Extracurricular Activities

Living in Baghdad is rough.... I work in FUOPS, or Future Operations, and all the guys there are either Majors or Lieutenant Colonels who have been through the next level of Army schooling that I haven't been to yet and we don't really have a lot in common (why I spend so much time in my "other" office with the aviators). I was here about a month before I actually ran into some other Captains (people with my same rank) who came up to FUOPS to help with a project. We started talking and one of the guys asked what I did for fun around here. Um... I work, video chat with my husband, and watch a little tv or read a book and then go to bed (and repeat). A pretty normal routine I thought, but when I asked him what he did, the list went on and on - salsa night, poker, Uganda night, cigar club, karaoke, etc. My first thought was that this guy must have an easy job (true) and he must not have a family (also true). But the conversation made me realized that I could participate in more of the MWR events around here. The next week I went with him and a bunch of other Captains from his battalion to the Zac Brown Band concert and we all had a good time. While I don't think I'll end up as out-going as that guy is, I have started to do more around here.

I've started working out with one of the aviation guys, alternating running and going to the gym, 6 days a week. While I'm not as good a runner as I was at Bragg, I'm doing pretty well considering I hadn't run in the two years prior to coming here. This weekend was particularly busy. On Saturday morning there was a Susan G. Komen 5K that I ran in with the soldiers from the aviation section, Saturday night I participated in the Victory Cigar Club's bi-weekly social and today I actually woke up (it's my only morning off) and went fly-fishing. Now, while I caught my first fish ever (at the age of 14) fly-fishing up in the Sierra Nevadas, apparently that skill is perishable because I just sucked today. I couldn't get the line to go straight for anything. I think I hooked myself twice and got the line tangled a half-dozen times. So no fish, but I did get some weeds. It was still nice to be outside and I enjoyed the company and the relaxing atmosphere. Not sure if I'll try again next Sunday or if I'll just sleep in... we'll see. The VBC Cigar club event was really fun too. It was out on a patio right up against one of the lakes and they had tables and chairs and lights around the palm trees, a band, and some BBQ. They have a box of free cigars for non-members and a box of really nice cigars for members. I'm not much of a cigar smoker (I hate how the smell lingers) but I don't mind having one to be social. I think I'll sign up to be a member next time just because I think Kurt will like the cool polo-shirt that comes with it. It was a popular event so there were plenty of people there that I enjoy talking to (I usually hate events where I have to make uncomfortable small talk). Unfortunately I don't really carry a camera around with me and when I do, it feels strange, so I don't take many pictures. I have one from after the race and one of the area we were fishing at (just outside the Palace). I didn't have my camera for the cigar club event, but I'll take it with me next time.

And because I know I'm going to forget tomorrow - Happy Birthday Mari!! Do you want me to bring you back something - a camel maybe?