Missed your call!!! =(

Ok, Jess, I just spent about 30 minutes trying to post a blog on here and the whole thing was deleted bc I pressed the back button to look at that pic of the palace! grrr...

Oh well, I'll paraphrase what I said before. First, so sorry and regretful my phone was off the one time you called. it was really dead. Second, I finally got a job and I don't mean subbing. I am a Athletic Assistant for Fairfax County Community and Rec Services. It's great, I like the people here and I have a cubicle of my own, which means, privacy (well, more private than before) and my own desk, computer, phone....everything. It's a commute and it pays about 10k less than teaching, but I am a much happier person. I am hoping I can get a raise or something else will come along that pays more eventually.

I have a zillion funny stories so far since I started. Today is my 4th day so I am still learning quite a bit...I'll just cut to the chase here. Yesterday this guy that sits across from me, Taylor, was on the phone, and you can hear everything that people say, so I guess I should say it isn't that private- but anyway, I hear him say, "...aight man, well I'm getting ready to get on the elevator here so I gotta go...." and really he's sitting at his desk. So I laughed and said out loud, "not that I was trying to easedrop on your conversation, but, that was messed up!" OMG Jessica, why did I have to comment! I just couldn't keep my mouth shut! He didn't care, he actually went on to explain to me how much he hates that guy.

So I told mom about it and she told me how much you hate when people do that to you. hahaha....so today, I promised to never do that again, EVER, and I almost caught myself commenting to Taylor again after he got off the phone about how his wife is a PE teacher! You have no idea how oblivious I am at this type of job. I have never worked in an office my entire life and keep forgetting this a different environment that has different etiquette. Way different. These people have no idea about my "other side"- my rough, loud, obnoxious, crazy, whistle blowing side that used to boss kids around and tell people what to do all the time. sigh....

Well, I can't wait for my xmas present from you...I wonder what it is? Is it perfume?? I like to try to guess it before I get it. I guessed what steve got me and was right, plus what mom and dad got me. I've always been good like that!

By the way, I just introduced some people in my office to sly dial and it's been like a revolutionary breakthrough to them! They are loving me! I just can't remember what the other one was. What was the one called where you can punch in someone else's phone number and call from it?

If you want to email me, my new email is johannapetrosky@gmail.com
By the way, my married name is officially OFFICIAL! (I went to ss and dmv).
We miss ya, talk soon!

Joey

Merry Christmas!

Even Jessica's lizard is in the spirit!

Merry Christmas everyone!!

I'm going to call after I get done typing here, but i just wanted to update the site since I haven't written since Thanksgiving. Time seems to be flying by now, everyone is in the holiday spirit. You wouldn't believe the amount of gifts and food and care packages sent out by people to the troops...we got stockings full of toiletries and food from the American Legion and VFW...cards and letters from students of all ages all over the country. The support we get from home is absolutely overwhelming sometimes. Quite a bit of money has to go in to putting these packages together and mailing them out. It is appreciated though! We had to do a secret Santa gift exchange here and of course I waited till Christmas eve to buy something for my person. I ended up getting her a necklace charm. From my Santa I got some bath and body works candles (mom, for you thats bed, bath and body works candles, Hee hee) and then we went to a Candlelight Christmas ceremony where a chaplain spoke and we sung hymns in the al-Faw Palace--thats what the picture is of. If Saddam could see his palace now--he was probably doing flips in his grave as we sang Silent Night! Dinner was not much, I had pizza and a salad but it will likely be pretty good tomorrow. We will stick to the Air Force chow halls, which seem to have better food.

Im re-reading what I wrote above and I must be tired because Im giving a play-by-play of the whole day! ha ha...sorry! Im definitely ready to come home, its getting cold here and the whole bathroom situation is beginning to drive me nuts! There's nothing worse than waking up in the middle of the night, finding my weapon and the magazine and putting them on, finding shoes and a jacket and putting them on too...just because I cant hold it till the morning! Argh!

Well, I will call today, because its Christmas for me right now, but hopefully I can tomorrow also, so I can talk to everyone again!

Love you all lots, miss you and talk to you soon!

Hey All-December Update

December rolled around pretty quickly, it's hard to think that Jess has already been gone over a month and that Matthew and I've been in Washington for 6 months! Kitten seems lonely out here and I do the best I can to walk and play with him, but he lacks all the family visits and his play buddy, Buttons. Matthew and I have been seriously considering getting another pug to keep him company after Christmas, and if you take a look at this week's poll then you'll see why! They're charming and hilarious little creatures!!

Matthew's still enjoying his work and he's become quite the important man on duty. He was on call over the holidays to oversee the painters in the hangar to ensure his planes were painted exactly as his drafting plans specified. He just started his second quarter at school, ending his first quarter with a 3.8 GPA. He's pretty tired most of the time, as he has school till about 10:30 PM on MWF. But, he's really turning some heads in management and he ended this year with a flawless performance evaluation...which should reflect in his paycheck.

Apparently I've also impressed all the right people because on Monday night Matthew and I were invited and treated to The Boeing Suite at the Metallica concert, where we were provided with a plethora of free food and drinks and the best seats in the house! Turns out (I do my boss's expense reports), each ticket was about $400 and we got them for free! I was also just rewarded with a $100 Boeing Pride Award, and I've been recommended to apply for a full time position with Boeing as a Staff Analyst Level 2. Normally, each level takes a year to surpass, so that'd be great news if I could make a level 2 within a few months.

As for non work related issues, we're missing the family/home like crazy! We'll be seeing you all in 2 weeks, and the time couldn't come fast enough.

Make sure to post your updates so we can keep up with everyone...ESPECIALLY YOU, JESS. Love you.

Happy Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving here was a nice warm day and the chow hall food served
pretty good food--turkey, stuffing and all the typical foods. Believe
it or not, I even ate some green bean casserole--just checked to see if
I still hate green beans, and I do. Only thing that was throwing me off
was the lack of deviled eggs!! Cant believe they didn't make them! No
cranberry sauces either! Other than that, I had dinner with a few
co-workers, who I had go around the table and tell what they were
thankful for--an Allen family tradition that I cant believe I did, when
I didn't have to! My parents have brainwashed me!! AHHH!! Thanks for
sending the pic of your thanksgiving meal, I miss you guys and its good
to see everyone! That said--Jill, Matthew and Chavonne--where are your
pics??? Im putting you guys on the SPOT!! Ha ha. Sounds like everyone
had a good time though, wish I was there!

Its starting to get cooler here during the daytime even, which will ruin
my Sunday morning breakfast club with some coworkers (over coffee, local
bread and cheese). It's the small things that make a difference! The
coffee joint here, The Green Bean (think Starbucks, but not quite as
nice), is making a fortune off of me! Despite its name (extreme dislike
of that particular vegetable) its the only thing I have spent money on
since I arrived.

As it gets cooler the rain has increased, which stinks because Im still
gun-shy about driving in the mud. Ive learned some tricks though, so
there should be no repeat incidents of that day I got stuck--or I hope
there wont be any repeat incidents!

Whats the deal with all the football talk here? This is crazy. Who
knew my family was so passionate about this?
My time is up now, gotta run. Talk to everyone later, thanks for all of
the emails!!

Redskins racial slur?!!

ok, not that I'm that into pro football or anything (even tho I think most pro football players are crybabies and they think millions of dollars isn't enough to feed their families so they go on strike...cough*T.O.*cough...at least college athletes play for the love of the game so I must contest amongst both the cowboys and 'skins)...but I'm not that into pro football so I won't go there.

and another thing, not that I'm taking sides here or anything, Jill, but I think I would have to disagree with you on the Redskins being a "racial slur". Let me ask this, is the glass half empty or half full? Are the Redskins a racial slur or symbol of success?
Some critics believe it is racist and that's the reason for the name. But, in all actuality, would we really sit down and say...Gee, what kind of name can we give this team that will really piss people off and possibly cause a public uproar....let's go for something racist and catchy! Contrary to popular belief, it was meant to honor the American Indians and by naming a professional team after their spirit, it's a symbol of success, pride, courage and achievement!

But on the flip side of things, if someone named a professional team after me, let's go with "Whitegirl", and they were horrible I might say I was pretty offended. However, if someone was to mention "Whitegirl" and thoughts of a successful professionally structured team with thousands of dollars invested, top athletes, coaches and fans, I might blush and admit, I kinda like the ring of it and would even offer my face as the logo.

The name "Redskins" brings up thoughts of football. It is not used as a racial slur as it may have been in the past, as some want to believe. Let's be optimistic here, the glass is half full!

Almost Thanksgiving!

Hey, whats everyone doing for Thanksgiving...send me whats going on! I miss everyone and its going to be weird eating Thanksgiving dinner with my coworkers at a chow hall. Theres one chow hall thats open all day, so we might go in and eat more than once...only bad thing is, the leftovers are still hot! Thanksgiving isnt the same if you cant have cold turkey later in the day!
Thanks for everyones emails! keep em coming! Also, if you are looking to send anything, theres nothing I really need...so anything that can be shared with the office is good. Food, candy, Holiday decorations, etc. Also, theres a program here called hearts and minds, so if you send me toys or clothes, i can have it given away to the locals that are in need. I will type fast....aggghhh, they are kicking us all out...gotta go

COWBOYS WIN!!!

Not that anybody cares, I just thought I'd gloat about the victorious Cowboys...hehehe. Matthew's frowning next to me because we made a bet on the game so now I have a slave for next weekend. So, if you're trying to call him to wish him a happy birthday he'll probably be too busy scrubbing the toilets. But, he thanks you in advance for the thoughtfulness.

Acomadating Jess' top 10 List

Jess,

It sounds like you need a package of goodies sent your way! I'm brainstorming over here ideas to make your life....more....comfortable? simple? easy? How about some fisherman boots (the kind that have overalls attached bc they are so long) for walking to and from the shower/bathroom when it rains. Or perhaps some clogs, you know, like the dutch wear, the wooden ones...they're sturdy, wouldn't get stinky, easy to slide on/off! ah, crocs would be easier to find.

Also, how is the shower situation going? I mean, when it comes to duration of time to get the shampoo and soap off before the water cuts off. I found the shampoo/body wash stuff, but it was for men! If you don't mind smelling like an 'active sport' (not sure why that's only for men!) I have just the stuff for you! Maybe I can find another scent, just give me the green light and I'll hunt like a pro to find it!
hmmm...ok what else? new underwear...nah, I'll let you deal with that. how about that linen spray from bbb (not to be confused with mom's bed bath and body works! haha). I believe you could even spray it in your shoes when you place them in front of the ac unit, it might actually double as a room freshner this way?! we can patent your shoes if this works...let me know, mom and i are working to start a business any day over here.

ok, last suggestion, how about some black t shirts? or perhaps a purse sized umbrella and black tshirts for those unexpected wet t shirt contests? just let me know, i would like to send you something to make the days go by a little smoother.

xo,
joey

RAIN-O-MANIA

Jessica, your top 10 list is crucial! Most of that stuff really sucks and I guess I'm pretty lucky that I don't get dusty after my shower...BUT...I feel ya on the rain!! Either God has assigned a rain cloud to my head, or it's just always coincidentally raining when I am outside and stops when I'm inside. Either way, it's nasty!! Kitten REFUSES to get his prissy little paws wet, so I've taken it upon myself to restore his adoration of the great outdors, and I made him rain boots and a rain coat. He looks so cute in them! I'll post his picture as soon as I can...or maybe even a video.

Matthew hollered at you from the other room and hopes you're doing well, as we all hope.

Love ya.

OH, WHERE IS MY LIZARD . . . !

My Lizard List . . . Or, how to live with a member of the Squamata order of reptiles!

1. Does this little guy have a name? Also, comfortable co-habitation requires dropping reference adjectives such as “dang” and “stupid.”

2. Have you tried to talk with your lizard? Sometimes talk can simplify basic issues such as who gets to use the shoes or underwear or whatever, when and for how long. If it chirps, barks, or whistles with a sound like "gecko, gecko" or "tchak tchak tchak" it is not a lizard but a gecko--do not confuse. Lizards employ many diverse methods of communication however, such as having an acute sense of smell, which through the vomeronasal organ in the roof of its mouth gathers scents by flicking out its forked little tongue to catch odor molecules. You are quite correct in assuming your lizard does not frequent your shoes--except for warmth perhaps—for fear of being overwhelmed with the molecular weight and complexity of your foot molecules and the alarm pheromones that are created. Remember, its not a physicist. On the other hand, lizards can hear exceptionally well, so perhaps you ought to tell it what’s on your mind.

3. Speed, size, appearance, and leaping ability are important to lizards – give it, it’s space!

4. “Leapin’ Lizards!” was an exclamatory expression used by Little Orphan Annie (created by Harold Gray in 1924), and unless you have an aggressive psycho lizard, it is unlikely you will be attacked.

5. The “Lizard pattern” is a kind of military camouflage used for French Army uniforms from the 1950’s to late 1980's. If your lizard looks this way it may not be a lizard at all but a teeny-tiny Frenchman with romance on his mind. Moreover, the French are called “Frogs,” which have certain similarities to lizards.

6. The “Lounge Lizards” are a jazz group formed in 1978 by saxophone player John Lurie and highly respected for their creative and distinctive sound. (Do not confuse with the “Austin Lounge Lizards” who are more like geckos.) Your lizard does not belong to this group so do not try to outfit it with a smoking jacket!

7. If you should go “eyeball to eyeball” with your lizard, remember that vision, including color vision, is particularly well developed in lizards (and they have movable eyelids). Most communicate with body language or bright colors on their bodies as well as via pheromones. If it blinks at you, then it is probably love. If it changes color such as bright red, then it is probably a very shy lizard in love. If it exudes pheromones, this too is love, but you may want to be very careful with what it may have in mind—especially if it is French.

8. If it should use body language on you by . . . say, wagging its tail—do not return the gesture in kind, or try to grab it by the tail. Lizards can shed their tails in order to escape predators, and you certainly do not want a hyper-alarmed lizard in two parts on your hands while attempting to wag your own tail. Because most lizards possess external ears which are not detachable, you should try to grab it by the ears.

9. Concerning size, your lizard is normal since they range from a few centimeters—which you would not be able to see easily, to over 9 feet—which would make it a Komodo Dragon or a Gila monster that would be trying to eat you. Since there are 4,675 species of lizards living in all continents except Antarctica (although there are tales of Sasquatch-like abominable snow-lizards covered with shaggy hair) it is likely it is a merely a plain old Iraqi lizard—with French tendencies, of course!

10. Many lizards are good climbers or fast sprinters. Some can run bipedally, and some can even run across the surface of water to escape. If you develop a frolicking relationship with your lizard, it is advisable that you do not try to mimic these things in your hootch or on Saddam’s lakes until you have had government training.

May the two of you be happy, Luv d

The Top 10 List

First of all, Im not so sure I like the poll--I cant even stack the votes so it says that hes not in my room anymore! Why has no one voted for that cowardly lizard running off in fear?? You guys KNOW me and know that if you are ANYWHERE CLOSE to my stinko shoes, you probably arent going to want to stay there long!! Especially considering the fact that I have Moms genes as far as feet go AND how hot, sweaty and nasty my feets get here....gross. i (not on purpose) torture my poor roommate by putting them on a shelf where the air conditioner can circulate the smell from my size 8 stinkbombs!! ha ha!!!
The weather in general is starting to get cooler here so Im hoping the stupid lizard has gone to warmer places...just hope hes not in my undies drawer!

So, because Im in the mood to make a list, heres some of the little luxuries that I am REALLY beginning to miss (other than family and friends):
1-Not having to worry about lizards or other critters in my shoes (or, now in my undies...since I put it in my own head)
2-Not walking in the rain, through mud to go from the shower/bathroom to my bedroom
3-Same as #2 but if its not raining, walking from the shower/bathroom to my bedroom through the dusty air that collects on my wet skin.
4-Being able to flush toilet paper down the pot without a fear of clogging up the system and breaking the water pump for bathrooms on the whole compound--yipes.
5-My computer and everything about it. It logs on, stays on the webpage that I put it on until I tell it to leave that website....computers here dont always act the same way!
6-Radio. I try and listen to my Books on CD with my old school CD player with its little speakers in the car (just for something to do in the car with the broken radio) but the car is diesel and louder than the speakers!
7-Changing lanes when I am stuck behind a truck thats slow and smelly.
8-Selfishly using a 'good computer' for more than 30 min at a time.
9-Not feeling like I am going to lose my meal 10 min after I eat (theres only 2 directions that the food can quickly escape the body and neither are good choices)
10-Agh, this one should be the best....but i cant even think of a #10....I will just keep everyone in suspense! Im sure that I will find something else, I have never been one that cant find SOMETHING to complain about!

Jessica and the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day...

So far, Jess has been off to a rough start. First, she meets her roommates and one turns out to be a reptile. Then, she finds out if she eats the cafeteria food she better be within sprinting distance of a bathroom. Furthermore, she gets ticketed, vehically downgraded, slides into a muddy ditch, and gets hit on by a sketchy Iraqi in the midst of a terrential down pour.

So here it is...to cheer you up a bit, Jess, I think it's only fair that we share some of our terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day stories...

Happy Halloween!

Hey Jess, you're the only one we haven't heard from! Tonight Matthew and I are dressed up as two characters from "The Princess Bride". I dyed my hair black to get into character for Inigo Montoya...you killed my father, prepare to die! And Matthew shaved the center of his head (foreshadowing into our future I guess) for his character as Vizzini (aka the guy who says "inconceivable!")
Write in with your Halloween/weekend stories, I want to hear all about them! Miss you all!

Jessica's new blog

Hi everyone! I created this blog on behalf of Jessica, and so we'll have an easier way of communicating. Feel free to post notes, your thoughts, messages, funny stories, etc. And please forward this to anyone you think would be interested.