Sao Tome, Africa

Hello family!!

Got u/w from anchorage at Sao Tome on Friday morning after spending a week on the “hook” 2 miles off the island. STP is a small island nation composed of two separate islands (Sao Tome, which we anchored off of, and Principe, we didn’t visit there). While there, we engaged in training with the STP Coast Guard. We held training on Search and Rescue and diesel/outboard engine repairs. My engineers stayed busy teaching and helping them fix a couple of their small craft. We also conducted tours onboard for dignitaries and military officials, and the crew got to go on a mountain hike and witnessed a breathtaking waterfall. I also conducted VIP tours for the American Ambassador to Gabon and STP and the workers for the local Voice of America, radio station. Overall, it was a good port visit operationally.

I got off the ship for one evening and even got to have some pizza. It was a busy port visit for me as we were experiencing problems with our A/C units. We have three 30 ton A/C units. But currently we’re having problems w/ 2 of them. With the local temps around 90 deg during the day, 1 A/C is not enough to keep the ship and electronic consoles cool. We t/s galanting for over a week trying to fix 2 of the A/C’s, but to say the least it was hot has HELL onboard. The temp inside the ship in my room and workspaces hovered around 90 deg during the day and not much cooler at night. We finally got another A/C back up yesterday and the ship cooled back off. However, it was a long week. Thus are the woes of being in Africa where getting the parts and materials you need is pretty difficult.

Sorry the pics are lean for this one, but I didn’t get out much and there aren’t a lot of pics taken by other sailors here. I think everyone is just ready to come home and the thrill of travel has waned as we completed our 20th port visit in just 4.5 long months. At any rate, here are a few from our Community Relations project at a local school. We delivered school supplies like paper, books, pens/pencils, crayons, and glue. The pics are priceless, and show what a positive impact we have where we’ve been in Africa.

The next stop is our last African Partnership Station visit, thus concluding our training and engagement in Africa. We still have a 3 more port visits, but one is a brief stop for fuel, one is a liberty port, and one is a port where we “chop” out of the AOR. We’ll have about 3 weeks of u/w time over the next month and a half, so we’ll be able to settle into an at-sea routine to do paperwork and training in preparation for our return to Norfolk. At this point in the deployment, the leadership challenge is keeping everyone’s head in the game so we can complete the last of our deployment and stay safe at sea when they all have their eye on home. I understand the effort, as my head is already thinking about home (well, it never really stopped, but coming home so soon consumes my thoughts as well). Keeping everyone focused is a daily challenge now though.

I'm a rockstar, kind of...

As far as getting all things move related tacked, I'm a rockstar... This may be the only time I can refer to myself as a rockstar since being an actual rockstar will never happen. Singing isn't really my forte. And to further toot my own horn, this was all done while working 20 hrs per week, fighting a cold myself, and taking care of my teething son who also has a cold.

Our housing has been settled if all goes well. Will you cross your fingers for us please? It's absolutely beautiful.

Just contacted the office about shipping our household goods. Just waiting on the date confirmation. With any luck this will be done just before we leave MA and arrive in VA just about the same time we do. Again, could you cross your fingers for us?

The new car, taken car of! The upside to the economy crunch is that we were able to get a great deal on an '07.

Still looking into a new Doc for Bean.

The new furniture will wait until we are down there since we had to find out the spacing issues on the new home. Plus we want to pick it out together.

Will still have to resupply the house with groceries, but that will get done.

Now, it is only 40 days until the big move & the big return!!!

Quick, quick

I'm off to my sister's house so that we may be lazy together today. She orchestrated quite the birthday festivities for me last night. Lots of family & friends in attendance. It was absolutely wonderful, and had MrE been there, it would have been the best birthday night out for this girl. He'll be home soon though. So soon I just smile whenever I think about it! Bean was in the tender care of G-Pa & Nana until 9:30 this am and is now napping. Even he is being super considerate for mommy today... I got to speak to MrE, which is always wonderful! So 31 is shaping up to be a good year already.

So we're off to Aunty Liss's and then some Target-ing... Tonight cake with the family. Tomorrow will be the great clean up of October 08. With fall final at our doorstep, I am going to light the pumpkin pie candle.

Lobito, Angola

Hey Family!

Greetings from Lobito, Angola. Angola is a former Portuguese colony but won it’s independence from Portugal app. 30 years ago. Two groups claimed that they had been the ones that ‘won’ independence from imperial Portugal…and the country fell into a bloody civil war. The fight over the country became a secondary stage for the cold war, the US supporting one side and Russia supporting the other (obw, the side Russia supported is still in power). Their President has ruled over Angola since they won independence, so he’s been at the head of government for nearly 30 years…and he just got reelected for 3 more 5 year terms (I’m sure that election was legit…). They also garner close relationships w/ Cuba and China…and China gets 1/3 of it’s oil from Angola…so as you can imagine, this was not our usual port visit.

Our role here was to begin to build some trust and a working relationship w/ the Angolan Navy. Many of their senior military commanders and the government itself is still very wary to work with the US on anything. However, we do share a common goal; Maritime Security. It’s in both of our best interests for them to have better control of their sea lanes, both to dissuade illegal activities on the high seas (narcotics, human trafficking, fishing regulations, and piracy prevention). Improved maritime security helps them grow their economy and improve quality of life for their people and making them money to improve infrastructure, human rights and many other benefits.

While here in Angola, ELROD sailors “engaged” (we were told this was a bad word here, as it denotes that we know more than them) w/ their Sailors, conducting mutual training on Search and Rescue, Damage Control, Visit Board Search and Seizure tactics (how you board vessels doing illegal things). Their military officers were very proud (a mix of Portuguese bravado and Communist arrogance) w/ a suspicious eye on any activity w/ the US Navy. Needless to say we smiled a lot and walked on egg shells. Trying to stay on message and still have a positive engagement w/ them.

Our sailors also took part in a Community Relations project by painting an orphanage for handicap boys and girls. All the children had birth defects that prevented them from walking. They all lived in a communal school where their mentors helped build their character and self esteem. In Africa, or at least in Angola, handicapped children are ostracized from society. They are often kicked out of the house by their own families to sleep w/ the farm animals. These poor kids had such spirit and determination, watching them get around, often on their hands and knees, was heartbreaking. However, I was certainly glad to help where I could. 20 ELROD sailors and I painted their orphanage, made repairs to a few wheel chairs, a fence, and a leaking water pump. We got to sit down and talk w/ the kids for a while after the projects and enjoyed lollipops together that we’d brought from the ship.


While I was there, I talked w/ the lady (Anna, a Swiss social worker) that ran the orphanage. Anna told me stories of extreme abuse many of these children had weathered through. She said most of them would never be able to integrate in society, unlike the handicapped in America or Europe they had a dark future. It was a sad story, but she asked if the kids could come to the ship for a visit. Although, the ship is not equipped w/ elevators, nor is it very safe for children who can’t walk, I just could not tell her no. If they could not come onboard, we’d bring the tour to them. I called the ship and arranged the schedule for a visit the next day (today). Instead of having them onboard, we set up the whole tour route on the pier…static displays of firefighting, police, search and rescue, and our weapons systems were presented by our Sailors. The children got to ask questions, talk w/ our Sailors, and try on a bunch of gear for pictures. The smiles on their faces were absolutely priceless. Overall, it was a great day…truly lifting my spirits!

J.R.

EBay Listing 07072008

For Sale or Rent Length of time is negotiable Item: 13 Week Old Boy - Bean Enjoys being fed 6-8 oz at breakfast, lunch & dinner. Appreciates another 6 oz snack before bed time. Comes with cute clothes & furniture. Loves to smile and interact with all. Bean is slightly irritable these days with teething. We'll start the bidding at 1 bottle of wine.

He is surprised to find out about the eBay ad.

While I knew that Bean's sleeping through the night was only temporary, I was still appreciative that he started doing so at 8 weeks. I woke up one morning after the sun had already come up and took a deep breath of sweet, sweet comfort in. 8 hrs of straight sleep! Of course this was followed with a dash in to Bean's room since he hadn't raised an eye in about 9 hrs. It's been a wonderful 6 weeks, but here we are 6 weeks later and the honeymoon has come to an end. Bean is teething. The uncontrolled screaming has started. The sleeping has stopped. The bags have returned. So life is fun right now. I will say that I think I've handled all of this well, being on my own since MrE is deployed. That being said, I must admit this is when it is hard. Stepping out for some me time or running to the store sans baby isn't always possible. But there is no use in dwelling, there are things to do and it could always be worse.

Plus there are only 6 weeks left until MrE returns. I have threatened both Bean & MrE that I might just send Bean down. I'll join them at Christmas after I take a very, very long nap! Idle threats. Besides, how could I leave this face?

Happiness Project #4

Boston blueberry muffins pg 131

Well first of all, Boston is a great reason to smile... Especially when this mama will be living every where but Boston, which is home, while Mr.E is in the Navy. Second, I love blueberry muffins. It reminds me of a Sunday morning, sitting around with everyone and talking over a cup of tea or coffee. My mother discovered some blueberry bushes in the new yard this year and made a bunch of homemade blueberry desserts... All "Boston blueberry" desserts of course!

Raising Tomorrow's Fan Today!

Still up, Working on a plan

Now that the wedding is done and things will be fairly quiet until the move, I have to actually start preparing for the move. In less than two months we will be back in VA with MrE. This is a fairly big task...

We have now expanded our temporary housing search to purchasing. We had originally planned on renting a house since we'll most likely be in VA for only 2 years before we move on. We are also preparing to buy a home in MA in the upcoming future for when we return and / or retire. With prices dropping, purchasing may be cheaper than renting. Plus it would be ours, so there is that. I've put out feelers and made contact with friends in the area for their realtors info. I'm hoping to have our housing settled by early Nov.

We also have new furniture to get. We need to get a bedroom set for us & living room set. That will have to wait until the Mister returns though. He would like to be part of that decision since it is furniture we will have for the long haul. Understandable. We do have get by pieces so that we won't be relaxing on lawn furniture for weeks after the move.

There is also the organizing and packing of things here in MA and setting up an appt with the movers. The house currently has stuff we are taking and are not taking. So that should be fun!

Then there is the car issue. My husband's car has over 150K miles on it. It's a gas guzzler. It doesn't have the safety latch system for the carseat. Is just about to cross the line of when we will have to start sinking money into it for repairs & upkeep. It has been a very good car, but we want something a little more dependable. We have our desired cars on the watch list. Just waiting for the car buyer season.

We can't forget the personal stuff either, like doctors. Bean will have his 4 mo appt just before we leave MA. So I will have to find a new doctor fairly soon. Luckily we have friends that just moved there with their very own little Bean.

After all of this, we can't forget resupplying the house with groceries. Setting up utilities. Unpacking. Making our home a home, and hopefully all before the Mister returns. Or at least soon after the return.

Being a military wife means you may get to do this all on your own depending on deployment schedules. This hold true for me with this move. We are very lucky to have family that is willing to help and will be there when we first get to VA. All parents will be in town for his return.

So with a deep breath and a plan, I have started this move, which will not be our last... Better not throw that plan away!

Shell Back Ceremony

Hey Family!! (my comments are in RED…the rest is from WIKIPEDIA.COM)

On Sunday morning we crossed the Equator. This is a very significant event in the lives of a Sailor. The ceremony of Crossing the Line is an initiation rite in the U.S. Navy and other navies which commemorates a sailor's first crossing of the equator. Originally the tradition was created as a test for seasoned sailors to ensure their new shipmates were capable of handling long rough times at sea. Sailors who have already crossed the equator are nicknamed (Trusty) Shellbacks, often referred to as Sons of Neptune; those who have not are nicknamed (Slimy) Pollywogs.

The two-day event (evening and day) is a ritual of reversal in which the older and experienced enlisted crew essentially takes over the ship from the officers. Physical assaults in keeping with the 'spirit' of the initiation are tolerated, and even the inexperienced crew is given the opportunity to 'take over'. The transition flows from established order to the controlled 'chaos' of the Pollywog Revolt, the beginnings of re-order in the initiation rite as the fewer but experienced enlisted crew converts the 'Wogs' through physical tests, then back to, and thereby affirming, the pre-established order of officers and enlisted. Like the old physically- and emotionally-intensive boot camp, the "Crossing the Line" ritual deconstructs then reconstructs the initiates' experience from newbie outsider into the experienced military fraternity. Most of this commentary is from WIKIPEDIA.COM, noone actually took over the ship from the Captain…we just had a fun ceremony to initiate all the Slimy Wogs (70 of us, including me) as Trusty Shellbacks.

The eve of the equatorial crossing is called Wog Up-Rising and, as with many other night-before rituals, is a mild type of reversal of the day to come. 'Wogs' - all of the uninitiated - are allowed to capture and 'interrogate' any shellbacks they can find. The most that happened onboard ELROD were a few signs taunting the shellbacks, some tobasco in the coffee pot in Central Control Station (where most of the shellbacks live ;) We also had a “talent show” where the all the wogs had to perform skits, songs, and games for the entertainment of the Shellbacks. The Wardroom did a skit on life in the Wardroom, all the Wog Officers performed as other officers. I donned a pipe cleaner mustache, put on LCDR rank, and got on my knees (XO is a short latin-american w/ a cheesy mustache), and the DCA donned socks in his shirt, glasses and a female military hat and acted as the Commodore. Our embarked Commander is a female CAPTAIN who is in charge of all ships I the Africa Area of Responsibility. All were entertained and had a great time.

The morning of the “Shellback Ceremony”, all the Slimy Wogs got up at the crack of dawn and had breakfast together on the messdecks…we were greated w/ green eggs, green ham, green pancakes and syrup, green potatoes and various other disgusting looking eats. Instead of getting it on a plate, it ended up being served like a cafeteria food fight, which was actually pretty fun! When was the last time you had an organized food fight on a Navy Warship???

After crossing the line, Pollywogs receive subpoenas to appear before King Neptune and his court (usually including his first assistant Davy Jones, her Highness Amphitrite, and their offspring the “Royal Baby”, who are all represented by the highest ranking seamen), who officiate at the ceremony, which is often preceded by a Beauty Contest of men dressing up as women (yes, two of my Sailors dressed in drag, freaking hilarious), each department of the ship being required to introduce one contestant in a women’s dress. During the ceremony, the Pollywogs undergo a number of increasingly disgusting ordeals (wearing clothing inside out and backwards, including undergarments you can see this in the pictures); crawling on hands and knees on nonskid-coated decks; rowing a paint punt (small boat used to paint the side of the ship) full of bright green sea dye (fluorescent sodium salt); kissing the Royal Baby's hand coated with green spaghetti, etc), largely for the entertainment of the Shellbacks. Afterwards, all Wogs are "interrogated" by King Nepture and his entourage, getting the time honored question after running the guantlet, “What are you!?!?!?”, the ideal answer being “I’m a TRUSTY SHELLBACK, SIR!!”. Of course many of my shipmates didn’t get it, saying “I’m a Slimy Wog”, and were banished to another cycle of “fun”, frought w/ shellbacks foaming at the mouth, firehoses in the face, more “games”, and lots of pushups.

Once the ceremony is complete, a Pollywog receives a certificate declaring his new status. Another rare status is the Golden shellback, a person who has crossed the equator at the 180th meridian (international date line). When a ship must cross these lines, the ship's captain will usually intentionally plot a course across the Golden X so that the ship's crew can be initiated into the Golden Shellbacks.

The rarest Shellback status is that of the Emerald Shellback, which is received after crossing the equator at the prime meridian. A watered-down version of the ceremony, typically featuring King Neptune, is also sometimes carried out for passengers' entertainment on civilian ocean liners and cruise ships.

-JR

Our Weekend

Our weekend started of with the wedding of two very, very special people, my brother Erik & Kat! There is a seperate post for that with a mini slideshow... The wedding brought in guests from near & far. While I was off doing the bridesmaid thing on Friday, Connor was off with my inlaws taking in all the Grampy, Grammy and Aunty love he could. They came up from NC for the wedding, and of course some quality time with Bean. My cousin & her husband were also in visiting from Europe. We also benefited in getting some catch up time. The new Mr. & Mrs. even stopped by before leaving on their honeymoon. Saturday we relaxed at the house with all of our visitors. We shared stories, reviewed pictures from the wedding, and just laughed. Saturday ended to quickly and we had to say see you soon to E! side of the family. I'm not sure where Sunday went, but it was a quiet & lazy day.


Row 1: Our weekend really started on Thursday with the rehearsal & dinner following. Bean was so warm. So Aunty unbuttoned his shirt and that soon lead to the dollar being put in it since he looked like he was trying to show off his chest... A very good picture to show his first girl friend. WAY.IN.THE.FUTURE. Then Bean relaxed as I got his stuff ready for the next day!

Row 2: Bean really enjoyed Grammy making him laugh. He also got a lot of snuggle time in with Grampy & Grammy. My Aunt also stopped by with her daughter & son in law, who are visiting from Europe.

Row 3: GI Baby spent some time showing us how much he loves his Uncle JR. This love was only passed by his love for donuts! This was his first one ever, and he didn't get to eat the whole thing. After his sugar high, he crashed!

Now it is on to a new week and I must really get down to my must do list. This is going to be quite a list... Only 58 days now!!!

Congratulations Erik & Kat!

My little brother married his sweetheart on Friday! I can honestly say that he couldn't have picked out a better woman for my brother. We are so excited to have her as part of the family, although she has been for some time. They both looked so amazing. The ceremony went beautifully and the reception was a blast! Now they are off enjoying some much deserved R&R.



The bestman, who has been one of my brother's best friend's since kindergarden, gave the best speech I have ever hear. It was funny and sentimental. The ending remark was perfect, "From this day forward all of your happiness will be multiplied by two and your trials will be halved." I just loved it! And of course we all wish them more happy times then sad and a very long, loving life together!



My husband even made it back from Africa! Okay, not really but the JR doll was there courtesy of my cousin who is also a military wife. They had a Bob doll made for their daughter when he deployed last. So they brought down my Bean's very own JR doll! He gave his best wishes to the bride & groom. He snuggled with his son, took a family picture, had a few drinks and even danced!

Happiness Project, #3

A college fund for the kidspg 363.

It makes me happy to know that we will be able to help out Bean and any future siblings in preparing for their adult lives. We have already started Bean's college fund. That being said, we have been whispering ROTC, Air Force & Navy Academy in his ear. The military has paid for 1 degree for me and 3 degrees for the hubby. We come from a big military families. I am a veteran and Mr.E is still serving. My dad, cousins, uncles, grandfathers... While we won't force it on any of our children, we would be proud & supportive if they chose this path.

Limbe, Cameroon

Hello family & friends!!

Just departed Limbe, Cameroon after 5 days on the hook (anchored out in the harbor). Although, we had to ride a “liberty launch” (a transport boat) back and forth to shore, we still participated in several events. While in Limbe, the crew engaged in VBSS training (coast guard ship boarding’s), soccer games, several office calls w/ local dignitaries and military commanders, and a reception w/ the Cameroonian Navy. The crew also got to head off the ship a couple days for a mountain hike (7K feet straight up). I chose not attend this event, as my legs are still recuperating from the mountain ‘hike’ in Equatorial Guinea ;) One African mountain per six months, that’s my motto.

While we were in Cameroon, my engineers and I stayed busy w/ diesel repairs and other training events. I got off the ship on Thurs eve, for a tour of the local Wildlife Sanctuary, then dinner and drinks w/ my engineers. We all got to let off some steam at a local karaoke bar. Good times were had by all. The Limbe Wildlife Sanctuary tour was amazing. The Sanctuary was a local ‘do good’ organization that was a rescue shelter for endangered species of monkeys and bush babies that had been injured or maimed in the illegal ‘bush meat’ trade that thrives in Cameroon and many other Western African countries. They had gorillas, chimps, mandrills (like baboons), smaller monkeys, alligators, and a snake…OH MY! That’s where I got a majority of my pics…

Well, Azzy and I have officially weathered 4 months of a 6 month deployment apart and have just under 2 months to go till I pull back into Norfolk, VA. I’m getting really excited to get home and spend time w/ Azzy and get to know Connor!! Sorry this is so short, but not a lot to report from this port, as I didn’t leave the ship much.

- J.R.