I learned how to use people's eyes to tell whether they are lying today. Purely in the interest of perfecting the science, I tested this newfound technique on a lot of people today and found out a number of interesting things. I'm not great at it yet, but it is definately a usefull skill and something I'm glad to have learned.

I'm home in just a few weeks!
Already my schedule is packed, but I'm hoping to get around the state to visit everyone at least once or twice.

In other news, THE MARSHALLOW SHOOTER
All I can say is you fools are lucky I don't still live in the cubicle jungle.

Ever wanted to learn Swahili?
I am trying to learn Arabic. The cdrom I bought had Swahili on it too, and I thougth to myself what a great language to know.
Here're a few really quick first words:

Yes - Ndiyo
No - Hapana
Good Morning - Habari za asubuhi
Good Afternoon - Habari za mchana
Good Night - Habari za jioni
Please - Tafadhali
Thank you - Asante
Thank you very much - Asante sana
Sorry - Samahani
Hello - Habari
Goodbye - Kwa heri

that's right, I'm a geek.
Asante sana,
Kwa heri.
-Ace

Summer is almost upon us over here and boy it is nice outside!
Unfortunately, I'm inside doing homework but only for another week or two.

Yesterday was... Interesting.

Almost as soon as my shift started I was sent to a domestic disturbance. Imagine my surprise when I round the corner and there stands a good friend and mentor. What can I say, I was at a loss for words. Training took over and I processed it like any other domestic, checking for signs of violence, any visible need for medical attention, kids or other people in the house etc..., the whole time this little voice inside my head is screaming "I can't believe this, Just can't believe it!"
As it turns out no physical violence had taken place, and he's actually the one who called us when he saw where things were heading. I promised him I wouldn't repeat any of our conversation, and to be honest I haven't even told my supervisors about it, but we did sit down and talk about what had happened and what started it and where it was heading. I suggested a marriage counselor, or a chaplain and we talked some more until I was satisfied that he wasn't going to do something crazy the moment he was alone. There's more to it, but I don't really want to put him out there, so you'll all just have to mind your own business. Needless to say, it gave me a lot to think about.

Two nights ago it was cold and rainy, last night it was cold and rainy, but today!!! That's right, it's cold and sunny.

I think this weekend I'll go through and catalogue both of the personal effects that I'm having shipped to my next residence. Living in a barracks, I don't really own a lot of personal stuff.
As a precursor, here's a rough list:

1) Old laptop
2) Old desk chair
3) Used folding homework table 2'x2.5'
4) X box
5) JVC T.V.
6) Sony DVD player
7) Epson Stylus cx4600 printer/scanner/copier
8) One Ansel Adams print
9) Three unknown artist's paintings
10) Lots and lots of books
11) Small book shelf 2'x3'
12) folding poker table that sits on top of the folding homework table.
13) Laptop surround sound speakers
14) vacuum cleaner
15) Folding Papa-San chair

I'll be back in the states towards the beginning of next month. Also, my kid brother's getting married! My other brother is thinking of wearing his uniform to the wedding and I was asked if I would too, but I don't know if I should. After all, the attention is supposed to be on the groom and if I'm walking around in my dress whites...

My friend and I ate Yakiniku the other night. It's a great idea where you roast your meat at your table over an open flame, but somehow it just seems to fraught with lawsuit possibilities to ever catch on in the states.

I'm in a new section today and it's pretty interesting. My partner is someone I've never worked with, but so far things are working out pretty well. She's been in the Navy a bit longer than I have so she calls the shots and I just sort of sit back and let her do all the talking. She doesn't like the section very much and wants to switch out to a different one, but somehow I think she's a bit to valuable for our section leaders to let go.

Some friends and I at the Cherry Blossom Festival.
I'm the big square jaw in the background.
The quality of this pic isn't the greatest, but you can see it's actual size HERE.