Ten great things going on in my life

Life is good.   I am giddy and excited about all that is happening right now.  Here is a list of 10 great things happening or are about to happen in my life!

1.  I got promoted to Captain!  For those of you who remember the movie Stripes,  I am now "Captain Stillman".  Lucky for me, most of the people I work with are too young to remember John Laroquette's infamous character in the movie.  Also lucky for me, unlike Laroquette, I am a woman.  :)

2.  I am leaving Korea in 2 weeks and 4 more days!

3.  I am going to North Carolina which, in my opinion is one of the most beautiful states on the east coast.

4.  Bought myself a great house with 4 bedrooms and a big yard (see picture!)

5.  I will get my doggy back!  I can't wait to see my Macy Moo again!

6.  I will get my car back!  I can't wait to drive my car again.  

7.  My boss loves me.  It's a really big deal when your boss loves you.   It can make or break your daily life and mine is awesome.

8.  My coworkers love me.  See #7 for why this is a good thing.

9.  When I get back to the states, I get to and become a shoe-whore again.

10.  I had a pedicure today to prepare for # 9, and my toes look pretty.

Reflections

One year in Korea has come and gone.  I'm still here, but on my way out.  21 more days and I will be back on U.S. soil.  For the 3rd time in 12 months. 

I came here to Korea knowing full well that I would be gone for a year.  No mid-tour, no leave, nothing.  I was gunning it out for the full 12 months, then taking 30 days to visit my family in between my move from Korea to North Carolina.   Then life happens.  This past year has been both the best and worst year of my life.  The first 6 months were wonderful.  I traveled to China, became confident in my new role as the Executive Officer at the hospital where I work, and met some of the best people in the world.  The next 6 months started with the death of a great man, my uncle Dan.  The original Godfather and a true testament to the term "family man".  I had such a tremendous amount of love and respect for my uncle and developed an appreciation for his quirky brilliance as an adult.  The respect continued to grow into true admiration and no matter how much time passes, his legacy will live on in the lives of the members of our family. 

Four short months later came the greatest loss I have ever known.  The loss of my father, Norman Stillman (aka Hunter Silvastorm).  There are no words to put into perspective what my father means to me.  Everything I am, I am because of him.  I am proud of who I have become.  I am proud of what I do.  I am proud of how far I have come in this life.  All of this, and all I am, I owe to him.  I am not the same person I was 3 months ago when he was still alive.  I miss him every day.  The hardest part is not being able to pick up the phone and call him.  We talked every morning and every evening.  Even while I was here in Korea and my morning was his evening and his evening was my morning.  There was no one on this earth I enjoyed conversing with more than dad.  Work, life, politics, movies, scruples, business, TV shows, science, nature, dogs, family, love. 

Dad and I knew how special our relationship was.  I was daddy'slittle girl in every sense of the word.  Rest peacefully, dad.  Tell mom I love her.

Tomorrow..."Happier times ahead"

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