Happy 4th of July

I am so excited I could barely sleep.  This is the first time in forever, that I have a three day weekend in Iraq.  We usually have one day off and even two day weekend is rare.  Where else can you go when you live and work in the same spot.  Of course I'm using the time to catch up on my long list of to dos.  Writing this blog is one of them, go figure.

I am planning to teach the thriller routine after taking about 2 full weeks to learn it.  This will be fun.  It will take patience I hope I will be OK.  I learned it using several techniques not every one of the youtube video worked so I used many sources.  Here's my favorite one for the first part:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFEu2vd0nPk

Second part from the Chorus where Michael starts singing, this one shows it step-by-step
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2Ba9HdCOec

Finally, how it should look like - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55h-XfjNO24
Of course watching the actual video helps but with the special effects you don't see each dancer's moves as clearly.

Saturday is the BBQ 4th of July party and Karaoke party.  I guess coming to Baghdad I developed a new hobby - singing, thanks to the Church choir.  I also got to strengthen my tennis so I'm quite happy about that as well.  I can't let go of the tennis now since I get great exercise provided I take it easy and don't get too much to the competitive level.

Next is surveying my room before packout. I don't have a lot of stuff but I wonder how much total pounds I've accumulated.  I've already sold some at two Swap parties (community garage sale) I guess.  Being in Baghdad I can see the glimpse of my lifestyle in a fishbowl.  I'm active in the community but I need time to recharge and unwind.  There's no other way to thrive here and I'm grateful for the many options from singing, exercise, to partying...there's something for everyone here on a smaller scale.  I spent every weekend at the salon and of course, I never miss a garage sale.  I guess it's my way of handling things that come and go in my life.  It is a life style.

Well now that I've dumped some thoughts out, I'm going to move to the next thing on my list which isn't as fun:  laundry.