Mid-August

Though the week as a whole went by fairly quickly, the days seemed to drag by and this month also feels like it is passing very slowly.  Part of the problem is that I keep thinking about leave...3.5 months from now.  In the grand scheme of things that is not a very long time, but when I think about the fact that its only mid-August and I won't be able to do all the stuff I'm dreaming about (mainly sleep), and see all the friends and family I miss so much until December, it wears on me.  On the brighter side of things, I've convinced myself that the hottest part of the year has officially past and it will only get cooler from here on out. Since August is the hottest month of the year, and 15 August is the middle of the month, we have therefore past the hottest day of the hottest month.  I don't care how skewed and wrong my thought process is about this because I am happy in my little world thinking that it will only get cooler outside.  Plus, I'm convinced that as it gets cooler out the time will also start to pass quicker.  My logic is full of holes, but at least I'm happier thinking this way.

 

I wonder which handgun he decided upon, the 1911 or the Springfield XD?

Congratulations Charlie!!!!

I'm extremely proud of my cousin Charlie because he graduates from Marine Corps boot camp today.  I've been telling all of my friends here in Iraq about him.  Way to go Charlie!!!

The Tree

A couple days ago after dinner two of my coworkers, Katy and Joe, and I decided to make a quick trip to to the PX. The sun was setting by that time and as we were walking the short distance from the DFAC to the PX and as we crossed the road I happened to look towards the south perimeter of the FOB. Off in the distance I noticed what looked to be the outline of a tree that was significantly taller than the walls surrounding the FOB. The FOB isn't very large (a mile in length at it's longest point, and significantly less in most areas) and so I don't know why I hadn't noticed this tree before, but it could be due to the fact that usually it's so bright out during the day that I end up looking down at the ground instead of up at my surroundings.  In any case, I pointed the tree out to Katy and Joe and we all stopped for a minute trying to figure out if it was actually a tree or just smoke from some smoke stacks.  Eventually we concluded it was in fact a tree, and actually a normal looking tree at that.  There are a few trees on the FOB, but as Katy pointed out, they look like Dr Seuss trees.  Other than that, vegetation on the FOB is quite scarce and the sight of a relatively normal looking tree off in the distance was rather refreshing.  I looked for the tree again today in order to confirm that it is actually a tree and not smoke and it was still standing there. 

The Gym

New mile record for me: 6:47 (once again though, 0% incline on a treadmill).

 

I've been a bit more homesick than usual recently.  This week has been a rather slow week work-wise and so I was able to average 13 hr work days and then get to the gym around 11pm. 

 

I'm half attempting to do this program at the gym called Body For Life.  It's an exercise regime and somewhat "diet" that you're supposed to stick to.  I regularly cheat on the diet and often do my own workouts (mainly cardio with a little weight lifting a couple times a week), but still managed to lose 3 pounds and 2-3% body fat (supposedly down to about 18%).  When it comes down to it, I'm not sticking to the program at all, but at least I'm still seeing results. 

 

I tend to talk about working-out on here because I don't feel comfortable talking about work due to OPSEC and other issues, and the gym is one of the few things that leaves me with of a sense of accomplishment and where I can see positive results.