Miserably Hot in Missouri

It's been awhile since I've updated this. And of course I could come up with the excuse that I've been moving (which I have), but I just really haven't made an effort to take the time to type something. I won't have my own computer hooked up until sometime in August, so that's part of the inconvenience that prevents easy writing. 'Nuf for the excuses.
I have been in Missouri for a little over two weeks now. It's a whole 'nother world from England, when 80 degrees seemed like an incredibly hot day. We're had heat indexes well over a 100 for the last week and it's a killer. Running in the morning feels like breathing through a sponge because of the humidity. At least I am getting back into shape fairly quickly, considering that I ran a 15 minute two-mile this morning on only about 3 weeks of aerobic activity. I've got another 3 weeks before the diagnostic APFT, so hopefully I'll get it down into the low 14s before then. Snowbirding is tedious. I'm frustrated by the things they have me doing, but I have to do them with a smile so the civilian I am working for doesn't report me to the CO for being a lazy snowbird. So far I have typed pamphlets, assembled packets, folded invitations, carried sand for a beach-themed party, and done price comparison between the commissary and wal-mart for the upcoming Anniversary Week at the end of September. Thank goodness I'll be halfway done with my snowbirding time as of Wednesday, or I think I'd shoot someone.
The good thing is that one of my old roommate's got here Saturday to start Engineer OBC, so at least I now know a few people, and there are more snowbirds than just me around (although I think I got stuck with the stupidest job, oh well). August 14th is the magical day when I finally start OBC, having been waiting for over a year since graduation, I think I'm ready for it to start. At least I'm adjusting to the Army life again fairly easily, so hope things go smoothly.

More to come when I get a chance...

Thoughts on London

The last couple days have been incredibly good and incredibly bad for London. More so than New York, and probably even more so than Chicago, London is the big city closest to my heart. In the past year I've spent a lot of time in and around London, and it's an incredible place. Hearing yesterday morning that London was succesful in its bits for the 2012 Olympic games brought a great big smile to my face. "Back the Bid" has been huge in the city this past year, and its wonderful to see such an inspired effort result in success. Today however, brought the elation crashing to the ground as I saw the tube stops and double decker busses that I have taken countless time on every TV channel. My heart goes out to the people of London, and I think how easily it could have been me if the attack happened just a few weeks sooner. What a horrible thing to have happen after the highs of yesterday. It sickens me to see these attacks and reinforces why I feel I have to serve. I won't stand to see people, places and things near and dear to me attacked. London is strong and will overcome this attack, of that I have no doubt, but it shouldn't have to. Things like this shouldn't happen. My prayers are with the city and her people today.

Back in the US

I've been back in the US since Saturday evening, it feels very strange knowing that I'm not returning to Cambridge in a week or two. The flight home was lonnnnggggg. I left Cambridge by taxi at 7:40 in the morning, and the plane flew out of Mildenhall sometime around 12:40, and then flew to the Azores. The only bad thing was that the plane had absolutely aweful insulation, and I spent the entire flight freezing since I had a window seat. Still, at least I made it to Baltimore safely after we left the Azores and had a delightful two days visting and catching up with friends in the DC area. My flight on Monday to Chicago was delayed for over an hour, and we just sat on the runway which was frustrating.
However, after all of that, I am home. I have my car again (as my increased insurance payments attest to). I report to Ft. Leonard Wood on Saturday, and I have to think about being back in the Army again. More to come... for now I'm off to enjoy being an American consumer. :-)