I am SO glad you're back!

[Rokket]

Well, thank you. I didn't really realize it until last night just how many people do care about me. Sometimes when you are forced to spend countless hours in a semi-solitude state, you forget about the love of others for you. I was reminded last night. Not just from the people who were there to celebrate my birthday with me, but all the Facebook posts and texts we have been getting all morning. Both well wishers and people upset they were not told I was home...

 

[Terre]

It sounds like you are surrounded by a number of people who love you.

 

[Rokket]

And that's not always a good thing! But in this case, it was a very good evening, and I was sorry that it had to end.

 

[quietrob]

You should do what I do. I don't have a birthday. I abuse the entire month!

 

[Miss B]

Hey, if you're gonna do it, do it right!!

 

[Rokket]

I tried that one year. Turns out the entire month abused me!

 

[Terre]

Good morning.

 

[Rokket]

Good morning.

Really? Here it's 12/1/2016... the time is 7:34PM...

In about 6 days I'll be in the states. San Diego, CA to be exact...

 

[Miss B]

YAY, so you'll be posting on the forum during "our" time zones for a change.

 

[Rokket]

Nah... I'll be jet lagged for the first few days. You won't even notice anything different....

 

[Miss B]

Yes, that's to be expected. How long are you going to be States-side?

 

[Rokket]

I don't know. It's all dependent on my employers getting me ready to sail and sending me out again. But I am expecting I won't be in the states during the holidays. Problem is, I won't be home either. Never am.

 

[Miss B]

Oh that's a bummer.

 

[Rokket]

Unfortunately, you get used to it.

 

[Miss B]

That's unfortunate too, but I know what you mean.

 

[Terre]

Agreed.

 

[Rokket]

It's the life I chose when I became a mariner. I didn't have much choice when I retired from the Navy. I had to keep my family overseas for personal reasons, and this was the only job I could take that would enable me to be home once in awhile. If I had taken a stateside job I might never see them.

That was then, this is now. I am going to take the necessary steps to bring them back to the states this year.

 

[Terre]

I hope arranging all of that goes smoothly.

 

[Rokket]

So do I. It can be rough dealing with Immigration.

 

[Miss B]

Here's hoping you're successful.