Sigh…counting down for my trip to Italy. I am so looking forward to getting on a plane and seeing a little taste of the world. I am thinking Italy might be a good place to start! Just came back from my meeting to get the details about the trip, when we depart the Camp, and how it all is going to work. I am so excited. Just about 10 of us going. Nice small group. I like that. Only myself and the organizer are civilians. My boss is still hoping to go, but she is still in the hospital in Paris. So not sure how she is going to be able to swing it…but we’ll see. More to follow on Italy. But as for my boss, she is doing okay now. Made it through surgery without any issues. She is hoping to fly back tomorrow. We’ll see…her doctor has not released her yet.
Made it through Halloween here on Camp. It was a good weekend with a number of activities. Started off Saturday with the Halloween 5K run. There were maybe a couple hundred runners there. It gets tight on the running trail – we run out a mile and a half and then come back. It was a nice warm morning. I ran pretty decent – as in my finish time (32:28). Ben and I started out too fast (I warned him) so about half way through, I about died. But I was able to find a nice steady pace for the way back and ended up feeling pretty good. I enjoy starting my days that way. 2 races under my belt already in Djibouti.
Saturdays are my half days at work (well 6 hours). So I worked the afternoon, getting ready for the New Employee Orientation that we hold every other Monday from 0900 – 1800. I usually hit brunch at the galley on Saturdays too. I like to either have a 2 egg omelet or an egg sandwich. I try not to eat breakfast every day up there, as I love breakfast food. I would weigh 300 pounds! After work, I headed to my CLU to change into a warmer outfit – yes, warmer. It is generally freezing in 11 Degrees North. As really it is in every building I have to go into. When I got to 11 Degrees it was already pretty crowded. They held BINGO during the Halloween Party. So there were people all over – either playing BINGO, billiards, ping pong, on their laptops, watching something on one of the TVs or walking around checking out the number of people in costume. Some of the costumes were great! People are creative…and some people just like to spend money! And then there is always the one female who has to break the rules and show up in some “naughty” outfit after being explicitly instructed that the dress code rules still apply (as in skirts can only be 2 inches above the knee and no shoulders showing). She dressed as a “naughty” Pirate Beer Wench…fish net stockings and all. Plus there was a guy dressed as a “naughty” nurse! So he didn’t get the memo either.
Anyway – you know me and rules.
Since it was so crowded inside, me and my peeps decided to sit outside. On the patio they had a huge screen showing the Keifer Sutherland movie called Mirrors. I have seen if before…but it was a nice distraction in the background. Then they showed some movie that was not in English, but had the English subtitles. It was a choice that everyone outside was questioning who’s bright idea it was to show.?. It was hot sitting outside – so much for my need to dress warmer. I took a number of photos for the night – they are on Facebook. I had my 3 beer limit and then headed back to my CLU. It was well after 10 anyway. As I walked back to Tango-5, I checked the laundry room to see if there were any empties – and voila! There were 2 open washing machines. So I ran down to my CLU, grabbed my cloths and spent the night doing laundry. Yes – I know. This is the life I lead! Nothing but nonstop excitement! But as busy as the laundry room can be, you gotta take your chance when it opens up to you!
Sunday I woke up to some extracurricular activities going on in the CLU next to me – my CLU-mate, as a matter of fact. The first thought that entered my mind was “Good grief! This isn’t College!” UGH! It’s not even 0800 yet! Eventually I was able to doze back off to sleep…next issue. Shower time! I don’t mind waiting for my CLU-mate to get her business done in the shower. But this particular day as soon as she vacated the bathroom, the door promptly locked again and I had to wait for someone else to shower and shave that doesn’t even live there! I was a little pissed. YES – I am the old fuddy duddy lady who lives in CLU 1605! Seriously! And to top it all off – neither of them follow the Water Conservation Rules. Come on, people! She didn’t waste any time finding her someone to cuddle with in our tiny little twin beds! Yes, I am a hater! I admit it! What can I say?
Anyway, one of the Operations Managers came to talk to me today about this issue. And it only came up because the man sleeping in the room next to me is his son. So he knows about the relationship…and he wanted to see if I had any issues with it. I do for a couple of reasons: 1) they didn’t even bother to bring it up to me to discuss in advance (as in sharing the bathroom), 2) I am not in College and really just don’t want to be bothered by it, 3) I am not cleaning up after his crap in the bathroom and hers (every day it seems something else appears in the bathroom – an additional toothbrush, a razor on the sink, an additional bottle of shampoo in the shower, another bar of soap, etc.), and 4) I am not waiting in line behind 2 people for the shower when the Wet CLUs are for 2 people to use. So I was assured that by the time I get back from Italy, I will have a new CLU-mate. I feel bad, really I do. She is really a nice girl – not as clean as me…but nice. But what they are trying to do is to find another couple that won’t mind sharing. It is against the rules to be having such things going on in the CLUs, however our PM does not discourage it – he claims he is not the morality police and we are all adults. I agree, but like he said, not at the expense of those around you.
Other than that – Sunday was a great day! Once I got up and out of my CLU, I headed to the galley and 11 Degrees to get set-up to watch/track my brother complete his first Marine Corps Marathon! It was so exciting! I know, some people would equate watching the little yellow dot move along the course for hours on end was about as exciting as watching paint dry. BUT – I just knew that dot was my brother! And I just couldn’t help but be excited for him! I told everyone who came up to me sitting at my table inquiring about why I kept staring at the screen! I had people coming over all day checking on his progress and wishing him well! And to top it off, my sister, Michelle, sent me a photo from mile 16 where he stopped to say HI to Steph and my Mom and the rest of the gang! And then our pseudo-family peeps, Doug & Margaret Morton (Jodi’s in laws) were in Crystal City cheering on the hoards of people and waiting on my brother to come through! So I would track where he was and then let Margaret know about when to expect him coming through. And then she sent me pictures as well. It was almost like I was there! For real! I was coordinating and taking care of business all the way from Djibouti! But wow, how I wished I would have really been there! Anyway, Steve did GREAT! He finished and lived to tell about it! I am so happy for his accomplishment – I know what it feels like to cross that finish line after all those months of training!
Of course now I want to run it again! But not in 2011. I just can’t train that far here – it is too hot in the summer months and there really isn’t anyplace to get those kinds of miles in. It’s going to be hard enough doing it for 13.1 miles – back and forth on the running trail many times. But Ben and I are determined! Hoping to get my family together for a nice Half Marathon when I get home next fall – maybe Philly or Richmond…for something a little different. We’ll see.
Ravens had a BYE week this past weekend, so no football to worry about. And Pittsburgh lost – so that makes us tied for the lead in our division. So we’ll see how things progress. I’ll miss the game this weekend being in Italy…but I’ll try to survive. Maybe I can find it on TV somewhere? Ha Ha
As for Italy…we leave Djibouti on Friday at 1830, to Addis (Ethiopia), then to Rome.
6 NOV – We arrive in Rome at about 0500 on Sat. Head to the Grand Hotel Palazzo Carpegna next to the Vatican, drop off luggage and have breakfast. Tour Director will take us to the Vatican, Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel and then to lunch. Afternoon is for checking into the hotel and on our own for shopping and sightseeing.
7 NOV – Breakfast at hotel. Half Day tour of the Historical City (Coliseum, Roman Forums & Panoramic Drive around the main sites in Rome). Typical Roman lunch in a local restaurant. Afternoon is free time for shopping and sightseeing. In the evening we will attend a dinner show.
8 NOV – After breakfast, depart for Florence (3 hour bus ride). Stop in Valdarno for lunch. Check into Hotel Ambasciatori. Afternoon walking tour of Florence through the main monuments and attractions.
9 NOV – After breakfast, tour of Florence Academia – Michelangelo’s David is located here. Then to Pisa for the tower and Piazza dei Miracoli (Miracle Square). Lunch and then back on the bus to head back to Rome.
Flight for Djibouti at 0055. We get back to Djibouti at 1215 on 10 NOV.
Should be a nice taste of Italy. I cannot wait! I’ll take tons of pictures and blog about it when I get back. I’ll take lots of notes too.
Flag Football game tonight – so I plan to be there to cheer on our team. It’s been such a nice day today; I am hoping this evening will be great! And yes, it’s still well into the 90’s…just feels better! ;-)
Y’all have a great Tuesday…beginning of Nov. It sure doesn’t feel like November here in Djibouti.
Missing all of you and hoping all is well in your lives.
Cheers!
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