kailisue

08:15 am: Next stop... Germany
Good morning, I fly out of Kuwait later today and I cannot wait. I had a difficult time getting to sleep last night. We are currently in temporary quarters (that is a tent with 8 bunk beds.. and yes 16 woman). I took the top rack thinking it would be cooler by the A/C vent... this would be true if it were not controlled by a thermostat. When it was off and I would wake up hot.. and shortly after the air would kick on and I would be cold... at 6am I decided I couldn't stand it any more and went to move and my back is killing me.. ohhhh how I long for my own bed...I have found being here just how fortunate I am to live in the part of the world that I do..with trees, clouds and rain... a comfy bed. Your choice of ethnic food....Chinese, Indian, Mexican... Ice... grass (how I am longing to feel the grass between my toes).

I am back to work on Tuesday for a short week. Yippee.. and a long weekend.

Love ya,

01:58 pm: Week 6 whhhhooooaa!
Believe it or not time has gone by rather quickly. Not sure why.. I feel I have counted every day and have not been that busy. But, grateful just the same. It is always difficult to leave when so many people are staying back. You try not to rub it in that… I’m leaving and weelllll your not but I will be thinking of them when I am barbequing and drinking my margarita.

I should be home by this weekend. However, looks like I will not be home for long. Cris and I are headed up to MA/NH for a much needed long weekend of R and R. Trust me when I say that I am ready for the rest of my summer. So, fire up the grill and get the blender ready.

I wanted to thank everyone for you support over the past couple of months. I am not sure how I could do what I do, without you.

I will see you soon and I will post the pictures I have when I get back. I don’t have the software here to read my digital card. Stupid technology.

I got my hair cut today… don’t expect much for a $5 military hair cut by a Russian in Iraq.

Happy Birthday Cris!!

10:57 am: News for the week…
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/more/specials/tour_de_france/2006/07/23/final.stage.ap/index.html

Floyd Landis wins the Tour de France, keeping cycling's most prestigious title in American hands for the eighth straight year.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/baseball/mlb/07/20/bc.bbo.damoncriesfoul.ap/index.html

GO GO RED SOX…


Let’s see… what’s new.. Beginning week 5.

It won’t be long now… and I am so looking forward enjoying the rest of my summer. When is the next concert after 8/6? Things here are the same not much to report from here. No, snakes or spiders. But, Cris has a mouse.. does that count for news? Kaili has to fight for her food. Although she is so laid back she would be more than happy to share.

Let’s take a look at those red sox dates and make a plan.

Ok, till later than… keep cool.

Happy Birthday Hadley!

05:17 am: week 4
I thought I posted this, the last time I was at the internet café… Café? I mean… it’s a room… poor lighting with 15 laptops in booths that were created on the fly. They are made of plywood, (similar to a voting booth with out the curtin and not as high) with white plastic patio chairs that are too short for the counter that the computer is on. Not the most comfortable position. Most of them have at least one letter missing and the others stick. But… they work.. to save my frustration I make my entry here at work and paste it later.

Beginning of week 4?? Could that be right?

That means I have 3 weeks left. Happy Monday to all… I was able to take a half day off yesterday. Didn’t do much, slept… staying busy and occupying my time. The critters are starting to come out. Some saw scorpions… no sign of fleas or the spiders… which is totally ok. The snakes I have no desire in bumping in to.

Since I typed this earlier in the week (mon)and just posting now (wed) I have to add…
That last night someone caught a camel spider…they brought it to me still alive in a ziploc bag. Big teeth (remided me of the rabit in ‘The Holy Grail’)! Than, someone (not to metion names) suggested to put it on a leashe… OMG, what was I thinking? When I went back again the thing had a piece of string tied around its body and the other end to a desk. I have no idea what happened to it in the last 12 hours but its not here and I imagine that it is really pissed off and gathering its other Iraqi friends and plotting their revenge… using the port-a-potty tonight maybe out of the question. (ask and I will forward you the picture. Some people may not wish to see it.) http://www.camelspiders.net/

Someone bought a microwave yesterday for the office, so now I can have microwave popcorn. That makes me happy, that and Coke Light (that is what they call it, I am not sure where it is bottled).

Did I mention that the galley has baskin robins 4 flovors? The galley is ok, not like home. Every Wednesday they do surf & turf. It is either lobster tails or king crab with steak and corn. Otherwise it really is not that bad. When I cant get to the galley I eat MRE’s, I am sure they have come a long way. Every 10th one or so you may get a bag of M&M’s. Not that I have found 2 bags.. but it is very rare. When you do it’s a bonus.

Peace

08:43 am: Just a note
Ok, a lot of you are from up north or living there now... what is the story with the big dig... the curse of the Bambino has transfered from the Red Sox to the tunnel.

I was thinking this trip is always an opportunity for a reality show. When we start out there is a lot of comaraderie and we are a 'unit of one'. After about a 3 weeks, the alliance start to form and people start to for small groups... peaple are funny.
We sent 3 kids home (discharged)this week. I say kids they are early 20's, they were inhaling freon out of a can... what were you thinking???? Of course I will not tell you what I was doing in my 20's, my mother comes here. ;)

06:00 am: A picture post for Sue
Ok, so here are the rest of the pictures that I promised to post!
Cris

05:02 am: update end of week 2...
Ok, I need to apologize for my last post… I only had 30 min and I was chatting with Cris and Paul, trying to load pictures from my e-mail to here… and the computer is slow… and well I just ran out of time. I am hoping the pics will be loaded soon.
The Bubble looking thing is the hanger with the Flag on top for the fourth. The white medal buildings are the ‘cans’ where we sleep. Although this is the officer’s side.. Ours are not as nice but the same and the last is a picture of the building where I work.

It is starting to feel like ground hog day.. Everyday is like the one before. Weekday, weekend, hot, dry and not a cloud in the sky….My day starts at 1600 and to work by 1700 and go to dinner/breakfast and dinner between 2300 and 0100 and a snack and try to be in bed by 0600, my roommate does not get up until 7. So, I read by flashlight and nap till 9 or so, have something to eat and read….. try and get to the gym and perhaps a nap to 1600 and do it all over again. There is lots of Gatorade, water and soda. Along with some snacks…cookies and muffins. I can get a lg iced coffee for $2 but it is on the other side of the base which is about a 15 min ride. I don’t get to get over there every night, but when I can the 24 hour coffee is on the list.

Did I mention that at work there is no running water… we have port-a-potties and you have an assortment of hand sanitizers to choose from.. there are wipes, gels, liquid, scented… when there is no moon it is extremely dark. I have 2 flashlights a min-mag and a small red one I wear with my dog-tags, which comes in handy on those trips to the head (Potty). However, I still managed to walk into a jersey barrier that surrounds our building. I was relieved to hear that I have not been the only one… nothing like walking full stride and being cut off at the waist… the bruises are almost gone.

It is definitely the desert… flat and desolate. However, I have yet to see the camel spiders, snakes or scorpions. There is a small Oasis on base they say Abraham had walked through this area and now it is the only place that has green trees and water (which is not sacred, it will give you a nasty virus if you should drink or bathe in it). Tomorrow we take a field trip and I will know more.

Any way things are good.. just counting the days…

Hope all is well,
Peace

06:18 pm: I have a day off.....
... Now what... This is a picture of the hanger on the 4th..

The other pictures are where I work and where I sleep. Not my block.. this is an upscaled nieghborhod.

It is not bad. My time on the computer is limited to 30 min and I am missing some keyes. I wanted to post these pics I will write again soon...




It seems I am out of time on the computer.. will write more later...

08:56 am: end of week 1
I am finding hard to believe it is Saturday morning... where is my morning walk in the park with a small dog.... and iced coffee...going to the market with Cris... never mind the fact it is already July! My family used to say that after the 4th of July summer is over. Oh, how I wish that were true. I expect July to be hotter than June.

My hours are 1700-0500, yes 5 to 5. Which is not too bad it keeps me out of the heat. I am staying busy and on my way to the PX for AA batteries for my camera. I tried to connect my camera card to the laptop at work, but the machine would not allow me to view anything on it. I need to try it here and see if it works.

It sounds like there will be a couple different cookouts here over the holiday. However, there will be no rum!

Have a iced cold beverage and a cheeseburger for me over the holiday. Thank you Lesley for spending time with Kaili.

Peace

09:53 am: Hi, I have not been able to get to a computer until today. I had to take the bus to the other side of the base to use the computer. Which seems like the norm.

I arrived early monday morning, it was about 5:30 when I finally got to bed. I was in Kuwait waiting for transport to Iraq. Kuwait is miserably HOT.... I can not imagine how the Marines/Army do it, with all of their armor. Thankfully for me I am in the Navy. My room is small, 2 twin beds and 2 small locker. It is impossible to keep up with the dust. It is every where!

The weather is HOT and DRY... I have been drinking at least 3 liters of water a day and had my first MRE yesterday...MMMmmmmm... not like home though.

I am trying to get into a routine.. but finding it difficult, since we can not seem to find a schedule that works. Our computers are still not the network, so there is not much I can do there.

I have to run, hope all is well there and you are drying out. I hear there has been a lot of rain.

Desert Sailor

09:34 am: one more flight...
I am almost there.... it is hot and waiting. The accomidations are not bad air conditioned tents with 16 women. Ok, it is not the holiday inn... but it is A/C!! which helps...

Drinking lots of water and need my sunglasses.

07:24 am: Hurry up and wait...
not sure if that is the same theory for all branches... but the Navy lives by it... weather it's medical.... or chow... so, now it is only appropriate to wait to go. Everything is done, issued, immunized and packed and re-packed. I think I made it with only 3 pairs of shoes, including my boots. Luckily there is no need for civilian clothes for the trip.

I will e-mail my address as soon as I have it and post once I have a chance to get to a computer.

Peace

07:08 am: Coofffeeee
Needing coffee at 7:08am and at work already!

For some reason I am not able to get ton my Comcast mail. I will post here as I know anything.

Medical and check-in today.....

11:40 am: Relaxing Saturday
Well, just about everything is done... I have gathered, made lists, checked lists, spent time with friends, ate and drank. Went and got my hair cut this morning, short... but it feels good and cool. Now I can relax a little and catch my breath and the reality of next week sets in.

It is warm today, 80 degrees at 11:45. Going to drink frozen drinks this afternoon.. Mmmmm

Other than sometime next week I do not know my schedule. But should be local for most of the week. I will e-mail my mailing address as soon as I have it.

This is a picture of my Brother and Sister when they were here a couple weeks ago.

Peace

09:39 am: Saturday morning...
Starting the weekend of fun and friends. A cook out this afternoon with friends, which there will be more kids than adults and one small dog. Than a concert in the park tomorrow with the neighborhood.

Still have to gather things to bring and send along. Not too motivated this morning, need to sew uniforms. Maybe a smoothie will help.
Looks like it is going to be hot today... mmmmmm need to get used to it. LOVE THE HEAT...

Write more later and post pics,

06:42 pm: 2 weeks....
Hello all and thanks for stopping in. I am just getting back from a few days up in NH, to visit family and be a witness at my Brothers wedding (will be posting pics soon). Flew back Saturday morning to drill in the afternoon. Now I'm wiped!
Started making lists.. what to bring, what to do before departing, what to buy.. people to see.

I have my address while I'm away and packages are more than welcome. E-mail me and I will send you the address.

Hope all is well,