Days 74-76 (My Mini-Vacation Pt 2)

Today is my last full day here in Qatar... :( Its been a WONDERFUL 4 days of RELAXATION. I cant tell you how much this was needed. So many great memories were made here for me. The culture, the scenery, everything was perfectly set in place for me I felt. A splash of arabic culture, and a zing of american modernization. In other words, women/men in their "arabic gear" walking around a 5 story state of the art mall buying items that you would see us buy! :) Unique experience. A night into the town was wonderful. Their clubs aren't exactly like ours, but it was kinda close. The dancing that I would usually do in Baltimore did not take place over here..haha. But I have to admit their are some hot "modernized" arabic women over here. Actually I think one of the funniest things I have ever heard women say to me happened the other night. Occasionally, I wear my glasses because of my vision. More at night then any other time. Well I had bought some clothes of my taste along with my usual hat and I wore my glasses this time. I had a small group of "modernized" arabic women come up to me, with the one in the middle giving me a quick look up and down saying "I must admit; you are one of the hottest nerds I have ever seen" then she giggled with her friends and walked away. I just sat their with a few of my friends that I went with and thought "I cant believe she said that with a look of disgust!" lol It was like if I wasnt wearing glasses or something, she would have liked me. I dont know. But it was hilarious. When I went to the mall yesterday, I could not help myself to buy over $1000 of items. There was just so much stuff that I was going to buy anyway once I got back to the states. I just said, "Might was well get it over with". Plus some of the stuff was a little cheaper. Wow, I talked alot on this one. Oh before I forget, check out my photo album in the next few days. I got some GREAT pictures from over here! You would love them. The location was perfect for pictures. Ok Adios! I will never forget this vacation.

Days 72-73 (My Mini-Vacation Pt 1)

Ahhh....IM ON VACATION!!! YES!!!! LMAO. I will have to put up pictures soon on my yahoo album. Already got some good ones ;) Wow...I feel so relaxed for the time being. I get the chance to go dancing down in Saudi Arabia! And drink up their alcohol! Man I cant wait. Ill be doing that within the next few hours over here. Also something interesting has happened to me since I got here yesterday. Well, they have a few restaurants on the base Im at in Qatar, one of them Chili's. Yeah, I know...Chili's! Awesome. Anywho, I got me a BBQ burger (huge!) and you know, the fries and got me a tea. Remember, I havent had ANY of this kind of food in little over 3 months. Well, I had that meal yesterday evening around 9pm. It is 630pm right now the very next day and I still haven't eaten. But Im not hungry? I honestly worked out this morning, watched a movie, played some ping pong and even took a nap...but still did NOT have the urge to eat anything...and I still don't. I asked a few people around here if they had the same effect and a couple did. And I finally realized something between the 3 guys and I that did have the same situation...we were all in pretty good shape. Then one of the guys mentioned that because of us working out as much as we do over in Afghanistan, our stomachs have dramatically shrunk since the invention of sliced bread. I mean, it made sense because I dont eat much to get full these days and I had a HUGE meal. I know, this story is retarded but ITS MY STORY!!! AAAAAAAAAhahahahah :) So I told it. Well Im gonna go take a SWIM in the OLYMPIC size pool they got here on base! Awesome. Then to downtown Qatar I go! Ill definitely take some pictures for you all. Im in such a good mood now as you can tell...but damnit, I deserve to be :) hehe. I love you all and hope to hear from you all soon as well. And Faith/Nicole, Ill try giving you all a ring probably tomorrow (Saturday). I have my own phone in my own room! Crazy (the most simple things in life in the states are luxury over here I tell you! lol) Adios

Days 67-71

Aahhhhh...back on the blog again. Wow, I got a few messages FINALLY! lol Well Im finally on my way back to Kandahar. I had an interesting journey ALL over Afghanistan/Uzbekistan/Tjirkistan. We fly back in about an hour or so. I have had hardly any sleep the last few days. Our flights kept getting either delayed or cancelled so I have been sleeping on chairs the last 2-3 days. Ugh! But all is well because I get to enjoy a 5 day pass to Qatar! :) Just a little R&R that the Army gives you after serving half your tour over here. Cant believe I have been away from Md for 3 months now...it flew by so fast! Awesome. Well Im off to load on the ugly bird so I get out of here. Hope all is well with everyone. I think I already told you I bought that convertible right? Well something else came up. Christina's parents want to meet me! AAAHHH!! lol Nah Im not scared at all. But it kinda surprised me when Christina mentioned it to me on email today. I was discussing about what vacation that Christina and I will go on when I get back and I mentioned on the side that I would like to take her to my hometown for the day sometime in the summer. Well next thing you know, she told me she forwarded the email to her mom and cuz I guess she wanted to know what she should do and her Mom said GO! "But he has to meet us first :)" Im still taking it all in right now. But tell me what you get from that? Especially you Dyan. OK my lovely ladies of B-L-O-G. Im OUT!

Day 66

Well my initial flight got canceled and my boss opted to go to Bagram instead. At first I was like "Ok, thats cool" then he mentioned that we would be staying with the Koreans again................................................................
NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (LMAO) Not that guy again! Anything but him! Not the GAY Korean Major! (LMAO). Well the inevitable happened. Guess who picked us up from the airstrip? Yes, the GAY Korean Major. This dude canNOT be more feminine. Whatever dude. Good thing is that we leave in like 3 hrs to go up farther north to a place called K-2. Then we fly back to Kandahar I believe on Sunday or Monday. Ok, thats my story. Im glad you got a kick out of it. It could have been more funnier if I stayed a few more days longer like last time but I tried my best to avoid his GAY ass. Guess what else I found out today? I get to go on "vacation" next week! A 5 day pass to a place called Qatar. Its on the Saudi Arabian Peninsula. They call it the "Middle Eastern Cancun". Wow...I cant wait. Ok TTYL! Oh, and Ill try to send a picture of the convertible I bought recently since a few requested it. See ya!

Days 62-65

You mean to tell me Ive been out of the net for these last few days and the only nicer person to write me is Nicole? Thank you for your comments Nicole. At least you care about me! lol Nah, Im just playin. Im sure everyone is busy doing their own things over there as am I over here. As a matter of fact, I leave again this morning and probably wont be back on here till at least Saturday. We will see. Hope everyone is well. Guess what? I bought the convertible. Im having my best friend pick it up for me and storing it at my Mom's house. BEAUTIFUL CAR!

Day 61

I would have to say that today was my most unique day in Afghanistan so far. It all started with waking up at NOON (yes, NOON! yay!) getting dressed, going straight to chow and planning on doing laundry right afterwards. I sat down by myself and a group of 5 british soldiers came and sat down at my table. I had the most awesome hour conversation with them. We all spoke everything from this pro bowl going on today (yeah, they watch american tv!) to Colin Farrell and also about their culture since I wanted to know. They live no more different than us. As a matter of fact, from what they said, Europe is so much better than the US. Those 5 have visited the states from time to time but they still thought that their country is better. At first, I stood up for the US ya know, since I LIVE THERE but after comparisons, (not saying they are better than us) but they have things over there that are unheard of over here. So I just might end up taking my mom over to England/Great Britain instead :) Who knows. All I know is that those 5 british soldiers made my day. Since I have been here, I already had a weird encounter with a GAY Korean Major, a Chaplain that speaks broken english, Awesome Romanian Ping Pong players that drink nothing but alcohol (they are allowed to have it over here!) and some very cool British soldiers. Definitely have to say that my Deployment to Afghanistan has ALL been worth it. Yes it gets lonely, but you get passed that by other adventures such as watching movies, playing volleyball, ping pong, talking with friends, and working. Internet helps out too as you can see. See, its not so bad over here. You just got to have a totally "open minded" mentality of getting deployed to anywhere and make the most of it.

Day 60

Day 60...the first real landmark...I am a 1/3 of the way towards home. These next 60 days should fly by pretty fast (Brigades switching out, me moving up to Bagram, etc.) I cant wait :) Oh and before I forget, if for some reason I dont acknowledge anyone on the blogger thats on here frequently, I apologize in advance. I definitely read what you all write but sometimes I just either dont have time, or just plain lazy to type much! lol But you all are in my thoughts. Gotta get back to work...ON A SATURDAY! I hate always working on Saturdays here. I only get 2 days off a month and tomorrow is one of them. Cant wait. CHOW

Day 59

You all amaze me with all the talking you do! :) But def. keep it coming. Takes up a good portion of my morning haha. Oh and for EVERYONES INFORMATION, I got awesome teeth too! See! (smiles and points at teeth) Tell em Vanessa. When I smile, it looks just as pretty ;) hehe. Ok enough of that now. Just another day, another dollar. Im glad everyone for the most part are doing good. If you get down at all, just remember that poor ole Ricky is in the mud and dirt of a 3rd world country twiddling his thumbs till he gets home in June. :) And Im one of the most optimistic people on my blog :) If Im happy, I expect everyone else to at least be in good spirits haha :) Ricky...OUT!!!!

Day 58

Oh my how the days just go by :) Look, Im at Day 58. Just seemed like the other week I was just getting here. Next thing you know, it will be like Day 103 or something. Cant wait. Anywho, Dyan still didnt get your box :( Im so sorry. It makes me mad now that it hasnt came yet (darn postal people). Im glad your doing good after surgery Vanessa. Told you everything was going to be alright :) Faith, Im glad your enjoying your car. Feels good dont it? Nicole, school is going to treat you so good in your career once you get out. Your going to look back and feel good about what you did cuz you will be making such good money! As for me, I feel good about what I do for my country. Sometimes its a drag, but once I step back, take a breath and just look around, I feel good about it. Plus the benefits are hard to beat and Im actually making great money. So cant complain. Alrighty blogheads, Im just like Ryan Seacrest...OUT!

Day 57

Dont have long to talk but just want you all to know that Im still ok and still in good spirits. Enjoy the rest of your day or night and hopefully Ill have more time to write tomorrow...I probably will. You all can write as much as you want on this blog..hehe :) You all seem to have no problem with that! Laters

Day 56

Aint no pannin out for me about this car :) Its going to be mine! (lol) No doubt about it. Its just when and where thats all. I set my budget for this car up to $14,000 just in case I wanted to get one a little nicer. I can still take a vacation with my mother and still be comfortable in my bank account after all of this! :) Already thought it through :) Well once again, just another day in the Afghanihood. Nothing new. Well, actually I could be going to two different camps in the next few days but haven't gotten the actual "go" yet so just waiting for the word. Dyan...still haven't gotten your box yet :( I think it might have gotten lost or stolen maybe. Don't know. TTYL

Days 54-55

Just another day. But this day, I have begun looking into getting a used 1995-99 Mitsubishi Eclipse Convertible. Preferrebly black top and black all around (exterior and interior). I dont want to spend any more than $10,000 on it though. I found over 700 across the US so far that fit my description and my price. Just a matter of who has the best car for me :) I cant wait to get it soon! Ok enough of daydreaming for now. Sorry for not loggin on yesterday. The internet was down on the whole base so I didnt even bother to try. Its up now obviously and I saw that DYAN likes to talk to herself ;) hehe. Cant wait to see that boat Dyan. Rachel has that boat over in Cali as well so Im gonna have to check both of them out! :) Ok, back to work now. Dyan, what is your phone #? I dont have it! Ok bloggers, ttyl

Days 51-53

Look what happens when I leave you all alone even just a few days? lol NOW I CRACK MYSELF UP. Good morning ladies...not much going on here. Once again I apologize for not being on again lately. Believe it or not, I have been pretty darn busy over here. With everyone from the unit Im attached too preparing to leave and everything, its been hectic. Everyone is in such good spirits over here! It makes me happy that their happy. Also makes me happy too since Im moving back up to Bagram in less than 2 months. THANK YOU FOR ALL THE COMPLIMENTS :) Even yours Dyan ;) And NO, I WILL NOT FATTEN UP FOR MY MOTHER! lol Thats what Ive been trying to lose (and effectively lost most of it). Vanessa, can you please explain to the Jury(Dyan..hehe) that the plantiff is merely trying to lose "unwanted" fat off his body?..no further questions your honor :) I CRACK MYSELF UP TWICE. Im glad your settling in ok over at the college Nicole. Just remember, it will only really get better...especially with spring rolling around in a month or two. Faith, you know its gonna take time to be friends with someone like Joe. But just like everyone else said, cut the bridge off for the time being...then have Halliburton build it back up for you in a year or so :)I CRACK MYSELF UP THREE TIMES. Vanessa, your surgery is going to go JUST fine. Yes it isnt going to feel all that pretty, but its only tonsils if you think about it. Enjoy those 10 days just relaxing and laying in bed! Its what you do Vanessa! :) I CRACK MYSELF UP FOR THE LAST TIME. Ok bloggers, off to work on a SATURDAY..uh Anywho hope to hear from you all soon. Also, I work tomorrow all day so Ill be on the blogger anytime between 10pm-6am EST. Sorry for the late entrance on those times but I cant help with the 9 1/2 hr time differential! :) Mahaulo

Days 48-50

Sorry I haven't been on! So much has been going on here. Soldiers that are replacing the group here at Kandahar are slowly coming into place here. Rumor has it that the 325th will be all gone by mid-April. But the start of them leaving starts at the end of this month. So between the end of Febuary and mid April, soldiers will be moving out and coming in. I see that as a good sign that the end is near (being here that is!). Once they all leave, I move back up to Bagram for only 1 1/2 - 2 months and Ill be free! YAY! Ok enough about that. Well Im in a good mood today because my resolution for this New Year has been working great for me. I can say that my hard work is paying off. I do have photos of before and now pictures but Im gonna keep them to myself for now. But you would be proud of me :) It just puts you in the greatest mood in the world ya know? Sorry for being so enthusiastic. My apologies! Anywho, Im back on the blogdar and welcome everyone else back as well. Hope to hear from you all soon!

Ricky