It got me to thinking about the friendships I've made and the work I've accomplished.

Hopefully, I've made a difference here in some small way. 

Three or so weeks to go... I'm going to miss a lot of things about this place.

I know, you're saying to yourself, "Yeah, so what?"  Well, it's a big deal for us here.  We don't get medical care for anything short of imminent death. 

So, free flu shots...

Well, us contractor-folk rushed over to get them.  We were an eager crowd, too.  Not the folks who look like they'd rather chew nails than be there.  Nope. We were laughing and joking.  Not quite giddy, but, hey, when you don't have access to medical care - you eagerly take what you can get.

The sucky thing is I just know that this isn't going to get into my Air Force Reserve record, so I'm going to have to get it again when I get home.  At least I'm covered until then, I guess.

But, I'm also tired because, over the last week, there have been several incidents where I pushed back on something and other people have gone around me saying, "well, you're leaving".  Yeah, I am. 

But, I'm still WORKING.

Unlike some folks who slack their last few days and weeks in country, I have some major projects that I need to keep track of.  Sure, I'm doing some turnover to the new Technical/Country manager, but, I still have to fill in the Enterprise Manager's position until he gets back at the end of the month.   And until I'm sure the new guy is comfortable with the day to day stuff, I'll keep in the loop with it all. 

I'm just frustrated and hurt more than anything right now.  It feels like there are some folks who are just waiting for me to go so they can change things up.  Things I've tried to work really hard on.  

I'm sure everything will look better tomorrow.  Things usually do after a good night's rest.

Know what time that is here? 

4 a.m.

Yep, I'll be setting my alarm to wake up for it.  I'll be there in spirit, if not in person.

Maybe.  But guys - you have us beat by a long shot.  Other than the whole "visual" thing for guys, there's a certain finickiness, too.

There's a beautiful woman that works here.  The guys all look at her appreciatively when she passes by because they admire how she looks.   But.  They can't get past what she does for work.

She escorts the local nationals who drive the waste water trucks.  To quote the guys expressing their disdain (edited because I'm a family friendly kind of person most of the time), "I couldn't date someone that's around crap trucks all day long."

So.  They admire her hotness but wouldn't go near her because of the job that she happened to be assigned.

Yeah.  That puddle isn't more than an inch deep.  Tops. 

I guess it's my turn.  I'm at the stage now where my nose is starting to run.  Sigh.  A few days of misery lie in my future, I believe.

http://kiersey.com describes my personality like this:

Providers take it upon themselves to insure the health and welfare of those in their care, but they are also the most sociable of all the Guardians, and thus are the great nurturers of social institutions such as schools, churches, social clubs, and civic groups. Providers are very likely more than ten percent of the population, and this is fortunate for the rest of us, because friendly social service is a key to their nature. Wherever they go, Providers happily give their time and energy to make sure that the needs of others are met, and that social functions are a success.

Highly cooperative themselves, Providers are skilled in maintaining teamwork among their helpers, and are also tireless in their attention to the details of furnishing goods and services. They make excellent chairpersons in charge of dances, banquets, class reunions, charity fund-raisers, and the like. They are without peer as masters of ceremonies, able to speak publicly with ease and confidence. And they are outstanding hosts or hostesses, knowing everyone by name, and seemingly aware of what everyone's been doing. Providers love to entertain, and are always concerned about the needs of their guests, wanting to make sure that all are involved and provided for.

http://typelogic.com describes the ESFJ like this:

Guardians of birthdays, holidays and celebrations, ESFJs are generous entertainers. They enjoy and joyfully observe traditions and are liberal in giving, especially where custom prescribes.

All else being equal, ESFJs enjoy being in charge. They see problems clearly and delegate easily, work hard and play with zest. ESFJs, as do most SJs, bear strong allegiance to rights of seniority. They willingly provide service (which embodies life's meaning) and expect the same from others.

ESFJs are easily wounded. And when wounded, their emotions will not be contained. They by nature "wear their hearts on their sleeves," often exuding warmth and bonhomie, but not infrequently boiling over with the vexation of their souls. Some ESFJs channel these vibrant emotions into moving dramatic performances on stage and screen.

Strong, contradictory forces consume the ESFJ. Their sense of right and wrong wrestles with an overwhelming rescuing, 'mothering' drive. This sometimes results in swift, immediate action taken upon a transgressor, followed by stern reprimand; ultimately, however, the prodigal is wrested from the gallows of their folly, just as the noose tightens and all hope is lost, by the very executioner!

An ESFJ at odds with self is a remarkable sight. When a decision must be made, especially one involving the risk of conflict (abhorrent to ESFJs), there ensues an in-house wrestling match between the aforementioned black-and-white Values and the Nemesis of Discord. The contender pits self against self, once firmly deciding with the Right, then switching to Prudence to forestall hostilities, countered by unswerving Values, ad exhaustium, winner take all.

As caretakers, ESFJs sense danger all around--germs within, the elements without, unscrupulous malefactors, insidious character flaws. The world is a dangerous place, not to be trusted. Not that the ESFJ is paranoid; 'hyper-vigilant' would be more precise. And thus they serve excellently as protectors, outstanding in fields such as medical care and elementary education.

I whipped around, ready to strike whoever was touching me and realized that it was a USMC Colonel that I chat with every now and again.  I dropped my fists and chatted for a minute with the Colonel, before he headed off to his office.

As my buddy and I made our last few steps to our office, I looked at him and said, "You know, I just came THIS close to getting fired today."  He laughed.  Mostly because we both knew it was true.