Lessons Learned

I'm back!  I was stopped in the airport, in uniform, by a kind older gentleman who said hello and followed that with the question of "Are you coming back from R & R?"  A bit surprised that someone would recognize that being a reason for travel, I nodded politely and his response was "Yep, you have that look."  What is that look?  Perhaps the look of sadness and bewilderment, having left home and embarking on a long 24 hours of travel.  Or perhaps I looked so refreshed after my vacation...

It was relaxing and absolutely wonderful.  Jon and I will share tidbits of that with pictures over the next few weeks, so look for that.  And as with our anniversary trip posts, these ones may be delayed and out of order as well.  Our apologies, but our brains function without concern for chronology.

So, back to the title, "lessons learned."  It's a term used for debriefing (whoa, military term) after one has gone through training or an event.  This event, travel with the Army.  Please enjoy and, if you're in the Army, laugh with me and don't take it personally.

Lesson #1, a joke: What sound do you hear when an Army person is either dressing or undressing?  Velcro.

If you've seen the dessert uniforms, you will know that almost every pocket and closure is secured with velcro.

Lesson #2, a second joke: Why do you refrain from giving an Army person something, say a bus or plane ticket, too far in advance?  Because they lose it easily.  And why do they lose it?  They have too many pockets in their uniforms.  While waiting in line, I decided to evaluate the Army uniforms pockets: 8 pockets in the PANTS alone (a pair for each ankle, buttock, waist, and hip) and another 6 in the blouse, not including the countless "pen" pockets.  Incredible.  Our uniforms are not nearly so useful.

And lastly, Lesson #3: Travel pillows look ridiculous, but are absolutely necessary when traveling solo.

Not mine...mine is hunting-orange and velour.

On the flight there, I was leaned on by an enormous Army fellow who really should've had one to prevent the leaning.  It helps you stay upright, rather than get too comfortable with the soldier on either side, and for ladies with buns, it tucks right underneath and keeps the bun intact while sleeping.  It isn't perfect, but it is necessary when you don't have a spouse you can lean on, literally.

Anyhow, enough silliness.  Jonathan and I had great adventures while on leave.  Praise the Lord, he was able to take off the whole two weeks to be with me.  I couldn't do my job without his support and love.