Life on a big base is more like a daily life. Predictable and long...I feel like a lemming, but I have co-workers to share in this non-entity. We type and see patients in between our entries into Excel...if time permits. In the past, I cared about an expensive stethoscope- a tool for the trade. Now I only care that I have a great office chair and maybe a desk with drawers.
Our patients are different too. Gone are the guys who came in shot up, limbs missing, blood all over. Gone are the puking, tummy pains. Gone are the hacking up a lung patients. Now we have drug seekers. I never thought to see that in Afghanistan. They come in with....Ma'am, I have tooth pain that bothers me "sometimes." I ask when "sometimes" is, but get the "deer in the headlights" look. I gave a vaccination and a young chap actually asked if I would mind if he took a 500 count bottle of Motrin for his "sometime" pain. I grabbed it back and gave him directions to the nearest PX. Sometime, someone has validated this behavior by handing out pills like candy. Just like children, they cry... we pick them up...learned behavior... Well, there's a new sheriff in town...however briefly, and I will not be giving out our stash.
Speaking of drugs... we have nothing good. Come in for a kidney stone and we can mix you up some brew that will knock you on your a_s for a spell, but don't even think about coming in with a broken hip to be set. I have nothing to knock you out. Fortunately, that has only happened once and he was taken to a real Military hospital for help complete with 4 virile men to help hold him and set it. So don't bother to buddy up to the lab girl who will ask me if I have something for migraines. The answer is NO. You know the rules- sneak it from home.
Many bring lots of stuff from home. Psychiatric meds (definitely not allowed in a war zone). I couldn't get my Vitamins through Dubai. What orifice were these placed in to get through Xray? We will find out when you flip your cookies, (thank you for playing and home you go). Unfortunately, everyone brings something. I was sick with Gastroenteritis (more popularly known as Stomach flu) and was offered a pill for a cold and it would help me sleep and brighten my complexion. I replied that there was nothing wrong with my skin, thank you very much! WTH? Nice to offer the medic pills. I wonder if that requires reciprocation?
If you don't bring it from home, changes are that you may obtain it from the Bazaar. These are cute little local stores run by Afghani's set up in containers, (commonly seen on the back of semi trucks). Most of the medications are expired by 10 years and they've been rumored to poison the cartons of cigarettes, but at 4 bucks a pop- who cares! That's right...cigarettes are cheap, cheap here, so smoke 'em up! And if that won't kill you, you can also buy some hadji's pot that will send you into Cardiac Arrest. It happened just one time and the guys stopped buying it for a short time- go figure.
I love my patients, but it is approaching the end of my contract. I can hardly wait. I had decided not to return...then a higher up talked me into signing for another year- I figured WTH? I'll give it a shot. Then I was denied a second year contract by another higher up...more games- does anyone communicate? So I did the travel plans and sent them to the said boss for approval, ( certain they would sign and I would be home in a jiffy). But NO! I sit and wait, and wait and wait. How to say, I don't want to play with you anymore? I think I hear my Mommy calling me....
Good grief, if this keeps up my last blog will be a doozy!
Friday, September 7, 2012
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
A Memorable day
Today a memorable event marked this day. The laundry service that we must endure lost a pair of my pants. I only brought what I needed for one month and sent the rest home in anticipation of my End Of Contract. Slowly my supply is dwindling. I actually cried- at the end of my rope. They lost the last load I had brought in. I've heard that "laundry never loses any of my clothes", more times than I can count. How do I respond? Maybe, they only lose mine because I'm a "B". Or, I must have wronged them to lose my laundry. I will immediately go and apologize...wth? They came out with bags of homeless laundry waiting for a home... and who did that belong to?
Plus I'm touchy because I can't sleep.. snoring neighbor and all- Me! The one who slept through a mortar attack. That's how loud SHE snores. And she changes up her rhythm. Just when I think I can pretend it's a symphony, she goes into marching band mode, then she's doing a rap, then she's doing a backfiring bus- wth??? I can sleep through a Chinook hovering over my tent, but it gets a little tricky when she stops breathing in all this mess. (She's also suffering for a cold). I asked in the morning, (when she wakes me slamming the door returning from showering and flicks on the overhead light), if she was aware that she stops breathing in her sleep or if there was something that I could do for her such as buying her nose strips? She suggested that I switch beds across the room...as if that would help. I wonder how the people next door sleep with all that racket.
Then I was told that scrub tops are not appropriate wear after one year of wearing them. OK- I only have 3, but it makes you feel like more of a person with choices other than bright blue & fire engine red. Those really makes you a target for the bad guys. I got approval before signing my contract to wear scrubs...never knowing how much I would need the difference...and I've worn them on every FOB and now "No". Seems like I'm being targeted...It's OK for everyone else to wear blue jeans, collegiate T's, rapper shirts, anywhere fire shirts, gym shoes, crocs...go figure.
And lets not forget shower time...There are 20 girls to one shower here. I have tried many different times to find one free and without a substantial wait. I had to laugh after walking a dusty block to another shower to find....drum roll please...6 showers, but only one in service. heehaws! I feel bad for the girl that was assaulted as she used a shower in no man's land, isolated from the masses. Who would willingly go and leave themselves so isolated and exposed? Me! That's who...and my neighbor would want it too if I have to wait another day. Oh- who cares what she wants!
The cherry of my day came when I waltzed into work and found the boss from KAF here. It doesn't get any better than that. She joked that if I needed her to whop some laundry a_s...? Well at least it was constructive and more in the neighborhood of responding to my needs. Much better than the usual punishment for opening my mouth and emitting a sound.
But life on a big base can be an adventure and I have 8 bus schedules and plans for a trip around the base in my near future. Stay tuned! Happy Labor's Day...another non-memorable day here in Afghanistan.
Plus I'm touchy because I can't sleep.. snoring neighbor and all- Me! The one who slept through a mortar attack. That's how loud SHE snores. And she changes up her rhythm. Just when I think I can pretend it's a symphony, she goes into marching band mode, then she's doing a rap, then she's doing a backfiring bus- wth??? I can sleep through a Chinook hovering over my tent, but it gets a little tricky when she stops breathing in all this mess. (She's also suffering for a cold). I asked in the morning, (when she wakes me slamming the door returning from showering and flicks on the overhead light), if she was aware that she stops breathing in her sleep or if there was something that I could do for her such as buying her nose strips? She suggested that I switch beds across the room...as if that would help. I wonder how the people next door sleep with all that racket.
Then I was told that scrub tops are not appropriate wear after one year of wearing them. OK- I only have 3, but it makes you feel like more of a person with choices other than bright blue & fire engine red. Those really makes you a target for the bad guys. I got approval before signing my contract to wear scrubs...never knowing how much I would need the difference...and I've worn them on every FOB and now "No". Seems like I'm being targeted...It's OK for everyone else to wear blue jeans, collegiate T's, rapper shirts, anywhere fire shirts, gym shoes, crocs...go figure.
And lets not forget shower time...There are 20 girls to one shower here. I have tried many different times to find one free and without a substantial wait. I had to laugh after walking a dusty block to another shower to find....drum roll please...6 showers, but only one in service. heehaws! I feel bad for the girl that was assaulted as she used a shower in no man's land, isolated from the masses. Who would willingly go and leave themselves so isolated and exposed? Me! That's who...and my neighbor would want it too if I have to wait another day. Oh- who cares what she wants!
The cherry of my day came when I waltzed into work and found the boss from KAF here. It doesn't get any better than that. She joked that if I needed her to whop some laundry a_s...? Well at least it was constructive and more in the neighborhood of responding to my needs. Much better than the usual punishment for opening my mouth and emitting a sound.
But life on a big base can be an adventure and I have 8 bus schedules and plans for a trip around the base in my near future. Stay tuned! Happy Labor's Day...another non-memorable day here in Afghanistan.
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Afghanistan- Why am I here?
Afghanistan…why am I here? This was my choice to come and work for a lot of pay…But what you don’t know is all the work I put in. Sometimes 24/7. And the tasks that I’m made to do. Tote the barge, lift that bale- you do what needs to be done, sometimes without thinking and usually
outside of my job description. Other times I squawk. Who cares…it still has to
get done. So, I do it.
Every day is Ground Hog day, one day is just like tomorrow & yesterday. Which leads me to the being here part? Contractors support the troops. We do the emptying & cleaning of the toilets, cooking meals and feeding & cleaning up the mess halls, pest control, firefighting, and laundry, simple and emergency medical care, among other things. This frees the soldier to fight and do their military thing. Without contractors, the military would need many more young and able bodied men and women to do the daily mundane tasks needed for life. Remember the draft?? Not needed thanks to contractors.
Afghanistan, why don’t we get out of the war on terror here? There are approximately 33 conflicts & wars that the United States has current involvement in. Why don’t we stop participating all together? Why don’t we live locked in and worried about when and where the next bomb will come in like many other countries do. Go back to dreamland! If we are not the power force, we will be the victims. It’s an easy concept to want peace, but realistically there are bullies who will not play by your rules- EVER!
We miss out on holidays, births, deaths, birthdays, parties, family, friends, dependable communication and medical care, new clothes, running water, bathrooms without disturbing bugs to watch out for, beaches and swimming, concerts, entertainment (No, the USO and big name entertainers really do not come here), pets, time to develop companionship and relationships, music, TV…too many things.
I am here because I love my country. I’m here to support my country, to stand by every soldier, to fight with them by taking care of them. I have seen the local people scared & afraid, cold & hungry, but I have also seen them smile as we work side by side together with a common goal. Have you? We serve without thanks or medals or glory. No one even counts contractor
death, (we are such peons), and more of us have been killed, as shown in the latest tallies, than soldiers. They shoot at us, torture us and kill us and even drag our dead bodies through town – we are not immune. No walls or monuments will be erected in our honor. Americans are here with one common goal. We love and support each other and stand for an idea- FREEDOM & LIBERTY. That’s what we do!
You may now be excused to move to France...
Saturday, August 25, 2012
On Leaving
I'm gone from Lagman, the base that I have always thought of my home away from home. It was a sad departure...saying good-bye to all of my friends. Plus others came from surrounding bases to say good-bye...simply unheard of. I have met some incredible people here. But leaving, I have done many times... 16 bases in a year and that's not counting the many times I went to KAF for "counseling" or my repeat visits to some of the Fob's. I was a FOB hopper. Designated that by a supervisor's wish that I was too old to travel and it would force me to quit. Instead I loved it. Seeing Afghanistan in ways that others could only imagine.
I've actually experienced the war as sort of a soldier minus a weapon...It's all in the adventure and I thank the Lord that I survived it. Survival 101...Someone should teach that to the contractors. It's a disservice to sent them out to a war zone unaware of the many, many things to watch out for. Example: Prior to one of the ground attacks and at night fall, I witnessed the Taliban signaling to each other mountain to mountain. How was I to know it was a signal. I simply thought it was diamonds flickering in the sun set. Example 2: Be nice to people. I have seen many of our medics act rudely to the locals or fear them. Let me tell you a secret. It's harder to kill that someone that is nice to you and super easy to blow away the a_ _ holes. Plus, if you're a women, you really don't mean much to them except for sex and that's where my trustee blade came in handy.
I had bought a very nice knife. I was determined never to be unarmed and afraid again. I knew that I may never get close to use it, or that I may be shot while whittling away at my opponent, but it still gave me peace of mind. On my arrival at the big base, I was disarmed. The Brits were very nice as a tear slid down my face and said," Mame you will be very safe here." I said, yeah, yeah...that's what they all say. So I have a nice souvenir that I may recover on my way home.
Speaking of home...I have decided that I have seen way too much of Afghanistan. I love the country and the people. I have even grown to love the prayers and even have my favorites. I very much appreciate the hospitality that I've been shown by the lunches and teas that I've been invited to and attended. I love the outfit that was hand made for my grandson and I will never forget the Afghan people that I've adored and that called me sir with respect. I even loved my job, minus the management and secretarial work. But the war... I have been threatened, detained and nearly kidnapped by the ANA, been face to face with the Taliban and even spotted them (because I know everybody- wink!), suffered countless missile attacks, and 3 ground attacks- horrible events that are now a distant dream. One: that I was pulled away from for stress debriefing...a poor joke thought up by management - not funny for those who suffered through it. I can take all of the horrors of war and the unbelievably unlivable conditions, the extreme weather and choking on the dust 24/7, drinking 10 bottles of water a day and peeing all night in filthy porta potty's, bug bites, mice, rats, snakes, goats that are rigged with bombs sewn in their anus that blow up before my eyes, feeling my way in the dark and trusting my instinct when it's time to drop. Friends that are kidnapped tortured and killed, all the soldiers lost and the prayers we send to their families, no workable equipment, no office supplies, making do with cardboard for warmth because that's all I could find...It's been an incredible year!
I can do all that and more. I can not handle one more idiot, degrading, harassing decision by this company's higher ups. Or accusations of insubordination when nothing substantial comes to mind. No longer will I be recalled to KAF for "counseling" or "debriefing " to boost some idiots ego. It's beyond me why people are placed in positions without basic business knowledge or training for the position. Plus they were poor practitioners in their chosen careers, with the worse people skills imaginable. Heads up...there is kissing ass and there is genuine nice- they do not know the difference so neither works. Or to under utilize or ignore prime candidates when it would have benefited them to maximize their talents. Instead they move on and there's nothing but a poor shell left over. I consider it a supreme accomplishment that I could stay nice, function at 100%, be productive and even grow under such adverse conditions and under such a hostile workplace. But, I did it and I'm coming home!!!!
I've actually experienced the war as sort of a soldier minus a weapon...It's all in the adventure and I thank the Lord that I survived it. Survival 101...Someone should teach that to the contractors. It's a disservice to sent them out to a war zone unaware of the many, many things to watch out for. Example: Prior to one of the ground attacks and at night fall, I witnessed the Taliban signaling to each other mountain to mountain. How was I to know it was a signal. I simply thought it was diamonds flickering in the sun set. Example 2: Be nice to people. I have seen many of our medics act rudely to the locals or fear them. Let me tell you a secret. It's harder to kill that someone that is nice to you and super easy to blow away the a_ _ holes. Plus, if you're a women, you really don't mean much to them except for sex and that's where my trustee blade came in handy.
I had bought a very nice knife. I was determined never to be unarmed and afraid again. I knew that I may never get close to use it, or that I may be shot while whittling away at my opponent, but it still gave me peace of mind. On my arrival at the big base, I was disarmed. The Brits were very nice as a tear slid down my face and said," Mame you will be very safe here." I said, yeah, yeah...that's what they all say. So I have a nice souvenir that I may recover on my way home.
Speaking of home...I have decided that I have seen way too much of Afghanistan. I love the country and the people. I have even grown to love the prayers and even have my favorites. I very much appreciate the hospitality that I've been shown by the lunches and teas that I've been invited to and attended. I love the outfit that was hand made for my grandson and I will never forget the Afghan people that I've adored and that called me sir with respect. I even loved my job, minus the management and secretarial work. But the war... I have been threatened, detained and nearly kidnapped by the ANA, been face to face with the Taliban and even spotted them (because I know everybody- wink!), suffered countless missile attacks, and 3 ground attacks- horrible events that are now a distant dream. One: that I was pulled away from for stress debriefing...a poor joke thought up by management - not funny for those who suffered through it. I can take all of the horrors of war and the unbelievably unlivable conditions, the extreme weather and choking on the dust 24/7, drinking 10 bottles of water a day and peeing all night in filthy porta potty's, bug bites, mice, rats, snakes, goats that are rigged with bombs sewn in their anus that blow up before my eyes, feeling my way in the dark and trusting my instinct when it's time to drop. Friends that are kidnapped tortured and killed, all the soldiers lost and the prayers we send to their families, no workable equipment, no office supplies, making do with cardboard for warmth because that's all I could find...It's been an incredible year!
I can do all that and more. I can not handle one more idiot, degrading, harassing decision by this company's higher ups. Or accusations of insubordination when nothing substantial comes to mind. No longer will I be recalled to KAF for "counseling" or "debriefing " to boost some idiots ego. It's beyond me why people are placed in positions without basic business knowledge or training for the position. Plus they were poor practitioners in their chosen careers, with the worse people skills imaginable. Heads up...there is kissing ass and there is genuine nice- they do not know the difference so neither works. Or to under utilize or ignore prime candidates when it would have benefited them to maximize their talents. Instead they move on and there's nothing but a poor shell left over. I consider it a supreme accomplishment that I could stay nice, function at 100%, be productive and even grow under such adverse conditions and under such a hostile workplace. But, I did it and I'm coming home!!!!
Saturday, August 18, 2012
What an idiot!
Some days are lemons and some days are lemonade. Idiots are usually involved...
Today, my new partners are sneaking around each others back, manipulating and trying to use me to do their dirty work. I'm not a stupid girl. I am from the Big "D", but I'm also the friendly girl from Michigan. I knew full well what was going on, but in the interest of peace, I tried to use their manipulations to build peace. I gave each a chance to have their say about the other, then tried to work everything out to the best of my ability and as a compromise to all. Well... The female used tears in public to build her case. What an idiot! Now we all know that I can be a baby at times, but this was not one of them. I really wanted to say "man up". If you want Joe Blow to do this or that, you go talk to him and stop complaining to me! Oh, as a matter of fact, I did say that, (imagine that!), she needed to talk to the people involved and leave me out of it. I have no problem saying what's on my mind.
Joe, in the meantime snuck over to the bid guy with lies and deceit that will be laughed about for days to come. Then, he turned around and gave me a peon ass chewing and the "I'm the boss" rhetoric for what for the problems that the other idiot caused. It cracked me up that he thought it was my doing. Ha! Ha! Ha! I got the blame...for what??? oh well... It's all lemonade. Funny thing is, the big bosses don't upset me. Why would an idiot like him cause me fear? Plus, he tried to set down the law after working hours. What an idiot.
Lies, Lies, Lies...you cause your own lemons. And it's even worse when you are caught over and over again. Some people talk to you. Others talk "at" you or rather down to you. And the same "other" won't stop talking and demeaning people. Caught on camera at lunch... I had to put a stop to it. It's not nice when one puts others down in a superior fashion to belittle the other. Even worse when you're an idiot. I simply punched holes his made up fact/theory- so there. Has he never heard that contracting is a very small world. Everyone will remember what an idiot you were. This is a big problem when you are a superior of sorts. Worse when you're an idiot... and was placed in that position and without contract experience or even experience in his chosen field. Sure, make the customer upset. Go ahead and cause problems at every turn. The whole community is rip roarin' upset and hopping mad. I will sit back and watch the show, very careful to stay out of the drama now and in the future.
Plus we have a little issue of where we will all bed down for the night. Why on earth does he want to sleep with me? I'm a little apprehensive about this whole scene. I am an old lady bub! I can't say "No" loud enough. All big contract bosses were involved in his move out, yet here he sits refusing to move. Why insist on sleeping in my area. Can we all say WTH? What an idiot! I'm suppose to call somebody if he's not gone by lights out, but where does this all end? Plus, it looks bad and I can't have that. These were my Fobbets and there's never been trouble before. Everyone doesn't get along every time, but do we really need to air our dirty laundry? Some people have no class or they're idiots.
I can say that at least everybody still likes me...except the head Cruella, but that another story...let's forget it. All I can say that I am an idiot for even trying to help and keep things quiet. I thought he was an OK guy and OK girl...what did I encourage- what was I thinking? You deserve a break today? Good grief... yuk! Contract world is not always fun and games.
On the plus side...6 more weeks until end of contract!
Today, my new partners are sneaking around each others back, manipulating and trying to use me to do their dirty work. I'm not a stupid girl. I am from the Big "D", but I'm also the friendly girl from Michigan. I knew full well what was going on, but in the interest of peace, I tried to use their manipulations to build peace. I gave each a chance to have their say about the other, then tried to work everything out to the best of my ability and as a compromise to all. Well... The female used tears in public to build her case. What an idiot! Now we all know that I can be a baby at times, but this was not one of them. I really wanted to say "man up". If you want Joe Blow to do this or that, you go talk to him and stop complaining to me! Oh, as a matter of fact, I did say that, (imagine that!), she needed to talk to the people involved and leave me out of it. I have no problem saying what's on my mind.
Joe, in the meantime snuck over to the bid guy with lies and deceit that will be laughed about for days to come. Then, he turned around and gave me a peon ass chewing and the "I'm the boss" rhetoric for what for the problems that the other idiot caused. It cracked me up that he thought it was my doing. Ha! Ha! Ha! I got the blame...for what??? oh well... It's all lemonade. Funny thing is, the big bosses don't upset me. Why would an idiot like him cause me fear? Plus, he tried to set down the law after working hours. What an idiot.
Lies, Lies, Lies...you cause your own lemons. And it's even worse when you are caught over and over again. Some people talk to you. Others talk "at" you or rather down to you. And the same "other" won't stop talking and demeaning people. Caught on camera at lunch... I had to put a stop to it. It's not nice when one puts others down in a superior fashion to belittle the other. Even worse when you're an idiot. I simply punched holes his made up fact/theory- so there. Has he never heard that contracting is a very small world. Everyone will remember what an idiot you were. This is a big problem when you are a superior of sorts. Worse when you're an idiot... and was placed in that position and without contract experience or even experience in his chosen field. Sure, make the customer upset. Go ahead and cause problems at every turn. The whole community is rip roarin' upset and hopping mad. I will sit back and watch the show, very careful to stay out of the drama now and in the future.
Plus we have a little issue of where we will all bed down for the night. Why on earth does he want to sleep with me? I'm a little apprehensive about this whole scene. I am an old lady bub! I can't say "No" loud enough. All big contract bosses were involved in his move out, yet here he sits refusing to move. Why insist on sleeping in my area. Can we all say WTH? What an idiot! I'm suppose to call somebody if he's not gone by lights out, but where does this all end? Plus, it looks bad and I can't have that. These were my Fobbets and there's never been trouble before. Everyone doesn't get along every time, but do we really need to air our dirty laundry? Some people have no class or they're idiots.
I can say that at least everybody still likes me...except the head Cruella, but that another story...let's forget it. All I can say that I am an idiot for even trying to help and keep things quiet. I thought he was an OK guy and OK girl...what did I encourage- what was I thinking? You deserve a break today? Good grief... yuk! Contract world is not always fun and games.
On the plus side...6 more weeks until end of contract!
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Whiners and Rants
When you're a contractor working in a foreign country, it is impossible to come home without the tug to stay. I hate to say it, but there you fight for your life daily...we live in a war zone after all. There is so many distractions at home. Things that need your immediate care and concern as it was before you left. Once back in the sandbox, it's easier to deal with things. Throw some money at the problem and go back to the day in, day out hum drum that is work, eat, sleep and sometimes run and hide.
I'm on R&R. If I hear one more person question why we're in Afghanistan i may scream. I am a patriot, so here's my rant: I'm in a country that was left in ruins by a war 20 years ago. All the rich and educated left leaving a generation of poor and illiterate to fend for themselves. Enter the saviors called by me "the Talitubbies." They have a thing about how life should be...no schools, men rule, capital punishment and the country stays poor and enslaved all in the name of religion. America suffers a blow- 911. We all remember New York. The US does not do terrorists well, so search and destroy time and into Afghanistan.
The Taliban does not have a country. They could be anywhere and if you want to join them, there is no country to go to find them. It's like fighting a destructive ghost. But few want to join and many are pressed into service. Our withdrawal from Afghanistan effectively gives them a country from which to conquer and to fight us from. When we fought World War II, you could follow every moment on a map. I did it in school and you did too. We knew the enemy. There was a winner and a loser. There will never be that with terrorist. How can you settle a disagreement when one party will not talk. When they believe their actions are justified because a few made the rules.
So one idiot made a decision and we're leaving- OK, enough complaining about the US presence in Afghanistan. Canada bolted last year...imagine that! So many countries there, but it's all about the U.S. And it will be when we're gone too. Only this time we gave them an address. Remember that the next time a plane flies into a skyscraper.
I know this was a very simple explanation. We are the Red, White and Blue, but we like things in black and white. How about this...Do something different today...Thank a soldier for his/her service. The war is not popular, but the men still are!
I'm on R&R. If I hear one more person question why we're in Afghanistan i may scream. I am a patriot, so here's my rant: I'm in a country that was left in ruins by a war 20 years ago. All the rich and educated left leaving a generation of poor and illiterate to fend for themselves. Enter the saviors called by me "the Talitubbies." They have a thing about how life should be...no schools, men rule, capital punishment and the country stays poor and enslaved all in the name of religion. America suffers a blow- 911. We all remember New York. The US does not do terrorists well, so search and destroy time and into Afghanistan.
The Taliban does not have a country. They could be anywhere and if you want to join them, there is no country to go to find them. It's like fighting a destructive ghost. But few want to join and many are pressed into service. Our withdrawal from Afghanistan effectively gives them a country from which to conquer and to fight us from. When we fought World War II, you could follow every moment on a map. I did it in school and you did too. We knew the enemy. There was a winner and a loser. There will never be that with terrorist. How can you settle a disagreement when one party will not talk. When they believe their actions are justified because a few made the rules.
So one idiot made a decision and we're leaving- OK, enough complaining about the US presence in Afghanistan. Canada bolted last year...imagine that! So many countries there, but it's all about the U.S. And it will be when we're gone too. Only this time we gave them an address. Remember that the next time a plane flies into a skyscraper.
I know this was a very simple explanation. We are the Red, White and Blue, but we like things in black and white. How about this...Do something different today...Thank a soldier for his/her service. The war is not popular, but the men still are!
Friday, August 10, 2012
Thank you!
Tonight it appears I'm in a writing mood and I just peeked at my stats, because I can from the USA. Thank you to Singapore for being my #1 readers. That was quite a surprise to me. I also need to give a shout out to Russia and the good people of Alaska, (who I spent a lot of good times with!). I'm so glad you made it back to your loved ones. Thank you for keeping in touch! I'm not sure who I know in Brazil, New Zealand, South Korea or any of the other countries but thank you for your support. Lastly, thank you to all in the rest of the US who have followed me...you're the best!
The best part of being in the sandbox is making new friends. I have had invitations from pals from all parts of the world to visit them in their homes and countries. I now need to travel and turn in those cards. And I've extended the same courtesy. Now where to go? I have choices from India, Kenya, Bosnia, Thailand, England, Italy, Alaska- OK, it's the USA, but you have to skip over Canada to get there, so that counts.
I like to take layover trips on my way home and see the world. I feel that since I'm away for so long, I should see "the fam" when I can, so I do. This trip I wanted to get home immediately to see my new guy be born and I since he was due to enter the world, I couldn't get home fast enough. I didn't do the pre-trip research and my choices were sadly limited by the Olympics.
Speaking of...has this been the most amazing games! I can't believe how much of the Olympic coverage that I have sucked up. Now I love my country and I rout for them...think Women's Volleyball (Misty & Kerrie's 3 peat!), Ashton Eaton & Trey Hardee in the Decathlon, US Soccer, Michael Phelps, the Fab Five- oops, can't use that nickname anymore...shouldn't there be a limit on the number of years a team can use a nickname? News flash...nobody cares anymore who used it way back when. But, you gotta love Bolt and the sweep by Jamaica in the event! He's a character and a gentleman and I was thrilled when he won gold! And to Bolt.. Thank you goes right back to you for running such a great race. Also, it was very considerate of you to pause in your interview for our National Anthem- Thank you. So exciting...
Passion, perseverance, faith, adventure, love, friends, family...all the things that make live exciting and worth living. I am so blessed to have it all over the world. Thank you God!
The best part of being in the sandbox is making new friends. I have had invitations from pals from all parts of the world to visit them in their homes and countries. I now need to travel and turn in those cards. And I've extended the same courtesy. Now where to go? I have choices from India, Kenya, Bosnia, Thailand, England, Italy, Alaska- OK, it's the USA, but you have to skip over Canada to get there, so that counts.
I like to take layover trips on my way home and see the world. I feel that since I'm away for so long, I should see "the fam" when I can, so I do. This trip I wanted to get home immediately to see my new guy be born and I since he was due to enter the world, I couldn't get home fast enough. I didn't do the pre-trip research and my choices were sadly limited by the Olympics.
Speaking of...has this been the most amazing games! I can't believe how much of the Olympic coverage that I have sucked up. Now I love my country and I rout for them...think Women's Volleyball (Misty & Kerrie's 3 peat!), Ashton Eaton & Trey Hardee in the Decathlon, US Soccer, Michael Phelps, the Fab Five- oops, can't use that nickname anymore...shouldn't there be a limit on the number of years a team can use a nickname? News flash...nobody cares anymore who used it way back when. But, you gotta love Bolt and the sweep by Jamaica in the event! He's a character and a gentleman and I was thrilled when he won gold! And to Bolt.. Thank you goes right back to you for running such a great race. Also, it was very considerate of you to pause in your interview for our National Anthem- Thank you. So exciting...
Passion, perseverance, faith, adventure, love, friends, family...all the things that make live exciting and worth living. I am so blessed to have it all over the world. Thank you God!
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