Pondering...

These things make me nuts...Today my daughter called. She broke her ribs coughing with her pneumonia. She's been sick since December 17th, 10 days shy of 2 months. I want to call the doctor, who I've known for 20 years and ask him WTH? I'm so angry that I almost replaced that "H" with a "F". It's really not his fault. I should be home taking care of her, but instead I'm throwing money at the problem and trying not to think about it. She needs to take care of herself and grow up, I said to myself. But what happens if it causes her demise (Mommy worry's). Pounts to ponder when you can do nothing else.
And the death of one of Detroits finest, who I knew. I won't be attending his funeral or be there for his widow and kids. That makes me feel so far away and powerless, which I hate because we all know how I like to stay at the wheel. I miss my friends... and I ponder...
And my work... what happened to patient care? I've learned how to type out of necessity...Some days, I can't keep up with the paperwork. I've pondered until I found little tricks to cut down on the time spent on those things that keep us compliant and get us paid. Never much on organization, I have learned that it cuts down on time searching and makes my life easier. I told my buddy that I like rules and procedures and he almost broke his ribs laughing at me while I stared on innocently. Must shine halo tonight, I thought. Another point to ponder...
Add to that the threat that we all suffer of losing our positions. It makes people edgy, disgruntled and not good team players. I constantly say, "look at this as an adventure and not a job. Put on a happy face and a positive attitude. Don't let others steal your joy." I think too many people have had too much adventure and joy snatching here. The conditions frankly suck. They turn off the internet/ hence no communication back home, on a whim. Then, expect everyone to up their game- HA! Maybe I'm wrong, but I thought it was crystal clear that we would be able to correspond with our loved ones. Plus, the temperature outside is only good if you're a polar bear. I woke to seeing my breath from my sleeping bag this morning. I can't tell you how hard it was to run outside and dash to the potty. It almost made peeing in the bed look attractive. It's running me down. I actually had to go to bed early last night- the horror!
I still like it here and I still like the people and all that I've gone through and all that I have yet to suffer. It gives me strength and helps me to grow. I pondered the 10 moves and 8 FOBS that I've been on in 4 months...and that's counts my luggage too- what a drag! I shock myself that my vocabulary has not returned to constant "F" words. I still like to travel... they picked (on) the right girl. (Ha! Bring it on!) And I realized that to get angry would only hurt me. I want to do this job. For me, it's not about the money.  I do make an attempt to stay quiet and under the radar.. y'all stop laughing, I said I tried- maybe once or twice...But everyone needs someone on their side and we have NO ONE.. so I stepped up. I can't perfect health, resurrect, be perfection, or save your job, ( I can't even save mine. I count on Jesus for me), but I can be a friend. You can count on me to smile in your face and work on causing one on yours. I will listen to you, sympathize with you, hug you when you need one and be your friend. You can count on it. I have your back.

When opportunity knocks...

I'm back at my home base. No one saw me off from the tiny base! WTH??? It was 90 below and wind whipping a roaring 50, but so what. It was ME leaving!! Kidding...do not feel bad y'all from Tiny Baseland. Here's one more laugh to remember me by... I had dreams all night of knocking a certain someone to the ground and doing a Jungle Jane on him...WTH, I'm leaving anyway right Victoria?   I remember I heard a saying once that said, when opportunity knocks...and I can't remember the rest, so I lose.  I hope you will think of me from time to time. Good times! Anyway, if anyone would've showed up I would've cried like a baby, so instead I tucked myself into the cargo hold of my ride and surprise... My 2 adventure buddies were there! So I got my hugs and tears after all. I will really miss the Tiny base and everyone on it.
So home I am once again.  Many remembered me and also lots of new faces. My site manager met me at the terminal and I gave him a big hug...THEN he asks me if so and so was on the ride too. I told him to give me back my hug. He's so funny. It was great catching up with my friends. My hang around buddy Brenda was transferred out since I've been gone. DEPRESSING! and I had to sign a form when I was in-processing (letting everyone know you're back officially), that basically said that I promise not to fraternize or let men sleep over. So I asked the obvious question...who got caught? Ha! Ha! No real answer, but I found out that Salsa night has been permanently shut down- WTH! So now what am I suppose to do on Saturday night? Peeved that SOMEONE messed it up for everyone, I took myself off alone to dinner. I barged into mealtime with the vector guys who always make room for me, but they were done and stayed only a minute. Filthy buggers I thought, I never sat alone at Tiny base, (sniff, sniff)...and another buddy walked in. That's another nice thing about bigger bases is you wait long enough someone will come by that you know. He brought a new guy who's a talker. I think we'll get along just fine. I also hope he's married so he don't think I'll entertain him. I'm here to work...Oh what was I saying in the last paragraph???
Speaking of work, I barely got off my kevlar, (bullet proof vest and snazzy helmet) and was bombarded by patients. Marilette, (my medic buddy here), is still catching up on paperwork from slip and falls and other good stuff that patients suffered from the recent snow and ice, so I'm on duty. Here they have rocks to walk on, not the nice sidewalks that I've grown accustomed to...(hum). On second thought, maybe I will encourage my pal to knock off Frank the medic allowing me to go back to Tiny base. Ha! Ha!.. when opportunity knocks...um...oh never mind.
Ta! Ta!

Picture of Alen and Me

Bye-Bye tiny base

To everyone, I am sorry about the recent block to my site. Eventhough I have everyone that is appropriate checking it out which includes 2 different corporations, the Military and the Taliban- (that I thank for giving me importance) checking my blog site and even a censor that helps and cuts all the good  stuff out, there was still an issue that was brought to my attention and a paper trail started. Now I can see why I am the only blogger that allows everyone to view my blog. You just can't please all of the people... And since I've been near the chopping block more times in 4 months than I thought possible, I thought to be selective, but WTH??? These are me stories and my adventures. I really trust in God that he has a reason for the possibilities  and realities that brought me here in the first place. And when it's time to leave, he'll be doing the send off and no one else! So read on....

I'm leaving the tiny base to go back to my new/old base very soon. People are funny- have I mentioned that? I have made a bunch of friends here, this being the friendliest little base that I've ever been on. I have enjoyed my time here. Many people have asked me to stay and even tried to make it happen, but this base " is not big enough for the both of us." So off I go. As this event unfolds, I watch and hear everything, selectively discarding what doesn't pertain to me- like everyone else does. I've watched as I've said my good- byes to all and their responses. Some cry... and I know I'll be wailing like a baby as my ride swoops me away. I'm taking a ton of pictures and many have stopped me to take mine. Then there's some who I've hung around with who are now pulling away. That's what we all call survival mode...don't feel, don't get hurt. And that's the hardest thing about FOB hopping. It's not the getting to know you part- at least not for me Ms Social Butterfly. It's the leaving part. I've never laughed so hard and bonded so easily with a group of people (EMS excluded). I blame the Site Manger. He's been a good friend. He's a tough bugger and very authoritive. He's here as a leader and to make decisions and make sure things run smoothly and get done... a job which does not encourage friendships. His kindness is expressed in his decision making and for the good of all. He really cares about everyone in a family sort of way. Plus everyone wants to please him. Recently he went on a short vaction and the group performed as he was still present. (He really needs to bottle that! He'd make a fortune...in fact I want me some). He has picked the best of the best in his personnel and he wanted me to work here too? Now that's a man that knows quality!! And he's not too bad to look at...but I'm getting into dirty old lady territory. Speaking of Alen (no I didn't mispell. It's Bosnian Alan) has also been a good friend. The first day, the guy I was replacing took me to introduce me around. Alen came up to me in a way that I described later as overwhelming- and you know that's a big word for me since I can be a too cheery at times. There he is and barrels over to me, looking very cute with his outstretched hand and come hither voice and says, "Hi! I'm Alen." It was enough to make any girl swoon. Since I'm well on my way to making Alen blush as he reads this, I also told him that I would post his picture and make all the girls back home jealous and he laughed! So look at the picture...he is adorable and nice in an unassuming way.

 The girls here...what can I say? I will really miss them. They have been like bestfriends and I'm rooming with them now. Going back to that was almost like going home. Even the military interact and have been the best and nicest. I have never had that experience and I'm so glad that it happened here. I have always been grateful for their service and frequently tell them so, but now it's personal...really good people here.

The clowns of anywhere were here as well: the one-liner Brit with a great chuckle, a simple, sweet guy from Chicago, Illinois (2nd in greatness to Michigan- 'couse I'm partial and the one with the blog),   who can turn any of my words around and make me blush-  and a Texan who sings oldies through meals and always has a joke. And my adventure buddies Steve and Roger. Thank you for a good time.

So as I ready myself to leave, the only blip in my funfilled time here was that I lost my cell phone. I don't have anyone's number anymore. If you would be so good as to email or privately Facebook your number to me, I will try not to be such a bonehead again. Hasta manana

Get your meds!

I have been so busy! It's been difficult finding time to blog. We've had dignitaries/corporate people to entertain...fun, fun! In between that, I'm on a mission to make sure that everyone has anti-mosquito medication. It's a little difficult convincing some people that it's good for you when there's nothing flying about and the weather right now is only good if you're a penguin. I have to get proof that everyone has it or I'm to give them a new bottle and almost every time the Americans give me a hard time. That's got me wondering... We all know that too much antibiotics is not a good thing. It won't work if you abuse it, so the Americans or anyone that can google- who we call cyberchondiacs (thanks Bill for the term), don't want it or they think they'll get an infection "down under." YUK! Who wants that, but compared to death...come on people. As I've said before, everything here is out to kill you and that includes mosquitoes. Meanwhile the poorest of poor, ie; Indians and Kenyans, want as much as they can lay their hands on. I actually heard one person tell another...take it and send it home. I guess that way they don't have to buy antibiotics when they need them. I understand that it's hard to get care in the poorest of countries. (Like when they thank us for their immunizations) The only gauge I have is Cambodia and I never saw a hospital there. I also heard that I didn't want to either. So in those countries they make it easy to buy medication. (ala Mexico for those back home). One young fellow brought me his prescription from his homeland as proof that he already had some anti- malaria medication and it was exactly what I was handing out...'course I had to tell him that it might not be the same thing...strength and additives and such. But I told him it was FREE to take from the company and in fact it was required. So as a good employee he took it and signed on the dotted line. Another gave the excuse of an allergy. When I offered the suggested medication for allergy prone individuals, they took the original but was not a happy little camper. Another enterprising fellow asked how much it would sell for on Ebay. Good grief...see how it goes when the care is free. Then again...no one wants to be told that they have to do anything... even when it's good for them.

Who's your Daddy! (2/1/12)

Today our safety topic was Sexual Harassment. Our Site Manger and all around good guy, gives us these briefs every morning at 6 am with different safety topics each morning to keep us on our toes and keep us diligent and safe. I've been at this little FOB (base) since the 8th (3 weeks) and I can not believe that all required personnel show up for these meetings. Even I do and I don't even have to be there. I go because it's good customer service and the community has a chance to interact with me. This in turn builds trust and use of me as their care provider. So it was that this topic in mind that my buddy and I would entertain ourselves for the best part of today and take a turn in harassing the guys. Usually they're good sports and they think it's funny when we try to whistle anyways. And then it snowed and equipment blew again and the pipes froze and the heat went out and all that were not busy on emergencies were busy shoveling- me included. It is a team effort on these small bases. So now we're all too tired for games and it's Mother Natures turn to tease and say, "who's your daddy!." The sun came out for a brief reprieve and then it chickened out too.

The locals claim that they haven't gotten weather like this in 20 years. My halo/TelePrompter balloon that sits over my head sends a news flash to me- the weather is following me from home. I must keep this little secret or my contemporaries or the the talitubbies would really come after me. They attempted a sneak attack on the BIG Boys. I'd love to say silly mad men or even be rude enough to say dumb balls. But the truth of these missions is they give the farmers and such some money to care for their families, train them for 10 minutes and convince them to attack the BAD Americans. What's one more innocent, dumb Afghani life when they get blown to kingdom come. It done to keep us on our toes and gives them leverage for negotiations when we supposedly sit down in Qatar. In the meantime the Pakistani's, (who switched sides), are calling for our help after getting their butts handed it them by their buddies. I watch CNN too. All I can say is Who's your Daddy now!

Wintertime, Funtime! (1/26/12)

Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it...enough already! This is day 3 of snow and so what I should be used to it because I'm from Michigan! Ok- I am a little. I do have a winter coat and snow boots that are water proof for the rainy season. Also, I was the only one out there pushing it off my walks. The others on this base thought I was nuts. We're in the middle of a desert. It will melt soon. And it did! It melted enough to make icy little paths all over the place today...except for in front of my little clinic- Ha! I still can't get over how beautiful snow is when it's falling, (and I get to see it again tonight- oh boy!) but the going out in it and walking in it is a drag. At least it now has a reason to be so cold in the desert. No flights out because of weather. It was a bit windy today, Four people are trying to get out to go on R&R and this is a painful reminder of how close I scheduled my own trip home. I did not use any days to get stuck here. I instead used my "stuck days" for when I'm home. We get 3 of these days and I chose to use them wisely being home and not for getting stuck anywhere. Pray that it works in my favor.

So the snow... It supposedly is a fluke to snow this far south and this much. I believe it! It was great fun watching it through others who have never seen it before. There were Kenyans and Nationals, out without their coats, sliding in it and taking so many pictures to send back home. I just wish we could've found something to sled on- no EMS sleds (backboards) here. Then the soldiers came out and started a snowball fight. I brought out my camera and got pummeled! There were a few falls but no one broke bones... so all's well.

Speaking of breaking something...I will be joining my family on a fun run when I get home. Plan on being there or be square. It's on March 11th at Corktown. www.runmichigan.com for further info. I understand our group name is "Shots in the D", so join in- it'll be fun! For me it means getting off my butt and giving up lazing around to train, but they're worth it. Thanks for motivating me! It also means breaking my smoking habit, as we all know I can't (or won't) run and smoke. Today was a huge success because I only smoked 6 cigarettes, because I'm in training and I did a mile in 20 minutes without too much huffing and puffing. I barely broke a sweat. I have just over a month to get ready- yikes! So I am training here in my bare feet (well- socks) on a treadmill because I left my running stuff at the last base, which was really stupid and a mistake I will not make again.

I'm trying hard to just take the essentials on these little hops. I have to carry all my own stuff and it's a lot of work! Let's start with the 2 lap tops that I have to carry and then my sleeping bag, pillow and blanket, sheets. Then my vest and helmet, (which weighs a ton). Then clothes and toiletries. I know exactly why some people smell! I broke down and bought an rolling army duffle and a better backpack. I'll see if it makes any difference. The bags I have all have wheels , but the rocks and gravel and sand are extremely hard on everything here. I could not even imagine dragging it through snow. We also have a weight limit of 50 lbs. It makes me laugh the stuff that I can hoard in my pockets!

So one more week on this cute little base and BIG tears when I leave. These people have been great and the best and friendliest military that I've ever met.