Dispatches from a go-gettin journalist. Because not all Army wives live behind the lines...

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Wedding!

Tonight will be the first wedding that Superman and I are attending since our own wedding! Well, only if  you don't count the random destination wedding that we crashed at our honeymoon....



The random wedding in Belize we watched from our honeymoon hotel room balcony. No idea who these people are, but I still managed to cry from beginning to end.


So scratch that. This will be the first that we are actually invited to.

We're not in the wedding (whew! We know too well the work involved to pull one of these bad boys together). I'm really excited to kick back tonight, take a lot of pictures, and dance dance dance!

Given the group of friends that's getting together tonight, I expect to have a few memorable stories to share. Only if they're PG, that is.

Stay tuned!

Friday, May 6, 2011

Foot in Face

You know that empty pang in your heart that you get when you haven't seen a good friend in a really long time? I've been getting what I call "I-miss-your-face" symptoms more frequently nowadays since it's been nearly half a year since I've seen one of my best friends, Darcy.

Well, I had to put an end to that, asap. I called that little lady up and walked this woman through setting up Skype (life saver!). And we had the time of our life catching up!

Now, if you read Darcy's account, you'll see she missed a crucial element. So I'm here to set things straight.

Superman would NEVER be the first to "foot in face" Darcy. Of course, he would only "foot in face" if preempted. See visual evidence here:


Darcy's piggly wigglies make their Skype debut!



Right back atchya!!!

From Manhattan to Iowa, with love ;)



Thursday, May 5, 2011

Disappointment

I never imagined how much this this city would change me. People don't come to Manhattan to cruise -- they're here to chase and climb. The energy, ambition, and competition is extraordinary. This city has showed me a whole new meaning of success.

I've certainly tried to give the Apple the best of what I've got to offer. And sometimes I wonder how many times I've got to be stomped on in this town before I'm cut some slack.

I put in for a job a few weeks ago and found out that I didn't get it today. I know in any other town I would've gotten it, no doubt. But this is the Apple. And I think I haven't found the right formula for success just yet.

I'm totally bummed, and glad I'm taking a hiatus from the rat race this weekend.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Books Books Books!

Here are a few books I've read lately that have helped me grasp military culture from a spouse's perspective.



"Standing By," Alison Buckholtz 


"The Army Wife Handbook," Ann Crossley & Carol A. Keller


"Under the Sabers," Tanya Biank


I need more great books to read! Got any recommendations? Share the wealth!


Monday, May 2, 2011

9 Years, 7 Months, and 21 Days

Life was so different.

And today, as a Muslim, Military wife, and Manhattanite, every day since September 11, 2001 has challenged everything I ever thought I knew then.

I could explain it -- but it would take me a provocative front cover, edge of your seat back cover, and many chapters in between...

Sunday, May 1, 2011

"The Other Woman"

If you're married to a Soldier, you know that the inner circle you think you've created, also known as "marriage," is really a triangle. Because just as long as your Soldier is in it, the military will always be, "the other woman."

In fact, there will always be one person in the military -- whether it's an XO, a battalion commander, or even just a good buddy -- to whom your Soldier will beckon at every call. And in the military, that "call" most likely means no spouse allowed.

We definitely have one of those. Let's just call our triangle completer... C.B.I.

Superman describes C.B.I. as almost inhuman. At first, I thought Superman was a little loony. Until a couple years ago when I met C.B.I. I realized - it's no lie. The man walks with purpose. And when he speaks to you in a crowd, the whole room disappears. Many times I wonder what his wife must be like. I mean really now, it's one thing to be married to a Superhero, but an X-men?

The good and bad of it all is that C.B.I has taken Superman under his wing.

(No, C.B.I. doesn't really have wings... I think.)

Every so often, C.B.I will appear back in our life, and give Superman an offer he can't refuse. And the bad part is sometimes, Superman doesn't. A few times, it landed us in a relationship conundrum because the decision was made before I could even chime in. I thought the "other woman" should just be quiet background noise, but initially it started to have more clout than the Superwife! You betchur bottom that didn't last too long.

Still, every now and again, when the phone jingles with the special C.B.I. ring -- or during a public event when C.B.I. scoops Superman away to talk business -- I can't help but get a little anxious about what new obstacle course adventure "the other woman" will be throwing our way.