Update from the ROK

I am proud to report Rick has added another title to his impressive collection. Yesterday, he took his final certification flight for INSTRUCTOR PILOT! The process to accomplish this is long, and has been very stressful. On several occasions, after HOURS of preparation, creating maps, and requesting airspace, many flights were cancelled due to weather, maintenance (broken plane), or health (Head cold - cannot risk blowing out an eardrum) Then, preparation would start ALL over. This was all in addition to his regular duties. So, you may be thinking, 'Great, now they may get to see each other more than an hour a day'

Nope.

Rick left this morning for a two week mission in Thailand, and then will go to the Philippines for another two weeks. We have been married nearly two years, and have yet to spend 4 consecutive months together. I have to admit, a perpetual honeymoon is really not that bad.

So, what has Rachel accomplished while Rick has been slaving away? I'm excited to announce I found another strain of bacteria. I got to spend another evening physically revisiting my prior meal. So, I have basically found the secret to how Koreans stay so thin: food poisoning. I'm now on a first name basis with the pilots' flight doctor. Thankfully, he takes very good care of pilots and their wives.

Another wife, Amy, and I are planning a trip to Japan. I am going to try my hand at flying 'space A'. There are military planes that fly several times a week from Osan Air Base in Korea to Kadena Air Base in Japan. So, when 'space is available' we will catch a ride. For anyone that knows me, you can imagine the challenge this will be for me. No guarantee of getting on a flight?! No seat assignment? No champagne?! GASP. I cannot imagine any other time in my life that I will be able to travel with such flexibility, so why not try it now?