At our training camp, we learned that going on this trip meant we would lose our right to many things. Personal space and personal time being just one of those “lost rights”. I’m an extrovert, but still need time to just be alone. Being the creative mind I am, I’ve learned how to create that alone time when necessary. In fact, as I type I am looking at the seven other people on my team, but can’t hear one word they are saying, thanks to my wonderful headphones. For all I know, they could be laughing at my high-water sweatpants I inherited after our mid-debrief. Or perhaps they are discussing whether Dante’s Inferno was a verbatim representation of hell or a metaphorical account of what Dante would deem hell to be. The fact that I have no idea what they are talking about is precisely my objective. Another way I’ve found my alone time is to spend a few extra minutes in the lavatory. This, of course, is only attainable when we are living in a house, as extra time in a squatty wouldn’t really be “alone time” due to the mass quantity of flies. I’ve also found that staying up a few hours later than everyone else can give me that alone time I need. However, I discovered last night that I may not always enjoy climbing into bed after said alone time.
You see, last night I spent a couple extra hours journaling, writing emails, and working out before heading into bed around 2 o’clock. I picked up and swept the living room, turned off all of the lights, gently tiptoed up the stairs and was slowly pulling back the mosquito net to climb into bed with Rachel, who appeared to be sleeping peacefully, when I heard a loud “BARK” come from the bed. Now there are only a few problems with this picture: 1. The dog, Tommy, is about a foot tall and should be the only thing making that noise. However, Tommy is covered in fleas, so if he were in the bed, I would never sleep in that bed again. 2. There was no dog in the bed. There was a person. 3. No person should ever make that sort of a noise. My immediate reaction was a yelp and my body involuntarily threw itself to the floor. As the tears of fear, relief, and utter shock rolled down my face, Rachel began to roar with laughter.
Yes, alone time is necessary, and often sought, but seldom reached in the way that I envision.
