Sorority Soldier

Home Sweet Louisiana

kristen — 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

kristen — 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

kristen — 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

kristen — 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

kristen — 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/