Jeremy and I on hike, overlooking Pozzuoli and Naples
Hiking
My time in WA finished out really quickly. I was counting down the days until I was done because then I was off to Italy, but I didn't get to do as much in WA as I was hoping. There is just so much to do around there. I felt like I kept getting unlucky with the weather. Seemed as if all the gorgeous days were when I was working. I am not a WA native, its hard for me to go hiking when its raining outside. I still prefer those nice, sunny, CO like days! The main thing I didn't get a chance to get out and do again is mountain biking. I did get to hit up a few more nice hikes.
The first hike I did in the last few weeks in WA was a fairly simple hike to a lake. It was a little rainy that day, but the hike was nice. The lake looked pretty, but unfortunately it was pretty overcast at the lake so couldn't see it too well.
The second hike I got to do was amazing! Mailbox Peak is supposedly the hardest hike on the I-90 corridor so I was really wanting to do it before I left. I met this girl that lives in WA that likes to hike and we tried to do this hike a while ago, but I had to work the night we were going to go so I decided it wasn't the best idea for me to try to hike when I was working that night. Luckily, the last Saturday I was in WA was gorgeous and I didn't have to work!! We got a late start, but ended up being a perfect hike and day. She wasn't feeling the best and had done it before so she let me go on ahead and I summited by myself. This is about a 6mile hike round trip, not long, but STEEP. You climb 4000ft in 2.2 miles. That's quite a bit! It was tough, but totally worth it. Couldn't see as many volcano peaks from the top but could see a lot of the Cascade Mountains. It was a tough go up, but even tougher going down with how steep it was. I was sore for about four days afterwards. It was tough to move around at work!
My last days at work went ok. Everyone I worked with was very nice and sad I was leaving. They were good to get to know. Didn't really get to hang out with anybody outside work unfortunately. It was an interesting contract. Seemed to go really fast in terms of not getting to hang with people or do as much as I wanted, but at the same time went really slow because I was just looking forward to heading to Italy so much. Everyone threw a huge potluck party for me my last night of working. It was really thoughtful! Then the morning after my last night a bunch of us went to breakfast. It was fun. I wish I could have gotten to know more of them better outside of work.
My last week was very busy and slightly stressful. I did the hike Saturday. Then worked Sun, Mon, and Tues night. Breakfast after work on Wednesday, then a short three hour nap, then up to pack up all my stuff, clean, and workout. It was busy and I was very tired. I didn't get a chance to start packing up anything early so had to get it all done in that afternoon, and run the errands I needed to. I thought since I only slept three hours that day I would sleep fine that night. The plan was to leave very early on Thursday so I could make it to Brea's house in Salt Lake City at a decent time. But no, I layed there wide awake the whole entire night. I should have just got up at 2am and started driving. I might have slept like 30min, but I dont think I fell asleep at all. So I was not looking forward to driving at all that day, but I needed to get home, couldn't really postpone the trip, plus everything was all packed up. So I had about a 13-14 hour drive ahead of me with no sleep. Luckily I have bluetooth in my car and a wonderful family and boyfriend that talked to me a lot of the way.
By the time I got to Brea's, I was exhausted, but I wanted to take advantage of the short time I had with her. I don't get to be with her near enough. I need to spend more than just a night or two with her so we can actually do something! She is such a great friend! So caring about me and interested in my life. I love her! I really can't wait to spend more time with her!
So the next day,Friday, I was driving back to CO. My lack of sleep hit me more on this drive. I was exhausted! I was so happy when I pulled into my parents driveway. So I had Saturday, Sunday, and Monday at home with my parents to unpack, visit, and repack for Italy. I had to catch my flight early Tuesday morning. I don't know if it was stress, excitement, lack of sleep,or just plain being too busy but Friday night I woke up in the middle of the night with this severe heartburn like feeling. I couldn't relieve it with any types of antacids. It was awful. So it still kept me from sleeping. For someone that has never really had any problems with heartburn before this was very strange for me. It was like an all of a sudden severe outbreak of acid reflux. I am still suffering from it. It has been more than a week and ever since it has started I have been weak, feeling as if there is a lump in my throat and pressure in my chest, unable to eat anything, can't swallow. I haven't been able to sleep. It's a good weight loss plan! Haha, it hasn't been fun. I haven't been able to work out the past almost two weeks. I tried going to the Dr. the other day on the Navy base in Naples but since I am not active duty or a dependent they couldn't see me. They told me to try just going to a local pharmacy and telling them my symptoms. I told them I needed something strong. So I have been taking what they gave me for about three days now and I think it is actually helping. I have been having to take pain medicine everyday and stuff to help me sleep with little relief. Very unlike me. It has been so awful. The last day or two I have finally been able to sleep more and eat more. I am finally being better company to Jeremy! I felt bad because I haven't been feeling like doing anything! So I finally see some light at the end of the tunnel!
Anyway, I got into Naples Wedneday morning to be greeted by Jeremy! It was so good to see him! He didn't have to work the next of the day so we got to spend that day together, fun, even though I was exhausted and feeling horrible! I felt bad because he wasn't eating much since I wasn't able to eat much. He's so sweet. He signed me up to play with them in their league volleyball they have going on so we had a game that early evening. I didn't feel good, but it was nice to go and do something. I had fun. Then we went out for a nice, romantic dinner at his landlord's restraurant. It was beautiful, he hired some local musicians to come play for us! Got to have a little bit of the famous Naples mozzarella! So yummy. It was a wonderful night, to never forget! More to come on this evening later...
Thursday and Friday last week after arriving in Naples we didn't do a whole lot. I was hurting so bad. He had something planned for us Saturday night so Thursday we went dress shopping for me. I found this really cute Italian, black dress! Turns out, it was the Navy Ball we were going to Saturday night. I had my hair and makeup professionally done on Saturday and got all dressed up for the night! It was fun! The makeup turned out a little too much, didn't really recognize myself! And even though I was still hurting, the dinner was SOOO good. The area that we were in for the ball is supposed to be where the best Mozzarella ever is made, and I think that's true. It is SOOO good. And I also had some amazing tasting parmasan eggplant. Real Italian parmesan eggplant isn't like anything we are normally used to. Not all bready and fried. It was so good! And then we got to do some fun dancing afterwards.
Yesterday, I was finally starting to feel better, and it was a gorgeous day so we decided to go on a little hike. Thought we were going to do an easy hike, ended up being pretty steep. But if felt so nice to get out and enjoy the weather! It was an awesome view of the Napoli valley at the top of the hike. A good sunset viewpoint we discovered that we will have to do some other time closer to the sunset. This area we hiked is this little Navy recreational oasis they set up, not open to public. Its pretty cool. Have lots of stuff you can rent, yurts you can rent, lots of baseball fields, tennis courts, volleyball, pool, etc. It's pretty cool.
It has been so good to be with Jeremy again! He is so wonderful and we have lots of fun together! I look forward to all that we get to do together while I'm here! I will be checking email and facebook so if anyone needs to get a hold of me thats the best way.
