This was a journal I posted on my deviantART account last night highlighting everything that has occurred over the last week and concerns deployment:
Well, last weekend (the 2nd through the 5th) I went to San Francisco to visit MaestroWolf and my family. It is funny, because I saw an article on the Sea Lions at Pier 39 on Foxnews, concerning the current turf war between the locals and the sea lions themselves. I digress either way dealing with those sea lions, I'm just a "tourist".
Anyways, so I flew out Friday night and ate dinner with my grandfather up at IHOPS. Then I hung out with Nat and Jenn for most of the day on Saturday. Saturday started out with me waking up at the hotel and taking a shower. I was nervous as hell at meeting them for the first time (after just shy of 4 years of talking on Skype, YIM, MSN, here, webcam, pictures, talking on the phone for hours at a time and texts). Apparently, according to Jenn, Nat was just as nervous, if not more xD. I met them just outside of the hotel lobby and was greeted with a big hug from Nat. It was funny, Jenn said as soon as I saw Nat, my eyes lit up and apparently both Nat and myself calmed down right away, nerves replaced with overwhelming joy at us finally meeting. I must say, I've never seen her smile so large, and it was a smile that was not hiding anything, which was a first (and hopefully not last!).
We then went on out to the mall and walked around for several hours while talking and getting food to eat. I don't think I've EVER heard Nat talk so much in her life! It was incredible lol. We went back to the hotel and they came up to my room, I gave Nat the gift I got her for her birthday and then we took a few pictures before they left. I spent the rest of the evening and night wishing the day didn't have to end, it was truly a dream come true (filled with lots of hugs), and I cannot wait to get a chance to hang out with her some more after I return from Iraq, perhaps next time I'll be bringing Jess out as well.
I spent all day Sunday out with my grandpa; we visited the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf, Pier 39 and I got to see Alcatraz from a distance. Went back to his place and had an awesome dinner of steak, mashed potatoes, and ice cream before flying back to my station.
This weekend is my last one here before deployment (yay?) and I will be enjoying it to my fullest. Jess is supposed to be coming up on Friday and she'll be here until Sunday afternoon, then Monday we all leave for our year long deployment...[Edited to keep the drama stuff off the board]...
I should have internet once I get over there and everything gets set up. This will be my last journal until I have internet for my laptop. Until then, everyone take it easy and good luck Nat with your wisdom teeth!
~Canis Rufus
Nat is one of my really close friends, and Jenn is one of her friends. Jess is my fiancee. I know this might come across as a surprise to some, but I've known about it for several months. I didn't purposely hide it (I think I might of alluded to it in some of my posts, I don't remember), but at the same time I didn't feel comfortable popping it out there quite a while in advance...probably has to do with OPSEC stuff.
