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| working out |
| 07.29.04 (8:47 am) [edit] |
Ok my back hurts, my head hurts and I'm frickin tired. But I am going to the gym...... I haven't gone in a few days and am feeling guilty, gotta get some of this weight off!!!
In other news, it was a busy day here in Afghanistan, but we're still safe. I am SICK OF POLITICS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
K
PS Skot write me back already!
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4 Comments
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| I think my stomach is going to explode |
| 07.28.04 (8:48 am) [edit] |
Ok I think i'm having my first 'chow hall' experience. I feel like I have fists clenching my stomach. And I'm really hot. I think i'm going to keel over from my stomach hurting so bad. I'm going to go drink water, crawl in my bed, and die now.
:?
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4 Comments
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| Panic |
| 07.27.04 (6:52 am) [edit] |
Ok I had my first panic attack that I've had in a couple years today. It was HORRIBLE. They told me last night that I would be briefing, and I was like ok. I started preparing for it today, and WHAMMO about 2 hrs before i was to brief I started getting sick to my stomach, flushed, and my hearing and vision started goin on me. Now this hasn't happened since College, and I thought I'd be ok briefing because I always had in the past.... but I guess not!!! Sgt Woods and Alcorn were like what's wrong and stuff, and I finally had to have Alcorn help me outside to get some of the fresh Afghani air (another story). I went to the bathroom and hyperventilated until I talked myself outta it. I felt a bit better, and went on preparing, but I was panicked until I got up there. Once I was up there, I did just fine. Hopefully it doesn't happen again, HOW EMBARRASSING!!! The human mind and physical reactions that happen because of it make no sense to me sometimes!!!
Ok about the Afghan air. The 'particles' in the air here are about 60% fecal material since so many people don't use the bathroom and so many areas in the country don't have sewers. So the dirt literally has shit in it, hence so does the air, especially during these lovely wind storms. No wonder I wake up every morning with all sorts of crap in my nose!! BLECH :shock:
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| Shout Out |
| 07.26.04 (9:00 am) [edit] |
Ok this is a shout out blog, because I'm thinking a lot about yall today and missing you.
To Teh Commune - I miss you and your friendship more than you can imagine, it's nice to know that there's people out there that will always be there for you. Keep in touch, it keeps me motivated to come home!
To Teh Parents - Mom, Dad, Susan and Maj Dad: thanks for giving me sound advice and good care packages, thank you for standing by Tim's and my decisions and supporting us in every way.
To everyone else - this blog helps me relieve stress, vent, and have some fun. All your comments are truly appreciated and I love seeing people keep in touch through their comments. HELLO YUNG!!!!
Ok I'm out.
K
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5 Comments
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| The MOST uncouth man I've met |
| 07.24.04 (7:09 am) [edit] |
Ok so I've just had the worst meal I think I've had YET.
I went to chow alone because I had to man the watch while others ate. I sat down at an empty seat next to an E6. i asked him to pass me some napkins. He did and asked me where I work and my name. Seems innocent enough right? So we chat a little bit, he tells me he's been here for 2 weeks. We keep talking and he asks if he can tell me a joke? I say, sure. He goes" I only tell this one to pretty women". I was like ok gee, whatever, and he goes on to tell me this stupid joke about rather being pissed off than pissed on, yada yada. So then he asks me what I do after work, so I told him talk w/ co-workers, read, sleep. He asks maybe sometime we could watch a movie because he really likes BIG WOMEN and finds them attractive. I said "EXCUSE ME???"
So the asshole repeats himself. Now the jerkoff was totally sincere, which is all well and good that he likes big women but WTF he doesn't know me and dosn't know that I'm not at ALL comfy w/ my weight. I said I don't think so. He asks why not, and I state well first of all I am married, hence the ring on my finger. He just says oh...
by then someone else I know LUCKILY shows up and sits down. I was SO MAD I couldn't finish my meal, and left. Now I know i'm sensitive about my weight, but I'm sorry THAT WAS OVER THE TOP!!!!
I'm going to go crawl in a hole now. :x
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7 Comments
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| doobeee do be doooo |
| 07.22.04 (8:55 am) [edit] |
Well I had a 'chat' with my roommate this morning. We get along fairly well, and everything's been kewl. until....
She met a Marine, and 3 days later he's been hanging out in our room EVERY night until early in the am. Let me inform you guys, people of the opposite sex can be in each other's rooms, but not over night, and we're not supposed to have S-E-X while we're here (although they sell condoms at the px, go figure) Now at first I was like no biggy, but when the giggling and the long nights started, and NOW the smoochy smoochy started, I am like UGH NO, TACKY!!!!
I've had about 5 hrs of sleep the past few nights, and people who know me know I can't function on that little sleep. So today, I went outside with her and calmly explained that I don't care if he's over, but I don't want em doing the nasty with me in the room, and when I go to bed he either needs to leave, or they need to go to his room or to a common room. Suprisingly she was really kewl about it and said no problem. She really seems to like the guy, and I have to admit he's a nice guy (so far), so I'm not gonna be a bitch about it, UNLESS I keep getting little sleep!!! :twisted:
TMW is civvie day, YAY! I'm going to bed, hopefully there won't be any visitors!!!
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5 Comments
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| sleepy |
| 07.20.04 (7:53 am) [edit] |
Well another busy day down.
I did get some good news today however! I talked to another IRR soldier that is here who got promoted recently. He gave me a number to call to find out if I could get promoted. I called and sure enough in October I'm eligible for promotion! I don't have to pass a PT test or go to the boards, so I will be a SGT in October! It means a pay raise and having to do briefings, but that's ok, at least I can say I made E5 before I got out.
I went to the gym again tonight. Alcorn is helping me stay motivated and out of the weight woes. Everyone is telling me something different, do this, do that, eat this, eat that. He said, do what seems to work for you, and go easy that way I won't freak out. I've been reading the Weight Watchers stuff Auntie has been sending, and it all makes sense. We'll see, I'm taking Bren's advice and not looking at the scale any more, I PROMISE! I'll just go by how I feel and how loose my clothing gets for a while. I wish it would start already!!!!!! :?
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7 Comments
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| more pictures added |
| 07.18.04 (5:37 am) [edit] |
I added more photos to my ofoto account. Just click the link K's photos at the left and sign in, and you should be able to see em. Let me know if you can't.
Today was my day off, I slept until about 9, when I was woken to people walking on the roof, and welding. Part of our 'security' blew down last night, so they were welding it back in place. Still no air conditioning, but the put some new holes in the walls and put some plastic conduit up, so hopefully that's a step closer!
Haven't gotten any packages in a few days, so those people that sent them, dont worry, they prolly got hung up somewhere. Sometimes the stuff gets here in a week and a half, and then other times it takes 3 weeks or a month. If it's been longer than a month, then I'll letcha know!
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2 Comments
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| Pic from Bazaar |
| 07.16.04 (11:41 pm) [edit] |
This is the drawing that I bought from the boy at the bazaar a month ago. I spoke with him again this time and we took a picture together. Here's the drawing, w/ watercolor, and a pic of him and I.
=http://www.booksforsoldiers.c... target=_blank [image]kratesis_365601414 .jpg[/image]=http://www.booksforsoldiers.c... target=_blank [image]kratesis_422927815 .jpg[/image]
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2 Comments
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| Another Friday |
| 07.16.04 (8:42 am) [edit] |
Well today was Friday, also bazaar day, so I got to spend some hard earned cash. I went down to the bazaar w/ some friends and shopped and picked up my partner's suit he had custom made. They did a good job and it was only 85 for a full suit, meaning jacket, pants, vest and a shirt, all custom made out of the fabric he chose and to his measurements. Pretty kewl eh?
I was a small spender today, partly because last time I bought for my friends' bdays, and partly cuz I didn't have a lot of cash. I bought a handmade and embroidered shirt for myself and a gift for my lil niece Noel! I knew I'd find her present eventually! I also bought 2 scarves that I really liked. It will help decorate my room and I can use over my head when I go out.
Getting the shirt was an ordeal. I knew only a few vendors sold them, so I went up to this one ol guy and he had a bunch of colors and sizes. We all wanted to buy at least one, but He wouldn't budge on the price. He wanted too much and when he DID lower it, it was way more than we should pay. So we put the stuff down and moved on. I finally ended up at a different place and paid exactly what I planned on $10. The first guy came back by later, wanting to know my final price, but then I was out of cash and irritated at him so I said SORRY I bought someplace else. He was PISSED! LOL oh well!
See they are very superstitious here about sales. The first sale and the last are the most important because if they don't make a sale that day it's bad luck. I've made friends with a few of the vendors, one even invited me over for tea with his family, but alas I cannot accept. Maybe someday things will be safe and such, but not right now!
I took a few pics of me and some co-workers, as well as one of my artist friend. He's doing well and I'm going to have him draw the photo I took of him and I. I'll post some photos tmw after I check them out on my laptop!
Have a good night all!, I went to the gym again, and I'm beat!
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3 Comments
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| LOL |
| 07.15.04 (8:44 am) [edit] |
And YES that is red velvet!!!
One of my new roommates is an idiot. Someone told her that the windows were one way, meaning we could see out, but no one could see in. They are slightly tinted. So she's been changing in front of the OPEN windows for 2 days now!! Me and the other roommate put a stop to this today, she was quite embarrassed, and the guys were VERY disappointed! :lol:
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4 Comments
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| Busy Busy Busy |
| 07.15.04 (6:31 am) [edit] |
There's some stuff goin on here, and we're trying to keep safer, so we're trying to stay in groups. I won't be spending as much time on the computer so I can walk back with others. Don't worry we're all ok.
TMW I get to shop again woo hoo! I kept busy all week so it's gone by pretty fast. Can you believe that I've been in country for a month now? Time has gone by pretty fast, just hope that the feeling keeps up!
:roll:
I've lost 7 lbs so far, and I'm still working out. I'm doing pretty good, sticking to my diet, the other guys have already slipped off the 'wagon'. I figure any improvement is good tho, right?
On an ending note I have to share a pic of my best friends' daughter, doing her first makeup!!! Enjoy!
=http://www.booksforsoldiers.c... target=_blank [image]kratesis_903684962 .jpg[/image]
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4 Comments
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| I got my camera!! |
| 07.13.04 (8:50 am) [edit] |
Another box from Tim came today, with my digital camera and thumb drive in it! WOOT!
I also got a kewl TX football t-shirt, all the TX guys were jealous! heheheh
I'll take pics of my 'home' tonight and post them tmw, and take some more pics when I get the chance.
Stay tuned!!!!!
ltr all :lol:
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| OUCH! |
| 07.12.04 (6:34 am) [edit] |
Well I worked myself last night. I'm frickin SORE today!!! Well I now have 2 roommates. Althought I think one is only staying until she gets 'better' housing as she put it. She's a civilian, staying for 4 months. I want to choke her already!!! hehehe
Didn't sleep well last night, so I'm draggin ass today.
I got 2 boxes from hubby today, YAY!! FINALLY!!!
So now I have clean sheets and lots of good stuff to read and my cd's...
For those of you who know her, Misty is doing well. We write back and forth on our computers every day and keep in contact. For those of you who don't know her, she's a good friend from AIT who I've kept in contact with. She's in Iraq right now. We used to get together about once a month, but she got deployed and well now I am!!!
So what's new with everyone? Is anyone talking about the upcoming elections in Afghanistan or is the focus still on Iraq? What we're seeing here on BBC is that it's still Iraq.....
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5 Comments
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| Crayons have been delivered |
| 07.10.04 (8:20 am) [edit] |
Well I saw "jimmy" today, huddled in a corner with a girl, maybe his sister, drawing on a piece of paper garbage with a blue pen. Perfect opportunity, as there were no other children around but the two of them, and he was drawing!!
He waved at me and I got the crayons out and walked over. I handed him the crayons and he looked at them and then me like 'what the hell is this?!?!' I motioned to him to draw, and he looked like he kind of got it, so we'll see how he acts if I see him tomorrow.
Thats about the only thing today that happened that I feel good about. I worked hard all day to be told that 'oh we changed our minds, we don't need that anymore' and to go to the gym and be the most out of shape, fattest person there. It was humiliating.
I'm going to go to the safehouse and crawl in a hole now. :(
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3 Comments
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| what a long day |
| 07.09.04 (8:22 am) [edit] |
Today was supposed to be a relaxing day for me, watch some movies and just deal with issues as they come up. WELL every issue and every incident and every officer needed something today. BAH!
One a good note, my annoying temp. roommate moved out along with her annoying alarm clock so that's good. I'll get some peace for a few days until I get another roommate.
Skot and Scott still haven't written, I'm CRYING!!! :cry:
I mailed a box home today for you bday people in TX. I'll email Bren a description on who's what, and what it all is. It will prolly take about 2 weeks to get there. But better than nothing!!
Aunt Darlene, I got my package today!! THANK YOU!!!
One box of crayons is going to a lil boy name ARUH. He has bugged me every day for me to buy a wooden snake from him, saying 'you promise' even tho I didn't. Well I had a breakthrough with him the other day. I asked him about school and how old he was instead of just saying no and walking off. He's 11 but he looks about 7 or 8. He told me yesterday that he wants me to call him 'Jimmy' instead of Aruh.... He likes American names I guess...
So I'll give him some crayons and see what happens...
LTR all, I'm going to BED!
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1 Comments
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| Our life gets more interesting!! |
| 07.08.04 (6:39 am) [edit] |
Just to update you, Tim quit his job where we both worked. He got a job with a 'headhunter' firm. He got a raise outta the deal. He will be stationed in Qatar which is near Afghanistan and will do work there as well as in Iraq, and Afghanistan. He's contracted for a year, with the option to extend. The money is tax free and he'll get to go on vacation when I get leave. He gets even more pay when he comes to Afghanistan and Iraq. He leaves in a couple weeks.
WE LOVE YOU GREG! We have a very good friend that's great with our pets who is going to live in our house while Tim's gone. He works at AIS and is a very calm guy, good w/ pets and kids. He'll take good care of the place, won't u greg???? :lol:
It'll be hard w/ tim travelling as well, but it's an option to see him more often, and we'll be set financially when we get home. We'll be able to afford new car for me, and a commuter for him, as well as have money set aside for our parents later on in life and for us when I quit work to stay home w/ kids.When I come home, he'll look for a job in San Antonio or Ft. Hood. With all the experience he'll be gaining, he shouldn't have any problem finding work.
Now just gotta buckle down for 11 more months!!!!
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| Is this hilarious or what??? |
| 07.06.04 (8:12 am) [edit] |
I found this in a 'Stuff' Magazine, hey what else do I have to read? I'm surrounded by GUYS!
[b]Labatt Blue Beer Dispensing Cooler [/b]
Look what’s coming down the chute. Armchair quarterbacks everywhere get their Labatt Blue ice cold thanks to this spectacular collision of furniture, gadgetry and style.
=http://www.labattblue.com target=_main [image]kratesis_112294736 8.gif[/image]
Click on the pic to check out the site!
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7 Comments
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| New Pics |
| 07.05.04 (6:36 pm) [edit] |
From TPC:
Fyi, there are a couple of new pics of the doggies and the new flag at the house.
http://www.ofoto.com/I.jsp?c=35fyr7ld.65gjm7mx&x=1&y=-d7mmy7" title="http://www.ofoto.com/I.jsp?c=35fyr7ld.65gjm7mx&x=1&y=-d7mmy7" target="_blank"http://www.ofoto.com/I.jsp?c=...
Timmay
aka "The Hubby"
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| Ah I'm such a slob |
| 07.05.04 (10:07 am) [edit] |
Well I spent the day trying to control my cravings to eat anything chocolate. I did pretty good. i had half a mini snickers, and saved the rest for another time. I haven't been very hungry, I think I am, but after I start eating my food, I lose interest. I'm eating pretty well ( I think) not too much meat but some, I take off all the breading, and veggies and fruit for dessert. I allow myself 2 diet cokes per day ( I need caffeine) and the rest of the time its water, and one serving of milk per day. I've been riding the bike for 30 min, and I go 12 miles. My knee hurts, but it actually feels better after I bike, vs not working out. I'm so frustrated. I know I've just barely gotten started but I have 45 lbs to lose. 45!!! How did I ever let myself turn into such a slob! It's disgusting!
I really hope I can lose this weight, and soon because I can't deal with myself like this any more. I just can't.
Ok, enough pouting, I'm tired, going to bed.
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4 Comments
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| Happy Independence Day America |
| 07.04.04 (2:55 am) [edit] |
I thought, as i reflect about our friends, family, and country on this holiday, and my day off, that I would blog some quotes that have gotten to me...
A thoughtful mind, when it sees a Nation's flag, sees not the flag only, but the Nation itself; and whatever may be its symbols, its insignia, he reads chiefly in the flag the Government, the principles, the truths, the history which belongs to the Nation which belongs to the Nation that sets it forth.
--Henry Ward Beecher
Liberty lies in the hearts of men and women; when it dies there, no constitution, no law, no court can save it.
--Judge Learned Hand
[b]DON'T LET LIBERTY DIE[/b]
On our Nation's Holiday, between all the beer drinking, bbqing, fireworks and fun, take some time to think about this country and all the people that are doing something to keep it your country, to keep you safe, to keep a future for our children. Enjoy!
[image]kratesis_282157252 .gif[/image]
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| it's the end of the day FINALLY |
| 07.03.04 (8:56 am) [edit] |
The day just drug on today. I couldn't get the time to go by fast enough! I want the 4th to get here, so I can call my family and friends and have my DAY OFF!
I'm getting a roommate tonight, only for a week however. She's an officer and well you know, Enlisted have cooties so they can't stay with us long or they will be infected! :lol:
I'm going to stay up late watching a movie and then sleep in late. They're doing some activities here tmw for the 4th, hopefully the goonies in this country will leave us alone for our holiday and not do some 'fireworks' of their own.
Night all!
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4 Comments
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| What we eat here |
| 07.02.04 (7:56 am) [edit] |
We have the same routine every week at the dining factility. I eat a granola bar for breakfast (not a breakfast person), and then lunch consists of hot dogs or hamburgers, jo-jo potatoes, lunch meats that sit out in the open for about 3 hrs, cheese, a few veggies like carrots or celery, and that's about it. They have diet sodas, weird afghan milk, canned apple juice, orange juice, grape juice, and water and gatorade.
For dinner it's usually chicken baked or fried, some sort of beef, either smothered in bbq sauce or meatballs in sauce, once in a while ham or pork chops, and on fridays steak and lobster tails. They also have either potato salad, noodle salad, green salad, fruit salad, mashed potatoes and either corn or carrots or beans for dinner as well. Same drinks. I think they have about 9 different meals they rotate for dinner... lunch is always the same, as is breakfast.......
oh and the best part is going to the dining facility we walk over the open sewer and smell that lovely raw sewage smell to get our appetites going!
I know i shouldn't complain, at least we get regular meals that aren't MRE's. I feel so bad when I see all the food that is wasted when there are hungry people on the street right outside the gates it makes me not so hungry....
I went to the bazaar today and bought some gifts for my July and August birthday friends. I bought one thing for myself. A picture that an 11 yr old boy drew/painted. It's abstract, not like his other pieces, of a lady in a burka during the taliban times. It's very dark and sad. I had to have to it remind me what I'm here for. When my digital camera arrives I'll take a pic of it. His father was very nice, very supportive of his son being an artist (of course it's an income as well). It's one thing that I have gotten here that really means something....
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| Update on SGT Idiot |
| 07.01.04 (7:30 am) [edit] |
Ok, this gets even better. He told the SGM that the magazine just 'exploded'. So they determined that it must have been because he had a full magazine. So now we're not supposed to put all the rounds in the magazine and we're supposed to empty them every week and let them 'rest'. I asked him why he lied and he said he was too embarrassed to tell them that he dropped the weapon. THIS GUY IS A L-O-S-E-R.
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