The week in review

This past week has been a glimmer of my reality as it will be for the next few months.  My days are consumed with work, training for the half marathon, and trying to understand Biochemistry.  Sounds like fun, doesn't it?  I know, you're all jealous!

Of course, I am making time to do fun things, like running through McKelligan Canyon with a co-worker.  It's approximately 5 miles through a beautiful desert canyon.  It's very hilly and has some of the highest elevations in El Paso.  It was a great morning to run, only 40 degrees when I left my apartment to meet her.  We had a fun time, with plenty of laughter.  It reminded me of runs with Ninette.  No matter how early the run, we always found something to talk about and, inevitably, laugh about.

I've also had fun looking at posts on Facebook.  Here are some of my favorite pictures others have posted:

Fitting with Lady Liberty undergoing renovations starting this week.

 And, my favorite. . . . . . . . .




Need I explain this one?  (-;

 Other than that, I've really enjoyed texts and phone calls from friends and family.  I miss all of you, whether you're in Wisco, stateside, or other countries.

I'm coming home in December, so that gives me something to look forward to.  I also purchased a ticket to listen to the El Paso Symphony Orchestra in a few weeks.  There will be a dual-piano piece.  I cannot wait!

I hope you are all doing well. 

Take care!

--DV

Air Show!

I have decided that it doesn't make sense to sit in my apartment and feel sorry for myself.  I need to get out and do things in El Paso, even if it means that I do them by myself.  I'm a big girl, right?
There was a going away party for one of the nurses last Thursday at PF Chang's.  I had a great time and enjoyed the group of people who attended.  I learned that there is a Star Wars application for smart phones.  I downloaded it and had a "light saber fight" with one of the guys at dinner.  Nerdy, I know, but worth a few laughs.  When I got back to my apartment, I found there is a Star Trek app, also.  So, anytime I get a phone call, I hear the voice-over from Star Trek, "Space, the final frontier."  Each time I get a text, I hear, "Priority message from Star Fleet incoming on secure channel."  It makes me laugh every time I hear either one. . .so keep calling and sending those text messages!  (-:

Last Saturday, I went to the Amigo Air Show.  This is an annual event, held on Biggs Army Air Field (part of Ft. Bliss).  Wow!  What a great day.  The weather was absolutely perfect, barely a cloud in the sky, 80 degrees, slight breeze.  The Blue Angels performed (they haven't been at this show for 14 years).  The Golden Knights jumped (the Army's Elite Parachute Team).  It was incredible.  I watched a jet and a truck, with 2 jet engines on it, race down the runway.  Believe it or not, the truck won the second match. 

Blue Angels

A Naval Helicopter

A 40-pound engine mounted on a glider (what a beautiful show he did)

A couple of Golden Knights, coming in for a landing.

Imagine the smoke when 8 of them were together!  They free-fall at >120 mph!

POW-MIA Flag

The Blue Angels fly with little more than 18 inches between their wings.  It's an amazing sight to see.  The Warthog demonstrated it's flying prowess, simulating dropping bombs on the runway.  That was truly amazing.  The whole day was awesome.  You know what, I was OK with being alone.  I treated myself to a hot dog and a beer and enjoyed the show. 

On Sunday, I went for a 6.3 mile run (for those who don't know, I'm training for the El Paso 1/2 marathon on February 5).  During the run, I looked up at the mountains and saw a couple of the planes from the airshow.  They were on my side of the mountains, doing a practice run.  I think they did it just so I could have a private show!  It helped spur me on for the remainder of my run.

I also started tackling my Biochemistry class.  I realized that I had made a huge mistake. . .I thought I should read the chapter first and try to answer the objectives.  Uh, wrong!  On Tuesday, I watched the lecture on DVD.  Yeah, that made it much more understandable.  What I loved, however, is that I was studying for a distance Biochemistry class, from the University of New England, while sitting in El Paso.  When I was stumped, I texted my son, in Wisconsin, for assistance!  Now I'm blogging to all of you about it.  Ten years ago that wouldn't have happened.  I guess having technology isn't that bad!

I hope many of you have some fun plans for Halloween.  I really miss putting up my decorations and preparing for the kids.  I'll be working on Halloween, so have a cup of witch's brew for me!

I hope you're all doing well.

--DV

On my own again!

I had an absolutely wonderful time with Mom and Tony here.  It was so much fun.  We did a bunch of sight-seeing, which is really neat.  I never saw a lot of things in El Paso when Jorge was stationed here.  Mom and Tony couldn't believe how big the base is!  We saw West Side Story in a beautiful theatre downtown.  That was really neat. 

We also went to Old Mesilla.  It was a beautiful drive, passing hundreds of pecan orchards!

This is beautiful, especially when you're living in the desert!

We had lunch at La Posta. . .not the greatest food I've ever eaten, but we enjoyed a pitcher of beer together.

Yes, they planned on wearing the same shirt!

I even tried on some of the latest fashions in headwear. . .

Does the fur bring out my eyes?

Mom and I took the tramway up to the top of Ranger Peak.  It climbs 1200 feet in 4 minutes and brings us to the elevation of . . .

It was especially awesome that Mom went.  She is deathly afraid of heights.  Whoever comes to visit me next, we're going up.  The view is spectacular!

Three states and 2 countries!

We even enjoyed some time at an Indian/Spanish festival.  It wasn't as neat as Indian Summer in Milwaukee, but there was dancing, artwork, and lots of fun stuff to buy.

New artwork for my apartment.  See the buffalo?

Now, I am alone again.  I'm trying to occupy my brain by studying for the GRE and will, eventually this weekend, start on my Biochemistry class.  What fun!  Tomorrow is an Airshow.  I can't wait to see the Blue Angels and the Golden Knights.  How awesome!

I hope you are all doing well and not having too terrible weather.  I won't tell you how beautiful it is down here.

--DV

Mom and Tony are here!

It has been so nice seeing my parents!  I haven't seen them in over a year, so I was definitely looking forward to seeing them.  Plus, it helps decrease my loneliness of being back in El Paso.


So cute!



We had a nice Oktoberfest dinner last night.  German beer (from Wisconsin) and brats.  Let's not forget the sauerkraut!  Yummy.  I bet that's a staple for all of my new friends in Germany (miss you guys).

The plan for today is seeing West Side Story.  I cannot wait.  I love this musical and have never seen it performed live.  The El Paso Opera is performing it. . .so it will be my first venture into the arts of El Paso since Jorge lived here.  I'll let you know how it is.  The goal is to keep Tony awake.  (-:

Can you believe this. . .I just spent 1.5 months around a ton of people, in a less than sanitary environment (Bullis).  We tried each others' food, drinks, etc.  We spent nearly every waking moment together and none of us got sick.  Now that I'm back to El Paso, and by myself most of the time, I have a cold.  How does that make any sense?

Jorge just worked the last two nights, also.  Now he's feeling the hangover effect that I am living with.  Poor guy.  At least it's nice and warm in Wisconsin.  We had a cold front blow through El Paso, so you are feeling warmer weather in Wisco than I am feeling down here.  Need I remind all of you in Wisco that I also endured 55 degrees and rain for nearly 2 weeks straight while I was home?  Aren't you all glad that I left so you could have warm weather again?  (-:

That's it for now.  Gotta get ready for the play.

I hope you are all doing well.

--DV

El Paso

I got to El Paso safely.  Not even a little hiccup during each of my flights.  Thank God for dramamine!

I know lots of you are excited about the crisp Fall weather, but it felt great to feel 80 degrees when I stepped out of the terminal today.  Tomorrow's plan . . .pool time.  I need to work on the tan I got during BOLC.  Being in Wisconsin, I lost a lot of my tan.

Of course, it's not all positive being back in El Paso.  It is incredibly lonely in my apartment.  I miss my husband, my dog, my family, and my friends.  Shadow tried climbing out of the kennel this morning when I was leaving.  She must've known I was going away again.  It was horrible to watch.  I just have to get back into the swing of things at the hospital.  That will help me get my mind off of missing everyone.

Jorge and I had a great dinner last night at Fleming's.  Yummy!  My poor stomach doesn't know what to think of the past few nights.  I have eaten steak 3 out of the 4 last nights.  UGH!  Tonight's dinner is a big salad.  That's right, I'm going to have to go cold turkey from all of the good food at home.


I hope you are all doing well.  I miss you bunches.

--DV

Back to reality!

I head back to El Paso tomorrow.  I've had a lot of fun while I've been home, but it stinks that it's over so soon.  Jorge and I got a lot of projects done around the house and Shadow is slowly improving from her immediate post-op period.  I spent time with friends and neighbors and made new memories.  The sun came out these past 2 days, but I didn't get a chance to ride my motorcycle.  Oh well!  I filled my time with plenty of other stuff.

Dinner on Friday was loads of fun.  Thank you Erin, Scottie Dog, Peggy, and John for coming over.  I hope you got enough food in your bellies!  I know Shadow enjoyed having her cast signed by all of you.  I would love to be in the vet's office when he sees that on her leg.  Too funny!

Dirty martinis with blue-cheese stuffed olives!  Yummy!

Cheers!

Cigar time.

Erin, you're so cute.  You look like a kid in a candy store!

Glad you could make it, John!

Scottie Dog!

At least I have something to look forward to when I return to El Paso (besides the 90-degree weather).  Mom and Tony are coming at the end of the week.  I can't wait to see them.  It's been far too long since I last saw them.

My youngest niece sang the alphabet song to me yesterday. . .twice!  How cool is that?  You should've heard her, especially when she got to the STU section of the alphabet.  Her voice sounded all gravelly.  Too funny! Keep up the singing, Willow!

For those friends I didn't get a chance to see, I'll be home soon.  I don't know when, but I will keep you posted.

I hope you are all doing well!

--DV