Random Events from September and October

In late September, I moved to the night shift.  On one of those first nights, I dropped one of my pearl earrings down the sink.  These earrings have special sentimental value.  They were the first gift ever from Jason.  He gave them to me on my 23rd birthday.  Needless to say, I had to get it back.  I called the lodging office and they had no tools for me to use and suggested the Self Help Office.  But in order to get there I needed a car, which I did not have that day.  So, I took the pipes apart with my hands.  Luckily, it wasn’t too hard.  I rescued my earring just in time to run and catch my bus.  I had to save putting everything back together until after my long 12 hour shift.


This is what the main mall looks like after I get off of work in the early hours of the morning.  Desolate.  The only store that’s still open is the BX.  But, the library, Fox sports lounge and gyms are open 24hrs.



Just walking around.


Here’s my bus stop.  If you’re lucky, some people with cars will stop and ask where you’re going.  If it’s close to them, they’ll take you along.  For the most part, though, I have a truck I drive into work.



And if you look above the 2nd lamp post, you’ll see a cloud building in the distance.


Next to the bus stop are pallets of water bottles.  They’re everywhere around here.


One Sunday night, Andrea and I went downtown.  We tried to go to the Souqs, but it was so crowded they’d closed off the parking lots.  Our next spot was the Villagio mall.  It’s a replica of the Bellagio in Vegas.  There are some pretty ritzy stores inside.  I got to touch a $1300 purse…made for a CHILD.  This building is located next to the mall. 


Around here, if you don’t have a truck, you may have a Gator.  In order to ride it you have to wear a bicycle helmet and strap in.  These are really fun to ride in.  The wind in my face reminded me of riding my motorcycle….except a lot slower.


After several months in hiding, I found this at the DFAC…


Orange juice with no pulp.  Yay!


One day I stepped outside to walk to my truck and saw this.  CLOUDS!  Real CLOUDS!  I was super excited.  They’d even issued a lightning watch that day.  This is looking out into the parking lot with my dorm behind me.


And this is facing my dorm with the parking lot behind me.


More water.


The base hosted a 5K Color Run to raise awareness for Domestic Violence.  I figured why not run in a rainbow tutu.


Last night, DJ Babey Drew (Chris Brown’s DJ) stopped by for a show.  With him were The Poreotics.  They won “America’s Best Dance Crew” competition.  Both were a lot of fun! 



I’m almost half way through this deployment.  Yay!  But I’m still using this time to achieve a few personal goals.  My ACSC classes are going well.  I have not had the time to practice swimming, but that may have to wait until I’m done with ACSC.  And I am getting to run and workout a bit more than before.  I ran the Color Run in 4.5 minutes less than my previous 5K in September.  I think my body is getting used to this weather.   

Until next time!