Target Practice

I had never touched a gun in my life before my first deployment. This admission worried my PSD (personal security detail) guys greatly so one day Rob (one of the team leads) volunteered to take me to the range. My roommate at the time, Cynthia, and I loaded up into an armored vehicle with the Gurkhas (the guards for our living and work compound – which was already inside a secure military compound) and Rob (a Brit) and headed to the nearby shooting range. Targets were set up,

weapons laid out (for those curious these are not all standard issued military weapons –some may have been acquired from weapons caches found while in country, you know the nonexistent “weapons of mass destruction” ),

bulky gear removed (except for those rule following military men who kept all safety gear on),


safety gear in place (note the ear plugs and proper eyewear),

a trial run or two by the Gurkhas,

and then instruction for Cynthia and I on how to properly handle and shoot several different weapons.




Rob, bless his heart, was very patient with us throughout the entire ordeal. I was terrible. Not only was I scared of the various weapons (as you can tell from my expression)

I was downright bad. I am sure my form is off as well.

At least I was able to gain a basic knowledge of how to fire the weapon in case the s**t hit the fan. Lord help us all that it never did! We did have fun with the whole situation as you can tell from the laughter that erupted after several shots fired.




Charlie’s Angels we are not!

My first deployment

I cleaned out my old office and car a few days ago and found several CD’s labeled “Melissa Iraq”. Turns out they were full of photos from my glory days – score! Especially as many of these photos were on a thumb drive that was stolen somewhere between Hong Kong and Kuwait several years ago (unfortunately the thumb drive had more photos than these CDs so I can’t fully share all the Iraq photos). Over the next few weeks I’ll post photos of my Iraq experiences.

For those not familiar I deployed to Iraq in July of 2004 right after I took the Iowa Bar exam. This deployment was totally out of the blue and unexpected, not something I had planned. I was not in the military, just working as a civilian for the US Army Corps of Engineers in Omaha, Nebraska. I was a prissy girly girl who had only left home for college less than two hours away and was so homesick I returned at the end of the semester! What possessed me to fly to a combat zone in the middle of a desert thousands of miles from home I’ll never quite know. I guess figured it would be a great adventure and a way to pass the time until the bar results were announced. I volunteered for a four month deployment to Camp Victory Iraq. This four month deployment ended up lasting six months. After returning to the US for about four months I deployed again to Iraq, this time to the Green Zone for about eighteen months (May 2005 – August 2006). Turns out I loved the adventure; it was great to be a part of history, and fun to make friends with people of all different backgrounds and nationalities.

This photo was taken at Camp Doha in Kuwait (now closed). We had to overnight in Doha en route to Iraq. We all slept in a huge open bay on cots. Its was a coed arrangement as you can see and we weren’t even give a pillow! I was mortified. I don’t think I slept at all that night – sure nerves played into it as much as the arrangements. I was trying on my new combat boots that were soon to become a wardrobe staple.

Here we are all waiting in a tent for a C-130 to pick us up and transport us from Kuwait to Camp Victory Iraq. It is about an hour and a half ride and definitely far from first class. It is a cargo plane and either very cold or very hot – since it was July it was definitely very hot. Not sure why I had my sleeves rolled up like this as totally against regulation (as is my hair touching my colar in the first photo - what can I say I was a novice civilian). You can also tell I am severely lacking in sleep.

Finally my first C-130 ride. We had to wear ear plugs to drown out the extreme noise of the plane. It was brutal and VERY hot. We had to sit on cargo netting as there were no real seats. They also had to use combat maneuvers to land which made for some definite airsickness. Puts turbulence experienced on commercial flights to shame. By the time we I was “boots on the ground” in Iraq I was definitely having second thoughts!

First Downs for Downs Wine Auction

Last week my mom, my brother Erik, and I all went down to Kansas City for the First Downs for Downs Wine Auction. An organization that the Kansas City Chiefs support. Always up for a chance to meet a Chiefs football player, but so far no dice.

My little cousin Max has Downs Syndrome so his family is very involved. Max is doing wonderful; it truly is amazing what a difference a very supportive family and the proper resources can make. We met up with my cousins Teresa, Rod, Pam, Teresa’s friend, and my aunt Betty for wine and biding.




In the end we walked away poorer but with several cases of wine, a set of Riedel wine glasses that my mom won (and desperately needs as hers keep getting broke), and a very cool private party at JJ’s for 10 people. Always great to have a reason to return to KC. Some of the group had volunteered for clean up duty, but by the looks of this photo they slacked.

After the auction we all headed to JJ’s in the Plaza for the after party and then to my cousins for the after after party that involved a bit of hot tub fun until 330 am. Goodness!

I really am a runner...

Ok maybe not but here's the story. I absolutely hate rain yet I went for a run on Saturday gloomy forecast and all. I had to get in 11 miles and there is no way I can run that long on a treadmill at the Y. Sure enough about two miles in it starts to sprinkle. At first it didn’t seem bad as I was fully bundled (although not with rain appropriate clothing) but it quickly went downhill. It started to hail! Yes you heard correct I was hailed on during my run, beautiful. Luckily it was smallish hail but still miserable. Never mind I chugged on for as long as I could until I finally gave up and ran to the Y to finish out the final 4 miles. It was definitely not my fastest 11 miles ever but at least I finished. I must say for the first time ever I almost felt like a true runner, as really who else is insane enough to run in hail? The weather forecast for this weekend looks much better (mid 60’s and sunny) and we are staying out at Mahoney for Easter so means a new scenic route for running. I can’t wait.

Army Ten Miler

I just signed Justin and I up for the Army Ten Miler in DC. I have wanted to do this run for the last several years and have never been in country when it is held. I used to think I could never be in running condition for this distance, now this is a weekend "training" run distance for me. We get to stay with my awesome friend Kimberly so even more of a bonus.

It will also keep me running longer distances after all the summer half marathons and triathlon excitement. Really what could be more motivating to stay in shape than knowing you will be running with thousands of hot military men!! The race opened for registration today and has a limit of 30,000 participants, every year it is full. There are already almost 9,000 registered in the first few hours!

Still no photos

My new computer is amazing, but there is no modem so I can’t use my ghetto fabulous 1990s dial up connection anymore. Yes you heard right – I use dial up. The Apple store doesn’t even care the modem needed… I will spend money like mad on some things and then in other areas mega cheap. I have been using my parents AOL account for the last several years. But looks like its time to breakdown and get high speed wireless at my house. Then I can finally post fun photos again.

Thanks Mom and Dad!

Over the weekend my very generous parents bought me a new computer. I was so not expecting this. I was definitely planning on the computer, but with my funds not theirs. Definitely a bonus. Tonight I have an appointment at Apple to learn how to work all the programs and pick the computer up. I am very excited. Life will be back to normal and I can download fun photos to this blog and Facebook again. Crazy how addicted one can get to computers and the internet these days. Oh yeah the new computer even came with a free printer/scanner/copier. We are in business now!

Also amazing to me is how small this computer is compared to my very first Apple when I was maybe 8. No more need for bulky hard drives and massive monitors. Love it.

We've still got it...

Carol and I are no spring chickens so we were both flattered when we were carded last night at Blue. We laughed at first until the waiter insisted that he really did need our IDs. This also occurred the other day at the grocery store (although there I think they sometimes have to punch in a birth year so not as flattering). Trust me I know I don’t look even close to 21, but nice to occasionally whip out the ol ID like my wild college days. Maybe after a much needed botox session this will happen more frequently.
*Not to worry the photo is from St Pats not last night - we don't wear crazy necklaces to nice establishments.

My new ride

Not long ago several people wisely informed me that a mountain bike is so not going to cut it for a triathlon. It would make the ride harder and I would have a slower time. Even worse I would be one of maybe five out of thousands riding a mountain bike. Goodness I can’t be that nerdy inexperienced looking competitor. I need to look the part even if I end up with a horrible finish time. So a new road bike was purchased last week, I’m not ready for a triathlon bike yet nor do I expect I ever will be. This is the bike I really wanted.

Not for its mechanical specifications but instead for its cosmetics. I loved the color and style. I haven’t a clue what the difference is between the bikes. The sales rep (a former high school classmate) was sprouting off terms left and right while I admired the different colors and styles. I settled on a compromise and bought this bike.

Looks very similar just the wrong color. Somehow I just couldn't’t justify spending $800 more just for the prettier color. I know I know it is a better bike and sure the breaks or shocks or something like that are outstanding. But really I am far from a pro so I doubt any of that will help. The rep assured me the satelite is a great bike... Sales reps never give out false information to get you to buy something – just like attorneys never tell white lies to get their clients a positive verdict so I am very confident. Now I just need a helmet, shoes, and nice weather. These are the shoes I want.

Again not a clue if they are a good brand for biking but love the look. Any bike experts out there?

Imposter

I am training for a half marathon (or two) and a triathlon. As this topic comes up in casual conversation or when seeking out advice on equipment needed and training techniques I often feel like an imposter. I so don’t have the body of an athlete and am not crazy into fitness and nutrition. I always walk away from a conversation wondering if those involved think I out of my league. If they think to themselves no way is she going to be able to complete a triathlon. A huge part of me feels that I should be skinny and in shape to compete in these events. I love that I have a goal to train for. It keeps me on track and its an excuse to get cool new gear.

* Sorry for no photos as of late. My work computer blocks all external devices so I can’t download at work. My personal laptop doesn’t have the right program. I am hoping a shopping trip to Apple this Friday will solve all problems and I’ll be back in business with fun photos updates.

Chaos

This consumed my weekend. My 1500lb+ house hold goods shipment from Kuwait arrived Friday. Amazing what one can accumulate in just a few years. There were boxes in every room of the house!

Aeisha was overwhelmed with the commotion and activity.

I am about 85% unpacked. Had the weather not been so amazing I would have been 100%. But who can stay inside when it’s 70 and sunny outside, especially when a mere week ago it was single digits. The Wabash trail was calling my name. Rumor has it snow is predicted for this weekend. Are you kidding me? Is this a cruel joke. Although a weekend of snow would definitely equal an organized house with no unpacked boxes.

Jays Victory

It was way too close but Creighton pulled it off and won their first NIT tournament game. A bit brutal that they aren’t in the real tournament but a bonus that the NIT is in Omaha. Even better we are able to purchase our own regular season seats for the games. Lets hope the wining continues on Monday. We so don’t need a repeat of the St Louis loss!

Honestly I really am not that into sports. I go to the games as that is what Creighton Alumni do. Its great to support the team and I enjoy the social aspect. Fun to talk to everyone, have a few drinks, and get caught up in the excitement. I definitely put forth more time and consideration into what Creighton gear to sport to a game than worrying about player stats, ratings, opposing teams. I may also spend a good portion of each game amusing myself with the CrackBerry much to the delight of my fellow sports fans, especially my mom. But I am a true Jays fan.

Same concept rings true for the College World Series. Love the atmosphere, the parties, the weather but baseball game after baseball game can get a bit boring. I used to take magazines into the games – now I can entertain myself much easier and more discreetly since I have internet and email at my fingertips.

Bats in the Belfry

Ok maybe its not a Belfry but a regular ol attic, details. My house has been more or less vacant for two years and it was built in 1910. These two factors seem to have produced a bit of a bat problem, one I normally would have been blissfully unaware of. But my precious kitty is taking care of the problem for me one bat at a time. She is proving to be more of a huntress than I ever imagined. She currently has three kills under her belt (four if you count the Gardner snake) since her arrival into the US. I don’t know what is more disturbing, that I have/had a minimum of three bats in the attic or that I am proud of little Aeisha for catching and killing them. Amazing really that she has these skills and very nasty that I have bats. Anyone know how to prevent bats from entering the attic?

*I was going to post a photo but after looking at them it makes me even more creeped out.

I need my little brother in town more often

Yesterday I was going to do an easy 5 mile run after work. The weather was amazing. Justin was in town so he wanted to join me, but he wanted to run to and over the new pedestrian bridge. Running over the bridge would be cake but he wants to run to it from my house! This is 6 miles each way. I am so not up for a 12 mile run yet. So we ran there together and he ran back solo. The pace was much faster than my normal pace and I ran an extra mile. I would be in such better shape if I had him around to push me on a weekly basis. We also had a great workout at Offutt on Sunday.

The new bridge is really cool and there are some great running and biking trails around it. It also means I could essentially bike to work some days when the weather is nice. A great way to train for the Memphis in May Triathlon I may partake in. Still unsure about that – just don’t think I am fitness ready. I tried to convince Justin that we could do it as a coed relay, I had him convinced for maybe an hour. Then he informs me that he wants to do it solo as its lame to do it as a relay. Great.

It feels like we live in the Artic

It was 9 degrees out on my way to work this morning. I had to walk maybe a block from the parking garage to the office and I thought I was going to receive frost bite. It was down right miserable. Why do people choose to live in the Midwest? Honestly this is just not acceptable. Every outing requires a coat, scarf, mittens, hat, etc… Even Aeisha doesn’t like it outside.

As I was leaving the Y at the crack of dawn a signal came on stating I had a low tire, there was no way I was stopping to air up a tire in the cold. I am hoping I don’t have a flat tire this afternoon! I miss the desert weather I truly do. Rumor has it today it was high 80’s there…

Back to work

After I left Kuwait I spent several weeks traveling and just enjoying life. I’ll post photos and updates soon. Today is my first day as an attorney for USACE. Back to real life. I was finally able to write “District Counsel” on the signature block of my email. I have a real office, not a cubicle. It has cherry wood furniture v the metal of the others. Funny how it’s the little things in life that can make you happy.

I am now counsel for all of my old real estate coworkers, to include my old bosses. That is the part that seems the strangest. Otherwise it feels like I am back to the same ol USACE I left a few years ago. We have moved into a new building (a remodeled version of the building I started in as a summer hire actually) so it looks different. But otherwise it feels as though nothing has changed, the people are the same as is the atmosphere. I was told by several today to not expect a lot of stress, a large workload, or crazy deadlines. I don’t know if I should rejoice or worry. For now I will rejoice and use this time to become reacclimatized to CB/Omaha. To enjoy having a life outside of work.

I do have one confession, I was given the option to trade in my CAC card for one without the Geneva Convention (in other words am I done deploying). I said no, just couldn’t quite do it. Sorry mom! No need to fret though – I wont be deploying anytime soon.

This is it.....

My last day in Kuwait. It still doesn’t seem real. It’s rainy and dreary here today – it never rains. This blog will no longer be “Midwest girl in the Desert” since no longer in the desert. It will have to be Midwest Girl, or maybe I can come up with something more creative. I’ll blog about trying to readjust to normal life, life in the US, life working a normal 9-5, life around family and friends, fixing up my house, dating (well maybe I wont blog about that as my grandpa reads this blog).

I am looking forward to this next chapter in my life, it’s exciting. But I am also sad to leave Kuwait. Kuwait and the Middle East have been home for more or less the last 5 years. Since graduating from Law school I have been here. It is weird to be leaving with no plans in the near future to return. I am sure I’ll deploy again at some point, but for the first time in several years I don’t have plans. Instead I am going to focus on truly reintegrating into life at home. Becoming a normal person again. We will see how it works. I will miss the adventure, I will miss the feeling of importance, and I’ll definitely miss the income. But I know there is a lot waiting for me at home as well, so maybe all of those things won’t matter. Or I’ll just have to make my own adventures.

Stay tuned for the next chapter………

Home

I truly believe that anyplace can feel like home with a bit of work and decoration. I lived in a shipping connex for a year and a half but it was cozy and home – so trust me I have experience. For the last two years this wonderful four bedroom duplex in Jabriya, Kuwait has been home. I painted, I decorated, and I enjoyed.

Formal living and dinning room.



My kitchen.


The laundry – which I won’t miss as these are the smallest machines ever! I can’t wait for my very large very cool orange washer and dryer at home.

Entertainment room and guest bathroom.




The outdoor patio that Aeisha and I loved – excuse the half dead plants I started to let things die as knew I was leaving.

Gym.

Guest bedroom and bathroom that got more use that I expected. Only regret is that my mom never made it over to visit and stay.



My bedroom.


Dressing room.

It already feels less like home as my curtains have been replaced with standard government issue, my chandeliers are down, plants have been relocated. Tomorrow all the rest of my personal belongings will be packed up and shipped to Council Bluffs. I have a very strong hunch that a few tears will be shed. I am extremely excited and blessed to have an amazing family, friends, and a job waiting for me in Council Bluffs. But this has been home for over two years and I will definitely miss it. Bittersweet right now.