I got anxiously in my dress blues, ready to finish this sign-out process and leave. I was able to get a duty driver to the post office. It cost me $50 to mail home 2 boxes and a suitcase. I finished the check-out at 9, and when I got back at 12:48, I hadn’t missed much. Baker came by, so I went to the pier. She wanted me to dance with her. We went to get pizza for starters. We went on stage to dance, and Jamal came up behind me talking about rhythm, well, you better get your rhythm out [off] of my ass. We watched some girls dance, and some guys almost got into a fight.

I remember drinking a cup of someone’s beer but had to be back by midnight. I watched Without a Paddle for a while before finally taking my seabag, book bag, garment bag, teddy bear, and record down. The bus got there, we loaded up and took the 45-minute drive to the airport. My bags were so heavy. I had a Cinnabon, and our flight left at 6:50 am. We got to Memphis, TN, at 8:40. My left ear hurt. We were forming up, and we went over to a Marine who started bitching about getting in ranks.

We signed in and went to baggage claim. He was doing circles around us, keeping us herded like cows. We waited at least 30 minutes. My back hurt so much, but the weather is so nice. I called Tiffany and told her that the area going towards base [IWTC (Information Warfare Training Command) Corry Station] reminds me of Rundberg [a street in North Austin]. She was happy for me and can’t wait to come for spring break.

They drove us over 5 at a time. I got room 104, not too far to carry everything. I opened the door on my roommate’s face, only one roomie, she had her stuff on my bed. I put my stuff in and, of course, went for the all-calming cig. Then I had to go to a brief. We were in the middle of a base tour when most split for food. I slept from 4-9 pm, so I didn’t get linen. Howard is my roomie’s boyfriend, and he came in. I had to muster at 7:30. I went back to bed and slept till 3:30 pm. I sleep through everything. I found my phone on the floor with the battery out.

My room has so much space. I have a walk-in closet, a secretary with drawers, and foot lockers under my bed. I stayed in the lounge and smoke deck literally all night. Me and Dewey watched South Park at 1 am. I talked to Neal and watched VH1 till 4:30 am. After muster at 7:15 am, I went to the Welcome Q and got my linen, but no pillow. Somehow, I managed to stay up till 2 pm. As soon as I tried to sleep, I got 4 phone calls: Tanya, Mom, Tiffany, and Andy. I finally set my alarm for 5 pm and didn’t wake up till 8 pm.

I had to muster in 15 minutes, so I got dressed. I slept through chow or getting my pillow. I’m done cleaning, not gonna iron, I’ll study for 10 minutes and still need a shower. I’ve seen Fields and Nolan from boot camp. Most of the people are at NAS (Naval Air Station), about 3 miles from here. I should be seeing them this weekend or next for sure.