For the past week, I've been lucky enough to be on vacation in Maui, Hawaii with my sister and dad.

Needless to say, it's been amazing, Maui is far more scenic and lovely than my apartment. Not to mention the weather here is beautiful, I love being able to just sit with the windows open, feel the ocean breeze caress my face, and listen to the lull of the waves.

I've also been running around doing tourist activities like snorkling, parasailing, and jetskiing.

"Snuba" diving!

I've never been to Maui before (that I remember) but I did go to Hawaii (the big island) last year for my honeymoon with Hubby.

Which looks pretty darn similar to Maui at times.

Great.

There are lots of couples everywhere who are clearly on vacation with each other without a care in the world. Their significant other is right there, not overseas in a dangerous situation. They can talk to each other and see each other whenever they want. They get to experience all sorts of fun activites together. They don't have to worry that if something went wrong, the last time they'd have seen each other was many months ago.

And I'm sitting here Hubby-less trying to stay positive and not be all mopey 'cause  he's not here. Which can only work for so long before I get sad or feel like karate-chopping those beezies in the throat so they'll quit making kissy faces. [But that's not very nice]

Lucky for me, it only takes a little thing on Hubby's part to completely make my day. Like Hubby calling me unexpectedly to say "I love you" or having a 30 second phone conversation even though he's running late on his way to work.

I can't wait to have these moments in person again. R&R is getting closer and closer but it feels so far away!

2 years down, 1 to go!

I passed my last test of this semester yesterday (yay!) so I'm officially on summer break (well, at least until my summer class starts but still)!

When I first found out that I passed my mega-huge med-surg ATI test with a level 3 no less (level 2 is the minimum, 3 is the highest), I was so relieved. I felt this big worry weight lift from my shoulders and I was really happy.

Of course my next thought was instantly of Hubby and I started crying. Stupid, I know.

This is the first and only semester that he has not been here for at all and it was just a weird thought. He's been gone for parts of semesters before but never an entire one. I miss him a lot and this semester was really challenging without him here for moral support. He's always been here to remind me how hard I've worked, believe in me when I don't believe in myself, help me study, hug me when I cry, and cook me lots of food when I'm feeling stressed. Completing my 2nd year (out of 3) of nursing school without him here was just tough.

Most of the class went out for pizza after our test to celebrate and of course I was still emotional. One of the girls who is getting married this summer came with her fiancee and they are so cute, totally in love, and happy. And I've turned into this bitter old witch who cries and gets sad everytime I'm around couples in love. I could barely look at them without feeling the urge to cry and being jealous that she has her man here while my man is overseas. It's terrible and I hate feeling like that.  Luckily for me, my nursing class is amazing and everyone is super kind so when I started tearing up (so annoying in public), they were all very understanding and comforting. I'll miss seeing them all over summer.

On another note, today was my first official day of summer! I was lucky enough to have my mom come down to help me clean today because my place has gotten pretty messy with my crazy schedule and lack of Hubby's cleaning assistance. She was so wonderful and helped me to start whipping my place back into shape. I fully intend to have it all cleaned and organized for Hubby's upcoming R&R. We had just barely gotten unpacked and somewhat settled when Hubby deployed so I really want to surprise him by organizing our stuff to make the most out of our little apartment.