12 hours a day, 7 days a week

I have to tell you that working these hours really takes some getting used to. I am fortunate that the DFAC is right next door; the Dining FACility, that is. Otherwise I would have to work a little longer to compensate for the time it would take to get to and from lunch and dinner.

Even the soldiers out here don't work these kind of hours. Depending on the mission, they sometimes work 8-10 hours a day, 6 days a week. I am surprised more people don't have a mental or emotional breakdown. It does happen though. I've heard some pretty bad stories of people losing perspective out here and getting a little wacky. They typically quit abruptly or are just sent home.

Finding the right amount of sleep is important because can set in easily. By the time you get off work, have dinner, walk back to your room, take a shower and get everything ready for the next day, it gets to be late quick. If you read or do something else to unwind you have to be careful that you're not still awake at midnight. It comes too fast, as does the morning.

So I've been trying to sleep at night, but it's a big adjustment without Nora. I'm used to having her right next to me and occasionally waking up with either Jon-Gabriel or Gaby somewhere on the bed as well.....either in between us or to the side. I miss them tremendously. I wonder if I can really do this. Can I be out here for a year? Can I be out here for 6 months? Only time will tell. I really hate missing out on the day-to-day happenings of my family.