I listen to Radio 2 in the mornings on my way to work every day. I know that it's not the "coolest" station, but I just can't help myself when they start playing show-tunes! Oh gosh, did I just give away what a big dork I am?? Oh well, what can I say? They're so catchy! Okay, anyway, I was listening this morning and I heard Frank Sinatra singing "High Hopes". It's a so-so song in my opinion, but that's really not the point...the point is that it got me thinking. What are my high hopes for this deployment? What do I aspire to do with all this time I have on my hands? What are some ways that I can make this time "fly by" like everyone keeps saying it will? That's where my list comes in. Now, if you know me at all, you know that I'm a planner. Notice that I said "planner" not "doer" because somewhere in between the "planning" and the "doing" I tend to get a little sidetracked! So, here are some of my plans (in no particular order)...
1. Stop drinking carbonated drinks ~ I started with this one b/c I've already done it, and I thought that it was important to start off on the right foot :)
2. Read "Pillars of ther Earth" ~ I've heard it's fabulous, so I bought it about 2 months ago. So far, it's just been taunting me from the side of my bed!
3. Take at least 2 trips ~ So...I have Spain covered. Any takers on another one??? Who wants to travel??
4. Lose some "poundage" ~ Hmmm, this could be tough considering my love affair with chocolate!
5. Treat myself to a Hot Stone Message ~ I think 2 years without one is entirely too long!
6. Be a better friend ~ I'm horrible, I mean HORRIBLE at phone calls. I have some of the most wonderfully supportive & amazing girlfriends who hear from me, ohhh, maybe once a month. I really want to commit to being better about that.
7. Finish the rough draft of my children's book ~ Even if I never send it off, I think that just finishing it will be sweet enough.
8. Actually take Kelly up on some of her offers to go to some aerobics classes ~ Ok, so maybe just one :)
9. Learn how to use my camera ~ Chris got me an awesome camera about a year ago, and I have yet to figure out how to use all it's fun gadgets!
Hopefully I'll get to all of these things...but even if I don't, at least I had a plan :)
Cheers,
Amy
I've been back in the US (Texas specifically) for a few weeks while Chris is away on his extended business trip :) I've been traveling like crazy since the moment I got here, and have been having so much fun catching up with all of my family & friends! I was invited to a super exculsive slumber party, hosted by by fabulous niece & nephew, on one of my first nights back. As you can see from the above picture, we had some stylin' head-gear too!! I was introduced to the phenomenon that is "High School Musical", and laughed hystarically as my cute little friends sang along w/ all of the songs...it was great! We then made a trip to Sea World in San Antonio, complete with a brief visit to the Alamo as well. It was hot (oh my gosh, sooo hot), but I'm definitely not complaining after coming from chilly England! We fed the dolphins, admired the sharks, & played in the hotel pool after a sweaty day of fun. Enjoy some of the pictures below!! 
Allie & I feeding the dolphins
My sister's sweet family
