Next year in Iran

A year ago, my bags were packed, I was moved out of my apartment, and I was counting down the hours until take off. Once I got to my temporary duty station, I met a lot of great people and made quite a few friends (one, whom I've stayed close with, I met at the airport, before we even left). I left my first office (the best 6 weeks of my life... or close to it anyway) begrudgingly. I did not want to leave my newly-acquired friends, and I was not quite ready to face another unknown so quickly. One of the Navy guys there was always joking that we would all be back together in a year... only, in Iran the next time around. Of course, it was all in jest, but he kept saying it to comfort me as I left a place that had become my home like no other place has been since I left my family for college many years ago. "Next year in Iran!" It was somehow strangely comforting, and I think part of me almost believed it. As we head into another holiday season, I am beginning to feel out of place - like I don't belong here. I can't explain it, but I feel like I am supposed to over there... maybe not Iran, but Iraq, or Afghanistan, or... I don't know... somewhere in the world where our troops are deployed...

Africa, here I come?

Well, I don't know... but I am certainly hoping! What I REALLY want is to return to Iraq, but if I can go to Africa, absolutely, I will go! I need a change of pace and change of scenery. I just need a change. I miss the excitement of being a million miles away from civilization.

So... yeah, it is just a long-shot possibility at the moment, but I am hoping and praying... =)

Why must it be so difficult?!

Here's the thing. All of my co-workers complain about deployments, hoping it never becomes mandetory, and discussing what they will use as excuses for why it would be impossible. I, on the other hand, want to deploy. So, what is the problem? You would think I would have no push-back when submitting a request to deploy, but that is not the case. It seems I am stuck state-side for the rest of my life. No one wants me to go overseas. I will show them! Watch me just leave and never come back. =)

Sometimes I feel like I wanna runaway
Pack my things and make a quick getaway
From the drama surrounding, and the world around me
Sometimes I feel like I wanna runaway
Pack my things and make a quick getaway
But my heart keeps pounding, and it won’t allow me
~ Nina Sky