Our last night in Kunar. Over the past week we have been sending the team out in small groups. Each day we have been walking up to the flight line to bid farewell to each group as they load their bags and climb on to the helicopter that will start them on their journey home. Yesterday the weather cancelled the flight delaying a group of seven another 24 hours. They were obviously frustrated and a bit anxious having to stay an extra day. But this afternoon their deliverance arrived and they were able to finally depart Kunar. So now there are five. Tonight we ate dinner together, as we usually do. Only today we were the minority in the dining facility. New faces filled the room, faces we no longer knew. We represented a remnant of a proud team that spent the last year together. This place has past us by so now it is time to give room to the new team and allow them to continue the work that we had been the stewards of the past nine months.
As each group left, I was struck by the emotions that I felt, or perhaps, the lack of emotions. Although I will never see most of the team, I do not feel sadness. Even though I am heading home, I do not feel elation or joy. All those emotions are inside, stored away until a time when I can reflect and allow them to be released. For now, although my duties have been turned over and I am Commanding Officer in name only for less than 24 hours, still I am focused. I cherish my four remaining teammates and the job is not done until we all embark our own helicopter and leave Kunar once and for all, a team only in our memories as each of us reflect on the year that was. I don't know if we did any good to help the cause. I would like to say we put a dent in the effort at hand and, perhaps, Afghanistan will have the strength to reach that ultimate goal of peace and stability.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
No Coffee Table Books
Eighteen pounds and counting...
I know I have put quite a few photos on Facebook over the past nine months providing a nice memory of my deployment to Afghanistan. A few of my very nice friends and family have said "Oh, you should put these in a book!" Yeah....no. It is flattering but the quality of the photos don't measure up to a book. Plus there is no rhyme or reason to the photos I take. For many of them I am shooting while I move because we are always moving in a tactical formation so there is no time to stop and frame a shot and ensure I get the best shot. Often I will rest the camera on the extra magazines (the kind that have bullets not the kind you read) in my tactical vest and just take photos as I walk. This is why many of my photos are out of focus or not framed well. For a few weeks we had a French photojournalist with us. It was funny to see him work because he had no shame. He would walk up to people on the street, put his camera lens in their face, snap a couple of pictures and then be off in a flash, scurrying to the next potential photo op. No shame, no words just move, stop, point, shoot, move on. I don't have it in me.
Over the past nine months I have posted over 300 photos on Facebook. It is intriguing to see which pictures people will comment on or push the "Like" button for. Oftentimes I will look and say to myself "Really?" How come no one is liking this one or that one. There have been some that I really really liked but no one would comment or like. No, no need for a book. For me it is fun to look at them and think back to where it was taken and what I was doing. Back in the day I thought it would be fun to be a photographer for National Geographic. When the kids were small I started taking thousands of pictures and now our house is full of photo albums....and I am still in the Navy....with no future at National Geographic. But I always said, if it works out great! If it doesn't then we have a wonderful chronicle of our family.
My cameras have taken a beating and I am down one lens after an unfortunate accident, but they were sturdy and were always with me. Now, there are few missions left so soon the chapter on Afghanistan will come to a close. I look forward to the next chapter...
I know I have put quite a few photos on Facebook over the past nine months providing a nice memory of my deployment to Afghanistan. A few of my very nice friends and family have said "Oh, you should put these in a book!" Yeah....no. It is flattering but the quality of the photos don't measure up to a book. Plus there is no rhyme or reason to the photos I take. For many of them I am shooting while I move because we are always moving in a tactical formation so there is no time to stop and frame a shot and ensure I get the best shot. Often I will rest the camera on the extra magazines (the kind that have bullets not the kind you read) in my tactical vest and just take photos as I walk. This is why many of my photos are out of focus or not framed well. For a few weeks we had a French photojournalist with us. It was funny to see him work because he had no shame. He would walk up to people on the street, put his camera lens in their face, snap a couple of pictures and then be off in a flash, scurrying to the next potential photo op. No shame, no words just move, stop, point, shoot, move on. I don't have it in me.
My cameras have taken a beating and I am down one lens after an unfortunate accident, but they were sturdy and were always with me. Now, there are few missions left so soon the chapter on Afghanistan will come to a close. I look forward to the next chapter...
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
28 Reasons after 28 Years
Amazing to think that 28 years ago today we woke up in a studio apartment in Phoenix, Arizona. I walked the couple of miles to work, arriving just before the 6:00am start time, punched my time card to get my $4.75 an hour started for the day. At noon I left work early, walked home, took a shower and put on my best (and only) slacks and button-down shirt. Midori and I then walked to the bus stop and took the bus downtown to the Maricopa County Courthouse. Mom and Dad happened to be in Scottsdale for a horse show, so they joined us at the courthouse along with our friend George. After Dad paid the $25 for the marriage license we waited around until the justice of the peace, who looked suspiciously like Burl Ives, greeted us in his chambers and pronounced us man and wife (just me and Midori...not Mom, Dad or George).
Now hear I am celebrating our anniversary in Afghanistan for the second year in a row (last year I was here on the site survey). Midori put out the rule not to get her anything since I am terrible at buying stuff online and spend large amounts of money on things that look pretty cool in the picture but cost large amounts of money. So rather than break the rule, I decided to give Midori the following...Happy Anniversary Midori!
Now hear I am celebrating our anniversary in Afghanistan for the second year in a row (last year I was here on the site survey). Midori put out the rule not to get her anything since I am terrible at buying stuff online and spend large amounts of money on things that look pretty cool in the picture but cost large amounts of money. So rather than break the rule, I decided to give Midori the following...Happy Anniversary Midori!
After 28 Years
The 28 Things I Love About You
- Your beautiful smile that lights up a room and steals my heart
- Your patience
- The way you look at new things with sparkling eyes and child-like wonder
- While I was gone for so many years you managed to raise three amazing kids
- The way your skin smells…it smells like, home, warmth, comfort, love
- You always support me whether it is a Navy League dinner or a staff get together you allow me to drag you to events you are not necessarily comfortable going to
- No matter what room we are in or how many people are in it, you are always the most stunningly beautiful woman in the room
- I would not have achieved professional success in the Navy without you
- You buy my clothes and usually get it right
- When you don’t get it right you recognize it and tell me to stop wearing it (because I will wear it until you tell me to stop)
- You are an amazing cook
- I feel that you are proud of me and that gets me through each day more than you know
- For the most part we have a similar outlook on life
- For the parts of life we don’t necessarily match, you tolerate my outlook (back to the patience thing)
- You are so very good to your parents. Even though you live across the ocean from them you have done more for them than anyone else in their lives
- Your gifts are always perfect
- You tolerate my gifts…better yet you tell me not to buy you gifts
- Your body. Whereas I have bounced up and down in weight (50 here, 50 there) you continue to look amazing
- You are more beautiful today than when I first met you and you were gorgeous back then
- You care about your friends
- Although you claim to not have a ‘religion’ you are the most spiritual person I know
- You cry at sappy movies…and don’t give me a hard time when I do too
- You have tolerated my singing to the radio in the car for the last 28 years
- You love our dogs and cats
- Your laugh
- You are good to my family
- You are kind and so unconditionally thoughtful as you do things for me and the kids, planning events or buying things thinking about what would make us happy…
- You truly are my best friend
H
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Just A Few More Observations
My first observation is that I cannot get my brain to have one coherent thought for more than a minute or two, which is why I have defaulted to these short, random ramblings.
It's funny how I log on to this blog over and over to check the statistics to see that a very small handful of people actually read this (yes! three hits today)! Weird how I had six hits from the Ukraine this week...not sure what keyword they honed in on or if it was just the same person looking at it six times.
The stars here are incredible. Almost every night is clear and because there is not much stable power in Afghanistan there are not many lights on at night allowing for some spectacular views including the Milky Way that we often see smudged across the sky. When I go to dinner I can usually look up and see Orion's Belt, and then later at night when I am heading to the restroom around midnight or two, Orion has moved across the sky hanging just above the mountains. The only thing I have seen that compares to the stars here is out at sea. There have been some great nights at sea but the stars here just seem closer as if the blanket thrown over the world at night has been drawn much closer allowing us to practically reach out and touch them.
It's funny how I log on to this blog over and over to check the statistics to see that a very small handful of people actually read this (yes! three hits today)! Weird how I had six hits from the Ukraine this week...not sure what keyword they honed in on or if it was just the same person looking at it six times.
There is an Afghan gentleman who works on the base. His job is to watch two pipes and alert someone if they overflow. This is true. So he leans against a wall and stares at the two pipes. That's it. The creepy thing is one of the pipes is right outside my door, so every time I step outside, there he is, leaning against the wall, staring right at me. We have established a silent but amiable relationship in which I make sure to wave to him at least once a day. He always waves back. I figure I want to stay on his good side...
To the west of the base on the farthest mountain there is a massive rock near the top. Our Sergeant Major dubbed it the Virgin Mary, and from where we stand it actually does look like a statue of the Virgin Mary. We decided that she is there looking over us and making sure no harm comes to the team.
One of the true frustrations with the Afghan culture is their sense of time. It is accepted that if a meeting is suppose to start at a particular hour, it will not start for thirty to sixty minutes after the published time. At each meeting the Americans are always the first ones there because, of course, we are taught to be early so when the time comes the meeting starts as scheduled. Today the meeting I attended started over an hour late. When I first arrived I used to ask my governance advisor why the meeting was not starting. He would smile and say "It is Afghan time so, it will not start on time." By the way, very rarely do they apologize for being late...they just start the meeting as if they were starting on time.
With so many problems in the past with pain in the knees, ankles, feet, back, head, etc...I find myself taking the time these days to really take notice when I am feeling no pain. Those moments when you do a quick scan and realize, knees-good, ankles-good, headache-nope, irritated-nope, tired-nope, wow, so this what it feels like. We take it for granted when nothing hurts and we actually feel good. I have started to take notice and savor the feeling where there are no pain signals going to the brain, I'm not tired and I'm not irritated. I find I appreciate those moments and it drives me to have more of them by taking care of myself. It certainly never lasts all day and sometimes it is mere moments, but I capture that feeling and make sure I don't take those moments for granted.
Ensign James Whitman is my MVP today, not only because he accepted an extremely annoying assignment today, but also because he is one of the few who occasionally reads the blog so...this shoutout is for you Mr. Whitman.
The stars here are incredible. Almost every night is clear and because there is not much stable power in Afghanistan there are not many lights on at night allowing for some spectacular views including the Milky Way that we often see smudged across the sky. When I go to dinner I can usually look up and see Orion's Belt, and then later at night when I am heading to the restroom around midnight or two, Orion has moved across the sky hanging just above the mountains. The only thing I have seen that compares to the stars here is out at sea. There have been some great nights at sea but the stars here just seem closer as if the blanket thrown over the world at night has been drawn much closer allowing us to practically reach out and touch them. Enough ramblings.....for now.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Random Observations
Just some observations and thoughts as we continue this journey:
-I am thoroughly impressed that my Mom turned 83 years old yesterday. I was glad we were able to Skype for awhile. Her tenacity and strength are inspiring.
-The more thin-skinned and sensitive you are the more lonely command can be.
-One day when we were out at Marawara Bridge checking on the construction progress I spoke with a couple of young men who were busy with a pile of green stuff that was rolled up into little balls. They were putting each green ball into little baggies. Evidently these budding entrepreneurs were bagging them up to sell them as a type of dip that men put in their lip just like Copenhagen. They told me they buy tobacco at the bazaar and then mix it with lime and ash and then sell the balls for five Afghanis (about ten cents). People who buy it pinch a little off and put it in their lip. Not sure what else goes into it besides lime and ash but I have a feeling there may be more to it then that. One of the Afghan police who was with us bought a bag for himself. One ball usually lasts a whole day. The young men said even kids do it, sometimes starting at eight years old...crazy.
-I first came here last February to conduct a site survey. While I was visiting I took a picture of a young boy outside a school we were building. Throughout the year I have seen him a few times and, in fact, took a picture of him yesterday. I commented to him that he has grown quite a bit over the past year. He replied, "That is God's will." He also mentioned that we have been coming here over and over and we have never given them anything. I reminded him that we built him a school and he returned "Oh, yes, thank you." Reference my previous point and you see I had to shame him into appreciation. Then he proceeded to ask me what I had in my pockets that I could give him (nothing), what about in the trucks (nothing), how about my gloves (no).
-I am thoroughly impressed that my Mom turned 83 years old yesterday. I was glad we were able to Skype for awhile. Her tenacity and strength are inspiring.
-The more thin-skinned and sensitive you are the more lonely command can be.
-One day when we were out at Marawara Bridge checking on the construction progress I spoke with a couple of young men who were busy with a pile of green stuff that was rolled up into little balls. They were putting each green ball into little baggies. Evidently these budding entrepreneurs were bagging them up to sell them as a type of dip that men put in their lip just like Copenhagen. They told me they buy tobacco at the bazaar and then mix it with lime and ash and then sell the balls for five Afghanis (about ten cents). People who buy it pinch a little off and put it in their lip. Not sure what else goes into it besides lime and ash but I have a feeling there may be more to it then that. One of the Afghan police who was with us bought a bag for himself. One ball usually lasts a whole day. The young men said even kids do it, sometimes starting at eight years old...crazy.-Nine pounds so far on the New Year's Resolution....long way to go.
-The Afghan Jungle Cats that started out as cute kittens have somehow taken over the base. They must be part rabbit because they seemed to be multiplying at a rapid pace. Either that or they called all their jungle cat buddies around Afghanistan and said "Hey, come on out to Camp Wright, we'll have a great time!" We received a second opinion on their heritage and may be able to remove them from the base or euthanize them. I know, I know but if they scratch someone it means rabies shots and we don't have enough vaccine for everyone. Unfortunately the Feline Liberation Front is in full force around the base, so we have seen various cat dishes with food and even a little cat house for them to sleep in...gotta take care of this.
-One of the annoying differences in cultures is that in Afghanistan the term thank you is not used much. They have a word for it. Manana means thank you. But they either have a difficult time expressing appreciation because of a pride thing or it just isn't something they feel is necessary. In fact, usually they will criticize the gift or gesture, and nine times out of ten they will ask for more. I even gave one of our advisors sixty dollars because his paycheck had been drastically delayed. I wanted to help him out so he could eat. No acknowledgement, no thank you, nothing.
-Though I do not have and will not have Post Tramautic Stress Disorder, I now understand how and why people end up with it.
-I have become addicted to Frosted Mini-Wheats. Every morning I knock on the door to the Admin office. My Yeoman opens the door and hands me Frosted Mini-Wheats, a single serving milk carton and a plastic spoon. I go back to my office across the hall and enjoy my breakfast before going out on mission. It has become a ritual that I actually look forward to each day. I don't remember ever eating Frosted Mini-Wheats before this...ever.
-I first came here last February to conduct a site survey. While I was visiting I took a picture of a young boy outside a school we were building. Throughout the year I have seen him a few times and, in fact, took a picture of him yesterday. I commented to him that he has grown quite a bit over the past year. He replied, "That is God's will." He also mentioned that we have been coming here over and over and we have never given them anything. I reminded him that we built him a school and he returned "Oh, yes, thank you." Reference my previous point and you see I had to shame him into appreciation. Then he proceeded to ask me what I had in my pockets that I could give him (nothing), what about in the trucks (nothing), how about my gloves (no).
-The thing I will remember the most about this place will be the children. When most families are having seven to ten kids there are quite a few children running around. Wherever we go they always seem to gather. They are amazingly beautiful as children and most have that untarnished joy and innocence that shows in their eyes and in their smiles. I have taken many pictures of the girls and boys sitting on the rock walls as we passed to reach a particular school project. Yesterday as we walked the same path, we passed a couple of females wearing their blue burqas. I wondered to myself if, perhaps, these were two of the girls I had taken pictures of previously. Maybe they had reached that certain age, or had been married off at twelve or fourteen. I could hope and pray all day but know that the joy and innocence will fade for most of them, sooner rather than later. I fear both the boys and girls face many more years of war and strife. It breaks your heart.
-Amazingly I have already read two books and working on a third in 2012. Considering what little time I have and my track record over the past few years that is a pretty good start.
- As far as I can remember, I have only been to a movie theatre two or three times in the past year (no movie theatres here). That too is a record. I look forward to being able to go to the movies with a big tub of popcorn and a giant Slurpee.
-My kids do not have any MVP trophies on their shelves. They have never been the state champion of this or the winner of that. But, wow, I am humbled at what wonderful human beings they have become. They are all just hard working, respectful, moral, good people and they are beautiful inside and out. They all truly have good and kind hearts. It brings me to tears to think at how lucky I am while I give all the credit to Midori. She raised them while I spent most of their childhoods at sea. To say I am proud does not do justice to how I feel...truly, truly blessed.
-Enough for now...sorry if it ran long.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Gotta Love Resolutions
Twenty-five pounds.
That is my major resolution for the year. I have to lose 25 pounds. So, even though I did not necessarily get started on New Years Day, I am starting now (I can do that). Many people don't believe in resolutions and think they are a waste of time. I like the idea. I like the fact that you can continue to maintain bad habits through December know that you are going to make a resolution on 1 January. I like the thought of a clean start and the possibility of change. I have even successfully kept resolutions in the past. Two years ago my resolution was to lose 50 pounds, and I did it. Of course, I gained about thirty of that back, but that is beside the point. I established a resolution, set goals, and followed the path that I had set for myself. So, the problem was not achieving the resolution, it was letting my guard down once I achieved it.
Now, even the year that I lost the weight I was only fifty percent since I failed dramatically at my second major resolution. So, this year my resolutions are very similar to two years ago. I am going to lose 25 pounds and clean the stinkin' garage. Our garage is quite an adventure, and will take some time. Evidently it is easier to lose 50 pounds than it is to clean a garage. We will see this year. The resolution will be put on hold for the first few months so I can get home and actually start it.
So, 25 pounds, you are out of here. I promise not to turn this into a weight loss log, but this is my way of putting myself out there and becoming accountable to the four or five people that might actually read this. In 2010 I declared my resolutions in the Plan of the Week at the mighty Navy Recruiting District Seattle. Letting the entire command know kept me motivated. In fact I still get the occasional snide remark about the garage from some of my former teammates. So, now it is out there...more to follow.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Happy New Year
In the waning minutes of 2011 I figured I would provide one more post to give a very quick view of the year. It is cold and my heater isn't working so I can't sit here to long without freezing. January 2011 found me in Washington DC, finishing up my last month of Pashto training and enjoying my last real month of freedom before the deployment started in earnest. It was the last month that I had regular hours and was able to come and go as I wished, not having to run around in a convoy of Mad Max vehicles, or locked down in an open bay barracks in a state I hope to never visit again. I was living in the basement of a former Assistant Secretary of Commerce sharing it with one of my classmates and four cats. I was close enough that I could visit my brother David and his wonderful wife and daughter Marybeth and Emma for some family time and a hot meal. Most of my time was studying a language I still haven't mastered and never will. My closest friend was a calico cat named Dandelion.
February I made my first trip to Afghanistan to visit Kunar and get a feel for what challenges lay ahead for the team I had yet to meet. I remember the first time I climbed into one of the massive armored trucks and rolled out of the base and on to the roads of Kunar. "So this is what I have to look forward too...hmmm." The trip to Afghanistan, and the month, went by quickly even with the snowstorm in Bagram that kept us stranded for four days unable to go anywhere. Before I knew it March came around and I was home for just a few days before heading back to Camp Atterbury, Indiana. I actually spent the first week of February there with the small group of PRT COs, but when we returned our teams had started to form. March was filled with meeting the team and getting to know everyone as we started our training. By the end of the month the entire team was together. April, May and the first part of June are a blur as we "formed the tribe" learned how to be soldiers, shot lots of weapons and lived in open bay barracks together. It wasn't terrible, but it wasn't pleasant and more than anything we just wanted to get out of there so we could start the deployment. Having already been to Kunar I knew our living conditions would be better in Afghanistan. It was sometimes difficult for them to believe that, so it was great to see their eyes light up and their smiles light their faces as they arrived.
But, before we left for Kunar, we were allowed to go home for a week. As luck would have it that was the week Bob graduated from Oregon State. It was wonderful to see him in the ceremony. I was more nervous and excited for him heading off on his adventure to Los Angeles than I was for my deployment. He has done so well, I couldn't be prouder. The week at home culminated in a graduation party at the beautiful home of my sister Molly and her husband Steve. It was nice to see everyone celebrating Bob and Rachel's graduation. It was a good way to finish the trip. Going to the airport with Midori and Sara, I was a blubbering fool. It was difficult to walk away from them and head to the plane...what was I doing?
Since July everything has run together. This has been the toughest job I have ever had, although it has changed a bit since returning from R&R. The leadership challenges have been endless and never have I questioned myself or my abilities than I did in the first six months. My leadership style changed...for a variety of reasons, and now I kick myself for not trusting my instincts and doing what I know how to do. Now, I am more calm and can see more clearly what I need to do. There is still plenty of fog, but I can see my way through it now (with the help of a great team). Some of the stories will have to wait to be told until I get home...it is just better that way.
Christmas day I spent most of the time up on our observation post eating a Christmas lunch with our squad that is up there keeping us safe. The Sergeant Major and I spent about three and a half hours with them before the helo came and took us back down to the base. Later my boss flew in to join us for Christmas dinner. We spent the first hour serving up dinner for the troops. I was responsible for the ham and the cheesiest macaroni and cheese I have ever seen. After dinner the boss stayed for a little bit and then we put him on a helo and he was off. The evening ended standing around the fire pit enjoying the company of a few Soldiers and Sailors who weren't quite ready to call in a night.
Jumping back to November, I believe the greatest moment of the entire year was walking into my house for the first time and having Midori leap into my arms. I wasn't sure what her reaction would be when I surprised her...it was better than anything I could imagine. The worst moment was perhaps when I realized how much time I wasted during the two weeks I was home. I was sick the first three or four days and then made Midori sick. Once I was healthy I should have spent more quality time with both Midori and Sean. Instead I was in a daze for most of it, doing as little as possible and wasting precious time. Regrets suck.
So that brings us to the last hour of the year. There is a lame party at the USO building but I will probably go out and join the gang standing around the fire pit again. Better than sitting at the computer in this cold room I suppose. All in all it has been a good year...challenging, educational, frustrating. I have made some lifelong friends, that is certain. I look forward to new challenges in the year to come...Happy New Year.
February I made my first trip to Afghanistan to visit Kunar and get a feel for what challenges lay ahead for the team I had yet to meet. I remember the first time I climbed into one of the massive armored trucks and rolled out of the base and on to the roads of Kunar. "So this is what I have to look forward too...hmmm." The trip to Afghanistan, and the month, went by quickly even with the snowstorm in Bagram that kept us stranded for four days unable to go anywhere. Before I knew it March came around and I was home for just a few days before heading back to Camp Atterbury, Indiana. I actually spent the first week of February there with the small group of PRT COs, but when we returned our teams had started to form. March was filled with meeting the team and getting to know everyone as we started our training. By the end of the month the entire team was together. April, May and the first part of June are a blur as we "formed the tribe" learned how to be soldiers, shot lots of weapons and lived in open bay barracks together. It wasn't terrible, but it wasn't pleasant and more than anything we just wanted to get out of there so we could start the deployment. Having already been to Kunar I knew our living conditions would be better in Afghanistan. It was sometimes difficult for them to believe that, so it was great to see their eyes light up and their smiles light their faces as they arrived.
But, before we left for Kunar, we were allowed to go home for a week. As luck would have it that was the week Bob graduated from Oregon State. It was wonderful to see him in the ceremony. I was more nervous and excited for him heading off on his adventure to Los Angeles than I was for my deployment. He has done so well, I couldn't be prouder. The week at home culminated in a graduation party at the beautiful home of my sister Molly and her husband Steve. It was nice to see everyone celebrating Bob and Rachel's graduation. It was a good way to finish the trip. Going to the airport with Midori and Sara, I was a blubbering fool. It was difficult to walk away from them and head to the plane...what was I doing?
Since July everything has run together. This has been the toughest job I have ever had, although it has changed a bit since returning from R&R. The leadership challenges have been endless and never have I questioned myself or my abilities than I did in the first six months. My leadership style changed...for a variety of reasons, and now I kick myself for not trusting my instincts and doing what I know how to do. Now, I am more calm and can see more clearly what I need to do. There is still plenty of fog, but I can see my way through it now (with the help of a great team). Some of the stories will have to wait to be told until I get home...it is just better that way.
Christmas day I spent most of the time up on our observation post eating a Christmas lunch with our squad that is up there keeping us safe. The Sergeant Major and I spent about three and a half hours with them before the helo came and took us back down to the base. Later my boss flew in to join us for Christmas dinner. We spent the first hour serving up dinner for the troops. I was responsible for the ham and the cheesiest macaroni and cheese I have ever seen. After dinner the boss stayed for a little bit and then we put him on a helo and he was off. The evening ended standing around the fire pit enjoying the company of a few Soldiers and Sailors who weren't quite ready to call in a night.
Jumping back to November, I believe the greatest moment of the entire year was walking into my house for the first time and having Midori leap into my arms. I wasn't sure what her reaction would be when I surprised her...it was better than anything I could imagine. The worst moment was perhaps when I realized how much time I wasted during the two weeks I was home. I was sick the first three or four days and then made Midori sick. Once I was healthy I should have spent more quality time with both Midori and Sean. Instead I was in a daze for most of it, doing as little as possible and wasting precious time. Regrets suck.
So that brings us to the last hour of the year. There is a lame party at the USO building but I will probably go out and join the gang standing around the fire pit again. Better than sitting at the computer in this cold room I suppose. All in all it has been a good year...challenging, educational, frustrating. I have made some lifelong friends, that is certain. I look forward to new challenges in the year to come...Happy New Year.
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