Another fun day at home

Another fun thing that I got to do while home was go to court. I experienced the judical system first hand. I'd love to say I went hog wild and ended up in jail trading quips with my best friend in a nearby cell, but that might have happened many years ago and fortunately did not. I instead had the boring obligation of going to testify as a witness. The court was happy that I happened to be home to do this proud honor. I was happy to do my part in seeing justice done.

I arrived early with a book that I read halfway through as I sat and waited for 3 hours. (justice takes time). Then we went into the courtroom to wait for another half hour, (that I'm sure is done purposely to make the criminals sweat it out). Thankfully the judge swept in and invited us to stay in our seats, (after all of that time my knees had locked up and a graceful standing was not to be had). The prosecutor gave his schmeal and then the lawyer for the perp expounded her crapola. I was immediately called to the witness stand. I swore to God to tell the truth, sat daintily and was then ripped to shreads by the perps lawyer. The judge kept reminding me to "just answer the questions", but I ask you...How do you answer questions when someone is relentlessly attacking you? I got my point across and without stooping to her level ... I'm proud to anounced that I never told the female lawyer how downtown tacky her hooker stockings were.

Thankfully the judge...although he remarked that I was a "hostile witness and the court did not appreciate it", (imagine that!), believed me and bound the angry nut over for trial. It was an exasting day! It nearly made me miss Afghanistan.

News of the day

I am an American living in a foreign land. In certain parts of the world, I'm seen me as being crude and living in excess. But many want to come and live in the U.S.A and think that we live in a world of milk and honey and that we're all rich. They view us as their rescuers and believe in cowboys, 8 Mile, FREEDOM, safety and think we all smooge with the movie stars. We can worship to whoever or where ever we want, though they believe we know nothing of God.  Ha! We can go to any school freely and find jobs and move up the corporate ladder if we so desire. We have the rainbow and are a great nation. Why do we have a President that is forever apologizing and bowing to others? If we as a country is seen as strength why do we have a leader that is forever on his knees. I'm disgusted...are we stupid and bad children that he feels the need to do this?

We are intelligent and I say this with great pride in my nation. We all know things happen in other countries: Poor farmers used as soldiers, ill equipped and used in suicide missions. Decapitations, stonings, fear and persecution. Children used as sex slaves and in bondage for other atrocities. Women and children that freeze to death from snowstorms and don't have shoes or coats, electricity or heat. Housed in mud huts. A nation kept in the dark and forever dependant. We as a caring nation have provided basic needs and help that the bad guys have promptly torn down to enslave their own people. We... always helping the underdog. Things are not always as it seems.

I am home for a brief time watching reports from all over the world on CNN and Fox and I shutter at what is reported. One sided stories of stupid, bad Americans and the squeaky clean good ol' boys- the Taliban. I'm not stupid and I don't appreciate being fed this crap! Just saying! Note to self...use brain frequently and be thankful for what I have... and for a right to vote!

Running times here and there

Today was run day, fun day at Corktown in Detroit. I thought my family was nuts at first, scheduling me for a run on my R&R. Mine is not the total athelete kind of family, or so I thought. Today they proved they could go the distance. It was fantastic and thanks to my sister in law, Lisa, for being the team leader and arranging everything down to the post eating cupcakes. My brother Mike was the only one to medal- Go Mike! Oops, I forgot my uncle Papo did too- Go Papo! It was a blast and I spent quality time with most of the family. I thank the good Lord for providing us with the ideal day...bright and sunny 64 degrees!

There was a little downer in the form of party goers- my kids of course, who only join in if there are cocktails involved. They swarmed in an alley parking lot far away from the masses of athetes to gather with others of their species. Unbeknownst to me as to why they would drive to imbibe in a parking lot and risk a DUI when the comfort of home beckons. Kids...what's that saying about you can't kick them...

Which brings me to the hump of my R&R. Things are exactly the same as I had left them when I went off in search of adventure. It took me a few days to get back into the swing of things back home and I was ready to run back whole heartedly to the ground hog days of Afghanistan. I was told to expect that, but I did not believe that it could possibly happen to me. But, I have very much enjoyed catching up with my friends and seeing the family. I even had a cocktail at my "Welcome Home" party- I don't normally drink alcohol, but I found I missed it being in a dry country, (or more likely being told that I could never have one.) Chocolate wine is something I recommend that everyone try. Yum! It was so good I followed it up 2 days later with a Margarita!

I have less than a week to go. I've been spending like there's no tomorrow, but on my return I will have a means to heat water for my patients. That is my pet- peeve- no running water in the clinic. I bought a microwave! Now I can heat water exactly when I need it. No more running to the bathrooms and waiting for hot water only to return with it tepid. No more puking people when I clean their ears! I am so excited! We make do with what we have, but now we can also make popcorn. I can't wait!

Venting about tree hospitals

Tomorrow is the big "Welcome Home" party where I get to see the family and friends. Good thing there's a party- Thanks to Jeff & Sheri for having it at their hacianda! I've been so busy shopping for things that I can't get in hell and seeing friends. To top it off, my Mom is in the hospital. She's OK now, but I need to vent. I took her to the neighborhood hospital. That's the one that was named after tree cord and would do much better treating inanimate objects. I have an issue. It's bad enough that I took her in for chest pain and they left her in an area that they named triage, but should have been named mortuary. First, triage implies that patients are sorted by illness for treatment based on severity. Chest pain would be pretty close to #1. Add the fact that it was radiating down her arm, making her nauseous and she was profusely sweating with difficulty breathing. That should have given her extra snaps. The paramedic did perform an EKG, slap on some oxygen to my severely wheezing mother and told her she was not having a heart attack and went away never to be seen again.  Nice of him to diagnose that without consulting a doctor who was MIA anyway. She was left to lie there without treatment or further care.

I was taken back an hour later because they forgot about me. If they had known what a pill I would be later, they would have forgotten much longer. I found my mom in pain, but breathing easier that lasted for about 15 minutes, then the wheezing returned and the chest pain was worsened and now radiating to her back. I checked the oxygen and it was out, so I went in search of more. I found SIX paramedics at their computers playing games. I immediately went into Supreme Anna-mode, (the one where my head spins while shooting darts out of my eyes and poison out my mouth- where I earned my nickname Angeltwins), and that was enough to make them jump and run! They got a fresh oxygen tank...and I asked questions- first, about the paramedics doing basic chest pain protocol stuff- like morphine to relief her pain or at the very least checking her blood pressure. The paramedic told me no treatment without doctor orders. WTH? What do these guys do on the road, let their patients die while they wait on an order? WTH? (when I'm venting you get 2 WTH's). He had the nerve to say my mom was #10 in line for a room and then would see a doctor. He left to abuse a poor old, helpless man who couldn't even move his head off of the rail on his bed. He was crying that his legs hurt and the moron threw up the sheet and told him, "there's nothing wrong with your legs," then walked away. I took her elsewhere.

The new hospital rushed her back to a room and went to work. History and vital signs while doing an EKG, Oxygen, breathing treatment, IV's, drugs, Blah, blah with workers all around! That's what I'm talking about! Treat like it's your family.

While I understand busy, I do not understand lazy, meaness or ignoring patients or their basic needs. No one deseves to be treated badly! Please all, remember that you pay BIG for health care and never accept less than the best. I'm so glad she is getting better. She had a multiple of problems that could not wait and as a desert medic, I'm very glad I listened to me!

Gay Paris'

I forgot to tell all about my Paris experience/ Layover trip...sweet! I am not one to do the tourist thing. The plan was to take the Metro to the Left Bank and hang out with the artists and vendors and people watch. I wanted to sit in a Seine-side cafe and sip cafe-au-lait and eat a real crepe and just absorb the atmosphere. The Artists and vendors don't roll out of bed until 10-ish, bummer, (I was there at 8 am), and I was chased out of a crepe shop by an old women wielding a big broom, (I think she said they weren't open yet or maybe she said "get out you vagrant"- my French is poor at best). But the coffee was good, I found much better crepes elsewhere and I had a time shopping. Only one very french women turn down my request for directions with "no parlez-vous english", (and I think she may have stepped in doggie do-do for her nose was reaching for the heavens). I saw Notre Dame- very impressive! Everyone was generally nice if you greet them in french, so I used my definite words as to not offend anyone and had a get time. I passed on the Eiffel Tower, but I got the earrings, ( real proof that you were there or at least near). I've checked Paris off my bucket list, but if I ever happened to stumble back- the subway/metro is super easy to navigate (color coded),  and use the kiosk to buy your tickets. It only looks scary.
Next lay over trip is Amsterdam!

Original date- March 1st. First day of R&R

My first day of R&R, what a bust. No hugs or kisses for me. I can't use my charge card or get money out and my room in Dubai ended up costing twice what I was quoted and then it was dirty and I got bit by something. I'm taking this opportunity to rest and write and read. Things I have not been able to do since leaving home. I am committed to making the best of things. I reported the pest, got housekeeping to come up and had a very expensive meal..wha-la! Who needs a genie when you have positivity! I'm sure I could get a taxi to town, but what's the point? I'm tired and I was up all the night before sick as a dog from a nasty experience at a DFAC and this morning was exausting! A great thing happened in the form of a foreign co-worker that is also on vacation. I bumped into him on my way out and he was so helpful, having done a prior R&R. I stupidly sent away the only guy that was there to help navigate my way out, because I fiqured why should we both be misable. It was cold out and we played the hurry up and wait game and the indoor terminal was restricted to us- being contracted to our competitor, so no sitting out of the weather. Unbelieveable! I was layered in clothing, coat and winter boots and still I froze. Most were not dressed for this kind of weather, so I'm blessed for all good things. Next stop is Paris and I hoping for better days...but I'll be home after that and it's all part of the experience!

Slow or fast- I'm on R&R!

Life is what you make it and I am back home on R&R. I can't believe I was in a war zone in hell. Nothing was familar- bugs, rocks and outhouses and everything is out to get you... I never lost my temper. I'm home for 2 seconds and I was ready to pull my hair out or maybe someone else's. So I had no choice. I did what any normal girl would do under the circumstances. I got a makeover and I bought a new car- (well, new to me anyhow), and I went electronic's shopping. Life is good again! The world is brighter and nothing can crap in my cheerios!
I'm having a blast back home, but everyone drives so fast! I've never gotten a speeding ticket, which means I never got caught. Seriously, I never drive more than 5 miles over any speed limit. We all need our boundaries and I try to be law abiding. In Afghanistan the speed limit is...drum roll please....20 mph! Really is! I thought it was ridiculous when I first saw that. Grandpa could shake his walker faster than that. Just try to drive at 20 mph- it is a chore to go that slow. But people still got in fender benders and I'm sure it's because the speed limit is so slow that they fell asleep! And when we do travel home, deployed person's motor vehicle accident rate is high. It's probably due to being conditioned to driving at a snails pace. It's a shock to see someone racing about at 35 mph!
Life at home is moving fast, but I'm adjusting. It's amazing how fast I got back into the swing of lunches and chats with the girls. I went to a bar with good food for dinner with my brother and the fam tonight. It was funny that everyone skedaddled soon after due to the noisy atmosphere. Here I'm absent of chinook noise, missile attacks and the wind that lifts my tent and shakes my bed...and I did not even notice the bar cheers. I don't know how I can sleep in all of this quietness. But I do sleep and well. It will no time at all and I'll be back in the sandbox- oh boy.