Okay.. so its 5 am here.. I've been off work since midnight.. watched both full episodes of the Bachelorette.. (BTW.. my pick is Roberto... mmm hmmm) There's another hot one... but I can't take his voice..its just too... I dunno..) Anyhow, I was laying down, getting ready to sleep.. but have all these thoughts in my head.. so I'm just gonna babble..
I find myself, each night, clinging to a blanket I bought (like a throw) when I was in SC. Its just an average throw.. one I bought for the plane rides.. but.. I find myself holding on to it at night as if it were my "blanky." Sounds odd? Yea.. tell me about it. I think the last time I clang to something was when I was 7 and had a teddybear.
It gives me a sense of closeness.. or comfort.. to what - I have no clue.. I know.. crazy.. In a sense, it makes me feel as if I am clinging to my kids, or my mom.. even tho I bought it after I left home.. Its really weird, but it made me realize how totally alone I feel here.
Its sad... but don't worry, this isn't a pity party, its simply me, getting stuff out of my head..
I am not so sure that separating me from my battle buddies (especially the ones that were heading to my same FOB (forward operating base) was a smart idea. Yes, I needed the training, and I am glad for the opportunity, it will allow me to do a better job - BUT - I'm not sure its worth the mental/emotional strain...
It may not seem like it... but its definitely putting a strain on me. I am usually a "glass half full" type of person.. and can say things like.. "Its hot.. but could be worse.. we could be at the front gate in full battle rattle..rather than in an office with A/C." or "it could be worse" - Don't get me wrong, I will bitch with the best of them when I am tired, hot or hungry/grumpy - but..since i have been here... in training in SC/Kuwait - I have noticed I have been better about the bitchin and always making people see that we could have it worse.. HOWEVER, that being said.. I can feel it getting to me..
The loneliness.. feeling secluded from EVERYONE.. not just family.. or friends.. but my new friends.. and in a completely FOREIGN place (pun intended) and feeling very much ALONE. I am confined to my work.. or my rack - for the most part.. even when I am off.. its late in the night.. and there is nothing to do besides be on the computer and watch TV/Movies.. and to be honest.. it kinda sucks!! I've only been here 5 days, and I kinda feel like I want to cry.. okay.. so I do feel like I want to cry.. I know.. sounds girlie of me.. really not trying to sound like a wimpy bitcher.. but - these are my thoughts.. my feelings..
I am just ready to get there.. to be around people that I have already connected with and connect with new people that i will spend the next 12 months with.. form the friendships.. have people to talk to (not just on the puter..or IM)
I know.. I can call my family and friends.. whenever I want.. but its not about that..
Its about being thrown from one huge change to another.. leaving your family.. creating new bonds and then being stripped of that (even if only for a week) - making me feel quite alone.
I am a social butterfly.. so, I usually make friends fairly quick.. I know.. whoda thought? me.. a social butterfly?? yes.. I will admit it.. BUT here.. its not that easy.. everyone here in my barracks are all transients. And to be honest.. the only time I see any of the girls here in my barracks.. are when they are transiting to the head!! LOL
I am trying to stay positive.. and know that its only a few more days til I get in theater..
and telling myself it could be much worse.. believe me.. I am grateful I do not have it as bad as others.. but - it the mind.. in the heart.. it still hits ya.. and thats where I am at..
I can't sleep, all these thoughts are whirling around in my head.. and I keep trying to tell myself all the positives... I make jokes in my blogs.. I even poke fun at myself for stupid idiocincracies.. (sp??) - but in the end.. I still laydown at night, hugging the blanket, wishing I weren't feeling quite so alone over here..
The LTC that runs this place has been gone the whole time.. my boss in Afghan doesn't email to check on me.. I have to initiate contact with him ( and have done so, every step of my journey.. just to keep him in the loop..) and it just leaves me feeling kinda as if I am being fed to the wolves.. Now, don't get me wrong... I am a grown ass woman, and I can make my way around, and figure out what I need to do.. I don't need to be hand fed.. but it doesn't mean it wouldn't be nice if he would just check on me.. while I am here, alone, without my battle buddies.. in a country I have NEVER been - something to learn from.. I will learn from that, in case I am ever in that situation, on the reverse side.. I will remember how lonely I felt, and ensure that I do my part in "keeping up" with whomever it might be..
This is a terrifying place.. not Kuwait itself, but this area, this war.. there is Never really a GREEN zone. Over here.. it is all fair game. We are in a war time, and if you feel like you are safe becuase this is supposidly a "green zone" then you are complacent and should not be here.. Even on my trip here from Camp Virginia.. I was watchin out the windows on the freeways looking for IEDs.. Pressure Plates.. anything unusual.. This is a scary damn Area, period.
Alright.. I think I have said enough for now.. Im tired.. I really do need to get some sleep, hopefully I can now.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Sunday, 6 June 2010
Another day down... Today, I spent about 1 1/2 to 2 hours at the pool, after sleeping until 1145.. :) AND I spent most of that time IN the pool, vice laying out.. It was definitely nice and refreshing. Once again, my internal clock is not quite adjusted to my work schedule, so I was awake until about 5 am... errgh.. but, fortunately, still made it to the pool. I only have a couple days left here to enjoy it.. so trying to take advantage of it..
After the pool, I hurried back, showered and got ready for work.
Today was a slow day at work.. (which is good for everyone in theater..) but, with NO A/C and no computer access - it was slow for me too.. I did make it over to the other side of base tonight, when we made a dinner run - but thats about it. We ended up watchin TV for the most part, just waiting for stuff to do and actually got out of work about 5 minutes early tonight.. Called the family.. talked to my parents from work and then again after work. We are definitely blessed and lucky to be in the 21st century and able to talk to eachother twice a day..
Now, I am chilled out in my rack watchin The Bachelorette on ABC.com..
its nice.. kinda a little bit of normalcy..
Nothin to exciting tonight to tell you about. Not really in the mood to chat (really.. um.. I'm just in the middle of watchin The Bachelorette in the background..and want to see some of these sexy guys! :)
(Hey.... a girl can still dream, ehh??) LOL okay.. will write more tomorrow!
After the pool, I hurried back, showered and got ready for work.
Today was a slow day at work.. (which is good for everyone in theater..) but, with NO A/C and no computer access - it was slow for me too.. I did make it over to the other side of base tonight, when we made a dinner run - but thats about it. We ended up watchin TV for the most part, just waiting for stuff to do and actually got out of work about 5 minutes early tonight.. Called the family.. talked to my parents from work and then again after work. We are definitely blessed and lucky to be in the 21st century and able to talk to eachother twice a day..
Now, I am chilled out in my rack watchin The Bachelorette on ABC.com..
its nice.. kinda a little bit of normalcy..
Nothin to exciting tonight to tell you about. Not really in the mood to chat (really.. um.. I'm just in the middle of watchin The Bachelorette in the background..and want to see some of these sexy guys! :)
(Hey.... a girl can still dream, ehh??) LOL okay.. will write more tomorrow!
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Saturday, 5 June 2010
I feel weird about putting the date as the 5th - because by the time I lay down and write, it is usually about 2 am the following day.. so I feel like i am lying to you all.. LOL
Its okay - I know you get it.
So, first off.. today.. well, I slept in til about 2 pm. yea. I know.. crazy..BUT (and this is a big BUT.. (not mine..lol) I didn't fall asleep until about 7 am this morning ( Thanks to John Manning - the author of The Killing Room. It was a good mystery - for those of you that like them.. and I could NOT sleep this morning, til I finished it!). My body and mind are not yet used to the working til 12 or 2 am (like last night) and then trying to go right to bed.
Yes, last night.. long night.. this morning, I mean, this afternoon I woke up at 2 and felt like I had slept my whole day away.. (which really, I had). I was disappointed because I did want to hit the pool again, so I am making an effort to atleast sleep by 4 - so that I can get up by 11 and go to the pool for atleast an hour.
Tonight was a slow night.. (altho 1 is not good.. and too many) we were fairly slow until one of our systems went down.. and of course it came back up about 10 minutes before our shift ended which means...you guessed it.. staying late to get the inputs in.. but atleast tonight wasn't as bad as last night.. we were only there about an extra 1/2 hour, but I have to tell you.. sometimes even that 1/2 hour is torture.. anyone who has ever stood watch on the ship (or anywhere for that matter) towards then end of your watch - you are anticipating the end.. and can't wait.. then, you find out your relief was still asleep.. and you end up an extra 15-30 minutes.. It sucks.. yes, you know the feeling.. and granite, I am not on a ship, but - I am in a building with no windows.. and today.. no AC in our office, sitting there, waiting, and that is my day. My normal day (which would be when I am usually home from work (in SD) is completely taken by this. I am not sure I like these hours.. and from what I understand.. it will be 12 hours shifts for me there in Afghanistan. Not so sure I'm liking that schedule much.. I don't get to do anything that happens in normal business hours (unless I choose to lose sleep..) Especially once there - when I work the midnight to noon shift.. I will sleep the day away.. atleast here.. I probably could (if I got in the routine) get to sleep by 1 or 2 and get up about 7 or 8 and still have a full 6-7 hours to do stuff.. but here, its too damn hot to do anything in the day anyhow.. Its much better to wait til after 6pm.. but.. I'm working.. and everything (on my side of the base) closes at 11 or 12.. so, by the time I'm off.. its all over anyways..
Okay.. I know.. I'm just bitchin.. I've only been here a few days - but, the reality is I am seeing exactly what they talk about in training - the whole Ground Hog Day affect.. the cyclic routine that just never ends.. and yes.. I think I need a day off.. LMAO..
Yes.. I do. Its been about 10 days atleast, I think, since I have had a day off.. day to myself.. and I need one. I am taking Tuesday, but if I had thought about it, I should've taken tonight off.. and Tuesday (they get 2 days a week off here.. (not in a row) but two days is two days.. Owell.. I will suffer til Tuesday. I think my boss in Afghan said I will atleast get 1 day off.. maybe 1 and a half.. who knows.. how the hell do you do a half day when you are working 12s anyhow? errghh..
I am definitely ready to just get there.. and get the routine.. whatever groundhog cycle it may be.. it will be easier to get in the right frame of mind.. once I am there.. Again, this is valuable training, but I have been living out of a seabag for almost a month and I am ready to get settled somewhere and UNPACK.. AND not have to use a flashlight to find socks or Tshirts (since the lights are never on in this barracks).. Oh yea, did I forget to tell you that.. yes.. the lights go off at 2200 (I am at work) and do NOT come on until 1500 (I am leaving for work).. so I only see this room and my stuff.. IN THE DARK with a damn flashlight.. AS you can see I am a little spunky tonight.. I am kinda wound up.. not really tired.. but, doesn't matter - its soo late.. there's nothing to do besides watch a movie.
I did call home tonight. Bought a phone card for 22 bucks.. thought it would only be 146 minutes (for Overseas calls to states) BUT found out when I called I get the state to state rate (because of how the phones are set up here) so I ended up with a card that has 550 minutes! woohoo.. I was happy about that.. spent about 40 minutes talking to my mom and then another 30 talking to the kids and dad telling everyone goodnight.. poor guys.. they had just put in Wolfman to watch.. ended up having to pause it for about an hour to talk to me. BUT alot going on at home today, they got the carpet shampooed, the A/C was finally installed, the jacuzzi is getting fixed and the landscapers are fixing the sprinklers.. I told my dad he was superman today.. (altho he can't take the credit.. he didn't do any of it.. LMAO) but don't tell him I said that.. lol.. right now he is the man of the house.. lol have to boost his ego.. Anyhow, glad to hear all the things that needed to get done at home are being taken care of and they have less to worry about. The kids are almost done for the school year.. about 2 more weeks.. altho they will miss the last day in order to fly to Mississippi, but I don't think they mind. Besides, the last day is usually the BS (sign my yearbook) day.. lol
Okay, I think that about sums up my day/night.. Oh... (I know I am A.D.D. sometimes.. bare with me..) the DFAC.. so.. free food.. a plus.. but we get our dinner in a to go box and half to walk 15 min back to work, and by the time i get here, the fries are soggy.. yuck.. last night was mongolian night.. very good.. (altho they forgot to put my noodles in..) and tonight was pizza.. I was looking forward to it.. but.. got there and saw the pizza and yet again, had another burger.. its getting old. .lol he plusses: FREE baskin and robbins ice cream. Free everything, chips, food, snacks, gum, gatorade.. you name it.. all the snacks, food, sweets.. just laid out for you.. it is kinda cool. I've always been in a galley where they give you small portions and decline if you ask for more.. these guys will over load you with food.. and still offer more.. I will definitely be spending alot of time at the GYM.. and am restarting/resuming my P90X when I get to Afghanistan. DEFINITELY. Okay.. enough for now.. want to watch a movie then try to sleep.. want to make it to the pool tomorrow morning.. :)
More tomorrow.
Its okay - I know you get it.
So, first off.. today.. well, I slept in til about 2 pm. yea. I know.. crazy..BUT (and this is a big BUT.. (not mine..lol) I didn't fall asleep until about 7 am this morning ( Thanks to John Manning - the author of The Killing Room. It was a good mystery - for those of you that like them.. and I could NOT sleep this morning, til I finished it!). My body and mind are not yet used to the working til 12 or 2 am (like last night) and then trying to go right to bed.
Yes, last night.. long night.. this morning, I mean, this afternoon I woke up at 2 and felt like I had slept my whole day away.. (which really, I had). I was disappointed because I did want to hit the pool again, so I am making an effort to atleast sleep by 4 - so that I can get up by 11 and go to the pool for atleast an hour.
Tonight was a slow night.. (altho 1 is not good.. and too many) we were fairly slow until one of our systems went down.. and of course it came back up about 10 minutes before our shift ended which means...you guessed it.. staying late to get the inputs in.. but atleast tonight wasn't as bad as last night.. we were only there about an extra 1/2 hour, but I have to tell you.. sometimes even that 1/2 hour is torture.. anyone who has ever stood watch on the ship (or anywhere for that matter) towards then end of your watch - you are anticipating the end.. and can't wait.. then, you find out your relief was still asleep.. and you end up an extra 15-30 minutes.. It sucks.. yes, you know the feeling.. and granite, I am not on a ship, but - I am in a building with no windows.. and today.. no AC in our office, sitting there, waiting, and that is my day. My normal day (which would be when I am usually home from work (in SD) is completely taken by this. I am not sure I like these hours.. and from what I understand.. it will be 12 hours shifts for me there in Afghanistan. Not so sure I'm liking that schedule much.. I don't get to do anything that happens in normal business hours (unless I choose to lose sleep..) Especially once there - when I work the midnight to noon shift.. I will sleep the day away.. atleast here.. I probably could (if I got in the routine) get to sleep by 1 or 2 and get up about 7 or 8 and still have a full 6-7 hours to do stuff.. but here, its too damn hot to do anything in the day anyhow.. Its much better to wait til after 6pm.. but.. I'm working.. and everything (on my side of the base) closes at 11 or 12.. so, by the time I'm off.. its all over anyways..
Okay.. I know.. I'm just bitchin.. I've only been here a few days - but, the reality is I am seeing exactly what they talk about in training - the whole Ground Hog Day affect.. the cyclic routine that just never ends.. and yes.. I think I need a day off.. LMAO..
Yes.. I do. Its been about 10 days atleast, I think, since I have had a day off.. day to myself.. and I need one. I am taking Tuesday, but if I had thought about it, I should've taken tonight off.. and Tuesday (they get 2 days a week off here.. (not in a row) but two days is two days.. Owell.. I will suffer til Tuesday. I think my boss in Afghan said I will atleast get 1 day off.. maybe 1 and a half.. who knows.. how the hell do you do a half day when you are working 12s anyhow? errghh..
I am definitely ready to just get there.. and get the routine.. whatever groundhog cycle it may be.. it will be easier to get in the right frame of mind.. once I am there.. Again, this is valuable training, but I have been living out of a seabag for almost a month and I am ready to get settled somewhere and UNPACK.. AND not have to use a flashlight to find socks or Tshirts (since the lights are never on in this barracks).. Oh yea, did I forget to tell you that.. yes.. the lights go off at 2200 (I am at work) and do NOT come on until 1500 (I am leaving for work).. so I only see this room and my stuff.. IN THE DARK with a damn flashlight.. AS you can see I am a little spunky tonight.. I am kinda wound up.. not really tired.. but, doesn't matter - its soo late.. there's nothing to do besides watch a movie.
I did call home tonight. Bought a phone card for 22 bucks.. thought it would only be 146 minutes (for Overseas calls to states) BUT found out when I called I get the state to state rate (because of how the phones are set up here) so I ended up with a card that has 550 minutes! woohoo.. I was happy about that.. spent about 40 minutes talking to my mom and then another 30 talking to the kids and dad telling everyone goodnight.. poor guys.. they had just put in Wolfman to watch.. ended up having to pause it for about an hour to talk to me. BUT alot going on at home today, they got the carpet shampooed, the A/C was finally installed, the jacuzzi is getting fixed and the landscapers are fixing the sprinklers.. I told my dad he was superman today.. (altho he can't take the credit.. he didn't do any of it.. LMAO) but don't tell him I said that.. lol.. right now he is the man of the house.. lol have to boost his ego.. Anyhow, glad to hear all the things that needed to get done at home are being taken care of and they have less to worry about. The kids are almost done for the school year.. about 2 more weeks.. altho they will miss the last day in order to fly to Mississippi, but I don't think they mind. Besides, the last day is usually the BS (sign my yearbook) day.. lol
Okay, I think that about sums up my day/night.. Oh... (I know I am A.D.D. sometimes.. bare with me..) the DFAC.. so.. free food.. a plus.. but we get our dinner in a to go box and half to walk 15 min back to work, and by the time i get here, the fries are soggy.. yuck.. last night was mongolian night.. very good.. (altho they forgot to put my noodles in..) and tonight was pizza.. I was looking forward to it.. but.. got there and saw the pizza and yet again, had another burger.. its getting old. .lol he plusses: FREE baskin and robbins ice cream. Free everything, chips, food, snacks, gum, gatorade.. you name it.. all the snacks, food, sweets.. just laid out for you.. it is kinda cool. I've always been in a galley where they give you small portions and decline if you ask for more.. these guys will over load you with food.. and still offer more.. I will definitely be spending alot of time at the GYM.. and am restarting/resuming my P90X when I get to Afghanistan. DEFINITELY. Okay.. enough for now.. want to watch a movie then try to sleep.. want to make it to the pool tomorrow morning.. :)
More tomorrow.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Friday, 4 June 2010
Today I woke up at 1100. It is nice to sleep in.. altho, when you don't go to sleep until 4 or 5.. I'm not sure if you can consider that sleeping in.. LOL.. working nights is definitely something to get used to. I get off work and am still wired.. no matter how tired I feel at work.. so it usually takes a few hours before I am ready for bed! So this morning, up at 11, went to PX, got a swimsuit, walked next door to the gym/pool and went swimming!! yes... It was nice. The weather here is soo hot that I would swim, get out and within 10 minutes be dry again, and get back in.. yea, I did that for about an hour.. but me + high temps don't get along. I am so glad I am going to Kabul.. the temps are soo much cooler there.. I can't wait! This heat is horrible. It is soo hot that I don't even and usually don't go to the DFAC for lunch because its too hot to walk there.. and its literally 1 block away.. but that's how hot it is.. So, anyhow, went to the pool, then came back to the barracks, showered and waiting for my ride to work. Today started off slow. The power went out a couple times, which meant no AC either.. errgh.. but about an hour or so into the shift, the power and AC were back on! I brought my Kindle with me today, so I did a lot of reading. Literally, we just wait for emails.. when they come, we process them and wait for the next - so this evening was slow. I forgot the damn phone number I was given yesterday so couldn't call my mom today - I was a little disappointed about that.. its a number to a base where they will connect you to any number and you get 1/2 hour of free talk time.. Wont forget that tomorrow.. thats for sure. Today I was able to log in to my email/FB on one of the other girls computers (since I dont have my army.mil email set up yet and can't log in to any of the puters). BUT - here's the cool thing.. the ARMY does NOT block Hotmail, AOL or facebook. That is awesome. Even YOU TUBE.. yes, we do get bored here.. :)
SO I was able to check email, and browse the net a few times today during the slow time. AND of course, as murphy's law would have it, the influx of business came to us in our last half hour - which led us to working 2 hours past our shift to complete the necessary initial reports required. I am surprised at how fast I have picked up the routine and process.
And, I will tell you this, I have a new perspective tonight on this job. Yesterday I said I might like it.. today.. well, today I decided to read the pending reports we had, for Afghanistan and there are several - these reports are morbid. Not only can I read what happened, but of course I always flip to their NOK (next of kin record) to see if they were married or have kids... It IS DEPRESSING. It can hit you emotionally and it did me today.. I had to stop. I had to not focus on the emotional part of it.. because if I did that, I would probably be a WRECK by the time I got home. Compartmentalizing; that will be difficult. I am a nurturer who empathizes and thats really not a good thing to have in this job.. because then it hurts to read some of the reports and can get depressing. This is ONLY day 2 for me, so I need to learn this now because I have not even begun my job in theater yet..
Anyhow, basically I am saying the job is going to be a little harder emotionally than I realized yesterday (I didn't read reports yesterday, like I did today) Yesterday I really didn't know what I was looking at.. Today, I discovered it. Someone was telling me that weekly they put pics in the paper here as a tribute to the casualties and he said that he sometimes recognizes the names.. and it makes its even more emotionally painful when you put the face to the name.. knowing the circumstances.. errghh.. will have to watch out for that.. try to avoid it..
Okay.. its 0453 and I do need sleep.. more tomorrow when I am not soo tired..
SO I was able to check email, and browse the net a few times today during the slow time. AND of course, as murphy's law would have it, the influx of business came to us in our last half hour - which led us to working 2 hours past our shift to complete the necessary initial reports required. I am surprised at how fast I have picked up the routine and process.
And, I will tell you this, I have a new perspective tonight on this job. Yesterday I said I might like it.. today.. well, today I decided to read the pending reports we had, for Afghanistan and there are several - these reports are morbid. Not only can I read what happened, but of course I always flip to their NOK (next of kin record) to see if they were married or have kids... It IS DEPRESSING. It can hit you emotionally and it did me today.. I had to stop. I had to not focus on the emotional part of it.. because if I did that, I would probably be a WRECK by the time I got home. Compartmentalizing; that will be difficult. I am a nurturer who empathizes and thats really not a good thing to have in this job.. because then it hurts to read some of the reports and can get depressing. This is ONLY day 2 for me, so I need to learn this now because I have not even begun my job in theater yet..
Anyhow, basically I am saying the job is going to be a little harder emotionally than I realized yesterday (I didn't read reports yesterday, like I did today) Yesterday I really didn't know what I was looking at.. Today, I discovered it. Someone was telling me that weekly they put pics in the paper here as a tribute to the casualties and he said that he sometimes recognizes the names.. and it makes its even more emotionally painful when you put the face to the name.. knowing the circumstances.. errghh.. will have to watch out for that.. try to avoid it..
Okay.. its 0453 and I do need sleep.. more tomorrow when I am not soo tired..
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Thursday, 3 Jun 2010
So today I went to work to learn my job. I work the 3rd shift, which I have discovered is 16-00. Not too bad. It kinda sucks I am working once the sun goes down.. because thats the best time to go explore the base.. but, its okay..
Tomorrow, I am going to get up early enough to go to the pool.. yep.. gonna work on my tan.. lol whodathought?
Anyhow, I can't really discuss work, but I can say that my job is not the CACO.. I will not be dealing directly with casualties.. I just work the administrative side of it.. so it doesn't seem like it will be that bad. It can get a little rough reading the reports, but you just have to realize that its my job to ensure all the administrative side gets taken care of so our members and their families are taken care of.
Beyond that I spent a good bit of time on the phone and web call with the kids tonight. Internet sucks outside my rack.. really.. so I ended up on video chat with them, but chatting on IM, while we all look at each other and make silly faces to each other.. lol
Katrina has community service with the JV Cheerleading team this weekend, and has managed to bring her grades up. Travis has brought his up to almost all As & Bs.. according to him.. :) and Tylors progress reports shows improvement and it seems his teacher might be laying off of him.. they only have a couple weeks of school left and then they are off to Aunt Tammys for a few weeks in the summer.. I am soo happy for them.. I know they are excited for Aunt Tammy.. and Katrina is excited to start her cheer stuff this summer.. so she will not be staying there as long as the boys.
Not much else to talk about. I accidently left my phone on last night.. and it roamed for about 10 hours.. youza! I checked my phone bill tonight.. trying to track it to ensure i dont end up with a 5k bill.. but it was up to 243 in roaming charges! WOWZA.. yea.. thats when I realized what happened.. so.. phone is off now! I will have it incase i need to make emergency calls.. but otherwise.. dont anticipate any calls or texts from me.. why pay so much money when i have internet and free web video chat. :)
Okay.. before I start rambling, I will sign off for now.. more tomorrow...
Tomorrow, I am going to get up early enough to go to the pool.. yep.. gonna work on my tan.. lol whodathought?
Anyhow, I can't really discuss work, but I can say that my job is not the CACO.. I will not be dealing directly with casualties.. I just work the administrative side of it.. so it doesn't seem like it will be that bad. It can get a little rough reading the reports, but you just have to realize that its my job to ensure all the administrative side gets taken care of so our members and their families are taken care of.
Beyond that I spent a good bit of time on the phone and web call with the kids tonight. Internet sucks outside my rack.. really.. so I ended up on video chat with them, but chatting on IM, while we all look at each other and make silly faces to each other.. lol
Katrina has community service with the JV Cheerleading team this weekend, and has managed to bring her grades up. Travis has brought his up to almost all As & Bs.. according to him.. :) and Tylors progress reports shows improvement and it seems his teacher might be laying off of him.. they only have a couple weeks of school left and then they are off to Aunt Tammys for a few weeks in the summer.. I am soo happy for them.. I know they are excited for Aunt Tammy.. and Katrina is excited to start her cheer stuff this summer.. so she will not be staying there as long as the boys.
Not much else to talk about. I accidently left my phone on last night.. and it roamed for about 10 hours.. youza! I checked my phone bill tonight.. trying to track it to ensure i dont end up with a 5k bill.. but it was up to 243 in roaming charges! WOWZA.. yea.. thats when I realized what happened.. so.. phone is off now! I will have it incase i need to make emergency calls.. but otherwise.. dont anticipate any calls or texts from me.. why pay so much money when i have internet and free web video chat. :)
Okay.. before I start rambling, I will sign off for now.. more tomorrow...
Wednesday, 2 June 2010/Thursday, 3 Jun 2010
I am posting this a day late, because I had no internet last night. But I did have some definite firsts to talk about. :)
So, I found out about 2 days ago that I would be leaving CV (Camp Virginia) a couple days early, to complete some training with the CAC. I will be Casualty Branch OIC so I needed to get some training with the KUWAIT Casualty Center. Unfortunately, this meant leaving all of my battle friends that I have been in training with for the last month. This really sucked! AS they prepared to go to theater, I was making yet another pit stop, this time, by myself. As excited as I was to see Camp Cupcake (as they call Camp Arifjan) because of the better living conditions.. I did not want to be without friends as well. Now, yes, those of you know me, know that I am a social person, and can make friends easily, but thats not the point. In all honesty, they - my battle friends - have made this easier. I am distracted, and focused at the same time, but never much DOWN time to think about and dwell on how much I miss my family or how much I am missing out on at home. I talk to my family everyday and its hard because, things are running just fine. Some of you may not understand that, but as a mom, when you leave home, as much as you want things to be GOOD when you are away, its a reality that, wow, things are okay when I am not here. We tend to fool ourselves into thinking the world would fall apart at home if we weren't there to find someone's shoe, or backpack, or you name it... but that is not the case. Someone else can replace you.. Not completely, I know that. I will always be mommy. I know.. but hopefully, those of you who have been thru the deployments, understand what I mean.
Anyhow, I got sidetracked, yes.. leaving.. sadness.. SO - my battle buddy Michelle came up with a new term for us.. :) Instead of BFFs (you should all know that acronym if you have a female child) - we are BBFs. :) Battle Buddies Forever. :) Yes.. quirky, corny, but I love it. And yes.. she got me a going away gift... Girl Scout Cookies.. :) LMAO..
There's more to that story, but I can't share it here.. :)
Anyhow, So - as the day winds down, the guys from Cupcake pick me up at about 1830. We get to the gate and OMGosh... they weren't going to let me off. Yes, we had to do handstands, cartwheels and jump thu hoops (costing me about $20.00 on my cell phone) to get me on my way. So out the gate. Now - this is where this gets weird for me..
Kuwait is a nuetral area for us.. Green Zone as we like to say.. BUT - that doesn't mean that the sight of many many Kuwaiti's on the roads don't startle me to some degree. I have never been here.. and I don't care if you say everythings okay here, I am in an area/region where people die. I don't want it to be me. SO, I watch along the roads, see the city lights, I even seen a ROLLER COASTER.. Yes.. LOL they actually have a roller coaster and casino resorts.. (Who the hell in their right mind would come here for a vacation? Just stick your head in the oven in the outer skirts of Las Vegas... that should suffice).. not that I know anything about their tourism, but I do know about the terrorism.. and you wouldn't catch me here in 130 degree heat, middle of nothing... for VACATION!)
Okay, sorry.. keep getting off on tangents.. As we took the ride, I watched.. took it all in. The city lights, the drivers, the drivers who got out of their cars on the sides of the road to go to the bathroom.. the drivers who would run across a busy highway.. for ummm.. I dunno.. but we almost hit one crossing.. (btw - there is no crosswalk on the freeway..LOL) Anyhow,
I saw Kuwait. I felt a little weary. A little nervous. But wow! I saw Kuwait. I saw signs for cities that I have only heard of on the news.. Its funny, because as I would see the signs (OH BTW - ALL signs are not only in their language, but english too.. Crazy.. its as if they knew one day, we would occupy their land.. so they were prepared.. LMAO) sorry.. dumb joke..
okay, back to my story (I feel like I have ADD today). We finally arrived at Camp Cupcake - and I was taken to the barracks.. YEAY!!! An actual building. Permanent bldg. With plumbing. A rack.. an actual bed (bunk bed - but who cares) - and the best part - a head (bathroom) INDOORS, in the bldg. At CV - you had to walk across the dessert to the porta potties or cadillacs.. at 3 am.. that sucks! So - at about 11 last night I walked to the PX, grabbed a couple small items and then hit the Taco Bell. I saw the pool.. nice big pool. Here - its better to go out after 5pm... the temps cool down to about 95-100 and its much much better.. feels much better.. so there I was, walking around the base about 2300 - but, got to see a few of the things and proximities of what I needed. Came back to my little cubicle (open bay berthing/ bund beds cordoned off by cubicles..) and watched a movie til it was time to call the kids.. I watched Shutter Island.. decent movie.. went to bed about 2am.. set my alarm to call the kids at 0645 (2045 their time) to say good night. Came back to bed, and woke up at 1100 to some lady screaming to us in the berthing that we were evacuating the bldg. Now, let me tell you - the sun is soooooo bright here, that when you first wake up - to go directly outside.. no sun glasses, its blinding.. and sooo soo hot.. not something fun to wake up to.. AT ALL.. then we were all asked how we were feeling.. some kind of chemical fire I guess.. or some sort.. altho I have no idea where.. the whole ordeal lasted about 30 minutes max.. then, since I was up, I took the shuttle to the wifi place and then walked back... (I wouldn't recommend the walking back... again..) Its just too damned hot.. lol I didn't mind the walk.. but the heat.. man.. okay, so, thats where I am.
I am getting ready to shower.. I have to go to work at 1530. I guess I will be working with them for the next week as they teach me the ropes - so that I know my job, when I finally get to my destination. I am on 3rd shift.. which, really, I have no idea what that is.. I have been in the military since I was 17 - I know mid, rev, blah blah.. but 3rd shift? Guess I will have to figure out today what that means and just what time exactly I will be working til.
Anyhow, there's the update. I am sure I will have more after work. More later...
So, I found out about 2 days ago that I would be leaving CV (Camp Virginia) a couple days early, to complete some training with the CAC. I will be Casualty Branch OIC so I needed to get some training with the KUWAIT Casualty Center. Unfortunately, this meant leaving all of my battle friends that I have been in training with for the last month. This really sucked! AS they prepared to go to theater, I was making yet another pit stop, this time, by myself. As excited as I was to see Camp Cupcake (as they call Camp Arifjan) because of the better living conditions.. I did not want to be without friends as well. Now, yes, those of you know me, know that I am a social person, and can make friends easily, but thats not the point. In all honesty, they - my battle friends - have made this easier. I am distracted, and focused at the same time, but never much DOWN time to think about and dwell on how much I miss my family or how much I am missing out on at home. I talk to my family everyday and its hard because, things are running just fine. Some of you may not understand that, but as a mom, when you leave home, as much as you want things to be GOOD when you are away, its a reality that, wow, things are okay when I am not here. We tend to fool ourselves into thinking the world would fall apart at home if we weren't there to find someone's shoe, or backpack, or you name it... but that is not the case. Someone else can replace you.. Not completely, I know that. I will always be mommy. I know.. but hopefully, those of you who have been thru the deployments, understand what I mean.
Anyhow, I got sidetracked, yes.. leaving.. sadness.. SO - my battle buddy Michelle came up with a new term for us.. :) Instead of BFFs (you should all know that acronym if you have a female child) - we are BBFs. :) Battle Buddies Forever. :) Yes.. quirky, corny, but I love it. And yes.. she got me a going away gift... Girl Scout Cookies.. :) LMAO..
There's more to that story, but I can't share it here.. :)
Anyhow, So - as the day winds down, the guys from Cupcake pick me up at about 1830. We get to the gate and OMGosh... they weren't going to let me off. Yes, we had to do handstands, cartwheels and jump thu hoops (costing me about $20.00 on my cell phone) to get me on my way. So out the gate. Now - this is where this gets weird for me..
Kuwait is a nuetral area for us.. Green Zone as we like to say.. BUT - that doesn't mean that the sight of many many Kuwaiti's on the roads don't startle me to some degree. I have never been here.. and I don't care if you say everythings okay here, I am in an area/region where people die. I don't want it to be me. SO, I watch along the roads, see the city lights, I even seen a ROLLER COASTER.. Yes.. LOL they actually have a roller coaster and casino resorts.. (Who the hell in their right mind would come here for a vacation? Just stick your head in the oven in the outer skirts of Las Vegas... that should suffice).. not that I know anything about their tourism, but I do know about the terrorism.. and you wouldn't catch me here in 130 degree heat, middle of nothing... for VACATION!)
Okay, sorry.. keep getting off on tangents.. As we took the ride, I watched.. took it all in. The city lights, the drivers, the drivers who got out of their cars on the sides of the road to go to the bathroom.. the drivers who would run across a busy highway.. for ummm.. I dunno.. but we almost hit one crossing.. (btw - there is no crosswalk on the freeway..LOL) Anyhow,
I saw Kuwait. I felt a little weary. A little nervous. But wow! I saw Kuwait. I saw signs for cities that I have only heard of on the news.. Its funny, because as I would see the signs (OH BTW - ALL signs are not only in their language, but english too.. Crazy.. its as if they knew one day, we would occupy their land.. so they were prepared.. LMAO) sorry.. dumb joke..
okay, back to my story (I feel like I have ADD today). We finally arrived at Camp Cupcake - and I was taken to the barracks.. YEAY!!! An actual building. Permanent bldg. With plumbing. A rack.. an actual bed (bunk bed - but who cares) - and the best part - a head (bathroom) INDOORS, in the bldg. At CV - you had to walk across the dessert to the porta potties or cadillacs.. at 3 am.. that sucks! So - at about 11 last night I walked to the PX, grabbed a couple small items and then hit the Taco Bell. I saw the pool.. nice big pool. Here - its better to go out after 5pm... the temps cool down to about 95-100 and its much much better.. feels much better.. so there I was, walking around the base about 2300 - but, got to see a few of the things and proximities of what I needed. Came back to my little cubicle (open bay berthing/ bund beds cordoned off by cubicles..) and watched a movie til it was time to call the kids.. I watched Shutter Island.. decent movie.. went to bed about 2am.. set my alarm to call the kids at 0645 (2045 their time) to say good night. Came back to bed, and woke up at 1100 to some lady screaming to us in the berthing that we were evacuating the bldg. Now, let me tell you - the sun is soooooo bright here, that when you first wake up - to go directly outside.. no sun glasses, its blinding.. and sooo soo hot.. not something fun to wake up to.. AT ALL.. then we were all asked how we were feeling.. some kind of chemical fire I guess.. or some sort.. altho I have no idea where.. the whole ordeal lasted about 30 minutes max.. then, since I was up, I took the shuttle to the wifi place and then walked back... (I wouldn't recommend the walking back... again..) Its just too damned hot.. lol I didn't mind the walk.. but the heat.. man.. okay, so, thats where I am.
I am getting ready to shower.. I have to go to work at 1530. I guess I will be working with them for the next week as they teach me the ropes - so that I know my job, when I finally get to my destination. I am on 3rd shift.. which, really, I have no idea what that is.. I have been in the military since I was 17 - I know mid, rev, blah blah.. but 3rd shift? Guess I will have to figure out today what that means and just what time exactly I will be working til.
Anyhow, there's the update. I am sure I will have more after work. More later...
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Tuesday, 1 Jun 2010
Well, today was another brief on cultural awareness and 4 hours of death by power point. BUT, the good thing is - after that we were off for the rest of the day. SO, I started my day at 0630 - went and took a shower and then a few of us walked the 1/2 mile to Starbucks for breakfast, rather than the DFAC. After that we went to our class. Half way thru we lost power throughout the camp for about 40 minutes. Even inside an A/C'd tent, once the AC goes out - it gets warm fast - especially when the temp outside is about 115 degrees. We finished up at noon and I came back and took a nap. Fortunately, about an hour before the brief was complete, the Generators were back up and AC kickin hard. I slept for about 3 hours.. lol
It felt good! So, I woke up to an email from my boss explaining that I was actually headed to the other camp sooner than expected. I can't give out dates, but suffice it to say I will be headed to Camp "Cupcake" as they call it, sooner than expected, which means my final destination - earlier than expected. I have to say I am happy about that. Once I get settled in my locations, I will let you all know where I am, and that I am okay. ;)
Tonight, at 1900 the females had to go to a Sexual Assault brief - which was good. Alot of us were a little irritated at how it came about, the communication methods, etc, but in the end, it was useful information and great self defense techniques. Apparently, there is a lot of violent sexual assaults in theatre - so they were stressing the buddy system, and then self defense measures. In the end, it worked out well and I am glad the CAPT arranged it for us.
Apparently, it has become a concern to the DOD - but - doesn't seem like that in the army.. I was a little surprised (as were some of the other females) at how far away they put us from the CADILLACs (little bathroom stalls (with a sink/flushable toilet), PORTA POTTIES and SHOWER trailers. To all those that didn't know - we have no plumming here.. so there are porta potties OR Cadillacs which are 2 rooms with an actual real toilet and sink.. and then - we have shower trailers.. they are a good jaunt from our tent - but they work.. the water pressure is great and there are about 15 shower stalls and about 5 sinks.. so - no issues in the morning between the women.
The problem is that they are the furthest from our tents, and yet they fear we could be trapped in one by a male - since there is no lock on the door.. Apparently, that is how the last attack occurred. Anyhow, I guess it all comes with the territory. It happens every where - it just happens a little more on bases where the policy is NO SEX - regardless if you are there for 6 months.. or 2 years.. lol
After training, I find myself just chillin out. Layin on my cot, and enjoying the AC of our tent and shooting the shit with the rest of the girls in here. Fortunately, for the most part - we all get along.
Okay - not alot has happened today. OH - I did go to the Taco Bell - surprisingly it was pretty good. :) AND I sent off some goodies for the family!
Okay, enough from me tonight.. more tomorrow.
It felt good! So, I woke up to an email from my boss explaining that I was actually headed to the other camp sooner than expected. I can't give out dates, but suffice it to say I will be headed to Camp "Cupcake" as they call it, sooner than expected, which means my final destination - earlier than expected. I have to say I am happy about that. Once I get settled in my locations, I will let you all know where I am, and that I am okay. ;)
Tonight, at 1900 the females had to go to a Sexual Assault brief - which was good. Alot of us were a little irritated at how it came about, the communication methods, etc, but in the end, it was useful information and great self defense techniques. Apparently, there is a lot of violent sexual assaults in theatre - so they were stressing the buddy system, and then self defense measures. In the end, it worked out well and I am glad the CAPT arranged it for us.
Apparently, it has become a concern to the DOD - but - doesn't seem like that in the army.. I was a little surprised (as were some of the other females) at how far away they put us from the CADILLACs (little bathroom stalls (with a sink/flushable toilet), PORTA POTTIES and SHOWER trailers. To all those that didn't know - we have no plumming here.. so there are porta potties OR Cadillacs which are 2 rooms with an actual real toilet and sink.. and then - we have shower trailers.. they are a good jaunt from our tent - but they work.. the water pressure is great and there are about 15 shower stalls and about 5 sinks.. so - no issues in the morning between the women.
The problem is that they are the furthest from our tents, and yet they fear we could be trapped in one by a male - since there is no lock on the door.. Apparently, that is how the last attack occurred. Anyhow, I guess it all comes with the territory. It happens every where - it just happens a little more on bases where the policy is NO SEX - regardless if you are there for 6 months.. or 2 years.. lol
After training, I find myself just chillin out. Layin on my cot, and enjoying the AC of our tent and shooting the shit with the rest of the girls in here. Fortunately, for the most part - we all get along.
Okay - not alot has happened today. OH - I did go to the Taco Bell - surprisingly it was pretty good. :) AND I sent off some goodies for the family!
Okay, enough from me tonight.. more tomorrow.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)