As we wrap up our time in Camp Taji - I find myself torn. I am really ready to go home, but I've grown close to the members of the 165th. It's amazing how quickly friendships evolve - especially in the middle of a war. I really think I've made lifetime-friends at Camp Taji.

Colonel Beau Bradford invited Eric and I into a super-secret meeting. Of course - we didn't get to stay for the "super-secret" part. haha. However, at the beginning, he called us up - and recognized us as the first news media outlet to visit Camp Taji. He gave us both certificates, army caps, LA National Guard pocket knives, and LA National Guard commemorative coins. We were truly touched.

Everyone at home can really be proud of our men and women in uniform. We captured more stories than we'll be able to air during our time in Iraq, so plan to see some more stories when I return to our studios.

As always - thanks for checking out the blog, and thank you for your support. When I return home (and have all of my paperwork together) I'll post the mailing address for our soldiers at Camp Taji. It's truly moving to see how excited they get when they get packages and notes in the mail - so, I'll post their information so anyone at home who may want to send something can.
To the 165th: thank you for what you do, and thank you for being such wonderful hosts.

I feel so fortunate to have met you all.

We're nearing the end of our time here at Camp Taji. This has been a wild ride. We still have a few days left, but I think being here has given me a whole new appreciation for our troops and what they do. It's really hard to believe, after being here for a while, that ANYONE would volunteer to fight a war. The fact that they do makes them heroes.

Today is Sunday, and it's a beautiful day - by Iraqi standards. The sun is out, the sky is clear, it's about 120 degrees. What more could you ask for, right? haha. It's really hot. Kind of "hard to explain in words" hot. We're drinking plenty water, and we're doing our best to find shaded areas - and those are generally beside buildings. However, to my surprise, we have found some trees! There are a few palm trees, and we've seen some other trees that I can't quite identify (no one else seems to know what they are either).
I sent back a video tour of our "pod". It's the place Eric and I have been calling home. Of course, nothing quite feels like home here.

We'll head out sometime this week - and we hope to make it home in time for Mother's Day... If you're reading this blog and didn't know - it's a week from today. Make sure you've got that one taken care of. My mom has already reminded me a few times - so I'm going to have to do everything I can to make it back to Louisiana in time to see her and my grandmother.

I check on my grandmother in Lafayette just about everyday - and she has her prayer group going for me. I tell you what - it must be working. We were bombed more than 40 times in Baghdad - and we're ok, and now we're in a much safer area.

Hello from Camp Taji. We have been working so hard, and we've really learned a lot about the military and about life over seas. It's a totally different experience - and I'm glad I've been able to live like a soldier. I'm also glad that I'll be able to go home to see my family soon.

Today we travelled into an Iraqi village with soldiers from the 165th. They handed out school supplies and toys to children there. We also got to meet the Sheik. It was an incredible experience. The Iraqi children were so affectionate - and said "I love you" a lot. They also wanted anything and everything we had - including candy, cameras, etc. haha. It was kind of funny.

What was sad, though, were their living conditions. It's definitely 3rd world. Sewerage is out in the open and there's trash everywhere. However, the Sheik told me that Americans have really been helping him to get his village cleaned up and helping him to train residents for work.

It was an amazing experience.

Our e-mail and internet connections here are very limited, so my blogs have been also - and for that I appologize. We will keep you posted as much as possible. To all the parents and family members who've written in - thank you so much for your messages. We've been able to share your e-mails with the soldiers here - and your support really does mean the world to them.

Today, we have been working pretty hard. We're actually taking the afternoon off. I didn't really ask my bosses back in Baton Rouge. However, we haven't really had any sleep since last Wednesday. I think one day of rest won't really hurt.

We've had a really interesting time so far.

Last night - interviewing the Stevens brothers was very difficult. It was so awesome to let them talk back and forth with their family on LIVE TV. It was hard to keep my composure though. There was a lot of emotion here in Iraq after that interview.

Tonight - we have an interesting story about the Iraqi Army. We were able to tour their facilities here. Plus, I had the oppurtunity to get a tour of one soldier's bunk. You're going to be impressed with the facilities here. It's not a 5-star hotel, but as Rusty Johnston explains, it's better than the last time he was deployed to the Middle East. Time for some rest.

Thanks for reading.

We've been working really hard to get stories out of Camp Taji. We ran into some technical problems yesterday with transmitting our stories back to the US. Looks like we've been able to fix those problems, luckily. And the plan for tonight is to have a live shot on NBC33 tonight at 5pm Baton Rouge time.
I'm excited about the work we've been doing. Today - we were able to capture stories, and we've even been able to meet members of the Iraqi Army - who are doing some groundbreaking work here.

So - the majority of our work for today is already back in the US, which is good news.

It's a really nice day at Camp Taji. It's under 100 degrees, and you can see for miles. MUCH DIFFERENT from the sand storms we've been encountering day after day.

We're doing really well. And today, we moved into some new housing that's closer to the 165th's unit. I plan on giving you a tour of our living quarters early next week.

April 30, 2008 - Wow… I never thought I’d be so happy to move from across a war zone. As I reported, our flights were delayed, and eventually cancelled. We took a bus to Stryker stables to get a tent to rest. Thank God we did that. As we were resting – my cell phone rang. It was a Public Affairs Officer from Camp Taji. She’s also worked in television – so we can relate. She told me she’d arranged for a convoy to pick us up, and drive us across the war zone into Camp Taji. Driving clearly isn’t the best way to travel here. But, after delays, more delays, and then a few more delays, we were happy to just get out of Baghdad. Soldiers came to scoop us up in armored vehicles. I’m not sure of their exact names, but the vehicles have a gun on the roof and they’re pretty much indestructible. After facing off against sand storms and bombs, we like indestructible. In fact – bring on some more indestructible things, please.

The convoy was late to leave because there was some intelligence that insurgents were along our route and could possibly try to harm us. Lucky for us – the insurgents knew better to mess with us. Riding in an armored vehicle with machine guns strapped to it is a pretty empowering feeling – especially after feeling so weak for so many days. I’m no match for mortars, rockets, or sand storms… But I can handle insurgents from the inside of an armored vehicle.

The soldiers who picked us up run convoys often. It’s part of their mission. They’re so brave, and they went out of their way to make sure we felt safe. I have to tell you, crossing into the gates of Camp Taji was such an awesome experience. SO AWESOME. It’s quiet, there aren’t any bombs, and we have a building with solid walls to sleep in. I have been able to visit with some of the soldiers here, and they’re all so nice. Folks from Lafayette, Shreveport, Baton Rouge – all over the state. They’re excited to have us here – and I’m so excited that we’ll be able to tell their stories – and let them say hello to their families back home.

I’ve received so many encouraging e-mails from friends, my family, and from our viewers. Although I haven’t been able to respond to all of them – I want you to know, we’re going to go out of our way to get your family members on TV, and we’re going to make an effort to tell the stories of each and every person we encounter.

I have to say, I’ve got a new found respect for the men and women who serve in our military. Honestly, I can’t imagine working somewhere where I’d have to put my life on the line each and every day. I also can’t imagine having to stay out here in the Middle East for a year. They’re doing it, though. And (I hope it doesn’t sound corny) I am so honored to be hear with members of the military. I’ve covered military stories for years – but never have I actually been embedded with troops. This experience has really and truly been an eye opener. It’s also let me know that when soldiers say they’re fighting to defend my freedom – they really are. They really and truly are fighting and risking their lives.

Stay tuned, we’ve met some amazing people. We’re working on some amazing stories. And you’ll be proud that these brave men and women are our neighbors.

Another day, another travel delay. We’ve now been in the Middle East for six days, and, still, we’re not able to meet up with the Louisiana National Guard. There’ve been a number of reasons for our delays – and all are beyond our control. Today, we can blame it on the weather. Visibility is only one mile, and that’s because there’s been another sand storm. After midnight, we rode to BIAP – which is Baghdad International Airport – on a “Rhino.” It’s something we’d hoped to avoid - but it was really the only safe way for us to get here to catch a Blackhawk Helicopter. When we arrived, we were too early for our 8 AM check-in time. So – we had to wait outside. Yes, we waited outside for 6 hours … in the middle of a sand storm. We found some comfort by sleeping in a plywood box…it stopped the sand from getting into our noses and eyes. It was probably one of the most uncomfortable nights since we’ve been here – especially since we haven’t been able to shower in two days because of the bombings in Baghdad and our transportation. We and our gear are covered in sand. Luckily, we’ve been able to move inside – even though there are weather delays on our flights. My skin is brown – not from the sun, but from the filth. I have never wanted to take a shower so badly in my life.

Don’t feel bad for me though. There were also hundreds of soldiers sleeping on gravel and concrete – and in boxes like us. All of us are filthy and exhausted. The strange thing is – we’re only about 20 miles from where we’ve been the last few days. And in the center of Baghdad – we were constantly taking cover from incoming bombs. I even got hurt as I was running inside once – I fell and cut up my hands and both knees, and I think I’ve sprained my wrist. But hey – I didn’t get hurt by a bomb. So, it could have been worse, huh?

These things have really shaken me up, and I’m finding the soldiers here are taking everything in stride – although most are clearly frustrated with the travel delays. It’s not as hot as it has been – but the sand makes it just as miserable. There’s no running water here, so there are Port-O-Potties, and all of them are out of toilet paper. It’s mostly inconvenient because we’re having to blow our noses every 5 – 10 minutes to get all of the sand out.

I’d never seen sand storms before this week. They’re really quite amazing. Imagine the thickest fog you’ve ever seen – and it’s probably thicker than that. And, of course, instead of fog – it’s dirt… filthy dirt, flying through the air and sticking to everything in its path. It’s so disgusting.

I am quite sure we won’t fly out today, and if we don’t, we’ll have to figure out what we’re going to do. I really don’t want to sleep in a box again, and I want to brush my teeth and shower. Goh – I hope my mom isn’t reading this. Haha. On a more positive note – I did meet some soldiers from Louisiana. One from Baton Rouge, and one from Carencro – which is right outside of my hometown of Lafayette. Both work here in the transportation center. They’ve been really nice, and we were able to talk about home – that’s always comforting.

The closest showers, I just found out, are at Camp Striker. That’s a fifteen minute bus ride away, but if we leave – we may lose our chance for a flight if the weather clears. We’d also have to take our seven bags with clothes, cameras, computers, and body armor – and that’s just way too much to transport.

I’m going to stop writing now, because I’m being negative. I can really understand what soldiers go through though. They’ve been through this so many times – it’s a non-event. They weren’t scared by the more than 30 bombs that hit near our base in Baghdad, they’re not phased by the dust storms, and they’re OK with waiting on their flights. I guess, like them, as I go through this process more – I’ll become more used to it.

OH – another thing. There aren’t any public affairs officers here. So – we’re not able to even touch our cameras…that’s pushing our assignment WAY behind schedule. So – we are trying to figure out how we’ll continue to cover this story without video and without interviews. It’s time to put on my thinking cap – but I think it’s filled with sand too. Haha.

Another blog – and good news to report. Although we haven’t yet made it to our destination – we are safe. We survived the Rhino ride without incident. Eric and I were both able to get showers for the first time in two days. I never realized I took showers for granted. We are in the heart of Baghdad. It’s a little strange to be honest. We drove past blown up buildings – and different Shrines and Mosques that weren’t damaged. All of our travel has been in armored cars.

We’re now waiting to ship out to meet the guys in the 165th. Today, though, we were able to get out into Baghdad and get some cool pictures. We’ll have those on the news Monday night at 9 on FOX News Louisiana and at 10pm on NBC.

It’s my understanding we’ll be shipping out to Camp Taji pretty soon. We’re excited about that. Here – and everywhere else we’ve been – we haven’t really been able to use our cameras – or file reports. When we get to Taji – that will change. At least we were able to get some stories done today in Baghdad.

I stood in what used to be Sadaam Hussein’s parade grounds. It was a really incredible experience. There were at least as many lights there as there are at Tiger Stadium – and I feel certain that when there were events there – it was as bright as day light.

Let me tell you – someone told me the heat in Baghdad isn’t bad because it’s “dry heat.” HAHA! Today – the temperature got up to 110 degrees – and it was dry. But 110 is hot, humid or not. WOW! Especially with a helmet and 40 pounds of body armor on.

Today, we finally got a flight into Baghdad. I must say, it was one of the most exciting and terrifying moments of my life. We were required to wear bullet proof vests and helmets because we were flying over the “Red Zone.” It was scary enough knowing I was flying into Baghdad, but when military officials are going through the safety features of a C-130 and ordering you to put on bullet-proof gear – everything becomes a little more real.

We landed at BIAP, and we tried to catch a helicopter flight over to the area of Baghdad we needed to be. However, because of our luggage, cameras, and equipment – the helicopters couldn’t accommodate us. We had to walk down a gravel road at the airport in Baghdad to get to a bus stop – yes a bus stop at the airport. Eric Breaux (our videographer) and I sat at the bus stop alone for about 30 minutes. Several buses passed by, but none were labeled properly. Our goal was to get to Camp Striker – so we could jump on board the “Rhino” which only runs at night. If you’re wondering what a “Rhino” is – don’t worry, we did also. It’s a bullet proof bus – sort of an enlarged version of the armored trucks you see stopping in at banks.

“Rhino” transportation is less desirable because you’re more at risk to get attacked by insurgents here. And, even though the bus is armored – I wouldn’t want to test it’s abilities. Right now, we’re waiting for the “Rhino”, and it’s almost midnight. So – for about 10 hours, we’ve just been hanging out – and haven’t been able to find showers to use. We’re both a little cranky and both feel very tired and dirty. We did get to eat, though, so that’s good.

Hopefully, we’ll have an uneventful ride on the “Rhino.” Again, we’ll have to wear body armor, and again, we’re nervous – not knowing what to expect. Getting hooked up with the 165th has proven to be a very, very difficult mission. I’ve called the officers with the media relations office in Baghdad to let them know we’re here. They’ve already closed for the day, so we’re not sure what we’ll have to do – or where we’ll sleep once the rhino drops us off.

Nerves. That’s all I can say – nerves. I really didn’t think I’d be so nervous here. But, after talking with contractors and soldiers who are also waiting for the “Rhino,” I’ve grown even more nervous. They’ve all been talking about the multiple times they’ve been shot at, or had rockets launched at their bases – even over the past two weeks. At this point, I’m ready to get in – get our job done here, and get back home to the US. It’s comforting to know we’re only here for two weeks. I can’t imagine what soldiers must go through – knowing they’ll be out here for at least a year. Jets, planes and helicopters keep zooming by – and on an Army base – there’s little, if any, rest.

Camp Striker is much more rural than the base we were at in Kuwait. Although there’s food, and a Burger King (I know – fast food), there’s a much different feeling here. There’s a lot of construction here, and there aren’t any bathrooms. I’m not a huge fan of “port-o-potties” to begin with, but when it’s 107 degrees…WOW. That about sums it up. WOW.

That’s enough for now. Hopefully, the next entry will have tons of positive news, and great stories from our Louisiana National Guard. It’s clear everyone here is working hard – and what they’re dealing with has to be seen to be believed.