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| I am such a diva |
| 06.30.04 (8:05 pm) [edit] |
One thing that Sgt Creep does well while he's here is make me feel like a totally cool, calm, collected, NON clutzy diva. This guy is a walking timebomb.
I couldn't laugh at him, that would be too mean, so I had to contain myself until I could get to a computer and post this blog to laugh it up.
The guy DROPPED his weapon on the pavement this morning coming onto the compound. Now when he dropped it, he was around a BUNCH of locals, ones that see us a 'heros' they looked at him like he was an imposter... Now as he dropped his weapon I hear something break, and a 'sproing!!!' sound. I turn around, and his magazine busted open, the spring inside is all out and expanded, and the DUMBASS just picks up his weapon, which of course leads to rounds of ammunition flying everywhere. I yelled, STOP. He looked at me like, what? So I told him to calm down and collect himself and take the magazine out, collect the rounds and put thhem in his pocket and we would deal with it at the office. FRICKIN MORON!!!!
But it started off my day with a laugh, so what can you do??? :wink:
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1 Comments
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| Snickers |
| 06.30.04 (8:44 am) [edit] |
Ok here's the truth on snickers bars...
They are allowed, and yes they melt but since they're packaged they're fine. I just put them in our mini freezer in the office and WALA! they're good to go the next day! We keep all our chocolate in the freezer. There's no way us geeks would able to do all our brain power without chocolate!!!!
:lol:
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2 Comments
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| It's Christmas HERE!!! |
| 06.29.04 (6:43 am) [edit] |
I got 3 boxes today!! YAAAAYYY!!!
I got a box from mom and dad, one from Tim's parents and one from Aunt Diana...
THANK YOU!!!!! Everything is a big hit!
I was suprised that they came, because it only took a week or so!!!!
Oh the guys wanted me to tell you Aunt Diana that they THANK YOU for the snickers!!! They're chocoholics around here!!!!! :lol:
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3 Comments
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| Sgt Creep is a wacko |
| 06.29.04 (5:20 am) [edit] |
Ok I think Sgt Creep is losing it. Last night on the way back to the safehouse, SPC A and I were chatting and he'd just pop out with random words, like Garganzola, or something weird like that. Then while leaving lunch yesterday he got all pissed off because he hasn't had any time off to watch movies or play games on his playstation 'let alone go back to school'. Ok lemme give you the background. This guy doesn't work all day, he surfs the net, because the unit put him in a 'safe' position, where he researches stuff if they ask him to. And on top of that he's AT work for only about 7 to 8 hrs a day. While I work my ass off for 12 to 13 hrs. Yes I get one day off, but I think it more than equals out. This guy is 35 yrs old, and doesn't even have an associates, which is kewl, but don't act like you're almost done when you're not! So I told him that I was going back to school while I was here, and that's what set him off, he says "must be nice having time to do that" blah blah blah. So I told him off, and so now he's pissy. He was saying all sorts of weird stuff last night, and today, he won't talk much, and got ALL KINDS of pissed off when I had to work and couldn't go to lunch. I tell u what, that guy is NUTZO!!!!
I told LT that he's been acting weird, so he can keep an eye on him, and in the meantime, I'm keeping my distance, I'll risk it on my own!!!! Besides, he's a crappy shot anyways.
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7 Comments
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| Pics from home |
| 06.28.04 (6:45 am) [edit] |
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If you look to the left, you'll see a link for Pictures from Home. Tim took pics a few days ago and put them up on ofoto. Please check them out, it does require that you sign up, but it's free and they don't spam your email. I PROMISE! As soon as my digital camera arrives, I will be taking photos as well and posting them. to be continued!! :lol:
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4 Comments
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| Bremer Hands Over Iraqi Sovereignty Two Days Before Deadline |
| 06.28.04 (2:26 am) [edit] |
Iraq became a sovereign country today, 15 months after the U.S.-led invasion of the country and two days before the June 30 deadline for its return to sovereignty.
Officials said Allawi's decision to move up the power transfer was to demonstrate to insurgents and the Iraqi people that the government was capable and ready to assume control. Both President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair were informed of the decision on Sunday while in Turkey for a NATO summit, a senior administration official said.
Bush was pleased with the decision to move up the transfer date and was confident in the new government, the official said. Bush and Blair were expected to publicly comment in the afternoon.
Bush had already sent an official letter to Allawi formally requesting diplomatic relations with the government of Iraq — signaling that the United States recognizes Iraq as sovereign.
The surprise transfer of power occurred in a small ceremony in Baghdad's Green Zone. L. Paul Bremer who has overseen the Coalition Provisional Authority since the fall of Saddam, signed the legal papers in the presence of Allawi and presented them to the chief justice of Iraq, Midhat al-Mahmoud. About a half dozen Iraqi and coalition officials were also in attendance.
I was on my shift when the news broke. This is a truly historic time for all of us. More to come!
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2 Comments
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| My day off yay! |
| 06.26.04 (9:13 am) [edit] |
Well it's the end of my shift and i am BEAT!!!! I get a whole day off, what am I gonna do with myself???
SLEEP :shock:
EAT :lol:
CHECK EMAIL :wink:
WATCH DVDS 8)
SLEEP :roll:
I will try to catch up on all the emails yall have sent me! I haven't forgotten about you!! I may also do a redesign of the blog....we'll see how much energy I have!!
Night Night
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3 Comments
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| Helping the Afghan Women |
| 06.26.04 (2:26 am) [edit] |
Many people have emailed me with questions on helping Afghan women after I posted about the school supplies I plan on taking to local schools. I have not found anything here on the compound that does this for women of Afghanistan yet, but I did find several websites for aid. There are many ways you can help, from spreading the word, writing a letter, to donating funds or buying crafts.
[url=http://www.awai.org/]Afghan Women's Association International[/url]
[url=http://rawa.fancymarketing.ne...]RAWA[/url]
[url=http://www.femaid.org/]FEMAID[/url]
[url=http://www.feminist.org/afgha...]Feminist Majority Foundation[/url]
These sites have ideas for how to help, what to send and how to send it. Some people prefer to send money but if you want to ensure that what you send is real, buy your own items and go through an organization like FEMAID.
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2 Comments
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| AHHH TGIF |
| 06.25.04 (9:24 am) [edit] |
Well almost for me, it's Friday night here, but my friday is tmw (saturday). I CAN'T WAIT!
Thank you to all who are sending boxes out to me!I'm looking forward to them, it'll be like christmas!!!
I spent my 'slow' day working my ass off. My tongue is bruised from biting it so much today. Comments such as 'I'm not your copy bitch' and 'I'm not your mother, you take the garbage out' keep wanting to spill off my lips. I also have a hard time getting my point across when some Warrant Officer puts his hand in my face and 'shooshes' me. :evil:
Oh well, if I did what I wanted to do, I'd be in a worse place, Leavenworth, so I will just have to remember that this isn't the real world, it's the military world. Where nothing but rank matters.......
How are things back in the states? I have a different take on Iraq and such, because I get more info, but what we're seeing on the BBC news and British CNN has really gotten us steamed.... What are your views on the recent times in Iraq and Afghanistan??????
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6 Comments
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| my eyes are crossing!!!! |
| 06.24.04 (7:28 am) [edit] |
Ok, first word of advice, if someone on a deployment asks you 'do you know how to use databases?' LIE and say NO!!!!!!
Well I didn't know that, so guess what??? I'm the Database Lady!! Holy CRAP I haven't looked at so many lines of info in a long time. By the end of 12 hours I'm beat!
Today as I walked with SGT Creep to the main gate from the safehouse, a bunch of kids were on the street corner. They saw us and came running up. We kept walking but as I did, they were just saying hello Specialist, thank you. (they've learned our rank pretty well) SGT Creep wouldn't talk to them and continued on, and I said "for what?" they answered "for being such a good people, for helping our people." Man, that tugged on my heart! :roll:
I still haven't bought anything from them on the street, but when I see them at the next bazaar I may talk to them again.
We also have a program starting that involves donations to the local Kabul Schools. Anyone who is willing to donate school items such as pencils, pens, paper, crayons and such, please send them to me, and I will take them to the school when I have a fair amt. I will also take pics and post them here for everyone to see. I think the biggest problem with the young population here, is that they are uneducated and all they know is the Taleban way of life. If we and the rest of the 'good' Afghan population can get the schools running, get them what they need, we can start to change the information these children get.
Also, the guys eat all the snacks up like crazy here so if yall wanna send junk food, like crackers, chips, jerky, ANYTHING, we would all appreciate it!
PS I've lost 5 lbs since I've been in country! WAHOO!
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7 Comments
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| Subjected to idiots |
| 06.23.04 (8:05 am) [edit] |
Why must I be surrounded by idiots??? :shock:
I truly think that people should have to take a test before they breed.
Ok SGT Creep is gettin on my nerves again. Yes, I need someone to walk with at night when it's dark. It's called the Buddy System, one the military has used for YEARS. It DOES NOT MEAN that I wanna 'hang out' with him or eat with him or know when he's gonna go to the bathroom or pick his nose!?!?!?!!?
Then there's SPC know it all. He's been here about 3 months, is doing an analyst job, but isn't an analyst, so he has no clue what he's doing, but he thinks he does. And instead of WORKINg he sits and jabbers about odd topics such as how it annoys him that people blow their nose in front of him, while he stands next to us and cleans his ears. ECK.
So me and SPC Alcorn blow our noses regularly when he's around :wink:
Oh well I guess this deployment wouldn't be of any interest to my readers if I didn't have such colorful co-workers around, now would I?
My wrists are tired from typing 12 hrs, so I'm signing off for today....
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5 Comments
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| Another day, another 25 cents |
| 06.22.04 (8:47 am) [edit] |
I think that's about what it equates to...
I think I ate dog for dinner the other night also.... It was a very dark meat that didn't taste so good... it was mystery meat, none of the cooks could really tell me what it was. They breaded and fried it, I guess trying to make it better, but it didn't work.. I ate a few bites, then started thinking about my Collin and Ada back home, and couldn't eat any more of it! :shock:
Well today was a decent day, we didn't get hit w/ rockets here, unfortunately another camp wasn't so lucky. Kinda shakes you up a bit, especially knowing the things I know about here, but what can ya do? I guess if it's my time, it's my time.
But not today!!! I have a hot room and a bed w/ springs poking out waiting for me!
ATTENTION: I have named the Dragon: Bastian, after the neverending story. He was my fav, along w/ my fav movie growing up, thanks for the reminder mom!!!
Package update: Please send snacky foods for the gang here...these guys are always eating!!! Jerky is good (especially homemade stuff) and trailmix and anything kinda bad but kinda good :wink:
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8 Comments
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| It's my day off! |
| 06.21.04 (2:39 am) [edit] |
WOW I thought I needed sleep but I had no idea!! :shock:
I went to bed around 1130 last night after watching some sex in the city episodes, and didn't get up until 1130 this morning! I actually feel like I can function today! I came over to the compound and ate lunch, watched some fox news and then called my Timmay and woke him up :oops:
We had a nice chat, and then I let him go back to sleep. Then I wandered over to the post office, got my address updated so when I get all those wonderful packages from yall, they'll go to the right person! After that I walked to the bank and got $50 so I could buy some stuff at the next bazaar. I went to the hole in the wall PX but it was closed as they were paving the rock stairwell that leads to the shop... so no snacks for Krat today!! Oh well, helps with the weight loss. I've lost 5 lbs. since I'm been overseas, and I haven't even started going to the gym yet!! It's probably the extra 30 lbs of flack jacket, 12 lbs of weapon 3 lbs of helmet and another 3 lbs of ammo I carry around every day... Plus walking everywhere helps a lot!
Last night I was sitting on my bed, watching a DVD, with the door open cuz it was so damn hot in there, and then a cat just waltzes right in. It walked over to my roommate who was asleep, sniffed her foot, and then walked over to me. I wish I could cuddle with these guys, I would have a pet here! But unfortunately, they carry a lot of disease, so we can't get near them. I shooed it off, at least they're around to keep the mice population down!
I've started thinking about what I can do to help the people here, not just here, but also all the 3rd world countries. I mean, yes some people have it bad in the US but even the homeless there have it 10 times better than the majority of people here.
I bought 'without borders' with angelina jolie and watched it in Germany. If you haven't seen it, you NEED to watch it. When I get home I plan on doing something, whether it be volunteering or donating funds or clothing or something, to help these people. I knew it was bad before, but being in the midst of it, and living here, makes it hit home.
When I get my package from mom and dad, I will take pics of my living space and the compound. Then I'll mail em back to Timmay and he can post some here for yall to see.
BTW, I put myself on Featured Blogs, so PLEASE VOTE FOR ME!!!!!!!! Go to tblog.com, then featured blogs on the left side, and you'll see my name listed, just click VOTE!
Keep giving me names for the Dragon as well! :roll: :roll: :wink: :wink:
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| Name my Dragon! |
| 06.20.04 (2:39 am) [edit] |
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Ok, I'm going to have a contest for naming the dragon on my blog! Please post the name you think he should have to the comments and when I decide I will post the winner! The winner will receive a treat from the bazaar here in Afghnistan..... :lol:
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15 Comments
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| halfway through another shift |
| 06.20.04 (2:35 am) [edit] |
I do get a day off! I was told today by the watch officer that mondays (tmw for me) are my day off. I get to sleep in and such. YAY!
Other than that I'm just trying to get caught up on what's going on in this country and learn all the names, even tho there's waaay too many for anyone to remember. I'm getting there tho, so by the time the other analyst leaves, I will have no problem taking over his position.
I'm very tired however, working this long of a shift, and then having to get ready for the next day doesn't leave me any time to relax and de-stress from the day. Luckily, I'll get to do that tmw on my one day a week day off!
I will more than likely start posting some open source information about the country and what's going on here so people can become more informed, because this country and the war, is being forgotten and all eyes are on Iraq. :?
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| wish list |
| 06.18.04 (7:22 am) [edit] |
Ok several people have asked me what I would like in care packages... If you email me privately I will send you my addy....
Strawberry twizzlers
kleenex
snickers bars
granola bars for breakfast
mint gum
gillette for women venus blades (replacements)
a candle and holder (preferably PL bren!!!)
lighter for candle
magazines for women, health magazines, news and such
honda tuning magazines
import car magazines
anything fun and cheerful, those of you who have been deployed I'm sure will think of things!!
Even a postcard of letter means millions,
oh and don't forget PICTURES!!!! :lol:
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4 Comments
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| Soldiers |
| 06.18.04 (2:42 am) [edit] |
I want you to close your eyes and picture in your mind the soldier at Valley Forge, as he holds his musket in his bloody hands. He stands barefoot in the snow, starved from lack of food, wounded from months of battle and emotionally scarred from the eternity away from his family surrounded by nothing but death and carnage of war.
He stands though, with fire in his eyes and victory on his breath. He looks at us now in anger and disgust and tells us this:
I gave you a birthright of freedom born in the Constitution and now your children graduate too illiterate to read it.
I fought in the snow barefoot to give you the freedom to vote and you stay at home because it rains!
I left my family destitute to give you the freedom of speech and you remain silent on critical issues, because it might be bad for business.
I orphaned my children to give you a government to serve you and it has stolen democracy from the people.
It's the soldier, not the reporter who gives you the freedom of the press.
It's the soldier, not the poet who gives you the freedom of speech.
It's the soldier, not the campus organizer who allows you to demonstrate.
It's the soldier, who salutes the flag, serves the flag, whose coffin is draped with the flag that allows the protester to burn the flag!!!
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1 Comments
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| halfway through my first shift |
| 06.18.04 (2:30 am) [edit] |
Wow 6 hours goes by fast when you're locked in a room with no windows!! I have 6 hours left, and then I will be done for the day. The Marine LT I'm working for has already given me a project involving databases, so that is keeping me quite busy. Most everyone in here seems kewl so far, but only time will tell. I'm the only female on this shift, except for a NIMA contractor that is my roommate( TOTAL SLOB).
I went to the bazaar today between the gates, and it was amazing. There's some great stuff to buy here, and I will be sending some gift packages home once in a while for people. Just shout to me what you want and I will try to find it. I got 3 DVD's today, sex in the city season 5 set, Underworld, and Kill Bill vol.1. Usually stuff that's been out on DVD for a while is safe to buy, but they have movies on DVD here that are in the theatres at home....but I'll wait to buy those, as they are usually poor quality...
It's been a complete eye-opening experience coming here. I knew how bad it was here, and I knew the way people lived here, but it didn't hit me until I saw it with my own eyes. Yes I have a toilet in my room, but the water that it flushes with is recycled sewage, and the toilet leaks all over the floor, so the floor is unsanitary. We cannot drink the water, only bathe in it, but luckily they are good about having bottled water everywhere.
It's odd. On the compound where I work, we have air conditioning, good power, but porta johns.... At the safe house where I live, we do not have air conditioning, the power goes off and flickers, but we have an indoor bathroom and shower..... odd, isn't it?
Every morning and every night to get back and forth between compounds I play chicken with the locals in their cars and bikes. There are 3 little boys that stand on the side and beg for money, food, for me to buy gum from them. The first time I saw them, and I said no, they said, "but you promised". Even tho I hadn't met them, and I knew I hadn't, I felt so bad for them. We've been told not to give in because it will be 10 times worse later, and I haven't yet, but it's very hard.
This morning I talked with a local man who is a guard of our safe house. He knows a little english, so he was teaching me some greetings. He was also wanting some batteries for his small radio, the only connection he has to news. I will give him some when I come back to the house.
The ride down here from Bagram was crazy. You drive about 85 on paved roads with HUGE potholes in them. There are no driving rules here, so people drive wherever and pass on both sides. Most of the vehicles aren't good so they move slow up hills. We can't stop, so we had to drive all over the place. In the middle of nowhere you will see a child with a leg missing or an arm, just sitting on the side of the road. There are lots of nomads the roam around and harvest wheat to live off of. We passed a huge minefield where the locals are sitting, with sticks, just moving inch by inch, looking for mines and hoping they don't set one off. There are approx. 11 MILLION mines all over this country, they have only found about 5 million and unfortunately, some the hard way.
Well more to come, I'm doing ok, hanging in, but VERY HOMESICK.
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4 Comments
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| I'm here! |
| 06.17.04 (2:44 am) [edit] |
Well after a hairy ride w/ marine CI guys, I made it to Kabul. I'm here at my job now, where I will have internet access daily. Wahoo!
The post is VERY small, and we're living in a safe house across the street in a different compound, so I get to play chicken with the cars and beggers every morning and every night.
It is nice that I have a real shower and toilet, however, so I can't complain too much. There is only a VERY small PX here, like a convienance store, so I will be posting items I would gladly receive tmw, as well as a list of items I need mommy and daddy to send ASAP, like a pillow!!!!!
I'm out for now, just know I am safe for today, and will keep my head down.
It sucks here, it has hit me that I will be here for a year. Blech.
Will write more, miss you all so much. your comments mean the world to me!!
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8 Comments
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| Waiting in the dust bowl |
| 06.16.04 (6:56 am) [edit] |
Hi everyone! Well we didn't make the convoy today, and apparently the Sgt that was 'taking care' of us, went off shift and didn't tell anyone about us, so we waited all day for nothing. I called again this evening and talked to a nice female Major that set up a convoy for us tmw. She told us someone would be there to pick us up tmw, so we'll see!! I just want to get to Kabul and get settled. Meanwhile we're just talking to people here about the place, it doesn't sounds bad, living condition wise. We're told it's al lbuildings since we're in the capitol. There are a lot of people around, and they had said it's more dangerous because of that. So it should be interesting to say the least!!
Justin - did you try the turban instructions I sent you yet?? you need to be proficient by the time I get home!!!
Bren - thanks for the pics at the beach and poker, I laughed so hard everyone around me thought I was crazy!
I will post again when I get settled in Kabul, or if I'm still here another day, hehehe. Thanks honey for keeping people posted.
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7 Comments
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| Kratesis has gone Awol...lol |
| 06.15.04 (3:38 pm) [edit] |
TPC wires have reported seeing Kratesis on the beaches of Texas and playing Poker with friends. See for yourself at http://brenna.tblog.com/
The Hubby
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2 Comments
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| Plane has landed |
| 06.15.04 (3:27 pm) [edit] |
From TPC wires; Kratesis has arrived in the land of the turbans. She has made it to Bagrahm. But the army wanted her to spend some time at a local vacation resort. So they are sending her to Kabul. Hopefully she will have a chance to work on her tan while she is there. So she will get to take a HMMV loimo ride to the resort in the next few days. The TPC will keep you informed as we recieve more info.
The Hubby.
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3 Comments
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| On her way, we hope... |
| 06.14.04 (7:15 pm) [edit] |
This blog filed by the Tim Press Corp (TPC). Well as of this evening our main reporter Kendra 'Kratesis' Morrison is supposed to be on another plane to Afghanistan. Granted, this is the (insert # here) attempt and we will all hope her plane actually gets off the ground. :P
It is likely that she will not have reliable comms over the next few days. So when she does have a chance to call she will update me with her situation. Then via this site I will try my best to keep the rest of you informed. Regrettably I am on the road right now supporting a multinational military exercise on the east coast. So when I get back to the hotel between shifts I will try to keep up on the site. If anyone needs to email you can directly at tim.p.morrison@att.net.
In the meantime keep those yellow ribbons and bows hung and that American flag waving.
Singning off,
The hubby.
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4 Comments
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| Adventure part 5 |
| 06.14.04 (5:35 am) [edit] |
We boarded a bus this morning from Rein-Main (frankfurt) to Ramstein AF Base. It was a 2 hours bus ride. We made it and actually got a flight! Just as we got to the plane on the flight line, the driver told us to wait. He went and talked to the pilot, and turns out, they haven't even [b]STARTED[/b] to fix the engine that is broken on the plane. SOOOO he took us back to the terminal and here we wait for 3 hours while they attempt to fix it. He said we'll try again then. LOL I think I'm jinxed!!!!!
Will write again once I get settled, so please check back!!
I miss you guys!
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7 Comments
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| The system is corrupt |
| 06.13.04 (5:35 am) [edit] |
Ok, I'm officially pissed now. We didn't get on the flight this morning, so we were told to come back at 1300 for the second flight. Then they called and told us the flight got pushed back to 1500... We showed up at 1430 and guess what? They moved the flight back to 1300, which only had one seat available. They give us numbers as to who gets on first, well I was 5. Number 6 happened to be there in the terminal, so instead of them calling me or the 4 people in FRONT of me, number 6 got the seat...
There's apparently a flight leaving from Ramstein tmw, so they're going to bus us over there and hope we get one of the 10 seats. If that doesn't work, there's a flight leaving in the afternoon here.... so who knows how long I'll be here.
It's not so ridiculous if I just had one or two bags, but I have 2 duffles, 1 footlocker, a backpack and a weapon I have to haul around. Every time they do this I have to check out of my room, and then check right back in. It's complete insanity!!!!!!!!!
I've decided tonight, I'm going to go to the sports bar here on post, play some pool (even tho I suck at it) and have some beer. I've already watched all my movies at least twice in the past week and I'm going stir crazy in my room. I hate being around smoke, but at this point, I don't care!!!! :shock:
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4 Comments
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| the waiting game AGAIN |
| 06.12.04 (8:03 pm) [edit] |
I'm still in Germany!! Big surprise eh?
Well like a [b]TARD[/b] I listened to my NCO SGT CREEPO, and had to haul all my crap down for nothing. We got over there, and sure enough, they bumped us from the flight. Priority is equipment, then civilians, then 1AD, then us..... so I try again at 1300 today and hope for the best. If I don't make it on that flight I'll have to wait til Tues, when a flight goes to another 'stan then I'll get a flight from there to Bagram. If I don't get on that flight, then I have to stay here til the 25th when the next flight to Bagram is. [b][i]GRRRRRRRRR[/i][/b]
So since I got like [b]NO sleep [/b]last night due to crazy ass people being rowdy in the day room and my roommate coming in and turning the tv and lights on and off every 45 min or so, I will be napping some today....
We put our duffel bags in a temp locker at the terminal, and the weapons are locked up over there, so I only have to haul my backpack and footlocker next time, [b]WHICH [/b]I won't be doing until I know I made it on the flight, like [b]ALL[/b] the other people are doing. But hey, that makes sense right?? I think SGT Creep is [b]PERFECT[/b] for the Army...
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3 Comments
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| Changed the Timezone |
| 06.12.04 (7:53 am) [edit] |
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My mother was getting confused (and I'm sure other people were as well) with the time zone still being austin time, so I changed it to germany. When I get settled in Afghanistan I'll change it again, I think it's 2 or 2 1/2 hours different from here....
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2 Comments
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| Tmw I will be in a 3rd world country |
| 06.12.04 (2:19 am) [edit] |
Afghanistan is one of the poorest most run down countries in the world. It will be my home for the next 18 months.
I've heard all sorts of rumors, that it will be horrible, that its not so bad, that I won't have any time off, that there's nothing to do at work. I will just have to see for myself, which I will in less than 24 hours.
My main hope is that I have internet access to keep this blog up and keep in touch w/ friends and family, and that I have an ok place to sleep. My main worry is getting sick on this deployment-keep your fingers crossed!
Once I get settled I will try to post, or I will have Timmay post for me if i can't get to a computer.
Miss you all!
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1 Comments
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| Top 100 blog |
| 06.11.04 (2:06 pm) [edit] |
[b]I made it to 84 in the top 100 blogs on tblog.[/b] course who knows how many blogs there actually are?? LOL well its nice to know people are looking at the site. [b][i]If you're a lurker - introduce yourself![/i]! [/b]
Also feel free to email me, there's a link to the left! Since I'm trapped in the army again, I love receiving email from people! :lol:
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11 Comments
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| 1 more day |
| 06.11.04 (6:29 am) [edit] |
Well I got a plastic footlocker today, so I have a place to lock up my belongings once I get 'there'. Other than that, I've just been reading most of the day.
SGT Creep is chasing after the single ladies that showed up here, so it's keeping him occupied.
EVERYONE - Please keep your fingers crossed that I stay at Bagram AF Base. It's the best place to be, where I'm flying in to, and I don't want to leave!!! Must have positive energy! LOL
Well i'm gonna go eat some chow and wonder about my fate for the next year or so.
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4 Comments
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| What it's like to be a woman - from my mom |
| 06.10.04 (10:15 am) [edit] |
This story is dedicated to all women everywhere who have ever had to deal with a public toilet. And it finally explains to all you men what takes us so long.
My mother was a fanatic about public toilets. As a little girl, she'd bring me in the stall, teach me to wad up toilet paper and wipe the seat. Then, she'd carefully lay strips of toilet paper to cover the seat. Finally, she'd instruct, "Never, never sit on a public toilet seat. And she'd demonstrate "The Stance," which consisted of balancing over the toilet in a sitting position without actually letting any of your flesh make contact with the Toilet seat. But by this time, I'd have wet down my leg and we'd go home.
That was a long time ago. Even now in our more mature years, The stance is excruciatingly difficult to maintain when one's bladder is especially full. When you have to "go" in a public bathroom, you find a line of women that makes you think there's a half-price sale on Nelly's underwear in there. So, you wait and smile politely at all the other ladies, also crossing their legs and smiling politely. And you finally get closer. You check for feet under the stall doors. Every one is occupied. Finally, a stall door opens and you dash, nearly knocking down the woman leaving the stall. You get in to find the door won't latch. It doesn't matter. You hang your purse on the door hook, yank down your pants and assume "The Stance."
Relief. More relief.
Then your thighs begin to shake. You'd love to sit down but you certainly hadn't taken time to wipe the seat or lay toilet paper on it, so you hold The Stance as your thighs experience a quake that would register an eight on the Richter scale. To take your mind off it, you reach for the toilet paper. The toilet paper dispenser is empty. Your thighs shake more. You remember the tiny tissue that you blew your nose on-that's in your purse. It would have to do. You crumble it in the puffiest way possible. It is still smaller than your thumbnail. Someone pushes open your stall door because the latch doesn't work and your purse whams you in the head.
"Occupied!" you scream as you reach out for the door, dropping your tissue in a puddle and falling backward, directly onto the toilet seat.
You get up quickly, but it's too late. Your bare bottom has made contact with all the germs and life forms on the bare seat because YOU never laid down toilet paper, not that there was any, even if you had enough time to. And your mother would be utterly ashamed of you if she knew, because her bare bottom never touched a public toilet seat because, frankly, "You don't know what kind of diseases you could get." And by this time, the automatic sensor on the back of the toilet is So confused that it flushes, sending up a stream of water akin to a fountain and then it suddenly sucks everything down with such force that you grab onto the toilet paper dispenser for fear of being dragged to China.
At that point, you give up. You're soaked by the lashing water. You're exhausted. You try to wipe with a Chicklet wrapper you found in your pocket, then slink out inconspicuously to the sinks. You can't figure out how to operate the sinks with the automatic sensors, so you wipe your hands with spit and a dry paper towel and walk past a line of women, still waiting, cross-legged and unable to smile politely at this point. One kind soul at the very end of the line points out that you are trailing a piece of toilet paper on your shoe as long as the Mississippi River! You yank the paper from your shoe, plunk it the woman's hand and say warmly, Here. "You might need this."
At this time, you see your man, who has entered, used and exited his bathroom and read a copy of War and Peace while waiting for you. "What took you so long?" he asks, annoyed.. This is when you kick him sharply in the shin and go home.
PS - The answer to the other question, why women go in pairs. So the other
woman can hold the door and hand you Kleenex
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1 Comments
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| the waiting game |
| 06.10.04 (7:06 am) [edit] |
Well I just thought I'd letcha know what I did today for my country.
NOTHING
I slept til 7, then called my parents and chatted with them for a bit, then went and ate breakfast.
Then I went back to bed until 9, when they inspected our rooms.
Then I went back to bed until 11, when SGT goober knocked on my door to get some soap.
Then I went back to bed until 130, where I got up, took a shower, then watched Tomb Raider on my laptop.
Then I went and ate some dinner, and now I'm checking emails.
I really have to pace myself here, as there isn't ANYTHING to do!!!!
I talked to a LT that is at Bagram, he's going back from leave. He says there's nothing going on, nothing to do, so I will be creating work for myself. OH YAY! On the bright side, my mom's friend sent me contacts for the education center in Afghanistan, and I'm sure I will have plenty of time to keep working on school.
I have to buy a footlocker tomorrow, because we won't have any place to lock up valuables when we get there. I'm not gonna make it easy for someone to rip me off!
Well I guess I'll go do some laundry and then read some......
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2 Comments
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| On the list |
| 06.08.04 (11:20 pm) [edit] |
I'm on the space available list now for my flight. There isn't another one going to Afghanistan until the 12th, and it goes to Kandahar, where we'd have to convoy up to Bagram, so we're staying until the 13th, when a flight to Bagram leaves.
Hopefully I'll get on that flight, but we'll see!
More to come!
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3 Comments
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| messages |
| 06.08.04 (9:20 pm) [edit] |
Bren: thanks for keeping in touch. I MISS YOU! Will call the commune when I get settled in AFG
Noel: Hi sweetie!!! I'm checking your site for new pics, tell your mom to take more pictures! :lol:
Cen: Hey hey, got the pics and the email THANK YOU, I wrote back, plz comment and let me know if you got them or not!
Mom and Dad: I will be calling you tonight, around 7 your time.
LOVE YOU
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| getting closer to moving |
| 06.08.04 (9:24 am) [edit] |
We got our bags this afternoon. I can't tell you how excited I was to have shampoo, a razor and clean underwear. From this point on, I will be travelling w/ my bags (literally next to them in the plane) and lugging them myself, so I don't have to deal with them 'not making it'.
We should fly out sometime tmw, but we haven't heard when our flight is yet, so who knows, I may be in lovely Germany one more day.
Thank you to all who have posted such nice thoughts to me. It really means a lot! Once I get settled in one place I will be emailing people more and making phone calls. Right now it's pretty impossible, as I don't have much time or the resources.
I bought a lil converter for my laptop today. I can't hook it up to the net ( not approved) but I have been able to watch DVDs.
While I'm not on the net, I power up my laptop and write whatever I'm thinking about. It helps me clear out my brain and keep things jotted down. I brought a journal, but I'm just not up to writing it all. I hate hand cramps! :wink:
We've been getting all sorts of rumint (rumors) from people coming and going from Afghanistan. Some are saying it's not too bad, and others are giving us horror stories. I guess I'll just have to wait til I get there! I'm not taking much heart to what the horror stories are, they're kind of outlandish, but then again, who knows?
To everyone there, friends and family, BELIEVE ME, I will contact you when I am settled and have a chance ok?
I have some bad days and get scared/sad, but I'll be ok. I am trying just to focus on one day at a time, instead of looking at the whole deployment, because it's too damn long!
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6 Comments
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| I'm in Germany |
| 06.07.04 (10:53 pm) [edit] |
Hi all, I made it to Germany. I'm now staying at Rein-Main AF base, next to the Frankfurt Airport. I will be staying here until my bags show up (hopefully today), then I will be waiting for a flight outta here, more than likely on a C17. Normally I would be happy to stay here longer, but it's not that great where they're having us stay, and we've been told that our time doesn't start until we get to our unit in Afghanistan, so I wanna get there, get settled, get working, so I can get home!
I miss you all so much. I have dealt with some hard stuff in the past, but this is undoubtedly the hardest yet. I only hope the time goes by fast and my body and mind can make it through. LOL I feel like an old woman!
Well I am going to let another soldier use the computer now, I will blog when I find out I'm leaving, if I get the chance. Keep your fingers crossed for me!
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3 Comments
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| Pics of Bagram, just in case I go there |
| 06.05.04 (5:03 pm) [edit] |
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[image]kratesis_412926612 .jpg[/image] [image]kratesis_513332303 .jpg[/image] [image]kratesis_427545415 .jpg[/image] [image]kratesis_380230966 .jpg[/image] [image]kratesis_112088186 3.jpg[/image]
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| Adios America |
| 06.05.04 (4:55 pm) [edit] |
I got my plane ticket today, and I'm heading out tmw w/ sgt creep. The others in our group are on another flight, but we should meet back up with them in Frankfurt. From there, I don't know what happens. I still could be going to another country besides Afghanistan, but who knows at this point.
I've decided to start taking the Malaria medication. I will see how I react to it, and if need be, I will stop taking it and request another type. The army docs said they wouldn't give me another rx until I've taken this and seen how I react. YAY me, I'm a guinea pig! :roll:
If I have a chance, I will contact Tim when I find out where I am going, and again once I make it there. He will update the blog and/or call people to let u know I'm ok.
Other than that, keep checking the blog, I'm hoping to get access on a regular basis!!!
Everyone's comments have been extremely helpful to me, to know that you are still thinking of me while I'm away. And to those that have emailed and I've been brief or haven't been able to write back, keep sending them, I will get to you, I'm just very busy!!
I miss you all!
Out
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| Pills |
| 06.04.04 (5:16 pm) [edit] |
Hey Everyone! Wow, my site traffic has picked up!
Well I have good news, I qualified yesterday! It rained on us, and I got so pissed because the range kept screwing up the lanes, so I was getting tired. I got pissed and said "I'm tired and wet and cold, I'm going to qual now so I can get out of this stupid place!" and I did.
SFC W did as well, but SGT Creep didn't. But they don't want him staying around here, so guess what??? They passed him anyways. Can you believe that???? SIGH
Well I'm done w/ all my army crap now, I'm just waiting for my orders and a plane ticket. I got some medication from the army docs to take for my trip, so I decided to do some research on them to see how they reacted w/ the lexapro I take for anxiety and depression...
Well I started w/ the Lariam (Mefloquine) and I'm not happy. This is the medication that soldiers took when they killed themselves and their families. Remember that? Here's the article cnn wrote: http://www.cnn.com/2004/HEALT... Now I don't know what to do, because they won't give me any other meds, and they say I have to take it. Now I've also talked to a translator from Afghanistan that is going with us, and she said I must take it because malaria is rampant there..... I found a site that was very informational: http://www.geocities.com/TheT... If you go to the guestbook, many people have told about their reactions to the medicine.... What do you think? Should I risk it and take the stuff, even w/ my anxiety and depression past or chance getting malaria???
The other med they are having me take is Vibramycin (Doxycycline) now this med is an antibiotic type pill that is supposed to get rid of certain bacteria in the body...I'm not to keen on this either since I have candida and antibiotics and I don't generally get along. So I decided to research this one some more as well. Guess what? It contains SULFITES which I'm allergic to. which I TOLD them I'm allergic to...... Here's what I found: http://web1.drugs.com/xq/cfm/... so the next thing I did was do a search for drug interactions on what they are giving me plus what I already take...and I didn't find any issues. So there's no prob there, just the actual drugs. What should I do???
If anyone has suggestions, email me or post on the comments, I'm open to anything. I have already asked them here to go back to the doc, they called and the doc said, that's all I'm getting, nothing less.... so that's a wall right there...
Well I'm gonna keep researching this!!!
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| This is such bull |
| 06.02.04 (2:57 pm) [edit] |
Ok I'm sitting here right now, ripping my hair out. I've already qualified on my weapon at the last post, but for some reason, since I'm drawing a weapon to take with me, I have to do it all over, and no less at the hardest range on the infantry's home. There were 12 of us that went to qualify today, and only 1 did, by 2 targets. I need to hit 5 more than I did today to pass. We would have stayed longer but a storm came and they closed the range....
I'm so frustrated right now I don't know what to do. I can't leave here if i don't qualify, but I just have to keep trying, until they'll finally sign off on it. I just hope I manage tmw. I don't want to stay here any longer than I have to. The Navy and civilians are starting to call this place a concentration camp. That's what it looks like, buildings w/ zombie like people walking about, barbed wire surrounding us...
On top of that, I think I've hurt my ankles again w/all the standing and walking in these crappy boots. they hurt like crazy, but I'll have to wait til I get in country to get them checked out. I just want to get out of here, so I can deploy and get it over with. To top it off, the only other Intel Analyst is a TOTAL moron, rude SGT that drives me nuts. I only hope the unit we end up at keep us separated.
Ok I'm done bitching now. I was good for the first couple of weeks, but I'm finding myself, again, amidst all the moronic things the military does.......and i remember why I didn't re-enlist! I know a lot of my issue w/ qualifying is me stressing myself out, like normal, but I don't even know how to calm down. I don't want to be here, and the way they are treating us is crap. Believe me, I will be writing a LOT of letters to the news, newspapers, magazines, army times, and select individuals at St. Louis (who called me) while I'm spending my precious time in Afghanistan.
the Shopette is still open, so I'm gonna go get some beer and call the movie night clan.
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6 Comments
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| Ahhh the Navy and Officers..... how do they survive? |
| 06.01.04 (4:50 pm) [edit] |
Today was an interesting day. We went to CIF this morning, and got all our gear for our deployment. Not only did I get my tan uniforms, but I also drew my weapon. I have to carry the sucker from here to Afghanistan with me!! Apparently they will give me special paperwork to check it onto the commercial planes. It will be odd carrying an M16 into the airport!!!
After we got 2 duffle bags full of gear, we went through the SRP, checking out paperwork to make sure everything was correct. Since we are going to the range tmw to fire (again) we had to put our helmets, LBE (tactical vests) and protective masks together tonight. Well apparently no one in the Navy has this stuff. And apparently none of the Army officers have ever done it either, because I sat at a group of picnic tables for 3 hours tonight helping about 40 people put their shit together. Needless to say, I'm everyone's lifesaver right now. I got in good with the officers, which will help me out downrange ;-). I'm just amazed that this entire time, these officers have had people put their stuff together for them, they've never had to do it themselves. So I showed them, and helped them, but made them do it themselves, because they will have to know how to do it when we get downrange. So now i'm tired, and full (the chow hall was good tonight), and ready for bed.........
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