First day off!

well technichicly, first night off since my 'adjustment period', began at 6:40 pm when I was woken up by some filight op guys shnanagans in our POD area.Which is a good thing because Laundry pick up ended at 7pm, and chow endsed at 8pm...until Midnight chow, that is. So, I grabbed the two colprets for 'body guards', as no female can walk alone after dark, grabbed laundry, chow, and then mail. My two big packages are finally in! Extra undershirts, sock, 20 million books, funny bandagesm and lots of loose leaf tea and some girly hygien items ( thanks to my wonderful sister). My ipod speaker system has been playin Michael Buble, mixed with CCR, and Michael Jackson and Taylor Swift since I got to it at the bottom of my bag. Above my bed( now outfitted with jersey cotton sheets.) is a BDU red white and blue tuttu clad elephant, Linguini, my faithful penquin, and Puffy, my purple cat who I have had since I was four. I may be in a war zone, but what the hell, they make me happy! Next to that I have my Certificate of Promotion to Sergeant. I finally have my resistance bands and push up bars for my P90X system. I am a bit apprehensive, but I know I can do it :) ON the night shift we all rotate out to the gym after midnight chow. Everyone there is in great shape! It's hard to believe I am in a war zone. If it were not for the IDF ( indirect fire- mortors) and occasional IED off post going boom in the night, I might have my guard down. It's bad when you are working with a patient, and you try to remain calm. They are already up in the middle if the night in the TMC, they are already distressed. I have some really great co-workers from a California Unit, and then there is Major Strain, who is from the 1-171 and a great PA to learn from, and luckily, my supervisor don at HHC. All the providers work a few 12 hours shifts, and 1 24 hour shift during the week at the consolidated troop treatment center ( the clinic), along with working within their company. I find myself hanging out and eating meals with equal amounts co-workers and officers in upper enlisted. I seem pretty well liked so far. Someone has even called me a Cheshire cat because I smile so much. All I know is a positive attitude goes a long way while in stress full, and boring military environments. Oh and a good work ethic. I don;t have much a of a life outside the clinic yet, so I come to work sometimes an hour early then stay through the next shifts sick call, if there are any interesting cases, or minor procedure, like the removal of the fatty tumor out of a Cpt's neck last week. :) That was cool! Well, I should be using my time wisely and studying, so that will be it for now. Good night all!

Should be asleep...

...but I am not. as a late comer to my unit in Iraq, I will be working the night shift: 2000h to 0800h. I finally, after months of paper pushing, phone calls, (and harassing) landed at Camp Taji, Iraq for Operation New Dawn. I was delirious with sleep deprivation. I fell asleep on CPT Cabaniss' during my in brief. I missed a few key things: never walk anywhere by yourself, especially if you are female, if you think you are on the abandoned side of base, leave the area, and lastly, the map he gave me had two sides. Not knowing this instigated a two hour impromptu tour of the base on my own in 80 degree plus heat by myself. aka I was lost on the wrong side of base. Luckily I found my way back....and and asked to see the slide show again. So far, chow is good. My dining partner as of late is none other than Mr George Chip, blackhawk pilot, and my former high school vice principle! Many awesome conversations, and one cool (and more enjoyable) bike tour. I bought a cheapo bike and helmet the second I heard they were restocked at the PX. It's well worth it! Any how I need to get to bed... Formation at 1200, then chow, then back to sleep until 1900. I start my rotations at the aviation clinic. So much for a first post. I'm pooped!