First Week 2,000+ Miles Away

Like I said I packed up, got on a plane and flew from Florida to California on January 2nd. The military paid for this move of course. I have a few friends that live in California so it was not like I didn't have anyone to come get me from the airport or a place to stay if I needed it. My friend Kay (another Naval Officer and FAMU Alumna) got me from the airport. Kay has been my road dawg since ROTC days, plus I post embarrassing stuff about her on my snapchat lol. Since I arrived during a down town for the Navy I did not have to go to base and check in (everyone is still on vacation) so I had a free day to enjoy.

Not even two hours after I arrived in town I was already in the car with my friend Jasmin (another Naval Officer) headed to LA. Talk about power moves! Plus Cali is 3 hours behind Florida so I am not feeling the effects of the time change yet. With this epic day trip I had the opportunity to see the "Hollyweed" sign. We went to the Packing House in Anaheim, it had a lot of restaurants in it. I almost couldn't make up my mind on what I wanted to eat. After the Packing House we went to the Hollywood Walk of Fame for a little bit. Then Finally we ended up at the Santa Monica Pier which is very beautiful at night. A simple day trip turned into a full day of adventure.

First day on the job

This was actually the real challenge. Even with the instructions my sponsor gave me that didn't help much that day. A fresh new Ensign lost on the military base, oh the joy. After running around lost for a good 2 hours this department took me in under their wing and helped me start my checkin process. Along with doing my checkin I got this cool access card to get into the building. It might be lame to you but how many people get a special card to enter the building on day one? The "semi hard" part was over but I still felt weird, and that is because now that I am an officer all enlisted personnel will salute you. This is truly when I knew that everything was official. All in all I survived my first work day. The rest of work week went a lot smoother once I got the hang of things.

Weekend Festivities!!!

Now since I have survived my work week why not wind down a little. Kay invited me to join her and some other officers to go to a drag show at this place called Lips. This was my first time going to a show like this but I had a blast! Those men worked the stage and their heels! That Saturday my car arrived! No more uber or having to walk. I was smart and packed my car full of stuff that I know I couldn't take on the plane. Since my living situation isn't stable at the moment I found a place to put everything that was packed in my car into storage. No need to be riding around with a full car. That night I went to a birthday social and met more black officers which was pretty cool. But to end my weekend off that Sunday I went on my very first hike! FYI hiking was not as easy as I thought, but then again Florida doesn't have hills. But I survived the hike up to Potato Chip Rock. It was a struggle getting up there (nothing but incline) but I didn't die. Fair warning to those who ever plan to hike this trail, it is not the best thing for beginners who have never hiked. Bring water and snacks for the stops you'll make. :)