THANK YOUS AND GOODBYES

DH here. Sorry it's been so long since my last post. It takes a while to get adjusted. Well, let's start with the goodbyes. Most of you know that my last job in the Navy wasn't very military like at all. I was in an office with all officers and I was the only enlisted. Don't get me wrong, the guys I worked with were great, but there will always be that separation between Os and Es. But, when I arrived at Fort Jackson for training and we were all thrown into the barracks together; I was one of the boys again. I missed all the joking around and just talking about anything you can imagine (some things I can't repeat here). Through all the early mornings and MREs, I never had a bad day, because someone was always there to make me laugh. Living with 30 guys in one room, you're going to make a few friends. But, the training only lasted a few weeks and we were off to Kuwait. Most of us stayed in Kuwait for an additional week of training, but a few left the next day for their IA duty stations and we had to say goodbye. You wouldn't think that people you have only known for a few weeks would make that much of an impression, but I could see it when those of us staying behind, all dead tired from all of the travel, either stayed up or got out of bed at midnight to say goodbye and stay safe. While in Kuwait we had some time on our hands and I spent most of mine with Louis "Sal" Salazar and Dave Bene. We were kind of thrown together, because Sal and I were the only cool kids in our tent and Dave, just a couple of tents down, was the only cool kid in his. A few people were actually calling us the three amigos. Just like before, training ended and we were headed to Bagram, Afghanistan. Dave and Sal stayed in Bagram and I traveled on to Kabul. We said our goodbyes very briefly and we now keep in contact via e-mail. Unlike my earlier years in the Navy, I think we'll stay in touch. E-mail makes it much easier. A photo of the three amigos is below.

Now there are several people that I would like to thank that have been very helpful since this this deployment began. Mike & Missy Marshall (Mike was actually in Iraq at the time) who hosted me the week I was in Norfolk and let me borrow a car since the Navy was too cheap to pay for a rental. Randy & Margaret Lacher who let me lounge in their pool on the ridiculously hot days in Norfolk. The George/Snead Clan down in SC. Danny, Sumie and the kids were great hosts to me during my few off duty hours while I was at Fort Jackson. I think I would like to spend every July 4th down there. Mom for sending the cards that brighten my day each time I receive them; I got one today. Carol and Mike for sending my favorite trail mix and pistachios, you wouldn't believe the amount of people that asked, "Is that the mountain trail mix from Sam's?" Dad and Joyce for e-mailing the photos of Grand mama's Birthday Party and Daniel's Wedding that I missed. Mom and Dad George for dog sitting when Carol came down to SC to visit me before I left. All of our neighbors, Rebbecca, Sharon, and the Lordos Family that have graciously agreed to dog sit for Carol's vacation to the Outer Banks. And Miss London Lordos for keeping Carol company and helping her walk Max while I'm away. The poor military car/motorcycle salesman, Phil, that has had to deal with a million questions from me concerning the Harley Davidson I have now put down a deposit on. Then there's my beautiful wife. How can I can thank her for everything that she is to me? She's simply the best. I miss her terribly, but it's my thoughts of her that get me through each day. I could never make it without her. Carol, Thank you.
Chris

Another gift for the hall of fame

I know I have told you before that my DH (dear husband) is truly amazing, an incredible giver of gifts. He's given me diamonds, dozens and dozens of roses and other flowers (I just got a peace lily from him this week!), coupons for "Carol time" (those of you who are introverts will understand), fine jewels from Caribbean islands, a replication of my favorite tablet/notebook from my childhood that flew out the back station wagon window, a Catrina (how many times can I link to that page in this post?), sweet pajamas, and the list goes on and on. Fer cryin' out loud - he "got" me this blog!!

But this, my friends, this latest gift takes the cake -- or rather, it takes the POOP! Yeah, baby, Doody Calls, and "when nature calls, Doody Calls answers." That's right, I'm talking a pet waste removal service... once a week, scheduled right before I usually mow the grass. They were here today... quick and efficient. Check out the video on the link, and no, that is not one of the guys that came to our house today.

I swear, can life get any better than this? *MUAH* to DH!

If he could put Time in a Bottle

He really, really wishes he could, but...

He's at a new command with a lot to learn and has been working 13 to 15-hour days. He wishes he had the time to blog, e-mail, call more often, but it just is not possible right now. He wants all of us to know that he appreciates the comments on the blog and the e-mails and asks for our understanding that he is not always able to get back to us quickly. Hopefully, he says, he will have more time later.

I am a lucky girl: DH and I have exchanged regular e-mails and I have been able to get phone calls from him almost daily. Just as my family and friends are here for me, so am I here for you if you want to know how Chris is doing. Well, yes, I am glad you asked, there may be days when the sign on my door reads, "Husband Deployed: Proceed with Caution." But those days should be rare!

OK, so the lyrics to "Time in a Bottle" don't really match up with the content of this post. So what.

Recipe

It's Friday morning. I am at work. I haven't sipped my coffee yet, but I am going to share with you a recipe that Chris was not interested in partaking in, but he knew I would be making quite often while he is deployed.

INGREDIENTS:
1. pita bread
2. sliced radishes
3. crumbled feta cheese
4. fresh parsley sprigs

Put ingredients 2 through 4 in the pita bread. Enjoy!

Now, time for that coffee!

PHOTOS OF THE CONVOY

As you all can tell from Carol's post; I am finally here. I will update you all on things here in Afghanistan later. But for now, here are a few photos from the convoy. There is one of me in the gun turret of the Humvee. The other two are of the camels that delayed us for a few minutes. That fella on the top actually tried to eat our headlight. Chris

He's there!

Chris has safely made it to International Security Assistance Force Headquarters (HQ ISAF) in Kabul, Afghanistan. He's super tired after not sleeping for 48 hours because of the travel schedule. He will start work tomorrow.

Here's some information on HQ ISAF from the welcome packet:

"On 9 August 2003 NATO assumed authority for the ISAF mission, and HQ ISAF was formed shortly thereafter. HQ ISAF is the combined/joint headquarters, which manages and executes all NATO-led combat, security and reconstruction efforts. The HQ compound takes up the area of approximately one city block, about 400 meters x 400 meters square. As of October 2007, 37 different nations have contributed over 41000 troops to the NATO/ISAF Mission. HQ ISAF consists of approximately 1700 personnel from those supporting nations. It is truly an international as well as US Forces Joint tour experience. ISAF has been charged with securing Afghanistan from the Taliban, al Qaida and factional war lords, so as to allow for the continued growth and validation of the Government of The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIRoA)."

BACK FROM TRAINING

Just back from training a few hours ago. It was much more intense than expected. The second day specifically; we woke at 0400 and didn't return to our tent until 730pm and had an hour long meeting after that. We had the opportunity to shoot our weapons one last time. I have never been a gun person, but I have to admit it's been kind of fun. Then convoy training. I was assigned as the gunner; the guy that sticks out of the top of the Humvee and provides security. The first day we were out in the sun for over 6 hours; it was brutal. The last day it was only about 3 1/2 hours and we started early morning before it got too hot.

I have to say that we learned more in 2 1/2 days in the desert than we did in 2 1/2 weeks in SC. Not to say that the training at Fort Jackson/Camp McCrady wasn't valuable, but there's only so much you teach in the pine trees of SC when you're headed to the desert.

I did get some pretty cool pictures and I will post them when I get to my final destination, which should be pretty soon. There is one photo where the convoy was delayed and it wasn't by a bad guy, but a CAMEL. He actually tried to eat the headlight of the Humvee I was in. That was at the end of the long day and it was a much needed laugh for everyone. This will probably be my last post for a few days; I've got some traveling to do in the near future. Just wanted to let everyone know that I'm doing well and thinking of you all. Take care, Chris.


PS
It's still hot. I went to the gym the day before we left for training and it's always freezing cold in the gym. It was this day as well. I walked over to the thermostat and it was set on 84 degrees. I can't believe 84 degrees is cold to me. Carol's going to want the house cooler than I will want it when I get back.

IAs Preparing for Boots on the Ground

Check out this video about Individual Augmentees Preparing for Boots on the Ground. Most of it is about the Ft. Jackson/Camp McCrady training, but the last section appears to show some of the Kuwait training.

Excuse me while I return to... doing nothing.

Yes, Honey

Yes, honey, I mowed the grass tonight. (Third time, BTW.)

Seven time zones away, in the desert, in 115 degree climate, and he's on my case about keeping the lawn mowed.

He's the bestest!

FINALLY A COUPLE OF PHOTOS

Finally after several attempts. This is where I am currently living. There will be more photos later when I have a faster internet connection. There's not a lot to report today. We're all basically sitting around waiting for the next training cycle. The main purpose of this first week is to get acclimated to the weather and to get rid of our jetlag. I am well on my way to getting rid of the jetlag, but I think I could spend 10 years here and never be acclimated to the weather. Did I mention that it's freaking hot?
They have a movie theater here on base and show movies all day long. I watched "The Happening" the other day and I can honestly say it's definitely ok to wait for video on this one. It was actually kind of boring. Well, gotta go get my one cup of coffee for the day; it's water the rest of the day. I will be out of touch in the near future for 3-5 days. If you have any questions; Carol knows what's going on. Chris.

BUT IT'S A DRY HEAT

IT'S FREAKING HOT!!!!!!!!! The only quoted temperature I've heard was when we landed at the airport at 10:00pm and it was 100 degrees. They said it would regularly get between 115 and 120. I got the full dose of it yesterday at about noon when I was the only one still awake. I think the Sun decided to direct it's full force directly at me for being stupid enough to be outside when all of my shipmates were sound asleep inside their air conditioned tents. I did get a little satisfaction this morning when I found out that many people were up as early as 3am, because they were sleeping so much yesterday. I slept quite well and woke up refreshed.
I forgot to bring my thumb drive with me to the Internet Cafe, which is where I'm typing this, so I'll have to get the photos up later. Take care, Chris.

FINALLY HERE

DH here again. Just a quick note to let everyone know that I'm here safe and sound in Kuwait. After about 20 hours of travel and hurrying up and waiting, we had a beautiful sand covered Army tent waiting for us in the middle of the desert(I'll never ask Carol to go camping ever again). I'm trying to stay awake all day right now so I can get on schedule; I don't know if I'm gonna make it to 10:00pm tonight. It's currently 9:00am; seven hours ahead of you guys on the east coast. I'll try to get up some photos of our tent later this week. Take Care, Chris.

LONG FLIGHT AHEAD

DH here. We've finally finished our army training here in beautiful SC and we're scheduled to fly out this evening. We're headed to Kuwait for one more week of training before we all split up and head off to our new locations. I've met a few people here that are going to the same location and Command as me; so at least I will not be the only new person there. The training we received here has been very interesting and the Army has done a very good job of hosting us. It's kind of funny that the only complaints from anyone here are all about the Navy side of the house.
I must say that the best part of the 3 weeks here was spending time with Carol when she came down last weekend. Hanging out with Danny, Sumie and the kids when Carol wasn't here was quite entertaining. We had a great 4th of July with some outstanding fireworks. I have attached one of the videos I shot of the fireworks; I tried e-mailing to Carol but the file is kind of large and would not go through. Just a few more hours here and we're off on our 20 hour trip. See you all in 6 months.

Adoption Status Update

Rumors are that this past month (June) the China Center of Adoption Affairs (CCAA) matched babies with families whose applications were received up to and including January 25, 2006. That was three days worth of applications since the last batch of matching/referrals (January 21 & 22 were weekend days). Ouch.

The CCAA has been working on applications received in January 2006 for the past five months. All bets are that they will finish matching the applications received in January next month, especially since the CCAA was closed January 28-February 5, 2006 for the Chinese New Year, so there should be few, if no, applications received during those days.