Good Neighbor Program

Quote of the Day:

I brought children into this dark world because it needed the

light only a child could bring.

--Liz Armbuster

Here are a few pictures from the other day from what is called the Good Neighbor Program, where we get a bunch of packages together and hand them to some Iraqi families living on base. I can't explain the extenuating circumstances as to why they are living on base but just that it was getting unsafe for them to live among the general populace. What an awesome experience it was to meet these little children, I always have had a soft spot in my heart for them, anywhere in the world actually not just here. In my travels to here and to Africa it has been the children that have affected me and taught me the most. As I was sitting there watching these children play I was lost in thought, wondering what it would have been like to have been in this country when the war first started, how scary it would have been for them during the first attacks. For a second I was angry with our country, but then I then I realized that most of these children were not old enough or were probably babies when we bombed Baghdad, and that they know no different than war. But what would there life had been like had we not intervened? I've heard of Saddam kidnapping and raping women and writing to their families asking them if they want to kill her or if he should so she wouldn't dishonor their family. What if that were to become of my new friends in these pictures. I personally don't care if Saddam had weapons of mass destruction, he was a horrible and murderous leader and the road to rebuilding this country has to start somewhere and even if its just a little bit better than what it was while he was in power then I think we have succeeded. I am over here in the last stages of our presence here. Operation Iraqi Freedom is over making way for New Dawn, as I see some rubble left over from 8 years ago I am reminded that this country has come a long way and these little children are the future. Who knows we may be back in ten years and these children could be who we are fighting but I would like to have more hope than that. There are other countries falling apart around us, this world is turning into a dark place, but as long as we still have hope in the sparkling eyes and smiles of children like these adorable Iraqi girls then there is still hope for us all.

Quote of the Day:

Difficult times have helped me to understand better

than before, how infinitely rich & beautiful life is in

everyway, & that so many things that one goes

worrying about are of no importance whatsoever.

I was hoping to get on here more while i'm gone and I have not been doing a very good job, that and I hate blogs without pictures and I haven't been taking very many pictures here. I'm a slacker I know. But this is what my life has resulted to. From my queen sized bed down to a twin. From my huge closet down to a teeny wall locker and having to wear the same uniforms day in and day out. My life is so drab! But the awesome thing about this is, is that it could always be worse. I spent months stressing about this deployment, and it's more the unknown that gets to me. But instead of being bummed that don't have my queen sized bed that I can sprawl out in I am thankful that my twin sized bed isn't a cot and my "Chu" isn't a tent. And even though I have to tuck my shirt in everywhere I go and that I have to sport my pink reflective belt, instead of my red heels, it could definitely be worse. Life is full of rich and beautiful moments, its AMAZING! But I think some people are so busy worrying that they can't stop and breathe for a second and realize how beautiful life really is. And this is coming from someone in Baghdad Iraq.... so if you are home with your family, wearing anything you want, eating whatever you want, going anywhere you want and you can't find a beautiful thing there, shame on you! Life is not something to just watch pass you buy its something to be experienced to the fullest! So when you are old and looking back at the years of your life you are able to do it without worry and without regrets. Write down all the things in your life that are beautiful and make you happy the next time you are feeling down. Most of the times you feel that way it is your outlook and not the situation and if we focus more on the beauties of life the happier we will be. I know when I'm old and look back at all of my adventures and experiences there is one word I want to describe my life. ORGASMIC!! On the top of your list pick one word, just one word to describe the life you want, and do everything possible to make it happen. If you don't, you are only cheating yourself. Till next time!

From Nail Polish to Camoflauge

11 Things Every Woman Deserves in Life

1. A friend who takes your side and has the guts to tell you when you're wrong.
2. One Item of clothing that instantly makes you feel twice as beautiful and half as nervous.
3. The occasional good cry, for no particular reason.
4. A man who just cannot get enough of your body.
5. Atlease as much pay as the guy at the next desk who does the same job.
6. A same sized friend with an incredible closet.
7. A really hot, really fast read car. Failing that, really hot red shoes you can run in.
8. The expensive toilet paper.
9. To sometimes lie back and take and take in bed.
10. A grandparent equivalent: wise, huggable, all ears.
11. A LIFE IN WHICH YOU PLAY THE STARRING ROLE!!!

I have enjoyed that little list, especially the last one as you can tell and later I will tell you why. I am about to embark on another adventure, and on all of my trips there has been one constant thing that I have longed for on them all. As pathetic as it sounds it has been nail polish. For my civilian job I have to dress up. From getting my hair done and nails done to sportin those sexy heels. My friend Kim tells me that I am the only girl that she knows that can be so girly and still kick ass. I enjoy my double life, there are times where I have to put my girliness aside and go serve my country. This was my first trip to Saudi Arabia in 2008.

I'm about to head overseas again and with a full stock of nail polish :) I am looking at this trip as a chance to better my life. On my down time I will be training for a half marathon that I promised Kim I would do with her when I get home. I have also made other goals that I wish to accomplish while I am there. I will not be as lazy as I was on this last one and I will take advantage of this opportunity that our government has given me yet again. What a better way to push the reset or restart button than to be taken out of the normal hum drum of life and be able to look at it from a different angle and be able to fix those things that we all want to. Repair my outlook on life, forget the regrets and wasted time. Get Healthy! Not just in Shape! I have used this blog for things that I have learned and I will continue to do so but more frequently while I am gone so if you would like you can keep tabs you can. I don't ever expect to come home the same person, even if I never see combat the situation always changes me. It sucks to leave all of the time but I am honored to do it and it always makes coming home the greatest thing in all the land. So please make sure your seats and tray tables are in their full upright position..... its gonna be a wild ride :D

Happy Veterans Day!

Quote of the Day:

It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given

us freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the

poet, who has given us freedom of speech. It is

the soldier , not the organizer who has given us

freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier, who

salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag and

whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows

the protester to burn the flag.

--Charles M Province

I tried to post this yesterday on Veterans day but it wouldn't let me load the photo because the internet is slow here. This is a picture in front of our plane with some Bulgarian and African soldiers. It has been an interesting experience here and its interesting to see how all of this plays a part in the big picture. I am thankful for the opportunity to be here, it has opened my eyes to many things. Like How I am thankful to be an American. It is truly a wonderful country and I am thankful for all those who have offered up there lives so that it is possible to live in freedom. I am thankful for those who are presently fighting for our freedom who take time away from their families so that they and we might have better lives. I'm thankful also for the opportunity to serve. I am a better person for it and it has given me strength that I didn't even know that I had. And it has presented opportunities such as these that I otherwise would never have had. With out these veterans, and the brave souls that have given their life our country wouldn't be what it is today. No.. its not perfect, but considering the places i've seen its pretty darn great, so when you see someone who is wearing the uniform thank them for their sacrifice. They do it so you don't have to, So from me to all the service men and women out there past and currently serving...THANK YOU!

The Adventures of Jess of the Air Force

Quote of the Day:

Be Thankful for what you do have; you'll end up

having more. If you concentrate on what you don't

have, you will never have enough.

--Oprah Winfrey

I really wish I had some photos to go along with this post to emphasize my point but they won't load or will take hours. I had the opportunity to go with my unit to Africa for a short mission and I always enjoy going on these tours because they always open my eyes to all the blessings I have being an American. I wasn't prepared for what I would see on this trip. Our Commander told us not to have any expectations for this trip. I'm not sure which part he was talking about, the work itself or what we would see. Imagine having five children and not having a place to sleep. You carry mats around and sleep in an abandon children. You sit on the road everyday in hopes that one of the 1.7 million people in the city will walk by and give you some hope. The first time I left the hotel grounds kids ran up to me asking me for food. I walked past a 3 year old girl taking a dump in a plastic bag and begging for food at the same time. She then walked over to the drainage ditch and dumped it in there. I have problems going on certain toilets in America, I can't imagine going in a plastic bag on the side of the road in Africa for everyone to see. The homes are plywood huts with tarps and what ever they can find to put it together. What I make in one day takes these people two months to earn. And these are a kind happy people for the most part. We showed a couple of our drivers the night vision goggles we had and they said "Oh America cool" and I think these men who speak very little english and work long hours to make much less than I do have got it right. America is cool, and how lucky are we to live there. Even the poorest of people get the food on their table for their children. They have a roof over their head and a place to sleep that doesn't consist of a dirt floor. How dare we complain of having a hard life, how dare we think our lot is hard compared to everyone elses. I know the Lord doesn't give us anymore than we are able to bare but I think we lose sight that we are truly blessed. I always joke about there being starving children in China, but now that I have seen first hand the starving people of Africa I doubt I will ever take anything I have for granted. Till next time.

Quotes of the Day:

I could not at any age be content to take my place in

the corner by the fireside and simply look on.

Eleanor Roosevelt

We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so

as to accept the life that is waiting for us.

Joseph Campbell

I could not decide on one single quote today. So you get two. This is one of my favorite ones by Eleanor Roosevelt, she is one of my heros and this quote fits me so well. And as for this second one it has gotten my attention as of late with everything going on in my life. I guess inside me since I was a little girl I've always known that I was meant to do something. Something different. I know everyone grows up thinking that way but sometimes they loose sight of it I guess. These pictures posted represent a time line in the last few years of my life. The first one is when I sold my sould to the devil or the U.S Government whichever you prefer, the next one was taken at my basic graduation, the third was taken in Saudi Arabia on my first deployment, the fourth was at my homecoming (which I must say was the most rewarding moment in my life up to date) and the fifth was some training we were doing in Wendover. I pick these two quotes because in my life and around here I don't believe I fit the norm. I look at friends facebook pages I went to highschool with and it seems like they have the american dream. Married, 3 to 4 kids white pickett fence. The whole nine yards. I envy them, because at one point in time that was what I wanted. I still do. But I am not a very patient person as you who know me well know. I was not about to sit around and wait for someone to make my life happen. I went and grabbed the bull by the horns. I have done things that I have never imagined would be possible in my life. They are things I never thought or never planned to do. When life throws you lemons.....you sign up for the military fight for freedom and see the world. Atleast thats what I did. And I've enjoyed every moment. Life is too short to live safe i've decided. I've planned for a while to get my degree i was enrolled at weber state this semester and have decided to withdraw because of an upcoming tasking to Africa with my unit, and I get home just in time to start training for a deployment to Iraq. I will miss out on a year for school and was a little upset about it. But then after thinking about it I realized, I'm goin to freakin Africa!!!! There will always be time to come back and go to school. This is where the second quote comes into play. I've had this life planned out for a while and I decided not to go with where it is planned but to go see what else is out there waiting for me. If I have to give up part of who I am or sacrifice here and there so that my friends out there can live the American Dream then I am truly honored to do it. I may not be famous in my endeavors, no one may ever know my name, but knowing in my heart that if what I am doing, the road that I am traveling makes a difference in just one persons life or even in my life then I will be content not living the life that I envy.

Just Keep Swimming, Just Keep Swimming......

Quote of the Day:

All your life you are told the things you cannot do.

All your life they will say you're not good enough or

strong enough or talented enough; they will say you're the

wrong height or the wrong weight or the wrong to play this

or be this this or achieve this. THEY WILL TELL YOU NO,

a thousand times no, until all no becoming meaningless.

All your life they will tell you no, quite firmly and very

quickly. AND YOU WILL TELL THEM YES!

---Nike Ad

I started running last summer, not really with any goal in sight just to get in shape I guess. I have my running buddy Kim, (who happens to be my real life hero). We were up to five miles last summer and then when school started and winter hit all that went down the drain. This summer Kim has talked me into a Half Marathon, which I have always been afraid of doing because it is very intimidating to me. It has actually been quite enjoyable training this summer. Who ever would have thought running would be enjoyable but let me tell you why. Running Sucks. It has taken a very long time for me to get to the point where I enjoy it. It just plain sucks. But this summer I have realized a few things. I realized that working out is supposed to suck. The moment that working out gets easy is the moment that you are doing it wrong and you aren't pushing yourself. I've realized that if you aren't pushing yourself, there will be no improvement. That you gotta try each day to do better than the day before. I've realized that you have to have small goals for that improvement. Alot of people go into working out thinking that they have to get to 5 miles and that goal is too big and they don't work out at all cuz they think they never will get there. Which comes to the next thing, I've realized that you don't get there in one day or even a week, its small baby steps. I've also realized that 80% of what I do is pushing myself mentally. Whenever Kim and I are having a rough day we always say to eachother "who's stupid Idea was this" and we hurt, we get cramps but we gotta "Just keep swimming just keep swimming". My friend Kim is my hero, She has Crohns and about two years ago she almost died from it. Six months after the hospital stay she did a full marathon without hardly any training. She gets up with me every morning when she can use her sickness as an excuse to stay in bed. I've seen her doubled over in pain but she still pushes through. I have a perfectly healthy body, I have no reason not be out there. I don't know if Kim has realized the impact that she has on me or the example she has set just by walkin out her door every morning. It's the sucky part that makes it great. The hard work that you put into it that makes it worth it. Knowing that you do something that not everyone can do is very rewarding. And when you work through the pain and the cramps and push yourself you get stronger. Not only physically but mentally as well. So my advice for the day, when you are down, feelin pain or have "cramps" don't give up. These moments will only make you stronger. When it seems that no one believes in you and you think you can't make it through. Keep pushing. You'll be surprised how far you can keep going. ( I am not just talking about running) Ya gotta just keep swimming and we'll see you at the finish line :)