Hail to the New Chief

Dozens of us sat in the Rec Center, all three tvs getting the ABC feed through Armed Forces Network. I chatted in IRC with friends from all over the US and Canada during the festivities and after. I don't know why, but I did get goosebumps when they showed President Obama walking down the red carpet towards the podium.

Lots of headlines expected in the next 100 days as new policy is made and new orders are signed. Before you ask, it's not going to have much affect on our mission here in Balad. This hospital is going to be here for years. There are just not enough Iraqi healthcare providers yet.
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This morning, for the first time in a very long time, I actually slept until my alarm went off. I was slow to get up and dressed, and was feeling very sluggish all day. Did manage to get my 30 min on the elliptical today, but it didn't help much. I know it's going to take a few more weeks to see some improvement in fitness, and put the spring back into my step. And I still have the Balad Crud (sore throat and runny nose) to look forward to (usually happens the end of the second week here).

Did I mention that yesterday I met the base commander at the Change of Command? Brig General Bishop. Seems like a nice person. Asked if I was adequately prepared for the deployment, if the base was what I thought it would be like. I answered that I was fortunate to have good intel prior to my arrival, and that it's much nicer than what my husband had last year in Afghanistan. I hope I didn't sound like a fool.

Tomorrow is my first meeting with the new EMDSS (Squadron) Commander, Col Dietz. I already like his Superintendent, MSgt Harrington. And I have to bring my shot records to the clinic, someone at Nellis forgot to upload my second Anthrax so my name is on a list as being overdue (but in reality my next shot is not due for another 5 months).

Welcome to the 332d EMDG

After the Change of Command ceremony this afternoon, I walked around the hospital and took some more photos.

Outside the CASF


Hero's Highway

Outside the ER and "OR 5" on the roof.

Sunday ("in the Park") on the Base

Tried to sleep in (hid my alarm clock under the covers of the top bunk) but still couldn't stay asleep past 7:30a. I know we really have it way too easy over here (despite the "camping" atmosphere). See below:

Got the last mocha in the coffee shop before the power was cut (working on the generator). Spent the morning in the Rec Ctr and watched a DVD when the wifi went out for an hour.




Found the DFAC (Dining Facility closest to the housing area where I live) and had a reasonably nice meal (baked trout/rice, salad, some sort of chocolate cheese/cookie cake).






I walked to the the base theatre, found the outdoor pool and the stadium (this is where Saddam had the training facilities for the Iraqi Olympic Team). Didn't find the indoor pool yet.












Also went to the BX and the surrounding area. Found the Burger King, Cinnabon and Pizza Hut (so glad they are far enough away to limit the temptation). Walked through the Bazaar - once was enough, nothing there caught my eye for souvenirs.




We have a Beauty Shop. $11 for mani/pedi. I think I know my Sunday indulgance, worth the walk (and will include a piece of pizza). But not today (since I already had breakfast). I ended up getting a set of headphones that help blunt the Rec Ctr noise (but they are not totally silent), and they have a microphone if we decide to try Skype or other voice chat.

NOISE NOISE NOISE

I can't find any place quiet.

Outside there are the planes. Now, that is part of being on an air base, the various planes taking off and landing. I understand that. It's the constant barrage of sound that is hitting me to the core.

We have generators and heaters/fans outside the big buildings in the housing area (the rec center and the gym, for example). There are smaller generators near the cadillacs (the shower & toilet trailers). In the rec center there are two tvs at opposite corners on the AFN (Armed Forces Network) Sports channel, and in a third corner movies will be playing - sometimes that volume gets turned up. On one side are a bank of PS3 and most folks aren't using headphones. Last night the DJ started playing music - nice that it wasn't hard rap or headbanging rock, but it upped the sound factor (and drowned out the ping pong).

In my room is a heater/ac unit. Always on (or it will get too cold at night right now). There might be a week or two in the spring when we can turn it off but I think by then I'll be so used to it that I would not be able to sleep without the sound.

I haven't tried going into the library trailer yet - that might offer some silence. I wonder how this will change my hearing (I can't remember the last time I had it tested but the military might have records).

I'm going to the BX (Base Exchange) today. Maybe there are some noise cancelling headphones I can use to watch my DVDs in the rec center (or just wear when online to give me some quiet).

My Guard Gnome

He's soooooo cute!

Blogspot in Arabic

Sort of a Broken Finger

I went to the gym yesterday and did a CrossFit class. While throwing the medicine ball against a wall I ended up catching it on the tip of my left middle finger (instead of in my palm). I thought it was just a minor sprain. When I got back to work I did it on ice. But when I woke up this morning it was very swollen (and purple). I can barely bend it (makes getting dressed and braiding my hair a little bit of a challenge). An orthopedic Physician's Assistant looked at the xrays and find a tiny tiny chip on the end next to the knuckle. Just have to wait it out, for the swelling to go down on it's own.