Today in visiting blogs participating in Pink Saturday I found Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer Reads and she is hosting a Spring Reading Challenge.
"What fun!" I thought as I a stack of books stare down at me in disappointment since I should have been doing homework. Yes, I should not be on the computer playing, when my master's exam is merely days away, but this would make the reading more fun right!?!
So here is the information:
Challenge: Spring Reading Challenge 2009
Start date: March 20, 2009
Finish date: June 20, 2009
Hosted By: A Southern Daydreamer Reads
Rules:
1. Make a list of books you want to read this spring.
2. Write a post with your list on your blog. (You can add to or change this list at any time during the challenge)
3. Please post the direct link to your Spring Reading Challenge 2009 post. (so that other participants can visit and see what you are reading)
4. You can write another post in June to let everyone know how you did.
I will compile a list and update it soon, but for starters, here is what I have to read for school (its a master's in Military History):
1. The American Way of War: A History of United States Military Strategy and Policy (by Russell Weigley)-COMPLETE
2. The Warrior Image: Soldiers in American Culture from the Second World War to Vietnam (by Andrew Huebner)-COMPLETE
3. Passage through Armageddon: The Russians in War and Revolution (by Bruce Lincoln)
4. A Stillness Heard Around the World: The End of the Great War (by Stanley Weintraub)
5. Hitler's Army: Soldiers, Nazis, and War in the Third Reich (by Omer Bartov)- COMPLETE
6. War Without Mercy: Race & Power in the Pacific War (by John W. Dower)
7. Why the Allies Won (by Richard Overy)- COMPLETE
8. After Tet (by Ronald H. Spector)
9. The Limits of Air Power: The American Bombing of North Vietnam (by Mark Clodfelter)-COMPLETE
10. On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society (by Dave Grossman)
11. Wartime: Understanding and Behavior in the Second World War (by Paul Fussell)
I'll try to post a review as I read them, but the school books will be all at once, as soon as testing is done ... Some are not that bad! Take some time and visit Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer Reads to learn more and to sign up! Off to read some more ...
Until our next cup of tea ...
Editor's note: Original post 3.29.09 @ 5:00 a.m.
March 29, 2009
A Challenge Accepted ...
March 27, 2009
It's so hard to say goodbye ...
So Wednesday was my last day at work ... "Why?" you might ask. Well, we got orders, we are moving! Yeah! While I am quite excited to be going somewhere now after 5 years, it was really hard to say goodbye.
Monday they had my farewell luncheon. Yes, it was two days before my last day, but I knew everyone would be there and I wanted my last day to be a quiet one ... which it was, but more on that in a minute.
So George (husband) and KG (co-worker, neighbor/adopted sister) were my special guests. I was actually surprise George went because he too was getting ready to had his Soldiers and shop off to someone else, but he was there.
We met at the "new" local restuarant. it's not really new, but it is at a new location. There were commanders and FRG Leaders who I'd worked with in the MP Bn as well as FRSAs from other units.
So brief overview, I am a Family Readiness Support Assistant, which is basically part liaison between commander leadership and Families, part adminstrative assistant to FRG leaders and (in my case) a universal shoulder to cry on. The Army has madated that each deployable battalion have one of these "Family reps" to assist Families before, during and after deployments. (Note: Not all are military Family members ... but I think it helps to know what they are facing!)
O.k. back to the luncheon. So after we order the Rear Detachment Commander, who I am happy to call my friend as well, leaves and comes back in with a large frame and very cute "Viper" green tote.
So they do the presentation adn present me with a set of Battalion colors (the unit's flag). Here it is ...
It was great and I am so greatful for all the well wishes. We are only a few weeks away from moving, but for the next 6 days I will concentrate on homework, because my exit exam is Wednesday. After that I'll be posting more!
Until our next cup of tea ...
March 18, 2009
I’m not qualified to serve coffee …
It’s no laughing matter … though many of the Soldiers at the MP unit where I work seem to think so.
I got a call today from one of the Major’s spouses in my husband’s unit. The Battalion commander is leaving and we are having a farewell for the commander’s wife. I assured her I would be there as well as what dishes I would be bringing. She then began talking about those who would be there and who wouldn’t be. Now, both of these Major’s wives as well as the commander’s wife are ladies I feel comfortable talking to. We’ve shared a lot of laughs over the past two years, especially in the recent deployment.
Though I am not the “class clown” I am know for making people at ease with my antidote stories and comical remarks … though for the life of me I don’t know why people find me amusing.
So as we talked, she told me that she had enough spouses to serve tea but not punch, so I offered to help. It seemed logical enough. However, she said I was a Captain’s wife and therefore was suppose to serve tea …
“What! I joked, "I can only serve based on my husband’s rank?”
“Oh, yes,” she replied laughing and then set out to explain.
At a tea and coffee social service is according to seniority. I think it’s because like in a tea party, being allowed to serve is deemed an honor.
The rank order goes coffee, then tea, then punch. Depending on the level of function is who is allowed to “pour”. So at a battalion level the Lieutenant Colonel’s wife is the guest of honor, along with her special guests. So then the Majors’ wives pour the coffee, and Captains’ wives pour the tea. The punch is poured by the First Sergeant’s wives. But the dilemma was that none of the First Sergeant’s wives were attending.
“Where do you learn all of this? Is there a book, or it is like parenting and you just make it up?” I exclaimed.
“Oh, when your husband gets promoted you get various books,” she explained, still laughing at my astonishment (and probably my parental reference since we don’t have children yet and I’ve joked about that a time or two with her.)
“You mean I have to study to be an Officer’s wife? More than for my master’s?” I joked.
She laughed some more … I really think she has the greatest laugh. She reminds me of my aunt Laura who is very prime and proper and whom I strive to be like, but I digress.
After a few minutes of assuring here that I was not a drink snob, nor would I be offended if I were to pour the punch, I verified when I needed to arrive and bid her farewell.
Still thinking it was the funniest thing, I sat down and talked it over with the MP’s Rear Detachment Sergeant Major (we share and office), who hadn’t heard about it. Goodness, who knew.
Here I am, an avid collector of teacups and quite fascinated with the customs and traditions of both tea and military having done a bit of research, but now I find that I've bearly started. I am anxious to see what other customs and courtesies I will uncover in the next few years. Hopefully, until then, I won’t mess up too bad!
Until our next cup of tea …
*** Editor’s note: Since my husband is in an infantry unit, which is strictly male Soldiers I can say wives, but the “proper” term is spouses as well do have male spouses in the Army.
March 10, 2009
A little 'face time" with Sgt. Major
I'm slowly by surely getting my long list of reading done so I can graduate with my master's this May, but I took some pics of the pup on a hurried trip to Houston at the beginning of the month and wanted to share ...
Until our next cup of tea ...
