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Published: September 22nd 2007
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After having so many questions from friends about where Corpus Christi was....and what on earth was there....we decided that we would use our inaugural travelblog to introduce you to our new home! Corpus is a relatively large city located on the Gulf of Mexico. It has a population of around 278,000 accomodated in an urban sprawl which stretches out from the downtown area. The city's two major forms of income and employment are the petrochemical industry and the military. Corpus is also a popular tourist destination for Texans on holiday in search of fishing and watersports due to the pristine beaches located on South Padre Island around an hour south of Corpus. The city is built around a bay but the waterfront areas have not been developed in the way you might imagine and are relatively rundown in the inner city. The entire city is flat which can make it hard to get your bearings when you first move here. The average temperature is around 19 degrees Centigrade in winter and a humid 34 degrees in summer.
We live in a 3 bedroom 'cookie cutter' (they were all built from similar moulds!) on the south side of the city in
The House
Garden to be added at later date! a neighbourhood where new homes are springing up every day. The house is only a couple of years old and a great layout for entertaining which we have been doing a bit of. The garden is a work in progress but the aim is to have it finished prior to our next move at the end of 2008. The house is about a 20min drive from the base where Jamy works and a 5-10min drive from the local shopping area. There are some major freeways which reduce time in getting around the place but the on and off ramps are a death defying experience. The best method of entering and exiting the freeway appears to be accelarating to 120km/h, closing your eyes, and hoping that everyone will avoid you! The major downside of Corpus is that it is a city which is impossible to get around without a car. It is very spreadout and although there is a small local bus network, it does not service the suburban areas. The shops are all located in mega-malls which you drive to so its not possible to take a quick walk up to the shops when you need milk!
The base
View of Lounge and Kitchen
Thats the front door if it helps with your bearings. where Jamy works is a major pilot training base and conducts basic pilot training for the Marine Corps and Navy and advanced training for pilots from all services that are streamed toward multi engine aircraft. The base also serves as a major maintenance base for Army helicopters and many of the overhauls of aircraft returning from the Middle East are carried out in Corpus. The base has some fantastic facilities including a modern gym which provides 5-6 classes every day, a running track made of that spongy stuff that doesnt hurt your knees and a boating marina. The food options on base are fairly lousy however - unless you are a pizza or Maccas fan! Jamy is working as an Instructor Pilot on the T-34 aircraft. He has just taken over as the Standardisation Pilot for the Squadron and will hold that position for the remainder of his posting. He normally has between 2-3 flights per day with students or new instructor pilots under training. Unfortunately the squadron operates from sunrise to midnight so there are a number or early mornings or late nights each week. The job does have some advantages though. About once a month he is required
to take a student on a cross country flight. He leaves on Friday and spends Friday and Saturday night away at a destination such as San Antonio or New Orleans then flies back on Sunday afternoon. The government pays for the hotel room so I am aiming to meet him at most of his destinations and take advantage of the chance to start seeing the country.
I've spent the first few weeks learning my way around, relaxing and cooking. Jamy and I have been heading to they gym or jogging most days and it has certainly made it easier to stay motivated as we are doing it together. We have also joined a social tennis group on Tuesday nights and spend half an hour in a group tennis lesson and then play mixed doubles for an hour and a half. The coach has been adamant that you cant have the same partner each week so it has been great to meet and play with a whole mix of people. I have also been lucky enough to meet a great group of women through the wife of one of the Australian Navy guys posted to Corpus. They regularly catch up
for coffee and lunch so I'm enjoying having a social network and they have been invaluable in providing advice on where to shop, eat out and have haircuts. On the work front; I have begun some volunteer work on base at the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society. The organisation is a not for profit charity that works on the base and provides budget counselling and no interest loans/ grants to military personnel in financial trouble or emergency situations. At this stage Im working 5hrs 1-2 days a week and am going through the training stage but Im aiming to be a fully fledged case worker within the next couple of weeks. I have also been out to the Corpus Literacy Council and am hoping to have an English as a Second Language Class up and running in the near future. The Council has a large waiting list for classes but limited classroom resources so they are currently investigating a location for me to run classes 2 days a week. The classes would be 2hrs each and at this stage they are predicting I will have a very basic level class - ie lots of miming and pictures....and not much English!
The Back Yard
The weather has been perfect for lots of breakfasts and dinners out here. It should be a challenge and Im really hoping it all comes off.
Anyway - we hope this has given you an insight into our life in our new home. We will aim to post a new update about once a month and let you all know what we are up to and the new places we have seen. Remember...there is always a place to stay in Texas if you make it over this way!
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Fish and Emma
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Great blog guys
Hi Mel and Jamy, Looks like you are doing all the right things Mel! Volunteer work sounds good and you'll be great at ESL. The house looks beautiful but can totally relate to the absence of public transport. We can walk to a local shop for milk though so no complaints. Keep on blogging, it is good to see!