Whitecaps at the resort today...no swimming or boating.

I went to chow this afternoon after walking 3 miles UNAWARE that it was
the first Sunday of the month which means...BRUNCH!! So when I asked for
a Chicken Breast...I got a Chicken OMELET....(interesting). But I ate it
none the less. (FYI for all you sour cream eaters (Midwesterners) the
sour cream is NOT normal here...pass on it if you have the chance). So
while I was waiting for my Omelet I got a glass of ice water (no lid).
When my food was ready I walked back to my room. It was breezy outside
but nothing too bad.

So riddle me this: Why did I have SAND in the bottom of my cup when I
for back to my room....? (Grrrrr)

I have been SICK as a DOG the past 20 hours. I went to the Airport to
meet my best friend JEN who was in 'town' for a quick minute. But
something I ate did NOT settle with me to well...so I apologize if I
have been out of the loop for a while. I have been drinking my water and
7-Up when I can. Otherwise it will be Jell-o for dinner tonight...too
bad since its Surf and Turf Friday!

NO INTERNET either.......OMG I am going to LOOSE MY MIND!!

I saw a guy fishing with Fruit Loops this morning.

So I woke up late today. By 30 minutes...time to get an alarm clock. So
I walked quick all the way to work in the heat. Just to get to the door
and find out that I FORGOT my building ID in my room...So I turned
around and walked faster back to my room, got the stupid ID and then
turned around again. HOT...HOT...HOT...and NO FREAK'N AC at work!! The
guy next to me as a thermometer and it says 94 in here....AND we are
having to start turning the fans off since it is going to OVER HEAT the
Generators...grrrr I can FEEL the sweat running down my back...so
gross!!

So lets see where did I leave off last...its HOT in here...the air is
out in the Building and WILL be for several days...so its feels like 200
Degrees in here.

I haven't been sleeping well because of the heat. And the heat is also
messing up the internet in my room. So I have been without a connection
for a few days. But a few shots of Nyquil always does the trick. :)

So this morning ... About 0900, I hear ALL KINDS OF RACKET!!! LOTS OF
IT....so I sat up in bed to find that I am receiving ANOTHER ROOMMATE!!
She is on the other side of the room...but STILL....now there are 3
people (possible 4) going to be sharing a tiny ass room...Its going to
be like Jr High Summer Camp..."Bunk Beds for Everyone!!"

A few days ago it was 130...today feels the same! The AC is out and WILL
be out for 4-5 days....OMG we are going to boil to death in here!

I have eaten at 3 other chow halls besides the usual one we go to. Not
exactly the most impressive places. BUT the Air Force on does have real,
hard silverware, plates and cups! Talk about Dining in STYLE!!

On my walk home last night I encountered an animal...at first I thought
it was a Fox, but I think it was a coyote. We both scared each other at
the crossing of 2 paths near the tailors. It made me think of the
cartoons when Whilly Coyote sees the end of the cliff and his eyes bug
out...that was what both of us did...but the "fox" back peddled and went
behind the tailors ONLY to come out the other side and scare me AGAIN!
So that made me WIDE AWAKE for my gym workout...

So yesterday the high was OVER 120 (that was what my thermometer that my
dad sent said) so when I went home at 0200 this morning it was 90
Degrees and MAX humidity!! OMG it was hard to breath! Today...same
thing. The high is supposed to be OVER 122....gross. I am sweating
through my clothes before I even get to work...THANK GOD for Deodorant!!
Although there are SOME PEOPLE here who have NOT discovered that concept
yet...

My Horoscope for today July 27, 2007:

"Before you commit yourself to any decision, you like to figure out the
exact cost. It's not just the dollar amount that matters, but the amount
of LIFE you must exchange for the thing in question."

I think this fits me really well. This was a HUGE factor in my coming
out here...how much LIFE will I have to exchange for the time I will be
here...

I'm going to melt! I left my trailer today and it was OVER 120 outside.
The thermometer STOPS at 120...so who knows how hot it is....and to add
to that FUN...they switched one of the generators in the building and
the AC didn't come back on...so it is a G-R-E-A-T day in Iraq
today...(grrrrr)

Today was the first time since I have been here that I have seen PUFFY
CLOUDS in the shy. It was almost odd that they were there, although they
didn't provide any shade...they were still in the air.

I received my first care package yesterday from my Dad and Sue! (MANY
THANKS to you two, again!!) In side was a thermometer which I put
outside my room...when I left at 1345 this afternoon it was 118 out side
an 18% Humidity!! GROSS!

Sock Monster

ALERT - ALERT - ALERT

There have been spottings of the infamous Sock Monster in Baghdad. He is armed and extremely dangerous. He has not only consumed ONE sock of at least one pair of socks in EACH laundry run, but in most instances REPLACED the missing sock with a completely different and odd sock that does not match. If you see the Sock Monster please report him to your nearest Laundry Depot!! Do not approach him, for he may try to take the socks you are wearing.

A friend of mine from high school just joined the Army this past
January. He is now stationed in DC at Arlington Cemetery. He is on the
team of soldiers that handle the caskets for the funerals. Eventually he
will be the solider that presents the folded flag to the mother, father,
wife or husband of the fallen solider.

The day before I left to come here, I was in DC getting my passport and
I walked through Arlington cemetery. I counted the number to burial site
that were preparing for funerals that day and lost count after 10. It
was very serene; humbling. It was a reminder of why I am here. I may not
be doing a job in Iraq that is on the frontlines, but I am here to help
where I can in support of the war fighter. It is my little contribution
to the situation we are in, as a country.

I think back on that day, nearly everyday, and think about the fallen
who have lost their life for each of us. I see convoys preparing for
their rounds and wonder if they will return at the end of the day.