I’ve settled into a pretty consistent groove here at Salerno: Work, Gym, Read, Sleep, Repeat. HOWEVER, a couple of nights ago I did something pretty crazy. Let me tell you what I did!

I went to the PX and bought a box of Triscuits! I know, right?! THEN, I took the box to my room and ATE MOST OF THE TRISCUITS! While I read a book! Don’t worry, I’m ok.

As it happens, Salerno is the home of the 101st Airborne Screaming Eagles, Task Force Currahee. You might remember them from TV’s Band of Brothers. Pretty historic division. Neat.

A busy morning, ending in success!

See, the classes we offer here at the Education Center run the risk of being cancelled if we don’t get enough students enrolled. There is generally a break-even point of 8-12 students. My main mission since I got here has been to fill up our LIBS 150 (Information Literacy and Research Methods) class, which started today, and is the last class of the current session.

All week I had been getting an enrollment here and there, but not quite enough, and it was getting close. The frustrating aspect is that I can convice someone to enroll in a class, but they have to actually register for it themselves through this Army education website called GoArmyEd. So they might walk out of my office, agreeing to take the class, and then walk on out the door and never actually sign up. So I’ve learned that I have to literally walk them into the computer lab and make them enroll in the class.

Point is, this morning before class started, three people came in to sign up for the class. Typical. But we got a total of 10 students, which means everyone gets their class, the instructor gets paid, and all is peaceful in the valley, etc.

Also, more photos.

April Hopson bought me a Flickr Pro account! As a gift! Thanks, April.

As a result: Hey look, photos!

I’ve been here at Salerno, or “the Fob,” for about a week now. Yes, I finally did catch a flight. Most of my time has been spent working (12 hours/day, 7 days/week, y’all) and learning how things work here.

I’m all moved into my place of residence now, thought I may move into another building when a spot comes open. My roommates are pretty loud. There are 8 of us living together in one room, and they’re all pretty young, active-duty Army dudes. So far I’ve awakened to either Snoop Dogg or dancehall reggae at 5am every morning. That’s when they wake up to do their PT (Physical Training). It’s not so bad though. I’ve just been waking up anyway, and starting my day.

On the 4th of July, I had to work, of course. But before work, at 0600, I actually participated in the 5k run. I did walk parts of it, but I actually finished, and didn’t come in last. Plus I was competing against a group of people who are actually in shape and mostly younger than me. So I think I did alright. I’m pretty sure I haven’t run that far since I ran track for one season in the 7th grade. I got a free t-shirt!

Photos will come, I promise. Mostly I’m waiting on my paycheck to go through, so I can buy a Flickr Pro account. Also I don’t have that many interesting photos of Afghanistan yet. There is a bazaar set up by locals here on the base that I plan to visit this week, so I should get some interesting shots.