February in Camp Roberts

I was in Camp Roberts for 8 days, the first of back-to-back-to-back trips. Considering the weather was rainy and uncooperative for the first two days, the rest of the week was surprisingly gorgeous, with 70 degree weather! Obviously, the first couple of days was a bit frustrating as not a whole lot was accomplished due to the weather. Monday through Friday was packed with experiments that weren't completed on the weekend, including was what already scheduled for that day. It was a bit hectic, but amazingly we had a very successful week. I was very happy because the main component I was in charge of went well. It was a new responsibility for me. In summary: There were 4 different contractors plus two different groups within NPS, all who wanted to fly their wireless devices/radios on our manned airplane called the Pelican. The advantage of flying on manned versus unmanned vehicles is that you don't have to worry about the weight of the payload. But, what I had to worry about was deconflicting 6 frequencies and the placements of the antennas. The pilot was not willing to put new wholes in his plane for the antennas, so we had to make do with the existing wholes. It made for quite an logistical problem! But, we flew everyone's payload/radios and almost everyone walked away with losts of data. My boss and I were surprised (and pleased) with how many requests to have the Pelican fly again in the May experiments. It's pretty expensive, so I think it might be awhile before I work on this type of project again. We'll see... After a week of experimentation in Camp Roberts, I'm getting ready for a week in Europe! I'll try to keep posting blogs, but am unsure of my internet availability. After Europe, I'll be in San Francisco for a 4 days. Whew...it's going to be a whirlwind!!

Me and Anthony

AT&T weekend

Last weekend was a lot of fun. AT&T Pro Am was going on at Pebble Beach, which means Monterey was packed with people. Including lots of my friends from out of town! It was great to hang out with them Friday and Saturday nights at Lallapollooza. Saturday night was also Michelle's baby shower at her sister's beautiful new home. Sunday morning, I went to First Awakenings (one of my favorites) to eat breakfast with Sarah, Ryan, Rebecca (Sar's adorable co-worker), and Sarah's parents. Overall, it was an eventful and joyful weekend! It made me feel blessed...

Because I'm a girl...

I cannot believe what happened to me today...I saved money from my tax returns because I was told that I need a car part replaced that was leaking. This is from the shop I normally get my oil changes from. Well, I took my car into a shop that a co-worker recommended and they couldn't find anything leaking. My old shop wanted $1,000 to "fix" my car!! Needless, to say they have lost my business and my co-workers shop won me as a new customer! I can't believe this shop that I have been going to for years tried to take advantage of me!! Grrrhhh...

Sarah's birthday weekend...

Tahoe is a winter wonderland

Hank has his sweater on, ready for snow!

This last weekend was my best friend, Sarah's, birthday!! Sarah, Ryan, and I (oh yeah, and little Hank) all went to Tahoe to celebrate the weekend. It was such a fun weekend and very relaxing. We got up there late on Friday and crashed. Saturday we got up and went to their favorite breakfast place to eat and came back to the condo and read for a little bit. Then we went bowling and played air hockey! Two of my favorite things to do (even though I'm terrible at bowling)! Then later that night we grabbed dinner and Sar and Ry did a little gambling. Sunday morning we woke up to a winter wonderland. Ryan had to dig his truck out of the snow and luckily a snow plow came to clear the parking lot so we could leave. We made it back to Petaluma to watch the Super Bowl. I was VERY happy when the Giants won! Woo hoo! It was a great time...

She's famous!

My sister's picture has been posted everywhere in Monterey County. Today she opens the Herald Newspaper and she sees herself again! Comunnity Hosiptial took pictures of her one time while donnating blood and now she their official poster child! Even Ryan saw her up on his poster board at Seaside Police station!! :) Above are the pics and below is the link if you want to check it out for yourself...

Here's CHOMPs website:

http://www.chomp.org/blood/blood_drives.aspx?msg=6

Cousins

Last weekend my sister and I drove up to Oakland to see our cousin, Vanessa, who is from Texas. She was there for a 3 day intensive course to prepare for the nurse practitioner boards. We went out to dinner and hung out until about 9:30 pm. It was great to catch up with her. Good luck on your boards this week, Vanessa!!