Day 164 - Workout at the pool

After reading my new book "The Big Drop", I realized I need to get in shape for my upcoming midtour if I am really going to go surfing for 14 days straight.  I think i need to be able to stay underwater for about 2 minutes.  

So tonight I went for a swim and decided to start working on my ability to hold my breath.  At the start of the evening, I was barely able to make it half way down the pool underwater, but that soon changed with a little drowning.  I finally made 5 trips the length of the pool....while this is only about 30 seconds, it's a good start for day 1 of training.  Now I need to work on my pop ups...

Day 163 - Pool Time

The day was very nice here today and since it was my day off (kind of), I decided to head to the pool and get some sun.  Since I have been wearing ABUs during daylight hours for the past 5 months, I have lost some of my color.  And with plans to hit the beach for my midtour, I need to get some skin exposed to the sun!

Was at the pool for about 2 hours...very nice and relaxing.  However, all I need to do now is practice my jump ups and some swimming.

Day 160 - Thanksgiving Day

Today is a day to be THANKFUL!  Yes, it's a thankful day.   


The day started off with breakfast with the Secretary of the Air Force Donley and the Chief Master of the Air Force Roy.  We met with a few Airmen and then sent them on their way to visit others around the AOR.  Lunch and Dinner with other Airmen around the Theater...what a way to spend your holiday...leadership from the front.


After the breakfast, I thought this was going to be a slow day, but that was not the case.  It was work as normal with many of the same meetings.  However, we added a lunch with the Local Air Force leadership having Thanksgiving dinner with the wing leadership.  It was fun and I think they enjoyed being a part of our holiday.


Finally, I just arrived home from the DFAC and serving our Airmen Thanksgiving Dinner.  As usual, I had a LOT of fun "goofing off".  We even had a good time rassing the local chaplain who was serving on the other line.  We were constantly busy serving while his line was pretty empty.  I guess they like my was of carving the Roast Beef.  Did I mention, I don't know how to carve beef?  It was falling off the bone and they were some LARGE bones.

Vince and Dan serving up some vittles

Roast Beef -- it's what's for dinner

The Fixin's

Our HELP

Cuttin' me some Roast Beef

Chaplain Davidson...other serving line

Fake WINE

Day 155 - gone fishing

Well, I can this is a first (for me).  Going fishing in the Arabia Gulf!  Not what I expected and I guess I would think they had some simple gear (like a fish finder), but no such luck.  

We spent about 1 1/2 hours driving out to "the Spot" only to have to move 2 more times.  We finally caught a few (at least some of those on board did).  

The Boat!!!  not much to look at  =)

Boarding the boat and thinking....what have I gotten myself into?

Our Fishing Guide...he's from Nepal

I hope you noticed that I'm wearing the same shirt as the Tour Guide...yes, I know, I was just trying to fit in :)

The Guide giving some fishing lessons to the Vice...all smiles

My idea of a good fishing trip....reading a book about SURFING

Okay...so I did pickup the fishing rod, but no luck catching anything :(

The Group of Fishermen...

The complete group

Day 153 - Heaven

Today I was in HEAVEN!!! I received a Care Package from mySurfingBuddy.  In it was LOADS of surfing material.  In fact, more reading material than I can read in a night...good more reading tomorrow.  He also included a few nice to have things -- like Hot Tamales (it ate them immediately...all of them) =)


It's so nice to be loved from afar...but when they send me items like this...I'm in HEAVEN.


BTW:  I also got a DaKine Diego's T-Shirt...I'll have to take a picture of me in that.


What a GREAT Friend and Family we know back at our last base.  I sure do miss the weekly get togethers :(  Best part of these friends is that we had not "fronts"  They are the most REAL people I know and I LOVE them...

Thanks so much Lee and Dorthea!!!  You all ROCK!

Traveling

Made a little trip to Bahrain today to visit one of our detachments.  Nice visit...boy does it make me appreciate where I am!  Conditions at this location have a long way to go to be NICE!

Some of my traveling partners -- TheChaplain and TheExec

Then we went to NSA Bahrain and made a trip to the Food Court and NEX.  We all decided to ave Taco Bell since we don't have this at our location (yet...it's coming soon).  

A Chinaman in Bahrain eating Mexican...can you believe this!

 

Day 152 - Revival

Last night was FANTASTIC :)  I can't believe how great a night it was.  


First off, the AFCENT Chaplains were having a conference and they asked me to speak.  Yeah, I know...me speaking!  However, I was truly blessed by the opportunity to talk about the Maintenance of the Human Weapon System.  I guess it was well received, but again...it blessed me more than them!  


The group was a great group and I even took a few pictures of them before I spoke.  Great People...Great CHAPLAINS!!!!

 

Then the night was capped off with a concert by Casting Crowns!  Yeah, a real live Contemporary Christian rock band.  It was AWESOME!!!!  The memorial plaza was FULL with people flowing out of the area and seating was amazing.  As the group sang, people sang along.  It was an Old Time Tent Revival in the AOR!  I continue to be amazed at what GOD does and how he does it!

Casting Crowns singing on stage!!!!  Great Concert

It was great seeing so many from the Chapel attending.  I even think the BOSS liked it.

Here's the view when I was sitting down.   So it was Standing Most of the Night!

Day 147 - Bell of the Ball

Happy Birthday United States Marine Corps...you ROCK!

The USMC Security Detachment from the Embassy decided to hold a USMC Birthday Ball downtown.   So the boss and I got the opportunity to go...At $100 per plate, it was a little pricey and since I didn't really get a chance to eat, it was REALLY pricey!  Not where I wanted to spend $100 but it was a fun filled evening.

Once we went into the Ball Room, it was open seating.  Therefore, the boss and I decided to sit at a table together.  Shortly after we sat down, we were told we had seats at the head table.  So of course we got up and moved forward.  However, once we were seated it was determined we were ONE seat short a the head table.  You guessed it, I stepped aside and took one for the team.  

I think my the company at my table was more lively and FUN!     Just look at this group!  FUN for sure.

Day 145 - Fitness (YES)

Just to start off today's entry, I need to clarify on the weather we had yesterday.  It not only rained here (see the pictures on Day 144), but we had a Tornado within 5 miles of the location.  YES...you read that correctly...A TORNADO!  I took one picture that looked like a funnel cloud (sort of), but thought I was seeing things.  However, I have seen another picture of the funnel cloud and WEATHER showed the radar footage!  It was a TORNADO!


Now, on to other news...
Today was the DAY!  Yes, it finally arrived for me to put up or shut up.  I went to do my AOR PT Test this morning after being delayed for a week.  Was I ready...I'm not sure.  And then the bounce around of locations this morning 20 minutes before the test left me breathless and frazzled (just a little).  

I showed up at the appointed place about 30 minutes early.  When  no one else showed at 20 minutes prior, I began to wonder what was up....So of course, I pulled out the Crackberry for a look see.  Sure enough, there was an email telling me to go to the OTHER gym.  Since I didn't drive to my current location, I had to hoof it (run) to the new location.  With only minutes to spare, I showed up for the beginning process (weighing in).  

After the weigh in, we (me and the boss) then ran to the track for our mile and a half run.  So there I stood...already a little tired from running back and forth.  However, it didn't stop me from pounding out a good run!!!  Fast than last year, but not the best I have had.  However, I'm happy.

Then it was off to do push ups and sit ups...we did them at the same time and when I reached my stopping point, I stopped.  Little did I know, the boss was continuing and did more push ups than me!  rats...that's usually what I do to the young Airmen...however, sit ups was another story.  After being tricked on push ups, I help until time ran out to do more if needed. :)


Overall, it was a great test for both of us and now I'm good for another year.


Tomorrow morning....another 5K run.  Guess I'll take it easy on this run after today.  My calf hurts a little...I guess old men need to stretch a little more!



Things I know for sure:
- I love myMrsBlue
- I love my 'lilBlue
- Life has many uncertainties (future is uncertain)


Things I don't know:
- Where will I be next year at this time
- What the future holds
- When I will get to surf again

Birthday Meal

Tonight was the Wing Birthday meal.  It's some of the best eating we get at the Chowhall.  Lobster Lampora beef twice baked potatoes and cheese cake.

I sat with the CAOC staff tonight and joined an old friend from Patrick -- CopRepress.  It was a good evening...and fun.

CopRepress

Dinner Date Ware

Another dinner date Javiez

Cop Repress and ME :)

Day 144 (Day 30 without Caffeine) - Rainy days

Many would say that Rainy Days are the worst, but I would have to disagree (as long as I'm here).  The clouds moved in today after several forecasts that we would get rain and it finally RAINED!  I have the pictures to prove it...

Rain drops on the cement walkway

Lots of rain drops

Driving in the rain

Windshield wipers are ON --- so are the headlights :)  Safety 1st

However, I know MrsBlue loves big fluffy clouds (not fluffy me)...so today would have been a great day for her too!  So here are the big fluffy clouds pictures for your watching enjoyment.

Day 141 - Chiefs Running the Town

Today was FUN!  Hanging out with the group Chiefs and going downtown.  


We started off with stopping by the Islamic Museum and saw some interesting things from the Ottoman Empire.  However, the architecture of the building itself was probably the coolest thing.  As we arrived, we kind of tried to figure out what we were doing...

Here's the CREW (Vince, Stacy, Trenda, Dan and CMac)

It was fun and here is a cool picture of a horse and rider with their wartime garb.

Like I said, I really thought the architecture was pretty cool.  They had the following view which looked over the skyline.  It was kind of cool to see...

After the Museum, we made our way to the Gold Souq to get the necklaces and walk around...The Three Brothers were just showing up when we walked up...so we were the first customers of the afternoon.

The spices are AMAZING...As we walked around the souqs, the smells really filled the air...we then went into one of the stores....look at these spices.

They also sell some funny things.  Look at these chickies...all colored....INTERESTING!

 

We even stopped a local police officer to have our picture taken with him.  I know the stories he'll have when he gets home tonight.  Hey honey, you won't believe the day I had today...Some crazy Americans stopped and wanted to have a picture with me...those Tourist...their funny.

We finally made it to dinner at a little hole in the wall called the Istanbul.  Not sure I need to go back since it wasn't something I really liked.  However, there was plenty of food and it was OK.  I would rather have went to Al Bandar...with some Mint Lemonade.  However, not going to be picking when I get a chance to go along with the others.  Maybe next time, Al Bandar...here I come.

It's nice to be NORMAL for a little while by taking off the uniform.  If you didn't know any better, you would think I'm on vacation somewhere...well I'm NOT!