Ready for Spring

So, we have had the best weather for the last couple of weeks, too bad I was too busy and sometimes lazy to enjoy. Although, Jesse did try to kill me on a hike one day. We basically hiked out of our valley, straight up for a few minuets, seemed like an eternity. Any way it was still nice, once we got to the top and looked down it was gorgeous.

My Lia Sophia party went well, I sold 500$ worth, twice what i needed to have a qualifying party...awesome. I really like working with this company and am thrilled that i took the risk. I just can't wait until i slow down a little. I like being busy and doing things to better myself, but yowza. Im thinking about asking my boss to put me on swing shift so that i have an excuse not to do so much. Why do i have to be a people pleaser? I am happy though, I was so down for a while, but getting a job and keeping busy has made me sainer believe it or not.

The Prague trip went well also. 4 couples went, and we all caravaned there together...about an 8 hour drive with stops and a little stop and go traffic. Czec Republic is just a beautiful as Germany, and the weather was amazing. The city of Prague was quite dirty and littered with graffiti, but the architecture and history of the city made the trip. We didn't see very much considering we were there for a weekend, but it took us awhile to figure out how and where to go. There was a tram (a cable car basically) that picked us up in front of the hotel, and from there it was a matter of deciding what tram number and where to get off. After a couple of goof ups we were able to navigate the city well after that. I thought the country would be a little poorer than it was, but the city itself did not seem that poor. Im sure once you get away from Prague things get ugly.











The architecture was outstanding and very interesting. With my Religious studies i was able to appreciate the cathedrals, synagogues, and churches that were there, more so than the rest of my group. I read everything i could get my hands on and wanted to go into every building i saw. Unfortunately they charge for most everything... I thought it was strange to be charged to go into a church, but apparently that is how the city maintains it self because the country itself is on the poorer side. With that said we saw the Prague castle (not very impressive) and the ST. Vitus cathedral inside the castle. The cathedral was huge and beautiful. It contained a huge silver coffin in remembrance of one of the leaders of the Counter Reformation ( the catholic churches response to the protestant reformation).

I also saw a lot of Hussite shinery and churches. Jon Hus was one of the for runners in the Protestant reformation. He disagreed with the Church only holding sermons in Latin, and at the Bethlehem Chapel (which i did not get to see) he preached the first Catholic Mass in the Czec native language. After that he was burned at the steak and in the Old Town Hall square there is a huge statue in his memory along with 17 (or so) x's in the stone walk plazt that represent those who were beheaded in the name of reformation. Very interesting stuff to me, and sorry if im boring you all.

I also saw the Loretto shrine, which is a copy of a shrine in Italy that holds a chapel (with lots of elaborate gold decor) and a shrine to the Bohemian version of St. Mary ( i know im not explaining this well, but basically Mary was black in the shrine) There was also a treasury there which contained lots of ceremonial Catholic artifacts made from gold and diamond studded, absolutely amazing.

That was the gist of all what we saw, i really had a good time with the people who went and would travel again with them any time. They all said they would go back again, but I saw enough in Prague and want to spend my vacations going to other new places.... I cant wait to mark off my wish list...Italy, Greece, Ireland, etc....it keeps getting bigger too.

Well anyway we're doing well, trying to settle back in after a great mini vacation. and Im still busy as you know what...loving life though, and miss you all.

As soon as I get the chance i will be posting pictures...everyone take care,

Jen

Living La Vida Loca

So it has been a while since I have posted...lots has transpired. The weekend of the 29th was the Dining In, and it was a blast. I'm going to include some pics, but i wish i had more. Our theme was Shrek. All squadrons had some sort of fairy tale theme, from Thumbleina to Wizard of Oz, there were lots of great costumes and decorations. But, of course, ours rocked out. One table of ours was the swamp table, where we had bugs, ear wax candles, and a cauldron full of a punch. We all had whoopi cushions and proceeded to fart during the entire ceremony...it was a riot. Our other table, connected by the famous onion carriage on a road, was the far far away kingdom. One of our girls made an awesome castle, and we had the Hollywood theme, just like the movie, with the palm trees, bill boards and the Hollywood Far Far away sign. It was awesome...no wonder we met twice a week to get things done. The characters were awesome too....We had Shrek and Fiona, puss in boots, the donkey, the stepsister transvestite, and many more. But the best part was our skit, we did the Far Far away idol featured on the 2nd movie. It was a hit. We all worked so hard on everything and were sure we were going to win for best skit or table, or costumes. Well at the end of the night, we had hardly won anything, until they got to the last award, "best over all"...and we won baby. Our girls were ecstatic. This really was a sweet victory because most of us feel like outsiders on the base. All of the squadrons are tied into the 52 fighter wing, in some way but us. We're known as the terminal for travel, but we are so much more, and so many squadrons don't even know we exist, but that night we won, and everyone knew who we were....it was awesome.

















After that night I enjoyed a day of recovery before going back to work on Monday. Since then I have been settling in to my job, and feeling more comfortable....there is so much to remember, and I am finally catching on to most of it.

So if you thought I was MIA for the last couple of weeks, wait until May. I am booked from this weekend until the middle of May. From the trip to Prague, to all of the business my parties are raking in, I barely have time to breathe.... I tend to hibernate when I get home and run around on my days off.

Jess and I are doing well. He is looking into reapplying to become an officer, as am I. Who knows what the future holds, but we're both excited about it. I know most of you think I am restless, but the truth is, I'm just searching for my niche in life. As much as I enjoy being Mrs Gariepy, i really want to find something that is my own. And party planning was never my dream. I greatly appreciate my new job, and am working hard at, but as far as the future is concerned, I have big dreams, and plan to pursue them.

We've been enjoying our crazy weather....from sunshine, to another few days of Snow and rain, we're seeing it all. I hope the weather will be nice in Prague in a few weeks...I'm looking forward to cute outfits in the summer.

I miss everyone, and I'm sorry I've been neglecting everyone. I will try to do better. Love you all.