Well its Memorial Weekend and I'm so happy to have a little break from training!!! It's been a crazy schedule. I have to get up between 4:30 and 5:30 just to get into the bathroom and use the shower cuz there is only 3 shower heads and 40 females.. BIG CLUSTER!!! Well the training that we did last week was mostly weapons and qualifying. We did get to shoot the big boys as I call them. And just to correct Meggs story on the falling off a HMMV ... what really happened was I was getting onto the top of the HMMV and I was on the right side of the gunner and I wanted to get to the left of him. So when I moving over to the otherside I was trying to get my feet out from beneath me and in the same moment using the back hatch that was open as a stablizer and then it collapsed on me so what happens I went down with the hatch, and ended up landing on my head. But I got right back up and climbed right back up. I wasn't going to miss my chance at shooting the .50 CAL!!! You kiddin me!! But now they gave me the nickname of Humpty Dumpty!!!

Well besides shooting off our weapons we have done Land Navigation. So we have to go around and find points from our maps. And its a lot of walking, but we totally kicked butt at it.. Mostly because the girl I was with didn't understand so I had to do all the mapping of our grid coordinates, and finding the distance in meters that we would have to walk. So the day after that because I passed I had to coach someone else due to them failing the day before. So I had to help and make sure they knew what they were doing.. Man it was a really hot day, but what was worse is I pulled off at least 10 to 15 ticks off me.. ICK!!!!!! They are everywhere up at Ripley!!!

Then later in the week we had COMBATIVES!!! Some fun stuff, besides the fact I had to go up against 4 really big guys (one who has to be around 300 to 400 pounds- Literally!!!) but it was all fun and we learned some great techniques, and the instructor said I had the most motivation!

It's just not the training that has been keeping me busy, but the job I had working for the unit before we were on orders has continued to follow me during training. I have had some really late nights organizing the packing slips and making sure I know where every high and important item on our property books location is. So I've had a huge responsiblity, and the partner in crime who helps me has said we have received some really good recongition for our hard work and dedication!!!

Otherwise, we have just been busy with classes and getting ready for Afghanistan. The lastest update that I have is that we are no longer heading to Bagram, Afghanistan. We will now be going to a location in southern Afghanistan. It's something called Camp or Fort Leathernecks I think?? It has marines on post and its a newer post that they are still setting up. Everything is always up for change!!!

Everyone have a great Memorial Day, and if you seen a Veteran PLEASE tell them thanks for their service. We all strive to keep our love ones at home safe and to continue to have the freedom we have today!!! I don't regret signing that piece of paper one bit, and know I'll return home to the ones I love dearly!!!

Note to Meggs~ Hey Beautiful!!! I love the picture and your hair is amazing!!!!!! Just want you to know that there isn't a day that goes by that I don't wonder how you are doing, and hoping your day is unique!!! I miss you so much, and I want you to know that I'm always looking up to you and the accomplishments you have made. I think you need to know that I'm so PROUD of you!!! You have weathered a rough storm, and sometimes the storms return worse than the original but you are so strong that you just hold on and get right through it!! Well we have one heck of storm coming soon, but just like all the others it will be over all in time! I love you and want you to know you'll be right in my heart in Afghanistan.. ~ There's a special place in there just for YOU!!! Love ALWAYS and FOREVER!!! ~~ Bri