I'm back...

I know it's been a while since I updated, but I finally got the chance to get to the internet cafe and start writing. As most of you know, I'm in Korea now. I'm still inprocessing, but I'm almost done. I found out a little about what I'll be doing once I'm up and running though. First, I'll be a producer in the Command Information section (that's the area that makes military commercials). Second, I'll be supervising one, if not two Airmen directly, giving me a leadership role - and one I've been wanting since I graduated ALS. Third, I'll be the assistant Assignments Editor, placing me in control of who shoots which news stories and giving out deadlines. None of these jobs are a far stretch from what I was doing in Japan, but now I'm working for the Army, and they run things a little differently.

I arrived in Korea Sunday, and my sponsors drove me to base. I got a little rinky-dink room in a building ten feet from my work building (making being late to work impossible). My first day on the job was Monday, but it was filled quicky with meeting and greeting everyone at the station. I also got some inprocessing done and got a post office box. You can send mail to:

SSgt Lance Heinzelman
Unit 15324
APO AP 96205-5324

Know that it takes mail about 2-3 weeks to get to me, so CARE packages shouldn't contain chocolate.
Speaking of chocolate, in an attempt to get into better (Army) shape and physical health, I've all but given up candy and sodas. I still snack on the occassional donut and cookie, but I think I'm done with candy for the time being. Sodas weren't all that hard, as I drink mostly apple juice, gatorade, and water anyway. Because I'm not allowed to drive, I've also been walking more. I think I averaged it out to about the same amount I walked while at Lajes.

I've also been given a room/apartment in a house. So, I have my own 9x7 bedroom, and a 9x3 kitchen/living room. I have a twin-size bed, a 7 drawer dresser, a small night table, a desk, a wall closet, and a refrigerator. All that, and I haven't even received my household goods shipment. Things are going to be tight when all that stuff arrives.

As far as work goes, I've heard a lot of things from a lot of people. Most of the folks here don't like it and can't wait to leave. I think it's just because of the fast pace and "interesting leadership" that's putting that sour taste in their mouths. Honestly, I'm going to do my best to schmooze and become tight with the leadership, so I can have a little more free range to do my own thing. Then I'll pass what I know along to the other troops, so they can learn to get along better. The job here is a pretty big one. AFN Korea Headquarters is responsible for the radio signal for all of Korea (except when the local stations have live programming), and their 5-minute newscast covers every base and post in Southern Korea. It's no 30-minute PAcific Report, but most, if not all, of the people here think 5 minutes is hard to fill. Just wait until they make it to an RNC (Regional News Center). :)

So far I've been to the Post Exchange, the Four Seasons, Military Clothing Sales, a Shoppette, and the food court since I've been here (all within a block of AFN), and now I've made it the three blocks to the internet cafe. I hope to have made it seven blocks by the end of the weekend. I have to get some stripes sewn onto my uniforms, and I would like to get the internet hooked up in my room. I bought a cell phone today, so I can make/receive important phone calls. I'll wait until I get an actual room phone before giving out the number. But back to the internet; I heard from one of the guys I work with, that there's a company here that makes internet phones, so I can get one and have a U.S. phone number while living in Korea. That means it's only local long-distance to call me vs. having to dial international. The same company sends a modem to a U.S. address, so if I get it and send the modem to Mom and Dad, I'll have a 317 area code, making it a simple local call from Indy, and local long-distance from Las Vegas or Florida (hint hint).

Alright, Ive caught everyone up on me. I've been in touch with Vanessa over the phone, and she's doing better. She had a very sad ting happen to her recently, but she's pulling through just fine. Don't ask, and don't go to her blog and ask. Just know that we're working together to make her feel better, and I believe it's working. Vanessa, if you're reading, ULI, and I know you'll be alright. Thanks for smiling so much for me (even if it's when you're laughing at that little incident with the Gatorade bottle). ULI!

I have an important shoot in the morning, so I'll sign off by saying SO FAR, Korea is an okay place to be. We'll see what happens, and I'm sure I'll tell you everything!

Almost done

I passed the Commander's Brief with FLYING COLORS! Staying up all night to put it together and fine tune it really helped. A quick prayer really gave me strength, too.

It seems that in my furious reading frenzy, I absorbed so much that I answered almost every question the instructors threw at everyone else, before they got the chance to ask me. In fact, the two instructors only asked me three questions, and the first one was, "Where would you like us to sit?" YEAH, that was one of the ONLY THREE questions. Everyone else in the class got hammered with questions, trying to trip them up, or see what they knew, but I only got THREE! I'm so excited, well, not really, but it was good to know I have a handle on things.
So let that be a lesson to all you college kids out there. Cram sessions can work, if you're used to them, and you can live on an hour of sleep. I don't recommend them, but they seem to work in my case. All that suffers is my sleep habit, but I usually take a long nap the next day and recover.

So, today's Thursday, I outprocess today and graduate tomorrow.