Letter From Iraq- 15 Mar, 2009

Hey Everyone,
It’s been a long time I know. I am so sorry about that. My work has really kept me busy and then with not having a computer… I am here now though. As The Mister previously posted I am currently on R&R (rest & relaxation) in the country of Qatar, phonetically pronounced, {cut-er} very near the city of Doha. It has been very enjoyable and some much needed time off. I have been able to get out and do some fun things to include a city tour, shop, boat trip with jet skies, swim in the Persian Gulf, ride a camel, eat some camel, 4 wheeling in sand dunes and spend some time at the beach. It’s been pretty great. The Mister posted some pics before of my city tour, but let me talk a little about the area. The Middle East (not including Iraq) is a very beautiful area. Food is good, people seem nice enough, very diverse. Iraq might be beautiful too, I just haven’t seen those places. I would have never thought of traveling to the major cities of Dubai or Doha but after having been here, I would come back and recommend it to you. It has been really nice. Here are some more pics of what else I have been up to since I’ve been here.

And now eating the camel… I know they were not the same camel because I actually rode the camel on a different day. It was pretty good actually. It was a sandwich that reminded me a gyro or a donor kabob if you know what those are. If you like them, then you would like a Kartof camel sandwich. (I think that is what it was called)

I jet skied for the first time. That was pretty dam fun! I can see why people buy those things. I was scared at first cause I thought I might fall off or try to stay on by holding on so tight and end up pulling out my shoulder… again. Well I didn’t do that and really enjoyed it. I could still see it happening if I got too carried away

Here is a pick of 4-wheeling in sand dunes. Again, also pretty fun racing in the sand anywhere between 30-70 mph.

While at the beach I was able to try on some traditional dress. Yep, pretty darn hot under there and I don’t know how those women do it. This is a girl I met here and have been spending most of my time with. Her name is Suhoney. That is the nice thing, well one of my favorite things about the military. You can go somewhere not knowing anyone and always end up making friends.

Here are some of me relaxing, on the boat… at the beach… and writing love notes to my sweetie in the sand. I had a lot of fun doing that.

Sitting on the beach as the sun went down was really nice. It reminded me of what The Mister and I have done in Spain and Mexico. I am really missing him right now. It’s much easier to cope when I am busy at work all the time, but being here just reminds me of all the great times we’ve had and will have. As much fun as this has been I can’t help but think it would have been that much sweeter if he were here too. I never thought being apart would be as hard as it is. I mean, I knew it would be difficult but… we have a great marriage and it has been rough. I don’t know how a rocky marriage could make it through this. Sweetie, just know how much I love you and I still know and believe we will get through this. We were meant to be together and we will be here again soon. Just in case you all haven’t guessed it already. The Mister and I have been discussing my future in the military. When I get home I will have one year left on my contract. At that point I will have 12 years in service and would only need 8 more to retire. I used to see myself as a “lifer” as many call it. This deployment has shown me this is not the life I want. I have decided to close this chapter in my life. Do I love what I do? Yes most definitely. I would be lying if I said I wouldn’t miss it. I will wonder how far I could have gone in my career and how many more places in the world I would have gone. I will never regret my decision to join and serve my country. Mostly because it helped me to discover my two greatest loves in life; my love for taking care of people both as a nurse and a Soldier but more importantly, I met the love of my life. My Sweetie. It is now with him I will be a “lifer.” To Iraq and Back My Love.
Love The Misses

Hope your paying attention up there!

Been thinking a lot, and doing even more....

I was blessed with incredible parents. I have several traits from both of them, actually too many to list. This weekend as I worked in my basement to give my Sister-in-Law and he boyfriend a proper shitter to plant their butts upon. I came across two traits, one from each of my parents that caused me to...well, pull my hair out.

My pops has been known to think for years and years before starting a project. Every project that has been attempted at his house, you can bet he had been thinking about it for years. I too have this trait. Most projects don't happen without a good amount of thinking being done. My mother has this quality about her that when there is work to be done, and when there isn't work to be done she is up doing it. She never sits still and is always working on something. I too have a hard time sitting still, and I cant do a thing without some thinking. Truly I am happiest when I am busy working on a project.

Having both of these traits usually works out pretty good. Most everything I work on I have thought through every detail and I don't stop until it is all done. The bathroom I didn't have much time to figure out every detail. I could have used another 3 or 4 years, because of this there were several "Son-of-a-Bitches", and "all be damned" uttered from my lips. I was far to antsy to sit still and figure it all out. It did get done. Okay, not really I am still waiting for the damn plumber to show up and hook up the crapper, there is no tile on the floor and the shower is nothing but 2X4's. I couldn't do the finish stuff without The Misses here to pick them out. I did get some drywall up, the electrical is done, and there is a little paint on the walls. I just wish I could have spent more time with the little things. There is flaws in the drywall, the window seal is a bit slanted, and the TP holder is as level as a shelf in a Dr. Seuss house.

The reason for the big hurry, you ask? The Misses and I decided to let her pregnant Sister and Boyfriend live in our basement. It is just for a short time. I have told them they will be out by the time The Misses gets home. I will not worry about where The Misses and I decide to have the occasional argument, and more importantly where we will decide to make up. So they have till the middle of August until they have to be out. Our hope is that it will give the two of them an opportunity to give living with each other a try, without the commitment of a 6 or 12 month lease or more importantly a large rent payment. Hopefully they will take this opportunity to save a few bucks and figure a few things out about each other.

It wont be long, about a month and I will have a screaming baby in my basement. The Misses is fairly jealous ours wont be the first baby crawling around here. I'm a bit sad it wont be our baby screaming in the middle of the night, screaming while I am watching my Monday Shows, and driving me absolutely nuts. I really hope god is paying attention. I have decided I must have done some fairly bad stuff to deserve all I have gone through. My hope is this will earn a few Kudos or Gold Stars or what ever he does to decide who gets the shaft and who doesn't.

The Misses is in Qatar for her 4 days of R&R. She seems to be having a great time, laying out by the pool, visiting the city, spending her hard earned money, and even taking a day cruise that includes jet skies. Her computer is back in Salt Lake getting repaired, and she is still really too busy to sit down and write how she is doing. Know that she is doing great things, and there is no one more proud of her then me. I did finally tell her I would support her through anything, except another damn deployment. We were meant to be together! Here are some pics from Qatar.