Filipino Food, Country Night, and then today

Yesterday was a pretty good day.  We didn’t have Quintet rehearsal so I went and practiced on my own for about an hour.  We had a salsa horn rehearsal to end the day and that went well.  It went quick, too – usually I end up checking the clock several times, but the time just flew by and before you knew it it was time for a 10 minute break.  Then same thing after break – pretty soon it was time to go home.

I had been invited to a Filipino dinner by a few friends of mine.  They picked me up and went out to where it was being held (still within our base complex).  There must have been 50 or 60 or so Filipinos there – and me.  I think I was the only non-Filipino.  They had a ton of traditional Filipino food and it was all really good.  After everyone had eaten their fill, they played  few games and those were fun to watch.  I didn’t understand a lot of what was going on because they were speaking a lot in Tagalog (their language).  They spoke some in English, too, and my friends explained to me what was going on.  Then they put music on and everyone was dancing – can you say 80’s pop music??  Oh my – some of the songs I hadn’t heard in probably 20 years if not longer.    After we had stayed for a while, we headed to country night.  DV has been to country night many times – that’s where we met, but MT hadn’t been before, so we got to try and teach her some of the line dances and two-step and stuff.  She did pretty good.  It was fun as always.

This morning we had Brass Quintet rehearsal and that was good.  Our tuba player JG is back from leave so we have the full quintet again.  During lunch I finished stitching the little project I’ve been working on – I’ll get a picture posted soon when the internet cooperates.  After lunch I did computer stuff and then we had ceremonial band rehearsal at 1500.  That lasted about 1/2 hour and then it was just kill time until 1700.  After details were done, I headed up to the chapel for Joyful Noez rehearsal.  Rehearsal went well and was actually pretty short this evening.  Of course, we kind of missed our prayer circle time – oops.  After rehearsal we headed to the chow hall for dinner and I was home shortly after 2000!  I’m heading to bed early tonight.

Today’s high:  77
Current:  70 and blowing dust

Oops – two days again

Hmmm. . .  Yesterday. . . I don’t have a clue what I did in the morning.  I know that in the afternoon I spent almost an hour and a half on my trombone outside in my alternate practice area.  I worked on my Brass Quintet music.  Then I went home and got a few more things ready to mail out – one more box sent home and some Joyful Noez t-shirts to members that have departed.  I was able to chat with Ryan for a little while before heading back for salsa rehearsal from 1830-2000.  I didn’t leave in enough time to get dinner before rehearsal, so I went to Pizza Hut and got a medium veggie lovers pizza for dinner.  That was really good – after a really good rehearsal.  And I even crocheted on a baby blanket for a little bit before bed.

This morning I almost got out the door in enough time for breakfast at the chow hall.  After formation this morning I did stuff in my office.  I went to lunch and ended up sitting by myself again.  I stitched for a little bit after I got back.  We had a reenlistment ceremony at 1300; AA reenlisted for 5 more years.  Then I did some filing and a few other things before heading home for a little while and took a much needed nap – I intended on going for a run, but I sat down to change into PTs and ended up dozing off.  Oops.  Then I headed back to the band hall via the chow hall.  We had another salsa rehearsal.  It went really well.  I had a nice walk/talk home with my friend JS.  Once home, I got laundry from 3 days ago put away, did computer stuff, and crocheted on the baby blanket for a little bit.  I’m heading to bed now.

Today’s High:  71
Current:  61

And I’m finally all caught up on my crunches – and they are doing something!!  I tested myself on 2 minutes of situps after salsa rehearsal this evening, and I did 77 in 2 minutes – one more than I need to get 100% for the PT test!!!!!  Woohoo!!!!

Another day closer to going home

I really slept late this morning – didn’t get up until 0800. Needless to say, I didn’t get breakfast at the chow hall. After formation I went to Green Beans and got a large White Mocha. Mmmmmm. I made it last almost until lunch time. I spent the morning playing on the computer and doing a little bit of property book stuff. After lunch (alone), I did more computer stuff and then I went an practiced for almost an hour and a half. I worked on my Brass Quintet music. Then I went home and got some stuff ready to go to the Post Office and went to the PO to mail them. It was almost 1700 by the time I was done there, so I went home for a while and chatted with Ryan and changed into PTs – and lost track of time. I didn’t have time to stop t the chow hall for dinner on my way back for Salsa rehearsal. Rehearsal went well, and then I went to Pizza Hut and got a veggie pizza for dinner. I brought it back to my room and ate it there, and then I crocheted for a bit and then got my checkbook all up to date.

Time for bed now. . .

Today’s high: 69
Current: 57

Stupid Internet

I couldn’t get online at all last night when I got home from Chapel service.  It was showing a strong signal, but no connectivity.  Hmm. . .  Yesterday was a good day off.  I slept until about 1000 and then I did stuff on the computer and stitched until it was time to head to the chapel for Prayer Shawl Ministry.  Yup, I got that start back up.  There was just me and our guy crocheter there, but I do know of a couple of others planning on coming.  After 2 hours of crocheting, during which time I finished my 5th prayer shawl, I headed home for a bit more stitching before heading to Joyful Noez rehearsal and the service.  It sure was great actually worshiping with Joyful Noez again.  The service was awesome.  Then it was dinner after and then phone calls home.

This morning was a sleep-in morning I guess.  I didn’t get breakfast at the chow hall, so it was Green Beans after formation.  Then I did computer stuff for the morning.  I ate lunch with TD and AM and it’s always fun eating with them.  After lunch I headed back to the living area to get the boxes out of SFC E’s room and brought them to my room.  I rearranged stuff and got 2 boxes packed of stuff to send home.  Then I headed to the post office to mail off 3 packages – the 2 boxes to myself, plus something to Mom.  Then it was back to work for the last hour of the day.  About 1630 I grabbed a broom and headed outside to sweep and get details going early.  Others had the same idea, so by 1700 we were done.  That was nice being able to leave right away.  I got dinner at the chow hall and then home for a relaxing evening.  I stitched for a couple of hours, ripped some CDs to my iTunes and then listened to music.  It sure was nice having an evening like this for a change.

Off to bed now. . .

Today’s high:  68
Current:  61

Can it get any worse?

My day started off good.  I was up early enough to turn in laundry AND get breakfast at the chow hall before formation.  After a check of e-mail, I headed to Brass Quintet rehearsal.  That’s when my day started on it’s downhill slide.  I just could not play today.  Stuff we’ve played before.  Stuff we’ve just played once or twice.  Nothing.  It was frustrating because I felt like I was letting the group down (although a couple of them told me later that we all have bad days once in a while and not to let it get to me).  Lunch was ok and cheered me up some.  I was sitting by myself and CR and the 3 officers he works with sat with me.  Lunch with them is always good times.  Of course, my big bowl of pralines & cream ice cream helped, too – on top of a good old-fashioned peanut butter & jelly sandwich.

After lunch began an adventure to say the least.  SFC E and I headed out in the truck for a variety of errands.  The first stop was the chapel offices so I could bring all the yarn that has come in for Prayer Shawl Ministry to put in our tuff box.  I took all the completed shawls out so the yarn would fit.  Then we headed out to the concret construction company to get some mini t-walls.  We were only able to get 1 each instead of the normal 5.  Then as we were leaving, there was some debris on the road.  I thought I got around all of it, but apparently a piece of metal must have jumped in front of the truck.  Pretty soon a strange light goes on on the dash panel and the truck "feels" wierd.  So I pull over – and of course there’s not really any place TO pull over where we were at.  Yup – flat tire.  I get the safety triangles out behind the truck and we find the spare.  And the place where the jack should be.  Notice, I said SHOULD.  No jack.  Hmm. . . .  So there we sit sort of off the road and no jack.  It’s too far back to the band hall to walk and of course, we don’t have cell phones.  After about 10 minutes of many, many vehicles going past us, a fellow Staff Sergeant finally stops.  He actually stopped to ask us for directions, but since we were nice to him, he was nice back.  And there was a jack in his truck.  Then SFC E and the SSG are trying to get the spare tired down (it’s underneath the truck in the back).  They couldn’t figure it out.  What’s yours truly doing while they’re trying to figure it out??  I’m getting the manual from the glove box of the truck.  Flip, flip, flip.  Ah – spare tire.  "To remove the spare tire. . . ."  I read to them.  Men – and not reading directions.  I’m glad I was there.  So we finally get the tire changed and the jack returned to the SSG and gave him directions to where he needed to go.  Our next stop was where we live so I could put the box of prayer shawls and a little bit of yarn that wouldn’t fit in the tuff box in my room.  Get in front of my door.  My hand goes in my pocket and comes out empty.  No keys.  I have work keys on there as well, and one of the other supply guys needed keys this morning and since I needed to get to rehearsal, I just gave him the whole thing.  He still had them.  So we put my stuff in SFC E’s room for now.

Then we finally got back to the band hall and I headed to salsa rehearsal.  That went ok for the most part, but just everything else from the rest of the day had built up and I was really touchy.  Pretty much anything said by anyone set me off.  After rehearsal was done, I did a final check of my e-mail and while I was doing that KW and JS invited me to go to Taco Bell and Cinnabon on a neighboring camp for dinner.  It was KW’s birthday today, so she wanted to celebrate and she knew I’d had a bad day.  So I had a big ooey-gooey cinnabon for dinner.  I felt better after that – of course hanging out with those 2 is  ton of fun.  Then I came home and I stitched for a while, I took a short nap, and then I headed up to BN for a video teleconference with Ryan & Robbie.  It’s always nice seeing them and getting to talk to them.

Now it’s way past my bedtime since the VTC was at midnight.  I don’t want to sleep my whole day off away.

Today’s high:  71 and dusty
Current:  59

Praise the Lord and pass the pizza!

I was off this morning due to that lateness of last night’s salsa gig.  We played Salsa Night out at another neighboring camp.  I missed Country Night, but I had a great time at the salsa gig.  During our 30 minute break between sets, I didn’t get a break – partly because I don’t know how to say no.  I was asked to dance on every song during the break.  By the end of the night, I was exhausted, and once I got back to my room about 0120, it wasn’t but maybe 20 minutes and I was asleep.

This morning I slept until about 0930 and then got up and did stuff on my computer and stitched for a while.  Then I got ready and headed to work for 1300 – to find out that there is ceremonial band rehearsal in about 1 minute.  Yikes!!  That’s what happens when you read the training schedule at 0100 – things don’t register.  It was all good and rehearsal went ok.  Then we had a practice time for loading one of our quad cons – certain things need to go in one and we needed to make sure everything fit.  It did.  Then I had some time to do e-mails and other computer stuff.  At 1500 Brass Quintet was scheduled to rehearse, but we didn’t.  I went back to my practice "room" for some individual time on my horn – until it started getting too dusty back there.  Yes, I’m back in my practice spot behind the band hall.  Yes, we had a bit of  dust storm come through.  So I packed up my stuff and headed back inside and finished out the afternoon.

Before heading to the chapel for Joyful Noez rehearsal, I stopped at the chow hall for pizza toppings.  Our "slide guy" (he runs the powerpoint slides for the service), DN, made pizza for everyone.  He gets crust and sauce and cheese and we all provide whatever toppings we wanted.  So throughout prayer time and rehearsal, he was busy making the pizzas.  He has a small oven of some sort, and the pizzas came out really yummy!!  I had mushrooms, black olives, bean sprouts, and jalapenos on mine.  I’ve never had bean sprouts on a pizza before, but I thought "What the heck".  It was pretty good!!  Rehearsal went really well.  It sure was great to finally be back singing with the group!!  After rehearsal, I headed to the phone center to give Ryan a call and then I headed home.  Now it’s time for bed – after my crunches for the day.

Today’s high:  71
Current:  60

Mmmmm – the smell of new running shoes!!

I was up early enough to make it to breakfast this morning! What a great way to start the day. Now if only they’d stock enough Cheerios so they don’t run out before the end of breakfast so us late-goers can get Cheerios. After formation I started working on property book stuff in my office. And e-mails. Always e-mails. I ate lunch by myself today. It was kind of nice for a change, but I always enjoy eating with my friends as well. Then I had time for a little bit of stitching when I got back to my office. After lunch we had Brass Quintet rehearsal for about an hour and a half, and that was fun as always. I really enjoy playing in Quintet. Mail call was good today. I got a whole bag of ADO stuff for Soldiers and I got my new pair of running shoes!!! I love the smell of new running shoes. About 1530, I headed home and got changed into PTs and headed out for a run – wearing my new running shoes. Talk about happy feet!! I went 3.92 miles in 38:59, a 9:57 pace. My goal for today was under a 10 minute pace, so goal accomplished! It was a beautiful day besides, so that made for an even better run.

Once home, I grabbed a quick shower and then it was off to the chow hall for dinner and then back to the band hall for salsa rehearsal. Rehearsal went really well and it was pretty fun. Then it was home to relax and do computer stuff and chat with Ryan and other friends. Now I’m heading to bed so I can get up and run again in the morning.

Today’s high: 64
Current: 55

ABC’s of Me

My friend ppsassygrl  had this in her blog and I thought it looked fun so I’m "stealing" it.

ABC’s of Me

A – Age: 32 (less than a month until I’m 33!)

B – Bed size: Twin right now; queen when I’m back home in NY

C – Chore you hate: Dusting

D – Dad’s Name:  Dale

E – Essential start your day item: a nearby bathroom

F – Favorite actor(s):  Kevin Costner, Harrison Ford, Adam Sandler

G – Gold or Silver: either

H – Height: 5’5"

I – Instruments you play(ed):  Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, and Piano

J – Job title:  Army Bandsman

K – Kid(s): Yes, one son, 4 1/2 years old

L – Living arrangements:  Here in Iraq – a 10 ft. by 15 ft. (maybe) room shared with a roommate

M – Mom’s name:  Sally

N – Nicknames:   tbonegirl (online name), LY

O – Overnight hospital stay other than birth: Tonsils, having my son

P – Pet Peeve:  Inconsiderate people

Q – Quotes you like:  Smile!  It’s almost Friday.

R – Right or left handed:  Right (although I can write legibly with my left hand – it just takes a lot longer)

S – Siblings: younger brother

T – Time you wake up:  0515 during the week (ok, this is when I *should* wake up), 0715 on Saturday, usually around 0900 or so on Sunday – of course, these are all usual times.  In the Army, and especially deployed, things change.

V – Vegetable you dislike:  beets

W – Ways you run late: Hitting snooze way too many times

X – X-rays you’ve had:  Left knee (did they x-ray it?), left wrist (wierd calcium deposit bump), mouth (other than my normal dental x-rays – when I got hit in the face with a softball)

Y – Yummy food you make: Spaghetti, meatloaf, chocolate chip cookies, apple pie

Z – Zodiac: Pisces

My one evening off for the week

I was downright lazy this morning.  I was up at 0520 and out of bed and out of my room since I had to use the latrine.  And then when I got back to my room instead of getting dressed to go run, I went back to bed.  And then when I did get up, I ended up not having time for breakfast after I dropped a bag of laundry off.  Not a very good way to start the day, if you ask me.  At least I made it to work on time, but still.

After formation I went to Green Beans got a half dozen mini donuts and a protein smoothie for breakfast.  Then I spent the morning working with property book stuff and ADO.  I met up with AM and TD for lunch again – had something different today.  I usually have a tuna sandwich, but today I had peanut butter and jelly.  YUMMY!!!!  It was a nice change.  The three of us had a good time talking while we ate.  Then when I got back to the band hall, I still had time for a half hour of stitching.  After lunch, I did more on my computer until 1500 and then we had salsa horns rehearsal.  We read through some new songs and worked on some others.  The 2 hours went by really fast, and once we were done, I did a final e-mail check and then headed home to change into PTs and go for a run.  I went 2.15 miles in 22:32, a 10:29 pace.  It was windy out and I was running into the wind most of the way.  Then it was off to the chow hall for dinner and then home for a shower and crocheting.  I worked on a prayer shawl.

Now it’s 2130 and I’m heading to bed.  I’m tired.

Today’s high:  68
Current:  57

The long days begin again

This morning was interesting.  I had formation at 0730, and I’m glad it was up here by where we live.  I didn’t have any tan t-shirts and the laundry point doesn’t open until 0700.  I was too lazy yesterday to pick up my laundry on my day off.  So I was at the laundry point at 0700 when they opened to pick up my laundry, then home to get into uniform and get out to the meeting area with my tuff box by 0730.  We got everything loaded on the truck and we headed out to the airfield for customs inspection and then we built pallets with the tuff boxes and duffel bags of excess stuff that we don’t need – cold weather gear, extra uniforms, etc.  We were done about 1015 and then back to work.  It was almost lunch time by the time I got back to the band hall, so I just went through my e-mails until lunch.  I ate lunch with TD and AM.

After lunch we had our quarterly OPSEC training and then I didn’t have anything for the rest of the afternoon.  I did some ADO paperwork and did some brainstorming about supply stuff with SFC E.  I did some property book stuff.  I did e-mails.  At 1700, I headed home to change into PTs so I could be comfortable for salsa rehearsal.  Rehearsal went well – read a couple of new pieces as well as worked on old ones.  We have several gigs coming up in the next week or so.  After rehearsal was done, I did 175 situps.  I think I’ll be fine for the PT test next month.  My first group of 100, I didn’t really start slowing down much until about 70.  Then I took a short break and did 50 more and then a break and 25 more.  Then I headed off to pizza hut to share a pizza with TD.  We hung out and talked for a while and now I’m home and heading to bed.

Today’s high:  75
Current:  63