Day 4

11-02-05 4th day in the Army
So this will be a short one...cuz it's been a long day and I'm ready to go to the bar and get a shot. My mouth still hurts a bit from the fillings I got yesterday and I'm thinking some Southern Comfort may just do the trick. Maybe just a couple shots...that outta do the trick. Maybe I'll sleep better on my "high speed" Army bed too??

So reality hit today...well actually it felt like reality smacked me in the face! I got my new Army uniforms today. When I went to the dressing room to try them on and saw myself in the mirror I got all misty eyed. Not from pride or patrotism though, oh no! I was so dismayed to see myself back in a uniform I really never thought I'd see myself in again. I know that sounds so melodramatic and I promised Mom, Dad, and myself that I would try to keep a good attitude but it was a sad sight to see. On the plus side the new uniform, the ACU (the new camoflage uniform) is pretty sweet! The first time I was in the military I had to wash, starch, and iron my uniforms to a crisp. You got 2 winter sets and 2 summer sets. The new ones are wash and wear! That is soo freaking cool! They're alot softer, have mostly zippers instead of buttons, and just look better. The new PT's are way better also. They are more comfy as well but more importantly, they have reflective lettering and symbols. I guess they realized making us run in the street before the sun comes up probably wasn't very safe. One of the changes I do not like is the new PT. It is a slowed down version of old PT with some football practice exercises and more upper body stuff thrown in. Seriously, even the Drill Sergeants think it's dumb and worthless. It doesn't actually stretch anything out and u spend 30 minutes doing stuff that should only take 15.
I've been seeing famous people down here! Did I mention that? Yup, we've got all the stars. The lady who gave me my new boots (oh yeah, did I mention I don't have to shine the new boots? Hell yeah!) sounded just like the comedian Wanda Sykes. Drill Sergeant Smalls sounds exactly like Chris Rock when he yells at the "ate up" Privates. I think I hurt his feelings when I told him so. He gave me a hurt look and asked, "I'm not intimidating? I'm funny?" I told him it's probably alot funnier to me because I know he's not gonna smoke me (make me do exercises till I want to die) and I'm sure the Private's are shaking in their ill fitting boots. It made him feel a little better. Oh, and I don't want to forget our own genius...the First Sergeant who said this afternoon that "war is a thinking man's sport." That really got me. My view of war is just a little different.
I think my little sister Rachel may come down to visit me Saturday night and Sunday. I'm soo freaking exciting I can't even express it. I haven't seen her since this past summer because she lives in North Carolina and I've been in Missouri. I'm just sitting here beaming at the computer and the other people in the room probably think I'm crazy, oh well!
Oh yeah, some good news! I'm in a barracks with 3 other females, all Majors (a pretty high up officer) and we all agreed to bribe the one guy who brought his own vehicle down and force him at rifle point to take us to the salon for facials and massages the day after we do the gas chamber. It's going to be heavenly!! CS gas does not feel good on your skin and we could all use a stress relieving salon so I get to hobnob with officers at the salon. And one of them, Sherry, has offered me a job! Actually what happened was the dentist I went to said I had a great personality and when I get back from war if I wanted a job he'd pay for my school! When I told her she said to please consider working for her husband, also a dentist, and they would pay for my school! They have a practice in Memphis, Tennessee, how cool is that?
Okay folks, I totally lied, this wasn't short at all! One last thing...all the Drill Sergeants are laughing at me because I'm so girly! This is a big turn around from the first time I was in when I was such a tomboy I was more tough than alot of the males. The DS's laughed at me filing and buffing my nails at the dentist office. When I tried on my new boots today DS Taylor actually giggled when he saw my pink and white ankle socks and underneath? My hot pink toenails of course!! They said I'm gonna love it in the desert.
Love you all!! Good night!
Stacy Sanning