Steph and I just got back from Brugge. It was our little vacation to celebrate us getting back together again after the deployment. We both agree that not only Brugge, but Belgium itself is very underrated. I would even agree that it might be more romantic than Paris!Yeah I said it! So we got to our lovely hotel, which was more than I thought would be. The room was nice even though there was no shower curtain and the beds were just pushed together to form a super bed. Breakfast was included, which is something that we look for now. We learned out lesson in Brussles. The center of the town was only a few minutes walk from where we stayed. There was a little store called the Beer Temple, on the way, and which I stopped twice. I actaully tried something new to eat there, which suprised even me. Turns out that I like something called Chicken in the Brugges style. Apparently, I perked up when I was told that it was a beer sauce. We tried our first beer there, called Leffe. After working on the half liter for a little bit, I turned to Steph and told her with every bit of seriousness, that " It hit me like a brick oven." I did not even notice what I said until the laughter went on histarically for a little bit. She even made sure to write that down. While we were there, we climbed the Belfrey, which was small beans compared to the Eifel tower. It was only 366 steps. There was also a lovely view to compliment us on our achievement of climbing to the top. We got a very nice copper tea kettle/coffee maker there as well. We were sure to note that the bottom had handmade in Belgium on it, as per all the antique shows that we see on the British channels. We would be sure to visit Brugge again if we ever get the chance.

Who loves Brugge? I DO! 

The ever popular close up of what we ate, but this time, drank. Please notice the beard. That took some getting used to. I am still holding a special place in my heart for Grimbergen, although this Leffe was really good. 

The now standard close up of the local fare. Here we are tasting Leffe. 

Brugge city hall at night. 

The Brugge Belfrey. It is leaning by 4 feet, much like the tower of Pisa. 

The main square/market place. 

Some of the resturaunts in the main square. 

The church of Our Lady. 

A little sugar by one of the canals. 

I almost feel sorry for our kids

Our poor kids are going to have to deal with us. Time and time again, I have said that Steph and I need our own reality show, just so people see how we are in our house. Last night, I walk in to the kitchen and start rapping and about something like turkey or Steph making he lunch for the next day. At this Steph picks up the cue to do what I would call a "hip-hop jig". I was quite a sight; me rapping/doing the robot about a sandwich and my wife flapping her arms and legs in the air. I then thought our poor kids are going to have to be subject to this. At this the laughter broke out for quite some time.

Good sleepy time comedy

Ahh the joy of sleeping with another person again. In the desert, I was sleeping on the top bunk, an error that I will be sure to never repeat. It does me no good, being almost 30 to have to hop on and off a bed. What am I, in 6th grade? The bed was also solid as a rock and small enough to accomadate most of my torso. Well, whilst slowly adjusting to the joys of sleeping with another person, namely the wife, one encounters various quips. I was sleeping last night, on my stomach; which for me means that I have my headon my hands and my pillow on top of my head; for safe keeping of course. Well, the wife thought that I still was using the second pillow which we prop under ourselves for t.v. watching. She immediately took the pillow, which she thought would be cumbersome, off and threw it on the ground. In my sleepy stupor, I could still manage a witty remark, saying, "Ahh, who needs pillows?" She then realized that I had my sleeping pillow on top my head and quickly replaced it. I had a good laugh at this when she recounted it at the morning coffe. Good times indeed.

Crappy picture, but these are where we stayed. Each window was a 10' x 10' room that you shared with someone. PLease notice all the white. Sunglasses where almost mandatory. I never even went to the bathroom without them. My closest bathroom was about a minute walk outside the building. 

So, here were the amazing exploding circuit breakers. I had about 4 blow up in my face while I was down there. We were careful not to touch the test button from then. Funny thing is, you have to touch the test button to make sure that it is working properly.  

America's Number One threat. 

Dj Desert Dan mixing it up for ya'll. 

Hit man in the Middle East. 

I earned my line number for Staff Sergeant. 

One of the times I went downtown. You would never be able to know, but right here, the humidity must have been about 99%, seriously! 

I held the power for the base in my hands!!!! 

This is what most of my life was like. The guy next to me, well, shall we say, mmm, allowed me to get a lot done most of the time.  

Here I am before the drenched shirt and sore hands. 

Here I am trying to get an A/C unit running. We spent a lot (A LOT) of time helping out HVAC. Here this tent belonged to some British guys that just got there, they were not used to the heat yet. I didn't fix it by the way, the motor was burnt up.

Just doing a little digging as a last ditch effort to get some work done.

This is most of the night crew. Not pictured here are TSgt Spencer and SrA Moses, both of which were awesome guys. I can't remember why they weren't there that day. 

This was the thermometer the day that we left.  

I'm Back!

So, I have returned from the desert all safe and sound. I got back on the 12th, which should have been the 11th, but there were plane delays and then paperwork errors, and then the crew needed to get rest. Well, after about a 24 hour delay, I finally got home. It was good seeing Steph! I have gone through all my inprocessing and now have 2 weeks off until I go back to work. Then after one week of work I am going to take a couple of weeks off for the Mother in lay and Steph's sister, Anna, to come and visit. When I get back to work from that., I am going to be pretty much getting ready to move to our next base, which we don't know as of yet. I will be putting some pictures up shortly, right now I am busy still playing with my iPod which I got there, and putting all the music that I can onto it. Believe me, if it weren't for my iPod and my PSP, I would have died of boredom. So I hope that you are all doing well, and I look forward to talking to you all soon.

Tchuss!

I am on the way in 2 days. I think that I might be able to post things there, but I am not sure about being able to read them. I know that sounds strange, but it is the way it is. I will try to keep in contact, where possible.
Talk to you all soon.