I finished the last class required by my orders at the end of July and my report date to my new ship was the last day in August so it was time for some serious Rest and Relaxation. At my last class I learned how to embark and debark marines and we actually planned a fake mission to secure an area of land. It was definitely very cool and new all at the same time. There were even marines in the class so we had to work together which was a totally different aspect then what I am used to.

My Seesters and I!

As soon as we received our certificates I was already packed and ready to go so I took one last look at Norfolk and headed for home. My family had already started the drive to Wisconsin where we were all going on vacation to see my Aunt and Uncle and cousins. M was going home for the weekend as well so I was staying with her and then flying out the next evening en route Wisconsin. We talked ALOT. We talk alot in general but we knew it was going to be awhile before we saw each other again so we talked especially long. I talked so much my voice was hoarse the whole next day. We went to Phip’s Conservatory in the morning because I haven’t been there since I was a little kid and then we ate tons of ice cream because that’s something we do very well together, and then she took me to the airport. It was a very sad moment for me. We have been best friends since we met -1 day at WVU (it was the night before the first day of classes when we realized that we had the same first class and decided to walk there together).

I flew into Wisconsin that night and then the fun really began. I family is crazy, in a very good way, and it is always a GREAT time when we all get together. The second day I was there we went out on a Pontoon Boat and sailed all through Milwaukee stopping at The Horny Goat to get mohito’s and Barnacle Buds for some amazing sea food. It was so yummy! We stuffed ourselves to the max and washed it all down with corona’s. It was truly a great day. Throughout the week there were many things planned and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We took long bike rides, we watched a ton of the summer olympics. This is the first time I even began to understand the olympics. It was awesome I was on vacation and was able to watch so much of it. I even saw my new favorite event which is the rhythmic gymnastics. I watched the rowing competitions, archery, gymnastics, swimming, horse back riding, all of it. Here are some pictures from the first few days…

 “This is your captain speaking” My favorite quote of the day, and one I used often.