THE NEW YEAR

Well, it is a new year and truthfully I have done anything to pull in the new year. Today is the 2nd of January and I just got back from hiking with one of my friends from the ship. Hiked a total of 4 1/2 miles in and 1hr and 30 minutes. Had a good time, and it wasn't to hot out there today.

I am now in my 5th week of Information Systems class and so far am holding my own with a grade of 88%. Would have been doing better, but my midterm exam was a little more than I could handle. I also had a phone call from Harley Davidson today. I guess the insurance company hasn't paid my bike off, so I had to make the payment today just to get it taken care of.

I have also found an apartment, but have to wait until I get my insurance check back so I can afford to get the place. After that, I will be able to my housing allowance and will be able to get off of that ship.

Next, I have been here at work for the past week by myself. Its actually not to bad, but it keeps me busy day in and day out. I not only trying to keep up with my work, but also the Damage Control maintenance. It has been a little difficult this week. Well, enough complaining for now, will see with the change of the calendar.

JUST BEFORE CHRISTMAS

Good afternoon everyone. It is a couple days before Christmas, and I have been here in Wanchese, NC for the past week. I haven't done a lot, but have spent time with my family. Not so much time with friends. My nieces and I have gotten some geocaching done and I have gotten some pictures taken of things to interest me. Truthfully, I'm not looking forward to Christmas because once again I have to leave the day after. These vacations go by way to fast. But all in all, I have had a wonderful time here back home even though I haven't seen everyone. I guess, they will have to wait until next year. Until next time, keep you head held high and your arms raised upward and you my friend will make it.

Thanksgiving Day!

Its been a good long while since I have last posted anything on here. But here goes. Lets see how my english is today. As you can see, it is another Thanksgiving. What am I doing? The same as usual. Sitting here hanging out in the single sailor center playing on my computer. Wish I was back home in N.C. enjoying some of moms cooking. Christmas vacation sure cant come quick enough.

We have only been home from deployment for a couple of weeks now, and finally getting back into the swing of things. Its nice to be back on land for longer than a day or two. We have been pretty busy at work, and it doesnt plan to stop for the next couple of months. My first year and a half has gone by pretty fast and hopefully my last half of my time here in Hawaii will go by just as quick. It seems that the only days that go by fast are those I spend at work. I guess keeping busy is the only way to speed things up.

I will also be starting college courses again in December. I would like to finish my BA by the time I leave Hawaii. I know its near impossible with the way our tuition assistance works, but it will be nice knowing I only have a couple more classes when I leave here. I cant believe that I (Greg Thompson) has stuck with this whole college thing. Who would have ever thought that I would have gotten my AA and now am working on a BA. The bad things is, I'm actually thinking about a MA.

Well, I think this will do it for the time being. I think I have eaten enough turkey, and I do believe it is time for my after meal nap. Hope all is well, and I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving day

My First Couple of Month in Hawaii

Well, as all of you know, I am stationed here in Oahu, Hawaii onboard the USS Hopper (DDG70).  I will be here until June of 2013 and then will transfer hopefully back to the east coast.  I think for the few months I have been here, I have spent more time underway than on land.  But it was nice to finally get back to a ship.  The truth was I was really starting to miss it.  I am still working on all my qualifications and have a long way to go while try to complete them.  The big one is going to be my ESWS qual that has to be done in 18 months.  It sounds like a long time to accomplish it, but believe me when I say it is harder that it seems.

We pulled in at the beginning of August for a month underway doing our part in RIMPAC 2010.  Dont really care to do another one of those again.  To me, it was a wast of money spending that much time out to see when we were not doing anything but going back and forth around Hawaii.  Will also be heading out a couple more times before the end of September for a few weeks here and there.

For adventuring around Oahu, I have really had much of a chance to do to many things, but have gotten one hike in and also went to North Shore and also to the NorthWest side of the island.  I didnt know there were so many homeless people here on the island.   Makes you open  your eyes to what is going on around the United States.