COMPLETELY ABSORBED BY VIETNAM

I've never felt so alive! The ambush was absolutely amazing. I even decided that while I was out there I didn't need my weapon, dangerous work of course, but that's the exciting part. When I had returned to the compound Mark was not too pleased with what I had done. He sat me down and long story short, we are officially now engaged. However, I am not too certain that that is what I want anymore. I don't know if I can see that house on Lake Erie or small children in my future either. I feel that Mark and I have grown apart while I have been here in Vietnam. I have grown much closer in fact to the country itself. I want to swallow this whole country, that's how I feel. I left the compound for about three weeks and when I finally returned I felt that I should go directly to the Greenies tent. I have more in common with those men now. They understand things that Mark does not. Mark tried to convince me to come back with him but I have decided that I will stay here, forever. I will not be coming back. I plan on leaving tomorrow, into the jungle I will walk and become completely absorbed by Vietnam.

NIGHT PATROLS

They've finally let me in on some of the raw action that goes on around here. Four casualties came in and I was taught how to shoot morphine and repair arteries. I've also cut off all of my hair, I felt it was getting in the way of things. I've become friends with the green beret men as well. They seem more attuned to Vietnam, which is how I feel about this place. I was invited out on their night patrols several times and I absolutely love it. I have become enthralled by the jungle and love having to always be on my toes when out on missions with the men. Mark has not been too keen about all the patrols I've been on lately and wants me to return to Ohio. However, little does he know, I am going on ambush tonight and want nothing more to do with Ohio or the little town I came from. I feel I've morphed into this whole other being, my mind being expanded as well as my emotions. I never expected to be so involved with this country but it has happened and I now feel like a part of it.

READY FOR SOME ACTION

My few days here in Vietnam have been wonderful so far. I feel like coming here was a good thing for me. Mark and the other men have just been the sweetest to me. They let me ask all of my annoying questions and give me detailed responses in turn. I want to know so much about this place, I really just can't get over how much I am enjoying it here. Mark even promised to take me into the village later on tomorrow so I can see some of the native people, even though he insisted that it was much too dangerous, I have my heart set on going. The men also promised to let me in on some of the action, since this is a medical compound. I want to get my hands dirty and experience what the guys are doing over here during this war. I've already seen some of the casualties come in and the way the men handle the situations, running on pure adrenaline astonishes me. I happen to be a fast learner and have already picked up some Vietnamese and learned to cook. So I think that I would have no problem with helping out when the next injured soldiers come through.

FINALLY ARRIVED!

Well here I am! Finally arrived in Vietnam, after all the different planes I've been on in the past couple days it sure is a relief to be here. I get to see the one and only Mark Fossie. One day, after this war, the two of us will be married and we'll have our own place somewhere on Lake Erie. This compound that I'm staying in has me so curious, I want to know everything! I want to learn about the things the men do over here and I want to learn about this country and the people who live in it. There is an odd beauty and mystery to the land and it intrigues me. The men here at the compound are already quite nice to me and generous when it comes to answering my questions. I'm here, so I might as well learn something new since my boyfriend paid so much for me to come. Tomorrow maybe I will see if I can roam a bit if it isn't too dangerous for me to do so.