One month down!

Yesterday marked ONE month since Brandon left for Bahrain.  I won't lie, those first two weeks, I was pathetic, but I am fully functional once again :)

I've learned that no matter how much I want to talk to him, it just can't always happen.  At first I was putting a lot of time and energy into just being available all the time, so once we worked out a fairly consistent schedule of talk times, things got a lot easier.  I wait to hear from him in the mornings, we can usually text throughout my work day, and then I'll take a 20 minute break from work occasionally and we can talk on the phone, or if I can find a private place, Skype.  That's about all we get during the work week since by the time I get off work, he is already in bed. 

Weekends are a lot nicer because we can Skype during my day/his evenings. 

I have had to find ways to entertain myself during the evenings since I don't get to talk to B during my down time.  I have been playing on a co-ed kickball team, been hiking, studying for the GRE, and discovering new food. :) I am generally happy and distracted but occasionally a bad day comes along and all I want is a hug from Brandon.  Or to at least see his face and sometimes that doesn't even happen.

GOOD NEWS, THOUGH! Brandon's deployment has possibly been shortened from 4.5 months to 3! He could possibly be coming home in May :)  BUT, I have also learned that the Navy can be cruel and tell you these things and do the exact opposite.  The best advice I have gotten from these types of situations is to "Hope for the best, but expect the worst." - thank you for passing that on Jelana! So while I hope this is true, I am trying to not get my hopes up. 

I am off to get some work done now :)

Pictures :)

I promised some pictures of Brandon at work so here are some of the best ones I have found...

Spring is in the air! (3/11)

This weekend was an absolutely gorgeous one! It was in the mid 60's and sunny both on Saturday and Sunday made it a perfect weekend to both get some things done and to relax outside a little.  Stephanie and I were able to get coffee down town and sit outside with Sophie, I studied for the GRE out on my porch, and the windows were open all weekend long. It was beautiful. 

I also received chocolate covered strawberries and flowers from Brandon. I am spoiled :)

 

I was able to go hang out with some people in down town Raleigh on both Friday and Saturday night.  We helped celebrate Stephs birthday on Friday and then I went out on Saturday with some friends to watch the Duke - Carolina game.  Both nights we were headed back to the car before midnight because we were all tired... I am getting so old! It was a lot of fun though. I will miss Raleigh a lot when I move away from here.

I have been keeping up with my work outs and am done with week 1.  I forgot how intense this program was.  You are perpetually sore during the whole 90 day extravaganza.  I can already tell a difference though, which is encouraging. 

I will have some pictures posted later this week of Brandon at work, which I think everyone will enjoy. I know I liked seeing them!  I hear about his job all the time, so it was fun to actually see some pictures of him jumping out of helicopters!

(3/7)

The end of week two is around the corner. Brandon and I are still struggling a little to find a sense of normalcy out of this whole experience, but it is getting better. I am definitely not as hopelessly sad this week, but usually right before bed I start to REALLY miss talking to him. I am so used to telling him I love him and goodnight, that it becomes difficult to sleep when I don't have that opportunity.

I am, however, very lucky to have a lot of really great people in my life supporting me through this whole thing. I have been invited to play in a kickball league, to go backpacking, and quite a few other outings. So now my Wednesday evenings will consist of me kicking the crap out of a little red ball and then enjoying free beer afterward. Then later in March I will be going on a backpacking adventure and be able to test out some of my new gear with some awesome people. I wish Brandon was here to do it all with me, though. His dad has also been sending me pictures of him when he was a little kid and even called to check in :) His family is awesome.

This weekend will most likely consist of taking Sophie to a rabies clinic, more p90x, a hair cut, and other not so fabulous chores. Hopefully B and I can squeeze in a little more Skype time as well. We don't get to do that as much as I'd like.

Well, it's time for this old woman to go to bed. :)

Week 2 begins (3/4)

I gave myself a week to mope around, eat like crap, and be lazy. It is definitely what I needed and now I am feeling a little more like myself. This weekend was lazy, filled with lots of sleeping and a little thrift shopping. Then I went to Trader Joes, got some veggies and chicken and told myself that this week was going to be a bit better. It is only Monday, but I already feel like I have more energy.

I've set some goals to get done while Brandon is gone and to keep me busy:

- I am scheduled to take the GRE at the end of March and am looking into schools or jobs to take in VA when he gets back and I move up there with him. I need to get serious about studying...

- Saving money. Medical bills are paid off and I won't be spending money on gas for a few months, so I am putting money back each month for a travel fund :)

- Start working out again. Well, today was my first day and I am soooo stupidly out of shape. I am doing the p90x program and can't even get through a whole video like I used to be able to. It's depressing but shows how much I need to do it.

- I am also going to start trying new recipes so when we move in together, I can cook for us a little more. I've always liked cooking, but since I have lived by myself for so long, it is hard to find recipes for one person, so I haven't tried a lot of new things. It will also help on my venture to save money.

I am excited to have some things to look forward to and to better myself a little. I still miss Brandon terribly and I still struggle with not being able to see him or talk to him as much as I would like, but having goals helps and makes things a little easier.

Well, I'm off to lay on the couch and try not to move too much since my muscles are already getting sore. :-/

Friday! (3/1)

Well, my plans for going backpacking this weekend are getting pushed until next weekend. I'm exhausted and the weather is supposed to be much nicer by then. This weekend will be filled with lots and lots of sleeping.

It's hard to believe that Brandon has only been gone for 5 days. I feel like it has already been a month. After some initial frustration, I think we have finally gotten our schedules down for when we can talk. The best part of my day is when we can Skype. No matter what kind of mood I am in, it always makes me smile when I can see his face. And for anyone that has talked to Brandon on the phone, you know it is hard to get him to actually speak, but on Skype we can actually see facial expressions and he talks a lot more :). He has also been sending some pictures of where is staying and working. They have got it pretty good over there, I mean a maid comes in and cleans up after them twice a week! I wish I had a maid come even once a month!

Anyway, it's been a long week, and I am in need of much R&R. I plan on falling asleep on the couch while waiting for him to call and then once I've said good morning/good night, heading to bed. :)

Hump day (2/27)

Sooooo tired. I feel like no matter how much sleep I get, I am still exhausted and have been everyday since he left. I thought my week days would be ok since we have been in a long distance relationship since day 1, but my body has just shut down. Yuck. I have been trying to into a workout routine, but I can't seem to find the motivation. I have been eating healthier, but still, no energy. I'm blaming it on the mixture of him leaving and being on my period right now (sorry if there are guys reading, haha), so hopefully next week will be a little better. I've given up on the rest of this work week, though.

On a happier note, I have been keeping track of the weather and have decided that I am going to do my first solo backpacking trip at Uwharrie this weekend. It will just be for one night and I'm going to a place I've been before, so I think it will be a good experience. (And for my parents and grandparents who I know will be concerned... Don't worry, there is cell phone service on the entire trail) Sophie and I love being out in the woods and I am in desperate need of some endorphins so the hike will be good for us. I am pretty excited to use all my new backpacking gear. I've already got my trail planned out and have started packing my things.

Ok, well, the bed is calling my name. I'm off to answer to it...