Double Duty

Sorry I have not posted in almost a month, I know it's ridiculous. I started work about a month ago, and have been running on E ever since. The learning curve is steep to say the least.

I also had double duty because I agreed to help a shipmate who is going on leave. But after this week I will have some free time.

I have some pictures to post, thanks to Lauryn, who took my camera to Catania with her. So check back soon.

Until then, ciao!

Street signs and weeds. Enjoy!

Nothing much new going on yet. I finished my last day of Indoctrination today, and tomorrow is my first day at work. I'm kind of excited about it, and kind of apprehensive at the same time. It will be nice to finally get down to business. However, it also means this is it, there are no more half days, no more going in at 0940 and no more sitting in a classroom drowning out instructors like I have for the past eight months. 

Well, anyway, I was riding the bus from NAS1(the base I live on) to NAS2(... the one I don't live on) with my handy dandy camera in my pocket so I thought I'd get this ball rolling...

Some weeds, Mt. Etna in the Background.

Some of the confusing roads here!

A Discoteca right outside of base. "English Spoken"

Pretty self explanitory...

I know some of them have a glare and some are blurry, but that's because I took them from inside a moving bus.

Stay tuned!

Living Overseas = Amazing!

Today may be the best day of my Sigonellan life...

Today I got my first paycheck, complete with Cost of Living Allowance and Commuted Rations(money to eat on). My pay has doubled. So thank you for that, Navy!

So in order to celebrate, I just went out and purchased this blogs best friend:

A Sony Cybershot DSC T2.

I almost bought the next higher model, but I had to talk myself out of it. I kind of regret it still but we'll see how this one works out.

About two more weeks until I go out and start exploring the island I think. So look forward to some new pictures soon.

Later!

Catania

Hello!

I know it has been a while since I posted, but I really haven't done anything at all. I rented GTA4 and have spent the past week sitting in my room playing it. Not because it's that awesome but because I'm poor and it's cheaper to sit in the room than go out and experience Italy. By now it's about 3 days past due... oops!

On a more interesting note. Today we visited the province of Catania. 

As a part of our intercultural relations program they take us to Catania and drop us off in the Piazza Doumo, or Cathedral Square, and let us wander around from there.

The main Cathedral in Catania.

The little elephant, which is kind of like a 

mascot or something for the Province.

Catania was pretty fun all in all, I didn't take any of these pictures because I didn't have a camera. Once I get paid I will buy one, and once my friend Lauryn gets here we will go out and explore I expect.

So expect to see more of Catania Later.

Until then, ciao!

Bonjourno!

I have been here for four days and I love it already. This place is amazing. The weather is perfect, the base is almost like a resort and the surrounding area is beautiful!

Just yesterday I was waiting for the shuttle and I almost missed it because I thought surely this giant tour-bus wasn't the shuttle I was waiting for. This thing had better seating than the commercial jet I flew here on! Everything I need is in walking distance also. This whole base is within walking distance practically. We have a NEX(walmart-esque store), a grocery store, a food court complete with taco bell, subway, kfc, and a couple other places I can't remember right now, a world class gym, an Applebees, a couple bars, a movie theater, a bowling alley, a bunch of little stores, a library with free wireless internet and a place called ITT that schedules trips around europe! Like to London and Ireland. 

The barracks are really nice also. I'm still in temporary housing until they get me a room to live in, so no phone or internet yet, but the temporary rooms are nice as well. 

I went to a town called Motta Sant'Anastasia(above) with my sponsor, and we went to a restaurant where I had Cannelloni with chicken, and it was so good.  In the background is the active volcano Mt. Etna.

(a picture from the room I stayed in the first night. Mt. Etna in the back.)

So, needless to say I'm having a blast so far. I haven't even started my 

job yet though. I will be doing all this indoctrination stuff for about three weeks. After that I will be working for American Forces Network, Sigonella. 

I'm trying to save up money right now to buy a decent camera. Although my sponsor told me that our shop has one still camera that you can check out. I will look into that later.

Until next time. Ciao!

Welcome Aboard!

Welcome to my new blog, which is essentially the same blog just on a new address. A fresh start for a new location. I have finished boot camp and I have finished my A-School.  As of 12May2008 I will be getting on a plane and heading to Sicily, my new home for the next two years. 

Since I wont be in school I wasn't sure at first if I would keep a blog even. It seems wrong to stop it though with so many people that read it. I'm not positive what kind of things I will be posting. Expect the normal updates i.e. how the new job is, what I do, how life in Italy is. I hope to turn this into more of a photo blog though. I plan on buying a decent camera and taking lots of trips around Europe. So that will make for some good photos.

Ok so don't expect much at first, I will update this as soon as I get to Sicily and get settled in with internet and all.

(also I'm not sure how permanent this layout will be, I want to do something more creative but right now I'm trying to enjoy my leave rather than spend the whole time hiding behind my laptop.)

-Adam