A Letter From Samara

Hello. My name is Ava, and I'm guest posting on Sam's blog while she is in basic training. Sam and I worked together in Las Vegas for almost three years. It wasn't long before she became like my little sister.



The original plan was for her to mail me her blog posts, and in turn I would post them here for her. I received a letter from her today. While it seems more of a personal letter rather than a blog post, I was so excited to hear from her that I wanted to share it with all of you.

There was a note of encouragement emblazoned on the back (Click the images to enlarge them):



The letter reads as follows:

26 JULY 2009

Ava,

OMG! There's so much going on here. I don't know if I'll be able to actually write anything decent. I really have no time to write, but a ton to talk about. Just know that I'm doing well; just stressed.

I love you. I will start writing you more. I'll write a little every night; I haven't b/c I've been so tired. I'm supposed to graduate September 3rd.

That's all I got for now. It's kind of hard to write stuff today--it's making me too sad.

Love,
Sam

Check out that first class stationary:




And envelope to match!



The return address on the envelope is:

SR BUSH, SAMARA C.
DIV 311 SHIP 14
RECRUIT TRAINING COMMAND
3410 SAILOR DR.
GREAT LAKES, IL 60088-3510

She did not specify whether or not she could receive mail at this address, but I'm sure as heck gonna try. I'm sure she'd love to hear from us all. If you post comments, I will send them with her letter.

The New Chapter Begins...

My latest news is pretty exciting, and a bit nerve-racking (well, a lot nerve-racking). I received a call last Thursday saying my early leave request for Boot Camp came through and I would be leaving July 15th as opposed to September 8th. I know I shouldn't be too surprised or upset by getting the request, but after not hearing anything for a couple months I was definitely shocked. I feel sort of unprepared and I'm sad to have to leave John and my friends so soon. I won't be able to see Doris and Julia in California. I thought I had more time to hang out, relax, and work out. I've been kicking myself for not working out as much as I should have, but at least I was doing some running every week.

I found out yesterday that recruits from Las Vegas fly to Great Lakes on Tuesdays, so I'll actually be leaving a day early, which isn't so bad, but as my Mom said, "It just keeps getting earlier and earlier." (Meaning, of course, that the Navy really is just throwing me in there.) After a couple of days of thinking about everything, I do realize that it's best for me to get this part over with sooner. The sooner I get through this, the sooner I start school, the sooner I get a duty station, the sooner my student loans start getting repaid, the sooner I get paid, and the sooner I can put in an officer package. Plus, I won't have to deal with Boot Camp stuff during the cold (or possibly freezing) temperatures I'm sure are associated with lake effect fall weather north of Chicago. And, last but not least, I don't have time to worry now. All I have time for is action and psyching myself up for the next couple months, telling myself over and over again I can do it, which, I must admit, is way better than worrying so much about it that I decide to do nothing except worry and watch TV.

While I feel 10 times better than I felt last Thursday, I am still nervous and anxious and just plain scared. Anyone that knows me knows that I totally dig on starting new things and going on new adventures, and everyone has been so incredibly supportive. I thank all of you for believing in me and telling me I can do it; that is exactly what I need to hear when my own mind is going back and forth between crazy worrying and intense excitement. Of all my adventures, I know this one will be the most demanding and difficult, and I'm ready for the challenge. I'm ready and I want this and I know I can do it, and, in the end, it will be so completely worth it.