Well i had a LOVELY day yesterday. The officers continue to try to make us go crazy.  It came down to an hour long conversation w/ the enlisted and our two perky LT's.  Well as soon as one of them ROLLED HER EYES when I was talking it was over. I AM DONE!!!!!!!

One top of that, they decided that right before the elections when we're busy, that they would re-arrange the sections and the office! So everything is unplugged and moving around, and the best part of the day....

Drumroll please!

They are putting us enlisted behind a CURTAIN so that we don't get DISTRACTED with what is going on in the office. CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

Sigh, I'm going home before there's a rocket attack and going to watch a funny movie.

Here's a group photo that we took today, there's a few people missing tho.

Just when I think this operation couldn't get more stupid, it does.  We now are re-arranging our office. And I don't just mean in the physical sense, but also the organizational sense as well. The Officers and higher enlisted now have pretty much nothing to do while us lower enlisted folks are stuck doing everything!  And of course when they ask us our opinion, they sit with a blank stare, zone out, and continue on like they hadn't heard a thing.  It never ceases to amaze me the idiocy of the world.

At least I'll get a break: I'm working at the UNAMA compound (UN Assistance Mission to Afghanistan) for 1-12 Oct for the elections in a special cell that is tracking threats and violence related to the elections. I have only one boss while I'm there, and am the only enlisted and female over there. PLUS I will get to eat REAL FOOD. WOOT!!!

So I'm looking towards that goal, then the next which is going to Qatar on pass in November, then leave in December. BABY STEPS!

I have made it over 100 days (or an entire Air Force rotation).  I'm officially at 105 days in country!  I won't tell you how many more to go because it's too depressing.  A friend of mine found an interesting article today tho,  READ IT, but with my luck, it won't take effect until AFTER I get home.

I have decided to password protect my blog instead of moving it to another site.  SOOOOOO

If you want to continue reading my blog, please EMAIL ME and let me know, I will email you the username and password so you can access it ok???

K

Eric is leaving us, but I have found 2 other soldiers that could use some TLC from the states.  SFC Woods is my NCO, and a fellow Texan.  He rarely gets packages, and I think some more stuff from home would improve his mood.  He's 34, TEXAN like I said, and appreciates a good joke.  Anyone read the Texas chili cookoff story? He was rolling with that one, tears streaming down his face!!! He's into dieting, so he goes through a lot of crystal light as well as tuna and other healthy stuff. He likes the quaker granola bars, pretzels, and TEDDY GRAHMS (his first name is Teddy). If you'd like to send him a package, send me an email for the address. For those of you who already know MY addy, it's the same, just Teddy Woods instead of my name.

I'll write about the next individual tomorrow.  BTW Eric says thanks for those boxes!  He really appreciated them! He'll be leaving in a week or so onto Florida and then to Qatar!!! We'll miss him!

Have you ever woken up and thought you were someplace completely different?  For the past several nights, when I'm in my feverish sick state or not, I've been having great dreams about being home, some while i'm home on leave and some when I'm home for good.  Now I have these great dreams and they're so vivid, from playing with the dogs and petting the cats, to playing poker with the crew again and laughing until we cry.  Then I hear a rumble in the distance and I think, is there a storm coming?

I wake up....

Its the apaches and other various flying contraptions curtousy of the U.S. Army.  They like to fly over us in the morning, to make sure things are good to go before big wigs leave.  I've learned that it's a comforting sound to hear the choppers in the air, just like right after a rocket attack, they fly and scout out runners.  But it is still oddly disturbing to wake up thinking you're at home safe and sound, and wake up in Afghanistan.

Well I'm back in the world again, sorta.  There's been a mysterious bug going around the office which involves passing out, not being able to keep anything in your stomach, including water, and such.  I finally caught it.  Been out of it, but I'm back at work today. Not feeling hot still, but I'll be ok I think. I can keep water and gatoraide down now, but that's about it....

So please be patient for emails and such ok?

K

THANK YOU AGAIN TO THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY DONATED!!!!

Well tmw is Friday, so I'm planning on doing a bit of bazaar shopping. I'm actually going to price gems, as I plan on buying some nice ones to have set when I get back to the states.

On a good note, I found out that when I go to the elections cell next month, I won't have to travel much. I just have to go across the street like I do all the time, onto my work compound and then out another gate to the UN compound and I'm there! It'll add another .5 mile hike to my day but all in all not bad.

I gave myself a pat on the back today, I RAN at the gym!!!!  I ran a mile, and will continue to do it, and then step it up eventually... so far the ankle is holding up. :-)

Oh FOO you're sooo funny!! Good to know you're still alive tho..

Well I had a nice early day yesterday, was able to get online for a bit until I was tired of typing and then wen to my 'house' and watched Eurotrip uncensored and watched the classic Dirty Dancing. Then I was actually able to read some in my book! Holy cow what a concept!!!! I even got to bed earlier than I usually do!!!

Well it wasn't a full day off, but it was better than nothing.  They moved the E6 that was on night shift to days, and he's being pissy, so he's not talking to any of us.  What a baby!!!

On a sad note, KBR caught two of the kittens, so no more orange kitty! :cry:

Well Alcorn and I had a chat w/ Woods today and said hey this is BS that everyone else gtets time off but us, and we have more people than we did before when we got time off.... so I get to leave my shift early today, and Alcorn will tmw. :lol:

He said he can't give us full days off right now because the chain won't allow it, but he'll 'take the heat' for early days..... we'll see what happens. I'm just glad I can catch up on email and go to my room and relax!!!!!!!

Resentment-that is just one of the emotions I am feeling right now. Along with that comes anger, sadness, and frustration.  I have been here 3 months now. I have worked harder than many people here.  I don't need to be put on a pedestal.  But here's what happened:

The last few days have been hard, I'll get to those in a second, but I want to begin with today.  I didn't get the day off because we're short one person.  I didn't make a stink about it, didn't pout, just said ok, I'll see you tomorrow.  I came in early this morning, just like I always do.  The day was going as normal, and at about 12 my NCO said that I had to go to lunch and be back at 1245 for the awards ceremony. Now we have these every so often when people are getting ready to leave and get awards or promotions.  I was confused as I was doing neither, and I asked him why.  He said, don't ask questions, just be there. I said ok, and went on my way.  Right before the ceremony I find out I am supposed to get an award from the Commanding General for all the hard work I've been doing.  I go to the ceremony, my NCO tells me to stand up front, and I wait.  We go through all the awards and speeches, about an hour of it.  Then the CG says he'd like to call up the following people to give them special recognition for the tremendous work they've done.  The list starts, and my NCO's name is called. My Watch OIC's name is called. But mine isn't.  They both got Bronze Stars today.  Now those of you who are or were in the military understand the importance and the great honor of receiving a medal like this.  I was confused at first.  Then the ceremony ended.  We all went back to the office, and everyone congratulated the man that sits behind a desk and does nothing all day, while I stress and scrounge and work my ass off. He has yet to explain to me why he told me I was getting an award and I did not. I haven't asked, but plan to before the night is over.  The award itself doesn't mean so much to me, its the fact that he's being recognized for an outstanding job he didn't do.

On to the other issues of the week. We had an internal issue. I can't explain what happened because I'm not allowed, but the jist is someone on my team was doing things that violate UCMJ as well as rules that are set forth for people with clearances.  This was not a minor infringement, but a huge one that could have very easily cost people on our compound their lives or other Coalition forces in the country theirs. I was one of the whistle blowers.  Most of the people in the section don't know the whole truth, or any of it, so everyone is going around saying, someone snitched on this person! Who would do that! Well I can't say anything because I was given and order and signed a document that I wouldn't, but I have to sit and listen about the horrible person that screwed up this persons career, when in fact it was the person that got in trouble.  I also have not gotten much sleep, a much needed day off, and I find out this morning that my hubby is getting rocketed and I can't get a hold of him.  I'm sure he's fine, and you all know that he'd tell us that if he could reach us, but it's still a concern of mine.

So, after this long winded blog entry, I apologize to EVERYONE for not calling or emailing to you.  I appreciate all the emails and the thoughts and care packages and letters.  But right now I really can't talk.  I have lots of thoughts I need to work through, and I'm very busy all day, so when I leave this office all I want to do it be by myself.  I hope you all understand.  I miss you all very much and love you more than you will ever know.

Two of my closest friends and confidants here in Afghanistan also write blogs. I have linked them to the left, Amanda and Eddie will be marrying in Savannah next year. I plan on being there!

Well the Duckies didn't win, but it's still early in the season so GOO DUCKS!!

The Longhorns on the other hand, WOW!!! HOOK'EM HORNS!

Sorry for not posting this ON the 11th, but we had some internal issues and couldn't access NIPR or make phone calls. They're relaxed a bit today, so I'm back! 

First of all I want to say Happy Birthday to my Father-in-Law.  You are a great man, doing great things, and don't forget to celebrate your life, even tho I know you are mourning on this day.

Here's a letter we received today, I thought I'd share it:

Special to American Forces Press Service

I value this opportunity to talk to those of you serving in our armed forces, and I want to thank you, personally, for your commitment to our country.

As you know, this week we lost the thousandth servicemember in Iraq. Some ask whether the global war on terror is worth a thousand American lives. It's an understandable question, but the answer should be clear to all who have studied our nation's history.

And I want you to know what I believe the answer is to that question.

First, we need to recognize that we passed the thousandth casualty mark in the global war on terror a long time ago. On September 11th, 2001, alone, we lost over 3,000 men, women and children. Since that time, the extremists have killed many more innocent men, women and children all over the world.

While some may feel we have been at war only since September 11th, the enemies we face have been at war against us for a good deal longer. Terrorists attacked the World Trade Center in 1993. They bombed our airmen in the barracks at Saudi Arabia, they attacked Americans at our embassies in East Africa, and they killed the sailors aboard the USS Cole.

During that same period, Saddam Hussein's regime tried to assassinate a former U.S. president, regularly fired at American and British aircraft that were flying in the Northern and Southern No-Fly zones over Iraq, and Saddam Hussein was, of course, paying the families of suicide terrorist bombers $25,000.

President Bush was faced with a choice – to confront a repressive dictator plotting to get his regime out of the international inspection and to amass the world's most lethal weapons – or wait until Saddam had succeeded. The president was faced -- as presidents always are -- with the risk of acting versus the risk of failing to act. But after September 11th, our country could no longer accept the risk of failing to act.

Because of your courage and commitment, some 50 million people from Afghanistan and Iraq are now experiencing freedom. Other regimes that also sponsored terror now support our cause.

Because we are eliminating the havens of those who seek to terrorize our nation, our country is safer today. And that is why the important work you are doing is worth the cost, and why it is so deeply appreciated.

Throughout history, brave Americans have come to the defense of our freedom. Today, that task falls to you.

Over my decades of service, I have been fortunate to meet a great many of our servicemen and women. And I always come away impressed – impressed by your dedication, by your professionalism, and by your devotion to our country.

With you on the front lines in this global struggle against extremists, this global war on terror, I know we will not falter, or tire, or fail, or yield. Our country is deeply in your debt.

May God bless you all, and may God bless America.

Donald H. Rumsfeld

Well tonight is LN Food night again YAY!  It's almost friday which means i get to wear my own clothes once again.  Long day today so I didn't get a chance to fix the pics from the last post. It's odd because I can see them on any computer I log into here on the compound.... at any rate I'll try to fix them tmw ok?

Tim is doing well. He's actually going to a contractor party tonight. It's a pool party at one of the indoor pools at the palace. What a life huh???

Luckily things are still quiet here, and I found out I've been selected to go set up and work in a special office just for the elections, so that should keep me very busy the first part of October.  At least it will be at a different place so I have a change of scenery.

I will try to write more tomorrow, hopefully I'll have a chance!

Here's a few pics of the school visit I did.  I'll add a few more later on!

The School Principal:

One of the school buildings:

Me handing out some candy:

Well three of our friends have had babies, so here's some pics! Here's Kelly's Daughter Sophie:

And Sara Boysen just had new son, Hagan!

Congrats also to Jen and Jose Montenegro and their daughter Naomi!

And not the kind of cold shower you WANT to take.  My inconsider Officer roommates get to sleep in on fridays, as well as saturday this week because of the holiday, so they decided to use up the hot water and destroy the bathroom just before I got up for the past 2 days.  I am VERY close to posting a time slot sheet, but I know they won't stick to it anyways.  On top of that, because of all the women (including messy ones who don't clean up after themselves) the shower drain is plugged up so the water drains very slowly.  Now the drain in the floor which is the same line as the shower is backed up so once you take a shower, and it starts draining the drain in the floor backs up and you end up w/ about 2 inches of dirty water on the floor. It's lovely.

Happy labor day everyone! I will be working a 12 hr shift and I volunteered to go work in a tower for 2 hrs so one of the security guys could get a break.  I figured, he protects my ass every day, he deserves a break.

Well off to the saltmine, I'll try not to kill my NCO today.

Well today is Friday a down day for us.  I get to wear civvies to work 2 days in a row since it's labor day tmw.  Our PX got expanded and they're having a grand opening today (It's still the size of a convienance store).  Then there's the bazaar and some activities tomorrow as well. I plan on hitting the bazaar as I haven't in a couple weeks.....

Last night was local national food night, so we ate and played darts. We got one of the guards to play with us his name is naym.  He's a pretty good dart player.  All the guards that protect our safehouse are either young guys under 30, or older fellows that were Northern Alliance who fought the Russians.  They're very proud men and we're in good hands. 

Our gurl pamper day won't be happening. Turns out that it's one lady that does work for women once in a while, doesn't speak much english and is booked all the time. So we'll have our own pamper party here at the compound I guess!

Off to work!

Well Alcorn is SUPPOSED to be back tmw, but we still haven't heard from him, but regardless the LT said I'm getting Sunday off. Us gurls got wind that there's a salon at the US Embassy down the street, so we're planning on having one of the sweet security guys drive us down there on Sunday for a 'pamper' day of hair cuts (not for me) pedicures and manicures. Hope it works out!!!!

Food is getting worse and worse here, which is ok since my appetite is smaller. I'm going to the gym almost every night now and doing yoga afterwards so now my back is good to go.  My DCU pants are LOOSE but I still haven't weighed myself. I'm think of waiting another month, because I don't want to get frustrated. I feel a lot better, so that's a lot of it, and hopefully I can get most of the 40 lbs off before I come home.... we'll see!

Nothing big today thank goodness keep your fingers crossed for a quiet night!