Well people, just to let you know, there is no USO here on post. AND no DSN to where most of my family live. Thus, if you don't get a phone call this next year - don't be heartbroken about it. Calling cards don't work here, either. So! We're back to snail mail, and the occasional e-mail. Thus, here's my address again:
PFC Baclayon
B BTRY 1-148 FA BN
FOB Prosperity
APO, AE 09348
Big hopes, eh?!?
Friday, November 26, 2010
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Duty Station Overseas
Happy Thanksgiving to one and all!
Here's a little funny: Today, I woke up and it was still early evening on the West Coast. Tonight, at dinner, I was watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on TV! Cracked me up!!!
Just letting you know that I made it to my final duty station in Iraq. My FOB is quite small, but there are a lot of things that I can get involved in, and am looking forward to it. For example, I went to the gym tonight to take a gander, and inquired about the different classes that are being taught, and they only have an aerobic class available Monday, Wednesdays & Fridays. I guess they used to have a YOGA class, but the instructor left and the class died. Sooooo, I was talking with the Zumba instructor in Kuwait, and she said that I should teach it here. Luckily, or maybe NOT so luckily, they don't have a Zumba class or instructor here. SOOOOO, since I have "become a certified Zumba instructor" on my life list of goals, Denise (from the gym) said that if I wanted to start a Zumba class, I would just need to have the music, and I could use the old yoga studio! HOW cool would that be! Sweet!
Anyway, I'm a bit tired. I've been up since 0230 and it's 1911. We've been traveling all day. My hands are red, bruised, and tired from loading, unloading, and moving bags around everywhere!!!! Sucks to be a good battle buddy sometimes!
OH, and in the smack-dab in the middle of our 2 mile round FOB, is a palace. It was one of the first structures that was bombed here. It's GORGEOUS! The reliefs and architecture, and painting is sooo exquisite! I'll have to take pictures of it one day and send it over. Or, maybe I'll just post it on my little blog. (Speaking of which, I'm going to put a little ditty on there right now. Actually, probably just a cut and pace from this e-mail.)
I won't be able to get on the computer very often for the next little bit. Not sure when I start working my shifts, however, I think tomorrow I start meeting the people we are taking over for. It'll be an adventure for sure. Will blog again when I can.
Pili girl~
Here's a little funny: Today, I woke up and it was still early evening on the West Coast. Tonight, at dinner, I was watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on TV! Cracked me up!!!
Just letting you know that I made it to my final duty station in Iraq. My FOB is quite small, but there are a lot of things that I can get involved in, and am looking forward to it. For example, I went to the gym tonight to take a gander, and inquired about the different classes that are being taught, and they only have an aerobic class available Monday, Wednesdays & Fridays. I guess they used to have a YOGA class, but the instructor left and the class died. Sooooo, I was talking with the Zumba instructor in Kuwait, and she said that I should teach it here. Luckily, or maybe NOT so luckily, they don't have a Zumba class or instructor here. SOOOOO, since I have "become a certified Zumba instructor" on my life list of goals, Denise (from the gym) said that if I wanted to start a Zumba class, I would just need to have the music, and I could use the old yoga studio! HOW cool would that be! Sweet!
Anyway, I'm a bit tired. I've been up since 0230 and it's 1911. We've been traveling all day. My hands are red, bruised, and tired from loading, unloading, and moving bags around everywhere!!!! Sucks to be a good battle buddy sometimes!
OH, and in the smack-dab in the middle of our 2 mile round FOB, is a palace. It was one of the first structures that was bombed here. It's GORGEOUS! The reliefs and architecture, and painting is sooo exquisite! I'll have to take pictures of it one day and send it over. Or, maybe I'll just post it on my little blog. (Speaking of which, I'm going to put a little ditty on there right now. Actually, probably just a cut and pace from this e-mail.)
I won't be able to get on the computer very often for the next little bit. Not sure when I start working my shifts, however, I think tomorrow I start meeting the people we are taking over for. It'll be an adventure for sure. Will blog again when I can.
Pili girl~
Thursday, November 18, 2010
In a New Land
Boy- there is nothing but sand here. Miles and miles of sand.... desert. I wish I could post photographs of where we are, however, there is a "No Photographs" rule. Oh well, such is life.
The time here is 10:45 am. I've been awake for many hours. I think I figured it was something like 8 - 10 hours of sleep I've had in 3 days or so. I totally forgot about the day change as well, and thought today was still Wednesday! We are here at our transition area for about a week. We have to walk EVERYWHERE! I love it! But the time difference is definitely a killer! I'm trying to stay awake as much as possible, so I can get on a regular sleeping schedule with this new time zone.
Not-to-mention, when I'm walking, standing, sitting... I still feel like I'm on an airplane, and am still moving. Such a weird feeling.
But, I made it safe.
Okay, have to go. Time is up on the computer. (My typing has slowed, since I don't use the computer often any more.) :(
One love to all!!!
The time here is 10:45 am. I've been awake for many hours. I think I figured it was something like 8 - 10 hours of sleep I've had in 3 days or so. I totally forgot about the day change as well, and thought today was still Wednesday! We are here at our transition area for about a week. We have to walk EVERYWHERE! I love it! But the time difference is definitely a killer! I'm trying to stay awake as much as possible, so I can get on a regular sleeping schedule with this new time zone.
Not-to-mention, when I'm walking, standing, sitting... I still feel like I'm on an airplane, and am still moving. Such a weird feeling.
But, I made it safe.
Okay, have to go. Time is up on the computer. (My typing has slowed, since I don't use the computer often any more.) :(
One love to all!!!
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Waiting for Departure
Welcome we' lads... though I cannot say where my adventures are taking me, I was never told I couldn't give hints. I am currently in the land where gold is found at the end of the rainbow.
Okay!!! Moving on!
Well, last night I was able to speak with my family for a brief moment. I wish I had more time to make calls.
As we are here at our layover... I have about 2 minutes to be on the computer. And what do I choose to do? Blog. I know... kind of lame.
Never-the-less, please know that I love you all heaps.
Mainly, I just wanted to post my address for overseas:
PFC Baclayon
B-BTRY 1-148 FA BN
FOB Prosperity, Iraq
APO AE 09348
Hugs, kisses, love and light to everyone! Stay well!
Monday, November 8, 2010
Photos from Training
Here are some photos from our training. I'm not going to explain what they are. However, I hope you enjoy them.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Updates on my Adventures
First and foremost: please do not send any more mail to me in Mississippi. I'll post my address for overseas as soon as I get it.
Secondly, I'm glad I can finally get on here and do some updating.
Thirdly, I'm currently sitting in my room, feet propped up, TV watching me, fireplace going and sporting civilian pjs. Man alive- life is good right now. :)
I am on pass until Wednesday, and the only thing I have planned.... a massage for tomorrow. I'm so thankful that everything has been prepaid. I am absolutely in love with my room. I couldn't have asked for a better room to be in. Oh yeah... I'm staying at a little Bed & Breakfast, literally in the middle of nowhere. This is the first time I've rented a room from a Bed & Breakfast, but am falling in love with the idea to fulfill one of my goals in life: to run a Bed & Breakfast on a 10 acre ranch with a massage center. How amazing would that be!
Training here as been good and worth it. I apologize if I do not share what we've been doing, but I hope you understand, it is not my privilege to share.
On a lighter note... I got an email from our Public Affairs NCO for the 116th Calvary Brigade Combat Team. She was in receipt of some photos I had taken of our training. (If you did not know, I was asked to be our unit's photographer.) Well, her e-mail asked if she could submit some of my photos to the Department of the Army and the Department of Defense to be used for media and website publishing. She also asked if if I could continue submitting pictures while overseas. What a great honor that was. SO! I'll put some of my photos here, and you may even see some of them used for military purposes too!
This is my blog for the night. Hopefully I can make another blog before heading overseas. One love to all, p~
Moving On...
Tonight I had a tender mercy from the Lord.
I've learned that sometimes, the Lord doesn't just give you the easy way out of things- even when you know what the choice or decision is "supposed" to be. Sometimes, the tender mercy is necessary for you to fight for what you really want. Why the Lord does what he does, I don't know, but He knows best.
Moral of the story- the Lord won't always give you the easy way out of lives choices, even if you don't deserve it. But He does it because His ways are not our ways, and His laws are higher than our laws. He is the Master and has already been preparing the way for us to accomplish His purposes. I don't always understand His choices, but I do know that He has always wanted more in my life than I've wanted for my own.
To understand the will of the Lord is to loose your OWN plans and find the courage to Trust and have Faith in Him. Finding Hope.... indeed I am.
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