Weekend Wrap-Up - (Korea) Days 173 & 174

This is near the Moyer Rec Center. "Area Subject to Flooding" SPC Roy said last year
his car was parked here and within a couple hours after a typhoon hit, the entire parking lot
was flooded, his car was under water...and ruined!

Saturday: Slept in until about 0830 and then did my normal routine of laundry and then schoolwork. SPC Roy called and wanted to know if I wanted to go swimming with him. We headed to the pool and swam for a while then sat in the hot tub for a while. He then took me out to lunch at Oasis (the Mexican restaurant in Dragon Hill Lodge). The food is OK, but it's not like a real Mexican restaurant. We both filled ourselves up a little too much. We thought about playing some basketball, but when we started walking with all the food in our bellies we knew that it wouldn't be a good idea. We decided on ping pong instead. There is free ping pong and pool (billiards) at the Moyer Rec Center here on post. We headed over and played for a while. I can say that I've now beat two Asians in ping pong since coming to Korea!

We hung out for a bit in my room before he had to take off. I did some more school work and went to bed somewhat early. I had started to feel sick and a bit down as well.

Sunday: I woke up Sunday not feeling very well at all. I had taken NyQuil last night, but still didn't sleep that well. I started in on my schoolwork again. I have to say that I'm finding this class extremely difficult. It's not that I'm a bad student, I graduated on the dean's list when I got my associate's degree and I graduated at the top of my class in AIT. I am just having a difficult time in this particular online class. I received my first F that I can remember on a paper. The instructor said she's not confidant I fully understood the assignment….ya think?? I felt pretty much numb all day. I was sick, I'm having trouble in my class, and I'm homesick. I was pretty much hating life all day wondering what the hell I'm doing over here.

I ended up working on schoolwork for most of the rest of the day trying to get the next paper ready to turn in. Hopefully I made enough corrections to my project that I will not get such a horrible grade this time. Our team project is also in shambles. Our team is not communicating at all and there is not much I can do about that. I do my part and hope everyone else will do theirs as well.

I was able to video chat with my wife for a bit, then I took a nap and watched some TV shows afterward. I had a lot of plans that I was going to do today, but didn't end up doing anything except stay in my room the entire time feeling sorry for myself. What a waste of a weekend!

Hot Tub PT - (Korea) Day 122

The government car wash we are allowed to use for the office car.
When this is running we don't have to wash it manually :)

Work call this morning was at 0830. After I arrived at work I checked my email and printed out my 5 SkillPort certificates to show my sergeant. We then setup for a ceremony that would be going on in our conference room. There is a slight difference in the setup for a ceremony. We move the flags to the front and center and remove all the chairs from the head table.

SPC Roy and I then took our office car to the car wash, it was getting a bit dirty. It's really hit or miss with the car wash, you never know when it's going to be open or not. It seems like it's closed more than it's open, so we were pretty happy seeing that it was up and running. We then dropped the car back off at the office and had SPC Mick walk over with us to the PX so we could all pick up anything we needed for the swimming pool. We thought it would be a good idea to go swimming for PT. I bought a big towel and SPC Mick & Roy needed swimming trunks. After that we headed over to the food court and ate lunch.

I then had to go to my PHA appointment. It's basically a yearly check-up to make sure I'm doing OK physically. They took my blood pressure and took my temp. Then I did a vision test and had the doctor listen to my breathing. Surprisingly I didn't cough at all while I was there. He asked me if everything was going well and then signed me off saying I was good to go. The whole process only took about 10 minutes or so. I figured I would be there for hours.

When I got back to the office our sergeant gave us all counseling statements. Normally we should get one each month letting us know how we're doing and what if anything we need to improve on. This was the first one I've had since my initial counseling statement when I first started. It was all positive. My sergeant said he wants to promote me to specialist asap. He said he checked the requirements and believes I can get a waiver. First of all I will have to do well on both my PT test and my weapons qualifications. The PT test I don't think I'll have any issues passing, but I'm not sure about doing well on while I'm still sick. He said it will be this month sometime…the later the better. I've been taking my multivitamin and also airborne at night, but the cough just doesn't seem to be going away. I'm going to try and drink a lot more fluids than I have been. I will also make sure to hit the gym no matter what.

I was then sent on a 25B mission…LOL. I had to carry some new laptops and desktops to the help desk building so they could image them. I guess that is a little closer to 25B work than serving coffee. Once they are imaged I'll help set them up for the people that will be getting them in our office.

I then left with SPC Roy and we headed to the commissary. I was able to do all my grocery shopping for the month. Since we had his car I was able to buy everything I needed and he gave me a ride back to my room to drop it all off. We then changed for the pool and headed up to it. I just found out recently that it is right up a little road from my barracks. We headed up there and found the pool full of the high school swim team. Great…they have the pool every Monday, Wednesday, & Friday until 17:30 and it was only 16:30 at this point. We went and did "hot tub PT" instead. While we were in the hot tub we called our sergeant and let him know, he said he wasn't coming so we hung out for a while. It was nice and relaxing, I'm thinking I may have to do this once a week or so.

I came back to my room and took a nap, then woke up and did my schoolwork. I ended up heading to PFC Pickle's room to visit him for a while. He ordered pizza and I didn't want to miss out on that. This was actually the first time I had been to his room. When I arrived I was surprised to find that his room was quite a bit smaller than mine. I believe it was really meant for one person, but they squeezed two in there. I feel a little lucky now that even though my barracks and my room is pretty old, it's a decent size for the two of us living in it. After staying and visiting for a while I headed back to my room where I checked emails & Facebook, then went to sleep.

the wife

"Hot Tub PT"... Love it. Good way to end the week. Don't forget to call the wife once you wake up. ;)  Love you. me.

Saturday, April 2, 2011 - 07:27 AM

Weekend Wrap-Up - (Korea) Days 116 & 117

Our CQ desk on high alert! LOL - I couldn't help stopping and taking a picture of this guy.

Saturday: I slept in as usual for a weekend. I have not much planned this weekend at all except relaxing and getting healthy. I felt a bit better, except when I stood up I felt some mild nausea, not too excited about this new development. I video chatted with my wife for a bit, then headed to the food court to hang out for a while. I watched some of the NCAA basketball games and also brought my laptop so I could download some extra entertainment. I have to be careful when downloading in my room because we have a limit each month and I don't want to go over it.

PFC Pickle ended up calling and came to visit. We had lunch and then dropped everything off at my room before venturing down to the movie theatre. We gotta get in our free movies while we can. The walk took quite a bit longer than usual, I had to take a few breaks. The nausea would come and go and the coughing fits would occur here and there, but we finally made it and on time to watch "Paul". A comedy about an alien who gets picked up by a couple on a road trip. It has some funny parts, but is one of those movies I wouldn't have paid money to go see at the theatre. Good for a Netflix queue addition or a watch when it comes out on TV.

On the way back to my room I bought a big jug of orange juice and a bottle of NyQuil. I'm going to beat this sickness one of these days. I did some schoolwork and then relaxed and watched a couple TV shows. I then took my NyQuil and fell asleep.

Sunday: I slept in even later that usual thanks to the help of my NyQuil induced mini-coma, that stuff really knocks me out. I woke up and thankfully the nausea was gone. I just have the chest congestion and the coughs still hanging around. The day was not very exciting as I just wanted to rest and get better. I started laundry and then video chatted with my wife and kids. After that I took a nap, then checked in with the new guy in our office SPC Mick to make sure he's doing OK. I let him know to bring all his orders and ID tomorrow so he can get all in-processed. I also let him know I'll come meet him and we can walk to the office together. Next up…another nap. I then did my schoolwork and took another nap.

My roommate came back and said he's been sick all weekend as well. Sounds like he has the exact same thing I have naturally. Except when he is describing the phlegm in his throat he calls it fire. "I have a lot of fire in my chest". It's the small things that make my day….LOL. The day ended with some more TV shows and then going to sleep. Hoping tomorrow is much better. I'm starting to get a little nervous now that April is coming, which means my PT test is coming soon. I normally wouldn't be worried, but I can't imagine trying to run 2 miles with my chest like this. I want to be healthy and have a week or two to get back in shape.

New Folks - (Korea) Day 115

Work call this morning was at 0700…uggghhh. Luckily I went to bed so early last night that when I woke up I had plenty of rest. I thought it would be just me and our KATUSA working because all of the 42A folks had some mandatory training this morning. I started setting up for our first meeting (a KUB). After a while of being alone I had to assume our KATUSA was not coming in either. I setup the entire meeting which wasn't a big deal, it just happened to be the first time I had setup one by myself. When I was almost finished Special K came in and said Hi. I asked him why he wasn't at his training and with a look of shock on his face, he turned around and ran out the door. He had totally forgot about it…LOL I ended up staying through the entire meeting flipping slides and then cleaning up when it was over. Luckily this was the only meeting scheduled for the day.

I went to the computer and printed off my 5 SkillPort certificates for our sergeant, but he never came to work. He had an appointment off post and never came back. Our KATUSA covered his desk and I covered it while our KATUSA went to lunch. After I took lunch I watched some more basketball, then was called down to help stock office supplies. I was wondering where SPC Roy and Special K were after their training. Turns out they were out getting office supplies and now we had to get them delivered to our various offices.

A big surprise we found out later in the day was that we had 3 new people that arrived and were ready to be picked up from reception. SPC Roy went and picked them all up and brought them back to the office where introductions were made with all the officers. I believe we will get two of them, one to replace one of our captains who is leaving and one will be replacing SPC Roy who is being transferred out of our office so he can get some experience doing his real 42A job. Turns out that accommodations were not all made for them, so that had to be straightened out right away. Then they all went to get issued cell phones and after 1700 came and went SPC Roy gave me the office car keys and told me I had to take care of them because his wife was on post and he had to leave. Gotta love being a private.

When they were all finally done I gave them all a ride back to reception where the captain had me drop him off at the Dragon Hill Hotel. The specialist (We'll have to call SPC Mick) had all his bags packed at reception, so I helped him load everything into the car. I then dropped the sergeant off at the reception barracks where she will be staying for the weekend at least. SPC Mick was able to get a room in the barracks across from mine. I helped him find his room and then unload all his bags. I then drove him back to the office so I could return the keys and show him how to get back and forth from the office to the barracks. I then showed him where the PX was (so he could pick up a pillow and sheets & a blanket) as well as the food court and mini mall. I remember my first days here and how SPC Short helped me out quite a bit. I want to make sure I do the same for this guy. I made sure he had my number and knew where my room was in case he needs anything this weekend.

I then went to my room and relaxed. Still not feeling well and wanting to go to bed early and recover, I had to turn down both the young hawaiian and PFC Pickle's offers to go out tonight. I then did some schoolwork and then went to bed….sleep has never felt so good.

Drink It Out - (Korea) Day 114

On the roof cleaning our battle rattle with our sergeant's secret
recipe of warm water, dish soap, and scrub brushes.

Work call this morning was at 0830…our normal time. I love it when this happens :). I was able to get quite a bit of sleep last night. I woke up still pretty sick, but I felt different…I feel like I'm finally turning the corner. The cough still hurts pretty bad though. When I feel it coming on I dread the moment that I have to actually cough because I know the pain is coming along with it.

When I got to work I found that the Exchange server was back up, so I could now use my email. It's kind of strange being on the other side of the equation. For so long I've been the guy who gets called when the server goes down and when it's one that is as important as the mail server…there is a lot of stress involved. I know there were guys somewhere freaking out trying to get it back up and running all the while with generals calling every 5 minutes wondering why it's not up yet. That is a stress I haven't missed.

I was able to get all signed up for my IMO class now that I had all my emailed documents available to me. I was also able to get my "God Card" working. The "God Card" allows me admin access to all the computers when I use it to log in. This way I can actually fix some problems! Not sure exactly what I'm allowed to do yet with my new powers, that is what the IMO class will be for…that and I'm sure other procedural type things. We'll see.

As I was at the computer working I hear my sergeant call me over. I log off and head over to see my co-workers in full battle rattle. He tells me to hurry up and get mine on too. I grab all my gear and get it on, then we all walk outside. There is an exercise going on by the honor guard. They all have on full battle rattle and have various checkpoints setup around our parking lot along with Humvees, barricades, and constantine wire (kind of like barbed wire's nasty mean older step brother). I then find out the SPC Roy sped through a checkpoint this morning and also said something to one of the guards. Well that is just great, now we all get to do "corrective training" because of SPC Roy. We had to stand and listen to the honor guard tell us all about the importance of army checkpoints detail by detail. We then helped them clean up the area and put all their checkpoint gear away since the exercise was over. I'm glad this "corrective training" didn't include push-ups or any other physical exercise…with my sickness I would have been hating life.

After all the nice training I went into our conference control room and watched some NBA. After a while our sergeant came up and told us we had some more planned training to do. This training showed us his special technique in cleaning our battle rattle. His technique…using warm water, dish soap, and a scrub brush. So we all sat out on the roof and cleaned our battle rattle.

After we finished it was time to get back to my seat in the control room and watch some college basketball. I sat back and relaxed until it was time to clean up the office and leave for the day. I'm so glad we have a slow week this week…I guess it's the perfect week to be sick. I was then told that I needed to go with my sergeant and SPC Roy to the Navy Club for a couple of drinks. "The hard liquor will help me get better…it will kill all the germs". LOL I wasn't going to over do it, so I just had two drinks and then headed back to my room. I laid down for an hour, but then had to get up and do some school work. I really wish I had this class off, it's hard to do anything because I've been so sick. I really can't wait to feel better…I hate being sick.

My roommate is now starting to get sick as well. I was wondering if he was going to be able to avoid it. Our room isn't that big and there's not much I can do except cover my cough and wash my hands. I took his medicine once again. This time I had to ask him what exactly I was taking and he said they were mainly vitamins and some will also help reduce fever. That's good…I started to freak out a little today hoping I didn't accidentally take some sort of drug that I shouldn't have. I'm going to sleep early once again…I can't wait until the weekend. I think I may stay in my room quite a bit and just relax!

ROK SCJS - Day 113

Our sergeant presenting the ROK SCJS soldier with a plaque on his last day of work.

Work call is at 0730, I get up with plenty of time…but I find just moving is very difficult. I take a shower and shave, but I then have to lay down for a bit to rest. My head hurts, my throat is sore, my chest is sore, I've coughed so much I may be getting the abs of steel, my skin hurts, and I just feel fatigued. I'm not sure how I'm going to make it through the day today.

I get to work and luckily there is not much going on, I head to the control room and just sit and watch a little NBA. The lights are out and I just sit back and relax for a few hours. When I make it down to a computer in the office later on I find out that the exchange server is down. Without email not a lot can get done around here. I hear one of the officers yell "how can we fight a war without email?" LOL.

I took off with SPC Roy a little before lunch to order a plaque for a ROK SCJS soldier. (The ROK SCJS is our counterpart on the ROK side. We actually have connecting offices and interact with them quite a bit). We then stopped by the PX so I could restock on cough drops and other drugs. I got one for chest congestion and coughing, hoping it will help. Maybe in combination with my DayQuil and airborne they can work some magic. I also picked up some Korean ramen at the shoppette for my lunch. I figured soup would be a good choice. I didn't eat breakfast this morning or even dinner last night. In fact I haven't been eating much of anything since I've been sick.

My coughs are getting so violent they are starting to hurt. I'm half expecting blood or perhaps actual pieces of my lungs to start flying out of my mouth as I'm coughing. I almost threw up a few times after coughing so much….Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that I have diarrhea too. If I'm still feeling this way tomorrow I'm going to have to go to sick call.

I headed back to work and helped setup a meeting, then had to rest for a while once again. I then went with SPC Roy to pick up his car from the shop and help him return the rental car. He kept asking me if I was OK enough to drive…I assured him I could do it (It's only a mile or so). After we finished we were able to pick up the finished plaque we ordered earlier in the day. We headed back to the office and I did a couple more SkillPorts (2 more down…one more before the end of the week)

We all had to stay after 1700 for an awards ceremony for the SCJS ROK soldier. This guy is a pretty cool guy who is always helpful. His two years is finally up and he will be leaving the army. He was given an award and a special plaque just to say thanks for his two years of great service.

When I got back to my room I laid down for an hour or so. My roommate came home and asked if I wanted some medicine. At this point I would have taken anything and when he handed me a little baggy with some Korean writing on it filled with about 7 different kinds of pills I took it and ate them all. I then laid back down and went to sleep again around 2000.

Sweat it Out - (Korea) Day 112

This post and the next few posts are being updated a little late, I had been so sick during this week that I just couldn't stay up to update the blog. I should be back up to date by the end of the weekend.

Work call this morning was at 0800, still too early when I'm feeling this bad. I walked to work with my bag of over the counter medications. I felt a little better than yesterday, but still pretty sick. When I arrived at work I took over flipping slides for a KUB that was going on so Special K could go run an errand.

After the KUB I cleaned up and then then did some SkillPorts. I really didn't want to do much of anything, but we have to have 5 SkillPorts done each week…so I really don't have a choice. I then did something a little stupid…I went and played basketball during lunch. I thought maybe I could sweat out the sickness. (It didn't work) I was hacking and coughing the whole time.

I was able to head over to S1 to try and get my ERB updated now that I had my actual A+ and Network+ certificates printed out. When I arrived I started signing in as I have in the past, but I was quickly stopped and told I need to have a "customer service sheet" filled out by my company before I can sign in and get my ERB updated. Really? I've never had to do this before. So I walk over to the company and request a sheet, fill it out and head back over to S1. I then sign in and a PFC helps me out. I ask him if he needs my little customer service sheet and he says no. That was a waste of time. Anyway I got my ERB updated and was good to go…. I'm official now.

Our office got an invite to go on a trip to Jeju island. I guess it's the "Hawaii of South Korea". The price was very inexpensive, but when I checked it was during the same week I plan on attending my IMO class. Bummer. I think I would have enjoyed that trip.

When I got back to my barracks after work I was feeling pretty sick. I figured the best thing I could do was to go to bed early, so I let my roommate know and crashed about 2000

Down With The Sickness - (Korea) Day 111

Yes...I am borrowing a 2-star general's cup to drink my theraflu.

Work call this morning was at 0600. Since Saturday I had started having a little cough, but today it seemed to take a turn for the worse. When I got to work we setup a meeting in the secret conference room, then the top secret conference room. After that I went to our conference room and just sat in the control room. I just felt like total crap today. My nose was running, my skin hurt, my head hurt, I was coughing like crazy. I feel like I have asthma or something and I need an inhaler. My sergeant asked if I wanted to head to the medical clinic, but I told him I'd tough it out. I don't know what they'll do except make me sit and wait in a room for a long time, then give me some cold medicine.
We cleaned up from the meeting, then SPC Roy gave me a ride to the PX where I bought my own cold/flu medicine. I took it and hung out in the control room. After a while of trying to get comfortable in the chairs I gave up and just laid on the floor. Just a crappy day all around. I didn't eat lunch, just laid on the floor taking medicine every so often until about 1600 when my sergeant said we could all go home. SPC Roy gave me a ride to my barracks where I just went in and relaxed. I took some airborne, ate some dinner and watched some shows. I also submitted my final paper for my current class…another one down. I had to call and check in with my sergeant every two hours just to let him know I'm alive…lol

I'm going to bed early tonight. Everyone is going in at 0700 tomorrow except me, they said I could go in at the normal time which is awesome! I'm looking forward to the rest.

the wife

Husband, you look how I felt all day Saturday. Hopefully what you have is only a 24 hour bug... I was sick all weekend and I can barely move today (Monday) but this chick needs to work. Ugh...

Love you.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011 - 12:25 AM

mom

Even miles away you 2 share with each other. Glad Leandra is feeling a little better, get well B

love you, mom

Tuesday, March 22, 2011 - 01:19 AM

FS Miller

I wish I could spell the noise that David Draiman makes in Down with the Sickness.OOO ahahah!

Hope you feel better bro!

Tuesday, March 22, 2011 - 11:51 AM

Julie

I am a 28 year old Marine wife who is thinking about joining the Army. I LOVED reading this blog and all of the information you provided. Thank you so much for helping me with my decision.

My cousin is an E-6 stationed where you are but I have a hard time identifying with his training since so much has changed. I'll keep your family and mine in my thoughts. Stay safe!

P.S. I go to University of Phoenix too. Lots of work!

Tuesday, March 22, 2011 - 02:09 PM

Brandon

Thanks guys...I am now finally feeling better.

@FS Miller :) that's what I was thinking when I titled the page

@Julie... glad you have enjoyed reading it, besides friends and family it's people like you that I decided to make this for. I'm constantly told all the time that being in Korea isn't like "the real army", so I'm sure my next duty station will be entirely different.

Friday, March 25, 2011 - 09:49 PM

Dealing With The Sickness (AIT - Fort Gordon) Day 49

Woke up feeling pretty sick this morning. Great…it's a run day too. The funny thing about being sick here is that if you want to go to the doctor because you are sick then you have to fill out a form the night before. Do most people know they are going to be sick the next day? It really doesn't matter in my case because it's the day before our final test in CCNA2, so I can't really miss it. So...back to reality, PT today sucked. We ran and ran until the sergeant could find some hills for us to run. Not only did I have to run, I had to run hills. Maybe the run will sweat out the sickness. By the end of our run I ended up out of breath, snot trying to run out of my nose constantly, and I was hacking and coughing non stop. 

I felt like crap the rest of the day, suffering from your basic common cold symptoms such as a runny nose, a cough, and a sore throat. I took all my drugs that I purchased yesterday, constantly sucking on cough drops throughout the day. This sucks! A cold in the middle of summer.

We finished the last portion of our CCNA2 material and then started to prepare for the final test tomorrow. I feel like we ran out of time with this class. Our teacher was great, but the last two chapters felt really rushed through. I hope that doesn't affect my grade too much.

Normally I would post our syllabus up online, but we didn't actually get one for this class. So I'll summarize it up for all of you. CCNA2 class dealt primarily with routing protocols such as RIPv1, RIPv2, EIGRP, & OSPF. We went over each of them and how to configure them on the routers. 

After class we headed to mail call formation at the company. After mail call the sergeants said they spent a lot of time reviewing the security cameras and they were a little disappointed. The sergeant then paused and stated "How do I put this….there is a lot of grab ass going on". She said guys should not be running around half naked and slapping each other's ass…etc. I say these are young guys who need to unwind and it's their personal time, let them relax and have a little fun.