Some of you have asked if anyone here could use items over the holidays. I will fortunately be home on leave at that time, but you can send items to my unit. Items that are much wanted are:

Coffee – the more the better, we have a very hard time getting it here and there’s lots of coffeeholics here. The favorite is Starbucks but generic works as well.

Coffeemate Creamer – Plain works, but some also like the flavored types

Jerky

Chips

Trail Mix

Cookies

Granola Bars

We decorated for Halloween, so Christmas decorations would be put up as well.

Any other goodies you can think of would be appreciated as well.

If you’d like to send items to my section while I’m on leave over the holidays, please email me and I will send you the address, as well as who it should go attn: to. If you send it to me it won’t get opened until I get back in Jan.

Please see my posting below about the post office supplies. This way you don’t have to pay for them!

Thanks! :lol:

5 each - Tyvek envelope (tear and water proof)

Well it seems that cold weather has taken a beating on the compound.  about 75% of the people here are sick, including me. I've been to sick call 3 times to get medicine for my sinus/cold thing. I specifically told them to give me guinefsine (sp?) and nothing that was sudafed. So until yesterday I had been taking something I thought was what I had asked for. I went back yesterday because I was worse, and said I've had sinus surgery, please just give me guinefsine.  He said, well we usually give you sudafed and guinefsine together in one pill. WTF!?!?!!? One dries you up and the other makes it looser, can you say CANCEL EACH OTHER OUT!?!?!?

So I explained once again I could not have sudafed, and he gave me some straight guinefsine (I think). i woke up tonight with a horrible headache and don't have great balance, so I think I'm still pretty plugged up.

Everyone is walking around here like zombies.

I also found out why the food here is so crappy. Every 2 months, KBR gets a shipment of frozen food stuff. I was wondering where they did all their cooking, so I 'accidentally' wandered into the 'kitchen' yesterday. There are 3 big microwave looking things and freezers. One of the 'cooks' admitted to me, everything comes over in a frozen pan and they just pop it in. NO WONDER ALL OF IT SUCKS SO BAD!!!!

I had Anthrax when I came out here to Afghanistan. Didn't want it, but was told I had to take it or would face UCMJ action.....read below.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- A federal judge Wednesday barred the U.S. military from forcing troops to be vaccinated for anthrax without either getting their informed consent or obtaining a special order from President Bush.

About 1 million troops have already been given the shots in the six-year-old program and many who refused have faced punishment, including being thrown out of the military.

U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan set aside a final rule and order by the Food and Drug Administration that late last year declared the anthrax vaccine safe and effective to protect troops against inhaled exposure of the deadly bacteria. (Full story)

"By refusing to give the American public an opportunity to submit meaningful comments on the anthrax vaccine's classification, the agency violated the Administrative Procedures Act," he ruled in a 41-page decision.

Defense officials have said about 1 million troops have been given the shots under the anthrax vaccination program. Some have reported inflammation in the area of the vaccination. Others have reported extreme fatigue, joint pain and temporary memory loss.

Worried about possible dangerous side effects, hundreds of U.S. service members have refused the vaccinations and many have been punished, including being discharged.

Sullivan told the Food and Drug Administration to reconsider the issue after an appropriate public comment period. In the meantime, he barred the military from continuing the compulsory vaccinations.

"Congress has prohibited the administration of investigational drugs to service members without their consent. This court will not permit the government to circumvent this requirement," he wrote.

"The men and women of our armed forces deserve the assurance that the vaccines our government compels them to take into their bodies has been tested by the greatest scrutiny of all -- public scrutiny," Sullivan said.

The ruling came in a lawsuit brought by six unidentified troops and civilian workers for the Department of Defense who challenged the military's policy.

Mark Zaid, a lawyer for the six plaintiffs, hailed the ruling. "We're ecstatic. This confirms that we've been stating for six years now -- that the program was illegal and ill-conceived from day one."

The Defense Department said it remained convinced that the vaccine is safe but would stop giving anthrax vaccinations until the legal situation was clarified.

Anthrax is considered the No. 1 biological weapon threat. It can be transmitted in three ways -- through inhalation of the spores, into a cut in the skin, or by eating contaminated meat.

Inhaled anthrax is by far the deadliest form. In 2001, five Americans died from anthrax inhaled from contaminated mail.

The Justice Department is reviewing the ruling, a spokesman said.

Well we just found out that AIS, my company sold. Tim says they still have to honor my position when I get back, but we'll see how that goes over!!!

Anyone who has more info, let me know, for instance, is Wade leaving? Metscher? What is the name of the company that bought AIS? Are yall gonna look for jobs?

Hugs it'll all work out

A simple friend identifies himself when he calls. A real friend doesn't have to.

A simple friend opens a conversation with a full news bulletin on his life.

A real friend says, "What's new with you?"

A simple friend thinks the problems you whine about are recent.

A real friend says, "You've been whining about the same thing for 14 years. Get off your duff and do something about it."

A simple friend has never seen you cry. A real friend has shoulders soggy from your tears.

A simple friend hates it when you call after he has gone to bed. A real friend asks you why you took so long to call.

A simple friend seeks to talk with you about your problems. A real friend seeks to help you with your problems.

A simple friend, when visiting, acts like a guest. A real friend opens your refrigerator and helps himself.

A simple friend thinks the friendship is over when you have an argument.

A real friend knows that it's not a friendship until after you've had a fight.

A simple friend expects you to always be there for them. A real friend expects to always be there for you!

Which one are you?

     Ramadan is the ninth month in the Muslim Calender. It is during this month that Muslims fast. It is called the Fast of Ramadan and lasts the entire month. Ramadan is a time when Muslims concentrate on their faith and spend less time on the concerns of their everyday lives. It is a time of worship and contemplation.

     During the Fast of Ramadan strict restraints are placed on the daily lives of Muslims. They are not allowed to eat or drink during the daylight hours. Smoking and sexual relations are also forbidden during fasting. At the end of the day the fast is broken with prayer and a meal called the iftar. In the evening following the iftar it is customary for Muslims to go out visiting family and friends. The fast is resumed the next morning.

     This is also the time that anti-american, anti-coalition people decide to work on their 'holy jihad' and start blowing things up.  Things were quiet here the first few days of Ramadan, but now they've picked up. We had a drive by shooting at one of our checkpoints the other day, and yesterday a man that was either Chechen or Arab (hard to tell by what's left of the body parts) went to the bazaar down the street and blew himself up with 5 hand grenades. Over in Iraq, Timmay was lucky to be in the Palace on shift talking to me over chat, when a rocket impacted 100 ft from his trailer.  His roommate is ok.

     I must admit, it makes no sense on the surface that people would choose this time to conduct these attacks. But if you look at the twisted beliefs of these fanatics, you'll see that they don't believe the REAL muslim faith, they have a twisted version.

It's gotten cold here. There is snow in the mountains, and it should start snowing here in the next couple weeks. Hopefully that doesn't cause any issue for me coming home on leave.

I'm very tired lately.  I'm sleeping better now, but I have no energy, no drive. I haven't gone to the gym in a week and a half, although I'm making myself go this morning.  Any suggestions on motivation?

I guess I've hit a depressed, homesick phase. I've been here almost 5 months and i'm starting to lose it.  Seeing the same people everyday all day that I don't really care for, because all my friends have left or are leaving, and I keep remembering I'm not even half done yet!

A year is too long.

I had a change of pace yesterday. After my shift they needed another person to take Eddie (Amanda's Fiance) to the airport. So I got to go on a Toad's Wild Ride for an hour up there, puke once I got there, and then I had fun! I got an hour long full body massage, went shopping at the North Face store for some warm clothes and shopped at Afghanistan's largest Post Exchange.  Then another Wild Toad's drive back, and off to bed!

Today I met our new NCOIC for the first time. He's active duty army, seems ok, very stand offish tho. Might be a new person thing, before he relaxes around us.

I have to go to the gym today, although I REALLY don't want to lol. But I'll make myself cuz I still have more weight to lose.  keep motivating me!!!

We finally got the 19 folks in that were supposed to be here in MARCH.  Well needless to say, we're not impressed. They just got here, and are already whining about 'this place sucks, how could anyone live here'. Now it isn't the Hilton, but we've made it the most comfortable as we can.  Most of these people are Air Force and Navy, so they're used to nicer conditions, but they're just gonna have to deal!!! They've come into the houses acting like they own the place and they're just gonna reorganize without talking to anyone who's lived here for a while.  Luckily, there's no females in this group, so I don't have to deal with it. I feel bad for the guys tho. 

Night shift is going pretty well. T.O. hasn't yelled at us for 3 days now, a record! Of course we all think he's behaving himself because the new folks are here, but we'll see.

I've been having more and more dreams about coming home on leave, I'm so excited! I get to see my friends and family, Timmay and all my pets!!!! I can't wait!!!!

It was a texas day here, it hailed while I was sleeping and has been raining since. It's good because this place is a barren wasteland and needs water just to keep the air clean.

Well I finally got the computer to cooperate so I've included some pics of my promotion.  The SGM is the Command SGM of the compound, and she gave me an NCO handbook with an inscription from her, as well as a coin! The two people pinning me are SSG Gray, my close friend and roomate and the other is T.O. or Tyrannical Overlord MAJ Dillman my boss.  The yeller. LOL, but you'll hear more about him later.

I'm on night shift now, so I'm trying to get used to that, but it's ok, I get to talk to Timmay during my shift on messenger, so it makes the time go by faster. Enjoy the pics!

Well I am officially an E5.  It's odd how some people act differently when you're promoted to an NCO.  Most people have been great, people I don't even know are congratulating me on my promotion, even some of the local nationals like the laundry guy.  Then there's people like Alcorn who are being total asses because he's upset I got promoted and he didn't. ALTHOUGH he had SGT and got it taken away, which is no one's fault but his own.

For the most part things haven't changed for me, except I keep saying SPC Morrison when I answer the phone and have to correct myself LOL.  I get a lil more money which is nice as well.

I got promoted by the Command Sargent Major, and I got pinned, got an NCO Handbook with a letter from her handwritten in it, as well as a coin for the work I've done. It was a very nice ceremony.

I will post photos tomorrow as long as tblog cooperates!!!

Well it's Friday here, which means civilian clothes day on th compound.  I decided to once again attempt to fit comfortably into the size 12 pants I bought from Old Navy, although this time THEY FIT!  I would like to be a 10, but this is a huge goal for me! Going from a size 16 (gag) to a 12 in 4 months, I'm so happy!!!

I got my promotion orders, so I'm just waiting to get pinned, so soon yall will have to start calling me SGT!!!

We had a rocket attack last night, One hit right next to our compound. I was sleeping and then BOOM! I sat up in bed, 'what the F&*$ was that???' then sat out in the cold for an hour and a half to get accountability and decide it was 'safe' to go back to sleep. I'm gonna be one tired chica at the end of these elections! Should a be a wild night tonight, keep your fingers crossed.

The B$&ch Christian Amenpur or however the hell you spell it is here.  None of us can stand her, and she is SOOO FULL OF HERSELF!!

Well after 4 hours of sitting and waiting and then trying to sleep on old wooden chairs in the conference room, they finally let us go back to bed.

EOD didn't show up for AN HOUR, then they realized, 'oh crap! the robot isn't charged!' which took another hour, then they had to decide what the hell to do with the thing.

Turns out it was a HUGE pipe bomb attached to a vehicle.  I really don't think it was intended to go off. I think it was an effort for them to see how we reacted... Just my opinion tho.

For those of you who are trying to get info on stuff going on here, you won't here about most of it, except for from me.  We're still not high on the news priority list so we don't get a lot of coverage.  Several people died today, not just soldiers, but politicians, scholars, ordinary folks.  Last nights events jolts you back to reality real quick. Love you all.

Well it's 10 pm here, and I should be asleep. But I'm not.

I'm here at work, in my pajamas because the assholes decided to put an IED on a bus next to my safehouse, nice eh?

Don't worry we're all ok, luckily someone saw it, and the dogs sniffed and went off.

I'm gonna be REALLY PISSED if all my stuff is blown up!!!

So far so good the ACMs (Anti Coalition Militia) or bad guys haven't really done anything more than the usual.

One of our Canadian guys working here clipped a taxi out on the road yesterday, got out, notice both had minor damage and drove off (that's what you do here if both vehicles have minor damage).  The taxi driver chased him and eventually cut him off.  He was surrounded by about 15 angry people, including local police, and they starting ripping apart his vehicle.  Just as they were tearing off his bumper and locked and loaded his weapon and said MOVE and pointed the gun at the taxi driver... they listened. A weapon in their face is the only thing that works!  The canadian is ok, but he had to put his bumper in the back lol.

Ok this is my daily routine.  I wake up and hold the alarm in my hand so I can lay there for 4 minutes until it goes off again.  Then I finally decide ARGH the sooner I get up the sooner this day is over with, and get up.  I stagger over to the water bottle box and grab a bottle of UAE water and grab my towel and to go the bathroom.  Once there, I brush my teeth with a bottle of water and rinse my hair.  Then I proceed to get dressed in my uniform, and put a little eye makeup on.  I pack up my backpack and laundry if it happens to be that day. Then I put on my flack jacket, weighing about 15 lbs w/ the plates and then my backpack (another 10) then my weapon (com'n I know some of yall know how much that weighs) then I grab my laundry bag, put on my headgear and go outside. Now, the sun has been up since 530, but it's not bright enough to need sunglasses, how odd?  I'll tell you why

Recently it's cooled off here in Kabul, so at night the locals burn TIRES to stay warm.  Which fills the air with a haze so thick you choke on it. Now this added with the 25% fecal material in the air, doesn't make for a pleasant walk 2 miles to work in your gear at 6000 ft. where the air is thin already.  Once I get to work and take off all my gear I go blow my nose.  Guess what comes out???

Nothing but black.