A Bag-terrific Reunion!

Several weeks ago I received a voicemail message while conducting my Navy training in Newport, Rhode Island that made my day. It was the New Jersey Transit Office. It turns out that they had finally located the bag that I left on the train at Newark International Airport. They left a claim number and told me to come and get it. Today I finally had enough time to make the four hour round trip excursion to claim my property. To be honest, I had low expectations; I expected to reclaim the bag and, perhaps, my Theodore Roosevelt biography. Imagine my surprise when I received the bag and discovered that NOTHING was missing. That's right! Everything was in the bag that was in it when I lost it. My laptop computer, digital camera, neurology textbook, and checkbook were all accounted for. The checkbook even had all of its checks (although they're worthless now; we cancelled every single one months ago). Apparently there are still some decent people out there who will return a misplaced bag without emptying it of its contents, as well as some very professional New Jersey Transit employees. My faith in humanity is restored. The best thing is that now I can post some pictures that my negligence had prevented me from sharing for three months. Enjoy!



Here is a picture of Julie's pregnant belly at the beginning of July. She was just barely starting to show.



Here is Julie's pregnant belly as of a few minutes ago. Isn't she precious?



Here's the little guy at 19 weeks, which is about 13 weeks ago. Isn't he already the cutest little thing?

Here he is again, only this time he has his little fist next to his little nose. All together now....Ahhhhh! How cute!

Julie Loves a Man in Uniform!

Especially when that man in uniform is me! On Saturday, after a morning of painful study (who knew that the nervous system could be so complicated), I came back to the apartment and noticed a package at our door. After opening the package I was rewarded with my cleanly shaved face staring back at me; my Navy pictures had finally arrived. In the spirit of shamelessly sharing minute details of my private life (which is what blogging is all about, anyway) and to satisfy my undiagnosed narcissism, here is my favorite of the bunch. Topgun, here I come!

I also had one taken with a sword. I really like that one too.

Finally, Julie promised that she would post a picture of me with my buzz cut. I feel that I should explain the circumstances of this haircut...actually, I don't really know what I was thinking. I didn't have to get it cut this short. I must have had a flashback from Army basic training. Anyway, enjoy and please, keep the snickering to yourself ;)

Old Ironsides

In honor of my fascination with the movie "Master and Commander", I thought that I would post some pictures of Julie and my visit to the USS Constitution in Boston. We went there with our friends David, Jana, and Breyton after my graduation from the US Navy's Officer Development School. We toured the 211 year-old ship and had a blast. The only thing that could have made it better was if they had let me fire a cannon; I guess I'll have to wait until I'm an admiral for that experience!



Here is Julie giving the order to fire. Beware a woman scorned (especially if she's pregnant)!



I think I cut a commanding figure; Russell Crowe better look out!



And here we are after the tour. We had a great time; it's too bad that I'll never be able to command it. Curse that rule about physicians being non-combatants!