I guess I wont really know if the waiting truly is the hardest part until I get to Iraq. In any case, the waiting is not fun. I am probably less than two weeks from deploying. I go to PT most mornings, sometimes do a little work, and am usually home by noon. This schedule is pretty boring. There have been a few highpoints, however. For one thing, I handed-off the lance last week. Dave has it now. Fortunately for him, he rarely has to carry it because we are rarely at work. Another high point was the 9 mm range. I always enjoy getting to do some shooting (at least when no one is shooting back).

I have packed and repacked and packed again as more items are issued and as the packing requirements change. We are allowed to bring a rucksack, a duffel bag, and a carry-on bag. Everything on our required packing list must fit in these items. It is a challenge but not impossible. This is in additon to the "tough-box" that we were all allowed to send ahead on the ship with the helicopters. My tough box contains such essentials as a foam mattress pad, an x-box, speakers, a frisbee, lots of extra hygene items, some books, and a lot of writing paper.

Its funny to see how everyone's attitudes change as we approach deployment. The general feeling certainly is to live for today. The soldiers around me seem to be drinking more, eating out a lot, spending money, working out less, and generally doing the things they wont get to do much in Iraq. Everyone (myself included) figures there will be plenty of time to work out and eat right and lose weight and study and save money in the desert.