Ra's Life

In prep for going to Iraq, they stab your finger and drop enough blood to cover two quarter sized circles on a collection paper for registering oe's DNA. OK, so we don't really want to think about that too much, but it is one of the many steps to going to Baghdad. Other prpe included taking a diplomatic security training course which included shooting an AK-47 (and other weapons), witnessing explosions of blasting caps and C-4 (and other explosives), having a 12 hour training course in emergency medical practice - such as treating a penetrated chest wound (and other injuries), and practicing with a bioweaons gas mask.

With that fun over, I'll actually be doing office work when I get to Baghdad at the USAID mission. I've got a new digital camera and will take pictures of everything I am permitted to, so watch this spot!