My name is Nancy, and this is my last semester before graduating from OU. I'm particularly excited about that fact, because I'm one of those older students who put off going back to school for entirely too long! My major is classical studies, with a minor in history...two things that basically have zero to do with my career. After high school, I wandered around aimlessly for a little while before deciding to enlist in the Air Force, a decision that was literally made with a coin flip...it was also the best decision that I've ever made. That coin did good. I did eight years active duty, was stationed in Guam, Germany, and California, broken up by the occasional stint in Iraq.
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| Balad AB, Iraq |
While in Germany, I traveled around Europe as much as I was able. I loved Ireland and England, but Germany holds a special place in my heart. For one thing, the food is amazing!
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Kylemore Abby in Ireland
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| Me and my mom at Neuschwanstein Castle |
My job is aviation management, which has quite a few different parts, but essentially I make sure that the airfield is safe for aircraft movement. After separating, I took a contracting job in Afghanistan for about two and a half years. The hours were ridiculous, the food was terrible, the living conditions were horrific, and people kept trying to kill me. It was a pretty good time. That type of environment creates a bond between you and the other people stuck with you that's difficult to describe, and impossible to replicate...plus they paid me a lot.
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| Our Christmas Wish Lists in Afghanistan (you have to make your own fun) |
Eventually, I got tired of being far away from my family and good restaurants, so I came back home. I enrolled at OU and got a job at Tinker AFB, and I've been working and going to school full time for the last couple of years. But, as much as I have loved it, I've always been a little nomadic. Staying in one place for too long makes me antsy, so I'm considering going back overseas for a few years after I graduate. The only thing stopping me is my cat. His name is Dante (short for Dante's Inferno). He's awesome. However, he makes doing homework difficult...
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| Dante |
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| Dante making life difficult... |
Seriously, does anyone know how to keep a cat off a laptop?!
All images from my personal collection
Hi Nancy!
ReplyDeleteIt is also my last semester before graduation at OU! I totally understand your desire to travel more. I am not someone who can stay in one place for one time, which has made it so hard for me to be having to take an extra semester in Norman. I am very ready to be done and be able to move somewhere that I have never been before. I am definitely not as brave as you though to move somewhere overseas!
Hey Nancy! That is SO cool that you went into the Air Force and you got to travel around a bit! I bet that was such an interesting experience and gave you so many new perspectives on life! I've always wanted to travel around the world for that reason :)
ReplyDeleteAnd wow! Your aviation management job also sounds very interesting. You seem like a very bold person, so I commend you for that. Thank you for everything you have done! Good luck with all your endeavors in the future!
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ReplyDeleteHey Nancy!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on being in your final semester before graduation, that's so exciting (I am too)! OH, and Dante is adorable. :)
I'm amazed at all the experiences you have had and all of the places you have been. I'm sure you've seem and learned so much. That's something that I would love to be able to do some day.
Good luck this semester and in the future!
Hi Nancy! No, there is no way to keep a cat off a laptop. Sometimes, if I start paying attention to any random object instead of my laptop, she'll get off and start pawing at whatever is in my hand! But good luck... Anyways! My mom is actually in aviation mechanics (not an old joke- I'm for real). I think its really cool that you came back for your degree, and it seems to be in an area that interests you, not just gets you a job. Good luck with your last semester!
ReplyDeleteHi Nancy! Wow, it sounds like you have had a pretty exciting life thus far. I have not had the opportunity to travel very much in my life so I am super jealous! I too, am very antsy to get out there and see more of the world. It sounds like all the work you have done is extremely worthwhile and I thank you for your dedicated service! Also, I have the same problem with pets on laptops except mine is a very small doggie!
ReplyDeleteHey Nancy!
ReplyDeleteYou have an incredible story. I can only imagine how many beautiful places you've seen. It's no wonder that OKlahoma can't hold you for long.
My parents had 3 cats while I grew up, so I know the struggles of the cat lifestyle. Nonetheless they are such a rewarding animal to have. I hope you can figure out a way to keep the cat off your keyboard (even if that means getting a new keyboard).
Hey Nancy! I'm happy for you about this being your last semester before you graduate. It must be really exciting for you to be down with school! I also love to travel but you've been to so many amazing places. Your cat, Dante, is super cute! I am allergic to cats but I still love them. I have a German Shepard mix but my apartment doesn't allow dogs so I had to leave him with my parents
ReplyDeleteHey Nancy!
ReplyDeleteYour life story so far is very interesting, and definitely different than most students! It's so cool that you got to travel and broaden your world perspective as much as you were able to!
P.S. Your cat is crazy cute, mine back home always would try and sit on my keyboard because it was warm and wanted attention, so maybe it's the same for you.
Brady
Hi Nancy,
ReplyDeleteI am happy that you got to join Air Force and experienced life outside of U.S. There are so many cultures and foods out there! You have a really interesting story, I wonder what it must have been like to work in setting where you are constantly worried for your life. I am glad you made it out safe and alive! You already have so much accomplished, I hope you keep going and trying new things.
Your cat is adorable!! I love fluffy cats and he seems like a nice cat to play around with! Good luck with the future and this class!
Hi Nancy!
ReplyDeleteI. Love. Dante. What a beautiful kitty cat. So fluffy. So majestic. I understand your reluctance to change things up when you've settled down with someone else (Dante). I feel a deep need to travel, but there's no way to tell my babies that I will in fact be coming back to them. But my goodness, what amazing travels you've had so far! Your pictures were so lovely, and it sounds like you had a great time! Thank you so much for all these wonderful stories, and especially for blessing me with pictures of Dante.
Hi Nancy!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your last semester! That has to be a very relieving feeling. I think "senioritis" is even worse when you are older.
It's great that you were in the Air Force. Seeing more of the world was one of the best parts about being in the military. I would have liked to see some of Europe like you were able to, but I can't complain too much. I definitely will at some point. I'm glad that you have taken advantage of your opportunities to see more of the world, though, as many people do not. I'm sure that you have learned quite a bit from your experiences.
Good luck throughout the semester!
Hello Nancy !
ReplyDeleteFirst off, I would like to say you have an admirable amount of determination and ambition! The fact that you have gone back to college and this is your last year is commendable! I agree with you whole-heartedly that the food in Europe is good. However, it is also interesting. I became hooked on crepes when I went to France. I have been craving more ever since. Your kitty is adorable! I love cats! I think you should put kitty treats next to the bed to keep her off your laptop! Lol!
Hi Nancy! I can definitely relate on this being your last semester and almost overdue to graduate. Although, I know I'm not too much older, but it's an itchy feeling. I can also relate not working in what you're studying, but I'm sure we'll utilize what we study somehow. That's incredibly awesome that you joined the Air Force and traveled the world. Of course, forcefully, but you were able to see and experience amazing and interesting things. I thought about joining the Air Force after high school as well, but I couldn't shake leaving my parents and family behind. You're very brave for having gone through it all! I'm so jealous you were able to travel to Germany and the surrounding countries! My fiancé is half, if not more than, German and he swears by the food (which I've had some and it IS delicious) and the culture/country itself! I've heard how beautiful Germany is and I can't believe you got to visit Neuschwanstein Castle!!! That is definitely a destination goal for me someday! Your pictures are amazing and I can relate with you and your cat, except I have a dog lol. Well, it's so great meeting you and can't wait to see your work! Congrats on your last semester and good luck with it as well as your future endeavors!
ReplyDeleteHi Nancy! It sounds like you've led an exciting life so far! I admire you for your drive to stick with the nomadic way of life even when it gets scary.
ReplyDeleteI would love to travel as much as you do. I've only ever left the country once, and it was to go to Austria over the summer. Schnitzel is great, and I'm sure you've had it as well in Germany! I'm more of a dog person, but I still think Dante is beautiful.
Nancy,
ReplyDeleteWow! Your introduction is so interesting! It is so neat to see how different people's lives are in their blog posts. This class is full of diverse people and it has been so cool to learn about each one. Yours is no different. I, for one, have never been out of the United States, so I am so jealous that you have travelled to so many places. I yearn to do that in my adult life. Also, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE! From the bottom of my heart, I am so thankful for people like you who sacrifice their school and lives in comfort to serve the country. You are AWESOME! Good luck with your last semester at OU, I am so happy for you!
Hi, Nancy!
ReplyDeleteI am a senior too but I have one more semester to go after this semester. I am glad that you’re excited about graduation and I understand why. Wow. It’s unbelievable that you decided to join the Air Force by flipping a coin. Since you said that it is the best decision that you’ve ever made, I think you really enjoyed your experience. I am super jealous of the fact that you’ve been to so many countries. Thank you for your service and good luck to you!
Hey Nancy,
ReplyDeleteWow you sound like a very adventurous person; I don’t think I’d ever be able to travel for extended periods of time because I’m too much of a homebody for that. I think it’s awesome that you came back for your degree, and I hope you have a great last year here. I also hope that you’ll be able to go abroad again after you graduate. Have a great rest of the semester.
Nancy,
ReplyDeleteGreat introduction and I loved all the pictures you used for it. I think it is great when we get to see a lot of pictures as it helps to bring your words into an image. I love that you are traveling all the time as I have started to enjoy traveling more and more since I have been in college. Great Introduction and it was great to meet you!!
Hi Nancy!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe the semester is over and I'm just now finding your blog. What the heck have I been doing?! You are so cool! I can't believe you have seen so much of the world, and have done so much for this country. I'm sure you have so many cool stories from the times people were trying to kill you or just your interactions with people in other countries. Wow!
As for your cat Dante, he is such a beauty! Those blue eyes are incredible. I too have been trying to solve the laptop problem and I feel like it may just be something cat owners have to deal with. If you ever find the solution be sure to share it with the world!
Cant wait to read some of your stories for the class :)
Nancy, I like the title of your introduction, first of all. :'-D I am so jealous that you have gotten to go to Europe, especially England and Ireland. When I was younger, my parents had a large framed picture of Kylemore Abbey on the living room wall! It's beautiful! It's so cool that you have gotten to travel the world while serving the country in your eight years of active duty!
ReplyDeleteHi Nancy!
ReplyDeleteIt’s great to meet you! First off I would like to say that I love the design and layout you have chosen for your blog. Also I think its really neat that you have incorporated personal photos into your introduction. It gives your page a nice personal touch. Further, I think your cat Dante is really cute! I hope you are having a good semester so far!
Hi Nancy. It sounds like you have lived quite an adventurous life so far! That is amazing that you were able to travel the world with the Air Force. I bet that was an awesome experience. I don't really like cats so I have no idea how to get it off your laptop, but good luck with that.
ReplyDeleteHi Nancy! First off, although I'm not really a cat person, I really love your cat. I have also gotten the opportunity to go to Europe this past summer, and absolutely LOVED it, and am hoping to go back. I also think its REALLY cool that you decided to enlist in the Air Force after high school and got to see the world that way. Good luck with the rest of the semester!
ReplyDelete