I've got rhythm (battle rhythm, that is)

After two and a half weeks, I've settled into a routine, my "battle rhythm."

I wake up around 0800Z, and can see some light coming through from around the door. Otherwise, my room is dark until I turn on my reading lamp.

Once dressed, I totter off to the heads (latrines, restrooms, use your own term) to brush my teeth before heading to work around 0900Z. I tend to shower in the afternoons, when there is likely to be more hot water for my Navy shower. If you've never heard of Navy showers, try this next time you shower: get in, turn on the water long enough to get wet, and turn the water off. Wash everything you intend to: hair, body, face. Then, turn the water on just long enough to rinse. I think I can use about two minutes worth of water, at most. I'm at least doing my part of help conserve water, just like you do aboard ship.

I eat breakfast at my desk. There is a good assortment of cereals and shelf-stable milk in our office. I'll work for several hours until we go to lunch around 1330Z (1:00 p.m.). The dining facility (DFAC, galley, chow hall) is better than I expected, usually with a decent variety. There are always fresh vegetables and fruits, which I'm trying to eat more of.

In the afternoon, I take a few breaks from my work; sometimes I'll go work out at our well-equipped gym. Or, I'll walk to one of two PX's (exchange, store) nearby. Not far away is an internet cafe with computers that I'll sometimes use, but lines to use them form rather quickly. There is a USO over near the passenger terminal that has wifi, and occasionally I'll go down there with my laptop. It's especially useful when I need to upload or download something.

We'll head back over to the DFAC at 1930Z (7:30 p.m.) for dinner.

I'll aim to get out of the office at about 2100Z (9:00 p.m.). Sometimes I'll go to the internet cafe to use the telephone and call my family. Other times, I'll just go back to my dark b-hut, trying to be as quiet as a mouse, and read for a while.

That's my battle rhythm in general.

There are flight operations going on at all hours of the day and night, and vehicular traffic is steady, as well. It's rare for everything to be still and quiet. A few of the roads are paved, with the majority being covered with stones too big to classify as gravel. It has taken several weeks to get used to walking on those rocks, but at least I didn't have huge blisters on my heels--just a few on my toes.

I made a point to find the Red Cross today, and say "hi" to Timmy, a yellow lab who visits troops all over Afghanistan. He is at the Red Cross every Wednesday, it seems. I've only seen birds around here, and welcomed the chance to scratch behind a dog's ears and stroke his soft fur. I miss our two rescue dogs at home. On that note, let me heartily recommend "pound puppies." Both our dogs would've wound up being put down at shelters had we not taken them in--thus the term rescue dogs. They are two very goofy girls, but they add excitement to the household.

Another thing I did for the first time the other day was go to an Afghan restaurant here on Bagram, Aziz's. I ordered kabob, which came out on what looked like small swords, and nan, or bread. There was a sauce and a relish, both spicy. I enjoyed the break from the DFAC food.

A third thing I did for the first time here was sing with the praise team at Chapel Next, a contemporary Christian service. A good friend from high school is here with his National Guard unit. We hadn't seen each other for 20 years, and had a good time catching up over dinner. He mentioned that he attended Chapel Next, and also that he sang with the praise team. I responded that I sing tenor/alto with my church. He invited me to join them, because they had just been saying the week before that they needed a female singer. I practiced with them on Thursday and sang on Sunday morning. I was happy to be singing again, after several months. And I'm happy to be able to offer my talents in such a far-away place. 

It just goes to show you, that you never know when or where you'll meet someone again, and also that you never know when you'll get a chance to use your talents for good. Fuuny how things work out that way.