Happy Stuffing and Gravy Day!!

The way I see it, not enough credit is given to the wonderful stuffing and fantastic gravy that is served on this day usually celebrating the turkey. Don't get me wrong I love turkey as much as the next person, but there is just something to be said about a well baked stuffing. Definitely my favorite for the "leftover" meals that follow the holiday. The ship have been promised turkey with all the trimmings tonight and the cheap Thanksgiving decorations that have been staring at me and my morning toast for the past few days are really starting to awaken my taste buds. It is two hours till dinner time and already I'm wishing I was at home, the football game playing in the family room, the turkey roasting in the oven. Kevin, of course, sneaking peeks through the oven window to 'just make sure everything is ok in there.' I guess one of the nice trade offs would be the hot weather we're experiencing as we sail through the Philippines Islands on our way to Singapore. Speaking of which, the waters are said to be pirate infested. I kid you not. Tonight we will be on pirate watch with the pirate lighting rigged to spotlight all our weapons to remind the pirates that we are an armed warship and not necessarily an easy target. Although, if Long John Silver did board our vessel, I would be awfully tempted not to slap on an eye patch, yell out a "YARRR!" and sail the seven seas as a pirate. Come to think of it, I'd probably get more sea time that way... there probably isn't a health plan though. Things have been somewhat choppy in the seas surrounding the Philippines. I have spent the better part of the week in sickbay... "fasting in preparation for Thanksgiving Dinner." I managed to keep most of my cookies down, but was in no shape to eat anything and spent most of the time drugged on Gravol injections sleeping and dreaming of calmer waters. Today, I'm doing better - I'm mobile for starters. And for some reason people I didn't even know had set sail with us have been coming out of the woodwork to see if I'm feeling any better. It sure makes e feel loved, if not a little bit embarrassed. Like I tell the boys, "If it weren't for the sea, I'd be one heck of a sailor!" But the Doc put it all into perspective pointing out that my body is reacting exactly the way it is meant to in this situation. At least I know my system is finely tuned and highly receptive. My solution to all the turbulence is to reward myself with a trip to a gorgeous looking spa in Singapore and enjoy 2 1/2 hours of pampering. I figure I have earned it. My Mom had emailed me yesterday and ask how I was doing... REALLY. Well, the truth is my spirits have definitely been down lately, but I'm sure that's due to the seasickness. But of course, there is also the loneliness and homesickness to deal with too. I am finding it hard to comprehend that I will not have a normal life for another 5 months. I know I've never really had a normal life, but I'm sure you get my meaning. It is also difficult to have finally met the person you want to share everything with and he has to be left behind for 6 months. Yes, we can all rationalize that 6 months isn't that big of a deal in the grand scheme of things but... 6 months contains many things for us. In this case it means missing Thanksgiving, Halloween, Christmas, my Birthday, Valentine's Day, both brothers' birthdays, Dads birthday, Kevin's brother's wedding, and of course all the little moments of each day; picking up groceries and making dinner together, our nightly drives, my Sunday calls with Mom, watching the new Gilmore Girls, having baths, and the list goes on. It sounds so strange to complain of loneliness and boredom when you're trapped in a tin can with 250 of your 'closest friends and family.' We all try to make the most of our time here, but it's still really tough. The guys who have done Gulf trips before all swear that the first and last month are always the hardest. I sure hope they are right, cause 6 months of time seeming to virtually stand still will make me go batty. At least there is always the ice cream sandwiches the ship's canteen sells to put a bright spot in your day. I may come home obese, but at least I will have coped, right? :) So yet again, thank you for all the comments you have been sending. I seem to thrive on getting email! It really does help with the monotony of the days.