Honoring the California Fallen

Army Specialist Rudolph R. Hizon, 22, of Los Angeles, CA was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Polk, LA. SPC Hizon died in Logar province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device.

Cleo

While I spent my day completing AACN CEUs and starting to study for the GRE, Cleo spent her day warm by the fire. My parents first told me how much Cleo liked to sit by the fire while she was living with them this past fall (I was in TX for training and couldn't bring her with me) so I thought I would see if she liked it here too.

My cat sure does have a rough life...

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more!
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Finally!

I attended 1SG Craig Jeffrey's Change of Responsibility Ceremony today as he took over as the 1SG of Headquarters Co, 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division. Yup, that was a mouthful to say! It was a simple ceremony but loaded with tradition and meaning behind each word and action. Finally being co-located with Infantry, Stryker, and Special Forces Brigades I am hoping to have more opportunities like this to support other Units that I get to provide medical support to.

One of my favorite parts was the chair that was reserved just for me! You have got to admit that we have all wanted to have the chair reserved just for us in the "VIP" area...and today I got mine!!! Thanks Craig!!!

To celebrate I took a picture with their mascot (donated by the University of Alaska). Yup, a huge stuffed Buffalo. Seriously, that guy was massive!

Congrats Craig!

Today's Snow

Usually from my deck I have an amazing view of the two bridges over the Tacoma Narrows. This morning I woke to 2 inches of beautiful fresh powder on the ground and the snow was still falling. By lunch my porch had already melted away as the sun was out. Then not long after lunch the snow came back and the bridges disappeared again. So I took a time lapse video of the snow falling because this CA kid is still fascinated with fresh falling snow!

Crystal Mountain

Let the winter sports continue!!! Today I went to Crystal Mountain with Ryan, Penny, Brooke, and Alex to hit the slopes. It was my first time this season and I loved it!!! My first two runs were a little slow as I got my balance again but then I was off and running!!! We had a blast and the weather was perfect. The mountain was covered with about a foot of fresh powder and the snow kept falling. There was a light snow all day without any wind which created a beautiful day of snowboarding!!! Looking forward to getting my schedule so I can figure out when I can hit the mountain again!

Goodbye Friend

This Frisbee has been through a lot with me. We first met during nursing school at Azusa Pacific University when we would through the disc during class breaks or while we waited for class to start. Then the disc came with me Ft Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX where I began my adventures with the US Army. Following 3 months in TX the disc settled in the National Capital area while I spent 4 years at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. During my 6-month deployment the disc saw a little playing time in Kuwait and in Iraq being used as a form of stress relief. Other places the disc has travelled with me: NorCal, NC, MO, AK, AL, KY, WA.

Earlier this week I made the mistake of putting my backpack (which held my Frisbee) a little too close to the heater and it melted. I was pretty bummed but I guess I will just have to get another one for my next adventure...

But I sure appreciate the memories!

Snowshoeing

Today was amazing!!! Hurricane Ridge had gotten 10 inches of fresh powder overnight and we had the pleasure of hiking on a gorgeous ridge. We were surrounded on both sides with spectacular views of fresh snow (there was already a 7 foot base layer). Most of us in the group had never been snowshoeing before and we could not have chosen a more perfect day. The sun was shining and the wind died down for most of our hike. This is something I would like to do again...

Makayla and Mikenzie ~ the camelbak you helped your mom pick out for Christmas worked perfect for the trip!!! Thanks Langdale family!

Pepper and Sunny

While apartment hunting I have been lucky enough to get to stay with the Jeffrey Family. Laura and I met while deployed with the 47th CSH in Iraq. Her husband Craig was also deployed to Iraq at the same time and I got to meet him there as well. They have been amazingly generous to allow me to stay with them for a while as I get settled into my new life here. (And have gotten me hooked on Prison Break. I should have been watching this show while it was on air...!)

My days at work are super short so I get the pleasure of coming back to their house and playing with their dogs. Pepper is a 3-year-old black lab and Sunny is a 5-year-old gold retriever. I can't wait to get a house of my own with a yard so I can get a dog!!!

Alyson's Water Polo Game

Moving up to the Seattle, WA area is starting to have more and more benefits. Another example was getting to go cheer for my cousin Alyson at her Water Polo game. She plays for the University of Washington's Club B Team. Brooke (the daughter of the family I am staying with) and I enjoyed hot dogs for dinner while Alyson swam and threw the ball. While this game was a not a victory for the Huskies it sure was fun to watch and cheer for Alyson!

Joint Base Lewis-McChord

Made it safely to Joint Base Lewis-McChord today!

Let the in-processig begin...!