sororitysoldier.com

Home Sweet Louisiana

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 03:37:56 +0000

As you’ve probably guessed, I’m snug as a bug in a rug in my big comfy queen size bed with a pillowtop mattress and my dog, Chevy.

Sorry I left you hanging there, but blogging wasn’t top on the list once I got home. I’ve been spending time with family, went to Hawaii and then Memphis for the New Year and I’m planning a trip to Nashville next month to visit one of my best friends. I’m waiting to see if the TV show will take off and if not, the plan is to study for the GRE and go to graduate school for public relations/integrated marketing communications. Wish me Luck!

For all of you who faithfully read and followed my journeys, Thank You. This time was harder on me emotionally and mentally. It took me a good 2 weeks to adjust to life at home and I’m still processing it all. My family and friends are awesome and I just had my first real Shreveport outing this weekend when I went to a baby shower and saw a lot of old friends. Other than that, I’m mostly hanging out with my bestie, Amanda, and the family. I’m slowly easing into the social scene.

Hope you all have a great and joyous 2010. God Bless you and our troops.

xoxoxo – Kristen

The Army Game

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:20:04 +0000

Fort Dix is boring. We’ve been outprocessing since we got here, which is just a game of hurry up and wait. We’re going through the demob center with a few other units, so there are lots of people backed up at one station which makes for good reading time (my current choice is Chronicles of Narnia). I finished all my paperwork, so now the hold up is reading my TB results which is tomorrow afternoon (takes 48 hours). After that, they’ll book me a flight home. Can’t wait!

Kuwait

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:28:00 +0000

I can’t describe the happiness that’s overtaking me. I’m in Kuwait. Away from Iraq forever. Elation.

Go Girl

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 06:12:21 +0000

I finally got to try out my GoGirl – the female urinating thingy that lets you pee standing up. It’s a bendy pink silicone-like thing that you have to seal off and pee in, then it drains out of a little funnel. Per the directions, I tried it sitting down in the bathroom. It was a little weird. I was nervous I was going to pee all over my hands, but to my surprise, I didn’t! However, I’d be a little hesitant using it in the field. For one thing, I’d still need to pull my pants down to get it sealed, which kind of defeats the purpose. Maybe with some practice, I could do it by just unbuttoning a few buttons.

All in all, I think it’s nifty to have around, especially on a long convoy. If you can trust yourself enough to get a good seal, there’s no reason why you too can’t pee in a Gatorade bottle like the boys.

The Way We Get By, Nov. 11 on PBS

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 07:07:44 +0000

We’re almost home and I can guarantee you that when I step off the plane in Dallas or Atlanta, I’ll be greeted by old war veterans, offering a handshake and a thank you. They’re always there, rain or shine, and they put a big smile on my face. This Veteran’s Day, PBS will air “The Way We Get By” -

On call 24 hours a day for the past five years, a group of senior citizens has made history by greeting nearly 900,000 American troops at a tiny airport in Bangor, Maine. The Way We Get By is an intimate look at three of these greeters as they confront the universal losses that come with aging and rediscover their reason for living. Bill Knight, Jerry Mundy and Joan Gaudet find the strength to overcome their personal battles and transform their lives through service. This inspirational and surprising story shatters the stereotypes of today’s senior citizens as the greeters redefine the meaning of community.

Watch the trailer here – http://www.pbs.org/pov/waywegetby/

An Iraqi Celebration

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 06:02:57 +0000

Some of the unit is already in Kuwait, but those left behind indulged in a traditional Iraqi feast last weekend. The command ordered food for 10 people, but the Iraqis were more prepared for the Last Supper, providing food to fill the tummies of at least 40 hungry Soldiers. We had lamb, fish, ground beef fried into a patty, kabobs, bread, hummus and all the fixings. We ate on the ground with our fingers under a tent at the new Oasis Bazaar (several Iraqi shops on base). After filling up on food, they brought out the hookah with apple flavor shisha. We passed that around and visited for about an hour and then played dominos with our new Iraqi friends. It was a great night, and I’m so glad we have this to remember.

Our replacements have made it to Iraq. We’ve only got a couple of days to train them, but since the division staff stays here it’ll provide some continuity.

Short-Timer Syndrome

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:35:31 +0000

Short Timer Syndrome is the equivalent of “Senioritis” – defined by Urban Dictionary as “noun. A crippling disease that strikes high school seniors. Symptoms include: laziness, an over-excessive wearing of track pants, old athletic shirts, sweatpants, athletic shorts, and sweatshirts. Also features a lack of studying, repeated absences, and a generally dismissive attitude. The only known cure is a phenomenon known as Graduation.”

The same dictionary defines short-timer as “After turning in your resignation, you end up not giving a damn about your job during the remaining two weeks notice you gave them.” It’s safe to say the 343rd MPAD has Short-Timer Syndrome. The only cure – a flight back to the states.

Despite hearing a motivational speech from our boss about “not taking your foot off the accelerator,” we’re slowing down. My desire to do anything is dwindling and even the simplest of tasks seem like a mountain of work. It takes a good 10 minutes of a pep talk to self just to start working and I’m easily distracted by the smallest things.

If Urban Dictionary asked me to define short-timer, it would go something like this: noun. A person who sees the light at the end of the tunnel and wants to hitch a ride in lieu of walking the rest of the way. A person who sees the countdown getting shorter as a cue to do less work. (“what are they going to do, kick me out of Iraq?)

Although I have a serious case of Short-Timer Syndrome, I also have a great work ethic. (Future Employers, take note!) I’m still getting the mission done and while I’m not at the 120% I started with, I’m not dropping the ball or slipping through the cracks. Just two more weeks….. can I hitch a ride?

Pampering Yourself is Never a Bad Thing

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:35:06 +0000

I believe in spoiling myself every now and then – a massage, maybe a pedicure or a trip to the salon. For my return to the states, I decided a massage in Shreveport just wouldn’t cut it. I deserve a massage on the beach… looking at the ocean… in HAWAII! It was a wim and before I could change my mind or talk myself out of it, I bought my ticket and booked my hotel for mid-December. It’s not that going home isn’t enough to look forward to, but I was craving a trip where I could block out everything from this past year and give myself a jump start in 2010. Sure, London was great – but I had to deal with hate mail and a break up. Going home is great, but everyone wants to talk about Iraq. In Hawaii, there will be no talks of Iraq, no mention of the 34th Red Bulls and no scripts to write. I have no agenda, no schedule and no responsibilities. Make no mistake – I won’t be lounging on the beach the full 5 days. I plan to take surfing lessons and get in a couple of scuba dives before I head back to the real world. Just thinking about Hawaii is making my days go faster – mostly because I spend them shopping for new bikinis on Victoria’s Secret.

Once I’m home from Hawaii, I plan to take it easy for about a month while I plan my backpacking trip in Europe (I need a travel buddy!!). If the TV show doesn’t kick off, I’m going to spend a month traveling Europe before getting a job. When else will I have thousands in the bank and an entire month to travel? Unless you’re a teacher, you don’t have the luxury of lengthy vacations.

Just a couple of weeks before we’re out of here. It’s so surreal and it won’t hit me until I’m sitting back in the barracks at Fort Dix. Our replacements should be en route soon, which means our time is getting shorter and shorter. World, Here I Come!

Photo Shoot!!

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:33:41 +0000

Dave is beefing up his portfolio, so Steph and I jumped at the chance to dress up and pose! Here’s a few of the pics (I edited these, but the ones Dave edits will be so much better I’m sure)

Packing Up

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 12:18:24 +0000

We had our customs inspection this weekend. Our conex is now packed and ready to ship back to the states. That’s one more step closer to home. We’re getting mixed information, so we’re not sure if we’re going to make it back for Thanksgiving. I’ve prepared my family for the possibility that I won’t be at the table eating turkey, but I’m hoping that’s not the case. I’d hate to get stuck at Fort Dix, but right now that’s a big possibility.

We have a video teleconference with our replacements next week. That’ll be exciting. I’m so glad we’re in contact with them, because it makes us getting out of here seem a little more real. We’ve got about 3 weeks or so left, maybe longer depending on when our replacements get here. Then it should just be 3 or so days in New Jersey, unless we get stuck over the holiday weekend.

Everyone is so ready to get out of here and this time is dragging by. Putting my feet on American soil, knowing it’s the last time I’ll ever be here, will be so surreal.