Wow! What a strange trip!

Well, even though it seems like "ground hog's day" here every day, things are not static!!! Just as I was working along in the scrap metal heap with the very cool Navy guys Theo and Nick and MSG Linda...my world was rocked. I was informed (not asked) that I was headed to Speicher. So gather your shit and get on the next blackhawk out.

I left a lot of great friends, WO1 Curtis and his friends, SSG Briley (I really enjoyed playing driver for him on my days off), my new friends at the base college.

Saying good bye to my good friends was so difficult. I was suprised how hard it was to tell my Iraqi friends adios. They kind of grow on you after a while, great group of guys. If you're ever in Baghdad and need a bodyguard, Atheer is your man. Need the next Sanatra (abit accent) for a dinner party, call Ammar (excellent translater too). They are all men of good heart and honor.

Well...Speicher (in Tikrit) is fine. The URS crew here is outstanding, they are all about the work and doing the job the right way. Although it's a bit like being in a firehouse 24/7 (all but 1 are ex-firefighters). You know the kind of humor, sometimes slightly off base, but great, I've missed that commraderie.

My new digs sort of suck, (had to cover it with our version of a salvage cover cause it leaked like a sive my very first night!) but oh well. The Iraqi guys that work for us are not sure what to make of me (the whole western woman thing) but it is going well so far.

The thunder and lightening storms are GREAT!!! Last night we had one right over head and it lasted over 45 minutes with constant action, no lulls longer than 30 seconds.