8/7/90

I awoke about 5:00 AM. Finally got up at 5:30 AM, took a shower, and brushed my teeth. Didn't shave (that's three days now). We heard on the radio, that the UN Security Council voted to invoke the sanctions against Iraq. We also heard about all the ships heading to the Persian Gulf. We may see fireworks yet. I can't see Saddam Hussein budging.


Sylvia's embassy told the Filipinos to get a bag packed. They may go for the Saudi border. We gave her our phone number. Maybe if they go, she can call you to let you know we're fine, for the moment. I really get angry about being here.

Mario and Adrian went out this morning and brought back milk, cereal and fruit. They went out again for some bakery bread. Danny left for his place. I think he's coming back, but he thinks we'd be safer in his home. I think a move like that is too risky. I don't know how we'll get out of here. We're probably a mile or so away from the beach. The gulf road, with steady Iraqi troop movement, is in between. Our destiny is in God's hands. It has always been that way. Now it seems time is slipping. If I survive, will I be different? I'll be older, maybe even wiser. Will this ever be behind me?

Danny's back. He smokes. I almost bought a carton of cigarettes the first time we went to the market. Everyone tries to occupy themselves, reading, music, staring at the ceiling. It's pretty boring. Our highlight is listening to BBC radio every hour. Yesterday, I did aerobics with Sarah and Claudette. I'm a little sore today. We also try the phone once in awhile, for something to do. That faint hope, that just once, an international call will go through. We haven't been able to get through to the American Embassy since the first or second day. This sucks! Time to pluck the guitar. Maybe I'll make up a song.

1145 hrs. We were watching the last MASH episode (appropriate). I didn't plan on hanging out for the end. But.... First, something on the floor in my bedroom moved. I had the lights off cuz there's no curtains on the window in the room where my mattress is. It was big enough to catch my eye. I turned on the light. It was under my sheet. A big freakin’ cockroach. I killed it. Shook out all my bedding. Moved my mattress onto a wood table. Then... The gunfire started again. S@#t! There goes the stomach. It will probably be another restless night. God, please get us out of here.