sororitysoldier.com » iraq

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.

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?

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.

Reason #5,378 I need to leave Iraq

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 12:16:47 +0000

- Wishing for pain so you get to spend extra time with the cute doctor. I got my teeth cleaned this week. The dentist told me my teeth were perfect and I took excellent care of them. I smiled and said “thanks,” but was secretly hoping he’d find something – a cavity, need for a root canal – so he could give me some extra attention. Unfortunately, Dr. McHottie just told me my teeth were beautiful and sent me on my way. I have to get out of here. At the point you’re praying for an ailment to get some attention from a cute guy, you know it’s time to go.

Reason #5,492 I need to leave Iraq

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 09:40:29 +0000

I’m no cosmetologist. My lack of credentials doesn’t stop me from waxing my eyebrows once a month with waxing strips. I get so annoyed with the little blonde hairs that you can only see in the sun and you can only get rid of by waxing. This morning I decided it was time for some maintenance. In the dim lighting of the room, I peeled apart a wax strip, stuck it on my eyelid and ripped…. ripped my skin off. Ouch! I’ve never done that before and was certain I was becoming a pro. I’m blaming it on old wax strips. What did we learn? No more waxing my own eyebrows! I’ll be scheduling an appointment with Holly the first week I’m home.

No Worries

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:21:17 +0000

We’re almost out of here. We have scheduled flights out of Basra and Kuwait and at this point, I’m not stressing over much. With about three weeks left in this place, I feel like there’s no need to get too stressed out (that outlook could change tomorrow). Our replacements will be here in just a couple of weeks and we’ll have a short transition with them before running out of the country and never looking back.

We had our awards ceremony this past weekend. There were a lot of unhappy faces and people who felt they deserved more. I was happy with mine, a Meritorious Service Medal, and very happy that Sassypants got a Bronze Star. He deserved a Bronze Star more than anyone else – he’s been the jack of all trades, made command decisions and the sole responsibility for getting us in and out of this country. Stone hasn’t got his award yet. There’s some sort of hold up which, if you ask me, is just unsat. One of our LT’s awards is “lost.” I’m not sure how that happens. But – hey, no stress, remember? We’re leaving this place!

I’m planning lots of trips to visit friends and family. Friends in Seattle, Chicago, Austin, Dallas, San Antonio, North Carolina, Florida, Atlanta, and trips to NY and Cali, plus a visit to my dad in Missouri and my stepmom and sisters in Nebraska. There’s a lot to look forward to, and a big life change ahead. If the TV show doesn’t work out, I’ve got a clean slate of opportunity. I might end up in LA, NYC, Boston or Austin – who knows. It’s scary and exciting at the same time. Until then, I’ll be cozy in my parent’s house, waking up to the sunrise over the lake. There’s so much to look forward to. I’m so thankful to God for being by my side for another deployment and giving me so much in life to cherish.

A bet lost

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:13:50 +0000

The effects of betting against Maj Baldwin that LSU would beat Florida. I was told it wasn’t a smart bet, but a true fan always stands behind her team no matter what the odds.

Loving Football Season

Sun, 04 Oct 2009 08:57:23 +0000

Football Season is back in full swing and last night was LSU’s first “real game.” We played the Georgia Bulldogs, and since the commander is a UGA fan there’s no way we could’ve watched the game without a wager. The losing team had to take a picture wearing gear from the opponent and use it as their default facebook picture for the duration of 1 day for every 2 points lost by (ex: if the score is 32-20, the loser has to post the picture for 6 days).

The game didn’t really pick up until the 4th quarter (about 1:20 AM Basra time). When Georgia pulled ahead, the commander got out his camera, making sure the batteries were charged and ready to take a picture of Monty and I in our Georgia shirts. He couldn’t have seen the turn of fate that was ahead, when LSU seized the lead with less than a minute to go. I believe my victory dance including squealing and yelling “in your face” to my commanding officer.

A Girl and her Crew

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 17:11:00 +0000

The NCOIC (broadcast chief) wasn’t here today since he’s going on leave. I’m filling in while he’s gone and got a head start on 4-month list of to-dos. Today’s task – getting the receive dish on a very tall pole attached to a t-wall. It was easy enough to schedule the crane and labor, but once I got them here the real fun started. The ladder we were using stopped about 1/3 of the way from the top of the t-wall, and while the Iraqi scurried up the rest of the way like a spider monkey, SSG Pat had to use his army strong strength to pull himself up. The crane lifted the dish easy enough, but once over the horizon of the t-wall, it started swinging like mad. Pat had enough after it almost knocked him off the thin concrete barrier he was standing on, and then it was Stone’s turn. Stone and the worker were able to get the dish on the pole. YAY! … okay, don’t celebrate yet. The cloth harnesses that we used to hoist the dish were tied above our boys’ heads. Stone was able to wiggle the one closest to him and get it down, but the other one was securely tied at the very top. We weren’t really sure what to do and had just about given up when we look over and see the Iraqi that had been operating the crane hand the Iraqi on the t-wall the ladder! Are they really putting a ladder on the t-wall? Yep – he did it. I think I gasped a couple of times and there were references to circuses and those awful reality shows showing freak accidents over and over – I just knew we were getting a top spot on the next episode with this stunt. But he pulled it off. We all thought he was crazy… and still do, but he did it. I escorted them back and decided to not tell their boss about the acrobats he’s got in his office. I walked straight into the office and parked a point for myself and Stone in the win column… literally.