Manas

Sleeping quarters in Manas


 



Tovar meditating on the amnesty box

We arrived in Manas at 0600 29 Nov.  This was after a 24 hour flight from the states.  I don't think I've ever spent that much time in an airplane during my entire life!!  The trip was good, too much food.  I am sick of food.  I have not been hungry once.  We're sitting here in a clam shell with a ton of bunk beds.  Thankfully there aren't a ton of people.  I've seen different services from different countries.  Interesting how different the military is from country to country.  We shower in a giant tent.  I brought my blow dryer but there aren't any plugs.  Oh well, I didn't com here for a fashion show anyway.  The bathrooms are a lot to be desired.  There are port-o-potties and some others with a flapping curtain, zero privacy.  Nesbit and Knott found some nicer bathrooms so if nature isn't too insistent, I'll hike over there.  We got our chem gear, flak jackets and helmets today.  Tomorrow we'll find out if we're leaving for our final destination or if we're still on hold.  I met a very nice Col (McNeil) who will be working with us.  She isn't sure of her job but she hangs with us a lot.  Yes, I made my famous idiot first impression on her.  She asked my name and I suddenly drew a blank.  Tovar cracked up so this is now the joke.  I don't care, it was pretty hilarious. 

Shiseido is our word for calming.  It's funny how little things mean a lot.  Like I said before, you have to tone down your "Irma" and increase your "Shiseido".  There are some things that are quite frustrating such as one person on our team having a "know it all" attitude.  I'm quite sick of that already.  One person is a little over the top, she seems to have the need to be the center of attention ALWAYS.  We have our lost little puppy, who isn't sure of anything and then we have Tovar.  Not sure how to describe him.  He's calm, centered, funny and doesn't really talk negatively about other people.  I would really like to get there myself.  I think it's important to know enough about yourself and not let others into your world who take it over.  I tend to obsess about other people's actions and it takes a lot away from me.

I saw a video of Konner today that I had  done a few days ago.  He is so darn cute.  I miss the boys and I surely miss cuddling with them.  I did buy some souvenirs for them so I will try to send them out tomorrow.  When I leave here, hopefully we'll stop in Germany and I can get some cool Happy Hippos for them!



Yut

The First Deployment 2010




Annie and Beeland

  

Me and Knott

Yesterday, four of my co-workers and I began an adventure.  One of us has had this adventure many times, but for the rest of us, it is our first.  The good-bye at the airport was heartbreaking.  Two of us have small boys who want to understand but I don't think they can at that age.  As if saying goodbye to your family isn't traumatic enough, I met Irma P. at Delta.  Irma has no idea how much she is now a part of this deployment.  She felt it her duty to berate me for making non-existent demands.  Now, my new nickname is Irma.  Or if there is someone who is getting fired up, we will tell them "You need to bring your Irma down a notch." 

Tovar

When we arrived at our first stop, no one knew we were coming so there was no transportation to pick us up and bring us to the base.  Everything was "closed" for the holiday.  I wish the war would stop for the holidays.  We called back to our base and found out the reason none of our leadership saw us at the airport was due to miscommunication.  Imagine that. 

We did have a good night.  Some of us have friends who live here and were able to visit for a while.  Some of us sat quietly in our rooms and just absorbed what was happening.  In a few hours, we'll board a military aircraft and stop in several countries.  No site seeing, as we are on a mission.  Maybe next time.

This morning I got a call from the boys.  Kodi is my heart.  He gets it and understands.  Konner is angry that I've gone but he will in time, understand.  Kodi will make sure of that. 





"I love you"