The Tent Life

Yes, they moved me to a tent. We have the ambiance of full army life complete with cots and mice. But we have a bathroom trailer outside and there are showers, so it's not too bad. In fact, I'm kinda psyched because this is one step closer to coming home!!! I'm so freaking excited. The drama here is getting way too intense (ironic that the thing I'm worried about while deployed to Iraq is the school-yard-type drama....) and I can't wait to be home and be a girl again. We were talking about it the other day and it has been decided that girlification is necessary. I miss colored clothing and having my hair down. And not wearing shoes in the shower. And having a choice of foods for dinner. And a comfortable mattress. And seeing other people that aren't in the army. And see kids that are sweet and don't expect you to give them things simply because your an American or (like many of the teenage and preteen boys) think you're a heathen because you're a woman not in a burka. Yes, I can't wait to be home. And this tent says I'm back in the states in less than 3 weeks, so I love it.

Major Muhammad Ali Mufasa

That's the name on the "memorandum" from the "security forces of the Iraqi Army" who cordoned off my room this evening. Or, more accurately named: my platoon. They got me good in their most recent prank. They got caution tape, written in arabic and english, and taped off my room and my door. They then included a message from a one "MAJ Muhammad Ali Mufasa" that reported misconduct in the room and placing it off limits. The contact numbers of the memo were labeled "Iraqi Special Forces" but the contact numbers were 911 and the phone number to the company headquarters. I laughed so hard. I think my favorite part is the Mufasa... the lion king has absolutely nothing to do with Iraq... And the caution tape was overkill. They must have used an entire roll on the entrance of my room. I wish I had taken a picture, but the tape was blocking my door and my camera was in my room. Alas. I shall keep the memorandum and a section of the caution tape to show you all when I am home and to add to my collection of memories from this deployment. It was definitely a creative and well thought out prank. Well done platoon. Kudos indeed.

Gettin' Ziggy With It

That's right. After living here for 9 months next to the Ziggurat of Ur, I finally went to see it! We took a field trip to the site an one of the locals gave us an awesome tour of the Ziggurat, the old city of Ur, and Abraham's house. Yes, THE Abraham from Genesis. If you look back, he was born in the town of Ur, also known as the piles of ruins outside the base I'm living on. So, it was a historical adventure! Here are some of the pictures:

My platoon on the Ziggurat steps.

The 3 LTs in my Company doing our own rendition of Charlie's Angels. Matt... you're awesome.

My artsy shot on top of the Ziggurat. I can see my CHU from here!

My platoon sergeant and I on top of the Ziggurat

The gang on top of the Ziggurat. The ruins behind us are the ancient palace of Ur and the Royal Tombs.

My battle buddy: Di'Anna

On the steps of the Ziggurat with Nicole; she and I have been together since commissioning and I snuck her in to my company trip ;-)

Me on top of Abraham's house. I'm where the roof would have been. The foundation is the original, but the building itself was rebuilt in 1999 because the pope wanted to come pray at Abraham's house. Unfortunately, Saddam was not the kindest host and the pope stayed away for his own safety... The house is nifty though!

I had a blast. Our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable on the whole area and the history, so he was a wealth of knowledge for all the things we could think of to ask. I go to go down into the royal tombs and feel like an archaeologist and have fun with photography and learn some nifty history... definitely an awesome day.