Well I finally am able to write on the blog again. I am only able to sign in when I'm using a USO computer, otherwise all the sign in prompts show up in Arabic. Try as I might, I have not been able to figure out how to sign in when the prompts are in Arabic. I've officially been here a week! Camp Beurhing actually has a lot to offer. There are 2 coffee places...and one is even a Starbucks! They offer Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and Subway. I haven't visited any of those places, I just go for the free food at the dining facility. The 1st days here were very busy b/c we had to undergo some mandatory training prior to going into Iraq. We even did rollover training where they have a an actual Humvee and MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle) hooked up to some crazy contraption and they simulate a rollover. They spin u around to disorient you and then stop while the vehicle is upside down, u then have to figure out how to get out the vehicle while your hanging upside down by your seat belt. It was much harder to accomplish than I though it would be.
Now that I have completed mandatory training I get to start working as a physical therapist again! The clinic here is brand new and they are letting us use some rooms for sick call and PT while 3d ACR is still in Kuwait. I thought about trying to describe a typical day to y'all but every day as been different. The day usually revolves around when the next meal will be because it takes so long to get to the dining facility (DFAC). It's 1/2 a mile to 3/4 a mile from the tents. Everything around here is a long walk away so you really have to plan accordingly. You also have to make sure you have 5 things on you every time you leave the sleep tent: "Eye Pro" (sunglasses or clear glasses), ID card, Weapon, Camelback, and reflective belt. The Docs and I hang out with and I always double check each other to make sure we are squared away.
Part of the day involves finding some place to get on the internet. We found out about the starbucks and it seems to have the best connection. You can use your own computer at Starbucks and get on for an unlimited amount of time vs the USO where you have to wait in line and only get 20 minutes. We also have to plan when to take bathroom breaks....b/c there are limited flushable toilets at the camp we have to choose our bathroom breaks wisely to avoid using the portapottis. The MWR and USO offer some nice activities for the soldiers to help pass the time. Today I learned how to make a bracelet out of 550 cord, a type of rope that Soldiers use anything and everything...hence the name, inferring there are 550 uses for the rope. Yesterday 3 Comedians from the states came to the camp and gave a 1hr comedy show, it was pretty funny. The day before that I was able to catch the movie Vampires Suck at the small movie theater here. I have even been convinced to do a couple of Zumba classes. The camp really makes the most of what its got. Everything is in either a tent or trailer but it works. Kuwait hasn't been to bad thus far. We'll have to see what Iraq will bring.
