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.

This is where I work...

These are photos of the palace I work at. I FOUND these on the Internet. They were taken BEFORE any military was working in the building... Outside of the Perfume Palace View from where MY desk is This was a pool. It is now covered with a floor. (cool)

So I was in the chow hall getting a drink and WHO walks up to me and
gets a drink RIGHT NEXT TO ME....The GENERAL....

he Said "how are you adjusting"

I said, "Fine sir" (Smile)

he said, "Have you been working on the briefs?"

"Yes Sir"

"...because I have notice a significant change...and I like it..."

"thanks you Sir." giggle giggle giggle

~~~

A minute a go when I was writing this, he walked by my desk and said,
"HEY there's my Graphic Artist!"

I'm making waves....good waves... :)

Last night was Steak and Shrimp night....AGAIN....how often do you have
Steak and Shrimp ONCE A WEEK....(there were lobster tails last night
too)

I saw an Air Force guy today whose last name was Semann....Good thing he
didn't join the Navy...

Today was the first day I DROVE a car in 2 weeks! I got up early with a
few of my new friends and we headed to the BIG px at 0900 this morning.
So I got up early...to SHOP in IRAQ....(Typical woman I know). I got a
CinnaBon coffee and 2 gifts for my babies...(stuffed camels for Milo and
Gordo...LOL). Since I checked the truck out I GOT to drive us all
around. Didn't get out of 3rd gear once....hardly got out of 2nd.
Everything is a stick shift here too...all Toyota 4 door trucks or Ford
Explorers with the exception of a few CLEAN Beamers. (weird I know).

After the PX we went to the Hodgie Shops (where you get the bootleg
videos). So I picked up a copy of Transformers! A few other movies
(girly ones) that just came out too. One with Robin Williams "License to
Wed" or something like that. I also got a movie called "Uncle Saddam". I
was told it was a good resource on the background of Saddam and all the
palaces on the bases with all the history and 'reasoning' behind it all.
So I will let you know how it "really" is once I see it. All the movies
were $3 each. They had "Cuban cigars" there but I wouldn't trust
them....no idea what they put in that stuff. You can get ANY software
you want too. Some of the guys (GI's and Contractors) had LISTS of
software they wanted and were checking off what they were getting and/or
what they had. One of the guys who was with my group bought a copy of
Adobe Creative Suite 3 for $5....(good luck with that working!). Just
take a wild guess who G-R-E-A-T is smelt in there too!! Yeah...brought
TEARS to your eyes...limited AC in the building with just fans and a LOT
of people in 117 heat...not a good thing...

Care Package Ideas....

A few people have been asking for some care package ideas...these are ONLY Suggestions, not requirements (as of yet!!)

Care Package Ideas:

Lotion for extra dry skin: travel size is fine

Plastic bags (the ones from the grocery store are fine, they are free too. I brought some out here from Target that are pre-packaged. In the travel section there are 10 for $1., but the free ones or pre-used ones are fine too)

Magazines...(gossip, shopping, anything) these DO NOT have to be current or new...the library has free ones-FYI

Chap Stick

Foot Powder

No-More-Tangles (generic is great)

Shampoo and Conditioner (with moisturizer) - Travel size are fine

Oil-of-Olay Face Lotion (not picky, any will do)

Crystal Light On-The-Go any/all flavors........

Home Made Music CDs

I will add more to the list when I think of things....