Your World As I See It

A traditional Ikehara New Years' party requires a little sushi-making.  I did the honors in Ramadi.  Michael & I rung in the New Year with his aunt Dori (coincidently stationed at our medical post) and her friend.  I provided the sushi, Michael brought the entertainment (Wall-E!), Dori provided the room, and "HN1" provided the refreshing beverages.   Michael & his aunt Dori A good time was had by all!  Many thanks to the Fam for sending the rice cooker (which I originally bought and brought over here last time, then gave it to Nate, who used it as a shelf decoration until he moved, at which time I'm sure Mom put it out in the garage before grabbing it out of the "gleaners" pile to send back to me here.  Yes, my rice cooker is a two time Iraqi veteran too!) sushi roller and rice, to the Franklins for the nori, to auntie Flo for some more rice (the amazing microwave rice!) and seasonings.  You guys are the best! Making t...

Ah yes, the "D-FAC" (Dining Facility, Chow Hall, Fred's House of Gastro-intenstinal Distress, call it what you like).  The only thing here saltier than the language is the entre of the day.  They serve items here that I've certainly never heard of.  I'm familiar with chicken wings, but how often to you see "turkey wings" - not Thanksgiving style, but fried drumstick-looking things.  I'm actually not sure what kind of meat it is, to tell you the truth.  It's probably better that way. Sometimes I get assigned to do the "headcount," which consists of watching people scan their ID cards and clicking a little counting device.  I'll admit, there are some worse jobs out there, but this one is right up there on the mind-numbing scale.  Plus, after you get done, you smell like grease.  Ewwwww.

    There I am, shaking hands with the governor!  That's right, Governor Gregoire came by to visit her deployed constituents.  She thanked us again for our service, and took some time to talk about all the snow and flooding problems (sounds like a job for the National Guard!...oh, right, they're in Iraq...).  Ha ha. Anyway, that was pretty neat, getting to meet the governor, although I would have preferred to have done it in Washington, without a rifle slung over my shoulder, and in some classier duds ("Hey, I can't believe we all wore the same outfit to this luncheon!  This is sooooooooo embarrassing!). I've always been a fan of the gov, ever since she helped out with my Wal-Mart issue a few years back (that was when she was still our AG, I do believe).  Maybe she has room on her staff for a lit guy?