Gumby and Duck

During the course of this deployment, I have received a lot of care packages; mostly from family and friends but quite a few from people I have never met. One of the more interesting gifts in a care package was a rubber duck from my mother. Everyone liked the duck so much that it even got taken hostage by Second Lieutenant (2LT) Oman. As the story goes, 2LT Oman was waiting for his promotion to 1LT. Shortly after duck went missing, I received a note stating the duck would be returned upon the promotion of 2LT Oman. Pictures were attached to communicate the seriousness of the threat!

Gumby was another interesting gift from my friends, Donny and Robin. Gumby was taken hostage too. As shown in the pictures, he was treated as a terrorist by the platoon.

Once 2LT Oman was promoted to 1LT, Duck and Gumby were returned, only to take a trip to Qatar with Specialist (SPC) Swenson. They hit the beach and from the sounds of it on Swenny’s blog, they had a great time. http://swennyadventures.blogspot.com/

Qatar is a country where some of our Soldiers have had the opportunity to take a 4 day pass. The troops that have had the opportunity have lots of great things to say about this getaway. At Qatar, they can go to the mall, the beach, play golf and a variety of other activities. They even can drink 3 alcoholic beverages per day that they are there.

When I went to Arifjan, Duck and Gumby joined me and hit the pool with 1LT Meeusen. Who would have thought…toys in Iraq would carry such a story.

In November, I received 200 lbs of candy from an orthodontist in Eagan, Minnesota. I don’t know this orthodontist, but my neighbor and friend, Sheila, certainly must have had a hand in this large shipment. Sergeant First Class (SFC) Pietsch received over 13 boxes of candy from a dentist in Eagan. Certainly interesting care packages coming from people in these professions! I only hope my teeth don’t fall out by the time I get back!



Duck as a hostage.


The waterboard treatment


Gumby


Taliban Gumby


Taking aim on Taliban Gumby



Geography Lesson: Qatar


Gumby and Duck in Qatar.





Getting ready to check out the pool in Arifjan, Kuwait.


Testing the water.


Sitting in the pool.


LT Meeusen


Duck and Gumby being held by the flight chief during the trip back to Basra in a C130.


200 lbs of candy!


SFC Pietsch and SPC Bruneau. Pietsch showing how rotten his teeth are becoming from all the candy!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Yesterday I flew Space A to Ali Al Salem, Kuwait. It is never an easy process flying here and trying to secure a Space A flight is like trying to get a last minute flight on a holiday. I thought my luck had changed when I was manifested shortly after the other passengers. Not really. Once again, the flight was delayed so I spent some quality time at the PAX terminal. I finally arrived in Ali Al Salem, waited about an hour for my duffle bag to be unloaded and jumped on a bus which would take me to Arifjan.

I was to spend Thanksgiving with our troops stationed in Arifjan and I was looking forward to the change in scenery. Unlike Basra, where every week something changes on the base, I didn’t notice any changes to Camp Arifjan. It was refreshing to not feel closed in by the T-walls, HESCO barriers and concertina wire.

I got up early and joined First Lieutenant (1LT) Chris Meeusen, Sergeant (SGT) Ridgeway and Specialist (SPC) Winter for the Turkey Trot 5k. I was thinking of my mother who would be running later in the day in Duluth, Minnesota, in the Gobble Gallop 5k. Sixteen thousand miles separating us from running together….next year, Mom!

The registration for the race was in one of their gyms and the sponsors were yelling out numbers. Chris was explaining how we take a badge and turn it in at the end of the race to claim our T-shirts. It dawned on me that the numbers they were calling out corresponded to the badge colors which corresponded to age categories. Of course, I’m wearing the green badge (40-49). As if being older isn’t hard enough, now I have to display it on my chest. The only redeeming quality of the race is, I outran a lot of guys. A female and 41 years old, too! HA!

We stopped at Starbucks on the way back and SGT Ridgeway treated us to coffee. The Starbucks had been remodeled to accommodate inside seating since I visited last. The last time I visited, it was so sweltering hot and drinking coffee outside made it worse. Now that the weather is cooler, there is seating inside. Funny, how it works out that way. As always, it was just like a piece of heaven from home.

For lunch we hit the DFAC and it was all decked out with decorations, butter sculptures and melon carvings. As we were walking through I saw Command Sergeant Major Preston, Sergeant Major of the Army….the top enlisted guy for you civilians.

SGT Peterson took on the responsibility of party planner and coordinated a Thanksgiving party for the team. We played bingo and pin the feather on the turkey. She had some fun prizes and a coveted “good for one day off” certificate. Unbeknownst to Chris, she had T-shirts made with his picture. The caption read, “Fearlessly, our leader searches for the pool.” The inside side joke on this one is: There is a swimming pool located on this base and every time we call to talk to Chris, he’s at the pool. Not even close to being true but we definitely have fun giving him grief about it. I even won a T-shirt.

We had steaks from Mancini’s and some other side dishes. Not quite the usual spread that I’m used to back home but I was certainly just as full when the meal was over.

As much as I missed spending Thanksgiving with my family back home, I was glad I had the opportunity to spend it with my military family.

Here are my top 10 things I am thankful for. I could certainly list more than 10 but then I would be here all night. First on my list is my family which really goes without saying. They are and continue to be my support through this and the reason I continue to be a Soldier.

Family
Friends
Religious Freedom
Having an exciting job!
Good Health
Living in the USA
Education …and that my parents read to me when I was a kid
Food on my plate
A roof over my head
This experience…since it has brought such clarity to what really matters.



1LT Meeusen, SPC Winter and I sporting our age badges.


SGT Ridgeway


This guy's mom sent him his turkey hat!


Some cooks at the DFAC.


Our chefs!


Private First Class Sinz showing off the "Fearless Leader" T-shirt.


SGT Braaten


Standing next to the "Fearless Leader"


Chief Toole proudly displays one of the items in his winning bag: Go Fish!


Staff Sergeant Schultz taking a stab at pinning the feather.


SGT Peterson working her way to the wall to pin the feather.




The Thanksgiving crew!

Riding A Camel

Today, I got to scratch off two more things from my bucket list: riding a camel and hookah smoking. No, they were never really on my bucket list but now I can say I did it…and I probably won’t do either of them again.

I went with Tim and Nik, platoon leaders from our company, and Specialist Arriaga to the Oasis. Since I hadn’t brought any cash with me, I went to the “ticket booth” to purchase a camel token and a token for some bread. I was coming back from one of the shops when Specialist Arriaga was returning from his camel ride. Nik was next and in true fashion he carried his M4 as if he was on a foot patrol. This is the same guy who shot a buffalo during leave. We told him he needs to make it more challenging next time by riding a horse and killing the buffalo with a spear or bow and arrow.

While Nik was returning from his ride, my anxiety was starting to go up. Some Soldiers were saying the camel had tried to bite Arriaga. I was starting to think this wasn’t such a good idea. I was recalling the time I was 16 and had gone horseback riding with one of my friends. We hadn’t even left her driveway and the horse started to bolt, hence, I fell off. Instead of getting right back on, I decided against it. Now, I was having angst over the actions of this camel.

It was my turn. On the camel I went and I was seriously sweating and my heart was racing. I was thinking if only I could just get a picture with me sitting on the camel. Now, I wish I could speak Arabic to let the boy with a stick know, I didn’t want a ride. Up the camel went. Unbelievable how tall they are when you are sitting on one. Their gait is less than desirable. I wouldn’t have wanted to ride any longer than the block ride that the boy led the camel. As I was coming back, one of the shop owners came over with a saber and handed it to me to hold over my head in true warrior fashion. What the hell, now I couldn’t hold on with both hands!

Probable the worst part of the camel ride was when the camel knelt down for me to get off. Since they are so tall, they drop to their knees. I liken this to the first drop of a roller coaster ride. I knew it was coming and it was a steep drop. Finally, I was on the sweet ground…never to ride a camel again!

I purchased some of the Iraqi bread. I tried not to think that one question; did he wash his hands? Their bread is excellent. The only thing that would have made it better is if I had purchased some butter, cinnamon and sugar.

The guys arranged for a hookah and Tim bought us coffee. The hookah was interesting but shortly after, I got a headache. Again, nothing I’ll try again.

All in all, I’m glad I tried it and it brought some change to my day. One more day down in Iraq!



Nik patroling on his camel.




I'm smiling since my ride is over!




The guy used the pillow to slap the bread onto the oven wall.

Vikings vs Detriot Lions

When Brian and I got married, I was so happy he didn’t spend time watching sports on TV. As time passed, more and more often, he’d be watching a game of football or golf. I really wasn’t interested in watching football games and certainly not on TV; however that changed about 5 years ago when we started going to games at the dome. I love hearing all the sights, seeing all the sounds and smelling the popcorn and hotdogs. Throw in a Summit beer and I’m set!

In another attempt to give us a little bit of home, our public affairs office coordinated a live feed of the game. It wasn’t the excitement of the dome but all in all, it was a good time. Below are some shots I captured.

I have to apologize for my minimal postings this month. Major Riha is on leave and I’m currently the acting company commander. He can’t get back soon enough!


The Basra Crowd


The Screen.


Captain Snare. The previous night there was a try out to blow the horn. CPT Snare won and got to start the game off with a toot from the horn.



Frostie and Brownie. I had left my camera unattended and found the pictures they left me! Nice one, Ladies!


Command Sergeant Major Wortham and Specialist Schaeffer


Enjoying the game with fellow Soldiers!




My support team back home!


Sergeant Major Bartkey sporting the new hat his wife sent him.


First Sergeant Schmidt


MP Soldiers


Commanders: Big M and Jergy


Lieutenant Colonel Kruse and OCS classmate, Major Aaron Krenz


CSM and BC



Chief Jensen




Our half time show: Sergeant First Class Pietsch...the same guy who wore the grass skirt and coconuts on the 4th of July!