Hawaii

So Elizabeth and I have spent the last five days here in Hawaii and it has been awesome. The only bad thing so far is that today I have been a little sick, not like cold sick more like throwing up sick. It has been awful, we actually had to leave the pearl harbor exhibit early which sucked really bad. Other than that we are going to a luau tonight hopefully my stomach can handle it. Then we are going to go to a water park on wednesday and after that there was a kayaking adventure and a submarine tour all within the next 10 days. Exciting times.

The first of two journey's

So I am about to start the first of the two biggest journey's here in a day or so. Off to Hawaii to be with my wonderful wife. The second journey is the one that I will be making on my way home from this deployment. I am planning on doing everything that I can to make the first trip a quick one so that Elizabeth and I will be there just about the same time. Wish me luck and I hope to see everyone in a few months.

Almost there

Ok so now we are down to under 90 days to go. Not only that but also I have about 12-13 days to go till I leave for Hawaii to see my lovely and wonderful wife. Cant wait to see her but mostly I cant wait till I am home for good so that I can spend the rest of my life with her. I love you so much Elizabeth and I miss you terribly. Almost there.

What to get...

So I am having a dilemma right now, I am not sure whether of not to save money for myself or to use the money I have saved to buy souvenirs for family and friends back home. What to do what to do...... suggestions are good by the way.

FRINGE

I cant stop watching this show... it is so addicting. I enjoy it so much that today I have watched as of this point 2 and a half discs. Not only that but my mother and my mother in law both sent me care packages with all kinds of cookies and random food. SO good. I cant stop eating everything in the packages. Anywho gotta go back to watching Fringe.

Almost there

The hardest part of this deployment is over, the heat. We have finally made it to October when the heat isnt unbearable. The days have cooled down and the night feel even better. Not only that but Sons of Anarchy has started a new season and a friend has his wife recording the episodes for us. Awesome yeah good stuff. Anywho there isnt much else to report on right now...Just waiting for my new Halo game to arrive, cant wait for that. I am going to smoke brian and all the guys on game night when I get back, oh yeah.

Conflicts

So while I have been deployed there are alot of conflicts I have gone through. Nothing is like the one that is going on now. When we left home we got a bunch of people who were not organic 1161st. Which means we got a bunch of people from other units to fill our numbers. One of them was our platoon leader who is a Lieutenant. Being an LT I have to give him the proper military respects, however this moron is only 23. He has no experience leading anything other than himself and he doesnt even do that right. When we first deployed he wanted nothing to do with the training that we did as a platoon, you know team building, to make sure we all get along. Well when we got to Iraq he decided he wanted to be a bigger part. All he does is get in the way, He has even tried to get SFC Garcia, a good friend of mine and the second platoon platoon sergeant, in a ton of trouble. Some of which has included me and is part of the reason as to why I got removed from my platoon. This guy has admitted that he has tried to get Garcia fired from his job. Now let me tell you that Garcia has been in the military for 20 years and is about to retire. So I would think that having 20 years of experience is a little bit better than zero freakin experience.

Well anywho, a bunch of NCO's are getting together tomorrow to talk about the crap that has been going on, and how our chain of command is at fault. They want me to be there but I dont think that I want to be involved with that because I have this feeling that it is going to backfire on them all. I am really sad that I am not part of the Platoon but I feel as though I am away from all the BS that is happening. So I would like to say for the record, I DO NOT WANT TO GO BACK TO BEING A TRUCK DRIVER AND I CANNOT WAIT TO GET OUT OF THE MILITARY.

-It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop-
Confucius

MY POOR FEET

So a while ago I went for a run. I was running for about 45 min, when I came back I had huge blisters on each foot. It was so painful for about 3 days. So once that was all good I started to prepare for the 5k that I did today. Well I ran that which was the first 5k I have ever done. When I got done with that I didnt have blisters ohhh no. What I had was two raw spots, one on each foot. Both of which were far worse than any blister. I cant even walk right now. I hope that this heals quickly I cant stand to be in pain when I walk.

-It is good to learn what to avoid by studying the misfortunes of others-
Publius Syrius

THAT'S STAFF SERGEANT LATHROP TO YOU!

MEH

So today I have come to realize that with this new job in the office, I tend to hang out by myself. I went to lunch today by myself, kinda boring. I usually dont have time anymore to hang out with my friends from my platoon. I work 4-midnight everyday and then sleep right after that. All of my friends work the nights, so when I am done with my shift and ready or bed everyone else is still working. Im not exactly sure why I care that eat alone, but for some reason I like to talk to people. Oh well I guess, I am not going to worry about it anymore, if I hang out with people thats fine but thats not the important thing. Its more important for me to talk to my wife and family than it is to worry about who I hang out with over here. Really starting to miss everything back home lately. I have been thinking alot about Toby lately, I wonder if he even knows that I am gone, or if he will recognize me when I get home. I unfortunately have even thought what will happen in a few years if something were to happen to him. I really dont like to think about it but I know it will happen eventually. Any who these thoughts for this blog havent been that happy I guess but I am doing well and trying to enjoy myself when I can. Hopefully Ill be home in late February.

Ask yourself this question:
"Will this matter a year from now?"
Richard Carlson

1:37 AM

So yeah thats what time it is right now. I have slept for a total of about 1 hour and 20 min. This has been happening more and more lately. I will sleep for an hour or two then I wont be able to sleep again for a while. What is the deal? This really sucks, I havent slept a continuos 6-8 hour period (without some kind of sleeping aid) since the first deployment. I gotta see if I can blame this on the military some how. Other than that things are alright here. I get to go on a mission again soon, yeah I am actually a truck driver not a secretary. Glad someone finally figured that out. Well thats about all I got for now, stayed tuned for more updates.

How ya doin'? Peace be with you. Praise Jebus.

Homer Simpson

(just thought that was humorous, dont forget to praise Jebus)

Things that I miss

So anyways I was sitting here trying to think of what to write about, when I suddenly started thinking of the things I am missing out on. For one I just looked at a friends facebook and saw their hiking photos. Great shots of Mt Rainier, that's one thing I would love to be doing right now. The other is my wife of course, I miss her the most. I also miss my dog, Toby. Elizabeth said that he has been depressed without me, I cant tell if its true or if she is just trying to make me feel better. There are numerous other things that I miss but the one big thing that I am going to miss in January is my best friends wedding. I have known Aaron for at least 20 years and he was my best man. They tried to push the wedding back so I would make it in time but they couldn't push it out any longer than January. I appreciate them trying to make it so that I can be there but it is just almost impossible. I guess I will have to make it up to them when I get home. Any ways that's about all I have for now, I don't want to dwell on these things, makes it harder to be here.

-One way to get the most out of life is
to look upon it as an adventure-

William Feather

New hours

HOORAY. I finally got new hours at work. I am now working the swing shift, so afternoon to late evening. I am excited cuz this means no more early mornings and more time to spend talking to my wife on skype. Thats the best part in my mind, my wife means everything to me and I miss her so much. Only like three and half months till Hawaii. Yeah woohoo.

-A loving heart is the truest wisdom-
Charles Dickens

Tired but different

I just have to say that I am a little bit tired of random crap that happens. The only thing that helps is talking to my wife EVERY day sometimes twice a day. Its nice to be able to share with her everything that happens. But I tell you I run into people getting all butt hurt over stupid crap, I am not going to go into details but its just ridiculous. Anyways my stay in the office might not be forever which for me is nice but I know all of you at home dont like it but ... it is what it is.

Ok well thats all I got for now, it was kind of nice to vent there a little maybe I can figure some way of letting these people know that they are be ridiculous.

-Energy and persistence conquer all things.-
Benjamin Franklin

To Tired

I am just way too tired to post something long and drawn out. All I have to say is that you pray for me... I am having a tough time with swearing right now, its kinda out of control. Yeah thats it... off to bed.

Try not to become a man of success but a man of value.
Albert Einstein

Yeah

So right I was sitting here trying to think of what to title this blog... as I sat there I was listening to this song that was really getting me to start ... rockin out I guess is the only way to describe it. Any ways the song was Second Chance by Shinedown. I just wanted to say that cuz I really liked the song

Ok so now for the real stuff. Today was a bit of a long day, I sat in my little office and filled out paperwork, entered data into the computer, answered phones and I maybe got in a little game of minesweeper or spider solitaire. I got to say though this whole office job thing isnt all that bad over here. Time seems to fly by when I sit in there. There is one down fall though... I dont get a whole lot of exercise in there and when I get done with the day I have no motivation to go and work out or run. I am going to have to find some way of motivating myself to do something other than ping pong. Oh yeah yesterday I spent about 3-4 hours playing ping pong (when I say playing I mean that I sat there while Jason, a friend of mine, sat there and just punished me with his advanced skills.) But after that I felt like I had improved just a little. Well tonight I played my new boss which I have known for about 7 years. I beat him three games out of five. I was so amazed. I am not that good but I guess I have some good reflexes.

Well thats all I got for now... maybe more when something actually happens.

-Work spares us from three evils: boredom, vice, and need.-
Voltaire

Another day another dollar

Well thats one more for the record books. Another day spent in this freakin place. Today was a busy day, not supposed to be, supposed to be an easy day cuz there is nothing to do on sunday. But no I had to do more paperwork than ever. Stupid LT and not being able to do anything right... grrrrrr. Anyways talked to Elizabeth sunday evening and it made everything better. I even got to see my niece Adysson, if only for a brief second. All the babies are getting really big, probably wont even recognize me when I get back. Well we'll see.

-A wise man learns by the mistakes of others, a fool by his own.-

What a finish

Man, I have not run that fast in like six years. What a great way to end the day; two mile run (13:56), five game tournament of ping pong, and now I am going to shower and watch a movie that I havent seen. Not bad for a pitiful day in Iraq.

-Most of the shadows of this life are caused by our standing in our own sunshine.-
Ralph Waldo Emerson

So far so good

Today was supposed to be easy but instead I had to deal with alot of crap. The good thing about it is that no matter how bad things got today I just had to think of Elizabeth and everything instantly felt better, not to mention that I also got another package today from her.

I tell you every time I get a package it feels a little bit like Christmas. Not knowing what else is in the box besides what Ive asked for. Good feelings. Anyways just some random thoughts hope they keep you entertained, and keep up the good thoughts till I get home.

-First say to yourself what you would be, and then do what you have to.-

First of many... hopefully

Thought I would try this out and see if I can keep it updated so that way those of you at home can see whats goin on.