Well folks I'm playing Watch NCO again today, so I won't be able to get photos uploaded. I will try again tomorrow.  Tim, however has added bunches of photos from his recent trip around the Green Zone and of Al Najaf, so check them out at the link to the left 'Tim's Photos'!

Well almost halfway through the week. My NCO decided to start taking days off.  Apparently I can handle the Watch on my own but my E7 can't handle it by himself, so I will be getting a day off when Alcorn gets back, which is hopefully by Thursday.

Kicked my butt at the gym last night, and I plan on doing it again tonight.  I'm really tired after work, but if I go to the gym I seem to sleep better and feel better the next day, so as long as I can GET to the gym, I will work out.

More later, I will try to reply to emails today as 'I have the Watch' and have a NIPR computer at my desk.

By now you all know what happened last night here in Kabul.  Was about .5 miles away from where I work, so yes I heard it and ran like hell to my office.  Started working right away, unfortunately, not much you can do when someone decides to run themselves and their vehicle into something and blow themselves up.  Be prepared to hear more of this over the next months coming into the elections here in the country.  They're starting to use the same tactics they use in Iraq.

Just know that I'm ok, just keeping busy here. I'll have lots o stories when I come home!

LOVE YOU ALL

K

Hi folks, sorry I haven't been keeping up well with the blog and especially emails.  I'm hoping tomorrow I will have some extra time to send some.  Things are at the moment quiet here in Kabul, but with only a month before the elections, it's sure to pick up shortly.  Things are running slightly smoother in the watch today.  The new folks are starting to realize we're not a bunch of idiots but actually know what we're doing and know what's going on in this country.  Now us enlisted folks just have to convince them that we're 'strategic' and not 'tactical'.  That's gonna take some work!

On a good note, I'm finally going to get to take those schools supplies yall have been sending to a school. Tomorrow I'm going to a local school and will be there for several hours, YES I will be taking pictures! :-)

I will post them as soon as I can! I'm off to bed, as I moved my room around to accomodate the new folks and now have to re-settle and organize my wall locker.

Well we now have 7 females living in our 2 bedroom 1 bath 'house'.  Nice eh?  oh well if the bathroom is too busy I'll just take some bottled water outside and have the nice afghan guards hose me down. JOKING!!!

Seriously I think I've been yelled at today the most in my entire life, besides basic training.  Luckily none of it was my fault, and it was apologized to, since I was just the 'messenger'.  I swear I'm going to have an ulcer before I get outta here.

On a happier note I got my new sling for my weapon today from Blackhawk, it rocks!!!!  I also got a box from Susan and Stephen, THANK YOU!!!! I loved the card and all the goodies, I'm stocked!!!

Tmw is our civie, slow day and bazaar.  I will go if only to get out of the office for a bit.  Hopefully I will get a chance to write some emails as well.

Love you all

K

I swear that I will kiss the ground when I get out of this hell hole.  We just got 10 new people in, all AF and Navy.  Not saying those branches are bad at all, but they do things differently and now all of a sudden EVERYTHING is being changed. I don't mind some change, but totally redoing things and assing them up is not the way you run a real world mission.  I now have a LT that is an energy drainer. Do you know what I'm talking about? She's a person that talks and talks and doesn't let you get a word in edgwise and when she wizzes off, you feel like you've been hit by a truck.

I'm not even going to get into the rest of it tonight because I'm too tired and too pissed to continue.  Just know that I miss you all so much and for those people who say nothing's going on here in AFghanistan and we're got a pleasure cruise can sit on it and spin, because yall don't know jack.

Well today marks my 24th year.  Overall it was a good day. I got to talk to my parents, and after I was off the phone w/ them I got my presents from them. THANK YOU!!!

I had a relatively easy day at work since my NCO was back, and I got balloons on the ceiling over my desk and everyone sang to me at the evening brief.  Nothing like a bunch of officers singing happy birthday to you!  Then one of the guys gave me some ice cream he had 'acquired' boy was it yummy!!!

Next step is to call hubby and then go watch a movie to relax.  I'm in too good of a mood tonight to discuss the new roommate that has moved in.  Hopefully things will be ok w/ her.  I'll keep you updated!

Tonight I ate dinner by myself, kind of a time for me to relax and reflect.  Even tho I'm only 24, I feel like I have accomplished a lot in this short time.  In the last few years, I've been in the military, had a very good job, gotten married, bought a home, dealt w/ assault, anxiety issues, and discalcula.  Now Tim and I being deployed is just another tick mark on 'I made it throughs'.  I only hope that this year goes by quickly, and I learn something good from this experience. 

Well another day almost done.  My Watch NCO came in to work for about an hour and decided he was still sick and went back to rest. So I'm once again running the show and I AM TIRED!!!

I have had a chance to upload pictures to yahoo, so feel free to check them out! I was able to get off the compound on Friday and take some pictures. Those are in the Kabul Trip folder!

Below is a pic of me and my new friend at the safehouse.  Underneath is a pic of me on top of the radio tower mountain I got to go to here in Kabul.

Due to popular demand Bastian is now gracing us w/ his presence once again! I got the blog looking the way I want it, so I'm gonna leave it alone for a while!

Meanwhile on the Afghanistan front....My Watch NCO got sick yesterday so he went to sick call, ended up having 2 bags of fluids put in him, and then got quarters.  The Afghan 'team' was gone to the range, so I was running the shop by myself!!!  Luckily it was a Saturday and it wasn't crazy busy, the bad guys cooperated for once.  I was very tired by the end of the day however, but I still made myself go to the gym. Hopefully my NCO is coming in today, but I won't hold my breath.

I talked to the officer in charge of collecting items for schools, and he said right now their storage unit is FULL of stuff, so hold off on supplies for a bit.  I also don't have any storage, so there's no place to put the stuff!

I forgot I have to 'share' a new album, so they're shared now and yall should be able to see them!

K

Ok here's the scoop:

Eric A. Sheffler, 28, and SINGLE ladies!!!

He's a Contractor here who supports our section. He's been here 6 months so far and has extended to stay with us and help us out.  He's been in the military for 9 years, so he's like one of us....

He works out a lot and is a big jokster.  He LOVES cheetos, skittles, and starburst jellybeans.  He reads 'tech thriller' books like Tom Clancy...

He's a computer geek like me, so he loves computer mags. 

He'd appreciate mail, and care packages!  The only time he gets mail is if he's ordered something off the net!!! :(

If there's anything else you wanna know, email me, and I'll hook u up w/ him. I'll try to get his picture taken on Friday!

Hello all, well yahoo is finally cooperating w/ me, and I was able to add some photos that people have taken around here.  Check the link to the left and look at the dated folder.  I will attempt to get my roomie to take a pic of me in uniform in the next few days.

I'll also add some pics of my new friend, the kitten, when I get a chance....

Meanwhile, I'M SICK OF POLITICS AND THE PETERSON TRIAL!!!!!!!!

Ok The guy on the left in the suit is U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad and The three military are Petty Office Jones (he works downstairs supporting our systems) SGT Gray (My roomie) General Meyers and then of course another soldier, Rumsfeld and our friend Eddie a Marine. They came to eat at our Goat House dining factility.  Everyone else ate, but they left! I didn't get to attend the dinner as I was busy WORKING. Ah my luck!

Below is a pic of Rumsfeld arriving in Afghanistan, and Lt. Gen. Barno (The man I work for) and the Ambassador welcoming him.

I've been super busy and can't get these frickin pictures posted. so YES Rumsfeld came to our compound and visited. My roommate got to eat with him, lucky gurl.

I have a request for all of you. I know it's important to help out the local afghans but I also think it's important to help out the soldiers from our own country.  So here's my request:

I have 3 guys here who hardly ever get mail, and I mean maybe once every couple months and it's usually something they purchased online or a check book or something.  Is there anyone willing to adopt one of these guys? 1 is a single early 30's Army guy from TX, 1 is a 24 yr old single army guy, and 1 is a mid 20's single contractor here supporting us. They're all great people and I know they would appreciate hearing from yall.  If you would like to 'adopt' one of them, please send me an email offline.

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING US!

I can't believe it's the end of Weds. already, I've been so busy! My counterpart is now on his way home for leave, so I'll be crazy busy for the next 18 days.

Hubby posted to the Blog, he's now in Iraq, hopefully I'll hear from him soon.

Nothing else major today, except one thing, and I'll tell yall about that tmw :lol:

Tim is now in Kuwait going nuts from boredom because he's waiting for a flight.  It may be a couple days, so I'll keep yall posted.  He doesn't have internet access, so don't be suprised if you don't hear from him for a while.

Here's a pic of Matt: a quasi cousin who's in Fallujah, he just got promoted to PFC! CONGRATS MATT! :lol:

I come home last night and there's three bitchy females in our room. Not only did they throw our shit around to stay in our room, but then decided to stay in the next room over on the floor so they could be 'together' and didn't put our stuff back. Then they proceeded to take showers and use up all the hot water so we couldn't shower last night.

This morning we had an earthquake, was quite interesting being woken up and thinking someone is shaking my bed, then getting out of bed and realizing the floor and walls are moving and cracking.  We're all ok tho.  Then I go back to bed, and guess what? When it's my turn to shower, THERE'S NO HOT WATER!  Luckily for their sake it was only one night, because if they stayed longer there would be some discussions.

BTW will yall please check your spam folders once in a while for my emails,  either it's being sent there or you're IGNORING ME!!

YUNG-plz send me your new email addy and tell me about your job!!!

Here's the pic from our Smore evening burning documents!

When they do another rocket attack here or I get a phone call saying another one of our Soldiers, Sailors (yes we have Navy here) or Marines have died, I think of this song.

God Bless The USA
By Lee Greenwood
If tomorrow all the things were gone
I'd worked for all my life
And I had to start again
With just my children and my wife
I'd thank my lucky stars
To be living here today
Cause the flag still stands for freedom
And they can't take that away
And I'm proud to be an American
Where at least I know I'm free
But I won't forget the men who died
Who gave that right to me
And I gladly stand up
Next to you
And defend her still today
Cause there ain't no doubt
I love this land
God Bless the U.S.A.
From the lakes of Minnesota
To the hills of Tennessee
Across the plains of Texas
From sea to shining sea
From Detroit down to Houston
And New York to L.A.
There's pride in every American heart
And it's time we stand and say
And I'm proud to be an American
Where at least I know I'm free
And I won't forget the men who died
Who gave that right to me
And I gladly stand up
Next to you
And defend her still today
Cause there ain't no doubt
I love this land
God Bless the U.S.A.
And I'm proud to be an American
Where at least I know I'm free
And I won't forget the men who died
Who gave that right to me
And I gladly stand up
Next to you
And defend her still today
Cause there ain't no doubt
I love this land
God Bless the U.S.A.

Well the day turned shitty.  We lost 2 soldiers today. Can't say much else at this time.

Please think about all the US personnel that are working hard here and in Iraq.  We're not just trying to help the people in these countries but also trying to protect our own.

My thoughts are with their families

Let Freedom Ring

I got 2 more packages today YAY! Thats 7 in 3 days!!!  Today I got a box from Aunt Dawn and Brianna, THANK YOU FOR THE BDAY GIFTS!! The crystal light is a big hit as well, my partner and I drink it when we get sick of water!  I also got a box from my company, filled with snacks for me, beauty products, tea, and school supplies.  Julie also put in some company stuff like koozies for cold drinks and chip clips  :lol:

I get one more day off before I go 3 weeks without, so I'm going to ENJOY IT! Cya ltr!

I spoke too soon, my slow day turned into a busy one quickly!!!

I worked my butt off until about 3 and then I managed to get a lil bit of a break.  We had steak and lobster tonight, the steak sucked but on the upside we had bread, first time in a month! We also got near beer (non-alcoholic) which was a treat.

I went to the gym, did a new workout of 15 on the bike and 15 on the stair climber and did upper body workout on the weights.  Now my arms are shaking!!

I got to meet a 'famous' person last night!  Zhalmay Khalizad who is the US Ambassador to Afghanistan was in our building for a meeting and just decided he wanted to watch some TV, so his guards brought him up to our desk to watch some CNN with us! Too bad it wasn't on FOX!

My supervisore left today for his pass so we'll get a break and so will he, YAY!

Today is a 'slow' day so hopefully I'll be able to do some online shoppin and catch up on some emails.

Luckily it's been quiet here the past few days, hopefully it will stay that way, although it's not likely.

Ok I changed the look of my blog a bit, but I'll be making it look better when I get some time to code it myself...

I uploaded some photos of the safehouse where I live: photos.yahoo.com/gurlfrdy Take a look!

Mail sucks here, some guys get their stuff in a week while I wait for weeks on end for packages. GRRRR

My 'boss' is going on pass at the end of this week. He actually admitted that he's been an ass and hard to work with, NO SHIT!  I'm just glad he realizes it and hopefully he'll be more rested when he comes back.  In the meantime, Kratesis gets no breaks this month, since SPC A is leaving to go home on leave! I think I'll go crazy yet!  :shock:

One last happy note - I've lost 3 lbs in a week and a half. thats 10 so far, and 40 to go.  Hopefully I can get most of it off before I go home on leave!!!