Well we can all see that blogging is not my gift.  It seems as spring and most of summer have past me by without a post.  Of course I could blame this on my enjoyment of the outdoors not leaving me much time to sit in front of a computer.  Anyway I just wanted to share my mailing address with all my xanga friends so that you can write me overseas.  Remember it only cost one stamp to reach me just like mailing anything here in the states.  Just so you know mail takes 1-2 weeks to reach me and 3-5 weeks to reach you so the turn around time per letter is slow.  I plan on replying to letters within a few days of receiving them.  I should have time to write.  Please keep me in touch with your lives as I won't be able to read xanga.  Also send me what God is doing in your lives and any spiritual encouragement.  To be honest I am nervous about my departure and tour.  Any prayers for safety, strength, and reliance on God would be awesome.

Suzy

Address:
Susanne Mason
73 EACS/LGKG
APO AE 09355

Colorado

Yeah, so it has been a long while since I posted.  Oops!  I have been living at camp and enjoying it.  Life there has a very nice pattern to it which leaves me with little to post.  I do realize that Tricia seems to come up with many exciting and funny stories, I am just not quite that creative.  Anyway enough of my lame excuses about not posting.  This past Friday Mike Krause found out that his friend would not be able to go with him on a vacation to Colorado they had been planning.  Rachel Knoll stepped in and invited me on the trip.  There were many logistical problems to me taking off on Saturday to go to Colorado for a week, but some how Rachel always had a solution.  The vacation consisted of hanging with Mike's family in Colorado and skiing.  I don't ski or at least not in the mountains or even very often in Minnesota.  Kay lent me a bunch of her skiing clothes and off I was sent to Colorado.  I have to say I was extremely nervous about skiing, but the draw of Colorado and the mountains over came my fear.  After two days of skiing at Copper mountain I am still not a skier, but I had such a blast I might have to plan a trip of my own.  I only fell once but that might be because I brought out the old snow plow like it was the fashionable thing to do.  I even went down some blue runs and fell in love with skiing in powdery snow.  The best part was that Mike's family didn't care that I am not talented at skiing.  They just skied in the woods and went over jumps as I made my way weaving down the greens.  My body is completely sore and today is a day of rest and relaxation before the long drive back tomorrow.  I also get to send off my closing work on my house today.  By tomorrow I should no longer be the proud owner of a house, but a debt free woman!  Which is a good thing when you volunteer at camp. 

Tumors?

I am not a big fan of cold, but I do enjoy snow.  I had so much fun walking the dogs today.  No one had been out in the park since the snow started and I felt like a pioneer.  It was a lot of work walking through the snow with big boots on.  Bryr and Bailey loved it.  Bailey has problems collecting snow in all her long fur.  By the end of the walk she had large snow balls all along her belly and back legs.  They reminded me of tumors.  I tried to get them out before she went in the house, but it wasn't possible so she brought a little moisture into the house.  Dad said she was just acting like a humidifier.  My feet had different thoughts whenever I stepped in one of her puddles.

Five Random Facts:

1. I hate sleeping alone.  I am so use to having Bryr who snuggles at my feet.  My roommate, Tristan, gave me a stuffed Pooh bear a few years ago for my birthday and I like to snuggle with him too, especially when I am away from Bryr.

2. I love going for long walks/hikes in wooded areas, especially when Bryr can come with.  While in Japan I would get up early so that I could walk to a nearby mountain, hike up it and walk back before I went to work.  It was a nice way to start the day except that usually it was really hot and humid even at 6am and I was totally soaked by the time I made it back to base.

3. I have a hard shell where I appear really tough, but it is very thin and I am an emotional girl underneath.  I cry a lot, Bryr can tell you.  He is always there to cry on during an emotional breakdown.  If anyone ever needs to borrow him let me know.

4. When I get really angry I have a mad walk.  Those who have seen it know to stay away and that I need to burn off some anger.  Usually it only takes a few miles and by the time I turn around and walk back I am ready to face the situation logically. 

5. I got Bryr when he was five weeks old (to young for anyone who knows anything about dogs.)  He has been my baby since.  I love him almost as much as my family.  Not that this information is an unknown fact, but I like to share and remind everyone what a great dog he is.

Longer Needles

So, not much has gone on in my life lately and that would be why I haven't posted.  I did want to inform all of you who do not read the newspaper that doctors are having to create new longer needles.  Peoples' butts are too big for current needles to make it through the fat and hit the muscle for such shots as penicillin.  Gross.  If only more people enjoyed horseback riding they would keep their butts smaller to fit into saddles and not kill the horse they are riding.

This weekend is time for guards again which means no father/daughter for me.  I am very jealous of all you who get to be at camp this weekend.  Even my dad is going.  Have fun and keep warm.

This past weekend was a drill weekend where I get to spend Saturday and Sunday honing my military skills.  Or maybe just walking around base trying to look busy.  Either way it takes up the whole weekend.  Then on Monday I packed up and drove to my parents house in the cities.  I think I will be chilling here for awhile so if anyone gets bored feel free to call me up.  When I arrived at the parent's house Tricia was still visiting so we had a nice family meal (minus Michelle and her husband Nate).  Anyway Tricia told me to update my Xanga so she doesn't have to hear about my life fourth or fifth hand.  And that folks is why I am writing today.  I tried to explain to her that little to nothing is going on in my life and that it would be boring to post, so for all you who have just read this I apologize.

Have a wonderful week.