Friday is Off to a Crazy Start

For the past few days, all I've been thinking is that all I have left to do is get on that plane and leave for Iraq. But luck would not have it that way as I am currently in a coffee shop waiting on my truck to get fixed over the next two hours! I had set out to go to work this morning, only for a few hours, only to find that the back left tire of my truck was flat. It wouldn't have been so bad if this hadn't been the second time this has happened over the past three weeks. Yes, no kidding! However, I was not surprised. There is tons of construction going on all over El Paso. A nail took out the other tire and, sure enough, there was a gigundo screw stuck in this one. Unbelievable! Now, I do actually know how to change a tire, but I "begged" a guy that worked at my hotel to help me change the tire, which he did. Thankfully, Fort Bliss was just around the corner. I dropped the car off at the Firestone, took my computer, and walked down the street to the Starbucks, where I am now waiting for a friend (our unit's Chaplain) to pick me up so that we can run a few errands. Thank goodness for great friends! I'm thinking that this day can only get better for a few good reasons...

Our departure was pushed back to this Sunday, which means one very important thing...

...that I get to see New Moon! Can timing be any more perfect! It's so funny...weeks ago, when we thought we'd be leaving on the 19th, my friends and I thought, "well, guess we have to see it on bootleg!" Well, bootleg no more! I'm actually going to see it this afternoon. Hopefully the crowds won't be too huge. I got the tickets for a 2:00 show thinking that kids would still be at school and most people at work. When I saw the last movie, I was stuck in the theater with a bunch of young kids who clapped, cheered, and talked for most of it. It was so annoying!

Also great, is that I was able to talk my parents into flying in for the weekend to see me off! I thought I had everything together, but when it boiled down to it, I really wanted my family here, especially with Malu being gone. I'm so happy that they will be here, although for a short time. Now I'm hurriedly looking for things for us to do in the 1.5 days they are here.

So the last time I did my Culinary Countdown to Iraq, I left off on last Saturday at Shogun's Steakhouse. Let me just say that not having a camera seriously sucked. After searching everywhere for the battery charger, I gave up and went and bought another camera. I decided against getting a high quality camera (which I've been wanting for years) and got something more practical (one that can get banged up and dusty overseas). After I got the camera, I tried to remember to bring it with me to dinners!

On Sunday, I went to Uno's Chicago Grill in Las Cruces, New Mexico, about 45 minutes from El Paso. A friend had told me all about the place and I was glad he did. It was wonderful. Although the place is infamous for its deep dish pizzas, I indulged in their fabulous broccoli cheese soup and had a Classic Cobb Salad. So thanks to my friend, Maurice, for the suggestion!

So on Monday, a few friends and I hit up PF Chang's, one of my absolute favorites. Let me just say that I absolutely love their Chicken Lettuce Wraps. I started off with one of those and finished it BY MYSELF. Oh yes, I can eat! But as you see below, we stopped at nothing to have more, more, and more food. Almond and Cashew Chicken, Beef Broccoli...yum!

After a while, eating out gets kind of old, so I opted for a break on Tuesday and can't really remember what I ended up eating. But I was in for a treat, because Wednesday, I met up with my Auntie Daisy at the Tara Thai Restaurant in downtown El Paso. Voted the best restaurant in El Paso this year, the place serves up a mean pad thai, which is pictured below.

Having been there only once before, I could not remember how big the portions were, so I ordered double the pad thai, which is great because I ended up having it for leftovers on Thursday night. So it's been a delicious few days. I can't believe I'll be giving it up for the dining facility and a much healthier diet for a year!

Well, it's Friday and who knows where I'll be eating today. My parents won't arrive until late this evening, so I'll be on my own. I'll have to clue you guys in later. And look at that! Time has flown by and my truck is just about done. Thanks for keeping me company you guys! Until next time...