Day 116

Yesterday was a crazy day. Here in Oz, not much was happening but back in "Kansas," my mind was consumed by the local school levy. It was our 5th attempt to pass it. If it didn't pass, $600,000 in cuts was set to go including lost teachers, a huge cut in busing (including my girls) and big pay-to-play fees.  I've been deeply involved with the local levy committee since the 2nd attempt and voted via absentee over a month ago. Yesterday was the day and when I woke up this morning, the polls had just closed and fellow committee members were en route to the Board of Elections to await the results. Because my brain knew what was up as I slept all night, I slept horribly and woke up all night long, rolling over and checking my e-mail to see any and all updates then going back to sleep. In the end, we passed the levy!! It was a huge victory for us and after losing the May levy by 4 votes, we won this one by over 200 votes. That's great considering our committee was essentially out of money and very little campaigning was done and it's summertime back in "Kansas."

In the office this morning, I kept busy all day long. It's the same cycle I see every week with the ebbs and flows of activity. I'm either crammed with stuff or bored. More forward movement, as well, with the project I've been spearheading with my Marine colonel's support. "Comfortable" is a good word to describe how I feel right now in my position and simply hope to pass this well-oiled process to my future relief. I consistently see the danger that soldiers are encountering outside the barbed wire of my base and while I admire them and am thankful for them, I do not wish to be them. We all have our place and I really feel that I'm serving the warfighter well and making a difference. If I weren't, I'd really be struggling with justification of even being here.

After my normal Wednesday 5pm conference call with my counterparts Stateside, I gave Tin Man and Scarecrow a call after talking to Dorothy for awhile. A big box that I shipped home a few weeks ago finally arrived. Inside were birthstone pendants for both of the girls. Last night, Dorothy sent me a photo of them with them and they looked genuinely thrilled with them...not those fake kid smiles. They were really happy which in turn, made my night. So today, I just wanted to talk with them about them and find out how their 3rd VBS (Vacation Bible School) this summer was going so far this week. It sounds like it's been going really well.

Taking the stinky base shuttle back to my side of the base tonight, the new moon was in the clear sky...a sky that hasn't given one drop of precipitation since my arrival. I think it's amazing that I haven't seen a drop of anything since April. Absolutely nothing for over 3 months. I would love a good downpour right now. Anyway, I'm starting to close my eyes during times that I can and envision home. This envisioning of home and my family seems to ground me midday and calms me down. I can feel the stress and anxiety grow daily but thinking about them with my eyes closed...with no external distraction...they put me at ease. That's what I was doing tonight on the shuttle. It was an old school bus filled with Afghans and stunk so bad. I kept my cover on and my dark ballistic glasses and just shut my eyes. I prefer to keep my glasses on when I'm in their company so I can watch them closely while they can't see my eyes. I trust no one and question every movement towards and around me. I've heard too many stories of "friendlies" turning against coalition forces so dark glasses let me give the perception of the "tough American soldier" with my loaded weapon and allows me to keep a close eye on them. The overwhelming majority are completely harmless but I have no intention of being the next victim. Anyway, these little snippets of "me" time to escape home are becoming slightly addictive. They work for me.

Hey, did I mention that two weeks from this Saturday I will be promoted? Yep! I'm currently a Navy O-2 (Lieutenant Junior Grade) but will become an O-3 (Lieutenant). Today, I received my Oath of Office that I will state and swear to on August 20th while raising my right hand and then sign. My reserve center back home provided it and I'll send it on back afterwards. I'm really looking forward to this promotion. It has seemed like the day would never get here. Planning for it, I took one of my covers over to laundry today to have the new patch sewn on so I'll have the proper rank on there when it's time.

Goodnight, everyone.