun stuff and with good humor, but definitely something that would get you fired if you tried it in a real airlines. So during my flight I basically leaned to my right and slept for 5 hours of this first leg. Apparently I missed 2 meals and 3 drink rotations but it was well worth it. Then we landed in Shannon Airport in Ireland, and it looks like a normal Oregon day outside. Gray sky and overcast but there is starting to be some breaks in the clouds where the sky is dead orange like a sunset. The approach gave us a good view of the rolling hills and segmented land segments. It was quite a sight. The worst part is being in Ireland and not being able to drink :( Guinness products everywhere, and no sampling allowed for us. Hopefully we get to stop by here on the way back and I can grab some fun for our liquor cabinet, but only time will tell. Thus far I am working on my flexibility and going with the flow. So we are now in Manass AFB Kyrzikstan (sp?) after our 28 hour adventure. Yep thats right, it took us 28 hours to get from Kansas to Manass. So I have no sense of time or day as I swear we saw at least 3 sunrises as we flew across. So after leaving Ireland (without any problems I might add) we were stopping in Romania to get fuel which turned into a big hassle. It was suppose to be a 45 min stop where everyone stayed on board while they gave us gas and then take off... I fell asleep on board after watching 1 1/2 movies (approx 3 hours) so I'm not really sure how long we were really there. Apparently they didn't have enough fuel on hand and had to run trucks back and forth from the fuel depot... like I said...big headache. From there we landed in Manass and have been doing simple in processing here. Signing forms, getting chemical warfare gear, checking out bedding for the night and writing emails :) We were there overnight, and I should actually be in Afghanistan on the 18th if all goes well. If all does not go well I could really care less cause my clock has officially started. As of 1230 17 Dec 08 my clock started :) We supposedly have internet in our 'room' but I don't have any power outlets, nor do I have the appropriate power converter, so I am not going to worry about it for now. I will have to pick up a power strip and converter when I get to my base and get settled in, but for now we can use these library computers so it's all good. They have us staying in these barn like structures, cement floors, decent insulation, and about 250 bunk beds. Since this is the "transient dorm' it doesn't really matter. I slept like a rock last night on my rental bedding surrounded by 480

dudes that were just as tired as I was. Woke up in the morning at 3 am (feeling like 1pm a day earlier) and couldn't go back asleep. I'm guessing it will take a good 3 days to get my sleep schedule back on track. But I had a roof over my head, hot showers and porcelain toilets, so as far as deployments go this stop isn't half bad. We left on the 18th to go to Camp Pheonix Afghanistan where we have to do some more in processing with the HQ there, then we make our way down to our final FOB. So at least I am close to my final time zone, and things aren't going too terrible as of now. It also snowed all night in Manass Kazakstan so we got almost 2 inches of snow on the ground. Not that 2 inches is a lot, just that it makes a solid tan city in the middle of a Communist country seem a little more friendly and closer to the holiday spirit I should be feeling 7 days before Christmas. I will try to take some pictures today but do not know when I will get an opportunity to post them online, but hopefully it will be soon. I have to say that being a technological person like myself and enjoying being plugged into the grid 24 hours a day it is going to take some getting used to as to not have internet/email/weather/phone at my fingertips at a moments notice. But I will make do.

Soldier Snowman

2008-12-07T00:21:00.002-09:00

This is the crazy Soldier Snowman that Stacey Damiani and I built tonight at midnight! Stacey says we should call him "Kelly." He's very WWII- ish! Hahahaha!

An Adventure with Pearl

2008-11-23T20:51:00.003-09:00

So living in Alaska means preparing for the cold and Pets are no exception. Here is Pearl trying to chew her way out of her new arctic dog shoes.

She looked at me like, "You've got to be kidding me!" and pranced around trying to buck them off...

Finally she gave up , played with her toys and we went for a long walk in the FREEZING COLD!

Note: Pearl's doggie shoes are reserved for single digit temperature and below...just in case you wondered.Wearing her bandana....... How cute!

Pearl and I on a cold afternoon walk.

Girls Stick Together

2008-10-19T22:01:00.003-08:00

Here are some shots of our "Pearl" and I.

We are sticking together until Kelly gets home. :o)

Full Battle Rattle

2008-10-19T21:24:00.003-08:00

I learned a new term today and thought I'd pass on this new vocabulary word to the rest of you who also may not have known the meaning.

Battle Rattle: n. (protective) military gear worn in combat situations. Subjects: English, Military, Slang

Here is Kelly in Full "Battle Rattle"

MERRY OCTOBER!

2008-10-17T16:52:00.004-08:00

I know you might be looking at these pictures and thinking..."What a nerd to have her Christmas lights up already in October!" But the truth is I am a genius (and oh so humble about it) for gettting my lights up BEFORE the snow and ice covered everything. Hahaha!

Alaska has officially hit winter and here are our lights and snow pictures to prove it!

Sarah

Pearl

Kelly says GOODBYE

2008-10-03T20:57:00.005-08:00

Here is Kelly leaving for a few months of training and then will be going straight from there to the sand box in the middle east.. Hopefully he will not be away any longer than the 9 months that are scheduled. Give him a call on his cell phone and send him your prayers-

I'm Proud of you!

IT'S A GIRL!

2008-10-03T20:44:00.003-08:00

After years of Kelly begging for a puppy he finally got his wish and we welcome "PEARL" into our family! Here are some pictures to ooooh and aaaaah over.

Pearl at just 8 weeks old! Born 7-21-08

This is Pearl's house.
Kelly with his new little girl-
Proud Momma
She's already grown. Pearl at 10 weeks-

Great weather at Garden of the Gods

2006-09-04T20:05:00.000-08:00

Cathedral Rocks

Pikes Peak

Mom and Me

The Park

Golf at Eisenhower Golf Course USAFA

2006-09-04T19:41:00.002-08:00

Mom learning how to golf.

Me on the sixth hole.

Great scenery on the course as we played around the local wildlife.

Kelly Looking HOT, HOT, HOT!

2006-08-08T17:19:00.000-08:00

Kelly looking OH SO Handsome for Kendall and John's Wedding!

The view from the reception on a beautiful evening!

Megan Takes the Plunge!

2006-07-23T20:14:00.000-08:00

Megan and Aaron Defferding July 21, 2006 6:00pm

Kendall and I helping and enjoying...

Megan's incredible designer decor....Pink and Brown!

Joanna getting a little action from Megan! What a wonderful wedding!

Stanford here I come

2006-05-31T09:50:00.000-08:00

I was selected to go to Stanford for 3 weeks this summer to work with NASA on migrating an active satellite (Gravity Probe B) to the Air Force Academy. I will be the Computer Science team lead, and my mission will be to figure out how to migrate the control center and the mission center to the academy and integrate them into our network and architecture. I am going to be one of 7 people that got selected on this 100 million dollar project. My team members were selected from a wide variety of intellectual faction, such as astrology, aeronautical engineers, history, system engineers and management majors. But when all is said and done, not only will the Air Force Academy get an active satellite (and a famous one) but I will have had the opportunity to go to Stanford and represent the Air Force.

Ring Dance 2006

2006-05-31T09:04:00.000-08:00

Finally, It arrived. For those of you who do not know, ring dance is a huge deal. Ring Dance is the ceremony, and ball where upcoming seniors at military academies receive their academy/class rings. It is also the second most revered ball in our society to attend right behind the Presidential Inauguration Ball. The ring is a symbol not only of your completion of a military academy, but also of your individual class. I will be the 49th graduation class from the Air Force Academy, and thus the graduation class of 2007 has our own crest. It is this crest that is engraved into the right side of the ring, where the academy crest is engraved into the left side. The top of the rings are customizable and thus are unique in nature, yet they all are the same in spirit. Here are some pictures from Ring Dance where my beautiful guest was my fiance Sarah.

My roommate Ryan Stillwell, my old roommate Ricky Ricciardi and me.

Sarah wearing my bling with hers.

The gang, Front row, Shawn Steipp, Bryan Pascuzzi and Ryan Moss. Me in the back.

The view. Here is the view of the Eagle and Fledgling with all the couples walking in front of the fountains on the terrazo.

Sarah and I standing in front of the fountain pools.

Me with my sweet new ring.

Sarah is distracted by the shiny sparkles.

Dead Week Fly Fishing

2006-05-31T08:44:00.000-08:00

One of the great benefits of having "Dead Week" after finals here, is that you have a whole week off (mostly) with no stress, to go and do whatever it is that you want to do. This year I went with some friends and took a three day fly fishing trip in southern Colorado on the South Plate River. Some of the most incredible fishing and scenery I have ever seen. Here are some pictures.

Night out on the Town

2006-05-31T08:39:00.001-08:00

Here are some shots we took while trying out this swanky new bar in Denver called Mynt, they had some of the greatest Mojitos I have ever tasted.

Shot of Paul Wegner and I

Group pic, from Left to right, Chris Maguire, Bill , Megan Cram, Paul Wegner, and Me.

Cant Share Dessert

2006-05-08T11:48:00.000-08:00

So this Sat, Lance and I went and had a great dinner at Texas Roadhouse. It became apparent once we got there why Lance had chosen to go there. There was this waitress there named 'Cheryl' that he liked. But what you need to understand is how shy of a man Lance is. I am sure that just mentioning this to him will score a ten on Lance's Red-o-meter. If you dont know what that is... when we were roommates freshman year, Lance would turn red during any non-conservative conversation that we had. So to be able to rate this change in his skin pigment, we created a very high tech tool to measure his shyness.

Eye Candy of Sarah

2006-05-08T11:30:00.000-08:00

Here are my favorite 'eye candy' pictures of Sarah.

And my favorite picture of Sarah in the Carribean....

She said yes!

2006-05-08T11:25:00.000-08:00

Here is an engagement photo the Sarah and I took when I asked her to be my wife last November on our own little overhang in Multnomah Falls National Park in Oregon. Like a wise man once said... "You must be a great salesman".

Drop Dead Gorgeous Woman

2006-05-05T13:57:00.000-08:00

Here was a fun date night that Sarah and I had on one of my few trips home.

Wow...what a hot dress. How did I get so lucky?

Mexico Assistance Project

2006-05-05T13:54:00.000-08:00

Here are a few pictures of the Trip that Sarah and I took into Mexico to lend a hand with a developing village one Spring Break. As you can see...some of us worked...and some played more then others. Over all it was a great trip, even if I dont speak any spanish. I guess thats why the kids loved Sarah so much.

Magnificent 7

2006-05-05T13:48:00.000-08:00

The best friends in life are those that you can upon at 2 am. Here is my close group of friends that suffered through H.S. with me. Now we are spread throughout the U.S., but still not very far apart. Here is the Magnificient 7.

Left to right:Nick Rutledge, Me, Kendall Larsen, Sabrina Wood, Lane Olson, Sarah Goodlookin, and Megan Mohlis.

Good spicy picture of the girls. Rachel Edwards, Megan Mohlis, Sarah Boyer, and Kendall Larsen

Great man. Lane Olson, Currently in Panama beraking a sweat for the beterment of the indigineous people there. Hurry back bud, we miss you.

Another classic picture of the magnificient 7.

Best Colorado Winter Past Time

2006-05-05T13:45:00.000-08:00

Copper Ski Resort after a long day of skiing.
From Left to right:
Keith Yelk, ?, Tim McBride, Me, and Ryan Shaub

Another rough day, yet at Keystone this weekend.
Buddies are L.J (Black), MrBride (red) and me

Marry up the intellegence ladder

2006-05-05T13:40:00.000-08:00

If I could give any advice to others looking for a fiance, its to marry up the intellegence ladder. I think that if you marry a woman that is smarter than you, then you will never have to have competition between the two of you. That's what I am looking to do. Geeze, I cant believe she finished 2 years before me, and will have her masters before I get my undergrad.
Here is Sarahs family. From left to right, Jesse Boyer, Sarah Boyer, and Kim Boyer

Stalag 17 Class of '07

2006-05-05T13:36:00.000-08:00

We had a "social development" dinner where they attempted to teach us how to chew with our mouths closed. The dinner wasn't very much fun, but the pictures afterwards seemed to be more aligned with our spirits.

Beautiful Japan

2006-05-05T13:33:00.000-08:00

Normal housing is in close vacinity to your neighbors, yet the view makes up for it.

Sailing was a great past time, and the sunsets over the ocean made it all worth it.

The main road headed off base seems to dissapear right into the ocean.

On top of the World

2006-05-05T13:30:00.000-08:00

Here is me standing infront of the academy from about 1500 ft above. Great hike and an even better view.

Our hiking group once we summited Eagles Peak just west of the Academy. Quiet a view, and makes a great background.

Dragon Boat Winners

2006-05-05T13:26:00.000-08:00

Scott Hoffman, Myself and Scott's brother-in-law. All dressed in our dragon boat outfits.

It was a close final round against the reigning Japanese national team.

Here is a group photo of the AriForce 2002 Dragon Boat team in Okinawa Japan.

The younger academy years

2006-05-05T10:18:00.000-08:00

Nothing better then alittle saturday morning mud bath. 2nd Basic Cadet Training picture.

This is the ultimate goal... only 394 days left

Mike Wetlessen and I at our Prop and Wings Ceremony

Group pic of my freshman sqad

Its the small things that get you through the days.

I cant believe they gave the three of us weapons.

Cyber Defense Exercise

2006-05-05T06:28:00.000-08:00

USAFA CDX team won Gold. With only nine people on our team, we beat out teams of upwards of 40 people, against the Red Team of the National Security Agency. It just goes to show the momentum of war is going to be fought from computers, by well funded nation states, with equal playing feilds, where the battle for information is the primary goal. Enought rambling... we won!

Great Spring Break WA

2006-05-03T19:32:00.000-08:00

I spent a beautiful weekend with my fiance in Washington State, and went on a couple of great hikes. We also went on a great Ferry ride to Orcus Island and had a wonderful time.