Race for the Cure

Even in Iraq, we were able to participate in the Race for the Cure run that happened in Boise, Idaho. We paid a fee, donated money, got a shirt and I don't think I've ever seen more "men" wear pink, than I did that morning. Here are some fun shots of our runners.

Oh, and if I look absolutely tired and funny looking in one of the pictures, it's because I did the 5k in 38 minutes with a ruck! I beat my last personal 5k record with a ruck by 5 min 19 seconds. Pretty impressive if you ask me. Then again, I am the one doing the rucking. Ugh!

Surprisingly, I do have a picture of myself actually doing things. I don't really have a lot of pictures of myself on this deployment, and honestly, I really don't mind!

Happy Mommy Day!!!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

An Adventure for Sure!

Helllooooooooo, Darlings!

Well, these past few days I've had the opportunity to go out with some of our teams and take photos of them. Most of them are of the Soldiers getting ready for missions etc. I do have to admit, I've been able to get in some of these pictures, too! YAY! I think you'll laugh at some of them.

This one is of me putting a gunner's harness on. (Why they only got me with a weird face - I'll never know.) The Convoy Commander let me ride in the gunner's hatch to take some photos. Granted, I also had to be aware of my surrounds and scan the area for any kind of threat, but IT WAS AWESOME!!!!!

Here's a picture of me sitting on the little webbed seat swing that, surprisingly, fit my bottom. The actually gunner jumped up and took a photo of me. He thought it rocked that I was up there. Then, he had to complain that the driver was going extra gentle on his driving because I was up there. Bah - I didn't care. It was a sweet deal.

Then, the gunner got my camera again and took a picture of me coming out of our vehicle. I don't know if you can notice, but I'm wearing my glasses and my eyes are a bit puffy. The night previous, I guess, the mosquitoes had a field day on me and decided to bite me on my eyelids. I had to spend an hour just trying to get the swelling down in my eyes. It was horrible!

Okay... I'll end here for this mission. I hope you read the next blog though. It's pretty stinkin' cute! Today we had our "Race for the Cure" (Cancer Run) and a lot of people wore the shirts, but others also got into it! It was a great morning. I'll see if I have time to post it on here a little later.

A Brief Hello

One of my favorite memories of being overseas:

It's funny - I felt more at home on a camel than I did on the back of a horse! I guess that's my ancient bloodline going all the way back to the "Land of Father Abraham" making me feel like I've lived here all my life! Even though this picture was taken in Kuwait about 6 months ago, it's still one of my favorites that I wanted to share.

AND, if you've already seen this picture - pretend like it's the first time you're seeing it. It's more fun that way. :)

Get a Clue!

Honestly people - when you see a ring on someones finger... DO NOT COME ON TO HIM/HER. It's irritating as all get up! Seriously! Sad to say, I get upset and end up being a complete "not nice person". Ugh...

Okay, so here's the little story. I'm sure I shared this on here earlier today, but I thought I'd share it again.

Soooooooo - we arrived here on Thanksgiving day, and after getting my things to my room, I headed out to chow. My battle buddy and I sat down and commenced to eat. Some guy sat down by me and then proceeded to ask me questions, then asked for me e-mail, then asked for me to take him to my country and to join the military... blah, blah, blah. Then, seemingly enough, several times during my time here I've been asked to move to another country to marry; and have even been asked to marry and move here to Iraq. Oh boy!

So, would you like to hear how I met my "husband"?

- We were introduced back in college. ROTC together.

- We "married" December 22, 2009.

- His name is Sam. Works for the "Government".

Translation?

- In college I was introduced to the military by taking ROTC classes.

- I enlisted on December 22, 2009. I guess you can say that's a type of marriage - a "binding contract" for a specified amount of time.

- The name "Sam" - came from "Uncle Sam"... Get it? Married to the Government. He works for the Government, too.

Well, I think it was pretty witty.

Anyway, that's the story.

Have a nice day! :)

It's a Boy!!!!

First, let me clarify - I'm not pregnant, and I have not been pregnant. This is not about me.

I'M AN AUNTY... again!

My brother Keoki and his lovely wife, Foeata, had a baby boy on the 6th at 1022 PM. Or in military time: 2222 :) I heard he was 20 inches long and 8lb 9oz or something of the sort! Man alive - by the time I see him he'll probably be soooo big!

When I get a picture, I'll see if I can post it. YAY!!!!!

One love!

P.S. His name is Paenoa!

Hello Darlings!

Okay friends and family -

I know, I've been slacking on what to put on here. But, honestly, what am I supposed to put on here that doesn't compromise things. Besides, half of you might not know what I'm talking about anyway. Sooooo, am I forgiven? :)

I thought I'd put a few pictures on here and write a little description about them. Not sure what I'll put on here, yet, but here we go!

Here's the American Flag flying on our post. 01January11

We flew flags for some friends and family members. Here is one of my favorite people folding the American Flag.

A brother to two of our guys died that morning. We flew a flag on his behalf. A few days later, the brothers were on their way home with the folded flag from Iraq.

Me with some of the cleaners. They strung "Christmas" behind us.

Some of the Fiji Army came and sang Christmas Carols to us. Oh the beautiful sounds of Polynesian voices! YAY for brown people!

A Bit Sad....

Sad news -

One of the most amazing people I've ever met in my life passed away this past Monday. I am so heartbroken and sad. I can't mourn with the rest of my friends who's lives she's touched and loved. Oh the heartache of being alone.

"Oh, What a Beauuuuuuutiful Morning..."

Well my friends - it's another beautiful day in Hawai'i nei!

I am loving my time away from everybody and everyone! (No offense)

Last week was my week to chill out with my brother Keoki and help him with school.

Last night Foeata and I went and got a pedicure done. (Don't judge.) It was actually really nice. But it was soooo weird when the lady was working on my feet - I couldn't help but laugh a lot because it tickled!

This coming week, I am off on my own to do various fun and adventurous things. For example: go to the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet, go to Hickam and get some goodies, make my presence known at the Post Office, get my passport done, buy a bunch of books, etc.... AND, most importantly - GO TO THE BEACH!!!

Funny story - the other day, Foeata told me, "Wow, Pili, you're really white!" (Have to love the people who don't sugar coat things.) Yet, it was true, I am very fair skinned. I was putting my clothes on the other day, getting ready to go to school with Keoki, and I gasped... I am REALLLLY white! I knew I was fair, but the way the sun hit my skin - oh yeah... I'm white to the MAX. Needless-to-say, I'll be hitting the beach this week! And, hopefully getting a massage, too. Oh the joys of being in Hawai'i! :)

Alright my dear friends and family. I might update this post later with the more DETAILED version of my Pedicure Adventure and, perhaps, may even share a few pictures.

One love from the islands~

Happy Love-Love Month

Well friends, I was attempting to find a stark black background that had some kind of "Death to Valentine's Day" on it... but decided against it. Mainly for the reason that it doesn't exist. :)

Some of you may know that Valentine's is not my favorite "holiday". None-the-less, just like the sun rises, Valentine's Day and the month of February will always "come to pass". Ha! Yet, another overrated and commercialized holiday to "boost" the economy. (Don't get me started on that.)

This year, I'm going to try and do something a little different. I am actually making a bunch of

Valentine's for our living area. Let me clarify... not just my chu, but our entire "pod" living area. That is... approximately 165 Valentine's. Phew! That's a lot! Man alive, I'm not sure how I'll be able to make each one unique. But, I'm hoping that this will get me in touch with my inner child when making Valentine cards and giving treats to others were fun and given with unselfishness.

Unselfishness - you know... I guess that could, in essence, be the "spirit" of Valentine's Day. Letting other people know that they are thought of, appreciated, and loved. (Even though I don't dare say that I particularly "care" of some of them. At least in a small way, I can say that I love everyone... but I would just "love" to see some of them stuffed. Oh... I said another mean thing, huh? Blah)

Anyway, I'm grooving to my "Colbie Caillat" station on Pandora and hope to finish at least 20 more Valentine stuff today. (I'll be putting them on the doors, and will make some letters that spell out "HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY" and hang them from some of the cargo net hanging on the walkways of some of the chus.) Hopefully I'll be able to take pictures and them post them on here after the damage is done. :)

Okay - I'm going back to letting the creative juices flow! (Oh! No I'm not... going to the gym instead.)

One love!

Oh, and if anyone is serving here with me reading this blog.... PLEASE DON'T BLOW MY COVER! Thanks!!!!

P~