Well, I know I know, it's been a long time, but at least I have lots to bring you up to speed on. I'll try to make it brief though - as one of my friends kindly pointed out to me after I told him a typical long RJ story - "Conciseness is Niceness RJ!"
First off, I've made a serious decision. I'm leaving Hawaii. I feel like this was a great chapter in my life, and the perfect place for me to be a Flight Surgeon, but I'm ready to start fresh and there just seem to be too many ghosts from the past preventing me from moving forward here. Now hold on, I'm still having a blast and nothing too crazy has happened since my return from Iraq, but my gut is telling me to move forward, that something big awaits me and its not here. So, where to now? Well, I'm applying for a residency in Family Medicine in 3 cities it looks like - San Diego, Phoenix and San Francisco. I'll keep everyone posted as to the evolution of all of this.
On a more serious note - my personal life has stabilized. I'm single again and I truly feel like I need to move on from my last relationship. I've accepted that we're different people and while that person will always have a special place in my heart (or to quote Jordin Sparks,..."like a tatoo on my heart"), we're not meant to be in a relationship together. We're meant to be friends. It was a difficult thing to come to, but I'm there.
I've been getting myself involved in a lot of exciting things lately - I visited my friend (ex-roomate) Josh in Phoenix over Easter and I had an amazing 5 days! I spent my Easter sipping Veuve Cliquot Champagne and eating Shrimp Cocktail by the pool of the Mondrian Hotel in Scottdale, AZ - all comped of course. Not long before that I participated in the Marine Corpse Base Hawaii "Swamp Romp" - where almost 300 teams of 5 ran a 6 mile course through obstacles, hills, waterways and the ocean, and oh yeah, it was all through MUD! Lots of MUD! We got filthy and it was awesome! I had mud in my nails, in my ears, in my eyes. At one point I was on my stomach crawling through a sewer/drain pipe and stopped momentarily to look over at a crab the size of Maryland who gave me this look like "You're Nuts! I have no choice but to be down here, but you...what are you doing here?!" Then this weekend my roomate Tim and I (who I'm getting along very good with) are flying to Kauai for the weekend to a military resort called "Barking Sands" to stay in a cabin right up against the coast. I plan on bringing a journal, some books and just relaxing ---thats before the following weekend which is MDA Weekend!...
MDA Weekend (April 10-14) is a weekend where all of my friends fly in from all over the US to get together and go to a Fund Raiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. But we do it in style. We all get dressed up (I rented a sharp tux which I'll take lots of pictures of for ya) and we first take a limmo ride all around the island. It's great fun! Other events planed for the weekend include a Wine Tasting Party at my house the Thursday before, a camping trip to Bellows Air Force Base to one of their beach front cabins the Friday before, then maybe the Sandbar or beach the Sunday after.
But wait, my April concludes with Cancun Baby! Remember the Puerta Vallarta trip where Victor and I won the all expense paid vacation to Cancun Mexico? Well it's coming up April 25 to May 4th! Already! I'm pumped and Victor and I are very excited about it! And after that things will slow down for me some.
Life is good, morale is high and I'm keeping busy! It's amazing that one year and 3 days ago I left for Iraq...
Other updates...
Angelina is doing great, but needs her oil changed.
My mom is doing great, but get that one card paid off mom!!!
Jan is doing great (in Philly, happy in her new job)
Victor is doing great - he's getting all in shape for Cancun (as am I)
Kelly, Mike, Kiera and Ryan are great - it was Kiera's 3rd birthday recently. The theme of her party was "princess". "Like her Uncle..." - Josh pointed out. lol.
And that's about it - everyone is great!
Aloha to everyone and drop me a comment to tell me how all of you are doing!
-RJ
10 comments:
Hey, RJ!! :) I've missed you on your blog! Glad to see you again. I'll be praying for you on your relocation. I know everything will work out just exactly perfectly for you. :) I've been thinking alot about Iraq too. Been almost a year since I met you. Wow, how time flies! :) And yes, something huge awaits you. Be sure to keep us posted. Love the pics, RJ! :) Looks like a fab time. I could so get into an event like that! Can't wait to see you in a tux! :) Tell Mom and everybody I said hi. Take care of yourself,RJ, and keep in touch.
Hi RJ!
So good to FINALLY hear from you. I was just thinking the other day that we hadn't had an update in awhile. Good luck with your relocation and the search for "the perfect someone". I know how that goes. I understand the princess thing, our Madie is still in the "princess zone". Elliott turns 6 (yikes!) this month and Madie turns 4 next month. Sounds like you're having a great time as always! Have a blast on your trip with Victor. My best to you.
Missy
Woohoo! Good for you, RJ!! It sounds like things are going just the way you want them to!
RJ,
I think you are such an awesome person, you always take charge of your life. Sometimes in life, especially as we get older, it becomes easier to just let life happen, but then it becomes boring. BUT not you, you take control, you make things happen and best of all -- you make it FUN!! I love that about you. You inspire me RJ, thank you for that.
Good luck with everything. I love keeping up with you thru your blog.
Debby McGennis
My Dear Friend DOC!
You sure have been the busy man! I understand the gut calling for a change. I too will be making some much needed changes in my life.
My first step is mine & Christopher's LEGAL NAME CHANGE!! I filed the petition w/ the courts a few weeks ago. My notice is running in the local paper. We go to court in May to seal the deal. Once it is official we are having a huge Pig Roast. Oh Doc if you could be here the first weekend in June to celebrate with us. I know it wouldn’t be the zoo trip I promised you. This would be better! I have been planning this party and getting everything in order since I filed the papers. It’s a big deal. It’s called leaving the past and starting new all over.
I wish you the best of luck with your relocation. Keep me posted! Mexico already! Man the time has just flown by. Why is it when we are kids it seems to move so very slow? Yet the older we become the faster the time flies? It’s just something to ponder.
Now look at those very dirty boys!!! Where is the napkin? I’m droolin! LOL Your next few weekends sound great and it’s for a wonderful cause. I hope you all raise tons of cash!
I have rambled on long enough. Take care of yourself Doc & WRITE MORE OFTEN!!! I miss hearing from you.
Lots of Love My Friend,
Susan, Christopher & Justina
p.s.
My e-mail addy has changed. It's now
CnJmommy@comcast.net
well. as always your use of words are great. LOVE the pics. Love the stories. I am excited for your future.
I still have a lot invested in you. LOL!
CANCUN here we come, BEWARE!
and for all those whom might be reading this in HAWAII........Watch out cuz this jersey boy is coming in 7 months. be afraid......LOL!
SEE YOU ON THE FLIP SIDE!
VICTOR
RJ, RJ, RJ... your life is never dull!
I LOVE the mud photos. Hysterical!
...and there's that chest shot you promised - woohoo! hehe!
did I read this correctly, Victor is a Jersey Boy? (not another one! :)
I can't WAIT to see these vacation shots! Have a spectacular time on your FREE vacation!
Hi, RJ. I already know what's going on, but I also just like to leave comments. It's 4:00 PM and I'm enjoying a nice LAGER... Ahhhhhh!
Here's to you while thinking of you!
xox,
JC
So good to hear about your life! I've missed your blogs but I am so happy you are home & having a blast.
Hi RJ:
Been thinking about you lately! Glad things are going well and I am sure that where ever you go you will be a success.
If you end up in Phoenix I'll be there in September for a Massage Convention maybe you should drop by and join us!
Things are going well for me I went back to work in January after my rotator cuff surgery. I am now working out 3 to 4 days a week this includes doing strenghtening exercises for my shoulder.
Well don't be a stranger.
Julie
Soldiers' Angels
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