Back to the beginning

As I am gone the next couple of days (Hellaciously lot of driving over the next 5 days: 1600+ miles just so my 18 y/o can see the rest of the family) I wanted to post the very first posts to this blog a year ago. Back when life was just a little more innocent for me, and way before finding out what big bombs could do to a girl:-D

August 3, 2004

Swimming, eating, and getting hit on
Being a female in Iraq is not really that fun, but occasionally there are funny points to it. Example: Myself and 2 other girls were sitting at dinner tonight, when we were engaged in conversation by 3 Brits sitting next to us. Forgive me, it was 2 Brits and a Scotsman. Either way, the conversation devolved rapidly, and soo we were all laughing at such things as why the US has the World Series (Baseball for those dorks out there), yet we are the only ones who play, or why we have Iced tea. To them, that is babaric. It simply isn't done. As we left, one of my compatriots and I were discussing the gentlemen. (I said "Goodnight Gentlemen" to which one responded "oh I am not that", so I asked him if he was an "arsehole" instead!) Anyway, she seemed rather insistent that they were hitting on me specifically, to which I pointed out that while they were doing considerable flirting, it was directed at us as a whole. It did make for an enjoyable dinner though, much different than my usual meals alone with my food and my bood.Back to the first subject in my title. I went swimming today for the first time in a long time. The pool is a small one that sits by one of the lakes on post, and is 6ft deep, all the way across. Me being 5'4", this was a slight issue. I treaded (I have no idea what word to use here) water for quite sometime, dunking people right and left, and when my back was turned, being dunked myself. Of course, now I am going to hell, as one of the persons dunked was the Chaplain. Hey, he started it by threatening to pull me in:-D While hanging out on the side looking around, I talked to one of the ISG civilians that was also there about the camp. There was an old Baath party building across the lake from where we were, and according to tale, there are still dead bodies in the theatre that was bombed last year during the war. The camp is an interesting mish mash of interesting architecture. While some of the buildings are very plain, and functional, such as the buildings I work and live in, others are beautiful. I think I am off to bed now. I am going to AG in the morning to provide administration support. Yay. (Yes, that was sarcasm:-)
posted by SGT Lizzie at 12:20 0 comments

Killing time
Somedays I have to wonder about people around here. I say things, I email things, but yet they don't listen. I am under the wire from above, and can't do anything because I haven't the information that I need! Then, from below, I have to deal with people who somehow think that I am 3, not 23. And of course as a result of that assumption, they then feel the need to question every move I make. The last time I checked, I had earned the rank on my collar by being competant at what I do. Granted, this is not what I was trained to do, but I work hard and learn what I can. If I do not know something, I ask. It's as easy as that, I am not about to jump off of a cliff without first making sure that there is something to slow my fall.
posted by SGT Lizzie at 06:35 0 comments

The Beginning
Since this will actually be read by other people than myself, I am not sure how to proceed. Mummy kept my diary online, and I think I will do the same, save for certain parts of course. You guys can't know everything about me:-DIt is August 3rd and I am sitting in my new offices in Camp Deutsch, located in Camp Slayer, near BIAP in Iraq. Confusing enough? I know. This place isn't that awful, at least we don't have to wear gear walking all over the place, and I now have a bike to ride to chow and such. We even have a swimming pool on post that we can go to. Not that I will frequent it, it is still quite sunny out and I have no intention of burning. The building I work in smells of cat pee unfortunatly, but it has become the running joke, and to be quite honest, most of us who work here become accustomed to it during the day. The place where I live is quite crowded and infested with ants, but so long as we are careful with food we don't have a problem. As we have no showers nearby, we have to ride about 3/4 of a mile away to shower trailers. Hopefully soon we will have our own. This place gets more and more frustrating though. I quit smoking finally, and I am thinking I should have waited! I have around 4 more months left here, and I am still steadily going insane.

One would have thought I'd at least score over 90%

What'd I do wrong?

You Are 87% American

You're as American as red meat and shooting ranges. Tough and independent, you think big. You love everything about the US, wrong or right. And anyone who criticizes your home better not do it in front of you!

How American Are You?

Nit picky people drive me crazy

I got back, for the FIFTH time (I think), the paperwork for someone's back pay! Why did I get it back? I had written a date in pen, not typed. Oh, and the time before that, they sent it back because it didn't have a VOCO date (don't ask me, I don't know). But believe you me, it was STUPID! Hello, persons PAY here? Money? Anyway, enough ranting.
I had an appointment this morning with a resume professional, and she was GREAT. I got lots of great ideas to start my first one, and I will see her again next week after I have written up my first one.
It is very hard to write one's resume and babysit, but I did accomplish that this evening. I now have a problem though, my resume is 3 1/2 pages. From all that I have read, this isn't exactly a good thing. I just don't know where to pare down. Ah well, I will fix it next week with the resume professional.

Finally Friday

SLEEPING IN TOMORROW, DON'T CALL ME. Ok not that you would because very few of you out there have my number:-D
Anyways, it has been a pretty busy week for me, the last 3 days I was in a workshop designed to help me in my transition from SGT L to Miss L. The best part? I got to run around wearing civilian clothes. It also made me realize something when I opened my closet to find appropriate attire. I have a closet full of clothes, but nothing to wear. I have been in the Army for over 5 years now. The most I have ever needed were jeans, t-shirts, party attire, and the occasional formal gown. I didn't wear suits, although I do love them dearly. I went window shopping online and found some great stuff, so now I need to save LOL.
Back to topic though, they went over such things as Resume writing, interview tips, and tips on finding jobs. Incredibly helpful, suprisingly, and I enjoyed myself immensely.
My plans for the weekend: Tomorrow I babysit from 0600-1800 as my best friend has duty, then on Sunday, have a manic heart attack because I have a 10 page term paper due and I SUCK! No, I haven't left this to the last minute, I have been doing research, reasearch and more research. I have also written down what apparently equals a page and a half when typed into Word. Oh well, I will be fine I suppose. Next week I start History and I know I am going to LOVE that subject.
Well, I am still at work, though I really want to be going home now.

Who knew that getting out of the Army than coming in. Sitting here in a resume class wondering if I can even do this though I know damned

Ooo new toy:-D I can blog from my cell phone! Now I can update any time I like, no matter where I am. So cool!

One entertaining day (and it's nowhere near done)

I am currently on staff duty, otherwise known as 24 hours of hell and boredom. I started out this morning at 0530, getting up for PT formation, then heading home to change for duty. I got here at 0730 and since then it has been going pretty interesting. Earlier this morning my former CSM called me personally after he had called for someone else earlier to talk to me. ME! That was a surprise. Then an old friend of mine who is still in Iraq called for connection to the home phone number which was very pleasant:-D At first I wasn't sure he remembered who I am, to which he said who could forget my face. Yes, my very at the time bruised face I cracked. Then he said I had a "cute" voice over the phone. Actually a number of people told me that after hearing me answer the phone multiple times. It hasn't stopped ringing yet with deployed people needing to be patched through to their loved ones here.
And I don't think I have lost THAT much weight. Someone I worked for made that comment earlier.
Fortunatly for me, I have an interesting Private on duty with me as my runner, and the yuks are non stop.
Oh, Go see Mace's Madness (link in sidebar) for funny movie reviews.

Mondays anyone?

yeah it's been funny today. Starting this morning, if it could get weird, it did. Heading to PT I got out a little late, and was unable to cross the road for about 5 minutes, making me VERY close to being late. Oops number one. Then, up on time for work, dressed, showered and out the door, where I made it to work early. Almost to the door when asked the question "where is your headgear?" Yep, at home sitting in its usual spot. Oops number two. There and back to work, where my temporary tooth managed to snap off of its wires, and fall out of my mouth. oops number three. The rest of the morning passed reasonably uneventful, and I headed home for a quick lunch where I managed to screw up microwave Mac and Cheese. Oops number four. Back to work to get some paperwork done before I needed to leave at 1330 for my appointment at 1400. Come about 1430, buried deep in my work, I realize I am not supposed to be there. Oops number five. (you keeping up here?) Earlier in the day I had made an emergency appointment with my orthodontist to have my teeth repaired, and very nearly forgot it. Almost oops number six. However, I made it there and back, teeth fixed, and back up to work I went. Later on that afternoon, I look out the window to see storm clouds gathering. Sunroof was open in my car. So run down the stairs did I, just in time. As I hobbled back into my office, the heavens opened and down came the down pour. He heheh. I tried to wait it out buuuuut no could do. By the time I got home, the streets were flooded, and I was soaked. Here I sit, finally dry:-D

Free Will

If you are in Asheville, NC, or have a vacation there anytime soon, find your way to Montford park. They have a wonderful production of Shakespeares "Comedy of Errors" in an outdoor amphitheatre that is absolutly free. So pack a picnic, grab your chairs and blankets, and head on down. It was wonderful, and so much fun. Mum and I packed up the children, and some really good chicken wraps, and along with my 14 y/o sisters boyfriend, down we went, and I laughed and laughed. Oh, and watching one's child in the back seat making out with a boy is very disturbing. (ok so she wasn't really making out but still!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Other then that, the weekend was a pretty normal weekend at home with my family, I also got my NC drivers license (g-d awful photo). Despite the three hour drive it is always worth it. Heck, Even my baby brother likes me now:-D

The road less traveled

I decided on a whim this Saturday to pay a surprise visit to Mummy. Ok, it had more to do with the fact that I was baby-sitting my best friends 2 year old baby girl and I didn't want to subject her to the boredom that is my room. So, I loaded up my stuff rapidly, loaded Chrissy, and off we went. For those of you who have ever traveled with a young one, you know that it can be quite tortuous. Not for me this time. I swear I have never had a quieter ride:) We got up there, and as I pulled in, mother was sitting outside on her chair. She got up, and I could see the confusion, worry, and other things going through her mind, as I was not due up until this Thursday. I got out, and announced that I had company with me. She rolled her eyes and asked me who it was, then laughed as I pulled Chrissy out of the back seat. I took her inside, and introduced her to my siblings. While it took her a while to get accustomed to the madness that is my family, by the time the family went out for Mummy's birthday dinner, the babies were playing together quite nicely, and Tavy had taken on the role of miss bossy pants.
Going to dinner was quite an adventure, as Mum had no idea where she wanted to g, so we drove and drove and drove til we ended up at a very nice TGI Fridays. Our waitress's name was Sarah and a very sweet girl. Anyone who can put up with my raucous crowd is great:-D And surprise, at the end of the evening, I was able to find my way home, although getting directions from my beloved mother is NOT the easiest thing in the world.
The next morning we headed out to church, which went very well, and after church, Chrissy and I took off again for home, though this didn't go quite as expected. Going along the road, I decided to see if I could take a short cut on a road I was not familiar with. Rule number 1: DON'T take shortcuts that you don't know. This one took me about a hour to navigate (thank goodness for my map) but it was one of the prettiest roads I have ever been on. The road was windy and curvy, so green and full of wonderful foliage, and defiantly one I want to travel again.

So home I am now, and it has been an interesting week. Monday was manically busy, then this morning, I decided that morning formation at 0630 wasn't that important and slept right through it. Ok, I really just forgot to set my clocks properly and woke up way late. But boy did I feel good all day hehehehe.

More random photos

OK, so not really random, these were all taken on Saturday the 2nd, at our family picnic out at the lake.

I love kitties. This one owned the small garden in the woods we explored.

He was such a cute puppy:)



Mummy was VERY wet ROFL!!!!!!!!!!!!


The family watching fireworks Saturday night. My sisters are all grown up:( They had boyfriends present! Eeeeeeee:-D Very adorable young men though.

Mummy managed to overturn the canoe that she and Justin were rowing about:-D It was FUNNY!!!!!!!!

Bad ideas

Include going to the mall on the 4th of July to get your hair cut. Bad Bad Idea. No, the mall wasn't crowded, nor insanely busy. The stores just had REALLY great sales. Must......not.........buy.............really..............cute...............shoes. "charge please" For the record, they were $7. I also purchased the most beautiful shirts for Mummy at one of her favorite stores, April Cornell, and I hit the ever wonderful sale at Bath and Body Works. All in all I didn't hurt my bank account that badly, at least I will not be eating ramen until next payday;)
So, what happens when you mix 2 teenaged couples? Mayday mayday mayday, please someone HELP!!! My 2 teenaged sisters now have boyfriends!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Someone, please tell me when these children grew up on me? But, it was a lot of fun watching the 2 of them interacting with them, albeit a little freaky. The next time I go up, I have been tapped to play both chauffeur and chaperone for the young couples so that they may go watch a movie. Oh please let them pick a good one! My sisters do have very good taste in young men, at least from what I observed this last weekend. They were very good with the youngest 2 sisters, the 4 and 12 y/o's. Pictures soon to come.
I also spent the weekend with my beloved, who drove up here and went with me to go see my family. Poor boy, stuck in a house with 6 white people. (his words, not mine;) Especially with my family and as insane as we are:-D
All in all, my weekend has been great!
This coming week is going to be busy, appointments and catching up on paperwork. I love it:-D

In the Meantime

Just got back from a busy weekend in NC. But I will tell you all about it later. In the meantime, here is my persuasive essay. Once again, warning, this is a 3 page essay.

Home schooling is an oft argued topic, and parents may hesitate for many reasons such as educational (parents not educated enough, children will fall behind their peers) or social (afraid children will not develop social skills). However, home schooling is better then public schooling because parents have better control over style and type of education, more time spent one on one with the child, and it allows the child to learn at his or her own pace. As a child, I learned to read rapidly, but my younger brother took longer. Had he been placed in public school, he would have been held back several grades, and would perhaps have been diagnosed with a learning disability. But because my mother home schooled us, he was able to learn at a pace that best suited him, and today he is a college graduate working in a very successful computer career.
In today’s society, parents are choosing home schooling in ever increasing numbers though. In a survey conducted in 1999, there were an estimated 850,000 home schooled children in the United States, in 2003; those numbers had increased to an estimated 1.1 Million. Home schooling allows the parent more control over their children’s curriculum. With many different types of curriculum available, parents are able to choose precisely the lessons the children learn. Public schools typically have only one curriculum, and parents have no say in choosing what their child does or does not learn.
Over 60% of parents who have chosen to home school give either their concern for the environment of schools, or to provide moral or religious instruction as reason. With children staying at home, they are better protected from peer pressure.
Socialization, or lack thereof, is often cited as a reason not to home school, and why public school is better. However, this myth has been studied in a number of studies and been proven that home schooling is just as good, or better, concerning the socialization of children. In his 1992 study, Larry Shyers of the University of Florida found that children taught at home showed fewer behavioral problems then did those children schooled at conventional schools. Many people have the view that home schooled children are sheltered, secluded, naïve to the ways of the world, when many times it is entirely opposite. There are many opportunities for children to socialize with their peers, such as home school groups, recreation classes, and little league, among many others. From my own experience with home schooling, when I was younger, my mother always had myself and my siblings enrolled in classes through the public parks and recreation, orchestra, ballet classes. We also had a group of home schooled friends, as well as our friends from church.
There have been many studies conducted on the social and educational benefits of home schooling, far too many to cite here. Home schooled children are often better educated and more socially adaptable then their conventionally schooled peers. In a scholarly analysis, Professor A. Bruce Arai stated that individuals who are or were home schooled “are keen to integrate into the wider society”. Home schooling is a personal choice, but one that is the best choice.
Works Cited

Lines, Patricia M. “Homeschooling comes of age”. The Public Interest, 140 (Summer 2000): 74-85

Lyman, Isabel. “Answers to Home School questions”. The New American. May 6, 2002. 18.9: 31-33

National Center for Education Statistics. “1.1 Million Home Schooled Students in the United States in 2003”. Issue Brief. July 2004: 1

National Center for Education Statistics. “1.1 Million Home Schooled Students in the United States in 2003”. Issue Brief. July 2004: 2, Figure 2

United States. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. “Statistical Analysis Report: Home Schooling in the United States: 1999” NCES 2001-03: 9

Oh for a long relaxing weekend.

It will be nice to have the next few days off to relax. This last week I have had midterms in both my classes, and that was a bit hard. Sociology in particular, as I took all three hours alotted for the exm. But I finished, and do think I got a good score.
Here in a few hours I will be heading up to NC yet again, as Daniel drove in late last night from Miami, and we are visiting my family. Currently he is knocked out though, poor boy. Miami to here is one hellacious drive, but oh so worth it:-D