Thursday, July 27, 2006
It's a Boy!
Just a quick note to congratulate Tom and Jess on the birth of their baby this afternoon. His name is Joseph Charles born at 3:07 P.M. central time, 20 1/2" long, and weighing 7 lbs. 12 oz. The only other detail I know is that he has brown hair. Jess promised to send me a picture after they get settled so I'll attach that later.
Hurry Up and Wait
I'm not sure how far the word spread of my whereabouts over the past week. Here's an update...
On Saturday (7/22), I was in Las Vegas sleeping in my hotel room when I got a call from my supervisor at 8:30 am asking me if I'd be able to get my passport and go to Washington, DC immediately. I told him my passport was at my home in Minnesota and he said to pack quickly because I was going to get it. I had almost convinced myself that this was a weird dream when someone started banging on my door. To make a long story short(er), I called Katie and asked her to start looking for my passport (not an easy task, trust me), my supervisor went online to make a reservation for me from Las Vegas to Washington, DC via Minneapolis and I frantically started shoving my belongings into my suitcases. Two hours later, I was at the LAS airport paying for the ticket for my 12:00 pm flight (not the cheapest way to travel in case you were wondering). Katie came through for me once again and met me at the MSP airport with my passport. Jess and Renee also came to see me. My layover was only 1 1/2 hrs., but it was nice to see them even for such a short time.
At this time I had very little information. I knew that a group of NSF was sent to DC the day before (Friday, 7/21) and that they were planning on being sent on to Turkey. I was told that my group would probably be going to Germany or Cypress. The purpose of all this was to help expedite and assist in the screening of evacuees from Lebanon. I arrived at Reagan Int'l in Washington, DC at 10:15 (Saturday 7/22). The number I was given to contact upon my arrival was not working so I took the hotel shuttle. It was about 11:15 by the time I got there. No room ready, no information on who to contact. I got a couple hours of sleep then went to the lobby to see if I could find anyone and ran into a group of NSF. They told me that there would be a meeting at 1:00 pm. Anxious for details, I went to the meeting and didn't get much information. The group that came on Friday (7/21) was sent to Cypress instead of Turkey. We were on hold for the time being. Be patient and be able to get back to the hotel in 45 minutes if needed.
The next day (Monday 7/24), we had another short meeting. Chances of going abroad seemed to be dwindling. Maybe we would be sent to one of five airports here in the U.S. that the evacuees would be flying into. Be patient and be ready.
Tuesday (7/25) still no news except that we had to move to a different hotel because the one we were in couldn't accommodate all of us. Another group of about 20 from around the nation joined us in the waiting game.
Wednesday (7/26) another short meeting. We weren't going anywhere. In the next couple days, the first group that went to Cypress should be returning. On Saturday (7/29), we will most likely be sent back to our previous deployments (that's Las Vegas for me). Between now and then we are to make sure all our administrative paperwork is in order and work on our online training courses.
Can't say I'm not disappointed. I was hoping for a chance to go to Germany, but to put a positive spin on things...at least I got out of Vegas for a week. Don't worry, Mom. I would never move there. I'm burned out on Vegas, literally. 115 degrees is pretty hot, even if it is a dry heat.
On Saturday (7/22), I was in Las Vegas sleeping in my hotel room when I got a call from my supervisor at 8:30 am asking me if I'd be able to get my passport and go to Washington, DC immediately. I told him my passport was at my home in Minnesota and he said to pack quickly because I was going to get it. I had almost convinced myself that this was a weird dream when someone started banging on my door. To make a long story short(er), I called Katie and asked her to start looking for my passport (not an easy task, trust me), my supervisor went online to make a reservation for me from Las Vegas to Washington, DC via Minneapolis and I frantically started shoving my belongings into my suitcases. Two hours later, I was at the LAS airport paying for the ticket for my 12:00 pm flight (not the cheapest way to travel in case you were wondering). Katie came through for me once again and met me at the MSP airport with my passport. Jess and Renee also came to see me. My layover was only 1 1/2 hrs., but it was nice to see them even for such a short time.
At this time I had very little information. I knew that a group of NSF was sent to DC the day before (Friday, 7/21) and that they were planning on being sent on to Turkey. I was told that my group would probably be going to Germany or Cypress. The purpose of all this was to help expedite and assist in the screening of evacuees from Lebanon. I arrived at Reagan Int'l in Washington, DC at 10:15 (Saturday 7/22). The number I was given to contact upon my arrival was not working so I took the hotel shuttle. It was about 11:15 by the time I got there. No room ready, no information on who to contact. I got a couple hours of sleep then went to the lobby to see if I could find anyone and ran into a group of NSF. They told me that there would be a meeting at 1:00 pm. Anxious for details, I went to the meeting and didn't get much information. The group that came on Friday (7/21) was sent to Cypress instead of Turkey. We were on hold for the time being. Be patient and be able to get back to the hotel in 45 minutes if needed.
The next day (Monday 7/24), we had another short meeting. Chances of going abroad seemed to be dwindling. Maybe we would be sent to one of five airports here in the U.S. that the evacuees would be flying into. Be patient and be ready.
Tuesday (7/25) still no news except that we had to move to a different hotel because the one we were in couldn't accommodate all of us. Another group of about 20 from around the nation joined us in the waiting game.
Wednesday (7/26) another short meeting. We weren't going anywhere. In the next couple days, the first group that went to Cypress should be returning. On Saturday (7/29), we will most likely be sent back to our previous deployments (that's Las Vegas for me). Between now and then we are to make sure all our administrative paperwork is in order and work on our online training courses.
Can't say I'm not disappointed. I was hoping for a chance to go to Germany, but to put a positive spin on things...at least I got out of Vegas for a week. Don't worry, Mom. I would never move there. I'm burned out on Vegas, literally. 115 degrees is pretty hot, even if it is a dry heat.
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Okay, okay...I'll do it!
After pressure from friends, especially Tracy, I've decided to give in and start a blog. This could be a mistake for several reasons. Namely, I don't know what I'm doing and I've never been very good about keeping a journal. I thought about getting someone else to do this for me. I even asked Renee, but she didn't take the bait so I guess I better give it a go.
As most people reading this already know, I signed up to travel the U.S. for a year with TSA (Transportation Security Administration). That's airport security for those who don't know, not the armed officers but the ones taking your lighters and making you remove your shoes. Some think I'm nuts since, as a member of the NSF (National Screening Force), I often travel on short notice for an undetermined about of time and I don't have any say in where I travel to. I like it, most of the time. I've always liked to travel, I like change, and I'm single so for those reasons this is a great opportunity to see the country. My only serious regret so far is the fact that I will miss the birth of my first nephew or niece (Should be any day now!). My sister and I are close so that's hard, but we still talk often and she promised to send pictures.
Of course I also miss everyone else in Minnesota. Hopefully, this blog will make it easier to keep in touch and post photos. Next item I plan to spend my money on is a digital camera. I don't want bore anyone so I think I'll sign off for today. I'll try to write again soon. MISS YOU!
As most people reading this already know, I signed up to travel the U.S. for a year with TSA (Transportation Security Administration). That's airport security for those who don't know, not the armed officers but the ones taking your lighters and making you remove your shoes. Some think I'm nuts since, as a member of the NSF (National Screening Force), I often travel on short notice for an undetermined about of time and I don't have any say in where I travel to. I like it, most of the time. I've always liked to travel, I like change, and I'm single so for those reasons this is a great opportunity to see the country. My only serious regret so far is the fact that I will miss the birth of my first nephew or niece (Should be any day now!). My sister and I are close so that's hard, but we still talk often and she promised to send pictures.
Of course I also miss everyone else in Minnesota. Hopefully, this blog will make it easier to keep in touch and post photos. Next item I plan to spend my money on is a digital camera. I don't want bore anyone so I think I'll sign off for today. I'll try to write again soon. MISS YOU!
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