Last day of teaching

FINALLY….the last day. No, I’m still here until next Thursday, which is good cause now I can see the place a little before we leave. It was the last class for teaching. This class took everything out of Mary and I. HB, we are going out! I need a vacation from the vacation. We are going to plan a night out with the girls. After being here and having to deal with another country’s culture, I need a DRINK!!!!

Back to the class…I have no clue if this is a break down in culture or what, but I can’t stand it in the US either. When you tell someone or a group of people to do something, it should get done. DO NOT ignore me, you will feel the wrath. Now try doing all that with translators who take it upon themselves what to translate. Now, I know DAMN well, they translate what the men say without any misunderstandings. Today was my breaking point. I have no tolerance for the indifference. All week Mary and I have told them different things and either they don’t translate it fully or not at all. Then have the gull to ask if I checked with Randy. Mother Fuckers!!!!!!!! The whole Sailor was coming out.

I HAVE GREAT NEWS…..I’m going to be an Aunt again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yeah!!!!!
I guess that is probably what my Dad wanted to talk to me about. Chris, I really need to set up his Internet. This is crazy, not being able to get a hold of him.

Oh yea, I forgot, the Internet is down…again. Sorry all. I hate not being able to communicate with Chris. I gathered info that it is almost eight bucks to call out of Chad…a minute!!!! WoW!!! Nothing that I could afford. I need a satellite phone.

We have assumed our spots in the cyber café area, but no Internet. So, I’m writing out my thoughts. I’m also eating lunch. Let me tell you…I feel so good. I’m finally unconstipated!!!!! Four days without a shit…you tell me how you would feel.

I am serious when I say, I am glad this week is over. Not just because it was stressful, but in one more week, I will be able to talk and actually see Chris!!! I cannot wait to live in TX. It will be soooooo GREAT!!!! The houses are more affordable in TX. A whole year without my sweetie…talk about depression.

I’m here feeding my fat ass….but Chris says I’m PHAT!!!! Looking at some of the unphotogenic photos of myself, I beg to differ….But I know I’m gorgeous and beautiful, I just don’t feel it all the time.

We were asked to go to the Marine house again tonight. I hate to be anti-social…but that is what I feel like. And I know from experience that a couple of hours end up being an all nighter. Plus, I need to work on my paper. I need to have it somewhat complete before I get home. So much to do when I get back. School, move and a wedding to plan for. That part will be the fun part…the wedding!!!

I miss you, sweetie....Don't worry I miss HB and RC too. Maybe HB more:)

28 March

Mary and I did a little work out yesterday. I had a headache all afternoon. I tried to sleep and that just made it worse. Today I feel better. The class is going okay. It is stressful trying to teach the instructors and the students. It is just too difficult; I will never do it that way again. One of my pet peeves is lateness and not being well organized. Let’s just teach the adjunct instructors on a whim. First they need an advanced course. They need A & P. Throwing them into the instructor world with only basic knowledge, is not my cup of tea. I don’t think this week is going as well as last week. We have a very smart kid who is asking questions that Mary and I can answer off the top of our heads. The adjunct instructors are doing their best.

I need to finish my paper before I head back to the States. The power just went out again. It is lunch and prayer time right now. These guys pray five times a day. All I want to do is sleep when I get back to the hotel. I’m still not sleeping well at night. I do not think my sleep schedule will adjust. Oh well.

I really have nothing to blog about. I guess I could blog about my irritation. Good example, today...I’m drinking out of a water bottle, mind you it is right next to my bag, and someone throws it out. HELLO!!! I could understand if it was all by itself, but it was half full not empty. The little things are starting to irritate me. I guess we are going out to dinner tonight. I could care less if I ever left the hotel; that is how lazy I am. I’m tired of hearing war stories. And I’m tired of having sausage fingers. My fingers have been swollen since I arrived and my urine will never be clear no matter how much water I drink.

I miss Chris and I just want to hear his voice!!!!!

EIGHT MONTHS

HAPPY 8 MONTHS!!!!! That is right bitches…we have been together for eight months. Great times and many more to come!!!!!

Today’s class was very hectic! We only had four students for the first two hours and then two more showed up. We told eight potential instructors to come back…they all came back. Two had to leave so we were left with six. What is so annoying is, I do not think it was thought out prior to coming here about what to do about training the trainer. AUGH!!! Mary and I are working it out though. We have a good plan of action. Thank God for Mary. I was annoyed this morning and I think by the end of the day, she had had it.

What is frustrating is that everyone is talking and then we are trying to listen to the translation, but we get ignored sometimes because the translators try to finish what they are saying. Our colors were starting to show today.

Mary is the best PR person. She can really talk to people. Not me. I try to hide.

The class went well…but we’ll see tomorrow. I think the student instructors are excited. It is hard to teach both students and potential instructors at the same time. We are going to manage though.


I LOVE YOU, Hot Stuff

One week down

Graduation was cool. We had the Embassador show up. Mary and I did a great job teaching. The compliments have not stopped. It feels good to know that we are making a difference. Many from this class were asked to come back. They will make excellent trainers. We want them to have advanced training and the knowledge of why we do the things we do.

Here are a couple of pics during their training...

I'm trying to download some more but its just not happenin'

The first week was a success. Our students impressed everyone. We have another week to go of classes and then it is PR time...Hopefully this next class is just as exciting. It has been a long week though. I'm still not sleeping well. I think it is because we put out so much energy during our class that we are exhausted by the time we get back to the hotel. Hope everyone is well at home...

I love you, Chris

Rampaging Hippos???

Here is my rampaging hippo!!!


A very close shot...to bad I didn't take it. I got this from the news.











A boat made out of a tree...these people adapt to their surrondings. It is wonderful.

Sorry guys the hippos didn't really rampage. Actually, Kadre (owner of the translator service)told us something had happened but even though it was over he wanted at least Mary and I to go to the Embassey, but Randy told us to go to the hotel. The hotel is always the 1st safe have. Cause, I guess when something happens it is usually outside the Presidents place but the embassey is right down the road, so that is why we have to go to the hotel first.

This place is like any other, it just doesn't have the advance technology or knowledge that we do. We had to start somewhere. But this place is amazing!!! Just seeing how they adapt instead of feeling sorry for themselves...like Americans do.

I love you...Chris

More Pics

This is the pool from my balcony at night...I'm on the sixth floor. Pretty cool, ah? Doesn't it look like something out of a Sci-Fi movie...















An outlook from the balcony during the day, but I guess you already knew that :)



Ahhhh. I Think I'm teaching about the lungs and sucking chest wound. Don't ya just dig the drawing in the back. We have some great action shots, but I have to get them from Mary.













Here is Mr. Organ looking cool and one of our mannequins. The students do a great job!!

Pics

Mary...hard at work

Here we are at the business center. Notice...we had to bring our own laptops ;) Remind me to do some sit-ups, I'm lookin kinda thick.

Don't I look fabulous!!! I'm ready for a day of shopping. The Sugar Bears are sporting our shopping habit...I already purchased some cool things. We are going to go again. I know, I know, your all jealous. See the green trees in the background...It isn't all desert after all.

A note to my sweetie

I LOVE YOU


I MISS YOU


I LOVE YOU


I MISS YOU

Another Day

22 March

Another day, another dollar. I miss Chris!!! I’m sure you’re all tired of hearing about it…to bad! Today is going well. The students are very intelligent. It’s great to see them excited about the material we are teaching them. They ask great questions. Mary and I are trying to upload some pics. We just have to figure out how. Hopefully I can download some tonight and you can see what we are doing here. We took pics of the dreadful bathrooms…I can say YUCK!!!! Can you??? We did have to stop class abruptly due to the hippo rampage. But we did get back safe and finished class. No humans were hurt only Mr. Mannequin. Damn, you should have seen the students at work patching him back up!!

I didn’t feel all that good this morning. I think it’s the heat…but I did go to the bathroom three times prior to the rampaging hippo incident. Breakfast is always good. I’m trying to stay away from the carbs. Carbs…evil little things they are.

Chris started his new job…it sucks not being able to talk to him by phone or email all day long. I hate not being able to fall asleep listening to him talk or breath. Am I making anyone sick, yet? My sweetie is the greatest guy…I don’t care what any of you say ;) It is a match made in heaven. He works with little female soldiers…no males. Can you believe that??? What a nightmare! For him and me. Not at all worried about Chris cause he’d be dead. Seriously, he loves me too much to hurt me…that goes both ways. He better stop having stupid thoughts. He will have to be bitch slapped if not J I love you!!

Did I run??? No…running was postponed today. We are walking tonight while my clothes soak. Yeah, it was my fault…dehydration…urine was way to dark to be running in 80 degrees. Some days I feel skinny and others I feel like a HIPPO ;) The goal is to drop 10lbs. I think being in this heat and drinking more water than one person can possibly handle will help in my endeavor. My system will be flushed by the time I return. Plus I have Mary to motivate me.

I’m having a good time here getting to know my co-workers. I’ve had more contact with them then I have had in 7 months working in carpet land. You have to start somewhere and if a trip to Africa is what it took than so be it. The camaraderie is great between us. Too bad someone felt it necessary to bad mouth another to feel good about himself…I wish he would just grow up and learn people are not always going to agree. Oh well. I’m still having a good time. Anyway…

I’m going to bed early. I’ll probably just wake up in three hours. If that happens, you may be able to read this. Then maybe I can talk to my baby over some email before tomorrow’s class. I love you!! I wish I was lying next to you vice a bear. The bear will have to do for now.

This is awesome

Another good day :) teaching through a translator is different. I love to talk when I am teaching. I keep going and going…just like the energizer bunny. But it is quite different when you have to stop. Sometimes I lose my train of thought. Mary and I make a great team when it comes to teaching cause we can piggy back off of each other. And the little ideas we come up with. Many cannot read or write. We are already thinking of ideas for the next trip. The next trip is in Sept/Oct. I probably will not attend that one. I’m ready to see my baby!!! There is no amount of words to thank him and to tell him how much I love him. Plus, I’m going to see my sweetie's graduation and see him all dress up…he looks great in that uniform.

The hotel didn’t phone us this morning so we never ran. I’m tired anyway. I’m setting my watch tonight. Things are very interesting. I wish you could all experience it. I set Mary up with a blogger account so it would be easier to talk to the outside world. She is so cute. She gets very excited. Good peeps. Everyone is getting along except the MC. Oh well. We all know how that goes.

We are very isolated. I forgot to tell you about the toilets where are teaching facility is at. No running water…So you can image the smell. You add water to it to flush. It doesn’t bother me; I had to dig my own hole in Iraq and use my wonder woman cap to cover myself ;)

By the way…I took a great nap yesterday…too bad I cannot sleep at night. I would cry myself asleep but the ambien takes effect too quickly. Okay Chris…don’t forget…American Idol!!! I love you and miss you very much. Don’t worry too much about me. This place is way safer than where I was in Iraq. I love you.

20 March

20 March

Did I say beauty sleep??? I know, I’m gorgeous!! I’m in charge of that damn radio and you know what…of course the battery would die at three in the morning! Holy Hell, was I annoyed. I kept waking up cause I didn’t want to take drugs, but guess what; tonight I’m sleeping like a baby!!!!

What a day! The students are awesome. We have one woman which is cool. They are soooo eager to learn and they catch on very quickly. It is very exciting. Today was a short day because we went to the Embassy. Not what I really expected. Anyway…back to the students. I’m learning how to say a couple of French and Arabic words. Basically, these students learn faster then our Med students (the ones without the prior service). They actually touch and are not afraid. If they shake your hand, they have really enjoyed themselves. Mary and I got hand shakes. Sweet!!! And they are very thankful for us coming all the way over here.

Their country is bad off. Take the worst slum in the States and multiply it by 100. No electricity, running water, and trash everywhere. It smells like a big farm with animals. Very sad…It is just like Iraq in a sense. I will yet again come home with a different respect for life. Americans can be such assholes. They take everything for granted and just do not realize how well they have it. They take freedom of speech way to far and take what our country was based on and changed it. I’m not saying everyone is like this, probably about half. Who knows??? I do know that bitch who took the Pledge of Allegiance out of school is one of those people. Stupid cock whore. Anyway…I’m getting on a tangent.

Well, right now I’m sitting here typing so I can send this off. Chris is at work right now…of course thinking about me. I love you!!! How is your first day??? My first day was a success. I’m going out for a girl’s night out this Saturday. Should be fun. I’ll learn more about the culture. Don’t worry all; she is a wife of a military member over here. Yes, there are military here. Not that many…but of course we have people everywhere. Even where you least expect.

Okay…I have nothing more to say except hello and that I love my sweetie and miss him very much. I miss hearing his voice. I’ll have to listen to a couple of his audio blogs. By the way…love the pics. Better take one of Ginger with all her hair cut off.

Actually, I do have more. I ran this morning. I started the day off right and now I’m drinking a couple of cold ones to set the evening off right. Shit, I'm writing all this and it says it has posted but hopefully you all can see it, cause I am getting nothing!!!

Later…I miss you, Chris!!!

Who knows...maybe you can view and I can't...part IV

Part IV

The nap was not a success. The dinner was excellent. I had steak, it was very good!!! The red wine sauce was the bomb. And I was able to eat salad. This is very nice hotel. It is just not finished with the little things…like international calling. The Internet connection is down, so I cannot email my baby or see if he wrote anything. He’s probably freaking out. Knowing Chris, he is over analyzing the situation ;) I love you!!! Damn, I’m tired. It is finally starting to hit me.

Tomorrow should be interesting. Hopefully everything goes well. It is an early morning, so I need to get some of that beauty rest.

Let's try this again...part III

Part III

I’m sitting here drinking a Heineken in my room. The market and artisan area were AWESOME!!! The fabrics are beautiful. Really cool stuff. Don’t worry, I have already started buying. Hopefully I won’t break the bank. Just kidding. Hey baby, what do you think your mom may like? They have all sorts of things. I didn’t care too much for the jewelry, but I didn’t take a close look. I’ll have to look closer next time. I did find some coins but the guys ran out of money. But I know where to look. The fabric….I’m going to buy some and have skirts made. I’d buy an outfit already made, but I don’t think I would wear. There are some nice ones. We have a translator and he does all the bargaining…does a great job at it.

I start running again tomorrow. Mary and I are going to help each other out. We thought the gym would be open but it is not so we have to run around the building. I’m going to see if she wants to run stairs too. My head lamp is going to come in quite handy. Anything to get my butt back into shape before I get back to the States. I smell of bug repellant and sun screen. Thank GOD for doxy. My face won’t break out to bad while I’m here.

I’m going to take a nap before dinner….

Today in Chad

19 March

Well, I’m here. I couldn’t call Chris from Paris and now I cannot call him from Chad. What the #*%@!!!!!!! I was able to send him an email though. Now I have to write him and tell him he won’t be able to hear my voice. Augh! I’m tired and irritated now. At least I can talk through email. From what I hear, Mary and I are celebrities. Cool!! I guess they are excited to see new faces. The classes shouldn’t be too hard. The Chadian love to learn. Right now it is 7:45pm in the States on the 18th. I’m six hours ahead. Not to bad. I love you, sweetie. Hopefully I can figure out how to call home and I thought calling from Iraq was bad.

Part II

Last night I was too wired to fall asleep…drugs are my friend :) I feel good this morning, but boy am I retaining water. My calves last night were solid. We are going to the market here in a couple of hours. Today is a day of rest. I’m trying to drink as much water as I can. The coffee was sooooo good this morning!! Yum Yum! Sorry guys…I cannot call :( !! The hotel is not hooked up for it yet. The rooms are awesome with great views. At least you can have up to date info. The wireless is working pretty good, just pray it stays up. I’ll write more tonight. I love you Chris!!!!

I'll write about my market experience, when I come back. Later....

The Flight

18 March

Okay…so I never was able to have my green beer, very disappointing. I was expecting more from our airports. The trip over was a rough one. First we were told to move and then were scolded for moving. Can you say lack of communication!! The trip to Paris wasn’t all bad; at least we had leg room because of the exit. Our bags though were 10 seats up in the other section, which sucked. Now I am in Paris and cannot call anyone because I have no clue how to use the phones here and nothing is in English. Everyone will have to wait till I get to N’Djamena. Oh, I forgot about our luggage…$1025 extra for everything we brought. A little more lack of communication, yet again. I guess I was supposed to pick up orders granting us four additional baggages. Yeah, whoever was supposed to tell me, neglected that fact. Let’s just say that person was not a civilian. All that went on my gov’t card. Ouch!!!

Now I am sitting here at some bar at the airport finally having a beer for St. Patty’s Day and NO, it’s not green! I’m not as tired as I thought I would be but I have another five hours to go on the plane alone not to mention the hour and half here in Paris. I guess we don’t go through customs here. That is fine with me cause it took forever when I went into Germany. The worst part of this trip so far is my gas! It was just sitting there…painfully awaiting to be let go and it wouldn’t come out!!! Now that sucks!

I miss my baby. I did not get a chance to talk to him all that much yesterday and I wasn’t able to figure out technology over here so I’m annoyed. I brought my little bear to accompany me on my trip. Now he can say he has been to Paris!!! I love you, sweetie. Cannot wait to see your place.

Later all

Off to the Congo

Well....I must apologize to my baby. I've have been very testy and quite bitchy today. Just last minute stuff. I always stress right before a trip. I love you, Chris!!! I will miss everyone. If you want me to pick you anything up from the shops you better let me know now:) I'm all packed an ready to go...drugs and all!!!

Things have been stressfull since my baby left. Not that I cannot handle it. It is so much easier to depend on someone when you reach out and touch them. I think the command is slowly figureing out I'm engaged. Most people are like...why didn't you say anything. None of your damn business! Peolple tend to ask to many questions about your personal life. If I wanted you to know, I would have told your ass. Cirlce of Friends!!!

I hope everyone takes care of themselves!!!! Don't miss me too much ;)

I love you, baby!!!!

The first weekend

It has been almost a week since Specy left. I cannot sleep at night, which sucks. All I do is toss and turn. I miss him so much. We talk everyday, it is not the same tho. I had to have my ring sized so now I feel naked without it. By the way, if your all wondering, he is doing fine...

My friends have been great. Specy jokes, that now he's gone, I go out...Well, I need something to do to occupy my time, right? Ha!! Abby has been keeping me busy.

Girl's night out...we definately have to go to a bar/club next time. Maybe Jess will get her ass up here. HB is cool. There is not many people I meet that I consider a friend. Most people are just there, especially females. Women can be down right nasty, if they want to be. Caddy little bitches!! HB has been through a lot, I respect her maturity. It is funny to look at how many younger people I know that are more mature than older ones.

Unfortunately, I have to be one of those that have to be in the mood to write. I'm starting my 90 day plan to a slammin body, again...It worked, just a lot stress this year and laziness.

I love you, baby

Later

My dramatic side...not so much

Okay, so it has been a full day now without the love of my life!!! It SUCKS!!! Yesterday was a very sad, sad day...My baby left me for TX. Just the thought of coming to an empty home, opened the flood gates. Okay, maybe not flooding but I was depressed as hell and teary all day.

It was a sad goodbye and Specy tried to use his contacts as an excuse why his eyes were tearing ;) I love him and cannot wait to see him this June. Hopefully orders will come sooner than later. But I just have this feeling it will be longer than necessary. Yes, I'm being a pessimist. Usually I'm an optimist or a realist....just have that nagging feeling. Anyway.

My friend, Abby kept me company for a little bit yesterday. She's a cool mexican, too. She is also a single mommy. We went to the mall to have her son's hair cut...oh boy is his daddy going to be mad...oh well, not like he has to take care of it.

All and all, everything is not that bad with Specy gone, just the fact I there is no physical contact, annoys the shit out of me. June!! Not till June!! Specy was saying it wasn't that bad...but it still sucks. We of course fell asleep on the phone together...Mine died though; I need a better battery. I'm just completely freaked out at living at that place. Someone knocked on my door around eight last night...what the hell!

I'll be moving, again...I'm so tired of moving. I'll be sorting it all out this weekend. I won't be moving that far from where I live now.

Later

Weekend happenings

The weekend was a good one. It started off rough because I was cranky because of my shots. Typhoid and Yellow Fever suck!!!! Specy is leaving and everyone wanted to hang out, which is cool. I am the one marrying him, I'll have more time with him than anyone else. I'm just greedy:)

HB can cook! Not that I had any doubts. I wich I could have stayed longer but it was a school night. Those beans (non-drunken) were awesome!!! I can't wait to try the drunken ones. RC was jealous cause I got mexican cooked for me!!! Hee Hee!!! The dessert was the bomb!! I'm getting to know HB. She is sweet and down to Earth. Don't let the sweet fool ya, I know she can be a firecracker. She is very mature beyond her years. I love the fact we can hang out and there won't be any drama. We will definately hang out more if I can get her away from RC...We'll have to plan a girl's night out. RC and her are great together. I am very happy for them.

I wish Mimi could have hung out. But apparently she thought I was going to be at home...that is another story. The guys had a good time out. They came back to the house to play Halo. Good thing I can sleep through anything.

The car is all packed up. Didn't take but ten minutes. I'm going to be all alone:( Specy is taking the animials. I'll be moving soon. Thank God for my trip coming up. I don't have to deal with a bunch of bullshit. I really do not want to go back to work. I just want to stay at home and be a lazy ass.

Later Bitches....

Last Night

I hope everyone had a good time last night. I'm sorry you all had to leave early, but that is responsibility for you. Gabe is cute and very curious. You guys can come over anytime. I truly hope HB did not feel uncomfortable. Don't worry about RC and my baby...they are true friends and will see each other again.

The life of the military is that you always leave someone behind...

I'm off to school...peace

Why??

What the fuck is wrong with people! Now I know what is wrong with this place. I knew before but come on. Can we not just get along. I guess that is just too hard. Let's waste precious time...almost 2 months...when all I had to do was walk down the hallway. Why?? Because certain people don't get along I have to suffer and waste my time, the little I have.

I'm rambling because I am annoyed about work. I cannot wait to leave here.