My work schedule has been changed again. I am now working 2pm-2am. So
its even CLOSER to home hours. The base has man-made lakes and ponds all
over the place. One of the sidewalks we walk on to work and chow is
along side one of the canals. Well today there were some guys sitting
and smoking and FEEDING these half ell half cat fish THINGS.....they
were about a foot long, slimy, black and swarming around the food that
they guys were dropping in the water. It was SO GROSS...there were about
30 of them...There are also coyotes on base too! I haven't see any yet,
but I was told they are afraid of us, so not to worry.

For those of you who don't know I cut my left index finger the day
before I left. Bad enough to have to get stitches. So Today was
"take-out-day". I just got back from Sick Call where they took them out
and I am not the proud owner of one Edward Scissor Hands scar!!

Gray Water VS. Black Water:

Apparently there is a difference here between Gray Water and Black
Water. First you are NOT allowed to drink any water that isn't from a
plastic bottle. Second, there are these big tanks around that either
have stenciled on the side "GRAY WATER" or "BLACK WATER". So yesterday I
asked the question...same one you are asking right now...what is the
difference...Gray Water is the RECYCLED shower water...once you shower,
the water goes into these tanks and they spray it on the sand to keep
the dust down....Black Water is toilet water...NOT recycled (THANK GOD!)

Well I tried to view my blog this morning and it is a blocked website
now at work. Weird because yesterday I made all kinds of changes to it
and now nothing. Grrrrr. Last night after work I went to the gym (as
schedule), showered and then got online with NO ISSUES!! At 0200 I was
able to conduct a conference call with Andy and Apryl and upload my
Nike+ miles, plus look at my email and change my blog around...so
apparently the wireless internet is good at 0200 in the morning. The
problem is that I'm mega tired now and I think I pissed off my roommate
since I was talking until 0300 this morning and she gets up at 0600. BUT
this is a two sided coin...sure she gets up at 0600 but she also leaves
her FLORESCENT light on WHILE she leaves and goes to the shower....plus
she slams the door. This is a daily thing, not just last night...Oh
yeah...keep in mind that I have a desk lamp near my bed that I use and I
don't have it on all the time when I am on the computer (why? The screen
gives off enough light). Plus unless I am talking QUIETLY (Apryl can
contest to that since she couldn't hear me because I was talking to
low). And keep in mind its not like our bed are RIGHT next to each
other. There is a WALL that separates us. So it's a big room cut in half
by a wall. SO when you walk in the door you either go left or right. But
when you are standing in the doorway you can see both sides. So when my
lights on she only sees it at the end of her room. That is the light
that is bouncing into her area. Its NOT directly on/in her room!

So I slept last night from 0330-0615. Then from 0700 (when she went to
work) to 1100. Not too bad. I am tired and I didn't go to chow yet. So
that is my plan here in a few minutes. Besides the cranky roommate, I
slept decently last night.

I went to the BX today...that is the base story for those non-military
people...and they had a plethora of fast food joints: Burger King, Taco
Bell, Cinnabun, Subway, Popeye's, even a Coffee place from Seattle. So I
got a Whopper meal from BK....it doesn't taste the same....must be
mystery meat...either way I will still have to run an extra mile or two
for the next week just to burn this off now! :)

This is the view from my trailer...yuo can see the palace at the end with the dome on top of it.

I am slowly getting into a routine...yesterday after work I had dinner,
went running (2.5 miles outside...felt SO GOOD), called my mom (my
sister was there too so I was able to talk to her then too), was on the
phone too long and got kicked off by the Phone Police, showered, went to
get online on the computer in my room...no good...and then went to bed
about 11pm. I slept so good. But I am afraid I was grinding my teeth
last night because my left temple is killing me today. (I brought my
retainers but forgot to put them in last night.) I woke up about 930.
Took my time getting up. Went to the gym and used the elliptical
trainer, showered, had lunch and went to work....now if ONLY I can
continue to keep this kind of schedule...

Work - Gym - Sleep - Gym - Work - Gym - Sleep...... With eating in
between...

Sleep was slim last night. A few hours here a few there. I get cold then
hot. I sleep with a hooded sweatshirt on and that still isn't good
sometimes. I'm going to pick up another blanket today, just because. I
woke up at 4am and played solitaire for an hour until my eyes hurt. I
couldn't get on the internet otherwise I would have emailed or
called...but until I get an internet line in my room, I am limited on
access. So with some grapefruit pieces for breakfast and some dry Apple
Jacks I am set, now for some coffee.....

The HEAT:

 

Its been about 125 since I have been here. Now that is not all day, but at the peak times. But its a different heat then what it is in the States. For instance, it feels like the heat that comes from an AC unit. When you walk behind it and its blowing the hot air.

 

Or

 

The heat from an exhaust on a car.

 

There is ZERO humidity here...which is good for the hair sake. BUT its bad since it is dry as all hell! The dust has started to bother me. Its not as bad where I am, but it just hangs in the air.

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I now have the crud. Not ever 3 days here yet and I am feeling like
crap. I slept 13 hours last night and I freak'n feel like I need a nap.
I went to lunch and that didn't even help. Now its only 214 in the
afternoon and I have 4 hours until the next time to eat. AND I get to
stay here late tonight to meet some more people. I hope NyQuil will help
it. I bought some at the local 7-11 (for those non-military types that
is the ON BASE convenient store). Plus this morning when I was eating
breakfast I took a Tylenol Extra Strength. Maybe that is the issue...its
wearing of. Well on that note I think I will go see if I can get a nap
in ... JUST KIDDING!!

Well I AM HERE!!!

Here is my address:

 

Sarah Hostetler

MNF-I DCSINT C2SYS

Perfume Palace PC2

Camp Slayer IRAQ

APO AE 09342-1400

 

Internet is slim to none...and phone service is the same. But its safe here. and HOT!!! I will write more later when I have a few minutes....send mail soon! :)
 

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Fussy? Opinionated? Impossible to please? Perfect. Join Yahoo!'s user panel and lay it on us.

2 days and a wake up

I'm getting nervous and excited...I have 2 days and a wake-up till I leave. I'm at an Army base right now waiting to get my military ID so I can get on base when I get there...it's averaging 2 hours wait time to get an ID...phew I have been here for 1.5. Good thing they have a library!!

Promise yourself...

Promise yourself... To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind. To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every perosn you meet. To make all your friends feel that there is something special in them. To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true. To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and expect only the best. To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own. To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future. To wear a cheeful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smille. To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others. To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

Something to think about...

Someone will always be smarter. Their house will be bigger. They will drive a better car. Their children will do better in school. And their partners will fix more things around the house. So let it go and love you and your circumstances. Think about it... The prettiest woman in the world can have hell in her heart. And the most highly favored woman on your job may be unable to have children. The richest woman you know- she's got the car, the house, the clothes - might be heartbreakingly lonely. So, love you. Love who you are right now. Tell yourself, "I am too blessed to be stressed." "To the world you might be one person, but to one person you just might be the world."

New replacement Cheese

Here it is...for those of you who know about the 'cheese' I got a replacement one for when I leave. No use in bringing the real thing....