Day 45: Delivery

You can order delivery from Pizza Hut which is open 24 hours. The only problem is we don't have phones in our B-huts...

Day 44: Dairy Queen

It's not the best ice cream since we can't get milk over here, and they only have Blizzards, smoothies, and sundaes with a limited variety of toppings. It's better than nothing though!

Day 103: Ketchup

It looks almost normal, doesn't it?

Day 43: Connexes

Connexes are the big containers we ship all of our stuff in. They're all over the place.

Day 42: Traffic

Day 41: Obama Headlines

The news paper that I picked up in the chow hall today was quite interesting. You hear so much about Bush and Obama on civilian TV and in newspapers all over the place, but I've wondered for a while now how the Soldiers feel. I mean, he's our Commander in Chief, so this REALLY affects us. Here are a few of the tidbits I pulled from Army Times today: 1. The majority of Soldiers feel that Bush has our best interests at heart and NOT Obama. 2. Only 34% of those polled actually approve of Obama's calls to withdraw troops from Iraq in 16 months. 3. Only 12% of troops polled are opposed to increasing Afghanistan troops by more than 12,ooo. 4. Six out of ten active-duty service members say they are uncertain or pessimistic when asked how they feel about Obama as Commander in Chief. 5. African-Americans make up the majority of Army service members. I certainly wasn't expecting the outcome of these polls, but I honestly say I pretty much agree with most everything I read. I think a lot of Soldiers fear a CinC that has no war or military experience. Will he really be able to lead without ever being a follower? I hope so. No matter what, though, he'll be my boss in one week. I'll follow any order, and do it without blinking. That's just what we do. He's in my prayers just like everyone else back home.

Day 40: Hand Sanitizer

The biggest scare over here is getting sick from one of the many diseases that can be in the water or food or air all around us. We wash or sanitize our hands at least a dozen times a day here. They won't even let you into the chow hall without stopping by the hand washing station first. It's certainly not a bad thing, but my skin is so dry and cracked now.

Day 39: The Appeal

Mom sent me this book. I've never read any of this guy's stuff, but out here I'd probably read anything. I'm still on the first chapter, but I think I'll actually finish this one.

Day 38: Medical Training

As a medic, I constantly have to work on my skills with tough training!

Day 37: Icicles

After just two days of snow it's all slowly melting away. It was beautiful while it lasted, but we had so many slips and falls. Even I ended up doing the splits down the steps in front of the aid station. My hip is still a bit sore.

Oh, and since everyone is leaving such nice comments about my father, I thought I'd share this picture of us with you...

Day 36: Speed Limit

I took this picture in the parking lot over at the hospital when I went to get the second shot in the three part series of Gardasil. You can see the building in the "MILITARY HOSPITAL" sign on the building in the background. I normally give and recieve shots in the clinic that I work in, but we didn't have this one on stock. The military now offers it to all female Soldiers under the age of 25, so I'm just under the wire. I think it's amazing that we have a vaccination to prevent cancer. It's a pretty expensive vaccination (about $375 for the series), so I'm glad that I can get it for free. The benefits for this far exceed the risks, but after hearing all the side effects from any medication advertised on TV I can see why someone wouldn't ever want a pill or shot again. I mean I just heard one the other day that had a side effect of increased gambling. What? I just see some big casino owner in Vegas as the funder for the research and development of that medication. If you have any questions about it feel free to ask. I'm pretty well versed on immunizations since it's part of my job over here. I'm one of those nerds that reads all the package inserts and publications that come out on the CDC and FDA websites.

Day 35: Copics

I ordered some Copics a week or so ago, and they've finally made it here. I've already started sketching and doodling. My head is overflowing with ideas. I forgot to get a 6" ruler, some sketch paper and a gum eraser though. I'll just improvise until I can get my family to send the rest of my sketch materials.

Day 34: Snow Day

Well, it's here! The snow has been falling all over the place. It's really beautiful. It's not really sticking too much since it's a little too warm, but there's more in the forecast for tomorrow. I feel a snowman wearing a helmet and reflective belt coming on...

Day 33: Rocks

Rocks! It's pretty much the only surface we walk on here. My ankles are constantly rolling, and I've fallen down a million times already. I'm super clumsy even without the uneven surface.

Day 32: New Year

Hello, New Year! It sure doesn't seem like it's supposed to be 2009. I'll be turning the big 2-5 this year. It's weird to think about it. I had so many ideas on where my life would be at this point. I was supposed to be married with a kid, one on the way, a fabulous career, and a minivan in the garage. None of those plans involved me being all the way on the other side of the globe wearing combat boots and carrying a loaded rifle every day. The Army was never apart of my goals growing up. It didn't hit me unil I was in my last year of high school. I already had scholarships and my acceptance letter to college framed on the wall. Then I saw the president on TV saying we had a shortage of troops. I knew if I raised my hand then someone else wouldn't have to. A mother, a father, a wife, a husband, or even a sister. My sister. Do you remember the draft scare? I just knew that if enough of us joined voluntarily then I would save the people I cared about most from being forced into it. I couldn't sit and wait to see if I was unlucky enough to have my own sister drafted and sent to war while I stayed home. It was then that I knew I'd be here. I've been in the military for over five years now. It seemed like I'd never deploy. At first I was afraid to, but then I became angry that I hadn't had my turn to join my battle buddies in deployment. Five years of being in non-deployable units wore on me. I felt like a bum Soldier. My friends were ripped away from their lives, friends, and families to muck around the Middle East for months. Some of them went two and three times while I still sat at home. I hated it. When I finally transfered away from the Air Assault School I asked for a deploying unit before my brain had a chance to even think of breathing. It was my chance. Less than six weeks after leaving that prison I was on a plane headed for Afghanistan. I finally feel like I'm where I'm supposed to be. The Army's pull on me has finally been released. I feel like I can go home justified that I've done my part. I didn't really know why I kept reenlisting until now. This is what I was waiting for. I think I'll finally be able to let the Army go. I can be normal again without feeling guilty or obligated or afraid. I thought for a long time that I'd retire from the Army, but I don't see myself fufilling my personal goals if I do that. My service will be complete. My dues will have been paid. And I can go back to being me.

Internet Issues

As you probably know already, the internet here just bites. It's hit and miss. I have several draft posts from the past few days that need to go up, but I just can't get the pictures to upload. Rest assured that I am still taking a photo a day. Some days I can get online and some days I just can't. I seem to have more and more trouble lately. It doesn't help that the weather is getting worse now that we're entering snow season. You see, our internet service is satellite. Bad weather = Bad connection. They also shut down the internet when something bad happens. They can't have everyone blabbing to the world that a something really bad has happened before they can notify the Soldier's family. It'd be horrible to find out on the news or internet that your loved one passed away. It's just another security measure we take here. Oh, and before I forget... I wanted to say that I do my best to answer all of the comments that are left on my blog or sent to my email. Sometimes I really really want to send a thank-you, but there just isn't any way for me to contact you if you haven't left your information for me to return the conversation. I get paranoid when someone leaves a sweet note, and I can't return the kindness that they'll think I'm ignoring them. I suppose I should be more worried about combat things, huh? I have to talk myself out of being ridiculous. It's not working though. I'm still paranoid! So, "THANK YOU!" to all of you who leave comments, and even to those of you who just read or look at pictures without saying a thing. Thank you for listening to me and supporting me. There have been a few down times that I've gone through openly here on my blog that you blogging buddies have helped me to handle perhaps without even knowing. I hope you know who you are. You're a blessing in my life, and I am forever thankful.

Day 31: New Year Celebration

I didn't take this picture, but I am somewhere in the crowd. It was our unit BBQ in celebration of the new year. We had hot dogs, hamburgers, and even steaks. Yummy!

Day 30: Head Lamp

I've had this head lamp for a few years now. It's definitely a necessity for all sorts of things, but especially for night time porta potty trips.

Day 29: Shower Shoes

You'd better wear shower shoes if you don't wanna get foot funk!

Day 28: Falcon's Nest

This is the gazebo across from the aid station where people seem to have a lot of meetings. It's called the Falcon's Nest.

Day 27: Dry Eyes

I had laser eye surgery a month before we deployed. The doctor told me I'd have to use moistening drops for quite some time, but it's been especially bad since I've been out here. I woke up the other morning and I couldn't open my eyes at all. It was pretty painful and quite scary. I don't want that to happen again. I keep them by my bed now, so I'm sure to remember to moisten up before hitting the sack.

Day 26: Christmas Cookie

We didn't really have traditional Christmas cookies here, so I settled for leaving Santa a chocolate chip cookie. Oh, and in case you're wondering... he didn't get to take a bite. I ate it. Sorry, Santa.

Day 25: Head Wound

So, this pilot came in because he hit his head on a panel of the aircraft. He had a pretty good cut, so I washed it out, we put some funny juice in there, and then we put in the staples! Oh, Merry Christmas!

Day 24: Reflection

Fallen Comrade

We had a ceremony a few hours ago for a fallen comrade. It's the first one since I've been here. We heard the call over the radio to be out on the main thorough way in an hour. It was dark outside already, and it was cold. We all lined up along the road. Thousands of us. Soldiers, Airmen, Marines, Seamen, foreign troops, civilians, and local nationals. We stood side by side for as far as I could see in each direction and waited for it to come. Twenty seven minutes passed by, and then I saw the lights from a police escort. In a perfect silent wave the troops snapped to attention and rendered a salute as the metal box covered neatly in an American flag crawled by. I thought of the Soldier's mother, wife, father, and children, and then I thought of my own. What a horrible Christmas eve to mourn the death of someone you just said goodbye to only days ago. As I walked back to the aid station I realized I won't come home quite the same as I left either. I'm different already. I don't know if it's good or bad yet, but I know I'm just not the same anymore.

Where Are You, Christmas?

I'm really relating to this song this year.

(Don't forget to scroll to the bottom of this page to pause the music player before listening to videos.)

Day 23: Non Potable Water

We're not allowed to drink any water here unless it's bottled, and even then we're supposed to sniff it before anything else. This means the water we take showers in, wash our hands in, and use to brush our teeth is NOT for drinking. So... that leaves me wondering what exactly am I showering in?!

Day 22: Cheesy Poofs

These are so delicious. I've been begging for them from home for what seems like forever. I don't remember the last time other than today that I even wanted cheesy poofs, but since I've been here I've craved all sorts of foods. I'm really thinking about ordering a crock pot, so I can stir up some Velveeta and Ro-Tel tomatoes to serve on some Tostitos Scoops! My taste buds are watering just thinking about it. Chocolate is another hot commodity here. The little shop sells out before the PMS even hits. It's a nightmare. I'm a Coca-Cola and Twix or Reeses peanut butter cups kinda girl once a month, (thus me calling it "chocolate time"). I don't even like chocolate that much otherwise. I think I'm starting to share too much information... Anyway, I don't know how I ended up talking about monthly visitors when I started on cheesy poofs. Oh, well! It's supposed to be an honest and open blog after all, and now it really is.

Day 21: Tools

Well, all the furniture here is made out of 2x4s and plywood. We have to build it ourselves too, so often it's pretty shoddy. The bed that my room's previous tenant left was especially crappy. I didn't sleep on it for two weeks before it snapped and started bowing in the middle. I put a supply request through my chain of command so the wood shop would cut some lumber down for me and let me check out some tools, but that was over a week ago. I finally decided to go to the shop myself. All my pieces were cut on the spot. The guy even came to my room to build the bed. Sweet! I asked him to build it at my eye level, so I could put a desk and chair underneath while still being able to have head room on top. It worked out quite well. My room feels bigger already. I do have to climb on top of my tough box and then on top of my desk to get into bed, and I also managed to smack my knuckles pretty hard on the ceiling when I woke up this morning, but other than that I'd say the project is a success!

Day 20: Lilly Belle

This is another token from home that I was able to carry along with me. I packed it in my big tough box that shipped over here before I did. I used to have this picture sitting on my desk at work. Well, I guess since this place is my work now I can still say the same thing. I miss her so much!

Day 19: Reflective Belt

If you're caught during "hours of darkness" without a reflective belt on then you get arrested!

Day 18: Home Time

I always keep this clock in my room set to "home time". Both Fort Campbell, KY (my U.S. duty station) and Texas (where my family lives) are in the central time zone. I just have to add an hour and a half and switch the a.m. and p.m. really, but I like having this clock to remind me anyhow. There aren't many other reminders of home here, so I make do.

UpDATE: Chris

I'll get back to Photo-of-the-Day in a bit, but I wanted to catch you up on Chris. Remember him? Recap HERE then HERE. Anyway, he is history. I started noticing that he was sending secret text messages quite early on. At first I didn't think it was my business though the secrets, unanswered phone calls, and disappearing acts ate at me. One day he laughed out loud while reading a message. I asked what the joke was, and he quickly became offensive and totally freaked out on me. That's when I let my denial go. So many times I just believed him thinking I needed more faith. I believed it when he said he loved me, and that I was manifesting problems that didn't really exist. I just couldn't deny that gut feeling though. I didn't have proof, but this time I wasn't above finding out. I mean I didn't want to accuse someone of something so horrible, but at the same time I wasn't about to sit there and be naive to the whole thing. I had to nip it in the bud ASAP! I came home from leave early and went straight into my stake out. They did way more things that "just friends" aren't supposed to do. I told him soon after that I knew what was going on though he still denied it. (He also denied nude pictures of his ex, but that was a lie too! I'm sure she would be so proud of his nostalgic qualities.) He's a horrible liar. He does the usual eye avoidance, starts laughing, turns his body away, changes the topic, pretends he doesn't hear me, turns it around to accuse me... Did I mention he's stupid? So, get this... he just sent me an email a couple hours ago. (I'm laughing as I type this.) It goes something like this: "Laura, I love you with all my heart... My conscious cant take the guilt that I incur by not being able to be the boyfriend you're so deserving of." I'm sure he feels "guilty" now that he's deployed. I hope he has a long happy deployment with 'Palmala Handerson'. Despite all of that they're in my prayers, because God knows they surely need it.

Day 17: My Boots

I really need new boots. I've had these since they were issued to me about three or four years ago. I've been issued a couple pairs of new boots since then, but I wear a size 4-1/2 boot. They never have my size, so I end up with boots that are too big just so they can say they gave me some.

Day 16: Mystery Meat

The food isn't really terrible considering I've been eating bachelor food for a few years now, but I really have no idea what animal this meat came from or even if it came from an animal at all! The D-fac (dining facility) serves the same food every week, so I'm already bored with the combat cuisine they serve here. I find myself less and less hungry all the time. I have a difficult time finding my way to the D-fac anyhow with my work schedule. I work from 1500-2300 in the clinic. That means I'm sleeping through breakfast. I have PT (physical training) at 1230, so that means I miss lunch too. We're allowed to leave the clinic to get dinner though, so I don't miss that meal. The D-fac is our neighbor, so it's not that big of a deal anyhow. They also serve midnight chow, but by the time I get off I usually fall asleep before the chow hall opens again. It's just an endless cycle. Ugh!

Day 15: Magic Tree (after)

Here it is:

Day 14: Arabic for Dummies

I received these two MP3 players when I departed from the terminal back at Ft Campbell. They had tons of books like this with little ear buds for us. I think it's pretty neat, and since I'm finally done reading the Twilight series I think it's time to start learning a new language.

Day 13: Magic Tree (before)

Sweet, sweet KC bought this little Magic Tree for me when we were at a book store a few weeks ago. I remember having one as a kid that my dad, sister and I put together, but I didn't know they still made them. It was a special treat then, and it still is. It only takes six hours for it to grow, so I'll post another pic of the full grown tree tomorrow. I wish it could grow some presents too!

Day 12: Combat Purfume

Ah, Febreze, I love you. It all started back in Basic Training... we're not supposed to wear things that are scented in order to help keep away the bugs and other creatures (like boys). Drill Sergeants would have a fit if they even saw cherry chap stick in your possession. People aren't as stringent on the rules like they are in training environments, but I guess I've just grown to think of Febreze more like combat perfume than air and fabric "refresher" or whatever the heck it's supposed to be. I'm not the only one. You'll find tons of this stuff in any military store you walk in to whether it's here or there. It's definitely a staple for military living.

Day 11: Simple Goodness

This doesn't really have anything specific to do with deployment. I just can't believe I scarfed down an entire box of Nilla wafers. In my defense, however, it was only a mini sized box! I'm still craving cheesy puffs though...

Day 10: B-Huts

There are tons of these "B-huts" all over the place. They're just little shacks with rooms divided by plywood. I'm not even sure what the "B" stands for, but I'm thinking along the lines of Bum-Hut or Bedraggled-Hut, because that's exactly what they are.

Day 9: Loaded

I signed for some new gear today.

Day 8: Aid Station

Well, this is the aid station where I work. To the far right, on the other side of those green sand bags you can see one end of the building I live in. Those are the same sandbags that I shot for my room with a view picture last week. I was standing up on the gazebo where people can eat lunch to take this pic. As you can tell we were having a little bit of rain, but it felt nice to have all the dust in the air settle for a little while. When I turned around I could even make out a tad bit of the Hindu Kush mountain range that surround us. It's part of the Himalayas. (Did you know that this is the place that Alexander the Great conquered in Fourth Century BC? Neat!) The picture doesn't do it justice. It's beautiful. My day didn't stay that great though. I finally pooped myself out from exhaustion. I haven't slept a full night since I left home over a week ago, and even that sleep was come and go. I've been telling everyone that I'm about to go into a coma at any second if I don't get some real sleep, but I just have to keep stickin' it out. I live in a plywood stall, so I can hear every noise that my seven hut-mates make. These aren't quiet girls by any means either. They slam and yell and stomp up and down the halls over and over. Their music is blaring, and they need to suck on a toilet bowl tablet with the language they use. I feel like I'm in a cheap frat house. People are constantly coming in and out and flipping the lights on and off. The big light is right over my bed too. I've tried all sorts of medication to just knock myself out for a while, but the most it's done was somewhere between three and four hours. I also have the crud. My nose is stuffy, and my throat is killing me. The doc sent me to my room to get some rest after giving me some super sleep pills, but as you can tell... I'm wide awake! I have to go see a sleep specialist tomorrow. I'm not looking forward to it since he's also the combat stress psychiatrist. Psychiatrist! I don't want that on my record. No way! Remember, in the military, my ins and outs are more out than in. Being labeled crazy is not going to do me any favors.

Day 7: International Security Assistance Force

Factsheet: NATO took command and co-ordination of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in August 2003. ISAF is NATO's first mission outside the Euro-Atlantic area. ISAF operates in Afghanistan under a UN mandate and will continue to operate according to current and future UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions. ISAF’s mission was initially limited to Kabul. Resolution 1510 passed by the UNSC on 13 October 2003 opened the way to a wider role for ISAF to support the Government of Afghanistan beyond Kabul.

What is the aim of the operation?

ISAF's role is to assist the Government of Afghanistan and the International Community in maintaining security within its area of operation. ISAF supports the Government of Afghanistan in expanding its authority to the rest of the country, and in providing a safe and secure environment conducive to free and fair elections, the spread of the rule of law, and the reconstruction of the country.

What does this mean in practice?

• ISAF conducts patrols throughout the 18 police districts in Kabul and its surrounding areas. Over a third of these patrols are carried out jointly with the Kabul City Police. There are also presence and patrol activities conducted within the Provincial Reconstruction Team areas of operation.
• ISAF coordinates Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC) projects throughout its area of operations. The CIMIC objectives are to assist the Commander of ISAF in his effort to support the Government of Afghanistan in maintaining and expanding security throughout the country, to support stabilisation, reconstruction and nation-building activities, and to co-operate with the International Organisations and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). The CIMIC teams work in close co-operation with the local population and authorities and assess the situation concerning education, health, water, sanitation and internally displaced persons and returnees. They also initiate and monitor projects funded by either national or international donors.
• On a political level, ISAF works closely with the Afghan authorities, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), UN agencies, international organisations, non-governmental organisations and the US-led coalition (Operations Enduring Freedom - OEF). ISAF has Liaison Teams that coordinate issues directly with the Government of Afghanistan, with UNAMA and other international players.
• ISAF also supports the Government of Afghanistan in its security sector reform efforts.

How does NATO manage the ISAF mission?

The North Atlantic Council (NAC), NATO's highest decision-making body, provides the political direction and co-ordination for the mission. The NAC works in close consultation with non-NATO nations taking part in ISAF and special meetings with these nations are held on a regular basis. Based on the political guidance provided by the NAC, strategic command and control is exercised by NATO's main military headquarters, the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers in Europe (SHAPE) in Mons, Belgium, led by the to the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR). The Joint Force Commander (JFC) based at the Joint Force Command in Brunssum (The Netherlands), is responsible at the operational level for manning, training, deploying and sustaining ISAF.

Day 6: Combat Parking

Day 5: Camel in a Dress

So, on Fridays we can go to the bazaar where the locals sell bits and trinkets. I saw this guy there with his camel that was wearing a dress. He charges $3 for a picture, $4 to pose with the camel, and $5 to "stand" on the camel! Look closely around the camel's neck and you'll see it even has an ID badge to get on base! I can't stop laughing!!!

Day 4: Coca-Cola

Yep, it's the real thing!

Day 3: A Room with a View

Day 2: "Al salaam a'alaykum"

In other words... "Good day!" from Afghanistan! My room is tiny, it's super dusty, I can't tell when I'm supposed to be sleepy or hungry, the water smells weird, my back hurts... and I love it! The mountains are beautiful, I'm surrounded by my brothers and sisters, I can eat hot dogs for every meal, I don't have to pay rent or taxes, I don't waste time on deciding what to wear, and I'm doing what I really love. I'm a SOLDIER! Hooah!!!

Day 1: "Hallo!"

Greetings from Germany! It´s a relief to know that those years of German lessons are finally paying off. So far, the trip really hasn´t been horrible at all. I haven´t seen the sunlight since I left though, and the rain seems to be following us around the globe. The food is crappy, and this keyboard is driving me nuts. The letters are in all sorts of weird places, so I can´t type as fast as I normally would. I think that bothers me more than anything. Hee!Hee! The clock on this computer says it´s 7:15 pm, though I know it´s around 12 am back home. We still have another leg of the trip, but then at least I should finally be able to sleep on a horizontal surface! Well, gotta get going again. I´ll keep you posted...