Yvette's (Army) Life

Washington in Springtime

2010-06-03T21:30:00.004-07:00

I recently attended a week-long course in Bethesda, Maryland, and had a great visit in Washington DC. What a treat to see the sights and visit some amazing museums. And it's ALL FREE!!! Not that I would trade our health care, but it was still pretty cool.

I really had a good time at Julia Child's kitchen, and have the DVDs and souvenirs to prove it!

I even had the chance to pop into Canada - yep, visited the Canadian Embassy while I was there. The Medical Liaison Officer invited myself and Maj Hache to a movie premiere. No popcorn, though.....

The weather was gorgeous, the people were SOOOO friendly!

Harassment Advisor

2010-04-27T20:37:00.010-07:00

I spent a week on a course with the Good Working Relations people (who are, by the way, good people themselves!) learning how to be a harassment advisor. Now I get to advise my Commander on how to avoid prison by dealing with issues as they arise. Yep, that's what the instructor kept saying: You have to keep your boss out of jail.

Really, we just have to learn to get along, regardless of our differences.....

Because the alternative can be some pretty prickly situations......

And you don't want things sneaking up on you...

Moose Jaw has a sense of humour

2010-03-30T16:40:00.001-07:00

A crosswalk in Moose Jaw. Words escape me. Laughter spilled out too.

So it begins, so it ends...

2010-03-30T16:29:00.005-07:00

Yep, springtime in Saskatchewan. It was almost over, but then again, no...

Fortunately it was only a dusting, and even better, there were no flight delays.

However, when I got home, and found an ant AND moth problem, and I forgot my pillow in Saskatchewan, AND my hot tub was cold, I was ready to go back to Moose Jaw!

But no more whining, because as Chiu said, Jeez, Menard, you sound Air Force!!

Love is everywhere

2010-03-30T16:21:00.004-07:00

You just have to be ready to see it. Not merely able to see it. You have to be READY. Only one person can take down the walls, only one person can open the door, only you can open your eyes.

And see the love.

Moose Jaw TD

2010-03-15T17:16:00.006-07:00

Two weeks down, two weeks to go. So far, this is as close as I've been able to get to a Snowbird (the plane; the Snowbird pilots lay down for me everyday, but that's just my job....)

It's a great clinic, great

staff, and I'm learning a lot about being 'in charge' from the 'Sarge' (who is

obviously really in charge!)

It's just too bad about the smell - too much fertilizer, too many cows in the stockyard near the base, too many mornings with eyes watering! Enough said!!

It's also been a great chance to see old friends, like Monika, who gives great hugs! I also got to visit with Den and Gayle and their family, and Anjani (and new baby) and Brian and Lauretta! Definitely the best part about a TD to Moose Jaw!

I left Victoria for THIS?!?!

2010-03-01T10:35:00.006-08:00

Drove through this (handily supplied photo from the Weather Network) from Regina to Moose Jaw. So far, nice digs, great people, and got to visit the Snowbird hangar. Did NOT get to fly in one. See photo and fog and you'll know why!!

Also met with a personal trainer at the gym - a whole month with no cooking or cleaning - I have no excuse to not get in better shape!! Here is a photo of some of the great staff I had the pleasure of getting to know while in Moose Jaw.

Thanks for the great laughs!

(And, oh yeah, Carol? W-V!!)

Regional CE

2010-02-01T15:38:00.005-08:00

Gathered from across this great country of ours - well, the great Western half - dental personnel from Shilo, Moose Jaw, Cold Lake, Edmonton, Comox, and a few token Ottawa guys, met in Victoria for a few days of Continuing Education. The highlight? A hike around Thetis Lake, and for the military members, a bigger hike up Mount Finlayson. Apparently, to prairie folk, this is HUGE.

When asked by fellow hikers if this was for fun or for training, I replied: "When you're being paid to do it, it's training." (BTW, it was fun. It just wasn't FOR fun!).

Apparently the large number of soldiers wearing combats needed explanation....

Fortunately, on our Recce hike, the Warrant Officer found the most important piece of equipment. Unfortunately, he left a piece of it attached to his pants.....

Do Soldiers Cry?

2010-01-09T10:04:00.003-08:00

Soldiers cry because people cry.

During training, it is common to hear (women) soldiers being told to 'stop crying', to toughen up, to, as it were, 'soldier up'.

But - soldiers cry.

It is not an inherent weakness in a woman that makes her cry, any more than a soldier showing emotion is showing weakness.

It is her strength. A soldier who can cry, who can express emotion, and still BE a soldier, is far stronger than those who are uncomfortable with that expression of emotion.

Perhaps then, it is those who cannot abide the tears who are weak. Anyone who can be so intimidated by a little bit of salt water should consider the old saying:

If you can't handle getting yelled at, how are you going to handle getting shot at?

To wit - if you can't handle the consequences of yelling at people, how are YOU going to handle the repercussions of shooting at them? If you can't stand to make someone cry, how are you going to handle making someone bleed?

Secure and protected

2010-01-03T14:31:00.003-08:00

Ah, the PPE of the military. My personal protective equipment apparently does NOT end with gas masks or surgical masks, rubber gloves or latex gloves, tactical vests or dental scrubs.

It apparently includes my bobby pins and hairnets, because nothing screams safety like a nice tight bun......

New Book, New inspirations

2010-01-03T14:27:00.003-08:00

Bob made the mistake of giving me a book for Christmas, so the poor guy didn't get a lot of attention yesterday.

The writing is clear and concise, with excellent stories, and Gen Hillier reminds me why I joined.

The stories also remind me about the way to lead, and not to lead. Unfortunately, it doesn't give a lot of advice on how to be a follower!

I guess I am still learning that part.....

This lady has NO filter...

2009-12-23T17:52:00.004-08:00

Today, 23 Dec, Nicole and I were shopping at Winner's in Halifax. We were behind a lady with a very very full cart. We switched lanes. THANK GOD. I think the people who ended up being behind her must have turned into instant scrooges, cursing everything blonde under the sun.

The picture shows less than half of what was in her cart. This is her discard pile.

She would pick up an item, inspect it in agonizing detail for pulled threads or stains, etc, and then give it to the cashier for either purchase or the reject pile.

Who goes to the cashier with a cart loaded with items and THEN starts inspecting and deciding? Two days before Christmas?? Has she never shopped before? What do you think you're going to get at Winner's, anyway??

Well, obviously, she thinks she's going to get someone who will put all this crap away for her....

Snowshoeing in the BC Mountains

2009-12-23T16:52:00.004-08:00

From 20 Dec 09

We should have known better. Chris, Brooke, Bob and I went out snowshoeing in Strathcona Park in BC, near Comox. It started out beautiful, if a little cloudy. We headed into the snow, first time on snowshoes for me!

Through the trees, onto a cross country ski trail, back into the woods. We did the WHOLE lake loop - we figure over 10 km on snowshoes (not much trail till the end.)

And then we realized - we don't know if we are heading BACK to the car - OR NOT. What was supposed to be an hour in the snow turned into FOUR hours of hiking, and about 3 hours of that was wondering if we were lost. We had the ski trail, fortunately, but really couldn't tell if we were getting closer to or farther from the car. By the time the ski patrol was coming by to do a 'last sweep' of the trail, to make sure everyone was coming off the trail, we knew darkness was coming. By the time we found the road (and had to ask a passing truck which way to the parking lot, AND had to walk back 1/2 km ...) it was DARK. And we had spent 4 hours in the woods, without the bare essentials. Little water, less food, nothing for surprise inclement weather, no compass/gps, not even EXTRA socks for my freezing wet feet!! Did I learn nothing in basic training?

Flying to Halifax!

2009-12-21T21:49:00.004-08:00

Here's hoping WestJet continues their reputation for on-time flying and NOT losing your bags.

This morning I was at Bob's and we were discussing my flight. When I recalled that I was flying Westjet and NOT our nationally funded (rhymes with "we suck and no one wants to fly with us so we need a bail out) airline, I experienced a moment of .... calm .... and peace ..... and relief!

To which Bob commented - that's a pretty good commercial for Westjet.

Schmair Mamada - not so much....

Granatstein

2009-12-18T16:26:00.003-08:00

Influential and instrumental reading for those of us in the Canadian Military, and anyone else who cares about living in Canada.

At least you don't have to shovel it??

2009-12-18T16:19:00.004-08:00

I had many many bags of leaves to rake up (thanks for helping Chris!).

This was December 12. The same day I was putting up Christmas lights!

I was hoping to take pictures of the snow that followed, but it didn't last long enough!!

heeheehee ......

I'll probably end up getting posted to Cold Lake or Moose Jaw, and then I'll regret this!

We don't do CrossFit

2009-12-02T14:53:00.004-08:00

WE do BATTLEFIT! You know you're done when you feel like throwing up. How much pushing, running, pulling and squeezing can you do at once? Is it really necessary to feel dizzy to get maximum benefit? How good is it for a dentist to have jiggly arm muscles all day?

These questions may never get answered,

but as long as I can (almost) keep up with people half my age, I will keep sweating. And not just at night.

Oh rats ......

2009-12-01T21:14:00.002-08:00

No, Really, RATS. I found the droppings. I was hoping it was just a mouse, but the traps were flipped and the peanut butter licked clean. Obviously, the beast in the basement was much too large for the teensy little mouse traps.

Fortunately, the poison in the outside shed worked.

Unfortunately, it kicked in in my crawlspace.

I am very proud of myself for being able to pick up a dead rat and drop it in the garbage.

This is NOT the actual rat. Mine was much bigger.

Hello from the Prince!

2009-12-01T20:46:00.001-08:00

My buddy Chuck stopped by to say Hi. I saluted him, he saluted back. It was a moment.

Sunny San Diego

2009-12-01T20:05:00.003-08:00

So, the CF sent me to San Diego for a 3 day course on Oral Surgery techniques. So, naturally, I took 4 days leave while I was down there. My sister Barb and her daughter Taylor joined me, and we got to play in the surf and sun, and shop!

As I like to say, Livin the dream.....

ENGAGED!

2009-12-01T19:59:00.003-08:00

Here is a picture of the ring with which Bob proposed! He made it himself (till we could go shopping.) So excited to plan a shared life with this wonderful man.

He must be a good guy, my dog Maddie loves him!

And here's the 'real' one (although the first one stays on my dog tags). The claddagh ring - two hands in friendship, the heart for love, and the crown for loyalty.

what my dog does when I'm away

2009-12-01T19:56:00.002-08:00

Yep, goes sailing. This is her (the cutie on the right) on her way TO the big sailboat! Apparently, she's a very good sailor.

I think she mopes when I get HOME because it's so much more boring with me home!

Has it been that long?

2009-12-01T19:42:00.002-08:00

Where does the time go? Almost Christmas ....
What's new in the zoo?
Hallowe'en Party at the Clinic - ooohhhh, a MURDER MYSTERY!! Who killed Professor Necrosis?

How to pack and move a SEV

2009-09-19T13:30:00.003-07:00

We also learned how to pack up and move a SEV (special equipment vehicle.) A dental clinic on a truck, with a trailer and a generator attached. Congrats to Jerome Sylvain for getting the CFDSS record - 55 minutes! It was fun learning all about it, and we had amazing staff to help us out! Thanks to Dave, Sebastien, and Reagan - hope to see you guys around sometime!

A week in the field

2009-09-19T13:23:00.002-07:00

Bringing my own Timmy's turned out to be a good thing - it was the only coffee for the whole camp that first morning!! Also a good thing that Woodbeck is THE coffee guy - I swear he can take any coffee, any type of machine, and make it taste good. Thanks, Mike!

Also, we got to meet (and say goodbye to -- ) Norman the Racoon. He visited a few tents, sniffed a few faces, managed to find some goodies. We're not sure if it was because of him or not, but we also got to hear Fernandes scream like a girly girl, and hear about Johnson climbing the tent pole.... Thanks, Norman!

The mystery of the red bicycles....

2009-09-11T18:11:00.002-07:00

Here's a nice view of a small number of the many bikes like this at CFB Borden. They are ISSUED to foreign language students. I mean foreign students learning one of our languages! LOL! International language students?

We see them pedaling all over the base, in uniforms from all over the world.

Yep, Canada doing her part....

Field Ready!!

2009-09-11T17:51:00.003-07:00

We're heading off to the 'field' tomorrow. I have a feeling it won't be a lot like a) the real world or b) the real world aka St Jean! Apparently, there's a McDonald's not too far away from our Bivouac site. But, we will be roughing it - campstoves, tents, IMPs (those heat-in-a-aluminum bag meals - be sure NOT to drink the water after!). I am prepared - I have lots of socks, a fresh map, some granola bars, and an extra set of boots. And sunscreen! And maybe a little timmy's coffee !

One of the biggest differences between here and Basic Training - our Map and compass exercises are done from a JEEP!! And we have a driver (who's not supposed to tell us if we're lost.....wink wink.)

So far, the bed is comfy, the food is great, we're allowed to bring WINE into our dining hall from the bar (okay, another big BIG difference from basic), and the staff is great with lots of good stories from all their years of experience, postings, and deployments.

More to follow (MTF!) in about 5 days!

2009-09-06T18:13:00.000-07:00

Just after 9 pm here, I'm not sure if my body has adjusted to Ontario time yet..... went for a walk around 'Camp Borden'. It is HUGE. I lived here 24 years ago, and while I'm sure it's the same land mass, it is not at ALL the same! The gym must be 8 times larger than I remember it, there are sidewalks everywhere.

The strangest thing is the red bicycles I see everywhere. I've only seen two being ridden (it is a Sunday of a long weekend) but I've seen about 50 locked up on bike racks. A Canadian Tire special, the Supercycle. Single speed, rear brake, Red and White (very Canadian!), with a red parcel carrier and fenders.

I must find out where I can get one. Rent one?

Do you think the military is now issuing red and white single gear bicycles??

Done Basic Training, now What?

2009-09-06T16:09:00.003-07:00

Well, after 15 weeks at St Jean (in the winter!), I went back home to lovely Victoria and started working in the main dental clinic at CFB Esquimalt. But, I guess I was having too much fun there, for here I am now in CFB Borden. I am awaiting the start of 'BDOC', or Basic Dental Officer Course. This is where I will learn all the paperwork and standards and procedures of the CF Dental Services. Or, I will learn all the things I've been doing wrong this past year.

I will post some photos from Basic, the ones I didn't have time to do during the training, and keep you posted on the adventures of Borden!!