Can't thank you enough!

For this post, I wanted to take the time express and give my thanks to you Dr. Arini.  You have made this semester very enjoyable and easy going for me.  You have been so accommodating with all events that have taken place in my life this semester and I cannot thank you enough.

I thoroughly enjoyed all of the pieces we had the chance of working on this semester.  Some of them came as a challenge to me such as the Literary journalism and Place essays.  I had never written a piece where I had to incorporate factual information and incorporate it into a creative nonfiction story so this was very new to me.  Another challenge I found myself in was trying to avoid getting to caught up in my descriptions and letting those concepts take away from my overall story.  Luckily I sought the help of some very intelligent and creative writers in the class who had given me great feedback and insight on how to re word and write my stories when I get into this type of situation. 

I really enjoyed peer reviewing others stories!  I think we have outstanding writers in this class and I wish everyone the best of luck.  Thank you to those who have helped me with my own work as it is greatly appreciated.  I will be sure to carry along the great information you have given as well as follow your own examples and pieces that I admire.  I learned a lot about others writing as well as my own style of writing as I was  able to do these peer reviews.  Thank you to all who read my pieces as well as shared their pieces with me!!

Overall as mentioned, I really cannot thank you enough for a great semester and being not only a great teacher but great individual with a good and understanding heart.  You have made this semester so much more smooth as well as likeable for me and I appreciate it.  I will definitely be sure to refer other to take this class and specifically from you! :]

Thanks again!!

 

"Once in a while, right in the middle of an ordinary life, we get a fairy tale."

November 30, 2012

Last night, November 29, 2012 marked my first Marine Corps Ball.  I was escorted by Corporal Samuel Rincon and call me cheesy but I felt like it was a scene cut straight from Cinderella; minus the big poofy ball gown though for I went for a more traditional black evening gown look.  However I dressed it up with blue heels to go along with his dress blues as a little bit of accent and character to my ensemble. :]

Getting ready for the ball was a bit chaotic....The ball was held at the Palms Banquet Hall which was on the base of Camp Hansen.  We got ready in the barracks with excited Marines constantly coming in and out of our room.  Needless to say I was able to get ready just not in the girly and slow and steady manner I would have liked!  Sammy looked great.  He was thrilled to achieve his blood stripe on his blues and dress in them for his first ever Marine Corps Ball as well.  I was honored to be on his arm and escorted around to be introduced to his higher ups and their spouses as well. :]

We were very fortunate to be seated at a table with his closest friends (Who are by far one of the greatest groups of guys I have ever met!).  One of Sammy's friends had said their Gunny had organized it that way for us.  Looking at my name tag I was a bit puzzled and had to joke around with Sammy and ask if had forgotten my name... My name tag read, "Ms. Gianna Ligianna."  My first name and then the letters "Li" followed by my first name again.  I could not help but laugh hysterically at this, for many people get my last name wrong (Liberatore) but I had never seen this spelling!  Sammy explained he passed our my name along with meal order over to his Gunny so that's where the misinterpretation might have came from.  I did not mind though in fact I thought it added even more character to the night and event!

After the opening ceremonies and cake ceremony were performed, dinner was served along with the traditional and giant Marine Corps 237th Birthday cake being cut and served.  Once dinner was over, the music and dance floor was officially opened.  Sammy, myself and his friends made our way to the dance floor where the fun had only just begun and did not seem to stop.  I had never seen so many grown men (Marines for the matter) be so excited to hear the song and perform the dance to the new hit "Gangnam Style," it definitely was a sight to see!

Overall we had an amazing time at the ball and it will surely be an event I will never forget.  I am also very happy to have had the opportunity to accompany Sammy to his first ever Marine Corps Birthday Ball as well for he has usually been on leave or deployed during this time.  I look forward to attending many more events and even Birthday Balls with him in the future. :]

"Experience travel, these are as education in themselves."

November 23, 2012

Well, it has finally come down to this... Officially the final day before I leave for one amazing trip and experience of a life time!  I am proud to say that Okinawa, Japan is my first stop to hopefully many new out of the country adventures.  :]

Today consists of last minute laundry and of course packing.  I have never been more nervous and yet excited at the same time.  I have decided to pull an all nighter tonight in an attempt to get on the right time when I arrive in Japan saying they are 16 hours ahead of us...My travel plans begin promptly at 5:40am where I board a United Airlines flight from Phoenix to Los Angeles.  From there a four hour layover in LA where I then will board my first International Flight to the Tokyo, Narita International Airport.  Another layover, this time only consisting of three hours and then I board my final flight on All Nippon ANA Airways to arrive in destination of Okinawa, Japan.  :] 

My biggest concern at this point is of course being able to navigate my way through the airports by myself.  Oh and of course making sure I don't over and or under pack, yikes!  Granted I do have layovers giving me plenty of time to find my way, however I have a sense of anxiety since I have never done this sort of adventure by myself or at all!  One side of me feels very anxious while the other is excited and and ready for the experience and chance to really be on my own and figure things out for myself.  Misplacing my passport is another concern of mine... I am just over thinking now!

All in all I am so ready and cannot believe this trip has come as quickly as it has!  Many updates to come as I set out on my Okinawan adventure. :]