Guess Where We Are Moving To?

Ever since Gerred put in his preferences a few weeks ago, I have been dying to find out where we will move to. With the week of the winging upon us, my nerves have shot into overdrive in anticipation. See, squadrons HT-8 and HT-18 found out where they'd be stationed on Tuesday. However, Gerred's squadron, HT-28, has a tradition to wait until Wednesday for their soft patch ceremony to deliver the news.

There were five wingers in Gerred's squadron awaiting their news at Ace's Bar tonight. Gerred was the first up. His On-Wing got up and gave a funny little speech about Gerred and his nickname "King Spider." He mentioned that Gerred opened a lot of doors when he talked on and on in briefs and that it was time he took the keys and kept his mouth shut. So his On-Wings gift to him was a set of baby keys. 

After his story. the On Wing asked Gerred where he wanted to go. "Japan, sir," he replied. His On-Wing responded that there were no overseas positions available this time, but that Gerred would be receiving his first choice, HSC-3 West. 

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That means Gerred and I will soon be packing our bags for a cross-country trip to our new home in San Diego, California! 

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Let us know if you'd like to try to see us on our way out there. We're looking at you middle of America. Also if you have any fun tips of what to do in San Diego I'd love to know and we're both very excited for the future ahead of us.

Helicopters

Gerred has been in flight school for about a year and a half now. Yes, it has been a long long journey. He spent the first half in Pensacola, FL flying a Cessna 152 and taking Naval Aviation academics before up and moving to Corpus Christi, TX for Primary. In Texas he flew a T-34C and also flew a 3 week stint in Las Cruces, NM. In this past year and a half he has learned so much about aviation. He's flown solos and formations and the more I hear the more I'm proudly surprised.

Now, that he's completed he gets to select what he'll be flying. For a year he's been changing his mind. Do I want jets? Do I want maritime? Do I want helicopters? He has the grades for all of them, but today he finally found out he'll be flying-- Helicopters!

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For those following at home, he'll be following the Advanced Rotary path and will be in Helicopter School for another estimated 7 months or so.

Congrats Gerred! On to Helicopter School in Milton, FL!

Painting Date

This Spring Break I decided (last minute) to visit Gerred in Texas again! Come to think of it I've spent each Spring Break in a different state to visit him. I spent 2011 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, 2012 in Washington D.C. (and a little day trip to Connecticut for Katie's Maury Bachelorette Party), 2013 in Pensacola, Florida, 2014 in Corpus Chrisi, Texas. I guess seeing the world is certainly one of the perks I can check off for being a Navy wife. Speaking of perks, we went on a date last night and we had a blast.

Gerred found a groupon for Pop Goes the Easel! a painting BYOB party place where you learn to paint with a drink in your hand. Gerred and I chose whiskey sours in the always respectful Bubba Cup. Let me tell you what, it made him in artist. Maybe it was the whiskey or maybe the sour, but he was painting like Van Gogh for someone claiming to have zero artistic talent.

Actually the whole time I was reminded of our last artistic endeavor in Disney World. We drew Woody and Stitch. Let me tell you he's come a long way since drawing "the cowboy who has seen things."

Our instructor, taught everyone how to paint a seaside landscape. But I saw this painting of an anchor on the wall and I asked (since there were only 8 attendants) if I could try my hand at that. She said yes and made sure to check up on me in between the explanations of how to make a cloud which was seriously channeling up several images of Bob Ross in my head.

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Anyways, I got a pretty neat how to course on how to paint a striped background (tape it, paint it, dry it) and free styled from then on. 

I loved our end products and would definitely do this in the future. Maybe when I reach my dream goal in life of joining a wine club fronting as a book club I'll do this again.

Blogging Spring Cleaning + More

It's been a busy blogging week so I thought I'd share some of the new changes going on the blog and a few other interesting tidbits like a giveaway from Bayside Bride in light of the first day of Spring.

Blog Design
Not sure if you've noticed the new blog design. I've been crazy about blog design on Pinterest lately and have been researching so many new ways to improve my blog. I was debating whether to hire a designer (well I've been out of a paying job since I left for Ireland) and just decided that I should learn how to do this on my own. So I designed and added in:

new header + statement
backgraoud
anchor image
social media buttons from Her New Leaf
and a signature
button (grab one, let's swap)
instagram slideshow in sidebar

 I'm slowly making progress.

Goodbye Google Reader
Google Reader is apparently dying out. I'm not sure of all the details, but the news is definitely hopping around the blogosphere. So I suggest following me on facebook, twitter, instagram, or bloglovin'. If you're worried about losing all your blogs from GFC in the switch, don't worry. Just go to bloglovin', click on settings, drop down to import blogs and choose GFC. It's as simple as pie and bloglovin is a lot easier to read through than GFC. Learn to love it.

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Giveaway
Also, you should really check out the giveaway going on at Bayside Bride. They're giving away some adorable nautical headbands from Gina Made It. If you enter now there's a great chance of taking one of these headbands home.

Hypoxia
Gerred will be doing the altitude chamber doing today and experience some of these symptoms probably. I hope he's safe and enjoys himself in there.

Do you like the change?

Navy Wedding Accents

My second article, Navy Wedding Accents, is up on Bayside Bride. Read about ways to incorporate the "Navy" theme without going to overboard. I talk about bouquets, garters, cakes, and Top Gun serenades.

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I'm really enjoying this internship so far and discovering a few things: I love weddings, reseraching Navy tidbits, and writing articles.

Shannon

Military Wedding Traditions and Etiquette

My first article, Military Wedding Traditions and Etiquette, is up on Bayside Bride. Read about the traditions of the Arch of Swords and cake cutting as well as the etiquette involving proper dress atire and invitations.

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I had a great time researching all the information with Claire MacCullum from the USNA Chapel and I cannot wait to put these traditions and etiquette into effect for my own wedding.

Shannon

Navy vs. Notre Dame + Guinness

While Gerred was here we obviously had to go to the Navy vs. Notre Dame game. However, walking around it seemed like we might have been the only fans. Even the Irish sided with The Fighting Irish. So when the game arrived, I almost had to close my eyes as we were beaten 50-10. Well, hey, at least we were in Ireland.

Even if we lost, it was great to see all the spirit in the stands of the Aviva Stadium. Then of course, there's always a trip to the Guinness Factory to make the whole situation better.

Though Navy didn't win against this rivalry, we still are going to have a great game come december against the real rivals. Go Navy! Beat Army!

Shannon

Gerred's Graduation

I know this post is a little late, but the graduation photos just came in. So I'm excited to share with you how Gerred graduated with his class of 1099 midshipman from the United States Naval Academy on May 29, 2012.

There was lots of Pomp and Circumstance the whole day and it was certainly a Navy event as Governor O'Malley, the Secretary of the Navy, the Secretary of the Marine Corps, and the Secretary of Defense all happened to be there. We had about 20 of his friends and family members scattered around the stadium cheering for him when he walked across the stage to receive his diploma.

And here's Gerred with his well deserved diploma for his Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology. Also, notice his new shoulder boards and cover? After Theo (Gerred's Plebe mini-me) gave him his frist salute and the silver dollar was exchanged, Gerred's Mom and I put on the shoulder boards ceremoniously as his Dad put gave him his cover. 

Way to go Gerred! We are so proud of all you've done.

Shannon

Gerred's Graduation Party

Memorial Day was Gerred's big graduation party. We grilled up some hot dogs and burgers and even put out a few maryland dishes like crab dip, crab cakes, and crab balls for our friends and families and had a great time. 

It was great having his extended family (20 or so of them flew out from New Mexico for his graduation) meet my extended family. Towards the end once I heard a few saying they were part of my PopPop's fan club (you just need to meet this guy) and that my Dad was the best bartender ever after trying his margaritas.

Gerred got a lot of cards that day from the guests as well as a few big ticket items. My grandparents gave Gerred a challenge coin display holder which was filled immediately with two new coins from some military guests. Gerred's parents got him a cover bag to go with the new cover and shoulder boards they got him. Then my parents gave him a fancy Ensign (this is what he is now as an 01 after Graduating) box full of cuff links, a belt puckle, and special pins.

Then came my gift. One that I had been working on for over a month conferring with several members of his family and mine along with facebook to piece together. It's a scrapbook of all four years at the academy. The outside cover is made by my wonderful Grandma out of Gerred's old uniform.

There's over 40 pages so far with a few open spaces for his graduation picture. Here are just a few samples of the pages I made.

It was a wonderful Memorial Day Gradutation Party and it was definitely a great turnout by all.

Shannon

Katy Perry

For my 20th Birthday Gerred took me to see Katy Perry at the Naval Academy. We went with a group of friends and were able to see her up close since we got floor tickets.

See how close I am!

 It was an extremely patriotic sexbomb performance. She dressed up as a sailor and had all these navy-esque moves that included a few salutes.

She even sang the Peacock song which was a really elaborate performance that included everyone on stage dancing with feathers.

But the biggest event of the night was when she called out to the audience searching for a midshipman to recreate the classic VJ day kiss with. She wound up choosing Tanner Beasley who dipped her and made a bit of Naval Academy history that's all over the web now.

Here's the video of her choosing her midshipman. It was crazy. I also met the guy who thought she had picked him and tried running down and he said her song "The One That Got Away" had new meaning.

All around fun night, fun concert and now I find myself listening to her songs like crazy.

Shannon

26th Company Dining Out

Friday, I went to Gerred's last 26th Company Dining Out and had an great time seeing everyone and cracking jokes all night.

Dining Outs are formal dining events for midshipman and their companies to form camaraderie by relaxing, joking, and drinking. Midshipman can invite their significant others and show them off before the dinner comprised of a bunch of silly rules, like one must not utter "bro," "broski,""broseph," or any other variant of the word bro during dinner. When midshipmen slip up, they are called out and sent to the grog (a messy concoction of gross stuff like tabasco sauce, orange juice, or whatever else they find around the yard) as punishment.

This dining out was great since it was at the Marriott and Katie and Phoenix weren't in France this year, so I got to hang out with Katie all night. We both wore some pretty classy black dresses that fit the formal cocktail attire of the night.

We all sat at a table and ate some good food, saw some dance offs, a man carry another man on his back across the room, limericks, drunkenness, and a power point presentation on how to be an effective SWO Officer.

At the end there was a slideshow of each class that showed off goofy pictures of everyone. Gerred's class had a nice one that showed off pictures of them all through the years as well as a few engagements at the end.

In all, I have to say this Dining Out just showed his graduation is coming up and I am absolutely proud of him for all that he's done and will do in future.

Shannon

A Day in Annapolis

I had a wonderful day back home in Annapolis. It was simply beautiful out, the streets were flooded per usual, shops, movies, and people were seen and it was in all around great day.

After picking up Gerred from the Academy, I went to The Pink Crab and tried on this cute Amberly Dress that I think would be perfect for the St. Johns/Navy Croquet Match or Easter Sunday.

I then checked out the Grand Opening of Refuel in Annapolis. It's run by my old manager from American Eagle and I will definitely be stopping by before I run any races this year. She had a promotional push up contest for 50% off. I set the record for 21 in the morning, but someone may have taken my spot by the end of the day.

We then headed over to Nano's for a sushi lunch. I had the Kamikaze roll. Afterwards, I even picked up a few postcards to send for postcrossing.

I then saw the Navy Seals movie, Act of Valor, with Gerred at the mall. It was so real since they used actual seals and it definitely got the appropriate applause from the audience of both midshipman and civillians alike. And can I just say if this movie doesn't make you appreciate the United States Navy than I don't know what will. 

We then headed over to Cadillac Ranch for Andrea's 23rd Birthday and there was a bull riding contest. Gerred has a really great stance there.

From left to right we have Winters (Phoenix's sister,) Andrea, Katie, and me. My pose is a little strange, but whatever.

Best friend and me. She's wearing heels, but even then she's like an inch or two taller. Tomorrow we're having a pre-bachelorette t-shirt decorating party at my house for Katie with Caroline and Andrea. As well as Aileen's 20th Birthday tomorrow in downtown Annapolis.

Weekend back home = Yes!

Shannon

Army Navy Game

After attending many Navy football games this year and last, I've finally made it to the Army Navy game. I've definitely seen these growing up, but being there was amazing. I sat up in the nosebleeds and the very top with my Dad and Gerred's parents visiting from New Mexico. 

The cool thing about it all was that President Obama and Vice President Biden were there to watch the game.

He walked around the field, shook hands with both academies, tossed the coin at the beginning and even saluted Gerred during halftime.

Because Obama was there, so were these snipers who were everywhere. Like, above my head.

The game was so close too, Army showed a lot of team spirit and really fought for it, but of course Navy won. So now Navy has been undefeated 10 years in a row!

For the halftime show, D&B made a neat submarine to go along with the song "Crimson Tides."

The whole game was mega-patriotic. I felt like I was shivering for all the bald eagles of America.

 GO NAVY!