So we’re slowly sneaking up on 2006, as I wish you all a very Merry Day After Christmas (or, for you Canadians, Boxing Day).
How was everyone’s Christmas? Me, I spent mine playing football with some of the guys from the MPAD (Mobile Public Affairs Detachment — they write the newspaper). Myself, Staff Sgt. Leake and Chief Crandall went down to Blackhawk Field where we met up with a bunch of the guys for some good 4-on-4 football action. It was a fun time. I’ve got photos of it that I’m going to throw in the PhotoCenter as soon as I can. Just not tonight.
Today it got COLD. This morning the temperature peaked at 49 degrees, and we had a high of 56 for the day. In just a short span of two days we have seen some really frigid temps move into the region. For those of you that thought Baghdad couldn’t get very cold, you’re dead wrong. The wind blows constantly here and makes it worse because there’s not much to break the wind. I was froze when I arrived at work, and I think it’s gonna be cold tonight when I take off in a few minutes. Up in Kurdistan (northern Iraq) it actually snows frequently.
As we get closer to the advent of 2006, another brand new year, I look at it as one of huge change for me. I’ll be coming back from Iraq in late April or early May. I will finally be visiting with Aftan Rehling, four years after our high school graduation (and four years too long). My time in the Air Force will end November 26, and I will be moving away from Newport News and heading west to Springfield, Missouri at that time.
In case you didn’t read the above clearly, that served notice as my official announcement that I indeed am moving away from Newport News and going to Springfield. I’ve talked about it over and over and over, but I guess I needed to come right out with an official announcement. I know it’s a year away but it’s the biggest goal I have set for 2006, and I am determined to reach that goal with the money I will be making here in Iraq, and God’s help as well.
I hope everyone had a merry Christmas. Let me know what made it special for you, if it was special. Did it snow, did you go on Christmas lights tours, etc.??? Just let me know how your Christmas went!!! I’d love to hear back from all of you.
On a final note, you might notice something differently about the Shoutbox tonight. It went kaput today while I was trying to fix something. My bad…I might get it fixed before I get out of here tonight and definitely it will be up tomorrow.
Peace, God bless, and the Shoutbox is coming back soon.
Hey there! Good talking with you last night. I left you a long comment on Christmas Day but it isn’t showing up. What happened to it, is it lost in the black hole of cyberspace? Love ya lots bud.
Hi Chris,
Christmas was great here and I hope yours went well. I know you would much rather been home with your family, but I hope you had a good one!
Sounds like you have made some really great plans for 2006! That’s great! I hope everything turns out wonderfully for you, you deserve it!
Stay safe my friend and be good!!
Merry Christmas Chris. We miss you! John& Barbara
Christmas in Kelso was good. weather was semi warm of 49 degree. of what i asked the real person that matters for asking Jesus answered my needs of a christmas wish. i had need of a clock that would keep right time and not jump 2 hours out of wack.
some blank vcr tapes was nice to get under the tree, and some nice shirts. what i give most thankfulness for this christmas is the gathering of family together.
to you my friend keep warm, and safe as we uphold you in a hedge of prayers for you.