First off, I think this is a great way to keep up with everyone that I don't necessarily have email addresses for. So, I'll try and update this a lot. Facebook isn't a great mechanism for lengthy life summaries, so let's give this blog a try!
Today was the Army's 235th Birthday, which I celebrated by drinking 2 Budweisers. Normally, U.S. troops are absolutely not allowed to drink, however this year and I think last year, U.S. troops in Iraq were allowed to drink on the Superbowl (2 beers - highly controlled), this year I was on R&R in America though. It was a good treat for me and my troops.
One of the biggest challenges in Iraq is the heat obviously. There are very few ways to avoid it in the summer. However, one proven way is the A/C unit. My A/C unit was recently replaced, which I think has my room down to a frigid 68 degrees. After a long day, that feels awesome. Another funny thing is that the heat is so tremendous that there's no need to even turn on the heat in the shower, even the cold water is really hot (courtesy of the water tanks being exposed to the sun).
I spend most of my free time during the day either reading at my desk, writing Shayna, exercising, or watching a TV show before bed. Right now though, the World Cup is showing on the Armed Forces Network. Which means my evenings are spent watching soccer when the time is available. Some days though there is very little free time. In my experience in my previous two deployments, there are busy days and there are slow days but most days are slow days. And, you know what? That's a good thing. A slow boring deployment is a good thing.
Two days ago (on Sunday), I had a Company Commander's Symposium with the Brigade Commander, Division Commander, and some other random folks. It was a pretty cool event because it brought together in one room every Company Commander in my Brigade (about 30-35 of us) to talk about things in Iraq, the Army, and the next few months. We concluded the Symposium with a good dinner, cigars on the lake adjacent to the Al Faw Palace, and watched some other Captain wiff a golf club into the lake. The latter actually was probably the most memorable portion of the symposium.
Overall, things are slowly slowing down here. The one thing that I wish would hurry up is when I get home. I can't wait to make up for lost time with Shayna and the rest of my family and friends in America!
-Justin
Okay, I'm gonna try this again. I don't know you Justin, but it is very interesting to read both your and Shayna's aspect on what you're both currently experiencing. I've really enjoyed the first entries from both of you so far and look forward to your posts in the future. -Jenn (shayna's friend jew)
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