Funny what becomes important when you don't have it. Tonight the power went out while I was sitting here in MWR keeping a watch on the computers. (Tara, that's why we were cut off mid-call.) It's really weird to have power from generators only and be really conscious that when you leave the light on or the AC on in your room by accident you are burning up more diesel than you should. I think I'm gonna come back from this deployment really conscious of my environmental footprint. I mean, I did my part with some recycling and stuff, but never paid much attention to it before. I'm turning into a green person here. Now if only they would recycle our water bottles here...
Funny story: A few months ago some of SECFOR (security force) guys were talking to some soldiers from Slovenia. Now keep in mind that all the coalition forces have their country names or flags on their uniforms. One SECFOR soldier asked the Slovenian where he was from. The guy covered up the "s" and the "nian" on his name tape on his pocket, and answered, "The country of love." We busted up laughing, not just because this was a classic moment, but also because our SECFOR guys just didn't know what to do with this and was really uncomfortable. Brilliant!
Another funny story: I was reading out loud in Harry Potter (in Italian) with one of my Italian friends trying to get the Italian pronunciation right. We stopped to discuss a word for a moment and when I understood the point he was making and we were ready to continue he said to me, "Go hide." I looked at him really confused and replied, "No, I don't want to." "Go hide," he said again looking at me, and again I replied to the contrary. I couldn't for the life of me figure out why he was telling me to go hide. The third time he said it, he gestured to the book and all of a sudden it dawned on me that he was saying, "Go ahead." We laughed and laughed at that one. Language and accents are a wonderful thing.
Sorry this is short, but it's like 0130 in the morning and I'm really tired. I can't think of anything else to write really, but mainly just wanted to post something new to show I was alive and kicking. Plus, my MWR watch is over in about 5 minutes.
I love hearing from everyone via email. Keep them coming. I actually have space in my head now to think of things other than here.