Deployment Life

Tis the season for giving thanks. And, although I do have a lot to be thankful for, I'm having a hard time seeing past the things I'm not thankful for. I'm trying not to be pessimistic, but that video kind of sums up my thanksgiving feelings. Stormy, violent, and dreary. I'm definitely not in the holiday spirit. This week was, eh. I got my hair done on Tuesday, which is always nice. Especially when it costs half as much as it did in Cali. I got (almost) all of my Christmas shopping done, minus a couple things I need to pick up at Disney. Today, I'll send a package to Bryan which should arrive before Christmas. Bryan is still doing well, besides being cold. He ordered himself a few hoodies on Amazon. He's been receiving all the boxes and gifts and really appreciates them. He did find out that he'll definitely be going to the Senior NCO Academy in July, so that will put a damper on making vacation plans. Speaking of which, I was hoping to go to Vegas fo...

I've had another hard week this week. The longer I go without finding full time work, the harder it is to remain positive. I haven't heard back about the SOCOM RCC job at all. After my interview and discussion about the security clearance, I have emailed the recruiter twice (once each week) and have received no response. I did receive a text from the current RCC (whose last day was Friday) and she said all she had heard was that they were still interviewing. Meanwhile, the person who took over my position at Vandenberg quit. What I wouldn't give to have my old job back. I did spend a few days in Orange Beach, AL this week to train with the Military Child Education Coalition. I've accepted a position with them as a Training Specialist. This is a less than part time position, but I'm happy to do it. My first training presentation will be November 30 in Panama City, FL. I made some great new friends there and I'm looking forward to the opportunity. I also had ...

This week was a tough one. I actually almost forgot to write an installment this week because I felt like nothing good happened. I'm sitting in a hotel room in Orange Beach, AL where I'll get trained as a training specialist for the Military Child Education Coalition. It's a great resume addition and networking opportunity, but it's a less than part time position. I'm just trying to fill my time as much as I can. I still haven't heard a peep about the SOCOM RCC position. I plan to follow up tomorrow with the recruiter. For now, I'm just trying to enjoy this view: Like I said, I had a tough week, with a few good things sprinkled in. My lack of a job has become a giant black cloud, so even when I am out doing something fun or relaxing, I'm thinking about how I'm halfway through my unemployment benefits and worrying about how I'm going to afford Christmas presents this year. I apply for 2-5 jobs a day, on average and hear back from maybe 1/10 o...

Two months. I can't believe I'm typing that. In some ways it feels much longer and yet, it seems like he just left. I had a very busy week, with some ups and downs as usual. It started off with playing Tetris to get Bryan's care packages to close. Let's get to it... The week started off with a job interview for a supervisory position at a residential facility for adults with disabilities. In all honesty, it was a job I didn't want, but I'm getting desperate. The pay was appalling, but better than unemployment. So, I went. My interview was at 9am. They made me wait an HOUR before I actually had my interview. I sat there so long that I met, and got to chat with, the 10am interview, who was there for the same job. The interview lasted about 10 minutes. I asked all the questions and confirmed my suspicions that there is no way I'd work there. I'd rather waitress. Since I started off talking about the job situation, which is what I'm calling it n...