Yes, we are called Kir-Kooky's by our colleagues in Baghdad because those who work here truly believe their work has a direct impact on the ability of the different competing groups to come together in a common bond...yeah, not so much the opinion of those at the Embassy in Downtown Baghdad. They think they work in the primary seat of power. I really don't know who's work is most impactful, but I do appreciate the dedication to the cause of my Kirkuk colleagues. They have earned my respect and I'm proud to be here with them.
There are less than 20 of us, only 3 of us are women. Every single person adds something unique to the group dynamic and when one or two are absent there is a gap, having one half of our group away from us for a week seemed like such a long time. So, yes, we (mostly the ladies who are more social) anxiously awaited the arrival of the rest of our team
They were traveling by convoy which can be dangerous. Because we don't really have the most secure communications we don't talk on the phone and say "we will be at xyz at exactly 4 o'clock." Due to many issues we did not even know if they would be coming today, tomorrow or the next. Their trip was delayed several times then finally one afternoon we get word "they're on their way!"
"Well, what time do you think they'll get here?"
"Could be 7 p.m., could be 8:30 p.m. Not sure."
"DFAC closes at 8:00, if they don't get here soon they're not going to get any dinner."
So several of us sit around holding our phones (that only work when you are outside of a bldg or right next to a window) and we wait. We might have to go to the chow hall and get a bunch of to go trays full of anything. They will need someone to get them to their CHU. We wait. And we keep waiting.
Finally I heard third hand that the guys were at the billeting office, getting their CHU keys. Since we are all sharing vehicles my friend and I hop in and race to the billeting office. We pick up another on the way.
When we pulled up several of them were standing around wearing their combat vests, carrying guns, all kinds of gear, hot, dirty and hungry...but I saw the grins they tried to hide behind tough-guy coolness - they missed us, too.
The Kirkooky's are all together again.
There are less than 20 of us, only 3 of us are women. Every single person adds something unique to the group dynamic and when one or two are absent there is a gap, having one half of our group away from us for a week seemed like such a long time. So, yes, we (mostly the ladies who are more social) anxiously awaited the arrival of the rest of our team
They were traveling by convoy which can be dangerous. Because we don't really have the most secure communications we don't talk on the phone and say "we will be at xyz at exactly 4 o'clock." Due to many issues we did not even know if they would be coming today, tomorrow or the next. Their trip was delayed several times then finally one afternoon we get word "they're on their way!"
"Well, what time do you think they'll get here?"
"Could be 7 p.m., could be 8:30 p.m. Not sure."
"DFAC closes at 8:00, if they don't get here soon they're not going to get any dinner."
So several of us sit around holding our phones (that only work when you are outside of a bldg or right next to a window) and we wait. We might have to go to the chow hall and get a bunch of to go trays full of anything. They will need someone to get them to their CHU. We wait. And we keep waiting.
Finally I heard third hand that the guys were at the billeting office, getting their CHU keys. Since we are all sharing vehicles my friend and I hop in and race to the billeting office. We pick up another on the way.
When we pulled up several of them were standing around wearing their combat vests, carrying guns, all kinds of gear, hot, dirty and hungry...but I saw the grins they tried to hide behind tough-guy coolness - they missed us, too.
The Kirkooky's are all together again.
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