My life, present, and possibly future

Wow, I can’t believe it’s been so long!  I actually figured out tonight that I had let my diary expire, and I was logging into Open Diary with the popups.  I was going to complain about the popups, till I figured out that it was my own fault.  Then, when I re-upped my diary subscription, I found out that the price had gone down, so I signed up for another year.  So you all are stuck with me for another year.

I’ve been busy as a beaver lately.  Finishing up painting that townhouse has been taking a long time, since she moved in.  But I should be able to finish it up tomorrow night.  I just need to get my butt over there to do it.  I just have to do some edging on the ceiling in the basement, and two hallways, and 3 bathrooms.  That shouldn’t take long, right?  LOL  It’s been sitting like that for over a week now. 

I also started on remodelling one of the two bathrooms for another guy.  We built his shower last weekend, and just need to put the tile on it now.  Then we will start on the upstairs bathroom, which will take a little bit longer, because there is more to do. 

I’ve also been doing some work around the house here.  I installed hardwood floors in my roommate’s master bathroom, installed new light fixtures in two bathrooms, and over the kitchen table, and tonight, I painted her master bathroom.  We went out last week and bought tile to put in her bathrooms too, so I have a few more jobs to do before I am done here.  I also have paint to put on the walls in the bathroom the boys and I use. 

Then, of course, I’m still working down at the Marine base, which takes me an hour and a half to drive to, and an hour and a half to get home.  Back when I first started, in December, my car gave me some trouble, so I had to put a little bit of work into that just to get it going again.  It’s been running, but not at 100%.  One of these days I’m going to have to put some time and money into getting that running again.  The job has been going okay, but it’s nothing I would want to stay with long term.  It is a temporary position, so I am just using it to get back on my feet, which it has provided for.  🙂  I now need to focus on getting a transmission in my truck again.  One of the guys at work said he would help me remove and replace it, once I find another one.  So I’m thinking that is the route I’ll go, once I actually find one to put in it. 

Every once in a while, I am actually able to get online for a little while, and check email, read a little, and MAYBE even play a game or chat a little with some of my friends.  It’s been rough, let me tell you.  Usually, like tonight, if I have time to get online, it’s taking out of my sleep time.  Who needs sleep, anyway, right?  LOL

One thing I have been pondering, however, is a job lead I received through a friend of mine.  Everything sounds awesome about the job, except for one thing…  that would be location, location, location.  Yeah, the job is in Baghdad, Iraq.  BUT, before you all freak out, let me explain to you the perks of the job.  I’ve told a few of you, but most don’t know.  You have to keep in mind my situation, starting working again after 13 months of unemployment, and savings being down to nothing.  I have no “special someone” to stay here for (nothing personal to all of my loyal, loving friends).  Okay, here are the perks of the job.  First off, the money would be like a dream come true.  Starting base pay would be $125,000 per year, based on a 40 hour week, however, I would be working 12 to 14 hours a day, 6 days a week, which would mean between 3744 and 4368 hours per year.  That would work out to be approximately $225,014.40 to $262,516.80 per year.  That is if it is straight time pay.  If I get time and a half for overtime, that would increase quite a bit.  I just figured it out.  It would be $275009.60 to $331,263.20 per year.  Now, take into account the (approximately) $20K I am in debt right now (seems like nothing, doesn’t it?) and probably around $20K that I would spend while over there (probably much, much less, because I don’t know what I would spend it on over there)  and I could feasibly come home with well over $200,000 in the bank, and no debt.  Now, add on top of this the fact that this is tax free money.  Also add in the fact that this job would provide me with a security clearance, which would pretty much mean I would be able to find a decent paying job almost immediately upon my return, which would mean I would be able to keep most of that money in my own pocket.  Damn, that’s a mighty big carrot to dangle in front of me, don’t you think? 

Yes, I have had lots of concerns, questions, etc.  I have been asking LOTS of people their opinions on it, and I have received lots of strong opinions in both directions.  Except for the fact that I would be in danger, I would probably be working about the same amount of hours as I have been lately.  LOL  Of course, I would miss my friends and everything, but I would have much more time to enjoy them upon my return, than if I were to stay here doing things the way I have been lately.  I am almost 100% certain that I would have access to the internet, so I would be able to keep in touch, both on here and through email.  I would be living either on base, or in a hotel with other Americans.  I have also found at least one other person who would be interested in learning more and possibly going over as well.  My roommate’s uncle will be over there, too, whom I have met once, so we could get together sometimes and talk about her and the rest of my “family” here.  🙂   I also know that when overseas, people seem to become friends more quickly, too, so any kind of social life that I might have time for would not be a problem.  I do seem to make friends rather quickly, too. 

Anyway, my question for all of you is this.  What do you think?  Should I take the risks and enjoy a better life after a year of danger and hard work?  Or should I stay home, where it is relatively safe, and just try to make my life better here?  I will give some of the responses I have heard once I hear from some/most of you.  (or, the next time I make some time to get on OD)  LOL

Anyway, I hope everyone knows I think about you all, but I just haven’t had time to get online to tell you so, lately.  Hope to hear from you all soon.