friend in Kuwait

[fflo]

Just had an e-mail from friend L., the biology Ph.D. student called up as a reservist. She's at Camp Doha, Kuwait. She included her snail mail address; any suggestions of what I might send her? I'm thinking of "treat" kind of items more than practical ones (like lip balm or a bulletproof vest).

Comments

[groovesinorbit]

Wow! Um, okay.

Is she a reader? Books are always good, at least in my opinion. Yummy snacks that will keep, candy. CDs are another option if she has a player. Make her a mix cd, maybe?

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[fflo.livejournal.com]

Good ideas! I don't know a whole lot about her taste in music, but she and her (German) gf used to do a killer lip synch and dance bit to Blondie's "Maria" (I think that was the song). Books, always good. But I wonder what she reads for fun.

This is the woman who used to go to the slaughterhouse down near Emporia to get eyes to practice her retina research on (the human ones being too valuable for casual cuttin' up). The story she told of going into the slaughterhouse with a machete, which the Mexican workers would fight each other to help her sharpen, is one my all-time favorite friend stories. Yep---she had to hack 'em right outta the hanging cow heads. She'd be wearing a coverall kinda thing (as you might imagine). I love how stalwart and matter-of-fact she'd be, knowing she needed the eyes to work on her efforts (in retinal tissue regeneration, as I recall) for the future good of people's vision. Plus the idea of this little boyish dyke appearing in that other-worldly context, and how she was warmly received there---I dunno. Just a good story. (And better when she told it.)

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[groovesinorbit]

That's a pretty amazing story. I have a vague thought that you've mentioned her before, but hadn't heard about that. My goodness.

The whole eye thing has me thinking medical/crime subjects. Perhaps some P.D. James would be good? Tony Hillerman? I always like his stories cuz (besides the good characters) he has the geography and culture down. I've been to a lot of the places he writes about.

Bill Bryson's always good, too. Being a midwestern, she might appreciate The Lost Continent. Walk in the Woods is also great. Oh, and that other one I got you when you had your surgery.

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[fflo.livejournal.com]

I think more than one book is the way to go. And in small paperback. I like your suggestions!

anderyn came by my desk to donate a sack o' Jolly Ranchers to the package.

I realize I don't know if she has CD-listening capacity.

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[groovesinorbit]

Jolly Ranchers are always good. I'm partial to Tootsie Roll Pops myself.

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[fflo.livejournal.com]

Yeah, but they get sticky, and sand might blow onto 'em. 'Sides, do we really want to add dozens of sticky Tootsie Roll Pop sticks to the piles and piles of trash we're leaving in Kuwait? ha ha ha

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[groovesinorbit]

HH

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[fflo.livejournal.com]

I love that you've adopted that image as an icon. It's so, uh, CELEBRATORY.

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[fflo.livejournal.com]

They have some seriously goofy-lookin' noses, the boys.