groundhog days

Anyone who has been deployed, knows well the "groundhog day" phenomenon that happens here.  Everyday is pretty much the same.  Weekends mean very little when 1) one does not really get days off and 2) there is nothing much to do in downtime anyway.  My typical day begins at 0630 with Insanity which GG (my friend and our PA) do every morning.  I am quite proud to say that we will be finishing week 4 tomorrow and we have not skipped a single workout.  We make coffee, eat breakfast, then work until work is done, missions a couple days a week.  Dinner is around 1730 most nights then I usually talk to Garret and the kids and read until bedtime.  lather, rinse, repeat.....

I shouldn't complain, boring is a good thing in a combat zone and despite the sameness the days seem to pass rather quickly.  Its been 6 weeks already since my arrival here.  

If there is one thing I can say for certain it is that being here, even for the short time I have been here already, will change me.  I think this change will be for the better.  I will never again take for granted many things: the health of my family, the safety of home, the ability to just get into a car and drive, plentiful food (excess to be honest), water I can drink from the tap (with ICE!!!), warm showers, the absence of dust.  The dust in Afghanistan takes over everything.  Its texture is that of baby powder and it and its distinct smell are ever present here. 

my home away from home, the M4 is a nice wall piece I think

another picture of my room

new FOB puppy, Mina which means love in Pashto.  I made her collar out of survival cord