Day 47

Two weeks ago tonight, I landed in Oz aboard a giant C-17. Has it gone by fast? Uh...no. Definitely not. Has it been miserable? No, definitely not. I am making the very best of it so far but also take every imaginable opportunity to connect with home. We're all becoming a stronger family because of this, you know?

I think today really is going to be short...I've thought that many times and the opposite happened. I'm just absolutely pooped...less than 5hrs of sleep last night did me in. Thank goodness my care package from home showed up and I could brew my prized espresso this morning. Fresh Lavazza espresso...in the middle of Oz...who would've thought?! "Very thankful for that, My Love! Thank you!" I received a third care package today, too. This one from my youngest brother's family. Artwork from my niece and nephew, a LOT of red Twizzlers, some Tazo Passion tea, and a few other goodies...like more Starbucks VIA! At the office today, it was slow. It is very clear that our connection back in the States knows a 3-day weekend approaches as the e-mail inbox was not very populated at all this morning. Tomorrow should be even worse...or better, depending on how you look at it. I did show the new guy around a bit. He wanted to see the movies they sell for $3.00. You know that when something hits the screens in the U.S., it is sitting here for $3? Pirates of the Caribbean opened last Friday, right? It was there for 3 bucks. Pirated, I'm sure, but over here...no problemo! That's not even half the admission to a movie!

This evening, I hit the road. The wind really died down so my goal was to run the inside perimeter of the base. Great run, tonight! 9 miles in the bag and 17.1 since last night. It's about time I put some mileage in the books. Speaking of mileage, one of my most favorite 50K (31.2 miles) trail races back home which takes place in September has agreed to let me run it here and be considered an official finisher. It starts at 8am back in Kansas and I'll start here at 4:30pm...8 1/2 hour time change. Then, using my iPhone running app, I'll prove that I did the whole 31.2 miles. Pretty cool, eh? THANK YOU to my good friends/race directors for allowing this. I am most grateful! There is another one in July which was my first 50K about 4 years ago but I'm not sure I'll be ready yet...so it's penciled in. The race director also extended the same thing...official entry and finisher if I do it. I must have goals so this is awesome.

I'm going to close tonight with a short video. There is a program out there called "Operation Proper Exit." It takes soldiers who were badly injured in Iraq back to the exact spot where it happened...to tell their story and get closure on that event. Please take a moment to watch this...it's not long.

Goodnight, everyone.