Notice: I had to take the photos of scouting off the web. I reread the policy and need to ask some questions before I can put any pictures of that activity back on. I can still tell you about them, and share pictures when I come home. I'm going to scouting again soon.

Birthday back in October! I'm Camel-Herding from afar (November)!

Daily Life is Looking Up!

Now that my legs have decided that they are going to have to maneuver among these "river rocks" whether they like it or not...and they have decided to get used to it, I am beginning to participate in some activities.

Tues., Thurs., and Fridays I plan to attend Yoga classes. Don't laugh...and DON'T expect to see any pictures! Friday was my first time and, thank goodness, Fridays are milder than what I've been told to expect on the other nights (different instructor). Yoga had been recommended months ago (for flexibility and balance). I definitely need improvement in both areas (just ask my horseback riding friends about my need for more balance)! Hopefully, this will lead into some jogging soon.

I'm riding my bike again...with a new and improved comfort seat! Now if I can just raise the handlebars so I am not "standing on my head" going down the road.

Wednesdays offer an informal Bible study group (I've not attended yet). Mondays offer a unit social at an area built up by our soldiers (the Rock Quarry) with bbq if I ever get there early enough. Occasionally there are bands playing on Thursdays, and movies at the palace on Fridays.

Honestly, I have movies on my computer from the Media server; Skype with which to call people at home; and so I stay at my computer some evenings or the chu in front of the tv (limited choices, but some are ok). My roommate and I get in some "deep" conversations...very interesting because we are not a lot alike in interests. (That's not sarcasm. They ARE interesting.)

Here's the best: I went to "Girl and Boy Scouts" yesterday. The scouts are host nation children and don't speak English. Thank goodness we take a few interpreters with us! The children played a game that I could figure out the main goal (similar to Red Rover, Red Rover, but not as physical). They had an opening ceremony and raised the Scout flag between the American and the Iraqi flag; then broke into groups to do different activities. I watched a relay race for a while, and some Karate also.

The setting was a "park" surrounded by the T-Wall protectors and separated into a sports field and an area for the other games. There is a swing, some tents and picnic tables, a big chalk board with chalk, and a buggy that would normally be pulled by a horse (camel?). I ended up "talking" with a young girl who was practicing her English letters. I asked her to tell me the ones in my name (uniform tag) and also tell me what her name was. An interpreter helped, then the girl (Hanen) showed me how to write her name in Arabic.

Afterward, my friend Al and I went with others to eat kebabs at a local outdoor "restaurant". It was like grilling out. Delicious!

I'm back at work today, but even that is getting busier, so more interesting. I'm learning a lot of computer information in order to teach it next month. This week I will help with two 3-day classes teaching the use of some communication equipment while I continue getting ready for the other class (called A+).

Please see the pictures I'll post. I hope you enjoy. I am very grateful to have living conditions that are so much better than some of our military members! I'm even more grateful that we are all doing a good job and finding ways to make the most of our experiences. Thanks for all your thoughts and support!

I'll try not to wait so long before "posting" to this blog again.