Tin Roof and Days Off

It rained last night, but not until around 1030PM. This was fortunate because we have a running club that runs from 930 to 1030, so I was back in my hutch before it started to rain. We live in a little building with a tin roof and wood walls, so the rain rapped nicely on the tin roof, making it very pleasant. I can understand what some Vietnam vets say when they reference the beauty of the country, despite the war around them.

Yesterday morning was very hazy, so much so we couldn't see the mountains until afternoon. Even then, I wondered if I was seeing the clouds or the tops of the mountains. They are majestic, with their snow peaks. I sometimes am intimidated by high mountains, but for some reason, I can enjoy the peaks surrounding us without any other notice.

I received my MENSA card in a pacakge from home yesterday, so I am now a card-carrying MENSAN. I found one other member here on the staff. He works in the Commander's office, and he is indeed pretty smart.

Today is Friday, and most folks have the morning off. Not my section. Because you can't just pause the war, something we joke about frequently, our stations have to be manned all the time. We take different mornings off, so everyone gets a day. I mentioned this when first in Manas, and several others didn't quite believe me. "I, personally, need one day a week I can look foward to that I can sleep in or do anything I want, at the very least for half the day." Now that I have put it into practice, the others are seeing the benefit of it. I guess when God made the Sabbath, He kinda knew what He was doing!

Sunday, befittingly, is my half day off, however, I gave it to one of the Soldiers this week. Every week, we have a challenge for who can read the large map in our CP and find certain locations fastest, and various other challenges. Normally, the winner gets an extra day off on Thursday, but that wasn't possible this week, so I gave up my day so they could continue the weekly challenge and still get the day off. Initially, one of the Soldiers was being generous and giving up her day even if she won. Not any more; she's realizing the benefit of having a half day.