From: Hedlund, Kerstin L CPT RES USAR FORSCOM
[mailto:kerstin.l.hedlund@us.army.mil]
Sent: Thursday, September 03, 2009 10:06 AM

Ok, so I've arrived! ~Also know that I am tired and this is a random email~

We had a few delays in Kuwait that could have been so frustrating, but I just found them comical. It was like National Lampoon's Kuwaiti Family Vacation. Perhaps I'll try to call you later, if I can find a phone. Right now we have 10 computers for 310 people, so my access is limited. The rumor was we would have internet access in our quarters, but that might not happen for another 3 months. So, we'll see.

I am actually have a great time (and not so great time at times). There is an Air Force Lutheran chaplain that I just ran into today, and we're starting a liturgical service on Sunday. He got here 2 days before I did. (Phil-he went to Trinity and is a huge fan of Walt Bouman). Major Herrick's housing is right across the way from mine. My workspace is, uh, interesting...more to follow. It is extremely dusty here, but not as hot as Kuwait. It is amazing how many resources it takes to keep a place running that is closing...more to follow on that too. ~I wish I could speak to you in code~.

In some ways, this is like living the dream. I turn in laundry and 3 days later, I pick it up. Food is made for me, and I only have one small room to clean. On the other hand, it is extremely dusty and still hot (although not as hot as Kuwait) and the bathroom trailer is far from where I live.

Some of the unit got stuck at a small airport in Kuwait (I was one of them), but the brigade surgeon and I had a marvelous time without clean clothes, etc living in 130 degree heat for a few days (we really did). We laughed until she cried. I told her that she has to now write me a prescription for withdrawal, since I'm not with her 24-7. She calls me her jester. Unfortunately, she is on a 90-day rotation and won't be with us the whole deployment, but she is delightful.

It takes a long time to get things done here, so it seems like I am busy all day, but I get nothing done. I picked up laundry today and had such a sense of accomplishment for doing such a thing. I said that at home if all I did was a load of laundry in a day (and did it myself) that I would go to bed hating myself...here, when I pick up laundry it is a great day!

I'll write more once we get settled. For now, know that I'm here and it really isn't bad...yet. We'll see. I also stopped by an education center last night and discovered that the University of Maryland (Europe Campus) may use me to teach a few entry level religion/history classes starting in October. I don't know if my schedule will allow it, but if it does, I'll jump on that because it will be good experience.

I hope to talk to you soon. Please forward this message to anyone who may want to hear from me. I know Megan will and I have her address only in my yahoo address book. I can't get into that address book until I can get my personal computer running. So (Janelle) please shoot this Megan's way.

Kerstin

PS: My address is below

CH (CPT) Kerstin Hedlund 90th Sustainment Bde/STB APO AE 09391

(Please don't put the name of the base or the country on mail that you send. I know when I gave you the last address it had the base & the county. The unit wants that changed now and says teh APO number will be sufficient).

Statement of Our Faith