HELLLOOOO!!!!!

So this is blog 2 and I am so happy to write to you today!

This morning, Justin, Brandon and I went for breakfast at the D-Fac.
(dining facility) We had to be at the military airport at 7:00am for
our 9:00 flight on the blackhawk! We waited for two hours while
soldiers were trying to scare us about the helicopter ride! They sure
do have some great sense of humor out here! We had to put on some
gear before we entered the chopper, a 20 pound bullet proof vest and a
helmet. I was told that since I don't like to fly, to sit in the back,
and NOT by the door. We were on our way to two F.O.B's (forward
operating bases). The first one was called Maralis Frasier (im not
sure of the spelling).
We took off and I swear to God, it was the most amazing experience!
I would rather fly in a helicopter than a domestic place any day! The
take off and landing was definatley a new experience for me! We
landed at about 9:15am. We were taken on a tour of the base. It was
mostly a french driven base, only about 20 american soldiers were
there. (cute ones at that!) We also met with some marines and took
pictures with their flag. After awhile of talking to them, they asked
if we wanted to shoot in the firing range. Hmm....let me think...HELL
YES! So Justin got to drive the hummer to the range, and I opted to
put on all of the gear and walk my sweaty butt there! I mean, we're
here to experience what the troops do, so why not do what they do and
wear what they wear?? We got to the range, and since I already had
the gear on, I was first. The first one was the machine gun that was
on top of the hummer! This was the first time I've ever pulled a
trigger. The adrenaline that was running throught my vains at this
point is just too much to handle, as I was screaming "THIS IS FOR
GRIMES" (my friend in the military) I couldn't stop firing! I didn't
want to get my hand off of that trigger! When I was done with that
gun, I went to the 250 bravo. I was standing, holding this gun, and I
swear, enlisting went through my head!

The next F.O.B was Methr Lam. I really liked this base! The soldiers
were so happy to see us and we hung out with them for the rest of the
day! These two female soldiers (who were the only two females in the
mechanical unit) took me away and showed me around. Probably to some
places that I wasn't supposed to see, so I won't talk about it, but it
was absolutely amazing. They told me some very sad stories about the
Afghan customs. Here's just a little list:
1. Arranged marriages
2. Their modo is "men are for pleasure, women are for labor"
3. Holy Thursday. This is when the women get to choose any man to
sleep with for the day. (this is every thursday)

The soldiers Angela and Angelique, took me to a little Afghani shop
and bought me a beautiful scarf as a sovenier! It was time to go, so
we got on the Blackhawk and went home, only this time, I sat in the
front where the windows were open and I sat right next to it! I'm
really hoping that this trip has cured my fear of flying! I had a
little too much sun today and I got pretty nautious, so when we got
back to Bogram I went right to bed for about 2 hours, then I got to
ichat with Joey for about an hour.

Tomorrow is the same deal, wake up at the butt crack of dawn and go to
two new F.O.B'S. I'll let you know all about it tomorrow!

miss you and love you,
gina

Hey Everyone,

I'm sorry it's taken so long to get back to you but this is the first time I've been able to get internet access! Imagine that, couldn't get it on the army base in Qatar, but in Bagram, Afghanistan, FULL strength.

So, let me start from the beginning (a very fine place to start).
Brandon, Justin, Nadia and I met in Dulles, Washington where our flight to Qatar was taking off. There, we met out tour manager Joe. Who we now have many names for. (i.e. joe kris, Lt. Dan, and now finding out more about him, Lt. chocolate pants.) I was fortunate enough to be able to sit in between Brandon and Justin. I'm absolutley NOT a fan of flying and they helped me out alot. Especially Brandon who has introduced me to Xanex :) The flight was 12 hours long but it felt a lot shorter than that. We arrived in Qatar where we were greeted by Sgt. Chris and Lt. Bill. These men have been driving us to and from wherever we wanted to go, and have been the most amazing men to all of us.

There's an eight hour difference from home to here, so we are eight hours ahead. We arrived in Qatar at 6:30 and went to Chili's to eat and get to know our tour mangagers. After that, we went to the army base which we stayed for two nights. It's an R&R base, so the soldiers there are only there for four days unless they are stationed there! Nadia and I got settled into our rooms as did Justin and Brandon. We were taken to a place called the Top Off which is the place to go to socialize. It looks like a warehouse from the outside. They have restaurants, pool, darts, karaoke, and of course beer and wine. Soldiers are ony allowed three beers a day though. ( I knew there was a reason why I didn't join the army) Nadia went to bed early, and Justin, Brandon and I hung out with the soldiers.

The next morning, we had a meet and greet with everyone during lunch! It was so fun to see everyone and hear their stories. I even met a man from Naperville who was pretty excited to see me! When the meet and greet was over, Brandon, Justin and I went shopping and walked around a bit just to soak things in. We went to downtown Qatar, which honestly, is one of the most beautiful cities I've ever seen. We went to see the new Batman movie for the third time and then went back to the Top Off to perform for the troops. I lost it when we sang the national anthem and everyone stood up and was singing it louder than we were on the big stage with mics! We stayed outside with the troops until about 2:30am and our ride was picking us up to go to the airport at 3:30am, so we didn't get to sleep at all.

After we were picked up, we got to the military airport where we were taken to Bagram in a C-130 aircraft. What a frickin awesome experince. No seats, just cargo nets to place your ass in for 4 1/2 hours. Once again, thank you Brandon!

Sleeping arrangements are good here in Bagram, it's like camp. Nadia and I are sharing a nice bunker, pretty dusty, but didn't expect anything different, it's a desert. I would prefer the base in Qatar for sleeping, but I have feeling the experience in Afghanistan will be much more worth takling about!

So now, the good emails will come. We're going to be taken by Black Hawk to two different bases a day, so I know I'll have some good stories for you! So while you're all home, complaining about the 90 degree weather, think of the troops out here. It's 120 degrees with 75% humidity. I have to change my clothes every two hours!


Until tomorrow,
Gina

Hey everyone! As you all may know by now, I am co-hosting american idol extra this season. If you have been watching, you've seen performances from past idols such as Haley, Chris Rich, Blake, Ruben, and yes...William Hung. Tomorrow night I will be shown and so will Bo Bice! Please watch and support me and Bo!

Now, the "other things"

My myspace is going to be overhauled! Thats right folks, new and improved if not today than very soon!! We're talking better pictures, information, blogs, all the good stuff. I also need all of you to be on the look out for MY myspace music page. I've never had one of my own, wonderful people have been posting my music, but now, it'll be past, present, and future songs for Gina Glocksen! It will be myspace.com/ginaglocksenmusic.com.

Another website that will be completely turned around for the better is rocktheglock.com. PLEASE STAY TUNED to my myspace page to find out when everything is final! Thank you all so much for your continued love and support!

All of my love,
Gina

WHEN:
Saturday, April 12, 2008

WHERE:
Peoria Rivermen Hockey Club
Carver Arena @ Peoria CIvic Center
201 SW Jefferson
Peoria, IL 61602

TIME:
6-8:00pm - meet and greet
8-9:15pm - game
9:15-10:00pm - Concert (Gina Glocksen season 6, Justin Guarini season 1 and Kimberly Caldwell season 2)

HEY EVERYONE!!

HERE’S ALL THE INFO! HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL THERE!

When: Saturday, May 17th, 2008

Where: Suffern High School/Auditorium
49 Viola Road
Suffern, New York 10901

Time: 7:00pm

Joe and I would like to thank all of you for the continuous support on our engagement! We sat down, talk for a LOOOONG time (three months) and decided the best date for us to get married on is........NEW YEARS EVE!

We figured that all of our friends and family like to go out and party and drink on new years eve, why not kill two birds with one stone and all celebrate together. (it also helps that he wouldn't forget our anniversary!)

I would like to thank all of you that contacted me to make sure that my family, friends and I were okay. Your concern means so much to me. All I can ask is that you keep the victims and their families in your prayers. Thank you all so much.

HEY EVERYONE.

Friday, February 8th is my fiance Joes last show ever with his band "Then Again". They will be performing at Joe's Bar on weed street in the city. If any of you are looking for something to do, please come out and support the band! They're amazing, and they play all of the covers you'd want to hear! After 12 years, they're calling it quits! They go on at ten, but if you want to avoid a line, i suggest you get there a little earlier! who doesn't like to be buzzed when the band starts?? its 21 and over!

hope to see you there!
gina

THANK YOU TO YOU ALL WHO HAVE SENT ME LETTERS! YOU SHOULD BE RECEIVING A PICTURE AND A LETTER BACK SOON!! Don't worry, it's not all the same letter to everyone. They are personalized!! I love receiving your letters and hearing stories about all of you!

thanks again,
gina

Hello to the G-FORCE and all Gina Glocksen fans!

i've completed some of your requests and have gotten a p.o. box so you don't have to send letters and things to my moms house. (not that she didn't love it :)

here it goes:

Gina Glocksen Fan Club
P.O. BOX 5651
Naperville, IL 60567-5651

Thank you all!!!
I hope you had a great new years!!

-gina & joey