Day 12 - 7 September 2012

Up and at 'em at 0500 to talk to Meagan and Taylor. I guess Emma was due for bed. She gets very cranky if it's past bedtime. Getting ready to head to the gym, then breakfast and some free time before work. I'm going to start the study machine in the next day or two, once I get in a set routine. Have Course 14 to finish up and a promotion test to study for.

Just back from the gym. Focused on weight training today (arms, back, and core). Might go running with one of the guys tonight; depends on the weather. A sign of goo things today: I've lost four pounds. I'm down to 192 know, so I'm only seven pounds away from my goal! 185 is what I would like to get to, buy I may even be able to hit 180. Weight loss is a secondary objective to just staying in shape and working a bit on strength. Six pack abs wouldn't hurt either! ;) One of the guys suggested taking pictures in the mirror each week to track progress of working out, eating right, and getting fit. I might have to give that a try...

Had breakfast for the first time here in Afghanistan. Mainly the ordinary: ham, cheese, peppers, and onion omelette with a gside of bacon and some peaches Washed it down with a cup of coffee, a milk box, and a pineapple juice box. I think I will like this routine, as long as it will last. Of course, it will all go out of whack when I have to adjust to flights here and there, but I think this will work out good.

Went into work for a few minutes to copy all of my study material to CD so I can transfer it to my laptop. I just got down here to the pavilion to study and discovered my laptop will get the WiFi service down here. However, I still think my phone is the best thing for video chat with the family. It's small and works just fine! Ok, time to study for a bit before work...

Weather Hula Girl

I took this picture the other day. What weather vehicle would be complete without a hula girl? For those that remember my pics from Iraq, we had nearly the same girl perched atop the dash of our truck. Just thought it was funny that six years later, a tradition continues...

Well, I got through a couple of modules in my Course 14. I definitely think I can have this knocked out in a couple of months. My goal is to complete it before Thanksgiving. Then, I can focus all of my study time on promotion to MSgt! Alright, time for work!

Work's been fairly slow today. Not much going on because of, get this, WEATHER. I have to laugh at that. We all went to lunch together. I had a roasted cornish hen, corn, and rice. The hen was ok, but definitely not great. Right now, I'm still plugging away on my Course 14 study. Perhaps I can take my next test sometime next week, if we're not busy.

Dinner wasn't too bad. In fact, it was EXCELLENT! It was STEAK NIGHT!!! :) The steak was pretty tender and tasty! When I heard it was steak night, I was a little nervous. After all, during my time in Iraq, I'm not sure any of those steaks were actually beef. This, however, looked and tasted like ribeye!

Went to bed early to get up and talk to Meagan and the kids, now that I have a schedule set up, to find Meagan had texted me a message that my Bellevue University student account had been turned over to...COLLECTIONS!?! I knew I had received a deferral because my paperwork was messed up and given 45 days from the end of the course to pay it. I'm still, STILL, waiting for the VA to pay me for the class so I can pay the school. Anyway, I called the university and the guy told me that my account was never updated with a referral. I called Meagan, had her send me the emails, then forwarded them on to the university. Seriously, WHISKEY TANGO FOXTROT?!? I told the guy, "I'm in Afghanistan right now, and you guys certainly aren't making a stressful situation any better..." I'm just beside myself on this. I have until September 25th, so hopefully the VA will get this taken care of...SOON!

Ok...heading back to bed...