The words of an Iraqi...

I came across another blog today. It's written by a lady in Iraq. I don't know if she is an Iraqi herself or not. Although she did not refer to herself as an American nor did she say anything about "we" when talking about Americans.

Her blog is talking about the politics and everyday life of Iraq as it is currently. One entry mentions the water and electricity situation. Another talks about her husband or boyfriend with whom she lives in Baghdad. Her english is excellant which is why I'm not sure if she's Iraqi or not. Matter-a-fact it's better than a lot of Americans. Her words are succinct and well thought out. Although it's an environment that would lead many of us into a world of frustration and irritation she seems to be handling it well. Assuming the friends she surrounds herself with, as well as her "mate" are mild mannered as well. Although it appears she can certainly stand up for herself when she finds it necessary to do so.

You won't find her shrouded in all black from head-to-toe with her head covered but more like a pair of pants and a high-neck beige sweater that you'd be likely to find as an everyday site around these parts.

I bring up this lady and her blog because it made me feel that she understood the situation there in Baghdad. Why it was going on and looking forward to the future. Her most recent post was closed with the following words, "At the end of the day, it’s not about having a Sunni or Shia or Kurd or Arab in power. It’s about having someone who has Iraq’s best interests at heart- not America’s, not Iran’s, not Israel’s… It’s about needing someone who wants peace, prosperity, independence and above and beyond all, unity."

See, this is what they don't show on the news very often. People that are living there, using their words to describe their feelings about what's going on and what they really want. Obviously this lady does not represent all of Iraq or we wouldn't be worry about our guys leaving in a couple weeks. But it's nice to know there are those living there that want peace and unity.

Too deep for this blog? well, I thought it was something positive. I won't ever go too deep in regards to politics on this site. Believe you, me. Not gonna happen.

Take care everyone. Semper Fi!

Carrie

Back from the airbase...

Hey girls (and any gents reading this!)-

Well, our boys should be back at their camps by now away from the thing that used to be an airbase now transformed into "Iraqi land". As most of you know, if not all of you...they were doing some heavy duty training at that nasty airbase. Lack of sleep, real-life-like kidnappings, mortar rounds going off, and being shot (with paint guns). Although going back to camp was a welcomed sight I doubt any of them uttered the words..."It's good to be home" without a resounding moan or tired giggle following quickly after.

Soon the guys will be heading to Iraq. For real. I have to say and I'm sure I'm not alone in this when I say that I am dreading that day. I will be on the road for about 5 days or so after March 1 and my guess is they will be heading out shortly after Vegas. So I don't know if I'll be able to speak to RJ after Vegas, but man...I sure do hope so!

It's too bad we all don't live closer to one another. A few of us have been able to get together to chat and shed off some of the stress brought on by this deployment and those of us that were able to go wished you all could be there. We might be planning something in April or May for everyone. Too early to really say too much about it as it is currently just an idea. A mere seedling thought to get all 10 girls of 3/25 together.

Do you know what's really crazy? Just 2 days ago I was outside in a t-shirt and a light zippered jacket/sweatshirt. Seriously...now I look out my window and see flurries of snow, flying sideways past my window. Cleveland weather...so typical. Watch, by Saturday we'll see people in flip-flops again in an effort to encourage warmer weather. Ahhh the mid-west. Gotta love it.

Ok, enough for now. Sounding off for the ladies of the 3/25. Send any news you'd like to share.

Take care everyone. Semper Fi!!

Carrie
PS: I apologize for any spelling errors on names.

I Stand For Freedom

"I was blessed with a gift when I came to be,
I'm honored and proud of the name given me,
Because it is recognized by everyone,
My name is America, and I Stand for Freedom;

Over the years, through battles and wars,
I've sustained my burdens with wounds and scars,
And I will never give up; never will I run,
For I am America, and I Stand for Freedom;

But someone has now desecrated my soul,
Disrespect and hatred have left a deep hole,
I cannot forgive them for what they have done,
They envy America, because I Stand for Freedom;

So now I am weeping for all of your sakes,
But keep close to God, for you must have faith,
Believe that good will prevail; you must remain strong,
I am America, and I Stand for Freedom.

-by Becky Ridenour (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)

"I've only got a minute..."

Hey girls-

I spoke with RJ for a moment tonight. He was literally pulled off the phone with me. He had to go. He was telling me about the training they are about to go through. Some major serious stuff. Very real. Very hard. He even sounded weird. Yet another chapter in the deployment of our significant others. I have to say one thing though...it really sucked! sorry to be so blunt, but it did. It was a dang reminder of what he's going to be going through when he gets over there. I know he needs to do it, I know what he's going to be up against...well as much as I can know anyway. But it just made me miss him more for some reason. I CAN NOT wait until I can see him for the few precious hours we get in a couple weeks. Can you guys?

Anyway, it's been a "missing RJ" day for me. Not bad, just missing him. I'm sure you understand.

I came across this link tonight (ok, I guess it's morning...I can't sleep) that was very touching. Give it time to load. Watch the entire thing. You'll know when it's over. http://www.iwo.com/heroes.htm

Semper Fi, ladies. Stay strong. We're here for one another.

Carrie

A few funnies...

I found these on a website (http://homefronthugs.com/page20.html), printed them and sent them to RJ. Thought you all might enjoy them too.

Even in times of war, one needs a sense of humor

The Woman and the Genie in the Bottle

A woman was walking along the beach when she stumbled upon a bottle. She picked it up and rubbed it, and lo-and-behold a Genie appeared. The amazed woman asked if she got three wishes. The Genie said, "Nope, sorry three-wish genies are a story-tale myth. I'm a one-wish genie. So...what'll it be?"

The woman didn't hesitate. She said, "I want peace in the Middle East. See this map? I want these countries to stop fighting with each other and I want all the Arabs to love Jews and Americans and vice- versa. It will bring about world peace and harmony." The Genie looked at the map and exclaimed, "Lady, be reasonable. These countries have been at war for thousands of years. I'm out of shape after being in a bottle for five hundred years. I'm good but not THAT good! I don't think it can be done. Make another wish and please be reasonable."

The woman thought for a minute and said, "Well, I've never been able to find the right man. You know, one that's considerate and fun, likes to cook and helps with the house cleaning, is GREAT in bed and gets along with my family, doesn't watch sports all the time, and is faithful. That's what I wish for .. a good man." The Genie let out a long sigh, shook his head and said: "Let me see that freakin' map again!


The Balloonist

A woman in a hot air balloon realized she was lost. She lowered altitude and spotted a man below. She descended a bit more and shouted, "Excuse me, can you help me? I promised a friend I would meet him an hour ago, but I don't know where I am." The man consulted his GPS and replied, "You're are in a hot air balloon approximately 30 feet above a ground elevation of 2346 feet above sea level. You are 31 degrees, 14.97 minutes north latitude and 100 degrees, 49.09 minutes west longitude." "You must be enlisted," said the balloonist. "I am," replied the man. "How did you know?" "Well," answered the balloonist, "everything you told me is technically correct, but I have no idea what to make of your information, and the fact is I am still lost. Frankly, you've not been much help so far." The man responded, "You must be an officer." "I am", replied the balloonist, "but how did you know?" "Well," said the man, "you don't know where you are or where you are going. You have risen to where you are due to a large quantity of hot air. You made a promise which you have no idea how to keep, and you expect me to solve your problem. You are lost due to your own incompetence and negligence but you want to blame someone else. The fact is you are in exactly the same position you were in before we met, but now, somehow, it's my fault."

How many dogs does it take to change a lightbulb?

Golden Retriever - The sun is shining, the day is young, we've got our whole lives ahead of us and you're inside worrying about a stupid burned out bulb.

Border Collie - Just one. And then I'll replace any wiring that's not up to code and repaint the wall where you scuffed it in the dark, before moving on to the plumbing.

Dachshund - You know I can't reach that stupid lamp!

Rottweiler - Make me.

Boxer - Who cares? I can play with my squeaky toy in the dark.

Lab - Oh, me, me!!!!!! Pleeeeeeeeeeze let me change the light bulb! Can I? Can I? Huh? Huh? Huh? Can I? Pleeeeeeze, please, please, please pick me!

Twice the fun!

So as you know, most of us know by now, the boys are planning on a 2-day liberty! Jodi mentioned she heard it from her honey-bun "Moe" and then Lizette told me the same thing the next day. I mentioned it to RJ when I first heard it but it was still too gray for him to know anything for sure. He heard about it but no real word had been said so we couldn't plan. I hope to talk to him more about it tonight when he gets back to base. But it appears now it's actually going to happen! For all the boys! They deserve it, that's for sure. I'd be happy with any time we can get though, truly.

I wanted to send out a big "thank you" to you ladies that have tried to really keep me in the loop, as much as you're allowed. Not being a wife makes it difficult to get info and I know we have a long road ahead of us. It's good to know that we have this group to exchange info and be there to support one another.

"We've got this gift of love, but love is like a precious plant. You can't just accept it and leave it in the cupboard or just think it's going to get on by itself. You've got to keep watering it. You've got to really look after it and nurture it."
-John Lennon

We all need "watering". Stay strong.

Take care everyone,
Carrie

Vegas/Palm Springs

We have heard that they boys might have a liberty day or two coming up and they had the choice to go to Vegas or Palm Springs. Most are choosing Vegas (cheaper flights, more to do etc.) from what I hear.

I have to say I'm VERY excited. There is still a small chance that it won't happy but it sounds fairly certain at the moment. They are breaking them up into two groups; one group going from Tues to Wed and the other from Thurs to Fri. I've already bought my ticket and will be landing in Vegas at 9-ish on Tuesday morning, Feb 22.

Should RJ not get into Vegas until Thursday I will be calling the Tropicana to see if I can get a couple nights work at my old job of "Showgirl". I could use the money. Uh huh...yea. Joking! No, hopefully someone else might be there to pal around with...I hear Robin might be there then too. So we'll just have to see what happens.

I haven't heard anything too specific about any of the guys. RJ sprained his ankle last Thursday, pretty good too. He rejoined the gang on Sunday afternoon. He wasn't real happy about not being with the guys and missing any training. But his ankle was pretty with all those colors!

Anyway, I'll add more as I get the info.

Take care family and friends.

Carrie

3/25 website

Here is a link to the site for the 325 (http://www.mfr.usmc.mil/4thmardiv/25thMar/3dBn/). I enjoyed going through it, finally, the other day. I plan to stop by the site often but you see something you'd like to see posted here too, just let me know!

Take care. Hang tough. Semper Fi.

Carrie